Diane Ward, 45, of Charleville, pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the 2012 death of her eight‑year‑old son. She appeared at the Central Criminal Court, where she denied murder but admitted manslaughter. The Director of Public Prosecutions accepted the plea. Psychiatric evidence was not yet available, so sentencing was postponed to the following Monday to allow time for that evidence to be presented. Diane Ward pleaded not guilty.
A Limerick woman, Mary Maloney, aged 45, faces trial for impeding the apprehension of Jonathan Fitzgerald in 2011. She pleaded not guilty, claiming she was not present at her premises on 18 December 2006 when Fitzgerald was allegedly there. Mr Justice Paul Carney found that Maloney had impeded Fitzgerald's apprehension, stating she was present at the premises when she knew that was not true. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, began on Thursday with a jury of six men and six women and is expected to last two weeks.
The Court of Criminal Appeal has dismissed an appeal against a life sentence imposed on a man convicted of raping four of his daughters over an 18-year period. The three-judge court ruled that the sentencing judge was entitled to impose the maximum penalty. The man, now aged 52, pleaded guilty in December 2011 at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Castlebar, County Mayo, to sample counts of rape and child cruelty spanning from 1991 to 2009. The appellant's counsel argued that the trial judge erred in principle by prioritising victim reassurance in sentencing, and that mitigating factors including a late guilty plea and the man's dysfunctional background and alcohol abuse should have been weighted more heavily. The court rejected these submissions, finding that credible threats made by the man to one victim were an exceptional circumstance the sentencing judge was entitled to consider. The court determined that no mitigating factors could outweigh the horrific and exceptional nature of the offences.
Limerick, 20‑year‑old man, formerly a teenager in HSE care, beat a 16‑year‑old schoolboy unconscious in an unprovoked attack, leaving the boy with permanent brain damage. CCTV showed the assailant delivering 65 kicks, 26 punches and 26 stamps to the boy's head, two stamps to his chest, and continuing the assault after the victim stopped moving. The attacker claimed he was "stoned out of his head on vodka and tablets." He was originally charged with attempted murder but pleaded guilty to intentionally causing serious harm, receiving a 15‑year sentence with the final three years suspended. The Court of Criminal Appeal ruled that the sentencing judge failed to consider the impact of the man's severe dysfunctional background and substance‑abuse problems.
A man originally from Sligo has been unsuccessful in appealing his conviction for a serious assault on his former partner. Fergal McNulty (44) was sentenced to eight years imprisonment in July 2012 following his conviction on two counts of assault causing harm. The offences occurred in September 2009 on St Anne's Road in Drumcondra, Dublin. A jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court found McNulty guilty after hearing evidence that the victim was struck to the face, sustaining a significant laceration that resulted in permanent scarring and disfigurement. McNulty had maintained his not guilty plea throughout trial. The Court of Criminal Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice John MacMenamin, upheld the original conviction, finding no grounds of unsafety and accordingly dismissed the appeal.
Graham Dwyer, 41, of Foxrock, was charged with the murder of 37‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara on 22 August 2012. He has been in custody since October and applied for bail at the High Court, but the State objected. His lawyer, Remy Farrell SC, argued that a 20‑month pre‑trial detention was unreasonable, while Seán Guerin SC for the State said the delay was not exceptional and that a trial would occur within 19 months of his arrest. Mr Justice Paul Carney refused bail.
In March 2014 a 68‑year‑old man, who had been sentenced in January 2012 to eight years' imprisonment with two years suspended for seven counts of indecent assault on his nephew, was told he must await the outcome of his appeal. The conviction stemmed from alleged assaults that took place in the man's home between October 1988 and April 1991, when the victim was aged 13 to 16. The man pleaded not guilty. During the appeal counsel, Mr Hugh Hartnett SC, argued that the trial judge should have issued a corroboration warning and a delay warning, citing the absence of a potential witness who had been present in the house at the time of the alleged offences. The State's counsel, Ms Isobel Kennedy SC, maintained that the judge's decisions on corroboration and the lack of a witness were within his discretion.
PSNI officers have given evidence at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin in the trial of a man charged with withholding information relating to the November 2012 murder of Northern Ireland prison officer David Black. Vincent Banks (44), of Dublin 7, has pleaded not guilty to the charge. Constables Gary Quinn and Jane Johnston testified about attending the scene on the M1 motorway near Lurgan on November 1, 2012, where a vehicle had come off the road. Witness accounts provided to officers described a shooting and a car believed to have a Sligo registration plate. Constable Catherine Mallon gave evidence of locating a burnt-out vehicle. The prosecution case centres on a Toyota Camry, registered in the Republic, used in Mr Black's killing. The State alleges Mr Banks purchased the vehicle. He also faces a separate charge of IRA membership. The trial before Justice Paul Butler continues.
A 32‑year‑old Dublin man, Thomas Ryan of McKee Park, pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Patrick Charles O'Neill on 26 August 2013 at Glasnevin Avenue, Ballymun. He was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court, where Mr Justice Paul Carney ordered a victim impact report and remanded him in custody for sentencing on 6 May.
John Hannigan, 46, of River House, New Quay, Clonmel, was found guilty of murder and assault causing harm to Anthony Fallon, also 46, on 18 January 2012. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, lasted eight days. Hannigan claimed he had lost his temper when Fallon would not stop talking and punched him "hard and fast" like Bruce Lee. A post‑mortem revealed 31 rib fractures, collar and breastbone fractures, and blunt force trauma to the head and trunk as the cause of death. Hannigan had called an ambulance before 7 a.m. and later admitted responsibility to the Gardaí. The jury, after four hours of deliberation, returned a unanimous verdict of murder and assault. Judge Paul Carney imposed a mandatory life sentence, remanding Hannigan in custody until 12 May for sentencing on the assault charge. John Hannigan pleaded not guilty.
In a Tipperary murder trial, John Hannigan, aged 46, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Anthony Fallon and to assault causing harm. The trial, held in the Central Criminal Court, began on Friday with a jury of seven men and four women. Hannigan, who lives in River House, New Quay, Clonmel, claimed he had lost his temper when Fallon would not stop talking and punched him "hard and fast" like Bruce Lee. He said they had been drinking with another man, Joseph O'Riordan, who had also beaten Fallon earlier that night. O'Riordan is now in jail after pleading guilty to assault. A post‑mortem found 31 rib fractures and blunt force trauma to Fallon's head and trunk as the cause of death. Hannigan later told gardai he was "just panicking" when he attacked Fallon on a walk through town.
In a 2014 trial at the Central Criminal Court, 46‑year‑old John Hannigan of Clonmel pleaded not guilty to murder and assault charges over the death of Anthony Fallon on 18 January 2012. Hannigan testified that he had no role in the killing and that he had been panicking when he told Gardaí he had given Fallon 'Bruce Lee' punches. He described a night of heavy drinking with Joseph O'Riordan, who he said was the one who struck Fallon repeatedly, including with a chair and a kettle. Hannigan claimed he only struck Fallon's shoulder to break up the fight and that he helped Fallon to his apartment and called 999. The prosecution read excerpts from Hannigan's earlier Garda interviews, where he admitted to punching Fallon 'hard and fast', which he denied. The post‑mortem found 31 fractures to Fallon's ribs, and O'Riordan is in jail after pleading guilty to assault.
In the Central Criminal Court, John Hannigan, 46, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Anthony Fallon and to assault causing harm. During Garda interviews, Hannigan described punching Fallon "like the film Fists of Fury," claiming he had the ability to kill but no intention. He admitted giving several statements, some of which were lies, and expressed regret, calling the incident a tragic accident. Hannigan denied giving crush‑type injuries, despite the State Pathologist's findings of severe crush injuries and 31 rib fractures. The State alleged Hannigan and Joseph O'Riordan assaulted Fallon at his flat, then violently assaulted him in a car park and helped him into River House where he died. O'Riordan is jailed, having pleaded guilty to assault. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Carney and a jury of eight men and three women.
In a 2014 trial, John Hannigan, 46, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Anthony Fallon, 46, in Clonmel on 18 January 2012. Hannigan testified that Joseph O'Riordan had assaulted Fallon in his flat, striking him on the head with a chair and later using a kettle and belt. Hannigan described the scene as a "bloodbath" and "horror show," noting a one‑inch gash and blood spurt. He claimed he only hit Fallon in the chest to break up a fight. The State's case alleges Hannigan and O'Riordan also assaulted Fallon in a car park and transported him to River House, where he died. A post‑mortem found 31 rib fractures and blunt force trauma to the head and trunk as the cause of death. O'Riordan, who pleaded guilty to assault, remains in jail. The case is before Mr Justice Paul Carney and a jury of eight men and three women.
The Court of Criminal Appeal has set aside the convictions of two nightclub doormen from Sligo and Co Mayo who were sentenced in 2011 for assault causing harm. Frankie Murphy of Stephen Street, Sligo, and John Molloy of Creggs Road, Ballina had each received three-year suspended sentences and were ordered to pay €10,000 following their conviction by Sligo Circuit Criminal Court jury in October 2011. The incident occurred in February 2009 at Envy nightclub in Sligo town, resulting in serious injury to the complainant. On appeal, the Court of Criminal Appeal found that the trial judge's charge to the jury had failed to adequately address the separate defences raised by each defendant, including self-defence and accident. Justice Elizabeth Dunne ruled that the convictions were unsafe and should be quashed. The State indicated it would seek further instructions regarding the matter, with the case listed for mention at a future date.
A trial date has been set for south Dublin architect Graham Dwyer, aged 41, who is accused of murdering childcare worker Elaine O'Hara, aged 37, on 22 August 2012. O'Hara's remains were discovered in the Dublin mountains on 13 September 2013. Prosecutor Mr Sean Guerin SC told the Central Criminal Court that the trial would last six weeks. Defence counsel Mr Remy Farrell SC noted that further bail applications might be made, citing Dwyer's repeated bail refusals. Judge Paul Carney fixed the trial for 13 April 2015.
In a Tipperary murder trial, the State Pathologist, Professor Marie Cassidy, testified that the deceased, Anthony Fallon, suffered 31 rib fractures and other severe injuries. She concluded that Fallon died from blunt force trauma to the head and trunk, with linear wounds on his face and head, extensive bruising, and haemorrhage to the brain. Internal examination revealed fractures to the breast bone, broken collar bone, and a litre of blood in the chest cavity. Cassidy described the chest injuries as likely causing respiratory insufficiency and severe incapacitation. She suggested the injuries were sustained close to where Fallon was found and that multiple assaults may have occurred. The State alleges that John Hannigan and Joseph O'Riordan assaulted Fallon at his flat, then in a car park, before he died at River House. O'Riordan has pleaded guilty to assault; the trial continues before a jury. John Hannigan pleaded not guilty.
In a murder trial in the Central Criminal Court, Garda Shane Kiely testified that 46‑year‑old John Hannigan of River House, New Quay, Clonmel, had arrived at the scene of a suspicious death on 18 January 2012, the day Anthony Fallon, also 46, was found dead in his flat on Abbey Street. Kiely described Hannigan standing outside the apartment complex when Fallon was lying in the foyer, with a blood‑stained face and swollen injuries. The Garda noted that Hannigan had a graze on a left knuckle and that he was visibly upset, crying and shaking. He also reported seeing blood on the left side of Hannigan's clothing. The State alleges that Hannigan and Joseph O'Riordan assaulted Fallon earlier that morning, then took him to River House where he died of his injuries. O'Riordan has pleaded guilty to assault. The trial is before Mr Justice Paul Carney and a jury of eight men and four women. John Hannigan pleaded not guilty.
In a 2014 murder trial, William O'Riordan, a former glass blower aged 39, testified that the accused, John Hannigan, admitted to killing Anthony Fallon, 46, on 18 January 2012. O'Riordan described walking through Clonmel that morning, hearing about an incident on the quay side, and later meeting Hannigan and his brother Joseph O'Riordan. He recounted asking Hannigan if he was involved, to which Hannigan replied, "No. I've nothing to do with it. Why are you asking me?" O'Riordan then claimed Hannigan admitted to killing Fallon. The witness also noted that Hannigan had assaulted Fallon and that the victim was badly beaten before being taken to a shop where he was given alcohol. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Carney, continued with a jury of eight men and four women. The prosecution argued that Hannigan and O'Riordan assaulted Fallon before he died of his injuries at the scene. The case remained in progress. John Hannigan pleaded not guilty.
A 47‑year‑old Waterford man, Gerald Vollrath, will be sentenced next week for attempting to murder his 83‑year‑old mother, Vera Vollrath, while she lay in a nursing home. The mother died on 9 January 2012 at Killure Bridge Nursing Home, an outcome that had been expected after a severe stroke and Alzheimer's. Gerald admitted placing a pillow over her face for up to two minutes on the night of 8 January, an act that was later pleaded guilty as attempted murder after the murder charge was dropped. He claimed he acted out of compassion, believing his mother would not want to be a burden and that her death was imminent. The court will consider his admission and the circumstances of his mother's frail state before sentencing. The hearing was adjourned for a week. Gerald Vollrath pleaded not guilty.
The Central Criminal Court heard on 17 February 2014 that a jury of seven women and five men had been discharged after five hours of deliberation and could not reach a verdict in the murder trial of 21‑year‑old Michael Kinsella. Kinsella had pleaded not guilty to the killing of 31‑year‑old Adil Essalhi at Tyrrelstown on 6 January 2011. The State alleged that Kinsella and his uncle, Wayne Kinsella, carried out the murder because they believed Essalhi was involved in the killing of their relative Lee Kinsella. The court heard that Essalhi's body was found in a ditch behind Tyrrelstown Plaza, that an attempt had been made to burn the body, and that the post‑mortem examination revealed 58 injuries, 19 chop wounds to the skull and facial bones, and evidence of post‑mortem burning. Two weapons were said to have been used, a machete and a sharp instrument such as a knife. Michael Kinsella was convicted.
A 46‑year‑old Tipperary man, John Hannigan of River House, New Quay in Clonmel, pleaded not guilty to two charges: the murder of Anthony Fallon (46) on 18 January 2012 in Clonmel and an assault on Fallon at a flat on Abbey Street on the same day. He was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, where he was dressed in a grey sweater and black shirt. Mr Justice Paul Carney swore in a jury of eight men and four women, and the trial is set to begin on Tuesday and is expected to last two weeks.
The Court of Criminal Appeal has reserved its judgment on the appeal by Warren and Jeffrey Dumbrell against their second conviction for the murder of Christopher Cawley. The brothers, who pleaded not guilty to killing the 33-year-old at Tyrone Place flats in Inchicore on October 29, 2006, were sentenced to life imprisonment in February 2011. Their initial 2008 conviction was quashed in 2010 as unsafe due to judicial comments, leading to a retrial. Defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC argued that the trial judge erred by failing to properly direct the jury against conducting internet enquiries and by not warning the jury about the victim's previous convictions for carrying knives, which Jeffrey Dumbrell claimed were relevant to his self-defence claim. The prosecution, represented by Paul Burns SC, countered that the brothers received a fair trial and that the jury was trusted to act judicially. The court heard that Cawley's family witnessed the fatal stabbing. The appeal is currently pending, with the Chief Justice indicating that the judgment will be reserved.
The Central Criminal Court heard the trial of 21‑year‑old Michael Kinsella, accused of murdering 31‑year‑old Adil Essalhi in Tyrrelstown, Dublin, on 6 January 2011. Kinsella pleaded not guilty. The jury has been deliberating for almost two hours and has paused for the weekend. The court noted that Kinsella's uncle, Wayne Kinsella, was convicted of the murder in 2012. Witnesses testified that Essalhi met Wayne and another woman in a Dublin pub, then returned to their Tyrrelstown apartment where a group drank. Essalhi's body was found in a ditch behind Tyrrelstown Plaza, with attempts to burn it. Judge Paul Carney highlighted that key witnesses were alleged liars, and the prosecution, led by Alex Owens SC, argued that a machete and another knife were used, describing the killing as a "Goodfellas‑style execution." The defense, represented by Patrick Marrinan SC, contested the evidence of two weapons and the alleged motive. The jury will resume deliberations on Monday.
Balbriggan District Court heard a number of cases on various charges. David El Masri (32) of Prospect in Balbriggan, Co Dublin pleaded guilty to custody or control of equipment designed for making copies of work on October 14th, 2013 at his home address, and 10 charges of copying movies for sale or supply on the same date, namely Invictus, Avatar, Old Dogs, Body of Lies, Informant, Invention of Lying, Grown Ups, Marmaduke, Wall-E and Four Christmases. He also pleaded guilty to the theft of ten PlayStation games valued at €603 from Tesco Xpress at Millfield in Balbriggan on November 28th. The matter was adjourned until March 6th. Montes Parulea (20) of Birchwood Heights, Springfield Tallaght pleaded guilty to the theft of ten PlayStation games and was handed 240 hours community service work in lieu of a two month prison sentence. Christopher Russell (53) of Brookford Lane in Rush pleaded not guilty to assault and using threatening and abusive behaviour at Upper Main Street in Rush on August 22nd. The matter was adjourned until March 28th. Paul Boylan (35) of Minster's Road in Lusk was remanded on continuing bail until March 27th. Benjamin Whitehouse and Oliver Whitehouse (both 36) were remanded on continuing bail until March 13th. Martin Coughlan (30) of Gurteen Road in Ballyfermot was remanded on continuing bail until March 6th. Nicholas Keane (36) of Bremore, Castlegate in Balbriggan was adjourned until April 10th. Martin Maughan (30) of St McCullin's in Balbriggan pleaded guilty to refusing to give gardai his name and address on November 20th, 2012 at Pinewood Green Close and was fined €200.
A Dublin man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after pleading guilty to the murder of Christopher Jackson (53), whose body was discovered in a wardrobe in 2012. Bernard Locke (41), from Ramillies Road Ballyfermot, admitted to a single count of murder during the proceedings. The prosecution confirmed that Locke had pleaded guilty immediately after his arrest. Christopher Jackson was stabbed to death in his Dublin flat on 7 September 2012. His body was found wrapped in duvet covers in his own flat on Prussia Street. During garda interviews, Locke admitted to stabbing Jackson through the heart and severing a significant artery, and administering numerous wounds. The victim suffered approximately 70 stab wounds, with the first wound being sufficient to cause death. Locke made efforts to secrete the body, including spraying bleach and shampoo on the walls, which led to police being tipped off. Locke had 40 previous convictions, including one for assault causing serious harm. The victim's daughter, Nadine Clifford, delivered a victim impact statement, expressing her grief and the lasting emotional impact of the crime. The defence argued that Locke's guilty plea should be accepted as a sign of remorse. Mr Justice Paul Carney sentenced Bernard Locke to the mandatory sentence of imprisonment for life from 8 September 2012.
Craig O'Halloran, aged 20, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 32‑year‑old Kevin Kenny on Sarsfield Road, Ballyfermot, on 31 July 2011. He was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on 10 February 2014. The judge, Mr Justice Paul Carney, called a jury of six men and six women. The trial is scheduled to start on Wednesday and is expected to last two weeks.
A Sinn Féin local election candidate from County Sligo has secured a High Court order lifting his indefinite suspension from the party. Edward McCarrick, 33, with an address in Tubbercurry, was selected to contest the Ballymote electoral area in October 2013 but was suspended in early November. He claimed the suspension was imposed without disclosure of the complaint's nature, the complainant's identity, or opportunity to respond, breaching party procedures. The court heard that concerns had been raised regarding alleged threatening comments. Mr Justice Sean Ryan held that the candidate, entitled to the presumption of innocence, could not remain indefinitely suspended from the party while investigations by An Garda Síochána proceeded independently. The judge acknowledged the party had acted appropriately in referring sensitive information to gardaí but found ongoing suspension incompatible with due process. The injunction was granted and the suspension lifted accordingly.
A 22-year-old man from Castlebar, County Mayo has been sentenced to life imprisonment following his conviction for the murder of his mother at the Central Criminal Court. The accused had admitted manslaughter but pleaded not guilty to murder. A jury unanimously found him guilty of murder after approximately two hours of deliberation. The victim, a 46-year-old woman, was fatally stabbed on 9 March 2011 at their family home. Evidence presented during the eight-day trial established that the accused was under the influence of amphetamines, methamphetamines and cannabis at the time. The court heard testimony regarding the accused's long-standing substance abuse and psychological deterioration in the days preceding the killing. His defence submissions centred on arguments of diminished responsibility and lack of intent due to intoxication, both of which the jury rejected. The victim's family issued a victim impact statement expressing their devastation and hope that no other families would suffer similarly through drug abuse.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court will begin deliberating tomorrow in the case of a Castlebar man charged with murdering his mother. Celyn Eadon of Derrycrieve, Islandeady is accused of killing Noreen Kelly at their home in March 2011. The 22-year-old admits to her manslaughter but denies murder. The defence argued that drug use from childhood caused a mental disorder that diminished his responsibility, or that intoxication prevented him forming intent to kill. The prosecution contended he was not suffering from mental disorder and that the disappearance of his drugs from his room may have triggered the fatal attack. Medical evidence presented conflicting accounts regarding whether the accused had a mental disorder. The eight-day trial concluded with closing arguments from both the defence and State. Mr Justice Paul Carney instructed the jury of seven men and five women that their task would be difficult. The unnamed man pleaded not guilty.
At the Central Criminal Court, three mental health professionals gave conflicting evidence in the murder trial of a man accused of killing his mother in Castlebar, County Mayo. Celyn Eadon, aged 22, of Derrycrieve, Islandeady, admits manslaughter but denies murder in connection with the death of Noreen Kelly on 9 March 2011. Ms Kelly, aged 46, died from multiple stab wounds at their home. Two defence witnesses, a senior clinical psychologist and a consultant forensic psychiatrist, both based at the Central Mental Hospital, testified that the accused suffered from drug-induced brain impairment and substance-induced psychosis at the time of the incident. However, a prosecution consultant forensic psychiatrist concluded the accused did not meet the legal threshold for mental illness under the Criminal Law Insanity Act. He stated that extreme intoxication, while present, is excluded from that definition. The trial before Mr Justice Paul Carney continues. Celyn Eadon pleaded not guilty.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Celyn Eadon, accused of murdering his mother Noreen Kelly in Castlebar, has heard evidence regarding the deceased's injuries and the accused's mental state. Ms Kelly, 46, died of multiple stab wounds on March 9, 2011. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that he found 19 stab wounds, slash wounds, and bruises on the body, with injuries penetrating the brain, severing a jugular vein, and damaging the heart and liver. He attributed death to catastrophic haemorrhaging. Mr Eadon, 22, has pleaded not guilty to her murder at the address, while admitting to manslaughter. The prosecution closed its case, and the defence called two medical witnesses. Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist Dr Paul O'Connell stated that Mr Eadon began using drugs at age 10 and was likely experiencing substance-induced psychosis at the time of the killing, which could affect his capacity to form specific intent. Senior Clinical Psychologist Dr Ken O'Reilly concluded that the accused suffered from organic brain impairment secondary to polysubstance misuse. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Carney and a jury.
A 22-year-old man from Castlebar has admitted manslaughter but denies murder in connection with the death of his mother at their home in Derrycrieve, Islandeady on 9 March 2011. The Central Criminal Court heard that the accused disputed suggestions he killed his mother after she destroyed his drugs, instead claiming he acted while delusional. Detective Garda Róisín Loftus gave evidence of interviews conducted the day after the 46-year-old woman was found with multiple stab wounds. The court was told forensic analysis identified methamphetamine residue in charred packaging recovered from the family home. The accused stated he had consumed prescription medication and amphetamine in the hours before the incident and believed his medication had been tampered with. Medical evidence previously presented indicated he received a diagnosis of acute psychotic episode secondary to polysubstance abuse following his arrest. The trial before Mr Justice Paul Carney and jury continues. The unnamed 22-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, Stephanie Tuite, aged 20, was sentenced under the Probation Act for contempt of court after refusing to testify in the murder trial of Daniel McDonnell, who was jailed for life for killing 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara. McDonnell, 19, had written a letter to Tuite bragging about the murder, which was used as evidence. Tuite, listed as a prosecution witness, could not be located by the Gardaí during the trial; her statement was read to the jury instead. She was arrested on a bench warrant after the trial and apologized to the court through her barrister. Judge Paul Carney noted her fear of McDonnell and others, accepted her lack of prior convictions, and imposed a three‑month imprisonment under the Probation Act, allowing her to remain free pending future court appearances.
At the Central Criminal Court, a 22-year-old man from Derrycrieve, Islandeady, Castlebar pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted manslaughter in connection with the death of his mother, Noreen Kelly, on March 9, 2011. The 46-year-old died of multiple stab wounds at their home. During proceedings before Mr Justice Paul Carney, the court heard evidence that the accused's behaviour had significantly altered following a violent assault he sustained aged twelve, when two men attacked him with implements whilst he was in a field. His mother's former partner testified that the incident profoundly affected the accused and that his mother had later expressed concern about his unwillingness to seek counselling. The witness also stated that the accused began using drugs months before Ms Kelly's death. A detective sergeant recalled that when arrested hours after the incident, the accused indicated his mother had attacked him first and that he had carried a knife. Hospital records subsequently documented that the accused tested positive for multiple controlled substances and received a diagnosis of acute psychotic episode.
The trial of Celyn Eadon, charged with murdering his mother Noreen Kelly on March 9, 2011, continued at the Central Criminal Court. Eadon, then 22, has pleaded not guilty to murder but admits to manslaughter. Witness John Scott testified that he was having tea when a half-naked, injured teenager approached his kitchen window. Scott stated the young man claimed he had been abducted by aliens and experimented on, and that he had stabbed and possibly killed his mother. Scott provided the distressed man with tea, a cigarette, and a jacket before contacting the gardai. Sergeant David Tiernan testified that Eadon was arrested at Scott's home, where he claimed he did not realize the victim was his mother and that the house was filled with smoke. Psychiatrist Victor Ademaike examined Eadon later that day. Eadon told the doctor he could not recollect events from the previous evening until his arrest, citing the use of methamphetamine and cannabis. He stated he remembered arguing with his mother about her boyfriend and being chased. The psychiatrist diagnosed an acute psychotic episode secondary to polysubstance abuse. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Carney and a jury.
A witness has testified at the Central Criminal Court regarding the death of a woman in County Mayo. The 19-year-old brother of the accused gave evidence via live television link in the trial of Celyn Eadon, aged 22, from Derrycrieve, Islandeady, Castlebar. Eadon admits to the manslaughter of Noreen Kelly at that address on 9 March 2011 but has pleaded not guilty to her murder. The woman, aged 46, died from multiple stab wounds. The witness described the accused's behaviour in the hours before the killing, stating he appeared intoxicated and distressed about missing drugs. He recalled his mother expressing fear and attempting to contact the gardaí for assistance that evening. The witness said he was awakened by screaming and discovered his mother injured. He contacted emergency services and attempted to provide aid. The trial, heard before a jury of seven men and five women, continues before Mr Justice Paul Carney.
Daniel McDonnell, aged 19, was sentenced to life imprisonment after a jury found him guilty of murdering 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara. The murder occurred in Tallaght when a stolen black Hyundai Santa Fe fired a shot that struck Melanie in the head while she sat in the back seat with her boyfriend and his friend. The vehicle and weapon were abandoned in Citywest, and no fingerprints were found on the car, gun or cartridges. McDonnell had been arrested the week after the shooting and had made no statements to police, instead leaving graffiti in his cell. He later wrote letters to a friend and a former girlfriend that were deemed admissions of guilt. The trial lasted seven days, and the jury deliberated for 4 hours and 17 minutes before reaching a unanimous verdict. The judge imposed the mandatory life sentence for murder. The case was heard at Dublin Central Criminal Court. Daniel McDonnell pleaded not guilty.
A jury has begun deliberating the trial of 19‑year‑old Daniel McDonnell, charged with murdering 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara on 8 February 2012. McDonnell's barrister argued that the only evidence against him was two letters he wrote while in prison, described as "rants to his friend and girlfriend." One letter contained violent language, including "Close‑range head shots… Two in the head. The bitch is dead," and references to a loaded 12‑gauge. The other letter suggested a motive tied to a car incident. McDonnell pleaded not guilty. Defending counsel Patrick Marrinan SC noted the absence of any role for McDonnell in the murder, the lack of forensic evidence such as fingerprints on the vehicle or gun, and the lack of corroboration for the letters. He warned of the dangers of relying on uncorroborated confessions, citing cases where Irish men had falsely confessed.
In a 2014 Central Criminal Court hearing, 19‑year‑old Daniel McDonnell, charged with the murder of 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara, admitted writing two letters from his St Patrick's Institution cell in March 2012. The letters, which he had asked prison staff to send to two recipients, contain boastful remarks about shooting McCarthy McNamara. One letter includes the lines "Close‑range head shots… Two in the head. The bitch is dead… Best night of my poxy life." The second letter references a "smell bag" and a "bullying my Ma" comment. McDonnell pleaded not guilty to the murder. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Carney, has already heard the letters and related statements from prison staff and Garda investigators. The case remains at the trial stage, with no verdict yet reached.
In the murder trial of Daniel McDonnell, a 19‑year‑old charged with killing 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara, the court heard that McDonnell, a protected prisoner at St Patrick's Institution, had written two letters while in Cell 17 on the B3 landing. Prison officer Richard Pielow testified that McDonnell had no contact with other inmates and that the letters were unsealed and read by officers as part of routine procedure. The letters, addressed to Lee McDonnell and Stephanie Tuite, contained violent and vulgar language, including the phrase "Two in the head. The bitch is dead." Assistant Chief Officer Tony Redmond read the letters aloud to the jury. McDonnell pleaded not guilty, and the trial continued before Mr Justice Paul Carney with a jury of six men and six women. The case remains pending.
In a 2014 Central Criminal Court hearing, a 65‑year‑old Wicklow farmer, Cecil Tomkins, was found unfit to stand trial for the 2010 murder of his 66‑year‑old brother, Walter Tomkins, at their Cronlea home. Tomkins, suffering from advanced Parkinson's disease, dementia, depression and a history of seizures, was an inpatient at Bloomfield Hospital. His barrister, John O'Kelly SC, presented a multidisciplinary report and a consultant psychiatrist, Dr John Tobin, testified that Tomkins' cognitive impairment prevented him from understanding the proceedings or directing his counsel. Dr Tobin described Tomkins as unable to communicate effectively, disoriented in place and time, and requiring total nursing care. The judge, Mr Justice Paul Carney, agreed with the defence, ruling Tomkins unfit under the Criminal Law Insanity Act and adjourned the case for a further order.
In January 2014, Timothy O'Driscoll, aged 36, was denied an appeal against his life sentence for the murder of 25‑year‑old Lee McCarthy. O'Driscoll stabbed McCarthy to death after a drink and an invitation to his family home. The Central Criminal Court jury in Cork found him guilty in October 2011, and Mr Justice Paul Carney imposed a life sentence. O'Driscoll's lawyers argued he was provoked by McCarthy's claim that his father had been in a loyalist organisation, but the Court of Criminal Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice Adrian Hardiman, found no grounds to overturn the conviction.
A 22-year-old man from Castlebar is to stand trial at the Central Criminal Court following the death of his mother in March 2011. The defendant pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of a 46-year-old woman at an address in Islandeady. The Director of Public Prosecutions rejected the manslaughter plea. A jury of twelve was sworn in to hear the case, with trial proceedings due to commence on Thursday. The trial will determine whether the charge of murder is sustained.
During his trial at the Central Criminal Court, Daniel McDonnell, a 19‑year‑old charged with the murder of 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara, admitted to writing graffiti on his cell wall while detained at Tallaght Garda Station. The graffiti included phrases such as "2 in the head. The bitch is dead" and references to Melanie's boyfriend, Christopher Moran, using derogatory terms. Garda Francis Glennon, who was the jailer, photographed the graffiti and testified that it was signed by McDonnell. The prosecution presented the photographs to the jury. The trial also covered the forensic evidence of Melanie's death, with Dr Khalid Jabbar describing a fatal shotgun wound to her left temple and the presence of numerous pellets. The case proceeded to legal argument before Mr Justice Paul Carney, with the jury scheduled to return on Tuesday. The unnamed 19-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a murder trial, the jury heard that 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara was severely wounded when she arrived at Tallaght Hospital after being shot in the head. The court was shown a shotgun found by Gardaí near Brookview Way, where the shooting occurred. Daniel McDonnell, 19, was on trial for the murder and had pleaded not guilty. A hospital statement described the extent of her injuries, including a large wound to the temple, brain matter, and a protruding eyeball, and noted that resuscitation was stopped at 1 am after her condition deteriorated. A boy who witnessed the shooting described a black jeep and gunfire, and Sergeant John Schlay presented the shotgun, noting it had been altered for concealment. The trial proceeded before Mr Justice Paul Carney with a jury of twelve.
In a 2014 trial at the Central Criminal Court, Daniel McDonnell, aged 19, was charged with the murder of 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara. The prosecution presented evidence that McDonnell had written boastful graffiti on his cell wall, including the lines 'Two in the head. Your bitch is dead', and had sent two letters to a prison officer that contained references to the shooting. The letters, addressed to Lee McDonnell and Stephanie Tuite, described the intent to shoot and the use of a loaded 12‑gauge shotgun. McDonnell's defence pleaded not guilty. The jury was told that the victim was shot in the head while seated in the back seat of a car on Brookview Way, Tallaght, and that she was pronounced dead at Tallaght Hospital. The case was heard by Mr Justice Paul Carney with a jury of twelve.
Siobhan Whitaker, 25, of Meadow Vale, London, pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension of a person she believed to be guilty of Maurice Martin's murder in Finglas on 12 June 2009. She admitted that she cleaned up the scene after the murder, which was carried out by Daniel Gaynor, a known violent offender who stabbed Martin to death. Whitaker had no involvement in the murder itself and had previously been described as having good character. The court noted her early guilty plea and her 21 prior convictions, mainly for traffic offences, and imposed an 18‑month prison term. Whitaker's statement to the court was that she did not ask for the events to happen and that she felt guilty for her actions. The sentence was handed down by Mr Justice Paul Carney at the Central Criminal Court.
A jury was sworn in for the trial of Andrew Gibney, 21, who is accused of murdering Gerard Burnett, 28, at Castlecurragh Vale, Mulhuddart, on 21 August 2012. Gibney appeared before Mr Justice Paul Carney at the Central Criminal Court and pleaded not guilty to the single count of murder. The trial is set to begin on Tuesday before a jury of six men and six women and is expected to last two weeks.
A 19‑year‑old Dublin teenager, Daniel McDonnell, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara, who was killed in Tallaght on 8 February 2012. He was charged at the Central Criminal Court and arraigned before a jury of six men and six women. The trial is set to begin the following morning and is expected to last a week.