The jury in the trial of Cahir O'Higgins, a criminal defence solicitor accused of stealing €400 and attempting to pervert the course of justice, has begun deliberating at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. O'Higgins, 49, has pleaded not guilty to one count of theft in July 2016 and four counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice in December 2017. He denies the allegations. The court heard that O'Higgins is a criminal defence solicitor with over 20 years of experience. The jury retired shortly after 11am this morning after being charged by Judge Martin Nolan, who instructed them to be neutral and impartial and not to consider O'Higgins's profession in their deliberations. After deliberating for about 90 minutes, the jury asked if theft can be said to have occurred when an owner is temporarily deprived of their property.
A 16‑year‑old boy was sanctioned by a secondary school for wearing a single ear piercing, which the school's principal said required the boy to either remove the stud or have both ears pierced. The boy's solicitor argued that the school's stance forced the child to submit to a particular identity, citing local customs that associate one ear with heterosexuality and the other with gay identity. The school denied the claim, stating that its rules simply limit the number of studs per ear and apply equally to all students. The mother testified that the piercing had not healed and bled when removed, and that the school's assistant principal had told the boy to leave school because of the stud. The case is pending before the Workplace Relations Commission, with a hearing scheduled for the new year. The school's identity is protected to safeguard the minor's privacy.
A veteran criminal defence solicitor, Cahir O'Higgins, is accused of fabricating notes and lying to gardai in connection with the theft of €400 from a client in 2016. Prosecuting counsel told the jury that the defendant's notes presented to gardai in 2017 were fabricated and that his claims during a 2020 recording with a garda that people were 'out to get him' were 'nonsense'. O'Higgins, who has pleaded not guilty to theft and four counts of perverting the course of public justice, is represented by senior counsel who argued that his client's actions were not intended to pervert justice but to address potential regulatory concerns. Defence counsel suggested that the client may have returned the €400 to his client, who may not have realized he had received it. The trial continues with the jury considering the evidence presented.
A Dubliner, Noel Ward, 59, used the PPS number of a friend who had moved to Thailand to fraudulently claim €109,235 in social welfare benefits over a decade. Ward, who was homeless when the scheme began, claimed benefits such as Jobseekers' Benefit, Disability Benefit, Jobseekers' Allowance, Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance and Rent Allowance, and transferred about €64,000 into his friend Patrick Rooney's AIB account. He pleaded guilty to two counts of using a false instrument, including a false driving licence, and six counts of theft from the State between May 2008 and August 2019. Ward has been repaying the State since 2017, including a €20,000 lump sum, and is expected to clear the remaining €15,000 debt within four years. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with the hearing adjourned for finalisation on November 20.
A 40‑year‑old Lithuanian man, Donatas Koncevicius, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possessing cannabis herb worth €258,224 in a lead‑lined compartment in his car. Gardaí stopped his vehicle at Junction 4 of the M3 after he had travelled from Dublin to Cherbourg, France, on a ferry. The car's elaborate concealment, located between the back passenger seat and the boot, was accessed by a switch under the driver's seat and required over an hour of forced entry. Koncevicius pleaded guilty to possession for sale or supply and to possessing a concealed compartment to facilitate drug trafficking on 2 March 2024. He had no prior convictions, was married with two daughters, and had been in Ireland for 20 years.
During a routine customs search at Dublin Port, delivery driver Daljeet Singh, 52, was found transporting 55 kg of cannabis concealed in 50 brown cardboard bags, valued at about €1 million. Singh claimed he had not packed the van and was unaware of the drugs, but a photo from his phone later confirmed he knew of the cannabis. He pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis for sale or supply. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a headline sentence of nine years, but after considering mitigating factors, sentenced Singh to six years, suspending the final six months and backdating the term to the date of the offence. Singh has no prior convictions, lives with his elderly parents in the UK, and has five daughters and several grandchildren. The case highlighted alleged pressure from third parties and Singh's financial difficulties. The sentence was delivered at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
In a murder trial at Tallaght, State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers testified that a deformed lead projectile measuring 0.8 cm was recovered from the head of Keith Conlon, a 36‑year‑old father of four who died on 24 February 2022 after being shot on the farm of barrister Diarmuid Phelan. Okkers described the bullet's trajectory, noting it entered 3 cm behind Conlon's right ear and 5 cm above it, and that the entry wound was 1.64 cm above the unshod heel. She reported no soot or powder tattooing around the wound, indicating a distance of more than one metre between shooter and victim. The pathologist also detailed a CT scan showing a complete fracture of the right parietal bone and multiple metallic fragments in the brain. Phelan, 56, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Conlon, who was shot in the back of the head while turning away to leave.
Mark Davis, 35, with 207 prior convictions and a 20‑year driving ban, pleaded guilty to stealing a DPD delivery van in Jobstown on 4 December 2023 and to stealing 66 packages worth €901 and driving without a licence on the same day. During a court hearing, the judge heard that Davis, while driving past the victim, told him, "I'll leave the van 'round in that estate," and that the van was later found parked with its engine running and most of the packages missing. Davis also admitted to driving without a licence, hit‑and‑runs, dangerous driving and other offences. He was remanded on continuing bail, with the judge expressing concern that imprisonment would disrupt the progress he has made and that he would be exposed to drugs in custody. The case is set to resume on 10 March.
During the sixth day of a civil trial, Conor McGregor took the stand to defend himself against a claim that he had brutally raped and battered Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel. McGregor denied the allegations, stating that he and Hand had consensual sex, describing it as enthusiastic, athletic and vigorous, and that no bruising or distress was evident. He recounted being shocked by social media chatter after the incident and warned the judge to restrain his comments when he made a vulgar remark about Hand. The judge cautioned him to restrain his remarks. Hand, a hair colourist, is seeking damages from McGregor and James Lawrence, who also denies the allegations. The trial will continue the following day before a jury and the judge.
Robert Murphy, 42, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of Jamie Kavanagh, 24, at a Dublin 8 hostel on 19 April 2023. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan argued that Murphy entered Kavanagh's room wearing a balaclava and armed only with a butter knife to frighten, not kill. They claimed Murphy admitted stabbing Kavanagh but that the fatal wound was caused by one of Kavanagh's own longer knives. Grehan highlighted that Murphy had no intention to kill, citing his statements about wanting to clean the hostel and that he would have used more lethal weapons if he had intended to kill. The prosecution, led by Paul Greene, countered that Murphy's admissions to Gardaí and the removal of blood‑stained clothing indicated intent to kill. The trial is ongoing before Justice Melanie Greally and a jury of twelve.
A 22‑year‑old man, Brandon Gavin, was found guilty of murder by a jury at the Central Criminal Court after he stabbed his former friend, 19‑year‑old Marius Mamaliga, in the neck on 23 February 2023. The jury, after nearly five hours of deliberation, rejected Gavin's self‑defence claim, describing it as "self‑serving nonsense." Evidence showed Gavin entered Mamaliga's car, took a knife, and stabbed him within about 14 seconds. DNA on the knife matched Gavin, and blood from the victim was found on a penknife nearby. Witnesses testified that Gavin owed Mamaliga €2,500 for drugs and that the victim had sold drugs in the past. Gavin had also searched online for "prison sentence for murder in Ireland" and was active on Tinder minutes before the incident. The verdict was delivered on 13 November 2024, and Gavin remains remanded in custody awaiting sentencing. The unnamed 22-year-old pleaded not guilty.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence regarding the December 24, 2023, shooting of Tristan Sherry at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown. Three men—Noah Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut—are on trial for his alleged murder, while Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy face charges of violent disorder. All accused have pleaded not guilty. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo and two other judges, continues. Prosecution witness Det Gda Dermot Sloan testified that CCTV footage showed O'Brien hiding under a table during the initial gunfire before emerging to strike in Sherry's direction. Hennessy, the victim's son, was also described as using a dustpan and brush to strike at Sherry after the gunman was disarmed. Defense lawyers indicated they would challenge the accuracy of this evidence. The matter remains at the trial stage with no final determination reached.
In a civil damages trial, a jury heard that DNA from semen samples taken from a woman who alleges she was raped by Conor McGregor matched the celebrity fighter's DNA. The jury also heard that damage to the plaintiff's clothing on the night of the alleged assault was not normal wear and tear but appeared ripped. Nikita Hand, a hair colourist, is seeking damages from McGregor and James Lawrence, who claims he had consensual sex with Hand after McGregor left the hotel. Both McGregor and Lawrence deny the allegations. Dr Charlotte Murphy of Forensic Science Ireland presented the DNA evidence, noting a full male profile from the high vaginal area and a mixed DNA profile that excluded Lawrence. The trial is before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury of eight women and four men.
A jury will return to the Central Criminal Court tomorrow to continue deliberating the verdict in the trial of 22‑year‑old Brandon Gavin, who denies murdering 19‑year‑old Marius Mamaliga over a drug debt. The prosecution alleges Gavin entered the back seat of a car behind Mamaliga and stabbed him in the neck with a knife, intending to kill or seriously injure him. In Garda interviews, Gavin claimed he stabbed Mamaliga in self‑defence, fearing for his life because he owed money for drugs. Witnesses testified that Mamaliga had sold cannabis and that Gavin owed him €2,000 for cocaine. The jury, consisting of seven men and five women, began deliberations after 2 pm and will return tomorrow morning. The judge explained that the jury has three possible verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty.
In the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, the jury heard that 23‑year‑old Kallum Coleman, who had agreed to testify, booked a one‑way ticket to Spain and was hiding in a hotel when a bench warrant was issued. Gardaí attempted to locate him at his family address and other acquaintances' addresses but found no trace. They later identified him in Marbella, where he was "holing up." While Gardaí were stopping for refreshments en route to the airport, Coleman exited the car and fled, refusing to cooperate with the courts. The defence counsel, Michael Bowman, described Coleman's "change of heart" and his decision to "leg it." The trial also covered Phelan's 2017 trespassing case, where threats were made against him in court, and the circumstances of the 2022 shooting that killed Keith Conlon. The case continues before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
Five family members from Cabra, Dublin 7, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to violent disorder committed on November 5, 2018. Judge Orla Crowe accepted that Eoin Maughan Senior, Ann Maughan, Patrick Maughan, Stephen Maughan, and Eoin Maughan Jnr acted out of profound concerns for a relative, but ruled that engaging in violent disorder was unlawful. The court heard the defendants attempted to remove the woman from a patrol car and became aggressive toward gardaí during the confrontation. Judge Crowe imposed an 18-month sentence on Eoin Maughan Senior, Ann Maughan, Patrick Maughan, and Eoin Maughan Jnr, which was suspended in full on strict conditions requiring them to engage with the Probation Service for 12 months. Stephen Maughan, who has no previous convictions, received a different disposal. Judge Crowe imposed a section 100 order under the Criminal Justice Act, meaning he will not have a criminal conviction if he keeps the peace and is of good behaviour until May 2025. His case was adjourned to April 2025, by which time he must also pay a €100 fine to the garda benevolent fund. The matter for Stephen Maughan was adjourned and not concluded at this stage.
A 35‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for choking his then‑fiancée in front of their three small children in February 2019, an act that left her unconscious and with bruises, scratches and lasting psychological harm. He also pleaded guilty to criminal damage to the back‑door handles of her home in July 2020 when he tried to gain entry. The court noted the woman was pregnant, had to move house to avoid him, and that he had 42 prior convictions, including knife possession, theft, criminal damage and traffic offences. In mitigation, the judge considered his guilty pleas, current drug and alcohol abstinence, employment and volunteer work, and a probation assessment placing him at moderate risk of re‑offending. Consecutive sentences of three and two years were imposed, with the final two years suspended on conditions such as attending a violent offender course while in custody.
Lucas Matley, a 19‑year‑old from Manchester, was caught at Dublin Airport with 12.8 kg of vacuum‑packed cannabis worth about €257,860. He had travelled to Las Vegas for five days to pick up the suitcase and then flew to Ireland, claiming he was paid £5,000 to transport the drugs. Matley pleaded guilty to having the drugs for sale or supply at the airport on 10 March 2024. Judge Orla Crowe noted his lack of prior convictions and cooperation with Gardaí, and considered mitigating factors such as letters from his former school. She imposed a headline sentence of four years but reduced it to three years, suspending the final six months for one year. The sentence was imposed at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after a Garda investigation that found 28 vacuum‑packed packages in his luggage.
A 30‑year‑old Dublin man who claimed he was suffering from sexsomnia when he raped a co‑worker was convicted on 9 February 2018 and sentenced to eight years, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions. He appealed, arguing that the prosecution's closing address unfairly spotlighted his failure to give evidence and scorned a sleep‑disorder expert's testimony. The Court of Appeal rejected all grounds of appeal, finding no unfair or prejudicial remarks and that the judge had not erred in refusing the expert to give evidence. The appeal also failed on the grounds that evidence of a co‑worker's prior interest in the victim was permissible, and that a pre‑trial ruling allowing video‑link testimony was within the judge's discretion. The appeal was dismissed, leaving the conviction and sentence intact. The case involved the victim waking to the man's sexual act, DNA evidence, and prior sexual comments made by the accused. The unnamed 30-year-old pleaded not guilty.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence from Detective Garda Dermot Sloan regarding the murder of Tristan Sherry at Browne's Steakhouse on December 24, 2023. Sloan presented CCTV footage detailing alleged attacks by Michael Andrecut (22), David Amah (18), and Noah Musueni (18), all of whom deny the murder charge. The detective described Andrecut stamping on Sherry, striking him with glasses, a bar, and a chair, and holding a phone over his head before a final kick. Amah was alleged to have stamped, kicked, and struck Sherry with a chair. Musueni was described as stamping on Sherry's head, delivering jabbing motions, and throwing a chair that hit him. Jonas Kabangu (18), charged with violent disorder, allegedly ran to the carpark, returned to kick Sherry twice, and helped remove the victim's body. Brandon Hennessy (21) and Diarmuid O'Brien (18) are also charged with violent disorder. All accused have pleaded not guilty. The trial is ongoing before Justice Kerida Naidoo, Judge Elma Sheahan, and Judge James Faughnan, with Sloan's evidence scheduled to continue.
A jury heard that law professor Diarmuid Phelan, 56, denied murdering Keith Conlon, 36, on his farm in Tallaght. Phelan said he was terrified when three men appeared on his land and that he fired his revolver in self‑defence, claiming the shots were aimed at the men, not at Conlon. He described the men as threatening him and said he had tried to retreat but was forced to shoot. Phelan also alleged that his farm had been subject to burglary, drug use, armed men and arson, and that Gardaí had not responded promptly to earlier incidents. He said he had given the revolver to Gardaí and that he was under immense stress. The trial is ongoing before Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
In a civil trial at the High Court, a paramedic, Eithne Scully, testified that she had seen a woman, Nikita Hand, who is suing Conor McGregor and James Lawrence, with extensive bruising and injuries after an alleged rape in a Dublin hotel penthouse on 9 December 2018. Scully described Hand's bruises around the neck, thighs, chest and lower leg, and noted a cut on her chin and breast injury. She also reported Hand's agitation, fear of a tampon being pushed too far, and a panic attack during transport to the Rotunda hospital. The paramedic's evidence was supplemented by CCTV footage of the ambulance and by statements from other paramedics who observed Hand's distress. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Owens, continues with a jury of eight women and four men. The defendants deny the allegations. The case focuses on the alleged assault and the injuries sustained by Hand.
A jury of six men and six women was sworn in by Mr Justice Tony Hunt for the trial of 28‑year‑old Cailean Crawford, who denies murdering Thomas McCarthy on 27 July 2020 at Croftwood Park, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. Crawford was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court today. The trial will commence this afternoon and is expected to last three to four weeks. Thomas McCarthy pleaded not guilty.
In a murder trial, Brandon Gavin, aged 22, is accused of a planned and pre‑meditated stabbing of his 19‑year‑old friend Marius Mamaliga. Prosecutors argue Gavin entered the victim's car, stabbed him in the neck within eight seconds, and then disposed of the knife before returning home, citing his Google search for "prison sentence for murder in Ireland" and Tinder activity as evidence of pre‑planning. They describe the act as "murder – plain and simple" and dismiss his self‑defence claim as "self‑serving nonsense." Defence counsel counter that Gavin had made 47 calls that day trying to raise €2,000 owed for cocaine, and that he was in distress and fear, possibly acting in self‑preservation. They portray him as a young man spiralling out of control, not a cold‑blooded killer. The jury is instructed to weigh these conflicting accounts before delivering a verdict. Brandon Gavin pleaded not guilty.
A veteran criminal defence solicitor, Cahir O'Higgins (49), has pleaded not guilty to one count of stealing €400 in July 2016 and four counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice in December 2017. During a voluntary interview with gardai, O'Higgins stated he returned the €400 to his client, Raul Sanz Quilis, and described providing notes to gardai as a 'grave error of judgement' and 'bullshit notes'. The prosecution alleges that O'Higgins withdrew €600 from Sanz Quilis' bank account, kept €400, and paid €200 to the court to have the case against Sanz struck out. O'Higgins claims he had implied permission from Sanz Quilis to use the card and that he returned the €400. He also said he provided notes to gardai in December 2017, which he later admitted were inaccurate and not contemporaneous. O'Higgins acknowledged he represented Sanz Quilis without explicit instructions and admitted to providing misleading information to gardai.
Craig Coyle, 37, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to threatening to publish intimate images of a woman and to harassment from September to December 2023, plus two trespasses at her home in December 2023 and January 2024. The offences fall under Coco's Law, which allows fines or up to seven years' imprisonment. Judge Pauline Codd read several abusive emails, describing them as "grotesquely pornographic" and "debasing not only to this woman but all women in general." The woman, who had been a victim of a serious sexual assault, reported that Coyle's behaviour forced her to install a security alarm and cameras, and that she suffered severe mental distress, including nightmares and loss of self‑esteem. Coyle admitted to loitering around her home, sending abusive messages, and catfishing her. He was arrested on 30 January 2024 and admitted the harassment. The case was adjourned to 17 February pending a psychologist's report on his emotionally unstable personality disorder.
A 41‑year‑old Nigerian man was sentenced by the Central Criminal Court to 13 years' imprisonment for eight counts of rape, four counts of assault and two counts of threatening to kill or cause serious harm. The court heard that the defendant repeatedly raped and beat his wife, causing her to miscarry a child. He also applied chilli powder to her genitals after a rape. The man threatened to kill the woman and her sister when they tried to recover her bride price, and he planned to put the victim's brother's name on the birth certificate of a child she had with him to secure residency. He later came to Ireland to live with the woman and her baby. The judge noted the defendant denied all allegations and ordered post‑release supervision for two years. The sentence was imposed concurrently with four‑year terms for the assault and threat charges. The unnamed 41-year-old was found guilty.
Patrick Byrne, 27, of Cloverhill Road, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two years and nine months in jail for assault causing harm. He pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting a 33-year-old man at Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2, on October 15 last year. Judge Orla Crowe described the unprovoked attack, in which Byrne allegedly struck the victim with a bike saddle, as senseless and brutal. The sentence was backdated to the date Byrne first entered custody. Byrne has a history of 36 previous offences, including a suspended six-and-a-half-year sentence for attempted robbery in 2020. Prosecution counsel sought leave to re-mention the case to address whether the offence was committed while Byrne was on that suspended sentence. The matter was adjourned to deal with this procedural issue. Defence counsel acknowledged the assault was vicious but argued it was a case of mistaken identity and noted Byrne's history of drug abuse. The victim stated he now avoids the city centre due to the trauma and visible scarring.
Tanya Kirwan, 40, of Killisk, The Ballagh, Co. Wexford, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm on 22 February 2021, when she struck 88‑year‑old Laurence 'Larry' Leacy. The collision left Leacy with spinal fractures, a fractured tibia, a lacerated scalp and kidney failure, and he later died of a respiratory tract infection. Kirwan was initially sentenced by Judge James McCourt at Wexford Circuit Court on 7 July 2022 to a one‑year suspended sentence and a four‑year driving ban. The Court of Appeal, hearing on 11 November 2024, found the four‑year ban was a discretionary order mis‑interpreted as mandatory. It quashed the original ban and imposed a two‑year, four‑month disqualification, back‑dated to 7 July 2022, while keeping the one‑year suspended sentence. Kirwan's car was in good condition, she was not intoxicated, and she had returned to work after lunch before the incident.
Jason McDonagh, aged 31, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for assaulting his partner, her sister and her mother in a Dublin hotel. The attack, which took place on 16 February, involved McDonagh dragging his partner around the room, threatening to bite her ear, and punching all three women after they fled. CCTV footage showed him wearing a pyramid‑shaped ring that was described as a knuckle duster, which aggravated the injuries. The 65‑year‑old mother suffered severe head pain and eye problems, while the partner sustained lacerations to her head and ear and the sister had bumps and bruising. McDonagh pleaded guilty to three counts of assault causing harm, a charge punishable by up to 10 years. Judge Orla Crowe, noting his mental health issues and lack of prior convictions, imposed a two‑year sentence, suspended the final six months, and back‑dated it to his arrest.
Sinead White, 38, of Collins Place, Finglas, Dublin 11, who has 210 prior convictions including 158 thefts, pleaded guilty on 1 September 2023 to witness intimidation after sending threatening voice messages to a future witness. The messages were played in court and described as threatening, intimidating and wrong. White was intoxicated at the time and admitted the wrongdoing, expressing remorse and apologising. Judge Martin Nolan, noting the seriousness of the offence and its impact on the victim, imposed a 21‑month prison sentence, crediting only time already served on other matters. The court accepted that White had no history of violence or assault convictions and that she had no contact with the victim since the incident. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with the victim expected to testify in a 2025 trial. The sentence reflects the judge's view that intimidation of witnesses must be punished, but that White was not an "insidious person.".
A law professor, Diarmuid Phelan, 56, denies murdering an unarmed trespasser in a fatal shooting at his farm. He told Gardaí he was terrified when three men "exploded" out of bushes on his land, screaming and roaring, and threatened him about who had shot their dog. Phelan said he shouted at the men to stay back, but they kept coming and he believed they were coming to fulfil the threats they had made. He claimed he had taken powder from a first‑aid bag and put it on the back of the deceased's head to stop the bleeding, although none of the trespassers were members of the Travelling Community. Phelan has pleaded not guilty to murdering Keith Conlon, 36, at Hazelgrove Farm, Tallaght, on 24 February 2022. Evidence shows Phelan fired three shots from a Smith & Wesson revolver; the State alleges two shots were fired into the air and the third struck Conlon in the back of the head.
The Special Criminal Court heard eyewitness testimony from two sisters regarding the fatal shooting of Tristan Sherry at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve 2023. Adisa Ajredini and Amanda Ajredini described the terror as a masked attacker, whom they identified as holding a long firearm, entered the busy restaurant. Adisa stated she dragged her mother under a table after hearing what sounded like machine-gun fire, while Amanda fled to the kitchen believing the gunman intended to shoot everyone. The sisters testified that the restaurant was left wrecked and the attacker was found lying in blood. This evidence forms part of the ongoing trial of three men accused of murdering Sherry: Noah Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut. All three have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Additionally, Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy are charged with violent disorder arising from the same incident; all have also pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel previously alleged that a group attacked the disarmed Sherry with savage violence. The trial continues before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, Judge Elma Sheahan, and Judge James Faughnan. No verdicts or sentences have been delivered, and the matter remains at the trial stage.
Eric O'Driscoll, aged 22, pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to possession of a .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle at Ratoath Drive, Finglas, on 9 January 2022. The court found the circumstances reasonably inferred that the rifle was not held for a lawful purpose. O'Driscoll also faced four other firearms offences, but the Director of Public Prosecutions said the plea satisfied the case. The matter was adjourned for a later hearing, with trial scheduled later in the year.
A veteran criminal defence solicitor, Cahir O'Higgins, has told a trial that he believed someone in the gardai or the Director of Public Prosecutions' office wanted to 'stitch him up' because he had 'annoyed people'. O'Higgins, 49, is on trial for one count of theft of €400 in July 2016 and four counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice in December 2017. He denies the allegations. The court heard that O'Higgins was representing a Spanish national, Raul Sanz Quilis, who was charged with criminal damage. During the case, O'Higgins allegedly used Sanz Quilis's bank card to withdraw €600 from an ATM, with €400 allegedly taken into his possession. The case against Sanz was struck out after €200 was paid to the court. O'Higgins also provided gardai with notes he claimed to have made during the incident, but the prosecution alleges they contained false information. Cahir O'Higgins pleaded not guilty. Sanz Quilis pleaded not guilty.
Deji Oshinowo, 51, of Myrtle Square, Baldoyle, Dublin 13, was convicted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on three counts of possession of false passports. He had seven prior convictions, including for custody of false instruments, the most recent in 2012. An investigation by Gardaí on 21 June 2017 found three passports – two from the Republic of Benin and one from South Africa – in an upstairs room of his residence; none bore his picture and were later confirmed false. Oshinowo was arrested and interviewed, and the court noted his cooperation. Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced him to two and a half years, suspending the term under a number of conditions. Oshinowo, married with three children, is currently completing courses and has requested leniency, while his progress toward citizenship remains paused due to the criminal proceedings.
The court heard that a 15‑year‑old driver of a stolen car caused a garda's hand to break while she tried to remove him from the vehicle during a pursuit. The teenager, now 16, pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment, assault, unlawful use of a car, dangerous driving and damaging an official garda vehicle at locations along the M50 on 24 August 2023. Detective Garda Kate Gilligan described how the boy drove on the wrong side of the motorway, rammed a patrol car and repeatedly changed lanes, creating danger for himself and other road users. She said she would take a broken hand any day over the potential consequences. Judge Orla Crowe noted the boy's significant improvement and adjourned the case for six months to allow continued work, requesting an updated probation report. The boy apologized, cooperated with investigators, and has not reoffended since his release.
Robert Hanratty, 48, of Whiteacre Place, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to possession of zopiclone tablets at his home and a location in Ballymun for sale or supply on 6 January 2023. He held over €30,000 worth of sleeping tablets, claiming he did so to deter vandalism by local youths who had targeted his home. Hanratty, described as vulnerable and with a drink problem, had four minor prior convictions unrelated to drugs. Judge Orla Crowe noted the statutory minimum for the offence is 10 years but, citing his cooperation and lack of prior drug convictions, set a headline sentence of three years, reduced to two years and four months, and suspended the entire term. The court emphasized that a suspended sentence remains a real penalty and may be re‑entered if further issues arise. The case involved 15,680 tablets recovered, valued at €32,200, and a psychological report detailing Hanratty's mental health and alcohol use. No further convictions were reported.
Ms Nikita Hand, a hair colourist, testified at the High Court after four days in the witness box, claiming that Conor McGregor brutally raped and battered her in a Dublin hotel penthouse on 9 December 2018. She said she has no memory of being in a lift with James Lawrence, who denies the allegations and claims consensual sex with her. Hand described bruises and injuries she said were inflicted by McGregor, including choking and biting. She also recounted drinking and drug use during the period. McGregor and Lawrence deny the allegations. The civil damages case is ongoing before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury of twelve. The trial continues with no verdict yet.
During the trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, a ballistics expert explained that firing a warning shot carries inherent dangers because the projectile can travel and hit unintended targets. The expert noted that factors such as farm terrain, the trespassers' movement, and Phelan's state of mind on the day of the shooting would negatively affect his ability to aim and control the firearm. Evidence showed Phelan shouted at two unarmed trespassers to "get back" before firing three shots from his Smith & Wesson revolver. The State claimed two shots were fired into the air and the third struck Keith Conlon in the back of the head as he turned away. Phelan, 56, pleaded not guilty to murdering Conlon, 36, who died on 24 February 2022 at Hazelgrove Farm, Tallaght. The trial continues before a jury.
During a trial, Robert Murphy (42) told a garda that he wanted to kill Jamie Kavanagh (24) and that Kavanagh deserved to die. Murphy pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. He admitted stabbing Kavanagh, who lived in a bedsit on Harrington Street, Dublin 8, a hostel run by Crosscare. Garda Matthew O'Connor, on duty at Kevin Street Garda Station, heard Murphy say he had taken all the knives from Kavanagh's room and that he wanted to kill him. Murphy was found carrying a bag with two large knives, a balaclava, blood‑stained clothing and drug paraphernalia. State pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis identified seven sharp‑object injuries on Kavanagh, with one stab wound to the trunk causing death. The case is before Justice Melanie Greally and a jury.
A Galway man was convicted on 30 November 2022 of five counts of indecent assault against two sisters‑in‑law and one brother‑in‑law, all of whom were children at the time of the alleged offences. The jury found him guilty on all counts except one directed acquittal. He was sentenced on 15 June 2023 to 23 months' imprisonment, with six months suspended on the first charge and six months suspended on the three charges against his brother‑in‑law. A €500 fine was imposed for the second sister‑in‑law's charge. The man, who pleaded not guilty, has appealed, arguing that the jury's verdict was "perverse" because the judge refused to sever the indictment and that the evidence contained inconsistencies. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on the appeal. The case remains at the trial stage, with no further outcome reported.
The court heard that 22‑year‑old Brandon Gavin's phone was used 24 hours before he stabbed 19‑year‑old Marius Mamaliga to death. The phone searched for "prison sentence for murder in Ireland" and engaged with a woman on Tinder 20 minutes before the fatal stabbing. Texts show Mamaliga demanded money for drugs from Gavin, warning that "boys looking for that money" would be at his door. Gavin claimed he stabbed Mamaliga in self‑defence, fearing for his life because he owed money for drugs. The prosecution argued Gavin entered the back seat of a car behind Mamaliga and stabbed him in the neck with a knife. The case is set to close on Monday before Justice Eileen Creedon and the jury. Brandon Gavin pleaded not guilty.
In the civil damages trial at the High Court, the jury informed Judge Alexander Owens that a member of the public gallery had pointed a mobile phone at them, raising concerns about potential recording or photography. Owens reminded all present that recording and photography are prohibited in the court area and warned that any breach would be treated as contempt of court. The case involves Ms Nikita Hand, who alleges that Conor McGregor and James Lawrence raped her in a Dublin hotel on 9 December 2018. Both defendants deny the allegations. The trial, presided over by Judge Owens, continues with a jury of eight women and four men and is expected to last two weeks.
The Special Criminal Court has ruled that Garda Dermot Sloane may narrate CCTV footage of the fatal shooting of Jason Hennessy Snr at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve 2023. Presiding Judge Kerida Naidoo determined that the garda, described as an "ad hoc expert" due to his familiarity with the footage, is entitled to provide a descriptive narrative to highlight relevant aspects, while emphasizing that the three-judge panel will determine the facts. The trial involves Noah Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut, who are accused of murdering gunman Tristan Sherry after he shot Mr Hennessy. All three pleaded not guilty. Wayne Deegan is also charged with murder but is awaiting a neuro-psychologist report for a later trial. Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy are charged with violent disorder, all pleading not guilty. Jaures Kumbu previously pleaded guilty to removing the sub-machine gun used in the killing, which has not been retrieved. The court adjourned the trial to Monday to allow parties time to consider potential edits to the garda's narrative before it is heard.
The trial of criminal defence solicitor Cahir O'Higgins, who has pleaded not guilty to one count of theft and four counts of perverting the course of justice, continues before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury. The prosecution alleges that on July 30, 2016, O'Higgins withdrew €600 from an ATM at a Londis shop on Parkgate Street using the bank card of applicant Raul Sanz Quilis, keeping €400 for himself after paying a €200 court fee. Sanz Quilis, who was charged with criminal damage, consented to the withdrawal solely to pay the fine. Evidence from Courts Service clerk Derek Bunyan confirmed the case was struck out after the payment. Additionally, the State alleges O'Higgins provided gardaí in December 2017 with notes he claimed were made on July 30, 2016, which the prosecution says contained untrue information. Natwest Group Fraud Control Manager Michael Wilson testified that records show three €200 withdrawals were made from the Spanish-issued card between 4pm and 5pm on that date. O'Higgins denies all allegations, maintaining he acted in good faith. The matter is currently at the trial stage and has not been finalised.
Kevin Ahmetay, a 26‑year‑old Albanian national with no fixed abode, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of unlawfully assisting a friend's entry into Ireland. The offence stemmed from an incident at Terminal One, Dublin Airport, where Ahmetay and his friend, both from Albania, were stopped after arriving from Italy. Gardaí discovered that the friend used a false name and a false Bulgarian passport, while Ahmetay had produced a genuine Bulgarian passport in his own name and claimed no connection to the other man. However, authorities linked the two men by their shared booking and sequential check‑in. Ahmetay admitted he had held his friend's genuine Albanian passport, which he intended to return after they entered Ireland for onward travel. He had a prior UK conviction for cannabis production, resulting in a suspended sentence.
In a High Court civil trial, Ms Nikita Hand, 45, presented a 45‑minute audio recording in which she describes being "brutally raped" by Conor McGregor at the Beacon hotel's penthouse on 9 December 2018. The recording shows Hand sobbing and telling her boyfriend she would be "killed" if she named her attacker. She also recounts going to a friend's house, having photos taken of her body, and describing injuries such as black‑and‑blue knuckles and leg bruises. Hand denies a defence claim that she followed McGregor into a bedroom and performed oral sex before consensual sex. McGregor and James Lawrence deny the allegations. The case is heard by a jury of eight women and four men, with the trial continuing tomorrow at the Four Courts.
Jurors in the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan have been invited to hold and pull the trigger of the Smith & Wesson revolver used in the fatal shooting of Mr Conlon on Phelan's farmland. The prosecution, led by John Byrne SC, explained the exercise to help jurors understand the five kilos of pressure required to pull the trigger. The judge, Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford, declined to participate, stating she would pass. Mr Phelan, 56, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Conlon, 36, on February 24, 2022. Detective Garda Seamus O'Donnell testified that the revolver had no manually activated safety mechanism and that it was considered very safe. He confirmed that the gun had been made safe for the exercise and that it could not fire if dropped. Eight of the 12 jurors opted to pull the trigger.
During a trial, Robert Murphy (42) pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Jamie Kavanagh (24) at a hostel on Harrington Street, Dublin 8, on 19 April 2023. The Central Criminal Court heard that Kavanagh lived in a bedsit run by a hostel and charity Crosscare, and that he was found with four stab wounds. Murphy, who lived next door, was stopped by Garda officers after the incident. He was discovered carrying a bag with two large knives, a balaclava and blood‑stained clothing, and he told the Garda that he had stabbed Kavanagh with his own weapons, hoping the victim was "taken out in coroners' bags." He also admitted that Kavanagh and his friends were using drugs in his room. The trial, set to continue before Ms Justice Melanie Greally, is expected to last six to seven days.