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 Kerry firearms dealer has had his conviction for importing and possessing a prohibited component for a WW2-era machine gun overturned on appeal. Judge James O'Donoghue ruled that Patrick O'Mahony Jnr (56) had no 'nefarious intent' in possessing the component. His defence argued that the item was a curiosity to be displayed in a glass case and fell under an exception in the Firearms Act for antique firearms used as a 'curiosity or ornament'. O'Mahony was previously fined €2,000 and had a destruction order made against the component. He appealed, citing his family connection to the weapon and his status as a licensed firearms dealer. Customs officers stopped him at Dublin Airport in 2021 with the component, which was identified as a bolt carrier for a Browning 1919 machine gun. Garda investigations confirmed O'Mahony was a restricted firearms dealer with valid licences. A garda ballistics expert stated the component was prohibited as it could be used in a functioning firearm. However, the judge found no evidence of nefarious intent and allowed the appeal, overturning the conviction.
Denise O'Brien (42) of Fels Point, Dan Spring Road, Tralee, Co Kerry, appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after taking a bench warrant last week. She is accused of 98 counts of fraud, including deception, forgery, and using a false instrument, under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. Oisin Clarke BL, defending, explained that his client did not appear on June 15 because she believed the court date was set for June 18, citing a rail ticket she had purchased for that date. He also mentioned that she had been previously in hospital. Counsel requested that the court readmit her to bail. Judge Orla Crowe set an arraignment date of November 16, when O'Brien is due to enter a plea. The judge noted her history of non-attendance but agreed to re-admit her to bail on her own bond of €100. She must sign on daily at a local garda station, provide her phone number, surrender her passport, and refrain from applying for any other travel documents.
Almost 200 witnesses are involved in the case of Michael Kelley, a former US soldier charged with the murder of Co Kerry sheep farmer Mike Gaine. A nine-week trial is set to begin in the Central Criminal Court in Dublin in January 2027. Kelley, 54, is charged with murdering Gaine, 56, at Carrig, Kenmare, Co Kerry, between March 20 and 21, 2025. The court was told that there are 191 witnesses in the book of evidence, and the case is estimated to last up to nine weeks. Kelley is currently in custody in Cork Prison, and video arrangements have been made for his appearance on video-link. His defense team has informed the court that his solicitor, Patrick Mann, is applying to cease acting for him, and Frank Buttimer has been retained as his new solicitor. The trial was set for January 11, 2027, in the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, as the court could not allocate a case of this length to Cork.
The Court of Appeal has rejected Patrick Murphy's claim that his murder conviction was unsafe due to the jury's 'extremely brief' deliberation. Murphy, who stabbed his daughter's neighbour to death in a 'drunken rage', was sentenced to life in prison in December 2024. He had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The Central Criminal Court jury unanimously convicted him of murder after rejecting the defence's argument of provocation. Murphy's counsel argued that the jury's quick decision raised concerns about the safety of the conviction and the right to full deliberation. However, the court dismissed the appeal, stating the jury deliberated for over three hours and reached a verdict based on the evidence. The judge noted that the issue of provocation was straightforward and that the jury's decision was sound. The trial revealed that Murphy had a history of 15 previous convictions, mostly for traffic and public order offences.
A violent criminal, Gerard Stokes, who carried out a three-hour hammer attack on a 'Good Samaritan' grandmother, leaving her blind in one eye after tying her up and threatening to kill her, had his jail sentence increased by two years following a successful appeal by the State. Stokes and his co-accused, Samantha Campbell, were convicted of inflicting what a judge described as a 'punishment beating' on the woman over alleged missing drugs. The Court of Appeal found that Stokes' 13-and-a-half-year jail term, with two years suspended, was unduly lenient and resentenced him to 14-and-a-half-years, with one year suspended. However, the court ruled that Campbell's ten-year sentence was not too lenient. The court heard the victim lost an eye in the attack and now uses a prosthesis. The judge noted that both defendants 'participated willingly' in the attack and the jury accepted that this was joint enterprise.
Daniel Dooley, one of six family members convicted of the murder of Thomas Dooley in an honour killing during a funeral in Co Kerry, has failed to convince the Court of Appeal that his identification by the victim's widow was unfair and should have resulted in the case being withdrawn from the jury. Dooley was convicted by a majority jury verdict in July 2024 and was one of six defendants, including a teenage boy, who were found guilty of murder. The court ruled that the evidence against Dooley, including CCTV footage showing him entering a van with an implement, was sufficient for the jury to draw inferences that he was part of a joint enterprise of a pre-planned violent attack. The court rejected the appeal, noting that the evidence was not tenuous, weak, or vague and that the credibility of the widow's identification was a matter for the jury. Daniel Dooley pleaded not guilty.
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 Ukrainian war veteran, Hryhorii Sryotenko, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for attempting to murder his ex-partner, Viktoriia Pavlenko, by stabbing her 15 times in her bedroom. The court heard that the attack was halted only by the intervention of Sryotenko's son. Mr Justice David Keane described the incident as a "truly horrific" attack, noting the life-threatening and disfiguring injuries Pavlenko sustained. Sryotenko, who claims he was psychologically damaged during his military service, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder. The judge highlighted aggravating factors, including the severity of the injuries, the breach of trust in the victim's home, and the use of a long kitchen knife. Sryotenko's admission of guilt and lack of previous convictions were considered mitigating factors. The victim, who had to leave Ukraine due to the war, described the attack as a complete change in her life, leaving her with lasting physical and emotional scars.
Ukrainian refugee Hryhorii Sryotenko has pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Viktoriia Pavlenko by stabbing her 15 times at a Kerry holiday home. His barrister said he accepted responsibility but disputed that he intended to kill her. Mr Justice David Keane remanded him in custody until March 26 for sentence.
Pedro Cifali, 37, was sentenced at the procedural stage of sentence for attempting to murder Lucia Nezbalova, 43, at her home in Garnish Square, Waterville, Dublin 15, on May 10, 2024. Cifali, a Brazilian national formerly residing in Blanchardstown, pleaded guilty to the charge. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon noted that Cifali allegedly armed himself with a knife, donned a disguise, and tracked Ms Nezbalova using an electronic tag attached to her car. The judge described the attack as unprovoked and premeditated, motivated by jealousy, resulting in life-threatening injuries including stab wounds to the neck, head, stomach, and arms. Ms Nezbalova suffered permanent scars, restricted mobility, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Ms Justice Creedon set a headline sentence of 20 years. Considering mitigation, primarily Cifali's guilty plea and lack of previous convictions, the judge imposed a final sentence of 16 years. Additionally, a further 12 months was suspended on the condition that Cifali engages with probation services. The sentence is backdated to May 15, 2024, when Cifali first entered custody.
A Ukrainian refugee described how she awoke to find her ex-partner pinning her down and demanding to be told the truth about her 'lover' before attempting to murder her by stabbing her 15 times. Viktoriia Pavlenko said former soldier Hryhorii Sryotenko had 'absolutely mad eyes' before launching the attack. Sryotenko (51) pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Ms Pavlenko on January 13, 2024. The victim described how life improved in Ireland but 'everything changed completely' on the day of the attack. She said she met Sryotenko in Ireland and they were neighbours. Initially, their relationship was good, but he became jealous and accused her of things she never did. The couple separated in November 2023 but still lived in the same house. On the day of the attack, she awoke to find Sryotenko in her bed with a knife. He stabbed her multiple times before her son intervened. Ms Pavlenko was taken to hospital and spent weeks recovering. Detective Garda Anthony Wharton detailed that Sryotenko had mental health issues and believed his partner was unfaithful.
The corruption trial of Stephen O'Sullivan, a Limerick car dealer, has heard covert recordings of conversations between O'Sullivan and Detective Garda David Bourke. O'Sullivan is accused of giving Bourke €20,000 in exchange for information about an ongoing investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau into Bawn Motors. The trial revealed that the investigation, codenamed 'Operation Glacier,' was highly sensitive and confidential. Audio surveillance recorded in December 2018 showed O'Sullivan and Bourke discussing the investigation, with Bourke warning O'Sullivan that authorities were planning searches. Bourke also mentioned that the investigation was still ongoing and that there were concerns about a garda leaking information. The court heard that Bourke was not part of the investigation and that the two business partners had supplied cars to the company. The trial continues with further evidence being presented to the jury. Stephen O'Sullivan pleaded not guilty.
A retired judge is seeking to have a personal injury claim against him struck out, following allegations of sexual assault at a book launch in Kerry. Judge James O'Connor, who retired in 2018, denies all allegations. The woman claims she was sexually assaulted by him at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney in 2017. The High Court heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions decided against a criminal prosecution. The judge's solicitor argues the claim is statute-barred and malicious, citing the delay in bringing the case and the lack of notice. The woman's counsel countered that the limitation period for personal injury claims is six years and that the case was brought within that timeframe. The court has reserved judgment on whether to strike out the proceedings.
The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in the appeal against the murder convictions of Michael Dooley, Thomas Dooley Jnr, and Patrick Dooley. The three men, who pleaded not guilty, were found guilty by a jury in 2024 of murdering Thomas Dooley at Rath Cemetery in County Kerry on October 5, 2022. Prosecutors alleged the attack was an 'honour killing' carried out with 'focused and murderous ferocity' using bladed weapons. All three appellants received life sentences from Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring in July 2024. During the appeal, counsel for Michael Dooley argued he was misidentified and the case should have been withdrawn from the jury. Counsel for Thomas Dooley Jnr contended his arrest was unlawful, while Patrick Dooley's lawyers challenged the admission of evidence regarding a weapon. The DPP countered that circumstantial evidence, including CCTV of vehicles fleeing the scene and the discovery of Michael Dooley in a van, supported the convictions. The court heard that the misidentification issue was extensively addressed in the trial judge's directions. The matter was adjourned as the court reserved judgment.
Three appellants, Thomas Dooley Jnr, Patrick Dooley, and Michael Dooley, appeared before the Court of Appeal to challenge their convictions for the murder of Thomas Dooley at Rath Cemetery, Tralee, on October 5, 2022. The State alleged the men participated in an honour killing using bladed weapons. All had pleaded not guilty. At trial, five defendants received life sentences, while a male teenager was found guilty of murder but not sentenced, as he was expected to seek judicial review. Thomas Dooley Jnr was also convicted of assault causing harm to Siobhán Dooley. Today, the court jailed him for four-and-a-half years for that assault, backdated to November 16, 2022, to run concurrently with his life sentence. Counsel for Thomas Dooley Jnr argued his arrest and detention were unlawful, while counsel for Patrick Dooley contended a leading question regarding a sword was improperly admitted. The appeal continues tomorrow before the three-judge court. The matter was adjourned and is not concluded.
A former couple who carried out a 'prolonged' three-hour attack on a grandmother, who lost an eye after being struck several times with a hammer and tied up in a bin bag, have had their convictions upheld by the Court of Appeal. Gerard Stokes (44) and Samantha Campbell (36) were convicted of seriously assaulting the woman, falsely imprisoning her, and committing an aggravated burglary. The attack, which occurred at Stokes' home in December 2018, involved Stokes repeatedly hitting the victim with a hammer and threatening to kill her. The woman was tied in a bin bag and subjected to severe injuries, including the loss of her eye. Stokes received a 13-and-a-half-year sentence, with two years suspended, while Campbell received a 12-year term, also with two years suspended. The pair appealed their convictions, arguing that the victim's statement to gardaí should not have been admitted as she was 'in and out of consciousness' at the time. However, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, stating that the statement was made voluntarily and was reliable.
The High Court has approved a €2.68 million interim settlement for Jeremiah Daly, a 22-year-old man requiring full-time care following birth difficulties in 2003. Jeremiah Daly, acting through his mother, Edwina Daly, of Clogher Drive, Lixnaw, Co Kerry, had sued the HSE alleging mismanagement of his birth at Kerry General Hospital between March 22 and March 24, 2003. The plaintiffs claimed severe and prolonged foetal distress, unacceptable delays in delivery, and a failure to stop administering oxytocin. The HSE denied these allegations, contending that the obstetric care was reasonable and that cardiotocography tracings gave no cause for concern. Previous settlements included a €1.75 million payment in 2015 and a €1 million payment in 2021 for future care. At today's hearing, John Lucey SC informed Mr Justice Paul Coffey that a further €2.68 million interim settlement was agreed for Mr Daly's care over the next ten years. Mr Justice Coffey approved the settlement, commended Edwina Daly for her care, and wished the family well. The matter was adjourned to December 12, 2035.
A 55-year-old Kerry man, Billy Burns, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his 75-year-old mother, Miriam Burns. The jury rejected his plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, finding that his actions were due to long-term drug and alcohol abuse rather than mental illness. The trial revealed that Burns had a history of violence towards his mother, including breaking her jaw. The prosecution argued that Burns lied about his movements on the day of the murder and destroyed evidence. The court heard that Miriam Burns was described as a 'wonderful' and 'hardworking' woman who was 'always glamourous' and loved to communicate with her family. The judge expressed condolences to the family and acknowledged the 'unimaginable grief' they experienced.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court unanimously convicted 55‑year‑old Billy Burns of murdering his 75‑year‑old mother, Miriam Burns, rejecting his plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. The jury found that the cause of the killing was not mental illness but Burns' long‑term drug and alcohol abuse and anger towards his mother. The trial, lasting one week, heard that Burns had been aggressive towards his mother since his teens, had once broken her jaw, and had denied any involvement in her death to Gardaí, lied about his movements on the day, and tried to destroy evidence. Two psychiatrists disagreed on whether Burns qualified for a special verdict; the jury rejected the defence's claim after six hours and eight minutes of deliberation. The verdict was delivered by Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, who adjourned the matter to Friday when Burns will face a mandatory life sentence.
A 43-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his only brother during a family funeral in Co Kerry. Fergus O'Connor was found guilty of murder by a jury in October, rejecting his claim of self-defence. The court heard that O'Connor had multiple grievances with his 42-year-old brother Paudie, including disputes over money, land, and relationships. Despite the defence's extensive argument for self-defence, the court rejected it. Paudie died from a 17cm stab wound to the chest, which penetrated vital organs. The trial revealed that the men had attended their cousin's funeral and were drinking in Castleisland. A toxicology report showed Paudie's alcohol level was far above the legal limit. O'Connor claimed his brother made remarks about a woman and had acted improperly with his ID. Paudie's partner, Liz O'Donovan, described the impact of his death on her and their children, highlighting his warmth and generosity. The court noted O'Connor's 15 previous convictions, including drink driving.
The jury in the trial of Billy Burns, a 55-year-old Kerry man accused of murdering his mother, has ceased deliberations for the weekend and will reconvene on Monday. Burns has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his mother, Miriam Burns, who was found dead at her home in 2022. Two psychiatrists have given conflicting opinions on whether Burns qualifies for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Burns' treating psychiatrist, Dr. Eugene Morgan, argued that he met the criteria for the special verdict, while Dr. Stephen Monks, a consultant psychiatrist, stated that Burns understood the nature of his actions. The prosecution has argued that Burns' violent behavior was not due to mental illness but rather drug and alcohol abuse. The jury can return one of four verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty by reason of insanity, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, or not guilty.
The Court of Appeal has heard submissions in an appeal by Gerard Stokes and Samantha Campbell, who were convicted of seriously assaulting a woman, falsely imprisoning her, assaulting her friend, and aggravated burglary. The matter was adjourned as the court reserved judgment. Stokes, 44, received a 13-and-a-half-year sentence with two years suspended, while Campbell, 36, received a 12-year term with two years suspended. The victim, a grandmother in her 50s, lost an eye in the attack and now uses a prosthesis. Defence counsel Roderick O'Hanlon SC argued that the victim's hospital statement should not have gone before the jury because she was "in and out of consciousness" and "virtually asleep" during the reading back. He contended that medical evidence confirming her fitness to testify was absent, and that morphine may have still been administered. Counsel for the State, Timothy O'Leary SC, countered that a substantial voir dire took place and the circumstances were serious. The appeal centres on the admissibility of the statement, with the court hearing that the victim later sought to withdraw it due to memory loss. The procedural stage is an appeal, and the finalisation is an adjournment.
A jury is expected to begin deliberations in the trial of a 55-year-old Kerry man accused of murdering his mother. The accused, Billy Burns, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, claiming he was suffering from a manic episode related to bipolar disorder when he killed his mother. Two psychiatrists have given conflicting opinions on whether Burns qualifies for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. The prosecution argues that Burns' actions were not explained by psychiatric illness but by drug and alcohol abuse. The defence maintains that Burns was mentally unwell and did not understand the nature of his actions. The jury has been instructed on the law and the evidence, and deliberations are set to begin tomorrow. The case has drawn significant attention due to the accused's mental health and the nature of the crime.
A prosecution counsel has urged the jury to consider whether the accused, Billy Burns, is attempting to 'pull the wool' over their eyes by feigning psychosis to secure a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. In his closing speech, Mr Sean Guerin SC argued that Burns's violent actions towards his mother were driven by drug and alcohol abuse rather than mental illness. He highlighted the lack of evidence supporting Burns's claim of psychosis and pointed out inconsistencies in his statements to psychiatrists. The defense, led by Anthony Sammon SC, countered that the prosecution's psychiatrist did not effectively challenge the defense's expert opinion. The case centers on whether Burns's mental disorder absolves him of criminal responsibility, with the prosecution emphasizing that Burns understood the nature of his actions and was not genuinely suffering from psychosis. The jury must determine if Burns's claim of insanity is a fabrication to avoid conviction. The trial continues with the judge's charge to the jury expected to be delivered tomorrow.
Helen O'Leary, 75‑year‑old sister of the deceased Miriam Burns, told the jury that she had spoken to Miriam on the phone three weeks before Miriam's death, saying she would have to let her son Billy "go", but Miriam did not want to hear it. O'Leary described Billy as having a manic episode linked to bipolar disorder at the time of the killing, shouting and talking to himself, and being drug‑addicted. She recalled that Miriam had called her upset, saying Billy had "gone out the door" and was "the worst ever that night". O'Leary also said Billy had called her a "fu**ing bitch" and that his siblings were afraid of him. The trial heard two consultant psychiatrists: Eugene Morgan, who said Billy qualified for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, and Stephen Monks, who said Billy understood the nature of his actions.
Two consultant psychiatrists have given conflicting opinions on whether Billy Burns, 55, who killed his mother Miriam Burns, 75, in August 2022, qualifies for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Dr Eugene Morgan, the defence's psychiatrist, testified that Burns was hypomanic at the time of the murder and later deteriorated to mania, with a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder. He argued that Burns' mental illness meant he did not understand the nature or wrongness of his actions and could not refrain from them, satisfying the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. In contrast, Dr Stephen Monks, the Director of Public Prosecutions' psychiatrist, concluded that Burns' mania, though present, did not remove his capacity to understand the wrongness of his act and therefore did not support a special verdict. Both doctors were cross‑examined by the defence before Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury of eight men and four women.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, Billy Burns, aged 55, was accused of murdering his 75‑year‑old mother, Miriam Burns, between 12 and 15 August 2022. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and admitted to killing her. The jury heard that Burns had previously broken his mother's jaw in 1993 and had a history of verbal abuse and drug use. Witnesses, including his siblings Sharon and Shane Kelleher, testified that Burns was often violent and that their mother had tried to help him despite fearing his aggression. Gardaí interviewed Burns on 16 August 2022, during which he denied responsibility for the murder and claimed he had not killed his mother. The trial continues before a jury of eight men and four women.
In a trial in Killarney, the State argues that Billy Burns, 55, who strangled his mother Miriam Burns, 75, while experiencing a manic or hypomanic episode of bipolar disorder, understood his actions and is guilty of murder. The prosecution, led by Sean Guerin SC, presents evidence that Burns was mentally ill at the time but still committed the acts that caused his mother's death. Witnesses describe a violent encounter on 12 August, with Burns shouting abuse and later returning to the house, where he strangled Miriam. Burns' defence, represented by Anthony Sammon SC, admits the killing and the manner of death but contends that his client's psychiatric illness meant he did not understand the nature or wrongness of his actions. The trial will consider the impact of Burns' mental state and possible intoxication on his culpability. The case is heard before Ms Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
A 55‑year‑old Kerry man, Billy Burns of Arlington Lodge, Tralee, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his 75‑year‑old mother, Miriam Burns, at her home in Ardshanavooley, Killarney, between 12 and 15 August 2022. He was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on 11 November 2025, where he answered the murder charge with the plea. The trial will be heard by a jury of eight men and four women, sworn in on the same day. Justice Karen O'Connor, presiding, informed the jury that the case is expected to conclude by the end of next week, with a possible extension of one or two days. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions is Sean Guerin SC with Ronan Prendergast BL, while Burns is represented by Anthony Sammon SC and Kate O'Connell. The judge noted Burns' background as a native of County Kerry who had worked as a waiter some years ago.
Christopher Oshodin, 48, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to theft and dishonestly inducing a Department of Social Protection employee to act for a gain. He had claimed over €145,000 in social welfare payments while pretending for 21 years to be Zimbabwean, using the alias "Christopher Umar." The offence spanned from 2001 to 2022. Oshodin, the sole carer of three children, admitted the fraud and sought to regularise his status. Judge Martin Nolan, noting the seriousness of the theft and the impact on the children, imposed a four‑year sentence fully suspended. He acknowledged Oshodin's cooperation, admissions, lack of prior convictions and the fact that he was paying back small amounts weekly. The court considered the effect on the children and the need to avoid depriving them of their guardian, leading to the non‑custodial outcome. The case was heard on 7 November 2025.
Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has been granted permission by the High Court to pursue a judicial review of a May 2025 decision by Killarney District Court Judge David Waters, who made no order in a case involving three men accused of injuring or disturbing spawning grounds by removing gravel from the bed of the Gaddagh River in Whitefield, Beaufort, Killarney. IFI contends that the summonses issued against the men were properly authorised, arguing that the agency or an authorised representative may apply for summonses on behalf of the Attorney General, the DPP, Garda Síochána or any statutory authorised person. The district judge had ruled that the solicitor who made the applications was not authorised to do so, leading to the dismissal of the prosecutions and costs awarded to IFI. IFI's legal team, led by Remy Farrell SC, maintains that the summonses were valid and that the judge exceeded his jurisdiction by questioning their validity.
In a High Court personal injury case, the wife of Dr Martin Lawlor, a 49‑year‑old consultant psychiatrist who died after being hit by a taxi on 15 December 2018, secured a settlement. The case was brought against taxi driver Denis McSweeney, who had been convicted of hit‑and‑run and sentenced to four years' imprisonment, later reduced on appeal. McSweeney, now deceased, was replaced by Axa Insurance in the proceedings. Judge Emily Egan ordered the settlement, struck out the case, and awarded costs to the plaintiff. Dr Helen Murphy Lawlor, represented by senior counsel, alleged that McSweeney knowingly collided with her husband, left the scene recklessly, and showed no concern for his condition. The judge described the matter as "very, very sad" and expressed condolences to the Lawlor family. The case was resolved with the settlement and the striking out of the action.
Pedro Cifali, 37, a Brazilian, will be sentenced on 9 February 2025 for attempting to murder his former partner, Lucia Nezbalova, 43, in Dublin. He electronically tracked her car, disguised himself, and stabbed her at her home in Garnish Square, causing severe injuries that required surgery. Nezbalova suffered life‑threatening wounds and now endures PTSD, anxiety and depression. Cifali pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and has no prior record. He has been in custody since the incident and has shown progress. The court adjourned sentencing to 9 February, with the prosecution seeking a headline sentence of 15 to 20 years, citing the extreme violence, premeditation and domestic abuse context. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further outcomes reported.
In the Special Criminal Court, lawyers for 42‑year‑old James Leen argued that mobile phone evidence supports his innocence. Colm Smyth SC requested an adjournment to allow a mobile‑phone expert to examine devices seized by the gardai. Smyth said the prosecution's case hinges on alleged phone conversations linking Leen to three machines that were imported into Ireland, one of which contained the seized drugs. He contended that further analysis would show Leen was involved with only two of the machines and had no connection to the third. The court agreed to postpone the trial to 19 December to give the defence time to compile its report. Leen faces five charges, including directing a criminal organisation, importing crystal meth, and possession of methamphetamine at Ballyseedy Garden Centre. The State alleges the drugs were imported from Mexico, stored at Ballyseedy, and then moved to Cork for export to Australia.
Charles Dunne, 48, of Ace Fencing Ltd, was found guilty at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court of possessing stolen power tools and of providing five false invoices to Gardaí to prove ownership. He also pleaded not guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice. The jury, after almost six hours of deliberation, returned guilty verdicts on the possession charge, five counts of using a false instrument and the charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice, while acquitting him on all other charges. Judge Sinéad McMullan remanded Dunne on continuing bail until a sentencing hearing in November. He was directed to surrender his passport upon return from a family holiday and to sign in once a week at Carlow Garda Station. The case involved a large quantity of tools seized from Dunne's yard in Tullow in January 2019, with Gardaí presenting evidence of the tools' stolen status and the fraudulent invoices supplied by Dunne.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, 37‑year‑old Pedro Cifali, a Brazilian, was charged with attempting to murder his former partner, Lucia Nezbalova, 43. After their breakup in April 2024, Cifali placed an electronic tag on Nezbalova's car, enabling him to track her movements. On the day of the attack, CCTV captured him arriving at a Blanchardstown garage, disguising himself with a baseball cap, blonde wig, and lighter beard, and then following Nezbalova to a McDonald's. He approached her at her home in Garnish Square, claiming to "just want to talk," before pulling a knife and stabbing her in the neck, back of the head, abdomen, and arms. The abdominal wound exposed organs; doctors at the scene and in hospital saved her life. Nezbalova suffered life‑threatening injuries, ongoing treatment, and permanent scars. Cifali surrendered the next day and admitted the assault. Pedro Cifali pleaded guilty.
In a Carlow Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 48‑year‑old Charles Dunne of Ace Fencing Ltd pleaded not guilty to two alternative charges: handling a large assortment of stolen power tools and possessing stolen property, both alleged to have occurred on 13 January 2019. He also pleaded not guilty to 20 counts of providing false invoices to Gardaí between January and February 2019, and to attempting to pervert the course of justice by submitting false documents to obstruct a Garda criminal investigation. Gardaí had seized a large quantity of tools from Dunne's yard in Tullow, photographed them, and compiled an inventory. Dunne later supplied about 60 invoices to Gardaí, claiming ownership of the seized tools. Testimony from the auctioneers Ganly Craigie 2000 Ltd and Hennessy Auctioneers highlighted discrepancies between the invoices Dunne provided and the company records, with several invoices containing altered or illegible details. The trial continues before Judge Sinéad McMullan and a jury.
Caithlin Balmer, 26, voluntarily reported herself to Gardaí after engaging with a Snapchat user who offered her "quick cash" and asked her to allow the man to use her bank account. She pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing proceeds of criminal conduct totalling €21,400, with €16,409 transferred or withdrawn from the victim's account. Balmer admitted she withdrew some funds and handed cash to the man, who paid her €175. She claimed no role in gathering victim information or taking money from the account. The court accepted her pleas on the basis of recklessness, noting her remorse and cooperation. Judge Pauline Codd set a headline sentence of two and a half years, then imposed a 12‑month sentence suspended in full on strict conditions, citing her genuine remorse and employment as a nursing care assistant. The sentence reflected her being "highly naïve" and "highly reckless" in the offence.
Joseph Thorpe, aged 73, a former Dublin football club coach, pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault for sexually assaulting a boy aged 12‑14 during a club trip to County Kerry between September 1974 and September 1976. The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, stated that the assault occurred in a shared caravan bed while other children were present. Thorpe has five prior convictions, including a 1990 suspended sentence for indecent assault of another teenage boy. Judge Martina Baxter, noting Thorpe's position of trust and the profound impact on the victim, imposed a 20‑month imprisonment sentence suspended in full for 24 months and ordered 18 months of probation supervision. Thorpe was remanded in custody last week and described the conditions as shocking. The court heard that Thorpe is estranged from his children, has a history of postal work, and has complex medical issues.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Joseph Thorpe, aged 73, pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault committed between September 1974 and September 1976 during a club trip to County Kerry. The victim, aged 12 to 14 at the time, remains anonymous but described Thorpe as "vile", "evil" and a "danger to children". Thorpe, who had previously been convicted of indecent assault on a teenage boy in the 1980s and received a two‑year suspended sentence in 1990, was found to have lived on a mobile home site in County Meath. The court noted Thorpe's history of five prior convictions, his complex medical issues, and his willingness to engage with the Probation Service. The judge adjourned the case for one week, remanded Thorpe in custody until 25 June, and directed that he receive all required medical treatment while in custody.
During a seven‑week trial with a 15‑juror panel, Daniel Blanaru, 37, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his 26‑year‑old partner, Larisa Serban, on 12 August 2022. Serban was found early in the morning on the floor between her bedroom and hallway, having died from a 12‑cm stab wound to the chest that punctured her heart, lung and aorta. The prosecution alleged that Blanaru, described as "controlling and jealous", killed Serban in cold blood after a sustained brutal attack. Blanaru pleaded not guilty but admitted guilt during custody interviews. He has six prior Irish convictions for road traffic offences and four theft offences in France. The sentencing judge, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon, imposed a mandatory life sentence, noting the crime involved needless and horrific violence. The victim's family, including Serban's mother, eldest son and siblings, delivered impact statements expressing grief and condemning the killer's actions.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 3 April 2025, Judge Melanie Greally sentenced Paul Kelly, 46, to seven and a half years' imprisonment for repeated rape and sexual abuse of his younger brother, Anthony Kelly. The judge noted that the abuse occurred between 1995 and 1999, when Paul was aged 16 to 20, and that it involved 12 counts of sexual assault, two counts of oral rape and 12 counts of anal rape. Anthony, aged 10 to 14 at the time, had suffered lasting trauma and had come forward with a complaint in 2021. Judge Greally said the case was aggravated by the regularity of the offending, the extended period, the breach of trust and the fact that it took place within the family home. She also addressed letters from members of Paul's family, stating that it is "not permissible" to write privately to a judge about reporting restrictions, and that justice must be administered publicly. Paul Kelly was convicted.
Daniel Blanaru, 37, was convicted of the murder of Larisa Serban at the Central Criminal Court. The jury, comprising ten men and two women, deliberated for three hours and two minutes before returning a unanimous verdict. Blanaru had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Serban at her home in Rathmore, Athboy, Co Meath, on or about August 12, 2022. The prosecution alleged she died from a sustained and brutal attack, including a fatal stab wound to the chest. Although Blanaru initially told gardaí he was guilty, he later claimed the stabbing was accidental. The court heard evidence of prior threats and controlling behavior alleged by the victim's family. Following the conviction, Blanaru will be sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment at a sentencing hearing scheduled for April 10. Members of the victim's family will be invited to make statements to the court at that time. The matter is now at the sentencing stage, with the specific disposal to be determined by the judge on the specified date.
In a County Meath murder trial, a 37‑year‑old man named Daniel Blanaru, from Rathmore, Athboy, has pleaded not guilty to the stabbing death of his partner, Larisa Serban, aged 26, which occurred on or about 12 August 2022. Serban's body was discovered early the next morning in the bedroom‑hallway area of their home, with two stab wounds: one to the chest that punctured the heart, lung and aorta, and another to the arm that fractured a bone. The trial, lasting seven weeks, was heard by an enlarged jury of eleven men and four women. Defence counsel Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha concluded his closing address, while Justice Eileen Creedon explained the law and the evidence, noting that the prosecution bears the burden of proof beyond reasonable doubt. She outlined the possible verdicts—guilty or not guilty of murder, or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter—and instructed the jury to remain dispassionate and objective.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the Director of Public Prosecutions presented evidence that Daniel Blanaru, 37, from Rathmore, Athboy, Co Meath, murdered 26‑year‑old Larisa Serban on or about 12 August 2022. Prosecutor Eilis Brennan SC described the attack as sustained and brutal, noting that Blanaru stabbed Serban in the heart, severed a bone in her elbow, and inflicted multiple defensive injuries on her. She highlighted that Serban's body showed numerous incise wounds, abrasions and puncture wounds consistent with defensive actions, while Blanaru had only a minor nick. Brennan urged jurors to focus on the evidence rather than defence theories, which included claims of accidental injury and self‑defence. She also referenced a toxicology report showing no alcohol or drugs in Serban's system and CCTV footage of Blanaru leaving the scene. Daniel Blanaru pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, forensic scientist Dr Yvonne O'Dowd testified that blood on Daniel Blanaru's t‑shirt matched the DNA of his partner, Larisa Serban, who was stabbed to death in their Co Meath home. She described extensive blood stains and spatter on walls, floors and doors, noting drip trails and pools that suggested a bleeding victim. O'Dowd examined knives, clothing and swabs, finding Serban's DNA on the t‑shirt and a mixed profile on Blanaru's shorts. No blood was found on a small knife in the house or in Blanaru's car. Blanaru, 37, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 26‑year‑old Serban on 12 August 2022. The case remains before Justice Eileen Creedon and an enlarged jury.
In the murder trial of Daniel Blanaru, the Central Criminal Court heard that emergency services received two 999 calls from a phone linked to Larisa Serban before she was found dead at her home in Co Meath. The first call, at 1.41 am, lasted nine seconds, had no dialogue, and was traced to a cell site in Rathmore. The second call, at 1.46 am, lasted eight seconds and included a female voice speaking in a foreign dialect, though the words were not discernible. Detective Garda Conor Carolan explained the cell site and Advanced Mobile Location data used to locate the calls. The jury also heard from interpreter Stanislav Olaru, who confirmed he had translated Mr Blanaru's statements in real time during Garda interviews, noting that the defence's translator used recorded tapes. The trial continues before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and an enlarged jury. Daniel Blanaru pleaded not guilty.
The murder trial of Daniel Blanaru (37) for the death of Larisa Serban (26) on 12 August 2022 has focused on the missing knife that caused the fatal stab wound to Serban's heart. Detective Sergeant Robert Madden testified that the knife has never been recovered and that Blanaru was the last known person to have it. Blanaru's interviews have shown inconsistent statements about the knife's location, and he has refused to disclose its whereabouts. The court heard video of a third interview in which Blanaru described the knife as a white kitchen knife with a silver blade about six inches long, very sharp and smooth. Gardaí have conducted extensive searches for the knife, but it remains missing, leaving the case to proceed without the weapon as evidence. The trial continues with Blanaru pleading not guilty.
During the trial of Daniel Blanaru, a 37‑year‑old accused of murdering his partner Larisa Serban, Detective Sergeant Robert Madden was cross‑examined by defence counsel Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha. The defence argued that Madden had "already judged" Blanaru before the interview, claiming the detective had decided the accused had committed murder. Madden denied this, stating that each investigation is approached with an open mind and that any admission by a suspect must be corroborated with evidence. He explained that photos of the crime scene were shown to establish the murder weapon's location and that a doctor assessed Blanaru's fitness for interview after a night of sleeplessness. Madden also refuted claims that he had caused Blanaru pain to elicit information, insisting the interview was conducted professionally. The trial proceeds before Justice Eileen Creedon and an enlarged jury. Daniel Blanaru pleaded not guilty.