A survivor of the Stardust nightclub fire, Jimmy Fitzpatrick, was left aghast after learning the government plans to compensate injured survivors with a flat fee of €20,000, limited to those who participated in a 1985 tribunal. Fitzpatrick, who suffered catastrophic burns in the 1981 fire, has campaigned for justice for over 40 years. His lawyers sought a judicial review of the payment scheme, arguing it was introduced without consultation with survivors. The government had previously committed to a tailored redress scheme for injured survivors, but the new plan excludes many. Fitzpatrick's legal team emphasized the exclusionary nature of the eligibility criteria and the lack of engagement with survivors. The High Court granted leave for a judicial review, with the matter adjourned to November. Fitzpatrick recounted the fire, describing the chaos and the loss of friends. He recalled seeing a bouncer with a fire extinguisher and the fire spreading rapidly. He was severely burned and had to be rescued by an unknown man. The case highlights the ongoing struggle for justice and redress for survivors of the Stardust tragedy.
A Bulgarian national, Elizaveta Vasileva, stole €11,000 from a heavily pregnant woman just one week after arriving in Ireland. The victim had withdrawn the money to fund the birth of her child in Romania. Vasileva followed the woman out of the bank and stole the envelope containing the cash. Passersby intervened, leading to Vasileva's citizen's arrest. She claimed she found the envelope on the floor and intended to return it. Vasileva pleaded guilty to theft and was sentenced to nine months in prison. The court acknowledged her guilty plea and the mitigating factors, including her psychological difficulties and the fact that she was a foreign national. The victim suffered a miscarriage and required hospitalization after the incident, which caused her significant stress.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeals against the sentences of Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney, who were convicted of facilitating the Hutch Criminal Organisation in the murder of David Byrne. Both men, who pleaded not guilty, acted as getaway drivers during the 2016 Regency Hotel attack. Mr Justice John Edwards found their roles "far from peripheral" and upheld the Special Criminal Court's 10-year headline sentences. Bonney, who has no previous convictions, received an 18-month mitigation discount, resulting in an effective sentence of eight-and-a-half years. Murphy, who has 67 previous convictions, received a one-year discount, resulting in a nine-year sentence. The judge rejected arguments that their culpability was lower than that of Jonathan Dowdall, who was sentenced to four years for facilitating the gang by providing a room. Dowdall had originally faced murder charges but admitted to the lesser offence. The Court of Appeal noted that the primary sentencing rationales were retribution and deterrence, given the high level of criminality and the threat posed by the Hutch organisation to the rule of law.
Michael Geoghegan, a man with a long history of criminal convictions, was jailed for five years after attempting to rob a bookies and two supermarkets. He dropped his phone and €200 at the scenes of the crimes. Geoghegan pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at Boyle Sports and two counts of robbery at Lidl. He had a debt of €7,000 and committed the offences to pay it off. His defence argued that he did not intend to hurt anyone and that the weapon used was an airsoft gun. The court heard that the offences were terrifying for the victims, who believed the weapon was real. Geoghegan's mother wrote a letter stating that he has changed since being in custody and is on a methadone reduction programme. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a headline sentence of eight years, but suspended the final year with conditions, including probation and addiction services.
Jason Bonney and Paul Murphy, convicted of facilitating the murder of David Byrne during the 2016 Regency Hotel attack, are appealing their prison sentences at the Court of Appeal. Both men, who pleaded not guilty and were convicted by the Special Criminal Court, argued their sentences were excessive. Bonney, sentenced to eight-and-a-half years, and Murphy, jailed for nine years, had their bids to overturn convictions dismissed in November. Counsel for Bonney highlighted his unblemished record and argued his involvement was less significant than that of Jonathan Dowdall, who received a headline sentence of eight years for facilitating the Hutch gang. Dowdall was later sentenced to four years imprisonment in October 2022. Counsel for Murphy contended his role was peripheral and he lacked knowledge of the attack's seriousness. The State argued the appellants were integral to a serious criminal endeavour. Appeal judge Mr Justice John Edwards noted that prosocial contributions offer only modest mitigation and that the gravity of the offense mandated significant custody. He stated the court would deliver its judgment on July 3. The matter remains at the appeal stage, with the final decision pending.
Mark Salmon (33), a drug dealer, was jailed for ten years for making threats to kill and damage property, as well as possessing cocaine and proceeds of crime. Salmon threatened a mother that he would get 'junkies' to rape her son if she failed to repay a €157,000 debt. Presiding judge Mr Justice Patrick McGrath noted the severity of the threats and Salmon's role in the drug trade. Salmon had pleaded guilty to the charges and the court considered mitigating factors such as his early guilty plea and efforts at rehabilitation. The court also noted that Salmon had previously been involved in criminal activities and had a history of intimidation. The victim's mother had to leave her home and her son fled the country due to fear. Salmon was also found in possession of €35,000 worth of cocaine and had unexplained income from criminal activities. The court ordered the forfeiture of cash and the destruction of the drugs seized.
At the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on May 11th, 2026, a 33-year-old man from West Dublin pleaded guilty to drug possession, money laundering and making threats to kill. Mark Salmon has admitted possessing cocaine valued at €35,280 near Carrick-on-Shannon in March 2024 and acquiring criminal proceeds totalling approximately €84,000 across 2022 and 2023. The court heard evidence that Salmon intimidated two families over alleged drug debts, threatening one mother that he would have her son raped by "junkies" and shot. He also threatened to drive over the young man and put a bullet in his head. A second victim suffered financial loss and psychological harm after her son fled to England fearing for his safety. The three-judge panel, led by Mr Justice Patrick McGrath, adjourned sentencing to June 15th. Defence counsel argued for leniency based on guilty pleas and expressions of remorse.
Clayton McLoughlin, 19, of Ballymun, Dublin 11, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assault causing harm. He pleaded guilty to acting as a lookout during an attack at the Applegreen Service Station in Santry on September 28, 2024. The court heard that McLoughlin, then 17, stood at the door holding a hockey stick while a co-accused, who remains at large, assaulted the victim with a hurley. The victim sustained a concussion, serious eye swelling, and permanent hearing loss. Judge Jonathan Dunphy noted that while McLoughlin did not inflict the injury, he was charged on the basis of joint enterprise and armed himself, limiting the victim's chance of escape. The judge described the incident as a planned, cowardly attack linked to a drug debt, which subsequently sparked a local feud. Aggravating factors included McLoughlin's failure to assist the convulsing victim and his subsequent flight from the jurisdiction, for which he was later remanded in custody. Mitigating factors included his early guilty plea, his age at the time of the offense, and his self-reported detoxification. Judge Dunphy imposed a sentence of four years and six months, with the final 18 months suspended on strict conditions for two years. The sentence was backdated to October 2025, when McLoughlin entered custody.
A woman who drove over a cyclist, leaving him "tortured" by the sound of his breaking bones, has been given a fully suspended sentence. Izabella Aleksandrowicz, 50, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm to Andrew Brett in December 2023. Brett, an experienced marathon runner, suffered internal injuries, a fractured pelvis, and was left unable to return to competitive running. He described the accident as the worst day of his life and said he was "tortured" by the sound of his bones breaking. Aleksandrowicz, who remained at the scene and had no prior convictions, was given a 12-month suspended sentence and a two-year driving ban. Judge Orla Crowe acknowledged the devastating impact on Brett and his family but noted Aleksandrowicz's remorse and low risk of re-offending. Brett's victim impact statement highlighted the life-changing effects of the accident, including ongoing physical and emotional trauma.
Mirons Nekrasovs, 21, of Swords, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to one count of money laundering and one count of possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). The court heard that Nekrasovs, who had no previous convictions, was allegedly coerced by an international organised crime group into allowing his bank account to be used to extort €24,000 from 15 victims, aged 18 to 24, between November 2023 and July 2024. Prosecutors stated that CSAM was found on his devices during a search, though defence counsel argued the material was not distributed and that Nekrasovs was himself a victim of sextortion. Judge Jonathan Dunphy rejected a request for Section 100 treatment, citing the seriousness of the offences, particularly the exploitation of a child. He imposed a global sentence of two and a half years, suspended in full on strict conditions for three years. Nekrasovs was directed to place himself under probation supervision for three years. The judge also declined the defence application to anonymise the defendant, allowing his identity to be reported.
Andrew Connor avoided prison after Dublin Circuit Criminal Court suspended a six-year sentence in full for possessing cannabis for sale or supply. The judge treated his extensive and complex health problems as exceptional, while noting the value of the drugs was aggravating.
Kelsey Peyton, 24, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to assisting an offender. The court heard that on November 27, 2024, she was driving a vehicle containing 14kg of cocaine, valued at almost €1 million, which was concealed in a hidden compartment. Prosecution stated she had recently begun a relationship with Shane Mulvey, who was jailed for eight years last June after pleading guilty to possessing drugs for sale or supply, possessing proceeds of crime, and possessing an article in connection with a crime. Jamie Malone, 23, who drove the van used in the transaction, received a suspended three-year prison sentence last December after pleading guilty to having drugs for sale or supply in Swords. Judge Jonathan Dunphy described Peyton as a "somewhat naïve and immature defendant" who acted recklessly. He imposed a sentence of 12 months, suspended in full on strict conditions. These conditions require Peyton to make a €1,000 donation to Merchant's Quay within six months to assist those suffering with addiction difficulties. The judge noted she is at low risk of re-offending and considered her remorse and lack of previous convictions.
Raymond Ariwi was sentenced to six months in prison after a jury convicted him of engaging in offensive conduct of a sexual nature. The case concerned an incident in which he followed a woman after she got off a Luas and offered her money for sex. Raymond Ariwi pleaded not guilty.
Brandon Gavin's appeal against his murder conviction was heard before the Court of Appeal, where his legal team argued that evidence of his Tinder activity and messages to a third party was prejudicial and inadmissible. Gavin, of Swords, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Marius Mamaliga (19) at Forest Court, Swords, on February 23, 2023, but was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury in November 2024. He was subsequently sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon. The defence contended that the admitted material cast Gavin in an unfavourable light and suggested a propensity for criminal conduct unrelated to the charged offence. Conversely, the State argued the evidence was probative in refuting Gavin's claim of self-defence, which he alleged was necessitated by a €2,500 drug debt and threats from the deceased. The prosecution maintained the killing was premeditated, noting Gavin searched for prison sentences for murder the day prior and interacted with Tinder minutes before the attack. The trial jury had unanimously rejected the self-defence argument as "self-serving nonsense." The three-judge appeal panel, presided over by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, reserved judgment on the matter, meaning the appeal has not yet been concluded.
A man and his cousin are to be assessed for community service after pleading guilty to participating in a prolonged and unusual fraud that began 11 years ago. Simon O'Donnell (43) of Swords, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to providing false information in a passport application in 2019. His cousin Winnie O'Donnell (59) of Dublin 22 pleaded guilty to providing false information to the Civil Registration Service in 2011. The pair attempted to create a fictitious identity by registering the birth of a 'David O'Donnell' in 1980, with Winnie falsely claiming to be his aunt. The birth certificate was later used in a passport application that was stopped by biometric safeguards. Simon admitted the fraud was to obtain social welfare to pay off people threatening him due to a feud. Winnie admitted there was no such person as 'David O'Donnell' but did not dispute the signature on the form. The court heard that Simon had no previous convictions for deception offences, while Winnie had eight summary convictions for theft and fraud.
Simon O'Donnell and his cousin Winnie O'Donnell were involved in a prolonged and unusual fraud attempt that began 11 years ago. They created a fictitious identity to claim social welfare benefits. Simon pleaded guilty to providing false information in a passport application in 2019, while Winnie pleaded guilty to providing false information to the Civil Registration Service in 2011. The court heard that they registered the birth of a fictitious person named 'David O'Donnell' and submitted the birth certificate as part of the passport application. The passport application was stopped due to biometric safeguards, leading to an investigation. Simon claimed he did it to obtain social welfare to pay off people threatening him due to a feud. Winnie admitted there was no such person as 'David O'Donnell' but did not dispute that the signature on the form looked like hers. The court heard that the fraud was a bet to see if they could be successful in submitting the application. Both defendants expressed remorse and asked the court to consider non-custodial sentences.
Izabella Aleksandrowicz, a 50-year-old woman from Swords, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm after she ran over Andrew Brett, a cyclist, in Dublin City Centre. Brett, an experienced marathon runner, was crushed by the front and rear wheels of Aleksandrowicz's SUV as she made an illegal right-hand turn. He suffered severe injuries, including damage to his liver, internal bleeding, and a fractured pelvis. Brett described the accident as the worst day of his life and said he is still tortured by the sound of his breaking bones. He stated that the accident had a monumental impact on him and his family, changing his life forever. Aleksandrowicz remained at the scene and had a full Polish driving license with no alcohol or drugs in her system. The court heard that the road conditions were good and there were no obstructions. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the case for sentencing and ordered a report from The Probation Service. Aleksandrowicz expressed her sincere apology and said she has been suffering from anxiety since the accident.
Patrick Skipton (42) was jailed for seven years after being found guilty of demanding money with menace and harassment. He initially demanded €50,000 from a victim who had held money for him during the pandemic, which he spent on drugs. The victim, with help from family, paid the amount. Later, Skipton harassed the victim again, demanding €40,000. The victim, who had since become clean and was working, was pressured to sell his car. Skipton's associate collected €6,230 from the sale, and the victim was ordered to take out a loan. However, the victim alerted gardaí, leading to Skipton's arrest. Skipton has a history of drug use and multiple convictions. He expressed remorse and is now clean. The judge noted the victim impact statement, which described the "reign of terror" inflicted by Skipton, and sentenced him to nine years, with two years suspended.
One of the getaway drivers involved in the Regency Hotel attack, during which Kinahan Cartel member David Byrne was killed, has suffered a stroke while in custody, a court has heard. Jason Bonney (55) and his co-accused Paul Murphy (64) were tried alongside Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch in 2022. Hutch was acquitted of the murder, but Bonney and Murphy were convicted of facilitating the murder by the rival Hutch criminal organisation. Their appeals against the convictions were dismissed in November, and they planned to appeal their sentences. Their cases were listed before the Court of Appeal, but Bonney's barrister informed the court that he had suffered a stroke in custody and requested a medical report from his treating consultant. Murphy's barrister stated that both men have been in custody since April 2023 and that their legal teams are seeking a hearing date for their sentence appeals. Ms Justice Caroline Costello noted that if Bonney's stroke was relevant to the case, information from the treating doctor was needed. Paul Murphy pleaded not guilty.
A man with a brain injury from a meat cleaver attack, Wayne McCauley, has been jailed for 18 months for assaulting his mother by bending her finger until it broke. McCauley, 31, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after a row with his mother, who was 63 at the time. The court was told that McCauley grabbed his mother's hand and bent her finger until it cracked, resulting in a fractured metatarsal. He was arrested and made full admissions, stating he was coming down from drugs at the time. McCauley has a long history of previous convictions, predominantly for public order and attempted robberies. His defense highlighted his brain injury and inability to deal with stress, but Judge Martin Nolan noted his long history of offending and sentenced him to 18 months. The judge acknowledged McCauley's remorse but emphasized the cruelty of the act towards his mother. The suspended sentence was given with the hope that McCauley would not hurt his mother again.
Jamie Malone, 23, of Swords, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to having drugs for sale or supply on November 27, 2024. Judge Martin Nolan suspended a three-year prison sentence in full, imposing conditions that Malone keep the peace and be of good behaviour. The court heard Malone was not the primary target of a National Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau operation targeting Shane Mulvey, 26, of Shankill. Mulvey, who was jailed for eight years last June, pleaded guilty to possessing drugs for sale or supply, possessing the proceeds of crime, and possessing an article in connection with a crime. During the surveillance, Mulvey was observed handing one kilogram of cocaine to Malone in a Swords car park. The drugs were later discovered in a hidden compartment in Malone's vehicle, which had a street value of approximately €72,000. Prosecutors noted that Mulvey's apartment contained further drugs and €66,700 in cash, with total seized drugs valued at €2.6 million. In mitigation for Malone, his counsel highlighted his youth, guilty plea, 12 weeks of rehabilitation, and clean urine analysis. The judge considered these factors alongside Malone's statement that he was forced to transport the drugs due to a debt.
Career criminal Robert 'Roo' Redmond has lost his appeal against his conviction for the murder of Barry Wolverson. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice Brian O'Moore, dismissed the bid, ruling that there was no risk of contamination to a North Face jacket containing gunshot residue that strongly supported Redmond's position as the shooter. Redmond, of Kilbarrack, Dublin 5, is serving life imprisonment for the 2020 murder of Wolverson, a father-of-eight, at Madigan's Yard, Swords. He had denied the charge. His co-accused, Bernard Fogarty, of Coolock, Dublin 5, was also sentenced to life imprisonment for the same murder. Redmond's legal team argued the jacket evidence should have been excluded due to improper storage by gardaí, claiming potential contamination. However, the court accepted the Director of Public Prosecutions' submission that the contamination argument was speculative. Mr Justice O'Moore noted that forensic evidence indicated the jacket's wearer was the shooter, a finding not directly disputed during cross-examination. The court found no error by the Special Criminal Court and confirmed adequate evidence placed Redmond at the scene. The appeal was dismissed in its entirety.
Adrienne Doyle, a mother-of-two, is challenging Bristol Myers Squibb's attempt to claw back parental leave payments she received in error. The tribunal heard that the company's eligibility criteria for enhanced parental leave was not communicated to Doyle at the time of her application, leading to an overpayment. The company initially demanded she repay €20,800 within three months, a request Doyle found unreasonable. The company later revised the amount to €2,000 less but still seeks repayment. Doyle argues that the company's failure to disclose the criteria constituted an error, and she is seeking a ruling that the payments were properly made. The tribunal is considering whether the company's actions were justified and whether the repayment demands are excessive. The case highlights the importance of clear communication of company policies to employees.
The Court of Appeal has upheld the convictions of Jason Bonney, aged 55, and Paul Murphy, aged 64, who were found guilty of acting as getaway drivers during the 2016 Regency Hotel attack in Dublin, in which Kinahan Cartel member David Byrne was killed. Mr Justice John Edwards dismissed all grounds of appeal advanced by both men, finding the evidence presented to the Special Criminal Court was capable of supporting the convictions. The judge rejected contentions that CCTV footage was insufficiently reliable to identify the vehicles involved and that the men lacked knowledge of the Hutch criminal organisation. He also dismissed arguments that pre-arrest interviews should have been ruled inadmissible. Murphy, from Swords, County Dublin, was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment, while Bonney, from Portmarnock, Dublin, received eight and a half years. Both men indicated they will proceed with separate appeals against their sentences. Paul Murphy pleaded not guilty and was acquitted.
In February 2024, Jason Cerfas, aged 23, was removed from Swords Courthouse after verbally abusing another man, leading to charges of threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour and failing to comply with a garda's direction under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. He was convicted on both counts and sentenced to two months and five months in custody, to be served concurrently. Cerfas appealed, arguing the sentence was too severe. The District Court Appeals Court, hearing the appeal, noted that Cerfas had been directed to leave the courthouse multiple times and that his conduct had "no difficulty tearing down the court system." Judge Jonathan Dunphy, after considering the appeal, suspended the five‑month custodial sentence for two years, provided Cerfas keeps the peace and avoids further garda attention. The appeal did not alter the conviction or the concurrent nature of the sentences. The case remains at the appeal stage, with the suspended sentence in effect. Jason Cerfas pleaded not guilty.
Stelian Ciuciu, 32, was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for organising prostitution across Dublin by leasing eight properties as brothels. He posed as part of a couple with an escort, rented properties from unsuspecting landlords using false documents, and advertised them to escorts via a WhatsApp group of about 450 members. Ciuciu laundered roughly €320,000, which was used to pay rent and was held in cash. He pleaded guilty to 20 counts, including enhancing the ability of a criminal organisation, organising prostitution, brothel‑keeping, using false instruments and money laundering. The court noted he had no prior convictions, had family responsibilities, and had been well‑behaved in custody. The eight‑year sentence was back‑dated to his first custody in November 2023, and he forfeited seized cash to the State. No further charges were made against those who provided fake references.
Stelian Ciuciu, a 32‑year‑old brothel keeper described as stateless and of Roma origin, pleaded guilty to 20 counts including organising prostitution, brothel‑keeping, using false instruments and money laundering. He rented eight properties from unsuspecting landlords by posing as one half of a couple with an escort partner, using a WhatsApp group of about 450 members to advertise the premises. Ciuciu maintained the properties, advised escorts to remain discreet, and laundered roughly €320,000, mostly in cash, to pay rent. Gardaí discovered the scheme when landlords raised concerns, leading to investigations that uncovered brothels in the rented homes and cash deposits in Ciuciu's accounts. He was arrested in November 2023, and €11,000 in cash was seized. The court noted the maximum sentences for the offences range from five to 15 years, and the case was adjourned for finalisation.
Keith Macken, aged 44, was sentenced to nine years in prison for assaulting Lisa Lynch, a grandmother, with a wheel brace outside Dublin Airport. The attack left Lynch choking on her own blood, requiring emergency surgery to remove a ruptured spleen and resulting in serious injuries including a fractured rib, lacerated liver and spleen. Lynch suffered flashbacks and panic attacks, describing a changed relationship with men and a withdrawal from socialising. Macken had previously pleaded guilty to a burglary in Swords, for which he received an 18‑month sentence. The court imposed a total of 10½ years, nine years for the assault and 18 months for the burglary, to run consecutively. The case highlighted the severity of the assault and the impact on the victim's health and wellbeing. Keith Macken pleaded not guilty.
Shane Mulvey, 26, a former supermarket assistant manager, was arrested after Gardaí discovered over €2.6 million worth of drugs in his apartment and vehicle. Surveillance revealed him handing a kilo of cocaine to a contact at a Swords car park. A concealed unit in his car contained 14 kg of cocaine valued at about €1 million, and further cocaine, amphetamine, cannabis, MDMA, a mixing agent, a counting machine and other paraphernalia were found in his spare bedroom. €66,700 in cash was seized. Mulvey pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale, possession of proceeds of crime and possession of an article in connection with a crime. He received a headline sentence of 11 years, reduced to nine years with the final year suspended, backdated to his November 2024 arrest. The court noted his prior convictions, family background, apology, early guilty plea and rehabilitation efforts.
Sergiu Lupo, 39, pleaded guilty to 43 counts of theft, attempted theft and criminal damage for a three‑day spree of targeted ATM thefts in Dublin from 3 to 6 June 2019. He stole €7,260 and caused €7,147 in damage across 24 incidents at AIB ATMs in locations such as Artane, Stillorgan, Dundrum, Crumlin, Tallaght, Clondalkin, Rathfarnham, Finglas, Swords and Portmarnock. Lupo also assisted in a separate incident at Sutton Cross, where he watched two men withdraw cash and then drove them away. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to two years and six months' imprisonment, back‑dated to 15 November 2024, for the deliberate, organised nature of the offences and the significant financial loss and inconvenience caused to AIB and the public. The sentence reflects the aggravating factors of the scale of theft and damage, and the fact that Lupo fled and was extradited back to Ireland. He has no prior convictions in Ireland or elsewhere.
A 24‑year‑old man, Brian Ibe, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 65‑year‑old Peter Kennedy, a retired probation officer who had taken Ibe and his mother into his home after learning of their homelessness. The Central Criminal Court jury rejected Ibe's defence of not guilty by reason of insanity and convicted him of both the murder and an assault on Garda Brendan O'Donnell. Ibe was found to have schizophrenia by two psychiatrists, though a prosecution psychiatrist disagreed. The jury deliberated for just under seven hours and returned a unanimous guilty verdict. Justice Melanie Greally imposed a mandatory life sentence for the murder, back‑dated to Ibe's custody on 29 April 2020, and a 12‑month prison term for the assault on the Garda. The victim's sister delivered a moving impact statement describing Kennedy as a thoughtful, charitable and generous man who suffered a cruel and terrifying end.
Rachel Redmond, 35, appeared before the Central Criminal Court for sentencing after being convicted of attempting to impede the apprehension of Wayne Cooney, who was convicted of murdering Jordan Davis. Redmond pleaded not guilty at trial but now accepts the jury's verdict. Counsel Dominic McGinn SC described her actions as "naive" and driven by a relationship with Cooney, rather than deliberate criminal intent. He highlighted her solid work record, including roles as a beautician and in security, and noted she wrote an apology to the Davis family. The court heard that Redmond helped Cooney evade arrest by driving him from the scene of the May 2019 shooting in Darndale and arranging his stay at the Clayton Hotel. Mr Justice Paul Burns adjourned the matter to next Monday to deliver sentence. The report also notes that in April 2024, Redmond's brother, Robert "Roo" Redmond, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder Jordan Davis. Robert Redmond, a career criminal with 99 previous convictions, received a mandatory life sentence in 2022 for the murder of Barry Wolverson in Swords in 2020.
Three Romanian nationals – Marius Crisan (29), Codrin Manoli (26) and Calin Scintei (32) – pleaded guilty to a range of offences involving cash‑trapping devices used to steal money from AIB ATMs. Crisan was convicted of two counts of criminal damage, two counts of stealing cash, four counts of possessing cash‑trapping devices with intent to use them, and one count of participation in a criminal organisation. Manoli faced similar charges, with four counts of damage, four of stealing cash, two of possessing devices and one of organisational participation. Scintei was convicted of one count of damage, one of stealing cash and three of possessing devices. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced Scintei to three years' imprisonment back‑dated to July 2024, Manoli to three years with the final six months suspended for two years, and Crisan to a fully suspended three‑year sentence.
A Nigerian woman has been sentenced to three years' imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to making false statements to gardaí. The 34-year-old woman arrived at Store Street Garda Station in October 2019 claiming she had been trafficked to Ireland and forced into prostitution. Over subsequent months, she provided five statements detailing her alleged captivity in Balbriggan. Gardaí conducted an extensive investigation spanning hundreds of hours, including searches of the area and CCTV analysis. Investigation ultimately revealed the account was fabricated. Handwriting experts linked documentation found in her hostel accommodation and a discovered diary to the woman. Evidence from bank records and CCTV footage contradicted her narrative. The woman, previously resident in Carrickmacross, Monaghan, pleaded guilty to three counts of knowingly making false statements between October 2019 and December 2020. Judge Ronan Munro described her actions as premeditated and calculated, noting they diverted resources from genuine victims and undermined legitimate trafficking complaints.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court convicted 23‑year‑old Brian Ibe of murdering 65‑year‑old Peter Kennedy and assaulting Garda Brendan O'Donnell. Ibe had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to both charges. The jury found him guilty after deliberating for just under seven hours. The trial described how Kennedy had taken Ibe and his mother into his home after learning of their homelessness, and how Ibe had allegedly stabbed Kennedy with a knife while Kennedy was in his bedroom. Ibe's defence presented psychiatric evidence that he suffered from schizophrenia and was psychotic at the time of the assault, while the prosecution argued he had a dissocial personality disorder and that his actions were goal‑directed. The judge, Justice Melanie Greally, instructed the jury to apply healthy skepticism to expert testimony. Ibe remains remanded in custody awaiting sentencing, where he faces a mandatory life sentence.
Egidijus Stasaitis, 41, of Mount Drynam Avenue, Kinsealy, Swords, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious harm after illegally turning across a junction at Pinnock Hill on 25 September 2023. He struck a motorcyclist who suffered a broken pelvis, wrist, ankle and finger, and was still in rehabilitation two and a half months later. Stasaitis was travelling from the opposite direction, made an illegal right turn across a double white line in a 60 km/h zone, and hit the rider who had entered the bus lane. CCTV showed Stasaitis's BMW was written off. Garda Mark Gandola, who witnessed the crash, testified that the rider was travelling at excessive speed and that Stasaitis had no intoxication. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged the rider's serious injuries and Stasaitis's lack of prior convictions, noting his temporary lapse of judgement. He imposed a 20‑month sentence, suspended in full on strict conditions. The court did not hear the speeds of either party.
The trial of Brian Ibe, 23, accused of murdering Peter Kennedy, a 65-year-old 'Good Samaritan', is ongoing before Ms Justice Melanie Greally. Ibe has pleaded not guilty to murder by reason of insanity and not guilty by reason of insanity to a charge of assault causing harm to Garda Brendan O'Donnell. The defence, led by Conor Devally SC, argued that Ibe was suffering from schizophrenic psychosis at the time of the alleged offence, citing evidence from two psychiatrists. Conversely, the prosecution, represented by Paul Carroll SC, presented Dr Mary Davoren, who diagnosed Ibe with a dis-social personality disorder and contended he understood the nature of his actions. The jury heard conflicting expert opinions regarding Ibe's mental state, with the defence highlighting prior behavioural evidence of psychosis and the prosecution pointing to deliberate, complex actions such as taking a taxi to the scene. The matter remains at the trial stage, with the judge set to begin her charge to the jury on Monday. No verdict, sentence, or finalisation has been recorded; the case is currently awaiting the jury's decision.
Paul McGrath, 66, of Dublin 1, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for laundering nearly €150,000 in crime cash. He pleaded guilty to concealing the source of property, knowing it was proceeds of crime, at the Coachman Inn on 4 October 2024. Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau had received confidential information about a man suspected of receiving large sums from criminal gangs and laundering them for a fee. McGrath met the third party at the Inn, handed a plastic bag containing €146,950 to the other man, and was later stopped by Gardaí. A hidden compartment in his Volkswagen Passat, opened with an electronic fob, was found to contain the cash. Two phones were seized from McGrath's vehicle and 17 unused phones from his home; Gardaí believed they were used for criminality. McGrath, who has 42 prior convictions, claimed he owed money for an "ounce of green" and had a dependency on alcohol and cannabis.
In a trial held in Dublin, Deirdre Arnold, a 42‑year‑old HSE addiction counsellor, is charged with assisting Brian McHugh, who murdered a mother‑of‑two, by driving him away from the scene of Lisa Thompson's murder on 9 May 2022 and later checking him into a hotel. The prosecution argues that Arnold knowingly helped McHugh evade arrest, citing her presence at the victim's home, her fingerprints on a jewellery valuation certificate, and text messages sent to McHugh after the murder. Arnold's defence contends that the prosecution has not proven she knew McHugh had committed murder and that she was merely a reluctant driver. She maintains that she was fearful of being strangled and that McHugh was the one in control of the vehicle. The case is before Mr Justice Patrick McGrath with a jury of eleven, and Arnold has pleaded not guilty to both counts of aiding and abetting and perverting the course of justice.
During the trial, a 42‑year‑old HSE drugs addiction counsellor, Deirdre Arnold, was questioned by Gardaí about her fingerprint on a jewellery valuation certificate linked to the murder victim, Lisa Thompson. Arnold made no reply when asked to account for the certificate, which was found in a silver Hyundai Tucson registered to her, and also when asked about her fingerprint on the document. She was also asked to explain her presence at Sandyhill Gardens in Ballymun on 9 May 2022, at an Applegreen filling station in Swords on the same night, and her presence in the vehicle on 17 May 2022, but she again made no comment. The prosecution alleged that Arnold acted to impede the apprehension of Brian McHugh, the murderer, and to pervert the course of justice. She pleaded not guilty to both charges. The case was set to continue before Mr Justice Patrick McGrath and a jury.
Rachel Redmond, 34, was found guilty by a jury of impeding the Garda investigation into the murder of drug dealer Jordan 'Jordo' Davis. The jury heard that Redmond collected the shooter, Wayne Cooney, from a bus stop minutes after he killed Davis and later checked him into the Clayton Hotel near Dublin Airport. Redmond denied knowing Cooney had committed murder, claiming she was unaware of his criminality and that she had only helped him because she loved him. The prosecution described her testimony as "risible" and argued that she knowingly obstructed the investigation. The judge remanded Redmond in custody pending a sentencing hearing on 12 May. No other charges or outcomes were reported in this article.
A 42‑year‑old woman, Deirdre Arnold, has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court on charges of being the get‑away driver for Brian McHugh, the murderer of Lisa Thompson. The prosecution alleges that Arnold drove McHugh to Thompson's home in Ballymun, waited for over an hour, then drove him away and later helped him evade prosecution by arranging accommodation and disposing of evidence. Witnesses will testify that Arnold's car was used to transport items taken from Thompson's house and that fingerprints on a jewellery valuation certificate linked to Thompson were found on Arnold's vehicle. Arnold is charged with two counts: one for impeding the apprehension or prosecution of McHugh, and another for attempting to pervert the course of public justice. She has pleaded not guilty to both counts. The trial will continue tomorrow before Mr Justice Patrick McGrath and a jury.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 65‑year‑old man named Peter Kennedy testified that he was terrified of a teenager, Brian Ibe, who had moved into his home. Kennedy said Ibe demanded money, threatened to kill him, and said he would "slit his throat." Witnesses, including Rita Swords, described Ibe as homeless and mentally unstable, and said he had repeatedly demanded money from Kennedy. Kennedy also alleged that Ibe threatened to stab him on at least one occasion. Ibe has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of Kennedy and to assaulting a Garda. The trial, presided over by Justice Melanie Greally, continues next Tuesday with a jury of twelve.
Badruzzaman Masum, a 47-year-old taxi driver from Swords, Co Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for the sexual assault of an 18-year-old passenger. Masum pleaded guilty to the charge, which relates to an incident on November 27, 2024. Prosecution evidence presented by Garda Ciara Ryan alleged that Masum touched the victim's thigh, made crude sexual comments, and roughly groped her breast as she exited the vehicle. The victim had ordered the taxi via an app, and Masum was identified through CCTV and app analysis. Although Masum made no admissions during his interview, he has expressed remorse and has not worked as a taxi driver since entering his plea. Judge Patricia Ryan noted the significant breach of trust and the victim's young age as aggravating factors, while acknowledging Masum's lack of previous convictions. The court imposed a two-year custodial sentence. Additionally, Masum was ordered to be placed on the sex offender's register. The matter was finalised with this sentence.
Brian McHugh, 40, of Ballymun, Dublin 11, was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of murdering Lisa Thompson, 52, at Sandyhill Gardens on May 9, 2022. McHugh had pleaded not guilty to the charge. The jury, which deliberated for three hours and 24 minutes, unanimously rejected the defence argument that the killing involved "overkill" and that Thompson was a "woman of secrets." The prosecution presented circumstantial evidence, including CCTV footage placing McHugh near the victim's home, DNA on a blind cord used to strangle her, and jewellery found at his address matching items linked to Thompson. The court also heard evidence regarding text messages sent by a named woman to McHugh referencing the method of killing. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor thanked the jury and excused them from service for five years. She offered condolences to the Thompson family. The matter was adjourned; Ms Justice O'Connor will hand down the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment to McHugh on March 10. McHugh has been remanded in custody until that date, when the family will have the opportunity to make a statement. A prior pre-trial ruling excluding recognition evidence was overturned by the Court of Appeal, allowing that evidence to be considered at trial.
In a trial for the murder of Lisa Thompson, 52, the defence argued that the case was more complex than the prosecution's narrative suggested. They highlighted that Thompson had been involved in selling prescription tablets, with 24,500 tablets found in her attic, and that she had a brief relationship with the accused, Brian McHugh, 40, the year before her death. The defence questioned the reliability of identification evidence, the timing of CCTV footage, and the credibility of witness statements, including those of neighbour Sandra McMahon and Joan Lundy. They also pointed to text messages from a woman who claimed insider knowledge of Thompson's death, and to DNA found on a blind cord wrapped around Thompson's neck, which McHugh could not satisfactorily explain. The defence maintained that the prosecution had not proven guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and urged an acquittal. The trial was set to continue before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury. Brian McHugh pleaded not guilty.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, Brian McHugh, 40, denied murdering Lisa Thompson, 52, who was found stabbed 11 times in the chest with a blind cord wrapped around her neck. McHugh claimed he had been "in and out" of Thompson's Ballymun home for the last three years, a statement he repeated when asked to explain the presence of his DNA on the cord and on jewellery seized from his Cairn Court residence. Forensic evidence showed a mixed DNA profile on the cord that could not exclude McHugh as a minor contributor, and DNA from the jewellery matched Thompson's. The prosecution also presented evidence that Thompson had been dealing prescription drugs and that she and McHugh had a brief affair the year before her death. McHugh pleaded not guilty and the trial continues before Ms Justice Karen O'Connor with a jury of four men and eight women.
The Central Criminal Court heard that Brian McHugh, 40, allegedly tried to sell jewellery linked to Lisa Thompson, 52, to a cashier at an Applegreen service station in Swords on the night of Thompson's murder. The cashier, Staven Kadar, described McHugh as having dove tattoos, a sinister vibe, and offering a gem‑ring and other bands for €800, claiming they were worth €3,000. CCTV showed a Hyundai Tucson driven by a woman and McHugh into the station at 3:04 am on 9 May 2022. Garda searches recovered Thompson's house keys and medication from the wasteland beside the station, and jewellery from McHugh's bedroom. McHugh pleaded not guilty to Thompson's murder. The trial focused on these alleged attempts to sell the jewellery and the recovered items.
The trial heard that the accused, Brian McHugh, 40, was identified on CCTV footage near Lisa Thompson's home by two Gardaí who noted his large stature, protruding ears and distinctive gait. A Detective Inspector denied that the identification process lacked impartiality. The jury was told that McHugh and Thompson had a brief relationship the year before her death. Gardaí found thousands of prescription tablets worth nearly €50,000 in Thompson's attic. McHugh, who lives at Cairn Court, Poppintree, Ballymun, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thompson, 52, at Sandyhill Gardens on 9 May 2022. Evidence described Thompson's body with multiple stab wounds and a cord strangulation, and a mixed DNA profile on the cord. The trial continues before Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury.
The jury in the trial of Brian McHugh, a 40‑year‑old man, continues to view a CCTV montage that the prosecution says shows McHugh's movements after the killing of Lisa Thompson, aged 52, on 9 May 2022. McHugh, who lives in Ballymun, has pleaded not guilty to the murder. In his opening speech, counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Fiona Murphy SC, described Thompson's body as found inside her home with multiple stab wounds to the chest and a blind cord wrapped around her neck, and said a mixed DNA profile was found on the cord that could not exclude McHugh as a minor contributor. The prosecution has presented witness evidence that Thompson was dealing prescription drugs from her home and that her death was caused by a combination of ligature strangulation and multiple stab wounds.