Court archive
Cloverhill District Court
2026-04-23 · Dublin
A man charged in connection with the seizure of cocaine worth an estimated €504,000 has been refused bail. Anthony O'Callaghan was arrested at his home following a search and drug seizure. The package containing the drugs was tracked using an Apple AirTag and collected after the accused was directed to intercept an An Post driver in a Tesco car park. The court heard that the sender had placed an Apple AirTag inside the package, allowing a Spanish phone number to track its location. O'Callaghan approached the driver and asked for the package after providing the required details. The garda said there was no suggestion of wrongdoing by the An Post driver. The judge described the case as a "very significant drug charge" and refused bail under Section 2 of the Bail Act, citing the seriousness of the charges and the strength of the evidence. O'Callaghan was remanded in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court.
2026-02-17 · Ireland
A man in his 20s charged with assault, criminal damage, and drug possession following an incident in Dún Laoghaire has been remanded in custody. The accused is charged with assaulting a woman and causing her harm, damaging a window at a neighbouring property, and possessing heroin, cocaine, and benzodiazepines. He is also charged with criminal damage at Dún Laoghaire Garda Station, where he allegedly spat food onto a cell wall and door after his arrest. No bail application was made, and the accused was remanded in custody to appear by video link for a bail hearing. Judge Anne Watkin directed that the accused receive medical attention for injuries sustained during the incident, as well as for heroin addiction and mental health issues. Legal aid was granted to the accused's defence solicitor. The case highlights concerns about drug use, assault, and property damage in the area, with the accused facing multiple charges that could result in significant legal consequences.
2025-10-28 · Dublin
Jason Desmond, 32, of Donaghmede, was denied bail after being charged with hijacking a taxi, false imprisonment and theft. On 25 July 2025, at about 1.21 am, he allegedly entered a taxi on Malahide Road, demanded to be taken to Circle K, and after the driver stopped, a group entered the shop and stole nearly €1,000 worth of alcohol and energy drinks. Desmond is accused of producing a kitchen knife to intimidate the driver, refusing to pay the €40 fare, and taking the stolen goods to a property in Priorswood, where Gardaí found the men asleep with the items strewn across the apartment. He was arrested at Coolock Garda Station and admitted to theft‑related offences. The judge cited the seriousness of the allegations, strong evidence, potential custodial sentence and risk of further offences, and sent the case to the Circuit Court for trial.
2025-10-22 · Ireland
A man accused of repeatedly breaching a protection order by contacting his former partner on social media was granted bail by Judge Alan Mitchell at Cloverhill District Court. He faces six charges under the Domestic Violence Act 2018 for alleged Facebook messages and an Instagram follow request between June and July. The complainant, who shared a home with him and is the mother of his children, said she feared him and had to cancel her child's birthday party. She claimed he had contacted neighbours and could appear unexpectedly. Defence counsel argued the messages contained no physical threats and that the man had not been arrested until late October. Judge Mitchell noted the alleged breaches dated back to June and July but the man had only been charged on 20 October, with no contact since. He said the order allowed no contact except text, and the alleged communications were not prohibited.
2014-01-31 · Dublin
In a case heard at Cloverhill District Court, the judge was informed that 34‑year‑old Saverio Bellante, accused of murdering pro‑life campaigner Tom O'Gorman, is currently in the Central Mental Hospital. Bellante, a customer‑service agent from Palermo, was arrested after admitting guilt in a prior hearing. The state solicitor described the case as complicated and ongoing, and Vincent Maloney requested a four‑week remand to allow the Director of Public Prosecutions to compile a file, as two weeks were deemed insufficient. The defence sought legal aid and counsel for Bellante, citing his serious mental condition and inability to give a statement. Affidavits from Bellante's brother and sister were to be presented. The case was adjourned to 27 February. Tom O'Gorman, aged 39, was found dead at his Castleknock home on 12 January, with a post‑mortem conducted by Professor Marie Cassidy. The investigation remains active.
2014-01-29 · Dublin
In a Dublin court on 29 January 2014, architect Graham Dwyer, originally from Cork and residing in Foxrock, was served with an eight‑volume book of evidence in connection with the murder of childcare worker Elaine O'Hara, aged 37, who was last seen on 22 August 2012 and whose remains were found on Killakee Mountain in September 2013. Dwyer, who had been charged on 18 October 2013, pleaded not guilty, was denied bail, and appeared again at Cloverhill District Court. Judge Victor Blake informed him that the book of evidence would be served and that any alibi must be communicated to the prosecution within 14 days. Dwyer was ordered to be sent forward for trial to the Central Criminal Court on the single charge listed in the book. The court noted that the evidence comprised one volume of statements and seven volumes of exhibits, with over 300 statements and 800 exhibits collected by Gardaí.
2014-01-17 · Dublin
An Italian man, Saverio Bellante, aged 34, was charged with the murder of Tom O'Gorman, a pro‑life campaigner and writer, at O'Gorman's home in Castleknock. Bellante was arrested after O'Gorman was found stabbed to death on 11‑12 January. At his first court appearance, Bellante declined a lawyer and later stated he would represent himself. Judge Victor Blake remanded him in custody and adjourned the case for two weeks, until 31 January, after Bellante's lawyer presented a letter from Dr Paul O'Connell of the Central Mental Hospital. The court ordered that medical assessment be made and that investigative memos and video evidence be disclosed to the defence. Bellante's lawyer requested legal aid and complained that media coverage had breached the sub‑judice rule. The case remains pending.
2014-01-15 · Dublin
The State has been granted a two‑week adjournment to finish the book of evidence for the trial of architect Graham Dwyer, accused of murdering childcare worker Elaine O'Hara. Dwyer, originally from Cork and now residing in Foxrock, Dublin, was charged on 18 October 2011. O'Hara, aged 37, was last seen on 22 August 2012 near Shanganagh cemetery; her body was found on Killakee Mountain in September 2013. Dwyer pleaded not guilty, was denied bail, and appeared via video‑link before Judge Victor Blake at Cloverhill District Court. The prosecution cited a large file—eight volumes, over 300 statements, and more than 800 exhibits—to justify the adjournment. Dwyer's solicitor confirmed consent to the two‑week period, and the defendant remains in custody until 29 January, when he will appear again. The inquest into O'Hara's death remains adjourned pending criminal proceedings.
2013-12-18 · Dublin
An architect, Graham Dwyer, aged 41, from Cork but living in Foxrock, Dublin, is charged with the murder of childcare worker Elaine O'Hara, aged 37, whose remains were found in the Dublin mountains. Dwyer was charged on 18 October 2012 and has pleaded not guilty. He appeared via video link before Judge Grainne Malone at Cloverhill District Court, confirming his presence and consent to a four‑week adjournment for the preparation of a book of evidence. The prosecution said the file comprises eight volumes, and the defence noted that a further two weeks may be required. Judge Malone set the service of the book of evidence for 15 January, to which Dwyer agreed. Earlier hearings revealed Gardaí had taken over 300 statements and more than 800 exhibits. Dwyer was denied bail by Justice Paul Butler in the High Court on 4 November and is expected to appeal to the Supreme Court.
2013-11-13 · Cavan
A 28-year-old student has been further remanded in custody in connection with the death of archaeologist Emmet Connolly, who was fatally stabbed in Cootehill, County Cavan, in late September. Mr Connolly, aged 32 and from Rockcorry, County Monaghan, was discovered at a residence on Lodge View estate in the early hours of 29 September following an incident the previous evening. The accused, Kevin Moran, was charged with murder and made no reply when the charge was put to him. He appeared before Cloverhill District Court for his fourth hearing, where he was further remanded in custody. Consent to High Court bail has been granted but has not yet been taken up. The book of evidence remains incomplete and no plea has been entered. The matter will return before the court on 11 December.