In a Central Criminal Court hearing, 31‑year‑old Maurice Power of Dranganbeg, Kilmoyler, Cahir pleaded not guilty to the murder of 29‑year‑old Shane Rossiter, who died on 17 October 2012 after being shot twice at a house party in Church Lane, Golden, Co. Tipperary. Prosecutor Anthony Sammon SC presented evidence that Power fired the shots, citing a black Audi A4 registered to Power's partner that was later burned in a bog in Co. Waterford. Power was arrested on 11 December 2012 for murder with a firearm. During a lengthy detention he allegedly made a full confession to the Gardaí, stating a long‑standing feud with Rossiter that began seven years earlier and involved a stabbing. The trial is proceeding before a jury of seven women and five men, presided over by Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy. The case remains at the trial stage.
The Central Criminal Court is continuing the trial of Maurice Power, a 31‑year‑old from Dranganbeg, Kilmoyler, Cahir, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Shane Rossiter, 30, in Co. Tipperary on 17 October 2012. A jury of seven women and five men was sworn in for a three‑week trial, but legal matters are being addressed while the jury is absent, with the jury scheduled to hear evidence the following day.
A 31‑year‑old man from Dranganbeg, Kilmoyler, Cahir, named Maurice Power, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Shane Rossiter, 30, in County Tipperary on 17 October 2012. A jury of seven women and five men was sworn in at the Central Criminal Court for a three‑week trial that is set to begin on Tuesday.
In a Special Criminal Court case in Limerick, Thomas McMahon, 31, and Noel Noonan, 34, pleaded guilty to membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) before their trial was adjourned. The adjournment, the first criminal case affected by the Garda taping revelations, was granted to allow the defence to consider using an expert to examine Clonmel and Cahir Garda stations, where the men were detained after arrest. The court had already heard expert evidence that there were no recording facilities at those stations. Ms Tara Burns SC, the prosecutor, reported progress in the case and indicated that the men were seeking a sentencing date in June. Judge Paul Butler set June 27 for sentencing, remanded both men on continuing bail, and noted that the bail sureties were present. The court also heard that telephone calls made by the defendants with their solicitors before interview were recorded at Garda Headquarters, not at the local stations.
The Special Criminal Court has decided that the trial of Thomas McMahon (31) and Noel Noonan (34) for IRA membership will proceed after hearing evidence that Clonmel and Cahir Garda stations had no recording facilities when the men were detained. The court adjourned the trial to allow the defence to consider employing an expert to physically examine the two stations. Superintendent Michael Flynn testified that recording equipment was only installed at divisional headquarters and not at the two stations, and that any recordings made were stored at Garda Headquarters. The judge noted the evidence was "very impressive" and granted the defence an extension of the legal aid certificate for any proposed expert. The trial was adjourned until Tuesday, with the court willing to postpone further if an expert inspection is arranged. The men remain charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army on 7 February 2013.
The Special Criminal Court has granted 31-year-old Thomas McMahon, a Limerick man charged with IRA membership, permission to travel to Lithuania for a third time. The court acceded to an application to ease his bail restrictions until February 10, allowing him to visit his Lithuanian wife. McMahon, of Ros Fearna, Murroe, and his co-accused, 34-year-old Noel Noonan of St. Patrick's Hostel, Clare Street, were arrested in February 2013 near Cahir, Co Tipperary, during an investigation into dissident republican activities. Both men face charges of membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the IRA. While Detective Inspector William Hanrahan of the Special Detective Unit objected to the application, citing the upcoming trial date of March 25 and concerns over McMahon's potential non-return, he acknowledged that McMahon had previously returned his passport within 24 hours. Presiding Judge Paul Butler noted McMahon's prior compliance and granted the variation. Counsel Michael Bowman BL confirmed the bail surety was present and requested the suspension of signing-on and residency conditions from February 1 to February 10. The matter remains at the pre-trial stage, with the trial scheduled for March 25.
Leroy Harris, 19, a young actor known for a controversial cat‑killing scene in the RTE drama Love/Hate, was given another opportunity to cooperate with the Probation Service before sentencing for cannabis possession. Harris had pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of €100 worth of cannabis and to having it for sale or supply at Sheriff Street, Dublin, on 14 October. He had no prior convictions. The Dublin District Court had adjourned sentencing to prepare a pre‑sentence probation report, but Harris missed his hearing, prompting Judge Denis McLoughlin to issue a bench warrant. Defence solicitor Cahir O'Higgins argued Harris had no prior convictions and had been away with family, and that an aunt attended court. The judge cancelled the warrant and ordered an updated pre‑sentence report, adjourned the case until March. Harris was searched by Gardaí after being seen placing a suspected drug package on his trousers. He claimed the cannabis was for friends.
Leroy Harris, 19, a young actor known for a controversial cat‑killing scene in the RTE drama Love/Hate, pleaded guilty to a cannabis dealing charge. He admitted unlawful possession of a quantity of cannabis worth €100, intended for sale or supply, at Sheriff Street in north inner city Dublin on 14 October. Harris was caught with two packets of cannabis; he was searched by Gardaí after a suspected drugs package was found on his trousers. Defence solicitor Cahir O'Higgins said Harris had the drugs for friends and highlighted his acting potential, noting he had taken up acting at Marino College and had a role in Love/Hate. The court heard that Harris also teaches acting to youngsters voluntarily. Judge Michael Walsh adjourned sentencing to January to allow time for a probation report. Harris was remanded on continuing bail and did not address the court. The case remains pending sentencing.
Leroy Harris, 19, a young actor known for a controversial cat‑killing scene in the TV series Love/Hate, appeared in Dublin District Court on 5 November 2013 charged with unlawful possession of cannabis worth €110 and having the drug for sale or supply. The alleged offence occurred at Sheriff Street on 14 October. Harris was stopped by Gardaí near his home and was brought to court in a red jumper, navy tracksuit bottoms and blue runners. He remained silent during the brief hearing and no plea was entered. Judge Cormac Dunne accepted jurisdiction, granted bail and legal aid, and adjourned the case to allow the prosecution to hand over a summary of its evidence. Harris is ordered to return in three weeks to enter a plea. The case is to be dealt with at district court level. The young actor is unemployed and has an address at Mariner's Port, Dublin.
The Special Criminal Court has granted 31-year-old Thomas McMahon permission to travel to Lithuania for a second time this year, despite objections from gardai. Mr McMahon, of Ros Fearna, Murroe, is on bail on a charge of membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA. He faces this charge alongside co-accused Noel Noonan (34), of St. Patrick's Hostel, Clare Street. Both men were arrested in February near Cahir, Co Tipperary, by the Special Detective Unit during an investigation into dissident republican activities. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Butler, acceded to an application by counsel Mr Michael Bowman BL to vary bail restrictions until November 6th to allow Mr McMahon to attend a family wedding. Detective Inspector William Hanrahan stated that gardai objected because they could not monitor Mr McMahon while he was abroad, noting he is due to stand trial in March next year. However, the judge noted the variation was for a very limited period and that Mr McMahon had returned from a previous visit. The court agreed to the variation, noting the bail surety was present. The matter remains at the pre-trial stage, with the trial scheduled for next year.