During a trial in the Central Criminal Court, boxing trainer Pete Taylor recounted being shot while conducting a morning fitness class at his Bray Boxing Club on 5 June 2018. He said he was within a foot of the gunman, a man named Gerard Cervi, when a bullet struck him, causing him to spin and fall. Taylor described the gunman as about five feet eight inches tall, wearing a black jacket and high‑visibility vest, and reported hearing seven or eight shots over 15 to 20 seconds. He also complained that his runners and tracksuit bottoms, containing €200‑€400, were removed by paramedics and never returned, a claim he later lodged with the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission. The case involves Cervi's plea of not guilty to the murder of Bobby Messett and the attempted murder of Taylor and Ian Britton. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Michael White with a jury of twelve.
During the trial in the Central Criminal Court, a witness named Andy Williams recounted the fatal shooting that occurred on 5 June 2018 at Bray Boxing Club. He said he initially thought the gunman was joking, as the gun appeared fake and did not look real. After a few seconds he saw the gun turn and shoot Bobby Messett in the face, causing Messett to fall. Williams then heard more shots and saw trainer Pete Taylor lying on the ground with a sulphur smell. He later found that Messett was gone and Taylor was being tended to by a classmate. Ian Britton was also hit in the foot. Williams called the Gardaí, but they could not say how long it took to arrive. The accused, Gerard Cervi, 34, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Messett, the attempted murder of Taylor, and the assault on Britton.
During a fitness class at Bray Boxing Club on 5 June 2018, a gunman entered the gym and fired nine shots from a semi‑automatic pistol. The attacker killed boxing coach Bobby Messett in the head and wounded trainer Pete Taylor and gym‑goer Ian Britton. Witness Stephen Kearns described the gunman as wearing a high‑vis jacket and a hard hat, holding a handgun with both hands. Taylor ran toward the gunman, put his elbow up, fell over a bench and was hit. Britton, who was on the first floor with his brothers, was shot in the hip and later described the gunman as a slender, slightly built man who seemed unsure of what he was doing. The trial is ongoing, with the State alleging that Gerard Cervi was the gunman and that he intended to commit murder. The case is before Mr Justice Michael White and a jury. Gerard Cervi pleaded not guilty.
An eyewitness, Eddie McCann, gave evidence in the trial of Gerard Cervi for the shooting at Bray Boxing Club on 5 June 2018. McCann, a fireman, described the moment he saw a gunman in builder's clothing, wearing a black balaclava and sunglasses, walk into the gym and fire a semi‑automatic pistol. He recalled the gunman's first shot killing Bobby Messett in the head, and the subsequent shots that wounded boxing coach Pete Taylor and participant Ian Britton. McCann detailed his own actions: he applied pressure to Taylor's gunshot wound, called emergency services, and helped other victims. He also described the gunman's appearance and the chaotic scene, including the sounds of gunfire and screams. The evidence was presented to a jury in the Central Criminal Court, with the prosecution arguing that Cervi was the lone gunman who intended to commit murder. The trial continued the following day. Gerard Cervi pleaded not guilty.
The trial of Gerard Cervi, 34, accused of murdering Bobby Messett and attempting to murder Peter Taylor and Ian Britton at Bray Boxing Club on 5 June 2018, will hear that a van used in the attack was found close to Cervi's family home. Prosecutor Paul Murray described the case as one of circumstantial evidence, noting that a white or silver van with a yellow registration plate was seen leaving Bray Harbour that morning, then spotted in Cabinteely and later at Pigeon House Road. A witness reported a man on a bicycle near the van, whom the prosecution links to Cervi and to the family home on Russell Avenue East. The evidence will also cover the van's movements in May and early June, and the alleged link to a Volkswagen Polo. The court will hear that Cervi allegedly fired nine shots from a semi‑automatic pistol before 7 am, killing Messett and injuring Taylor and Britton. Gerard Cervi pleaded not guilty.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, Gerard Cervi, aged 34, is accused of firing nine shots from a semi‑automatic pistol inside Bray Boxing Club on 5 June 2018. The shooting occurred during a 12‑person exercise class organised by trainer Peter Taylor. The prosecution alleges that Cervi killed 50‑year‑old Bobby Messett and attempted to murder trainer Peter Taylor and participant Ian Britton, who were injured. A prosecution barrister presented evidence that the gunman entered the club just before 7 a.m., fired rapidly in varying directions, and escaped. The case is framed as three separate charges—one murder and two attempted murders—each to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Michael White, is expected to last eight weeks. Gerard Cervi pleaded not guilty.
A 34‑year‑old man named Gerard Cervi pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to three charges: the murder of Bobby Messett, aged 50, at Bray Boxing Club on 5 June 2018, and the attempted murder of boxing coach Pete Taylor and Ian Britton on the same day and place. Cervi, from Dublin's East Wall, was seen in a navy jumper, tie and dark jeans. He was arraigned, identified himself, and the court is preparing a jury for a trial set to begin tomorrow before Mr Justice Michael White, expected to last eight weeks.
Peter Little, 42, of Drumcairn Parade, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to criminal damage after he splattered a launderette at Alexander House with his own blood during a failed attempt to steal cash for drugs. The incident occurred overnight on 24 and 25 September 2020 at an automated laundromat. Garda Andrew Gibbons reported that a cleaner found smashed glass, damaged photo booth and payment machines, and blood throughout the area. Cleaning and repairs cost €730.52. Little, who has 24 previous convictions including ten for theft, was arrested after blood analysis linked him to the scene. He was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to one year imprisonment, with a prior concurrent three‑year sentence having a suspended final year. Wicklow District Court will consider reactivating the suspended portion on 18 May 2024.
A 45‑year‑old Romanian man, Vasile Jelecuteam, was stopped at a Garda checkpoint in Wicklow at about 12:05 a.m. on 22 March 2021. Garda Margaret Fennelly of Bray Garda Station checked his ID and driver's licence against the Garda Pulse and the newly‑activated Schengen Information System (SIS II). The search revealed that Germany had issued a European Arrest Warrant for Jelecuteam. The High Court heard that the details of the alleged offence had not yet been supplied. Mr Justice Paul Burns remanded Jelecuteam in custody until 31 March, with a bail hearing scheduled for the following Thursday. The case illustrates how SIS II allows instant alerts across 30 countries, enabling authorities to act swiftly on cross‑border warrants. The court did not receive further information on the offence at the time of the hearing.
In March 2021, a bid by boxing coach Pete Taylor and Bray Boxing Club Ltd for an injunction to stop Wicklow County Council from terminating their claimed legal interest in the Harbour Shed premises in Bray was dismissed. Mr Justice Senan Allen ruled that the applicants had no enforceable proprietary entitlement to the premises and that the council was within its rights to evict them. The court noted that the lease expired in 2015, that the applicants had only licence agreements thereafter, and that the council had changed the locks following a 2018 shooting that killed one club member. The judge found no evidence that the applicants would suffer catastrophic loss if the injunction was denied and that the applicants had abandoned most of their reliefs. The case was adjourned for the parties to consider the decision, with no costs order imposed pending the full dispute. The council maintains it had no obligation to the club or Mr Taylor.
In March 2018, Brandon Power, aged 22, assaulted Garda Thomas Devereux in Bray courthouse, biting the officer's finger and breaking the bone. He pleaded guilty in 2019 and received a 12‑month suspended sentence, later deemed unduly lenient by the Court of Appeal. The appeal court postponed re‑sentencing to allow Power to engage with probation services. On 15 March 2021, the Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham, warned Power that a severe penalty would follow if he failed to take advantage of the opportunity offered. The court required regular urinalysis, full cooperation with probation, and attendance at all appointments. It emphasized that any prospect of leniency depends on Power's conduct and that a prison sentence is likely if he does not cooperate. The court gave him one more chance to prove his willingness to comply.
Two men, Robert Malole (43) and Gheorghe Cocos (44), were jailed after they followed an 87‑year‑old woman who had just withdrawn €2,000 from a bank. They watched her at the bank, followed her to a shop, pharmacy and then to her car. Cocos asked her to point out a location on a map, obscuring her view of her handbag while the money was stolen. Gardaí traced the pair through CCTV and by following their rental car, which they had obtained using their real passports. The men repaid the victim in full. They pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to theft at Brackenstown Road, Swords on 20 October 2020. Malole, who has nine previous convictions, was given an eight‑month sentence consecutive to his current term, while Cocos, who has three previous convictions and is serving a two‑year sentence with the final eight months suspended, received a 20‑month sentence.
In February 2021, Wicklow County Council argued that Pete Taylor and Bray Boxing Club had no proprietary interest in the Harbour Shed premises, claiming only a bare licence existed. Taylor, father of boxer Katie Taylor, sought an injunction to prevent the council from terminating their legal interest, citing a 2007 lease and subsequent licence agreements. The council, after changing the locks in June 2018 following a shooting that killed club member Bobby Messert, asserted it had no rent paid and that the licence could be terminated at any time. Taylor's counsel highlighted the club's use of the shed since 2005, its enhancement with a sports capital grant, and a 2017 rent increase to €15,000. The court reserved judgment, noting the injunction would remain pending until the dispute's outcome. The council maintained it acted lawfully and had no obligation to mediate.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Bernard Fogarty, 32, was sentenced to five years and three months imprisonment for possession of a RAK PM‑63 submachine gun. The judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, noted the weapon was not in immediate use but was intended for future use, and that Fogarty's conduct was linked to organised crime. Fogarty pleaded guilty, which led to a 25 % reduction from the headline seven‑year sentence, resulting in the final term of five years and three months, with the last three months suspended and backdated to his time in custody. He must keep the peace, be of good behaviour and undergo one year of probation supervision after release. The case was based on DNA evidence linking Fogarty to the gun recovered from a vehicle in the Shankill area. The judge emphasised that the damage caused by gun crime cannot be ignored.
In a case heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Paddy Lynch, a 36‑year‑old homeless man from Ashlawn Court, Bray, pleaded guilty to one count of trespass and criminal damage after breaking into the General Register Office on Werburgh Street, Dublin, on 9 May. Lynch entered the closed building shortly after midnight, triggered an alarm, broke an electronic gate and damaged an internal security door with a metal object. He claimed he was looking for a place to sleep. Garda Greg Moroney reported that Lynch was intoxicated and a needle was found nearby. The damage amounted to €8,000, with the electronic gate alone costing €7,000 to repair. No documents were harmed. Lynch, who has prior convictions for burglary and theft, has remained in custody. Judge Melanie Greally ordered a Probation Services report and adjourned the case to 23 February.
Bernard Fogarty, 32, known to Gardaí as heavily involved in organised crime, will be sentenced at the Special Criminal Court for possession of a RAK PM‑63 submachine gun. The weapon was found in the passenger footwell of a white Nissan Pulsar that was intercepted in the Shankill area of County Dublin. Fogarty was a passenger in a second vehicle, a silver Hyundai jeep, and was not involved in the hand‑over of the gun. DNA from Fogarty matched DNA on the gun, and a red baseball cap he wore on 7 March was recovered at his Donaghmede address. The gun was not loaded, was in poor condition, and had been heavily gummed. Fogarty pleaded guilty at a non‑jury court and has 40 prior convictions, including criminal damage, assault and burglary. He has been remanded in custody until his sentencing next Monday. The court will consider mitigating factors such as his drug difficulties and cooperation with the investigation.
Viktor Voloshin, 51, a Ukrainian national, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment with the final two‑and‑a‑half years suspended on strict conditions. He stole €95,744 in social welfare payments, claiming Jobseeker's Allowance and Rent Supplement under two false Lithuanian identities between 2008 and 2016. Voloshin obtained false Lithuanian documents and a false passport to enter Ireland in 2004, and applied for a PPSN in 2015. Gardaí discovered Lithuanian identity cards in the names of Tadeus Mezanec and Gintaras Baranauskas at his Bray address, and he pleaded guilty to using false instruments and possession of a false instrument. He admitted to purchasing the false passport and that he "did not want to beg." The court described his conduct as mean‑spirited and lacking respect for ordinary taxpayers.
Boxing coach Pete Taylor, along with the Bray Boxing Club, has applied to the High Court for an injunction to prevent Wicklow County Council from evicting them from the Harbour Shed facility in Bray, Co Wicklow. The applicants, represented by Richard Kean SC and Gareth Robinson BL, claim the council wrongfully changed the locks in June 2018 following a violent incident at the gym where one person was killed and Mr Taylor was injured. Mr Taylor alleges the council used the incident as a pretext to unlawfully remove the club, which has occupied the premises since 2005. The applicants seek an order allowing re-entry to the facility and declarations that the council is prevented from illegally evicting them. They argue the council's recent eviction notice interferes with ongoing legal proceedings, where they are seeking judgment in default for the council's failure to file a defence. Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds, hearing the ex-parte application, granted permission to serve short notice of the injunction application on the council. The matter was adjourned and will return before the court later this month. Katie Taylor and Georgina Robinson are also named as applicants in the proceedings.
The long‑running legal dispute between Berlin‑based W2 Filmproduktion Vertriebs GmbH and Irish film producers Morgan O'Sullivan and James Flynn over Octagon Films Ltd has been settled. W2 alleged that €40m‑€50m had been diverted from Octagon to the producers or entities they control. The defendants, directors of Octagon, denied the claims. The case, first heard in 2016, was brought before Ms Justice Teresa Pilkington, who was informed that the parties had reached a settlement through mediation. Under the confidential agreement, the producers will purchase W2's shares in Octagon by specified dates, retain control of the company, and the proceedings will be struck out on consent. No further settlement details were disclosed in court. The resolution ended a complex matter that had been before the courts for several years.
Damien Ionut, 34, was sentenced to three years in prison for a series of ATM attacks across eight European cities, including Dublin, Louth, Kildare, Wicklow, Meath, Westmeath, and Dublin. He and a group used a "transaction reversal fraud" technique, first withdrawing a small amount with a legitimate chip‑and‑pin card, then inserting a clip into the cash drawer to block the release of a larger withdrawal. They swapped the card for a dummy, causing the machine to think the customer had walked away, and then used a chisel to break into the drawer and take the cash. The attacks caused about €12,881 in damage and resulted in €5,980 in stolen cash. Ionut had 30 prior convictions for similar offences and was identified on CCTV footage. The court back‑dated the sentence to November 5, 2019. The case highlighted the vulnerability of ATMs to this type of fraud.
The Central Criminal Court could not set a trial date for Daniel Murtagh, 32, accused of murdering his former partner Nadine Lott, because the coronavirus pandemic was still affecting court operations. Murtagh appeared via video link for a trial date to be set, but Judge Paul McDermott said the court could not fix a date at that time. He adjourned the matter to June 29, hoping a trial date could then be scheduled. The court noted difficulties in assigning trial dates under the current circumstances. Lott, a beauty therapist and mother, suffered serious injuries at her home in St Mary's Court, Arklow, on December 14 and died on December 17 at St Vincent's Hospital after being admitted on December 16. Murtagh had previously been charged with a serious assault against Lott at Bray District Court. The murder trial dates were postponed until June 29.
The trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, and Keith Johnston is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. Greene, 34, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Patricia O'Connor, 61, at her home in Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, on May 29, 2017. Louise O'Connor, 41, has pleaded not guilty to agreeing to or acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O'Connor, 22, disguising herself as the deceased to conceal her death. Stephanie O'Connor has pleaded not guilty to disguising herself as Mrs O'Connor. Keith Johnston, 43, has pleaded not guilty to assisting Greene in purchasing implements for the concealment of remains and to refurbishing a bathroom to destroy evidence. All defendants are charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Greene. Evidence presented includes testimony from Richard O'Connor, the deceased's son, who stated his sister Louise did not want to report their mother missing. He identified Stephanie O'Connor in CCTV footage closing the back door on the night of the alleged murder. The prosecution alleges Stephanie disguised herself as her grandmother to create a ruse that Mrs O'Connor had left the house. The court has heard that Mrs O'Connor's dismembered remains were found at nine locations in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains between June 10 and 14, 2017. The matter is currently at the trial stage, with no final verdict or sentence recorded.
In a 2020 case, Berlin‑based W2 Filmproduktion Vertriebs GmbH sued Irish film producers Morgan O'Sullivan and James Flynn, alleging that €40‑50 million had been diverted from Octagon Films Ltd, a company in which all parties are shareholders. The claim, first brought before the court in 2016, was heard by Ms Justice Teresa Pilkington. Both producers deny the allegations and have offered to resolve the dispute through mediation. Counsel Bernard Dunleavy SC argued that public proceedings were damaging to his clients' businesses, especially after W2's claims that funds from a proposed TV series, 'Vikings Valhalla', would be diverted to the defendants. W2, which holds 49 % of Octagon's shares, seeks damages for alleged breach of duty, fraud and conspiracy. The judge accepted the mediation offer and adjourned the case to a date next month. The dispute remains a derivative action brought by a shareholder on behalf of Octagon.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, and Keith Johnston continued with evidence regarding the alleged murder of Patricia O'Connor. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty to their respective charges, which include murder, impeding prosecution, and concealing remains. The jury heard the final interviews of Mr. Johnston, who denied assisting Mr. Greene in purchasing implements at Woodie's, Mr Price, B&Q, and Shoe Zone in Tallaght on June 9, 2017, for the concealment of Mrs. O'Connor's remains. Mr. Johnston also denied refurbishing a bathroom at Mountainview Park to destroy evidence. He rejected claims that he helped dig a shallow grave in Wexford or that he was "sucked in" to the crime, stating he did not "put two and two together" regarding the DIY purchases. Forensic scientist Nora Lee testified that a black bag containing Mrs. O'Connor's head likely came from a roll found at Mountainview Park. Professor Anthony Hooper described injuries to Mr. Greene's wrist, temple, and torso, which the accused attributed to blows from a hurley. The trial is ongoing, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, and Keith Johnston continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty to their respective charges. Mr Greene is accused of murdering Patricia O'Connor at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, on May 29, 2017. Mr Johnston, the deceased's ex-partner, faces charges of assisting Mr Greene in purchasing implements to conceal remains and refurbishing a bathroom to destroy evidence. Ms Louise O'Connor is charged with acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O'Connor disguising herself as the deceased, while Stephanie O'Connor is accused of the disguise itself. The jury heard evidence that Mr Greene initially claimed sole responsibility for the dismemberment but later alleged Mr Johnston planned the act. Mr Johnston told gardai he was fixing a broken shower step and re-grouting tiles, stating, "I know it looks bad but that's just the way it is," while denying he was clearing a crime scene. He admitted purchasing items with Mr Greene but maintained he was helping the family. The prosecution contends the bathroom work was intended to conceal blood. The trial is ongoing, with no final verdict or sentence recorded.
The trial of Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, Keith Johnston, and Kieran Greene is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty to charges including the murder of Patricia O'Connor on May 29, 2017, and impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Kieran Greene. The prosecution alleges that Stephanie O'Connor disguised herself as her grandmother to conceal the murder, while Louise O'Connor and Keith Johnston assisted in covering up the crime. Evidence presented includes CCTV footage showing a figure leaving the Mountainview Park residence with a suitcase, which the State contends was Stephanie O'Connor in disguise. Louise O'Connor denied to gardai that she left the house to obtain "permanent peace" and insisted her mother was alive when she returned. She also denied discussing the killing with family members. Stephanie O'Connor stated she was unaware of the incident until two weeks later when Greene confessed. The jury is currently hearing testimony regarding the interviews conducted with the accused in September 2017. No findings, sentences, or finalisations have been recorded at this procedural stage.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, and Keith Johnston continued with the jury hearing evidence regarding interviews conducted with Louise O'Connor. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty to their respective charges, which include the alleged murder of Patricia O'Connor on May 29, 2017, and impeding the investigation. In interviews played to the jury, Louise O'Connor stated she did not harm her mother and claimed Greene admitted to killing her. She also alleged her mother told her and her daughter they should have been aborted. Evidence presented included CCTV footage from a neighbor's camera showing movements at the Mountainview Park residence on the day of the alleged murder. Louise O'Connor identified herself in clips leaving for a park and returning from Tesco, and acknowledged a figure resembling her mother leaving the house. She disputed the significance of a person closing a rear door at 10:06 pm, stating she could not identify them. The court also heard that Greene initially confessed to dismembering the body but later claimed he was set up. The matter is currently at the sentencing stage, though no final verdict or sentence has been recorded in the provided facts.
The Central Criminal Court heard evidence in the ongoing trial of Kieran Greene, 34, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Patricia O'Connor, 61, at her home in Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, on May 29, 2017. The jury listened to garda interviews in which Mr Greene alleged that the deceased had attempted to kill her husband by pushing him down the stairs and expressed a desire for the family to die. He claimed he let her die to protect his children and subsequently dismembered her body, scattering the remains across Dublin and Wicklow. Mr Greene also alleged his partner, Louise O'Connor, 41, had been diagnosed with Graves' disease and that the deceased had threatened to sign over the house if Louise killed her father. Louise O'Connor, her daughter Stephanie O'Connor, 22, and Louise's ex-partner Keith Johnston, 43, are all charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Mr Greene. Louise O'Connor has pleaded not guilty to agreeing to Stephanie disguising herself as the deceased to conceal her death. Stephanie O'Connor has pleaded not guilty to disguising herself as the deceased. Mr Johnston has pleaded not guilty to assisting Mr Greene in purchasing implements for concealment and to refurbishing the bathroom to destroy evidence. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
The trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, and Keith Johnston continues before the Central Criminal Court. All four accused have pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the alleged murder of Patricia O'Connor (61) at her Rathfarnham home on May 29, 2017. Greene faces a charge of murder, while the others are accused of impeding the investigation, including disguising themselves as the deceased and assisting in the purchase of implements to conceal remains. The jury heard a voluntary statement from Louise O'Connor, who alleged that Greene told her he was sorry for hurting her mother and intended to surrender. Evidence presented includes the discovery of the deceased's dismembered remains in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains, with her head and hands found in a black plastic bag on the Military Road. Garda Andrew Quinn testified to the missing person report filed on June 1, 2017, and subsequent inquiries. The prosecution alleges the victim suffered a violent death and that her body was dismembered using hacksaws and a hatchet. The trial is ongoing, with no final verdict or sentence recorded at this procedural stage.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Kieran Greene, 34, has heard evidence regarding the discovery of human remains in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. Prosecutors allege that 61-year-old Patricia O'Connor was murdered at her Rathfarnham home on May 29, 2017, and her body was subsequently dismembered and dispersed across nine locations. Witnesses described finding a torso near the Military Road in Enniskerry on June 10, 2017, while picnicking. Medical evidence confirmed the remains belonged to Mrs O'Connor via dental records. Mr Greene, of Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Louise O'Connor, 41, and Stephanie O'Connor, 22, have both pleaded not guilty to charges including disguising themselves as the deceased to conceal her death and assisting in the purchase of implements for concealment. Keith Johnston, 43, has pleaded not guilty to assisting Mr Greene in purchasing items and refurbishing a bathroom to destroy evidence. The prosecution alleges the body was buried in Co Wexford before being dismembered. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury, with an expected duration of five to seven weeks.
Two Irish film producers, Morgan O'Sullivan and James Flynn, deny that their plans to produce a sequel to the Vikings TV series breach any legal undertakings they previously gave to the High Court. The German company W2 Filmproduktion Vertriebs GmbH seeks an injunction against the producers, alleging that they have diverted €40 million from Octagon Films Ltd, a company in which all parties are shareholders. The producers, represented by Bernard Dunleavy SC and Eamon Marray BL, argue that the funds generated by the proposed spin‑off, Vikings Valhalla, should go to Octagon and that they have not diverted any money to themselves or to corporate entities they control. W2 claims the producers are not entitled to profit from the Vikings series without Octagon's permission and seeks damages for alleged breach of duty, fraud and conspiracy.
In a High Court hearing on 28 November 2019, Berlin‑based W2 Filmproduktion Vertriebs GmbH sought an injunction against Irish film producers Morgan O'Sullivan and James Flynn over plans to produce a sequel to the TV series 'Vikings'. W2 alleges that the producers diverted about €40 million from Octagon Films Ltd, a company in which all parties are shareholders, and that the funds from the proposed 'Vikings Valhalla' series should be paid to Octagon. The producers deny any diversion of funds to themselves or to corporate entities they control. The case, which began in 2016, was returned to Justice Theresa Pilkington after the defendants requested an extension to comply with discovery orders issued in June. The defendants argue the discovery, involving over 500,000 documents and estimated at €900,000, is voluminous and should be completed by December 2020.
In a hearing before the Disclosures Tribunal, Superintendent Noreen McBrien testified that she was concerned for the welfare of Garda Nicholas Keogh after he made a protected disclosure in 2014. McBrien, who had been the District Officer at Athlone Garda Station in 2014, recalled that Keogh had been treated for alcoholism but that this had not affected his work. She said she had a good relationship with Keogh and that she was surprised when she learned he was a whistleblower. McBrien explained that she had no prior experience with protected disclosures and that she had tried to support Keogh's welfare. She also noted that Keogh had raised concerns about whether a senior officer, identified as Garda A, should have access to a weapon during an investigation. The tribunal is still hearing evidence on whether Keogh was targeted or harassed after his disclosure.
In a case heard by the Court of Appeal on 22 November 2019, Brandon Power, aged 21, was found to have bitten Garda Thomas Devereux's finger so hard that the bone snapped during an incident at the Bray courthouse on 31 March 2018. Power had pleaded guilty to assaulting the Garda and was already being sentenced for a separate matter when he became aggrieved and tried to escape. While being restrained, he bit the Garda's finger, causing the injury. Judge Terence O'Sullivan had originally imposed a wholly suspended one‑year sentence on 11 April 2019. The Court of Appeal, with Mr Justice George Birmingham presiding, declared that sentence "unduly lenient" and ordered a re‑sentencing hearing on 10 March 2020. The court also requested an updated probation report and allowed Power to remain on bail pending the new hearing. The decision does not yet specify a custodial term, but indicates that a custodial sentence may be imposed.
In 2017, Mark O'Sullivan, 29, struck David Kirwan with a single punch to the back of the head near James Everett Park, Bray. Kirwan suffered catastrophic injuries, including brain damage, seizures, memory loss and hearing loss, and was in a medically‑induced coma for days. O'Sullivan pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm. The Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment, suspending the final two‑and‑a‑half years, after describing the assault as unprovoked, cowardly, vicious and violent. The Court of Appeal later reduced the net term to two years and three months, citing mitigating factors such as O'Sullivan's community service and the fact that he had no prior convictions. The appeal judge noted O'Sullivan's remorse and his actions after the assault, including calling an ambulance and keeping Kirwan in the recovery position.
Sarah Doran, aged 66, was convicted of assault causing serious harm and false imprisonment against an 84‑year‑old woman she was caring for. The incident occurred at Violet Hill, Bray on 28 December 2015. Judge Michael O'Shea sentenced her to eight‑and‑a‑half years, suspending the final three‑and‑a‑half years. Doran, with no prior convictions, appealed the severity of the sentence after the normal 28‑day period had passed. The Court of Appeal granted her an extension of time to lodge the appeal. Her barrister, Mark Lynam, described the offence as "inexplicable" and argued that mental health issues may have influenced her behaviour. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham, acknowledged the seriousness of the assault and the unusual circumstances, and agreed to allow the extended appeal period. The case remains at the appeal stage. Sarah Doran pleaded guilty.
The German film company W2 Filmproduktion Vertriebs GmbH has brought a claim against Irish film producers Morgan O'Sullivan and James Flynn, alleging that the two diverted €40 million from Octagon Films Ltd to themselves or to corporate entities they control. The claim, which began in 2016, was heard by Ms Justice Teresa Pilkington in 2019. Both defendants deny the allegations. W2 seeks damages for breach of duty, fraud and conspiracy, and a declaration that the defendants must account for all profits made through Octagon. The court ordered discovery of documents relating to 21 productions, to be completed by October, and adjourned the full hearing to 2020. The case remains a derivative action on behalf of Octagon, with the defendants denying any misuse of the company's name or reputation.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 16‑year‑old from Bray, Co. Wicklow pleaded guilty to burglary of a house in Dalkey on 29 February 2016. The burglary involved the theft of a camera and laptop that held the last photos and videos of the widow and her late husband. The homeowner's husband had died about four months earlier, and the victim reported that an urn containing his ashes had been disturbed and "gone through". The teenager, who cannot be identified, admitted he did not understand the impact of his actions at the time but now feels remorse and apologised. He has prior convictions for robbery, criminal damage, public order offences and breaches of the road traffic act. He has been in Oberstown children detention centre since last year, and the court noted his progress in completed courses. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the case to 17 October.
Mark O'Sullivan, 29, of Old Connaught View, Bray, was convicted of assault causing serious harm after striking David Kirwan with a single blow to the head on 15 January 2017 near James Everett Park. Kirwan suffered catastrophic injuries, including brain damage, seizures, memory loss and hearing loss, and was in a medically‑induced coma for days. O'Sullivan pleaded guilty and was sentenced on 28 April 2018 to seven years' imprisonment, with the final two‑and‑a‑half years suspended. He had no prior convictions. O'Sullivan has now lodged an appeal against the severity of the sentence, arguing that the seven‑year term was too high given his lack of intent and remorse. His barrister, Michael O'Higgins SC, contends the sentence is disproportionate, while the Director of Public Prosecutions, Eoghan Cole BL, maintains the attack was unprovoked and the seven‑year term appropriate. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment.
Matthew Kelly, 26, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to his ex‑partner in Roundwood, Co Wicklow, on 17 November 2017. He was originally given a wholly suspended two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence by Judge Michael O'Shea at Bray Circuit Criminal Court on 26 July 2018. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, arguing the sentence was "unduly lenient". The Court of Appeal agreed and, on 15 January 2019, imposed a new two‑and‑a‑half‑year term with all but the final 12 months suspended, effectively sentencing Kelly to 12 months in custody. The appeal judge noted the assault occurred near a creche where the victim's two‑year‑old daughter was being collected, that Kelly had a safety order in force at the time, and that the attack was described as "cowardly, vicious and violent". The court highlighted the seriousness of breaching a safety order and the presence of the victim's child during the assault.
In November 2018, Berlin‑based W2 Filmproduktion Vertriebs GmbH filed a derivative action against Irish film producers Morgan O'Sullivan and James Flynn, alleging that the two diverted between €40 million and €50 million from Octagon Films Ltd, a company in which they are shareholders, to themselves or to corporate entities they control. W2 claims breach of duty, fraud and conspiracy, and seeks damages and a declaration that the defendants must account for all profits made through Octagon and the producers' involvement in numerous TV and film productions. O'Sullivan and Flynn deny the allegations, asserting they did not divert any fees or income and that Octagon was a separate entity devoted to film development. They argue that the company benefited from their association with projects outside Octagon's business and will provide forensic accountancy evidence to refute W2's claims.
Derek Thompson, a 58‑year‑old former An Post postman from Wicklow, was sentenced to a six‑month suspended term after he was found guilty of four counts of preventing the delivery of postal items without the addressee's consent. Thompson had discarded mainly marketing material, including two letters about medical appointments, from his delivery route in order to shorten his round so he could care for his sick mother. The court heard that no addressee missed any appointments and that the discarded mail consisted largely of brochures and charity solicitations. Thompson had no prior convictions and had served 34 years with An Post. Judge Melanie Greally accepted that the offence was at the lower end of the scale, noted that no harm was done, and imposed a suspended six‑month sentence, citing the loss of his long‑standing job as a significant consequence.
A man with previous convictions for manslaughter has been imprisoned after carrying out armed raids whilst serving a suspended sentence. Mark Bissett, aged 33, of Swords Road, Dublin 9, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to threatening to burn down the house of a charity worker in May 2016. The threat was made at Central Bank Plaza, Dame Street, during a soup run for homeless people in Dublin city centre. Judge Karen O'Connor had suspended a two-year sentence for this offence in June 2017, cautioning Bissett that he faced imprisonment if he reoffended. Within four months, Bissett carried out armed robberies on two shops in Ranelagh. On 15 October 2017 he wielded a knife during one raid, and on 26 October he used a fork during a pharmacy robbery. Judge O'Connor activated the suspended sentence, imposing the full two-year term. Bissett has sixty previous convictions including manslaughter, assault and public order offences.
In a High Court hearing on 18 July 2018, Inspiredspaces Bundle 5 (Ireland) Ltd, a joint venture with Carillion and the Dutch Infrastructure Fund, obtained a temporary injunction to stop subcontractors from blockading the construction sites of five new schools and an Institute of Further Education. The injunction was granted after subcontractors claimed unpaid work following the collapse of Carillion and the liquidation of Sammon Contracting Ireland Ltd, the original contractor. Inspiredspaces, represented by Brian Conroy BL, argued that the blockade threatened the completion of schools in Wexford and Bray, where works were almost finished, and that the protestors had no legitimate claim against the joint venture. Ms Justice Caroline Costello issued the order, preventing any blocking, interference, or removal of items from the sites, and requiring any claims to be dealt with by Inspiredspaces. The injunction was made ex parte and is returnable later that week.
Judge Melanie Greally sentenced four men to a total of 53 years for their roles in the 2005 €2.08 million robbery of Paul Richardson and Securicor, along with the false imprisonment of the Richardson family. Mark Farrelly, Christopher Corcoran, David Byrne, and Niall Byrne, all of whom pleaded not guilty, were convicted by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury. Farrelly, identified as the mastermind, received 17.5 years. David Byrne was sentenced to 13.5 years. Corcoran was sentenced to 12 years, with the final five years suspended due to his age and health. Niall Byrne, the former Securicor worker convicted of conspiracy to rob, received 10 years. The jury failed to reach a majority verdict on a kidnapping charge against Niall Byrne. The judge noted the victims' "uncommon and unbending faith" in the justice system after five trials. She ordered the forfeiture of €19,220 in cash and a BMW belonging to Niall Byrne. This sentencing follows previous legal history where convictions for Farrelly and Corcoran were overturned in 2012 and later acquitted in 2015 before those acquittals were overturned by the Court of Appeal.
Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the sentencing of Niall Byrne, Mark Farrelly, Christopher Corcoran, and David Byrne until July 16, remanding them in continuing custody. The men were convicted by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury for their roles in the €2.08 million robbery of Paul Richardson and Securicor on March 14, 2005, and the false imprisonment of the Richardson family at their Raheny home on March 13 and 14, 2005. All four defendants had pleaded not guilty. The jury convicted Farrelly, Corcoran, and David Byrne of robbery and false imprisonment. Niall Byrne was convicted of conspiracy to robbery, while the jury failed to reach a majority verdict on a kidnapping charge against him. This was the fifth trial for the case; previous convictions for Farrelly and Corcoran were overturned in 2012 due to unconstitutional search warrants, and subsequent acquittals were reversed by the Court of Appeal. During the hearing, victim Paul Richardson described the crime as "heinous and inhumane" and driven by greed. His wife and sons also submitted impact statements detailing the long-term trauma. The court noted Farrelly had 25 previous convictions, while Corcoran, David Byrne, and Niall Byrne had prior records for minor offences. The matter was adjourned for sentence.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Mark Byrne, a 39‑year‑old homeless man, received a 12‑month suspended sentence for possessing a realistic imitation firearm. Byrne, who lived at a homeless unit on Newtown Avenue, Blackrock, admitted to buying an air pistol and about 1,000 6mm plastic pellets from a toy shop on Talbot Street for €10. He claimed he had no real life and that the gun was meant for shooting at the back of street cars. The court noted Byrne was under the influence and giggling while waving the pistol out of a DART carriage, frightening an American passenger. Witnesses described the incident as frightening but harmless, and Garda Siobhán Frisby confirmed Byrne's actions were not intended to harm anyone. Judge Karen O'Connor accepted Byrne's remorse, citing his extensive history of public order offences and addiction issues, and warned of serious consequences if he breached bail conditions. The unnamed man pleaded guilty.
Frank Kelly, aged 24, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexually assaulting a 20‑year‑old woman while she was in a state of particular vulnerability. The assaults were captured in three video clips found on the mobile phone of a man involved in a fatal car crash. The clips show Kelly licking the victim's vagina, digitally penetrating her while saying he was "going in for the kill", and anal penetration. The victim was unaware of the abuse until the clips were presented to her during the investigation, which she described as very distressing. Kelly was sentenced at Bray Circuit Criminal Court to five years' imprisonment, with the final two‑and‑a‑half years suspended by Judge Michael O'Shea on 7 April 2017. The Director of Public Prosecutions sought a review, claiming the sentence was unduly lenient, but the Court of Appeal declined to intervene, leaving Kelly's release date in February 2019.
In 2018, Gardaí searched the premises of M Kennedy and Sons, a Dublin art supplies shop, after a credit card company alerted them that the manager, Fionnbarr Kennedy, had purchased child pornography online. Kennedy, 56, was found to have a laptop and two phones. Forensic analysis of the laptop recovered 466 images, of which 180 depicted girls under 17 in sexual activity and 280 showed exposed genitalia; the phones contained no images. Kennedy pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography on July 27, 2010, and was sentenced to two and a half years in prison, a sentence fully suspended. The court noted a significant delay in charging him, citing a backlog at the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau, and acknowledged that Kennedy had not distributed the images. He had no prior convictions and had since remarried and engaged in counselling, expressing regret for his involvement.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, two men, Carl Byrne (28) and Aidan Lawlor (36), pleaded guilty to the possession, production and distribution of child pornography on 7 March 2013. Byrne had set up a fake profile posing as a 16‑year‑old girl, while Lawlor acted as the male participant in the online conversations. The court described the exchanges as "lurid and obscene" but noted that no actual child was involved, classifying the material as the lowest type of child pornography. Judge Martin Nolan imposed one‑year suspended sentences on both men, ordering them to keep the peace and exhibit good behaviour for that period. The case was highlighted as "very unusual" because the offence involved only words and no real victim, and the judge emphasized that the men were adults acting in a fantasy context.