A man accused of driving with a trace amount of cocaine in his system had his conviction overturned on appeal after a judge noted the identity of a Romanian interpreter provided at a garda station was not recorded. Marcel Nagit was convicted in the District Court of driving while there was present in his body a quantity of benzoylecgonine (cocaine) where the concentration of that drug in his blood was greater than the specified concentration. He was fined €1,000 and disqualified from driving for one year. He later lodged an appeal against his conviction. The court heard that a Romanian interpreter was contacted but the service couldn't guarantee an arrival in time. The garda opted for a telephone translation. The judge noted that the custody record was incomplete and that the identity of the interpreter was not recorded, which was prejudicial to the accused. The judge allowed the appeal, overturning the conviction.
Aaron McDermott, 33, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for offences committed at Beaumont Hospital on April 7, 2021. The defendant pleaded guilty to the unlawful seizure of a vehicle by force or threat, as well as three counts of making threats to kill or cause serious harm to the driver and two children. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a sentence of nine years, with the final 12 months suspended on the condition that McDermott engage with The Probation Service for 12 months upon his release. He was also disqualified from driving for two consecutive terms of ten years in relation to dangerous driving and driving without insurance. The court heard that McDermott, who was highly intoxicated, held a knife to an infant and threatened the occupants before driving off at speed, causing a crash that left the victim with a fractured ankle. Judge Sheahan described the dashcam footage as harrowing and noted the severe psychological trauma inflicted on the family, including PTSD and financial distress. While acknowledging McDermott's difficult early life and addiction issues, the judge highlighted his 125 previous convictions and disregard for road traffic laws. McDermott expressed remorse in a letter to the court, stating he was determined to turn over a new leaf.
A random garda stop in Dublin city centre led to the discovery of €375,400 in cannabis and cocaine. The driver, Patryk Czajczynski (32), was not on the garda radar but raised suspicion due to nervous behavior. During the search of his vehicle, gardai found €6,500 of cannabis. A follow-up search of his address in Ratoath, Co Meath, uncovered small amounts of cannabis, cocaine, and amphetamines, along with a key to a storage locker in Finglas. The locker contained 13.9kg of cannabis and 1kg of cocaine. Further searches, including one at a property in Dublin 11, led to the seizure of an additional €4,000 in cannabis. Czajczynski was re-arrested but no evidence was obtained during the interview. He has previous convictions for road traffic offences and obstruction. His defense argued that he was not the owner of the drugs but was transporting them for payment. The court heard that Czajczynski had a serious spinal injury from an accident in 2018 and used cannabis for self-medication.
Eric O'Driscoll, 22, admitted to possessing a .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 rifle in a Dublin residential area and pleaded guilty earlier this year. He now requests a prison transfer after claiming he witnessed a murder in a cell. The Special Criminal Court heard his request, and the judge adjourned the hearing for logistical reasons. O'Driscoll is expected to be moved to another prison after sentencing. He is also scheduled for trial later this year, along with his brother Glen Ward, who faces related charges.
Eric O'Driscoll, aged 22, pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to possession of a .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle at Ratoath Drive, Finglas, on 9 January 2022. The court found the circumstances reasonably inferred that the rifle was not held for a lawful purpose. O'Driscoll also faced four other firearms offences, but the Director of Public Prosecutions said the plea satisfied the case. The matter was adjourned for a later hearing, with trial scheduled later in the year.
Kacper Koszarski, aged 23, was sentenced to four and a half years' imprisonment for a series of burglaries and dangerous driving incidents in Leinster. He pleaded guilty to 17 charges, including four counts of dangerous driving, four of trespass, one of endangerment, four of criminal damage, two of burglary, one of knife production and one of unauthorised vehicle taking, committed between 2020 and 2022. Judge Elva Duffy imposed consecutive sentences totalling five and a half years, suspending the final year on strict conditions. Koszarski was ordered to engage with the Probation Service for two years after release and was disqualified from driving for ten years. The court noted his history of 39 prior convictions, including seven for theft, and his statements of remorse and desire for rehabilitation. The sentence reflects the seriousness of his offences and the potential benefit of rehabilitation to society.
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Martin Nolan sentenced two defendants for their roles in the unlawful administration of the euthanasia drug Dolethal to two dogs at Ashton Dog Pound in July 2020. Vet Sydney Nagle, 65, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing or permitting a non-vet to possess the medicine, as well as four counts regarding record-keeping failures. He was fined €12,500, payable over six months. Judge Nolan noted Nagle was a fine vet who had done considerable service but failed to know the law, adding that Nagle may face consequences from an ongoing Veterinary Council of Ireland fitness-to-practice inquiry. Raymond Connolly, 56, the pound supervisor, pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing the vet-only medicine and causing or permitting a lay person to administer it. He was fined €400, payable over six months. The judge described Connolly's culpability as low, stating he followed established instructions and could not be expected to know the legal intricacies. The court heard the dogs, an Akita and a Bichon Frise, suffered vomiting and diarrhoea after being dosed orally; one died, and the other was humanely euthanised days later. This follows previous fines for former pound manager Donal Moroney and owner David Stone for similar offences.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 19 July 2024, the court heard that Andrei Dobra, aged 36, strangled his fiancée Ioana Mihaela Pacala to death on 12 November 2023. The court found Dobra not guilty by reason of insanity and committed him to the Central Mental Hospital in Portrane. Dobra had been in a loving relationship with Pacala and had been seen holding hands with her on CCTV less than 24 hours before the murder. Two consultant psychiatrists diagnosed Dobra with schizo‑affective disorder, describing psychotic delusions that led him to believe Pacala was a threat. Pacala's father, Gheorghe Gratian Pacala, expressed deep devastation and described his daughter as gentle and respectful, noting that the couple had planned a wedding for 10 June 2023 and had bought a house together. The judge ordered Dobra to remain at the CMH for continuous treatment and assessment. The hearing was conducted via videolink as Dobra was not physically present.
Andrei Dobra, 36, was found not guilty by reason of insanity for strangling his fiancée, Ioana Mihaela Pacala, on 12 November 2022. The jury, after 1 hour 44 minutes, accepted that Dobra suffered a psychotic episode that made him believe Pacala threatened him and that he did not know his act was wrong. Two consultant psychiatrists, Dr Brenda Wright and Prof Patricia Casey, diagnosed Dobra with schizoaffective psychosis and a major depressive episode with psychotic symptoms. Dobra had no prior mental‑health or criminal history and had lived a stable, normal life, working as a security guard and administrator. He was remanded to the National Forensic Mental Health Services Hospital in Portrane for assessment. The case highlighted the tragic loss of a young life and the impact of untreated mental illness.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a psychiatrist testified that Andrei Dobra, a 36‑year‑old man with no prior violence or mental illness, strangled his fiancée Ioana Mihaela Pacala, 30, during a psychotic episode. Dobra, who had two university degrees and worked as an administrator and security guard, had planned to marry Pacala on 10 June 2023. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The psychiatrist described Dobra as courteous and respectful, deeply regretting the act, and noted he had no history of mental health service use. She reported that in the months before the killing he experienced stress, anxiety, fleeting thoughts, and delusions that Pacala's family would prevent their marriage and that a spirit was in the house. She diagnosed him with schizoaffective psychosis and concluded he met the threshold for a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial continues before Justice Melanie Greally and a jury of twelve.
A 35‑year‑old Romanian man, Andrei Dobra, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of his fiancée, Ioana Mihaela Pacala, aged 30, who died on or about 12 November 2022 in Ratoath, Co. Meath. Dobra told Gardaí he felt like a monster and that he could not control his actions when he strangled her. He claimed to have been influenced by a phantom and that he believed someone was pushing him. He admitted that his arms were used to squeeze her neck, but said his mind was elsewhere. The Central Criminal Court heard that a state pathologist confirmed death by strangulation. Two psychiatrists, one for the defence and one for the prosecution, will testify that Dobra suffered a mental disorder at the time of the killing. The trial is proceeding before Ms Justice Melanie Greally and a jury of twelve.
In a murder trial, the accused, Andrei Dobra, 36, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for strangling his partner, Ioana Mihaela Pacala, 30, on 12 November 2022. A garda described Dobra as blank, vacant and detached when he entered the home, claiming the red marks on his neck were from "making love." Dobra admitted to strangling Pacala to "alleviate the burden" on the State. Witnesses, including Roxana Devan, noted Dobra's unusual behaviour and depression in the week before the killing. The prosecution presented evidence of asphyxia and strangulation, with bruising and scratches on Pacala's neck. Two psychiatrists were to testify that Dobra suffered from a mental disorder, potentially qualifying him for a not‑guilty by reason of insanity verdict. The trial proceeded before Ms Justice Melanie Greally and a jury of twelve.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 2 July 2024, a 36‑year‑old Romanian man, Andrei Dobra, was on trial for the murder of his partner, Ioana Mihaela Pacala, aged 30. The prosecution, led by Sean Guerin SC, presented evidence that Dobra strangled Pacala on 12 November 2022 at their duplex in Ratoath, County Meath. A phone call on that day had Dobra telling a woman he believed he had killed Pacala, prompting emergency services to arrive. The body was found in a bedroom; the State Pathologist confirmed strangulation as the cause of death. Dobra pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, and two psychiatrists—one for the defence, one for the prosecution—were to testify that he suffered a mental disorder at the time of the killing. The trial was overseen by Justice Melanie Greally with a jury of six men and six women.
A 36‑year‑old man, Andrei Dobra, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his fiancée, Ioana Mihaela Pacala, aged 30, at their flat in Ratoath on or about 12 November 2022. Dobra, who lives at Riverwalk Court, Fairyhouse Road, was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on a single charge of murder. He answered "Not guilty" and "I can't be responsible" when the registrar asked how he was pleading. Judge Paul McDermott recorded the plea as not guilty by reason of insanity and explained that the case would involve medical evidence about Dobra's mental state at the time of the death. The prosecution's psychiatrist, Dr Brenda Wright, and the defence's psychiatrist, Dr Patricia Casey, were named as witnesses. A jury of twelve was sworn in, and the trial is set to begin the following day before Ms Justice Melanie Greally, potentially lasting up to five days.
Two brothers, Glen Ward (31) and Eric O'Driscoll (22), both from Finglas, have withdrawn their bail applications in the Special Criminal Court after being charged with possession of firearms and reckless discharge of assault rifles in January 2022. Ward is accused of possessing a .223 Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle and discharging it on 1 January 2022 at Ratoath Drive, while O'Driscoll faces similar charges plus additional allegations of possessing a .380 ACP calibre Ingram M11 submachine gun on 9 January 2022. The charges are under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 and the Firearms Act 1964. Judge Tony Hunt offered the men time to decide whether to proceed to trial, noting a November trial date is available and giving them until later this month to inform the court of their decision. The brothers will indicate later this month whether they wish to go to trial.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, former manager Donal Moroney, aged 70, was fined €500 for unlawfully storing and administering the euthanasia drug Dolethal to two dogs at Ashton Dog Pound in Castleknock on 24 July 2020. The drug, containing Pentobarbital Sodium, is only permitted to be stored at a veterinary practice and administered intravenously by a qualified vet. Moroney pleaded guilty to three counts: using the pound to store a veterinary‑only remedy, possessing it without being a vet, and allowing a layperson to give it orally to a Bichon Frise and an Akita. The court noted that staff lacked the experience or qualifications to handle the drug, described Moroney's culpability as "quite low," and considered mitigating factors such as his guilty plea, cooperation with Gardaí, long history of animal care, and serious health problems. He was ordered to pay the fine within three months.
Brothers Glen Ward (31) and Eric O'Driscoll (22) are accused of discharging an assault rifle in a Dublin residential area and are to apply for bail at the Special Criminal Court. Both are charged with possession of firearms and reckless discharge on dates in January 2022 in the Finglas area of north Dublin. One charge alleges that Mr O'Driscoll was in possession of a military submachine gun. Mr Ward is charged that on 1 January 2022 at Ratoath Drive in Finglas he had in his possession or control a .223 Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle and that he discharged it recklessly. Mr O'Driscoll faces two charges identical to those against Mr Ward plus three further charges, including possession of a .223 Remington AR‑15 on 9 January 2022 and possession of a .380 ACP calibre Ingram M11 submachine gun on the same date. The offences contravene the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 and the Firearms Act 1964.
Two brothers, Glen Ward, 31, and Eric O'Driscoll, 22, are charged with possession of firearms and reckless discharge of an assault rifle in the Finglas area of north Dublin in January 2022. Ward is accused of possessing a .223 Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle on 1 January 2022 at Ratoath Drive and of discharging it recklessly. O'Driscoll faces the same charges as Ward plus additional allegations of possessing a .223 Remington AR‑15 on 9 January 2022 and a .380 ACP calibre military submachine gun, the Ingram M11, on the same date. The offences contravene the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 and the Firearms Act 1964. The Director of Public Prosecutions applied to transfer the trials to the non‑jury Special Criminal Court, and Mr Justice Tony Hunt granted the application. The brothers will appear before the court at a later date.
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 6 June 2024, the appeal of Josh Turner, aged 31, was dismissed. Turner had been convicted in 2017 of murdering Christopher Nevin, a 31‑year‑old man he had loaned a Chihuahua to breed, after a dispute over payment. The incident occurred on 19 November 2015 on Tailteann Road, Navan. Turner and his co‑accused, Wayne Cluskey, both carried hatchets to the scene. Turner struck Nevin with a hatchet several times, while Cluskey also struck Nevin. Turner claimed a loss of self‑control after Nevin threatened him, but the trial judge instructed the jury that a defence of provocation or self‑defence would only apply if the accused had a total loss of self‑control and was not acting in self‑defence. The appellate court found no error in the judge's directions and rejected all grounds of appeal. The case remains a murder conviction with a life sentence. Josh Turner pleaded not guilty.
Sandra Kavanagh, 48, avoided jail after colliding with motorcyclist Nebojsa Sarcevic, 29, on the M50 in November 2019, which caused his death. She had previously been convicted of road traffic offences. The trial judge initially imposed a one‑year driving disqualification, but the defence and prosecution mistakenly informed the judge that a mandatory four‑year ban applied. The Court of Appeal quashed the four‑year ban and replaced it with a two‑year ban, while an eight‑month fully suspended sentence remained on her record. Kavanagh pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death, was not speeding, had no drugs or alcohol, and was not using her mobile phone. The judge noted her remorse and the tragic nature of the incident. The case was heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in July 2022.
Wesley Williams, 46, of Foxlodge Manor, Ratoath, was already serving a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for receiving €1.4 million from European investors in a money‑laundering scheme. On 9 April 2024 a judge declined to extend his sentence after Williams pleaded guilty to stealing a watch worth over €15 000. He received a 20‑month concurrent sentence for the theft, which occurred between February and June 2012. Gardaí searched his property in 2013, finding a safe that could not be opened; a locksmith later opened it and discovered the watch. Williams claimed he was unaware the watch was in the safe and was embarrassed that he could not open it. The court noted he had no prior convictions and, after considering mitigating factors, imposed the 20‑month term. The earlier money‑laundering conviction remains unchanged. The case also involved co‑accused Silvio Rabbitte, who received a two‑year suspended sentence for impeding Williams' apprehension.
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Wesley Williams (46) of Foxlodge Manor, Ratoath, Co Meath, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of making a gain for himself in a scheme that took place over a decade ago. His co-accused, Silvio Rabbitte (55) of Woodberry Gardens, Castleknock, Dublin, was given a fully-suspended sentence of two years after pleading guilty to one count of impeding the apprehension of Wesley Williams on dates between September 2012 and July 2014. Rabbitte's counsel argued that he had been 'duped' and should have known the scheme was 'too good to be true'. The court heard that Rabbitte received €350,000 from an account shared with Williams, as co-directors of One Stop Shop Catering Ltd, into which €1.4 million from German investors was transferred. The money was quickly dispersed, with Rabbitte receiving €350,000. Rabbitte was arrested, and a laptop containing phone call recordings was seized. The court heard that Rabbitte signed a contract before the money entered the account, which made it harder for Williams to be prosecuted. The matter was adjourned for mention in March to deal with an allegation of theft of a €15,000 watch faced by Williams. Simon Gold (59) of Windy Ridge House, Cartontroy, Athlone, Co Westmeath, was jailed for seven years in 2019 after being found guilty of money laundering, theft, deception, and control of false instruments.
Kacper Koszarski, 23, faced a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing after a series of violent burglaries and high‑speed car chases. He pleaded guilty to 17 charges, including four counts of dangerous driving, four of trespass, one of endangerment, four of criminal damage, two of burglary, one of knife production and one of unauthorised vehicle taking. The court noted his 39 prior convictions, seven of them theft, and warned that a "sentence of some significance" would be imposed. Judge Elva Duffy adjourned the case to 22 March for a probation report, urine analysis and governor's report, remanding Koszarski in custody. The hearing covered incidents from a Maynooth burglary where a Renault Megane was taken and chased, to multiple garden trespasses in Dublin where knives were found. Koszarski's partner testified about their son with additional needs, and he expressed remorse and a desire for rehabilitation. The court considered his young age, addiction history and willingness to cooperate. The case remains pending.
Silvio Rabbitte, 55, of Castleknock, Dublin, pleaded guilty to one count of impeding the apprehension of his co-accused, Wesley Williams, between September 2012 and July 2014. Williams, 46, of Ratoath, Co Meath, pleaded guilty to one count of fraud. Both men were involved in a €1.4 million money-laundering scheme where funds from German investors were transferred into a shared account. Rabbitte received €350,000, while Williams also received a sum. The defence argued Rabbitte was duped and acted with recklessness, noting he had no previous convictions. Simon Gold, 59, of Athlone, Co Westmeath, was previously found guilty by a jury of money laundering, theft, deception, and control of false instruments, and was jailed for seven years in 2019. Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the matter for finalisation on February 7 next year, stating he would sentence Rabbitte after hearing evidence in Williams' case. Rabbitte was remanded on continuing bail until that date. The court noted that the charge against Rabbitte was only recently offered to him, and that the Criminal Assets Bureau had seized €190,000 from his ill-gotten gains.
In 2017, Josh Turner, aged 31, was convicted of murdering Christopher Nevin in Navan after a dispute over a chihuahua. Turner was sentenced to life imprisonment. He now seeks to overturn his conviction on appeal, arguing that the trial judge erred in how he directed the jury on the defence of provocation and self‑defence. Turner's counsel contended that the judge incorrectly suggested the onus of proving provocation lay with the defence and failed to allow the jury to consider provocation in the context of violence against a third party. The State's counsel replied that the judge's charge was clear and that the jury had rejected provocation based on the facts. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on the appeal. The case remains at the appeal stage. Josh Turner pleaded not guilty.
In a case heard at Trim Circuit Court, James 'Jake' Boles, aged 24, received a wholly suspended two‑year sentence for one count of coercive control and five counts of assault causing harm to his partner, Jody Duggan, aged 22, between 1 January and 5 April 2019. The assaults included dragging her by the hair, slamming her head, and pushing his fist into her face, and were described as "appalling" coercive control. After a successful appeal by the State, the Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice John Edwards, re‑sentenced Boles to one year in jail, citing the frequency and severity of the violence and the psychological harm inflicted. The court found the original fully suspended sentence to be too lenient and noted that the trial judge had erred in fully suspending the sentence. The appeal decision was based solely on the allegations and evidence presented in the original trial, without reference to any later developments or outcomes.
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 3 July 2023, the State argued that the fully suspended two‑year sentence imposed on James 'Jake' Boles for coercive control and five assault offences was too lenient. Boles, aged 24, had been convicted in January for repeatedly dragging his partner by the hair, slamming her head, punching her face and verbally abusing her over a period from 1 January to 5 April 2019. The victim, aged 22, had waived anonymity. The State, represented by Carl Hanahoe BL, contended that the physical violence was frequent and severe, constituting an aggravating factor, and that the judge had applied an excessive discount for mitigating circumstances. The Court of Appeal, hearing the case, noted the weekly nature of the assaults and the impact on the victim, and the judge had suspended the sentence until 2027 with onerous conditions. The Court reserved judgment until 21 July 2023.
The widow of a 45‑year‑old man from County Meath who died in May 2017 after an elective cancer treatment at St Vincents Hospital in Dublin has settled High Court claims alleging negligence. Susan Lundy sued the hospital for nervous shock she suffered and for the fatal injuries her husband, Sean Lundy, allegedly sustained while a patient. She claimed the hospital's care fell far below the standard that should have been provided, leading to his death. The hospital denied all allegations. The settlement, reached without an admission of liability, includes a statutory solatium of €35,000 approved by the High Court for the mental distress of the family and the couple's three minor children. The court noted that Mr Lundy underwent a Whipple procedure, became ill, was moved from intensive care after two days, was fed orally in a lower unit, and subsequently developed severe respiratory problems before dying on 15 May 2017. The settlement terms remain confidential.
A trial date of 24 June 2024 has been set at the Central Criminal Court for Andrei Dobra, 33, accused of murdering 30‑year‑old Ioana Mihaela Pacala on 12 November 2022 at River Walk Court, Ratoath. Dobra, who lives at River Walk Court, Fairyhouse Road, Ratoath, is charged with the murder. His defence, represented by Shane Michael Kelly BL, has requested an interpreter. Psychiatric reports are still pending, with updates expected in March. The judge has scheduled case management for 5 July, requiring all disclosure by that date.
David Stone, 65, owner of Ashton Dog Pound in Dublin, was fined €30,000 after a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court found he unlawfully stored and incorrectly administered the euthanasia drug Pentobarbital to two dogs on 24 July 2020. Garda Áine McQuillan reported that the drug was found in an unlocked tin box at the pound's reception, with over 350 ml in total, and that the dogs had been given the drug orally rather than intravenously by a registered veterinary practitioner as required. Stone pleaded guilty to using a premises for the supply of an animal remedy contrary to European regulations, possession of a veterinary‑only drug, and permitting its improper administration. The court noted the drug's lethal potential for both animals and humans, Stone's breach of a €277,000 contract with Dublin City Council, and his lack of prior convictions, and imposed the fine without custodial sentence.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 14 February 2023, Daniel Keane, a 36‑year‑old Irish Army NCO, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, production of an article and making off without paying for a taxi. The incident occurred on 7 December 2019 when Keane and his partner, both intoxicated, had a verbal dispute with a taxi driver at St Anthony's Crescent, Crumlin. Keane left the vehicle, entered the driver's house, and used a 2‑ft black fire poker to strike the driver on the hip and face, causing injuries that required hospital treatment. He also stole €100 from the driver's wallet, later returned it, and took the driver's phone. The court imposed an 18‑month prison sentence, suspended in full for two years on strict conditions, and ordered Keane to pay the driver the €20.80 fare.
Sean Connell, 32, of Poppintree, Dublin, is serving a six‑year sentence for the seizure of €1.5 million of cocaine at Rosslare Harbour. He pleaded guilty to possession of diamorphine for sale or supply on 10 March 2020. Gardaí later found nearly €70,000 of heroin in his car, and he was on bail when he and another man led gardaí on a high‑speed chase after shots were fired at a house in Finglas. The pursuit ended when the car overturned and Connell was taken to hospital. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and possession of a firearm on 29 September 2020. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to seven and a half years for the drug offences, with six months suspended, and to 18 months for the firearm and dangerous driving offences, with six months suspended. The sentences are consecutive to the Wexford drugs matter, and he is disqualified from driving for two years.
Sandra Kavanagh, 47, was driving on the M50 near Finglas on 19 November 2019 when she moved part‑way into the hard shoulder and collided with Nebojsa Sarcevic, 29, who was riding his motorbike in the same direction. The impact threw Sarcevic from his bike and into the motorway barrier, where he died from his injuries. Kavanagh pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death. She had four prior traffic convictions, including speeding and failing to wear a seat belt. Judge Martin Nolan found no aggravating factors such as alcohol, drugs or excessive speed. He imposed a suspended sentence of eight months and disqualified her from driving for four years, citing her inattentive driving as the cause of the fatal accident. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Court on 7 November 2022.
In a routine traffic stop on Ratoath Road, Garda Diarmuid Murphy mistakenly identified a car as uninsured and pulled it over. The driver, Gavin Jordan, 49, was found to have the vehicle insured. During the stop, the Garda smelled cannabis, searched the vehicle and Jordan, and discovered an envelope containing €26,000 in cash in his trouser pocket. Jordan admitted to acting as a courier in a money‑laundering scheme to help his son, who had a drug debt after Garda seizure of drugs from his home. He claimed the envelope held €15,000, but two withdrawals from his account in April 2020 totaled €20,000. Jordan pleaded guilty to possession of the proceeds of crime. The court noted his long, honest employment as a welder and his care for his elderly mother. Judge Melanie Greally, considering these mitigating factors, sentenced him to an 18‑month suspended prison term.
Craig White, 24, a schizophrenic man, was found guilty of endangerment, criminal damage, failure to remain at the scene, driving without insurance, dangerous driving and theft. He drove a stolen motorcycle on a footpath in Ratoath, Finglas, in July 2017, ignoring stop and yield signs, and collided with a VW Polo and a courier's motorbike. The courier, William Murray, was thrown from his bike, sustaining a right‑elbow injury that required surgery, and suffered an estimated loss of earnings of over €13,000. White's motorcycle was written off. He had 12 prior convictions, including for dangerous driving and driving without insurance. The court, noting his schizophrenia and treatment, imposed a suspended sentence of three years for the driving offences and four months for the theft, with strict conditions to continue medication.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Nathan Harold, 26, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years' imprisonment for robbery and assault. The offence occurred on 22 November 2019 at Camden Place, Dublin city centre, when Harold, then on bail, approached an intoxicated man, Cathal Doyle, who had been refused entry to a nightclub. Harold punched Doyle repeatedly, knocked him to the ground, and stamped on him as he was leaving. Doyle's phone and wallet were taken. Harold had no fixed address, previously lived on Ratoath Avenue, Finglas, and had 55 prior convictions, including theft, drug possession and public order offences. He pleaded guilty, expressed remorse, and was described by the judge as having seized an opportunity to prey on Doyle. The court imposed the sentence accordingly.
Dean Masterson, 34, a father of three with a history of serious convictions, was sentenced to one year in prison for attempting to defraud a bank by submitting false documents in a mortgage application. He sought a €220,000 loan to buy a family home, but bank staff detected the falsities and no money was disbursed. Masterson pleaded guilty to deception and five counts of using false instruments, having provided a fake salary certificate, payslip, P60 and two bank statements. The court noted his prior convictions for robbery, attempted robbery and theft between 2004 and 2012, and that he had not been convicted since 2016. Judge Pauline Codd highlighted the premeditation and deliberation involved, describing the offence as "fairly sophisticated" and imposing a four‑year sentence, with the final three years suspended on strict conditions.
Graeme Burke, aged 34, was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment after he was found storing over €1.3 million worth of cocaine in a rented storage unit. He had leased the unit in his own name and used his personal documents to secure the lease. Two encrypted mobile phones were discovered in his possession; Garda Redmond O'Leary explained that such devices are costly to run and are typically used by organised crime gangs, making the information on them inaccessible to law enforcement. Burke pleaded guilty to possession of 19 kg of cocaine, valued at €1.336 million, at a storage facility on the N2 in Ashbourne. He had three prior convictions, including a four‑year suspended sentence for robbery in 2005. The judge noted that Burke's role involved storing, transporting and distributing the drugs and that he had been equipped with the encrypted phones. He was jailed for eight years.
The High Court has ordered the appointment of a receiver over three luxury watches alleged to have been purchased with proceeds of crime. Christopher Waldron, aged 37 and with an address at Killala Road in Cabra, is facing proceedings brought by the Criminal Assets Bureau concerning two residential properties and the three watches, which include a Breitling chronograph, a Rolex Datejust and a Cartier Santos timepiece. The CAB contends that all or part of the properties and watches were acquired through criminal activity. Mr Waldron's claims denying the allegations were noted. Mr Justice Alex Owens appointed a receiver to take possession of the watches pending further order. A related case involving David Waldron, aged 42 and also from Cabra, concerning three properties in Wexford, Dublin and Kildare, was adjourned to 18 May. Those claims too are denied. The High Court's CAB list comprised 26 cases on the date in question, with social distancing measures in place among those attending.
Ben O'Reilly, a 21‑year‑old former youth rugby player, was convicted of assaulting Fernanda de Freitas, a transgender escort, at her home on 20 May 2017. The trial, held in December 2019 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, found him guilty of assault but acquitted him of robbery. Judge Elma Sheahan sentenced him to two years' imprisonment, fully suspended on the condition he pays €10,000 in compensation to Ms de Freitas within 12 months. The judge noted the seriousness of the offence, the loss of support from family and friends, his suspension from the rugby club, and his good character and youth as mitigating factors. O'Reilly had no prior convictions and had been enlisted in the UK army, where a custodial sentence would have led to discharge. The case involved a dispute over payment for escort services, an initial payment of €150, and a subsequent assault after the victim demanded the remainder of the agreed €500. Ben O'Reilly pleaded not guilty.
Ben O'Reilly, 21, was found guilty of assaulting Fernanda de Freitas after a dispute over payment for an escort service. The trial, held at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, concluded with a jury of ten women and two men convicting him of assault but acquitting him of robbery. O'Reilly had been charged with robbing de Freitas of cash and her iPhone. He was remanded on continuing bail until January 24 for sentencing. The case involved a series of messages on Grindr and WhatsApp, a meeting at de Freitas's apartment, and an alleged exchange over money. De Freitas testified that O'Reilly punched her multiple times, put his hands around her neck, and took her phone. She sustained cuts to her mouth and swollen eyes, requiring stitches. O'Reilly admitted to grabbing what he thought was his phone but later realised he had taken de Freitas's mobile. The trial ended with the assault conviction and the robbery charge dismissed. Ben O'Reilly pleaded not guilty.
Ben O'Reilly, aged 21, was charged at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court with assaulting and robbing Fernanda de Freitas, a transgender escort, on 20 May 2017. He claimed he acted in self‑defence after a dispute over money. O'Reilly said he had been attracted to transgender women, met de Freitas through a dating app, and had agreed to pay her €400‑€500 for sex. He alleged that after the encounter, de Freitas demanded money, swiped at him with a stiletto, and removed his wallet. O'Reilly admitted holding her neck for five to ten seconds, punching her twice, and a third blow that caused her to fall and hit her head. He denied paying €180, claimed he took her iPhone by mistake, and pleaded not guilty. The prosecution argued he robbed her, while the defence argued she became violent when she learned he lacked full payment. The case remains pending.
Ben O'Reilly, 21, stood trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assaulting and robbing Fernanda de Freitas, a transgender escort, on 20 May 2017. De Freitas, who worked as a sex worker, met O'Reilly through the app Grinder and arranged a meeting at her home. She claimed he offered €500 to stay, then paid €150 and received €30 back. After sex, O'Reilly allegedly behaved erratically, left the bathroom, masturbated, then returned, demanded his money back, and took her phone. He allegedly punched her many times, pressed his hands around her neck, and threatened her. De Freitas said she struck him in the groin to escape, returned the money, and an additional €50 fell to the floor. She was left with cuts to her mouth and swollen eyes. The trial continues before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury. Ben O'Reilly pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Brendan Treacy, 36, was sentenced to a suspended two‑and‑a‑half‑year term for making a false emergency call about a gangland shooting at Peadar Kearney House, Railway Street. Treacy claimed a gangland member had been shot and a black Toyota Avensis had fled the scene, prompting eleven Garda units, a fire brigade truck and an ambulance to respond for 24 minutes before the operation was called off. He later admitted the call was a "moment of madness" while he was "completely wasted" on tablets and vodka. Treacy, who has been clean of heroin for two years and now helps others recover from addiction, pleaded guilty to the false report. The judge noted the diversion of Garda resources and commended his rehabilitation efforts, suspending the sentence on a number of conditions. Treacy has 40 prior convictions, including theft, road traffic and drug offences.
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.
Brendan Treacy, 35, will be sentenced in July for making a false emergency call that a gangland member had been shot at Peadar Kearney House, Railway Street, Dublin. The call prompted 11 Garda units, a fire brigade truck and an ambulance to respond, and the emergency operation lasted 24 minutes before being called off. Treacy admitted the call was a "moment of madness" while heavily intoxicated on tablets and vodka. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to making a false report at an unknown location in Dublin 1 on 23 August 2017. Treacy has 40 previous convictions, including theft, road traffic and drug offences. He has since detoxed from tablets, is methadone and heroin free, and seeks treatment at a residential centre. Judge Martina Baxter adjourned the case to allow Treacy to access treatment, warning that such conduct is unacceptable in a democratic society.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Geraldine Saunders, mother of 21‑year‑old Jason Saunders, spoke after Judge Martina Baxter sentenced Paul Brannigan, 27, for assault. Brannigan was convicted of striking Saunders with a golf club; the jury acquitted him of a head‑butt assault claimed to be self‑defence and could not reach a verdict on manslaughter. Brannigan pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and two assault charges. The judge imposed a three‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspended the last eight months, and credited 22 months already served. Saunders, who lost her son in a street altercation on 18 March 2014, described the loss as devastating, saying she feels she has "lost everything" and struggles to leave her home. The court noted Brannigan's lack of remorse toward the family.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 7 November 2018, Karl McDermott, aged 21, was sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended, for a robbery at Dunnes Stores on 25 May 2018. McDermott used a homemade machete‑type weapon that his brother, a metal fabricator, had constructed for a Halloween costume. The weapon was described as a long silver knife with a padded handle covered in tin foil, and was found in the back of a drawer at the family home. McDermott pleaded guilty to robbery and the production of the homemade machete. He had 45 prior convictions, including robbery, possession of knives, criminal damage, violent disorder and drug offences. The court noted that McDermott had been taking tablets and alcohol, and that he had been struggling mentally. The judge accepted his early guilty plea but emphasised that the weapon was capable of serious injury.
A Dublin man has been sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment following his assault on a garda with a glass bottle. Christopher Reilly (28) pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting Garda Daniel Sweeney, causing him harm, on Ratoath Road, Cabra, on 10 November 2015. During the incident, Reilly swung a glass bottle at the garda, causing a serious leg wound that required thirteen stitches and resulted in permanent sensory loss. The victim, in a statement read to the court, described losing considerable blood and being unable to walk for a month following the attack. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a three and a half year sentence with the final twelve months suspended, noting the assault fell within the upper range of seriousness. She ordered Reilly to complete any violent offender programme directed by the Probation Service and to address his drug use. Reilly has sixty-seven previous convictions.
A man has pleaded guilty to assaulting a garda with a glass bottle at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Christopher Reilly, aged 28, of Cabra, Dublin, assaulted Garda Daniel Sweeney on Ratoath Road, Cabra, on 10 November 2015, causing him serious harm. The court heard that during a confrontation, Reilly swung a bottle at the officer, inflicting a leg wound that required 13 stitches. The garda has permanently lost sensation from his calf to his ankle as a result of the injury. Reilly, who has 67 previous convictions, initially disputed the circumstances but subsequently entered a guilty plea. The court was informed that Reilly has begun addressing personal difficulties and secured employment. Judge Melanie Greally remanded him on continuing bail pending sentencing the following week.