Staff waited nearly two years to get their split of over €5,000 in customer gratuities from a tap-to-tip machine installed at a Limerick City café in unexplained circumstances, a tribunal has heard. At the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), both the former manager of Esquires Coffee Limerick and the proprietor of the business denied responsibility for the installation of the electronic tip machine. The owner said she did not know it was there at all until the manager came looking for her share of the proceeds. By the time the tips were distributed, a quarter of the money had been eaten up by fees charged by the machine's provider, JustTip, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) noted in a decision published today. The tribunal has now ordered Rise and Grind Ltd, trading as Esquires Coffee Limerick on Catherine Street, to pay €100 in compensation to the café's ex-manager, Hueian Hsiao, for a delay in paying her wages.
A judge has spoken out against the toxic masculinity of social media influencers after sentencing a young man to six years in prison for raping a 14-year-old girl. The defendant, who is now 21, pleaded guilty to raping the girl at a house party in Co Clare in July 2024. The victim, who is now 16, was intoxicated and vulnerable when the defendant lured her into a bathroom and raped her. The judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, noted that the defendant's actions had a significant impact on the victim's life and warned against the influence of online pornography and toxic masculinity on young men. The judge reduced the initial sentence of 10 years to seven and a half years, taking into account the defendant's guilty plea and expressions of remorse. The sentence was suspended for 18 months, with conditions including no contact with the victim in perpetuity and a ban on sexual offences for 20 years.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed the conviction appeal of Paul Kelly, a 47-year-old man from Killarney, Co. Kerry, who was convicted of sexually abusing his younger brother. Kelly, who denied all charges, was found guilty in November 2024 of 12 counts of sexual assault, two counts of oral rape, and 12 counts of anal rape committed between 1995 and 1999. He was sentenced to seven and a half years' imprisonment by Ms Justice Melanie Greally. The appellant's counsel argued that evidence from a witness, who stated the complainant said, "Paul has been raping me for years," should have been excluded or required a corroboration warning because the present perfect continuous tense implied ongoing abuse, despite the abuse ending seven years prior. Mr Justice Charles Meenan rejected this argument, stating that people making statements may not prioritize correct grammar. The court found no material inconsistencies in the evidence and ruled that the trial judge's decision not to issue a corroboration warning was reasonable. The appeal was dismissed, upholding the original conviction and sentence.
A 59-year-old man from Co Galway was jailed for six years after being found guilty of raping and indecently assaulting his younger sister when she was a child. The victim, now in her late 40s, described the abuse as 'torture' and told her brother he 'ruined her life'. The jury convicted him on two counts, but could not agree on 21 other charges, which the DPP will not retry. The man denied all charges and has 24 previous convictions. The court heard that the abuse occurred in their family home, and the brother told the victim her mother would die if she told anyone. The victim's impact statement highlighted the lasting trauma and shame she experienced. The judge sentenced him to seven years for rape and five years for indecent assault, with both sentences to run concurrently. The defence argued the man should be treated as a minor at the time of the offence and that the jury's inability to agree on most charges should be considered.
Seamus O'Callaghan, a retired Franciscan brother and convicted sex offender, has been jailed for 11 years for raping a teenage boy while working as a teacher in Offaly almost 30 years ago. O'Callaghan, 82, was convicted of one count of anal rape following a Central Criminal Court trial in May. The victim, who was 13 years old at the time, stated that the incident took his childhood away and caused long-term psychological damage. O'Callaghan has 11 previous convictions for indecent assault, all involving teenage boys. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo noted the significant, long-lasting impact of the abuse on the victim's life and imposed a headline sentence of 13 years, which was reduced to 11 years due to O'Callaghan's age and medical issues. The court heard that O'Callaghan had cooperated with the investigation but his statements were found to be false self-serving denials. The case highlights the long-term consequences of sexual abuse and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.
A senior lab technician, Edson Simoa De Morais, has lost his challenge to his dismissal after being found asleep in a first aid room and contaminating it with lead dust from his work gear. The Workplace Relations Commission rejected his claim under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, ruling that there were substantial grounds for his dismissal due to his conduct and failure to comply with health and safety protocols. The company's investigation found that he used the first aid room for non-medical purposes, including sleeping, and actively endangered others by wearing lead-contaminated gear. Despite his legal team's arguments about his workload and the company's safety practices, the adjudicator found that his actions warranted dismissal. The court noted that the first aid room had to be decontaminated after the incident, and the disciplinary process was upheld on internal appeal.
A Lithuanian national, Karolis Peckauskas, has pleaded guilty to engaging in a terrorist plot to attack a Galway mosque. The charge relates to an attempt to damage the Maryam Mosque by fire between November 4 and 5, 2025, with the offence being aggravated by hatred. Peckauskas, along with Darren Gorman and Garrett Pollock, pleaded guilty to the same charge. Charles Flynn remains charged with the same offence. Peckauskas also faces charges related to the possession of offensive weapons and an explosive substance. He has claimed that he cannot receive a fair trial on the explosives charge due to the wording of the Explosives Act. A stay has been imposed on his prosecution on this charge until a High Court judgment is returned. Peckauskas, Gorman, and Pollock will return for a sentencing hearing on October 5.
A man charged with an alleged terrorist plot to destroy a Galway mosque has claimed he cannot get a fair trial due to the wording of the Explosives Act. The High Court has reserved its judgment in the case brought by 39-year-old Karolis Peckauskas of Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth. Mr Peckauskas is charged with possession of an explosive substance – four threaded pipe end caps and six litres of hydrogen peroxide – under such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable suspicion that he did not have it in his possession for a lawful object at O'Moore Place, Portlaoise, Co Laois on November 4 last year. Mr Peckauskas has not entered a plea in relation to the charge and a stay has been imposed on his prosecution until the resolution of his High Court challenge. Papers lodged by Mr Peckauskas' legal team claim that the wording of Section 4 of the Explosives Act places an "impermissible burden" on the applicant.
Martin Ward (64) was jailed for 12.5 years for repeatedly raping and sexually abusing his partner's niece when she was at her most vulnerable. Ward was found guilty of 27 counts of sexual abuse, including three counts of rape, nine counts of oral rape, and 15 counts of sexual assault. The abuse occurred between 2000 and 2004 when the girl was sent to live with Ward and his partner. The victim, Martina Ward, waived her anonymity and described the abuse as having stolen her childhood. She stated that Ward manipulated her and caused her profound trauma, including PTSD and ongoing mental health issues. Ms Justice Melanie Greally noted the breach of trust and the severity of the abuse. The judge set a headline sentence of 16 years but reduced it to 12.5 years considering mitigating factors such as Ward's lack of related convictions and his community work. Ward has eight previous convictions for road traffic offences and made no admissions during the trial.
A Circuit Court Judge has refused to remand a woman on bail for her role in facilitating a criminal organisation, despite noting that there are currently 53 mattresses on the prison floor. Judge Brian O'Callaghan stated that the defendant, Tamara Olaye, has had poor compliance with bail conditions in the past. Olaye, from Galway, pleaded guilty to money laundering offences between 2022 and 2024. Gardai obtained warrants to access her bank accounts and found over €20,000 transferred to a third party. Olaye claimed the money came from her work in beauty and fast food, but gardai linked it to organised crime. The court heard that Olaye had failed to sign on 41 times and was not residing at her address on eight occasions. Her defence counsel requested a Probation Report, which the judge agreed to. Olaye was remanded into custody until July 23, with the judge emphasizing the need to protect the public despite the prison conditions.
Jim McCarthy, 27, formerly of Oughterard, Co Galway, pleaded guilty at Galway Circuit Criminal Court to one count of hijacking a vehicle on Foster Street, Galway, on April 10, 2024, and to burglary, assault, and possession of an article at St Lawarnce Park, Loughrea, on January 23, 2024. Prosecution evidence alleged that McCarthy hijacked a car from a woman using a knife and later assaulted a resident in Loughrea, striking him with a knife and stealing cash. The court heard that McCarthy has 11 previous District Court convictions. Defence counsel noted that McCarthy has addressed addiction issues, completed a 12-week course at Cluine Mhuire, is employed, and has engaged with the Probation Service. Both injured parties declined to provide victim impact statements or participate in a restorative justice programme. Judge Brian O'Callaghan adjourned the case for an updated probation report in January 2027. The matter was adjourned and not concluded.
A 52-year-old man from Galway was sentenced to 13 and a half years in prison for raping and sexually abusing his two younger sisters over a period spanning several decades. The man had denied the charges but was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury. He was convicted on multiple counts of rape, indecent assault, and sexual abuse against both sisters, with the abuse beginning when the older sister was as young as 11 and the younger sister as young as eight. The older sister delivered a victim impact statement, detailing the profound and lasting effects of the abuse on her life, including struggles with alcohol, mental health, and her relationship with her children. She credited the Irish justice system for allowing her to speak out and begin the healing process. The younger sister also shared her experience of living with shame, guilt, and mental health issues, expressing relief at finally being able to move forward.
Paul Kelly, 47, of Killarney, Co Kerry, was convicted at a trial in November 2024 of 12 sample counts of sexual assault, two counts of oral rape, and 12 counts of anal rape of his younger brother, Anthony Kelly. The abuse occurred between 1995 and 1999 when Anthony was aged 10 to 14. Kelly, who was 16 to 20 during the offences, denied all charges but was found guilty. He was sentenced to seven and a half years' imprisonment by Ms Justice Melanie Greally. In a subsequent appeal against conviction, counsel for Kelly argued that evidence of the complainant's statement to a witness in the "present perfect continuous tense" was unfairly admitted, as it implied ongoing abuse seven years after it ended. The State's counsel rejected this as an "academic exercise on phraseology," noting the witness had also used the past tense. The appeal court, presided over by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, reserved its judgment to a later date. Anthony Kelly waived his anonymity to allow his brother to be named, stating the abuse caused lifelong trauma, including suicidal thoughts and self-harm.
A McDonalds security guard, Alfred Edward, denied calling a customer, Paul Cronin, a 'queer' during an incident last year, while Cronin accused Edward of calling him a 'black monkey' before ejecting him from the premises. The dispute was heard at a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) hearing under the Equal Status Act 2000. Cronin, who identifies as gay, claimed he was removed from the restaurant on 24 January 2025 due to prejudice and bias. Edward denied using any discriminatory language and stated he had no knowledge of Cronin's sexuality. Cronin described the encounter, saying Edward was aggressive and refused to discuss the situation with him. He alleged that Edward grabbed his phone and physically pushed him out the door, causing him to fall. Cronin later emailed McDonalds Ireland but did not mention the alleged slur, citing embarrassment. He sought €500 in compensation, claiming he was assaulted and injured. Edward, who has lived in Ireland for three years, stated he was from Germany and had no awareness of Cronin's sexuality.
Four men accused of plotting to attack a Galway mosque have indicated potential for progress in their cases. The accused, Darren Gorman, Charles Flynn, Garrett Pollock, and Karolis Peckauskas, are charged with attempting to engage in terrorist activity and possessing offensive weapons. Their trials will be heard in the Special Criminal Court. The defense lawyers expressed hope for progress when the case resumes next month. The court remanded the accused until that date. The charges include planning to damage the Maryam Mosque with fire and possessing items such as hatchets, a knuckle duster, and explosive substances. The case highlights concerns about potential terrorist activities and the possession of dangerous items. The court will consider the potential for progress in the accused's cases as the trial proceeds.
A Ukrainian national has been sentenced to six and a half years' imprisonment following a serious assault at a refugee accommodation centre in Dublin. The attack occurred on 31 March 2023 at Ballyogan Regional Temporary Rest Centre, when Vasyl Bolotnykov (57) struck another Ukrainian man in the face with a fire extinguisher in an unprovoked incident. The victim, in his late 50s, lost consciousness from the impact. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that medical assessment was delayed significantly, with a brain scan not conducted until nine days after the assault, revealing multiple brain bleeds and a skull fracture. The victim subsequently required surgery and spent eight weeks in intensive care. Judge Martina Baxter described the assault as ferocious and noted the victim has sustained permanent neurological effects, including memory difficulties and balance problems, preventing independent work. Bolotnykov pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm and production of an article capable of inflicting serious injury. The victim was later relocated to accommodation in County Roscommon during his recovery period.
A historian who lost a 'very tight' competition for a part-time lecturing position at the University of Galway has failed in her age discrimination claim. Dr Jackie Uí Chionna, who was 62 at the time of the interview, was placed last among six shortlisted candidates. She argued that the successful candidate, Dr X, who was in her late 20s or early 30s, could not have outperformed her based on her extensive experience and achievements, including a Bodleian fellowship and three published books. Her trade union, Siptu, contended that Dr X had not yet published her first book and lacked the experience of Dr Uí Chionna. However, the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found that the interview panel's scoring was very tight, and the successful candidate outscored Dr Uí Chionna in three of the six assessed areas. The adjudication officer, Peter O'Brien, concluded that there was no evidence of age bias, stating that the process was fair and non-discriminatory.
A man from Enniscrone, County Sligo, has lost a religious discrimination claim at the Workplace Relations Commission following his lifetime ban from a yoga studio in Ballina, County Mayo. Peter McKeon had pursued a complaint under the Equal Status Act 2000 against yoga teacher Niamh Glackin, who trades as Roots Wellness, over his exclusion in 2024. Mr McKeon alleged discrimination after Ms Glackin banned him following an incident on 16 December 2024. During the hearing, the parties disputed what occurred, with Mr McKeon claiming he expressed opposition to Christmas, whilst Ms Glackin described an aggressive outburst involving explicit language about child abuse and paedophilia. Adjudication officer Brian Dolan found that whilst Mr McKeon was entitled to hold and express his religious views without discrimination, his language and manner were inappropriate for the yoga studio setting. The officer concluded that Ms Glackin's decision to ban him was based on his behaviour rather than his beliefs, and dismissed the complaint accordingly.
Supt O'Reilly, the applicant, appealed a November Dublin Circuit Civil Court decision to the High Court, where he alleged he was penalised by the Garda Commissioner's office after making protected disclosures regarding unsafe leather holsters. He claimed these defective holsters, supplied by a Kildare saddlery, allowed a pistol to be removed even when the retention strap was closed, potentially contributing to the accidental self-wounding of a Garda at the Israeli ambassador's residence in June 2020. Six days later, Stephen Silver murdered Gda Colm Horkan using the garda's own gun in Castlerea, Co Roscommon. Silver was sentenced in April 2023 to life imprisonment with a minimum time to be served of 40 years for murdering a Garda acting in the course of his duties. During the current High Court hearing, counsel for Supt O'Reilly raised a separate allegation that Supt Liam White shared a prohibited photograph taken inside a courtroom of Supt O'Reilly and three accompanying individuals. Mr Justice Micheál O'Higgins asked parties with knowledge to write to the court and stated he would review the relevant prohibitions. The matter was adjourned to May 19 for further submissions.
The Court of Appeal has criticized the failure of gardai to interview the wife of an octogenarian child abuser but ruled that her husband's trial was not rendered unfair as a result. The man, now 87, had argued that his wife would have supported his claim that the girl did not spend the night at their home on the night of the attacks. He was convicted of two counts of sexual assault in 1991 and sentenced to two years in prison. His appeal focused on the absence of his wife's statement, which his lawyers claimed would have challenged the victim's credibility. However, the court noted that his wife had died before the trial and that her potential evidence was not certain to be admitted. The judge also pointed out that the victim's evidence was not challenged on the issue of her staying at the abuser's home. The court concluded that the trial, while imperfect, did not result in unfairness for the appellant. The unnamed 87-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Four men are to stand trial at the Special Criminal Court in connection with a plot to carry out a terrorist attack on a mosque in Galway last November. The accused, Darren Gorman, Charles Flynn, Garrett Pollock, and Karolis Peckauskas, are charged with attempting to engage in a terrorist activity to damage Maryam Mosque. The charges are aggravated by hatred, and the accused are also charged with possessing offensive weapons and explosive substances. Peckauskas and Pollock are accused of having hatchets, a knuckle duster, and a hunting knife in a BMW, as well as possessing hydrogen peroxide and other explosive materials. The State solicitor applied for the trial to be held in the Special Criminal Court, and the court ordered the case to proceed with the defendants to be produced in person on May 11. The charges stem from the discovery of weapons and explosives in their possession, which were found in connection with the planned attack on the mosque. The case highlights the seriousness of the alleged plot and the potential threat to public safety.
A self-proclaimed 'drugs lord' named Craig O'Connell, who had 62 previous convictions, was jailed for nine years for raping a 16-year-old girl. O'Connell falsely claimed the girl owed him €12,000 and threatened her with violence if she did not comply. He convinced her to have sex with him, recording the act to provide proof. O'Connell continued to extort money from the girl, taking items such as her mother's wedding band and an engagement ring. He also threatened her former boyfriend, falsely accusing him of being a 'rat' and making him sell drugs to repay a debt. O'Connell pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including rape, theft, and coercion. The court noted the abuse of trust and the deliberate planning to terrify the victims. The judge imposed a sentence of 11 years for the rape and a consecutive six-year term for making a demand with menace. O'Connell was also ordered to attend sex offender treatment and be under post-release supervision.
A man who became a trusted family friend has been jailed for 14 years for the sexual abuse of two young daughters in Galway. Benedick Joel (46) was convicted of 24 counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted anal rape on dates in 2017 and 2018. The court heard that Joel, referred to as 'Uncle Ben' by the children, was a family friend who initially engaged in 'body checks' on the girls and later sexually abused them. Both victims, now in their 20s, reported the abuse in 2022. Joel denied the allegations and has no previous convictions. The victims described the long-term emotional and psychological impact of the abuse, including depression, anxiety, and self-harm. The judge emphasized the breach of trust and the serious degradation of the offences, imposing a global sentence of 15 and a half years, with the final 18 months suspended to encourage rehabilitation.
Two men have been jailed for a combined nine years following the discovery of cannabis grow houses in Co Galway. Aloyzas Bukantus, 45, of Church Street, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, pleaded guilty at Galway Circuit Criminal Court to possession of drugs for sale or supply and money laundering. Tomas Dumbliavskas, 31, from Lithuania, pleaded guilty to cultivation of cannabis. The offences occurred on 13 March 2024 at properties in Skehana South near Ballinasloe and Tallavnamraher, Creggs. Gardaí executed simultaneous search warrants, recovering cannabis plants and herb with a combined estimated value of €415,000. Dumbliavskas was discovered hiding in a partition wall; Bukantus was present at the other premises. Judge Eoin Garavan sentenced Dumbliavskas to four years, suspending the final twelve months on condition he leave the jurisdiction within two weeks of release. Bukantus received seven years, with the final year suspended for two years, and was placed under probation supervision for one year post-release.
A veteran HR manager at a Galway hotel has won €63,000 in compensation for unfair dismissal following a 'poorly judged' remark about a colleague's divorce. John Gannon, who had worked at the Imperial Hotel for over three decades, was sacked in November 2023 after a disciplinary meeting. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found that while Gannon made an inappropriate comment about deputy general manager Donnacha Roche's divorce, the hotel failed to follow fair procedures. Multiple witnesses testified about the incident, which occurred in the hotel's lobby in October 2023. Gannon denied making the remark and claimed he was not given proper opportunity to respond before being dismissed. The WRC adjudicator, Louise Boyle, ruled that Gannon was 10% responsible for the dismissal but emphasized the hotel's failure to apply fair procedures. The hotel's CEO, Gabriel Reynolds, was criticized for not confirming the reasons for the dismissal.
The Workplace Relations Commission ordered Nical Engineering Ltd to pay refrigeration technician Nathan Collins €1,650 in unpaid wages. Nical said it had a counter-debt claim after a company van was recovered from outside Collins's address under garda supervision, but adjudicator Penelope McGrath ruled that wages could not be withheld. McGrath said the use of garda resources to recover the vehicle was unacceptable.
The Workplace Relations Commission awarded Xerotech founder and chief executive Dr Barry Flannery €420,172 after upholding his complaint of constructive dismissal. Flannery said the company cut off his systems and physical access before he resigned in December 2024. Adjudication officer Breiffni O'Neill found the actions completely undermined the employment relationship and ordered loss-of-earnings compensation through June 2027; Xerotech entered voluntary liquidation in February 2025.
Kestutis Buivydas pleaded guilty after more than 52,000 cigarettes with no excise-duty stamp were seized from his Carnmore home and a Tuam Road storage unit. The court heard he bought them online and sold them through a network; his one-year prison sentence was suspended in full, with €1,050 directed to Jigsaw Galway.
Michael O'Reilly admitted setting fire to a van outside VP Motors after a dispute with the business owner, in an attack the sentencing judge described as premeditated spite. He received six years with the final three suspended, plus probation supervision and extensive no-contact and exclusion conditions. Michael O'Reilly pleaded guilty.
Richard Kamson, 24, pleaded guilty at Galway Circuit Criminal Court to possession of drugs for sale or supply at locations in Doughiska and Merlin Woods on September 14, 2021. The court heard that cocaine with a street value of just under €24,000 and cannabis valued at €57,000 were recovered from his bedroom and nearby woods. Although Kamson had no previous convictions and his defense counsel argued he was at low risk of reoffending, the prosecution noted he is currently under investigation for other alleged offences. Judge Brian O'Callaghan stated that Kamson had engaged in the Restorative Justice Programme, claiming he was changing his life and had developed victim awareness. However, the judge noted that Kamson came to the attention of gardai during this period, contradicting the probation report. Rejecting arguments regarding the defendant's athletic achievements, the judge remarked that he did not care if Kamson was running from Galway to Donegal for charity. The judge found that Kamson had committed a serious crime and remanded him in custody. The finalisation of the case was adjourned until June 10 next to allow for additional information from the Probation Service.
Michael McDonagh admitted stealing €17,000 from Cadell bar after entering through a rear door, with CCTV and a subsequent search linking him to the burglary. He received a four-year sentence with the final year suspended, alongside probation supervision and a five-year exclusion from the premises; insurance covered the unrecovered cash. Michael McDonagh pleaded guilty.
A Galway man who sexually abused his three sisters when they were children pleaded guilty to rape and two indecent assaults. The victims described decades of trauma after the abuse became known, while Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a global two-year sentence with the final six months suspended and post-release supervision.
PJ Lyons received a global eight-year sentence after pleading guilty to an arson attack on a house in Castlepark, Ballybane, where Mary Sweeney and her four children were asleep. The family escaped through an upstairs window, were treated for smoke inhalation and lost their possessions; Judge Brian O'Callaghan described the risk to their lives as shocking.
The Court of Appeal dismissed Sean Kinneavy's conviction appeal, rejecting his argument that a jury's disagreement on two sexual-assault counts made its convictions on 47 other counts and two rape counts perverse. Kinneavy maintains his innocence; he was previously sentenced to nine years for rape offences and a concurrent eight years for sexual assaults.
Luke Kruger, 25, was sentenced at Galway Circuit Criminal Court for two incidents of unauthorised vehicle taking and associated offences. He pleaded guilty to charges arising from April 24, 2021, and October 15, 2023. In the first incident, Kruger allegedly took a car with a female passenger, driving 55km before crashing in Connemara while she begged him to stop. In the second, he allegedly bit a taxi driver and damaged a second vehicle before fleeing. Judge Brian O'Callaghan imposed a headline sentence of three years for reckless endangerment, reduced to 12 months. For the taxi offences, he set a headline sentence of two and a half years, reduced to 18 months to run consecutively. The final nine months of this second sentence were suspended. Kruger was jailed for a total of one year and nine months. He was placed under Probation Services supervision for 18 months post-release. The sentence was backdated to January 17, when he entered custody. The judge noted Kruger frightened the passenger and displayed aggression towards the taxi driver, while acknowledging his age and addiction issues as mitigating factors.
David Craddock was sentenced after admitting 10 sample counts of theft from KPMG between 2014 and 2019. Galway Circuit Criminal Court heard that 129 thefts were uncovered, more than €900,000 was repaid, and the judge set a headline sentence of six and a half years before mitigation and suspension reduced the term.
The Court of Appeal has increased the sentence of David O'Sullivan, a 23-year-old convicted of raping two young girls he groomed on Snapchat, from nine years to thirteen and a half years. The State's appeal, brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions, argued the original sentence was unduly lenient given the extreme nature of the offending. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy upheld the appeal, finding the conduct demonstrated a calculating mind and measured intent. O'Sullivan pleaded guilty to multiple counts of rape, oral rape, communication with a child for sexual exploitation, and production of child abuse material. The court imposed a six-and-a-half-year sentence for the first victim, a consecutive nine-year sentence for the second victim, and a concurrent six-and-a-half-year term for possession of child abuse material. After reducing the total by two years for proportionality, the effective custody term is thirteen and a half years. O'Sullivan will also serve a fifteen-year post-release supervision order and remain on the sex offenders register for life. The original sentencing judge had suspended two and a half years of his eleven-and-a-half-year term, but this appeal finalisation results in the increased custodial term.
Ethan Casey received a fully suspended four-year sentence after pleading guilty to possessing cannabis and cocaine for sale or supply at his Ballinasloe home. The judge cited Casey's addiction, early plea and cooperation while warning about the harm of dealing and noting prison overcrowding. Ethan Casey was convicted.
Gary Stephens received a suspended four-month sentence after admitting assault causing harm to a garda in Ballinasloe. The court heard about his long Defence Forces career, rehabilitation after the incident, remorse and €7,000 payment offered to the injured officer.
The State is seeking a review of David O'Sullivan's sentence after he groomed and raped two girls contacted through Snapchat and was found with 1,629 child abuse files. The Director of Public Prosecutions argued in the Court of Appeal that the sentence did not reflect the grave offending, and the court reserved judgment until next Tuesday. David O'Sullivan pleaded guilty.
Mihail Tanasevici pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of Maureen Hopkins outside a Westport supermarket. Judge Eoin Garavan imposed a five-month prison sentence and did not disqualify him from driving.
Former Inland Fisheries Ireland CEO Francis O'Donnell told a Workplace Relations Commission hearing that a senator intervened over a promotion linked to an employee he described as a key witness in a Garda fraud investigation. An adjudicator directed him not to name people who had not been put on notice; the case is to continue in June.
Former Inland Fisheries Ireland chief executive Francis O'Donnell told the Workplace Relations Commission that he reported an alleged blackmail by a senator while facing pressure over a suspended employee.
Eight Zimbabwean healthcare workers were awarded €30,420 each after a Workplace Relations Commission adjudicator found particularly egregious non-payment of wages by Unity Healthcare Services Ltd, following promised care jobs that never materialised.
Adrian Behan was found not guilty by reason of insanity of 23 criminal damage charges and 10 theft counts involving telecommunications sites in Mayo and Galway. A jury at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court returned the unanimous special verdict after hearing that he had been experiencing an acute psychotic episode caused by schizophrenia.
Adrian Behan pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to 23 criminal damage charges and 10 theft counts concerning alleged incidents at telecommunications sites in Mayo and Galway. The trial heard that cables, wiring, antennae and electrical equipment were damaged or stolen. The case continued before Judge Eoin Garavan.
A Knockmore man has been sentenced to four years in prison at Castlebar Circuit Court for offences including the savage mauling of a woman by his unmuzzled dog. David Barrett, aged 41, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm following an attack on November 20th, 2022, at Mount Falcon estate. The victim sustained life-changing injuries including severe lacerations and puncture wounds requiring emergency surgery and ongoing treatment. Judge Eoin Garavan noted the dog had been wandering loose and described Barrett's casual attitude toward the danger posed to the public. Barrett also pleaded guilty to assaulting two female gardaí who attended his home in July 2024 whilst responding to a domestic disturbance report. The court heard he was heavily intoxicated and attacked both officers with violence. The global sentence comprised two years for the dog attack and three years for assaulting the gardaí, with the final year suspended. Barrett was ordered to engage in mental health services, substance addiction treatment, and probation supervision upon release.
A man accused of being part of a right-wing group that targeted a mosque in Galway claims he cannot receive a fair trial due to the wording of the Explosives Act. Karolis Peckauskas (38) of Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth, has been granted leave from the High Court to challenge the fairness of his trial under the Act, which he argues violates his fundamental human rights. He was arrested on November 4 last year at O'Moore Place, Portlaoise, Co Laois, and charged with possessing six litres of hydrogen peroxide and an explosive substance. Peckauskas has not entered a plea and plans to apply for bail for the third time. In November, he was denied bail at Portlaoise District Court and again at the High Court in December. His co-accused, Garrett Pollock (35), was also refused bail. Evidence presented included a video of four masked men planning violent action and a manifesto for a right-wing group. Judge Andrew Cody described the video as resembling a statement released after a terrorist attack.
An air conditioning technician is seeking €1,650 in unpaid wages from his former employer, Nical Engineering Ltd, after leaving the job ten days into a new role in September 2024. The company admits it owes the money but claims the worker owes them around €3,500 for damage to a company van after it was seized by gardaí. The worker, Nathan Collins, denies the allegations and says the company is not following the law by offering cash instead of bank transfer. The company's representative, Hugh Hegarty, stated that the money is available in Mullingar and that the worker must collect it in person with the assistance of the gardaí and their solicitor. The company director, John Masterson, said the worker had issues with his work and that the van had to be cleaned and fumigated after being left in Galway. The case is being heard by the Workplace Relations Commission, with both sides presenting their arguments.
A taxi driver, William O'Keeffe, accidentally struck a woman during a melee, leaving her with a permanent scar on her chin and requiring plastic surgery. O'Keeffe pleaded guilty to one count of affray at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The incident occurred in January 2022 when an altercation broke out with a group of younger people. During the course of the second interaction, O'Keeffe was knocked unconscious for about eight minutes. He regained consciousness and swung his arms, accidentally striking the woman's partner. The woman was left with a significant injury to her face, requiring plastic surgery and leaving her with a vertical scar from her lower chin to her chin. Judge Orla Crowe noted that the woman was "an utterly blameless innocent person" and that the injury had a "profound impact" on her. O'Keeffe expressed sincere remorse and offered €5,000 to the woman within six months. Judge Crowe set a headline sentence of three years but suspended it in full on the condition that O'Keeffe pay the woman €5,000 within six months.