In the murder trial of Donal Colgan, 65, the accused claimed self‑defence after being attacked by two men. Colgan was arrested early on 19 August 2014 and, while in a Garda car, told Sgt Chris Cahill that he was defending himself. Garda Eoin Treacy and witness Gary Kinlan confirmed that Colgan used a knife to stab 45‑year‑old David Sheridan outside Luigi's chip shop on North Strand Road on 17/18 August 2014. Colgan denied knowing Sheridan or being at Luigi's that night, and said he had been advised by his solicitor not to speak. Teresa Marsella, a Luigi's employee, observed a fight between Colgan and Sheridan, then saw Colgan return with a knife and stab Sheridan. Detective Sergeant Mark Watters found blood‑stained clothing and a block of knives at Colgan's home; forensic analysis matched the blood to Sheridan. The case is set to continue before Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury. Donal Colgan pleaded not guilty.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, a 45‑year‑old man named David Sheridan died from multiple stab wounds inflicted outside a Dublin chip shop on 17/18 August 2014. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that he examined Sheridan's body on 18 August and identified four stab wounds: one to the abdomen severing blood vessels from the intestine to the liver, another to the left lung, and two to the arm and hand, indicating attempts to defend himself. Curtis concluded Sheridan died from the wounds. He also identified a knife from Donal Colgan's home as the most likely instrument. Colgan, aged 65, pleaded not guilty to the murder. Witness Gary Kinlan, a friend of Sheridan, claimed Colgan attacked him and then stabbed Sheridan, but was cross‑examined and admitted lying to Gardaí. The trial proceeded with a jury of nine men and three women, hearing further evidence tomorrow.
In the Central Criminal Court, Donal Colgan, aged 65, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 39‑year‑old David Sheridan outside Luigi's chip shop on North Strand Road on 17/18 August 2014. Prosecutor Paul Burns SC presented evidence that Colgan had left the chip shop after an altercation, returned minutes later armed with a knife, and stabbed Sheridan multiple times, leading to Sheridan's death the following day. CCTV footage from the Sunset House pub, Luigi's chip shop and a nearby Centra was shown to the jury. The footage showed Colgan drinking heavily at the pub, arriving at the chip shop, engaging with other customers, leaving the shop, walking back to his home, and then returning to the shop with a knife. He was seen walking away from the scene carrying the knife, without attempting to conceal it. The trial continued the next day before Justice Carmel Stewart and the jury.
Donal Colgan, a 64-year-old man from Killarney Street, Dublin 1, pleaded not guilty to the murder of David Sheridan, a 45-year-old father of three. The alleged killing took place at North Strand Road, Dublin 1, on August 17 or 18, 2014. Colgan is accused of murdering Sheridan outside a Dublin chip shop. Following the plea, Justice Patrick McCarthy directed the jury to select a foreman and return to the Central Criminal Court the following day. The trial is scheduled to begin tomorrow. This report reflects the procedural stage of the trial, where the defendant has entered a not guilty plea to the contested charge of murder. No findings, sentences, or final dispositions have been recorded at this stage. The matter is proceeding to trial as indicated by the court's instructions for the jury's return.
Dubliner Laura Dempsey, a 25-year-old mother of two, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for assisting an offender in connection with the murder of 33-year-old Kieran Farrelly on October 26, 2014. Dempsey pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of the person she believed was guilty of the killing, which involved concealing a shotgun used at Killarney Court, Killarney Street, Dublin 1. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy noted that Dempsey admitted being present at the shooting and placing the firearm in a wheelie bin after being given it by another accused. The judge acknowledged mitigating factors, including Dempsey's early guilty plea, her attempt to discourage the attack, and her heroin addiction, while recognizing the serious nature of the offence. Dempsey was sentenced to three years in prison, with the final two years suspended for a period of three years. She must comply with a probation officer and attend the Merchant's Quay Project or a suitable alternative. The sentence commences from the date of sentencing, with credit given for time already served. A separate murder charge against Dempsey was previously dismissed following an application under Section 4E of the Criminal Justice Act 1999.
Dubliner Laura Dempsey, a 25-year-old mother of two, was remanded in custody at the Central Criminal Court for sentencing next Monday. She pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of the person she believed was guilty of murdering 33-year-old Kieran Farrelly on October 26, 2014. The offence involved assisting in the concealment of a shotgun used in the killing at Killarney Court, Killarney Street. Although initially charged with murder, that charge was dismissed following an application under Section 4E of the Criminal Justice Act 1999. Detective Garda Gary Moran testified that Dempsey had 59 previous convictions, including for drugs possession and theft, many of which occurred after the shooting. He noted her heroin addiction and that victim impact statements were prepared but not read. Defence counsel Remy Farrell SC submitted a psychiatric report detailing ongoing flashbacks and clinical depression, arguing that a pronounced element of duress constituted a powerful mitigating factor. He highlighted that Dempsey made full voluntary admissions and had only transient possession of the weapon. Prosecuting counsel Dominic McGinn SC stated the maximum sentence for the offence was 10 years. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said she needed time to consider the material handed in and remanded Dempsey in custody for sentencing next Monday.
A 25‑year‑old woman, Laura Dempsey, pleaded guilty to assisting an offender in the 2014 killing of 33‑year‑old Kieran Farrelly near Portland Row, Dublin. She was charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of the suspect and with assisting in concealing a shotgun used in the murder at Killarney Court. The murder charge was dismissed after she applied under Section 4E of the Criminal Justice Act 1999. Dempsey was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court, pleaded guilty, and was remanded in custody for sentencing on 11 July. The court directed a psychiatric report.
In a decision at Killarney Court, Judge Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy dismissed the murder charge against 25‑year‑old Laura Dempsey, who had been accused of killing 33‑year‑old Kieran Farrelly in October 2014. Dempsey, who has no fixed address, had been slated for trial at the Central Criminal Court in June 2017. She applied to have the charge withdrawn under Section 4E of the Criminal Justice Act 1999, and the judge found the case insufficient for trial, ruling that the charge be dismissed.
In a 2016 case, Bijan Afshar, aged 23, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his mother, Lynn Cassidy, 50, by reason of insanity. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, was expected to last three days. Afshar was charged with killing his mother on 26 or 27 June 2014 at her home in Deepdales, Bray. Prosecutor Paul Burns SC informed the jury that two psychiatrists would testify about Afshar's mental condition, specifically his Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis in 2008, and whether it made him unable to refrain from the act. Afshar, the eldest of four sons, had a strained relationship with his mother and had been living with his father and one brother after his parents split. He claimed he was worried about losing the family house, which had been sold, and that his mother's responses were "robotic." Afshar described grabbing his mother by the neck, hitting her with a white mug, and then leaving the scene.
Paul Grace, 36, received a three‑year suspended sentence after assaulting retired youth worker Patrick Malone on 29 March 2013 in Killarney Street, Dublin. Grace had pleaded guilty to the assault, which caused harm to Malone. The court noted Grace's history of 22 prior convictions for non‑violent offences and his recent rehabilitation: he had completed a certificate in drug counselling, was studying psychotherapy, and was now clean of drugs. Judge Patricia Ryan cited the violent nature of the crime as an aggravating factor but also acknowledged Grace's incoherent state and his subsequent volunteer work with addiction services, deeming him low risk of re‑offending. Malone's victim impact statement requested no custodial sentence. The court imposed the suspended sentence, with no custodial term to be served unless the conditions are breached.
Paul Lestrange, 40, of Rosdedara, Killarney, was jailed for seven years after he slit the throat of his house‑mate James McGuirk in a random attack on 15 January 2015. Lestrange told McGuirk to write a will before the assault and, with a bread knife, cut McGuirk's throat, saying, "I told you it would end badly." He prevented McGuirk's neighbours and house‑mate Martin Roche from helping until he was overpowered and disarmed. The court found no particular motive; Lestrange's only previous convictions involved alcohol. Judge Martin Nolan described the assault as very serious, with the intent to kill, and noted McGuirk suffered a severe disfiguring scar and post‑traumatic stress. Lestrange expressed remorse and apologized to McGuirk. The sentence was imposed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The unnamed man pleaded guilty.
In June 2017, three defendants – Laura Dempsey, 25, Sean Ducque, 22, and Yasmin Stephens, 21 – will stand trial together at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of Kieran Farrelly, 33, who was killed on 26 October 2014 at Killarney Court, Killarney Street, near Portland Row. All three are charged with the murder and have no fixed address. The provisional trial date is 14 June 2017.
Paul Grace, 36, of Beaumont Park, Artane, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting retired youth worker Patrick Malone on 29 March 2013 at Killarney Street, Dublin 1. Grace had previously struggled with drug addiction, had been homeless, and had completed a certificate in drug counselling while studying psychotherapy. He had 22 prior convictions for non‑violent offences such as theft and criminal damage. Malone, a professional who had helped people rehabilitate from drug addiction, had once given Grace money for hostels and had arranged for him to detox in Malone's apartment. During a stay Grace attempted to buy drugs, was told the detox would not work, left, returned in an incoherent state, and later pushed a knife at Malone, who sustained injuries to his arm and hand and required surgery. Malone's victim impact statement requested that no custodial sentence be imposed. The case was adjourned for sentencing on 19 February next year.
Thomas Coffey, 31, of Carlow, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to stealing €4,800 from 81‑year‑old Sinclair Downey in September 2013. Coffey, who had 19 prior convictions including four for theft, was part of a fraud ring that overcharged Downey for roof work. Garda Colleen Doherty described how Coffey and accomplice Patrick O'Brien called Downey's home, claiming he owed further payments for unauthorised work, and then accompanied him to a bank to withdraw the cash. CCTV footage captured the men waiting with Downey and receiving the money. Coffey was arrested in Kerry in November 2013 and later admitted his role after a mobile‑phone call was found. The judge described the offence as an "odious crime" and noted Coffey's psychiatric treatment at Kerry General Hospital. O'Brien, 32, was jailed for four years for a similar theft of €14,200 from Downey.
In a High Court hearing on 22 October 2015, Mr Justice Max Barrett dismissed parts of a judicial review action brought by Killarney Jaunting Cars Ltd against Kerry County Council. The company had sought new or re‑issued licences for horse‑drawn carriages, claiming the council had failed to issue or renew licences and had acted unlawfully. The council argued that only 37 licences could be accommodated due to traffic constraints. The judge found no evidence of a breach of natural or constitutional justice and noted that the company did not hold any current licences, though it had previously held eight. He declined to decide on whether expired licences had automatically reverted to the council, stating he could address that if the court was asked in the future. He urged jarvey operators to obtain current licences and suggested the council consider future licence numbers in light of a pending traffic study. The matter was adjourned to November for further consideration.
In a High Court hearing on 8 October 2015, Killarney Jaunting Cars Ltd sued the local council over its failure to issue or re‑issue jarvey licences. The company, which holds eight of the 37 licences issued by the council, argues that the council's inaction breaches its duties and acts unlawfully. It seeks an order that the council determine annually the number of licences for horse‑drawn hackney carriages and declarations that the council acted contrary to natural justice by not re‑issuing expired licences. The council, now under Kerry County Council, opposes the case, claiming that any order to issue fresh licences would run contrary to the common good. Counsel for the company, David Sutton SC, noted that applications made in 2012, 2013 and 2014 were met with silence, and that in 2015 the council decided not to issue any additional licences after the tourist season. The hearing before Mr Justice Max Barrett continues.
Colm MacDonald, 57, a retired painter and decorator from Killarney, was given a suspended three‑year prison sentence after pleading guilty to assault causing harm. The offence occurred on Foley Street on 9 August 2013 when MacDonald punched Christopher Coakley, who suffered serious brain damage after being hit and falling onto a concrete footpath. Coakley spent six months in hospital and ten months in a rehabilitation centre, and continues to experience severe cognitive deficits, requiring ongoing care and relearning basic reading and writing skills. The court noted that Coakley's pre‑existing alcohol problem may have contributed to his injuries, and that MacDonald had no intention to seriously injure him but was extremely reckless. Judge Martin Nolan highlighted MacDonald's good character, work history and age, and the medical evidence as mitigating factors, leading to the suspended sentence. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Damien Fleming, 28, was found guilty of attempting to rob a woman in Herbert Park, Ballsbridge, on 4 November 2013. He ambushed the woman from behind, slapped her over the mouth, and fled when she escaped. Three passers‑by apprehended him and handed him over to Gardaí. A carpet knife was later discovered in his pocket, though it was not presented during the incident. Fleming claimed he was in a drinking binge and had intended to take money from the victim, but changed his mind. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to a suspended three‑year term and ordered him to pay the victim over €8,000, with the court deciding the payment's destination if the victim rejects it. Fleming, who has three prior assault and public‑order convictions, is now living in Cork and has reportedly completed a residential alcohol‑treatment course.