Daniel O'Callaghan (30) appeared before the Special Criminal Court charged with five offences relating to the theft of an ATM in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, in April and the attempted theft of an ATM in Virginia, Co Cavan, in August. He is alleged to have committed these offences for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organisation. O'Callaghan is also charged with offences under Sections 72 and 73 of the Criminal Justice Act. Presiding judge Ms Justice Tara Burns remanded O'Callaghan in custody until Monday, to allow for gardaí to carry out inquiries regarding the surety. Michael O'Donovan is also charged with the attempted theft of the ATM at The Riverfront Hotel, Main Street, Virginia Co Cavan, on August 14, 2019, for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organisation. The matter was adjourned and never described as concluded or finalised.
Four men have been granted bail by the Special Criminal Court following their appearance on charges relating to alleged ATM theft attempts across the border region. Gerard Duffy, aged 29, Ciaran Duffy, aged 26, and Stephen Duffy, aged 34, all from County Monaghan, along with Niall Finnegan, aged 38, from County Armagh, face charges under the Offences Against the State Act alleging involvement in a criminal organisation. The charges arise from investigations into attempted ATM thefts at Virginia, County Cavan, in August 2019 and Castleblayney, County Monaghan, in April 2019. Bail conditions imposed include residence at named addresses, passport surrender, daily reporting to Castleblayney Garda Station, curfew compliance, and prohibition on mutual contact except for legal purposes. The accused are also barred from contacting prospective witnesses. Justice Tony Hunt adjourned proceedings to November 2nd to allow preparation of the Book of Evidence.
Four men appeared before the Special Criminal Court on Tuesday charged with involvement in attempted ATM thefts across Cavan and Monaghan during 2019. Gerard Duffy, aged 29, Ciaran Duffy, aged 26, both of Greagh, Loughnamore, County Monaghan, Stephen Duffy, aged 34, of Castleblayney, and Niall Finnegan, aged 38, of County Armagh, face charges under the Offences Against the State Act. The accused are alleged to have participated in a criminal organisation linked to attempted thefts at Virginia and Castleblayney, and the unlawful movement and possession of cash. The charges carry dates spanning April 2019 and August 2019. Legal representatives indicated that bail would be sought for all defendants, with applications for free legal aid also filed. The court heard that gardaí required verification of proposed bail sureties. Justice Tony Hunt adjourned proceedings to 31 August to allow inspection of the sureties and confirmed that legal aid, if granted, would be backdated to the hearing date.
A 67-year-old Co Monaghan farmer has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, following his conviction for sexual assaults on his grandchildren. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard the abuse came to light in late 2014 when one child disclosed to her mother that her grandfather had exposed her to explicit material before committing a sexual assault. Two further grandchildren subsequently reported similar offences during sleepovers at his home. The man initially denied the allegations and attempted to shift blame to another family member. Judge Patricia Ryan described the victim impact statements as harrowing, noting the offences represented a profound breach of trust within a family setting where the children should have been safe. She acknowledged his previously good character but imposed the custodial sentence reflecting the severity of the crimes and their lasting impact on the victims.
Patrick Carter, of Coombe Court, Dublin city, was sentenced at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for his part in a violent 2009 knife attack on Patrick Fowler. Carter pleaded guilty to assault causing harm but had previously failed to appear on his sentence date, fleeing to the UK where he was later imprisoned for aggravated burglary before being extradited to Ireland. The court heard that on April 19, 2009, Carter and Gerard Howe assaulted Fowler in a restaurant on Dame Street. Fowler alleged that Howe slashed his face with a blade, causing severe injuries including exposed facial muscles and a permanent scar. Carter admitted his role in the assault, stating he intervened to help a friend. Judge Martin Nolan rejected defense arguments that Carter had changed, noting he should not benefit from evading justice. Carter received a two-year prison sentence, with the final nine months suspended on conditions of good behaviour and payment of €2,000 to the victim. The sentence was backdated to June 19 of the previous year. Gerard Howe, who was jailed in 2013 for the same offence, was not present for this sentencing.
The High Court has extended the bankruptcy of John Hoey, a farmer from Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, by eight years. Ms Justice Teresa Pilkington's decision means Mr Hoey will remain bankrupt until the end of February 2024. The extension was granted following findings that Mr Hoey had failed to cooperate with the Official Assignee, Chris Lehane, since an earlier judgment delivered in April. Mr Hoey's legal team argued that a document previously filed in 2016 constituted a statement of affairs, but the judge ruled this had no bearing on her findings. Mr Hoey was declared bankrupt in February 2016 following a petition by John Kelly Fuels Ltd for €262,000. He intends to appeal the court's ruling.
A man has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison following a series of attempted car thefts in a Dublin housing estate while under the influence of crack cocaine. Thomas Cahill Donohue, aged 35, pleaded guilty to twelve charges including burglary, attempted robbery, criminal damage, unlawful use of a vehicle, threatening behaviour and assault on gardaí at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. On 25 October 2019, Donohue approached multiple residents in the Whitethorn Walk estate in Lusk, making threats and attempting to take their vehicles while holding his pet chihuahua. Residents reported that he made violent threats towards them. Judge Martin Nolan imposed the sentence on Thursday, noting that whilst Donohue expressed a desire to reform and seek drug treatment, the seriousness of his conduct and the trauma caused to civilians and gardaí necessitated custodial punishment. The judge stated that substance abuse was no defence. The sentence was backdated to 1 January last.
A retired detective inspector giving evidence at the Central Criminal Court rejected claims that the garda investigation into the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was compromised by inadequate follow-up on key leads. The officer, who oversaw part of the inquiry, disputed suggestions of tunnel vision in the investigation. Aaron Brady, aged 28, from New Road, Crossmaglen, County Armagh, has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Detective Garda Donohoe on 25 January 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, County Louth, and to robbery of approximately €7,000 in cash and cheques on the same date and location. During cross-examination, the defence counsel questioned why gardai had not pursued certain lines of inquiry relating to alleged fuel laundering activities and phone records showing contact between Mr Brady and known diesel launderers on the day of the shooting. The retired inspector maintained that the murder investigation took precedence and that gardai had properly investigated the capital crime for which Mr Brady stands charged. The trial continues.
Ricardo De Freitas Correia, a 34-year-old Portuguese national with an address in Dublin 15, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to deception and theft offences. The charges related to incidents in May 2019 at retail locations in Blanchardstown, Clondalkin, Swords and Tallaght. Gardaí established that Correia had exploited a debit card processing vulnerability, removing cards when machines prompted him to do so, then swiping them again to complete purchases without entering PINs. He acquired approximately €400 worth of goods including a watch, video games, perfume and an electric toothbrush through this method. All property was recovered. The court heard Correia was acting under direction from another person. Judge Elma Sheahan described the offending as organised and noted Correia's considerable knowledge of circumventing security measures. She imposed a two-and-a-half-year sentence, fully suspended on condition of Probation Service supervision following completion of a sentence he was already serving.
The HSE has apologised and made an interim payment of €4.6m to Tadhg James McKenna, who brought a High Court medical negligence claim over the circumstances of his birth at Cavan General Hospital. Tadhg, who has cerebral palsy and requires constant care, had sued the HSE for alleged negligence and breach of duty of care during his delivery on August 31, 2017. Liability had previously been conceded in relation to breach of duty but causation was at issue. Following out of court talks, the matter was resolved. An apology was read before the High Court, where Cavan General Hospital and the HSE 'unreservedly apologised for the failings in care that caused the injuries sustained by Tadhg at birth and the consequential upset suffered' by the McKenna family. The court heard that Tadhg, of Sruth An Mhuillan, Emyvale, Co Monaghan, who had sued through his mother Emma Louise McKenna, suffers with seizures, respiratory attacks, fevers and requires constant medical care and monitoring. The HSE agreed that an interim payment of €4.6m should be made to provide for Tadhg's care. The boy's case will return before the court in five years time. The judge adjourned the matter to a date in June 2025.
The High Court ordered the extradition of Ronan Hughes, 40, to the United Kingdom to face 39 counts of manslaughter and one count of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. Mr Justice Paul Burns rejected Hughes' objection that the alleged offences occurred outside UK territory, ruling that the deaths of 39 Vietnamese nationals occurred within UK territorial waters and that the conspiracy was furthered in the UK. Hughes, from Co Monaghan, is alleged to be the ringleader of an organised crime group that trafficked the migrants. The court ordered his surrender to take effect on June 15, 2020, following a request by Counsel for the Minister for Justice to shorten the usual 15-day period. Hughes was remanded in custody for not more than 15 days. This decision follows his arrest in April 2020 under a European Arrest Warrant. The source text also references a separate Court of Appeal case involving Eamon Ronald Harrison, where judgment was reserved on charges of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and acquiring criminal property, and Maurice Robinson, who pleaded guilty to similar charges. However, the primary focus of this report is the High Court's finalisation of Hughes' extradition.
The High Court has extended the bankruptcy of a Carrickmacross farmer whose cattle were destroyed by Defence Forces marksmen in 2016. Justice Teresa Pilkington ruled that John Hoey failed to cooperate adequately with the Official Assignee, Chris Lehane, in disclosing his assets. The court found evidence that Mr Hoey concealed cash on his property, moved farm machinery to a local hotel, and did not fully disclose proceeds from cattle sales. Mr Hoey disputed the allegations, contesting that he provided required documentation and describing himself as haunted by the July 2016 culling of his cattle. The judge determined sufficient grounds existed to extend the bankruptcy, which began in February 2016, and adjourned the matter to allow both parties to submit proposals on the length of extension. The case will return to court next month for further hearing.
A man convicted of stabbing a friend seventeen times with scissors in Letterkenny has failed in his appeal against an eight-and-a-half year prison sentence. Kenneth Broe was found guilty of assault causing serious harm following an incident on October 9, 2008, in which the victim sustained multiple wounds to the neck, head, and chest and required two life-saving operations. The Court of Appeal dismissed Broe's challenge to the sentencing decision, upholding the original ten-year term with eighteen months suspended imposed by the Circuit Court in May 2018. The court found the sentencing judge had properly exercised discretion in opting for part-suspension rather than outright reduction, citing rehabilitation efforts as justification. Broe had fled to County Monaghan following the attack and was apprehended with cocaine in his possession. The three-judge panel noted his continued progress in custody and encouraged further reformation.
Michael McCarville, a 53-year-old farm labourer, is set to appeal his 20-year prison sentence at the Court of Appeal. The Monaghan native, residing in Cootehill, Cavan, was charged with 187 counts of indecent assault and sexual assault involving seven children from the same family between 1982 and 1999. The alleged abuse, which reportedly began when McCarville was 15 and the victims were as young as seven, took place in farm sheds, outhouses, and fields. In December 2016, McCarville pleaded guilty to 52 sample charges of indecent and sexual assault. He was subsequently sentenced in March 2017 to 20 years in prison. The seven victims, who agreed to McCarville being named in the media while retaining their anonymity, have not waived their right to privacy. At the Court of Appeal today, Mr Justice George Birmingham set a date of Monday, 9th November, for the hearing of McCarville's appeal against the sentence. The matter is currently at the appeal stage, with the specific procedural step being the scheduling of the appeal hearing rather than a final determination of the case.
In an appeal regarding the Essex migrant deaths, the Court of Appeal reserved judgment on Eamon Ronald Harrison's challenge to his extradition warrant. Harrison, of Mayobridge, Co Down, is alleged to have delivered the trailer containing the 39 deceased migrants to a Belgian port. He faces 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. Separately, Maurice Robinson, of Craigavon, Co Armagh, admitted to 39 counts of manslaughter at the Old Bailey. He had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and acquiring criminal property, specifically cash, while denying a further charge of transferring criminal property. Robinson awaits sentencing. Meanwhile, Ronan Hughes, a Monaghan haulier alleged to be the ringleader, is fighting his proposed extradition in the High Court. Counsel for the Minister for Justice dismissed arguments that the offences were extraterritorial, describing the submission as a "red herring" and asserting the crimes occurred within UK territory. Hughes, who faces 39 manslaughter charges and one conspiracy count, was remanded in custody until June 12 for a judgment. The State argued that the UK clearly asserted jurisdiction over acts committed within its borders, including the conspiracy and the deaths of the migrants.
A man has brought an appeal against his eight-and-a-half year sentence for stabbing his friend seventeen times with scissors in Letterkenny, County Donegal, in October 2008. Kenneth Broe was convicted by jury of assault causing serious harm following an incident in the early hours of the morning on Main Street. The victim sustained multiple wounds to the neck, head and chest, requiring two life-saving operations and two weeks in intensive care. At the Court of Appeal hearing on 8 May 2020, Broe's counsel argued that the sentencing judge had erred by suspending eighteen months of the sentence rather than reducing the overall term, given mitigating factors and rehabilitation efforts made during the significant delay between offence and trial. The Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel contended that mitigating circumstances and rehabilitation were appropriately addressed through the suspended portion, whilst maintaining public protection. The Court of Appeal reserved judgment.
The Court of Appeal has reserved its judgment in the extradition appeal of Eamon Ronald Harrison, who is alleged to have delivered the trailer in which 39 migrants died in Essex. Harrison's legal team argued the European Arrest Warrant was "wholly unsatisfactory" and lacked precise details regarding the time, place, and his specific involvement. Conversely, counsel for the Minister for Justice contended the warrant was validly issued by the Issuing Judicial Authority and contained sufficient detail. The court, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham, remanded Harrison in custody pending the decision. In related proceedings, Ronan Hughes, alleged to be the ringleader of the trafficking group, was refused bail by the High Court ahead of his extradition hearing. He faces 39 counts of manslaughter and one count of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. Meanwhile, Maurice Robinson, who admitted 39 counts of manslaughter, previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and acquiring criminal property, while denying a charge of transferring criminal property. He awaits sentencing. Four other men are scheduled to stand trial at the Old Bailey in October.
At the Central Criminal Court, jurors have viewed CCTV footage documenting events preceding a fatal robbery at Lordship Credit Union in County Louth. Detective Garda Gareth Kenna testified regarding surveillance material from January 2013, depicting a BMW 5-Series at a service station near the border, with subsequent footage tracking a similar vehicle southward through County Louth locations including Monasterboice and Clogherhead. A Volkswagen Passat stolen from the Clogherhead area was later discovered burned out in Armagh. Aaron Brady, aged 28 from Crossmaglen, County Armagh, has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe on 25 January 2013, and to robbery of approximately €7,000 and cheques from the credit union on the same date. The court also heard evidence concerning fuel laundering activity in the Armagh area, where a witness reported pursuing a white Transit van dumping diesel waste near Castleblayney in 2012. The trial continues before Mr Justice Michael White and a jury.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeal of James Joseph Cassidy, a 57-year-old Monaghan mechanic, against his conviction for membership of the IRA. Cassidy was originally convicted by the Special Criminal Court in March 2019 of belonging to an unlawful organisation on September 21, 2016, and sentenced to four years in prison. The appeal challenged the admissibility of belief evidence provided by Chief Superintendent Christopher Mangan, arguing that Mangan was biased because he had extended Cassidy's detention during the investigation. The Court of Appeal rejected all ten grounds of appeal, finding that the Special Criminal Court took scrupulous care to exclude prior material and avoid double-counting evidence. The court determined that the likelihood of anyone other than Cassidy placing a booster tube in his shed was remote and fanciful. It further held that no statutory provision prohibits a senior officer involved in an investigation from forming the required belief under section 3(2) of the 1972 Act. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, and the original conviction and sentence stand.
The Court of Appeal granted leave to appeal to Eamon Ronald Harrison, who is pending extradition to the UK to face 39 counts of manslaughter and one count of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. UK authorities have withdrawn a separate charge of conspiracy to commit human trafficking against Harrison, which is expected to shorten his appeal hearing scheduled for May 7. In a related development, Maurice Robinson, 25, of Craigavon, Co Armagh, admitted 39 counts of manslaughter at the Old Bailey in London. He had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and acquiring criminal property, while denying a further charge of transferring criminal property. Robinson will be sentenced at a later date. These proceedings follow the discovery of 39 migrants dead in a lorry container in Essex. Ronan Hughes, alleged to be the ringleader, was refused bail by the High Court and remanded in custody until May 15 for his full extradition hearing. The court found him a probable flight risk, noting his international haulage business and access to funds. The High Court judge stated that the prosecution met the burden of proof regarding the risk of absconding, despite Hughes' ties to the jurisdiction.
A Monaghan man, Ronan Hughes, is alleged to be the 'ringleader' and 'chief organiser' of an organised criminal group involved in the trafficking of 39 Vietnamese migrants found dead in a lorry container in Essex in October 2019. The High Court heard that Hughes is alleged to have organised, paid for the travel, and controlled the drivers who collected the migrants. Evidence presented during the bail hearing included the freezing of €200,000 in 33 bank accounts linked to Hughes and his family, as well as the seizure of a 2019 BMW X5 valued at €108,000. Mr Justice Paul Burns will deliver a decision tomorrow on whether Hughes will be granted bail ahead of his extradition hearing. Hughes, who is wanted by UK authorities on 39 counts of manslaughter and one count of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration, was arrested in Co Monaghan following the endorsement of a European Arrest Warrant. Maurice Robinson, Hughes' younger brother, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and acquiring criminal property. The case is currently at the appeal stage, with no finalisation of the matter yet.
The Court of Appeal heard that UK authorities have withdrawn a human trafficking charge against Eamon Ronald Harrison, a Northern Irishman facing extradition for 39 counts of manslaughter and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. Harrison, who is challenging his pending extradition, was alleged to have delivered the trailer in which 39 migrants died in Essex. The withdrawal of the trafficking charge will shorten his appeal hearing, scheduled for May 7. In related proceedings, Maurice Robinson, of Craigavon, Co Armagh, admitted 39 counts of manslaughter at the Old Bailey. He had previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and acquiring criminal property, specifically cash, while denying a further charge of transferring criminal property. Robinson will be sentenced at a later date. Additionally, Ronan Hughes, of Co Monaghan, appeared before the High Court in Dublin, where he is wanted by UK authorities for 39 counts of manslaughter and one count of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration. His extradition hearing is set for May 1, with a provisional bail hearing fixed for April 29. Four other men are scheduled to stand trial at the Old Bailey on October 5 in connection with the investigation.
A Monaghan man, Ronan Hughes, has appeared before the High Court in Dublin as part of an ongoing appeal related to his alleged involvement in the Essex migrant tragedy. Hughes, who is wanted in the UK on 39 counts of manslaughter and one count of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration, admitted to the charges during the hearing. He was remanded in custody until a later date. Maurice Robinson, who previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and acquiring criminal property, admitted 39 counts of manslaughter at the Old Bailey and will be sentenced at a later date. The case is currently in the appeal stage, with the court provisionally fixing April 29 for a bail application and May 1 for the full extradition hearing. The matter was adjourned and not finalised. The court heard that the sealed refrigeration unit was not turned on, leading to the deaths of 39 migrants due to oxygen starvation. Four other men are set to stand trial at the Old Bailey in connection with the investigation.
A High Court judge has directed that a Monaghan businessman be arrested and brought before the court over allegations he has breached orders restraining him from two properties in the county town. Mr Justice Senan Allen ruled that Fergal Deery of Drumhillock should be taken into custody by gardaí to answer alleged contempt of court. Wardglade Limited, which acquired the premises in 2015 following a receiver's sale, claimed Mr Deery breached High Court orders made that year prohibiting him from trespassing or interfering with the properties. The company alleged further breaches occurred in September and December 2019, when Mr Deery allegedly entered the properties without consent. Wardglade also claimed a campaign of intimidation against its director Ciaran Marron and others, including threats made on social media referencing Mr Marron's family. Mr Deery, who disputes the 2015 sale as fraudulent, was previously imprisoned for two weeks in July 2019 for contempt but was released after undertaking to comply with the orders.
Five cattle were shot on a Carrickmacross farm in July 2016 by members of the defence forces for public safety and disease prevention purposes, the High Court heard on Wednesday. Bankruptcy trustee Chris Lehane told the court that the animals were culled as a last resort after tuberculosis was detected in the herd and cattle had been found straying on public roads. Security concerns and the difficulty of containing the animals in challenging field conditions also factored in the decision, he said. The cattle belonged to the estate of John Hoey, who was declared bankrupt in February 2016 following a petition by John Kelly Fuels Ltd for €262,000. Mr Hoey opposes an application by Mr Lehane to extend his bankruptcy by up to ten years, claiming he has cooperated with the process. Justice Teresa Pilkington reserved her decision on the extension application.
A Carrickmacross farmer has opposed an application to extend his bankruptcy by up to ten years at the High Court. John Hoey was declared bankrupt in February 2016 following a petition by John Kelly Fuels Ltd for €262,000. The Official Assignee, Chris Lehane, seeks the extension under the Bankruptcy (Amendment) Act 2015, claiming non-cooperation including failure to provide a Statement of Affairs. During bankruptcy proceedings, five cattle on Mr Hoey's farm were shot by defence force members in July 2016. Mr Hoey contests the allegations, stating he furnished required documentation and that assets were sold below value. He also disputes claims the cattle were destroyed humanely, describing the incident as traumatic. Mr Lehane maintains enforcement actions were necessary and appropriate. The case before Ms Justice Teresa Pilkington continues, with cross-examination of the Official Assignee ongoing.
A witness in the trial of Aaron Brady at the Central Criminal Court has testified that she initially provided false information to police about the accused's whereabouts on the night of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe's fatal shooting. Jade Fitzpatrick told the court she was pressured into claiming Mr Brady, from Crossmaglen, County Armagh, had left a house in Armagh by 21:30 on 25 January 2013, when he had actually remained there until approximately 3am. Ms Fitzpatrick said she corrected her statement the following day because she wished to help Mr Brady comply with curfew conditions imposed as part of his bail. Under cross-examination, she confirmed Mr Brady appeared relaxed and exhibited no unusual behaviour during his time at the residence. Mr Brady, aged 29, denies capital murder in relation to Detective Garda Donohoe's death at Lordship Credit Union, County Louth, shortly before 9:30pm that evening. He also denies robbery of approximately €7,000 in cash and cheques from the same location and date. The trial continues before Mr Justice Michael White. Aaron Brady pleaded not guilty.
At the Central Criminal Court, a man accused of the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe has claimed he was engaged in diesel laundering at the time of the fatal shooting. Aaron Brady, aged 29, from Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, denies the murder of Det Gda Donohoe, who was shot at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth on 25 January 2013. He also denies robbing approximately €7,000 in cash and cheques from the same location. An alibi notice submitted to the Director of Public Prosecutions states that Brady was loading diesel waste at a yard on Concession Road in Cullaville, Co Armagh, for between 90 minutes and two hours around the time of the shooting. Brady told gardaí previously that he had initially provided an inaccurate account of his movements owing to concerns about incriminating himself in diesel laundering activities. The trial, before Mr Justice Michael White and a jury, continues. Aaron Brady pleaded not guilty. Adrian Donohoe pleaded not guilty.
The High Court has struck out a damages claim brought by Gerard Martin Fulham, who was incarcerated in Mountjoy prison between December 21st and 28th, 2007, for failing to pay debts. Mr Justice Bernard Barton dismissed the action as vexatious, frivolous, and bound to fail. Mr Fulham, a former building contractor, alleged that his imprisonment following instalment orders from creditors Chadwicks and Independent Communications Ltd breached his constitutional rights. He sought damages and a civil jury trial, claiming his health suffered. The defendants, including the State and the Attorney General, denied the claims and moved to strike out the proceedings, arguing Mr Fulham could not benefit from the 2009 McCann judgement, which found section 6 of the Enforcement of Court Orders Act 1940 unconstitutional. That ruling had previously allowed Caroline McCann to avoid a prison sentence for unpaid debts. The judge noted that Mr Fulham had not challenged his 2007 incarceration at the time nor sought judicial review within legal time limits. Consequently, he was not entitled to the benefit of the McCann decision. Although the claim was struck out, the matter will return before the courts in the New Year to deal with all outstanding issues.
A 46-year-old man from Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, has been imprisoned for 14 months following a conviction at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for stealing over €3,300 from a vulnerable woman. Michael McGauley pleaded guilty to two counts of theft committed in October 2018, when he defrauded the woman by falsely promising to carry out insulation work on her home and to invest money on her behalf. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three-year sentence with the final 22 months suspended on condition that McGauley repay the full stolen amount, which he has already begun doing. The court heard McGauley was struggling with gambling addiction and outstanding debts at the time of the offences. He has 25 previous convictions, including five for theft, and was on probation when the crimes occurred. His defence counsel indicated McGauley has since sought treatment through Gamblers Anonymous and has secured employment while making regular repayments to his victim.
A man has been sentenced to twelve years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court following his conviction on charges of rape, oral rape, and sexual assault. Richard Moloney, aged 41, of Tullaskeagh Drive, Roscrea, County Tipperary, was found guilty of offences against his then 16-year-old foster daughter at their home on 16 July 2016. The jury's verdict followed trial in July this year. Mr Justice Alex Owens imposed the sentence this morning, noting Moloney's breach of trust as a foster parent and his denial of wrongdoing throughout proceedings. The judge described the crimes' impact on the victim as profoundly destructive. A four-year post-release supervision order was also imposed, with conditions including distance from the victim and engagement in alcohol treatment. Moloney carries ten previous convictions for assault and public order matters. The victim, who has waived anonymity, expressed satisfaction with the sentencing outside court.
A man has had his sentence increased following an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions on grounds of undue leniency. Aurelijus Kizelavicius, aged 23, of Knocktornagh, Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, pleaded guilty to rape and assault causing harm to a woman on 29 March 2015. The Central Criminal Court heard the woman had accepted a late-night lift from Kizelavicius after becoming stranded in Monaghan town. Upon reaching her home, he attacked her with repeated punches to the face before sexually assaulting her. Mr Justice Paul Butler originally imposed a five-year sentence with the final two years suspended in April 2018. The Court of Appeal today increased the custodial term to seven years with the final two suspended. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy described the offence as a serious rape involving significant additional violence. She noted the victim sustained facial injuries and referenced adverse probation reports and disciplinary breaches in custody. The court also heard the man has agreed to participate in a sex offenders programme.
A Garda has told the Disclosures Tribunal that he was denied a commendation for helping rescue a drowning woman because of his status as a whistleblower. Garda Nicholas Keogh, based in Athlone, alleges that management withheld recognition for his role in pulling a woman from the River Shannon in September 2019, despite receiving an award from Irish Water Safety. The tribunal, chaired by Judge Sean Ryan, is investigating treatment of Gda Keogh following a protected disclosure he made in 2014 concerning an alleged improper relationship between a senior member of the drugs unit and a heroin dealer. Gda Keogh told the tribunal he had previously received commendations for lesser actions and found the omission "sinister". He cited two further incidents where he claimed recognition was withheld. Sergeant Monaghan and Superintendent Patrick Murray disputed aspects of Gda Keogh's account, with Sgt Monaghan characterising the river rescue as a group effort and stating he was unaware of Gda Keogh's involvement in the other incidents. The hearing continues.
A Garda has told the Disclosures Tribunal that he believes he was deliberately confined to stressful desk duties at Athlone Garda Station because he made a protected disclosure in 2014. Garda Nicholas Keogh alleged that a senior member of the drugs unit engaged in an improper relationship with a heroin dealer. Following the suspension of the officer in question, Keogh was assigned to public office duties in October 2015, work he characterised as the most stressful in the station. He stated his hands were visibly shaking during a meeting with Superintendent Patrick Murray about the assignment. Keogh denied agreeing to the move and expressed belief that management deliberately assigned him to public duties to demonstrate control over whistleblowers. He also alleged that his request for leave to meet the Garda Ombudsman in August 2015 was refused improperly by Superintendent Murray. Judge Sean Ryan is chairing the tribunal's investigation into how Keogh was treated following his disclosure.
A 30-year-old man from Ballymun has received a two-year suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for stealing twenty bottles of spirits valued at €900 from Copper Face Jack's nightclub on Harcourt Street in May 2017. Jason Whelan pleaded guilty to the burglary charge after being identified on CCTV footage removing the alcohol from the venue's Premier Bar. The court heard that Whelan has 91 previous convictions, 43 of which relate to burglary offences, and that his criminal activity was motivated by a long-standing drug addiction. Judge Melanie Greally noted that since the theft, Whelan had undertaken treatment at Coolmine and received a favourable probation report. The judge cited his guilty plea, demonstrated remorse, and rehabilitation efforts as mitigating factors. The suspended sentence is conditional on Whelan maintaining the peace and accepting twelve-month supervision from the Probation Service.
Jason Kane, aged 24 of St Attracta Road, Cabra, Dublin, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment following his guilty plea to assault causing harm and production of a knife at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The offences occurred on September 3, 2018, outside his residence. The court heard that Kane slashed a woman's face with a Stanley knife during an altercation, causing a six-centimetre wound to a cosmetically visible area that will leave a permanent scar. Kane claimed he initially believed the knife in his pocket was a lighter and intended only to stun the victim with its handle. The judge noted that application of a knife to the head or face constitutes serious offending. In mitigation, the court considered Kane's guilty plea, expression of genuine remorse, and work history as a chef. The sentence was backdated to September 5, 2018, when Kane first entered custody. Kane has previous convictions for assault and public order offences.
A terminally ill woman whose sister was murdered fourteen years ago has called on the Director of Public Prosecutions to prosecute a third person in connection with the killing. Speaking outside the Central Criminal Court following the sentencing of Niall Power to life imprisonment, solicitor Kevin Winters said authorities possess sufficient evidence against the alleged mastermind. Power, with an address at Giles Quay, Riverstown, County Louth, pleaded guilty to the murder of Irene White at Ice House, Demesne Road, Dundalk, on 6 April 2005. He is the second person convicted; Anthony Lambe of Annadrumman, County Monaghan, received a life sentence in January after admitting the killing. Mr Winters stated that Anne Delcassian, the deceased's sister, was too unwell to attend court. He described the case as involving a murderous triumvirate and urged prosecutors to complete the investigation.
A 47-year-old man from Riverstown, County Louth has been sentenced to life imprisonment after pleading guilty to the murder of Irene White at the Central Criminal Court. Niall Power admitted his role in the killing of the mother-of-three at her home on Demesne Road, Dundalk on 6 April 2005. Power presented himself to gardaí following the conviction of accomplice Anthony Lambe, a historian from Castleblayney, County Monaghan, who had been sentenced to life in January 2018. During sentencing, the court heard that Power had acted as an intermediary, conveying a request from an unnamed individual to have Ms White killed. He subsequently introduced Lambe to this person and facilitated the commission of the offence. Ms White was found by her 79-year-old mother with 34 stab wounds and a cut throat. Victim impact statements were delivered by Ms White's sister, who is terminally ill, and her daughter, describing the lasting devastation caused to the family.
A man convicted of manslaughter in connection with a 2013 killing has been found guilty of criminal damage and production of a weapon at the Central Criminal Court. Quentin Monaghan, aged 25 and from Tullamoy, Stradbally, County Laois, received an eight-year sentence in 2015 with two years suspended for his role in the death of Jamie Lindsay, who was fatally shot during an altercation over drugs in Athy, County Kildare. The court heard uncertainty regarding the duration of the suspension period. Prosecutors sought clarification by requesting trial transcripts from the original sentencing. Monaghan faces a potential two-year custodial term if the offences occurred within the suspended sentence period. He is scheduled for sentencing at Limerick Circuit Court later in the year. The trial judge previously accepted Monaghan did not intend death or serious injury but characterised his conduct as reckless.
Derek Heavey, aged 32, of Moeran Road, Walkinstown, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm and criminal damage following an incident on Ballyfermot Road on May 23, 2018. An off-duty garda sounded his horn at Heavey, who was operating a horse-drawn sulky on the wrong side of the road. Heavey subsequently attacked the garda, striking him through the car window, damaging the vehicle's wing mirror, and punching him in the face, resulting in a chipped tooth. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two-year custodial sentence, fully suspended on condition Heavey maintain the peace and good behaviour for two years. The court ordered Heavey to pay €1,000 in compensation immediately and raise a further €1,000 within twelve months. The judge characterised the incident as "a gross act of petulance.
A 56-year-old mechanic from Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan, has been sentenced to four years imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court following his conviction for membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army. James Joseph Cassidy of Tullycollive was found guilty in March of the charge relating to September 21, 2016. He had denied the allegation. During the trial, gardaí gave evidence of discovering a booster tube in a shed on Cassidy's premises during a search. Detective Inspector William Hanrahan testified that the device was consistent with similar tubing found in relation to other IRA operations. Presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt stated that Cassidy's membership had been persistent and active, and noted that no actual harm occurred due to timely intervention by gardaí. The defendant had no previous convictions. The sentence was backdated to February 14, 2019, when Cassidy entered custody.
A 32-year-old man has been sentenced to three years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following guilty pleas to nine burglaries and one count of criminal damage committed across Dublin locations between April and September 2018. Dean Moore, with an address in Crumlin, was captured on CCTV during the offences, in some instances cycling to and from premises while wearing a high-visibility jacket. The burglaries targeted various locations including retail premises, residential buildings, a school, and company offices, with stolen items including cash, laptops, and other goods totalling significant losses. Moore's previous convictions number 114, including 19 burglaries. Evidence indicated the offences were committed to fund drug and gambling habits. Judge Melanie Greally imposed an additional two-year sentence for a burglary at Transport Club, suspended in full on strict conditions. The court acknowledged Moore's early guilty plea and admissions to gardaí as mitigating factors, alongside his difficult childhood and addiction history, balanced against the aggravating nature of his extensive prior convictions for burglary.
A 56-year-old mechanic from Castleblayney, County Monaghan, convicted of membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, will be sentenced at the Special Criminal Court next month. James Joseph Cassidy of Tullycollive was found guilty in March following a trial before three judges. During the proceedings, gardaí gave evidence of discovering a metal pipe with drilled holes in a shed on his property in September 2016, which was identified as a booster tube similar to items seized in a separate investigation nearby. The court accepted the belief evidence of a chief superintendent regarding Cassidy's membership of the organisation and determined the presence of the device on his remote, family-owned premises to be significant. The defence counsel urged leniency, highlighting Cassidy's minimal previous convictions and age. Cassidy was remanded in custody pending sentencing on 27 May.
A 55-year-old mechanic from Castleblayney, County Monaghan, has been convicted of IRA membership by the Special Criminal Court. James Joseph Cassidy of Tullycollive was found guilty of membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army on September 21, 2016. The three-judge court heard evidence that gardaí discovered a metal tube with drilled holes during a search of his property and adjoining lands. Detective Inspector William Hanrahan identified the item as a booster tube used in explosive devices, similar to one previously seized at Kilcurry. The prosecution argued that Cassidy's false denials to gardaí concerning the tube, combined with evidence of mobile phones and a USB key, demonstrated a pattern of behaviour consistent with IRA membership. Mr Justice Tony Hunt rejected the defendant's claim that others had access to the remote shed, stating the likelihood of someone else placing the device was "so remote and fanciful" as to be dismissed. Cassidy was remanded in custody pending sentencing on April 29.
A man convicted of assaulting his former partner on two occasions has been sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following a breach of a protection order. John Paul Gantley, aged 35 and residing in Dublin, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm committed in May 2017. He received a three-year custodial sentence, with the final twelve months suspended. Upon his release from prison in November, Gantley contacted his former partner by telephone and text message, threatening violence and demanding to see their daughter, contrary to a court-ordered contact prohibition. He later appeared at her workplace in an intoxicated state and made further threats. In February, he was sentenced to six months' imprisonment for breaching the protection order. At a subsequent hearing, the judge declined to activate the suspended portion of the original sentence, instead extending the suspension for a further two years with a renewed direction that Gantley have no contact with the injured party during that period.
A man has been sentenced to nine years' imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for a series of robberies committed across Dublin between March and April 2018, with an additional offence in May 2017. Dean Gray, aged 31, of Buttercup Drive, Darndale, Dublin, pleaded guilty to seven robbery offences, attempted robbery, threats to kill, and production of weapons including a knife and screwdriver. The court heard Gray robbed €350 from a shop in Baldoyle after arriving by taxi, which he then tipped before departing. He committed further robberies at retail outlets and a tanning salon within days of each other. A three-year consecutive sentence was imposed for a street robbery committed while on bail. Judge Patricia Ryan suspended the final three years conditional on good behaviour and peace-keeping for three years following release. She ordered engagement with the Probation Service, drug addiction treatment, and employment support. Gray has 69 previous convictions, including 21 robberies. His defence counsel noted his difficult background and stated his aspiration to seek residential drug treatment.
At the Special Criminal Court in Dublin, evidence was heard regarding booster tubes discovered in separate locations linked to an IRA trial. James Joseph Cassidy, aged 55, from Castleblayney, County Monaghan, has pleaded not guilty to charges of IRA membership on 21 September 2016. A garda ballistics expert provided a statement detailing similarities between a booster tube found in a Monaghan shed in 2016 and one recovered from a homemade explosive device discovered in a County Louth church car park in May 2014. Both tubes were identical in length and diameter, painted black, and featured rows of drilled holes. Colonel David Hathaway, an explosives ordnance disposal specialist with two decades of experience, gave evidence describing the construction and function of the Louth device, which contained ammonium nitrate, semtex explosive, and a timing mechanism. The defence challenged the relevance of this evidence, arguing it pertained to device possession rather than the membership charge. Justice Tony Hunt ruled the evidence admissible as circumstantial. The trial continues.
A 55-year-old mechanic from Castleblayney, County Monaghan, is standing trial at the Special Criminal Court on a charge of membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself as the Irish Republican Army. James Joseph Cassidy of Tullycollive has pleaded not guilty to the allegation relating to September 21, 2016. During evidence, Detective Sergeant Padraig Boyce told the court that republican posters were discovered in a television unit during a search of the accused's premises. The posters carried a slogan referencing the Police Service of Northern Ireland and a website address for Republican Unity. Under cross-examination, the detective agreed that Republican Unity is not a proscribed organisation. A black metal pipe approximately 40 centimetres long, featuring drilled holes, was also recovered from a shed on the property. Detective Inspector William Hanrahan testified he had previously encountered similar tubing in relation to other IRA operations, describing it as a booster tube. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and two other judges.
A 55-year-old mechanic from Castleblayney, County Monaghan, has pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself as the Irish Republican Army at the Special Criminal Court. James Joseph Cassidy of Tullycollive faces the charge relating to September 2016. The prosecution outlined that gardaí discovered a metal tube during a search of his property in the remote border area, which they allege forms part of an improvised explosive device. The tube was located in a cow shed on the gated property, which featured extensive security measures. Prosecutors indicated evidence would include three mobile phones and items of Republican material recovered at the scene, alongside alleged associations with convicted IRA members. A garda witness testified to photographing the cylindrical metal object at the property. The defence suggested the item was visible rather than hidden and queried whether other metal found at the location could be definitively identified. The trial continues before Justices Tony Hunt, Patricia Ryan, and Ann Ryan.
A 29-year-old man from Ballymun pleaded guilty to burglary at Copper Face Jacks nightclub in Dublin on 27 May 2017. Jason Whelan admitted stealing approximately 20 bottles of spirits valued between €700 and €900 from the premises. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Whelan entered the nightclub on three occasions and took bottles from behind the counter. CCTV footage captured him committing the thefts, and he was subsequently identified and arrested. Whelan has 91 previous convictions, including 43 for burglary offences. In a letter to the sentencing judge, he expressed remorse and stated his intention to become an honest member of society and positive father figure. His counsel noted Whelan is currently drug-free and receiving methadone treatment. Judge Melanie Greally acknowledged the sincerity of his expressed commitment to rehabilitation and adjourned sentencing to 13 March pending probation and prison reports.