Three men – Stephen Rooney (37), Alan Richardson (28) and Vincent Brunton (34) – were arrested after a Garda investigation into a 2011 RTÉ Prime Time documentary that exposed a scheme to pass unroadworthy vehicles at a Dublin NCT centre. Richardson, then an NCT inspector, was approached by Rooney to pass two Toyota Carinas that had previously failed the test. The men were to receive €100, but no money was exchanged. Richardson then asked Brunton to issue a false NCT certificate for one vehicle, while a fourth man, Darren Meehan (40), was approached to pass the second vehicle and received a two‑and‑a‑half‑year suspended sentence for producing a false certificate. Rooney pleaded guilty to forgery and corruption for accepting €100 as inducement; Richardson pleaded guilty to the same forgery and corruption for accepting cash from Rooney; Brunton pleaded guilty to forgery for creating a false certificate. All three men fully cooperated with the Garda investigation and expressed remorse.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 24‑year‑old woman described the lasting impact of sexual abuse by her stepfather, who had assaulted and raped her for over seven years. She said she would never live a normal life because the man, who was meant to protect her, had stolen her childhood. The court heard that the 44‑year‑old Kildare man began sexually assaulting her when she was 12, started raping her regularly at 15, and continued until 2011. He was found guilty of 17 counts of sexual assault and 16 counts of rape. During the trial he denied the allegations, claiming they were fabricated. The victim's statement detailed severe depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and self‑harm, and she said she could not pursue a career or form lasting relationships. The case was scheduled for sentencing on March 6. The man had prior convictions for assault and larceny and had worked as a builder.
A man from Letterkenny, Co Donegal, has been jailed for 12 months following conviction on a charge of sexually exploiting a child. Donnchadh McGinley, then aged 34, met a 15-year-old girl through a youth mental health messaging application in late 2014. The pair subsequently met on several occasions before McGinley invited the teenager to an apartment in Dublin in January 2015. During that visit, they watched a film together before engaging in sexual activity in the bedroom. McGinley attempted sexual intercourse but the girl was unable to proceed due to fear and physical discomfort. At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, McGinley, now 36, pleaded guilty to one count of sexually exploiting a child between January 3 and 4, 2015, with a second count of meeting a child for exploitation purposes taken into account. Judge Melanie Greally imposed the 12-month custodial sentence, noting the activity was age-inappropriate but that no evidence suggested predatory intent. She considered McGinley's guilty plea, remorse, personal difficulties at the time, and absence of previous convictions.
In February 2017 the High Court set aside a €6.9 million judgment that had been entered against Eugene McDermott, a stud farmer from Kildare, in favour of the Bank of Scotland. Mr Justice Max Barrett ruled that the judgment, delivered in July 2013 by Mr Justice Peter Kelly, should be reheard because McDermott was in very poor mental health at the time the bank applied for judgment and had no recollection of being served with the documents that formed the basis of the claim. McDermott had not been present in court and could not obtain legal representation due to his illness. The judge noted that the court had not been aware of McDermott's health condition when the original judgment was made. Barrett therefore set aside the judgment and ordered that the bank's application for summary judgment be reconsidered, with a re‑hearing to take place later in the year.
The Court of Appeal has rejected claims that prosecutors improperly handled plea negotiations during the murder trial of Darren Wynne. Wynne, aged 23 from Ballyroe, Athy, County Kildare, was convicted of murdering Jamie Lindsay at Coney Green, Athy on 6 April 2013 and received a mandatory life sentence in July 2014. Two co-accused, Quentin Monaghan and James Seery, both aged 23, pleaded guilty to manslaughter during proceedings and received eight and seven years' imprisonment respectively, with portions suspended. Wynne's appeal argued that the timing of his co-accuseds' pleas—entered after gardaí interview memos were admitted—prejudiced his defence and warranted a retrial. Mr Justice George Birmingham, sitting with two colleagues, dismissed the appeal, characterising the allegations of prosecution misconduct as an "unsupported assertion". The court found no evidence of improper conduct and upheld the conviction.
A 36-year-old man from Donegal pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexually exploiting a 15-year-old girl he met on a youth mental health messaging application in late 2014. The court heard the accused initiated contact with the teenager on Talklife, an online peer-support platform, and the pair subsequently met on several occasions in Kildare and Dublin. In January 2015, he invited the girl to a Dublin apartment where they watched a film before he attempted sexual intercourse with her. The girl's family reported her missing and gardaí were notified. She was collected from a bus stop near the apartment the following morning. A second count of meeting a child for exploitation purposes was taken into account. The defence described the man as vulnerable with limited social skills, suffering from depression and anxiety. He has no previous convictions. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned sentencing to February 17.
Musuala Lombe, a 34‑year‑old father of four originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was sentenced to one year in jail after a jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court found him guilty of unlawful possession of a controlled drug and possession of cannabis for the purpose of sale or supply. The offence stemmed from a €20,000 package of cannabis that arrived from Belgium in 2009 and was seized by Gardaí in a Ballycullen, Dublin 24, operation. Lombe was arrested after signing for the package, and a cannabis crusher and a €1,500 Western Union transfer were also seized. The judge, Elma Sheahan, suspended the final year of a two‑year sentence on the condition that Lombe attend a drug‑addiction support service. The court noted that Lombe, who has lived in Ireland since 2000, may face deportation following the conviction.
Five men were sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for the killing of Dale Creighton, who died from blunt force injuries after a 14-minute assault at a Tallaght footbridge in 2014. The defendants, originally charged with murder, changed their pleas to guilty of manslaughter. Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy described the attack as prolonged and vicious, noting that the victims were 'pretty normal, average young people.' Graham Palmer (26) was jailed for five years; Ross Callery (23) and Jason Beresford (23) each received six-year sentences; David Burke (28) was sentenced to seven and a half years; and Gerard Stevens (27) received three years. Aisling Burke (23), who pleaded guilty to violent disorder, was given a five-year sentence with the final four years suspended for two years, though the imposition of this sentence was adjourned for one week to allow her to arrange childcare. James Reid (26), who pleaded guilty to possession of a knife, received a fully suspended two-year sentence and entered a €1,000 bond to be of good behaviour for two years. The victim's family expressed disappointment at the leniency of the sentences, particularly regarding the suspended portions.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, former soldier Jonathan McSherry (34) was jailed for a brutal assault on his ex‑partner, Jessica Bowes. McSherry, who was high on cocaine, breached a barring order and attacked Bowes at her home, repeatedly punching and kicking her until she lost consciousness twice. The attack left Bowes with fractures to her skull, eye sockets and cheekbone, permanent scarring, nerve damage and a metal plate in her face. She described the violence as "merciless" and said she feared for her life. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced McSherry to three and a half years, suspended the final year on the condition of sobriety, drug‑treatment participation and no contact with Bowes. The sentence was back‑dated to March to account for time spent in custody and treatment. McSherry had previously been remanded on bail to attend a drug‑treatment programme. Jonathan McSherry pleaded guilty.
Seven defendants appeared before the Central Criminal Court for sentencing following the death of Dale Creighton, who died from blunt force injuries sustained during an assault on a Tallaght footbridge on New Year's Day 2014. Originally charged with murder, the group pleaded guilty to lesser offences on the 15th day of their trial. Graham Palmer, Ross Callery, Gerard Stevens, Jason Beresford, and David Burke each pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Jason Beresford also pleaded guilty to violent disorder, as did Aisling Burke. James Reid pleaded guilty to possession of a knife with a blade or sharp point. The court heard victim impact statements from Creighton's parents, who expressed their enduring grief and stated they would never forgive those responsible. Counsel for the defendants submitted mitigation, noting that most expressed remorse and had no prior convictions. Aisling Burke's counsel highlighted her status as a mother and her early plea. Graham Palmer's counsel noted his cooperation with Gardaí and admission of involvement in punching and slapping the deceased. David Burke's counsel argued he did not cause serious harm and attempted to stop others. The judge is now considering appropriate sentences for these admitted offences.
The Court of Appeal heard an appeal by Darren Wynne, who was found guilty by a jury of murdering Jamie Lindsay at Coney Green, Athy, on April 6, 2013, and sentenced to life imprisonment by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan in July 2014. Wynne's counsel, Damien Colgan SC, alleged that the Director of Public Prosecutions ambushed his client by allowing co-accused Quentin Monaghan and James Seery to plead guilty to manslaughter only after key evidence was admitted. Colgan argued this timing prejudiced Wynne's provocation defence and requested the conviction be quashed for a retrial. Monaghan was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment with two suspended, while Seery received seven years with three suspended. Counsel for the DPP, Alex Owens SC, rejected these claims as wild allegations, stating there was no evidence of misconduct and that the evidence against Wynne was overwhelming. The court, comprising Mr Justice John Edwards, Mr Justice George Birmingham, and Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, reserved its judgment. The matter was adjourned pending the decision.
The sentence hearing for seven accused in the 2014 death of Dale Creighton was adjourned, with Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy indicating sentences will be announced in January. The accused, originally charged with murder, pleaded guilty to lesser offences after their initial not-guilty pleas were withdrawn during trial. Graham Palmer, Ross Callery, Gerard Stevens, Jason Beresford, and David Burke pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Jason Beresford and Aisling Burke pleaded guilty to violent disorder. James Reid pleaded guilty to possession of a knife. Evidence presented included CCTV footage and testimony from Sergeant Brian Cagney, who stated Creighton was found unconscious on a Tallaght footbridge without a mobile phone, despite an allegation he had stolen one. Creighton died from blunt force injuries. The court noted prior convictions for David Burke, James Reid, and Gerard Stevens. A letter from Beresford, read by counsel, apologized to the Creighton family. The matter remains pending final sentencing.
Mr Paul O'Shea, a farmer from Davidstown, Castledermot, lost his High Court bid to set aside his bankruptcy. The High Court had declared him bankrupt on 4 July after Danske Bank petitioned the court, citing a 2013 judgment against him for failing to repay a loan. The bank claimed it was owed €1.487 million. Mr O'Shea challenged the adjudication on several grounds: that the bank was not his creditor, that he had not been served with bankruptcy summons, and that the petition did not comply with the Rules of the Superior Courts. Judge Ms Caroline Costello rejected all these arguments, stating the adjudication was properly sought and obtained. Mr O'Shea had previously been jailed for 100 days in July 2015 for failing to comply with a High Court order to hand over vacant possession of farm buildings to a receiver appointed by Danske Bank.
Paul Wells Jnr, aged 30, faces trial for impeding a murder investigation by disposing of a chainsaw. He is charged with obstructing the apprehension or prosecution of his father, Paul Wells Snr, 48, who is alleged to have killed Kenneth O'Brien, 33, in Finglas on 15 or 16 January 2016. The Central Criminal Court set the trial for 19 February 2018.
In a sentencing hearing that began on 19 December 2016, five Dublin men who had admitted killing a 20‑year‑old on a Tallaght footbridge on New Year's Morning 2014 were sentenced. The men, all in their twenties and from Tallaght, had originally been charged with murder but the charges were dropped on the 15th day of the trial after they pleaded guilty to lesser offences. The victims' death was caused by blunt force injury to the head and face. The defendants – Aisling Burke (23), David Burke (28), Graham Palmer (26), Ross Callery (23), James Reid (26), Jason Beresford (23) and Gerard Stevens (27) – had all pleaded not guilty to murder but later pleaded guilty to manslaughter, violent disorder or possession of a knife. The court heard CCTV footage and Garda interview memos during the hearing.
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.
Patrick Purcell, 33, of Lucan, Co Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to nine years' imprisonment for possession of drugs, with the final two years suspended. He pleaded guilty to possessing 18kg of ketamine, valued at €1,080,000, and 212g of cocaine for sale or supply at a rented premises in Straffan, Kildare, on June 4, 2015. He also admitted to possessing 2.2kg of ketamine, worth an estimated €103,123, at Maiden's Row, Chapelizod, on the same date. Co-accused Jordan Maher, 19, of Lucan, pleaded guilty to possessing the ketamine at Maiden's Row when spotted handling the package. Judge Melanie Greally noted Purcell's four previous convictions, including a prior suspended sentence for a drug offence. She accepted his genuine regret, cooperation with gardaí, and the submission of impressive testimonials. Purcell had claimed he was paid €500 to hold the drugs and used the storage unit for landscaping tools. The court acknowledged his role in storing and assisting with distribution, while noting his alcohol issues. The sentence reflects the severity of the offences and his criminal history, with the suspended portion contingent on good behaviour.
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 23‑year‑old Kildare man, who was 15 when he committed the offences, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and to oral rape, all involving an 11‑year‑old girl who was blindfolded during the acts. The victim, now 19, said the abuse made her feel sick, destroyed her self‑confidence and took away her childhood. The judge noted the offender's immaturity and lack of judgment, but also that he had deliberately planned a continuous campaign of abuse. He was remorseful, had no other convictions, and had not been in contact with Gardaí since his arrest. The sentencing reflected the offender's young age and the judge's view that a longer term would have been imposed had he not been a minor at the time of the offence.
A 34-year-old Mauritian man has been sentenced to two months in custody at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following his guilty plea to three counts of deception. Resen Modeley facilitated marriages of convenience between Irish residents and European Union nationals, charging €7,000 per arrangement. He admitted to securing false employment letters submitted with three separate intention-to-marry applications filed with civil registrars in Monaghan, Dublin, and Naas in May 2015. Judge Pauline Codd suspended the remainder of a two-year sentence on condition that Modeley depart Ireland upon release and remain outside the country for five years. A deportation order was granted. The investigation, initiated following the discovery of the bogus marriages, led gardaí to arrest Modeley at his home in November 2015. He cooperated during questioning and was assessed as having no entitlement to remain in the jurisdiction.
Musuala Lombe, a 34‑year‑old Congolese father of four who has lived in Ireland since 2000, was found guilty by a jury of unlawful possession of a controlled drug and possession of cannabis for the purpose of sale or supply on 27 April 2009. The cannabis, worth €20,000, was seized from a suspicious package that customs and excise officers in Portlaoise intercepted on 22 April 2009. Lombe signed for the package at a Ballycullen address, was arrested five minutes later, and was not charged until 2014. He has no prior convictions and has not been involved with Gardaí since the offence. The court noted the seriousness of the offence, ordered a probation report and adjourned sentencing to 23 January next year. The case also raised questions about the renewal of his green card, which has been subject to frequent renewal and may be affected by the criminal proceedings.
The High Court has reserved its decision on a judicial review action brought by Alan Bradley, who was sentenced to nine years imprisonment with the final two years suspended for conspiring to steal cash from Chubb Ireland in November 2007 at Tesco, Celbridge, Co Kildare. Bradley, along with his brother Wayne, pleaded guilty in 2012 to the charge. His sentence was later reduced on appeal to eight years, with 18 months suspended. Bradley claims he is entitled to one-third remission of his sentence, rather than the standard one-quarter, citing his attendance at courses and good behaviour while in Portlaoise Prison. Two applications for enhanced remission were refused by the Minister for Justice on the grounds that he posed a risk to public safety. Bradley argues the Minister failed to provide proper reasons for the refusal and that he was denied fair procedures. The Minister opposes the action, stating she was entitled to refuse enhanced remission based on the evidence. Following submissions from both parties, Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh reserved her decision and remanded Bradley on continuing bail pending her ruling.
Alan Bradley, 42, of Churchfields, Kentstown, Co Meath, is challenging the Minister for Justice's refusal to grant him one‑third remission of his sentence for conspiracy to rob a security van containing €1m in cash. Bradley pleaded guilty in 2012 to conspiring to steal cash from Chubb Ireland in 2007 and was sentenced to nine years, with the final two years suspended. An appeal reduced the sentence to eight years with 18 months suspended. Bradley argues that his completion of several educational and training courses, including first aid, entitles him to enhanced remission rather than the standard one‑quarter reduction. Two applications for additional time off his sentence were denied on the basis that he poses a risk to public safety. He has been released on bail pending the outcome of the High Court action, which seeks to quash the Minister's decision and obtain a declaration that he is entitled to enhanced remission.
In an appeal-stage procedural context, the Central Criminal Court addressed the sentencing of a 23-year-old Kildare man who pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and two counts of oral rape committed against an 11-year-old victim between 2008 and 2009. The defendant, who was 15 at the time of the offences, admitted the charges in July 2016, with pleas accepted on the basis that the abuse occurred more frequently than the four listed incidents. Defence counsel Hugh Hartnett SC argued that under the 2001 Children's Act, detention must be a last resort for juveniles, urging a non-custodial sentence given the offender's age, remorse, and lack of prior convictions. Prosecution counsel Mary Rose Gearty SC highlighted the victim's testimony that the abuse destroyed her childhood and self-confidence. Mr Justice Tony Hunt acknowledged the case was "finely balanced" and distinct from typical rape sentencing, noting the Court of Appeal had recently overturned a suspended sentence for Norwegian Magnus Meyer Hustveit, who pleaded guilty to repeatedly raping his partner while she slept. Mr Justice Hunt adjourned the case to November 28 for sentence, remanding the defendant on continuing bail while explicitly stating that this bail decision was not an indication of the eventual sentence.
Patrick Purcell, aged 33, will be sentenced later this month for holding over €1 million worth of drugs in a storage unit he rented. Gardaí observed him handing a drug package to Jordan Maher, 19, and a warrant was secured for the lock‑up where €1 million of ketamine and €14 896 of cocaine were found. Purcell admitted he was paid €500 to hold and distribute the drugs, and that he rented the unit for €15 a week, claiming it was for tools for his landscaping business. He pleaded guilty to possession of 18 kg of ketamine worth €1 080 000 and 212 g of cocaine for sale or supply at the Straffan premises, and to possession of 2.2 kg of ketamine worth €103 123 at Maiden's Row, Chapelizod. He has four prior convictions, including a suspended sentence for a drug offence.
Trevor Gleeson, a 36‑year‑old prison officer from Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, successfully appealed a conviction for possessing drugs. In 2009 he was charged with simple possession of controlled drugs and possession for sale or supply at Grey Abbey Road, Kildare Town. A jury found him guilty of five possession counts but could not reach a verdict on the sale or supply charge; a retrial on that charge ended with a jury discharge after late disclosure of CCTV footage. Gleeson received a wholly suspended 18‑month sentence in 2014. The Court of Appeal ruled that the trial judge erred in instructing the jury on the defence of duress and that CCTV footage, which had existed at the time of the first trial, was improperly withheld. The appeal was allowed on those grounds, with no further determination on other issues such as the Garda investigation. The case remains at the appeal stage. Trevor Gleeson pleaded not guilty.
A 17-year-old boy has been sentenced to one year's detention at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following a series of offences committed in April 2016. The teenager pleaded guilty to burglary, dangerous driving, and criminal damage to a bridge after crashing a stolen Hyundai into the River Liffey at Celbridge while evading gardai from a burglary scene in Lucan. Within 48 hours of his release on bail, he assaulted an elderly man and stole his vehicle. Judge Pauline Codd imposed a three-year sentence with the final two years suspended, noting that detention should be a last resort for minors. The court heard evidence that the accused was intoxicated during the chase and was abusing prescribed drugs at the time. His legal counsel submitted that he is now drug-free, has expressed remorse, and is willing to engage with rehabilitation services and address anger management issues.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Melanie Greally ruled that a prison sentence was inevitable for Jonathan McSherry (34) after he pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on Jessica Bowes on 20 December 2015. Footage showed McSherry repeatedly punching and kicking Bowes, leaving her unconscious twice and causing fractures to her skull, eye sockets and cheekbone, as well as permanent scarring and nerve damage. Bowes, a mother of three, described the attack as merciless and said she feared she would die. She reported ongoing anxiety, nightmares and physical impairments, including difficulty closing her lips and memory loss. McSherry was remanded on continuing bail until 21 December to allow him to attend the Coolmine residential drug treatment programme. The court noted a prior barring order and that McSherry had two children with Bowes. The judge emphasised the severity of the assault and the injuries when stating that jail was inevitable.
Patrick O'Brien, a former lay worker with the Church of Ireland, was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment for raping and molesting 14 boys over a 40‑year period. He pleaded guilty to 48 counts of indecent assault and three counts of sexual assault, with offences ranging from kissing to forceful anal penetration. The abuse occurred between 1974 and 2013 at locations including Kildare, Westmeath, a boat in Loughrea, and St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. O'Brien had previously received a one‑year suspended sentence in 1989 for assaulting a ten‑year‑old boy. The sentencing hearing, held over two days, included victim impact statements from 14 men aged 7 to 16, who described the abuse as predatory and pervasive.
At the Central Criminal Court, Ross Callery and Gerard Stevens were remanded in custody to await sentencing for their part in the killing of Dale Creighton. The seven accused, originally charged with murder and violent disorder, had their pleas changed on the 15th day of the trial. Callery and Stevens pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Jason Beresford pleaded guilty to manslaughter and violent disorder. James Reid pleaded guilty to possession of a knife. Aisling Burke pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Graham Palmer and David Burke pleaded not guilty to manslaughter. All murder charges were dropped. The court granted Aisling Burke bail until sentencing. Callery and Stevens, who had been on bail, were remanded in custody after answering their bail. The other accused, including Palmer, Beresford, Reid, and David Burke, were remanded in custody for sentencing on December 19th. The court noted a medical report might assist regarding Stevens. The incident occurred on New Year's Morning 2014 at a footbridge in Tallaght, where Creighton was assaulted and died the following day from blunt force injuries.
In November 2016 the High Court heard a case brought by insolvency practitioners Jim Hamilton and David O'Connor, acting as receivers for Nama, against David and Patrick Maughan. The dispute concerns a greenfield site on Monasterevin Road, Portarlington, Co. Laois, which has been earmarked for a new primary school. The receivers claim the Maughans are residing on the property without entitlement and are seeking injunctions that require the Maughans to vacate the site, remove all their property, and prevent any trespassing by them or anyone with notice of the action. The Maughans attended the hearing without legal representation, stating they had only recently been served with documents and had not had time to secure a lawyer. They denied that their mobile homes were on the greenfield site, asserting they were on the nearby road, and said they had been living on the site since March 2015.
At the Central Criminal Court, the jury was discharged after five accused changed their pleas from not guilty to murder to guilty to manslaughter, while two co-accused admitted to lesser charges. The case concerns the death of Dale Creighton, who was assaulted at a Tallaght footbridge in 2014 and died from blunt force injuries. Aisling Burke pleaded guilty to violent disorder. James Reid pleaded guilty to possessing a knife. Ross Callery, Jason Beresford, David Burke, Graham Palmer, and Gerard Stevens all pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The court granted Aisling Burke bail until sentencing. Ross Callery and Gerard Stevens were remanded on bail until next Monday. Jason Beresford, David Burke, Graham Palmer, and James Reid were remanded in custody. The court directed probation reports for Callery, Stevens, Beresford, Aisling Burke, David Burke, and Palmer, as well as a victim impact report. The matter was adjourned, with sentencing scheduled for December.
The Central Criminal Court trial of seven Dubliners accused of murdering Dale Creighton and violent disorder is ongoing. Creighton was assaulted on New Year's Morning 2014 at a Tallaght footbridge and died the following day. All seven accused initially pleaded not guilty to both charges. However, Jason Beresford later changed his plea, admitting to the violent disorder charge while maintaining his not guilty plea to murder. The other six accused—Aisling Burke, David Burke, Graham Palmer, Ross Callery, James Reid, and Gerard Stevens—continue to contest both allegations. On the 14th day of the trial, the jury reviewed CCTV footage showing five accused running from the scene as gardai arrived. Sergeant Brian Cagney described specific actions, including kicks by Callery and Beresford, and strikes by Stevens, Palmer, and Beresford. The footage captured Beresford, Callery, Palmer, Aisling Burke, and David Burke fleeing simultaneously upon seeing police lights. James Reid and Gerard Stevens were seen moving separately. The matter was adjourned, with the prosecution case expected to conclude on Tuesday.
The Central Criminal Court trial of seven Dubliners charged with the murder of Dale Creighton has heard expert evidence regarding his cause of death. Creighton, 20, was assaulted on New Year's Morning 2014 at the footbridge over the Tallaght bypass and died the following day. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that Creighton sustained extensive blunt force trauma to the head and face, resulting in brain swelling, diffuse axonal injury, and brain stem compression. He identified a fractured skull, broken nose, dislocated thumb, and a stab wound to the thigh, noting the latter was likely inflicted by an implement other than a knife. Toxicology revealed modest alcohol and trace cocaine levels. Dr Curtis concluded the cause of death was blunt force injury, stating that axonal injury could result from direct violence or prolonged coma. Under cross-examination, he acknowledged that injuries from an earlier assault by a man not before the court could have contributed to the fatal brain damage. The accused are Aisling Burke, David Burke, Graham Palmer, Ross Callery, James Reid, Jason Beresford, and Gerard Stevens. All pleaded not guilty to murder. While all initially pleaded not guilty to violent disorder, Jason Beresford later changed his plea to guilty for that specific charge. The trial continues before Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy and a jury.
The Central Criminal Court trial of seven accused individuals charged with the murder of Dale Creighton and violent disorder is ongoing before Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy. The defendants, Aisling Burke, David Burke, Graham Palmer, Ross Callery, James Reid, Jason Beresford, and Gerard Stevens, have all pleaded not guilty to murder. While initially pleading not guilty to violent disorder, Jason Beresford subsequently changed his plea to guilty on that specific charge. On the 13th day of the trial, the jury reviewed CCTV footage of the fatal assault, which occurred on New Year's Day 2014 at a footbridge over the Tallaght bypass. Sergeant Brian Cagney provided commentary, identifying specific actions attributed to the accused, including David Burke striking the deceased and Ross Callery punching him. The sergeant also noted that James Reid was seen holding a knife and phone, and that Gerard Stevens slapped the deceased. Additionally, the jury heard evidence regarding James O'Brien, who was charged with assault causing harm after allegedly kicking and punching the victim. The matter remains at the trial stage and has not been finalised.
A 44‑year‑old man, James Lammon, was found guilty by unanimous verdict of a "brutal and pre‑meditated" murder of Jason Doogue on 21 August 2015 in Green Hills, Athy. The jury, after just over two hours and thirty minutes, concluded that Lammon, masked and hooded, rode a bike to Doogue's garden, fired a Makarov pistol with a silver silencer three times, and then cycled away. The State's evidence was circumstantial, relying on witnesses who heard Lammon threaten to kill Doogue, forensic DNA and gun‑residue on cloths in a black toolbox, and the discovery of the gun, a bike and gloves in the River Barrow area. Lammon had 20 prior convictions, including a four‑year drug sentence in 2011. Justice Butler handed down a mandatory life sentence, back‑dated to 21 August 2015, and exempted the jury from duty for ten years. The verdict was met with tears and gratitude from Doogue's family.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court began deliberations on the murder trial of James 'Jimmy' Lammon, 44, of Athy, Kildare, who is accused of fatally shooting 22‑year‑old Jason Doogue in the Green Hills area on 21 August 2015. Lammon pleaded not guilty. Justice Paul Butler instructed the jury that their task is to determine whether the prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt that Lammon was the shooter. He noted that Doogue's death was intentional and that the evidence shows the victim was shot three times by a masked, hooded gunman on a bicycle, using a silenced gun later recovered by the Gardaí. The key issue is the identity of the shooter, with witnesses describing a thin, below‑average‑height man. Butler emphasized that the jury must reach a unanimous verdict and that the burden of proof lies with the prosecution. The jury commenced deliberations at 10:49 a.m. on 27 October 2016.
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 Central Criminal Court trial of seven accused in the 2014 murder of Dale Creighton continues before Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy. The defendants, including Jason Beresford, Gerard Stevens, Aisling Burke, David Burke, Graham Palmer, Ross Callery, and James Reid, face charges of murder and violent disorder. While all initially pleaded not guilty to both counts, Beresford subsequently changed his plea to guilty on the violent disorder charge. The remaining six accused maintain their not guilty pleas to both murder and violent disorder. Evidence presented includes garda interviews with Stevens, who admitted to kicking, punching, and slapping the victim on the Tallaght bypass footbridge. Stevens stated he did not know why he acted and described the incident as a moment of madness. Cross-examination highlighted that Stevens became distressed while reviewing CCTV footage. Additionally, testimony regarding Aisling Burke confirmed she was arrested shortly after the assault and examined for injuries, though no probative evidence emerged from her interview. The trial is ongoing, with no final verdict or sentencing recorded at this procedural stage.
In a ten‑day trial, a 44‑year‑old man, James 'Jimmy' Lammon, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 22‑year‑old Jason Doogue, who was shot three times in the Green Hills area of Athy on 15 August 2015. Prosecutor Kerida Naidoo SC presented 14 facts, describing a masked, hooded shooter who used a bike, a silenced gun, and a black toolbox. He alleged that the gun was buried near Lammon's home and that evidence such as a yellow‑stringed bike, latex gloves, and cloths with Lammon's DNA was found. Defence counsel Mary Rose Gearty SC argued that the evidence was circumstantial, that Lammon was an "easy suspect", and that the prosecution's narrative was inconsistent. She challenged the reliability of witness descriptions of the bike and the gloves, and questioned whether the forensic evidence could be linked to the shooting. Justice Paul Butler was to address the jury the following day.
The Central Criminal Court trial of seven accused individuals for the murder of Dale Creighton and violent disorder is ongoing before Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy. The defendants, Aisling Burke, David Burke, Graham Palmer, Ross Callery, James Reid, Jason Beresford, and Gerard Stevens, have all pleaded not guilty to murder. While all initially pleaded not guilty to violent disorder, Jason Beresford subsequently changed his plea to guilty on that specific charge. The jury is currently hearing evidence regarding garda interviews with David Burke, who was arrested in Tallaght on January 2, 2014. Mr. Burke alleged that the deceased pulled a knife on him and stole his sister's phone, prompting him to strike the victim. He denied participating in the fatal assault, claiming he attempted to stop others and protect the deceased. However, when shown CCTV footage, he admitted to hitting and kicking Mr. Creighton, stating he did so in self-defense. The trial continues with further evidence to be presented to the jury.
In the Central Criminal Court, DNA on latex gloves and cloths with firearms residue matched James 'Jimmy' Lammon, 44, accused of murdering 22‑year‑old Jason Doogue on 21 August 2015. Forensic Science Ireland scientist Kristen O'Connor identified Lammon's DNA on the gloves, found by gardai near his home, and on two cloths from a black toolbox in a house belonging to Paul Day, partner of Lammon's sister. Dr Thomas Hannigan confirmed firearms residue on the gloves and cloths. Lammon pleaded not guilty. Defence counsel Mary Rose Gearty called his brother Johnny, who described a dog‑shooting the day before Doogue's murder and noted Lammon wore green latex gloves that evening. A neighbour, Anthony Keogh, testified seeing Lammon in his yard that night. Justice Paul Butler ended the evidence session, with the trial to resume before a jury tomorrow.
Niall Barron, a 44‑year‑old former Vodafone Ireland executive, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for a fraud scheme that deprived the company of about €1.95 million. Between 2003 and 2007, while serving as head of corporate financial services and fraud prevention, Barron used his authority to approve purchase orders and invoices for a company he owned, Tel‑Q Ltd, registered in Vanuatu. He ordered services that were never performed and paid invoices for work that did not occur. The court described the thefts as a sophisticated, pre‑meditated breach of trust. Barron pleaded guilty to sample charges under the Theft and Fraud Act. Co‑accused Elaine and David McGovern received suspended sentences and a nine‑month term, respectively, for lesser roles in the same fraud scheme. The case remains an ongoing civil matter for Vodafone.
The Central Criminal Court trial of seven Dubliners accused of the murder of Dale Creighton continues before Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy. The accused, Jason Beresford, Ross Callery, Aisling Burke, David Burke, Graham Palmer, James Reid, and Gerard Stevens, have all pleaded not guilty to murder. While each initially pleaded not guilty to violent disorder, Jason Beresford subsequently changed his plea to guilty on that specific charge. The jury is currently hearing evidence regarding garda interviews with Ross Callery, who allegedly assaulted Mr Creighton on New Year's Morning 2014 at the Tallaght bypass footbridge. Mr Creighton died in hospital the following day. Detective Garda Kieran McGrath testified that Callery admitted to kicking the victim while he was on his hands and knees, describing the force as a seven out of ten. Callery stated he was protecting himself by not identifying other participants and expressed shock upon learning of the death, stating he did not intend for the victim to die. The trial is ongoing, with no final verdict or sentence recorded at this procedural stage.
During the Central Criminal Court trial, forensic expert Dr Thomas Hannigan presented evidence that a sports top and gloves found near the home of James 'Jimmy' Lammon (44) contained firearms residue. Lammon, accused of the fatal shooting of Jason Doogue (22) on 15 August 2015, pleaded not guilty. The gloves were recovered from a ditch and the top from another location; both showed positive traces of gunpowder particles. Dr Hannigan explained that such particles cling to the hands, gloves, and clothing of a shooter when a gun is fired, indicating that the wearer was present during a discharge. He agreed with defence counsel that the residue only proves presence, not the specific firearm used. Additional residue was found on cloths in a black toolbox at a house on Dooley Terrace, linked to a neighbour's account of the toolbox's movement. The trial proceeds with a jury hearing tomorrow before Mr Justice Paul Butler.
The Central Criminal Court trial of seven Dubliners accused of murdering Dale Creighton, who died after being assaulted on New Year's Morning 2014 at a Tallaght footbridge, continues before Justice Deirdre Murphy. The accused are Aisling Burke, David Burke, Graham Palmer, Ross Callery, James Reid, Jason Beresford, and Gerard Stevens. All initially pleaded not guilty to murder and violent disorder; however, Jason Beresford later changed his plea to guilty for violent disorder. The others maintain their not guilty pleas to both charges. Evidence heard included garda interviews with Graham Palmer, who alleged the victim was already injured before he arrived. Palmer admitted punching the victim in the stomach and face, stating he did so to get his attention, while denying causing the fatal injuries. He expressed regret for his actions. The trial is ongoing and was adjourned to continue on Monday.
James 'Jimmy' Lammon, aged 44, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jason Doogue, 22, in Athy on 21 August 2015. At the Central Criminal Court, Lammon told the court that Gardaí would never be able to charge him and that they had "nothing" to prove. He claimed that the shooter was a fully covered rider on a bike who matched his height and build, and that the bullet was intended for Jamie Quinn. Lammon also denied being in the Green Hills area that day and said he had used latex gloves to pick up a dead dog, not to conceal a crime. The trial heard that a witness would not be available until Monday afternoon, and the prosecution's evidence was nearly finished. The case remains at the trial stage.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing on 20 October 2016, the court heard that a Makarov 9mm pistol, buried in Shaw's Wood 750 metres from the home of 44‑year‑old James 'Jimmy' Lammon, was matched to the bullets that killed 22‑year‑old Jason Doogue on 21 August 2015. Detective Garda Shane Curran, a ballistics expert, fired the pistol and compared the recovered bullets with two taken from Doogue's body, concluding that the same gun had fired them. Curran explained that the unique grooves left on a bullet by the barrel matched those of the pistol. Garda Mairead Lacey had found the gun, a silver silencer and ammunition after following a foot‑worn trail from Lammon's house to the wood, where she also discovered a small hole in the ground. The pistol, of Russian origin, was in good condition but its serial number had been removed. Jimmy' Lammon pleaded not guilty.
Patrick O'Brien, a former Church of Ireland lay worker, was sentenced for raping and molesting 14 boys over 30 years. He pleaded guilty to 48 counts of indecent assault, including anal penetration, and three counts of sexual assault between 1977 and 2010 at locations such as Kildare, Westmeath, a boat in Loughrea, and St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. O'Brien, aged 76, had a prior one‑year suspended sentence for a 1989 sex assault. The sentencing hearing, held over two days, included victim impact reports from 14 men, some of whom described long‑term emotional and social harm. The court noted O'Brien's guilty plea, his completion of 312 hours of group psychotherapy, and his voluntary apology. He was remanded in continuing custody until the next hearing on 10 November. The victims remain anonymous. The case highlights the prolonged abuse and its lasting effects on the survivors.