The jury in the civil trial of Conor McGregor and James Lawrence over an alleged rape in a Dublin hotel in 2018 has begun deliberations. Mr Justice Alexander Owens instructed the jury to judge solely on evidence and disregard any "patently untruthful" statements. The jury deliberated for just under an hour before resuming tomorrow at 10am. McGregor testified that he had consensual sex with the complainant, Nikita Hand, describing it as "enthusiastic, athletic, prolonged and vigorous" in many positions. Hand alleges that McGregor "brutally raped and battered" her in the hotel's penthouse. Lawrence claims he had consensual sex with Hand after McGregor left, a claim Hand calls a lie. Both defendants deny the allegations. The jury must answer two yes‑or‑no questions: whether McGregor assaulted Hand and whether Lawrence assaulted Hand. If either answer is yes, the jury will assess damages under separate headings.
In the Central Criminal Court, Chief State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan testified that the death of Robert O'Connor, a Mountjoy prisoner, was caused by blunt‑force trauma that rotated his brain. She explained that the injuries could have resulted from punching, kicking or stamping, and that the resulting brain swelling, bleeding and lack of oxygen led to death. Dr Mulligan noted that O'Connor had suffered a first assault on 27 July with a bleeding nose and a fractured right pupil, and a second assault two days later that left him in a coma. He remained unresponsive for three days, was declared dead at 1.34 pm on 1 August, and his kidneys were donated. The pathologist confirmed no skull fractures and that the brain trauma was most likely sustained during the second alleged assault. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring, continues with a jury hearing further evidence.
Brian O'Neill, a truck driver for Total Highway Maintenance Ltd, was dismissed after he left a load of concrete in a lorry overnight, causing it to harden and become unusable. O'Neill had been instructed to bring the concrete to Tallaght, but the customer only needed a third of the load. He returned to the Kilkenny depot with the excess concrete, claiming he was exhausted after 15 hours and intended to clean the lorry the next day. The company's manager, Mr L, terminated his employment the following evening, citing the incident as the final straw. O'Neill had previously received two formal warnings for speeding and safety concerns. A Workplace Relations Commission adjudicator found the dismissal procedurally lacking but concluded O'Neill should have known it could lead to dismissal. The tribunal awarded him €2,000 in compensation for unfair dismissal.
In 2024, a 76‑year‑old former Dublin man appealed a conviction for raping a 15‑year‑old babysitter in the 1980s. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, found him guilty of two counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault. He was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended. The appeal argued that the judge should have warned the jury about the lack of corroborating evidence, citing inconsistencies between the victim's statements and those of her mother. The Director of Public Prosecutions maintained that such inconsistencies were for the jury to resolve. The case highlighted the victim's testimony of being forced into sexual acts, her fear during the assaults, and her subsequent pursuit of a career as a counsellor. The judge praised her bravery and determination in reporting the crimes and giving evidence.
Noel Ward, 59, of Ballymun, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for fraudulently claiming over €109,000 in social welfare benefits between May 2008 and August 2019. Ward pleaded guilty to two charges of using a false instrument, including a driving licence, and six counts of theft from the State. The court heard that Ward used the identity of his late friend, Patrick Rooney, to claim benefits such as Jobseekers' Allowance and Disability Benefit, while also working under Rooney's name to claim additional allowances in his own name. Judge Orla Crowe described the conduct as a deliberate and sophisticated fraud. Considering mitigating factors, including Ward's status as a sole carer and his repayment of all but €15,000 of the stolen funds, the judge set a headline sentence of five years. She imposed a term of three years, suspending the final 18 months. Ward is required to repay the remaining €15,000 to the State within four years. The matter was finalised with this custodial sentence and suspended portion.
Jonathon Fraiser, 38, of Drimnagh, Dublin, pleaded guilty to possession of a knife at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The court heard that on April 6, 2020, gardai attempted to stop Fraiser while he was cycling near Kylemore Road and Bluebell. He allegedly tried to escape, fell off his bike, and ran away before being apprehended. A search recovered a black-handled kitchen knife with a four-inch blade. Fraiser, who has 68 previous convictions, was remanded in custody on April 7, 2020, but was granted High Court bail in January 2021 to attend residential treatment. Prosecution Sergeant Mark Melbourne agreed with defense counsel John Gallagher BL that Fraiser's period of detention was suspended for a period due to his level of intoxication. It was accepted that he served approximately 10 months in custody during the pandemic. Judge Orla Crowe noted that possessing a knife in a public place is a serious matter and that his prior convictions were an aggravating factor. However, she acknowledged his guilty plea, apology, and efforts toward rehabilitation, including time spent in treatment for addiction. The judge imposed a 12-month sentence, fully suspended, on the condition that Fraiser keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
Gareth O'Neill, 25, of Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to threatening to "blow up" the homes of his ex‑partner's mother and grandmother on a November 2020 incident. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court where O'Neill's partner's mother intervened, leading to O'Neill's threat and subsequent apology. The victim feared the threat but did not give a victim impact statement. O'Neill has 11 prior convictions, mainly for traffic offences. His defence counsel, Sarah Jane O'Callaghan BL, presented evidence of remorse, an apology letter, and his stable employment. Judge Orla Crowe accepted mitigating factors, imposed a 12‑month sentence, and suspended it in full for two years under strict conditions, warning that any further offence would bring the case back before the courts.
In an appeal hearing, the case of Keith McCormick (23) of La Touche Drive, Bluebell, Dublin 12 and Riverview, Church Road, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15, who pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on May 12, 2020, and other charges including burglary, unlawful use of a vehicle, possession of stolen property and driving without a licence or insurance between September 2020 and May 2021, was adjourned for finalisation on November 27. McCormick, also known as McCormick-Smith, has 44 previous convictions. In February, he was handed a three-year and two-month prison sentence with the final 12 months suspended for his role in a series of offences on January 23, 2022, during which a man died. Co-accused Adam Murphy (23) of Cherry Orchard Crescent, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was handed a 12-year sentence with the final two-and-a-half years suspended on strict conditions. The matter was adjourned for finalisation on November 27. The court heard that McCormick's earliest current release date is June 2027. Probation and psychological reports were handed to the court, and the defence asked the court to consider the principles of proportionality and totality when imposing sentence.
A law professor, Diarmuid Phelan, aged 56, is on trial for the murder of Keith Conlon, 36, who died from a gunshot wound to the head after an incident at Phelan's farm on 24 February 2022. Phelan, a barrister and farmer, claims he fired his revolver in the air over trespassers and was stunned when one man fell. He has pleaded not guilty. The trial has heard evidence that three men – Conlon, Kallum Coleman and Robin Duggan – were trespassing while hunting. Phelan's shooting record is cited: bronze medals in three pistol competitions (B class) and a gold in a bench‑rest rifle event between 2011 and 2013. The prosecution alleges the third shot was aimed at Conlon, who was shot in the back of the head. The case will continue tomorrow before Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury. Diarmuid Phelan was convicted.
Declan Donaghey, 28, pleaded guilty to arson, violent disorder and criminal damage after setting a Garda patrol car on fire and damaging a migrant centre during a riot in Dublin. The court found the offences to be of a very serious nature, noting the destruction of a patrol car valued at €20,000 and damage to a migrant accommodation centre, as well as the broader context of the riot that saw 60 locations damaged or looted. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced Donaghey to seven-and-a-half years, with the final year suspended on the arson charge, and imposed four-and-a-half years for violent disorder and three years for criminal damage, all to run concurrently. The judge took into account Donaghey's personal circumstances, including anxiety, depression and alcohol addiction, but did not consider his five prior convictions. The sentence was imposed in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 20 November 2024.
In a trial before the Special Criminal Court, Brandon Hennessy, aged 21, denies a charge of violent disorder linked to the December 24, 2023, shooting at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown. Hennessy, who was present at the restaurant with his father, claims he acted in self‑defence and was provoked by the gunman, Tristan Sherry, who fatally shot his father and was later beaten to death. Hennessy criticises Gardaí for their delayed response and alleges they failed to protect his family. He also accuses the police of not arresting the second gunman. The court heard CCTV footage and Hennessy's statements, but he maintains his innocence and has pleaded not guilty. The trial continues with other accused individuals also pleading not guilty.
In a civil trial at the High Court, the judge warned the jury not to conduct independent investigations or rely on speculation, insisting that any verdict on liability must be based solely on the evidence presented. The case involves Conor McGregor, who testified that his sexual encounter with Ms Hand in a Dublin hotel penthouse was consensual, describing it as enthusiastic and vigorous. Ms Hand, a former hair colourist, alleges that McGregor raped and battered her on 9 December 2018 and that James Lawrence also had consensual sex with her after McGregor left. Both defendants deny the allegations. The judge emphasized that opinions are not evidence and urged the jury to evaluate CCTV footage for intoxication and possible flirting, and to consider the reliability of witnesses. He also outlined the principles for assessing compensatory, special, and aggravated damages if Ms Hand is awarded damages, stressing that any figure must be agreed upon by a majority of the jurors.
In a Workplace Relations Commission hearing, the head of the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) was called to give evidence about a dispute involving Ellie Dunne, a 25‑year‑old art student with Down Syndrome. Ms Dunne's mother, journalist Katy McGuinness, testified that the college had failed to provide reasonable accommodation during her daughter's first semester and that the college required her to re‑sit a failed module. Ms Dunne said she relied on her home support worker, Natalie Scherwatt, rather than an NCAD‑assigned support worker, and that she felt "scared" during a field trip to Meath Street. She also described the college's support staff and tutors as "nice" but identified director Sarah Glennie as "rude" to her mother. McGuinness claimed the college's relationship with the family broke down after a document allegedly bearing a forged signature was presented.
In a High Court hearing, counsel for a woman suing Conor McGregor for alleged rape described the MMA star as an "arrogant coward" and "not a man". The plaintiff, Nikita Hand, claims that McGregor, once the world's highest‑earning sportsperson, "brutally raped and battered" her in a Dublin hotel penthouse on 9 December 2018. She alleges that McGregor and James Lawrence denied the allegations, with Lawrence claiming consensual sex after McGregor's departure. McGregor testified that the encounter was consensual, describing it as "enthusiastic, athletic, prolonged and vigorous" in a hotel penthouse. Hand's counsel highlighted inconsistencies in McGregor's testimony, including a change in his story about a tampon and the presence of bruising. The case remains in the early trial stage, with the jury hearing evidence of alleged assault and disputed claims of consent.
A law professor, Mr Diarmuid Phelan, aged 56, denies murdering Keith Conlon, a 36‑year‑old father of four, who died from a gunshot wound to the head after a fatal shooting at Phelan's Hazelgrove Farm on 24 February 2022. Phelan, a barrister, lecturer and farmer, has pleaded not guilty. The Central Criminal Court heard that on 1 June 2016 Phelan was confronted by six trespassers on his land; he retreated to his jeep, but rocks were thrown, damaging the windscreen. Four intruders were charged with trespassing and criminal damage; three were convicted. In March 2017, after Phelan gave evidence, the three men banged on the courtroom exit, made threatening gestures—one mimicked a gun, another a throat cut, the third clenched a fist—and stoned Phelan. Phelan was terrified and feared further attack. The three men pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace; one received custodial time, the others received suspended sentences.
In a Mountjoy Prison murder trial, the prosecution presented evidence that David Dunne, 40, allegedly stamped and kicked the head of fellow inmate Robert O'Connor, 32, who died three days later. Officers Conor Kenny and Jonathan Deegan witnessed the assault on the C2 landing around 5.30 pm on 29 July 2022. O'Connor was found lifeless with blood on his face; he was taken to Mater Hospital where a CT scan revealed severe brain injury and he was declared dead on 1 August. A post‑mortem on 3 August confirmed blunt‑force trauma to the head as the cause of death. Dunne, arrested on 16 November 2022, claimed self‑defence, stating O'Connor had attacked him. The jury will decide if the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Dunne committed murder. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
Luke McGann, 20, of St Catherine's Green, Rush, Co Dublin, was sentenced at the District Court after pleading guilty to 24 charges of theft. The court heard that McGann allegedly stole €14,886 from his grandmother's partner, who had won €87,000 in the lottery in April 2023. Prosecution evidence stated that after assisting the victim in setting up a bank account, McGann added the card details to his Apple Pay account and made 24 unauthorised transactions between June and July 2023. He admitted to being under financial pressure due to a drug debt and using the funds to pay off debts and purchase a motorcycle. The bank fully reimbursed the victim, who forgave McGann. Judge Orla Crowe described the acts as a significant breach of trust but noted McGann's immediate admissions, cooperation with the Gardaí, and lack of previous convictions. She reduced the headline sentence from 18 months to 12 months, which was suspended in full on strict conditions. The Judge commented that McGann, described by defence counsel as a young man with a bright future, deserves a chance to contribute to society. The matter was finalised with this suspended sentence.
In August 2022, Robert Carroll, a 39‑year‑old construction worker, fired two shots from a revolver into the air outside his Finglas home while experiencing psychosis and not taking his medication. Garda armed support and a negotiator were called after reports of the discharge. Carroll's behaviour was erratic; he threw items from windows and was incoherent when approached. He voluntarily left the house after 75 minutes, was arrested under the Mental Health Act, and taken to hospital where a medical report confirmed a transient psychotic episode with a background of cocaine use. He was later formally arrested, interviewed without admissions, and a search of his house revealed five bullet casings, a revolver, one live round, and €10,050 in cash. Carroll pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances. He has 21 prior convictions, the most recent from 2019. Judge Sarah Berkeley remanded him in custody, with the case adjourned to 26 November for finalisation.
In a Dublin court hearing, Garda Michael Fox recounted the terror he felt when Michael Donoghue, a 21‑year‑old from Rathfarnham, brandished a double‑barrel shotgun at a patrol car. Fox said he believed he would be killed for doing his job and that his mother would never recover from his death. He described his life flashing before his eyes and crying for fifteen minutes after the incident. The court heard that Donoghue pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and making threats to kill, and that the shotgun was later found unloaded. The case was adjourned to 27 November for sentencing, with Donoghue remanded in custody until then. The hearing also included victim impact statements from three Gardaí, all of whom expressed profound fear and lasting trauma from the encounter. The statements highlighted the unexpected danger Gardaí face in the line of duty and the lasting psychological effects on the officers involved.
Kym Dunleavy, 50, of St Josephs Place, Dublin 7, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to using a false medical prescription between November 2018 and April 2019. She had taken a prescription pad from Beaumont Hospital and forged prescriptions for sleeping tablets. Gardaí discovered the pad after a pharmacy raised concerns about a false prescription. CCTV footage identified Dunleavy, and a warrant led to the pad being found under a mattress at her home. The pharmacist confirmed the pad was legitimate but the prescriptions were forgeries. Dunleavy claimed she used the forged prescriptions to obtain more tablets to manage anxiety and nightmares. She has 71 prior convictions, mainly theft and fraud. The court remanded her on bail pending sentencing, with a Probation Service report due on 31 March. The judge noted her high risk of re‑offending and lack of engagement with psychiatric services.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, 18‑year‑old David Amah denied murdering Tristan Sherry, claiming he was frightened when Sherry entered a restaurant on Christmas Eve, pointed a gun at him and shot James Hennessy Senior. Amah said he still felt Sherry was a threat several minutes after being disarmed, describing his head as "f**ked" and noting that women and children were crying. He recorded Sherry lying on the ground with his phone, insisting the threat remained. 18‑year‑old Noah Musueni also denied the murder, stating he struck Sherry with a chair in self‑defence after seeing a gun pointed at him and that he feared Sherry could still harm him. Both men have no prior convictions and have pleaded not guilty. The trial continues tomorrow before three judges.
In a civil trial over an alleged rape, Conor McGregor's counsel, Remy Farrell SC, urged the jury to focus on evidence rather than emotion. He argued that the plaintiff, Nikita Hand, had lied before, during and after the alleged assault and questioned whether a person could remember being raped yet forget surrounding facts. Farrell highlighted that McGregor had testified that his encounter with Hand was consensual, describing it as enthusiastic and vigorous. Hand, a hair colourist, claims McGregor raped and battered her in a Dublin hotel penthouse on 9 December 2018, seeking damages from McGregor and James Lawrence. Lawrence, who denies the allegations, admits to consensual sex with Hand after McGregor's departure. Both parties deny the claims, and the case remains at the evidence‑review stage.
A 49‑year‑old woman from Aylward Green, Finglas, Dublin 11, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of David Ennis, 36, who was found dead in a Dublin apartment on 8 November 2022. The case was originally charged as murder at Claddagh Court, Ballyfermot, but the woman admitted manslaughter at her arraignment before the Central Criminal Court. Mr Justice Paul McDermott has scheduled sentencing for 4 February.
A jury heard "upsetting and difficult" animal‑attack videos taken from the phone of Keith Conlon, a trespasser shot dead on law professor Diarmuid Phelan's farm. The videos, shown to the jury, depict dogs – a lurcher and a terrier – fighting squirrels, mauling a badger, and shaking a dead fox. One clip shows a dog trained to attack a live kitten, with men encouraging the pup to bite. The footage was shared via WhatsApp among Conlon, Kallum Coleman and others. The prosecution argued the videos illustrate a pattern of violent hunting. Phelan, 56, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Conlon, 36, who died from a single gunshot wound to the head. The trial continues with the jury hearing evidence of the shooting and the alleged self‑defence claim. The case remains at the jury stage.
A 28‑year‑old man, Declan Donaghey, pleaded guilty to arson, violent disorder, criminal damage and rioting after setting a Garda car on fire and damaging a migrant centre during the Dublin riots. He said he was "caught up in it" because a close relative attended a school on Cavendish Row where earlier that day children and a care assistant were stabbed. Donaghey denied being a racist and claimed he felt bad for the child and teacher. He apologized to the government and everyone involved in a handwritten letter read to the court. Judge Orla Crowe remanded him in custody pending sentencing. The court heard that the riot was one of the gravest examples of public disorder in the State's history, with 60 locations damaged or looted, including an abandoned bus and Luas vehicles. Donaghey had five previous convictions, including two for public order offences, and was on medication for anxiety and depression.
Ellie Dunne, a 25‑year‑old art student with Down Syndrome, has lodged an equality complaint against the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) under the Equal Status Act 2000. She alleges the college failed to provide reasonable accommodation during her first semester, starting in September 2023, and that discrimination continued when NCAD required her to re‑sit an assessment on a module she was studying. Her mother, Katy McGuinness, told the Workplace Relations Commission that an educational support worker was initially available only two days a week and was unfamiliar with the studio techniques needed. A friend of Ellie's, who had supported her for 17 years, was initially planned to accompany her but was later excluded from support sessions. Internal correspondence revealed tutors' concerns that Ellie was not doing much work during class time, concerns that were not communicated to McGuinness. In October 2023, Ellie failed the module, prompting further correspondence and meetings.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of six men accused of offences arising from an incident at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on December 24. Michael Andrecut, Noah Musueni, and David Amah are charged with the murder of Tristan Sherry, while Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy face charges of violent disorder. All accused have pleaded not guilty. Prosecution witness Detective Sergeant Mark Murphy detailed Andrecut's arrest and his statements to gardai, in which he described Jason Hennessy Senior, who was fatally shot during the incident, as a father figure. Andrecut told detectives he reacted out of a "fight or flight" instinct when he saw Hennessy Senior wounded. The court also heard that gardai attempted to use a special provision to draw inferences from Andrecut's failure to answer questions regarding a black metal bar, a wooden chair, and knives allegedly used in the assault. Andrecut's counsel, Dominic McGinn SC, is expected to argue tomorrow that these inference interviews should not be admitted into evidence. The matter is currently at the charge or pre-trial stage, with the trial overseen by Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, Judge Elma Sheahan, and Judge James Faughnan. No finalisation or sentencing has occurred, and the proceedings remain ongoing.
Mary O'Sullivan, 52, pleaded guilty to one count of deception, four counts of using a false instrument and four counts of false accounting for taking €16,024 from Leargas, a non‑profit, between 2016 and 2019. She oversaw the petty cash process, kept incomplete records and falsified receipts. A 2019 review uncovered irregularities, altered receipts and incomplete accounts. O'Sullivan delayed reconciliation, handed over receipts and the petty cash book only after being asked, and during interviews blamed colleagues, claimed budget reasons and said receipts were in storage. Garda searches found no evidence. Her employment ended after the review. She has no prior convictions, was working and supporting her parents, and pleaded remorse. The case was adjourned to 2 December for finalisation.
A jury of nine men and three women was sworn in today for the trial of a 40‑year‑old man, David Dunne, who denies murdering Robert O'Connor, 34, at Mountjoy Prison on 29 July 2022. Dunne pleaded not guilty and was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court. The trial will commence tomorrow before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring and is expected to last two weeks.
Sean Dunne, 26, was jailed for two years after a vicious assault on a married American couple in a Dublin hotel elevator on 7 April 2023. He repeatedly punched the couple, threatened the wife with rape and murder, and struck the husband in the mouth. Garda Stephen Lawlor arrived after a call, found Dunne restrained on the corridor floor, and noted blood on the carpet. The couple, aged in their sixties, received on‑scene treatment and later returned to the United States. Dunne pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm. He has been in custody since April 2023, has a schizophrenia diagnosis, and has ten prior convictions. Judge Sarah Berkeley sentenced him to two‑and‑a‑half years, suspended the final six months, and ordered 18 months of post‑release supervision and probation engagement. The sentence was back‑dated to April 2023 for time already served.
In November 2024, the Workplace Relations Commission ordered Swissport to pay €44,000 to Nicholas Collins, a compliance manager with nearly twenty years of service, after finding his dismissal unfair. Collins was terminated in December 2023 following a failed security inspection by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). The inspection, conducted on 3 October 2023, revealed issues with eight employees' security clearances. Swissport halted cargo dispatch on 4 October to comply with IAA regulations, but a subsequent inspection on 6 October confirmed compliance. Collins claimed he had no knowledge of cargo being sent during the unvalidated period and that he was not informed of any investigation. He was not given a written statement of terms and conditions when promoted in 2018. The tribunal found Swissport breached the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 and the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994, awarding Collins €40,000 plus €4,443.60 for the missing statement.
A judge will decide on 16 December whether Richard Satchwell, 57, accused of murdering his wife Tina, can have his trial moved from Cork to Dublin or Limerick. The trial is scheduled for April next year. Brendan Grehan SC applied for the transfer, while the Director of Public Prosecutions, represented by Gerardine Small SC, opposed it. Mr Satchwell is charged with the murder of Tina Satchwell, 45, who was reported missing on 24 March 2017 and whose skeletal remains were found in October 2023 at their shared home on Grattan Street, Youghal.
A 43‑year‑old drug dealer, Toma Dani, was caught by Gardaí attempting to dispose of part of an almost €474,000 cannabis stash in a carpark bin when a search warrant was executed at his home. Dani, who claimed he was trying to pay off a €100,000 gambling debt, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on September 10, 2023. Gardaí recovered €6,370, identified as proceeds from drug sales, along with drug paraphernalia such as bagging and scales. He had no prior convictions and had reduced his gambling debt to €70,000 over the previous year. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, hearing his back injury and lack of a drug problem, imposed a four‑year and six‑month sentence, following a headline of six years, citing mitigating circumstances and his remorse. The court noted his apology letters and the impact of drugs on society.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced three members of the Wall family for a burglary in Killiney, south Dublin, on February 19, 2021, where they stole €19,800 in gold jewellery from an elderly couple. Edward Wall (52), Martin Wall (45), and Patrick Wall (21) pleaded guilty to the offence. The court heard the men used a modified vehicle to aid the crime, with Edward and Martin acting as lookouts while Patrick and an accomplice entered the home. All property was returned. Judge Elva Duffy jailed Edward and Martin for four years each, finding them active participants in a joint enterprise. Patrick was sentenced to three-and-a-half years, with the final 12 months suspended. The judge declined to apply compensation, stating it would not restore the victims' peace of mind. Patrick Wall had previously pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property after gardaí captured him digging up almost €80,000 buried in coffee jars in a suburban Dublin field. The defendants have extensive criminal records, including prior convictions for burglary and possession of stolen property. Counsel for the defendants cited personal hardships and the benefit of guilty pleas, but the judge imposed custodial sentences reflecting the pre-planned nature of the offence and the defendants' histories.
Lee Conlon, 46, of Meath Place, Dublin, was convicted of aggravated burglary with a large kitchen knife at an apartment on Montague Street on 22 November 2022. He was also found guilty of armed robbery of Capital Credit on St Luke's Avenue on 16 January 2023, during which he threatened to kill or seriously harm two customers, one aged 83. In the burglary, he entered a sleeping couple's home, was tackled by the infant's father, and fled with items worth almost €600, leaving a large kitchen knife behind. In the credit‑union robbery, he entered with a handgun, threatened customers, demanded cash, and stole €1,200 before escaping. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced him to five and a half years for the burglary and four and a half years for the robbery, to be served concurrently with his existing seven‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, with the final four‑and‑a‑half‑year term suspended under conditions.
Paul Bissett, 38, pleaded guilty to robbery and criminal damage on 22 December 2023. He held up a cash‑in‑transit guard armed with a hammer, demanded a cash box, and fled with it. He attempted to open the €17,200 box by dropping it from the first and second floors of a stairwell, but failed. The attempt triggered an alarm and released dye that stained the area and his clothes. Garda Zoe Johnston reported that Bissett was later found hiding on a roof, where he cooperated with the Garda Armed Support Unit and left with them. The court noted his 68 prior convictions, including assault and robbery, and his history of drug addiction. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a four‑year sentence, crediting any time already served, and highlighted the need for Bissett to rehabilitate on his own. The decision was based on the threats made but no violence was committed.
Evidence in the civil trial of Conor McGregor and James Lawrence over alleged rape of hairdresser Nikita Hand at a Dublin hotel in 2018 has finished at the High Court after eight days. The jury will return on Tuesday for closing speeches while legal discussion continues in their absence. McGregor testified that he had consensual sex with Hand in the hotel penthouse, describing it as enthusiastic, athletic, prolonged and vigorous, and in a multitude of positions. Hand alleges that McGregor brutally raped and battered her. She seeks damages from both men for the events of December 9, 2018 at the Beacon hotel. Lawrence claims he had consensual sex with Hand twice after McGregor left, a claim Hand calls a lie. Both men deny the allegations. Clinical forensic physician Professor Basil John Farnan gave evidence on bruising, describing it as a discoloration caused by blunt trauma and noting that bruises can appear delayed and in various colours.
Cahir O'Higgins, a former criminal‑defence solicitor, was found guilty of theft and perverting the course of justice. The court allowed the previously imposed reporting ban on his earlier harassment and assault case to be lifted. O'Higgins had been convicted of assaulting fellow solicitor Stephen O'Mahony, including a 2021 incident in which he broke O'Mahony's nose. He was sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment, with the sentence deferred until September to allow him to close his practice. The judge described his conduct as "deranged", "thuggish", "base" and "despicable", noting the harassment stemmed from a professional rivalry. O'Higgins was granted leave to travel to Spain and to compete in the World Cycling Championships before his custodial term began. The case highlights the court's decision to lift the reporting restriction once the theft and perverting the course of justice trial concluded.
During a party at Browne's Steakhouse on Main Street, Blanchardstown, on Christmas Eve 2023, gunman Tristan Sherry was shot in the shoulder and stabbed 16 times before being beaten to death. State Pathologist Dr. Heidi Okkers testified that Sherry's death was caused by traumatic blunt‑force injuries combined with 27 sharp‑force injuries, including 16 stab wounds and 11 incised wounds. The single gunshot entered his left shoulder and exited the back, causing only superficial damage and not contributing to his death. Sherry had recently used cocaine and cannabis, but drug use did not contribute to his death. Three men—Noah Musueni, David Amah and Michael Andrecut—are charged with Sherry's murder, while Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien and Brandon Hennessy are charged with violent disorder. All accused plead not guilty.
Cahir O'Higgins, a prominent criminal defence solicitor, was found guilty by a jury of stealing €400 and attempting to pervert the course of justice on four counts. O'Higgins, 49, had pleaded not guilty to the charges, which related to events in 2016 and 2017. The trial heard that O'Higgins withdrew €600 from the bank account of Spanish national Raul Sanz Quilis, who had admitted to criminal damage in a Dublin District Court case. O'Higgins claimed he had permission to use Quilis's bank card and that he returned €400 to the defendant. However, Quilis testified that he was not aware of the withdrawal and that O'Higgins did not return the money. The jury found O'Higgins guilty on all five counts after deliberating for nearly five hours. Judge Martin Nolan remanded O'Higgins in custody and adjourned the case for sentencing on November 25. Cahir O'Higgins had the case struck out.
Tom Ronan, a civilian driver for An Garda Siochána, was forced into retirement at 70, leaving him with a weekly income of less than €400 from a small occupational pension and state entitlements. He brought an age‑discrimination complaint under the Employment Equality Act 1998 to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The tribunal found that the mandatory retirement age was not reasonable or proportionate because it would cause Ronan financial hardship, as his total annual pension income of €20,600 would be insufficient. The WRC ordered An Garda Siochána to re‑engage Ronan as a driver within four weeks and to extend his employment for three years, with the new service counted in his pension calculations. The decision was based on the tribunal's assessment that Ronan's pension was relatively low and that his chances of finding alternative work at age 70 were significantly less than those of younger candidates.
During the seventh day of a civil damages trial in the High Court, James Lawrence, a co‑defendant of Conor McGregor, testified that he heard McGregor and a woman, Nikita Hand, in a hotel penthouse where there was "nothing but moaning and sex" and that Hand was "enjoying it." Lawrence said he saw Hand naked and on top of McGregor, and that he and Hand had sex three times in an hour after condoms were obtained from staff. He claimed Hand was "putting it on him" in front of a McGregor staff driver and that she had tried to kiss him while he was in a car. Hand, a hair colourist, alleges McGregor raped and battered her in the same penthouse six years ago and is seeking damages. Both McGregor and Lawrence deny the allegations and maintain that any sex was consensual. The trial is ongoing and no verdict has been reached.
The murder trial of Diarmuid Phelan, 56, continues before Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury. Phelan, a barrister and farmer, has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Keith Conlon, 36, at Hazelgrove Farm in Tallaght, Dublin 24, on February 24, 2022. The State alleges that Phelan shot Conlon in the back of the head with a Smith & Wesson revolver as Conlon turned away to leave, intending to kill or cause serious injury. Conversely, the defence asserts the shooting was an accidental result of a legitimate act of self-defence. State pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers testified that Conlon died from a single gunshot wound to the head, with no contributory factors. She agreed with defence counsel that the bullet's track alone cannot determine the victim's position relative to the shooter, as head movement could account for the wound's location. She also noted that an uncontrolled fall of 3.2 metres could explain Conlon's clavicle fracture. Defence counsel presented evidence of prior incidents at the farm, including arson and trespass, to contextualise the accused's concerns. The prosecution maintains that Phelan fired three shots, two into the air and one at Conlon. The trial is ongoing and has not been finalised.
Sandile Hlatshwayo, 43, of Riverwood Hall, Castleknock, pleaded guilty to endangerment after striking a three‑year‑old on a bike while speeding on 31 October 2020. He also pleaded guilty to failing to remain at the scene, refusing a drug test and driving without a licence. The child was taken to hospital with fractures and required emergency surgery. Hlatshwayo, who has 26 prior convictions, mainly for road offences including four drink‑driving convictions, was sentenced by Judge Elma Duffy to three years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended, and banned from driving for 15 years. He was also ordered to keep the peace and exhibit good behaviour for 12 months upon release. The judge described his aggressive conduct as "incomprehensible" and noted the severe impact on the child's family. The sentence was imposed to encourage Hlatshwayo's return to work and community contribution.
A 43-year-old cabinet maker from Boyle, Co Roscommon, has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following his guilty plea to drug offences. Justin McCormack pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis worth €3.9 million for sale or supply at a business unit in Fairview and in a white transit van on 11 and 12 October 2023. Gardaí stopped McCormack while driving the van on the evening of 11 October and discovered a substantial quantity of cannabis. A subsequent search of the business unit, which McCormack had been using for his kitchen manufacturing trade, uncovered a further 1,174 kilograms of cannabis. Judge Orla Crowe imposed concurrent sentences of nine years on each count, suspending the final twelve months. The judge acknowledged McCormack's financial difficulties but stated that financial hardship alone does not justify criminal involvement. She noted his active role in transporting and storing the drugs constituted significant aggravating factors. The sentence was backdated to October 2023 when McCormack entered custody.
Adrian Mah Yew Beng, a 40-year-old Malaysian national, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possessing cannabis herb valued at €560,000 for sale or supply on February 28. Beng pleaded guilty to the charge. Judge Martin Nolan noted that while drug transportation is serious, Beng operated at the lowest level of the trade. The judge set a headline sentence of eight years, which was reduced to an effective custodial term of four and a half years, backdated to February 28. Prosecution evidence indicated Beng arrived at Dublin Airport with two locked suitcases containing 30kg of cannabis in 56 vacuum-sealed packages. He claimed he did not pack the luggage, believed it contained cigarettes, and was to be paid approximately €600. Defense counsel John Byrne SC described Beng as a "Joe Soap from Malaysia" who took a chance for small money. The court heard Beng has no previous convictions, is cooperative, and is willing to leave Ireland and not return upon completing his sentence. He has two children and cares for his mother. The matter was finalized with the imposition of the custodial sentence.
Robert Redmond, a career criminal serving life imprisonment for the murder of Barry Wolverson in Swords, Co Dublin, on January 17, 2020, appealed his conviction at the Court of Appeal. Redmond, of Kilbarrack, Dublin 5, had denied the charge. His counsel argued that a North Face jacket containing gunshot residue, central to the prosecution, should have been excluded due to improper storage by gardaí, which raised contamination risks. The appeal also challenged the forensic expert's opinion on who fired the weapon, alleging it assumed Redmond's guilt. The DPP countered that CCTV and witness evidence established an unbroken chain of custody and Redmond's presence at the scene. Redmond's co-accused, Bernard Fogarty, was also sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder. At the Special Criminal Court, Redmond received a life sentence for the murder, five years for assault causing harm on Gerard Wildman, and 12 years for possession of firearms and ammunition. He is also serving a consecutive seven-year sentence for the murder of Jordan Davis. The court reserved its judgment, meaning the matter was adjourned and not concluded.
Robert Murphy, aged 42, was convicted of murder after a Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty of killing 24‑year‑old Jamie Kavanagh in a hostel on Harrington Street, Dublin, on 19 April 2023. Murphy entered Kavanagh's room wearing a balaclava and armed with a knife, telling Gardaí he wanted to kill the victim "stone dead". He claimed he had only entered to frighten Kavanagh, but the jury rejected this defence. The trial heard that Kavanagh was stabbed with multiple sharp‑object wounds, the fatal 13‑cm wound on his left flank caused by one of Kavanagh's own knives. Murphy was found guilty of murder and was remanded in custody pending sentencing. The case was adjourned to 16 December for victim impact statements and sentencing. Robert Murphy pleaded not guilty.
Reverend Liam Cuffe, chaplain at St Vincent's University Hospital since 1999, won a claim for unpaid Sunday premium pay. The Workplace Relations Commission found the hospital breached the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 by failing to pay a Sunday premium, despite the chaplain's contract requiring weekend work. Cuffe's trade union argued that the contract was silent on Sunday premium, and that HSE guidance entitled employees working a 5‑over‑7 roster to receive single‑time extra for Sunday hours. The hospital claimed it had paid the premium from 6 November 2023 in good faith, but the adjudicator ruled that the hospital had no pre‑existing contractual entitlement and that the email confirming double‑time from that date was unequivocal. The tribunal ordered the hospital to pay Cuffe €2,627 for the breach, covering his economic loss up to 6 November 2023. The decision highlighted the employer's duty to ensure statutory and contractual entitlements are met.
In a civil trial at the Beacon hotel case, Conor McGregor denied that his co‑defendant James Lawrence was a "Patsy" set to take the fall. McGregor told the court he paid for Lawrence's legal fees because Lawrence could not afford them. He claimed the allegations of rape and assault by hairdresser Nikita Hand were false, describing the encounter as consensual, enthusiastic and in multiple positions. McGregor said he was shocked and frightened by social media chatter and that he had given a statement to Gardaí after legal advice. Hand alleges McGregor raped and battered her in 2018, while Lawrence says he had consensual sex with her after McGregor left. Both defendants deny the allegations and are represented by the same law firm. The trial continues with the parties presenting their evidence.