A 24-year-old man from Castlebar, County Mayo, who is serving a life sentence for the 2011 murder of his mother, has been sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment for assaulting a prison officer at Mountjoy Prison. The man pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to throwing boiling water at the officer on 15 April 2014. The officer sustained burns to his face and shoulder and was absent from work for five weeks. The court heard the defendant has sustained irreversible organic brain damage from drug abuse during his teenage years and was transferred from the Central Mental Hospital to Mountjoy following his murder conviction. At the time of the assault, his medication had recently been altered and he had just been moved from a padded cell. Judge Martin Nolan noted the defendant had no impulse control and observed there was no rational explanation for the attack. The court heard the defendant has since remained free of further convictions and is receiving psychiatric care in custody.
Two men found liable in civil proceedings relating to the 1998 Omagh bombing appeared before the Master of the High Court in Dublin on Wednesday to answer questions regarding their assets. Liam Campbell of Upper Faughart, Dundalk, and Michael Colm Murphy of Lower Faughart, Dundalk, County Louth, were ordered to provide details of their financial holdings as part of enforcement of a judgment requiring them to pay families of the 29 people killed in the attack. Both men denied possessing significant assets. Mr Campbell stated he owns only a half share in the family home and adjoining land. Mr Murphy claimed to hold no assets following his divorce. Lawyers acting for the victim's families sought comprehensive disclosure of property, savings, shares and company interests. Following examination, both men undertook to provide sworn statements detailing assets valued above €5,000 by 23 October.
Four men convicted of assaulting two off-duty gardaí at Charlestown in June 2012 have been imprisoned following a successful appeal by the Director of Public Prosecution against their original suspended sentences. Nico Barrett, aged 22, of Humbert Street, Sligo; David Leonard, aged 32, formerly of Rhue, Sligo; Daniel Phelan, aged 23, of Tower Crescent, Connolly Park, Sligo; and David Skeffington, aged 23, of Rathscanlon, Charlestown Road, Tubbercurry, had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court. The trial judge imposed three-year suspended sentences on Barrett, Leonard, and Skeffington, and a two-year suspended sentence on Phelan in October 2014. The Court of Appeal found the sentences unduly lenient. Mr Justice John Edwards, speaking for the three-judge court, stated that custodial sentences were unavoidable and that assaults on peace officers must be severely punished. Barrett received 14 months imprisonment, whilst the other three received 12 months each.
Paul Henry, a 29-year-old Roscommon man, has successfully appealed his acquittal for the murder of his mother, Ann Henry, at The Spinney, Abbeystown, in September 2011. Henry had originally pleaded not guilty to the charge. At the Central Criminal Court in Castlebar, a jury found him not guilty by reason of insanity, resulting in his commitment to the Central Mental Hospital by Mr Justice Paul Carney in May 2014. Henry sought a retrial to plead and potentially be convicted of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, aiming for a determinative sentence rather than indefinite detention. The Court of Appeal, comprising Mr Justice George Birmingham, Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, and Mr Justice John Edwards, ordered a retrial. The court found an "element of misdirection" by the trial judge regarding the burden of proof. The judgment clarified that where the prosecution contends for a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, the prosecution must prove this on the balance of probabilities. The court noted that the previous outcome led to heavy medication and indefinite detention, whereas a murder conviction would result in a different prison regime. The retrial is scheduled to be listed in the Central Criminal Court in two weeks. This case is noted as the first in Ireland to address the standard of proof for this specific prosecution-led insanity verdict.
A Roscommon man acquitted of his mother's murder by reason of insanity has appealed against the verdict, seeking a retrial on grounds of diminished responsibility. Paul Henry was sent to the Central Mental Hospital in May 2014 following his acquittal at Castlebar. His counsel argued the trial judge misdirected the jury on the burden of proof regarding insanity, and that the Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to order a retrial and correct the error. The Director of Public Prosecutions opposed the appeal, contending the court lacks power to retry insanity verdicts under existing legislation. During submissions at the Court of Appeal, one judge remarked that Henry might have a better life serving a prison sentence than remaining in the Central Mental Hospital. The three-judge panel reserved judgment, noting the matter would require considerable consideration. Paul Henry pleaded not guilty.
Paul Henry, a 29-year-old Roscommon man, brought an appeal against his acquittal for the alleged murder of his mother, Ann Henry, at The Spinney, Abbeystown, Roscommon, in September 2011. Henry had pleaded not guilty to the charge. At a previous Central Criminal Court sitting in Castlebar, a jury acquitted him of murder by reason of insanity. On May 7, 2014, Mr Justice Paul Carney ordered his commitment to the Central Mental Hospital. Today, in the Court of Appeal, Henry sought to appeal this acquittal. The three-judge panel, comprising Mr Justice George Birmingham, Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, and Mr Justice John Edwards, raised immediate jurisdictional concerns. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Úna Ní Raifeartaigh SC, described the situation as very unusual, noting that the right to appeal typically arises only upon conviction. The judges observed that Henry was not a convicted person regarding the murder charge; rather, he was liable to detention at the State's discretion without a criminal record, meaning the State had vindicated his good name. Consequently, the court did not determine the appeal on its merits. The matter was adjourned and put back to March 5 next.
The Court of Criminal Appeal has dismissed an appeal against a life sentence imposed on a man convicted of raping four of his daughters over an 18-year period. The three-judge court ruled that the sentencing judge was entitled to impose the maximum penalty. The man, now aged 52, pleaded guilty in December 2011 at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Castlebar, County Mayo, to sample counts of rape and child cruelty spanning from 1991 to 2009. The appellant's counsel argued that the trial judge erred in principle by prioritising victim reassurance in sentencing, and that mitigating factors including a late guilty plea and the man's dysfunctional background and alcohol abuse should have been weighted more heavily. The court rejected these submissions, finding that credible threats made by the man to one victim were an exceptional circumstance the sentencing judge was entitled to consider. The court determined that no mitigating factors could outweigh the horrific and exceptional nature of the offences.
The High Court trial of a civil damages claim brought by Joanne Quinn against retired Detective Sergeant Edward Justin Clarke is ongoing. Ms Quinn, 41, of Castlebar, Co Mayo, alleges she was stalked and sexually harassed by Mr Clarke between 2002 and 2005 while he investigated her prior abuse complaints. Mr Clarke admitted to a sexual relationship but pleaded it was consensual, denying the allegation of rape. Counsel for Ms Quinn, Martin Giblin SC, argued Mr Clarke abused his position of authority, specifically alleging rape on New Year's Eve 2002. Conversely, counsel for Mr Clarke, Roughan Banim SC, stated his client accepted the relationship was inappropriate due to his role but maintained it was not rape. Mr Banim noted Mr Clarke's 33 years of service and the severe personal impact of the allegations. Under cross-examination, Ms Quinn explained her delay in reporting was due to disbelief in her claims given Mr Clarke's status. The jury is tasked with resolving whether the sexual acts were consensual. The matter was adjourned and continues.
A 22-year-old man from Castlebar, County Mayo has been sentenced to life imprisonment following his conviction for the murder of his mother at the Central Criminal Court. The accused had admitted manslaughter but pleaded not guilty to murder. A jury unanimously found him guilty of murder after approximately two hours of deliberation. The victim, a 46-year-old woman, was fatally stabbed on 9 March 2011 at their family home. Evidence presented during the eight-day trial established that the accused was under the influence of amphetamines, methamphetamines and cannabis at the time. The court heard testimony regarding the accused's long-standing substance abuse and psychological deterioration in the days preceding the killing. His defence submissions centred on arguments of diminished responsibility and lack of intent due to intoxication, both of which the jury rejected. The victim's family issued a victim impact statement expressing their devastation and hope that no other families would suffer similarly through drug abuse.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court will begin deliberating tomorrow in the case of a Castlebar man charged with murdering his mother. Celyn Eadon of Derrycrieve, Islandeady is accused of killing Noreen Kelly at their home in March 2011. The 22-year-old admits to her manslaughter but denies murder. The defence argued that drug use from childhood caused a mental disorder that diminished his responsibility, or that intoxication prevented him forming intent to kill. The prosecution contended he was not suffering from mental disorder and that the disappearance of his drugs from his room may have triggered the fatal attack. Medical evidence presented conflicting accounts regarding whether the accused had a mental disorder. The eight-day trial concluded with closing arguments from both the defence and State. Mr Justice Paul Carney instructed the jury of seven men and five women that their task would be difficult. The unnamed man pleaded not guilty.
At the Central Criminal Court, three mental health professionals gave conflicting evidence in the murder trial of a man accused of killing his mother in Castlebar, County Mayo. Celyn Eadon, aged 22, of Derrycrieve, Islandeady, admits manslaughter but denies murder in connection with the death of Noreen Kelly on 9 March 2011. Ms Kelly, aged 46, died from multiple stab wounds at their home. Two defence witnesses, a senior clinical psychologist and a consultant forensic psychiatrist, both based at the Central Mental Hospital, testified that the accused suffered from drug-induced brain impairment and substance-induced psychosis at the time of the incident. However, a prosecution consultant forensic psychiatrist concluded the accused did not meet the legal threshold for mental illness under the Criminal Law Insanity Act. He stated that extreme intoxication, while present, is excluded from that definition. The trial before Mr Justice Paul Carney continues. Celyn Eadon pleaded not guilty.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Celyn Eadon, accused of murdering his mother Noreen Kelly in Castlebar, has heard evidence regarding the deceased's injuries and the accused's mental state. Ms Kelly, 46, died of multiple stab wounds on March 9, 2011. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that he found 19 stab wounds, slash wounds, and bruises on the body, with injuries penetrating the brain, severing a jugular vein, and damaging the heart and liver. He attributed death to catastrophic haemorrhaging. Mr Eadon, 22, has pleaded not guilty to her murder at the address, while admitting to manslaughter. The prosecution closed its case, and the defence called two medical witnesses. Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist Dr Paul O'Connell stated that Mr Eadon began using drugs at age 10 and was likely experiencing substance-induced psychosis at the time of the killing, which could affect his capacity to form specific intent. Senior Clinical Psychologist Dr Ken O'Reilly concluded that the accused suffered from organic brain impairment secondary to polysubstance misuse. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Carney and a jury.
A 22-year-old man from Castlebar has admitted manslaughter but denies murder in connection with the death of his mother at their home in Derrycrieve, Islandeady on 9 March 2011. The Central Criminal Court heard that the accused disputed suggestions he killed his mother after she destroyed his drugs, instead claiming he acted while delusional. Detective Garda Róisín Loftus gave evidence of interviews conducted the day after the 46-year-old woman was found with multiple stab wounds. The court was told forensic analysis identified methamphetamine residue in charred packaging recovered from the family home. The accused stated he had consumed prescription medication and amphetamine in the hours before the incident and believed his medication had been tampered with. Medical evidence previously presented indicated he received a diagnosis of acute psychotic episode secondary to polysubstance abuse following his arrest. The trial before Mr Justice Paul Carney and jury continues. The unnamed 22-year-old pleaded not guilty.
At the Central Criminal Court, a 22-year-old man from Derrycrieve, Islandeady, Castlebar pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted manslaughter in connection with the death of his mother, Noreen Kelly, on March 9, 2011. The 46-year-old died of multiple stab wounds at their home. During proceedings before Mr Justice Paul Carney, the court heard evidence that the accused's behaviour had significantly altered following a violent assault he sustained aged twelve, when two men attacked him with implements whilst he was in a field. His mother's former partner testified that the incident profoundly affected the accused and that his mother had later expressed concern about his unwillingness to seek counselling. The witness also stated that the accused began using drugs months before Ms Kelly's death. A detective sergeant recalled that when arrested hours after the incident, the accused indicated his mother had attacked him first and that he had carried a knife. Hospital records subsequently documented that the accused tested positive for multiple controlled substances and received a diagnosis of acute psychotic episode.
The trial of Celyn Eadon, charged with murdering his mother Noreen Kelly on March 9, 2011, continued at the Central Criminal Court. Eadon, then 22, has pleaded not guilty to murder but admits to manslaughter. Witness John Scott testified that he was having tea when a half-naked, injured teenager approached his kitchen window. Scott stated the young man claimed he had been abducted by aliens and experimented on, and that he had stabbed and possibly killed his mother. Scott provided the distressed man with tea, a cigarette, and a jacket before contacting the gardai. Sergeant David Tiernan testified that Eadon was arrested at Scott's home, where he claimed he did not realize the victim was his mother and that the house was filled with smoke. Psychiatrist Victor Ademaike examined Eadon later that day. Eadon told the doctor he could not recollect events from the previous evening until his arrest, citing the use of methamphetamine and cannabis. He stated he remembered arguing with his mother about her boyfriend and being chased. The psychiatrist diagnosed an acute psychotic episode secondary to polysubstance abuse. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Carney and a jury.
A witness has testified at the Central Criminal Court regarding the death of a woman in County Mayo. The 19-year-old brother of the accused gave evidence via live television link in the trial of Celyn Eadon, aged 22, from Derrycrieve, Islandeady, Castlebar. Eadon admits to the manslaughter of Noreen Kelly at that address on 9 March 2011 but has pleaded not guilty to her murder. The woman, aged 46, died from multiple stab wounds. The witness described the accused's behaviour in the hours before the killing, stating he appeared intoxicated and distressed about missing drugs. He recalled his mother expressing fear and attempting to contact the gardaí for assistance that evening. The witness said he was awakened by screaming and discovered his mother injured. He contacted emergency services and attempted to provide aid. The trial, heard before a jury of seven men and five women, continues before Mr Justice Paul Carney.
A 22-year-old man from Castlebar is to stand trial at the Central Criminal Court following the death of his mother in March 2011. The defendant pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of a 46-year-old woman at an address in Islandeady. The Director of Public Prosecutions rejected the manslaughter plea. A jury of twelve was sworn in to hear the case, with trial proceedings due to commence on Thursday. The trial will determine whether the charge of murder is sustained.
A man serving a life sentence for raping four of his daughters has launched an appeal against his sentence at the Court of Criminal Appeal. The 52-year-old was convicted in December 2011 at the Central Criminal Court in Castlebar, County Mayo, after pleading guilty to sample counts of rape and child cruelty spanning an 18-year period from 1991 to 2009. His counsel argued that the trial judge erred in principle by allowing victim support considerations to become the primary factor in imposing the life sentence, contending that the guilty plea should have carried greater mitigating weight. The State's counsel maintained there was no error in law, noting the offences were at the top end of the scale and that a threat made by the appellant against one victim justified the sentence. The Court of Criminal Appeal reserved judgement, with a decision expected on 15 January 2014.