A Workplace Relations Commission adjudicating officer has dismissed a discrimination and victimisation claim brought by racecourse bookmaker Jim Desmond against the Association of Irish Racecourses CLG (AIR). Mr Desmond alleged that the operator of Mallow Racecourse refused him access to a tent during wet weather on 31 October 2021, a restriction he described as "apartheid Irish style." He claimed this constituted a "man-made discriminatory rule" imposed by AIR, arguing that other betting operators were allowed indoor facilities while on-course bookmakers were not. Mr Desmond, who stated he had attended Mallow meetings for 70 years, sought improved facilities rather than financial recompense and later attempted to progress the claim on the grounds of disability, citing compromised mobility. However, he acknowledged he had not specified a protected characteristic in his initial statutory notification. AIR chairman Paddy Walsh responded that the association had no role in designing betting rings and that Mr Desmond had failed to link his complaint to prescribed grounds. Adjudicating officer Patsy Doyle found that Mr Desmond did not have a protected disability and had not been refused service by AIR, as he paid the racecourse directly for his pitch. She determined there was no less favourable treatment by AIR and that the matter was a commercial dispute. While noting Mr Desmond acted in genuine belief, she concluded he was "mistaken" in his claim for victimisation.
The High Court heard that Knocklofty House, a protected 18th‑century landed house outside Clonmel, is being illegally occupied by unknown persons in four caravans and a makeshift camp. The occupants have set up a camp that includes up to 20 piebald ponies, chickens and dogs housed in wooden structures, and have left a significant amount of debris on the site. The camp is described as unsightly and potentially dangerous to humans and animals. Chartered Accountant Ken Fennell, acting as receiver for the property after a settlement with former owner Denis English, seeks court orders directing the unknown occupants to vacate and cease interfering with the property. Mr Justice Brian O'Moore granted Mr Fennell permission to serve notice to the occupants and the case is scheduled to return to court next week.
Larry O'Connor, aged 40, was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment in May 2022 after a two‑week trial in which he was convicted of recklessly discharging a firearm, possession of a firearm and ammunition, aggravated burglary and criminal damage. The offence involved firing four shots from a pump‑action shotgun into the home of his first cousin, Danny Harty, where infant twins were sleeping. O'Connor fired two shots from outside the house, then entered and fired two more shots, striking a kitchen fridge, a window and a ceiling. He was found to have acted without a feud or "bad feeling" between the cousins, a point he raised on appeal. The Court of Appeal heard arguments about the use of the term "bad feeling" and the relevance of alleged animosity, but no judgment was issued. Daniel O'Connor, his brother, received a seven‑year sentence with the final year suspended for burglary. The appeal remains pending. Daniel O'Connor pleaded guilty.
A 57‑year‑old man, whose identity is protected to safeguard his victim, appealed his conviction for raping his wife between 2003 and 2007. He had also pleaded guilty to raping and assaulting his younger sister between 1978 and 1987. In March 2020, a jury found him guilty of the wife's rapes and the court sentenced him to 13 years' imprisonment, with seven years for the sister's offences and six years for the wife's, to run consecutively with no suspension. The appellant argued that a screen separating him from his wife during trial could have prejudiced the jury, portraying him as "a man to be feared." The Court of Appeal heard the appellant's counsel, Michael Delaney SC, who contended that the screen and the wife's oral evidence of assaults were highly prejudicial and not sufficiently probative.
In a High Court hearing on 27 February 2023, the court ordered that Stewart Alexander and Bill Henry, directors of the insolvent Boxer Logistics Ltd, be personally liable for the company's €12.4 million debt. The judgment was granted on a joint and severable basis after liquidators Tom Murray and Tom Musiol presented evidence that the directors deliberately under‑reported the firm's income and under‑paid taxes, including corporation tax, PRSI and VAT. The company had transferred large sums out of its main account, including €1 million to Alexander's personal accounts, €250 000 to a former employee and Ms Paula Loredana Hutu (Alexander's alleged lover), and smaller amounts to a Paddy Power account. Boxer Logistics also unlawfully received €1.9 million in Covid‑support schemes. The liquidators claimed that Alexander and Henry owe the company over €6 million, but received no payment.
Michael Scott, 58, of Gortanumera, Portumna, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his aunt, Ms. Treacy, outside her home on 27 April 2018. The trial heard that Scott had perfect vision in his left eye but a severely weakened right eye, which his brain had largely ignored, a fact established by optometrist Trina Staunton. Staunton explained that a single good eye can suffice for a driving licence and that the brain's neglect of the weaker eye limits peripheral vision when reversing. Scott allegedly deliberately ran over Ms. Treacy while reversing an agricultural tractor, an act the prosecution claims stemmed from a long‑running land dispute. Witnesses described prior damage to electric fences, a strained rental relationship, and a history of conflict over land ownership between Scott and Ms. Treacy. The case is before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs with a jury of fifteen.
Michael Scott, 58, of Gortanumera, Portumna, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 76‑year‑old aunt Chrissie Treacy, who was run over by his vehicle outside her home in Derryhiney on 27 April 2018. The Central Criminal Court heard that a witness, Robin Deasy, described Scott as having an "almost childlike" obsession with land and cattle, and that he was motivated only by land. Deasy recalled that Scott had told him he could not "handle that woman at all" and that he had been upset about the land dispute. The prosecution alleged that Scott deliberately ran over his aunt following a long‑running dispute over land. Scott's lawyers said the death was a tragic accident. The trial is before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs with a jury of seven men and eight women. The case remains at the trial stage.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a direct appeal by John O'Meara and his three children against the Minister for Social Protection's refusal to grant them the Widower's Pension. O'Meara's partner, Michelle Batey, died of Covid‑19 in January 2021 after a 20‑year cohabitation. The applicants argued that sections of the 2005 Social Welfare Consolidation Act that exclude non‑married partners from the pension amount to discrimination. The High Court, in a decision by Mr Justice Mark Heslin, rejected the claim, stating that the pension is intended for married spouses or formal civil partners and does not apply to cohabiting couples or children. The Supreme Court panel, comprising Mr Justice Peter Charleton, Mr Justice Seamus Woulfe and Mr Justice Maurice Collins, granted leave to hear the appeal, noting that it raises complex issues of public importance, including the constitutionality of the Act and the purpose of the pension. A hearing date will be set later.
The Court of Appeal dismissed a 39‑year‑old man's appeal against a three‑year prison sentence, with 18 months suspended, for his role in a sophisticated drug‑dealing scheme that imported cannabis disguised as nappies. The appellant, Damien Cahill of Railway Close, Kilsheelan, was convicted in July 2021 for possessing cannabis for sale or supply on 22 September 2017. He had previously supplied cocaine, a fact the court noted as evidence of a recidivist pattern. Cahill admitted he had ceased cocaine but continued to use cannabis, and the court found no evidence of rehabilitation or completion of addiction treatment. The judge upheld the original sentence, citing the seriousness of the offence and the lack of error in the sentencing decision. The appeal was therefore rejected.
Two women have gone on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on charges relating to the alleged trafficking of Brazilian nationals for sexual exploitation across rural Irish towns. Natalia Nogueira Da Silva, aged 32, of Drumlish, Co Longford, has pleaded not guilty to human trafficking but guilty to organising prostitution, facilitating illegal entry, and money laundering offences. Her co-accused, Ivanilce Vailones Fidelis, aged 46, of Roscommon, has pleaded not guilty to all charges against her, including two counts of human trafficking, organising prostitution, and money laundering. The prosecution alleges the two women trafficked vulnerable women between December 2018 and May 2019, moving them between towns including Portarlington, Thurles, and Tralee for sexual work. The State contends the women were controlled through debt bondage and threats. The trial, before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury, is expected to last six weeks.
In a High Court hearing on 7 December 2022, the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) sought to have 111 cars seized from Stephen Bawn Motors Ltd and €20,000 in a linked bank account declared proceeds of crime under the 1996 Proceeds of Crime Act. The cars, sold at auction for €820,000, were bought by the dealership, which began trading about seven years earlier, with money allegedly derived from illegal drug dealing. CAB alleged that the dealership was used by individuals with links to local, national and international criminals, including Christy Keane and the Kinahan gang, to launder drug proceeds and that the owner, Mr Mike Nash, was involved in drug importation and sale. The company and Mr Nash denied the claims. CAB also cited VAT fraud and other illegal activities. The case is pending before Mr Justice Alexander Owens.
The High Court has approved a Personal Insolvency Arrangement allowing a former property developer to write off approximately €170 million in debt. The 55-year-old developer, based in County Cork, established a property investment and development company roughly two decades ago, which accumulated significant liabilities following the 2008 economic downturn. Creditors including NAMA, Ulster Bank, Pepper Finance, Link Finance, and private individuals were owed substantial sums. Under the approved arrangement, the debtor will provide €80,000 to creditors, who will receive minimal returns on unsecured debts. Two properties located in Bundoran, County Donegal, and County Tipperary will be surrendered to secured creditors. The arrangement, which lasts twelve months, was supported by the clear majority of creditors at a meeting, with only one institution opposing it. Mr Justice Alexander Owens approved the arrangement, noting creditors will receive considerably better terms than if the debtor were declared bankrupt.
An Irish man, John O'Connor, 40, from Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary, was jailed in Sweden for a €4.7 million income‑tax fraud. He and three brothers—Edward (27), Mark (30) and James (28)—were convicted of tax and VAT fraud, money laundering and three counts of gross accounting offences in Stockholm in March last year. Each brother received a sentence of three years and eight months, upheld by the Swedish Court of Appeal in July 2021. O'Connor absconded to Ireland in July 2022 while on temporary release, having served 647 days of his sentence. He was arrested under a Schengen Information Service notice on 3 September 2022. The High Court heard that he had failed to pay over €64 000 in VAT invoices and that the fraud involved disguising substantial money in company accounts and sending incorrect invoices to customers.
Daniel Walsh, a 30-year-old college student from Rush, Co Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for drug offences. He pleaded guilty to possession for sale or supply of cannabis herb and ketamine on the Skerries Road on January 9, 2021. He also admitted to having MDMA and cannabis for sale or supply at his home on the same date, as well as the unlawful possession of proceeds of crime. Gardaí stopped Walsh's van after observing it cross a white line, discovering nearly 2kg of cannabis, ketamine, and €6,900 in cash. A subsequent search of his home recovered additional drugs, including MDMA, with a total estimated street value of €42,924. Walsh told officers he was instructed to test the cannabis quality before handing over cash and stated he was selling drugs to support his own use. Defence counsel highlighted that Walsh is a third-year student who has removed himself from criminal associates following a psychotic episode linked to heavy drug use. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged it was unlikely Walsh would reoffend but noted the serious quantity of drugs warranted a prison term. The court imposed a four-year sentence, suspending the final two years on the condition that Walsh keep the peace for the four-year period.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Declan Brady, aged 56, and Michael Crotty, aged 40, face charges of aiding a criminal gang in the murder of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan, a father of four, who was shot six times on December 22, 2016, in Clondalkin, Dublin. The trial is scheduled for January 11, 2024, and is expected to last five weeks. Both men are charged under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act for their alleged participation or contribution to the murder, either within or outside the State, with knowledge of a criminal organisation's existence. Brady was remanded in custody by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, while Crotty remains on continuing bail. The case was listed for mention on October 9, 2023. The trial will determine the extent of each defendant's involvement in the fatal shooting of Christopher Kirwan, aged 62.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed the second appeal by an unnamed 59-year-old Tipperary man against his 11-year prison sentence. The appellant was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury of five sexual offences, including rape and sexual assault, committed against his special needs daughter between 2003 and 2011. He had initially pleaded not guilty to 32 counts, with the jury acquitting him on 27 counts after the judge directed not-guilty verdicts on 17. In February 2020, he was sentenced to 12 years, with the final year suspended, resulting in an effective 11-year term. Counsel for the appellant, Colman Coady SC, argued the sentence was excessive and unduly severe for the higher sentencing category. The State, represented by Fiona Murphy SC, contended the sentence was correct given the aggravating factors, including the offences occurring in the family home and coercive efforts to withdraw charges. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, delivering the judgment, noted the victim's acute intellectual disability and the betrayal of trust as significant aggravating factors. She affirmed that the sentencing judge's decision to impose a headline sentence on the outer scale was within her discretion and that the appellant had already received a generous deduction. The court rejected the argument that the sentence lacked features common to more serious cases, upholding the original disposal.
In October 2022 the Court of Appeal quashed the acquittal of a mother of three who had been found not guilty of sexually abusing her children in a 2021 trial. The original acquittal was based on a judge's ruling that admissions made during a polygraph interview with a forensic psychologist were inadmissible. The Director of Public Prosecutions argued that the judge had wrongly excluded compelling evidence. The appeal court, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, decided that the interviews should be admitted in a retrial on grounds of overall fairness. The woman had admitted to knowing her husband's interest in child pornography, to his abuse of their children, and to her own participation in the abuse. She had also admitted to abusing the children when alone.
Thomas Sheehan, aged 37, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for orally raping and sexually assaulting his half‑sister, Edel Sheehan, between 2000 and 2002 when they were teenagers. Sheehan, who had no fixed abode in Tipperary, pleaded guilty to one count of oral rape and five counts of sexual assault. He had previously written letters to Gardaí confessing the abuse, which led to the case. The court noted the siblings grew up in extreme neglect, poverty and violence, and that Sheehan's confession and apology were mitigating factors. The judge reduced the headline six‑year sentence to four years, adding concurrent two‑year sentences for the remaining offences and a one‑year post‑release supervision order. The case highlighted the long‑lasting impact on Edel, who waived anonymity to name her abuser. The sentencing reflected the seriousness of the repeated sexual offences and the vulnerability of the victim.
In a High Court judgment, Mr Justice Mark Helsin dismissed a challenge by John O'Meara and his three minor children to the Minister for Social Protection's refusal to grant them the Widower's Pension. O'Meara's partner, Michelle Batey, died of Covid‑19 after a 20‑year relationship, but the court held that the pension is only payable to those who were married or in a formal civil partnership with the deceased. The judge rejected claims that the 2005 Social Welfare Consolidation Act's exclusions amounted to discrimination, stating that the decision of who is entitled to the pension is a matter for the Oireachtas, not the court. O'Meara had applied for the pension in April 2021, but the Minister's refusal was upheld, and the judicial review was dismissed. The case clarified that the pension is not a benefit for children or for cohabiting partners.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has joined Patrick Quirke's Supreme Court appeal as an amicus curiae, making its own legal submissions at no cost to the court. Quirke, a 51‑year‑old farmer from Breanshamore, is serving a life sentence for the 2011 murder of DJ Bobby Ryan, a part‑time DJ known as Mr Moonlight. The appeal, scheduled for a one‑day hearing on 25 October, challenges the validity of the search warrant used in the investigation and the DPP's discretion in calling an expert witness. The Commission argues that the warrant powers used in Ireland lack proportionality safeguards and that the right to privacy should be weighed against the community's interest in prosecuting crime. It will present case law and other material not previously considered by the other parties. No opposition was raised by the DPP or Quirke's counsel to the Commission's participation. The Court of Appeal had dismissed Quirke's 52‑ground appeal in November.
James Curtis, 51, of Reiska, Kilcommon, Thurles, Co. Tipperary, was sentenced by the Court of Appeal to ten years' imprisonment, back‑dated to 30 October 2020, after the original eight‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence was quashed. The appeal was brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who argued the sentence was too lenient. Curtis was caught red‑handed in a field near his home with a potato bag containing 5 kg of cocaine, a barrel with 4.25 kg of cocaine and €41,000 in cash, and a plastic Penneys bag with €336,000. He pleaded guilty to possessing €647,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply and to being in possession of €376,550, knowing or recklessly ignoring whether the money was the proceeds of criminal conduct.
An 85-year-old retired Garda from Strokestown, County Roscommon has withdrawn his High Court appeal against a destruction order for his Jack Russell terrier, Kim. The dog bit a woman on the Strokestown Famine Trail on 6 March 2022 near Mr Rogers' home at Bumlin. The injured party required eight stitches and hospital treatment following the incident. Roscommon District Court issued the destruction order in late April under the Control of Dogs Act 1986, finding the dog dangerous and not properly controlled. Mr Rogers appealed to the Circuit Court, which dismissed his challenge and upheld the lower court's decision in May. When Mr Rogers sought further appeal to the High Court, he subsequently withdrew his application before the Deputy Master. The destruction order therefore remains in effect. The High Court heard the matter briefly before being struck out.
In a High Court case, swimming instructor Ricardo Rojas agreed to comply with an injunction issued by Mr Justice Conor Dignam that bars him from teaching swimming within a five‑mile radius of Swim Max Limited's premises until 22 October. The injunction, granted in June, enforces a restrictive covenant that Swim Max claims was part of Rojas's employment contract. Rojas, who left the company in late April, is also prohibited from using the firm's trade secrets or competing with Swim Max for six months after his departure. He accepted his former employment but contested the company's allegations, describing his former working conditions as stressful and toxic and expressing concerns about potential homelessness. Rojas denied any cost orders and said he would dispute them. Swim Max's owner, Ms Diana Daly, alleged that Rojas had been giving lessons at another pool shortly after leaving, potentially harming the company's reputation. The court will review costs on 22 October when the covenant expires.
The Court of Appeal has adjourned the sentencing appeal of James Curtis (51), from Reiska, Kilcommon, Thurles, Co Tipperary, to Friday, when it is hoped the court will be in a position to give judgment. Curtis was jailed for five and a half years at Nenagh Circuit Criminal Court in October 2021 after pleading guilty to possessing €647,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply, contrary to Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, and possessing €376,550 knowing or being reckless as to whether it was proceeds of criminal conduct. The State, represented by Tom O'Malley SC, argued the sentence was unduly lenient, alleging Curtis was an "upper echelon" gang member caught red-handed with 5kg of cocaine in a potato bag and further drugs and cash buried nearby. The State contended the pre-mitigation headline sentence should have been at least 10 years, citing his suspended sentence status and previous convictions as aggravating factors. Defense counsel Colman Cody SC argued the guilty plea remained relevant in mitigation and that Curtis may have been under the grip of the gang. The court noted no indication of duress. The matter was adjourned and is not concluded.
A 39-year-old man from Tipperary has been jailed for nine years for repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting his young son, beginning when the child was just 12 months old. The man was convicted after a trial last December of three counts of oral rape and three counts of sexual assault committed between 2007 and 2014. The abuse was disclosed in 2016 when the child informed a relative of the incidents. During the sentencing hearing, Mr Justice David Keane noted the difficulty in assessing the weight of character references from family members and commented on the lack of remorse from the offender, who continues to deny the offences. The judge set a headline sentence of 11 years but reduced it to nine years, citing the offender's denial of the allegations and lack of engagement in rehabilitation. The sentence was backdated to December 15 last year, when the man entered custody. The judge imposed three years of post-release supervision, requiring the offender to engage in offence-focused work and comply with Probation Services. The matter is currently in the appeal stage.
In a 2022 Central Criminal Court hearing, Martin Kelly, aged 35, was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison for manslaughter after he set fire to Gerry Nolan's mobile home in 2006, killing Nolan. The court noted Kelly's 196 prior convictions, including 10 for criminal damage, and his high risk of reoffending. Kelly pleaded guilty to manslaughter, admitting gross recklessness. The judge highlighted the devastating impact on Nolan's family, who had endured 16 years of unresolved grief. The sentence included an 18‑month suspended portion, to be served over three years, contingent on education and addiction support. The case stemmed from a cold‑case review that uncovered new evidence, including a changed alibi statement from a former partner. The sentencing reflected the seriousness of the offence and Kelly's acceptance of responsibility. Martin Kelly pleaded not guilty.
Michael Golden, aged 73, of Crosspatrick, Killala, County Mayo, was convicted unanimously by jury at the Central Criminal Court last month of seven counts of indecent assault, four counts of sexual assault, and nine counts of oral rape against four children between 1980 and 1997. The victims were aged between five and fourteen at the time of the offences. Golden had pleaded not guilty to all charges. He died in custody on 6 June 2022 while awaiting sentence. At a hearing where victim impact statements were presented, Justice Mary Ellen Ring noted that had Golden survived, he would have faced a custodial term of significant length. The judge acknowledged the victims' right to be heard and recognised the permanent damage caused by childhood sexual abuse. She expressed that only the victims' willingness to come forward had enabled the investigation and prosecution to proceed.
During a sentencing hearing in the High Court, Mr Justice David Keane said that character referees for convicted criminals should be required to appear in court for cross‑examination. The judge was hearing the case of a 38‑year‑old Tipperary man convicted of repeated rape and sexual assault of his son, who was aged between one and eight at the time of the offences. Lawyers had requested that the court receive character references from the man's partner, parents and GP. Mr Justice Keane referred to a recent Court of Appeal dicta that any person wishing to give a character reference must be present in court and available for cross‑examination, and he suggested that references from family members might be given limited weight. The judge also noted that the victim, now a teenager, had stated that the abuse had no lasting effect on him. The case was adjourned to 1 July, and the defendant was remanded in custody.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a woman who had earlier given her partner an alibi for a fatal 2006 fire in Co. Kilkenny later changed her statement after the accused, Martin Kelly, began a relationship with another woman. The court heard that Kelly, now 35, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of Gerard "Gerry" Nolan, 44, who died when his mobile home was set on fire. The hearing included victim impact statements from Nolan's family, describing the traumatic loss and ongoing grief. The court also heard details of the investigation, including the accused's denial of involvement, the identification parade, and the lack of direct forensic evidence linking Kelly to the fire. The judge remanded Kelly in custody pending sentencing. The summary reflects only the facts presented in the article.
In a High Court hearing on 17 June 2022, Mr Justice Conor Dignam granted a temporary injunction against former Swim Max Limited instructor Ricardo Rojas. The injunction, issued by Limerick‑based Swim Max, bars Rojas from giving swimming lessons within a five‑mile radius of the firm's premises for an initial period of three weeks. It also prohibits him from using the company's trade secrets or confidential training methods and from competing with Swim Max in that area. Rojas, who left the company in April 2022, had been teaching lessons at a local leisure centre, breaching a restrictive covenant in his employment contract that forbids such activity for six months after departure. The injunction was granted after the firm's founder, Ms Diana Daly, presented evidence that Rojas was still instructing clients and that the company feared reputational damage.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has issued orders for compensation to poultry plant workers in Co Cork following a dispute over overtime pay breaches. Fifty-seven workers, including applicants Rafal Chojnacki, Gelu Ciulei, Petru Boboc, Petru Draghici, Zoltan Gal, Pawel Marszalkowski, and Kamila Pokropywna, brought claims against AA Euro Recruitment Ireland Ltd under the Protection of Employees (Temporary Agency Work) Act 2012. The complainants alleged they did not receive the same basic working and employment conditions as comparable workers. Eight test cases were adjudicated, with half selected by the employer and half by the Independent Workers' Union. AA Euro Recruitment, represented by HR consultant David O'Reilly, maintained the claims were unfounded and used as leverage for union recognition. Chief Executive Larry Ryan denied any mistreatment or illegal deductions. Adjudicating Officer Patsy Doyle noted that following facilitated talks, the parties reached a mutually agreed resolution acknowledging contraventions of the Act. Orders were made in seven of the test cases, with compensation ranging from €449 to €2,955.74. It was agreed that payments would be issued to the test case claimants upon the making of the WRC orders, with this resolution reciprocated for all associated complainants linked to the eight test cases.
In a case heard in the Central Criminal Court, a 15‑year‑old boy sexually assaulted a 14‑year‑old girl in a field in County Tipperary in July 2019 after both had consumed alcohol. The boy pleaded guilty to the assault and, at the time of sentencing, was 18 with no other convictions. The victim, whose identity is protected, described the assault as a betrayal of trust and expressed fear of the perpetrator. The court considered the boy's cooperation, early plea, remorse, and participation in a youth diversion programme as mitigating factors, while noting the seriousness of the offence and breach of trust. Justice Paul McDermott imposed a sentence of two years' detention suspended for 12 months, with strict conditions including probation appointments, engagement with a sexual consent course, and a prohibition from approaching the victim. The boy must comply with all conditions to avoid future custodial detention.
The High Court has ordered a stay on three separate criminal prosecutions against Mark Jenkins, the owner of two coffee shop and retail businesses in Clonmel and Dungarvan that sell hemp products and items containing cannabidiol (CBD). Jenkins, who has challenged Ireland's 1977 Misuse of Drugs Act on the grounds that it breaches his constitutional rights and EU law, claims that the products sold by his businesses contain only trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the principal constituent of cannabis – and that these amounts are within the limits set by EU regulations. The first set of charges arose from a February 2020 Gardai search that seized plant material with THC content not exceeding 0.2%, a figure that Jenkins says is supported by an independent test. The second and third sets of charges stem from July 2020 and May 2020 seizures, respectively, for which independent analyses are pending.
In a High Court decision, 59‑year‑old James Molloy, a glass factory worker from Nenagh, was awarded a six‑figure sum for injuries sustained on 16 March 2018 when sheets of glass fell from a trolley. The court found Tipperary Glass Limited negligent for failing to secure the glass, which weighed 100 kg and was estimated to number 10–20 sheets. Molloy suffered compression injuries to his lower limbs and back, lacerations, and permanent scarring, and was confined to bed for four to six weeks. The judge awarded €75,000 in general damages, €38,000 for loss of earnings to date, and a future earnings loss equivalent to four years of wages, with the exact amount to be finalised later. An additional €7,000 for special damages was also granted. The case will return to court to resolve remaining matters later this month.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 14 April 2022, Declan Brady (56) and Martin Aylmer (36) were charged with aiding a criminal gang in the murder of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan, a father of four who was shot six times on 22 December 2016 in Clondalkin, Dublin. The charges allege that between 20 October and 22 December 2016, Brady and Aylmer, knowing a criminal organisation existed, participated in or facilitated the gang's activities that led to Kirwan's death. Both men were present when the charges were read. Aylmer had previously been charged by Gardaí, and Brady had been handed a copy of the charge sheet before the hearing. Both were remanded in custody until 23 May, with legal aid applications pending for Brady and granted for Aylmer. The case is being tried under the Offences Against the State Act because the Director of Public Prosecutions deemed normal courts inadequate for effective justice.
A man, Michael Crotty, 40, was charged before the Special Criminal Court on 11 April 2022 with helping a criminal gang murder Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan, a father of four who was shot dead in Dublin on 22 December 2016. Crotty is charged under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act for participating in or contributing to the murder of Christopher (Noel) Kirwan between 20 October 2016 and 22 December 2016, with knowledge of a criminal organisation. Detective Sergeant Ronan Dunne informed Crotty of the charge at 7 am, read the charge in full, identified him to the court and served him with the Book of Evidence. State Solicitor Ciara Vivien applied for trial at the Special Criminal Court, and Defence Solicitor Claire Finnegan obtained a six‑week adjournment. Judge Alex Owens remanded Crotty in custody and adjourned the case to 23 May.
In March 2022 the Court of Appeal heard that a mother of three had been acquitted of sexually assaulting her children, despite admitting to abuse during a lie‑detector test. The judge had ruled that the admissions made to a forensic psychologist using a polygraph were inadmissible. The DPP now seeks a determination that the judge erred in excluding the evidence and requests the acquittal be quashed and a retrial. Gardai had visited the family home after Europol tipped that child‑abuse images were being uploaded. The children were placed into care following a High Court order. The woman had denied knowledge of the abuse to police but later admitted awareness of her husband's interest in child pornography and his abuse of the children, and that she had also participated.
Cahir O'Higgins, a 47‑year‑old criminal defence solicitor, pleaded guilty to assaulting former colleague Stephen O'Mahony on 11 February 2023. The incident occurred at Wolfe Tone Quay, Dublin. O'Higgins apologized to O'Mahony, his family, and his own family for the shame and embarrassment caused. The prosecution requested a victim impact report for the upcoming sentence hearing. Judge Melanie Greally set a sentence date for 18 October and remanded O'Higgins on continuing bail. O'Higgins has been a top earner in the legal aid scheme over the past decade.
The High Court has adjourned a judicial review challenge to Tipperary County Council's decision to grant planning permission for the Carrick-On-Suir Regeneration Plan. The matter was heard by Mr Justice Charles Meenan, who noted the application's complexity and indicated it would require at least half a day for consideration. The case was brought by the Sean Treacy Park Resident's Association, represented by John Kenny BL, against the Council, Ireland, and the Attorney General. The applicants allege that the proposed development, which includes street alterations, new parking, and demolition, will cause unreasonable interference with amenities at Sean Treacy Park, the local environment, and the River Suir. They further claim the plan materially affects protected structures, including Ormonde Castle. The group contends the Council's decision is invalid because the Environmental Impact Assessment relied on inadequate information and that the process breached the EU Strategic Environmental Assessment directive by extending the 2013 Development Plan without a new assessment. Additional grounds include a lack of adequate notice regarding the permission-granting meeting and failure to provide statutory notice for works on protected structures. The applicants seek to quash the permission, obtain declarations regarding the Planning and Development Act's compliance with EU directives, and secure a stay on the proposed works. Mr Justice Meenan adjourned the proceedings to a date in December.
Michael McGuinness, 61, a former army driver who served 21 years, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for indecent assault on three boys aged seven to thirteen between 1979 and 1990. The offences, committed while he was a trusted local figure, involved sexual abuse in his car and home, including forcing the boys to masturbate. McGuinness pleaded guilty to five counts; four carried a maximum of two years each, and a final count carried a maximum of ten years. Judge Melanie Greally imposed consecutive sentences totalling three years, suspended the final twelve months, and back‑dated the sentence to his first custodial period in November. McGuinness admitted the abuse to Gardaí in 2019, described it as a "dark dirty secret", and expressed remorse. He has no prior convictions and has engaged in therapeutic interventions. The court noted the lasting impact on the victims and the low risk of re‑offending.
Thomas Byrnes, a stable hand at a Tipperary racehorse training yard, was dismissed after taking the afternoon off on 16 December 2019 to attend the sudden death of a colleague. Byrnes was on his lunch break when he discovered the colleague lying outside his home, attended by Gardaí and paramedics, who confirmed the man was dead. He stayed until about 3.30 pm, then returned home and later went for a drink at 5 pm. The next morning he returned to work, completed his first job, and was confronted by the stable owner, who warned him of wage deductions and a day's holiday. Byrnes refused, left, and was later told his job was gone. He denied planning to resign with other colleagues and denied swearing at his employer. The owner claimed four staff, including Byrnes, failed to return that afternoon, compromising animal welfare.
Sean McCarthy, aged in his 60s, lost over €26,000 when a fraudulent email replaced a legitimate invoice from Lauragh Construction, leading him to transfer money to a scammer's account. The fraud involved two young men, Jack Ward (22) and Kelvin Kleinovis (21), who acted as money mules. Ward transferred €9,700 to his account and €9,600 to a third man, while Kleinovis received €26,400 and later transferred €9,700 to Ward. Gardaí traced the transactions, and the bank returned €16,580, leaving McCarthy still short €9,820. McCarthy expressed that the loss delayed his holiday‑home project and that he and his wife no longer trust electronic transfers. Ward was sentenced to an eight‑month prison term, suspended, and Kleinovis received a two‑year term, also suspended, after expressing remorse and attempting restitution. The court noted that neither man was suspected of setting up the bogus email. Jack Ward pleaded guilty. Kelvin Kleinovis pleaded guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, Graham Daly, aged 37, was convicted by a jury of seven counts of raping and sexually abusing his younger brother Thomas over a four‑year period from 1998 to 2002. The abuse, which began when Thomas was 10, included inappropriate touching, oral and anal rape, and largely took place in their family home in Limerick. Daly, a teacher from Clonree, Newport, Co. Tipperary, denied the charges and claimed his brother was lying out of jealousy and a desire to destroy his life, citing his brother's sexuality. Thomas, who waived anonymity, testified about the long‑term impact on his life and family, describing the abuse as a secret kept for 18 years. Justice Karen O'Connor sentenced Daly to eight and a half years, treating him as a juvenile because the offences ended when he turned 18, and back‑dated the term to his recent custody.
A man from Coventry, England, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Kevin Sheehy, a five-times Irish boxing champion, at the Central Criminal Court. Logan Jackson, aged 31, was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict of murdering the 20-year-old at Hyde Road in Limerick city on 1 July 2019. Jackson had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The jury rejected his defence of provocation. Evidence presented at trial established that Jackson repeatedly ran over Mr Sheehy with a Mitsubishi Shogun jeep following a brief altercation outside a house party. A concurrent sentence of seven years was imposed on a second conviction for endangerment involving dangerous driving. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon backdated the sentence to 1 July 2019, when Jackson entered custody. Victim impact statements were read to the court by Mr Sheehy's family members.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has convicted a UK man of the murder of Kevin Sheehy, a five-time Irish boxing champion, who was struck and run over multiple times by a jeep on Hyde Road in Limerick city on 1 July 2019. Logan Jackson, aged 31, of Longford Road, Coventry, England, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The jury unanimously rejected his defence of provocation after deliberating for two hours and thirty minutes. Jackson was also found guilty of endangerment. The court heard that Sheehy, aged 20, attempted to rise from the ground after the initial impact but was run over twice more at speed. Jackson claimed he felt intimidated after an altercation outside a house party, though he admitted to gardaí he was not under threat when he drove the vehicle and was angry and drinking. The judge will impose a mandatory life sentence next Tuesday. Sheehy's family will have the opportunity to address the court regarding the impact of his death.
The trial of Logan Jackson, 31, of Coventry, England, is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. Jackson, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of Irish boxing champion Kevin Sheehy but guilty to his manslaughter, is also charged with endangerment under Section 13 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. The incident occurred on July 1, 2019, at Hyde Road in Limerick city, where Jackson allegedly repeatedly ran over Sheehy in a Mitsubishi jeep. The jury, comprising five men and five women, began deliberations on Friday afternoon but had not reached a unanimous verdict by 4pm. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon adjourned the deliberations for the weekend, with the jury scheduled to return to Court 19 on Monday at 11:30am to determine their verdict. In her charge, the judge instructed the jury to consider whether Jackson was provoked, a partial defence that could reduce a murder conviction to manslaughter. The prosecution argued Jackson acted with murderous intent, while the defence contended he suffered a sudden loss of self-control due to provocation. The matter remains at the trial stage, with the final verdict pending.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Dennis McAuliffe, 51, a site foreman for McAleer & Rush Ltd, was fined €12,500 for failing to notify two staff members about asbestos on a city centre building site. The incident occurred on 23 June 2016 at Findlater House, Cathal Brugha Street, where a subcontracting team had discovered an asbestos warning sticker under roof tiles. McAuliffe had not informed his own staff after the subcontractors left, and two men began cleaning the site without direction. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) had sealed the area and investigated, confirming asbestos presence. McAuliffe pleaded guilty, had no prior convictions, and cooperated fully with the HSA. Judge Pauline Codd set a headline fine of €30,000, reduced to €12,500 after mitigating factors, to be paid within 12 months. The case highlighted the importance of proper asbestos notification and site closure procedures.
At the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution closing argument in the trial of Logan Jackson concluded on December 9th. Mr Jackson, aged 31, of Coventry, England, denies murdering Kevin Sheehy, a five-time Irish boxing champion aged 20, but has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The death occurred on July 1st, 2019, on Hyde Road in Limerick city, when Mr Sheehy was struck repeatedly by a Mitsubishi Shogun jeep, sustaining fatal injuries including a catastrophic skull fracture. The prosecution barrister contended that CCTV evidence contradicted the defendant's account to gardaí, describing his statements as fabricated. The defence counsel argued the case lacked conclusive detail and that manslaughter remained the appropriate verdict. Mr Jackson also faces a charge of dangerous driving contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997. Justice Eileen Creedon is expected to charge the jury of five men and six women before deliberations commence. Logan Jackson pleaded not guilty.
At the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, a murder trial has heard evidence regarding the death of Kevin Sheehy, a five-time Irish boxing champion killed in Limerick city on July 1, 2019. Logan Jackson, a 31-year-old from Coventry, England, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. Detective Garda Pat Whelan gave evidence of interviews conducted after Jackson presented himself at Tullamore Garda Station on the evening of the incident. Jackson initially claimed he faced threats from "three big fellas" near his black Mitsubishi Shogun jeep on Hyde Road, but in his fifth interview acknowledged he was angry and drinking when he pulled out the vehicle and that there was no threat present at that time. The 20-year-old was struck repeatedly by the jeep and sustained fatal injuries including a catastrophic skull fracture. Forensic evidence placed Mr Sheehy's DNA on the vehicle's front grill and bumper trim. The trial continues before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury.
A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court has heard evidence concerning the death of Kevin Sheehy, a five-time Irish boxing champion, who died after being struck by a vehicle in Limerick city on 1 July 2019. Logan Jackson (31), of Longford Road, Coventry, England has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. Forensic evidence presented to the jury indicated the black Mitsubishi jeep did not stop as it struck the 20-year-old on Hyde Road. Sergeant Kevin Burke, a forensic investigator, testified that drag marks approximately eleven metres long were found at the scene, consistent with the deceased being dragged beneath the vehicle. No brake marks were detected. Evidence of multiple strikes was identified on the jeep's front, with blood located on both the driver and passenger sides. The court heard that Mr Sheehy's cousin attempted to assist him before the vehicle struck him a third time and fled. The trial continues before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and jury.