Court archive
Court reports mentioning Longwood, Meath
2019-11-07 · Dublin
David O'Brien, aged 67, was sentenced by Judge Karen O'Connor at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a total of eight years' imprisonment for indecent assault on four boys between 1972 and 1981. The sentence was imposed on four separate counts, each carrying two years, and the final 18 months were suspended on the condition of 12 months' probation. O'Brien pleaded guilty to eight counts of indecent assault and had previously been jailed for six and a half years in 2015 for similar offences. He admitted to molesting a number of boys while a scout leader, including fondling and non‑penetrative acts, and claimed he had abused between 30 and 40 children. The court noted his guilty plea and expressed remorse, but emphasised the breach of trust and the victims' loss of childhood innocence. The victims gave impact statements describing lasting physical and emotional harm, and the judge praised their courage.
2019-10-24 · Wicklow
David O'Brien, a former scout leader, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to eight counts of indecent assault relating to four boys between January 1, 1972, and December 31, 1981. The court heard that O'Brien admitted to gardaí in 1997 that he was "molesting" young boys in the scouts, yet a direction was made not to prosecute. He was previously jailed for four-and-a-half years in October 2015 for sexually abusing six young boys on camping trips in the late 1970s and 80s. Prosecution evidence detailed allegations of fondling and non-penetrative abuse during scouting trips in Wicklow and Meath. Victim impact statements described lasting psychological and physical effects, including trust issues and stress-related health problems. Defense counsel noted that O'Brien accepted he committed grave wrongs and apologized for his behavior. Judge Karen O'Connor remanded O'Brien in custody and adjourned the matter for sentencing on November 7.
2018-07-24 · Dublin
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Kevin Braney (44) and Ciaran Maguire (30) were found guilty of IRA membership. The men had denied membership on August 2, 2017, but evidence from Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Maguire and CCTV showed they travelled from Dublin to an estate in County Meath on July 13, 2017. There, they threatened an accident victim, claiming to be the IRA and saying they would shoot him if he did not withdraw a claim against a former employer. The victim, who had suffered a fall and injuries, had filed a claim for unpaid wages and hospital bills. The court, satisfied beyond reasonable doubt of the men's IRA membership, found the threat a planned, joined enterprise to intimidate. Both men were remanded in custody until sentencing on July 31. The offence carries a maximum sentence of eight years. The court noted the men's family circumstances and prior convictions but did not yet impose a sentence.
2018-05-30 · Meath
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Kevin Braney (44) and Ciaran Maguire (30) were found guilty of membership in the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The court considered evidence that on 13 July 2017 the men travelled from Dublin to Longwood, County Meath, where they threatened an accident victim, saying they were the IRA and would shoot him if he did not withdraw a claim against a former employer. The victim, who had suffered injuries after falling from a roof, had filed a claim for unpaid wages and hospital bills. The court accepted belief evidence from Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Maguire that the men were IRA members, and corroborated this with CCTV and National Surveillance Unit testimony. The judge concluded beyond reasonable doubt that the men were IRA members and that their threats were deliberate intimidation. The defendants remain in custody until sentencing on 24 July.
2018-04-27 · Meath
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, two men, Kevin Braney, 44, and Ciaran Maguire, 30, pleaded not guilty to membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The prosecution alleged that on 13 July 2017 the accused travelled from Dublin to Longwood, County Meath, where Braney threatened a man, saying they were the IRA and that if he did not drop a claim against a former employer they would shoot him. The prosecution relied on Chief Superintendent Tom Maguire's opinion that the men were IRA members, CCTV evidence, and testimony from the National Surveillance Unit. Defence counsel argued that the chief superintendent's opinion was unsubstantiated, that there was no reliable evidence of the threat, and that the likelihood of two men threatening a victim in a built‑up area was low. Judge Tony Hunt, with Judges Gerard Griffin and Flann Brennan, announced that a verdict would be delivered on 30 May.
2018-04-26 · Meath
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, a National Surveillance Unit garda reported seeing Kevin Braney (44) and Ciaran Maguire (30) walk up the driveway of a house in Longwood, County Meath, where a man had claimed the men threatened to shoot him. The garda, whose identity is protected, stated that he was in Longwood on the evening of 13 July 2017 and observed a Ford Mondeo parked opposite the alleged victim's house. He then saw Braney and Maguire approach the house. The prosecution alleges that one of the men told the victim they were IRA members and threatened to shoot him if he did not drop a claim against a former employer. Braney and Maguire pleaded not guilty to membership of the Irish Republican Army. The court ruled that an interview conducted with Maguire under a section allowing inferences from refusal to answer questions was inadmissible. The trial will continue with closing speeches tomorrow.
2018-04-25 · Dublin
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, two Dublin men, Kevin Braney, 44, and Ciaran Maguire, 30, both pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styled the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The prosecution alleged that on 2 August 2017, one accused told another man in Longwood, County Meath that they were the IRA and threatened to shoot him if he did not drop a claim against a former employer. The defence challenged the admissibility of the interviews. Detective Garda Brian Power and Detective Sergeant Carrie O'Connor each interviewed the accused on that date, invoking Section 2 of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, 1998, which allows inferences from a suspect's refusal to answer questions. Both men answered no questions. Judge Tony Hunt, with Judges Gerard Griffin and Flann Brennan, scheduled a ruling on the admissibility issue for the following morning. The trial continues.
2018-04-24 · Meath
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Kevin Braney (44) and Ciaran Maguire (30) pleaded not guilty to IRA membership. They told a witness that they would shoot him if he did not drop a claim against a former employer. The witness, who was at home in Longwood on 13 July, heard heavy knocking, saw the two men, and was told they were IRA members. They claimed the witness had a claim against his former employer, who allegedly did work for republicans in Portlaoise prison, and urged him to drop the claim, calling it fraudulent. The witness said he was shocked and that he had indeed a claim for hospital bills after a fall on a roof. The court also heard that the men were seen driving from Dublin to Longwood that day. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt.
2018-04-19 · Dublin
The Special Criminal Court is hearing a second day of legal argument in the case of Kevin Braney, 44, and Ciaran Maguire, 30, who have pleaded not guilty to membership of the Irish Republican Army. Defence counsel are challenging evidence supplied by the National Surveillance Unit. The prosecution alleges that one of the accused told a man in Longwood, County Meath, that they were the IRA and threatened to shoot him if he did not drop a claim against a former employer. The hearing will continue on Monday before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Flann Brennan.
2018-04-17 · Dublin
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Kevin Braney, 44, and Ciaran Maguire, 30, both pleaded not guilty to charges of Irish Republican Army membership. The prosecution alleged that one accused told a man in Longwood, County Meath, that they were the IRA and threatened to shoot him if he did not drop a claim against a former employer. Defence counsel objected to evidence from the National Surveillance Unit. The case will continue tomorrow before Justice Tony Hunt, Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Flann Brennan.
2018-04-16 · Meath
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, judges ruled that the extensions to the detentions of Kevin Braney, 44, and Ciaran Maguire, 30, were lawful. Both men had pleaded not guilty to membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Defence counsel had objected to the extensions, and Rosario Boyle SC for Braney challenged the use of CCTV evidence. The court heard the arguments and, with Justice Tony Hunt presiding alongside Judges Gerard Griffin and Flann Brennan, announced that a ruling would be made the following day.
2018-04-12 · Meath
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, two men, Kevin Braney, 44, and Ciaran Maguire, 30, who live in Dublin, have pleaded not guilty to charges of membership in the Irish Republican Army. The prosecution alleges that Braney told a man in Longwood, County Meath, that they were "the IRA" and threatened to shoot him if he did not drop a claim against a former employer. Defence counsel objected to the legality of the arrests. Judge Tony Hunt, with Judges Gerard Griffin and Flann Brennan, announced that the court will decide the legal dispute tomorrow.
2018-04-11 · Dublin
In the Special Criminal Court, two Dublin men, Kevin Braney, 44, and Ciaran Maguire, 30, were tried for alleged IRA membership. Both pleaded not guilty. The prosecution alleged that one accused told a man in Longwood, County Meath, that they were the IRA and threatened to shoot him if he did not drop a claim against a former employer. Defence counsel objected to the arrests of Braney and Maguire. The hearing continued tomorrow before Justice Tony Hunt, Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Flann Brennan.
2018-04-10 · Dublin
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Maguire testified that he believed Kevin Braney, aged 44, and Ciaran Maguire, aged 30, were members of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on the day in question. He based this belief on confidential information. Detective Sergeant Padraig Boyce provided evidence of Braney's association with individuals previously convicted by the Special Criminal Court, noting Braney's presence outside the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin on 3 February, conversing with Ciaran Burke, a 2012 firearms conviction. Boyce also mentioned Braney's attendance at an "anti-supergrass protest." The defendants pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation. The case is being heard by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, with Judges Gerard Griffin and Flann Brennan presiding. The trial continues.
2018-04-09 · Meath
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, two men, Kevin Braney (43) and Ciaran Maguire (29), pleaded not guilty to membership of the Irish Republican Army. Prosecutor Fiona Murphy presented belief evidence from Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Maguire that the accused were IRA members on the day in question. She also introduced evidence that on 13 July 2016 Braney and Maguire travelled to Longwood, County Meath, where they confronted a man involved in a dispute with a former employer. The men allegedly told the man that if he did not drop a claim against his former employer, the next time they saw him they would shoot him. The prosecution also cited the men's arrest on 2 August 2017 and subsequent Garda interview, arguing that their failure to answer investigative questions should be inferred. The case is before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, with Judges Gerard Griffin and Flann Brennan presiding.
2014-06-10 · Dublin
Albin Morkowski, a 20‑year‑old footballer from Meath, was found guilty of possession of ecstasy tablets at Swords District Court. He had thrown a bag of the drugs, claiming they were Viagra, and said a Polish man on a bus had given them to him. Garda David Smith recorded the incident, noting Morkowski admitted the drugs were his and that he intended to give them to friends. Morkowski had previously been found guilty of possession; an allegation of supply was struck out. He had paid €500 as a charitable donation and submitted a letter stating he had completed 100 hours of voluntary work. Judge Dermot Dempsey was not satisfied with the letter and ordered that the GAA club member who wrote it appear in court on 16 June to verify the voluntary hours before the case could proceed. The case was adjourned to that date.
2014-04-14 · Dublin
Albin Morkowski, a 20‑year‑old Meath footballer, was found guilty of possession of ecstasy tablets at Swords District Court. He claimed the tablets were given to him by a man on a bus and that he thought they were Viagra. Morkowski admitted the explanation was ridiculous but showed the bag to friends who did not recognise the pills. Garda David Smith observed Morkowski discard a plastic bag containing ten ecstasy tablets worth €100 behind a concrete pillar on Thornleigh Avenue at midnight on 23 June 2013. Morkowski signed the garda's notebook admitting the drugs belonged to him and that he intended to give them to friends. The alleged supply charge was struck out. Judge Dermot Dempsey ordered Morkowski to pay €500 to court and complete 100 hours of voluntary work before reconsidering the case in June. The case was adjourned to 9 June.