The trial of four senior bankers accused of conspiring to mislead investors is ongoing before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Willie McAteer, John Bowe, Peter Fitzpatrick, and Denis Casey have all pleaded not guilty to charges alleging they conspired to mislead investors through financial transactions between March 1 and September 30, 2008. The prosecution alleges the defendants used interbank loans to make Anglo Irish Bank appear €7.2 billion more valuable than it was, specifically by transferring funds to Irish Life and Permanent (ILP) and depositing them back as corporate deposits to inflate year-end figures. Prosecution witness Ciaran McArdle, a former Anglo dealer, testified that the bank could not rely on State pillar banks for aid during the liquidity crisis. He stated that Anglo could not depend on domestic institutions like Bank of Ireland or AIB, nor international banks, to increase its balance sheet. Mr. McArdle described the high stress within the bank, including concerns about potential 'rent-a-crowd' tactics by hedge funds. During cross-examination, counsel for Mr. Fitzpatrick highlighted the 'green jersey agenda' preference for domestic support. The witness also acknowledged using uncharitable language regarding Bank of Ireland in a phone call. The matter remains at the trial stage, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded.
John Stokes, 25, of Beachside, Riverchapel, Gorey, was jailed for five and a half years for a series of violent and theft offences. He first threatened a woman, Mary Kate McDonagh, with a crossbow in December 2014, then robbed a handbag from a woman in Ballsbridge in January 2015, and again stole a handbag from an elderly lady in Baggot Street in February 2015. Stokes had 48 prior convictions, mainly for traffic offences but also for theft, robbery, false imprisonment, burglary and knife possession. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to five and a half years, suspending the final 18 months on the condition he engage with the Probation Service for two years. The sentence reflected the seriousness of each offence and Stokes' history of drug use and lack of post‑release supervision.
Richard Higgins, a 26‑year‑old former Vodafone employee, was given an 18‑month suspended sentence for stealing mobile phones and a Dell laptop from the company between 2011 and 2013. The court heard that Higgins had exploited a flaw in Vodafone's ordering system to send phones to himself, mainly Samsung Galaxy and iPhone models, and had also sold six phones online. He pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and had a prior speeding conviction. Judge Karen O'Connor noted that Higgins had been spending thousands of euros a month on cocaine and had made poor decisions because of his drug addiction. She cited testimonials from family describing him as a "beautiful person" who had performed good deeds, and she suspended the sentence on the condition that he keeps the peace. Higgins brought €2,000 to court as a token gesture of recompense.
Jeffrey Dumbrell, 35, serving a life sentence for murder and other offences, was sentenced to three‑and‑a‑half years for threatening to rip the head off a prison officer at Wheatfield Prison on 10 December 2014. Because a life sentence is indeterminate, the new sentence runs concurrently with the existing one and does not add extra custodial time. The court noted that a life sentence cannot be extended for new offences while the prisoner is in custody, though the Parole Board may consider the new threat when assessing suitability for release. Dumbrell pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court; the judge described the threat as serious and noted the officer's ongoing stress. The court did not impose any additional custodial period beyond the concurrent sentence.
The trial of four senior bankers accused of conspiring to mislead investors is ongoing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. John Bowe, Willie McAteer, Peter Fitzpatrick, and Denis Casey have all pleaded not guilty to allegations that they used interbank loans to make Anglo Irish Bank appear €7.2 billion more valuable than it was between March 1 and September 30, 2008. The prosecution alleges funds were transferred to Irish Life and Permanent (ILP) and returned as corporate deposits to inflate year-end figures. On day 23, the jury heard testimony from Anglo dealer Ciaran McArdle regarding a call to Financial Regulator Claire Taylor. McArdle stated the bank was "trying to manipulate our balance sheet" and that the boosted customer funding number was "not a real number." He clarified he meant the bank was managing its balance sheet to look its best. McArdle described six transfers of €1 billion to ILP on September 29 and 30, noting the round figure was chosen for operational convenience. He admitted using the phrase "six yards of the funny stuff" in a call to an ILP dealer, describing it as flippant. The jury learned that by the close of business on September 30, Anglo forecast it lacked sufficient funds for next-day payments, prompting a call to the Central Bank. Emergency funding was subsequently received. The matter remains at the trial stage with no finalisation or sentence recorded.
In a hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Jeffrey Dumbrell, a 35‑year‑old convicted murderer serving a life sentence, pleaded guilty to threatening to kill a prison officer at Wheatfield Prison on 10 December 2014. Dumbrell, who had been held in a high‑security segregation unit, had previously attempted to seize a chair and warned the officer that he would "rip his head off" if provoked. The threat lasted about a minute before Dumbrell left the office. The officer, who has not wished to give a victim impact statement, reported feeling his life was in danger and that he now constantly looked over his shoulder. Judge Karen O'Connor adjourned sentencing to the following day.
Mark McHugh, 35, a father of two from Wood Avens, Clondalkin, was given a suspended six‑year sentence after pleading guilty to possession of more than €72,000 worth of cocaine on Kylemore Road on 9 April 2015. He claimed he was forced to collect the drugs after a previous package went missing, which increased his debt from €2,000 to €40,000, and that he was pressured for seven months to transport the cocaine to reduce a €600 debt. McHugh had two earlier convictions for criminal damage and threatening behaviour. Judge Melanie Greally, citing extensive pro‑social testimonials, suspended the sentence on strict conditions, noting McHugh had not previously committed serious offences and had been a productive community member. The case was prosecuted by Joseph Barnes BL, with Garda Aisling Hobbs presenting evidence that McHugh had been under duress and that the drugs were found under the front seat of his car.
The trial of four senior bankers accused of conspiring to mislead investors through financial transactions between March 1st and September 30th, 2008, continues before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Peter Fitzpatrick, Denis Casey, William McAteer, and John Bowe have all pleaded not guilty to the charges. Evidence presented to the jury included a transcript of a September 2008 phone call in which Anglo Irish Bank's senior portfolio manager, Peter Geissel, proposed a "back to back" transaction to Credit Suisse to enhance the bank's year-end corporate deposit figures. Geissel suggested Anglo would place funds with a Credit Suisse entity and receive a deposit from a non-bank entity, such as Credit Suisse Asset Management, potentially involving a broader set-off arrangement. He indicated the deposit term would be very short, ideally a couple of days or overnight. The trial heard that Credit Suisse's representative, Jerome Henry, raised concerns about net risk and later stated that the bank was not prepared to proceed with the deal. Geissel testified that the conversation was exploratory and that he did not believe there was anything inherently wrong with the type of transaction. The matter remains ongoing, with the trial continuing.
A man who helped produce child pornography involving his own daughter was originally sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with the last 12 months suspended, by Judge Sarah Berkeley on 31 July 2014. The offence involved sexual exploitation and knowingly facilitating child pornography in Dublin between 2009 and 2010. The man pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. On appeal, the Court of Appeal found that the trial judge had not given adequate weight to mitigating factors and had erred in not discounting the man's remorse. The appeal judge, Mr Justice John Edwards, re‑sentenced the man to three and a half years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended. The man's ex‑partner, who was also involved, received a different sentence and did not fight the case. The mother of the child was sentenced separately to 36 months, with the last 20 months suspended, after pleading guilty.
James Flanagan, 56, applied for weekend work advertised on Jobs.ie by a fake garage. He was tasked with picking up and dropping off cars for the garage, earning €50 to €200 per job. Flanagan pleaded guilty to producing a false instrument at Athlone train station on 27 September 2013. He met Emmet Lyons, who offered a car for sale, and handed over a forged bank draft of €13,800. The garage then advertised the car again, and Flanagan later met a woman at Jack White's Pub who paid €9,000 for the car. The woman was allowed to keep the car as she bought it in good faith. Lyons suffered a loss of €13,800 and could not recover it through insurance. Flanagan will be sentenced later; the case was adjourned to 25 July for sentencing. The prosecution said Flanagan acted recklessly rather than intentionally. The court noted Flanagan's financial difficulties and recent family losses.
In February 2016, Dermot Molloy, a 36‑year‑old from Meath, avoided immediate imprisonment after a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court judge heard he is the sole carer for a child with a severe birth defect. Lawyers argued that the child's condition, described as "expanding" rather than the microcephaly seen in Zika‑related cases, required extraordinary medical care. Molloy also cares for a partner's child who recently suffered self‑harm. The judge noted Molloy's compliance with bail since 2013 and his drug‑free status. Molloy, who pleaded guilty to a 2014 robbery at a boutique in Temple Bar, had threatened to use a syringe but claimed he was only armed with a pen. He said he robbed to buy food for his family, not drugs. Judge Nolan adjourned sentencing to July, citing Molloy's caregiving role and potential changes in his partner's condition. Molloy was still serving a suspended sentence from a 2013 robbery conviction.
Paul Grace, 36, received a three‑year suspended sentence after assaulting retired youth worker Patrick Malone on 29 March 2013 in Killarney Street, Dublin. Grace had pleaded guilty to the assault, which caused harm to Malone. The court noted Grace's history of 22 prior convictions for non‑violent offences and his recent rehabilitation: he had completed a certificate in drug counselling, was studying psychotherapy, and was now clean of drugs. Judge Patricia Ryan cited the violent nature of the crime as an aggravating factor but also acknowledged Grace's incoherent state and his subsequent volunteer work with addiction services, deeming him low risk of re‑offending. Malone's victim impact statement requested no custodial sentence. The court imposed the suspended sentence, with no custodial term to be served unless the conditions are breached.
Ciaran Lane, 25, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving that caused the death of 23‑month‑old Vanessa Siatka on 6 April 2015 at Ratra Triangle, Phoenix Park. Judge Melanie Greally ordered a victim impact report from the parents and set a sentencing date for 19 April 2016, when full facts will be heard.
Ivor Callely, aged 57, an ex‑Fianna Fáil politician and former Minister of State, admitted fraudulently claiming €4,207.45 in expenses from the Oireachtas using forged mobile‑phone invoices between November 2007 and December 2009 while a member of the Seanad. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four counts of using false invoices and was sentenced to five months' imprisonment by Judge Mary Ellen Ring on 28 July 2014. Callely had appealed the severity of the sentence in 2014, but the Court of Appeal received a letter from him withdrawing that appeal. The withdrawal was confirmed during case‑management procedures on 19 February 2015, with Callely not present in court.
During a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Peter Fitzpatrick, a former director of finance at Irish Life and Permanent, denied that the Anglo Irish Bank covered bonds issued in 2008 were worthless. Fitzpatrick, along with former ILP CEO Denis Casey, former Anglo Head of Finance Willie McAteer, and former Anglo head of capital markets John Bowe, were accused of conspiring to mislead investors by using interbank loans to inflate the bank's value by €7.2 billion between 1 March and 30 September 2008. All four pleaded not guilty. Senior portfolio manager Peter Geissel, who managed Anglo's €5 billion covered bonds programme in 2007, testified that the bonds were fully paid and rated 'AAA'. He insisted that Anglo itself paid off the bonds and that they were not the reason for the government bailout. The case is still before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury.
A 22‑year‑old burglar, Gerry Wall, was caught on CCTV attempting to exchange a stolen jar of 50‑cent coins for notes at a petrol station next to the house he had broken into. Wall and an accomplice also stole jewellery worth €4,030 and the coins, valued at €58. None of the property was recovered. The burglary took place at a house on Hyde Road, Dalkey, on 9 September 2014, and the house suffered €2,315 of damage. The court heard that several rooms were ransacked and that the homeowner's back‑door window and a window above the sink were smashed. Garda Kevin Carey recovered the CCTV footage, identified the men, and later arrested Wall at his home. The case was adjourned to 27 April for finalisation, with a plea in mitigation to be heard. The judge warned Wall that he was approaching the end of lenient treatment. Gerry Wall pleaded guilty.
A Moldovan plasterer, Ruslan Cornea, 38, pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to stealing €1,500 from an AIB ATM on 3 January 2015. Cornea claimed he had been given the ATM card by an unknown man he met in a casino, who promised him €150 for the withdrawal. He later told gardaí that the arrangement seemed odd in hindsight. Garda Philip Byrne explained that a genuine cheque had been altered by a third party to withdraw €6,850 from a customer's account, and that the customer was reimbursed after AIB discovered the fraud. CCTV identified Cornea making the €1,500 withdrawal, but he denied any role in lodging or modifying the cheque. Cornea has 11 prior convictions, including possession of a fraudulent cheque, unstamped cigarettes, theft, and a fake Romanian ID. His defence lawyer, Luigi Rea, noted that Cornea had arrived in Ireland in 2018, struggled with unemployment, and had turned to gambling.
During a trial at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, former Anglo Irish Bank executive Peter Fitzpatrick, aged 63, testified that he does not recall any "jubilation" within the bank after March 30, 2008, when Anglo increased its customer deposits. Fitzpatrick, who had been the director of finance at Irish Life and Permanent (ILP), was questioned by his lawyer Michael Bowman SC about the bank's actions. The case involves allegations that Anglo, ILP, and other senior bankers conspired to mislead investors by using interbank loans to inflate Anglo's value by €7.2 billion between March 1 and September 30, 2008. The alleged scheme involved back‑to‑back deposits of €750 million and €1 billion between Anglo and ILP, with money transferred by Anglo to ILP and then deposited back into Anglo through ILP's life insurance division, Irish Life Assurance. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
Seven teenagers, all in State care, attacked a Chinese man, Fen Ling Wang, in Dublin city centre at 3 am. The group, five males and two females, assaulted Wang, delivering numerous kicks—many to the head—until he was knocked unconscious. They then robbed his phone and shoes before abandoning him on the street. The assault was captured live on CCTV, and three attackers were apprehended near the scene. The gang was on acid during the attack, delaying police interviews for six hours. In court, the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court found the attack extremely vicious. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a suspended sentence of two and a half years on one teen, deferred sentencing for another, and remanded a third on bail pending a probation report. The three accused pleaded guilty to robbery of Wang on Liffey Street on 10 July 2015.
Ian Quinn, 34, of St Aongus Park, Tallaght, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to attempted robbery of Kilnamanagh Post Office on 6 June 2015 and to possession of a Crossman C11 firearm at his home on 1 October 2015. Judge Melanie Greally remanded him in continuing custody until 8 March, when evidence will be heard.
David Emerson, 31, who had received a Gaisce Award from President Michael D. Higgins two weeks before his imprisonment, has lodged an appeal against his 16‑month custodial sentence for a hammer assault. The incident occurred on 21 June 2012 at Kilshane Cross, Finglas, when Emerson, allegedly under the influence of intoxicants, struck a man with a hammer after being pursued by the property's occupant. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where Judge Martin Nolan imposed the sentence on 12 July 2013. Emerson's counsel, Michael Bowman SC, argued that the judge should have considered Emerson's rehabilitation efforts, including his engagement with the Fr Peter McVerry Trust and his stable home environment, and that a suspended sentence would be appropriate. The Court of Criminal Appeal granted bail in July 2013, and the appeal is now pending further hearing. The case remains at the appeal stage, with no final decision yet.
Terry O'Donoghue, 51, of Tallaght, was found guilty of possessing €2 million worth of cannabis for sale or supply at Cookstown Industrial Estate between 27 and 28 February 2013. He was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended, by Judge Mary Ellen Ring on 7 April 2014. O'Donoghue appealed against the severity of the sentence, but the Court of Appeal found no error in principle. Mr Justice Alan Mahon, sitting with Justices Garrett Sheehan and John Edwards, upheld the sentence, noting the large value of the drugs and O'Donoghue's extensive involvement in the operation, including renting premises and organising vehicles. The appeal was dismissed, leaving the 10‑year term, three years suspended, in place. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The trial of four former bankers accused of conspiring to mislead investors continues into its fourth week of evidence. Former Irish Life and Permanent CEO Denis Casey (56), Anglo's former Head of Finance Willie McAteer (65), former ILP director of finance Peter Fitzpatrick (63) and former Anglo head of capital markets John Bowe (52) are on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. They have pleaded not guilty to conspiring to mislead investors by using interbank loans to make Anglo appear €7.2 billion more valuable than it was between 1 March and 30 September 2008. On day 18, defence counsel Michael Bowman SC questioned former Anglo market risk analyst Steven Hiles about a September 26, 2008 phone call with colleague Ciaran McArdle, in which Hiles discussed classifying transactions between ILP and Anglo as customer or bank deposits. The trial is before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury.
Jason Kearns, a 30‑year‑old expectant father from Crumlin, Dublin, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of 61 grams of cocaine (worth €4,300) and 1,515 grams of cannabis herb (worth €30,300) found at his home on 20 March 2015. He has two prior road‑traffic convictions. The judge adjourned the case to 9 May, ordering a probation report. Garda Catriona Gallagher reported that the house was searched after a tip‑off; cocaine was found in the kitchen and cannabis herb in the sitting room. Kearns said he stored the drugs because of a debt his brother had incurred after a drug haul seized by Gardaí. His brother was out of jurisdiction at the time, and threats were made against him.
Paul Lestrange, 40, of Rosdedara, Killarney, was jailed for seven years after he slit the throat of his house‑mate James McGuirk in a random attack on 15 January 2015. Lestrange told McGuirk to write a will before the assault and, with a bread knife, cut McGuirk's throat, saying, "I told you it would end badly." He prevented McGuirk's neighbours and house‑mate Martin Roche from helping until he was overpowered and disarmed. The court found no particular motive; Lestrange's only previous convictions involved alcohol. Judge Martin Nolan described the assault as very serious, with the intent to kill, and noted McGuirk suffered a severe disfiguring scar and post‑traumatic stress. Lestrange expressed remorse and apologized to McGuirk. The sentence was imposed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The unnamed man pleaded guilty.
James Mahon, a Dublin father of six, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for failing to file tax returns for 2003, 2008 and 2009. He had received €3.3 million from Dolianus Enterprises Ltd between 2003 and 2009 to distribute free newspapers around Dublin. Revenue estimated he owed €869,731, excluding interest and penalties. Mahon claimed he earned €400 a week, but a 2011 audit showed payments of €384,342 in 2006 and €478,713 in 2008, excluding VAT. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally described the offence as a "blatant and sustained episode of tax evasion" and noted Mahon had no previous convictions. The judge imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year custodial sentence, suspending the final 18 months on strict conditions. The case highlighted Mahon's lack of engagement with Revenue and his challenging family circumstances, including two children with special needs.
A 25‑year‑old Dublin man, Derek O'Connor, was sentenced to two years in prison for possessing 140 grammes of heroin worth €12,090, after pleading guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. O'Connor, who cares for his double‑amputee father, claimed he held the drugs "under duress" because of a cannabis debt. Garda Gerry Smith reported that officers became suspicious when O'Connor was seen jumping fences and carrying a metallic object, later found to be a plastic bag containing heroin. He was arrested after dropping two packages into brambles. O'Connor had 26 prior convictions, including drug possession and traffic offences. Judge Melanie Greally accepted his plea, noted he was not a major drug dealer, and imposed a four‑year sentence with the final two years suspended, effectively giving him a two‑year custodial term. The judge also highlighted the impact on families of accused persons.
In February 2016, a 44‑year‑old man named Jeffrey Mitchell was sentenced to three years in prison for an unprovoked assault on a woman walking home alone from a night out. The incident occurred on 8 February 2013 at Crossguns Bridge, Phibsboro, where Mitchell dragged the woman backwards from the footpath, threatening to throw her into the canal if she moved. He had consumed up to 30 vodkas that night and had a history of 70 convictions, including assault, robbery, firearm possession and stolen property. The woman, who was later reported to suffer ongoing anxiety and flashbacks, managed to escape and seek help from a taxi driver. The judge, Martin Nolan, noted the seriousness of the offence and Mitchell's extensive criminal record before imposing the sentence. The case was prosecuted by Seamus Clarke BL and investigated by Detective Garda Niamh Coates. The incident lasted only a few seconds but left the victim with lasting psychological effects. Jeffrey Mitchell pleaded guilty.
In February 2016, the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced 27‑year‑old Dean Moore to a suspended three‑and‑a‑half‑year term for assault causing harm and robbery. The offence occurred on 3 June 2013 on Pearse Street when Moore, claiming a mistaken belief that the victim was threatening a woman, attacked Conor Muldoon. Moore kicked Muldoon in the head, face, leg and chest, forcing him to surrender his phone and wallet, worth €400. Muldoon suffered a fractured jaw and broken nose and was treated at St James' Hospital. Moore pleaded guilty, had previously handed over €900 as a gesture of remorse, and was described by defence as a bright, good‑with‑numbers young man from a difficult background. The judge noted the incident was isolated and out of character, and the sentence was fully suspended on conditions.
Noel Kinsella, 41, a Dublin drug addict with 98 prior convictions, was sentenced to five years in prison for robbing €820 in cash and a €12 bottle of vodka from an Applegreen service station on Stillorgan Road on 24 June 2014. He also pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a motor vehicle at Kilmacud Road the same day. Kinsella and a now-deceased accomplice stole a car earlier that day, used it to flee the robbery, and were apprehended shortly after near a school. The judge, after hearing that Kinsella had been a long‑term drug addict who committed crimes to support his habit, imposed a five‑year term with the final 18 months suspended. This sentence will run consecutively to a reactivated two‑year suspended sentence he is currently serving for another offence. The court noted that Kinsella had had a "far from ideal start in life" and was now free of drugs.
James Dunphy, 21, of Lally Road, Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to unlawful use of a car, damaging a second car and causing about €21,553 of damage to gates at Rosebank Apartments, Clondalkin, on 14 December 2013. He had previously been convicted nine times at district court level. Garda Gavin Duffy reported that CCTV showed Dunphy and a co‑accused entering the complex, forcing open a silver Honda Civic and a second car, hot‑wired the Civic, and drove it into the gates. They attempted to exit but could not find a buzzer, tampered with the gate mechanism and ultimately rammed two gates before escaping onto street level. Judge Melanie Greally, after reviewing a positive probation report, suspended Dunphy's two‑year sentence for three years and ordered 12 months of probation supervision.
Joseph Cole, aged 48, was sentenced to a partially suspended three‑year term for stealing a handbag from a woman walking home with her two‑year‑old daughter on 14 October 2011. The handbag contained €1,100 in cash and other items, none of which was recovered. Cole, who had 42 prior convictions including a seven‑year term for armed robbery in the UK (1994) and an eight‑year term for attempted robbery and false imprisonment in Ireland (2002), pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally back‑dated the sentence to the date of his custody entry and suspended the balance. She noted his apparent desire to leave his criminal past behind and his progress in dealing with drug addiction, citing a positive probation report. The incident was captured on CCTV; Garda David Chapman identified Cole and a partner as suspects, and they were arrested.
In a 2016 trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, four former Anglo Irish Bank executives—Peter Fitzpatrick, John Bowe, Denis Casey, and Willie McAteer—were charged with conspiring to mislead investors by orchestrating a €7.2 billion "circular" cash transaction between Anglo and Irish Life & Permanent (ILP) during 2008. Witness Brian Lynch testified that while banks often manage balance sheets to appear strong at year‑end, the 2008 deal was atypical, matching the same amount, period, and rate, and was significantly larger than normal. Lynch described the transaction as a reciprocal loan that treated ILA as a corporate deposit to inflate deposit figures. He claimed no instruction to conceal the deal and that the meetings focused on balance‑sheet appearance amid global financial panic. The defendants pleaded not guilty; the trial continued under Judge Martin Nolan and a jury.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, 56‑year‑old Colm Lawless was found not guilty by reason of insanity after he pointed a realistic imitation gun at Garda Gary Farrell and his partner. Lawless, suffering from bipolar disorder and in a manic phase, had stopped his medication and was experiencing severe delusions, believing he was the head of a "Jerusalem secret service" and on a mission from God. He threatened to shoot himself if the gardaí did not return his keys. The jury, instructed by Judge Sarah Berkeley, returned a special verdict after 46 minutes. Lawless will be sent to the Central Mental Hospital for a 14‑day assessment, with a doctor to report a treatment plan on February 22. The incident involved two pepper‑sprays that had no effect, and Lawless was later arrested and taken to hospital. He later admitted to buying the gun as a curiosity item and apologized to the officers.
Ian Gibbons, 40, of Kilmainham Bank, Emmet Road, Inchicore, Dublin, pleaded guilty to robbery of a purse and mobile phone from a heavily pregnant woman on 2 July 2015 in Blackpitts, Dublin 8. He snatched the bag, causing the woman, 35 and a half weeks pregnant, to fall but she sustained no injuries. Gibbons, who had 25 prior convictions and had been drug‑free for seven years, was chased and restrained by members of the public before Gardaí arrived. He attempted to escape, once running into a tree. He denied targeting the woman because of her pregnancy and said he needed money for heroin. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to five years, with the final 18 months suspended on conditions, noting his attempts to combat addiction since the offence. The stolen items were recovered and the victim was taken to hospital without injury.
Jason Malone, 33, was found with keys to two cars and various drug paraphernalia, including a Centra bag and a phone. Gardaí searched the cars and recovered a kilogram of white powder identified as caffeine, lignocaine and phenacetin, substances used to bulk cocaine, as well as a plate, spoon and hotel card key with traces of heroin. Malone pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of caffeine, lignocaine and phenacetin with traces of cocaine. He has 31 previous convictions. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to three-and-a-half years, suspending the final year on strict conditions, noting that he was clearly involved in drug dealing at the time but may now be prepared to put his offending behind him. The case was prosecuted by Elva Duffy BL. Patrick Marrinan SC defended Malone, citing his difficult upbringing, lack of employment and recent rehabilitation efforts.
During a 2016 trial in Dublin, former Anglo Irish Bank director Matt Cullen testified that Irish banks, including Anglo and Irish Life and Permanent (ILP), had coordinated a "green jersey agenda" to support each other during the 2008 financial crisis. Cullen described an email from former Anglo CEO David Drumm to Anglo executives on 16 March 2008, in which the Governor of the Central Bank suggested Irish banks help one another. He claimed this was a case of "pulling on the green jersey" and that the aim was to protect the Irish banking system. The four men on trial—Denis Casey, Willie McAteer, Peter Fitzpatrick, and John Bowe—were accused of conspiring to mislead investors by using interbank loans to make Anglo appear €7.2 billion more valuable between 1 March and 30 September 2008. All pleaded not guilty. The trial, presided over by Judge Martin Nolan, continues before a jury.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Melanie Greally sentenced a 16‑year‑old boy to two and a half years' detention for burglary at The Avenue, Belgard Heights, Tallaght, on 7 June 2015. The teenager, whose name is withheld, had pleaded guilty and had prior convictions for burglary and drug possession. He and an accomplice were found hiding under a blanket in the house they had broken into. The judge noted the boy had no adult supervision since his mother's death five years earlier and no one in court to support him. She imposed the custodial term with an 18‑month suspended period, subject to strict conditions including engagement with the Probation Service and attendance at any recommended alcohol or drug therapy. The judge expressed hope that the custodial environment would provide the stability needed for the boy's future rehabilitation. The co‑accused has since taken a bench warrant.
Mina Fanous, an Egyptian engineer who claimed he had fled after a bomb attack killed his wife and child, was found guilty of assaulting his flatmate Jiagua Chen with a belt, stealing her Samsung phone and damaging her laptop in Sandyford, Dublin, on 20 April 2015. He pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Fanous had a prior minor theft conviction. The case had been adjourned twice; he was released on bail to gather evidence of his claim. An email from his defence lawyer proved he was still entitled to live in the apartment at the time of the assault. Judge Melanie Greally acknowledged his legal right to remain there and noted his belief that he was defending his rights, though she found his admissions unclear. She imposed an 18‑month sentence, suspending the balance, taking into account time already spent in custody.
During the trial of four former senior bankers accused of conspiring to mislead investors, former Anglo director Matt Cullen testified that he acted under the direction of former Anglo CEO David Drumm when he approached Irish Life about an interbank loan of €7bn. Cullen said Drumm asked him to approach Irish Life to request €6‑7bn in September 2008, specifically to approach David Gantley, Irish Life's counterpart. Cullen confirmed he was acting under Drumm's direction. He explained that the scheme involved transferring money from Anglo to Irish Life Assurance (ILA), a non‑banking entity owned by Irish Life, which would then deposit it back into Anglo's accounts as a corporate deposit. This would make Anglo appear €7.2bn more valuable. The four men—Denis Casey, Willie McAteer, Peter Fitzpatrick and John Bowe—have pleaded not guilty. The trial, held at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, resumed in evidence after six days of legal argument, with the judge being Martin Nolan.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Patrick McCartan rejected the State's application to confiscate the "hard‑earned" cash of two Czech prostitutes who had been robbed by Mantas Grazevicius. The judge, after sentencing Grazevicius to three years' imprisonment (back‑dated to his February 2015 arrest), praised the women's courage for confronting the robber and delaying him until Gardaí arrived. The robbery took place on 17 July 2013 at the Clyde Court Hotel, where the women had earned about €5,000 in cash hidden in a wardrobe. Grazevicius, who had €2,675 on him at the time of arrest, was convicted of false imprisonment and robbery. The judge ordered that the €2,675 be forfeited to the State as proceeds of prostitution, but indicated he intended to return it to the women, describing it as "hard earned.". Mantas Grazevicius pleaded not guilty.
A man who helped produce child pornography involving his own four‑year‑old daughter, filmed by her mother, is awaiting the outcome of his appeal against a five‑year sentence with the final twelve months suspended. He pleaded not guilty to sexual exploitation and knowingly facilitating child pornography in Dublin between 2009 and 2010. The mother received a 36‑month sentence with the final twenty months suspended on a plea of guilty. The case began when a member of the public found a crushed mobile phone in June 2010, discovered an SD card containing disturbing images of a child, and reported it to the Gardaí. The Gardaí confirmed the child was the man's daughter, leading to an interim care order. The man's counsel argued the ex‑partner was the instigator and that the judge erred in finding no remorse, noting the man still had supervised contact with his child.
Daniel Wall, a 23‑year‑old boxer from Tallaght, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm after attacking Gerard Dempsey with a knife on 10 February 2014. The judge ordered Wall to pay €1,100 to the victim before sentencing. Wall received a four‑year sentence, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions. The judge noted Wall's boxing background and his mother's terminal cancer, taking these into account. Wall claimed the attack was unprovoked, while the victim said it was retaliatory. Wall had 57 prior convictions, including robbery and burglary. After the hearing, Wall announced he would fire his legal team, calling the sentence "bollox.".
A 56‑year‑old Dublin man was convicted by a jury of 43 counts of indecent assault against a young relative who was between six and nine years old when the abuse occurred between 1983 and 1986. The victim was cared for by the accused man's mother while her own mother was at work. The court heard that the man forced the victim into a bathroom, locked the door, made her masturbate him, warned her not to tell anyone, and grabbed her vagina on two occasions. The victim's impact statement described the loss of innocence, self‑harm and psychological damage. The judge, Gerard O'Brien, found no remorse and noted the man's lack of prior convictions as a mitigating factor. He imposed an eight‑year sentence, suspended the final year on strict conditions, and urged the victim to consider the matter closed. The accused man does not accept the verdict.
Two men were sentenced to four years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following their guilty pleas to car-jacking. Francis Stokes, aged 29, of Ballyconnell, County Cavan, and Martin Stokes, aged 24, of Celbridge, County Kildare, hijacked a vehicle at Blessington Road, Tallaght, on 10 November 2013. Judge Melanie Greally suspended the final two years of Francis Stokes's sentence and the last three years of Martin Stokes's sentence, having regard to their differing criminal histories. The victim described the incident as life-altering, stating it had severely restricted her confidence and ability to engage in activities she previously enjoyed. The court heard evidence that the complainant had become fearful of driving and was unable to maintain her former independence. The accused had claimed to gardaí that they commandeered the vehicle following an attack by another party, though the victim impact statements presented a substantially different account of events.
Jamie Gordon, James Gantley, and David Ward were sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to various charges. Gordon, who admitted to trespassing with intent to commit an offence at an ESB substation on Ninth Lock Road, Clondalkin, on November 3, 2013, received a three-year jail sentence suspended in full on the condition that he keep the peace for five years. Gantley, who pleaded guilty to demanding money with menaces from DX staff, was sentenced to five years, which was suspended in full. Ward, who also pleaded guilty to demanding money with menaces from DX staff and attempting to dishonestly cause a loss to FBD Insurance between July 22, 2013, and January 1, 2014, was sentenced to one year in prison. The court noted Ward's previous conviction in determining his effective custody. All defendants had admitted their respective charges, and the proceedings reached the sentencing stage with no further adjournments recorded for these specific finalisations.
Two cousins, Edward Wall (43) and Patrick Wall (36), were jailed after pleading guilty to burglary at The Park, Highlands, Drogheda, Co. Louth, on 31 October 2014, and to attempted burglary at Gainstown, Co. Meath, on the same date. Both were pursued by the Emergency Response Unit after a car, carrying house‑breaking tools and stolen items, fled from a silver Mazda. The car collided with Garda vehicles; Edward escaped but was arrested, while Patrick was taken from the rear by an armed Garda. The court imposed four‑year sentences on each, suspending the final year, and ordered €500 from each to be paid to the burglary victim. The defendants' prior convictions and the details of the burglary, including the €4,600 damage and the missing €349 Armani watch, were noted in the proceedings. The defendants offered €3,000 each as tokens of remorse. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
A 43‑year‑old man from Templeogue, Aidan Quigley, was remanded on bail pending sentencing after pleading guilty to two burglary and one attempted burglary offences committed between June 2014 and May 2015. He had 41 prior convictions, 21 of them for burglary, and had been on bail for each offence before the court heard the latest. Gardaí accepted that Quigley only broke into unoccupied houses to fund a heroin addiction, and that all stolen items were returned to their owners while he was still in possession of them. His barrister, Luigi Rea BL, argued that Quigley had become a father of three, lost his job after his youngest daughter's death, and had increased drug use, leading to burglary. Rea said Quigley had stopped using heroin and methadone in July of the previous year and had not committed any further burglaries since May 2015.
In February 2016 a Dublin court sentenced a 32‑year‑old trainee Montessori teacher for sexual assault and child pornography. He had taken 46 images of a four‑year‑old girl, including her private parts and a photo of him with his finger in her mouth, and sent them to his email. Gardaí discovered 688 images on his hard drives and computers, including 586 of children in erotic poses, over 90 of penetrative and non‑penetrative interactions, and several depicting genital mutilation. The victim's parents testified that the child feared returning to the playschool and suffered lasting trauma. The defendant pleaded guilty to the assault, the production of child porn and possession of the images. He was remanded in custody pending sentencing in March 2016.
Patrick McDonagh, 26, of Balbriggan, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for causing serious harm to Garda Ciaran Murrihy on 29 August 2015. McDonagh pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment, assaulting Garda Stephen Hughes and Garda Vincent Turley, unlawful use of a vehicle and criminal damage. The seven‑year term was imposed for the most serious charge, with a concurrent sentence of three and a half years for assaulting Garda Hughes. The sentences run from 31 August 2015, the date McDonagh entered custody. Garda Murrihy, who is now wheelchair‑bound, described the incident in his victim impact statement, saying the attack left him feeling "useless" and that McDonagh had "stole my life". McDonagh has 19 prior convictions, including drunk driving, robbery and aggravated burglary. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.