Court archive
Court reports mentioning Thomastown, Kilkenny
2025-02-13 · Dublin
A second jury failed to reach a verdict in the trial of Ciara Kelleher (53), the former senior portfolio relationship manager of Custom House Capital Ltd (CHC), who was accused of conspiring with others to defraud investors, clients, and customers of CHC by intentionally misleading them as to where or how their assets had been placed between October 2008 and July 2011. Kelleher, of Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin 7, denied the charge. The case was adjourned to February 27 for the prosecution to obtain further directions, with Kelleher remanded on continuing bail to that date. Meanwhile, CHC's former CEO Harry Cassidy (69), along with former head of private clients John Whyte (55), former head of finance Paul Lavery (49), and non-executive director John Mulholland (75) had previously pleaded guilty to related charges. Cassidy was sentenced to six years and ten months, Whyte to four years, Lavery to three years, and Mulholland to 12 months at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court almost two years ago. The court heard that €56 million of client money had been inappropriately transferred to property investments, with €61 million found to have been misappropriated, of which €39 million has been recovered as of March 2023.
2023-07-17 · Kerry
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.
2023-07-07 · Kerry
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.
2023-05-10 · Dublin
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.
2023-04-21 · Dublin
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.
2023-03-08 · Dublin
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.
2023-03-01 · Dublin
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.
2018-04-16 · Waterford
Jake Breen, aged 20, pleaded guilty to ten offences in Kilkenny Circuit Criminal Court for events in Carlow and Kilkenny on 7 November 2016. He used a stolen Toyota Land Cruiser, fitted with false plates, to pick up a hitchhiker who was at the start of a world tour. The vehicle stopped, the hitchhiker got out, and the car drove off with the hitchhiker's property still inside. The hitchhiker was thrown to the ground but suffered only minor injuries. Gardaí pursued the Land Cruiser, which drove aggressively, collided with a Garda car, and then reversed. One co‑occupant was apprehended; Breen fled. Breen was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended, and banned from driving for ten years. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal, confirming the sentence as appropriate for the seriousness of the incident.
2016-02-18 · Wexford
A major road haulage firm, Roadteam Logistic Solutions (formerly Nolan Transport Limited), was fined €1 million for inadequately securing steel coils that slid off a trailer, killing two motorists and injuring four others in a 2007 accident near Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny. The company pleaded guilty to breaching the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act. The fine, imposed by Mr Justice Raymond Fullam in 2013, was the maximum of €3 million but was reduced to €1 million. Roadteam appealed, arguing the penalty was disproportionate to a single omission, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, finding the fine "just and proportionate" given the gross dereliction of duty and the serious harm caused. The €1 million fine is to be paid over three years. The case highlighted the company's failure to secure heavy loads properly, leading to a fatal road incident.
2014-07-22 · Dublin
In a High Court hearing on 22 July 2014, Mr Justice Paul Gilligan granted a temporary injunction to the owners of a Dublin city centre property at No 6 Merrion Square, preventing Charlie Allen and his supporters from entering or approaching the premises. The owners, Claude Fettes, Annette Cooper and Marc Godart, alleged that Allen, who claims the Rodolphus Allen Family Private Trust has an interest in the property, unlawfully forced his way in earlier that month and remained with several supporters, including a man with a large Alsatian dog, for several days. During the occupation, carpets were removed and the basement, used by a sound‑recording business, was blocked. Allen and his associates left the building last weekend, but the owners feared he might re‑enter, prompting the injunction. The order was granted ex‑parte and was adjourned to later that week.
2013-12-20 · Kilkenny
A 32‑year‑old man from Kilkenny, Niall Stapleton, was committed to the Central Mental Hospital after a jury found him not guilty of murdering his mother by reason of insanity. The trial, held earlier that week, heard that Stapleton had schizophrenia and had been diagnosed five years earlier, after a head injury a month before. He had pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 51‑year‑old mother, Siobhan Stapleton, who died from blunt force trauma to the head. Forensic psychiatrists for both sides agreed he met the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Following the verdict, Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan committed Stapleton to the Central Mental Hospital for preparation of a report by Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist Damian Mohan. Mohan reported that Stapleton had been an inpatient for the past year, had suffered a head injury in 2008, and had been admitted to the hospital in June 2012 with severe auditory hallucinations.
2013-12-18 · Kilkenny
A 32‑year‑old man with schizophrenia, Niall Stapleton, was found not guilty of murdering his 51‑year‑old mother, Siobhan Stapleton, by reason of insanity. The murder took place on 25 May 2012 at their home in Kilfane, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, when the mother was struck on the head with the handle of a garden implement, resulting in blunt‑force trauma. Stapleton admitted causing the death but claimed he believed his mother had been replaced by an impostor. Forensic psychiatrists for both sides agreed he met the legal requirement for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. A jury of seven men and five women deliberated for over two hours before reaching that verdict. The case is scheduled to return to the judge for a further committal order.
2013-12-17 · Kilkenny
A jury has begun deliberating the trial of a 32‑year‑old man with schizophrenia, Niall Stapleton, who is charged with murdering his mother, Siobhan Stapleton, 51, at their Co Kilkenny home on 25 May 2012. The victim died from blunt‑force trauma to the head after being beaten with the handle of a garden implement. Stapleton pleaded not guilty, claiming he was not guilty by reason of insanity. He told doctors that he believed his mother had been replaced by an impostor when he killed her. An expert witness for the prosecution testified that Stapleton met the requirement for a special verdict of not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. The jury must decide whether his mental disorder meant he did not know the nature and quality of his action, that it was wrong, or that he was unable to refrain from the act. They will resume deliberations tomorrow.
2013-12-16 · Kilkenny
In a murder trial in the Central Criminal Court, a 32‑year‑old man named Niall Stapleton pleaded not guilty to the killing of his 51‑year‑old mother, Siobhan Stapleton, who died on 25 May 2012 from blunt force trauma to the head after being beaten with a garden fork handle. Stapleton, a college graduate with schizophrenia, claimed he believed his mother had been replaced by an impostor. Dr Stephen Monks, a forensic psychiatrist, testified for the defence, stating that Stapleton was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the killing, had active symptoms of schizophrenia, and did not understand the nature or wrongness of his act. Monks argued that Stapleton met the criteria for a not‑guilty‑by‑reason‑of‑insanity verdict and recommended he remain at the Central Mental Hospital. The trial continues before Mr Justice Garret Sheehan. Niall Stapleton was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
2013-12-13 · Kilkenny
A 32‑year‑old man with schizophrenia, Niall Stapleton, is on trial in the Central Criminal Court for the murder of his 51‑year‑old mother, Siobhan Stapleton, who died on 25 May 2012 from blunt‑force trauma to the head inflicted with a garden‑fork handle. Stapleton pleaded not guilty, claiming he was not guilty by reason of insanity. He initially told gardai he saw a man leave the scene but later admitted he had snapped and attacked his mother. His 22‑year‑old sister, Sinead Stapleton, testified that he had been on medication for years but was not taking it at the time and that he had been restless and talking to himself the night before the death. The post‑mortem found 28 injuries, including skull fractures and bruising to brain tissue, and the garden‑fork handle was found with blood matching the mother's DNA.
2013-12-09 · Kilkenny
A 32‑year‑old man, Niall Stapleton of Glebe Lodge, Kilfane, Thomastown, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Siobhan Stapleton, aged 51, who was killed at that address on 25 May 2012. The Central Criminal Court will hear the case, with a jury of seven men and five women sworn in, starting Friday and expected to run until the end of next week.