A Romanian national, Ionut Danca, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for killing a Canadian tourist, Neno Dolmajian, in Dublin city centre. Danca delivered a full-force running kick to the victim's head, who was lying on the ground under the influence of alcohol. The judge described the attack as brazen and stated that there was no need or justification for the act. Dolmajian, a 42-year-old Canadian of Armenian heritage, was visiting Ireland and was due to leave the country the day after the incident. The victim's family attended the sentencing hearing via video-link from Canada and described him as a positive and creative person. Danca's co-accused, Madalin Ghiuzan, was sentenced to 12 months in prison, with the sentence suspended for 12 months. The judge noted that the victim's death was a devastating loss for his family and emphasized the need for justice. Danca's defense highlighted his lack of prior convictions and his exemplary work ethic, but the court ruled that the severity of the crime warranted a significant prison term. Ionut Danca pleaded guilty. Madalin Ghiuzan pleaded guilty.
Richard Walsh, 32, of Lisminton, Ballintra, Co Donegal, was sentenced to seven years in prison at the Central Criminal Court for the sexual assault of a woman in her 20s. Walsh pleaded guilty to the offence, which occurred on December 13, 2020, at his home in Ballintra. Justice Tony Hunt described the incident as a serious sexual assault, noting that Walsh's guilty plea was compelled by independent corroboration rather than remorse. The judge reduced a headline sentence of eight years to seven to account for the plea. Walsh was ordered to serve the full term, followed by three years of supervision, including notifying the Probation Service of his contact details and engaging in offence-focused work. The court noted that Walsh was on bail for an unrelated defilement charge at the time of the assault. He had previously pleaded guilty to defilement of a child under 17 and received a custodial sentence of one year and eight months in January 2023. Justice Hunt stated that Walsh's previous conviction complicated sentencing and that his apology carried little weight. The victim, who wished to retain anonymity, stated that the assault ruined her life and caused serious depression. The judge commended her strength and noted that Walsh's misconduct rightly resulted in community shunning.
A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court has heard closing arguments in a case arising from the fatal stabbing of a man in Dublin in June 2024. Joseph Lawlor, aged 39, of Hampton Wood Road in Finglas, Dublin 11, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael Ryan, aged 51, who died from a stab wound to the neck in a carpark behind Mr Lawlor's home on 20 June 2024. The prosecution contends that Mr Lawlor inflicted the fatal wound with intent to kill or cause serious injury and was not acting in lawful self-defence. The defence argues that Mr Lawlor was entitled to use reasonable force to protect himself and his property after Mr Ryan, a friend with whom he had been drinking, broke into his home, took cash, and made threats. The jury heard evidence regarding earlier physical altercations between the men and a 999 call made immediately after the incident. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath is presiding over the trial, with closing arguments continuing.
Patrick Murphy, a 37-year-old man who admitted to stabbing 20-year-old Jordan Ronan to death outside his home, is now on 23-hour lockup for his own protection after being attacked in prison. Murphy claimed he was defending his family and property when he stabbed Ronan, who was found in his front driveway. Murphy's dog alerted him to the presence of Ronan, and he rushed out of his home armed with a kitchen knife. CCTV footage showed Murphy telling his partner that Ronan was breaking into their car. A jury found Murphy not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. Ronan's partner, Lauren Geraghty, who was six weeks pregnant with their first child, delivered a victim-impact statement expressing her grief and the loss of their future together. Ronan's father, Stephen Packenham, spoke of his son's wish to meet his daughter and the devastation of identifying his body. Sabrina Ronan, Ronan's mother, thanked those who provided first aid to her son. The pathologist testified that the stab wound was 18cm deep and caused cardiac arrest within minutes.
A 25-year-old man from Donegal has been sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court following his guilty plea to the defilement of a teenager. The man, who cannot be identified to protect the victim's privacy, was originally charged with rape but pleaded guilty to defilement on the basis that he may have been unaware or reckless as to consent. The offence occurred in May 2021 when the victim was sixteen years old and the defendant was twenty-one. The court heard the man, who was an acquaintance of the girl's family, initiated contact with her via social media before arranging to meet her. He subsequently drove her to a secluded location where the incident took place. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a two-year-and-six-month sentence, suspending the final twelve months on strict conditions. He noted the significant age difference and breach of trust involved. The man was directed to comply with Probation Services supervision and maintain no contact with the injured party upon release.
A man from Killygordon in Donegal has been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment, with the final six months suspended, following his conviction at the Central Criminal Court for a series of sexual offences. Eunan Merritt, aged 56, was found guilty by jury after an 11-day trial of eight counts of rape, four counts of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault committed between June 1999 and September 2003. The offences were perpetrated against a woman who waived her anonymity, detailing in her victim impact statement how the abuse had fundamentally altered her life trajectory and ongoing mental health. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo noted that Merritt had exploited his victim's vulnerability over an extended period and rejected limited cooperation with gardaí as mitigation. The judge observed that the defendant presented contrasting versions of himself to his victims and the public. Merritt maintains he does not accept the jury's verdicts.
Christopher Fitzsimons, 40, of Athlone, Co Westmeath, was sentenced to 13 years in prison by the Central Criminal Court for rape and sexual assault. A jury convicted him last July of all 22 counts, including 18 counts of raping Claire Berry, aged 15 to 16, between 2010 and 2011; one count of raping Tara Berry, aged 16, in 2006; and two counts of sexually assaulting Tara Berry, aged 12. He was also found guilty of one count of sexually assaulting Chloe Berry, aged 14, in 2001. The abuse occurred over a 10-year period while Fitzsimons was in a relationship with the victims' older sister. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon described the conduct as an "egregious abuse of trust" and a "wolf in sheep's clothing." She set a headline sentence of 14 years, reduced to 13 years, citing his lack of previous convictions and work history as a butcher in mitigation. Fitzsimons has been in custody since the verdict. The victims, who waived anonymity, submitted impact statements detailing long-term trauma and his lack of remorse. Prosecutors requested consecutive sentences for the separate complainants, while the defense highlighted his good character.
A woman who alleges she was sexually abused by seven family members has testified in court that her younger brother 'learned to rape' her when he was 13. The woman, who is deaf, is giving evidence via video-link and with the assistance of interpreters and an intermediary. She is one of several complainants in a trial involving seven men, including her four younger brothers and three uncles, who are accused of sexually abusing her over a 17-year period between 1996 and 2013. The accused have denied all allegations. The woman's testimony included details of her brother's alleged actions and her assertion that she was telling the truth. The trial is ongoing before Ms Justice Biggs and an extended jury panel.
A murderer who claimed he was acting in self-defence when he stabbed his ex-partner's boyfriend to death has failed in an appeal against his conviction. Nassar Ahmed (45) of The Mews, Kilrush Road, Ennis, had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Eoin Boylan (32) at Gordon Drive, Cloughleigh, Ennis, on April 14th, 2020. The trial jury found Ahmed guilty of murder after deliberating for just two hours and five minutes, rejecting his claim of self-defence. Ahmed was sentenced to life imprisonment by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon in July 2022. The prosecution argued that Ahmed had invited Boylan to a fist fight and then stabbed him in a 'sneak attack' while concealing a knife. Ahmed told gardaí he grabbed a sharp object but could not remember what it was or where he threw it. The prosecution described his lies as 'borderline laughable'. The jury watched CCTV footage showing Boylan retreating from the attack. Ahmed admitted to unlawfully killing Boylan but claimed self-defence. The jury rejected his claim, finding he was the aggressor.
A wealthy New Yorker, Henry McGowan, has been found not guilty of murdering his father at a five-star resort in Co Laois by reason of insanity. The 12 jurors accepted evidence from two psychiatrists that McGowan, who was suffering from schizoaffective disorder, was not in control of his actions when he killed his father, John McGowan, at Ballyfin Demesne hotel. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC argued that the case was tragic, as the father had prioritised his son's well-being over his own. Prosecuting counsel Brendan Grehan SC said John McGowan had travelled from the US to help his son, only to be killed. The trial heard that Henry had a history of mental health issues, including a manic episode in 2022 and a subsequent involuntary admission to a psychiatric hospital in Paris. He had also experienced delusional beliefs, including the idea that his father was an imposter. The jury reached a unanimous verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity after deliberating for just over an hour.
The trial of Henry McGowan, accused of murdering his father John McGowan at a five-star resort in Co Laois, has heard that the accused described impulsive behavior such as buying a pink coat in Harrods and renting a Lamborghini in Paris in the lead-up to the murder. Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Stephen Monks testified that McGowan was experiencing a relapse of schizoaffective disorder and met the criteria for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. McGowan, who is independently wealthy, had previously been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had been treated with antipsychotic medication. His family expressed grave concerns for his mental health, and his father had traveled to Ireland on a 'mission of mercy' to help him. McGowan described his father as an imposter involved in a conspiracy and believed he was ordained by God to kill him. The trial continues with the jury considering the evidence and the possibility of a not guilty by reason of insanity verdict.
Joseph Lawlor, a 39-year-old man from Dublin, has taken the stand in his murder trial, claiming he stabbed his friend Michael Ryan in self-defense after Ryan allegedly threatened to throw grenades through his window. Lawlor told the Central Criminal Court that he only wanted to scare Ryan and make him leave him alone. The trial has heard that both men had been drinking together throughout the day and that they had previously been involved in the sale of sleeping tablets. CCTV footage showed a physical altercation between the two men, and Ryan was arrested for drink driving before returning to Lawlor's home later that night. Audio from a neighbor's Ring doorbell captured Ryan demanding the return of a watch, prompting Lawlor to confront him. Lawlor said that when he heard a bang and saw Ryan in his sitting room, he froze in fear. He claimed that there was a scuffle over a bag and that he fell to the ground. Joseph Lawlor pleaded not guilty.
The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in the appeal by John McDonagh, who was convicted in 2001 of the rape and murder of Siobhan Hynes and sentenced to life imprisonment. McDonagh, formerly of The Demesne, Keeraunbeg, Carraroe, pleaded not guilty but was convicted following three days of jury deliberations. He is now seeking to utilize advances in DNA technology to re-examine trial exhibits, arguing that modern methods could yield new results. The State argues that scientific advancements alone do not justify re-testing, noting that McDonagh did not seek such testing in his 2007 appeal. Counsel for the State, Paul Carroll SC, stated that the conviction was based on numerous strands of evidence, including fibre analysis, rather than solely on DNA. The defence, represented by Michael O'Higgins SC, contends that a reasonable possibility exists for obtaining a new result from retesting. The court heard evidence from forensic experts regarding the limitations of 1999 technology versus current methods. Ms Justice Nuala Butler and Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy discussed the relevance of potential new DNA findings. The matter was adjourned for the court to deliver its reserved judgment.
The Court of Criminal Appeal has adjourned the hearing of John McDonagh's appeal against his 2001 conviction for the rape and murder of Siobhan Hynes. McDonagh, formerly of The Demesne, Keeraunbeg, Carraroe, pleaded not guilty at trial but was convicted following three days of jury deliberations and sentenced to life imprisonment. He now argues that his conviction is unsafe due to advances in forensic technology. The three-judge court paused proceedings after two days of submissions to hear further expert evidence. Forensic experts testified that DNA analysis was in its infancy in 1998, with modern methods offering greater sensitivity for detecting seminal fluid and touch DNA, particularly in samples immersed in water. However, State experts maintained that the original fibre evidence, which linked McDonagh's clothing and car to the victim, was robust and that further testing would likely strengthen rather than weaken the prosecution's case. The court will continue to examine whether novel forensic applications could demonstrate a miscarriage of justice.
A woman who is deaf and alleges that seven family members sexually abused her over a 17-year period has left a cross-examination in anger after one of her brothers denied the allegations. The woman, who is giving evidence via videolink and with the help of interpreters, said she was angry when her brother claimed he never had sex with her. The trial involves seven men, including her four younger brothers and three uncles, who are accused of 103 charges of sexual abuse. The woman has faced challenges in communicating timelines and has used charts and symbols to assist her. The court has heard that one of the accused, Accused E, was living with other family members during part of the alleged abuse period. The trial continues before Ms Justice Biggs and an extended jury panel of 14 jurors. The unnamed 55-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Henry McGowan, a 31-year-old US national, described in detail how he strangled his 66-year-old father with his bare hands, putting a full fist into his throat, just over an hour after arriving at a five-star midlands resort. The prosecution's case outlined that McGowan had pleaded not guilty to the murder of his father by reason of insanity. The trial heard that McGowan was under the delusion that the person he was killing was not his father but an imposter. Expert psychiatrists for both the prosecution and defense agreed that McGowan was experiencing a relapse of schizoaffective disorder when he killed his father. The prosecution's barrister, Will Fennelly, outlined that McGowan had previously encountered mental health challenges and had not been taking his medication. McGowan arrived at Dublin airport on November 11, 2024, and was later found at the Ballyfin Demesne hotel where he killed his father. McGowan told gardai that he had killed his father and that he had strangled him in a bathroom. The unnamed accused was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
A man who sexually assaulted his sleeping partner has been jailed for two and a half years. The 33-year-old was convicted of one count of sexual assault at their Co Wexford home on October 8, 2022. He was acquitted of one count of rape and the jury disagreed on two further counts of sexual assault. An investigating garda told the court that the couple were living together when the offence occurred. The man came home late one night and digitally penetrated the woman after she said no to sex. She pushed him away and left the house. She sent a text to the accused saying he did not have a right to touch her after she had said no. The man replied with an apology, but during the trial, he denied the sexual assault, claiming the allegations were fabrications. In her victim impact statement, the woman outlined the serious and ongoing effects the offence has had on her life, including mental struggles, feeling damaged, and suffering nightmares.
A convicted sex offender who was on bail when he attacked and raped his then partner in a Kildare woods, telling her he had dug her grave, has been further jailed for 10 years. Dylan McMahon (31) was convicted of rape, aggravated sexual assault, false imprisonment, and making threats to kill or cause serious harm. During the attack, McMahon pushed dog faeces, sticks, and leaves in her mouth, making her unable to breathe, and led her through the woods, telling her he had dug her grave. He denied the charges but pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. McMahon has 36 previous convictions and is currently serving a sentence of six years with the final year suspended for theft and assault causing harm to a sex worker. He is also serving a consecutive two-year and nine-month sentence for offences including robbery. The court heard that McMahon sustained a traumatic brain injury in 2015 and does not accept the verdict of the jury.
A woman who helped dump a man's body in a quarry and later expressed concern for his wellbeing on social media has been jailed for six years. Jane Corcoran (34) lied to gardai about the circumstances surrounding the death of Stephen Ring in 2024. She falsely accused another man of assaulting Mr Ring and wasted garda time. His body was found in Carrigfoyle Quarry 13 days later, decomposed and partially eaten by fish. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo said Corcoran lacks insight into her offending and has engaged in victim blaming. Corcoran was caught on CCTV helping move Mr Ring's remains to her car and then to the quarry. A probation officer noted she appears emotionally detached from the offence and is at high risk of reoffending. The judge set a headline sentence of nine years, which was reduced to six years and nine months after considering mitigation. Corcoran's guilty plea was noted, but her lack of remorse and victim blaming reduced its value. The judge suspended the final nine months of the sentence for two years on conditions.
A man has been sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by the Central Criminal Court following his guilty plea to offences arising from the fatal shooting of Noel Campion in Limerick city in April 2007. Darragh Quinlivan, aged 42 and originally from Limerick but with an address in Bolton, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and to participating in the activity of the Dundon-McCarthy criminal organisation. The court heard that Mr Campion, then 35, was shot multiple times whilst travelling as a passenger on a motorcycle at Thomondgate. Justice Paul McDermott described the shooting as callous and brutal, conducted in cold blood from close range during mid-morning on a public street. The judge noted victim impact statements detailing the lasting devastation caused to Mr Campion's family. In mitigation, the court considered Quinlivan's guilty plea and evidence of rehabilitation since 2012. The final sentence comprised 16 years with the last 12 months suspended, running concurrently with a four-year term on the organisational charge.
A US national has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering his 66-year-old father at the five-star Ballyfin Demesne hotel in Co Laois over a year ago. Henry McGowan (31), with an address in Brooklyn, New York, is charged with the murder of John McGowan (66) at Ballyfin Demesne on November 12, 2024. Mr McGowan was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on the single charge of murder and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Mr Justice Sean Gillane informed the jury that the case will involve mental health issues and asked potential jurors to be available until Friday. The prosecution is led by Brendan Grehan SC, while the defence team includes Michael Bowman SC and Olan Callanan BL. A jury of six men and six women was sworn in, and the trial is set to begin tomorrow before Mr Justice Paul McDermott, expected to last three days.
A Canadian tourist, Neno Dolmajian, was brutally beaten to death on a Dublin street by a Romanian national, Ionut Danca, who was described by the victim's sister as having 'treated my brother's head like a football'. The victim's sister, Maral Dolmajian, spoke at the Central Criminal Court about her brother's character, describing him as a 'good person, kind, funny, thoughtful and a joy to be around'. Danca pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of Dolmajian, who was assaulted on June 23, 2024, and died nine days later. The court heard that Danca delivered a 'running kick straight to the face' of the deceased. Danca's co-accused, Madalin Ghiuzan, pleaded guilty to assaulting Dolmajian. The court will deliver a sentence on February 17. Danca's defence argued that he was initially trying to act as a peacemaker and that he has no previous convictions. The victim's family asked for a sentence that reflects the violence suffered and acknowledges their loss.
A Dublin man died from a stab wound to the neck less than two months before his partner gave birth to their child, the Central Criminal Court heard. Natanya Comerford testified that the deceased, Michael Ryan, had lost his mother to cancer six weeks before his death. She stated that Mr Ryan was taking a prescribed dose of Zopiclone to help him sleep and that the €4,000 found in his gym bag was from a loan for home improvements. Ms Comerford said she had never heard of Mr Ryan selling sleeping tablets. Joseph Lawlor, who denies murdering Mr Ryan, was questioned about the money in the gym bag, to which she replied that Mr Ryan was an 'eejit'. The trial heard that Mr Ryan and Mr Lawlor were drinking together and had a physical altercation. Mr Ryan was arrested for drink driving but was later released. He returned to Mr Lawlor's home where the fatal encounter occurred. Joseph Lawlor pleaded not guilty.
Luke Donnelly (29) was found not guilty of murder but guilty of the manslaughter of his mother, Catherine Henry (62), by a Central Criminal Court jury. The incident occurred at her Bridge Street apartment in Dundalk, Co Louth, on a date unknown between May 23 and 24, 2023. Donnelly had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The jury accepted the defence of provocation, rejecting the prosecution's contention that the defences were unavailable. Donnelly alleged he was 'groomed' into a life of violence by his mother and acted in fear for his life after she threatened to kill him. A pathologist testified that Ms Henry died from severe blunt force trauma to the head, including multiple skull fractures. Following the verdict, Mr Justice Paul McDermott directed a probation report and remanded Donnelly in custody until May 11 for a sentence hearing. On that date, the Henry family will have the opportunity to make a statement regarding the impact of the death. The judge exempted the jury from service for five years.
A Dublin father, Michael Ryan (51), died from a single stab wound to the neck that severed a branch of the carotid artery and the jugular vein, according to evidence presented at the Central Criminal Court. Joseph Lawlor (39), of Hampton Wood Road in Finglas, Dublin 11, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Ryan, who was killed in a carpark near the accused's home on June 20, 2024. The trial heard that Mr Lawlor and Mr Ryan had been drinking together throughout the day and had a first physical altercation at 8.30pm. A second altercation occurred just after 9.30pm, leading to Mr Ryan being arrested for drink driving. After being released, he returned to Mr Lawlor's home where the fatal encounter took place. An audio recording captured Mr Ryan moments after being stabbed, saying: "You fucking c**t you, you dirtbird, Joey. You stabbed me in the artery, you f**king eejit." State pathologist Dr Yvonne McCartney testified that Mr Ryan had 57 scratches and bruises on his head, arms, legs, and torso.
Danny Heyneman, a 32-year-old man from Kilnavart, Ballyconnell, County Cavan, has been charged with the murder of Annie Heyneman and the attempted murder of Henk Heyneman. The alleged offences are said to have occurred at the family home in Kilnavart on January 11, 2025. Heyneman is currently accused of these crimes, and the charges remain alleged or contested. The matter is at the pre-trial stage, with no plea entered, finding made, or sentence imposed. The case is listed for trial at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin on April 13. A mention date has also been scheduled for February 18 at the same court. No finalisation, adjournment, or disposal has been recorded for this procedural stage. All allegations are attributed to the charges brought against the accused, and no conviction has been established. The report reflects the current status of the case as it proceeds toward trial.
A judge has sentenced Dean Hayes, a prolific offender with 129 previous convictions, to ten years in prison for a violent home invasion where he stabbed a doctor multiple times. Mr Justice David Keane noted the extreme violence used and the victim's survival as a matter of luck. Hayes, who spent 90% of his life in custody, burgled a neighboring bungalow in 2009, which the judge called an aggravating factor. The victim, Waleed Mustafa, described the attack as a miracle he survived and suffered severe psychological harm. Hayes was armed with a knife and attacked the doctor in his bedroom while he was watching YouTube. The judge imposed concurrent sentences of 12 years, with the final two years suspended, on the conditions that Hayes engage in a residential drug treatment and a victim empathy programme. Hayes had a chronic drug addiction and a history of recidivism, which the judge highlighted as significant factors in the sentencing. Dean Hayes pleaded guilty.
Jamie Berry and Stephen Mulvey, a recidivist criminal and his nephew, have been sentenced to a combined total of ten years and nine months for conspiring to murder a teenager in Dublin four years ago. Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted that both men were deeply involved in the planning of the ambush, which failed only due to medical intervention. The victim suffered life-threatening injuries from gunshot wounds to his lower cheek, neck, and thigh. Both men pleaded guilty and received reduced sentences of six and a half years, with portions suspended. The judge highlighted the serious nature of the conspiracy, the procurement of a firearm, and the reckless indifference to public safety. Mulvey, with 91 previous convictions, and Berry, with six, were found to have a high level of culpability. The court also noted that the victim, who was 17 at the time, declined to make a victim impact statement. The case was retried after an initial acquittal was overturned on appeal.
A woman who was allegedly sexually abused by seven of her family members has been told by defence counsel that her allegations against one brother are 'hard to believe' because they are not true. Karl Finnegan SC, defending Accused C, cross-examined the complainant, who is deaf, and suggested that she had told different stories to gardai and the jury. The woman, who is giving evidence via video-link and through interpreters, has told gardai that she was raped by Accused C when she was seven years old. Defence counsel argued that this was not possible as Accused C would have been four at the time. The trial continues with seven men on trial for a combined total of 103 charges, including sexual abuse against the complainant and two of her younger sisters. The court has heard that the complainant has challenges communicating timelines and that the trial is being conducted with the assistance of interpreters and symbols. The unnamed 55-year-old pleaded not guilty.
An amateur kickboxer who admits to killing but denies murdering his mother has testified at his trial, claiming he was 'groomed' into a life of drugs and violence by his abusive mother. Luke Donnelly told the Central Criminal Court that he was in fear for his life and 'lost all control' when he stomped on his mother's head after she hit and threatened to kill him. He admitted to using 'deplorable violence' to end his mother's life and had taken a cocktail of drugs before the incident. Donnelly, who has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, described a history of abuse and violence in his home. He said his mother had a relationship with a drug dealer and that he was put 'out on the street' at 14. The trial continues with the jury considering evidence, including CCTV footage and the accused's claim that he was 'Jesus Christ' and that his mother had threatened to kill him.
A 62-year-old woman died from severe blunt force trauma to the head and suffered multiple fractures to her skull, including one which may have been caused by 'a stomping or kicking type of impact', a pathologist has told the Central Criminal Court. Luke Donnelly (29), of no fixed abode, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his mother Catherine Henry at her apartment on Bridge Street in Dundalk, Co Louth on a date unknown between May 23 and 24, 2023. The trial jury heard on the day the case opened that Mr Donnelly accepts he caused multiple fractures to his mother's skull and that he left a blood-stained footprint on her back. State pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers today told Garret Baker SC, prosecuting, that she conducted a post-mortem on Ms Henry on May 25, 2023 and found that her hair, hands and face were heavily blood-stained. She said death had been pronounced after 8pm on May 24, 2023.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has sanctioned 'emergency measures' to pay psychiatrists more for the preparation of reports on defendants in criminal cases, following severe delays in the progression of trials through the judicial system, the Central Criminal Court has heard. A representative from the Criminal Legal Aid Unit of the Department of Justice agreed that his department would pay the same rates to defence psychiatrists as those offered to prosecution experts until June. The court heard that the Dept of Justice has now set up a task force to address the issue. Mr Justice Paul McDermott, the judge overseeing the trial list at the Central Criminal Court, said the importance of the issue could not be underestimated, 'particularly for victims of violent crime'. He had previously said it is 'completely unacceptable' that the State wasn't in a position to facilitate the trial process in securing psychiatric assessments.
There is 'no reality' of a trial proceeding as planned for a Somali national charged with the murder of young mother Mary Ward last year as the accused remains 'mute' and there is still no psychiatric report from the defence, the Central Criminal Court has heard. Ahmed Abdirahman (31), originally from Somalia and with a last address at Kinlay house, Lord Edward Street, Dublin, is accused of murdering Ms Ward, who was his former partner, on September 25, 2024, at her house on Melrose Street in south Belfast. The case has come before the courts on a number of occasions, with the legal team for the defence saying that the accused had failed to engage with a psychiatrist who attempted to see him. At the Central Criminal Court this morning, counsel for the State, Antonia Boyle BL, said that the matter was listed for trial on February 23 next, but she asked the court to vacate that date as there was 'no reality to that proceeding'.
A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court heard that a Dublin man, Joseph Lawlor, allegedly stabbed his friend, Michael Ryan, in the neck while wearing a stab-proof vest. Kevin White SC opened the trial, stating that Lawlor and Ryan were friends who had a series of drunken rows. The court heard that Lawlor threatened to stab Ryan and later thrust a large kitchen knife into his neck. CCTV and audio recordings were presented as evidence, showing Lawlor on top of Ryan during a fight and later running out of the garden with the knife. The prosecution argued that Lawlor intended to kill or cause serious injury when he thrust the knife into Ryan's neck. The evidence showed that Ryan tried to fend off Lawlor with a black bag before the attack. The trial continues, with the court needing to determine whether Lawlor's actions were intentional. The judge, Mr Justice Patrick McGrath, is presiding over the case, and the jury will consider the evidence to reach a verdict. Joseph Lawlor pleaded not guilty.
A trial in the Central Criminal Court heard that Luke Donnelly, 29, admitted to manslaughter but denied murder in the death of his mother, Catherine Henry, 62. His sister, Kathleen Donnelly, testified that their mother was physically, verbally, and emotionally abusive to her children on a daily basis. She also stated that Luke idolised their mother despite her abuse. Luke's father, Gerry Donnelly, recounted incidents where Catherine stabbed him with a steak knife and pushed him down the stairs. Luke had a history of mental health issues and drug use, and his sister described him as being in a trance-like state before the incident. Luke's sister also mentioned that he had gone missing for a few days in November 2023 and had attempted suicide multiple times. The trial continues with the court considering the evidence presented. Luke Donnelly pleaded not guilty.
Shane Kelly, 36, of no fixed abode in Edgeworthstown, Co Longford, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for offences committed in the early hours of February 25, 2025. Kelly pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted rape, one count of oral rape, one count of anal rape, and one count of burglary at the home of Anne Gallagher, a 70-year-old neighbour. Ms Justice Melanie Greally described the attack as pre-meditated, noting Kelly was aware of Gallagher's vulnerability, including her chronic health issues and reliance on mobility aids. The judge stated the harm caused was "life-altering" and that Kelly's culpability was of a "particularly extreme level." Although the Director of Public Prosecution assessed the case in the 10 to 15-year category, Ms Justice Greally set a headline sentence of 18 years. Taking mitigating factors into account, she reduced this to 14 years and six months. The final 18 months of the sentence were suspended on conditions. A Probation Service report indicated Kelly is at medium risk of reoffending and requires intervention for sexual preoccupation, impulsivity, and drug abuse. Gallagher, who waived her anonymity, stated she chose to forgive Kelly to heal, while the court noted the sentence must be punitive given the egregious violation of her home and the use of violence, including manual strangulation.
A jury has been selected for the trial of a 39-year-old man accused of murdering a father of three in Dublin. At the Central Criminal Court, Joseph Lawlor pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael Ryan, who was killed outside the accused's home in Hampton Wood Way, St Margaret's Road, Finglas, Dublin 11 on June 20, 2024. The prosecution is being led by Kevin White SC, while the accused is represented by Séamus Clarke SC. The trial is expected to last up to three weeks and will begin tomorrow before Mr Justice Patrick McGrath. The jury consists of six men and six women. The case has drawn significant attention due to the tragic nature of the crime and the involvement of a family man as the victim. The court proceedings are expected to be closely followed by the media and the public. The trial will involve the presentation of evidence and witness testimonies to determine the guilt or innocence of the accused.
A man from Ballyhaunis, County Mayo has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for a sustained campaign of domestic violence against his former partner spanning seven years. Mark White, aged 54, pleaded guilty to six counts of assault causing harm, one count of threatening to kill and one count of sexual assault at their family home between 2010 and 2017. The court heard White subjected his partner to beatings, including an attack when she was 24 weeks pregnant, broke bones in her face and drove a vehicle towards her at speed. He also held a knife to her throat and sexually assaulted her. Some incidents occurred in front of their two children. White left the jurisdiction before gardai could interview him in 2019 and was subsequently arrested at Dublin Airport in November 2024 following a European Arrest Warrant. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a headline sentence of eleven years, reduced to nine years and six months, with the final eighteen months suspended.
Stephen Mulvey (34) and Jamie Berry (30), both of Leo Fitzgerald House, Dublin, appeared before the Central Criminal Court on an appeal matter. Both men pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder a 17-year-old boy on Eugene Street, Dublin, between February 23 and 24, 2021. The case originated from a 2023 trial for attempted murder, where Justice Eileen Creedon directed an acquittal due to insufficient evidence. The Director of Public Prosecutions successfully appealed this decision, a ruling upheld by the Supreme Court, which directed a retrial. Before the retrial commenced, the defendants entered guilty pleas to the conspiracy charge. Detective Garda Richard Pender testified that the victim was shot in the neck and upper body, suffering life-threatening injuries. Forensic evidence indicated that gardening gloves found on Berry contained significant firearms residue, which an expert linked to the shooter. Berry failed to account for the gloves. While Berry had six previous convictions, Mulvey had 91. Defence counsel argued the case was circumstantial, noting a lack of direct forensic evidence against Mulvey and the absence of CCTV placing them at the scene. Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded both men in custody until Tuesday, February 3, for sentencing. The matter was adjourned and is not yet concluded.
A 63‑year‑old man was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for three counts of indecent assault on his niece, who was aged five to six at the time, between February 1988 and December 1990 in her grandmother's home where the accused also lived. The judge, Justice Karen O'Connor, praised the victim for her impact statement, which she said would help other survivors find their voices. The man pleaded not guilty but was convicted by a jury. He has no prior convictions, a long work history and has not been in contact with Gardaí in 35 years, factors the judge cited as mitigating. He will be placed on the sex offenders' register. The sentence was reduced from a headline three years to two years, back‑dated to the date he entered custody. No expression of remorse was noted, and the Probation Service will not be involved. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court.
A mother who sexually assaulted her daughter and allowed her brother to rape the child when she was six years old has been jailed for 15 years. The woman, in her 50s, was convicted of two charges of sexual assault and one of rape. Her brother, the child's uncle, was also jailed for 15 years for raping the child. The rape occurred after the mother brought her brother into a bedroom where the child was lying on the bed and let him rape her while she watched. The victim, who is now an adult, described the abuse as "incredibly difficult" and said she felt like an outcast in school. The judge described the abuse as "remarkable in its depravity and cruelty" and noted the girl grew up in a household of "severe neglect and physical chastisement." The mother and uncle denied the charges and have expressed no remorse.
A 42-year-old man originally from Limerick City has pleaded guilty to participation in an organised criminal group and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life in connection with the fatal shooting of Noel Campion on April 26, 2007. Darragh Quinlivan, with an address in Manchester, did not plead guilty to murder. The Central Criminal Court heard that Campion, aged 35, was shot multiple times while travelling as a passenger on a motorcycle near Thomondgate in Limerick City. Quinlivan later fled to the United States, where he made incriminating statements to police and others whilst intoxicated, statements he subsequently characterised as "talk" and sarcasm. He was deported to Ireland in 2008. The case was reviewed as a cold case in 2022. Quinlivan has 24 previous convictions. Justice Paul McDermott remanded him in custody for sentencing on February 9. Victim impact statements were heard from Campion's daughter and widow.
A former girlfriend of Luke Donnelly, who admitted killing but denied murdering his mother, testified at the Central Criminal Court that he claimed to be Jesus and told her he had cured her cancer. Stacey Campbell said Donnelly's drug use and deteriorating mental health were major concerns. She described how he arrived at her home in Drogheda, claiming to be Jesus, and how she contacted gardaí for help. Donnelly, who has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, was said to have had a close relationship with his mother, Catherine Henry. Ms Campbell recounted that Henry was in good health on the day before her death and that Donnelly was acting strangely, claiming to be Jesus. She said she last saw Henry alive at around 8:20 am on May 22, 2023, and learned of her death the following day. The trial continues with further evidence being presented.
A 23-year-old man who was due to face trial on an attempted murder charge at the Central Criminal Court has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. James Greengrass, 25, of Chapel Place, Lismore, Co Waterford, had been charged with attempted murder on February 3, 2023, at the psychiatry department of University Hospital Waterford. Initially, he entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, and a jury was empanelled to hear the case. However, following discussions between counsel, Greengrass re-arraigned before the court and pleaded guilty to a charge of attempting to cause serious harm. The Director of Public Prosecutions, represented by Michael Delaney SC, accepted the plea on a full facts basis and stated that a nolle prosequi would be entered in respect of the attempted murder charge. Defence counsel, Michael Bowman SC, noted that Greengrass has no previous convictions and suffers from significant psychiatric difficulties. He requested an extension of legal aid to cover a psychiatric report, as well as probation and education reports.
A man who admits killing but denies murdering his mother accepts that he caused multiple fractures to her skull and that he left a blood-stained footprint on her back, a trial jury has heard. Luke Donnelly (29), of no fixed abode, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Catherine Henry (62) at her apartment on Bridge Street in Dundalk, Co Louth on a date unknown between May 23 and 24 2023. Garret Baker SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said the panel would also hear that the accused was behaving in an erratic way before the killing, including by repeatedly asserting that he was 'Jesus Christ' and the son of God. The prosecution's case is that Mr Donnelly went to his mother's address on Bridge Street early on the morning of May 23 and that the deceased was murdered at that location. The court will also hear evidence from a State pathologist who had conducted a postmortem on May 25, which found extensive blunt force trauma to Ms Henry's face and head.
A trial date has been set for a 31-year-old man accused of murdering his mother, father, and brother at their family home in County Louth last year. Robert O'Connor, from Drumgowna, is charged with the triple murder that occurred on September 29. During proceedings at the Central Criminal Court, defence counsel Michael Bowman SC highlighted the presence of a psychiatric aspect to the case. Mr Justice Paul McDermott scheduled the trial for October 5 and case management for February 18. The accused has been remanded in custody. The court heard that the case involves complex psychological factors, which may influence the trial's proceedings. The matter will be closely monitored as it progresses through the legal system. The trial is expected to be a significant event in the local legal calendar, with attention focused on the accused's mental state and the circumstances surrounding the tragic deaths.
The trial of seven men accused of familial sexual abuse is ongoing before the Central Criminal Court, with the judge warning jurors to treat one another with respect amid reported discord. The defendants, aged 32 to 55, have pleaded not guilty to a combined total of 103 charges, primarily concerning a deaf relative abused between 1996 and 2013. Accused A, a 55-year-old uncle, faces one count of rape; Accused B, 48, faces eight counts including oral and anal rape; and Accused G, 45, faces one count of rape. Four brothers are also charged: Accused C, 34, faces 45 counts of rape and anal rape, plus additional charges against two other sisters, including sexual assault of Complainant 2 and rape of Complainant 3; Accused D, 33, pleaded not guilty to 19 counts of rape and three of anal rape; Accused E, 32, denied nine counts of anal rape and seven of rape; and Accused F, 32, denied five counts of rape and anal rape. The complainant is currently being cross-examined via video-link with interpreters. The matter is at the trial stage and has not been finalised.
A 79-year-old man who sexually abused his daughter during her childhood, telling her they had a 'special love' her mother would be jealous of, has been jailed for seven years. Gordon McKenna pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting his daughter at various locations, including the family home in Tallaght, Dublin, on mountain biking trips and at the cinema, between 1977 and 1983. Ms Justice Melanie Greally acknowledged the unquantifiable harm caused to the victim by her father and noted the extreme abuse of trust by a parent who was also her primary carer. She imposed concurrent sentences of 16 months for the earlier offences and a consecutive term of five years and eight months for the later offences. The victim, who waived her right to anonymity, described the abuse as having a profound impact on her sense of self and her ability to form relationships. The judge took into account McKenna's guilty plea, his advanced age, and his medical conditions, but noted the severity of the abuse and its long-term psychological effects on the victim.
A judge is set to rule next month on whether Riad Bouchaker, charged with assaulting a care worker and attempting to murder three children on Parnell Square in Dublin, is fit to stand trial. Mr Justice Tony Hunt has heard evidence from two psychiatrists, who differ on whether Mr Bouchaker (51) has the cognitive ability to instruct his legal team, enter a plea, and engage in the trial process. A prosecution psychiatrist stated that despite Mr Bouchaker's serious neurocognitive disorder, he can be accommodated at trial with appropriate measures. However, a defence psychiatrist argued that Mr Bouchaker is "utterly cognitively incapable" of understanding the trial process. The judge has ordered that legal representatives for the accused and the identities of the doctors giving evidence are not to be named in media reports. Mr Bouchaker is charged with the attempted murder of two girls and one boy, as well as with assault causing serious harm to a care worker. The incident occurred at Parnell Square East on the afternoon of November 23, 2023.
A jury has been sworn in for the trial of James Greengrass, a UK national accused of attempting to murder a fellow patient at a psychiatric facility. Greengrass, 25, of Chapel Place, Lismore, Co Waterford, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the attempted murder of the other patient on 3 February, 2023 at the psychiatry department of University Hospital Waterford. The accused answered 'Not guilty by reason of insanity' when the charge was read to him at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. The alleged victim was one of the proposed witnesses on a list read out by Mr Justice Sean Gillane. The jury pool was told that the case would involve issues of mental health, and a jury of four men and eight women was empanelled for the trial, which is expected to last seven or eight days.