David Radford, aged 19, was sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment for the sexual assault of a 15‑year‑old girl in a Dublin suburb on 12 November 2014. He was arrested after CCTV footage showed him following the girl from her Luas stop and approaching her to ask for directions. Radford denied the allegation in interviews but was re‑arrested in January 2015 when DNA from a semen stain on the victim's clothing matched his. He had 15 prior convictions, including three for sexual assault of women, dating back to 2010 when he was 14. At the trial he pleaded guilty. The judge, Martin Nolan, noted Radford's claim of no memory due to drug use but found this did not lessen his culpability. He was given a suspended 12‑month period of the sentence, subject to strict conditions. The case was prosecuted by Anne Rowland BL and defended by Kieran Kelly BL.
Kenneth Valentine, 27, and Richard McCudden, 24, were convicted of assaulting cyclist Darren Molloy on Dundrum Road on 20 November 2013. Valentine struck Molloy in the face and McCudden joined the beating when Molloy tried to defend himself with his bike lock. The pair also pleaded guilty to damaging a taxi's front passenger window on Churchtown Road on the same day, causing €100 in damage. Valentine, an electrical engineering student at Rosemount Glade, had 11 prior convictions, including two assaults; McCudden, an apprentice electrician, had four prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Valentine to 14 months' imprisonment and McCudden to eight months, citing Valentine's larger role in the "savage" attack. Both pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The court noted the defendants' cooperation and prior remorse gestures, but did not alter the sentences.
Ron Tulie, a 57‑year‑old former Dublin Fire Brigade fireman with a 30‑year unblemished record, was sentenced to seven years in prison for having a sexual relationship with a 16‑year‑old girl he met while teaching a first aid and fire safety course in 2008. He pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 17, all occurring between June 1 and July 27, 2008, in the Dublin Mountains. The judge noted Tulie's position of authority as an aggravating factor and suspended the final two years of the sentence on strict conditions, including four years of post‑release supervision. Tulie will be registered as a sex offender, named in the media, and has lost the support of his family. He expressed remorse and was described by counsel as having a long, unblemished history with the fire institution before the case.
Monica Loughman, a celebrated Irish ballet dancer, has obtained a High Court injunction to stop former partner Fraser Brown from ending her employment or winding up the Monica Loughman Ballet Company Ltd, which she founded in 2011. Brown, who served as the company's business and finance manager, allegedly refused to leave the business after their personal relationship ended in 2014, despite an agreement that he would no longer be involved. Loughman claims Brown's continued control has damaged her reputation and made it impossible to maintain customers and deal with creditors. She also alleges he removed key assets, including a dance floor and "Nutcracker" sets, and sent letters threatening to terminate her employment. The court granted temporary injunctions preventing Brown from interfering with Loughman's work, the company's property, or winding up the company, and the case is set to return in August.
Dean Furlong, 45, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to handling €12,000 of stolen cash from a cash‑in‑transit robbery on 12 April 2012 and €30,000 from a robbery on 16 August 2012, and to supplying prescription tablets without a prescription and possessing drugs for sale in Tallaght on 13 October 2011. He admitted possession of 178,000 Zopiclone tablets and 19,000 Dalmane tablets, valued at €430,000, found in his van in November 2011. Furlong also admitted taking responsibility for €11,885 of cash found in an orange bag in April 2012, which had been taken during a robbery of a cash‑in‑transit van in Terenure the week before. Judge Mary Ellen Ring, after noting his completion of a drug‑addiction treatment programme and enrolment in an addiction studies course, suspended a seven‑year sentence, wishing him good luck.
Corporal Damian Flood, 39, was arrested on 15 March 2013 near Nutgrove, Dublin, with €9,814 worth of cannabis herb. He initially claimed the drugs were to pay a €40,000 debt but later explained he had purchased them after researching that juiced cannabis could relieve pain. Flood said he intended to use the substance to ease the suffering of his wife, who was terminally ill with breast cancer and died about five months later. He pleaded guilty to possessing the drug for sale or supply, apologized, and described the act as a moment of madness. Judge Mary Ellen Ring, considering Flood's long service, financial pressure and good character, applied the Probation Act instead of imprisonment, resulting in no conviction being recorded. The case highlighted Flood's three‑year‑old retirement plan and the potential financial impact of a prison sentence.
Michael Coleman, 34, a convicted robber, was sentenced to 18 months in custody for an unprovoked assault on two Louth brothers, Christopher and Joseph Lennon, on 26 June 2014. The attack occurred on Camden Street, Dublin, while Coleman was on bail for a prior robbery. He called Christopher a "culchie," punched him, and then joined in attacking Joseph, punching and kicking him while he was on the ground, causing Joseph to lose consciousness. The brothers had been drinking at Flannery's pub and were heading home when the incident happened. Joseph Lennon suffered a broken jaw on both sides, requiring metal plates and still cannot fully open his mouth; he also experiences flashbacks. Coleman had 25 prior convictions, including robbery and firearms offences. He pleaded guilty, and the judge noted his cooperation and attempts to address drug issues. The 18‑month sentence will commence after his current five‑year term ends.
In a case heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Michael Mongan, then 15, was found guilty of violent disorder and three counts of assault causing serious harm after a pub brawl at The Castle Inn Pub, Rathfarnham, on 16 October 2012. CCTV captured Mongan picking up a glass or bottle and striking John Mongan, 25, repeatedly, causing deep cuts that required 24 staples. Mongan also threw a bottle at Simon Reilly, 28, which struck Reilly's head and shattered, sending shards toward a nearby Garda. Mongan pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a suspended prison term of two and a half years, conditional on completing 240 hours of community service. The judge, Martin Nolan, rejected a request for anonymity under the Children Act, stating Mongan was not a child in the eyes of the law and that proceedings should be public.
A jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has failed to reach a verdict in the trial of a registered childminder charged with causing serious harm to a ten-month-old infant. Sandra Higgins, aged 34, of Cavan town, had pleaded not guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to the child on 28 March 2012. The trial heard that the baby presented at Cavan General Hospital with a brain bleed, detached retina and fractured ribs after being in Ms Higgins's care. Prosecution medical experts testified the injuries were consistent with violent shaking and non-accidental trauma. Defence experts suggested the evidence indicated head trauma and possible reactivation of an earlier injury. After deliberating for just under six hours on day eight of proceedings, the jury of twelve informed Judge Patricia Ryan they could reach neither unanimous nor majority verdict. Ms Higgins was remanded on continuing bail. The case has been listed for mention on 2 July before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal by the trustees of Victory Christian Fellowship (VCF) against a High Court ruling that Bank of Scotland (BOS) could appoint joint receivers over three of VCF's Dublin properties. The High Court had found BOS entitled to a judgment of €18.76 million against the trustees and to permanent injunctions preventing the trustees from obstructing the receivers. The trustees argued the receivers' appointment in May 2013 was invalid because BOS had received unauthorised confidential information about VCF's charitable status being withdrawn. They claimed a debt‑reduction plan had been agreed in March 2013, which would have avoided receivership. The Court of Appeal, however, upheld BOS's contractual right to appoint receivers, noting that the disclosure of the confidential information did not prove it caused the decision. The trustees accepted the debt but did not appeal the €18.76 million judgment. The appeal was dismissed by Justices Peart, Hogan and Mahon.
Ciara O'Donnell, 41, of York Street, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a two‑year suspended prison term for fraudulently claiming €10,340 in disability allowance after her partner, Kevin O'Carroll, died. O'Donnell failed to inform Social Welfare of O'Carroll's death, which was reported missing in February 2013 and found in a canal on 19 March 2013. She pleaded guilty to theft from the Department of Social Protection at An Post in Windy Arbour and Nutgrove Shopping Centre between May 2013 and May 2014, and to forging a letter in May 2014 that appeared to be from O'Carroll. The letter was a reply to Social Welfare's enquiry about why O'Carroll had not collected payments for two months; O'Donnell signed it in his name and claimed he would continue to receive payments.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 1 May 2015, five men—Brian Mongan (30), Martin Mongan (39), Simon Reilly (28), Anthony Reilly (25) and Patrick Reilly (23)—pleaded guilty to violent disorder at The Castle Inn pub in Rathfarnham on 16 October 2012. The incident began when Brian Mongan spilled a drink over Simon Reilly, leading to a confrontation that escalated into a riot involving 40 to 50 men and women. CCTV captured the men throwing glasses, chairs, fire extinguishers and other furniture, causing over €26,000 of damage. Judge Martin Nolan described the event as "12 minutes of mayhem, violence, aggression and anarchy." He imposed three‑year suspended sentences on each defendant, ordered them to pay €8,700 in restitution to the pub owners, and gave them 12 months to raise an additional €5,400. The men were otherwise described as of good character but acted "grossly reprehensibly.".
In a Dublin supermarket raid on the Grange Road, Michael Coleman (34), Michael Sweeney (32) and Waymon Sweeney (33) used an axe, a large knife and a gun while wearing balaclavas. They threatened staff and the manager, forced customers to lie on the floor, and stole €24,556 from the safe. After the robbery, the men fled in a getaway car, pursued by gardaí, and later abandoned and burned a second vehicle. Coleman was arrested at the scene; Michael Sweeney was detained after a McDonald's visit and DNA evidence linked him to the second car. Waymon Sweeney failed to return from lunch recess, leading to a warrant for his arrest. All three pleaded guilty to robbery and were sentenced to five years' imprisonment. The court described the crime as a well‑planned, ambitious robbery. The case highlighted the men's drug‑related problems and personal losses.
Graham Dwyer, a Cork‑born father of three, was sentenced to a mandatory life term by Mr Justice Tony Hunt for the murder of 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara. Dwyer was found guilty after a trial lasting more than two months, during which a jury of five women and seven men concluded that he lured O'Hara up the Dublin Mountains that evening, stabbed her for sexual gratification, and disposed of her belongings to stage a suicide. The judge described the crime as chilling and pre‑meditated, noted Dwyer's lack of remorse, and praised the evidence presented by the O'Hara family and Gardaí. He highlighted the victim's hard work and love of children, and the judge's remarks on the family's courage. Dwyer was taken to prison to begin serving his life sentence.
David Murphy, 25, of Wheatfield Avenue, Clondalkin, was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two and a half years' imprisonment for assaulting Garda Dara Kelly during a public order incident on 1 March 2014 in Rathfarnham. Murphy pleaded guilty to the offence and had a history of violent conduct, including four prior convictions for assaulting gardaí and 30 other offences. The assault caused soft‑tissue damage to Kelly's jaw, requiring treatment at Tallaght Hospital, restricted jaw movement for four days, and a ten‑day absence from work. The judge described Murphy's behaviour as disgraceful, noting he was not only drunk but also violent and aggressive. The sentence included a suspended 18‑month period, to be enforced on strict conditions. The court did not read the victim impact report.
Architect Graham Dwyer, 42, was found guilty of murdering 36‑year‑old Elaine O'Hara in the Dublin Mountains. The Central Criminal Court trial lasted over two months, with the jury hearing testimony from nearly 200 witnesses and more than 300 exhibits, including videos of Dwyer stabbing women and text messages that described a BDSM‑style relationship in which he was the dominant "Master" and O'Hara the submissive "Slave." Evidence showed Dwyer lured O'Hara to the mountain on 22 August 2012, stabbed her for sexual gratification, and disposed of her belongings to make the death appear a suicide. The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict after 7 hours and 33 minutes of deliberation. Mr Justice Tony Hunt remanded Dwyer in custody until the mandatory life sentence is imposed on 20 April. The unnamed 42-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Architect Graham Dwyer, aged 42, was found guilty of murdering 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara in the Dublin Mountains. He was charged on 22 August 2012, shortly after O'Hara was discharged from a mental health hospital. Dwyer lured her up the mountain that evening, stabbed her for sexual gratification, and then disposed of her belongings to make the death appear as suicide. He pleaded not guilty, but the jury was satisfied with the evidence. The Central Criminal Court has adjourned sentencing to 20 April, when a victim impact statement will be presented.
The jury in the Graham Dwyer trial resumed deliberations at the Central Criminal Court after a full day of discussion. Mr Justice Tony Hunt sent them back to the jury room, allowing them to continue late if desired. By lunch they had deliberated six hours and 25 minutes and would resume in the afternoon. Dwyer, charged with murdering childcare worker Elaine O'Hara, is accused of taking her to Killakee, stabbing her for sexual gratification, and the case remains in deliberation.
In the trial of Graham Dwyer for the alleged murder of Elaine O'Hara, the jury of five women and seven men was assured that their identities would not be published. The foreman had requested privacy after a query about the publication of his name. Judge Tony Hunt confirmed that no publication of any juror information would occur, despite the Juries Act lacking a specific provision. The jury had requested various exhibits, including knives found at Dwyer's workplace, a rusty blade at Killakee, and items near O'Hara's remains, which were provided. They deliberated for almost five hours on the 45th day of the trial, failing to reach a verdict. Dwyer, charged with murdering the 36‑year‑old childcare worker on 22 August 2012, has pleaded not guilty. The case remains in the Central Criminal Court.
During the 45th day of the Central Criminal Court trial of Graham Dwyer, the jury requested that certain items be made available in the jury room. The foreman asked for all knives in the case, a runner found near Ms O'Hara's remains, a spade found elsewhere at Killakee, and a backpack found in Vartry Reservoir. The trial had previously established that two knives were found in Dwyer's workplace basement in February 2014, a rusty blade was found at Killakee when Ms O'Hara's remains were discovered in September, and knives were also found at Vartry Reservoir. After the note was read, the judge acknowledged the request but explained that a letter found in Dwyer's home could not be provided because it had not been shown to the witness. The jury then requested a hoodie, white vest, bondage mask, and tracksuit bottoms found in the reservoir and near Ms O'Hara's remains. These items were provided, but the letter was denied.
In the Graham Dwyer murder trial, the jury resumed deliberations after Judge Tony Hunt clarified that only two verdicts were available: guilty or not guilty of murder. The judge emphasized the importance of considering suicide as a possible hypothesis; if the jury believes suicide is reasonably possible, they must acquit. He reviewed evidence, including psychiatric testimony on Ms O'Hara's mental health, forensic findings, and text messages suggesting threat. The prosecution argued Dwyer stabbed Ms O'Hara, citing a "Killing Darci" document and threatening texts. The defense focused on suicide and alleged innocence. Judge Hunt instructed the jury to base their decision solely on the evidence and reasonable inference, without considering intermediate verdicts. The jury spent 1 hour 28 minutes deliberating before resuming the next day. The case involved Ms O'Hara's disappearance on 22 August 2012 and her skeletal remains found in Killakee in September 2013.
The jury has begun deliberating in the trial of architect Graham Dwyer, charged with murdering 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara in 2012. Dwyer, 42, is accused of taking O'Hara to Killakee, Rathfarnham, and stabbing her to death between 6 pm and 9 pm on 22 August 2012, hours after she was discharged from a mental‑health hospital. The State's case relies on circumstantial evidence, including text messages, a Buck Special knife found in Dwyer's office, and a bag recovered from Vartry Reservoir. Dwyer has pleaded not guilty. Mr Justice Tony Hunt has instructed the jury to consider the evidence of phones, texts, and the knife, and to weigh the possibility of suicide or other causes of death. The jury will resume deliberations on Wednesday morning. The trial has heard that O'Hara's skeletal remains were discovered at Killakee on 13 September 2013.
In the Graham Dwyer murder trial, Judge Tony Hunt instructed the jury on March 24, 2015, to exercise caution with circumstantial evidence, using the spade found near Elaine O'Hara's remains as an example. He reminded jurors that the presumption of innocence required them to consider the spade unrelated to Dwyer unless proven otherwise. The judge referenced testimony from Dwyer's wife, Gemma, who claimed the spade was missing from their garden and identified it by its label and paint. He also cited forensic evidence that the paint on the spade did not match the paint on the family's fence, urging jurors to be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt before linking the spade to Dwyer. The judge noted that the spade could be irrelevant or significant, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation of circumstantial evidence. The trial continued with the jury expected to deliberate later that day.
In March 2015, Judge Tony Hunt addressed the jury in the Graham Dwyer murder trial, emphasizing that the jury must decide only whether Dwyer is guilty of murder, not any other wrongdoing. He explained that the charge requires proof that Dwyer stabbed Elaine O'Hara in pursuit of sexual or other gratification, and that the evidence is largely indirect. The judge instructed jurors to consider the act and intent separately, to be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt of both, and to weigh circumstantial evidence such as text messages, mobile phone data, and videos of Dwyer's alleged violent acts. He warned against letting personal feelings influence the verdict and reminded the jury of the presumption of innocence. The trial continued with the jury expected to deliberate the next day.
In the Graham Dwyer murder trial, Judge Tony Hunt reminded the jury that the case concerns only whether Dwyer is guilty of murder, not any other misconduct. He noted that Dwyer, a 42‑year‑old architect, is charged with killing 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara in Killakee, Rathfarnham, on 22 August 2012, shortly after she left a mental health hospital. Dwyer, a father of three from Cork, pleaded not guilty. The judge discussed videos the jury saw of Dwyer stabbing O'Hara and two other women during separate sexual encounters, stressing that the footage was shown to allow assessment of the relationship, not to vilify the accused. He emphasized that the prosecution must prove all elements beyond a reasonable doubt and outlined the timeline of events, including a text message sent on the day of the murder and the discovery of O'Hara's skeletal remains in September 2013.
In the 41st day of the Central Criminal Court murder trial of Graham Dwyer, defence counsel Remy Farrell SC urged jurors to apply the presumption of innocence despite the prosecution's portrayal of Dwyer as a sadistic pervert. Farrell read excerpts from a document titled "Killing Darci" found on Dwyer's hard drive, describing fantasies of murder, and argued that the prosecution's evidence was largely speculative and emotionally charged. He highlighted the lack of forensic evidence linking Dwyer to the stabbing of 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara, noting the pathologist's finding of no bony injuries. Farrell warned that jurors might feel pressured to convict and urged them to focus on the factual evidence presented. The prosecution, led by Seán Guerin SC, maintained that text messages and other documents constituted a plan to murder O'Hara, but the defence contested the reliability of these sources. The trial continued with the judge instructing the jury on their duties.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, prosecutor Seán Guerin SC described Graham Dwyer, 42, as a sadistic and brutal pervert who planned the murder of 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara. Guerin highlighted text messages from Dwyer that outlined a plan to kill O'Hara, including choosing an isolated location on private land, using a hunting knife, and staging the scene to look like suicide. He noted Dwyer's delivery of a hunting knife to his office the day before the murder and the alleged use of untraceable phones. Guerin urged the jury to accept the texts as evidence of intent, arguing they showed Dwyer's desire to kill. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, continues with a jury of five women and seven men. The case remains at the 41st day of the hearing.
At the Central Criminal Court on 19 March 2015, the prosecution closing address in the murder trial of Graham Dwyer outlined its case against the 42-year-old architect. Dwyer, from Foxrock in Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering Elaine O'Hara, a 36-year-old childcare worker, at Killakee, Rathfarnham on 22 August 2012. Prosecution Counsel Seán Guerin SC told the jury that the relationship was predatory in nature, with Dwyer deliberately selecting a vulnerable victim. The prosecution's case rested on telephone evidence linking disputed phones recovered from a reservoir to Dwyer, text message analysis reflecting his known movements and activities, and documentary evidence of violent sexual fantasies. Mr Guerin submitted that Dwyer intended to murder Ms O'Hara for sexual gratification hours after her discharge from psychiatric care, and that he had deliberately arranged circumstances to suggest suicide. The trial continued at the Central Criminal Court.
The defence closed its case on the 39th day of Graham Dwyer's murder trial. Dwyer, 42, is charged with killing 36‑year‑old childcare worker Ms O'Hara on 22 August 2012, hours after she left a mental health hospital. He is a Cork‑born architect and father of three, living in Foxrock. The defence presented three witnesses. Mary Crosbie recalled seeing a woman crying in Shanganagh Cemetery on the evening of 22 August, describing the woman's appearance and clothing. She said she later reported the sight to the Gardaí after reading a newspaper article. Sheep farmer Richard O'Connor and John Donohue testified about their farms near Shankill and Roundwood Flying Clubs, noting Gardaí inquiries about dead sheep in 2011. The trial heard a text from Dwyer to Ms O'Hara in 2011 describing a dead sheep and a desire to stab it.
In the 37th day of the murder trial of architect Graham Dwyer, the prosecution closed its case at the Central Criminal Court. Detective Sergeant Peter Woods, a State witness, testified that he had never encountered a case with such extensive media leaks. He explained that he had not given Dwyer's solicitor additional information at the time of the arrest in October 2013, and that any extra details were provided only after subsequent interviews. Woods described the media presence at the Foxrock search and noted that the information released to the press had come from Gardaí, including updates from the Irish Times and the Independent. He also recounted that Chief Superintendent Diarmuid O'Sullivan and another detective sergeant had visited Dwyer's bins in the early hours of late September to collect a sample for DNA comparison. The trial concluded with the jury instructed to return on Wednesday morning.
Graham Dwyer, a 42-year-old architect from Foxrock, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Elaine O'Hara at Killakee, Rathfarnham on 22nd August 2012. During his trial at the Central Criminal Court, Detective Sergeant Peter Woods gave evidence on the 36th day of proceedings, describing police interviews conducted after Mr Dwyer's arrest in October 2013. Mr Dwyer admitted to gardai that he had a relationship with Ms O'Hara, a 36-year-old childcare worker, and acknowledged watching erotic horror material the night before his arrest. He denied killing anyone. The court heard evidence of video footage showing Ms O'Hara becoming unresponsive after a plastic bag was placed over her head. Mr Dwyer was charged with murder hours after Ms O'Hara's discharge from a mental health hospital. The State contends the killing occurred during a sexual act. Ms O'Hara's remains were discovered at Killakee in September 2013, though the cause of death could not be determined.
Graham Dwyer, 42, charged with the murder of 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara, was interviewed by Gardaí after his arrest. He repeatedly denied any involvement, stating he was "not a killer; I'm not a saint" and expressed confusion over why he was being questioned. During the first interview at Blackrock Garda Station, he asked how he was connected to the case and questioned the relevance of forensic evidence. In a second interview, when shown a photograph of O'Hara, he reiterated his innocence and expressed fear of being portrayed in the media. Gardaí explained that the case would be tried by a judge and jury and urged him to consult his solicitor. The matter was scheduled for trial before Mr Justice Tony Hunt with a jury of five women and seven men.
Elaine O'Hara, a 36‑year‑old childcare worker, was last seen alive on 22 August 2012 after being discharged from a mental health hospital. The State alleges that Graham Dwyer, 42, texted her from a "Master" phone to the "Slave" phone, threatening to stab her and demanding she assist in a murder. The trial heard over 2,600 text messages recovered from two Nokia phones found in a reservoir and from O'Hara's iPhone. The messages depict Dwyer's intimidation, claims of sexual coercion, and instructions for a planned stabbing. O'Hara's remains were found at Killakee on 13 September 2013, and the cause of death could not be determined. The case is being heard at the Central Criminal Court, with the jury instructed on the content of the texts and the alleged murder.
During the 35th day of Graham Dwyer's murder trial, evidence was presented showing that Dwyer, aged 42, had threatened Elaine O'Hara with violence and claimed he could make her pregnant if she helped him stab someone. O'Hara, a 36‑year‑old childcare worker, had asked Dwyer to stop stabbing her, fearing he might kill her. Dwyer's texts, recovered by Crime and Policing Analyst Sarah Skedd, included threats of stabbing, claims that no one had ever been caught for similar murders, and offers of a child if she cooperated. He also discussed using untraceable phones and a house in Willow Park. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, continues with a jury of five women and seven men. The case remains at the trial stage, with no verdict yet reached.
During the 33rd day of Graham Dwyer's murder trial, the Central Criminal Court heard over a thousand text messages that the State claims were sent by Dwyer to Elaine O'Hara in 2011. The messages, recovered from various devices, include threats of killing O'Hara in the woods, requests for her to find a victim, and detailed instructions on how to stab and kill. Dwyer, 42, is charged with murdering the 36‑year‑old childcare worker on 22 August 2012, hours after she was discharged from a mental health hospital. The prosecution, led by Seán Guerin SC, presented the texts as evidence of Dwyer's intent to kill for sexual gratification. The trial is before Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of five women and seven men. The case remains at the hearing stage.
In the 33rd day of the murder trial of Graham Dwyer, the jury was shown a series of videos and text messages that the prosecution claims demonstrate the defendant's violent intent. The videos, seized from Dwyer's hard drives, include clips of a man stabbing himself, speaking about chloroform, and a scene where a man appears to stab a bound woman during sex. The prosecution also presented over 2,600 text messages recovered from various devices, many of which contain Dwyer's admissions of an "urge to rape, stab and kill" and discussions with Elaine O'Hara about potential violence. Dwyer, 42, is charged with murdering the 36‑year‑old childcare worker on 22 August 2012. He has pleaded not guilty. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of five women and seven men. The State maintains that Dwyer's actions were driven by sexual gratification. The case continues.
In the Graham Dwyer murder trial, the jury was shown a series of videos on the 33rd day of proceedings. The State presented footage that allegedly depicts a man stabbing women during sex, with blood visible in some clips. The jurors also viewed a self‑made video of Dwyer stabbing himself and another in which he discusses using chloroform on himself. Prior to viewing, the jurors received a warning about the graphic nature of the evidence. Dwyer, aged 42, is charged with the murder of 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara, who was last seen in Shanganagh on 22 August 2012 and whose skeletal remains were found at Killakee in September 2013. The trial is proceeding before Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of five women and seven men. The State alleges the stabbing was for sexual gratification. The case continues.
In the second day of Mr Graham Dwyer's murder trial, the jury was warned about graphic evidence. Mr Justice Tony Hunt cautioned them before a document titled "Jenny's First Rape" was read. The document, found on a hard drive seized from Dwyer's home, described a planned rape in Newcastle and included a video clip. Dwyer, 42, is charged with murdering 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara on 22 August 2012. He pleaded not guilty. Detective Garda Brid Wallace testified that she found a folder with a five‑second video and a five‑page document, E.doc, created on 31 May 2005 by Dwyer's firm A&D Wejchert Architects. The prosecution read the document, which detailed the author's intent to rape a young woman, describing the use of a knife, chloroform and a hunting knife. The trial continues before a jury of five women and seven men. The article does not state any verdict or outcome.
In the Graham Dwyer murder trial, Judge Tony Hunt warned the public not to tweet any statements made while the jury was absent, citing restrictions on reporting such discussions until the trial concludes. He noted that a recent tweet by a member of the public had breached these rules, and, though the tweeter was unaware of the regulations, the judge cautioned that a repeat offence could result in jail for contempt. The warning was delivered in the absence of the jury, but both prosecution and defence consented to its reporting. Mr Dwyer, 42, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara, who was last seen in Shanganagh, South Dublin, on 22 August 2012 and whose skeletal remains were found at Killakee on 13 September 2013. The State alleges Dwyer stabbed her for sexual gratification. The trial proceeds before a jury of five women and seven men.
During the 31st day of Graham Dwyer's murder trial, the court heard that a document titled *Killing Darci*, detailing the rape and killing of a young American woman, was found on Dwyer's hard drive. The file, saved as 4Darci.doc in a folder called DD within Sub, was created on 2 March 2011 and edited for 89 minutes. Dwyer, 42, is charged with murdering 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara on 22 August 2012. The prosecution read excerpts from the first‑person document, which described fantasising about killing from adolescence, planning a murder, and describing the act in graphic detail. A witness, Darci Day, testified that she had met Dwyer on an adult website and had discussed ending her life with him. The trial also examined phone records linking Dwyer's work phone to the "Master" phone used on the day of O'Hara's death. The jury heard all evidence before the trial continues.
During the 31st day of Graham Dwyer's murder trial, analyst Sarah Skedd testified that there was no evidence contradicting the suggestion that the same person used both Dwyer's work phone and the 'Master' phone found in Vartry Reservoir. Skedd compared usage patterns of the two Nokia mobiles, noting that each phone only had the other's number saved. She observed that when both phones were active simultaneously, they used cell sites in the same area, though on different networks. For example, on 21 December 2011, both phones used a Fitzwilliam Street cell site, and later that day they both used sites near Howth Harbour and Dwyer's workplace. The court had already heard that Dwyer was charged with murdering 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara on 22 August 2012, and that the prosecution alleged he stabbed her for sexual gratification.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, 42‑year‑old Graham Dwyer, charged with the murder of 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara, was examined by a US witness, Darci Day, who testified that Dwyer had confessed to fantasies of killing O'Hara if she wanted him to. Day, from Maine, said Dwyer had also described a fantasy of stabbing a woman to death during sex. She recounted that she had communicated with Dwyer via email and text, discussing violent and sexual fantasies, including rape and murder. Day also described her own history of depression, suicidal thoughts, and online interactions with Dwyer, noting that she had never met him in person. The trial, which had been proceeding for 29 days, was scheduled to resume with a jury of five women and seven men. The case remains at the trial stage, with no verdict yet announced.
Remigijus Tuma, a 32‑year‑old Lithuanian national living in Dublin, was convicted in 2011 of possessing €180,000 worth of cannabis for sale or supply. He was found guilty by a jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and sentenced to seven years' imprisonment by Judge Yvonne Murphy. In 2015 the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction after hearing that the trial judge had imposed an inappropriate burden of proof, requiring Tuma to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he did not know the contents of the suitcase were cannabis. The appellate judges, including Mr Justice John Edwards, agreed that this was a fundamental injustice and ruled that the appeal must be allowed. A formal judgment will be issued on March 23, 2015. Remigijus Tuma pleaded not guilty.
During the 29th day of Graham Dwyer's murder trial, evidence was presented that two Nokia phones found in Vartry Reservoir were used almost exclusively to contact each other. The phones had no other numbers saved and were last used on the day of the alleged murder. Their contacts were labeled MSTR and SLV, the consonants of "Master" and "Slave." The phones were purchased together on 30 November 2011 and were unregistered. Between 1 December 2011 and 22 August 2012, 1,369 texts and 11 calls were exchanged, all unanswered or to voicemail. Five unanswered calls from Ms O'Hara's iPhone were also recorded. The trial, before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury, continues with Mr Dwyer (42) charged with murdering 36‑year‑old Elaine O'Hara on 22 August 2012. The State alleges he stabbed her for sexual gratification. The case remains in the Central Criminal Court.
During the 28th day of the murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, evidence was presented that Graham Dwyer, aged 42, sent 847 text messages to Elaine O'Hara between January 2008 and December 2009, including 53 on a single day. Garda Paul Kane testified that he analysed Dwyer's work‑phone bills and confirmed the volume of messages, though the content remained unknown. A call from Dwyer to O'Hara's message minder was also identified. Additionally, a crime analyst, Sarah Skedd, used toll‑booth and mobile‑tower records to trace a mobile phone and a vehicle, concluding that Dwyer owned the car that travelled from Galway to Dublin on 4 July 2012. The trial also heard from a friend of O'Hara, who described her personal struggles and relationships, and noted that O'Hara was last seen on the evening of 22 August 2012, after being discharged from a mental‑health hospital.
The Central Criminal Court jury heard technical evidence on the 27th day of the trial of Graham Dwyer, who is charged with murdering Elaine O'Hara at Killakee, Rathfarnham on 22nd August 2012. Mr Dwyer, aged 42, has pleaded not guilty to the charge. Witnesses including telecommunications engineers provided detailed mobile phone records and data covering periods before and after the alleged offence. The court also heard from a woman who had engaged Mr Dwyer's architectural services in County Galway in 2009, and from witnesses who placed him at various locations during July 2012. A Ballyshannon hotel proprietor testified to his movements that month. The State's case is that the killing occurred hours after Ms O'Hara's discharge from a mental health facility. Her remains were discovered at Killakee in September 2013. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of five women and seven men.
In the 27th day of Graham Dwyer's trial, forensic evidence showed his semen and Elaine O'Hara's blood on her mattress, with DNA profiles matching Dwyer in three stains and O'Hara in two. Blood on the mattress and a bean‑bag cover also matched O'Hara. No semen was found on a black dress or inside a gas mask, and a rope from the apartment contained mixed DNA from two people. A spade near O'Hara's remains had no blood or semen, though partial DNA from at least two people was detected. Paint on the spade did not chemically match paint from Dwyer's shed or fence. The trial also heard about mobile phone data and the last sighting of O'Hara on 22 August 2012, with her remains found in Killakee on 13 September 2013. The State alleges Dwyer stabbed O'Hara for sexual gratification.
In the Graham Dwyer trial, a forensic scientist presented evidence that the paint on a spade found near Elaine O'Hara's remains was not a chemical match to paint found in Dwyer's shed. The spade, which Dwyer's wife said she recognised as missing from their garden, was examined for paint, protector and a fence piece from Dwyer's garden. The scientist noted that the paint on the spade appeared as dried‑on droplets and that microscopic examination showed similarities to paint from Kerrymount Close, but chemical composition tests revealed differences, concluding the paints did not match. The evidence was delivered on the 25th day of the trial at the Central Criminal Court, with Dwyer, a 42‑year‑old father of three, charged with the murder of 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara on 22 August 2012, hours after she was discharged from a mental health hospital.
During the 25th day of Graham Dwyer's murder trial, his wife Gemma Dwyer testified that the spade found near Elaine O'Hara's remains was the same spade she had noticed missing from their garden. She described how the spade had been used to clear a neighbour's dog's droppings and had been absent during the summer of 2013, after which she had used a plastic spade. Dwyer also recalled receiving a letter from her husband in which he referred to Ms O'Hara as "that awful girl." She provided details of their life together, including their children, their home in Foxrock, and her husband's interests in model aeroplanes, cars, and computers. The court heard that the spade was a True Temper Homeowner model, forged in Cork before 2009, and that the Gardaí had not taken the spade to the search. The trial continued before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury.
Charles Dillon, 33, was found guilty by a jury of assault causing harm to Polish national Piotr Kozub, 59, after an incident at the Castle Inn Pub in Rathfarnham on 13 December 2008. Dillon, a father of six, had pleaded not guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Desmond Hogan imposed a three‑year jail sentence but suspended it, requiring Dillon to keep the peace for two years and complete 240 hours of community work. The judge noted Dillon's awareness of the consequences of his actions and his previous convictions for public order offences. Kozub suffered severe personal injuries, including black eyes, broken teeth, and required five weeks off work and dental surgery in Poland. Dillon's brother, who ran the karaoke that night, was also involved in the altercation. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.