Court archive
Court reports mentioning Bunclody, Wexford
2026-02-06 · Wexford
A jury has found that Detective Superintendent Rory Sheriff used reasonable force when striking a former Garda, John Bowe, with a baton during an 'extreme' high-speed car chase in rural Wexford in 2014. The civil trial jury agreed that Sheriff's actions were proportionate and justified following what he described as the most 'extreme and dangerous driving' he had ever witnessed. Bowe was arrested after a 20-minute chase that hit speeds in excess of 140kph. Sheriff testified that Bowe turned back with a 'metallic object' in his hand and lunged at him, prompting him to strike Bowe over the head with a baton. Bowe claimed he sustained injuries and was diagnosed with 'functional neurological disorder', but the claim was denied. Sheriff's legal team argued that it was 'miraculous' that no one was killed during the chase. The court awarded costs to Sheriff's legal team for both trials, pending any appeal.
2026-02-05 · Wexford
A former garda, John Bowe, has sought damages from a civil court jury after being struck on the head with a baton by Det Supt Rory Sheriff during a high-speed chase in Wexford in 2014. Bowe was arrested following the incident and later convicted of dangerous driving. He claims that the use of force by Sheriff was excessive and that he suffered injuries leading to a diagnosis of functional neurological disorder. His legal representative, Mark Harty SC, argued that Bowe was being unfairly portrayed as a liar and that the defence was attempting to gaslight the jury. On the other hand, Det Supt Sheriff's legal team, led by Richard Lyons SC, defended the use of force, stating that Bowe's actions were extremely dangerous and that no one was harmed due to the detective's intervention. The court is considering whether Sheriff used reasonable force during the arrest. If not, the jury must determine the award of damages and potential loss of earnings for Bowe.
2025-11-14 · Wexford
A jury deadlocked in a High Court case brought by former Garda John Bowe, aged 41, who alleged he was wrongfully struck by a 6'8″ Garda with a baton after a high‑speed pursuit outside Bunclody, Co. Wexford, on 5 December 2014. Bowe, who had been convicted of dangerous driving following the chase, claimed the baton strike by Superintendent Rory Sheriff caused injuries and a diagnosis of functional neurological disorder. Sheriff maintained the strike was proportionate and justified, citing a 25‑minute chase at speeds over 140 kph and an alleged attempt by Bowe to attack him with a metallic object that turned out to be keys with bottle openers. The case also named the Garda Commissioner, the Attorney General and Ireland.
2025-11-13 · Wexford
In a High Court hearing on 13 November 2025, former Garda John Bowe (41) alleged that he was wrongfully and violently struck by Superintendent Rory Sheriff, a 6'8″ former rugby player, during a high‑speed chase that took place outside Bunclody, County Wexford, on 5 December 2014. Bowe, who had been driving at speeds over 140 kph for 25 minutes, was pursued through a field and, according to Bowe, turned back at Sheriff with a metallic object that turned out to be keys with bottle openers. Sheriff claimed he used his baton in proportionate force after Bowe lunged at him. Bowe was later convicted of dangerous driving offences arising from the chase. He now seeks compensation for alleged injuries, claiming a functional neurological disorder, and has denied that the baton strike was justified. The case is pending jury deliberation.
2025-11-12 · Wexford
In a High Court hearing on 12 November 2025, Garda Superintendent Rory Sheriff, 6'8", defended his use of a retractable baton against former Garda John Bowe, 41, during a 25‑minute, high‑speed chase outside Bunclody, Co. Wexford. Sheriff claimed the chase involved speeds over 140 kph and that Bowe, who was driving an Audi, had a metallic object that turned out to be keys with bottle openers. Sheriff said Bowe lunged at him with the object, prompting the superintendent to strike Bowe's head with full force, aiming for the torso, after being informed by a colleague that Bowe had a knife. Bowe was arrested, later diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder, and sued Sheriff, the Garda Commissioner, the Attorney General and Ireland for alleged injuries. Sheriff maintains his actions were proportionate and justified, and he has no regrets. The case is set for jury deliberation before Mr Justice Micheál O'Higgins.
2025-11-07 · Wexford
The High Court trial of a civil action brought by John Bowe against Supt Rory Sheriff, the Garda Commissioner, the Attorney General, and Ireland continues before Mr Justice Micheál Ó Higgins. Sgt Mick Dee, an applicant in the proceedings, testified regarding an incident outside Bunclody, Co Wexford, on December 5, 2014, following a high-speed pursuit. Sgt Dee stated he believed Mr Bowe was carrying a knife and behaving in a threatening manner, prompting him to alert Supt Sheriff. Supt Sheriff subsequently struck Mr Bowe on the head with a baton. Under cross-examination, Sgt Dee accepted that Mr Bowe did not have a knife, attributing his initial belief to a gut reaction. Mr Bowe claims wrongful and violent assault, alleging he was diagnosed with functional neurological disorder, claims which are denied by the defendants. Witness Det Sgt Noel McSweeney testified that he observed the officers and Mr Bowe walking together without dragging, and noted a cut on Mr Bowe's head. Mr Bowe was previously convicted of dangerous driving arising from the chase but acquitted of a cannabis possession charge. The matter is at the trial stage and has not been finalised; the proceedings continue.
2022-06-23 · Wexford
John Giltrap, 61, of Termonbarry, Bunclody, was found guilty of 20 counts of raping Caroline Kavanagh, aged 10 to 15, at various sites in Bunclody between December 1978 and March 1982. He had pleaded not guilty to 22 counts. In December 2020, Mr Justice Michael McGrath sentenced him to 11 years' imprisonment on each count. Giltrap appealed for a reduction, arguing that he was 18 to 23 at the time of the offences, that his relationship had dissolved, that he was married with children, and that his health was poor. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal in January. Today, Mr Justice John Edwards upheld the 11‑year sentence, stating there was no error in principle and that the original judge had already applied generous mitigation. The appeal was dismissed.
2022-01-27 · Wexford
In January 2022, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal of John Giltrap, 61, who had been convicted of 20 counts of rape against Caroline Kavanagh, a girl aged between 10 and 15, during 1978‑1982 in Bunclody. Giltrap had originally pleaded not guilty to 22 counts but was found guilty on 20 by a jury at the Central Criminal Court in Kilkenny in December 2020 and sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment on each count, with the terms running concurrently. He argued the verdict was "perverse" and "contrary to the weight of evidence." The appellate judges, led by Mr Justice John Edwards, rejected the appeal, stating there was no evidence of jury speculation. Ms Kavanagh, present in the gallery, expressed relief at the decision, noting that Giltrap's lawyers were considering a further appeal of the sentence length.
2021-12-17 · Wexford
In the Court of Appeal on 17 December 2021, Caroline Kavanagh, aged 52, sat in the rear of the court to witness her former attacker, John Giltrap, 61, weeping as he pleaded for his conviction to be quashed. Giltrap had been found guilty on 20 of 22 counts of raping Kavanagh, aged between 10 and 15 at the time, between December 1978 and March 1982, and was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment on each count with the terms running concurrently. He appealed on the grounds that the jury's verdict was "perverse" and "contrary to the weight of evidence". Kavanagh, who had waived her right to anonymity, testified that the rapes occurred "nearly everyday and sometimes twice a day" in a house and later in a caravan that was moved to a public area known as "the Green". John Giltrap pleaded not guilty.
2020-09-25 · Cavan
The Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by a debt collector against an 18-month custodial sentence imposed for intimidation and harassment offences. Kevin Molloy, aged 51, originally from Donegal and currently residing in Cavan, was convicted in May at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court of harassing a man and his daughter between April and August 2015. His offences included threatening to kidnap and harm an individual, and arranging the distribution of defamatory flyers at equestrian events and in Mullingar. Molloy, who operated a debt recovery business based in Kildare, received a headline sentence of four years with 18 months suspended. The three-judge court, presiding over the appeal on Friday, upheld the sentencing judge's assessment that the offences fell within the upper mid-range. The judges described the 18-month actual custodial term as generous and rejected claims the sentence was unduly harsh. The court also upheld a seven-year ban on Molloy operating as a debt collector, deeming it legitimate and proportionate. Molloy was permitted time to arrange his affairs before beginning his sentence on 30 September.
2020-06-22 · Wexford
In a High Court case on 22 June 2020, John Kieran Brennan of Clonmulen, Bunclody, Co. Carlow alleged that former developer Patrick Fitzpatrick was employing the debt‑collection firm run by Martin 'The Viper' Foley to pursue a disputed debt of over €100,000. Brennan, who denies owing any money, secured a temporary injunction after men associated with Foley's firm entered his home, threatened him and his family, and demanded payment. The injunction, granted by Mr Justice Michael Twomey, prohibits Fitzpatrick, his agents or any of his servants from intimidating, threatening, watching or besetting Brennan and his family. Brennan's counsel highlighted that Fitzpatrick had purchased 400,000 shares in Moralltach Global Plc for €100,000, of which Brennan is a director, and that Fitzpatrick has not taken any court action against Brennan regarding the alleged debt. The injunction is set to be reviewed later in the week. The case remains at the interim injunction stage.
2018-06-26 · Dublin
Jason Byrne, a 38-year-old from Clondalkin, Dublin 22, has lost his appeal against his conviction. Byrne had pleaded not guilty at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court to a series of offences, including three counts of burglary, one count of aggravated burglary, assault causing harm, and unauthorised use of a vehicle, allegedly committed in the south-east in 2008 and 2009. Following a lengthy trial, a jury found him guilty, and Judge Barry Hickson sentenced him to six years imprisonment on April 15, 2016. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham with Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice John Hedigan, dismissed the appeal, holding that the trial was satisfactory and the conviction safe. The prosecution alleged Byrne was part of a gang targeted by An Garda Síochána's Operation Slope. Key evidence came from Des Kavanagh, an accomplice in the Witness Protection Programme, who implicated Byrne in incidents including a burglary at Bunclody and an assault at an Esso filling station. Byrne's lawyers argued Kavanagh's evidence lacked credibility and transparency. However, the Court of Appeal noted the trial judge had issued clear warnings to the jury regarding the dangers of relying on such evidence. The court concluded that the matter was quintessentially for the jury to decide, and they were content to convict based on the evidence presented.
2017-11-10 · Kildare
In a High Court ruling on 10 November 2017, Mr Justice Michael Twomey granted an injunction requiring Drumderry Aggregate Ltd to hand over certification for the Hollowcore flooring it supplied and fitted at the extension to St Conleth's College in Newbridge, Co Kildare. The extension, designed for 250 students but now serving 477, was to be completed by year‑end 2017 with new facilities ready in January 2018. K&J Townmore Construction Ltd, the main contractor, argued that the lack of certification threatened the project's completion and could cause financial loss exceeding €430,000 if remedial work were needed. Drumderry, represented by Eanna Mulloy SC, opposed the application, claiming it was not responsible for health and safety matters beyond its own work. The judge noted all other certifications had been provided, held Drumderry liable only for its own certification, and ordered the certificates to be delivered within seven days. The injunction was granted to protect the project's timely completion.
2017-11-01 · Kildare
In a High Court hearing, K&J Townmore Construction Ltd, the main contractor for an extension to St Conleth's College in Newbridge, Co Kildare, argued that a dispute with subcontractor Drumderry Aggregate Ltd could delay the opening of the new school facilities. The extension, designed to accommodate 250 students but now serving 477, was expected to be finished by year‑end and ready for use in January 2018. K&J claims Drumderry failed to provide required certification for flooring supplied and installed by the subcontractor, a certification essential under building regulations. Without the certificates, K&J fears costly remedial work, potentially exceeding €430,000. K&J has sought an order compelling Drumderry to supply the certificates and preventing their withholding. Mr Justice Paul Gilligan granted ex‑parte notice and set the case for a return next week. The dispute centres solely on the certification issue, unrelated to other legal actions between the parties. The outcome of the order remains pending.
2017-05-04 · Wexford
Thomas Berry, aged 43 and resident of Bunclody, Co. Wexford, was convicted of theft and related offences for his part in a 2009 ATM robbery at a Maxol service station on Bellefield Road, Enniscorthy. The robbery involved a JCB digger that was hot‑wired by Berry and other gang members to move the ATM, which contained €205,100, into a trailer for escape. Berry was found guilty by a jury at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court and sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with the final three months suspended. He appealed the conviction, but the Court of Appeal, in a unanimous decision, dismissed his appeal on all grounds. The court upheld the original conviction, confirming the jury's finding that Berry was one of the raiders. The appeal was rejected by Judges George Birmingham, Alan Mahon and John Edwards. The case remains at the conviction stage. Thomas Berry pleaded not guilty.
2016-04-08 · Tipperary
In April 2016 the High Court, under Justice Miriam O'Regan, ordered AIB, Bank of Ireland and Bunclody Credit Union to supply details of bank accounts and addresses of people alleged to have intimidated James Richard Hodgins into signing cheques that led to €83,000 being paid to them. The orders were part of a broader effort to identify those who, according to Hodgins, threatened and coerced him over several years. The court also continued injunctions restraining 14 individuals from approaching Hodgins or his farm, while the injunctions against three others were deemed unnecessary. Hodgins, who lives alone near Roscrea, claimed the defendants had repeatedly offered work, then demanded money, and that he was forced to write cheques totalling €102,000, of which €83,000 was cashed. The case was adjourned to June for further proceedings.