A Kildare man was acquitted of an attempted burglary at the home of celebrity impressionist Mario Rosenstock. The case involved a separate conviction of Thomas McCann, 42, who was found guilty by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury of burglary at Marentimo House apartments in Blackrock, Dublin, on 30 September 2011. McCann, of Morristown Estate, Newbridge, had pleaded not guilty to both charges. Mrs. Rosenstock testified that she encountered McCann after returning home, describing him as tall, slender, wearing white socks, a baseball hat, sunglasses, and a tracksuit bottom tucked into his socks. He claimed to be a painter and decorator working at a neighbour's house and said he had come to check on her. Mrs. Rosenstock called the gardai immediately after he left on a mountain bike.
John McDonagh, 20, of Clondalkin, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to endangerment and dangerous driving charges arising from incidents on 9 August 2016. The defendant admitted to leading gardaí on a high-speed chase in a Nissan Almera, which he had purchased for €100. Prosecution evidence detailed that McDonagh accelerated past a checkpoint, forcing a garda to jump into the road to avoid being hit. He subsequently drove over 120kph in a 60kph zone, drove on the wrong side of the road, and forced his way through traffic at the Kylemore junction. Garda Vincent Daly testified that McDonagh intentionally drove head-on toward the garda vehicle, causing it to swerve to avoid a collision. Although McDonagh surrendered to officers at Ballyfermot Garda Station, he failed to produce driving documents. In mitigation, his counsel highlighted his lack of previous convictions and his role as a carer for a sister with special needs. Judge Martin Nolan described the incidents as "very, very serious," noting that the garda could have been killed. The judge imposed a five-year prison sentence, with the final three and a half years suspended. McDonagh's mother was present in court during the sentencing.
Declan Tynan, a convicted person, appeared in the Court of Appeal regarding his conviction for violent disorder at Ladbrokes bookmakers in Killinarden, Tallaght, on December 13, 2012. Tynan had previously pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where he was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to four years imprisonment, with the final year suspended, by Judge Patricia Ryan on January 13, 2017. The appeal challenged the admissibility of evidence, specifically arguing that a Garda officer's identification of Tynan from CCTV footage was unreliable. Counsel for Tynan, Michael O'Higgins SC, submitted that the officer was not a direct witness to the crime and that the lack of recorded procedures for the video identification rendered the testimony unfair. He argued that no log or history of how the footage was viewed was kept, preventing objective testing of the recognition. The Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel, Maurice Coffey BL, countered that recognition evidence is distinct from identification evidence and that the defense was imposing an aspirational standard. The three-judge court, comprising Mr Justice George Birmingham, Mr Justice Alan Mahon, and Mr Justice John Hedigan, reserved judgment. Consequently, the matter was adjourned, and Tynan must wait to hear the outcome of the appeal against his conviction.
Munir Ghariani, 26, pleaded guilty to robbery of a Chinese woman on Granville Road, Cabinteely, on 21 March 2016. He followed the victim, demanded her phone, pushed her to the ground, bit her finger and tried to flee. A passer‑by tackled him until Gardaí arrived. Ghariani has 34 prior convictions, including sexual assault, indecency, burglary and theft, and was a registered sex offender. He was on bail for a similar offence at the time of the robbery. His defence counsel reported that he became an involuntary patient at St John of God's hospital on 3 April 2024 and has remained a voluntary patient since 20 April, taking anti‑psychotic medication. Probation officer Michelle Richardson described him as high‑risk, non‑compliant with medication, and now homeless, with local authorities providing accommodation. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a four‑year sentence, back‑dating it to 19 May 2016, and suspended the balance.
The trial of seven men, including Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, South Dublin Councillors Kieran Mahon and Michael Murphy, and four others, continues before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. All defendants deny charges of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her aide Karen O'Connell by restricting their liberty during a protest in Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014. Garda Marion Power testified that she felt she was going to be "crushed" by the crowd while shielding Ms. Burton, reporting that protesters banged on vehicles, pushed against them, and shouted abuse. Superintendent Daniel Flavin stated he transferred the women to a jeep for safety due to the hostile environment. He noted that Mr. Murphy addressed the crowd via loudhailer, asking if they would keep the women there all night, and later suggested removing the Public Order Unit would allow the jeep to move. Sergeant Brian Boland of the Public Order Unit explained that removing protesters was difficult due to their numbers and that their deployment is a last resort. The trial is ongoing before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury.
Deividas Sevcenko, a 34‑year‑old university student, was arrested on 1 March 2023 in north Dublin after Gardaí found two metal implements used for ATM card retrieval in his possession. He pleaded guilty to one count of possessing equipment with intent to use it in a theft at Howth Road, Raheny. Sevcenko, who was highly intoxicated at the time of arrest, had previously been convicted of five road traffic offences and a failure to appear in court. The court, noting his lack of significant prior convictions, his education, and his family circumstances, imposed a sentence of 240 hours of community service to be completed within a year, in lieu of a 12‑month prison term. Sevcenko, a married father of two, had been living in Ireland for 12 years and was enrolled in a full‑time degree program. The judge highlighted his willingness to comply with the court's conditions to remain with his wife and children.
Craig Bergin, 31, was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for stealing over €6,000 worth of perfume, cosmetics, and health supplements from Boots and Holland & Barrett on Grafton Street in October 2015. CCTV footage showed him wearing blue casts on both broken arms and not attempting to disguise himself. Staff at Boots reported six incidents between 7 October and 17 November 2015, while Holland & Barrett reported €883 of health supplements stolen. Bergin admitted the thefts, citing gambling and alcohol debts and concerns for his safety. He had 52 prior convictions and had recently been released from a sentence, spending time in St Vincent's Hospital. He is linked to The Simon Community, attends a daily mental health clinic, and is on prescribed medication. The judge adjourned the case for one year and placed him under probation supervision. Craig Bergin pleaded guilty.
Joseph Moore, a 30‑year‑old supermarket security guard, faces jail after a planned search of his father's house uncovered nearly €10,000 worth of drugs. Gardaí found €7,735 of cocaine and €2,142 of cannabis herb, along with a digital weighing scale and street‑deal baggies. Moore told officers the drugs were for his own use, but he later pleaded guilty to possession for sale or supply. His defence lawyer, Dean Kelly BL, noted that Moore described himself as a "moron" and that his father, a retired civil servant now taxi driver, was disgusted yet supportive. Moore also had a €70,000 debt in unpaid motorway tolls, settled by his father for €6,700. The case is set for sentencing on 18 July.
Anthony Ward, 26, was found guilty of dangerous driving after a high‑speed chase that ended with his stolen car crashing into traffic lights and sending them into a parked vehicle. Ward drove at up to 160 km/h in a 60 km/h zone, broke red lights, and drove over speed bumps at about 120 km/h before losing control. The car spun twice, struck two sets of traffic lights, and one set was lifted from its base, flew over a fence, and lodged in the dashboard of a nearby car. Ward also admitted driving a stolen car, driving while drunk, and driving without insurance on the same occasion. Judge Karen O'Connor sentenced him to three years' imprisonment with one year suspended, imposed a six‑year driving disqualification, and required him to engage with Probation Services. Ward's prior record includes 49 convictions, including seven for dangerous driving, two for drunk driving, and one for car theft.
In a Tallaght incident on 15 December 2016, 40‑year‑old Jason Fay, a former chef on medication for a psychotic episode, was arrested for possession of a knife in a public place. Fay had been drinking a substantial amount of alcohol that evening, contrary to medical advice, and was acting erratically near Main Street. Gardai responded to a call, and an armed detective displayed his firearm before Fay dropped the knife. No injuries occurred. Fay pleaded guilty and, after the court considered his work history and family background, Judge Karen O'Connor imposed a one‑year sentence suspended on strict conditions, including abstaining from alcohol while on medication. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with the defence noting Fay's remorse and the low‑level nature of the offence. The garda provided medical attention at the station following his arrest.
At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the trial continues for Paul Murphy TD, South Dublin Councillors Michael Murphy and Kieran Mahon, along with four other men, who have pleaded not guilty to the alleged false imprisonment of former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her advisor Karen O'Connell at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght on November 15, 2014. The charges allege that the defendants falsely imprisoned the two women by restricting their personal liberty without their consent. During the trial, Sergeant Brian Boland testified that the Public Order Unit faced significant resistance from protesters, describing the situation as the most hostile and intimidating he had encountered since 2002. He stated that a suggestion by Paul Murphy to the gardaí led to the breaking of an impasse during the protest, allowing the garda Jeep to be freed. However, the situation did not fully resolve as protesters continued to block the road. The trial is ongoing before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 32‑year‑old Lithuanian Andrius Gnizinskas pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis at a grow house on St Patrick's Road, Drumcondra. The court found he had been "somewhat coerced" into coming to Ireland after being trafficked to the UK, and that he had no role in setting up the operation or profiting from it. The grow house contained 180 mature plants valued at €144,000 and sophisticated equipment. Gnizinskas was the only person present when Gardaí searched the property. Judge Karen O'Connor accepted his plea as saving state resources, noted his vulnerability, and imposed a three‑year sentence with the final two years suspended. The court highlighted that he had been a very low‑level participant, a gardener, and had cooperated with the investigation. The case was prosecuted by Lorcan Staines BL.
The trial of seven men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her advisor Karen O'Connell continues at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, South Dublin Councillors Michael Murphy and Kieran Mahon, and Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson have all pleaded not guilty to the charges. The alleged incident occurred on November 15, 2014, at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, where the women were reportedly held in vehicles for approximately three hours during a water charges protest. On day 14, Garda Brian O'Connor testified that he was dragged and punched by protesters while protecting the women. He stated that armed gardaí were present at the scene, leading to an order for plain-clothed officers to leave. The jury heard that the women were escorted through a human cordon to a Garda Jeep amidst aggressive crowds. The trial is ongoing before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded at this procedural stage.
Daniel Weldon, a 31‑year‑old heroin addict, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two attempted robberies in Swords on 1 July 2016 and to a successful robbery of €230 in a second pharmacy on the same day. He also admitted to a 2015 robbery of a Spar shop where he threatened staff with a blood‑filled syringe and stole €80. In each incident he was intoxicated and left a "trail of money" as he fled. Weldon has 52 prior convictions, including robbery, theft, public order and drug offences. He has been drug‑free for a year and has written apology letters to the victims. Judge Karen O'Connor adjourned his sentencing to 5 July and ordered a probation report for that date.
Noel Dempsey, 61, was sentenced to 14 months in prison after pleading guilty to stealing four boxes of women's clothing, valued at €1,988, from the back of a delivery truck on Wicklow Street, Dublin, on 13 August 2013. Garda Joseph Heaphy reported that the lorry's tail lift had been tampered with and that CCTV footage identified Dempsey as one of two men who removed the boxes and drove away in a van linked to him. The van was found at Dempsey's home, where the stolen items were recovered. Dempsey's 99 prior convictions included 27 theft offences and 67 road traffic offences. Judge Karen O'Connor cited his health conditions, guilty plea, and bereavement as mitigating factors, noting that without them she might have imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence. He has been in custody since January 2017 and was scheduled for release in February.
Raymond Molloy, a 55‑year‑old former equestrian centre manager, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for possessing over €6 million worth of cannabis resin. Molloy had spent 11 years on the run, living and working on the Isle of White, before being extradited to Ireland. Gardaí stopped a van he drove in Coolock during a surveillance operation, seizing 498 kg of cannabis resin. He pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on 16 August 2002. The court noted that Molloy had no prior convictions and was not a member of a criminal enterprise. He had been pressured by associates to transport the drugs, and he claimed he was threatened with harm to his horse if he did not comply. The judge acknowledged his early guilty plea and cooperation but imposed the custodial sentence for the serious nature of the offence.
The trial of Paul Murphy and six co-accused, including Dublin Councillors Michael Murphy and Kieran Mahon, continued at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The defendants have pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning Ms Burton and her advisor Karen O'Connell by restricting their personal liberty without consent at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014. On the 12th day of the trial, Garda Inspector Derek Maguire denied making an agreement with Solidarity TD Paul Murphy to end the protest. While acknowledging that the Public Order Unit was withdrawn and a slow march resumed, Maguire stated this was a Garda tactical decision, not a negotiated agreement. He also denied recollection of specific conversations with Murphy, despite previous sworn statements suggesting otherwise. Video footage played in court showed protesters expressing animosity toward Murphy, with one shouting at him to "mind his own business." Defence counsel Sean Guerin SC argued that Murphy's actions, including calling for a vote on whether to keep Ms Burton, indicated an attempt to manage the crowd. Maguire testified that Ms Burton was removed from the church due to being assaulted with water balloons. The matter remains at the trial stage with no finalisation or sentence recorded.
The trial of Paul Murphy TD and six other men, including Dublin Councillors Michael Murphy and Kieran Mahon, is ongoing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the alleged false imprisonment of former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her advisor Karen O'Connell on November 15, 2014, at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght. On day 11, the jury reviewed RTÉ footage showing Murphy telling a reporter that the detention was part of a "peaceful protest." Murphy stated the event was largely spontaneous and that protesters had the right to be angry. He claimed the protest ended peacefully when gardaí moved Burton to a patrol car, alleging some gardaí were aggressive. Footage also captured Murphy using a loud-hailer to ask if protesters would let Burton go. Garda Inspector Derek Maguire testified that the footage accurately reflected his memory, noting Murphy held a democratic vote on whether to detain Burton for the night. The matter was adjourned and is set to continue before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury.
A 70-year-old man has been sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment, with the balance suspended from June, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for criminal damage. The defendant pleaded guilty to throwing a beer keg through the window of a jewellery store on Grafton Street in July 2015, causing over €8,300 in damage. Judge Melanie Greally noted the case was not routine, given the defendant's extensive custodial history. He had previously been convicted of the capital murder of Garda Henry Byrne near Loughglynn, County Roscommon in 1980 and served over 30 years in prison before his release in 2013 following a Supreme Court judgement on remission. The court heard he has twelve prior convictions and was intoxicated at the time of the offence. His barrister submitted that he had experienced mental health difficulties and expressed remorse, offering to compensate the jeweller from his pension.
Alesandrs Rodjukovs, 36, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to producing a realistic imitation firearm at Lower Main Street Rush on 7 March 2015. He pointed the gun at a motorist after driving aggressively behind him, causing the victim to fear he would be shot. Rodjukovs claimed fatigue from long work hours and a sleepless baby as the cause of his actions. The judge, Karen O'Connor, noted his illness from Chernobyl radiation exposure, a childhood car‑accident injury that killed his mother, and the death of three close relatives in recent months. She described the offence as a "once off incident" and, after hearing he would not re‑offend, imposed an 18‑month sentence suspended in full on strict conditions. Garda Gerard Maloney reported that a blank semi‑automatic pistol, recovered from Rodjukovs' car, was not capable of firing bullets. The pistol had been brought from Latvia. Rodjukovs cooperated with Gardaí and made full admissions.
In December 2015, Damien Klasinski, a 29‑year‑old Polish driver, struck and killed Kildare councillor Willie Crowley, 56, while walking home from a pub. Klasinski fled the scene, later confessing to Gardaí and pleading guilty to dangerous driving causing death. He was arrested after passengers reported him. The court found him had no licence or insurance, had previously been convicted for driving offences, and had driven at speeds up to 80 km/h on a wet, poorly lit street. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to five and a half years, suspended the last 18 months, and imposed a ten‑year driving disqualification. The sentence reflected the seriousness of his failure to remain at the scene and the lack of insurance, while acknowledging his guilty plea and remorse. The ruling was delivered at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The trial of former Anglo Irish Bank chief executive David Drumm, aged 50 and residing in Skerries, Co Dublin, was adjourned again to January 12, 2018, by Judge Karen O'Connor at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Drumm faces two charges of conspiring to defraud depositors and investors by falsely presenting 2008 deposits as €7.2 billion larger than they were, and a third charge relating to the EU transparency directive. He has not yet entered a plea to any of the charges.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, former company director Conrad Mason, aged 46, admitted to stealing €908,652 from his employer, C&G Logistics Group, between January 2010 and January 2015. The theft involved 234 wrongful transactions, including 25 counts of theft and fraud. Mason, who had worked as an accountant since 1997 and became director in 2004, used payroll software and bulk payments to divert funds to his own Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank accounts, as well as a joint account with his wife. He also transferred over €250,000 to two personal accounts between August 2014 and July 2015. The fraud was uncovered after a suspicious €3,000 payment in July 2015, leading to his arrest in April 2016. Mason pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on 23 May. The court noted his alcoholism and gambling addiction as motivating factors, and that he had no prior convictions.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 11 May 2017, Jeffrey Crowley, aged 21, pleaded guilty to assaulting prison officer Lorraine McCarthy at Wheatfield prison on 23 February 2014. Crowley threw a battery at the narrow observation window of his cell, smashing the glass and sending shards into McCarthy's eye. The court accepted that he did not intend to harm her, describing the act as reckless. McCarthy suffered no permanent eye injury but reported post‑traumatic stress. Crowley's prior convictions include theft, robbery, criminal damage and drug dealing. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced him to two and a half years, back‑dating the term to 26 August 2017, the date of his scheduled release after a ten‑month sentence. Twenty‑two months of the term were suspended on the condition that he fully cooperate with prison staff and attend a residential drug programme upon release.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Irish international footballer Anthony Stokes was found to have not paid the €30,000 "practical expression of remorse" he had pledged to Anthony Bradley, the victim of a head‑butt at Buck Whaleys nightclub in 2013. Stokes, who had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, received a two‑year suspended sentence in February 2017. The judge, Patricia Ryan, clarified that the payment was not a condition of the sentence and that compensation matters fall under civil courts. The prosecution, represented by Diarmuid Collins, requested the court to revisit the sentence because the payment had not been made. Judge Ryan made no order, noting that the suspended sentence remained in place and that the case could be re‑entered if payment issues arose. The hearing reiterated that Stokes had expressed remorse and that the victim, Anthony Bradley, had suffered significant physical and psychological harm, including extensive dental work and chronic neck pain.
Josh Redmond, aged 20, was charged with endangerment, dangerous driving and driving without insurance after a high‑speed chase in Dun Laoghaire on 7 June 2016. He had no licence or insurance and had just bought the car, but his mother had told him to return it. While driving to return the vehicle, he encountered Gardaí and "panicked", accelerating beyond the 50 km/h limit to over 100 km/h, overtaking other cars, breaking traffic lights and swerving, forcing a patrol car to take evasive action. He was arrested after a foot chase and admitted the lack of licence and insurance. In court, Judge Karen O'Connor noted the early‑afternoon timing and the risk to the public and Gardaí, but also his supportive family and a positive probation report. She imposed an 18‑month sentence, suspended in full, and disqualified him from driving for two years. Josh Redmond pleaded guilty.
The trial of eight men accused of falsely imprisoning TD Joan Burton and her advisor Karen O'Connell on November 15, 2014, continued at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The defendants, including Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, Dublin Councillors Michael Murphy and Kieran Mahon, and 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. Katherine Zappone TD, who was an independent Senator at the time, testified that she felt Ms Burton was in "great danger" during the water charges protest. She described protesters closing in on the Tanaiste and reported the incident to gardaí after seeing the car surrounded and moved. During cross-examination, Ms Zappone acknowledged her opposition to water charges but maintained that the detention was menacing and intimidating. The court heard she did not agree with the violent nature of the protest, despite previous public statements. The trial is ongoing before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded at this stage.
In 2017, a 41‑year‑old Dublin man received a suspended sentence of two years and three months for sexually assaulting his six‑year‑old niece while babysitting her between February and September 1992. He pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault. The court noted that the victim's family had not filed a formal complaint with the Gardaí, instead seeking sex‑offender treatment for the man when he was 16 and counselling for the victim. The niece, who delayed reporting until after her grandmother's death, gave a victim impact statement describing long‑term emotional damage, self‑esteem issues, anorexia and self‑harm. Judge Karen O'Connor commended the niece for coming forward, acknowledged the man's remorse and treatment, and deemed a non‑custodial sentence appropriate given his age at the time of the offence. The case was prosecuted by Garrett McCormack BL, with defence counsel Gerard Charlton BL arguing the offence stemmed from curiosity and the defendant's immaturity.
In a 2017 Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Martin Nolan criticised a prolonged delay in investigating a child‑abuse case involving Dominic Morley, a 69‑year‑old former resident of North William Street. Morley's laptop, seized in October 2009, contained 38 sexually explicit images of children, some depicting minors in sexual acts with adults. Gardaí had the laptop for five years before a full analysis was conducted, revealing prepubescent girls and boys with exposed genitals and sexual activity with adults. Morley pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography for an unknown period between 1 July 2007 and 13 October 2009. He was placed on the Sex Offenders Register and received a two‑year suspended sentence. Morley, with no prior convictions, admitted regret and claimed he acted while "suffering excruciating loneliness.".
Carol Clarke, a 57‑year‑old mother of five, admitted to stealing €104,431 in social welfare fraud over a 17‑year period by posing as her sister Bernadette Darcy. The theft occurred at the Phibsborough post office between February 1994 and July 2011. Gardaí discovered the fraud in 2012 when they found welfare claims made in Darcy's name; Darcy claimed she was unaware of the claims. Clarke was arrested shortly after the discovery. She initially denied the allegations but later admitted guilt following handwriting and fingerprint tests, and after staff at the post office identified her. Clarke has a prior conviction for handling stolen property in 1999. She pleaded guilty to two counts of stealing from the Department of Social Welfare. The court heard that she used the stolen money to support her family and to pay off one son's drug debts.
In 2015, 18‑year‑old Melvin Rattigan, who had no full licence or insurance, drove a green Peugeot onto Lower Dominick Street and collided with cyclist Ms Laura Briggs, who was cycling home from work. Rattigan, who later admitted panic and fled the scene, was found to have turned right from Dorset Street onto Dominick Street without observing Briggs, who had the right of way. Briggs suffered serious injuries, including a hairline skull fracture, and reported ongoing physical and mental effects. Rattigan pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm. The court noted his lack of prior convictions and his status as an inexperienced driver, and adjourned sentencing, remanding him on bail until 22 June. No sentence was imposed in the article.
John Barnes, a 48‑year‑old father of two, was sentenced to four years in prison for possessing cannabis and cocaine worth €522,400. He had agreed to hold the drugs for €500 after falling into financial hardship, including a €42,000 judgment from Revenue and health problems such as a stroke and heart attack. Gardaí, acting on confidential information, searched Barnes' home and two vehicles, recovering the drugs. Barnes pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and admitted responsibility, claiming he had not been paid. Judge Karen O'Connor noted his vulnerability and lack of relevant convictions, but also his extensive work history and community contributions. She imposed a seven‑year sentence, suspending the final three years on the condition of good behaviour and one year of probation supervision upon release.
Reginald O'Donnell, 64, was sentenced to a suspended two‑year jail term after pleading guilty to three counts of theft from the Department of Social Protection. The offences, dated 2002, 2007 and 2011, involved him claiming pension payments on behalf of his deceased father, Thomas O'Donnell, who had died in 1988. Social welfare inspectors discovered the fraud when they attempted to present a Presidential Bounty cheque to Thomas in 2009. O'Donnell admitted the theft, repaid the €597, and the judge noted his age, cooperation and prior admissions.
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Karen O'Connell, a former special advisor to Labour TD Joan Burton, gave evidence in the trial of Solidarity TD Paul Murphy and six other defendants. The seven men, including South Dublin councillors Michael Murphy and Kieran Mahon, have pleaded not guilty to charges of falsely imprisoning Ms Burton and Ms O'Connell by restricting their liberty without consent at Jobstown, Tallaght on 15 November 2014. During cross-examination, Ms O'Connell was questioned about language she used during the water charges protest, which was captured on video. She stated she was not proud of the remarks made and acknowledged using strong language while in a stressful situation after being confined in a car for three and a half hours. The court was shown video clips from both women's mobile phones. Ms O'Connell denied the language reflected contempt for protesters, explaining it referred to the conclusion of the demonstration. She maintained she believed in peaceful protest and had previously participated in the Shell to Sea campaign in County Mayo.
Mark Taylor, aged 27, of Rossfield Green, Tallaght, had his prison sentence increased on appeal after driving a stolen Lexus into a Garda car on 19 June 2013, injuring an officer who required surgery and was out of work for a year. Taylor also drove a Subaru Legacy at high speed on 29 June 2013, colliding with another vehicle and driving off. He pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful use of a vehicle, damage to property and two counts of endangerment. Initially sentenced to three years in Naas Circuit Criminal Court, he was to serve a four‑year term in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The Director of Public Prosecutions sought a review, and the Court of Appeal imposed a net sentence of eight years imprisonment, with the final three years suspended. The suspended portion is back‑dated to June 2015.
On 4 February 2015, Robert Faherty, 63, was driving without headlights when Grainne Duncan's bicycle struck his car, leaving her in a coma for two months. Faherty, who had no prior convictions and a clean driving record, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious harm. Judge Pauline Codd, noting the absence of speed, alcohol, or road fault, described the incident as a momentary lapse rather than reckless behaviour. She imposed a nine‑month suspended sentence, citing Faherty's remorse, psychiatric report, and daily reliance on his vehicle. No driving ban was imposed. Duncan, 45, remains in a vegetative state, requiring full assistance, and her husband has pursued civil action for medical costs estimated at €540,000. The court acknowledged the profound impact on Duncan's life and her family's suffering.
The case of former Anglo Irish Bank chief executive David Drumm, aged 50 and residing in Skerries, Co Dublin, has been adjourned for a further week. Drumm faces two charges of conspiring to defraud depositors and investors by dishonestly creating the impression that 2008 deposits were €7.2 billion larger than they were, and a third charge relating to the EU transparency directive. He has not yet entered a plea. Judge Karen O'Connor adjourned the case to 11 May 2017 to allow legal matters to be addressed; a new trial date has not yet been set.
Gary Gregg, a 28‑year‑old heroin addict, was sentenced to five years in prison after robbing Core Credit Union in Ballybrack, Dublin. On 16 January 2016, he threatened a supervisor by holding a lighter and pouring a liquid he claimed was fuel over her head, then forced two other staff members to hand over cash and stole €12,241 in 41 seconds. Gregg pleaded guilty to robbery and making a threat to kill. He had 87 prior convictions, including 13 for robbery. The judge suspended the last two years of a seven‑year sentence on the condition that he engage in victim‑focused work and addiction treatment. Gregg's defence lawyer noted his troubled upbringing and drug use, but the court focused on the robbery and threat during the hearing.
Conor McKee, 26, withdrew almost €8,000 from his own Bank of Ireland account after discovering a large sum had been deposited without his knowledge. He claimed he had not used the account for six months and was unaware of the source of the funds, which were later found to have been deposited via a forged cheque. McKee admitted to spending the money on food, drink and trips with his partner. He pleaded guilty to stealing €7,939.35 in three separate withdrawals on 24 April 2014. Judge Melanie Greally, noting the theft was not pre‑meditated but dishonest, sentenced him to 240 hours of community service instead of 12 months' imprisonment, to be completed within a year. The court highlighted that McKee had cooperated fully and had not re‑offended since the incident. The case was described as an unusual theft where the money fell into his account by error, yet he exploited the mistake.
In December 2015, 29‑year‑old Damien Klasinski, a Polish native, was driving on Eyre Street, Newbridge, when he struck and killed 56‑year‑old Kildare councillor Willie Crowley. Klasinski was speeding, did not brake or sound his horn, and fled the scene. He was later arrested after hiding in a friend's house. Crowley died from head injuries at Naas Hospital a few days later. Klasinski pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and faces a custodial sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The court heard that Klasinski had 13 prior traffic convictions, had been disqualified from driving in 2016, and had a history of drunk driving. Witnesses described the impact as sending Crowley airborne, and the road was wet with poor lighting. The judge noted Klasinski's speed was far above the 50 km/h limit, possibly up to 80 km/h, and adjourned sentencing to 12 May.
In a 2015 incident in Darndale, Dublin, 20‑year‑old Glen Lieghio, part of a group of 20‑30 youths, threw stones, bottles and other objects at Gardaí who were attempting to investigate a dangerously driven stolen car. Lieghio addressed one officer by name, threatening, "Next time you are in Darndale, you are dead." A rock thrown at another Garda struck his mobile phone. Lieghio was arrested a few days later and pleaded guilty to violent disorder and criminal damage. He had no prior convictions. Judge Karen O'Connor, noting the extreme violence and the lack of injuries, found the behaviour unacceptable but also acknowledged Lieghio's remorse and acceptance of responsibility. She imposed an 18‑month sentence, suspended in full, conditioned on a good‑behaviour bond and one year of probation supervision. No jail time was imposed. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The Gardaí involved were Sergeant Brendan Bergin and Garda James Mulhern.
A retrial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has collapsed following a juror's internet research into a witness in the case. The jury had retired to consider their verdict when a juror informed Judge Martin Nolan that the jury foreman had disclosed she had googled background information about one of the witnesses. The juror stated she felt compromised and unable to deliberate fairly. Judge Nolan discharged the entire jury after confirming the foreman's conduct. Sandra Higgins, aged 36, of Cavan town, Co Cavan, had pleaded not guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to a ten-month-old child at her home on 28 March 2012. The prosecution alleged the infant was assaulted and subsequently presented to hospital with serious injuries. This was the second trial; the first jury failed to reach a verdict. Judge Nolan indicated the Director of Public Prosecutions will consider whether to proceed with a third trial, emphasising the importance of fair trial proceedings. Higgins was remanded on continuing bail, with the matter adjourned to 11 May.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial of Solidarity TD Paul Murphy and six other water protesters, former Tanaiste Joan Burton appeared as a witness. She denied that she omitted the term "water protesters" from her statement to gardaí to avoid giving them legitimacy, insisting she was simply describing what happened. Burton said she was not making political statements and that she was asked to recount the events. She described being trapped in a car for about three hours after a graduation ceremony, feeling the protest was "very unusual" and "scary and menacing." She noted that most protesters behaved peacefully, but some engaged in shouting, banging the car and pushing. Burton also said she believes people have a right to protest peacefully, though she disagrees with the behaviour of many protesters in that particular campaign. The trial will continue with her next appearance on Thursday.
Gerard Walsh, 38, pleaded guilty to burglary at a valet service he had previously worked for in Liffey Valley, Dublin, on 20 March 2015. He admitted stealing six sets of car keys and three vehicles—a Volkswagen Touran, a Volkswagen Passat and an Audi A6 Avant—to pay a drug debt. Two of the cars were recovered; the third was found a year later, resulting in an estimated loss of €3,500 to the owner. The court also noted that Walsh had previously been convicted of public order and theft offences, dealt with 15 years earlier. Judge Melanie Greally, acknowledging Walsh's difficult personal circumstances and his efforts to rehabilitate, imposed a suspended three‑year sentence and required him to pay €3,500 in compensation to his former employer. The sentence was suspended, with no immediate custodial term imposed. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
A retired consultant paediatrician has told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that the pattern of injuries sustained by a ten-month-old child indicated non-accidental harm. Dr Christopher Woods, who reviewed the child's medical files, stated that the combination of head injuries, eye trauma, rib fractures, bruising and other injuries occurring simultaneously was consistent with non-accidental injury. Sandra Higgins, aged 36, of The Beeches, Drumgola Wood, Cavan Town, has pleaded not guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to the child on 28 March 2012 whilst minding her at her home. A defence neurologist suggested that whilst accidental injury could theoretically cause such symptoms, this would be extremely rare. The trial heard closing speeches are scheduled to begin before Judge Martin Nolan on Tuesday. A court order prohibits publication of the child's identity.
Former Tanaiste Joan Burton denied being relaxed in the car where she was allegedly falsely imprisoned during a water‑charges protest on 15 November 2014. She told the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that she suffered nightmares after the event and that she tried to keep her composure to avoid aggravating the protesters. Video clips shown to the jury showed her reading a newspaper article about Michael Collins and speaking to adviser Karen O'Connell about posting a message on social media about children "roaming" the area. Burton said she did not hear political slogans, only "peaceful protest" and "shame on you", and that she had been in a "fear‑filled atmosphere". She also described the protest slogans shouted outside the car, including "Enda Kenny in your ivory tower" and "Stick your water meters up your arse". The trial, presided over by Judge Melanie Greally, continues with a jury of seven men and five women.
Michael Flanagan, 31, was sentenced to a two‑year suspended term for possessing child pornography, including a video of an unconscious five‑year‑old girl. He had previously been convicted in 2012 and 2013 for similar offences. The judge noted the video's particular concern and that Flanagan had not shared the images. He was found to have lived in self‑imposed isolation and had a history of drug use. The sentence requires him to engage with the Probation Service for 12 months, complete sex‑offender, victim‑awareness and drug‑and‑alcohol programmes, keep the peace for two years, and allow Gardaí access to his computer. The court also ordered that he keep the peace for two years and make his computer available to Gardaí at any time. The judge accepted that there was no evidence that Flanagan had shared the images. The judge also took into account a "detailed and helpful" probation report which she said was positive. Michael Flanagan pleaded guilty.
In a case heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Stuart Perry, aged 42, was sentenced to a one‑year suspended term for burglary at Richmond Cheshire Home in Monkstown on 19 September 2014. Perry, who has 67 prior convictions, was found asleep in the care home's corridor beside a "do not disturb" sign and fled with a female accomplice after staff discovered them. They were apprehended outside with a bottle of detergent and the office keys. Garda David Maloney reported that the pair had been unfit for questioning initially but later made full admissions, admitting to having taken crystal meth and apologising for their actions. Judge Patricia Ryan, after hearing positive probation reports and evidence of Perry's rehabilitation efforts, imposed the suspended sentence and one year of probation supervision. The only items taken from the home were the office keys and the detergent bottle. Stuart Perry pleaded guilty.
On day 115 of Ireland's longest criminal trial, the prosecution declared its case complete in the trial of former Anglo Irish Chairman Sean FitzPatrick, aged 68. FitzPatrick admitted to taking multi‑million euro loans from the bank and his family, which were "artificially reduced" for two weeks around the bank's year‑end statement by short‑term loans from other sources, including Irish Nationwide Building Society. He denied seeking to conceal the loans from the board, shareholders or auditors, claiming the refinancing was done by others and he merely signed off. FitzPatrick said there was no financial benefit to him, his family or the bank and that the refinancing was intended to avoid a misleading picture. He pleaded not guilty to 27 offences under the 1990 Companies Act, including 22 charges of misleading auditors and five of furnishing false information between 2002 and 2007. The jury was instructed to return on 11 May.
John Devereux, a 52‑year‑old former HSE paramedic and volunteer ambulance driver, was convicted of three counts of sexual assault against a nine‑year‑old girl. He had denied ten alleged assaults in 2012 and 2013; a jury acquitted him of seven counts but found him guilty of three. The court noted his previous roles as an ambulance driver with the Order of Malta and a scout leader, and that he is now a registered sex offender who will lose his job and cannot continue in voluntary organisations. Devereux maintains his innocence and intends to appeal. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced him to a three‑and‑a‑half‑year term, suspending the last year on the condition of community‑based and in‑house treatment for sex offenders upon release. The sentence reflects the court's view that the offences involved sexual touching and rubbing of the child, and that Devereux had not expressed remorse.