Court archive
Court reports mentioning Glin, Limerick
2025-11-19 · Dublin
The full cost of the damage to James 'Mago' Gately's Dublin home, which was seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), has yet to be calculated, the High Court has been told. Gately's house, which he renovated at a cost of €440K, was sold at auction for €308K. The court heard that the property was severely damaged after the CAB seized it, and repairs were made before the sale. David Dodd BL, for CAB, requested an adjournment to calculate the repair costs. The court previously ruled that Gately and his former partner, Charlene Lam, had funded their lavish lifestyle with proceeds of crime. Lam, who vacated the property before the damage occurred, is entitled to €11K from the sale. The case continues with the matter adjourned for mention next month. Gately, who has never been convicted of serious offenses, has been linked to organized crime but has survived multiple attempts on his life.
2025-10-15 · Dublin
James 'Mago' Gately, a Hutch gang member, will have his Coolock house auctioned by the Criminal Assets Bureau after he spent €440,000 on refurbishments while not working since 2015. The High Court, with counsel David Dodd BL for the CAB, confirmed the sale on November 12, with a guide price of €295,000, and the case will return to court on November 19. Gately's former partner, Charlene Lam, a self‑employed beautician, is also a respondent; both denied wrongdoing. The property was seized in April, repaired after a court order, and the High Court found the home's equity largely derived from crime proceeds. Gately purchased the house in 2013 for €125,000, and the CAB alleges links to armed robberies, gangland murders and drug dealing, though he has never been convicted of serious offences. The sale will determine the distribution of the property's proceeds.
2022-10-21 · Dublin
Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill urged women who receive unwanted sexual messages to contact Gardaí after a man sent her explicit videos during the 2020 election campaign. Gerard Culhane, 43, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to harassing the TD at unknown locations between 13 January and 26 March 2020. He was given a suspended one‑year prison sentence and ordered to stay away from the TD and her workplace. Carroll MacNeill, who has no previous convictions, highlighted that her position as an elected representative added extra interest to the case and that other women also face unwanted advances. She thanked the court, the DPP, Detective Sergeant Rachel Kilpatrick and her Fine Gael colleagues for their support, and stressed that the criminal justice system is there to help victims. The TD's remarks were made outside the court on the day of the sentencing.
2022-10-21 · Limerick
Gerard Culhane, 43, pleaded guilty to harassing Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill with 13 messages, including three sexually explicit videos, between 13 January and 26 March 2020. The court found the harassment particularly disturbing because it occurred during the general election campaign when the TD was meeting the public. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a one‑year custodial sentence suspended for 12 months on strict conditions and ordered Culhane to have no contact with the TD in person, by social media or through a third party for five years. He was also directed to stay away from the TD's workplace at Leinster House, her constituency offices and her residence. The sentence reflected mitigating factors such as the guilty plea, lack of prior convictions and cooperation with Gardaí, while aggravating factors included the volume of messages and the impact on the TD's safety and election activities.
2022-05-11 · Limerick
During a 2022 sentencing hearing, Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill recounted how 43‑year‑old Gerard Culhane sent her thirteen messages, including three sexually explicit videos, between January and March 2020. She described feeling a "cold sense of dread" and fearing for her safety amid the general election campaign. The videos were downloaded from a pornographic website and sent from a Facebook account named "Kevin Walsh." Carroll MacNeill expressed that the harassment disrupted her campaign work and personal life, and she declined to respond to the messages. Culhane pleaded guilty to harassing her at unknown locations in the State. The court adjourned the case to October 21 pending a probation report, and Culhane remained on continuing bail until then. The case highlighted the impact of unsolicited sexual content on a public figure's safety and professional duties.
2022-01-27 · Limerick
A Limerick man, Gerard Culhane (43) of Marian Place, Glin, Co Limerick, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to harassing Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD at unknown places within the State on dates between January 13, 2020 and March 26, 2020. The charge was admitted, and Culhane entered a plea of guilty. The court heard that the accused had indicated a guilty plea well in advance of the hearing. The defence requested a probation report, and the court agreed to order the report. The matter was adjourned for sentence on May 11, next. Culhane was remanded on continuing bail, with conditions including weekly sign-on at a local Garda station and informing gardaí of any change to his address. At a previous appearance in Dún Laoghaire District Court, Detective Sergeant Rachel Kilpatrick detailed that messages sent via Facebook included sexually explicit content and pictures of Ms Carroll MacNeill, which had already been in the public domain. The public representative and Culhane were not known to each other personally. Judge Watkin noted the incident would have been horrific and frightening for Ms Carroll MacNeill.
2021-11-09 · Dublin
Derek Whelan, 37, of Glin Grove, Coolock, was found guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of making an unwarranted demand with menace and intent to profit when he demanded €500 from a Grindr date, threatening that his brothers would "slit" the man's throat if they discovered he was gay. Whelan had previously threatened the victim with his brothers' violence and sent persistent messages demanding the remaining €400 after the victim had paid €100. The judge noted Whelan's struggle with his sexual orientation and chronic depression as major triggers for the offence, and that his family was hostile. He was sentenced to 240 hours of community service to avoid a three‑year prison term. The sentence reflects the court's view that the offence was out of character and that Whelan is now in a stable relationship and has expressed remorse.
2020-10-22 · Limerick
Jordan Duffy, 23, of Glin Road, Coolock, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply at his home on 2 May 2019. Gardaí searched the house with a warrant, finding a small quantity of cocaine, weighing scales and a safe. When asked to open the safe, Duffy revealed more cocaine and €350 in cash. He claimed he was holding the drugs for someone else to repay a debt, but the court found this explanation uncredible, noting the presence of scales and cash indicated dealing. Duffy had no prior convictions, worked as a gym instructor, and had recently begun a four‑year electrician apprenticeship. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced him to 18 months, suspended in full, and ordered 18 months of probation supervision. The sentence was imposed on 22 October 2020.
2019-07-02 · Dublin
Peter Bradshaw, 55, of Glin Court, Coolock, Dublin, pleaded guilty to arson at his apartment on 24 January 2018. The fire spread to neighbouring flats, causing €782,027 in damage and forcing residents into emergency accommodation. He was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to 11 years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended on strict conditions. After the fire, Bradshaw went to Clontarf Garda Station and confessed to a fictitious murder, claiming he had assaulted a man, set a mattress on fire, and attempted to fake his own death. He later admitted he had not murdered anyone. Bradshaw has 40 prior convictions, including arson, burglary and theft, and had a five‑year sentence for arson in 2009. The judge noted his propensity for setting fires and the danger he posed to society.
2019-04-12 · Dublin
An appeal has led to an increased prison sentence for Donal O'Hara, who was involved in a violent attack led by Dessie O'Hare. O'Hara, 27, of Glin Park, Coolock, pleaded guilty to assaulting John Roche, causing him harm, and falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne on June 9, 2015. He was initially sentenced to three years imprisonment with the final year suspended on July 31, 2018. However, the Court of Appeal found the sentence 'unduly lenient' and re-sentenced O'Hara to four years imprisonment with the final year suspended, increasing his jail term by 12 months. Dessie O'Hare, 62, of Slate Rock Road, Newtownhamilton, County Armagh, also pleaded guilty to the same offences and was jailed for seven years. Daniel Kane, 29, of Hollycourt, Ballybrack, County Dublin, pleaded guilty to the same offences and was sentenced to five years imprisonment with the final year suspended on April 27, 2018. Hannover Street West, also pleaded guilty to the same offences and was sentenced to six years imprisonment on January 29, 2018. The appeal was brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who argued that the original sentence was too lenient given the severity of the offences and the context of the attack.
2019-02-22 · Dublin
The Court of Appeal has reserved its judgment in an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) regarding the sentence of Donal O'Hara. O'Hara, 26, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to assaulting John Roche and falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne at The Towers, Saggart, on June 9, 2015. He was sentenced to four years imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. The DPP argues this sentence is "unduly lenient," with counsel Shane Costelloe SC describing the incident as a "gang of thugs accosting" the victim and characterizing O'Hara as "muscle." Defense counsel Michael O'Higgins SC argued that O'Hara's prompt guilty plea warranted elevated status and distinguished his role from other participants. Those included Dessie O'Hare, who pleaded guilty to the same offences and is awaiting sentence; Declan Duffy, who pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years imprisonment; and Daniel Kane, who pleaded guilty and received five years imprisonment with the final year suspended. The court, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham, heard that Duffy's sentence was "capped" at six years. The matter remains adjourned pending the court's decision on whether to increase O'Hara's term.
2018-07-31 · Dublin
Donal O'Hara (26), of Glin Park, Coolock, Dublin 17, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment with one year suspended by the Special Criminal Court for his role in a coordinated intimidation and assault on June 9, 2015. O'Hara pleaded guilty to assaulting John Roche at The Towers, Garter Lane, Saggart, County Dublin, and to falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne at the same location. The court heard that O'Hara was part of a large group who confronted Mr Byrne following a deteriorated business relationship, subsequently assaulting Mr Roche when he attempted to prevent their entry to the complex. CCTV footage and forensic evidence linking O'Hara to the assault were presented. Mr Justice Tony Hunt noted O'Hara was the "brawn and not the brains" of the operation and considered his youth, early guilty pleas, and remorse as mitigating factors. The sentence is to run consecutively to a previous aggravated burglary conviction. O'Hara will be subject to probation supervision for two years upon release.
2018-07-24 · Dublin
A Dublin man has pleaded guilty to assault and false imprisonment at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. Donal O'Hara (26), of Glin Park, Coolock, Dublin 17, admitted assaulting John Roche and causing him harm at The Towers, Saggart on 9 June 2015. He also admitted falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne at locations in Rathcoole and Saggart on the same date. The court heard that Mr Byrne was forcibly removed from a meeting and brought to his residence where Mr Roche was subsequently dragged from a nearby house and assaulted by multiple men. CCTV footage was presented to the court, and forensic evidence linked O'Hara to the assault. His defence counsel acknowledged the gravity of the offence but urged leniency given his age. O'Hara, who has previous convictions for assault and aggravated burglary, was remanded in custody pending sentencing on 31 July.
2018-05-31 · Dublin
A 26-year-old Dublin man has been remanded in custody pending sentencing at the Special Criminal Court following his guilty pleas to assault and false imprisonment offences. Donal O'Hara, of Glin Park, Coolock, Dublin 17, admitted assaulting John Roche at The Towers, Saggart, County Dublin on June 9, 2015, and falsely imprisoning Martin Byrne at Rathcoole and Saggart. False imprisonment charges against two other individuals were taken into consideration. The court heard that Mr Byrne, a security worker, was brought to an office meeting where multiple men entered and told him he would be removed from his residence by day's end. He was subsequently driven to The Towers in a three-vehicle convoy, where Mr Roche was located and assaulted by five men including O'Hara. Gardaí attended following a resident's emergency call. Forensic evidence linked O'Hara to the assault. The defendant has previous convictions for assault causing harm and aggravated burglary. The three-judge court, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, ordered a probation report and remanded O'Hara in custody until July 24.
2018-05-01 · Dublin
Dessie O'Hare, 61, of Newtownhamilton, County Armagh, appeared at the Special Criminal Court where his trial was scheduled for April 29 next year. He is accused of assaulting John Roche, causing him harm, and committing violent disorder by threatening to use unlawful violence at The Towers, Garter Lane, Saggart, County Dublin. O'Hare also faces three charges of false imprisonment involving Martin Byrne, Lisa Byrne, and Brandon Byrne, as well as a charge of threatening to kill Martin Byrne or cause him serious harm. All alleged offences date from June 9, 2015. Justice Robert Eagar, sitting with Judges Patricia Ryan and James Faughnan, set the trial date. O'Hare is currently on bail. His co-accused, Donal O'Hara, 26, of Coolock, Dublin, pleaded guilty to assaulting John Roche, causing him harm, at the same address on the same date. O'Hara will be sentenced on May 30 next at the Special Criminal Court. The matter regarding O'Hare was adjourned for trial, while O'Hara's case was adjourned for sentencing.
2017-03-03 · Dublin
Donal O'Hara, 51, of Glin Park, Coolock, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to cultivating cannabis and possessing a sawn‑off shotgun. In February 2015 Gardaí discovered 72 cannabis plants in his master bedroom; O'Hara claimed they were for personal use. In June 2016 a search revealed a 12‑gauge single‑barrel shotgun and cartridges in a bag in a trailer at the rear of his house. O'Hara said he had the firearm for self‑defence after shots were fired at his home days earlier. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a four‑year sentence for the drug offence, with one year suspended, and a seven‑year sentence for the firearms offence, with the final four years suspended, giving a total custodial term of six years. O'Hara had 29 prior convictions, including drugs, public order and road traffic offences. The court noted unusual circumstances, including threats to his family and a gun pointed at a son.
2017-02-03 · Dublin
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Donal O'Hara, 51, pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis and possessing a sawn‑off shotgun. Gardaí had searched his home on 11 February 2015, finding 72 cannabis plants in the master bedroom, which could have been worth €55,600 if all were mature females. On 22 June 2016, a second search uncovered a 12‑gauge single‑barrel sawn‑off shotgun and cartridges in a bag in a trailer at the rear of the house; O'Hara had helped locate the weapon. He claimed people were trying to kill him and that he would fire if someone approached, but denied intent to kill. O'Hara has 29 prior convictions, none for firearms. The judge adjourned sentencing to 3 March 2017. No further details on sentencing were provided in the article.
2016-10-28 · Dublin
Gerard Field, 28, of Coolock, pleaded guilty to three counts of arson at his own home and adjacent houses on 11 April 2015. He set fire to a bag of clothes in the back room of his downstairs with the intention of taking his own life, using no petrol or other flammable materials. Field, who uses a wheelchair and has spina bifida, hydrocephalus and mild cerebral palsy, had been depressed and had sought psychiatric help the day before the incident. He was severely injured, lost consciousness and was rescued by the Dublin Fire Brigade; his parents were taken to Beaumont Hospital and his sister suffered minor injuries. Field had no prior convictions. The court, after hearing his background and the lack of intent to harm others, imposed a five‑year suspended sentence and required him to engage with probation services for two years. The judge described the sentence as lenient given his circumstances and the seriousness of the offence.
2016-03-11 · Dublin
A Dublin man, Donal O'Hara, aged 22, is serving a 12‑year sentence for an aggravated burglary in Tipperary. In November 2012 he also punched his heavily pregnant ex‑girlfriend, Réiltín Cassidy, who was 32 weeks pregnant, in the face after she had been knocked to the ground. O'Hara pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms Cassidy at Ferrycarrig Drive, Coolock. He has twenty previous convictions. His counsel argued that steroid use for bodybuilding at the time may have contributed to his aggression, a point accepted by Judge Melanie Greally. The court found no evidence of alcohol abuse. O'Hara's sentence for the assault was a two‑and‑a‑half‑year term to run concurrently with his existing 12‑year sentence, meaning he will not serve additional time in prison for the assault. Ms Cassidy did not give a victim impact statement and has reportedly reconciled with O'Hara.