Court archive
Court reports mentioning Dunleer, Louth
2026-06-24 · Louth
Aaron Connolly, who was previously convicted of murdering Cameron Reilly but had his conviction quashed on appeal, has been given a date for his retrial at the Central Criminal Court. The retrial is set for November 23, with a management date set for July 24. Connolly's original trial lasted three weeks, and the retrial is expected to extend into a fourth week. The Court of Appeal found that remarks made by the trial judge may have been perceived as disparaging of the defense case and advocacy for the prosecution. Connolly, who is now 26, was remanded on bail with strict conditions, including living with his parents and not leaving the house unaccompanied. The murder of 18-year-old Cameron Reilly occurred on May 26, 2018, in Dunleer, Co Louth. During his trial, Connolly admitted to performing oral sex on Reilly but claimed he left him alive. The original conviction was quashed due to concerns about the trial judge's comments influencing the jury. The retrial will address these issues and determine Connolly's guilt in the murder of Cameron Reilly. Aaron Connolly pleaded not guilty.
2026-06-04 · Louth
The Court of Appeal has ordered the retrial of Aaron Connolly, whose murder conviction for Cameron Reilly was quashed due to remarks by the trial judge that may have been perceived as mocking the defence case. The trial judge's charge to the jury was found to lack balance and may have been seen as advocacy for the prosecution case and disparaging of the defence case. Connolly, who was 26 at the time of the murder, initially denied any sexual contact with Reilly but later admitted to performing oral sex on him. The trial heard that Reilly was bisexual and had confided in friends about this. Connolly was found guilty in December 2022 and received a mandatory life sentence. His appeal argued that the trial judge's comments were denigrating of the defence case. The Court of Appeal ruled that the trial judge's remarks were capable of being perceived as disparaging and mocking the defence case. The conviction was quashed, and the Director of Public Prosecutions will decide whether to apply for a retrial. Aaron Connolly pleaded not guilty.
2026-05-18 · Louth
Aaron Connolly, who was serving a life sentence for the murder of Cameron Reilly, had his conviction quashed on appeal. The Court of Appeal found that the trial judge's instructions to the jury were imbalanced and may have been perceived as advocacy for the prosecution. Mr Justice John Edwards noted that the trial judge's comments were overly emphatic and could have influenced the jury's perception. Connolly initially denied any sexual contact with Reilly but later admitted to performing oral sex on him. The trial jury heard that Reilly was bisexual and that Connolly had a history of sexual relations with others. Connolly claimed he left Reilly alive, but the prosecution argued that he was the murderer. The appeal highlighted concerns about the trial judge's comments and their potential impact on the jury. The Director of Public Prosecutions will now decide whether to seek a retrial. Aaron Connolly pleaded not guilty.
2025-06-24 · Louth
Aaron Connolly, aged 25, has appealed his 2022 conviction for the murder of 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly, who was found dead in a field near Dunleer. Connolly argues that Judge Tony Hunt's charge was "disparaging" and "denigrating" of the defence, claiming the judge engaged in "advocacy for the prosecution". He also contends that the judge's handling of Section 22 admissions—statements Connolly made through counsel during the trial—was improper, as the judge accepted them as conclusive evidence without challenge. Connolly's counsel, Michael Bowman SC, cited the Supreme Court's Rattigan decision to argue that the judge's remarks may have crossed a line, undermining the defence's closing. The Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel defended the judge's approach, stating it was a direct, accessible charge of the evidence. The Court of Appeal will decide the appeal at a later date. Aaron Connolly pleaded not guilty.
2024-07-18 · Dublin
Magno Da Silva, 33, pleaded guilty to possessing €99,975 as proceeds of crime in his AIB account. He had previously received a suspended sentence for laundering €10,000 in a 2023 investment fraud. The court heard that the €100,000 came from a fake treasury bond scam in which the victim transferred the money to Da Silva's account after receiving a digital copy of a purported bond. Da Silva claimed the money was "clean" and intended to pay tax. Two weeks later he bought a second‑hand Mercedes for €22,900 and a Toyota for €22,400, and gave the remainder to his wife. The court sentenced him to three years' imprisonment with the final nine months suspended, ordered the sale of the two cars, and directed the proceeds to the victim. The victim's loss was €79,604. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
2023-03-30 · Louth
In a decision published on 30 March 2023, the Workplace Relations Commission dismissed Adel Sallam's claim that he was racially discriminated against when a cashier at Aldi in Drogheda asked him to move to another checkout. Sallam, a businessman who had lived in Ireland since the 2000s, alleged that the cashier's repeated instructions and gestures were discriminatory. The tribunal found no evidence of racial discrimination, noting that the cashier's actions were consistent with normal store procedures and that the complainant had not made any reference to race. The adjudicator concluded that the alleged poor customer service was a trivial matter and that equality law should not be used to address such complaints. The case was therefore dismissed without further hearing.
2022-12-20 · Louth
Aaron Connolly, aged 23, was sentenced to a mandatory life term for the murder of 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly on 26 May 2018 in Dunleer. The court heard that Connolly and Reilly had been part of a group that gathered for an outdoor party, later leaving to get food. At about 12:40 am, Connolly and Reilly were last seen together; Reilly's body was found the next morning, with a post‑mortem indicating death by asphyxia or external pressure from a chokehold or rough surface. DNA from a swab taken from Reilly matched a sample provided by Connolly. Connolly denied any sexual activity with Reilly, but evidence from witnesses and his own admissions suggested otherwise. The judge, Mr Justice Hunt, imposed the life sentence, noting Connolly's youth but that Reilly would never recover from the night's events. The family, represented by uncle Darren Flanagan, expressed profound grief and highlighted the impact of the loss. Aaron Connolly pleaded not guilty.
2022-12-15 · Louth
Aaron Connolly, 23, of Willistown, Drumcar, was found guilty by a unanimous jury at the Central Criminal Court of the murder of Cameron Reilly, 18, at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer, on May 26, 2018. Connolly had pleaded not guilty to the charge. The jury, comprising seven women and five men, reached their verdict after 10 hours and 39 minutes of deliberation. Mr Justice Tony Hunt thanked the jury and exempted them from jury duty for 15 years. The court heard that Mr Reilly's cause of death was asphyxia due to external pressure on the neck. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC made a formal admission that sexual contact occurred between the two men, with Connolly performing oral sex on Reilly, and that Reilly was alive when Connolly left. Prosecution counsel Dean Kelly SC argued that Connolly's inconsistent statements and DNA evidence linked him to the crime. Mr Justice Hunt remanded Connolly on continuing bail with strict conditions until December 20, when he will be sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment.
2022-12-15 · Louth
Cameron Reilly, a 19‑year‑old DKIT student, left his grandmother's house on a Friday in May 2018 to meet friends near the Glen Dimplex factory. Between 12:40 am and 1:40 am on 26 May, Aaron Connolly, two weeks older, attacked Reilly in the field. Reilly died of asphyxia caused by external pressure to the neck, with bruising and abrasions on the neck and face. Witnesses, including David Shiels and neighbour Jean Lynch, described the body's condition and attempted CPR. Connolly was the last person to see Reilly alive and was later charged with murder. The trial at the Central Criminal Court concluded with Connolly's conviction for murder, based on evidence of the attack, forensic DNA findings, and Connolly's statements and admissions. The case highlighted the role of lies told by Connolly during the investigation. The court did not address any subsequent appeals or sentencing details.
2022-12-14 · Louth
The jury in the trial of 23‑year‑old Aaron Connolly, accused of murdering 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly in Dunleer, will continue deliberations for a third day. The case began when Reilly's body was found in a field on 26 May 2018. Connolly pleaded not guilty. The jury faced technical difficulties viewing CCTV footage, which was later provided via an alternative method. Witnesses Jean Lynch and Dr Alan Moore gave testimony; Lynch performed CPR and Dr Moore pronounced Reilly dead. Connolly's defence claimed he performed oral sex on Reilly and that Reilly was alive when Connolly left, while the prosecution argued Connolly lied from the start and murdered his friend. The judge instructed the jury to reach a unanimous verdict and to consider whether the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The jury will resume at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow.
2022-12-13 · Louth
The jury in the trial of 23‑year‑old Aaron Connolly, accused of murdering 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly in Dunleer, will resume deliberations tomorrow after a three‑hour session. Mr Justice Tony Hunt directed the jury to reach a unanimous verdict and explained the prosecution's case linking sexual activity, DNA evidence and alleged lies. The defence argued that Connolly and Reilly had oral sex on the night of the murder and that Reilly was alive when Connolly left. Forensic evidence from Dr Clara Boland showed saliva containing DNA from both men, while Dr Linda Mulligan's post‑mortem identified asphyxia by external pressure on the neck as the cause of death, with no ligature marks. Connolly denied any sexual contact and claimed he was "straight." Prosecutor Dean Kelly accused Connolly of lying throughout the investigation, whereas defence counsel Michael Bowman highlighted "strategic lies" and the difficulty of truth‑telling under pressure. The jury will reconvene at 10:30 am tomorrow. Cameron Reilly pleaded not guilty.
2022-12-08 · Louth
The 23‑year‑old Aaron Connolly, charged with the murder of 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly, told Gardaí he could not recall what he did during a "missing hour" on the night of the death. He said he had taken a combination of drugs that caused him to black out. Connolly denied any sexual activity with Reilly, stating he was "straight", but his defence counsel later admitted he had given oral sex to Reilly. He claimed he had left Reilly at a driveway and then returned home at 1.40 am, with no knowledge of what happened to Reilly during the missing hour. Connolly also disputed the forensic finding that his DNA was on Reilly's penis, arguing the report was wrong. The trial is ongoing, with the prosecution presenting evidence of the alleged assault and murder, while the defence has made submissions regarding sexual contact and the circumstances of the death. Aaron Connolly pleaded not guilty.
2022-12-07 · Louth
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the 22‑year‑old Aaron Connolly, charged with the murder of 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly, pleaded not guilty. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC presented a formal admission that Connolly performed oral sex on Reilly on the night of the killing, describing the act and noting that Reilly was still alive and standing when Connolly left. Forensic evidence from Dr Clara Boland showed mixed DNA samples on Reilly's neck, tracksuit, and clothing, with a minor profile matching Connolly's DNA, and a penile swab containing saliva from both individuals. The prosecution, represented by Dean Kelly SC, maintained that Connolly caused Reilly's injuries between 12.40 am and 1.40 am on 26 May 2018 and that Reilly died violently. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, continues with a jury of seven women and five men.
2022-12-06 · Louth
During the Cameron Reilly murder trial, witness Jack Conway testified that he and Aaron Connolly, then 15, had sexual relations on several occasions, including a Halloween encounter where they shared a bed and engaged in oral sex. Conway said Connolly would later claim he was straight, though he himself identified as gay. Conway also stated that Connolly told him he was bisexual. The prosecution argued that Connolly intentionally caused Reilly's death between 12.40am and 1.40am on 26 May 2018, with the pathologist confirming asphyxia from external neck pressure as the cause of death. Connolly, aged 18 at the time of the murder, pleaded not guilty. The trial also heard evidence from other witnesses about the night's events, but the case remains at the trial stage before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury.
2022-12-05 · Louth
Aaron Connolly, aged 22, was accused of murdering 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly in Dunleer on 26 May 2018. Connolly testified that he and Reilly had been drinking Bulmers in a field with friends on 25 May, and that after the group left the field around 11 pm they went to Enzio's chipper. He said he and Reilly walked toward the Beechwood housing estate, then split: Connolly went left down a laneway toward a Centra shop, while Reilly went the opposite way. Connolly claimed he never looked back to see Reilly's direction. He returned home to Drumcar, and the next morning his sister informed him a body had been found. Garda searches from 27 May to 14 June uncovered Reilly's passport near the body. CCTV footage of both men's movements was shown to the jury. The trial, before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, continues with a jury of twelve. The unnamed 22-year-old pleaded not guilty.
2022-12-02 · Louth
Friends of Cameron Reilly, an 18‑year‑old who was found dead in a field in Dunleer, County Louth in 2018, told the Central Criminal Court that he had confided in them that he was bisexual and used the gay dating site Grindr. Erica McGuinness, who had known him for a couple of years, said he had mentioned being on Grindr to "suss people out" and that he had exchanged a wink with a man he had not met before. She agreed that on the night of May 25, 2018, he was "keen to break away" and that this was "out of character" because he normally was "the last man standing". The court heard that the accused, Aaron Connolly, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Reilly, and that the trial was ongoing with a jury hearing the prosecution's case that Connolly intentionally caused Reilly's death between 12:40 am and 1:40 am on May 26, 2018.
2022-11-30 · Louth
During the Central Criminal Court trial of Aaron Connolly, a witness, David Shiels, recounted finding the body of 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly while walking his dogs on a morning in Dunleer. Shiels described seeing the body lying on his back, with discolouration, bruising on the right side of the face, neck and throat, and scrape marks on the front of the neck. He noted the deceased's hands were very white and clean. Shiels also mentioned that he had informed his wife and neighbours, including Catherine Shiels, who initially thought he was mistaken. Catherine later described the body as "chalky white" and "swelled", and recounted that neighbour Jean Lynch attempted CPR, noting bruising and scuff marks on the chin and neck. The court heard that the only injury was neck trauma with extensive bruising. Aaron Connolly pleaded not guilty.
2022-11-29 · Louth
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the State presented evidence that teenager Cameron Reilly (18) was socialising with Aaron Connolly (22) the night before his murder. The prosecution described a large group of about 15–16 young people gathering in a field near Dunleer on 25 May 2018, drinking and possibly using drugs. Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan testified that Reilly died from asphyxia caused by external pressure to the front of his neck, consistent with a chokehold or suffocation involving a ligature. The jury was told that Reilly was alive until just before 1 a.m., after which Connolly allegedly inflicted injuries that led to Reilly's death. Connolly is charged with murder and has pleaded not guilty. The trial will continue before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of seven women and five men.
2022-11-28 · Louth
A 22‑year‑old man, Aaron Connolly of Willistown, Drumcar, will go on trial for the murder of 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly, who was killed on 26 May 2018 at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer. Connolly pleaded not guilty when the charge was read. The Central Criminal Court heard that the deceased lived in Dunleer, was a DKIT student, and that Connolly was a construction worker at the time. More than 70 witnesses are expected to be called over a three‑week trial, which will begin tomorrow before Mr Justice Tony Hunt.
2021-12-21 · Louth
In a judicial review, three Dublin security firms – Top Security Ltd, Morbury Ltd and Las Security Ltd – successfully challenged a ministerial order that would have increased pay for security operatives. The firms argued that the process used to formulate the order favoured large employers, lacked legal clarity and transparency, and would create an anti‑competitive outcome that could reduce employment. They claimed the order, approved by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment after a recommendation from the Labour Court, was based on recommendations from the Security Industry Joint Labour Committee, which they said did not represent them. The court quashed the Employment Regulation Order for the Security Industry and the Labour Court's earlier decision to adopt it, and remitted the ministerial order back to the Labour Court for fresh consideration. The settlement agreement reached with the State ended the legal action and the order was set aside. The case was heard by Mr Justice Charles Meenan.
2021-10-13 · Kildare
Maura Keogh, 60, former accounts manager at CS Construction Spares Ltd, stole €23,366 from her employer by forging bank lodgement slips. She pleaded guilty to 18 theft charges and three false accounting counts for the period 31 December 2015 to 6 September 2016. Keogh, the sole breadwinner of her household, admitted the theft after a discrepancy was discovered in August 2016 and was dismissed in September 2016. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced her to two‑and‑a‑half years imprisonment, fully suspended on strict conditions, after noting her remorse, repayment of the stolen amount, lack of prior convictions and low risk of reoffending. The case caused a restructuring of the company's Dublin premises and job losses for several colleagues. The judge described the offence as a serious aberration from an otherwise law‑abiding life.
2021-07-19 · Dublin
Three security firms – Top Security Ltd, Morbury Ltd and Las Security Ltd – have lodged a High Court challenge to a Ministerial order that would introduce a new Employment Regulation Order for the security industry, set to take effect on 1 September. The firms argue that the process that produced the order was flawed, favouring large employers, creating an anti‑competitive outcome and potentially reducing employment. They contend that the market should determine pay rates for security operatives, allowing different rates for varying qualifications and employment situations. The order, approved by the Minister after a recommendation from the Labour Court, was based on proposals from the Security Industry Joint Labour Committee, which includes union representatives and large security firms. The applicants claim the process lacked transparency, that they were not represented on the Committee, and that no reasons were given for rejecting their submissions.
2021-06-09 · Kildare
Maura Keogh, 55, pleaded guilty to 42 counts of theft from CS Construction Spares Ltd, stealing €23,366.55 between January and September 2016, and to three counts of producing false accounting documents. She was the accounts manager at the Clondalkin machinery firm until the theft was uncovered. Garda Linda Ryan reported that a discrepancy was found when a colleague noticed that cash and cheques recorded did not match the actual lodgements. A sting operation revealed that the cash had not been deposited. Keogh admitted the theft at a meeting on 16 September 2016, was dismissed four days later, and a Garda investigation commenced. The owner, Joseph O'Reilly, said the breach shattered trust and caused a ripple effect, leading to the closure of the Dublin premises and restructuring that resulted in several colleagues losing their jobs.
2020-12-10 · Meath
In December 2020 the Court of Appeal reserved judgment on the appeal of Sharif Kelly and Edward McGrath, who were convicted of murdering Peter Butterly in 2013. The men had been sentenced to life imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court. Their conviction relied heavily on testimony from former co‑accused David Cullen, who had pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a pistol and was later turned into a State witness. Cullen's evidence, which alleged a planning meeting and the men's presence, was contested by the defence as unreliable and tainted. The appeal argued that Cullen's testimony was not credible and that the men's state of mind at the time of the murder was not established. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice George Birmingham, has not yet ruled on the appeal.
2020-12-09 · Meath
In a murder conviction appeal, the DPP's counsel, Paul O'Higgins SC, acknowledged that David Cullen, a former murder suspect who became a State witness, was a 'tarnished' witness. Cullen had previously pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a semi‑automatic pistol and was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, half suspended, for that offence. He testified for four and a half days in the Special Criminal Court trial of Sharif Kelly and Edward McGrath, who were convicted of murdering Peter Butterly in 2013. The defence argued that Cullen's evidence was tainted and should have been excluded, citing his prior perjury conviction. O'Higgins countered that no rule bars a person convicted of perjury from giving evidence, and that the trial court could rely on Cullen's testimony only if corroborated by other evidence. The appeal remains before the Court of Appeal.
2020-12-08 · Meath
The appeal of Edward McGrath and Sharif Kelly, who were convicted of the murder of Peter Butterly in 2013, is ongoing before the Court of Appeal. McGrath's barrister, Paul Greene SC, argued that while McGrath was 'caught red-handed' in the criminal enterprise, there was a lack of evidence regarding his state of mind at the time of the shooting. The appeal hinges on the reliability of David Cullen's testimony, who was originally charged with the murder but later pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on the day of the shooting. Cullen's evidence was central to the convictions of McGrath, Kelly, and others. The appeal is examining whether the trial judges erred in accepting Cullen's testimony, which was the basis of the convictions. The matter was adjourned for further submissions from the DPP, with Paul O'Higgins SC set to continue his arguments tomorrow. Dean Evans, who pleaded guilty to the murder, was not present for the trial but was extradited back to Ireland. The case remains in the appeal stage, with no finalised conclusions yet.
2020-12-07 · Meath
Two men, Edward McGrath and Sharif Kelly, are appealing their convictions for the murder of Peter Butterly, a dissident republican, in a five‑day hearing before the Court of Appeal. The appeal focuses on the reliability of evidence given by former murder suspect David Cullen, who became a State witness. Cullen's testimony, which lasted four and a half days, is alleged by the defence to be tainted and untrustworthy. The defence argues that Cullen's statements were inconsistent, often vague, and that he used evasive language such as "don't know" and "possibly" to undermine his credibility. The appeal contends that the trial judges erred by accepting Cullen's evidence and not adequately addressing his credibility. The hearing will continue the following day before a three‑judge panel of the Court of Appeal.
2020-11-19 · Louth
In November 2020, Bronagh Conlon, co‑founder and managing director of Listoke Distillery, settled High Court proceedings that had sought to prevent her dismissal. The lawsuit, filed in July, had requested an injunction to stop her termination and to bar the appointment of a new managing director, as well as an order restraining her dismissal pending the outcome of the case. The court adjourned the matter several times to allow out‑of‑court talks, during which Conlon remained in her role. On Thursday the High Court heard that the parties had reached a settlement, and the action could be struck out on consent. No settlement details were disclosed. Conlon's statement praised the legal and financial support she received and expressed gratitude to her family, customers, suppliers and the local community. The settlement allowed her to continue as MD of Listoke Distillery, which produces the Listoke 1777 gin and operates a gin school.
2020-01-20 · Meath
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 19‑year‑old Jabari Crichlow was given a four‑year suspended sentence for violently attacking and robbing a 66‑year‑old retired delivery man on Deerhaven Avenue, Clonee, in November 2017. The victim suffered a broken nose, concussion, chipped teeth, and ongoing headaches and fear of further attacks. Crichlow pleaded guilty to robbery and was previously placed on a 12‑month probation bond. After a favourable probation report showing no significant attention and re‑establishment of a good relationship with his mother, Judge Melanie Greally suspended the sentence on strict conditions: cessation of association with negative peers and 240 hours of community service within 12 months. The court noted the victim's loss of over €1,000 in income and the physical and psychological impact of the assault. The case was adjourned twice before the final suspended sentence was imposed.
2019-10-18 · Louth
The High Court has ordered the extradition of Gerard Lagan, 35, to Northern Ireland in connection with the 2007 double murder of Edward Burns and Joseph Jones in Belfast. Lagan, of Dunleer, Co Louth, faces charges alleging he lured the victims from their homes via telephone calls to be killed. The prosecution case, based on circumstantial evidence including cell site data, suggests Lagan was an organiser of the events and enlisted the assistance of Declan Smith and Gerard Mackin. Mackin was previously convicted for Burns' murder in 2008, a conviction later quashed on appeal, while Smith was murdered in Dublin in 2014. Lagan opposed extradition citing delay, previous non-prosecution decisions, and alleged rights breaches regarding mobile phone data analysis. Mr Justice Tony Hunt rejected all grounds, finding that fresh PSNI investigations and telephone data superseded earlier decisions. The judge determined there was no evidence of inappropriate data retention or examination, though he noted it remained unclear why such evidence was not analysed before 2015. Despite Lagan's family circumstances, including children in Irish schools and his role as a registered carer, the court found the public interest in extradition outweighed these factors. Lagan's legal team indicated they would consider the judgment to determine next steps.
2019-04-01 · Meath
Two men have been convicted and sentenced by the Special Criminal Court in connection with the 2013 murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly. Michael McDermott of Ballinagh, County Cavan, received four years imprisonment with the final six months suspended after pleading guilty to assisting an unlawful organisation in the killing. Frank Murphy of County Meath was sentenced to three years with the final year suspended after pleading guilty to impeding the apprehension of a prosecution witness. Mr Butterly, aged thirty-five, was fatally shot outside The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston on 6 March 2013. Four other men have previously received life sentences for his murder. The three-judge panel took into account both men's guilty pleas, clean records, and family circumstances when determining sentences. Both sentences were backdated to reflect time already spent in custody.
2019-03-11 · Meath
The Special Criminal Court has adjourned the sentencing of Frank Murphy and Michael McDermott to April 1, remanding both men in custody. Murphy, 58, pleaded guilty in November 2018 to committing an act to impede the apprehension or prosecution of David Cullen, whom he allegedly believed was guilty of possessing a firearm. McDermott, 60, pleaded guilty to helping an unlawful organisation, identified as the IRA, murder Peter Butterly. The court heard evidence that Butterly was shot dead in a Meath car park in March 2013. David Cullen, who was originally charged with murder, pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol. His plea was accepted by the DPP, resulting in a nolle prosequi on the murder count. Cullen turned State's witness and was sentenced to seven years in prison, with three and a half years suspended, for the firearm possession. The court noted that four other men have already received life sentences for Butterly's murder. Neither Murphy nor McDermott has previous convictions. The judges, presiding over the non-jury court, indicated they will deliver their sentences on April 1.
2018-07-31 · Dublin
Dean Evans, 27, of Raheny, Dublin, received a mandatory life sentence at the Special Criminal Court for the murder of Peter Butterly. Evans pleaded guilty to shooting Butterly outside The Huntsman Inn, Gormanstown, Co Meath, in March 2013. He was extradited from Spain in April after failing to appear for a trial scheduled in January 2017. Evans expressed remorse, stating he made decisions as a younger man that he would not make today. The court heard from the victim's widow, who described the family's trauma. Evans is the third person to receive a life sentence for this murder, following convictions for Edward McGrath and Sharif Kelly. Frank Murphy, 58, of Bettystown, Co Meath, also appeared at the Special Criminal Court today, where he was charged with firearms offences arising out of the events at the Huntsman Inn. Previous firearms charges against Murphy were struck out. Three other men, Kevin Braney, Michael McDermott, and Frank Murphy, are due to go on trial later this year on the same murder charge.
2015-11-17 · Wexford
In 2011, Nicholas Kendall, aged 25, was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court for possessing a range of explosive materials, including Semtex components, mortar bomb fusing parts, improvised timing units, explosive propellant powder, and clothes pegs modified as electro‑mechanical switches. He also pleaded guilty to holding a 9mm Smith & Wesson semi‑automatic pistol and a component of a timing power unit. The offences were uncovered during raids on his parents' rural home in Wexford and a house in Louth on 8 October 2010. On appeal, Kendall argued the sentence was unduly excessive. The court agreed, reducing the sentence to two consecutive five‑year terms with the final 21 months suspended, thereby establishing an effective custodial term of ten years and one month. The decision was based on the seriousness of the offences, the lack of prior convictions, and the plea of guilty.
2015-07-24 · Louth
Alan Rees, 31, of Tinure, Dunleer, Co. Louth, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment in March 2015 for possessing cat litter and other items used to launder fuel. He pleaded guilty to one count of keeping prohibited goods used for removing the marker from mineral oil at Ballycoolin Business Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin, on 17 May 2013. Customs officers had intercepted him while removing 2,000 litres of laundered fuel from a business premises in Blanchardstown, and he admitted to removing 2,000 litres almost every second day for six months. The court found large and complex machinery and estimated the fuel‑laundering operation cost the State €62,000 in lost revenue. On appeal, the 18‑month sentence was reduced to 12 months, with the final six months suspended, as decided by Mr Justice Mahon, Mr Justice Birmingham and Mr Justice Sheehan.
2015-03-11 · Louth
Alan Rees, 31, of Tinure, Dunleer, was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possessing cat litter and other items used in a fuel laundering scheme that cost the Revenue €67,731. He pleaded guilty to possession of prohibited goods used to remove the green marker dye from agricultural diesel at Ballycoolin Business Park on 17 May 2013. The court noted the crime was serious and difficult to detect, and the judge refused to suspend part of the sentence or defer its start. Rees was found with a filtration system that used cat litter to strip the dye from green diesel, allowing it to be sold as fuel for cars. The operation was uncovered when a maintenance man noticed diesel fumes and cat litter in the unit, leading to a customs inspection.