In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Declan Tynan, aged 27, was convicted of violent disorder for his role in a December 13, 2012 attack on a Ladbrokes bookmakers in Tallaght. The prosecution alleged that Tynan was one of three men who entered the shop, attacked a customer with a short blade, and then turned on the victim's brother when he tried to intervene. No medical or victim impact reports were produced, and the only evidence against Tynan was a Garda identification from CCTV footage. A jury found him guilty and Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced him to four years' imprisonment, suspending the final year. The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction in July. Earlier this month, Tynan's barrister claimed that another man had "came forward" and that visual identification was unreliable. On October 27, 2017, a three‑judge court granted Tynan bail pending a Garda investigation, requiring him to reside at a specified address and sign in twice weekly. Declan Tynan pleaded not guilty.
Michael Darcy, 37, of Parkhill West, Tallaght, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to attempting to commit an indictable offence of deception by making a false insurance claim to Axa Insurance Limited. The offence was alleged to have occurred on 1 September 2013. Judge Karen O'Connor set a sentencing hearing for 23 November, when full facts will be considered.
In 2014, Dermot Griffin, aged 57, was found guilty of manslaughter after a 13‑day trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for the 2001 fire that killed 12‑year‑old Stephen Hughes. The jury, composed of six men and six women, returned a verdict of guilty and Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced Griffin to 15 years' imprisonment. Griffin has now appealed his conviction to the Court of Appeal. His counsel, Bernard Condon SC, argued that the prosecution's case was a "three‑legged affair", citing inconsistent statements from three witnesses who admitted drug use and had altered their accounts over time. Condon also highlighted a partner's testimony that Griffin had spoken of burning the den, which was not corroborated by police interviews. The prosecution, represented by Mary Rose Gearty SC, countered that additional evidence, including testimony from Jason Lambe, supported the original verdict. Judge George Birmingham has reserved judgment on the appeal.
Peter Hilliard, 54, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of sexual assault against vulnerable residents at Bloomfield nursing home between February 2013 and June 2016. The first assault was discovered when a colleague saw a video of Hilliard touching an elderly resident's breasts on his Facebook page. Garda Shane Whelan reported that the video also showed a male present during the assault. Following a search of Hilliard's devices, investigators found a second video of a similar attack on another resident. Hilliard had no prior convictions. After his arrest he expressed remorse and mentioned suicidal thoughts. The judge noted Hilliard's loss of employment and his engagement with counselling. A suspended sentence of 18 months was imposed, conditioned on Hilliard keeping the peace, attending weekly therapy, and remaining under Probation Service supervision for 18 months.
John O'Keefe, 26, was stopped by Garda Stephen Connor after the officer observed him using a mobile phone while driving a van toward the city centre. The Garda noted O'Keefe was extremely nervous and detected a strong smell of cannabis. A search of the van uncovered a bag of 248 MDMA tablets worth €2,480 and a bag of cannabis herb worth €4,734. O'Keefe admitted to transporting the drugs for €200, claiming he was unaware of their value and did not know the recipient. He pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply at Greenhills Road, Tallaght, on 11 April 2016. The court, hearing his 16 prior convictions, imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspended in full on strict conditions, including 12 months of probation supervision. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Sarah Hanson, 44, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious harm after her car struck 72‑year‑old Sandra Molloy in a Clondalkin retail park car park on 13 November 2015. Molloy suffered two broken legs, a pelvic fracture and a skull base fracture, requiring 32 days in Tallaght Hospital, nine in intensive care, and multiple surgeries. Hanson was sentenced by Judge Terence O'Sullivan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 120 hours of community service and a €1,000 fine, with no custodial sentence. The judge cited Hanson's guilty plea, lack of prior convictions, remorse, and character references from colleagues as mitigating factors. Hanson, a clinical psychologist with three children, had no intention to harm Molloy and accepted responsibility immediately after the incident. The judge emphasised that the judgment focused on the driving rather than the extent of Molloy's injuries.
A builder's supplier company, Knauf GMBH, has been fined €40,000 for a safety breach that led to the death of Sergei Piller (33) in 2014. Piller was struck by a forklift at the company's site on Broomhill Road, Tallaght, Dublin. The company pleaded guilty to exposing a non-employee to a risk to their safety, health, or welfare, causing personal injury or death. The forklift driver had been loading pallets when he felt the forklift bearers pulling off the ground and found Piller underneath. Piller died from massive chest injuries. The court heard that there were no traffic management measures in place on the site, and regular visitors were not informed of safety procedures. The company has since implemented new safety measures and is now described as a 'model site.' The judge expressed her condolences to Piller's family and noted the company's cooperation with the Health and Safety Authority investigation.
Vincent Banks, aged 49, of Smithfield Gate Apartments in Dublin 7, has been sentenced to five years imprisonment following his conviction by the Special Criminal Court in July for membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the IRA. The non-jury court heard that Banks purchased a Toyota Camry in a clandestine manner, which was subsequently used in the November 2012 murder of David Black, a Northern Irish prison officer shot whilst en route to Maghaberry prison. Evidence presented to the three-judge court included forensic links between Banks and the vehicle, including his fingerprint on the car's registration certificate, which he had signed under a false name. An ordnance survey map with the Leitrim page removed and bearing Banks' fingerprints was recovered from a friend's vehicle. Justice Isobel Kennedy noted Banks held a position of trust within the organisation. The sentence was backdated to April 16th 2016. Banks was previously acquitted in 2014 of withholding information related to Mr Black's death.
The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in an appeal brought by Gary Flynn, who was convicted of the 2009 gangland murder of Seamus Shay O'Byrne in Tallaght. Flynn, who pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court, received a mandatory life sentence in 2016. He is the third person jailed for the crime, following the convictions of Garrett O'Brien, the gunman, and Eugene Cullen, who organised the murder and later died in custody. Flynn's counsel argued that the seizure of mobile phone data was disproportionate and violated human rights laws, claiming gardaí indiscriminately collected devices without adequate justification. Defence also contended that the trial judge failed to properly direct the jury regarding gunshot residue evidence and the prosecution's failure to prove Flynn's knowledge of the killing plan. The Director of Public Prosecutions countered that the phones were linked to the crime and that privacy rights do not extend to devices used for murder. The three-judge panel, comprising Mr Justice Birmingham, Mr Justice Mahon, and Mr Justice Hedigan, heard the arguments and reserved their decision. The matter remains adjourned pending the court's final ruling on the admissibility of evidence and the trial judge's directions.
Gary Flynn, aged 32, of Rossfield Drive, Tallaght, was convicted of murder for the killing of Seamus Shay O'Byrne at the victim's home on 13 March 2009. The trial lasted nine weeks, with the judge's summary lasting nine hours. The jury found Flynn guilty after one hour and forty minutes, and he received a mandatory life sentence on 16 March 2016. Flynn has now lodged an appeal on several grounds, including the admissibility of evidence and the judge's directions to the jury. His barrister, Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC, argued that the judge failed to give adequate directions regarding the legal test for key propositions, such as the possibility of innocent gunshot residue contamination and the prosecution's failure to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Flynn knew of a plan to kill or cause serious injury. The appeal is before Justices George Birmingham, Alan Mahon and John Hedigan. The unnamed man pleaded not guilty.
A 25‑year‑old Dublin man, Dean Comerford, was sentenced to one year in jail for providing false information in a passport application. The application, which contained his personal details, was submitted with a photograph that had been spliced to include a different person's image. Comerford had attended Tallaght Garda station in January 2015 to obtain a certification for the application, and the photo was stamped normally. The passport office's fraud department later discovered the splicing. Judge Karen O'Connor found the premeditated nature of the offence aggravating and imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspending the final 18 months on strict conditions, including 12 months of probation supervision. The case also involved co‑accused Derek Corr, who received a five‑year sentence with four years suspended, and a GP who was prosecuted for endorsing the identity form without meeting Comerford. The court noted Comerford's history of 14 convictions, including public order and road traffic offences. Dean Comerford pleaded guilty.
Stephen Bailey, aged 30, was sentenced to three years in prison after a high‑speed chase in torrential rain on the M50 led to a garda car aquaplaning and crashing. Bailey had pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and heroin, intentionally or recklessly ramming a garda, endangerment of Garda Gary Dunne and two dangerous driving charges. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a four‑and‑a‑half‑year term, suspending the final 18 months, and banned Bailey from driving for ten years. The chase began when gardaí, following a surveillance operation on Old Glenamuck Road, spotted a red Audi A3 driven by Bailey. The gardaí pursued him, but the patrol car aquaplaned, causing injuries to Sgt Divian Rock and Garda Tara Byrne. Both officers suffered significant injuries and ongoing medical costs. Bailey's guilty pleas and steps toward drug treatment were noted by the judge.
Catherine Simpson, a 72‑year‑old pensioner, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to ten counts of social welfare fraud committed between 1998 and 2016, totalling €206,696.09. She used two PPS numbers to claim Deserted Wives' Allowance and the non‑contributory State pension under her married name, while working under her maiden name, Maguire, and receiving additional benefits such as Job Seekers' Benefit, Illness Benefit and the Contributory State Pension. The fraud was uncovered in 2015 after facial image‑matching software was introduced by the Department of Social Protection. Simpson was sentenced to three years in prison, fully suspended, after expressing remorse and cooperation. She is required to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for three years, and her Contributory State Pension is being docked by €20 as repayment to the State. The court noted her long‑term alcoholism recovery, liver cirrhosis, and the support of her family.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Declan Henry, a 37‑year‑old father of six, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply after a search of his Brookview Close home uncovered bags worth €39,900. Henry, who had no prior convictions, explained to the Gardaí that he had borrowed money at Christmas and was unable to repay the loan, so he held the drugs to settle the debt. He denied profiting from the cannabis and did not name anyone else involved. The prosecution, represented by Garret Baker BL, noted the Gardaí's search was based on information that cannabis was present. The defence, led by Sandra Frayne BL, highlighted Henry's family responsibilities and a "very difficult background." Judge Karen O'Connor adjourned sentencing to 25 October for finalisation.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 33‑year‑old civil servant Jacqueline Walsh pleaded guilty to four counts of stealing €6,736 from the Department of Social Protection between October 2011 and May 2012. Walsh, who worked at the Tallaght branch, accessed her brother William Walsh's PPS number and used three different staff usernames to submit fake jobseeker allowance claims in his name. The court noted that computers were often left unlocked, allowing such access. Walsh resigned in 2015 and moved to a private company. She admitted receiving the money into her account, though her superior claimed she was competent at using the claims system. No stolen money was recovered. Walsh, with no prior convictions, is on bail and has four children, two of whom have health issues. Judge Karen O'Connor ordered a probation report and adjourned sentencing to December 6, citing a significant breach of trust.
A Dublin man convicted of IRA membership will be sentenced later this month at the Special Criminal Court. Vincent Banks, aged 49, of Smithfield Gate Apartments in Dublin 7, was found guilty in July of membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army. The conviction relates to his role in purchasing a Toyota Camry that was subsequently used in the fatal shooting of Northern Ireland prison officer David Black in November 2012. During sentencing proceedings, detectives outlined how Banks had acquired the vehicle under a false name and how forensic evidence, including fingerprints on a car registration certificate and an ordnance survey map of County Leitrim, connected him to the car. The map had a page displaying County Leitrim torn out. Banks' fingerprints were also found on the document. The court heard Banks has no significant previous convictions. He was remanded in custody pending sentencing on 23rd October.
In a case heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, 21‑year‑old Dean Sutcliffe of Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, was found guilty of assault causing serious harm after striking 17‑year‑old Keith Fennelly on the head with a golf club on 3 November 2013. The incident followed an argument between the victim, his brother and Sutcliffe, who was sitting on a wall outside his home. Sutcliffe struck Fennelly from behind with such force that the club's head detached. Fennelly suffered a fractured skull, internal bleeding and required intensive care for several days. Sutcliffe had no prior convictions and was not known to the Gardaí. Judge Elma Sheahan sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, and directed him to engage with Probation Services and undergo anger‑management treatment upon release. The judge noted Sutcliffe's youth, impending fatherhood and lack of previous offences as mitigating factors.
In 2012, Declan Tynan, 27, was convicted of violent disorder after a violent attack on a customer at a Ladbrokes bookmakers in Tallaght. The prosecution's case relied on a single witness and CCTV footage that identified Tynan. He was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to four years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended. In July 2017 the Court of Appeal upheld the conviction. Tynan's lawyers argued that a new witness had come forward, claiming a close resemblance to the attacker, and sought a bail application. The court rejected the appeal, stating that the lack of contemporaneous notes on the CCTV viewing did not create a statutory obligation to exclude the evidence. The case was remitted for one week, but no further action was taken. The appeal was dismissed by the Court of Appeal. Declan Tynan pleaded not guilty.
Books of evidence were served on Kevin Braney, 43, and Ciaran Maguire, 29, both charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) at the Special Criminal Court. They were arrested in August by Gardaí investigating dissident republicans. Mr Justice Tony Hunt remanded them in custody until November 16, when the case will be mentioned again.
Gillian Philip, 36, pleaded guilty to damaging a neighbour's property with fire on 21 October 2015. She was arrested that evening after Garda Robert Whitty interviewed two children who witnessed her pushing a flaming laminated paper through a letterbox. The children quenched the fire, but the hall carpet was scorched. Philip had been in custody since January 2017 and will live with her father in Co Cork after release. Judge Karen O'Connor described the act as reckless, noted Philip's limited cognitive function and tragic life, and considered her early guilty plea, remorse letter and positive use of custody time. She imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspending the balance from today's date on strict conditions. The case stemmed from a bin dispute, and Philip has five children and prior convictions for theft, public intoxication and failing to appear.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court formally discharged charges against ten of the eleven Jobstown water charge protesters. Judge Melanie Greally entered a nolle prosequi for all accused except Dylan Collins, whose case remains active. Prosecution barrister Sean Gillane SC stated that Collins, aged 22, is alleged to have committed violent disorder and criminal damage to a garda car rear window on November 15, 2014. He will be arraigned on November 20, with a trial date likely unnecessary. The other ten defendants, including Antoinette Kane and Calvin Carlyle, faced allegations of violent disorder at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, on the same date. Their charges were dropped following a request from the DPP. This decision follows a previous trial where six men, including Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, were found not guilty of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her advisor Karen O'Connell. Protesters celebrated the discharge outside the court, demanding a public inquiry into the prosecution. The matter for the ten discharged individuals was concluded, while Collins's case proceeds to arraignment.
Kevin Braney, a 43‑year‑old Dublin man, was charged by the Special Criminal Court with membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and with the murder of Peter Butterly, a 35‑year‑old father of two, who was shot dead outside The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co. Meath on 6 March 2013. Braney is also charged with possession of a 9 mm Beretta pistol and seven rounds of ammunition, allegedly intended for a murder on 5 March 2013 at Blackthorn Apartments, Balbriggan. He was brought before the court on 14 September 2017, where he protested the charges as politically motivated and demanded a jury trial. The court, following the Director of Public Prosecutions' request, ordered that he be tried before the Special Criminal Court. Judge Tony Hunt remanded him in custody for a further hearing on 21 September. No objections were raised to Braney's application for legal aid.
Kevin Braney, a Dublin man living at Glenshane Crescent, Tallaght, was arrested last week on charges of membership in the Irish Republican Army (IRA). He applied for bail, but the Special Criminal Court refused it. The court cited concerns that Braney could be a flight risk and might interfere with witnesses. Detective Inspector Nigel Mulready argued that Braney's release could lead to further serious offences, while Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Maguire supported the objection under Section 2A of the Bail Act, stating that preventing interference with witnesses was a "very live and real concern." Judge Tony Hunt, with Judges Patricia Ryan and Gerard Haughton, agreed and refused bail on that basis alone. Braney was remanded in custody until 5 October, when his case will be mentioned again. He was required to appear in person, as the court deemed the video‑link system inadequate.
Two Dublin men, Kevin Braney and Ciaran Maguire (29), appeared before an out‑of‑term sitting of the Special Criminal Court on 3 August 2017. Both were charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styled the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Braney, whose address is Glenshane Crescent, Tallaght, was arrested at 5:41 pm by Detective Garda Colm Finnerty outside Finglas Garda Station. Finnerty informed him he would be brought before the court, detained him, transported him to the Special Criminal Court, and presented the charge sheet; Braney made no reply and remained seated when asked to stand. Maguire, of Kippure Park, Finglas, was arrested at 5:42 pm by Detective Garda Ronan Judge, who also believed the offence had been committed. Judge Finnerty transported him to the court, handed him the charge sheet, and Maguire likewise made no reply and stayed seated.
During a hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Melanie Greally criticised existing contempt of court laws as "hopelessly inadequate" for curbing social media commentary that could interfere with trials. She spoke ahead of a trial set for 3 October involving six defendants charged with violent disorder and false imprisonment following a 2014 protest in Jobstown, Tallaght. Greally had considered imposing a bail condition preventing defendants from making social media comments aimed at influencing the trial, but after defence submissions she decided no change was needed, citing the usual condition to keep the peace and good behaviour. She warned that any such commentary would be evidence of contempt. The judge also cautioned mainstream media against linking the upcoming defendants to the previous trial and noted the DPP's sensitivity to recent broadcast comments. The hearing highlighted the tension between freedom of expression and the need to protect the integrity of ongoing trials.
Carl Freeman, aged 22, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, back‑dated to January, for an aggravated burglary at a 77‑year‑old Dublin woman's home in Tallaght on 12 March 2013. The court noted the victim was left severely traumatised, fearing for her life and subsequently never returned to the house, now living with her daughter. Freeman pleaded guilty to the burglary and had 62 prior convictions, including dangerous driving, burglary and assault. The judge described him as a "menace to society" and imposed a five‑year term, with the court's decision reflecting the serious impact on the victim. The burglary involved the theft of jewellery, a TV, cash and other items, and the perpetrators used a stolen Audi A4 to escape. Freeman's defence highlighted his family's support and his history of drug abuse and ADHD. The court accepted his guilty plea as a genuine benefit to the victim.
The Court of Appeal has allowed the State's appeal, setting aside a High Court judgment that had declared the 2014 arrest of Mark Finnegan unlawful. Finnegan, a resident of Tallaght, was convicted in November 2008 of allowing himself to be carried in a mechanically propelled vehicle without the owner's consent. He was sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment on May 27, 2009. After serving two months in Wheatfield Prison, he was transferred to Shelton Abbey open prison, from which he escaped on October 31, 2009. He remained at large until his arrest in November 2014, during which time he collected social welfare and fathered a child. Mr Justice John Hedigan, writing for the court, stated that the delay in his recapture was attributable to a human error by authorities who failed to enter his absconding details into the Garda PULSE system, preventing nationwide notification. The judge described Finnegan's conduct as a "protracted evasion of justice" and "simply ignoring" his lawful sentence. The court found that the arrest and detention were in accordance with law, noting that the role of gardaí is to catch escapees and hand them to prison authorities. The appeal was allowed, and Finnegan faces a return to prison to complete his sentence. However, lawyers for the State undertook not to arrest him if his solicitor lodges a Supreme Court appeal.
During a pre‑trial hearing at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 25 July 2017, Judge Melanie Greally addressed the defendants remanded on bail in the 2014 Jobstown water protest case. She explained that she was considering changing their bail conditions to prohibit them from commenting on the trials online, citing the need to protect the integrity of the proceedings. The judge noted that the first trial, which concluded in May with the acquittal of all six accused, had seen non‑trials participants post remarks on social media, and that a defendant's commentary near the end of that trial had almost derailed the process. She warned that any attempt to influence the jury selection or public opinion could be treated as contempt of court and lead to prosecution. Lawyers for some defendants objected to linking bail conditions to commentary, but the judge agreed to hear the matter in full on Friday.
A three-judge panel at the Special Criminal Court will deliver its verdict on Monday in the trial of a Dublin man accused of membership of an unlawful organisation. Vincent Banks (47), of Smithfield Gate Apartments in Dublin 7, has pleaded not guilty to the charge. The prosecution alleged that Mr Banks purchased a Toyota Camry used in the fatal shooting of Northern Irish prison officer David Black in November 2012. The State presented evidence that the vehicle was later parked in Carrigallen, County Leitrim, near the border. The defence contended that the evidence was insufficient and that purchasing a car does not constitute activity uniquely associated with unlawful organisation membership. Justice Isobel Kennedy, sitting with Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Gerard Haughton, will deliver judgment on 31 July.
Peter Colleran, a 33‑year‑old former skipper from Cork, was sentenced to two‑and‑a‑half years in prison for possessing cocaine and cannabis worth €105,372. He was found with the drugs in a container at City West Storage in Tallaght on 21 October 2016. Colleran, who has no fixed abode, pleaded guilty. Judge Karen O'Connor handed down a five‑year sentence, suspending the final two‑and‑a‑half years. She noted his addiction and destitution following the 2007 sinking of the fishing trawler Honeydew II, which had claimed the life of his captain and mentor. Colleran admitted to drug‑making to repay debts and to having been homeless and sleeping in his car. He had a small number of prior public‑order convictions. The court heard he was supported by his family, who were present at the hearing.
A 28-year-old man from Tallaght has been sentenced to 20 months imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to stealing five iPhones from Three mobile phone stores across the country between November 3 and 7, 2015. Viorel Rostas participated in robberies in Navan, Cavan, Letterkenny in Donegal, and Tralee and Killarney in Kerry. Rather than stealing the phones himself, Rostas acted as a distraction or obstructed staff attempting to prevent the thefts while accomplices took the devices, which were collectively valued at over €3,500. Judge John Aylmer considered Rostas's guilty plea and €1,000 compensation offered as mitigating factors, but noted his previous convictions for theft made a suspended sentence inappropriate. The court heard Rostas became involved following his mother's death and financial pressure from a loan taken for funeral expenses in Romania. None of the five phones were recovered by gardaí.
Jamie Kavanagh, a professional boxer, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assaulting a doorman and engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour on Harcourt Street on September 23, 2014. Kavanagh pleaded guilty to these summary offences, which were sent to the Circuit Court alongside co-accused Paul Rice and Mark Carlyle, who pleaded guilty to the more serious charge of violent disorder. The court heard that Kavanagh played a peripheral role in the incident, which prosecutors described as an "explosion of violence" outside Copper Face Jacks nightclub. Judge Elma Sheahan applied section 1(1) of the Probation Offenders Act, ordering Kavanagh to be of good behaviour and keep the peace for 12 months, leaving him without a conviction. This disposal was granted to prevent a recorded conviction from interfering with a significant US fight contract. In contrast, co-accused Mark Carlyle, who has multiple serious previous convictions and was identified as an instigator of the brawl, received a sentence of five years in December 2015, with the final 18 months suspended. Paul Rice, also an instigator with 11 previous convictions, was sentenced in April 2016 to three years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended. The court noted that Kavanagh had no previous convictions and had complied with a prior order to provide 20 hours of coaching to his local amateur boxing club.
The Special Criminal Court heard that the fingerprint of Vincent Banks, a 47‑year‑old accused of IRA membership, was found on the registration certificate of a Toyota Camry used in the fatal shooting of prison officer David Black on 1 November 2012. Black, a 52‑year‑old father of two, was shot while driving to work at Maghaberry prison. Banks, who lives in Dublin 7, pleaded not guilty to membership of the Irish Republican Army on 18 December 2012. The car was registered to a man named Paul McCann at an address on Rathgar Road, Rathmines, but the landlord said no tenant bore that name; the registration letter was addressed to McCann. The vehicle was purchased from a previous owner in Tallaght on 10 October, and the buyer signed the certificate with his left hand while placing his right hand on it.
A 28-year-old man from Tallaght has pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to his involvement in the theft of five iPhones from mobile phone stores across the country between November 2015. Viorel Rostas admitted to taking part in robberies at outlets in Navan, Cavan, Letterkenny, Tralee, and Killarney over a five-day period, with the stolen handsets valued at over €3,500. During each incident, Rostas acted as a distraction or obstructed attempts to prevent the thefts while accomplices removed the phones. The robberies occurred during business hours and were recorded on store CCTV; none of the phones were recovered. Detective Garda evidence indicated Rostas was part of a group of four involved in the thefts. The defence outlined that Rostas took a €10,000 loan to finance his mother's funeral in Romania following her death in July 2015, subsequently agreeing to participate in the robberies due to pressure from the lender. Rostas, who has lived in Ireland over twenty years, has seventy-one previous convictions. Judge John Aylmer adjourned the case for sentencing on 24 July.
John O'Keefe, 26, was stopped by Garda Stephen Connor after the officer observed him using a mobile phone while driving a van toward Dublin city centre. O'Keefe was found to be transporting drugs to pay off gambling debts incurred after his father's death in 2011. Garda Connor noted O'Keefe was extremely nervous and there was a strong smell of cannabis. The van was searched and a bag of 248 MDMA tablets, worth €2,480, and a bag of cannabis herb, worth €4,734, were seized. O'Keefe admitted he had been paid €200 to move the drugs, which he had picked up about half an hour earlier, and claimed he did not know the value of the drugs or who he was doing it for. He pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Shamaine McNulty, 23, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to one count of using a false instrument to open a bank account in Drogheda on March 23, 2015, and one count of handling stolen property between March 23 and October 10, 2015. The court heard that McNulty allegedly used a fake electricity bill to open an AIB account for a man known as 'Frank', who is accused of scamming two international students out of over €2,000 through false rental advertisements. McNulty made two withdrawals totaling €8,000 for the man. Judge Karen O'Connor noted that while a three-year custodial sentence would have been appropriate, she considered McNulty's significant assistance to gardaí, which led to the man's arrest. He is due to be sentenced later this year. Judge O'Connor handed down a suspended 18-month sentence. McNulty, who has no previous convictions, was warned not to return to court. The judge acknowledged the distress caused to the victims and the loss of reputation for the country. McNulty's defence highlighted her status as a primary carer for two children and her current homelessness following a house fire. A €100 token of remorse was accepted by the court.
In a 2017 appeal, Declan Tynan, aged 27, was found guilty of violent disorder at a Ladbrokes bookmakers in Tallaght on 13 December 2012. He had pleaded not guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where a jury convicted him and sentenced him to four years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended. The conviction was upheld on the basis that Tynan was identified from CCTV footage by Garda Sergeant Ciarán Loughrey and Garda Patrick McAvinue. The court rejected arguments that the identification evidence was inadmissible, noting that the footage showed the crime and the identification was made by a witness who had seen the event. The appeal was dismissed, confirming the original conviction and sentence. The case highlighted the court's view that video evidence of the crime itself is treated differently from post‑crime identification parades.
In a Dublin court, 34‑year‑old Robert Maguire was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for assault causing harm and false imprisonment of his 30‑year‑old ex‑girlfriend on 14 January 2012. The victim, who was asleep in bed, was spied by Maguire, who spat on her, threatened to kill her, kicked her in the genitals, and beat her into unconsciousness while her children screamed. He locked the bedroom door, prevented her from reaching her baby, and kicked her until she lost consciousness. Gardaí were called but Maguire fled before they arrived. The court imposed a four‑year sentence for each offence to run concurrently, suspended the last two years on condition of peace, and ordered no contact with the victim. The sentence was delivered by Mr Justice Paul Butler. The case was heard in March 2017. Robert Maguire pleaded guilty.
A man from County Mayo pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two robberies committed in the greater Dublin area in 2015. Craig Dempsey, now residing in Achill, admitted robbing Apache Pizza in Tallaght Shopping Centre on 6 September 2015 in company with an accomplice who carried an electric chainsaw. The court heard that approximately €2,535 was taken. Dempsey also pleaded guilty to robbing a Spar store in Ballycullen on 20 July 2015, during which he produced a broken bottle. The court was informed Dempsey committed the offences to settle a drug debt and that he had since relocated to Mayo away from negative influences. Following a positive probation report, Judge Melanie Greally imposed a probation bond for one year with strict conditions and adjourned finalisation until July 2018.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing that lasted 40 days, a jury of seven men and four women found six men – Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, South Dublin County Councillors Michael Murphy and Kieran Mahon, and co‑accused Scott Masterson, Frank Donaghy and Michael Banks – not guilty of all charges of falsely imprisoning Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell. The defendants had been accused of restricting the women's liberty without consent at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, during an anti‑water charges protest on 15 November 2014. The jury deliberated for three hours and ten minutes before returning unanimous verdicts. Judge Melanie Greally, after the verdicts, thanked the jury for their service and exempted them from future duty. The trial had focused on whether the defendants' actions amounted to total restraint, a point the jury found was not proven. The case was described by the defence as a politically motivated attempt to criminalise peaceful protest.
In the trial of six men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton, the jury requested to view garda air support footage from the Jobstown protest. The jury, consisting of seven men and four women, had deliberated for 1 hour 53 minutes the previous day. Judge Melanie Greally had defined false imprisonment as requiring "total restraint" and asked the jury to consider whether Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell had any means of escape. Two escape possibilities were raised: leaving the car and walking off Fortunestown Road, or the jeep reversing as advised by the Garda Air Support Unit. A third possibility was whether the women could have "egressed down Fortunestown Road" amid commotion. The jury will watch the footage in court while continuing deliberations. The accused, including Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, have pleaded not guilty to the charge of falsely imprisoning Burton and O'Connell on 15 November 2014.
The jury in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial of six men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell has been adjourned to continue deliberations. Judge Melanie Greally sent the jurors home after they failed to reach a verdict following one hour and 53 minutes of deliberation. The accused—Paul Murphy, Kieran Mahon, Michael Murphy, Michael Banks, Scott Masterson, and Frank Donaghy—have all pleaded not guilty to the charges, which allege they restricted the women's liberty without consent on November 15, 2014. The prosecution claims the men engaged in a joint enterprise to restrain the victims, while the defence argues the men were exercising their right to peaceful assembly and that any obstruction was merely a nuisance. In her charge, Judge Greally instructed the jury to treat video footage as the primary evidence and to consider the actions of gardaí, including potential mishandling of the protest. She also highlighted specific defence arguments, such as Paul Murphy taking steps to end the restraint and Scott Masterson's actions being inconsistent with intent to imprison. The judge noted that the absence of statements from attendees might be relevant to suggestions of a Garda agenda. The matter was adjourned, with the jury instructed to resume deliberations tomorrow.
In a 2017 Court of Appeal decision, the appeal of Garrett O'Brien, convicted of murdering Seamus O'Byrne, was dismissed. O'Brien, aged 40, had pleaded not guilty to the 2009 killing of the 27‑year‑old father‑of‑two at his home in Tallaght. A jury at the Central Criminal Court found him guilty and imposed a mandatory life sentence. The appeal argued that the jury's failure to provide reasons for its verdict breached O'Brien's fair‑trial rights. Justice Alan Mahon upheld the conviction, stating that Irish law does not require juries to explain their deliberations and that such a request would be impractical. He noted that the jury's verdict was clear and that the prosecution's case identified O'Brien as the gunman, a fact that was not disputed by the evidence presented. The Court found no procedural error and confirmed the legality of O'Brien's arrest and trial.
The jury in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial of six men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tanaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell has retired to consider its verdicts. On day 37, Judge Melanie Greally urged the jury to be "fearless" and set aside political sympathies or views regarding the water charges context. The defendants—Paul Murphy, Kieran Mahon, Michael Murphy, Michael Banks, Scott Masterson, and Frank Donaghy—all pleaded not guilty to restricting the women's liberty without consent on November 15, 2014. The prosecution alleged the men intentionally and totally restrained the women by obstructing their vehicles during a protest. The defence argued the men were exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly and that the obstruction was merely an inconvenience, not total restraint. Judge Greally instructed the jury that false imprisonment requires total restraint with no reasonable means of escape. She highlighted that if a safe egress existed, such as leaving on foot or reversing the vehicle, the charge could not stand. The judge also directed the jury to determine whether the protest was peaceful, noting that this finding would influence how they viewed the actions of both the accused and the gardaí. Although the maximum penalty for false imprisonment is life imprisonment, the judge stated that sentencing is a matter for the court alone and urged the jury to focus solely on guilt or innocence. The jury was sent home for the day, with deliberations to resume the following afternoon.
The jury in the trial of six men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell is due to begin deliberations on Monday. On day 36 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Melanie Greally confirmed she will deliver her charge on Monday morning before the jury retires. The defendants, Michael Banks, Paul Murphy, Kieran Mahon, Michael Murphy, Frank Donaghy, and Scott Masterson, have all pleaded not guilty to the charge of falsely imprisoning the women by restricting their personal liberty without consent on November 15, 2014, at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght. The prosecution alleged the accused surrounded the victims' cars, with Sean Gillane SC citing video footage of Banks making gestures and yelling at the women. Defence counsel Ciaran O'Loughlin SC argued in closing submissions that the State failed to prove the specific offence of false imprisonment, suggesting the incident was caused by the large crowd size rather than deliberate intent. He urged the jury to disregard evidence of Banks' vulgar language towards a garda, stating such conduct is not a crime. The matter is now at the sentencing stage, with the jury set to determine the verdict following the judge's instructions.
The trial of six men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014, has heard closing arguments. Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, Kieran Mahon, Michael Murphy, Frank Donaghy, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson all pleaded not guilty to the charges. Defence counsel for Frank Donaghy argued that his client was a peaceful protestor who merely held a banner, contending that the charge of false imprisonment, which carries a potential life sentence, was unfair and disproportionate. Counsel for Scott Masterson similarly argued that his client's presence and leading of non-abusive chants did not constitute false imprisonment, highlighting that the women were able to exit the vehicle. The defence characterised the incident as a spontaneous political protest rather than a criminal conspiracy. The matter is currently at the sentencing stage, with the trial continuing before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The trial of six men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014, has heard closing arguments. Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, Councillor Michael Murphy, Councillor Kieran Mahon, Frank Donaghy, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson have all pleaded not guilty to the charges. Defence counsel for Councillor Michael Murphy argued that gardaí decisions were "unwise and inappropriate," claiming police failed to negotiate early and that video footage disproved prosecution evidence. He stated his client attempted to de-escalate the situation. Counsel for Councillor Kieran Mahon described his client as a political activist who did not use force or threaten violence, arguing that fear caused by violent disorder from others, not his actions, prevented the women from leaving. He criticized the arrest of his client as an abuse of power. The prosecution countered that Councillor Murphy interfered with gardaí and acknowledged the women were not free, while Councillor Mahon returned to the scene and participated in the sit-down protest. The trial continues before Judge Melanie Greally.
Gillian Philip, 36, of Mac Uilliam Green, Tallaght, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to damaging a neighbour's property with fire on 21 October 2015. The incident involved Philip pushing a flaming laminated piece of paper through the neighbour's letterbox, an act witnessed by two children who later helped extinguish the fire. The children, who were staying with a friend of their mother, heard a voice shouting "fire, fire" and recognised it as Philip's. They were able to quench the blaze, though the carpet in the hall was scorched. Philip initially denied involvement but admitted to the act. The case was motivated by a dispute over bins, with Philip's defence citing limited cognitive function and paranoia. She has a history of alcohol and drug abuse and five children. Judge Karen O'Connor remanded her in custody and adjourned sentencing to 31 July.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a jury heard arguments over the case of Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, aged 34, and five other men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tanaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell on 15 November 2014. The defendants claimed not guilty. The prosecution, led by Sean Gillane SC, argued that the defendants' actions amounted to a total restraint of liberty, describing the event as a coordinated effort to detain the two women in vehicles for three hours during a protest at An Cosán adult education centre. Defence counsel Sean Guerin SC countered that the defendants were not involved in violent or abusive conduct, that the protest was political, and that the alleged restraint was a response to a fear of violence. The trial, presided over by Judge Melanie Greally, continues with the jury expected to decide on the charges of false imprisonment.
In a 2017 sentencing hearing, the Central Criminal Court adjourned the case of 34‑year‑old Robert Maguire, who had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and false imprisonment of his ex‑girlfriend on 14 January 2012. The judge, Mr Justice Paul Butler, received an anonymous letter urging that Maguire be "sent away for life" and was placed in a difficult position. He ordered a probation report after the defence requested a community service assessment, and the case was remanded for a further bail mention on 3 July. The victim, a 30‑year‑old woman, described severe trauma and the assault's lasting impact. Maguire's previous convictions included a 240‑hour community service sentence for theft. The court noted the defence's request for community service and the judge's need for a probation assessment before proceeding. The hearing ended with the case postponed for further consideration.