Two men, Michael Finlay, 35, and Dean Byrne, 22, appeared before the non‑jury Special Criminal Court in Dublin on 6 June 2014. They were charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and with unlawful possession of a 9x18mm Makarov PM semi‑automatic pistol, a magazine and 10 rounds of 9x18mm ammunition. The arrests were made by the Special Detective Unit and the Garda Crime and Security branch during an operation in Tallaght on 5 June. Finlay was arrested outside Tallaght Garda Station before 4:00 pm and later appeared in court wearing a black t‑shirt and trousers; he gave no comment when cautioned. Byrne was cautioned after being found wearing a navy hoody and trousers; he also made no reply. No bail was applied for, but legal aid and a second counsel were approved for both. The judge remanded them in custody to return on 16 June.
In 2014 a Dublin man, Kevin Walsh, aged 25, was sent back to jail after the Court of Criminal Appeal activated nine months of the suspended portion of his eight‑year manslaughter sentence. Walsh had originally been convicted of killing 20‑year‑old James Burke in 2005 and received an eight‑year sentence with five years suspended. In 2007 the appeal court increased the suspended portion to three years. Walsh had been required to keep the peace, remain under probation supervision and abstain from drugs or alcohol. In 2011 he pleaded guilty to stealing pizzas worth €34, a breach of his bond. The judge noted Walsh's sporadic attendance at the Tallaght Probation Project and his regular drug use while there. The court deemed his failure to comply with the probationary conditions serious and therefore invoked nine months of the suspended sentence, remanding him to the Circuit Court. Kevin Walsh pleaded not guilty.
A 45‑year‑old Algerian man, Lounes Ouachek of St Dominic's Terrace, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of his 32‑year‑old wife, Ruta Ouachek, at their home on 23 August 2012. He was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court, where Mr Justice Paul Carney adjourned sentencing to 14 July and ordered that the victim's evidence be presented by video link.
Des Christie, 49, of Finglas, was arrested twice for IRA membership while on bail. He was first charged on 29 March 2013 after a search of a commercial premises in Clondalkin, and was due to stand trial on 13 January 2015. Christie was granted bail in April 2013, but was arrested again in July 2013 following a search of a house in Tallaght. He was charged again for membership of the Irish Republican Army, and the court set a trial date for 9 June 2015. On 28 May 2015, the Special Criminal Court granted him temporary bail. He must leave at 9 am, return on 4 June, observe a curfew from midnight to 7 am, provide a mobile number, surrender his passport, and may not associate with co‑accused or anyone convicted or charged with a scheduled offence. The judge, Ms Justice Iseult O'Malley, approved the application.
Paul Mannering, 25, of Tallaght, pleaded guilty to the unauthorised taking of a vehicle and driving without insurance at The Five Road, Hedgestown, Lusk, on January 3rd. Judge Dermot Dempsey sentenced him to 240 hours of community service work in lieu of a five-month prison term and disqualified him from driving for two years. Mannering's solicitor stated he was in a 'stupid situation' after borrowing money and being asked to commit the offence. Nicholas Keane, 36, of Balbriggan, was remanded on continuing bail until May 16th regarding an alleged possession of a knife at Hamlet Lane on January 27th. The DPP directed no further charges be brought. James Ward, 43, of Balbriggan, faces seven charges for allegedly inducing victims to make lodgements totalling over €2,000 for non-existent concert tickets and mobile phones. Ward was remanded in his absence to re-appear on April 24th to furnish medical certificates following a reported stroke. Additionally, an unidentified teenager who persistently skipped school was adjourned until October 16th after the National Education Welfare Board reported 'good progress' in his attendance.
The Special Criminal Court has granted bail variations to two men accused of IRA membership. Darren Murphy, 42, of Dublin, sought a reduction in his bail surety to fund kitchen renovations. Although gardai objected, citing a strong danger of reoffending, the court compromised by reducing his independent surety from €20,000 to €15,000. Murphy remains subject to existing bail conditions. Co-accused John Brock, 40, of Tallaght, was granted temporary bail for the Easter period, from April 17 to 21. Despite gardai objections regarding his residence at multiple addresses and a previous bail breach, the court granted bail on the condition that he reside at a single address in Tallaght. He must observe a 24-hour curfew, with the court refusing an exception for DIY work. Murphy and seven co-accused, including Kevin Braney, Des Christie, Eamon McNamee, Hubert Duffy, William Jackson, and Declan Phelan, are charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, namely the IRA. They are scheduled to stand trial on January 13, 2015. Brock and four others, including Braney, Phelan, and Christie, face separate IRA membership charges arising from a July 2013 arrest, with their trial set for June 9, 2015. All charges are alleged or contested, and no pleas, findings, or sentences have been recorded.
Swords District Court heard four sentencing matters presided over by Judge Dermot Dempsey. Dean Fagan, 19, pleaded guilty to using threatening and abusive behaviour, failing to comply with garda direction, and being intoxicated. The judge imposed four months detention for failing to comply with garda direction and two months for threatening behaviour, taking intoxication into consideration. Robert Doyle, 20, pleaded guilty to being intoxicated, using threatening and abusive behaviour, and failing to comply with garda direction; his case was struck out after he paid a charitable donation. Brian Johnson, 27, pleaded guilty to the unauthorised taking of a vehicle and handling stolen property. He was convicted and sentenced to a suspended nine-month term for the vehicle offence, remanded on a peace bond for two years, and given a three-month custodial sentence for handling stolen clothes. Robert Krzemien, 42, pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of alcohol. He was convicted, fined €400, and disqualified from driving for three years, effective July 1st.
In a Dublin Special Criminal Court hearing, Vincent Banks, 46, pleaded not guilty to withholding information about the murder of prison officer David Black. The prosecution presented an Evening Herald newspaper dated 2 November 2012, found open to a story about Black's shooting, as evidence of "evidential significance." The paper was discovered in Banks' apartment during a search, alongside other newspapers. The prosecution argued that the newspaper's presence, open to the relevant article, suggested Banks' knowledge of the case. Banks' counsel, Michael P. O'Higgins, argued the newspaper was a thin thread, lacking proof of Banks' possession or fingerprints, and that other newspapers were also found. The court heard that Black, 52, was shot on the M1 near Lurgan on 1 November 2012, and that the murder was allegedly committed by occupants of a Toyota Camry registered 94 D 50997, purchased by Banks.
Eugene Cullen, 30, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Seamus O'Byrne, 27, in south Dublin. The Central Criminal Court heard that O'Byrne was shot dead at Tymon Park North, Tallaght, on 13 March 2009, in front of his girlfriend Sharon Rattigan and their baby. Rattigan tackled the assassin and was shot in the leg while disarming him. The prosecution alleged that Cullen was not the gunman but a participant in the planning and execution of the murder, acting by common design. He was the second person convicted for the crime; Garrett O'Brien was the gunman, sentenced to life in 2012. The jury, after 3 hours 41 minutes, returned a unanimous guilty verdict. Mr Justice Barry White imposed a mandatory life sentence, back‑dated to 8 May 2012 for time spent in custody. Eugene Cullen pleaded not guilty.
The jury in the Tallaght murder trial has paused its deliberations after hearing that 30‑year‑old Eugene Cullen of Derry Road, Crumlin, is accused of being part of a joint enterprise that killed Seamus O'Byrne, 27, at Tymon Park North on 13 March 2009. O'Byrne was shot outside his home in front of his girlfriend and child, who was also shot in the leg when she tackled the gunman. The prosecution claims Cullen was not the gunman but one of four men who plotted and executed the murder, relying on circumstantial evidence. Judge Barry White told the jury that the evidence must point to Cullen's guilt and asked whether the State had eliminated any other reasonable explanation. Defence counsel Sean Gillane argued that the prosecution's theory was forced, citing 480 hours of CCTV footage that did not show Cullen and urging a not‑guilty verdict. Eugene Cullen pleaded not guilty.
In the trial of a 30‑year‑old man accused of murdering a father‑of‑two, the prosecution told the jury that the case was based on circumstantial evidence. The defendant, Eugene Cullen, pleaded not guilty to the killing of Seamus O'Byrne, 27, at Tymon Park North, Tallaght, on 13 March 2009. The Central Criminal Court heard that O'Byrne was shot outside his home in front of his girlfriend and child, and that the girlfriend, Sharon Rattigan, tackled the assassin and was shot in the leg while seizing the gun. The prosecution alleged that Cullen was not the gunman but one of four men involved in planning and executing the murder.
In a 2014 hearing, 30‑year‑old Eugene Cullen of Derry Road, Crumlin pleaded not guilty to the 2009 murder of Seamus O'Byrne, 27, in Tallaght. The Central Criminal Court heard that O'Byrne was shot outside his home in front of his girlfriend, Sharon Rattigan, who tackled the gunman and was shot in the leg. The prosecution said Cullen was not the gunman but one of four men involved in planning the murder. In interviews after his arrest, Cullen admitted he knew Rattigan and had hung out with her little brother, but denied knowing the assassin or participating in the shooting. He also denied placing a petrol can in a stolen Volkswagen Passat, though he admitted buying a can of petrol the day before the shooting for a friend. The trial was before Mr Justice Barry White and a jury of five men and seven women.
In a Dublin murder trial, forensic scientist Liam Fleury testified that no firearms residue was found on Eugene Cullen, who is 30 and accused of murdering Seamus O'Byrne, 27, in 2009. Cullen pleaded not guilty. The prosecution maintains that Cullen was not the gunman but one of four men involved in planning the murder. Fleury explained that residue appears on a gun, the hands, clothing, and face of the shooter, and can remain on hands for three to four hours and on clothing for 20 hours. He tested Cullen's clothing on 14 March 2009 and a residue kit on his hands and face, finding no residue. The jury also heard technical evidence about mobile phones linked to the case. The trial is before Justice Barry White and a jury of five men and seven women.
In the murder trial of Eugene Cullen, a 30‑year‑old from Derry Road, Crumlin, the jury has heard evidence from a radio frequency engineer, Eamon O' Gairbhith, who worked for Meteor. O' Gairbhith testified that on 16 February 2011 he visited several mobile cell sites with Gardaí, producing maps that show cell site locations, coverage directions and the best server coverage. He explained that when a cell is full of traffic the handset is assigned to a different server, and that signal strength weakens the further one moves from a site, causing hand‑over to other cells. The prosecution, represented by Alex Owens SC, maintains that Cullen was not the gunman but one of four men involved in planning the murder of Seamus O' Byrne, who was shot dead on 13 March 2009 in Tymon Park North, Tallaght. The trial is proceeding before Justice Barry White and a jury of five men and seven women. The case remains ongoing. Eugene Cullen pleaded not guilty.
The Central Criminal Court is currently hearing the trial of Eugene Cullen, a 30-year-old man from Derry Road, Crumlin, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Seamus O' Byrne (27). The prosecution alleges that Mr. O'Byrne was shot dead by a hooded gunman in the driveway of his home at Tymon Park North, Tallaght, on March 13, 2009, in front of his girlfriend and child. While the accused is not alleged to have been the gunman, the state contends he was one of four men involved in plotting, planning, and executing the killing. The prosecution asserts that Garret O'Brien, a man from Bray who has since been convicted, was recruited to carry out the shooting. During the ongoing proceedings, the jury has been presented with technical evidence regarding mobile phone calls connected to the incident. In his opening address, Mr. Alex Owens SC clarified that the case against Mr. Cullen centers on his role in the conspiracy rather than the act of firing the weapon. The trial is presided over by Mr. Justice Barry White and a jury of five men and seven women. The matter is at the trial stage, with the defendant's plea remaining not guilty. No findings, sentences, or final dispositions have been recorded at this procedural stage. The trial continues tomorrow.
In the Central Criminal Court, a 30‑year‑old Eugene Cullen of Derry Road, Crumlin, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Seamus O'Byrne, 27, who was shot dead in front of his girlfriend and child at Tymon Park North, Tallaght, on 13 March 2009. The prosecution says Cullen was not the gunman but one of four men who plotted, planned and executed the killing. Today the jury heard technical evidence concerning mobile phones in the case. The trial will resume on Monday before Mr Justice Barry White with a jury of five men and seven women.
In a Dublin murder trial, a jury watched CCTV footage of suspects and vehicles. Eugene Cullen of Derry Road, Crumlin pleaded not guilty to the murder of Seamus O'Byrne, 27, at Tymon Park North, Tallaght, on 13 March 2009. The prosecution said Cullen was not the gunman but one of four men who plotted and executed the killing. The gunman was identified as Garret O'Brien from Bray, who had been convicted. The court heard that on 12 March 2009 Cullen entered a service station, filled a green canister with petrol, and placed it in a silver Ford Transit van. Witnesses described two men on the green the day before the shooting. Forensic evidence included DNA from a mobile phone and swabs from O'Brien and Cullen. The deceased had five gunshot wounds, with the chest wounds causing death, and head and leg wounds contributing. The trial continues before Justice Barry White and a jury of five men and seven women.
In a Dublin murder trial, a 30‑year‑old man from Crumlin, Eugene Cullen, pleaded not guilty to the 2009 killing of Seamus O'Byrne, a 27‑year‑old father of two. The court heard that O'Byrne was shot in front of his girlfriend and child at Tymon Park North, Tallaght, at 8:15 pm. Prosecutor Alex Owens SC stated that Cullen was not the gunman but one of four conspirators. Garret O'Brien, a Bray man now convicted, was identified as the shooter. Detective Garda Mary Moore testified she arrested Cullen at 11 pm after spotting a silver Nissan Primera with three occupants, one being Cullen, and brought him to Tallaght Garda Station. Garda Alan Young reported seizing a silver Ford Transit van on Derry Road, taking fingerprint lifts. Detective Sergeant John Schley described the van's chassis and licence plates, noting it was stolen in 2008 with false tax and insurance discs.
In 2014 the Central Criminal Court heard that Eugene Cullen, aged 30, pleaded not guilty to the 2009 murder of Seamus O'Byrne, 27, in Tymon Park North, Tallaght. The prosecution said Cullen was not the gunman but one of four men who plotted and executed the killing. A man from Bray, Garret O'Brien, was identified as the shooter. Garda Kevin O'Shaughnessy testified that three years earlier he had stopped a Volkswagen with no tax, seized it, and that Cullen was the driver while O'Brien was the passenger. Garda Clifford Cullen described CCTV footage from the Leisureplex in Coolock showing three men entering at 8:50 pm, with movements until 9:47 pm. Detective Garda Camon Ryan recounted driving routes to establish timings, noting a 26‑minute trip from the shooting scene to the Leisureplex. Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy testified that O'Byrne died from five gunshot wounds, including chest, head and left leg injuries.
In the trial of a 30‑year‑old man accused of murdering a father of two in Dublin, the jury has been reviewing additional CCTV footage. The defendant, Eugene Cullen of Derry Road, Crumlin, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Seamus O'Byrne, aged 27, who was shot dead at Tymon Park North, Tallaght, on 13 March 2009. The prosecution argues that Cullen was not the gunman but one of four men who plotted and executed the killing. The jury has examined footage from several city locations, including M50 toll bridge cameras that captured a silver Nissan Primera moving northbound at 8.25 pm and southbound at 10.43 pm on the night of the murder. Additional evidence from the Topaz garage on Fortfield Road in Kimmage, where a silver Nissan entered at 6.27 pm, was also presented.
In the murder trial of a 30‑year‑old Dublin man, Eugene Cullen, the jury heard CCTV footage from Tymon Park North, Tallaght, where Seamus O'Byrne, aged 27, was shot dead on 13 March 2009. The prosecution says Cullen was not the gunman but one of four men who plotted and executed the killing. Detective Garda John O'Connell presented the footage, describing three gunshots at 8.15 pm, followed by a fourth shot, a female scream, and a final shot. A can of Red Bull and parts of a mobile phone were found at the scene. Detective Sergeant Daniel Kelly and Garda Patrick Tarrant travelled to Red Bull factories in Austria and Switzerland and to a Spar shop on Ballymount Road, where they purchased 25 cans with the same batch number and expiry date, indicating an Irish market order of about 1.7 million cans. Eugene Cullen pleaded not guilty.
A Dublin man has pleaded not guilty to withholding information relating to the murder of Northern Ireland prison officer David Black at the Special Criminal Court. Vincent Banks (44), of Smithfield Gate Apartments in Dublin 7, faces a charge of failing to disclose material information between October and December 2012. The prosecution opened its case before the non-jury court on Friday, with counsel outlining evidence that the Toyota Camry used in Mr Black's fatal shooting on the M1 motorway near Lurgan on 1 November 2012 was purchased by the accused. The vehicle was subsequently recovered burnt-out near Inglewood. The prosecution intends to present forensic evidence linking Mr Banks to the vehicle's registration and CCTV footage from a Tallaght retailer. The court heard the car was stored in Carrigallen, County Leitrim, prior to the murder. Mr Banks faces an additional charge of IRA membership on 18 December 2012. The trial continues before Justice Paul Butler on Tuesday.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Ursula Shannon, a 30‑year‑old Trinity College PhD student, and her co‑accused John McGreal (37) and Colin Brady (24) were found guilty of unlawful possession of two handguns and 32 rounds of ammunition, as well as a 9mm Taurus PT92 pistol, a Walther P5 pistol, a magazine for the Taurus, a ZGJY stun‑gun/flashlight, and 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition. The court noted that the firearms were recovered from a stolen van intercepted by armed gardai outside a firearms dealer in Co Offaly, and that the ammunition was wrapped in a baby's nappy. The defendants had not contested the evidence. The judge sentenced each to six years' imprisonment, with Brady's sentence back‑dated to 29 November 2012. Ursula Shannon pleaded not guilty. John McGreal pleaded not guilty. Colin Brady pleaded not guilty.
In the murder trial of 30‑year‑old Eugene Cullen, the State Pathologist Marie Cassidy testified that the deceased, Seamus O'Byrne, suffered five gunshot wounds, including one to the head, three to the back and one in the hip. She noted injuries to the brain, heart and lungs and stated the cause of death was the chest wounds, with head and leg wounds contributing. The prosecution alleged Cullen was not the gunman but part of a four‑man plot. Witnesses described a silver car and a Volkswagen Passat seen near the scene, and a silver Nissan Primera with a flat tyre. Garda investigations involved house‑to‑house enquiries, CCTV footage from an Applegreen station, and the discovery of a left‑handed black glove in a drain. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Barry White with a jury of five men and seven women. Eugene Cullen pleaded not guilty.
In a Tallaght murder trial, Sharon Rattigan gave evidence about a shooting that occurred on 13 March 2009. She lived with her partner and two children in Tymon Park North and had planned to leave her son at her mother's house that night. Rattigan said she saw a hooded man in dark clothes with a gun approaching the garden, and that he shot at Seamus O'Byrne, who was then killed. She claimed she ran to stop him, was shot in the leg, and then grabbed the gun, struggling with the attacker who repeatedly struck her. Rattigan said she threw the gun into her car and the man fled. She also attempted to help O'Byrne, who was lying on the ground, before being taken to hospital. The trial is before Mr Justice Barry White and a jury, with Eugene Cullen, 30, pleading not guilty to the murder.
Eugene Cullen, 30, of Derry Road, Crumlin, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Seamus O'Byrne, 27, at Tymon Park North, Tallaght, on 13 March 2009. A jury of five men and seven women was sworn in on 24 February 2014, with the trial set to begin Wednesday and expected to last four weeks.
The Central Criminal Court heard on 17 February 2014 that a jury of seven women and five men had been discharged after five hours of deliberation and could not reach a verdict in the murder trial of 21‑year‑old Michael Kinsella. Kinsella had pleaded not guilty to the killing of 31‑year‑old Adil Essalhi at Tyrrelstown on 6 January 2011. The State alleged that Kinsella and his uncle, Wayne Kinsella, carried out the murder because they believed Essalhi was involved in the killing of their relative Lee Kinsella. The court heard that Essalhi's body was found in a ditch behind Tyrrelstown Plaza, that an attempt had been made to burn the body, and that the post‑mortem examination revealed 58 injuries, 19 chop wounds to the skull and facial bones, and evidence of post‑mortem burning. Two weapons were said to have been used, a machete and a sharp instrument such as a knife. Michael Kinsella was convicted.
The Central Criminal Court heard the trial of 21‑year‑old Michael Kinsella, accused of murdering 31‑year‑old Adil Essalhi in Tyrrelstown, Dublin, on 6 January 2011. Kinsella pleaded not guilty. The jury has been deliberating for almost two hours and has paused for the weekend. The court noted that Kinsella's uncle, Wayne Kinsella, was convicted of the murder in 2012. Witnesses testified that Essalhi met Wayne and another woman in a Dublin pub, then returned to their Tyrrelstown apartment where a group drank. Essalhi's body was found in a ditch behind Tyrrelstown Plaza, with attempts to burn it. Judge Paul Carney highlighted that key witnesses were alleged liars, and the prosecution, led by Alex Owens SC, argued that a machete and another knife were used, describing the killing as a "Goodfellas‑style execution." The defense, represented by Patrick Marrinan SC, contested the evidence of two weapons and the alleged motive. The jury will resume deliberations on Monday.
The Central Criminal Court heard that 21‑year‑old Michael Kinsella of Swiftbrook Close, Tallaght, denied murdering 31‑year‑old Adil Essalhi at Tyrrelstown on 6 January 2011. Essalhi's body was found in a ditch behind Tyrrelstown Plaza, with attempts to burn it. Kinsella, who was arrested for the murder, said he had never met Essalhi and denied killing or burning him, claiming Essalhi was still alive when left in the living room. He also denied any connection to his uncle Wayne Kinsella, who was convicted of the murder in 2012. Garda interviews and cross‑examinations confirmed Kinsella's denials and that he voluntarily went to Blanchardstown Garda Station on 15 and 16 January 2011. A machete‑type weapon was found beside the body, but no knives were linked to the crime. The trial continues.
Balbriggan District Court heard a number of cases on various charges. David El Masri (32) of Prospect in Balbriggan, Co Dublin pleaded guilty to custody or control of equipment designed for making copies of work on October 14th, 2013 at his home address, and 10 charges of copying movies for sale or supply on the same date, namely Invictus, Avatar, Old Dogs, Body of Lies, Informant, Invention of Lying, Grown Ups, Marmaduke, Wall-E and Four Christmases. He also pleaded guilty to the theft of ten PlayStation games valued at €603 from Tesco Xpress at Millfield in Balbriggan on November 28th. The matter was adjourned until March 6th. Montes Parulea (20) of Birchwood Heights, Springfield Tallaght pleaded guilty to the theft of ten PlayStation games and was handed 240 hours community service work in lieu of a two month prison sentence. Christopher Russell (53) of Brookford Lane in Rush pleaded not guilty to assault and using threatening and abusive behaviour at Upper Main Street in Rush on August 22nd. The matter was adjourned until March 28th. Paul Boylan (35) of Minster's Road in Lusk was remanded on continuing bail until March 27th. Benjamin Whitehouse and Oliver Whitehouse (both 36) were remanded on continuing bail until March 13th. Martin Coughlan (30) of Gurteen Road in Ballyfermot was remanded on continuing bail until March 6th. Nicholas Keane (36) of Bremore, Castlegate in Balbriggan was adjourned until April 10th. Martin Maughan (30) of St McCullin's in Balbriggan pleaded guilty to refusing to give gardai his name and address on November 20th, 2012 at Pinewood Green Close and was fined €200.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Michael Kinsella, aged 21, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Adil Essalhi, 31, in Tyrrelstown on 6 January 2011. The court heard that Kinsella's uncle, Wayne Kinsella, was convicted of the murder in 2012. Donna Mangan, who lived in Tallaght on 16 January 2011, testified that Kinsella visited her apartment with his girlfriend and, according to her, pointed to his chest and whispered, "It was me, I done it." She also claimed he later said, "You should check what we done to that Paki fella – we beat the lungs out of him." Mangan described feeling threatened by Wayne for money, but denied that she fabricated the confession. Another cousin, Jamie Lee Kinsella, recounted that Kinsella had smoked a joint with her and claimed he had killed the victim because he had murdered his uncle Lee Kinsella.
In the Central Criminal Court, a woman named Natasha Carey, who was eight months pregnant at the time, testified that she witnessed a 21‑year‑old Michael Kinsella with a weapon during a gathering at Martina Deegan's house in Tyrrelstown on the night of January 6, 2011. Carey described the evening as a party where the group drank and displayed photographs of Mr. Adil Essalhi's children. She claimed that Michael, along with Wayne Kinsella and Mr. Essalhi, left the apartment, and that she saw blood on Michael's weapon and on his own neck. Carey also admitted to lying in the Wayne Kinsella trial and to the Gardaí, stating she had altered her story because of personal trauma. The trial, which has already heard that Wayne Kinsella was convicted of murder, continues with these allegations in evidence. The court also heard from Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy that Mr. Michael Kinsella pleaded not guilty.
During the trial of 21‑year‑old Michael Kinsella, accused of murdering 31‑year‑old Adil Essalhi in Tyrrelstown on 6 January 2011, Gemma Brady Deegan testified that she saw splashes of blood on Kinsella. She said she was staying at her mother's house when Kinsella's uncle Wayne Kinsella and Essalhi returned around 3 pm, drinking upstairs. Kinsella arrived with a woman, and the group stayed until after midnight, returning 45 minutes later. Brady Deegan claimed Wayne Kinsella was covered in blood in the kitchen and that Kinsella had blood on his clothes. She also described Wayne Kinsella's violent history, including a conviction for murder and an assault on a foreign lady. Brady Deegan confirmed that Kinsella had changed clothes and that a washing machine had been running minutes later. The trial continues. Michael Kinsella pleaded not guilty.
Craig O'Halloran, aged 20, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 32‑year‑old Kevin Kenny on Sarsfield Road, Ballyfermot, on 31 July 2011. He was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on 10 February 2014. The judge, Mr Justice Paul Carney, called a jury of six men and six women. The trial is scheduled to start on Wednesday and is expected to last two weeks.
A 21‑year‑old man, Michael Kinsella of Swiftbrook Close, Tallaght, is on trial for the murder of Adil Essalhi, whose body was found in a ditch in north Dublin three years ago. Kinsella pleaded not guilty. The Central Criminal Court was told that Kinsella and another person killed Essalhi somewhere in fields behind Tyrrelstown Plaza between 9 pm and shortly after 9:30 pm on 6 January 2011. Prosecutor Mr Alex Owens SC described how Essalhi had gone drinking with Kinsella's uncle Wayne and a partner, then returned to the duplex apartment where they drank with others, including Kinsella. Owens said the Kinsellas believed Essalhi had murdered Wayne's brother Lee. At about 9 pm Essalhi was asked to leave the apartment and was then "done to death" in the fields. Two weapons were used, a machete and a sharp instrument such as a knife; a machete was found next to the body but no other knife was recovered.
A 21‑year‑old, Michael Kinsella of Swiftbrook Close, Tallaght, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Adil Essalhi in Tyrrelstown, Co. Dublin, on 6 January 2011. A jury has been sworn in for his trial, which is set to begin on Thursday and is expected to last two weeks.
In the Central Criminal Court, Stephanie Tuite, aged 20, was sentenced under the Probation Act for contempt of court after refusing to testify in the murder trial of Daniel McDonnell, who was jailed for life for killing 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara. McDonnell, 19, had written a letter to Tuite bragging about the murder, which was used as evidence. Tuite, listed as a prosecution witness, could not be located by the Gardaí during the trial; her statement was read to the jury instead. She was arrested on a bench warrant after the trial and apologized to the court through her barrister. Judge Paul Carney noted her fear of McDonnell and others, accepted her lack of prior convictions, and imposed a three‑month imprisonment under the Probation Act, allowing her to remain free pending future court appearances.
Daniel McDonnell, aged 19, was sentenced to life imprisonment after a jury found him guilty of murdering 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara. The murder occurred in Tallaght when a stolen black Hyundai Santa Fe fired a shot that struck Melanie in the head while she sat in the back seat with her boyfriend and his friend. The vehicle and weapon were abandoned in Citywest, and no fingerprints were found on the car, gun or cartridges. McDonnell had been arrested the week after the shooting and had made no statements to police, instead leaving graffiti in his cell. He later wrote letters to a friend and a former girlfriend that were deemed admissions of guilt. The trial lasted seven days, and the jury deliberated for 4 hours and 17 minutes before reaching a unanimous verdict. The judge imposed the mandatory life sentence for murder. The case was heard at Dublin Central Criminal Court. Daniel McDonnell pleaded not guilty.
A jury has begun deliberating the trial of 19‑year‑old Daniel McDonnell, charged with murdering 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara on 8 February 2012. McDonnell's barrister argued that the only evidence against him was two letters he wrote while in prison, described as "rants to his friend and girlfriend." One letter contained violent language, including "Close‑range head shots… Two in the head. The bitch is dead," and references to a loaded 12‑gauge. The other letter suggested a motive tied to a car incident. McDonnell pleaded not guilty. Defending counsel Patrick Marrinan SC noted the absence of any role for McDonnell in the murder, the lack of forensic evidence such as fingerprints on the vehicle or gun, and the lack of corroboration for the letters. He warned of the dangers of relying on uncorroborated confessions, citing cases where Irish men had falsely confessed.
In a 2014 Central Criminal Court hearing, 19‑year‑old Daniel McDonnell, charged with the murder of 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara, admitted writing two letters from his St Patrick's Institution cell in March 2012. The letters, which he had asked prison staff to send to two recipients, contain boastful remarks about shooting McCarthy McNamara. One letter includes the lines "Close‑range head shots… Two in the head. The bitch is dead… Best night of my poxy life." The second letter references a "smell bag" and a "bullying my Ma" comment. McDonnell pleaded not guilty to the murder. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Carney, has already heard the letters and related statements from prison staff and Garda investigators. The case remains at the trial stage, with no verdict yet reached.
In the murder trial of Daniel McDonnell, a 19‑year‑old charged with killing 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara, the court heard that McDonnell, a protected prisoner at St Patrick's Institution, had written two letters while in Cell 17 on the B3 landing. Prison officer Richard Pielow testified that McDonnell had no contact with other inmates and that the letters were unsealed and read by officers as part of routine procedure. The letters, addressed to Lee McDonnell and Stephanie Tuite, contained violent and vulgar language, including the phrase "Two in the head. The bitch is dead." Assistant Chief Officer Tony Redmond read the letters aloud to the jury. McDonnell pleaded not guilty, and the trial continued before Mr Justice Paul Carney with a jury of six men and six women. The case remains pending.
The Special Criminal Court has fixed a trial date of June 9, 2015, for seven men accused of membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA. The accused are Peter Burns (39) of Glenshane Crescent, Tallaght; Kevin Braney (39) of Glenshane Crescent, Tallaght; Michael Barr (33) of Carlton Court, Poppintree, Ballymun; Brian Nick McBennett (54) of Ard Collum Avenue, Artane; John Brock (41) of Glenview Park, Tallaght; Declan Phelan (31) of Lanndale Lawns, Tallaght; and Desmond Christie (49) of Liam Mellows Road, Finglas. All were charged on July 3 last year. Mr Justice Paul Butler presided and noted it was "most unfortunate" that defendants face such long pre-trial custody, acknowledging the presumption of innocence. Defence counsel Mr Jim Mc Cullough BL argued that Des Christie, in custody since July 5, 2013, would spend 23 months in custody before trial, citing a prima facie breach of the European Convention on Human Rights. The judge stated the court's dates were full. The matter was adjourned to the fixed trial date.
During his trial at the Central Criminal Court, Daniel McDonnell, a 19‑year‑old charged with the murder of 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara, admitted to writing graffiti on his cell wall while detained at Tallaght Garda Station. The graffiti included phrases such as "2 in the head. The bitch is dead" and references to Melanie's boyfriend, Christopher Moran, using derogatory terms. Garda Francis Glennon, who was the jailer, photographed the graffiti and testified that it was signed by McDonnell. The prosecution presented the photographs to the jury. The trial also covered the forensic evidence of Melanie's death, with Dr Khalid Jabbar describing a fatal shotgun wound to her left temple and the presence of numerous pellets. The case proceeded to legal argument before Mr Justice Paul Carney, with the jury scheduled to return on Tuesday. The unnamed 19-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a murder trial, the jury heard that 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara was severely wounded when she arrived at Tallaght Hospital after being shot in the head. The court was shown a shotgun found by Gardaí near Brookview Way, where the shooting occurred. Daniel McDonnell, 19, was on trial for the murder and had pleaded not guilty. A hospital statement described the extent of her injuries, including a large wound to the temple, brain matter, and a protruding eyeball, and noted that resuscitation was stopped at 1 am after her condition deteriorated. A boy who witnessed the shooting described a black jeep and gunfire, and Sergeant John Schlay presented the shotgun, noting it had been altered for concealment. The trial proceeded before Mr Justice Paul Carney with a jury of twelve.
In a 2014 trial at the Central Criminal Court, Daniel McDonnell, aged 19, was charged with the murder of 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara. The prosecution presented evidence that McDonnell had written boastful graffiti on his cell wall, including the lines 'Two in the head. Your bitch is dead', and had sent two letters to a prison officer that contained references to the shooting. The letters, addressed to Lee McDonnell and Stephanie Tuite, described the intent to shoot and the use of a loaded 12‑gauge shotgun. McDonnell's defence pleaded not guilty. The jury was told that the victim was shot in the head while seated in the back seat of a car on Brookview Way, Tallaght, and that she was pronounced dead at Tallaght Hospital. The case was heard by Mr Justice Paul Carney with a jury of twelve.
A 19‑year‑old Dublin teenager, Daniel McDonnell, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara, who was killed in Tallaght on 8 February 2012. He was charged at the Central Criminal Court and arraigned before a jury of six men and six women. The trial is set to begin the following morning and is expected to last a week.
In a New Year's morning attack in Tallaght, a young man, Dale Creighton, suffered serious injuries and later died. Two people, Graham Palmer (24) and Aisling Burke (20), were charged with violent disorder in connection with the incident. They appeared at Dublin District Court, where Judge Michael Walsh heard that further serious charges could be brought. Garda officers alleged that Palmer was seen on CCTV striking the injured party, fled the scene, and was found with blood believed to be the victim's on his face and hands. Burke was also alleged to have been seen on CCTV and was found with blood on her shoes. Both were granted conditional bail with €750 bonds, €300 cash lodgement, and independent sureties of €2,000. Conditions included residence at specified addresses, staying out of Tallaght, curfew, daily sign‑in at local garda stations, and no contact with witnesses or alleged participants. They will face their next hearing on 16 January.
Kevin Braney, 39, of Tallaght, was granted temporary bail by the Special Criminal Court for the Christmas period, effectively placing him under house arrest. He is charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, namely the IRA, a charge he shares with seven co-accused: Des Christie, Eamon McNamee, Hubert Duffy, William Jackson, Declan Phelan, John Brock, and Darren Murphy. All eight men are alleged to have been involved in membership of the IRA. Mr. Braney had previously been granted bail on April 11, 2013, but gardai objected to his current application, alleging he breached prior conditions by associating with co-accused. Detective Inspector Michael Gibbons stated that gardai believed Mr. Braney would continue to commit offences. Mr. Justice Paul Butler accepted the objection but noted Mr. Braney was not deemed a flight risk. The court offered a compromise, changing his place of detention from Portlaoise Prison to his home address. Bail was granted from 9:00 am on December 23 to 4:00 pm on December 28, subject to a 24-hour curfew, an independent surety of €7,000, and a prohibition on associating with co-accused or anyone charged with a scheduled offence. The curfew was lifted between 9:30 am and 12:30 pm on Christmas Day to allow Mr. Braney to visit his mother's grave. The court acknowledged that granting bail imposed additional monitoring work on gardai.
A 20‑year‑old Romanian‑born thief, Montes Parulea, pleaded guilty in Balbriggan District Court to stealing ten PlayStation games worth €603 from Tesco Xpress on 28 November. He entered the store with another person, placed the games in a foil‑lined baby bag, paid for one item and left without paying for the rest. Sergeant Tony Tighe testified that the goods were recovered. Judge Dermot Dempsey ordered a probation and welfare report to decide whether Parulea could receive 240 hours of community service instead of a two‑month sentence, and adjourned the case to 13 February.
The Special Criminal Court granted limited Christmas bail to Declan Phelan and John Brock, who are accused of membership of an unlawful organisation, specifically the IRA, on July 3, 2013. Both men were arrested while already on bail for a previous IRA membership charge, which Detective Inspector Michael Gibbons stated they breached by associating with persons charged with scheduled offences. Despite garda objections, Justice Paul Butler granted Phelan bail from December 23 to January 2, 2014, requiring a €20,000 independent surety and conditions prohibiting association with those charged or convicted of scheduled offences. Brock was granted bail from December 23 to 28 on a full curfew, supported by a €7,000 surety. The court noted neither man would stand trial before 2015. The trial for Phelan, Brock, and co-accused Peter Burns and Michael Barr, all charged with the same offence on July 3, 2013, was set for June 9, 2015. Co-accused Kevin Braney, Brian Nick McBennett, and Desmond Christie, also charged with IRA membership, were remanded to appear before the court on January 21.