Court archive
Court reports mentioning Dunshaughlin, Meath
2026-03-16 · Donegal
The Court of Appeal upheld a decision to extradite John Edward McNicholl and Seamus Christopher O'Kane to Northern Ireland over offences linked to the 1975 murder of RUC Constable Robert John McPherson and an attempted murder. The court rejected arguments that delay, alleged abuse of process, ordinary life in the Republic or health concerns justified refusing surrender. It placed a stay on the extraditions to allow the men to ask the Supreme Court to hear their cases.
2026-02-03 · Meath
Ruadhan Tracey, a 44-year-old man who caused the death of a 14-year-old boy in a hit-and-run accident, will have his driving license restored early despite opposition from the victim's family and gardai. Tracey received a 20-month jail sentence in 2014 for careless driving causing death and failing to remain at the scene. The court heard that the disqualification from driving was the only penalty he faced, as his prison term ran concurrently with another sentence. Judge Orla Crowe noted the tragic circumstances of the case and the loss of the 14-year-old boy, but ruled that it was appropriate to restore Tracey's license in May 2027. Tracey, who has since rehabilitated and has not been in trouble since 2018, argued that the license would help him in his new job. The victim's family expressed their opposition, with the father describing the loss as a tsunami that destroyed their lives. The court acknowledged the family's pain but ruled in favor of restoring the license, emphasizing Tracey's efforts at rehabilitation and his current good conduct.
2026-01-28 · Meath
A hit-and-run driver, Ruadhan Tracey, who was banned from driving for 20 years after causing the death of a 14-year-old boy in 2011, has applied to a court for the restoration of his license. Tracey, 44, received a 20-month jail sentence in 2014 for careless driving causing the death of Conor Hickey and failing to remain at the scene of an accident. The court heard that Tracey had borrowed his girlfriend's car and was driving with a friend to buy heroin when the incident occurred. The victim, Conor Hickey, was struck by the car and died the following day. Tracey admitted to taking his eyes off the road and driving off because he had no license or insurance. The victim's family and gardaí are opposed to the restoration of his license. Tracey, representing himself, asked the court to grant his application, stating he had not been in trouble since 2018 and had been offered a job. The case was adjourned to February 3, with the court asking for relevant case law to be presented. Ruadhan Tracey pleaded guilty.
2025-10-17 · Donegal
Two men sought by United Kingdom authorities on charges connected to a 1975 RUC shooting have argued before the Court of Appeal that decades-long delays in pursuing their extradition amount to an abuse of process. John Edward McNicholl, aged 73, of Newmills, Letterkenny, County Donegal, and Seamus Christopher O'Kane, aged 74, of Scalestown, County Meath, face charges relating to the investigation into the murder of Constable Robert John McPherson in County Derry on 26 July 1975 and an attempted murder. Both men escaped from the Maze Prison in May 1976 before trial. The High Court previously ruled in their favour regarding delay grounds was insufficient to refuse surrender, though noting some periods of inaction by authorities. At appeal, counsel for both men contended the nearly 50-year delay constituted an abuse of process, with prosecution decisions dating to 1976. The Minister for Justice's representative characterised the case as fundamentally one of delay rather than abuse of process. The three-judge court reserved judgement.
2025-06-04 · Derry
Two men in their 70s have been granted leave to appeal their extradition to Northern Ireland on charges connected to the 1975 murder of an RUC officer. At the High Court, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath ruled that while authorities had provided detailed explanation for the delay in seeking their surrender, this was incomplete and included lengthy periods of inaction. John Edward McNicholl, of Newmills, Letterkenny, County Donegal, and Seamus Christopher O'Kane, of Scalestown, County Meath, face charges arising from the investigation into the death of Constable Robert John McPherson, shot in an ambush in County Derry on 26 July 1975. Both men escaped from the Maze Prison in May 1976 before trial. The judge certified questions for the Court of Appeal regarding whether the 48-year delay constituted abuse of process and whether the omission to seek surrender for all original offences was an abuse of process. Both men were remanded on continuing bail pending further hearing.
2025-03-20 · Derry
Two men in their seventies will be extradited to Northern Ireland to face charges relating to the 1975 murder of an RUC officer, the High Court has ruled. John Edward McNicholl, aged 73, of Newmills, Letterkenny, County Donegal, and Seamus Christopher O'Kane, aged 74, of County Meath, had argued their surrender would constitute an abuse of process due to the substantial delay in seeking their extradition. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath rejected both applications, finding no evidence to suggest either man would be denied a fair trial in Northern Ireland. McNicholl and O'Kane face charges arising from the investigation into the death of Constable Robert John McPherson, shot dead in County Derry on 26 July 1975. Both men escaped from the Maze Prison in May 1976 before trial proceedings commenced. The matter was adjourned to 3 April, with both men remanded on continuing bail pending their surrender.
2024-10-24 · Donegal
The High Court has heard arguments regarding the extradition of John Edward McNicholl and Seamus Christopher O'Kane to the UK, where they face charges related to the 1975 murder of Constable Robert John McPherson in Co Derry. Mr McNicholl is alleged to have murdered the constable and attempted to murder a second officer, while Mr O'Kane is charged with possession of firearms, including an RUC-issued weapon recovered during the ambush. Defense counsel argued that the extradition proceedings are oppressive and constitute an abuse of process, citing a nearly 50-year delay in seeking surrender. They contended that the pursuit of the men, initiated days before the UK's Legacy Act came into force, breached their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights and was driven by a change in the political climate. The State, represented by Remy Farrell SC, countered that arguments regarding abuse of process by Northern Irish prosecutors are matters for the courts in Northern Ireland, not the Dublin High Court. The court was told that previous extradition requests were refused on political grounds under the 1965 Act, but subsequent legislation removed such refusals. Mr Justice Pat McGrath deferred judgement and adjourned the matter to December 16.
2024-06-19 · Donegal
Two men resident in the Republic are contesting extradition proceedings at the High Court in connection with charges arising from the 1975 murder of an RUC constable in County Derry. John Edward McNicholl, aged 72, of Newmills, Letterkenny, and Seamus Christopher O'Kane, aged 73, of Scalestown, County Meath, face allegations relating to the death of Constable Robert John McPherson on 26 July 1975 and the attempted murder of a second officer. McNicholl is charged with murder and attempted murder, while O'Kane faces charges of firearms possession, including a weapon taken during the incident. Legal representatives for both men indicated they will argue the extradition request constitutes an abuse of process. Counsel for McNicholl emphasised that his client has resided in Ireland since 2003, with authorities making no previous surrender attempt until this year. The High Court adjourned proceedings to 10 July to allow time for comprehensive objections to be prepared. Both men remain on bail pending further hearing.
2024-06-12 · Meath
A 73‑year‑old Seamus Christopher O'Kane, originally from Garvagh in County Derry, was arrested in County Meath on a High Court extradition warrant issued by the Garda Extradition Unit. The warrant, endorsed under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, relates to four offences alleged to have been committed on 16 February 1976 at Brockaghboy, Garvagh. Those offences include possession of explosive substances—two electric detonators and two improvised pressure mat switches—intended to endanger life or property, and possession of firearms and ammunition, including two Walther pistols, a Browning pistol, a 0.22 rifle, a Remington shotgun and 104 rounds of ammunition, also intended to endanger life or property. The warrant states that the items were recovered during a search of a farmhouse where O'Kane and two other men were found hiding. O'Kane was interviewed on 17 February 1976 and allegedly admitted possession of the explosives, firearms and ammunition.
2024-04-22 · Meath
The High Court approved a Personal Insolvency Arrangement for Thomas and Valerie Johnson, a couple from Co Meath, allowing them to write off over €2.65 million in debt mainly owed to financial funds. The arrangement, lasting 12 months, lets the couple keep their family home at Liscannor Lodge, Drumree Road, Dunshaughlin. Their mortgage will be restructured with a €200,000 lump‑sum payment, and they will pay €1,500 toward unsecured debts. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Alexander Owens, approved the application submitted by Keith Farry BL on behalf of the couple's insolvency practitioner.
2022-11-17 · Louth
The High Court has ruled that 14 luxury watches valued at €152,000, €22,000 in cash, and a mobile home are proceeds of crime. Mr Justice Alexander Owens made the order under the 1996 Proceeds of Crime Act regarding assets seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau from Jason Reed, Thomas Rooney, and Catherine Dawson. The applications were unopposed. The assets were seized following a Garda investigation into an international gang involved in illegal drugs and firearms trafficking. The three individuals were previously convicted of laundering over €400,000 for a criminal organisation after being observed exchanging large sums of cash in Drogheda in May 2020. Last year, Jason Reed, from Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court for money laundering offences. Thomas Rooney, of Bettystown, Co Meath, received a six-year sentence for the same offences. Catherine Dawson, a former partner of Rooney's, received a fully suspended sentence of three years and nine months after pleading guilty to money laundering offences. The court appointed a receiver to sell the non-cash assets, noting that the respondents' financial profiles did not account for the legitimate acquisition of the property.
2022-11-10 · Dublin
Odinas Dziugas, 22, was sentenced to one year in jail at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for 11 counts of fuel theft from petrol stations on the M1 motorway between 6 and 21 August last year. He drove a grey Toyota Corolla, changing its registration number on several occasions, to fill up at Circle K in Dunshaughlin, Applegreen in Balbriggan and Applegreen in Castlebellingham, Co Louth, and also removed containers from his boot. The total value of the stolen diesel was €1,636. Dziugas pleaded guilty and had six prior minor theft convictions. Judge Martin Nolan, citing the defendant's desire for a "free journey", backdated the sentence to 9 May, when Dziugas entered custody. His defence lawyer noted an apology letter and family support, hoping the jail term will change his behaviour.
2022-01-14 · Meath
Thomas Rooney (52), of Betaghstown, Co Meath, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court for his role in an international criminal organisation. Rooney pleaded guilty to possessing €254,840 in a black holdall and €7,650 at North Road, Drogheda, on May 11, 2020. He also admitted to possessing crime cash at his home, where gardaí found €32,330 and £441. Mr Justice Tony Hunt described Rooney as a mid-to-high level member trusted to transport large sums, including a Nike bag containing €289,770. The six-year sentence is backdated to December 6, 2021, when Rooney first went into custody. The court ordered the seized money be forfeited to the State. A separate application to forfeit a Mercedes used by Rooney is contested and will be heard on January 31. In a related matter, Jason Reed (40) of Dunshaughlin pleaded guilty to possessing the cash in the blue Nike bag and additional crime cash found at his home. Previously, Rooney's then-partner, Catherine Dawson (45), received a fully suspended sentence for her role in moving the gang's money.
2021-12-06 · Meath
Thomas Rooney (52), of Betaghstown, Co Meath, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to three charges under Section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing) Act 2010. He admitted possessing €289,770 and £65,025 in a blue Nike holdall, €254,840 in a black holdall, and €7,650 at North Road, Drogheda, all on May 11, 2020. The court heard allegations that Rooney, described as a "mid-to-high" level member of an international crime gang, organised the transaction and used an encrypted Aquarius phone. Jason Reed (40), of Dunshaughlin, also pleaded guilty to possessing the cash in the blue Nike bag and to holding €32,330 and £441 at his home. In a related May finalisation, Catherine Dawson (44), Rooney's then-partner, received a fully suspended sentence of three years and nine months for moving the gang's money, suspended on good behaviour for five years. Mr Justice Tony Hunt stated he could not see a non-custodial sentence for Rooney. Despite no Garda objection to bail, Rooney was remanded in custody until January 14 for sentencing. The matter was adjourned to that date.
2021-07-20 · Louth
Thomas Rooney, 41, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to possessing property that is the proceeds of criminal conduct. He admitted to having a blue Nike bag containing €289,770 and £65,025 (€70,207) in cash at Spar, Donore Road, Drogheda, on May 11, 2020. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding with Judges Gerard Griffin and David McHugh, remanded Rooney on continuing bail, listing a sentence hearing for October 4. Defence counsel cited a potential lung transplant for Rooney. Rooney was also charged with possessing €254,840 in a black bag and €7,650 in cash on the same date. His former partner, Catherine Dawson, 44, previously pleaded guilty to two counts related to moving over €600,000 in crime cash. She was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison, fully suspended for five years, with the court noting her primary care responsibilities for her son. Co-accused Jason Reed, 40, pleaded guilty to money laundering and possessing proceeds of crime, including the cash in the blue Nike bag and €32,330 and £390 (€441) found at his home. The court found Reed to be a trusted, high-level member of a transnational criminal organisation and sentenced him to seven years in prison. All three were arrested in May last year following a Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau operation in Drogheda.
2021-07-05 · Meath
Jason Reed, a 40-year-old from Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, was sentenced to seven years in prison by the Special Criminal Court for money laundering and possessing proceeds of crime. Mr Justice Tony Hunt described Reed as a trusted, mid-to-high level member of a transnational criminal organisation. Reed pleaded guilty to laundering €289,770 and £62,025 found in a car park in Drogheda, Co Louth, and to laundering €32,330 and £390 found at his home. The judge set a headline sentence of 10 years but reduced it to seven years, running concurrently on both charges, citing Reed's guilty plea and lack of relevant convictions. The court noted evidence including an encrypted phone, luxury watches, and a cash-purchased mobile home. Co-accused Catherine Dawson, a 44-year-old care worker from Bettystown, Co Meath, who pleaded guilty to possessing the cash while knowing or being reckless as to whether it was criminal proceeds, was previously sentenced to three years and nine months. That term was fully suspended for five years. Detective Chief Superintendent Angela Willis stated that the sentencing reflects the Garda focus on the assets of major crime gangs.
2021-06-28 · Meath
Jason Reed, a 40-year-old from Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, pleaded guilty to money laundering and possessing the proceeds of crime. He admitted to having €32,330 and £390 at his home and €289,770 and £62,025 in a blue Nike bag at a Drogheda car park on May 11, 2021. Prosecutors alleged Reed was a high-level member of a transnational crime gang, noting he possessed five luxury watches, an encrypted phone, and had purchased a mobile home in cash despite having no source of income. His vehicle was found to have a remote-controlled false compartment. Catherine Dawson, 44, also pleaded guilty to possessing the cash while knowing or being reckless as to whether it was criminal proceeds. She was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison, a term fully suspended for five years. Mr Justice Hunt remanded Reed in custody to reappear for sentencing at the Special Criminal Court on Monday, July 5. The court acknowledged Reed's early plea, lack of previous convictions, and cooperation with gardaí, but deferred the final disposal until the scheduled sentencing date.
2021-05-27 · Meath
Jason Reed, 40, of Maelduin, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to possessing nearly €400,000 in crime cash. He admitted to money‑laundering offences after €32,330 and £390 (€441) were found at his home, and after €289,770 in euro and £62,025 (€70,207) were discovered in a blue Nike bag at a Donore Road car park. The case was adjourned to 28 June for sentencing. Reed answered only "guilty" to both charges. Catherine Dawson, 44, a co‑accused, received a fully suspended sentence for transporting €600,000 of crime proceeds.
2020-12-21 · Meath
A Special Criminal Court hearing set a trial date for Jason Reed, 39, of Maelduin, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, on 23 June 2021. Reed faces a money‑laundering charge tied to €32,330 and £390 (≈€441) allegedly found at his home. The court also scheduled arraignment for two co‑accused, Thomas Rooney, 41, and Catherine Dawson, 44, on 20 January. Rooney and Dawson were arrested on suspicion of aiding an organised crime gang and are charged with money laundering and possession of the proceeds of crime. They allegedly possessed €289,770 in euros and £62,025 (≈€70,207) in cash in a blue Nike bag, and separately had €245,840 in cash in a bag on the same date. All three were present at the brief hearing. The trial is expected to last two to three weeks.
2020-12-09 · Louth
The Special Criminal Court will hear the trials of Jason Reed (39), Thomas Rooney (41) and Catherine Dawson (44) following the seizure of €550,000 in cash during searches of cars and a house in Drogheda and elsewhere in the north‑east. The DPP applied under Section 40 of the Criminal Justice Act for a non‑jury trial, and Mr Justice Tony Hunt, Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Michael Walsh granted the application. None of the accused were present at the hearing, but they are required to appear on 21 December when a trial date will be set. All three are charged with money laundering and possession of the proceeds of crime. Reed is accused of laundering €32,330 and £390 (≈€441) found at his home; Rooney and Dawson are charged with possession of €245,840 in cash in a bag on the same date; all three were previously granted bail by a District Court.
2020-03-02 · Meath
The High Court approved personal insolvency arrangements (PIAs) for musician Frank McNamara (59) and his barrister wife Theresa Lowe (56), allowing them to write off almost €3 million of debt. The judge, Mr Justice Denis McDonald, had previously expressed concerns about discrepancies in McNamara's financial documents, particularly between a Standard Financial Statement (SFS) filed in January 2016 and a Prescribed Financial Statement (PFS) submitted in October 2016. He noted that the discrepancies had been explained and that the unsatisfactory approach taken by McNamara and his Personal Insolvency Practitioner should not lead to dismissal of the application. The court postponed the formal order until the assets of McNamara's late father's estate are realised, but confirmed that the PIAs will be effective once that occurs.
2020-01-17 · Meath
The High Court will decide in five to six weeks whether to approve a personal insolvency arrangement (PIA) for musician Frank McNamara and barrister Theresa Lowe, who owe €3.7 million. Judge Denis McDonald had previously said he would not proceed until an affidavit clarifying Mr McNamara's inheritance was filed. Financial fund Tanager DAC, owed €2.26 million and secured against the couple's €550 000 home, objects to the PIA and raises a potential €4 000 tax liability linked to a €28 000 gift that was moved from Mrs Lowe's account to Mr McNamara's and then distributed to their four children. The couple's counsel argues all issues have been addressed and that the tax claim should not block the PIA.
2019-12-09 · Meath
In a High Court case, Mr Justice Denis McDonald has asked for further clarification on Frank McNamara's inheritance before deciding on a €2.9 million Personal Insolvency Arrangement (PIA) for him and his wife, barrister Theresa Lowe. The judge wants a letter from the solicitors handling the estate of McNamara's late father to confirm that the estate is not seeking money from the rental income McNamara received for a property inherited a decade ago. The PIA would allow the couple to write off about €2.9 million of debt and keep their family home in Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath, valued at €550,000. The court adjourned the matter for a week to obtain the requested letter. The dispute involves Tanager DAC, which is owed €2.26 million, and other creditors such as the Bank of Ireland and the Revenue Commissioners.
2018-07-25 · Meath
Neil O'Brien, 62, of Rathbeggan, Dunshaughlin, Co. Meath, pleaded guilty to forging cheques, transfer instructions and withdrawals from bank accounts in the names of his former wife and daughter between 2002 and 2008, and to false accounting between 2009 and 2013. He admitted fraudulently obtaining €721,000, largely used for family expenses, including a credit card not in his name and a €3,000 cheque drawn by his daughter. The court heard that O'Brien had no previous convictions, was estranged from his family, had serious mental health issues and no financial means. Judge Karen O'Connor, noting exceptional circumstances, imposed a three‑year fully suspended sentence on the condition that O'Brien continue psychological services and medication. The sentence was granted without a custodial term, reflecting the court's view that a custodial sentence would not benefit the victims. The case involved no evidence of greed or gambling, and the prosecution highlighted O'Brien's financial inadequacy and early guilty plea.
2018-06-20 · Meath
Brendan Smith, a former director of Aston Carpets and Flooring, was found guilty of price‑fixing with Carpet Centre (Contracts) Ltd between July 2012 and April 2013. The scheme involved both firms tendering higher bids than the other to secure contracts. Smith pleaded guilty and was fined €7,500, fined the company €10,000, given a three‑month prison sentence suspended for two years, and disqualified from acting as a director for five years. The Court of Appeal, after an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions, ruled the €7,500 fine "unduly lenient" and increased it to €45,000, to be paid within six months. Smith's suspended sentence and the company's fine remained unchanged. The appeal judge noted the profits from the scheme were modest and the customers affected were mainly large corporations. The case was concluded after a Garda raid on April 30, 2013, and the cooperation of Carpet Centre's David Radburn, who received immunity.
2018-05-31 · Meath
Brendan Smith, a former director of Aston Carpets and Flooring, was given a suspended three‑month prison sentence and a €7,500 fine for his role in a price‑fixing scam that targeted large firms such as Google, PayPal and MasterCard between July 2012 and April 2013. Smith and a rival contractor, Carpet Centre (Contracts) Ltd, colluded to submit higher bids than the other, thereby inflating contract prices. The scheme was uncovered when David Radburn of Carpet Centre revealed the agreement to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. Smith was also charged with attempting to impede a prosecution after a raid on the companies' offices. The Director of Public Prosecutions has appealed the penalties, arguing they were unduly lenient, and the Court of Appeal has reserved its judgment. The case remains at the sentencing stage. Brendan Smith pleaded guilty.
2017-05-31 · Meath
Brendan Smith, 39, of Greenane, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, pleaded guilty to running a price‑fixing scam that targeted large multinationals such as Google and PayPal. He was fined €7,500 and received a three‑month prison sentence suspended for two years for attempting to impede a prosecution. Smith had entered a bond for good behaviour, with a breach allowing him to serve the suspended term. The company he worked for, Aston Carpets, was fined €10,000. The scam involved an anti‑competitive agreement between July 2012 and April 2013, where Aston Carpets, Flooring and Carpet Centre (Contracts) Ltd tendered higher prices to secure contracts. The scheme was exposed by David Radburn, who revealed the agreement to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. Smith's sentence considered his monthly income of €9,422 and property interests in Dublin and Co Meath.
2016-11-08 · Meath
Bernadette Warnock, former director of the Hepatitis C charity Positive Action Ltd, was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to 71 counts of theft and fraud between 2009 and 2011, stealing €116,226 from the organisation. The charity, founded in 1994 to support women who contracted Hepatitis C through contaminated blood products, had 730 members and received most of its funding from the Health Service Executive (HSE). Warnock, aged 63, had previously been convicted of forging cheques in 1990. The court awarded €63,500 in compensation to the HSE, directing the money to the HSE's division that supports hepatitis C services. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the sentence to allow Warnock to attend a medical appointment, and the final sentence was a three‑year term with the last 12 months suspended. The case highlighted the breach of trust and the impact on the charity's reputation.
2016-10-21 · Meath
Bernadette Warnock, 63, a former director of Positive Action Ltd, a charity that supported women who contracted Hepatitis C from contaminated blood products, was found guilty of 71 counts of theft and fraud between 2009 and 2011, stealing €116,226 from the organisation. The charity, which had 730 members and received most of its funding from the HSE, was closed in 2014 after an audit. Warnock, who herself contracted Hepatitis C at 24, pleaded guilty. The court heard she had previously forged cheques in 1990 and had been removed from the finance committee in 2011 after suspicions arose. She had hidden cheque stubs and forged the second director's signature to write cheques to herself. At sentencing, Judge Melanie Greally imposed a three‑year sentence, suspended the final 12 months, and left the decision on the allocation of the remaining €52,000 to the next hearing.
2016-10-21 · Dublin
John O'Sullivan, 54, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to evading €100,000 in tax and to three counts of failing to file income tax returns for 2009, 2010 and 2011. He admitted that his 2009 returns omitted €100,000 earned from selling two properties on Dublin's North Strand Road in 2007. The court heard that the total back taxes and capital gains tax amounted to €299,658, of which O'Sullivan has paid €92,392, leaving a debt of €207,267. He has nine prior convictions for failing to file returns, including a 2003 fine of €2,856. O'Sullivan has been making monthly repayments of €4,330. He pleaded guilty to knowingly delivering an incorrect return for 2007 and to evasion of tax on 30 June 2009. Judge John Aylmer granted bail and adjourned sentencing to October next year, requesting an increase in the repayment amount by then.
2016-07-29 · Dublin
A 36‑year‑old Meath man, Dermot Molloy, was given a suspended sentence after a judge heard he is the sole carer for a child with a serious birth defect. Molloy had previously pleaded guilty to robbery in 2014 and was serving a suspended portion of a six‑year sentence for earlier robberies. He had threatened a syringe during the 2014 robbery but claimed he was only armed with a pen and that he robbed to buy food for his family. The judge noted that Molloy had complied with bail conditions since 2013, had no recent offences, and was drug‑free. He also cares for his partner's child who had suffered self‑harm. The judge, citing extraordinary circumstances, imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence and suspended it entirely, allowing Molloy to continue his daily reporting at Bridewell Garda Station for the next year.
2016-07-08 · Meath
Kenneth Shanny, a 39‑year‑old tax advisor from Dunshaughlin, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for aiding and abetting the filing of incorrect VAT returns and claiming tax relief between November 2009 and April 2010. The judge suspended the final 18 months of the sentence. Shanny had previously served a sentence for theft from 2011 to 2012. He pleaded guilty at Trim Circuit Criminal Court and was found to have processed VAT returns for two clients, intending to divide €62,000 recovered from the tax authorities. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal, ruling that the sentence lay within the available range. The appeal was heard by Justices Alan Mahon, George Birmingham and Garrett Sheehan. The decision was based on the seriousness of the breach of trust and the substantial loss to the Revenue. The appeal was dismissed.
2016-07-05 · Dublin
Brian Reilly, 20, of Boyne View, Navan, was convicted of reckless endangerment and theft of a vehicle after he stole a post van and drove over a postman's foot on 22 August 2013. In March 2015 Judge Patrick McCartan imposed consecutive sentences of five years for the endangerment and four years for the theft, suspending the last three years to deter re‑offending. Reilly appealed, and on 5 July 2016 the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Garrett Sheehan, found that the judge had not identified a headline offence and had not explained why a consecutive sentence was necessary. The appeal court also could not determine how mitigation and Reilly's guilty plea had been considered. Reilly's sentence was reduced to six years, with the final eighteen months suspended for the endangerment and three years for the theft, the sentences running concurrently and back‑dated to 11 September 2014.
2016-03-18 · Meath
Bernadette Warnock, 63, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 71 counts of theft and fraud committed between 2009 and 2011, totalling €116,226. The offences allegedly occurred while she managed the finances of Positive Action Ltd, a Hepatitis C support group. Judge Melanie Greally described the conduct as a "most grievous offence" committed by an individual with a history of fraud, noting Warnock had four previous convictions for forging cheques. Although the validated procedural stage is sentence, the matter was adjourned until October to allow Warnock to raise compensation for a new group replacing Positive Action. She was remanded on bail. The judge explicitly stated this adjournment should not be interpreted as an indication that Warnock will receive a non-custodial sentence. Prosecution evidence, presented by Sinead McGrath BL, indicated that chairperson Antoinette Fitzgerald reported financial irregularities. Garda Wayne Donnelly testified that Warnock forged a co-director's signature on cheques and manipulated the charity's finance system to divert funds. Defence counsel Ronan Kennedy BL stated Warnock had €8,500 available and expected an inheritance to cover half the outstanding amount. He also highlighted her health issues and prior dedication to the charity.
2016-02-19 · Dublin
In February 2016, Dermot Molloy, a 36‑year‑old from Meath, avoided immediate imprisonment after a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court judge heard he is the sole carer for a child with a severe birth defect. Lawyers argued that the child's condition, described as "expanding" rather than the microcephaly seen in Zika‑related cases, required extraordinary medical care. Molloy also cares for a partner's child who recently suffered self‑harm. The judge noted Molloy's compliance with bail since 2013 and his drug‑free status. Molloy, who pleaded guilty to a 2014 robbery at a boutique in Temple Bar, had threatened to use a syringe but claimed he was only armed with a pen. He said he robbed to buy food for his family, not drugs. Judge Nolan adjourned sentencing to July, citing Molloy's caregiving role and potential changes in his partner's condition. Molloy was still serving a suspended sentence from a 2013 robbery conviction.
2015-03-27 · Meath
Brian Reilly, 18, of Boyne View, Navan, was sentenced to nine years in prison for reckless endangerment and theft of a post van after he stole the vehicle and drove over the foot of postman Gerard Devlin. Reilly, who has more than 100 prior convictions including 22 for car theft, was already serving a sentence for burglary. At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Patrick McCartan imposed consecutive sentences of five years for theft and four years for reckless endangerment, suspending the last three years to discourage further offences. The incident occurred on 22 August 2013 at Rosscourt Grove, Lucan, when Reilly entered the van, started the engine, and reversed sharply, striking Devlin's foot and dragging him along the ground. Devlin, an independent contractor for An Post, was left in fear for his life. The van was later recovered in Dunshaughlin using a tracking device, and Reilly was arrested nearby. Brian Reilly pleaded guilty.
2015-02-24 · Dublin
Stephen Mulvaney, 39, and his father Paul Mulvaney, 62, were sentenced in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for running a cannabis growhouse in an industrial unit. Stephen admitted responsibility for 94 cannabis plants and was jailed for four years. Paul, who had been in prison two or three times before, received a three‑year suspended sentence after admitting he may have unknowingly assisted his son. The court noted that stolen vehicles—a Hyundai Santa Fe jeep and a Volkswagen Jetta—were found in the unit, along with parts from other dismantled cars. Stephen claimed he knew the jeep was stolen and hid it to avoid detection, and he admitted debt of €22,000 from loans and gambling, which he said motivated the operation. He pleaded guilty to possession of the stolen jeep and possession of cannabis for sale or supply. Paul pleaded guilty to cultivation of cannabis.
2015-02-09 · Meath
Dermot Molloy, 36, of Dunshaughlin, pleaded guilty to robbery and attempted robbery on Capel Street in July 2012. He had 57 prior convictions, 15 for robbery. In Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Martin Nolan accepted his plea but, citing his apparent rehabilitation, imposed a three‑year suspended sentence rather than imprisonment. Molloy was captured on CCTV during the raids: on July 7 he entered a hair salon, shouted for money, brandished a knife, and fled after a customer resisted; the next day he and another man stole €420 from a salon using a syringe. He was arrested in November 2012 while on remand for other offences. The case was defended by Willie Hughes BL, who presented evidence from the TV3 documentary "Prison Families" and a producer, but the judge declined to consider it. The prosecution, led by Fiona McGowan BL, highlighted the CCTV evidence and the victim's account of Molloy's threat with a knife.