Cody Ferguson, a rail engineer, was jailed for five and a half years after being caught with nearly €350,000 worth of cannabis at Dublin Airport. He was arrested in August 2025 after customs officers found 34 packages of cannabis in his suitcase. Ferguson initially claimed he was on holiday in Thailand but later admitted to acting as a drugs courier to pay off a drug debt. He pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis for sale or supply. Ferguson has 11 previous convictions in the UK, including ten for drug offences. His defense highlighted his status as a qualified rail engineer and a father to a seven-month-old baby. Judge Martin Nolan reduced a headline sentence of nine years to five and a half years, taking into account Ferguson's early guilty plea and other mitigating factors.
Stephen Markham, a sexual assault survivor, has spoken out about the importance of being vocal if someone experiences a similar incident. He was sexually assaulted by Cezar Toader, an on-bail offender, who followed him home after they met in Dublin City Centre in 2020. Toader, who is part of the Roma community, was sentenced to four years in prison, with the final six months suspended. Markham waived his anonymity and shared his victim impact statement, detailing the emotional and psychological toll the assault had on him, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. He expressed gratitude for the support he received from the community and gardai, and encouraged others to speak out if they are victims of similar crimes. The court heard that Toader had a history of previous convictions and was on bail at the time of the assault. Judge Orla Crowe acknowledged the courage of Markham in coming forward and noted the impact of the crime on the victim. Cezar Toader pleaded guilty.
Riley Burke, a 25-year-old Canadian delivery driver, was jailed for five years after being caught with €716,000 worth of cannabis at Dublin Airport. Burke arrived on a flight from Toronto on July 26, 2025, and a suitcase containing cannabis burst open on the luggage belt. Customs officers used a dog to detect a second suitcase, which was also found to contain cannabis. The suitcases did not have Burke's name on them but belonged to two other individuals who were not on the flight. CCTV footage showed Burke waiting for the bags and checking the labels. Burke claimed he had forgotten that he had not checked any luggage and had mistakenly picked up the two suitcases. However, the garda did not accept this explanation. Burke has no previous convictions and has been in custody since his arrest. His defense argued that he was at the lowest rung of the ladder and had no financial interest in the drugs. Burke admitted to having a financial debt and said he was trying to pay it off.
Patrick Harte, 84, appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing following his conviction on 17 counts of indecent or sexual assault against eight boys between 1969 and 1986. Harte, a former teacher and principal at Sancta Maria Christian Brothers school on Synge Street, pleaded not guilty to all charges and continues to deny any offending. This fourth set of prosecutions brings his total convictions for sexual or indecent assaults to 89, involving 32 victims. During the hearing, Judge Martina Baxter heard victim impact statements detailing long-term mental health effects, including alcohol addiction and trust issues. One victim stated that "nobody cared, nobody has ever apologised." Defense counsel John Griffin BL stated Harte does not accept the jury verdicts and instructed that no plea of mitigation would be entered. Harte addressed the court, attempting to raise issues regarding evidence from a different trial, which the Judge dismissed as irrelevant to this hearing. The court noted Harte's previous sentences, including a three-year term in 2020 and a four-year term in December 2024. Judge Baxter adjourned the finalisation of sentencing to March 18 next.
Carl Innos, a 30-year-old Finnish national, was given a suspended sentence for burglary after breaking into a house in Malahide. Innos claimed he broke into the house because he was trying to find a shortcut after wading through a stream on a golf course. The homeowner found Innos in his conservatory and described him as not being aggressive. Innos asked the homeowner to open the internal doors to allow him to leave the house, but the homeowner instead fled and called 999. Nothing was taken during the burglary, and Innos was caught nearby later that day. The court heard that the homeowner's neighbor had recorded Innos breaking into the house on his phone, which was provided to the gardaí and led to his arrest. Innos admitted to the burglary and pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He had one previous conviction for failing to appear in court. The homeowner said he has yet to regain his previous feeling of safety in his home and has been left with a lingering sense of deep unease.
An offender with a high risk of recidivism who was caught with and distributed videos of child sexual abuse has been jailed for three years and six months, with the final nine months suspended. Murilo Dos Santos (36) of North Circular Road, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty last year at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of images of child sexual abuse, known in law as child pornography, and to distribution of the material between November 18, 2020, and January 2021. Detective Garda Donagh Mannix told the court that a search of Dos Santos' home in Christchurch, Dublin, uncovered 66 videos on his phone, which were in contravention of the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act. Dos Santos shared these videos with six others between October 2020 and November 2020, including one particularly graphic video involving a child aged between six and 12 months. Other videos involved children aged between eight and 12 years old, some engaged in sexual activity with adults. Gardaí also found that Dos Santos used a sharing app to distribute the material.
A Dublin horse handler, Scott Clarke, has been ordered to perform 150 hours of community service after throwing a vape at an American tourist, causing him to lose a tooth. The incident occurred outside the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin 8 in 2023. Clarke pleaded guilty to assault, which carries a maximum sentence of six months. The victim, who is in his 20s, said he feared for his life and that the incident marred his final holiday with his parents. He has undergone dental surgery and continues to experience nerve pain, spending around US$5,000 on dental implants. CCTV footage showed the victim taking down a sign displaying the charges for the horse and carriage rental, leading to a scuffle. Clarke threw the vape at the victim, hitting him in the mouth. Garda Greg Moroney testified that there was no evidence linking the horse handlers to the incident. Clarke has previous drug convictions but none for violent offenses. His defense highlighted that he is a full-time carer for his father, who is in the advanced stages of cancer.
A 63-year-old Dublin man who pleaded guilty to multiple sexual assaults on six children over a seven-year period will be sentenced later this month. The victims, including five of his first cousins and a cousin of a cousin, described the defendant as a 'cool older cousin' who groomed them. One victim recounted being sexually assaulted in her bedroom and later again as an adult. The court heard that the abuse caused significant pain and family splits. The defendant has previous convictions for sexual assault and was given a suspended sentence in 2005. His legal team asked for leniency, citing his role in caring for elderly parents and his good work history as an engineer. The judge remanded him into custody for sentencing.
A former professional boxer with a stellar career and an unbeaten record has been jailed for over five years for two burglaries in Dublin last year. Tony Bates, originally from Clondalkin, was before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court where he pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, assault, trespass, and obstructing a police officer. In one incident, he punched a man and threatened him with a knife during a burglary at an address on Mount Pleasant Avenue Lower. In another, he stole packages from the post room of an apartment block on Grand Canal Street. Garda Andras Leginszki testified that Bates stole keys and packages from the post room and returned later to use the keys to steal more. He was apprehended, charged, and bailed. Garda Alison Egan explained that Bates had gone to a man's home to ask for drugs, became aggressive, and punched him before taking a pack of prescription tablets and threatening him with a knife. A neighbor contacted gardai, who found Bates in possession of another person's driving licence and a bank card.
A man and his cousin are to be assessed for community service after pleading guilty to participating in a prolonged and unusual fraud that began 11 years ago. Simon O'Donnell (43) of Swords, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to providing false information in a passport application in 2019. His cousin Winnie O'Donnell (59) of Dublin 22 pleaded guilty to providing false information to the Civil Registration Service in 2011. The pair attempted to create a fictitious identity by registering the birth of a 'David O'Donnell' in 1980, with Winnie falsely claiming to be his aunt. The birth certificate was later used in a passport application that was stopped by biometric safeguards. Simon admitted the fraud was to obtain social welfare to pay off people threatening him due to a feud. Winnie admitted there was no such person as 'David O'Donnell' but did not dispute the signature on the form. The court heard that Simon had no previous convictions for deception offences, while Winnie had eight summary convictions for theft and fraud.
Simon O'Donnell and his cousin Winnie O'Donnell were involved in a prolonged and unusual fraud attempt that began 11 years ago. They created a fictitious identity to claim social welfare benefits. Simon pleaded guilty to providing false information in a passport application in 2019, while Winnie pleaded guilty to providing false information to the Civil Registration Service in 2011. The court heard that they registered the birth of a fictitious person named 'David O'Donnell' and submitted the birth certificate as part of the passport application. The passport application was stopped due to biometric safeguards, leading to an investigation. Simon claimed he did it to obtain social welfare to pay off people threatening him due to a feud. Winnie admitted there was no such person as 'David O'Donnell' but did not dispute that the signature on the form looked like hers. The court heard that the fraud was a bet to see if they could be successful in submitting the application. Both defendants expressed remorse and asked the court to consider non-custodial sentences.
Izabella Aleksandrowicz, a 50-year-old woman from Swords, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm after she ran over Andrew Brett, a cyclist, in Dublin City Centre. Brett, an experienced marathon runner, was crushed by the front and rear wheels of Aleksandrowicz's SUV as she made an illegal right-hand turn. He suffered severe injuries, including damage to his liver, internal bleeding, and a fractured pelvis. Brett described the accident as the worst day of his life and said he is still tortured by the sound of his breaking bones. He stated that the accident had a monumental impact on him and his family, changing his life forever. Aleksandrowicz remained at the scene and had a full Polish driving license with no alcohol or drugs in her system. The court heard that the road conditions were good and there were no obstructions. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the case for sentencing and ordered a report from The Probation Service. Aleksandrowicz expressed her sincere apology and said she has been suffering from anxiety since the accident.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, four men – Rory Carr, Bruno Tache, David Oloo Omee, and Sean Forde – pleaded guilty to various charges related to a series of violent incidents in Dublin City Centre on February 15, 2025. Carr admitted to three counts of assault causing harm to Quham Babatunde, Adetola Adetuilehim, and a third man in separate incidents, as well as charges of violent disorder and affray. Tache admitted to assault causing harm to Babatunde and another man, along with charges of violent disorder and affray. Omee and Forde admitted to charges of assaulting Adetuilehim causing harm and violent disorder, and affray, respectively. Judge Crowe directed urine analysis for Carr and adjourned the finalisation of sentence for Carr and Tache to March 10. Probation reports were ordered for Forde and Omee, and they were remanded on continuing bail to April 21. Tache was on bail for an offence of money laundering and was also subject to a suspended sentence for drug dealing. Carr was on bail for an offence of drug dealing and was also subject to a suspended sentence of two years for possession of knives from 2023. Omee was on bail for an outstanding offence at the time. The matter was adjourned and never described as concluded or finalised.
Oumar Dao received a fully suspended sentence for stealing €3,764.70 from an elderly man by impersonating an AIB official. Dao, who has 30 previous convictions, including one for money laundering, pleaded guilty to theft. The victim, aged 78 at the time, was tricked into sharing his bank details after clicking on a phishing link. Dao met the victim and collected his card, which was later used to withdraw money and buy food. CCTV footage and car registration details led to Dao's identification. His defence highlighted his educational background and current studies in welding and mechanical engineering. Judge Patricia Ryan described the crime as a "sneaky" and premeditated offence against a vulnerable person. Dao was sentenced to 18 months, suspended on strict conditions, and was required to pay €2,000 to the victim as a practical expression of remorse.
The trial of Stephen O'Sullivan, a Limerick car dealer accused of giving €20,000 to a detective garda in exchange for confidential information about an investigation into his business, collapsed. O'Sullivan had pleaded not guilty to the charge of corruption. The defence requested to call a new witness whose evidence was deemed highly relevant. Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin ruled that the jury should be discharged, as the evidence could not be considered without the new witness. The court heard that O'Sullivan had provided a covert audio recording of a conversation where he gave the detective the money and asked about ongoing investigations. O'Sullivan also alleged that senior gardai were involved in extorting money from him. The case was adjourned for further proceedings, with the judge expressing the need to investigate the matter thoroughly.
A man who contacted gardaí after seeing a photograph of himself looting from a shop during the Dublin riots has been given a two-year suspended sentence. Daniel Owie, 22, pleaded guilty to burglary after being caught on CCTV footage stealing €600 worth of clothing and runners from Foot Locker. He told gardaí he had an adrenaline rush and joined in the chaos. The court heard that gardaí had circulated over 160 images of people they wanted to speak to, having reviewed over 17,000 hours of CCTV footage. Owie's defense argued that his involvement was brief and that he had no history of violence. The judge acknowledged Owie's remorse and the extraordinary work of the gardaí in reviewing the footage. She set a headline sentence of three years but suspended it in full on strict conditions, giving Owie a chance to avoid jail.
A man who participated in the arson of a car to warn the owner to pay a drug debt has been sentenced. Dylan Deegan pleaded guilty to damaging the car by fire in a parking lot. He had 22 previous convictions for offenses including robbery and assault. Judge Martin Nolan noted that Deegan was involved due to his own drug debt and under coercion. The arson posed no significant danger to others. Deegan received a 21-month sentence, backdated to when he went into custody. CCTV footage showed Deegan breaking the car window and pouring accelerant. His defense highlighted his difficult childhood, poor mental health, and drug addiction, asking the court to consider his guilty plea and the psychological report submitted.
A jury is deliberating in the trial of Stephen O'Sullivan, a Limerick car dealer accused of giving €20,000 to a garda detective in exchange for information about a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation into his business. O'Sullivan has pleaded not guilty to the charge of corruption. The trial has reached its final stages, with both prosecution and defense having made closing speeches. Surveillance footage showed O'Sullivan giving the money to Detective Garda David Bourke. O'Sullivan also claimed that senior gardai were involved in extorting money from him. Chief Superintendent Michael McNulty testified that warrants were sought for phone records and that a cash safe was found during searches. The jury has gone home to deliberate and will resume on Monday.
Patrick McDonagh, aged 25, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison after he threw a carton of chips at pensioner Michael Whitfield and then struck him with his car on Clonshaugh Road on 3 November 2021. Whitfield, now 66, suffered a catastrophic head injury that left him unable to walk, with severe speech difficulties and requiring full‑time care. He spent five weeks in an induced coma, ten months at Beaumont Hospital, five months at the National Rehabilitation Hospital and is now a full‑time patient in a specialist brain‑injury care setting. McDonagh pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm; the court noted his lack of previous convictions at the time but recorded 17 prior convictions thereafter. The sentence was set to run consecutively with a seven‑year term for false imprisonment, assault, threats to kill and burglary, with six months suspended on conditions including Probation Service supervision.
A 45-year-old man with a long criminal record has been jailed for six and a half years for hijacking a car and threatening a woman with violence. Joseph Rafferty, identified by a port-wine birthmark, was sentenced by Judge Orla Crowe after pleading guilty to multiple offences, including stealing a woman's iPhone and dental veneers during the hijacking. He also admitted to robbing a service station and attempting another robbery later that evening. The judge described the incidents as a series of violent crimes by a repeat offender. She noted the terror inflicted on the victim, who was cleaning her car when Rafferty threatened her with death. The woman was forced to jump from the moving vehicle, and her personal items were not recovered. Rafferty, who has 61 previous convictions, including lengthy prison sentences, was also found to have a history of drug addiction and a difficult upbringing. His defence highlighted his remorse and intention to rehabilitate. The judge imposed a seven-and-a-half-year sentence, with the final year suspended.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 6 February 2026, 32‑year‑old Martin McDonnell pleaded guilty to producing a knife and dishonestly appropriating a cigarette on Wellington Quay on 13 June 2024. The court heard that McDonnell, who has a history of violent incidents and a permanent scar from a past axe attack, approached a worker who had just finished a night shift at 8 am. After the victim refused to give him a cigarette, McDonnell pulled a large knife from his trousers, then, once the cigarette was handed over, hugged the victim and kissed him on the back of the neck. McDonnell was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, with the final 10 months suspended, and was ordered to be supervised by the Probation Service for 18 months after release. The judge noted McDonnell's guilty plea and expressions of remorse as mitigating factors.
A former competitive rugby player and scholarship recipient has been jailed for 18 months after being caught with a machete on a Dublin street. Michael Ibrahim, a 21-year-old father of one from Balbriggan, pleaded guilty to possession of a machete with a sharply pointed blade on Shelbourne Road on July 2. Gardai noticed Ibrahim and another male acting suspiciously and found a broken nail scissors on Ibrahim during a search. When asked for an explanation, Ibrahim did not provide one and was arrested. During the arrest, a black machete was found concealed under his clothing. The court heard that Ibrahim has 26 previous convictions, including drug dealing. His barrister highlighted his bright prospects as a young rugby player and scholarship recipient, noting that he had fallen in with a bad crowd after an injury. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the case and the need for a custodial sentence, stating that it was fortunate the gardai had been alert. Ibrahim was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
Nathan Walsh and Lee Cunningham, both aged 29, have pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to charges arising from an assault on a man in Dublin City Centre on 23 May 2023. Walsh, of Ballyshannon Road, Beaumont, admitted theft and assault causing harm. Cunningham, of Park Lawn, Mount Prospect Avenue, Clontarf, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. The victim, now 41, was attacked on Temple Lane South at 3am and robbed of his mobile phone and wallet. CCTV footage showed Walsh initiating the assault with punches and kicks to the head before searching the victim's pockets, while Cunningham's involvement occurred at the assault's conclusion. A third defendant, Brian Delahunty, was previously sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for his role in the same incident. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned sentencing of Walsh and Cunningham to 30 April to allow the Probation Service to prepare reports on both men.
A man who claims he was extorted into giving a detective garda €20,000 in exchange for a tip-off about a raid on his car dealership told officers that he did not inform the Garda ombudsman. Stephen O'Sullivan (43) is accused of giving or agreeing to give to Detective Garda David Bourke a monetary gain as an inducement to reveal confidential information concerning an investigation being carried out by (CAB) in relation to Stephen O'Sullivan, trading as Stephen Bawn Motors. Mr O'Sullivan, of Farrehy, Broadford, Co Limerick, is a director of the business and has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a single count of corruption at Bruree, Co Limerick on December 22, 2018. Mr O'Sullivan was arrested on January 23, 2019, by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NCBI). The court has already heard an audio recording of Stephen O'Sullivan giving €20,000 to Detective Garda David Bourke.
Brian Grendon, a convicted criminal, was given a fully suspended sentence for failing to pay income tax on over €27,000 in cash seized from his home. Grendon denied being a 'main player' in an organised crime group and claimed the cash was legitimate. The court heard that the cash was found in envelopes in his bedroom and that Grendon had a history of criminal convictions, including 18 for road traffic offences. The prosecution argued that the cash was the proceeds of crime, but Grendon maintained it was from his car business. The court accepted a plea deal, and Grendon was sentenced to 18 months, which was suspended for three years. The judge noted that the offence was at the lower end of the scale and did not warrant a custodial sentence. Brian Grendon pleaded guilty.
A Limerick car dealer on trial for alleged corruption has claimed that senior gardai were involved in extorting money from him, a trial has heard. Stephen O'Sullivan (43) is accused of giving or agreeing to give Detective Garda David Bourke a monetary gain as an inducement to reveal confidential information concerning an investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) into his business. He has pleaded not guilty to the single count of corruption at Bruree, Co Limerick, on December 22, 2018. During the trial, David Gilmore, a former detective sergeant, testified that he arrested O'Sullivan in January 2019. O'Sullivan claimed he was being set up and that gardai were trying to extort €120,000 from him. He alleged that Detective Garda Bourke and a superintendent were involved in the CAB investigation and could influence its outcome. O'Sullivan said he felt under extreme pressure and feared reprisals if he made a formal complaint. He also claimed that gardai followed and harassed him, and that the superintendent appeared at his regular eateries.
Eoghan Peavoy, a 54-year-old Dublin man with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, pleaded guilty to harassing a female barrister and another woman. He was in custody for breaching the conditions of a suspended sentence, which included no contact with the victim. Peavoy was released from in-patient psychiatric care in October 2025 but quickly resumed contacting the barrister. His defense argued that Peavoy requires treatment at the Central Mental Hospital, but no beds are available. The court was asked to adjourn the case for further reports on Peavoy's mental health and potential support in custody. Judge Martin Nolan noted the risk of re-offending but agreed to the adjournment. Peavoy's behavior included sending hundreds of emails and letters, some with sexual content, and posting letters to the victim's workplace. The victim did not wish to make a victim impact statement and wanted to move on from the incident. The court considered Peavoy's mental health and the need for ongoing support to prevent re-offending.
Niall Syms, a 70-year-old pensioner with a background in IT, was jailed for three years for possessing and distributing over 55,000 images and videos of child sexual abuse material. Syms pleaded guilty to possession and distribution charges, with the distribution arising from the use of BitTorrent technology. The court heard that the material included serious sexual abuse of children as young as four. Syms had no previous convictions but had attended over 400 hours of therapy. His defense highlighted his remorse and rehabilitation efforts, noting that he had lost his marriage and family due to his actions. Judge Orla Crowe noted the sheer number of images as an aggravating factor and the technical proficiency Syms had in distributing the material. The sentence was backdated to January 23, 2026, and the court acknowledged the delay in the case due to a backlog in analysis. Syms' defense argued that the distribution was unintentional due to residual software activity, but the judge emphasized the need for a custodial sentence despite Syms' efforts at rehabilitation.
Lorcan Murphy, a former garda, was sentenced today at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for two counts of assault causing harm under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. Murphy had pleaded not guilty to the charges, but a jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict last July. The incidents occurred on June 1, 2021, involving a 17-year-old victim on Essex Street and subsequently at Pearse Street Garda Station. Judge Pauline Codd described the force used as "unjustifiable" and "excessive," noting the victim sustained a fractured skull and brain contusion. In mitigation, the judge acknowledged Murphy's willingness to engage in restorative justice, though the victim declined to participate. She also accepted his remorse, references to his character, and the fact that he has since completed a law degree. Judge Codd imposed a three-year custodial sentence, with the final two years suspended for two years on strict conditions. The court made no order regarding €10,000 offered by Murphy to the victim, citing concerns about the victim's addiction. The judge emphasized that while Murphy acted recklessly rather than intentionally, his conduct was highly reckless and left his career in tatters.
Ruadhan Tracey, a 44-year-old man who caused the death of a 14-year-old boy in a hit-and-run accident, will have his driving license restored early despite opposition from the victim's family and gardai. Tracey received a 20-month jail sentence in 2014 for careless driving causing death and failing to remain at the scene. The court heard that the disqualification from driving was the only penalty he faced, as his prison term ran concurrently with another sentence. Judge Orla Crowe noted the tragic circumstances of the case and the loss of the 14-year-old boy, but ruled that it was appropriate to restore Tracey's license in May 2027. Tracey, who has since rehabilitated and has not been in trouble since 2018, argued that the license would help him in his new job. The victim's family expressed their opposition, with the father describing the loss as a tsunami that destroyed their lives. The court acknowledged the family's pain but ruled in favor of restoring the license, emphasizing Tracey's efforts at rehabilitation and his current good conduct.
A former employee of DID Electrical, Magdi Ba, has been sentenced to two years in prison for stealing over €129,000 worth of electronic items from the company over a three-year period. Ba, who had access to the warehouse, sold the stolen goods to a second-hand shop, CEX. The court heard that suspicions were raised when a warehouse manager noticed missing items, and CCTV footage showed Ba in the vault at the time. A detailed investigation by gardai revealed that Ba had sold 371 items, with the total loss to DID Electrical amounting to €129,651. Ba had initially denied the theft but later admitted to taking the items. Judge Orla Crowe described the offense as a 'consistent breach of trust' and emphasized the need for a custodial sentence. Ba had forfeited €67,000 from two bank accounts and his car before being sentenced.
A 35-year-old man who violently attacked his mother in a 'meltdown' over a cigarette has been handed a fully suspended sentence. Keith Walsh pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to his mother, Maura Walsh, and was sentenced to three-and-a-half years, suspended for five years. Judge Martina Baxter noted the unprovoked and protracted assault, during which Walsh used his mother like a 'punch bag'. She directed Walsh to engage in anger management and addiction courses and to be under the supervision of the Probation Services for 18 months. The court heard that Walsh had a history of addiction and mental health issues and had attended a rehabilitation centre. The case was adjourned with the judge emphasizing the need for Walsh to address his issues and provide proof of his rehabilitation.
The corruption trial of Stephen O'Sullivan, a Limerick car dealer, has heard covert recordings of conversations between O'Sullivan and Detective Garda David Bourke. O'Sullivan is accused of giving Bourke €20,000 in exchange for information about an ongoing investigation by the Criminal Assets Bureau into Bawn Motors. The trial revealed that the investigation, codenamed 'Operation Glacier,' was highly sensitive and confidential. Audio surveillance recorded in December 2018 showed O'Sullivan and Bourke discussing the investigation, with Bourke warning O'Sullivan that authorities were planning searches. Bourke also mentioned that the investigation was still ongoing and that there were concerns about a garda leaking information. The court heard that Bourke was not part of the investigation and that the two business partners had supplied cars to the company. The trial continues with further evidence being presented to the jury. Stephen O'Sullivan pleaded not guilty.
A jury will hear evidence that a secret recording captured a Limerick businessman accused of corruption giving a detective garda €20,000 in exchange for information relating to a Criminal Assets Bureau investigation. Stephen O'Sullivan, 43, has pleaded not guilty to one count of corruption at Bruree, Co Limerick, on December 22, 2018. The prosecution alleges that O'Sullivan met with Detective Garda David Bourke in a Citroen Berlingo van and made the payment. The court heard that Bourke, who was transferred to Limerick in 1998, was involved in the CAB investigation called 'Operation Glacier'. The jury was told that O'Sullivan met with Gardai in 2022 and claimed he was intimidated or extorted into paying the money. The trial, expected to last up to three weeks, will resume with Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin presiding.
Gardai discovered a 'cornucopia' of illicit drugs, cash and associated paraphernalia when they inquired into a stolen motorbike after the legitimate owner discovered it for sale online. Dylan Sheridan (23) Lissadel Avenue, Drimnagh, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to having cannabis, ketamine and tablets with a street value of €151,046 at his home on March 20, 2024. He also admitted handling the stolen motorbike, having items connected to a drug trafficking offence and having €33,350 in €50 and €100 notes, on the same date. He has two previous convictions for drug possession and drug dealing dealt with in the District Court. The court heard that the bike had been stolen the previous December and the owner had later found it online for sale. He made contact with the supposed seller of the bike and contacted gardaí. On March 19, 2024, arrangements were made to meet Sheridan opposite his home to buy the bike. During a subsequent search of his home, the bike was found in the front garden under a canvas cover.
A hit-and-run driver, Ruadhan Tracey, who was banned from driving for 20 years after causing the death of a 14-year-old boy in 2011, has applied to a court for the restoration of his license. Tracey, 44, received a 20-month jail sentence in 2014 for careless driving causing the death of Conor Hickey and failing to remain at the scene of an accident. The court heard that Tracey had borrowed his girlfriend's car and was driving with a friend to buy heroin when the incident occurred. The victim, Conor Hickey, was struck by the car and died the following day. Tracey admitted to taking his eyes off the road and driving off because he had no license or insurance. The victim's family and gardaí are opposed to the restoration of his license. Tracey, representing himself, asked the court to grant his application, stating he had not been in trouble since 2018 and had been offered a job. The case was adjourned to February 3, with the court asking for relevant case law to be presented. Ruadhan Tracey pleaded guilty.
A judge has said that an Italian drugs mule who was rumbled when he went back to Dublin airport to seek out his lost luggage containing €294,000 in cannabis was 'not a criminal mastermind'. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Alfonso Turano had completed a lost luggage form in his real name and replied 'Mamma mia!' when he was told what was in the suitcase. Turano (41) arrived in Ireland the day before the suitcase, which contained 14.7kg of cannabis. The defendant, with an address in Calabro, Italy pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply on March 1, 2025 at Dublin Airport. Today, Judge Ronan Munro handed Turano a four-year sentence, with the final 20 months suspended for 10 years on strict conditions. The judge said the court accepted that Turano was 'not a criminal mastermind', but was also satisfied that the defendant would have known the suitcase contained illicit substances.
Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin commented that she might not have a job if it were not for the scourge of drugs and the low-level mules who help in the illegal trade. Michael Hayter, a UK national, was jailed for four years for importing nearly €750,000 worth of cannabis through Dublin Airport. Hayter pleaded guilty to having the drugs for sale and importation. He was approached in Cambodia and offered £2,000 to transport the drugs. The judge acknowledged that Hayter was acting as a courier or mule but emphasized that his actions enabled drug dealers to thrive. She set a headline sentence of eight years but reduced it to four years due to Hayter's early guilty pleas and lack of previous convictions. The judge noted that Hayter would be separated from his family during his time in prison. Hayter was recently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and lost his job. His counsel expressed remorse and stated that Hayter was engaging with addiction support services. The judge accepted that Hayter had no history of offending and lived a pro-social life otherwise.
Brian Grendon, a 48-year-old car dealer from Clondalkin, Dublin, appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court regarding a charge of failing to remit income tax payable under the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. He pleaded guilty to the offence, which carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment or a fine. The prosecution outlined that €27,725 in cash was seized from his home during a search on January 19, 2022. While Grendon denied involvement in organised crime or money-laundering, asserting the funds were legitimate proceeds from car sales, the DPP accepted a defence proposal based on the money reflecting undeclared income. Defence counsel Keith Spencer BL argued for leniency, citing an accountant's report explaining that Grendon was advised to trade in cash due to banking issues with his UK-registered company during the pandemic. Spencer noted Grendon's willingness to perform community service and stated the cash is available for forfeiture to Revenue. Judge Orla Crowe stated the court required confirmation of the specific amount of income tax payable on the seized funds. Consequently, the matter was adjourned for finalisation until February 4. Grendon was remanded in custody on an unrelated matter during the proceedings.
A teenager, Steadfast Akhigne, who was under the influence of a more criminally involved man, has received a suspended sentence for her role in laundering over €100,000 through invoice redirect fraud. Akhigne, 24, pleaded guilty to two charges of money laundering after allowing her bank account to be used. The fraud involved fake emails from suppliers, leading to payments being made into her account. She admitted to providing her bank card and PIN to the man, who used her account to withdraw cash and purchase high-end phones. The court acknowledged her lack of prior convictions and her remorse, noting she was under the influence of the other man. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a 12-month suspended sentence, emphasizing that Akhigne was not the mastermind but played an active role in some aspects of the fraud.
Cain Hutch, described as the 'ringleader' of a violent pub fracas, has been jailed for three years and nine months. Hutch, 27, pleaded guilty to violent disorder, producing a chair during a dispute, and arson. The incident in the Deputy Mayor pub in Finglas involved an unprovoked attack on three young men in front of children, with CCTV footage showing Hutch punching and throwing a chair. He also admitted to setting fire to a house in Finglas in 2021. The court heard of his 27 previous convictions and his intoxication at the time of the incidents. While the judge acknowledged his difficult background and apology, she emphasized the seriousness of the violence and the presence of children. A one-year sentence for the arson was suspended, and a three-and-a-half-year sentence for the violent disorder was imposed, with the final nine months suspended for one year.
A delivery driver, David McCann, was given a 12-month suspended sentence for causing the death of Ann Watters through careless driving. The incident occurred when McCann failed to look where he was going while making a right turn, resulting in a fatal collision. CCTV footage showed McCann was not looking ahead when he turned, and the van cut across the center of the road, hitting Ms. Watters. Judge Orla Crowe acknowledged the momentary lapse in attention and noted that there was no excessive speed or intoxication involved. McCann cooperated with the investigation, expressed remorse, and remained at the scene. The court recognized the devastation caused to Ms. Watters' family and the impact of the victim impact statements. McCann was disqualified from driving for four years. The victim's husband emphasized the need for changes in driver behavior to prevent further tragedies. David McCann pleaded guilty.
Constantin Iosca, 46, was jailed for two years and nine months after being convicted of dishonestly inducing the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) to investigate a fraudulent insurance claim. Iosca had submitted a claim form in 2016, alleging he was injured in a road traffic accident. However, CCTV footage showed him walking unaided and loading a wheelchair into his car, contradicting his claim. Iosca has 19 previous convictions, including theft, road traffic offences, and public order offences. The court heard that Iosca's claim was taken to the High Court, which was an aggravating factor. Judge Patricia Ryan noted that Iosca's medical issues and lack of recent criminal activity were mitigating factors. Iosca was sentenced to three years and six months, with the final nine months suspended on strict conditions for three years post-release.
Lee O'Brien, a man with 228 previous convictions, was jailed for a robbery at a Dublin petrol station. O'Brien, armed with a knife, demanded money from a staff member, resulting in €350 being stolen. The victim left her job due to the traumatic experience. O'Brien had recently been released from custody and was not on bail at the time of the offence. Judge Orla Crowe noted the deliberate and organized nature of the crime, and imposed a three-year and three-month sentence, with the final six months suspended. O'Brien attempted to detox while in custody and expressed remorse. The court heard that the case was delayed due to the pandemic, and O'Brien had previously been sentenced for similar offences. The judge acknowledged his long-standing drug issues and difficult background, but emphasized the severity of the crime. Lee O'Brien pleaded guilty.
Constantin Iosca was convicted of fraudulently claiming compensation from the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) after a road traffic accident. Iosca falsely reported being injured while cycling and submitted a claim for compensation. Surveillance footage showed him getting in and out of a wheelchair and walking unaided, contradicting his claim of injury. Iosca had no work history and moved to Ireland from Romania in 1997. He has 19 previous convictions, including theft and road traffic offences. The court heard that Iosca's claim was withdrawn after the CCTV evidence was played. Iosca's defense argued that the engineer's report suggested the incident likely occurred as he described. However, the court noted that the jury found him guilty of deception. Iosca was remanded on continuing bail, with sentencing to take place later.
Two men, Ciaran Whelan and Robert Costello, were jailed for a brutal attack on a couple celebrating their anniversary in Dublin City Centre. During the incident, Whelan bit off part of the man's ear and shouted, "Look at how much of his ear I've got." The couple, originally from Mongolia, were attacked while walking home after dinner. The man sustained a third of his ear being separated, requiring a skin graft, while the woman suffered a nasal fracture. Both men pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. Judge Ronan Munro described the attack as "lifelong maiming" and noted the couple had to return to Ireland for court proceedings. Whelan was sentenced to three years and four months, with the final 27 months suspended, while Costello received two years, with the final 16 months suspended. Both men had extensive criminal histories, and Whelan expressed remorse by offering €4,000 to the victims.
Christopher Reynolds, a cocaine dealer, was jailed for four and a half years after hitting a garda during an escape attempt on a stolen motorbike. Reynolds was also jailed for possessing nearly €300,000 worth of cocaine. The incident occurred in May 2025 when Reynolds drove through a narrow gap in a garage forecourt and collided with a garda, causing the officer to suffer a dislocated foot and torn ligaments. Reynolds later apologized and claimed the collision was unintentional. He had nine previous convictions and was on bail for a drugs offence at the time. Judge Orla Crowe noted the seriousness of the endangerment offence and the substantial amount of cocaine involved. Reynolds was sentenced to three years for the drugs offence and two years for the endangerment, with the final six months suspended. The court heard that Reynolds had been under pressure from a drug debt and had since shown signs of rehabilitation. Christopher Reynolds pleaded guilty.
The owner of a Dublin city head shop caught selling cannabis herb had a "mistaken belief" she wasn't breaking the law, a court has heard. Charlene Flynn (37) was present during the search and told gardai she was the owner of the shop, which was part of a franchise that also operated a premises in Cork city. She was arrested in September 2022 and interviewed. She told gardai that cannabinoid oil and CBD products, which she said were regulated under EU food law, were seized by gardai on the day of the search. Ms Flynn said that the products had a level of THC, the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis, of under 0.2 per cent and said that "to my knowledge the products are within the legal requirements". Flynn of Hollytree Square, Ballymun later pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of drugs for sale or supply at 'Funky Skunk' on June 2, 2022.
Stephen Byrne (44) was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years for aggravated burglary and threatening to kill a Carmelite brother at a retreat centre in Dublin. The incident occurred in April 2024 when Byrne broke into the Avila Carmelite Centre and threatened the 77-year-old brother with bolt cutters. The court heard that Byrne was identified through fingerprints and was arrested while on bail. He admitted to stealing €350 during the incident. Byrne, who has a history of addiction and homelessness, expressed remorse and wrote an apology letter. Judge Orla Crowe noted the severity of the crime and the terror experienced by the victim but considered mitigating factors, including Byrne's plea and his past contributions. The judge suspended the final 12 months of the sentence for two years on strict conditions. Stephen Byrne pleaded guilty.
A serial robber told a Brinks worker "don't be a hero, I'll f**king kill you" when he grabbed a cash box at a Luas stop, a court has heard. Gary Quinn (32) was on bail when he approached the victim while he was changing out the coins and notes from a ticket machine at Fatima LUAS stop in south Dublin. At the sentencing hearing today in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Garda Mark O'Reilly told Aoife McNickle BL, prosecuting, that the robbery took place shortly after midday on August 7 last year. The victim had already changed the coin box and was pulling out the note box when Quinn came up to him and grabbed it. The victim later told gardai that he initially thought it was a joke and he went to grab the box back. At this point, the robber told him: "Don't be a hero, I'll fucking kill you". The victim wasn't sure if the man was armed or not but was in fear for his life. The unnamed man pleaded guilty.