Jonathan Byrne, a 33‑year‑old former national cycling champion from Tallaght, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possession of cocaine. He pleaded guilty to possessing the drug for sale or supply at Belgard Heights on 31 October 2013. The court found him caught red‑handed, with Gardaí discovering two bags of cocaine, a suspected tick list and two weighing scales during a search of his rented accommodation. Byrne admitted selling the drugs to a few people but claimed he made no money and used most of it himself. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a two‑year sentence, suspending the last 18 months on the condition that Byrne remains drug‑free and keeps the peace for two years. He was also found to have a substantial drug debt of €15,000 and had previously received a six‑year sentence with two years suspended for an arson offence.
In a High Court decision on 17 December 2014, Justice Aileen Donnelly ordered the trustees of Victory Christian Fellowship (VCF) to disclose their income, assets, and the funding sources for ongoing litigation against the Bank of Scotland (BOS). The order also requires the trustees to provide details of how the VCF's litigation is financed and to identify third parties contributing to the case. BOS and appointed receivers sought these orders to enforce an €18.7 million judgment against VCF. The trustees, including senior pastor Brendan Hade, his wife Shelia Hade, and Gerry Byrne, contested the orders, claiming VCF activities had ceased after receivers took possession of three church premises in June 2013. Justice Donnelly noted that clarification was needed on whether VCF remains operational, the nature of its congregations, and the extent of third‑party funding, including donations from a company called Victory Conference Centre Ltd.
The Special Criminal Court is hearing submissions on the admissibility of a tranche of evidence in the non‑jury murder trial of three men charged with the killing of Peter Butterly, a 35‑year‑old father of two, who was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co. Meath on 6 March 2013. The defendants – Dean Evans (24), Edward McGrath (33) and Sharif Kelly (44) – have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and to firearm offences. A fourth man, David Cullen (30), who had been involved in the murder plan, turned State's witness and is serving a three‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for lesser offences. The court has heard that Butterly was lured to the car park by another man, shots were fired at his vehicle and again when he tried to flee, and he was found collapsed by a lone Garda and pronounced dead shortly thereafter.
In December 2014, Glen Walsh, a 27‑year‑old AIB teller, was remanded on bail pending sentencing after a theft of €40,000 from the Crumlin Cross branch. The theft had been uncovered during an audit triggered by a tiger kidnapping raid in June 2010, during which Walsh was forced to withdraw €210,000 under threat. Walsh had earlier attempted to reimburse the bank with a €20,000 cheque, but the bank was closed. He later repaid the full €40,000. Walsh pleaded guilty to the theft, had no prior convictions, and had left for Australia before being extradited back to Ireland. David Vickery, also 27, pleaded guilty to possession of €10,000 in stolen money and had a minor traffic offence conviction. Both men were remanded on continuing bail, with sentencing scheduled for February 23. The court noted Walsh's gambling addiction and his expressed remorse, as well as Vickery's rehabilitation efforts.
In a murder trial in Dublin, a former co‑accused turned State witness, David Cullen, testified that his former co‑accused were "screwed" because of the evidence against them. The Special Criminal Court found Cullen's evidence admissible. The case concerns the 2013 shooting death of Peter Butterly, a 35‑year‑old father of two, in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston. The accused are Dean Evans (24), Edward McGrath (33) and Sharif Kelly (44), all of whom pleaded not guilty to murder and, for Evans and McGrath, to firearm offences. Cullen, aged 30, had previously been involved in the murder plan and is now serving a three‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for other offences. Gardaí and the Prison Service implemented extra security for his testimony, which caused long queues outside the Criminal Courts of Justice.
Ibrahim Moradi (23) of Birchwood Heights and Adnan Mohamadzadeh (24) of Belgard Square, both in Tallaght, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to falsely imprisoning Roman Bobowicz on June 25, 2012. Both admitted to the charge and pleaded guilty. Judge Mary Ellen Ring ordered Moradi and Mohamadzadeh to perform 220 hours of community service in lieu of a two and a half year sentence. Both men handed over compensation in court, with Moradi contributing €1,500 and Mohamadzadeh €2,000. They also offered an apology to the victim. Jalal Moradi (24) of Pinelawn, Old Bawn, was previously sentenced last July and ordered to perform 220 hours of community service in lieu of a two and a half year sentence. He had handed over €1,000 compensation on that date and was given 12 months to gather a further €1,000. The case is at the sentence stage, with no suspended portions, effective custody, or adjournments mentioned.
In October 2016, the Central Criminal Court will hear the trial of eight Tallaght residents charged in the murder of 20‑year‑old Dale Creighton, who died on 2 January after being injured on a footbridge on Saint Dominic's Road. Seven defendants—Aisling Burke (21), David Burke (26), Graham Palmer (24), Ross Callery (21), James Reid (24), Jason Beresford (21) and Gerard Stephens (25)—are charged with murder. A eighth defendant, James O'Brien (22), is charged with assault causing harm. The trial is expected to last eight weeks, with the first hearing set for 3 October 2016.
Frank Ward, 60, known for armed robbery, had his miscarriage‑of‑justice application rejected by the Court of Appeal on 11 December 2014. Ward had pleaded guilty to five assault‑related charges and possession of a firearm during the 2003 Goat Grill robbery, for which he received two concurrent life sentences later reduced to 20 years on appeal in 2012. He argued that a garda PULSE identification number and a newspaper article had prejudiced the sentencing judge, but the Court found no new facts or evidence to support his claim. The Court, led by Justice Seán Ryan, held that the alleged prejudicial material was not accessed by the judge and that the newspaper could not have influenced the sentencing. Ward was returned to prison to serve the remainder of his 20‑year term.
In August 2013, Michael McDonald (44) broke into the parochial house of a priest on Cherry Orchard Avenue, Tallaght, stealing a Yankees baseball cap and a Lourdes‑branded purse containing €660. The intruder was caught by Gardaí hours after the burglary, still wearing the stolen cap and carrying the purse. McDonald pleaded guilty to burglary at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where Judge Patricia Ryan adjourned sentencing to July of the following year and ordered him to keep the peace and participate in victim empathy programmes. McDonald, who has 27 prior convictions and was previously sentenced to three years for robbery and assault in 2002, admitted the theft and apologized to the priest. His defence counsel, Keith Spencer BL, highlighted McDonald's background in the Travelling community and his son's success as a professional footballer. The case remains at the sentencing stage.
The Special Criminal Court will decide on Tuesday whether a prosecution witness's evidence is admissible in the trial of three Dublin men charged with the murder of Peter Butterly, a 35‑year‑old father of two, who was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co. Meath, on 6 March 2013. The defendants—Dean Evans (24), Edward McGrath (33) and Sharif Kelly (44)—have pleaded not guilty to the murder and to firearm offences. The trial, now in its 42nd day, has heard that Butterly was lured to the car park by another man, that a Toyota Corolla entered the car park and shots were fired at his vehicle, and that further shots were fired when he tried to flee. CCTV footage captured vehicles entering and exiting the car park but did not show the killing.
The Special Criminal Court is set to decide whether a prosecution witness's evidence can be admitted in the case of three men charged with the murder of Peter Butterly, a 35‑year‑old father of two, who was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn in Gormanston on 6 March 2013. The defendants—Dean Evans (24), Edward McGrath (33) and Sharif Kelly (44)—have pleaded not guilty to the murder and to firearm offences. The trial, now in its 41st day, has heard that Butterly was lured to the car park by an unknown man, that a Toyota Corolla entered the premises, and that shots were fired at his vehicle and again when he tried to flee. CCTV footage captured vehicles entering and leaving the car park but did not show the killing. A witness was heard in a 'Voir Dire' today, and the court will later rule on the admissibility of that witness's evidence.
Darren Byrne, 44, was jailed for three years after a stand‑off with armed gardaí in which he waved a toy handgun from his front bedroom window and threatened to shoot anyone who approached. The officers, all armed, took cover and called in the Emergency Response Unit, which entered the house and arrested Byrne. His elderly parents were downstairs during the incident. Byrne, who had been drinking and taking drugs, later told an interview that he wanted to die and hoped the officers would shoot him. Judge Martin Nolan suspended the last year of a four‑year sentence, describing Byrne's actions as "deeply reprehensible" and praising the gardaí for their restraint. Byrne pleaded guilty to making threats to kill or cause serious harm to three gardaí on 1 August 2013. The case also considered a charge of making a false report. The gardaí were commended for their bravery and self‑restraint during the encounter.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 28‑year‑old James Gallagher was sentenced to two and a half years for stealing a €26,200 Rolex from Weir's Jewellers in Dundrum and for dangerous driving on the M50. Gallagher snatched the watch from a customer, fled in a Volkswagen Golf, and was pursued by Gardaí. During the high‑speed chase he allegedly threw the watch out of a car window near Wesley College, Ballinteer, but a subsequent search failed to recover it. The judge noted Gallagher's actions endangered the public by forcing Gardaí to chase him at speeds over 120 kph on a 50 kph road, breaking red lights and driving the wrong way. Gallagher admitted the theft was to support his crack cocaine habit and is now addressing his drug addiction. The sentence was back‑dated to the date of his arrest. James Gallagher pleaded guilty.
In a stand‑off lasting about an hour and a half, 44‑year‑old Darren Byrne of Tallaght waved a toy handgun from his front bedroom window, threatening to shoot anyone who approached. Byrne, who had been drinking a two‑litre bottle of vodka and taking drugs, called 999 and claimed he had a gun and would have a shoot‑out with gardaí. The officers, all armed, took cover and called in the Emergency Response Unit, which entered the house and arrested Byrne after he dropped the toy gun. Byrne's elderly parents were downstairs during the incident. He pleaded guilty to making threats to kill or cause serious harm to three gardaí and to making a false report. The court noted Byrne's remorse and personal circumstances, but Judge Martin Nolan remanded him on bail, stating he would consider a prison sentence the following day. The case carries a maximum term of ten years in prison.
Geraldine McMenamy, 48, of Tallaght, Dublin, was acquitted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of two charges of assisting an offender by impeding the apprehension or prosecution of her son, Paul McMenamy. The defendant pleaded not guilty to allegations that she assisted her son in escaping justice following an assault on care worker Nicola Murray on February 5, 2012. The State alleged that on February 8, 2012, Ms. McMenamy took her son to Dublin Airport and provided him with €400 cash to facilitate his departure. Judge Martin Nolan directed a not-guilty verdict on the charge of providing transport, citing a lack of evidence that she was driving the vehicle. A jury subsequently acquitted her of the charge of providing money. The court heard that Mr. McMenamy had assaulted Ms. Murray, leaving her unconscious, and was later arrested at a hotel near the airport with a one-way ticket to Manchester. In 2013, Mr. McMenamy was sentenced to six years, with one year suspended, after pleading guilty to assault causing serious harm to Ms. Murray. The defence argued that the defendant acted out of fear and that her son was a free man not yet charged. The matter was concluded with the acquittal of the defendant.
The trial of Dean Evans, Edward McGrath, and Sharif Kelly for the alleged murder of Peter Butterly and related firearm offences continued at the Special Criminal Court. All three defendants, who are accused of killing the 35-year-old father of two in Gormanston, Co Meath, have pleaded not guilty. Evans and McGrath also face firearm charges on the same occasion. On the fortieth day of the trial, David Cullen, a former accused who turned State's witness, testified that he would have "lied through his teeth" if he had stood trial for murder. Cullen admitted to a history of dishonesty, including lying to gardai and committing thefts, but denied being prepared to commit perjury. He stated he would lie to avoid life imprisonment. The prosecution alleges Cullen was part of the murder plan before his cooperation. The court heard evidence regarding Cullen's credibility and past criminal conduct, including a faked burglary and theft of rings and a phone. The trial is ongoing, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded at this stage.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Geraldine McMenamy, aged 48, pleaded not guilty to two charges of assisting her son, Paul McMenamy, in evading arrest and prosecution for a serious assault on his then‑partner, Nicola Murray. The court heard that Paul assaulted Murray on 5 February 2012 and was arrested three days later at a hotel near the airport, carrying a one‑way ticket to Manchester and €600. Prosecutor Gerard Clarke SC alleged that Geraldine took Paul to the airport and gave him €400 to help him escape. Paul had previously been released without charge after his initial arrest. He later pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm and was sentenced in 2013 to six years' imprisonment, one year suspended. Geraldine had earlier told Gardaí that she feared her son and had been threatened by him, but later retracted that statement. The trial continues before Judge Martin Nolan.
The Special Criminal Court examined CCTV footage from the car park of the Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, where Peter Butterly, a 35‑year‑old father of two, was shot dead on 6 March 2013. Three Dublin men—Dean Evans (24), Edward McGrath (33) and Sharif Kelly (44)—are on trial for his murder and have pleaded not guilty. Evans and McGrath also pleaded not guilty to firearm offences. The footage shows vehicles entering and exiting the car park but does not capture the shooting. Witnesses, including Detective Garda Shane Curran, were heard in a 'Voir Dire' session, and the court will decide later whether the footage is admissible. The trial continues with Justice Deirdre Murphy presiding, and McGrath's legal team will cross‑examine David Cullen, a former co‑accused who has turned State's witness. The case remains at the trial stage.
The trial of Dean Evans, Edward McGrath, and Sharif Kelly for the murder of Peter Butterly is continuing before the Special Criminal Court. The three defendants, who are alleged to have murdered the 35-year-old father of two and committed firearm offences on the same occasion, have all pleaded not guilty. During cross-examination, State witness David Cullen, a former co-accused who turned State's witness, denied that joining the Witness Protection Programme would be an attractive option. Defence counsel for Sharif Kelly suggested Cullen had little to lose and that leaving Ireland would be a fresh start, citing Cullen's limited family connections. Cullen rejected this characterization, though he acknowledged a phone conversation with his father where he described going abroad as a "fresh start" to escape local issues. Cullen, who is currently serving a three-and-a-half-year sentence for lesser offences, agreed he faced a serious risk of a life sentence for the Butterly murder. He also acknowledged offering the State information on other high-profile murders to secure his deal. The trial is proceeding before a three-judge, non-jury court presided over by Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy.
Aisha Ahmed, 49, a mother of six, was denied bail by the High Court after being arrested in Tallaght on a European Arrest Warrant issued by Italian authorities. The warrant accuses her of being a promoter, leader and organiser of an association that imported, sold, distributed and traded large quantities of cocaine in Italy between September 1999 and June 2000. Ahmed was convicted in absentia in 2005 and sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Court of Naples. She initially denied being the person named on the warrant, claiming mistaken identity, but later admitted she was the woman in the photograph and the name on the warrant. The court found her a significant flight risk, citing her history of using false documents and her willingness to lie. Consequently, the judge denied bail and noted that she would be scheduled for a future hearing after her objections and affidavits are filed.
Robert Cummins, 35, a father of three from Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison after pleading guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of €143,000 worth of cocaine, amphetamines and PVP. Cummins had been addicted to cocaine, spending €300 a week since 2009, and owed €1,200 to third parties. On 11 November 2013, Gardaí searched his home, finding a key to a locked shed, a blue plastic box with two black refuge sacks, four vacuumed packs of drugs, three smaller bags, digital weighing scales and €4,900. Cummins admitted he had held the drugs for unscrupulous people for six to eight weeks, fearing for his and his family's safety. Defence counsel Kieran Kelly noted Cummins had given up gambling and drugs, and Judge Martin Nolan described the case as tragic for the family and a significant misjudgement by Cummins.
Brendan Fitzpatrick, aged 34, was sentenced to five years in prison with the final three years suspended after pleading guilty to possession of PVP and cannabis worth more than €13,000. He was arrested at Store Street Garda Station where a sports bag he carried was inspected, revealing three large brown blocks of suspected cannabis and several golf‑ball‑type packages of a cocaine‑like drug. Analysis identified the drug as PVP (Pyrrolidinovalerophenone) with a street value of €32,900, while the cannabis was valued at €14,431. Fitzpatrick, of Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, had 21 prior convictions, mainly for public order and road traffic offences. He admitted taking the bag while intoxicated and claimed gambling debts of €10,000. Judge Mary Ellen Ring noted his early guilty plea and the substantial quantity of drugs, suspending the last three years of the sentence on strict conditions.
The Special Criminal Court has ordered an examination of the communications between David Cullen, the chief prosecution witness in the murder trial of Peter Butterly, and his solicitor from 6 March 2013 to 5 June 2014. Cullen, who was a co‑accused in the case and later became a State witness in June 2014, has already been dealt with by the court for lesser offences. He has agreed to voluntarily disclose documents relating to his communications with his solicitor since 5 June 2014, but this does not waive his claim to legal professional privilege. Defence lawyers sought disclosure of all communications, but Cullen claimed privilege during cross‑examination after giving evidence implicating the three accused men—Dean Evans (24), Edward McGrath (33) and Sharif Kelly (44)—in the murder of the 35‑year‑old Peter Butterly in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co. Meath on 6 March 2013. Dean Evans pleaded not guilty. Edward McGrath pleaded not guilty.
James Butler, 33, of Tallaght, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing 1.3 kg of cannabis herb, valued at €27,424, which he had stored in two sport bags at his home. The drugs were discovered after Gardaí forced entry on 3 April 2013. Butler, who has 27 prior convictions mainly for traffic and criminal damage offences, explained that he had abandoned heroin use just before Christmas that year but still owed a debt for his addiction. He admitted he did not know the value of the cannabis when it was dropped at his door. The case was adjourned by Judge Mary Ellen Ring to March 6 to allow a Probation Service assessment of Butler's commitment to addressing his addiction. He remains remanded on bail pending sentencing.
The Special Criminal Court will rule on Tuesday regarding the disclosure of communications between the chief prosecution witness and his solicitor. This procedural issue arose on the 35th day of the trial of Dean Evans, Edward McGrath, and Sharif Kelly, who are accused of murdering dissident republican Peter Butterly. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to the murder of the 35-year-old father of two. Evans and McGrath have additionally pleaded not guilty to firearm offences on the same occasion. The court heard that David Cullen, the State's witness, agreed to disclose documents relating to his communications with his solicitor since June 5, 2014. However, the State maintained this was not a general waiver of legal professional privilege, while defence lawyers sought disclosure of all such communications. Cullen, who is currently serving a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence, allegedly turned State's witness after being part of the murder plan. He implicated the three accused in Butterly's shooting in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath, on March 6, 2013. During cross-examination, Cullen raised privilege claims and requested to speak to his solicitor, a request the court initially refused before acceding to it. The three-judge, non-jury court will consider its ruling on the disclosure matter over the weekend.
The Special Criminal Court heard that chief prosecution witness David Cullen has agreed to voluntarily disclose some communications with his solicitor, Mr Dominic Mc Ginn SC, to the defence. This disclosure covers documents from June 5, 2014, but does not constitute a general waiver of his claim to legal professional privilege. Prosecuting counsel Ms Una Ni Raifeartaigh SC noted that Cullen previously refused to answer cross-examination questions regarding these communications, asserting his privilege. The court is currently hearing legal submissions on the scope of this disclosure, as defence lawyers seek access to all such communications. Cullen, who is serving a three-and-a-half-year prison sentence, allegedly turned State's witness after being part of the murder plan. He implicated the three accused in the shooting of dissident republican Peter Butterly, a 35-year-old father of two, in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath, on March 6, 2013. The defendants are Dean Evans (24), Edward McGrath (33), and Sharif Kelly (44). All three have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Evans and McGrath have additionally pleaded not guilty to firearm offences on the same occasion. The trial, which is on its 34th day, is continuing.
The Special Criminal Court has reserved its decision on whether senior counsel Dominic Mc Ginn SC has a right of audience to advise the main prosecution witness, David Cullen, during the ongoing trial. The procedural issue arose on the thirty-third day of the trial, where Cullen claimed legal professional privilege over communications with his solicitor during cross-examination. Presiding Judge Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy described the situation as unprecedented and directed that Mc Ginn be provided with relevant trial extracts to advise Cullen on the nature of the disclosure sought by the defence. The defence was ordered to supply a list of the information they seek to disclose to ensure a fair trial. The court will hear further submissions on the disclosure issue tomorrow. The trial concerns the alleged murder of Peter Butterly, a 35-year-old father of two, who was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co Meath, on March 6, 2013. Defendants Dean Evans, Edward McGrath, and Sharif Kelly have all pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Evans and McGrath have additionally pleaded not guilty to firearm offences on the same occasion. Cullen, who allegedly turned State's witness, had previously implicated the three accused in the killing. The matter remains at the pre-trial or trial stage regarding procedural rights, with no final verdict or sentence issued.
The Special Criminal Court has ordered that two counsel be assigned to advise David Cullen, the chief prosecution witness, during his cross-examination in the ongoing trial of three men accused of murdering Peter Butterly. Presiding Judge Deirdre Murphy described the situation as unprecedented, noting a lack of superior court guidance regarding legal professional privilege. The court directed that excerpts from Cullen's previous evidence be made available to his legal team, a move opposed by the defence. Cullen, who pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn and was jailed for three-and-a-half years in July, turned State's witness after a nolle prosequi was entered on the murder count. He testified that he was tasked with picking up a gun outside Gormanston College, where he was arrested after it was thrown from a car. The trial continues before a three-judge non-jury court. Dean Evans, Edward McGrath, and Sharif Kelly have all pleaded not guilty to murdering the 35-year-old father of two. Evans and McGrath have additionally pleaded not guilty to firearm offences on the same occasion. The matter remains at the trial stage, with the court proceeding with the cross-examination of the State's witness.
In a 2013 incident at the Abberley Hotel in Tallaght, Zoe Thompson, aged 21, struck two brothers, Aidan and Colm Brown, with the heel of her stiletto shoe. The assault began when Aidan Brown, a barman, was involved in a scuffle after a confrontation on the dance floor of the "Entourage" nightclub. Thompson intervened, hitting Aidan on the forehead, which required seven surgical staples, and later struck his brother from behind, resulting in five staples to the back of his head. Both victims suffered financial losses: Aidan lost €1,000 in wages and Colm lost €690. Thompson pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm and has four prior convictions for road traffic offences, including drink driving. She is awaiting sentencing in January, with the court considering her suitability for a restorative justice programme. The case highlights the severity of the injuries and the financial impact on the victims.
The Special Criminal Court trial of Dean Evans, Edward McGrath, and Sharif Kelly, who are accused of murdering Peter Butterly at the Huntsman Inn in March 2013, continued with procedural developments regarding State witness David Cullen. Evans, McGrath, and Kelly have pleaded not guilty to the murder, while Evans and McGrath also face firearm charges. Cullen, who previously pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol and was jailed for three-and-a-half years, entered the witness box to request a consultation with his solicitor before continuing his cross-examination. Although the court initially refused, presiding Justice Deirdre Murphy ultimately granted the request, noting it was appropriate for the witness to receive legal advice on arising issues. Cullen had previously testified that he was part of a plan to pick up a gun, which he later claimed was used in the killing. He described receiving ammunition from Evans and witnessing a gun thrown from a car near Gormanston College. The court heard that Butterly was shot in the car park after being lured there. The trial, which involves a non-jury panel, was adjourned to continue on Tuesday before Justices Murphy, Heneghan, and Judge Dunne.
The Special Criminal Court trial of Dean Evans, Edward McGrath, and Sharif Kelly, who are accused of murdering Peter Butterly at the Huntsman Inn in Gormanston on March 6, 2013, continues before a three-judge bench. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge; Evans and McGrath also face firearm offences. Former co-accused David Cullen, who pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol and was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in July, testified as a State witness. Cullen admitted requesting to give evidence behind security glass to avoid public view, citing safety concerns, though he had not yet been accepted into the Witness Protection Programme. He alleged that Kelly and an unidentified man, MD, recruited him to retrieve a gun, which was later thrown from a car near Gormanston College. Cullen stated Evans and McGrath stayed at his apartment the night before the killing, with Evans providing ammunition and McGrath bringing a bag containing a gun and disguises. The court heard Butterly was lured to the car park, where shots were fired at his vehicle and then at him as he fled. The trial is ongoing and was not adjourned or finalised during this reporting period.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence from David Cullen, a former murder accused who turned State's witness, in the ongoing trial of Dean Evans, Edward McGrath, and Sharif Kelly. The three men have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Peter Butterly, who was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath, on March 6, 2013. Evans and McGrath also face firearm offences at the same location and date. Cullen, who pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a 9mm Beretta pistol at the scene, was jailed for three-and-a-half years in July. His plea was accepted by the DPP, resulting in a nolle prosequi on the murder count. Cullen testified that he was instructed to pick up a gun outside Gormanston College on the day of the shooting, identifying Evans and McGrath as individuals present at his apartment beforehand. He claimed Evans provided ammunition and that McGrath retrieved a bag containing the firearm and disguises. Cullen stated he was arrested immediately after picking up the gun. Under cross-examination, he denied planning the murder, stating he did not commit it and sought to avoid a life sentence. The court, presided over by Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy, warned against disruption as Cullen's evidence caused significant security arrangements and queues. The trial continues before a three-judge panel.
A former chef, Keith McCarthy, 38, will be sentenced next year for robbing a Tallaght post office. On 9 May 2013 he stood at the door while an armed accomplice threatened a cashier with a lump hammer and forced her to open cash drawers, taking €10,351. The post office was crowded with 40‑50 customers and staff; parents asked a staff member to hide children behind her desk. McCarthy, who had relapsed into drug use after a decade of sobriety, was remanded in custody until 23 January next year. He pleaded guilty to robbery at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and had 15 prior convictions. The robbery was investigated by Garda Kieran Kilcoyne, who identified McCarthy from fingerprints on the getaway bike. The money was never recovered. The court noted McCarthy's history as a chef, drug counsellor, and his recent relapse into street methadone. He is on a waiting list for Tiglin treatment centre.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, 42‑year‑old nurse Barbara O'Toole pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing serious harm to motorcyclist Paul Woodley. The incident occurred on 21 October 2010 on Monastery Road, Clondalkin, when O'Toole allegedly drove a car from the Monastery Estate onto the main road and struck Woodley's motorcycle. Woodley was taken to Tallaght Hospital with an ankle injury and later to St James's Hospital where his leg was amputated below the knee. Witness Keith Gregg, a First Responder, testified that he was 60 feet behind Woodley when a car pulled out of the estate, hit the motorbike, and continued across the road. Gregg described the crash and the motorbike's upside‑down position. The case is before Judge Desmond Hogan and a jury of twelve. The trial remains ongoing.
In the Special Criminal Court on 18 November 2014, a security operation created long queues as the court prepared to hear evidence from former co‑accused David Cullen, now a State witness. Judge Deirdre Murphy noted the high emotions in the courtroom and urged calm. The case concerns the 2013 murder of Peter Butterly, 35, shot in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston. Three men—Dean Evans (24), Edward McGrath (33) and Sharif Kelly (44)—have pleaded not guilty to the murder and to firearm offences at the same location. Cullen, 30, had been part of the alleged murder plan but turned State witness earlier that year. He identified the accused, described being told to retrieve a gun from outside Gormanston College around 2 p.m. on the day of the shooting, and recounted the sequence of shots fired at Butterly's vehicle.
Dunnes Stores has filed a High Court challenge against An Bord Pleanala's decision to grant planning permission for a €40m extension of The Square shopping centre in Tallaght. Mr Justice Seamus Noonan allowed the case to proceed on an ex‑parte basis, with the matter set for a January 2015 hearing. Dunnes, represented by Eamon Galligan SC, seeks to contest several conditions of the permission, arguing the extension would adversely affect its retail business. The owners, Indego, and South Dublin County Council are parties to the proceedings.
Security arrangements are being prepared for a former murder suspect who has become a prosecution witness in the Special Criminal Court trial of three men charged with the murder of Peter Butterly. The accused, Dean Evans (24), Edward McGrath (33) and Sharif Kelly (44), have pleaded not guilty to the killing of Butterly, who was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn on 6 March 2013. They also face firearm charges. David Cullen (30), who was allegedly part of the murder plan, has turned State's witness. Counsel for the DPP, Alex Owens SC, announced that Cullen will be called first on Tuesday, with security measures to be arranged by Gardaí and the Irish Prison Service. The court has directed that evidence from the National Surveillance Unit remain confidential, and that members of the public be excluded from the courtroom during their testimony.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on the murder of Peter Butterly, the last National Surveillance Unit officer to give secret evidence left the courtroom through the custody area. The court ordered that no evidence or identities of the NSU officers be made public and that the public be excluded from the courtroom during their testimony to protect the officers' physical characteristics and the unit's methodology. The prosecution, led by Úna Ní Raifeartaigh SC, noted that the NSU witnesses had been fully presented and no further public exclusion was required. The trial, presided over by Justice Deirdre Murphy, Justice Margaret Heneghan and Judge Cormac Dunne, also entered a voir dire to decide on the legality of the accused men's arrest, detention and vehicle searches. The case involves four men—Dean Evans (24), Edward McGrath (33), Sharif Kelly (44) and David Cullen (30)—who pleaded not guilty to the murder and related firearm offences.
Desmond Mulvey, aged 34, was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to possession of nearly €200,000 worth of cannabis, part of a €2 million drug operation. Mulvey admitted that a €300 payment had enticed him to participate, citing a €1,700 debt from his own drug use. He had three prior convictions for minor offences. Judge Mary Ellen Ring had earlier imposed a five‑year sentence, suspending the last three years on the condition of one year of Probation Services. The operation involved three men—Mulvey, Terry O'Donoghue (50) and Michael Lawlor (40)—who were caught after Garda surveillance at the Cookstown Enterprise Unit in Tallaght. The total street value of the seized cannabis was estimated at €2 million. O'Donoghue and Lawlor received ten‑year and seven‑year sentences respectively, with the final year suspended on each. The court noted that the men were exploited by others to play an essential role in the drugs operation.
On 13 November 2014, the Special Criminal Court heard secret evidence from members of the National Surveillance Unit (NSU) regarding the murder of Peter Butterly, who was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, County Meath, on 6 March 2013. The court directed that no NSU evidence or identities be made public and that the public not be present during NSU testimony. Two NSU members gave evidence and left through the custody area to avoid identification. The trial, day 27, involves three men—Dean Evans (24), Edward McGrath (33), and Sharif Kelly (44)—who pleaded not guilty to Butterly's murder and to firearm offences at the same location and time. A fourth man, Dave Cullen (30), is a State witness. Prosecuting counsel, Úna Ní Raifeartaigh SC, described how Butterly was lured to the car park, shot at his vehicle, and later found collapsed by a lone Garda, dying shortly thereafter. The trial continues.
The Special Criminal Court has ruled that the arrest of three men accused of the murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly in Co Meath in 2013 was lawful. The court heard that the three accused, Dean Evans (24), Dublin Edward McGrath (33), and Sharif Kelly (44), were detained by members of the National Surveillance Unit shortly after the fatal shooting. Defence lawyers had argued that the arrest and detention of the men was unlawful and that their constitutional rights were breached. However, Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy stated that there had been no infringement of the constitutional rights of the three accused. The judge said that Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act was properly invoked and that the men were correctly arrested in or around 2.05 pm on March 6th, 2013. The three men have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Peter Butterly and firearm offences at the same address on the same date. A fourth man, David Cullen (30), was allegedly part of the murder plan but has become a State's witness. The trial is continuing.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, the court considered the seizure of a mobile phone from David Cullen, a former murder suspect who has become a prosecution witness. Cullen, aged 30 and formerly of Balbriggan, had been part of the alleged murder plan for Peter Butterly, a 35‑year‑old dissident republican shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, on 6 March 2013. He now testifies against three men—Dean Evans (24), Edward McGrath (33) and Sharif Kelly (44)—who plead not guilty to the murder and related firearm offences. The court rejected the defence's request to disclose recordings of Cullen's phone calls, citing that no State agency had been identified and that relevant telephone conversations had already been disclosed. The hearing also addressed whether evidence of the accused men's arrest, detention and vehicle searches could be admitted, with a ruling expected next week. The case will resume on Tuesday before the same panel of judges.
Luke Curry, aged 25, was arrested after a police raid on a house near the Jobstown Pharmacy where he and an unnamed accomplice were found asleep on a couch. The pair had participated in an armed robbery of the pharmacy on 12 February 2013, during which €400 was stolen. Curry had opened the security door while the accomplice, masked and armed with a kitchen knife, entered the shop. The robbery was reported by pharmacy staff who recognised Curry as a customer and were forced to hand over money. Garda James Ward, following a tip‑off, discovered the suspects sleeping in the house and seized €275 of the stolen cash from a pile beneath the accomplice. Curry pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court; sentencing was adjourned to January to allow victim impact reports to be prepared. The second man, whose identity is withheld pending trial, was also arrested.
The Special Criminal Court convened early on 6 November 2014 to hear submissions about the admissibility of evidence in the murder trial of Peter Butterly. The accused—Dean Evans (24), Edward McGrath (33) and Sharif Kelly (44)—had pleaded not guilty to the killing of Butterly (35) and to related firearm offences. A fourth man, David Cullen (30), had previously turned State witness. The court entered a voir dire to decide on the legality of the arrests, detentions and vehicle searches. Judges Deirdre Murphy, Margaret Heneghan and Cormac Dunne were to rule on the evidence next Tuesday. Discussions were to be held with counsel regarding Cullen's testimony. Public members were excluded when National Surveillance Unit officers testified, but were later allowed back to hear Emergency Response Unit evidence, which may still be inadmissible. The trial will resume tomorrow before the same judges.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 6 November 2014, Dean Byrne, 23, of Drumcairn Park, Tallaght, was remanded in custody after being charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styled the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and with unlawful possession of a 9x18mm Makarov PM pistol, its magazine and 10 rounds of 9x18mm ammunition. The charges stemmed from an operation on 5 June 2014 in which Byrne and another man were arrested by the Special Detective Unit and the Garda Crime and Security branch. Byrne had previously been granted bail on a €1,000 personal bond, a €20,000 independent surety and was required to sign daily at Tallaght Garda Station, observe a curfew from midnight to 7 am, surrender his passport and avoid contact with convicted persons.
The Special Criminal Court convened later than scheduled to consider the admissibility of evidence in the trial of three men—Dean Evans (24), Edward McGrath (33), and Sharif Kelly (44)—who have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Peter Butterly (35) and to firearm offences at the Huntsman Inn car park on 6 March 2013. A fourth man, David Cullen (30), who had been part of the murder plan, turned State witness earlier in the year. The court entered a voir dire to examine the legality of the arrests, detentions, and vehicle searches. Judges Deirdre Murphy, Margaret Heneghan, and Cormac Dunne will decide on the admissibility of evidence, including that from National Surveillance Unit officers whose identities and methods are protected. Public access was initially restricted to safeguard the officers' physical characteristics and the unit's methodology, but was later restored for evidence from the Emergency Response Unit. The case will continue tomorrow in the non‑jury court.
Eoin Maughan, 37, a Westmeath member of the Travelling Community, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to endangerment, dangerous driving and criminal damage after a high‑speed chase that began in Dublin and ended in Wicklow. The chase started when Maughan's grey Renault Laguna failed to stop at a roundabout in Tallaght, then drove the wrong way around a roundabout, overtook cars on a blind bend and on the wrong side of the road, and entered Brittas village where he attempted to ram a garda patrol car. He drove through the village, was pursued by a garda helicopter, and tried to escape by crashing through a stone wall near the waterworks at Bohernabreena. The pursuit ended when gardai arrested him. During questioning he became aggressive, was pepper‑sprayed, broke an interview table, and punched a garda. The court found the damage to garda vehicles cost €10,874, and that gardai suffered whiplash, facial injuries and one required surgery.
The Special Criminal Court has begun hearing final submissions from defence counsel on the admissibility of evidence against three men charged with murdering dissident republican Peter Butterly. Dean Evans (24), of Grange Park Rise, Raheny, Edward McGrath (33) of Land Dale Lawns, Springfield Tallaght and Sharif Kelly (44), of Pinewood Green Road, Balbriggan have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Peter Butterly (35) who was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, at Gormanston Co Meath on March 6 2013. Mr Evans and Mr McGrath have also pleaded not guilty to firearm offences at the same address, on the same date. A fourth man, David Cullen (30), with a last address in Balbriggan, was allegedly "part of the murder plan himself" but turned State's witness against his former co-accused earlier this year.
Aisha Ahmed, 49, was remanded in custody by the High Court on a European Arrest Warrant issued by Italian authorities for suspected drug importation. The warrant accuses her of being a promoter, leader and organiser of an association that imported, sold, distributed and traded large quantities of cocaine in Italy between September 1999 and June 2000. Ahmed was convicted in absentia in 2005 and sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Court of Naples. She denies the allegations, claiming she has never been to Italy and that the name and date of birth on her Irish passport are incorrect. The court relied on fingerprint evidence that matched the prints supplied by Interpol, and Mr Justice John Edwards adjourned the case to 18 November, remanding Ahmed in further custody. Her husband, Yemi Moshood Olatunde, was also arrested under similar circumstances and claims mistaken identity. The case remains pending.
Robert Melia, 32, was sentenced to four years in prison, with the last 18 months suspended, for a sustained violent attack on his ex‑girlfriend Elizabeth Clifford, then 25, on 29 June 2012. Melia pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The assault began when he entered Clifford's home at 1 a.m., after she had let him use the bathroom. He verbally abused her, struck her on the side of the head, threatened her with death, and then bit her right ear, attempting to bite it off. Clifford suffered a broken ear and required stitches and plastic surgery. Melia had four prior convictions for firearms possession, trespass, burglary and public order. He was arrested at the scene after being restrained by local people. The judge described the attack as violent and serious, noting Clifford's fear of being killed or seriously injured. The suspended portion of the sentence is contingent on 18 months of probation supervision.