During the 13th week of David Drumm's trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a jury heard that a €7.2 billion transaction between Anglo Irish Bank and Irish Life and Permanent had no commercial substance because Anglo's asset profile did not change. Dan Taylor, a chartered accountant from BDO London, testified that the purpose of the transactions was to inflate Anglo's year‑end balance. Taylor explained that the circular nature of the deals could have continued indefinitely, limited only by the time banks' payment systems could process them. He observed that the loans appeared unsecured, with no underlying security or contract between the banks, a situation not uncommon in interbank transactions. Drumm, aged 51, admitted the transactions occurred in 2008 but denied they were fraudulent or dishonest. He remains not guilty of conspiracy to defraud and of false accounting for the 2008 deposits. The case proceeds before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury of ten men and four women.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 37‑year‑old woman and a 42‑year‑old man were sentenced to 21 and 18 months respectively for the systematic neglect and physical abuse of the woman's 16‑year‑old daughter. The court heard that the child suffered 46 injuries, including puncture marks, bruises, scratches and cuts, over a year. The mother pleaded guilty to nine counts of wilfully assaulting, ill‑treating or neglecting a child between September 2007 and August 2008, while the father pleaded guilty to two similar charges. The court noted the mother's addiction to heroin, the father's work commitments, and the child's reports of being tied to a bed, denied sleep, and beaten for minor infractions. The child was removed from the home in August 2008, placed in foster care, and has remained there for nine years. The judge described the abuse as "grotesquely wrong" and highlighted the father's failure to protect his daughter.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a jury heard all evidence in the trial of four men—Niall Byrne (36), Mark Farrelly (47), Christopher Corcoran (70) and David Byrne (45)—who are accused of a €2.28 million cash‑in‑transit robbery and the false imprisonment of Securicor driver Paul Richardson and his family at their Ashcroft, Raheny, home on 13 and 14 March 2005. All four pleaded not guilty to both the robbery and the false imprisonment. Judge Melanie Greally instructed the enlarged jury of fourteen members to consider the evidence before delivering their speeches and cautioned them against drawing conclusions prematurely. The case, now in its fifth trial, had previously involved a telecommunications expert who confirmed that calls from a third number to the Byrne couple's phones in the week before the robbery did not match their usual pattern.
A convicted sex offender has been sentenced to two years imprisonment, with the final six months suspended, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for multiple breaches of a child protection order. Anthony Luckwill, a UK citizen aged 45, has convictions for possession of child pornography in Ireland and Wales, along with other sexual offences. In July 2012, a court imposed 16 protective orders against him under the Sex Offenders Act 2001. The court heard that in November 2016, Luckwill approached a woman at the Longford Arms hotel, presenting himself as involved in modelling and encouraging her to send her young sons for auditions. He had rented premises in Longford town under false pretences. Gardaí located him and discovered electronic devices containing 104 images of young boys in their underwear. Luckwill admitted breaching the 2012 order by possessing these images, changing his name by deed poll in February 2017, and accessing social networking sites. Judge Pauline Codd stated the most serious breach involved his attempt to gain access to children by misrepresenting himself.
John O'Donoghue, a 38‑year‑old former cashier at the Motor Tax Office in Dublin, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended for stealing €14,293 from his employer between March and August 2017. He pleaded guilty to representative counts of theft and false accounting. The thefts were uncovered when a customer's payment for motor tax arrears was found missing, prompting a review of CCTV and paperwork that revealed O'Donoghue had pocketed the money and falsified cashier summaries. He admitted to heavy drinking, spending €50–€100 daily on alcohol, and had used the stolen funds for that purpose. O'Donoghue had previously admitted to child‑pornography offences but had not yet been charged at the time of the thefts, and he had lost his job in September 2017. The judge noted his stress, cooperation, and lack of enrichment in determining the sentence.
Antonia McGrath, aged 25, a former talented soccer player who had to abandon a scholarship at Manchester after becoming pregnant at 18, was jailed for three and a half years for possession of cannabis for sale or supply. She admitted holding over €450,000 worth of cannabis in her Clondalkin apartment. McGrath was caught after a Garda tip led to surveillance of her flat; a man, Keith Tiswell, was seen driving into the underground carpark, later found carrying cannabis and cocaine. CCTV showed McGrath handing the drugs to Tiswell. A warrant was executed, uncovering 16.39 kg of cannabis herb (valued at €328,000) and 1.43 kg of cannabis (valued at €8,580) in her hot press. She pleaded guilty on 25 May 2017, had no prior convictions, and claimed fear for her life and that of her son.
In a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the chair of Irish Life and Permanent's audit committee, Breffni Byrne, testified that he was not informed of a €7.2 billion cash‑for‑cash deal with Anglo Irish Bank until months after it occurred in September 2008. Byrne said he expected the transaction to be discussed beforehand because of its size and nature, and that he only received full details on 12 February 2009. He noted that the ILP board had met with the Central Bank on 1 May 2008 and that the September 2008 transaction was unusual. Byrne also confirmed that ILP had disclosed its 2007 borrowing from the European Central Bank. The case, in its thirteenth week, involves David Drumm, who denies the transactions were fraudulent, and is being tried for conspiracy to defraud and false accounting. The trial is before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury of ten men and four women. David Drumm pleaded not guilty.
During the trial of a €2.28 million Securicor robbery, Dr Kevin John O'Flynn testified that the accused, Niall Byrne (36), appeared stressed when he visited the doctor's practice on the day of the incident, complaining of back pain. The doctor noted Byrne's stress and referred him for a chest x‑ray due to concerns about a collapsed lung. Byrne was prescribed anti‑inflammatory medication and later returned with persistent back pain, attributing it to lifting heavy boxes at work. Byrne, along with Mark Farrelly (47), Christopher Corcoran (70) and David Byrne (45), pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment and robbery of Securicor cash‑in‑transit driver Paul Richardson and his family at their home in Ashcroft, Raheny, on 13–14 March 2005. The trial is proceeding before Judge Melanie Greally with an enlarged jury of fourteen.
During the 64th day of David Drumm's conspiracy to defraud trial, former ILP credit manager Peter McCabe testified that he overheard ILP dealers discussing a €7.2 billion Anglo deposit figure in September 2008. McCabe said he warned his boss, David Gantly, that the situation was dangerous, but Gantly dismissed his concerns and told him his input was unnecessary. McCabe also provided a recorded call with Irish Life Assurance's Ger Knowles, who confirmed a €1 billion transaction between ILP and Anglo that day, noting it was a "touchy feely subject" and that the Central Bank was encouraging such deals. McCabe maintained that he was merely present by chance and that the transactions were not fraudulent. The trial, presided over by Judge Karen O'Connor, is in its thirteenth week before a jury of ten men and four women. David Drumm pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin nightclub incident, 36‑year‑old British stag tourist Mark Wragg punched a 20‑year‑old Maynooth University student on the dance floor at D2 nightclub on Harcourt Street on the night of 18 November. Wragg, who was part of a 25‑strong stag party, claimed the victim was dancing too close and had pushed him, prompting Wragg to strike him in the face, fracturing the victim's jaw and damaging his teeth. Wragg pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, was arrested after being ejected, and later paid €2,000 to the victim as a token of remorse. Judge Martin Nolan, noting the victim's initial push as provocation but not justification, imposed an 18‑month suspended sentence, finding it unjust to imprison Wragg. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Pawel Wisniewski, 43, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for stealing thousands of litres of diesel from an Applegreen service station in Balbriggan over three days in August 2019. He also received a two-and-a-half year sentence for possession of cannabis for sale or supply and a firearm at a grow‑house in Tallaght, and a two‑year sentence for the diesel offence, all to run consecutively. Wisniewski, a qualified electrician and former Polish army serviceman, used a cloned Applegreen card to pump diesel into his van, stealing €5,220 worth of fuel. He was also convicted of driving without insurance. His girlfriend received a suspended one‑year sentence. Wisniewski was disqualified from driving for three years and his sentence was back‑dated to October 2019. The court noted this was the first case involving large‑scale diesel theft of this nature. Pawel Wisniewski pleaded guilty.
John Walsh, 45, was arrested after CCTV footage from a Spar shop in Dublin was shown on the RTE programme Crimecall. The footage showed him holding a realistic imitation firearm, later identified as a pellet gun resembling a semi‑automatic pistol. Walsh had been waiting for Gardaí at his home when they arrived and had previously cut his hair to change his appearance. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of a realistic imitation firearm. Judge Martin Nolan remanded him in custody and later handed down a suspended three‑year sentence, warning that a further offence could lead to imprisonment. Walsh admitted the gun was for his own protection, was intoxicated at the time, and expressed remorse. He has since ceased drug use and intends to attend a residential treatment programme. The shop received a letter of apology from Walsh.
In a case heard by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Antal Fekete, aged 51, was found guilty of one count of false imprisonment after he forced his estranged wife into the back of his car on 21 March 2016. Fekete claimed he had taken her to show her their dog, but she shouted and screamed, prompting witnesses to call the Gardaí. She escaped, was later re‑locked, and Fekete drove away with her still inside. He was arrested at their home on Harold's Cross Road, where the Gardaí rescued his wife. Fekete pleaded guilty and received a six‑month sentence, which was suspended in its entirety. The judge noted the couple had reconciled shortly after the incident and were now "happily married." The court emphasized that false imprisonment remains a serious offence.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, former Anglo Irish Bank chief executive David Drumm, aged 51, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and false accounting charges. He is accused of colluding with former bank officials to defraud depositors and investors by falsely claiming Anglo's 2008 deposits were €7.2 billion larger than they were. The case also involves allegations that Drumm and others dishonestly created the impression of a larger deposit base. A senior AIB officer, John O'Donnell, testified that Anglo's chief financial officer Matt Moran had informed him that the financial regulator was aware of a proposed "back‑to‑back" transaction between Anglo and AIB. O'Donnell described how the proposal was discussed in an AIB meeting on 27 March 2008, noting that both regulatory and board approval would be required. The trial, presided over by Judge Karen O'Connor, is in its twelfth week with a jury of ten men and four women.
Leon Byrne, a 21-year-old with 64 previous convictions, had his sentence doubled following a successful appeal by the Director of Public Prosecution, who argued the original term was unduly lenient. Byrne had previously pleaded guilty to robbery, aggravated burglary, assault causing harm, and unlawful taking of a vehicle in Dublin between April 2014 and April 2015. In July 2017, Judge Karen O'Connor sentenced him to a net three-and-a-half-year term. Today, a three-judge court presided over by Mr Justice John Edwards re-sentenced Byrne to seven years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. The court noted Byrne's troubled history, including addiction and homelessness, but emphasized the need for rehabilitation. As a condition of the suspended portion, Byrne was required to enter into a good behaviour bond, which he undertook to do. The effective custody period is five years, reflecting the totality principle applied by the court.
David Hoban, aged 28, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to two charges of defilement of a child by having intercourse and oral sex with a 14‑year‑old girl he met on a social media site. The girl, who was found missing and later reported by her mother, claimed she had been raped by Hoban on three occasions. Detective Garda Paul O'Hara confirmed that Hoban was aware the girl was underage, though he did not realise her exact age until the day of his arrest. Hoban, who had 10 previous convictions, pleaded guilty and expressed remorse. Judge Martin Nolan noted the substantial age difference and that Hoban should have ceased contact when he became aware of the girl's youth. The court accepted his plea and imposed the three‑year sentence.
Derek Hickey, aged 30, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for stealing iPads and a laptop from the Law Society of Ireland on Blackhall Place, Dublin, on 17 July 2017. He entered through an ajar side door, stole the items, caused damage, and fled. The theft occurred after 6 pm when most staff had left. Maura Butler, who was working in her office, witnessed the intruder and later reported that he had fled after seeing her. CCTV identified Hickey, who was arrested the next day and admitted to the theft, stating he had sold the stolen items to a Chinese shop. He had previously spent four months in custody for this offence. The judge noted his long history of offending but also his guilty plea, remorse, and cooperation. He had been offered a 20‑week residential rehabilitation programme and had attended treatment for heroin addiction. The sentence took into account the time already served.
During the trial of the men accused of a €2.28 million Securicor robbery, a witness, Graham Coleman, testified that he bought a Peugeot from the accused, Niall Byrne, for €6 000 in cash in September 2004. Coleman said he had obtained a loan and paid Byrne, who is 36, in cash. He also mentioned that he could not recall Byrne purchasing a motorcycle for €7 000 or a BMW about six months later, but acknowledged that a BMW had been taken from Byrne in connection with the case. Byrne, along with Mark Farrelly, Christopher Corcoran and David Byrne, all pleaded not guilty to the false imprisonment and robbery of Securicor driver Paul Richardson and his family on 13–14 March 2005. The trial is proceeding before Judge Melanie Greally with an enlarged jury.
Patrick Stokes, aged 26, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to arson, assault, false imprisonment and other offences. He set fire to his partner Louise Kavanagh's home in February 2017, causing €21,000 in damage, and later threatened to kill her, their six‑month‑old baby and himself if she left him. Stokes held Kavanagh's throat, threatened to rape her, and held a knife to the baby's chest while she tried to protect the child. He also punched her ribs and threatened to slit her and the baby's throat with a broken wine bottle. Kavanagh suffered a black eye and rib injuries and described the assault as terrifying. The judge noted Stokes' violent background, substance abuse and loss of control, and accepted his apology and desire to reform. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offences and the harm caused.
The trial of David Drumm, 51, of Skerries, Co Dublin, continued at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury. Drumm, the former Anglo Irish Bank CEO, has pleaded not guilty to two charges: conspiring with former officials Denis Casey, William McAteer, John Bowe, and others to defraud depositors and investors by allegedly creating the dishonest impression that 2008 deposits were €7.2 billion larger than they were; and false accounting on December 3, 2008, for allegedly furnishing the market with that inflated figure. The prosecution called Tony O'Hanlon, former head of credit at Anglo, who testified that the bank's practice of fast-tracking credit limit approvals was not normal. He stated he was unable to sign off on a €6.7 billion credit increase for Irish Life and Permanent in September 2008 because he could not authorise it retrospectively. O'Hanlon expressed concerns about the bank's systems and procedures, noting that instructions were given to exclude ILP from daily interbank excess reports. During cross-examination, the defence suggested the witness was applying hindsight, noting a lack of contemporaneous emails outlining his concerns. Drumm accepts that multi-million euro transactions occurred between Anglo and ILP in 2008 but disputes that they were fraudulent or dishonest. The trial, now in its twelfth week, continues.
The trial of Niall Byrne, Mark Farrelly, Christopher Corcoran, and David Byrne continues before Judge Melanie Greally at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty to the alleged false imprisonment of four members of the Richardson family at their home in Raheny, Dublin, on March 13 and 14, 2005, and to robbing Paul Richardson and Securicor of €2.28 million on March 14, 2005. During proceedings, forensic video analyst Feargal O Lideadha testified that he could not rule out that a Securicor CCTV recording was paused for three minutes between 5.26am and 5.29am on the day of the alleged robbery. The expert stated he had no explanation for the gap and noted that best practice guidelines for preserving digital evidence were not followed, as there was no audit trail or written explanation for the interruption. He declined to confirm whether the gap resulted from a system malfunction or manual intervention. The trial, which began in January, is currently ongoing before an enlarged jury of seven women and seven men. One juror was discharged earlier in the day due to pre-booked holiday plans. The matter remains at the trial stage, with no final verdict or sentence recorded.
In January 2016, Marjo Cayabyab, aged 27, was driving a car at an excessive speed and was slightly over the legal alcohol limit when he struck two women, Claire Hewitt and Ann Keating, on Hartstown Road, Clonsilla, Dublin. The collision occurred on a wet road after a long bend, and the vehicle spun out of control, hitting both women. Hewitt died within an hour of the crash, while Keating sustained serious injuries and remains in ongoing treatment. Cayabyab pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and serious bodily harm. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court found that his speed and alcohol level were aggravating factors. He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, a four‑year driving ban, and a headline sentence of four to five years was reduced to two years due to mitigating circumstances. The court noted his remorse and lack of prior convictions.
A 77‑year‑old father of six pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two charges of sexual assault against a seven‑year‑old neighbour. The court found the offences to be on the lower end of the scale and, after noting the defendant's lack of prior convictions and his expressed remorse, suspended an 18‑month sentence on strict conditions. The judge described the man as regretful and "stricken with remorse" and believed he was unlikely to re‑offend. The incidents were reported after the child told her mother that the neighbour had kissed her on the lips and patted her bottom after inviting her into his home for an ice‑cream. The defendant later admitted the acts, expressed regret, and asked the Garda to convey his apologies to the family. The court did not read the victim impact report, and the defence submitted four documents, including references and a statement about the defendant's health and loneliness.
A Dublin man, Declan Tynan, aged 28, had served 11 months in jail for a violent disorder conviction at a Tallaght bookmakers on 13 December 2012. The prosecution alleged he was one of three men who attacked a customer, with one attacker stabbing repeatedly. Tynan's defence argued the case relied solely on a visual identification by a Garda from CCTV footage, and that no medical or victim impact reports were produced. A jury found him guilty, sentencing him to four years with the final year suspended. After an appeal was dismissed, new evidence emerged: another man claimed to have been the third attacker. The Court of Appeal quashed Tynan's conviction under Section 2 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1993, with no opposition from the Director of Public Prosecutions. The court noted procedural failures in handling the CCTV evidence, including lack of logs and inadequate testing of the identification process. No further outcome was reported.
In a case heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, 38‑year‑old Justin Murray was found guilty of stealing €500 from mass donations at the Church of Our Lady of Victories in Ballymun on 6 November 2016. He had cycled to the church, entered the premises, and taken money from the collection envelopes before being seen by a parishioner and fleeing on foot. Garda Ross Brierley identified him from CCTV footage and arrested him the following day at a shopping centre. Murray's bicycle, which had a sticker reading "Justin Murray," was later found on the church grounds. He has 77 prior convictions, including ten thefts and 20 burglaries. Judge Elma Sheahan adjourned his sentencing for one year, noting his drug‑free status and desire to rehabilitate, and ordered updated urine analysis and reports. The final sentence will be consecutive to his current term, with release not until July 2019.
In a Dublin city‑centre incident, Marcus Klug, aged 37, shouted at a 62‑year‑old care assistant as she walked past him on George's Street and then pushed her onto the road in front of oncoming traffic. The woman avoided being hit but fractured her arm. Klug pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm on 29 October 2013. He had been suffering psychiatric issues and was not fit to plead for several years. He spent 23 months in Cloverhill Prison and time in a locked ward at St Vincent's Hospital, with some community care. The court imposed a suspended two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, ordered him to remain under Probation Services for two years and to follow his psychiatrist's instructions. The woman received hospital treatment and later physiotherapy, and her arm is now fully recovered. The case was prosecuted by John Byrne BL and defended by Niall Nolan BL.
John Walsh, 45, was arrested after CCTV footage from a Spar shop in Dublin was aired on Crimecall. The footage showed him demanding €20 back, becoming aggressive, and claiming to have a gun. He produced a pellet gun that resembled a semi‑automatic pistol, pointed it at staff, and was later apprehended by Gardaí. Walsh had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a realistic imitation firearm on 1 September 2016. He was remanded pending sentencing. Garda Paul Geraghty noted Walsh's intoxication and that he had been waiting for the Gardaí when they arrived. Walsh admitted the gun was for his own protection and expressed remorse. The shop received an apology letter from him. He has a history of alcohol and drug dependence and has sought treatment. The case is set for sentencing on Friday.
John Moore, 59, pleaded guilty to criminal damage for breaking and painting over Eamon de Valera's headstone at Glasnevin cemetery on 25 January 2017. He fractured the four‑foot stone into two pieces and poured red paint on it, causing €5,675 in damage. Gardaí found him in the cemetery coffee shop with red paint on his hands and a hammer in his bag. Moore claimed he had long‑standing grievances against de Valera's policies, describing the former president as "sly and evil" and saying he "suffered through his policies". He had no prior convictions and was receiving medical care. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a suspended two‑year sentence, noting it would be inappropriate to imprison him given his mental health difficulties at the time of the offence. The sentence was handed down in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Two Romanian burglars, Constantin Gheorghe (44) and Lacramioara Anei (22), were arrested by Garda Kevin Bamrick after he recognised them as suspects in a previous burglary attempt. He observed them approaching several premises, and later saw Gheorghe and another man break into an apartment block while Anei acted as a lookout. The trio were arrested with a backpack containing stolen items. Both pleaded guilty to attempted burglary on Aughrim Street, Dublin 7, on 17 August 2017, and burglary on North Circular Road, Dublin 1. The court noted Gheorghe had five prior convictions in Ireland, Denmark and Romania, and Anei had four prior convictions in Romania. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two‑year sentence on Gheorghe and a one‑year sentence on Anei, both back‑dated to August 2017. The sentences were imposed while the defendants cooperated with Gardaí but did not make admissions.
The prosecution case in the trial of four men accused of a €2.28 million cash‑in‑transit robbery that took place on 13 and 14 March 2005 will close next Monday, the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. The defendants – Niall Byrne (36), Mark Farrelly (46), Christopher Corcoran (70) and David Byrne (45) – have all pleaded not guilty to the false imprisonment of four members of the Richardson family at their home in Ashcroft, Raheny, and to the robbery of Paul Richardson and Securicor of €2.28 million. Judge Melanie Greally told the jury that the prosecution case would close and the trial, which began in January, would move on to its next phase. Earlier, Detective Superintendent Paul Scott revealed that 102 "persons of interest" were investigated, some arrested and some not, and that all Securicor staff were eliminated from the investigation apart from ex‑employee Niall Byrne.
David Drumm, 51, former CEO of Anglo, is on trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for conspiracy to defraud. He admits that multi‑million euro transactions occurred between Anglo and Irish Life & Permanent in 2008 but denies they were fraudulent or dishonest. Drumm has pleaded not guilty to conspiring with former bank officials to defraud depositors and investors by falsely presenting 2008 deposits as €7.2 billion larger than they were, and to false accounting on 3 December 2008. The trial, now in its eleventh week, continues with a jury of ten men and four women.
In Dublin, two 80‑year‑old women were robbed by Brian Dunne, who received a four‑and‑a‑half‑year prison sentence. The first incident occurred on 10 November at a bus stop off Strand Road, where Dunne grabbed a bag from Glynnis Cassin's shoulder, causing her to fall, dislocate and break her shoulder in two places. She was hospitalised for six days and missed a performance of *My Fair Lady* at the National Concert Hall. The second robbery took place on 14 November after Anne O'Rourke left a cinema; Dunne stole her bag while she was walking home. Both women described the events as distressing, with Cassin citing an €800 loss and O'Rourke expressing sympathy for the offender. Judge Martin Nolan praised the women's resilience, noting the seriousness of the crimes and the impact on their lives. Brian Dunne pleaded guilty.
Mark Foster (23) pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of drugs for sale or supply at his home on South Circular Road, Dublin, on 11 January 2017. Gardaí discovered cannabis, MDMA, cocaine and ketamine with a combined street value of €26,840, along with €7,385 in cash. Foster, from Cavan, immediately accepted responsibility to protect his housemates from questioning. The court heard he had since relocated to his native county to live with his parents, works on the family farm, remains drug-free and intends to pursue college education. Judge Martin Nolan described the operation as amateurish and noted Foster's youth and early intervention as mitigating factors. Despite the seriousness of the charges, the judge imposed a five-year prison sentence, suspended in full, citing Foster's co-operation, guilty plea, and low risk of re-offending.
Dean Reddington, 33, of Drimnagh, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three robberies between February 2016 and September 2017 at bookmakers around Dublin, plus an attempted robbery and weapon production at Ladbrokes on 4 September 2017. He admitted using a black bag to conceal a stick or tree branch, presenting it as a gun, which caused terror for staff and customers. Victim Tracey O'Reilly of Boyle Sports reported €728 stolen and lasting anxiety, sleeplessness and PTSD. Reddington also robbed €714 at Paddy Powers and €240 at Boyle Sports in Balally. He has 35 prior convictions, 22 in Circuit Court, including 14 robberies. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to four and a half years, citing early guilty plea, cooperation, remorse, drug‑free status and rehabilitation prospects, while noting the robberies' long‑term impact on victims. The judge set a headline sentence of six to seven years, but the final imposed term was four and a half years.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Karl Walsh, aged 27, pleaded guilty to five sample charges of sexually abusing Nicole Moran, aged 22, between 2006 and 2007 when he was 14‑15. The abuse began when Moran was four and continued until she was 11, with Walsh reportedly molesting her on most weekends she visited his home. The judge noted the prolonged nature of the abuse and estimated 50‑60 incidents in one year. Walsh had no prior convictions and a psychological report found him to have low cognitive ability but aware of wrongdoing. He was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended, and the judge emphasised that Moran had suffered grievously. The sentence was welcomed by Moran, who said it allowed her to focus on her daughter and move on from the abuse.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, former Irish Life and Permanent chief dealer David Gantly testified about a 2008 Central Bank meeting where senior treasury heads from six major Irish banks were advised to issue bonds that would be purchased by each other to boost market confidence. Gantly said the Central Bank and the Financial Regulator encouraged this practice, noting it was not unusual for banks to support one another on bonds, but the level of support was unusually high. He confirmed that the arrangement was not disclosed to the market. The testimony was part of the trial of David Drumm, 51, who faces charges of conspiracy to defraud Anglo Irish Bank by falsely claiming deposits were €7.2 billion larger than they were. The trial is in its eleventh week before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury of ten men and four women. David Drumm pleaded not guilty.
A 32‑year‑old Malaysian named Han Fan was arrested at Dublin Airport after drug‑sniffing dogs detected a strong chemical smell in his luggage. Customs officers found 12 vacuum‑packed bags of cannabis, worth €195,200, and a name tag identifying Fan. He initially denied owning the suitcase but later admitted it was his. Fan claimed he had agreed to transport the drugs from Spain to Scotland for loan sharks to whom he was indebted, after losing his job and facing threats from the lenders. He pleaded guilty to one count of importing cannabis with a street value over €13,000. Judge Martin Nolan struck out other possession charges, ruling they did not apply in Ireland, but upheld the importation charge. Fan was sentenced to 32 months' imprisonment, backdated to the September 2017 arrest, and is considered an enhanced prisoner with a positive governor's report. The case highlights the influence of loan‑shark debt on drug trafficking decisions.
Christopher Connors, 22, of Carrickmines, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for his part in a violent disorder incident in Balinteer on May 5, 2016. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three-year prison sentence, with the final 18 months suspended, after Connors pleaded guilty. The judge stated he saw no reason to depart from the previous judgment handed down by Judge Cormac Quinn in December, which applied to Connors' brother, John Connors, and cousin, Joseph Connors. Both men had also pleaded guilty to the same offence and received identical sentences. The court described the incident as an unprovoked serious attack on three Afghan nationals, including a 13-year-old boy, who were cycling in Marley Park. CCTV footage from a passing Dublin Bus and mobile phones showed the defendants attacking the victims, with one victim sustaining a broken nose. The judge noted that Christopher Connors participated fully, armed with a bottle. While the defense argued Connors played a lesser role and had been drinking, the judge upheld the earlier sentencing rationale. The matter was finalized with the imposition of these custodial terms, reflecting the severity of the unprovoked assault.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Garda Patrick McAvinue described Anne Marie Donovan, aged 40, as the most vulnerable person he had encountered in his decade in the drug unit. Donovan was found with €25,000 of heroin and €5,000 of cocaine in her flat, which had been raided nearly two years earlier. She cooperated with officers, pointing out the drugs, and admitted she had little or no choice but to hold them. McAvinue testified that Donovan had been threatened with violence, had been stabbed in the head, and her son was thrown down the stairs, leading her to feel a "prisoner in her own flat." Donovan pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on 3 September 2016, had no prior convictions, and was sentenced to 18 months in prison, which Judge Martin Nolan suspended in full, noting her culpability was very low. The court accepted McAvinue's evidence and did not hear further mitigation.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced five members of the McDonagh family for violent disorder at Old Castle Drive, Clondalkin, on November 19, 2016. Martin McDonagh Snr, Ellen McDonagh, Nora McDonagh, Helen McDonagh, and Shannon Sherlock all pleaded guilty to the charge. The court heard that the incident followed an argument at a shopping centre, after which the defendants allegedly arrived at the O'Reilly family home armed with a sickle, two hurleys, and a baton. Judge Martin Nolan described the event as a "disgrace" and noted that while the McDonaghs made numerous attempts to strike the O'Reillys, no serious injuries were inflicted. The judge imposed a four-year suspended sentence on Martin McDonagh Snr, noting his "remarkably modest record" despite 13 previous convictions, mostly for road traffic matters. Two-year suspended sentences were imposed on each of the four women, none of whom had previous convictions. Defence counsel highlighted that Martin McDonagh Snr used the sickle only to threaten, that Nora McDonagh was unarmed, and that Shannon Sherlock was due to give birth. The judge emphasized the need for self-control and noted that the O'Reilly family has since relocated, with both families now getting on with their lives.
Colin Brady, aged 44, was sentenced to one year in prison for harassing his former girlfriend in Dublin between 21 September and 2 November last year. He breached his bail conditions 46 times, contacting her after being charged and sending 275 messages over three days. Brady broke her apartment door on 25 September, prompting Garda Emma Brady to call the police. The victim, who feared for her life, suffered extreme anxiety and lost work. Brady had previously been ordered to stay away from her and remain outside Dublin. He has seven prior convictions in Ireland and a robbery conviction in the UK. The judge, Martin Nolan, noted Brady had "terrified" the victim and imposed a three‑year sentence, suspending the final two years on conditions including no contact with the victim. He was also ordered to pay the cost of the broken door. Colin Brady pleaded guilty.
David Drumm, former CEO of Anglo Irish Bank, is currently on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where he has pleaded not guilty to two charges. He is alleged to have conspired with former bank officials Denis Casey, William McAteer, John Bowe, and others to defraud depositors and investors by dishonestly creating the impression that 2008 deposits were €7.2 billion larger than they were. Additionally, he faces a charge of false accounting for allegedly furnishing the market with this inflated deposit figure on December 3, 2008. On day 55 of the trial, David Gantly, chief dealer at Irish Life and Permanent (ILP), testified that the Financial Regulator was unhappy that ILP received funding from the European Central Bank during the 2008 crisis. Gantly stated that the regulator was uncomfortable with ILP's reliance on this safety net and did not want the bank openly disclosing its borrowings to the market. He further testified that ILP officials, including Casey, were encouraged by the Regulator to engage in transactions with Anglo, which Gantly described as not a normal type of transaction. The trial is in its eleventh week before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury. The matter is ongoing and has not been finalised.
Robert Keogh, aged 36, was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to 16 counts of inducing others to hand over cash for non‑existent Liverpool football match tickets between July 2015 and February 2016. He defrauded victims of €4,593 by advertising fake tickets on DoneDeal and by meeting some in person, promising tickets that never arrived. One victim lost €980 buying tickets for children, and others lost money on flights to Liverpool. Keogh used two online aliases but his real name appeared on the bank account that led to his arrest. He had no prior convictions but had recently pleaded guilty to similar offences in the District Court. Defence counsel said Keogh had repaid €620 to some victims and was remorseful, noting his former GAA career, gambling addiction, and rehabilitation efforts.
Brendan Phelan, a 66‑year‑old retired principal officer of the Department of Health and Children, was given a suspended three‑year sentence in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to one count of possessing child pornography. The offence stemmed from a March 2013 raid on his home, where authorities seized 58,585 images and 1,046 videos, most of which were naturist and focused on young boys' genitalia, with a minority depicting pre‑pubescent boys in sexual behaviour. Phelan admitted to long‑standing possession of the material and has since attended counselling and rehabilitation, producing a court report indicating a low risk of re‑offending. The judge noted mitigating factors such as the nature of the images, his cooperation, and the absence of distribution, but added that the conviction would bring shame on him and his family and that he would be listed on the sex offenders register.
During the 54th day of David Drumm's trial, a jury heard that senior Irish Life and Permanent (ILP) bankers were "scared shitless" as €7.2 bn transactions with Anglo Irish Bank were carried out in September 2008. Paul Kane, former Head of Liquidity at ILP, testified that he personally supervised the deals and that the senior ILP officers, including Denis Casey and Peter Fitzpatrick, were reluctant to proceed. Kane described phone calls with former ILP treasury head David Gantley, who said the men were "scared stiff" and that the arrangement was not a proper business practice. Kane also noted that Anglo had previously increased ILP's credit limit to €820 m and was disappointed that the favour could not be reciprocated. Drumm, former CEO of Anglo, admits the transactions occurred but denies they were fraudulent or dishonest. The trial continues before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury. David Drumm pleaded not guilty.
Christopher Timmons, a 29-year-old jockey from Castleknock, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to assault causing harm. The incident occurred on July 24, 2016, at Morehampton Rd, Donnybrook, where Timmons allegedly assaulted a taxi driver following a dispute over a fare. Prosecution evidence stated that Timmons punched the driver in the face and attempted to gouge his eyes. Judge Karen O'Connor reduced the previously proposed 200 hours of community service to 80 hours, citing a probation service report indicating Timmons lacked the time to complete the original amount due to his extensive work and study commitments. Defending counsel Brian Storan BL argued that Timmons was willing and able to serve the reduced hours. The judge noted Timmons had brought €3,950 to court to compensate the victim, who suffered financial loss and changed careers to become a bus driver. Judge O'Connor emphasized that Timmons must prioritize his community service, acknowledging his aggressive behavior while also noting his remorse, completed third-level degree, and efforts to address alcohol issues. She concluded that Timmons was more useful to society completing community service than serving a custodial sentence, referencing his talented jockey career and impressive employment record.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Jadesola Agbalade, 51, pleaded guilty to knowingly distributing a child pornography clip that showed an infant being raped. The clip, depicting a child aged between two and five, was forwarded by Agbalade to a friend and later discovered during a Garda investigation into credit card fraud. Agbalade admitted to sending the clip and claimed she did not understand the seriousness of the offence. Judge Karen O'Connor wholly suspended a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, citing the case as a one‑off instance of poor judgement and noting a psychological report found no sinister motive. The judge ordered Agbalade to remain on the sex offenders register for five years, but she avoided custodial jail time. The court highlighted her cooperation, remorse, and lack of prior convictions. The case was presented as an unusual, non‑profit‑based distribution of a single clip.
Martin O'Brien, 36, was sentenced to 16 months in prison for burglary after DNA matched blood spatters left when he cut his hand to smash a glass front door at a Foxrock home on 11 November 2015. He stole jewellery, electronic equipment, cash and checks worth over €15,000, causing €300 damage to the door, and left the house after a young woman saw him. O'Brien, who has 64 prior convictions and is already serving a four‑year robbery sentence, will serve the new term consecutively. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, admitted he was on heroin and tablets at the time, and expressed remorse. Judge Martin Nolan noted his cooperation, early guilty plea and difficult background, and imposed the 16‑month sentence to run after his current term.
Lea Peacock, 25, of Rush, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to careless driving causing the death of Jane Dardis at Rush Road, Skerries, on October 25, 2016. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Peacock to a nine-month suspended sentence and disqualified him from driving for five years. The judge concluded Peacock did not deserve a custodial sentence, noting the accused had no previous convictions, was remorseful, and had cooperated with gardai. Judge Nolan found the explanation that Peacock swerved to avoid a pedestrian to be unbelievable, instead attributing the swerve to the interplay between the driver and the front-seat passenger. The court heard Peacock had consumed four glasses of wine and was travelling at 80km/h in a 60km/h zone. In mitigation, counsel highlighted Peacock's remorse and lack of intentional wrongdoing. The judge expressed condolences to the deceased's family, who described themselves as devastated. The maximum penalty for the offence is two years' imprisonment. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the suspended sentence and driving disqualification.
In a 2018 trial, a senior banker at Irish Life and Permanent (ILP), Peter Fitzpatrick, instructed that the €7.2 billion transaction with Anglo Irish Bank be formally documented to protect ILP from potential exposure. Fitzpatrick, during a 2008 phone call with former ILP liquidity manager Paul Kane, emphasized the need for standard banking language to avoid confusion and ensure a binding agreement. The call, recorded on Kane's line, highlighted concerns that without documentation ILP could be "massively exposed" if the deal were questioned. Evidence included an email approving a €1 billion transaction in March 2008, with Fitzpatrick noting Central Bank encouragement. The case involved David Drumm, former Anglo CEO, who pleaded not guilty to conspiracy and false accounting charges related to the alleged overstatement of Anglo's 2008 deposits. The trial continued in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court under Judge Karen O'Connor.