Court archive
Court reports mentioning Rochfortbridge, Westmeath
2016-12-21 · Dublin
James Walsh, aged 30, pleaded guilty to possession of a pistol with intent to endanger life after a shooting at the Church of the Transfiguration in Clondalkin on 26 March 2014. He shot himself in the leg while escaping the scene. The prosecution sought a nolle prosequi on a separate attempted murder charge against Michael Frazer, 37, who was shot twice and later sought sanctuary at a Garda station. On 1 December 2016, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy sentenced Walsh to ten years' imprisonment, backdated to his initial custody on 5 December 2014. The judge highlighted strong circumstantial evidence, including a black jacket, a mobile phone, and a spent bullet found in Walsh's car, linking him to the shooting. Walsh had spent two years in custody awaiting trial and had prior convictions. The sentence reflected the seriousness of using a firearm to endanger life.
2016-12-15 · Dublin
James Walsh, 30, pleaded guilty to possession of a pistol firearm with intent to endanger life at the Church of the Transfiguration, Clondalkin, on 26 March 2014. The offence arose from a shooting that occurred at the church that evening. Walsh's plea was accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions and a nolle prosequi was entered on a count of attempted murder of Michael Frazer, 37, who was shot and later presented to Clondain Garda Station bleeding and distressed. Walsh had a prior firearms offence in 2006, for which he was convicted in 2007. Counsel for the DPP argued that a mandatory minimum of 10 years applies to a second firearms offence under legislation enacted 1 November 2006. Counsel for Walsh contended that the court was not bound to impose the minimum and urged consideration of his guilty plea and rehabilitation efforts. Judge Patrick McCarthy noted the seriousness of firearms offences and the limited discretion in sentencing.
2016-12-01 · Westmeath
The Central Criminal Court heard that James Walsh, aged 30, pleaded guilty to possession of a pistol with intent to endanger life after a shooting at the Church of the Transfiguration in Clondalkin on 26 March 2014. The prosecution argued that Walsh shot himself in the leg while escaping the scene, an act supported by circumstantial evidence including CCTV, ballistic and DNA findings linking a blue Fiat Stilo to the crime scene and to Walsh. Witnesses described a man in black and a Mini Cooper involved in the incident. Walsh was arrested on 5 December 2014 and remanded in custody pending the remainder of his sentence hearing on 14 December. The court noted his prior convictions, including a Firearms Act offence that could impose a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison. The case also involved a nolle prosequi on a separate attempted murder count against Walsh.
2015-11-06 · Westmeath
Brian Gavin, 28, was driving from Mullingar to Lucan at speeds up to 160 km/h when he clipped a car's wing mirror and later collided with a Skoda, causing Gerard Nolan to suffer a broken hip, broken leg, facial fractures and permanent scarring. Gavin then struck another vehicle before stopping. He told Gardaí he was trying to kill himself, citing suicidal thoughts and a desire to leave his family home. He has bipolar disorder, had stopped his medication, and had a prior suicide attempt. Gavin pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm and failing to stop, and to a second dangerous driving offence. He passed a roadside breath test. Judge Sarah Berkeley adjourned the case to monitor his medication compliance and imposed a mandatory four‑year driving ban.