Court archive
2026-03-20 · Dublin
CJ Losty drove a stolen car through green areas where children were playing, across footpaths and the wrong way on the M3 while fleeing gardai, reaching more than 160km/hr. He pleaded guilty to endangerment and dangerous-driving charges and received a three-year global sentence, with the final year suspended, plus a six-year driving ban.
2024-04-25 · Dublin
Martin Collins (42) and his brother Michael (33) were sentenced to three years in prison for a series of thefts carried out between March and August 2020. The brothers used modified people‑carrier cars, blackening windows and removing rear seats to conceal stolen tools from building sites. They were found guilty of possessing a vehicle with intent to commit theft at Barclay Court, Blackrock, on 23 March 2020, and of participating in organised crime. Martin admitted possession of plant equipment worth €5,080 stolen from Irish Rail on 19 August 2020, including a leaf‑blower, an Alpha mixer and an Atlas Trench Whacker. Judge Martin Nolan set a headline sentence of four and a half years, deducted 18 months, leaving an effective term of three years. The brothers had previously served 16‑month sentences for similar offences. The court noted their family background, mental health issues and efforts to disengage from crime.
2023-11-10 · Dublin
The Commercial Court heard that several legal actions over the collapse of German property firm Dolphin Trust have been resolved. No settlement details were disclosed. Dolphin, founded by Charles Smethurst, had raised €650m‑€1bn from investors in the UK, Russia, South Korea, France and Ireland, investing in listed German buildings. Dolphin MUT 116 and MUT 103 were the Irish investment vehicles for pension and individual investors. Liquidators Shane McCarthy, Ian Barrett (MUT 116) and Myles Kirby (MUT 103) had alleged misrepresentations and breaches by parties linked to Dolphin. John Lavelle BL informed the court that his clients had settled actions against several defendants. Proceedings against the estate of the late Paul Dunne were struck out; cases against Wealth Options Trust, Wealth Options Capital, Brian Flynn and Eanna McCloskey were adjourned with a possibility of re‑entry. Actions against Charles Smethurst remain live and will be addressed later this year.
2023-07-24 · Dublin
Five men were sentenced to suspended prison terms for a violent assault on three friends in Dublin. The men—Vasilii Birca (32), Ion Mustesta (19), Gheorge Onila (32), Nicanor Ionas (29) and Ion Soponari (24)—had believed they were helping a friend who had been misled into thinking he was the victim of an assault. They pleaded guilty to one count each of affray on Golden Lane on 3 April 2022. All had no prior convictions. The court heard they offered €26,000 in compensation and sincere apologies to the injured parties, and that probation reports placed them at low risk of reoffending. Judge Pauline Codd imposed headline sentences of two and a half years for each, suspended in full for 18 months (Birca, Onila, Ionas), 12 months (Musteata), and 16 months (Soponari). The men were ordered to keep the peace and behave well during the suspension period. The sixth man involved remains before the courts.
2023-07-14 · Meath
In a High Court hearing on 14 July 2023, Mr Justice Rory Mulcahy discharged an injunction that had barred several corporate entities from accessing proceeds from the sale of Trinity House, a property in Dunboyne, Co Meath, and from insurance payouts following a fire. Mr Stephen Mahon had claimed a fair issue regarding the sale proceeds and insurance money, seeking payment of over €230,000 and the majority of the €810,000 sale proceeds. The court found that damages would be an adequate remedy and that Mr Mahon had not demonstrated that the defendants intended to dissipate assets outside the jurisdiction. The judge noted that Mr Mahon had failed to disclose relevant assets, including a €570,000 development site in Co Wexford owned by Yeronga, and that the injunction was therefore unnecessary. All defendants denied wrongdoing and argued that the injunction had harmed their business operations. The case will return to court later in the month.
2023-07-10 · Meath
Mary Charles, of Dinree House, Piercetown, Dunboyne, Co Meath, has been granted permission by the High Court to bring a judicial review action against An Bord Pleanála and the Attorney General. The applicant challenges the board's March decision to grant retention planning permission to respondent Leslie Fitzpatrick for upgrading the lighting system at the Wynmere equestrian facility in Dunboyne. Ms Charles alleges that the proposed eight-meter LED lighting columns will adversely affect a family member with photosensitive epilepsy, whose home is located 100 meters from the arena. She claims the board's decision is invalid because it failed to consider the potential health impacts of light pollution, did not carry out an adequate survey of bat fauna, and erroneously concluded that an Environmental Impact Assessment screening was not required. The applicant further alleges that the board made material errors of law and fact and failed to provide proper reasons for its decision. Ms Charles seeks orders quashing the board's decision to grant planning permission. The matter was heard by Ms Justice Niamh Hyland, who granted the application for permission on an ex-parte basis. Mr Fitzpatrick was made a notice party to the proceedings, and the matter was adjourned to a date in October for further hearing.
2022-04-28 · Meath
In a High Court settlement, St James Hospital apologised to Barry Comer for misinterpreting two ultrasound scans of his late wife, Lyndsey Comer, who died of cancer in 2017. The hospital admitted the scans in October 2015 and January 2016 were incorrectly read as a possible muscle bleed, leading to a delayed cancer diagnosis. The settlement included a €25,000 payment, coverage of legal costs, and a commitment to review procedures to prevent recurrence. The court heard the CEO's apology and the judge noted the case was "sad" and "difficult." Mr Comer, a businessman and Gaelic footballer, expressed relief that the matter was resolved and emphasised the importance of accurate medical assessment. The hospital denied that earlier diagnosis would have altered the outcome.
2021-11-10 · Meath
Two building firms, Trinity Homes Ltd (THL) and Yeronga Ltd, both mainly funded through the Immigrant Investment Programme, were granted court protection from creditors. The firms, established in 2014, have become insolvent and cannot meet debt repayments. They attribute their difficulties to Covid‑19 site shutdowns, rising material costs, and an inability to meet scheduled loan repayments. An additional issue is a €3 million share purchase from a former THL director, during which over €900,000 of THL's funds were paid to that director, a transaction the court said breached company law and will be investigated. The companies had been profitable from 2015 to 2019 and had borrowed over €11 million through the programme, which allows non‑EEA citizens to invest over €1 million for three years in exchange for residency and eventual citizenship. THL's directors are Stephen Mahon (75 % shareholder), Ecaterina Olaru, and Ben Reid, while Mahon and Olaru also direct Yeronga.
2020-09-25 · Dublin
In the Central Criminal Court, the jury heard mobile‑phone cell‑site analysis linking the accused, Sebastian Barczuk, and the deceased, Michal Kurek, on the days surrounding the murder. The accused's phone connected to a cell site near Ballyboughal at 00.53 on 4 August 2017, the same time the deceased's phone used a Ballyboughal site at 00.52. Barczuk's phone made a data connection at a Ballyboughal site at 00.55, and the last activity on his phone was at 1.53 am in Dunboyne. The jury also viewed CCTV footage of a blue Fiat Punto travelling from Clonsilla Inn on 3 August to Ballyboughal on 4 August, and heard testimony that the vehicle was sold to Barczuk on 2 August. The prosecution presented the phone‑call timeline, showing multiple calls and texts between the two men on 3 August, and the defence argued that cell‑site analysis is not an exact science. Sebastian Barczuk pleaded not guilty.
2020-06-30 · Dublin
James Holland, aged 52, was convicted of possessing €900,000 worth of cannabis resin for sale or supply. He was arrested in 2009, fled to the UK where he lived homeless for several years, and returned to Ireland in April 2024 to surrender to Gardaí. The offence involved moving the drugs from a truck to an industrial unit in Donabate and then transporting them in a van that was stopped in Dunboyne, where 150 kilos of resin were seized. Holland pleaded guilty to the single charge. He has a prior minor conviction from 2004. The court heard he had been a community worker and minibus driver until his relationships and employment collapsed, leading to debt and involvement with drug traffickers. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to five and a half years in prison, noting his difficult circumstances and low likelihood of re‑offending.
2019-06-06 · Meath
The High Court has ruled that developer Garrett Kelleher is not entitled to certain categories of discovery in his damages action against National Asset Loan Management Ltd (NALM). Mr Kelleher alleges a breach of confidence and malicious disclosure of his confidential financial information, claims which NALM denies. While NALM accepts that former employee Enda Farrell unlawfully disclosed information, it asserts it is not liable for his actions. In a pre-trial motion, Mr Kelleher sought documents regarding the dissemination of his banking and business affairs by Mr Farrell. Ms Justice Teresa Pilkington declined to compel NALM to provide the material, describing some requests as lacking specificity or constituting a "fishing expedition." The court noted that NALM was already providing certain relevant materials. The ruling references the 2016 sentencing of Enda Farrell, who pleaded guilty to eight counts of unlawfully disclosing information in breach of the 2009 Nama Act between May and July 2012. He received a two-year suspended prison sentence for leaking sensitive data to two investment companies. The court emphasized that none of the charges against Farrell related to Mr Kelleher's affairs. Mr Kelleher's claims are linked to suspicions arising in 2011, including a bid by the Trump organisation for the Chicago Spire project loan, which he alleges was based on leaked confidential material.
2019-05-24 · Dublin
Wayne Duffy (46) and Darren Coughlan (46) were sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possessing cocaine for sale or supply. Both men admitted to the offence, which involved transporting 49kg of cocaine with a street value of €3,435,000. Judge Patricia Ryan described the incident as a planned and premeditated operation. Duffy, of Clonee, Dublin 15, was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment, while Coughlan, of Dunboyne, Co Meath, received a six-year sentence. Both sentences were backdated to December 6, the date they first went into custody. A third man, Bernadus Jozef Scherrenberg (47), was sentenced earlier this year to seven years' imprisonment for the same offence after pleading guilty in the District Court. The court heard that the drugs were concealed in plastic tubs within a Peugeot with a hidden hydraulic compartment. During a search of Coughlan's home, €45,250 in cash was found in a shed. Judge Ryan noted Duffy's 11 previous convictions, including three for drug offences, while acknowledging his cooperation with gardaí. For Coughlan, the judge considered his lack of significant prior convictions and his role as the least involved participant in the enterprise. Both defendants had pleaded guilty early in the process.
2019-04-12 · Dublin
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.
2019-03-29 · Dublin
In 2016, a trio of men—Stefan Saunders (40), Francis Murphy (39) and Damien Noonan (32)—conspired to rob a cash‑in‑transit van carrying over €2 million in County Meath. They were caught after Gardaí arrived, but the men had already prepared the scene: they broke into a disused bank, disabled the alarm, sprayed bleach, and waited with a stolen BMW X5. Saunders carried a semi‑automatic pistol with eight blank rounds, Murphy had a crowbar, and Noonan possessed the stolen vehicle. All three pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of a firearm, and possession of a stolen vehicle. On 12 June 2018 they were each sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, with a two‑and‑a‑half‑year suspended portion. The Director of Public Prosecutions has applied for a review, arguing the sentences were unduly lenient, while the Court of Appeal has reserved its judgment. The case remains at the appeal stage.
2018-06-29 · Meath
Sabrina O'Connor, a former care worker aged 37, was acquitted on ten charges of theft and deception after a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court found her not guilty. The case involved allegations that she stole over €43,000 from an elderly stroke victim she cared for between June 2010 and December 2011. The jury could not reach verdicts on three counts and remanded her on continuing bail until July 9 to address those charges. O'Connor admitted that accepting money from a client was against her work policy and said she had been under pressure. She claimed she had attempted to repay the largest sum of €15,000 but the victim said the money was "in custody." The judge ordered that sum to be paid back to the complainant. The trial also covered allegations of bank account theft, use of cheques, and a vehicle purchase, but these were not resolved in the verdict.
2018-06-28 · Meath
The jury in the trial of former care worker Sabrina O'Connor, aged 37, will enter its third day of deliberations at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. O'Connor denies 13 theft counts and one deception count relating to alleged theft of over €43,000 from an elderly stroke victim between 2010 and 2011. The prosecution claims the largest sum stolen was €15,000, used to secure a house option, and that O'Connor also stole an €8,500 bank draft to purchase a Land Rover. Evidence shows she used 11 cheques, ranging from €1,000 to €2,500, totalling €20,100, to withdraw money from the victim's account for her own benefit. The victim, who suffered a stroke, said O'Connor had access to her account and that O'Connor had claimed gifts of €8,000, €10,000, and a €15,000 loan for a house deposit, which she has not repaid.
2018-06-27 · Meath
The trial of Sabrina O'Connor, a former care worker, is in its final stage at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. She denies 13 theft counts and one deception charge relating to an elderly stroke victim between 2010 and 2011. On day six, the jury of twelve members had deliberated for just over an hour before Judge Karen O'Connor suspended the session for the evening, with deliberations to resume tomorrow.
2018-06-26 · Meath
Sabrina O'Connor, 37, pleaded not guilty to 13 theft charges and one deception charge in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. She admitted that while caring for a stroke‑victim client she sometimes withdrew money from the client's account, presented a cheque to the bank, and received cash in an envelope. She also claimed that the client gave her €8,000 as a gift to buy a car and later loaned €15,000 for a house deposit, which she said she had not yet repaid. O'Connor said she accepted the money to keep the client happy and was afraid of losing her job, so she did not inform her employers. The trial, presided over by Judge Karen O'Connor, is in its closing stages. The prosecution, led by Noel Devitt BL, questioned her about the nature of the cheques and her failure to report the transactions to the Gardaí.
2018-06-22 · Meath
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Bridget O'Neill, a professional carer, testified that she noticed an unusually high number of transactions on the bank statement of an elderly stroke victim she cared for. O'Neill, who worked for the same company as the defendant, described feeling uneasy after reviewing the statement, noting that the number of transactions exceeded what would normally be expected. She explained that the victim was physically disabled and dependent on her for daily care, including food, laundry, and even playing Lotto. O'Neill also revealed that the victim had gifted her €5,000 and €3,000 on separate occasions, and that the victim had loaned money to the accused. The trial, presided over by Judge Karen O'Connor, continues with a jury of twelve. The defendant, Sabrina O'Connor, has pleaded not guilty to 13 theft charges and one deception charge.
2018-06-21 · Meath
An elderly stroke victim, who is the complainant, told the court that she was very annoyed that her money was gone. She alleged that her former carer, Sabrina O'Connor, stole thousands of euros from her bank account over a period of two years. The complainant denied that a female friend assisted her memory when she made her statement to the Gardaí. She said she had lent O'Connor money after the defendant claimed she needed an operation on her leg, and that O'Connor had not repaid her. The prosecution alleged that O'Connor stole a €15,000 bank draft used to secure a house option, a €8,500 draft used to buy a Land Rover, and used cheques to take money from the complainant's account for her own benefit. The trial is before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury. Sabrina O'Connor pleaded not guilty.
2018-06-19 · Meath
Sabrina O'Connor, 37, of The Green, Dunboyne Castle, Dunboyne, is on trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for 13 theft charges and one deception charge relating to an elderly stroke victim she cared for. The prosecution, led by Noel Devitt BL, alleges that O'Connor accessed the victim's bank account and stole €15,000 and €8,500 bank drafts, using them to secure a house option and purchase a Land Rover. She is also accused of taking money via cheques, spending it for her own benefit, and buying food and paying bills with the victim's bank cards. The victim, who had her cheque book in an unlocked drawer, claims she never authorized these withdrawals and has no recollection of them. The trial is set to continue on Thursday before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury of twelve. Sabrina O'Connor pleaded not guilty.
2018-02-26 · Dublin
Graham Armstrong, 33, was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment for stabbing Thomas McDonnell, his partner's father, in the back of the neck with a screwdriver on 11 September 2015. The wound measured two to three millimetres and McDonnell recovered after a tetanus injection. Armstrong also pleaded guilty to an attempted robbery at Eddie Rockets on 16 December 2015, where he tried to force a worker to bring cash into the restaurant. He was arrested an hour later. The court noted Armstrong had 42 prior convictions, including possession of stolen property and burglary, and that he had been struggling after his mother's death in 2016. He was ordered to pay €1,500 to his victims as a token of remorse. Armstrong and his partner have since reconciled, and McDonnell declined to pursue the matter further. The judge, Martin Nolan, imposed the custodial sentence on the basis of Armstrong's serious criminal record.
2017-11-01 · Dublin
Oyindamola Ojo, a 37‑year‑old Nigerian mother of six living in Balbriggan, Dublin, received a three‑year suspended sentence for her role in a complex money‑laundering scheme that involved Ireland, the UK and Nigeria. She opened seven credit‑union accounts across three Irish counties, using forged Electric Ireland bills and "compromised" UK debit and credit cards to withdraw €1,800 from St Mary's Credit Union, €2,500 from Palmerstown Credit Union and attempted to withdraw €4,800 from Dunboyne Credit Union between December 2014 and January 2015. Ojo also pleaded guilty to using false bills at Dunboyne, Nolan's and Waterford Credit Unions, and to dishonestly inducing a replacement of an iPhone 6 Plus at Carphone Warehouse. She claimed she was drawn into the operation by an ex‑partner and a friend, both based in Nigeria, and that she feared for her three children's safety. Ojo had no prior convictions.
2017-10-20 · Dublin
Nassour Saleh, a 25‑year‑old Palestinian national, was given a suspended two‑year sentence for endangering Gardaí after a high‑speed chase on Navan Road in 2008. He had been 16 at the time and was not licensed to drive. In 2010 he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving under the influence of cannabis, receiving a six‑month suspended detention and a four‑year driving disqualification. The case was adjourned for a probation report, but Saleh fled to Norway, where he lived and worked as a mechanic for six years. He returned to Ireland last year, was arrested during a random Garda check, and was sentenced by Judge Terence O'Sullivan, who noted the unusual circumstances and the fact that no one was injured. The sentence was suspended on conditions including two years of probation supervision. The court emphasised the protection of front‑line services and the seriousness of the offence.
2017-04-06 · Wexford
In 2011 a worker, Barry Gargan, 28, was killed at Kilsaran Concrete's Piercetown plant when a cleaning arm fell on him inside a safety cage. The company pleaded guilty to failing to manage work safely and was fined €125,000 by Judge Michael O'Shea in 2016. The Director of Public Prosecutions argued the fine was too low, citing deliberate safety feature overrides to boost profit. The Court of Appeal, hearing the DPP's application, increased the fine to €1 million. The appeal court found the company had a pattern of incremental safety breaches over more than a year, with senior management encouraging risky practices. The court noted the company's cooperation, guilty plea and prior good safety record as mitigating factors, but deemed the original fine unduly lenient. The final penalty was €1 million, a 50 % reduction from the maximum possible fine. The company apologized to the Gargan family and acknowledged the loss of a valued employee.
2017-03-27 · Wexford
Kilsaran Concrete, a manufacturer in Piercetown, Dunboyne, was fined €125,000 in February 2016 for failing to ensure employee safety after Barry Gargan, 28, was killed in September 2011 while operating a wet‑cast machine. The DPP has appealed, arguing the penalty was "unduly lenient." The appeal is pending, with the Court of Appeal reserving judgment until April 6. In the appeal, barrister Carl Hanahoe described how the company used a wet‑cast line, originally for standardised curbing stones, to produce bespoke concrete slabs for regeneration projects in Limerick and Ballymun. He alleged deliberate overriding of safety features, incremental efficiency gains that increased danger, and that employees were positioned on either side of the conveyor belt inside a safety cage. A worker had reported a "near miss" over about 12 months. Kilsaran's counsel, Hugh Hartnett SC, maintained that the system was wrong from the start and that the company had paid civil sums quickly. Kilsaran Concrete pleaded guilty.
2017-03-03 · Dublin
In the Central Criminal Court, the trial of Vesel Jahiri (35) for the murder of Anna Finnegan (26) and assault on Karl Finnegan was interrupted when Jahiri, standing before the jury, claimed evidence had been tampered with and that the knife used in the alleged murder had its fingerprints wiped. He also demanded to represent himself and accused the court of illegal detention. Judge Paul Coffey asked the jury to leave the courtroom, after which they returned following a half‑hour break. The case, which began with a jury hearing on Wednesday, is expected to continue for four to five weeks. Karl Finnegan, the deceased's brother, had testified that Jahiri and Anna had been in a relationship for about ten years, had two children, and that their relationship had deteriorated in the months leading up to the September 2012 incident. Jahiri has pleaded not guilty to both the murder and the assault.
2016-07-28 · Kildare
Richard Molloy, 45, of Naas, was convicted in 2015 for possessing equipment to produce counterfeit €50 notes and was sentenced to six years' imprisonment. He had sold €20,000 in counterfeit bills to a suspected IRA member and was found to have €2 million worth of counterfeit currency in preparation. On appeal the Court of Appeal found the original judge had not explained the overall rationale for the sentence and had not recorded the mitigating discount. The appeal court re‑sentenced Molloy to five‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended. He was required to enter a good‑behaviour bond for the suspended period. The case involved the discovery of two Heidelberg colour offset printers, various powders, guillotines, digital printers and paper, and a large quantity of completed and partially completed counterfeit notes. The court noted Molloy's financial difficulties, his partner's illness and death, and his alcohol problems as mitigating factors. Richard Molloy pleaded guilty.
2016-07-19 · Kildare
Richard Molloy, 45, of Naas, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of equipment for producing counterfeit €20,000 in bills sold to an alleged IRA member, and was found to have prepared an additional €2 million. He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment by Judge Patricia Ryan on 6 November 2015. Molloy's counsel, Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC, has appealed, seeking a reduced sentence and a suspended portion, arguing that the judge did not consider Molloy's rehabilitation prospects, his alcohol‑related mental state, and his role as a caring father to a 12‑year‑old child. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Vincent Heneghan BL, noted that the counterfeit money was exchanged with "members of the IRA" and that a follow‑up search uncovered €189,000 in complete notes and an additional €2 million in preparation. Judge Garrett Sheehan, sitting with Justices Alan Mahon and John Edwards, said the Court of Appeal would decide next Thursday.
2016-07-18 · Dublin
John Byrne, aged 28, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for stealing a white Mercedes worth over €50,000 and driving it recklessly on the M3 motorway. The vehicle was taken from Charlemont estate near Griffith Avenue on 3 February 2015, and a Garda pursuit began shortly after. Byrne's car hit a roundabout at high speed, nearly flipped, then crashed through a stop sign and a fence before stopping in wasteland. He fled the scene, wading through a river, before being captured. The car was badly damaged and written off. Byrne pleaded guilty to using a car without the owner's consent and recklessly damaging it. He had six prior convictions, including drug misuse and property damage. The court found his actions "appalling" and "extraordinarily reckless," and sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, with the two counts running concurrently.
2016-07-12 · Dublin
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Adebowale Okunade, 41, pleaded guilty to possessing the proceeds of crime and to four counts of dishonestly appropriating money from Dunboyne Credit Union and Waterford Credit Union between 14 November and 19 December 2014, as well as to using an electricity bill in another name to open a Ballyfermot Credit Union account on 15 December 2014. Okunade admitted that he had transferred €27,127 from a Bank of Ireland account into his own account in September 2014, and that the money originally came from a Mexican woman's brokerage account, which had been stolen. He exploited a "glitch" in the credit union system, using compromised credit cards to lodge and withdraw money, resulting in a total loss of €13,950 to the credit unions. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to three years' imprisonment for possessing the proceeds of crime, suspending the final 12 months of the term.
2016-05-12 · Meath
In May 2016 a former National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) official, Enda Farrell, was sentenced to a two‑year suspended term for unlawfully disclosing confidential NAMA valuation data. Farrell, aged 40, sent records covering hundreds of properties—including those of major developers, NAMA's hotel portfolio and German holdings—to QED Equity Ltd. and Canaccord Genuity between May and July 2012. He pleaded guilty to eight counts under the 2009 NAMA Act. The court found no evidence that Farrell benefited personally or that NAMA's business was harmed. Judge Karen O'Connor noted the breach of trust and Farrell's attempts to bypass security as aggravating factors, but also his cooperation and admission of wrongdoing. The sentence was fully suspended, with no custodial time imposed. Farrell had not profited from the leaks, and NAMA suffered no loss from the disclosures. The case highlighted the pressures faced by NAMA staff and the importance of safeguarding confidential information.
2016-04-21 · Meath
A former National Asset Management Agency (NAMA) official, Enda Farrell, 40, was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 21 April 2016. He admitted leaking confidential NAMA valuation data to QED Equity Ltd. and Canaccord Genuity Ltd. between May and July 2012, including lists of properties from major developers, NAMA's hotel portfolio and German holdings. Farrell had previously pleaded guilty to a 2012 email to Stewart Doyle of QED Equity Ltd. He faced 13 charges, of which 12 were heard. The court noted he did not profit from the disclosures and that NAMA suffered no loss. He was remanded on continuing bail, with the case adjourned to 12 May for sentencing. The offence carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment or a €5,000 fine. The judge said she would consider an appropriate sentence. The hearing highlighted the pressures Farrell claimed to have faced while valuing properties for NAMA.
2016-04-11 · Meath
A former National Asset Management Agency official, Enda Farrell, 39, pleaded guilty to disclosing confidential NAMA information to Stewart Doyle of QED Equity Ltd by email on 17 May 2012. The disclosure involved data about the Cosgrave Group and was made without authority. Farrell, who lives in Brussels and was formerly based in Dunboyne, appeared on bail for arraignment before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally set a sentencing date for 21 April 2016.
2016-01-18 · Meath
A former National Asset Management Agency official, Enda Farrell, aged 39, faces 13 charges for disclosing confidential information in May, June and July 2012. His trial at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was adjourned after new material was received on 8 January. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC requested the case be removed from the trial list and re‑listed in two weeks for a new trial date. Prosecutor Kerida Naidoo SC said the State had no objection. Judge Patricia Ryan remanded Farrell on continuing bail to appear for mention on 1 February.
2015-11-06 · Kildare
Richard Molloy, a 44‑year‑old printer from Kildare, was convicted of possessing equipment for producing counterfeit banknotes and sentenced to six years in prison. He had been selling €20,000 of fake €50 notes to an IRA associate in exchange for €2,200, and a Special Detective Unit search uncovered over €2 million in counterfeit notes and the machinery used to make them. Molloy admitted he was working with the IRA but denied direct involvement with the organisation. He pleaded guilty to possession of counterfeiting tools after initially being charged with membership of an illegal organisation. The court, after hearing his financial difficulties and family circumstances, imposed the full six‑year term without suspension.
2015-07-29 · Kildare
Richard Molloy, a 44‑year‑old printer from Naas, was found to have run a sophisticated counterfeit banknote operation while allegedly working with the IRA. He sold €20,000 in fake €50 notes to an IRA associate in exchange for €2,200 in genuine cash. A Special Detective Unit search of his printing premises uncovered over €2 million in counterfeit notes, both finished and unfinished, and the equipment used to produce them. Molloy pleaded guilty to possession of counterfeiting tools at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and was remanded on continuing bail for sentencing on 7 November 2015. The court heard he began counterfeiting after his printing business suffered from the economic downturn, and that he had no direct involvement with the IRA beyond alleged cooperation. The case highlighted the scale of the operation and the evidence presented by the prosecution. The judge was urged to consider Molloy's financial hardship, his ill partner and child when determining his sentence.
2015-03-16 · Meath
Enda Farrell, a former National Asset Management Agency official, is set to stand trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 13 charges of disclosing confidential information in May, June and July 2012, contrary to the 2009 NAMA Act. The case was forwarded from the District Court where Farrell appeared last year. His defence, led by Michael Bowman SC, requested a trial date, noting that the disclosure was largely completed. Judge Martin Nolan scheduled the trial for January 18, 2016, and the prosecution, represented by Kerida Naidoo BL, sought witness and exhibit orders for that date.
2015-03-02 · Meath
A former National Asset Management Agency official, Enda Farrell, aged 38, was charged with 13 offences for disclosing confidential information in 2012. He failed to appear in court to enter a plea. Farrell, now residing in France, had been granted a three‑week adjournment by the prosecution, citing his wife's two‑week commitment in Germany and his need to care for two young children. Judge Martin Nolan set a new hearing for 16 March 2015 and warned that a bench warrant would be issued if Farrell did not attend.
2014-10-31 · Meath
Enda Farrell, a former National Asset Management Agency official aged 38, appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 13 charges of disclosing confidential information in May, June and July 2012, contrary to the 2009 NAMA Act. He was sent forward from the District Court last month. Judge Mary Ellen Ring adjourned the case for arraignment on March 2, 2015.
2014-07-28 · Dublin
Swords District Court heard several matters. Alex Mooney and Rory Kirwan pleaded guilty to intoxication and threatening behaviour at the Malahide Festival. Judge Dermot Dempsey agreed to strike out charges against both defendants after they each made a €300 charitable donation. Patrick Mongen was convicted of driving without a licence and fined €75. Aslam Khan, alleged to have assaulted a woman, breached a barring order, and committed careless driving and criminal damage, was remanded on continuing bail to reappear on September 2nd. Adam Meehan pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of cocaine and methoxyphenamine tablets. The matter was adjourned to October 20th, with the judge indicating a specific course of action if Meehan proves completion of voluntary work and makes a €400 donation. Kadesh Tracey, charged with unlawful possession of benzodiazepine, obstructing and assaulting a Garda, criminal damage, and failing to stop for gardai, failed to appear, resulting in a bench warrant for his arrest.
2014-06-19 · Dublin
In a 2014 trial, Vesel Jahiri, a Louth Village resident originally from Kosovo, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Anna Finnegan and to assault causing harm to her brother Karl. The case centred on a ten‑year relationship that had deteriorated, with Finnegan and Jahiri having two children. On 21 September 2012, Finnegan was stabbed in the chest and head after Jahiri allegedly burst into the house with a knife. Jahiri claimed Karl produced the knives and that Finnegan was injured while trying to stop her brother. Witnesses, including Anna's cousin Brian Conlon, testified about text messages and alleged threats, but Conlon denied any plot to "wipe out" Jahiri. DNA and fingerprint evidence linked the knife to Jahiri, and a post‑mortem confirmed a fatal single stab wound. The case proceeded before a jury under Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
2014-05-09 · Meath
Shelia Flannery, a retired horse breeder and trainer, resolved her High Court action against Sean Kavanagh regarding a disputed plot of land in Dunboyne, Co Meath. Ms Flannery alleged that in August 1996, she placed the land in Mr Kavanagh's name for safe keeping, trusting him to hold it in her benefit. Mr Kavanagh denied these claims, asserting they were not business partners and that the transfer was made in lieu of payment for debts and services he provided, including stabling and veterinary fees. Ms Flannery also brought proceedings against ACC Bank, which stated it would abide by any court order. At the High Court, Mr Justice Michael White was informed by counsel Benedict Ó Floinn SC that the matter had been resolved. The court made a declaration that the land was held in trust by Mr Kavanagh for Ms Flannery and directed him to transfer the property to her. Helen McCarthy Bl, representing Mr Kavanagh, confirmed his consent to the agreement. No order was made in relation to ACC Bank. The Judge welcomed the settlement, and the matter was adjourned for six months to allow for the implementation of the settlement. During the hearing, Ms Flannery detailed her financial difficulties in 1996, while Mr Kavanagh maintained he had assisted her during that period.
2014-05-08 · Meath
In a High Court case, retired horse trainer Shelia Flannery alleges that in August 1996 she transferred a plot of land in Dunboyne, Co. Meath to businessman Sean Kavanagh for safekeeping, with the understanding that he would hold it in trust for her benefit. Flannery claims Kavanagh subsequently registered the property in his own name, breaching his duty and interfering with her property rights. She seeks a declaration that the transfer is null and void, that Kavanagh holds the site in trust for her, and orders for him to divest any beneficial interest. Kavanagh denies being a partner, stating the land was transferred in lieu of payments for services and expenses he incurred on Flannery's behalf. He asserts the value of the land did not cover what he was owed, and that Flannery never agreed to transfer the property to him. The case is before Mr Justice Michael White.