In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a jury heard arguments over the case of Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, aged 34, and five other men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tanaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell on 15 November 2014. The defendants claimed not guilty. The prosecution, led by Sean Gillane SC, argued that the defendants' actions amounted to a total restraint of liberty, describing the event as a coordinated effort to detain the two women in vehicles for three hours during a protest at An Cosán adult education centre. Defence counsel Sean Guerin SC countered that the defendants were not involved in violent or abusive conduct, that the protest was political, and that the alleged restraint was a response to a fear of violence. The trial, presided over by Judge Melanie Greally, continues with the jury expected to decide on the charges of false imprisonment.
Two men, Jordan Carthy (22) and Shane Walsh (18), pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and robbery of two necklaces worth €22,000 at Dame Lane, Dublin 2 on 9 September 2016. The victim, Richard Bergin, was attacked by three men after a night out and had his bag stolen. The bag contained the necklaces, which he had borrowed for his aunt from a jewellery shop where he worked. Garda Frank Johnson identified the accused on CCTV footage, noting that the men repeatedly kicked Bergin while he was on the ground and that Carthy performed a taunting dance. Walsh took the bag and was later arrested in Stephen's Green, where he was found wearing one of the necklaces and a jacket belonging to Carthy. Both men were intoxicated at the time of the assault and claimed they did not remember the incident. They were out on bail when the incident occurred.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 19 June 2017, 39‑year‑old Alan Daly pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at Dunnes Stores, Ongar Village, on 13 March 2016. Daly, who had 13 prior convictions, was armed with an imitation firearm described as a "BB gun" and a co‑accused carried a knife. The pair entered the store with balaclavas, but Daly remained at the door while the co‑accused approached the tills. Staff alerted security, who pursued the men. Both fled empty‑handed and were arrested in a car that had been taken from its owners' house earlier that day. Garda Peter Foley recovered the imitation firearm, a large kitchen knife and balaclava. Daly's defence argued he had been compelled by criminals to repay a drug‑related debt and had acted in desperation after being assaulted. The judge adjourned sentencing to allow further consideration of the case and reports.
A 23‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for defilement after a trial at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He had pleaded not guilty to defilement of a child under 17, two counts of sexual assault and one of sexual exploitation of a child. The jury found him guilty of defilement, acquitted him of the sexual assault charges and could not reach a verdict on the exploitation charge. Judge Patricia Ryan noted a "great disparity in age" and that the accused knew the victim was 15, and that she was under the influence of alcohol at the time. She back‑dated the sentence to December 2016, ordered the man onto the sex offenders register for ten years, and recorded that he admitted to the act but claimed it was consensual. The man had three prior convictions for minor offences.
Joseph French, aged 25, was sentenced to three years in prison for a supermarket robbery in which he smashed a lotto machine and tills with a baseball bat. The sentence is to run consecutively with a portion of his existing seven‑and‑a‑half‑year term for earlier robberies in 2014 and an endangerment offence in 2015. French, of Neilstown Park, pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the 2015 robbery at Centra in Kingswood Shopping Centre. He had 139 prior convictions, including theft, robbery, possession of stolen property and traffic offences. Garda Ruth Brett described how French, armed with a bat, forced staff to open the tills, struck the machine and fled with €1,900. French was captured on CCTV about 20 minutes before the robbery, wearing the same clothes, a mask and a hi‑vis jacket. He pleaded guilty, expressed remorse, and asked the court for a chance to change his life for his daughter.
Jamie Kavanagh, a professional boxer, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting a doorman and engaging in threatening or abusive behaviour on Harcourt Street on September 23, 2014. Prosecutors alleged Kavanagh was part of a group that attacked staff at Copper Face Jacks nightclub, though his defence argued he played a minimal role and made no physical contact. Kavanagh's lawyers requested the court strike out the indictment to avoid a conviction that could jeopardise a significant three-year US contract. Judge Elma Sheahan adjourned the case to July 21 to allow the DPP to provide instructions on whether the Circuit Court has jurisdiction to strike out the charges, a power typically associated with the District Court. The judge also suggested Kavanagh provide 20 hours of coaching to a local amateur boxing club. Background persons Paul Rice and Mark Carlyle, identified as the instigators of the violence, were previously jailed after pleading guilty to violent disorder. Rice received a three-year sentence with the final year suspended, while Carlyle received five years with the final 18 months suspended. The matter remains adjourned pending further legal instructions.
Sarah Lawlor, aged 26, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to causing serious harm to Iuliun Molcalaut on July 19, 2015, after an altercation on the South Circular Road. Lawlor claimed she did not stab anyone but admitted she had obtained knives from a flat after being asked to do so. The prosecution argued that Molcalaut's injuries, including a punctured liver and significant blood loss, could have been fatal without immediate medical care, and that the severity of the wounds forced him to cancel his wedding. Lawlor was arrested about an hour after the incident and was the only one among the three involved who accepted responsibility. She has no prior convictions, has three children in their fathers' custody, and was remanded on bail with sentencing adjourned to July 3.
John McDermott, 24, of Swords, Co Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assault causing harm. He pleaded guilty to the offence, which occurred on July 10, 2014, at Talbot Street, on the understanding that he did not slash the victim's face. The court heard that Russ Hogan, described by Judge Cormac Quinn as a "good Samaritan," was attacked by McDermott and a 16-year-old friend. Prosecutors alleged that while the teenager slashed Mr Hogan's face, McDermott approached the victim with an improvised weapon made from a jagged beer can and assisted in punching and kicking him. Mr Hogan sustained two moderately deep wounds to his right cheek and other cuts. McDermott, who has 103 previous convictions, was under the influence of alcohol and tablets at the time. He is currently serving a sentence for two robberies committed last year. Defence counsel noted that McDermott had apologised to Mr Hogan, who accepted the apology, and highlighted his chronic addiction issues. Judge Quinn sentenced McDermott to 18 months in prison, with the final six months suspended.
John Gavin, 29, had his prison term extended by one year after he was found in possession of €1,454 in coins taken from a cash‑in‑transit robbery and after threatening Gardaí while on bail awaiting a rape trial. He was convicted of possession of stolen property and of making threats to Garda Karen Caswell and Sergeant Noel Smith, and of assaulting Smith, who was injured when Gavin punched him. Gavin, who has 103 previous convictions and was already serving a six‑year sentence for a 2012 rape, was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to a consecutive one‑year term for the new offences. The judge noted Gavin's mental difficulties and that he had been surprised by the Gardaí, but confirmed he understood his actions were wrong. The sentence was imposed as consecutive to his existing term. John Gavin pleaded guilty.
Joseph Walshe, a father of four, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after being convicted of ten counts of theft. A jury found him guilty on May 10 following a 12-day trial. Walshe, who served as general manager at Nevinar Cosmetics Ltd, was found to have dishonestly organised the movement of Clarins products between November 2009 and December 2011. He retained proceeds from goods sold to a UK wholesaler, who believed Walshe was acting on behalf of the company. The retail value of the stolen cosmetics exceeded €700,000, while the company's loss was calculated at €181,582. Judge Pauline Codd handed down a sentence of two and a half years in prison, with the final year suspended. The court also ordered Walshe to pay €181,582 to the company's founder, Jerry Hickey. However, as Mr. Hickey indicated he did not wish to receive the funds, the judge directed that the money be donated to a nominated charity or, failing that, to St Vincent de Paul. Walshe's defence counsel accepted the verdict and stated there would be no appeal. The defendant expressed guilt and offered to repay the full amount. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the custodial sentence and financial order.
Gerard Lawlor, 67, of Balrothery, Tallaght, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 11 counts of fraudulently claiming €167,873 in social welfare payments from 2005 to 2015. The fraud was uncovered during a Revenue audit of his former wife's dieting company, revealing that he had claimed pre‑retirement payments for himself and adult dependent allowances for his estranged wife. Lawlor had also failed to declare self‑employment and property transactions. He has no prior convictions and is now receiving a state pension of €183 a week, reduced by €28 to repay the debt. A probation report highlighted that his sister, Patricia, could not care for their severely disabled sister without his help. Judge Karen O'Connor, after hearing the report, imposed a three‑year suspended sentence on strict conditions, citing the detrimental effect imprisonment would have on his sisters' care. The sentence was suspended in full, with no custodial term imposed.
Two brothers from Belturbet, County Cavan, were each ordered to complete 180 hours of community service after admitting theft from a charity bar at a Dublin music festival. John McGinley, 25, and his younger brother Conal McGinley, 22, had pleaded guilty to stealing a combined €8,645 while working behind the bar for Workers Beer Company at Marlay Park on 8 July 2016. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Workers Beer Company raises funds at music festivals. Gardaí observed the brothers putting cash into their pockets rather than into the charity collection during the first day of the three-day event. When they were arrested that evening, John McGinley had €4,145 on him and a further €1,130 in his car. Conal McGinley had €1,860 on him, with additional cash found in the vehicle. The court heard that John McGinley had held a finance-sector job in London but had accumulated gambling debts in the UK. His counsel said he had since left that role, returned to Ireland and addressed the debt with help from his family. Conal McGinley was completing a business degree and his counsel said he had taken the money to help his older brother. Both made immediate admissions when interviewed by gardaí and had no previous convictions. Judge Cormac Quinn said the brothers were educated young men from a good family who had already experienced stigma and lost employment opportunities because of the case. He ordered each to carry out 180 hours of community service within a year in place of an eleven-month prison sentence. The judge initially proposed twelve months, but reduced it after submissions about the effect of that term on future travel and immigration opportunities. The community-service orders brought the prosecution to a conclusion after the brothers' earlier guilty pleas. The report is based on Courts News Ireland coverage of the sentencing hearing.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Melanie Greally discharged Ken Purcell from the indictment on day 27 of the trial. Prosecution counsel Sean Gillane SC entered a nolle prosequi regarding the two charges against Mr. Purcell, meaning the case proceeds no further against him. Mr. Purcell, 50, of Kiltalown Green, had pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning former Tanaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell by restricting their personal liberty without consent at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014. The remaining six defendants—Paul Murphy, Kieran Mahon, Michael Murphy, Frank Donaghy, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson—also pleaded not guilty to the same alleged offence. The prosecution case is now concluded, and the jury will not be required again until later this week. The trial continues for the remaining accused.
In a case heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Mark Nolan, aged 46, pleaded guilty to assaulting Luke Kelly on 12 December 2015. Nolan, who had recently lost his eight‑year‑old son to cancer and was intoxicated and on anti‑depressants, stabbed Kelly twice in the neck with a blade. The first blow left a cut requiring three stitches; the second was a graze. Kelly had come to the house to help his former partner, who had ended her relationship with Nolan four years earlier. Judge Martin Nolan, noting Nolan's state of grief and intoxication, sentenced him to 18 months in prison, suspended in full, and ordered a €5,000 payment to Kelly within a year. The court described the incident as a tragic moment in Nolan's life and emphasized that the punishment was meant to remind him of the wrongfulness of his actions.
John Morley, aged 31, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting a Romanian refuse collector at Virginia Park, Finglas, on 5 August 2015. The incident followed a dispute over a bin that had been "black‑listed" for non‑payment. Morley, one of three men involved, was drunk and had 20 prior convictions. He was arrested after a Garda was attacked and the victim was injured. Co‑accused John McCann (32) and Craig Redmond (21) received three‑year sentences in February for their roles, with McCann's final 18 months suspended and Redmond's final year suspended. Morley's sentencing is scheduled for 28 July, pending a probation report. The case highlights the assault on the bin man and the subsequent Garda involvement.
Anthony Perry, aged 51, was jailed for two years after a jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court convicted him of forgery and theft for posing as his late brother to buy a house. Perry had applied for a birth certificate and passport in his brother's name, used the documents to open a bank account, and secured a €300,000 mortgage from Start Mortgages. He bought a house and a granny flat in Offaly, took out insurance policies on both, and after the properties burned down in August 2008 he claimed €304,216 from FBD Insurance. The insurer later repudiated the payment when investigators discovered Perry's false identity. Perry pleaded not guilty to eight counts under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act, but was found guilty on all counts. The court noted that the fire was caused maliciously by unknown third parties and had nothing to do with Perry.
Patrick Kinch, aged 48, was jailed after he fired 37 shotgun rounds at Gardaí in a 15‑hour siege at his Deerpark Square home on 20 December 2015. He claimed he wanted to "go out in a blaze of glory" and feared he would not reach heaven if he killed himself. Kinch pleaded guilty to endangering Gardaí, damaging the house and causing over €7,000 in damage to a Garda vehicle. He was sentenced to ten years, with Judge Martin Nolan suspending the final three and a half years. The siege began when his partner, Natasha Donnelly, fled the house after witnessing Kinch's erratic behaviour and alerted Gardaí. Garda Rory Maher described how Kinch repeatedly fired at Gardaí from windows, demanding they shoot him, and ultimately threw the unloaded shotgun out the window before being arrested. The court noted Kinch's 33 prior convictions and his history of psychiatric care. The judge praised Gardaí for restraint and professionalism.
Thomas Nulty, a 21‑year‑old Dublin youth, was given a one‑year suspended sentence by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to stealing €1,653.42 worth of cosmetics and perfumes from Boots pharmacy in Blanchardstown on 8 December. He had paid for a toothbrush but placed a large quantity of mixed cosmetics in a bag and left the store without paying. Garda Clare Cronin reported that Nulty admitted the offence immediately and all stolen items were recovered. Judge Karen O'Connor warned that this was his final chance to reform or face imprisonment, instructing him to cooperate with probation services, keep the peace and exhibit good behaviour for one year. She noted his difficult upbringing, previous 25 minor convictions and that he had been in care from age 15. The court also heard that his bail had been revoked after he failed to sign on. The probation services are engaged in helping him resettle and further his education.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Greyhound Recycling and Recovery (GRR) pleaded guilty to breaches of the Environmental Protection Act and the Waste Management Act for transferring waste to five unlicensed sites in Kildare, Dublin and Laois between April and June 2012, and for failing to keep adequate records between March and August 2012. The company admitted providing false information and breaching its license. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) noted that GRR had a waste licence from May 2007 for storing and transferring waste from a Clondalkin site, where most output was Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) bales. The licence allowed shipping SRF to suppliers on the continent and storing bales at Dublin Port, but the company diverted them to unlicensed sites when the port storage was full. EPA investigators found 5,000 bales at a Kildare site, 2,000 at Maynooth, 120 at a Tipperary site, 1,000 at Hollystown, and evidence of storage at Ballybrit.
Jerry Sangola Mbumbi, a 40‑year‑old father of four from Tallaght, was sentenced to an 18‑month suspended term for making a false declaration and failing to inform the Minister for Social Protection of changes in his circumstances between 27 June 2013 and 19 May 2014. He had worked as a contractor for a publicity mailing group from June 2013, submitting invoices totalling €136,338 for leaflet delivery work while simultaneously receiving €26,803 in jobseekers allowance. The court found evidence that he paid other people to help with leaflet drops and that the full €136,000 was not available to him. Judge Karen O'Connor noted he had no prior convictions and had a repayment plan in place, allowing her to suspend the sentence on strict conditions. Mbumbi has begun reimbursing the State, paying €25 per week and having repaid €1,095 to date. Jerry Sangola Mbumbi pleaded guilty.
Mei Hui Chen, 37, was convicted by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury of assaulting his brother, Michael Chen, on 8 June 2016. Chen stabbed his brother five times in the back and thighs after a brief encounter outside a pub on Westmoreland Street. The jury found him guilty of assault causing serious harm and assault causing harm. He was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended, and the sentence backdated to the date of the offence. Chen was arrested shortly after the attack and has remained in custody. The court noted that Michael Chen suffered a punctured kidney, spent 14 days in hospital, and had to sell his restaurant and faced marital difficulties as a result of the incident. Chen had no fixed address at the time of the assault and had recently come to Dublin to seek work. The judge ordered him to stay away from his brother and his family upon release. The unnamed man pleaded not guilty.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard evidence in the ongoing trial of eight defendants, including Frank Donaghy, Paul Murphy, Kieran Mahon, Michael Murphy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson. All have pleaded not guilty to the alleged false imprisonment of Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell by restricting their personal liberty without consent at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014. The matter is currently at the sentence stage, though the trial continues before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury. Garda Chris Moylan testified that he attended Mr. Donaghy's home on February 12, 2015, to arrest him. Mr. Donaghy, who has no previous convictions, told gardaí he joined the protest while getting petrol and participated in a sit-down behind Ms. Burton's car. He described the atmosphere as peaceful until gardaí attempted to remove individuals from the vehicle. Defence counsel Padraig Dwyer SC highlighted that Mr. Donaghy was frank during questioning and that it was never suggested he directly stopped the victims from leaving. The prosecution, led by Sean Gillane SC, noted the maximum penalty for the offence is life imprisonment. The court heard that Mr. Donaghy questioned how protesting could constitute false imprisonment. The trial continues.
Rachel Breen, a 49‑year‑old occupational therapist from Skerries, had her driving licence restored after a 2014 disqualification for dangerous driving that caused serious bodily harm to a two‑year‑old boy on Naul Road, Balbriggan, in October 2012. Breen pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, admitting she was travelling below the 80 kph limit and had not seen the junction, which was poorly marked and badly surfaced. The court had previously found her a "decent woman" who made a "serious error of judgement" and imposed a four‑year disqualification and a €5,000 damages order. At a brief hearing, the court, with no objection from the prosecution, granted her licence restoration under the Road Traffic Act, noting she had been off the road since December 2014 and needed a licence for her responsible job.
A woman who stole over €28,000 from the State by falsely claiming job seekers allowance while employed was sentenced today in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Bridget Dwane (55), of Emmet Square, Blackrock, Dublin, pleaded guilty to making false or misleading statements to facilitate the payment of jobseekers allowance between March 2009 and July 2011. She admitted to receiving an overpayment of €28,484 during this period and has since made repayments of €200 per month, though she still owes €24,200 to the State. Judge Karen O'Connor noted the 'loss to the exchequer was significant' but acknowledged Dwane's cooperation, early guilty pleas, and genuine remorse. She sentenced Dwane to 12 months in prison, suspended in full, on the condition that she engage with the Probation Service for 12 months. Emmet Sqaure, another defendant, was not sentenced as no details of his charges, plea, or sentence were provided. The court heard that Dwane was under pressure to pay her daughter's drug debts and had taken out a €6,000 credit union loan to do so. The matter was not adjourned and is now at the validated procedural stage of sentence.
James Lynch, aged 23, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for assaulting taxi driver Edward Gallagher after Gallagher refused to take Lynch's wounded friend to hospital. The incident occurred on 14 February 2015 when Gallagher was driving through Dublin's city centre. Lynch and two other men demanded a hospital transfer; Gallagher declined, citing the risk of blood in his vehicle. A verbal altercation escalated into physical violence: Gallagher was struck, fell, and was kicked and kicked by the men. Passers‑by intervened and the assailants fled. Lynch was later charged with robbery on 24 January 2016 and possession of a knife on 12 July 2016. He pleaded guilty to all three offences. Judge Melanie Greally described the assault as "very vicious" and noted it caused Gallagher to leave his taxi‑driving job. The sentence was back‑dated to July 2016.
The trial of seven defendants, including Kieran Mahon, Michael Murphy, Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, Scott Masterson, and Paul Murphy, continues before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. All defendants have pleaded not guilty to the alleged false imprisonment of Ms Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014. On day 23 of the proceedings, Detective Garda Darren Rooney testified regarding the arrest of Mr Masterson at his Tallaght home on February 9, 2015. While acknowledging that Mr Masterson's four-year-old child was present, Det Gda Rooney denied that the defendant was handcuffed in front of the child, rejecting defence claims that the action was excessive. He stated handcuffing was for safety. Separately, Detective Garda Conor Fleming described the arrest of Councillor Kieran Mahon at his home at 6.50am on the same date. Fleming confirmed that six plain-clothes gardaí attended, four of whom were armed, and that Mr Mahon's children, aged 10 and 13, were in the house. He stated that Mr Mahon cooperated and no firearms were produced. The court heard that Mr Mahon was taken to Tallaght Garda Station for interview. The trial is ongoing, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded at this stage.
The trial of seven men, including Solidarity TD Paul Murphy and Councillor Michael Murphy, continues at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury. The defendants, who include Kieran Mahon, Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson, have all pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning former Tanaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell by restricting their personal liberty without consent at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014. On day 22, the court heard transcripts from Councillor Michael Murphy's February 2015 garda interviews. When shown protest footage, he repeatedly stated the video "speaks for itself" and asserted that the rights of both sides were "balanced." He further told gardaí, "There will be no issue explaining that to any judge," regarding comments about Ms Burton's safety. Detective Garda David Connolly testified to the arrest and interviews. Garda John Healy described being verbally abused by protesters and threatened by two men who attempted to rob him of his wedding ring and equipment. He alleged Paul Murphy displayed a "blatant disregard" for safety and was the most senior person present. The trial is ongoing, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded.
Michael Smallhorn, 57, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to aiding a drug offence involving €837,000 worth of heroin. He admitted acting as a courier for a €200 payment that never materialised, claiming he wanted the money for golf fees. Gardaí had stopped him in his car at Greentrees Park, where 13 street deals of heroin were found, and later seized 5.9 kilos of heroin from a Citroën parked near Limekiln Lane. Smallhorn said he was instructed by an unidentified man to leave the car keys and that he feared the man due to his reputation. Judge Pauline Codd noted his minor role but the large quantity of drugs, and suspended a five‑year sentence on the condition he keep the peace and participate in a victim awareness programme. He has 12 prior convictions, including drunk driving and forgery, and has expressed remorse.
The trial of seven men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell on November 15, 2014, continued at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The defendants, Paul Murphy, Kieran Mahon, Michael Murphy, Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson, have all pleaded not guilty to the charges. On day 22, Garda Jonathan Ryan testified that he arrived at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, to find the women in a car surrounded by protesters. He described the scene as extremely hostile, noting that a cordon formed to protect the women dissolved quickly, leaving them swarmed by the crowd. Garda Ryan stated that protesters deliberately blocked a Garda jeep, creating dangerous bottlenecks. He recounted helping a woman who fell over, after which defendant Michael Banks allegedly called him a "woman beater, a disgrace, a uniformed scumbag and a coward." Garda Ryan also testified that Paul Murphy held a vote among protesters regarding Ms Burton's movement, which he described as unanimous to keep her in the area, with Murphy appearing pleased. Under cross-examination, defence counsel challenged the witness's recollection, citing video footage showing Murphy voting to move the car. The trial continues before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury.
Gary Kearney, 25, a serial offender with 160 prior convictions, was found guilty of robbery, false imprisonment and theft after he and an accomplice posed as undercover Gardaí, quoting sections of law, and handcuffed a man on Millennium Bridge in Dublin. The victim feared being pushed into the Liffey while handcuffed. Kearney's history includes assault, animal cruelty, robbery, theft, burglary, criminal damage and public order offences. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally, after hearing evidence, noted Kearney's "appalling record of offending" and his need to address addiction issues. She suspended a four‑year sentence on strict conditions, including attendance at AA meetings, and ordered two years of probation supervision. The accomplice fled and was not charged. The victim accepted Kearney's apology and expressed no desire to see him in custody.
The trial of seven men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell continues in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Paul Murphy, Michael Murphy, Kieran Mahon, Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson have all pleaded not guilty to restricting the women's liberty without consent at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014. The defendants allegedly trapped the pair in a car and a garda jeep for up to three hours during an anti-water charges protest. On day 21, Detective Garda Richard Hansen testified that the two Murphys were in control of the crowd and should have walked away from the escalating situation. He described the event as nearly a riot, noting that people were being assaulted. The jury reviewed video footage showing a vote taken among protesters on whether to keep or march the minister out. While defense counsel argued that Paul Murphy's actions constituted passive resistance, the witness maintained they were acts of aggression. The trial is ongoing before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury.
John Fitzsimons, 50, of Old Tower Crescent, Clondalkin, Dublin, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment with two and a half years suspended after pleading guilty to possession of a semi‑automatic pistol, ammunition and a silencer in suspicious circumstances. The court found that Fitzsimons had agreed to store the handgun for a third party to pay off a debt, but had never actually handled the weapon. He had no prior convictions and was described as a "prisoner in his own home" after the agreement. Judge Karen O'Connor noted his lack of criminal history, his work background, and his cooperation with Gardaí, yet emphasised that storing firearms facilitates serious offences. The sentence was back‑dated to 29 October 2016, and the judge considered the public interest and safety in imposing the penalty. The court also acknowledged his past substance abuse and his productive use of time in custody.
Lawyers for the Director of Public Prosecutions requested that the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) be given access to the transcripts of the Sean FitzPatrick trial. The trial, which lasted 127 days, ended with Judge John Aylmer directing an acquittal on all charges after heavily criticising the ODCE investigation. Mr FitzPatrick, aged 68 and from Greystones, had denied misleading Anglo's auditors about multi‑million euro loans linked to him and his family. ODCE staff were largely excluded from the extensive legal argument that characterised the trial. Dominic McGinn SC informed the judge that the DPP already possessed the transcripts and could liaise with the ODCE. Judge Aylmer said the court had no objection to the ODCE receiving the documents, noting they were a public record. The ODCE announced it would prioritise a report on the trial's collapse and seek the transcripts to aid that work. Sean FitzPatrick pleaded not guilty.
The trial of South Dublin Councillor Michael Murphy and six co-defendants is ongoing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. All seven men, including Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, Kieran Mahon, Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson, have pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her assistant Karen O'Connell during a water charges protest in November 2014. Garda Fionnuala Whelan testified that Councillor Murphy was more concerned about negative publicity than public safety, alleging he taunted the Tánaiste and riled the crowd rather than calming it. She interpreted his suggestion to give Burton sanctuary in a church as a threat to her safety rather than a proposal to Gardaí. Conversely, defence counsel argued Murphy used his influence to de-escalate aggression. Detective Garda Richard Hansen described the scene as a "Hillsborough type" situation, noting Paul Murphy sat in front of the vehicle carrying the Tánaiste, though he accepted under cross-examination that Murphy had proposed a slow march. The jury reviewed video footage of the incident. The matter is currently at the sentence stage, with cross-examination continuing.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 25 May 2017, 31‑year‑old landscape gardener Jason Wall pleaded guilty to assaulting Kieran Nelson on 27 April 2016. Wall, who had 14 prior convictions, attacked Nelson with a glass after insulting him for being from Northern Ireland. The assault left Nelson with cuts to his forehead and lip, requiring stitches, and caused him a visible scar, embarrassment and an economic loss of €900. Wall had paid €1,000 in redress and submitted a letter of apology. Judge Karen O'Connor described the attack as "violent and gratuitous", noted Wall's good work record and lack of recent Garda attention, and sentenced him to two years' imprisonment, suspending the final year. The case was identified through CCTV and the incident occurred around the Easter 1916 commemorations. The court accepted the victim's impact report and the defendant's remorse.
Garda Fionnuala Whelan testified at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court during day 19 of the trial of Paul Murphy, Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson. All five defendants, along with three others, have pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning then Tánaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell on November 15, 2014, at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght. Whelan described the atmosphere as hostile and volatile, stating she feared for her safety and that of the women. She recounted being pushed, kicked, and verbally abused while attempting to escort the pair through a crowd. Whelan identified Murphy, Masterson, Donaghy, and Kieran Mahon among protesters sitting on the road. She stated Murphy resisted her attempt to remove him and was held down by others. Defense counsel Sean Guerin SC suggested the situation was stable until Whelan "manhandled" Murphy, a claim she rejected. Whelan noted that Murphy's shirt was pulled off during the struggle but stated her priority was safety. She also described Michael Murphy as appearing to control events, advising protesters to stop abuse to avoid negative publicity. The matter remains at the trial stage with no findings, sentences, or finalizations recorded.
Jamie Byrne, aged 20, had his jail term extended by one year after taking part in an attempted robbery of a newsagents and a robbery of a Texaco garage while awaiting sentence for an earlier attempted robbery of a bookmaker. He was already serving a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for the bookmaker offence, which was due for release next month. Byrne pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the two offences committed on 26 and 27 January 2016. Judge Karen O'Connor noted the impact on the businesses, including increased insurance premiums and staff loss, and emphasised that these were not victimless crimes. She imposed a consecutive two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspended the final 18 months on strict conditions, and ordered the return of €200 found on Byrne. Byrne has seven previous convictions and had been described as having a drug‑addiction history and a supportive family background.
Darren Martyn, 25, of Cloonbeggin, Claregalway, Co. Galway, was sentenced in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for hacking into News International's website in July 2011. Martyn pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage to data. The court heard that he and co-accused Donncha O'Cearbhaill, then members of Lulzsec, redirected users to a fake story claiming Rupert Murdoch was dead. Judge Karen O'Connor imposed a nine-month suspended sentence on Martyn, citing his guilty plea, cooperation with the investigation, and his subsequent positive professional development as a security researcher and lecturer. She noted the offence involved considerable planning and premeditation. In March, co-accused Donncha O'Cearbhaill, 24, also received a nine-month suspended sentence for his part in the hacking. The judge acknowledged the serious nature of the breach, which caused significant downtime for The Sun and sister sites, but accepted mitigation regarding Martyn's maturity and current employment. The matter was finalised with the imposition of these suspended sentences.
Sean FitzPatrick, former chairman of Anglo Irish Bank, was acquitted of all 27 charges in a 127‑day trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge John Aylmer directed the jury to acquit, citing insufficient evidence and procedural shortcomings in the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement's investigation, including document shredding and witness coaching. The prosecution had alleged that FitzPatrick misled auditors about multi‑million‑euro loans linked to him and his family, and had concealed the full extent of these loans. The charges included 22 counts of misleading auditors and five of furnishing false information between 2002 and 2007. Earlier, nine charges were withdrawn for lack of evidence. No further criminal proceedings remain against FitzPatrick. Sean FitzPatrick pleaded not guilty.
During the 18th day of the trial of Solidarity TD Paul Murphy and six others for the 2014 anti‑water charges protest in Jobstown, Sergeant Michael Phelan testified that he was struck on the back of the head with a can of Red Bull that burst open. Phelan described a chaotic scene in which protestors hurled "missiles" such as cigarette lighters, branches and twigs at Gardaí while attempting to restrain former Tanaiste Joan Burton and adviser Karen O'Connell. He said the crowd surrounded the Avensis car that held the women, then moved them to a Garda jeep, with officers trying to protect them but being shoved and struck. Phelan also reported that a female colleague was shoved from behind and fell. The accused men, including Scott Masterson, deny the charges and claim they were present for a peaceful protest. The trial continues with the jury now reduced to 11 members.
Conrad Mason, 46, a former director of C&G Logistics Group, stole €908,652 from his employer between January 2010 and January 2015 to fund alcoholism and gambling. He pleaded guilty to 25 counts of theft and fraud, covering 234 wrongful transactions. The court found the breach of trust severe, damaging the company's cash reserves and the trust of its owner, David Dixon. Mason received a three‑year prison sentence, with the final 18 months suspended, due to no prior convictions and cooperation with the Garda investigation. The sentence reflects the extent of the financial loss and the impact on the company's operations, while acknowledging Mason's lack of previous offences and his willingness to admit guilt. The judgment does not alter the ongoing legal proceedings or any future appeals.
Brian Collins, aged 43, was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to two and a half years in prison, with the final two years suspended, for robbing Tallaght West Credit Union on 8 July 2016. During the robbery, Collins threatened staff with a hatchet and a knife, demanding money. A staff member handed him €2,000 in fifty‑euro notes, and when he began smashing the glass security screen she gave him an additional €2,000. Collins fled with €3,800, dropping some of the stolen cash on the way out. He pleaded guilty to the robbery. The court heard that Collins had prior convictions for drug possession, handling stolen property and drink driving. He claimed he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs and that the robbery was driven by a drug debt of €3,000 to €4,000.
Sean FitzPatrick, former chairman of Anglo Irish Bank, spoke outside the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin after Judge John Aylmer announced that he would direct the jury to acquit him of all charges. The judge cited flaws in the investigation into alleged refinancing of loans between 2002 and 2007, including witness coaching and contaminated statements. FitzPatrick said the prosecution had been a long, tiring, and difficult time for him and his family, and expressed relief that the trial was over. He thanked his legal team and the media for their restraint, and requested that his privacy and that of his family be respected in the coming days. The case was a retrial following the first trial in May 2015, which ended after legal arguments over the investigation's flaws. FitzPatrick was charged in December 2012 after being arrested at Bridewell Garda Station and faced 12 charges of making false or misleading statements to Anglo's auditors from 2002 to 2007.
During a trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, defence barrister Raymond Comyn challenged Garda Lorna Loughney's testimony about Councillor Michael Murphy's conduct at a 2014 water‑charges protest. Comyn argued that Murphy was not asking the crowd whether Joan Burton should be given sanctuary in a church, but was instead shouting to the guards with suggestions on how to handle the situation. He cited video footage showing Murphy speaking to the guards, not to the crowd, and pointed out that Loughney's statements did not mention a sanctuary question. Loughney admitted she had not included such a question in her first statement but recalled hearing Murphy say it. Comyn also disputed Loughney's claim that Murphy used a loud‑speaker outside the church, noting the footage did not show him with one. The case remains before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury.
Faizan Ahmed, aged 26, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 10‑year‑old girl in Limerick on 5 October 2014. The court heard that Ahmed had sent the child messages via Viber asking about sex and a "sexy movie", then asked her to sit beside him so he could show her a film on his phone. He claimed he had tried to kiss her and, according to the victim, placed his hands on her private parts and rubbed her. The girl reported the abuse to her mother the next day. In court, Ahmed admitted he might have touched her vagina "accidentally when I was tickling her tummy". He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Karen O'Connor described the messages as inappropriate and disturbing, noted the profound impact on the victim, and highlighted the breach of trust.
Stefan Boyle, 28, was arrested after a burglary at Ali Yassine's house in Milltown Bridge, Dundrum, on 2 November 2016. Boyle entered the house through an open window, stole two phones, and later confronted Yassine in a mosque where he had been hiding. Boyle lunged at Yassine with a knife, nicking him before Yassine escaped. Yassine, a caretaker, defended himself, then made Boyle scrambled eggs and sat with him. Boyle confessed to the burglary, pleaded guilty, and admitted he had stolen the phones during a 30‑minute conversation with Yassine. He claimed he wanted money for drugs and had forgotten the phones. Boyle has 110 prior convictions, 63 for burglary. The case was adjourned to 26 June for sentencing, with a probation report to be prepared.
Terence Murphy, aged 35, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for his role in a shooting at a house in Ballyfermot, Dublin. The final eighteen months of the sentence were suspended. Murphy was present when his co‑accused, Daniel Ennis, fired two shots at the house, and he was clearly visible on CCTV footage captured by Gardai. Murphy was arrested shortly after the incident. He pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances on 8 May 2015 and has 26 prior convictions. Ennis received a four‑year sentence for his part in the shooting. Murphy's guilty plea, his time in custody, and the fact that he was not the gun‑bearer were cited as mitigating factors by Judge Melanie Greally, who ordered him to meet with a probation supervisor for the 18 months following his release.
At a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 19 May 2017, Superintendent Daniel Flavin denied allegations that he was part of a conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in relation to the 2014 anti‑water‑charges protest in Tallaght. The case concerns the alleged false imprisonment of TD Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell by six men, including TD Paul Murphy, who were charged with restricting the women's liberty on Fortunestown Road. Flavin rejected claims that he had given a false or incomplete statement, and insisted he had only reported what he observed, including the crowd's violence and the actions of Paul Murphy. He stated that his priority was to secure the safety of the two women and all present. The trial, presided over by Judge Melanie Greally, continues with a jury of twelve.
Mark McCarthy, aged 32, was sentenced to nine years in prison for his role in the 2011 tiger kidnapping of An Post employee Warren Nawn, his wife Jean Marie, and their ten‑week‑old baby. McCarthy admitted that he was acting under duress and that he had no financial gain from the crime, claiming he was motivated by a drug debt. The court heard that the family was held hostage in their home and then taken to a rural location where they were kept overnight, threatened repeatedly, and subjected to intimidation, including threats of rape and murder. The kidnappers forced Mr Nawn to deliver €661,125 from the Drogheda Post Office, which he complied with and later handed over to the gang. McCarthy's sentence was back‑dated to November 2013, when he was first taken into custody. Mark McCarthy pleaded guilty.
Craig Mooney, 19, pleaded guilty to arson at Hillview Estate, Ballinteer, on 13 November 2016. He set fire to a Fiat Punto left at the rear of a mechanic's house while he was intoxicated with alcohol and cocaine. The car was in a garden where a child lived; Mooney claimed he did not know a child was present and would not have acted otherwise. CCTV showed him climbing a wall and igniting the back seat. He had 11 prior convictions for drug possession, traffic and public order offences. Judge Karen O'Connor sentenced him to three‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment, suspending the final year on strict conditions, citing his early guilty plea, remorse and young age. The sentence reflects the serious risk to property and human life created by the arson.