A letting agent, Morgan Kierans, was ordered to pay €14,750 for extreme discrimination against an alleged domestic violence victim who was refused a new rent aid form and claimed she had abandoned her tenancy by fleeing to a women's refuge. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ruled that Kierans' belief that the tenant had vacated the property was lacking in credibility. The tenant, who had left the property temporarily for a refuge, was faced with mounting rent arrears when the letting agent refused to sign a new HAP application. The WRC adjudicator criticized Louth County Council for terminating housing assistance payments when the tenant's ex-partner quit the property, noting the catastrophic consequences for the family. Kierans was ordered to pay compensation and complete the HAP form if it was still outstanding.
A dangerous driver who gave gardai the 'middle finger' and reached speeds of around 170km/h on the M1 before acting 'extremely aggressively' during his arrest has failed in his appeal to overturn his conviction. Cornelius Kaiser (47) was convicted in the District Court of two counts of dangerous driving on the M1, along with other charges including failing to produce insurance and refusing to provide a blood or urine sample. He received a total of seven months imprisonment and a five-year driving ban. During the appeal, Garda Alan Macklin testified that on December 13, 2023, officers received an anonymous report of dangerous driving. The black Audi was seen weaving through traffic at high speeds, with the driver giving the gardai the middle finger. The vehicle was stopped at the toll, where the driver slammed the brakes and pushed past the barrier. Gardai boxed in the car, leading to Kaiser's arrest. He was highly aggressive and refused to provide a breath sample.
The Court of Appeal has reduced the prison sentence of Mihail Stingu, who burgled a house, stole a car, and dragged the owner along the ground. The original sentence of 14 years was deemed too high by the Court of Appeal, which imposed a global sentence of ten years and nine months, with the last six months suspended. Stingu, who was on bail for previous criminal damage offences, entered a home in Drogheda, stole items, and stole a car, dragging the owner for ten metres. The homeowner suffered serious road rash burns. The Court of Appeal found that the sentencing judge had erred in setting the headline sentence for burglary at 14 years before considering mitigating factors. The judge noted that the offence was not at the most extreme end and warranted a headline sentence of 11 years. Stingu was also sentenced for four years and nine months for the criminal damage offences. Mihail Stingu pleaded guilty.
The High Court has rejected arguments against the extradition of Jonathan Gill to Northern Ireland to face a murder charge related to the killing of Robbie Lawlor. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath did not issue an extradition order but remanded Gill in custody until July 29. Gill is accused of participating in a joint enterprise to murder Lawlor in 2020 as part of a gang feud. His lawyers argued that the UK courts would not provide the same protections as the Court of Justice of the European Union regarding evidence from the Encrochat system. However, the judge said the UK legal system would ensure a fair trial. Gill remains in custody, having previously been denied bail. The court will consider the extradition order after Gill and his legal team have time to review the judgment.
The Workplace Relations Commission hearing concerning employment complaints by Siobhan Fanning and Sandra Breen was adjourned to a later date by Adjudicator Eileen Campbell following the evidence-in-chief of Ms Breen. The applicants, represented by DJM Legal, allege ageist discrimination, unfair dismissal, and breaches of employment rights arising from the merger between Callan Stringer & Co and MG Business Advisory Services Ltd. They claim they were excluded from the business transfer while a younger colleague was retained, despite assurances of continuity. The respondent denies these allegations, attributing the failure to register the women with Revenue to an administrative error during a unique transfer process. The hearing remains at the hearing_or_decision stage, with no final determination, plea, finding, or sentence recorded. The matter is not concluded and awaits further proceedings.
A Lithuanian national, Karolis Peckauskas, has pleaded guilty to engaging in a terrorist plot to attack a Galway mosque. The charge relates to an attempt to damage the Maryam Mosque by fire between November 4 and 5, 2025, with the offence being aggravated by hatred. Peckauskas, along with Darren Gorman and Garrett Pollock, pleaded guilty to the same charge. Charles Flynn remains charged with the same offence. Peckauskas also faces charges related to the possession of offensive weapons and an explosive substance. He has claimed that he cannot receive a fair trial on the explosives charge due to the wording of the Explosives Act. A stay has been imposed on his prosecution on this charge until a High Court judgment is returned. Peckauskas, Gorman, and Pollock will return for a sentencing hearing on October 5.
A judge has refused to release transcripts of the criminal trials of Michael Shine to the lawyer overseeing a scoping inquiry into how the case was handled, until the complainants have been notified. Shine, who worked at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda from 1964 to 1995, was convicted in 2017 and 2019 of sexually assaulting nine complainants. The Government approved an independent scoping exercise in response to requests from Dignity4Patients. Senior counsel Lorcan Staines, the independent facilitator, applied for the release of trial transcripts, but Judge Patricia Ryan ruled that the court could not go against Supreme Court precedent, which states that complainants must be informed before transcripts are released. Staines argued that the information would not be made public, but the judge emphasized that complainants should be aware of where their details are going. The judge allowed the release of indictments on a limited basis. Staines said he had spoken to many complainants and that his report is due soon.
A Sligo man, Barry Young, has appeared in court in Dublin following an arrest warrant from Northern Ireland, where he is wanted for the murder of gangland figure Robbie Lawlor in 2020. Young, 41, faces charges of murder and possession of a 9mm self-loading pistol with intent to endanger life. He is the second individual to be brought before the extradition court as part of a joint Garda-PSNI investigation into Lawlor's murder. The PSNI believe Lawlor's murder was linked to a drugs feud involving criminal elements in Dublin, Sligo, and Drogheda. Detective Sergeant Aoife Cronin confirmed Young's identity based on the warrant and informed him of the charges. Young's legal team requested a video link appearance for the next court date, and he was remanded in custody until then.
A man charged with an alleged terrorist plot to destroy a Galway mosque has claimed he cannot get a fair trial due to the wording of the Explosives Act. The High Court has reserved its judgment in the case brought by 39-year-old Karolis Peckauskas of Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth. Mr Peckauskas is charged with possession of an explosive substance – four threaded pipe end caps and six litres of hydrogen peroxide – under such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable suspicion that he did not have it in his possession for a lawful object at O'Moore Place, Portlaoise, Co Laois on November 4 last year. Mr Peckauskas has not entered a plea in relation to the charge and a stay has been imposed on his prosecution until the resolution of his High Court challenge. Papers lodged by Mr Peckauskas' legal team claim that the wording of Section 4 of the Explosives Act places an "impermissible burden" on the applicant.
A 48-year-old man has been jailed for two and a half years for instigating a violent attack on two men in Balbriggan. Kevin Cox pleaded guilty to a charge of violent disorder that occurred on March 31, 2024. During the incident, Cox pushed and struck one of the victims multiple times, and the second victim was punched and kicked. Both victims sustained serious injuries, with one suffering from ongoing headaches and impaired vision, and the other suffering from a knee dislocation and fractures. Cox has 16 previous convictions, most of which are from the District Court. His defence argued that most of his previous convictions were historic and that he had not come to garda attention since the incident. He expressed remorse and offered €4,000 as a token of apology. Judge Elma Sheahan noted the CCTV footage showing Cox's aggressive actions and set a headline sentence of six years, which she reduced to four years. She suspended the final 18 months for 18 months under strict conditions.
A family member of a 62-year-old woman who was killed by her son described the family as "severely divided" by the incident. Luke Donnelly, 29, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter after claiming he was provoked by his mother, Catherine Henry. The court heard that Donnelly had a history of drug use and mental health issues, and that his mother had a history of violence. Donnelly claimed he was in fear for his life when his mother threatened to kill him. His family members gave victim impact statements, with some expressing that they felt the mother was on trial rather than the son. The court heard that Donnelly had a complex relationship with his mother and that he had been groomed into a life of drugs and violence. The Director of Public Prosecutions argued for a sentence of between 10 and 15 years, while the defense argued for a sentence in the medium culpability range. Donnelly was remanded in custody until his sentencing hearing.
Jonathan Gill, accused of murdering Robbie Lawlor, has challenged his extradition to the UK, arguing that he would not receive the same legal protections in UK courts as he would in the European Union. His legal team highlighted that evidence from EncroChat, an encrypted messaging platform, may not be admissible in UK courts, unlike in the EU, where individuals can challenge the admissibility of such evidence through the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. The UK, however, does not have the same protections, and Gill's legal team claims this would breach his fundamental rights. The Minister for Justice argued that EncroChat messages are admissible in both the EU and the UK, and that Gill has multiple avenues to challenge their use in UK courts, including through the European Court of Human Rights. The court has remanded Gill in custody ahead of a bail hearing, with a judgment on extradition to be delivered later.
Jonathan Gill, aged 44, faced a High Court bail hearing in connection with an extradition warrant issued by Northern Irish authorities. He is charged with murder in relation to the death of Robbie Lawlor on 4 April 2020, and with possession of a 9mm self-loading pistol between 2 and 5 April 2020. Both charges carry potential life sentences. The Criminal Assets Bureau has assessed a liability of over €860,000 against Mr Gill, primarily comprising interest on unpaid income tax dating to 2005. Gardaí objected to bail, citing the seriousness of charges, alleged links to organised crime, and concerns regarding access to cash and potential flight risk. Mr Gill's father offered an independent surety of €100,000, which the State accepted as suitable. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath adjourned the bail application to 3 June, pending clarification regarding Mr Gill's tax payments. The extradition hearing is scheduled for the same date.
Four men accused of plotting to attack a Galway mosque have indicated potential for progress in their cases. The accused, Darren Gorman, Charles Flynn, Garrett Pollock, and Karolis Peckauskas, are charged with attempting to engage in terrorist activity and possessing offensive weapons. Their trials will be heard in the Special Criminal Court. The defense lawyers expressed hope for progress when the case resumes next month. The court remanded the accused until that date. The charges include planning to damage the Maryam Mosque with fire and possessing items such as hatchets, a knuckle duster, and explosive substances. The case highlights concerns about potential terrorist activities and the possession of dangerous items. The court will consider the potential for progress in the accused's cases as the trial proceeds.
Jonathan Gill, aged 44 and with an address in Clontarf, Dublin, appeared before the High Court in relation to an extradition warrant issued by Belfast Magistrates' Court. Mr Gill is wanted in Northern Ireland to face charges of murder in connection with the death of Robbie Lawlor in April 2020, and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. His legal team sought an adjournment of the bail hearing to review documentation from State bodies covering interactions spanning two decades, received late on the previous day. Counsel indicated she was unable to advise the court on the timeframe required for this review. Mr Justice Sean Gillane adjourned proceedings to 3 June, with liberty to apply for an earlier hearing. The extradition hearing is scheduled for the same date. The defence has raised concerns regarding the admissibility of proposed evidence under EU law provisions, despite its validity under United Kingdom law.
Four men are to stand trial at the Special Criminal Court in connection with a plot to carry out a terrorist attack on a mosque in Galway last November. The accused, Darren Gorman, Charles Flynn, Garrett Pollock, and Karolis Peckauskas, are charged with attempting to engage in a terrorist activity to damage Maryam Mosque. The charges are aggravated by hatred, and the accused are also charged with possessing offensive weapons and explosive substances. Peckauskas and Pollock are accused of having hatchets, a knuckle duster, and a hunting knife in a BMW, as well as possessing hydrogen peroxide and other explosive materials. The State solicitor applied for the trial to be held in the Special Criminal Court, and the court ordered the case to proceed with the defendants to be produced in person on May 11. The charges stem from the discovery of weapons and explosives in their possession, which were found in connection with the planned attack on the mosque. The case highlights the seriousness of the alleged plot and the potential threat to public safety.
Jonathan Gill, aged 44, with an address on the Malahide Road in Clontarf, Dublin, appeared before the High Court in relation to extradition proceedings initiated by authorities in Northern Ireland. Gill is wanted by the PSNI in connection with the murder of Robbie Lawlor, shot dead in Belfast on 4 April 2020, and for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. His legal representatives submitted that extradition could prejudice his right to a fair trial, citing divergent interpretations of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and EU regarding the admissibility of encrypted phone data. The High Court rejected an application for additional senior counsel representation, with Mr Justice Sean Gillane finding the legal arguments sufficiently clear. Gill was remanded in custody pending a bail application on 6 May. The extradition hearing is scheduled for 3 June.
Jonathan Gill, aged 44 and with an address on the Malahide Road in Clontarf, Dublin, appeared before the High Court in connection with an extradition application by Northern Irish authorities. Gill is wanted by the PSNI in relation to the murder of Robbie Lawlor, a 36-year-old man shot dead in Belfast on April 4, 2020. He faces charges on a joint enterprise basis and is also accused of possessing a 9mm self-loading pistol with intent to endanger life between April 2 and 5, 2020. The PSNI believe the killing was part of an ongoing drugs feud involving criminal elements across Dublin, Sligo and Drogheda. During proceedings before Mr Justice Sean Gillane, Gill's legal team sought to adjourn the bail application to renew a request for senior counsel. The counsel raised concerns regarding the lawfulness and admissibility of evidence, noting differing standards between European and UK courts. The judge remanded Gill in custody pending a renewed application for senior counsel on May 1. An extradition hearing is scheduled for June 3.
Jonathan Gill, with an address on the Malahide Road in Clontarf, Dublin, appeared before the High Court in connection with extradition proceedings sought by authorities in Northern Ireland. The 44-year-old is wanted by the PSNI in relation to the murder of Robbie Lawlor, shot dead in Belfast on 4 April 2020, and for alleged possession of a 9mm self-loading pistol between 2 and 5 April that year. During today's hearing before Mr Justice Sean Gillane, Gill's barrister submitted that evidence proposed in the case would not be admissible under EU law, though it would be valid in UK courts. The judge scheduled a bail application for the following Wednesday, with Gill remanded in custody until that date. The extradition hearing has been fixed for 3 June. Gill was arrested on foot of a warrant issued by Belfast Magistrates' Court on 31 March.
A 44-year-old man from Clontarf, Dublin appeared before the High Court in connection with extradition proceedings relating to a 2020 murder in Belfast. Jonathan Gill is wanted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland to face prosecution on a joint enterprise basis for the death of Robbie Lawlor, who was shot in the front garden of a house on Etna Drive on April 4, 2020. Mr Gill is also charged with possession of a 9mm self-loading pistol with intent to endanger life between April 2 and 5 that year. The PSNI believes the killing was connected to an ongoing drugs feud involving criminal elements across Dublin, Sligo and Drogheda. During the hearing before Mr Justice Paul Burns, the court was told that Mr Gill's solicitor, based in Belfast, was unable to attend. The judge agreed to adjourn the matter and set April 24 as the date when an extradition hearing date will be fixed. Mr Gill remains in custody pending that hearing.
The Workplace Relations Commission directed Madhu Foods Limited, trading as Guru Indian Cuisine, to pay Vasantkumar Barot €79,213.72 after his employer entered no defence to his employment-rights complaints. Barot said he paid €15,000 for a work permit and worked more than 90 hours a week, with average hourly pay of €1.61 in 2024. Adjudicator Brian Dalton made awards for wage arrears and working-time breaches, and found that an inference of racial harassment had been raised and not rebutted.
Jibola Moses Akanni has been refused bail by the Court of Appeal while he awaits a conviction appeal. He was convicted of two rapes and sexual assault involving a 17-year-old at a Dublin city-centre apartment and is serving an eight-and-a-half-year sentence; the court said his appeal issues were wide-ranging rather than clear-cut.
The Special Criminal Court sentenced Stephen Carberry and Glen Bride to six years in prison for assisting in the disposal of the dismembered remains of Keane Mulready Woods. Both men pleaded guilty to charges of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of the alleged murderer, Robbie Lawlor, by transporting and burning the victim's body parts in a stolen Volvo V40 in north Dublin. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor described the acts as showing "abhorrent inhumanity and disrespect." Carberry, who had a headline sentence of ten years, received a reduced term due to his guilty plea and the requirement to serve a consecutive sentence for a prior drug offence. Bride, who played a lesser role, had his nine-year headline sentence reduced to six years following his guilty plea and expressions of remorse. The court noted that neither defendant was involved in the murder itself. This sentencing follows earlier convictions in the case: Paul Crosby was jailed for ten years for facilitating the murder; Gerard Cruise received seven-and-a-half years with six months suspended for two years for the same offence; and Ged McKenna was sentenced to four years for assisting an offender by cleaning the crime scene. The court acknowledged the severe trauma suffered by the victim's family, who described the disposal of their son's remains as a "constant and unbearable torment."
A man accused of being part of a right-wing group that targeted a mosque in Galway claims he cannot receive a fair trial due to the wording of the Explosives Act. Karolis Peckauskas (38) of Newfoundwell Road, Drogheda, Co Louth, has been granted leave from the High Court to challenge the fairness of his trial under the Act, which he argues violates his fundamental human rights. He was arrested on November 4 last year at O'Moore Place, Portlaoise, Co Laois, and charged with possessing six litres of hydrogen peroxide and an explosive substance. Peckauskas has not entered a plea and plans to apply for bail for the third time. In November, he was denied bail at Portlaoise District Court and again at the High Court in December. His co-accused, Garrett Pollock (35), was also refused bail. Evidence presented included a video of four masked men planning violent action and a manifesto for a right-wing group. Judge Andrew Cody described the video as resembling a statement released after a terrorist attack.
Luke Donnelly (29) was found not guilty of murder but guilty of the manslaughter of his mother, Catherine Henry (62), by a Central Criminal Court jury. The incident occurred at her Bridge Street apartment in Dundalk, Co Louth, on a date unknown between May 23 and 24, 2023. Donnelly had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The jury accepted the defence of provocation, rejecting the prosecution's contention that the defences were unavailable. Donnelly alleged he was 'groomed' into a life of violence by his mother and acted in fear for his life after she threatened to kill him. A pathologist testified that Ms Henry died from severe blunt force trauma to the head, including multiple skull fractures. Following the verdict, Mr Justice Paul McDermott directed a probation report and remanded Donnelly in custody until May 11 for a sentence hearing. On that date, the Henry family will have the opportunity to make a statement regarding the impact of the death. The judge exempted the jury from service for five years.
An amateur kickboxer who admits to killing but denies murdering his mother has testified at his trial, claiming he was 'groomed' into a life of drugs and violence by his abusive mother. Luke Donnelly told the Central Criminal Court that he was in fear for his life and 'lost all control' when he stomped on his mother's head after she hit and threatened to kill him. He admitted to using 'deplorable violence' to end his mother's life and had taken a cocktail of drugs before the incident. Donnelly, who has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, described a history of abuse and violence in his home. He said his mother had a relationship with a drug dealer and that he was put 'out on the street' at 14. The trial continues with the jury considering evidence, including CCTV footage and the accused's claim that he was 'Jesus Christ' and that his mother had threatened to kill him.
A 62-year-old woman died from severe blunt force trauma to the head and suffered multiple fractures to her skull, including one which may have been caused by 'a stomping or kicking type of impact', a pathologist has told the Central Criminal Court. Luke Donnelly (29), of no fixed abode, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his mother Catherine Henry at her apartment on Bridge Street in Dundalk, Co Louth on a date unknown between May 23 and 24, 2023. The trial jury heard on the day the case opened that Mr Donnelly accepts he caused multiple fractures to his mother's skull and that he left a blood-stained footprint on her back. State pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers today told Garret Baker SC, prosecuting, that she conducted a post-mortem on Ms Henry on May 25, 2023 and found that her hair, hands and face were heavily blood-stained. She said death had been pronounced after 8pm on May 24, 2023.
The Special Criminal Court has sentenced Paul Crosby to ten years in prison for facilitating the murder of Keane Mulready-Woods. The court described the killing as "disgraceful and inhuman," noting Crosby delivered the victim to Robbie Lawlor. Co-accused Gerard Cruise, who pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder, received a sentence of seven-and-a-half years, with the final six months suspended for two years. Ged McKenna was sentenced to four years for assisting an offender by attempting to clean the crime scene at his Rathmullan Park home. In a separate matter, Glen Bride, who pleaded guilty to assisting in the movement and disposal of the victim's body parts, was not sentenced today. The court heard he acted under Lawlor's instructions to drive a stolen Volvo V40 containing remains and set it on fire. Bride's sentencing is adjourned to March 9, alongside the sentencing of Stephen Carberry, who also pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension of the offender. The court accepted Bride was not involved in the murder itself. The matter regarding Bride and Carberry was adjourned and is not yet concluded.
A former girlfriend of Luke Donnelly, who admitted killing but denied murdering his mother, testified at the Central Criminal Court that he claimed to be Jesus and told her he had cured her cancer. Stacey Campbell said Donnelly's drug use and deteriorating mental health were major concerns. She described how he arrived at her home in Drogheda, claiming to be Jesus, and how she contacted gardaí for help. Donnelly, who has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, was said to have had a close relationship with his mother, Catherine Henry. Ms Campbell recounted that Henry was in good health on the day before her death and that Donnelly was acting strangely, claiming to be Jesus. She said she last saw Henry alive at around 8:20 am on May 22, 2023, and learned of her death the following day. The trial continues with further evidence being presented.
A man who admits killing but denies murdering his mother accepts that he caused multiple fractures to her skull and that he left a blood-stained footprint on her back, a trial jury has heard. Luke Donnelly (29), of no fixed abode, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Catherine Henry (62) at her apartment on Bridge Street in Dundalk, Co Louth on a date unknown between May 23 and 24 2023. Garret Baker SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the panel would also hear that the accused was behaving in an erratic way before the killing, including by repeatedly asserting that he was 'Jesus Christ' and the son of God. The prosecution's case is that Mr Donnelly went to his mother's address on Bridge Street early on the morning of May 23 and that the deceased was murdered at that location. The court will also hear evidence from a State pathologist who had conducted a postmortem on May 25, which found extensive blunt force trauma to Ms Henry's face and head.
Stephen Carberry, 48, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to charges of assisting an offender and facilitating the murder of Keane Mulready-Woods. He admitted to transporting and disposing of the teenager's body parts between January 13 and 15, 2020, while on bail for drug offences. The court heard victim impact statements from Keane's parents, who described the "cruelty and inhumanity" of the disposal. Carberry, who has 77 previous convictions, was alleged to have collected two sports bags from Rathmullan Park, Drogheda, and dumped one in Moatview, Dublin. His co-accused, Gerard Cruise, 51, also pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. In February 2023, co-accused Paul Crosby was sentenced to ten years for the same offence, while Cruise received seven-and-a-half years with the final six months suspended for two years. Ms Justice O'Connor adjourned Carberry's case to Monday, March 9, for sentencing, noting the panel could not imagine the depth of the family's pain.
The Court of Appeal has ruled that a Riverstown man's drugs sentence was unduly lenient, yet he will serve no additional time in custody. James Murphy, aged 66, was convicted in 2021 of participating in a joint enterprise to supply cocaine valued at €281,148, which was seized by gardaí at a McDonald's car park in Drogheda in November 2015. He was originally sentenced to seven years with the final year suspended. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed on grounds of undue leniency. Mr Justice Brian O'Moore found the sentencing judge's treatment of Murphy on equal terms with his co-accused was "seriously flawed" and increased the sentence to ten years, the mandatory minimum. However, noting Murphy had already completed his original sentence and was released into the community, the judge suspended the final four years of the revised sentence for twelve months, contingent on no further offences. James Murphy pleaded not guilty.
Stephen Carberry, 47, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to assisting an offender by helping move and dispose of the body parts of murdered teenager Keane Mulready-Woods. The prosecution entered a nolle prosequi on two further charges against Carberry, including facilitating murder for a criminal organisation and setting fire to a vehicle. Presiding judge Ms Justice Karen O'Connor directed a victim impact statement and adjourned the matter until January 19, with Carberry remanded in custody. The court also ordered a urine analysis, a prison medic letter, and an educational report. This follows last week's guilty plea by Glen Bride, 32, to assisting in the movement and disposal of the teenager's remains. In related proceedings, Paul Crosby was jailed for ten years and Gerard Cruise for seven-and-a-half years (with six months suspended) for facilitating the murder. Ged' McKenna was previously jailed for four years for assisting in cleaning the crime scene. Keane Mulready-Woods was murdered in Drogheda in January 2020, with remains discovered in Dublin and Drogheda.
Glen Bride, 32, of Kilbarrick, Dublin 5, pleaded guilty in the Special Criminal Court to assisting in the transportation and disposal of body parts of murdered teenager Keane Mulready-Woods. The court adjourned the matter to January 26 for sentencing. The DPP entered a nolle prosequi regarding two further charges against Bride involving criminal organisation facilitation and arson. Previously, Paul Crosby was jailed for ten years and Gerard Cruise received a seven-and-a-half-year sentence, with the final six months suspended for two years, after both pleaded guilty to facilitating the murder. Ged' McKenna was jailed for four years after pleading guilty to assisting in the clean-up of the crime scene. Bride's plea related to actions on January 15, 2020, intended to impede prosecution. The matter remains at the sentencing stage, with the specific date set for January 26.
Ian Healy, 68, of Drogheda, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of indecent assault, attempted rape and rape of his girlfriend's younger sister Susan Mallon, aged nine to twelve when the abuse began in 1978, and to one count of indecent assault of Mallon's younger sister Jenny Sullivan, aged six to eight, between 1981 and 1983. Healy had moved into the family home, where the girls' parents were absent and their older sister was the sole caregiver, and groomed the children by showing pornographic magazines. The abuse escalated from inappropriate touching to attempted rape and rape, ending when Mallon resisted and Healy left the room. Sullivan was forced to masturbate Healy and was told not to report the abuse. Both girls waived anonymity. Healy's sentencing was eight and a half years, with a suspended portion and conditions of probation. The judge noted Healy's insertion into a vulnerable household and his lack of remorse.
Philip Ogbewe, a 61-year-old man from Drogheda, Co Louth, appeared at the Court of Appeal to challenge his sentence for performing illegal circumcisions on seven boys between January 2018 and October 2019. Ogbewe pleaded guilty to seven counts of endangerment and seven counts of assault causing harm. In July 2024, Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a four-and-a-half-year sentence on each endangerment count, with one running consecutively and the rest concurrently. After applying the principles of totality, the effective sentence was reduced to seven and a half years, with the final 12 months suspended. Ogbewe's counsel, Giollaosa Ó Lidheada SC, argued the headline sentence was too high and that Ogbewe was not given sufficient credit for his remorse and reformation after "seeing the light." He contended that Ogbewe's prior three-year sentence for a separate 2015 offence, which expired just before these charges were laid, should have influenced the totality calculation. The Director of Public Prosecutions, represented by Shane Costelloe SC, maintained the sentence was sound, citing grave aggravating factors including the number of victims and Ogbewe's knowledge that his actions were illegal. The court reserved its judgment, meaning the matter was adjourned and not concluded.
Patrick Kelly, 63, of Moneymore, Drogheda, County Louth, was arrested at Dublin Airport in January 2025 after customs officers noted his suspicious behaviour. A search of his luggage revealed just under 20 kg of cannabis, valued at about €398,680. Kelly admitted in a Garda interview that he had acted as a "suicide mission" and "complete madness", and pleaded guilty to importation of cannabis and possession for sale. He had minor prior traffic convictions and had been remanded since his arrest. Prosecutor Antonia Boyle said Kelly, who retired in November 2023, had been living "hand to mouth" on his pension and was depressed over not being able to buy Christmas presents for his two grandchildren. He claimed he was approached by someone who knew of his financial hardship and offered money to transport the drugs from Thailand.
Jibola Moses Akanni, 27, of Drogheda, Co Louth, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court after being found guilty by a jury of two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The offences occurred in a Dublin city centre apartment in February 2018, where the court heard the 17-year-old victim was intoxicated and barely conscious. Mr Justice David Keane noted aggravating factors including the victim's vulnerability and the age disparity. Although Akanni has 28 previous convictions for other matters, the judge stated no credit was given for a guilty plea as none was offered, nor for remorse. The judge determined there was no realistic hope of rehabilitation and refused to suspend any part of the sentence. Akanni was sentenced to eight and a half years on each rape count and three and a half years for sexual assault, all to run concurrently and backdated to November when he entered custody. To protect the public from the risk of sexual reoffending, the judge ordered that Akanni be placed under the supervision of the Probation Services for two years post-release, instructing him to carry out all directions deemed necessary by the service.
Nko Mpase, 62, of Rush, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to smuggling a Congolese national into Ireland. On 16 May 2020 she and the woman arrived at Terminal One on a Ryanair flight from Paris Beauvais, used the same immigration booth, and the woman presented a travel document that did not match her appearance. Garda Sean McGlynn noted that WhatsApp messages and a ticket photo on Mpase's phone linked the two women, and CCTV showed them together on the plane. Mpase admitted travelling with the woman from Paris but made no further admissions. She had two prior convictions for minor traffic offences and one for threatening behaviour. The court heard she had no financial gain and had visited family in Paris for five days. The maximum sentence for the offence is 10 years imprisonment. Judge Patricia Ryan adjourned sentencing to 25 July and ordered a probation report and further documentation of Mpase's educational and work history.
Three female students – Margaret Eyong Taku, Wendy Briggs and Christina Igweze – had their expulsions from Dundalk Institute of Technology overturned by the High Court after they contested the punishment for alleged violent altercations that took place on January 30 and 31, 2024. The students claimed the expulsions were disproportionate, that alternative sanctions had not been considered, and that no reason was given. They alleged that the incidents involved aggressive physical confrontations, including a head step, a wet‑floor warning sign, and hair pulling. A February 2024 committee recommended expulsion and campus bans, and an April appeals committee rejected all appeals. Mr Justice Anthony Barr remitted the case to a new appeals committee for fresh consideration, noting the potential impact on the students' education and careers. The students were undergraduate enrollees in the college's Bachelor of Science in Mental Health Nursing and Bioscience programmes.
During a seven‑week trial with a 15‑juror panel, Daniel Blanaru, 37, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his 26‑year‑old partner, Larisa Serban, on 12 August 2022. Serban was found early in the morning on the floor between her bedroom and hallway, having died from a 12‑cm stab wound to the chest that punctured her heart, lung and aorta. The prosecution alleged that Blanaru, described as "controlling and jealous", killed Serban in cold blood after a sustained brutal attack. Blanaru pleaded not guilty but admitted guilt during custody interviews. He has six prior Irish convictions for road traffic offences and four theft offences in France. The sentencing judge, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon, imposed a mandatory life sentence, noting the crime involved needless and horrific violence. The victim's family, including Serban's mother, eldest son and siblings, delivered impact statements expressing grief and condemning the killer's actions.
A 43‑year‑old learner driver, Jijo George, was found guilty of dangerous driving after he ran a stop sign on Drogheda Street, Balbriggan, on 29 January 2023. Garda Joanne McGinn, who was on patrol at the time, observed the vehicle fail to stop, nearly colliding with her patrol car and a child on a bicycle. She noted a strong smell of alcohol and performed a breath test that returned clear. George was driving on a learner's permit without L plates or an accompanying driver. He was charged under Section 53 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 and Section 69 for failure to produce insurance. The court upheld the conviction, imposing a two‑year disqualification and a €250 fine. The judge accepted all evidence presented by the Garda. Jijo George pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 2 April 2025, the court considered the case of a 17‑year‑old driver, Aleksandrs Garkovskis, who struck a cyclist on 13 June 2021 at Sheriff Street Upper, Dublin 1, after running a red light. The collision threw the cyclist higher than a double‑decker bus, causing catastrophic brain injuries, fractures and ongoing health problems. The cyclist has no memory of the incident, suffers slurred speech and receives rehabilitative treatment in assisted accommodation. Garkovskis pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm and was sentenced to two and a half years, deferred until 11 April to allow him to complete college exams. The judge noted the aggravating factors of the red‑light violation and the driver's failure to remain at the scene, but reduced the sentence due to his young age. The court also heard evidence of prior payment frauds and the driver's admission of guilt after CCTV was presented.
Daniel Blanaru, 37, was convicted of the murder of Larisa Serban at the Central Criminal Court. The jury, comprising ten men and two women, deliberated for three hours and two minutes before returning a unanimous verdict. Blanaru had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ms Serban at her home in Rathmore, Athboy, Co Meath, on or about August 12, 2022. The prosecution alleged she died from a sustained and brutal attack, including a fatal stab wound to the chest. Although Blanaru initially told gardaí he was guilty, he later claimed the stabbing was accidental. The court heard evidence of prior threats and controlling behavior alleged by the victim's family. Following the conviction, Blanaru will be sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment at a sentencing hearing scheduled for April 10. Members of the victim's family will be invited to make statements to the court at that time. The matter is now at the sentencing stage, with the specific disposal to be determined by the judge on the specified date.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the Director of Public Prosecutions presented evidence that Daniel Blanaru, 37, from Rathmore, Athboy, Co Meath, murdered 26‑year‑old Larisa Serban on or about 12 August 2022. Prosecutor Eilis Brennan SC described the attack as sustained and brutal, noting that Blanaru stabbed Serban in the heart, severed a bone in her elbow, and inflicted multiple defensive injuries on her. She highlighted that Serban's body showed numerous incise wounds, abrasions and puncture wounds consistent with defensive actions, while Blanaru had only a minor nick. Brennan urged jurors to focus on the evidence rather than defence theories, which included claims of accidental injury and self‑defence. She also referenced a toxicology report showing no alcohol or drugs in Serban's system and CCTV footage of Blanaru leaving the scene. Daniel Blanaru pleaded not guilty.
Stephen Carberry and Glen Bride, accused of disposing of body parts belonging to murdered teenager Keane Mulready Woods, received a trial date at the Special Criminal Court. The two men appeared before Justice Melanie Greally, who set the trial for January 12, 2026. Carberry, 47, of Dublin 4, faces three charges, including transporting and disposing of body parts to enhance a criminal organisation's ability to commit serious offences, impeding the apprehension of the murderer, and setting fire to a Volvo V40 for the benefit of a criminal organisation. Bride, 31, of Dublin 5, faces two charges: participating in the transportation and disposal of body parts to aid a criminal organisation in committing murder and impeding the apprehension of the killer, and setting fire to the same vehicle. The court agreed to make witness and exhibit orders. The matter was adjourned and will be mentioned again before the Special Criminal Court on October 6. Keane Mulready Woods was last seen alive in Drogheda on January 12, 2020, and was murdered in a house in Drogheda, Co Louth, that month. Body parts were subsequently found in Coolock, Drumcondra, and Rathmullan Park. All allegations remain unproven pending trial.
Three female students – Margaret Eyong Taku, Wendy Briggs and Christina Igweze – have taken a joint High Court challenge against their expulsions from Dundalk Institute of Technology. They allege that the college imposed disproportionate sanctions without providing reasons or considering alternative measures. The expulsions followed four alleged violent altercations between the students, three on campus and one off campus, that took place on 30 and 31 January 2024. The incidents involved physical aggression, including a head stomp, a wet‑floor warning sign, and the pulling out of hair. A disciplinary committee recommended expulsion in February 2024, and an Appeals Committee rejected the students' appeals in April. The students were granted judicial review in July 2024. At the High Court hearing, counsel argued that the appeals committee failed to explain its decision and that the sanctions were disproportionate. The judge said he would reserve judgment.
In a Rathmore murder case, Daniel Blanaru, 37, denied killing his partner Larisa Serban, 26, who died from stab wounds. During an August 2022 interview at Ashbourne Garda Station, Blanaru claimed that Serban had a knife in her bag to protect herself and that she had approached him with it during an argument. He said the knife accidentally struck her as he turned, and that she had been upset. Blanaru also admitted to pushing and hitting Serban, and to being drunk and smoking that night. He stated he could not remember the exact time he left the house and that he had called his brother to check on a party. The Central Criminal Court heard this testimony and video footage, and the trial continues before Justice Eileen Creedon.
A man accused of murdering his partner at their County Meath home in August 2022 told gardaí during interview that he pushed and hit her following a dispute over a gathering at their residence, the Central Criminal Court has heard. Daniel Blanaru, aged 37, from Rathboy, Athboy, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Larisa Serban, aged 26, on or about 12 August 2022. During his first interview at Ashbourne Garda Station on 12 August 2022, Mr Blanaru stated through an interpreter that he discovered his partner hosting a party with her brother and another man when he returned home from Navan. He described an altercation in which physical contact occurred, claiming the other man intervened. Mr Blanaru told detectives he subsequently travelled to Drogheda and contacted gardaí, learning thereafter that Ms Serban had died. The trial, before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of fifteen, continues.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 37‑year‑old man named Daniel Blanaru, accused of murdering his 26‑year‑old partner Larisa Serban, appeared at a Garda station with blood on his clothes and was described as crying hysterically. Blanaru told officers he had drunk half a bottle of whiskey the night of the stabbing at their Co Meath home. He also claimed he had begged the deceased's brother for cocaine that night. Garda John Wallace recounted seeing Blanaru pacing, handing over his licence, and later crying while in custody. Garda Rachael Carr observed him crying repeatedly in the cell. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon, will continue next Monday with an enlarged jury. The State maintains that Blanaru was a jealous and controlling partner who stabbed Larisa on or about 12 August 2022. The accused has pleaded not guilty.