Former solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 55, stands trial in Dublin for alleged theft of about €27 million from seven banks between October 2006 and April 2007. He has pleaded not guilty to 21 theft counts. During the hearing, Lynn admitted in a prior trial that the borrowings were his responsibility and that he benefited from the money. The prosecution argues he secured multiple mortgages on the same properties without banks knowing other institutions were financing them. The banks named are Bank of Ireland, National Irish Bank (now Danske Bank), Irish Life and Permanent, Ulster Bank, ACC Bank, Bank of Scotland Ireland and Irish Nationwide Building Society. Lynn will give further evidence in this trial, and the jury will hear his full account. The case is before Judge Martin Nolan.
Former priest Denis Nolan, 71, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court following his guilty plea to one count of oral rape and 36 counts of sexual assault committed between 1994 and 2000. The court found that Nolan abused a victim aged 11 to 17 in Dublin and Wicklow. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a five-year sentence for the rape, to run consecutively to Nolan's existing terms, alongside concurrent three-year sentences for the sexual assault counts. Nolan is currently serving a 19-year aggregate sentence for previous convictions, including a 2022 case where the Court of Appeal quashed a suspended portion and substituted a consecutive six-year term. The judge noted Nolan's "predatory" conduct and "egregious betrayal" of trust, while acknowledging his guilty plea and remorse as mitigating factors. Nolan, in custody since 2014, was also directed to undergo five years of post-release supervision. The matter was finalised with the imposition of these additional custodial terms.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Chang Teng Wang, 58, of Finglas, was sentenced to six and a half years' imprisonment for the unlawful killing of his 10‑month‑old grandson, Seán Wang, who died after Wang violently shook him in an attempt to calm him. The judge, Martina Baxter, imposed a 12‑month suspended period, citing aggravating factors such as Seán's healthy condition and the vulnerability of infants. Wang pleaded guilty, which the court noted as a mitigating factor, and he cooperated with Gardaí. The case involved a hospital admission where Seán was in cardiac arrest and later pronounced dead 66 hours after arrival. Wang's defence highlighted his lack of prior convictions, foreign status, and willingness to leave the country. No victim impact statement was presented. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence and the court's view of Wang's responsibility.
A jury was sworn in at the Central Criminal Court for the trial of Sean Murphy, 29, who is charged with the murder of Michael Olohan, 35, that occurred on 13 August 2020 on St Lawrence Road, Dublin. Murphy pleaded not guilty. The trial will start tomorrow before Justice Mary Ellen Ring and a jury of six men and six women and is expected to last up to five days.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal of an unnamed 41-year-old man who was convicted of sexually assaulting his daughter. The appellant, who pleaded not guilty to the offence committed in Dublin between January and April 2017, argued that he was asleep at the time and therefore could not form the necessary intent. He contended that the trial judge erred by refusing to direct a verdict of not guilty and by failing to issue a corroboration warning regarding the complainant's evidence. The complainant, who was approximately nine years old at the time, told Gardaí she was unsure if her father was awake, though she described specific acts in detail. Court of Appeal President Mr Justice George Birmingham, sitting with Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh, rejected these submissions. The court held that the detailed description of the alleged acts was, as a matter of common sense, consistent only with the actions of a conscious, awake individual, absent a demonstrated sleep disorder. The judges concluded that the trial judge was within her rights to leave the case to the jury and that the decision not to give a corroboration warning was within her discretion. The appellant had previously secured a successful appeal in May 2022, leading to a retrial where he was re-convicted. Following that second trial, Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced him to three years and four months' imprisonment. The appeal was dismissed, leaving the conviction and sentence intact.
Martin Hayes, a grave digger, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter after a Central Criminal Court jury returned a majority verdict of 11‑1. Hayes admitted to using violence against Amadea McDermott, 27, and to having accessed her phone via a hidden app. He claimed she stabbed herself, a claim the jury rejected. The prosecution argued that Hayes inflicted a single stab wound to McDermott's abdomen without the intent to kill, and that evidence such as the absence of DNA on the knife, toxicology reports, and McDermott's text messages indicating fear of Hayes supported this view. The jury spent 13 hours and 22 minutes over four days deliberating. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for 21 November, with Hayes remanded in custody until then. The McDermott family will be allowed to speak at that hearing.
A 57‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to nine and a half years in prison after a Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty of five counts of rape of his wife, committed in their family home and a holiday home in 2006 and 2018. He was acquitted of three other rape counts and a ninth count was not agreed upon. The judge described the offences as a fundamental breach of trust and bodily integrity, noting that the rapes occurred while their children were present, sometimes with a baby in the bedroom. The victim, whose identity is protected, said the husband abused her under the "guise of Catholic entitlements," controlling her and denying any wrongdoing. She testified that she had been isolated and felt worthless, and that the abuse escalated when she prioritized their children's needs.
In a High Court hearing on 13 November 2023, the court refused to grant a 12‑month stay on an injunction that required Stateline Freight Limited to stop storing shipping containers on land owned by Tesco Ireland Limited at Compass Distribution Park, Santry. Stateline had argued that an immediate cessation would cause a catastrophic economic impact on freight businesses and that it needed time to secure alternative sites and planning permission. The judge, Mr Justice Garrett Simons, found no discretionary basis for a stay, citing the lack of planning permission and the deliberate nature of the breach. He gave Stateline six weeks to remove the containers and noted that any temporary planning permission would be a matter for the planning authorities, not the court. The decision will be revisited later in the month.
In a discrimination claim, the Workplace Relations Commission ruled that the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) was entitled to refuse admission to Sarah Holmes and four other protestors at its 2022 AGM. The NWCI cited a "potentially explosive situation" after a press release from the activist group 'The Countess' threatened a transgender board member. The council had warned the hotel, rearranged registration, and escorted a TD and the board member. Witnesses reported that protestors, including Holmes, were vocal and that the council's risk mitigation measures were necessary. Holmes claimed the refusal was religious discrimination, but the tribunal found no discrimination and upheld the council's decision to bar the group. The case was heard behind closed doors, with the tribunal's findings made public.
Michael Lynn, 55, of Co. Wicklow, is on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court accused of 21 counts of theft in Dublin between October 23, 2006, and April 20, 2007. He has pleaded not guilty to these charges, which allege the theft of approximately €27 million from seven financial institutions. The prosecution contends that Mr. Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties while banks were unaware of other financing. Testifying, former INBS senior underwriter Olivia Greene stated that her career "nosedived" after the €4.1 million loan to Mr. Lynn for Glenlion House came under scrutiny. She told the court that INBS chief executive Michael Fingleton refused to take responsibility for the approval, leading to her constructive dismissal. Under cross-examination by Paul Comiskey O'Keefe BL, Ms. Greene agreed that INBS was a beneficiary of the bank insolvency scheme, was fined €5 million which it could not pay, and ultimately cost the state €5.4 billion. The trial is currently at the sentencing stage, though the matter remains ongoing as the trial resumes before Judge Martin Nolan.
Julie Maughan, 38, of Kimmage Manor, Terenure, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to a 15‑year‑old boy on 8 October 2022. She had mistaken the boy and his friends for people harassing her daughter and drove her van toward them, then exited with a cricket bat and struck the boy over the head. The boy was taken to hospital and received four stitches. No victim impact statement was given. Maughan was arrested that night after the boys called Gardaí. She denied involvement at the scene, but her mobile phone was seized and video showed her encouraging her daughter to cry in front of Gardaí. She has seven prior convictions, mainly traffic offences and one drug‑related offence from 2013. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced her to two years' imprisonment, suspended in full on strict conditions, after noting the assault was "reasonably bad" but that she did not deserve prison at this point.
Matthew Coward, a 32‑year‑old Swim Ireland coach, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual exploitation of girls and multiple counts of child pornography production for offences between September 2021 and February 2022. He secretly filmed girls changing in his office, using a phone and a chair‑sectioned area to facilitate the acts. Three girls were harmed; one broke down in her father's car after learning she had been recorded while trying on "swimming skins." Coward's devices yielded nearly 80 videos, including two child abuse material clips and seven inappropriate videos, plus search histories linked to teenage pornography. He was arrested in May 2022, stood down as a coach, and later worked as a Starbucks night manager. Coward expressed remorse, wrote apologies, and the court noted his guilty plea, lack of prior convictions, and the impact on his family. The case was remanded on bail with a final hearing scheduled for November 21.
Shane Ginty, 30, of St Stephen's Green, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for offences committed on O'Connell Street on January 31, 2023. He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and one count of theft. Judge Orla Crowe noted that Ginty had 65 previous convictions and was serving a suspended sentence at the time of the offence. The court heard that Ginty assaulted a victim and Garda Alan Sexton, who was chasing him. Judge Crowe set a headline sentence of four years but reduced it to three years in prison, backdated to his custody date. She suspended the final six months for two years and ordered 12 months of Probation Service supervision post-release. The judge acknowledged mitigating factors including his early guilty plea, remorse, and good behavior in custody. The victim, a non-national, stated in an impact statement that he did not expect such violence in Ireland. Defense counsel highlighted Ginty's history of homelessness, drug addiction, and ADHD. The matter was finalized with the imposition of the custodial sentence and conditions.
Rebecca Yeats, 21, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of cannabis for sale or supply at her home on 13 November 2020. She was caught with 952 g of cannabis herb worth €19,040 during a Garda search after a 999 call she herself made. Yeats had no prior convictions and had been cooperating with the Probation Service, though her compliance was not 100 %. Judge Elma Sheahan, after a 12‑month adjournment, imposed a fully suspended two‑year prison sentence under strict conditions, directing Yeats to remain under Probation supervision and engage with other services. The court noted her early guilty plea, lack of prior convictions, addiction and mental‑health issues, training to be a barber, and efforts to distance herself from negative associates. The sentence reflects the judge's concern that she still used cannabis and was involved in the trade that brought her before the court. The Probation report was commended for its detail and engagement.
Dana Maria Popovici, 35, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for using false Italian identification and a false Romanian driving licence to open eight bank accounts that processed €168,148 between 2016 and 2019. The accounts were held at Ulster Bank, Allied Irish Bank and KBC. Gardaí seized equipment used to produce fake documents and discovered that Popovici had been arrested in Finland in November 2018 with a member of an organised crime gang. She pleaded guilty to four charges of using false identification to open bank accounts. The prosecution noted that the fraud involved selling undelivered machinery or vehicles online and a Revenue‑related scam that stole almost €10,000 from three Irish victims. Judge Orla Crowe back‑dated the sentence to June, when Popovici was first remanded, and described the case as an international online fraud of great complexity. The sentence was imposed after Popovici's guilty plea and the judge's assessment of her poor use of her talents.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court adjourned the sentencing of Eimear Black O'Keeffe, known professionally as Nikki Hayes, until April 11, 2024. The defendant, 44, pleaded guilty to possessing €10,000 as proceeds of crime in a Permanent TSB account on November 5, 2020. Two further counts involving €2,600 and €2,400 on November 6, 2020, were taken into consideration. Judge Martina Baxter ordered an updated probation report and urine analysis. Defence counsel stated O'Keeffe now accepts she has an alcohol problem and is seeking support from Tiglin. He noted she intends to repay the bank's outstanding €2,000 loss when her financial situation improves. The judge expressed concern that rehabilitation efforts began only after the previous sentencing date but agreed to the adjournment. Prosecution evidence indicated €15,000 was withdrawn from an injured party's account via a scam and deposited into O'Keeffe's account. Gardaí observed a blonde woman making ATM withdrawals in Liffey Valley but could not confirm it was O'Keeffe. The remainder of the funds was returned to the victim. O'Keeffe, who has six previous minor road traffic convictions, was remanded on continuing bail.
The Commercial Court heard that several legal actions over the collapse of German property firm Dolphin Trust have been resolved. No settlement details were disclosed. Dolphin, founded by Charles Smethurst, had raised €650m‑€1bn from investors in the UK, Russia, South Korea, France and Ireland, investing in listed German buildings. Dolphin MUT 116 and MUT 103 were the Irish investment vehicles for pension and individual investors. Liquidators Shane McCarthy, Ian Barrett (MUT 116) and Myles Kirby (MUT 103) had alleged misrepresentations and breaches by parties linked to Dolphin. John Lavelle BL informed the court that his clients had settled actions against several defendants. Proceedings against the estate of the late Paul Dunne were struck out; cases against Wealth Options Trust, Wealth Options Capital, Brian Flynn and Eanna McCloskey were adjourned with a possibility of re‑entry. Actions against Charles Smethurst remain live and will be addressed later this year.
Michael O'Toole, a witness at the Stardust inquest, recounted that shortly after the 1981 fire, doorman Michael Kavanagh held a bunch of keys and repeatedly told him the club's doors were padlocked, preventing escape. O'Toole said he could not count how many times Kavanagh made the claim and that the keys were likely those of the Stardust. Kavanagh, who was 20 at the time, had initially told Gardaí he had unlocked the fire exit doors but retracted this statement after O'Toole's father reported Kavanagh's claim that the doors were locked. Kavanagh later admitted he had lied to Gardaí and that he had not opened the doors, feeling he was being made a scapegoat. O'Toole confirmed that Kavanagh's statements were made while they were in his kitchen and that the keys were taken out of his pocket during the conversation. The inquest heard that Kavanagh's repeated assertion of locked doors was a key point in the evidence presented.
The Central Criminal Court jury, consisting of eight men and four women, has paused its deliberations over the weekend and will resume on Monday at 10.30am. They have spent 11 hours and 39 minutes across three days considering the verdict in the murder trial of Martin Hayes, 34, who denies killing his partner, Amadea McDermott, 27, at her home in Coolock on 20 July 2017. The prosecution alleges Hayes stabbed McDermott and that she had previously been physically abused by him. Hayes claims the stabbing was self‑harm, citing a post‑mortem that the single abdominal wound could be consistent with self‑harm and that no DNA was found on the knife. The jury can return one of three verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. Justice Paul McDermott has asked the jurors to reach a unanimous decision.
Two members of the Burke family were removed from the Court of Appeal by gardaí on 10 November after loudly protesting when the presiding judge muted Enoch Burke's microphone during proceedings. The court was hearing a civil application by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission for access to ambient audio recordings made in the Four Courts. Mr Justice John Edwards told Sean and Isaac Burke they were in contempt of court before their removal. Enoch Burke, appearing by videolink from Mountjoy Prison, opposed the GSOC application, arguing the court had jurisdiction to decide the matter. The judge expressed concern about whether the Court of Appeal possessed jurisdiction over recordings made when court was not sitting. Mr Justice Edwards adjourned the case to 8 December to address the jurisdictional question. Simeon Burke, with an address at Cloonsunna, Castlebar, County Mayo, was convicted of a public order offence following a disruption at the court in March 2023.
Paul Olunaike, a 34‑year‑old Dublin professional dancer and father of four, pleaded guilty to possessing €13,738 as proceeds of crime in his bank account on 25 August 2020. The court heard that he had allowed his Ulster Bank account to be used for an invoice‑redirect fraud, transferring €4,000 of the laundered money to his mother. Judge Orla Crowe set a headline sentence of two years but adjourned finalisation to 7 March to allow probation services to assess his suitability for community service. If suitable, Olunaike will be ordered to carry out 240 hours of community service instead of an 18‑month custodial sentence. He used the funds to buy a €609 juicer, a €404.99 food processor and an oil extractor machine. The judge noted the offence was an isolated incident, that Olunaike had contributed €2,000 to the prosecution's losses, and that he had not attracted further Garda attention since the incident.
Michael Lynn, a 55-year-old from County Wicklow, is on trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court accused of stealing approximately €27 million from seven financial institutions between October 2006 and April 2007. He has pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of theft. During cross-examination, the defence team challenged a former Bank of Ireland senior business manager's testimony regarding loan applications. The witness rejected suggestions that loans could be used for purposes other than property purchases, describing such a proposition as a "fairytale." The defence contended that Mr Lynn intended to use borrowed funds for overseas development projects, including ventures in Carrick-on-Shannon and Portugal. A former Ulster Bank official also denied allegations that Mr Lynn provided him with cash or paid for his travel. The prosecution's case centres on Mr Lynn obtaining multiple mortgages on identical properties from different institutions without their knowledge. The seven lenders involved include Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, Irish Life and Permanent, and Irish Nationwide Building Society. The trial continues before Judge Martin Nolan and jury.
Artur Bromirski, 45, pleaded guilty to cultivating 32 cannabis plants in a rented house in Moyville estate, Rathfarnham, worth €25,600. He originally faced a more serious charge of possessing drugs for sale or supply, but that charge was dropped, leaving only the cultivation count. Gardaí found no drug‑dealing paraphernalia, only growing tents, lighting and irrigation equipment. Bromirski claimed the plants were for personal use and that he had been a long‑term user. He had previously lived in Naas, Kildare, and now works as a cleaner at a zoo in Poland. He had no prior convictions and had been subletting the property. The court noted his back injury, his wife's death in 2015, and his receipt of medical marijuana in Poland. Judge Orla Crowe set a headline sentence of three years, reduced to two years, fully suspended, acknowledging his mitigating circumstances and contribution to society.
The Court of Appeal upheld that several Dublin‑registered aircraft leasing firms are entitled to obtain documents from insurers who have refused to provide indemnity for aircraft "unlawfully retained" in Russia. The aircraft, valued at over one billion euro, were not returned after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The firms—SMBC Aviation Capital, Global Aviation, Wilmington Trust SP Services, BOC Aviation, Silver Aviation, CDB Lease Finance and GY Aviation—sued insurers including Lloyds, Swiss Re, Chubb, Global Aerospace, AIG, Tokio Marine and Taiping for not covering losses under "all risks" or "war risks" policies. Insurers denied coverage, arguing the war‑risk cover was not engaged. Mr Justice Denis McDonald had earlier found the plaintiffs entitled to discover certain tranches of disputed documentation, including notices of cancellation for aviation assets in Russia, Ukraine, Crimea and Belarus from 1 February to 31 March 2022.
In an appeal-stage matter before the High Court, Patrick Halpin and Ann Keane, operators of Aberdeen Lodge Hotel in Sandymount, Dublin 4, alleged that the sale of the property by Everyday Finance DAC to Stairway Property Company Ltd under the 1881 Conveyancing Act was unconstitutional and breached the European Convention on Human Rights. The couple, represented by John Kennedy SC and Peter McKenna BL, instructed by solicitor Eugene Carley, sought declarations that the sale was null and void and that the property constitutes their family home. Stairway, represented by Padraic Lyons SC, disputed the family home claim and initiated separate proceedings seeking an injunction for possession, alleging the couple's action was an abuse of process. The State, represented by Brian Conroy SC, and Everyday Finance, which stated it did not understand why it was sued and sought to be let out of the action, also participated. Mr Justice Mark Sanfey agreed to establish a timetable for the exchange of legal documents in both actions. The matter was adjourned and will be next mentioned before the court later this month. The property has been subject to lengthy legal proceedings regarding possession, following the sale of an alleged €24m debt to IBRC to Kenmare Property Finance and subsequently to Everyday Finance.
During the inquest into the Stardust nightclub fire, 19‑year‑old Deborah Osbourne described the blaze as a "living thing" that chased her and her friends. She recounted how she and three companions tried to reach exits five and six, holding hands in a desperate attempt to escape. Thick black smoke and intense heat made visibility impossible, and she described the sensation of her hand sticking to a seat as she tried to stand. Osbourne suffered burns to her head, face, arms and hands, and inhaled smoke that damaged the lining of her lungs. She also recalled finding Sandra Lawless, one of the victims, and hugging her before falling to the floor. Osbourne expressed regret for not taking Lawless with her and described the fire as a "monster" that forced her to fight for survival. The inquest heard additional witness statements about blocked exits, attempts to pull people out, and the chaotic conditions inside the club.
Jozef Puska, aged 33, was found guilty of murdering 23‑year‑old school teacher Ashling Murphy by stabbing her 11 times in the neck on 12 January 2022. The Central Criminal Court jury delivered a unanimous verdict after two hours of deliberation. Puska, who had pleaded not guilty, was taken to prison by officers as the verdict was announced. He will be sentenced to life imprisonment on 17 November. The jury's decision was praised by the Murphy family, who attended every day of the trial. Evidence presented included CCTV footage of Puska's bicycle near the scene, DNA on the bike and under Murphy's fingernails, and his fingerprints. Puska's defence claimed he was attacked by a masked man, a claim rejected by the jury. No motive was offered. The sentencing date was set for 17 November.
In the trial of Jozef Puska, the prosecution presented evidence that Puska stalked and murdered Ashling Murphy on the Grand Canal towpath on 13 January. Puska allegedly dragged Murphy into briars, stabbed her 11 times in the neck and slashed her once, causing fatal blood loss. Witnesses, including teacher Jenna Stack, described seeing a man crouched over Murphy, holding her down, and Puska's DNA was found under Murphy's fingernails. Puska was arrested in Tullamore, questioned in hospital, and during the trial he repeatedly denied involvement, later claiming he had been stabbed elsewhere and that he had confessed to the murder. The court heard conflicting statements and the prosecution urged the jury to reject Puska's lies and convict him of murder.
Senior officials from the Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank denied that they were negligent in their lending to Michael Lynn, who is on trial for 21 counts of theft involving about €27 million taken from seven financial institutions between October 2006 and April 2007. Mr Lynn, aged 55, is accused of obtaining multiple mortgages on the same properties without the banks knowing that other institutions were also financing those properties. Jim Madden, a former Bank of Ireland senior business manager, testified that he acted as a mortgage broker for Bank of Ireland Mortgages and that the 2006 mortgage application was approved and drawn down on 13 December 2006. He said the loan would not have proceeded if the bank had known about Ulster Bank's financing of the same properties. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
Boris Barcanec, 35, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis, ecstasy tablets and amphetamines for sale or supply at his Dublin 14 home. Gardaí, acting on a confidential tip‑off, searched the house after witnessing a suspected drug transaction outside. They seized over €66,000 worth of drugs: plastic bags of cannabis valued at €62,248, amphetamines worth €2,527, and 156 MDMA tablets worth €1,560, along with drug paraphernalia. Barcanec admitted the cannabis was for sale, that he also used ecstasy, and that he had paid about €20,000 for the cannabis, which he described as poor quality. He claimed to have bought 300 MDMA tablets for around €1,000 the previous weekend. Barcanec, originally from Croatia, said he had been in Ireland for five years, was in debt, and was working as a garden landscaper earning €460 per week. He has no prior convictions. He apologized to gardaí, stating he would "rather do honest work" and expressed remorse.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a Kenyan woman who had been a close friend of John Ndungu for almost 20 years defended herself after he violently attacked her in her Balbriggan home on 21 June 2020. Ndungu, 42, had been drinking heavily and, after a verbal altercation, grabbed the woman in a chokehold, punched her, and inflicted severe injuries. She elbowed him in the genitals, threw items, and eventually escaped to call the Gardaí. The assault left her with two lost teeth, a fractured eye socket and cheekbone, and a total medical cost of about €4,000. Ndungu pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to a woman. Judge Martina Baxter sentenced him to 30 months in prison, with the final 18 months suspended on the condition of good behaviour and engagement with Probation Services. The woman's victim impact statement highlighted the emotional and physical scars left by the attack.
In the Dublin District Coroner's Court, Tina Brazil, aged 17 at the time, recounted her attempt to escape the Stardust nightclub fire with friend Carol Bissett. Brazil described the scene as a "big ball of smoke" and the crowd's force pulling them apart. She said she held Bissett's hand until it broke, then they were carried in opposite directions. Brazil later learned Bissett had died in hospital. Catherine Moore, also present, described the darkness, screaming, and the doors being locked, noting she was dragged out and cut her hands and legs on glass. Pauline Jenkins testified about a chain‑locked exit and a white van outside. Noeleen Kearney described the fire reaching the ceiling and the chaotic crowd pushing toward exit five. Patrick Coates, 18, recounted thick black smoke, his girlfriend's safety, and their escape through a locked exit. The inquest continues tomorrow.
The jury for the 17‑day trial of Jozef Puska, accused of murdering 23‑year‑old teacher Ashling Murphy, began deliberations after a 25‑minute session. Judge Tony Hunt reminded jurors that a unanimous verdict is required and urged them to base their decision solely on the evidence heard. He explained that if they are not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt of Puska's guilt, they must acquit, and if they are satisfied, they must convict. The judge highlighted the prosecution's case that Puska stabbed Murphy repeatedly, and noted Puska's own testimony that he was attacked by an unknown man who then stabbed Murphy. He also discussed the alleged confession Puska made in hospital, the reliability of that statement, and the DNA evidence linking Puska to the victim. The jury will receive transcripts of Puska's testimony, witness statements, and expert evidence before returning tomorrow for further deliberation. Jozef Puska pleaded not guilty.
A 23‑year‑old Dublin man, Josh Reidy, was found guilty of two counts of possessing over €19,000 as proceeds of crime. The money was moved through a smishing scheme, where victims received text messages with fake bank links that redirected their funds to Reidy's accounts. Bank of Ireland recovered all but €900 of the first €19,421 withdrawal and €18,973 of a second €19,877 withdrawal, leaving victims with losses of €900 and €904 respectively. Gardaí traced the transactions to Reidy, who was living on Sundrive Road and later at Landsdowne Gate, Drimnagh. Reidy admitted he had a €3,000 drug debt and had supplied his passport and mobile details to the fraudsters. He claimed he was threatened and physically assaulted by the group, and that his mother was also threatened. The court noted Reidy's good work history and his intention to resume employment in January after paying the €900 owed.
The jury, consisting of eight men and four women, is set to deliberate for a third day on Friday in the trial of Martin Hayes, a grave digger accused of murdering his partner, Amadea McDermott, at her home in Coolock on or about 20 July 2017. Hayes, aged 34, has pleaded not guilty. The prosecution alleges that Hayes told emergency services that McDermott had self‑harmed, but evidence from a former partner and a garda witness suggests he may have forced her to stab herself. Defence counsel Sean Gillane SC argued that the narrative of self‑harm was fabricated and that the post‑mortem indicated the single stab wound could be consistent with self‑harm. Ronan Munro SC noted no DNA from Hayes on the knife. The jury can return a verdict of guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. Judge Paul McDermott reminded the jurors that they must be unanimous.
Peter Lynch, 52, received a suspended 22‑month sentence after a violent neighbourhood row in Dublin. He pleaded guilty to assault, assault causing harm, producing a pen in a dispute and threatening behaviour. The incident began when Lynch, driving his van, clashed with a neighbour who was trying to record his registration number. The neighbour clung to the bonnet, and Lynch drove off with him still attached. Lynch had previously pushed a woman and spat at her, and had used a pen as a weapon. He was arrested that night and the case was captured on CCTV and phone footage. Judge Elma Sheahan noted his 24 prior convictions but also mitigating factors such as a 19‑year period of no offence and his business work. The sentence was suspended on strict conditions, with probation supervision for 12 months and a €1,500 offer to each victim within 28 days.
Ross Thompson, 24, of Ballymun, was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a violent group attack at Mountjoy Prison in December 2018. The incident, which took place in the recreation area around lunchtime, involved Thompson kicking and stamping on an injured inmate who was also stabbed up to seven times, though Thompson was not involved in the stabbing. The court described Thompson's conduct as "utterly reprehensible and lawless" and noted that the victim was stamped 15 or 16 times on the head. Judge Orla Crowe originally set a headline sentence of seven years but reduced it to four years, backdated to July 7, due to Thompson's young age and guilty plea. Thompson also faces a three‑year driving disqualification for a May 2021 incident involving a scrambler bike and a mobile patrol.
Linda Finnegan, aged 51, of Stamullen, was found guilty of fraud under the Companies Act for withdrawing €35,601 from her family's Waldorf Barbers, a business she owned 25 % of. The fraud occurred in March 2019, shortly after her father Liam Finnegan's death from cancer. The court heard that Liam had owned 75 % of the company and had bequeathed that share to two employees, while Linda had a 25 % share. She had initially denied theft charges but pleaded guilty to a fourth count of fraud. The court set a headline sentence of two and a half years, reduced to one year and nine months, fully suspended. The judgment noted her remorse, cooperation with Gardaí, and that the company was liquidated as a result of the fraud. No prior convictions were recorded.
In the Central Criminal Court, Judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt addressed a jury hearing the trial of Jozef Puska, who denies murdering 23‑year‑old school teacher Ashling Murphy. The judge reiterated the legal principles and guided the jury through the evidence presented, including an alleged confession by Puska, DNA found under Murphy's fingernails, interview evidence from Gardaí after his arrest, and eye‑witness testimony at the scene. Puska, 33, has pleaded not guilty to the murder that occurred on 12 January 2022 in Cappincur, Tullamore. The defence has questioned the reliability of Puska's alleged confession, recorded on 14 January when he was in St James's Hospital. The judge noted that while the words spoken were recorded, the defence raised concerns about their truth, accuracy and reliability, citing an expert who suggested Puska may have been confused or experiencing "subtle delirium" due to surgery, pain relief medication, the unfamiliar hospital environment and a language barrier.
During a multi‑million euro theft trial, former Ulster Bank manager Stephen McCarthy testified that there was no covert or side arrangement between the bank and former solicitor Michael Lynn. McCarthy, who was involved in a €3.65 million loan application for Lynn's purchase of 11 residential investment properties, described a meeting in September 2006 where Lynn requested an undertaking from the bank's solicitor firm. McCarthy said the bank complied only after a different partner would provide the undertaking. He denied any knowledge of hidden information or regulatory inquiries and stated he was unaware of any "flexible lending" or dual approach. McCarthy also clarified that the bank's interest was not in Lynn's €55 million European development plan, which was unrelated to the loan for the apartments. The trial, presided over by Judge Martin Nolan, continues with a jury. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, a jury of eight men and four women is in its second day of deliberations over the murder trial of Martin Hayes, 34, accused of killing his partner Amadea McDermott, 27, at her home in Coolock on or about 20 July 2017. The jury has spent 2 hours 35 minutes on the verdict so far and will return tomorrow at 10:30 am to continue. Hayes pleaded not guilty. Defence counsel Sean Gillane SC argued that the narrative of self‑harm was fabricated, citing a post‑mortem that the single stab wound could be consistent with self‑harm and that no DNA from Hayes was found on the knife. The prosecution, represented by Mr Hayes' counsel, maintained that the evidence pointed to a fatal injury inflicted by Hayes, describing his contempt for McDermott.
Christina Smyth, whose husband Jimmy Buckley died in the Stardust blaze, described the night of the fire as a "furnace" when she returned to the club after escaping through a fire exit. She last saw Jimmy sitting at their table while she was on the dancefloor, and later tried to find him again but could not. The inquest heard that the couple had attended the club to watch Jimmy's brother Errol win a disco competition, an event that also marked their daughter Julieann's first birthday. Smyth recalled seeing grey and black clouds roll across the ceiling and the frantic attempts to open doors. She testified that she and her brother‑in‑law Albert were pulled toward exit five, and that the doors were closed and people shouted they could not open them.
In a case heard on 7 November 2023, Judge Martina Baxter directed the Probation Service to assess Amy Bergin, 29, for suitability for community service following her guilty plea to one count of assault at the Cock and Bull Pub, Coolock, on 3 February 2019. Bergin, a former friend of the victim, claimed she and the victim were "reefing the head off each other" during a brief altercation that lasted less than ten seconds. The victim reported a flicking or scraping action, a thrown drink, and a push against her face, resulting in a cut and bruised head. No CCTV or witnesses were available. Bergin has 21 prior convictions, mainly for traffic offences, and no recent Garda attention. The court noted mitigation, including family support, a letter of apology, and a medical report, and adjourned the case to 12 February 2024 for finalisation, while ordering a restorative justice assessment.
Mr Justice David Nolan adjourned High Court proceedings for one week, directing Children's Health Ireland (CHI) to provide outstanding medical records for a young girl with Spina Bifida or explain why they cannot. The girl's family, represented by John Healy SC and Michael Devitt BL, alleged she underwent 'inappropriate' spinal surgery at Temple Street Hospitals, resulting in serious post-operative complications and a split spine. They sought an injunction to compel CHI to release all remaining documentation, including X-ray scans and internal medical reviews, to allow independent expert assessment. CHI, represented by Oonah McCrann SC and Rory White BL, stated it had already provided over 6,600 documents and would supply any additional material if it exists. The judge declined to make formal orders at this stage, noting CHI's assurance that it would furnish the remaining pieces. He emphasized the court's primary concern for the child's welfare and the need to restore trust between the parties. The matter was adjourned to allow CHI to either provide the requested material or give a full explanation to the court regarding any withheld documents. The girl is one of 19 children subject to a report on spinal surgeries at Temple Street.
Alex Almajanu, 23, received a fully suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to endangerment, two breaches of Covid regulations, dangerous driving, not holding a driver's license, and criminal damage on the basis of recklessness committed on April 25, 2020. The offences involved fleeing a checkpoint in County Clare and subsequently leading gardaí on a high-speed chase across the midlands, which included driving at 200 km/hr and causing over €13,000 in damage to a patrol car. Judge Orla Crowe described the conduct as "deplorable" and noted that public resources were expended during a national crisis. While acknowledging the defendant's mitigation, including his recovery from drug addiction and role as a father, the judge stated the offences warranted a headline sentence of three years. She imposed a sentence of two years and three months, suspending the entire term for three years on the condition that Almajanu engage with the Probation Service for 12 months. Additionally, he was disqualified from driving for five years. Defence counsel highlighted that the defendant was under the influence of drugs at the time but is now drug-free and caring for his infant daughter.
Jennifer Dunne, 38, of Richmond, Blackrock, Co Dublin, was discharged from proceedings at the Special Criminal Court after the State dropped all nine charges against her. The Director of Public Prosecutions entered a nolle prosequi application, citing the receipt of certain documents, which resulted in the withdrawal of six money-laundering counts and three counts of failing to furnish tax returns. Dunne had been accused of money-laundering offences relating to AIB accounts between 2018 and 2019, and failing to deliver capital acquisitions tax returns between October 2018 and October 2020. Following the order, she was free to leave the court. This development occurred five days after her partner, Nathan Kinsella, 44, also of Richmond, Blackrock, pleaded guilty to three similar counts of failing to furnish tax returns for the same period. Kinsella's case was adjourned to January 22 for sentencing, while six money-laundering charges against him were not pursued by the State. Kinsella was previously jailed by the Special Criminal Court ten years ago after pleading guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Óglaigh na hÉireann, otherwise the Irish Republican Army on September 13, 2012, for which he was sentenced to two years.
In her closing speech to the jury, Anne-Marie Lawlor SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions described Jozef Puska as an 'inveterate liar' and said that his account of trying to save Ashling Murphy was a 'structure of lies and mistruths' that were 'foul and contemptible in their nature'. She pointed to evidence, including DNA found under Ms Murphy's fingernails and Mr Puska's admission to gardai that he killed her, to argue that the only rational conclusion is that he murdered her. Mr Puska's defence, led by Michael Bowman SC, urged the jury to be cautious in interpreting the evidence and suggested that the alleged confession made by Mr Puska may not be reliable due to medical factors. The trial continues with the jury considering the evidence presented by both sides. Jozef Puska pleaded not guilty.
During the €27m theft trial of solicitor Michael Lynn, a witness, former Dun Laoghaire INBS branch manager Mark Mulcahy, testified that he was unaware of any relationship between Lynn and former INBS boss Michael Fingleton, and that he had never seen them together. Mulcahy said he had not been instructed by Fingleton to handle Lynn's loans differently and that all loans were processed normally. He recalled being introduced to Lynn in the early 2000s as a potential business partner and handling several mortgage applications for Lynn, but denied any knowledge of a private banker arrangement. The prosecution alleges Lynn secured multiple mortgages on the same properties from several banks without the institutions knowing each other. The case is before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
A 26‑year‑old man from Finglas, Conor McNally, was jailed for four years after pleading guilty to possession of a sawn‑off shotgun and ammunition found in a backpack he discarded on Glasnevin Avenue on 8 November 2022. Garda Craig Shields and a colleague intercepted McNally on a bicycle, seized the firearm and eight cartridges, and arrested him at Finglas Garda Station. McNally had no admissions during interviews, but a subsequent examination indicated recent handling of a firearm. His defence counsel argued that McNally possessed the weapon to clear a drug debt and to protect himself, citing a handwritten letter that described a traumatic childhood involving his mother's suicide and his father's death. The court noted McNally's 44 prior convictions, including weapons, theft, and drug offences. Judge Pauline Codd, after considering aggravating and mitigating factors, sentenced him to five years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended on the condition of good behaviour and engagement with counselling.
In a case heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Chang Teng Wang, 58, of Finglas, was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing for the death of his 10‑month‑old grandson, Seán Wang. Wang admitted to gardaí that he had vigorously shaken the infant in an attempt to calm him, an act that caused head and neck trauma leading to Seán's death. He pleaded guilty to unlawful killing on 15 August 2019. The Director of Public Prosecution placed the offence in the medium culpability bracket, but Wang's defence argued for a lower sentencing range, citing his full acceptance of culpability, lack of prior convictions, willingness to leave the country, and a very low risk of reoffending. Wang's plea, status as a foreign national, and cooperation with the court were presented as mitigating factors. The case remains pending sentencing next Monday.