Court archive
Court reports mentioning Freshford, Kilkenny
2023-06-07 · Kilkenny
James Meagher, a 39‑year‑old Kilkenny hurling coach, was convicted of defrauding a childhood friend of €42,000, an amount that the victim had believed was an investment in a non‑existent sliotar business. The fraud was prosecuted under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, with seven additional offences considered. Judge Elva Duffy sentenced Meagher to two years in prison, suspended the final 18 months, and postponed the start of the custodial term until 1 June to accommodate his college commitments. Meagher had appealed the severity of the sentence on 18 April but withdrew that appeal at a brief Court of Appeal hearing. He had previously coached the Kilkenny minor hurling team and was part of the Ballyhale Shamrocks backroom staff that won the All‑Ireland club championship this year. The victim's impact statement described a loss of self‑esteem and a sense of betrayal. James Meagher pleaded guilty.
2018-11-30 · Kilkenny
In a Central Criminal Court trial, 32‑year‑old Renars Veigulis was acquitted of murdering his 29‑year‑old partner, Rita Apine, who died after falling down the stairs of their Freshford home on 14 May 2017. Veigulis maintained from the outset that he was playing with his daughter when he heard a "boom, boom, boom" and later found Apine at the bottom of the stairs with blood on her head. The jury heard forensic testimony that Apine's injuries were not consistent with a simple fall, citing multiple lacerations, bruising, and blood spatter patterns that suggested blunt‑force trauma. The prosecution presented pathologist Dr. Linda Mulligan's findings and forensic science evidence, while Veigulis's counsel argued that the injuries could result from a complex fall and that the pathologist had never seen such patterns before. After 10 hours and 21 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned a not‑guilty verdict, and Veigulis was released.
2018-11-28 · Kilkenny
The Central Criminal Court is hearing a 32‑year‑old man, Renars Veigulis, who denies murdering his 29‑year‑old partner, Rita Apine, at their Freshford home on about 14 May 2017. Veigulis says he was in the kitchen with his daughter when he heard a series of bangs and later found Apine bleeding at the bottom of the stairs. The prosecution argues her injuries are inconsistent with a simple fall and that he beat her to death. The jury has deliberated for over six hours and will resume tomorrow. Renars Veigulis pleaded not guilty.
2018-11-26 · Kilkenny
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Renars Veigulis, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Rita Apine, aged 29, who died after falling down the stairs at their Freshford home on 14 May 2017. Veigulis claimed he was in the kitchen with his daughter when he heard a noise from the stairs, found his wife injured, and called emergency services, but she later died. Prosecutors, led by Vincent Heneghan SC, argued that blood spatter on walls and a hoodie, along with head injuries, proved Apine was beaten to death. They cited Deputy State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan, who said the injuries were unlikely from a simple fall, and forensic scientist Dr Stephen Doak, who suggested a baby gate could have been a weapon.
2018-11-26 · Kilkenny
In the murder trial of Renars Veigulis, the prosecution's closing speech was delivered by Vincent Heneghan SC. He reminded the jury that Veigulis, a 32‑year‑old from Old Bridge Street in Freshford, Co. Kilkenny, is presumed innocent unless found guilty. Heneghan highlighted forensic evidence that contradicted Veigulis's claim that Rita Apine, aged 29, fell down the stairs, and urged the jury to scrutinise the interviews he gave to the gardai after her death. The speech was addressed to a jury of seven men and five women before Justice Tara Burns. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
2018-11-23 · Kilkenny
Renars Veigulis, aged 32, was arrested on suspicion of murdering his partner, Rita Apine, aged 29, at their Freshford home on or about 14 May 2017. He pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court. Veigulis maintains that Apine fell down the stairs, but forensic evidence presented by Dr Stephen Doak indicated that the blood‑staining on the wall beside the first step and on the baby‑gate at the bottom of the stairs suggested a forceful event. Doak also found hair‑swipe blood patterns and used luminol to reveal hidden blood marks, concluding that the wall had been wiped clean. During police interviews, Veigulis denied cleaning the wall, stating he had only performed CPR and called an ambulance. He also denied seeing any bruising on Apine's face, despite a paramedic's observation of bruising. The trial continues before a jury presided by Ms Justice Tara Burns.
2018-11-22 · Kilkenny
In the Central Criminal Court, Renars Veigulis (32) pleaded not guilty to the murder of his partner, Rita Apine (29), who died on 14 May 2017. Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan testified that Apine's injuries were inconsistent with a simple fall down the stairs, as Veigulis claimed. She described extensive blood staining, shoeprints, and a blood‑stained slipper on the tenth step, but noted the house was otherwise neat. Apine died from massive blood loss due to blunt force trauma to the head, with three full‑thickness lacerations on the right side of her head of different shapes and impact surfaces, and bruising on both eyes and forearms. She also had therapeutic levels of citalopram and a tattoo reading "through pain comes strength." Dr Mulligan acknowledged some injuries could result from a fall but argued others could not be easily explained by such a fall.
2018-11-21 · Kilkenny
In the Central Criminal Court, Renars Veigulis, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his partner, Rita Apine, aged 29, who died on or about 14 May 2017. A forensic scientist testified that blood stains on Veigulis's clothing were more likely caused by a strike than by CPR. The scientist described contact‑blood staining and a spatter pattern on a white hoodie belonging to Veigulis, concluding the pattern was consistent with force applied to wet blood. The prosecution argued that Apine's injuries were inconsistent with a fall, while the defence highlighted the possibility of a strike. Detective Sergeant James O'Brien gave evidence that he arrived at the scene after Apine had been removed, saw blood on the floor, and later arrested Veigulis on suspicion of murder. The trial also heard Veigulis's witness statement, in which he described the day's events and the discovery of Apine at the bottom of the stairs. The case remains at the trial stage.
2018-11-20 · Kilkenny
In a murder trial in the Central Criminal Court, forensic scientist Dr Stephen Doak testified that the blood‑staining patterns at the scene of Rita Apine's death suggested an assault rather than a simple fall. He described contact‑staining, splatter, airborne blood, swipe patterns and cast‑off blood on the walls and floor beside the stairs, noting a large area of wet blood that had been wiped up and a missing area revealed by luminol. Dr Doak argued that the patterns indicated a forceful event and that the accused, Renars Veigulis, had attempted to clean up the blood. Veigulis, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to murdering Apine, aged 29, at their Freshford home on or about 14 May 2017. The trial continues before a jury presided by Ms Justice Tara Burns.
2018-11-19 · Kilkenny
The trial of Renars Veigulis, aged 32, for the murder of his partner Rita Apine, aged 29, began on 19 November 2018. Veigulis pleaded not guilty and claimed Apine fell down the stairs, while the prosecution argued her injuries were inconsistent with a fall. Both were Latvian; they had lived in Freshford since 2016. Garda Edward Laffin testified that he saw a "considerable amount of blood" at the scene and that neighbours reported nothing "untoward" before the incident. Detective Garda Ronan Lawlor described the forensic findings: a two‑bedroom terraced house with a hallway and stairs, blood on the floor, a slipper soaked in blood, and airborne blood stains on walls and ceiling. CCTV footage showed medical staff and Gardaí around the house and Veigulis' movements. The case proceeded to a jury of seven men and five women under Ms Justice Tara Burns.
2018-11-16 · Kilkenny
In a trial in Kilkenny, Renars Veigulis, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his partner, Rita Apine, aged 29, who died on or about 14 May 2017 after falling down the stairs of their Freshford apartment. Veigulis told ambulance staff that he heard a "boom, boom, boom" and found Apine at the bottom of the staircase, claiming she had fallen. The prosecution argued that Apine's injuries were inconsistent with a fall, citing forensic evidence of blood spatter on the wall and on Veigulis's clothing, and a post‑mortem showing severe blunt‑force trauma. Veigulis's defence maintained that Apine died from the fall, and his 999 call was recorded as showing distress. The case is being heard by a jury presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns.
2018-11-15 · Kilkenny
In the Central Criminal Court, a woman identified the body of her friend Rita Apine, whose partner Renars Veigulis is on trial for her murder. Veigulis, 32, pleaded not guilty to killing Apine, 29, at their Freshford home on 14 May 2017. He claimed Apine fell down the stairs, but prosecutors argued the injuries were inconsistent with a fall. Evidence from Latvian national Gatis Kuhalskis, a former colleague, indicated Veigulis told him Apine had fallen and hit her head on a child‑safety gate, yet Veigulis denied witnessing the fall. Estonian national Julia Sinjagina, a close friend, confirmed Apine's identity after her death, noting the body's face and body were "two different faces, two different bodies." Forensic findings showed blood spatter inconsistent with a fall and severe blunt‑force trauma, contradicting Veigulis's account. The trial continues before a jury presided by Justice Tara Burns.
2018-11-14 · Kilkenny
In a 2018 trial at the Central Criminal Court, Renars Veigulis, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his partner, Rita Apine, aged 29, who died at their Freshford home around 14 May 2017. The jury heard that Veigulis called emergency services at 12:18, claiming Apine had fallen down the stairs. He was described as distressed, breathing heavily, and crying during the call. He gave conflicting details about the fall, such as the height and the location of bleeding. Emergency‑call taker Laura Bunbury provided instructions on first aid and CPR, noting Veigulis's panic. Medical witnesses, including Dr Leonard de Villiers and paramedics, described a large head wound and extensive blood spatter in the house. The trial continued the following day with a jury of seven men and five women presiding by Ms Justice Tara Burns.
2018-11-13 · Kilkenny
The Central Criminal Court heard the murder trial of 32‑year‑old Renars Veigulis, who pleaded not guilty to the death of his 29‑year‑old partner, Rita Apine, at their Freshford home on 14 May 2017. Veigulis had told gardaí that Apine had fallen down the stairs, but a post‑mortem revealed severe blunt‑force injuries inconsistent with a fall. Forensic evidence showed blood spatter on the scene and on Veigulis's clothing that did not match a simple fall, and investigators noted that blood had been wiped from a wall before paramedics arrived. The court heard that Veigulis maintained his version of events during garda interviews, while the forensic team and the post‑mortem findings contradicted his account. The trial is proceeding before Justice Tara Burns.
2018-11-12 · Kilkenny
A 32‑year‑old man, Renars Veigulis of Old Bridge Street, Freshford, is set to go on trial in the Central Criminal Court for the murder of 29‑year‑old Rita Apine on or about 14 May 2017. He pleaded not guilty. A jury of five women and seven men has been empanelled. The trial is expected to last three weeks.
2017-11-07 · Kilkenny
Gerard Dowling, 40, of Kilkenny, was committed to the Central Mental Hospital after stabbing 60‑year‑old Simon Bourke in a shopping centre. He was charged with attempted murder, assault and knife possession. A jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity on all charges. Justice Paul McDermott said the CMH is the appropriate place for his ongoing treatment and that his committal is necessary for his safety and that of others. Dr Paul O'Connell noted Dowling's poor insight into his illness and difficulty with medication, and that his treatment will take some time.
2017-10-26 · Kilkenny
In a four‑day trial at Kilkenny County Court, Gerard Dowling, aged 40, was charged with the attempted murder of 60‑year‑old Simon Bourke, assault causing harm, and possession of a knife. The jury, after 40 minutes of deliberation, returned a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Both the prosecution and defence agreed that Dowling was insane at the time of the assault, as he suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and had not taken medication for several months. He was admitted to the Central Mental Hospital under the Criminal Law Insanity Act. A doctor will report to the court on 7 November to recommend ongoing treatment. Justice Paul McDermott thanked the jurors and exempted them from further service for ten years. The case remains at the mental health treatment stage.
2017-10-26 · Kilkenny
A jury will begin deliberating the trial of Gerard Dowling, 40, of Kilkenny, who stabbed Simon Burke, 60, in the head at Market Cross Shopping Centre on 13 July 2016. Dowling, who suffers from paranoid schizophrenia, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to attempted murder, assault causing harm and producing a knife. The prosecution and defence have presented expert witnesses describing Dowling's mental illness under the Criminal Law Insanity Act. Mr Justice Paul McDermott will conclude his charge in the afternoon after the jury hears closing arguments.
2017-10-25 · Kilkenny
Gerard Dowling, aged 40, of The Sycamores, Freshford Road, Kilkenny, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to attempted murder of 60‑year‑old Simon Burke at Market Cross Shopping Centre on 13 July 2016. He also pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to assaulting Mr Burke and to producing a knife during the same incident. Dowling has a long history of paranoid schizophrenia, having been admitted to hospital on several occasions since 1998. Psychiatrist Dr Brenda Wright testified that Dowling exhibited symptoms of paranoia and delusion, including grandiose beliefs about wealth and employment, and that he had sent threatening text messages to his former partner in 2015. She stated that Dowling's illness meant he did not understand that assaulting Mr Burke was morally wrong and that he had not taken his medication for many months.
2017-10-24 · Kilkenny
Gerard Dowling, 40, with paranoid schizophrenia, went to St Luke's Psychiatric Unit in Kilkenny City on the morning of 13 July 2016, claiming he could not speak to anyone. CCTV shows he entered at 10:08 and left at 10:22. Hours later he stabbed 60‑year‑old Simon Burke at Market Cross Shopping Centre. Dowling pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to attempted murder, assault causing harm and possession of a knife. He said he had stopped his medication in January and sometimes heard voices. Burke was struck in the head and shoulder; a knife fragment remains in his head and he suffered a broken finger. Dowling claimed he did not know Burke and that his actions were influenced by voices. The trial is before Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of twelve.
2017-10-23 · Kilkenny
Gerard Dowling, 40, of Kilkenny, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to attempted murder, assault and knife possession against 60‑year‑old Simon Burke at Market Cross Shopping Centre on 13 July 2016. The Central Criminal Court trial opened with Denis Vaughan Buckley SC presenting forensic psychiatric reports that both prosecution and defence psychiatrists agreed Dowling suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and was not taking medication at the time of the alleged assault. Buckley described Dowling's belief that voices in his head directed him to act, and that he could not refrain from striking Burke with a knife. Burke's partner tried to defend him with a handbag; Burke sustained knife injuries to his head but has fully recovered. If the jury finds Dowling insane, he will be committed to the Central Mental Hospital for assessment and treatment. The trial continues before Justice Paul McDermott.
2017-10-23 · Kilkenny
A 31‑year‑old man, Renars Veigulis, originally from Latvia and residing at Bridge Street, Freshford, Co Kilkenny, is charged with the murder of 29‑year‑old Rita Apine at that address on 14 May. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy set the trial for 5 November 2018, with the case expected to last up to three weeks.