Swords District Court heard several matters presided over by Judge Dermot Dempsey. Ivans Zinkevics, 49, pleaded guilty to trespassing, intoxication, and threatening behaviour. He was sentenced to 240 hours of community service in lieu of a two-month prison term, following a positive probation report. Mairead McRory, 34, admitted to drink driving after a collision. Judge Dempsey convicted her, fined her €750, and disqualified her from driving for three years, a disqualification postponed until March. Tom Costello, 22, pleaded guilty to theft. Despite 47 previous convictions, the judge granted him a final opportunity, convicting him and sentencing him to four months in prison, suspended for two years. Cathy Lawrence, 22, pleaded guilty to using a false driving licence to secure furniture finance. The matter was not concluded with a standard sentence; instead, she was ordered to pay €350 to The Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre. In a separate procedural stage, Calin Scintei, 22, was charged with handling stolen brandy and possessing a foiled bag. His case was adjourned, with a hearing date set for January 26.
Balbriggan District Court heard five matters before Judge Dermot Dempsey. Jennifer Jordan pleaded guilty to driving without insurance and an NCT. She was fined €500 and €100 respectively, with disqualification waived under special circumstances. Liam Daly pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour and intoxication, receiving fines of €300 and €100. Kirian Onyeme pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cannabis; he was convicted, fined €250, and the drugs were ordered destroyed. Jonathan Kendellan pleaded guilty to drink driving. He was convicted, fined €750, and disqualified for six years. Stephen Nyantaki pleaded guilty to intoxication and non-payment of a taxi fare. The matter was adjourned until December 4th for facts to be heard, with continuing bail granted. All defendants were represented by counsel, and recognisances were fixed where applicable.
In 2012, Thomas McDonagh, aged 21, hijacked a taxi on Tyrconnell Road, Inchicore, using force or threat of force. His cousin, Bernard McDonagh, 16, was also in the vehicle. After the hijacking, the taxi crashed into another car near Slane Castle, County Meath. Bernard died from his injuries hours later; Thomas suffered serious injuries, including a broken spine and brain bleeding, and now has epilepsy and other medical issues. The incident was reported to Gardaí, who described the hijackers and the taxi. Thomas was arrested six months later, admitted the hijacking, apologized, and expressed remorse. He has ten prior convictions, including robbery, and was remanded in custody for sentencing on December 9. The court adjourned sentencing to await guidelines on hijacking cases. The case is pending sentencing.
At Balbriggan District Court, Judge Dermot Dempsey handled several matters. Martin Daly pleaded guilty to being intoxicated and using threatening and abusive behaviour. He was remanded on continuing bail until January 22nd for a Probation Report and urine analysis, with the Judge warning that failure to provide satisfactory results would result in custody. Derek Gildea, charged with unlawful possession of a combat knife, was remanded on continuing bail until December 4th to enter a plea or fix a hearing date. Shane Howard pleaded guilty to stealing a Nokia Lumia phone. He was remanded on continuing bail until February 5th to pay €300 compensation and undergo a Probation report to assess suitability for 200 hours of community service in lieu of a three-month prison sentence. Deborah Byrne pleaded guilty to stealing €53 worth of items; she was convicted and fined €100. Finally, James Marry and Jonathan Marry, both charged with threatening and abusive behaviour and intoxication, had their cases adjourned until January 8th as further charges may be brought.
The trial date for Dr Michael Shine, an 82‑year‑old retired consultant surgeon, will not be set until after a High Court judicial review. He faces 25 counts of indecent assault against 22 alleged victims, with the earliest incidents dating to 1964 and the latest to 1990, allegedly occurring at Our Lady's Hospital in Drogheda and a clinic in County Louth. Judge Mary Ellen Ring adjourned the matter again, noting that Shine's legal team are still awaiting the High Court's judgment and that no indication exists as to when it will be delivered. She scheduled a mention for January 14, giving the State and defence the liberty to re‑enter the case should the judgment return before that date.
Clifford Whitehouse, 39, of Knockbrack Downs, Drogheda, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Chapel Street, Balbriggan, on 11 November 2013. He will be sentenced at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 24 February 2015, when the full facts will be heard.
Balbriggan District Court heard multiple matters. Keith Daly pleaded guilty to handling stolen property but was remanded on continuing bail pending a probation report, with the case adjourned to December 11. Lorna Daly, John Scott, and Grainne Kealy were remanded on continuing bail; Daly faces alleged charges of making off without paying and using a false plate, while Scott and Kealy face alleged dangerous driving and careless driving charges, with their cases adjourned to December 11. Denise Creagh pleaded guilty to theft and was convicted, fined €100, and warned of potential custody for future offences. James Whelan pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis and failing to display L-plates; the unaccompanied driving charge was struck out, and he was fined €175. Roberts Trascenko pleaded guilty to drink driving, was convicted, fined €400, and disqualified for two years. Chris Lyaba pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage, and his case was adjourned to January 22 to allow time for compensation. Genadijs Ogurcovs was charged with theft from two shops, and his case was adjourned to October 23 for a plea or hearing date.
Three men—Gareth Mulley (45) of Ashling Park, Dundalk; David Gallagher (37) of Marley Court, Drogheda; and William Burns (38) of Kerrera Street, Ardoyne, Belfast—were served with a book of evidence in the Special Criminal Court on 8 October 2014. They were arrested in May by the Garda Special Detective Unit during investigations into dissident republican activity. All are charged with possession of explosive substances on 25 May 2014 at Kilcurry, Co. Louth, under the Explosive Substances Act and the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act. Allegations include possession of PETN, RDX, an adapted 50‑litre beer keg, 50 kg of homemade ammonium nitrate, an improvised detonation cord, steel booster tube, and a time‑and‑power unit. Mulley and Gallagher are also charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, namely Oglaigh na hEireann (the IRA), under the Offences Against the State Act.
David Lee, 32, pleaded guilty to breaching a protection order and threatening to smash a house in Swords on 19 August 2013. He was convicted and fined €100 by Judge Dermot Dempsey. Lee, who has 25 previous convictions, apologized and has not been near the house since. His defence solicitor, Fiona D'Arcy, said he hopes to get a job as a bicycle courier. Paul McGee, 21, pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage and breaching a protection order at his parents' home on 22 July. He was adjourned until 18 December for a probation report; he has five previous convictions and is attending counselling. Geoffrey Melia, 24, pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of vodka from a Balbriggan supermarket in March. He was fined €200; he has four previous convictions and has stopped drinking. Lisa Jenkins, 41, pleaded guilty to three thefts from a Swords department store, totalling over €800.
Balbriggan District Court heard several matters presided over by Judge Dermot Dempsey. Kieran White pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of wine from Supervalu. After making a €75 donation to the Molly McNally Trust Fund, the court applied Section 1.1 of the Probation Act. Piotr Boryslawski pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cannabis found under his car seat. Following a €300 charitable donation, the charge was struck out. Valerie Dalton, alleged to have been drink driving, was remanded on continuing bail to reappear on September 11th. Paul McGee, charged with criminal damage and breach of a protection order, was remanded on continuing bail for a hearing on October 6th. Eddie McDonagh and Patrick McDonagh, both alleged to have stolen a steel tube from a boat, were remanded on continuing bail to reappear on September 4th. McDonagh also faces allegations of careless driving and not paying a taxi fare, while Patrick McDonagh is alleged to have not paid a taxi fare. All these cases remain at the pre-trial stage with no final sentences passed.
In a 2014 decision, the Court of Criminal Appeal quashed the life‑sentence of a 33‑year‑old man who had murdered a man he believed was having an affair with his wife. The appeal court found that the trial judge had incorrectly explained the law on provocation to the jury, creating a "very real risk of injustice." The judge had been asked to recharge the jury on the provocation question, but the court was not satisfied that this was adequately remedied. Consequently, the conviction was overturned and a retrial was ordered. The man, who had previously been sentenced to seven years for serious injury to his wife and two years for assault, was remanded in custody pending the next Central Criminal Court hearing. The case involved the murder of a 32‑year‑old man, Muhammad Arif, on 7 January 2011, and the alleged stabbing of Rashida Bibi Haider, who survived after surgery. The unnamed 33-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A 41-year-old man from Tullyallen, Drogheda has voluntarily surrendered to Northern Irish authorities following his arrest here in June on a European Arrest Warrant. Edward McDonagh appeared before the High Court in connection with 11 alleged offences committed in July and August 2010 across Armagh and Tyrone. The allegations centre on a series of farm burglaries during which a sledge hammer was reportedly used to assault a farmer. A vehicle was also allegedly stolen during the incident. Gardaí in Monaghan observed two men who subsequently crossed the border, leading to arrests at premises in Crossmaglen where false identification was allegedly provided. Two of the charges against McDonagh carry potential sentences of 14 years imprisonment in the North, relating to burglary and concealing criminal property. Mr Justice John Edwards granted the order for surrender, with an application noted to postpone the extradition until after completion of a separate sentence currently being served domestically.
In Balbriggan District Court, several cases were heard. Garreth Lokko, 23, pleaded guilty to breaching a safety order by shouting and kicking into his ex‑girlfriend's house, was fined €100 and paid €20 compensation for door damage. Hayden Holloman, 19, admitted unlawful possession of €300 worth of cannabis, was fined €300 after failing to complete voluntary work. Michael O'Brien, 19, was charged with possession of an orange emergency shatter hammer and €150 worth of criminal damage; a bench warrant was issued after he missed court. Janet Murphy, 33, was charged with intoxication and failed to appear, leading to a bench warrant. Paul Dargle, 18, faced drink‑driving and dangerous driving charges, with a hearing set for September 26. Lorna Daly, 32, was charged with petrol theft and use of a false plate; a bench warrant followed her absence. Peter Rogers, 61, was convicted of intoxication in a public place and fined €75.
Balbriggan District Court heard multiple matters before Judge Dermot Dempsey. Eoin Maguire, Cornelius Price, and Edward Price, accused of serious assaults and endangering a garda, were remanded on continuing bail with strict conditions to reappear on September 4th after an extension was granted for the Book of Evidence. John Butterly, Lorraine Butterly, and Peter Thompson, charged with assaults involving a baseball bat and rolling pin, were remanded on continuing bail to reappear on September 25th due to the prosecuting garda's injury. Sebestian Knecht was convicted of driving without insurance and possessing a forged insurance disc, receiving a total fine of €850 and a two-year disqualification. Alan Bowe, charged with drink driving, was remanded on continuing bail to reappear on September 26th. Thomas Gaffney, accused of theft and car theft, was remanded on continuing bail until September 11th. Kieran White, who pleaded guilty to stealing wine, was remanded on continuing bail to reappear on July 31st, with the possibility of avoiding a conviction if he pays €75. Mark Donnelly, charged with cannabis possession, was remanded on continuing bail to reappear on September 25th. Stephen Teeling, who pleaded guilty to cannabis possession, was convicted and fined after failing to bring €250 to court, with recognisance fixed for appeal.
At Balbriggan District Court, Edwin Akandu pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified, having no tax or insurance, and lacking a driving licence. He was convicted and sentenced to four months in prison, with an additional six-year disqualification for the uninsured offence. Judge Dempsey noted Akandu had driven just over a year after receiving a previous four-year ban. In a separate matter, Tony Thunder pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to a window in Skerries. The court marked the case peremptory, granting him until July 10th to provide €200 in compensation. Tina Power pleaded guilty to drink driving after giving a urine reading of 297mg/100ml. She was fined €500 and disqualified from driving for three years. James Heraghty, who is alleged to have assaulted a garda, used threatening behaviour, and obstructed an officer, was remanded on continuing bail to reappear on September 26th while the State clarifies CCTV footage. Keith O'Gorman, alleged to have assaulted another man at Balbriggan Harbour, was also remanded on continuing bail to appear on July 12th for the hearing of his case.
Balbriggan District Court heard several cases during its recent sittings. Richard Devine (21) had his case struck out after he admitted to assaulting Shane Christy and causing criminal damage to his car in Rush, Co Dublin on May 3rd, 2013. Devine, who was drunk at the time, paid €800 in compensation and completed 200 hours of voluntary work. Judge Dermot Dempsey accepted these actions and struck the case out. Pat Dwyer (60) pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of alcohol at Miller's Lane in Skerries on December 22nd, 2013. He was fined €400 and disqualified from driving for three years. Eoin Maguire (29), Cornelius Price (32), and Edward Price (24) were remanded on continuing bail to re-appear before the court on July 17th when they are expected to be served with the Books of Evidence. They are charged with assault causing harm to Clifford Whitehouse and James Whitehouse, and production of a Stanley knife on December 20th, 2013. Cornelius Price and Edward Price are also charged with reckless endangerment of a garda at Balbriggan Garda Station on December 22nd, 2013. Thomas O'Donnell (24), Michael O'Brien (18), and Brian Stokes (21) were remanded on continuing bail for charges of unauthorized carriage in a car. Salius Peciulaitis (30) pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, driving while disqualified, and drink driving at Dublin Street in Balbriggan, as well as violent behaviour at Balbriggan Garda Station on February 22nd. He was given a four-month suspended sentence, disqualified from driving for six years, and fined €750. Neil Phipps (28) was remanded on continuing bail for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions regarding an alleged assault causing harm to Brian Cranny.
Three men—Gareth Mulley (44), William Burns (38) and David Gallagher (37)—appeared before the Special Criminal Court on 28 May 2014. They were charged with explosives offences and membership of the unlawful organisation Oglaigh na hEireann (the IRA). Burns, of Ardoyne, Belfast, was accused of unlawfully possessing PETN and RDX, a 50‑litre beer keg, 50 kg of ammonium nitrate homemade explosive, an improvised detonation cord, a steel booster tube and a time‑and‑power unit found at Kilcurry Church on 25 May. Mulley, of Dundalk, and Gallagher, of Drogheda, were charged with IRA membership on the same date. The Special Detective Unit arrested the men on Sunday evening and presented evidence to the court. No bail applications were made, but legal aid was granted to Mulley. Judge Iseult O'Malley remanded the men in custody, ordering a video‑link appearance on 4 June, with liberty to apply for bail if a production order is sought.
Bridget McDonagh, 27, of Hampton Court, Balbriggan, is accused of fraudulently claiming €70,000 in social welfare payments over a year and a half. She allegedly concealed Carer's Allowance and Child Allowance between 1 March 2008 and 10 December 2009, with payments sent to Yellowbatter Post Office in Drogheda and Phibsboro Post Office in Dublin. The Balbriggan District Court heard she committed 75 offences. The Director of Public Prosecutions has sent all 75 charges to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where she faces trial and remains on continuing bail.
Paul Mason, 26, of Ballygarra Park, Garristown, Co Dublin, appeared before the Special Criminal Court on a special out‑of‑hours sitting on 7 May 2014. He was charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, namely the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA). Detective Garda Peter Cooney of Ardee Garda Station arrested Mason at 9:33 pm on Father Connolly Way, Drogheda, Co Louth, explaining the reason for the arrest in ordinary language; Mason made no reply. Cooney believed Mason had committed the offence of which he is charged. At the court, Mason, wearing a black zip‑up jacket and grey tracksuit bottoms, again said nothing when cautioned. The State Solicitor, Mr Liam Mulholland, applied for remand in custody. Counsel for Mason, Mr Marc Thompson Grolimund BL, sought remand until Monday. Judge Iseult O'Malley, with Judges Margaret Heneghan and Ann Ryan, remanded Mason in custody to appear again on 12 May.
At Balbriggan District Court, Judge Dermot Dempsey handed down a sentence to David Lawrence, who pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, no tax, and no NCT. Lawrence was sentenced to four months, which was suspended, and remanded on a peace bond for one year. He was also disqualified from driving for two years and fined €100 for driving without a licence. In a separate matter, Sean Lynch, charged with assault causing harm, had his case adjourned until September 1st for hearing at Swords District Court. Three men—Eoin Maguire, Cornelius Price, and Edward Price—were further remanded on continuing bail as DPP directions were not ready. They face charges including assault causing harm, production of an article, and reckless endangerment of a garda. James Ward, facing seven charges for inducing lodgements and payments related to non-existent tickets and phones, had a bench warrant issued for his arrest after failing to appear. Wojtek Jedrej, charged with possession of a knife and driving under the influence, was remanded for a May 16th hearing. Stephen Teeling, charged with possession of cannabis, was also remanded for a May 16th hearing.
Three men – Eoin Maguire (29), Cornelius Price (32) and Edward Price (24) – were remanded on continuing bail by Judge Dermot Dempsey at Balbriggan District Court. They face charges of assault causing harm to Clifford Whitehouse and James Whitehouse on 20 December 2013 at Bremore Castle, and of producing a Stanley knife on the same day. Cornelius Price and Edward Price are also charged with reckless endangerment of a garda at Balbriggan Garda Station on 22 December 2013. Maguire had previously been granted bail with a condition to sign on three times a week; his solicitor requested a reduction to once a week, but the judge refused. The judge extended the bail period to 9 am‑9 pm and reserved free legal aid for Maguire. All three men are to re‑appear on 24 April 2014.
James Marry, 25, of Balbriggan, was found guilty of unlawful possession of 51 Ecstasy tablets for sale or supply, worth €300, after he hid them in his underwear and fled from Gardaí on Drogheda Street. He had three prior drug‑related convictions, including suspended sentences, and works as a carer for his mother. The Swords District Court, following a recommendation from Probation Services, imposed 240 hours of community service in lieu of a four‑month prison term for the offence.
Balbriggan District Court heard several pre-trial matters before Judge Dermot Dempsey. Edwin Akandu, 45, is charged with driving without insurance. His solicitor stated he is a named driver on his partner's policy, but she refuses to provide the certificate. The Judge ordered Chill Insurance to furnish the document to Garda Keith Horgan, warning of a warrant for non-compliance, and adjourned the case until May 22nd. Michelle Ferris, 38, is alleged to have drink driven, failed to wear a seat belt, and driven without a licence. Following receipt of disclosure, she was remanded on continuing bail to appear before Swords District Court on June 9th. Joseph Cruise, 20, is alleged to have breached a protection order. He was remanded on continuing bail to re-appear before Balbriggan District Court on May 16th. Stephen Teeling is charged with unlawful possession of cannabis. The Judge granted a disclosure order and remanded him on continuing bail to return on April 24th for a plea or hearing date. Gavin Deegan, 24, is also charged with unlawful possession of cannabis. He was remanded on continuing bail to re-appear before the court on April 24th. All defendants are currently at the charge or pre-trial stage, with no pleas entered or findings made.
In Balbriggan District Court on 27 March 2014, David Donnelly, aged 20, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Jennifer Coffey in Lusk Graveyard on 5 August 2012, fracturing her nose. He received a six‑month suspended sentence and was bound to the peace for two years. Donnelly also pleaded guilty to harassing Coffey's father, Michael, on 6 April 2013, and was ordered to a probation bond for 18 months and to comply with Probation Services. He was required to complete a Victim Awareness course and take prescribed medication. The court noted his high risk of re‑offending if he does not adhere to treatment. Separately, Sean Lynch, 26, was remanded on continuing bail for assault involving a lit cigarette in a victim's eye, with the case adjourned to 24 April pending further disclosure. Paul Boylan, 35, was charged with possession of false number plates; his case was scheduled for a hearing on 9 June at Swords District Court.
At Balbriggan District Court, David Yeomons pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, driving without a driving licence, and having no NCT. Judge Dermot Dempsey disqualified him from driving for two years and fined him €400 for the insurance offence and €100 for the licence offence, taking the other charges into consideration. In a separate matter, Intaras Balans was alleged to have committed drink driving, driving while disqualified, driving without a licence, and possessing a false tax and insurance disc. The Director of Public Prosecutions directed summary disposal, keeping the case in the District Court. Judge Dempsey adjourned the proceedings until June 9th and remanded Balans on continuing bail. Additionally, Paul Nwoso was alleged to have drink driven and committed several other motoring offences. His case was adjourned until April 3rd, and he was remanded on continuing bail. A 17-year-old defendant, who pleaded guilty to theft from a Skerries pharmacy, was sentenced to three months' imprisonment, suspended, and bound to the peace for two years.
At Balbriggan District Court, Peter Flood (32) pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after allegedly headbutting his former partner, breaking her nose. Judge Dermot Dempsey sentenced Flood to 240 hours of community service work in lieu of a six-month prison term, bound him to the peace for two years, and ordered him to continue anger management and drug treatment. In a separate matter, David El Masri (32) pleaded guilty to custody of equipment for making copies and ten charges of copying movies for sale. Judge Dempsey struck out the case after El Masri paid €500 to Balbriggan St Vincent de Paul and ordered the destruction of counterfeit material. Neil O'Brion (27) pleaded guilty to using threatening and abusive behaviour towards gardai. His case was struck out following a €500 donation to AWARE charity. Finally, Bridget McDonagh (27), who is alleged to have committed social welfare fraud by concealing allowances, was remanded on continuing bail. The judge granted the State eight additional weeks to complete the book of evidence, with McDonagh scheduled to reappear on May 8th.
Rory Grant (48) pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of an intoxicant and having no insurance on May 20, 2013, at Chieftain's Drive in Balbriggan. Judge Patrick Clyne sentenced him to four months, suspended for two years, for the driving offence, and a concurrent four-month sentence, suspended for two years, for the insurance offence. Grant was also disqualified from driving for four years. Stephen O'Shaughnessy (23) pleaded guilty to trespass, theft of alcohol, and handling stolen property. The matter was adjourned until May 1st, with the judge requiring O'Shaughnessy to cooperate with Probation Services and provide €376 in compensation. Sean Lynch (26) is alleged to have assaulted a person by sticking a lit cigarette in their eye at Home Nightclub in Balbriggan on July 31, 2011. He was remanded on continuing bail, and the case was adjourned until March 27th. Billy Atete (44) pleaded guilty to failing to provide a breath sample at Balbriggan Garda Station on February 2. He was fined €250 and disqualified from driving for four years.
Three men – Eoin Maguire (29), Cornelius Price (32) and Edward Price (24) – appeared before Judge Dermot Dempsey at Balbriggan District Court charged with several offences alleged to have occurred in December 2013. They are charged with assault causing harm to Clifford Whitehouse and James Whitehouse on 20 December 2013 at Bremore Castle, with the production of a Stanley knife on the same day, and with reckless endangerment of a garda at Balbriggan Garda Station on 22 December 2013. Maguire made no reply after arrest, while Price replied that he had said what he had to say. Maguire was granted bail with conditions to sign on three times a week at Drogheda Garda Station, stay away from witnesses, avoid Balbriggan and reappear on 3 April. Price was refused bail and remanded to Cloverhill to appear on 13 February.
A 50‑year‑old woman from County Louth, Paula Reid, is accused of stealing €19,604 from Hugh Burrows & Sons Ltd over a four‑year period between November 2008 and December 2012. She faces 65 theft offences and has been sent forward for trial by judge and jury in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Reid appeared at Balbriggan District Court, where a State solicitor confirmed the evidence was ready and served. Judge Dermot Dempsey assigned senior and junior counsel, gave her an alibi caution, and remanded her on continuing bail to appear on 14 February.
James Marry, 25, was found in unlawful possession of 51 ecstasy tablets on 27 October 2010 in Balbriggan. He hid the tablets in his underwear and fled from Gardaí before being searched. Marry pleaded guilty and has three prior drug convictions, including suspended sentences. He is a carer for his mother. Judge Dermot Dempsey questioned whether a custodial sentence was necessary, noting Marry had been given chances already. The judge requested a Probation & Welfare Report to decide if 140 hours of community service could replace a four‑month prison term.
In Drogheda, 30‑year‑old Wayne McQuillan was stabbed to death on New Year's Day, with the attack occurring near Rathmullen Park at about 1.30 am. Gardai found him collapsed with stab wounds in a front garden and he was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. A post‑mortem was later carried out. 40‑year‑old Paula Farrell of Rathmullen Park was arrested the same morning. She was remanded in custody and appeared before Judge Michael Walsh at Dublin District Court. Farrell, wearing a blue denim jacket, white and grey jumper and black trousers, did not speak during the brief hearing. She was charged with McQuillan's murder. The court could not consider bail, and her defence solicitor, Patrick Goodwin, consented to her remand and requested medical treatment for her health. Judge Walsh granted free legal aid and directed appropriate medical care while she remains in custody.
At Balbriggan District Court, Judge Dermot Dempsey addressed several matters. Marek Laska, 27, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cannabis for sale or supply and possession of digital weighing scales. Although Laska claimed the drugs were for personal use, the judge noted the scales were indicative of supply. Laska was remanded on continuing bail, and the case was adjourned until April 10th for a Restorative Justice Programme report. In a separate matter, the National Education Welfare Board reported that an unnamed teenager is making positive progress in school attendance. The judge adjourned the case until February 20th for review. Additionally, Sean Donnelly, 24, and Craig Donnelly, 22, pleaded guilty to being intoxicated and using threatening and abusive behaviour. Both men paid €350 to local charities, and the judge struck out the charges, avoiding convictions. Finally, Keith Blackburn, 52, was remanded on continuing bail after being charged with violent behaviour and failing to comply with garda directions. His case was adjourned until January 9th for a plea or hearing date.
In a Balbriggan public‑order case, 24‑year‑old Sean Donnelly and his 22‑year‑old brother Craig were arrested for drunkenness and abusive behaviour on 17 November. Both pleaded guilty. Defence solicitor Eleanor Kelly argued that a €200 payment could avoid convictions, but Judge Dermot Dempsey insisted they each pay €350. The judge noted that a conviction would hinder Sean's plans to return to Australia for work and could affect Craig's army career. Both men, with no prior convictions and previously given adult cautions, were remanded on continuing bail to appear again on 19 December to pay the court. The judge's remarks suggested he wanted to allow Sean to return to Australia without a criminal record. No conviction was imposed at this hearing.
Arvis Jakobsons, 26, of Swords, pleaded guilty to criminal damage after smashing the front and bathroom doors of his ex‑partner's house on Main Street, Rush. Gardaí were called when the ex‑partner reported the intrusion. The damage was estimated at €400. Judge Dermot Dempsey demanded Jakobsons pay for the repairs, which he did by contributing €250 in court. After the payment, the charge was struck out. Separately, Stephen O'Shaughnessy, 23, of Stamullen, pleaded guilty to trespass, theft of alcohol, and handling stolen property. He was remanded on continuing bail, required to pay €426 in compensation, and was ordered to appear again on 28 February 2014. Finally, Niall Byrne, 31, of Balbriggan, was disqualified from driving for four years and fined €500 after Garda Derek Dalton seized his car for lacking insurance and tax, following a prior two‑year disqualification in 2012. All proceedings were held at Balbriggan District Court.
Paula Reid, 50, of Drogheda, is accused of stealing €19,604 from Hugh Burrows & Sons Ltd, a knitwear manufacturer in Balbriggan, over a four‑year period from November 2008 to December 2012. She faces 64 theft offences. The case was presented at Balbriggan District Court where Sergeant Tony Tighe gave evidence of her arrest, charge and caution. Judge Dermot Dempsey directed a trial on indictment and remanded Reid on continuing bail to re‑appear on 26 January next year. The court also heard the case of Gunars Baumanis, 45, who was convicted of dangerous driving, hit and run, failing to remain at the scene and displaying a false tax disc. Baumanis was given a three‑month suspended sentence, a four‑year driving disqualification for dangerous driving, a six‑month disqualification for failing to stop, a €300 fine for the offence and a €100 fine for failing to report the incident. Gunars Baumanis pleaded guilty.
Eimantas Valteris, Patrick McDonagh, and Park Vale were charged before the Special Criminal Court with the unlawful possession of a .32 inch auto (7.65mm) calibre IZH 79-8 model Baikal semi-automatic pistol, serial number TPB358706. Valteris is alleged to have possessed the firearm at Balmoral Industrial Estate, Navan, Co. Meath, while McDonagh is alleged to have possessed it at Main Street, Castlebellingham, Co. Louth, both on June 10, 2013. McDonagh is additionally charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army. The matter is at the trial stage, with all charges alleged or contested. During a bail variation hearing, counsel for Valteris requested an amendment to his curfew conditions to accommodate employment as a security guard. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Butler with Judges Margaret Heneghan and William Hamill, granted the variation, adjusting the curfew to 6am to 7am with gardai consent. The court remanded the accused men on continuing bail until December 12. No pleas, findings, sentences, or finalisations were recorded in this report.
A 46‑year‑old Polish welder and mechanic, Waldemar Solowiow, was found guilty of murdering his 37‑year‑old girlfriend, Mary Ryan, who was discovered unconscious in his Dublin bedsit on 18 May 2012. Ryan died from neck compression and blunt force trauma to the head. Solowiow pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, claiming a physical fight the night before and that he did not intend to kill her. He admitted slapping, pushing and grabbing her, and that she fell onto a coffee table and hit her head. Gardaí had been called to the flat on several occasions due to the couple's drunken behaviour. The Central Criminal Court heard that Solowiow had initially told authorities that Ryan had been assaulted by three men the previous night, a story he later abandoned. The jury, after four and a half hours of deliberation, returned a majority verdict of 11 to 1, finding him guilty of murder.
In the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution argued that the injuries sustained by Mary Ryan were inconsistent with her boyfriend Waldemar Solowiow's account of a brief struggle. An autopsy revealed death by neck compression and blunt force trauma to the head. Solowiow, a 46‑year‑old unemployed welder and mechanic, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. He claimed a physical fight the night before, stating he did not intend to kill her. The prosecution highlighted the severity of the injuries and evidence of a prior alcohol problem, questioning whether a slap could cause such harm. The defense contended that Solowiow's intent was absent, citing provocation and the possibility of a manslaughter verdict. Judge Patrick McCarthy instructed a jury of eight men and four women to deliberate on the case.