Court archive
Court reports mentioning Askeaton, Limerick
2025-07-30 · Limerick
Matthew O'Connell, aged 75, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for 42 counts of rape committed between July 1979 and June 1987. The victim, who was 13 when the first assault occurred, described how O'Connell groomed her from age ten and raped her repeatedly, often twice a week, in various locations including his home, a mobile home and a vehicle. She kept the abuse secret for decades, only disclosing it to family in the 1990s and to Gardaí in 2021. O'Connell denied the charges and was remanded after conviction. The judge noted the serious impact on the victim, the breach of trust, and the age disparity, setting a headline sentence of 15 years but ultimately imposing a 12‑year term. The case highlighted the prolonged nature of the abuse and the victim's struggle to come forward.
2024-10-17 · Limerick
Paul Murphy, a father-of-two who survived a fatal crane incident at Thomond Bridge in Limerick in 2015, reached an undisclosed settlement with multiple parties, including Palfinger Ireland Ltd and Limerick City and County Council, the High Court heard. Counsel for Murphy stated that liability was conceded by the named defendants, allowing the case to proceed solely for the assessment of damages before the settlement was finalized. The incident claimed the lives of Murphy's co-workers, Bryan Whelan and TJ O'Herlihy, who drowned after the crane fell into the River Shannon. Murphy, who suffered PTSD and physical injuries, was rescued by lifeboat. In related proceedings, Palfinger Ireland Ltd was fined €25,000 at Limerick Circuit Court on October 7, 2022, after pleading guilty to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act. Additionally, Nationwide Crane Hire Ltd pleaded guilty to similar breaches and was fined €200,000. The prosecutions, brought by the Health and Safety Authority, cited a failed safety mechanism and a missing chapter in the crane manual supplied by Palfinger. The High Court judge acknowledged the trauma Murphy endured, noting he had to relive parts of the tragedy during the proceedings.
2023-07-11 · Limerick
Larry O'Connor has failed in his appeal against his conviction for shooting at his cousin's house. The 40-year-old, of Ballykisteen, County Tipperary, was convicted by a jury on all six counts, including recklessly discharging a firearm, possession of a firearm and ammunition, aggravated burglary, and criminal damage, after pleading not guilty. He was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment in May 2022. O'Connor appealed on the ground that the trial judge erred in permitting prejudicial background evidence regarding a supposed feud. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, dismissed the application, stating the court was not persuaded the trial was unsatisfactory or the verdict unsafe. The court noted that motive is circumstantial evidence for the jury to weigh, especially where witnesses were well acquainted with the accused. During the incident in July 2019, O'Connor fired four shots into the home of his cousin, Danny Harty, where Harty, his partner, and infant twins were sleeping. His brother, Daniel O'Connor, of Limerick, who drove him to the scene, pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to commit reckless discharge of a firearm. Daniel O'Connor was jailed for seven years, with the final year suspended. The matter was not adjourned; the appeal was dismissed.
2023-03-24 · Limerick
Larry O'Connor, aged 40, was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment in May 2022 after a two‑week trial in which he was convicted of recklessly discharging a firearm, possession of a firearm and ammunition, aggravated burglary and criminal damage. The offence involved firing four shots from a pump‑action shotgun into the home of his first cousin, Danny Harty, where infant twins were sleeping. O'Connor fired two shots from outside the house, then entered and fired two more shots, striking a kitchen fridge, a window and a ceiling. He was found to have acted without a feud or "bad feeling" between the cousins, a point he raised on appeal. The Court of Appeal heard arguments about the use of the term "bad feeling" and the relevance of alleged animosity, but no judgment was issued. Daniel O'Connor, his brother, received a seven‑year sentence with the final year suspended for burglary. The appeal remains pending. Daniel O'Connor pleaded guilty.
2017-10-17 · Galway
In October 2017, a court was asked to make no order against Kieran Lynch, a 50‑year‑old Limerick man who had previously killed his partner, Catherine McEnery, aged 36. Lynch had been sentenced to life in prison in March 2007 after a Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty of murder. He successfully appealed the conviction in 2013, arguing issues with the trial judge's charge to the jury on provocation and the introduction of fresh evidence. The Court of Criminal Appeal quashed the conviction, and Lynch was re‑arraigned in May 2016, pleading not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. He was sentenced to 12 years, with the last four years suspended for two years post‑release. In July 2016, Lynch entered a bond to be of good behaviour for two years and comply with probation directions.
2017-07-31 · Limerick
Kieran Lynch, 50, had his 2007 murder conviction quashed after a successful appeal and was later convicted of manslaughter for the death of his partner, Catherine McEnery, in 2005. In July 2016, the Central Criminal Court sentenced him to 12 years' imprisonment, with the last four years suspended for two years post‑release. He was required to remain in good behaviour for two years and attend probation appointments. The court heard that Lynch has not complied with these conditions, failing to attend four probation appointments and not residing at the address specified. On an application by the prosecution, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy set a hearing for 9 October and ordered that Lynch be served notice of that date. The case remains at the suspended‑sentence compliance stage. Kieran Lynch pleaded not guilty.
2017-07-06 · Limerick
The High Court approved a €120,000 settlement in a personal injuries action brought by Seamus Vaughan against Brothers of Charity Services Limerick Ltd and the Health Services Executive. The claim, initiated by his father Patrick Vaughan, alleged that Seamus, who is profoundly disabled, suffered unexplained bruises, blisters, and burns while attending a workshop in Newcastle West. The defendants denied liability for most allegations, admitting fault only for a 2011 fall where Seamus lost two teeth. Mr Justice Anthony Barr approved the settlement without admission of liability for the other incidents, noting significant difficulties in proving the claims due to Seamus's inability to give evidence. The judge acknowledged the family's dissatisfaction with the initial offer but highlighted the risks of a full trial. Seamus's mother stated he had regressed during his time at the workshop but improved after moving to an Enable Ireland facility. The settlement includes costs and resolves the dispute over alleged negligence and lack of care.
2016-07-28 · Galway
A 49‑year‑old Limerick man, Kieran Lynch, was freed after 11 years in custody following the quashing of his murder conviction. Lynch had originally been sentenced to life in prison in 2007 for the killing of his partner, Catherine McEnery, aged 36, at their home in Craughwell, Co. Galway. He appealed in 2013 on the grounds of misdirection by the judge and the influence of benzodiazepines he had received after a near‑drowning incident. The Court of Criminal Appeal quashed the conviction, and Lynch was re‑arraigned in May, pleading not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. He was sentenced to 12 years, with the last four years suspended for two years post‑release, and was released after paying a €10 bond for good behaviour. The case highlighted the impact of drug influence on his actions and the severe injuries sustained by McEnery. The court noted the significant assault and the family's profound loss.
2016-07-18 · Galway
In July 2016, a 49‑year‑old Limerick man, Kieran Lynch, who had spent 11 years in prison after a murder conviction was quashed, was set to be sentenced for manslaughter. Lynch had originally been convicted of murdering his partner, Catherine McEnery, in 2005 and sentenced to life in 2007. He appealed in 2013, arguing issues with the jury charge on provocation and the introduction of new evidence. The Court of Criminal Appeal quashed the conviction, citing his near‑drowning experience and high‑dose benzodiazepine medication. In May 2016, Lynch pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, and the State accepted his plea. He was before Justice Patrick McCarthy for sentencing, with the court hearing testimony about his intoxication, the assault, and the impact on McEnery's family. The sentence was to be announced on 28 July 2016.
2016-05-10 · Limerick
In a 2016 Court of Appeal decision, the appeal of Michael Harty, aged 31, was dismissed. Harty had been convicted of dangerous driving that caused the deaths of Maurice Hartnett (61) and Margaret Hartnett (59) in 2009 and received a five‑year sentence and a 30‑year driving ban. The appeal concerned whether Harty's consent was required for the Gardaí to obtain a toxicology report from Limerick University Hospital. The court held that the public interest in prosecuting a suspected serious crime outweighed Harty's right to privacy. It found that the Gardaí's request for the blood‑alcohol report was proportionate and that Harty's consent was not necessary. The appeal was therefore dismissed by Justice Garrett Sheehan, sitting with Justices George Birmingham and John Edwards. The decision reaffirmed that the need for evidence in serious criminal cases can override an individual's privacy rights. Michael Harty pleaded not guilty.
2016-05-09 · Galway
In 2007, Kieran Lynch, aged 49, was convicted of murdering his partner Catherine McEnery and sentenced to life imprisonment by Mr Justice Paul Carney. Lynch had previously pleaded not guilty at a Galway Central Criminal Court hearing in July 2005. The couple had lived together for ten years and moved into Rose Cottage in Craughwell in June 2005; Ms McEnery was found dead in a bedroom on 17 July 2005. Lynch appealed in December 2013, arguing that the trial judge misdirected the jury on provocation and that fresh evidence of a near‑drowning experience and high‑dose medication should be considered. In July 2015, Mr Justice Donal O'Donnell quashed the murder conviction, citing misdirection on provocation. A retrial was ordered. On the day of the retrial, Lynch was arraigned, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, and was remanded in custody. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy directed that a probation report be prepared for sentencing on 18 July.
2015-05-11 · Limerick
Michael Harty, aged 30, was convicted of dangerous driving that caused the deaths of Maurice Hartnett, 61, and his wife Margaret, 59, on 29 July 2009 in Askeaton. The jury found him guilty and he received a five‑year prison sentence and a 30‑year driving ban on 25 January 2013. Harty appealed the conviction and was granted bail five months later. The appeal focused on whether the trial judge correctly admitted biochemistry reports showing Harty's blood‑alcohol level exceeded the legal limit. Harty's counsel argued the evidence breached his constitutional right to privacy, claiming the right had never been formally enumerated. The Court of Criminal Appeal, led by Justice Garrett Sheehan with Justices George Birmingham and John Edwards, upheld the original conviction, stating the judge had acted correctly in admitting the evidence. Harty must now serve the original sentence. The court will publish its full reasoning at a later date. Michael Harty pleaded not guilty.
2013-12-02 · Galway
In December 2013 a Limerick man, Kieran Lynch, aged 47, was ordered to await the outcome of his appeal after being sentenced to life imprisonment in March 2007 for the murder of his partner Catherine McEnery. Lynch had pleaded not guilty at a Galway sitting of the Central Criminal Court in July 2005. The appeal, heard by the Court of Criminal Appeal, focused on two main points: first, the alleged misdirection by Judge Paul Carney regarding provocation, and second, a motion to introduce fresh evidence about Lynch's recent near‑drowning experience and high‑dose medication that might have made him more susceptible to provocation. Lynch's counsel argued that this evidence could have rendered him more vulnerable to a loss of control. The State's counsel contended that the question was ambiguous and that no exceptional circumstances justified the new evidence. Judge Donal O'Donnell said the court would reserve its judgment. The case remains at the appeal stage.