A veteran security volunteer, Frank Purcell, who claimed he was dismissed by the Augustinian Order for warning church officials about 'rogue' relic traders, has been ruled ineligible to pursue an employment rights claim by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The WRC found it has no jurisdiction to hear Purcell's complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977. Purcell's representative stated he was 'summarily dismissed without any reason or basis' after 16 years of volunteering. The church's legal team argued the dismissal followed a complaint by church-goers. Frank McDonnell of the Limerick Council of Trade Unions claimed Purcell was 'very badly treated' after 16 years of service, with no explanation for his dismissal. John Monaghan BL, representing the Order, noted Purcell's WRC complaint stated his weekly wages as '€0.00', arguing there was no employment relationship. Adjudication officer Peter O'Brien concluded there was no evidence of an employment contract and dismissed the complaint, stating Purcell had no legal standing to pursue the case.
A brave Paddy Power worker helped unmask a repeat robber by pulling at his face covering during a raid, enabling gardaí to identify him from CCTV. Charles Darcy, who has 64 previous convictions, claims to have undergone a "sea change" and wants to attend drug treatment. He pleaded guilty to robbery of car keys and unauthorised taking of a car and robbery at Paddy Power. Judge Jonathan Dunphy said he was not prepared to "roll the dice" by immediately releasing Darcy to attend residential treatment. He ordered a probation report and adjourned the case until October 9 for finalisation. The court heard that Darcy had a significant poly-substance addiction problem and these crimes were committed to get money to fuel that addiction. He has a difficult history and has been in and out of custody since he was a young man. He has had a recent awakening with the help of his sister, who is committed to helping put him on the right track.
Derek Boyd, 31, was sentenced to life imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of Mark Carroll, 34, at a north Dublin home on June 9, 2024. The jury unanimously rejected the defence of self-defence, finding Boyd guilty after a trial where he had pleaded not guilty. Justice Melanie Greally described the killing as senseless and motiveless, noting Boyd was serving the suspended portion of a prior manslaughter sentence for his sister's death when the offence occurred. The court ordered that Boyd's suspended sentence for the 2022 manslaughter be referred back to the Circuit Court for re-entry. The State entered a nolle prosequi on a separate charge of assault causing harm against Boyd. Chantelle Harcourt, 34, who pleaded not guilty to impeding Boyd's prosecution, remains subject to that charge; the jury recorded a disagreement on the related counts, meaning the matter was not concluded. The victim's family described Boyd as a monster in an emotional impact statement. Boyd's sentence dates from August 5, 2025.
Simon O'Donovan, a 44-year-old National Museum employee, appeared before the Special Criminal Court at the trial stage, where he was remanded in custody until October 5. O'Donovan is alleged to have knowingly possessed an improvised explosive device on July 22 in Chapelizod, Dublin 10, contrary to the Explosive Substances Act 1883. He remains unrepresented, as his solicitor could not accept instructions due to a legal aid strike. The judge noted that O'Donovan's previous bail application was refused and stated that a second application would require a change of circumstances, such as legal representation. O'Donovan expressed his desire to reapply for bail at the earliest chance. The court indicated that the next procedural step is the service of the book of evidence. In connection with the same investigation, Isobella Perrie Sullivan, a 25-year-old law student, was charged with possession of explosives at a special sitting of Trim District Court. Police alleged that O'Donovan handed a bag containing 394g of Semtex, a timer, and a detonator to Sullivan, who then transported it to Carrickmacross. No plea, finding, or sentence was recorded for either accused at this stage.
A Dublin man, Simon O'Donovan, has been denied bail following a charge of possession of an explosive device in connection with the alleged discovery of a bomb in a car in Co Monaghan. The court heard that the device was allegedly stored in the National Museum at Collins' Barracks where O'Donovan worked. Gardai believe that if O'Donovan were released on bail, he would engage in acts to further the objectives of the dissident Republican group, the New IRA. O'Donovan was arrested after a car carrying the device was stopped on the N2. The device contained 394g of Semtex, a timer switch, and a viable detonator. Gardai objected to bail, citing the risk of O'Donovan interfering with the investigative process and continuing to engage in IRA operational activity. The court ruled that no bail conditions would allay the concerns of gardai and refused bail. A 25-year-old woman, Isobella Perrie Sullivan, was also charged in relation to the same incident and remanded in custody.
A retired Irish‑speaking Garda sergeant from Donegal, Paul Wallace, has been granted permission by the High Court to challenge the Garda Commissioner's refusal to reinstate his Ghaeltacht allowance, which he claims costs him €249.38 a month in pension payments. Wallace, who served as a Garda from 1985 and was promoted to sergeant in 1993, was allocated to several stations in Gaeltacht areas, including Glencolmcille and Bun Beag, and later to Letterkenny. He received the allowance for four years from 2003 and applied for its restoration in 2007, but was refused because Letterkenny was not designated as a Gaeltacht area at that time. He argues the Commissioner erred in law by failing to consider all relevant factors and by treating Letterkenny unfairly. The case, his second this year, was adjourned to November by Justice Mary Rose Gearty after a judicial review was granted by Paul McGarry SC.
Joseph Gifford, a 40-year-old man with 134 previous convictions, has been jailed for 20 months for stealing a tourist's motorbike in Dublin. Gifford pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to taking the motorbike from QPark on May 13, 2024. The victim had arrived in Ireland on a ferry from the Isle of Man and parked his motorbike in the car park. The following morning, he discovered his bike was missing. Gardai obtained CCTV footage showing four individuals entering the car park, with three wearing masks and gloves. Gifford was identified as the fourth person. The motorbike was recovered the next day but was written off. Gifford was arrested in March 2025 and admitted to the crime, but refused to identify the other individuals. The court heard that Gifford has a long-standing addiction issue and is a vulnerable person. His defence highlighted his remorse and willingness to address his addiction. Judge Martina Baxter noted the aggravating factors, including Gifford's extensive criminal history, and sentenced him to 32 months in prison, with the final 12 months suspended for two years.
Mohammad Rehman, a British national, has been jailed for helping serious criminals escape after they attacked a Tallaght home and beat a man with a hammer during a drug-related dispute. Rehman arrived in Ireland the previous day with plans to set up a mobile valeting business. He pleaded guilty to driving the vehicle involved in an aggravated burglary to and from the scene. The court heard that the attack was caused by a drugs transaction that went wrong. Rehman was not involved in the attack and did not get out of the car. He had no previous convictions and the judge noted that he had tested negative for drugs while in custody. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Rehman to three and a half years in prison, backdated to when he went into custody, for helping serious criminals escape.
A preliminary hearing at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) was adjourned in a dispute between Frank Purcell, Purcell's Wrc, and the Augustinian Order. Mr. Purcell, a volunteer security officer at St Augustine's Church in Limerick City, filed a complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, alleging he was dismissed after warning church authorities that "rogues" intended to sell "fake relics." The Augustinian Order's legal representatives objected to the tribunal hearing the substance of the case, arguing that Mr. Purcell had no standing under employment legislation because he was unpaid, with his WRC form listing gross weekly wages as €0.00. They contended the matter was not an employment issue but a dispute between parties. Mr. Purcell's counsel countered that the Protected Disclosures Act recognizes volunteers and that Mr. Purcell suffered penalisation for his disclosure after 16 years of service. Adjudication Officer Peter O'Brien noted the lack of compensation evidence and suggested the issue might be better resolved outside an industrial relations tribunal. The officer invited written legal submissions on the respondent's objection and closed the hearing, meaning the matter was adjourned rather than concluded.
Sean Monaghan was jailed for three years after pleading guilty to eight counts of indecent assault against his younger sister in their family home in 1962 and 1963.
A 72-year-old man from Castleblayney, County Monaghan, has had his eight-year prison sentence reduced to six and a half years following a successful appeal at the Court of Appeal. The man pleaded guilty to fifteen counts of indecent assault against three of his siblings, commencing in the 1970s and 1980s when the victims were aged between nine and fourteen. The original sentencing judge imposed consecutive sentences to reflect the serious and persistent nature of the offending. However, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy found an error in principle, stating it was not apparent the totality principle had been properly applied. The court quashed the original sentence and resentenced accordingly. The three victims waived their right to anonymity in impact statements describing their upbringing as a "house of horrors.
A man from Belmullet, County Mayo has failed in a discrimination claim brought before the Workplace Relations Commission following a meeting about employment with the Erris Chamber of Commerce in April 2025. James Monaghan alleged that during a discussion with the chamber's chairman, Brian Bakeberg, he faced inappropriate questions concerning his age, nationality, gender expression and personal habits. He also claimed he was told to cut his hair as a condition of employment. Mr Bakeberg disputed that a formal interview took place, characterising the encounter as a brief informal chat. He explained that questions about age were relevant to eligibility for community employment schemes, while other remarks were made in attempting to establish rapport. Adjudicator Conor Stokes rejected all grounds of the complaint, finding no evidence of discrimination relating to age, nationality or gender expression. The case was heard online on 8 January 2026.
A man convicted of sexually abusing three of his siblings has appealed his eight-year sentence as disproportionate. Gerry Harte, aged 72, of Tullynacrunat North, Castleblayney, County Monaghan, pleaded guilty to 15 counts of indecent assault against two younger sisters and a younger brother during the 1970s and 1980s. The Central Criminal Court imposed the sentence in October 2024. At the Court of Appeal, Harte's counsel argued the sentence breached proportionality principles, as the original charges fell under legislation carrying a maximum term of two years. The defence contended that imposing consecutive sentences both within and across victims effectively circumvented the statutory ceiling, resulting in a sentence four times the legal maximum. The Director of Public Prosecutions countered that the trial judge properly considered each victim's circumstances and the persistent nature of the offending. Justice Isobel Kennedy reserved judgment on the appeal.
A man from Belmullet, County Mayo, has brought a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission alleging gender discrimination and breaches of the Employment Equality Act 1998 during a meeting with the Erris Chamber of Commerce in April 2025. James Monaghan claims he was asked inappropriate questions about his national background, age, and smoking and alcohol habits, and was told cutting his hair was a condition of employment. The Chamber's chairman, Brian Bakeberg, disputed these characterisations, stating the encounter was a casual discussion rather than a formal interview, and that remarks about hair were contextual comments about hair loss rather than discriminatory conditions. He denied asking direct questions about Mr Monaghan's nationality or making employment contingent on grooming standards. The adjudication officer, Conor Stokes, concluded the hearing and indicated a written decision would follow in the coming weeks.
A man from County Monaghan has been sentenced to four years imprisonment following his conviction for sexual assault. James Rafferty, aged 21 and from Gola, Scotstown, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to sexually assaulting a female acquaintance on 14 August 2022. The assault occurred as the victim walked home after socialising. Justice Eileen Creedon described the offence as extremely serious and persistent, noting that Rafferty repeatedly assaulted the woman despite her resistance and explicit refusals. The court heard he initially denied the allegations to gardaí before later accepting the incident occurred. A Probation Service report indicated Rafferty has accepted the victim's account and acknowledged his behaviour was inappropriate. The final year of his sentence has been suspended on condition he engages with probation services for offence awareness work. Rafferty has no previous convictions.
A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to three years in custody at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for the violent robbery of an off-duty garda in the Camden Road area on 22 January 2024. Evan Ward of Navan Road, Dublin 7, pleaded guilty to the offence. CCTV footage presented at sentencing showed Ward and a juvenile accomplice attacking the garda in the early morning hours, with Ward delivering multiple punches to the victim's head before both assailants stole items including the garda's official identification badge, two passports, bank cards, mobile phones, and car keys. The victim was left unconscious on the ground. Ward admitted he was under the influence of cocaine at the time. He has 57 previous convictions. The court heard evidence of significant childhood mental health difficulties and recent diagnosis of schizophrenic spectrum disorder. The judge imposed a four-year sentence with the final year suspended on condition of continued psychiatric care. The juvenile co-accused received a deferred 22-month detention sentence earlier this year.
Sean Cullen, aged 22, of Hope Avenue, East Wall, Dublin 3, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of criminal damage and one count of common assault. The charges related to incidents at the Fairview DART Depot on 25 September 2021, where he pepper-sprayed an Irish Rail employee during a confrontation, and to graffiti damage caused to train carriages at multiple locations between February 2020 and November 2021. The total damage caused amounted to €60,914, with Irish Rail estimating additional costs of €40,000. The injured employee sustained a swollen face and back injury but has since made a full recovery. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a four-year sentence, fully suspended, on condition that Cullen does not reoffend. The judge noted Cullen's remorse, his current employment as an apprentice electrician, and the €2,000 restitution offered to the victim. No further offences have been recorded since his arrest.
A 22-year-old man has pleaded guilty to criminal damage and assault following incidents at Irish Rail facilities in Dublin. Sean Cullen, of East Wall, Dublin 3, admitted two counts of criminal damage and one count of common assault under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The court heard that Cullen caused over €60,000 in damage through graffiti on train carriages, with Irish Rail indicating an additional €40,000 in costs. During a September 2021 incident at Fairview DART Depot, an Irish Rail employee was pepper-sprayed and sustained injuries including facial swelling and back pain whilst confronting Cullen and another man acting suspiciously. The employee subsequently recovered fully. Cullen was identified through CCTV and forensic fingerprint analysis linking him to further incidents at Docklands and Connolly stations. Judge Martin Nolan remanded Cullen in custody pending sentencing on 18 July, noting the defendant "deserves a salutary lesson". The defence noted Cullen's previous good work history as an apprentice electrician and requested a probation report and community service assessment.
At the High Court, Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty granted an application for leave brought by Paul McGarry SC for retired Donegal garda sergeant Paul Wallace, adjourning the matter to October. Mr Wallace, of Burtonport, is seeking judicial review against the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána over their alleged failure to determine his January 2023 application to restore his Gaeltacht allowance. He claims this inaction breaches fair procedures and prevents him from pursuing internal appeals. Mr Wallace alleges that his pension entitlements are affected, resulting in a claimed loss of €8,708.17 from his gratuity and €249.38 monthly from his pension. He states he served in Gaeltacht areas, including Glencolmcille and Bun Beag, and later in Letterkenny, which was designated a 'Gaeltacht service town' in 2020. Despite reapplying in 2023, he retired in March 2024 without a decision. The court did not conclude the case; it was adjourned.
A man accused of conspiring to steal vehicles with garda killer Aaron Brady has been refused bail ahead of his retrial at the Special Criminal Court. James Flynn, aged 43, with an address in Newry, County Down, faced objections from gardaí who contended he poses a flight risk. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, presiding over the three-judge, non-jury court, noted that Mr Flynn holds citizenship of the United Kingdom and the United States and has established businesses in both jurisdictions. The judge cited evidence of his financial capacity to evade justice and rejected submissions that his ties to the Republic of Ireland are sufficiently substantial. Proposed bail conditions, including residence with his mother-in-law in Monaghan, did not allay the court's concerns regarding the seriousness of the charges and the probable sentence upon conviction. The Court of Appeal previously quashed Mr Flynn's conviction on the conspiracy charge and ordered a retrial, finding the Special Criminal Court had breached his constitutional right to natural justice by amending the indictment without consulting legal representatives.
At the Special Criminal Court, Det Inspector Mark Phillips raised concerns about potential witness intimidation if James Flynn (34) is released on bail. He detailed incidents during Aaron Brady's trial for the murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe in 2020, including alleged attempts by James Flynn's father, Eugene Flynn Snr, to intimidate witnesses and jurors. Det Insp Phillips also highlighted alleged intimidation by Tony Brady, Aaron Brady's father, and an associate who sent a Snapchat message to a witness. Aaron Brady has pleaded guilty to conspiring with another man to dissuade a vital prosecution witness from giving evidence at his trial. The court heard that James Flynn was extradited from the UK in 2022 and has access to significant funds. He was originally charged with conspiracy to steal cars and participation in the robbery of the Lordship Credit Union, where Aaron Brady killed Det Gda Donohoe. The Special Criminal Court acquitted Flynn of the robbery charge but found him guilty of conspiring to steal a Volkswagen Passat used as a getaway car. The Court of Appeal previously ruled that the amendment of the indictment against Flynn was a breach of his right to natural justice. Defence counsel Bernard Condon argued that there is no evidence linking Flynn to witness interference or flight risk and that Flynn has no connection to Tony Brady. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor adjourned the decision to tomorrow morning.
A Nigerian woman has been sentenced to three years' imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to making false statements to gardaí. The 34-year-old woman arrived at Store Street Garda Station in October 2019 claiming she had been trafficked to Ireland and forced into prostitution. Over subsequent months, she provided five statements detailing her alleged captivity in Balbriggan. Gardaí conducted an extensive investigation spanning hundreds of hours, including searches of the area and CCTV analysis. Investigation ultimately revealed the account was fabricated. Handwriting experts linked documentation found in her hostel accommodation and a discovered diary to the woman. Evidence from bank records and CCTV footage contradicted her narrative. The woman, previously resident in Carrickmacross, Monaghan, pleaded guilty to three counts of knowingly making false statements between October 2019 and December 2020. Judge Ronan Munro described her actions as premeditated and calculated, noting they diverted resources from genuine victims and undermined legitimate trafficking complaints.
A migrant farm labourer, Sruh Ak, claims he was underpaid and overworked at Tiernaneill Mushrooms Ltd. He says his employer's timesheets under‑reported his hours, while his own records, including timestamped selfies, show he worked up to 60‑hour weeks and over 77 hours in a single seven‑day period. Ms Pretty Ndawo, an advocate from the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland, presented evidence that the company's recorded hours for a week starting 23 March 2024 were 37, whereas Ak's records show 60.77 hours, with wages paid at €522 based on the lower figure. The company's representative, Peter Dunlea, explained that pay was calculated on a "pick rate" rather than hourly, and that a clock‑in system, the I‑Grow system, was not used during Ak's employment. The tribunal adjourned the case for an in‑person hearing, noting the complexity of the evidence and the lack of a clock‑in system.
A remote worker from Monaghan brought a complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission against her employer, PFH Technology Group Ltd, regarding her redundancy payment. The complainant, who had worked as a scheduler and administrative assistant since October 2018 and was based remotely, received notice in April 2024 requiring her to relocate to the company's Cork office within four weeks. She stated this was impossible given her Monaghan residence and that no alternative arrangements were discussed. She subsequently took stress leave, and in July was presented with a termination agreement described as a gesture of goodwill. The employer's representative confirmed that a statutory redundancy payment of €7,788 had been correctly calculated and paid in September 2024, and submitted that other grievances fell outside the scope of redundancy legislation. Adjudicating officer Una Glazier-Farmer said she would issue her decision by email in due course.
A 59-year-old man from Dunfanaghy, County Donegal has been sentenced to 11 years imprisonment following his conviction for the sexual abuse of two teenage girls over two decades ago. Andrew Robert John McElhinney was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury on seven of nine counts following trial in Monaghan last July. He was convicted of three counts of sexual assault and three sample counts of rape relating to the first complainant, and one count of sexual assault against the second. The offences occurred between May 1998 and September 2000 and took place predominantly in McElhinney's home. At the time, the victims were approximately 14 and 16 years old, while McElhinney was 19 years their senior. Justice Patrick McGrath imposed the sentence having regard to the serious and lasting impact on the victims, the breach of trust involved, the age disparity, and the repeated nature of the abuse. The judge noted McElhinney's lack of cooperation with probation services and his continued assertion of innocence despite the jury verdict.
A man accused of murdering his partner at their County Meath home in August 2022 told gardaí during interview that he pushed and hit her following a dispute over a gathering at their residence, the Central Criminal Court has heard. Daniel Blanaru, aged 37, from Rathboy, Athboy, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Larisa Serban, aged 26, on or about 12 August 2022. During his first interview at Ashbourne Garda Station on 12 August 2022, Mr Blanaru stated through an interpreter that he discovered his partner hosting a party with her brother and another man when he returned home from Navan. He described an altercation in which physical contact occurred, claiming the other man intervened. Mr Blanaru told detectives he subsequently travelled to Drogheda and contacted gardaí, learning thereafter that Ms Serban had died. The trial, before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of fifteen, continues.
A second jury failed to reach a verdict in the trial of Ciara Kelleher (53), the former senior portfolio relationship manager of Custom House Capital Ltd (CHC), who was accused of conspiring with others to defraud investors, clients, and customers of CHC by intentionally misleading them as to where or how their assets had been placed between October 2008 and July 2011. Kelleher, of Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin 7, denied the charge. The case was adjourned to February 27 for the prosecution to obtain further directions, with Kelleher remanded on continuing bail to that date. Meanwhile, CHC's former CEO Harry Cassidy (69), along with former head of private clients John Whyte (55), former head of finance Paul Lavery (49), and non-executive director John Mulholland (75) had previously pleaded guilty to related charges. Cassidy was sentenced to six years and ten months, Whyte to four years, Lavery to three years, and Mulholland to 12 months at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court almost two years ago. The court heard that €56 million of client money had been inappropriately transferred to property investments, with €61 million found to have been misappropriated, of which €39 million has been recovered as of March 2023.
Jason Paget, aged 38, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on charges of possessing stolen property taken from a Dublin 8 apartment on 6 December 2021. The items included a motorised skateboard and headphones belonging to a young woman whose home was broken into. Paget pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of stolen property. Judge Patricia Ryan noted aggravating circumstances, including that Paget was on bail for 25 matters and serving a suspended sentence at the time of the offence. The judge imposed the sentence with a backdated commencement of 23 March 2023. Paget, currently imprisoned at the Midlands, has an extensive criminal history including convictions for aggravated sexual assault and aggravated burglary dating to 2003, when he was 16 years old.
Niall Power, who pleaded guilty to the murder of Irene White in Dundalk nearly two decades ago, has been granted legal aid to pursue a psychiatrist's assessment as part of his appeal against conviction. Power was the second man sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime. Anthony Lambe of Annadrumman, Castleblayney, County Monaghan, received a life sentence in January 2018 after admitting to carrying out the fatal stabbing. Power handed himself in to gardaí the day after Lambe's sentencing. Both men claimed to be acting on instructions from a third party. At the Court of Appeal, Power's legal team indicated they intend to challenge the conviction on grounds that he was experiencing mental health difficulties at the time of his guilty plea. Mr Justice John Edwards adjourned the matter to 14 March, directing that an affidavit outlining the grounds for extending time to appeal must be filed beforehand. The judge approved legal aid for psychiatric assessment to establish Power's mental state upon admission to custody.
Two men have been convicted and jailed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for demanding €41,000 from a father by threatening him over debts allegedly incurred by his son. Alan Fitzsimons, aged 47, with addresses in Sutton, Dublin and Lisduff, Castleblayney, County Monaghan, received a sentence of four years and ten months. Dominic Dynes, aged 53, also of Castleblayney, was sentenced to six and a half years imprisonment. Both men pleaded guilty to demanding money with menace in November 2021. The victim was told his son owed money to dangerous individuals and subsequently received multiple calls pressuring payment. After raising €41,000 through a loan and family borrowings, he handed the sum to the defendants. Judge Martin Nolan described the conduct as sinister, noting it represents a concerning trend whereby criminals impose debts incurred by individuals onto their families. The judge acknowledged neither defendant employed physical violence, yet the victim clearly understood the serious threats implied. Gardaí intervened after the victim alerted them, observing a final collection attempt where €3,000 was seized.
Adjudicator David James Murphy of the Workplace Relations Commission dismissed an unfair dismissal claim brought by Gabor Hoff against Lidl Ireland Gmbh. Hoff, a deputy logistics manager at the Charleville distribution centre, was dismissed on 16 December 2022. Lidl alleged that on 20 October 2022, Hoff remarked to two female workers that the warehouse work was too physical for women and that he did not hire females for such roles. Hoff disputed the accuracy of these statements, claiming they were taken out of context and that he did not intend offence. However, Lidl presented evidence that Hoff was already on a final written warning for previous suggestive comments and had recently completed dignity at work training. The adjudicator found it reasonable to infer that the female complainant was offended, noting her formal complaint and visible distress. Considering Hoff's prior disciplinary history and the unacceptable nature of the alleged comments, the adjudicator concluded that dismissal was a reasonable response available to the employer. Consequently, the claim was found not well founded, and Hoff lost his challenge to the sacking.
Four men have been sent forward for trial before the Special Criminal Court on charges relating to a large-scale drug importation conspiracy. The accused are Kiumaars Ghabiri and Ali Ghasemi, both from the Netherlands; Mario Angel Del Rio Sans, originally from Spain; and Sean Curran of Clones, County Monaghan. They are charged with conspiring to import controlled drugs valued in excess of €13,000 between late February and mid-March 2024, contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo ordered the matter be tried before the three-judge, non-jury court following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The transfer means the case will proceed without a jury panel.
A man convicted of murder in connection with the death of Dundalk woman Irene White in 2005 is pursuing an appeal, arguing he was suffering a mental breakdown when he pleaded guilty. Niall Power, aged 51 and formerly of Riverstown, Co Louth, was sentenced to life imprisonment in July 2019 after admitting to his role in arranging the killing. Anthony Lambe, of Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, received a concurrent life sentence in 2018 for carrying out the fatal attack. At the Court of Appeal on Friday, Power's legal representatives indicated they would seek to have the guilty plea set aside on mental health grounds. Mr Justice John Edwards granted legal aid and directed that the matter be adjourned to January 17th to allow for the filing of formal documentation regarding an Enlargement of Time application, as the appeal window has expired. The court will subsequently address whether the plea should be withdrawn.
A man from Monaghan has been sentenced to four years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the rape of a teenager he had met for the first time. Shane McGovern, aged 31, approached the then 18-year-old outside a bar and offered him accommodation at his home. The victim later woke to find McGovern assaulting him. He feigned waking and left the property, reporting the incident to gardaí immediately. McGovern, of Mullaghmatt, Monaghan, pleaded guilty to anal rape on 20 May 2022. In sentencing, Mr Justice Paul McDermott acknowledged the victim's courage in reporting the crime and engaging with the justice system. The judge set a headline sentence of seven years and six months, applying significant mitigation for the early guilty plea. He imposed four years in prison with the final twelve months suspended, conditional on engagement with the Probation Service. A contact prohibition between McGovern and the victim was also imposed.
Gerry Harte, 71, was sentenced to eight years in prison at the Central Criminal Court after pleading guilty on a trial date to 15 counts of indecent assault. The court heard that Harte sexually abused his two younger sisters and younger brother during the 1970s and 1980s at their family home in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan. The victims, who waived anonymity, described growing up in a "house of horrors" and detailed the long-term psychological impact, including PTSD and anxiety. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath noted the offending was of a "gross kind" and marked the serious, persistent nature of the abuse by setting a global headline sentence of 11 years. However, the judge reduced the overall sentence to eight years to account for mitigation, specifically Harte's guilty plea and his lack of previous convictions. Defense counsel Michael O'Higgins SC highlighted Harte's remorse and rehabilitation, while the judge commended the victims for their dignity and courage in coming forward after decades. The matter was concluded with the imposition of this custodial sentence.
A Leaving Certificate supervisor from Monaghan has failed in a claim before the Workplace Relations Commission seeking over €1,600 in mileage expenses from the State Examinations Commission. Daniel Murphy alleged he was underpaid for travel to St Ciaran's Community School in Kells, County Meath, where he has supervised exams since 2021. He contended that driving via the N2 motorway was the only practical route to avoid potential delays from agricultural traffic on minor roads, yet his mileage claims were systematically reduced. The SEC maintained it could only reimburse the shortest distance according to Department of Finance regulations. Adjudicator Christina Ryan dismissed the complaint, ruling that mileage expenses fall outside the definition of wages covered by the Payment of Wages Act and therefore do not fall within the tribunal's jurisdiction.
A 37-year-old truck driver from County Fermanagh has been granted bail on appeal to the High Court following his arrest in a West Cork garda drugs operation. Sean Curran, with an address at Carrickyheenan, Aughnacloy, Enniskillen, was charged with conspiracy to import drugs valued at €13,000 or more under the Criminal Justice Act 2006. He was among ten men arrested in Cork in March 2024 during an investigation into an alleged sophisticated drugs trafficking operation. Mr Justice Karen O'Connor had refused his bail application in April, but Mr Justice Michael MacGrath overturned that decision on appeal today, finding the trial judge ought to have assessed Mr Curran's circumstances separately from his co-accused. Bail was granted subject to conditions including residence at a Monaghan address, daily signing at a local garda station, surrender of travel documents, provision of €15,000 independent surety, and a prohibition on leaving the State.
A man serving a life sentence for his role in the murder of Irene White in 2005 appeared before the Court of Appeal to report difficulties in advancing his appeal. Niall Power, aged 51, from Riverstown, County Louth, pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced in 2019. He was described as "the middle man" in arranging the killing of the 43-year-old woman at her home in Dundalk on 6 April 2005. Power told the court he has been unable to secure legal representation despite approaching approximately twenty or thirty solicitors. Court president Mr Justice George Birmingham noted that many solicitors on the legal aid panel actively seek work and adjourned proceedings to 6 December. Power indicated he had already experienced a two-and-a-half year period without representation. Anthony Lambe, who carried out the fatal stabbing, received a life sentence in 2018 after pleading guilty to the same offence.
A man who was apprehended taking photographs in a female toilet cubicle at Dublin Airport has been convicted and sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Arthur Fiks, aged 47, admitted assault causing harm and possession of child sexual abuse material following an incident at Terminal One on 28 June 2022. A woman discovered a mobile phone positioned beneath her cubicle door and retrieved it. When she emerged, Fiks attempted to reclaim the device, and during the altercation pulled hair from her scalp. Gardaí subsequently found over 300 child abuse images stored across multiple phones in his possession, including material depicting children aged between one and thirteen. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced Fiks to three and a half years imprisonment, with the final nine months suspended. The sentence was backdated to June 2022, when he entered custody. He was ordered to register as a sex offender and to leave the jurisdiction upon release. The court heard Fiks had recently arrived from Poland and had been employed as a farm worker in County Monaghan before losing his position.
Gerard Mackin, with a previous address at Rhebogue Road in Limerick, has failed in his appeal against a three-and-a-half year sentence for money laundering. The Court of Appeal dismissed the challenge on May 7th, 2024. Mackin had pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to possessing €4,780 as proceeds of criminal conduct, found wrapped in bubble wrap alongside two mobile phones, one capable of data encryption. His counsel argued the sentence was excessive and that insufficient credit had been given for his guilty plea, work history, and personal circumstances. However, Mr Justice John Edwards found the Special Criminal Court was entitled to consider Mackin's involvement in crime as significant rather than peripheral. The judge noted Mackin had provided false explanations regarding the money's source and rejected arguments that the 25 per cent reduction afforded was inadequate. The appeal against the severity of sentence was accordingly dismissed.
A Leaving Certificate supervisor has brought a complaint before the Workplace Relations Commission against the State Examinations Commission over mileage allowance deductions spanning three years. Daniel Murphy, from Monaghan, supervised exams at a school in Kells, County Meath, and claims he was underpaid by over €1,600 in total across 2021, 2022 and 2023 for mileage expenses. Mr Murphy stated he used the N2 route to ensure timely arrival for exam supervision, rather than minor back roads he considered impractical and subject to traffic delays. The SEC disputed the claims fell within the scope of the Payment of Wages Act 1991 and argued mileage should reflect the shortest available distance. Adjudicator Christina Ryan adjourned the hearing to consider whether the complaints were statute-barred and whether mileage allowances constitute wages under the relevant legislation before addressing the substantive complaint. A decision will be issued in writing to both parties.
Eugene Hanratty Snr, 65, of Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, will remain in custody after the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeals against conviction and sentence. He was convicted by a jury in October 2022 of assault causing harm to neighbour Martin McAllister in November 2012, an incident that left Mr McAllister with multiple broken facial bones and permanent loss of peripheral vision. Hanratty Snr, who pleaded not guilty, had been sentenced to three years' imprisonment, comprising a headline sentence of five years reduced by one year in mitigation and a further year suspended. Mr Justice Birmingham, presiding over the appeal, stated the headline sentence was "entirely understandable" and the mitigation "generous," finding no basis to deem the sentence unduly severe. The court also rejected the defence argument that the trial judge erred by treating the lack of a guilty plea as an aggravating factor, noting this is deeply embedded in jurisprudence. Additionally, the court deprecated the "developing practice" of defence applications to withdraw cases from juries as a matter of course, affirming the trial judge was correct to refuse such an application. The appeals were dismissed, leaving the original conviction and sentence intact.
Eugene Hanratty Snr (65), of Castleblayney Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, is appealing his conviction for assault causing harm at Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, on November 24, 2012. He pleaded not guilty but was convicted by a jury following a trial in October 2022 and sentenced to three years in prison. The matter was adjourned at the Court of Appeal, with Mr Justice George Birmingham reserving his decision. Defence counsel Sean Guerin SC argued the conviction should be overturned due to prosecution failings, including lost forensic evidence, a broken chain of custody regarding a jacket, and the failure to interview Hanratty Snr or his son, Eugene Jnr. The State, represented by Garret McCormack BL, countered that these issues did not warrant removing the case from the jury, noting the trial judge had properly considered the evidence. At sentencing, Judge Melanie Greally described the attack as unprovoked and premeditated, noting Hanratty Snr stamped on the victim's arm knowing he was a musician. The judge set a headline sentence of five years, reduced it by one year, and suspended the final year for 12 months, resulting in an effective custody period of two years. Hanratty Snr was also ordered to have no contact with the victims for 10 years. In a separate 2016 trial, Eugene Hanratty Jnr was acquitted of joint enterprise charges related to the same incident.
A 61-year-old former scout leader has been sentenced to six years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following his guilty plea to three counts of sexual assault committed between 1991 and 2000. The man, whose identity is protected to safeguard victims' anonymity, abused three boys aged between 11 and 14 at a scouting den in Dublin and at locations in Waterford and Monaghan. The abuse included inappropriate touching, masturbation and oral sex. Judge Martin Nolan described the defendant's conduct as "very serious" and "very reprehensible," noting he had abused his position of trust and authority over vulnerable, impressionable children and their families. The court imposed three-year sentences on each count, with two to run consecutively. Three victim impact statements were presented, with victims describing long-term psychological harm, damaged trust and ongoing mental health difficulties. The defence highlighted the defendant's guilty plea, work history and psychological assessment indicating low re-offending risk, though the judge found these factors provided only limited mitigation.
Darren Martin, aged 48, of Bride Road, Dublin 8, has been sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following his guilty pleas to two robberies of elderly women in March 2022. The offences occurred in Dublin 8, where Martin targeted women in their 80s on consecutive days, snatching handbags and a walking stick. Judge Elma Sheahan noted that Martin had robbed the victims not only of property but of their peace of mind. Martin's previous convictions for robbery and other offences were cited as aggravating factors. The court heard evidence of the distress caused to both women. The defence noted Martin's struggles with drug addiction and mental health difficulties. Martin received credit for time already spent in custody.
The High Court has granted protective orders to Bio Marine Ingredients Ireland Ltd, marking the first time such relief has been awarded to a company undergoing the Small Company Administrative Rescue Process. Justice Michael Quinn made the orders on Wednesday, preventing creditors from pursuing legal proceedings against the Castleblayney-based marine bio-tech firm while it develops a rescue plan. The company, which employs eight staff at Lough Egish, faces claims exceeding €400,000 from creditors including its landlord Americold Ltd, Bord Gás, and various service providers. The court heard the firm's insolvency advisor found reasonable prospects of survival as a going concern. The dispute with the landlord over alleged lease forfeiture was set aside for separate determination. The company has secured additional investment through Rolling Wave to cover operational costs during the rescue period and expects increased sales from new customers.
At the ongoing inquest into the Stardust nightclub fire of February 1981, witnesses have testified that emergency exit doors were secured with chains and padlocks on the night of the blaze. A former employee stated that this practice of locking exits had been in place for up to two years prior to the fire, which occurred in the early hours of 14 February. He recalled hearing patrons cry out that doors were locked as the fire spread, and described how the crowd forced one door open to escape. Inside the premises, he heard sounds of people attempting to break through locked toilet windows without success. Another witness confirmed seeing a chain and lock wrapped around panic bars on an exit door that night. A third witness described the chaotic evacuation, recounting how she heard shouts that exits were locked as flames and thick smoke filled the venue. The inquest, taking place in Dublin District Coroner's Court, continues to examine the circumstances surrounding the disaster.
The Special Criminal Court has convicted James Flynn, an Armagh man, of conspiring with garda killer Aaron Brady to steal a Volkswagen Passat on 22 and 23 January 2013 at locations in County Louth. The vehicle is alleged to have been used in the robbery of Lordship Credit Union near Dundalk two days later, during which Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was murdered. Presiding Judge Tony Hunt, sitting with Judges Sarah Berkeley and Alan Mitchell, found the prosecution case consistent with the conspiracy charge, citing CCTV evidence and communication timings as circumstantial support. Flynn's co-accused, Brendan Treanor, was acquitted of conspiracy to commit burglary, the court determining insufficient evidence for conviction. The judges continue to deliver verdicts on the separate robbery charge against both men, who deny all allegations. Both defendants face charges relating to the €7,000 Lordship robbery and the wider conspiracy involving car thefts between September 2012 and January 2013. Brendan Treanor pleaded not guilty.
Richard Burke has been sentenced to fourteen years' imprisonment by the Central Criminal Court for the manslaughter of Jasmine McMonagle. The 32-year-old from Killygordon, County Donegal, was found guilty of manslaughter following Ms McMonagle's death on 4 January 2019 at Forest Park, Killygordon. Mr Justice Paul Burns determined that Burke's responsibility was substantially diminished by mental disorder, though he retained considerable culpability for the killing. The judge imposed a sentence of fifteen years with the final twelve months suspended for five years, backdated to Burke's initial custody. Burke must undergo psychiatric assessment before release and comply with prescribed medical treatment and probation requirements or face serving the suspended portion. Ms McMonagle, aged 28, was discovered deceased in her home following a three-hour standoff with gardaí. Her two young daughters were present in the house at the time but unharmed. The trial, held in Monaghan earlier in 2023, heard evidence from two psychiatrists regarding Burke's mental state at the time of the offence. The unnamed man was acquitted.
A notorious Limerick criminal, Gerard Mackin, has been jailed for three-and-a-half years after being convicted of laundering €4,780 as the proceeds of criminal behaviour at Rhebogue Road in Limerick on April 17, 2019. He also admitted to knowingly or recklessly handling, acquiring, and possessing the said property contrary to Section 7 of the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act of 2010. The court heard that Mackin, who has a previous conviction for assault causing harm, was extradited from Spain and pleaded guilty to the charges. The judge noted that the sum of money was at the lower end of the scale but emphasized the seriousness of the circumstances. The sentence was backdated to December 5, 2022, when Mackin first went into custody. In mitigation, the court was informed that Mackin had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and intended to turn his life around upon release. He plans to return to Spain with his family and has taken steps to address past issues, including having an implant inserted in 2020 to deal with alcoholism. The matter was adjourned following the sentence.