Court archive
Carlow Circuit Criminal Court
2026-07-31 · Carlow
Paul Rowland, a man who attempted to strangle his partner in her own home, has been jailed for six years. Rowland, who had denied the charges, was convicted of intentionally or recklessly strangling his partner on January 29, 2025. The court heard that the victim had asked Rowland to leave the property but he refused, and the incident occurred in the presence of their infant child. Judge Mary Morrissey noted the high moral culpability in the case and the fact that Rowland had been drinking and was physically and emotionally abusive towards his partner. She set a headline sentence of six and a half years but reduced it to six years, taking into account Rowland's homelessness, his time in custody, and his lack of remorse. The victim's impact statement highlighted the lasting trauma she experienced, including chronic pain and the impact on her children.
2026-07-31 · Carlow
Fabio De Oliveira Monteiro, a 28-year-old man from Carlow, has pleaded guilty to allowing his bank account to be used to launder €9,650 stolen from a woman through a phishing scam. The victim was tricked into deleting her banking app by a caller posing as her bank, resulting in €19,300 being stolen from her account. Monteiro admitted to providing his account details in exchange for €400, as he was in financial difficulty due to his mother's medical bills and a small drug debt. The court heard that Monteiro has nine previous convictions for road traffic offences and is considered to be at the bottom of the criminal chain in the operation. His defense argued that Monteiro was a victim of others who preyed on his desperation for cash. The judge remanded Monteiro on bail for sentencing next November, noting that he has since secured new employment and is unlikely to come to further garda attention.
2026-07-31 · Carlow
Martin Lyons, a 31-year-old man with 146 previous convictions, has been jailed for three years for threatening to burn down the family home of a Carlow pub owner while armed with a clawhammer. Lyons was on bail at the time of the incident, which occurred in March 2024. He entered the pub claiming that a former employee owed him money and threatened to burn down the owners' home. The court heard that Lyons had significant addiction issues with alcohol and drugs, and had spent time in a residential treatment unit. His defense highlighted his remorse and the support he receives from his family, including his parents and children. The judge set a headline sentence of five years but reduced it to three years, suspending the final 12 months for two years on the condition that Lyons engages with the Probation Service and maintains his sobriety. Martin Lyons pleaded guilty.
2026-07-17 · Carlow
A Dublin teenager who was the driver of a car involved in a spate of burglaries in Carlow almost two years ago has been jailed for two years. The 18-year-old pleaded guilty to burglary and criminal damage at a housing estate in Killerig, Tullow, and other incidents. He has a number of previous convictions, including many related to stealing and driving stolen cars. The court heard that the teenager had a difficult upbringing, with his father dying when he was a toddler and his mother being abusive. Judge Mary Morrissey acknowledged his difficult background and noted that he had pleaded guilty, which saved the victims from having to give evidence. She set concurrent sentences totalling 36 months and suspended the final 12 months on strict conditions, including engaging with the Probation Service and mental health services. The judge wished him the best of luck and acknowledged his potential.
2026-05-21 · Carlow
A man from Tullow has been jailed for 21 months after €5,000 worth of cannabis was found hidden behind a couch in his home. Michal Plecha (50) of Shroughaun Close, Tullow, pleaded guilty at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court to possessing cannabis valued at €5,100 and amphetamine valued at €525 on November 27, 2024. He also admitted to possessing a stolen chainsaw and bicycle. The court heard that a warrant was secured to search his home, where the drugs were found in a sportsbag behind the couch. A digital weighing scale, plastic bags, and €900 in cash were also discovered. Plecha claimed the cash was for buying a car, but gardaí suspect it is from drug trafficking. The stolen items were found in his home, and Plecha said he had bought the chainsaw second-hand and that a friend had left the bike behind. His defence accepted that his engagement with The Probation Service had been inconsistent.
2026-05-21 · Carlow
A Carlow man who admitted to storing over €20,000 worth of cannabis in a shed to feed his own addiction has received a three-year suspended sentence. Colm Cody (41) of Augha, Bagenalstown, pleaded guilty at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court to possessing cannabis, MDMA, and cocaine at his home on November 28, 2023. He has no previous convictions. Detective Sergeant Stephen Delaney explained that a warrant was obtained to search Cody's home based on garda intelligence. Cody was not present, but his daughter was, and the gardaí waited for him to return. A small amount of cannabis and MDMA was found in Cody's bedroom, while the larger quantities were discovered in the shed. Cody accepted responsibility at the scene and later told gardaí that the cannabis in his bedroom was for his own use, to help manage stress and depression. He admitted to agreeing to store the cannabis to feed his addiction but denied selling the drugs. His defence argued that he was under threat, with someone warning him that his daughter was at home all day.
2026-05-15 · Carlow
William McCarthy (38) of Carlow pleaded guilty to assaulting an Irish Rail ticket inspector and burglarizing a Carlow GAA club. The assault occurred on September 14, 2024, when McCarthy refused to show his ticket and attacked the inspector on the Waterford/Heuston line. The victim suffered injuries including a broken finger and bruising to his face and was treated in hospital. McCarthy also pleaded guilty to criminal damage and theft from the Éire Óg Clubhouse, where he had previously burgled the premises four times. The damage to the cigarette machine was estimated at €2,000, with €2,830 worth of cigarettes and vapes stolen, along with €1,520 in cash. The victim's impact statement highlighted the emotional and financial toll of the assault, including difficulties paying his mortgage and the need for counseling. McCarthy's defense argued that his actions were driven by addiction and desperation to pay off a debt. The judge remanded McCarthy in custody and adjourned sentencing until next week.
2026-03-06 · Carlow
Dion Timmons pleaded guilty to money laundering after €12,374.64 was deposited into her account in 23 transactions, including payments linked to a social welfare fraud. Judge Mary Morrissey reduced a headline sentence to 16 months and adjourned the case for a Probation Service assessment on whether community service could be ordered in lieu of prison.
2026-03-06 · Carlow
A jury convicted Paul Rowland of intentionally or recklessly strangling his former partner in Carlow. The woman described the lasting impact of the assault in a victim impact statement; Judge Mary Morrissey adjourned sentencing to next May and remanded Rowland in continuing custody.
2026-03-06 · Carlow
A Carlow Circuit Criminal Court jury found Colvin O'Brien not guilty of assault charges involving two gardaí and of threatening and abusive behaviour. O'Brien had pleaded guilty to being intoxicated in a public place, and Judge Mary Morrissey placed him on a 12-month probation bond.
2026-03-05 · Carlow
An 18-year-old who was a juvenile at the time pleaded guilty to burglary and criminal damage after acting as the driver in a series of incidents in Carlow. Judge Mary Morrissey adjourned the case to next July for sentence.
2026-02-27 · Carlow
William McCarthy admitted criminal damage to a wall and cigarette machine and theft of cigarettes and cash at Éire Óg Clubhouse in Carlow. The Carlow Circuit Criminal Court adjourned the case while a victim impact statement and governor's report are prepared; a sentence date is still to be fixed. William McCarthy pleaded guilty.
2026-02-27 · Carlow
Joe Curtin was jailed for 26 months after pleading guilty to one robbery and two attempted robberies in Hanover Park, Carlow. The court heard that three incidents occurred within ten minutes and that Curtin had 75 previous convictions. Judge Mary Morrissey treated the early guilty plea, cooperation and remorse as mitigation while describing his moral culpability as high.
2026-02-26 · Carlow
Dion Timmons pleaded guilty to money laundering after €12,374.64 was deposited into her account in 23 transactions connected to a social welfare fraud and other payments. Judge Mary Morrissey adjourned sentence to next Thursday to consider documents submitted on Timmons's behalf; she was remanded on continuing bail.
2026-02-20 · Carlow
Paul Rowland was convicted of strangling his then-partner at her home in County Carlow in January 2025. The woman testified that Rowland, who was intoxicated, grabbed her by the neck and strangled her, causing her to fear for her life. She managed to escape and barricaded herself and her son in a bedroom before contacting the gardaí. Rowland was found not guilty of the two assault charges but was convicted of the strangulation charge. The court heard that Rowland had previously tripped the woman and pushed a pool table into her, causing injuries. The jury deliberated for nearly three hours before convicting him. Rowland was remanded in custody for sentencing in March. The court acknowledged the woman's account of the incident and the severity of the strangulation charge, which was a new offense added to the Non-fatal Offences Against The Person Act in 2023. Rowland denied the allegations and claimed he was not intoxicated, but the gardaí confirmed he was unfit for questioning due to his level of intoxication.
2026-02-20 · Carlow
A serial offender, Joe Curtin, has been remanded in custody pending sentencing for a mugging and two attempted robberies in Carlow town. Curtin, who has 75 previous convictions, admitted to the crimes in court. The incidents occurred within ten minutes of each other in Hanover Park at 8:30 pm. The first victim was punched and had his belongings taken. A second victim was approached by Curtin, who became aggressive when refused. A third man intervened, and Curtin attempted to take his phone but was unsuccessful. The gardaí were alerted and Curtin was arrested. The court heard that Curtin's addiction to alcohol and drugs, as well as his mental health issues, were central to his offending. His defense argued for structured recovery programs. The judge adjourned the case for sentencing. The prosecution emphasized the need for Curtin to receive help, while the defense highlighted his willingness to remain drug-free. Joe Curtin pleaded guilty.
2025-11-28 · Carlow
Two men from Carlow have been sentenced for their roles in an attack on a man after a night of drinking and drug use. Philip Moore received four years and three months in prison, with the final 18 months suspended. Shane Coady received a suspended sentence of two years and three months. The victim, Alan Rossiter, was struck, punched, and placed in the boot of a car before being told he was going to be taken up the mountains. Moore was convicted of assault and false imprisonment, while Coady pleaded guilty to assault. The court heard that Moore had previously claimed the victim attacked him, but no evidence supported this. The victim described the attack as traumatic, affecting his quality of life and leaving him in fear. Judge Eugene O'Kelly noted the aggravating factors, including the false imprisonment and the use of violence. Moore's sentence was reduced due to his remorse and efforts to address his addiction. Coady's sentence was suspended due to his guilty plea and probation report indicating he acted under Moore's influence. Philip Moore pleaded not guilty. Shane Coady pleaded not guilty.
2025-11-28 · Carlow
Brendan Keating has been jailed for threatening an off-duty garda while the officer was with his infant son in a Carlow shopping centre. Keating pleaded guilty to making a threat to kill or cause serious harm to Garda Aidan Kelly and to assault and possession of a slash hook. The court heard that Keating was on a suspended sentence and had previous convictions for assault and threats. The garda described Keating as 'unpredictable and violent' and expressed concern for his family's safety. Keating's threat was made in public, and he was known to have a history of drug use and mental health issues. Judge Eugene O'Kelly noted the severity of the threat and the impact on the garda's family. Keating's sentence was seven and a half years, with 15 months suspended, resulting in an effective prison term of six years and three months. The judge acknowledged Keating's frustration with bail conditions but emphasized that threatening a garda is unacceptable.
2025-11-28 · Carlow
William Donoghue has been jailed for 33 months for breaking a woman's jaw during a New Year's Eve altercation in Carlow. Donoghue was convicted of assault causing harm after punching the woman in the face. The victim, who required surgery and had her jaw wired shut for a month, described the lasting impact on her life, including difficulty eating and feeling unsafe. Donoghue claimed the woman struck him first, but the court rejected his version of events. Judge Eugene O'Kelly noted the aggravating factors, including the victim's vulnerability and Donoghue's physical strength. The judge imposed a three-and-a-half-year sentence, suspending the final nine months due to Donoghue's good family support and the Probation Service's willingness to work with him. The victim expressed that she never received an apology from Donoghue and hopes to never experience such an incident again. William Donoghue pleaded not guilty.
2025-11-27 · Carlow
A 26-year-old man from Pakistan has been jailed for 18 months for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and falsely imprisoning her at a house party in Carlow. The man had pleaded not guilty but was convicted by a jury after a trial. The victim testified that the accused man attempted to lift her dress, kissed her, and tried to pull her back into the house after she tried to escape. The jury viewed video footage from the teenager's phone, which showed the men at the party and the victim's discomfort. The accused denied the allegations but was identified through CCTV footage. The victim's impact statement described the trauma she experienced, including nightmares and anxiety. The judge noted the aggravating factors, including the accused's role as the house owner and the victim's age. He imposed a three-year and six-month sentence, suspending the final two years with conditions that the man leave the jurisdiction for ten years after release. The defense acknowledged the verdict but expressed concerns about the impact on the accused's family.
2025-11-27 · Carlow
Des Hanley, a 63-year-old gambling addict, has been given a fully suspended sentence for robbing a bookmaker's shop in Carlow. Hanley believed the shop should not have taken his bets and that the money he stole was "rightfully" his. He pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a firearm with criminal intent. The robbery occurred on the day of The Grand National, and Hanley used an old, non-functional gun to demand money from the shop. The staff member was terrified and suffered panic attacks afterward. Hanley's defense highlighted his chronic gambling addiction, early onset dementia, and mental health issues. The judge acknowledged Hanley's remorse and the mitigating factors, including his guilty plea and the gun's inability to fire. He imposed a four-year suspended sentence with probation supervision for two years. The court noted that Hanley had lost significant sums in the shop and had a history of gambling. The victim impact statement emphasized the lasting trauma on the staff member, who felt unsafe in his home and town. The judge ruled that Hanley's actions were unacceptable despite his personal struggles.
2025-11-14 · Carlow
A Carlow father and son, Michael Slater Senior (61) and Michael Slater Junior (36), have been sentenced for multiple assault charges. Both pleaded guilty to three charges of assault causing harm to three victims at Heatherhill Square on August 28, 2024. Slater Jnr further pleaded guilty to producing a wooden bat and issuing threats to his partner and her sister, and to assault causing harm to his partner on October 21, 2024. Slater Snr received a six-month suspended sentence for an earlier assault, which was backdated to when he was first remanded in custody last November. Judge Eugene O'Kelly imposed a three-year suspended sentence on Slater Snr, taking into account his guilty plea and troubled background. For Slater Jnr, Judge O'Kelly set a headline sentence of four and a half years and a concurrent term of three years and nine months, which was suspended on strict conditions. The sentence was backdated to when Slater Jnr was first remanded in custody last November. The matter was adjourned for the submission of victim impact statements, but none were provided. Both Slaters were described as having a history of violent tendencies, with Slater Jnr having previous convictions for assault causing harm and serious harm. The court heard that the assaults occurred during the wake of Slater Jnr's stillborn child, with the second assault involving the use of a weapon and resulting in the victim requiring surgery to repair a broken jaw. The sentences were described as consecutive, leading to a total of ten and a half years for Slater Jnr, with the final four years suspended on strict conditions.
2025-11-14 · Carlow
Marcus Hannon, 29, of Carlow, pleaded guilty at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court to threatening to kill his sister Lauren Hannon and assaulting her partner Cian Comerford during a family row on 13 March 2024. He doused the three of them in petrol, causing Lauren to swallow some liquid; none sustained injuries. Hannon, previously convicted of violent disorder, criminal damage and production of an article, had been on remand since the offence. He had earlier been acquitted of the manslaughter of his father, Marcus "Murt" Brennan, after a 2018 trial. The court set a headline sentence of five years, reduced to three years and nine months, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions, including 18 months of Probation Service engagement upon release. The sentence was back‑dated to March 2024. The case highlighted the family's troubled background and ongoing psychological support for Hannon in custody.
2025-11-13 · Carlow
Justin Doyle, 29, of Carlow, was on temporary release from a four‑year prison term when he repeatedly called the home of a woman he claimed owed him money for a drug debt. Over a two‑week period he threatened to "chop you up" if she did not pay, and made further harassing calls, including one in which he said she had only paid €4,650. The woman had already paid a total of €15,600 by November 2024. Doyle had previously been convicted of demanding money with menace at Kilkenny Circuit Criminal Court and had 110 prior convictions. At Carlow Circuit Criminal Court he pleaded guilty to four counts of demanding money with menace. Judge Eugene O'Kelly sentenced him to six years in prison, suspending the final two years on the condition of probation and compliance with the Probation Service for two years. The sentence was back‑dated to November 2024 when Doyle first entered custody.
2025-08-01 · Wexford
In a Carlow Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Declan Carr, 29, pleaded guilty to threatening to kill his partner and to two assault charges. He sent messages on 5 March threatening to kill her, saying she would be "dead and buried" and no one would find her. The victim, who had been in an on‑and‑off relationship with Carr for 12 years, reported being assaulted, including an elbow strike to her face and a blow to the back of her head, though Carr denied the latter. Gardaí found €170 worth of cannabis in his car and he admitted the threats were not intended to be carried out. Carr apologized via video‑link, expressed remorse, and offered to attend domestic‑violence or addiction courses. Judge Sinéad McMullan remanded him on bail pending a sentencing date in November, noting the need for further consideration.
2025-08-01 · Carlow
Michael Murphy, 50, of Woodlawn Park, Borris, pleaded guilty at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court to careless driving causing serious harm to Denis Murphy, a hurler and maths teacher, after a hit‑and‑run on 5 December 2022. Murphy was just over twice the legal alcohol limit. Denis Murphy suffered a dislocated elbow, three missing teeth and a traumatic brain injury, requiring nine days in intensive care and a long recovery. The victim impact statement, read into the record, highlighted Denis's gratitude for surviving and his ongoing struggles with memory and brain fatigue. Murphy left the scene but remained within a few miles, was later arrested for driving while intoxicated, and has since undertaken a driver safety course. The court has remanded him on bail until a sentencing hearing in November, where a sentence will be fixed.
2025-08-01 · Carlow
Charles Dunne, 48, of Ace Fencing Ltd, was found guilty at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court of possessing stolen power tools and of providing five false invoices to Gardaí to prove ownership. He also pleaded not guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice. The jury, after almost six hours of deliberation, returned guilty verdicts on the possession charge, five counts of using a false instrument and the charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice, while acquitting him on all other charges. Judge Sinéad McMullan remanded Dunne on continuing bail until a sentencing hearing in November. He was directed to surrender his passport upon return from a family holiday and to sign in once a week at Carlow Garda Station. The case involved a large quantity of tools seized from Dunne's yard in Tullow in January 2019, with Gardaí presenting evidence of the tools' stolen status and the fraudulent invoices supplied by Dunne.
2025-07-25 · Carlow
In a Carlow Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 48‑year‑old Charles Dunne of Ace Fencing Ltd pleaded not guilty to two alternative charges: handling a large assortment of stolen power tools and possessing stolen property, both alleged to have occurred on 13 January 2019. He also pleaded not guilty to 20 counts of providing false invoices to Gardaí between January and February 2019, and to attempting to pervert the course of justice by submitting false documents to obstruct a Garda criminal investigation. Gardaí had seized a large quantity of tools from Dunne's yard in Tullow, photographed them, and compiled an inventory. Dunne later supplied about 60 invoices to Gardaí, claiming ownership of the seized tools. Testimony from the auctioneers Ganly Craigie 2000 Ltd and Hennessy Auctioneers highlighted discrepancies between the invoices Dunne provided and the company records, with several invoices containing altered or illegible details. The trial continues before Judge Sinéad McMullan and a jury.
2025-05-30 · Carlow
Philip Moore, 41, was convicted of assault causing harm and false imprisonment of Alan Rossiter, 44, at his family home in Rathellen on 14‑15 August 2022. He pleaded not guilty to producing a knife and threatening serious harm, but was acquitted on those charges. His co‑accused, Shane Coady, 25, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. The court heard that Moore claimed Rossiter had attacked him the night before, but an investigation found no evidence and no prosecution was brought against Rossiter. Rossiter described being held in a boot, threatened with a kettle and forced to leave the house, and he reported fear for his life and dental injury. The judge adjourned Coady's case for six months and remanded him on continuing bail; Moore's case was adjourned to July with him remanded in custody. The court noted Moore's bipolar medication and his lack of prior assault convictions.
2025-05-29 · Carlow
Edyta Scibior, 36, owner of 'Home of Shellac' in Carlow, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on 22 February 2023 at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court. She was found with cannabis and amphetamines in her home's utility room and a nail salon store room, though she claimed ignorance and that she never entered the utility room. Her husband, Kamil Scibior, 42, also pleaded guilty to having drugs for sale or supply, with a higher offence carrying a mandatory 10‑year term. Judge Eugene O'Kelly jailed Kamil for six years and imposed a four‑and‑a‑half‑year suspended sentence on Edyta. The suspended term is conditional on her engaging with the Probation Service for 18 months. The court noted her role as an employer and mother of two 14‑year‑olds, and considered her guilty plea as acceptance of responsibility. The total drugs seized were valued at €229,204.
2025-05-29 · Carlow
Mark O'Neill, 62, of Carlow Town, was sentenced at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to intentionally or recklessly administering a substance capable of interfering substantially with another person's bodily functions in August 2024. The defendant admitted to placing two Valium tablets in a sandwich prepared for his then-partner, claiming he intended to help her relax due to stress. Judge Eugene O'Kelly described the act as "shockingly reckless," noting that O'Neill, who had no previous convictions, knew the medication could interfere with bodily functions. A probation report indicated O'Neill was at a low risk of re-offending. The judge set a headline sentence of two years and six months but reduced it to 18 months, which was suspended in full on strict conditions for two years. The court accepted the plea on the basis of recklessness rather than intent to harm. O'Neill acknowledged his actions were extremely reckless and has since lost contact with his ex-partner and son. The matter was concluded with this suspended sentence.
2025-05-29 · Carlow
Barry Grey, a 23‑year‑old rugby player from Corballis, Castledermot, Kildare, pleaded guilty to assaulting a couple at The Barracks pub, Tullow Street, Carlow, on 25 June 2023. The attack was unprovoked; Grey struck the boyfriend, knocking him down, and then punched the woman in the face, leaving her with severe injuries including a laceration over her eye, a burst lip, swollen tongue, and extensive bruising. The woman was treated at St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny. Grey had no prior convictions. Judge Eugene O'Kelly, after reviewing CCTV evidence and a probation report, found the assault unjustified, noting Grey had misread the situation while intoxicated. He sentenced Grey to three years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended on strict conditions, and required a €6,500 restitution payment. The sentence reflected the seriousness of the violent attacks and the impact on the victims.
2025-05-28 · Carlow
Philip Moore, 41, of Carlow, was convicted at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court of false imprisonment and assault of Alan Rossiter, who was bundled into the boot of Moore's mother's car between 14 and 15 August 2022. Moore denied the charges and was acquitted of two further charges of threats to kill and production of a knife. He claimed Rossiter had attacked him the previous night and that his friend Shane Coady was responsible, but the jury found no evidence to support this. Coady, 25, pleaded guilty to assaulting Rossiter and is due to be sentenced later this week. After the conviction, Judge Eugene O'Kelly granted Moore bail on strict conditions, including daily sign‑ins at Carlow Garda Station and a curfew, but issued a warrant for his arrest after Moore failed to attend the scheduled sentence hearing. The case was adjourned to Wednesday, with the sentence hearing for Coady set for Thursday.
2025-05-28 · Carlow
Philip Moore, 41, was found guilty of assault causing harm and false imprisonment of Alan Rossiter after a night of heavy drinking and drug use. The jury did not convict him of producing a knife or threatening to kill. Moore claimed Rossiter had attacked him the night before, but investigators found no evidence and no prosecution was brought against Rossiter. He also blamed friend Shane Coady, who pleaded guilty to assaulting Rossiter. The trial heard that Rossiter was held against his will in a kitchen and then bundled into the boot of Moore's mother's car, where forensic evidence supported Rossiter's claim of being in the boot. Moore was remanded on bail pending sentencing later this month. The jury deliberated for almost three hours before reaching its verdict. Philip Moore pleaded not guilty.
2018-11-12 · Carlow
Krzysztof Wojtalski, a 37-year-old resident of Newtown, Co Carlow, has lost his appeal against sentence for cultivating cannabis. Wojtalski, who pleaded not guilty, was found guilty by a jury of cultivation and possession of cannabis for supply following a search of his property on April 16, 2015. Gardaí discovered an elaborate bunker under a pig shed containing 30 mature and 115 immature plants, valued at €32,000. Although Wojtalski claimed the plants were hemp for personal use, the Court of Appeal noted he was described as having an attachment to cannabis. The sentencing judge had imposed a four-year prison term, reducing a five-year headline sentence to account for a skin condition. The judge highlighted that Wojtalski had previously received suspended sentences for similar offences in Ireland and had also offended in Poland, indicating that prior penalties did not dissuade him from further offending. President of the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice George Birmingham, sitting with Mr Justice John Edwards and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, dismissed the appeal. The court held that the four-year sentence fell within the available range and that the one-year reduction sufficiently reflected mitigating factors. The appeal was therefore dismissed, leaving the original sentence intact.
2017-06-19 · Carlow
Keith Chrystal, aged 28, was convicted at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court for robbery, assault causing harm, possession of an imitation firearm, unlawful use of a vehicle and criminal damage following a raid on Leighlinbridge Post Office on 3 March 2016. He pleaded guilty and was originally sentenced to an effective two‑and‑a‑half‑year term by Judge Carmel Doyle on 20 July 2016. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient. In the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice John Edwards re‑sentenced Chrystal to an effective four‑year term, with the final six months suspended. The appeal was based on the judge's assessment that the discounts for the guilty plea and mitigating circumstances were excessive. The case involved a robbery that stole €6,856, the use of an imitation firearm, a hammer, a stolen car, and the assault of Postmaster Art O'Connor, who was struck on the head during the incident.
2017-02-06 · Kilkenny
Christopher Zinck, aged 33, and Rory Kilkenny, also 33, pleaded guilty in Carlow Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cannabis for sale or supply at a site in Kidalton, Piltown, Co Kilkenny, on 2 May 2013. Kilkenny was sentenced to four years imprisonment, later increased to 12 years with four years suspended on appeal. Zinck received a wholly suspended nine‑year sentence, later increased to a fully suspended ten‑year sentence. The Court of Appeal upheld the suspended nature of Zinck's sentence, citing his rehabilitation and employment. The case involved a large cannabis grow operation with 2,504 plants and 43.54 kg of herb, valued at €2,874,174. Three Asian gardeners were sentenced to seven years with six years suspended. Zinck admitted involvement, receiving a €5,000 fee for delivering supplies to the growers. The court noted his 18‑month drug‑free period and praised his inspirational recovery.