Raymond Shorten, a 50‑year‑old Dublin taxi driver, was convicted in May of two counts of rape and one of sexual assault against a seven‑year‑old girl. The offences occurred after the child's mother's funeral, in a bathroom at her family home where Shorten covered her mouth, and later on a bed and in a car. The girl, now 20, had left a handwritten note in 2020 alleging abuse and was interviewed by specialist gardai in early 2021. Shorten denied all allegations during voluntary interviews in 2020 and 2021, calling them "110% lies" and a "wind‑up." He was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and is due to be sentenced later this month. The case is part of a broader pattern of sexual offences by Shorten, who has eight prior convictions, including five for road traffic offences. Raymond Shorten pleaded not guilty.
Thomas O'Neill, 47, was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to one count of deception in a fraudulent insurance claim that involved a staged car crash in Rathfarnham in 2013. The incident, which was a low‑velocity collision between a white Toyota and a Mazda at Ballycullen Roundabout, was orchestrated to obtain more than €35,000 from AXA Insurance. O'Neill, who has 70 prior convictions for road traffic offences and handling stolen property, was an active participant in the fraud. His partner, Ann Wilson, 44, and his sister, Deirdre Mellor, 54, were also involved. Wilson was scheduled for sentencing the following day, while Mellor received a fully suspended two‑year sentence for attempted deception. The court noted that Wilson had received €21,595 in personal injury awards and that no claim was made by O'Neill. The case highlighted the parties' connections revealed through social media and the lack of any personal gain for Mellor.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Robert Fennell, then 50, was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment for raping a 16‑year‑old girl who had approached him for advice. The victim had been led to Fennell by a person she believed to be a 17‑year‑old boy, who provided Fennell's contact details. Fennell, who lives in Woodview Cottages, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, gave the girl alcohol and raped her at his home on 11 June 2018. He pleaded guilty, a plea entered late in the process. The judge noted the victim's vulnerability and the breach of trust. The sentence was reduced from 12 to 11 years, with the final year suspended for two years on strict conditions, including offence‑focused work, addiction treatment, drug monitoring and no unsupervised access to children. Fennell was also ordered to undergo assessment for offence‑focused work, addiction treatment and drug monitoring.
In a landmark High Court ruling, Justice Emily Egan held that the noise from the Ballyduff Windfarm at Kilcomb, near Enniscorthy, constitutes an unreasonable interference and therefore a nuisance to neighbouring residents. The decision, the first private nuisance claim against wind turbine noise in Ireland or the UK, found that the sustained periods of high‑level noise, especially in the evenings, weekends and early mornings, substantially interfered with the plaintiffs' enjoyment of their homes. The plaintiffs, Margret Webster and Keith Rollo, and Ross Shorten and Joan Carty, sued Meenacloghspar (Wind) Limited for damages, alleging the noise had damaged their lives, health and property values. The court rejected the defendant's claims of negligence and of non‑breach of planning conditions, and directed the parties to re‑engage in mediation to seek proportionate mitigation measures. The case will proceed to a second module to determine damages and possible injunctions. The hearing lasted 51 days and the costs are estimated above €1 million.
A former driver for Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has alleged that he was let go in a 'sham' redundancy process, leaving him with no choice but to accept a severance package or take a temporary clerical role at the Department of Social Protection. The change occurred in 2022 when the government decided to assign ministerial drivers to the Garda on security grounds, reversing a previous decision to civilianise the role. Trevor Shaw, who worked as a ministerial driver from 2004 to 2022, claimed the process failed to respect his employment rights. The Department of Agriculture denied any breach of rights, stating the decision was based on security advice. The Workplace Relations Commission is hearing the complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977.
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.
Ovidiu Raducanu, aged 38, was extradited from the UK and jailed for stealing more than €8,500 from 11 AIB ATMs in Dublin between 6 and 10 January 2020. He used a "transaction reversal fraud" scheme, inserting a genuine card to withdraw a small amount, placing a trapping device, then inserting a gift or loyalty card to withdraw the maximum amount, which was manually removed. The device triggered a re‑credit of the original card, leaving the bank account unchanged on the statement. Gardaí traced the thief and his accomplice's movements using GPS data from rented Go‑Cars and CCTV footage. Raducanu caused €5,800 of damage to the machines, and AIB suffered a total loss of €14,343. He pleaded guilty to 32 offences, including 15 thefts, 7 attempted thefts and 10 criminal damage.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 35‑year‑old Jonas Alves received a six‑month prison sentence suspended on strict conditions after pleading guilty to careless driving causing the death of 76‑year‑old pensioner Mrs Treasa McKiernan on Ballinteer Avenue on 8 April 2019. The collision occurred at 7:57 pm when Mrs McKiernan was crossing the road at a non‑appointed place; Alves was travelling about 60 km/h on a 50 km/h limit. No intoxicants were found in Alves's system and the motorbike was in good working order. Alves, who had no prior convictions, apologized to the family and offered to surrender his licence. The McKiernan family, represented by son Desmond Barry McKiernan, had written to the Director of Public Prosecutions expressing "great concern" and "deep reluctance" to pursue prosecution, arguing that a trial would feel like revenge and cause further harm.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Christopher Fox, a 33‑year‑old with no prior convictions, pleaded guilty to robbery and criminal damage for a 2018 incident in which he and an accomplice attacked a taxi driver in Ballybrack. Fox forced a door at an angle and punched a window, causing considerable damage, while the other man took €150 from the vehicle. The court adjourned sentencing for six months, ordered Fox to pay €3,000 to the victim, and required ongoing urine analysis. Fox, who had been heavily using cocaine at the time, has since turned his life around, moved in with his aunt, and is now working and engaged. The case is set for a hearing on 6 November 2023. The prosecution described the robbery as "thuggish" and "cowardly" violence. Fox maintains he did not grab the driver from behind. The defence highlighted his drug‑free period and low risk of reoffending.
The Court of Appeal has reserved its judgment in the appeal by 'Fat' Freddie Thompson against his 2018 life sentence for the 2016 murder of David 'Daithí' Douglas. Thompson, who pleaded not guilty, argued that his conviction should be overturned due to procedural failures in how gardaí identified him from CCTV footage. His counsel contended that no records were kept of the identification process, preventing effective cross-examination, and cited UK protocols as a standard for such procedures. The State argued that the UK code did not apply in Ireland and that the conviction remained safe even without the CCTV evidence, noting that the footage was of sufficient quality for the trier of fact. The court heard that Thompson was driving a Ford Fiesta involved in the plot, while other vehicles, including a Mercedes Benz, Suzuki Swift, and Mitsubishi Mirage, were part of the convoy. Thompson is one of four men jailed for the murder. Lee Canavan was sentenced to life in 2021 for his role in the joint enterprise, though the court did not find he fired the shots. Nathan Foley pleaded guilty to assisting a criminal organisation and received a six-year sentence, while Gareth Brophy was jailed for ten years as the getaway driver.
Kyle Boland, 27, of Ringsend, Dublin, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment after pleading guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing over five kilograms of cannabis for sale or supply, valued at €117,762. Garda Stephen Gillespie reported that Boland's van was stopped on Rathfarnham Road following a tip, where a holdall containing a kilogram of cannabis was found beside the sliding door and a cardboard box with the remainder of the drugs was discovered after the vehicle was seized and taken to a Garda station. A phone and a tick list were also found in the van's front. Boland's 99 prior convictions were mainly for road traffic offences, including possession of a flick knife. He had been staying in a hotel at the time and claimed he was transporting the drugs for €500 to reduce a drug debt, suggesting he was acting on someone else's instructions.
Jamie Walsh, 18, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for assault causing harm after he and a co‑accused attacked a man on Naas Road, Dublin, on 18 November 2021. The incident began when the victim and his partner were kissing on a Luas stop; a boy shouted "It's so gay" and the two teenagers then punched and kicked the victim, leaving him unconscious with bruises, a swollen lip and a broken eye. CCTV identified Walsh and he was arrested a month later. Walsh had 48 prior convictions, including theft, robbery and assault. The court noted his upbringing in state care and his parents' criminal history. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three‑year sentence, suspended the final 16 months, and ordered good behaviour and probation supervision for one year upon release. The victim's impact report was filed but not read aloud. The co‑accused, aged 14, had already been dealt with by the courts. The unnamed teenager pleaded guilty.
Kathleen McDonagh, 21, received a suspended three‑year prison sentence for money laundering. She owned €23,715 of luxury goods – two Chanel handbags, Louis Vuitton bags, belts, shoes, Christian Louboutin shoes and two diamond rings – and a high‑end car bought with €25,750 cash in July 2019. Gardaí seized the vehicle and the goods when they searched her home in January 2020. Between March 2018 and December 2019, deposits totalling €98,828.88 were made into her AIB, post office and credit union accounts. McDonagh pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering between March 2019 and January 2020, with two further charges considered. She had no prior convictions and was aged 17 to 19 during the period covered by the charges. The court noted that the money and goods were most likely proceeds of burglaries and thefts committed by a former partner, who is now in Scotland under a European Arrest Warrant.
Evan Harborne, 27, of Rathfarnham, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of €79,526 worth of cannabis for sale or supply at his rented home on 6 January 2021. He held the drugs to pay a €650 debt. Garda Stephen Burke secured a warrant, searched the upstairs bedroom, and Harborne cooperated, stating he would find "weed in the wardrobe." He denied selling drugs, claiming he only wanted to clear the debt. Harborne had no prior convictions and had previously been a cocaine addict, now using €50 of cannabis weekly. The prosecution argued he was at the very lower end of a drug network. Judge Elma Sheahan accepted his cooperation, rehabilitation, and a low‑risk probation report. She imposed a headline sentence of four years, then reduced it to a suspended two‑and‑a‑half‑year term, conditional on good behaviour and abstaining from illicit drugs for that period.
Two couples, Margaret Webster and Keith Rollo, and Ross Shorten and Joan Carty, have filed High Court damages actions against Meenacloghspar (Wind) Limited, the operator of the Ballyduff Windfarm near Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. They allege that since the windfarm began operating in 2017, the turbines have produced constant noise, vibration and shadow flicker that has disrupted their sleep, increased anxiety and harmed their mental health. The plaintiffs claim the noise has devalued their homes, which are 369 metres and 359 metres from the turbines, and that the windfarm is operating in breach of its planning permission. They seek orders to cease operation, decommission the windfarm, and restrain future operation until noise and vibration are reduced, as well as damages for nuisance, negligence, breach of duty and constitutional rights. The defendant denies all allegations and argues the windfarm is compliant with its planning permission. The case is scheduled to be heard over several weeks before Ms Justice Emily Egan.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed Kieran Greene's appeal against his murder conviction for killing Patricia O'Connor at her home in Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, on May 29, 2017. Greene, who pleaded not guilty, had argued that the trial judge erred by refusing to leave a defence of provocation to the jury, claiming he suffered a "slow burn" similar to domestic abuse victims. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy rejected this, stating there was no evidential basis for such a defence. The court also upheld the refusal to sever Greene's trial from his co-accused and dismissed arguments regarding the admissibility of hearsay evidence concerning the deceased's husband, Augustine O'Connor. Augustine O'Connor, who pleaded guilty to reporting his wife missing to gardai at Rathfarnham Garda Station on June 1, 2017, knowing she was dead, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and has since died. In related proceedings, Louise O'Connor was found guilty of acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O'Connor disguising herself as the deceased to conceal her death; Louise was jailed for two-and-a-half years. Stephanie O'Connor, found guilty of disguising herself as Patricia O'Connor, was jailed for one-and-a-half years. The appeal court confirmed the trial judge was correct in limiting jury options to murder, manslaughter, or acquittal, rejecting the defence's request for an accessory-to-murder verdict.
A 21-year-old student from Dublin has received a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to handling criminal proceeds and money laundering offences. Michael Fakinle, with an address in Rathfarnham, allowed his Bank of Ireland account to be used by unknown individuals operating a fraud scheme targeting multiple victims across Ireland. Between 2020 and 2021, the account received funds obtained through email hacking, including a retirement fund of €71,892.41 belonging to a recently retired woman in the southwest, which was recovered before being removed. Other victims, including business owners in Donegal, Cork, and the midlands, lost sums ranging from €1,100 to €5,000 that were never recovered. At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Pauline Codd imposed concurrent sentences totalling three and a half years, suspended for four years on strict conditions. She noted Fakinle operated at a low level within the conspiracy but acknowledged his recklessness in engaging with criminal associates. The court ordered €1,000 compensation be distributed among injured parties.
The Court of Appeal heard arguments in the appeal of Kieran Greene, who was convicted of murdering Patricia O'Connor at her home in Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, on May 29, 2017. Greene's counsel argued that the trial judge erred by refusing to allow the jury to consider provocation, claiming Greene suffered a "slow burn provocation" similar to domestic abuse. Counsel also contended that Greene's trial should have been separate from that of Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, and Keith Johnston, whose charges stated Greene was the murderer, causing prejudice. Additionally, counsel sought to admit hearsay evidence regarding Augustine O'Connor and call a psychiatrist to testify about Greene's low IQ. The Director of Public Prosecutions responded that the trial judge was correct in excluding the provocation direction and the hearsay evidence. The matter was adjourned, with the three-judge panel to deliver their judgement at a later date. In related proceedings, Augustine O'Connor pleaded guilty to reporting his wife missing while knowing she was dead and was sentenced to 18 months in prison before his death. Louise O'Connor was found guilty of acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O'Connor disguising herself as Patricia O'Connor to conceal the death, and was sentenced to two-and-a-half years. Stephanie O'Connor was found guilty of disguising herself as her mother to conceal the death and was jailed for one-and-a-half years.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 5 July 2022, Carl Reilly, aged 33, was sentenced to one year in prison for endangerment, dangerous driving, driving without a licence and driving without insurance. Reilly, who had been disqualified from driving due to earlier road‑traffic offences, rented a van to work during the Covid lockdown. In May 2020 he drove the van through a garda checkpoint in Rathfarnham, forcing a Garda to jump out of the way. He then accelerated to 100 km/h in a 50 km/h zone, broke a red light and was later arrested. The court noted that the Garda who had to evade the van suffered flashbacks and sleeplessness. Reilly pleaded guilty and was given a one‑year custodial sentence.
A garda and prison investigation will be carried out into the death of Sameer Syed, who had been scheduled to stand trial for the triple murder of his wife Seema Banu and their children Asfira Riza and Faizan Syed. Syed, aged 38, was found dead in his cell at Midlands Prison in Co Laois on 9 June after taking his own life. The Central Criminal Court heard that the criminal file against him would be closed, formally ending the proceedings. Brendan Grehan SC, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions, also announced that a full inquest would be held into the deaths of Banu and her children. The court noted the tragic nature of the case and expressed sympathy for the victims' families. No further details about the investigation or the inquest were provided in the article.
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a 21-year-old student pleaded guilty to handling the proceeds of crime and money laundering following a fraud scheme in which victims' emails were hacked and their money redirected to his bank account. The defendant allowed his Bank of Ireland account to be used by an unknown third party between 2020 and 2021. A recently retired woman from the south-west had her pension fund of €71,892.41 transferred into the account in May 2020, but it was recovered within four days. However, other victims lost money that was never returned: a water filtration company shareholder lost €5,000, a Kinsale restaurant owner lost €1,339, a midlands pharmacist lost €3,251, and a Donegal construction company lost €1,100. Judge Pauline Codd adjourned sentencing to October 7 to allow for a probation report and to give the defendant time to raise additional compensation funds. He had lodged €500 in court.
In a Dublin case, Colm Doyle, aged 60, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for sexually abusing his younger adopted sister, Doreen Stamp, over a six‑year period from 1974 to 1979. Doyle began molesting the girl when she was about ten, claiming the abuse was justified because they were not biological siblings and that a priest had told him to practice sex on her. He pleaded guilty to 28 counts of indecent assault and rape, part of an indictment of 103 charges. At sentencing, the judge accepted the victim's impact statement, noting the prolonged nature of the abuse, the victim's young age, and Doyle's role as an older sibling. Doyle was given a 33% reduction for his youth at the time of the offences and a 40% reduction for pleading guilty, resulting in a six‑year custodial term. The court also acknowledged Doyle's remorse and low risk of reoffending.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal hearing, 21‑year‑old Kathleen McDonagh pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering for the period March 2019 to January 2020. Gardaí seized €23,715 worth of luxury goods, a high‑end car bought for €25,750 in cash, and discovered deposits totalling €98,828.88 in her AIB, post office and credit union accounts between March 2018 and December 2019. McDonagh's only income at the time was her lone parent's allowance. She was not the target of the original investigation and had no prior convictions. The court considered her a direct beneficiary of the illicit proceeds but not the perpetrator of the primary offences. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned sentencing to 4 May to allow a Probation Service assessment, and McDonagh was remanded on bail until that date. The case highlighted her possession of unexplained assets linked to a partner serving a burglary sentence and a European Arrest Warrant.
Karl Hughes, a 28‑year‑old prospective art student, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment in May 2022 for harassing the Kennedy family in Rathfarnham over an €8,500 drug debt owed by their son. CCTV footage showed Hughes repeatedly banging on the family's front door, shouting threats and kicking the door, and he threatened to kill the son unless the debt was paid. The harassment began after the family had paid €15,000 to a man following a threat from the son. Hughes pleaded guilty to harassment at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. On appeal, Court President Mr Justice George Birmingham, with Mr Justice John Edwards and Ms Justice Una Ní Raifeartaigh, suspended the final year of the sentence, citing Hughes' mental health issues, his treatment, and an offer of employment and a place at the National College of Art and Design. The decision was made to encourage rehabilitation. Karl Hughes was convicted.
In 2020, Karl Hughes, aged 28, was convicted of harassing the Kennedy family in Rathfarnham over an €8,500 drug debt. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years' imprisonment by Judge Martin Nolan. Hughes' defence argued the sentence was excessive, citing his depression and alcohol abuse at the time of the offence and his subsequent medical treatment. The Court of Appeal was informed that Hughes had been offered a place to study at the National College of Art and Design and an employment offer. CCTV footage showed Hughes repeatedly banging on the family's door, shouting threats, and kicking the door, actions described by the Director of Public Prosecutions as "planned, prolonged and effective" to cause maximum fear. The sentencing judge described the behaviour as "very serious misbehaviour" and noted the victims were so terrified they considered selling their 24‑year‑old home.
Michael McDonagh, aged 30, crashed his partner's car into a tree during a high‑speed Garda pursuit, then fled the scene. His partner reported the vehicle stolen and filed an insurance claim. Gardaí seized McDonagh's and his partner's phones, uncovering messages that McDonagh had driven the car and had asked his partner to falsely state it was stolen. McDonagh pleaded guilty to knowingly making a false statement at Tallaght Garda Station on 3 April 2020 and to attempting to deceive RSA insurance between 3 April and 5 May 2020. He also had a prior drink‑driving conviction that resulted in a four‑year driving ban. At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to two years' imprisonment, fully suspended on strict conditions. The court noted the tree replacement cost was just over €2,000 and that the insurance claim for €7,000 was never paid.
James Ryan, a 33‑year‑old Dublin resident, was sentenced to four years in prison after admitting he had moved almost €400,000 worth of cannabis to pay a €5,000 drug debt. Gardaí discovered four 5‑kg packages of cannabis in the boot of his car on 11 August 2020, and Ryan claimed the drugs were being transported to settle the debt. He noted that his nose had been damaged by cocaine use, implying a history of drug use. The prosecution, led by Tony McGillicuddy BL, relied on confidential information that led to an operation targeting the vehicle in the Rathfarnham area. The drugs were wrapped in four large packs and later valued at €395,600. Judge Martin Nolan accepted Ryan's claim of debt, acknowledged possible coercion, and imposed the four‑year sentence. The case was heard at Scholarstown Road, Dublin 16.
Derek Hackett, 55, a former French Foreign Legion member, was jailed for three‑and‑a‑half years after being caught with just under €80,000 of cannabis. Gardaí, conducting a surveillance operation aimed at another man, observed Hackett handing a black refuse bag containing the drugs to that man at Drumfinn Road, Ballyfermot, on 1 August 2020. Hackett pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply. Judge Melanie Greally, noting his prior convictions for traffic offences, attributed his drug use to a debt stemming from escalating cocaine use linked to trauma from war‑torn areas where he served. She sentenced him to four‑and‑a‑half years, suspending the final 12 months on strict conditions. The case highlighted the seriousness of assisting drug distribution and the judge's emphasis on the need for serious consequences. The prosecution and defence discussed his PTSD symptoms, low re‑offending risk, and family ties, but the sentence remained unchanged.
The Central Criminal Court is set to resume with several high-profile matters, including the appeal of Aaron Brady. Brady, 30, was convicted by an 11-to-1 majority jury verdict for the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe in January 2013. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years, plus a concurrent 14-year sentence for robbery. His appeal is expected in 2022. Other upcoming trials include that of Sameer Syed, 37, accused of murdering his wife Seema Banu and their two children in Rathfarnham in October 2021; his trial is scheduled for June 15, 2022. Michael Scott, 55, faces trial on January 11, 2022, for the alleged murder of Chrissie Treacy in Portumna in 2018. Stephen Silver, 44, is charged with the murder of Garda Colm Horkan in Castlerea in June 2020; his trial is also set for June 15, 2022. Additionally, an appeal by Boy B regarding the 2018 murder of Ana Kriegel is expected before the Court of Appeal. Boy B and Boy A were found guilty in 2019; both were 13 at the time, denied the offences, and were remanded to Oberstown Detention Centre.
The Special Criminal Court has sentenced Lee Canavan to life imprisonment for his role in the murder of David 'Daithí' Douglas, who was shot at Shoestown in Dublin 1 on July 1, 2016. Canavan, who pleaded not guilty, was found guilty of murder based on his active participation in a shared intention to kill, though the court did not find sufficient evidence to conclude he was the triggerman. He was concurrently sentenced to five years for criminal damage to a stolen Suzuki Swift used as a getaway vehicle. Both sentences were backdated to May 2020, when Canavan was taken into custody following a European Arrest Warrant. The court noted that Canavan's prior drug possession convictions were not aggravating factors. This conviction marks the fourth individual jailed in connection with the killing. Previously, Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson was jailed for life in 2018; Nathan Foley pleaded guilty and received six years in 2019; and Gareth Brophy was jailed for ten years in 2020 for acting as a getaway driver. The judge extended free legal aid to cover any potential appeal.
Two brothers, Karl (27) and Cian (30) Hughes, were sentenced to a combined six and a half years in prison for harassing the Kennedy family in Rathfarnham, Dublin, between April and September 2019. The harassment stemmed from a debt the brothers claimed the family's son, Cormac, owed. The brothers repeatedly visited the Kennedy home, threatened the family, and in some instances physically banged on the door. CCTV footage of the incidents was presented at the hearing. The court found Karl to be the leader and Cian a follower. Judge Martin Nolan imposed four years for Karl and two and a half years for Cian, ordering that neither brother may contact the Kennedy family again. The case highlighted the severe emotional distress caused to the family, who ultimately sold their home and sought increased security measures.
The Special Criminal Court has found Lee Canavan guilty of the murder of David 'Daithí' Douglas, who was shot at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016. Canavan, 31, had pleaded not guilty to the charge, alleging he was part of a joint enterprise to murder Mr. Douglas, who died from injuries to his chest, neck, back, torso, elbow, and jaw. The court ruled that while it could not be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Canavan was the gunman, he was guilty due to his active participation in the shared intention to kill. He was also found guilty of criminal damage to a Suzuki Swift on July 4, 2016, an act intended to destroy evidence. The prosecution, led by Sean Gillane SC, argued the murder was meticulously planned and that Canavan's actions were inextricably linked to those of co-defendants. Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson was previously jailed for life for the murder. Nathan Foley pleaded guilty to assisting a criminal organisation and was jailed for six years. Gareth Brophy was jailed for ten years for his role as a getaway driver. The court emphasized the coordinated use of four vehicles and the removal of the pistol's serial number. Canavan's conviction completes the prosecution of the entire group involved in the killing.
A 37-year-old man, Sameer Syed of Grosvenor Lodge, Rathmines, Dublin 6, accused of murdering his wife Seema Banu (37), his daughter Asfira Riza (11), and son Faizan Syed (6) at Llewellyn Court, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16 on October 28 last year, will stand trial at the Central Criminal Court in June next year. The accused was charged with three counts of murder at Dun Laoghaire District Court on November 30 last year. At that time, arresting officer Detective Sergeant John White informed Judge Ann Watkin that reporting restrictions under Section 252 of the Children Act applied because two of the deceased were juveniles. The matter was adjourned and is now at the appeal stage. Mr Syed appeared via video-link for today's hearing and was remanded in custody until the trial date. The trial is expected to last five weeks, and the case was sent forward to the Central Criminal Court on April 28 after the accused was served with the book of evidence. Free legal aid was granted, and there was no State objection. The Children (Amendment) Act 2021 has been signed into law, which removes the restriction on naming deceased children except in certain exceptional circumstances.
The Special Criminal Court has remanded Lee Canavan in custody until May 20, when judgment will be delivered on his case. Canavan, 31, pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Douglas, who was shot six times at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016. He also denies a second charge of criminal damage to a Suzuki Swift vehicle at Strand Road, Sandymount, on July 4, 2016. Prosecution counsel Sean Gillane SC argued that Canavan was the gunman who "executed" Douglas and was "up to his neck" in the meticulously planned enterprise. The State alleged that Canavan's actions could not be divorced from those of Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson, Gareth Brophy, and Nathan Foley, all of whom have been jailed in connection with the murder. Thompson was jailed for life in 2018 for the murder. In 2019, Nathan Foley pleaded guilty to assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones used in the offence, receiving a six-year sentence. Gareth Brophy was jailed for ten years in February 2020 for his role as getaway driver. The defense, led by Michael Bowman SC, challenged the identification evidence, arguing that the prosecution relied heavily on the accused wearing a red top and that DNA on the pistol grip belonged to another man. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Michael MacGrath alongside Judges Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Dermot Dempsey, adjourned the matter for judgment.
The Special Criminal Court has ruled that key identification evidence is admissible in the ongoing trial of Lee Canavan, who is accused of murdering David Douglas. Mr. Canavan, 31, of Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr. Douglas (55), who was shot six times at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016. He also denies a charge of criminal damage to a vehicle. The prosecution alleges Canavan was the triggerman in a planned assassination. Judge Michael MacGrath, presiding with Judges Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Dermot Dempsey, rejected the defence application to exclude CCTV footage and Garda identification evidence, finding no breach of constitutional privacy rights. The State contends Canavan was linked to Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson, who was jailed for life for the murder in 2018. Gareth Brophy, jailed for ten years in 2020, and Nathan Foley, jailed for six years in 2019 after pleading guilty to assisting a criminal organisation, are also connected to the case. The trial continues with closing speeches expected.
The trial of Lee Canavan (31), who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Douglas (55) and criminal damage, continues before the Special Criminal Court. Mr Douglas was shot six times at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016. The State alleges Canavan was the triggerman in a meticulously planned assassination involving four vehicles. Prosecution counsel Sean Gillane SC stated that evidence would link Canavan to two cars via fingerprints and DNA. Forensic scientist Sarah Fleming testified that a DNA profile from a cigarette butt in a Ford Fiesta matched Canavan. Amanda Lennon provided evidence supporting a collision between a Mitsubishi Mirage and a Suzuki Swift. Detective Garda Raymond Kane testified that two fingermarks from Canavan's left thumb were found on the rearview mirror of the Ford Fiesta. Canavan also denies damaging a Suzuki Swift at Strand Road, Sandymount, on July 4, 2016. Previously, Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson (41) was jailed for life for the murder. Nathan Foley (22) pleaded guilty to assisting a criminal organisation and was jailed for six years. Gareth Brophy (26) was jailed for ten years for acting as a getaway driver. The case is adjourned to Monday afternoon before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, Ms Justice Sinead Ní Chúlacháin, and Mr Justice Dermot Dempsey.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the ongoing trial of Lee Canavan (31), who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Douglas (55) at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016. Former State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy testified via video-link that Mr Douglas died from six gunshot injuries sustained while standing in his shop doorway. She detailed that five bullets exited the body, while one remained in his trunk, causing extensive damage to his jaw and neck. The prosecution alleges this was a meticulously planned assassination, with Canavan identified as the shooter. They further claim a stolen Mercedes-Benz, linked to Canavan via fingerprints and DNA, was used as the getaway vehicle before being set alight. Canavan also denies a separate charge of criminal damage to a Suzuki Swift. This is the fourth prosecution related to the killing; previously, Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson was jailed for life for the murder, Gareth Brophy received a ten-year sentence for acting as a getaway driver, and Nathan Foley pleaded guilty to assisting a criminal organisation, receiving a six-year sentence. The trial continues before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath and colleagues.
The Special Criminal Court heard eyewitness testimony in the ongoing trial of Lee Canavan, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of shoe shop manager David Douglas (55) in Dublin 1 on July 1, 2016. Mr. Douglas was shot six times, sustaining injuries to his chest, neck, back, torso, elbow, and jaw. Canavan also denies a second charge of criminal damage to a Suzuki Swift on July 4, 2016. Prosecution counsel described the incident as a meticulously planned assassination, alleging Canavan was the shooter. Witness Shane Egan testified that he saw a man enter the shop, heard shots, and observed the suspect walk away while smirking. Medical evidence confirmed Mr. Douglas died at 4:55 pm. A loaded semi-automatic pistol was recovered at the scene. Evidence also linked Canavan to a Mitsubishi involved in the alleged arson of the Suzuki Swift, where he was arrested with €1,065 in cash and petrol on his clothing. The court noted that Nathan Foley (22) was jailed for six years in 2019 after pleading guilty to assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones. Additionally, Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson (41) was jailed for life in 2018 for the murder, and Gareth Brophy (26) received a ten-year sentence in February 2020 for acting as a getaway driver. The trial continues before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath.
Lee Canavan (31) pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Douglas (55) and criminal damage to a Suzuki Swift at the Special Criminal Court. The prosecution alleges Mr. Canavan shot Mr. Douglas six times at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016, describing the incident as a meticulously planned assassination. Witness John Shaw, a worker at the adjacent 'Busy Bees' service, testified to hearing gunshots and finding Mr. Douglas on the floor with blood everywhere. Other witnesses described a man in black clothing fleeing into a dark grey Mercedes. Mr. Canavan denies the charges, while the state links him to two vehicles via fingerprint and DNA evidence. This is the fourth person charged in connection with the killing. Previously, Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson (41) was jailed for life for the murder. Nathan Foley (22) pleaded guilty to assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of four cars and buying mobile phones, receiving a six-year sentence. Gareth Brophy (26) was jailed for ten years in February 2020 for his role as getaway driver. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, Ms Justice Sinead Ní Chúlacháin, and Mr Justice Dermot Dempsey, is expected to last four weeks and continues tomorrow.
The trial of Lee Canavan (31) has opened at the Special Criminal Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Douglas (55), who was shot dead at Shoestown, Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 1, on July 1, 2016. Canavan also denies criminal damage to a vehicle on July 4, 2016. The State alleges Canavan "literally pulled the trigger" in a "meticulously planned assassination," presenting evidence of a semi-automatic pistol found near the victim and linking Canavan to two vehicles via fingerprints and DNA. Prosecutors detailed the movements of four cars used in the offence, including a Mercedes set alight near Carman's Hall and a Suzuki burned on Strand Road. Nathan Foley (22) was previously jailed for six years after pleading guilty to assisting a criminal organisation by driving one of the cars and buying mobile phones. Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson was jailed for life by the Special Criminal Court for the murder; however, his defence counsel noted a live appeal is currently pending in Thompson's case. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Michael McGrath, Ms Justice Sinead Ní Chúlacháin, and Mr Justice Dermot Dempsey, is scheduled to last four weeks.
The trial of Kieran Greene, aged 61, centred on the murder of his partner's mother, Patricia O'Connor, who was found dead in a shallow grave in Wexford. Greene admitted to a physical altercation in the house, claiming he struck her with a hurley and she struck him back. He said she became unresponsive, that he carried her upstairs, placed her in the boot of a Toyota Corolla, drove to Wexford, dug a shallow grave, buried her, and later dismembered her body with a hacksaw. Greene told Gardaí he had acted alone, that he had no accomplices, and that he had handed himself in because he could not live with the guilt. He also claimed the murder was self‑defence. The prosecution presented CCTV footage, forensic evidence of hair and body parts, and statements from family members to show Greene's involvement. The jury heard that Greene's December interview was unreliable and that he had changed his account.
At the trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, and Stephanie O'Connor, the jury heard evidence regarding the murder of Patricia O'Connor and a subsequent cover-up. The prosecution alleged that Greene murdered O'Connor on May 29, 2017, and that Louise and Stephanie conspired to disguise Stephanie as the deceased to create a false CCTV record of her leaving the house alive. The State argued this ruse was designed to mislead anyone reporting her missing. Evidence included CCTV footage showing a figure in a hooded jacket leaving the property at 9:34pm, which the jury was invited to identify as Stephanie. Prosecutors presented testimony that Greene gave conflicting accounts of the death, first claiming self-defence and later blaming Augustine O'Connor, while forensic experts noted a lack of blood evidence despite Greene's claims of a struggle and cleaning. The trial also examined Greene's movements, including fueling a car in Templeogue and purchasing tools with Keith Johnston, who was seen performing repairs at the house. The prosecution maintained that the defendants acted in concert to conceal the body, which was later found dismembered in the Wicklow mountains. The report details the procedural stage as a trial, with the jury hearing closing speeches and evidence regarding the alleged conspiracy and the disposal of the victim.
Patrick O'Grady, 37, of Carrickmount Drive, Rathfarnham, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a knife‑point robbery at Daybreak, Beaumont Avenue, Churchtown, on 20 June 2020. He had 29 prior convictions, including burglary, theft and drug possession. Garda Declan O'Connor described how O'Grady entered the shop with a hood and black scarf, walked behind the counter, drew a knife and demanded both tills be opened. The shopkeepers complied and he stole about €750 before leaving. CCTV footage identified him and showed him waiting outside before the robbery. O'Grady, who began using drugs at 12 and is now clean while in custody, was on temporary release during the offence. Judge Karen O'Connor sentenced him to two‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment, suspending the final 18 months on strict conditions and ordering the sentence to run consecutively with the one he is currently serving. The sentence is set to run until March 2021.
Ian Morton, 31, was sentenced to a suspended three‑year term for setting fire to a doorway on Harold's Cross Road, Dublin, on 6 October 2019. He had been drinking heavily in a pub in Harold's Cross the previous night, was asked to leave for intoxication, then drove to a nearby garage where he bought €5 of petrol. He returned and lit the fire, which was quickly extinguished by barmen. CCTV captured the purchase and his car registration led to his arrest the next day. Morton suffered burns on his arms, hands and face and was treated in hospital. He pleaded guilty to one count of arson, has two prior drink‑driving convictions, and suffers from bipolar disorder. The judge noted his alcohol abuse and drug use contributed to the offence, and that he is now drug‑ and alcohol‑free, receiving counselling and medication. The suspended sentence is conditional on support measures.
In October 2019, 31‑year‑old Ian Morton, after being asked to leave a pub in Harold's Cross for drunkenness, drove to a nearby garage, bought €5 of petrol, and set fire to the doorway of a house on Harold's Cross Road. Witnesses at the pub saw the fire and extinguished it with a fire extinguisher, but the building, which housed several apartments, was evacuated and suffered smoke damage. Morton, who had burns on his arms, hands and face, was arrested the next day at his aunt's house. He pleaded guilty to one count of arson. The court noted he had two prior drink‑driving convictions, had no memory of the incident, and was deeply remorseful. He has stopped drinking, is seeking rehabilitation, and has €2,000 available as a token of remorse. The matter was adjourned for finalisation on 7 December.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a judge praised a survivor of child sexual abuse for her courage in coming forward. Ms Jennifer Lydon McElwaine, who was aged six to eleven when abused, waived anonymity to name her father, Raymond McElwaine, who pleaded guilty to eight counts of indecent assault and sexual assault between 1988 and 1994. She described the lasting impact of the abuse, noting how her father's control and manipulation affected her and her mother, and how she felt unheard as a child. Ms Lydon McElwaine highlighted her father's lack of remorse and his attempts to manipulate her into silence. The judge acknowledged her early bravery and her ongoing concern for other children, and adjourned sentencing to allow a probation report while remanding her in custody until October 8, 2020. The hearing also covered the father's admissions during Garda interviews and the court's assessment of his low risk of re‑offending.
Deborah Malcolmson, 43, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for stabbing her former partner, Brian Kelly, 56, in their home on 29 July 2019, an act that left him seriously injured and requiring a colostomy bag. The court heard that the couple had a "dysfunctional" and "combustible" relationship, with both experiencing alcohol problems and periods of homelessness. Malcolmson also pleaded guilty to threatening Kelly's son and assaulting Kelly in St James Hospital on 11 September 2019, when she swung a punch at him while he was receiving treatment. The judge noted her long‑term alcohol difficulties and her early guilty plea, but imposed the sentence without a medical report that might have elevated the charge. She has 52 prior convictions and was living without a fixed abode at the time of sentencing. The court considered her history of violence and alcohol issues but did not alter the three‑year term.
Mr Justice Paul McDermott sentenced four individuals at the Central Criminal Court for their roles in the murder and concealment of Patricia O'Connor. Augustine 'Gus' O'Connor, who pleaded guilty to reporting his wife as missing while knowing she was dead, was sentenced to 18 months in prison. The judge described his actions as a betrayal of his wife and son. Louise O'Connor, found guilty of acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie disguising herself as the deceased to conceal the murder, received a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence. Stephanie O'Connor, found guilty of disguising herself as her grandmother, was jailed for one-and-a-half years. Keith Johnston, found guilty of assisting Kieran Greene in purchasing implements used to conceal the remains, was sentenced to three years. Mr Justice McDermott noted that Greene, who was separately sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder, had changed his account of the killing. The judge emphasized that the defendants' efforts to conceal the crime were elaborate and callous, noting that no attempt was made to seek emergency assistance. The sentences reflect the distinct culpability of each defendant, with the judge highlighting Louise O'Connor's dominant role in the household and Keith Johnston's intent to ensure the remains were never found.
Mr Justice Paul McDermott sentenced three individuals for their roles in covering up the murder of Patricia O'Connor. The court found Stephanie O'Connor (22) guilty of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Kieran Greene. She was sentenced to two years in prison, with the final six months suspended. Her mother, Louise O'Connor (41), was also found guilty of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Greene and sentenced to three years in prison, with the final six months suspended. Family friend Keith Johnston (43) of Tallaght, Dublin 24, was found guilty of the same charge and sentenced to three years in prison. The judge described the victim as a person whose life and future were ended by Kieran Greene. Earlier this week, Kieran Greene (35) was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering the retired grandmother in her Rathfarnham home on May 29, 2017. Additionally, the deceased's husband, Augustine 'Gus' O'Connor, was sentenced to 18 months for reporting his wife as a missing person when he knew she was already dead. The sentences for the three cover-up participants total seven years.
Augustine 'Gus' O'Connor, 76, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for pleading guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of his wife's murderer. He had reported his wife, Patricia O'Connor, as missing after learning she had been killed by Kieran Greene, 35, in their home. Mr Justice Paul McDermott at the Central Criminal Court described his conduct as "appalling" and noted that O'Connor had expressed remorse and had no prior convictions. The judge reduced the headline sentence of three years to 18 months.