During a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, former financial services manager Ciara Kelleher, aged 51, denied any role in a conspiracy to defraud investors in Custom House Capital (CHC) Ltd. She was arrested on 29 March 2016 and pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiring to mislead investors between October 2008 and July 2011. In interviews with gardai, Kelleher insisted she was "absolutely not" involved in the alleged misappropriation of client funds and that her role at CHC was limited to customer relations and support for investment director John Whyte. She claimed no knowledge of the sale of a 'Valovis' bond, the sale of part of CHC to Appian, or the company's difficulties. Kelleher admitted using a template with her name on valuations but denied signing false figures. She also said she had provided documents to Brian Cahalin of Appian Asset Management but could not recall the details.
Kyle Boland, 27, of Ringsend, Dublin, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment after pleading guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing over five kilograms of cannabis for sale or supply, valued at €117,762. Garda Stephen Gillespie reported that Boland's van was stopped on Rathfarnham Road following a tip, where a holdall containing a kilogram of cannabis was found beside the sliding door and a cardboard box with the remainder of the drugs was discovered after the vehicle was seized and taken to a Garda station. A phone and a tick list were also found in the van's front. Boland's 99 prior convictions were mainly for road traffic offences, including possession of a flick knife. He had been staying in a hotel at the time and claimed he was transporting the drugs for €500 to reduce a drug debt, suggesting he was acting on someone else's instructions.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Paul Clarke (29) was sentenced to four years and three months' imprisonment for assault causing harm to Lyndsey Byrne, who was tied up, struck with a stick and repeatedly scalded with boiling water during two attacks in November 2021. Clarke, described as the "main man", was accompanied by Josh Conlon (19) on the first day and Craig Kelly (38) on the second. Conlon pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, while Kelly pleaded guilty to simple assault. Clarke's sentence was back‑dated to the date of his arrest. The court noted Clarke's 79 prior convictions and the severity of the assault, while Kelly received a five‑month sentence and Conlon's sentence was to be decided the following day. The proceedings focused on the assault and the guilty pleas, without reference to any subsequent developments.
In February 2023 a Dublin court heard that Graham Armstrong, 38, had broken into a woman's home armed with a knife and threatened to kill her. The victim had met Armstrong on Tinder the day before, and he had stayed for about an hour, appearing "nice and normal." After a brief outing, she returned to find a draught and a shadow, then was pushed and held by Armstrong who demanded money. He forced her to hand over her passport, €150, and other cards, and took her mobile phone. The victim later contacted a friend who advised her to call the police. Armstrong had previously mugged a 75‑year‑old woman in August 2020 and had been convicted of robbery and burglary in 2021. He pleaded guilty to both offences and was sentenced to two years for the robbery and a consecutive three‑year term for the burglary, with the judge noting the seriousness of the knife‑wielding intrusion.
During a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, Ciara Kelleher, 51, pleaded not guilty to conspiring to defraud Custom House Capital Ltd (CHC) investors by misleading them about asset placement. The alleged offences occurred between October 2008 and July 2011. Witness Brian Cahalin, former Head of Compliance at Appian Asset Management, testified that he joined Appian in 2011 to assess CHC assets before a proposed takeover. He examined portfolios, noting unusual bond holdings and discrepancies between client valuations and daily cash reconciliations. Cahalin reported that CHC staff, including Ms Kelleher, provided reports showing sales to bonds and manipulated entries to disguise cash movements. He also described meetings where CHC executives, such as Harry Cassidy and John Whyte, admitted to selling down portfolios despite knowing it was wrong. Cahalin claimed that CHC's board raised concerns to the Central Bank, leading to the company's cessation of trading. The trial continues.
Michael Campbell, 31, was jailed for three and a half years after being caught driving a Ford van that contained €600,000 worth of cannabis. He had been pressed by third parties to transport the drugs after accruing a drug debt of €1,000 to €2,000. Campbell pleaded guilty to possessing almost 30 kilos of cannabis for sale or supply when stopped at the Ballymun exit of the M50 on 22 June. He claimed he was the "lowest of the low" in the operation and had no knowledge of the quantity of drugs he was asked to transport. Gardaí found six black plastic bags of cannabis in the van's back. Campbell had no prior convictions, had voluntarily relinquished bail in September, and was described as having an excellent work record and a good family background. The sentence was back‑dated to 12 September 2022.
Brendan Martin, 55, pleaded guilty to a single count of indecent assault on his seven‑year‑old nephew in 1982. The victim, Joseph Martin, waived anonymity and gave a video statement from Spain, describing the abuse as "unquantifiable" and its far‑reaching, destructive impact. He said the assault destroyed his relationship with his father, caused bed‑wetting until age 14, and left him with lasting emotional difficulties. Judge Martin Nolan noted the offender was a child at the time, aged 15, and suspended a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, ordering Martin to register as a sex offender. The court heard that Martin had been babysitting the nephew for months, that the abuse involved fondling and forced kissing, and that the victim's mother had stopped allowing him to babysit. Martin had previously been convicted of sexual assault in 2003‑2004 and was fined. He is now homeless and lives in his car.
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a Brazilian woman gave evidence that she was required to engage in sexual relations with one of the accused and her husband on multiple occasions. Testifying via video-link with an interpreter, the complainant described being selected as a "girlfriend" for weekends at properties in Roscommon and various hotels. She stated she was not willing to participate in these activities. The prosecution alleges that Ivanilce Vailones Fidelis, of Racecourse Road, Roscommon, and Natalia Nogueira Da Silva, of Drumlish, County Longford, trafficked two vulnerable Brazilian women for sexual exploitation. The court heard the complainant was encouraged to consume alcohol and drugs, and was instructed to continue working during menstruation. She was subsequently evicted from an apartment near Kildare Village after requesting repairs. Ms Vailones Fidelis, aged 46, has denied all 18 charges including human trafficking and money laundering offences dating between 2015 and 2020. Ms Da Silva, aged 32, has admitted 35 charges but denies one count of human trafficking. The trial continues before Ms Justice Patricia Ryan.
A Brazilian woman has testified at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that she expected merely to survive each day while allegedly trafficked in Ireland for sexual exploitation. Giving evidence via video-link with interpreter support, the woman described arriving in 2018 after being promised massage work, but was moved weekly between locations including Ballymahon, County Longford. She stated she was required to engage in sexual services, serving seven to nine clients daily at €100 to €150 each, while having limited English and facing aggressive clients. The witness detailed a system whereby she paid weekly fees for website listing, accommodation ranging from €500 to €900, transport, and transferred half her earnings to an account controlled by accused parties. She recalled meeting other women at a Christmas gathering organised by one of the accused. Natalia Nogueira Da Silva, of Drumlish, County Longford, has pleaded guilty to organising prostitution and money laundering but denies one human trafficking charge. Ivanilce Vailones Fidelis, of Roscommon, denies all eighteen charges including two human trafficking counts.
Alan Kiernan, 58, pleaded guilty to affray after a street brawl outside a women's refuge on St Patrick's Day. Gardaí saw him with blood on his head and a wheel brace. He was struck about 20 times by the co‑accused, who later received a 15‑month suspended sentence. Kiernan had previously been arrested in January 2020 and exercised his right to silence. He had 12 prior convictions, including sexual offences. In court he offered €1,000 as a token of remorse and a letter from an employment service. Judge Orla Crowe, noting the CCTV evidence and Kiernan's guilty plea, imposed an 18‑month prison sentence suspended for four years on strict conditions, directing the €1,000 to be donated to the refuge.
Stacey Harcourt, 41, pleaded guilty to unlawful cultivation of cannabis at her north Dublin home after a Garda search in October 2021 uncovered 448 g of the herb. Harcourt, a cancer sufferer diagnosed with skin cancer in 2010 and treated with eight neck operations and 15 melanoma‑related procedures, said she grew the plant from seed and used about five grams each evening for pain relief, claiming it was the only effective treatment after chemotherapy failed. She denied ever selling the cannabis. Her lawyer, Olan Callanan, argued that the drug was used solely for her own medical comfort. Judge Martina Baxter acknowledged Harcourt's situation but reiterated that each use constituted an offence. The court adjourned sentencing to 21 April, pending a Probation Service assessment and urine drug analysis.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Leon Thompson, aged 21, pleaded guilty to a robbery at a Londis shop in Clondalkin on 16 February 2019. He entered the shop at 8.20 pm armed with a hatchet, threatened two male employees, and stole €400 from the till. While fleeing, he fell over a display of KitKat bars. Thompson's claim that he had "scant memory" of the incident was noted, and he was not cooperative during the Garda interview, though he admitted to buying the distinctive runners that matched prints found at the scene. Judge Orla Crowe, recognising Thompson's juvenile status at the time, imposed a three‑year prison sentence, noting that a headline sentence for an adult would have been six years. The judge highlighted the hatchet use and the impact on staff as aggravating factors, while acknowledging Thompson's remorse and lack of prior convictions. The sentence was delivered today.
In January 2023, Liam Byrne, aged 41, was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment after threatening to stab Gardaí and assaulting them with a wooden pole and knife at his mother's home in Dublin. Byrne had previously been barred from the house but was allowed back after promising to stay clean. The incident followed a June 2022 court case where he pleaded guilty to making a threat to kill a Garda and producing a knife. Byrne's lawyer linked his violent escalation to the traumatic discovery of his father's murder in 2000, which led to severe drug addiction. He had reportedly rehabilitated a year earlier, worked in construction, and assisted at a vaccination centre, but relapsed and was intoxicated during the offence. He is now awaiting assessment for residential treatment.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 31 January 2023, 46‑year‑old Zbigniew Zadecki was sentenced to 27 months' imprisonment for assault causing harm. The offence occurred on 23 April 2020 in Phoenix Park's Fountain Road, where Zadecki, a qualified carpenter with 22 prior convictions, attacked a victim who was stamped on, punched, kicked and suffered a ruptured eye. Video evidence from Zadecki's phone showed the attackers laughing and the victim bleeding heavily. Zadecki pleaded guilty, admitting he believed the victim and a friend were Gardaí and that they were thieves. The judge, Martin Nolan, described the assault as savage and merciless, noting that any provocation was minor and did not justify the violence. Zadecki's accomplice is yet to stand trial for his role in the attack. No victim impact statement was presented. The court highlighted Zadecki's homelessness and alcohol addiction as contributing factors.
Mark Boyd, 34, of Finglas, was sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to assault causing harm at his former partner's home on 23 September 2018. On that day he was intoxicated, kicked in the door, entered the house, and violently attacked the woman, pulling her to the ground, striking her face and head, and causing a burst lip, bruising under her eyes and on the bridge of her nose. She escaped to a bedroom, then to the street, while Boyd also assaulted a man across the road, leaving him with minor injuries. The judge noted Boyd's nine prior convictions, his guilty plea, and mitigating factors such as the time elapsed since the offence and attempts at rehabilitation. The court imposed a 16‑month jail term, refusing a defence request for non‑imprisonment. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
During the Custom House Capital trial, the jury heard that staff were told reversing a transaction was part of the valuation process. Susan Fennell, who prepared client valuations, explained that valuations were reviewed by her line manager Ciara Kelleher, head of private clients John Whyte, and CEO Harry Cassidy before being sent to clients. She described a pop‑up message that prompted staff to contact Mr Lavery or finance to "back out" or reverse an amount. Fennell said she followed these instructions, noting that the phrase "do the magic" was used to request a quick reversal. She also said she had no visibility of the projects for which money was notionally allocated. The trial continues tomorrow before Judge Orla Crowe and a jury. Ciara Kelleher pleaded not guilty. Custom House Capital pleaded not guilty.
Shaun Groome's appeal against his 15-year sentence for assault causing serious harm has been dismissed. In December 2021, Groome pleaded guilty to the 2015 attack on Ciarán Murphy at Coolcor, Co Offaly, where Murphy was stabbed 16 times and set alight, suffering burns to 96% of his body and losing his ears. The trial judge, Judge Martin Nolan, described the violence as exceptional and noted Groome's murderous intent, reducing a 20-year headline sentence to 15 years without a suspended portion. Groome's counsel argued the plea discount was insufficient, citing mitigating factors including remorse and addiction. However, the Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham, rejected this, noting the plea was entered only after Groome was extradited from the UK. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy stated the sentence was within the margin for exceptional cases and the discount was appropriate. Groome's co-accused, David Keena, who was 17 at the time, was jailed for five years in October 2020 for his role in the attack, which involved providing petrol. The court upheld the original sentencing, finding the trial judge correctly weighed the mitigating circumstances against the severity of the injuries.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Gavin Deering, 24, was jailed for one year after a hotel room bust at the Maldron Hotel in Tallaght. Gardaí had been surveilling Deering, who was seen entering and leaving the hotel while dealing drugs. He pleaded guilty to possessing €15,000 worth of cannabis for sale or supply and to having a controlled drug, cocaine, in his possession on 4 July 2021. Deering had 28 prior convictions, all traffic offences. Judge Martin Nolan noted that a clean record might have allowed a suspended sentence, but given Deering's history, he imposed a three‑year sentence, suspending the final two years on conditions of good behaviour for two years after release. The court seized a large wrapped package of cannabis, weighing €15,568, and a small amount of cocaine, valued at €106.
Keith Riggs, aged 38, set fire to the Depaul Hostel in Dublin 7 on 26 March 2022, causing €2.8 million in damage and leaving 22‑year‑old Shauna O'Brien permanently blind, unable to speak and suffering chronic nerve damage. Riggs pleaded guilty to two counts of arson and one of endangerment. Judge Dara Hayes sentenced him to 11 years' imprisonment, with 18 months suspended, back‑dated to 27 March 2022. The suspended period is subject to strict conditions, including supervision by the Probation Service and engagement with community mental health services. The sentence reflects the serious injuries to O'Brien, the impact on her two children and family, and the cost to Dublin City Council of repairing the hostel and rehousing residents. Riggs' history of mental health issues and expressions of remorse were considered mitigating factors. The court noted that the fire caused four hospitalisations and significant damage to the hostel's infrastructure.
A human trafficking trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has been adjourned following the unavailability of a complainant. The witness, who has been giving evidence via video link with the aid of an interpreter, was scheduled to face cross-examination but became unable to attend. Judge Patricia Ryan informed the jury that the witness may remain unavailable for more than a week and discharged the jury for the day, with proceedings expected to resume the following afternoon. The State alleges that Natalia Nogueira Da Silva, aged 32, of Cairn Hill View, Drumlish, County Longford, and Ivanilce Vailones Fidelis, aged 46, of Castle Manor, Racecourse Road, Roscommon, trafficked two vulnerable Brazilian women for exploitation between 2015 and 2020. Ms Vailones Fidelis has denied eighteen charges, including human trafficking and money laundering offences. Ms Da Silva has admitted thirty-five charges but denies one count of human trafficking in 2019.
During the trial of Ciara Kelleher, a jury heard that Custom House Capital (CHC) made unauthorised transfers from client accounts to cover a €11.7 million shortfall in a €100 million German property investment. Ms. Angela Mahon, a former CHC operations head, testified that CHC's CEO, Harry Cassidy, had used client funds for other property projects and that transfers from PRSA accounts in 2007 were made without client authorisation. Mahon claimed she raised concerns with senior staff, was dismissed, and later reported the matter to the financial regulator. The evidence also involved emails and documents showing that CHC and its affiliated European Pensioner Trustee Company (EPT) had shared client information and that Mr. Mulholland used pension funds to influence client decisions. The case focuses on the alleged conspiracy to defraud investors by misrepresenting the use of their assets. Ciara Kelleher pleaded not guilty. Custom House Capital pleaded not guilty.
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a defence barrister has proposed that a Brazilian woman alleging she was trafficked to work as a prostitute was in fact already a sex worker who chose to come to Ireland for that purpose. The complainant, giving evidence via video link with an interpreter, has previously stated she worked as a hairdresser in Brazil. During cross-examination on the second day, the defence counsel for Ivanilce Vailones Fidelis put multiple propositions to the woman, including that she was free to leave accommodation, controlled her own clients, and that her work profile was voluntarily managed. The defence also presented social media evidence from the woman's Instagram and Tinder accounts showing photographs from her time in Ireland. The complainant maintained she had no support network and was instructed to obey orders, with hopes of completing three months before being released. Natalia Nogueira Da Silva, of Drumlish, County Longford, has admitted charges including organising prostitution and money laundering but denied one human trafficking count. Vailones Fidelis pleaded not guilty. Da Silva pleaded not guilty.
Two 27‑year‑old semi‑professional footballers from Scotland, Liam Callaghan and Craig Johnston, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and obstruction after a "shameful attack" on a 52‑year‑old man in Dublin on 8 December 2019. The victim's eye socket was fractured and his head was struck by a box, causing him to bounce off the ground. The court heard that the men had no prior interaction with the victim and that an earlier altercation at a bar had no relevance to the attack. Both men brought €6 000 to court as a token of remorse, which the victim accepted. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a two‑year prison sentence on each, suspended in full on the condition of keeping the peace for two years, and directed the men to hand over the gesture of remorse to the victim.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Martin Nolan sentenced 27‑year‑old Silmara Onofre to two years' imprisonment for possessing €66,297 worth of cocaine. Onofre, who had an address in Brazil, swallowed 78 pellets weighing 0.949 kg to smuggle the drug into Ireland. She was stopped by customs at Dublin Airport on a flight from Portugal, arrested, and taken to Beaumont Hospital where she passed the pellets under medical supervision. Onofre pleaded guilty and claimed she was manipulated, exploited and financially desperate. The judge described her as a "disposable" drug mule who took a "considerable risk" and noted that some people in Ireland have an "unending appetite for cocaine." The sentence was back‑dated to the day she was taken into custody, 17 April last.
A woman giving evidence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has described coming to Ireland with hopes of improving her circumstances and saving money to start a business. The witness, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, told the jury she arrived under what she characterised as an employment arrangement with expectations of financial gain. The woman was testifying in the trial of Natalia Nogueira Da Silva, of Drumlish, County Longford, and Ivanilce Vailones Fidelis, of Roscommon, who are accused of human trafficking. The State alleges both defendants trafficked two vulnerable Brazilian women for exploitation. During cross-examination, the witness clarified aspects of her initial complaint to gardaí and addressed questions regarding her immigration status and residency application. Ms Da Silva has pleaded guilty to organising prostitution and money laundering offences, and has admitted facilitating illegal entry to the State. She maintains her not-guilty plea to human trafficking. Ms Vailones Fidelis has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including human trafficking, organising prostitution, and money laundering. The trial continues before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury.
Ruzmond Muwaniri, 34, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assaulting three people in the St Stephen's Green area on 1 and 2 February. He admitted punching a woman, causing a broken nose, and striking two men in the face. The judge noted Muwaniri's history of mental illness, including schizophrenia, and his previous conviction for assaulting his girlfriend. He had spent two years in the Central Mental Hospital and was homeless upon release. Muwaniri denied recollection of the attacks but admitted the incidents when shown CCTV footage. He has 80 prior convictions, 16 for assault causing harm. The court ordered him to keep the peace for one year after release and comply with Probation Services. The sentence was back‑dated to 2 February 2022. Ruzmond Muwaniri pleaded guilty.
Two peace activists, retired soldier Edward Horgan (78) and civil servant Dan Dowling (39), were found guilty of trespassing on a taxiway at Shannon Airport. They had previously been acquitted of criminal damage for marking an American naval plane. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, after a ten‑day trial, returned guilty verdicts on the summary trespass charges. Judge Martina Baxter, who praised their conduct, imposed no custodial sentence but ordered each to pay €5,000 to the Clare Haven Refuge for women within 12 months. She also required them to maintain good behaviour and keep the peace for a year. The judge highlighted their lack of prior convictions and good work histories, and noted their intention to protest peacefully. The men accepted the verdict. No further penalties were imposed.
A woman giving evidence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has described being moved between rural towns weekly while allegedly trafficked for sexual exploitation. The complainant, who cannot be named, told the trial she was relocated from locations including Portarlington, Enniscorthy and Tralee, and kept a knife for protection following violent incidents with clients. She said she received instructions via phone and messaging apps from two women regarding services to be provided and payment collection, with no option to refuse work or relocation. Natalia Nogueira Da Silva, aged 32, of Drumlish, County Longford, has pleaded not guilty to human trafficking between March and May 2019, but guilty to organising prostitution, facilitating illegal entry to the State, and money laundering charges. Ivanilce Vailones Fidelis, aged 46, of Roscommon, denies all eighteen counts against her, including two counts of human trafficking and fourteen counts of money laundering. The prosecution alleges both defendants exploited vulnerable Brazilian women through debt bondage. The trial continues at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court conspiracy trial, the State accused Custom House Capital of misusing client money during the 2008‑2011 financial crash. Prosecutor Lorcan Staines SC alleged that the firm, run by CEO Harry Cassidy, bought large European investment portfolios and diverted client funds to cover these purchases, effectively "robbing Kevin to pay Klaus." Ms Ciara Kelleher, a 51‑year‑old senior portfolio relationship manager, pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud investors and clients. The prosecution claimed she was involved in a scheme that misled clients about the location and use of their assets, issuing fictitious valuation statements with fabricated interest. The case presented evidence that about 80 accounts were affected and that the firm's operations exhibited classic Ponzi‑scheme characteristics. The trial, presided over by Judge Orla Crowe, is expected to last up to six weeks.
Two women have gone on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on charges relating to the alleged trafficking of Brazilian nationals for sexual exploitation across rural Irish towns. Natalia Nogueira Da Silva, aged 32, of Drumlish, Co Longford, has pleaded not guilty to human trafficking but guilty to organising prostitution, facilitating illegal entry, and money laundering offences. Her co-accused, Ivanilce Vailones Fidelis, aged 46, of Roscommon, has pleaded not guilty to all charges against her, including two counts of human trafficking, organising prostitution, and money laundering. The prosecution alleges the two women trafficked vulnerable women between December 2018 and May 2019, moving them between towns including Portarlington, Thurles, and Tralee for sexual work. The State contends the women were controlled through debt bondage and threats. The trial, before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury, is expected to last six weeks.
Matthew Telford, aged 32, was found guilty of assault causing harm after he attacked his partner in a hotel room in Tyrellstown on 13 August 2019. The assault took place in front of their children, with Telford squeezing the woman's face and jaw, throwing her onto the bed, grabbing her by the hair, and slapping and kicking her legs. She fell, breaking her wrist, which required surgery. Telford pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and had no prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan described the attack as "unprovoked, shameful and cowardly" and, considering his remorse and lack of previous offences, imposed a two‑year suspended sentence. The sentence includes a €4,000 compensation payment to the victim, with an additional €5,000 payable in two years, and the suspension will be lifted if the victim declines the money. The court noted the long‑term impact of the wrist injury but did not impose immediate custodial time.
A man has been sentenced to three years in custody at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following a road incident in Lucan that endangered innocent bystanders. Martin Mongan, aged 47, was convicted by jury of endangerment and dangerous driving arising from an incident on Newcastle Road on 6 May 2018. The court heard that Mongan, embroiled in a family feud originating from a violent incident at a Roscommon funeral in 2017, deliberately drove his truck at a van containing family members he was in dispute with. The collision caused the van to strike an uninvolved car with three occupants who had no connection to the parties involved. Judge Patricia Ryan noted the incident occurred in broad daylight and considered aggravating factors including the repeated nature of the driving at the van. The judge stated a custodial sentence was necessary to mark the seriousness of the offence and its effects on the injured parties.
James Maher, 32, of Kilcronin Crescent, Clondalkin, was jailed for 32 months after pleading guilty to possessing cocaine and cannabis for sale or supply on 23 August 2020. While on bail, he was seen by Sergeant Peter Smith on patrol around the Grand Canal in Clondalkin, acting suspiciously and placing items from a ditch into a shopping bag on his bike. Maher ran off, threw a large bin bag into the canal, jumped in, retrieved the bag, and later threw it into a nearby field. The bag on his bike was recovered, containing cannabis worth €2,500, and he was found wet with cocaine worth €980 on him. The field search failed to recover the bin bag. Maher has 27 prior convictions, mainly for drug dealing, and was previously sentenced by Judge Elma Sheahan. He is due for release on 20 May 2025.
A former financial services worker, Ciara Kelleher, 51, is set to go on trial tomorrow at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. She faces one count of conspiring to defraud investors in Custom House Capital Ltd by deliberately misleading them about the placement of their assets. The alleged offences occurred between October 2008 and July 2011. Kelleher pleaded not guilty. Judge Patricia Ryan informed the jury that the trial is expected to last six weeks and that Kelleher denies the charge. The jury was empanelled today and the trial will begin tomorrow before Judge Orla Crowe.
Luke Yates, aged 21, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for attempting to impede the arrest of Robert O'Connor, aged 34, during an incident in north Dublin on 12 October 2021. Yates pleaded guilty to the offence. O'Connor, who was later convicted of unlawful possession of firearms and jailed for six and a half years, was fatally attacked 48 hours after his sentencing and died five days later. Yates had been in 23‑hour lockup since the fatal attack. The court noted Yates' prior convictions, including drug offences, hit‑and‑run, possession of a mobile phone in custody and dangerous driving, some of which were committed as a minor. The judge considered Yates' guilty plea and age as mitigating factors and imposed the sentence from the date of the offence, 12 October 2021.
Sean Norris, 22, was sentenced to four years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended, after pleading guilty to assault causing harm for striking a student on the back of the head with a bottle on 23 July 2019. The victim suffered a brain bleed and was unable to play sports for nine months. Norris, who has 23 prior convictions including four for assault, was part of a group of "absolute thugs" that attacked the victim from behind. Garda evidence included CCTV, blood on Norris's clothing and the bottle, and DNA matching the victim's blood. The judge, Pauline Codd, emphasised the need for deterrence against group violence and noted Norris's vulnerabilities, including substance addiction and mental health issues, which may have contributed to his conduct.
Jocelino De Silva, 44, a manager of the corporate lounge at Dublin Airport, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment after he helped move smuggled cocaine out of the airport. He had taken three kilograms of the drug, worth €210,000, from a toilet cubicle after Lucas Farias, 27, had brought just under 15 kg from Brazil in a suitcase. De Silva pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, while Farias admitted the importation of the 15 kg. Both men had no prior convictions and were remanded in custody since their arrests. Judge Martin Nolan noted the perceived problem of getting the drugs out of the airport and the role of De Silva's staff card in accessing secure areas. The case also involved a third man who was caught with the remaining 12 kg but has not yet been dealt with by the courts.
David Wright, 36, of Tallaght, South Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to stealing cash and €700 worth of cigarettes from the Fitzwilliam Card Club in Dublin 2 on August 13, 2018. Judge Pauline Codd described Wright, a poker dealer, as an "inside man" who betrayed his employer by providing information to individuals who carried out the robbery. Although Wright was not charged with robbery, the Judge noted he allowed his employer to be "fed to the wolves." The court heard that Wright's vehicle was used to transport the raider to the scene, and he made cash lodgements following the incident. Judge Codd acknowledged Wright's guilty plea, remorse, and rehabilitation efforts, including becoming a father and having only minor previous convictions. She imposed a four-year prison sentence, suspended on strict conditions requiring him to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. The Judge also ordered Wright to pay €1,200 immediately and a further €1,800 within six months. Wright walked out of court following the sentencing.
Kevin O'Keefe, 37, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to three burglaries, two thefts, criminal damage, unlawful use of a car and dangerous driving on 15 August 2017. The offences were committed in Howth, Co Dublin, where he stole €164 worth of goods from a pharmacy, an iPad from a restaurant, car keys and a phone from a pub office, a staff member's mobile phone from behind a bar, and caused €100 worth of damage to a car at a hire company. O'Keefe, who has 98 prior convictions, told the court he wants to turn his life around and apologized to those affected. Judge Martin Nolan, noting his cooperation and admissions, imposed the custodial sentence and disqualified him from driving for two years. No victim impact statements were presented.
John Fanning, 48, a bank employee from Skerries, was fined €2,000 and disqualified from driving for three years after he drove his black Jaguar into a C&T Supermarket front while intoxicated. CCTV showed him attempting to park when his foot slipped onto the accelerator, propelling the car through the shop front and into the fruit and vegetable stand. Gardaí noted he had a blood alcohol concentration of 72mg per 100ml, over three times the legal limit. No injuries were reported. The court considered Fanning's strong work history and lack of prior convictions, and deferred the disqualification until February 1 to allow him to arrange care for his elderly mother, provided he abstains from alcohol during that period. The shop owner closed the store for the day and incurred about €30,000 in repair costs, fully covered by insurance. Fanning pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and drink driving.
Samy Taib, aged 21, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, coercive control, endangerment, driving without licence and insurance, and dangerous driving. He had previously been convicted of 22 road traffic offences. The court found the victim endured significant trauma and physical injury, including permanent foot damage. Taib's mental health, diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenia, was cited as a mitigating factor. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a five‑year prison sentence, crediting time served in Scotland and any time already spent in custody. The final 12 months were suspended for two years, with strict conditions: probation supervision, no contact with the victim, and avoidance of her home and workplace. Taib was also disqualified from driving for six years. The case highlighted the severity of his offences and the impact on the victim's life.
Kenneth Williams, a repeat offender with 113 prior convictions, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving, endangerment, driving without insurance and property damage after a high‑speed chase in November 2019. He was sentenced to four years' imprisonment and a four‑year driving disqualification. The judge noted Williams' dangerous conduct, the threat he posed to the public and Gardaí, his drug problems and the fact he was already serving a lengthy sentence. The court heard that Gardaí pursued Williams in an unmarked car after he fled a petrol station incident, driving through red lights, a T‑junction and a roundabout, and attempting to ram a Garda vehicle. He was eventually apprehended after a chase involving air support and a stinger. Williams, who represented himself, claimed he was under the influence of drugs at the time.
Christopher Kearney, 36, of Isaacs Hostel, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Anthony O'Toole at Aston Quay on 21 January 2022. The assault, captured on CCTV from a Dublin Bus, was described by Judge Martin Nolan as "particularly violent" and followed a dispute between the men. Garda Eric Downey reported that the pair had earlier attracted police attention during a disagreement, claiming they were friends, before walking toward Ha'penny Bridge. Later, Gardaí found O'Toole unconscious, bleeding from nose, mouth and head, with facial injuries; he was taken to hospital but discharged himself and did not cooperate with the investigation. Kearney received a 16‑month prison sentence, with no victim impact statement submitted. He has 77 prior convictions, including theft and violent behaviour, and is homeless, on a social housing waiting list, and engaged with drug‑difficulties services.
Mary Magowan, 88, was given a one‑year suspended sentence after she reversed her car in Stillorgan Shopping Centre's overflow carpark and drove over Suzanne Brennan, who was walking behind her vehicle. Magowan knocked Brennan to the ground and continued reversing at speed, striking her again while she lay on the ground. The car then crashed into a parked vehicle and railings before stopping. Brennan suffered a broken pelvis, dislocated shoulder, multiple fractures to her right arm, nerve damage to both arms, broken ribs, and a torn bladder, requiring seven weeks of hospital treatment and ongoing care. Magowan pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious injury on 18 October 2021. She surrendered her licence after the incident. The judge, citing her remorse, lack of prior convictions and immediate licence surrender, imposed a suspended one‑year term, disqualified her from driving for three years, and did not order custodial imprisonment.
During a raid on 16 October 2020, Gardaí seized 102 g of cocaine, 2 g of heroin and evidence of cannabis cultivation from the Dublin flat of Aivar Kuura (40) and the kitchen of Michal Pozniakow (43). Kuura, who had 17 prior convictions including a 2010 drug‑dealing offence, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and heroin. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to three and a half years' imprisonment. Pozniakow, with three earlier drug convictions, pleaded guilty to cultivation of cannabis and possession of cocaine. He was jailed for 21 months. The court noted that Pozniakow had overseen the cooking of crack cocaine and that the flat also contained a sophisticated cannabis growing operation. Both men were arrested and the seized drugs were valued at €7,504 for cocaine and €46,400 for heroin. The case was prosecuted by Caroline Cummings BL.
Leon Wilson, aged 19, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assault causing harm after he threw a plastic bottle at a supermarket security guard, resulting in severe injuries. The victim suffered a fractured orbital bone, nose, bruised cheekbone and eye, with potential loss of sight. Wilson, who was 16 at the time of the incident, pleaded guilty and had no prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two‑year prison sentence suspended on strict conditions, including 12 months under Probation Service supervision. Wilson was identified via CCTV, and a search warrant was executed at his home. The case was delayed, causing Wilson to lose the benefit of the Children's Act. Wilson expressed remorse and submitted a letter of apology; a psychological report was also presented. The judge noted mitigating factors such as the guilty plea and lack of previous convictions.
Keith O'Reilly, 31, of County Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for offences committed in May 2022. He pleaded guilty to one count of assault, criminal damage, and production of a realistic firearm at Harold's Cross, Dublin. The court heard that O'Reilly broke into the home of his wheelchair-bound ex-girlfriend, assaulted her, and threw her dog onto the road. Gardaí discovered an imitation firearm in his rucksack upon his arrest. Judge Martin Nolan suspended a three-year term of imprisonment on full strict conditions. The judge noted that O'Reilly had no previous convictions and was remorseful, though somewhat intoxicated at the time. Crucially, the judge cited a letter from the victim, who requested he not be imprisoned due to his past good behaviour and her belief in second chances. Judge Nolan stated that it was only because of the woman's Christian views that O'Reilly avoided immediate custody. The matter was finalised with this suspended sentence.
Karl McDermott, aged 26, was jailed for seven and a half years after a drug‑influenced spree in Finglas on 4 May 2022. He hijacked a push bike from a 14‑year‑old schoolboy, then attempted to rob a 15‑year‑old girl, a woman at a bank, and a man in a launderette, all within a 45‑minute window. McDermott used a knife described as a butcher's knife and was described by witnesses as drunk or on tablets. He pleaded guilty to two robberies, three attempted robberies and one bicycle hijacking. The court imposed a five‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for the May 2022 offences, to run consecutively with a three‑year term for a 2021 knife‑point robbery. The final year of the eight‑and‑a‑half‑year term was suspended on the condition he keep the peace and engage with the Probation Service for one year.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 17 January 2023, a 72‑year‑old pensioner pleaded guilty to sending sexually explicit messages to a minor. The victim, a teenage girl who was the daughter of his son's partner, received the messages on Facebook Messenger in 2018. The texts were described by the judge as "depraved" and included references to licking, riding and the girl's "tight pussy." The offender, who is effectively the girl's step‑grandfather, was not previously convicted and had not attracted Garda attention. Judge Martin Nolan, after noting the incident was a one‑off and that the victim reported no physical contact, imposed a fully suspended prison sentence. The court considered the lack of prior convictions and the absence of threat or intimidation, and the sentence was set as suspended with no custodial time.
Vasile Muntean, 28, worked for the grocery‑shopping app Buymie and used his company debit card to shop at 23 supermarkets in Dublin and Kildare. Between 1 and 25 February 2021 he carried out 204 thefts, buying goods worth about €29,000, including €15,000 of One4All gift vouchers that he sold for cash to fund a drug habit. Buymie discovered the discrepancy when the card's spending did not match customer orders, and the company suffered a loss of €14,000. Muntean pleaded guilty to 32 counts of theft at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He was sentenced to a two‑year suspended term, with conditions that he hand over €6,000 to Buymie and save an additional €8,000 within two years. He has no prior convictions and has since undergone drug counselling and is working as a food‑delivery driver.