Court archive
2026-03-13 · Wexford
Dylan Reilly received four years in prison, with the final year suspended, after pleading guilty to possessing cannabis and cannabis resin for sale or supply. Gardaí found more than €334,000 worth of drugs at a Wexford house after a traffic stop, and the court ordered the drugs destroyed and the car forfeited.
2026-03-06 · Wexford
Gardaí who stopped Dylan Reilly for holding a mobile phone while driving found cannabis in his car and more than €334,000 worth of cannabis herb and resin at a rented Wexford home. Reilly pleaded guilty to possession for sale or supply and was remanded on continuing bail while the case was adjourned for finalisation.
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.
2025-03-12 · Wexford
Daniel Byrne, 26, of Camolin, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to making threats, demanding cash and handling proceeds of crime between February and June 2024. He extorted €22,750 from a former classmate who had contacted him to buy a small amount of cannabis. Byrne threatened the victim and his family, demanding €700, then €5,000, and later collected €15,000 in multiple meetings. He also threatened the victim's father and contacted the victim at his workplace. Byrne's prior convictions include money laundering, possession of drugs, obstruction and threatening behaviour. He was on a suspended sentence for money laundering when the extortion began. The court reduced the initial headline sentence of seven and a half years to five and a half years, citing mitigating factors and Byrne's guilty plea. The victim's impact statement was not read in court.