Feri Anghel, a 43‑year‑old Romanian gypsy, was sentenced to life imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of Ioan Artene Bob, a 49‑year‑old construction worker who was found badly beaten in Sean Walsh Memorial Park, Tallaght, on 13 April 2018. The court noted that Bob had been lured to the park after a casino win of about €2,700, which he had largely sent to his family in Romania. Anghel had a history of violent offences, including attempted murder, and had 24 prior convictions across Romania, France and Ireland. CCTV footage and forensic evidence showed a brutal attack involving stamping and blunt‑force trauma that caused Bob's death. Anghel pleaded not guilty but was unanimously convicted by a jury after a trial that lasted two days. The judge imposed a mandatory life sentence, backdated to Anghel's arrest on 18 April 2018, and highlighted the role of CCTV in the prosecution's case.
Jonathan Reid, 28, was sentenced to six years and six months in prison, with the final two years suspended for three years, after stabbing Greg Shiels, his mother's partner, in the neck during a drug‑induced psychosis on 6 March 2020. The attack was described as unprovoked and extremely violent, causing serious injury to Shiels, who was taken to Naas Hospital and later Tallaght Hospital for surgery. Reid pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm and to possession of cocaine and cannabis, leading the Director of Public Prosecutions to drop the attempted murder charge. He has no prior convictions, has a history of mental health problems linked to drug use, and has been offered addiction counselling through the Peter McVerry Trust upon release. The judge noted Reid's willingness to engage with his problems and his sincere remorse, which mitigated the sentence. The court emphasized the need for Reid to attend probation appointments and local drug‑addiction services.
A 60‑year‑old man, who was raped and sexually assaulted by his uncle between 1987 and 1993, pleaded guilty to one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault at the Central Criminal Court. He described the abuse as a "constant nightmare" and said he wanted his inner child to know it was not his fault. The judge, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring, noted the offences were committed when the victim was aged between seven and 13 and described them as a fundamental breach of a child's bodily integrity. The man was sentenced to six and a half years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended. He had previously denied the offences but pleaded guilty in December after a jury had been empanelled. The court heard that the victim had suffered flashbacks and emotional distress for decades.
Gerard O'Riordan, 37, a former convicted killer who spent much of his 20s and 30s in prison, was not ordered to return to jail for threatening to kill gardai. In May 2021 he was brought before the Central Criminal Court after breaching a suspension bond by making such threats. Judge Michael White had adjourned the case for a year to monitor his behaviour. At the recent hearing, Detective Sergeant Ernest Henderson testified that O'Riordan had not attracted adverse attention from gardai in the last year and that he was still serving a portion of his suspended sentence. Judge Paul McDermott agreed, noting that the retired Judge White had intended not to order a return to custody if O'Riordan behaved. O'Riordan had become a father, attended 24 anger‑management sessions, and had been cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter in 2007, receiving a 14‑year sentence with an 18‑month suspended portion.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 27 May 2022, Joseph Byrne, aged 33, pleaded guilty to possessing a G9A Grand Power semi‑automatic handgun and Luger Barnaul ammunition with intent to endanger life, relating to an incident on 6 March 2021 in Bluebell, Dublin 12. The offence involved the attempted murder of Sinead Connolly, who was shot and left paralysed below the chest. Byrne admitted the gun was used in the attack that left Connolly permanently disabled. The court set a sentence hearing for 29 July, while the prosecution requested a hearing on 21 July to assess readiness, noting Connolly would be present from the National Rehabilitation Hospital. Byrne's case follows that of Dean McCarthy, who was jailed for 15 years for the same attempted murder and similar firearm offences.
During a Central Criminal Court murder trial, a senior Garda officer testified that communities in Dublin's north inner city felt unsafe after a series of violent incidents from 2019 to 2021. The officer noted a dramatic rise in vehicle hijackings in 2020, including bicycles and e‑bikes, involving threats of violence. George Gonzaga Bento, a 36‑year‑old Brazilian, is charged with murdering 16‑year‑old Josh Dunne on 26 January 2021, and with producing a utility knife to intimidate others, as well as assaulting two other youths. Bento pleaded not guilty to all four counts. The trial also covered other local incidents, such as a fatal stabbing in the IFSC, a near‑fatal stabbing at Seville Place, and a hit‑and‑run that killed a Deliveroo cyclist in North Wall. The Garda officer highlighted community concerns, the lack of CCTV at some sites, and the police response to restore confidence in the area.
Lacey O'Connor appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing on a charge of perverting the course of justice. In February, she pleaded guilty to giving a false account of a suspect's movements during the November 2019 murder investigation of Wayne Whelan. O'Connor, 30, of Rowlagh Park, Clondalkin, told gardai that her then-partner, Anthony Casserly, was with her at the time of the shooting. However, CCTV footage showed Casserly leaving their home at 7:16pm and returning at 8:04pm, while Whelan was shot at 7:45pm. Mobile phone records also revealed three calls to a burner phone during that period. Casserly, 25, was previously sentenced to seven years in prison for participating in or contributing to Whelan's murder. Christopher Moran, 52, pleaded guilty to being the getaway driver. Judge Orla Crowe noted the seriousness of interfering with a murder inquiry, highlighting that O'Connor provided false information in a two-page document and attended seven garda interviews. Considering mitigating factors, including O'Connor's role as the sole carer for her young daughter and her mother's recovery from addiction, the Judge reserved her decision. The matter was adjourned, with O'Connor remanded on continuing bail for sentencing on June 16.
A 19‑year‑old woman with a mild intellectual disability was raped three times and falsely imprisoned by Costel Pirvu, a 38‑year‑old former Loughrea resident, after a night out. The offence occurred early on 4 February 2018 in a town. Pirvu forced the victim into a black jeep, removed her pants, and raped her while she struggled, leaving scrapes and bruises on her arms, legs, back, face, breasts, and a 2 mm laceration to her urethra. He then threatened her, held her against his apartment, and raped her a further two times before releasing her the next morning. The victim, who now suffers PTSD, flashbacks, and depression, described feeling "like a piece of meat" and that her life was broken. Pirvu maintains his innocence; his sentencing was adjourned pending a prison report. The case is still pending at the Central Criminal Court. Costel Pirvu was found guilty.
The trial of George Gonzaga Bento, a 36‑year‑old Brazilian food‑delivery cyclist, continues in the Central Criminal Court. He is charged with murdering 16‑year‑old Josh Dunne, who was stabbed to death on 26 January 2021 in East Wall. Prosecutors also allege that Bento produced a utility knife in a confrontation with a man on a moped, and that he assaulted two other young men on the same occasion. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to all four counts. A search of Bento's home on 27 and 28 January uncovered a blue‑handled utility knife behind the fireplace grate, his bicycle in the shed, and other items. Witnesses, including a former delivery cyclist, testified about Bento's fear of retaliation and his decision to stop working as a delivery cyclist due to safety concerns. The hearing continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury of five men and seven women.
In a case heard in the Central Criminal Court, a 15‑year‑old boy sexually assaulted a 14‑year‑old girl in a field in County Tipperary in July 2019 after both had consumed alcohol. The boy pleaded guilty to the assault and, at the time of sentencing, was 18 with no other convictions. The victim, whose identity is protected, described the assault as a betrayal of trust and expressed fear of the perpetrator. The court considered the boy's cooperation, early plea, remorse, and participation in a youth diversion programme as mitigating factors, while noting the seriousness of the offence and breach of trust. Justice Paul McDermott imposed a sentence of two years' detention suspended for 12 months, with strict conditions including probation appointments, engagement with a sexual consent course, and a prohibition from approaching the victim. The boy must comply with all conditions to avoid future custodial detention.
The sentencing of Gavin Quinn, 27, and his younger brother Lee Quinn, 26, who assaulted Garda Alan Murphy on 30 March 2020, has been postponed to 17 June. Both pleaded guilty to assault and attempted serious harm, respectively, after being re‑arraigned on 1 March. The court was informed that a new victim impact statement had been served to the defence, and the accused requested more time to consider it before sentencing.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the sentencing of 38‑year‑old RTE journalist Mícheál Ó Leidhin was adjourned to 27 July 2022 while the court considered the weight of his remorse. Ó Leidhin, convicted in April 2022 of sexual assault at his former home in south Dublin, had denied the offence but now accepts the jury verdict. The judge noted that evidence had been challenged and a narrative presented to the jury. The complainant, who remains anonymous, reported that after a night of drinking and kissing, she fell asleep and later found Ó Leidhin on top of her, groping her breasts. She told him to stop; he apologized. She later expressed annoyance and the pair agreed to "differ" on the events. The court heard that Ó Leidhin had no prior convictions and had cooperated fully with investigators. The judge will decide how much weight to give to his remorse before sentencing.
The Central Criminal Court heard that the Peter McVerry Trust has offered addiction counselling to Jonathan Reid, 28, who stabbed his mother's partner, Greg Shiels, in the neck during a drug‑induced psychosis on 6 March 2020. Reid was originally charged with attempted murder but the Director of Public Prosecutions dropped that charge after he pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Shiels and to possession of cocaine and cannabis. The court noted Reid's history of mental health problems and that the psychosis was triggered by drug use rather than a clinical disorder. Seamus Clarke SC suggested the court could require Reid to attend counselling upon release. Mr Justice Paul McDermott said he would consider a 17‑page psychiatric report before passing sentence on 30 May. The hearing highlighted that Shiels fully supports Reid's recovery and that Reid has performed well in prison with no current symptoms. The case remains at the sentencing stage.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 36‑year‑old Brazilian food‑delivery rider, George Gonzaga Bento, is accused of murdering 16‑year‑old Josh Dunne on 26 January 2021 at East Wall Road. Testimony from fellow delivery cyclist Alex Lima, who knows Bento from Sao Paulo, states that Bento carried a utility knife used to cut fruit, not for protection. Lima also claims Bento had been attacked and had his bicycle stolen. Prosecutors allege Bento produced the knife during a confrontation with a man on a moped who had stolen another cyclist's bike, and that Dunne suffered two stab wounds, one penetrating a major artery. Bento is charged with murder, producing a knife likely to intimidate, and assault causing harm to two other young men. The trial continues with a jury hearing the evidence.
Jozef Puska, 31, of Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, has been charged with the murder of 23‑year‑old primary school teacher Ashling Murphy, who was fatally assaulted while jogging along the Grand Canal in Tullamore on 12 January 2022. Puska is scheduled to stand trial at the Central Criminal Court in June 2023. At a brief hearing today, defence solicitors Padraig Langsch & Co were allowed to come on record after the Director of Public Prosecutions did not object. Puska was not present at the hearing. The trial is expected to last three to four weeks.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing on 18 May 2022, witness Jose Pedroso, a Brazilian delivery cyclist, testified that George Gonzaga Bento, a 36‑year‑old Brazilian national, was "terrified, sad and scared" after the fatal stabbing of 16‑year‑old Josh Dunne on 26 January 2021. Pedroso described Bento as a "calm, peaceful person" and a "good guy in general" who worked hard. He said Bento did not eat that evening and wanted to see a lawyer, but the lawyer could not meet until the next morning. Pedroso also noted that Bento feared retaliation or attacks in Dublin 3. Bento is charged with murdering Dunne, producing a utility knife in a manner likely to intimidate, and assault causing harm to two other young men. He has pleaded not guilty to all four counts. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury of five men and seven women.
The murder trial of George Gonzaga Bento, 36, is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. The accused, a Brazilian national and delivery cyclist, has pleaded not guilty to four counts: murdering Josh Dunne, 16, on East Wall Road on January 26, 2021; producing a utility knife in a manner likely to intimidate; and assaulting two other young men. Assistant State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers testified that Dunne sustained two chest stab wounds, with the fatal injury penetrating the ascending aorta. She stated that while one sweeping movement could theoretically cause both wounds, it would be very difficult, noting the wounds' differing directions suggested two separate movements. Dunne was found to be Covid-positive at the time of death. Defence counsel cross-examined witnesses, including two unnamed 17-year-old boys, arguing their statements contradicted CCTV footage and that the man on the moped was the initial aggressor in a dispute over a stolen bicycle. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury.
Mícheál Ó Leidhin, 38, a journalist with RTÉ, was convicted of sexual assault for an incident that occurred on the night of 13 May 2018. The alleged assault took place at his former home in south Dublin after the victim, who was drinking with a friend, met Ó Leidhin at a pub. They travelled to his flat, where they kissed and engaged in consensual foreplay. The victim later fell asleep; Ó Leidhin allegedly attempted to continue sexual activity while she was unconscious, groping her breasts and positioning himself on top of her. She reported the assault to Gardaí in April 2019. Ó Leidhin denied the offence initially but has now accepted the jury verdict. He has no prior convictions and was suspended from RTÉ. The victim's impact statement described lasting trauma, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The court adjourned sentencing to the following Monday and remanded Ó Leidhin on continuing bail.
A 27‑year‑old man was sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment for raping a 21‑year‑old woman he described as his best friend and "like a brother." He was charged on 7 November 2018, convicted on 15 November 2021, and pleaded not guilty. At sentencing, he maintained he was unaware the victim had not consented. The victim's impact statement described him as a confidant and protector, noting a loss of trust and increased wariness of others. Justice Deirdre Murphy highlighted the breach of trust and the victim's altered worldview, noting the man's prior good character and potential for rehabilitation. She imposed a seven‑year sentence, suspended the final three and a half years, and required probation, offence‑focused work, and assessment for sex‑offender and alcohol treatment programmes. The sentence was back‑dated to the previous November.
During the night of 26 January 2021, two Brazilian food‑delivery cyclists, including George Gonzaga Bento, were present at East Wall Road when a confrontation erupted involving a moped rider and a group of teenagers. Witness Tiago da Silva, a Deliveroo cyclist, testified that the two Brazilians were protecting themselves, standing against a wall with their hands up in defence, and that they were surrounded by about ten youths. He described seeing a Deliveroo rider lying on the floor being kicked by several people. The incident escalated with punches thrown and a man on a moped shouting at the cyclists. The trial heard that Bento was charged with murdering 16‑year‑old Josh Dunne, producing a knife during the confrontation, and assaulting two other young men. Bento pleaded not guilty to all four counts. The case is being heard before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing on 11 May 2022, a witness named Guilherme Quieroz testified that the accused, George Gonzaga Bento, saved him from serious injury or death when a gang of youths attacked them on a Dublin street. Quieroz, a food‑delivery cyclist, described how Bento used a knife to defend him twice: once when Quieroz was backed against a wall and punched, and again when he was dragged to the road and struck. Quieroz confirmed, after viewing CCTV footage, that Bento's actions prevented further harm, noting his own injuries of broken teeth, a broken nose, cuts, bruises and knee damage. Bento, 36, is charged with murdering 16‑year‑old Josh Dunne and with producing a knife in a threatening manner, as well as assaulting two other young men. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Burns, continues with a jury of five men and seven women. The witness pleaded not guilty to all four counts.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, food‑delivery rider George Gonzaga Bento, 36, is on trial for the murder of 16‑year‑old Josh Dunne, who was stabbed on 26 January 2021 in East Wall, Dublin. Witness Guilherme Quieroz, a fellow delivery rider, testified that he was attacked by up to three men that night, sustaining broken teeth, a broken nose and a knee injury, and that he feared for his life. Quieroz described the Dublin 3 area as "very dangerous" for riders and said they used a WhatsApp group to share information about trouble spots, noting that riders wore North Face clothing to identify danger. He said he had seen Bento holding a knife during the confrontation, but did not witness the knife being used. The prosecution alleges Bento produced the knife in response to a threat from a man on a moped, and that the knife was used to stab Dunne.
Two men, aged 27 and 26, were sentenced to 11 years in prison for raping a 14‑year‑old girl on the night of 22 April 2017. The judge described the offence as "cynical and calculated" and noted that the men had taken the girl to an isolated area, given her more alcohol and raped her in succession, robbing her of her innocence in extremely degrading circumstances. Both men denied the rape, claiming the girl was 16 and that they were victims. The 27‑year‑old was convicted on a single count of rape; the 26‑year‑old was convicted of rape and an additional charge of sexual assault, the latter carrying an eight‑year sentence to run concurrently. The judge suspended the final year of the 12‑year sentences and ordered both men to comply with probation supervision and attend offence‑focused work and support services.
A 56-year-old man pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to 14 charges of rape, two charges of oral rape, and one charge of sexual assault committed between February 2009 and December 2015. The defendant, who has no previous convictions, admitted to these sample charges regarding the abuse of his foster daughter, who was aged 11 to 18 at the time. Prosecuting counsel Anne Rowland SC stated that the Director of Public Prosecutions classified the case as falling into the "exceptional category" due to the victim's extreme vulnerability, the abuse of trust, and the frequency of offending. Consequently, the DPP suggested a headline sentence of between 15 years and life imprisonment. The victim, now 24, read a statement describing the long-term impact of the abuse, stating she was raped multiple times weekly. Defense counsel Ronan Munro SC noted the defendant's remorse and mental health concerns. Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded the man in custody and adjourned the case for finalisation this coming Friday.
A 22‑year‑old volunteer paramedic, Defendant A, was jailed for five and a half years after pleading guilty to aiding and abetting the sexual assault of a child and to producing child pornography. The offences occurred in May 2018 when Defendant A filmed a boy being orally raped after the boy was rendered unconscious with a pain‑relief drug, Penthrox, administered by a 31‑year‑old co‑accused, Defendant Z. Defendant Z had previously received an 11‑year sentence with 18 months suspended for similar offences. The court noted that Defendant A had no role in administering the drug or in the assault, but that he recorded the acts and was aware of the wrongdoing. The judge imposed consecutive sentences totalling seven and a half years, suspended the final two years, and ordered no contact with the victims. The case highlighted the abuse of trust within a voluntary paramedic organisation.
In the Central Criminal Court, the State informed a jury that the accused, George Gonzaga Bento, a 36‑year‑old Brazilian delivery cyclist, may have to consider self‑defence. The prosecution case alleges Bento stabbed schoolboy Josh Dunne, 16, to death after a confrontation over a stolen bicycle on East Wall Road, January 26, 2021. The jury was told that Bento also stabbed two other young men that night and that the events unfolded in a surprisingly short period. The State's case is that Bento used a knife during a stand‑off with a man on a moped, then stabbed Dunne twice in the chest and once in the left hand within five seconds of Dunne's contact. The prosecution claims the force was excessive and unlawful, and that Bento's fear invoked during Garda interviews must be weighed against the alleged intent to kill. The trial will continue before Justice Paul Burns and a jury of five men and seven women.
George Gonzaga Bento, a 36-year-old Brazilian national and Deliveroo rider residing in East Wall, Dublin 3, is set to stand trial at the Central Criminal Court accused of murdering 16-year-old schoolboy Josh Dunne. The alleged incident occurred on East Wall Road, East Wall, on January 26, 2021. Mr. Bento faces four charges in total, including the murder allegation, producing a utility knife in a manner likely to intimidate another during a dispute, and assaulting two other young men causing harm on the same occasion. During his arraignment, Mr. Bento pleaded not guilty to all four counts. The proceedings were conducted with the assistance of an interpreter. Mr. Justice Paul Burns addressed the jury panel, noting that the accused was a delivery person who resided in the area and made deliveries locally. A jury of five men and seven women was sworn in to hear the case. The trial is scheduled to begin before Mr. Justice Burns and is expected to last between three and four weeks. The matter is currently at the trial stage, with the accused's guilt or innocence yet to be determined by the court.
Martin Cunningham, 27, struck Kenneth Fitzsimons, 41, with a machete during a gang feud near Finglas Garda Station. Fitzsimons suffered severe injuries, including exposed ribs and required four litres of blood. Cunningham had previously been charged with attempted murder but the DPP dropped that charge after he pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and producing a machete. Fitzsimons, who had a five‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for firearm possession, declined to testify at trial, citing drug‑related memory loss. Cunningham, who has prior convictions for driving offences and drug possession, was fined for driving while on remand and had been convicted of assault and threats while in custody. The Central Criminal Court heard that the assault was Cunningham's reaction to attacks on his home, including a firearm discharge, and that he accepted responsibility for his actions. The court will sentence him next Monday.
A 49‑year‑old man, Patrick McDonagh, accused of murdering 77‑year‑old pensioner Peter McDonald in Clonsilla, Dublin, was found fit to stand trial by Ms Justice Karen O'Connor at the Central Criminal Court. The judge noted a strong conflict between two psychiatrists' reports on McDonagh's understanding of guilty and not‑guilty pleas. A defence psychiatrist, Prof Patricia Casey, testified that McDonagh believed pleading guilty meant pleading not guilty, citing his schizophrenia, learning disability, and paranoid behaviour. She argued he was unfit for trial under Section 4 of the Criminal Law Insanity Act. In contrast, State psychiatrist Dr Mary Davoren said McDonagh was fit, could instruct his solicitor, and that his answers appeared evasive rather than a true lack of understanding. McDonagh was remanded in custody pending trial dates.
A Polish man has been sentenced to four years' imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court after pleading guilty to rape. Rafal Stojanowski, aged 36, admitted raping a woman on 27 October 2018 at a house in County Monaghan where he was staying during a visit to Ireland for a birthday celebration. He pleaded guilty on the basis that he was reckless as to whether the woman consented. The victim stated she had fallen asleep and awoke to find him sexually assaulting her. She told him to stop and attempted to resist, but he did not cease until he ejaculated. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed the sentence, backdating it by 12 months to account for time already spent in custody. The judge acknowledged the significant impact on the victim and considered mitigating factors including Stojanowski's guilty plea, expression of remorse, absence of prior convictions, and low assessed risk of reoffending. The court heard evidence that no violence or threats were employed during the offence.
Stephen Silver, aged 45, of Aughaward, Foxford, County Mayo, is charged with the murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan on Main Street, Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. The charge alleges the accused acted knowing or being reckless as to whether the garda was a member of An Garda Síochána acting in the course of his duty. Silver's trial at the Central Criminal Court has been postponed from its scheduled date of 15 June to 4 October. The adjournment was granted after the court heard that a psychiatric assessment of the accused, being compiled by Dr Harry Kennedy, Clinical Director of the Central Mental Hospital, would not be completed in time. Mr Justice Paul McDermott acceded to the delay reluctantly but noted the importance of the trial proceeding "with a clear run" when it resumes. The case is next mentioned on 20 May.
Christopher Moran, 52, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for impeding the apprehension of an offender in connection with the 2019 murder of Wayne Whelan. Moran pleaded guilty to acting as a getaway driver, a charge proven by the court. Mr Justice David Keane described the killing as a "cold-blooded assassination" and noted that Moran's actions successfully impeded the prosecution of the shooter, as no one has yet been convicted of the murder. The judge set a headline sentence of eight years, reduced to six years due to Moran's guilty plea, cooperation with gardai, and lack of recent convictions. The final 18 months of the sentence were suspended for three years. The sentence was backdated to December 12, 2019. Moran's co-accused, Anthony Casserly, 25, previously pleaded guilty to participating in or contributing to the murder. Last January, Casserly was sentenced to nine years in prison with the final two years suspended. Both defendants had initially pleaded not guilty to murder before the jury was discharged and lesser pleas were accepted by the DPP.
Michael Scott, 57, of Gortanumera, Portumna, Co. Galway, faces trial for the murder of 75‑year‑old pensioner Chrissie Treacy, who was found dead in her farmhouse at Boula, Portumna, on 27 April 2018. The Central Criminal Court, presided over by Mr Justice Paul McDermott, set the trial date for 11 January 2023. The proceedings are expected to last between six and eight weeks. This is the third time a trial date has been scheduled for Scott; earlier dates in January 2021 and January 2022 were postponed due to pandemic‑related court restrictions.
A 27‑year‑old man, whose identity is protected, was convicted of a single count of rape on 15 November 2021 after being charged on 7 November 2018. He pleaded not guilty but accepted the jury verdict. At his sentencing hearing, he maintained he was unaware the victim had not consented. The victim, aged 21 at the time, described the man as a close friend and protector in a victim impact statement read by Eilis Brennan SC. She said the rape shattered her, turning her from a confident, outgoing person into a cautious one, and caused psychological damage, though no physical injury occurred. The incident took place in her bedroom after the man had returned from a pub and was making food. The man stopped when she said "No, I don't want that", and they both fell asleep. The victim later told a friend, and the man admitted the act in text exchanges.
In October 2019, a 28‑year‑old man named James Brady, together with an unnamed accomplice, attacked and killed 53‑year‑old Timothy 'Timmy' Hourihane, a former chef, at a homeless camp in Cork city centre. The assault was unprovoked, brutal and fueled by alcohol and drugs. Witnesses testified that Brady repeatedly stamped on Hourihane's head and body and kicked him in the groin, leading to a collapsed lung, severe facial and head trauma, and death by inhalation of blood and cardiac arrest. After a four‑week trial, Brady was convicted of manslaughter, not murder, and sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. The judge noted Brady's prior convictions and the impact of the crime on Hourihane's family, including his son Elliot and brother Denis, who expressed profound grief and a desire for justice. The case highlighted the dangers faced by homeless individuals in the area. The unnamed 28-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A 16‑year‑old boy, whose identity is withheld because he is a minor, faces a second trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of Urantsetseg Tserendorj, a Mongolian national who lived in Dublin. Ms Tserendorj was stabbed on a walkway between George's Dock and Custom House Quay in the IFSC on 20 January 2021 while she was walking home from work at 9:30 pm. She died two weeks later at Mater Hospital. The boy had previously pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter on 29 January 2021; the State rejected his plea. He also pleaded guilty to producing a knife and attempting to rob Ms Tserendorj. A jury failed to reach a verdict in the first trial, and the case was scheduled for retrial on 24 October 2022. Defence counsel Mark Lynam BL highlighted the urgency of a retrial due to the boy's juvenile status and the need for a publicity fade factor.
A 31‑year‑old man, Jozef Puska of Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, is charged with the murder of 23‑year‑old primary school teacher Ashling Murphy, who was fatally assaulted while jogging along the Grand Canal in Tullamore on 12 January 2022. Puska is accused of murdering Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore. His defence counsel, Rebecca Smith BL, informed Judge Paul McDermott that Puska will appear by video‑link and that a Slovakian interpreter is required for all court dates. The judge set 6 June 2023 as the trial date before a jury at the Central Criminal Court, with the case expected to last three to four weeks and all disclosure to be made within four months of that date. Puska was remanded in custody after a brief hearing and was sent forward for trial on 6 April after being served with the book of evidence. Free legal aid was granted for the trial.
A jury in Dublin found 42‑year‑old Feri Anghel guilty of murdering fellow Romanian Ioan Artene Bob, 49, in Sean Walsh Memorial Park, Tallaght, on 13 April 2018. Anghel, a Romanian gypsy with no fixed abode, had pleaded not guilty. The trial, opened at the Central Criminal Court seven weeks earlier, lasted three hours and 44 minutes. Evidence included CCTV footage of Anghel and Bob together, a broken nose, extensive bruising, broken jaw and fractured ribs on Bob, and a cause of death of blunt‑force trauma with bilateral lung collapse. Anghel had been seen on CCTV attempting to use Bob's bank card at a shopping centre that night. The jury found the case against Anghel to be strong enough to convict, despite the defence's claims of prejudice and lack of direct evidence. Anghel was remanded in custody pending sentencing.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a 38‑year‑old man was found guilty by a majority jury of sexually assaulting a woman while she slept. The defendant had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault at a south Dublin location on the early morning of 13 May 2018. The complainant, who was with a roommate, met the defendant at a city centre pub on 12 May 2018 and later at his home. After initial kissing and a conversation, they moved to his bedroom where the defendant digitally penetrated her and performed oral sex. She refused to perform oral sex on him and he demanded ejaculation inside her. She fell asleep, woke to find him on top of her and groping her breasts, and told him to stop. She stated she had not consented to any activity while asleep. The jury deliberated for just under eight and a half hours before returning a guilty verdict.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a jury convicted four men of multiple sexual assaults during a gang rape of a 17‑year‑old girl on 27 December 2016. The girl was taken in a car by five men after she was separated from friends. While traveling, she was repeatedly groped and molested. The car was parked at a remote spot where two men raped her consecutively, then the car returned to town and was parked again. The girl attempted to leave; two men prevented her, one raped her again, and another orally raped her. After nine hours of deliberation, the jury found Marcos Vinicius De Silva Umbelino (22), Eduardo Dias Ferreira Filho (24), Gabriel Gomes Da Rocha (24) and Ethan Nikolaou (23) guilty of various charges, including rape and sexual assault. A fifth man, Conor Byrne (24), pleaded guilty to rape. All verdicts were unanimous.
The jury in the Central Criminal Court trial of four men accused of raping and sexually assaulting a 17‑year‑old girl in a car will continue deliberating into a fourth day. The alleged assault began on 27 December 2016 when the girl, separated from friends after a night‑out, entered a car with five men. The car travelled along backroads to a remote location where three defendants, and a fifth man not on trial, allegedly raped her one after another. The girl said she asked to be let out of the car but was ignored, and that one man raped her again while a fourth man forced his penis into her mouth. The defendants, aged between 17 and 19 at the time, deny all charges. The jury has deliberated for a little over eight hours since Monday afternoon, after 19 days of trial.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court could not reach a verdict in the case of a 14‑year‑old boy accused of murdering Urantsetseg Tserendorj during the 2021 winter lockdown. The teenager admitted stabbing Ms Tserendorj in the neck but his lawyers argued he was attempting a robbery and did not intend to kill or seriously harm her, seeking a manslaughter conviction. The jury spent over eight hours deliberating and, after multiple reviews of evidence, was unable to agree on a verdict. The judge, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring, noted that ten votes were required for a verdict. The case will return to the Central Criminal Court list. The accused had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter on 29 January 2021, a plea the State rejected. He also pleaded guilty to producing a knife and attempting to rob Ms Tserendorj on 20 January 2021.
In the trial of a minor accused of murdering Urantsetseg Tserendorj, Judge Mary Ellen Ring announced that the jury could deliver a majority verdict if at least ten of the twelve jurors agreed. The jury had been deliberating for nearly five hours and had paused for lunch before resuming at 2 pm. The accused pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, knife‑production and attempted robbery. The judge instructed that a guilty verdict for murder requires proof of intent to kill or cause serious injury, otherwise manslaughter applies.
The jury in the Central Criminal Court trial of four men accused of raping and sexually assaulting a 17‑year‑old girl will continue deliberations tomorrow. The alleged offence occurred on 27 December 2016 when the girl, separated from friends after a night‑out in a midlands town, entered a car with five men. The car travelled along backroads to a remote location where the defendants allegedly sexually assaulted her. Three of the defendants, and a fifth man not on trial, allegedly raped her at the remote site, one after another. The car was then driven to another location where the girl was dropped off at a house and later the car was driven again. The girl said she asked to be let out of the car but was ignored; one man raped her a second time while a fourth man forced his penis into her mouth.
The jury in the trial of a 16‑year‑old boy accused of murdering Urantsetseg Tserendorj is set to return to the Central Criminal Court to continue deliberations. The jury, composed of five men and seven women, began discussing late on Monday and, in the morning, asked for the relative heights of the accused and the deceased. Justice Mary Ellen Ring informed them that Assistant State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers had recorded Ms Tserendorj's height as 1.64 metres (five feet, five inches). The only evidence regarding the accused's height came from a security guard who described him as "skinny" and about 1.7 metres (five feet, seven inches). The jury also requested definitions of murder and manslaughter. The unnamed 16-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In 2022, the Court of Appeal increased the jail term of Scott O'Connor, 20, who brandished a large knife outside a house party where 20‑year‑old Cameron Blair was stabbed to death. O'Connor had pleaded guilty to violent disorder and to producing a weapon capable of serious injury. The original sentence of five years with a three‑year suspended portion was deemed too lenient. The appellate court reduced the suspended period to two years, thereby extending the custodial term to two years. The decision was based on O'Connor's role as the instigator of the violence, his armed conduct, and the lack of any threat to him. The court noted that Blair had no involvement in the violence and that the death was tragic and unexpected. The appeal was brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who argued the original suspension was unduly lenient. The judgment was delivered by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, with Mr Justice John Edwards presiding.
In a court hearing on 5 April 2022, a 22‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the sexual assault of a child and to producing child pornography. He was 18 at the time of the offences, which involved a 15‑year‑old boy who was rendered unconscious by a pain‑relief drug (Penthrox) that the accused had stolen. The drug was administered through a modified "green whistle" and an oxygen mask, after which the accused sexually assaulted the boy. The accused also filmed the assault and the drug administration. A 31‑year‑old co‑accused pleaded guilty to oral rape of a boy, sexual exploitation, and the production of child pornography. He admitted stealing a vial of Penthrox and a carbon dioxide chamber from Naas Racecourse.
The Central Criminal Court heard the case of a 14‑year‑old boy who stabbed Urantsetseg Tserendorj to death in Dublin on 20 January 2021. His defence counsel argued that the boy intended only to rob her, not to kill, and should be convicted of manslaughter. The prosecution maintained that a neck stabbing can only be intended to cause serious harm, and therefore the appropriate verdict was murder. The boy had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, and also pleaded guilty to producing a knife and attempting to rob Ms Tserendorj. Witnesses for the defence included the boy's aunt and grandmother, who described his drug habit and lack of intent to kill. The jury was instructed to decide whether the boy intended to cause serious injury or death, and to return tomorrow for deliberation.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Garda David O'Callaghan recounted how he visited the home of a teenage accused of murdering Urantsetseg Tserendorj. While on a search warrant for a stolen e‑bike, he called the boy's grandmother, who said the boy had "done something terrible" and would turn himself in. O'Callaghan found the boy in his bedroom, who admitted stabbing the woman and robbing her. The boy, a minor, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, and the State has not accepted his plea. He also pleaded guilty to producing a knife and attempting to rob Ms Tserendorj. The victim died nine days later from a single stab wound that severed a major brain artery. Garda Maria Harmon and Garda Karl Bolger provided further statements and evidence, including a knife found in the boy's home and CCTV footage of the incident. The jury will hear the prosecution's evidence before the next trial phase.
At the Central Criminal Court, Gavin Murphy, aged 30, pleaded guilty to the murder of his girlfriend, Jennie Poole, 24, who was stabbed to death in her Dublin apartment on 17 April last year. Poole was taken to Connolly Hospital where she died shortly after. Murphy, wearing all black, answered only "guilty" when the registrar read the charge. Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned sentencing to 29 April to allow time for victim impact statements, and a November trial date was vacated.