A 33‑year‑old man, Vesel Jahiri, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of his former partner, Anna Finnegan, who was 25 and mother of their two children. Jahiri pleaded not guilty to both the murder and an assault on Finnegan's brother, Karl, on 21 September 2012. The prosecution, represented by Patrick Marrinan SC, described Finnegan's relationship with Jahiri as having deteriorated a month before her death, with the couple no longer living together. On the night of the murder, Jahiri allegedly forced entry into Finnegan's home, where an altercation with Karl resulted in Finnegan being stabbed in the chest and head. She was taken to James Connolly Hospital, where she died at 10.30 pm. Jahiri later contacted emergency services, was arrested the next day, and denied any involvement in the stabbing, claiming self‑defence.
In Balbriggan District Court, Philip Dunne (28) of Woodland Court, Rush, faced charges of failing to give a blood sample, criminal damage, and dangerous driving on November 14th. His case was adjourned until March 27th following a disclosure order request by his solicitor, Fiona Darcy. Aaron Conway (20) of Aghaneen Park, Dundalk, pleaded guilty to possession of counterfeit cigarettes for sale without excise duty. His case was struck out after he made a €300 charitable donation to Balbriggan St Vincent De Paul Society. Mark Duignam (37) of Palmer Court, Rush, had his four-month suspended sentence activated after breaching bail conditions. He was previously convicted in May 2013 for theft of €57 worth of groceries from Supervalu in Lusk. Judge Coughlan sentenced him to four months in prison. Noel Orange (30) of Reynoldstown, The Naul, was charged with refusing to give a blood sample on January 31st. His case was adjourned for hearing, with a remand on continuing bail to appear before Swords District Court on March 10th. William O'Gorman (39) of Baron's Hall House, Balbriggan, was charged with theft of a track suit top from St Vincent de Paul on February 14th. His case was remanded on continuing bail until March 28th, with free legal aid granted. Balbriggan Sunday Market was an applicant in a case involving possession of counterfeit cigarettes for sale without excise duty and refusal to give a blood sample, with charges admitted and a guilty plea.
Patrick McDonagh, 50, of Dundalk, was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court to five years' imprisonment for unlawful possession of a .32‑calibre Baikal semi‑automatic pistol. He pleaded guilty to the offence on 10 June 2013, when the weapon was found in the boot of a black Volkswagen in Castlebellingham. McDonagh was also charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, the IRA, but the DPP entered a nolle prosequi and the charge was not pursued. The judge noted McDonagh's good character, his early guilty plea and his previous conviction for possession of explosives, which had been increased to ten years on appeal and resulted in his release in 2005. The sentence was back‑dated to 1 February 2014 for time already spent in custody. The court considered mitigating factors such as his strong work ethic and family responsibilities, and the judge imposed a sentence of five years, the statutory minimum for the offence.
The High Court has ordered the extradition of Michael Collins to Northern Ireland to face ten charges, including alleged assault, burglary and attempted hijacking, all dated to 2006. Collins, who is currently serving a three‑year sentence in Cloverhill prison for aggravated burglary and endangerment, is wanted under a European Arrest Warrant issued last year and endorsed by the High Court on 2 July 2013. He has said he will contest the charges and could face life imprisonment or up to 15 years if convicted. One alleged offence involves assaulting a woman and stealing 24 bottles of Magners cider; another involves an attempt to hijack a Seat Leon with three men; a third involves threatening a man to drive to Dundalk or blow his head off.
Patrick McDonagh, 49, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin to unlawful possession of a .32 calibre semi‑automatic pistol (IZH 79‑8 model Baikal, serial TPB358706). He was arrested in June 2013 during an operation targeting dissident republican activity in the border area. McDonagh also faces a charge of membership in an unlawful organisation, the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The prosecution will not pursue the IRA charge, and the court will adjourn the sentencing for the handgun offence to 18 February.
Sean Smith, 18, of Dundalk, was convicted at Balbriggan District Court of selling cigarettes without excise duty paid. He pleaded guilty to the charge, which involved displaying various brands at Balbriggan Sunday Market. Judge Dermot Dempsey fined him €350 and ordered the destruction of the cigarettes. In separate matters, James Maguire, 43, of Balbriggan, is alleged to have used threatening and abusive behaviour and obstructed a garda in Skerries. His case was adjourned to March 3rd at Swords District Court, and he was remanded on continuing bail. Jade Gannon, 30, of Skerries, is charged with criminal damage, having no insurance, being intoxicated, using threatening and abusive behaviour, and failing to pay a taxi fare. Her case was also adjourned to March 3rd at Swords District Court, with the court remanding her on continuing bail. All proceedings were heard before Judge Dempsey.
A 34-year-old businessman from Armagh has been charged in connection with an alleged diesel laundering operation worth approximately €9 million annually. The man, a company director with an address in Crossmaglen, was arrested by appointment in Dublin and charged under the Finance Act in relation to an alleged incident at Castleblayney, County Monaghan, in September 2011. Gardaí alleged he was found red-handed at a yard during surveillance, with large quantities of green diesel and laundering equipment present. The operation was said to be capable of processing 18 million litres of diesel per annum, resulting in substantial revenue loss. The Director of Public Prosecutions has directed trial on indictment, meaning the case will proceed to Circuit Court level. Dublin District Court set bail with strict conditions, including a €7,500 personal bond, a €15,000 independent surety, and passport surrender. He was remanded in custody pending a further hearing at Cloverhill District Court on 14 January.
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.
Four defendants appeared before Balbriggan District Court, presided over by Judge Dermot Dempsey, where all matters were adjourned. Alan Bathe, 29, is charged with criminal damage, unauthorised carriage in a vehicle, and arson, allegedly involving a car crash into a garden wall and subsequent fire in Balbriggan. The Director of Public Prosecutions directed summary disposal, and the case was adjourned until January 30th. Thomas Ward, 43, pleaded guilty to inducing a woman to pay €280 for a non-existing product. Despite a previous compensation order, Ward presented only €250. The judge granted him one final opportunity to pay the balance, adjourning the matter until February 6th. Christopher Russell, 53, pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and threatening and abusive behaviour in Rush. A medical report was requested, and the case was adjourned for hearing on February 13th. Daniel O'Neill, 20, is charged with trespass, threatening and abusive behaviour, violent behaviour, and possession of a rock at Swords Garda Station. He was remanded on continuing bail and ordered to re-appear at Swords District Court on March 3rd.
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.