In a High Court hearing, Anna Thomson‑Moore testified that John Magnier's Coolmore group had delivered €50,000 in cash in two brown envelopes to her husband's estate agent after a purported hand‑shake agreement for the Barne Estate. She described the envelopes as "incredibly tainted and dirty" and said she returned the money days later. Thomson‑Moore also claimed that Maurice Regan, who later outbid Magnier, had called her "professional bullies" and that Coolmore had been intimidating her. She denied deliberately withholding information that could have delayed the sale and said the estate had taken a commercial loan from a Regan company without any indemnity clause. The case, involving the Barne Estate, Thomson‑Moore, and IQEQ (Jersey) Ltd, remains before Mr Justice Max Barrett.
The High Court heard evidence in the ongoing dispute between John Magnier and Richard Thomson-Moore regarding a purported €15 million handshake deal for 751 acres in Co Tipperary. Anna Thomson-Moore, wife of the defendant, testified that the family was forced to take out a commercial loan to defend the case, describing the proceedings as an "onslaught" that delayed their plans to move to Australia for their son's care. She alleged that estate agent John Stokes conveyed a threat from Mr Magnier to pursue "litigation for years" at a cost of "millions" if the land were sold to others. Ms Thomson-Moore stated that the defendants had informed Mr Magnier that any agreement was subject to trustee consent, a condition Mr Magnier denies was mentioned. She also detailed receiving two brown envelopes containing €50,000 in cash from JP Magnier, which the family subsequently returned. The Magnier side characterised the cash as a token of appreciation. The defendants, including the Barne Estate and three IQEQ (Jersey) Ltd companies, deny any binding agreement existed, noting they ultimately preferred a higher offer from non-party Maurice Regan. The case continues before Mr Justice Max Barrett.
In the High Court, Anna Thomson-Moore, the wife of applicant Richard Thomson-Moore, testified that the family sold the Barne Estate in County Tipperary to facilitate a move to Australia for their five-year-old son's healthcare needs. She stated that local services were under-resourced, while Australia offered individualised budgets for their son's diagnoses, requiring physical presence. The testimony was given in the case brought by respondent John Magnier, who alleges a handshake agreement was reached in August 2023 for the 751-acre estate at €15 million. Magnier claims the deal was broken when the estate was sold to Maurice Regan for €22.25 million. The Barne defendants, including Richard Thomson-Moore and three IQEQ (Jersey) Ltd companies, deny any such agreement existed, asserting that trustee consent was required and that they ultimately chose to sell to Regan. Ms. Thomson-Moore, a trained lawyer, told the court that she informed Magnier the sale was a family decision involving trustees. The case, heard before Mr Justice Max Barrett, continues with the Magnier side seeking to enforce the purported deal.
A 43-year-old man was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for raping his estranged wife at their Tipperary home. The defendant, who pleaded not guilty to two charges of rape alleged to have occurred in April and May 2022, was convicted by a jury on one count. The jury failed to reach a verdict on the first incident, and the Director of Public Prosecutions entered a nolle prosequi, meaning that charge will not be tried again. Mr Justice Paul Burns imposed a sentence of seven years, with the final year suspended for three years. The court heard that the victim, who had been married to the accused since 2010, used a rolling pin to fight him off during the May 2022 incident. The judge noted the accused had broken trust by taking advantage of the victim while she was asleep in her own bed, citing their prior relationship as an aggravating factor. Mitigating factors included the defendant's lack of prior convictions, work history, cooperation with gardaí, and status as a good father. The victim's impact statement described severe mental and financial distress, including PTSD and an inability to work. Defence counsel noted the client did not accept the verdict but had been cooperative during the investigation.
The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on an appeal by an unnamed 54-year-old woman, with the decision scheduled for July 14. The State has indicated it will not oppose the bid to quash her conviction and will not seek a retrial. The appellant was convicted in July 2024 of four counts of sexual assault against three disabled sons and one count of child neglect. She was sentenced to eight years in prison, with the final two years suspended, by Judge Catherine Staines at Clonmel Circuit Court on December 17, 2024. She remains on bail pending this appeal. Defence counsel argued that the sole evidence against her—admissions made to a psychologist during five days of interviews, including polygraph tests—was not voluntary and may have resulted from inducements. The trial judge had previously expressed serious concerns about the admissibility of these admissions but felt bound by a Supreme Court ruling that upheld their use. The DPP stated that while the Supreme Court's judgment was emphatic, the impact on admissibility in this specific setting is difficult to assess. The court, comprising Ms Justice Tara Burns, Mr Justice Brian O'Moore, and Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, heard the submissions and will deliver its ruling on the validity of the conviction on July 14.
Eddie Irwin, a senior adviser to John Magnier, has denied being kept in the loop regarding the tax affairs of the Barne Estate, which Magnier sought to purchase. Irwin, who has worked with Magnier for 40 years, rejected being described as the billionaire's 'fixer' or 'right-hand man'. He stated that Coolmore Stud, which Magnier founded, does not use such titles. The case involves Magnier's claim that Maurice Regan, a US-based construction magnate, outbid him for the 751-acre estate in Tipperary. Irwin said he was contacted by the Thomson-Moore family, who own the estate through a Jersey trust, to provide tax advice. He claimed that a KPMG tax expert was consulted, but he did not attend the meeting. Irwin denied that he received an 'off-the-record' report from the expert, as alleged by counsel. He also expressed concerns that the tax issue raised by the Thomson-Moores was brought up just before the end of an exclusivity agreement.
A 89‑year‑old Tipperary man, Sid Green, was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment, with the final five years suspended, for 22 counts of rape and one count of sexual assault of a child committed between 1993 and 1998. The victim, who remains unnamed, testified that the abuse began when she was seven and continued until she was about twelve, describing lasting emotional and psychological damage. Green, who has no prior convictions and is now in a nursing home in Offaly, was found guilty at the Central Criminal Court in Tullamore. The judge, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath, noted Green's advanced age and medical difficulties, including limited mobility and the need for nursing care, as mitigating factors. The sentence will take effect from 10 July 2025, with the prison service prepared to accommodate Green's medical needs. The victim praised her resilience and the support she received from her husband and family.
A heated exchange occurred during the High Court trial involving John Magnier, who is pursuing a €15 million deal he claims was agreed with a Tipperary landowner over a large tract of land. The case involves Barne Estate, Tim Gleeson, Magnier's Coolmore Stud, Coolmore Stud, and Magnier's Coolmore, all of whom are applicants. During the cross-examination of Tim Gleeson, a financial manager at Coolmore Stud, Martin Hayden SC for Barne Estate alleged that members of the gallery were nodding at the witness, potentially influencing his answers. Hayden gestured towards the Magnier side and requested that individuals stop making head gestures. Mr. Gleeson denied seeing any gestures and stated he was following documents and facing the judge when answering questions. Paul Gallagher SC for the Coolmore side refuted the claim, calling it 'outrageous' and 'not true'. The judge instructed all present to refrain from nodding upon hearing responses given by the witness. A third interruption occurred when Gallagher claimed a junior counsel from the defence was staring at the gallery. The hearing then re-commenced for Mr. Gleeson to conclude his evidence. The case continues before Mr. Justice Barrett, with the Magnier side alleging that Barne Estate reneged on the deal, preferring to sell the land to Maurice Regan at a higher price. The Barne Estate defendants deny any such agreement, stating they needed the consent of the trustees to finalise any agreement and preferred to sell to Regan. The case is ongoing.
A cattle farmer, Martin Murray, 59, was convicted of importing €730,000 worth of cannabis and was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. He appealed his conviction at the Court of Appeal, arguing that his solicitor had not understood the significance of hearsay evidence presented to the jury. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC contended that confidential information, including details of Garda confirmation that drugs would be found in the truck and Murray's identity as the target, was improperly introduced without warning to the jury. He claimed the trial judge should have clarified that this was hearsay. State counsel Kevin White BL defended the prosecution's use of the evidence, stating that the solicitor had consented to its presentation. The court adjourned the matter to allow the Director of Public Prosecutions to address the factual issues, with a further hearing scheduled for July 14. Martin Murray pleaded not guilty.
In a High Court hearing on 5 June 2025, it was revealed that JP Magnier, son of billionaire John Magnier, handed two brown envelopes containing €50,000 in cash to an estate agent involved in a failed €15 million sale of Barne Estate in County Tipperary. The money was described by JP as an "appreciation" for allowing the Magnier side access to the land and for the estate's alleged financial difficulties. JP claimed his father had instructed him to deliver the cash on 8 September 2023, and that the envelopes were to be passed to the Thomson‑Moore family, the trustees of the estate. The estate agent reportedly pushed the envelopes to JP on 11 September, citing concerns that the farm manager might have seen the original transaction. The case, which also involves an exclusivity agreement and a dispute over a reneged sale, is set to resume in two weeks before Mr Justice Max Barrett.
In a High Court hearing on 4 June 2025, David Wachman, son‑in‑law of John Magnier, denied that Coolmore used a "ruse" by employing third parties to bid on a 751‑acre Tipperary farm before allegedly "low‑balling" the sellers with a €10 million offer. Wachman said it was "common practice" to start bids below a vendor's valuation to control expectations. He explained that Coolmore had an exclusivity agreement from 31 August to 30 September 2023, during which the Barne Estate could not solicit offers from anyone other than Coolmore. The estate, held by a Jersey trust for Richard Thomson‑Moore, rejected the alleged deal and sold the land to US construction magnate Maurice Regan for €22.25 million. Regan is not a party to the case. The hearing continues before Mr Justice Max Barrett.
In a High Court hearing on 30 May 2025, Susan Magnier, wife of billionaire John Magnier, supported her husband's claim that a €15 million purchase of a 751‑acre tract in County Tipperary had been agreed at a kitchen‑table meeting on 22 August 2023 at the Coolmore estate. She testified that the sellers, represented by estate agent John Stokes, moved to another room to contact trustees and a beneficiary before returning to accept the offer. The Magniers allege that the deal was later abandoned in favour of a higher €22.25 million offer from New York developer Maurice Regan, who they say used a "full‑frontal assault" to undermine the agreement. The defendants deny any agreement, claiming they required trustee consent and ultimately sold to Regan. The case is set to continue before Mr Justice Max Barrett next week.
During a High Court hearing on 29 May 2025, John Magnier, the billionaire behind Coolmore Stud, testified that a barrister had "unfairly gone after" his good name and that he had come to court for "protection, not to be slaughtered." He argued that his reputation was essential for business and that the opposition's lawyer, Martin Hayden SC, had tried to undermine it. Magnier claimed that a failed €15 million land deal in Tipperary had been agreed with Barne Estate on 22 August 2023, with an exclusivity period until 30 September 2023, but that the estate later sold the land to Maurice Regan for €22.25 million. He alleged that the estate's representatives had misrepresented the agreement and that he had attempted to enforce the deal by suing the estate, Richard Thomson‑Moore and associated companies. The case remains before Mr Justice Max Barrett.
In a High Court hearing on 28 May 2025, John Magnier, the Irish bloodstock billionaire, argued that money is not personally significant to him but serves as a metric for business performance. He explained that he had engaged legal and financial experts for decisions beyond his expertise. Magnier claimed that a former exclusive agreement to purchase 751 acres in County Tipperary for €15 million was breached when the estate, Barne, sold the land to Maurice Regan for €22.25 million. He alleged that Regan's actions constituted a "full‑frontal assault" on the deal and that the estate's agent described the situation as "greed." Magnier, together with his adult children, seeks enforcement of the alleged agreement, which they say was signed on 22 August 2023 and remained exclusive until 30 September. The defendants deny any such contract and argue the sale to Regan was lawful. The case remains before Mr Justice Max Barrett.
In a High Court hearing on 27 May 2025, bloodstock billionaire John Magnier testified that he had reached an agreement to buy 751 acres in County Tipperary for €15 million in August 2023, but the deal collapsed when the former owners, represented by Barne Estate, sold the land to US construction magnate Maurice Regan for €22.5 million. Magnier claimed an exclusivity period from 31 August to 30 September 2023 prevented other parties from soliciting the property, and that the estate agent's remark that "greed" was the reason for the failure was a key point of his evidence. He alleged that the estate returned his initial payments in September 2023 and that the sale was sabotaged by Regan, who allegedly used a journalist to influence the agent. The case, which is expected to last three weeks, seeks to enforce the alleged agreement and is currently before Mr Justice Max Barrett.
In a High Court hearing on 27 May 2025, lawyers for billionaire John Magnier alleged that the Barne Estate, managed by a Jersey trust, breached an exclusivity agreement and sold 751 acres of Tipperary land to Maurice Regan for €22.5 million after Magnier claimed a €15 million deal had been struck on 22 August 2023. Magnier, his adult children John Paul and Kate, and their counsel Paul Gallagher SC presented evidence that the estate had agreed not to solicit offers from anyone other than Magnier between 31 August and 30 September 2023. The defendants denied any such agreement and said they had sold the land to Regan, who is not a party to the case. Gallagher also alleged that Regan had arranged for journalist Paul Williams to contact the estate agent, implying Regan's exclusion was unlawful. The case is expected to last three weeks.
In the trial of Richard Satchwell, the defence counsel challenged the Gardaí's claim that the accused was paraded before the press after being charged with murdering his wife. The Garda detective denied that a "perp walk" occurred, stating that Satchwell was handcuffed and escorted to Cashel District Court by five officers, but that this was not a public parade. The defence also questioned whether the Gardaí had over‑compensated for a 2017 investigative failure, to which the detective admitted he could only speak of his involvement from 2021. The trial heard that Satchwell, aged 58, was charged in October 2023 after an invasive search of the home uncovered his wife's decomposed remains. The case continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
Amy McAuley, 35, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to using a false instrument by submitting a false death notification form to Wexford County Council on January 19, 2023. She also admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice on January 23, 2023, and forging a medical report on November 23, 2022. The court heard that McAuley faked her death to avoid attending trial for prior theft and fraud offences. Judge Orla Crowe described the matter as complex and directed Probation Services to prepare a risk assessment report. The case was adjourned to October for finalisation. Defence counsel Rebecca Smith BL noted McAuley is now living in Dublin and successfully applied to change the Garda station where she must sign on twice weekly. Judge Crowe granted this application and remanded McAuley on continuing bail. The court also noted that the Director of Public Prosecutions had previously appealed a 2015 sentence of two years, suspended for ten years, for theft of nearly €111,000, citing undue leniency. The Court of Appeal declined to alter that sentence but extended the repayment period to seven-and-a-half years, with the balance still outstanding.
Nko Mpase, 62, of Rush, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to smuggling a Congolese national into Ireland. On 16 May 2020 she and the woman arrived at Terminal One on a Ryanair flight from Paris Beauvais, used the same immigration booth, and the woman presented a travel document that did not match her appearance. Garda Sean McGlynn noted that WhatsApp messages and a ticket photo on Mpase's phone linked the two women, and CCTV showed them together on the plane. Mpase admitted travelling with the woman from Paris but made no further admissions. She had two prior convictions for minor traffic offences and one for threatening behaviour. The court heard she had no financial gain and had visited family in Paris for five days. The maximum sentence for the offence is 10 years imprisonment. Judge Patricia Ryan adjourned sentencing to 25 July and ordered a probation report and further documentation of Mpase's educational and work history.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing, Gardaí told Richard Satchwell that his description of his wife Tina's death was "most likely a physical impossibility" and "didn't make sense". Satchwell, aged 58, said he had tried to explain the events of March 19‑20, 2017, when Tina, aged 45, disappeared and was later found buried under their stairs in a grave dug in October 2023. He claimed he had held her by the belt of her bathrobe, that the belt may have strangled her, and that he had buried her in a "final goodbye" after lifting her body into the hole. Gardaí questioned the plausibility of his account, noting no evidence of a belt around her neck and that the scene did not match his narrative. Satchwell stated he would plead guilty and that there would be no jury. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of five men and seven women. Richard Satchwell pleaded not guilty.
In a tribunal hearing on 12 May 2025, Daniel Holland's claim that he was dismissed from James Whelan Butchers because of his SIPTU membership was rejected. Holland, who joined the company on 24 April 2023 and was terminated on 23 April 2024, argued that his emails to human resources accusing managers of dishonesty were the real cause. The tribunal found that the dismissal was linked to Holland's "misalignment" with the company, not his union membership. The adjudicator noted that Holland's emails were seen as damaging to the employment relationship and that the union was not a primary factor. The company's barrister described the union claim as a "retro‑fit" and highlighted Holland's lack of the required 12‑month service. The tribunal dismissed Holland's complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977.
Amy McAuley, 35, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of using a false instrument by submitting a false death notification form to Wexford County Council on January 19, 2023. She also admitted attempting to pervert the course of justice on January 23, 2023, and forging a medical report on November 23, 2022. Additionally, McAuley entered guilty pleas to five counts of theft and one count of possession of the proceeds of crime on separate dates between November 2015 and May 2023. The court heard that the Director of Public Prosecutions appealed her 2015 sentence of two years, suspended for 10 years, for stealing nearly €111,000 from a former employer, citing undue leniency. The Court of Appeal declined to alter the sentence but extended the repayment period to seven-and-a-half years. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the case for finalisation next week.
A Commercial Court case involving former Morgan Stanley broker Jeffrey Leo has been adjourned to the end of the month after the plaintiffs' lawyers attempted to remove Wenning Holdings Ltd from the proceedings. The case centres on allegations that Leo misappropriated US$60m (€58m) given by American couple Mary and James Wenning to invest in a portfolio of Irish properties, including Dundrum House Hotel, Pillo Hotel, Tullamaine Castle, Golden Vale Hotel, Drumonna House, Celbridge Manor and Powerscourt Arms Hotel. The Wenning couple claim the money was advanced as a loan or in exchange for equity, while Leo denies the claims. Liquidator Kieran Wallace seeks orders making Leo personally liable for Wenning Holdings' debts, against former auditor Colm Malone, and against Leo Financial Investments Ltd and Steelworks Investments Ltd. The court noted that the removal of Wenning Holdings was part of a "narrowing" of proceedings that did not prejudice the defence.
William Kiely, aged 52, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to three counts of dishonestly appropriating money from Barrington Capital Ltd's accounts between 2007 and 2010. The court found that he had transferred about €2 million of investors' funds into unauthorised stock‑market trades, losing roughly $1.47 million USD and €700,000 in the process. Kiely also pleaded guilty to operating the company with intent to defraud creditors from July 2008 to February 2010 and to falsifying a financial statement on 12 March 2010. He had set up Barrington Capital as a legitimate investment vehicle to buy U.S. commercial property, but after the 2008 crash he diverted the money to the stock market and used it for lifestyle expenses and personal payments. No investors received any restitution, and the court noted the significant financial and emotional harm suffered by the victims. Kiely is also disqualified from serving as a company director for five years.
Padraic Troy, 29, of Golden Gardens, Dundrum, Co. Tipperary, was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment for two counts of rape, anal rape and two sexual assaults of a female acquaintance in 2021. The victim, who was discharged from hospital after an ambulance transfer, had called Troy for assistance. He met her at 3:24 am, accompanied her to a car, and during the journey he began kissing her. After another man left, Troy raped, anally raped and sexually assaulted her in her bedroom. The victim reported the assault the next day, and a DNA profile matched Troy. He denied the allegations, claiming consensual sex. The court noted the victim's life was profoundly affected, citing loss of employment, anxiety and trust issues. Justice Melanie Greally imposed the ten‑year sentence, back‑dated to the date Troy entered custody, and a one‑year post‑release supervision order.
In the case of the Director of Public Prosecutions versus Emmett Rigney, a 22‑year‑old from Shinrone, Co Offaly, the Court of Appeal upheld a two‑year suspended sentence. Rigney was convicted of dangerous driving causing serious bodily injury after a head‑on collision with a vehicle in Ballingarry, Co Tipperary, on 14 August 2021. The crash left a five‑year‑old daughter with a severe traumatic brain injury and caused significant financial and emotional hardship for her family, including a pregnant mother who testified that the incident had a destructive impact. The original headline sentence of three and a half years was reduced to two years, suspended for two years on the condition of €10,000 compensation, and Rigney was disqualified from driving for six years.
In a High Court hearing on 20 February 2025, the case concerning the closure of a historic Franciscan church in Clonmel was struck out after the Abbey House Prayer Group ended its illegal sit‑in. The group had occupied the Friary Church since New Year's Eve 2024, protesting the Franciscan Order's decision to close the 13th‑century building. The prayer group had previously been allowed temporary use of the church under a May 2023 agreement. Mr Justice Brian Cregan had sought an undertaking from Patrick O'Gorman, the group's chairman, that the sit‑in would cease. O'Gorman confirmed the group would vacate the church by midnight 23 January, acknowledging the protest was illegal. After receiving this undertaking, the judge struck out the case without further orders, recognising the church's imminent closure as a "devastating loss" to the prayer group.
Eimear Carroll, a 42‑year‑old primary school teacher from Offaly, was found guilty of one count of harassment and two counts of sending obscene or menacing letters. She had written about 500 letters over two years, using racist slurs and false allegations that a care worker abused patients. The Court of Appeal dismissed her appeal against a six‑year sentence, confirming the trial judge's decision to impose a headline term of six years with two years suspended. The appeal was rejected because the Court found no error in the sentencing judge's assessment of aggravating factors, including the persistent, targeted nature of the harassment and the use of personal details. The Court also upheld the judge's recognition of mitigating factors such as Carroll's low risk of reoffending and her apology. The decision confirms the severity of the sentence as appropriate for the case.
Abraham Adeniyi, aged 22, received a nine‑month suspended sentence for acting as a money mule. He pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to money‑laundering charges relating to an incident that occurred on 15 September 2021. The victim, who had no knowledge of the transaction, received a message that appeared to come from her bank, prompting her to click a link. The next day she was informed that €9,517 had been transferred from her account to Adeniyi's account. The bank later recalled the money and returned it to the victim. Garda Paul Kelly explained that the victim had no prior contact with Adeniyi and that the bank had been able to recover the full amount. During Garda interviews Adeniyi admitted that he had allowed his account to be used by a third party and that he had been used as a money mule. He was arrested after a court order was obtained for his bank account.
A 15‑year‑old was convicted of anal rape of a 15‑year‑old girl and was originally sentenced to six months' detention and community supervision. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient. The Court of Appeal quashed the original term and set a headline sentence of nine years, then reduced it to four and a half years after a 50% reduction for the offender's age and maturity. Further mitigating factors led to a one‑year reduction, giving a final headline of three and a half years. The court suspended the last 12 months on a €100 bond, with the sentence backdated to the day of custody. The teenager has already been released and will return to prison to serve the remaining term. The case involved an assault that included forced oral and anal penetration, with the victim reporting severe physical injury and lasting psychological impact. The unnamed girl pleaded not guilty and was acquitted.
A 79‑year‑old man was given a 20‑month suspended prison sentence for indecent assaults on his teenage sister‑in‑law that occurred in 1973. The victim was 13 at the time and the defendant was 29. The judge, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring, highlighted the significant breach of trust by a family member and the lasting impact on the victim's life, noting that the abuse took 46 years to be formally reported. The sentence was imposed with strict conditions and the judge explained that it would be served in the community. The defendant pleaded guilty, and the court considered his age, health, and prior good character, deciding that custodial imprisonment was not warranted. The judge expressed hope that the defendant's acceptance of responsibility would help the victim move forward.
Cahir O'Higgins, a Dublin criminal‑defence solicitor aged 49, was convicted in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of one count of theft and four counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice. He denied stealing €400 from a client on 30 July 2016 and denied providing incorrect notes to Gardaí in December 2017. The judge described the conduct as "deranged", "thuggish", "base" and "despicable". O'Higgins had earlier pleaded guilty to assault and harassment of a former employee, for which he received a 16‑month sentence in July. The new sentence, imposed by Judge Martin Nolan, was 27 months, back‑dated to 21 October, with the court noting the seriousness of the perverting‑justice charges and the impact on his reputation. O'Higgins expressed remorse and requested an apology to those affected. The court considered mitigating factors but extended his custodial term accordingly. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further verdicts announced.
James Hawkins, 24, of Ellis Quay Hostel, pleaded guilty to a single robbery on 21 February 2023 at College Green, Dublin. He violently took a woman's purse after she withdrew €200 from an ATM at about 6.30 pm. The victim, an American student in her early 30s studying at Trinity College, was left with cuts to her knees and torn tights. CCTV from Grafton Street showed Hawkins running away; he was identified, arrested, and admitted the offence. Hawkins has 76 prior convictions, all District Court matters, and was homeless with heroin and crack addiction at the time. He cooperated, pleaded early, and apologized. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a three‑year custodial sentence, suspended the final six months for two years, and ordered 12 months of probation. Hawkins will be released on bond before being led away.
Eimear Carroll, a 42‑year‑old primary school teacher from Hillside, Seffin, Birr, Offaly, was found guilty of one count of harassment and two counts of sending obscene, grossly offensive or menacing letters by post. Over a two‑year period she sent about 500 letters to the victim's family, friends, workplace and to HIQA, alleging abuse of patients and making repeated racial slurs, referring to the victim as a "knacker". The Court of Appeal heard that the harassment was continuous, involved personal details such as the victim's cousin's death, and caused the victim to sell her house and relocate. Judge Catherine Staines had sentenced Carroll in July to four years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. Carroll appealed, arguing the sentence was too harsh, but the appeal was not decided in this hearing. The case was noted for its persistent, racially charged nature.
Cahir O'Higgins, a former criminal‑defence solicitor, was found guilty of theft and perverting the course of justice. The court allowed the previously imposed reporting ban on his earlier harassment and assault case to be lifted. O'Higgins had been convicted of assaulting fellow solicitor Stephen O'Mahony, including a 2021 incident in which he broke O'Mahony's nose. He was sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment, with the sentence deferred until September to allow him to close his practice. The judge described his conduct as "deranged", "thuggish", "base" and "despicable", noting the harassment stemmed from a professional rivalry. O'Higgins was granted leave to travel to Spain and to compete in the World Cycling Championships before his custodial term began. The case highlights the court's decision to lift the reporting restriction once the theft and perverting the course of justice trial concluded.
Cahir O'Higgins, a prominent criminal defence solicitor, was found guilty by a jury of stealing €400 and attempting to pervert the course of justice on four counts. O'Higgins, 49, had pleaded not guilty to the charges, which related to events in 2016 and 2017. The trial heard that O'Higgins withdrew €600 from the bank account of Spanish national Raul Sanz Quilis, who had admitted to criminal damage in a Dublin District Court case. O'Higgins claimed he had permission to use Quilis's bank card and that he returned €400 to the defendant. However, Quilis testified that he was not aware of the withdrawal and that O'Higgins did not return the money. The jury found O'Higgins guilty on all five counts after deliberating for nearly five hours. Judge Martin Nolan remanded O'Higgins in custody and adjourned the case for sentencing on November 25. Cahir O'Higgins had the case struck out.
The jury in the trial of Cahir O'Higgins, a criminal defence solicitor accused of stealing €400 and attempting to pervert the course of justice, has begun deliberating at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. O'Higgins, 49, has pleaded not guilty to one count of theft in July 2016 and four counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice in December 2017. He denies the allegations. The court heard that O'Higgins is a criminal defence solicitor with over 20 years of experience. The jury retired shortly after 11am this morning after being charged by Judge Martin Nolan, who instructed them to be neutral and impartial and not to consider O'Higgins's profession in their deliberations. After deliberating for about 90 minutes, the jury asked if theft can be said to have occurred when an owner is temporarily deprived of their property.
A veteran criminal defence solicitor, Cahir O'Higgins, is accused of fabricating notes and lying to gardai in connection with the theft of €400 from a client in 2016. Prosecuting counsel told the jury that the defendant's notes presented to gardai in 2017 were fabricated and that his claims during a 2020 recording with a garda that people were 'out to get him' were 'nonsense'. O'Higgins, who has pleaded not guilty to theft and four counts of perverting the course of public justice, is represented by senior counsel who argued that his client's actions were not intended to pervert justice but to address potential regulatory concerns. Defence counsel suggested that the client may have returned the €400 to his client, who may not have realized he had received it. The trial continues with the jury considering the evidence presented.
A veteran criminal defence solicitor, Cahir O'Higgins (49), has pleaded not guilty to one count of stealing €400 in July 2016 and four counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice in December 2017. During a voluntary interview with gardai, O'Higgins stated he returned the €400 to his client, Raul Sanz Quilis, and described providing notes to gardai as a 'grave error of judgement' and 'bullshit notes'. The prosecution alleges that O'Higgins withdrew €600 from Sanz Quilis' bank account, kept €400, and paid €200 to the court to have the case against Sanz struck out. O'Higgins claims he had implied permission from Sanz Quilis to use the card and that he returned the €400. He also said he provided notes to gardai in December 2017, which he later admitted were inaccurate and not contemporaneous. O'Higgins acknowledged he represented Sanz Quilis without explicit instructions and admitted to providing misleading information to gardai.
A veteran criminal defence solicitor, Cahir O'Higgins, has told a trial that he believed someone in the gardai or the Director of Public Prosecutions' office wanted to 'stitch him up' because he had 'annoyed people'. O'Higgins, 49, is on trial for one count of theft of €400 in July 2016 and four counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice in December 2017. He denies the allegations. The court heard that O'Higgins was representing a Spanish national, Raul Sanz Quilis, who was charged with criminal damage. During the case, O'Higgins allegedly used Sanz Quilis's bank card to withdraw €600 from an ATM, with €400 allegedly taken into his possession. The case against Sanz was struck out after €200 was paid to the court. O'Higgins also provided gardai with notes he claimed to have made during the incident, but the prosecution alleges they contained false information. Cahir O'Higgins pleaded not guilty. Sanz Quilis pleaded not guilty.
The trial of criminal defence solicitor Cahir O'Higgins, who has pleaded not guilty to one count of theft and four counts of perverting the course of justice, continues before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury. The prosecution alleges that on July 30, 2016, O'Higgins withdrew €600 from an ATM at a Londis shop on Parkgate Street using the bank card of applicant Raul Sanz Quilis, keeping €400 for himself after paying a €200 court fee. Sanz Quilis, who was charged with criminal damage, consented to the withdrawal solely to pay the fine. Evidence from Courts Service clerk Derek Bunyan confirmed the case was struck out after the payment. Additionally, the State alleges O'Higgins provided gardaí in December 2017 with notes he claimed were made on July 30, 2016, which the prosecution says contained untrue information. Natwest Group Fraud Control Manager Michael Wilson testified that records show three €200 withdrawals were made from the Spanish-issued card between 4pm and 5pm on that date. O'Higgins denies all allegations, maintaining he acted in good faith. The matter is currently at the trial stage and has not been finalised.
In a criminal trial, solicitor Cahir O'Higgins, aged 49, faces charges of theft and attempting to pervert the course of justice. He is accused of withdrawing €200 from a Spanish national's bank card to pay a court fine, then making additional withdrawals totalling €600 from an ATM and pocketing €400. The prosecution alleges he provided Garda Tao Yu with false notes and a prepared statement admitting the €600 withdrawal. O'Higgins recorded a conversation with Garda Yu in May 2020, unaware of the recording, in which he expressed concern that other Gardaí might influence the evidence. He denies all allegations. The case is before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury, with O'Higgins pleading not guilty to all counts. The trial continues.
The Court of Appeal heard that a 15‑year‑old was convicted of anal rape of a 15‑year‑old girl and sentenced to six months and one week of detention followed by the same period of community supervision. The State argued the sentence was too lenient, citing aggravating factors such as the victim's alcohol consumption, the anal injury sustained and the defendant's intent. The State also challenged the judge's discounts for the defendant's age and for delays in investigation. The defence maintained that the judge's assessment was within the discretion available and that mitigating factors were appropriately considered. The court reserved judgment on the appeal. The case involved the defendant taking the victim to a derelict house, giving her cider, and forcing sexual acts while she repeatedly said "No" and cried. The victim's impact statement described lasting fear and avoidance of leaving home. The unnamed girl pleaded not guilty and was acquitted.
The Central Criminal Court sentenced a 54‑year‑old man to ten and a half years' imprisonment for a series of violent offences committed at his family home in County Tipperary. He raped his stepdaughter and forced her to watch while he raped his wife, using an axe during the assault. Earlier that year he was convicted of sexual assault, sexual exploitation of a child, oral rape, assault causing harm and threats to kill against his stepdaughter, and of rape, oral rape, assault causing harm, assault causing serious harm and a threat against his wife. The court noted that both victims were afraid to speak and that the man had threatened to kill the stepdaughter if she disclosed the abuse. He denied the allegations and claimed a conspiracy.
In a High Court hearing on 26 July 2024, Crann Ard Developments Ltd sought orders to halt the presence of horses on its Ardgeeha Upper land in Clonmel, County Tipperary, where it intends to build a €55 million residential development of 114 units. The company claims that Mr William Reilly has left his horses on the site without permission, thereby trespassing and preventing the commencement of construction. It requests an injunction restraining Mr Reilly from entering or interfering with the land, blocking access, and compelling him to remove all livestock. Mr Reilly's solicitors alleged continuous possession of the land since 2007, but the company rejects any entitlement. The court granted the company permission to serve short‑notice injunction proceedings, with the matter set to return next week. The company plans to start groundworks in August and September but fears financial loss if construction is delayed. The judge was Mr Justice Mark Sanfey.
A 22‑year‑old serial sex offender, who was on bail for defilement of a 15‑year‑old, was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison for raping a 13‑year‑old girl and falsely imprisoning her 16‑year‑old friend. The offence occurred on 22 June 2023 in County Tipperary when the offender drove the girls to buy cannabis, then took the younger girl out of the car, locked the older girl inside, and forced the rape. He had previously admitted the defilement charge and pleaded guilty to the rape. The judge noted the large age disparity, the pre‑meditated nature of the crime, and the impact on the victim's mental health. A psychological report placed him at high risk of reoffending; he must serve about two years of a prior suspended sentence before the new term, remain drug‑free, attend mental health and probation services, and be listed on the Sex Offenders' Register.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, James Hawkins, 24, pleaded guilty to robbing an American student studying at Trinity College after she withdrew €200 from an ATM on College Green. The victim, in her early 30s, was forced to surrender her purse, which contained cash, identification cards and credit cards. Hawkins, who has 76 prior convictions, was identified via CCTV, arrested, and admitted the offence. He apologized, claiming the robbery was unplanned and that he was homeless and struggling with drug addiction at the time. The court noted his cooperation, early guilty plea and desire to re‑engage with family and work upon release. No victim impact statement was available, and the case was adjourned to 21 November for further evidence and a governor's report. The court considered a custodial sentence with possible partial suspension.
At the Central Criminal Court, a psychiatrist denied allegations that he selectively considered evidence supporting an insanity defence in assessing a Mayo man charged with his wife's murder. Dr Ronan Mullaney was cross-examined regarding his assessment of James Kilroy, aged 51, who is charged with murdering Valerie French Kilroy at their home in 2019. The accused has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Prosecution counsel suggested Dr Mullaney omitted evidence that Kilroy appeared rational when an insulation contractor visited shortly before the killing, querying whether he was only interested in material bolstering his psychosis conclusion. Dr Mullaney maintained he would likely include such evidence if preparing his report again. The court heard evidence regarding Kilroy's cannabis use and mental health history. Consultant psychiatrist Professor Harry Kennedy was subsequently called for the prosecution, providing background on Kilroy's family circumstances and substance use over decades. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and jury.
A 26‑year‑old woman, who was raped by Tadgh Lonergan at a house party in Tipperary, delivered a victim impact statement at his sentencing hearing. She said the assault left her feeling "like a prisoner" in her own life, describing severe physical injuries, emotional trauma, flashbacks, nightmares and a loss of confidence. She noted that the rape disrupted her teaching career, her plans to travel and her sense of security, and that her loved ones also suffered. She urged the judge to consider the lasting effect of the crime and to help her regain her former self. Judge Tony Hunt acknowledged her statement, noted the seriousness of the offence, and remanded Lonergan in custody until the sentencing date on 29 July. The judge also highlighted that Lonergan had no prior convictions and that the case had been a "perfectly normal night out" turned tragic. Tadgh Lonergan pleaded not guilty.
A trial date of 23 February 2026 has been set at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for three Gardaí accused of burglary and perverting the course of justice. Robert Gorman, aged 43, is charged with burglary of a basement flat at Mountjoy Square North on 7 September 2021, and with two counts of perverting the course of justice: one for allegedly signing information for a search warrant for that flat between 30 September and 30 December 2021, and another for allegedly creating three incidents on the Garda Pulse computer system on 21 September 2021. Ciaran Whelan, aged 51, is charged with burglary of the same basement flat on 7 September 2021, burglary of a flat on Kenilworth Road on 19 June 2021, and three counts of perverting the course of justice between 25 August and 27 September 2021, including a false report to a superintendent and amended data on the Garda Pulse system.