Court archive
Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court
2022-04-01 · Louth
Keith Lennon, aged 23, was convicted of manslaughter after his 3‑litre Audi, driven at 225 km/h, collided with a Peugeot 108 on the N1, killing Mary (82) and Kevin (58) Faxton and Bryan Magill (24). Lennon had been filming Snapchat videos while driving at 105 km/h above the limit. He pleaded guilty in February 2021 and was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment, a 20‑year driving ban, and a 14‑year custodial term, with the judge describing his car as a "weapon". Lennon appealed the severity of the sentence, arguing the judge had over‑penalised him. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, rejected the appeal, stating the custodial sentence was inevitable and that the Snapchat videos and high speeds made the case particularly reckless. The court upheld the original nine‑year term and the 20‑year driving ban. The decision was delivered on 1 April 2022.
2021-03-04 · Louth
Paul Crosby, 25, of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, faced a five‑year prison sentence with six months suspended for arson after he and two others jump‑started a stolen Volkswagen Polo, drove it to a field in the Yellowbatter area, and set it on fire. The car, stolen from Dublin and fitted with stolen plates, tax and insurance discs, was valued at €10,000 and was a write‑off. A judge at the Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court reduced the headline seven‑year sentence to five years after taking into account Crosby's early guilty plea. Crosby has 40 prior convictions, including 31 for road traffic offences, four for theft, three for drug‑related offences and two for criminal damage. He was acquitted of an attempted murder charge in February 2019. The Court of Appeal heard that the arson was described as "mysterious" and that the fire was set in a field away from houses and people.
2020-06-18 · Louth
Warrants were issued for the arrest of Josh Boylan (21) of Moneymore, Drogheda, Co Louth, and Keith Boylan (25) of Park Heath, Drogheda, Co Meath, who are facing serious charges including false imprisonment. The cases were transferred from Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Prosecutor Garnet Orange SC informed Judge Martin Nolan that the defendants had "gone off the radar" and were believed to be the subject of a threat to their lives, a threat that could be taken seriously. Orange applied for bench warrants to be issued for both men, arguing that they were outside the jurisdiction and that bench warrants were required to commence extradition proceedings. Lily Buckley BL, defending Josh Boylan, acknowledged a genuine threat to his life and stated that his absence from court was due to that threat. Counsel for Keith Boylan also noted that his client had effectively gone into hiding because of the threat.
2020-06-10 · Louth
In a hearing on 10 June 2020, Judge Martin Nolan was informed that Josh Boylan, 21, of Moneymore, Drogheda, and Keith Boylan, 25, of Park Heath, Drogheda, had "gone off the radar" and may be under threat. The prosecution, represented by Garnet Orange SC, noted that the men are facing serious charges, including false imprisonment, related to an incident on 11 November 2018 in Moneymore. The State is not seeking a bench warrant today but is looking to set a hearing for next week, when warrants may be applied for. The case was adjourned to 18 June.
2018-02-19 · Louth
In 2015, a 63‑year‑old shop owner was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 13‑year‑old girl who had been sent to his shop by her mother to buy a household item. The jury convicted him on a single count and Judge Michael O'Shea imposed a wholly suspended three‑year sentence. The conviction was later successfully appealed on the basis that the trial judge's ruling on the timing of the CCTV footage was unfair. The Court of Appeal has now directed a retrial, following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The unnamed 13-year-old pleaded not guilty.
2017-12-15 · Louth
Sarah Doyle, a 24‑year‑old single mother from Killaley, Togher, Drogheda, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for her role in the robbery of Clogherhead Post Office on 3 May 2016. The robbery involved three armed men who used a sledgehammer, a firearm and a taser to break into the post office and stole about €7,000. Doyle, who had no direct participation in the robbery or in threatening staff, helped the raiders by waiting in her car and driving them to safety. She received €1,000 from the proceeds. At sentencing, the judge suspended the final two years, but on appeal the Court of Appeal increased the suspended portion to two‑and‑a‑half years, keeping the overall term at four years. Doyle was required to enter a good‑behaviour bond for the suspended period. The appeal decision was based on the judge's failure to fully consider the detrimental effect of custody on the mother‑child relationship. Sarah Doyle pleaded guilty.
2017-12-07 · Louth
In 2015 a 62‑year‑old shop owner was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 13‑year‑old girl who had been sent to his shop by her mother. The jury convicted him on a single count and Judge Michael O'Shea imposed a wholly suspended three‑year sentence. The conviction was appealed on the basis that the trial judge's ruling on the use of CCTV footage had made the trial unfair. The footage was shown to the jury after the complainant's direct evidence and cross‑examination, and the kitchen area where the alleged offence was said to have taken place was not captured on camera. The appeal court, led by Mr Justice Michael Peart, agreed that the defendant had been denied the opportunity to cross‑examine the complainant with reference to the footage, and set aside the conviction, ordering a retrial to be considered at a later date. The case remains at the appeal stage. The unnamed 13-year-old pleaded not guilty.
2017-05-12 · Louth
Charles Hutchinson, aged 34, was convicted of unlawfully killing Lawrence 'Michael' McGeown, aged 60, after striking him with a single punch to the side of the head on 28 February 2014. The death occurred three days later. Hutchinson was found guilty by a jury at Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court and originally sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended. On appeal, the Court of Appeal held that the inclusion of Hutchinson's 2010 section 3 assault conviction had improperly increased the headline sentence. The appeal judge re‑sentenced him to five years' imprisonment, again with the final year suspended. Hutchinson's prior convictions included assault, public order offences, criminal damage, dangerous driving, unauthorised taking and interference, and he had a history of alcohol addiction and poor employment. The appeal judge noted that the single punch was not of particular force and that the deceased had health issues, but that there was no provocation or justification for the assault. Charles Hutchinson pleaded not guilty.
2017-05-02 · Louth
Daniel Kavanagh, 26, of Owensilla, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to possession of a double‑barrelled sawn‑off shotgun and robbery of the Mace Store in Clogherhead, Co. Louth, on 20 April 2015. He had originally been sentenced to four years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, on 21 July 2016. Prosecutors appealed, arguing the sentence was "unduly lenient". The Court of Appeal reviewed the case and imposed a five‑year jail term for each of the two counts, to run concurrently. The judge noted Kavanagh's prior 15 convictions, including firearms offences, and the serious nature of the robbery. The new sentence reflects the Court's view that the original penalty was too light given the circumstances and Kavanagh's history. The decision was made by Mr Justice Alan Mahon, sitting with Mr Justice John Edwards and Mr Justice John Hedigan. The revised term is five years for each count, concurrent, with the final two years suspended.
2017-04-28 · Louth
Ciaran Nally, 32, of Ninch, Laytown, was convicted at Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court in April 2015 for possession of cocaine for sale or supply at the Monasterboice Inn car park. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended, by Judge Michael O'Shea on 29 January 2016. Nally was one of four co‑accused in a drug handover that involved moving two packs of cocaine from one car to another. Surveillance had targeted the residences of two co‑accused, and a vehicle was later stopped on the motorway where €139,000 worth of cocaine was seized. Nally's home was searched with no evidence found. He admitted the packs likely contained cannabis and that he received no financial benefit. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal, ruling the sentence fair and reasonable. The judge noted Nally's role as a conduit in the drug supply chain and his prior cannabis addiction.
2017-04-25 · Louth
In a 2017 appeal court hearing, Judge Alan Mahon upheld a three‑year jail sentence for Oliver Kennaway, who had pleaded guilty to robbing a filling station in Dundalk on 27 July 2013 with a knife. Kennaway, aged 37, entered the station wearing a hoodie and a large knife, demanded money from the till, and fled with €500, pursued by an employee. The judge noted Kennaway's difficult personal background, 15 prior convictions, and a seven‑year period of being conviction‑free before this offence. He described the robbery as "frightening and intimidating" and linked it to Kennaway's chronic drug addiction. Judge Mahon concluded that, given the growing public concern over knife crime, the net custodial sentence of three years was not unduly harsh and could be described as lenient. The appeal was dismissed.
2016-04-11 · Louth
Cathal Gartland, 42, of Dundalk, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for assaulting and threatening to kill his daughter while in possession of a Magnum hand‑gun. The Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Michael O'Shea, imposed the sentence on 20 May 2015, with lesser sentences running concurrently. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, arguing the sentence was "unduly lenient", but the Court of Appeal dismissed the application, stating the sentence lay within the margin available to the sentencing judge. Judge Garrett Sheehan explained that Gartland had assaulted his youngest daughter after learning she was intoxicated and behaving inappropriately. He slapped her, used a .357 calibre Magnum Smith and Wesson, threatened to drown, kill and kneecap her, and forced her into a taxi. The daughter sustained multiple injuries, required crutches for four months, and later was taken to hospital. Gartland had prior convictions for firearms possession and assault. Cathal Gartland pleaded guilty.
2016-02-26 · Louth
A father and son from Drogheda have had their appeals against prison sentences dismissed by the Court of Appeal following their conviction for cannabis possession. Michael Devlin Snr and Michael Devlin Jnr pleaded guilty at Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court to possessing cannabis worth €1.3 million with intent to supply at Cartown, Termonfeckin in September 2013. The discovery arose after an off-duty garda became suspicious of a lorry driver seeking a non-existent address and alerted colleagues. Gardaí subsequently found 262 packages containing 65.5 kilograms of cannabis during a coordinated operation. Devlin Snr, aged 61, received 12 years imprisonment with four years suspended, while Devlin Jnr, aged 40, received 12 years with two years suspended. The Court of Appeal found the sentences fell within the appropriate range for the offence's sophistication and dismissed both appeals.
2016-02-15 · Louth
In 2016, Gibson Brothers (Ireland) Limited, a construction firm, was fined €30,000 for health and safety breaches after a 73‑year‑old man, Michael Reynolds, fell over a kerb at a Dundalk footpath in 2007, fractured his neck and later died. The company had pleaded guilty to failing to protect non‑employees from risk and to not including specific safety measures for work involving particular risks. Judge Michael O'Shea imposed the fine on 19 October 2011. The Director of Public Prosecutions sought a review of the sentence, claiming it was "unduly lenient". Gibson Brothers' lawyers objected, arguing the DPP's application was not served correctly. Judge John Edwards upheld the objection, noting that service to a corporate defendant must be through a solicitor, not a legal secretary, and ruled that the review could not proceed. The court declined to order costs, stating the penalties were not "far from an indication" of undue leniency.
2015-07-20 · Louth
A man from Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan has failed in his appeal against conviction for sexual exploitation of two children. Peter Clarke, aged 70, was convicted at Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court on two counts relating to an incident on September 9 2011 involving two 12-year-old girls. He had pleaded not guilty to the charges. A jury found him guilty, and he was sentenced to five years imprisonment with the final three years suspended in March 2014. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal, with President Seán Ryan stating the trial was "satisfactory" and the conviction "safe". Mr Justice Ryan rejected multiple grounds of appeal, including submissions regarding the lawfulness of Clarke's arrest and detention, the admission of evidence, and jury instructions. The court found it would have been "wholly unstateable" for a jury to interpret Clarke's conduct and words as anything other than an invitation to engage in a sexual act. The judgment was delivered by Mr Justice Ryan, sitting with Ms Justice Mary Finlay Geoghegan and Mr Justice Michael Peart.
2015-06-22 · Louth
James McNamee, aged 23, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for arson at North Link Retail Park, where a sofa set on fire in the loading bay caused €2.2 million of damage, including €745,000 uninsured. He pleaded guilty to one count of arson on 30 June 2010 and was originally sentenced by Judge Michael O'Shea on 31 January 2014. On appeal, the Court of Appeal reduced the sentence to four years with the final 18 months suspended. McNamee, who was 18 at the time of the offence, and three minors had climbed a fence to enter the loading bay; only McNamee was prosecuted. The court noted that no one was injured or killed and that the fire caused significant business losses, some businesses closing permanently. McNamee was required to post a €100 bond for four years after release. The appeal was granted by Judges Alan Mahon, Garrett Sheehan and John Edwards.