A 29‑year‑old Brazilian man, Miller Pacheco, is charged with the murder of 28‑year‑old Bruna Fonseca, a qualified librarian who had moved to Cork in September last year and worked as a cleaner at Mercy University Hospital. Fonseca was found dead in a bedsit flat on Liberty Street on New Year's Day, just hours after she had gone out to celebrate New Year's Eve in Cork city centre. Justice Melanie Greally has set a trial date of 24 June 2024 at the Central Criminal Court, with case management scheduled for 24 November.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, Andrew Lacey, aged 35, was acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of Derek Reddin, aged 31, on Loughlinstown Drive. The case centred on a feud between the families that escalated after a drunken row, not involving organised crime or drugs. Lacey claimed he was attacked by Reddin, who had a metal baseball bat, and that he used a knife he carried for work to defend himself. The jury found Lacey guilty of manslaughter, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, but the judge noted his culpability fell in the middle of the four‑to‑ten‑year range. Lacey's defence argued his moral culpability was at the low end of that bracket, citing his lack of prior convictions and character references from family, friends and colleagues. The sentencing hearing will consider the impact on Reddin's family, including his two sons, and Lacey's own children.
The trial of Ian Connaghan (34) and Daniel Connaghan (43) for the murder of 55‑year‑old Michael 'Mick' Mulvey is set to resume after the jury was excused early due to a family issue with one juror. The State alleges the brothers assaulted Mulvey near The Halfway House Pub on 14 November 2019, leaving him on the ground and later delivering a severe beating at a roundabout. Mulvey died two weeks later, with the prosecution arguing the injuries contributed to his death but were not the sole cause. The brothers pleaded not guilty to murder, intentional or reckless serious harm, and assault causing harm. Mr Justice Paul Burns explained that if the jury finds the brothers caused the death but lack intent for murder, a manslaughter verdict is appropriate; if intent is proven, a murder verdict is required. The jury will return tomorrow for the judge to continue his charge.
Emmet O'Connor, a 30-year-old man from Co. Kerry, has been ordered to remain in custody after the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal against convictions for rape, organising prostitution, and intimidating a witness. In December 2020, a jury at the Central Criminal Court unanimously found O'Connor guilty of two counts of rape, organising prostitution, and intimidating a witness by sending graphic Snapchat messages to the complainant. He had denied all charges. In April 2021, Mr Justice Michael White sentenced O'Connor to eight years' imprisonment for rape and anal rape, to two years for organising prostitution – to run consecutively with the rape sentences – and to another consecutive year for the intimidation offence. Ms Justice Tara Burns, presiding over the appeal, rejected O'Connor's arguments regarding the admissibility of 'recent complaint' evidence from the victim's sister and a Ruhama counsellor, finding no prejudicial effect. The court also dismissed claims of unfairness concerning late forensic analysis of the complainant's clothing, noting the defence could have sought its own expert. Furthermore, the appeal against the intimidation conviction was rejected, with the court affirming that the trial judge properly directed the jury on the requisite intent. The Court of Appeal upheld all convictions, meaning O'Connor must serve his effective sentence.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 25 July 2023, a 16‑year‑old boy pleaded guilty to one count of anal rape and two counts of sexual assault against his nine‑year‑old sister. The offences occurred between November 2019 and January 2020, with the anal rape around 12 August 2020. The boy and his sister continue to live in the family home. The case was brought to light when the sister disclosed the abuse to her mother in September 2020, leading to Gardaí, Tusla and a social worker involvement. The boy was taken to hospital for mental health concerns and later returned to the home under a safety plan. He has no prior convictions, is attending a treatment programme for young offenders, and is assessed as low risk of re‑offending. The court adjourned the case to 2 October, noting the need to consider detention carefully and to avoid custodial measures where possible.
In a Central Criminal Court murder trial, defence counsel Garnet Orange SC argued that the death of builder Michael Mulvey was not a natural consequence of an assault he suffered on 14 November 2019. Orange highlighted that Mulvey, aged 55, was not in good health, had been released from hospital with painkillers, and had gone back to the pub to drink that night. He questioned the prosecution's evidence, noting that pathologists Dr. Heidi Okkers and Dr. Stuart Hamilton had differing views on the cause of death, with Hamilton suggesting heart disease and rib fractures contributed, while the defence's Professor Jack Crane concluded a heart attack. Orange urged the jury to consider whether the injuries inflicted by accused Ian and Daniel Connaghan contributed substantially to Mulvey's death, noting that causation could be sufficient for murder or manslaughter. The trial was set to resume with further jury directions from Judge Paul Burns. The unnamed 55-year-old pleaded not guilty.
The Central Criminal Court heard Andrew O'Brien's victim impact statement after an attempted murder on 8 April 2022. O'Brien, aged 36, was shot twice in the face from close range while seated in his car, leaving him with shattered teeth, a throat hole, a burn scar and speech difficulties. The gunman, Sam Archibald, 36, was a passenger in O'Brien's car and later walked to another vehicle, shooting O'Brien through the open passenger side window. Archibald fled the scene, was later arrested on 11 April, and has pleaded guilty to the attempted murder. He also faces charges under the Firearms Act for possession of a .38 calibre revolver and ammunition. O'Brien was hospitalised with non‑life‑threatening injuries and remains depressed, with his father describing the psychological impact. Archibald is remanded in custody until 2 October, when he will be sentenced.
Niall Kennedy, a former soldier from Newbridge, Co Kildare, has lost his appeal against his conviction for rape and harassment. In December 2021, a jury at the Central Criminal Court convicted Kennedy of 12 counts of rape on eleven occasions in August 2017, as well as multiple counts of harassment and threats to kill or cause serious harm. The trial judge described the conduct as a "cynical and cold campaign of rape and harassment" and imposed a sentence of 12 years, with the final two years suspended for five years on strict conditions. Kennedy, who denied the charges, argued on appeal that the trial judge should have issued a corroboration warning to the jury regarding the complainant's evidence, citing alleged inconsistencies in her testimony. He also contended that the concept of recklessness regarding consent was not adequately explained. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, dismissed both grounds. The court found that the trial judge was fully aware of the relevant authorities and that the decision to decline a corroboration warning was open to him. The appeal was rejected, with the court stating it was not persuaded that the trial was unfair or the verdict unsafe. The matter was adjourned for the finalisation of the appeal process, though the conviction and sentence stand.
A 20‑year‑old man from Laois was sentenced to three years in prison, with the final six months suspended, for raping a teenage friend on a wasteland on Halloween 2019. The victim, now 19, testified that she resisted and asked him to stop, but he turned her around and raped her. He had previously claimed the encounter was consensual and had warned authorities that the girl would file a false allegation. The court heard that the victim had suffered isolation, loss of friends, and difficulty returning to school, and that she had sought counselling. The judge, noting the defendant's youth and lack of prior convictions, imposed a headline sentence of four years but ultimately imposed a three‑year term with a suspended six months and strict probation conditions, including a consent‑education course. The defendant was also ordered to register as a sex offender. The unnamed 20-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A man from Buncrana, County Donegal, has been sentenced to ten and a half years imprisonment following his conviction at the Central Criminal Court for the rape and sexual abuse of his daughter. Michael Carter was found guilty last month of one count of rape and 25 sample counts of sexual assault committed between June 2010 and June 2014, when the victim was aged nine to twelve years old. Justice Karen O'Connor imposed a sentence of eleven years for the rape charge, with the final six months suspended for twelve months, and eight years for the sexual assault counts, to run concurrently. The judge noted aggravating factors including the breach of trust, the victim's young age, the duration of the offending, and that abuse occurred in Carter's home. Carter has not expressed remorse and maintains his innocence. The victim, now 22, waived her anonymity and delivered a victim impact statement to the court.
In the Central Criminal Court, forensic scientist Dr Jonathan Paul Whitaker testified that a partial DNA profile from material preserved 42 years ago matched DNA found on a black beanie hat belonging to Noel Long, the accused. Whitaker explained that the probability of the recovered DNA originating from someone unrelated to the hat wearer was one in 23,000, and that a database of the Irish population made it at least 20,000 times more likely that the DNA matched the hat rather than an unrelated person. He described using Low Copy Number (LCN) techniques to obtain a profile from a microscopic slide of a vaginal swab taken from the victim, Nora Sheehan, and how the male partial profile from the slide matched the hat's DNA. Dr Dorothy Ramsbottom corroborated the match, and the trial continues with a jury of seven men and four women. The accused, Noel Long, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Sheehan.
Derek Coady, a father of three, pleaded guilty to endangerment at the Central Criminal Court, having originally been charged with the murder of Alan Hall. The State accepted the plea, and the DPP indicated it would drop the murder charge. Coady admitted punching Hall in the stomach, causing minor harm, but denied involvement in the subsequent head injuries, strangulation, or the attempted arson that led to Hall's death from smoke inhalation. His co-accused, Conor Curran, has since died. Coady, who has 46 previous convictions including a three-year suspended sentence for assault, was remanded in custody by Mr Justice Hunt until a sentencing hearing on October 2. The judge stated there would have to be "some element of custody." The maximum penalty for the endangerment offence is seven years. Coady's counsel highlighted his two years of sobriety and deep regret, while noting reports of difficulties with his drinking problem. The court heard that the prosecution could prove Coady's presence but not that he caused serious harm or started the fire.
A 22-year-old woman from Buncrana, County Donegal, has delivered a powerful victim impact statement at the Central Criminal Court following her father's conviction on charges of rape and sexual assault. Michael Carter, aged 55, was found guilty last month of one count of rape and 25 counts of sexual assault against his daughter between 2010 and 2014, when she was aged nine to twelve years old. During sentencing proceedings, the woman described her journey from shame and isolation to acceptance and survival. She expressed hope that her decision to waive anonymity would encourage others in similar circumstances to come forward. Carter maintains his innocence and does not accept the jury verdict. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor adjourned the case to determine the final sentence, with the Director of Public Prosecutions recommending a headline sentence of ten to fifteen years due to the age disparity, breach of trust, and pattern of offending.
John Titiloye, aged 28, was sentenced to ten years in prison with the final year suspended for two years, backdated to his arrest on 11 August 2021, after being found guilty of murdering his 25‑year‑old friend Ademola "Dizzy" Giwa. The killing occurred on 10 August 2021 in Tallaght, following a dispute over a €100 debt and a stolen scooter. Titiloye stabbed Giwa in the neck with a knife he had bought that afternoon, an act described by the judge as a rapid, spontaneous response triggered by the defendant's perception that his father had been attacked. The court noted that Titiloye had 23 prior convictions, mainly for minor traffic offences and some drug offences, and that he had attempted to justify his actions to the probation service. The judge highlighted the disproportionate use of force and the fact that the victim's father was also assaulted during the altercation. John Titiloye pleaded not guilty and was acquitted.
Andrew Lacey, 35, of Riverside, Loughlinstown, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter for the death of Derek Reddin, 31, on Loughlinstown Drive. The case stemmed from a feud between their associates. Witness David Howard claimed Reddin attacked Lacey with a metal baseball bat, but Lacey said he had a knife in his pocket and used it to defend himself after Reddin lunged again. Howard denied Reddin had a bat and said Lacey produced the knife. The jury heard conflicting accounts and that Lacey had been drinking cider for about five hours. Lacey was remanded in custody pending sentencing. The trial lasted three weeks and the jury reached a unanimous verdict after just over three hours of deliberation. The verdict was announced on 21 July 2023.
Andrew Nash, 43, was sentenced to 14 years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to manslaughter for the death of John Ustic, 51, on 24 or 25 September 2023 in Skibbereen. Nash, a father of five, had repeatedly dropped a couch on Ustic's head during a "vicious and sustained" assault, causing blunt‑force trauma to the head, chest and neck. The victim was reportedly in a comatose state and heavily intoxicated, which limited his ability to defend himself. Nash apologized to Ustic's family, the court, gardai and ambulance crew, expressing deep shame and remorse. The judge noted Nash's efforts to address alcoholism and his desire to work and be a better family person upon release. The sentence reflects the high culpability and violence of the attack.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 32‑year‑old man named Gareth Sheeran was charged with murdering his 65‑year‑old father, Harry Sheeran, on Father's Day 2021 by stabbing him with a World War II bayonet. The defendant pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, claiming a relapse of schizophrenia. Dr Patrick McLaughlin, a forensic psychiatrist, testified that Sheeran had a long history of persecutory delusions, disorganised thinking and untreated schizophrenia for three years before the killing. He described Sheeran's incoherent account of being told to kill his father at Phoenix Park and noted that the defendant did not understand the nature or wrongness of his act. The prosecution and defence both agreed the defendant was entitled to raise the insanity defence. The case was set to continue before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury the following day.
A jury will return to the Central Criminal Court tomorrow to begin deliberations in the trial of Andrew Lacey (35) of Riverside, Loughlinstown, Co Dublin, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Derek Reddin (31) at Loughlinstown Drive on a date between 14 and 15 October 2019. Justice Mary Ellen Ring is presenting the evidence to a jury of six men and four women, explaining that there are three possible verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. The trial has established that a feud existed between associates of the deceased and the accused. On the night in question, Reddin and his cousin David Howard were waiting for Lacey as he returned home from a pub. Lacey produced a knife, claiming it was a work tool he had inadvertently brought, and used it after Reddin attacked him with a baseball bat.
A 52‑year‑old man was jailed for two years after a Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty of three counts of indecent assault and three counts of rape against a seven‑year‑old girl he was babysitting in 1985. The victim, now 45, reported the abuse to Gardaí in 2018 and gave a victim impact statement in court, describing the lasting psychological harm. The defendant, who was 14 at the time, denied the allegations and has no convictions for the 1985 offences. The judge, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring, noted the passage of 38 years and the defendant's subsequent law‑abiding life, but also the enduring impact on the victim. She imposed a sentence of two years for each indecent assault charge, suspended the final two years, and set all sentences to run concurrently, back‑dated to the date of his custody.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing on 19 July 2023, the jury heard that Ian Connaghan, aged 34, sent a WhatsApp message on 14 November 2019 in which he claimed he was "after opening Mulvey's face up" after a confrontation with Michael Mulvey, aged 55, near a Dublin public house. Connaghan alleged that Mulvey had almost struck him with his car while he was crossing the road, that Mulvey had screamed at him, and that later that day Mulvey "came running at me from behind." Connaghan said he dropped his bag, "caught him a dig," and "opened up his face." He also claimed Mulvey had spat on his leg in the pub and that Mulvey "had it coming." Daniel Connaghan, aged 43, sent a separate message claiming Mulvey had "tried to knock down Iano" and that the brothers left Mulvey in an awful state. Ian Connaghan pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin murder trial, Judge Mary Ellen Ring instructed a jury that Andrew Lacey, 35, could be found not guilty if he used reasonable force in self‑defence after being attacked by Derek Reddin, 31, with a baseball bat. The judge explained that if Lacey used more force than necessary, the jury must decide whether he honestly believed it was required; if so, manslaughter could result, otherwise murder. Lacey claimed he stabbed Reddin in a scuffle, unaware of the fatal wound, while the prosecution alleged excessive force. The judge noted that the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Lacey's force was unnecessary and that he did not honestly believe it was needed. The jury was also told to consider Lacey's intoxication, the threat's imminence, and the possibility of retreat. The judge's charge was to be delivered the following day.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the jury was instructed not to let the adage "live by the sword, die by the sword" influence their judgment. Prosecutor Roisin Lacey SC explained that Derek Reddin had waited for Andrew Lacey and attacked him after Lacey returned from a pub. She argued that Lacey's use of a knife, his awareness of Reddin's presence, and the manner in which he stabbed Reddin proved intent for murder and negated self‑defence. Defence counsel Dominic McGinn SC challenged the reliability of the prosecution's key witness, David Howard, and presented alternative witness accounts suggesting a baseball bat was involved, not a knife. He urged the jury to consider whether Lacey's actions were reasonable or whether a self‑defence claim could be sustained. The prosecution maintained that Lacey's knife was deliberate and that the depth and multiplicity of cuts proved murder beyond reasonable doubt. Andrew Lacey pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, Noel Long, aged 74, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 54‑year‑old Nora Sheehan, who disappeared between 6 and 12 June 1981. Sheehan's body was found six days later at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods, Cork. Dr Timothy Creedon, a former forensic scientist, testified that he was on holiday in Inishannon, Co Cork, when the body was discovered. He later met a detective and received swabs from the body, including a vaginal swab that contained semen. Creedon created a microscopic slide from the swab, which was later archived. The slide's preservation became crucial when a 2008 review of cold cases examined the evidence with modern DNA techniques. The trial, presided over by Justice Paul McDermott, continues with a jury of seven men and four women. The case remains at the trial stage.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing on 18 July 2023, a witness testified that Ian Connaghan, aged 34, admitted to punching and kicking Michael Mulvey, aged 55, after a confrontation near the Halfway House Pub on 14 November 2019. The witness, Stephen Kelly, who had been in a relationship with Mulvey's daughter, said Connaghan told him he had "lost it" and that the assault occurred while crossing the traffic lights on Navan Road. Connaghan also claimed he was alone at the time. The prosecution, represented by Ms Anne Rowland SC, argued that the brothers had a history of "bad blood" with Mulvey and that the severe beating left Mulvey in a "bad way" with black and blue marks on his right side. The jury viewed CCTV footage from the pub and surrounding areas to corroborate the timeline of the alleged assault. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
A 53-year-old Slovakian man, who was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of one count of rape and 12 counts of sexual assault, has been sentenced to ten years and six months for the rape charge and seven years and six months for the sexual assault charges. The sentences are to run concurrently and were backdated to July 18, 2021, when the man went into custody. The offending occurred between September 21, 2012, and September 6, 2013, when the victim was seven years old, at a house in Co Wexford. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, does not accept the jury's verdict. The victim, now aged 17, told the court that the man had threatened her and used chocolate to groom her in a 'despicable way.' Ms Justice Karen O'Connor noted the aggravating features of the case, including the victim's young age and the age difference of 36 years between the defendant and the girl. The man has a previous conviction for a 'serious violent offence' in another jurisdiction and a 2001 murder conviction from an Eastern European jurisdiction, for which he received a prison sentence. The matter was adjourned following the sentencing hearing.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 16‑year‑old boy pleaded guilty to the oral rape of his sister, who was aged 9‑12 at the time of the offences. The boy, who has a low IQ and learning difficulties and no prior convictions, was sentenced to six years' detention, with the sentence deferred for one year and a suspended portion. The judge noted the boy's early guilty plea, remorse and family support as mitigating factors, while also highlighting his lack of appreciation of the harm caused. The court imposed conditions of probation, addiction counselling, safety supervision and employment. The victim, who has no counselling or psychiatric assessment, was praised for her bravery in reporting the abuse and was described as deeply affected and living in constant fear. The judge emphasised the need for professional support for the victim, which had been lacking.
In a victim impact statement read to the Central Criminal Court, Gaffar Giwa, father of 25‑year‑old Ademola "Dizzy" Giwa, expressed profound grief after his son was stabbed to death by John Titiloye, a former friend, during a dispute over a stolen scooter. Giwa said the loss of his son is indescribable and that the killer's attempts to tarnish his son's name were futile. Titiloye, aged 28, pleaded not guilty to murder but was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury in May. He admitted responsibility, expressed remorse, and said he would never forgive himself. The court heard that Titiloye had 23 prior convictions, mainly traffic offences, and that the altercation escalated over a small debt. The case was remanded for sentencing on July 24. The hearing focused on the facts of the killing and the defendant's admission of guilt, without any mention of future outcomes. John Titiloye was acquitted.
A 53‑year‑old Galway farmer was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended, for indecent assault, sexual assault and oral rape of his nephew between 1989 and 1996. The nephew, now 39, was aged five to 13 during the offences and described the abuse as a "horrendous childhood" that left him with lasting pain, flashbacks and sleepless nights. He said the farmer, whom he trusted, took advantage of him while he helped on the farm, and that the abuse began with unwanted touching during "games" and progressed to masturbation and oral rape. The abuse stopped when the nephew entered secondary school. The farmer pleaded guilty, had no prior convictions, and was described by the court as a single man with health issues. The judge noted the plea as a mitigating factor and imposed a nine‑year sentence with the final year suspended on strict conditions.
A 23‑year‑old man pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court for attempting to murder his mother in Co Meath four years ago. Camden Konopka, of Castleview Court, Delvin, was arraigned on a single count of attempting to murder Fiona Konopka at Coille Dios, Athboy on 19 September 2019. Mr Justice Tony Hunt set a sentencing hearing for 6 November this year.
A man has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment, with the final year suspended, following his conviction for rape at the Central Criminal Court. Shane Noonan, aged 28, of Castlehilll Park, Turlough Road, Castlebar, County Mayo, pleaded guilty to raping a woman at an address in Castlebar on 11 May 2013. Both were aged 18 at the time and worked together at a fast food restaurant. Justice Eileen Creedon described the offence as cold, predatory and premeditated, noting the victim's obvious vulnerability. She imposed conditions including assessment for a sex offender treatment programme. The victim told the court she had subsequently endured workplace abuse, including offensive songs referencing the assault, which delayed her reporting to gardaí until 2018. She described ongoing trauma, including flashbacks and anxiety. The court heard Noonan's guilty plea, lack of previous convictions and psychological assessment indicating low reoffending risk were mitigating factors.
In the Central Criminal Court trial of Noel Long, retired Garda sergeant John B O'Sullivan, aged 83, recounted the discovery of a woman's body in Shippool Woods, Cork, on 12 June 1981. O'Sullivan was the sole Garda on duty at Inishannon station when forestry workers John Collins and Denis McSweeney arrived in a tractor at about 3 pm, reporting a suspicious find that turned out to be a body. He deputised his wife to accompany him to the scene, where they found a 54‑year‑old woman, later identified as Nora Sheehan, lying on her right side with her head covered by a blue floral dress. O'Sullivan noted a stench, blue bottles, a cut to the neck, a bandage on the left hand, and nylon tights on the left foot. He used a hurley to clear briars, avoided disturbing potential evidence, and later contacted Bandon Gardaí. Noel Long pleaded not guilty.
In a cold‑case murder trial, a jury heard evidence that a 74‑year‑old man, Noel Long, is alleged to have had sex with and murdered 54‑year‑old Nora Sheehan in 1981. The prosecution presented forensic DNA evidence linking semen recovered from Sheehan's vagina to Long's DNA, and trace evidence from Long's car that matched items found at the scene. Witnesses described Sheehan as a vulnerable, eccentric woman who was last seen alive on 6 June 1981 and whose naked, bruised body was discovered by forestry workers in Shippool Woods six days later. The State argued that the forensic findings and witness testimony together lead to an "irresistible conclusion" that Long committed the murder. Long has pleaded not guilty. The trial is scheduled to continue before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
A 39‑year‑old William Duffy of Dundalk, who had been charged with attempted murder in County Louth four years earlier, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to a firearms offence. He admitted discharging a firearm recklessly on 28 May 2019 at Marian Park, Dundalk. Justice Caroline Biggs ordered a psychological assessment and a victim impact statement, and adjourned the sentencing hearing to 23 October. Duffy remains on bail.
Amir Essalhi, 39, with 69 prior convictions, turned himself in after a three‑day spree of robberies in Dublin, claiming he had relapsed on crack cocaine. He admitted to stealing nearly €1,000 from a tanning shop, an off‑licence and a grocery store, and to an attempted robbery of a pharmacy. Essalhi apologized to Gardaí and to the victims, stating, "it's not me, it's the drugs." He was sentenced by Judge Orla Crowe, who noted the unusual nature of his voluntary surrender. The sentence, back‑dated to May 19, 2022, reflects his cooperation and current participation in prison training and addiction counselling. Essalhi's brother, Adil Essahli, was murdered in 2011, a fact mentioned in the court hearing. The court also noted Essalhi's ongoing work and rehabilitation efforts in custody. Amir Essalhi pleaded guilty.
A 74‑year‑old man, Noel Long of Passage West, has been arraigned in the Central Criminal Court on charges of murdering 54‑year‑old Nora Sheehan between 6 and 12 June 1981. Sheehan's body was discovered by forestry workers at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods, six days after she was reported missing. Long pleaded not guilty. Judge Paul McDermott swore in a jury of eight men and four women, who will hear the case beginning Thursday morning and is expected to last four weeks. The prosecution is led by senior counsel Brendan Grehan; the defence is headed by Michael Delaney SC. Witnesses will include local Cork and Munster residents, forensic scientists from Dublin, and several Gardaí, including retired members. The judge reminded the jury to focus solely on evidence presented in court and to remain independent of any external media coverage. The trial will take place in the Central Criminal Court in Cork.
During the Central Criminal Court trial, Ms Anne Rowland SC presented evidence that Ian Connaghan, aged 34, threatened a 55‑year‑old man, Michael Mulvey, with the words "I'm gonna f**kin kill ya" at a pedestrian crossing on the Navan Road. The witness, Ms Pauline Matthews, described how the man was approached by a medium‑built individual who shouted aggressively and walked out in front of her car. She recounted that Mulvey was later severely beaten by Ian and his older brother Daniel Connaghan, who arrived in a car. The brothers have pleaded not guilty to murder, to causing serious harm, and to assault. The trial continues with further cross‑examination of Ms Matthews by the defence counsel, Mr Garnet Orange SC, and the prosecution will focus on medical evidence regarding Mulvey's injuries and death.
An 80‑year‑old grandfather was convicted in the Central Criminal Court of six rapes of his eldest granddaughter and 81 sexual assaults on her and her two younger sisters, aged between five and fourteen. He received a ten‑year sentence with one year suspended, and a five‑year concurrent sentence for the sexual assaults. The judge, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, emphasised that the defendant abused a position of trust and was a mature adult when he committed the offences, describing the conduct as "cold, callous and cruel." The defendant appealed the six rape convictions, arguing that the judge's charge to the jury was erroneous, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, stating the judge's remarks were within her rights. The case remains at the conviction stage, with no further outcome reported.
Patrick Killally, aged 46, was jailed for 11 years after a jury convicted him of three counts of sexual assault of a boy aged six to nine between 1992 and 1996, and 40 counts of sexual assault, attempted anal rape, oral rape and anal rape of another boy aged 12 to 14 between 2005 and 2007. He had no prior convictions. Mr Justice Paul Burns, hearing the case in the Central Criminal Court, praised the two survivors for coming forward as adults to protect children and urged them not to blame themselves for not speaking earlier. He noted the abuse had severely impacted their lives, citing their victim‑impact statements. Mr Justice Burns imposed concurrent sentences totalling 12 years, suspended the final year on strict conditions to encourage rehabilitation, and commended the men's courage. The judge also acknowledged Killally's claims of innocence and his lack of previous convictions. The sentencing aimed to balance punishment with the possibility of rehabilitation.
A 55‑year‑old man was found guilty by a jury of two counts of oral rape of his six‑year‑old daughter and one count of inviting a child to sexual touching. The offences occurred at his home between June 2020 and January 2021. He denied all charges and does not accept the verdict. Mr Justice David Keane imposed a ten‑year sentence for the two rape counts and a seven‑year sentence for the invitation to sexual touching, all to run concurrently and backdated to March 24. He noted the victim's young age, the breach of trust, and the profound harm caused. The defendant is a low‑to‑moderate risk of re‑offending, will be a registered sex offender, and must undergo three years of post‑release supervision. No portion of the sentence was suspended because the defendant does not accept the jury's verdict. The case was heard in the Central Criminal Court in Tullamore.
In a Central Criminal Court case, a 33‑year‑old man was sentenced to ten years for raping a 15‑year‑old girl in Westmeath on 20 January 2019. The jury found him guilty of a single count of rape. The defendant, who was 29 at the time, denied the conviction. Mr Justice Paul Burns noted that the victim was left alone with the accused, that the defendant verbally abused her and inflicted physical injuries. He also considered a forensic psychological report detailing the defendant's anxiety, depression, drug and alcohol misuse, and low intellectual functioning. The judge imposed a ten‑year sentence, suspending the final year for three years under probation supervision. The victim did not give a victim impact statement. The defendant had prior convictions for assault, violent disorder, public order and road traffic offences but no prior sexual convictions.
Tony McInerney, a 27‑year‑old former resident of Glenina, Gort Road, Ennis, Co Clare, has admitted to two new offences after previously pleading guilty to attempted murder. He was arraigned on a charge that on 18 January 2020 at Pound Street, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare, he intentionally or recklessly discharged a firearm, creating a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another. He was also arraigned on a charge that between 1 January 2019 and 18 January 2020 at Inis Eagla, Shannon, Co Clare, he threatened to kill or cause serious harm to Daniel Harty Snr, intending Mr Harty Snr to believe the threat would be carried out. McInerney pleaded guilty to both charges. He had previously pleaded guilty to the attempted murder of Daniel Harty Jnr on 18 January 2020 and was jailed for 12 years, later reduced to ten years by the Court of Appeal. The judge set a sentencing hearing for 16 October.
The Central Criminal Court has heard that the trial of ten individuals and three companies accused of anti-competition offences regarding school bus services may be split into two separate proceedings. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms Tessa White BL, informed Mr Justice Paul McDermott that trying all 13 accused together posed practical difficulties. She applied to divide the cases into two batches, with the first indictment covering five accused and the second covering the remainder. The DPP alleged that the defendants, including Larry Hickey, Noel Browne, Frances Collison, Andrew Walsh, Margaret Callanan, Edward Callanan, Raymond Heney, Anthony Flynn, Elaine Glasheen, and Malachy Collison, entered into or authorized agreements that prevented, restricted, or distorted competition in the provision of school bus services between January 2014 and December 2016. These alleged offences are contrary to the Competition Act 2002. Defence counsel noted they had only recently received the proposal, with one stating he had no instructions on their attitude. Mr Justice McDermott adjourned the matter to the next list on July 26 to fix dates for the first trial, estimated to last four to five weeks, noting the second trial could be scheduled later. The cases were taken forward by the DPP at the behest of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission following a 2016 investigation.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 6 July 2023, Gardaí presented evidence recovered from the home of Conor Dolan, 33, accused of murdering his friend Neil Fitzgerald, 36, in Tallaght on 5 June 2016. The evidence included a partially burned yellow rubber glove and a partially burned Samsung mobile phone found smouldering in a fireplace at Dolan's apartment on Ashbrook Apartments, Navan Road, Dublin 7. Garda Christopher O'Leary, who executed a search warrant issued on 6 June 2016, described the fire‑log remnants and the subsequent extinguishing of the fire. A search team seized 28 items, including phones, clothes and a SIM card pack. Garda Conor Harrison reported that Dolan and a passenger were stopped in a BMW on Fortunestown Road the night before the body was discovered; the passenger was later identified as Fitzgerald. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon with a jury of twelve, continues with Dolan pleading not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, a jury was sworn in for the trial of brothers Ian (34) and Daniel (43) Connaghan, who are accused of murdering builder Michael 'Mick' Mulvey. Mulvey, aged 55, died two weeks after a serious assault on November 14, 2019, when he was walking home. The brothers pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and to assault causing serious harm. The trial, set to begin before Mr Justice Paul Burns, is expected to last up to three weeks.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 27‑year‑old Wexford man pleaded guilty to three sexual assault charges after repeatedly assaulting a 24‑year‑old woman at his Dublin home on 7 May 2018. The victim, who had previously had consensual sex with him, fell asleep and was digitally penetrated while she pretended to be asleep. She later fled to a hotel where staff and Gardaí assisted her. The court heard her victim impact statement, describing the assault as turning her world upside down and leaving her with lasting trauma. The man had sent apologetic messages and a letter, and had begun counselling. The judge adjourned the case to 28 July for sentencing, remanding the defendant on continuing bail. The hearing focused on the assault, the victim's statement, and the defendant's remorse and rehabilitation efforts.
In the second day of the murder trial of Conor Dolan, the jury was discharged by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon after an issue arose just before lunchtime. Dolan, aged 33, denies murdering Neil Fitzpatrick, aged 36, who was found dead on a country lane outside Dublin on 5 June 2016. Prosecutor Lorcan Staines SC argued that Dolan lured Fitzpatrick to the lane and that Fitzpatrick was "riddled" with bullets in an execution‑style killing. Staines said the prosecution would use circumstantial evidence to show that Dolan arranged to pick up Fitzpatrick from a pub in Tallaght before driving to the remote area where the body was discovered the following day. The trial, scheduled for a maximum of three weeks, will resume tomorrow with a new jury of six men and six women, and Staines will again give his opening speech. The case remains at the trial stage, with no verdict or sentencing announced. Conor Dolan pleaded not guilty.
An 80‑year‑old grandfather, whose name is withheld to protect victims, has appealed six rape convictions for repeatedly raping his eldest granddaughter between 2014 and 2018. He was sentenced in June 2022 to ten years' imprisonment with one year suspended, and to five years for 81 other sexual assaults on the girl and her two younger sisters when they were aged five to fourteen. The appeal argues that the trial judge's charge to the jury was erroneous, claiming the defence failed to fully question the complainant on details from specialist Garda interviews that were shown on a DVD. The Court of Appeal will decide on 11 July. The case highlights the grandfather's abuse of trust and the impact on the three girls, who were present at the hearing. The judge noted the defendant's age but stressed the seriousness of the offences.
A 30-year-old man accused of raping his partner's 23-month-old toddler with an object has pleaded guilty to charges of reckless endangerment and child cruelty, two weeks into his Central Criminal Court trial. The man, who cannot be named to protect the identities of the children, initially pleaded not guilty to ten charges, including Section 4 rape, sexual assault, and child cruelty to the toddler and her brother between February and April 2018. However, a plea deal was reached, and he admitted to one count of reckless endangerment of the toddler between March 29, 2013, and April 5, 2018, and two counts of child cruelty towards the toddler and two counts of child cruelty towards her brother on April 5, 2018. The matter is currently at the appeal stage. The man will be sentenced for the reckless endangerment charge and the child cruelty charges on October 9. The charges carry a maximum sentence of seven years. The trial heard that the family was under investigation by gardaí at the time of the alleged offences and had been referred to Tusla the previous November after the girl, then aged 18 months, was taken to hospital covered in bruises. The children were immediately taken into care following the hospitalisation. The man fled the jurisdiction shortly after the girl was hospitalised and has been in custody since his return. He gave one voluntary interview to gardaí in January 2018, when the initial investigation into the girl's November 2017 hospitalisation was underway. The man had also pleaded not guilty to other charges, including sexual assault and failing to seek medical help for an injury to the girl's wrist. The children's mother pleaded guilty last year to two counts of recklessly endangering her children and was given a five-year jail sentence, which she is appealing in the Court of Appeal.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, the prosecution, led by Lorcan Staines SC, argued that Conor Dolan lured 36‑year‑old Neil Fitzgerald to a country lane outside Dublin, where Fitzgerald was shot six times in an execution‑style killing. Staines presented circumstantial evidence: Fitzgerald was picked up from Madison's Bar in Tallaght by Dolan, who drove in a purple BMW 3‑series that was later found washed at a Topaz garage with palm prints matching Fitzgerald. CCTV and mobile‑phone data showed Dolan's movements, including a stop by an unmarked garda car and an automatic number‑plate recognition ping of Dolan's vehicle. A "bin phone" linked to Dolan sent a message about a white van, and both men used dual‑SIM phones. The jury was told the evidence suggested Dolan arranged the meeting and that Fitzgerald was executed, but the jury would decide whether Dolan committed the murder. The trial continues before Justice Eileen Creedon. Conor Dolan pleaded not guilty.
A 22-year-old man charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder in Sligo has changed his senior counsel ahead of trial. The accused appeared via video link from Castlerea Prison in Roscommon at the Central Criminal Court today. He is charged with the murder of two men in April 2022 and the attempted murder of another man the same month, all occurring in Sligo. Brendan Grehan SC was released from the case and Michael Bowman SC was appointed in his place. The trial is scheduled to commence on 13 November at the Central Criminal Court and is expected to last three weeks. The court heard that outstanding matters include records from the Central Mental Hospital and Castlerea Prison, along with other minor administrative issues. A case review was set for 19 July.