In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Larry McCarthy, 37, of Tower Lodge, Crossgalla, County Limerick, pleaded not guilty to assaulting David Foran, 33, at Cornmarket Villas on 25 November 2014. McCarthy also denied that he and two others threatened to use "unlawful violence" at the same location and date. The prosecution maintains that McCarthy was among those who threatened unlawful violence and assaulted Foran, who had earlier that month been knocked down and offered compensation by a motorcyclist. The defence is scheduled to submit arguments tomorrow before Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, with Judges Gerard Griffin and Gerard Haughton presiding.
During a Special Criminal Court hearing, David Foran, aged 33, testified that he does not know who stabbed him. Foran, who was cycling to his mother's house on 14 November 2014, was knocked down by a motorcyclist. Two days later the motorcyclist offered to settle the incident out of court, proposing €5,000 compensation. Foran met the motorcyclist's associate at Cornmarket Villas on 25 November 2014. He described being surrounded by six or seven people, receiving a slap to the back of his head with a baseball bat, falling, and then being stabbed in the leg. Foran could not identify the assailant or describe his appearance. The prosecution alleges that Larry McCarthy, aged 37, was among those who threatened to use "unlawful violence" and assaulted Foran, but McCarthy has pleaded not guilty. The case remains before Justice Isobel Kennedy, Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Gerard Haughton.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, a Limerick man, Larry McCarthy, 37, pleaded not guilty to assaulting David Foran on 25 November 2014 at Cornmarket Villas. The prosecution alleged that McCarthy, along with two others, threatened to use "unlawful violence" and that McCarthy stabbed Foran in the leg while he was beaten. Foran, who had been knocked down by a motorcyclist earlier that month, had initially refused a €5,000 compensation offer from the motorcyclist but later agreed to meet at Cornmarket Villas. McCarthy allegedly challenged Foran over the money demand. Foran was wearing a bullet‑proof vest at the time of the assault. The trial is presided over by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy with Judges Gerard Griffin and Gerard Haughton. The case remains pending.
Patrick O'Reilly, 49, of Brownswood, Enniscorthy, was denied bail by the High Court after being charged with threatening to kill Garda Paul Donoghue and Detective Inspector John Hunt in February in Limerick. The State argued that O'Reilly was a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses, citing O'Callaghan objections and Section 2A of the Bail Act. Justice Michael Moriarty ruled the bail refusal necessary, hearing evidence from Chief Superintendent John Roche and the two Gardaí who were allegedly threatened. O'Reilly now awaits trial at Clonmel Circuit Court.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by Mervin White, upholding a High Court decision that validated his sentencing in absentia for driving offences. White, described as a recovering drug addict and a 'veteran of the criminal justice system' with 35 previous convictions, pleaded guilty in the District Court on October 1, 2014, to drunk driving, dangerous driving, driving without insurance, and driving without a licence. Sentencing was adjourned twice due to family emergencies, including his partner's childbirth and his sister's illness. When White failed to appear for the final hearing on December 10, 2014, District Judge Ann Watkin sentenced him to two months in prison. White challenged this via judicial review, arguing that his absence allowed him to present evidence of his recovery progress, which might have resulted in community service. The High Court dismissed this claim, noting that 'neither do the courts' wait for individuals. The three-judge Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice John Hedigan, found that the District Judge made every effort to ensure his attendance and was entitled to conclude he consciously absented himself. The appeal was dismissed. A warrant committing White to prison for two months was stayed until July 31 to allow time for a potential Supreme Court appeal. The court also noted White's fear of imprisonment in Mountjoy Prison, drawing the Prison Service's attention to this concern.
Anthony Perry, aged 51, was jailed for two years after a jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court convicted him of forgery and theft for posing as his late brother to buy a house. Perry had applied for a birth certificate and passport in his brother's name, used the documents to open a bank account, and secured a €300,000 mortgage from Start Mortgages. He bought a house and a granny flat in Offaly, took out insurance policies on both, and after the properties burned down in August 2008 he claimed €304,216 from FBD Insurance. The insurer later repudiated the payment when investigators discovered Perry's false identity. Perry pleaded not guilty to eight counts under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act, but was found guilty on all counts. The court noted that the fire was caused maliciously by unknown third parties and had nothing to do with Perry.
Mei Hui Chen, 37, was convicted by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury of assaulting his brother, Michael Chen, on 8 June 2016. Chen stabbed his brother five times in the back and thighs after a brief encounter outside a pub on Westmoreland Street. The jury found him guilty of assault causing serious harm and assault causing harm. He was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended, and the sentence backdated to the date of the offence. Chen was arrested shortly after the attack and has remained in custody. The court noted that Michael Chen suffered a punctured kidney, spent 14 days in hospital, and had to sell his restaurant and faced marital difficulties as a result of the incident. Chen had no fixed address at the time of the assault and had recently come to Dublin to seek work. The judge ordered him to stay away from his brother and his family upon release. The unnamed man pleaded not guilty.
Faizan Ahmed, aged 26, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 10‑year‑old girl in Limerick on 5 October 2014. The court heard that Ahmed had sent the child messages via Viber asking about sex and a "sexy movie", then asked her to sit beside him so he could show her a film on his phone. He claimed he had tried to kiss her and, according to the victim, placed his hands on her private parts and rubbed her. The girl reported the abuse to her mother the next day. In court, Ahmed admitted he might have touched her vagina "accidentally when I was tickling her tummy". He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Karen O'Connor described the messages as inappropriate and disturbing, noted the profound impact on the victim, and highlighted the breach of trust.
During a murder trial in Pallasgreen, Co. Limerick, a jury was informed by Judge Patrick McCarthy that they could convict the accused, Ger Hogan (34) and Dylan Hayes (22), of manslaughter if they did not intend to kill or cause serious injury. The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Shane Murphy, who died with 23 stab wounds, including one that pierced his heart, on 30 April 2015. The prosecution argued that the men acted together with intent to kill or seriously injure. The jury, after more than two hours of deliberation, asked whether a lesser verdict than manslaughter existed and whether the pathologist's report could be examined. The judge clarified that the only available verdicts were murder, manslaughter, or not guilty, and that manslaughter could be applied if the accused intended only to cause injury. The jury paused its deliberations at 4:23 pm and will resume tomorrow morning.
In a Limerick murder trial, a jury has begun deliberating on the case of Ger Hogan, 34, and Dylan Hayes, 22, who are accused of killing Shane Murphy at a house party on 30 April 2015. The defendants pleaded not guilty. The prosecution alleges they acted together with intent to kill or seriously injure. Justice Patrick McCarthy explained that each accused could be found guilty of murder, guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. After more than two hours of discussion, the jury of five women and seven men will return with their verdicts this afternoon.
A jury will start deliberating on Tuesday over the murder trial of Ger Hogan, 34, and Dylan Hayes, 22, who are accused of killing Shane Murphy at his girlfriend's home in Pallasgreen, Co. Limerick, on 30 April 2015. The prosecution alleges the two men acted together with intent to kill or seriously injure Mr. Murphy, who died after receiving 23 stab wounds, including one that pierced his heart. Justice Patrick McCarthy explained that the jury must consider each accused separately, with three possible verdicts for each: guilty if intent is proven beyond reasonable doubt; manslaughter if provocation is accepted; or not guilty if intent is not established. He advised the jury to assess provocation based on the individual's personality and circumstances, noting that alcohol is not a defence but may be a factor in state of mind. The judge has finished his charge to the jury.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Ger Hogan (34) and Dylan Hayes (22) stabbed Shane Murphy (26) 23 times at his girlfriend's house in Pallasgreen on 30 April 2015. Witnesses, including Sharon Kelly, the deceased's partner, testified that both men attacked Murphy, with Hogan striking him with an ash tray and the pair later stabbing him again while Kelly tried to protect her boyfriend. Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan described 23 stab wounds and numerous bruises, indicating a frenzied assault. Prosecutor Paul Burns argued the evidence proved guilt, while defense counsel for Hayes, Mark Nicholas, claimed he admitted the killing but should be found guilty of manslaughter due to loss of self‑control, citing provocation and Hayes's background. Defense counsel for Hogan, Michael Bowman, challenged the reliability of Kelly's testimony and the scientific evidence linking Hogan to the wounds, urging an acquittal. The unnamed man pleaded not guilty.
In the Limerick murder trial, a jury will hear closing speeches tomorrow after Justice Patrick McCarthy announced a legal matter to be considered overnight. He explained that the evidence phase for Ger Hogan (34) and Dylan Hayes (22) is complete, and the next step is the defence and prosecution to present their closing arguments. The men have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Shane Murphy, who was stabbed 23 times, including a heart wound, at The Grove, Pallasgreen, on 30 April 2015. The trial is held at the Central Criminal Court.
Brian Kenna, 54, of Crumlin Park, Dublin, was convicted by the Special Criminal Court of membership in the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Kenna had denied being a member of the unlawful organisation on 21 November 2015. The court heard testimony from Garda Assistant Commissioner Michael O'Sullivan, who believed Kenna was an IRA member on that date. Evidence included a briefing by Chief Superintendent Tom Maguire to the Special Detective Unit (SDU) that Kenna would be in Portlaoise prison engaging in IRA activities. CCTV footage showed Kenna arriving at Portlaoise prison at 10:20 am and leaving with white objects that were later identified as Christmas cards. While being searched in the prison carpark, a small item wrapped in cling film was found in Kenna's pocket. The item was an IRA communiqué containing three cigarette papers with handwritten notes. The message detailed a debriefing of three men who had been arrested after an intercepted IRA operation in Rathkeale, County Limerick.
The murder trial of Ger Hogan and Dylan Hayes, who are accused of killing Shane Murphy at The Grove, Pallasgreen, Co Limerick on April 30, 2015, continues at the Central Criminal Court. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charge. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan testified that Murphy died from a knife wound to the heart during a "violent and frenzied" attack, which also caused 22 other stab wounds and injuries to his lungs, throat, and liver. She noted that 22 wounds were caused by a single-edged knife, while one was likely caused by a knife or screwdriver tip. The court heard that gardai found a blood-stained screwdriver at the scene containing the blood of both the deceased and Hogan. In interviews, Hayes allegedly admitted to stabbing Murphy after a dispute, while Hogan claimed he tried to break up a fight and received a cut on his hand while pulling a knife from someone. The trial is ongoing before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury.
The trial of Dylan Hayes and Ger Hogan, who are accused of the murder of Shane Murphy at The Grove, Pallasgreen, Co Limerick, on April 30, 2015, continued at the Central Criminal Court. Both defendants, aged 22 and 34 respectively, have pleaded not guilty to the charge. Detective Garda John O'Connell testified that Mr Hayes was interviewed eight times at Henry Street Garda Station. During the seventh interview, Mr Hayes allegedly stated that he stabbed Mr Murphy in the chest and stomach after a dispute in which Mr Murphy allegedly called him a "junkie" and accused him of "goofing off." Mr Hayes indicated to gardai where he claimed to have stabbed the deceased, stating, "I stabbed him there and there," while later asserting, "I didn't kill him." The court heard these allegations as part of the ongoing proceedings. The matter is currently before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of five women and seven men. The trial continues this afternoon.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing on 9 May 2017, Dylan Hayes, aged 22, admitted to stabbing Shane Murphy but denied killing him. Hayes, from The Crescent, Kilteragh, Dooradoyle, Co. Limerick, and co‑accused Ger Hogan, 34, of Raheen Square, Ballinacurra Weston, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Murphy at The Grove, Pallasgreen, on 30 April 2015. Hayes first denied any role in the fight that led to Murphy's death, but in a third interview he said, "I stabbed him lads. I'm sorry. Everything I told you is lies." He claimed to have stabbed Murphy three times—twice in the arm and once in the upper leg—before being stopped by Jodie Byrnes. Hayes said Murphy was still alive when he left, that Murphy had hit him back, and that he feared a life sentence for an act he did not commit.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing, forensic scientist Sandra McGrath presented DNA evidence linking the deceased, Shane Murphy, and one of the accused, Ger Hogan, to a screwdriver found at the murder scene. The screwdriver, a standard Phillips head with a black and yellow handle, bore blood stains on its tip, along its length, and on the handle. McGrath's DNA profiles matched both Hogan and Murphy, with a one‑in‑a‑billion chance of the samples originating from an unknown person. Additional blood stains from a serrated steak knife and from Dylan Hayes's coat and trousers also matched Murphy's DNA. CCTV footage showed Hogan visiting a local Centra on the day before the murder, purchasing alcohol, and returning the next day. The trial, with a jury of five women and seven men, continued under Justice Patrick McCarthy. Ger Hogan pleaded not guilty. Dylan Hayes pleaded not guilty.
In the trial of Dylan Hayes (22) and Ger Hogan (33) for the murder of 26‑year‑old Shane Murphy, former partner Jodie Byrnes testified that she witnessed Hayes stab Murphy during a fight at Sharon Kelly's house in Pallasgreen. Byrnes, who had ended her relationship with Hayes in October 2014, was in bed the night before Murphy's death when she was awakened by a man who had removed her clothing. She described seeing Hayes, visibly angry, with a knife in his pants, and later pulling the knife out to stab Murphy twice in the chest and stomach. Byrnes also reported that Hogan was present and allegedly stabbed Murphy at the same time. She claimed to have tried to intervene, but Hayes struck her above the elbow before withdrawing. The case remains pending before a jury and Justice Patrick McCarthy. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
During the murder trial of Dylan Hayes and Ger Hogan, witness Jodie Byrnes testified that she could not recall the events of the night Shane Murphy was stabbed because she was "stoned" on prescribed tablets and alcohol. Byrnes, who had a former relationship with Hayes, was staying at Sharon Kelly's home in Pallasgreen the weekend before Murphy's death. She described drinking and taking tablets, going to bed early, and being awakened by an unknown man who attempted to pull her pants down, prompting her to scream. She claimed the man was "out of it" and was later thrown out of the house. Byrnes said she could not remember speaking to Hayes or seeing any interaction between the accused and Murphy, and she could not recall seeing Murphy being stabbed. The judge instructed the jury to return the next day. The unnamed man pleaded not guilty. Dylan Hayes pleaded not guilty. Ger Hogan pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Dylan Hayes (22) and Ger Hogan (33) pleaded not guilty to the murder of 26‑year‑old Shane Murphy on 30 April 2015. Witness Graham Kelly testified that Murphy had head‑butted Hogan during an argument before the fatal fight, noting Hogan's nose was bleeding. Kelly also recounted that the accused men shouted, "Give it to him, give it to him," during the attack. Ailish Flood, who had stayed at the house that night, described a chaotic scene with drinking and shouting. She said the accused men, including Hayes who had a plastic toy gun, were in a bad state and that they began attacking Murphy. Flood claimed she saw Hayes holding a knife and Hogan holding a screwdriver, and that they stabbed Murphy. The trial will continue before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence regarding a secret communiqué allegedly smuggled out of Portlaoise prison by Brian Kenna. Kenna, who pleaded not guilty to membership of the IRA, was found with the document in his pocket during a search. Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Maguire testified that the message, written on cigarette paper, was a debriefing of three men involved in an intercepted IRA operation, intended for the group's leadership in Northern Ireland. The debriefing concerned Conor Hughes and Darren Fox, who admitted to the unlawful possession of a sawn-off shotgun and two shotgun cartridges in County Limerick, and James Smithers, who was found guilty of IRA membership. Maguire stated the debriefing was conducted by the IRA's commanding officer in Portlaoise prison and referenced three other leading members in Northern Ireland. Kenna was interviewed under Section 2 of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, 1998, allowing inferences to be drawn from his silence. He denied travelling to the prison for IRA activities, claiming he visited in his capacity with the Irish Prisoners' Welfare Association to raise welfare concerns. Kenna stated he was unaware of the note, suggesting it may have been hidden among Christmas cards handed to him. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, sitting with Judges John O'Hagan and Flann Brennan.
During a murder trial, a witness claimed he pulled Dylan Hayes (22) and Ger Hogan (33) away from Shane Murphy (26) at a house in Pallasgreen, Co. Limerick, on 30 April 2015. The witness, who was heavily intoxicated and had taken tablets, said he had seen Hayes with a toy gun and told him to throw it out the window. He described arriving at the house, where the accused, the victim, the victim's girlfriend Sharon Kelly, Jodie Byrnes, and another girl were present. He heard screaming, entered the sitting room, and saw a fight between the victim and the two accused. He said he broke up the fight, pulled the men apart, and struck them. After the men left, he opened the victim's top, saw he was bleeding, and attempted to resuscitate him while a woman was on a 999 call. He admitted he could not remember details due to intoxication and drugs. Dylan Hayes pleaded not guilty. Ger Hogan pleaded not guilty.
During a trial for the murder of 26‑year‑old Shane Murphy, Dylan Hayes (22) and Ger Hogan (33) pleaded not guilty. The case centers on an argument that occurred moments before the fatal stabbing at The Grove, Pallasgreen, on 30 April 2015. Sharon Kelly, who had been dating the victim for three months, testified that a group was drinking at her home that night and that she had refused entry to Hayes, calling him "out of his head." She claimed Hayes believed a previous night's alleged rape attempt on her girlfriend, Jodie Byrnes, and that she herself had called Hayes a "junkie," an insult she said had inflamed him. Kelly also alleged that she saw Hogan and Hayes stab Murphy repeatedly with a knife and a screwdriver, a claim Hogan's counsel disputed, insisting his client was punching. The trial continues before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of five women and seven men.
A jury was discharged in the Limerick murder trial of Dylan Hayes, 22, and Ger Hogan, 33, who had pleaded not guilty to the killing of 26‑year‑old Shane Murphy on 30 April 2015. Justice Patrick McCarthy, sitting at the Central Criminal Court, thanked the five women and seven men for their service and exempted them from further jury duty for ten years. He explained that a legal issue had arisen preventing the trial from continuing. A new jury of seven men and five women will begin hearing evidence this afternoon.
In a 2017 trial, Sharon Kelly testified that she tried to stop her boyfriend Shane Murphy's murder by two men, Dylan Hayes and Ger Hogan, on 30 April 2015. Kelly, who had been with Murphy for about three months, was at her home with two women and Hogan when Hayes arrived with a gun and another man. Kelly said she told the men to leave, but they entered and began stabbing Murphy. She attempted to intervene, was pushed aside, and was stabbed in the hands and back. Hayes used a screwdriver and Hogan a knife. The attack lasted about four to five minutes, leaving Murphy blood‑covered on the floor. Kelly called emergency services; by the time they arrived, Murphy was dead. She will continue to give evidence before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury. Dylan Hayes pleaded not guilty. Ger Hogan pleaded not guilty.
During a house party at The Grove, Pallasgreen, a 31‑year‑old man named Shane Murphy was stabbed and died from a heart wound. Dylan Hayes (22) and Ger Hogan (33) were charged with murder and pleaded not guilty. The prosecution, represented by Paul Burns SC, argued that Hayes and Hogan attacked Murphy with intent to kill or cause serious injury. The trial began with the prosecution outlining the events: a birthday celebration at the home of Murphy's girlfriend, Sharon Kelly, where a drunken man named Wayne was found beside a guest, Jodie Byrnes, who fled the bed. The next day, after a gathering at Kelly's house, Hayes was called by a partygoer and arrived shortly thereafter, leading to an altercation. The prosecution claimed that Hayes and Hogan then attacked Murphy, resulting in multiple stab wounds to his arms, abdomen and chest, with a fatal wound to the heart. Resuscitation attempts failed and Murphy died at the scene.
Two men, Dylan Hayes, 22, of The Crescent, Kilteragh, Dooradoyle, and Ger Hogan, 33, of Raheen Square, Ballinacurra Weston, will stand trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of 31‑year‑old Shane Murphy. The alleged killing took place at The Grove, Pallasgreen, on 30 April 2015. Both pleaded not guilty. Justice Patrick McCarthy has sworn a jury of seven men and five women to hear the case, which is expected to last three weeks.
A 35‑year‑old woman, Monika Matracka, was sentenced to six years in prison for manslaughter after she stabbed her former partner, 38‑year‑old Michal Rejmer, to death. The killing occurred between 8 pm on 30 December and midnight on 31 December 2015 at their shared home in The Pines, Briarfield, Castletroy, Limerick. After the murder, Matracka hid Rejmer's body in the back garden and attempted to destroy evidence. She pleaded not guilty to murder but was found guilty of manslaughter by a majority jury. The judge noted her lack of prior convictions, her early remorse and the mitigating circumstances, and decided on a six‑year term, suspended for two years, but reduced to a straight six years due to complications with potential transfer to Poland. The sentence was back‑dated to her arrest on 8 January 2016. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court. The unnamed 35-year-old was acquitted.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 7 April 2017, Mark Heffernan, a 32‑year‑old Limerick resident, was acquitted of alleged involvement in a 2015 assault that left a 53‑year‑old victim, Dan Quilligan, with a nail embedded in his left foot. Heffernan denied assaulting Quilligan on 14 September 2015 at 6 Larch Court. The court found the evidence insufficient to convict him. The prosecution had presented a tracking device indicating an Audi parked outside the Larch Court house, with Heffernan as the driver, and CCTV footage showing him with Gerard Mackin, a 33‑year‑old Northern Irishman, and Patrick Hayes, a 52‑year‑old Limerick resident, both of whom admitted to the assault. The judge noted that while Heffernan's association with the other men was evident, the indictment was too narrow to secure a conviction. Consequently, the court acquitted Heffernan of all charges.
In 2011 a worker, Barry Gargan, 28, was killed at Kilsaran Concrete's Piercetown plant when a cleaning arm fell on him inside a safety cage. The company pleaded guilty to failing to manage work safely and was fined €125,000 by Judge Michael O'Shea in 2016. The Director of Public Prosecutions argued the fine was too low, citing deliberate safety feature overrides to boost profit. The Court of Appeal, hearing the DPP's application, increased the fine to €1 million. The appeal court found the company had a pattern of incremental safety breaches over more than a year, with senior management encouraging risky practices. The court noted the company's cooperation, guilty plea and prior good safety record as mitigating factors, but deemed the original fine unduly lenient. The final penalty was €1 million, a 50 % reduction from the maximum possible fine. The company apologized to the Gargan family and acknowledged the loss of a valued employee.
In 2012, Zachary Coughlan Ryan, aged 38, was convicted of kidnapping Stephen Cusack, 19, and Niall Reddan, 21, at Caisleann na hAbhainn, Castletroy. He was found guilty by a jury after a 14‑day trial and sentenced to eight years and three months imprisonment on 28 January 2014. Ryan appealed on grounds that a prosecution witness had made an inadmissible comment before the jury, stating that Ryan had previously been in jail twice. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Alan Mahon, agreed that the comment had a prejudicial effect, potentially influencing the jury's view of Ryan's character. The appeal was allowed, the conviction was quashed, and a retrial was ordered. The case remains at the retrial stage, with no further outcome reported in the article. Zachary Coughlan Ryan pleaded not guilty.
David Murray, 56, of Finglas, Dublin, was convicted by the Special Criminal Court for membership in the Irish Republican Army. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of belonging to an unlawful organisation. The court found evidence of a "shopping‑list" of chemicals used to make explosives in his bedroom, described as the most significant and sinister document. The list was remarkably similar to one found in the van of Stephen Hendrick, who was later sentenced to eleven years for firearms and explosives offences. Other items seized included a transcript of a bail hearing, handwritten notes on IRA intelligence about a cigarette delivery‑van in Limerick, security company details, and fund‑raising notes for republican prisoners. Murray was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, back‑dated to 1 April, after a non‑jury trial on 25 March 2015. The judge described his involvement as profound, active and wide‑ranging in subversive activities.
The Court of Appeal has reserved judgement on the appeals of Wayne Dundon (39) and Nathan Killeen (27) against their convictions for the murder of businessman Roy Collins (35) in Limerick. The Special Criminal Court had found Dundon had ordered the killing from prison and Killeen was the getaway driver for gunman James Dillon, giving both mandatory life sentences. Dundon's counsel, Remy Farrell SC, argued the trial court failed to analyse controversies, inconsistencies in witness accounts and factual issues. Killeen's counsel, Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha, sought quashing on grounds of fairness, gunshot residue evidence, a general warrant, and the reliability of Lisa Collins' testimony. The Court of Appeal, with Justices Birmingham, Mahon and Edwards, noted the many issues raised and will reserve judgement. The case remains at the appeal stage. Wayne Dundon pleaded not guilty. Nathan Killeen pleaded not guilty.
The article reports that Nathan Killeen, the getaway driver in the 2009 murder of businessman Roy Collins, has filed an appeal against his conviction. Killeen, aged 27, was found guilty by a Special Criminal Court after a 29‑day trial, alongside co‑accused Wayne Dundon, who was 39. The court had given both men mandatory life sentences. Killeen's barrister, Giollaiosa O Lideadhda SC, argues that the trial judge failed to provide reasons, to analyse forensic evidence, and to address collusion issues, particularly concerning witness Lisa Collins. He also contends that the court did not adequately assess the reliability of prosecution witnesses or the disclosure of evidence. The appeal will be heard by a panel of judges, including Justice George Birmingham, Justice Alan Mahon and Justice John Edwards, on the following day. The article focuses solely on the appeal filing and the arguments presented by Killeen's counsel. Nathan Killeen pleaded not guilty. Wayne Dundon pleaded not guilty.
Wayne Dundon, aged 39, has lodged an appeal against his conviction for the murder of businessman Roy Collins, 35, who was shot at Coin Castle Amusements, Roxboro, on 9 April 2009. Dundon, a Limerick criminal, pleaded not guilty at the Special Criminal Court, which found him had ordered the murder from prison and that Nathan Killeen, 27, was the getaway driver for gunman James Dillon. The court, presided over by Ms Justice Iseult O'Malley, delivered a verdict after a 29‑day trial, sentencing Dundon and Killeen to mandatory life imprisonment. Dundon's barrister, Remy Farrell SC, argues the court failed to address controversies, inconsistencies in witness accounts, and specific factual issues, particularly the testimony of 'Noddy' McCarthy and other witnesses. He contends the court's reliance on uncorroborated testimony and its treatment of prosecution witnesses as non‑accomplices were defective, and he seeks a quashing of the conviction. The appeal will be heard by the Court of Appeal tomorrow.
The Special Criminal Court is scheduled to deliver a verdict this Friday in the trial of Mark Heffernan, a Limerick man accused of involvement in a serious assault. Heffernan (32), of Swallow Drive, John Carey Park, Limerick, pleaded not guilty to the charge of assaulting Dan Quilligan, causing him harm at Larch Court on September 14, 2015. During the trial, the court heard evidence that Quilligan was beaten and his left foot was nailed to the kitchen floor with a nail gun. Prosecution counsel Tara Burns SC argued that the evidence, including a tracking device on a hired white Audi and CCTV footage, established that Heffernan was the driver of the vehicle and part of a planned assault. She noted that the Audi was parked outside the house at the time of the alleged incident and later visited the home of co-accused Gerard Mackin. Mackin (33) and Patrick Hayes (52), both of Limerick, previously admitted to the assault and were each jailed for three years. Defence counsel Ronan Munro SC contended there were significant inconsistencies in the prosecution timeline, specifically regarding the arrival of the Audi relative to eyewitness accounts of men in white suits. The case is being heard by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, sitting with Judge John O'Hagan and Judge Ann Ryan, who will deliver the verdict on Friday.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 31 March 2017, the charge of false imprisonment against Mark Heffernan, aged 32, was dismissed. Heffernan had been accused of participating in a nail‑gun assault on Dan Quilligan, a 53‑year‑old resident of Rathkeale, who was beaten and had a nail driven into his left foot in a Limerick house. Heffernan denied imprisoning Quilligan at 6 Larch Court on 14 September 2015 and pleaded not guilty to the assault. Judge Tony Hunt ruled that any evidence of false imprisonment was integral to the assault and should be dealt with under the assault charge. He also excluded part of protected witness Tom Lillis's testimony, stating it did not meet the standard for a jury conviction. The case will resume on Monday with Judges John O'Hagan and Ann Ryan present.
Wayne Dundon, 39, of Limerick, failed to secure a different panel of judges for his appeal against a murder conviction. Dundon and Nathan Killeen, 27, were found guilty of the 2009 murder of Roy Collins, a 35‑year‑old businessman, at Coin Castle Amusements. The Special Criminal Court held that Dundon ordered the killing from prison and Killeen acted as getaway driver for gunman James Dillon. Both men received mandatory life sentences on 15 July 2014. Dundon's lawyers applied to the Court of Appeal for a new court composition, citing alleged overlap of factual matters with a prior threats‑to‑kill case involving the Collins family. Justice George Birmingham dismissed the application, stating no objective basis existed for recusal and that the Court of Appeal must hear the case as assigned. Dundon and Killeen remain scheduled to appeal their convictions on Monday. Wayne Dundon pleaded not guilty. Nathan Killeen pleaded not guilty.
Zachary Coughlan Ryan, aged 38, was convicted in 2014 for the kidnapping of Stephen Cusack, 19, and Niall Reddan, 21, who were held at Caisleann na hAbhainn, Castletroy on 19 August 2012. The men were gagged, had their hands bound with cable ties and were taken in a pick‑up truck to a location. Ryan was sentenced to eight years and three months by Mr Justice Carroll Moran. In 2017, the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction after the Court found that a prosecution witness had made an inadmissible comment before the jury, stating that Ryan had previously been in prison twice. The judge ruled that the comment had a prejudicial effect, likely influencing the jury's view of Ryan's character. The case was remitted to the Court of Appeal to decide whether a retrial is necessary. The conviction was therefore overturned, but no new sentence was imposed. Zachary Coughlan Ryan pleaded not guilty.
In the Special Criminal Court, Mark Heffernan (32) faced charges of assault and false imprisonment of Dan Quilligan on 14 September 2015. Heffernan pleaded not guilty. His counsel, Ronan Prendergast BL, argued that the prosecution's case was weakened by a lack of evidence linking Heffernan to the assault. He cited Quilligan's testimony that a man in the house warned "Leave the man alone, you're going to kill him," and claimed no evidence proved Heffernan was that man. Prendergast also urged the court to consider Tom Lillis's testimony that he saw Heffernan in the house that day, questioning its admissibility. The court adjourned the hearing to Friday for a decision on these legal submissions. The trial remains at the joint enterprise stage, with no verdict yet reached.
During a Special Criminal Court hearing on 28 March 2017, the prosecution presented evidence that a shopping‑list of chemicals used for explosives was found in the home of David Murray, 56, of Cappogue Cottages, Finglas, Dublin. Murray is pleading not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styled the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The prosecution, represented by Gareth Baker SC, said Chief Superintendent Michael O'Sullivan would testify that he believed Murray was an IRA member on the day in question, and that supporting evidence would include various documents and items seized from Murray's house. The list, which Baker said bore a striking similarity to a list found in the van of Stephen Hendrick, a former IRA member convicted in 2014 of firearms and explosives offences, was presented as a shopping‑list of items commonly used in producing explosives.
In the Special Criminal Court, the prosecution presented evidence from Garda interviews with Mark Heffernan, accused of assaulting and falsely imprisoning Dan Quilligan. Heffernan, 32, denies any involvement, stating he was not part of the alleged assault or false imprisonment. Garda Patrick Whelan interviewed him on 24 May, noting a tracking device on a white Audi that allegedly moved between Kennedy Park and Larch Court, where the incident occurred. Heffernan refuted this, claiming no connection to the car or the assault. The prosecution also read a statement from Richard McInerney, who was present in the house on the day of the alleged assault. McInerney described a confrontation over owed money, a bag thrown into the sitting‑room containing two white painter's suits, and his decision to leave. The prosecution closed its case, and the trial was adjourned to Wednesday for the defence to submit before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, Judge John O'Hagan, and Judge Ann Ryan. Mark Heffernan pleaded not guilty.
Kilsaran Concrete, a manufacturer in Piercetown, Dunboyne, was fined €125,000 in February 2016 for failing to ensure employee safety after Barry Gargan, 28, was killed in September 2011 while operating a wet‑cast machine. The DPP has appealed, arguing the penalty was "unduly lenient." The appeal is pending, with the Court of Appeal reserving judgment until April 6. In the appeal, barrister Carl Hanahoe described how the company used a wet‑cast line, originally for standardised curbing stones, to produce bespoke concrete slabs for regeneration projects in Limerick and Ballymun. He alleged deliberate overriding of safety features, incremental efficiency gains that increased danger, and that employees were positioned on either side of the conveyor belt inside a safety cage. A worker had reported a "near miss" over about 12 months. Kilsaran's counsel, Hugh Hartnett SC, maintained that the system was wrong from the start and that the company had paid civil sums quickly. Kilsaran Concrete pleaded guilty.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, a detective reported that a protected witness, Tom Lillis, directed Gardaí to a site where he had disposed of two suits after being instructed by another man. The witness claimed to have seen the accused, Mark Heffernan, in a white suit at the Larch Court house on the day of an alleged assault on Dan Quilligan. Heffernan, aged 32, has pleaded not guilty to assaulting Quilligan and to false imprisonment at the same address on 14 September 2015. Heffernan's lawyers objected to the protected witness's evidence. The court considered the witness statement as part of a voir dire to assess its admissibility. The trial will resume on Monday before Justice Tony Hunt, Judge John O'Hagan and Judge Ann Ryan.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 23 March 2017, a protected witness, Tom Lillis, testified that he cleaned up blood from a kitchen after a man allegedly had his foot nailed to the floor. Lillis said he saw the accused assaulting and falsely imprisoning 53‑year‑old Dan Quilligan at a house in Limerick on the day of the alleged assault. The prosecution alleged that three men were involved in a joint enterprise, with Mark Heffernan (32) pleading not guilty to assault and false imprisonment. Lillis described being told to leave the house, returning to find blood spattered across the kitchen, and cleaning it with bleach and tea towels over about 30 minutes. He also claimed another man asked him to dispose of two white suits, which he threw over a high wall 300 yards away.
In the Special Criminal Court, a protected witness named Tom Lillis testified that he saw Dan Quilligan, a Rathkeale resident, in the house where the alleged assault and false imprisonment occurred. The prosecution alleges that three men, including Mark Heffernan, 32, of Swallow Drive, John Carew Park, Limerick, participated in a joint enterprise that led to Quilligan being beaten and having his left foot nailed to the kitchen floor of a Limerick house on 14 September 2015. Heffernan has pleaded not guilty to assaulting Quilligan and to falsely imprisoning him at the same address on the same date. During cross‑examination, Heffernan's counsel, Ronan Munro SC, questioned Lillis about whether he knew Heffernan prior to the alleged offences. Lillis replied that he had seen Heffernan once or twice but could not confirm personal acquaintance.
The Special Criminal Court heard a protected witness who said a Limerick man accused of assaulting and falsely imprisoning a 53‑year‑old was present at the house where the alleged attack took place. The prosecution claims that three men were involved in a joint enterprise during which Dan Quilligan, a resident of Rathkeale, was beaten and his left foot was nailed to the kitchen floor of a house in Limerick. Mark Heffernan (32) pleaded not guilty to assaulting Mr Quilligan and to falsely imprisoning him at the same address on 14 September 2015. Two other men, Gerard Mackin (33) and Patrick Hayes (52), pleaded guilty and were sentenced to three years in prison by the non‑jury court. Tom Lillis, a witness, testified that he was living at the house in Larch Court with two other men, including Patrick Hayes, on the morning of the assault.
Jonathan Slattery (36) and William Slattery (63), directors of Slattery Ventures Limited, pleaded guilty to multiple VAT offences, including delivering incorrect returns, claiming unentitled repayments, and failing to keep records between 2005 and 2008. Their 2015 suspended three‑year sentences were reviewed by the Director of Public Prosecutions and converted to eight‑month custodial terms by the Court of Appeal. The case centred on the Ballycummin fast‑food outlet, where the company's cash registers were manipulated: the NRGT function was deliberately disabled and every second z‑read was skipped, leading to unrecorded cash receipts and under‑payment of VAT. The estimated loss to Revenue was €223,965, in addition to €70,000 already recovered. The Slatterys provided limited cooperation, made no admissions, and had no prior convictions. The Court of Appeal accepted mitigation but imposed the eight‑month jail term, requiring the Slatterys to surrender to Gardaí on 27 March 2024.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, a 53‑year‑old man named Dan Quilligan claimed he was assaulted and had his left foot nailed to the kitchen floor of a Limerick house. Mark Heffernan, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to assault and false imprisonment charges. The prosecution alleged a joint enterprise involving three men, with Quilligan being struck in the face and his foot nailed. Detective Garda Alan Curry presented forensic evidence of strike‑marks on the floor, two of which matched nail strikes. The trial is ongoing before Justice Tony Hunt, Judge John O'Hagan and Judge Ann Ryan.