In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 41‑year‑old woman named Lisa Lee was charged with discarding a knife used in the fatal stabbing of Isaac Horgan on 29 March 2021. Lee allegedly threw the knife over a construction hoarding at a building site after the murder, purportedly to help Noel Lennon evade prosecution. The State's barrister, Shane Costello SC, presented evidence that Lee was in the company of Lennon that morning, that Lennon had pleaded guilty to Horgan's manslaughter, and that Lee used a seized phone to call emergency services. Lee's counsel, Ronan Munro SC, admitted that Lee was present with Lennon and that the phone was used to call 999. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, continued with a jury of seven women and five men. The case remains at the indictment stage, with no verdict yet reached.
Christina Anderson, aged 41, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of Gareth Kelly, 39, who died from stab wounds on 25 February 2020. Psychiatrist Dr Brenda Wright testified that Anderson had an alter‑ego named 'Nicky' and reported a history of childhood bullying, sexual assault at 16, self‑harm, and psychiatric illness. She described her father as psychologically abusive and a narcissist, and mentioned a paternal uncle who committed suicide. Anderson's mental health history included bipolar affective disorder, depression, mania, and hallucinations while smoking cannabis. She had taken antidepressants and lithium, and used alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, speed, ecstasy and magic mushrooms. Dr Wright confirmed Anderson understood her hallucinations were not real. Prosecutor Patrick McGrath described the CCTV evidence of the stabbing and Anderson's movements. The trial continues before Ms Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury.
The jury in the trial of 23‑year‑old Aaron Connolly, accused of murdering 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly in Dunleer, will continue deliberations for a third day. The case began when Reilly's body was found in a field on 26 May 2018. Connolly pleaded not guilty. The jury faced technical difficulties viewing CCTV footage, which was later provided via an alternative method. Witnesses Jean Lynch and Dr Alan Moore gave testimony; Lynch performed CPR and Dr Moore pronounced Reilly dead. Connolly's defence claimed he performed oral sex on Reilly and that Reilly was alive when Connolly left, while the prosecution argued Connolly lied from the start and murdered his friend. The judge instructed the jury to reach a unanimous verdict and to consider whether the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The jury will resume at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow.
Michael Leonard, aged 63, was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering 72‑year‑old Mary O'Keeffe by burning her alive in a car fire at Doneraile, Co Cork, on 4 February last year. Leonard had met O'Keeffe at a wooded area, poured two gallons of petrol into her car and set it on fire shortly after she arrived. A post‑mortem confirmed she was alive when the fire started and that her death was caused by extreme third‑degree burns and inhalation of carbon monoxide. O'Keeffe, a widow and cook, had known Leonard since 2016 and had ended their relationship in 2019. Leonard, who had no prior convictions, was found in the River Awbeg the day after the murder and was arrested the following day. The court described the attack as the most horrific fire‑related murder and expressed condolences to O'Keeffe's family. The sentencing judge imposed the mandatory life term for murder.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, William O'Riordan, a 48‑year‑old farm labourer from Derry, Banteer, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual abuse of his niece between September 2001 and March 2006. The judge noted O'Riordan's reduced cognitive function but also that he understood his actions were wrong and showed no remorse. He was sentenced to a three‑year term, with the final two years suspended on conditions of good behaviour and peacekeeping for three years. The sentence will be deferred until early next year to allow his elderly mother, who has postponed surgery, to recover. O'Riordan was remanded on bail until February 7, when he must report to begin serving his sentence. The victim, who was nine to ten at the time, described the abuse as deeply traumatic and expressed fear for her children. The case was brought to court after a formal complaint in July 2018.
A 38-year-old man has been sentenced to three years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for assaulting his partner at their Co Leitrim home on 5 July 2020. The man pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. He was acquitted of two counts of rape following trial. During sentencing, the court heard that after the assault, the man told his ten-year-old son "Mammy fell on daddy's fist many times" when the child asked about his mother's injuries. The investigating garda described this comment as deeply disturbing. The woman sustained serious injuries including a fractured nose, head injury, and facial bruising. She told gardaí she was repeatedly choked during the assault and feared for her life. The man has 29 previous convictions. Justice Karen O'Connor noted the violation occurred in what should have been a safe home environment, with aggravating factors including the child's presence in the house and the false explanation given to him. The sentence has been backdated to July 2020 when the man entered custody.
The jury in the trial of 23‑year‑old Aaron Connolly, accused of murdering 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly in Dunleer, will resume deliberations tomorrow after a three‑hour session. Mr Justice Tony Hunt directed the jury to reach a unanimous verdict and explained the prosecution's case linking sexual activity, DNA evidence and alleged lies. The defence argued that Connolly and Reilly had oral sex on the night of the murder and that Reilly was alive when Connolly left. Forensic evidence from Dr Clara Boland showed saliva containing DNA from both men, while Dr Linda Mulligan's post‑mortem identified asphyxia by external pressure on the neck as the cause of death, with no ligature marks. Connolly denied any sexual contact and claimed he was "straight." Prosecutor Dean Kelly accused Connolly of lying throughout the investigation, whereas defence counsel Michael Bowman highlighted "strategic lies" and the difficulty of truth‑telling under pressure. The jury will reconvene at 10:30 am tomorrow. Cameron Reilly pleaded not guilty.
Christina Anderson, 41, of Brownsbarn Wood, Kingswood, Dublin 24, was charged with the murder of Gareth Kelly, 39, who died from stab wounds on the morning of 25 February 2020. In the Central Criminal Court, Anderson told a psychologist that she stabbed the man outside her home after seeing him and believing he was there to kill her. She said she had stabbed him once, then returned to the house and stabbed him three more times to ensure he was dead. Anderson admitted she was "really ill" the week before the offence, hearing voices and feeling paranoid that someone would stab her. She claimed she had been delusional at the time and later realised this. Anderson pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial heard evidence of her mental state, cannabis use, and family concerns, but the prosecution's case was that she killed Kelly and the issue was her state of mind at the time.
Two 17‑year‑old boys were sentenced to three years' detention suspended on strict conditions for attempting to force a 14‑year‑old girl to perform oral sex, stealing her phone and assaulting her. Both pleaded guilty to attempted oral rape, four counts of sexual assault and, for the first boy, an additional count of assault causing harm. The judge, Mr Justice McDermott, described the offences as very serious, noting the boys' attempts to trap the victim, threaten her phone and use violence when her refusal was not accepted. He highlighted the boys' guilty pleas, expressions of remorse and young age as mitigating factors. The suspended sentence requires each boy to engage with the Probation Service, cooperate with suitable programmes and have no contact with the victim. The court emphasised that custody is a last resort and that the boys must comply with the conditions to avoid future custodial sentences.
Dominik Biber, 25, was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment with the last two years suspended for four years for attempting to murder Tomasz Grosser, 60, during a prolonged knife attack in Limerick. Biber, who claimed to be Jesus Christ after taking large amounts of drugs, stabbed Grosser repeatedly, causing multiple stab wounds and a puncture to the skull. Grosser survived with serious injuries and long‑term pain. Biber also pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and burglary at a neighbouring apartment. The judge, Mr Justice McDermott, noted Biber's early guilty plea, admissions to Gardaí, remorse, and a moderate risk of reoffending. Grosser's victim impact statement highlighted his inability to work for eight months and ongoing pain. Biber's defence counsel described his delusional state as a result of voluntary intoxication. The sentencing reflected the ferocious and spontaneous nature of the violence.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 9 December 2022, a 22‑year‑old rape victim recounted that after her rapist, a 40‑year‑old Meath man, was arrested, his defence solicitor began following her on social media. She described the assault that occurred on 11 February 2007 while she slept in a friend's house, the years of anxiety and depression that followed, and her eventual decision to seek counselling and report the crime in 2017. The victim said the trial process intensified her distress, noting that defence counsel had suggested she was seeking money after the man's inheritance. She asked for an acknowledgement, explanation and apology from the accused, who denied the allegations and claimed she was lying. The judge adjourned the case for a further sentence hearing on 17 February, where mitigation will be considered. The unnamed woman was found guilty.
Lisa Lee, 41, of Cunningham Road, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of impeding a Garda investigation. She is accused of discarding a knife used by Noel Lennon in an unlawful killing of Isaac Horgan on 29 March 2021 at Spring Garden Lane. Lee will stand trial next week at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of twelve. The trial is expected to last less than one week.
During the trial of Christina Anderson for the murder of Gareth Kelly, her husband Mark Anderson testified that the couple regularly consumed cannabis, spending €200‑€250 monthly. He admitted that two immature cannabis plants were found in a locked room upstairs when Gardaí arrived after the stabbing. Mark said the plants were his and that he had no conviction after a charitable contribution. He also revealed that he had planned to take his wife to the Mary Mercer psychiatric clinic the day after the murder, but the appointment was scheduled for 9 am the following day. Mark described his wife's mental state the week before the stabbing, noting she appeared delusional and paranoid, and that he had not seen such behaviour before. He stated that the couple's cannabis use was a regular habit, typically two to three joints in the evenings, and that they had a high tolerance. The trial continues with a jury hearing the case. Christina Anderson pleaded not guilty.
The 23‑year‑old Aaron Connolly, charged with the murder of 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly, told Gardaí he could not recall what he did during a "missing hour" on the night of the death. He said he had taken a combination of drugs that caused him to black out. Connolly denied any sexual activity with Reilly, stating he was "straight", but his defence counsel later admitted he had given oral sex to Reilly. He claimed he had left Reilly at a driveway and then returned home at 1.40 am, with no knowledge of what happened to Reilly during the missing hour. Connolly also disputed the forensic finding that his DNA was on Reilly's penis, arguing the report was wrong. The trial is ongoing, with the prosecution presenting evidence of the alleged assault and murder, while the defence has made submissions regarding sexual contact and the circumstances of the death. Aaron Connolly pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the 22‑year‑old Aaron Connolly, charged with the murder of 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly, pleaded not guilty. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC presented a formal admission that Connolly performed oral sex on Reilly on the night of the killing, describing the act and noting that Reilly was still alive and standing when Connolly left. Forensic evidence from Dr Clara Boland showed mixed DNA samples on Reilly's neck, tracksuit, and clothing, with a minor profile matching Connolly's DNA, and a penile swab containing saliva from both individuals. The prosecution, represented by Dean Kelly SC, maintained that Connolly caused Reilly's injuries between 12.40 am and 1.40 am on 26 May 2018 and that Reilly died violently. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, continues with a jury of seven women and five men.
Christina Anderson, 41, of Brownsbarn Wood, Kingswood, Dublin 22, is charged with murdering Gareth Kelly, 39, who was stabbed five times on 25 February 2020 as he tried to start his car outside her home. She pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial, heard in the Central Criminal Court, focuses on whether her behaviour when she stabbed Mr Kelly was driven by mental illness or by cannabis intoxication. Her husband, Mark Anderson, called her psychiatric clinic the day before the incident, but did not testify. Dr Thomas McMonagle, one of her treating psychiatrists, testified that Anderson used cannabis sometimes daily but also abstained for long periods, and that she had told doctors it did not cause paranoia. He described her as normally measured and in control, but at the Garda station she appeared psychotic and not in contact with reality, though he found her fit for interview.
Friends of Christina Anderson, a 41‑year‑old mother of three from Dublin, expressed deep concern about her mental state in the weeks leading up to the February 25, 2020, murder of Gareth Kelly, a 39‑year‑old man who was stabbed five times while attempting to start his car outside Anderson's home. Maria McCormick, a long‑time friend, reported receiving messages from Anderson that were "laden with conspiracy theories" and seemed out of character, describing paranoid fears about neighbours and a perceived threat to her family. Anderson's partner, Paul Dalton, also noted a sudden change in her communication style, with short, disjointed replies and a lack of punctuation. Anderson had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had previously sent emails to her solicitor expressing a desire for a bodyguard and fear of being targeted. Christina Anderson pleaded not guilty.
Paul Mooney (35), of Ring Street, Inchicore, Dublin 8, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for his role in the aftermath of an attempted murder. Mooney pleaded guilty to possessing a G9A Grand Power semi-automatic handgun and Luger Barnaul ammunition at Bernard Curtis House, Bluebell, Dublin 12, on March 6, 2021. Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted that while Mooney was not directly involved in the shooting of Sinead Connolly, he disposed of the firearm openly and without hesitation. The court heard that Connolly was left paralysed after being shot by Dean McCarthy (33), who was jailed for 15 years for attempted murder. Co-accused Joseph Byrne (33) was jailed for nine-and-a-half years for possessing the handgun with intent to endanger life. Mooney, who had nine previous convictions, received a headline sentence of eight years. Considering mitigating factors including remorse and assistance to gardaí, the judge imposed a prison term of six years. The final 12 months of the sentence were suspended for two years, conditional on Mooney keeping the peace, engaging with victim impact and alcohol/drug awareness programmes, and following probation service directions. The sentence was backdated to October 6, 2022.
Aaron Connolly, aged 22, was accused of murdering 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly in Dunleer on 26 May 2018. Connolly testified that he and Reilly had been drinking Bulmers in a field with friends on 25 May, and that after the group left the field around 11 pm they went to Enzio's chipper. He said he and Reilly walked toward the Beechwood housing estate, then split: Connolly went left down a laneway toward a Centra shop, while Reilly went the opposite way. Connolly claimed he never looked back to see Reilly's direction. He returned home to Drumcar, and the next morning his sister informed him a body had been found. Garda searches from 27 May to 14 June uncovered Reilly's passport near the body. CCTV footage of both men's movements was shown to the jury. The trial, before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, continues with a jury of twelve. The unnamed 22-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Dominik Biber, a 25‑year‑old Polish national, pleaded guilty to attempting to murder his flatmate Tomasz Grosser, 60, on 11 April 2020 in Limerick. Biber had taken a large quantity of drugs and claimed he believed he was Jesus Christ and that Grosser was the devil. During the attack, Biber stabbed Grosser in the face, neck and chest, thrusting a knife toward his heart, and later continued to stab him after Grosser had fled to a friend's apartment. Grosser was left with multiple stab wounds and puncture injuries, was taken to hospital, and survived after paramedics provided life support. Biber was remanded in custody for sentencing on 12 December 2022. The court heard that Biber's drug‑induced delusions and violent behaviour were central to the case.
Christina Anderson, 41, was feeding fruit to her baby when Gardaí arrived after she stabbed Gareth Kelly, 39, to death in a south Dublin housing estate car park on 25 February 2020. The Central Criminal Court heard that Anderson had been under a perceived threat from neighbours and believed criminals were targeting non‑criminals. A neighbour testified that Anderson had sent him a text two days before the stabbing saying, "Run, your lives are in danger!" Garda Barry O'Shea described Anderson as agitated and distressed, noting she claimed to have acted "for us Mark" and "for love." She was arrested, transferred to Mountjoy Women's Prison, and then to the Central Mental Hospital. Anderson has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity; the jury will decide her mental state at the time of the offence. The trial continues before Ms Justice Karen O'Connor with a jury of twelve.
Friends of Cameron Reilly, an 18‑year‑old who was found dead in a field in Dunleer, County Louth in 2018, told the Central Criminal Court that he had confided in them that he was bisexual and used the gay dating site Grindr. Erica McGuinness, who had known him for a couple of years, said he had mentioned being on Grindr to "suss people out" and that he had exchanged a wink with a man he had not met before. She agreed that on the night of May 25, 2018, he was "keen to break away" and that this was "out of character" because he normally was "the last man standing". The court heard that the accused, Aaron Connolly, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Reilly, and that the trial was ongoing with a jury hearing the prosecution's case that Connolly intentionally caused Reilly's death between 12:40 am and 1:40 am on May 26, 2018.
Defrocked priest Denis Nolan, aged 70, had his 13‑year prison term extended by 18 months after the Central Criminal Court found he had repeatedly raped two boys between 2001 and 2005. Nolan pleaded guilty to three counts of anal rape, one of oral rape and five counts of sexual assault of a third boy. The court noted the abuse was described as violent, aggressive and prolonged, and that Nolan had groomed the victim by offering money for gardening work, alcohol and sexual acts. He had previously been jailed for seven years in 2014 and for six years in 2017 for similar offences. Justice Karen O'Connor imposed a nine‑year sentence, suspended seven and a half years, and ordered Nolan to remain under probation supervision for five years after release. The victim reported severe physical and mental harm, and Nolan has engaged in a sex‑offender treatment programme while in custody. The court emphasised the massive breach of trust involved.
Daniel Goulding, 39, of County Dublin, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for the attempted murder of two detective gardaí at his family home in Clonsilla on May 25, 2021. Goulding pleaded guilty to the charges. Mr Justice Paul McDermott set a headline sentence of 27 years for each attempted murder. The judge imposed a total prison sentence of 20 years, with the final two years suspended for a period of six years. The suspended portion is subject to conditions requiring close monitoring and compliance with recommended treatment upon release. The judge noted that Goulding suffered from a significant mental disorder, specifically paranoid schizophrenia, and was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time of the offence. He also credited Goulding's guilty plea and expressed regret. The court heard that Goulding opened fire from a bedroom window using a semi-automatic pistol and a sub-machine gun, injuring both officers in their legs and one in the hand. The judge described the attack as potentially lethal and highlighted the terrifying impact on the victims, who suffered long-term physical and psychological effects. The judge stated that while a life sentence was considered, the mitigating factors of Goulding's mental health and plea warranted the imposed term.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Christina Anderson (41) of Brownsbarn Wood, Kingswood, Dublin 24, is charged with murdering her husband Gareth Kelly (39) after he parked his car in a space reserved for the Anderson household. Kelly was stabbed to death on 25 February 2020, with CCTV footage showing Anderson leaving her home, confronting Kelly, stabbing him, and then returning to her house. Anderson pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial will last two weeks, with the prosecution arguing that she is guilty of murder and the defence must prove she was legally insane at the time. Two psychiatrists will present conflicting views on Anderson's state of mind. The case is heard before Ms Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury of twelve.
In the murder trial of Sean Carlyle (30) and Philip Disney (27), the jury heard that Vincent Parsons (34) was severely beaten, with bleeding from his ears and blood-soiled clothing, and was brought to Tallaght Hospital in a Garda car after no ambulance was available. Garda Sean Lawlor testified that he found Parsons unconscious on a green area near Killinarden Way, with significant facial bleeding and swelling. Garda Ross Thornton and Garda John Byrne described extensive head injuries and a slight pulse. Aoife Mannion confirmed Parsons was transferred to ICU and died on 26 August 2019. Detective Garda Conor Harrison reported locating a dark van and the accused outside Carlyle's house around 11.25 pm, while the defence contested the exact time. The trial proceeded before Justice Kerida Naidoo and a 12‑person jury. Sean Carlyle pleaded not guilty. Philip Disney pleaded not guilty.
A 22-year-old man from Sligo has been scheduled to stand trial at the Central Criminal Court in November 2023 on charges relating to two deaths and an attempted murder in the town. Yousef Palani is charged with the murder of Aidan Moffitt on April 10th and Michael Snee on April 12th, as well as the attempted murder of another man on April 9th. At a brief hearing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott, the trial was fixed for November 13th, 2023. Defence counsel indicated the case is expected to last approximately four weeks. Mr Palani appeared via video-link from Castlerea Prison in Roscommon during the hearing.
Christina Anderson, 39, of Brownsbarn Wood, Kingswood, Dublin 24, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of Gareth Kelly, 39, a father of seven. Kelly died from stab wounds after an incident at his estate on 25 February 2020. Anderson, wearing a black and yellow dress, was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court. The single count was read to her, and she responded with her plea. A jury of seven men and five women was sworn in, and the trial is set to begin tomorrow before Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, potentially continuing until 19 December.
During the Central Criminal Court trial of Aaron Connolly, a witness, David Shiels, recounted finding the body of 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly while walking his dogs on a morning in Dunleer. Shiels described seeing the body lying on his back, with discolouration, bruising on the right side of the face, neck and throat, and scrape marks on the front of the neck. He noted the deceased's hands were very white and clean. Shiels also mentioned that he had informed his wife and neighbours, including Catherine Shiels, who initially thought he was mistaken. Catherine later described the body as "chalky white" and "swelled", and recounted that neighbour Jean Lynch attempted CPR, noting bruising and scuff marks on the chin and neck. The court heard that the only injury was neck trauma with extensive bruising. Aaron Connolly pleaded not guilty.
During the murder trial of Vincent Parsons, his brother Daniel Parsons testified that Vincent was never aggressive and would not start a fight, describing him as a messy drunk but not violent. Daniel recounted attending a stag do at the Killinarden Inn in Tallaght with friends and family, where he observed a bouncer confronting a red‑haired man in Vincent's face. Daniel told the bouncer that Vincent was drunk and would not cause trouble. He later left the pub at 11:10 pm, only to learn Vincent had been taken to hospital. The prosecution alleged that Philip Disney and Sean Carlyle, acting as a joint enterprise, murdered Vincent by beating him to death near the pub on 26 August 2019. The trial, presided over by Justice Kerida Naidoo, continues with a jury of twelve. Sean Carlyle pleaded not guilty. Philip Disney pleaded not guilty.
Stephen Penrose, 39, a former garda's son, is serving a life sentence for the murder of Philip Finnegan in 2016. While in Mountjoy Prison, he pleaded guilty to possession of diamorphine for sale and supply. In a supervised visit, Penrose attempted to conceal a package containing a mobile phone, 49.2 g of diamorphine, and 113 zopiclone tablets. Prison officers intervened, and the package was seized. Penrose initially denied receiving the drugs but later admitted he was unaware of the package until the visit and that his partner had instructed him to hand it to another inmate. He has 34 prior convictions, including murder, manslaughter and drug possession. Judge Pauline Codd imposed a concurrent sentence of two and a half years to deter drug smuggling in prison.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the State presented evidence that teenager Cameron Reilly (18) was socialising with Aaron Connolly (22) the night before his murder. The prosecution described a large group of about 15–16 young people gathering in a field near Dunleer on 25 May 2018, drinking and possibly using drugs. Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan testified that Reilly died from asphyxia caused by external pressure to the front of his neck, consistent with a chokehold or suffocation involving a ligature. The jury was told that Reilly was alive until just before 1 a.m., after which Connolly allegedly inflicted injuries that led to Reilly's death. Connolly is charged with murder and has pleaded not guilty. The trial will continue before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of seven women and five men.
A 34‑year‑old father of two was beaten to death after a drunken stag do at the Killinarden Inn in Tallaght. The prosecution, represented by Lorcan Staines SC, presented a case that Philip Disney (27) and Sean Carlyle (30) were involved in a joint enterprise to murder Vincent Parsons on 26 August 2019. According to the barrister, Parsons had been drinking for several hours, became "messy" and irritated patrons, and was confronted by Disney. CCTV footage allegedly shows Disney raising his arm and pointing at Parsons, who then fled the pub. Disney and Carlyle left the pub, entered a black van, and later returned to a green area where they allegedly beat Parsons to death. The prosecution claims evidence such as Parsons' watch found in Carlyle's van, blood on Carlyle's shorts, and CCTV footage of the accused's movements. Both accused men pleaded not guilty. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo and a jury of twelve.
A trial date has been set for senior barrister Diarmuid Phelan, 53, who is accused of murdering Keith Conlon in a shooting at Hazelgrove Farm, Kiltalown Lane, Tallaght, on 22 February 2022. The case will be heard at the Central Criminal Court on 29 May 2024. Conlon, a father of four from Kiltalown Park, was seriously injured in the incident and died two days later at Tallaght University Hospital. The trial is expected to last three weeks. Mr Phelan's bail application was initially rejected by the High Court in March, but the Court of Appeal overturned that decision and granted him bail on the condition of a €50,000 bond with an independent surety of €50,000, plus additional conditions such as a curfew, daily sign‑on, and an order to stay out of Tallaght and his Wexford properties. French and German interpreters will be required by the prosecution.
Roy Sugaton, aged 19 and a former resident of Ferndale, Navan, was sentenced to three years in prison for raping a 15‑year‑old girl outside her home on 28 November 2019. He pleaded guilty to one count of oral rape. Sugaton was 16 at the time of the offence and had no prior convictions. The court, hearing at the Central Criminal Court, noted the predatory nature of the attack, the threat of recording a video, and the humiliation of ejaculating into the victim's mouth. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor set a headline sentence of four and a half years, suspended the final 18 months for two years on strict conditions, and imposed a five‑year post‑release supervision period. The sentence reflected his minor status, his guilty plea, and mitigating factors such as his lack of convictions and difficulties at school. The victim, now 18, expressed ongoing fear and anxiety following the assault.
A jury of six men and six women was sworn in to hear the trial of Sean Carlyle, 30, and Philip Disney, 27, both from Tallaght, accused of murdering Vincent Parsons, a 30‑year‑old metal fabricator from Clondalkin, on 26 August 2019 at Killinarden Way. The men were arraigned before the Central Criminal Court and pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, is scheduled to begin the following day and is expected to last three weeks.
In a 2021 incident, Daniel Goulding, a 39‑year‑old diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, fired a semi‑automatic pistol and a sub‑machine gun at two Gardaí outside his home, forcing them to take cover behind their patrol car for nearly 30 minutes. The gunfire lasted three and a half minutes, during which both officers were shot in the legs and one in the hand. The shooting ceased after Garda Brendan O'Hora intervened, persuading Goulding to surrender his firearms. Goulding pleaded guilty to attempting to murder the two officers. He has 33 prior convictions, including a 2009 ten‑year sentence for misuse of drugs. The Central Criminal Court will sentence him next Friday, with the DPP noting his psychotic episode at the time of the offence but not a premeditated intent to kill. The case remains at the sentencing stage. Daniel Goulding was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
A 22‑year‑old man, Aaron Connolly of Willistown, Drumcar, will go on trial for the murder of 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly, who was killed on 26 May 2018 at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer. Connolly pleaded not guilty when the charge was read. The Central Criminal Court heard that the deceased lived in Dunleer, was a DKIT student, and that Connolly was a construction worker at the time. More than 70 witnesses are expected to be called over a three‑week trial, which will begin tomorrow before Mr Justice Tony Hunt.
Michael Leonard, 63, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to murdering 72‑year‑old Mary O'Keeffe in Doneraile, Co. Cork, on 4 February 2021. His body was found in a burning car. Leonard was denied bail and remains in custody. The court adjourned sentencing to 14 December to allow the family to give an impact statement. No evidence of the murder was heard at the arraignment. Leonard, a former Coillte employee, stated he would not approach any witness or speak to anyone about the case except his solicitor. The post‑mortem, conducted by Assistant State Pathologist Margaret Bolster, was not released. O'Keeffe, a cook from Dromahane, is survived by her three sons. The case is pending sentencing.
A 22‑year‑old man, assessed as having the intellectual capacity of a 14‑year‑old, was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to raping a 16‑year‑old girl in January 2017. The victim, who was also 16 at the time, described the assault as having permanently altered her life, leaving her with PTSD, insomnia, night terrors and panic attacks. She said the accused had taken her innocence and treated her like a rag doll, dehumanising her and causing her shame. The court considered the victim's testimony, the defendant's cognitive difficulties, his guilty plea and lack of prior convictions. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a sentence of three and a half years, suspending the final 18 months on strict conditions, including probation supervision, no contact with the victim and engagement with appropriate services. The sentence reflected the mitigating factors of the defendant's age, maturity and intellectual capacity.
A 40‑year‑old man, Christopher O'Sullivan, pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of 53‑year‑old Timothy Hourihane, who died from injuries after an assault at a tented village in Cork City on 13 October 2019. O'Sullivan was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on Friday, where he answered "guilty" to the charge of unlawful killing. The court accepted the plea to manslaughter and ordered that the matter be sent for sentencing on 30 January in Cork, with a governor's report to be prepared.
At the Central Criminal Court, Justice Paul McDermott ordered the release of trial transcripts from the murder case of Aaron Brady to the legal team of Brendan Treanor. Treanor, 34, is charged with participating in the January 25, 2013, robbery at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, County Louth, where Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was killed. The transcripts are intended for use in Treanor's upcoming Special Criminal Court trial. The Director of Public Prosecutions did not oppose the application but emphasized that the documents must not be shared with anyone outside Treanor and his solicitors, citing witness intimidation concerns. James Flynn, 31, of Newry, Northern Ireland, is also accused of the same robbery and conspiracy to steal vehicle keys. Flynn was extradited from the UK last July to face charges in Ireland. He has not applied for the transcripts. In the related Brady case, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Garda Donohoe but was convicted by an 11-to-1 majority verdict in August 2020. He received a mandatory life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years, plus a concurrent 14-year sentence for the robbery.
Rafik Bin Salah, a 38‑year‑old Tunisian national, was sentenced to 21 months in prison for assault causing harm after refusing to pay a pregnant woman for a public sex act on Dublin's Eden Quay boardwalk on 24 August 2020. The victim, who was nearly seven months pregnant, had been begging for money and was offered €30 for a hand job. Salah paid €20, then tried to retrieve the money he had paid, knocking the woman to the ground. She suffered minor injuries and became hysterical, fearing for her baby's safety. Two witnesses saw the incident and called Gardaí. Salah, who has five prior convictions in Ireland, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court. Justice Karen O'Connor described the offence as hideous, noting no evidence he knew the victim was pregnant, and imposed the sentence after considering his good behaviour in custody, where he works as a prison barber. The maximum penalty for the offence is five years.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, Fathi Abib, 36, was convicted of raping an 11‑year‑old girl three times and sexually assaulting her twice, and of assaulting the girl's 10‑year‑old sister three times, between May and December 2016. The offences occurred at two south Dublin addresses while the victims' mother was abroad. Abib denied the charges and claimed the victims were "put up to it" by their parents. The jury found him guilty on all counts. Judge Mary Ellen Ring sentenced him to eight and a half years' imprisonment, back‑dated to 1 September 2023 to credit time already spent in custody. He must comply with Probation Service directions for 18 months after release, including any required training or sex‑offender programmes. The victims, now 17 and 16, described lasting trauma, loss of trust in men, and ongoing nightmares. No prior convictions were recorded. The case highlighted the seriousness of sexual offences against children.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Garrett Smith, 35, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter and violent disorder after he stamped Edward O'Sullivan's head in his Kilkenny apartment, causing injuries described by a state pathologist as akin to a traffic accident. O'Sullivan, 46, was discovered lying in a pool of blood with severe facial and internal injuries, and was treated on site before dying. Smith, intoxicated, was arrested with blood on his clothes and was charged with assault causing harm. Witnesses described a drunken altercation that escalated into physical violence, with Smith repeatedly stamping on O'Sullivan's head and face. The court noted the extreme nature of the injuries and the aggravating factor of the victim's right to withdraw the invitation to the home. Smith's defence highlighted intoxication and apologized for the outcome. The case was scheduled for sentencing on 19 December.
Paul Morris, aged 55, was sentenced to eight years in prison after a jury found him guilty of two counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted anal rape against a teenage boy aged 13–14. The offences occurred between 1 May 2010 and 1 April 2011 at Morris's trailer in Chianti Park, Tallaght. Morris, who had previously worked as a youth worker but not since 2002, had persuaded the boy's mother to allow the boy to stay overnight by claiming he was a youth worker. He then sexually assaulted the boy, groping his genitals and masturbating in front of him, and on a second occasion attempted an anal rape, which the boy resisted. Morris maintains his innocence and has no prior convictions. He was sentenced by Mr Justice Michael MacGrath to a headline term of ten years, reduced to eight years, with mitigating factors including his lack of prior convictions and medical history.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Noel Lennon, 48, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in the death of Isaac Horgan, 52, who was stabbed in the leg at his Dublin home on 29 March 2021. The State accepted the manslaughter plea. Mr Justice Paul McDermott ordered a victim impact statement and requested that the State inquire whether a relative of Horgan wished to speak. Defence counsel asked for a governor's report and a psychiatric report on Lennon, citing prison strokes and memory issues. Lennon was remanded in custody until 30 January 2023 for sentencing.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has been unable to reach a verdict in the trial of Stephen Silver concerning the death of Detective Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Mr Silver accepts that he discharged the detective's own firearm eleven times but denies the charge of murder. The defence argued that Mr Silver should be found guilty of manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility, citing evidence that he was suffering from bipolar affective disorder at the time. The jury of seven men and five women deliberated for just under nine hours over three days before reporting they could not reach agreement. Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded Mr Silver in custody pending a retrial, with the case listed for 9 December at the Central Criminal Court. The judge thanked the jury for their careful consideration of what he described as a deeply difficult and disturbing case. Stephen Silver was acquitted.
The jury in the trial of Stephen Silver, a motorbike mechanic from Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, has been instructed that majority verdicts are now permissible at the Central Criminal Court. Mr Justice Paul McDermott informed the twelve-person jury, entering their third day of deliberations, that they may return a verdict supported by at least ten jurors rather than requiring unanimity. Silver is charged with the murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. He has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. The jury must determine between verdicts of capital murder, murder, manslaughter, or manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. Defence evidence suggested Silver suffered bipolar affective disorder at the time, whilst prosecution psychiatric evidence contradicted this assessment of his mental capacity. Detective Garda Horkan sustained eleven gunshot wounds. Deliberations are continuing.
The jury in the trial of Stephen Silver, a 46-year-old motorbike mechanic from Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, continued deliberations at the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday. Mr Silver stands accused of murdering Detective Garda Colm Horkan, who suffered eleven gunshot wounds during an incident at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Mr Silver has pleaded not guilty to capital murder but guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. The jury must decide between verdicts of capital murder, murder, manslaughter, or manslaughter by diminished responsibility. Central to the case are conflicting expert psychiatric assessments regarding Mr Silver's mental state at the time of the shooting. Justice Paul McDermott instructed the jury to apply common sense in evaluating evidence from two consultant psychiatrists who disagreed on this issue. The panel of seven men and five women will resume deliberations on Thursday morning at eleven o'clock.