In a 2018 attempted‑murder trial, the State counsel, Patrick Gageby SC, argued that Paul Crosby of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, had a strong motive to eliminate Gerard Boyle, 22, after a prior incident in March when Crosby and another man allegedly broke into Boyle's home. Gageby highlighted that Boyle was stabbed 28 times in Knockcommon, then locked in a car that was submerged in the Boyne Canal. He claimed Boyle named Crosby as the assailant, citing a phone call to Crosby's house and a text from an unknown number. Defence counsel, Mr Bowman SC, countered that Boyle's statements were inconsistent, that no forensic evidence linked Crosby to the crime, and that Boyle's accusations were unreliable. The counsel urged the jury to acquit Crosby on all counts, citing flawed evidence and a deficient investigation. The case was set for jury deliberation by Judge Patrick McCarthy. Gerard Boyle pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, Paul Crosby of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, faced charges of attempting to murder, false imprisonment and serious harm against Gerard Boyle, aged 22, on 10 November 2016. The alleged attacks occurred first at Knockcommon, Beauparc, Slane, where Boyle was stabbed 28 times, and later at Boyne Canal, Drogheda, where he was reportedly locked into a car boot that was pushed into the canal. Crosby pleaded not guilty to all charges. Dr Asim Rafeeque treated Boyle in Drogheda hospital, describing a surgical emergency with severe shortness of breath, elevated heart rate, reduced oxygen and multiple sharp‑edge wounds, and performed immediate chest decompression. Garda Ronan Geraghty testified that Boyle had named a passenger who allegedly pulled him from the car and placed him in the boot; this person was not arrested and no other individuals were charged.
In the Central Criminal Court, a 22‑year‑old Louth man, Paul Crosby, faced charges of attempting to murder Gerard Boyle twice on 10 November 2016. The first attempt involved 28 stab wounds before Boyle was locked in a car boot and the vehicle was pushed into a canal. The second attempt occurred later that night at Boyne Canal, Drogheda. Dr Asim Rafiq treated Boyle in Drogheda hospital, noting severe shortness of breath, a marked heart rate increase, reduced oxygen levels and multiple sharp‑edge wounds. He performed emergency chest decompression and inserted two chest drains, describing the situation as a surgical emergency that could have resulted in death. Crosby pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy with a jury of five women and six men.
In a 2018 trial, a 22‑year‑old Louth man, Paul Crosby, was charged with attempting to murder Gerard Boyle twice on 10 November 2016. The first attempt occurred at Knockcommon, Beauparc, Slane, where Boyle was found on the ground near a stop sign, soaked in blood and water, with numerous stab wounds. A paramedic testified that Boyle had 28 puncture wounds, a collapsed lung, and required chest drains. The second attempt took place later that night at Boyne Canal, Drogheda, where Boyle was again stabbed and subsequently locked in a car boot that was pushed into the canal. Crosby pleaded not guilty to attempting to murder, false imprisonment and causing serious harm. The case was heard by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy with a jury of eleven. The trial continues.
In the Central Criminal Court, Gerard Boyle, aged 22, denied that Paul Crosby was the man who stabbed him 28 times and locked him in a car boot before it was pushed into a canal. Boyle testified that Crosby had previously smashed a window at his home and later called him to discuss a "chat." Boyle agreed to go with Crosby, but when they reached Knockcommon, Crosby stabbed him. Boyle escaped the car, swam to shore, and was later cross‑examined by defence counsel Michael Bowman, who argued that Crosby was not responsible. Boyle maintained that he had named Crosby because he feared the real perpetrator would escape. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, continues with a jury of eleven, after one juror was discharged due to illness. Paul Crosby pleaded not guilty.
A 22‑year‑old Louth man, Paul Crosby, stands trial for attempting to murder Gerard Boyle twice. On 10 November 2016, Crosby stabbed Boyle 28 times in the back of the neck, head and torso, puncturing his lung and causing nerve damage to his right leg. After the stabbing, Crosby forced Boyle into the boot of a car and drove it into Boyne Canal. Boyle escaped the boot, swam to shore and was hospitalized for about two weeks. Crosby pleaded not guilty to attempting to murder, false imprisonment and causing serious harm. The trial is held in the Central Criminal Court, with prosecution led by Patrick Gageby SC and defence by Michael Bowman SC. The case is currently before a jury of twelve.
A 22‑year‑old Louth man, Paul Crosby of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, is set to appear before the Central Criminal Court on Thursday. He faces charges of attempting to murder Gerard Boyle twice on 10 November 2016, once at Knockcommon, Beauparc, Slane, Co. Meath, and again at Boyne Canal, Drogheda. Crosby also stands accused of causing serious harm to Boyle and of false imprisonment on the same day. He pleaded not guilty to all three charges. The trial, overseen by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, will involve a jury of twelve and is expected to last over a week.
During a Special Criminal Court hearing on 16 January 2018, the court considered evidence relating to the fatal shooting at the Regency Hotel in Dublin on 5 February 2016. The prosecution alleged that a raid on the hotel involved a man dressed as a woman, a man in a flat cap, and three individuals in tactical‑style Garda uniforms carrying assault rifles. CCTV footage showed two men in fake Garda uniforms shooting David Byrne (34) as he fled. Patrick Hutch (25) was identified by the prosecution as the man dressed as a woman and was charged with murder, though he denied both the shooting and possession of three AK‑47 assault rifles. Garda Finbar Fleming reported that a crowd of about twenty to thirty people outside the hotel was "extremely hostile" and offered no information. Sergeant Noel Nolan also described the crowd as "very agitated" and hostile.
Shane Rowan, aged 39, from Forest Park, Killygordan, County Donegal, has been sentenced to seven and a half years' imprisonment at the Special Criminal Court for possession of three assault rifles and ammunition discovered in his vehicle in Slane, County Meath on 9 March 2016. He received an additional four-year sentence for membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, with both sentences to run concurrently. Rowan pleaded guilty to possessing a Chinese Type 56, Romanian PM63, and Zastava M70 rifle, along with associated magazines and 153 rounds of assorted ammunition. He also admitted to IRA membership. The court heard gardaí had monitored his movements as he collected the firearms in Dublin before travelling through Northern Ireland to Donegal. Mr Justice Paul Butler noted Rowan's early guilty plea to all counts as a mitigating factor, describing such cooperation as unusual. The sentences were backdated to the date of his arrest.
A 39-year-old man from Killygordan in County Donegal has pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin to multiple charges including possession of three assault rifles and ammunition. Shane Rowan admitted to possessing a Chinese Type 56 rifle, a Romanian PM63 rifle, and a Zastava M70 rifle, together with associated magazines, discovered at a location in County Meath on 9 March 2016. He further pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing ammunition: 75 rounds of 7.62 by 39mm calibre rounds and 78 rounds of 9mm parabellum calibre rounds. Rowan also admitted to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army. The three-judge panel remanded him in custody pending sentencing on 27 July 2016.
A 39-year-old man from Killygordan in County Donegal has been charged with unlawful possession of ammunition before the Special Criminal Court. Shane Rowan was charged with possessing 78 rounds of 9mm parabellum ammunition at his Forest Park address on 9 March this year. The charge was brought before the court on 7 July following a caution. Rowan faces three additional charges arising from the same date: possession of three assault rifles and associated magazines at a separate location in County Meath, possession of ammunition of different calibre at that same address, and membership of an unlawful organisation. The book of evidence for all charges was served on the accused today. Justice Paul Butler, sitting with Judges Alison Lindsay and Cormac Dunne, remanded Rowan in custody pending his next hearing on 19 July.
Amy McAuley, 26, pleaded guilty in 2015 to stealing €132,355 from Nordzucker Ireland Ltd between July 2013 and February 2014. Judge Patrick McCartan imposed a wholly suspended two‑year sentence, requiring her to stay out of trouble and make full restitution within ten years. The Court of Appeal upheld this sentence, rejecting the Director of Public Prosecutions' appeal that it was unduly lenient. The appeal cited the ingenuity of the theft, its connection to a prior €90,000 theft that had been fully repaid, and the significant breach of trust. The court noted McAuley's youth, self‑reporting, early guilty plea, remorse, partial restitution, and her status as an accomplished musician. It modified the repayment schedule, setting 30 % of the debt due within five years, another 30 % within seven‑and‑a‑half years, and the balance by ten years, with €30,000 already paid and €102,000 outstanding.
Shane Rowan, aged 39, from Forest Park, Killygordan, County Donegal, was charged at an out-of-hours sitting of the Special Criminal Court with possession of three assault rifles and associated ammunition discovered at Tuiterath, Balrath, Slane, County Meath on March 9th, 2016. The charges include possession of a Chinese Type 56, a Romanian PM63 and a Zastava M70 rifle, together with nine magazines and 75 rounds of 7.62 by 39mm calibre ammunition. Mr Rowan was additionally charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army. Detective Sergeant Padraig Boyce of the Special Detective Unit said Mr Rowan was arrested in Drogheda under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and made no reply when cautioned or shown the charge sheet. Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding with Judge Martin Nolan and Judge William Hamill, remanded Mr Rowan in custody pending mention on March 16th.
Thomas Murphy, aged 66, from Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, County Louth, has been found guilty of nine counts of tax evasion at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. The three-judge court determined that Murphy failed to furnish returns of income to the Collector General or Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996 to 2004, despite conducting substantial farming operations. Evidence presented during the 32-day trial included testimony from Department of Agriculture staff, managers at cattle marts in Roscommon, Ballyjamesduff, Kingscourt and Elphin, meat factory representatives, and Criminal Assets Bureau investigators. The court heard that Murphy received over €100,000 in farming grants and conducted cattle transactions exceeding €500,000 across various livestock marts. Murphy's defence, that his brother Patrick controlled the farming activities, was rejected by the judges. Forensic analysis of a bank account operated in Murphy's name revealed significant financial activity. Murphy was remanded on continuing bail pending sentencing on 12 February 2016.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 26‑year‑old Amy McAuley of Ledwidge Hall, Slane pleaded guilty to stealing €132,355 from Nordzucker Ireland Ltd between 23 July 2013 and 26 February 2014. The thefts were carried out while she was a credit controller on maternity leave, using the distributor's bank details to divert client payments. McAuley later admitted the crimes to her father, who helped transfer €10,000 back to the company. She claimed she used part of the stolen money to repay €91,113 she had taken from a previous employer to support her family. The court noted her repeated offending but also her willingness to repay, and Judge Patrick McCartan imposed a two‑year suspended sentence, suspended for ten years, with a requirement to continue repayments. The sentence was not to be enforced unless she failed to meet the repayment plan.
The trial of Thomas Murphy, 66, of Ballybinaby, Hackballscross, Co Louth, for alleged tax evasion is ongoing at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to nine charges alleging that he failed to furnish returns of his income, profits, or gains to the Collector General or Inspector of Taxes for the years 1996/97 to 2004. The prosecution, acting on an investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau, contends that although Murphy conducted significant dealings in cattle and land and received farming grants, he did not report this income to Revenue. During proceedings, the court heard evidence from Vincent Murray, a former procurement manager at Newgrange Meats in Slane, County Meath. Murray provided records indicating that a man named Thomas Murphy supplied cattle to the factory. Specifically, the court was shown records stating that on October 18, 2004, twenty-two cattle were slaughtered, supplied by Thomas Murphy of Ballybinaby. Two cheques totaling over €15,000, made payable to Thomas Murphy, were exhibited to the three-judge court. Defense counsel John Kearney QC suggested to the witness that the signatures on the back of these cheques were clearly different from the defendant's signature, a point Murray agreed with. The trial, which was adjourned before lunch, will resume on Tuesday.
Thomas McDonagh, aged 21, was jailed for three years after hijacking a taxi on 27 March 2012 in Dublin. He forced the driver to take him and his 16‑year‑old cousin Bernard McDonagh into the vehicle. The taxi later crashed near Slane Castle in County Meath, killing Bernard hours after the collision. McDonagh suffered serious injuries, including a broken spine and brain damage, and now has epilepsy and other medical problems. He was already on bail for a 2011 robbery and had a six‑year sentence for that offence. Judge Mary Ellen Ring suspended the last two years of a five‑year sentence on the condition that McDonagh engage with Probation Services after release. The sentence runs consecutively to the sentence he is currently serving. The court heard McDonagh apologized and expressed remorse, and noted his history of ten previous convictions, including robbery.
In 2012, Thomas McDonagh, aged 21, hijacked a taxi on Tyrconnell Road, Inchicore, using force or threat of force. His cousin, Bernard McDonagh, 16, was also in the vehicle. After the hijacking, the taxi crashed into another car near Slane Castle, County Meath. Bernard died from his injuries hours later; Thomas suffered serious injuries, including a broken spine and brain bleeding, and now has epilepsy and other medical issues. The incident was reported to Gardaí, who described the hijackers and the taxi. Thomas was arrested six months later, admitted the hijacking, apologized, and expressed remorse. He has ten prior convictions, including robbery, and was remanded in custody for sentencing on December 9. The court adjourned sentencing to await guidelines on hijacking cases. The case is pending sentencing.
A truck driver, Gavin John Maloney, 34, was extradited by the Irish High Court to the UK to face questioning over alleged unpaid VAT on cigarettes worth about £1.06 million that were seized from his truck. Maloney, who lives in Creewood, Slane, was detained by UK police, released on bail, and then absconded. His lawyers argued for bail during transfer, citing delays in executing the arrest warrant and his family responsibilities. The court noted the seriousness of the alleged offence and that Maloney was aware of his legal obligation to return. Maloney stated he intended to contest the charges and that he could not afford to travel to London for questioning. The judge acknowledged the personal hardship the extradition would cause but upheld the extradition order. The seizure involved 32 pallets of 6.4 million cigarettes.
Swords District Court heard three matters. Gary McQuillian, 23, pleaded guilty to being drunk and a source of danger after jumping onto a moving taxi's bonnet. Judge Dermot Dempsey applied Section 1.1 of the Probation Act, meaning McQuillian escaped a conviction. Ronan Healy, 34, pleaded guilty to drink driving after failing to stop at a junction, causing a squad car to brake to avoid a collision. Healy, who has four previous convictions including one for drink driving, was convicted, disqualified from driving, and fined €600. Sam Maughan, 19, pleaded guilty to being intoxicated and using threatening and abusive behaviour at a Debs Ball. Maughan, who has 22 previous convictions, was remanded on continuing bail to appear before Court 5 at the Criminal Courts of Justice on November 21st to have a suspended sentence re-entered. The court noted Maughan had threatened Gardaí and had to be restrained by door staff. All defendants were represented by solicitors, and evidence was presented by Gardaí Brian Morrissey, Lucy Woods, and Daniel Rogers.