In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Michael White explained to the jury that Desmond Coyle, 60, could be found not guilty of murder if the jury believed he acted in self‑defence, or guilty of manslaughter if they thought the force used was excessive or the death accidental. Coyle, charged with murdering 58‑year‑old Calo Carpaci on 24 May 2017, had pleaded not guilty. He claimed he entered Carpaci's house with a knife to stop the Romanian man from demanding money, and that the killing was unintended. The prosecutor urged conviction, stating Coyle stabbed Carpaci in the chest. The judge outlined the types of manslaughter, including involuntary and gross‑negligence manslaughter, and noted that self‑defence could be a complete or partial defence. The jury was instructed to reach a unanimous verdict before deliberating further. The case remains at the deliberation stage.
Michael Sheehan, 29, of Cliona Park, Moyross, Limerick, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving that caused serious bodily harm to three elderly men on September 25, 2014, after a burglary spree. The victims were 79‑year‑old former hurler Eric Ryan, who lost a leg; William Barry, a retired Garda in his 70s, who suffered brain bleeding; and Dermot O'Brien, also in his 70s, who escaped injury but later died. Sheehan also pleaded guilty to two burglary counts on the same date and had more than 50 prior convictions. He admitted drinking eight bottles of cider and a naggin of vodka before the incident. Judge Tom O'Donnell sentenced him to five years' imprisonment, with a concurrent 12‑month term for the burglaries, and added a three‑year sentence for a May 2014 burglary. Sheehan had planned to appeal the sentence, but after the Court of Appeal's warning that sentences could be increased, his lawyer withdrew the appeal.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 60‑year‑old Limerick man, Desmond Coyle, was accused of murdering 58‑year‑old Calo Carpaci. The prosecution argued that Coyle entered Carpaci's house armed with the knife that later caused the fatal chest wound, citing CCTV footage that showed him trespassing and carrying the weapon. Coyle allegedly confessed to stabbing Carpaci, but his defence claimed he had gone to confront the Romanian man over money demands, not to kill. The defence highlighted Coyle's lack of intent, describing his actions as a poor decision driven by frustration. Both sides presented evidence of a struggle after the entry, with the prosecution insisting on murder and the defence seeking a verdict of not guilty. The trial remained at the stage of closing arguments, with no verdict yet announced.
A 60‑year‑old Limerick man, Desmond Coyle, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of 58‑year‑old Romanian Calo Carpaci, who was found dead at Roche's Row on 24 May 2017. Coyle pleaded not guilty. During the hearing, he told Gardaí that he had gone to Carpaci's house with a knife to stop him from demanding money and making "smart‑alecky" comments. He claimed he did not remember bringing the knife or the exact day, but that he had the knife in his hand and that Carpaci had fallen and was bleeding. He said that if he had not gone there with the knife, Carpaci would still be alive. The prosecution's detective, David Baynham, had interviewed Coyle after the incident. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that Carpaci died from a single stab wound that penetrated his chest and heart. The trial was scheduled to continue the following morning.
In a Special Criminal Court case, Dublin men Conor Hughes (41) and Darren Fox (28) pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a Winchester 12‑gauge, sawn‑off, double‑barrel shotgun and two 12‑gauge cartridges. The weapons were seized on 31 October 2015 in a stolen car in Limerick, where a loaded shotgun, a jerry can of petrol and matches were found. The men were wearing gloves and hoodies, and the shotgun's serial number had been removed. Both had clean criminal records. The court sentenced them to seven years' imprisonment on 2 October 2017, a sentence upheld by the Court of Appeal on 4 December 2018. The appeal was dismissed, with the Court of Appeal noting the seriousness of a sawn‑off shotgun, its readiness to fire, and the connection to IRA activity as factors justifying the sentence.
In the Central Criminal Court, a 60‑year‑old Limerick man, Desmond Coyle, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 58‑year‑old Calo Carpaci on 24 May 2017. The prosecution presented a paramedic's statement: Mary O'Brien, who arrived at the scene at 1.40 pm, observed a single chest wound slightly left of centre on the victim, who was unresponsive and had no pulse. No other injuries were noted on a head‑to‑toe examination. Additional evidence included statements from a post‑office clerk, a neighbour, and CCTV footage showing Coyle's movements from his home to Roches Row, his brief entry into the victim's residence, and his likely alcohol influence. The defence acknowledged the legality of Coyle's arrest and detention, noting he was intoxicated and unfit for questioning. The trial was scheduled to continue the following day before a jury of twelve.
A 60‑year‑old man, Desmond Coyle of Davis Street, Limerick, has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of 58‑year‑old Calo Carpaci at Roches Row on 24 May 2017. Coyle pleaded not guilty. Prosecutor Anthony Sammon SC said the case will hinge on CCTV footage showing Coyle leaving his flat, the route he took to Roches Row, and a brief entry into Carpaci's residence. Sammon argued that Coyle was under the influence of alcohol, a factor he claimed would not negate intent. Witness statements, evidence of Coyle's arrest, detention and Garda interviews will be presented. Defence counsel Mark Nicholas SC will make admissions under section 22 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, which may shorten the trial. The hearing is before Justice Michael White and a 12‑person jury and is expected to last two weeks.
In November 2015 a 46‑year‑old Limerick man, who had molested a girl aged six to nine over three years, contacted her again on Instagram. The girl, now 16, screamed that he was back, prompting her parents to notify Gardaí. The man had pleaded not guilty to 19 counts of sexual assault between 2009 and 2012. At the Central Criminal Court he was convicted of six counts of sexual assault and two of sexual exploitation. Justice Tara Burns described the abuse as extremely serious, noting the man had gained the victim's trust through domestic help and teaching her to ride a bicycle. She imposed a seven‑year prison term for the most serious assault, concurrent six‑year and four‑year sentences for other assaults, and a two‑year sentence for exploitation. The judge praised the victim's courage and highlighted the lasting impact on her trust and innocence.
The trial of Keith Brady, 31, of Cartron Estate in Sligo, continued at the Central Criminal Court on its fifth day. Brady is charged with murdering Martin Kivlehan, 59, on a date unknown between August 2nd and 3rd, 2015, at The New Apartments on Holborn Street. He has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. During cross-examination, Sergeant Martin McHale read memos from a fourth garda interview conducted on August 5th, 2015. In these statements, Brady alleged that he and his sister, Janice Brady, were "off their heads" on drugs. He claimed he stabbed the deceased because he believed Mr Kivlehan had "touched her up," while stating that Janice put a knife to the victim's throat. Brady expressed regret, noting he did not want the man dead. The court previously heard that the deceased sustained two stab wounds to his neck and was found by friends on the morning of the August bank holiday. The jury began viewing a video of this interview and will continue watching the remainder when the trial resumes on Tuesday morning. The matter is currently ongoing and has not been finalised.
A 26‑year‑old Limerick man pleaded guilty to raping a 19‑year‑old woman on 5 November 2015. The victim had ended a brief relationship with the defendant's brother a few weeks earlier and had agreed to go to the defendant's house, where she was raped. The defendant also faces charges of intimidation and perverting the course of justice. After the rape, the defendant sent threatening Facebook messages to the victim's sisters, demanding they drop charges. The victim's sister reported the messages to Gardaí. In a victim impact statement, the woman said the rape altered her life, eroding her trust and leaving her fearful. Mr Justice White adjourned sentencing to 22 February, ordered a probation report, and imposed a condition that the defendant keep away from the victim's residence and have no contact with her by any means.
Keith Brady, of Cartron Estate in Sligo, is charged with the murder of Martin Kivlehan, a musician, at his home on Holborn Street between 2nd and 3rd August 2015. He has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, a plea the State rejected. At the Central Criminal Court, Detective Sergeant Patrick Harney testified that Brady was arrested on 3rd August 2015 and denied involvement, stating he "never murdered anyone." Brady became agitated during questioning, pacing and punching a desk whilst requesting a Bible. Sergeant Martin McHale told the court that during interview the following day, Brady refused to provide a DNA swab, citing legal advice. He denied responsibility for Kivlehan's death but declined to answer questions about his whereabouts that night or provide an alibi, instructing gardai "no comment." Brady had been initially arrested under the Misuse of Drugs Act earlier that evening but no drugs were found. The trial before Justice Carmel Stewart continues.
Leona O'Callaghan, 37, addressed the court and said that Patrick O'Dea, 51, who is also known as "Whacker", raped her when she was 13 in 1994 and 1995. O'Dea pleaded guilty to sexual assault and rape. O'Dea isolated O'Callaghan from friends, manipulated her, and told her that the bleeding was a sign of virginity being broken. O'Callaghan described the physical pain, the use of a basin of ice, and the long‑term mental anguish, including self‑harm and suicidal attempts. She said the abuse affected her later relationships and her children. Judge Deirdre Murphy sentenced O'Dea to 18½ years, suspended the last 18 months on condition of treatment, and imposed a three‑year post‑release supervision order. O'Callaghan concluded that O'Dea did not win.
Patrick O'Dea, aged 52, was sentenced to 18½ years in prison for raping and repeatedly sexually assaulting a teenage girl, Leona O'Callaghan, who was aged 12 to 14 at the time of the offences. O'Dea pleaded guilty to charges of sexual assault and rape committed in 1994 and 1995. He had 42 prior convictions, including a sexual assault of a girl under ten, and had previously received a 15‑year sentence for multiple rapes and assaults of a single girl between 1998 and 2004. The judge suspended the last 18 months of the sentence, recognising his guilty plea and willingness to undertake a psychological assessment, and imposed a three‑year post‑release supervision order. O'Dea was required to participate in the "Building Better Lives" sex‑offender treatment programme. The court noted the severe psychological damage inflicted on Ms O'Callaghan, who had made three suicide attempts, and highlighted O'Dea's pattern of offences against young girls.
The Revenue Commissioners' application to wind up Munster Football Club Ltd, trading as Limerick FC, was struck out by the High Court. The collector general had petitioned for the club's liquidation over unpaid taxes, including PAYE and PRSI, but the amount was not disclosed. The court heard that the matter had been resolved and no club representation was made. Limerick FC, a former League of Ireland champion, had recently been relegated to the 1st Division after a play‑off loss to Finn Harps.
Paul Wells Snr, 50, of Barnamore Park, Finglas, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Kenneth O'Brien. The defendant pleaded not guilty to murdering the 33-year-old at his home in Barnamore Park on 15th or 16th January 2016, alleging he acted in self-defence after a scuffle over a gun. However, the court found him guilty of murder. The prosecution established that Wells shot O'Brien in the back of the head, dismembered the body using a chainsaw, and dumped the remains in the Grand Canal. Despite Wells's claims that O'Brien had requested he murder O'Brien's partner, forensic evidence, including post-mortem findings indicating the gun was held against the victim's head, contradicted the self-defence plea. The jury rejected his account, leading to a guilty verdict. Wells was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment. The case involved extensive evidence, including bank transfers totalling almost €53,000 from O'Brien to Wells, and CCTV footage of the disposal of body parts. The court emphasized the premeditated nature of the cover-up and the brutality of the act, resulting in the maximum penalty for the offence.
The Central Criminal Court jury has begun deliberating in the trial of Paul Wells Senior, 50, of Barnamore Park, Finglas. Wells is charged with murdering 33-year-old Kenneth O'Brien at his home in Barnamore Park on 15th or 16th January 2016. While Wells admitted to shooting O'Brien and dismembering his body, he pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder. The defence contends that the killing occurred during a scuffle after O'Brien allegedly asked Wells to murder his partner, Eimear Dunne, to facilitate a move to Australia. Wells claims he panicked and used a chainsaw to dispose of the body in the Grand Canal. During jury charging, Mr Justice Paul McDermott outlined seven coincidences cited by defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC to support the conspiracy theory, including a disabled CCTV system, a cancelled birthday party, and missing passports. The prosecution, conversely, argued the killing was premeditated. The jury retired to consider their verdict shortly after noon on Friday and will resume deliberations tomorrow morning.
Patrick Byrnes, 78, of Castletroy, Limerick, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court after being convicted by a jury last July of 58 charges of indecent assault and two counts of rape. The offences, which occurred between 1975 and 1985, involved the sexual abuse of his two daughters when they were approximately seven years old. Byrnes denied all charges and maintains his innocence. Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted the victims lived in abject fear and were left broken by the decade-long abuse, which included instances where Byrnes encouraged a family dog to participate in sexual acts. The judge acknowledged Byrnes' health conditions, including heart disease and osteoarthritis, but stated these could be managed in prison. Citing a lack of remorse and refusal to admit responsibility, the judge identified Byrnes' age as the only mitigating factor. He set a headline sentence of nine years for rape and six years for sexual assault, reducing both by one year due to age. All sentences run concurrently. The judge suspended the final two years of the sentence on the condition that Byrnes is not in the company of any woman under the age of 18 unless accompanied by another adult. The complainants waived anonymity to ensure Byrnes was named, stating they will never forgive him.
The High Court has adjourned an application by the Revenue Commissioners to wind up Limerick FC, a League of Ireland Premier Division club. The Collector General has petitioned to have Munster Football Club Ltd, trading as Limerick FC, wound up following an alleged failure to pay a tax demand issued in mid-September for outstanding PAYE and PRSI contributions. The company's registered address is listed at Kirby O'Sullivan Sports, Social & Business Park, Bruff, County Limerick. During a brief mention before Mr Justice David Keane, counsel for the Collector General informed the court that both parties had agreed to adjourn the petition for three weeks. The court will revisit the matter once Limerick FC's senior men's team completes their remaining fixtures, including a promotion and relegation play-off against Donegal side Finn Harps.
Michael Moloney, aged 40, was sentenced by the Central Criminal Court to ten years' imprisonment for the rape of his stepdaughter, with the final two and a half years suspended. He also received a concurrent seven‑year term for eight counts of sexual abuse, with the final three and a half years suspended. Moloney pleaded guilty to the sexual abuse charges, which covered incidents from 2009 to 2015, and admitted to more than 15 abuses between the victim's ages of 10 and 17. He had previously pleaded not guilty to the rape charge, but later accepted responsibility. The victim, who had waived anonymity, described the abuse as persistent and damaging to her trust in family and her sense of safety. Moloney's sentencing was delivered by Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy, who noted his remorse and good employment history. The case concluded with Moloney's conviction and imprisonment, with no further legal actions reported in the article.
In the murder trial of Paul Wells Senior, the defence cross‑examined Eimear Dunne, the wife of the deceased Kenneth O'Brien, who had been found dismembered in a canal. Dunne admitted that O'Brien was a secretive man who had affairs, recorded conversations, and had a history of making pipe bombs. She testified that she had not known about his bomb‑making or his friendship with the accused, who was described as an IRA man. Dunne described how O'Brien had been working in Limerick and had been involved with a woman in Australia, and that she had received suspicious texts from an unknown number. She also recounted that O'Brien had shown her photographs of the woman and that he had suggested she provoke the woman into assaulting her. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
Paul Wells Senior, aged 50, admitted to the Central Criminal Court that he shot and dismembered Kenneth O'Brien, a 33‑year‑old father, at his own home on 15 or 16 January 2016. Wells claimed that O'Brien had asked him to kill O'Brien's partner, Eimear Dunne, and that he had been in a dispute over a gun when he fired at O'Brien, killing him. Wells said he panicked and dismembered the body, which was later found in the Grand Canal and other locations. The prosecution presented evidence that the torso and limbs were recovered in plastic bags and that DNA matched O'Brien. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul McDermott, is ongoing with a jury of twelve. The case remains at the trial stage. Paul Wells Senior pleaded not guilty.
In a court hearing on 5 October 2018, Danny Whelan, a 30‑year‑old from Thurles, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Samantha Walsh, a 31‑year‑old mother of four. Walsh had recently returned home from an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting and had no alcohol in her system when Whelan, who was high on drugs, beat her to death in an apartment in Waterford City. Whelan pleaded guilty to the murder, which occurred on or about 28 April 2017. Forensic evidence showed blunt‑force trauma to Walsh's head and face, with bloodstains indicating a swinging weapon. Whelan had a history of 73 convictions, including burglary and possession of a knife, and had previously served an eight‑year sentence with part suspended. The court imposed the mandatory life sentence, and Whelan was taken to prison to begin his custodial term.
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.
High Court proceedings have been initiated by John Sheridan Senior, John Sheridan, Thomas Sheridan, Daniel Sheridan, and Patrick Sheridan, who describe themselves as nomadic tarmac contractors and members of the Irish Travelling Community. The applicants, who state they reside in Rathkeale, Co Limerick when in Ireland, are challenging income tax assessments issued by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) for various years between 2004 and 2014. They dispute the assessments, arguing they were not tax resident in Ireland during the relevant periods due to their business operations in other EU countries. The action follows a decision by Tax Appeals Commissioner Mr Mark O'Mahony, who allowed appeals for some years but refused others, citing unpaid liabilities and unfiled returns. The Sheridans seek to quash the Commissioner's decision, alleging he failed to provide adequate reasons, determine their residency status, or consider their unique circumstances, including lack of literacy. Mr Justice Charles Meenan granted the applicants permission on an ex parte basis to bring their judicial review challenge against the Commissioner. CAB is a notice party to the action. The judge also granted a stay on the further pursuit of sums allegedly due to the Revenue Commissioners pending the outcome of the case. The matter was made returnable to a date in November.
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.
In 2018, a 51‑year‑old Limerick man pleaded guilty to seven charges of rape and sexual assault against a 12‑year‑old girl in the 1990s. The offences were alleged to have occurred in various locations around County Limerick. The trial took place at the Central Criminal Court, and the man's plea was entered on the second day of the proceedings in May. Patrick McGrath SC informed Justice Deirdre Murphy that the defence was struggling to obtain necessary reports for the sentencing hearing, and requested an adjournment. The judge agreed to postpone the hearing to 8 October next year.
In a High Court hearing on 9 July 2018, the Court of Appeal (CAB) applied to have an apartment, allegedly bought with proceeds of crime, declared as such under the 1996 Proceeds of Crime Act. The apartment, purchased in 2014 for about €34,000, is owned by Aulicete Walsh, 55, and her son Maicon Morelli. Walsh was convicted of brothel keeping in 2015 and served eight months; she had earlier been fined for the same offence in 2012. CAB, following a Garda investigation, argues the purchase was funded by criminal proceeds and seeks freezing orders. Walsh and Morelli contest the claim, asserting that over €20,000 of the purchase price came from legitimate earnings and that they should receive a share of any sale proceeds. They also argue that the money used was from lawful work and from funds received from Walsh's late father in Brazil.
Craig O'Donnell, aged 21, was convicted in 2014 of aggravated burglary, burglary, possession of a knife, robbery, possession of a firearm and escape from lawful custody in Limerick. He received a ten‑year sentence, with 18 months suspended, imposed by Judge Tom O'Donnell on 5 May 2017. In a Court of Appeal hearing, Mr Justice George Birmingham asked whether the sentence should be increased in light of recent guidance on burglary sentencing. The three‑judge panel, led by Mr Justice John Edwards, upheld the original eight‑and‑a‑half‑year jail term. Edwards noted that O'Donnell's first offences were committed at age 17 and 18, that he had a history of drug problems and four prior convictions, and that the Court of Appeal found no error in principle. The appeal was dismissed, leaving the sentence unchanged. Craig O'Donnell pleaded guilty.
A 37‑year‑old man was jailed for 18 years after breaking into his ex‑partner's home on 10 September 2016 and repeatedly raping her and her 16‑year‑old foster daughter. The judge described the case as a "night of horror" and noted the man's repeated sexual assaults, threats with a knife, and attempts to rape both victims while intoxicated with whiskey and cocaine. The ex‑partner testified that she was threatened with a knife and forced to bring the child upstairs, where the man raped both women. The court heard that the man had pleaded guilty to six counts of rape. He was found to have been in full command of his senses, but the judge imposed a severe sentence reflecting the prolonged abuse and the victims' suffering. The sentence was 18 years, with no mention of a suspended portion or effective custody beyond the imposed term.
Gerard Hayes, 53, of Limerick, was convicted of murdering 20‑year‑old John Robinson at John Carew Park on 22 or 23 January 2000. A Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty and he received a mandatory life sentence in March 2003. Fifteen years later, Hayes brought an appeal against his conviction. The Court of Criminal Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice John Edwards with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice Alan Mahon, dismissed the appeal. The court noted that Hayes had not sought leave from the trial judge to appeal, had delayed the appeal process, and had not requested a transcript of the original trial in a timely manner. The original stenographic record and tapes had been destroyed, and the court found no evidence that the trial was unsatisfactory or that the conviction was unsafe. Consequently, the appeal was rejected. The case remains at the conviction stage. Gerard Hayes pleaded not guilty.
A 37‑year‑old Limerick man was jailed for 18 years after breaking into his ex‑partner's home on 10 September 2016 and repeatedly raping her and her 16‑year‑old foster daughter. The man, who was heavily intoxicated with whiskey and cocaine, threatened the foster mother with a knife and forced both victims to submit to repeated sexual assaults. He held the ex‑partner's mouth shut, pressed a knife to her throat, and attempted to rape her before ultimately raping her while threatening to stab her. He then forced her to bring the foster daughter upstairs, threatened her with the knife, and together they were repeatedly raped. The ordeal lasted several hours, during which the man drank whiskey, struck the ex‑partner, smashed her mobile, and prevented her from using the bathroom. The unnamed 37 year old pleaded guilty.
Larry McCarthy, aged 39, was convicted by a non‑jury Special Criminal Court of assaulting cyclist David Foran, 33, on 25 November 2014 and of threatening to use unlawful violence with two others. The court sentenced him to six years' imprisonment on 31 July 2017. McCarthy appealed, arguing that the admission of Foran's initial statement was improper under section 16 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, agreeing that the statement was admissible. On a subsequent sentence appeal, the Court of Appeal suspended the final 15 months of McCarthy's six‑year term, citing errors in the original sentencing court's weighting of a 1999 violent‑disorder conviction and the exclusion of mitigating factors such as positive testimonials and difficult family circumstances. McCarthy was required to enter a two‑year good‑behaviour bond after release. The case remains at the sentencing‑appeal stage. Larry McCarthy pleaded not guilty.
Alan Hanley, aged 35 and without a fixed abode, was convicted at the Central Criminal Court of three counts of rape and one count of assault after attacking a woman in her Limerick home on the night of 4–5 May 2012. He pleaded not guilty but was found guilty on all counts at a retrial, and Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy sentenced him to 12 ½ years for each rape and five years for the assault. Hanley appealed on the basis that the trial judge failed to give the jury a corroboration warning, a warning that had been issued in his first trial. The Court of Appeal agreed, directed a retrial and remanded him in custody pending the next hearing on 25 June. The appeal centred on inconsistencies in the complainant's testimony, including whether Hanley ejaculated and the subsequent handling of a rug. Hanley's prior convictions include possession of a knife (2000) and threats to kill (2007, 2008).
Lorcan Bourke, a descendant of composer Peadar Kearney, withdrew his application for a High Court injunction against receiver Anne O'Dwyer of Duff Phelps Ireland Ltd. The injunction had been sought to restrain the receiver from selling items in Bourke's Bar, including a signed original copy of Amhrán na bhFiann. Bourke had argued that the receiver should not sell the chattels and that he needed to know the identity of the new owners, who had purchased the bar in December 2017. O'Dwyer had claimed that Bourke had no possession of the items and that the receiver had informed him that he could collect any items. The judge, Ms Justice Caroline Costello, accepted O'Dwyer's arguments and granted her costs for the injunction proceedings, while putting a stay on the costs order pending the outcome of the plenary hearing.
Larry McCarthy, aged 37, was convicted by a non‑jury Special Criminal Court of assaulting cyclist David Foran, aged 33, on 25 November 2014 at Cornmarket Villas, Limerick. McCarthy pleaded not guilty but was found guilty of assault and threatening to use unlawful violence. He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment on 31 July 2017. McCarthy appealed in April 2018, challenging the admission of Foran's initial statement under section 16 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. The appeal argued that Foran's identification of McCarthy was unreliable and that the statement should not have been admitted. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice Alan Mahon, rejected the appeal, affirming that the admission of the statement was correct and that McCarthy's conviction remained upheld. No further procedural developments were reported in the article.
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.
Jack Walsh, 19, was sentenced to five years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for his role in an 11-hour disturbance at Oberstown Children's Detention Campus on August 29, 2016. Walsh pleaded guilty to violent disorder and two charges of criminal damage, admitting he was present during the incident which caused €3 million in damage. Judge Martin Nolan suspended the final two and a half years of the sentence, ordering Walsh to be of good behaviour for that period. The sentence was backdated to May 2. Three other youths, Clayton Brennan, Nathan Ginty, and Luke Cronin, also pleaded guilty to arson, criminal damage, and violent disorder. It was accepted that Cronin's plea was based on adding fuel to the fire rather than starting it. Brennan had seven previous convictions and was on remand; Ginty had 22 previous convictions. A 17-year-old defendant, who also pleaded guilty to the same charges, had 22 previous convictions and was on remand. The cases of Brennan, Ginty, Cronin, and the 17-year-old were adjourned for sentence to Friday, June 1. The court noted the youths had destroyed or attempted to destroy the institution, with the judge describing the event as a frightening rampage.
In Limerick, Melissa Whelan, aged 27, pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm to Wayne Fitzgerald, a recovering road crash victim, on 6 May 2015. She was originally sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended, by Judge Tom O'Donnell. On appeal, the Court of Appeal reduced her jail term by 18 months, citing mitigating factors. The Court held that the mitigating factors warranted a greater reduction than the 25% originally applied. The final sentence was 12 years' imprisonment, with four and a half years suspended, leaving a net jail term of seven and a half years. The case involved a house party where Whelan struck Fitzgerald with a bottle, punched and kicked him, and dragged him outside, where he was found unconscious the next morning. Fitzgerald suffered severe brain injury, required surgery, and was left with significant impairments in speech, swallowing, and memory.
Rebecca McNamara, aged 22, of Castlerock, Castleconnell, Co Limerick, was convicted of violently robbing a man in his 60s who had recently undergone heart surgery. On 14 May 2016, McNamara and her then boyfriend, who was also charged, robbed the victim of €200 and a Nokia mobile phone on Davis Street. The victim, described by the Circuit Court judge as an "easy target", was walking two miles a day as part of his rehabilitation. McNamara was sentenced by Judge Tom O'Donnell on 30 March 2017 to five years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended. She appealed, but the Court of Appeal, in a three‑judge panel led by Mr Justice John Hedigan, dismissed the appeal, stating that the sentencing judge had acted within the acceptable range of five to seven years. The appeal was therefore rejected. The case highlights the seriousness of the assault on a vulnerable, recovering patient. Rebecca McNamara pleaded guilty.
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.
The Court of Appeal has increased the prison sentences of cousins Michael Casey and David Casey, who pleaded guilty to a series of burglaries, including an incident at the home of John O'Donoghue in Doon on August 27, 2015, where Mr. O'Donoghue collapsed and died. The original sentence of four-and-a-half years imprisonment, with the final year suspended, imposed by Judge Tom O'Donnell at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court in December 2016, was found to be unduly lenient following a review by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, re-sentenced both men to seven years imprisonment, with the final eight months suspended. This decision was based on aggravating factors, including the pre-planned nature of the burglary spree, the ransacking of a dwelling, and the serious harm caused to the victim. The court also established new sentencing guidelines for burglary, categorizing offenses into mid-range and highest categories based on factors such as planning, violence, and previous convictions. The Caseys received concurrent terms for other related offenses, and the court emphasized the need for general deterrence in cases involving residential burglaries in rural areas.
Darren De Lacey, 37, of Cremona Road, Ballyfermot, was found in May 2017 driving a car with a bag of heroin while he was on bail for earlier cocaine offences. Gardaí, acting on confidential information, stopped the vehicle and discovered 744 g of heroin, worth an estimated €104,202, between his feet. De Lacey pleaded guilty to possession of heroin at a location on the M7 motorway on 22 May 2017. He had previously been convicted of possession for sale or supply of large quantities of cocaine, for which he received a seven‑year prison sentence with three years suspended in October 2017. The court imposed an additional four‑year prison term, to run consecutively with the sentence he is already serving, bringing his total custodial period to eight years. The judge noted De Lacey's 65 prior convictions, including 50 for road‑traffic offences and one for theft. The case highlights the continued enforcement of drug‑related offences in Dublin.
Larry McCarthy, 37, of Limerick, is appealing a conviction for assaulting cyclist David Foran, 33, on 25 November 2014. The Special Criminal Court found McCarthy guilty of assault and threatening unlawful violence, sentencing him to six years' imprisonment on 31 July 2017. The case centred on Foran's claim that McCarthy struck him with a baseball bat and stabbed his leg with a knife after a confrontation at Cornmarket Villas. McCarthy's appeal focuses on the admission of Foran's initial Garda statement, which identified McCarthy, under section 16 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. McCarthy's counsel argues the statement was unreliable and that Foran later withdrew the complaint. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on the appeal. Larry McCarthy pleaded not guilty.
Anna Marie Pezzillo (35) and Rachel Comiskey (35) pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of Ian Quinn (32) at Annally Grove, Dublin 15, between 30 and 31 May 2014. The two women admitted that they suffocated Quinn by placing plastic bags over his head after a period of drinking vodka and taking tranquillisers. They claimed the intent was to frighten, not kill, and that they had not intended to cause death. Pezzillo had been released from Limerick prison the day before Quinn joined them, and the three had a history of drug and alcohol use. Both women expressed remorse in letters to the court. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy remanded them in custody until 14 May, when he will deliver their sentences.
In a High Court case, Lorcan Bourke, a descendant of Peadar Kearney, has sought the return of an original signed copy of Amhrán na bhFiann and other items from the former Bourke's Bar in Limerick. The bar's premises were sold by receiver Anne O'Dwyer of Duff Phelps Ireland Ltd, and a new pub is set to open there. Bourke claims the receiver holds his items, including the anthem copy, two framed pictures of "The Fields of Athenry" and "Dublin in the Rare Auld Times" signed by composer Pete St. John, and seeks declarations that any sale of these items is void, along with damages. O'Dwyer denies possession of the items and has offered an undertaking not to dispose of any that may be in her care pending the hearing. Justice Caroline Costello adjourned the case for a month, allowing both parties to exchange documents and prepare further submissions.
A descendant of Peadar Kearney, Lorcan Bourke, has filed High Court proceedings against receiver Anne O'Dwyer of Duff Phelps Ireland Ltd, seeking the return of valuable items that were displayed in Bourke's Bar on Catherine Street, Limerick, until its closure in 2014. The items include an original signed copy of Amhrán na bhFiann, dedicated by Kearney to Bourke's grandfather, and other autographed memorabilia. Bourke, represented by Richard Kean SC and Gareth Robinson Bl, argues that the receiver took control of the premises after the landlord's debts were acquired by Penture Property Finance DAC. He claims the items were removed without permission and may be sold by the receiver. Bourke seeks injunctions to prevent sale, declarations that any sale is void, and damages. The case was granted ex‑parte notice and is set to return to the court on Wednesday.
Anthony Buck, 41, of Garrymore, Clonmel, is serving a mandatory life sentence for the 1996 murder of David Nugent in Tipperary. He pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court and was convicted after a lengthy trial, with the sentence imposed by Mr Justice John Quirke on 2 February 1998. Buck's appeal to have his conviction declared a miscarriage of justice was dismissed by the Court of Appeal. The Director of Public Prosecutions successfully argued that the application was an abuse of process, and the court found no new or newly discovered facts to support the claim. Mr Justice John Hedigan noted Buck's skillful preparation and courteous conduct, but concluded that his arguments were based solely on existing trial records and therefore bound to fail. The application was dismissed before a full hearing.
The Court of Appeal has remanded cousins Michael Casey and David Casey in custody until April 17, the date set for judgment on their appeal. Both men pleaded guilty to a series of burglaries, including an incident at the home of John O'Donoghue in Doon on August 27, 2015. Mr O'Donoghue collapsed and died while confronting the intruders, who fled without assistance. In December 2016, Judge Tom O'Donnell at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court sentenced both to four-and-a-half years imprisonment, with the final year suspended. The Director of Public Prosecutions sought a review, arguing the sentences were unduly lenient. Counsel Thomas O'Malley BL submitted that the men targeted four properties and entered three, noting David Casey was on bail at the time. While it was not alleged that the Caseys directly caused Mr O'Donoghue's death, a causative link was identified. The DPP urged the court to treat residential burglary as a "special case" due to its severe social impact. The three-judge panel, comprising Justices Birmingham, Mahon, and Edwards, found the original sentences unduly lenient. As the Caseys are due for release in mid-April, days before the judgment, the court ordered them to remain in custody until the decision is handed down on April 17.
Gary Culhane, a 40‑year‑old Limerick man, was sentenced to four years in prison for breaking into the parochial house of The Good Shepherd Church in Churchtown, Dublin, on 15 October 2016. He pleaded guilty to burglary and was found to have 102 previous convictions, including assault, robbery and theft, and had spent 20 years in prison. Judge Melanie Greally suspended the final year of the sentence, ordering Culhane to complete a residential drug rehabilitation course at Tiglin treatment centre and to follow all after‑care plans. The priest, who had been away saying mass, was "very shaken" when he returned to find €650 stolen from his house, including money, collections and the poor box. Garda Áine Bolton identified Culhane after the priest downloaded CCTV footage.
David Marsh, 31, was sentenced to an additional 14 months in jail after he deceived a woman he met on a dating website by claiming he was anaemic and needed money for medication and a flight to the US to see a specialist. He also extracted €300 from a new girlfriend for a holiday that never occurred, and €800 from the same woman under various pretences. Marsh's criminal history includes six counts of deception, one theft from an Eir store, and possession of heroin while in prison. He had previously been jailed for two years in 2016 for fraud, including defrauding a Limerick couple of €76,000, stealing €740 from his employer, and scamming colleagues and rugby teammates out of nearly €8,000. He has 23 prior convictions, mainly for fraud. The court noted his "active fantasy life" and impulsive behaviour, but did not attribute any motive beyond his charm and confidence tactics. David Marsh pleaded guilty.