The jury for the trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, who denies murdering trespasser Keith 'Bono' Conlon, will take a long break and will not deliberate until after Christmas. The jury, made up of nine men and three women, had previously informed the judge that they were unavailable to attend the Central Criminal Court on several dates, including December 22 and 23. Judge Siobhan Lankford explained that the trial had already run nine weeks, longer than the initial six‑week estimate, and that the jurors could return to work during the break if they wished. She will resume the charge on December 30 and will summarise the prosecution and defence cases then, giving the jurors a document outlining the legal questions they must consider before reaching a verdict. The case remains at the trial stage, with the jury yet to decide on the murder charge against Mr Phelan. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court is continuing deliberations in the murder trial of Dean Caffrey, aged 38, of Beaucourt, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. The twelve-person jury has now deliberated for just under seven hours across three days in the case concerning the death of Sean McCarthy, aged 28, between 2 and 7 August 2022. Mr Caffrey has pleaded not guilty to murder. The prosecution alleged Mr Caffrey deliberately killed Mr McCarthy, while the defence maintains he acted in self-defence during a struggle over a firearm at Mr Caffrey's apartment in Achill, Mayo. Mr McCarthy's body was subsequently discovered concealed in a wardrobe. The jury must determine whether Mr Caffrey is guilty of murder, manslaughter, or not guilty of any offence. Yesterday the jury requested to examine the firearm involved. Deliberations will resume on the following day.
A parish priest's personal bank account was almost €50,000 emptied in a phone‑scam that involved a bogus broadband connection fee. The priest, after receiving a call from a supposed broadband company, attempted to pay a one‑off fee of €5 online. He tried to make the payment over 40 times in four days, resulting in the loss of nearly €50,000. Money mule Kelvin Kleinovas (24) later transferred €10,000 of the stolen cash into his own account. Kleinovas pleaded guilty in August 2019 to having the proceeds of crime in his account and was arrested in September 2021. He has seven prior convictions, including money laundering, for which he received a two‑year suspended sentence. None of the stolen money was recovered. The priest's victim impact statement expressed deep disappointment with the bank's failure to protect his funds and described the loss as devastating.
Richard Setchfield, a 67‑year‑old British national, pleaded guilty on 19 August 2019 to possessing proceeds of criminal conduct after Gardaí found €78,000 taped to the chassis of his car at Dublin Port. The money, which he claimed came from his own savings and the sale of a Volkswagen a week earlier, was seized when the vehicle was X‑rayed and searched again at New Customs House. Setchfield also had €1,200 in his wallet seized. He told Gardaí he had hidden the cash because he had seen it on television and did not want to inform the tax authorities. Gardaí noted he had no work or social welfare history, had 25 prior convictions, and had no significant balances in two bank accounts. The case was adjourned to 27 January, with Setchfield remanded on continuing bail.
A trial is ongoing in the Special Criminal Court regarding the death of Tristan Sherry, who was allegedly beaten to death, spat on, and photographed by his attackers following a vigilante revenge attack at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve. Prosecution counsel Fiona Murphy SC described the attack as a 'sustained, controlled and continuous attack' on Sherry, who was disarmed and left in a 'foetal position' on the ground. She called for the conviction of three men for murder and three others for violent disorder. The accused include Noah Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut, who are charged with murder, and Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy, who are charged with violent disorder. All accused have pleaded not guilty. Defence speeches are continuing, with the three judges to consider their verdicts after the closing speeches. The trial has heard that Sherry shot and fatally wounded Jason Hennessy Snr before being dragged to the ground and beaten to death. The accused charged with murder may argue that provocation by Sherry's actions led to a sudden and total loss of self-control, which could result in a manslaughter conviction rather than murder. The trial is expected to continue with closing speeches from the remaining accused over the coming days.
In the Central Criminal Court, Judge Siobhan Lankford finished a three‑hour evidence summary for a jury of twelve in the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, 56, who denies killing Keith 'Bono' Conlon, 36, on his Tallaght farm on 24 February 2022. Phelan, a barrister, lecturer and farmer, pleaded not guilty. The judge instructed the jury to decide whether the State proved it was not reasonably possible that Phelan unintentionally struck a trespasser with a third shot from his revolver, and to consider self‑defence if the jury found intent to kill or seriously injure. She explained the jury could return one of three verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty.
Two members of a Romanian organised crime gang were sentenced to a combined ten years in prison for a series of vehicle‑ram raids on commercial premises in July 2023. The men, Ricardo Stancu (19), Daniel Murgea (31) and Ionut Leonard Petriu (38), were arrested during Garda Operation 'Docht' and pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal damage and organised crime offences. Stancu received five years with the final 12 months suspended; Murgea was sentenced to six years after a headline of eight years was considered, taking into account his prior convictions in France and Italy. Petriu, who pleaded guilty to assisting the group, was placed on bail and his case was adjourned to March 20 for a probation report. The court described the offences as highly organised, with extensive damage to three unoccupied commercial premises and no items stolen.
A former scrapyard worker has given evidence at the Workplace Relations Commission regarding an incident at Hammond Lane Metal Company's Clondalkin facility in December 2023. The woman alleged that a senior manager made offensive remarks toward her in the presence of colleagues and customers. The company, which operates sites across Cork, Sligo, Athlone, and Dublin, dismissed the manager, Bernard McMahon, following her complaint. McMahon has brought a case against Hammond Lane Metal Company Ltd under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, contesting his termination. During cross-examination, the complainant's representative questioned aspects of the witness account, whilst company HR evidence confirmed the manager had admitted to the alleged conduct. The tribunal heard that McMahon was suspended following an investigative meeting on 19 December 2023. The proceedings are ongoing, with McMahon expected to give evidence on Thursday.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, 56‑year‑old law professor Diarmuid Phelan denies murdering Keith 'Bono' Conlon, a 36‑year‑old father of four, on his Hazelgrove Farm in Tallaght on 24 February 2022. The presiding judge, Justice Siobhan Lankford, informs the 12‑member jury that the trial, originally expected to last six weeks, has entered its ninth week and will continue into the tenth. She reminds jurors that they must decide whether the State has proven that Phelan could not have unintentionally hit Conlon with a third shot from his revolver. If they find intent to kill or seriously injure, they must also consider the defendant's claim of self‑defence. The judge outlines the three possible verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty.
Gavin Minto, 29, pleaded guilty to possession of three controlled drugs for sale or supply at Kingswood Cross, Clondalkin, on 16 July 2020. Gardaí searched a residential property, finding 151,110 MDMA tablets, 33.6 kilos of cannabis, 668.6 grams of Eutylone and other drug‑related items, with a combined value of €2.21 million. The court described the garage as a drugs distribution centre and noted Minto's involvement. The original sentence of eight‑and‑a‑half years was quashed by the Court of Appeal, which found the sentencing judge had not given sufficient weight to a psychological report detailing Minto's chronic substance abuse, mental health issues and willingness to address his problems. The appeal judge set a headline sentence of 11 years, then re‑sentenced Minto to seven years in prison, back‑dated to March 2023, after considering mitigating factors such as his homelessness, debt, dyslexia, poor academic record, and attempts at rehabilitation.
In the attempted murder trial of Philip Cox, the former partner of Cristal O'Brien, O'Brien gave evidence that Cox threatened to stab her "to pieces" and broke two knives before retrieving a third. She described how, after an argument, Cox entered the kitchen with a large kitchen knife, pointed it at her, and attempted to stab her. O'Brien tried to call the Gardaí, but Cox knocked the phone out of her hand. She fled to the common landing, where Cox threatened to stab her again. O'Brien and her neighbour, Alice McGrath, fled the flat, hiding behind a car until Gardaí and an ambulance arrived. O'Brien was taken to St James's Hospital, where she received stitches for two stab wounds, a tetanus shot and treatment for a busted lip and bruised arms. The trial continues before Mr Justice Hunt and a jury. Philip Cox pleaded not guilty.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has asked to examine the firearm and clothing connected to a fatal shooting as they deliberate in a murder trial. Dean Caffrey, aged 38 of Achill Road, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Sean McCarthy, a 28-year-old whose body was discovered in a wardrobe at Caffrey's apartment four days after he went missing in August 2022. McCarthy died from a single gunshot wound to the head. The defence argues Caffrey acted in self-defence during a struggle, while the prosecution contends the killing was an execution. The jury requested sight of the weapon and the deceased's shorts to assess whether they bore a drawstring. Justice Paul McDermott confirmed the shorts are agreed to have had a drawstring but cannot be presented due to biohazard concerns. The panel will resume consideration of their verdict tomorrow.
A 35‑year‑old Malaysian named Kim Low Swee was arrested at Dublin Airport after customs found €380,000 worth of cannabis in his suitcase. He claimed he believed the bag contained edible bird nests, a delicacy, and that he had been told to say so if stopped. Low Swee admitted he knew the contents were prohibited but thought they were harmless. He said he had been promised €4,300 for the transport and that financial pressure, job loss, and family stress motivated him. He pleaded guilty to simple possession, possession for sale and supply, and importation of cannabis. The court accepted his early pleas and mitigating circumstances, and imposed a sentence of three years and six months, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions, backdated to the day he was taken into custody.
Siquen Buongiovanne Rey, 36, a former chef with no fixed abode in Spain, was found with 11 kg of cannabis worth €220,000 in his luggage at Dublin Airport on 5 April. Customs officials, alerted by his suspicious behaviour after arriving from Malaga, X‑rayed his luggage and discovered 11 black‑plastic‑wrapped packages. Rey admitted possession to the Gardaí, claiming the drugs were for personal use, and pleaded guilty. He had no prior convictions in Ireland or Spain and was in custody since his arrest. The court accepted his early plea and the fact that he had financial difficulties after losing his job during the Covid‑19 pandemic. Judge Dara Hayes, noting the seriousness of the offence and the quantity of drugs, imposed a sentence of two years and nine months, back‑dated to 5 April, and allowed the early plea to reduce the mandatory minimum. Rey intends to serve the remainder of his sentence in Spain if permitted.
Three Romanian men—Ricardo Stancu (38), Daniel Murgea (31) and Ionut Leonard Petriu (19)—were sentenced for a series of ram‑raid burglaries in eastern Ireland in July 2023. The gang used a stolen "dummy" silver Mercedes to smash into the front windows of a Dublin phone shop and a Vodafone shop in Newbridge, and later rammed a car into the gates of a motor dealer on Naas Road. They stole a 5‑series BMW from a dealership in Clondalkin, which was later used as a getaway vehicle. The men pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal damage and organised‑crime offences. Stancu and Murgea remain in custody; Petriu is on bail. The court heard the incidents caused extensive property damage—over €49,000 at the 3 Store, €16,000 at Whitewater, €4,000 at the dealership and €1,753 at the motor dealer—yet no mobile phones were stolen as they were kept in a safe.
Denis Nolan, 71, a former priest, was sentenced to an additional five years for a 1994‑2000 oral rape and 36 sexual assaults of a schoolboy aged 11‑17. He had already been serving 19 years for similar offences against three other victims. The Central Criminal Court had set a headline sentence of eight years for the rape, reduced to five years to run consecutively with his other sentences, and added three years for the assault charges with five years of post‑release supervision. The Court of Appeal quashed the five‑year term and resentenced Nolan to two and a half years imprisonment, bringing his total sentence to 21½ years. The additional term is to commence after the existing 19‑year term, with the offender expected to be released in March 2032. The court described the offending as egregious and highly destructive to the victim's life. Denis Nolan pleaded guilty.
Ryan Boodhun, a bar manager at the Schoolhouse Hotel in Ballsbridge, Dublin, has lodged a statutory complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 after being dismissed for alleged gross misconduct. The hotel's policy was to add a 10 % service charge to bills for tables of eight or more, with the charge removed if the party objected. Boodhun was suspended in June 2023 following an allegation that he had added the charge to smaller tables without customers' knowledge. The hotel's investigation concluded that he had knowingly applied the charge incorrectly, and the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found the dismissal justified. Boodhun maintains the accusations are unfounded, claiming the process violated natural justice. The tribunal heard evidence from hotel staff, the owner, and an investigator, and was given a fortnight to submit further submissions on his loss of earnings. The hearing was closed by adjudicator Orla Jones.
Jamie Griffin, 29, with over 40 prior convictions, was on bail when he joined a group assault at Bow Lane Bar, Aungier Street, while high on cocaine. He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm. Tommy Doran, 32, with no prior violent convictions, also pleaded guilty. The incident began when an unidentified person attacked three men; Doran escalated the violence, punching a victim, kicking him, and striking him with a chair, causing a fractured nose. Griffin, though not the initiator, quickly joined and inflicted violence on two men. Both defendants paid €4,000 in compensation. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced Doran to two and a half years, fully suspended, with conditions including victim‑focused work and addiction services. Griffin received a four‑year sentence, fully suspended, with similar conditions. Both were released after sentencing.
Thomas Finnegan, 36, of Tallaght, was found guilty by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury of assault causing serious harm and the production of an article in the form of a guitar at an Applegreen service station on 22 June 2023. The attack left the victim blind in his left eye, with the eye shrunken and the loss of sight likely permanent. CCTV footage showed Finnegan striking the victim with a guitar after a brief departure from the scene. Finnegan has 38 prior convictions, including assault, criminal damage, public order and road traffic offences. Judge Jonathan Dunphy sentenced him to nine years for the assault, suspending the final eighteen months, and to three and a half years for the article, suspending the final twelve months; both sentences run concurrently. He will be supervised by probation services for two years after release. The sentence was back‑dated to the date of his arrest.
Richard Farrell, aged 61, was convicted by a jury of four counts of defilement for sexual acts with a 16‑year‑old girl who played on his soccer team between August 2008 and January 2009. The victim, who was 16 at the time, gave a victim impact statement describing the lasting harm to her confidence, trust and relationships, and how Farrell's grooming and sexual conduct had ruined her love of soccer. Farrell pleaded not guilty but was found guilty. He received a headline sentence of seven years, reduced to six years with the final two years suspended, subject to two years' probation, therapeutic assessment and treatment, and restrictions on contact with children. The court noted his prior road traffic offence and community contributions, and that he had been assessed as low risk of reoffending. The sentence was imposed by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon.
Alan Jenkins, aged 30 when first abused, presented a victim impact statement in which he described Tusla's investigation of his uncle Paul Craven as a "farce". Jenkins said Tusla found his allegations unfounded after interviewing Craven, who had been convicted last month of 11 counts including sexual assault and indecent assault between 1989 and 1999. Jenkins claimed Tusla ignored his and his sister's attempts to contact the agency and that Craven continued to work with vulnerable children. He recounted the abuse beginning when he was six or seven, involving inappropriate touching and sexual acts, and described the emotional toll, including panic attacks, anxiety, shame and suicidal thoughts. Jenkins urged other survivors to come forward and thanked the Gardaí, the jury and his family for their support. The court heard that the case would be adjourned to January 28 for a full plea of mitigation. The statement was read by Jenkins' daughter Sophie.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Philip Marley (53) pleaded guilty to forging deeds and deceiving the Property Registration Authority, while Herbert Kilcline (63) was convicted on eight counts for using false instruments, failing to keep records, and fraudulently registering two rental properties. The false deeds altered ownership of a Phibsborough Road property and a St Mary's Road house, listing non‑owners as title holders. Marley directed searches and engaged a third party to produce maps, and Kilcline prepared a 'Form 3' for registration. The fraudulent registration caused a tenant, ADT/Johnson Controls, to pay €21,000 in March 2018, which was transferred to a U.S. account, and a settlement of €245,250 was paid. The High Court later removed the false registrations, but the Property Registration Authority has not recovered the losses. Both defendants complied with bail and court appearances, and a probation report is pending.
A jury of eight men and four women was sworn in by Mr Justice Tony Hunt to hear the trial of 39‑year‑old Philip Cox, who is charged with the attempted murder of Cristal O'Brien at York Street Flats, Dublin 2, on 1 December 2022. Cox, who lives at the same address, pleaded not guilty when the indictment was read. The trial will begin the following morning and is expected to last just over a week. The judge instructed the jury not to discuss the case with anyone outside the panel and to return at 11 am tomorrow.
In a murder trial, the jury is instructed to decide whether the State has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that law professor Diarmuid Phelan intended to kill or seriously injure the trespasser Keith Conlon. The judge explains that Phelan, a 56‑year‑old barrister and farmer, fired three shots from his revolver after trespassers allegedly threatened him. The prosecution argues two shots were warning shots and the third struck Conlon in the back of the head, implying intent. The defence contends the third shot was accidental, a result of stress and misalignment. The jury may return one of three verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. The judge also notes that if Phelan's self‑defence claim is upheld, the jury must consider whether the force used was reasonable and proportionate to the circumstances. The charge will continue tomorrow.
The Central Criminal Court heard on 9 December 2024 that Damian Szatkowski (38) pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Marcel Kusenda (48) on 8 March 2023. Kusenda, a Slovakian man who had lived in Ireland for 20 years, was found in his Newbridge home with severe head injuries after being repeatedly kicked and punched by Szatkowski, who had recently moved in. A post‑mortem revealed a displaced nasal fracture and a 15 mm subdural hematoma, with death caused by complications of blunt‑force head injury. Szatkowski, with 61 prior convictions, was arrested and denied intent to kill, claiming he had only punched once. The court adjourned sentencing to 17 February, noting the offence's high culpability and the defendant's remorse. The case remains pending.
Emer Tighe, 46, of Windsor Court, Blackrock, was given a suspended sentence after crashing her BMW into a nursing home wall on New Year's Day. Witnesses saw her speeding and running a red light on Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, before the vehicle struck the rear wall of the nursing home's conservatory and dining room, causing over €70,000 of damage. Tighe pleaded guilty to criminal damage, drink driving and dangerous driving. Her blood alcohol level was 172 mg per 100 ml, the highest category for drink driving offences. She had been prescribed medication for a chest infection and had no memory of the incident. Judge Elva Duffy imposed a headline sentence of three years for criminal damage, suspended the two‑year custodial term in full, fined €7,000, and disqualified her from driving for five years. The nursing home's insurance covered the damage, and Tighe has not driven since the incident.
David Carroll, 48, of Dublin 2, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to five offences committed between December 2023 and April 2024: three thefts at St Francis Xavier Church on Gardiner Street, one theft at Erin College on North Great George Street, and one burglary of an apartment in Dublin City Centre. CCTV footage identified him at each incident. The court heard that Carroll's motivation was to fund a drug habit, and that he had previously received a diploma in addiction studies from Dublin Business School. He had 30 prior convictions and had become homeless after his hostel was raided. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, back‑dated to his arrest on 29 April 2024, and suspended the final six months for 12 months, placing him under Probation Services for 12 months. The sentence was imposed after Carroll's guilty pleas, admissions, cooperation with Gardaí, and a letter of apology were considered mitigating factors.
A 31‑year‑old tenant, Dmitrus Aleinkovs, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for raping his landlady in June 2016. The victim had earlier been raped by a drug‑spiking courier who left her in a temporary state of paralysis after she took cocaine. Aleinkovs had been sub‑letting part of the house and had a history of consensual sexual contact with the victim, which ended when he stopped paying rent. After the courier's assault, Aleinkovs entered the sitting room, saw the victim still in a state of paralysis, and raped her for five minutes. He later returned the victim's jeans and left. The court noted the breach of trust, the victim's vulnerability, and Aleinkovs' lack of prior convictions. He was extradited from Latvia in December 2022 and has been in custody since. The judge imposed a seven‑year sentence, back‑dated to his December 2022 custody.
In an equality hearing, Eddie Rockets was ordered to pay €5,000 to former Paralympic athlete Nadine Lattimore after a staff member directed her to a seat near the entrance when she entered with her guide dog, Pilot. Lattimore, who has represented Ireland at the 2012 Paralympic Games, claimed the placement posed safety concerns and that she was spoken over by the employee, who called her rude. The Workplace Relations Commission noted the incident was the third time Lattimore had sought redress that year for difficulties accessing businesses with a guide dog. Eddie Rockets admitted the staff mistake, trained the employee on service animals, and the adjudicator directed compensation and recommended the chain display signs welcoming guide dogs. The case highlights ongoing challenges for guide dog users in public venues.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, three men—Noah Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut—are on trial for the murder of gunman Tristan Sherry, who fatally shot Jason Hennessy Snr at a Christmas Eve party in Browne's Steakhouse, Blanchardstown, on 24 December. The court will hear closing speeches next Wednesday, with the Director of Public Prosecutions presenting her case and the defence arguing that the accused were provoked by Sherry's shooting, potentially reducing the charge to manslaughter under provocation law. The trial is adjourned until then. Separately, Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy are charged with violent disorder for the same event. The proceedings remain at the pleading stage, with no verdict yet announced.
Lawyers for Riad Bouchaker, 50, await reports on his defence. Bouchaker is charged with attempted murder of two girls and a boy, assault causing serious harm to a care worker, and possession or production of a knife. The alleged incident took place outside a school on 23 November 2023. A brief hearing was held this morning, with an update scheduled for a hearing one week before Christmas.
Joanna Zochowska, a 40‑year‑old Polish artist, was found at Dublin Airport with a pink suitcase containing 13.5 kg of cannabis worth €270,208. She claimed she had not packed the bag herself and believed it held precious metals to avoid customs duties. Zochowska said she was contacted via an app, promised $10,000 CAD, and received $1,000 for flight costs. She admitted to being in an abusive relationship and feeling financially pressured. The court accepted her early guilty plea and cooperation, noting her vulnerability and lack of prior convictions. Judge Dara Hayes sentenced her to three years and three months, suspending the final 21 months, and backdated the sentence to the day she was taken into custody. The judgment highlighted her naivety, financial hardship, and the aggravating factor of the drug amount and promised payment.
Stephen Tynan (46) and Raymond Fitzgerald (41) have appealed their convictions for the murder of Andrew Guerrine, Tynan's cousin, who was stabbed 20 times in May 2015. The appeal argues that both men were only accessories after the fact, not principals. Tynan's counsel claims another person was involved in a drug transaction and that Tynan only assisted after the murder. Fitzgerald's counsel challenges the admissibility of CCTV footage and Automatic Number Plate Recognition evidence, arguing the system's accuracy is unproven. They also contest a voluntary caution statement taken in June 2015, asserting it was not given under custody and therefore inadmissible. The court has reserved judgment on these grounds. The appeal is heard in the Central Criminal Court, with the original convictions based on circumstantial evidence linking the defendants to the murder vehicle and location. The case remains pending. Stephen Tynan pleaded not guilty. Raymond Fitzgerald pleaded not guilty.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed John Dundon's bid to overturn his 2013 conviction for the murder of Shane Geoghegan. Dundon, who is serving a life sentence, argued that a recorded phone conversation between witnesses Lisa Collins and Christopher McCarthy, which allegedly suggested a motive to secure a conviction for an offence carrying a greater penalty, such as murder, was not disclosed at trial. Counsel claimed this omission raised concerns about the fairness of the proceedings. However, Mr Justice John Edwards rejected the appeal, finding no breach of the Director of Public Prosecutions' duty of disclosure and noting that the Special Criminal Court had already approached the witnesses' testimony with caution. The court concluded that the appellant's trial was not unsatisfactory and his verdict remained safe. Separately, Barry Doyle, who admitted shooting Mr Geoghegan in a case of mistaken identity during Garda interviews, later pleaded not guilty at trial. He was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and received a mandatory life sentence. Both the Special Criminal Court and the High Court had previously rejected Dundon's bids to have his 2013 murder trial adjourned.
Kamila Henrique Lopes, 28, a Brazilian drugs mule, was intercepted at Dublin Airport on 5 June 2024. She admitted to swallowing 102 pellets of cocaine and hiding three more in a condom in her vagina to settle a €163 loan‑shark debt. The total value of the drugs was €83,510. Garda Emmet O'Byrne reported that Lopes had borrowed the debt from a street lender in Brazil, with penalties raising it to about €580. She cooperated with Gardaí, revealing that she was instructed to swallow the pellets in a hotel room in Brazil and that she found it physically difficult. Lopes has no prior convictions and was taken to Beaumont Hospital, where she passed the 102 pellets. She has been in custody since 10 June 2024 and has taken educational courses. Judge Elva Duffy, after considering mitigating factors, set a headline sentence of five and a half years, reduced to three years and nine months, backdated to 5 June 2024. Kamila Henrique Lopes pleaded guilty.
In a civil trial, Conor McGregor was found liable for raping Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel room. Mr Justice Alexander Owens ordered McGregor to pay legal costs exceeding €1 million, but made no cost order for co‑respondent James Lawrence, who was found not liable. Owens noted that the case was "the most peculiar and singular" he had seen, referring to Lawrence's claim of consensual sex with Hand, which Hand denied. He awarded "party‑party" costs to McGregor, rather than the higher "solicitor‑own client" costs sought by Hand's lawyers, and left costs for Hand's claims against Lawrence to be paid by each side. Owens adjourned the matter to 16 January to consider an application for a stay pending appeal, and said he would separately decide on McGregor's social‑media post about a "kangaroo court.".
In a High Court hearing, the court will decide whether Conor McGregor must pay the full costs of a civil rape claim brought by Nikita Hand, who alleges he "brutally" raped her in a Dublin hotel penthouse. Hand's counsel urged the court to award the highest level of costs, citing McGregor's alleged conduct before, during and after the trial, including his post‑trial social media posts and accusations that the court was a "kangaroo" court. McGregor's counsel argued that the costs should remain at the normal level, as he was the losing party, and that post‑trial posts should not be considered aggravating. The case also involves James Lawrence, who was found not to have assaulted Hand. The judge, Justice Owens, described the case as "the most peculiar" he had encountered and will rule on costs after 2 pm today.
The Special Criminal Court heard an application by counsel for Michael Andrecut (23) to argue provocation as a partial defence to the murder charge against him. Andrecut, along with Noah Musueni (18) and David Amah (18), is on trial accused of murdering Tristan Sherry. The defence submitted that Andrecut suffered a total loss of control after Sherry allegedly shot Jason Hennessy Snr, described by Andrecut as a father figure, during a Christmas Eve party at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown. Counsel argued that the alleged "cold-blooded" assassination provoked Andrecut into the violent actions attributed to him, potentially reducing the charge to manslaughter. The court has heard that Sherry was disarmed and beaten to death following the shooting. Andrecut, Musueni, and Amah deny the murder charges. Counsel for the other two accused indicated they will make similar applications when the trial continues. Separately, Jonas Kabangu (18), Diarmuid O'Brien (18), and Brandon Hennessy (21), the son of the deceased, are on trial accused of violent disorder at the same location and date. All three deny these charges. The matter is currently at the trial stage before a three-judge, non-jury court.
Convicted rapist and child abductor Michael Murray has been further jailed for 18 months for making bomb threats against the Oireachtas last year. Murray (53), formerly of Seafield Road, Killiney, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to two counts of making the threats from Midlands Prison in Portlaoise, where he is currently serving sentences for which he had been due for release in November 2037. Last March, Murray was further jailed for two years after being found guilty by a jury of phoning in a hoax INLA bomb threat against the home of Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. For the second offence, a consecutive sentence of 18 months was imposed but suspended for a period of three years. Murray was also found guilty of making death threats against Dominic McGinn SC and Tony McGillicuddy BL, the barristers who prosecuted the rape case against him in 2013. He had pleaded not guilty to all of these offences. The matter was adjourned during the appeal stage.
A 31‑year‑old Brazilian man, Jostiel Dias Da Silva, pleaded guilty in June 2023 to possessing false identity documents, using a false instrument to open a bank account in March 2021, and facilitating the acquisition of a false instrument in October 2020. He admitted using these documents to obtain a PPS number, secure employment and open a bank account, and acted as a middleman for a false Spanish passport for another person. A multi‑agency search in June 2020 uncovered an Italian passport, a Portuguese driving licence and a Portuguese passport in his home. Da Silva was working legitimately and paying taxes under a false name at the time of the offences, and he now works legally for a new employer. Judge Orla Crowe imposed an 18‑month suspended sentence, fully suspended on strict conditions, after acknowledging his cooperation and the fact that he had paid taxes and was contributing to society.
Darrel Brown, 43, of Leeds, was arrested at Dublin Airport after a sniffer dog detected cannabis in his suitcase. The drugs, weighing just under 14 kg, were valued at €253,730. Brown pleaded guilty to possession and importation for sale and supply. He was a low‑level participant in the drug trade, having been recruited to transport the cannabis from Spain to Dublin. Brown explained that he had left his job and relationship, struggled to find work in Spain, and was offered €2,000 for the job. He has one prior traffic offence conviction and has been in custody since his arrest. The court noted his mental health issues and lack of a lavish lifestyle, and accepted his early guilty pleas and cooperation. The case was adjourned to 24 March 2025 for finalisation.
Suzanne Shannon, 40, of Avondale House, Dublin, was jailed for two and a half years after pleading guilty to eight thefts of beauty products from two Boots stores in Rathmines and Donnybrook between January and April 2024. The thefts, valued between €500 and €1,000, were committed while she was serving the suspended portion of a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for a drug‑dealing offence involving €69,608 worth of heroin. Garda Stephen Walsh arrested her after a panic alarm at Boots, Rathmines, and she admitted the stolen goods and her intent to sell them to fund her drug addiction. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a consecutive term of two years and three months for the thefts, suspended the final three months of the drug sentence on strict conditions, and ordered her to engage with the Probation Service for one year upon release.
Adam Doyle, 31, of Balbriggan, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm after a verbal argument with Evan Somers on Dame Street, April 2022. CCTV footage shown in court showed Doyle walking away, followed by Somers, then Doyle punching him, causing Somers to fall and suffer a fractured eye socket and ankle fractures, requiring surgery and six days in hospital. Doyle had previously handed himself in after the footage aired on RTE's Crimecall, claiming no homophobic element. He admitted full responsibility, offered a letter of apology and €13,000 as a token of remorse, and presented a psychological report indicating low re‑offending risk. Judge Orla Crowe accepted the evidence, noted the serious consequences for Somers, and imposed an 18‑month suspended sentence, requiring Doyle to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years, with the sentence re‑entered if he attracts garda attention.
Law professor Diarmuid Phelan, 56, is on trial for the murder of Keith Conlon, 36, who died on Phelan's farm in Tallaght on 24 February 2022. Phelan, a barrister, lecturer and farmer, pleaded not guilty. The case centres on an incident where three trespassers—Conlon, Kallum Coleman and Robin Duggan—were hunting on a wooded area of Phelan's land. Phelan allegedly fired three shots from a Smith & Wesson revolver after shouting at the trespassers to leave. The prosecution argues two shots were warning shots and the third, aimed at Conlon's back, was intended to kill or seriously injure him. The defence contends Phelan fired accidental warning shots, that he was acting in self‑defence against an imminent threat, and that he had not failed to observe safety procedures. The jury heard evidence of the trespassers' knowledge of Phelan's firearm, the timing of the shots, and the circumstances of the shooting.
In a High Court hearing, EirGrid was told it has no duty to explain why it refused Kilshane Energy Ltd, Coolpowra Flex Gen Ltd and Coolpowra Bess Ltd permission to bid in a national grid energy auction. Kilshane, which planned two 299MW candidate units at Huntstown, Dublin, argued that EirGrid's only cited reason – that a connection to a 400KV substation was not feasible in the time available – ignored the detailed schedules it had supplied. The court noted that the auction had 160 applicants and that EirGrid must balance competition with grid security under statutory duties. The respondents, represented by Niall Handy SC, maintained that the Capacity Market Code governs the process and that applicants must meet its evolving standards. The case remains pending, with the court to decide and provide reasoning later.
At the Central Criminal Court, defence counsel for Dean Caffrey has urged the jury to acquit his client of murdering Sean McCarthy, arguing that the prosecution case lacks foundation. Lorcan Staines SC submitted that conviction would constitute a travesty, contending there is no evidence Mr Caffrey lured the deceased to his apartment for execution. Mr Staines criticised the Director of Public Prosecutions for partisan presentation and breach of disclosure obligations, noting that material supporting the defence was withheld until six weeks into the trial. Mr Caffrey, aged 38 of Beaucourt, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to murder. The prosecution alleges Mr McCarthy was executed; the defence maintains he was shot during a struggle after arriving armed at Mr Caffrey's home in August 2022. Mr Staines emphasised Mr McCarthy's background as a drug dealer with known firearm access, contrasting this with his client's lack of violence history. The jury will hear Mr Justice Paul McDermott's charge on Friday before retiring to consider their verdict.
Kilshane Energy Ltd is challenging a decision by Eirgrid, supported by the CRU, to exclude it from an imminent auction to supply electricity to the national grid. The High Court heard that Kilshane had planned to build two 299MW candidate units at Huntstown, North County Dublin, but was denied access to the auction because Eirgrid said the 200KV substation nominated by Kilshane would not be large enough and a 400KV substation would be required. Kilshane argued that a 400KV substation could be constructed and that the project would be feasible and operational by the October 2028 deadline. The company appealed to the Capacity Market Dispute Resolution Panel, where the decision was upheld on the basis of feasibility. Kilshane claims the refusal will have cascade effects on projects costing tens and hundreds of millions of euros. The case continues with further oral submissions expected to finish by Thursday.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Victoria Quinn, 46, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious harm after she ran through a crossroads on the R125 in Swords on 4 June 2022, colliding with a car carrying an elderly couple. The collision fractured the 72‑year‑old woman's back and left her with bruising and pain to her wrist, elbow and chest. Quinn's car was written off, and the victim remained in hospital for five weeks, during which she contracted Covid‑19. The victim's husband, who was driving the other car, died 19 days later from pneumonia, an illness unrelated to the crash. Quinn, who had no prior convictions, was told by the court that her driving fell below the required standard and that her statement to Gardaí was inconsistent with the evidence. The case was adjourned for finalisation on 20 January next year.
A 38‑year‑old child psychiatrist, Amirul Arif Bin Mohd Yunos, was sentenced to eight and a half years' imprisonment for sexually abusing a 15‑year‑old girl in 2023. Yunos, who worked at a CAMHS centre in Clonskeagh, had been approached by the girl's parents to help their daughter with mental health difficulties. The victim was not formally his patient. Between May and September 2023, Yunos engaged in a series of sexual acts with the girl, including inappropriate touching, oral sex, and penetration of her vagina and anus, at locations such as a car, his home, her home and his workplace. He pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual activity with a child under 17, one count of sexual exploitation of a child and one of meeting a child for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
Emma Hughes, a social media manager at Dash Container Café, claimed that her employer, Martin McCaffrey, became hostile after she announced her pregnancy in August 2022. She said he criticised her work, ignored her content, and pressured her to continue working during maternity leave. Hughes also alleged that McCaffrey moved a planned event date, criticised her for taking leave, and failed to arrange a replacement. She filed grievances during her leave, resigned in June 2024, and brought a complaint under the Employment Equality Act 1998. The WRC adjudicator found no rebuttal from the employer and concluded that Hughes faced gender‑based discrimination linked to her pregnancy. The tribunal awarded her €35,000, equivalent to a year's gross salary, as non‑remuneration‑based compensation for the adverse treatment she endured.