A man has pleaded guilty to assaulting a garda with a glass bottle at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Christopher Reilly, aged 28, of Cabra, Dublin, assaulted Garda Daniel Sweeney on Ratoath Road, Cabra, on 10 November 2015, causing him serious harm. The court heard that during a confrontation, Reilly swung a bottle at the officer, inflicting a leg wound that required 13 stitches. The garda has permanently lost sensation from his calf to his ankle as a result of the injury. Reilly, who has 67 previous convictions, initially disputed the circumstances but subsequently entered a guilty plea. The court was informed that Reilly has begun addressing personal difficulties and secured employment. Judge Melanie Greally remanded him on continuing bail pending sentencing the following week.
A man from County Kildare has lost an appeal against his refusal to withdraw a guilty plea to theft and criminal damage charges at Roscommon Circuit Criminal Court. Conor Judge, aged 31, was sentenced to three years imprisonment in December 2016 for stealing equipment from a windfarm construction site near Arigna in north Roscommon in October 2010. The Court of Appeal upheld the Circuit Court judge's rejection of Judge's application to change his plea, with Mr Justice John Edwards stating the accused had given "blatant lies" and was an "unreliable witness". The court found Judge had failed to demonstrate good and substantial grounds for setting aside his guilty plea. Judge had also alleged coercion by his former legal representatives, claims which were rejected. A psychiatric assessment confirmed he was fit to plead. The Court of Appeal additionally upheld the three-year sentence as correct and proportionate.
A former solicitor from Maynooth, County Kildare, has been granted bail on appeal at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following approval of a €100,000 independent surety. Michael Lynn, aged 49, faces allegations of stealing approximately €30 million from seven financial institutions. A family member provided the surety, which will remain frozen in her bank account throughout the trial, with the judge cautioning that the funds would be forfeited if bail conditions were breached. Mr Lynn's passports, along with those of his wife and four children, have been surrendered to gardaí. His bail conditions include daily sign-on at Leixlip Garda Station, residence at his Maynooth address, a 9pm to 6am curfew, prohibition from Irish ports and airports, and the requirement to carry a mobile phone accessible to gardaí. He was extradited from Brazil in March 2018, having been taken into custody there in August 2013. The trial is scheduled to commence in January 2020 and is expected to last six to eight weeks.
A 67-year-old man from Drumlish, County Longford, has sought to have his appeal heard in Irish at the Court of Appeal. Donall Billings was convicted by the Special Criminal Court of possessing an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park in May 2011, and of making false bomb reports during Queen Elizabeth's State visit to Ireland that same month. He was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years imprisonment. The charges included placing a device on a Dublin-bound bus and making hoax threats targeting Busáras, Sinn Féin headquarters, Dublin Castle, and Cork airport. Mr Justice George Birmingham indicated the case would return to a management list to facilitate proceedings conducted in Irish. Billings was not present at the hearing to fix dates for his appeal.
In a Dublin nightclub incident, 36‑year‑old British stag tourist Mark Wragg punched a 20‑year‑old Maynooth University student on the dance floor at D2 nightclub on Harcourt Street on the night of 18 November. Wragg, who was part of a 25‑strong stag party, claimed the victim was dancing too close and had pushed him, prompting Wragg to strike him in the face, fracturing the victim's jaw and damaging his teeth. Wragg pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, was arrested after being ejected, and later paid €2,000 to the victim as a token of remorse. Judge Martin Nolan, noting the victim's initial push as provocation but not justification, imposed an 18‑month suspended sentence, finding it unjust to imprison Wragg. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The High Court confirmed Michael McAteer as interim examiner for the Sammon Group and its related companies after the collapse of Carillion. The Irish contractors, which employ over 216 people and are involved in major school building projects across Ireland, were owed about €8 million by an entity linked to Carillion. An independent expert report indicated the companies could survive if a scheme of arrangement with creditors is implemented. McAteer has up to 100 days to prepare this scheme, which, if approved, would allow the group to continue trading as a going concern. The group had been hired by a special purpose vehicle that included Carillion to build several schools and an educational campus, contracts worth roughly €87 million. The collapse of Carillion halted payments, preventing the Sammon Group from paying suppliers and subcontractors, and the court heard the group believes a successful examinership will enable it to finish its contracts on time and return to profitability.
Seamus McGrane, 63, of Dromiskin, County Louth, was sentenced to eleven and a half years in prison for directing the activities of a terrorist organisation and six and a half years for IRA membership. The Special Criminal Court convicted him in October of directing the IRA between April 19 and May 13, 2015, and membership from January 18, 2010, to May 13, 2015. McGrane, who denied both charges, was found to have plotted an explosion during Prince Charles's State visit, targeting the Cross of Sacrifice in Glasnevin. The sentences run concurrently. His ally, Donal O'Coisdealbha, pleaded guilty to IRA membership on May 13, 2015, and was jailed for five and a half years. The court noted McGrane's previous convictions, including a 2001 sentence for firearms training, as aggravating factors. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy dismissed a letter from Eamon O'Cuiv TD as unconvincing. The judge highlighted that significant explosive materials, including Semtex and detonators, were found at locations linked to McGrane and O'Coisdealbha. This marks the second conviction for directing terrorism in the State, following Michael McKevitt's 2003 sentence.
Nassour Saleh, a 25‑year‑old Palestinian national, was given a suspended two‑year sentence for endangering Gardaí after a high‑speed chase on Navan Road in 2008. He had been 16 at the time and was not licensed to drive. In 2010 he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving under the influence of cannabis, receiving a six‑month suspended detention and a four‑year driving disqualification. The case was adjourned for a probation report, but Saleh fled to Norway, where he lived and worked as a mechanic for six years. He returned to Ireland last year, was arrested during a random Garda check, and was sentenced by Judge Terence O'Sullivan, who noted the unusual circumstances and the fact that no one was injured. The sentence was suspended on conditions including two years of probation supervision. The court emphasised the protection of front‑line services and the seriousness of the offence.
A Fitness to Practice inquiry at the Nursing and Midwifery Board found that Registered Nurse Marilyn Rillera, 57, from the Philippines, slapped an 87‑year‑old resident of the Maynooth Community Care Unit in December 2015 and referred to him as a "dirty Jew." The inquiry recorded that Rillera failed to communicate appropriately with the dementia patient and was non‑compliant with the nurses' professional code of conduct. Rillera was not present at the inquiry and denied using the phrase, claiming she only told the patient he was dirty. Linda Jennings, a health‑care assistant who assisted the resident that day, testified that Rillera said, "You can't hit a woman. What are you, a dirty Jew?" and then slapped the patient's arm. The resident was shocked and upset but did not understand the incident shortly thereafter. Rillera had worked in Ireland since 2002 and may have returned to the Philippines.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Greyhound Recycling and Recovery (GRR) pleaded guilty to breaches of the Environmental Protection Act and the Waste Management Act for transferring waste to five unlicensed sites in Kildare, Dublin and Laois between April and June 2012, and for failing to keep adequate records between March and August 2012. The company admitted providing false information and breaching its license. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) noted that GRR had a waste licence from May 2007 for storing and transferring waste from a Clondalkin site, where most output was Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) bales. The licence allowed shipping SRF to suppliers on the continent and storing bales at Dublin Port, but the company diverted them to unlicensed sites when the port storage was full. EPA investigators found 5,000 bales at a Kildare site, 2,000 at Maynooth, 120 at a Tipperary site, 1,000 at Hollystown, and evidence of storage at Ballybrit.
A man from Drumlish, County Longford, has been sentenced to eight and a half years imprisonment following his conviction by the Special Criminal Court on charges relating to the placement of an explosive device on a passenger bus and the making of bomb threats during Queen Elizabeth's State visit in May 2011. Donal Billings was found guilty of unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park and four offences under the Criminal Law Act of 1976 involving false reports of bombs at multiple locations including Busáras, Sinn Féin headquarters, Dublin Castle, and Cork airport. A suspicious object containing gunpowder and petrol was discovered in the luggage compartment of a Dublin-bound bus. The investigation utilised mobile phone records and CCTV analysis to identify the accused. Billings maintained his innocence during trial and claimed to have found the SIM card used to make the calls. Mr Justice Tony Hunt noted the dangerous nature of the offences while acknowledging mitigating factors including the accused's age and cooperation with proceedings.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence on 30 November 2016 regarding bomb threats and an incendiary device discovered during a state visit by Queen Elizabeth in May 2011. Donal Billings, aged 66, of St Bridget's Court, Drumlish, County Longford, was convicted last month of unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on 16 May 2011, and four offences under the Criminal Law Act 1976 of making false reports. He was found guilty of falsely reporting bombs at Busáras and Sinn Féin headquarters in Dublin, at Dublin Castle, and at Cork airport. A suspicious device containing gunpowder and petrol was discovered in a bus luggage compartment. Phone calls made by the accused coincided with Queen Elizabeth's presence in the State. Gardaí traced the calls through mobile phone analysis and CCTV evidence. The court rejected a bail application. Billings was remanded in custody pending sentencing on 15 December 2016.
During a sentencing hearing in the Special Criminal Court, Donal O Coisdealbha, a 25‑year‑old Dublin man, pleaded guilty to membership in the Irish Republican Army (IRA). He was arrested on 13 May 2015 after a Garda investigation that had followed him for months. The investigation uncovered explosive device components in his Maynooth University locker and in a house at Harbour Court, Courtown, Wexford. Items seized included improvised rockets, semtex, detonators, a time‑power unit, a broken circuit board, and a PIC chip. DNA evidence linked O Coisdealbha to the devices. Garda audio surveillance revealed discussions about building an artillery rocket and a planned event around the time of Prince Charles's visit. O Coisdealbha denied IRA membership during detention. He has no prior convictions and was remanded in custody until 6 December for sentencing. The maximum sentence for belonging to a dissident republican terrorist organisation is eight years.
A 66-year-old man from Drumlish, County Longford has been convicted at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin of possessing an explosive substance and making bomb threats during a state visit in May 2011. Donal Billings was found guilty of unlawfully possessing an explosive device at Longford railway station car park on May 16th, 2011, and of four counts under the Criminal Law Act of 1976 relating to false bomb reports. He was convicted of making false reports claiming bombs had been placed at Busáras and Sinn Féin headquarters in Dublin, at Dublin Castle, and at Cork airport. The court heard that an improvised explosive device was discovered on a passenger bus following one of the telephoned threats. Evidence established that phone calls making the threats were made using a SIM card purchased by Billings in Longford and traced to his mobile phone's unique identifier. The three judges rejected his claims of coincidence and found him an unreliable witness. Billings was remanded in custody pending sentencing on November 30th.
The Special Criminal Court in Dublin is currently hearing the trial of Donal Billings, a 65-year-old man from County Longford, who has pleaded not guilty to five charges. The prosecution alleges that Billings unlawfully possessed an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on May 16, 2011, and made four false bomb reports under the Criminal Law Act of 1976. These alleged false reports included claims of bombs at Busáras, Sinn Féin headquarters, Dublin Castle, and Cork airport, with the latter threat allegedly made by an anonymous caller who stated the device was "for the Queen." Evidence presented includes testimony from a bus driver who identified a man placing an item on a vehicle, and gardaí who responded to the threats without finding devices. The court rejected a defence application to adjourn or defer the trial due to translation concerns, ruling that Billings is adequately supported by legal and linguistic experts. The trial is ongoing, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded at this procedural stage.
A Special Criminal Court trial has heard that gardaí discovered an improvised explosive device on a passenger bus bound for Dublin on the eve of a royal visit in May 2011. Donal Billings, aged 65, of Drumlish, County Longford, is charged with unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on May 16th, 2011, and with four offences of making false bomb reports under the Criminal Law Act 1976. The charges allege he made false reports claiming bombs were positioned at Busáras Dublin, Sinn Féin headquarters, Dublin Castle, and Cork airport between May 16th and 20th. Mr Billings has pleaded not guilty to all five charges. Garda evidence established that the device, located in a Tesco bag beneath a Corduff Travel bus at Straffan Road rail station in Maynooth, contained a two-litre bottle of flammable liquid, copper piping filled with explosive material, a mechanical timer, battery, and firework components. An Army Bomb Disposal Unit member disabled the device, confirming it possessed capability to cause serious injury. The trial continues.
A man charged in connection with bomb threats made to Longford garda station during a state visit by Queen Elizabeth II in May 2011 has pleaded not guilty to all charges before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. Donal Billings, aged 65, of Drumlish, County Longford, faces one charge of unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park and four charges under the Criminal Law Act of making false reports. The prosecution alleges Mr Billings made threatening calls on three separate dates claiming bombs had been placed at locations including Busáras in Dublin, Sinn Féin headquarters, Dublin Castle, and Cork airport. Evidence is expected to show that a suspect device was recovered from a bus stopped in County Kildare. The court heard that phone records and CCTV footage from a shopping centre in Longford will form part of the prosecution case. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt alongside two other judges, is expected to last four weeks.
The second Special Criminal Court sat for the first time at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin today. The court, which will be known as Special Criminal Court Number 2, dealt with four cases transferred to it by Special Criminal Court Number 1. Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding at Special Criminal Court Number 1, stated that the court had decided on its own motion to transfer the cases for trial to court Number 2 under the provisions of the Offences Against the State Act of 1939. Following the transfer order, the second Special Criminal Court sat at Court 17 with Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy of the High Court presiding, along with Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain of the Circuit Court and Judge Gerard Haughton of the District Court. Ms Anne Marie Lawlor BL, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, outlined the court's jurisdiction and presented documents, including the order establishing the second Special Criminal Court of December 14th, 2004, and the coming into existence of the second court on October 28th last year, when seven judges were appointed to the new court. The first case dealt with by court number 2 was that of Séamus McGrane (60), of Little Road, Domiskin, Co Louth, who is charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hÉireann otherwise the IRA within the State between December 23 2009 and May 13 2015. He is also charged with directing the activities of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, in respect of which a suppression order had been made, within the State on dates between December 23 2009 and May 13 2015 inclusive. His co-accused Donal O Coisdealbha (23), of Abbeyfield, Killester Dublin 15, is charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hÉireann otherwise the IRA within the State on May 13 2015. Mr O Coisdealbha is also charged with possession of a component part of an improvised explosive device namely a time and power unit also known as a TPU at 'the personal storage locker under the control of Donal O Coisdealbha at Protector Life Sciences, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Co Kildare' under such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable suspicion that he had not got it in his possession for a lawful purpose on May 13 2015. Mr Bernard Condon, SC for McGrane said he was reserving his position on the proceedings of the court and the jurisdiction of the new court. Ms Anne Rowland BL, for O Coisdealbha, said she was also reserving her position on the proceedings and the jurisdiction of the court. Ms Justice Kennedy, presiding, adjourned the case until next Thursday and made a production order that the two accused, who are in custody, should be brought before court number 2 then. She also adjourned the cases of two other men, Joseph Finnegan and Ryan Glennon, who are on bail until next Thursday.
A trial date of January 11, 2018, has been set for Séamus McGrane (60), of Little Road, Domiskin, Co Louth, and Donal O Coisdealbha (23), of Abbeyfield, Killester Dublin 15, who were arrested last year on IRA and explosives charges. Séamus McGrane is alleged to have been a member of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army (IRA) between December 23, 2009, and May 13, 2015. He is also alleged to have directed the activities of the IRA during the same period. Donal O Coisdealbha is alleged to have been a member of the IRA on May 13, 2015, and to have possessed a component part of an improvised explosive device, namely a time and power unit (TPU), at a personal storage locker under his control at Protector Life Sciences, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Co Kildare, on the same date. The case is currently at the trial stage, with no pleas, findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded. The matter was adjourned to a trial date in January 2018.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 17 December 2015, a Dublin man, Donal O'Coisdealbha, aged 23, was denied bail for the third time after being arrested in May on charges of membership in the Irish Republican Army and possession of a component of an improvised explosive device. The court heard that seven independent sureties had been proposed, including three TDs – Mick Wallace, Clare Daly and Maureen O'Sullivan – each willing to offer €5,000. O'Coisdealbha, who has been in custody for seven months, claimed the TDs were "friends of the family". The State objected to the bail application on grounds of the seriousness of the charge, citing Section 2 of the Bail Act, and the court refused the application with great reluctance. The case remains pending in the Special Criminal Court.
Michael O'Shea, 70, of Smithstown, Maynooth, had been convicted of careless driving causing the death of Kevin O'Sullivan at Graiguesallagh, Ladychapel, in January 2013. He had pleaded not guilty at Naas Circuit Criminal Court, was disqualified from driving for four years, fined €5,000 and ordered to retake a driver competency test. In December 2014 Judge Gerard Griffin directed the disqualification and fine. On 15 December 2015 the Court of Appeal, hearing the appeal, found that the trial judge had misdirected the jury by classifying the offence as one of strict liability. The Court of Appeal allowed the appeal and directed a retrial. The appeal was argued by Damien Colgan SC, who contended that the jury had not been properly instructed on the requirement of intention or recklessness for the offence of careless driving causing death.
Three TDs, Mick Wallace, Clare Daly, and Maureen O'Sullivan, attended the Special Criminal Court today for a hearing related to the case of Donal O'Coisdealbha, a 23-year-old Dublin man charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on May 13th, 2015. O'Coisdealbha is also alleged to have possessed a component part of an improvised explosive device, a time and power unit (TPU), at a personal storage locker under his control at Protector Life Sciences, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Co Kildare, on the same date. The court was informed that O'Coisdealbha, who has been in custody since May, intends to make a renewed bail application this week. A previous bail application in May was refused, and the decision was upheld by the High Court. The bail application is listed for Thursday, December 17th. The case is currently at the trial stage, with no pleas, findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded for the accused, Donal O'Coisdealbha, or the other accused, Mick Wallace TD, who faces similar charges of IRA membership and explosives offences.
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Mark Lavelle, aged 32, originally from Swinford in Mayo, was sentenced to seven years imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, following his guilty plea to two counts of assault causing harm and hijacking. On the early morning of September 20th, 2014, Lavelle attacked a taxi driver in Palmerstown and subsequently assaulted Dublin GAA footballer Jonny Cooper on Dorset Street Upper, inflicting nine stab wounds. The court heard Lavelle was under the influence of crystal methamphetamine during the frenzied attacks. Mr Cooper was hospitalised overnight but recovered, though he experienced psychological effects. Judge Martin Nolan imposed consecutive sentences of three and a half years each, describing Lavelle as a danger to society. The judge noted Lavelle's sixty-two previous convictions and long-standing psychiatric difficulties requiring anti-psychotic medication. Defence counsel highlighted Lavelle's background of homelessness, substance abuse from childhood, and family history of violence.
In November 2015 the Supreme Court overturned a 2013 High Court ruling that had allowed the Industrial Development Authority (IDA) to compulsorily acquire 72 acres of Thomas Reid's farm and family home in Blakestown, Co. Kildare. Reid, aged 53, had sued the IDA and the State, arguing that the compulsory purchase order (CPO) issued on 14 November 2012 was beyond the powers granted to the IDA under section 16 of the 1986 Industrial Development Act. The Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision by five judges, held that the IDA had no authority to acquire land not immediately required for industrial use and that the CPO was ultra vires. The Court also found the IDA's decision to be objectively biased, as the IDA alone made the decision from start to finish. The ruling quashed the CPO and set aside the IDA's decision to acquire the land. All remaining matters, including costs, will be dealt with later.
A 32-year-old man originally from Swinford, County Mayo pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting Dublin GAA footballer Jonny Cooper in the early hours of September 20, 2014. Mark Lavelle, with an address at Basin Street, Dublin, inflicted nine stab wounds to the player's forehead, eyelid and neck area during an unprovoked attack on Dorset Street Upper. The court heard Lavelle was under the influence of crystal methamphetamine at the time and had also assaulted a taxi driver and hijacked his vehicle hours earlier in Palmerstown. Mr Cooper spent one night in hospital and subsequently suffered anxiety and facial scarring. Lavelle was arrested at a petrol station in Maynooth when gardaí spotted the stolen taxi. Blood analysis linked Mr Cooper's DNA to a knife and jacket recovered from Lavelle. The defendant has sixty-two prior convictions including assaults, drug possession and robbery. Judge Martin Nolan remanded Lavelle in custody pending sentencing.
In the lead‑up to Prince Charles' State visit, Donal O Coisdealbha, aged 23, was arrested on May 13, 2015 on charges of membership in the Irish Republican Army and possession of a component of an improvised explosive device – a time and power unit – allegedly stored in a locker at Protector Life Sciences, National University of Ireland, Maynooth. Counsel Dean Kelly BL informed the non‑jury Special Criminal Court that his client intends to file a renewed bail application on July 21. Bail had previously been refused in May, a decision upheld on appeal to the High Court. Mr Kelly argued that the material used to deny bail – a transcription of a telephone call – may have been mis‑transcribed and that circumstances had changed significantly. Vincent Heneghan BL, counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the transcription issue was not the central reason for the refusal. The court will consider the new application on the scheduled date.
At a Special Criminal Court sitting on 20 May 2015, Donal O Coisdealbha, aged 23, was charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and possession of a time‑and‑power unit (TPU) for an improvised explosive device. He was arrested by the Special Detective Unit on 13 May 2015. The court, after hearing objections to bail from the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Special Detective Unit, and considering the strength of the evidence and the potential for non‑appearance, refused bail under Section 2 of the Bail Act. Judge Paul Butler noted the lengthy delay to trial and the possibility of a future bail application, but ultimately remanded O Coisdealbha in custody until 7 July. On the same day, Séamus McGrane, aged 60, was also charged with directing and membership of the IRA, but no bail application was made; he too was remanded until 7 July, when his case will be heard by video link.
Three men appeared before the Special Criminal Court at trial, facing alleged IRA-related charges arising from an ongoing investigation into dissident republican activities. Séamus McGrane, 60, of Co Louth, was charged with directing the activities of an unlawful organisation styling itself the IRA and membership of that organisation between December 2009 and May 2015. He made no reply to the charges and was remanded in custody until May 20. Donal O Coisdealbha, 23, of Dublin 15, was charged with IRA membership and possession of a time and power unit, a component of an improvised explosive device, found in a storage locker at NUI Maynooth. He also made no reply and was remanded in custody until May 20, with his solicitor indicating a bail application would be made. Dylan Cahill, 22, of Co Tipperary, was charged with IRA membership, possession of a .380 calibre Colt semi-automatic pistol, four rounds of ammunition, and two pipe bombs in Co Leitrim. He made no reply to the charges. A proposed bail application for the following Tuesday was opposed by the DPP due to Garda operational constraints. The court remanded Mr Cahill in custody until June 9, granting him liberty to apply for bail before that date. All three accused were identified in the dock by detective sergeants, and no pleas or findings were recorded at this procedural stage.
Eddie Winston, a 60‑year‑old father of seven, and Lee Bracken Kennedy, a 21‑year‑old student, were sentenced for their roles in a large‑scale drug deal in Kildare. Winston met Kennedy at a Leixlip industrial estate to hand over nearly €20,000 worth of cannabis herb, but Gardaí intercepted them. A key found on Winston led to a lock‑up unit containing just under €180,000 of drugs, a gun and ammunition. Winston was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for possession of €176,325 worth of heroin, cocaine and cannabis resin, and for possession of a 12‑gauge double‑barrel shotgun with 238 rounds. Kennedy received a three‑year suspended sentence and was bound to the peace for three years for unlawful possession of cannabis herb. Both pleaded guilty; Winston initially denied involvement but later admitted it. The judge noted their gross errors of judgment.
Richard Devane, a 42‑year‑old homeless man with mental health and drug problems, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to unlawfully seizing his adoptive mother Hester Devane's car at Heuston Station on 29 June 2013. Judge Mary Ellen Ring, after hearing evidence earlier in the year, imposed a three‑year suspended prison sentence, conditioned on Devane remaining at Priorswood House treatment centre, engaging fully with staff, staying on medication, and not taking illegal drugs. He must also stay under Probation Service supervision for 12 months and continue his mental health treatment. A Protection of Person's Order barred Devane from any direct or indirect contact with his parents and brother for five years, with breach leading to separate prosecution. The judge noted Devane's cooperation with Priorswood and the Probation Service and his participation in an employment programme, hoping for future independent living.
Conor Egan, a 27‑year‑old bank worker from Kilmacredock, Maynooth, stole €100,000 from an AIB branch in Leixlip between January and November 2010. He moved the money to a Bank of Ireland account, then transferred it to various online bookmakers and used it to gamble. Egan admitted the thefts, which were premeditated and involved a breach of trust, and confessed to falsifying documents to conceal the thefts. He was caught when a colleague noticed missing cash during a day's leave. Egan's father, a retired Colonel, agreed to repay the bank in full using his retirement package, and Egan pledged to repay his father. Judge Patricia Ryan, noting Egan's good character and efforts to repay, imposed a four‑year sentence suspended in full for four years. The court recorded that Egan had no impact on customer accounts and that he had not spent the money on a lavish lifestyle. Conor Egan pleaded guilty.
Colin Widger, who lived with his mother Maeve at 17 Whitebarn Road, Churchtown, claims he was unlawfully evicted by his estranged father Thomas Widger after the father complained to Gardai that Colin was trespassing. Widger says he is the executor of Maeve's will, which he says left the estate to him and his siblings, and that Thomas is contesting his role. Widger alleges he was forced onto the street, left homeless, sleeping on park benches and in sheds, and is now staying with friends. He says Thomas has put the house up for sale without his consent and that he is being oppressed. Widger, representing himself, filed a High Court action seeking an order to prevent the sale. The court adjourned the matter, noting that Thomas and other notice parties had not appeared. The case is pending before the High Court.