Court archive
Court reports mentioning Lixnaw, Kerry
2025-12-04 · Kerry
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.
2022-11-02 · Kerry
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Helen Sheehy, daughter of the victim, said the death of her mother Susan Dunne, who was bludgeoned with a hatchet by her autistic son Patrick Dunne, might have been avoided with better supports. She expressed hope that Patrick knows his mother still loves him and that he deserves help. Patrick Dunne, aged 28, was found not guilty by reason of insanity after a jury heard psychiatric evidence that he had little understanding of the act and was unable to refrain. The court ordered him to continue treatment at the Central Mental Hospital. The case involved six fatal hatchet wounds to Susan's head, with Patrick admitting to striking her without lawful justification. The trial highlighted the son's perception of control and his desire for independence. The court noted the tragic outcome and the need for ongoing support for Patrick.
2022-10-21 · Kerry
Patrick Dunne, a 28‑year‑old autistic man from Ballingeragh, Lixnaw, was found not guilty of murdering his mother Susan Dunne, aged 62, by reason of insanity. The Central Criminal Court heard that Dunne admitted killing his mother but denied it was murder, claiming he was unable to understand or control his actions on the night of 26–27 November 2013. Psychiatric evidence presented by both prosecution and defence psychiatrists agreed that Dunne was mentally disordered and incapable of appreciating the nature or consequences of his act. He had argued with his mother over an expensive iPhone, lost control, and struck her with a hatchet, causing six wounds to her head. The jury returned a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, and Dunne was remanded to the Central Mental Hospital for a medical update and victim impact statement preparation. The case was described as difficult by the judge.
2022-10-20 · Kerry
The Central Criminal Court jury has begun deliberations on the case of Patrick Dunne, 28, who denies murdering his mother, Susan Dunne, 62, with a hatchet in 2013. The jury paused to inspect the hatchet and received expert testimony that Dunne, an autistic man with an intellectual disability, was legally insane at the time of the killing. Both prosecution and defence psychiatrists agree he could not understand or control his actions. Dunne admits to killing his mother but claims he had no lawful justification. He has pleaded not guilty. The judge instructed the jury to consider a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity if they find him legally insane. The jury will continue deliberations tomorrow. The unnamed 28-year-old was acquitted.
2022-10-18 · Kerry
Patrick Dunne, 28, admitted to killing his mother Susan Dunne, 62, on 26–27 November 2013, claiming he had no lawful justification. He said he had argued with her over an iPhone's price, became "out of control" and "lost it". He described striking her with a hatchet, stating it was accidental and not intended to harm. Forensic evidence found six hatchet wounds to her head, blood and hair matching Dunne, and a majority DNA profile for him. A pathology report confirmed multiple blows to the skull, brain swelling and laceration as the cause of death. Dunne was arrested in Listowel after leaving the family home, locking his mother's bedroom door and taking her social protection card. The case is before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring with a jury of five men and seven women.
2022-10-14 · Kerry
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Patrick Dunne, aged 29 and autistic, admitted killing his mother Susan Dunne, 62, with a hatchet, inflicting five fatal blows to her head while she lay in bed. The prosecution and defence psychiatrists agreed he was insane as defined by law at the time of the murder. The trial, described as unusual, will focus on evidence of the assault, the hatchet found in the kitchen with Dunne's DNA, and the circumstances leading to the killing. The case also involves testimony about Dunne's routine of collecting her son's disability allowance and his unaccompanied driving. The jury will consider whether Dunne was not guilty by reason of insanity based on the psychiatric assessments. The trial will resume on Tuesday before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring and a jury of five men and seven women.
2022-10-12 · Kerry
A 29‑year‑old man, Patrick Dunne of Ballingeragh, Lixnaw, Co Kerry, is charged with the murder of his mother, Susan Dunne, which occurred between 26 and 27 November 2013 at their family home. He was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court, pleaded not guilty, and a jury of five men and seven women was sworn in. The trial, scheduled to begin later that week and expected to last three days, will focus on the issue of insanity. Judge Paul Burns instructed the jury that all witnesses and Gardaí are from Lixnaw and that they should not research the case or its participants. He also advised the jurors to remain available for the duration of the trial, which may extend beyond the initial day. The case will be heard in the Central Criminal Court.
2022-05-31 · Kerry
Patrick Dunne, a 29‑year‑old from Ballingeragh, Lixnaw, Co Kerry, has been in the Central Mental Hospital since he was charged with murdering his mother Susan Dunne on 27 November 2013. In 2014 a court ruled he was not fit to be tried after a consultant psychiatrist's report. In 2022 Dr Anthony Kearns, who has treated Dunne since early 2016, reported to Mr Justice Paul McDermott that Dunne is now fit for trial. The judge remanded Dunne to Cloverhill Prison, then transferred him back to the Central Mental Hospital, with the trial set to begin on 10 October.
2016-11-16 · Tipperary
In the Commercial Court, Mr Justice Brian McGovern has fast‑tracked two environmental challenges to windfarm projects in the south of Ireland. The first case concerns Peter Sweetman's objection to Tipperary County Council's extension of planning permission for a 16‑turbine windfarm at Castlewaller, Newport. Sweetman questions the viability of the €46 million project, which was originally approved in 2012 and extended in July. The council's developer, Castlewaller Woodland and Partnership (CWP), argues the extension is necessary for the project to qualify for the REFIT II state financial support scheme and for the creation of 30–40 construction jobs and 7 full‑time positions. The case is scheduled to return to court in May. The second fast‑tracked case involves the North Kerry Wind Turbine Awareness Group challenging An Bord Pleanala's permission for 10 turbines near Lixnaw, Kerry. The challenge cites non‑compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Directive and the EU Habitats Directive.