In the Court of Appeal, Bernard Condon SC argued that prejudicial Garda comments about Patrick Quirke's alleged cash and sex dealings should not have been allowed in the farmer's murder trial. Quirke, 51, was convicted of murdering DJ Bobby "Mr Moonlight" Ryan, 52, in 2011. Condon focused on six Garda remarks that portrayed Quirke as exploiting Mary Lowry, including a mockery question about cash and sex on demand. He also raised concerns about Garda questions implying Lowry was wronged, prurient inquiries, and a claim that Quirke's internet search on body decomposition was "blown out of the water." Condon further complained about undisclosed evidence, lack of forensic accounting, failure to search vehicles, and the trial judge's instruction that the jury could decide what happened. The appeal hearing continues tomorrow.
In the appeal of Patrick Quirke's 2020 murder conviction, counsel Bernard Condon argued that Quirke was denied a fair trial and that the conviction relied on circumstantial evidence that should not have been admitted. He contended that witness Mary Lowry was an "extraordinarily compromised witness" whose statements were inconsistent, biased, and presented as vulnerable by the Gardaí, yet the court treated her as reliable. Condon highlighted that the prosecution failed to call forensic experts on financial matters and that the jury was exposed to prejudicial comments, including a Garda remark that Quirke had "cash on demand and sex on demand" from Lowry. He also challenged the admissibility of pathologist testimony and entomological evidence, claiming the prosecution's speculative theories were unfair. The appeal will continue before a three‑judge panel.
Patrick Quirke was convicted of murdering Bobby 'Mr Moonlight' Ryan, a barrister, and is appealing the verdict. The Court of Appeal heard that the conviction relied on circumstantial evidence, including "tittle tattle" about who looked "crooked" at parties, and that some evidence was not properly proved. Quirke's counsel, Bernard Condon SC, argued that the jury heard prejudicial comments from Gardaí, such as a statement that Quirke had "cash on demand and sex on demand" from Mary Lowry. Lowry was in a relationship with Ryan at the time of his death and had previously had an affair with Quirke after her husband's death in 2007. The prosecution claimed Quirke killed Ryan to rekindle that affair. The appeal will last four days before a three‑judge panel.
Patrick Quirke, aged 50, is appealing his conviction for the murder of Bobby "Mr Moonlight" Ryan, who was found dead in an underground tank in April 2013. The Court of Appeal heard that the appeal will involve 5,500 pages of trial transcript, with the State's documents still pending. Three days have been set aside for the hearing, with a possible extra day, and free legal aid has been approved. Quirke's counsel, Bernard Condon, aims to finish the appeal within the three days if possible. The appeal follows a 13‑week trial where a jury found Quirke guilty by a 10‑2 majority, and he received a mandatory life sentence. The case centres on allegations that Quirke killed Ryan to rekindle a relationship with Mary Lowry and staged the body's discovery after Lowry tried to terminate his lease. Quirke denies the murder and claims the prosecution failed to prove beyond suspicion, citing inconsistencies in Lowry's testimony.
The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on an appeal by Richard Moloney, a 42-year-old man from Roscrea, Co Tipperary, who seeks to have his convictions for rape and two other sexual offences declared unsound. Moloney was found guilty by a jury in July 2019 of raping his then 16-year-old foster daughter, Ciara Monaghan, at their home in 2016. He was acquitted of a fourth count of alleged anal rape. In November of the previous year, the Central Criminal Court sentenced Moloney to 12 years in jail. His legal team argued that the trial judge's jury directions created a risk that jurors felt obliged to choose between competing versions of evidence, ignoring the possibility of a third outcome. They also appealed the severity of the sentence, claiming the headline 14-year term was excessive given the single-incident nature of the offences. The Director of Public Prosecutions opposed the appeal, noting the jury's ability to distinguish evidence by acquitting one count while convicting on others. Counsel for the DPP also opposed any sentence reduction, highlighting the "explosively destroyed" trust in the foster relationship. Ms Monaghan, who waived her anonymity, stated in a victim impact statement that she had made multiple suicide attempts since the incident. The appeal was heard by Mr Justice George Birmingham, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, and Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh, who reserved their judgment.
David Nevin, 46, of Quay Road, Terryglass, Nenagh, Tipperary, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for a series of fraud offences. He used forged bank statements and payslips to obtain a €40,000 loan and to lease an Audi A5. Nevin pleaded guilty to inducing the hand‑over of the car at Leaseplan in Dublin on 14 June 2018, to presenting a fake AIB statement at Leaseplan Fleet Management Services on 28 May 2018, to using a false payslip in a KBC credit‑card application, and to deceiving a staff member at the Bank of Ireland Operations Centre in Cabinteely to authorise the loan. He had previously repaid €5,500 and brought an additional €1,000 to court. The car was returned to the leasing company. Judge Elma Sheahan noted the offences were pre‑meditated and part of an "aspirational lifestyle." She imposed a two‑year sentence, suspending the final six months.
Patrick Quirke, a 50‑year‑old farmer from Breanshamore, Co. Tipperary, is appealing his conviction for the murder of Bobby 'Mr Moonlight' Ryan, a 52‑year‑old part‑time DJ who vanished on 3 June 2011. The body was found in an underground run‑off tank on Ms Lowry's farm, leased by Quirke, in April 2013. Quirke denies the murder, arguing the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond suspicion and that Mary Lowry, the alleged witness, is unreliable. The Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty by a 10‑2 majority after 13 weeks of trial, and he received a mandatory life sentence. The Court of Appeal will hear his appeal remotely on 13 October, with both sides submitting over 100 pages of legal material. The hearing is expected to last less than four days, though the exact duration remains to be confirmed by the court. The case remains at the appeal stage, with no further outcome announced.
Patrick Quirke, a 50‑year‑old farmer from Breanshamore, Co. Tipperary, is appealing his conviction for the murder of Bobby Ryan, a 52‑year‑old part‑time DJ known as 'Mr Moonlight'. The Court of Appeal heard that the appeal could last up to four days, though the President, Mr Justice George Birmingham, hoped for a shorter hearing. Quirke denies murdering Ryan, who disappeared on 3 June 2011 after leaving his girlfriend Mary Lowry's house. Ryan's body was found in an underground run‑off tank on Lowry's farm, leased by Quirke, in April 2013. The prosecution argued Quirke killed Ryan to rekindle a relationship with Lowry and staged the body's discovery after Lowry sought to terminate the lease. Quirke's lawyers claim the evidence is inconsistent and unreliable, particularly Lowry's testimony.
In a Central Criminal Court case, a 43‑year‑old man was found guilty of murder after stabbing a friend six times in a Limerick bar during a dispute over cocaine payment. The jury rejected the defendant's claim of self‑defence, concluding he intended serious injury and that the force used was excessive. The prosecution argued that the knife wounds to the heart, jugular vein, neck and arm inevitably caused death. The judge announced a mandatory life sentence and remanded the defendant in custody. The trial included testimony from witnesses who observed the altercation, a barman who saw the stabbing, and the defendant's wife who described his fear and subsequent actions. The case highlighted the severity of the assault and the court's determination of intent and culpability. The unnamed 43-year-old pleaded not guilty.
The appeal in the case of Mark Crawford (43), who is alleged to have murdered Patrick 'Pa' O'Connor (24) at Fitzgerald's Bar, Sexton Street, in Limerick city between July 7 and July 8, 2018, is ongoing. Crawford has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder. The State has argued that there was nothing to justify the use of force against the deceased, let alone the level of force used, which resulted in six stab wounds, including two fatal ones to the heart and jugular vein. The prosecution has highlighted that Crawford admitted stabbing the deceased to gardai but claimed self-defence. Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster testified that the deceased sustained six stab wounds. The State has also pointed to evidence suggesting Crawford disposed of the flick-knife used in the attack and moved to multiple locations before surrendering to gardai. Defence counsel Patrick McGrath SC has argued that Crawford was genuinely distressed and remorseful, and that the appropriate verdict, if there is doubt about his intention or if he mistakenly believed he was under threat, would be manslaughter. The matter is adjourned for the jury to be charged by Ms Justice Tara Burns.
In the Central Criminal Court, Mark Crawford (43) faces a murder charge for stabbing Patrick 'Pa' O'Connor (24) to death at Fitzgerald's Bar, Limerick, on 7 July 2018. His wife, Karen Crawford, testified that the night after the incident he called her from the pub, asking her to pick him up. She described him as staggered, blood‑dripping, crying, and saying he needed to "get his head straight." She drove him to her sister's house, then to the Abbey Court Hotel, and finally to the garda station where he handed himself in. Karen also recounted that the next day he told her, "what am I after doing to that boy as he was my friend?" The prosecution alleged a dispute over €100 for cocaine, while the defence claimed self‑defence. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns, is expected to last two weeks. Mark Crawford pleaded not guilty.
Cahir O'Higgins, a 45‑year‑old criminal defence solicitor, appeared before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to set a trial date for charges of theft and perverting the course of justice. He is accused of stealing €400 from Raul Sanz Quilis at a Londis shop on 30 July 2016 and of giving Detective Garda Colm Kelly false notes in December 2017. O'Higgins denies the allegations. His barrister, Karl Monahan BL, told the court that the prosecution has severely damaged his personal and professional life and that he wishes to confront the case head‑on and restore his reputation. Judge Martin Nolan, citing a backlog of custody cases, scheduled a pre‑trial hearing for 10 March 2022 and a trial for 4 April 2022. O'Higgins will be defended by Michael O'Higgins SC, while Ronan Kennedy SC prosecutes the matter. The judge allowed Kennedy to refer to the case in October if another issue arises.
Former FAI chief executive John Delaney has denied allegations that he is obstructing the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) investigation. In a sworn statement, Delaney explained that he requires additional time to review thousands of seized files, including his emails, to determine which are protected by legal professional privilege and therefore cannot be used by the ODCE. The High Court was scheduled to decide whether the files are privileged, but Delaney's request for extra time has stalled the matter, which will next be heard in September. The seized material consists of 13 hard‑copy documents and a digital device holding 270,000 files, seized from the FAI's Abbottstown office under a search warrant in February. Delaney, who now lives in the UK, said he was unaware of the volume of documents and that the ODCE's timetable was unrealistic.
David Johnston, 38, of Golden Lane, BrideStreet, Dublin 8, was sentenced to four years in prison, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions, after pleading guilty to burglary at a flat on Cooke Street on 14 November 2019. He had previously been convicted 28 times. Johnston broke into the flat by kicking in a glass panel of the front door while the occupants were watching television. He forced his way in, threatened the victim with a Stanley knife held to the victim's neck, and demanded €20 that the victim owed him. The victim received a small cut to his throat that did not require medical attention. After the victim paid the €20, Johnston left the flat, elbowing a kitchen window as he exited. He was later arrested and has been on remand in prison since his arrest. The victim did not submit a victim impact statement.
In a 2020 appeal, a 52‑year‑old man named Thomas Bates, originally from Liverpool, sought to have his 2019 conviction for conspiring to possess firearms, ammunition and explosives set aside. Bates was convicted of conspiring with others to acquire illicit items from the United States via the Darknet between 24 October and 10 November 2017. The trial judge sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended. The case involved a covert operation where Gardaí received three packages containing inert hand grenades, a decommissioned Glock pistol and dummy rounds, delivered to an address on Abbey Street, Cahir. Bates accepted the packages, claiming they were for his son, a claim later found false. The appeal argued that the trial judge erred by allowing anonymous FBI evidence, admitting a hearsay document, and failing to direct the jury on the evidential value of the alleged conspiracy.
In a burglary of stables outside Mullinahone, Co. Tipperary, 27‑year‑old Owen Kirwan and two others entered a tack room where horse owner Miguel Gunn was lying on a couch with a mare in foal. Kirwan was caught "red‑handed" by Gunn, who had a pitchfork for self‑defence. Kirwan threatened that "20 lads" would return to "burn you out" if he was not let go, and later admitted the offence after a voicemail recording was played. He had pleaded guilty to burglary and threat to damage property. Judge Tom Teehan at Clonmel Circuit Court imposed a seven‑year sentence, with two and a half years suspended. Kirwan appealed to the Court of Appeal, arguing the sentence was disproportionate, but the appeal was dismissed by Justice Patrick McCarthy, Court President George Birmingham and Justice Isobel Kennedy. The appeal was refused.
The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal of a 46‑year‑old man who had been jailed for defilement, sexual exploitation of a child and three counts of sexual assault against his partner's 13‑year‑old daughter. He had pleaded guilty to the offences, which occurred between September 2014 and August 2015, and had six prior convictions, including a 1993 sexual assault. The Central Criminal Court had heard that he was in a relationship with the girl's mother at the time of the abuse. The girl, who was not named to protect her identity, testified that she had initially seen the man as a father figure but that he began kissing her, sending sexualised text messages and escalating the abuse. She described feeling love and trust, then sadness and isolation, and ultimately declared herself a survivor.
A 53‑year‑old man lost his appeal against convictions for indecent assault on his younger sisters in the 1980s, but secured a reduction of his prison term by one year. He had pleaded not guilty to five counts against one sister, aged 11 or 12, when he was 14 or 15, and denied one count against his other sister, aged 12 or 13, when he was 18 or 19. The trial before the Circuit Criminal Court in Tipperary resulted in a guilty verdict and a sentence of five and a half years, with the final two years suspended. In the appeal, his barrister argued that the judge erred by admitting the appellant's 'no comment' answers to Gardaí, claiming this violated his right to silence and created an impression of evasiveness. The State countered that the interview had been edited to exclude such answers before the jury. The unnamed 53-year-old was found guilty.
The article reports on the victim impact statements read in court by the eight daughters of James O'Reilly, a 75‑year‑old former resident of Killeens, Ballynonty, Thurles, who was convicted of 58 counts of rape and nine counts of sexual assault after a five‑week trial at the Central Criminal Court. Ms Philomena Connors, the eldest, described how her father's abuse began in early childhood, left her with a sense of emptiness and a belief that what happened was normal. She expressed a desire for her own children to have a normal childhood and stated that the abuse continues to affect her every minute of life. The other seven daughters, represented by a Garda sergeant, also recounted their experiences of fear, control, and ongoing emotional trauma, each describing how the abuse has shaped their lives and relationships. The statements highlight the lasting psychological impact of O'Reilly's crimes on his daughters.". James O'Reilly pleaded not guilty.
James O'Reilly, aged 75, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for repeatedly raping and sexually abusing his younger sister and seven daughters over a 23‑year period from 1977 to 2000. He pleaded not guilty to 81 counts of rape and sexual abuse, but a jury convicted him of 58 counts of rape and nine counts of sexual assault. The court heard that he subjected the victims to physical beatings, starvation, and degradation, and that one daughter became pregnant from a rape in 1988 and was further abused during her pregnancy. DNA evidence confirmed he was the father of the child. O'Reilly continues to deny wrongdoing and shows no remorse. The judge described his actions as horrific and noted the prolonged, repetitive nature of the offences. The sentence reflects the severity and duration of the abuse.
A 46-year-old man has appealed his sentence for sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl. The defendant, who cannot be named to protect the victim's identity, pleaded guilty to defilement and sexual exploitation of a child and three charges of sexual assault occurring between September 2014 and August 2015. He had six previous convictions, including for sexual assault in 1993. At the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice White imposed a nine-year sentence, with the final two years suspended. The man argued in his appeal to the Court of Appeal that the sentencing judge placed too much weight on his claim that the girl initiated the contact due to hormonal urges. His barrister, Colman Cody SC, submitted that undue weight was attached to this factor. The court heard evidence that the man had been in a relationship with the girl's mother and that phone analysis confirmed he sent sexualised text messages to her. The survivor stated she initially viewed him as a father figure but later realized the abuse was not normal. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice George Birmingham with Justices Kennedy and Ni Raifeartaigh, reserved judgement and will deliver their decision at a later date.
A 53‑year‑old man appealed his convictions for indecent assault on his younger sisters in the 1980s, arguing that the judge allowed his 'no comment' answers to Gardaí to be presented to the jury. He had pleaded not guilty to five counts against one sister aged 11 or 12 when he was 14 or 15, and denied one count against another sister aged 12 or 13 when he was 18 or 19. The trial, held before the Circuit Criminal Court in Tipperary last June, resulted in a guilty verdict and a sentence of five and a half years, with the final two years suspended. In the appeal, his barrister, Colman Cody SC, claimed the judge erred by admitting the 'no comment' answers, which he said prejudiced the defendant and violated his right to silence. He also argued the sentence failed to give sufficient weight to the defendant's age and good character. The unnamed 53-year-old was found guilty.
A 23‑year‑old man, Christopher O'Callaghan, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, with 18 months suspended, for the manslaughter of his 66‑year‑old grandfather, Joseph O'Callaghan, who was found dead in his own blood on the morning of 2 July 2018. The Central Criminal Court heard that the defendant had "snapped" after his grandfather admitted sexually abusing two individuals. O'Callaghan claimed he had no intention to kill or seriously injure his grandfather, but he struck him up to four times, kicked him twice and stomped on him, causing blunt‑force trauma to the head and extensive bruising. The judge noted the defendant's consumption of alcohol, his early guilty plea, remorse and efforts to address alcohol abuse. The suspended portion requires abstinence from alcohol, attendance at treatment and continued employment or study. The case remains a manslaughter conviction, not a murder conviction. Christopher O'Callaghan pleaded not guilty.
The High Court, on 11 May 2020, ordered the winding up of Oasis Fashions Ireland Ltd and Warehouse Fashion Ireland Ltd, which together employed about 248 people. Mr Justice Michael Twomey confirmed the firms were insolvent and appointed Ken Fennell and James Anderson of Deloitte Ireland as joint liquidators on a provisional basis. The two companies operated 13 stores and 29 concession stands in Ireland. Their parent, Aurora Fashions, is owned by Icelandic Kaupthing Bank, and administrators had been appointed to the UK parent a month earlier. The liquidators were instructed by Kelley Smith BL, who noted that the group had been trading in a difficult environment worsened by the Covid‑19 pandemic, which forced the closure of high‑street stores in late March and hindered the group's ability to secure new investment. The liquidators have been working with creditors, including employees, landlords and Revenue, to ensure an orderly wind‑down of the business.
Inga Ozolina, aged 48, was convicted of manslaughter for killing her violent alcoholic boyfriend, Audrius Pukas, 40, in Roscrea on 20 November 2016. Ozolina claimed she acted in self‑defence after Pukas had pulled her hair, pushed her to the floor, and began hitting and biting her. She had previously obtained two safety orders against him, which had lapsed. During the Central Criminal Court trial, photographs of her injuries, including bite marks, were shown to the jury. Ozolina was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, and was sentenced to four years' imprisonment. The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction, rejecting her appeal that the Garda interview evidence was unreliable. The appeal court dismissed the appeal, confirming the trial judge's decision that the evidence was admissible and reliable. The case remains at the manslaughter conviction stage.
Christopher Connolly, a dog handler from Cappawhite, Co. Tipperary, appealed a High Court decision that upheld a ban by the Irish Greyhound Board (Bord na gCon) and the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) preventing him from participating in racetrack or coursing events. The appeal was dismissed by a three‑judge Court of Appeal. Connolly's ban stemmed from an incident in 2014 while he lived in Australia, where he used a live piglet as bait at Tooradin Trial Track. Australian authorities had imposed a lifetime ban, later reduced to five years with a suspended five‑year period. Connolly returned to Ireland in 2015, applied for a Kennelhand Authorisation, was refused, and his appeal to the board's control committee was rejected. The Court of Appeal found that Connolly had been fully informed of the board's investigation and had no right to challenge the findings, concluding that the exclusion order was justified and lawful.
In a High Court hearing on 22 April 2020, Ms Emma Roche's application for a temporary injunction to keep her on the Garda roster was dismissed. Roche, a probationary Garda, argued that the decision to terminate her service was unfair because she had failed a beep test during 2017‑2019. She sought an injunction to allow her to continue working pending a full hearing. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Michael Twomey, noted that Roche had been informed of the termination on 10 April, before her lawyers filed the injunction request. The judge held that the Commissioner's decision had already taken effect, so no injunction could be granted. Roche had previously passed all other requirements, was sworn in 2017, and had an exemplary record, but the court did not rule on the merits of her appeal at this stage.
Interlink Ireland Ltd, trading as DPD, secured temporary High Court injunctions against two agents, Mr Joe Corcoran and Mr Bernard O'Brien, who sought to terminate their agreements amid the Covid‑19 emergency. The agents claimed they could no longer fulfil their duties, but Interlink argued no evidence was provided that the pandemic had materially affected their businesses. The agency agreements require six months' notice for termination, and Interlink has seen a surge in demand for essential deliveries during the pandemic. The court granted interim injunctions preventing the agents from ending the agreements and requiring them to continue operating as agreed. Interlink contended the agents were attempting to exploit the health crisis for commercial advantage, and the judge found the injunctions justified based on the evidence presented. The case will be revisited in a subsequent court session.
A 54‑year‑old Tipperary man was convicted of 75 counts of sexual abuse and rape of his daughters and sentenced to 17 years' imprisonment. The conviction, upheld on appeal, covered 44 charges of sexual abuse, 37 counts of raping his eldest daughter, one count of anal rape of that daughter, one count of oral rape of his younger sister, and one count of threatening to kill his youngest daughters between October 1994 and July 2012. He pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court. The Court of Appeal rejected all grounds of appeal, finding the evidence sufficient for the jury to convict on each count and dismissing the argument that the judge should have allowed further questioning of a victim about her conduct in a previous trial. The appeal judges confirmed the 17‑year sentence imposed by Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan on 18 May 2015.
The High Court approved Personal Insolvency Arrangements for Una and Margaret Kinsella, allowing them to write down millions of euros in debts owed to banks and Ennis Property Finance, an affiliate of Goldman Sachs. The arrangements let the sisters keep their homes and repay creditors over 12 months. Una, aged 45, owes about €3.8 million to AIB, Permanent TSB and Ennis Property Finance. She will sell investment properties worth €190,000 and restructure her €356,000 mortgage, paying €607 per month for 20 years and a €100 lump sum (€94 to Ennis). Margaret, aged 50, owes €4.2 million to Ennis, BOI, Ulster Bank, AIB and Banca March. She will sell investment properties, restructure her €257,000 mortgage, pay up to €650 per month for 20 years and a €100 lump sum (€88 to Ennis). The court found the arrangements more favourable to creditors than bankruptcy.
Robert Maxwell, 26, was found guilty of endangering Simon Ryan by driving a van into a group of people in Nenagh on 6–7 August 2017. Maxwell struck Ryan, knocked him to the ground, drove over him and then drove at him again. He pleaded guilty to the endangerment and to three public order offences. The Tipperary Circuit Criminal Court had imposed a wholly suspended four‑year sentence on 28 June 2019, but the Court of Appeal deemed it unduly lenient. The appeal court quashed the original sentence and re‑sentenced Maxwell to four years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. He must enter a good‑behaviour bond for the suspended period. Maxwell had 28 prior convictions, many for road traffic offences, and had been disqualified from driving on several occasions.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 29‑year‑old accused of sexually assaulting four girls aged five to eight at a Leinster creche pleaded not guilty to 23 counts. The trial has heard evidence from one complainant, now 11, who was interviewed by Garda Louise Curtin in January 2017. The child described the accused touching her privates in various creche locations and said it hurt. Curtin, a specialist interviewer, admitted she did not follow all "Good Practice" guidelines, including not establishing the importance of truth, discussing fantasy versus reality, or assessing suggestibility and alliance among children. She also omitted a question about honesty. The jury viewed a video of the interview, and the case continues before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury of twelve.
A damages action brought by Diarmuid Rossa Phelan, a barrister and law lecturer at Trinity College Dublin, against Catherine O'Meara, otherwise Sheehan O'Meara, has been resolved. The case, heard before Mr Justice David Keane, concerned serious injuries Mr Phelan sustained as a passenger in a road traffic accident on August 3, 2008, near Clashnevin, Nenagh, Co Tipperary. It was alleged that the defendant, driving a vehicle she owned, struck the nearly stationary vehicle from behind due to negligence, including failing to keep a proper lookout, excessive speed, and driving an unfit vehicle. Liability was not contested; the trial stage focused solely on the assessment of damages. Mr Phelan claimed significant personal and professional disruption, citing ongoing pain to his spine, neck, knee, and pelvis, along with soft tissue damage and bruising. He reported that his recovery has been poor and that he continues to undergo treatment. During the proceedings, counsel Des O'Neill SC, appearing with Alistair Rutherdale BL for the plaintiff, informed the court that discussions between the parties had been successful. Consequently, the case was struck out with an order for costs in favour of the plaintiff. Fergus O'Hagen SC, representing the defendant, consented to this disposal. The judge praised both sides for their efforts in reaching a settlement and wished Mr Phelan well in his continued recovery.
A High Court action brought by independent Tipperary candidates Mattie McGrath and Joe Hannigan has been withdrawn following the Minister for Housing, Eoghan Murphy, signing a special order to allow the constituency's general election ballot to proceed on Saturday. The proceedings, which challenged the returning officer's decision to postpone the election under Section 62 of the 1992 Electoral Act, became moot after the Minister's intervention. The candidates had alleged that the postponement was unlawful and unconstitutional, arguing that a new poll could not occur within the constitutional 30-day limit expiring on February 13. The action was initiated after the death of candidate Marese Skehan prompted the returning officer to issue a countermand. During the hearing, counsel for the applicants sought legal costs, citing a lack of official confirmation regarding the election date prior to the proceedings. The State opposed this application, asserting the Minister's decision was independent of the court action. Justice Charles Meenan made no order as to costs, directing both sides to pay their own. The judge noted the Attorney General acted with expedition in reviewing the matter following the tragic death of Ms. Skehan. The case concluded with the withdrawal of the action, leaving the election to proceed as originally scheduled.
Mattie McGrath, an Independent TD and candidate for the 2020 general election, has filed a High Court action to ensure the Tipperary constituency vote takes place on Saturday, 8 February. He argues that the returning officer, James Seymour, unlawfully countermanded the poll following the death of independent candidate Marese Skehan, thereby breaching the Constitution and the 1992 Electoral Act. McGrath contends that postponing the election would disenfranchise voters, disadvantage Independent candidates, and allow larger parties to concentrate resources in Tipperary. He claims a new poll could not be held within the constitutionally mandated 30‑day period, which would expire on 13 February. The case is pending, with the court adjourned to Thursday afternoon for further proceedings. The State, represented by Frank Callanan SC, seeks to adjourn the matter to consider its response. The High Court has not yet ruled on the legality of the countermand.
A former detective garda testified at the Central Criminal Court that he feared for his life when armed raiders confronted him and his colleague during a credit union escort at Bellurgan, County Louth on 25 January 2013. The witness described how one raider pointed a shotgun at him and made threats, while another held a handgun. He stated that Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was fatally shot during the incident. Aaron Brady, aged 28 from Crossmaglen, County Armagh, has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Detective Garda Donohoe and to robbing approximately €7,000 in cash and cheques from Lordship Credit Union on the same date and location. The witness, who has served as a garda since 1992, detailed the sequence of events and provided descriptions of the raiders' appearance and accents. The trial, heard before Mr Justice Michael White and a jury, continues.
In 2020 the Court of Appeal re‑sentenced 76‑year‑old Dan Flynn, a former farm labourer from County Tipperary, for the brutal rape of a six‑year‑old girl in 1979. Flynn, who was 36 at the time, had forced the child onto his bed, raped her, forced his penis into her mouth, spat on her face and stepped over her while she lay on the ground. He pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court, with the plea entered at the "11th hour" the Friday before his trial. The original sentence was six years' imprisonment, with the final four years suspended, imposed on 13 May 2019. The Court of Appeal found the sentence "unduly lenient" and, following an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions, imposed a new five‑year term, with the final four years suspended.
A 56‑year‑old Tipperary man was sentenced by a Central Criminal Court jury to 12 years' imprisonment for raping and sexually assaulting his special‑needs daughter. The court heard that he raped her twice in her bedroom when she was 22, after asking her whether she loved him or her mother more, and also sexually assaulted her on that same occasion. He had previously sexually assaulted her when she was 13 or 14, forcing her to perform oral sex while she slept in the same bed as a friend. He was convicted on five charges, including rape, oral rape and sexual assault, covering incidents between January 2003 and December 2004 and a separate incident in January 2011. He denied the charges. The judge registered him as a sex offender, suspended the final year of the sentence on strict conditions, and noted that he had not accepted the jury's verdict.
The trial of Aaron Brady, 28, from Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Michael White. Brady has pleaded not guilty to the alleged capital murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe and the robbery of approximately €7,000 in cash and cheques at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth, on January 25, 2013. Prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC opened the case, alleging that a gang of four raiders targeted the Garda escort for a "base criminal motive" driven by money. He stated that one raider allegedly shot Det Gda Donohoe in the face with a shotgun, killing him instantly, while another threatened Det Gda Joe Ryan with a handgun. The prosecution contends the operation was highly organized, with the getaway car later found burnt out in South Armagh. Grehan argued that Brady was under financial pressure and allegedly lied about his whereabouts. Evidence will include CCTV, mobile phone data showing a "telecommunications blackout" during the incident, and conversations Brady allegedly had after moving to New York. The jury of 15 is hearing the prosecution's case, which relies on circumstantial evidence to link Brady to the crime. The trial continues.
In January 2020 the Court of Appeal ruled that Dan Flynn's two‑year jail sentence for raping a six‑year‑old girl in 1979 was unduly lenient. Flynn, a 76‑year‑old former farm labourer, was 36 when he assaulted the child, who later testified that he forced his penis into her mouth and spat on her. He pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court, where he was sentenced to six years, with four years suspended, in May 2019. The appeal was brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who argued the brutality and long‑term impact on the victim warranted a harsher penalty. Flynn's counsel contended the sentence was within normal limits, citing his medical condition and the guilty‑plea discount. The Court of Appeal will resentencing Flynn on 13 February 2020, pending a detailed medical report for prison conditions.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Declan McLogan, acting for McAleer & Rushe UK Ltd, admitted that the firm breached health and safety regulations by carrying out work at Findlater House, Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin, on or about 23 June 2016 without conducting an asbestos risk assessment. The offence contravenes the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 and the Safety, Health and Welfare Act 2005. Judge Melanie Greally set a sentencing date for 27 February, and Dennis McAuliffe of Killnasalla, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary will be arraigned on 23 April.
Damien Mitchell, 32, was arrested after striking John Walsh with a pint glass during a domestic dispute. Mitchell admitted the fight but claimed limited memory due to alcohol. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm in Dublin. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a three‑year sentence, fully suspended on conditions of sobriety and other requirements. Mitchell's apology letter, €3,000 payment to Walsh, and counselling attendance were noted as evidence of remorse. Walsh, who suffered eye and facial scarring, expressed a desire for Mitchell not to serve custodial time, describing him as "extremely magnanimous." The judge highlighted alcohol's role and the seriousness of the injuries, noting that a slightly more severe outcome would have led to imprisonment. Mitchell has no prior convictions.
During a 13‑week trial, the prosecution presented circumstantial evidence linking Patrick Quirke to the murder of Bobby Ryan, arguing that Quirke's jealousy and financial dependence on Mary Lowry motivated the killing. Quirke had leased Lowry's land, had a sexual relationship with her, and was seen at her home on the day Ryan disappeared. He claimed he discovered Ryan's body in a waste‑water tank on 30 April 2013, describing the tank as partially full and the body as a "carpet or inflatable doll." Forensic entomology suggested the body had been present for at least 11 days. The defence argued the evidence was unreliable, citing inconsistencies in Lowry's testimony, lack of independent evidence of Quirke's motive, and questioning the integrity of the tank's condition. The jury ultimately convicted Quirke by a majority verdict for Ryan's murder.
Patrick Quirke was found guilty of murdering part‑time DJ Bobby Ryan, known as "Mr Moonlight", by a ten‑to‑two majority jury at the Central Criminal Court. Quirke, who had pleaded not guilty, was sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment. The trial, the longest murder trial in Irish history, lasted 13 weeks and involved extensive legal argument. Ryan, 52, disappeared after leaving his girlfriend Mary Lowry's home on 3 June 2011. His body was recovered 22 months later in an underground run‑off tank on a farm leased by Quirke. The prosecution alleged Quirke killed Ryan to rekindle an affair with Lowry. The jury deliberated for 20 hours and 39 minutes before delivering the verdict. The case ended with Quirke being escorted out by prison guards, while Ryan's family, including his daughter Michelle, expressed deep grief and reflected on the loss.
Patrick Quirke, a 50‑year‑old farmer from Breanshamore, Co. Tipperary, has been granted a hearing in October to appeal his conviction for the murder of Bobby Ryan, a part‑time DJ known as 'Mr Moonlight'. Ryan disappeared on 3 June 2011 after leaving the home of his girlfriend, Mary Lowry, and his body was found in an underground run‑off tank on Lowry's farm in April 2013. The prosecution argued Quirke killed Ryan to rekindle a relationship with Lowry and staged the body's discovery after Lowry tried to terminate his lease. Quirke's lawyers contended the evidence was merely suspicious, citing inconsistencies in Lowry's testimony and questioning her reliability. A Central Criminal Court jury found Quirke guilty after 20 hours and 39 minutes of deliberation, and he received a mandatory life sentence on 1 May 2019. The Court of Appeal has set 13 October for the appeal hearing, which is expected to last four days.
Alan Freeman, aged 38, was convicted of violently breaking into the Garvey family home in Pallasgreen, Co. Limerick, on 16 April 2012, where he and two other men used a sawn‑off shotgun, a sledgehammer and a baseball bat. The gang restrained the occupants, threatened Gerard Garvey and his 14‑year‑old daughter, and took cash before fleeing. Freeman, along with Patrick Roche (54) and Philip Roche (25), was also found guilty of a separate burglary at the Creed home. Judge John Hannan sentenced Freeman to 14 years, with the final three years suspended. On 10 December 2019 the Court of Appeal quashed Freeman's conviction and ordered a retrial, while the convictions of the Roche men were upheld. The appeal was based on the Court's view that evidence linking Freeman to an alleged burglary at another home should have led to a separate trial, as the evidence was deemed insufficient and potentially prejudicial.
A man has been sentenced to twelve years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court following his conviction on charges of rape, oral rape, and sexual assault. Richard Moloney, aged 41, of Tullaskeagh Drive, Roscrea, County Tipperary, was found guilty of offences against his then 16-year-old foster daughter at their home on 16 July 2016. The jury's verdict followed trial in July this year. Mr Justice Alex Owens imposed the sentence this morning, noting Moloney's breach of trust as a foster parent and his denial of wrongdoing throughout proceedings. The judge described the crimes' impact on the victim as profoundly destructive. A four-year post-release supervision order was also imposed, with conditions including distance from the victim and engagement in alcohol treatment. Moloney carries ten previous convictions for assault and public order matters. The victim, who has waived anonymity, expressed satisfaction with the sentencing outside court.
In a long-running High Court action concerning the 1996 award of Ireland's second mobile phone licence to Esat Digifone, Mr Justice Senan Allen granted discovery orders in proceedings brought by Comcast International Holdings Inc, Ganley International Ltd, GCI Ltd, and businessman Declan Ganley. The plaintiffs, whose Cellstar consortium was an unsuccessful bidder, allege that the selection process was flawed and corrupted, seeking damages from the Minister for Public Enterprise, the State, Denis O'Brien, and Michael Lowry TD. The defendants deny these claims. The action, initiated in 2001, involved motions for the discovery of 22 categories of documents, including tender evaluations and communications. Defendants opposed the applications, arguing the requests were onerous and dated. In a detailed judgment, Mr Justice Allen noted the complexity of the case, exacerbated by prior Court of Appeal and Supreme Court decisions. He was satisfied to order the discovery of documents in most, but not all, of the requested categories. After delivering his decision, the judge adjourned the matter to allow the parties to consider his decision.
GL Ireland ICAV, owners of Thurles Shopping Centre, claim that compliance with enforcement notices issued by Tipperary County Council would force the centre to close permanently. The notices, issued after the council's decision to enforce conditions tied to the 2007 planning permission, require the closure of a delivery entrance, landscaping on land the company does not own, removal and repositioning of external windows and doors, and construction of a maintenance building and bicycle park. GL Ireland argues the notices were served outside the time limits set by the 2000 Planning and Development Act and that the council acted irrationally, unreasonably and contrary to law. The company has brought a High Court challenge, seeking to quash the notices and obtain a declaration of the council's unlawful conduct. Justice Seamus Noonan granted permission ex‑parte and placed a stay on further council action pending the case, with a return date set for December.
A man from County Mayo has been sentenced to twelve years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the rape and sexual abuse of his stepdaughter over an eleven-year period. Thomas Mullarney, aged 61, of Cahir, Louisberg, pleaded guilty to sexual assaults at a Dublin residence between October 2003 and January 2005, and to rape at a Mayo address in November 2011 and September 2014. The abuse began when the victim was approximately six years old and continued into her teenage years. During sentencing, Mr Justice Michael White described the offences as falling at the upper end of serious sexual abuse, noting the victim's trust in Mullarney as a father figure and the systematic grooming involved. The judge acknowledged Mullarney's guilty plea as significant but stated that only the perpetrator bore responsibility for the harm caused. The court heard that Mullarney had experienced institutional abuse during his childhood, though the judge expressed difficulty understanding how such trauma could lead to victimising a child.