Court archive
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
2025-06-19 · Dublin
Ainsley Stevenson, a British national from Halifax, has withdrawn his appeal against a five-and-a-half-year prison sentence imposed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in May 2024. Stevenson pleaded guilty to smuggling over 30kg of cannabis into Terminal 2 of Dublin Airport on October 17, 2023. He was apprehended alongside co-accused Dylan Shears, of Bradford, after customs officers questioned them regarding suspect suitcases arriving from Las Vegas. Gardaí discovered 64 vacuum-packed packages of cannabis valued at €690,000. The sentencing judge, Judge Martin Nolan, noted that Stevenson would have received a six-and-a-half-year term had he been an Irish citizen, while Shears received a three-year sentence due to his younger age. Neither accused had previous convictions. When the matter was called before the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy warned counsel that the court possessed the power to increase the sentence. Following this warning, counsel for Stevenson, Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC, sought time to confer with his client. Upon recall, Mr Ó Lideadha stated he had been instructed to withdraw the appeal. Mr Justice McCarthy granted permission to withdraw, noting that Stevenson had adopted a prudent course and should recognize the seriousness of the charges. The matter was adjourned with the appeal withdrawn.
2024-10-09 · Dublin
In a case heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Luke Daly, aged 23, was ordered to keep the peace and be of good behaviour pending a sentence in April. Daly pleaded guilty to simple assault for an incident on 7 December 2019 at Rock Road, Blackrock, where he admitted grabbing a teenager's jacket and pulling him to the ground. Gardaí could not confirm his involvement in kicking or hitting. The victim suffered three fractured fingers after being kicked by a group of 10–20 youths who mistakenly believed he was from a rival school. Daly was directed to pay €3,000 to the victim as a token of remorse. Judge Orla Crowe noted the offence could warrant a two‑month sentence but intended to dispose of the case under Section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act, pending the victim's full compliance with conditions. The victim did not wish to attend court or give a victim impact statement.
2024-07-31 · Dublin
Leonard Merdanj, 42, of Westbrook Park, Balbriggan, was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to an additional two‑year prison term for possessing €380,000 worth of cannabis. The sentence runs consecutively to his existing nine‑year term for rape, which is set to expire in June 2028. Merdanj had pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply on 21 April 2017 at the same address. Gardaí searched his home following a confidential tip‑off, finding about 19 kg of cannabis in several locations, some wrapped in blankets. Merdanj admitted the possession during an interview and had previously been convicted twice. Defence counsel argued he was used by a third party to store the drugs because of debt and a drinking problem, and that his only role was to allow the use of his home. He is a father of two and a certificate from Albania confirmed no convictions there.
2024-07-31 · Dublin
An 18-year-old man from Rathmullan, County Donegal, has been sentenced to four years imprisonment, with the final year suspended, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following a dangerous high-speed pursuit through the capital in November 2021. Aaron Donnelly pleaded guilty to two counts of endangerment and one count of unlawful use of a vehicle without consent. During the incident, Donnelly drove a stolen car at speeds exceeding 160km/h whilst evading gardaí, travelling the wrong way down Dame Street at 100km/h and through multiple red lights. The pursuit, which began after gardaí spotted three youths acting suspiciously, saw other road users forced to take evasive action to avoid collision. Judge Martin Nolan placed the offence in the "middle to high" range of endangerment, disqualifying Donnelly from driving for six years. The sentence was backdated to January, with the court noting Donnelly's age at the time of the offence, his cooperation with authorities, and positive progress in custody.
2024-05-07 · Dublin
In May 2022, 64‑year‑old Victor Akinlade was convicted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of violent disorder, assault causing harm and production of a baseball bat. He received five years for violent disorder, four years for assault and four years for the bat, all concurrent. Akinlade pleaded not guilty and claimed he never struck Garda Jonathan Ryan, alleging his injuries were self‑inflicted. He argued he acted in defence under Section 18 of the Non‑Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. In the Court of Appeal, his lawyer argued the sentence was excessive and that mitigating factors had been overlooked. The appeal was dismissed by Mr Justice George Birmingham, who said the judge had considered all circumstances and the sentence lay within the available range. No changes to the five‑year term were made.
2024-03-12 · Dublin
Shaun Kelly, 33, received a suspended three‑year prison term for selling drugs, a separate offence from the careless driving that caused the death of French tourist Alicia Guilleux. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Martin Nolan, found Kelly had been engaged in drug dealing at the time but deemed the activity not extensive. The judge imposed a three‑year sentence, suspended in full on strict conditions, warning that any re‑offence would lead to jail. The court also dealt with the careless driving charge, where Kelly's vehicle dragged Guilleux beneath a Ford Ranger as she crossed South Great George Street. The judge noted Kelly's guilty plea, lack of prior convictions and the absence of aggravating factors, and suspended the one‑year custodial term for that offence, disqualifying him from driving for one year. The decision was made after reviewing evidence, CCTV footage and witness statements, with no intoxication or excessive speed involved.
2023-10-13 · Dublin
Craig O'Brien, 28, of Ballyfermot, admitted assaulting influencer Charleen Murphy at the Grafton Capital Hotel on 10 February 2023. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. Judge Orla Crowe set a sentencing hearing for 24 November 2023, remanding O'Brien in custody until then. The court will view CCTV footage and a victim impact statement, with the hearing expected to last about half an hour.
2023-04-21 · Dublin
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the sentencing of four men until May 12, remanding them on the same terms. The defendants, former CHC CEO Harry Cassidy, John Whyte, Paul Lavery, and John Mulholland, pleaded guilty to charges including conspiring to defraud investors and clients of Custom House Capital Ltd (CHC) by misleading them regarding asset placement between October 2008 and July 2011. Mulholland also admitted to neglecting his duties as a non-executive director. The court reviewed 197 victim impact statements detailing severe financial and emotional losses. While the judge indicated a need to review extensive material before finalising the case, the matter was adjourned rather than concluded. Cassidy is disqualified as a director for 15 years, while Whyte faces a 10-year disqualification. A fifth defendant, Ciara Kelleher, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy charges, with her case status remaining contested. The liquidation process has recovered €41 million of the €61 million in misappropriated funds.
2023-04-18 · Wicklow
Alan Swan, 52, of Drimnagh, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to eight counts of the unauthorised use of trademarks, including Adidas, Nike, Ugg, and Hugo Boss, arising from incidents at Liberty Market on December 21, 2015, and December 19, 2017. Judge Orla Crowe described the matter as an "unusual case" and directed the Probation Service to prepare a report assessing Swan's suitability for community service. The court is "minded" to impose a community service order, subject to this assessment. Evidence indicated that gardai seized counterfeit goods with an estimated street value of over €36,000 during operations at the market. Swan, who has 13 previous convictions for similar offences, admitted to renting the stalls but claimed he did not know the items were counterfeit. Defence counsel John Gallagher BL highlighted Swan's cooperation, his care for grandchildren, and his application for a taxi licence, requesting leniency. The judge noted the value of the guilty pleas to the prosecution. The matter was adjourned to July 7 for finalisation.
2023-03-17 · Dublin
A 25‑year‑old English tourist, Thomas Oliver, was attacked in Dublin on 17 April 2022 and spent five and a half weeks in hospital, including three weeks in a coma at Beaumont Hospital. He suffered severe head injuries, loss of muscle mass, headaches, loss of smell and taste, and ongoing post‑traumatic stress. Oliver described waking as a "shell of a human" and expressed that the psychological damage would never leave him or his family. He thanked Irish emergency services and noted the financial cost of his care. The assailant, 19‑year‑old Stefan Bornac, pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm to Oliver and assault causing harm to Oliver's friend James Lightly. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Bornac to four and a half years in prison, with nine months suspended, after reducing a headline sentence of six and a half to seven years because of his age, good character, lack of record, guilty plea and cooperation.
2023-02-28 · Dublin
Anthony Byrne, 28, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to a 16‑year‑old boy on 4 January 2022 at Camden Lock, Ringsend, Dublin 4. He struck the boy with a baseball bat, hitting him on the left side of his face, head, legs and left middle finger, causing a swollen lip, fractured finger and bruising. The boy was treated at St Vincent's Hospital and required finger surgery. Byrne was identified by CCTV, arrested and admitted the assault. He claimed he feared a trespasser and wanted to protect his family, but the footage showed no intruder. Byrne has three prior convictions, including two minor drug offences. The court, led by Judge Orla Crowe, deemed the act "very serious" and adjourned the case to 6 June for a probation report and risk assessment. The boy expressed fear and worry about a repeat incident. Byrne offered an apology and requested a suspended sentence. The court will consider these factors before sentencing.
2023-02-27 · Dublin
Douglas Purcell, aged 40, pleaded guilty to a single count of making a threat to kill or cause serious harm after threatening to shoot a garda's wife and children. The incident occurred on 20 August 2017 at Ballyfermot Garda Station, where Purcell, who had been arrested on a separate charge, approached the injured party, threatened to follow him home and shoot his family, and performed push‑ups on the ground. He was arrested on 11 September 2017, interviewed once, and made no admissions. A victim impact statement was read, describing the victim's paranoia, installation of CCTV, and poor sleep. Purcell apologized for calling names but denied making threats, and his defence counsel highlighted his mental health issues, drug addiction, and previous convictions for theft and criminal damage. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the case to April, ordered Purcell to engage with the Probation Service, and directed the prosecution to contact the victim regarding the expression of remorse.
2022-12-19 · Dublin
Matthew Coward, a 31‑year‑old swimming coach from Dublin, faces 12 offences under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act. He is charged with three counts of sexual exploitation of three teenage girls and seven counts of producing child pornography between 1 September 2021 and 26 February 2022 at a swimming pool, plus two counts of possession of child abuse material at another location. Coward is on bail. The prosecution requested an early trial; Judge Martin Nolan set the trial for 14 October 2023 at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
2022-11-29 · Dublin
Sean McDermott, 37, of Raheen Drive, Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty on 17 December 2019 to assault causing harm and making threats to kill after a violent encounter at his home. He had 153 prior convictions, including three for assault. The victim, who was walking home, was drugged, assaulted, and threatened with a sword. McDermott's mother and another man were present, demanding money and threatening to take the victim to the post office. The victim escaped, and Gardaí found blood on her jeans and a red mark on her neck; photographs of her injuries were submitted to court. McDermott's use of the sword and aggression were aggravating factors. Judge Pauline Codd imposed a five‑year sentence, with the final 12 months suspended for the threat to kill, and four years for assault, both running concurrently and back‑dated to his entry into custody.
2022-11-23 · Dublin
Ross Gaffney, aged 20, was sentenced next month after breaking into Balbriggan Garda Station armed with a curtain pole and damaging a patrol car. He pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and criminal damage on 15 October 2020. Gaffney has no prior convictions and has been under psychiatric care since his teens, including admission to a psychiatric unit in 2020. He was arrested after gardaí subdued him while he shouted for a sergeant and held the curtain pole. CCTV showed him entering the staff car park, striking a garda car three times, then entering the station through a back entrance. No victim impact statements were filed, and the gardaí involved did not take time off. The court ordered further reports, a probation assessment, and a urine analysis, and adjourned the case to 16 December for finalisation. The judge described the case as "highly unusual.".
2022-11-21 · Dublin
Alex Weir, 28, of Gibbons Terrace, Balbriggan, was found guilty of possessing cannabis and cocaine in his shed, with the drugs valued at €85,500. He had no prior convictions and was described by his defence as intellectually disabled and on the autistic spectrum. Garda Aaron Shanahan explained that a search warrant was issued after a confidential tip, and that Weir admitted the presence of drugs in the shed, handing over six small bags of cocaine and later two bags containing cannabis and cocaine. The court, led by Judge Melanie Greally, considered Weir's particular difficulties and needs, deciding he was unsuitable for custodial imprisonment. Consequently, a four‑year prison sentence was imposed, fully suspended on strict conditions, including abstaining from non‑prescription drugs. The judge noted Weir's early guilty plea, cooperation with Gardaí, lack of previous convictions, and his dependence on family support. The case highlighted the court's focus on Weir's vulnerability and the mitigating factors presented by his defence.
2022-11-15 · Dublin
Three men – Glen Keegan (41), Karl Keegan (31) and Thomas McAllister (48) – pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm to two men in an attack on a car at Killinarden Heights, Tallaght, on 25 April 2017. The incident occurred while children were present on a busy Dublin road. The men were not directly involved in the underlying dispute between two families but agreed to participate. Gardaí investigated the scene, finding a maroon car that had crashed into an orange car, with the assailants wearing balaclavas and carrying implements. The victims sustained superficial cuts; an ambulance was called and the children were taken home. The case was adjourned to 6 March 2023 for probation reports. The men's prior convictions and the circumstances of their involvement were presented in court, but no sentencing outcome was given in the article.
2022-11-10 · Dublin
Rebecca Yeats, 21, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply on 13 November 2020. A 999 call, believed to have been made by Yeats, led Gardaí to search her Tallaght apartment, where they found 952 g of cannabis worth €19,040. Yeats admitted possession and claimed addiction issues and a drug debt. She was arrested, interviewed, and admitted responsibility. Judge Elma Sheahan, hearing the case at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, ordered Yeats to be placed under Probation Services supervision for 12 months, with strict conditions including random drug testing. The judge noted Yeats's continued cannabis use and moderate risk of re‑offending, and set a headline sentence of three years, but left the final custodial decision pending further mitigation. The case was adjourned to 10 November 2023.
2022-10-24 · Dublin
A former League of Ireland footballer, Edward Fitzpatrick, 39, and two other men, Jonathon Barton, 42, and Gary O'Neill, 40, pleaded guilty to money‑laundering offences involving almost €200,000 in criminal cash. The case was adjourned to February 23, 2023 for finalisation. Garda surveillance showed Barton driving a van to Fitzpatrick's home, where the men entered and later left with a heavy blue shopping bag. Barton then took the bag to a Circle K service station, handing it to O'Neill, who was arrested and found with the bag containing €199,505 in three packages and an additional €2,250. Searches recovered a vacuum packing machine, a mobile phone, and a phone from Barton. The three men admitted their roles; Fitzpatrick admitted packaging the cash, Barton said he moved the money to repay a drug debt, and O'Neill acted as a courier.
2022-07-29 · Louth
Alina Buckley, aged 19, received a fully suspended one‑year prison sentence after pleading guilty to possession of a knife at three separate incidents near Blackrock Garda Station in January, February and May 2020, and to threatening behaviour on Sweetman's Avenue in April 2020. The court noted her severe mental health difficulties at the time of each offence and her history of eight prior convictions, including two for assault. Judge Orla Crowe imposed the suspended term with conditions that Buckley engage with mental health services for the duration. Garda evidence detailed her abusive conduct towards officers, the discovery of knives and a razor blade, and her refusal to cooperate during arrests. Buckley had spent nine months in custody, which prompted her to seek appropriate services, and she is now living with her parents after a period of homelessness.
2021-06-16 · Dublin
Michael Murray, 50, of Killiney, Dublin, is on appeal regarding charges of making death threats against prosecuting barrister Dominic McGinn SC and Tony McGillicuddy BL between November 2014 and February 2015. Murray, a convicted rapist, has pleaded not guilty to these allegations, which include leaving threatening messages and posting online advertisements describing the legal professionals as prostitutes. During the trial, evidence emerged that Murray admitted to ordering the murder of Mr McGinn, stating he only did not proceed because he intended to do it himself. He also acknowledged making calls threatening to kill the barristers. Separately, Murray pleaded guilty to possessing a mobile phone without the governor's permission while in custody at Midlands Prison on February 11, 2015. He claimed the device was given to him by his solicitor while he was in hospital. The court heard that prison officers discovered the phone during a search after Murray resisted them. The matter was adjourned, with the trial continuing before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury, expected to last up to four weeks. No final sentence or disposal has been recorded for the guilty plea to the phone possession charge at this procedural stage.
2019-10-25 · Dublin
Jack Murphy, 21, was jailed for 15 months after breaking into St Joseph's CBS Secondary School in Fairview on February 5, 2019, causing €1,077 in damage. He pleaded guilty to trespass and criminal damage. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a two‑year sentence, suspending the final nine months on conditions. Garda Sandra Lavin described how the alarm triggered a search that found Murphy inside the secretary's office, where a fire extinguisher had been used to break the lock. Murphy has 43 prior District Court convictions, including theft, robbery, public order offences and failing to appear. He has a chronic history of cocaine and cannabis abuse, began using drugs at 14, and has suffered serious brain injuries from a 2016 car accident. The court noted he had been clean of drugs while in custody.
2019-07-29 · Dublin
James Smith, 38, of Huntstown Wood, Dublin, was caught in possession of €76,800 worth of cannabis resin during a covert Garda operation in early 2017. He was observed visiting a property in Ashbourne, Co. Meath, and leaving it with a plastic Tesco bag containing five bars of cannabis resin. Smith claimed he had collected the blocks to pay a €10,000 cocaine debt. At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Martina Baxter sentenced him to five years in prison but suspended the sentence in full, ordering him to keep the peace for five years and attend probation services for two years. The court noted that Smith had additional drugs in the house he visited, with 15 more bars recovered, and that he had multiple prior convictions but none for drug offences. Judge Baxter highlighted Smith's early guilty plea, family focus, rehabilitation efforts, and negative drug tests as mitigating factors, concluding that imprisonment would be unfair and unjust.
2019-06-26 · Wicklow
A 20‑year‑old Wicklow man, Aiden Hargreaves, was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to consecutive terms of three years and two years for two separate knifepoint robbery offences. The first offence was an attempted robbery at Harbour Court, Dublin on 31 October 2018, and the second was a robbery at Carlingford Parade, Dublin on 29 January 2019. Hargreaves pleaded guilty to both. The final 15 months of the sentence were suspended on strict conditions. The court heard that in October 2018 Hargreaves approached a man who was rolling a cigarette, produced a knife, and the man fled after smashing a bottle. In January 2019, while on bail for the earlier offence, Hargreaves approached a Spanish national, produced a knife, and demanded the man's wallet and phone, which the man handed over. Hargreaves has 33 previous convictions, including burglary, theft, drug possession and failure to comply with a Garda direction.
2019-06-19 · Louth
The Director of Public Prosecutions has dropped all charges against Jonathan Gill, who was accused of participating in the 2011 kidnapping of a Drogheda family. At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Vincent Heneghan SC informed Judge Karen O'Connor that the State was entering a nolle prosequi regarding three charges of false imprisonment and one of robbery. Gill, of Malahide Road, Swords, had pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning Warren Nawn, Jean Marie Nawn, and their ten-week-old baby between August 1 and August 2, 2011. The State alleged Gill was part of a group that held the family hostage before robbing €660,000 from the man's workplace. No reason was given for the decision to drop the case. This follows a previous trial collapse in 2017 due to juror misconduct concerns and a subsequent adjournment in May 2023 when a vital witness was unavailable in Australia. Gill remained on bail throughout the proceedings. Separately, Mark McCarthy, of Ballyfermot, was jailed for nine years after pleading guilty to the kidnapping; his sentence was later increased to 15 years following a successful appeal by prosecutors.
2019-04-11 · Dublin
A 40‑year‑old Dublin man, Justin Murray, was given a suspended 12‑month prison sentence for stealing €500 in mass donations from the sacristy of the Church of Our Lady of Victories in Ballymun. The theft occurred on 6 November 2016 when a parishioner witnessed him taking money and he fled. Gardaí identified him via CCTV and found his bicycle, marked with his name, abandoned on the church grounds. Murray had previously pleaded guilty to the offence and had 77 convictions, including ten thefts and 20 burglaries. He is already serving a separate prison term for another offence, due for release in July 2019, and the new suspended sentence will run consecutively. Judge Elma Sheahan, noting his efforts to recover from drug addiction and his current drug‑free status, imposed the suspension on the condition that he continue treatment and keep the peace.
2019-03-29 · Dublin
Donna McGarry, 38, who worked as general manager at the Dublin pub Four Dame Lane, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft for taking €11,900 between 4 October and 6 November 2017. At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Melanie Greally imposed a headline sentence of three years but suspended the entire two‑and‑a‑half‑year term, giving credit for her early guilty plea, good work history and a strong testimonial from her current employer. McGarry had no prior convictions, had fully repaid the stolen money, and was described as otherwise good character. The judge noted her severe financial pressure and a miscarriage at the time of the offences. McGarry was ordered to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for the duration of the suspended sentence.
2018-11-15 · Meath
Tony Rochford, 50, of Trim, was sentenced to six months in prison for damaging an M50 toll gantry with an angle‑grinder on 30 May and threatening Gardaí. He pleaded guilty to criminal damage and possession of an angle‑grinder. The judge set a headline sentence of four years, suspended the final two years, and imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year term for a prior offence, making the sentences consecutive. Rochford had previously damaged the gantry in June 2017, causing over €500,000 in damage and a 26‑hour outage. He posted videos on social media explaining his motives and was described by a security guard as "hyper." The court noted his history of PTSD, prior convictions, and a claim of political motivation for the earlier offence. The damage to the gantry was estimated at €500‑€1,000.
2018-01-19 · Dublin
Luke Byrne, aged 18, received a partially suspended 14‑year sentence for a series of knife‑point robberies and an unprovoked assault that left magician Mark Beltran, aged 30, permanently blind in his right eye. Byrne smashed a glass bottle into Beltran's face during a confrontation over a stolen amplifier, causing a deep corneal wound and loss of vision. The court found Byrne had intended to cause serious harm, though he did not intend blindness. Judge Martin Nolan imposed nine years for the assault, consecutive to five years for the robberies, and suspended the last four and a half years on the condition of good behaviour for the remainder of the sentence. Byrne was ordered to comply with Probation Services for two years after release. The case highlighted Byrne's history of 16 convictions, his ADHD diagnosis, and his expressed remorse, but the court emphasised the lasting impact on Beltran's life and career. Luke Byrne pleaded guilty.
2017-11-10 · Sligo
Ronan McCormack, a 75-year-old former GAA coach and farmer from Cloonloo, Co Sligo, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for indecent assaults committed in the 1970s. McCormack had pleaded not guilty to 26 counts of indecent assault of one boy between June 1972 and March 1975, as well as three counts regarding a second boy. A jury convicted him of 14 counts of indecently assaulting two boys aged seven to 13, while acquitting him of 15 other counts. Judge Martin Nolan imposed consecutive sentences of two years and one year on five specific counts, resulting in a total prison sentence of seven years. The judge noted that the maximum penalty for indecent assault of a male in the 1970s was two years, increasing to five years for a second conviction. McCormack was sentenced globally, with all remaining counts taken into consideration. This follows a 2014 conviction where he received a seven-year and ten-month sentence for abusing schoolboys in the 1980s. Victim impact statements described long-term psychological effects, including depression and distrust, with one victim noting McCormack showed no remorse.
2017-03-16 · Dublin
Paul Moore, 51, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexually assaulting a woman on the southside DART on August 28, 2014. Judge Melanie Greally indicated she would impose a three-year sentence, with the final 18 months suspended, but remanded Moore in custody until March 30th to finalize post-release conditions. The judge sought to determine if a special request could be made for urine analysis as part of Probation Service supervision. Evidence from Moore's case manager and probation officer confirmed he had been compliant with supervision terms following his release in April 2016. They advised he should remain sober in public and suggested a night-time curfew. Moore, of Mountjoy Square, Dublin, has a history of six prior jailings for sexual offences over 25 years, including a 15-month sentence in 2015 for assaulting two women. Judge Greally expressed concern over Moore's inability to desist from offending and stated any sentence must maximize the ability of services to supervise him. The matter was adjourned to allow the court to fine-tune the conditions of the partly suspended sentence.
2016-12-22 · Dublin
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, former soldier Jonathan McSherry (34) was jailed for a brutal assault on his ex‑partner, Jessica Bowes. McSherry, who was high on cocaine, breached a barring order and attacked Bowes at her home, repeatedly punching and kicking her until she lost consciousness twice. The attack left Bowes with fractures to her skull, eye sockets and cheekbone, permanent scarring, nerve damage and a metal plate in her face. She described the violence as "merciless" and said she feared for her life. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced McSherry to three and a half years, suspended the final year on the condition of sobriety, drug‑treatment participation and no contact with Bowes. The sentence was back‑dated to March to account for time spent in custody and treatment. McSherry had previously been remanded on bail to attend a drug‑treatment programme. Jonathan McSherry pleaded guilty.
2016-10-11 · Dublin
A man from Lanesborough has been convicted of possession of child sexual abuse material at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Paul Devine, aged 45, pleaded guilty to the offence relating to material found at his home in April 2011. An investigation by the Garda Computer Crime Investigation unit discovered 80 photographs and 25 videos of child sexual abuse on his laptop. Gardaí also established that Devine had accessed an image-sharing website more than 10,000 times. Judge Pauline Codd imposed an 18-month suspended sentence, suspended for two years on strict conditions. The court heard that a significant delay in processing evidence by the garda unit meant Devine was not arrested and charged until November 2014, some three and a half years after the initial search warrant was executed. The defence noted Devine had no previous convictions and had undertaken psychological counselling since the conviction.
2016-06-14 · Dublin
Joseph Doyle, aged 35, was released on bail three times after a 2010 conviction for assaulting a foreign national. He pleaded guilty to five burglaries committed between 1 June 2014 and 15 January 2016. The burglaries involved houses on Camden Street, South Circular Road, the zoology department of Trinity College, Grantham Street, and Morning Star Avenue. In each case Doyle was charged, released on bail, and later arrested when CCTV identified him. He denied taking the items he was found with, claiming they were buttons or coins. The judge suspended the last 18 months of a four‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence on the condition that Doyle attend victim‑focused, relapse‑prevention and anger‑management programmes. Doyle's drug addiction was cited as a significant driver of his offending. The court noted he had a history of violence but did not act violently during the burglaries. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
2015-07-15 · Dublin
Joseph Bates, aged 36, appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following a guilty plea to burglary at Milltown Institute on Sandyford Road, Dublin on 21 July 2013. The charges allege that while trespassing in the building, he committed theft and criminal damage. Bates had previously received a three-year suspended sentence from Longford Circuit Court for burglary in County Longford, imposed on condition he keep the peace for five years. The prosecution indicated the matter requires return to the Midlands Circuit, with Judge Desmond Hogan adjourning the case for mention at Tullamore on the following day. The breach of the suspended sentence condition raises the prospect of activation of the earlier custodial term.
2015-06-29 · Dublin
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Christopher Dunne, aged 27, was sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment for making a threat to kill Derek Walker in Clondalkin on 15 January 2013. Judge Mary Ellen Ring suspended the last 18 months of the sentence. Dunne, who has 126 prior convictions, also pleaded guilty to criminal damage to Walker's vehicle, possession of a GPS device for use in a crime, and theft of an Audi A4. His brother Aaron Dunne, aged 21, was previously sentenced to two and a half years with 18 months suspended for criminal damage and possession of a baseball bat during the same incident. The trial noted that Walker and a woman were hostile witnesses, and that witnesses were terrified and reluctant to testify. The court recorded that Walker had claimed the Dunne brothers owed him money for a car he had sold.
2015-06-04 · Dublin
A 26‑year‑old Dublin man, Peter Harte, will be sentenced in October for a ten‑minute violent attack on a bus. He assaulted Pedro Mendez and Gabriella Leon after a seating dispute, using headbutts, kicks and punches. Harte pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. He has eleven prior convictions, mainly alcohol‑related public order offences, plus a robbery and a 2009 assault. The court adjourned sentencing to assess his suitability for unpaid community work or the Restorative Justice Programme. Garda Caroline Kelly reported the victims had been on the bus after social drinks and that Harte's attack began when they refused to let him sit beside them. The victims suffered injuries and are reluctant to remain in the area. Harte admitted the assault after CCTV footage was shown. The judge noted intoxication could be a mitigating factor but not a defence. The case remains at the sentencing stage.
2015-05-21 · Wicklow
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 21 May 2015, Judge Mary Ellen Ring informed the jury of former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Sean FitzPatrick that legal arguments were still ongoing and that the jury would need to return on 2 June to resume the trial. The judge had previously excused the jury foreman due to work difficulties and had also addressed an unemployed juror whose job prospects were affected by the trial's delays. The trial, which began legal argument on 16 April, has been repeatedly adjourned, with the opening of evidence postponed four times. FitzPatrick, aged 66, pleaded not guilty to 27 offences under the Companies Act, including 21 counts of misleading auditors and six counts of furnishing false information, relating to alleged loans from Irish Nationwide Building Society between 2002 and 2007. The jury, composed of six men and six women, was empanelled on 14 April and has been notified of the delays by telephone.
2015-05-15 · Wicklow
The trial of former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Sean FitzPatrick, who is 66, has been delayed again. Judge Mary Ellen Ring announced that the evidence would not begin until late next week. Legal argument in the absence of the jury will continue for several days. The jury was told that an illness was causing difficulty and that the trial would not start in evidence until next Monday, and then again until next Thursday. The court will notify jurors to keep their phones on. FitzPatrick pleaded not guilty to 27 offences under the Companies Act, 1990, including 21 charges of making misleading statements to auditors and six charges of furnishing false information. The charges relate to alleged loans from Irish Nationwide Building Society to him or people connected to him between 2002 and 2007 while he was an officer of Anglo Irish Bank.
2015-04-17 · Dublin
David Byrne, 42, of Swords, Co Dublin, faces trial in 2017 for allegedly taking part in a €2.28 million robbery and false imprisonment of Paul Richardson, his wife Marie and their two sons Ian and Kevin on March 13–14, 2005. Byrne is accused of holding the family at Ashcroft, Raheny, and of stealing cash from Richardson and Securicor Security Services Ireland Ltd. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with prosecutor Seamus Clarke BL, noted that new Supreme Court exclusion‑evidence rules might affect the case. The trial is scheduled for 16 January 2017 and will last 12 weeks.
2015-03-24 · Dublin
Two men, Vincent Kirwan, 38, and Mark Shortt, 42, were arrested after robbing a petrol station at the Topaz garage in Donaghmede Shopping Centre on 23 June 2013. They used an imitation gun found in a field and were heavily intoxicated; Shortt approached the counter while Kirwan covered his face with his hands as a disguise. Shortt demanded cash, pulled the air pistol, and the robbery yielded €100. Garda Ronan Murphy testified that the pair fled toward a nearby McDonald's, were later spotted on Kilfenore Drive, and arrested. Both pleaded guilty to robbery. Judge Martin Nolan, hearing the case in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, suspended four‑year sentences for each, citing their alcoholism and the one‑off nature of the offence. Kirwan had prior public order convictions; Shortt had none. The judge emphasised the seriousness of producing a replica firearm and the potential for serious consequences when confronted with guns.
2015-02-25 · Dublin
Paul Flood, 36, of Balbriggan, pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft totaling €19,332 from Weirs Jewellers in Dublin between April 2010 and September 2012. He admitted using the gift‑card and cash‑point systems to conceal the embezzlement, taking cash from the till while falsifying balances. Flood claimed undiagnosed bipolar disorder and acute depression influenced his actions, a view supported by psychological reports presented at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Martin Nolan accepted the evidence and, noting Flood's lack of prior convictions and mental health condition, imposed a three‑year suspended sentence rather than custodial imprisonment. Flood agreed to repay the stolen amount in instalments and was suspended without pay by Weirs following the discovery of the discrepancies by his supervisor, David McCormack, who reviewed CCTV footage and confronted him. The court found no specific purpose for the stolen money, describing it as "just frittered away.".
2014-11-26 · Dublin
A man has been sentenced to two years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for breaching sex offender notification requirements. Ian Bissett, aged 28, was convicted following trial of failing to inform gardaí of a change of address within the required seven-day period between July and August 2011. The sentence is to run concurrently with another custodial term he is currently serving. Bissett had been released from prison in June 2011 after completing a five-year sentence for aggravated sexual assault. Court heard he was homeless and relocated to Limerick without notifying gardaí as required under the Sex Offenders Act. He told gardaí he failed to comply because he was "homeless and fed up." The defendant has an extensive criminal history spanning 22 previous convictions. His release date on the concurrent sentence is scheduled for August 2016. Ian Bissett pleaded not guilty.