Court archive
Dublin's Circuit Criminal Court
2021-03-25 · Dublin
A 71‑year‑old man, who was the step‑father of a girl, was convicted in 2019 of 72 counts of indecent assault for sexually abusing her from age seven to twelve between 1973 and 1979. The abuse included oral penetration, genital rubbing, oral sex and forcing the girl to rub his penis while naked at a Dublin address. He appealed in September 2020, arguing that the trial judge's charge to the jury was unbalanced and that a 42‑year delay in prosecution and new evidence presented during the trial were unfair. The Court of Appeal found the judge's charge fair, that no defence objection was made to the new evidence, and dismissed all grounds of appeal. The judge noted the severe fear and anxiety inflicted on the victim, who fled Dublin at 16 and described the abuse as permanently scarred her life.
2019-07-30 · Dublin
Oliver Ennis, a 35‑year‑old Dublin barman, pleaded guilty to multiple thefts from the Schoolhouse Hotel between December 2012 and October 2014, stealing €10,500 to pay for his youngest daughter's medical treatment. The Circuit Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Martina Baxter, had adjourned the case to allow Ennis to repay the stolen money, which he had now fully paid. Ennis had been a bar supervisor since early 2012 and was caught taking cash from the tills and pocketing it each night, a scheme uncovered after suspicious stock deficits prompted covert cameras. He is a father of four; his daughter suffers from pulmonary hypertension and has required treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Ennis had a prior suspended sentence for a breach of trust, which the judge cited as an aggravating factor.
2016-05-10 · Dublin
John Joyce, 24, of Donaghmede, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment after pleading guilty in Dublin's Circuit Criminal Court to threatening to kill Garda Adrian Cahill on 27 November 2013. The threat was made while the pair were on patrol following a call about a suspicious man in Donabate. Joyce refused to be searched, was arrested, and then became physically aggressive toward Cahill, shouting that he would attack Cahill's wife and "shoot him like his mate in Dundalk." The threat referenced the death of former colleague Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was gunned down in January 2013. Joyce had 78 previous convictions. His defence lawyer, Ms Fiona Murphy, described him as angry and frustrated, and said he accepted he was in the wrong and wished to apologise. Judge Patrick McCartan noted Joyce's conduct was an "utter disregard" for the Garda and that the threat was made in a nasty manner, referencing a fallen colleague.