During a Special Criminal Court hearing in Dublin, a County Meath farmer, Brian Garvey, testified that Thomas "Slab" Murphy, aged 66, rented 246 acres from him for five or six years, paying cash and occasionally third‑party cheques from oil companies. Garvey said that from 1999 to 2002 Murphy paid 25,000 Irish pounds per year in cash, and that Murphy's nephew once gave him 5,000 euros for rent. Garvey also confirmed that in 1994, Patrick Murphy was the chief negotiator and that early payments were made by Patrick Murphy. Thomas Murphy is charged with nine counts of failing to file tax returns for 1996/97 to 2004, and he has pleaded not guilty. The trial continues.
David Gallagher, 38, of Marley Court, Drogheda, pleaded guilty on 25 May 2014 to possession of explosive substances and devices, including PETN, RDX, a 50‑litre beer keg adapted as a bomb, 50 kg of homemade ammonium nitrate, an improvised detonation cord, steel booster tube and time‑and‑power unit. He was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court to eight years' imprisonment, with two years suspended, back‑dated to 20 August last year. The court noted that the bomb was armed, completed and ready to be moved, and that Gallagher had no prior convictions of significance. He was observed by detectives transferring the bomb from his van to a red Volkswagen Passat, where it was found. Gallagher gave evidence that he had no intention of future involvement in republican military activity and applied for transfer from Portlaise to Castlerea Prison. The judges considered his lesser role compared with Gareth Mulley, who received ten years' imprisonment.
In the Special Criminal Court, Thomas "Slab" Murphy, aged 66, faces nine tax‑evasion charges for failing to file returns for 1996‑2004. He denies the allegations. A County Meath farmer, who rented land to Murphy and his brothers, testified that he cannot recall the accused ever handing him money, though he began renting in 1997 or 1998. The prosecution, led by Paul Burns SC, presented this testimony. The court also heard from Brid Cannon, a Department of Agriculture employee, who confirmed that Thomas Murphy traded cattle between his own herds and those of Francis and Rosemary and Marie Murphy from 2000 to 2005. Cannon's testimony was supported by John Kearney QC. The trial, which resumed on Tuesday, continued with legal arguments. The case remains ongoing. Thomas Murphy pleaded not guilty.
The Special Criminal Court in Dublin is hearing the trial of Thomas "Slab" Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, County Louth, who has pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging he failed to furnish income returns to the Collector General or Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004. Prosecuting counsel Paul Burns SC alleged that the defendant conducted significant dealings in land and cattle, making payments exceeding €300,000 mostly in cash, yet made no returns to Revenue. The prosecution contends that Murphy received over €100,000 in farming grants from the Department of Agriculture during this period. Evidence from Department of Agriculture officer Niall McKeown confirmed these grant payments to a Thomas Murphy at the defendant's address. Witness Grainne Dalton testified that EU Area Aid applications from 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2004 were signed by a Thomas Murphy at that address. However, defending counsel John Kearney QC challenged the evidence, noting that the witness could not forensically confirm the defendant held the documents or penned the signatures. Kearney stated it is not accepted that the defendant had any part in creating or submitting the documentation. The matter is currently at the trial stage and continues.
The trial of Thomas Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, is ongoing at the Special Criminal Court. The accused has pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging that he failed to furnish a return of his income, profits, or gains, or the source thereof, to the Collector General or Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004. Prosecution counsel Paul Burns SC stated that the case arises from a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation. The prosecution alleges that although Murphy conducted significant dealings in land and cattle trading, he made no returns to Revenue. Burns told the three-judge, non-jury court that Murphy applied for and received a herd number from the Department of Agriculture, subsequently obtaining grants exceeding €100,000. The prosecution further alleges that Murphy made substantial cash payments, mostly in cash or via third-party cheques, totalling over €300,000 for renting land and purchasing silage. Burns asserted that Murphy had access to significant sources of cash to facilitate these payments and engaged in cattle trading at various markets involving sums well into six figures. The matter is currently at the trial stage, and the proceedings continue.
Prominent republican Thomas Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, pleaded not guilty to nine alleged tax offences at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. The charges, stemming from a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation, allege that Murphy failed to furnish returns of his income, profits, or gains to the Collector General or Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004. Murphy was originally returned for trial from Dundalk District Court in 2008, a decision he challenged at the High Court, which ruled his rights had been breached but allowed the trial to proceed. During the thirty-minute hearing, defence counsel Mr John Kearney QC applied for an adjournment, citing "rolling disclosure" that prevented the defence from accessing thousands of pages of material. Kearney argued the delay would allow both sides to assess admissibility, potentially excluding significant evidence. Prosecuting counsel Mr Paul Burns SC agreed to the adjournment, noting recent disclosure volume, while expressing hope that the trial could conclude within the allocated three weeks. Presiding with Judges O'Hagan and Ryan, Mr Justice Paul Butler adjourned the trial until Thursday. The matter was adjourned and not concluded.
Brian Fitzpatrick, 49, of Castleross, Dundalk, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to possessing two complete Improvised Explosive Devices in County Meath. The devices were allegedly in his possession on 16 December 2014 at Mitchelstown Cross, Castletown, Navan. The judge remanded him on continuing bail to return on 29 October for sentencing.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, David Gallagher, aged 38, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of explosives, including PETN, RDX, a 50‑litre beer keg, 50 kg of homemade ammonium nitrate, an improvised detonation cord, steel booster tube, and a time‑and‑power unit found at Kilcurry Church on 25 May 2014. The court remanded him in custody to return on 13 October for sentencing. His co‑accused, Gareth Mulley, 45, was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment for the same offence.
Gareth Mulley, 45, of Aisling Park, Dundalk, was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court for possession of a large car bomb. The device, seized near the border last year, was intended for Northern Ireland and comprised a 50‑litre beer keg, 50 kg of ammonium nitrate, a steel booster tube, and a time‑and‑power unit with a 30‑minute delay. Gardaí arrested Mulley during a raid on Kilcurry Church grounds, where he transferred the bomb components from a van to a Volkswagen Passat. The prosecution argued the bomb was a vehicle‑borne improvised explosive device capable of 280 metre detonation range. Mulley pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of explosives. The judge noted his lack of prior convictions and family commitments but deemed the offence too serious for any sentence suspension, imposing a 10‑year term back‑dated to 1 June 2014.
Michael McHugh, convicted in 1985 of the murder of Garda Sergeant Patrick Morrissey, is seeking immediate release from Portlaoise Prison in High Court proceedings against the Governor, the Minister for Justice, the Irish Prison Service, and the DPP. McHugh was originally sentenced to death, a penalty commuted to 40 years' penal servitude by President Patrick Hillery. He argues that he is entitled to credit for five months of pre-trial custody served between July and December 1985, which would mean his sentence expired on July 1, 2024. The State parties oppose the application, contending that McHugh has no automatic entitlement to this credit and that the authorities lack the power to adjust the sentence given the original death penalty. McHugh's counsel, Micheal Ó Higgins SC, submitted that the decision to ignore those months was wrong and that the failure to grant credit breaches his rights to natural and constitutional justice. He also challenges the rejection of his pre-release programme application. The defendants argue that McHugh does not have the power to take the five months into account as the original court sentence imposed was the death penalty. The hearing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott continues.
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.
The Special Criminal Court heard that Gareth Mulley, 45, of Aisling Park, Dundalk, pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of explosives, including PETN, RDX, a 50‑litre beer keg, 50 kg of ammonium nitrate, an improvised steel booster tube and a time‑and‑power unit. He was arrested on 25 May 2014 after a Garda operation targeting dissident republicans in County Louth. Garda ballistics evidence showed the improvised unit had a thirty‑minute delay. The prosecution alleged the components were for a large beer‑keg bomb intended for Northern Ireland and presented CCTV footage of a "dry run" and a boot closed by Mulley, suggesting concealment. Counsel for the prosecution, Mr Paul Greene SC, argued the evidence proved guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Judge Paul Butler said a judgment would be delivered next Friday. The case remains at the trial stage.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 23 July 2015, an Army bomb disposal expert testified that the components for a large car bomb were discovered in the boot of a northern‑registered car parked in a church car park near the border. The court heard that Gareth Mulley, 45, of Aisling Park, Dundalk, Co. Louth, was arrested on 25 May 2014 after a Garda operation targeting dissident republicans. He was charged with unlawful possession of an explosive substance, including PETN and RDX, an adapted 50‑litre beer keg, 50 kg of homemade ammonium nitrate explosives, an improvised steel booster tube and an improvised time‑and‑power unit. Evidence from a garda ballistics expert indicated the time‑and‑power unit had a thirty‑minute delay. An Army explosives officer confirmed the items constituted a vehicle‑borne improvised explosive device, commonly known as a car bomb. The trial is ongoing. Gareth Mulley pleaded not guilty.
In a non‑jury hearing before the Special Criminal Court, Gareth Mulley, 45, of Aisling Park, Dundalk, pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of explosives. The prosecution alleged that Mulley had assembled a large homemade bomb intended for Northern Ireland. The device comprised a 50‑litre Guinness beer keg that had been modified, 50 kg of ammonium nitrate, PETN and RDX, an improvised steel booster tube, and a time‑and‑power unit with a thirty‑minute delay. The Special Criminal Court was informed that the Special Detective Unit had observed Mulley on 20 May and 25 May 2014, around his home and at Kilcurry Church, and that he was arrested by the Emergency Response Unit after a transfer of material from a van to a northern‑registered Volkswagen Passat. Forensic evidence was to be presented showing the components of the keg bomb, a device that had been used previously. The trial is ongoing.
A man from Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan has failed in his appeal against conviction for sexual exploitation of two children. Peter Clarke, aged 70, was convicted at Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court on two counts relating to an incident on September 9 2011 involving two 12-year-old girls. He had pleaded not guilty to the charges. A jury found him guilty, and he was sentenced to five years imprisonment with the final three years suspended in March 2014. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal, with President Seán Ryan stating the trial was "satisfactory" and the conviction "safe". Mr Justice Ryan rejected multiple grounds of appeal, including submissions regarding the lawfulness of Clarke's arrest and detention, the admission of evidence, and jury instructions. The court found it would have been "wholly unstateable" for a jury to interpret Clarke's conduct and words as anything other than an invitation to engage in a sexual act. The judgment was delivered by Mr Justice Ryan, sitting with Ms Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan and Mr Justice Michael Peart.
A 42‑year‑old woman from Louth, Paula Farrell, was sentenced to life imprisonment after a jury found her guilty of murdering her partner, Wayne McQuillan, 30, on 1 January 2014. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, lasted three hours and 27 minutes. Farrell pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by a jury of four men and seven women. The prosecution presented evidence that Farrell stabbed McQuillan four times with a large kitchen knife during an argument at her home in Rathmullen Park, Drogheda. Witnesses, including Garda Tomas Leonard and Deputy State Pathologist Michael Curtis, confirmed the stabbing and the fatal wound. Farrell's defence cited a history of sexual abuse and schizophrenia, but the jury accepted the prosecution's case and imposed a life sentence. The judge exempted the jury from service for ten years. The verdict was announced on 17 July 2015.
The jury in the trial of 42‑year‑old Paula Farrell, charged with murdering her partner Wayne McQuillan (30) at her Drogheda home on 1 January 2014, will resume deliberations tomorrow. Farrell pleaded not guilty three weeks ago. The jury began deliberating this afternoon, spent 1 hour 52 minutes, and then left. Judge Patrick McCarthy reminded the eleven jurors that a unanimous verdict is required. They will return at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
The jury will begin deliberations today in the trial of 42‑year‑old Paula Farrell of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, who is charged with murdering her partner, 30‑year‑old Wayne McQuillan, at her home on 1 January 2014. Farrell pleaded not guilty three weeks ago at the Central Criminal Court. Judge Patrick McCarthy explained the possible verdicts—acquittal, murder, manslaughter, or diminished responsibility—and that the jury may take as long as needed, with deliberations starting after lunch once the issue paper is received.
A 53‑year‑old Louth man, Joseph Finnegan, was arrested on 11 July 2015 by the Special Detective Unit and charged with possession of an 8mm Valtro Model 85 pistol and seven rounds of ammunition, and a 12‑gauge Eibar shotgun with three cartridges. The Special Criminal Court granted him bail on a €100 personal bond and a €10,000 independent surety. He must sign daily at Dundalk Garda Station, observe a 11 pm‑6 am curfew, surrender his passport, avoid contact with convicted or charged persons, and remain within the jurisdiction until 23 October 2015.
The judge in the trial of 42‑year‑old Paula Farrell, charged with murdering her partner Wayne McQuillan, 30, at her home on 1 January 2014, will continue charging the jury in the morning. Farrell pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court. Judge Patrick McCarthy told the eleven jurors that two hours of evidence remain and that he will resume at 11 am.
In the trial of 42‑year‑old Paula Farrell, charged with murdering her partner Wayne McQuillan, defence counsel Derek Kenneally SC urged the jury to consider the "ample scope for doubt" in the case. He highlighted Farrell's testimony that she was sexually abused from age seven and began drinking at fourteen to cope, and argued that these facts should be weighed against the prosecution's claim that the murder was an "outburst of temper." The prosecution, represented by Gerard Clarke SC, maintained that Farrell's alleged abuse was unrelated to the killing, that she had no history of self‑defence, and that any claim of diminished responsibility was unfounded. Kenneally urged jurors to acquit if they found any gaps, stressing that Farrell denied any intent to kill and that the prosecution's narrative was unsubstantiated. The judge outlined the possible verdicts, including guilty of murder, guilty of manslaughter on the basis of self‑defence, diminished responsibility or no intent to kill. Paula Farrell pleaded not guilty.
A 53‑year‑old Louth man, Joseph Finnegan, appeared before an out‑of‑hours Special Criminal Court on 13 July 2015. He was charged with possession of an 8mm Valtro Model 85 combat pistol, seven rounds of 8mm ammunition, a 12‑gauge Eibar shotgun and three shotgun cartridges, all seized at his home in Cuillenstown, Readypenny, Dundalk. Finnegan made no reply to his arrest or caution. His counsel requested the matter be listed for 16 July, when a bail and legal aid application is expected. The judge remanded him in custody for that hearing.
In the Central Criminal Court, a 42‑year‑old Louth woman, Paula Farrell, was charged with murdering her partner, Wayne McQuillan, on 1 January 2014. She pleaded not guilty. During the trial, a consultant forensic psychiatrist, Dr Sally Linehan, testified that Farrell had the capacity to form intent and was not impaired by her mental disorder on the night of the offence. Dr Linehan stated that Farrell had post‑traumatic stress disorder but that her intoxication with alcohol—she had consumed 12 cans of Bulmers—was the overriding factor. She also confirmed that Farrell understood the nature of the act and that her mental disorder did not diminish her responsibility. The court heard that the next stage would involve counsel's speeches, with the judge's charge scheduled for Wednesday. The trial continues.
In a 2015 murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, 42‑year‑old Paula Farrell of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, was charged with stabbing her partner Wayne McQuillan, 30, to death on 1 January 2014. She pleaded not guilty. The defence presented forensic psychiatrist Dr Brenda Wright, who had met Farrell twice in June 2015. Dr Wright testified that Farrell had suffered sexual abuse from age seven, did not disclose it until fourteen, and began drinking at fourteen to cope. She described Farrell as displaying post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, including distress and avoidance when exposed to reminders of abuse. Dr Wright concluded that Farrell's PTSD impaired her self‑control and substantially diminished her responsibility for the stabbing, though she was fit to stand trial. The prosecution cross‑examined her on the lack of post‑mortem statements and the link between PTSD and violence. The trial proceeded under Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy.
Gareth Mulley, 45, of Aisling Park, Dundalk, was granted temporary bail by the Special Criminal Court after being charged with IRA membership and possession of explosives. The charges include unlawful possession of PETN and RDX, a 50‑litre adapted beer keg, 50 kg of homemade ammonium nitrate explosive, an improvised detonation cord, a steel booster tube and a time‑and‑power unit found at Kilcurry Church on 25 May 2014. He and two co‑accused are alleged to have had the items in circumstances that raised reasonable suspicion of unlawful intent. Mulley was arrested in May 2014 by the Special Detective Unit during investigations into dissident republicans. The three‑judge court set bail from 9 July until 15 July, with conditions including a €13 000 surety, a €1 000 personal bond, curfew, no contact with witnesses or co‑accused, and mandatory daily reporting to a Garda station. He must appear again on 22 July for trial.
A 42‑year‑old woman from Louth, Paula Farrell, is accused of murdering her partner, Wayne McQuillan, aged 30, on 1 January 2014 at their home. She pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court two weeks ago. The judge, Justice Patrick McCarthy, granted the defence's request to postpone the trial to the next day because Farrell will give evidence and the hearing will take more than half a day. The trial is scheduled to resume tomorrow at 11 a.m. with a jury of five men and seven women.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 3 July 2015, a 42‑year‑old Louth woman, Paula Farrell, was charged with the murder of her 30‑year‑old partner, Wayne McQuillan, who was killed on 1 January 2014 at their home. Farrell pleaded not guilty. The prosecution presented four Garda interviews taken on 1 and 2 January 2014. In the first interview, Farrell described a fight that escalated after alcohol consumption, during which she said she grabbed a knife from a block and stabbed McQuillan twice, once under his shoulder and once in the front of his chest. She also claimed he had strangled and beaten her, and that she had washed her blood‑stained hands afterward. The second interview confirmed blood on her hands and that she had tried to wash them. In the third interview, she recounted stabbing McQuillan in the chest and side while he was walking out of the kitchen, and again in the hallway.
Michael Coleman, 34, a convicted robber, was sentenced to 18 months in custody for an unprovoked assault on two Louth brothers, Christopher and Joseph Lennon, on 26 June 2014. The attack occurred on Camden Street, Dublin, while Coleman was on bail for a prior robbery. He called Christopher a "culchie," punched him, and then joined in attacking Joseph, punching and kicking him while he was on the ground, causing Joseph to lose consciousness. The brothers had been drinking at Flannery's pub and were heading home when the incident happened. Joseph Lennon suffered a broken jaw on both sides, requiring metal plates and still cannot fully open his mouth; he also experiences flashbacks. Coleman had 25 prior convictions, including robbery and firearms offences. He pleaded guilty, and the judge noted his cooperation and attempts to address drug issues. The 18‑month sentence will commence after his current five‑year term ends.
The trial of Paula Farrell, 42, accused of murdering her partner Wayne McQuillan, 30, at her Drogheda home on January 1, 2014, continued at the Central Criminal Court. Ms Farrell, who pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, faces Justice Patrick McCarthy. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that Mr McQuillan sustained four stab wounds, with the fatal injury being an 18cm deep wound to the left shoulder that penetrated the lung. Dr Curtis opined that the second, third, and fourth wounds were likely caused by a single-edged knife over 31cm long. He noted high alcohol levels in the deceased and the absence of defensive wounds. In cross-examination, he acknowledged the stabbings occurred in rapid succession and that intoxication could have affected the victim's ability to defend himself or increased aggression. Forensic scientist Dr Hilary Clarke confirmed DNA from Mr McQuillan was found on Ms Farrell's clothing. Gardaí Andrew Corbett and Lisa Finglas testified regarding injuries observed on Ms Farrell, including a bump to her forehead, a bite mark on her cheek, and marks on her neck. The prosecution is scheduled to finish calling evidence tomorrow.
In a murder trial in Louth, a 42‑year‑old woman, Paula Farrell, is accused of killing her 30‑year‑old partner, Wayne McQuillan, on 1 January 2014. The jury heard that a Drogheda Garda, Tomas Leonard, reported that Farrell told him she had stabbed McQuillan after an argument. He described blood in the hallway and kitchen, two knives, and a bread knife. The prosecution read a statement from Farrell in which she said she stabbed McQuillan twice with a medium‑sized knife, that he walked out the front door and collapsed outside. Defence counsel questioned whether the Garda had noticed injuries on Farrell's head or face. Dr Maria Marillo testified that Farrell was anxious, had a scrape on her face, smelled of alcohol, and had been drinking nine cans of cider the previous afternoon. She was deemed intoxicated and not fit for questioning. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, is expected to last two weeks. Paula Farrell pleaded not guilty.
Martin Reilly, a 59‑year‑old former Canada Life agent, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to 80 counts of theft. Between 2002 and 2011 he persuaded 18 clients, including a priest, to withdraw money from their Canada Life policies and invest it in non‑existent products. He then deposited the funds into an EBS account in his own name. Reilly's address was West Side Estates, Togher, Cork. He had no prior convictions. Canada Life reimbursed all victims and suffered a €1.2 million loss. Reilly admitted a gambling addiction, confessed to stealing the money, and has since sought treatment with Gamblers Anonymous and spoken about gambling in schools and groups. The judge noted the prolonged pattern of misbehaviour and the pernicious nature of gambling. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the repeated thefts.
The Central Criminal Court continues the trial of 42‑year‑old Paula Farrell, who is accused of murdering her partner Wayne McQuillan, 30, on 1 January 2014 at her home in Rathmullen Park, Drogheda. Farrell pleaded not guilty. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, began evidence on Wednesday and is expected to last two and a half weeks.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 42‑year‑old Louth woman, Paula Farrell, was charged with murdering her 30‑year‑old partner, Wayne McQuillan, on New Year's Eve 2013. The prosecution alleged that Farrell stabbed McQuillan four times with a large kitchen knife, one wound being fatal. Witnesses testified that the couple had argued after drinking, that McQuillan was brought to a Garda car in cardiac arrest, revived briefly, then died after a second arrest during a CT scan. Garda evidence included two knives found in the sink and a blue‑and‑white striped shirt with stab marks. Witnesses, including a teenage boy and a schoolgirl, described seeing McQuillan bleeding and calling for an ambulance, while Farrell allegedly told them not to call. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, is expected to last two‑and‑a‑half weeks. Paula Farrell pleaded not guilty.
Titilayo Kilanko, a 38‑year‑old care worker from Carrigmore Lawn, Citywest, Dublin, pleaded guilty to ten counts of theft from Ulster Bank on 22 June 2012. She admitted making 115 fraudulent withdrawals totalling €57,708 from ATMs in Dun Laoghaire, Lower Kilmacud Road, Stillorgan, Main Street, Blackrock and the Beacon Centre in Sandyford. Kilanko claimed the money was used to pay a man to donate a kidney to her father in Nigeria, where he was being treated at University College Hospital in Ibadan and owed €80,000 for treatment and dialysis. She flew to Nigeria with the cash, converted it to naira, and paid a donor €25,000. The court sentenced her to three years' imprisonment with 15 months suspended, noting she had no prior convictions and had cooperated with authorities. The judge expressed regret at sentencing her but stated the repeated theft could not be condoned.
James McNamee, aged 23, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for arson at North Link Retail Park, where a sofa set on fire in the loading bay caused €2.2 million of damage, including €745,000 uninsured. He pleaded guilty to one count of arson on 30 June 2010 and was originally sentenced by Judge Michael O'Shea on 31 January 2014. On appeal, the Court of Appeal reduced the sentence to four years with the final 18 months suspended. McNamee, who was 18 at the time of the offence, and three minors had climbed a fence to enter the loading bay; only McNamee was prosecuted. The court noted that no one was injured or killed and that the fire caused significant business losses, some businesses closing permanently. McNamee was required to post a €100 bond for four years after release. The appeal was granted by Judges Alan Mahon, Garrett Sheehan and John Edwards.
A jury of five men and seven women was sworn in at the Central Criminal Court on 22 June 2015 for the trial of 42‑year‑old Paula Farrell of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, who is accused of murdering 32‑year‑old Wayne McQuillan on 1 January 2014. Ms Farrell pleaded not guilty. Judge Patrick McCarthy told the jury the trial would last about two and a half weeks and would begin with evidence on Wednesday morning.
Michael McKevitt, 65, a former Real IRA leader, was sentenced to 20 years in 2003 for directing terrorism and membership of an illegal organisation. He was due for release in July 2016 after a one‑quarter remission. McKevitt applied for an additional 8 % remission, arguing that his participation in structured prison activities such as art, drama, French, home economics and yoga reduced his likelihood of re‑offending. The High Court ruled that the Minister for Justice could not grant this enhanced remission and that the Minister was entitled to consider other relevant material, including Garda advice. McKevitt's appeal to the Court of Appeal was dismissed, with the court affirming that the Minister's discretion was not limited to a simple assessment of participation in authorised activities and that the decision to refuse the remission was lawful. The judgment noted McKevitt's good conduct and his role in the E2 'Republican' Landing, but upheld the refusal of the additional remission.
A 45-year-old man from Castleblayney, County Monaghan, has been sentenced to two and a half years' imprisonment following his conviction for drug trafficking. At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Mark Donnelly pleaded guilty to possession of 37 kilograms of cannabis resin on the M1 in north Dublin on 13 February 2014. The drugs carried an estimated street value of €221,400. Donnelly told gardaí he had agreed to transport the narcotics to settle a debt owed to a man who had threatened him. His legal team presented character references from former employers and community members, noting his background as a self-employed joinery worker and involvement with his local hurling club. Judge Martin Nolan described him as a hard-working family man and first-time offender who had made a grave error of judgement under pressure. Detective Garda Eoin Roche confirmed that gardaí, acting on confidential information, intercepted the van as it travelled south from County Louth.
At a Special Criminal Court sitting on 20 May 2015, Donal O Coisdealbha, aged 23, was charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and possession of a time‑and‑power unit (TPU) for an improvised explosive device. He was arrested by the Special Detective Unit on 13 May 2015. The court, after hearing objections to bail from the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Special Detective Unit, and considering the strength of the evidence and the potential for non‑appearance, refused bail under Section 2 of the Bail Act. Judge Paul Butler noted the lengthy delay to trial and the possibility of a future bail application, but ultimately remanded O Coisdealbha in custody until 7 July. On the same day, Séamus McGrane, aged 60, was also charged with directing and membership of the IRA, but no bail application was made; he too was remanded until 7 July, when his case will be heard by video link.
Marius Gaizutis, 52, of Drogheda, was sentenced to life imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the axe murder of Lithuanian national Audrius Butkus, 44, whose body was found on a Meath beach on 10 September 2013. Gaizutis pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter when arraigned. A jury of four women and eight men found him guilty after deliberating for two hours and forty minutes. Justice Margaret Heneghan described the case as shocking and imposed a mandatory life sentence, back‑dated to his arrest on 2 October 2013. Evidence showed Butkus died from blunt‑force trauma to the head caused by an axe. Gaizutis had returned from Northern Ireland and surrendered to Gardaí on 29 September 2013. The trial highlighted that Butkus was a homeless single man with no known relatives, and that no witnesses were present at the time of his death.
Paula Reid, a 51‑year‑old mother of two from Drogheda, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 12 counts of theft between June 2010 and September 2012, having taken €4,790.97 from her former employer, Hugh Burrows & Sons Ltd. She had worked for the company for 30 years and was recently in charge of accounts and payroll. Reid had paid herself a double weekly wage on 12 occasions, a practice described by the Garda as "double‑dip payments." She was suspended from her job in January 2013 and subsequently dismissed. The court, hearing that she had paid back the money by bank draft, sentenced her to 200 hours of community service for six counts and imposed a two‑year suspended sentence in full for the remaining six counts. The judge noted her distressing personal circumstances, including a divorce and her son's serious injury, as mitigating factors.
Three men appeared before the Special Criminal Court at trial, facing alleged IRA-related charges arising from an ongoing investigation into dissident republican activities. Séamus McGrane, 60, of Co Louth, was charged with directing the activities of an unlawful organisation styling itself the IRA and membership of that organisation between December 2009 and May 2015. He made no reply to the charges and was remanded in custody until May 20. Donal O Coisdealbha, 23, of Dublin 15, was charged with IRA membership and possession of a time and power unit, a component of an improvised explosive device, found in a storage locker at NUI Maynooth. He also made no reply and was remanded in custody until May 20, with his solicitor indicating a bail application would be made. Dylan Cahill, 22, of Co Tipperary, was charged with IRA membership, possession of a .380 calibre Colt semi-automatic pistol, four rounds of ammunition, and two pipe bombs in Co Leitrim. He made no reply to the charges. A proposed bail application for the following Tuesday was opposed by the DPP due to Garda operational constraints. The court remanded Mr Cahill in custody until June 9, granting him liberty to apply for bail before that date. All three accused were identified in the dock by detective sergeants, and no pleas or findings were recorded at this procedural stage.
William O'Neill, aged 27, was sentenced to four years in prison for robbing Goldsmiths' Jewellers in Balbriggan on 10 May 2013. He admitted to smashing display cases with a sledgehammer, stealing jewellery worth €15,357 and causing €2,800 in damage. O'Neill also pleaded guilty to an attempted robbery at Rush Newsagents in Drimnagh on 10 November 2013 and to possession of a Taser gun in Crumlin on 30 March 2014. He claimed the weapons were for smashing glass, not for harming anyone, and that the gang intended to split the loot. O'Neill had previously served a sentence at Mountjoy, where he witnessed the killing of inmate Gary Douch, and had a criminal record of 68 convictions. The court noted his history of drug offences, assaults, public order and criminal damage charges. The judge imposed the four‑year term, with no mention of a suspended portion or effective custody details.
Michael Riordan, aged 49, was convicted of 21 counts of sexual assault against his step‑daughter between September 2007 and November 2012. A jury found him guilty on nine counts and acquitted him on the rest by direction. He received a sentence of two‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment on 4 July 2014. Riordan appealed, arguing that facts disclosed in the victim's impact statement – such as the accused allegedly breaking the shower on purpose and his alleged dislike of the victim until she was 13 – contradicted her evidence and should have led to the withdrawal of the remaining counts. The Court of Appeal rejected the appeal, stating the new facts were minor and did not affect the fairness of the trial or the cross‑examination. Riordan was ordered to serve the remainder of his sentence in prison. The victim had waived anonymity, allowing the court to publish his identity. Michael Riordan pleaded not guilty.
Michael McKevitt, 66, a former Real IRA leader, was sentenced to 20 years in 2003 by the Special Criminal Court for directing terrorism and membership of an illegal organisation. His sentence, back‑dated to 2001, is set to be reduced by the normal one‑quarter remission, with release expected in July 2016. McKevitt applied for an additional 8 % remission, arguing that participation in structured prison activities such as art, drama, French, home economics and yoga entitled him to a one‑third remission. The High Court refused this request, stating the Minister for Justice could only consider whether the prisoner had completed authorised activities and had shown good conduct. McKevitt has now appealed that decision to the Court of Appeal, where counsel argues that the High Court's rulings were inconsistent and that the Minister's discretion was improperly limited. The Court of Appeal will decide the appeal shortly.
Sarah Nolan, a 22‑year‑old science student from Blackrock, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after she threw a glass at student nurse Hannah Foster at a Temple Bar nightclub on 23 September 2011. Nolan claimed she intended only to splash water over Foster, who was speaking to Nolan's late boyfriend, Ciaran Carr, but the glass struck Foster's mouth, damaging her teeth and causing nerve injury. Foster was treated at Dublin Dental University Hospital and requires costly ongoing care. Nolan, who was in her final year at Tallaght IT and had earned an An Gaisce President's Award, paid €5,000 in compensation and was sentenced to one year in prison, suspended for two years, with an additional €3,000 compensation order. The judge noted the reckless nature of the act and the pain inflicted on Foster.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, Marius Gaizutis, 52, was found guilty of the axe murder of Audrius Butkus, 44, who was discovered on a Meath beach in 2013. Gaizutis had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter at arraignment. The jury, composed of four women and eight men, deliberated for two hours and forty minutes before delivering a unanimous verdict. The prosecution presented evidence that Butkus died from blunt‑force trauma to the head, consistent with being struck by a rectangular object such as an axe. State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy testified that Butkus had sustained multiple blows to the back, top and left side of his head, and that his liver showed signs of chronic alcohol use. Witnesses described a struggle in which Gaizutis allegedly used an axe after an altercation over a bottle of Captain Morgan's. The court noted forensic DNA evidence linking blood on an axe to Butkus.
The trial of Marius Gaizutis, 52, of Marsh Road, Drogheda, Co Louth, is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. Gaizutis is charged with the alleged murder of Audrius Butkus, 44, at that address on September 9 or 10, 2013. He pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter; the State rejected the latter plea, resulting in a jury trial. Prosecution counsel Patrick Gageby SC argued that forensic evidence, including skull fractures and a deliberate clean-up, demonstrated intent to kill. Defence counsel Ciaran O'Loughlin SC contended that Gaizutis acted under provocation and lost control, supporting a manslaughter verdict. Justice Margaret Heneghan charged the jury to decide the facts based on oral evidence and exhibits. After two hours and eleven minutes of deliberation, the jury was instructed to suspend deliberations until Friday morning at 10am, as there is no court sitting tomorrow. The matter remains adjourned pending the jury's final decision.
During a murder trial, forensic scientist Stephen Clifford presented evidence that blood on an axe found in Marius Gaizutis's house matched the DNA profile of the deceased, Audrius Butkus. Gaizutis, aged 52, was charged with murdering Butkus, aged 44, at the Marsh Road address on 9 or 10 September 2013. He pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter at arraignment before the Central Criminal Court. Clifford examined the axe, finding blood only in the hollow groove at its tip, and generated a full male DNA profile that matched Butkus. He also reported DNA matches from blood on a step, kitchen table, bannister, ceiling, a sock, a carpet from Matthews Lane, and a Suzuki Swift car. Detective Sergeant Liam Archibold testified about the search of Matthews Lane, the items recovered, and the medical examination of Gaizutis. The prosecution concluded its case, and the jury was instructed to resume the next day.
During a murder trial, a forensic scientist testified that blood found in the hollow groove at the tip of an axe matched the DNA profile of the deceased, Audrius Butkus, 44. The accused, Marius Gaizutis, 52, of Marsh Road, Drogheda, Co Louth, is charged with murdering Butkus at that address on 9 or 10 September 2013. Gaizutis pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter when arraigned before the Central Criminal Court. The jury was sworn in to try him, and the trial continues.