Court archive
Blanchardstown District Court
2025-10-21 · Dublin
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced Michael Tuite and Patrick Morgan for their roles in the burglary of six commercial units at Premier Business Park, Ballycoolin, and a subsequent high-speed chase. Both men entered signed guilty pleas to six counts of burglary and possession of an implement with intent. Tuite additionally pleaded guilty to endangerment, unauthorised taking of a vehicle, and unlawful escape from custody, while Morgan pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and allowing himself to be carried in a vehicle without consent. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Tuite to six years' imprisonment and disqualified him from driving for six years. The judge noted Morgan was less culpable and imposed a five-year sentence. Both defendants were directed to receive credit for time spent in custody. The court heard that Tuite escaped custody by climbing a wall at Blanchardstown District Court, dropping 15ft, before being apprehended nearby. Morgan's detention was suspended due to his level of intoxication. The judge described Tuite's driving as "pretty disgraceful" and noted both men were aggressive during arrest. Mitigation included their guilty pleas, expressions of remorse, and efforts to address addiction issues.
2023-07-06 · Dublin
Fayed Azeez, 20, of Lucan, was remanded in custody until 10 July after pleading guilty to one count of assault causing harm at Blanchardstown District Court on 6 September 2022. The incident occurred when a security guard warned that youths were fighting outside the courthouse. Azeez arrived with a hammer and a metal gas canister, raised his fists threateningly, and moved toward another male. The injured party, who was assisting a colleague, intervened, took the hammer, and placed Azeez under arrest. Azeez resisted, grabbing the victim's arm and attempting to pull her hands away, resulting in bruising on her left arm. No victim impact statement was available. Azeez had no prior convictions. The Director of Public Prosecution sought summary disposal, but the District Court refused jurisdiction. The investigating Garda and defence lawyer agreed that Azeez had not used or threatened the victim with the hammer and that he was attempting to help a cousin.
2020-07-13 · Dublin
In July 2020, a 24‑year‑old father of three, Devon Hennessey, was charged after he punched a man outside Blanchardstown District Court, prompting a volatile scene that required the assistance of 20 Gardaí to restrain him. Hennessey had previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder in November 2017 and had five prior road‑traffic convictions. At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Melanie Greally acknowledged that Hennessey's role was limited and that some provocation had occurred. She sentenced him to 18 months' imprisonment, suspended in full on conditions including 12 months' engagement with the Probation Service. The case highlighted the Gardaí's intervention and the defendant's claim that a comment about his disabled son had sparked the incident. The court noted no further hostility between the parties.
2020-03-10 · Dublin
A 24‑year‑old father of three, Devon Hennessey, punched a man outside Blanchardstown District Court on 9 November 2017, an act that required the intervention of 20 Gardaí to calm the volatile scene. Garda Richard Finan, who was standing at the main entrance, saw Hennessey approach the victim and strike him in the face without warning. Finan attempted to restrain Hennessey, who resisted and shouted threats at both the victim and the Garda. Additional officers were needed to continue the restraint, and other bystanders tried to intervene. Hennessey pleaded guilty to violent disorder and has five prior road‑traffic convictions. His defence lawyer, Oisin Clarke, argued that a comment about Hennessey's disabled son triggered the incident, and that Hennessey was acting in the heat of the moment. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned sentencing to 5 May and ordered a Probation Service report to assess suitability for community service. The case remains at the sentencing stage.
2019-04-05 · Dublin
Jordan Joyce, aged 19, was arrested for stealing a €399 Dyson vacuum cleaner from Harvey Norman in Blanchardstown on 7 January 2018. He signed Garda custody records and a court bail bond under the false name "Wayne Byrne", giving a false date of birth and address. Garda Gary Farrell discovered the forgery when Joyce was later arrested on a bench warrant, leading to the real Mr Byrne's arrest. Joyce admitted the theft and the forgery, describing himself as "acting the maggot". He pleaded guilty to the vacuum‑cleaner theft and to forging his signature on a Garda custody record on 21 March 2018 and on bail records on 22 March 2018. He had 21 prior minor convictions. The court heard that Joyce's family and partner raised €400 to compensate Harvey Norman. Judge Melanie Greally, taking into account his early guilty pleas, full restitution, youth and immaturity, imposed an 18‑month sentence, with the final nine months suspended for two years.
2017-03-20 · Dublin
In a Dublin murder case, Vesel Jahiri, 35, originally from Kosovo, was formally charged with the killing of his former partner Anna Finnegan, 25, on 21 September 2012 at Allendale Glen, Clonsilla. He also faced a charge of assaulting Karl Finnegan, who was injured at the same time and place. Jahiri pleaded not guilty to both offences and has chosen to represent himself after dismissing his legal team. On 22 September, Detective Sergeant Dan Callaghan arrested Jahiri at Cabra Garda Station on suspicion of the murder, and Karl Finnegan identified him as the attacker. Jahiri was taken to Blanchardstown Garda Station, where Sergeant Joseph McLoughlin read the murder charge to him. In response, Jahiri said, "That is not true." He was then brought before Blanchardstown District Court, where the trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Coffey and a jury of nine men and three women.
2014-01-21 · Dublin
Joe O'Connor, a 53‑year‑old Garda stationed at a city‑centre station, was returned to court on 21 January 2014 after being accused of possessing 655 child‑abuse images and movies at his west Dublin home between 30 July and 2 August 2011. The charges, brought under section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking Act 1998, include 92 images of child explicit sex, 136 images of child exposure, 85 movies of child explicit sex, one movie of child exposure and 341 other computer‑graphic images. O'Connor denies the charges and has chosen to plead not guilty, meaning he will be tried by jury in the Circuit Court. He was served with a book of evidence at Blanchardstown District Court, where Judge David McHugh ordered him to notify the prosecution within 14 days if he intends to use an alibi.
2014-01-13 · Dublin
A 34‑year‑old Italian man, Saverio Bellante, was charged with murder after the fatal stabbing of Tom O'Gorman, a 39‑year‑old pro‑life campaigner and religious writer, at O'Gorman's home on Beech Park Avenue, Castleknock. The body was found by gardai at about 1.50 am on Sunday and O'Gorman was pronounced dead on scene; a post‑mortem was later performed by Professor Marie Cassidy. Bellante, who had been lodging with O'Gorman, was detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act and appeared before Judge David McHugh at Blanchardstown District Court. He was charged with murder between 11 pm and 12 am on 11–12 January. Bellante, wearing a black sweater, trousers and grey runners, told the court he wanted to represent himself.
2013-12-17 · Dublin
Joe O'Connor, a 53‑year‑old Garda stationed at a city‑centre station, faces trial for possessing 655 child‑abuse images and movies at his west Dublin home between 30 July and 2 August 2011. The charges, under section 6(1) of the Child Trafficking Act 1998, include 92 images of child explicit sex, 136 images of child exposure, 85 movies of child explicit sex, one movie of child exposure and 341 other computer‑graphic images. He denies the allegations. In October Judge David McHugh heard that O'Connor would plead not guilty, meaning the case will proceed to trial before a judge and jury at the Circuit Court, where penalties are harsher. The book of evidence has not yet been served; the officer is remanded on continuing bail for another five weeks while the evidence is prepared. He has legal aid and a substantial mortgage, and his case was previously subject to reporting restrictions that were lifted on 1 October.