A 29‑year‑old man from Kiltalown Park, Tallaght, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after a high‑speed chase in which he drove a Volkswagen Passat at up to 120 km/h in a 50 km/h zone, forcing other motorists to take evasive action. The judge noted that he had been under a 40‑year driving ban and had eleven prior convictions for dangerous driving. He was convicted of three counts of endangerment and three counts of dangerous driving. The judge suspended the last year of a three‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence on the condition that he engage with addiction services, drug treatment and victim‑focused work, and imposed a ten‑year driving disqualification. He denies the offences and claims he is turning a corner toward a better life. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Three Dublin youths – Harry Walsh (18), Gordon Robinson (20) and Darragh Smith (20) – filmed themselves laughing after a violent hour‑long rampage that involved seven separate incidents of violent disorder and assaults on eight members of the public between 3am and 4am on 3 November 2017. The court heard CCTV showing the trio attacking victims on Camden Street, Harcourt Street and Montague Street, with injuries including a shattered eye socket, fractured cheekbone, broken jaw, knocked‑out teeth, unconsciousness and cracked ribs. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a five‑year sentence on Robinson and a four‑year sentence on Smith, each with the final 12 months suspended, and adjourned Walsh's sentence until July. The judge directed that the €11,000 raised by the offenders be used to offset medical expenses, with any remaining balance divided equally among the injured parties. The court noted the extreme nature of the offences and the unit operation of the three assailants. Harry Walsh pleaded guilty. Gordon Robinson pleaded guilty. Darragh Smith pleaded guilty.
In 2017, Jack Hall Ellis, a 21‑year‑old apprentice carpenter, punched 20‑year‑old Luke O'Reilly once after a night of heavy drinking. The assault occurred on Old Blessington Road, Tallaght, when O'Reilly was walking away from a pub. The single blow to the right side of O'Reilly's head caused a fall that left him with brain injuries. He was taken to hospital in a coma and died 13 days later. Ellis, who had consumed seven to ten double Captain Morgan rums that night, pleaded guilty to unlawful killing at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The court adjourned sentencing to allow reports to be prepared and will hear a plea in mitigation next month. O'Reilly's mother, Janet O'Brien, delivered a victim impact statement describing her son as a gentle giant and expressing the family's profound loss. The case highlights the fatal consequences of a single punch delivered in a drunken state.
Two men have been convicted and sentenced by the Special Criminal Court in connection with the 2013 murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly. Michael McDermott of Ballinagh, County Cavan, received four years imprisonment with the final six months suspended after pleading guilty to assisting an unlawful organisation in the killing. Frank Murphy of County Meath was sentenced to three years with the final year suspended after pleading guilty to impeding the apprehension of a prosecution witness. Mr Butterly, aged thirty-five, was fatally shot outside The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston on 6 March 2013. Four other men have previously received life sentences for his murder. The three-judge panel took into account both men's guilty pleas, clean records, and family circumstances when determining sentences. Both sentences were backdated to reflect time already spent in custody.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, two Dublin men, John Brock (46) and John Roche (55), were found to have acted in concert when they retrieved and transported 165 kg of explosives in a black Skoda Fabia. Gardaí had discovered four bags of explosives in the boot and 18 detonators under the front passenger seat on the Naas Road. The prosecution argued that the men possessed 57 kg of homemade ammonium nitrate fuel mix and thirty‑eight 2.5 kg rolls of Kemegel industrial explosives. Evidence from the National Surveillance Unit showed the car and its occupants were monitored from 5.55 pm on 13 April 2016, with the men stopping at Behans Quarry at 6.59 pm. Forensic analysis confirmed the items were explosives, and the court was instructed to infer the men's knowledge from their conduct and statements. Both men were remanded on continuing bail until 5 April, when judgment will be delivered. John Brock pleaded not guilty. John Roche pleaded not guilty.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of John Brock, 46, and John Roche, 55, who have pleaded not guilty to the alleged possession of 57kg of homemade ammonium nitrate fuel mix explosives and thirty-eight 2.5kg rolls of Kemegel industrial explosives at Naas Road, Dublin 12, on April 13, 2016. Prosecution witnesses testified that armed gardai recovered four bags of explosives and 18 detonators from a black Skoda Fabia stopped on the Naas Road. Detective Sergeant Thomas Power stated that Army Disposal Unit Commandant Oisin Dawson subsequently detonated the Kemegel packets in the Glen of Imaal. Forensic scientist Dr John O'Shaughnessy confirmed the samples were explosives under the Explosive Substances Act 1883. Sergeant Raymond Tadhg of the Special Detective Unit testified that during an interview, Brock was asked to account for the explosives, detonators, and his presence at Behans Quarry. Brock gave no reply and declined to sign the interview memorandum. Prosecution counsel Anne-Marie Lawlor SC informed the court, presided over by Justice Tony Hunt with Judges Patricia Ryan and Ann Ryan, that the prosecution case had closed. The matter was adjourned and the trial continues.
In March 2019, an 18‑year‑old named Dylan Lynch was sentenced to six years in prison for a series of violent offences. In July 2018, he assaulted a teenage girl in his home, repeatedly slamming a door into her head, setting fire to her hair, cutting clumps of singed hair and throwing them out the window. He also filmed the incident and shared it on Snapchat. The assault was described by Judge Melanie Greally as "sadistic" and "degrading." Lynch had previously been convicted of robbery and assault with a vodka bottle three months earlier, for which he received a four‑and‑a‑half‑year term. The two sentences run consecutively, with the last 18 months suspended on the condition that he engage with the Probation Service. The judge noted his youth, childhood trauma, remorse and drug addiction issues in determining the suspended period. The unnamed teenager pleaded guilty.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, armed Gardaí seized four bags of explosives and 18 detonators from a black Skoda Fabia on Naas Road. The vehicle's driver, John Brock (46), and owner, John Roche (55), denied knowledge of the 150 kg of explosives found. They were charged with possession of 57 kg of homemade ammonium nitrate fuel mix and thirty‑eight 2.5 kg rolls of Kemegel industrial explosives. Gardaí, acting on intelligence that IRA members might possess explosives, stopped the car at 7 p.m. on 13 April 2016. Brock was handcuffed after being asked to exit the vehicle, while Roche was forced to lie face‑down and was also handcuffed. Both men were arrested under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. John Brock pleaded not guilty. John Roche pleaded not guilty.
Two Dublin men, John Brock, 46, and John Roche, 55, were arrested on 13 April 2016 after a gardai stop of a black Skoda Fabia on Naas Road. The vehicle contained 18 detonators, 57 kg of homemade ammonium nitrate fuel mix and thirty‑eight 2.5 kg rolls of Kemegel industrial explosives. The Special Criminal Court heard the men's movements on that day, with evidence from the National Surveillance Unit showing them at Behans Quarry, Windmillhill, and the N7. The prosecution, led by Anne‑Marie Lawlor SC, presented ballistic evidence and observations of the men's failure to answer questions. Both pleaded not guilty. The court ruled that NSU members must remain anonymous, and the trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, is scheduled to continue for one week.
A 29‑year‑old man named Graham Taylor, who had a 40‑year driving disqualification and 121 prior convictions, was heard in a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court about a high‑speed chase that began on 19 June 2016 in Tallaght. The court considered three counts of endangerment and three counts of dangerous driving. Taylor, who denies the charges, was stopped at a traffic light at 12.30 pm on the junction of Brookfield and Cheeverstown Roads when a Volkswagen Passat, driven by Taylor, turned onto Brookfield Road. Garda David Jennings moved his vehicle to block the Passat, but it accelerated, prompting a pursuit. The chase lasted about two minutes, involved driving at 120 km/h in a 50 km/h zone, wrong‑way driving around roundabouts, and forcing other motorists onto the pavement. No collisions or injuries were reported.
Nermana Gojak, 44, worked as a carer and housekeeper for a 90‑year‑old retired GP for ten years. She stole €41,380 from the GP's sale proceeds by withdrawing cash, using the victim's laser card and transferring money to the victim's current account. Gojak pleaded guilty to theft at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The victim, who had raised the money from a lifetime of hard work, gave a victim impact statement describing betrayal and financial insecurity. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced Gojak to three years' imprisonment, suspending the final 12 months on strict conditions, including 12 months' engagement with the Probation Service. The sentence reflected Gojak's lack of prior convictions, cooperation, remorse and the fact that the money had not been repaid. The case was reported to Gardaí, who arrested Gojak in January 2018 after her admissions.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the ongoing trial of Michael Brady, 54, who has pleaded not guilty to all nine counts on the indictment. He is charged with possessing €1.5 million worth of cocaine, €1.26 million worth of heroin, an assault rifle, and more than 180 rounds of ammunition at a property in Sallins, Co Kildare, on January 24, 2017. Prosecution counsel stated that forensic evidence links the accused to the items and the address. During interviews, Brady told gardai that he and his brother, Declan Brady, lived separate lives and were like "chalk and cheese." Brady denied possessing the ammunition found in the house and stated he did not know about firearms found at a separate location. His brother, Declan Brady, 52, previously pleaded guilty to possessing 15 firearms and more than 4,000 rounds of ammunition at the same address on the day in question. Declan Brady is currently awaiting sentence. The court heard that gardai conducted a search of the property, finding drugs and a firearm under a bed. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Coffey, sitting with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge David McHugh.
In March 2019, Gamiya Muftau, aged 24, was sentenced to two years in prison for his role in a €360,000 money‑laundering scheme that stole funds from Maynooth University. The fraud began in summer 2015 when university staff paid a contractor, Rhatigans, into a fraudulent account after a phone call from someone claiming to be from the firm. The money was then transferred through 15 transactions to several accounts, one belonging to Muftau. He pleaded guilty to possessing €18,100 as proceeds of crime and was arrested in December 2016. Judge Melanie Greally accepted his guilty plea and cooperation, noting his poor judgment and low‑level involvement. She imposed a two‑year sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered 12 months of post‑release supervision focused on accommodation and education. Muftau has been in custody since November 2018.
In a Dublin incident, 18‑year‑old Dylan Lynch assaulted a teenage girl by repeatedly slamming a door into her head and setting her hair on fire. He filmed the attack and posted it on Snapchat. Lynch also attacked a passerby, a former Tallaght Hospital lab technician, with a broken vodka bottle, causing serious injuries. The technician received stitches, staples, and ear glue. Lynch, who lives in Avonbeg Gardens, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to both assaults at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Gardaí received complaints from the girl and her mother the next day. The court heard that the attacks influenced the technician's decision to move abroad. Judge Melanie Greally remanded Lynch in custody and postponed sentencing to a later hearing.
Breda Cahill, owner of three convenience stores, gave a victim impact statement describing a "reign of terror" after her shops were robbed six times. She said she had to spend every minute in the shops to support staff and keep them safe. The statement was prepared for the sentencing of Brendan Payne, 36, who robbed one of her shops and was prevented from raiding another by Gardaí. Payne pleaded guilty to possession of a knife with intent to intimidate and to robbery. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a nine‑year prison sentence, suspending the last three years on the condition that Payne keep the peace, engage with Probation Services for 18 months, attend prison drug services and take up residential drug treatment. The sentence includes both offences and runs consecutively. Payne admitted he was tired of offending and had used drugs since age 12, citing his mother's alcoholism as a trigger.
John Doyle, 38, was arrested after looting a Centra shop in Tallaght during Storm Emma. He entered the shop for only one minute and 30 seconds before Gardaí arrived, carrying three packets of cigarettes. Doyle pleaded guilty to trespassing with intent to commit theft. While Gardaí pursued him, he threw trolleys to obstruct them and was found crouched in a store room. Two other men were present, one with a sledgehammer. Doyle has 111 prior convictions, including robbery, burglary, possession of stolen property, road traffic offences and criminal damage. A co‑accused, David Berney, already received an 18‑month suspended sentence. The court adjourned sentencing to July to allow a probation report. The incident involved a mechanical saw breach of the shop's front shutter and Gardaí arriving by jeep and on foot. Doyle's defence highlighted his panic, shame and claim of being lured into the chaos. The case remains at the pleading stage.
The Special Criminal Court has adjourned the sentencing of Frank Murphy and Michael McDermott to April 1, remanding both men in custody. Murphy, 58, pleaded guilty in November 2018 to committing an act to impede the apprehension or prosecution of David Cullen, whom he allegedly believed was guilty of possessing a firearm. McDermott, 60, pleaded guilty to helping an unlawful organisation, identified as the IRA, murder Peter Butterly. The court heard evidence that Butterly was shot dead in a Meath car park in March 2013. David Cullen, who was originally charged with murder, pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol. His plea was accepted by the DPP, resulting in a nolle prosequi on the murder count. Cullen turned State's witness and was sentenced to seven years in prison, with three and a half years suspended, for the firearm possession. The court noted that four other men have already received life sentences for Butterly's murder. Neither Murphy nor McDermott has previous convictions. The judges, presiding over the non-jury court, indicated they will deliver their sentences on April 1.
Aaron Gilsenan, 38, a crack cocaine addict, was jailed for four years after a spree of robberies and attempted robberies in Dublin between December 2017 and March 2018. He used a knife to threaten staff at five convenience stores and filling stations, robbed a taxi driver of €40, and stole a total of €760. Gilsenan was identified on CCTV and used his own car to escape each time. He pleaded guilty to four robberies and two attempted robberies, admitting the crimes were driven by his addiction and the death of his daughter. He had 87 prior convictions, including 51 for road traffic offences. The court noted he was drug‑free at sentencing and had expressed genuine regret. The sentence was imposed by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with a suspended portion of 18 months, and he was also due for sentencing in Trim and Naas Circuit Courts for other pending cases.
Liam Walsh, a 27‑year‑old from Tallaght, was sentenced to two‑and‑a‑half years in prison for eight thefts in Dublin city centre in September and October 2017, including stealing a wallet from a pregnant woman at Supermacs and a handbag from an 87‑year‑old woman at the Shelbourne Hotel. He also pleaded guilty to an attempt to escape lawful custody at Pearse Street Garda Station. On 31 May 2018 Judge Martin Nolan imposed the original sentence. On 28 February 2019 the Court of Appeal increased Walsh's sentence to 35 months, but suspended the final five months for two years post‑release. The suspended portion will be activated if he breaches the conditions of his good‑behaviour bond and probation requirements. The court structured the sentence as eight consecutive month terms for each count, then reduced it by ten months to reach the final two‑and‑a‑half‑year term with the suspended five‑month period.
In a hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Keith McDonnell, aged 29, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to his Mountjoy Prison cell on 21 May 2013. The court heard that McDonnell had been serving a separate sentence for criminal damage at the time of the offence. His former partner, Sarah‑Jane O'Callaghan, said she had died by suicide and that after visiting her in the mortuary McDonnell "lost his head" and went to pieces. A prison officer heard commotion, saw McDonnell shouting and throwing a cup of tea, and after McDonnell threw a television at the ground, the officer left the cell. McDonnell was removed and placed in a special observation cell. The damage to the cell, including a smashed washbasin, broken waste pipes, a 22‑metre glass viewing panel, a modesty screen door, a laminated mirror and a spyhole, cost €1,750. McDonnell has 68 previous convictions, including five for criminal damage, multiple assaults and thefts.
Michael Wall, 18, was found guilty of robbing an unoccupied house in Willowfield, Dublin 4, where he stole cash and jewellery worth €11,310. DNA evidence linked him to the scene after he smashed a bedroom window and left blood on the property. He pleaded guilty to a single count of robbery. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to two and a half years in prison, but the sentence was fully suspended on the condition that he keep the peace and comply with Probation Services supervision for 18 months. Wall had no prior convictions. The victim, who did not submit a Victim Impact Statement, discovered the house was left open and the window smashed. Gardaí noted the thief had injured himself during the break‑in. The case was prosecuted by John Berry Bl and defended by Marc Thompson Bl, who cited Wall's recent bereavement and drug issues. Probation Services assessed Wall as a moderate risk of re‑offending.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 58‑year‑old Greg Gilligan of Avonbeg Gardens, Tallaght, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for possessing cannabis and a small quantity of crack cocaine. The drugs, valued at €71,695, were found in a black hold‑all bag that Gilligan had thrown into a neighbour's garden after a Garda raid on 24 August 2016. Gilligan admitted he had been storing the drugs for a friend who was a drug addict; when the drugs were lost, he incurred a €2,500 debt. He pleaded guilty, and his counsel argued for a fully suspended sentence, citing his caring nature, charitable work for homeless people, and lack of prior convictions. The judge accepted his remorse, noted his drug‑free status, and highlighted his low risk of re‑offending, but imposed the two‑year custodial term.
The Court of Appeal re-sentenced Sean Ward, a former All Ireland boxing champion, to six years' imprisonment with the final nine months suspended, following an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Ward, who pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Natasha Keenan and driving without insurance in Dundalk in 2015, had previously received a six-year sentence with two years suspended. The court found his effective four-year term unduly lenient, noting he was driving while disqualified and had 68 prior convictions. President Mr Justice George Birmingham, sitting with Ms Justice Mary Irvine and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, stated Ward's prior record did not justify a significant suspended element. The court noted Ward initially provided a false account to gardaí, attempting to pin responsibility on the victim, and showed little empathy in his probation report. Ms Keenan suffered catastrophic injuries, including broken bones and skin grafting, and remains disabled. Ward was required to enter a good behaviour bond for the suspended period and two years post-release. Ward's own appeal against the severity of his sentence was withdrawn during the proceedings.
In a 2019 Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 23‑year‑old Ryan McLoughlin was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for stabbing Scott Byrne in the stomach and buttock on the Tallaght Bypass on 26 May 2013. McLoughlin, who had previously been convicted of two drug offences and traffic matters, inflicted a serious injury on his own left hand during the attack, slashing an artery. He pleaded guilty and was given a suspended final 12 months, conditional on complying with probation directions for 12 months and distancing himself from "negative peers". The court noted McLoughlin's youth, intoxication, family responsibilities and self‑injury as mitigating factors, while the prosecution highlighted delays in the case's arrival to court and the lack of cooperation from McLoughlin during police interviews.
The leader of the so-called New IRA in Dublin, Kevin Braney (44), was today jailed for life for the murder of Peter Butterly (35) almost six years ago. Braney was found guilty by the Special Criminal Court last Monday of the 'premeditated' murder of Mr Butterly, who was chased and shot dead outside The Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath, on March 6, 2013. Braney had pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Butterly. Mr Justice Paul Coffey, presiding, said the court was driven 'irresistibly' to the conclusion that Braney was involved in the organisation and planning of Mr Butterly's murder beyond a reasonable doubt. In 2018, Braney was sentenced to four years and six months after he was found guilty of IRA membership by the Special Criminal Court. Mr Justice Coffey, sitting with Judge Martin Nolan and Judge James Faughnan, then sentenced Braney to the mandatory term of life imprisonment, backdated to when he first went into custody for this matter on September 14, 2017. Ms Caroline Cummings BL asked the court that a 'nolle prosequi' be entered on the outstanding count of membership, meaning the State will not be proceeding with the prosecution in relation to this count. Edward McGrath (37), Sharif Kelly (49), and Dean Evans (27) have all received life sentences at the Special Criminal Court after they were convicted of Mr Butterly's murder. The court found that Braney had been involved and participated in Mr Butterly's murder.
Ellavita Flynn, aged 24, admitted to stealing more than €6,500 worth of designer goods from Brown Thomas on Grafton Street between 19 December 2017 and 2 January 2018. She took a Michael Kors watch (€395), a Prada handbag (€2,400), a Gucci handbag (€1,490) and a Louis Vuitton handbag (€2,280) without paying, four times over two weeks. The Louis Vuitton handbag was recovered; the other items were sold on the street for "relatively small money". Flynn pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. She has three prior theft convictions dealt with at District Court level. The court heard she had no fixed abode and had addiction issues, having begun abusing substances at 18 after being in care as a teenager. The judge adjourned the case for six months to allow Flynn to demonstrate she is addressing her drug problems and gaining employment training, and remanded her on continuing bail until July.
Aaron Doran, a 32‑year‑old taxi driver, was sentenced to one year in prison for sexually assaulting a friend of his fiancée at the engagement party on 21 June 2015. The assault took place at Kilcarraig Close, Tallaght, after a night of heavy drinking. Doran entered the victim's bedroom, touched her vagina and demanded she show him her clit before leaving. The victim, who had waived anonymity, described the incident as traumatic and a betrayal of trust. Doran pleaded not guilty, claiming he was drunk and had mistaken the victim for his girlfriend. The judge noted his lack of acknowledgement of wrongdoing and the breach of trust, but suspended the final 18 months of a 2½‑year sentence, citing his good character and employment history. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Aaron Doran was convicted.
In a case heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Daniel Mazur, aged 20, pleaded guilty to possession of a black gas‑powered revolver handgun and six brass bullets containing ball bearings, which he had found on Firhouse Road on 9 June 2017. The court noted that Mazur had 14 prior convictions, including burglary and possession of knives. Judge Melanie Greally had adjourned sentencing to allow for a Probation Service report and psychiatric and psychological assessments. She later sentenced Mazur to three and a half years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended. The judge highlighted that Mazur's possession of the weapon posed a danger to motorists, that he had no family support, was homeless, and lived a chaotic lifestyle. The reports concluded he had psychological issues but no mental disorder.
Gerard O'Neill, 66, was arrested in March 2018 after 225 child‑pornography videos were found on a laptop, hard drive and two CDs seized from his Dublin home. The items were searched in May 2015 following reliable information. O'Neill pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing and distributing child‑pornography videos between 15 April and 13 May 2015. Of the videos, 214 showed pre‑teen boys with other pre‑teen boys or adults, and 11 showed pre‑teen boys with exposed genitalia. A chat conversation in which a video was shared was also recovered. O'Neill's home was attacked by a large group when his criminal behaviour became public, and he later sold the property at a significant loss. He is now living in hostel accommodation. Judge Melanie Greally remanded him on continuing bail and adjourned sentencing to 1 May 2019, with a probation report ordered for the next date.
Kevin Braney, 44, of Tallaght, Dublin, was found guilty by the Special Criminal Court of the premeditated murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly. The three-judge panel, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Coffey, concluded beyond reasonable doubt that Braney was involved in the organisation and planning of the killing, which occurred outside The Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath, in March 2013. Mr Butterly, 35, was chased and shot dead in view of students waiting for a school bus. Braney had pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. The court accepted evidence from State's witness David Cullen, who testified that Braney attended a meeting at Cullen's Balbriggan flat the night before the shooting, where the plan was discussed. Circumstantial evidence further linked Braney to the location and the other perpetrators. The court noted that Edward McGrath, Sharif Kelly, and Dean Evans have already received life sentences for the same murder. In a separate 2018 proceeding, Braney was sentenced to four years after being found guilty of IRA membership by the Special Criminal Court. Following today's verdict, the convicted man was remanded in custody until Friday, when he will be sentenced.
In a High Court hearing, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) argued that €10,700 found in a ladies' knee‑high boot and a man's jacket during a Garda search of Lisa Moore's home in Tallaght was proceeds of crime. The money was discovered on 31 August 2016. Moore denied the claim, stating the cash came from the sale of a car she owned, while her partner Robert Keeley made no comment. CAB's application was set to be heard by Justice Carmel Stewart, but the matter was settled after lawyers from CAB and Moore negotiated. CAB maintained that Keeley is linked to organised crime and has convictions for traffic offences, and that the couple's lifestyle and the property's high‑end security features suggested illicit income. The settlement allowed CAB to seek an order deeming the cash proceeds of crime under the 1996 Proceeds of Crime Act. The case was resolved before a final court order was issued.
Michael Maughan, 24, of Hazel Hill, Tallaght, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 21 January 2018 to handling €80,000 worth of stolen jewellery. The items, seized after an accomplice tried to sell them to a cash‑for‑gold shop, were stolen in a burglary in Lucan three days earlier. Garda Redmond O'Leary described a surveillance operation outside Gold Digger Jewellery that led to Maughan's arrest when a Volkswagen Golf stopped and a woman was found carrying two bags of jewellery. The jewellery, weighing one kilogram, included 48 adult bracelets, three baby bracelets, rings, cuff links and earrings, many of which had sentimental value. Maughan's 40 prior convictions included trespass, theft, criminal damage, road traffic offences and failure to appear at court. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a four‑year sentence, suspending the final two years. She noted the jewellery's sentimental value and the fact that some items were permanently damaged.
A 23-year-old man has been sentenced to three and a half years imprisonment, with the final twelve months suspended, following a high-speed car chase across Kildare and Dublin last May. Christopher Prentice, of Tallaght, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to unlawfully using a stolen vehicle and three counts of dangerous driving. The court heard that gardaí observed Prentice driving a jeep reported stolen on the Naas Road and pursued him as he drove at speeds exceeding 180 kilometres per hour, broke red lights, crossed lanes, and forced oncoming traffic to swerve. The chase ended when Prentice lost control, mounted a kerb, and came to a stop on Raphoe Road. Judge Melanie Greally described it as miraculous that no injuries or damage occurred. Prentice was also disqualified from driving for five years. He has thirty-three previous convictions. The sentence was backdated to May.
Michael Connors, aged 25, was sentenced by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to escaping custody twice in 2017 and 2018. He also admitted unlawfully possessing two stolen cars in April 2018 and was charged with producing a hammer and possessing stolen property. Gardaí found stolen car keys and an RF radio signal jammer at his home. Judge Melanie Greally suspended the last year of a five‑year sentence and disqualified him from driving for six years. Connors had previously escaped custody while being treated for a bitten ear at Tallaght Hospital, slipping his handcuffs and fleeing. He had 38 prior convictions, including burglary, knife possession, endangerment and escaping lawful custody. The court heard he had a troubled background, early school leaving, drug use, and had undergone psychiatric treatment. The judge noted his apology and desire to change.
Michael Connors, aged 25, was sentenced later this month for escaping custody at Tallaght Hospital on 10 November 2017 after a fellow inmate bit him on the ear, and for escaping custody at Tallaght Garda Station on 20 April 2018. He also pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing two stolen cars on 19 and 27 April last year, and to four counts of producing a hammer and possessing stolen property. Gardaí found stolen car keys and an RF radio signal jammer at his home. Connors had 38 previous convictions, including 13 for burglary, and had a history of drug use and self‑harm. He apologized to the court and expressed a desire to turn his life around and work as a gardener. The case was adjourned for sentencing next Tuesday.
Warren Nolan, 22, was sentenced today by Mr Justice Paul McDermott to the mandatory term of life imprisonment for the murder of Alan O'Neill. Nolan was found guilty of this charge by a majority jury verdict in December. He was also found guilty by unanimous verdict of setting fire to the car used in the attack. For the arson, the judge imposed a six-year sentence, noting that while an appropriate range was seven to ten years, he considered Nolan's young age and mitigating factors. Both sentences were backdated to September 2017. The court heard from Doris O'Neill, the victim's mother, who described her son as a "gentle giant" and stated she would never understand his murder. Counsel for Nolan highlighted his difficult background and low intellectual ability, while the prosecution noted his 24 previous convictions, including a recent firearms offense. Evidence indicated the shooting was planned, with the stolen vehicle stalking the victim prior to the attack. Nolan was arrested near a burning car and denied involvement in the murder during interviews, claiming he only set the vehicle alight. The judge's sentencing concluded the procedural stage for these proven charges.
A 24‑year‑old man, Gamiya Muftau, will be sentenced later for his role in a €350,000 fraud that stole money from Maynooth University. In summer 2015, university staff paid a contractor, Rhatigans, into a fraudulent account after a phone call from someone claiming to be from the firm. The university transferred €362,810 to the fake account, which was then moved through 15 transactions to several accounts, one belonging to Muftau. He pleaded guilty to possessing €18,100 as proceeds of crime at AIB, Capel Street, on 25 August 2015. Muftau was arrested in December 2016, gave false addresses, and later admitted he was squatting. He claimed he was unaware the money was stolen and had no access to it. He has seven prior convictions, mainly traffic offences. Judge Melanie Greally ordered a probation report and adjourned sentencing to 14 March.
A Dublin man, Keith Connorton, aged 40, was found guilty of murder after stabbing his love rival, Graham McKeever, 32, to death. The incident occurred on 18 February 2017 at Connorton's home on Deerpark Avenue, Tallaght. Connorton lived with his long‑term partner, Claire McGrath, who had invited McKeever to stay the night. When Connorton returned at 4 a.m., he discovered McKeever and McGrath together and a fight ensued. McKeever suffered four stab wounds, one penetrating his heart, which caused his death. Connorton claimed he acted in self‑defence after McKeever punched him, breaking his eye socket, and then attacked him with a knife. The jury deliberated for 2 hours and 51 minutes, returning a guilty verdict by a 10‑to‑2 majority. Connorton will be sentenced to life imprisonment at a later hearing. The article reports no further details about the sentencing or the victim's family statement.
During the trial of 40‑year‑old Keith Connorton for the murder of Graham McKeever, a jury asked Judge Tony Hunt to re‑read the evidence of Deputy State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan and the original Garda statements of key witness Claire McGrath. The case involved a love triangle in which Connorton, who had lived with McGrath for about three years, allegedly invited McKeever to stay after an argument. A fight ensued, resulting in McKeever's death by a knife wound that pierced his heart. Judge Hunt read the evidence, and the jury resumed deliberations. Keith Connorton pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, Michael O'Higgins SC defended Keith Connorton, 40, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of 32‑year‑old Graham McKeever on 18 February 2017. O'Higgins argued that Connorton was attacked by McKeever's partner, Claire McGrath, who had entered the home at 4 a.m. and threatened him with a knife. He claimed Connorton was forced to defend himself after McKeever "barrelled in" and inflicted a fractured eye socket on Connorton. O'Higgins questioned the reliability of McGrath's statements, noting inconsistencies and her drug‑related vulnerability. He urged the jury to consider Connorton's right to self‑defence under the suddenness and ferocity of the attack, and to assess whether the force used was proportionate. The prosecution maintained that McKeever had no knife and that Connorton's account was a "pack of lies," seeking a guilty verdict for murder. The case was set for jury deliberation the following day.
In the Central Criminal Court, Brendan Grehan SC argued that Keith Connorton's claim of a self‑defence struggle was false. Connorton, 40, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 32‑year‑old Graham McKeever on 18 February 2017 at Connorton's Tallaght home. Grehan said McKeever was a guest, not an intruder, and that Connorton's account of a knife‑wielding attack was a "pack of lies." The prosecution's case relied on Claire McGrath's statements that Connorton found her with McKeever, armed himself, threatened her, and stabbed McKeever, and on Deputy State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan's report of four stab wounds, one penetrating the heart. Grehan urged the jury to convict Connorton of murder, noting that a reasonable‑force defence would not absolve him if the evidence contradicted his story. The trial continued before Mr Justice Tony Hunt.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, 40‑year‑old Keith Connorton pleaded not guilty to the murder of 32‑year‑old Graham McKeever, who was stabbed to death at Connorton's home on 18 February 2017. Connorton told Gardaí that his dream of a happy family with his son and his partner had been ruined. He claimed he had met his partner, Claire McGrath, at a Luas stop, comforted her after a breakup, and described her as "beautiful" and "nice sweet young one". Connorton said he loved her "to bits" and that he wanted to be free of heroin and have a happy family. He had been on a methadone programme, reducing his daily dose from 115mls to 55mls. The trial, presided over by Justice Tony Hunt, continues with a jury of nine men and three women. The case involves a fight between Connorton and McKeever, during which McKeever received a fatal stab wound to the heart.
Two Dublin men, Stephen Tynan (41) and Raymond Fitzgerald (37), were sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Andrew Guerrine, Tynan's cousin, who was stabbed 20 times and left on a roadside in Rathcoole. The murder occurred between 22 and 23 May 2015. The defendants pleaded not guilty, but a jury found them guilty by majority verdict. At sentencing, the victim's sister, Edel Guerrine, delivered a victim impact statement describing the brutality of the crime and the profound grief it caused her family. Judge Michael White imposed a mandatory life sentence on both men, noting the severity of the offence and the lack of remorse shown by the defendants during the trial. The sentence was delivered in the Central Criminal Court, with no mention of any future release or parole. The case concluded with the men being led away to begin their sentences.
During a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, Keith Connorton (40) pleaded not guilty to the February 18, 2017 stabbing death of 32‑year‑old Graham McKeever. Connorton told gardai that he had returned home, argued with his partner Claire McGrath, and that McKeever had come into the house with a knife. He claimed he grabbed the knife, cut his own hand, and then stabbed McKeever a few times. Connorton said he tried to keep McKeever alive, called 999, and that he did not intend to kill him. McGrath's statements to the jury and to gardai differed, and she admitted she was on painkillers and Xanax when she gave them. The trial is proceeding before Justice Tony Hunt with a jury of nine men and three women.
Claire McGrath, aged 30, gave evidence in the Central Criminal Court trial of Keith Connorton, who is charged with the murder of Graham McKeever, 32, on 18 February 2017. McGrath said she had been in a relationship with Connorton for three years and that she had invited McKeever to stay at their home that night. She told the court that she had exchanged texts and Facebook messages with McKeever in the days before his death, in which she expressed love, insecurity and a desire for his affection. McGrath admitted that her drug use might have affected her memory and that she was not a reliable witness. She denied that she had lied to Gardaí or that Connorton had pressured her to do so, and she said she had told the truth about the events. She will continue her cross‑examination before Justice Tony Hunt and a jury. Keith Connorton pleaded not guilty.
Claire McGrath, 30, gave evidence in the murder trial of Keith Connorton, 40, at the Central Criminal Court. She admitted that parts of her original statements to the Gardaí after the February 18, 2017 stabbing of Graham McKeever, 32, were not true. McGrath said she had not remembered giving a second statement that the Gardaí recorded as taken that afternoon. She clarified that she had not described Connorton as cutting cannabis, nor had she said he was rolling a cigarette to avoid police suspicion. McGrath denied that she had said he grabbed her and pushed her onto the couch, that he threatened her with "I'll kill you", or that she had called him a "dirty tramp". She also denied that she had seen him stab McKeever three times or that he used the knife defensively. McGrath stated that she loves Connorton, that their relationship was on and off, and that she was trying to be fair in her testimony. Keith Connorton pleaded not guilty.
Kevin Braney, 44, of Tallaght, was charged with murdering dissident republican Peter Butterly in March 2013. He pleaded not guilty to the murder and was also charged with possession of a 9mm Beretta pistol and seven rounds of ammunition. The Special Criminal Court, after the prosecution's case closed, refused a defence application for a direction to acquit on the firearm charges. The court directed an acquittal on those counts. Braney's defence argued that State witness David Cullen's evidence was unreliable and that no forensic or DNA links tied Braney to the crime. The court noted the absence of any evidence linking Braney to phones or the weapons. The case remains pending, with a judgment expected early next year. Braney was remanded in custody until 18 January.
In a Dublin murder trial, Deputy State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan testified that the deceased, Graham McKeever, 32, died from a single fatal stab wound to the heart, inflicted during a fight with his lover's boyfriend, Keith Connorton, 40. Dr Mulligan described the fatal wound as entering the left chest between the second and third ribs, penetrating both chambers of the right heart, causing severe bleeding into the lungs. She noted a second chest wound of four centimetres depth that did not pierce the ribs, a wound near the armpit, and a fourth to the back, none of which were fatal but could have contributed to blood loss. The pathologist also found about 40 scratches and bruises, and drug tests revealed benzodiazepines, methadone, alcohol and cocaine in the deceased's system. Connorton remains on trial at the Central Criminal Court, having pleaded not guilty. The case is set to continue before Justice Tony Hunt and a jury.
Aaron Dawson, aged 23, was released from Swords Garda Station after being arrested for a public order offence and giving Gardaí a false name and address. Within an hour and a half of his release, he burglarised six nearby buildings within about 250 metres, leaving blood, fingerprints and documents bearing the false name he had supplied. The burglaries included Dillons Hair Salon, Zest, Abbey Travel, Havana Therapy and Pink Elephant Thai Restaurant. He damaged doors, took items such as an iPad, a watch and cash, and left his blood at the restaurant and fingerprints at the salon. The court heard he had been drinking heavily, up to two bottles of whiskey per day, and that no planning or disguise was involved. He pleaded guilty to eight burglary and criminal damage charges and was sentenced to three years, with two years suspended, to run consecutively to a term he is currently serving.
The Special Criminal Court refused to exclude the testimony of former murder accused David Cullen, who has become a State witness, from the trial of Kevin Braney, accused of murdering Peter Butterly. The defence argued Cullen was a 'parody of a witness' and his evidence was riddled with inconsistencies, but the court found the circumstantial evidence supporting his testimony—such as CCTV footage, the recovered firearm and ammunition, and surveillance of Braney's car—sufficient to establish a prima facie case. The court also rejected two other defence applications: one to acquit Braney on related firearms charges and another to discharge the judges. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Coffey with Judges Martin Nolan and James Faughnan, continues with Cullen's evidence admitted. Braney, aged 44, has pleaded not guilty to the murder and to possession of a 9mm Beretta pistol and ammunition. The prosecution closed its case on Monday.