Lawyers for Saverio Bellante, a 35‑year‑old Italian accused of murdering journalist Tom O'Gorman on 11 or 12 January last year at their shared house in Castleknock, have told the Central Criminal Court that insanity will be an issue in the case. The defence, represented by Seán Guerin SC, said the trial would be short. Mr Justice Paul Carney granted a request for an earlier trial date and allowed the transfer of Bellante's legal aid to another firm of solicitors.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, forensic scientist Dr Philip Avenell testified that DNA profiles of two victims, Sylvia Shields and Mary Callanan, found on a black velvet jacket belonging to the accused, Mark Nash, could have arisen from contamination in the forensic laboratory. Avenell compared two hypotheses: DNA obtained when the jacket was present at the murders or when it was seized. He could not determine which was more likely. He cited possible contamination from packaging, lack of bag wiping, examination of blood‑stained items six weeks apart, and file‑to‑file transfer. Avenell concluded that the scientific findings might have resulted from lab contamination. The judge ended the evidence, resuming the case on 14 April 2025. Mark Nash pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, prosecutors cross‑examined Dr Philip Avenell, a forensic scientist, as the last witness in the trial of Mark Nash, a 42‑year‑old defendant. Nash, who lives on Prussia Street and Clonliffe Road in Dublin, pleaded not guilty to the murders of Sylvia Shields, 60, and Mary Callanan, 61, which occurred between 6 and 7 March 1997. The victims were residents of a sheltered accommodation attached to St Brendan's Psychiatric Hospital in Grangegorman. Dr Avenell, who has worked on high‑profile cases such as the Stephen Lawrence murder and the Coastal Path murders, had previously testified that contamination became a concern when two examinations were conducted in room 3.6 of Forensic Science Ireland. He explained that a jacket belonging to Nash and heavily blood‑stained clothing and bedding found at the scene were examined in the same laboratory room six weeks apart.
Architect Graham Dwyer, 42, was found guilty of murdering 36‑year‑old Elaine O'Hara in the Dublin Mountains. The Central Criminal Court trial lasted over two months, with the jury hearing testimony from nearly 200 witnesses and more than 300 exhibits, including videos of Dwyer stabbing women and text messages that described a BDSM‑style relationship in which he was the dominant "Master" and O'Hara the submissive "Slave." Evidence showed Dwyer lured O'Hara to the mountain on 22 August 2012, stabbed her for sexual gratification, and disposed of her belongings to make the death appear a suicide. The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict after 7 hours and 33 minutes of deliberation. Mr Justice Tony Hunt remanded Dwyer in custody until the mandatory life sentence is imposed on 20 April. The unnamed 42-year-old pleaded not guilty.
During a murder trial in Dublin, forensic scientist Dr Philip Avenell testified that DNA could have been deposited on a jacket belonging to accused Mark Nash in numerous ways. Avenell, who had reviewed the case files and examined the jacket in 2015, explained that the jacket and other heavily blood‑stained items were processed at Forensic Science Ireland in 1997–1998, a period when formal cleaning documentation was not yet established. He noted that the lab's cleaning procedures at the time were different from modern standards and that the absence of records made it difficult to assess potential contamination. Avenell stated he could not determine whether the DNA was deposited shortly after the murders or later when the jacket was seized, and he refrained from speculating on the exact mechanism of contamination. The state counsel will continue cross‑examination of Dr Avenell on Monday. Mark Nash pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin murder trial, prosecutors argued that 21‑year‑old Craig O'Halloran attacked 32‑year‑old Kevin Kenny with a knife on 31 July 2011 at Sarsfield Road, Ballyfermot, intending to kill or seriously injure him. O'Halloran, who pleaded not guilty, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court. Prosecutor Paul Greene presented evidence that Kenny died from a knife wound, one of six inflicted, and that the attack was deliberate. He cited testimony from Sara Burke and Stephen Kenny, who claimed O'Halloran was the assailant and threatened him with a knife afterward. Greene highlighted the lack of CCTV and questioned alternative suspects, concluding the case strongly supported O'Halloran's guilt. The trial proceeded with closing speeches before Justice Patrick cMcCarthy and a jury of five men and seven women.
Architect Graham Dwyer, aged 42, was found guilty of murdering 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara in the Dublin Mountains. He was charged on 22 August 2012, shortly after O'Hara was discharged from a mental health hospital. Dwyer lured her up the mountain that evening, stabbed her for sexual gratification, and then disposed of her belongings to make the death appear as suicide. He pleaded not guilty, but the jury was satisfied with the evidence. The Central Criminal Court has adjourned sentencing to 20 April, when a victim impact statement will be presented.
The jury in the Graham Dwyer trial resumed deliberations at the Central Criminal Court after a full day of discussion. Mr Justice Tony Hunt sent them back to the jury room, allowing them to continue late if desired. By lunch they had deliberated six hours and 25 minutes and would resume in the afternoon. Dwyer, charged with murdering childcare worker Elaine O'Hara, is accused of taking her to Killakee, stabbing her for sexual gratification, and the case remains in deliberation.
A 55‑year‑old convicted sex offender was sentenced to six years in prison, with the final year suspended, for sexually assaulting and falsely imprisoning his sister‑in‑law in County Kerry and County Limerick. He pleaded not guilty to six counts, including two of rape, assault causing harm, sexual assault and false imprisonment. A jury found him guilty of the two counts of sexual assault and false imprisonment, but not guilty of the rape charges due to insufficient evidence. The judge noted the victim, a woman in her sixties, was isolated and suffered serious consequences, including fear of living alone and physical injuries such as bruising on her face and breasts. The offender has 42 prior convictions, including a sexual offence involving a child under 16, and the judge emphasised the need to protect society while allowing a chance for rehabilitation.
In a 2015 murder trial, a chartered scientist testified that a jacket belonging to the accused, Mark Nash, and blood‑stained clothing found at the crime scene were examined in the same laboratory room six weeks apart, creating a high risk of contamination. Dr. Denise Syndercombe Court, who had visited Forensic Science Ireland in 2011, initially reported no risk of cross‑contamination, stating the items were examined in different rooms. After the prosecution highlighted an error, she amended her report to acknowledge the risk and noted DNA from several individuals on the jacket, suggesting possible contamination. She explained that debris in the lab could have transferred to the jacket during examination. The trial continues with these findings presented to the jury. Mark Nash pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 35‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to raping a 28‑year‑old woman in Limerick on 28 August 2012. The assault occurred in a small gathering at a friend's house, where the accused was unknown to the victim. The victim had asked her friend for permission to share a room, was assured the man would not harm her, and was later woken at 5.30 am by the man having sex with her. She resisted, but he continued. The victim texted her friend, the man apologized, left, and the matter was reported to Gardaí. The accused admitted groping her while she slept. He had four prior convictions, no partner or children. The judge imposed a seven‑year sentence, suspended two years and three months, citing the early guilty plea and remorse, while noting the victim's lasting psychological harm.
In the trial of Graham Dwyer for the alleged murder of Elaine O'Hara, the jury of five women and seven men was assured that their identities would not be published. The foreman had requested privacy after a query about the publication of his name. Judge Tony Hunt confirmed that no publication of any juror information would occur, despite the Juries Act lacking a specific provision. The jury had requested various exhibits, including knives found at Dwyer's workplace, a rusty blade at Killakee, and items near O'Hara's remains, which were provided. They deliberated for almost five hours on the 45th day of the trial, failing to reach a verdict. Dwyer, charged with murdering the 36‑year‑old childcare worker on 22 August 2012, has pleaded not guilty. The case remains in the Central Criminal Court.
The Central Criminal Court judge, Mr Justice Carroll Moran, informed the jury that the trial of Mark Nash, aged 42, accused of the 1997 double murder of Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61), is now ready to proceed with evidence. Nash, who last lived on Prussia Street and Clonliffe Road in Dublin, pleaded not guilty. The victims were living in sheltered accommodation attached to St Brendan's Psychiatric Hospital in Grangegorman when they were killed between 6 and 7 March 1997. The judge noted the case had exceeded the expected six‑to‑eight‑week duration and would not finish by Easter. He offered the jury a two‑week break for Easter or to continue immediately. The jury, after discussion, agreed to return next week. Mr Hartnett SC, Nash's counsel, called his first witness, Dr Denise Syndercombe Court, a chartered scientist and forensic genetics reader, who explained her involvement in reviewing evidence and continuity of forensic items. The trial continues.
During the 45th day of the Central Criminal Court trial of Graham Dwyer, the jury requested that certain items be made available in the jury room. The foreman asked for all knives in the case, a runner found near Ms O'Hara's remains, a spade found elsewhere at Killakee, and a backpack found in Vartry Reservoir. The trial had previously established that two knives were found in Dwyer's workplace basement in February 2014, a rusty blade was found at Killakee when Ms O'Hara's remains were discovered in September, and knives were also found at Vartry Reservoir. After the note was read, the judge acknowledged the request but explained that a letter found in Dwyer's home could not be provided because it had not been shown to the witness. The jury then requested a hoodie, white vest, bondage mask, and tracksuit bottoms found in the reservoir and near Ms O'Hara's remains. These items were provided, but the letter was denied.
In the murder trial of Craig O'Halloran, a 21‑year‑old from Portlaoise, the jury heard that a top worn by O'Halloran on the day of Kevin Kenny's killing was found at Sara Burke's address with a mark that appeared to be a bloodstain. O'Halloran, who pleaded not guilty, was interviewed by Garda Ronan Coffey on 1 August 2011. He claimed the mark could only have come from a scuffle with Robert Ellis, whom he said he was trying to protect. O'Halloran also explained his presence outside Ruby Finnegans, seen on CCTV, as being on the phone with his girlfriend and that he had chased Ellis to prevent him from being jumped. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of five men and seven women.
Lateef Bello, 42, from Clonee, was found not guilty by reason of insanity for attempted murder of Adejoke Opesusi and other offences. He was committed to the Central Mental Hospital. Dr Helen O'Neill reported that Bello, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, had limited insight into his illness and was non‑compliant with medication. She noted that his symptoms could lead to immediate harm and that treatment at the hospital was necessary. Mrs Elizabeth Bello confirmed that her husband's condition improves with medication. Judge Paul McDermott ruled that Bello should receive extensive treatment at the designated centre, citing the severity of his actions and the risk posed by his lack of insight. The court emphasized the need for psycho‑education and compliance to prevent further harm.
Joe Heffernan, a 35‑year‑old farmer from Cappagh Beg, was convicted of murdering 21‑year‑old student Eoin Ryan in 2011 and sentenced to life imprisonment by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy in 2013. Heffernan now appeals, arguing that the prosecution should have proved he did not suffer from diminished responsibility at the time of the offence. His counsel, Padraig Dwyer SC, contended that the burden of proof for the absence of a mental disorder lies with the prosecution, citing the Criminal Law Insanity Act 2006. Dwyer argued that the defence must obtain a direction from the judge that mental issues are present, after which the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused was not mentally disordered. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Bernard Condon SC, maintained that the statute places the burden on the defence. The Court of Appeal will reserve its decision. Joe Heffernan pleaded not guilty.
In the Graham Dwyer murder trial, the jury resumed deliberations after Judge Tony Hunt clarified that only two verdicts were available: guilty or not guilty of murder. The judge emphasized the importance of considering suicide as a possible hypothesis; if the jury believes suicide is reasonably possible, they must acquit. He reviewed evidence, including psychiatric testimony on Ms O'Hara's mental health, forensic findings, and text messages suggesting threat. The prosecution argued Dwyer stabbed Ms O'Hara, citing a "Killing Darci" document and threatening texts. The defense focused on suicide and alleged innocence. Judge Hunt instructed the jury to base their decision solely on the evidence and reasonable inference, without considering intermediate verdicts. The jury spent 1 hour 28 minutes deliberating before resuming the next day. The case involved Ms O'Hara's disappearance on 22 August 2012 and her skeletal remains found in Killakee in September 2013.
Clive Dwyer, aged 32, was convicted in 2013 of four counts of sexual assault, three counts of oral rape and one count of anal rape against a seven‑year‑old boy, and sentenced to nine years' imprisonment. In 2015 he appealed, arguing that during the trial the prosecution played a VHS tape of his Garda interviews at an inappropriate time. The tape was stopped prematurely, replayed, and seven words – "I wasn't around kids. I haven't been…" – were heard by the jury. Dwyer's counsel claimed the words were prejudicial, appearing without context and contradicting the memorandums of interview that had been agreed upon by both sides. The prosecution admitted an error but said it did not prejudice the case. The Court of Appeal noted the mistake and reserved its decision for a future hearing. The appeal concerns only the alleged prejudice of the tape, not the conviction itself. Clive Dwyer pleaded not guilty.
The jury has begun deliberating in the trial of architect Graham Dwyer, charged with murdering 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara in 2012. Dwyer, 42, is accused of taking O'Hara to Killakee, Rathfarnham, and stabbing her to death between 6 pm and 9 pm on 22 August 2012, hours after she was discharged from a mental‑health hospital. The State's case relies on circumstantial evidence, including text messages, a Buck Special knife found in Dwyer's office, and a bag recovered from Vartry Reservoir. Dwyer has pleaded not guilty. Mr Justice Tony Hunt has instructed the jury to consider the evidence of phones, texts, and the knife, and to weigh the possibility of suicide or other causes of death. The jury will resume deliberations on Wednesday morning. The trial has heard that O'Hara's skeletal remains were discovered at Killakee on 13 September 2013.
During the murder trial of Craig O'Halloran, the jury heard that Garda Lynn Johnson examined a "trail of blood" outside Ruby Finnegan's pub, where the victim, Kevin Kenny, had been drinking before his death. The report, read by prosecuting counsel, described evidence bags along the footpath and a concentrated blood stain in the carpark. Johnson also recovered a SIM card at the scene. The jury saw the shirt worn by Kenny on the day of the fatal stabbing. A medical report from Dr. Nigel Salter, read by counsel, stated that Kenny arrived at St James' Hospital's Accident and Emergency at 21:25 with a lower chest wound, was unresponsive, and was resuscitated for 45 minutes without success before being pronounced dead. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of five men and seven women. Craig O'Halloran pleaded not guilty.
In March 2015 the Court of Appeal overturned a wholly suspended seven‑year sentence that had been handed to a 53‑year‑old man for raping and indecently assaulting his wife's younger sister in the mid‑1980s. The man had pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault committed between 1985 and 1986. A jury found him guilty on all counts and the original judge, Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, had suspended the entire seven‑year term in 2013, citing the need to support the man's family, who had two autistic sons requiring 24‑hour care. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient. On 24 March 2015 Mr Justice Seán Ryan, President of the Court of Appeal, imposed a new three‑year prison term, stating the court's aim was "just punishment".
In the Graham Dwyer murder trial, Judge Tony Hunt instructed the jury on March 24, 2015, to exercise caution with circumstantial evidence, using the spade found near Elaine O'Hara's remains as an example. He reminded jurors that the presumption of innocence required them to consider the spade unrelated to Dwyer unless proven otherwise. The judge referenced testimony from Dwyer's wife, Gemma, who claimed the spade was missing from their garden and identified it by its label and paint. He also cited forensic evidence that the paint on the spade did not match the paint on the family's fence, urging jurors to be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt before linking the spade to Dwyer. The judge noted that the spade could be irrelevant or significant, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation of circumstantial evidence. The trial continued with the jury expected to deliberate later that day.
The trial of Mark Nash, 42, accused of murdering Sylvia Shields, 60, and Mary Callanan, 61, in a sheltered accommodation attached to St Brendan's Psychiatric Hospital in Grangegorman, Dublin, continues in legal argument. Nash pleaded not guilty. The trial will resume in evidence tomorrow morning. The murders occurred between March 6 and March 7, 1997.
In a 2015 Central Criminal Court hearing, David Henry, 28, was convicted of assault causing harm after he beat his ex‑girlfriend, Evangeline O'Neill, in a school car park in Tralee on 17 June 2012. O'Neill, aged 22 at the time, described being straddled, punched and slapped, suffering black eyes and jaw soreness. Henry pleaded not guilty; a jury found him guilty by a 10‑to‑1 majority. Judge Patrick McCarthy imposed a three‑year sentence, suspended the last 18 months on condition of peace, and back‑dated it to 28 January when Henry entered custody. The deputy principal of St. Oliver's Community College, Una Kirk, testified as a character witness, noting Henry's professional conduct as a substitute PE teacher. O'Neill's victim impact statement highlighted lasting trauma, and Garda Aidan Carey recounted the abusive texts and events leading to the assault. Henry admitted using excessive force and expressed contrition, which the judge acknowledged in his sentencing remarks.
In March 2015, Judge Tony Hunt addressed the jury in the Graham Dwyer murder trial, emphasizing that the jury must decide only whether Dwyer is guilty of murder, not any other wrongdoing. He explained that the charge requires proof that Dwyer stabbed Elaine O'Hara in pursuit of sexual or other gratification, and that the evidence is largely indirect. The judge instructed jurors to consider the act and intent separately, to be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt of both, and to weigh circumstantial evidence such as text messages, mobile phone data, and videos of Dwyer's alleged violent acts. He warned against letting personal feelings influence the verdict and reminded the jury of the presumption of innocence. The trial continued with the jury expected to deliberate the next day.
A trial date has been set for Dr Bernadette Scully, a 57‑year‑old GP from Emvale, Tullamore, Co Offaly, who is accused of murdering her 11‑year‑old daughter Emily Barut at their family home on 15 September 2012. Mr Justice Paul Carney scheduled the trial for 21 November 2016 at the Central Criminal Court.
In a Dublin murder trial, 21‑year‑old Craig O'Halloran is charged with killing 32‑year‑old Kevin Kenny on 31 July 2011. The prosecution presented forensic evidence that Kenny suffered six stab wounds, including a fatal wound to the left side of the chest that penetrated the heart. Professor Jack Crane described the wounds as being caused by a knife, noting the fatal wound was 9 cm deep and reached the left ventricle, while the other wounds were on the back and left hand. The court heard that O'Halloran was seen with a red flick knife by witness Sara Burke, who also testified that he had "marked" someone with a knife. Burke was previously arrested for delivering tools to Robert Ellis. The trial is set to continue before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury. Craig O'Halloran pleaded not guilty.
In the Graham Dwyer murder trial, Judge Tony Hunt reminded the jury that the case concerns only whether Dwyer is guilty of murder, not any other misconduct. He noted that Dwyer, a 42‑year‑old architect, is charged with killing 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara in Killakee, Rathfarnham, on 22 August 2012, shortly after she left a mental health hospital. Dwyer, a father of three from Cork, pleaded not guilty. The judge discussed videos the jury saw of Dwyer stabbing O'Hara and two other women during separate sexual encounters, stressing that the footage was shown to allow assessment of the relationship, not to vilify the accused. He emphasized that the prosecution must prove all elements beyond a reasonable doubt and outlined the timeline of events, including a text message sent on the day of the murder and the discovery of O'Hara's skeletal remains in September 2013.
In the 41st day of the Central Criminal Court murder trial of Graham Dwyer, defence counsel Remy Farrell SC urged jurors to apply the presumption of innocence despite the prosecution's portrayal of Dwyer as a sadistic pervert. Farrell read excerpts from a document titled "Killing Darci" found on Dwyer's hard drive, describing fantasies of murder, and argued that the prosecution's evidence was largely speculative and emotionally charged. He highlighted the lack of forensic evidence linking Dwyer to the stabbing of 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara, noting the pathologist's finding of no bony injuries. Farrell warned that jurors might feel pressured to convict and urged them to focus on the factual evidence presented. The prosecution, led by Seán Guerin SC, maintained that text messages and other documents constituted a plan to murder O'Hara, but the defence contested the reliability of these sources. The trial continued with the judge instructing the jury on their duties.
In a 2015 murder trial, forensic scientist Dr. Linda Williams testified that a 2013 contamination incident at Forensic Science Ireland prompted a change in procedure: the outside of exhibit bags began to be wiped down. Williams explained that DNA profiles matching Sylvia Shields and Mary Callanan were derived from threads on the accused Mark Nash's jacket and a small particle in a seam of a black velvet jacket, respectively. She could not specify the exact source of the DNA or the particle. The court heard that in 2013, two unrelated cases were processed on the same surface, leading to contamination. Dr. Geraldine O'Donnell, former quality manager and now Director of DNA, described the lab's quality system, the introduction of bench logs in 2011, and the formal logging of contamination events, noting 14 in 2011, 22 in 2012, and 31 in 2013. The prosecution's case was concluded, and the judge postponed the jury's return to Tuesday. Mark Nash pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, prosecutor Seán Guerin SC described Graham Dwyer, 42, as a sadistic and brutal pervert who planned the murder of 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara. Guerin highlighted text messages from Dwyer that outlined a plan to kill O'Hara, including choosing an isolated location on private land, using a hunting knife, and staging the scene to look like suicide. He noted Dwyer's delivery of a hunting knife to his office the day before the murder and the alleged use of untraceable phones. Guerin urged the jury to accept the texts as evidence of intent, arguing they showed Dwyer's desire to kill. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, continues with a jury of five women and seven men. The case remains at the 41st day of the hearing.
During the trial of Craig O'Halloran, a 21‑year‑old from Portlaoise, a witness, Stephen Kenny, testified that he saw his brother Kevin Kenny, aged 32, stabbed four times by O'Halloran on 31 July 2011 at the Sarsfield Road in Ballyfermot. Kenny described a confrontation that began in the Old Dubliner pub, involving a man named Robert Ellis who allegedly threatened to use a shotgun. Kenny claimed that O'Halloran, armed with a knife about six to seven inches long, approached and stabbed Kevin in the upper left area of the body, an act that lasted five to ten seconds. Kenny said he attempted to help Kevin, who collapsed and was later taken to hospital. CCTV footage was shown to the jury, and the trial continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy. Craig O'Halloran pleaded not guilty.
At the Central Criminal Court on 19 March 2015, the prosecution closing address in the murder trial of Graham Dwyer outlined its case against the 42-year-old architect. Dwyer, from Foxrock in Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering Elaine O'Hara, a 36-year-old childcare worker, at Killakee, Rathfarnham on 22 August 2012. Prosecution Counsel Seán Guerin SC told the jury that the relationship was predatory in nature, with Dwyer deliberately selecting a vulnerable victim. The prosecution's case rested on telephone evidence linking disputed phones recovered from a reservoir to Dwyer, text message analysis reflecting his known movements and activities, and documentary evidence of violent sexual fantasies. Mr Guerin submitted that Dwyer intended to murder Ms O'Hara for sexual gratification hours after her discharge from psychiatric care, and that he had deliberately arranged circumstances to suggest suicide. The trial continued at the Central Criminal Court.
In a 2015 trial, DNA from two women killed in Grangegorman in 1997 was found on a jacket belonging to Mark Nash, who is 42 and lives in Dublin. The women, Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61), were living in sheltered accommodation attached to St Brendan's Hospital at the time of their deaths. Forensic scientist Dr Linda Williams explained that she received three sealed plastic bags containing thread and buttons from the right cuff of Nash's black pin‑striped velvet jacket in September 2009. She extracted DNA from the threads and a particle found inside the seam of the right sleeve, and matched the profiles to Shields and Callanan respectively. The court heard that the match from the threads was a full profile with minor elements, and that the particle match was also full. The prosecution had nearly finished giving evidence, and the trial continued. Mark Nash pleaded not guilty.
William Moran, a 20-year-old from Connolly Place, Waterford City, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Martin Brophy (22). The Central Criminal Court in Dublin heard that Moran was charged with killing Brophy at the old Waterford Institute of Technology building between May 19 and May 21, 2012. Moran had pleaded not guilty to the charge. After a five-week trial, a jury of three women and seven men delivered a unanimous guilty verdict following eight hours and 38 minutes of deliberation. The court heard evidence that Brophy died from blunt force trauma to the head, potentially caused by kicking, stamping, or stomping. Witness Gavin Walsh testified that Moran dragged Brophy and struck him, while forensic evidence included a blood-stained metal locker. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy exempted the jury from service for life and imposed the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. The victim's family, including his sister Trina Brophy and father Michael Brophy, expressed relief at the verdict, noting it provided some closure after a traumatic period. The judge described the act as a horrendous murder, and the sentence was finalized in court.
Glen McGowan, 38, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for possession, distribution and production of child pornography. He met a convicted Meath paedophile through the peer‑to‑peer file‑sharing programme Gigatribe, where they traded images, videos and texts containing child pornography. McGowan pleaded guilty to two charges of possession, two of distribution and one of production of child pornography for material dated between December 2010 and July 2012. The judge suspended the final two years of the sentence on strict conditions. McGowan's computer was found to hold 56,647 files, including images of boys as young as four, and a file showing a 13‑year‑old boy being abused on webcam. He admitted using Gigatribe daily, providing passwords to other users, and that he was an accessory to the production of child pornography. The court noted his remorse, isolation, heavy drinking and mental health history.
A Limerick man, Kevin Coughlan, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2011 for the murder of Francis Greene at Steamboat Quay between November 28 and 29, 2009, has appealed his conviction. Coughlan pleaded not guilty to the charge, was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court, and received a mandatory life sentence from Mr Justice Patrick J McCarthy. The appeal, heard by the Court of Appeal, focuses on the testimony of the former Deputy State Pathologist, Dr Khalid Jabber, who altered his conclusion on the cause of death during the trial. Prior to the trial, Dr Jabber suggested the possibility of drowning, but later testified that the victim was strangled before entering the water. Counsel for Coughlan, Mr Anthony Sammon SC, argued that this change placed the defense in an unfair position. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Patrick McCarthy SC, acknowledged the unfairness but maintained that it did not affect the fairness of the trial. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Sean Ryan, Mr Justice George Birmingham, and Mr Justice John Edwards, considered whether the conviction could be quashed and the murder verdict substituted with a lesser offense. The matter was adjourned until Monday next, with judgment expected in the next law term.
The Central Criminal Court in Dublin is hearing a trial in which Craig O'Halloran, aged 21, is accused of murdering Kevin Kenny, aged 32, on 31 July 2011 at the Sarsfield Road in Ballyfermot. O'Halloran pleaded not guilty and is currently on trial. Prosecutor Paul Greene SC presented the State's case that O'Halloran stabbed Kenny following a "fracas" outside Ruby Finnegans pub on First Avenue in Inchicore. The prosecution described two groups arriving at the pub, with Kenny in one group, and a subsequent altercation that spilled onto a grassy area outside the pub where CCTV did not cover. Witnesses alleged that O'Halloran repeatedly stabbed Kenny on that grassy area, causing fatal injuries. Kenny fell, was seriously injured, and was taken to hospital. The trial, presided over by Justice Patrick McCarthy, is expected to conclude next week with a jury of five men and seven women.
In a 2015 murder trial, the jury heard that forensic exhibits examined at Forensic Science Ireland contained DNA profiles of laboratory staff who had never handled the items. Mark Nash, 42, pleaded not guilty to the murders of Sylvia Shields, 60, and Mary Callanan, 61, committed in March 1997. Dr Maureen Smith, a retired forensic scientist with 35 years of experience, explained that contamination events have been recorded since 2011, when the lab began keeping logs. She noted that DNA from staff could appear on exhibits through skin cells, hair, or other transfer, even when protective clothing was worn. The court discussed cleaning protocols, the use of sealed bags, glove changes, and the recommendation to avoid using the same room for victim and suspect items. The trial continues.
A jury of seven men and three women continues deliberations in the trial of William Moran, 20, charged with the 2012 murder of Martin Brophy, 22, at the old Waterford Institute of Technology building. Moran pleaded not guilty and is on trial at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. The jury has spent five hours and 13 minutes deliberating and has been asked to return tomorrow to reach a unanimous verdict.
The defence closed its case on the 39th day of Graham Dwyer's murder trial. Dwyer, 42, is charged with killing 36‑year‑old childcare worker Ms O'Hara on 22 August 2012, hours after she left a mental health hospital. He is a Cork‑born architect and father of three, living in Foxrock. The defence presented three witnesses. Mary Crosbie recalled seeing a woman crying in Shanganagh Cemetery on the evening of 22 August, describing the woman's appearance and clothing. She said she later reported the sight to the Gardaí after reading a newspaper article. Sheep farmer Richard O'Connor and John Donohue testified about their farms near Shankill and Roundwood Flying Clubs, noting Gardaí inquiries about dead sheep in 2011. The trial heard a text from Dwyer to Ms O'Hara in 2011 describing a dead sheep and a desire to stab it.
During the murder trial of Mark Nash, a 42‑year‑old defendant, the jury heard that in 1997 the forensic laboratory at Forensic Science Ireland had no written cleaning procedures. Dr Maureen Smith, a retired forensic scientist with 35 years of experience, confirmed that while the lab was cleaned, the protocols were not documented. She explained that earlier labs relied more on training and oral instruction, whereas modern labs have extensive written guidelines. Mr Hugh Hartnett highlighted that since 2003 there have been six versions of a "Guidelines on prevention of contamination" document, stressing the need to consider contamination from receipt to analysis. The court noted that in 1997 items were not sealed when moved, and that the same room was used to examine both suspect and victim clothing, with a six‑week gap between examinations. The trial continues. Mark Nash pleaded not guilty.
The jury has begun deliberating in the trial of William Moran, 20, charged with the 2012 murder of Martin Brophy, 22, at the old Waterford Institute of Technology building. Moran pleaded not guilty and is on trial at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. The jury, composed of seven men and three women, spent 58 minutes deliberating today and was instructed by Justice Patrick McCarthy to resume deliberations on Wednesday.
A 46‑year‑old man, who had been jailed for neglecting his children, was convicted of raping his daughter and sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment. He appealed the conviction, arguing that the trial judge had erred by refusing to direct the jury to acquit, making the verdict perverse. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, with Justice Garrett Sheehan announcing that reasons would be given in a written judgment later in the month. The man's barrister, Blaise O'Carroll SC, claimed the victim's evidence was "extraordinary, bizarre, contradictory, and incredible," and that allowing any of it would undermine the justice system. The Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel, Dominic McGinn SC, countered that the jury was best placed to assess credibility and that the judge had properly summarised all evidence, including inconsistencies. Justice George Birmingham noted the court would reserve judgment until March. The appeal was therefore rejected, leaving the 12‑year sentence in place. The unnamed 46-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Two cousins, Patrick O'Brien (35) and Thomas Stewart (31), have appealed their convictions for the double murder of Desmond Kelly and Breda Waters at O'Malley Park, Limerick City on January 9 2011. Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges and were found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court, each receiving a mandatory life sentence on October 26 2012. Annie Waters Ryan, Breda Waters' sister, is also involved in the appeal. Counsel for O'Brien, Seán Gillane SC, argued that the identification of his client's voice should not have been admissible due to the witness's recent heroin use and the limited words used for identification. He also challenged the admissibility of a statement by Thomas Stewart Jnr, who initially claimed to have seen a shotgun in a car with O'Brien. Counsel for Stewart, Hugh Hartnett SC, contended that a garda incorrectly testified that two people were visible on CCTV footage when only one was visible. The prosecution's case relied on the garda's testimony to establish that two individuals were involved in the crime. The appeal is ongoing, with the court reserving judgment to a date 'as soon as possible'.
In the 37th day of the murder trial of architect Graham Dwyer, the prosecution closed its case at the Central Criminal Court. Detective Sergeant Peter Woods, a State witness, testified that he had never encountered a case with such extensive media leaks. He explained that he had not given Dwyer's solicitor additional information at the time of the arrest in October 2013, and that any extra details were provided only after subsequent interviews. Woods described the media presence at the Foxrock search and noted that the information released to the press had come from Gardaí, including updates from the Irish Times and the Independent. He also recounted that Chief Superintendent Diarmuid O'Sullivan and another detective sergeant had visited Dwyer's bins in the early hours of late September to collect a sample for DNA comparison. The trial concluded with the jury instructed to return on Wednesday morning.
The trial of Mark Nash, 42, accused of murdering Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61) in March 1997, is ongoing. He pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court. A legal issue halted proceedings, delaying the case until the following Wednesday. The State's counsel, Brendan Grehan SC, questioned forensic evidence, including a black pin‑striped velvet jacket linked to Nash. Dr Maureen Smith, a retired forensic scientist, explained that DNA profiling techniques were limited in the 1990s and that the jacket's DNA was only successfully profiled in 2009. The court heard that the jacket was examined by several scientists, with no blood found, and that DNA from the victims was later detected. Chief Superintendent Padraic Kennedy reported that Nash was formally charged on 10 October 2009 and remanded to appear at Cloverhill District Court on 16 October 2009. The trial will resume with evidence next Wednesday.
Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy is continuing his charge to a jury of seven men and three women in the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. The jury is hearing the case of William Moran, aged 20, who is accused of murdering Martin Brophy, aged 22, at the old Waterford Institute of Technology building between 19 and 21 May 2012. Moran has pleaded not guilty.
Graham Dwyer, a 42-year-old architect from Foxrock, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Elaine O'Hara at Killakee, Rathfarnham on 22nd August 2012. During his trial at the Central Criminal Court, Detective Sergeant Peter Woods gave evidence on the 36th day of proceedings, describing police interviews conducted after Mr Dwyer's arrest in October 2013. Mr Dwyer admitted to gardai that he had a relationship with Ms O'Hara, a 36-year-old childcare worker, and acknowledged watching erotic horror material the night before his arrest. He denied killing anyone. The court heard evidence of video footage showing Ms O'Hara becoming unresponsive after a plastic bag was placed over her head. Mr Dwyer was charged with murder hours after Ms O'Hara's discharge from a mental health hospital. The State contends the killing occurred during a sexual act. Ms O'Hara's remains were discovered at Killakee in September 2013, though the cause of death could not be determined.