A 35‑year‑old electrician, Sean Nolan, was arrested on 22 October 2018 after the discovery of his partner, 32‑year‑old Amanda Carroll, dead at her home in Cabra, Dublin. He was charged with her murder and remanded in custody following his appearance at Dublin District Court on 23 October. In the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Michael White set 13 July 2020 as the trial date, expecting a two‑week hearing. Nolan did not attend the court session that morning and was remanded in custody until the trial.
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.
In a 2019 High Court judgment, Mr Justice Garrett Simons quashed An Bord Pleanala's 2016 decision to grant planning permission for Greenfield Ventures Limited to build a biogas facility at Gillstown, Garlow Cross, Navan, Co Meath. The court found that the board's conclusions regarding the EU Seveso III Directive were unreasonable, as no material had been presented to justify them. The judge noted that the board had incorrectly concluded that the 10‑tonne biogas storage limit would not be exceeded, a claim unsupported by the documentation actually relied upon. He also rejected the plaintiff's argument that the board erred in its assessment of the distance between the proposed plant and Mr Niall Halpin's dwelling. The case was adjourned to early June for the parties to decide whether to remit the matter to the board or to submit a new application. The Environmental Impact Assessment screening determination was upheld as lawful.
In the Central Criminal Court, a 14‑year‑old boy (Boy B) testified that he witnessed his co‑accused (Boy A) assaulting Ana Kriegel at an abandoned house. Boy B described seeing Boy A "flip" Ana, choke her, and strip her of her clothes while Ana repeatedly cried "No, no, don't do this." He claimed he fled the scene after seeing Boy A's actions. Boy B drew a picture of the incident and signed it for detectives. The boy, who was arrested in May 2018, gave a changing account of the events, stating he had initially followed the pair but left when Boy A told him it was fine. The testimony was presented to a jury of eight men and four women, with the trial proceeding before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. The accused boys, both 14, have pleaded not guilty to murder and to aggravated sexual assault. The case remains in progress.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel gave conflicting statements to Gardaí. One boy, who denies the murder, said he left Ana at an abandoned house with the other boy, fearing that the other would handle the situation because he was "big, strong, tall." He claimed to have heard Ana scream, ran away, and later returned to the house, where he heard a strong scream that was muffled. The other boy denied that Ana's blood was found on the first boy's shoes and insisted he was not in the house where Ana's body was discovered. Both boys remain in court, pleading not guilty, and the trial continues before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
In May 2019, a 14‑year‑old boy (Boy B) told Gardaí that he had lied in earlier interviews about the day Ana Kriegel disappeared. He claimed he fabricated a "fake story" because he could not remember the events and was scared and nervous. Boy B said that after reflecting he could not change his statement, so he "kept to the story." He later recounted that he had met Ana and Boy A at a BMX track, watched Ana's phone show 5.14 pm, let Ana talk with Boy A, then left after feeling bored. He also described seeing a woman who he thought was Ana in black and heels, but she did not respond. The Gardaí had previously recorded a different account and urged him to tell the truth. The case remains before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, Boy B, a 14‑year‑old accused of Ana Kriegel's murder, told Gardaí that he viewed Ana as a lonely, outcast girl and a "weirdo" he should not be around. He described Ana as different, mature, taller, with a goth style, and said she was not popular because she was anti‑social. Boy B recounted that Boy A had called him to arrange a meeting with Ana in a park, but Boy A did not attend, allegedly because he was shy or feared negative backlash. Boy B also explained that Ana had shown him a "scary photo" of herself strapped to a chair and that they had walked together discussing vaccines. The court noted that Boy B's statements could only be used as evidence in his own case, not in Boy A's. The trial continues before Mr Justice McDermott and a jury. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a 54-year-old man from Aughavas, County Leitrim, pleaded not guilty to 22 charges including money laundering, theft, deception and control of false instruments between January 2010 and October 2012. A garda crime analyst told the court that during interview the accused acknowledged responsibility for a bank account in the name Anglo Irish Global Ltd, through which over €660,000 was transferred across multiple accounts within four days in mid-October 2012. The court heard the accused admitted receiving two €800,000 transfers from a Danish businessman and confirmed making numerous subsequent transfers to accounts under various names he had used. The accused previously told gardaí the funds were intended for a renewable energy project in the Ivory Coast, with his company to receive approximately 20 per cent of monies processed. The trial, before Judge Nolan and a jury, continues.
In the Central Criminal Court, a forensic scientist presented a mixed DNA profile from semen stains on a Penney's vest top found at the scene of Anastasia Kriegel's murder. The profile matched the DNA of one of the two 14‑year‑old boys accused of the killing, Ana's DNA, and an unidentified third person. The scientist argued it was a thousand million times more likely that the DNA came from Ana, Boy A and an unknown individual rather than from three unrelated people. The vest top was torn and could not be worn in its condition, and the scientist noted force was required to cause the damage. The court also heard Boy B's interview, in which he described his movements on the day of the disappearance, including a conversation with Boy A that led to him agreeing to call Ana's house. The hearing continued under Justice Paul McDermott. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, forensic evidence showed that blood matching Ana Kriegel's DNA was found on a backpack, mask, gloves and knee pads seized from the home of one of the two 14‑year‑old boys accused of her murder. John Hoade of Forensic Science Ireland presented the mask to the jury, noting that DNA on its inside matched both Ana and the accused known as Boy A. He also reported that DNA matching Boy A was found on Ana's neck and on tape wrapped around her neck when her body was discovered. The DNA evidence was collected from items in Boy A's bedroom, including a mask described as a "half mask" with a jagged mouth and simulated blood, as well as gloves, knee pads and a snood. Blood on the mask's inside and outside matched Ana's DNA, and a mixed profile of Ana's and Boy A's DNA was found in the mouth area. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a trial before the Central Criminal Court, two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel were examined. Data from Boy A's i‑Phone 6 was presented, showing a search for "abandoned places in Lucan" and a video titled "15 most gruesome torture methods in history." The court heard that Boy A claimed his co‑accused was lying after a statement from Boy B was read to him. Boy A also faces a charge of aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence. Both boys pleaded not guilty. The proceedings are being heard by Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of eight men and four women. The case remains ongoing.
In the Central Criminal Court, two 14‑year‑old boys are charged with the murder of 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel. Boy A, who is also charged with aggravated sexual assault, was questioned by Garda officers after they told him Ana's blood was found on his boots. He replied, "are you joking me?" and asked if they were serious. The court heard that Garda officers had shown him CCTV footage, discussed the definition of murder, and explained the difference between truth and lies. Boy A denied being in the room where Ana was assaulted and said he was not with her in the lead‑up to her disappearance. He also denied that the male in the footage was him. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of eight men and four women. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 15 May 2019, forensic scientist John Hoade presented DNA evidence linking blood found on a pair of black Timberland boots to the murdered 14‑year‑old schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel. Hoade explained that the boots, allegedly worn by one of the 14‑year‑old accused boys, bore nine distinct blood‑stained areas that matched Kriegel's DNA. He described the stains as evidence of blood spatter and percussive contact, suggesting the wearer either assaulted or was in close proximity to Kriegel when she was attacked. Hoade also examined a charred stick and a concrete block recovered near Kriegel's body, noting blood transfer and percussive stains on the stick that matched Kriegel's DNA, while he declined to sample the block's stains as they were not considered weapon evidence. The trial, presided over by Justice Paul McDermott, continues with a jury of eight men and four women. Anastasia Kriegel pleaded not guilty.
During the Central Criminal Court trial, two 14‑year‑old boys, Boy A and Boy B, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel. Boy B told a garda that he arranged to meet Ana in a park because he "didn't want to be seen with her" and that Ana was wearing a "slutty top" when he brought her to the park to meet Boy A. Boy A, who is also charged with aggravated sexual assault, claimed he met Ana the previous Monday in a park and that after leaving her he was assaulted by two men. He described being knocked to the ground, kicked, and having his arms stomped on, and that Ana had "brushed him in the chest area." The trial will continue next week before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of eight men and four women.
During a Central Criminal Court murder trial, a 14‑year‑old boy (Boy B) told a school counsellor that he had been "dragged into this mess" by his co‑accused (Boy A). He repeated this claim about ten times and insisted he was not the last person to see Ana Kriegel alive. Boy B also suggested that men who had allegedly attacked Boy A might have kidnapped Ana. The counsellor, Gerardine Small BL, noted that Boy B was calm, articulate and bright, and that he had spoken to Gardaí three times, describing the questioning as an "interrogation" and feeling pressure. Boy B said he had gone to the park with Ana on 14 May because Boy A had asked him to bring Ana, who fancied Boy A, and that Boy A had been injured later that day. He left Ana and Boy A in the park and did not consider Boy A a close friend. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Professor Marie Cassidy, the former State Pathologist, testified at the trial of two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel. She described the death as "a very horrific death", caused by blunt force trauma to the head or compression of the neck. Cassidy noted more than 50 injury sites, some possibly defensive wounds, and highlighted four separate impacts to the right side of the head consistent with a small, heavy object or the corner of something larger. Other facial injuries suggested blows from a large, long, heavy object. She found no alcohol or drugs in Ana's system and stated she was "extremely healthy" before her death. Cassidy also reported evidence of attempted vaginal penetration, but could not determine consent. She observed injuries near the door where Ana was found and noted blood staining on the wall and floor. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel, 14, was found dead at Glenwood House in Lucan on 14 May 2018. The body lay on her back with a blue tape noose around her neck, which she appeared to be pulling away. The tape, identified as Tescon insulation tape, was wrapped once around her neck and knotted. Blood‑stained timber, a concrete block, and various clothing items were recovered from the scene, including a black hoodie, leggings, and boots. The accused, two 14‑year‑olds, pleaded not guilty to murder and to an aggravated sexual assault charge. The jury viewed the scene, a 3‑D reconstruction, and forensic evidence, while the trial proceeded before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of eight men and four women. The case remains at the Central Criminal Court stage.
During the trial, one of the two 14‑year‑old boys who denies murdering schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel told a Garda that he believed the injuries the other accused claimed were inflicted by older boys were actually caused by Ana. The court heard that the boy, while giving DNA swabs, said Ana had put her hand across his shoulder and chest and that this might be helpful. Both boys, whose names cannot be disclosed because they are minors, pleaded not guilty to murder and to the aggravated sexual assault charge. The prosecution presented evidence that the boys were seen with Ana on the day she went missing and that one boy was beaten by two older youths in a local park. The trial continues before a jury and a judge.
During the trial of two 14‑year‑old boys charged with murdering Anastasia Kriegel, park ranger Norman Macken testified that on the day of her disappearance he heard a man banging on the ranger hut. The man claimed his son had been "jumped on" in the woods by "big fellas". Macken approached the boy, who appeared disheveled, with blood on his fingers and clothes, and described him as looking "like a rabbit caught in the headlights". The boy, about 16, did not engage with Macken and was later seen shaking. Macken noted the boy's father said he was capable of self‑defence. The testimony was given to the Central Criminal Court as part of the ongoing proceedings against the two accused boys, who have pleaded not guilty to murder and an aggravated sexual assault charge. The trial is before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of eight men and four women.
During the trial of two 14‑year‑old boys charged with the murder of Anastasia Kriegel, a dog walker named Gerard Redmond testified that he saw a schoolboy make a direct, 45‑degree turn from a low embankment into a ditch and then head straight toward the abandoned Glenwood House where Ana's body was found. Redmond described the boy's path as a "beeline" and suggested the boy was simply taking a shortcut home. A child witness also reported seeing Ana and one of the boys walking together in a nearby park, laughing and joking. Additional witnesses described the boy's injuries and alleged that he had been attacked by two people in the park. The court continued the hearing with a judge's order restricting reporting to a single media outlet. The trial proceeded before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. Glenwood House pleaded not guilty.
Scott Grant, 31, of Balbriggan, north Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to two counts of attempted robbery. The offences occurred on December 11, 2016, at a Costcutters shop on Hampton Street, and on April 17, 2018, on Clonard Street. In the first incident, Grant allegedly threatened staff while holding a piece of timber; in the second, he used a tree branch. He was identified in the first case by pink gloves and in the second by cashing scratch cards. The court also heard that while on bail for these charges, Grant allegedly robbed a woman of her handbag on September 26, 2018. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a six-year prison term, suspending the final two years on conditions that Grant keep the peace and engage with the Probation Service for two years post-release. Defence counsel Pieter Le Vert BL noted Grant's efforts to address his addiction and his history as a labourer, stating he had previously served a two-year sentence for attempted robbery and became clean of heroin during that custody before relapsing. The matter was finalised with this sentence.
In a trial at the Central Criminal Court, two fourteen‑year‑old boys are charged with murdering Kildare schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel and, for one, with aggravated sexual assault. Both pleaded not guilty. Judge Paul McDermott, presiding over the case, ordered that no media reporting of evidence be allowed until the trial concludes. He reminded the jury that they must base their verdict solely on what they hear in court, ignoring any external coverage. The judge also announced that the restriction on reporting would remain in force until the trial ends or a further order is made. The proceedings continue with Mr Justice McDermott and a jury of eight men and four women. The accused cannot be named due to their minor status. The trial is ongoing.
The trial of two 14-year-old boys, referred to as Boy A and Boy B, charged with the murder of Anastasia Kriegel at Glenwood House in Lucan on 14 May last year, is ongoing before the Central Criminal Court. Both accused have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Boy A additionally faces a charge of aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence, to which he also pleaded not guilty. Gardai testified that the boys provided conflicting accounts of their last meeting with the victim. Boy A alleged he declined Ana's romantic interest and was subsequently assaulted by two unidentified males, claiming injuries to his right hand and leg. Boy B stated he had 'no clue' what happened to her after she appeared upset following her interaction with Boy A. Detective Sergeant John O'Keefe noted discrepancies between the boys' statements, while Sergeant Aonghus Hussey described observing confusion and inconsistent movements during a re-enactment at St Catherine's Park. The court heard that Boy A used his left hand to initial his statement due to a right-hand injury. The matter was adjourned and is scheduled to continue on Friday morning before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
Anastasia Kriegel, 14, vanished on 14 May after leaving home with a boy she had known. Her father, Patric Kriegel, says he saw her walk away with the boy, now identified as Boy B, at about 5 pm, before her phone last connected to her mother's office at 5:32 pm. The State claims she was dead by that time. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, is the second day of proceedings against two 14‑year‑olds charged with her murder. Both accused, who cannot be named, pleaded not guilty. Boy A is also charged with aggravated sexual assault. The prosecution alleges the boys lured Ana to a derelict farmhouse where she was murdered. The case remains at the trial stage, with no verdict yet.
Two 14‑year‑old boys are on trial in Dublin for the murder of 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel. Prosecutor Brendan Grehan told the jury that one boy lured Ana from her home to a derelict farmhouse, where he watched the other boy sexually assault and kill her. The accused boy is also charged with aggravated sexual assault. Evidence presented included a zombie‑type mask in his backpack, male DNA on Ana's neck and semen in the murder scene, and a ligature tape matching the one found on her neck. The prosecution argued that the boy had planned the murder, lured Ana to the farmhouse, and then watched the assault and killing. Ana's body was found on 17 May, naked except for socks, with severe head and neck injuries. The trial is ongoing and the boys have pleaded not guilty.
Two fourteen‑year‑old boys, whose names are withheld because they are minors, are set to go on trial for the murder of Kildare schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel. The boys pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and one also pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of sexually assaulting the victim with serious violence. The body of Ms Kriegel was found at a derelict house in County Dublin on 17 May, three days after she was reported missing. The alleged killings took place at Glenwood House, Laraghcon, Clonee Road, Lucan on 14 May. Judge Paul McDermott swore in a jury of eight men and four women, stressing the need for an independent assessment and warning that the evidence could be upsetting. The trial is expected to last about six weeks.
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.
Keegan Davidson, 25, appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court where he pleaded guilty to four offences under the 2010 Money Laundering Act. The charges relate to engaging in the transfer or conversion of monies knowing they were proceeds of crime, or being reckless as to whether they were, on September 30, 2017. Prosecution evidence indicated that Davidson provided his bank account details to a criminal gang involved in an "invoice redirect" fraud scam. A bogus email directed an engineering company to pay €104,107 into Davidson's account. He subsequently withdrew approximately €43,759 across various bureaux de change and post offices in Dublin, using his Irish passport for identification. Detective Garda Thomas Burke stated there was no evidence Davidson was involved in the initial fraud, only the laundering of proceeds. Around €46,000 was later retrieved by the bank. Davidson's previous convictions include possession of knives, public order, theft, and trespass; in 2011, he received a suspended sentence for possession of a sawn-off shotgun. Defence counsel Luigi Rea BL noted Davidson's history of psychosis exacerbated by drug abuse. Judge Pauline Codd adjourned the case to July 1 for sentencing and remanded Davidson on continuing bail. The matter was adjourned and not concluded at this stage.
Keith Duffy, aged 31, was sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment for endangerment, dangerous driving and criminal damage after a high‑speed chase that ended with him repeatedly ramming a Garda patrol car. The incident, which took place on 30 March 2018 in the Dublin 7 area, involved a 26‑minute pursuit that saw Duffy's van stop on a humpback bridge, wait for the patrol car, and then attempt to ram it, forcing the vehicle onto the footpath. Two other patrol cars joined the chase, which concluded when Duffy's van turned into a cul‑de‑sac at Newgrange Road, reversed, and twice rammed another patrol car before being blocked by a third. Garda Sean Kelly described the event as the worst dangerous driving he had encountered in ten years. Duffy, who has 66 prior convictions, pleaded guilty and was also found guilty of robbery at Kiely's Chemist on 29 March 2018, stealing drugs worth €225.
Two men have been convicted and sentenced by the Special Criminal Court in connection with the 2013 murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly. Michael McDermott of Ballinagh, County Cavan, received four years imprisonment with the final six months suspended after pleading guilty to assisting an unlawful organisation in the killing. Frank Murphy of County Meath was sentenced to three years with the final year suspended after pleading guilty to impeding the apprehension of a prosecution witness. Mr Butterly, aged thirty-five, was fatally shot outside The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston on 6 March 2013. Four other men have previously received life sentences for his murder. The three-judge panel took into account both men's guilty pleas, clean records, and family circumstances when determining sentences. Both sentences were backdated to reflect time already spent in custody.
A 42-year-old man has been sentenced to 14 months imprisonment for dangerous driving causing death at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. James Dingle, of Drumcliffe Road, Cabra, Dublin pleaded guilty to causing the death of Maureen Creaner, aged 92, on Navan Road, Cabra on 4 September 2016. The collision occurred as Mrs Creaner crossed the road to purchase a newspaper. Garda collision experts established Dingle was travelling at 64 kilometres per hour in a 50 kilometre per hour zone. A breath test revealed he was marginally over the legal drink-driving limit, having consumed alcohol the previous evening. Analysis of his phone activity indicated significant sleep deprivation in the hours before the incident. Judge Martin Nolan noted Dingle had made conscious decisions regarding his condition and speed, for which he bore responsibility. Mitigating factors included his remaining at the scene and full co-operation with gardaí. Dingle was also disqualified from driving for four years.
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.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Sandra Warren, aged 43, pleaded guilty to robbing a foreign student on May 23, 2016. The student, who had been in Ireland for four days, was led down a lane by Warren after asking for directions. Warren, who was using drugs at the time, grabbed the student's bag, taking her wallet, bank cards and phone. Garda Daniel Hanlon described the victim as traumatised, left confused and with "whiplash injuries," and noted she had difficulty trusting people after the incident. Warren admitted she was under pressure from a man to obtain money and has since ended that relationship. The court adjourned sentencing to July 1, 2019, to allow a psychiatric assessment and to consider a proposal for restitution. Warren has eight prior convictions for robbery, burglary and theft.
The trial of 50‑year‑old Garda civil servant Lynn Margiotta collapsed after Judge Patricia Ryan ruled that the seizure of her medical certificates breached her right to privacy. Margiotta was arrested in August 2014 after a complaint of bullying against her line manager, Sergeant Sharon Burke. She had claimed stress from her mother's death in January 2014 and had provided over a dozen sick certificates signed by her brother, Dr Tony Margiotta. The certificates were officially stamped in the names of Dr Teresa O'Brien and Dr Barry Brown. Margiotta faced 18 counts of using a false instrument, and her brother faced 18 related counts of making false instruments. Both denied the allegations. The judge found the seizure improper, the certificates inadmissible, and the content of the interviews inadmissible. Consequently, the Director of Public Prosecutions entered a nolle prosequi on all charges against both defendants.
Patrick Fedigan, a former soldier, has resolved his damages action against the State regarding health issues he attributed to the anti-malaria drug Larium. The case, heard before Mr Justice Bernard Barton at trial, involved claims that Fedigan suffered from loss of balance, anxiety, insomnia, vertigo, and memory problems after being prescribed Mefloquine Hydrochloride during UN peacekeeping deployments to Eritrea, Liberia, and Chad between 2001 and 2010. Fedigan alleged that the Minister for Defence and the Attorney General were negligent, arguing that his prior medical history was not assessed, he was unsuitable for the drug, and he lacked adequate support when reporting symptoms. The State defendants, represented by Eoin McCullough SC and others, denied negligence and liability, further arguing that the claim was statute barred due to delay. Following out-of-court discussions, counsel for Fedigan, John Gordan SC, informed the court that the action had been resolved and requested the case be struck out. The settlement terms are confidential. Mr Justice Barton welcomed the resolution. This matter is one of several similar actions brought by Defence Forces members alleging illnesses resulting from Larium prescriptions. Had the trial proceeded, it was expected to last up to ten weeks.
A High Court trial concerning a damages action by former soldier Patrick Fedigan against the State was adjourned shortly after it opened before Mr Justice Bernard Barton. Mr Fedigan, a 51-year-old from Navan, Co Meath, claims he suffered health issues, including loss of balance, anxiety, and memory problems, resulting from being prescribed the anti-malaria drug Larium (Mefloquine Hydrochloride) during Defence Forces deployments to Eritrea, Liberia, and Chad between 2001 and 2010. He alleges negligence and breach of duty by the Minister for Defence and the Attorney General, asserting he was unsuitable for the drug, his medical history was not checked, and he lacked adequate support for his symptoms. The State defendants deny these claims. The case, expected to last up to ten weeks, was paused to allow Mr Fedigan's legal team, led by John Gordan SC, to review documents recently discovered by the defendants. Mr Justice Barton noted that due to judicial commitments, including circuit duties, the hearing would proceed in blocks with gaps in evidence. Both parties acknowledged the judge's availability issues but agreed to proceed. The matter was adjourned and is scheduled to resume on Tuesday.
Rafal Winter, 37, admitted stealing more than €10,000 worth of lottery scratch cards from Spar, The Crescent and Mulhuddart shops between July and September 2017. He claimed jealousy after friends discussed pay rises prompted him to take up to 30 books of cards, win between €2,000 and €3,000, and cash the winnings at various shops. Winter voluntarily presented himself to Gardaí, stating he took two to four books a week and scratched them himself. He offered to resign and repay the shop, but the loss remains €10,567. He has no prior convictions in Ireland or Poland. The court noted his remorse, lack of wealth, and that he was the sole earner for his family. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned sentencing to October to allow time for potential repayment arrangements. Rafal Winter pleaded guilty.
The Special Criminal Court has adjourned the sentencing of Frank Murphy and Michael McDermott to April 1, remanding both men in custody. Murphy, 58, pleaded guilty in November 2018 to committing an act to impede the apprehension or prosecution of David Cullen, whom he allegedly believed was guilty of possessing a firearm. McDermott, 60, pleaded guilty to helping an unlawful organisation, identified as the IRA, murder Peter Butterly. The court heard evidence that Butterly was shot dead in a Meath car park in March 2013. David Cullen, who was originally charged with murder, pleaded guilty to the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol. His plea was accepted by the DPP, resulting in a nolle prosequi on the murder count. Cullen turned State's witness and was sentenced to seven years in prison, with three and a half years suspended, for the firearm possession. The court noted that four other men have already received life sentences for Butterly's murder. Neither Murphy nor McDermott has previous convictions. The judges, presiding over the non-jury court, indicated they will deliver their sentences on April 1.
Aaron Gilsenan, 38, a crack cocaine addict, was jailed for four years after a spree of robberies and attempted robberies in Dublin between December 2017 and March 2018. He used a knife to threaten staff at five convenience stores and filling stations, robbed a taxi driver of €40, and stole a total of €760. Gilsenan was identified on CCTV and used his own car to escape each time. He pleaded guilty to four robberies and two attempted robberies, admitting the crimes were driven by his addiction and the death of his daughter. He had 87 prior convictions, including 51 for road traffic offences. The court noted he was drug‑free at sentencing and had expressed genuine regret. The sentence was imposed by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with a suspended portion of 18 months, and he was also due for sentencing in Trim and Naas Circuit Courts for other pending cases.
In a legal dispute over the selection of a representative to the board of Horse Racing Ireland, the Minister for Agriculture has invited submissions from both parties. Businessman James Gough, who has served as the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners' (AIRO) nominee to the board since 2015, has initiated High Court proceedings, alleging that AIRO's Council has prevented his name from being put forward to the 2000‑strong membership and that another person's name has been presented as the nominee. Gough seeks an injunction to restrain AIRO from holding a general meeting solely to elect a nominee until the Minister determines the matter, and also seeks an order preventing AIRO from nominating a member to the board. AIRO, represented by Frank Crean BL, maintains that its nomination process follows the organisation's rules and has denied Gough's claims. The Minister, noting the dispute, has agreed to accept submissions from both sides on the appropriate method of election.
A farmer from near Strokestown in County Roscommon has initiated High Court proceedings against KBC Bank and several related parties following an attempted eviction of his family home in December 2018. David McGann, represented by solicitor and counsel, is seeking various declarations and orders, including preventing any party from taking possession of the property. The eviction attempt attracted significant national attention after security operatives were forced from the property by masked individuals. That incident, which resulted in alleged assault on security personnel, vehicle fires, and the death of a dog, remains under Garda investigation. The McGanns subsequently regained access to their home. Mr McGann's action names KBC Bank, Trinity Asset Managerial Services Ltd, GS Agencies Ltd, Local Authority Services Ltd, and Aidan Devlin, whom he alleges are bank agents, alongside the County Registrar of Roscommon. He seeks declarations that the defendants acted unlawfully and breached his constitutional rights and European Convention protections during the December execution attempt, and claims damages for trespass and defamation.
In a swift 43‑minute jury deliberation, Paul Crosby, aged 23, was acquitted of all three charges relating to an attempted murder of Gerard Boyle, aged 33, that occurred on 10 November 2016. The charges were: attempting to murder by stabbing Boyle 28 times, attempting to murder by pushing a car into a canal, and false imprisonment with serious harm. The jury, composed of nine men and three women, returned unanimous not‑guilty verdicts on each count. This was Crosby's second trial for the same offences; the first trial in February 2018 resulted in a not‑guilty verdict on the canal charge but no verdict on the other charges. Justice Carmel Stewart thanked the jury and exempted them from service for five years. Crosby was formally discharged by the judge after the verdicts were announced. The article does not state any subsequent legal actions or outcomes. Paul Crosby pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, a jury of nine men and three women will start deliberations on the case of Paul Crosby, aged 23, who has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and related charges. The alleged crime occurred on 10 November 2016 at Knockcommon, Beauparc, Slane, when Crosby is accused of stabbing Gerard Boyle, aged 33, 28 times. Boyle claims he survived a car that was pushed into a canal after the stabbings. The judge, Ms Justice Carmel Stewart, emphasized that the attempted murder charge requires proof of intent to kill and that the jury must consider each charge separately. She noted that the car incident was addressed in a prior trial and that the main issue is whether Crosby was present and participated in the injuries. The jury will now consider their verdicts.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the accused, Paul Crosby, was alleged to have stabbed Mr Boyle 28 times on 10 November 2016. The jury heard that Crosby, who was under a curfew from 9 pm to 8 am, was not at home when the alleged incident occurred, despite a call to his residence just before 10 pm. Mr Boyle, aged 33, claimed he escaped a car that was pushed into a canal after the stabbing. Crosby, aged 23, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder, false imprisonment and causing serious harm. The prosecution presented evidence that Crosby was not at home and that a radio communication suggested a car heading toward Drogheda from Slane. Crosby's defence argued he was either at home or at his aunt's house that night, a claim the prosecution could not refute. The case was heard by Justice Carmel Stewart with a jury of ten.
In the trial of Paul Crosby, 23, the emergency consultant Dr Asim Rafeeque described the treatment of Gerard Boyle, who suffered 28 stab wounds after escaping from a car that was pushed into a canal. Dr Rafeeque explained that Boyle was taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, where he had chest, neck, back and shoulder wounds. He had to drain air from Boyle's chest cavity to prevent pressure on the heart, which could have caused cardiac arrest. The forensic scientist Crystal O'Connor examined swabs from a knife, its handle and a vehicle, finding Boyle's DNA but no blood on a pair of runners belonging to Crosby. She found no evidence linking Crosby to the items she tested. Detective Garda Shane Curran reported taking a statement from Boyle at the hospital and later searching for a Ford Fiesta, but found no forensic evidence such as fingerprints. The trial is ongoing before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury. Paul Crosby pleaded not guilty.
In December 2016, 31‑year‑old Scott Grant armed with a wooden branch threatened staff at a Costcutters shop on Hampton Street, Balbriggan, demanding money. He fled when the shop manager confronted him with a wooden sweeping brush. Later that month he damaged a parking meter to obtain coins for his drug habit. A witness described him wearing black clothes and pink gloves; a Garda arrested a man matching that description, and Grant was found with a hammer in his pants. He was released on bail and, in September 2017, he again robbed a local shop armed with a tree branch, taking €100 worth of scratch cards. He was identified when he tried to cash the cards at a newsagent and was arrested. Grant pleaded guilty to attempted robbery in December 2016 and robbery in September 2017, and admitted a further attempted robbery on 17 April 2018.
Paul Crosby, 23, of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, is on trial in the Central Criminal Court for the attempted murder of Gerard Boyle, 33, at Knockcommon, Beauparc, Slane, on 10 November 2016. He was charged with attempting to murder, false imprisonment and causing serious harm. Crosby pleaded not guilty to all counts. Prosecutor Patrick Gageby SC presented evidence that Crosby stabbed Boyle 28 times while seated in the back of a Volkswagen Passat, after which Boyle was left on the ground and later placed in the boot of the car, which was pushed into a canal near the Battle of the Boyne site. Boyle was later taken to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. During cross‑examination, Brendan Grehan SC questioned Boyle about inconsistencies in his statements regarding threats and phone notes, noting that phone records showed a threat on the day of the attack, contrary to Boyle's earlier claim to Gardaí.
In February 2019 the High Court heard a dispute brought by James Gough, the long‑time nominee of the Association of Irish Racehorse Owners (AIRO) to the board of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI). Gough, who has represented AIRO on the HRI board since 2015, claims that AIRO's Council has prevented his name from being put forward to the membership and that another person has been nominated instead. He argues that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine must decide the matter and that AIRO should not proceed with the nomination of the other person until a ministerial decision is made. AIRO's lawyers counter that the nomination is valid, follows the organisation's rules, and that Gough has no right to bring proceedings. Gough seeks orders to restrain AIRO from holding a general meeting to elect a nominee and from nominating a member to the HRI board.
Paul Crosby, 23, of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, stands trial for the attempted murder of Gerard Boyle, 33, at Knockcommon, Beauparc, Slane, Co Meath, on 10 November 2016. The prosecution alleges that on that day Crosby, initially driving a Ford, later switched to a Volkswagen Passat with Boyle and a third person. Boyle claims Crosby stabbed him 28 times, including in the neck, shoulder, back of the neck and head, while he was in the car. Boyle was then forced into the boot, where he was held for about 15 minutes, unable to breathe, before escaping and swimming to the bank of the River Boyne. He sustained 28 stab wounds, two punctured lungs and nerve damage to his left leg and foot. Crosby pleaded not guilty to all counts, including attempted murder, false imprisonment and serious harm. The case is before a Central Criminal Court jury presided by Ms Justice Carmel Stewart.
In a 12 February 2019 High Court decision, Mr Justice Max Barrett upheld the lawful detention of anti‑eviction activist Ben Gilroy at Dublin's Mountjoy Prison. Gilroy had sought an inquiry under Article 40 of the Constitution, arguing that his imprisonment for failing to complete an 80‑hour community service order was unlawful. The judge rejected his claims, stating that the order was not flawed and that the court was compelled by law to find the detention lawful. Consequently, Gilroy's bail was revoked and he was ordered to return to Mountjoy to serve the remainder of a three‑month term. The ruling was delivered in Court 2 of the Four Courts, where about 40 supporters and friends of Gilroy were present and expressed disapproval. Gilroy's earlier conviction for criminal contempt, related to a sworn statement in a €3.2 million judgment case, had led to the original three‑month sentence imposed by Mr Justice Brian McGovern.