Court archive
Dublin. The Central Criminal Court
2019-03-22 · Dublin
A former army officer, Timothy O'Sullivan, 67, was denied an extension of time to appeal his 11‑year sentence for raping two teenage boys between 1991 and 1996. The Central Criminal Court found that O'Sullivan, then in his forties, abused the boys, aged 13 to 16, threatening to shoot or bury them. He was sentenced to five years and six years consecutively. The judge praised the victims' bravery and noted their "courageous" statements. O'Sullivan's lawyers highlighted his military service and remorse. He lodged an appeal 13 weeks late, but the Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, refused the application, citing the lack of prospect for success and the need for finality in sexual offence cases. The decision was upheld by the panel of judges. Timothy O'Sullivan pleaded guilty.
2017-10-12 · Dublin
Daniel O'Connell, a 33‑year‑old autistic man from Kilkenny, was found not guilty by reason of insanity after attempting to murder his pregnant sister, Olivia O'Connell, in Dublin. The Central Criminal Court heard that Daniel had developed homicidal feelings toward his sister when she moved to Dublin, fearing she would raise a child there. He had a history of an "unnatural dislike of Dublin" stemming from a school trip incident. He admitted to stabbing Olivia three to four times in her home on 25 April 2016, motivated by a belief that she was carrying a Dublin baby and his own suicidal thoughts. Both prosecution and defence psychiatrists agreed that his autism constituted a mental disorder that negated his intent. The jury, after two hours and six minutes, returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity.
2017-10-12 · Kilkenny
The jury has begun deliberating in the trial of Daniel O'Connell, a 33‑year‑old autistic man from Kilkenny, who is charged with attempting to murder his pregnant sister, Olivia O'Connell, in Dublin. O'Connell pleaded not guilty. He admitted during Garda interviews that on 25 April 2016 he stabbed Olivia several times in her home at Scholarstown Park, Knocklyon, Dublin, claiming he wanted to prevent her from raising her child in Dublin. The Central Criminal Court heard closing speeches from the prosecution and defence. Prosecutor Michael Bowman SC argued that the facts admitted by O'Connell made the defendant's state of mind the key issue, and that both sides' doctors agreed he suffered a mental disorder, supporting a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Defence counsel Vincent Heneghan SC agreed and urged the same verdict. Judge Paul Butler expressed sympathy for the victim and told the jury that a unanimous verdict should be achievable.