Court archive
Court reports mentioning Suncroft, Kildare
2025-09-12 · Dublin
Christopher Farrell, 69, of Tallaght, was fined €750 for dangerous driving after a police chase. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of dangerous driving. The court dismissed the charge relating to an incident on Fortunestown Way but convicted him of a second count involving a pursuit outside his home. Garda David Sheehan reported that Farrell drove behind an unmarked patrol car, flashed his headlights, shouted abuse, and accelerated away, causing dust to rise from the median. He later turned into the Suncroft estate, sounded his horn, and drove into his driveway. Garda Sheehan described Farrell as "extremely aggressive," throwing his keys and handing his phone to a woman. The court noted Farrell's claim of panic was not credible once the patrol car's blue lights were activated. He was fined €750 with a five‑month payment period. The case was heard at Tallaght District Court by Judge Patricia McNamara.
2021-06-25 · Dublin
Michael Lawrence, aged 40, was sentenced to nine months in jail after stabbing his brother Thomas four times in the upper arm during a dispute that followed a card game. The incident occurred on 13 June 2020 at Thomas's estate in Tallaght. Lawrence, who had no driving licence and no motor insurance, drove to the estate, exited his car with a knife, and attacked Thomas, who was inside his car with his wife and six children. He struck Thomas six or seven times, causing four stab wounds that were treated at a hospital. Lawrence pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and driving without insurance. The court noted the injuries were relatively minor and that the brothers had since mended fences. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two‑year sentence, suspending the final 15 months, and disqualified Lawrence from driving for three years.
2021-03-19 · Dublin
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced Dubliner Gareth McCarton to two years' imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. The offence occurred at his address in Tallaght on April 13, 2020. Prosecution evidence alleged that McCarton dragged his partner, Shannon Mahon, from bed, threatened to kill her, and subjected her to a sustained episode of violence involving punching, choking, and biting. Gardaí intervened after receiving reports of screaming; Ms Mahon was later diagnosed with a fractured nasal bone and extensive bruising. McCarton, a father of three, admitted the charge. His defence counsel noted that McCarton claimed he had taken crack cocaine for the first time prior to the incident and expressed remorse, stating the act was out of character. The judge acknowledged his previous convictions, including possession of a realistic firearm, and noted that his bail had been revoked for failing to stay away from his partner. Judge Melanie Greally described the incident as a vicious and extreme breach of trust. She emphasised the need for McCarton to address his drug difficulties while recognising his desire to maintain family responsibilities. The court imposed a custodial sentence of two years imprisonment.
2021-03-04 · Dublin
David Berney, a 39‑year‑old from Tallaght, was convicted of looting a Centra store in Jobstown during Storm Emma in March 2018. He pleaded guilty and received an 18‑month suspended sentence, which the Court of Appeal later deemed unduly lenient. The court set a three‑year term but suspended the entire period, subject to conditions such as maintaining employment and engaging with probation services if he loses his job. The suspension was back‑dated to November 2019. Berney also faced a separate 2014 burglary of a private home, for which he received a two‑year sentence and an additional 18‑month suspended term, contingent on staying out of trouble and participating in addiction and reintegration services. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed the original sentence, arguing it was too lenient. The court warned that if Berney fails to stay "on the straight and narrow," he will be sent to prison.
2021-03-01 · Dublin
David Berney, a convicted burglar from Tallaght, was found guilty in 2018 of looting a Centra store in Jobstown during Storm Emma. He had previously pleaded guilty to a 2014 burglary of a private home. At the Circuit Court, a two‑year sentence was imposed for the 2014 offence and an additional 18‑month term for the 2018 looting, which was suspended on the condition that he remain law‑abiding and engage with addiction and social reintegration services. The Court of Appeal, after reviewing positive probation reports, deemed the original sentence unduly lenient but chose to increase the suspended portion rather than impose further custodial time. Berney, who could not attend the appeal hearing because he was starting a plumbing apprenticeship, will receive a new sentencing date at a later time. The appeal was brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who argued that Berney's prior conviction and bail status warranted a harsher penalty.
2019-07-17 · Dublin
John Doyle, 38, of Tallaght, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for trespassing at a Centra store in Kiltalown on March 2, 2018, with the intention of committing theft. Doyle pleaded guilty to the charge. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a two-year prison sentence, suspending the final 12 months. The judge stated that acting as Doyle did during the national emergency of Storm Emma justified a custodial sentence, describing the incident as serious anti-social behaviour that brought shame on his community. She considered Doyle's remorse, rehabilitation efforts, and positive references. Doyle, who has 111 previous convictions, was found with cigarettes after throwing trolleys to obstruct gardai. Co-accused David Berney, 37, previously received an 18-month suspended sentence for his role in the incident. The court noted that while Doyle was not present when the shop shutters were cut, he entered after being beckoned by others. The matter was previously adjourned in March to allow for a Probation Service report, during which time Doyle was remanded on continuing bail.
2019-03-11 · Dublin
John Doyle, 38, was arrested after looting a Centra shop in Tallaght during Storm Emma. He entered the shop for only one minute and 30 seconds before Gardaí arrived, carrying three packets of cigarettes. Doyle pleaded guilty to trespassing with intent to commit theft. While Gardaí pursued him, he threw trolleys to obstruct them and was found crouched in a store room. Two other men were present, one with a sledgehammer. Doyle has 111 prior convictions, including robbery, burglary, possession of stolen property, road traffic offences and criminal damage. A co‑accused, David Berney, already received an 18‑month suspended sentence. The court adjourned sentencing to July to allow a probation report. The incident involved a mechanical saw breach of the shop's front shutter and Gardaí arriving by jeep and on foot. Doyle's defence highlighted his panic, shame and claim of being lured into the chaos. The case remains at the pleading stage.
2018-11-30 · Dublin
David Berney, 37, of Suncroft Park, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to burglary of a Centra store in Jobstown on 2 March 2018 during Storm Emma. He was already on bail for a 2014 burglary of a private home in Stepaside, for which he had also pleaded guilty. Berney admitted that his offences were driven by a drug habit, citing cocaine use at the time of the shop looting. He has prior convictions for robbery, assault, burglary and threats to kill. Judge Cormac Quinn sentenced him to two years for the 2014 burglary and an additional 18 months for the 2018 looting, suspending the latter on the condition of keeping the peace and engaging in addiction and social reintegration services. The court noted Berney was found hiding in the shop's cash room, and a sledgehammer was used by accomplices to break into the back offices. The case remains under the jurisdiction of the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
2018-11-07 · Dublin
Eoin Morrow, a 38‑year‑old bricklayer from Dundalk, was sentenced to eight years in prison for possessing €1.38 million worth of cannabis resin and prescription drugs. Gardaí, using confidential information, set up a surveillance operation on a Scania truck that met Morrow's Volkswagen Jetta. The truck driver, John Needham, 31, and Morrow removed boxes of cannabis and 29 boxes of Zopiclone tablets onto a trolley bound for a storage unit in Newcourt Business Park, Finglas. A subsequent search uncovered 96 kg of cannabis, valued at €580,200, and 400,000 Zopiclone pills, valued at €800,000. Morrow pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis resin and supplying a prescription‑only drug on 25 July 2015. He had 15 prior convictions, including assault, burglary and theft. He had taken a bench warrant, fled to Europe, but returned and surrendered.
2018-07-18 · Louth
Eoin Morrow, 38, a Louth bricklayer, will be sentenced for possessing cannabis and prescription drugs worth €1.38 million. Gardaí set up a surveillance operation on a Scania truck that met Morrow's Volkswagen Jetta. They observed Morrow and truck driver John Needham, 31, removing boxes from the truck onto a trolley bound for a storage unit in Newcourt Business Park. A subsequent search uncovered four large cardboard boxes of cannabis resin and 29 boxes of Zopiclone tablets. The 96 kg of cannabis was valued at €580,200 and the 400,000 Zopiclone pills at €800,000. Morrow pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis resin and supplying a prescription‑only drug. He has 15 previous convictions, including assault, burglary and theft. He fled to Europe after a bench warrant was issued but returned and surrendered. Needham also pleaded guilty to the same drug offences and was sentenced to eight years earlier this month.
2018-03-08 · Kildare
Sean Thackaberry, aged 24, was sentenced to seven‑and‑a‑half years in 2013 for an aggravated sexual assault on Michelle Hennessey, who later took her own life. He was released in June 2017 but failed to attend 12 probation appointments, citing holidays and property viewings, and moved to an unapproved address near Hennessey's family, breaching the Sex Offenders Act. In December 2017 the suspended portion of his sentence was activated, adding three months for an assault committed in custody. Judge Patrick McCarthy noted Thackaberry's drug use and lack of community supervision, deeming further release unsafe. The court therefore imposed the suspended term, effectively extending his custodial period while allowing a chance for rehabilitation. The case highlights the court's decision to protect the community and enforce probation conditions. Sean Thackaberry pleaded guilty.
2018-01-22 · Kildare
Sean Thackaberry, aged 24, was released from Midlands Prison in June 2017 after serving a seven‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for aggravated sexual assault, with the final two‑and‑a‑half years suspended. He has failed to attend 12 scheduled meetings with his probation officer, Dermot Lavin, citing excuses such as holidaying in France, viewing rental properties, being in Dublin, and unverified appendicitis surgery. Thackaberry also moved to an unapproved address near the victim's family, breaching the Sex Offenders Act. The victim, Michelle Hennessy, 26, was assaulted on 30 January 2011 and later took her own life. Thackaberry was recently jailed for three months for an assault committed in custody and remains in custody pending a decision on whether to impose the suspended portion of his sentence. The court noted his non‑attendance as a significant issue and considered reactivating only part of the suspended term.
2016-07-01 · Kildare
Haulier John Needham, 31, was sentenced to eight years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis and supplying a prescription-only medicinal product otherwise than in accordance with marketing authorisation. The offences occurred in July 2015 at a location in Finglas. Gardaí recovered 100 kilograms of cannabis resin valued at €580,000 and 400,000 Zopiclone tablets valued at €800,000 from a truck Needham was unloading. He admitted to being paid €500 to transport the goods, believing they were only tablets. Judge Melanie Greally noted that Needham had previously received a three-year sentence in France for a similar cannabis offence, with the final 18 months suspended. Despite mitigation that he was "easily led" and acting to help his financially troubled father, the Judge stated it was inconceivable he would repeat the offence for such a small reward. She found he had learned little from his prior incarceration and played a crucial role in bringing significant drugs into the country. The eight-year sentence was imposed as the final disposal for these admitted charges.