In 2018 the Court of Appeal upheld a seven‑year jail sentence for Damien Green, who was convicted of assault causing serious harm after slicing the face of his friend Richard Coster. The original trial at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court had found Green guilty and sentenced him to ten years, with the final three years suspended. The appeal was dismissed because the sentencing judge's approach was deemed correct. Judge John Edwards noted that Coster, a friend of Green, had been heavily drinking and possibly under the influence of drugs on the day of the attack, which occurred at Green's apartment on Richmond Hill. Green had no memory of the events, had previously been uncooperative, and had a history of violent convictions. The judge placed the offence in the high range of seven to twelve years, citing Green's lack of mitigating factors and his prior violent record. The appeal was dismissed, confirming the original sentence. Damien Green pleaded not guilty.
The High Court confirmed Michael McAteer as interim examiner for the Sammon Group and its related companies after the collapse of Carillion. The Irish contractors, which employ over 216 people and are involved in major school building projects across Ireland, were owed about €8 million by an entity linked to Carillion. An independent expert report indicated the companies could survive if a scheme of arrangement with creditors is implemented. McAteer has up to 100 days to prepare this scheme, which, if approved, would allow the group to continue trading as a going concern. The group had been hired by a special purpose vehicle that included Carillion to build several schools and an educational campus, contracts worth roughly €87 million. The collapse of Carillion halted payments, preventing the Sammon Group from paying suppliers and subcontractors, and the court heard the group believes a successful examinership will enable it to finish its contracts on time and return to profitability.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 16 March 2018, Eoghan O'Connell, a 29‑year‑old former cancer survivor from Dargle Heights, Bray, was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for attempting to murder a man in his driveway on 8 April 2016. O'Connell fired a shotgun twice at the victim, a father of three in his late 30s, as the man left his home to go to work. Both shots misfired because the cartridges were damp, and the victim survived. The court noted that O'Connell had 65 prior convictions, including rape and assault, and that the victim had known him since childhood. The judge described the evidence as extremely strong, citing DNA and spent cartridges, and acknowledged the victim's family had moved away and suffered trauma. O'Connell's guilty plea led the judge to impose a 12‑year term, back‑dated to 2 May 2016.
Gary O'Brien, aged 20, was jailed for three years after pleading guilty to burglary and two counts of assault at a Dalkey home on 26 September 2017. He had been "out of his head" on tablets and Sambuca and was restrained by a 74‑year‑old man on the bathroom floor until Garda arrival. O'Brien, who has 49 prior convictions, suffered an acquired brain injury at 16 after being struck with a hammer, a fact noted by Judge Martin Nolan. The judge imposed a three‑year sentence, consecutive to a 22‑month district court term O'Brien is serving, citing the brain injury as a mitigating factor. The burglary caused €3,000 of damage, and the victim's daughter, aged 40, described feeling "battered" and anxious the following day. O'Brien claimed he had no memory of the events and had not intended to harm the occupants. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Gary Flynn, aged 32, of Rossfield Drive, Tallaght, lost an appeal against his conviction for the murder of Seamus Shay O'Byrne, which occurred at the victim's home on 13 March 2009. Flynn pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court. After a nine‑week trial, the jury found him guilty of murder in one hour and forty minutes, and he received a mandatory life sentence on 16 March 2016, imposed by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy. The prosecution alleged that Flynn, Eugene Cullen and others assisted in the planning, execution and aftermath of the murder, while Garrett O'Brien was the gunman. The Court of Appeal, in a three‑judge panel, upheld Flynn's conviction, stating the trial was satisfactory in all respects and that the evidence against him was more than mere coincidence. The appeal was dismissed by Mr Justice George Birmingham. The article does not mention any subsequent developments.
A 29‑year‑old man, Eoghan O'Connell, was sentenced for attempting to murder a Wicklow man in front of his wife and children. On 8 April 2016, O'Connell tried to shoot the victim twice as he left the family home, but the shotgun misfired both times because the cartridges were damp. The victim and his family later sold their home and moved away. O'Connell, who had pleaded guilty to the attempted murder, was brought before the Central Criminal Court for sentencing. He had a history of 65 convictions, including rape and assault. The victim's wife gave a detailed impact statement describing the lasting fear, anxiety, and disruption to the family's life. Mr Justice McCarthy was set to deliver the sentence on 16 March, with O'Connell remanded in custody until then.
Two Dublin men, Martin Cully (35) and Eugene Traynor (40), were sentenced to seven‑year prison terms, partially suspended, for unlawfully seizing a vehicle and forcibly removing a woman from her car. The incident occurred on Old Connacht Avenue, Bray, on 15 June 2017. Cully, who had previously been disqualified from driving for 30 years, also pleaded guilty to two dangerous driving charges. Judge Patrick Quinn imposed a lifetime driving ban on Cully, suspended the final two years of his sentence and the final two and a half years of Traynor's sentence, and required both men to remain drug‑free and engage in treatment programmes. The court noted a high‑speed chase that ended with the car crashing into a pole. Cully had 67 prior convictions, including seven burglaries; Traynor had 20 prior convictions, including robbery and theft. The victim, who suffered nightmares and flashbacks, gave a victim impact statement describing her fear and helplessness during the attack.
The High Court has been asked to consider committing Iarnrod Eireann CEO David Franks and DART District Manager Chris Rafferty to prison for alleged contempt of court. Applicant Paul Leblique, of Finglas East, Dublin, claims the company failed to comply with a direction by Mr Justice Paul Gilligan last April to restore him to his position as a DART driver. Mr Leblique was demoted to a non-driving role in 2016 after refusing to provide a urine sample following a safety incident at Tara Street Station. He argues that despite passing required assessments, he has not been reinstated. Represented by Conor Bowman SC, Mr Leblique brought a motion seeking to attach and commit the two executives to prison. Irish Rail, represented by Stephen Dodd BL, entirely rejected the application as unmeritorious. The matter was before Mr Justice Tony O'Connor, who noted the seriousness of the claims and fixed the hearing of the application for next Friday. This motion follows a previous High Court ruling where Mr Justice Gilligan ordered the disciplinary findings against Mr Leblique be set aside and directed his restoration to his position, also awarding him costs. The company denies the claims of non-compliance.
Aaron Murdiff, 20, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to three counts of robbery, three counts of attempted robbery, and one count relating to the production of a knife. The offences occurred at various locations in Shankill, Dublin, on October 21, 2015. Prosecution counsel Antonia Boyle BL detailed a three-hour crime spree during which victims were robbed of wallets, phones, and headphones, while others were threatened with knives or physical violence. Defence counsel Justin McQuaid BL highlighted that Murdiff, of Dargle Heights, Bray, Co Wicklow, had no previous convictions, was under the influence of drugs, and wished to enter the Aisling Centre for addiction treatment. Judge Patricia Ryan noted the serious nature of the charges but considered Murdiff's youth, his early guilty plea, his cooperation with gardaí, and his engagement with probation services, which assessed him as a low risk of re-offending. The judge also credited his desire to address substance abuse issues. Judge Ryan sentenced Murdiff to 18 months in prison, suspended for three years. She warned that if he came to garda attention during that period, she would not hesitate to jail him.
A German film company, W2 Filmproduktion Vertriebs GmbH, has settled pre‑trial matters in a lawsuit against Irish film producers Morgan O'Sullivan and James Flynn. W2 alleges that the producers diverted €25 million of revenue from Octagon Films Ltd, a company in which W2 holds a 49 % stake, and seeks damages for breach of contract and duty. The defendants, directors of Octagon, deny any wrongdoing and have denied that any money was diverted. They had filed motions to strike the claim as frivolous and to appoint a liquidator to investigate Octagon, but W2 opposed these motions. After negotiations, the parties agreed to dismiss the motions to dismiss the case and to wind up the firm, and to allow W2 to pursue Octagon's claims against the defendants. The judge approved the settlement and the case was adjourned until April 2018.
W2 Filmproduktion Vertriebs GmbH, a German film company, has opposed a High Court application to strike out its claim against Irish film producers Morgan O'Sullivan and James Flynn. W2 alleges that the producers diverted funds from Octagon Films Ltd, a company in which W2 holds 49% of the shares, to themselves or to corporate entities they control, resulting in an estimated loss of €25 million in revenue. The producers deny the allegations, calling them an affront to their good character, and argue that no monies were diverted. W2 seeks damages for breach of contract, duty and fiduciary duty. The producers have also applied to have Octagon wound up and to appoint a liquidator, claiming the wind‑up application is intended to stymie W2. The pre‑trial motions before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon are expected to last eight days, and the case is set to proceed to a full trial.
Eoghan O'Connell, 28, of Dargle Heights, Bray, pleaded guilty in the Central Criminal Court to attempting to murder Clinton McCormack on 8 April 2016 at Old Court Park, Bray. He was dressed in a navy sweatshirt and tracksuit bottoms during the offence. The court remanded him in custody until 29 January and ordered a victim impact report, while his defence requested time for a psychological and governor's report.
The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in an appeal brought by Gary Flynn, who was convicted of the 2009 gangland murder of Seamus Shay O'Byrne in Tallaght. Flynn, who pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court, received a mandatory life sentence in 2016. He is the third person jailed for the crime, following the convictions of Garrett O'Brien, the gunman, and Eugene Cullen, who organised the murder and later died in custody. Flynn's counsel argued that the seizure of mobile phone data was disproportionate and violated human rights laws, claiming gardaí indiscriminately collected devices without adequate justification. Defence also contended that the trial judge failed to properly direct the jury regarding gunshot residue evidence and the prosecution's failure to prove Flynn's knowledge of the killing plan. The Director of Public Prosecutions countered that the phones were linked to the crime and that privacy rights do not extend to devices used for murder. The three-judge panel, comprising Mr Justice Birmingham, Mr Justice Mahon, and Mr Justice Hedigan, heard the arguments and reserved their decision. The matter remains adjourned pending the court's final ruling on the admissibility of evidence and the trial judge's directions.
A company of developer John O'Flynn, O'Flynn Capital Partners, has taken a legal challenge to An Bord Pleanala after the board refused planning permission for a Cabinteely development that would include 34 houses and an access road. The company seeks to have the board's decision of 17 July quashed. The development, which had earlier received permission from Dun Laoghaire‑Rathdown County Council, was appealed by local residents and others. O'Flynn Capital Partners argues that part of the proposed road lies within the Cherrywood Planning Scheme, a zone that the board cannot consider, and that the board's decision about the road outside that zone was made on irrelevant matters and was unreasonable. The company claims it has spent €15 million on land and planning fees and estimates construction costs at €50 million, with the project expected to create 240 jobs.
In a 2017 Court of Appeal decision, the appeal of Garrett O'Brien, convicted of murdering Seamus O'Byrne, was dismissed. O'Brien, aged 40, had pleaded not guilty to the 2009 killing of the 27‑year‑old father‑of‑two at his home in Tallaght. A jury at the Central Criminal Court found him guilty and imposed a mandatory life sentence. The appeal argued that the jury's failure to provide reasons for its verdict breached O'Brien's fair‑trial rights. Justice Alan Mahon upheld the conviction, stating that Irish law does not require juries to explain their deliberations and that such a request would be impractical. He noted that the jury's verdict was clear and that the prosecution's case identified O'Brien as the gunman, a fact that was not disputed by the evidence presented. The Court found no procedural error and confirmed the legality of O'Brien's arrest and trial.
Mark Bissett, 31, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to making a threat to damage Michael Maher's house. The incident occurred on May 27, 2016, at Central Bank Plaza, Dame Street, where Bissett allegedly threatened to burn down Maher's home. Bissett, who previously served a six-year sentence for manslaughter, was reportedly angry that Maher's charity, "You're not alone," was assisting a relative with whom he had fallen out. Judge Karen O'Connor imposed a two-year sentence, which she suspended on strict conditions. The judge described the behavior as disgraceful and warned Bissett that he faced two years in prison if he reoffended. She ordered him to stay away from the charity, Mr. Maher, and his home. Bissett has 60 previous convictions, including assault and public order offences. Defense counsel submitted that Bissett had significantly turned his life around and addressed risk factors related to substance misuse. The court noted Bissett remains at high risk of re-offending and ordered him to be brought back before the judge if further trouble arises.
In 2012, Garrett O'Brien, 39, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment for the killing of Seamus O'Byrne, 27, in Tallaght. O'Brien's lawyers argue that his fair‑trial rights were violated because the jury never clarified whether he was found guilty as the gunman or merely a "gopher" in a joint enterprise. They claim the prosecution presented a dual case—first as a joint enterprise, then as a triggerman—creating a procedural flaw. The appeal, lodged in the Court of Appeal, contends that if the jury had reasonable doubt about O'Brien's role as the gunman, he should have been acquitted. The defense also challenges the judge's directions regarding the necessity of a search warrant and the legality of data obtained from a third‑party subcontractor. The prosecution maintains that all evidence pointed to O'Brien as the gunman and that the jury's lack of specificity should not affect the conviction. The Court of Appeal has reserved its decision. Garrett O'Brien pleaded not guilty.
On day 115 of Ireland's longest criminal trial, the prosecution declared its case complete in the trial of former Anglo Irish Chairman Sean FitzPatrick, aged 68. FitzPatrick admitted to taking multi‑million euro loans from the bank and his family, which were "artificially reduced" for two weeks around the bank's year‑end statement by short‑term loans from other sources, including Irish Nationwide Building Society. He denied seeking to conceal the loans from the board, shareholders or auditors, claiming the refinancing was done by others and he merely signed off. FitzPatrick said there was no financial benefit to him, his family or the bank and that the refinancing was intended to avoid a misleading picture. He pleaded not guilty to 27 offences under the 1990 Companies Act, including 22 charges of misleading auditors and five of furnishing false information between 2002 and 2007. The jury was instructed to return on 11 May.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Vesel Jahiri was found guilty by a unanimous jury of murdering his former partner Anna Finnegan, aged 25, and of assaulting her brother Karl Finnegan. The trial, lasting eight weeks, included testimony that Jahiri had threatened Finnegan on a phone call and that he stabbed her in her own home on 21 September 2012. Witnesses described a violent confrontation in which Jahiri forced the door, stabbed Finnegan and Karl, and fled in his car. Jahiri represented himself, was removed from court multiple times, and was escorted by riot police when the verdicts were announced. The judge set a sentencing date for 8 May, remanded Jahiri in custody, and thanked the jury for their service. The case concluded with the jury's decision and the court's adjournment for sentencing. Anna Finnegan pleaded not guilty. Vesel Jahiri pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the 35‑year‑old Vesel Jahiri, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his former partner Anna Finnegan (aged 25) and the assault of her brother Karl, was found to have recorded a conversation with social worker Karen Byrne on the day of the alleged attack. The prosecution presented a transcript of the audio, noting that Jahiri had a recording device in his pocket and had captured the entire meeting, yet Byrne claimed the tape was doctored and omitted her statement that Jahiri had threatened to kill Finnegan. Byrne had been present at a meeting with Finnegan and Jahiri on 21 September 2012, after a referral from the Bray Women's Refuge, and had made a statement to the Gardaí attributing certain comments to Jahiri. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Coffey, continues with a jury of nine men and two women.
Anna Finnegan sent text messages to her former partner, Vesel Jahiri, who is accused of murdering her, saying she did not want to see him again and wanted to feel "safe without some animal beating and bullying" her. The Central Criminal Court jury heard that the texts were sent between 8 and 14 September 2012, with Finnegan describing Jahiri as a "control freak" and a "fucking drug dealer" and stating she had "had enough" and would change her number and the locks on their home. Jahiri denied sending the texts and claimed they were from Finnegan's sister and cousin. The jury also heard that a letter written by Finnegan, found in a handbag in the kitchen of Allendale Glen, alleged that Jahiri had beaten her and almost killed her. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Coffey and a jury of nine men and two women. Anna Finnegan pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, Anna Finnegan's letter to her former partner, Vesel Jahiri, was presented to a jury. The letter, found in her handbag, described how Jahiri had beaten her, made her life "hell," and had almost killed her on several occasions. Finnegan, aged 25, had moved to Bray Women's Refuge with her two children before the letter was written. Jahiri, 35, pleaded not guilty to her murder and to assaulting her brother, and now represents himself. The prosecution highlighted that Jahiri had received protection, barring, and safety orders, and that the letter revealed his possessive, controlling, and jealous behaviour. The case, overseen by Mr Justice Paul Coffey, continues before a jury of nine men and two women.
During the fourth week of the 35‑year‑old Vesel Jahiri's trial, the court heard that he had told Gardaí there was no point in living if his former partner, Anna Finnegan, was dead. The video interview, shown to a Central Criminal Court jury, revealed that Jahiri, originally from Kosovo and now self‑represented, had no problem with Finnegan but claimed a problem with her sister and husband, who allegedly urged her to go to a refuge. Jahiri said he did not stab Finnegan and described the killing as a "bad accident." He also stated he could not cry, citing the loss of his mother and sister. Jahiri denied seeing Finnegan bleeding and claimed no blood was found in his car after driving her to hospital. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Coffey, continues with a jury of nine men and two women, one of whom was discharged due to illness. Vesel Jahiri pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Thomas O'Connor, 29, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of John O'Brien, 22, who was bludgeoned to death with a rock on 4 June 2010. O'Connor had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The victim impact statement, read by Detective Sergeant Eamon O'Neill, described how O'Brien's fiancée, Alice O'Brien, had to replace her wedding bouquet with a wreath after the fatal attack. The statement also recounted the couple's wedding plans, the couple's drinking together before the incident, and O'Connor's attempts to destroy evidence by scrubbing his hands and burning his hoodie. O'Connor's counsel, Feargal Kavanagh SC, acknowledged his client's remorse. The sentence was back‑dated to 5 June 2010. The hearing highlighted the personal loss suffered by O'Brien's family and the impact of the crime on the community. Thomas O'Connor was convicted.
In the Central Criminal Court, Vesel Jahiri, 35, accused of murdering his former partner Anna Finnegan, 25, and assaulting her brother Karl, pleaded not guilty and is now representing himself. On September 7, 2012, Jahiri and his two children stayed with witness Helga Duffy in Dundalk while Finnegan was hospitalized after an overdose. On the night of the alleged murder, Jahiri appeared at Duffy's home, telling her that "something bad had happened" and that Finnegan's brother had attacked him with a chair and a knife. Duffy reported that Jahiri had taken Finnegan to the hospital and wanted to take her brother but was refused. She also said Jahiri had not explained how he entered Finnegan's house. During cross‑examination, Jahiri questioned Duffy about alleged Garda discussions and claimed he had forced Finnegan to a refuge centre. He denied any argument with Finnegan except over cars.
During the trial of Vesel Jahiri, accused of murdering Anna Finnegan, Lisa Finnegan, Anna's sister, testified that the accused told her he was coming for her and her children next. Lisa recalled receiving a call from a woman on her brother's phone that night, who said the accused was in a bad way but an ambulance was on its way. She said the accused later called her, claiming he had taken Anna to hospital, and warned that if anything happened to her or her children, jail would not save them. Lisa said the conversation was on speaker so the accused heard it, and she shouted profanities at him. In cross‑examination, Jahiri denied saying he was coming for her and her children, accusing Lisa of threatening him. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Coffey. Vesel Jahiri pleaded not guilty. Anna Finnegan pleaded not guilty.
Thomas O'Connor, aged 29, was found guilty of murder after he struck John O'Brien, aged 22, with a 1.6‑kilogram rock on 4 June 2010. O'Connor claimed he acted in self‑defence, saying he hit O'Brien "two or three times" after O'Brien attacked him. A post‑mortem showed O'Brien died from catastrophic blunt‑force injuries to the head. The jury, after less than four hours of deliberation, returned a guilty verdict and O'Connor was remanded for sentencing, facing a mandatory life sentence. The trial highlighted O'Connor's admission of striking O'Brien, his subsequent attempts to clean his hands and burn his hoodie, and the prosecution's assertion of overwhelming evidence of murder. The case had previously been overturned in 2014, leading to this retrial. The court noted O'Connor's prior conviction for O'Brien's manslaughter in 2010. The verdict was delivered by Justice Margaret Heneghan.
In the Central Criminal Court, the trial of Vesel Jahiri (35) for the murder of Anna Finnegan (26) and assault on Karl Finnegan was interrupted when Jahiri, standing before the jury, claimed evidence had been tampered with and that the knife used in the alleged murder had its fingerprints wiped. He also demanded to represent himself and accused the court of illegal detention. Judge Paul Coffey asked the jury to leave the courtroom, after which they returned following a half‑hour break. The case, which began with a jury hearing on Wednesday, is expected to continue for four to five weeks. Karl Finnegan, the deceased's brother, had testified that Jahiri and Anna had been in a relationship for about ten years, had two children, and that their relationship had deteriorated in the months leading up to the September 2012 incident. Jahiri has pleaded not guilty to both the murder and the assault.
During a trial, a witness testified that on 21 September 2012, murder accused Vesel Jahiri, 35, threatened former partner Anna Finnegan, 25, over a phone call. The witness heard Jahiri say, "I know where you fucking are, I'll come and kill yous," after a heated argument about seeing their children and financial matters. Finnegan, who had a protection order and had recently taken an overdose, was frightened and called the Garda station. The witness confirmed that Jahiri had previously threatened to kill Finnegan's sister Lisa and had a history of violence, including stabbing Finnegan at Allendale Glen. The case is being heard by Mr Justice Paul Coffey with a jury, and the trial is expected to last four to five weeks. Vesel Jahiri pleaded not guilty.
Ian Sheridan, 32, of Bray, was given a suspended three‑year sentence after a judge found that a custodial sentence was not necessary. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on 21 February 2015 after beating his girlfriend, Patricia Rodriguez, for over an hour and biting her face twice. The assault took place in their home after an argument; Sheridan had been drinking and had a history of drug and alcohol problems. He had previously been convicted of theft, public order and road traffic offences. Sheridan offered Rodriguez €1,600 as a token of remorse, which she declined, and the money was directed to a women's refuge. The judge required Sheridan to keep the peace and participate in a restorative justice programme as conditions of the suspended sentence. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, prosecutors argue that Vesel Jahiri, 35, stabbed his former partner Anna Finnegan, 25, after their relationship soured. Jahiri, originally from Kosovo and a mechanic, has pleaded not guilty to both murder and assaulting Anna's brother Karl. The prosecution claims Jahiri entered the Allendale Glen home armed with a knife, attacked Karl twice—causing a fractured eye orbit and a chest stab wound—and then stabbed Anna. They assert Jahiri immediately regretted the act, drove Anna to hospital, and later called 999. Jahiri allegedly handed himself in the next day, surrendering the knife he claimed to have taken from Karl. The case will proceed before a jury, with the trial expected to last four to five weeks.
In the Wicklow murder trial, Thomas O'Connor, 29, charged with killing John O'Brien, 22, on 4 June 2010, testified that he had spent the afternoon of that day caring for snakes and other animals at a pet shop on Albert Walk in Bray. Adam Lally, a shopkeeper, confirmed that O'Connor entered the shop around midday and remained until about 4 or 5 pm, feeding the pets, especially the snakes, which O'Connor had an interest in. O'Connor's partner also testified that he had a pet snake in his hands later that night. The trial, held in the Central Criminal Court, has heard that O'Connor pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, admitting he struck O'Brien over the head with a rock. The judge has instructed the jury that no further witnesses will testify until Monday. The case remains at the trial stage.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Thomas O'Connor, aged 29, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in the death of John O'Brien on 4 June 2010. Prosecutors presented evidence that O'Brien and O'Connor were drinking in an underground carpark of Superquinn in Greystones, then driving around with O'Brien's brother, Jimmy O'Brien. O'Brien struck two younger men and was restrained by Jimmy. O'Connor allegedly struck O'Brien on the head with a 1.6‑kg rock, which was heavily blood‑stained. The prosecution argued the rock caused a catastrophic head injury leading to O'Brien's death. Witnesses described O'Connor, wearing a grey hoody, standing over O'Brien and striking him repeatedly. O'Connor was arrested on 5 June 2010 and told Gardaí he did not intend to kill O'Brien. The trial continues before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 22‑year‑old Gerry Wall pleaded guilty to burglary at Hyde Road, Dalkey, after breaking into a house and stealing jewellery worth €4,030 and a jar of coins valued at €58. CCTV captured Wall and an accomplice climbing over a fence, entering the house, and later exchanging the stolen coins for notes at a neighbouring petrol station. The burglary caused €2,315 in damage and none of the stolen property was recovered. Wall, who has nine prior convictions, was given a suspended sentence of two and a half years on strict conditions. The judge, citing a probation report that showed a "turnaround in attitude" and Wall's recent fatherhood, accepted that no further charges were pending and allowed him a chance to demonstrate his commitment to leaving criminality behind him.
A man has been sentenced to three years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for his role in two violent car-jackings committed on the same night in April 2014. David Thomas, aged 32, of Glenties Avenue, Finglas, Dublin, pleaded guilty to unlawful seizure of a vehicle at Shankill, Dublin. The court heard that Thomas and another man pulled the driver from his car, assaulted him, and threatened to shoot him after he witnessed their faces. The stolen vehicle was subsequently abandoned on the N11 near Wicklow. Thomas went on to forcibly remove a second driver from a van in the vicinity. Judge John Aylmer imposed a concurrent sentence, stating the Shankill incident was the more serious offence. The victim reported experiencing significant fear and psychological distress following the attack. The defence argued the incidents constituted a chaotic, alcohol-fuelled episode, with no actual firearm involved.
The Commercial Court declined to fast‑track a claim by Berlin‑based W2 Filmproduktion Vertriebs GmbH against Irish film producers Morgan O'Sullivan and James Flynn. W2 alleges that the producers diverted €25 million of revenue from Octagon Films Ltd, a company in which W2 holds 49 percent, by transferring funds to themselves or to corporate entities they control. The defendants deny the allegations, calling them unfounded and an affront to their good character. W2 sought a fast‑track hearing, but the defendants argued that W2 had delayed in bringing the action and had not sought permission for a derivative claim. Judge Brian McGovern found that, based on correspondence dating back to July 2015, W2 had indeed delayed and was therefore not entitled to fast‑track status. The case will now proceed on the regular court lists. The defendants are directors of Octagon and have produced notable television series and films.
In a Commercial Court case, Berlin‑based W2 Filmproduktion Vertriebs GmbH, holding 49% of Irish company Octagon Films Ltd., sued Irish producers Morgan O'Sullivan and James Flynn for diverting funds from Octagon to themselves or their controlled entities. W2 claims the defendants breached a shareholders agreement, causing an estimated €50m loss to Octagon and €25m loss to W2. The company alleges the defendants misled W2 with false financial statements, sold work at cost to related entities, and failed to ensure Octagon received income from productions such as Vikings. W2's director, Winfried Hammacher, testified that Octagon was a nominal developer with minimal income, while the defendants denied any wrongdoing and argued the case should not be fast‑tracked. The judge adjourned the matter for a week to allow the defendants to submit objections in sworn statements.
An autistic man, Bijan Afshar, 23, was found not guilty by reason of insanity for murdering his mother, Lynn Cassidy, 50, in Bray, County Wicklow, on 26 or 27 June 2014. The Central Criminal Court, after less than an hour of deliberation, ordered his committal to the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) in Dundrum. Justice Isobel Kennedy acted on a report by Dr Anthony Kearns, who diagnosed Afshar with autism and a mental disorder that impaired his thinking, emotions and judgment. Dr Kearns and defence counsel Michael O'Higgins agreed that Afshar was vulnerable and required inpatient care to prevent further harm. The court noted that Afshar would be reviewed by the Mental Health Board and considered for discharge under Section 13 of the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act. Justice Kennedy thanked the jury and exempted them from service for 15 years.
An autistic 23‑year‑old, Bijan Afshar, was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of his 50‑year‑old mother, Lynn Cassidy, who died on 26 or 27 June 2014 at their home in Deepdales, Bray, Co Wicklow. Afshar beat his mother to death after she told him she could not prevent the sale of the house he shared with his father. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and the jury of six men and six women delivered a unanimous verdict after less than an hour of deliberations at the Central Criminal Court. Afshar was committed to the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum. Justice Isobel Kennedy ordered that he be examined by an approved medical officer who will report to the court on his condition and ongoing treatment on 8 June.
In a 2016 hearing at the Central Criminal Court, Bijan Afshar, aged 23, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of his mother, Lynn Cassidy, at their Deepdales home in Bray on 26 or 27 June 2014. Dr Brenda Wright, a forensic psychiatrist, testified that Afshar, who has autism with depression, had no control over his actions when he beat his mother to death. She explained that the impending sale of the family house, following his parents' separation, caused him extreme distress and that he believed his only options were to stop the sale or kill himself. Dr Wright described his late‑diagnosed autism, his obsessive behaviours, and his poor emotional regulation, concluding that he was unable to refrain from the assault due to his mental disorder. The prosecution, represented by Dr Ronan Mullaney, agreed with this assessment. The case was set to continue before Justice Isobel Kennedy and a jury of twelve.
In a 2016 case, Bijan Afshar, aged 23, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his mother, Lynn Cassidy, 50, by reason of insanity. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, was expected to last three days. Afshar was charged with killing his mother on 26 or 27 June 2014 at her home in Deepdales, Bray. Prosecutor Paul Burns SC informed the jury that two psychiatrists would testify about Afshar's mental condition, specifically his Asperger's Syndrome diagnosis in 2008, and whether it made him unable to refrain from the act. Afshar, the eldest of four sons, had a strained relationship with his mother and had been living with his father and one brother after his parents split. He claimed he was worried about losing the family house, which had been sold, and that his mother's responses were "robotic." Afshar described grabbing his mother by the neck, hitting her with a white mug, and then leaving the scene.
A Dublin man, Gary Flynn, aged 31, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the 2009 murder of Seamus Shay O'Byrne in Tallaght. The trial lasted nine weeks, with the jury taking one hour and forty minutes to convict. Flynn pleaded not guilty. The judge, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, backdated the sentence to October 2013, the date of Flynn's arrest under a European Arrest Warrant. Flynn was not identified as the gunman; the shooter was identified as Garrett O'Brien, convicted in 2012. Evidence against Flynn included CCTV footage of him traveling with Eugene Cullen, a "Topaz Phone" linking him to the gang, and gunshot residue on a hoodie. The court heard a victim impact statement from O'Byrne's family and girlfriend, Sharon Rattigan, who was also shot during the incident. Flynn was taken to prison to begin his mandatory life term.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution argued that Gary Flynn, 31, was linked to the gang that killed Seamus 'Shay' O'Byrne on 13 March 2009. They cited CCTV, mobile phone and forensic evidence, including gunshot residue on Flynn's hoodie and a phone credit purchase at a Topaz garage shortly before the shooting. The prosecution claimed Flynn travelled in a Nissan Primera to Tymon Park with Garrett O'Brien, who shot O'Byrne, and that Flynn's alleged gang members fled after the victim's girlfriend, Sharon Rattigan, tackled O'Brien. Defence counsel countered that Flynn's phone use was not proven and that he may have simply bought credit for Eugene Cullen. The jury heard evidence that Flynn was seen with Cullen in Coolock after the shooting but not during the crime. The case was presented to a jury of nine men and three women, with the trial continuing on Monday. Gary Flynn pleaded not guilty.
The trial of Gary Flynn, 31, of Tallaght, continued at the Central Criminal Court before Justice Patrick McCarthy. Mr Flynn has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Seamus 'Shay' O'Byrne on March 13, 2009, at Tymon Park North in Tallaght. Prosecution evidence presented by Alex Owens SC focused on mobile phone tracing conducted by gardai. Senior crime analyst Sarah Skedd testified that investigators traced calls, texts, and locations of 13 mobile phones believed to be used by a gang. She detailed communications between these devices in the days leading up to the shooting, including a text sent by a phone linked to Eugene Cullen to a device found at the crime scene, which is associated with Garrett O'Brien. The prosecution alleges Mr O'Brien was the shooter. Skedd's evidence, which includes charts of phone interactions, is ongoing. Additionally, Brendan McKenna of Vilicom Engineering provided analysis of mobile mast locations, tracing a phone seized from Mr O'Brien to areas from Bray to Ballymount, and another phone found in a Nissan Primera to Coolock. The trial previously heard from Forensic Science Laboratory analyst Liam Fleury, who stated that fingerprints lifted from the Nissan Primera matched Mr Flynn's. The matter is currently at the trial stage and will continue on Thursday.
In 2016, a Wicklow man, Declan Sheridan, aged 29, had his appeal against a life sentence for the murder of French musician and juggler Charles Sinapayen dismissed. Sheridan, who lived at Sugarloaf View, Sea Road, Kilcoole, had pleaded not guilty to the murder that occurred on the early hours of 29 May 2009 at Richmond Hill, Fassaroe, Bray. Sinapayen, 33, was shot through the window of an apartment he shared with his girlfriend Mary Kinlan. The Central Criminal Court found no known motive and, on 17 June 2011, Judge Paul Carney imposed a mandatory life sentence. Sheridan appealed on the ground that the jury should not have heard evidence of an informal identification procedure conducted at Shankill Garda Station while he was in custody.
A 22‑year‑old burglar, Gerry Wall, was caught on CCTV attempting to exchange a stolen jar of 50‑cent coins for notes at a petrol station next to the house he had broken into. Wall and an accomplice also stole jewellery worth €4,030 and the coins, valued at €58. None of the property was recovered. The burglary took place at a house on Hyde Road, Dalkey, on 9 September 2014, and the house suffered €2,315 of damage. The court heard that several rooms were ransacked and that the homeowner's back‑door window and a window above the sink were smashed. Garda Kevin Carey recovered the CCTV footage, identified the men, and later arrested Wall at his home. The case was adjourned to 27 April for finalisation, with a plea in mitigation to be heard. The judge warned Wall that he was approaching the end of lenient treatment. Gerry Wall pleaded guilty.
William Coster, aged 45, was convicted of sexually assaulting his step‑daughter, who believed him to be her father. The victim, now in her mid‑twenties, was aged 12‑16 during the abuse, which began in 2002 and ended after her sixteenth birthday. A jury at the Central Criminal Court acquitted him of all rape charges but convicted him of all sexual assault charges, sentencing him to 10 years imprisonment on 20 January 2014. Coster had pleaded guilty to five representative counts of sexual assault and denied the remaining counts and 35 rape charges. On appeal, the Court of Appeal found the 10‑year sentence "out of line" with comparable cases and reduced it to seven years, to run concurrently. Coster accepted the conviction and did not pursue further appeal. The judge noted the prolonged, intensive nature of the abuse and its profound impact on the victim.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing on 10 February 2016, it was revealed that Gary Flynn, aged 31, was in possession of drugs and two mobile phones when he was arrested by the Gardaí four days after the fatal shooting of Seamus 'Shay' O'Byrne on 13 March 2009. The arrest also uncovered €1,000 in cash. Flynn, who lives on Rossfield Drive in Tallaght, pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. The trial also discussed the arrest of another suspect, Garrett O'Brien, who was apprehended on 17 March 2009 at a house on Oldcourt Avenue in Bray, Co. Wicklow, under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. Gardaí Det. Sgt. Tom McManus and Det. Gda Gary Corrigan testified that O'Brien was alone in the sitting room when seized, and that the items—two mobile phones, blue tablets, Valium, hash, methadone, and €1,000—belonged to him.
In February 2016, a dispute between property developer Michael O'Flynn's company, O'Flynn Capital Partners (OFCP), and Dun Laoghaire‑Rathdown Council over a €75 million residential development at Beech Park, Cabinteely/Loughlinstown, was set for a Commercial Court hearing on 3 May. OFCP sought judicial review of the council's 31 July refusal to grant planning permission for 164 units. The council's refusal cited a lack of a high‑quality site‑specific design, potential harm to local amenities, and inconsistency with the Cherrywood Planning Scheme. O'Flynn argued that the refusal would hinder the delivery of the development, which would include demolishing 11 dwellings, building a 158‑metre section of Druid's Glen Road, and creating about 100 construction jobs. He noted financial losses from the halted project and the need to secure properties slated for demolition. The hearing was expected to last three to four days.
The Central Criminal Court will hear the trial of Gary Flynn, 31, of Rossfield Drive, Tallaght, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Seamus 'Shay' O'Byrne at Tymon Park North on 13 March 2009. Justice Patrick McCarthy informed the newly sworn jury that the case is expected to last about seven weeks. Prosecutor Alex Owens SC said the allegation concerns the 2009 shooting of O'Byrne, and witnesses from Tallaght, Bray and Crumlin will be called to testify. The trial opens on Tuesday before Justice McCarthy.