In an appeal-stage procedural matter, the Central Criminal Court addressed the sentencing of an unnamed 18-year-old defendant who pleaded guilty to sexual assault committed on June 19, 2021, in the north-east of the country. At the time of the alleged offence, the defendant was 15 and the victim was 16. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a two-year sentence, fully suspended for three years on strict conditions. These conditions require the defendant to avoid direct or indirect contact with the victim, engage with Probation Services, continue a sexual offending treatment programme, and develop social skills. The judge emphasized that a "huge degree of oversight" is required for the defendant's welfare and public protection. However, citing a recent Court of Appeal decision, Mr Justice McDermott noted that conditions on suspended sentences cannot be enforced once a juvenile turns 18. Consequently, the finalisation of the sentence was adjourned until after the defendant's 18th birthday to ensure the conditions remain enforceable. The judge highlighted the court's obligations under the Children Act and acknowledged the difficulties faced by both parties, while noting that a more serious penalty would apply to an adult. The matter was adjourned, not concluded.
A 21‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to six counts of oral rape of his older sister between 2014 and 2016, when the sister was eight to ten and the accused was twelve to fourteen. He also faced two counts of sexual assault of his younger sister, who was eight to eleven at the time. The abuse occurred every second weekend during the girls' visits to their father's house. The older sister, now 17, gave a video interview; the younger sister declined. The accused admitted the abuse, said he did not want to put his sisters on the stand, and had no prior convictions. The court heard victim impact statements describing the sisters' trauma and the defendant's cooperation. The case was heard on a full‑facts basis, with the judge to sentence on 22 July. The defendant is currently in a hostel and has no work. The court considered his age, maturity, and psychological reports in determining the sentence.
Bláthnaid Raleigh, a 21‑year‑old from Mullingar, was raped with a bottle by Jonathan Moran, a 26‑year‑old acquaintance, in a garden shed in Galway on 21 July 2019. Moran was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury of section four rape and aggravated sexual assault for penetrating her vagina and anus with a bottle. He denied using an implement and claimed the activity was consensual. Raleigh, who suffered extensive physical injuries requiring months of treatment, read her victim impact statement and said the conviction allowed her to use the word "rape." She expressed a desire to become a support and advocate for other victims of sexual violence, thanking the Rape Crisis Centre and Gardaí for their help. The court remanded Moran in custody until 1 July for sentencing. No further sentencing details are provided in the article.
Owen Maughan, 22, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the murder of Christopher Hall, 65, at his home in Dun Saithne Green, Balbriggan, Co Dublin. The single charge on the indictment alleged that Maughan murdered Mr Hall between November 23 and 24, 2021. Although the pre-trial hearing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott was scheduled to last two and a half weeks, Maughan indicated his wish to be arraigned and entered a guilty plea during the proceedings. The prosecution was led by senior counsel Garret Baker, while Philipp Rahn SC headed the defence team. Following the plea, the judge directed the preparation of a victim impact report. Maughan was remanded in custody until July 8, when it is expected that he will be sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment. The court did not impose a final sentence at this stage, but rather adjourned the matter for sentencing after the report is completed.
A 41‑year‑old man was sentenced to 11½ years' imprisonment for raping his 12‑year‑old stepdaughter on four occasions in 2014. The abuse occurred in the family home in the south‑east of the country, with the victim being in her bed on three occasions and on the floor of a sibling's room on one occasion. After the second incident she told her mother, but the stepfather continued to assault her, including on Christmas Eve. He put his hand over her mouth, bit her breasts and pulled her hair, leaving clumps on her pillow. A jury found him guilty of three counts of rape, two counts of anal rape and one count of sexual assault. He denies the abuse and intends to appeal. The sentence was reduced from an initial headline of 13½ years to 11½ years, backdated to his March 2024 arrest. The court noted the victim's vulnerability and the brutality of the offences.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, Raymond Shorten, 50, of Clondalkin, was found guilty by a unanimous jury of two counts of rape and one of anal rape against two young female passengers. The jury deliberated for 76 minutes after hearing evidence that the women, aged 19 and 20, had been in Shorten's taxi following nights out in Dublin city centre in June and August 2022. Both women testified that they were raped in the back of the taxi, describing loss of memory, shock and physical injury. Shorten denied the allegations, claiming the encounters were consensual, and provided written statements supporting this view. The prosecution presented CCTV footage, forensic DNA evidence, and testimony from other women who said they had consensual sex with Shorten in his taxi. The judge thanked the jury, excused them from service for five years, remanded Shorten in custody for sentencing on 1 July, and ordered victim impact statements. Raymond Shorten pleaded not guilty.
A 21‑year‑old woman testified at the Central Criminal Court that a taxi driver raped her after she fell asleep in his vehicle. She said she had been drinking, had gone home at about 4 a.m., and then entered the taxi to get a phone charger. The driver allegedly forced sexual contact, which she denied consent to, and after the act he asked her to pay the fare. She claimed her phone had died, her parents gave the driver cash, and she was later taken to a sexual assault treatment unit. The accused, in his fifties, pleaded not guilty to the rape and to an alleged anal rape of another woman. He denies all allegations, asserting any sexual activity was consensual and initiated by the women. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
Anthony Canning, 74, of Fadden, Carrig, Birr, Co Offaly, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to two charges of indecent assault, three of sexual assault and one of oral rape of Celine Daly, who was between seven and 13 years old at the time of the offences, which occurred between December 1987 and December 1993 in his home. Canning, who was married to Ms Daly's aunt, was between 37 and 43 years old during the abuse. Ms Daly gave a victim impact statement in which she described the abuse as leaving emotional scars and said she had finally been heard after reporting to the Gardaí. Judge Tony Hunt set a headline sentence of 10 years, taking into account the age disparity and the fact that the abuse occurred in what was effectively an extension of her home, and imposed a seven‑year jail term for the offence of oral rape. The sentence was not suspended.
Nicola Brennan, aged 33, has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Juris Viktorovs at their shared home in Shillelagh, Ballyconnell, County Wicklow on 10 February 2022. The Central Criminal Court accepted her plea, with the Director of Public Prosecutions withdrawing the murder charge. Brennan had previously pleaded not guilty to murder in December 2023, but a month-long trial resulted in jury disagreement. Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the case for sentencing on 7 October pending probation and prison governor reports. Brennan has remained in custody at the Dochas women's prison since June 2022. The trial heard evidence from a witness who identified Brennan as responsible for the fatal stabbing, though the defence contended the witness account was unreliable given the circumstances.
A taxi driver in his fifties has gone on trial in Dublin for the rape of two young women in separate incidents in 2022 and 2023. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and one of anal rape. Prosecutor Gerardine Small said each woman had been socialising in the city centre, met friends for drinks, and later found themselves in a taxi where they alleged they were raped. The driver denies the allegations, claiming any sexual contact was consensual. The trial is before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury at the Central Criminal Court.
A 46‑year‑old man was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for a single count of rape, three counts of aggravated sexual assault, three counts of assault causing harm and one count of coercive control. The offences occurred in a border county between July 2020 and May 2022. The victim, a Brazilian woman who was heavily pregnant at the time of the final assault, described the abuse as "sadistic and humiliating". She said the husband tied her up, cut her vagina with a knife, punched her, used a phone‑charger as a weapon and raped her after striking her repeatedly. He also threatened to kill her and prevented her from contacting family in Brazil. The court noted the victim's fear, anxiety attacks and depression. The man denied the allegations and did not accept the jury verdict. The unnamed 46-year-old was found guilty.
A 41‑year‑old Dublin man was given a fully suspended two‑year sentence for assaulting his former wife over a decade ago. He pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm, with other assault counts considered; the State dropped the remaining charges. The judge noted the victim was isolated and the man's bullying and dominant behaviour caused fear and violence, including throwing sharp objects that left a scar. He was ordered to cooperate with the Probation Service, attend therapeutic and domestic violence courses, and have no contact with the former partner except for childcare arrangements. If he breaches any condition or re‑offends, the sentence will be reactivated. The couple, now divorced, share custody of their child, and the man has expressed remorse and is engaged in psychiatric care.
Gerard O'Brien, 59, a former Circuit Court judge, was sentenced to five years and nine months' imprisonment, with 21 months suspended, for one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault against six young men. The offences, committed while he was a teacher at CBC Monkstown between 1991 and 1997, involved victims aged 17 to 24, four of whom were students or former students. O'Brien pleaded not guilty, resigned as a judge in January 2024, and had his sentencing hearing postponed twice. The judge noted O'Brien's age, disability and psychological vulnerability, but also highlighted his misuse of disability to exploit victims, lack of remorse, and predatory behaviour. O'Brien will serve the custodial term, be subject to a two‑year post‑release supervision order, and his conviction was deemed to show he was unsuitable to hold judicial office.
At a Cork sitting of the Central Criminal Court, five family members and a teenager pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas 'Tom' Dooley, 43, during a funeral at Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee, on 5 October 2022. The accused include Patrick Dooley (36), Thomas Dooley Senior (43), Thomas Dooley Junior (21), Michael Dooley (29), Daniel Dooley (42) and an unnamed teenager. Thomas Dooley Junior is also charged with assault causing serious harm to Dooley's wife, Siobhán. The trial may last over two months, potentially until 31 July, and is expected to start next week.
Gerard O'Brien, a former Circuit Court judge aged 59, had his sentencing hearing for attempted rape and sexual abuse of six young men adjourned to Friday. He was convicted in December at the Central Criminal Court of one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault involving six victims, all of whom were aged 17 to 24 at the time of the offences, which took place in Dublin between March 1991 and November 1997. O'Brien, who taught at CBC Monkstown and was aged 27 to 33 during the incidents, pleaded not guilty to all allegations. He had no prior convictions and resigned from the judiciary in January after being appointed in 2015. The court noted his rare congenital condition, Phocomelia, caused by Thalidomide, which left him without upper limbs and missing a lower limb, requiring assistance with daily tasks.
A jury in the Central Criminal Court convicted a Kilkenny man of sexually abusing eight boys, including three sets of brothers, over a period from 1995 to 2007. The man, who had pleaded not guilty to 121 charges, was found guilty on 78 counts that covered oral rape, anal rape and sexual assault. The jury deliberated for ten hours and thirteen minutes before returning the verdicts. Justice Eileen Creedon thanked the jury, excused them from duty for seven years, revoked the man's bail and remanded him in custody. She adjourned sentencing to 8 July and ordered victim impact statements from the eight complainants. The case involved allegations that the accused lured boys with cigarettes, then abused them in his home and other local areas. The trial highlighted the prolonged nature of the abuse and the delayed reporting by the victims.
Robert Redmond (35) was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for conspiring to murder Jordan Davis in 2019. Redmond, who is already serving a life sentence for the murder of Barry Wolverson, pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a seven-year term, which runs consecutively to Redmond's existing 12-year sentence for firearms possession. This results in a total of 19 years' imprisonment to be served concurrently with his mandatory life sentence. The judge rejected defense arguments that the consecutive structure constituted a disproportionate 'quasi-life sentence,' citing Redmond's 'deep involvement' in the 'cold-blooded' killing and his 99 previous convictions. Evidence presented included threatening text messages from Redmond to Davis regarding a €70,000 drug debt and 'tick lists' found at addresses linked to Redmond. Wayne Cooney (33), who was convicted of the actual murder of Davis in July 2022, is currently serving a life sentence. The court noted that Davis was shot while pushing his infant son in a pram near a school in Darndale.
A man has been convicted of unlawfully killing his 88-year-old mother by arson at their shared home in Coolvoy, Doochary, County Donegal on 12 April 2022. Geunter Lohse, aged 63, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court after a charge of murder was withdrawn. The court heard that three fires were deliberately lit inside the house using matches. Firefighters discovered the victim seated in an armchair; she died from inhaling fumes. Lohse admitted starting the fire and told gardaí he had intended to take his own life. He claimed he attempted to move his mother and extinguish the flames but was unsuccessful. Defence counsel indicated Lohse's family suspected he suffered from schizophrenia, though he had never received expert diagnosis or psychiatric treatment. Justice Melanie Greally adjourned sentencing to 29 July to allow consideration of psychiatric and psychological reports. The judge noted that Lohse will require community support upon release, given the absence of family support structures.
In May 2024, a 46‑year‑old woman from Cork lost her appeal against a conviction for wilful neglect, sexual assault and sexual exploitation of her toddler son. The conviction, obtained by a jury in June 2022, covered neglect from September 2010 to June 2015 and sexual offences between September 2013 and June 2015. The woman, described as having very limited cognitive functioning, argued that the neglect charge was vague and that the delay in trial had erased the child's memory of the abuse. She also claimed the trial was unfair because her lawyers could not fully cross‑examine the child. The Court of Appeal rejected both grounds, noting that the evidence from video‑recorded interviews and the child's foster‑care testimony supported the charges. The Director of Public Prosecutions now intends to appeal the suspended sentence, arguing it was unduly lenient. The case remains at the appellate stage, with no further outcome reported.
A 21‑year‑old man from Co Cork was jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting two girls when he was 12 and 14. The first assault occurred in 2015 when he was 12 and the victim was nine; the second in 2017 when he was 14 and the victim was 13 or 14. The offences were discovered in 2020 after the first victim disclosed the assault in school, leading to investigations by Tusla and the Gardaí. The accused admitted the acts were not consensual and expressed remorse. In court, the judge noted the serious impact on the victims' mental health and, after considering the defendant's age and remorse, imposed concurrent sentences of two years, suspending six months on strict conditions, and ordered registration as a sex offender for two years.
A 25‑year‑old Cork woman testified in the Central Criminal Court that she woke to a friend raping her in her family home. She described the assault as occurring after a local celebration where both parties drank heavily. The accused, a 25‑year‑old man with no prior convictions, was convicted by jury of rape and sexual assault on 27 January 2020. Judge Eileen Creedon set headline sentences of eight years for rape and five years for assault, then imposed concurrent seven‑year sentences with the final year suspended. The woman's victim impact statement detailed lasting mental, emotional and physical harm, loss of self‑worth, self‑harm attempts, and her subsequent recovery through therapy and returning to sport. She thanked police, counsellors and family for support, and expressed that she no longer lives in the shadows of the incident.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 20‑year‑old defendant pleaded guilty to three counts of rape, one of anal rape and one of oral rape committed between April 2017 and March 2018 against his 14‑year‑old cousin, who was aged eight to nine at the time. The victim, now 14, said the abuse has devastated her parents, grandparents and wider family, who no longer gather for special occasions. She described the defendant as a "big brother" who now appears as a monster. The defendant admitted watching pornography, including Pornhub, at the time of the offences and expressed remorse, shame and disgust. He has no prior convictions and was allowed to remain on bail while the Probation Service conducts a risk assessment and he completes a college work placement. The case was adjourned to 1 July for these matters.
Andy Cash, 26, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to three mandatory terms of life imprisonment for the murders of his siblings, 18-year-old Lisa Cash and eight-year-old twins Christy and Chelsea Cawley. Cash pleaded guilty to all three counts of murder, which occurred at their family home in Rossfield Avenue, Tallaght, Dublin 24, in the early hours of September 4, 2022. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a life sentence for each count, with the sentences to run concurrently. The sentences were backdated to September 4, 2022, when Cash entered custody. During the hearing, Detective Garda Robert Whitty testified that the scene was one of "carnage," with post-mortem examinations revealing 71 injuries to Lisa Cash, 107 to Christy Cawley, and 65 to Chelsea Cawley. A victim impact statement from the family described the loss as devastating. Defense counsel Brendan Grehan SC conveyed Cash's apology for his actions. The judge noted the evidence was deeply traumatising and stated that his function was to impose the only applicable sentence for such appalling circumstances. The matter was concluded with the imposition of these concurrent life sentences.
A 25‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to rape, attempted rape and recording a woman without consent between September and October 2021. Gardaí analysed his phone after the woman, who had contacted a sexual‑violence hotline in November 2021, reported that he had been sexually assaulting her while she slept and had taken videos of her in that state. The videos showed her snoring and the man attempting sex and assaulting her while she was unconscious. The court heard that the woman had previously reported a rape in October 2021, that she had been sleeping deeply due to insomnia medication, and that the man had taken magic mushrooms on the day of the rape. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a six‑year sentence with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions, including keeping away from the victim, engaging in treatment recommended by the Probation Service and remaining in contact for three years.
Richard Satchwell, aged 57, faces trial for the murder of his wife, Tina Satchwell, aged 45, who was found buried beneath the stairwell of their shared home on Grattan Street, Youghal, Cork. The body was discovered in October 2023, more than six years after Tina was reported missing on 24 March 2017. Satchwell, a former British truck driver now resident in Cork for over 20 years, was charged with the murder on 20 March 2017. His defence, led by Brendan Grehan SC, plans to present extensive evidence, including witness interviews and media statements. The case, originating in Cork, is scheduled for a six‑week trial at the Central Criminal Court, with a trial date set for 28 April 2025. The case was listed for case management on 11 October 2023, and Satchwell was forwarded to the Central Criminal Court on 26 March 2024 after receiving the book of evidence.
A 61‑year‑old former Scout leader from Limerick was jailed for seven and a half years after a Central Criminal Court jury convicted him of rape and indecent assault. The convictions cover three incidents: a rape of a young cousin aged six to eight between 1979 and 1981, and indecent assault of two teenage sisters between May and September 1991. The accused, aged 15½ to 18 at the first incident and in his mid‑twenties at the later ones, denied the offences. Victims reported the abuse to Gardaí in 2019. The judge imposed a headline sentence of 12 years for the rape, but the final sentence was eight years, with the sexual assaults against the sisters carried out consecutively, giving a total of nine and a half years, of which two years were suspended. The court noted the impact statements of the three sisters, describing shame, guilt, and lasting emotional effects.
Robert Redmond (35), a convicted murderer currently serving a life sentence for the killing of Barry Wolverson, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to conspiring to murder Jordan Davis. The 22-year-old victim was shot dead in 2019 while pushing his infant son in a pram. Prosecution counsel Bernard Condon SC stated the plea was acceptable to the DPP, and a nolle prosequi will be entered on the original murder charge after sentencing. Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded Redmond in custody until May 13 for a sentence hearing, where a victim impact report is expected. Redmond is the second person dealt with regarding this offence; in 2022, Wayne Cooney (33) was jailed for life for the murder after a jury found he fired eight shots at Davis. Separately, Redmond and co-accused Jamie Gray (27) previously pleaded guilty to possessing a RAK PM-63 submachine gun in 2020. Redmond was jailed for six years in 2023 for that offence. Bernard Fogarty (34) was also sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Wolverson in December 2022. The matter was adjourned for sentencing.
A former Circuit Court judge, Gerard O'Brien, aged 59, was told by the court that he is likely to receive a custodial sentence for attempted rape and sexual assault of six young men between 1991 and 1997. O'Brien, a former teacher and solicitor, was convicted in December 2023 of one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault. The victims, aged 17 to 24, were either his students or former students. The judge, Mr Justice Alexander Owens, said he would impose a custodial sentence when the case is finalised on 29 May 2024 and remanded O'Brien on continuing bail. O'Brien pleaded not guilty to all allegations. The court considered psychological reports, victim impact statements and O'Brien's personal circumstances, including his disability and history of depression, but did not yet decide the final sentence.
In a Limerick Central Criminal Court trial, a 58‑year‑old man was convicted of 14 offences, including rape, false imprisonment, 11 counts of sexual assault and a threat to kill. He had previously pleaded guilty to four assault‑causing‑harm charges. The victim, his 39‑year‑old niece, was held in his home for a week in late January and early February 2022. During that time she was unable to walk or move for several days, suffered bruising and a broken tooth, and was repeatedly sexually assaulted while she urinated using paper cups. The man also set fire to the bed and curtains, switched off the electricity, and threatened her with a glass‑covered floor. Judge Siobhan Lankford imposed a 13‑year sentence with the final 18 months suspended, back‑dated to 14 February 2022, and directed the defendant to never approach the victim again.
During a trial at the Central Criminal Court, a 59‑year‑old Kilkenny man faced 121 counts of historic sex abuse, including anal and oral rape and sexual assault against eight male complainants aged 10 to 11 between 1995 and 2007. The defendant pleaded not guilty. One complainant, aged 38, testified that the accused raped him anally once, threatened him to "keep his mouth shut" or his family would be killed, and repeatedly touched him and his younger brother in the accused's car. He said the abuse began when he was 11 or 12 and stopped around age 15, though he could not recall the final incident. The complainant also reported that he had spoken to Gardaí and social workers in 2000, but no action was taken. The trial is proceeding before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury.
In 2024, a 46‑year‑old man was convicted at the Central Criminal Court in Waterford for repeatedly raping a girl aged eight to eleven between 2014 and 2017. The offences included eight counts of rape, nine of anal rape, eight of oral rape and nine of sexual assault. The court found him guilty of all but three counts of rape, sentencing him to 13½ years for the vaginal rape, later reduced to 11 years, plus two years of post‑release supervision. He appealed, arguing the judge failed to consider mitigating factors such as his constructive use of prison time, schooling, mental health and drug courses, and his job as a cleaner. He also challenged the trial judge's handling of hearsay, the addition of the victim's mother's complaint evidence, and the lack of a corroboration warning. The Court of Appeal heard the case and noted the judge's decision to reserve all aspects of its ruling. The unnamed 46-year-old was acquitted.
Patrick Honan, 69, was sentenced to 13 years' custody with 18 months suspended for 48 counts of rape and indecent assault against his daughter Noreen Honan, aged 3½ to 16, between 1977 and 1989 at their family home in Doonbeg, Co Clare. The judge, Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford, praised Ms Honan's dignified conduct and bravery, noting the prolonged abuse, breach of trust and age disparity. Honan had previously applied to keep his identity confidential, citing potential harm to his wider family, but the court rejected this. The sentence was back‑dated to the date of his custody entry. The judge also directed that Honan must not approach Ms Honan now or in the future. The unnamed accused was found guilty.
Adam Winters, aged 32, met a 14‑year‑old girl on an online dating site in 2012 and groomed her by sending her brutal and extreme pornography. He instructed her to watch the material and then asked her to carry out acts such as bondage, pain, urination and blood‑letting. The relationship lasted until 2018, during which Winters met her twice in person and forced her to give him oral sex. He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually defiling her, one in Cork between April 2013 and April 2014 and another in Waterford. The first count involved a child under 15, the second a child under 17. Mr Justice David Keane sentenced him to six years for the first count and two years for the second, both to run concurrently, and suspended the final two years, placing him under probation supervision for two years.
A man has been brought before the Central Criminal Court on 121 charges of sexual abuse against eight boys, alleged to have occurred between 1995 and 2007. He pleaded not guilty. The prosecution, led by Dominic McGinn SC, presented evidence that the victims, all aged ten to eleven at the time of the alleged abuse, were subjected to sexual assault, anal rape and oral rape over a period of twelve years. The accused is said to have lured the boys with cigarettes and then taken them into his home, where he allegedly preyed on their innocence. Testimony is expected from two families of three brothers each, who claim daily or frequent abuse, with some victims reporting the incidents to their mother in 2000 and the Gardaí being alerted without further action. The trial is proceeding before Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury.
The 71‑year‑old man, whose name is withheld, was convicted of raping his niece twice – once when she was a child and again when she was in her 20s – and of indecently assaulting her and three other children, two of whom were also his nieces. He had six prior convictions, including indecent exposure and larceny. He appealed, arguing that the trial judge erred by refusing to sever the indictment so each of the four complainants would have a separate trial. He also sought to add a new ground of appeal concerning the differing contexts of the two rape offences, which took place nine years apart. The court found no error: the complainants were members of the same extended family, their communications were largely supportive, and the judge had not been asked to consider severance. The appeal was dismissed. The unnamed 71-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A Central Criminal Court jury could not reach a verdict in the murder trial of Maurice 'Mossie' Boland, who was accused of "flooring" 26‑year‑old Cian Gallagher in a rural town. The State alleged Boland intended to kill or seriously injure Gallagher, who fell and hit the back of his head after a punch. Both men had been drinking. The prosecution presented CCTV footage of a punch and claimed the victim's hand injuries were caused by the blow. Defence counsel argued that the pathologist's evidence showed the fall, not the punch, caused the fatal injury, and that intent could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. After 13 hours of deliberation over four days, the jury declared disagreement and the case was scheduled for retrial on 25 November. The judge exempted the jury from service for five years. The trial remains at the murder‑versus‑manslaughter stage. Mossie' Boland pleaded not guilty.
A 45‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to ten and a half years in prison for six counts of rape and anal rape of his former partner between January 2019 and September 2020. The victim, who was not named to protect her anonymity, was repeatedly forced into sexual acts at her home while she repeatedly said no and asked him to stop. The court noted that the man used humiliating and degrading language, pulled her hair, pushed her onto a bathroom floor and a bed, and that the violence exceeded the inherent violence of rape. He was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury and does not accept the verdict or express remorse. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs imposed the sentence and ordered him to remain under Probation Service supervision for three years after release.
An unnamed 39‑year‑old man was sentenced to four years in prison for nine counts of sexual assault against three girls aged between seven and 17, committed when he was 12 to 17 years old between 1996 and 2022. The court heard that the defendant, who had no prior convictions, carried out a "Nerves" game in which he touched the girls' legs and vaginas, made animal noises, and pinched their vaginas. He also gave a 12‑year‑old girl alcohol and later found her naked in a wooded area, and he touched the breasts and mouth of a 17‑year‑old girl in a carpark. The three survivors gave victim impact statements describing lasting psychological harm, insomnia, anxiety, and loss of trust. Judge David Keane noted the aggravating factors of the victims' ages and alcohol use, and the mitigating factors of the defendant's lack of convictions and cooperation. The unnamed 39-year-old was found guilty.
Lisa Lee, 41, who had previously discarded a knife used in the killing of Isaac Horgan, was in custody for breaching the terms of her suspended sentence. She had been sentenced to four years, with the final two suspended on the condition of good behaviour and engagement with probation services. After spending ten days in custody, Lee's barrister, Ronan Munro SC, informed Judge Tony Hunt that she had changed her mind about the judge's offer to enter a drug treatment programme. Lee now agreed to attend rapid detox and residential care for her addiction issues, accepting the court's conditions. The judge acknowledged her limited engagement with probation services and noted that the suspended portion of her sentence had been activated by new charges. He emphasised that compliance with the treatment terms was essential and that failure to do so would result in a return to prison. Lisa Lee was convicted.
The jury of eight men and four women will return to the Central Criminal Court on Monday to continue deliberations in the trial of Maurice 'Mossie' Boland, 36, who denies murdering construction worker Cian Gallagher, 26, in Tallow on 10 November 2022. Boland pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The prosecution has alleged that a punch from Boland caused Gallagher to fall and hit the back of his head, leading to a fatal brain bleed eight days later. The defence has argued that the pathologist's evidence shows the fall, not the punch, caused the damage, and that the phrase "a Conor McGregor knockout" was a drunken, off‑hand remark. The jury has spent more than 11 hours over three days debating the case and has requested additional time to reach a verdict. The trial is ongoing and no verdict has yet been delivered.
In the trial of Maurice 'Mossie' Boland, a 36‑year‑old from Waterford, the jury of eight men and four women was given the option of a majority verdict after deliberating for nearly seven hours. Boland pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of 26‑year‑old Cian Gallagher, who died on 10 November 2022 after a fall that caused a traumatic brain injury. The prosecution alleged Boland punched Gallagher, who was drinking, and that the blow caused the fatal fall. The defence argued the fall, not the punch, caused the injury, citing the pathologist's testimony. The jury was instructed that a murder verdict requires proof beyond reasonable doubt of intent to kill or cause serious injury; otherwise a manslaughter verdict is appropriate. Boland claimed he was defending himself and that the incident happened quickly. The case remains at the deliberation stage.
In the trial of Maurice 'Mossie' Boland, who pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, the jury was asked whether the deceased Cian Gallagher's intoxication could legally excuse his inability to break a fall. The judge ruled it was not a defence. The prosecution argued that a punch from Boland caused Gallagher to fall and hit his head, leading to a traumatic brain injury. The defence contended that the fall itself caused the fatal injury, not the punch. The jury deliberated for 2 hours and 53 minutes, considering whether Boland intended to kill or cause serious injury. The judge explained that if intent was proven, the verdict would be murder; otherwise, manslaughter. The case remains at the jury's verdict stage.
An unnamed 58-year-old man, convicted of raping and sexually assaulting his then-partner and her son, has appealed his conviction at the Court of Appeal. The defendant, who pleaded not guilty to all 61 charges and had no previous convictions, was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court. He was sentenced to 12 years for the rape of his partner, with concurrent sentences for other sexual assaults and child cruelty. The appeal, argued by Michael Bowman SC, contended that the trial judge should have discharged the jury after they were instructed to disregard evidence regarding a black eye mentioned by a witness. Counsel also challenged the admissibility of a photograph of the victim's injuries and argued the judge's corroboration warning was inadequate. The State, represented by Shane Costelloe SC, maintained the trial judge's rulings were correct and the jury was robust enough to follow directions. The three-judge court, led by Mr Justice John Edwards, reserved its judgment. The matter was adjourned, and the appeal remains pending.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the prosecution described Maurice "Mossie" Boland (36) as having "targeted" and "relentlessly pursued" Cian Gallagher (26), a Dublin construction worker, before striking him with a punch that the accused claimed was a "Conor McGregor knockout." The State presented CCTV footage showing Boland punching Gallagher while the latter was retreating with his hands up, and a pathologist testified that a fall caused a brain bleed, though deep bruising on Gallagher's right temporalis was linked to the punch. Boland pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The prosecution argued that Boland's intent to cause serious injury, combined with intoxication, met the legal definition of murder, while the defence contended that the fall, not the punch, caused the fatal injury and that Boland had not targeted Gallagher. The trial was set to continue before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of eight men and four women.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a 69‑year‑old man was found guilty of 48 counts of sexual offences against his daughter, including 25 counts of rape and 23 of indecent assault. The abuse began when the daughter was about three and a half years old and continued until she was 16, spanning the years 1977 to 1989. The court heard that the father repeatedly raped her, forced digital penetration, kissed her, performed oral sex, and touched her breasts when she developed. The daughter reported the abuse to the Gardaí in 2019; the father was arrested in July 2020, denied the allegations, and was later convicted. He does not accept the verdicts and maintains his innocence. The case was adjourned to 26 April for finalisation. The daughter's victim impact statement described how the abuse stole her childhood and urged other victims to come forward.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 39‑year‑old woman testified that her uncle, aged 58, raped and imprisoned her for a week after violently assaulting her, leaving her unable to walk. She described being locked in a room, forced to use paper cups for toileting while the uncle repeatedly sexually assaulted her, including inserting fingers during urination about six or seven times a day from 2 February. He also set fire to the bed and curtains, switched off electricity, and threatened to kill or cause serious harm. The court heard the uncle had pleaded guilty to four assault counts and was found guilty of 14 counts, including rape, false imprisonment, 11 sexual assault counts and one threat count. The case was adjourned to 26 April for sentencing. The woman, who sustained bruises and a tooth injury, said she would never forgive him and that her life had been destroyed by his actions.
A 52-year-old man from Longford has been sentenced to nine years imprisonment following his conviction on 52 counts of sexual assault at the Central Criminal Court. The offences occurred between 2004 and 2006, when the victim was aged between 10 and 12 years old. The man, who was known to the victim's family and regularly babysat her, engaged in a pattern of sexual assaults that included inappropriate touching and exposure to pornographic material. During sentencing, Mr Justice David Keane identified aggravating factors including the breach of trust inherent in the babysitting relationship, the vulnerable age of the victim, and the fact that the abuse occurred within her home. The victim provided an impact statement describing the profound and lasting effects of the offences, stating that the trial process itself had been deeply traumatic. The judge noted the man has not accepted the jury's verdict and has demonstrated no remorse. A period of two-year post-release supervision has been imposed, with no portion of the sentence suspended.
A man from Strokestown, County Roscommon, has been sentenced to eleven and a half years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court following his conviction on twenty-six counts of sexually abusing his daughter between 2011 and 2016. Cyril Mullane, aged 51, was found guilty of eleven counts of oral rape, fourteen counts of sexual assault, and one count of attempted rape committed at properties in County Sligo and Norfolk in the United Kingdom. The victim, who waived her anonymity, was between six and twelve years old during the offences. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo imposed a thirteen-year sentence with the final eighteen months suspended. The judge noted that the complainant's childhood had been "poisoned" by sustained abuse constituting a serious breach of paternal trust over a five-year period. Mullane had denied all charges and was not afforded mitigation for guilty pleas.
In the Central Criminal Court, Maurice 'Mossie' Boland, aged 36, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Cian Gallagher, 26, who died from a brain bleed after an alleged altercation on Barrack Street, Tallow, on 10 November 2022. Boland told arresting gardai that Gallagher had struck him first, that he had "ducked" and then hit Gallagher back, and that Gallagher had made comments about Russians. He described the incident as a "pure accident" and said the fight resembled a "Conor McGregor knockout". Boland's partner, Marian O'Brien, testified that she had left him with their children on 1 November, that he had called her from Lismore saying he was going for drinks, and that she had seen him and Gallagher run out in front of her car. She also said she had taken his mobile phone at the scene to contact his relatives.
John Joseph Devaney, aged 65, was convicted of rape and indecent assault against a 24‑year‑old deaf woman in 1985. The offence occurred in a rural caravan between September and November 1985. Devaney, a paramedic, denies the verdict and maintains his innocence. The victim, who wished to remain anonymous, described feeling scared, sick, dirty, confused, embarrassed and sad. The court, presided over by Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, imposed a sentence of eight years and six months for rape and six years for indecent assault, with both sentences running concurrently and back‑dated to his entry into custody in January. Devaney's work history and lack of prior sexual convictions were noted as mitigating factors, but no guilty plea was entered. The victim's impact statement highlighted the severe impact on her independence and psychological well‑being. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court in December 2023 and the sentence was announced on 12 April 2024.