A high‑risk sex abuser was jailed for six years after pleading guilty to raping his next‑door neighbour in April 1991. The victim, who had just returned home after surgery, was lured in by the defendant's claim of lost keys. He forced her onto a sofa, dragged her upstairs, and raped her while she was weak and in pain. She later described the assault as humiliating and traumatic, noting that the man used his own key to re‑enter his home. The defendant had prior convictions for sexual abuse of his step‑daughter, for which he served a four‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence with 16 months suspended. In the current case, the judge set a headline sentence of nine years, reduced to seven years with the final 12 months suspended, and imposed probation supervision and a no‑contact order. The sentence was back‑dated to the defendant's December 2024 arrest.
A prosecution barrister has told a Central Criminal Court jury that Christopher Devine, who is on trial for the murder of Michael Tormey, acted with a functioning mind and full intent when he fired a machine gun at his friend. Garret Baker SC argued that the accused deliberately drove to the victim's house twice and fired two bursts of five bullets, showing clear intent to kill. He dismissed the defense's claim that Devine was suffering from a mental disorder, stating that forensic psychiatrist Dr James Walsh found the accused was suffering from cocaine intoxication, not a mental illness. Baker emphasized that even if intoxicated, the accused's brain was functioning and he had a clear intention to kill. He also criticized the defense psychiatrist's findings as too vague and unreliable. The accused has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial continues with the jury considering whether the accused's intoxication diminished his responsibility for the act.
A judge in the Central Criminal Court emphasized the need for more conversations about consent on social media, stating that the days of justifying sexual misconduct by claiming the victim did not fight back have passed. The judge, Ms Justice Mary-Ellen Ring, imposed a three-year sentence on a 21-year-old man for oral rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault committed when he was 17. The victim, who was also 17 at the time, described the incident as occurring in a poorly lit corner of a skatepark. The judge noted the lack of understanding of consent and the impact of the crime on both the victim and the offender. The victim's victim impact statement highlighted the trauma and delays in the legal process. The judge reduced the sentence from six years to three, considering the defendant's youth and lack of prior convictions. The case underscores the importance of consent and the need for better education on the topic.
A jury has been sworn in for the trial of a 37-year-old man charged with the murder of 20-year-old Jordan Ronan in Dublin last year. At the Central Criminal Court today, Patrick Murphy, of Drumcairn Parade, Tallaght, was charged with the murder of Jordan Ronan at Drumcairn Avenue in the early hours of July 26, 2024. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge. Defence counsel is Ronan Kennedy SC, while the prosecution is led by Patricia McLaughlin SC. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo said the trial is expected to finish by December 19. The trial commences tomorrow before Mr Justice Naidoo and a jury of eight men and four women. The case has drawn significant public and media attention, with the court proceedings expected to last several weeks. The accused has been remanded in custody and is expected to face a range of charges related to the incident. The court has scheduled a number of hearings over the coming weeks to ensure the trial proceeds efficiently.
Media coverage of challenges in securing a psychiatrist for the trial of Ruth Purcell Healy, accused of murdering her six-year-old son, led an Australian-based psychiatrist to offer his services, a barrister told the court. The prosecution had struggled to find a forensic psychiatrist in Ireland to assess the accused, but the overseas professional came forward after reading about the difficulties. The psychiatrist will conduct an initial assessment via video-link and is expected to complete a full evaluation by Easter, with a report by the end of May. The case has highlighted the lack of a reliable system for psychiatric assessments in Ireland, with no legal obligation for HSE-employed psychiatrists to provide such services. The judge expressed frustration with the delays and hopes for a more structured approach. The trial is expected to proceed with a possible date in June or July.
Michael Scott, a farmer who drove over his elderly aunt with a teleporter, had his manslaughter sentence reduced from six years to four years and six months on appeal. The court acknowledged Scott's remorse and lack of prior convictions but noted his "thuggish" behavior toward his aunt. The incident occurred in 2018 when Scott, who had a long-standing land dispute with his aunt, failed to keep a proper lookout while reversing across her yard. The court found that Scott's actions were negligent but not premeditated. His sentence was reduced after considering his character and the impact of the original sentence. Scott was tearful as he embraced his family following the appeal. The case highlights the complex relationship between Scott and his aunt, which had been marked by conflict and tension over land ownership.
A trial is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court, presided over by Ms Justice Caroline Biggs, involving seven men accused of sexually abusing a deaf woman over a 17-year period between 1996 and 2013. The accused, comprising three uncles and four brothers, all deny the charges. The complainant is giving evidence via video-link with interpreters and an intermediary. She described alleged incidents involving Accused D, who is accused of 22 counts of abuse between 2002 and 2013 and has pleaded not guilty to 19 charges of rape and three counts of anal rape. Accused A, a 55-year-old uncle, faces one count of rape. Accused B faces eight counts of rape, oral rape, and anal rape. Accused C faces 45 counts of rape and anal rape, plus additional charges regarding two other sisters, including sexual assault and rape. Accused E faces 16 counts, Accused F faces five counts, and Accused G faces one count of rape. All defendants have pleaded not guilty or denied the allegations. The trial is set down for four months before a 15-juror panel.
The Central Criminal Court trial of seven men accused of sexually abusing a deaf woman over a 17-year period continues before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs. The accused, aged 32 to 55, deny all charges. Accused C (34) faces 45 counts of rape and anal rape against the complainant between 2001 and 2013, plus charges of sexual assault and rape against two other sisters. Accused A (55) is accused of one count of rape. Accused B (48) faces eight counts of rape, oral rape, and anal rape. 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. Accused F (32) denied five counts of anal rape and rape. Accused G (45) denied one count of rape. The complainant, giving evidence via video-link with interpreters and an intermediary, alleged repeated abuse by her brother, Accused C, including incidents when she was aged 15 and 21. She stated she told him no and felt trapped. The trial, set down for four months, is ongoing.
A 51-year-old man who has spent 24 years in prison for the rape and murder of a Connemara schoolgirl has claimed that his conviction was a miscarriage of justice, arguing that he should have the right to retest forensic evidence. Barrister Michael O'Higgins SC launched an appeal on behalf of John McDonagh, who was found guilty in 2001 of the rape and murder of Siobhan Hynes (17) at Tismeain beach in Keeraunbeg. McDonagh, who had pleaded not guilty, was sentenced to life in prison after a three-day trial. At the Court of Appeal, O'Higgins argued that new evidence and improved forensic testing methods could cast doubt on the original conviction. He highlighted a dispute between expert witnesses regarding the forensic evidence and claimed that the State was blocking access to the samples. O'Higgins emphasized that the potential of new testing methods had not been considered during the trial and that the defence expert, Dr Clare Jarman, disagreed with the State's expert, Dr Dorothy Ramsbottom, on the reliability of DNA testing.
The sentencing of a woman who murdered her four-year-old stepson has been adjourned until January 12 due to the child's mother being unwell. The defendant, who faces a mandatory life sentence, will be identified only by her initials to protect the anonymity of the child. The media has requested to make submissions regarding the anonymity of the accused. The defendant initially pleaded not guilty but later pleaded guilty to murder. The child's father was sentenced to seven years for endangerment and neglect. The trial revealed that the child had suffered multiple injuries, including bruises and a liver laceration, which were consistent with non-accidental injury. The case was adjourned to allow the mother to make a statement and for the media to present its submissions.
A 55-year-old Kerry man, Billy Burns, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his 75-year-old mother, Miriam Burns. The jury rejected his plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, finding that his actions were due to long-term drug and alcohol abuse rather than mental illness. The trial revealed that Burns had a history of violence towards his mother, including breaking her jaw. The prosecution argued that Burns lied about his movements on the day of the murder and destroyed evidence. The court heard that Miriam Burns was described as a 'wonderful' and 'hardworking' woman who was 'always glamourous' and loved to communicate with her family. The judge expressed condolences to the family and acknowledged the 'unimaginable grief' they experienced.
The daughter of a cocaine addict who admits to killing but denies murdering his brother-in-law when he opened fire on him with a submachine gun in his front garden has told the trial that her father would think there were people in the walls who were 'coming to get him' when he took the drug and wouldn't recognise his own family. The prosecution's case is that the accused man was not suffering from a mental disorder at the time but met the criteria for cocaine intoxication. The accused, Christopher Devine, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Michael Tormey. Jodie Devine, the daughter, testified that her father had a cocaine issue and that he began taking the drug when she was eight or nine years old. She said that after September 2021, the accused would take cocaine four times a week. She described how her father would avoid his children and become paranoid.
The Central Criminal Court trial of seven men accused of familial sexual abuse continues before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs. The complainant, a deaf woman, gave evidence via videolink regarding Accused C, her 34-year-old brother, who is accused of 45 counts of rape and anal rape over a 12-year period. She alleged he raped her when she was 20 and described another incident where he held her mouth while she slept. Accused C denies all charges, which also include sexual assault and rape of two other sisters. The other six accused are her uncles and brothers. Accused A, a 55-year-old uncle, faces one count of rape; Accused B, 48, faces eight counts including oral rape; and Accused G, 45, faces one count of rape. 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. Accused F, also 32, denied five counts of rape and anal rape. All defendants deny the allegations. The trial, set for four months, involves an extended panel of 15 jurors and uses interpreters and an intermediary to assist the complainant.
A man who admitted to killing but denied murdering his relative with a submachine gun was not found to be suffering from a mental disorder, according to the prosecution. Christopher Devine (44) pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder in the 2022 shooting of Michael Tormey (49) in his front garden. The prosecution argued that the killing was murder and that the accused was under the influence of cocaine, not suffering from a mental disorder. Evidence suggested that Devine had consumed significant quantities of cocaine before the incident. The prosecution will call two psychiatrists as expert witnesses, with one claiming that Devine had a substance-induced psychotic disorder and the other stating that he met the criteria for cocaine intoxication. The trial will continue with the jury considering the issue of diminished responsibility.
A 44-year-old man, Christopher Devine, who admits to killing a man in west Dublin nearly four years ago but denies murder, will go on trial at the Central Criminal Court. Devine is charged with the murder of Michael Tormey (49) at Thomond Road in Ballyfermot on January 9, 2022. When arraigned before the court, Devine pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The plea was not accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions, and a jury was sworn to hear the trial. The trial will begin tomorrow morning and is expected to last two weeks. The court heard that Devine had admitted to killing Tormey but denied that it was murder, leading to the trial to determine the charge. The case will be heard before Ms Justice Melanie Greally, who will oversee the proceedings.
At the Central Criminal Court trial of seven family members accused of sexually abusing a deaf woman, the complainant testified that Accused G, her 45-year-old uncle, raped her when she was seven. Accused G denies this single count of rape alleged to have occurred between 1996 and 1997. The trial involves six other men, including three uncles and four brothers, who face a total of 98 counts of sexual abuse spanning 1996 to 2013. All defendants deny the charges. Accused A, 55, faces one count of rape. Accused B, 48, is accused of eight counts involving rape, oral rape, and anal rape. Accused C, 34, faces 45 counts against the complainant and additional charges regarding two other sisters, including sexual assault, rape, and anal rape. Accused D, 33, pleaded not guilty to 19 counts of rape and three counts of anal rape. Accused E, 32, denied nine counts of anal rape and seven counts of rape. Accused F, 32, denied three counts of anal rape and two counts of rape. The complainant gave evidence via videolink with interpreters and an intermediary. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs noted clarifications from monitoring teams regarding interpretation accuracy. The trial continues before a 15-juror panel.
A 57-year-old convicted child sex offender failed to have his 11-year sentence reduced on appeal for raping and abusing his niece over a five-year period. The man, who cannot be named to protect the victim, was found guilty of two counts of rape, one count of anal rape, and two counts of sexual assault. The abuse occurred between 2008 and 2013 when the victim was aged seven to 13. The man has 12 previous convictions, including a three-year sentence for sexual assault. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor sentenced him to 11 years in prison in 2023, with post-release supervision for seven years. The man appealed, arguing the sentence was excessive, but Mr Justice Brian O'Moore dismissed the appeal, noting the severity of the offences and the breach of trust. The victim's impact statement highlighted the lasting trauma caused by the abuse.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court unanimously convicted 55‑year‑old Billy Burns of murdering his 75‑year‑old mother, Miriam Burns, rejecting his plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. The jury found that the cause of the killing was not mental illness but Burns' long‑term drug and alcohol abuse and anger towards his mother. The trial, lasting one week, heard that Burns had been aggressive towards his mother since his teens, had once broken her jaw, and had denied any involvement in her death to Gardaí, lied about his movements on the day, and tried to destroy evidence. Two psychiatrists disagreed on whether Burns qualified for a special verdict; the jury rejected the defence's claim after six hours and eight minutes of deliberation. The verdict was delivered by Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, who adjourned the matter to Friday when Burns will face a mandatory life sentence.
A 43-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his only brother during a family funeral in Co Kerry. Fergus O'Connor was found guilty of murder by a jury in October, rejecting his claim of self-defence. The court heard that O'Connor had multiple grievances with his 42-year-old brother Paudie, including disputes over money, land, and relationships. Despite the defence's extensive argument for self-defence, the court rejected it. Paudie died from a 17cm stab wound to the chest, which penetrated vital organs. The trial revealed that the men had attended their cousin's funeral and were drinking in Castleisland. A toxicology report showed Paudie's alcohol level was far above the legal limit. O'Connor claimed his brother made remarks about a woman and had acted improperly with his ID. Paudie's partner, Liz O'Donovan, described the impact of his death on her and their children, highlighting his warmth and generosity. The court noted O'Connor's 15 previous convictions, including drink driving.
The jury in the trial of Billy Burns, a 55-year-old Kerry man accused of murdering his mother, has ceased deliberations for the weekend and will reconvene on Monday. Burns has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his mother, Miriam Burns, who was found dead at her home in 2022. Two psychiatrists have given conflicting opinions on whether Burns qualifies for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Burns' treating psychiatrist, Dr. Eugene Morgan, argued that he met the criteria for the special verdict, while Dr. Stephen Monks, a consultant psychiatrist, stated that Burns understood the nature of his actions. The prosecution has argued that Burns' violent behavior was not due to mental illness but rather drug and alcohol abuse. The jury can return one of four verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty by reason of insanity, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, or not guilty.
Sean McDonald, aged 62, of Tawneymachugh, Manorhamilton, County Leitrim, has been sentenced to six years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court following his guilty plea to 11 representative counts of rape and sexual assault of a child between 1977 and 1982. The victim, who was aged seven to eleven during the period of abuse, waived her anonymity with the court's agreement. The offences occurred in Glencar, County Leitrim, during family visits when McDonald, then aged fourteen to eighteen, was left to supervise the child. Justice Melanie Greally noted the extreme youth of the victim, the age difference, breach of trust, and the setting within the grandparents' home as aggravating factors. A headline sentence of eighteen years was reduced to seven years to account for McDonald's minority during most of the offending period. The final year was suspended on condition of engagement with offence-focused probation work. The victim reported the abuse to Scottish police in February 2021, leading to gardaí involvement in June 2023.
A jury is expected to begin deliberations in the trial of a 55-year-old Kerry man accused of murdering his mother. The accused, Billy Burns, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, claiming he was suffering from a manic episode related to bipolar disorder when he killed his mother. Two psychiatrists have given conflicting opinions on whether Burns qualifies for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. The prosecution argues that Burns' actions were not explained by psychiatric illness but by drug and alcohol abuse. The defence maintains that Burns was mentally unwell and did not understand the nature of his actions. The jury has been instructed on the law and the evidence, and deliberations are set to begin tomorrow. The case has drawn significant attention due to the accused's mental health and the nature of the crime.
A 24-year-old man, Valeriu Melnic, has been jailed for eight years for the manslaughter of his sister's partner, Ion Daghi, following a fatal stabbing in Co Kildare in May 2024. Melnic told gardai he was so drunk he couldn't remember the incident, but the court found his self-induced intoxication was an aggravating factor. The jury rejected the defence's claims of intoxication and provocation as mitigating factors, though they found him not guilty of murder. During the trial, evidence showed that Melnic had threatened to kill Mr Daghi before stabbing him in the chest with a kitchen knife. The judge noted that Melnic had armed himself with a knife and initiated the altercation. He also acknowledged the victim's mother's heartrending impact statement, describing the loss as irreplaceable. Melnic had pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder. The judge considered his guilty plea and cooperation with gardai as mitigating factors but noted his lack of insight into his wrongdoing.
A senior judge at the Central Criminal Court expressed frustration over the State's inability to provide psychiatric assessments for criminal trials, calling it 'completely unacceptable.' The judge, Mr Justice Paul McDermott, highlighted the challenges faced by a father who has attended court over 13 times due to delays in securing a forensic psychiatrist to assess his wife, Ruth Purcell Healy, who is charged with the murder of their six-year-old son. The judge emphasized the importance of psychiatric evaluations in ensuring fair trials and expressed sympathy for the father's ongoing ordeal. Despite efforts by the prosecution to obtain a psychiatric report, the HSE-employed psychiatrists are not legally obligated to provide assessments for criminal cases, leading to significant delays. The judge urged the executive to establish a reliable structure for psychiatric assessments to determine if mental conditions played a role in the alleged offense. The case has been listed for mention on December 3, with the judge noting serious deficiencies in obtaining forensic reports for accused persons over the past two years.
The Central Criminal Court trial of seven men accused of sexually abusing a deaf family member continued, with the jury hearing evidence from the complainant regarding Accused B. The 48-year-old uncle is accused of eight counts of rape, oral rape, and anal rape between December 2008 and December 2010, charges he denies. The complainant, testifying via videolink with sign language interpreters and a linguistics intermediary, described alleged incidents, including one on New Year's Eve 2013. The court paused proceedings after Ms Justice Caroline Biggs identified difficulties in the complainant's communication regarding timelines. She instructed counsel to adapt their questioning methodology to ensure clarity, noting the witness's limited linguistic ability to convey sequence. The trial involves six other accused: Accused A (55), accused of one count of rape; Accused C (34), facing 45 counts against the complainant and additional charges involving two sisters; Accused D (33), who pleaded not guilty to 19 counts of rape and three of anal rape; Accused E (32), denying nine counts of anal rape and seven of rape; Accused F (32), denying five counts; and Accused G (45), denying one count of rape. All defendants deny the allegations. The trial, expected to last four months, was adjourned to allow legal teams to regroup and refine their approach to the witness.
An 89-year-old man from Rockfield, Knock, Claremorris, Co Mayo, has been sentenced to three years' imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for historical sexual abuse of a young child. Pat Salmon pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual assault committed in 1995 when the victim was five years old. Justice Caroline Biggs imposed a headline sentence of five years, reduced to three years to account for mitigating factors including Salmon's guilty plea, advanced age, and medical conditions. The court heard that Salmon, a former healthcare professional and volunteer, had been regarded as a respected community figure. The victim, now an adult, provided a powerful impact statement describing the lasting trauma of the abuse. The judge commended her courage in coming forward, noting that such cases depend on victims' willingness to participate in prosecution.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Billy Burns, 55, who is accused of murdering his mother, Miriam Burns, 75, by reason of insanity, continued before Justice Karen O'Connor. Mr Burns has pleaded not guilty to the charge. State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster testified that the deceased died from asphyxia by manual strangulation associated with blunt force trauma to the head. She reported extensive trauma, including bruises on the head, face, neck, back, and legs, a fractured nasal bone, and bruising consistent with multiple blows. Evidence of petechial haemorrhages and neck bruising indicated manual strangulation, while abrasions suggested defensive injuries or suffocation. Dr Bolster stated that no significant natural illness, drugs, or alcohol contributed to the death. The prosecution alleges the fatal injuries were inflicted on August 12 or 13, 2022, while the body was found on August 15. Defence psychiatrist Eugene Morgan stated Mr Burns meets the criteria for the special verdict due to bipolar affective disorder, whereas prosecution psychiatrist Dr Stephen Monks argued he understood the nature of his actions. The matter is ongoing and has not been finalised.
Conor O'Brien, 24, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for his role in the fatal stabbing of Darren Quigley at New Oak Estate, Carlow, on October 21, 2024. O'Brien pleaded guilty to possession of a knife in a public place with the intention of causing injury, contrary to section 9(5) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990. A co-accused is separately charged with the murder of Mr. Quigley. Mr Justice Paul McDermott described O'Brien as an active participant who helped set up the confrontation, rather than an idle bystander. The judge set a headline sentence of six years but reduced it to four years and six months, taking into account O'Brien's early guilty plea, remorse, and cooperation. The final year of the sentence was suspended for two years, making O'Brien a suitable candidate for probation supervision with family support. A further charge of possessing a metal bar was taken into consideration. The sentence was backdated to October 2024. The court acknowledged the devastating impact on the Quigley family, including two young children who lost their father.
In the Central Criminal Court, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring sentenced Mark Lee (44) and Anthony Delappe (19) to life imprisonment for the murder of Josip Strok (31) at Grangeview Way, Clondalkin, on April 3, 2024. Both defendants had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The judge stated that Lee acted on weak hearsay evidence that the deceased and his friend, David Druzinec (29), had assaulted a child. Lee was also sentenced to six years for assaulting Mr Druzinec causing him harm, while Delappe received three years for the same offence; these sentences will run concurrently with their life terms. The judge noted that Delappe's offence was not aggravated by hatred and that he was just past his 18th birthday. Connor Rafferty (21), who had pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Druzinec, was found not guilty of murder by a jury last month. Ms Justice Ring will sentence Rafferty for the assault causing harm next week. The court heard that Lee and Delappe struck Mr Strok repeatedly, with Delappe using a plastic pickaxe handle, while Rafferty struck him with a half-crutch. Mr Strok suffered a catastrophic brain injury and never regained consciousness. Ms Justice Ring described the attack as brutal and noted that Lee had made discriminatory online statements prior to the incident.
A 37-year-old man from Castlefin, County Donegal, has been sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Central Criminal Court for the rape of an 18-year-old woman at an address in Convoy on 14 January 2018. Desmond Leitch was found guilty by jury following a trial in which evidence showed the victim was heavily intoxicated when she was taken to a spare bedroom and assaulted. The court heard that Leitch has previous convictions for rape and stalking. Mr Justice David Keane imposed the sentence taking into account Leitch's diagnosis of schizophrenia and mild intellectual dysfunction, though a probation report assessed him as posing a high risk of sexual reoffending. The judge backdated the sentence to October 2024 and imposed four years of post-release supervision with the Probation Service, requiring Leitch to comply with all directions issued.
Two consultant psychiatrists have given conflicting opinions on whether Billy Burns, 55, who killed his mother Miriam Burns, 75, in August 2022, qualifies for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Dr Eugene Morgan, the defence's psychiatrist, testified that Burns was hypomanic at the time of the murder and later deteriorated to mania, with a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder. He argued that Burns' mental illness meant he did not understand the nature or wrongness of his actions and could not refrain from them, satisfying the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. In contrast, Dr Stephen Monks, the Director of Public Prosecutions' psychiatrist, concluded that Burns' mania, though present, did not remove his capacity to understand the wrongness of his act and therefore did not support a special verdict. Both doctors were cross‑examined by the defence before Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury of eight men and four women.
A 25‑year‑old man, Ryan Craig, was sentenced to six years in prison, with the last twelve months suspended for two years, for dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm. He also received a four‑year sentence for endangerment, both running concurrently and back‑dated to October 2024. Craig drove a van onto a footpath in Clondalkin, dragging a 25‑year‑old nephew of convicted drug dealer John Gilligan, Dillon Gilligan, for up to 30 feet before leaving him on the roadside with a fractured skull and pelvis. Craig fled the scene without assisting the victim, an act described by the judge as a deliberate purposeful act of dangerous driving motivated by rage and hatred. The court disqualified Craig from driving for fifteen years. The sentencing hearing noted Craig's prior convictions for drug possession and public order offences, but the judge considered the current incident far more serious. The unnamed 25-year-old pleaded guilty.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, Billy Burns, aged 55, was accused of murdering his 75‑year‑old mother, Miriam Burns, between 12 and 15 August 2022. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and admitted to killing her. The jury heard that Burns had previously broken his mother's jaw in 1993 and had a history of verbal abuse and drug use. Witnesses, including his siblings Sharon and Shane Kelleher, testified that Burns was often violent and that their mother had tried to help him despite fearing his aggression. Gardaí interviewed Burns on 16 August 2022, during which he denied responsibility for the murder and claimed he had not killed his mother. The trial continues before a jury of eight men and four women.
Richard Walsh, 32, of Lisminton, Ballintra, Co Donegal, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to sexually assaulting his partner's best friend while she slept on a sofa in his home on December 13, 2020. The victim, in her 20s, reported waking with pain and later told gardai she was tampered with. DNA evidence from Walsh's underwear matched the victim. Walsh initially denied contact but later admitted the offence. Justice Tony Hunt noted Walsh's previous conviction for defilement of a child under 17, for which he pleaded guilty and received a custodial sentence of one year and eight months in January 2023. Walsh was on bail for that unrelated offence at the time of the current incident. The court heard a victim impact statement detailing long-term trauma, depression, and loss of relationships. Walsh read a letter apologising for the harm caused, though the victim did not accept it. Justice Hunt commended the victim's strength and stated the guilty plea vindicated her. The judge adjourned the case to January 19, 2026, for sentencing. Walsh, who had been on bail, was remanded into custody to appear on that date. Counsel noted Walsh is a father of two and warned of community shunning upon release.
The Central Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial concerning the 2014 disappearances of Eoin O'Connor and Anthony Keegan. The prosecution alleged that the pair went to Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan, to collect a debt of approximately €70,000 owed by Jason Symes and South African national Neville van der Westhuizen. Testimony from the O'Connor brothers described attempts to locate the missing men at the homes of Symes and his son, Sean, who reported being threatened by a group of men. The court heard that van der Westhuizen was in a relationship with Ruth Lawrence, with whom he lived in Patrick's Cottage near Lough Sheelin. The prosecution described their relationship as symbiotic and alleged a plan was formed in 2013 to rob drugs from O'Connor's house. While the source text details the trial proceedings and witness accounts, it does not contain the final verdict or sentencing for Ruth Lawrence or Neville van der Westhuizen in this specific instance. However, factual records indicate that Neville van der Westhuizen is currently serving a 15-year sentence in Westville Prison in Durban, having been convicted in 2020 on six counts of kidnapping, attempted murder, and murder. The report does not specify a plea, finding, or sentence for Ruth Lawrence, nor does it detail any adjournments or suspended portions of the sentence.
The Central Criminal Court will hear a fifth day of deliberations in the trial of Ruth Lawrence, 46, who is accused of shooting drug dealer Eoin O'Connor and another man, Anthony Keegan, between 22 April and 26 May 2014. Lawrence, originally from Clontarf, Dublin, was extradited from South Africa in 2023 and has pleaded not guilty to both murder charges. The jury, composed of 12 members, has been considering verdicts for 12 hours and may return a majority verdict on one or both counts if at least ten jurors agree. The prosecution, led by Michael O'Higgins SC, argues that Lawrence and her boyfriend Neville van der Westhuizen acted as a unit to lure and murder the victims, while the defence, represented by Patrick Gageby SC, contends that key witnesses, the Symes, are unreliable. The trial continues with the jury scheduled to return on Wednesday morning to finalize their verdicts.
A 55‑year‑old Kerry man, Billy Burns of Arlington Lodge, Tralee, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his 75‑year‑old mother, Miriam Burns, at her home in Ardshanavooley, Killarney, between 12 and 15 August 2022. He was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on 11 November 2025, where he answered the murder charge with the plea. The trial will be heard by a jury of eight men and four women, sworn in on the same day. Justice Karen O'Connor, presiding, informed the jury that the case is expected to conclude by the end of next week, with a possible extension of one or two days. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions is Sean Guerin SC with Ronan Prendergast BL, while Burns is represented by Anthony Sammon SC and Kate O'Connell. The judge noted Burns' background as a native of County Kerry who had worked as a waiter some years ago.
On 11 November 2025, a woman in her 30s pleaded guilty to murdering her four‑year‑old stepson at her home in March 2021. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, had begun with the defendant pleading not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. After a child witness's evidence was read, the accused's barrister requested time with his client. The jury returned at 3.03 pm, and the defendant was arraigned on the single charge of murder. She pleaded guilty to that charge. Mr Justice Paul McDermott thanked the jury and adjourned the case to 1 December, when the defendant will face the mandatory life sentence for murder. The child's mother will give a statement before sentencing. The defendant's identity is withheld to protect the child witness whose evidence was read into the record.
A man from County Monaghan has been sentenced to four years imprisonment following his conviction for sexual assault. James Rafferty, aged 21 and from Gola, Scotstown, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to sexually assaulting a female acquaintance on 14 August 2022. The assault occurred as the victim walked home after socialising. Justice Eileen Creedon described the offence as extremely serious and persistent, noting that Rafferty repeatedly assaulted the woman despite her resistance and explicit refusals. The court heard he initially denied the allegations to gardaí before later accepting the incident occurred. A Probation Service report indicated Rafferty has accepted the victim's account and acknowledged his behaviour was inappropriate. The final year of his sentence has been suspended on condition he engages with probation services for offence awareness work. Rafferty has no previous convictions.
Dominik Biber, a 28‑year‑old Polish national, was convicted of attempting to murder his flatmate Tomasz Grosser, falsely imprisoning him and burglarising a neighbouring apartment. The Central Criminal Court sentenced him to 13 years, with the last two years suspended for the attempted murder, after a judge described the attack as a "ferocious and spontaneous eruption of terrible violence". Biber's appeal to reduce the 11‑year sentence was dismissed by the Court of Appeal. The appeal argued that the offences occurred under "very unusual circumstances" and that Biber's drug‑induced psychosis and prior rehabilitation should have led to a lighter sentence. The Director of Public Prosecutions countered that Biber had persisted in drug use despite previous psychosis. The judge upheld the sentence, noting no extraordinary life‑altering injuries to Grosser and that the 35% reduction was appropriate. The case remains at the appellate stage. Dominik Biber pleaded guilty.
A 30‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to five years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended, for a series of domestic violence offences spanning 2016‑2022. He pleaded guilty to six counts of criminal damage, three counts of assault causing harm and two counts of threatening to kill the woman and her family. The court heard he physically abused his partner, punched her, threw a lamp, smashed her phone and forced her into a bath, and threatened her with murder‑suicide. He also threatened to kill her mother, sister and herself. The judge noted the psychological impact of his jealousy and control, ordering him to attend intimate partner violence programmes and to have no contact with the victim during custody and for five years thereafter. The victim's impact statement described feeling worthless and fearful, and she praised the judge's recognition of her bravery.
The jury in the trial of Ruth Lawrence, accused of shooting drug dealer Eoin O'Connor and murder suspect Anthony Keegan, has been allowed to return a majority verdict. The panel of four men and eight women began deliberations on Thursday and have spent eight hours and 21 minutes over three days. Lawrence, 46, pleaded not guilty to both murder charges. The judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, explained that a majority verdict could be accepted if at least ten jurors agreed, and that an alternative verdict of "guilty of assisting an offender" could be used only if the jury found her not guilty of murder. The trial has heard statements from protected witnesses Jason and Stacey Symes, who claimed Lawrence told them she had shot O'Connor and that Neville van der Westhuizen, a South African national, was involved.
In the Central Criminal Court, State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers testified that a boy who died on 16 March 2021 suffered extensive bruising across his face, back, chest, arms and legs, with severe head and liver injuries. The bruises varied in colour and age, and the brain showed swelling, subdural haemorrhage and axonal injury, indicating rapid head movement and impact against a hard surface. The liver lacerations suggested blunt abdominal trauma, likely from a punch or kick. Dr Okkers rejected the claim that the injuries were caused by a fall from a bunk bed, noting that such falls rarely produce the observed head trauma. She concluded the cause of death was a traumatic head injury combined with blunt force abdominal trauma. The stepmother, a woman in her 30s, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial, presided by Mr Justice Paul McDermott, continues with a jury of four women and eight men.
A 26-year-old man from north Dublin has pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to attempted murder. Darragh Quigley of Carndonagh Road, Donaghmede, admitted the charge relating to an incident on Chatham Row, Dublin 2 on November 16, 2023. Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned proceedings to December 16 for the hearing of evidence and a victim impact statement. The case carries connections to Carndonagh in County Donegal through the defendant's address registration.
The 51‑year‑old Offaly man was jailed for 12 years after a Central Criminal Court trial found him guilty of raping his daughter on five occasions between 2012 and 2020. The victim, now 19, was aged between five and 13 when the offences occurred. The court heard that the man abused her physically and sexually during visits when he was drunk, often slapping her face and repeatedly telling her she was "just like her mother." He threatened to kill her and abuse her younger sister if she told anyone. The man denied wrongdoing, and his partner gave evidence on his behalf. The judge set a headline sentence of 13 years, reduced to 12, and imposed a three‑year probation period with no contact with the daughters or their mother. The victim's impact statement described lifelong pain, suicidal thoughts, and fear stemming from the abuse.
Oliver Berry, aged 68, failed to reduce his seven‑year sentence on appeal for indecent assault of his daughter Sharon between 1980 and 1986. He had pleaded not guilty to 25 counts but was convicted in June 2023 and sentenced by Ms Justice Patricia Ryan on 25 July 2023 to run consecutively to a prison term he was already serving for the sexual abuse of his other daughter, Jennifer. The court found Berry abused Sharon up to three times a week, subjected her to physical violence, and she ran away at age 12. Berry had previously been jailed for ten years in 2018 for 104 counts of rape and sexual assault of Jennifer, aged 7 to 19, between 1982 and 1994; that sentence was increased by three years after a State appeal. Berry maintained his innocence, and his mother, who has since separated, gave evidence in his defence.
The jury in the trial of Ruth Lawrence, accused of shooting drug dealer Eoin O'Connor and working with her boyfriend Neville van der Westhuizen to murder him and Anthony Keegan, has paused deliberations for the weekend and will resume on Monday. The trial, which began five weeks ago, has heard that Lawrence, 46, was extradited from South Africa and pleaded not guilty to the two murder charges. Two protected witnesses, Jason and Stacey Symes, testified that Lawrence told Stacey she had shot O'Connor but that Neville finished the killing, and that they were asked to move the bodies. The judge explained that the jury can return three verdicts for each murder: guilty, not guilty but guilty of assisting an offender, or not guilty. He emphasized that a conviction requires proof beyond reasonable doubt that Lawrence was part of a joint enterprise to kill the men.
In the Central Criminal Court, a jury of 12 deliberated for 1 hour 22 minutes on the second day of the trial of Ruth Lawrence, aged 46, accused of murdering drug dealer Eoin O'Connor (32) and drug dealer Anthony Keegan (33) between 22 April and 26 May 2014. Lawrence, extradited from South Africa in 2023, pleaded not guilty. The prosecution alleged that Lawrence and her boyfriend Neville van der Westhuizen acted as a "unit" and "tag team", luring O'Connor to their home and shooting him, and that van der Westhuizen also shot Keegan. Two protected witnesses, Jason and Stacey Symes, testified that Lawrence told Stacey she had shot O'Connor but that Neville "took over", and that they were asked to move the bodies.
The trial of five school bus operators accused of anti-competition practices is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. Andrew Walsh, Raymond Heney, Noel Browne, Larry Hickey, and Anthony Flynn, all from County Tipperary, have pleaded not guilty to a single charge under the Competition Act 2002. The prosecution alleges that between November 1, 2014, and December 31, 2016, the defendants engaged in a concerted practice to prevent, restrict, or distort competition in school transport services across Limerick, Tipperary, Clare, South Galway, and Waterford. Prosecution counsel Dominic McGinn told the jury that the accused allegedly coordinated their bidding behavior, including holding meetings to discuss route allocation and pricing, and submitting non-genuine bids to elevate tender prices. He stated that this alleged collusion removed true competitiveness from the process, which affects the public. The case is being brought by the Competition Authority, with evidence including documents, text messages, and expert testimony expected. The jury must determine if a concerted practice occurred and if each defendant was involved. The trial is presided over by Mr Justice David Keane and is expected to last up to six weeks. The matter continues before the court.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 6 November 2025, doctors described the injuries of a four‑year‑old boy alleged to have been murdered by his stepmother. Consultant paediatrician Dr Stephen O'Riordan testified that the boy had 17 bruises or injuries, including black eyes, bruises around both ears, and extensive bruising on the back of the head, all consistent with physical abuse or non‑accidental injury. He noted that the pattern of bruises, including different colours and ages, raised significant concern for intentional harm. A consultant intensive‑care doctor said the injuries would normally be associated with a severe crash or a fall from a very high height. The stepmother, a woman in her 30s, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of four women and eight men.