During the murder trial of Mark Nash, the jury heard that a black pin‑striped velvet jacket belonging to Nash and heavily blood‑stained clothing and bedding found at the Grangegorman scene were examined in the same laboratory room six weeks apart. Nash, aged 42, pleaded not guilty to the murders of Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61) committed between 6 and 7 March 1997. Dr Louise McKenna, a forensic biologist, explained that the jacket was worn by Nash on the night of 6 March while attending a charity quiz at the GPO. DNA from the two victims was later found on the jacket. McKenna described the lab protocols, noting that the jacket and the bedding were not always sealed in bags and that the risk of contamination was considered low due to the time gap. She also stated that the items were stored separately and that the laboratory had been cleaned before each examination.
In the murder trial of William Moran, a 20‑year‑old Waterford man charged with the 2012 killing of Martin Brophy, the jury was instructed that if they are satisfied that Moran assaulted Brophy in the manner described by Facebook messages, he is guilty of murder. Moran pleaded not guilty and is on trial at the Central Criminal Court. Prosecutor Michael Delaney highlighted Moran's admission of being at the scene and his alleged attempts to conceal evidence, noting swollen knuckles and Facebook messages sent on May 20 that could constitute admissions to murder. He also mentioned Gavin Walsh, who was present at the scene but is not on trial. Defence counsel Colman Cody argued that Facebook is a vulnerable medium, that evidence could be accessed by others, and urged a not‑guilty verdict. The judge began his charge to the jury.
During a murder trial, a forensic scientist reported that a button on a black pin‑striped velvet jacket belonging to accused Mark Nash had a bloodstain, but the stain was too small for testing. Nash, 42, pleaded not guilty to the murders of Sylvia Shields, 60, and Mary Callanan, 61, which occurred between 6 and 7 March 1997 at a sheltered accommodation in Grangegorman. The jacket was worn by Nash on the night of 6 March 1997 while attending a charity quiz at the GPO. The scientist examined the jacket visually and with a low‑powered microscope, noting a bloodstain on the lowest button near a stitch hole. No other blood or hair matching Nash was found on the jacket, and no trace evidence linked the jacket to the crime scene. The trial continues.
Elaine O'Hara, a 36‑year‑old childcare worker, was last seen alive on 22 August 2012 after being discharged from a mental health hospital. The State alleges that Graham Dwyer, 42, texted her from a "Master" phone to the "Slave" phone, threatening to stab her and demanding she assist in a murder. The trial heard over 2,600 text messages recovered from two Nokia phones found in a reservoir and from O'Hara's iPhone. The messages depict Dwyer's intimidation, claims of sexual coercion, and instructions for a planned stabbing. O'Hara's remains were found at Killakee on 13 September 2013, and the cause of death could not be determined. The case is being heard at the Central Criminal Court, with the jury instructed on the content of the texts and the alleged murder.
During the 35th day of Graham Dwyer's murder trial, evidence was presented showing that Dwyer, aged 42, had threatened Elaine O'Hara with violence and claimed he could make her pregnant if she helped him stab someone. O'Hara, a 36‑year‑old childcare worker, had asked Dwyer to stop stabbing her, fearing he might kill her. Dwyer's texts, recovered by Crime and Policing Analyst Sarah Skedd, included threats of stabbing, claims that no one had ever been caught for similar murders, and offers of a child if she cooperated. He also discussed using untraceable phones and a house in Willow Park. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, continues with a jury of five women and seven men. The case remains at the trial stage, with no verdict yet reached.
In the 2015 trial of William Moran, a 20‑year‑old Waterford man charged with the 2012 murder of Martin Brophy, the jury heard that Garda investigators were given a clip from the film "American History X". The clip shows a character forcing an intruder to bite a kerb and then striking him in the head, leading to death. Detective Garda Kevin Nolan confirmed that he received a disk titled "American History X" in the weeks after May 2012. Witness Davina Wrafter, 18, testified that she learned of Brophy's death from Gavin Walsh, who claimed Moran had struck Brophy with a brick and delivered three kicks to the head, stating he thought Brophy was already dead. Wrafter, then 15, was terrified and eventually reported the incident to Gardaí after seeing Walsh's Facebook post. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, continued under Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy with a jury of four women and seven men. William Moran pleaded not guilty.
During the 33rd day of Graham Dwyer's murder trial, the Central Criminal Court heard over a thousand text messages that the State claims were sent by Dwyer to Elaine O'Hara in 2011. The messages, recovered from various devices, include threats of killing O'Hara in the woods, requests for her to find a victim, and detailed instructions on how to stab and kill. Dwyer, 42, is charged with murdering the 36‑year‑old childcare worker on 22 August 2012, hours after she was discharged from a mental health hospital. The prosecution, led by Seán Guerin SC, presented the texts as evidence of Dwyer's intent to kill for sexual gratification. The trial is before Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of five women and seven men. The case remains at the hearing stage.
In a 2015 murder trial, forensic scientist John McCullough testified that a 2‑cm square mark on lino in a Grangegorman house, where Sylvia Shields and Mary Callanan were killed in 1997, was likely made by a Caterpillar boot. He compared the imprint with black Caterpillar boots belonging to accused Mark Nash, noting the boots were heavily worn and had mechanical damage. McCullough argued the imprint matched the boot's sole pattern but the boot's wear was inconsistent with a new boot, suggesting a newer Caterpillar boot could have produced the mark. Dr Fiona Thornton examined Nash's jacket and boots in 1997, finding no blood stains. Michael Norton examined glass fragments from a duvet cover and a sheet, matching them to the kitchen window at Orchard View, but found no glass in Nash's jacket pockets. The court heard these findings on the day of the hearing. Mark Nash pleaded not guilty.
In a trial at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, William Moran, aged 20, is charged with the 2012 murder of Martin Brophy, aged 22, at the old Waterford Institute of Technology building. Moran pleaded not guilty and is on trial. The court heard that Moran, in a voluntary statement on 29 May 2012, admitted kicking Brophy in the head ten times. In a Garda interview on 2 July 2012, he confirmed the admission, saying "I remember" and "I pushed and kicked him". He also stated that he had lost his phone on the night of 19 May 2012 and that the SIM card and phone were not together. Moran denied that the kicks caused Brophy's death, saying "he was still alive when I left". He also claimed he did not murder Brophy. The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of four women and seven men.
Gary Campion, aged 31, has lodged appeals against two separate murder convictions. The first conviction concerns the killing of 34‑year‑old bouncer Brian Fitzgerald outside his home on 29 November 2002; the second concerns the shooting death of 21‑year‑old Frank Ryan on 16 September 2006. Campion denied involvement in both murders. He was found guilty in two separate Central Criminal Court trials and received two life sentences, one imposed by Justice Peter Charleton on 15 November 2007 and the other by Justice Paul Carney on 28 May 2009. In the appeal for the Fitzgerald case, counsel Martin O'Rourke argued that the trial was unfair because the defence was not allowed to have the key prosecution witness, convicted murderer James Martin Cahill, examined psychologically or psychiatrically. O'Rourke cited medical notes indicating Cahill's paranoia and hallucinations, and claimed that without a proper medical assessment the witness's testimony could not be reliably relied upon.
In the 33rd day of the murder trial of Graham Dwyer, the jury was shown a series of videos and text messages that the prosecution claims demonstrate the defendant's violent intent. The videos, seized from Dwyer's hard drives, include clips of a man stabbing himself, speaking about chloroform, and a scene where a man appears to stab a bound woman during sex. The prosecution also presented over 2,600 text messages recovered from various devices, many of which contain Dwyer's admissions of an "urge to rape, stab and kill" and discussions with Elaine O'Hara about potential violence. Dwyer, 42, is charged with murdering the 36‑year‑old childcare worker on 22 August 2012. He has pleaded not guilty. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of five women and seven men. The State maintains that Dwyer's actions were driven by sexual gratification. The case continues.
In March 2012, Edward Byrne (23), his cousin Martin Morgan (23), and Stephen Byrne (20) attacked Polish worker Lukasz Rzeszutko in Coolock, killing him. The men pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. A jury convicted Morgan of murder; he received life imprisonment. Byrne was sentenced to 12 years, Stephen Byrne to nine years with three suspended. Byrne appealed the severity of his sentence. The Court of Appeal found the sentencing judge had erred by rejecting evidence from two witnesses and had not adequately considered mitigating factors such as Byrne's guilty plea, lesser role, and rehabilitation efforts. The court reduced Byrne's sentence to 10 years. Byrne and Morgan had earlier lost appeals against conviction on grounds of defective search warrants and joint enterprise issues, which the Court of Appeal dismissed. The final judgment upheld the convictions but adjusted Byrne's custodial term.
In the Waterford murder trial, a jury heard that a Facebook account linked to William Moran, a 20‑year‑old accused of killing 22‑year‑old Martin Brophy, sent messages to a friend. The account replied "I didn't do nothing" and later "I didn't do it kid" when asked by Darren Walsh. In another conversation, Moran's account said "I dunno his proper name – I don't even know where he lives" about Skip, and "I gave him some hiding" when asked what he did to him. The court also learned that a black Samsung Galaxy phone, seized from Gavin Walsh, had been used by Moran in a phone swap. No IP address linking the account to email activity was obtained for May. The trial continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of four women and seven men. William Moran pleaded not guilty.
The trial of Mark Nash at the Central Criminal Court resumed following legal argument on this date. Nash, aged 42, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering two women in sheltered accommodation at Grangegorman in March 1997. The alleged victims, both residents of the facility attached to St Brendan's Psychiatric Hospital, died between March 6 and 7 that year. Forensic Science Laboratory staff gave evidence regarding DNA and blood analysis conducted on samples collected from the scene. A laboratory member stated that whilst DNA was extracted from timber bearing blood marks, the quantity proved insufficient for detailed profiling due to contamination. A second witness, now employed as an IT lecturer, presented findings from blood samples examined in 1997. Mr Justice Carroll Moran directed the jury to return at 11am the following morning for evidence to resume.
Kevin Moran (30) of Cootehill, County Cavan, was convicted of manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court following a six-day trial concluding in February 2015. He had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of Emmett Connolly (32) from Rockcorry, County Monaghan, on 29 September 2013. The court heard that Mr Connolly was stabbed seventeen times following an argument at Lodgeview, Cootehill. A jury found Moran guilty of the lesser charge. Evidence indicated Mr Connolly, an archaeologist who had recently returned from Australia, sustained multiple wounds primarily to his shoulder and upper back region. Sentencing was adjourned to 13 April. During proceedings, the victim's father delivered an impact statement describing the family's transition from ordinary life to what he characterised as a "journey to hell" following the fatal incident.
In March 2015, a Dublin man, Henry Crowe, aged 57, was sentenced for repeatedly raping his former partner's daughter, Majella Cahill, between 1988 and 1992. The victim, who was 11 to 15 years old during the offences, had previously pleaded guilty to five rape charges. Crowe pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court and was remanded in custody until his sentencing. Cahill's victim impact statement detailed a childhood marked by neglect, abuse by her grandfather, and ongoing sexual assault by Crowe, who began a relationship with her mother and raped her daily. She described severe emotional trauma, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, and her efforts to seek counselling. Crowe had no prior convictions and expressed remorse, offering to apologise to Cahill for his crimes.
In the Graham Dwyer murder trial, the jury was shown a series of videos on the 33rd day of proceedings. The State presented footage that allegedly depicts a man stabbing women during sex, with blood visible in some clips. The jurors also viewed a self‑made video of Dwyer stabbing himself and another in which he discusses using chloroform on himself. Prior to viewing, the jurors received a warning about the graphic nature of the evidence. Dwyer, aged 42, is charged with the murder of 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara, who was last seen in Shanganagh on 22 August 2012 and whose skeletal remains were found at Killakee in September 2013. The trial is proceeding before Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of five women and seven men. The State alleges the stabbing was for sexual gratification. The case continues.
In 2015, Joseph Hogan, aged 61, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for raping his seven‑year‑old niece, Sonya Stokes, between 1984 and 1988. The Central Criminal Court convicted him of one count of attempted rape, three counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault. Hogan had previously been jailed in 1973 for six months for an indecent assault and had further convictions in 1974, 1995, 1998 and 2013 for related offences. The judge, Mr Justice Carney, found no mitigating factors such as remorse or good character and imposed concurrent sentences of 10 years for the attempted rape and eight years for the sexual assault counts, totaling 15 years. A victim impact statement described the lasting trauma inflicted on Stokes, who chose to waive her anonymity to speak publicly about the abuse. The sentence included 18 months of post‑release supervision. Joseph Hogan pleaded not guilty.
In a Waterford murder trial, a jury heard that a Facebook message allegedly from William Moran (20) claimed he beat Martin Brophy (22) to death with a cinder block and gave him the "American History X job." The prosecution presented testimony from Stephen Dundon, who said he had chatted with Moran on May 20, 2012, about playing PlayStation and an assault. Dundon recalled a message from Moran's Facebook page stating, "I gave that fella an old bad one. Serious he got it haha," and a reply claiming, "I beat him to death a cinder block around 10 times off the head and gave him the American History X job." Dundon also admitted his own Facebook account had been hacked. William Moran pleaded not guilty.
In the second day of Mr Graham Dwyer's murder trial, the jury was warned about graphic evidence. Mr Justice Tony Hunt cautioned them before a document titled "Jenny's First Rape" was read. The document, found on a hard drive seized from Dwyer's home, described a planned rape in Newcastle and included a video clip. Dwyer, 42, is charged with murdering 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara on 22 August 2012. He pleaded not guilty. Detective Garda Brid Wallace testified that she found a folder with a five‑second video and a five‑page document, E.doc, created on 31 May 2005 by Dwyer's firm A&D Wejchert Architects. The prosecution read the document, which detailed the author's intent to rape a young woman, describing the use of a knife, chloroform and a hunting knife. The trial continues before a jury of five women and seven men. The article does not state any verdict or outcome.
In a 2015 murder trial, forensic scientist Matthew Greenhalgh testified that a button from Mark Nash's black pin‑striped velvet jacket yielded a negative DNA result when tested in 1998. Nash, 42, is charged with the 1997 murders of Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61). The jacket was worn by Nash on the night of the killings. Greenhalgh explained that the DNA test used was Short Tandem Repeat (STR), now superseded, and that the first button was swabbed but produced no DNA profile, so the other buttons and threads were not examined. He noted the items had been removed from their sealed bags, and that the negative result was returned sealed. The testimony was cross‑examined by Hugh Hartnett SC, who questioned the handling of the items. The trial continues. Mark Nash pleaded not guilty.
In the Graham Dwyer murder trial, Judge Tony Hunt warned the public not to tweet any statements made while the jury was absent, citing restrictions on reporting such discussions until the trial concludes. He noted that a recent tweet by a member of the public had breached these rules, and, though the tweeter was unaware of the regulations, the judge cautioned that a repeat offence could result in jail for contempt. The warning was delivered in the absence of the jury, but both prosecution and defence consented to its reporting. Mr Dwyer, 42, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara, who was last seen in Shanganagh, South Dublin, on 22 August 2012 and whose skeletal remains were found at Killakee on 13 September 2013. The State alleges Dwyer stabbed her for sexual gratification. The trial proceeds before a jury of five women and seven men.
During the 31st day of Graham Dwyer's murder trial, the court heard that a document titled *Killing Darci*, detailing the rape and killing of a young American woman, was found on Dwyer's hard drive. The file, saved as 4Darci.doc in a folder called DD within Sub, was created on 2 March 2011 and edited for 89 minutes. Dwyer, 42, is charged with murdering 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara on 22 August 2012. The prosecution read excerpts from the first‑person document, which described fantasising about killing from adolescence, planning a murder, and describing the act in graphic detail. A witness, Darci Day, testified that she had met Dwyer on an adult website and had discussed ending her life with him. The trial also examined phone records linking Dwyer's work phone to the "Master" phone used on the day of O'Hara's death. The jury heard all evidence before the trial continues.
A Roscommon man acquitted of his mother's murder by reason of insanity has appealed against the verdict, seeking a retrial on grounds of diminished responsibility. Paul Henry was sent to the Central Mental Hospital in May 2014 following his acquittal at Castlebar. His counsel argued the trial judge misdirected the jury on the burden of proof regarding insanity, and that the Court of Appeal has jurisdiction to order a retrial and correct the error. The Director of Public Prosecutions opposed the appeal, contending the court lacks power to retry insanity verdicts under existing legislation. During submissions at the Court of Appeal, one judge remarked that Henry might have a better life serving a prison sentence than remaining in the Central Mental Hospital. The three-judge panel reserved judgment, noting the matter would require considerable consideration. Paul Henry pleaded not guilty.
During the 31st day of Graham Dwyer's murder trial, analyst Sarah Skedd testified that there was no evidence contradicting the suggestion that the same person used both Dwyer's work phone and the 'Master' phone found in Vartry Reservoir. Skedd compared usage patterns of the two Nokia mobiles, noting that each phone only had the other's number saved. She observed that when both phones were active simultaneously, they used cell sites in the same area, though on different networks. For example, on 21 December 2011, both phones used a Fitzwilliam Street cell site, and later that day they both used sites near Howth Harbour and Dwyer's workplace. The court had already heard that Dwyer was charged with murdering 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara on 22 August 2012, and that the prosecution alleged he stabbed her for sexual gratification.
The Central Criminal Court in Dublin is hearing the trial of William Moran, 20, who is charged with the murder of Martin Brophy, 22, at the old Waterford Institute of Technology between 19 and 21 May 2012. Moran has pleaded not guilty. The court is currently addressing legal issues and will resume with evidence tomorrow.
The trial of Mark Nash, aged 42, accused of murdering Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61) in 1997 at a sheltered accommodation in Grangegorman, Dublin, continues in legal argument. Nash pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court. The case, involving the murders between March 6 and March 7, 1997, remains pending, with Judge Carroll Moran informing the jury that the legal issues are unresolved and will extend into tomorrow's proceedings.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, 42‑year‑old Graham Dwyer, charged with the murder of 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara, was examined by a US witness, Darci Day, who testified that Dwyer had confessed to fantasies of killing O'Hara if she wanted him to. Day, from Maine, said Dwyer had also described a fantasy of stabbing a woman to death during sex. She recounted that she had communicated with Dwyer via email and text, discussing violent and sexual fantasies, including rape and murder. Day also described her own history of depression, suicidal thoughts, and online interactions with Dwyer, noting that she had never met him in person. The trial, which had been proceeding for 29 days, was scheduled to resume with a jury of five women and seven men. The case remains at the trial stage, with no verdict yet announced.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has heard evidence from a retired detective sergeant regarding the 1997 murders of two women in Grangegorman, Dublin. Mark Nash, aged 42, has pleaded not guilty to the murders of Sylvia Shields and Mary Callanan on 6 and 7 March 1997. Detective Sergeant David Lynch testified about questioning another suspect, Martin Stafford, in relation to the killings. During cross-examination, the defence counsel raised questions about the adequacy of the investigation and whether relevant information about Stafford's movements had been properly pursued. The court also heard evidence concerning Nash's alleged voluntary disclosure to gardaí in Galway on 17 August 1997 regarding crimes committed in Dublin five months earlier. Justice Carroll Moran adjourned proceedings to address a legal issue that emerged during testimony, with the jury directed to return on Wednesday.
The Central Criminal Court in Dublin is hearing the trial of William Moran, aged 20, who is charged with the murder of Martin Brophy, aged 22, at the old Waterford Institute of Technology building between 19 and 21 May 2012. Moran has pleaded not guilty and the court is currently addressing legal arguments, with evidence to resume on Thursday.
During the 29th day of Graham Dwyer's murder trial, evidence was presented that two Nokia phones found in Vartry Reservoir were used almost exclusively to contact each other. The phones had no other numbers saved and were last used on the day of the alleged murder. Their contacts were labeled MSTR and SLV, the consonants of "Master" and "Slave." The phones were purchased together on 30 November 2011 and were unregistered. Between 1 December 2011 and 22 August 2012, 1,369 texts and 11 calls were exchanged, all unanswered or to voicemail. Five unanswered calls from Ms O'Hara's iPhone were also recorded. The trial, before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury, continues with Mr Dwyer (42) charged with murdering 36‑year‑old Elaine O'Hara on 22 August 2012. The State alleges he stabbed her for sexual gratification. The case remains in the Central Criminal Court.
During the 28th day of the murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, evidence was presented that Graham Dwyer, aged 42, sent 847 text messages to Elaine O'Hara between January 2008 and December 2009, including 53 on a single day. Garda Paul Kane testified that he analysed Dwyer's work‑phone bills and confirmed the volume of messages, though the content remained unknown. A call from Dwyer to O'Hara's message minder was also identified. Additionally, a crime analyst, Sarah Skedd, used toll‑booth and mobile‑tower records to trace a mobile phone and a vehicle, concluding that Dwyer owned the car that travelled from Galway to Dublin on 4 July 2012. The trial also heard from a friend of O'Hara, who described her personal struggles and relationships, and noted that O'Hara was last seen on the evening of 22 August 2012, after being discharged from a mental‑health hospital.
At the Central Criminal Court, a jury heard statements from the former partner of Mark Nash, who is charged with the murder of two women in March 1997. Nash, aged 42, has pleaded not guilty to the murders of Sylvia Shields and Mary Callanan between March 6 and 7, 1997. State counsel read two statements from Sarah Jane Doyle, describing how she met Nash in a Dublin nightclub in late March 1997 and subsequently began a relationship with him. The court heard Nash claimed to have family connections in Ballina, County Mayo. The second statement was taken after Doyle received a letter from Nash whilst receiving treatment at Beaumont Hospital, following an assault at a house in Ballintober, County Roscommon on August 16, 1997. A handwriting expert from An Garda Síochána testified that letters attributed to Nash displayed consistent characteristics and were written fluently without hesitation or disguise. The trial continues.
In the Waterford murder trial, a jury heard that Garda Eugene O'Neill photographed a swelling on the accused William Moran's hands, taken the same week the body of Martin Brophy was found. Moran, 20, is charged with Brophy's murder at the old WIT building between 19 and 21 May 2012. He pleaded not guilty and is on trial at the Central Criminal Court. O'Neill explained he was asked to photograph Moran's hands after a colleague noticed a swelling, taking two photos on 22 May 2012. Detective Garda Emmett Dunphy confirmed he is a certified XRY operator and examined a sim card belonging to Moran. The jury also heard that items such as a cider bottle wrapper, plastic flaggins and Nike runners were found on New Gate Street and Castle Street between 22 and 25 May. The trial, expected to last three weeks, continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy with a jury of four women and eight men.
Bilal Idrees, 24, a Pakistani native, was sentenced by the Central Criminal Court to two years' imprisonment for each of two offences committed between 11 and 22 November 2012. He pleaded guilty to theft at an apartment in Dublin on 11 November 2012 and to impersonating a member of the gardaí over the same period. Idrees had been living in Ireland since May 2011, though he had no entry record. On 11 November he visited the apartment of a woman working as an escort, claiming to be a garda and demanding €150 in exchange for "wiping her record". He also made threatening phone calls for several days after the visit. The woman, a foreign national with limited English, later sought help from a social worker and contacted the gardaí. Gardaí arranged a meeting at the apartment, arrested Idrees on 22 November, and he admitted the offences. He had no prior convictions and expressed remorse.
John-Paul Cawley and Wenio Rodriguez Da Silva have brought appeals against their murder convictions in the Court of Appeal. Both men, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of Bruno Lemes De Sousa at Shronowen Bog, Listowel, between February 16 and 17, 2012, were found guilty by a jury at a Kerry sitting of the Central Criminal Court. They received mandatory life sentences from Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan on May 22, 2013. Cawley had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Counsel for Da Silva, John B Peart SC, argued the jury should have been discharged against his client, alleging that Cawley's barrister prejudiced Da Silva by jokingly referring to him as a "short plank" during trial discussions. Counsel for Cawley, Anthony Sammon SC, submitted that the trial judge improperly charged the jury regarding the onus of proof. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice Seán Ryan with Ms Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan and Mr Justice John Edwards, reserved judgment to a date as soon as possible. The matter was adjourned.
A 61‑year‑old Limerick man, who was jailed in the early 1970s for indecent assault, will be sentenced next week for raping his seven‑year‑old niece between 1984 and 1988. He was convicted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of one count of attempted rape, three counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault. He was remanded in custody for sentencing. The victim, whose name is withheld, said in a victim impact statement that her uncle had stolen her childhood, innocence, dignity and trust. The court heard that the man had previously been jailed for six months in 1973 for an indecent assault, and in 1974 was convicted in the UK for assaulting a girl under 14. He had further convictions for indecent assault in 1995 and 1998, and was jailed for 22 months in 2013 for breaches of the Sex Offenders Act.
In a 1997 double murder trial, ex‑partner Lucy Porter testified that Mark Nash, aged 42, was a fantasist who told many lies. Porter, who had moved to Dublin with Nash five months earlier, described living with him and their infant daughter in Prussia Street. She recounted that on the night of March 6, 1997, Nash attended a charity quiz at the GPO, returned with two colleagues, and later went to Eddie Rockets where he was seen with a velvet jacket and black caterpillar boots. Porter noted a change in Nash's behaviour, including increased showering, which she attributed to his sexual activity. She agreed with the defence that Nash was a fantasist. The trial also heard from other witnesses, including Audrey Leonard, and continued cross‑examination of former Garda James McHugh. The proceedings remain ongoing. Mark Nash pleaded not guilty.
Philip Doyle, 38, of Tinakilly, Aughrim, Co Wicklow, was convicted of manslaughter for the death of his ex‑fiancée's three‑and‑a‑half‑month‑old baby, Ross Murphy, at Creagh Demesne, Gory, Co Wexford, on 5 April 2005. The Central Criminal Court, after a four‑week trial, directed the jury to acquit Doyle of murder and return a unanimous manslaughter verdict. He was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment on 15 May 2012. Doyle's appeal against conviction was opened in the Court of Appeal. His barrister, Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC, argued that the incident was an accident, that the judge had not adequately explained the withdrawal of the murder charge, and that expert evidence on physical abuse was unreliable. The Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel countered that medical experts found the baby's injuries inconsistent with an accidental fall. The Court of Appeal will decide the appeal as soon as possible. Philip Doyle pleaded not guilty.
A 57-year-old man from Bailieborough in Cavan has been found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter following a trial at the Central Criminal Court. Oliver Kierans was charged with the death of his wife, Patricia Kierans, at their family home on September 5th, 2013. The jury returned majority verdicts finding him guilty of manslaughter by ten to two, and guilty of unlawful possession of a shotgun and possession with intent to endanger life. Evidence presented during the two-and-a-half week trial indicated that Patricia Kierans had separated from the accused and begun a new relationship. The court heard that on the date in question, Patricia Kierans sustained a fatal shotgun wound to the chest at close range. State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy confirmed the cause of death was a shotgun injury. Kierans was remanded in custody for sentencing on March 26th. Oliver Kierans was found guilty.
The trial of Mark Nash, 42, who has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61) at sheltered accommodation in Grangegorman between March 6 and March 7, 1997, continued at the Central Criminal Court. Defence counsel cross-examined former Assistant Garda Commissioner James McHugh regarding the earlier, withdrawn murder charge against Dean Lyons. Mr. McHugh testified that Lyons made admissions describing the scene, including the entry point and the victims' positions, which he agreed were consistent with the facts. The defence argued that Lyons' description of the carving knife blades found at the scene could not have been more accurate. Mr. McHugh acknowledged that a second admission from Nash caused concern within An Garda Síochána, leading to an investigation into potential contamination. He stated he was satisfied that officers in Galway, where Nash made his admission, did not prompt him, noting that no notes were taken during those interviews. The court heard that both statements could not be true, necessitating a review of the evidence. The trial continues.
In the 27th day of Graham Dwyer's trial, forensic evidence showed his semen and Elaine O'Hara's blood on her mattress, with DNA profiles matching Dwyer in three stains and O'Hara in two. Blood on the mattress and a bean‑bag cover also matched O'Hara. No semen was found on a black dress or inside a gas mask, and a rope from the apartment contained mixed DNA from two people. A spade near O'Hara's remains had no blood or semen, though partial DNA from at least two people was detected. Paint on the spade did not chemically match paint from Dwyer's shed or fence. The trial also heard about mobile phone data and the last sighting of O'Hara on 22 August 2012, with her remains found in Killakee on 13 September 2013. The State alleges Dwyer stabbed O'Hara for sexual gratification.
Philip Doyle, 38, of Wicklow, was convicted of manslaughter for the death of his ex‑fiancée's three‑and‑a‑half‑month‑old baby, Ross Murphy, in 2005. The Central Criminal Court found the death an accident after a four‑week trial, and Doyle received an 11‑year sentence in May 2012. Doyle now appeals, arguing the original trial failed to properly direct the jury on the evidence of the baby's ill health and the lack of intent for murder. He contends that the prosecution's reliance on a paediatric study was unreliable and that the judge did not explain why the murder charge was withdrawn. The appeal is before the Court of Appeal, with the prosecution yet to reply. The case remains at the manslaughter conviction stage. Philip Doyle pleaded not guilty.
In the Graham Dwyer trial, a forensic scientist presented evidence that the paint on a spade found near Elaine O'Hara's remains was not a chemical match to paint found in Dwyer's shed. The spade, which Dwyer's wife said she recognised as missing from their garden, was examined for paint, protector and a fence piece from Dwyer's garden. The scientist noted that the paint on the spade appeared as dried‑on droplets and that microscopic examination showed similarities to paint from Kerrymount Close, but chemical composition tests revealed differences, concluding the paints did not match. The evidence was delivered on the 25th day of the trial at the Central Criminal Court, with Dwyer, a 42‑year‑old father of three, charged with the murder of 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara on 22 August 2012, hours after she was discharged from a mental health hospital.
In a 2015 murder trial, the jury heard that Garda Sergeant Mark Nash had reservations about Dean Lyons, describing him as "a bit of a Walter Mitty." Lyons, who died before the trial, was the first person to admit to the 1997 double murder of Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61) at Orchard View in Grangegorman. He was charged in July 1997. The court considered evidence that a key belonging to Ann Mernagh was found in a garden near Orchard View, and that Lyons had thrown the key into a hedge on Rathdown Road, as stated in a July 26, 1997 statement. Lyons also admitted stealing £30 from under a carpet in the same building. The trial also discussed the involvement of Martin Stafford, who was investigated but ultimately excluded from the case. The proceedings remain ongoing. Mark Nash pleaded not guilty.
During the 25th day of Graham Dwyer's murder trial, his wife Gemma Dwyer testified that the spade found near Elaine O'Hara's remains was the same spade she had noticed missing from their garden. She described how the spade had been used to clear a neighbour's dog's droppings and had been absent during the summer of 2013, after which she had used a plastic spade. Dwyer also recalled receiving a letter from her husband in which he referred to Ms O'Hara as "that awful girl." She provided details of their life together, including their children, their home in Foxrock, and her husband's interests in model aeroplanes, cars, and computers. The court heard that the spade was a True Temper Homeowner model, forged in Cork before 2009, and that the Gardaí had not taken the spade to the search. The trial continued before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury.
Oliver Kierans, a 57-year-old man from Drumbannon, Bailieborough, Cavan, is currently on trial at the Central Criminal Court. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his wife, Patricia Kierans, aged 54, which allegedly occurred on September 5th, 2013, at their shared address. Kierans also pleaded not guilty to the unlawful possession of a 12-gauge double barrel shotgun and not guilty to possessing the same firearm with intent to endanger life. After deliberating for more than five hours, a jury of five women and seven men returned a unanimous verdict finding Kierans guilty of the charge of unlawful possession of the shotgun. The jury has not yet reached a verdict on the remaining charges, including the murder allegation. Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly thanked the jury for their service and instructed them to return the following day to continue their deliberations on the outstanding counts. The matter remains ongoing, with the trial proceeding to a further stage of jury consideration.
In a 2015 Central Criminal Court hearing, Mark Nash, 42, pleaded not guilty to the 1997 murders of Sylvia Shields and Mary Callanan. Nash claimed that a confession he gave to Gardaí in August 1997 was "produced" by other Gardaí at Mill Street Garda Station, not entirely his own words. He later said he never claimed the confession was 100% fabricated. The court heard that Nash had expressed distrust of Gardaí, suggesting that words could be twisted. Assistant Commissioner Derek Byrne, who interviewed Nash in 1999, recounted Nash's statements about Garda manipulation. The trial also discussed earlier confessions by Dean Lyons, who was later charged and then had his charge withdrawn. The case remains ongoing.
A jury has begun deliberations in the Central Criminal Court in the trial of Oliver Kierans, aged 57, from Drumbannon, Bailieborough, County Cavan. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Patricia Kierans, aged 54, at their home address on 5 September 2013. He also denies unlawful possession of a 12-gauge double-barrel shotgun and possession of the same firearm with intent to endanger life. The trial proceeded today despite the accused's absence due to illness, following his instructions that proceedings continue. Justice Aileen Donnelly outlined to the jury of five women and seven men that they must return unanimous verdicts on all charges, with three possible outcomes for the murder allegation. After deliberating for more than thirty minutes, the jury adjourned to resume consideration of the case tomorrow.
A 74‑year‑old Kerry pensioner was found guilty by a jury of eight counts of sexual assault of his sister‑in‑law, who is now 53. The convictions relate to indecent assault incidents that occurred between 1 January 1971 and 31 December 1974. The trial, held over four days at the Central Criminal Court before Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan, ended with the jury agreeing on eight of the eleven charges; the remaining three were not fully agreed upon. The accused was charged with 11 counts of indecent assault, but the jury convicted him on eight. The victim, who was 10 years old when the abuse began, reported the abuse to her family in 1986 and to the Gardaí in 2007. She described repeated assaults at the accused's home in Kerry, where she often stayed overnight with her sister and her sister's daughters.