In a High Court trial-stage proceeding, Mr Justice Charles Meenan granted ex-parte leave to three applicants to challenge their exclusion from the State compensation scheme. The applicants, Anthony Duff, Ian Dunne, and Mark McNevin, are alleged to have been victims of serious assaults in 2004, 2008, and 2018, respectively. They claim the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal unlawfully refused their applications because they were submitted outside the allowed time limit. The applicants argue that changes to the scheme in April 2021, which introduced an absolute two-year limit, constitute a retrospective and unlawful interference with their rights. They seek orders quashing the refusals and declarations that the Tribunal breached fair procedures and natural justice. The judge requested that counsel identify one or two lead actions to determine all issues and save court time. Counsel agreed that hearing a lead action was the best approach. The matters were all adjourned to a date in early February.
Ioan Lingurar, 35, was sentenced to 17½ years' imprisonment for two separate rape and false‑imprisonment offences that occurred three years apart. In 2016 he raped a woman who woke up in his car, was locked inside and could not escape until later that night. In 2019 he again assaulted a woman in a car, who managed to escape after grabbing the wheel and punching him. DNA from both incidents matched Lingurar's pre‑existing profile from Austria. He had previously been convicted of sexual assault in France (2011) and had other convictions in Ireland. The judge, Ms Justice Tara Burns, noted the offences were aggravated by the victims' isolation, the taking of their phones, and Lingurar's prior convictions. The sentences run consecutively, giving an effective custodial term of 17½ years. The victims' impact statements described lasting psychological harm and fear of strangers. The court did not consider any future outcomes beyond the sentencing. The unnamed woman pleaded guilty.
Alan Ward, aged 54, was found guilty by a unanimous jury of murdering his wife Catherine Ward, aged 41, by stabbing her to death in their Dublin home on 1 March 2019. Ward had claimed that a stroke he suffered in 2017 had substantially diminished his responsibility, but the jury rejected this defence after a little over seven hours of deliberation. The prosecution argued that Ward's behaviour was better explained by intoxication, noting he had drunk a large quantity of vodka before assaulting his wife, and cited his history of violence, including a 2000 conviction for assaulting his wife. Ward was also found guilty by a 10‑to‑1 majority of threatening to kill or cause serious harm to his son Adam Ward and of attempting to stab Adam on the same date. Alan Ward pleaded not guilty.
Jonathan Kearns, 24, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply at his Tallaght home on 13 March 2020. Gardaí executed a search warrant, finding 437 g of cannabis in a Tesco bag and a weighing scale. Kearns, who was not present during the search, later admitted the drugs were his and claimed he was forced to hold them to pay a drug debt. The court noted the high value of the drugs (€8,754) and that Kearns had not been in contact with gardaí since his arrest. He is a father of two children, one with a serious illness. The judge, citing mitigating factors such as a difficult childhood, addiction history, and current drug‑free status, imposed a headline sentence of four years. The sentence was reduced to a three‑and‑a‑half‑year suspended term, suspended in full for three years, with conditions of probation supervision for two years and mandatory drug testing.
Laurence Grocott, aged 38, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for an unprovoked assault at Capel's Bar in Dublin on 12 October 2018. He pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm to a man. CCTV footage showed Grocott approaching the victim and his friend, punching the victim several times to the head and face, leaving a one‑inch scar on the victim's jaw. The victim and his friend were drinking when Grocott and his friends offered them drugs; they declined and moved seats, after which Grocott attacked without warning. The victim tried to defend himself and was taken to hospital. Judge Melanie Greally imposed the 18‑month sentence to run concurrently with Grocott's existing nine‑year term for drug offences and a machine‑gun attack, noting he is making progress in custody and is now drug‑free. Grocott has a history of various jobs and is a grandfather.
Conor Clarke, 29, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years' imprisonment for unlawful seizure of a vehicle, attempted seizure, assault and threats to kill, following an incident on Hazelhatch Road, Newcastle, Co Dublin, on 15 February 2019. The case involved Clarke emerging from an overturned car, punching John Daly and attempting to seize a second car. Clarke's plea of guilty, his history of 55 convictions, and a probation report indicating a high risk of reoffending were weighed against mitigating factors such as his early guilty plea, difficult upbringing and recent relationship break‑up. The judge imposed a 12‑month suspended period, requiring Clarke to attend anger‑management classes, follow drug and alcohol treatment plans, and submit to random urine tests. He will also be supervised by the Probation Service for 12 months after release. The court noted Clarke's remorse, his depression and anxiety, and his role as a father of three young children. The sentence was delivered by Judge Elma Sheahan.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Alan Ward, 54, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his wife Catherine, 41, who was found dead on March 1, 2019, at their Clondalkin home. Ward told Gardaí that after a bickering episode, his wife hit him, he grabbed a lock‑knife, and went upstairs where she lay in blood. When asked if he stabbed her, he said he could not remember and when asked if he killed her, he said, "I'm not sure." He added that he had been drinking vodka, taken five or six prescription tablets, and had no intention to harm her. Ward also denied an offence of threatening his son Adam and of attempting to stab Adam on the same date. The case is proceeding before Mr Justice Tony Hunt with a jury of nine men and three women.
In the Central Criminal Court, Adam Ward, 23, son of the accused Alan Ward, testified that his father had previously used a Samurai sword to stab a neighbour, forcing the family to leave Tallaght. Adam described a household marked by frequent arguments, physical altercations, and his father's refusal to allow his mother to pursue her own interests. He recounted the night of his mother Catherine's death, stating he heard a bang, saw his father brandish a blade, and was forced to flee to the street where neighbours called the Gardaí. Adam reported that Alan admitted to stabbing his wife, citing a quarrel, and claimed he did not intend to kill her. Alan Ward, 54, has pleaded not guilty to the murder, to threatening Adam, and to attempting to stab him. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Tony Hunt with a jury of nine men and three women.
A 54‑year‑old man, Alan Ward, is charged with the murder of his wife, Catherine Ward, 41, who was ten years his junior. The incident occurred on 1 March 2019 at their home on Greenfort Drive, Clondalkin. Ward told Gardaí that he had "snapped" after his wife struck him with a bottle and that he had stabbed her, but later said it was "possible he did" and claimed no memory of the act. He also faces charges of threatening and attempting to stab their son, Adam Ward, on the same day. The prosecution will present medical evidence of Ward's mental state, including a prior stroke, and testimony from his sons, who describe a marriage marked by arguments and drinking. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, is expected to last two weeks. The jury will hear evidence of the stabbing wounds, the post‑mortem findings, and Ward's alleged threat to his son. Alan Ward pleaded not guilty.
Thomas Doran, 29, with 64 prior convictions, was jailed for six years after driving the wrong way on the N7 dual carriageway in the early hours of 21 September 2020. Doran, who was on bail and disqualified from driving for ten years, drove 700 metres against traffic before colliding head‑on with a Toyota Yaris. The collision killed driver Anatolie Butucel and seriously injured passenger Serghei Grigoras and Doran's uncle Patrick Connors. Doran was uncooperative at the scene, refusing to give details and telling Gardaí to "fuck off." He was found guilty of dangerous driving causing death and serious bodily harm. The judge set a headline sentence of eight years but, after considering Doran's guilty plea, remorse, €1,500 payment to Grigoras, and his poor mental health, imposed a final sentence of six and a half years with the last six months suspended on strict conditions, and a 20‑year driving disqualification.
A 54‑year‑old man, Alan Ward, will go on trial tomorrow for the murder of his wife, Catherine Ward, 41, who was killed on 1 March 2019 at their home on Greenfort Drive, Clondalkin. Ward is charged with the murder and two further offences: threatening to kill or seriously harm their son Adam Ward and attempting to stab Adam on the same day. He pleaded not guilty to all three counts. The case will be heard by Mr Justice Tony Hunt in the Central Criminal Court and is expected to last two weeks.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 2 December 2021, Lorna Palmer (35) pleaded guilty to possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct after gardaí seized nearly €100,000 in cash from her home. The cash, found in two envelopes and a money box, was linked to drug‑related offences that were ongoing at the time of the search. Palmer admitted she did not know the amount or the owners of the money and claimed ignorance of why money was being posted through the door. Her partner, who was in custody for a drug possession offence, was also present at the time of the seizure. Palmer had no prior convictions. The judge, Melanie Greally, described her behaviour as "extremely misguided or misjudged" and warned that a custodial sentence was a likely outcome, ordering a probation report and adjournment to 29 March 2022.
An apprentice electrician, Mohammad Jelan, aged 23, pleaded guilty to money laundering at a location within the state on 24 April 2018. He had allowed his bank account to be used by a third‑party who sent the details to a construction company that claimed to be a subcontractor whose email had been hacked. The company transferred €28,290 into Jelan's account, but he never accessed the money and was promised €500 for the use of his account, which he did not receive. Jelan had two prior convictions for road traffic offences. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment, fully suspended on strict conditions, and noted he was at the very bottom rung of culpability and had made a foolish mistake. The court heard that Jelan had not been in contact with Gardaí since the offence and had answered all questions in detail. The case was prosecuted by Diana Stuart BL and defended by David O'Brien BL.
Sean William O'Rourke, a 21‑year‑old apprentice electrician, pleaded guilty to one count of money laundering after he answered a Snapchat advert that promised a few thousand euros for handing over his bank card. The advert was part of a scheme that led to a fraudulent €52,186 payment being sent to the wrong account. Gardaí traced the money to O'Rourke's account, which was frozen, and he was found to have used his phone's tap function to access the account. He did not profit from the operation, and the €50,000 was returned to the company. In Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Martin Nolan imposed 100 hours of community service in lieu of a 20‑month jail sentence, pending suitability assessment by the Probation Service. The case was adjourned to March 1 to confirm the sentence. The court noted the prevalence of similar cases involving young people with no prior convictions.
A 19‑year‑old schoolgirl, Merveille Ngombo, was found guilty of two counts of possessing cash believed to be proceeds of crime after she attempted to withdraw €3,000 in cash from a Bank of Ireland branch while wearing her school uniform. Ngombo had previously been involved in a deposit‑scam that deprived a man of €13,000 intended for a house deposit; the money was transferred to an account linked to Ngombo, who then sent €10,000 to a teenage boy she knew at school. She tried to withdraw the remaining €3,000, claiming the money came from her aunt in Germany, but the bank refused. Ngombo denied providing her bank details to the boy, saying she might have dropped them.
Sean Rausch, 24, was convicted of assault causing harm and false imprisonment after he forcibly entered a Dublin home, took a phone, and violently attacked the woman's four‑year‑old child's mother. The woman was dragged into her bedroom, where Rausch grabbed her by the throat, punched her, and left her unconscious. She later reported a broken nose, fractured spine and collarbone, though the court found no independent evidence for the latter injuries. Rausch had previously served a four‑year sentence with the final year suspended for robberies and false imprisonment. Judge Martin Nolan imposed an additional 20‑month term, consecutive to the existing sentence, for the assault. Rausch pleaded guilty and expressed remorse, citing a chaotic upbringing and drug use. The case was heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 17 June 2020.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Kenneth Donohoe was found not guilty of murdering Eamon Kelly, while his co‑accused Darren Murphy was convicted. The judge said there was insufficient evidence to prove Donohoe was the driver of the getaway Lexus, that he possessed a Glock handgun, or that he had a direct role in the gang. Evidence was deemed insufficient to establish Donohoe's involvement beyond reasonable doubt. Murphy, aged 51, was found guilty of the murder after evidence showed he acted as a spotter and assisted the gunman, Sean Connolly, and the getaway driver. Murphy was also found not guilty of the second charge of possession of a Glock pistol with intent to endanger life. The court will impose a mandatory life sentence on Murphy and remand him until the sentencing date. The case involved CCTV footage, fingerprints, vehicle links, DNA and firearm residue as circumstantial evidence. The court granted Donohoe a discharge from the indictment.
Eugene Farrell, 42, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for transporting firearms in a gym bag to settle his son's drug debt, after the family endured intimidation and attacks. He admitted to moving the bag, which contained a revolver, a Harrington and Richardson sawn‑off shotgun, a Mossberg sawn‑off shotgun, two Beretta shotguns and ammunition, some of which had been stolen in earlier burglaries. Farrell had 21 prior convictions, mainly traffic offences, and had previously transported drugs for the same people. Judge Elma Sheahan noted the family's terror but accepted that Farrell acted under duress, had no personal benefit, and had shown remorse. She imposed a four‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspending the final nine months, with strict conditions including probation engagement for nine months after release. The weapons were seized during a Garda drug search of a Peugeot in Tallaght. Farrell's son's debt has since been paid. Eugene Farrell pleaded guilty.
Ahemd Yagoub, 57, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual assault, two counts of exposure, and one count of assault. The offences occurred over a two-week period in June and July 2020 in a Dublin park, where he allegedly followed and assaulted teenage girls. Judge Melanie Greally described his conduct as predatory. She imposed a prison term of two years and nine months for the most serious sexual assault. Concurrent sentences of one year were imposed for three other offences. The sentence on the fifth offence was adjourned to next February to allow the Probation Service to compile a risk assessment report. The court noted Yagoub's lack of previous convictions, his documented history of bipolar disorder and depression, and favourable testimonials from his current residence. While he made useful admissions to gardai, he denied the underlying offences during interview. Defence counsel highlighted his mental health history and expressed remorse. The matter was not fully concluded due to the adjournment of the final sentencing component.
Avril O'Brien, 51, was convicted of stealing €80,000 from the Loreto playgroup in Tallaght, Dublin, between October 2013 and March 2016. The playgroup, which helps single mothers return to work, suffered financial hardship when O'Brien, then office manager, transferred money to her personal accounts under fictitious names such as 'wages'. Gardaí discovered the theft in February 2017 after O'Brien falsely claimed she had permission from the director, Sister Teresa McCullagh. O'Brien's diaries revealed extravagant spending on home renovations, a mobile home in Wexford and family holidays to Florida. She pleaded guilty to 11 counts of theft, and the court agreed that €80,000 had been stolen, though €119,000 was later deposited into her accounts. On 3 November 2021, Judge Martin Nolan sentenced her to three years' imprisonment, suspending the final 18 months on strict conditions, including a €12,000 payment to the playgroup within a month.
The murder trial of Lorcan Merriman, 25, of Lealand Close, Clondalkin, is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice David Keane and a jury. Merriman has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Thomas Farnan at Kilcronan Close, Clondalkin, on April 25 or 26, 2016. Chief State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan testified that Mr Farnan sustained nine gunshot injuries from at least five bullets. She identified a bullet that traversed the victim's arm, chest, and heart as the fatal injury, while wounds to the abdomen, elbow, and pelvis contributed to death. Toxicology revealed high levels of methadone, alcohol, and Zopiclone, though these did not contribute to the death. Detective Garda Lynn Johnson reported finding five discharged 9mm cartridges outside the home and one inside, along with three recovered bullets. Tool markings suggested the rounds were fired from the same weapon, though the firearm was never located. Gardaí also found three air rifles in the residence; one was classified as a firearm under the Firearms Act due to its muzzle energy. The trial continues.
In a burglary case heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, 22‑year‑old Eddie Cawley pleaded guilty to breaking into a house in Portmarnock on 9 March 2020. He and a co‑accused rang the doorbell and knocked on the front door at lunchtime. When no one answered, they damaged the door to gain entry. The homeowner's son, who was in the bathroom upstairs, heard the noise, ran out, and confronted one of the burglars on the stairs. The intruder fled after a brief confrontation. Cawley and the other man then fled in a Nissan Almera, which was later stopped by Gardaí. No items were taken from the house, though the front door was damaged. Cawley stated he would not have entered had he known someone was home and claimed he had no weapon. He has 27 prior convictions, including six burglaries. The judge adjourned sentencing to 31 January 2022 to allow reports to be prepared.
Paul Penrose gave evidence at the Central Criminal Court in a murder trial concerning his son, Stephen Penrose, aged 38, of Coolock, Dublin. Stephen Penrose has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Phillip Finnegan, aged 24, at Rahin Woods, County Kildare on August 10, 2016. The father described meeting Mr Finnegan on August 8, two days before the alleged killing, and stated that the two men appeared friendly towards each other. Paul Penrose testified about subsequent events, including his son's hospitalisation with stab wounds, the discovery of bloodstains on a vehicle, and an attempt to purchase cleaning products. The trial heard that Mr Finnegan's decapitated remains were discovered in a shallow grave in Kildare woodland. The prosecution has indicated that a bloodied glove found at the scene matched DNA belonging to the accused. The trial continues before Justice Alexander Owens and jury.
The Special Criminal Court announced that a judgement in the murder trial of Eamon Kelly will be delivered on 15 November. Kenneth Donohoe, 43, of Hazelgrove Estate, and Darren Murphy, 51, of Rory O'Connor House, are charged with the 2012 killing of gangland figure Eamon Kelly on Furry Park Road, Killester. They also face a firearms charge for unlawful possession of a Glock pistol with intent to endanger life. Both men pleaded not guilty to both charges. The court heard the case this morning, with Justice Alex Owens presiding.
A man who sexually assaulted his partner's niece and later claimed the allegation was fabricated due to a family feud has been jailed. Martin Cawley (65) of Drumcairn Parade, Tallaght, was found guilty by a jury of sexually assaulting the girl at his home in Dublin in October 2013, when she was 10 years old. The trial was held in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in July this year. Cawley gave a hand-written statement to gardaí, alleging the child's mother was behind the allegation due to a family feud. The trial heard that the girl was in Cawley's home on the day in question while her mother visited her grandfather in hospital. She was in the sitting room when Cawley exposed himself, held her down, and simulated sex while on top of her. The offence came to light when the girl confided in her sister, and her parents went to gardaí in 2015. Cawley was interviewed and charged in early 2016. The complainant, now 18, stated in a victim impact statement that she has suffered from insomnia, depression, and high levels of anxiety as a result of the assault. She has informed the DPP that she wishes to waive her anonymity, allowing for the naming of Cawley as per the 1981 Rape Act. Cawley has expressed remorse in general terms but has not accepted the jury's verdict. He has 46 previous convictions, including one sexual offence. John Fitzgerald SC, defending, noted Cawley's health issues, including diabetes, heart problems, and prostate cancer, and said a prison sentence could be a life sentence for him. Judge Karen O'Connor imposed a three-year prison term but suspended the final nine months in light of Cawley's health issues. She commended the complainant's bravery and noted the severe impact of the assault on her mental health. The matter was adjourned at the appeal stage.
Keith Connorton, in his 40s, was convicted of murdering Graham McKeever, 32, on 18 February 2017 after finding McKeever sleeping with his partner, Claire McGrath, in their Tallaght flat. Connorton stabbed McKeever four times, the fatal blow penetrating the heart. He pleaded not guilty, claiming self‑defence, and later appealed, arguing that the trial judge erred in applying section 16 of the Criminal Justice Act (2006) and in allowing McGrath's 999 call to be admitted. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, finding no error of law and confirming the jury's 10‑2 guilty verdict. The court noted that McGrath's evidence was critical to the trial and that the judge was correct to admit the recording of her 999 call. Connorton remains sentenced to life imprisonment.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Sean O'Boyle (32) was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for stabbing Darren Brewster and his brother on Christmas Day 2013. The incident followed a series of threatening text messages from Brewster, who had warned O'Boyle's sister that he would be "up to the gaff" and that "Christmas will be major for your family this year." On the day, O'Boyle armed himself with a kitchen knife and confronted the men at the O'Boyle family home in Tallaght. The men suffered life‑threatening lung injuries and were hospitalised. O'Boyle pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, a lesser charge than the original serious‑harm indictment, and the court noted his remorse and the provocation from the texts. He had previously emigrated to Australia, lived there for five years, and was extradited to face prosecution.
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 O'Callaghan, aged 41, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for possessing drugs for sale or supply, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. He was found to be storing over €44,000 worth of cocaine and ecstasy in a bedroom in his uncle's house and over €29,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis in another home, his caravan and two cars during Garda searches in 2017 and 2018. The total street value of the drugs was €73,450. O'Callaghan pleaded guilty to two counts of possession for sale or supply, one at his Tallaght address in February 2017 and one at a Saggart address in June 2018. He has 12 previous convictions, including a drug‑supply offence in 2003, for which he received a suspended two‑year sentence. The judge noted his cooperation, vulnerability and efforts to rehabilitate, but said his level of involvement did not warrant a suspended sentence for the offence.
Dylan Deegan, 24, pleaded guilty to three robberies – €684 from Cash for Clothes (July 2020), €684 from Insomnia Café (February 2021) and a prior robbery of a man at Back Lane Hostel (April 2020). He also admitted producing a knife on 2 July 2020. He had 15 prior convictions. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to three years for the July 2020 robbery and 18 months for the February 2021 robbery, both to run consecutively with his earlier three‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for a violent mugging in April 2020. The judge suspended both new sentences on strict conditions, including three years of probation. Deegan had approached a solicitor's office, claiming he wanted to hand himself in after the February 2021 robbery, stating he was suicidal, drug‑addicted and wanted to go to prison. The court noted he had no knife at the time of the February robbery and that the cash was never recovered.
David Tyrell, a 36‑year‑old gym manager from Firhouse, Dublin, was found guilty of stealing €22,264 from his employer by redirecting payments from the online voucher site Pigsback.com to his own bank account. He had been tasked with changing the password for accessing the payments and used that opportunity to alter the bank account details. Tyrell pleaded guilty to four counts of theft at Permanent TSB in Tallaght between April and August 2016 and had three prior convictions for road traffic offences. He resigned when the theft was discovered and later made full restitution. Judge Melanie Greally, noting the full repayment and lack of further offending, imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year prison sentence that was fully suspended on strict conditions, citing Tyrell as a low‑risk offender. The court recorded that the case had been adjourned previously to allow the restitution to be completed.
Mark Taylor (31), of no fixed abode in the Tallaght area, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for offences committed on December 9, 2019. Taylor, who had 142 previous convictions including 24 for dangerous driving, pleaded guilty to three counts of dangerous driving, one count of endangerment, one count of criminal damage, and one count of driving with no insurance. He was already disqualified from driving for 25 years and on bail for another driving-related offence at the time. Judge Melanie Greally noted the extreme risk to road users during the high-speed pursuit, which involved Taylor allegedly attempting to run over a garda and ramming two patrol cars. The court heard that Taylor drove over 100km/h, crossed onto the wrong side of the road, and caused €12,000 in damage to garda vehicles. Judge Greally handed down an eight-year sentence, suspending the final three years on conditions. Taylor was banned from driving for life. As a condition of the suspended portion, he was ordered to enter a drug rehabilitation programme upon release and complete it. The sentence was backdated to when Taylor first went into custody on these offences.
Rinaldo Sciolla, 36, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct after a company in Cork mistakenly paid €13,166 to his Bank of Ireland account. He claimed he had no idea how the money arrived, saying he was expecting a €10 refund and saw the balance when checking. He withdrew €4,000 for accommodation, food and petrol, and later withdrew €2,000 and transferred €7,000 to a UK account, which he denied knowledge of. The court noted the money was not recovered and the company had to repay the supplier. Judge Melanie Greally set a headline sentence of two and a half years, gave credit for his plea and circumstances, and imposed an 18‑month sentence suspended in full.
David Morgan, aged 30, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to burglary, unlawful vehicle taking and property damage at LPD Cars & Commercials, Greenhills Road, Tallaght, on 3 September 2018. He also pleaded guilty to refusing a sample at Tallaght Garda Station and driving without insurance on Homelawn Avenue, both on the same date. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to two years in prison, suspended in full, after noting his admissions, remorse, apology and payment of €1,700 compensation to the dealership. The suspension is conditional on Morgan keeping the peace and good behaviour for two years. Morgan had been on a probation bond since January 2020, had engaged satisfactorily with the Probation Service, and is expected to finish his work with them in 2022. He was intoxicated during the offences and had been observed driving at high speed, crashing into parked cars, and resisting arrest.
Youcef Madani, a 53-year-old Algerian national, was granted bail by the High Court before Mr Justice Paul Burns, despite objections from the respondent, Detective Garda Robert Comerford of the Extradition Unit. Madani is wanted by French authorities following a 2001 conviction in his absence for making false documents to facilitate terrorism involving weapons trafficking. During the hearing, Comerford alleged that Madani, who resided in Tallaght, Dublin 24, was an expert in false paperwork and specialized in fake passports. He stated that Madani had fled France during the investigation or court process and posed a flight risk, noting that Madani had been sentenced to six years in 2001. Madani's counsel, Maria Brosnan BL, argued that Madani was entitled to a retrial, had significant family ties in Ireland, and was receiving medical disability for partial blindness. She noted that Madani had surrendered his passport and that his son would act as an independent surety. Mr Justice Burns granted bail with reluctance, citing Madani's health and family circumstances. Conditions include signing on daily at Tallaght Garda Station, surrendering his passport, providing a €2,000 personal bond, and keeping the peace. Madani's son provided a €10,000 surety. The matter was adjourned, with Madani remanded in custody with consent to bail to appear before the court again on October 11.
In 2015, Richard O'Mara, aged 32, raped a 17‑year‑old schoolgirl twice at his sister's 18th birthday party in County Clare. The first assault occurred in a field behind the house; the second took place on a couch inside the house after the party. The victim, who was terrified of seeing O'Mara again, stayed in her bedroom for two months and reported severe physical and psychological trauma. O'Mara pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury in April 2019. He was sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions. In June 2019, the Court of Appeal dismissed O'Mara's appeal, upholding the conviction and confirming that the evidence and investigative procedures met the required legal standards. No further sentence changes were announced.
Paulina Galantkiewicz, 34, of Belmount Park, Raheny, has gone on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to cyclist Thames Aline Taveres. The incident occurred on 1 June 2018 at Oak Road, Clondalkin, when Galantkiewicz, a learner driver, was unaccompanied while driving to a job interview. Taveres, returning home from work at about 3.25 pm, was cycling without a helmet or high‑visibility jacket in the rain. Galantkiewicz was turning left at a T‑junction and failed to bring her vehicle to a complete stop, colliding with Taveres' bike. The collision sent the cyclist toward the front of the car, where she was struck and knocked from her bike, and the car then drove over her before stopping. Taveres was taken to Tallaght Hospital for serious injuries. Galantkiewicz admitted she was the driver, passed a roadside breathalyser test, and remained at the scene. Paulina Galantkiewicz pleaded not guilty.
A Dublin man, Thomas McConnell, aged 35, will stand trial next year at the non‑jury Special Criminal Court for the murder of Gareth Hutch, aged 36, nephew of Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch. The alleged killing took place on 24 May 2016 at Avondale House, North Cumberland Street, Dublin 1, when Hutch was shot as he entered his car. The State, represented by Fiona Murphy SC, applied to have the case heard before the three‑judge Special Criminal Court, arguing that ordinary courts were inadequate for effective justice. Mr Justice Tony Hunt granted the application and set a trial date of 15 June 2022, with the matter to be mentioned on 11 January 2022. McConnell was present at Tallaght District Court in June on an extradition warrant from Turkey for the murder charge. The case remains pending at the Special Criminal Court.
The Central Criminal Court heard the trial of 40‑year‑old Feri Anghel, a Roma gypsy, accused of murdering 49‑year‑old Romanian Ioan Artene Bob in Sean Walsh Park, Tallaght, on 13 April 2018. Bob was found alive with extensive blunt‑force injuries and died later that day. Dr Margot Bolster, the assistant state pathologist, described injuries that suggested stamping, punching and kicking, but could not rule out more than one assailant. CCTV footage showed Anghel and Bob travelling together on a Luas tram and later walking toward the park; further footage captured a person resembling Anghel at an ATM using Bob's card. The defence argued that forensic evidence indicated other people were present and that the prosecution had not established Anghel's sole responsibility. The jury, reduced from 12 to 10, could not reach a unanimous verdict after three days of deliberation and the case was adjourned to 4 October for a possible retrial. Feri Anghel pleaded not guilty.
In the trial of Feri Anghel, 40, accused of murdering Romanian construction worker Ioan Artene Bob, 49, the prosecution's closing speech emphasized that the evidence was circumstantial but should be considered in its totality. Anghel was found dead in Tallaght park on 13 April 2018, after being beaten and later dying in hospital. The prosecution presented evidence that Bob's phone and bank card were used at various locations in Dublin and Slane on the day of his death, and that a phone attributed to Anghel pinged a cell site within nine minutes of Bob's phone. Witnesses described a night of drinking and a Luas journey to Tallaght, and CCTV footage allegedly showed Anghel leading Bob toward the Luas. The prosecution urged the jury to consider the evidence dispassionately, noting no forensic link to a weapon or boots, and that the case rested on the cumulative circumstantial evidence. Feri Anghel pleaded not guilty.
In December 2019, 30‑year‑old beautician Nadine Lott was found severely injured in her Arklow apartment. Witnesses, including her mother Claire Lott and neighbour Amela Kulenovic, described a violent assault in which Daniel Murtagh, Nadine's former partner, struck her with force, applied pressure to her neck and shoulders, and inflicted blunt trauma that separated flesh from bone. The scene was covered in blood, with a strong odor and scattered glass fragments. Paramedics and Gardaí arrived within minutes, attempting resuscitation and providing emergency care. Nadine was transported to St Vincent's Hospital, where she received extensive treatment but died on 17 December 2019. The case proceeded to trial, where Murtagh pleaded guilty to manslaughter but was convicted of murder, with the jury rejecting an intoxication defence. The trial highlighted the brutality of the attack and the extensive injuries sustained by Nadine.
Samuel Ilesanmi, 22, an amateur heavyweight boxer from Tallaght, pleaded guilty to multiple thefts of cigarettes at Centra, Castletymon Shopping Centre, Dublin, between September 2019 and August 2020. Garda David Jennings presented evidence that €114,863 worth of cigarettes were stolen, with CCTV linking Ilesanmi to the offences. Ilesanmi admitted to the thefts, citing influence from "the wrong people" and offers of money for cigarette sleeves. He had no prior convictions. During the sentencing hearing, letters of support were submitted, including one from champion boxer Kellie Harrington praising his potential. Ilesanmi expressed remorse, noting that the financial gain gave him a false sense of purpose. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to three years imprisonment, fully suspended on strict conditions, acknowledging his remorse and future prospects.
A Dublin man has lost his appeal against conviction for membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army. The Court of Appeal dismissed all grounds of appeal by Ciaran Maguire (32), who was sentenced to four years and 11 months imprisonment following his conviction by the Special Criminal Court in May 2018. Maguire and his co-accused Kevin Braney (46) were convicted of membership following an incident in July 2017 when they travelled to County Meath and threatened an accident victim, warning him they were members of the IRA and would shoot him if he did not withdraw an insurance claim against his former employer. On appeal, the court upheld the lawfulness of Maguire's arrest, the admissibility of surveillance evidence, and the inferences drawn from his interview with gardaí. The appellate judges found that court interventions during cross-examination of a key witness were not unfair. The appeal was dismissed.
Samantha Irwin, 37, lost her appeal against a five‑year sentence for a syringe‑assisted robbery at Real Brazil in Dublin on 20 September 2018. During the incident she grabbed the shop assistant by the jumper, uncapped a syringe and tried to strike her arm; the assistant pulled her arm out of the jumper and the robbery was stopped. Irwin handed over €55 to the shop manager. She was identified by a bloodstained post‑it that fell from her pocket, which Gardai matched to her DNA. The court noted her 19 prior convictions, mainly traffic offences, and the use of a syringe as a key factor in sentencing. The judge suspended 18 months of the five‑year term; the appeal was dismissed by Justice Patrick McCarthy, who found no error in the original sentencing. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Samantha Irwin pleaded guilty.
Alan Melia, 27, was arrested by Gardaí on a stakeout in Tallaght Village after being caught with a stolen BMW 520. He had pleaded guilty to possession of the vehicle on 29 September 2020. Melia had 92 prior convictions, including theft, vehicle‑related offences, burglary, criminal damage and arson. The BMW was found in the New Bancroft Apartments car park; officers observed him approaching the car, taking items from behind the rear bumper, and entering it. He was taken into custody with a key, pliers and gloves. The car was damaged and written off by the insurer. Melia's defence cited his ADHD and oppositional defiant disorder diagnoses and a difficult upbringing. The court imposed a two‑year imprisonment sentence for handling the stolen car, activated 18 months of a suspended sentence, and left 12 months suspended for a year. The case remains at the sentencing stage.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Daniel Murtagh, aged 34, denied murdering his ex‑girlfriend Nadine Lott, claiming the incident was a domestic dispute. He told Gardaí that he had given her "six or seven hard digs" but did not "go to town." Murtagh described himself as "protective" and insisted he had never hit a woman before. He admitted breaking his hand that night and expressed disbelief at having struck "the love of my life a couple of slaps." The jury heard that Lott suffered severe blunt‑force trauma and stab wounds in a sustained violent attack at her Arklow home, leading to her death three days later in St Vincent's Hospital. Murtagh pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, with the case proceeding before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath and a jury of twelve.
Evelyn Corrigan, 68, of Tallaght, was charged with possession of 325.7 g of cannabis for sale or supply. She pleaded guilty to possession but denied selling, claiming she grew the plants to make medicine for her pain. The court found no evidence of intent to distribute; a jury returned a not‑guilty verdict on the charge of possession for sale or supply. Judge Pauline Codd dismissed the charge under the Probation Act. Corrigan admitted the quantity but stated she had never intended to give it to anyone else. The trial included testimony that she used the cannabis to produce a CBD‑oil extract for her glaucoma, emphysema, asthma and arthritis. No prior convictions were recorded. The case ended with the jury acquitting her of the charge of possession for sale or supply.
The Special Criminal Court has adjourned the 32-day trial of Darren Murphy and Kenneth Donohoe to October 26 for a possible judgment. Both men, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of Eamon Kelly and the possession of a Glock pistol with intent to endanger life, have completed closing speeches. Prosecution counsel Dominic McGinn SC alleged that Murphy drove Sean Connolly, who was jailed for life in 2015 for Kelly's murder, to the scene in a Meriva, while Donohoe was linked to the vehicle via fingerprints and firearms residue. Defence counsel Philipp Rahn BL and Paul Carroll SC argued that the State failed to prove their clients' involvement beyond reasonable doubt, citing issues with CCTV identification credibility and the lack of unique forensic evidence. Presiding judge Justice Alex Owens, sitting with Judges Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Dermot Dempsey, adjourned the matter. The trial remains pending, with no final verdict or sentence issued at this stage.
In the trial of Daniel Murtagh, a 34‑year‑old man accused of murdering his ex‑girlfriend Nadine Lott, witnesses testified that Murtagh told a motorist he had killed his wife because she was with his friend, and later told a paramedic he had killed his girlfriend after a car crash. The prosecution described Lott's severe blunt‑force and stab injuries, noting she never regained consciousness and died three days later. An intensive‑care nurse said Lott was "completely unrecognisable." A paramedic recalled the call as one of the most horrendous scenes he had seen. Murtagh pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of the 30‑year‑old Lott, who died at St Vincent's Hospital. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, continues with a jury of seven men and five women.
David Masterson, aged 56, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for a series of sexual offences against his daughter, Charlene Masterson, who was 32 at the time of the statement. Masterson used anonymous text messages to blackmail her into sexual acts with men, claiming his job was at risk. He also sexually abused her over a seven‑and‑a‑half‑year period, including oral rape and sexual assault, and had sexual encounters with three other girls. Masterson was already serving a seven‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for defilement offences and had 17 prior convictions, including child pornography. The court imposed 18 years for each of the four counts of oral rape, suspending the final year and ordering one year of post‑release supervision, and five years for two sexual assault offences, running concurrently for an effective operative sentence of 18 years with the final year suspended. The sentences were back‑dated to 26 June 2019. David Masterson pleaded guilty.