Court archive
Court reports mentioning Tubbercurry, Sligo
2016-02-24 · Sligo
The Supreme Court has granted leave to appeal in McDonagh v Sunday World, a significant defamation case concerning the limits of jury verdicts and media freedom. The proceedings arose from a 1999 Sunday World article alleging that McDonagh was a drug dealer, loan shark, tax evader and criminal. At trial, a jury rejected the drug dealing and loan sharking claims but found the tax evasion and criminality allegations proven, awarding damages of €900,000. The Court of Appeal subsequently overturned the verdict, holding that the evidence on drug dealing was overwhelming and that the newspaper possessed a constitutional right to publish such material which could not be compromised by a jury finding. The Supreme Court has identified five issues of general public importance for determination, including whether appellate courts may reverse jury verdicts on defamation despite strong evidence supporting the defendant's case, and whether media constitutional rights override jury verdicts. The case raises fundamental questions about the intersection of jury findings, judicial review, and press freedom under Irish constitutional law.
2015-06-25 · Mayo
Four men convicted of assaulting two off-duty gardaí at Charlestown in June 2012 have been imprisoned following a successful appeal by the Director of Public Prosecution against their original suspended sentences. Nico Barrett, aged 22, of Humbert Street, Sligo; David Leonard, aged 32, formerly of Rhue, Sligo; Daniel Phelan, aged 23, of Tower Crescent, Connolly Park, Sligo; and David Skeffington, aged 23, of Rathscanlon, Charlestown Road, Tubbercurry, had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court. The trial judge imposed three-year suspended sentences on Barrett, Leonard, and Skeffington, and a two-year suspended sentence on Phelan in October 2014. The Court of Appeal found the sentences unduly lenient. Mr Justice John Edwards, speaking for the three-judge court, stated that custodial sentences were unavoidable and that assaults on peace officers must be severely punished. Barrett received 14 months imprisonment, whilst the other three received 12 months each.
2015-05-12 · Mayo
Finbar Tolan, a cattle dealer and farmer from Middle Mace, Claremorris, Co Mayo, is suing Aurivo Co Op, formerly Connaught Gold Co Op Society Ltd, in the High Court for alleged breach of contract. The applicant claims the defendant failed to honour a July 2012 agreement regarding credit terms for cattle purchased at Balla and Ballinrobe marts. Mr Tolan alleges that after securing bank arrangements to comply with reduced credit terms, the co-op sought further amendments in August 2012. He claims he was subsequently barred from trading at the Balla mart, preventing him from fulfilling a contract to deliver ninety cattle to a meat plant, which led to the loss of that contract and his eventual exit from business. The defendant denies these claims, stating the action was a response to separate High Court proceedings it brought in October 2012. The co-op secured a judgment for €154,000 in those proceedings, which has been appealed to the Supreme Court. Mr Tolan stated he wished to consolidate the two matters, but his application was refused. The case, heard before High Court President Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns, continues.
2014-11-26 · Dublin
A Sligo man has received a five-year suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possession of heroin worth over €100,000 with intent to supply. Anthony Fitzpatrick, aged 22 and resident in Tubbercurry, pleaded guilty to the offence, which occurred at various locations in Dublin 8 on 5 March 2013. Judge Mary Ellen Ring suspended the sentence in full, imposing strict conditions requiring engagement with the Probation Service for one year. The judge warned that any breach would result in the full custodial term being activated. Fitzpatrick, who has no previous convictions, was noted to have relocated from Dublin to Sligo eighteen months prior and has settled into a stable environment, including college attendance. A co-accused, then aged 17, was also charged in connection with the seizure. The court heard that Fitzpatrick's involvement stemmed from pressure to settle a cannabis-related debt and that he is currently receiving treatment for addiction.
2014-02-07 · Sligo
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.