A 33-year-old man, Patrick Fitzpatrick, arranged a 'straightener' in a Wicklow playground during which a father-of-seven, William Moorehouse, was stabbed to death, the Central Criminal Court has heard. Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to charges related to the incident, which involved two armed groups. The court heard that Moorehouse, described as a 'loving son and devoted father,' sustained five stab wounds. Fitzpatrick, who had 28 previous convictions, was accused of arranging the fight following an earlier incident in which a youth was allegedly attacked. The 'straightener' was intended as a form of alternative dispute resolution, with members of two families involved. However, the situation escalated into a violent confrontation, with 14 people participating in the fight. Detective Sergeant Ger Brennan confirmed that Moorehouse was found unresponsive after the stabbing, and that weapons, including knives and firearms, were involved. Fitzpatrick's defence argued that the incident was not a Traveller feud but a misguided attempt at resolving a dispute. Victim impact statements were read by Moorehouse's sisters, who spoke of his popularity and the profound loss felt by the family.
A man charged with murder at a Wicklow playground has pleaded guilty to violent disorder and producing a knife during a fight. Patrick Fitzpatrick admitted to using unlawful violence and producing a knife in the course of a fight at Ballywaltrim playground in Bray. He had also been charged with the murder of William Moorehouse, but the trial for that charge has been vacated. Fitzpatrick will appear again in July for a sentencing hearing. The court heard that the incident involved multiple individuals and that Fitzpatrick's actions were part of a broader altercation. His guilty plea to the lesser charges has led to the dismissal of the murder charge for now, with the focus shifting to sentencing for the violent disorder and weapon-related offense.
A former accountant pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to theft and deception offences committed over six weeks in early 2025. Michelle Dillon, aged 59 and homeless, stole a bank card and medical card from an elderly patient at a Dublin hospital on 20 February. She subsequently travelled to Cork, Clare, Meath, Westmeath and Wicklow, presenting herself as the legitimate account holder at various banks to withdraw approximately €8,000 in cash. She also made contactless payments totalling €133. Withdrawals occurred in Cork city, Bray, Dublin city centre, Navan, Athlone and Ennis. When presenting at an AIB branch in Navan on 4 March, a warning mark was active on the account, yet she convinced staff she was the genuine holder. She was arrested in October 2025 at Cavan General Hospital after presenting under a false name. The victim's bank refunded all monies. Judge Elma Sheahan described the initial theft as despicable and the subsequent deceptions as planned, premeditated and brazen.
Lawyers for the State defended the use of social media photos showing the Bray Boxing Club shooter holding a gun as evidence in his trial. Gerard Cervi was found guilty of murdering Robert Bobby' Messett and was sentenced to life imprisonment. His appeal argued that Facebook photos and CCTV footage should not have been shown to the jury. The State's counsel, Paul Murray SC, defended the admissibility of the photos, stating they showed Cervi's familiarity with guns. He also addressed concerns about the CCTV footage, noting that the judge gave clear directions to the jury. Cervi's counsel argued that the jury should have been given more warnings about identifying him from the footage. The court reserved judgment on the appeal. Gerard Cervi pleaded not guilty.
A 38-year-old man, Gerard Cervi, who was convicted of murdering Robert Bobby' Messett at Bray Boxing Club in 2018, is appealing his conviction. His barrister, John Fitzgerald SC, argues that the trial judge made errors in admitting Facebook photos showing Cervi holding a firearm, as they were irrelevant and prejudicial. He also claims that the jury should have received stronger warnings about identifying Cervi from CCTV footage. Additionally, Fitzgerald contends that surveillance photos of Cervi in his garden and evidence from the Volkswagen Caddy van were improperly admitted. Cervi was found guilty of Messett's murder but acquitted of attempting to murder Pete Taylor and Ian Britton. The appeal hearing continues, with the State's legal team to respond to Fitzgerald's submissions. The trial judge admitted the Facebook photos based on the stance Cervi adopted, which mirrored that described by Pete Taylor. Cervi was sentenced to life imprisonment in December 2023. The unnamed 38-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Ethan Lacey has received a fully suspended two-and-a-half-year sentence for sexually assaulting a six-year-old girl. Lacey, 26, was found guilty of the assault, which occurred in 2022. The court heard that Lacey used sweets to distract the child before touching her. The judge noted the aggravating factors, including the child's age and the age gap between Lacey and the victim. The child was referred for counseling after the incident. Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain considered mitigating factors, such as Lacey's lack of previous convictions and his family support. The defense submitted a psychological report stating Lacey is at low risk of reoffending. The judge suspended the sentence for three years and placed Lacey under probation supervision for the same period. The court also noted that the child is undergoing therapy and showing signs of anxiety.
Leah O'Toole (29), of Holly Court, Ballybrack, Dublin, pleaded guilty to public order offences and failing to appear in court arising from incidents in Ballybrack and Dún Laoghaire in May and June 2025. The court heard that gardaí were called to the home of the defendant's mother in Holly Court at around 9.55pm on May 18, 2025, where O'Toole was kicking the gate of the property. When gardaí approached her, she began 'shouting and roaring' at them. The court heard there was a smell of alcohol from her breath and she was intoxicated. The offences before the court included threatening or abusive behaviour, intoxication in a public place and failing to appear before Dún Laoghaire District Court on June 4, 2025. The court also heard she was fined €150 at Bray District Court on May 26, 2025, and had another public order conviction in Wexford earlier this year. Defence counsel, Michael O'Brien BL, said O'Toole is a mother of four and that most of the offending occurred over the past two to three years during an abusive relationship which drove her towards alcohol misuse. The court heard she has also struggled with serious alcohol issues since the death of her father. Counsel said she completed a residential treatment programme last year and is continuing with aftercare services at Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Outreach Project. The court heard O'Toole had been previously placed on a one-year probation bond by Judge Anne Watkin in April and is engaging well with treatment services. Judge Conor Fottrell said O'Toole's behaviour towards gardaí was 'unacceptable'. However, the judge said he accepted she was going through personal difficulties and commended her for engaging with treatment. Judge Fottrell convicted and fined her €100 on the intoxication charge and €150 on the public order offence, giving her six months to pay. The remaining matters were taken into consideration.
Fergus Donegan, 57, accused of assaulting his next-door neighbour with a hammer and Stanley knife, has been granted bail on strict conditions. The alleged incident occurred on April 28, 2025, when Donegan is said to have injured his neighbour's hand with a hammer and caused a laceration above his eyebrow with a Stanley knife. Garda Aisling Power opposed bail, citing concerns about witness interference. Donegan's defence argued that he disputes the allegations and that he had been on the housing list for ten years, with arrangements to move to alternative accommodation. Judge Anne Watkin granted bail on a €500 bond, requiring Donegan to move out of his home and stay away from the area. He must also sign in daily at Bray Garda Station and avoid contact with the alleged victim. The case was adjourned for directions to September 15.
An 81-year-old huntsman, Maurice Mahon, was convicted of recklessly discharging a firearm and assaulting a man in his back garden during a deer cull. The victim, Innokenti Belaga, was meditating when a bullet from Mahon's rifle shattered his femur, leaving him with severe physical and psychological injuries. Mahon, a licensed gun holder and karate grandmaster, claimed he thought he was shooting a fox or a dog. The victim's life was drastically altered, with him losing his home, his ability to work, and his ability to engage in physical activities. He described the incident as a life-changing event, with the biggest impact being on his young daughter, who lost her father's presence. Mahon was found guilty after a trial and is awaiting sentencing. His defense highlighted his long-standing involvement in hunting and his good character, but the court heard that the victim's injuries were severe and life-altering. The case has also led to civil proceedings, and the court ordered a Probation Service assessment before finalizing the sentence. Maurice Mahon pleaded not guilty.
A 45-year-old man with a long criminal record has been jailed for six and a half years for hijacking a car and threatening a woman with violence. Joseph Rafferty, identified by a port-wine birthmark, was sentenced by Judge Orla Crowe after pleading guilty to multiple offences, including stealing a woman's iPhone and dental veneers during the hijacking. He also admitted to robbing a service station and attempting another robbery later that evening. The judge described the incidents as a series of violent crimes by a repeat offender. She noted the terror inflicted on the victim, who was cleaning her car when Rafferty threatened her with death. The woman was forced to jump from the moving vehicle, and her personal items were not recovered. Rafferty, who has 61 previous convictions, including lengthy prison sentences, was also found to have a history of drug addiction and a difficult upbringing. His defence highlighted his remorse and intention to rehabilitate. The judge imposed a seven-and-a-half-year sentence, with the final year suspended.
A teenage boy has been awarded €90,000 by the High Court after sustaining a knee injury during an obstacle course at a sports activity centre, which prevented him from playing sports for 15 months. Dylan Callaghan (15), suing through his father, Wesley Callaghan, brought the case against Alive Outside Activity Centre and Blessington No 1 School over an incident in June 2022. Dylan suffered a five-centimetre wound to his knee on the obstacle course during a school excursion. The plaintiffs claimed the injury was caused by a hidden trap or danger in a pool of water. Dylan received medical treatment at Our Lady's Children Hospital, including surgery and antibiotic treatment. He was discharged in December 2022 with a full range of motion and normal gait, though he was left with a scar and had to curtail his sporting activities for 15 months. At the High Court, Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds approved a €90,000 settlement for the Callaghan family. The judge noted that Dylan had since recovered mobility and was playing golf with a nine handicap.
A woman who was on probation when she slapped a garda, causing him to bleed, has been given a two-month prison sentence. Samantha Maughan pleaded guilty to a public order offence and being intoxicated in a public place. The incident occurred on Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire, when she shouted at members of the public and hit a garda, causing him to bleed. Judge Anne Watkin said the charge was at the higher end of a public order offence and noted Maughan's 28 previous convictions, including 12 public order offences. The defence said she was remorseful and receiving support from her partner. The judge said the incident amounted to an assault on a garda, though no assault charge was brought. Maughan was sentenced to two months in prison with a recognisance set at €500 in the event of an appeal.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced Bayleigh Fox and Saoirse Richardson for the robbery and assault of a trans woman at Devil's Lane, Cabinteely. Fox, 22, pleaded guilty to robbery and assault causing harm aggravated by hatred, while Richardson, 22, pleaded guilty to robbery and assault causing harm. Judge Martin Nolan described the incident as a "savage attack" where the victim was lured to a quiet area and assaulted. The court noted the victim suffered significant physical injuries and psychological trauma, including PTSD. Although the judge found the motive regarding an Xbox unclear, he emphasized the outrageous nature of the attack on a defenceless victim. Both defendants offered mitigation, including early guilty pleas, young ages, cooperation, and participation in rehabilitative programmes for addiction. The judge acknowledged their "close to perfect mitigation" but stated they must endure prison terms. Fox was sentenced to 18 months in prison, and Richardson received a one-year sentence. The prosecution was brought under legislation introduced late last year, highlighting the hate-aggravated nature of the offence against the victim.
A man who held down a normal day job for 25 years has been jailed for five and a half years for his role in the distribution of drugs with an estimated street value of over €142,000. On May 26, 2023, gardai raided a house in Dublin City Centre and found five men around a kitchen table with drugs and money. They seized €4,198 in cash and significant quantities of heroin, cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, and cannabis resin, with a combined street value of €15,847. Wicklow resident Roy Gunning (46) was arrested at the scene. A bank card found during the raid was linked to a flat in Santry, where Gunning's passport was also found. A follow-up search of the flat uncovered drugs with a street value of approximately €49,000, including €48,000 worth of MDMA powder and over 370 Zopiclone tablets. Two months later, gardai raided another flat in Santry where Gunning was living and found drugs with a combined street value of nearly €16,000. Roy Gunning pleaded guilty.
A barman at Old Conna Golf Club, James Keegan, has filed an employment rights claim with the Workplace Relations Commission, alleging that several of his female co‑workers have received higher pay and better conditions despite his seniority. Keegan, who has worked part‑time at the club since January 2018, says the club hired three women after him who earned higher wages and had more favourable working hours. He has requested rosters and payscales for these employees and has tried to raise the issue with the club's general manager, former manager and president before taking sick leave in April 2025 due to workplace stress. The club's solicitor said it was unclear why Keegan was comparing himself to groundsmen if his complaint is a gender equality claim. The tribunal adjourned the hearing, with parties to exchange documents, and noted the case is unlikely to be re‑listed before year‑end.
Rebecca Rolleston, 39, of Tallaght, was banned from driving for four years after refusing to give a blood or urine sample when arrested on 4 October 2024 for suspected drink‑driving. She pleaded guilty to the refusal, was fined €450 with a five‑month payment period, and was also found guilty of stealing four cans of Captain Morgan rum from a Maxol station in Bray on 28 April 2024. The court noted her two prior convictions and applied the Probation Act to the theft, requiring a €100 bond for good behaviour.
In a Workplace Relations Commission hearing, a migrant chef, Mohammad Usman Ghani, claimed he was unaware of a debit card opened in his name after he left Daata Restaurant. Ghani, a commis chef on a 2023 work permit, said he had no knowledge of the card until a Garda raid in December 2024 uncovered his documents at the restaurant's premises. He alleged that his wages were withheld while working about 70 hours a week and that the director, Fahid Saleem, pressured him repeatedly. Saleem denied threatening deportation or harassment, stating he treated staff as family and had no knowledge of any wage withholding. The case was reported as "amicably resolved" after talks, with no further public hearings scheduled. The restaurant, founded in 1999, operates several locations in Wicklow and Dublin.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Martin Nolan warned David O'Callaghan, 41, that any repeat offence would lead to prison. O'Callaghan, who suffered a paranoid delusion and was later diagnosed with schizophrenia, had driven a white Ford Transit van into the gates of Leinster House, The Custom House and Aras An Uachtaráin, causing over €60,000 in damage. He pleaded guilty to driving into the rear gates of Leinster House and two counts of criminal damage on 2 August 2024. The judge imposed a four‑year prison sentence, suspended on strict conditions, including 21 months of Probation Service supervision. O'Callaghan was told he must comply with the Probation Service and that any repeat offence would bring him back before the court. The court noted his 11 previous convictions, including drug offences, and his ongoing psychiatric treatment. The case was adjourned for finalisation of the suspended sentence conditions.
In a Wicklow case, a 77‑year‑old pensioner was sentenced to nine years in prison after the State successfully challenged the original four‑year term for repeated sexual assault of his granddaughter. The judge described the offences as grave and close to attempted rape, noting the victim was aged eight to nine at the time of the most serious incidents. The defendant had pleaded not guilty to five counts of sexual assault between 2007 and 2014, when the girl was six to thirteen. A jury had convicted him and the trial judge had imposed a five‑year sentence with the final year suspended. The Director of Public Prosecution applied for a review, arguing the sentence was too lenient. The appellate judge agreed, citing the severity of the abuse and the lack of remorse, and set a headline sentence of eleven years, reduced by two years for mitigating factors such as the defendant's age and medical issues.
Joseph Rafferty, 45, was remanded in custody after appearing in Tallaght District Court on charges related to a car hijacking in Dublin and two robberies in Wicklow over the weekend. He was arrested at 6.15pm on Sunday at Tallaght Garda Station and formally charged by Sergeant Michael Martin. Rafferty was cautioned and made no reply to the charges. The incidents occurred on Saturday, 26 April. At about 7.45pm, a woman was allegedly threatened and forced out of her black Nissan Qashqai at a commercial premises on St Peter's Road in Walkinstown, Dublin 12; Rafferty is charged with hijacking under Section 10 of the Criminal Law Act 1997 and unlawful use of a vehicle under Section 112 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. Later that evening, he allegedly attempted to rob a store on the Dublin Road in Bray, threatening cashiers as he left, and is charged with attempted robbery.
David O'Callaghan, 41, pleaded guilty to driving a white Ford Transit van into gates at Leinster House, Aras An Uachtaráin and the Custom House on 2 August, causing €60 000 of damage. He was found to have been suffering from a paranoid delusion and later diagnosed with schizophrenia, for which he is receiving treatment. Garda Niamh McCarthy described how O'Callaghan performed a sweeping u‑turn in front of the Aras gates, reversed into them, then drove to the Custom House and repeated the manoeuvre, breaching the gates and causing about €2 000 of damage. At Leinster House he struck three sets of gates in quick succession, breaching the Ministers' Entrance gate and damaging a perimeter gate, resulting in over €52 000 of damage. He admitted consuming alcohol and cocaine that evening and claimed he believed his food had been spiked.
A 27‑year‑old man who attacked his ex‑partner by choking her and striking her with a plank of timber in her own home had his nine‑month custodial sentence overturned. He had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm under the Non‑Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, and was originally sentenced in the District Court to nine months with four months suspended. In the appeal, Sergeant Paul O'Sullivan described the assault, noting the man's hands around the woman's neck, the use of a plank, and punches that injured her wrists. The victim's impact statement detailed bruises, a near loss of consciousness, and lasting mental distress that made everyday tasks feel impossible. The defendant's solicitor said the man had relapsed, was not taking medication, and had since sought mental health treatment.
Daniel Ramamoorthy, 38, a former government adviser, social media influencer and motivational speaker, was convicted by a jury of sexually exploiting a 13‑year‑old boy he met while volunteering as a Christian camp guide. The offence involved requesting the boy to send a picture of his penis over Snapchat in 2017. A second trial after a hung jury resulted in a headline sentence of three years, reduced to two years and four months, with the judge noting the serious breach of trust and the significant age disparity. Ramamoorthy also pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material, for which he received an 18‑month sentence; both sentences run concurrently. He was ordered to be placed on the sex offender register and will not be allowed to remain in Ireland upon release. The court recorded that the boy suffered loss of trust and stress from the trials, and that Ramamoorthy maintains his innocence regarding the exploitation charge.
David O'Callaghan, 41, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to ramming a rear gate of Leinster House on 2 August. Judge Martin Nolan set a sentence date of 10 April and remanded O'Callaghan on continuing bail until that date. The court noted that he may be required to enter pleas to further counts on the sentencing date.
Paul Costello, 54, of Cois Cairn, Bray, was jailed for four years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply on 30 January 2024. Gardaí seized 10 kg of cannabis worth €200,180 in his van and €52 of cocaine in the front. Costello admitted responsibility for the drugs, saying the cocaine was for personal use and that he had been instructed by a group of men to place the drugs in the van. He claimed he was a courier, not an owner, and that he would receive €100 per kilo. He also stated he would rather take the blame than a "bullet in the head". The judge noted his 16 prior convictions, none drug‑related, his health issues, early guilty plea and cooperation, and considered him unlikely to reoffend to the same degree.
In a south Dublin incident, 51‑year‑old Guillermo Salazar drove a Peugeot through a red light and struck a 12‑year‑old girl crossing the road. The child sustained a swollen temple, a cut eyebrow and required hospital treatment, but has since fully recovered. Salazar, who initially faced a dangerous driving charge, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm. At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, he received a nine‑month suspended sentence, with no driving disqualification imposed. The court noted Salazar's "momentary lapse in concentration," his cooperation with Gardaí, and the absence of alcohol or prior convictions. The judge highlighted the child's injuries as not severe and accepted mitigating factors, concluding that the suspended sentence was appropriate under strict conditions. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further legal actions reported.
Mark McMorrow, a 27‑year‑old law graduate and former religious youth leader, was sentenced to two‑and‑a‑half years in prison, with the final six months suspended, for defiling and sexually exploiting a 16‑year‑old girl, Sophia Doyle, in Dublin between September and December 2020. McMorrow pleaded guilty to defilement, sexual exploitation and communicating with a child for exploitation. Doyle, now 19, waived anonymity to name him. The court noted McMorrow was 22 when the offences began and that he had been a leader in a faith‑based youth group where Doyle was a member. He had communicated with her via social media and Discord, and had invited her to his home and other locations. Doyle's victim impact statement highlighted McMorrow's position of power and betrayal of trust. The judge imposed conditions preventing McMorrow from contacting Doyle or the Community of Nazareth, and barred him from using Discord. No prior convictions were recorded.
Sean Boland (41) of Dundalk, Co Louth, and co-accused Jeffrey Reynolds (34) of Bray, Co Wicklow, were sentenced at the procedural stage of sentence following their convictions for possessing cannabis. Boland admitted possessing approximately 12kg of cannabis valued at €240,000 across three locations on October 17, 2022, and was sentenced to five years in prison. Reynolds pleaded guilty to possessing about €88,000 worth of cannabis herb on the same day and was sentenced to three years in prison. Prosecution evidence indicated gardaí acted on confidential information regarding a suspected transaction, leading to the search of a van driven by Reynolds, which contained 4.4kg of cannabis. Further searches of Boland's apartment in Dundalk and another unit in the same complex revealed over 7kg of cannabis, along with a vacuum sealer, scales, and a tick list. Boland made full admissions upon arrest, stating he had handed a box of cannabis to Reynolds to settle a debt. Reynolds' defense counsel noted his client operated at street level and worked on a farm to become drug-free. Judge Nolan accepted both men had good work histories and mitigation, finding them unlikely to reoffend, before imposing the respective custodial sentences.
Victor Titov, 48, of Bray, pleaded guilty to 14 fraud charges linked to false insurance policies sold by the jailed 'ghost broker' Egidijus Aleliunas. Titov acted as an intermediary, referring seven Moldovan community members to Aleliunas and earning €50 per referral. The court found Titov responsible for losses of almost €7,000 to those policy holders. He received a two‑year suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The judge noted Titov's community standing, work history and family responsibilities, but held that he should have known Aleliunas was engaged in fraud. Titov had been in Ireland for nearly 20 years and had a long career as a car mechanic. The scheme, valued at €4 million, had previously seen three relatives of Aleliunas receive suspended sentences. The court emphasised that Titov did not act as a broker himself but facilitated the fraud by referring customers. The sentencing reflected the seriousness of the fraud while recognising Titov's personal circumstances.
Robert Redmond (35), a convicted murderer currently serving a life sentence for the killing of Barry Wolverson, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to conspiring to murder Jordan Davis. The 22-year-old victim was shot dead in 2019 while pushing his infant son in a pram. Prosecution counsel Bernard Condon SC stated the plea was acceptable to the DPP, and a nolle prosequi will be entered on the original murder charge after sentencing. Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded Redmond in custody until May 13 for a sentence hearing, where a victim impact report is expected. Redmond is the second person dealt with regarding this offence; in 2022, Wayne Cooney (33) was jailed for life for the murder after a jury found he fired eight shots at Davis. Separately, Redmond and co-accused Jamie Gray (27) previously pleaded guilty to possessing a RAK PM-63 submachine gun in 2020. Redmond was jailed for six years in 2023 for that offence. Bernard Fogarty (34) was also sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Wolverson in December 2022. The matter was adjourned for sentencing.
A 54‑year‑old man, Dainius Sakevicius, pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm on 26 December 2022 after drinking for five days. He assaulted his partner, punching her multiple times, causing bruising, swelling, a loose tooth and arm soreness. The victim was treated at St Vincent's and St James's Hospitals. Gardaí found Sakevicius intoxicated at his Bray home and later charged him. The woman withdrew her statement and declined a victim impact statement. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a suspended sentence of 1 year 9 months, suspended in full on strict conditions, including 18 months of Probation Service engagement, participation in Men Overcoming Violence and alcohol treatment programmes. The court noted Sakevicius had no prior convictions, had paid over €4,000 for the victim's medical costs, and had no previous Garda attention. The sentence was given on the day of the hearing.
Matthew O'Connell (20) and Evan Vella (19) pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm and violent disorder, respectively, for a mob attack on a 16‑year‑old Italian student in Blackrock Park on 27 November 2021. The attack began after a bottle was mistakenly blamed on the victim's group, leading to a confrontation that escalated into a group assault by up to ten young men. O'Connell was described as a main antagonist and Vella admitted punching the student once. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three‑year suspended sentence on O'Connell, ordering him to pay €5,000 and raise an additional €5,000 within a year, and a 16‑month suspended sentence on Vella, ordering him to pay €1,500 to the victim within six months or donate it to charity. Both sentences were suspended, with no custodial terms imposed. The judge highlighted the defendants' young age, lack of prior convictions, and potential for rehabilitation.
Declan Service, 63, was convicted of insider trading for selling shares in Open Orphan before the company's discounted share offering was publicly announced. He used confidential information from a Zoom briefing on 18 May 2020 to instruct his broker to sell his 3.89 million shares, then bought back a smaller amount at the discounted price on 22 May 2020, making a profit of about £11,500. Service pleaded guilty and was fined £60,000. Judge Elma Sheahan, after considering mitigating factors such as his cooperation, lack of prior convictions, and mental health issues, suspended the 18‑month custodial sentence in full. The case was brought by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau following a report from Goodbody stockbrokers and the Central Bank. Service is a former multinational employee now working as a carer and has a history of charitable work.
A judge in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court found that David Moorehouse, 44, of Bray, had acted in a "moment of madness" when he drove his Toyota HiAce van toward a Garda on Old Connaught Avenue. The incident occurred after the officer had signalled the driver to stop. Moorehouse, who had 10 prior minor traffic convictions, was observed speeding, swerving, and nearly colliding with the Garda before stopping near the patrol car. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving for the July 2020 offence. The judge, Martin Nolan, accepted that Moorehouse may have been "acting the blaggard" and imposed a four‑month suspended prison sentence, directed him to offer €3,000 as a token of remorse to the Garda within three months, and disqualified him from driving for four years. The Garda was given the option to accept the money or have it donated to a charity of his choice. The case was heard on 12 March 2024.
Kevin Murphy, 28, of Bray, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of harassment and one count of making a threat to kill between July 2021 and July 2022. He sent 200 abusive, violent and distressing messages to a family, including graphic sexual texts, threats to kill, and insults. The victim was a 16‑year‑old girl who had been his surfing student; her mother also received harassing messages. Murphy's communications included threats to "clip their car" and to kill the boyfriend of a family member. He was initially detained in February 2022, later arrested again, and admitted to some of the messages. Garda Rachel Corcoran and counsel noted that his behaviour occurred during an episode of psychosis and that he had voluntarily committed himself to hospital for four weeks in March 2022. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to two and a half years in prison, suspended in full, and imposed a 15‑year no‑contact order with the injured parties.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, two repeat offenders, Cian Cleary (23) and Patrick McCarthy (28), were sentenced for a "cowardly, nasty and violent" assault on twin American tourists aged 20. The incident occurred on July 19 when the men were walking home through Temple Bar. Cleary, who had 61 prior convictions, and McCarthy, with 18 prior convictions, attacked the tourists, punching, kicking, and robbing one of them. CCTV footage showed the attackers separating the brothers, assaulting them, and stealing a wallet and mobile phone. Cleary received a three‑year, three‑month sentence with nine months suspended; McCarthy received a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence with twelve months suspended. Both were warned that the suspended portions could be enforced if they reoffend during probation. The court noted the assault's severity and the victims' injuries, including a brain scan for one and a sore, shaken condition for the other. Cian Cleary pleaded guilty. Patrick McCarthy pleaded guilty.
James McGinn, 35, of Bray, was found guilty of possession of drugs for sale or supply after a search of his home revealed €197,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis. He pleaded guilty on 22 January 2023. The court noted his four prior convictions for minor traffic offences and his admission that he was holding the drugs to reduce an €8,000 debt. McGinn's case was marked by the tragic loss of his two children and another family member in a 2017 house fire, which his defence argued was the root of his addiction. Judge Martin Nolan, citing these exceptional circumstances, imposed a sentence of four and a half years, suspending the final three years on strict conditions. The remaining one and a half years of custodial time were to be served, with the court recognising McGinn's previous good conduct and his 11‑month period of sobriety. The sentence was delivered on 26 February 2024.
In a High Court hearing on 14 February 2024, the liquidators of PFS Card Services Ireland Ltd (PCSIL) confirmed that the company, owned by the Australian fintech group EML, had been receiving about 20,000 daily calls from customers who could not redeem money from prepaid cards. The creditors, Creacard SA and Klopercom Limited (trading as Veritas), claimed they were owed €15 million and expressed concerns over customers' inability to activate funds and over a purported sale of the company's secure online portal to its shareholder Prepaid Financial Services (Ireland Limited) two days before liquidation. The liquidators, Kieran Wallace and Andrew O'Leary, were appointed provisional liquidators in March and confirmed as official liquidators by Justice Liam Kennedy. They acknowledged the creditors' concerns, began addressing them, and will seek independent advice on the asset sale.
Dainius Sakevicius, 54, pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm on 26 December 2022 after drinking for five days. He entered his former partner's bedroom about 30 minutes after she had gone to bed at 10.10pm, looking for a speaker, and punched her repeatedly on the forehead, right eye, nose and mouth. The victim sustained bruising, swelling, a loose tooth and arm soreness, and was treated at St Vincent's Hospital before being referred to St James's Hospital. Photos and a medical report were presented to the court. Gardai found Sakevicius intoxicated at his Bray address and deemed him unfit for interview. The victim later withdrew her statement and declined a victim impact statement. The case was adjourned to 14 April for finalisation, with a probation report to be compiled. The court noted Sakevicius had no prior convictions and had paid over €4,000 for the victim's medical costs.
In a High Court hearing on 17 January 2024, Mr Justice Mark Sanfey appointed Kieran Wallace and Andrew O'Leary of Interpath Advisory Ireland as joint provisional liquidators for PCSIL, a prepaid card firm owned by the Australian fintech group EML. The court was told that PCSIL, which holds €516 million of segregated customer funds and issues 2.4 million prepaid cards, is currently solvent but loss‑making, having lost €7.3 million in 2022 and expecting further losses in 2023 and the current year. The firm's business model was deemed no longer commercially viable, and its parent had decided that further investment was not justified. PCSIL had faced compliance issues with the Central Bank of Ireland, including anti‑money‑laundering concerns, leading to regulatory restrictions. The court noted that appointing liquidators would allow professional communication with customers and employees, and that the Central Bank was not objecting to the application. The matter was adjourned to a date next month.
Declan Service, a 63‑year‑old former multinational employee now a carer, was fined £60,000 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for insider trading. Between 18 and 22 May 2020, he used confidential information about Open Orphan's discounted share sale to sell his 3.89 million shares before the public announcement and then buy back a smaller amount at the lower price. The court heard he made a profit of about £11,500, which could have risen to £44,000 if he had held the shares for a year. Service pleaded guilty, admitted the wrongdoing, and expressed regret. He faces a potential 18‑month prison term when sentencing is finalised next February. The judge noted his cooperation, good character, and mental health issues as mitigating factors, but confirmed the insider‑trading offence. The fine was ordered to be paid to his solicitor's account.
A woman standing trial for murder has denied allegations that her housemate died following a fit of jealousy and rage. Nicola Brennan, 33, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Juris Viktorovs, 36, at Ballyconnell, County Cavan, on 10 February 2022. At the Central Criminal Court, the jury heard that Ms Brennan initially told gardaí her boyfriend carried out the attack, later suggesting it may have been the deceased's partner. Forensic evidence presented showed blood belonging to the deceased on the cuff of Ms Brennan's pyjamas. The court also heard testimony regarding fake pink fingernails found at the scene and in garda custody. Ms Brennan maintained she was asleep at the time of the incident and had no reason to harm the deceased, whom she described as a good friend. The trial, before Mr Justice Paul McDermott, continues with a jury of twelve.
At the appeal stage, Gerard Cervi was found guilty of murdering Robert 'Bobby' Messett (50) at Bray Boxing Club, Bray Harbour, Co Wicklow on June 5, 2018. Cervi had pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and also to the attempted murders of Mr Taylor and Ian Britton on the same date and at the same location. However, a jury unanimously found him guilty of the murder of Mr Messett, despite acquitting him of the attempted murder charges. Following today's hearing, Mr Justice Karen O'Connor sentenced Cervi to life imprisonment. The victim's children, Demi and Gary Messett, addressed the court during the sentencing hearing, expressing their grief and frustration over the senseless nature of the crime. No motive was ever advanced for the shooting, and it was confirmed that Mr Messett was not the target. Cervi, who has been in custody for over five years since his arrest in September 2018, was convicted last week after two trials lasting a combined 17 weeks over a two-year period. The matter was adjourned at the appeal stage and was never described as concluded or finalised.
Gerard Cervi has been found guilty of murdering Robert 'Bobby' Messett at the Bray Boxing Club in Co Wicklow on June 5, 2018. The Central Criminal Court jury unanimously accepted the prosecution's case that Cervi fired nine shots into the gym, killing the 50-year-old father of three. However, Cervi was acquitted of the alleged attempted murders of boxing coach Pete Taylor and Ian Britton, who were injured during the same incident. Cervi, who has no previous convictions, had pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following the verdict, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor remanded Cervi in custody until December 1, when she will hand down the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. On that date, the Messett family will also have the opportunity to make a statement regarding the impact of the death. The judge offered her condolences to the family, praising their dignity throughout the trial. This verdict concludes a two-year period involving two trials that lasted a combined 17 weeks. The first trial collapsed in 2021 due to juror illness, while the second trial faced significant pre-trial legal issues. In a related procedural matter, the Court of Appeal previously considered Cervi's bail application, noting the difficulty of the case but ultimately keeping him in custody as a trial date was secured.
A man appeared at the doorway of Bray Boxing Club in County Donegal on the morning of 5 June 2018, dressed in high-visibility clothing and a balaclava, armed with a firearm. During a strength and conditioning class, he discharged multiple shots into the gym. Bobby Messett, a 50-year-old father of three, was fatally wounded. Boxing coach Pete Taylor was also shot but survived his injuries, which included a bullet wound to his chest and bicep. Witnesses described the gunman scanning the room between shots and firing in a sweeping motion across the gym. Several class participants, including a 16-year-old student and other regular attendees, were present during the incident. Taylor was taken to hospital for surgery and required extended medical recovery. The case has proceeded through the Central Criminal Court, with Gerard Cervi facing trial in connection with the shooting. The incident left multiple witnesses traumatised and the local boxing community devastated by Messett's death.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Gerard Cervi, 36, has reached the jury deliberation stage. Cervi, from Dublin 3, pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Robert 'Bobby' Messett and the alleged attempted murders of Pete Taylor and Ian Britton at Bray Boxing Club on June 5, 2018. The prosecution alleged that Cervi was the gunman who fired nine shots, citing CCTV footage of his movements and his DNA and fingerprints found in a Volkswagen Caddy van allegedly used in the attack. Defence counsel argued that a garda's retracted statements indicated investigative irregularities and asserted that there was no evidence linking Cervi to the shooting. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor charged the jury last Friday, instructing them to consider each count separately and reach unanimous verdicts. The jury, comprising six men and six women, began deliberations on Wednesday afternoon. After spending five hours and 51 minutes in discussion, the judge adjourned the proceedings for the evening. The jury was instructed to resume deliberations at the Central Criminal Court at 10.30am the following day. They were reminded not to discuss the case, conduct online research, or engage with social media regarding the trial. The matter remains ongoing as the jury continues to consider their verdicts.
A jury of twelve, split evenly between men and women, is deliberating on the verdicts for Gerard Cervi, a 36‑year‑old from Dublin, who is accused of murdering Robert 'Bobby' Messett and attempting to murder coach Pete Taylor and Ian Britton at Bray Boxing Club on 5 June 2018. The jury has spent 1 hour 47 minutes on the first day of deliberations, having been called out at 2.13 pm. Justice Karen O'Connor addressed the jurors at 4 pm, urging them to pause for the evening and return tomorrow at 10.30 am to resume, and warned them not to discuss the case or use social media. She reminded them that they must consider each charge separately and that a unanimous verdict is required. The trial has heard CCTV evidence, DNA and fingerprints linking Cervi to a van used in the shooting, and the defence has alleged possible investigative misconduct. Cervi has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
In a trial for the 2018 shooting at Bray Boxing Club, defence barrister Hugh Hartnett SC argued that there is no evidence linking his client, Gerard Cervi, to the gunman. He highlighted alleged lies by Garda officers, potential investigative "corner cutting," and questioned the reliability of CCTV and forensic evidence. Hartnett noted that Cervi had no criminal background and that witnesses' descriptions of the shooter's height did not match Cervi's. He also pointed out that a known drug dealer, who admitted to using the van implicated in the case, had no evidence of drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. Hartnett concluded that the prosecution's case fell short of proof beyond a reasonable doubt and urged the jury to acquit Cervi on all four counts. The judge, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, charged the jury on matters of law. Gerard Cervi pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 15 November 2023, counsel Paul Murray SC delivered a closing speech to a jury of twelve in the murder trial of Gerard Cervi, aged 36, who is accused of firing nine bullets at Bray Boxing Club on 5 June 2018. The prosecution presented CCTV footage showing Cervi travelling from his home to the club in a distinctive van, entering the club, firing in a methodical pattern, and then leaving the premises. DNA, fingerprints and other forensic evidence were also cited. The alleged victims were Robert 'Bobby' Messett, who died on the scene, and Ian Britton and Pete Taylor, who were injured. Murray argued that the evidence demonstrated Cervi's intent to kill, and urged the jury to find him guilty of murder and two attempted murders. The judge was scheduled to address the jury the following day. Gerard Cervi pleaded not guilty.
A former civilian employee of An Garda Siochana, Holly Hayden, aged 27, was sentenced to three years in prison, with the final six months suspended, for disclosing confidential information from the Pulse system in exchange for cocaine and cash. Hayden admitted to providing details of a named individual, 'SN', and a person referred to as 'WD', as well as images of Garda Covid‑19 checkpoint locations, to drug dealers. She pleaded guilty to one count of disclosing confidential information and two counts of accessing confidential information for corrupt purposes. The court noted her addiction to alcohol and drugs, her lack of prior convictions, and her remorse. The suspended period is subject to strict conditions, including drug rehabilitation with the Probation Service for two years upon release. The sentence reflects the seriousness of her breach of trust as a Garda employee.