A trial date of 2 July 2025 has been set for former hurling star DJ Carey, who is accused of fraudulently claiming he needed money for cancer treatment and inducing people to pay him. The 52‑year‑old, from The Drive, Newtown, Maynooth, appeared briefly at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court where the judge, Orla Crowe, set the trial to last three to four weeks. Carey denies all 19 counts of dishonestly inducing payments and two additional charges of using a false instrument. He also faces a request for a variation of bail conditions to allow him to sign at a different Garda station closer to his new address. The State's counsel, Simon Matthews, did not object to the bail variation. The case is set to proceed in 2025, with no further developments reported in the article.
A jury was sworn in at the Central Criminal Court for the trial of Andrew 'Andy' Cash, 30, of Highrath, Clara, Co Kilkenny. He is accused of murdering his brother‑in‑law, John Cash, 40, on 3 May 2022 at Hebron Road, Kilkenny City. Cash is also charged with assaulting Elizabeth Cash, John's wife, and with producing a knife during a dispute at the same time and place. He pleaded not guilty to all three charges. The trial, set to last two weeks, will begin tomorrow with opening remarks by prosecuting counsel Michael Delaney SC.
Michael O'Reilly, aged 29, was sentenced by the Central Criminal Court to nine years' imprisonment, with an 18‑month suspended portion, for raping a 13‑year‑old girl in Dublin on 11 April 2021. He pleaded guilty and claimed he "honestly did not know" the victim's age. The judge noted the victim's prior self‑harm and trauma, her refusal to consent, and the defendant's lack of prior sexual convictions. O'Reilly's early guilty plea, apology letter, and absence of a pattern of offending were considered mitigating factors. He was also registered as a sex offender and his sentence was back‑dated to the time he entered custody. The court ordered him to remain under Probation Services supervision for 18 months following release. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court on 24 July 2023.
David Thomas, 33, has sued his mother Breda Thomas over a Co Kilkenny property that includes a guesthouse and 85 acres of land at Ballyduff, Thomastown. He alleges that he is the rightful owner, having inherited the property from his late grandmother and that it was held in trust for him and his sister. Thomas claims that the property was legally transferred to him in 2010 but that his mother concealed this fact, leading to a breakdown in their relationship. He seeks possession of the dwelling house and farm, registration of his legal interest, damages for trespass, breach of duty and unjust enrichment, and an injunction against his mother's alleged trespassing and harassment. Breda Thomas denies all allegations, stating she loves and cherishes her son, has never abused him, and that the property was willed to him and his sister by their grandmother in 1993.
David Thomas, 33, has sued his mother Breda Thomas in the High Court, claiming she unlawfully occupies an 85‑acre farm and dwelling at Ballyduff, Thomastown, Co Kilkenny, which he says was willed to him by his late grandmother Barbara Thomas in 1993. Thomas alleges that the property was transferred to him in 2010 by trustees, but his mother withheld the full meaning of the transfer and continued to manage the farm, benefiting from its profits. He says his mother has physically attacked him, threatened to burn the property, and excluded him from his bedroom and household facilities. Thomas claims he has no other accommodation and has been staying with an aunt. He seeks possession of the house and farm, registration of his legal interest, damages for trespass and unjust enrichment, and an injunction restraining his mother from trespassing or harassing him.
An 87‑year‑old former Christian Brother from County Waterford was found guilty by a jury of 30 counts of indecent assault on five boys at a County Kilkenny school between August 1975 and June 1976. He was acquitted of one count involving a sixth boy. The maximum sentence for the offences is two years, but Judge Elma Sheahan sentenced him to three years and two months, with no suspended portion, citing his lack of remorse and continued denial. The judge ordered that he receive appropriate medical treatment while in custody, noting his age and health issues. The five complainants, now men in their 50s, gave victim impact statements describing how the abuse ruined their education, caused depression, anxiety and, for some, alcohol problems. They also said they were let down by the school and the Christian Brothers. The judge praised their bravery for coming to court and urged them not to feel shame.
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.
Kevin Cradden, 33, of Kilkenny, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault at a Dublin house on 31 May 2021. He was described as "dumb drunk" after consuming large amounts of alcohol at a barbecue. The victim, a tenant, woke to find him in her bed, kissing her and touching her vagina. She identified him as "Kevin" and left the house, later reporting the assault. Cradden left the house naked from the waist down and was later called back to dress. He has no prior convictions and has not been involved with Gardaí since. Judge Orla Crowe accepted the victim's impact statement, noting loss of self‑worth and trust issues. The judge imposed a headline sentence of four years, reduced to three years in prison, with 18 months suspended on strict conditions, including probation and abstention from alcohol. The court heard Cradden's remorse, lack of memory, and family support.
An 88‑year‑old former Christian Brother was found guilty of indecent assault by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The trial concerned 30+ charges of assaulting six boys at a Kilkenny primary school between August 1975 and June 1976. The defendant pleaded not guilty to all offences. After about five hours of deliberation, the jury unanimously convicted him of 28 counts involving four complainants, found him guilty by majority of two counts involving a fifth complainant, and returned a not‑guilty verdict on one count involving a sixth complainant. Judge Elma Sheahan thanked the jury, remanded the defendant on continuing bail pending a sentencing hearing on 30 June, and ordered victim impact statements and medical reports. Prosecutor Patrick McGrath SC presented evidence that the alleged inappropriate contact included touching and fondling, and that the complainants, now men in their 50s, were pupils at the school where the defendant taught.
Four men are to be sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for their roles in a multi-million euro investment fraud involving Custom House Capital Ltd (CHC) between October 2008 and July 2011. Former CEO Harry Cassidy, former Head of Private Clients John Whyte, and former Head of Finance Paul Lavery pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud investors and clients by intentionally misleading them regarding asset placement. John Mulholland pleaded guilty to one count of neglecting his duty as a non-executive director of CHC. Judge Orla Crowe is scheduled to read 197 victim impact statements before passing sentence. The four defendants, who were remanded on continuing bail, face charges related to dishonest acts inducing clients to entrust funds. Separately, Ciara Kelleher, the firm's former senior portfolio relationship manager, pleaded not guilty to a charge of conspiring to defraud investors. Her case was not concluded; a jury failed to reach a verdict earlier this year, and she will face a re-trial in 2025. The court previously noted the need to review extensive material before finalising the proceedings for the four guilty parties.
The High Court appointed a provisional liquidator, Mr David O'Connor of BDO, to SIAC Construction Ltd and SIAC Roofing and Cladding Ltd, two trading companies of the SIAC construction group. The companies, which employ about 100 workers and are registered in Clondalkin, Dublin 22, are insolvent with net liabilities of €12.3 million for SIAC Construction and projected losses of around €500,000 for SIAC Roofing and Cladding in 2023. The court heard that the firms lack sufficient cash to pay staff and that the group has faced severe cash difficulties due to Covid‑19, rising labour and material costs, insurance and bonding issues, and the loss of senior personnel. Mr O'Connor was granted powers to retain employees and subcontractors on projects in Dublin, Cork and Kilkenny, secure assets worth about €11.2 million, and prevent "self‑help" by creditors.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 2 May 2023, 29‑year‑old Michael O'Reilly pleaded guilty to raping a 13‑year‑old girl in Dublin on 11 April 2021. He claimed in a letter to the victim that he "honestly did not know" her age and expressed shame and disgust. The court heard that the victim had been sexually assaulted after a teenage boy had finished consensual sex with her. O'Reilly allegedly forced the girl to the ground, removed her clothing and raped her. CCTV footage of the victim's upset reaction was shown to O'Reilly, who denied any involvement. He was remanded in custody until 10 July for finalisation of the case. The teenage boy was charged with engaging in a sexual act with a child but the charge was later withdrawn. No prior sexual convictions were recorded for O'Reilly, though he had convictions for assault, theft and burglary.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a 72‑year‑old former sports coach admitted to 13 counts of indecent assault on five teenage boys between December 1979 and March 1990. The admissions followed Judge Martin Nolan's ruling that incidents involving complainants aged 15 or older should not be considered by the jury, as the law at the time allowed consensual activity post‑15. The defendant had initially pleaded not guilty to 266 counts covering 1978‑1993. He denied wrongdoing, claiming some allegations were fabricated or that he only acted after the boys turned 15. The judge remanded him in custody and adjourned sentencing to 22 May, noting the conduct was "grossly immoral" but not criminally illegal under the 1980s law. The case remains pending sentencing.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 72‑year‑old former sports coach pleaded not guilty to 266 counts of indecent and sexual assault against five boys. The court heard that the complainants, now men in their 40s and 50s, had been in contact with the accused as boys or teenagers through sports and family friendship. The State alleged that the accused exposed himself, fondled, masturbated, handcuffed, urinated and defecated with the boys, and that he offered money for sexual acts. The accused denied suggesting that a second complainant could pay off a loan by letting him watch the complainant's wife and him have sex. He claimed the relationship with the second complainant became sexual only after he turned 18 and that any acts were consensual. The trial continues before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury.
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the sentencing of four men until May 12, remanding them on the same terms. The defendants, former CHC CEO Harry Cassidy, John Whyte, Paul Lavery, and John Mulholland, pleaded guilty to charges including conspiring to defraud investors and clients of Custom House Capital Ltd (CHC) by misleading them regarding asset placement between October 2008 and July 2011. Mulholland also admitted to neglecting his duties as a non-executive director. The court reviewed 197 victim impact statements detailing severe financial and emotional losses. While the judge indicated a need to review extensive material before finalising the case, the matter was adjourned rather than concluded. Cassidy is disqualified as a director for 15 years, while Whyte faces a 10-year disqualification. A fifth defendant, Ciara Kelleher, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges, with her case status remaining contested. The liquidation process has recovered €41 million of the €61 million in misappropriated funds.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a 72‑year‑old former sports coach is on trial for 266 counts of indecent and sexual assault against five boys, with alleged incidents spanning 1978 to 1993 in Waterford, Cork and Kilkenny. One complainant, now 56, described how the coach first approached him around age 12, rubbing his leg and later tying him with twine and handcuffs, touching his genitals and taking naked photographs in the coach's car and home. He also recounted being taken to a wooded area where he was tied to a tree, had his genitals squeezed, and was threatened with a cigarette. The complainant said these weekly abuses continued until he was 15 and that he received money from the coach. The witness denied that the allegations were fabricated and insisted he was not lying. The trial is set to continue before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury. The unnamed 72-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 72‑year‑old former sports coach, who cannot be named, pleaded not guilty to five counts of indecent and sexual assault against teenage boys in Waterford, Cork and Kilkenny between 1978 and 1993. One complainant, now 48, testified that the accused began making sexual innuendos when he was about 12, offering money for the boy to allow the man to touch his penis and later to watch him masturbate. The complainant described being tied to trees and beds, forced to perform acts involving urination and defecation, and the accused wearing women's clothes and demanding the boy "punish" him by squeezing his genitals or kicking him. Alcohol and drugs were also present. Another complainant, aged 52, recounted a 1985 incident where the accused touched his penis in a car and the boy later reported the event to a Garda station, only to be told an adult was required.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 72‑year‑old former sports coach, who cannot be named, pleaded not guilty to 266 counts of indecent and sexual assault against five boys in Waterford, Cork and Kilkenny between 1978 and 1993. The prosecution, led by Paul Greene SC, presented evidence that the accused tied boys up in woods or at his home, exposed his penis, forced them to urinate in a glass and defecate in his mouth, and engaged in other sexual acts. The first complainant, now 51, testified that the coach, a family friend, offered money for such acts, describing a pattern that began when he was 13 and continued until he was 20. The trial, presided over by Judge Martin Nolan, remains ongoing with a jury hearing the case.
Maurice Fitzgerald, 29, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to false imprisonment and assaulting a 26‑year‑old woman with chronic schizophrenia on 27 August. The court heard he travelled from Cork to Dublin, bought duct tape and a claw hammer, and planned to abduct the victim. Gardaí were called when residents heard tape being wrapped and the victim screaming. Fitzgerald dragged her, bound her with tape, and gagged her in an alleyway. He was restrained, cuffed, and a knife was used to free tape from her mouth. The victim was taken to Mater Hospital, then transferred to a Midlands hospital under the Mental Health Act. Fitzgerald's prior convictions and guilty plea were noted, and he was ordered to comply with probation for five years post‑release. The sentence was back‑dated to the day of the offence.
Timmy O'Reilly, 48, of Kilkenny, was jailed after the Court of Appeal overturned his fully‑suspended 18‑month sentence for laundering over €120,000 while receiving social welfare. The appeal court, led by Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh, found the original sentence unduly lenient and re‑sentenced him to 18 months with the final six months suspended. O'Reilly had pleaded guilty to eight counts of money‑laundering under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, involving 32 offences linked to €125,000 in an Irish Life account and two credit‑union accounts over eight years. He also had a separate suspended sentence for assault causing harm. The State argued the amount laundered and the length of time involved warranted custodial punishment, while O'Reilly's counsel highlighted his lack of a broader criminal scheme and his role as a community member.
In a High Court case, a shareholder of Hears Technology Limited alleges that entertainer John Bishop terminated all staff contracts on 24 June while attending Glastonbury, and ended the company's lease in County Kilkenny, actions Bishop denies. Bishop's solicitor says employment law was followed and redundancies were forced by BAK Holdings Limited's attempts to scuttle the firm. BAK claims Bishop's conduct is oppressive, seeking a declaration and compensation or purchase of BAK's 42.5 % shareholding. Hears, which also claims BAK and director Brendan Morrissey defrauded it of about €1 million, has denied the fraud allegations. The dispute involves two sets of proceedings before the High Court, one for oppression and one for alleged fraud, with the judge adjourned the matter for a month to allow a stay application. The case remains pending.
Four senior executives of Custom House Capital are scheduled for sentencing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on April 21 before Judge Orla Crowe. Former CEO Harry Cassidy, former head of private clients John Whyte, and head of finance Paul Lavery pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to defraud investors and clients by intentionally misleading them regarding asset placement. Non-executive director John Mulholland also pleaded guilty to one count of neglectful discharge of a director's duty in relation to the company's dishonest acts. The offences are alleged to have occurred between October 2008 and July 2011. The sentencing hearing is expected to last one day. Separately, former senior portfolio relationship manager Ciara Kelleher pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiring to defraud investors and clients. After a jury failed to reach a verdict earlier this month, Judge Martin Nolan set a re-trial date for January 13, 2025. The matter involving Kelleher remains pending and has not been concluded.
Four senior executives of Custom House Capital have been directed to appear before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 8 March following guilty pleas to fraud-related charges. Between October 2022 and January 2023, former chief executive Harry Cassidy, former head of private clients John Whyte, head of finance Paul Lavery, and non-executive director John Mulholland entered pleas of guilty to conspiracy to defraud investors and neglectful discharge of directorial duty. The pleas relate to allegations that the executives intentionally misled clients regarding asset placement between October 2008 and July 2011. Publication of the pleas was delayed pending the trial of co-accused Ciara Kelleher, senior portfolio relationship manager, whose jury failed to reach a verdict at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned proceedings pending the defendants' appearance next week.
Carolyn Riguad, aged 63, was sentenced to one year in prison for stealing €87,000 from her employer over seven years, from 2009 to 2016. She pleaded guilty to sample counts of theft and producing a false instrument in a 270‑count indictment. Riguad, who ran the Irish arm of a UK business, diverted company funds into her own accounts, altering cheques and at one point attempting to cover her tracks by re‑diverting funds within the company. The fraud was uncovered when she went on sick leave in 2016, leading to the discovery of 258 cheques with discrepancies. Riguad denied involvement when interviewed by Gardaí, claiming a colleague was responsible. She has no prior convictions, suffers from medical difficulties and memory issues, and has an adult son with a medical condition. The court noted her competence and the breach of trust, and, considering her health, imposed a one‑year custodial sentence. The company has since revised its procedures.
In February 2023, a Waterford man, Chris Kelly, aged 32, was caught by the Garda Armed Response Unit with a handgun while wearing disposable gloves. He had pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm on 20 May 2020, the same date and location as his co‑accused Kealan Madden. Kelly had one prior conviction for cannabis possession, whereas Madden had 13 prior convictions. The original sentence in December 2021 was six years' imprisonment with the last year suspended. Kelly appealed, arguing that his single prior conviction gave him a "justified grievance" and that he should not be treated more severely than Madden. The Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence and re‑sentenced Kelly to five years' imprisonment with one year suspended, matching Madden's sentence. The decision was based on the lack of a substantial basis for distinguishing the two men, despite Kelly's Crohn's disease and other personal circumstances.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 62‑year‑old man from County Kilkenny was sentenced to ten years and ten months in prison, with four and a half years suspended, for indecent assault and rape of his sisters between 1973 and 1979. The younger sister, aged five‑half to twelve at the time of abuse, was assaulted and raped, while the older sister, aged twelve to fifteen, was assaulted and raped in 1978‑79. The defendant admitted indecent assault of both sisters but denied rape of the younger sister. He had prior convictions for sexual assault in the mid‑1990s, receiving a two‑year suspended sentence in 2005. The judge imposed consecutive sentences, citing the family's poverty, dysfunction and the victim impact statements. The defendant was ordered to have no contact with the sisters. The case highlighted the sisters' survival and the defendant's alleged history of abuse and bipolar disorder. The unnamed accused pleaded guilty.
In a 2023 Court of Appeal hearing, Chris Kelly, aged 32, received a six‑year jail term with the last year suspended for possession of a firearm, a longer sentence than his co‑accused Kealan Madden, who had 13 prior convictions and was sentenced to five years with the final 12 months suspended. Kelly pleaded guilty to possession of a handgun on 20 May 2020 at Ballinlaw, Slieverue, Co Kilkenny, where Gardaí stopped him and two other men. The vehicle was searched, revealing a semi‑automatic pistol and 47 rounds of ammunition, all of which had been modified for live fire. Kelly resisted arrest and was forcibly removed. Madden, seated in the rear, was found with a dark green sock containing a tray of ammunition.
The State appealed the fully suspended 18‑month sentence imposed on Timmy O'Reilly, a 47‑year‑old "family man" from Kilkenny, for laundering over €120 000 while receiving social welfare. The Court of Appeal heard that O'Reilly had pleaded guilty to eight counts under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010 and was charged with 32 offences relating to €125 000 found in an Irish Life account and two credit union accounts between 2011 and 2018. Judge Cormac Quinn had originally set a headline sentence of three years' imprisonment, reduced to 18 months before suspending it entirely. The State argued that a custodial term was necessary, citing O'Reilly's 15 prior convictions and a previous suspended sentence for assault. O'Reilly's counsel contended the money was inactive, not part of a larger scheme, and that the suspended sentence was within the judge's discretion. The court reserved judgment.
In a High Court sentencing hearing on 19 December 2022, Mr Justice Tony Hunt sentenced 35‑year‑old Garret Smith to 14 years 6 months' imprisonment, with 12 months suspended, for the manslaughter of 46‑year‑old Edward "Liam" O'Sullivan. Smith was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter because he was too intoxicated to intend the killing. The judge described the jury as "charitable and merciful" and urged Smith to accept the verdict as "like a drowning man clinging to a life raft." Smith had been drinking for about 18 hours and was likely abusing prescription medication. He had been seen on CCTV at a Circle K garage and later in O'Sullivan's Kilkenny apartment, where a violent altercation escalated. Smith stamped and punched O'Sullivan, inflicting fatal injuries. The judge noted Smith's previous convictions and the impact on O'Sullivan's family, but emphasised that the sentence reflected the circumstances and Smith's intoxication.
Kevin Cradden, 33, of Kilkenny, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault at a Dublin house on 31 May 2021. He was described as "dumb drunk" after consuming a large amount of alcohol at a barbecue. The victim, a tenant, woke to find Cradden in her bed, kissing her and touching her vagina. She recognised him as "Kevin" and was confused. Her housemate confronted him, and he left the house naked from the waist down. Cradden has no prior convictions and has not been in contact with Gardaí since the assault. He has expressed remorse, has no memory of the night, and has engaged in counselling. The case was adjourned for a probation report to assess his risk to society, with sentencing scheduled for 23 May next year. The victim's impact statement was read in silence by Judge Orla Crowe.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Garrett Smith, 35, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter and violent disorder after he stamped Edward O'Sullivan's head in his Kilkenny apartment, causing injuries described by a state pathologist as akin to a traffic accident. O'Sullivan, 46, was discovered lying in a pool of blood with severe facial and internal injuries, and was treated on site before dying. Smith, intoxicated, was arrested with blood on his clothes and was charged with assault causing harm. Witnesses described a drunken altercation that escalated into physical violence, with Smith repeatedly stamping on O'Sullivan's head and face. The court noted the extreme nature of the injuries and the aggravating factor of the victim's right to withdraw the invitation to the home. Smith's defence highlighted intoxication and apologized for the outcome. The case was scheduled for sentencing on 19 December.
In November 2019, Pamela McKeogh and her partner Kevin Ryan attempted to stay at the Kilkenny House Hotel with a guide dog. The hotel manager rejected the request, citing that his own dogs would bark all night if the guide dog stayed. After the couple was forced to find alternative accommodation, McKeogh lodged a complaint under the Equal Status Act 2000. The Workplace Relations Commission heard the case, noting the manager's refusal and the hotel's claim that no suitable rooms were available. The tribunal found that McKeogh was discriminated against on the basis of disability. Consequently, the Kilkenny House Hotel was ordered to pay her €5,000 in compensation for the discriminatory treatment she endured during the attempted stay.
Mr Justice Paul McDermott, presiding over the Central Criminal Court, publicly refuted claims made by Sinn Féin TD Martin Kenny in Dáil Éireann. Kenny, acting as Justice Spokesman, had alleged that court facilities outside Dublin, specifically in Limerick, were underutilised because judges were unwilling to travel from their base locations. He stated that witnesses and victims were forced to travel to Dublin despite adequate local facilities. Mr Justice McDermott described these assertions as "concerning" and "ill-informed," asserting it is "simply incorrect" to suggest High Court judges lack willingness to travel. He noted that during the current session, cases were heard in Cork, Kilkenny, Monaghan, and Tullamore, with Waterford expected to join soon. The judge emphasised that the Central Criminal Court actively seeks these venues to reduce the burden on victims, acknowledging the "extreme distress" caused by travel. Regarding Limerick specifically, he clarified that the court is currently unavailable, but stated unequivocally that if it were accessible, judges would travel there. He concluded by affirming that there is "no question" of any High Court judge being unwilling to travel to hear cases, reiterating the judiciary's commitment to utilising available regional facilities.
In a 2022 Central Criminal Court hearing, Martin Kelly, aged 35, was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison for manslaughter after he set fire to Gerry Nolan's mobile home in 2006, killing Nolan. The court noted Kelly's 196 prior convictions, including 10 for criminal damage, and his high risk of reoffending. Kelly pleaded guilty to manslaughter, admitting gross recklessness. The judge highlighted the devastating impact on Nolan's family, who had endured 16 years of unresolved grief. The sentence included an 18‑month suspended portion, to be served over three years, contingent on education and addiction support. The case stemmed from a cold‑case review that uncovered new evidence, including a changed alibi statement from a former partner. The sentencing reflected the seriousness of the offence and Kelly's acceptance of responsibility. Martin Kelly pleaded not guilty.
John Giltrap, 61, of Termonbarry, Bunclody, was found guilty of 20 counts of raping Caroline Kavanagh, aged 10 to 15, at various sites in Bunclody between December 1978 and March 1982. He had pleaded not guilty to 22 counts. In December 2020, Mr Justice Michael McGrath sentenced him to 11 years' imprisonment on each count. Giltrap appealed for a reduction, arguing that he was 18 to 23 at the time of the offences, that his relationship had dissolved, that he was married with children, and that his health was poor. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal in January. Today, Mr Justice John Edwards upheld the 11‑year sentence, stating there was no error in principle and that the original judge had already applied generous mitigation. The appeal was dismissed.
Iheanyichukwu Banna, 35, of Clonee, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possessing over €63,000 derived from an invoice redirection fraud. Judge Martin Nolan stated that the offence could not have been carried out without Banna's complicity, inferring he was "up to his neck in it," despite defence counsel arguing the plea was based on recklessness. The court heard that a Kilkenny-based company was defrauded in July 2018 when a bogus email directed a €63,043 payment to a Permanent TSB account. Records showed the funds were transferred to Banna's account, with €5,000 sent to his brother in the UK and €25,000 moved to his savings account within an hour. Banna initially claimed ignorance, alleging a man named Kelvin used his account, but could not explain the transactions. Gardaí recovered €42,000, leaving the victim with a €21,000 loss. Judge Nolan noted Banna's good employment record and lack of prior convictions, describing his conduct as bordering on "wilful blindness." He sentenced Banna to three years' imprisonment, fully suspended on the condition that he be of good behaviour for the duration of the sentence.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a woman who had earlier given her partner an alibi for a fatal 2006 fire in Co. Kilkenny later changed her statement after the accused, Martin Kelly, began a relationship with another woman. The court heard that Kelly, now 35, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of Gerard "Gerry" Nolan, 44, who died when his mobile home was set on fire. The hearing included victim impact statements from Nolan's family, describing the traumatic loss and ongoing grief. The court also heard details of the investigation, including the accused's denial of involvement, the identification parade, and the lack of direct forensic evidence linking Kelly to the fire. The judge remanded Kelly in custody pending sentencing. The summary reflects only the facts presented in the article.
A 49‑year‑old man was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for sexually assaulting his 10‑year‑old niece at a sleepover on 27 November 2016. He pleaded not guilty, but a jury found him guilty of one count under Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape Amended) Act 1990. Judge Patrick Meghen imposed the sentence at Kilkenny Circuit Criminal Court in June 2021. The man, who was 43 at the time of the offence, appealed, arguing the sentence was excessive and disproportionate. On appeal, the Court of Appeal quashed the five‑year term, citing a fundamental error in treating his refusal to accept the verdict as an aggravating factor and the failure to suspend any portion of the sentence. The court reinstated the original seven‑year sentence with three years suspended, effectively reducing the custodial term by one year.
In Kilkenny Circuit Criminal Court, William Harty, aged 31, was found guilty of endangerment and criminal damage after he deliberately crashed his car into the front of his family home in Kilmanagh, Co Kilkenny, causing over €50,000 in damage. He pleaded not guilty but was convicted and sentenced to five years' imprisonment by Judge Cormac Quinn in October 2020. Harty appealed, arguing that the 999 call made by his wife should not have been admitted and that the crime scene had not been properly preserved by the Gardaí. The Court of Appeal, in a judgment by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice John Edwards, dismissed the appeal. The court upheld the admissibility of the 999 call and found no practical effect from any alleged preservation issues, confirming the original conviction and sentence.
In a Commercial Court case involving the Kilkenny Shop and Restaurant on Dublin's Nassau Street and its landlord, Setanta Centre Unlimited Company, the dispute was settled out of court. Clydaville Investments, which operates the Nassau Street store and other Kilkenny Group outlets, had challenged a €150m redevelopment plan for the centre, arguing that the proposed rules would impede pedestrian and vehicular access, including deliveries, and would undermine the business. The case, originally scheduled to commence before Mr Justice Michael Quinn, was adjourned to allow settlement talks. When it returned to the court, Declan McGrath SC for Clydaville informed the judge that the parties had reached an agreement. The court struck out the proceedings and vacated all prior orders, with no costs order required. The settlement terms remain confidential. The case had been listed for ten weeks and centred on the redevelopment approved by Dublin City Council and An Bord Pleanala.
In a Commercial Court dispute, Clydaville Investments, operators of the Kilkenny Shop and Restaurant on Dublin's Nassau Street, has brought proceedings against Setanta Centre Unlimited Company over €150m redevelopment plans for the centre. The case, which was to commence before Mr Justice Michael Quinn, was adjourned to allow out‑of‑court settlement talks. Clydaville, represented by Declan McGrath SC, Andrew Fitzpatrick SC and Stephen Byrne BL, alleges that the proposed rules by Setanta would interfere with pedestrian and vehicular access, including deliveries, to its Nassau Street outlet, and that the rules are designed to remove the plaintiff from the way during redevelopment. The company seeks orders prohibiting the implementation of the new rules and preventing interference with ingress and egress. Setanta, represented by Eoin McCullough SC, Rossa Fanning SC and John Lavelle BL, denies the claims.
In a Central Criminal Court sentencing hearing on 1 April 2022, Trevor Rowe, a 30‑year‑old drug addict, was given a mandatory life sentence for the murder of 70‑year‑old Anne Butler on 20 March 2020. Butler was stabbed, beaten, had her throat slit and was found with a large piece of cardboard in her mouth and a strip of her ear in the living room. Rowe, who remained unmoving and head‑bowed during the hearing, admitted to killing Butler, saying he had "slit her throat and stuck a knife in her head". He had 31 prior convictions, including drug offences and assault. The judge, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, imposed the life sentence, noting the "unimaginable grief" caused to Butler's family. The hearing included victim impact statements from Butler's daughter Elayne and sister Paula, describing Butler as brave, kind and devoted.
The Court of Appeal has ruled that Professor Ray O'Sullivan, a consultant gynaecologist, can immediately return to work after being suspended for over two years. The three-judge panel, led by Mr Justice Seamus Noone, ordered that his suspension be lifted and he reinstated with immediate effect. The court found that the HSE should have ended his suspension in 2019 when a report identified no patient safety concerns. The judge criticized the "deliberate leaking" of confidential information to the media, which amplified reputational damage, and noted the investigation was not proceeding expeditiously. However, the appeal court upheld the High Court's finding that the HSE was entitled to recommend Prof O'Sullivan's dismissal to the Ministerial Committee. Prof O'Sullivan, who denies all allegations, faces claims that he performed unauthorised procedures on five female patients in September 2018 without consent or ethics clearance. He was placed on administrative leave in August 2019. The court awarded him costs for the High Court and appeal hearings. A separate judicial review challenging the HSE's December decision to keep him on leave remains pending and is scheduled to return before the High Court in May.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 35‑year‑old man named Martin Kelly pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of 44‑year‑old Gerry Nolan, who died in a fire in Kelly's caravan in Deerpark, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny, on 24 July 2006. Kelly, who had previously been charged with murder in 2020, was represented by Sean Gillane SC for the DPP. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC requested five weeks for psychological and psychiatric reports. Judge Paul McDermott adjourned the case to 20 June for a sentence hearing.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a jury found Trevor Rowe, 30, guilty of murdering 71‑year‑old Ann Butler on 20 March 2020. The jury deliberated for 1 hour 19 minutes, rejecting Rowe's intoxication defence. Evidence included three anonymous 999 calls from 25 March 2020 in which Rowe admitted the murder and identified the body's location on Maudlin Street, Kilkenny. Gardaí discovered Rowe at his Abbey Street apartment, where he confessed to killing Butler, slitting her throat and stabbing her head. Forensic evidence linked a Linden Village cider can and a wooden crucifix fragment to Rowe, and a large piece of cardboard was found in Butler's mouth. The judge will impose a mandatory life sentence on 1 April and remand Rowe until then. The Butler family will be allowed to address the court on the impact of the death. Trevor Rowe pleaded not guilty.
The murder trial of Trevor Rowe, 30, of Abbey Street, Kilkenny, continued before Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury. Rowe, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of 71-year-old Ann Butler at her Maudlin Street home on March 20, 2020, is alleged to have beaten, stabbed, and mutilated the victim. Chief State Pathologist Linda Mulligan testified that Butler's cause of death was asphyxia associated with blunt force trauma to the head, a fatal incised wound to the neck, and stab wounds to the trunk. She noted a 25cm piece of cardboard obstructing the airways and an incised wound to the ear. Forensic evidence presented included a male DNA profile from a cider can matching Rowe and female DNA from Butler found on blood-stained gloves in Rowe's apartment. Rowe allegedly admitted to gardai that he killed Butler, stating he slit her throat. The court heard that Rowe was arrested on March 26, 2020, following 999 calls. The trial is ongoing, with closing speeches expected next, and the matter has not been finalised.
Trevor Rowe, aged 71, was accused of murdering 71‑year‑old Ann Butler in her Kilkenny home on 20 March 2020. In a Central Criminal Court interview, Rowe admitted to killing Butler but refused to explain why, saying it was "disgusting" to discuss. He claimed he had called Gardaí anonymously to help locate the body, stating he intended to dismember her but ultimately did not. Rowe also alleged he had committed five other murders and was linked to the Kinahan Cartel, receiving €5,500 for a murder. Forensic evidence included a timber cross and a "Jesus figure" found in Rowe's apartment, which were linked to a crucifix unit recovered from Butler's house. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, continues with a jury of twelve. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
Trevor Rowe, 29, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 71‑year‑old Ann Butler in her Kilkenny home on 20 March 2020. In Central Criminal Court, he told officers he could not explain what happened, saying the truth would not help her family and that he could not even close his eyes. Rowe admitted making anonymous calls to Gardaí, claiming he wanted the woman found and was ashamed. He also claimed to have committed five other murders, worked for the Kinahan Cartel, and received €5,500 for a murder. Gardaí presented CCTV showing him walking to Maudlin Street that night. Rowe described taking large amounts of drugs and alcohol before the incident. The trial continues before Ms Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury.
In a Kilkenny murder trial, 29‑year‑old Trevor Rowe pleaded not guilty to killing 71‑year‑old Ann Butler on 20 March 2020. A Garda witness presented CCTV footage showing Rowe walking toward Butler's home on Maudlin Street at 9:30 pm, then moving away from the house later that night. The footage also captured Rowe leaving Abbey Street, walking along Parliament Street, passing a library on John's Quay with a bag, and later walking down Market Yard car park. Butler's sister, Margo Neary, testified that she last saw her sister on the evening of 20 March and had no contact with her until 25 March, when she attempted to call Butler's house without success. A detective described Butler's body as having neck lacerations, a head injury and a missing left ear. Rowe admitted to having committed "five other murders" and claimed he was paid €5,500 for a murder.
During a murder trial, a detective testified that he entered the home of 71‑year‑old Ann Butler on Maudlin Street, Kilkenny, on 20 March 2020 and found her body on a two‑seater couch. The body had lacerations to the left side of the neck, an injury to the head and the left ear appeared to be missing. The detective also reported a strong, unpleasant odour, a metal crowbar, a Swiss army knife and a piece of an earlobe on the couch. The accused, Trevor Rowe, 29, was arrested at the scene and, while in a patrol car, repeatedly stated that he had "slit her throat and stabbed her in the head" and that he had "just wanted her to be found". He also claimed to have committed five other murders and to have worked for the Kinahan Cartel. The trial heard that Rowe pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ann Butler.