In a Dublin gaming convention, 28‑year‑old Keith Hearne tied up, raped and falsely imprisoned 25‑year‑old Dominique Meehan in a hotel meeting room. He bound her hands with a tie, used a prop knife to threaten her, and sexually assaulted her. Hearne pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, one count of oral rape and one count of false imprisonment. He was sentenced by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy to 12 years' imprisonment, with a five‑year post‑release supervision order. The judge noted Hearne's only mitigating factor was his guilty plea and that he was caught during the act, which reduced the mitigating factor. Hearne gave no reaction to the sentence. Meehan, who waived anonymity, said the sentence was a relief but still felt it was too light and that her life has changed dramatically since the assault.
Jamie Kavanagh, a professional boxer, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting a doorman and engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour on Harcourt Street on September 23, 2014. Prosecutors alleged Kavanagh was part of a group that attacked staff at Copper Face Jacks nightclub, though his defence argued he played a minimal role and made no physical contact. Kavanagh's lawyers requested the court strike out the indictment to avoid a conviction that could jeopardise a significant three-year US contract. Judge Elma Sheahan adjourned the case to July 21 to allow the DPP to provide instructions on whether the Circuit Court has jurisdiction to strike out the charges, a power typically associated with the District Court. The judge also suggested Kavanagh provide 20 hours of coaching to a local amateur boxing club. Background persons Paul Rice and Mark Carlyle, identified as the instigators of the violence, were previously jailed after pleading guilty to violent disorder. Rice received a three-year sentence with the final year suspended, while Carlyle received five years with the final 18 months suspended. The matter remains adjourned pending further legal instructions.
Gerard Lawlor, 67, of Balrothery, Tallaght, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 11 counts of fraudulently claiming €167,873 in social welfare payments from 2005 to 2015. The fraud was uncovered during a Revenue audit of his former wife's dieting company, revealing that he had claimed pre‑retirement payments for himself and adult dependent allowances for his estranged wife. Lawlor had also failed to declare self‑employment and property transactions. He has no prior convictions and is now receiving a state pension of €183 a week, reduced by €28 to repay the debt. A probation report highlighted that his sister, Patricia, could not care for their severely disabled sister without his help. Judge Karen O'Connor, after hearing the report, imposed a three‑year suspended sentence on strict conditions, citing the detrimental effect imprisonment would have on his sisters' care. The sentence was suspended in full, with no custodial term imposed.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Melanie Greally discharged Ken Purcell from the indictment on day 27 of the trial. Prosecution counsel Sean Gillane SC entered a nolle prosequi regarding the two charges against Mr. Purcell, meaning the case proceeds no further against him. Mr. Purcell, 50, of Kiltalown Green, had pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning former Tanaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell by restricting their personal liberty without consent at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014. The remaining six defendants—Paul Murphy, Kieran Mahon, Michael Murphy, Frank Donaghy, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson—also pleaded not guilty to the same alleged offence. The prosecution case is now concluded, and the jury will not be required again until later this week. The trial continues for the remaining accused.
Patrick Kinch, aged 48, was jailed after he fired 37 shotgun rounds at Gardaí in a 15‑hour siege at his Deerpark Square home on 20 December 2015. He claimed he wanted to "go out in a blaze of glory" and feared he would not reach heaven if he killed himself. Kinch pleaded guilty to endangering Gardaí, damaging the house and causing over €7,000 in damage to a Garda vehicle. He was sentenced to ten years, with Judge Martin Nolan suspending the final three and a half years. The siege began when his partner, Natasha Donnelly, fled the house after witnessing Kinch's erratic behaviour and alerted Gardaí. Garda Rory Maher described how Kinch repeatedly fired at Gardaí from windows, demanding they shoot him, and ultimately threw the unloaded shotgun out the window before being arrested. The court noted Kinch's 33 prior convictions and his history of psychiatric care. The judge praised Gardaí for restraint and professionalism.
Jerry Sangola Mbumbi, a 40‑year‑old father of four from Tallaght, was sentenced to an 18‑month suspended term for making a false declaration and failing to inform the Minister for Social Protection of changes in his circumstances between 27 June 2013 and 19 May 2014. He had worked as a contractor for a publicity mailing group from June 2013, submitting invoices totalling €136,338 for leaflet delivery work while simultaneously receiving €26,803 in jobseekers allowance. The court found evidence that he paid other people to help with leaflet drops and that the full €136,000 was not available to him. Judge Karen O'Connor noted he had no prior convictions and had a repayment plan in place, allowing her to suspend the sentence on strict conditions. Mbumbi has begun reimbursing the State, paying €25 per week and having repaid €1,095 to date. Jerry Sangola Mbumbi pleaded guilty.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard evidence in the ongoing trial of eight defendants, including Frank Donaghy, Paul Murphy, Kieran Mahon, Michael Murphy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson. All have pleaded not guilty to the alleged false imprisonment of Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell by restricting their personal liberty without consent at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014. The matter is currently at the sentence stage, though the trial continues before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury. Garda Chris Moylan testified that he attended Mr. Donaghy's home on February 12, 2015, to arrest him. Mr. Donaghy, who has no previous convictions, told gardaí he joined the protest while getting petrol and participated in a sit-down behind Ms. Burton's car. He described the atmosphere as peaceful until gardaí attempted to remove individuals from the vehicle. Defence counsel Padraig Dwyer SC highlighted that Mr. Donaghy was frank during questioning and that it was never suggested he directly stopped the victims from leaving. The prosecution, led by Sean Gillane SC, noted the maximum penalty for the offence is life imprisonment. The court heard that Mr. Donaghy questioned how protesting could constitute false imprisonment. The trial continues.
The trial of seven defendants, including Kieran Mahon, Michael Murphy, Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, Scott Masterson, and Paul Murphy, continues before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. All defendants have pleaded not guilty to the alleged false imprisonment of Ms Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014. On day 23 of the proceedings, Detective Garda Darren Rooney testified regarding the arrest of Mr Masterson at his Tallaght home on February 9, 2015. While acknowledging that Mr Masterson's four-year-old child was present, Det Gda Rooney denied that the defendant was handcuffed in front of the child, rejecting defence claims that the action was excessive. He stated handcuffing was for safety. Separately, Detective Garda Conor Fleming described the arrest of Councillor Kieran Mahon at his home at 6.50am on the same date. Fleming confirmed that six plain-clothes gardaí attended, four of whom were armed, and that Mr Mahon's children, aged 10 and 13, were in the house. He stated that Mr Mahon cooperated and no firearms were produced. The court heard that Mr Mahon was taken to Tallaght Garda Station for interview. The trial is ongoing, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded at this stage.
The trial of seven men, including Solidarity TD Paul Murphy and Councillor Michael Murphy, continues at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury. The defendants, who include Kieran Mahon, Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson, have all pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning former Tanaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell by restricting their personal liberty without consent at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014. On day 22, the court heard transcripts from Councillor Michael Murphy's February 2015 garda interviews. When shown protest footage, he repeatedly stated the video "speaks for itself" and asserted that the rights of both sides were "balanced." He further told gardaí, "There will be no issue explaining that to any judge," regarding comments about Ms Burton's safety. Detective Garda David Connolly testified to the arrest and interviews. Garda John Healy described being verbally abused by protesters and threatened by two men who attempted to rob him of his wedding ring and equipment. He alleged Paul Murphy displayed a "blatant disregard" for safety and was the most senior person present. The trial is ongoing, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded.
The trial of seven men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell on November 15, 2014, continued at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The defendants, Paul Murphy, Kieran Mahon, Michael Murphy, Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson, have all pleaded not guilty to the charges. On day 22, Garda Jonathan Ryan testified that he arrived at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, to find the women in a car surrounded by protesters. He described the scene as extremely hostile, noting that a cordon formed to protect the women dissolved quickly, leaving them swarmed by the crowd. Garda Ryan stated that protesters deliberately blocked a Garda jeep, creating dangerous bottlenecks. He recounted helping a woman who fell over, after which defendant Michael Banks allegedly called him a "woman beater, a disgrace, a uniformed scumbag and a coward." Garda Ryan also testified that Paul Murphy held a vote among protesters regarding Ms Burton's movement, which he described as unanimous to keep her in the area, with Murphy appearing pleased. Under cross-examination, defence counsel challenged the witness's recollection, citing video footage showing Murphy voting to move the car. The trial continues before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury.
Brian Kenna, a former member of a Provisional IRA gang, was involved in a bank robbery in Enniscorthy on 1 May 1990. The gang, consisting of seven raiders armed with shotguns, pistols, a revolver and replica guns, held up the AIB branch at Slaney Place. Gardai were alerted by a bank official and four uniformed officers arrived, armed with an Uzi submachine gun and revolvers issued by Superintendent Michael Murphy. During the confrontation, the raiders fired three shots at the gardai, who returned fire and seriously injured the driver of the getaway van. Kenna pleaded not guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to commit robbery, use of a firearm to resist arrest, and robbery of over €5,000. He was convicted along with five others, each receiving a ten‑year sentence, while a sixth man received twelve years due to a prior firearms conviction. The trial took place at the Special Criminal Court in Green Street.
The trial of seven men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell continues in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Paul Murphy, Michael Murphy, Kieran Mahon, Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson have all pleaded not guilty to restricting the women's liberty without consent at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014. The defendants allegedly trapped the pair in a car and a garda jeep for up to three hours during an anti-water charges protest. On day 21, Detective Garda Richard Hansen testified that the two Murphys were in control of the crowd and should have walked away from the escalating situation. He described the event as nearly a riot, noting that people were being assaulted. The jury reviewed video footage showing a vote taken among protesters on whether to keep or march the minister out. While defense counsel argued that Paul Murphy's actions constituted passive resistance, the witness maintained they were acts of aggression. The trial is ongoing before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury.
In a Dublin court, Eric Locke was sentenced to a mandatory life term for the murder of 31‑year‑old Sonia Blount, who was killed in a hotel in Tallaght on 16 February 2014. Locke had lured Blount to the hotel using a fake Facebook profile after she had cut contact with him. He strangled her with his hands and a phone‑charger cable, then suffocated her by forcing her t‑shirt into her mouth, dislodging her teeth. He pleaded not guilty but admitted causing her death. A jury found him guilty of murder after 1 hour 33 minutes of deliberation. The judge pronounced a life sentence, noting the tragedy for Blount's three‑year‑old son, Jake, and the impact on her family. The sentencing hearing was attended by Blount's relatives, who delivered victim impact statements. The court concluded with Locke being led away to begin his life sentence.
The trial of South Dublin Councillor Michael Murphy and six co-defendants is ongoing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. All seven men, including Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, Kieran Mahon, Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson, have pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her assistant Karen O'Connell during a water charges protest in November 2014. Garda Fionnuala Whelan testified that Councillor Murphy was more concerned about negative publicity than public safety, alleging he taunted the Tánaiste and riled the crowd rather than calming it. She interpreted his suggestion to give Burton sanctuary in a church as a threat to her safety rather than a proposal to Gardaí. Conversely, defence counsel argued Murphy used his influence to de-escalate aggression. Detective Garda Richard Hansen described the scene as a "Hillsborough type" situation, noting Paul Murphy sat in front of the vehicle carrying the Tánaiste, though he accepted under cross-examination that Murphy had proposed a slow march. The jury reviewed video footage of the incident. The matter is currently at the sentence stage, with cross-examination continuing.
Garda Fionnuala Whelan testified at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court during day 19 of the trial of Paul Murphy, Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson. All five defendants, along with three others, have pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning then Tánaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell on November 15, 2014, at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght. Whelan described the atmosphere as hostile and volatile, stating she feared for her safety and that of the women. She recounted being pushed, kicked, and verbally abused while attempting to escort the pair through a crowd. Whelan identified Murphy, Masterson, Donaghy, and Kieran Mahon among protesters sitting on the road. She stated Murphy resisted her attempt to remove him and was held down by others. Defense counsel Sean Guerin SC suggested the situation was stable until Whelan "manhandled" Murphy, a claim she rejected. Whelan noted that Murphy's shirt was pulled off during the struggle but stated her priority was safety. She also described Michael Murphy as appearing to control events, advising protesters to stop abuse to avoid negative publicity. The matter remains at the trial stage with no findings, sentences, or finalizations recorded.
During the 18th day of the trial of Solidarity TD Paul Murphy and six others for the 2014 anti‑water charges protest in Jobstown, Sergeant Michael Phelan testified that he was struck on the back of the head with a can of Red Bull that burst open. Phelan described a chaotic scene in which protestors hurled "missiles" such as cigarette lighters, branches and twigs at Gardaí while attempting to restrain former Tanaiste Joan Burton and adviser Karen O'Connell. He said the crowd surrounded the Avensis car that held the women, then moved them to a Garda jeep, with officers trying to protect them but being shoved and struck. Phelan also reported that a female colleague was shoved from behind and fell. The accused men, including Scott Masterson, deny the charges and claim they were present for a peaceful protest. The trial continues with the jury now reduced to 11 members.
Brian Collins, aged 43, was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to two and a half years in prison, with the final two years suspended, for robbing Tallaght West Credit Union on 8 July 2016. During the robbery, Collins threatened staff with a hatchet and a knife, demanding money. A staff member handed him €2,000 in fifty‑euro notes, and when he began smashing the glass security screen she gave him an additional €2,000. Collins fled with €3,800, dropping some of the stolen cash on the way out. He pleaded guilty to the robbery. The court heard that Collins had prior convictions for drug possession, handling stolen property and drink driving. He claimed he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs and that the robbery was driven by a drug debt of €3,000 to €4,000.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the trial of Solidarity TD Paul Murphy and six other men for allegedly falsely imprisoning former Tanaiste Joan Burton and adviser Karen O'Connell during a 2014 anti‑water protest has progressed to day 18. A female juror was absent, and Judge Melanie Greally discharged her, allowing the jury to continue with 11 members—seven men and four women. The defendants, including Paul Murphy (34), Michael Murphy (53), Kieran Mahon (39), Frank Donaghy (71), Ken Purcell (50), Michael Banks (46) and Scott Masterson (34), deny the charges. They are accused of restricting Burton and O'Connell's liberty by holding them in a Garda car and later a Garda jeep for up to three hours near Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, after the women attended a local graduation ceremony. The trial remains ongoing.
During a trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, defence barrister Raymond Comyn challenged Garda Lorna Loughney's testimony about Councillor Michael Murphy's conduct at a 2014 water‑charges protest. Comyn argued that Murphy was not asking the crowd whether Joan Burton should be given sanctuary in a church, but was instead shouting to the guards with suggestions on how to handle the situation. He cited video footage showing Murphy speaking to the guards, not to the crowd, and pointed out that Loughney's statements did not mention a sanctuary question. Loughney admitted she had not included such a question in her first statement but recalled hearing Murphy say it. Comyn also disputed Loughney's claim that Murphy used a loud‑speaker outside the church, noting the footage did not show him with one. The case remains before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury.
Thomas Kavanagh, a 66‑year‑old former taxi driver, was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for sexually abusing three girls over a period from 1979 to 1992. He began molesting a girl aged five to seven, later raping her until she was 17, and similarly abused two other girls from ages eight and seven. The court heard that Kavanagh manipulated and controlled the victims, describing the abuse as "normal" and providing money for abortions. Victims testified that they felt isolated, confused, and feared disbelief. Kavanagh pleaded guilty to 57 counts, and a jury convicted him of 26 rapes, seven indecent assaults and one sexual assault. He has no prior convictions and accepted the verdict, with no intention to appeal. The sentence was back‑dated to February, when he was taken into custody.
In a Dublin murder case, Eric Locke, aged 35, was found guilty of strangling his ex‑girlfriend Sonia Blount, aged 31, at the Plaza Hotel in Tallaght on 16 February 2014. Locke lured Blount to the hotel using a fake Facebook profile and, after a confrontation, strangled her with his hands and the cable of her phone charger, forcing her t‑shirt into her mouth and breaking her teeth. He had previously pleaded not guilty but admitted causing her death. The Central Criminal Court jury deliberated for 1 hour 33 minutes before delivering a unanimous guilty verdict. Locke was remanded in custody for sentencing, where a mandatory life sentence will be imposed.
The jury has begun deliberating in the Central Criminal Court trial of 35‑year‑old Eric Locke, who is charged with murdering his ex‑girlfriend, Sonia Blount, in a room at the Plaza Hotel in Tallaght on 16 February 2014. Locke, who lives in St John's Park East, Clondalkin, pleaded not guilty but admitted causing Blount's death. He strangled her with his hands and the cable of her phone charger, and pushed her t‑shirt into the back of her mouth. Locke claims he was suffering from a mental disorder at the time, a defence that could reduce the charge from murder to manslaughter if successful. Judge Michael Moriarty explained that a successful diminished‑responsibility defence would not give a full acquittal but would lower the offence. The judge also noted that Locke had dressed Blount after killing her, a fact that may be relevant to the jury.
At a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 19 May 2017, Superintendent Daniel Flavin denied allegations that he was part of a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in relation to the 2014 anti‑water‑charges protest in Tallaght. The case concerns the alleged false imprisonment of TD Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell by six men, including TD Paul Murphy, who were charged with restricting the women's liberty on Fortunestown Road. Flavin rejected claims that he had given a false or incomplete statement, and insisted he had only reported what he observed, including the crowd's violence and the actions of Paul Murphy. He stated that his priority was to secure the safety of the two women and all present. The trial, presided over by Judge Melanie Greally, continues with a jury of twelve.
Declan Tynan, a convicted person, appeared in the Court of Appeal regarding his conviction for violent disorder at Ladbrokes bookmakers in Killinarden, Tallaght, on December 13, 2012. Tynan had previously pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where he was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to four years imprisonment, with the final year suspended, by Judge Patricia Ryan on January 13, 2017. The appeal challenged the admissibility of evidence, specifically arguing that a Garda officer's identification of Tynan from CCTV footage was unreliable. Counsel for Tynan, Michael O'Higgins SC, submitted that the officer was not a direct witness to the crime and that the lack of recorded procedures for the video identification rendered the testimony unfair. He argued that no log or history of how the footage was viewed was kept, preventing objective testing of the recognition. The Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel, Maurice Coffey BL, countered that recognition evidence is distinct from identification evidence and that the defense was imposing an aspirational standard. The three-judge court, comprising Mr Justice George Birmingham, Mr Justice Alan Mahon, and Mr Justice John Hedigan, reserved judgment. Consequently, the matter was adjourned, and Tynan must wait to hear the outcome of the appeal against his conviction.
In the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution argued that Eric Locke, 35, who strangled his ex‑girlfriend Sonia Blount in a Tallaght hotel room on 16 February 2014, was fully aware of the wrongness of his actions and could control himself, rejecting any claim of diminished responsibility. The defence presented three psychiatrists, including Dr Seán Ó Domhnaill, who diagnosed Locke with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, asserting a mental disorder underpinned the case. The prosecution dismissed Dr Ó Domhnaill's testimony as unreliable and questioned his competence, while the defence highlighted Locke's history of mental health issues, suicide attempts, and treatment at Pieta House. The jury was instructed to consider whether the alleged disorder substantially reduced Locke's responsibility for the murder. The judge would charge the jury on Monday. The unnamed 35-year-old pleaded not guilty.
The trial of seven men, including Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, South Dublin Councillors Kieran Mahon and Michael Murphy, and four others, continues before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. All defendants deny charges of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her aide Karen O'Connell by restricting their liberty during a protest in Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014. Garda Marion Power testified that she felt she was going to be "crushed" by the crowd while shielding Ms. Burton, reporting that protesters banged on vehicles, pushed against them, and shouted abuse. Superintendent Daniel Flavin stated he transferred the women to a jeep for safety due to the hostile environment. He noted that Mr. Murphy addressed the crowd via loudhailer, asking if they would keep the women there all night, and later suggested removing the Public Order Unit would allow the jeep to move. Sergeant Brian Boland of the Public Order Unit explained that removing protesters was difficult due to their numbers and that their deployment is a last resort. The trial is ongoing before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury.
In the Central Criminal Court trial of Eric Locke, a psychiatrist testified that Locke, 35, was motivated by retribution and extreme anger when he strangled and suffocated his ex‑girlfriend, Sonia Blount, 31, at the Plaza Hotel in Tallaght on 16 February 2014. The psychiatrist, Dr Francis Kelly, stated that Locke did not suffer from a mental illness at the time of the offence and that his alleged autism symptoms were described in a textbook‑like manner, which he found unconvincing. He described Locke as having an anankastic personality disorder and a history of depressive symptoms, but argued that these did not impair his capacity to form intent. Dr Kelly concluded that Locke's elaborate planning, purchase of restraint items, and post‑killing actions demonstrated clear consciousness and intent, and that any mental disorder was not severe enough to support a diminished responsibility defence. The case remains at the trial stage.
In a Tallaght incident on 15 December 2016, 40‑year‑old Jason Fay, a former chef on medication for a psychotic episode, was arrested for possession of a knife in a public place. Fay had been drinking a substantial amount of alcohol that evening, contrary to medical advice, and was acting erratically near Main Street. Gardai responded to a call, and an armed detective displayed his firearm before Fay dropped the knife. No injuries occurred. Fay pleaded guilty and, after the court considered his work history and family background, Judge Karen O'Connor imposed a one‑year sentence suspended on strict conditions, including abstaining from alcohol while on medication. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with the defence noting Fay's remorse and the low‑level nature of the offence. The garda provided medical attention at the station following his arrest.
At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the trial continues for Paul Murphy TD, South Dublin Councillors Michael Murphy and Kieran Mahon, along with four other men, who have pleaded not guilty to the alleged false imprisonment of former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her advisor Karen O'Connell at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght on November 15, 2014. The charges allege that the defendants falsely imprisoned the two women by restricting their personal liberty without their consent. During the trial, Sergeant Brian Boland testified that the Public Order Unit faced significant resistance from protesters, describing the situation as the most hostile and intimidating he had encountered since 2002. He stated that a suggestion by Paul Murphy to the gardaí led to the breaking of an impasse during the protest, allowing the garda Jeep to be freed. However, the situation did not fully resolve as protesters continued to block the road. The trial is ongoing before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury.
In the Central Criminal Court, Dr Richard Bunn, a forensic psychiatrist, testified that Eric Locke, 35, had planned the murder of his ex‑girlfriend Sonia Blount, 31, in a Tallaght hotel room on 16 February 2014. Bunn agreed with the State that Locke had engaged in a great degree of planning, that the strangulation was intentional, and that Locke had lied to protect himself. He also noted that Locke's responsibility was diminished by his mental state, citing an adjustment disorder, borderline personality traits, pervasive developmental disorder and ADHD. Locke had been confined in a padded cell wearing a poncho after being moved from solitary to group housing, where he reacted badly to the change. The trial will continue with the jury hearing the prosecution's rebuttal witness tomorrow morning.
The trial of seven men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her advisor Karen O'Connell continues at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, South Dublin Councillors Michael Murphy and Kieran Mahon, and Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson have all pleaded not guilty to the charges. The alleged incident occurred on November 15, 2014, at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, where the women were reportedly held in vehicles for approximately three hours during a water charges protest. On day 14, Garda Brian O'Connor testified that he was dragged and punched by protesters while protecting the women. He stated that armed gardaí were present at the scene, leading to an order for plain-clothed officers to leave. The jury heard that the women were escorted through a human cordon to a Garda Jeep amidst aggressive crowds. The trial is ongoing before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded at this procedural stage.
During the Central Criminal Court trial of Eric Locke, Dr Seán Ó Domhnaill testified that it was "entirely possible" that Locke had intentionally killed Sonia Blount, a 31‑year‑old mother‑of‑one who was found strangled and suffocated in a Plaza Hotel room in Tallaght on 16 February 2014. The psychiatrist, who had diagnosed Locke with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, ADHD, autism and Asperger's Syndrome, argued that Locke's mental state gave him "diminished responsibility" for the killing. He also described Locke as a compulsive liar and noted that Locke had used a fake Facebook profile to arrange a meeting with Blount. Dr Ó Domhnaill agreed that Locke's messages to Blount about leaving a keycard at reception showed an element of planning, but he maintained that Locke had not intended to kill her, only to silence her. The prosecution cross‑examined him on these points, and the trial continues before a jury. The unnamed 35-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court trial of Eric Locke, Dr Seán Ó Domhnaill, a psychiatrist, confirmed that Locke had used a fake Facebook profile to arrange a meeting with his ex‑girlfriend, Sonia Blount, at the Plaza Hotel in Tallaght. He agreed that Locke sent several messages to Blount asking her to leave a keycard for the room at reception, an action he said was intended to prevent her from seeing through the peephole. Dr Ó Domhnaill testified that this constituted an element of planning. He also diagnosed Locke with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, noting signs of ADHD, autism and Asperger's Syndrome, and argued that Locke's mental state gave him diminished responsibility for the killing. Locke, 35, is charged with Blount's murder, which occurred on 16 February 2014, and has pleaded not guilty. The prosecution's cross‑examination focused on the significance of the keycard messages and the planning they implied.
In a 2017 trial, Dr Seán Ó Domhnaill testified that Eric Locke, a 35‑year‑old from Clondalkin, had a chronic pervasive developmental disorder, not otherwise specified, including ADHD, autism and Asperger's syndrome. He described Locke's early autistic behaviours, his many short‑lived jobs, and his tendency to attribute human qualities to action figures. Dr Ó Domhnaill also noted a childhood urethral condition that had been surgically attempted but left a deformity, which had led to female taunts and a mistrust of women. He concluded that Locke's mental state meant he had diminished responsibility for the killing of 31‑year‑old Sonia Blount, whom he strangled and suffocated in a hotel room in Tallaght on 16 February 2014 after meeting her via a fake Facebook profile. The psychiatrist said Locke had not intended to kill her, only to tie her to a chair and force her to listen to his suffering, and that he had panicked when she screamed.
The trial of Paul Murphy and six co-accused, including Dublin Councillors Michael Murphy and Kieran Mahon, continued at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The defendants have pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning Ms Burton and her advisor Karen O'Connell by restricting their personal liberty without consent at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014. On the 12th day of the trial, Garda Inspector Derek Maguire denied making an agreement with Solidarity TD Paul Murphy to end the protest. While acknowledging that the Public Order Unit was withdrawn and a slow march resumed, Maguire stated this was a Garda tactical decision, not a negotiated agreement. He also denied recollection of specific conversations with Murphy, despite previous sworn statements suggesting otherwise. Video footage played in court showed protesters expressing animosity toward Murphy, with one shouting at him to "mind his own business." Defence counsel Sean Guerin SC argued that Murphy's actions, including calling for a vote on whether to keep Ms Burton, indicated an attempt to manage the crowd. Maguire testified that Ms Burton was removed from the church due to being assaulted with water balloons. The matter remains at the trial stage with no finalisation or sentence recorded.
In the Central Criminal Court, the trial of 35‑year‑old Eric Locke, charged with the murder of 31‑year‑old Sonia Blount, has revealed that Locke had a history of ADHD, autism and Asperger's Syndrome. He also suffered a birth defect involving his urethra, which had been unsuccessfully corrected surgically and led to scarring. According to psychiatrist Dr Sean O'Domhnaill, Locke's early life was marked by autistic behaviours such as hand‑flapping and high‑pitched shrieks, and he had held more than 20 jobs in a decade, a pattern typical of ADHD. O'Domhnaill also noted that Locke had developed a mistrust of women after being taunted by several females about his birth defect. The prosecution's case was closed, while Locke pleaded not guilty and admitted to strangling Blount after meeting her via a fake Facebook profile at the Plaza Hotel in Tallaght on 16 February 2014.
The trial of Paul Murphy TD and six other men, including Dublin Councillors Michael Murphy and Kieran Mahon, is ongoing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the alleged false imprisonment of former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her advisor Karen O'Connell on November 15, 2014, at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght. On day 11, the jury reviewed RTÉ footage showing Murphy telling a reporter that the detention was part of a "peaceful protest." Murphy stated the event was largely spontaneous and that protesters had the right to be angry. He claimed the protest ended peacefully when gardaí moved Burton to a patrol car, alleging some gardaí were aggressive. Footage also captured Murphy using a loud-hailer to ask if protesters would let Burton go. Garda Inspector Derek Maguire testified that the footage accurately reflected his memory, noting Murphy held a democratic vote on whether to detain Burton for the night. The matter was adjourned and is set to continue before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury.
In a trial at the Central Criminal Court, 35‑year‑old Eric Locke is charged with murdering 31‑year‑old Sonia Blount, who was found strangled and suffocated in a room at the Plaza Hotel in Tallaght on 16 February 2014. Locke, who lives in Clondalkin, pleaded not guilty but admitted causing Blount's death. He told Gardaí that he had set up a fake Facebook account to meet her, purchased a pellet gun, a Stanley knife and cable ties, and used a keycard left at reception to enter the room. Locke claimed he only intended to frighten her, not kill her, and that he had used his hands and briefly a phone charger cable during the strangulation. He denied rape, said he had attempted suicide before surrendering, and expressed remorse for the impact on Blount's three‑year‑old son. The case is before Mr Justice Michael Moriarty and a jury of twelve.
In a Dublin murder trial, 35‑year‑old Eric Locke is charged with killing 31‑year‑old Sonia Blount in a Plaza Hotel room on 16 February 2014. The court heard that Locke had tried to hack Blount's Facebook and email accounts a week before the murder, and that she had described him as a "whack job" to a friend. Locke pleaded not guilty but admitted causing Blount's death, which was found strangled and suffocated. He had threatened suicide when their relationship ended in January 2014 and exchanged messages with Blount about his health. The jury heard that Locke had created a fake identity to meet Blount, arranged a meeting for sex, and that he left the hotel around 5.40 am before her body was discovered. The trial is before Mr Justice Michael Moriarty with a jury of eight men and four women.
In the Central Criminal Court trial of 35‑year‑old Eric Locke, the jury heard that DNA matching Locke was found under the fingernails of his ex‑girlfriend, Sonia Blount, who was strangled and suffocated in a room at the Plaza Hotel in Tallaght on 16 February 2014. Locke, who pleaded not guilty, is charged with her murder. The prosecution presented evidence that a man matching Locke's description left the scene with facial scrapes and that Locke had sent text messages to Blount after their breakup, pleading for a second chance while she asked to be left alone. Forensic scientist Marce Lee Gorman confirmed a DNA profile matching Blount on Locke's bloodstained jeans and on her fingernails. The trial, which continues on Thursday, remains at the jury stage with eight men and four women.
The trial of eight men accused of falsely imprisoning TD Joan Burton and her advisor Karen O'Connell on November 15, 2014, continued at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The defendants, including Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, Dublin Councillors Michael Murphy and Kieran Mahon, and Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson, have all pleaded not guilty to restricting the women's liberty without consent at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght. Katherine Zappone TD, who was an independent Senator at the time, testified that she felt Ms Burton was in "great danger" during the water charges protest. She described protesters closing in on the Tanaiste and reported the incident to gardaí after seeing the car surrounded and moved. During cross-examination, Ms Zappone acknowledged her opposition to water charges but maintained that the detention was menacing and intimidating. The court heard she did not agree with the violent nature of the protest, despite previous public statements. The trial is ongoing before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded at this stage.
During a 2017 trial, evidence was presented that a violent struggle occurred in a Dublin hotel room where 35‑year‑old Eric Locke allegedly strangled and suffocated 31‑year‑old Sonia Blount. The jury saw CCTV footage of Locke leaving the hotel hours before Blount's body was found on the floor, with an imitation firearm, cable ties, duct tape, and a blood‑stained top stuffed into her mouth. Garda testimony described ligature marks around her neck, a gag that damaged her teeth, and a black duct tape and phone charger near the body. The State Pathologist testified that death was caused by asphyxia from neck compression and suffocation due to the gag, noting bruising and scratches indicating a struggle. Locke pleaded not guilty, and the trial continued with a jury of eight men and four women.
In a 2017 murder trial, a 35‑year‑old Dublin man, Eric Locke, was accused of strangling 31‑year‑old Sonia Blount in a Plaza Hotel room in Tallaght on 16 February 2014. Locke had assumed a false identity, presenting himself as Shane Cully, to meet Blount after their brief relationship ended. He brought cable ties, masking tape and a realistic‑looking airgun to the room, items he claimed were intended to overpower her. Blount was found lying on the floor with a garment in her mouth, having died of asphyxiation and strangulation. Locke pleaded not guilty but his defence admitted he caused her death. The prosecution argued he strangled her after panicking when she saw the items, while the defence sought to establish diminished responsibility. The jury was instructed to consider Locke's mental state and the evidence of their communications. The trial was scheduled to last about two weeks.
A 35‑year‑old man, Eric Locke, is set to go on trial for the murder of Sonia Blount, who was found dead in a room at the Plaza Hotel in Tallaght on 16 February 2014. Locke was arraigned at the Central Criminal Court, pleaded not guilty, and a jury of eight men and four women was sworn in. The case will be heard by Mr Justice Michael Moriarty and is expected to last about two weeks.
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Karen O'Connell, a former special advisor to Labour TD Joan Burton, gave evidence in the trial of Solidarity TD Paul Murphy and six other defendants. The seven men, including South Dublin councillors Michael Murphy and Kieran Mahon, have pleaded not guilty to charges of falsely imprisoning Ms Burton and Ms O'Connell by restricting their liberty without consent at Jobstown, Tallaght on 15 November 2014. During cross-examination, Ms O'Connell was questioned about language she used during the water charges protest, which was captured on video. She stated she was not proud of the remarks made and acknowledged using strong language while in a stressful situation after being confined in a car for three and a half hours. The court was shown video clips from both women's mobile phones. Ms O'Connell denied the language reflected contempt for protesters, explaining it referred to the conclusion of the demonstration. She maintained she believed in peaceful protest and had previously participated in the Shell to Sea campaign in County Mayo.
Mark Taylor, aged 27, of Rossfield Green, Tallaght, had his prison sentence increased on appeal after driving a stolen Lexus into a Garda car on 19 June 2013, injuring an officer who required surgery and was out of work for a year. Taylor also drove a Subaru Legacy at high speed on 29 June 2013, colliding with another vehicle and driving off. He pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful use of a vehicle, damage to property and two counts of endangerment. Initially sentenced to three years in Naas Circuit Criminal Court, he was to serve a four‑year term in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The Director of Public Prosecutions sought a review, and the Court of Appeal imposed a net sentence of eight years imprisonment, with the final three years suspended. The suspended portion is back‑dated to June 2015.
In 2012, Garrett O'Brien, 39, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment for the killing of Seamus O'Byrne, 27, in Tallaght. O'Brien's lawyers argue that his fair‑trial rights were violated because the jury never clarified whether he was found guilty as the gunman or merely a "gopher" in a joint enterprise. They claim the prosecution presented a dual case—first as a joint enterprise, then as a triggerman—creating a procedural flaw. The appeal, lodged in the Court of Appeal, contends that if the jury had reasonable doubt about O'Brien's role as the gunman, he should have been acquitted. The defense also challenges the judge's directions regarding the necessity of a search warrant and the legality of data obtained from a third‑party subcontractor. The prosecution maintains that all evidence pointed to O'Brien as the gunman and that the jury's lack of specificity should not affect the conviction. The Court of Appeal has reserved its decision. Garrett O'Brien pleaded not guilty.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial of Solidarity TD Paul Murphy and six other water protesters, former Tanaiste Joan Burton appeared as a witness. She denied that she omitted the term "water protesters" from her statement to gardaí to avoid giving them legitimacy, insisting she was simply describing what happened. Burton said she was not making political statements and that she was asked to recount the events. She described being trapped in a car for about three hours after a graduation ceremony, feeling the protest was "very unusual" and "scary and menacing." She noted that most protesters behaved peacefully, but some engaged in shouting, banging the car and pushing. Burton also said she believes people have a right to protest peacefully, though she disagrees with the behaviour of many protesters in that particular campaign. The trial will continue with her next appearance on Thursday.
Former Tanaiste Joan Burton denied being relaxed in the car where she was allegedly falsely imprisoned during a water‑charges protest on 15 November 2014. She told the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that she suffered nightmares after the event and that she tried to keep her composure to avoid aggravating the protesters. Video clips shown to the jury showed her reading a newspaper article about Michael Collins and speaking to adviser Karen O'Connell about posting a message on social media about children "roaming" the area. Burton said she did not hear political slogans, only "peaceful protest" and "shame on you", and that she had been in a "fear‑filled atmosphere". She also described the protest slogans shouted outside the car, including "Enda Kenny in your ivory tower" and "Stick your water meters up your arse". The trial, presided over by Judge Melanie Greally, continues with a jury of seven men and five women.
Martin O'Hara, a 31-year-old defendant with a previous conviction for rape, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assaulting his former girlfriend in Tallaght on July 28, 2016. O'Hara pleaded guilty to the charge of assaulting the woman causing her harm. Judge Karen O'Connor described the incident as violent and aggressive behaviour that occurred in the presence of the couple's six-month-old baby. The judge noted that while the physical effects were at the lower end of the scale, the victim suffered psychological trauma. O'Connor acknowledged O'Hara's remorse and recent efforts at rehabilitation and counselling. The court imposed a 12-month prison term. Prosecution evidence detailed that O'Hara punched the woman after an argument, subsequently left with the baby without her consent, and assaulted her sister and partner while they attempted to retrieve the child. The baby was returned uninjured. Defence counsel highlighted O'Hara's history of anger issues and drug abuse, noting he had taken steps towards rehabilitation for the first time. The judge considered his guilty plea and remorse when determining the sentence.