Court archive
Court reports mentioning Ballinlough, Roscommon
2024-10-22 · Cork
The EU Courts have been asked to decide whether the human rights of Seán Walsh, a 57‑year‑old alleged IRA member wanted in the UK for directing terrorism, would be violated by changes to sentencing law introduced in Northern Ireland three years ago. Walsh faces four charges – membership of the IRA, directing terrorist activities, conspiracy to direct terrorist activities and preparing to commit acts of terrorism – each carrying a maximum life sentence. He denies the allegations. The offences are alleged to have been committed in July 2020 in Omagh, Co. Tyrone. The High Court in Ireland ordered his surrender to UK authorities in October 2022, and he was granted leave to appeal. Walsh's lawyers argued that the new UK law would impose a heavier penalty than that applicable at the time of the alleged offence.
2021-07-08 · Westmeath
In a High Court case, Janvier Tumusabeyezu, a Rwandan security guard, was injured when the car he rode in, driven by Daniel Muresan, crashed near Mullingar. Tumusabeyezu suffered soft tissue injuries, a bowel perforation, shoulder and back injuries, and later had abdominal surgery. He sued Muresan, who admitted negligence, and the Motor Insurers Bureau of Ireland (MIBI). The High Court ruled that MIBI was not liable for damages awarded to Tumusabeyezu. Muresan had no insurance, licence, NCT or tax on the Mitsubishi Colt. He claimed he had informed passengers of the lack of insurance, but Tumusabeyezu and two other passengers denied this. The High Court accepted Muresan's account, supported by a garda sergeant's testimony. Tumusabeyezu appealed, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, affirming the High Court's decision and ruling that the claim against MIBI must fail. The case remains at the appeal stage.
2016-02-08 · Roscommon
In 2016, the Director of Public Prosecutions sought a review of sentences for three Vietnamese nationals convicted of cannabis offences, arguing the sentences were "unduly lenient." The Court of Appeal, hearing the case on 8 February 2016, found that the Circuit Court judge had properly weighed the seriousness of the offences and the personal circumstances of the defendants. The judge had imposed six years' imprisonment with three years suspended for Choung Vu (45), four years' imprisonment with two‑and‑a‑half years suspended for Kham Tu (61), and four years' imprisonment with three years suspended for Tuan Cong Le (53). The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, concluding the sentences were not excessive and were proportionate to the harm and culpability involved. The court noted the defendants were legally present in the jurisdiction and did not fall into the comparative cases of illegal migrants or trafficked individuals. The decision reaffirmed the original sentencing as appropriate and justified. Kham Tu pleaded guilty. Tuan Cong Le pleaded guilty.
2016-02-01 · Roscommon
In February 2016 the Director of Public Prosecutions applied to the Court of Appeal for a review of the prison sentences handed to three Vietnamese nationals convicted of cannabis offences in 2011. Choung Vu, aged 45, was found guilty of cultivation, possession and possession for sale of cannabis at Ballinlough, Kells, Co. Meath. He was sentenced on 8 July 2015 to six years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended. Kham Tu, aged 61, pleaded guilty to cultivation and received a four‑year sentence, the last two‑and‑a‑half years suspended, consecutive to a sentence imposed a day earlier in Naas Circuit Court. Tuan Cong Le, aged 53, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession and was sentenced to four years, with the final three years suspended. The DPP argued the sentences were "unduly lenient", citing that the defendants were legally resident in the jurisdiction and not under duress, unlike comparable cases involving illegal migrants or trafficked individuals.