The trial of Aaron Brady, 27, accused of murdering Garda Adrian Donohoe in 2013, was postponed until January 2020 for logistical reasons. Brady, who lives on New Road, Crossmaglen, was due to begin on Monday but a defence application delayed the start. The judge, Mr Justice Michael White, said a jury could not be sworn in as planned and a new trial date would be set. He also announced that the court would actively address outstanding issues and arrange for an enlarged 15‑person jury. The pre‑trial hearing will continue, and the court aims to resolve all matters before the new start date. The trial was originally scheduled for October 8 and then November 11, each postponed to handle pre‑trial matters.
Paula Underwood, 56, pleaded guilty to unlawfully using a computer to divert over €23,000 from pensioners at Donabate Post Office between 2008 and 2013. She withheld payments from 91 pensioners across 156 transactions, understating entitlements and exploiting vulnerable customers. An Post refunded the money and held the then postmaster, Mr Neill Smith, liable, requiring him to repay the sum. Underwood was sentenced to three years imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended on 30 July 2019. She sought to withdraw an appeal against the severity of her sentence, but the Court of Appeal required her to present €750 to compensate Mr Smith. After the payment was produced, the appeal was withdrawn, allowing her to remain released from prison. Mr Smith, a 32‑year postmaster, expressed betrayal and health impact but received no apology. The case highlights breaches of trust against elderly pensioners.
A 38‑year‑old UK businessman was convicted of raping and sexually assaulting two girls aged 10 and 12 between December 2010 and March 2011. He was sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. The girls lived with their mother and siblings in the UK when the man entered their lives; the family later moved into his house and then to Louth. He showered the children with gifts and trips, and UK social services noted his daily control and grooming. The man denied the charges. He has now appealed, arguing that specialist Gardaí interviews of the child complainants were flawed, citing leading questions, possible contamination, and pre‑prepared letters. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on the appeal.
Aaron Brady, 27, of New Road, Crossmaglen, faces trial for the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was killed while on duty at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth, on 25 January 2013. The Central Criminal Court scheduled his trial for 11 November 2019, after pre‑trial hearings delayed the start. Mr Justice Michael White informed Brady that the date is subject to further applications by prosecution or defence. A 15‑person jury will be sworn for the trial, which is expected to continue into January 2020.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Joey McKeon, aged 25, pleaded guilty to trespass and attempted theft after being tackled to the ground by homeowner Emmanuel Reynaud, who has two black belts in Judo and Jujitsu. McKeon, who had been standing outside Reynaud's house when dragged in, claimed he was only outside when the incident occurred. Reynaud, a trained martial artist, responded automatically to noises downstairs, placed McKeon against a wall, and pinned him on the ground. McKeon threatened to press charges and told Reynaud he should be deported back to Poland. Reynaud's wife reported fearing a return of the burglar and that their four‑year‑old daughter was still affected. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a three‑year prison sentence on McKeon, noting his drug addiction, mental health concerns, and the traumatic impact on the children. The court heard that McKeon insulted Reynaud for 15 minutes and that Reynaud never applied any dangerous holds.
Judge Martin Nolan, presiding over the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, sentenced Carley O'Connor, 31, and Gemma Reilly, 27, to three years imprisonment each for possession of cocaine for sale or supply. Both pleaded guilty to offences involving €34,489 worth of cocaine found in a black plastic bag in a Ford Mondeo's glove compartment. The judge noted that neither had prior convictions, had cooperated with Gardaí, and had no criminal record. He emphasized that most drug defendants are not large traffickers but individuals desperate for money or debt relief, and that Section 15a of the Misuse of Drugs Act is applied when drug values exceed €13,000. Both sentences were suspended in full on the condition that the women keep the peace and behave well for three years. The court highlighted that the defendants were not major drug pushers but "pawns for the slaughter.".
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.
An Armagh man, Adrian Grant, 48, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three counts of dishonestly by deception. He used false documentation bearing the name "Gerard Grant" to submit two mortgage applications in 2011 and 2014 and a hire‑purchase application to Volkswagen Bank in 2013. The mortgage applications for a property in Kells failed, but he obtained €18,000 in car finance, which he has since repaid. Grant had a prior conviction in Northern Ireland for selling counterfeit washing powder. He explained that he had lost two properties after being let go from construction work and was under severe financial pressure, caring for a seriously ill wife. The court noted his cooperation with Gardaí and the absence of victims. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three‑year sentence, suspended in full.
Vincent O'Donoghue, a former solicitor, was refused an extension of time to appeal his conviction for fraudulently converting cheques. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham with Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, denied the application. O'Donoghue had previously pleaded guilty to converting cheques totalling IR£34,828 (€44,231) intended as property deposits in Dublin and Belfast in the late 1990s. He was sentenced in July 2014 by Judge Mary Ellen Ring to 220 hours of community service in lieu of a two-year prison term. The judges noted that O'Donoghue, a former solicitor, entered his guilty plea while represented by legal counsel and had sworn affidavits that failed to demonstrate any substantive point for appeal. The court emphasized that finality and certainty are important litigation objectives, concluding that the interests of justice would not be served by granting more time. The matter was adjourned regarding the extension request, which was refused, leaving the original conviction and sentence intact.
In a 2016 robbery at Woodbine Park Post Office, Glen Kavanagh (44) held a loaded Makarov pistol to a customer's head, fired eight shots, and attempted to escape. An ESB repairman tackled him, kicking the raider's ankle and causing the gun to fly, striking an ESB colleague on the head. The incident, described as an "aggressive struggle," resulted in €455 stolen and the recovery of the pistol and cartridges. Kavanagh pleaded guilty to robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to 12 years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, and ordered concurrent service with a ten‑year firearms sentence, both backdated to 1 January 2018. The sentence includes strict conditions and 18 months of probation post‑release. Kavanagh's drug‑related history and lack of memory of the raid were noted by the court. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 11 October 2019. Glen Kavanagh was convicted.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of Ray Kennedy (39) and Laurence Murphy (62), who have pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the IRA on March 6, 2013. Kennedy is also charged with perverting the course of justice by destroying a mobile SIM card. The prosecution presented the statement of Eithne Butterly, widow of dissident republican Peter Butterly, who was shot dead outside The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co Meath, on that date. Mrs Butterly told gardai that Kennedy was a "good friend" to both of them and that her husband had received five death threats, including one from Alan Ryan. She stated her husband told her he was meeting Kennedy at 2pm on March 6, 2013, though Kennedy maintains the meeting was scheduled for 2.30pm. The court heard that four men—Kevin Braney, Edward McGrath, Sharif Kelly, and Dean Evans—have already received life sentences for the murder, while Michael McDermott and Frank Murphy have also been jailed for their roles in the killing. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns, Judge Sarah Berkeley, and Judge Michael Walsh, resumes tomorrow.
A 15‑person jury will be sworn to hear the trial of Aaron Brady, 27, of New Road, Crossmaglen, charged with the murder of Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was killed in the line of duty at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co. Louth, on 25 January 2013. Mr Justice Michael White scheduled the trial to begin on 21 October, agreeing to a 15‑person jury after the prosecution suggested the case could extend into January 2020.
Paula Underwood, 56, of Balbriggan, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment with 18 months suspended for unlawfully using a computer to steal €23,213 from 91 pensioners between July 2008 and October 2013 at Donabate Post Office. She withheld weekly payments, manipulating the system to take money that was not hers. An Post refunded all affected customers and blamed the IT system in letters. The postmaster, Mr Neill Smith, was held liable and set up a repayment plan, paying €5,000 initially and still owing about €6,000. Mr Smith, who had been proud of his post office, expressed betrayal and health impact. Underwood was dismissed, made a voluntary statement to Gardaí, and admitted wrongdoing. She had no prior convictions and was planning to start a state‑funded fashion design course after sentencing. The judge described the crimes as despicable breaches of trust against elderly persons. Paula Underwood pleaded guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Tomas Kennedy, 43, received a fully suspended one‑year prison sentence for careless driving that caused the death of 91‑year‑old Beatrice Ryan on 25 March 2017. Kennedy was not speeding or intoxicated; his mobile phone and blood tests showed no distraction or alcohol. Witnesses heard a thud and saw Ryan on the bonnet before the car stopped, but did not see the impact. Ryan suffered an unrecoverable brain injury, remained unconscious, and died three days later. Kennedy, who has no prior convictions, pleaded guilty and expressed remorse. The judge noted his attempts to recover memory failed and that he had been admitted to a psychiatric hospital three months after the collision. The sentence was suspended, with a maximum penalty of two years. The court heard a victim impact statement from Ryan's nephew, Eugene Downes, describing her legacy as a teacher and activist. The judge extended condolences to the family.
In a Central Criminal Court case, 46‑year‑old Paula Farrell of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, was tried for the murder of her 30‑year‑old boyfriend, Wayne McQuillan, who was killed on 1 January 2014. Farrell pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, admitting she stabbed McQuillan four times. She claimed the deceased had tried to rape and strangle her, and that her childhood sexual abuse influenced her actions. The prosecution argued she fabricated the rape claim, while the defence denied this. A forensic psychiatrist diagnosed Farrell with post‑traumatic stress disorder from child abuse. The trial noted delays in ambulance response and that McQuillan was transported in a Garda car. After more than four hours of deliberation, the jury could not reach a verdict, and the judge remanded Farrell in custody until 21 October for further court dates.
The Central Criminal Court jury has begun deliberations on the murder trial of Paula Farrell, a 46‑year‑old from Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, who is charged with killing her 30‑year‑old boyfriend, Wayne McQuillan, on New Year's morning 2014. Farrell pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, admitting she stabbed McQuillan four times. She claims she was sexually abused as a child and that McQuillan had sexually assaulted and attempted to strangle her, provoking her. The prosecution argues she fabricated a rape claim to justify the killing, while the defence maintains no such excuse. A forensic psychiatrist testified that Farrell suffered post‑traumatic stress disorder from alleged child abuse, influencing her actions. The jury, consisting of eight women and four men, retired to deliberate and will resume on Monday morning. The case remains at the jury deliberation stage.
Jason O'Connor, 41, was sentenced to three years in prison for assaulting a man at The Paddocks pub in Clonee on 3 November 2018, and for making threats to kill or seriously harm Detective Sergeant Shane McCartan and Detective Inspector Joseph McLoughlin during a search of his home on 5 November 2018. The threats were recorded by a documentary film crew and played in court. O'Connor pleaded guilty to both the assault and the threats. He has 64 previous convictions, mainly traffic offences, but also knives, burglary and a mobile phone in prison. The judge, Martin Nolan, imposed a concurrent one‑year sentence for the threats, back‑dated to reflect time already spent in custody. The court noted that O'Connor had been in his boxer shorts when the Emergency Response Unit breached his door, and that he had a history of mental health issues and substance misuse.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Paula Farrell, 46, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter for killing her 30‑year‑old boyfriend, Wayne McQuillan, on New Year's morning 2014. The prosecution argued that Farrell had fabricated a rape claim to justify the killing, citing her statements to Gardaí 15 months after the death and her description of the relationship as "brilliant." They highlighted forensic psychiatric evidence of post‑traumatic stress disorder from childhood abuse and noted that Farrell had been intoxicated with about six litres of cider that night. The defence countered that Farrell's PTSD and childhood sexual abuse shaped her state of mind, and that the alleged rape was a false narrative. The jury was instructed to consider whether provocation could reduce the charge to manslaughter, while the prosecution maintained that the evidence supported a murder verdict.
In the Louth woman's trial at the Central Criminal Court, Dr Sally Linehan, a consultant forensic psychiatrist, testified for the prosecution. She reported that she had produced two reports on Paula Farrell, the 46‑year‑old accused of murdering her boyfriend Wayne McQuillan. In the 2015 report, Dr Linehan noted that Farrell had not experienced flashbacks or hearing voices at the time of the alleged offence, but she did meet the criteria for post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the 2019 report, Farrell admitted to intrusive dreams about childhood sexual abuse but did not recall memories of abuse at the time of the 2014 killing. Dr Linehan was not satisfied that Farrell had a dissociative reaction during the incident. She agreed with the defence psychiatrist that Farrell suffered from PTSD, alcohol dependence, hypersensitivity, hyper‑vigilance and emotional instability, and that she had a passive death wish but no plan to harm herself. The jury will hear closing speeches tomorrow. Paula Farrell pleaded not guilty.
In a 2019 trial at the Central Criminal Court, 46‑year‑old Paula Farrell of Drogheda pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter for killing 30‑year‑old Wayne McQuillan on New Year's Day 2014. She admitted stabbing him four times and claimed he had tried to rape her, an allegation she said stemmed from childhood sexual abuse. A forensic psychiatrist testified that Farrell suffered from post‑traumatic stress disorder due to that abuse. Dr Kevin Lamb, a clinical psychologist, testified that Farrell's IQ was around 70, placing her in the lowest two percent of the population, and argued that this limited her ability to plan the killing. He also noted that Farrell's mental state, intoxication, childhood abuse and alleged sexual assault together contributed to the incident. The prosecution highlighted McQuillan's injuries and suggested he had fought back, while the defence maintained Farrell's narrative. The court heard these conflicting accounts during the trial's ninth day.
In the Louth murder trial, 46‑year‑old Paula Farrell pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter for killing 30‑year‑old Wayne McQuillan on New Year's Day 2014. She admitted stabbing him four times after he allegedly tried to have sex with her and began strangling her. Farrell testified that she had been abused as a child between ages seven and fourteen, and that she had reported the abuse to an adult who ensured her safety. She also disclosed that she had told a Rape Crisis Centre counsellor in 2016 that she felt "helpless like a child" when McQuillan tried to rape her. A forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Brenda Wright, testified that Farrell had long‑standing alcohol dependence, post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), hypersensitivity, hyper‑vigilance and emotional instability, and that her childhood abuse had significantly increased her risk of these mental health difficulties. The trial continues with the prosecution cross‑examining the witness.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, Paula Farrell, 46, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter for the death of 30‑year‑old Wayne McQuillan on New Year's morning 2014. She admitted stabbing him four times with a large chef's knife. During cross‑examination, she acknowledged that she knew the knife would do more than merely hurt him, yet claimed she did not intend to kill him, only to scare him. She stated that McQuillan had tried to have sex with her and had begun strangling her before she went to the kitchen. Farrell also admitted that she had told investigators she was angry and that she lashes out at people she loves. The prosecution continued questioning on Friday.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Paula Farrell, 46, denied that she lied to the jury about an alleged rape attempt by her boyfriend, Wayne McQuillan, whom she stabbed to death in 2014. She had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. During cross‑examination, Farrell said she and McQuillan were likely arguing over a trivial matter and that she was not letting him dominate her when she stabbed him. She also claimed he had tried to have sex with her and had begun strangling her before she went to the kitchen for a knife. Farrell admitted she had not made these statements in earlier Garda interviews or in consultations with female doctors, and that the State first learned of the allegation in May of the following year. The prosecution, led by Gerard Clarke SC, will continue cross‑examining her tomorrow.
In a Drogheda murder trial, 46‑year‑old Paula Farrell pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter for stabbing partner Wayne McQuillan, 30, four times on New Year's morning 2014. She told the jury she did not intend to kill him, only to hurt him as he had hurt her, and expressed remorse, saying she missed him "so much". Farrell recounted a history of sexual abuse from age seven to fourteen, heavy drinking from age nineteen, and ongoing depression and anxiety. She described the night's events: an argument, McQuillan's alleged sexual advances, her strangulation attempt, and her subsequent stabbing of him twice at the kitchen door, with a fourth stab to the side. She claimed she was "numb" and "blank" when stabbing, and that she had not intended to kill him. The trial proceeded before Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury of four men and eight women.
In a Drogheda home, Paula Farrell, 46, stabbed her boyfriend Wayne McQuillan, 30, to death. She told Garda Yvonne Geraghty that the fight was likely over a trivial matter and that she was not letting him get the better of her when she stabbed him. Farrell described McQuillan as a lovely, good person and herself as "good craic." She admitted that they had argued and that he had knocked her, causing her to fall. She then went to her kitchen, took a knife from her block, and stabbed him four times. Farrell said she did not intend to kill him and that she had apologized to him after the incident. She is on trial at the Central Criminal Court, pleading not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The case is currently at the trial stage.
The Central Criminal Court heard evidence in the ongoing trial of Paula Farrell, 46, who is charged with murdering her boyfriend, Wayne McQuillan, in their Drogheda home on January 1, 2014. Farrell has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that McQuillan died from a fatal stab wound to the left shoulder that severed the subclavian vein and punctured the lung. He noted that while the injury was severe, there would have been a reasonable expectation of survival had prompt medical attention been received. Curtis also identified high levels of alcohol in the deceased's system, describing it as gross intoxication. Witnesses reported seeing McQuillan covered in blood, initially mistaking it for a red Liverpool jersey, and noted that an ambulance delay resulted in him being transported to hospital in a Garda car. The trial continues before Justice Carmel Stewart.
In a Drogheda trial, 46‑year‑old Paula Farrell pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter after stabbing 30‑year‑old Wayne McQuillan four times on 1 January 2014. She claimed he had attacked her, citing injuries including a bite mark on her cheek, bruises, and a large bruise on her neck, all described as fresh by Dr Marlien Mienie. Farrell said she had schizophrenia and depression, last taking medication on 30 December. Witnesses reported McQuillan's trousers were down at his ankles after the stabbing, and that Farrell told Gardaí she was attacked and did not mean to kill him. The case is heard before Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, the jury heard that 46‑year‑old Paula Farrell of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, allegedly told teenagers not to call an ambulance after her boyfriend, 30‑year‑old Wayne McQuillan, asked them to do so. Farrell, who pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, is charged with killing McQuillan on New Year's Day 2014. The prosecution described a drunken argument in the house, during which Farrell allegedly took a kitchen knife and stabbed McQuillan four times, one of which penetrated the left lung and caused massive internal bleeding. McQuillan was taken to hospital by Gardaí, suffered cardiac arrest, was revived, then died after a second arrest. The trial continues the following day before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury of eight women and four men.
A terminally ill woman whose sister was murdered fourteen years ago has called on the Director of Public Prosecutions to prosecute a third person in connection with the killing. Speaking outside the Central Criminal Court following the sentencing of Niall Power to life imprisonment, solicitor Kevin Winters said authorities possess sufficient evidence against the alleged mastermind. Power, with an address at Giles Quay, Riverstown, County Louth, pleaded guilty to the murder of Irene White at Ice House, Demesne Road, Dundalk, on 6 April 2005. He is the second person convicted; Anthony Lambe of Annadrumman, County Monaghan, received a life sentence in January after admitting the killing. Mr Winters stated that Anne Delcassian, the deceased's sister, was too unwell to attend court. He described the case as involving a murderous triumvirate and urged prosecutors to complete the investigation.
Ms Paula Farrell, 45, admitted killing 30‑year‑old Wayne McQuillan in her Drogheda home on New Year's Day 2014. She denied murder, pleading not guilty to that charge but guilty to manslaughter. The plea was rejected, and Mr Justice Michael White called a jury of eight women and four men to hear her trial, which will last about 12 days and begin before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart on Tuesday afternoon.
Noel Ryan, 42, of Charleville Mall, Dublin, was sentenced to four years in prison, with the final year suspended, after pleading guilty to handling a stolen Toyota Land Cruiser, deceiving a victim at Woodie's car park in Lucan on 27 June 2016, and unlawfully taking a Ford Fiesta from Northside Shopping Centre, Coolock on 24 March 2017. The judge noted that Ryan had committed similar offences before and that the victims suffered significant losses. Ryan admitted to selling the stolen Land Cruiser on DoneDeal for €11,600 after the buyer had paid cash, and later stealing a Ford Fiesta that had been advertised on the same site. He was also found in possession of the victim's driver's licence, which he had altered. Ryan has 16 prior convictions, including burglary and robbery, and has struggled with a crack cocaine addiction. He has been on bail during these offences.
A 47-year-old man from Riverstown, County Louth has been sentenced to life imprisonment after pleading guilty to the murder of Irene White at the Central Criminal Court. Niall Power admitted his role in the killing of the mother-of-three at her home on Demesne Road, Dundalk on 6 April 2005. Power presented himself to gardaí following the conviction of accomplice Anthony Lambe, a historian from Castleblayney, County Monaghan, who had been sentenced to life in January 2018. During sentencing, the court heard that Power had acted as an intermediary, conveying a request from an unnamed individual to have Ms White killed. He subsequently introduced Lambe to this person and facilitated the commission of the offence. Ms White was found by her 79-year-old mother with 34 stab wounds and a cut throat. Victim impact statements were delivered by Ms White's sister, who is terminally ill, and her daughter, describing the lasting devastation caused to the family.
A 20‑year‑old Wicklow man, Aiden Hargreaves, was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to consecutive terms of three years and two years for two separate knifepoint robbery offences. The first offence was an attempted robbery at Harbour Court, Dublin on 31 October 2018, and the second was a robbery at Carlingford Parade, Dublin on 29 January 2019. Hargreaves pleaded guilty to both. The final 15 months of the sentence were suspended on strict conditions. The court heard that in October 2018 Hargreaves approached a man who was rolling a cigarette, produced a knife, and the man fled after smashing a bottle. In January 2019, while on bail for the earlier offence, Hargreaves approached a Spanish national, produced a knife, and demanded the man's wallet and phone, which the man handed over. Hargreaves has 33 previous convictions, including burglary, theft, drug possession and failure to comply with a Garda direction.
Serial offender Barry Watters, aged 43, pleaded guilty to public indecency for exposing himself to children on their way to school in Dublin over two days in December 2014, and to possession of child pornography on 20 October 2016. He had previously received several sentences for child porn offences, including a fully suspended two‑and‑a‑half‑year term in 2008, a three‑year term in 2010, and a four‑year term with the final year suspended in 2012. On 7 December 2018, Judge Martina Baxter imposed consecutive sentences totalling seven years, with the final year suspended. On appeal, the Court of Appeal held that the judge had imposed two maximum sentences consecutively, which was inappropriate. Watters was re‑sentenced to five years and eight months imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended, subject to strict conditions. The appeal decision was made on 25 June 2019.
Patrick Nevin, 37, was sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment for raping two women in Meath after meeting them on Tinder. He pleaded guilty to the July 12, 2014 rape in Bellewstown and to a second sexual assault four days later. Nevin had previously been convicted of a sexual assault on a Brazilian woman at UCD in 2014 and had a 5½‑year sentence for that offence. The judge, Ms Justice Creedon, found the attacks pre‑meditated and callous, noting Nevin's predatory conduct and hostility toward women. He received a 14‑year term with the final two years suspended, and a five‑year post‑release supervision order that includes restrictions on physical performance, internet use and contact with others. The sentence was back‑dated to June 2015. Nevin has been in custody since September 2014.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has dropped all charges against Jonathan Gill, who was accused of participating in the 2011 kidnapping of a Drogheda family. At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Vincent Heneghan SC informed Judge Karen O'Connor that the State was entering a nolle prosequi regarding three charges of false imprisonment and one of robbery. Gill, of Malahide Road, Swords, had pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning Warren Nawn, Jean Marie Nawn, and their ten-week-old baby between August 1 and August 2, 2011. The State alleged Gill was part of a group that held the family hostage before robbing €660,000 from the man's workplace. No reason was given for the decision to drop the case. This follows a previous trial collapse in 2017 due to juror misconduct concerns and a subsequent adjournment in May 2023 when a vital witness was unavailable in Australia. Gill remained on bail throughout the proceedings. Separately, Mark McCarthy, of Ballyfermot, was jailed for nine years after pleading guilty to the kidnapping; his sentence was later increased to 15 years following a successful appeal by prosecutors.
A 19‑year‑old man named Mohamed Morei, who has been in custody at the Central Mental Hospital since early 2018, was found fit to plead by Mr Justice Alex Owens at the Central Criminal Court on 19 June 2019. The judge was informed by Sean Gillane SC, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions, that doctors had observed progress in Morei's mental condition and that he now understands the nature of the charge, the evidence and the pleading procedure. Psychiatrists had suggested special arrangements for his trial, which Mr Gillane said are still improving. Morei attended the hearing with an Arabic interpreter.
Winnifred Lawrence, 69, of Moorefield Grove, Clondalkin, admitted to forging a personal injury claim to RSA insurance, pretending to be Ellen Stokes, to cover funeral costs for herself and her husband. She had no prior convictions. Lawrence had previously filed a bogus claim in February 2018, which was struck out. The insurance company suffered a loss of €14,143.37, including legal costs. Lawrence's motivation was her and her husband's ill health and lack of funds; she had two children who died as infants and her husband had a brain haemorrhage. She was sentenced by Judge Pauline Codd to three years' imprisonment, suspended in full, after pleading guilty in the District Court. The judge noted Lawrence's cooperation, remorse, and personal circumstances, and highlighted the offence's impact on insurance costs.
William Burns, held at Loughan House Open Centre in Co Cavan, has challenged the Minister for Justice's refusal to grant him enhanced remission from his prison sentence. Burns was convicted by the Special Criminal Court in 2016 of unlawfully possessing explosive substances, including PETN, RDX, and ammonium nitrate, along with an adapted Guinness keg and detonation equipment discovered at Kilcurry Church, Co Louth in May 2014. He received a seven-year sentence with the final three years suspended. The Minister declined Burns's application for one-third remission in April, citing the gravity of the offence, despite acknowledging his constructive engagement in prison activities. Burns's legal representatives argue the refusal is flawed and breaches his constitutional and human rights protections. They contend the Minister failed to consider his reintegration prospects and provide adequate reasoning. Burns would be released immediately under enhanced remission; otherwise, his scheduled release is June. The High Court granted permission for the challenge to proceed, with the matter returning before the court later that week. William Burns pleaded guilty.
Glen Kavanagh, 43, was sentenced to ten years imprisonment for the 2016 raid on Woodbine Park Post Office, Blackrock, where he fired eight shots from a semi‑automatic Makarov pistol. He held a customer's head to the gun, leapt over the counter, and was tackled by an ESB repairman who forced the gun out of his hand, injuring a colleague. Kavanagh pleaded guilty to robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm. The judge, citing his guilty plea, cooperation with investigators, drug‑related background, and rehabilitation efforts, imposed a ten‑year term back‑dated to January 2018. He was also found guilty of robbery, for which sentencing was adjourned to July 31 pending a probation report. The raid resulted in €455 stolen, the gun recovered, and Kavanagh's DNA found on a bag and a bloodstain outside the post office. The case highlighted his long‑standing drug problems and 46 prior convictions.
Patrick Nevin, 37, will be sentenced next month after a Probation report is completed. He attacked three women in eleven days after meeting them on Tinder. Nevin met the first victim at her home, drove to a secluded spot in north Dublin, and after kissing her, forced sex when she refused. He verbally abused her and threatened her. The second victim, raped in Bellewstown, Co Meath, described terror and fear of being killed. Nevin pleaded guilty in July 2018 to rape and sexual assault. He is already serving a five‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for a 2014 sexual assault of another Tinder‑met woman, which he denies. The court noted his guilty pleas and apologies, and he remains in custody awaiting final sentencing by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon on 24 June. The case highlights the pattern of Tinder‑based attacks and the court's consideration of mitigation based on his pleas.
A Garda Assistant Commissioner has given evidence at the Special Criminal Court that he believes a County Louth man is a member of the IRA. Michael Connolly, aged 47, of Dundalk, has pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself Oglaigh na hEireann, the IRA, on 16 December 2014. The prosecution alleges Mr Connolly was observed by gardaí driving in convoy with another man, who was subsequently found in possession of two improvised explosive devices. Assistant Commissioner Michael O'Sullivan told the court he believed the accused was an IRA member on the date in question, basing his opinion on confidential material. Under cross-examination, the witness claimed privilege regarding tradecraft used, stating disclosure could inhibit ongoing operations. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Coffey, presiding, with Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Judge James Faughnan.
Noel Ryan, 42, of Charleville Mall, Dublin, pleaded guilty to handling a stolen Toyota Land Cruiser and deception on 27 June 2016 and to unauthorized taking of a Ford Fiesta on 24 March 2017. He sold the stolen Land Cruiser on DoneDeal, arranging a meeting at Woodie's car park in Lucan where the buyer paid €11,600 after noticing marks on the car. The victim later learned the log book was false and that the vehicle had been stolen from Drogheda. Ryan also advertised the Fiesta on DoneDeal, met the buyer at Northside Shopping Centre, and stole the car after a test drive, taking the driver's licence and superimposing his own photo on it. He had 16 prior convictions, including aggravated burglary and robbery, and was on bail at the time of the offences. The case is pending sentencing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with a probation report to be prepared before the hearing on 21 June.
An alleged IRA member, Seamus Marley, aged 45, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for raping two teenage boys in County Louth during the early 1990s. The Central Criminal Court found him guilty on six counts of sexual assault and two counts of rape after a six‑day trial. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a seven‑year term for the rape of the younger victim and a six‑year term for the older victim, with both sentences running concurrently, giving an effective custodial period of seven years. The judge also ordered Marley to refrain from any contact with the victims or their families and to comply with post‑release supervision. No part of the sentence was suspended, and the judge noted that Marley had no prior convictions and had not shown any attempt at rehabilitation. The case highlighted the alleged use of his republican connections to silence the victims. Seamus Marley pleaded not guilty.
Seamus Marley, 45, pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to charges of sexual assault and anally raping two teenage boys in County Louth in the early 1990s. After a six‑day trial, the jury found him guilty on six counts of sexual assault and two counts of rape. The case centred on a large home owned by a "dedicated republican" that was used as a "safe house" for IRA volunteers. Marley was described by a character reference from his pastor as an "excellent Christian" with a "charitable spirit". The older victim reported being groped and anally raped by Marley, who warned him not to speak of the abuse. The younger victim described repeated groping, forced masturbation and an anally rape in a tent near the house. Marley had no prior convictions. The judge remanded him in custody and adjourned sentencing for the following Thursday.
In 2016, Stefan Saunders (41), Francis Murphy (39) and Damien Noonan (32) conspired to rob a cash‑in‑transit van in Co. Meath, planning the heist over more than two months. They pleaded guilty to conspiracy, possession of a semi‑automatic pistol and possession of a stolen BMW used as a getaway vehicle. Each received a 10‑year sentence, with 2½ years suspended, imposed by Judge Michael O'Shea in 2018. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, arguing the sentences were unduly lenient, citing the robbery's scale, the firearm's readiness and the gang's professional conduct. The Court of Appeal, led by Justice George Birmingham, rejected the appeal, holding the sentences were at the outer limits of the judge's discretion and therefore appropriate. No further action was taken.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, John Roche (55) and John Brock (46) were found guilty of possessing 167 kg of explosives in the boot of a car on Naas Road, Dublin 12, on 13 April 2016. The court noted the explosives included 57 kg of ANFO and thirty‑eight 2.5 kg rolls of Kemegel industrial explosives, amounting to roughly three‑quarters of the 227 kg of ANFO used in the Omagh bombing of 15 August 2008, which killed 29 people. Detective Sergeant Tom Power compared the Naas Road bomb to other large bombs, such as a 30 kg ANFO keg found in Finnstown House hotel and a 50 kg ANFO keg in Kilcurry Church, both in May 2014. The court also heard that 18 detonators were found under the front passenger seat. Mr Brock had a prior firearms conviction from 2008, while Mr Roche had no prior convictions. The sentencing was adjourned to Friday morning. John Brock pleaded not guilty.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, defence counsel Dominic McGinn SC argued that it was "inconceivable" that Gardaí would have missed an assault rifle and ammunition during a search of a Kildare house on 24 January 2017. He cited the fact that a landlord's nephew later found a rifle, ammunition and drugs in the base of a bed, four days after the Gardaí search. Michael Brady (54) is charged with possession of €1.5 million worth of cocaine, €1.26 million worth of heroin and over 180 rounds of ammunition at a property in Sallins, Co Kildare. He pleaded not guilty to all seven counts. The court found him not guilty of possessing an assault rifle and the State withdrew a charge of three ammunition magazines. Brady's brother, Declan Brady (52), pleaded guilty to possession of 15 firearms and over 4,000 rounds of ammunition at Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, Co Dublin. Michael Brady was acquitted.
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.
The High Court adjourned a hearing on the proposed extradition of Liam Campbell, a 54‑year‑old Irishman wanted in Lithuania for alleged terrorism offences and weapons trafficking. Campbell was arrested in Dundalk on a European Arrest Warrant issued by Lithuanian authorities. The warrant alleges he organised the preparation for smuggling weapons to support the Real IRA between late 2006 and early 2007, arranging illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, explosives and substances. The court paused the case because a Lithuanian prosecutor's independence issue has arisen, and the matter will resume on 23 May.