Two cousins, aged 23 and 20, received suspended sentences after being convicted of sexually assaulting a 15‑year‑old girl in a car in the Midlands on 11 July 2020. The younger cousin, 16 at the time of the offence, was acquitted of an attempted rape charge. Both were 16 and 19 when the assault occurred, after the girl and the younger cousin arranged to meet secretly. The court ordered them to inform their wives, parents and siblings of the crime. The judge, Ms Justice Caroline Biggs, noted the defendants' remorse, their marital status, low cognitive ability of the younger man and the influence of their environment. The younger man was sentenced to 18 months and the older to three years, both suspended in full on conditions including participation in victim‑focused and sexual‑offending courses. The court also praised the victim's resilience and acknowledged her ongoing mental health difficulties. The case was heard in the Central Criminal Court.
Barry McDonagh, a 60‑year‑old from Midleton, Cork, was convicted by a jury of 17 counts of rape and one count of sexual assault against his teenage sister‑in‑law between 1999 and 2000. The victim, aged 15‑16 at the time, waived anonymity and testified that the abuse began when McDonagh kissed her and then digitally penetrated her while she was lying on a couch. Subsequent rapes occurred during a birthday trip and at a B&B. McDonagh maintains his innocence and remains married to the victim's sister, who supported him in court. The judge sentenced him to ten years, suspended a quarter, and back‑dated the term to time already spent in custody, giving a final custodial term of seven‑and‑a‑half years. The victim described the lasting psychological impact and her struggle to pursue her planned career. The case was heard in the Central Criminal Court.
A 16‑year‑old girl told the Central Criminal Court that her 25‑year‑old cousin repeatedly raped her from age seven to ten, saying the abuse "ruined her life before it had started". She described the cousin's early exposure to pornography at 11, which she said gave him a "warped view of sexuality". The girl's victim impact evidence detailed nightmares, anger, pain and a sense that her body was no longer her own. She recalled the first assault in the cousin's bedroom when she was about six and he was 14, and estimated the sexual assaults occurred up to three times a week, roughly 50 times in total. The cousin pleaded guilty to three counts of oral rape, two of anal rape and five counts of sexual assault in County Cork. He has no prior convictions, is diagnosed with Asperger's, and is completing an apprenticeship. The case was adjourned for finalisation on 29 October.
During the opening of Mr Diarmuid Phelan's murder trial, an eyewitness, farmhand Pierre Godreu, described the events on the Tallaght farm on 22 February 2022. Godreu said Phelan, who was 56, drew a pistol from his pocket and fired two shots into the air before discharging a third shot "towards" an unarmed trespasser, Keith Conlon, who was 36. Conlon was seriously injured and died two days later. Godreu testified that the trespassers were advancing and that Phelan had been "really pissed off" after a dog ran onto his land. He also said Phelan had told the trespassers to leave and that the third shot was fired in quick succession. The prosecution argues the third shot was aimed at Conlon, while the defence contends it was an accidental act of self‑defence. The trial is set to continue before Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
Diarmuid Phelan, a 56‑year‑old law professor and farmer, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Keith Conlon, 36, who was shot in the back of the head on 22 February 2022 at Hazelgrove Farm, Tallaght. Phelan told the Gardaí that he was terrified and "scared sh**less" when he fired a Winchester rifle at a loose dog and then, after three men emerged from the woods, he fired a Smith & Wesson revolver in the air. He claimed the third shot struck Conlon accidentally while he was turning away. The prosecution, represented by Senior Counsel Roisin Lacey, argued that the gun was pointed at Conlon when the fatal shot was fired, implying intent to kill or cause serious injury. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, will examine the circumstances of the shooting, the witnesses' accounts, and the forensic evidence regarding the bullet and the revolver's ammunition.
The Central Criminal Court has heard evidence during the murder trial of Dean Caffrey, aged 38, of Beaucourt, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. Mr Caffrey has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Sean McCarthy between August 2 and 7, 2022. Garda Brian Davis confirmed to the defence that the deceased was known to gardaí as a drug dealer in the Ballymun area. According to the prosecution, Mr Caffrey presented himself at Ashbourne Garda Station two days after Mr McCarthy was reported missing and disclosed the location of a body in his apartment wardrobe. The accused has stated that Mr McCarthy was fatally shot during a struggle over a firearm after demanding €5,000. State Pathologist Dr SallyAnne Collis confirmed death resulted from a gunshot wound to the head. CCTV evidence charting the deceased's movements on August 2, 2022, was presented to the jury. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
At the Central Criminal Court, the State Pathologist has given evidence in the murder trial of Dean Caffrey, aged 38, of Beaucort, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. Dr SallyAnne Collis examined the remains of Sean McCarthy, aged 28, discovered in a suitcase within a wardrobe at the accused's home. The body had been wrapped in bubble wrap and plastic bags secured with tape. Dr Collis identified a gunshot wound to the head as the cause of death, with a bullet lodged in the back of the skull and an entry wound above the left eyebrow. She noted the body was significantly decomposed, consistent with a four-day interval before discovery. The pathologist also observed facial fractures and bruising. Under cross-examination, Dr Collis acknowledged she could not determine the distance from which the firearm was discharged or confirm the bullet's trajectory beyond its entry and exit points. Mr Caffrey has pleaded not guilty to murder allegedly committed between 2 and 7 August 2022. The prosecution alleges the shooting occurred during a confrontation over a drug debt.
An abuse survivor, aged 14 at the time, testified that Fergus Delaney, 61, groomed and sexually assaulted her between 2000 and 2001. She described how Delaney, seen as a community pillar, used text messages and gifts to gain her trust, leading her to skip school and develop an eating disorder. The survivor said Delaney's actions had a devastating impact on her life, causing her to leave school and feel controlled. She noted that Delaney had suggested she seduced him in an interview with Gardaí. Delaney pleaded guilty to four charges of sexual assault and was sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment, with the final six months suspended on strict conditions. The court acknowledged the long‑lasting effects of the grooming and assault on the victim's well‑being.
A 51‑year‑old father was sentenced to 12 years in prison for repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting his daughter between 2010 and 2015. The court heard that the victim, aged 10 to 14 at the time of the abuse, had suffered lasting physical and mental health problems, including complex PTSD, chronic fatigue, anxiety, IBS, headaches, migraines and chest pains. She described the abuse as having "utterly changed" her life and said it would continue to affect her for the rest of her life. The victim's impact statement also criticised the use of her counselling notes in the trial, calling it "surreal" and expressing fear that the notes would be used to portray her as a liar. The judge imposed a headline sentence of 13 years for the rapes and nine years for the sexual assaults, with the sentences running concurrently for a total of 12 years. The unnamed 51-year-old was convicted.
A woman has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment for the manslaughter of a man during a stabbing incident in Ballyconnell, County Wicklow in February 2022. Nicola Brennan (33) pleaded guilty to manslaughter following a jury deadlock on a murder charge at the Central Criminal Court. Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted that Brennan and the deceased had previously been involved and that evidence suggested positive relations between them. The court heard the incident occurred during an evening of heavy alcohol consumption. Brennan introduced a knife into a situation where she faced no threat or provocation, striking the victim in the chest with a downward motion. The judge imposed a headline sentence of twelve years, reduced to nine years following consideration of her guilty plea, remorse and rehabilitation efforts. The final twelve months were suspended for two years conditional on good behaviour and engagement with probation services. The sentence was backdated to July 2022.
Blake Sweeney, 26, of Cahersiveen, was released from prison after serving an eight‑year, six‑month sentence for the manslaughter of Robert Elston, 33, in 2018. Three weeks after his release, Sweeney assaulted a woman and pleaded guilty. The State applied to activate the suspended portion of his sentence. A bench warrant had been issued earlier in the year after he failed to appear in court. He was arrested and remanded in custody. Judge Tony Hunt, hearing the case, decided to activate 12 months of the 18‑month suspended term, back‑dated to the date he entered custody. The judge noted Sweeney's prior good conduct but emphasized that the offence was serious and that the suspended portion would be re‑activated if he re‑offended. The decision was made in a special sitting of the Central Criminal Court. The article does not report any further developments. Blake Sweeney was acquitted.
In a Waterford Central Criminal Court trial, a 34‑year‑old man was convicted of 17 counts of sexual assault against his young cousin over a four‑year period from April 2010. The abuse occurred in the family home and a nearby wooden area, with the victim, who was about ten when first abused, living under the care of the defendant's mother. Incidents happened several times a month, usually in the parents' room, and ceased after an alleged apology by the defendant before the victim entered secondary school in 2014, a claim denied by both parties. The victim, now 23, testified that the abuse left her with loneliness, pain and depression. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath, noting the gross breach of trust and the victim's vulnerability, imposed a headline sentence of 12 years, reduced to 11 years with the final year suspended on strict conditions. The judge highlighted the defendant's lack of prior convictions and work record as mitigating factors.
Two brothers were sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for the rape and indecent assault of three young children at their family farm in Co Offaly between 1987 and 1989. Neville Moody, 52, of Kildare Town, was convicted following trial of two counts of raping his niece, Charlotte Moody, and one count of indecently assaulting her brother, Kenneth Moody. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo sentenced Neville Moody to a consecutive term of nine years, suspending the final year for two years. His brother, Norman Moody, 53, pleaded guilty to three counts of indecently assaulting Charlotte and one count of indecently assaulting a second niece, Annette Moody. The judge sentenced Norman Moody to a consecutive term of four and a half years, suspending the final six months for six months on strict conditions. The complainants, who waived anonymity, described severe long-term trauma. The judge noted that while both men were minors at the time, the abuse was not innocent experimentation. He acknowledged Neville's lack of insight and Norman's genuine remorse. The sentences reflect the serious nature of the offences against children aged between four and a half and eight years old.
Diarmuid Phelan, a 56‑year‑old senior counsel and associate professor of law at Trinity College, was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on 14 October 2024 for the murder of Keith Conlon, a 36‑year‑old father of four, at Hazelgrove Farm in Tallaght on 24 February 2022. Conlon was seriously injured on 22 February and died two days later at Tallaght University Hospital. Phelan pleaded not guilty. He will stand trial before a 12‑person jury and Justice Siobhan Lankford, with the prosecution led by John Byrne and Roisin Lacey and the defence by Michael Bowman and Sean Guerin. The trial is scheduled to begin on 15 October and is expected to last about six weeks. Justice Lankford instructed potential jurors to avoid any pre‑trial research or social‑media activity related to the case and to notify her if they had engaged with such content.
A 38‑year‑old man from Peachville, Kilshane, Dublin 11 pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Marcel Kusenda, a 47‑year‑old Slovakian, who was unlawfully killed in Newbridge, Co Kildare on about 8 March 2023. The plea was accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The case was adjourned to 9 December, with a governor's report from Midlands Prison ordered, and the victim's son in Slovakia is to give a statement before sentencing.
Philip Griffin, 37, pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the deaths of Anthony, 30, and his five‑year‑old daughter Nadine O'Brien in a house fire at Killeen Heights, Tralee, on 12 May 2012. The case was heard in the Central Criminal Court via video‑link from prison. Griffin denied murder but admitted manslaughter on both charges. The Director of Public Prosecutions accepted the pleas; a third charge for arson was dropped. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for 16 December, with a probation report and victim impact statements requested by the judge.
Lawyers for Richard Satchwell, aged 57 and resident of Grattan Street, Youghal, Co Cork, have requested that his murder trial be transferred from Cork to either Dublin or Limerick. The request was made to Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring at the Central Criminal Court, where the defence, represented by Senan Crawford BL, stated that the trial, scheduled for April next year, should be moved. The prosecution, represented by Maria Brosnan BL, was not notified of the application. Justice Ring said the application must be made in the ordinary way and that the prosecution should be put on notice, and adjourned the matter to 15 November. Mr Satchwell is charged with the murder of his wife, Tina Satchwell, aged 45, who was found buried beneath the stairwell of their shared home on Grattan Street in Youghal. The body, discovered by Gardaí in October 2023, was skeletal remains of a woman reported missing on 24 March 2017.
A man accused of murder appeared at the Central Criminal Court on October 10th after voluntarily presenting himself to gardaí with information about a body. Dean Caffrey, aged 38, of Beaucort, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Sean McCarthy, aged 28, between August 2nd and 7th, 2022. The prosecution outlined that Mr Caffrey attended Ashbourne Garda Station two days after Mr McCarthy was reported missing, stating the deceased was located in his apartment wardrobe. During subsequent interviews, the accused alleged Mr McCarthy had arrived at his home armed and demanding €5,000 over a heroin-related debt, and that a struggle over the firearm resulted in a fatal shot. A pistol was recovered from the Tolka River near Mr Caffrey's residence. The trial before Mr Justice Paul McDermott continues with a jury of seven men and five women.
A 33-year-old woman convicted of manslaughter appeared before the Central Criminal Court on Monday seeking to demonstrate her capacity for rehabilitation following her guilty plea to killing a former partner. The defendant, from Ballyconnell, County Cavan, fatally stabbed the 36-year-old man at a shared residence in February 2022. Her barrister submitted that she has achieved qualifications and engaged in prison programmes since her conviction, and expressed genuine remorse to the victim's family. The prosecution contended the offence warranted a headline sentence of ten to fifteen years, noting the use of a knife as a significant aggravating factor. The court heard the incident occurred during a period marked by heavy alcohol use among household members. The defendant carries 49 prior convictions, predominantly traffic-related, with no history of violent offences. Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned sentencing to the following Monday to allow further consideration of the matter.
A one‑week pre‑trial hearing has started before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. The hearing concerns senior barrister Diarmuid Phelan, 55, of Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, who is accused of murdering 36‑year‑old Keith Conlon in a fatal shooting at Hazelgrove Farm on 22 February 2022. Conlon was seriously injured and died two days later at Tallaght University Hospital. The prosecution is led by John Byrne and Roisin Lacey, while Michael Bowman and Sean Guerin head the defence. The case will proceed to trial before a jury once the pre‑trial hearing concludes.
Dean Caffrey, a 38-year-old man from Drumcondra, Dublin 9, has been arraigned at the Central Criminal Court and is set to stand trial on Thursday. He has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Sean McCarthy, aged 28, which is said to have occurred on a date unknown between August 2 and 7, 2022, in the State. The victim's body was reportedly found in Drumcondra two years ago. Justice Caroline Biggs swore in a jury of seven men and five women to hear the case. The trial is scheduled to begin before Justice Paul McDermott and is expected to last six weeks. As the matter is at the trial stage, no findings, sentences, or final disposals have been recorded. The defendant's plea remains not guilty, and the allegations are contested. No adjournments, suspended portions, or effective custody periods have been reported in this procedural update.
A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment following his conviction for rape at the Central Criminal Court. Shaun O'Donnell, originally from Leeds in the United Kingdom, was found guilty of one count of rape and one count of sexual assault against a woman at a Donegal residence on 26 March 2021. The offence occurred while the victim slept beside her partner and newborn baby. O'Donnell, who had been staying with the couple, initially climbed into the bed undetected. Upon discovering his identity, the woman left the room. Mr Justice David Keane described the breach of trust as "fundamental" and noted the grave harm caused to the victim. The judge imposed the sentence without suspension, observing that O'Donnell had not accepted the verdicts or expressed remorse. A concurrent sentence of two years and eight months was imposed on the sexual assault charge. The sentences were backdated to February of the previous year when O'Donnell entered custody.
Colin 'Ollie' Murphy, aged 50 and a former 15‑year member of the band Ham Sandwich, was convicted at the Central Criminal Court for raping a woman in her Dublin home in September 2020. The victim, who wished to remain anonymous, described the assault as occurring in her bedroom after a party, with Murphy claiming the encounter was consensual. Murphy denied the allegations, later accepting the jury's verdict and apologising to the victim. Mr Justice David Keane sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions, including engagement with relevant services. The sentence was reduced from an initial eight‑year headline, taking into account Murphy's lack of prior convictions, low risk of re‑offending and his expressed remorse. The conviction was back‑dated to 7 March, when Murphy entered custody.
Wayne Higgins, 27, was convicted of raping a woman in Cork city on 28 August 2019. The victim, who was intoxicated, had asked Higgins to escort her to a bus stop after drinking with him. While stopped in a laneway, Higgins raped her in broad daylight. Neighbours shouted at him and threatened to call the Gardaí, but he replied, "It's just sex," and fled. The victim later testified that she could not identify him at the time and that DNA evidence linked him to the assault. Higgins, who had a history of drug, robbery, stalking, harassment and breach of a barring order convictions, was sentenced by Mr Justice Paul Burns to ten years' imprisonment. The final year was suspended for three years on the condition that he engages with the Probation Service and has no contact with the victim. The court noted his moderate risk of re‑offending and his significant alcohol addiction. Wayne Higgins pleaded guilty.
A 50‑year‑old man was sentenced to ten years in prison for raping his step‑daughter, who was 11 at the time of the assaults. He pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, production of child pornography and sending sexually explicit material to a child, all committed in November 2023. The court found evidence of a prolonged grooming campaign that began when the man sent inappropriate text messages to the nine‑year‑old step‑daughter and continued for almost two years, including explicit images and videos of the child. The judge noted the man's lack of insight and the risk of re‑offending, and imposed a suspended year of the sentence on strict conditions, including probation and no further contact with the child. The sentencing was delivered by Mr Justice Paul Burns at the Central Criminal Court. The case was brought by the prosecution team led by Patricia McLaughlin SC.
Tomas Kleinas, 48, of Victorine Abbey, Trim, was sentenced to 13 years in prison with the final two years suspended on strict conditions after pleading guilty to raping a woman on 25 July 2020. The victim, who was holding an eight‑month‑old baby, was tied up, blindfolded and subjected to repeated sexual assault, including forced oral sex and digital penetration, while a 12‑year‑old child was also present. Kleinas threatened to kill the baby and used a knife to threaten the victim's teeth. The assault was alcohol‑related and the victim reported it to the Gardaí the following day, where extensive bruising and a black rope were found. Kleinas had prior minor convictions dating back to 2006 and was deemed unsuitable for probation. The judge noted his lack of remorse and the victim's desire to avoid reliving the events, leading to the suspended portion of the sentence. Kleinas had previously worked in construction and runs a beauty salon.
Thomas Wymbs, a 67-year-old former B&B owner from Sligo, was sentenced today by Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring at the Central Criminal Court. He was found guilty by a jury of one count of raping a female guest between February 22 and 23, 2020. The complainant, a European woman in her 20s, was staying at Wymbs' establishment in Moneygold, Mount Temple, Co Sligo, where he was the sole proprietor. Prosecution evidence indicated that Wymbs invited the victim to join him for a drink; she later woke to find herself in his bedroom where the assault occurred. Wymbs had claimed the act was consensual. In her sentencing remarks, the judge highlighted the fundamental breach of trust, noting that the victim was a paying guest and a stranger in the country, which Wymbs exploited. Although the judge acknowledged Wymbs' work history, health issues, and the fact that this was a single act, she emphasized the seriousness of the crime. Wymbs was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years' imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended. The sentence was backdated to July 22, 2024, to account for time already spent in custody. The victim's impact statement detailed ongoing anxiety, panic attacks, and an inability to work resulting from the incident.
Anthony Byrne, 55, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court following his conviction on two counts of raping his stepdaughter, Kim Jordan, in 2002. Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring imposed an 11-year prison term, with the final 18 months suspended. The sentence was backdated to May 15 last year to account for time already spent in custody. Byrne, of Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, was found guilty after a trial in May. The court heard the offences occurred when Ms Jordan was 15, including an incident in Spain on her birthday and a subsequent attack in their family home. Ms Jordan waived her anonymity to allow Byrne to be named. The judge noted aggravating factors, including the rape of a child and the breach of safety in the victim's bedroom. Byrne had claimed the encounters were consensual, describing them as an "affair," a view the judge rejected, citing a lack of remorse and understanding of consent. In a victim impact statement, Ms Jordan stated she felt humiliated by Byrne's trial conduct, which she said portrayed her as a "teenage sexual temptress." The judge acknowledged Byrne had no previous convictions and had worked his whole life. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the custodial sentence.
Marcus Duggan, aged 53, was convicted of two indecent assault and one rape offences committed between 1983 and 1991. The crimes involved his sister, Yvonne Ratcliffe, who was 12, 15 and 18 at the times of the incidents. In each case, Duggan's friends held her down while he assaulted or raped her. Ratcliffe, who waived anonymity, gave a victim impact statement describing the abuse, shame and isolation she endured. Prosecutor Patricia McLoughlin highlighted the family's poverty, neglect and exposure to pornography. Judge Tony Hunt sentenced Duggan to five years' imprisonment, suspending the final year on strict conditions, and directed that he have no contact with Ratcliffe. The sentence was back‑dated to the date of his custody. No other convictions or prior offences were recorded. Marcus Duggan pleaded not guilty.
The 51‑year‑old Offaly man was sentenced to 21 months' imprisonment for a single count of sexual assault on a teenage girl who was the daughter of his then‑partner. He had previously received a 10‑year sentence for sexually abusing the victim's younger brother between 2015 and 2019. The new sentence is consecutive to the earlier term, with the last nine months suspended on the condition that he engages with the Probation Service for three years and has no contact with the complainant. The court heard the man pleaded guilty to 27 charges against the brother, including oral and anal rape, and that the assault on the girl occurred in 2012‑2014. The victim's impact statement described lasting emotional harm, migraines, poor sleep and a permanent state of exhaustion. The man denied the allegations and claimed the girl was fabricating the story.
A 24‑year‑old man, Camden Konopka, was sentenced to a ten‑year suspended term for attempting to murder his mother by setting fire to their home, locking her inside and discarding the keys. The judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, back‑dated the sentence to May 2020 and ordered that the balance of the term be suspended for ten years, during which Konopka must be supervised by Nua Healthcare Services. He is required to remain at a supervised location, follow all staff directions, take his medication, and may not contact his mother directly unless she initiates communication. Konopka has been in custody for over four years and has a history of mental illness. The court noted the case was "distressing" and that the punitive element had been adequately addressed. The sentence aims to minimise future harm to Konopka and those around him. Camden Konopka pleaded guilty.
A former Olympic swimming coach has been convicted and sentenced to ten years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the rape and sexual assault of a teenage girl over three decades ago. Derry O'Rourke, aged 78, of Virginia Road, Cavan, pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and fifteen counts of indecent assault allegedly committed between October 1989 and June 1990 at a Leinster school. A jury unanimously convicted him of rape and eleven sexual assault charges following a six-day trial. The offences occurred when the victim was aged thirteen to fourteen. Justice Melanie Greally imposed concurrent sentences and described O'Rourke as a serial child abuser, noting aggravating factors including his abuse of authority as swimming coach, grooming behaviour, and the vulnerable age of the victim. O'Rourke has previous convictions dating from 1998 involving multiple victims, all entered through guilty pleas. The victim provided a detailed impact statement during sentencing.
A 59-year-old Meath man was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted of one count of anal rape and 31 counts of sexual assault. The offences, which occurred between June 2005 and March 2013, involved the abuse of his son, who was aged between five and 13 at the time. Following a trial at the Central Criminal Court in April, the defendant was found guilty. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a headline sentence of 12 years for the rape charge and concurrent sentences of 10 years for the sexual assault charges. The sentence was backdated to May 1, when the defendant entered custody. The judge declined to suspend any portion of the term, citing the defendant's continued denial of the offences and lack of remorse. He also imposed five years of post-release supervision and ordered that the man have no contact with the victim. The court noted the defendant's low risk of sexual re-offending but moderate risk of general re-offending, while highlighting that his attitude creates its own risk. The judge emphasized that the shame for the offences lies entirely with the offender, not the victim, who stated that the abuse dominated his childhood and teenage years.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 30 July 2024, a 32‑year‑old defendant pleaded guilty to nine counts of sexual assault against his younger brother between 2000 and 2002, when the victim was aged 14‑16 and the defendant 9‑11. The abuse, described as occurring weekly in the family home in Dublin, included mutual masturbation and an incident where the defendant forced the victim to give oral sex. The court heard the brothers grew up in a household of widespread neglect, with their mother later jailed for serious crimes. The victim's impact statement highlighted ongoing depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation stemming from the abuse. The judge, Justice Karen O'Connor, sentenced the defendant to two years' imprisonment, suspending the final four months on conditions, after noting the significant age disparity and the lasting impact on the victim. The defendant had previously admitted the abuse in a family meeting in 2017 and had undergone counselling.
A man has been convicted at the Central Criminal Court of raping and sexually assaulting a schoolgirl in Cavan during the late 1980s. Derry O'Rourke, aged 78, of Virginia Road, Cavan, was found guilty of one count of rape and eleven counts of indecent assault following a six-day trial. The offences occurred between October 1989 and June 1990 when the complainant was aged thirteen to fourteen years old. O'Rourke, a former Olympic swimming coach, had pleaded not guilty to one rape charge and fifteen indecent assault charges. The court heard he singled the girl out during school swimming sessions and subjected her to abuse under the guise of conducting muscle checks in a room adjoining the pool, before raping her in a boiler room in September 1990. At sentencing hearing, the now forty-eight-year-old victim delivered an impact statement describing the "brutalisation" she suffered and its lasting effects on her life. Justice Melanie Greally remanded O'Rourke in custody pending sentencing. The prosecution submitted the case warrants a sentence of between fifteen years and life imprisonment.
Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring handed down five life sentences at the Central Criminal Court to family members convicted of murdering Thomas Dooley at Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee, Co Kerry, on October 5, 2022. The defendants, including Patrick Dooley, Thomas Dooley Senior, Thomas Dooley Junior, Michael Dooley, and Daniel Dooley, had all pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. The judge described the killing as an "honour killing" involving "medieval violence" and noted that no explanation for the death had been proffered. Thomas Dooley Junior was additionally found guilty of assault causing harm to Siobhán Dooley. He was sentenced to four-and-a-half years for this offence, backdated from his custody on November 16, 2022, with the term running concurrently to his life sentence. The life sentences for the five adults were backdated to their respective custody dates. A sixth defendant, a male teenager, was not sentenced today as he is expected to seek a judicial review; his matter was adjourned for a mention on October 29. The court heard a victim impact statement from Siobhán Dooley, who stated her husband's last act was telling her to run to save herself. The judge emphasized that the only innocents were the victim, his wife, and their children.
A 37‑year‑old Romanian, Cristian Gogosiou, was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment, with the last two years suspended, for raping a 31‑year‑old homeless woman in a Limerick alley on 26 September 2019. He pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and one count of oral rape, but was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury. The victim, who could not be named, was living in homeless accommodation and had addiction issues. Gogosiou admitted to having sex with her, claiming she offered it for money, and said he preyed on vulnerable women because it was easy. He was found to have used a knife and a condom was discovered on the ground. The judge reduced a headline sentence of 12 years to 10 years, citing mitigating factors such as his status as a Romanian national and time already served, and placed him on the sex offenders' register.
An unnamed 35-year-old defendant appeared at the Central Criminal Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to charges related to the death of his four-year-old son in March 2021. The man admitted to wilfully causing or procuring the child's assault, wilfully neglecting him by failing to provide medical aid, and recklessly endangering the child. He also pleaded guilty to reporting the cause of the boy's injuries as an accidental fall to a garda station with intent to impede the apprehension of another person he believed guilty of murder. The court heard that the child died from traumatic head injury and blunt force trauma to the abdomen. While the defendant's co-accused pleaded guilty to manslaughter, the Director of Public Prosecutions did not accept that plea, and her trial date remains unfixed. The defendant, who previously received a suspended sentence for violent disorder, was not sentenced today. Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the case until October 11 and remanded the defendant in custody until that date.
James Kilroy was sentenced to life imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court today following his conviction for the murder of his wife, Valerie French, at their home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, County Mayo, between 13 and 14 June 2019. Kilroy had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but a jury rejected that defence. The State Pathologist determined that Ms French died from ligature strangulation combined with blunt force trauma and a stab wound to the neck. During sentencing, Ms French's family called for legislative change to prevent convicted murderers from retaining parental rights over their children, citing similar protections in the United Kingdom. The victim's brother told the court that Kilroy has demonstrated no remorse and attempted to avoid accountability for the killing. Ms French's family emphasised the widespread impact on relatives, friends and the community, and urged women experiencing abuse to contact gardaí.
Sandra Sandaraite, 39, was sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment for the manslaughter of her on‑off partner, Zbigniew Czech, 47, who was found dead on the stairwell of their Academy Street apartment on 10 December 2022. The Central Criminal Court, presided over by Ms Justice Caroline Biggs, described the relationship as toxic and volatile, with alcohol contributing to repeated violent incidents. Sandaraite had earlier pleaded guilty to manslaughter with excessive force in self‑defence, a plea accepted in March. She claimed that, if she had not taken a chef's knife from a closed box, she would have been beaten. The knife was found in Czech's hand, and a pathology report identified a fatal stab wound to his upper left lung. The judge accepted her early plea, reduced the sentence by three years, and suspended the final six months for two years to encourage rehabilitation. The sentence was back‑dated to the date of her initial arrest.
Mary O'Donnell, 33, told the court she is "one of the lucky ones" for surviving a prolonged abusive relationship with Mark Leonard, 30. Leonard was jailed for 10 years after a Central Criminal Court jury convicted him of seven assault charges, a false imprisonment charge and several sexual offences. He pleaded guilty to the assault charges but denied the assault causing harm, false imprisonment and sexual offences. Leonard accepted the verdict, wrote an apology letter and was sentenced to 11 years concurrent, with the final year suspended on strict conditions, including probation and no contact with O'Donnell. O'Donnell read a victim impact statement describing the abuse as "sinister" and the lasting fear it caused. The judge expressed sympathy and noted her support from a loving husband. The case highlighted the prolonged campaign of physical and sexual abuse she endured.
The 48‑year‑old defendant, whose name is withheld to protect the victim, was convicted of rape at his home in the midlands on 7 August 2018. The Central Criminal Court in Tullamore found him guilty after a February trial, and he received a nine‑year jail sentence for the rape, with a four‑and‑a‑half‑year term for assault and false imprisonment, the final year suspended. He appealed, arguing that two "goading" videos taken on his phone before the alleged rape were inadmissible and prejudicial. The Court of Appeal heard the case on 26 July 2024, with counsel for the State maintaining the videos were admissible for credibility, while the defence claimed they were irrelevant and highly prejudicial. The court will decide after the summer break. The defendant continues to deny the offence and has shown no remorse or rehabilitation.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Brian Ibe, aged 23, collapsed after the judge ruled that the defence could not call additional witnesses who were not classified as experts. Ibe, who had no fixed abode and was formerly of Moore Park, Newbridge, was accused of murdering retired Peter Kennedy, 65, who had offered him and his mother a place to stay. Ibe denied murder but admitted causing Kennedy's death, and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. He also faced a separate assault charge against Garda Brendan O'Donnell. The judge explained that the court could not accommodate the defence's request for non‑expert witnesses and that it would be unfair to keep the jury empanelled for an extended period. Consequently, the jury was excused for five years and the case was postponed. The trial, which had been scheduled to last up to two weeks, was therefore abandoned.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has unanimously convicted James Kilroy of the murder of his wife, Valerie French Kilroy, at their home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, County Mayo, in June 2019. The conviction marks the conclusion of his third trial since 2021, with previous proceedings having collapsed due to unforeseen difficulties. Kilroy had mounted an insanity defence, claiming he was suffering cannabis-induced psychosis when he fatally beat, stabbed and strangled his wife. The jury of eight women and four men rejected this claim after deliberating for approximately two hours. Expert psychiatric evidence was divided on whether cannabis-induced psychosis constitutes a valid defence under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act, though the prosecution's consultant psychiatrist argued such conditions fall within the definition of intoxication rather than mental disorder. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, stated the verdict represented the correct outcome, noting that self-induced scenarios cannot serve as defences. Kilroy will receive the mandatory life sentence at sentencing on the following Monday, when the victim's family will be afforded the opportunity to address the court.
A 32‑year‑old man was jailed for nine years for repeatedly raping his younger half‑siblings between 2001 and 2010. He pleaded guilty to nine counts of raping his sister and three counts of anally and orally raping his brother. The victims were aged 6–14 for the sister and 7–12 for the brother when the abuse began. The judge noted the offences were "humiliating and demeaning", repeated, involved a breach of trust and were committed by a young offender. A headline sentence of 22 years was deemed too harsh given the offender's age, so a 10‑year term was imposed with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. A five‑year post‑release supervision period was added, and the court highlighted the victims' impact statements and the offender's moderate‑to‑high risk of re‑offending.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, witnesses described Peter Kennedy, aged 65, as a kind, "absolute gentleman" who had taken in Brian Ibe's mother and offered his home to the homeless. Ibe, 23, denied murdering Kennedy but admitted causing his death. He claimed Kennedy demanded money from him and threatened to kill him. Ibe's mother, Martha, testified that her son had threatened Kennedy, used a knife, and stabbed him in the back of the neck. Garda Shane Lehane found Kennedy flat on his back, saturated in blood, and the victim was taken to Naas and Beaumont hospitals before dying on 12 May 2020. A pathology report cited multiple contusions, fractures, and brain injury as the cause of death. The trial will determine whether Ibe's defence of not guilty by reason of insanity applies.
Raymond Shorten, aged 50, was sentenced by Mr Justice Paul McDermott to a total of 30 years in prison for a series of sexual offences. The sentence comprises a 17‑year term for raping a 19‑year‑old woman on 26 June 2022 and a 13‑year term for raping a 20‑year‑old woman on 9 August 2022, both to run consecutively with a 13‑year sentence for the rape and sexual assault of a seven‑year‑old girl in 2012. The judge noted Shorten's lack of remorse and described the offences as a gross betrayal of the trust placed in taxi drivers. He imposed no suspended portion and added a ten‑year post‑release supervision period, prohibiting contact with the victims or unsupervised contact with children. The sentencing highlighted the severity of the crimes and the danger posed by Shorten to society. Raymond Shorten was convicted.
A 61‑year‑old Dublin soccer coach was found guilty by a jury of four counts of defilement of a teenage student, aged 16 at the time, between August 2008 and January 2009. The jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts for the defilement charges after deliberating just under five hours. The coach was found not guilty of rape, anal rape and 30 counts of sexual assault. He was remanded in custody for sentencing on 4 November. The case involved allegations that the coach, who was the student's team coach, used his position to contact her, eventually engaging in sexual activity while she was under 17. The prosecution argued that the coach knew she was under 17 and that the evidence was corroborated, while the defence denied any sexual relationship before she turned 18. The judge thanked the jurors and excused them from service for five years.
During a sentencing hearing for Daniel Okungbowa, a 35‑year‑old of Thornfield Square, Clondalkin, two women who were raped while asleep read victim impact statements. The first woman, now 31, was raped in 2016 and had pleaded guilty to the offence after a 2020 conviction. She described the assault as a loss of her soul, depression, anxiety and self‑harm, and said she forgives the rapist and prays for his healing. The second woman, now 32, was raped in September 2020 while celebrating with friends. She said the event changed her life, damaged her family relationships, and caused her to stop working. Both women described the rapist's attempts to blame them and his denial of the offences. The judge noted the offences were pre‑meditated, involved sleeping victims, and imposed a headline sentence of 14½ years, with a final 13‑year term and 18 months suspended on strict conditions. Daniel Okungbowa pleaded not guilty.
In a murder trial, the jury heard that Brian Ibe, aged 23, allegedly killed Peter Kennedy in Newbridge between 28 April and 12 May 2020. Ibe, who had previously lived in Moore Park, Newbridge, and was associated with the Peter McVerry Trust, Dublin 12, had allowed Kennedy to stay in his home and also permitted Kennedy's mother to stay there until they found other accommodation. The State argued that Kennedy had become unhappy with Ibe's behaviour, leading to verbal disputes that prompted Gardaí to visit the house in December 2019. On the night of the killing, Ibe allegedly travelled from Dublin, smashed a window to enter the house, and attacked Kennedy, who sustained serious head injuries and died at Beaumont Hospital. Ibe has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder and to an assault charge against Garda Brendan O'Donnell. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Burns, is expected to last up to two weeks.