A neuropsychological report on Riad Bouchaker, charged with assaulting a care worker and attempting to murder three school children at Parnell Square, is due by the end of March. Mr Bouchaker, who has no fixed abode, faces charges of attempted murder of two female children and one male child, assault causing serious harm to a care worker, and possession or production of a knife. The incident took place outside a school on 23 November 2023. Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring adjourned the matter to 30 April, with the report expected before 31 March.
The trial of four men charged in connection with the murder of Mahamud Ilyas continues at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. Viorel Doroscan and Otniel Richardo Clejan have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Ilyas, whose body was found in Co. Meath in December 2022 with blunt force trauma to the head. Co-accused Robert Burns and Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who have also pleaded not guilty, face charges of impeding the prosecution. During proceedings, the jury viewed CCTV footage described by Garda Dermot Sloane as showing two figures in dark clothing carrying a red object containing the deceased to a parked car in Blanchardstown. The footage also depicted a BMW driven by Mr Cantaragiu travelling towards the scene and later returning. The prosecution, led by Eoin Lawlor SC, alleges the defendants were involved in drug supply and that Mr Ilyas was attacked after attempting to sell cannabis taken from Mr Burns's home. The matter is currently at the trial stage and has not been finalised; the proceedings continue.
A 42‑year‑old woman, Deirdre Arnold, has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court on charges of being the get‑away driver for Brian McHugh, the murderer of Lisa Thompson. The prosecution alleges that Arnold drove McHugh to Thompson's home in Ballymun, waited for over an hour, then drove him away and later helped him evade prosecution by arranging accommodation and disposing of evidence. Witnesses will testify that Arnold's car was used to transport items taken from Thompson's house and that fingerprints on a jewellery valuation certificate linked to Thompson were found on Arnold's vehicle. Arnold is charged with two counts: one for impeding the apprehension or prosecution of McHugh, and another for attempting to pervert the course of public justice. She has pleaded not guilty to both counts. The trial will continue tomorrow before Mr Justice Patrick McGrath and a jury.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 24 March 2025, Riad Hamzi, aged 51, was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment for a single count of rape that occurred on 19 August 2020. The victim, Elena O'Brien, testified that she had told Hamzi she wanted to separate; he denied the allegation, claiming the sex was consensual, but then punched her twice, raped her, and forced his fist into her mouth. Hamzi's sentence was back‑dated to 20 December 2024, when he entered custody, and the final year of the term was suspended for three years on strict conditions. The judge cited the relationship between the parties, the victim's impact statement, and the violence beyond the rape as aggravating factors, while noting Hamzi's health issues, long work history and character witnesses as mitigating. O'Brien's impact statement described ongoing PTSD, sleep difficulties and financial hardship following the assault. The court expressed well‑wishes to O'Brien for the future. Riad Hamzi was convicted.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 65‑year‑old man named Peter Kennedy testified that he was terrified of a teenager, Brian Ibe, who had moved into his home. Kennedy said Ibe demanded money, threatened to kill him, and said he would "slit his throat." Witnesses, including Rita Swords, described Ibe as homeless and mentally unstable, and said he had repeatedly demanded money from Kennedy. Kennedy also alleged that Ibe threatened to stab him on at least one occasion. Ibe has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of Kennedy and to assaulting a Garda. The trial, presided over by Justice Melanie Greally, continues next Tuesday with a jury of twelve.
A 42‑year‑old HSE employee, Deirdre Arnold, will stand trial on Monday for two counts of impeding the investigation into the murder of Lisa Thompson and perverting the course of justice. The charges allege that between 9 and 10 May 2022, Arnold performed acts without reasonable excuse intended to hinder the apprehension or prosecution of Brian McHugh, who was believed to have committed the murder, and that she engaged in conduct intended to pervert public justice. Arnold pleaded not guilty at her arraignment before the Central Criminal Court. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath informed the jury that the victim was Lisa Thompson, who lived at Sandyhill Gardens, Ballymun, Dublin 11, and that the alleged offender was Brian McHugh. An eight‑man, four‑woman jury was sworn in, and the trial is scheduled to last up to eight days.
The Central Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of Rachel Redmond, who is accused of assisting her then-partner, Wayne Cooney, to evade prosecution for the murder of Jordan Davis. Ms Redmond has pleaded not guilty to two counts of impeding apprehension or prosecution. The prosecution contends that Davis was killed on May 22, 2019, following acrimony with drug dealer Robert Redmond, the accused's brother. Detective Garda Kevin Farrell presented WhatsApp messages from May 3, 2019, sent from a number saved as 'Rew' to Davis, which included threats such as "very soon bang bang." The State alleges Robert Redmond, who pleaded guilty in May 2013 to possessing heroin worth almost €37,000 and was jailed for five years, was involved in the conflict. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury of three men and nine women.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, forensic scientist Dr Yvonne O'Dowd testified that blood on Daniel Blanaru's t‑shirt matched the DNA of his partner, Larisa Serban, who was stabbed to death in their Co Meath home. She described extensive blood stains and spatter on walls, floors and doors, noting drip trails and pools that suggested a bleeding victim. O'Dowd examined knives, clothing and swabs, finding Serban's DNA on the t‑shirt and a mixed profile on Blanaru's shorts. No blood was found on a small knife in the house or in Blanaru's car. Blanaru, 37, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 26‑year‑old Serban on 12 August 2022. The case remains before Justice Eileen Creedon and an enlarged jury.
The prosecution alleges that on 9 December 2022, 23‑year‑old Viorel Doroscan and 24‑year‑old Otniel Richardo Clejan murdered 22‑year‑old Mahamud Ilyas after a stolen bag of cannabis led to a confrontation at Robert Burns's home in Blanchardstown. Burns, 59, and Lorenzo Cantaragiu, 21, are accused of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Doroscan and Clejan by committing various acts on the same day. According to the State, Ilyas was beaten to death, wrapped in a cloth, placed in a car, and taken to County Meath where his body was dumped in a wooded area on Belgree Lane. The accused deny all charges. The trial is set to continue before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury. Robert Burns pleaded not guilty.
A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court heard that a 65-year-old man, described as 'a kind person who would help people,' died from traumatic head injuries after being attacked by a then 19-year-old man who had been living with him. Brian Ibe (24), of no fixed abode and formerly of Moore Park, Newbridge, Co Kildare, is on trial for the murder of Peter Kennedy in Co Kildare five years ago. There is no contest that Ibe carried out an attack on Mr Kennedy, who died as a result. Ibe has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of Mr Kennedy between April 28 and May 12, 2020, and also pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to assault causing harm to Garda Brendan O'Donnell at Newbridge Garda Station on or about April 29, 2020. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Paul J Carroll SC, outlined the proposed evidence and factual matters of the case, stating that the burden of proof rests on the defence to convince the jury that the special verdicts of not guilty by reason of insanity are open to them. The trial continues tomorrow before Ms Justice Melanie Greally and the jury of six men and six women.
A jury of twelve was sworn in on 18 March 2025 to hear the trial of Brian Ibe, a 24‑year‑old from Newbridge, who has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of 65‑year‑old Peter Kennedy, which took place between 28 April and 12 May 2020. Ibe was also charged with assault causing harm to Garda Brendan O'Donnell on 29 April 2020, to which he likewise pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial will last about two weeks, with a possibility of a slight extension. The prosecution will present witnesses including consultant psychiatrist Dr Mary Davoren and clinical psychologist Dr Kevin Lambe, while the defence will call consultant psychiatrists Dr Conor O'Neill, Dr Stephen Monks, Dr Patrick McLoughlin, Dr Gauruv Malhan and psychologist Dr Marie English. A large number of Garda witnesses from Newbridge, Kildare, Athy, Rathangan, Portlaoise, Tallaght and Naas will also testify.
Michael Molloy, a 25‑year‑old architecture student from Gorey, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for raping a 20‑year‑old woman in a laneway on the night of 1 November 2021. The victim, who had previously known Molloy from school, was forced into sexual activity after he walked her home from a pub. She resisted, but Molloy forced her against a wall, digitally penetrated her, and orally raped her. The court found him guilty on counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault. Molloy maintained his innocence, claiming the acts were consensual. He was sentenced by Mr Justice Paul Burns to a headline term of seven years, reduced to six years with the final year suspended, and will remain under probation supervision for three years. The victim described lasting psychological effects and a loss of confidence following the assault.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Rachel Redmond, 34, continues before Mr Justice Paul Burns. Ms Redmond, from Coolock, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of assisting Wayne Cooney to evade prosecution for the murder of Jordan Davis on May 22, 2019. The prosecution alleges she drove Cooney from the scene and checked him into the Clayton Hotel near Dublin Airport. Evidence presented includes testimony from Ashling McNally, former partner of Robert Redmond, who stated she collected Robert from Belcamp Lane at 4:13 pm, minutes after the shooting. Robert Redmond, Ms Redmond's brother, previously pleaded guilty in May 2013 to possessing heroin worth almost €37,000 and was sentenced to five years in prison. Detective Garda Shane Kelly identified Cooney in CCTV footage, while hotel staff confirmed a booking under Ms Redmond's name. The jury is tasked with determining if Ms Redmond knew or believed Cooney committed the murder. The trial was adjourned and is scheduled to continue on Tuesday.
A 46‑year‑old man was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with the final year suspended, for repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting his wife's grand‑nephew over a five‑year period from January 2018 to May 2023. The boy, aged between nine and 14 during the offences, was being minded in the man's home in the south‑east of the country. The jury found him guilty of 13 counts of anal rape and 18 counts of sexual assault. The victim's mother, speaking on behalf of her son, described the abuse as tearing the family apart and leaving the boy with a grief‑like feeling after the loss of his great‑aunt who had minded him. Judge Paul Burns noted the serious breach of trust, the long‑standing impact on the victim, and the man's lack of prior convictions. He ordered the man to remain under Probation Service supervision for three years after release.
Randi Gladstone, a 41‑year‑old from Guyana with 19 prior convictions in the UK, was convicted in the Central Criminal Court of one count of rape, three counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment against an 18‑year‑old woman in a Dublin holiday complex on 25 August 2023. The victim had been staying at the accommodation for several days and was approached by Gladstone who asked her about her age and boyfriend, offered money and attempted to kiss her. She refused, but he forced her to remove her clothing, kissed her body, and digitally penetrated her. She fled, called her mother, and later reported the assault. Gladstone denied all misconduct and claimed the act was consensual. The court heard a victim impact statement describing severe emotional distress. The Director of Public Prosecutions placed the offence in the ten‑to‑fifteen‑year bracket.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Rachel Redmond (34) continues before Mr Justice Paul Burns. The State alleges that Redmond, who has pleaded not guilty to two counts of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Wayne Cooney for the murder of Jordan Davis, drove Cooney away from the scene and later checked him into a hotel. Prosecution evidence presented includes "tick lists" found at addresses linked to Robert Redmond, Rachel's older brother. Detective Garda Alan Roche testified that a list found in Kinsealy listed the nickname "Jordo" owing €153,000, while another list found at Woodview Close in Donaghmede showed "Jordo" with €70,000 and the words "not yet." The court heard that in May 2013, Robert Redmond pleaded guilty to the possession of heroin worth almost €37,000 and was jailed for five years. Sergeant Shane Behan also testified that he observed Robert Redmond and Jordan Davis on Grafton Street in August 2018, where Davis handed over cannabis. The jury, comprising three men and nine women, is tasked with determining whether Rachel Redmond knew or believed Cooney committed the murder. The matter was adjourned and the trial continues tomorrow.
During the trial of Daniel Blanaru, a 37‑year‑old accused of murdering his partner Larisa Serban, Detective Sergeant Robert Madden was cross‑examined by defence counsel Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha. The defence argued that Madden had "already judged" Blanaru before the interview, claiming the detective had decided the accused had committed murder. Madden denied this, stating that each investigation is approached with an open mind and that any admission by a suspect must be corroborated with evidence. He explained that photos of the crime scene were shown to establish the murder weapon's location and that a doctor assessed Blanaru's fitness for interview after a night of sleeplessness. Madden also refuted claims that he had caused Blanaru pain to elicit information, insisting the interview was conducted professionally. The trial proceeds before Justice Eileen Creedon and an enlarged jury. Daniel Blanaru pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, witness Stacey Hayes testified that she was driving a silver Volkswagen Golf on May 22 2019 when she and Rachel Redmond, a 34‑year‑old woman, were directed to a bus stop to pick up Wayne Cooney, Redmond's boyfriend. Hayes said Redmond had been on the phone and instructed her to go to the bus stop opposite Tesco on Clarehall Road. Minutes after learning that 22‑year‑old Jordan Davis had been shot dead in Darndale, Hayes and Redmond drove to the scene, but Redmond asked to be dropped home. Hayes described the journey, noting that Redmond had told Cooney that a shooting had occurred. The prosecution alleges Redmond knowingly aided Cooney's escape from prosecution, while Redmond pleaded not guilty to the two counts of aiding a murder. The case is set to continue before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, Detective Sergeant Mark Looby explained that Daniel Blanaru, a 37‑year‑old from Rathmore, Athboy, Co. Meath, repeatedly deflected questions during his August 12, 2022 interview at Ashbourne Garda Station. Looby described how Blanaru would shift from the questions asked, often speaking about unrelated matters. The detective also denied the defence's claim that Gardaí had "pushed" a narrative onto Blanaru. He stated that Blanaru's statements about the knife and the victim's injuries were his own free narrative, not imposed by the Garda. Looby noted that Blanaru had admitted to being guilty and wanting to be locked up, but had not agreed to any statements for the sake of agreement. The trial continues before Justice Eileen Creedon and an enlarged jury. Daniel Blanaru pleaded not guilty.
Georgina Tuohey, mother of three children who were raped and sexually abused by Brendan Cornally, spoke from the court during his sentencing at the Central Criminal Court. Cornally was sentenced to a total of 17½ years for the rape and sexual assault of her two sons and the sexual assault of her daughter. He had previously served 10 years for the rape of a boy aged 10‑14 and 21 months for the assault of a sister aged 13‑15. The judge imposed a headline sentence of 20 years, with the final two and a half years suspended on strict conditions for five years. Tuohey expressed that the sentence was lenient and that the justice system would let people like her down, while the judge noted the impact of Cornally's actions on her son, who suffered a severe decline in health and became catatonic. The sentencing was consecutive to his existing 11‑year‑nine‑month term. Brendan Cornally pleaded guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a woman who was gang‑raped by three men in a Dublin nightclub on 31 August 2019 gave a victim impact statement. She described how the men – Anthony Hickey (39), Fabio Vicente (42) and Matin Zolfaghari (34) – watched her movements, used her body as an object and raped her in a car and in a house. The statement detailed her fear, anxiety, flashbacks and nightmares, and her anger at the men's videos of the assault that were shared for a laugh. She said the criminal process was long and daunting, and that the men had taken away her freedom, her body and her love for life. The court noted the men were remanded in custody and the case was adjourned for sentencing on 27 March. The statement was given in plain Irish‑English prose, with no additional claims or inferences beyond the facts presented in the article. Anthony Hickey pleaded not guilty and was convicted. Fabio Vicente pleaded not guilty and was found guilty. Matin Zolfaghari pleaded not guilty and was convicted.
During the Central Criminal Court trial of Daniel Blanaru, a 37‑year‑old accused of murdering his partner Larisa Serban, Detective Sergeant Mark Looby rejected the defence's claim that the interview was tainted by the accused's tiredness. Looby told the jury that Blanaru had changed his account three times and that the detective did not accept that the accused's statements about being tired raised any concern. The detective noted that Blanaru had admitted to being drunk and unable to remember everything, but he insisted that the interview was conducted properly. Looby also stated that the accused had not introduced the word "knife" into his narrative and that any mention of a knife was a new account given during the interview. The trial continues tomorrow before Justice Eileen Creedon and an enlarged jury. The unnamed 37-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A 59-year-old man from Dunfanaghy, County Donegal has been sentenced to 11 years imprisonment following his conviction for the sexual abuse of two teenage girls over two decades ago. Andrew Robert John McElhinney was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury on seven of nine counts following trial in Monaghan last July. He was convicted of three counts of sexual assault and three sample counts of rape relating to the first complainant, and one count of sexual assault against the second. The offences occurred between May 1998 and September 2000 and took place predominantly in McElhinney's home. At the time, the victims were approximately 14 and 16 years old, while McElhinney was 19 years their senior. Justice Patrick McGrath imposed the sentence having regard to the serious and lasting impact on the victims, the breach of trust involved, the age disparity, and the repeated nature of the abuse. The judge noted McElhinney's lack of cooperation with probation services and his continued assertion of innocence despite the jury verdict.
Brian McHugh, 40, was sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of 52-year-old Lisa Thompson. The sentence was backdated to July 11, 2022, when he entered custody. McHugh had pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Thompson at Sandyhill Gardens, Ballymun, Dublin 11, on May 9, 2022. A jury unanimously found him guilty after rejecting his defence that she was a "woman of secrets." The court heard three emotional victim impact statements from Ms Thompson's teenage daughter, son, and sister, Ashley Duckett. The daughter described the injuries as resembling "horror movies" and stated McHugh's face would haunt her. The judge, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, noted the "horrific and brutal circumstances" of the death. Prior to sentencing, the Court of Appeal overturned a pre-trial ruling that had excluded CCTV identification evidence, restoring it for the trial. Evidence included McHugh's DNA on a blind cord used to strangle the victim and text messages from a named woman referencing the killing. McHugh has 50 previous convictions, including theft, robbery, and drug offences. The matter was concluded with the imposition of the life sentence.
In a County Meath murder case, Daniel Blanaru, 37, pleaded not guilty to the stabbing death of Larisa Serban, 26, on 12 August 2022. During his fourth and final Garda interview, Blanaru admitted to killing Serban, saying, "I am guilty, I killed her. Please lock me up." He denied seeing Serban with another man before her death and claimed he had found her with her brother and a "tall guy." Gardaí presented statements from his sister and her husband, who alleged Blanaru had beaten and cut Serban. Blanaru also described throwing a knife he had found in his car onto the floor, which he could not recall removing. The trial heard video of Blanaru crying while viewing crime‑scene photographs and his refusal to return to the scene or retrieve the knife. The case proceeded to the Central Criminal Court with an enlarged jury.
Shane Flanagan, 39, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to impersonating a woman online, inciting two men to rape her, and possessing child abuse material. He admitted to two counts of inciting rape between November and December 2020, six counts of endangerment for impersonating the woman on Facebook and fetlife.com and inviting violence between 2018 and 2020, and one count of possession of four images of child sexual abuse material on 7 January 2021. The victim wishes to remain anonymous. The judge ordered Flanagan to remain on bail until June pending sentencing.
Rachel Redmond, 34, from Coolock, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for two counts of knowingly or believing that Wayne Cooney committed murder and then acting to impede his apprehension or prosecution. The prosecution alleges that on 22 May 2019, after Jordan Davis was shot dead in a cold‑blooded execution while pushing his infant son in a pram, Redmond drove a vehicle with witness Stacey Hayes, picked up Cooney, and later checked him into the Clayton Hotel near Dublin Airport using her name and credit card. The prosecution claims these actions were intended to help Cooney evade prosecution. Redmond pleaded not guilty. The trial is scheduled to continue before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury, with an expected duration of three weeks.
Alan Vial and Nikita Burns have been found guilty of murdering 66-year-old Robert Wilkin at the Central Criminal Court. The jury returned majority verdicts of ten to two against each accused. Wilkin's body was discovered in the sea below Sliabh Liag cliffs in County Donegal on June 25, 2023, eight days after his death. The trial heard that Wilkin suffered at least two depressed fractures to the head before being thrown from the cliff. DNA evidence linked blood and hair found on a rock at the cliff top to the victim. Both accused blamed the other for the assault, but the prosecution argued they acted in joint enterprise to cause serious harm. Vial, aged 39 from Killybegs, and Burns, aged 23 from Carrick, had pleaded not guilty. Both will receive the mandatory life sentence at a sentencing hearing, where the victim's family will make statements to the court.
Alan Vial and Nikita Burns were convicted of murder by a jury at the Central Criminal Court. The court found that the pair killed 66-year-old Robert Wilkin and disposed of his body by throwing it off Sliabh Liag, Ireland's tallest cliffs. Following their convictions, Vial and Burns face the mandatory term of life imprisonment for murder. The prosecution alleged that the defendants struck Wilkin with a rock, stole his cash and personal items, and fabricated a story claiming he had sexually assaulted Burns. Vial testified in his own defence, alleging Wilkin attacked him first, but the jury rejected his account. The State Pathologist testified that the blows to Wilkin's head would not have caused instant death, contradicting Vial's claims. The court noted Vial's history of offending and his attempts to destroy evidence, including washing blood from his hands at Teelin Pier. The matter was finalised with the mandatory life sentences imposed on both defendants.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 37‑year‑old man named Daniel Blanaru, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 26‑year‑old partner Larisa Serban, told Gardaí that it was possible he had put a knife into her body during a pushing and shoving argument. Blanaru, from Rathmore, Athboy, claimed that after an argument in their Co Meath home, Larisa had a knife in her hand and that he had taken it from her. He said the knife was already in his hand when he turned with her and that it was "possible" he had put it into her body, indicating the left side near the heart. He said he struck her once when trying to take the knife away. Gardaí questioned him about his reaction to her being stabbed and his subsequent taking of cocaine, to which he replied that he had taken the cocaine before the knife was in her chest.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has sought clarification on the legal definition of joint enterprise whilst deliberating in the trial of two Donegal residents accused of murder. Alan Vial, aged 39, from Drumanoo Head, and Nikita Burns, aged 23, of Carrick, are charged with murdering a 66-year-old man whose body was disposed of at Sliabh Liag in June 2023. Both defendants deny the charge and have each accused the other of committing the fatal act. The prosecution contends that both participated in a joint enterprise to cause serious injury. Mr Justice Paul McDermott instructed the jury that mere presence at a crime scene does not constitute participation, and that the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that each accused assisted in the killing with intent to kill or cause serious harm. The jury also examined bloodstained clothing belonging to Ms Burns, with defence counsel suggesting an alternative explanation for the presence of DNA evidence. Deliberations are ongoing.
In a Dublin rape trial, the State presented a 33‑year‑old Louth defendant who is accused of raping a 19‑year‑old Spanish student on New Year's Eve. The prosecution argued that the defendant led the woman into a quiet area in a menacing and predatory manner, that she was heavily intoxicated and unable to consent, and that CCTV footage showed the pair meeting at a shop after she had vomited and then walking to a car park where the alleged rape occurred. The defence counsel highlighted "bizarre" elements, noting similarities between the woman's encounters with two men that night, and argued she was in full control of her faculties and capable of consenting. The jury was instructed to consider whether the woman could consent between 1.40 am and 2.17 am. The trial is ongoing before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury. The unnamed 33-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a Rathmore murder case, Daniel Blanaru, 37, denied killing his partner Larisa Serban, 26, who died from stab wounds. During an August 2022 interview at Ashbourne Garda Station, Blanaru claimed that Serban had a knife in her bag to protect herself and that she had approached him with it during an argument. He said the knife accidentally struck her as he turned, and that she had been upset. Blanaru also admitted to pushing and hitting Serban, and to being drunk and smoking that night. He stated he could not remember the exact time he left the house and that he had called his brother to check on a party. The Central Criminal Court heard this testimony and video footage, and the trial continues before Justice Eileen Creedon.
A jury has begun deliberations in the Central Criminal Court in the murder trial of two Co Donegal residents. Alan Vial, aged 39, from Drumanoo Head in Killybegs, and Nikita Burns, aged 23, from Carrick, have each pleaded not guilty to the murder of Robert Robin Wilkin on 25 June 2023. The 66-year-old's body was discovered at Sliabh Liag. The prosecution alleges both accused engaged in a joint enterprise to cause serious harm to Mr Wilkin. However, each has accused the other of striking the fatal blow with a rock. Mr Justice Paul McDermott charged the jury that if they find either accused not guilty of murder, they may consider an alternative verdict of impeding the prosecution of their co-accused. The jury of seven women and five men spent approximately two hours deliberating before adjourning. They will resume consideration of their verdict tomorrow.
The Central Criminal Court saw the trial of a woman, her brother and another man accused of sexually assaulting and raping the woman's daughter collapse. Justice Melanie Greally announced that developments during the proceedings led her to conclude that the case should be concluded immediately and heard by a different jury on a new date. She explained that this decision was not taken lightly, citing the impact on the complainant and the court's duty to ensure a fair trial. The three accused, all residing in the west of Ireland, are entitled to anonymity. The complainant's mother had pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of sexual assault and one count of rape, alleging repeated assaults on her daughter between 2000 and 2009, again between 2012 and 2014, and during a family holiday in 2001. The mother's testimony also described an incident where the daughter was taken to her uncle's bedroom, where the uncle raped her while the mother watched.
Cian Smullen, 30, was sentenced to four years in prison, with the final year suspended, at the Central Criminal Court for coercive control, false imprisonment, burglary, criminal damage and threats to cause criminal damage. He had repeatedly attacked his former partner, threatened to plant drugs in her home to have Tusla take her child, and tried to break into her house with an axe and screwdriver. The victim described ongoing abuse, bruises, a black eye, and fear of losing her daughter. Smullen pleaded guilty in November and admitted to a long history of cocaine and alcohol use. The judge noted his high risk of re‑offending, limited remorse, and the need for post‑release intervention, while acknowledging his claim of turning his life around. The sentence was back‑dated to November for time already spent in custody.
A man accused of murdering his partner at their County Meath home in August 2022 told gardaí during interview that he pushed and hit her following a dispute over a gathering at their residence, the Central Criminal Court has heard. Daniel Blanaru, aged 37, from Rathboy, Athboy, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Larisa Serban, aged 26, on or about 12 August 2022. During his first interview at Ashbourne Garda Station on 12 August 2022, Mr Blanaru stated through an interpreter that he discovered his partner hosting a party with her brother and another man when he returned home from Navan. He described an altercation in which physical contact occurred, claiming the other man intervened. Mr Blanaru told detectives he subsequently travelled to Drogheda and contacted gardaí, learning thereafter that Ms Serban had died. The trial, before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of fifteen, continues.
Diarmuid Phelan, a law lecturer and barrister, was acquitted of murder after a 10‑week trial that concluded on 3 January 2025. The case involved a shooting at Hazelgrove Farm, Tallaght, where Phelan fired three shots at trespassers on his land. The third shot struck Keith Conlon in the head, killing him. Phelan claimed the fatal shot was accidental and that he acted in self‑defence. A jury found him not guilty. Following the trial, Michael Bowman SC, one of Phelan's senior counsel, requested that the court decide whether the State should pay Phelan's legal costs. The matter will be heard by Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford on 10 March. Phelan, who has assets in the millions, was represented by two senior and two junior counsel and did not receive legal aid. The case also involved expert witnesses who testified after the prosecution's case closed.
Gardai hacked into the phone of Stephen Mooney (52), who had been accused of stabbing his wife, Anna Mooney (46), to death on 15 June 2023 at their home on Kilbarrack Road, Kilbarrack, Dublin 5. The Central Criminal Court heard that the phone, seized at the crime scene, was initially inaccessible due to a missing pin code or password. However, an update to the Cellebrite software used by Gardai allowed the phone to be unlocked without a password. Once unlocked, the phone contained video and audio footage of the minutes leading up to the fatal incident and the incident itself. The new evidence prompted the prosecution to inform the court of a "significant development." Mooney pleaded guilty to the single charge of murder, faces a mandatory life sentence, and remains in custody while a sentencing date is set for 18 June. The court adjourned sentencing to allow the victim's family to make statements.
A man has been convicted and sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for serious sexual offences against his sister. Kyle Jinks, aged 31, of Slievemore, Ballytivnan, County Sligo, was found guilty on 21 sample counts of rape and four sample counts of sexual assault committed between 2008 and 2014. The offences occurred at the family home in County Sligo when the victim was aged between 11 and 17 years old and the defendant was between 14 and 20. Mr Justice David Keane imposed sentence on 28 February 2025, noting the severe breach of familial trust, the victim's vulnerability, and the persistent pattern of offending over seven years. The judge observed that the family home became a place of fear rather than safety. Jinks maintains his innocence and intends to appeal the verdicts. He has 25 previous convictions. The court heard he is assessed as very high risk of re-offending. Two years' post-release supervision has been directed.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 37‑year‑old man named Daniel Blanaru, accused of murdering his 26‑year‑old partner Larisa Serban, appeared at a Garda station with blood on his clothes and was described as crying hysterically. Blanaru told officers he had drunk half a bottle of whiskey the night of the stabbing at their Co Meath home. He also claimed he had begged the deceased's brother for cocaine that night. Garda John Wallace recounted seeing Blanaru pacing, handing over his licence, and later crying while in custody. Garda Rachael Carr observed him crying repeatedly in the cell. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon, will continue next Monday with an enlarged jury. The State maintains that Blanaru was a jealous and controlling partner who stabbed Larisa on or about 12 August 2022. The accused has pleaded not guilty.
At the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Paul McDermott has warned the jury that it would be dangerous to rely on the testimony of Alan Vial, who has implicated his co-accused Nikita Burns in the death of Robert Wilkin. Both deny murdering the 66-year-old man, whose body was discovered in the sea near Sliabh Liag in Donegal on June 33, 2023, eight days after he died. The prosecution alleges that Vial and Burns were engaged in a joint enterprise to cause serious harm to Wilkin before placing him over the cliffs. Vial testified that Burns struck Wilkin with a rock, while Burns told gardaí that Vial inflicted the fatal blows. The judge instructed the jury that whilst Vial's cross-examined court evidence may be considered against Burns, uncorroborated testimony from a co-accused on the same charge carries inherent risks of fabrication or false implication. The jury was also directed on alternative verdicts and the distinction between murder and impeding prosecution. The trial continues next week. Alan Vial pleaded not guilty. Nikita Burns pleaded not guilty.
Brian McHugh, 40, of Ballymun, Dublin 11, was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of murdering Lisa Thompson, 52, at Sandyhill Gardens on May 9, 2022. McHugh had pleaded not guilty to the charge. The jury, which deliberated for three hours and 24 minutes, unanimously rejected the defence argument that the killing involved "overkill" and that Thompson was a "woman of secrets." The prosecution presented circumstantial evidence, including CCTV footage placing McHugh near the victim's home, DNA on a blind cord used to strangle her, and jewellery found at his address matching items linked to Thompson. The court also heard evidence regarding text messages sent by a named woman to McHugh referencing the method of killing. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor thanked the jury and excused them from service for five years. She offered condolences to the Thompson family. The matter was adjourned; Ms Justice O'Connor will hand down the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment to McHugh on March 10. McHugh has been remanded in custody until that date, when the family will have the opportunity to make a statement. A prior pre-trial ruling excluding recognition evidence was overturned by the Court of Appeal, allowing that evidence to be considered at trial.
In the Central Criminal Court, the jury heard that Daniel Blanaru (37) begged his brother, David Serban, for cocaine on the night Larisa Serban (26) was found stabbed in her home. Blanaru, from Rathmore, Athboy, Co Meath, pleaded not guilty to her murder. The State argued that Larisa was killed by her jealous, controlling partner. Serban testified he left the house at about 1 a.m. on 12 August 2022, with no arguing, and that he had stopped at a bank to withdraw money for rent. He denied planning to buy cocaine or return to Rathmore after. He claimed he was the last person to see Larisa alive and that he would have been present if a struggle had occurred. Garda evidence showed Blanaru presented himself at a station at 6 a.m., shouting in a foreign language and saying "my wife, my wife, we fight." The trial continues tomorrow.
In a case described as "desperately sad," a 70‑year‑old man, Zbigniew Bednarczyk, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for the manslaughter of his 37‑year‑old son, Rafal Bednarczyk Jacyna. The son, who had bipolar disorder and was under medical supervision, died after Bednarczyk severed the femoral artery in his leg during an altercation that began when the son returned home under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The court noted that the knife was being used for food preparation and that the severing of the artery was unexpected. Bednarczyk entered a plea to manslaughter in October 2024, and the judge imposed a two‑year sentence with the final six months suspended, subject to 12 months of probation. The sentence was reduced from an initial three‑year recommendation after considering the plea and the defendant's low risk to the community.
At the Central Criminal Court, closing arguments concluded in the trial of two people charged with the murder of Robert Robin Wilkin near Sliabh Liag in County Donegal on 25 June 2023. Nikita Burns (23) of Carrick and Alan Vial (39) of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs, have both pleaded not guilty to the charge. Defence counsel for Ms Burns contended she was a bystander to the killing and had no part in placing Mr Wilkin over the cliffs. She has pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of another person, having cleaned blood from a vehicle. Counsel for Mr Vial argued the evidence demonstrates Ms Burns inflicted the fatal blows. Mr Wilkin's remains were recovered from the sea eight days after the alleged murder. State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster identified two depressed skull fractures inconsistent with the cliff fall. Mr Justice Paul McDermott will charge the jury tomorrow.
In a Dublin rape trial, the jury was shown a 40‑minute CCTV clip of the complainant and a second man having a sexual encounter in a B&B hallway hours after the alleged rape. Judge Caroline Biggs warned the footage could be intrusive and distressing but deemed it necessary to play. The accused, a 33‑year‑old Louth man, pleaded not guilty to raping a 19‑year‑old Spanish tourist on a Dublin Castle street on 1 January 2019. The State alleged the victim could not consent due to alcohol or drugs. After the alleged rape, the victim walked with the accused, then sought help from a couple who directed her to a B&B where she met the second man. She described persistent kissing, anal sex, and pain, and later claimed she had been raped by both men. No charge was brought against the second man.
At the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution has described Alan Vial, aged 39, of Killybegs, County Donegal, as a "cynical liar" who fabricated his account to evade responsibility for the death of 66-year-old Robert Robin' Wilkin. Bernard Condon SC, prosecuting, told the jury that Mr Vial claimed his co-accused Nikita Burns, aged 23, of Carrick, County Donegal, delivered the fatal blows after the three had spent time in public houses together in June 2023. The prosecution alleges that both accused acted with joint intention to cause serious harm. Mr Wilkin's body was subsequently deposited at Sliabh Liag cliffs. The prosecution case relies on DNA evidence, CCTV footage, blood spatter analysis, and admissions allegedly made by Ms Burns to witnesses. Mr Condon submitted that evidence against Ms Burns constitutes the "clearest possible case of murder." Both accused have pleaded not guilty to murder. Defence closing speeches and the judge's charge to the jury are scheduled to follow.
A 33‑year‑old Spanish tourist, who was accused of rape on New Year's Eve 2019 in Dublin's Castle area, denies being affectionate with the alleged rapist on CCTV footage. She pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court. The State alleges the man raped her on a street, claiming she could not consent due to alcohol or drugs. She testified she was trying to find a bar, was led into a dark area where the alleged rape occurred, and felt powerless. Afterward she walked with the man back through the city centre, then met a couple outside a shop. She says she was frightened, held the man's arm to avoid falling, and later met a second man at a B&B where she was kissed and had anal sex. She claims she was coerced and that no charge has been brought against the second man. The trial continues before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury.
During the trial, Georgeta Serban, mother of the 26‑year‑old Larisa Serban, testified that her daughter's partner, Daniel Blanaru (37), threatened to kill Larisa if her family interfered in their relationship. She described Blanaru as extremely possessive, paranoid and controlling, noting that he had no stable employment and that his jealousy intensified after Larisa's children were born. Serban said Blanaru would dictate what Larisa wore, forbid her from wearing tight clothing, and accuse her of infidelity whenever she spoke to other men. She recalled that a month before Larisa's death, Blanaru warned that he would kill her if the family intervened. Serban also recounted that Larisa lived a controlled, depressed life and that she had spoken to her daughter on the night before her death. The case is proceeding before Justice Eileen Creedon with an enlarged jury. Daniel Blanaru pleaded not guilty.