Keith Redmond, 45, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to attempting to send sexually explicit material to a child between 30 August and 3 December 2022. He had not initiated contact with a fake profile of a 14‑year‑old girl named 'Amber' created by the UK group Volunteers for Predator Exposure, nor had he sought an underage girl. Redmond's profile on the social media platform Kick listed him as a 44‑year‑old male from Ireland. After 'Amber' contacted him, they exchanged 83 typed pages of messages, which began as ordinary conversation but became sexually explicit. Redmond sent four photographs of his penis and discussed meeting 'Amber' for sexual activity, offering to buy her a phone and to live together. The UK group used open‑source technology to locate Redmond and contacted an Irish group, Child Online Protection Enforcers, who located him in Dublin.
A 45‑year‑old chronic alcoholic was jailed for 16 months after he ignored his 11‑year‑old daughter's pleas for help when her mother collapsed and later died in their apartment during Covid‑19 restrictions. The mother, in end‑stage alcoholism, died of acute alcohol intoxication, and the daughter cared for her for about four days, bringing blankets and food, before seeking help from neighbours. The father, now sober, told Gardaí he did not remember the events and described himself as a monster. He pleaded guilty to two charges of child cruelty in 2020, with no prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan noted the father's severe alcohol problem and the child's neglect, but imposed a three‑year sentence with the final 20 months suspended, citing the father's guilty pleas, cooperation, lack of criminal record and work history. The case was reported under restrictions to protect the child's identity.
David Douglas, 65, from Belfast, was jailed for a year after pleading guilty to two charges of masturbating in a public place at Dundrum Town Centre in March 2022. He admitted playing an "eye contact game" for about 20 years, focusing on young girls. An off‑duty Garda and her 11‑year‑old daughter reported that Douglas sat close to them in the food court, looking at them, and later ran when security alerted the Gardaí. CCTV showed Douglas masturbating outside his clothing near where girls were seated, and he claimed he used alcohol to reduce inhibitions. He has 33 prior convictions, including road traffic offences and sexual offences, but none involving physical contact. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to 15 months' imprisonment, suspended the final three months, and imposed 12 months of probation on release.
Daunte Millar Wruck, a 21‑year‑old Canadian, pleaded guilty on 1 August 2023 to importing a controlled drug for sale or supply after customs found 29.8 kg of herbal cannabis in two suitcases at Dublin Airport, valued at €596 000. He claimed the items were artworks he intended to take to Birmingham. Wruck admitted possession but said he expected a $10 000 reward. Garda Peter Elliott and counsel Paul Murray described him as a "complete and utter patsy" who entered an early guilty plea, answered all questions, and cooperated. The investigation revealed messages from a third party arranging flights from Toronto via Ottawa to London, then to Birmingham via Dublin, and providing money for the flights. The court noted Wruck's lack of prior convictions, young age, and lack of Irish ties.
A 39-year-old man with 174 previous convictions has been sentenced to 14 months imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for breaching conditions of a suspended sentence, including a lifelong driving disqualification. James Maughan was convicted in February in the District Court of 16 offences arising from a hit-and-run incident involving an off-duty garda's vehicle. No injuries resulted from the collision. Judge Pauline Codd described Maughan's continued driving despite the ban as an "intolerable" and "outrageous" situation, noting that someone would eventually be injured. Maughan, previously of Cloghran, County Dublin, has an extensive history of road traffic offences spanning a decade. The court heard he became homeless after his suspended sentence was imposed in 2022 and was not accessing required medication for paranoid schizophrenia. Upon release, the judge requested continued medical supervision.
Kevin Murphy, 28, of Bray, pleaded guilty to multiple counts of harassment and one count of making a threat to kill between July 2021 and July 2022. He sent 200 abusive, violent and distressing messages to a family, including graphic sexual texts, threats to kill, and insults. The victim was a 16‑year‑old girl who had been his surfing student; her mother also received harassing messages. Murphy's communications included threats to "clip their car" and to kill the boyfriend of a family member. He was initially detained in February 2022, later arrested again, and admitted to some of the messages. Garda Rachel Corcoran and counsel noted that his behaviour occurred during an episode of psychosis and that he had voluntarily committed himself to hospital for four weeks in March 2022. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to two and a half years in prison, suspended in full, and imposed a 15‑year no‑contact order with the injured parties.
A 35‑year‑old serial offender, Dean Masterson, who had 122 prior convictions and was on bail, was sentenced to one year in prison for robbing an Italian man in St Stephen's Green on 1 May 2018. Masterson and two accomplices followed the victim, who was walking from Harcourt Street, and attacked him from behind. One of the men placed the victim in a chokehold, forced him to the ground, and seized his phone, ATM card, cigarettes, Italian ID card and €1 in cash. The incident was captured on CCTV. Masterson pleaded guilty before trial. The court noted his guilty plea, apology, and claims of drug addiction at the time of the offence, and considered mitigating factors. The judge imposed a two‑year sentence, suspended the final 12 months, and ordered 12 months of probation after release. The victim has returned to Italy and declined to give a victim impact statement.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Brian Lucey (44) was sentenced for illegally possessing a submachine gun at the M11 Shankill roundabout on March 7, 2020. Lucey, of Ashford, Co Wicklow, initially took a trial date but later pleaded guilty. Judge Martin Nolan accepted that Lucey, a 'gilly' expecting to collect cannabis, was 'completely taken by surprise' when an unknown individual threw the firearm into his car. The judge noted Lucey's low culpability and 'agony of the moment,' resulting in a four-year fully-suspended sentence. The court heard that Lucey was used by co-accused to move the weapon. In related proceedings, Robert Redmond and Jamie Gray pleaded guilty to possessing the firearm for an unlawful purpose and were jailed in July 2023. Redmond, who denied the charge of murdering Barry Wolverson in January 2020, was sentenced to life imprisonment in December 2022. His co-accused, Bernard Fogarty, was also sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Mr Wolverson. Separately, Fogarty pleaded guilty to possession of the submachine gun in 2020 and was jailed for five years by the Special Criminal Court.
During a search of a Renault van at Dublin Port, Gardaí uncovered a secret, lead‑lined compartment beneath the floor carpet containing 167,000 Xanax tablets, valued at €334,950. The van had arrived from Manchester on 4 July of the previous year. The owner, Conor Kealy, 42, of Gleann na hEorna, Springfield, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to importing controlled drugs. He was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four and a half years' imprisonment, a sentence backdated to the July offence. Kealy claimed he was unaware of the compartment's contents. He has 21 prior convictions, including two drug offences, and has a history of addiction dating back to his teens. The court noted his vulnerability and the role of drug debt in his actions. He is reportedly adapting well to prison life.
Daniel O'Connell, 42, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin for sale or supply on 8 March 2022 at his Cherry Orchard Park home. Gardaí searched the property and found a white plastic bag in an upstairs bedroom containing 113 g of diamorphine, valued at €15,904. O'Connell was not present during the search but later contacted the police, stating he was holding the drugs on behalf of a third party to reduce a €5,000 drug debt. He claimed he had been holding the heroin for two weeks, was unaware of its weight, and was threatened at the time. He said it would be the "first and clearly the last time" he would hold drugs. O'Connell has 19 prior convictions, mainly for traffic offences, and three drug offences. He has a history of addiction, has engaged in rehabilitation, and has a job offer after completing an up‑skilling programme.
David Hackman, 24, was jailed for four and a half years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to purchase a firearm in suspicious circumstances between 31 March and 28 May 2019. Gardaí observed a silver Ford Focus near a Spar in Waterville, Dublin 15, where Hackman and three other occupants, including his mother, were found. A search revealed a 9mm firearm, orange latex gloves, and evidence of a €4,000 cash transaction between Hackman and his mother. Hackman's mother was charged but the case against her was dropped following his guilty plea. Hackman has prior convictions for assault and drug possession. The court noted his youth, addiction issues, and the mitigating circumstances of his background, and rejected a post‑release drug treatment condition. The sentence reflects the offence's mid‑range sentencing guidelines of seven to ten years.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, two repeat offenders, Cian Cleary (23) and Patrick McCarthy (28), were sentenced for a "cowardly, nasty and violent" assault on twin American tourists aged 20. The incident occurred on July 19 when the men were walking home through Temple Bar. Cleary, who had 61 prior convictions, and McCarthy, with 18 prior convictions, attacked the tourists, punching, kicking, and robbing one of them. CCTV footage showed the attackers separating the brothers, assaulting them, and stealing a wallet and mobile phone. Cleary received a three‑year, three‑month sentence with nine months suspended; McCarthy received a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence with twelve months suspended. Both were warned that the suspended portions could be enforced if they reoffend during probation. The court noted the assault's severity and the victims' injuries, including a brain scan for one and a sore, shaken condition for the other. Cian Cleary pleaded guilty. Patrick McCarthy pleaded guilty.
James McGinn, 35, of Bray, was found guilty of possession of drugs for sale or supply after a search of his home revealed €197,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis. He pleaded guilty on 22 January 2023. The court noted his four prior convictions for minor traffic offences and his admission that he was holding the drugs to reduce an €8,000 debt. McGinn's case was marked by the tragic loss of his two children and another family member in a 2017 house fire, which his defence argued was the root of his addiction. Judge Martin Nolan, citing these exceptional circumstances, imposed a sentence of four and a half years, suspending the final three years on strict conditions. The remaining one and a half years of custodial time were to be served, with the court recognising McGinn's previous good conduct and his 11‑month period of sobriety. The sentence was delivered on 26 February 2024.
Michael Delaney, a 50‑year‑old transport manager for Rehab Group, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to stealing €6,000 from the charity by secretly selling three company trucks he claimed were scrapped. The theft, uncovered during an internal audit in 2021, occurred between 11 April 2019 and 29 December 2021. Delaney resigned in December 2021 and agreed to repay the money, having paid €600 to date and presenting €5,400 in cash at the hearing. He has one minor prior conviction for a road traffic offence. Defending counsel Colm Hennessy noted Delaney's cooperation and early guilty plea. Judge Martin Nolan, recognising Delaney's candid admissions and good work history, imposed a nine‑month suspended sentence and ordered the €5,400 to be handed over to the charity.
Craig Maples, 28, of Green Briar, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for violent disorder and assault causing serious harm after he kicked and stamped on Austin Doherty's head during a 45‑second attack in Mulhuddart on 21 July 2022. Doherty, who was left in a coma with a traumatic brain injury, now has limited mobility, requires a wheelchair for long distances and suffers significant impairments. He described his life as being in his own prison and missing key moments with his children. The court heard that the assault began after a dispute in a casino, with Maples arriving in a car and joining two other men who continued the attack. Maples pleaded guilty, showed remorse, and had no prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan set a headline sentence of 12 years, reduced to seven years after mitigating factors such as early guilty plea and cooperation.
Pamela Bird, 40, of Ringsend, Dublin, pleaded guilty to robbery, two attempted robbery and one theft between 29 September and 3 November 2021. She was the getaway driver in a series of shop robberies in Dublin, driving a wine‑coloured Toyota Corolla that fled the scenes. Bird had 194 prior convictions, 114 of them thefts. Garda evidence included CCTV footage of her arriving at a petrol station, loading fuel, and later driving the co‑accused away from a shop after he attempted robbery. Bird admitted to driving and changing licence plates, stating the offences were planned to obtain money for drugs. She had a history of heroin use and had been in rehabilitation. The court, noting her early guilty plea and admissions, imposed a two‑year custodial sentence, crediting six months already served, to run from the hearing date.
A 31-year-old man was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assault, trespassing, obstruction of a police officer, and breaching a protection order. The defendant, who cannot be named to protect the victim's anonymity, pleaded guilty to charges arising from incidents at a Dublin address between December 14, 2022, and February 26, 2023. Judge Martin Nolan described the events as three frightening incidents involving the defendant's former partner. During the first incident, the man allegedly attacked the woman and had to be restrained by gardai using pepper spray. He subsequently breached a protection order on two further occasions, with the final incident requiring the intervention of the armed support unit. The court noted the defendant has 59 previous convictions. Judge Nolan sentenced him to a total of three and a half years in prison. This sentence was backdated to the date he entered custody on this matter. The judge acknowledged the defendant's guilty plea and his good behavior in custody, where he is currently working in the kitchens, but emphasized his long history of offending.
In a case described by the judge as "bizarre", a 75‑year‑old Canadian man, Edward Bystrom, was arrested on Temple Street, Dublin, on 3 September 2023 for possession of over €80,000 worth of cocaine. Gardaí found two black packages of white powder in his laptop bag, which tested positive for cocaine. Bystrom, who had no prior convictions in Ireland or elsewhere, told the police that he had been asked by "agents of the United Nations" to collect money. He claimed to have travelled from Canada to New York, Brazil and back to the USA before arriving in Ireland, and said he had not profited from the drugs. He pleaded guilty. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to two years' imprisonment, suspended 18 months, and ordered him to leave Ireland within a week of release and not to return for ten years.
A 77‑year‑old man was threatened with a stabbing and had his €40,000 car hijacked while listening to a true‑crime podcast. Max Corcoran (21) and a co‑accused entered the underground parking of the man's apartment complex, forced him out of the car, struck him in the jaw, took his keys and phone, and drove the vehicle into the parking gate. Unable to open the gate, they reversed the car to smash it, causing €24,536 in damage. The car was later found burnt out elsewhere in Dublin. Corcoran, who had 14 prior convictions, pleaded guilty to possession of a motor vehicle without consent and criminal damage. Judge Martin Nolan, noting Corcoran's cooperation, remorse and mitigating factors, sentenced him to 20 months' imprisonment, back‑dated to his March 2023 arrest.
Leigh Deegan, 23, of Coolock, pleaded guilty to possession of the proceeds of crime after his bank account was used in an invoice redirect fraud involving St Andrew's College. Gardaí were alerted when staff discovered a change in the IT services company's bank details and a €11,480 payment had been lodged. €9,200 was transferred to Deegan's account and withdrawn in three ATM transactions. Deegan claimed he lost his debit card and someone guessed his PIN. Gardaí agreed he was not the mastermind but a "cog" in the scheme and was cooperative. He had no prior convictions and was 19 at the time of the offence. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a one‑year suspended sentence on strict conditions and directed that €5,000 be paid to the school within two weeks or to a local charity if the school declined it. The judge noted Deegan's mental health difficulties and his apprenticeship as a plumber.
Patricia Kelly, 61, the widow of the late founder of the suicide‑prevention charity Console, pleaded guilty to one count of failing to keep proper books of account as a director between December 2006 and May 2015. The court found that 96 payments totalling €223,000 were traced to accounts controlled by her husband, Paul Kelly, who had died by suicide in 2020. The prosecution could not prove a wilful failure, so no custodial sentence was imposed. Judge Martin Nolan fined Kelly €1,500, to be paid within six months, and disqualified her as a director for five years. The charity, which received €2.03 million from the HSE between 2010 and 2016, is in liquidation and is subject to ongoing civil proceedings by its liquidator. The case highlighted a lack of cooperation with audits and the movement of records offsite. The fine was considered modest given Kelly's limited means and widow's pension.
Ryan Murphy, 25, of Lusk, Dublin, pleaded guilty to knowingly making a false report to Gardaí and money laundering. He claimed a robbery in Balbriggan on 2 April 2020, alleging masked men took his bank cards and deposited €32,000 into his account. Gardaí found no CCTV evidence of such men and discovered an unusual €31,912 lodgement. Murphy admitted lying about the robbery, citing a €500 drug debt and fear of the criminals. He had provided his bank details via Snapchat, hoping to receive €3,000–€4,000, but never received money. The account was frozen upon receipt of the funds; he sought to "un‑freeze" it by filing a robbery complaint. Judge Martin Nolan described the crime as "pure stupidity" and imposed a two‑year suspended sentence, deciding Murphy did not deserve jail at this stage.
Rodin Van Hooff, 43, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to two counts of intentionally or recklessly assaulting two gardai at Lynwood, Ballinteer, Co Dublin, on March 2, 2023. The court heard that Van Hooff, who was living in a tent at the time, refused to leave the area when directed by officers and swung at them, striking one on the back of the head. He was restrained with pepper spray and arrested. Van Hooff's bail was revoked in July last year, resulting in two months spent in custody. Judge Martin Nolan noted that the officers were performing their duty and sustained no injuries. Acknowledging Van Hooff's "unusual lifestyle and philosophy of life," the Judge stated that such views are permissible provided no crime is committed. Judge Nolan initially intended to impose a suspended sentence of three months but reduced this to a suspended one-month sentence to account for the time Van Hooff had already spent in custody. The matter was finalised with this suspended sentence.
Egidijus Aleliunas, 43, of The Paddocks Way, Adamstown, Lucan, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to multiple counts including deception, possession of false documents, use of a false instrument, and possessing and transferring the proceeds of criminal conduct over a seven-year period. Judge Nolan described Aleliunas as a "very competent man" who could reform himself. His wife, Anastasija Pavola, 37, of The Paddocks; father-in-law Viaceslav Pavlov, 68, of Earlsfort Road, Lucan; and mother-in-law Natalja Pavlova, 65, of Abbeydale Gardens, Lucan, each pleaded guilty to engaging in the transfer of property that was the proceeds of crime between June and August 2017. The court found they acted recklessly by allowing their bank accounts to be used for transfers to a Dubai investment company. Judge Nolan handed each of them suspended sentences of two years. He noted their good work histories and lack of previous convictions, stating it would be unjust to imprison them. Judge Nolan also agreed not to disqualify Pavola as a director to protect her business. The matter was finalised with these sentences.
Aaron Brock, a 19‑year‑old from Manchester, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison after pleading guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to smuggling 29.3 kg of cannabis worth an estimated €586,000 into Ireland from the United States. The drugs were found at Dublin Airport on 9 July 2023, shortly after Brock's flight from Los Angeles. He had no prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan noted that Brock was under financial debt, reportedly £10,000, due to gambling, and that he felt pressured to repay the debt. The judge considered Brock's young age, lack of previous convictions, cooperation with Gardaí, and early guilty plea, and concluded he was unlikely to re‑offend. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence while taking into account the defendant's circumstances. The case was prosecuted by Pieter Le Vert BL and defended by Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC.
Glen Duff, 36, of Doon Court, Poppintree, Dublin 11, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for two robberies and an assault causing harm in Temple Bar. The first offence occurred on 17 April 2022 when Duff and an accomplice attacked a tourist, kicking and stomping on his head before taking a €300 wallet. The victim suffered concussion and ongoing memory problems. The second offence took place on 23 June 2023, when Duff and another man robbed an American tourist who had just arrived in Ireland, stealing his wallet, passport and driving licence and leaving him with a broken finger. Both incidents were captured on CCTV and led to charges in May 2023 and November 2023, respectively. Duff pleaded guilty to all charges.
Ryan O'Toole, aged 34, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment after a cocaine‑fueled assault on Garda Karl Byrne outside a Dublin apartment block on 11 December 2022. O'Toole, heavily intoxicated, repeatedly punched, bit and knocked Byrne unconscious, also lifting him into a headlock and throwing him to the ground. Byrne suffered a concussion and a fractured nose, though the fracture's cause was uncertain. O'Toole pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and had seven prior convictions, none for serious offences. Judge Martin Nolan noted O'Toole's extreme intoxication and aggression, concluding he deserved prison. Garda Sergeant Paul Daly confirmed Byrne returned to work two weeks later. O'Toole's early guilty plea was seen as a sign of remorse, and he has since addressed his addiction issues. The court imposed the 18‑month term without further details on suspension or custody.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 19 February 2024, taxi driver Neville Griffin, aged 49, pleaded guilty to endangerment after a 2021 incident in which he drove off while an inter‑county playing Garda was pursuing a suspect. Griffin, who had five prior convictions, was described by the judge as having acted in a "spur of the moment" decision, a "total misjudgement" that was "extremely dangerous." He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, but the sentence was fully suspended on strict conditions, including a €3,500 payment to the injured Garda within 12 months. Griffin brought €1,500 to court as a token of remorse. The Garda, who was injured and out of work for seven weeks, received medical treatment and was unable to resume county training. The court noted Griffin's good character and the lack of serious harm caused, but upheld the suspended sentence for the offence.
Mamadou Alpha Bah, 27, was sentenced to six years in prison by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for a violent sexual assault that occurred on 2 September 2020. The offence involved Bah chasing a 43‑year‑old woman through a hotel corridor after she had gone to his room, where he pinned her to a bed, threatened her, punched her, forced her to remove her clothes and sexually assaulted her through her clothing. He also attempted to force her legs open and followed her to the bathroom, where she escaped. CCTV footage captured the chase. Bah pleaded guilty on the morning of his trial and was found remorseful. He had no prior convictions at the time of the offence but had been convicted of sexual assault and false imprisonment in August 2021, receiving a five‑year sentence with one year suspended in October 2023.
Former solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 55, was found guilty of stealing €18,144,385 from six banks during the Celtic Tiger era. He was convicted on ten counts of theft in a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial; the jury could not agree on the remaining eleven counts. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Lynn to five and a half years' imprisonment, crediting him for seven and a half years spent in Brazilian prison. The headline sentence was 13 years, but the final imposed term was five and a half years, with the credit for time served. Lynn was extradited from Brazil in 2018 after spending four and a half years in a harsh prison. He and his wife Brid Murphy were present at sentencing, showing no visible reaction. The court set a hearing for asset confiscation on 16 April. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
A former senior official at the Department of Justice, Niall Colgan, 39, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of possessing child abuse material. He admitted to having two indecent videos and two indecent images of children, which he had at his home on 1 February 2022. The judge set a sentence hearing for 7 May, after a report will be prepared.
Noel Foran, 61, of Lucan, was sentenced in July 2023 to three years' imprisonment for ten sexual assaults on his step‑daughter between 1991 and 1998. The court imposed 18‑month consecutive sentences for the first and tenth charges, while the remaining eight were considered by Judge Orla Crowe. Foran pleaded guilty before trial and claimed he had been "cured" after attending the Granada Institute in 2004. At the Court of Appeal, his counsel argued the consecutive sentences were disproportionate, noting Foran's lack of prior convictions and his low risk of reoffending. The appeal also highlighted the victim's prolonged suffering, including PTSD, self‑harm, and over 500 days in St Patrick's Hospital. The court reserved judgment on the appeal, noting the sentencing judge had discretion to impose a single four‑year sentence or consecutive terms. The case remains pending.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 16 February 2024, the court considered the case of Neville Griffin, 49, who pleaded guilty to endangerment after a taxi he was driving was pursued by an inter‑county Garda. The Garda, who was injured in a separate incident and had been out of work for seven weeks, had grabbed the passenger and the taxi door in an attempt to stop a fleeing suspect. Griffin stopped the vehicle within seconds, but the Garda fell to the road and was injured. Griffin's lawyers described the offence as reckless and momentary, noting no serious harm was caused. The judge adjourned sentencing to Monday, remanding Griffin on bail. The case highlighted the Garda's injury and the brief nature of the incident, with no further legal action reported in the article.
Keith Riggs, 40, of Finglas, pleaded guilty to arson, threats to kill and threats to cause damage. He set a Garda's private car on fire on 13 August 2020 while the owner was on patrol outside Bridewell Garda Station. Riggs poured accelerant from a Dunnes Stores bag under the car, igniting it and leaving the vehicle to burn. CCTV captured the act; forensic DNA linked Riggs to the bag and gloves. He also threatened to kill the owner of his apartment and to burn down Bridewell Garda Station. Riggs had previously been convicted of arson at a Dublin homeless hostel in March 2022, which left a 22‑year‑old woman with catastrophic injuries. He is already serving a nine‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for that offence. Judge Elva Duffy sentenced him to four and a half years imprisonment, to run concurrently with his existing term.
In January 2023, Marian Calderas, a 39‑year‑old bin‑man employed by Key Waste Management Ltd, was found intoxicated at work on the Greenhills Road, Tallaght. After colleagues discovered he was drinking alcohol, they escorted him to the canteen where he slept. CCTV later showed Calderas, at 2.25 am, using a code to access a bin‑lorry room, then driving a 2017 bin lorry into three other lorries. The collisions caused €87,000, €38,000 and €49,000 in damage, totaling €175,998. Calderas pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, suspended in full, and ordered him to pay €5,000 immediately and €7,250 within a year. He was dismissed for gross misconduct and has no prior convictions. The case highlights the impact of alcohol‑related workplace incidents on both the employee and the employer.
A 27‑year‑old former rugby player, Buti Sashi, was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four and a half years imprisonment, to run consecutively to his existing ten‑year sentence. The new sentence follows Sashi's guilty pleas to assault causing harm, two counts of aggravated burglary, robbery, false imprisonment and assault causing serious harm on two separate occasions in 2017. In one incident he stabbed a male sex worker seven times, stealing a mobile phone and €200, and in another he stabbed a female sex worker seven times, inflicting potentially life‑threatening wounds and a fractured eye socket. The court noted Sashi's pattern of contacting victims for sex before attacking them, and described the offences as "very serious crimes". The judge reduced the new term from an earlier proposed ten years, citing the totality principle.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 48‑year‑old man, Derek Bewley, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for two violent offences committed on the same day. Bewley, armed with a claw hammer, and his 36‑year‑old accomplice, Christine Ward, attacked a 79‑year‑old widower, stabbing him repeatedly and robbing him of €600, his phone, and his car. The widower, now 84, survived the assault and suffered significant physical and psychological harm, including multiple stab wounds, hearing loss, and PTSD. Bewley pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, possession of a hammer, and theft of a wallet. Ward had previously been sentenced to five and a half years for aggravated burglary, with 18 months suspended. Bewley's sentence was reduced by two years to ten years, with 18 months suspended for three years, and he will be supervised by Probation Services for 18 months after release.
In a decision on 15 February 2024, Judge Martin Nolan ruled that Derek Keane, aged 44, could have his driving licence restored after serving two‑thirds of a five‑and‑a‑half‑year prison sentence imposed in December 2019 for dangerous driving that caused the death of Callum Grimes, a 27‑year‑old man. Keane had been disqualified from driving for six years and had pleaded guilty to the offence and to failing to provide assistance at the scene. The judge noted that Keane had served the required portion of his sentence and described his behaviour as "disgraceful", yet acknowledged his desire to resume normal life. The State objected to the licence restoration, citing the seriousness of the offence and the distress caused to the Grimes family. The judge, while recognising the family's suffering, emphasised that the main part of Keane's sentence had been the prison term and that he had served his time.
Gary Dunne, aged 42, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to fraudulently claiming his dead brother's invalidity pension between September and October 2021, totalling €26,820. The fraud was uncovered after a letter questioned whether the deceased's benefits could be claimed at a local post office, despite the Department of Social Protection having already processed the death certificate and funeral payments. A meeting on 4 October 2021 identified Dunne as the claimant. Gardaí searched his home but found no evidence. Dunne has no prior convictions, but has drug and alcohol issues. He is a father of three and has offered to raise funds to reimburse the State, estimating up to €3,000 in four to six weeks. Judge Martin Nolan described the offence as "devious" and "insidious," noted Dunne's guilty plea and cooperation, and imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year prison sentence fully suspended.
Erika Gould, 38, with 208 prior convictions, was sentenced to two months' imprisonment for common assault on her mother and harassment of her sister. On 12 May last year, while her mother was driving, Gould threw scrambled egg at her mother's face and punched her left eye. Within 24 hours she sent abusive texts to her sister and later entered the sister's apartment after 1 a.m., threatening and throwing a rock at a window, actions captured on the sister's Ring camera. Gould pleaded guilty to the assault and harassment. She has a serious alcohol problem and a borderline personality disorder diagnosis. She is currently serving a six‑month sentence for violence in a Garda station. The court ordered that she have no contact with her sister for ten years. Judge Martin Nolan noted her extensive offending history and the need to protect society.
Shane Cooney, aged 33, of St Anthony's Road, Rialto, Dublin, pleaded guilty to a robbery and a vicious, unprovoked attack on a neighbour on 17 July 2023. The victim was sitting outside his house drinking coffee when Cooney demanded his phone, then pulled him to the ground and repeatedly kicked and punched him. Cooney smashed the victim's phone, urinated on the front of the house and fled. The victim suffered psychological consequences, was afraid to leave his house, and temporarily relocated with his wife. Cooney, who has 117 previous convictions including robbery, attempted robbery and assault, was arrested at the scene and brought to Kilmainham Garda Station. Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced him to six years' imprisonment, suspending the final year on strict conditions, and backdated the sentence to 18 July 2023.
A man with over 60 previous convictions has been sentenced to 18 months in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for making a series of hoax phone calls containing serious threats. Thomas McDonagh, aged 41 and of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to three emergency calls made on 15 August 2019 and a further false report on 26 August that year. The calls included threats to visit the home of a former State Pathologist armed with an AK-47 rifle, claims of explosives at Castlerea Prison and threats against a Ballaghadereen coroner's residence. Judge Martin Nolan stated that whilst the threats may have been implausible, emergency services were obliged to take precautions, which appeared to be McDonagh's intention. The judge noted McDonagh harboured a grievance against the State following his brother's death in custody four years prior. McDonagh made full admissions when interviewed in May 2021, attributing his actions to intoxication and distress around the anniversary of his brother's death. The defence submitted that McDonagh has since secured accommodation and undertaken rehabilitation steps.
In a court hearing on 14 February 2024, Garda David Currivan delivered a victim impact statement after suffering serious spinal injuries when hit by a banned driver, Charanand Flannery, who had 116 prior convictions. Currivan, who was at an M50 checkpoint dealing with a minor traffic infringement, was struck by Flannery's black Toyota Avensis, which accelerated toward him. The collision left Currivan with fractured vertebrae, nerve damage, severe back pain, and ongoing medical treatment, including 102 injections over 18 months. He has been unable to progress in his career and now works on restricted desk duty. Flannery pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment and possession of over €10,000 of cocaine, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison, and was disqualified from driving for five years. The judge described his behaviour as unforgivable and highlighted his long‑standing involvement in drug offences and prior convictions. The sentence also included a concurrent three‑year term for cocaine possession.
Megan O'Shaughnessy, a 32‑year‑old academic, was given a three‑month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to careless driving that caused serious bodily harm to a 75‑year‑old man on Emmet Road, Dublin 8, on 27 January 2022. The incident occurred when O'Shaughnessy was driving her Nissan Micra home at about 45 km/h and did not notice the elderly pedestrian crossing. The victim suffered a broken wrist and arm, was treated in hospital for four days, and later re‑admitted for pain and a delusional episode. O'Shaughnessy had no prior convictions, the vehicle was insured and had passed its NCT, and she was not using her phone or speeding. The judge noted her excellent mitigation, describing her as dedicated and exemplary, and accepted her guilty plea and cooperation as "great assistance" to the investigation. The sentence was suspended in full on strict conditions. The court recorded that the victim remains in hospital but is doing well.
James Connors, 35, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to offering a 14‑year‑old girl €1,000 for sex in a Dublin suburb on 6 June 2021. Connors approached the girl while she waited for her mother in a hotel, told her he would give her money after they had "made love", and continued to talk to her until she fled. The girl's mother confronted Connors, who then attacked her, punching and kicking her in a nearby park before attempting to escape. Connors was arrested after Garda Amber Dunne and a passerby intervened. He claimed he did not realise the girl's age and that he had only offered money. The court noted his 71 prior convictions and his history of substance misuse. Judge Martin Nolan imposed the custodial sentence, citing Connors' behaviour and the seriousness of the offence.
Stephen O'Reilly, 44, of Upper Churchtown Road, Dublin, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbing two garages in May 2021 and attempting to rob a Spar shop in June 2021, and to a public order offence and driving without insurance or a licence in April 2020. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a global sentence of four years and eight months, back‑dated to 21 October 2022, with the final six months suspended on strict conditions. The sentence includes a four‑year driving disqualification. O'Reilly was already in 24‑hour lock‑up at Midlands Prison since June 2021 and is taking significant medication. The judge noted his use of weapons, threats of violence, and the escalation of his offending, while considering his guilty pleas, personal circumstances, attempts to address addiction and expressions of remorse. The sentence reflects the aggravating features of his previous convictions, the impact on victims, and his history of drug use and mental health issues.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 13 February 2024, Michael Quinn, aged 23, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, possession of a hurley, and three counts of assault at Ennafort Roard, Raheny, on 27 June 2018, and to stealing a Google Pixel phone at Harmonstown Dart Station. Quinn, who has 20 prior convictions, was sentenced to three and a half years, with the final 12 months suspended under strict conditions. The court heard that Quinn had repeatedly struck the victim with a child's hurley after refusing to return the stolen phone, causing injuries to the victim's jaw, left arm, and hip. The victim's phone, valued at €730, was not recovered. Quinn was intoxicated at the time and had a history of drug addiction and cognitive impairment. The judge noted Quinn's guilty plea and young age as mitigating factors but imposed a custodial sentence back‑dated to 22 July 2023.
Arthur Batistis, 51, of Skerries, was sentenced to ten months' imprisonment by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for theft and deception. He stole €17,000 in pandemic unemployment payments and €10,000 in jobseeker's allowance between January 2021 and February 2022, despite not being entitled to either. Batistis also fraudulently obtained an American customer's card details over the phone to buy flowers, then processed unauthorised payments as legitimate sales and pocketed the cash. The theft was discovered when the victim reported the card charges, leading Gardaí to uncover his welfare fraud. Arrested in October 2022, Batistis admitted the offences and cooperated with the investigation. He had no prior convictions and a good work history, but the judge described the theft as reprehensible and imposed the prison term. Arthur Batistis pleaded guilty.
Samy Taib, aged 22, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended for two years, for a series of offences including assault, coercive control, endangerment and dangerous driving. The court noted that Taib's victim endured significant psychological and physical harm, including permanent damage to her foot. Taib pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm, one count of coercive control, and several traffic offences. He was found to have a history of mental health issues, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia after the offences, and was taking medication at sentencing. His defence argued that his undiagnosed mental state should have led to a greater reduction in the sentence. The Court of Appeal considered the mitigating factors but did not alter the imposed term, leaving the suspended portion and custodial period unchanged. The case remains at the appeal stage.
Karl Duggan, 38, was sentenced to six years in prison by Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to two counts of possessing the proceeds of crime, one count of possessing cocaine for sale or supply, and one count of possessing a car fitted with a concealment. The offences, which occurred on January 17, 2021, involved €1.6 million in cash hidden in secret compartments in two vehicles and €11,000 worth of drugs found at his Raheny apartment. Duggan had fled the jurisdiction following his arrest but returned voluntarily after two years. The judge stated that Duggan deserved a severe sentence due to his involvement in money laundering and drug trafficking, noting signs of wealth associated with the criminality. Defence counsel Paul Comiskey O'Keeffe BL highlighted Duggan's lack of previous convictions, his efforts to become drug-free, and personal hardships including the death of his brother and father. The court accepted these mitigating factors but maintained that the severity of the offences warranted a custodial sentence. Duggan was jailed for six years, with no suspended portion or specific conditions detailed in the finalisation.