A third‑level student in his 20s has been granted permission by the High Court to challenge his university's decision to refer him to a fitness‑to‑practise committee after two findings of plagiarism. The student, whose name and course are undisclosed, was investigated in September 2023 after an exam where he used notes that also contained material from another student. He claimed he did not realise he was transcribing directly and apologised. The committee found the plagiarism an offence, recorded it as a second incident, and referred the matter to the junior dean who ruled the exam paper inadmissible and the mark zero, with a capped 'pass' if he re‑sat. The university later cited additional concerns, including falsified attendance and misrepresentation of fees, and referred the case to the fitness‑to‑practise committee.
A 52‑year‑old convicted rapist who fathered a son with his estranged daughter has been allowed to pursue a High Court action against the governor of the Midlands Prison and the Minister for Justice after his request for temporary release on medical grounds was refused. The man, who was sentenced in January 2023 to 10 years' imprisonment with the final year suspended, suffers ill health, including a chronic, infected wound on his right knee that may require inpatient care. His lawyers argue that there is no statutory prohibition on temporary release for sexual offence offenders and that the refusal was unlawful. They seek a declaration that the Minister's fixed policy denying release for such offenders is unlawful, an order for the reasons for the refusal, and a declaration that the Minister's discretion has been fettered. The High Court has granted permission for the case to proceed and adjourned it to January.
At the High Court, Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty granted permission for a judicial review and adjourned the matter to January. The applicant, Juma Palani, is challenging the State's decision to disallow his claims for jobseeker's and disability allowance. He argues that the Criminal Assets Bureau, Chief Appeals Officer, and relevant Ministers erred in law and fact by concluding there were reasonable grounds to infer he engaged in criminal activity, a finding he contends lacks supporting evidence. Mr Palani seeks an order quashing these decisions, repayment of monies paid, and declarations that the State breached his procedural rights under the Constitution and the European Court of Human Rights Act. He is also seeking a declaration that the respondents failed to vindicate his rights. The application notes that in February, his solicitor requested evidence supporting the inference of criminal conduct, which has not been produced. The case involves the father of Yousef Palani, who was jailed for life last year for the murders of Michael Snee and Aidan Moffitt and for stabbing Anthony Burke in the eye with a kitchen knife. These offences occurred over a four-day period in Sligo, driven by hatred of gay men. Yousef Palani, who was 23 at sentencing, decapitated one victim in his own home. The matter was adjourned and is not concluded.
A veteran healthcare worker, who has worked in the sector for over 30 years, was shocked to discover that a previously unknown complaint of sexual assault had been reported to the Garda vetting bureau by the HSE when she sought new employment. She claims she has no knowledge of who made the allegation, when or where it occurred, and that the HSE had no lawful authority to forward the report to the Gardaí. The woman, who left her HSE role in April 2024 after a positive interview with another agency, says the allegation forced her to seek medical help and that no investigation had taken place. She has applied to the High Court for an order quashing the HSE's decision to furnish the report and for the Garda vetting bureau to withdraw its acceptance of the report. The court has granted permission for judicial review and adjourned the case to the New Year.
In a High Court hearing, EirGrid was told it has no duty to explain why it refused Kilshane Energy Ltd, Coolpowra Flex Gen Ltd and Coolpowra Bess Ltd permission to bid in a national grid energy auction. Kilshane, which planned two 299MW candidate units at Huntstown, Dublin, argued that EirGrid's only cited reason – that a connection to a 400KV substation was not feasible in the time available – ignored the detailed schedules it had supplied. The court noted that the auction had 160 applicants and that EirGrid must balance competition with grid security under statutory duties. The respondents, represented by Niall Handy SC, maintained that the Capacity Market Code governs the process and that applicants must meet its evolving standards. The case remains pending, with the court to decide and provide reasoning later.
Kilshane Energy Ltd is challenging a decision by Eirgrid, supported by the CRU, to exclude it from an imminent auction to supply electricity to the national grid. The High Court heard that Kilshane had planned to build two 299MW candidate units at Huntstown, North County Dublin, but was denied access to the auction because Eirgrid said the 200KV substation nominated by Kilshane would not be large enough and a 400KV substation would be required. Kilshane argued that a 400KV substation could be constructed and that the project would be feasible and operational by the October 2028 deadline. The company appealed to the Capacity Market Dispute Resolution Panel, where the decision was upheld on the basis of feasibility. Kilshane claims the refusal will have cascade effects on projects costing tens and hundreds of millions of euros. The case continues with further oral submissions expected to finish by Thursday.
Juma Palani, from Sligo, has initiated High Court proceedings to challenge the State's decision to withdraw his jobseeker's and disability allowances. Mr Palani is seeking to overturn determinations made earlier this year by the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Chief Appeals Officer, and the Minister for Social Protection. He claims the State has failed to provide evidence supporting assertions that he engaged in criminal activity, and contends the investigation was conducted unlawfully. Mr Palani's son, Yousef Palani, was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2023 for the murders of Michael Snee and Aidan Moffitt in Sligo in April 2022, and for stabbing Anthony Burke. Mr Palani's legal representatives argue their client was denied fair procedures and constitutional justice, having received no opportunity to respond to allegations before his allowances were disallowed and repayment demands issued. Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty adjourned the case for hearing the following week.
A charity, Kyrie Therapeutic Farm Company Ltd, has obtained leave to challenge a decision by the Minister for Justice that refused €16 million of funding for its proposed therapeutic farm under the now‑closed Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP). The High Court granted the ex‑parte application before Justice Mary Rose Gearty, allowing Kyrie to seek judicial review. Kyrie seeks an order to quash the July 2024 refusal, a declaration that the minister acted unlawfully, reconsideration of the decision and damages. The charity argues that its project, a 57‑acre farm in County Kildare, was a philanthropic donation aimed at mental‑health recovery and that it had already committed €1.6 million, including a €1.3 million purchase of the land. The IIP had rejected the application, stating it was not an appropriate project and that the funding would cover recruitment and operational costs rather than capital expenditure.
In a High Court decision, a Ukrainian boy who had been taken to Ireland by his mother without his father's consent must be returned to Ukraine. Justice Mary Rose Gearty noted that the boy's fear of death was taken seriously, but found no evidence of a grave risk to him. The court observed that the mother had claimed the move was for the duration of the war, while the father maintained it was only for two months. Text messages supported the father's view, and the judge found no evidence of settlement or consent for a longer stay in Ireland. The judge directed that the boy be returned to Ukraine immediately and that the father provide undertakings regarding the child's future safety. No other legal actions or outcomes were mentioned.
Apple Distribution International Limited has obtained leave from the High Court to challenge a decision by the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) to investigate a complaint lodged by the French digital rights group La Quadrature du Net (LQdN). Apple argues that the DPC should have first assessed the validity or admissibility of the complaint before proceeding to a preliminary draft decision. The company seeks declarations that the DPC acted unlawfully, outside its powers, and unreasonably, breaching Apple's right to fair procedure and natural justice. Apple also requests a stay on further steps in the inquiry, which was granted by Justice Mary Rose Gearty. The complaint, filed on 28 May 2018, alleges that Apple processes personal data in a way that infringes the GDPR, a claim Apple denies. Apple contends that the DPC's inquiry was based on a flawed sample subject and that the DPC failed to provide reasons for refusing a standalone decision on validity before continuing the investigation.
In a High Court civil trial, the jury resumed deliberations on the second day over allegations of rape involving Conor McGregor and James Lawrence. McGregor, accompanied by his fiancée Dee Devlin and family, denied the claims, asserting consensual sex with the complainant, Nikita Hand. Hand, a former hair colourist, alleges McGregor and Lawrence brutally raped her in a Dublin hotel penthouse on 9 December 2018. Lawrence also denies the allegations, claiming consensual sex with Hand after McGregor's departure. The jury is tasked with answering two yes/no questions: whether McGregor assaulted Hand and whether Lawrence assaulted Hand. Depending on the answers, the judge will direct the jury to assess damages under various headings, including general, special, aggravated, and exemplary damages, while noting that rape is a form of assault and that the standard of proof is the balance of probabilities.
In a civil trial at the High Court, the judge warned the jury not to conduct independent investigations or rely on speculation, insisting that any verdict on liability must be based solely on the evidence presented. The case involves Conor McGregor, who testified that his sexual encounter with Ms Hand in a Dublin hotel penthouse was consensual, describing it as enthusiastic and vigorous. Ms Hand, a former hair colourist, alleges that McGregor raped and battered her on 9 December 2018 and that James Lawrence also had consensual sex with her after McGregor left. Both defendants deny the allegations. The judge emphasized that opinions are not evidence and urged the jury to evaluate CCTV footage for intoxication and possible flirting, and to consider the reliability of witnesses. He also outlined the principles for assessing compensatory, special, and aggravated damages if Ms Hand is awarded damages, stressing that any figure must be agreed upon by a majority of the jurors.
In a High Court hearing, counsel for a woman suing Conor McGregor for alleged rape described the MMA star as an "arrogant coward" and "not a man". The plaintiff, Nikita Hand, claims that McGregor, once the world's highest‑earning sportsperson, "brutally raped and battered" her in a Dublin hotel penthouse on 9 December 2018. She alleges that McGregor and James Lawrence denied the allegations, with Lawrence claiming consensual sex after McGregor's departure. McGregor testified that the encounter was consensual, describing it as "enthusiastic, athletic, prolonged and vigorous" in a hotel penthouse. Hand's counsel highlighted inconsistencies in McGregor's testimony, including a change in his story about a tampon and the presence of bruising. The case remains in the early trial stage, with the jury hearing evidence of alleged assault and disputed claims of consent.
Evidence in the civil trial of Conor McGregor and James Lawrence over alleged rape of hairdresser Nikita Hand at a Dublin hotel in 2018 has finished at the High Court after eight days. The jury will return on Tuesday for closing speeches while legal discussion continues in their absence. McGregor testified that he had consensual sex with Hand in the hotel penthouse, describing it as enthusiastic, athletic, prolonged and vigorous, and in a multitude of positions. Hand alleges that McGregor brutally raped and battered her. She seeks damages from both men for the events of December 9, 2018 at the Beacon hotel. Lawrence claims he had consensual sex with Hand twice after McGregor left, a claim Hand calls a lie. Both men deny the allegations. Clinical forensic physician Professor Basil John Farnan gave evidence on bruising, describing it as a discoloration caused by blunt trauma and noting that bruises can appear delayed and in various colours.
During the seventh day of a civil damages trial in the High Court, James Lawrence, a co‑defendant of Conor McGregor, testified that he heard McGregor and a woman, Nikita Hand, in a hotel penthouse where there was "nothing but moaning and sex" and that Hand was "enjoying it." Lawrence said he saw Hand naked and on top of McGregor, and that he and Hand had sex three times in an hour after condoms were obtained from staff. He claimed Hand was "putting it on him" in front of a McGregor staff driver and that she had tried to kiss him while he was in a car. Hand, a hair colourist, alleges McGregor raped and battered her in the same penthouse six years ago and is seeking damages. Both McGregor and Lawrence deny the allegations and maintain that any sex was consensual. The trial is ongoing and no verdict has been reached.
During the sixth day of a civil trial, Conor McGregor took the stand to defend himself against a claim that he had brutally raped and battered Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel. McGregor denied the allegations, stating that he and Hand had consensual sex, describing it as enthusiastic, athletic and vigorous, and that no bruising or distress was evident. He recounted being shocked by social media chatter after the incident and warned the judge to restrain his comments when he made a vulgar remark about Hand. The judge cautioned him to restrain his remarks. Hand, a hair colourist, is seeking damages from McGregor and James Lawrence, who also denies the allegations. The trial will continue the following day before a jury and the judge.
In a civil trial at the High Court, a paramedic, Eithne Scully, testified that she had seen a woman, Nikita Hand, who is suing Conor McGregor and James Lawrence, with extensive bruising and injuries after an alleged rape in a Dublin hotel penthouse on 9 December 2018. Scully described Hand's bruises around the neck, thighs, chest and lower leg, and noted a cut on her chin and breast injury. She also reported Hand's agitation, fear of a tampon being pushed too far, and a panic attack during transport to the Rotunda hospital. The paramedic's evidence was supplemented by CCTV footage of the ambulance and by statements from other paramedics who observed Hand's distress. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Owens, continues with a jury of eight women and four men. The defendants deny the allegations. The case focuses on the alleged assault and the injuries sustained by Hand.
Ms Nikita Hand, a hair colourist, testified at the High Court after four days in the witness box, claiming that Conor McGregor brutally raped and battered her in a Dublin hotel penthouse on 9 December 2018. She said she has no memory of being in a lift with James Lawrence, who denies the allegations and claims consensual sex with her. Hand described bruises and injuries she said were inflicted by McGregor, including choking and biting. She also recounted drinking and drug use during the period. McGregor and Lawrence deny the allegations. The civil damages case is ongoing before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury of twelve. The trial continues with no verdict yet.
In the civil damages trial at the High Court, the jury informed Judge Alexander Owens that a member of the public gallery had pointed a mobile phone at them, raising concerns about potential recording or photography. Owens reminded all present that recording and photography are prohibited in the court area and warned that any breach would be treated as contempt of court. The case involves Ms Nikita Hand, who alleges that Conor McGregor and James Lawrence raped her in a Dublin hotel on 9 December 2018. Both defendants deny the allegations. The trial, presided over by Judge Owens, continues with a jury of eight women and four men and is expected to last two weeks.
In a High Court civil trial, Ms Nikita Hand, 45, presented a 45‑minute audio recording in which she describes being "brutally raped" by Conor McGregor at the Beacon hotel's penthouse on 9 December 2018. The recording shows Hand sobbing and telling her boyfriend she would be "killed" if she named her attacker. She also recounts going to a friend's house, having photos taken of her body, and describing injuries such as black‑and‑blue knuckles and leg bruises. Hand denies a defence claim that she followed McGregor into a bedroom and performed oral sex before consensual sex. McGregor and James Lawrence deny the allegations. The case is heard by a jury of eight women and four men, with the trial continuing tomorrow at the Four Courts.
In the third day of evidence at a High Court civil trial, a woman named Nikita Hand testified that Conor McGregor and James Lawrence allegedly raped and battered her in a Dublin hotel on 8‑9 December 2018. Hand, who was intoxicated after a night of drinking and drug use, claimed she was pinned down and choked by McGregor in a penthouse suite at the Beacon hotel. She said she had been "brutally raped" and that a doctor later assessed her injuries as moderate to severe. Both McGregor and Lawrence denied the allegations. Hand's testimony included references to CCTV footage that she said contradicted her account, and she described her state as "drunk and very vulnerable." The case remains before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury.
In a High Court damages case, Ms Nikita Hand, the complainant, testified that she cannot recall the CCTV footage from the Beacon hotel showing her and co‑defendant James Lawrence after the alleged rapes on 9 December 2018, and that she was "very drunk" at the time. The footage, shown to a jury, depicts Mr Conor McGregor, Ms Hand, and Ms Hand's friend exiting the hotel in a black BMW at 6.15 pm, with Ms Hand and Mr Lawrence remaining in the car park. Later, at 6.18 pm, the pair return, appearing inebriated and barefoot. The footage also shows them carrying drinks, hugging in the lift, and eventually leaving the hotel in a taxi. Ms Hand repeatedly stated she had no memory of these events. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Alexander Owens, continues with a jury of eight women and four men. The defendants deny the allegations.
In a High Court civil damages trial, Ms Nikita Hand testified that on the early hours of 9 December 2018 she was at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin with Conor McGregor and James Lawrence. She alleged that McGregor pinned her to a bed, choked her, and then raped her, describing the assault as lasting a long time and leaving her physically bruised and emotionally devastated. Hand said she had been drinking and had taken cocaine that night, and that she had tried to fight back but was unable to move. She reported that McGregor had told her he had felt the same way in the Octagon, which she found odd. After the incident, Hand made a statement to Gardaí in January 2019, but the Director of Public Prosecutions decided not to prosecute McGregor or Lawrence, citing no reasonable prospect of conviction. The case is before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury of eight women and four men.
In a High Court civil damages action, Nikita Hand alleges that Conor McGregor and James Lawrence raped her at the Beacon Hotel penthouse in Dublin in December 2018. Hand says she walked away when McGregor told her "suck on that" referring to his penis. A doctor testified that Hand had bruises on her neck, hands, arms, knees, thighs, back and a nine‑centimetre scratch on her right breast. Hand also claims oral, vaginal‑digital and vaginal penetration by McGregor, all non‑consensual. McGregor and Lawrence deny the allegations. The case is set to continue before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury of eight women and four men, with the trial expected to last two weeks.
A High Court civil jury trial is currently underway involving Nikita Ní Laimhín, the applicant, and defendants Conor McGregor and James Lawrence. Ms Ní Laimhín alleges that on December 9, 2018, at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin, she was subjected to a 'vicious and violent' sexual assault by Mr McGregor, which she claims amounted to rape. She states she was left 'weeping and shivering in pain' and required medical intervention to remove an embedded tampon. The plaintiff seeks €1 million in lost earnings and compensation, alleging lasting psychological trauma and career disruption. Mr McGregor and Mr Lawrence deny all allegations, maintaining that any sexual contact was consensual. The defence characterises the claim as malicious and 'tantamount to extortion.' Counsel for the plaintiff, John Gordon SC, argued that the defendant's assertion of consent in the face of alleged physical restraint and injury is implausible. The jury, comprising eight women and four men, is tasked with determining the facts based on the balance of probabilities. The matter remains at the trial stage, with evidence ongoing and no final judgment or sentence issued.
A jury was sworn in for the High Court civil trial involving Mixed Martial Arts star Conor McGregor and a co‑defendant over an alleged "in effect, rape" of a woman at a Dublin hotel in December 2018. Mr Justice Alexander Owens explained to the jury that the plaintiff, hair‑colourist Ms. Nikita Ní Laimhín, claims the defendants sexually assaulted her, an act he described as "in effect, amounted to a rape." The case is a civil action seeking damages from both defendants. Mr McGregor, aged 36, appeared in court wearing a dark blue suit, navy tie and white shirt, accompanied by his father and the co‑defendant. The judge instructed the jury of eight women and four men to remain impartial, avoid external research, and not act as private detectives. The trial is expected to last two weeks, with the jury available for a possible three‑week extension.
The High Court has granted a mother of a 17‑year‑old vulnerable teenager permission to bring a legal challenge against the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) and the HSE. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has OCD, ADHD and procedural psychosis and has been under an interim care order since 2023. He has been the subject of multiple minor wardship orders and has displayed violent behaviour at home, including breaking windows, punching a brother, threatening family members with a knife and defecating in the garden. Gardaí were called on several occasions and the boy was admitted to hospital for three weeks before absconding and returning to threaten his mother with a knife. After a psychiatric assessment describing an acute exacerbation of OCD, he was discharged on a phased basis. The mother alleges that Tusla and the HSE have breached statutory duties and failed to provide an appropriate placement under the European Convention of Human Rights.
A Russian nanny who had been employed by a company to care for the children of two directors during their acrimonious divorce was removed from the company's payroll in June 2022. She continued to work and received her net wages from a separate company account, a fact the children's mother confirmed. The nanny, who had been in Ireland since 2010 and had a work visa, argued that the payroll change was solely due to the divorce proceedings and that she remained an employee. The adjudicator found the company breached the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994 by failing to provide written statements of employment terms. He awarded the nanny €1,800 in compensation, ordered the company to supply the required statements within a week, and noted that the nanny was lawfully in Ireland and still employed by the firm.
The High Court has heard arguments regarding the extradition of John Edward McNicholl and Seamus Christopher O'Kane to the UK, where they face charges related to the 1975 murder of Constable Robert John McPherson in Co Derry. Mr McNicholl is alleged to have murdered the constable and attempted to murder a second officer, while Mr O'Kane is charged with possession of firearms, including an RUC-issued weapon recovered during the ambush. Defense counsel argued that the extradition proceedings are oppressive and constitute an abuse of process, citing a nearly 50-year delay in seeking surrender. They contended that the pursuit of the men, initiated days before the UK's Legacy Act came into force, breached their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights and was driven by a change in the political climate. The State, represented by Remy Farrell SC, countered that arguments regarding abuse of process by Northern Irish prosecutors are matters for the courts in Northern Ireland, not the Dublin High Court. The court was told that previous extradition requests were refused on political grounds under the 1965 Act, but subsequent legislation removed such refusals. Mr Justice Pat McGrath deferred judgement and adjourned the matter to December 16.
The EU Courts have been asked to decide whether the human rights of Seán Walsh, a 57‑year‑old alleged IRA member wanted in the UK for directing terrorism, would be violated by changes to sentencing law introduced in Northern Ireland three years ago. Walsh faces four charges – membership of the IRA, directing terrorist activities, conspiracy to direct terrorist activities and preparing to commit acts of terrorism – each carrying a maximum life sentence. He denies the allegations. The offences are alleged to have been committed in July 2020 in Omagh, Co. Tyrone. The High Court in Ireland ordered his surrender to UK authorities in October 2022, and he was granted leave to appeal. Walsh's lawyers argued that the new UK law would impose a heavier penalty than that applicable at the time of the alleged offence.
Paul Murphy, a father-of-two who survived a fatal crane incident at Thomond Bridge in Limerick in 2015, reached an undisclosed settlement with multiple parties, including Palfinger Ireland Ltd and Limerick City and County Council, the High Court heard. Counsel for Murphy stated that liability was conceded by the named defendants, allowing the case to proceed solely for the assessment of damages before the settlement was finalized. The incident claimed the lives of Murphy's co-workers, Bryan Whelan and TJ O'Herlihy, who drowned after the crane fell into the River Shannon. Murphy, who suffered PTSD and physical injuries, was rescued by lifeboat. In related proceedings, Palfinger Ireland Ltd was fined €25,000 at Limerick Circuit Court on October 7, 2022, after pleading guilty to breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act. Additionally, Nationwide Crane Hire Ltd pleaded guilty to similar breaches and was fined €200,000. The prosecutions, brought by the Health and Safety Authority, cited a failed safety mechanism and a missing chapter in the crane manual supplied by Palfinger. The High Court judge acknowledged the trauma Murphy endured, noting he had to relive parts of the tragedy during the proceedings.
A woman who has filed a damages claim for alleged assault against mixed‑martial‑arts star Conor McGregor has been granted permission by Ms Justice Denise Brett to subpoena witnesses, including potentially Gardaí, for the case that will be heard by a High Court jury next month. The brief hearing took place at the High Court today, where Ms Justice Brett noted a small amount of overlap in witnesses but allowed the solicitor, David Coleman of Coleman Legal Partners, to issue subpoenas on behalf of the plaintiff. The costs of the proceedings will be dealt with when the case is heard next month. Mr Justice Alexander Owens had previously set the hearing for 5 November, after the plaintiff's application to adjourn was opposed. The claim, brought in 2021, alleges events in 2018 in Dublin and is one of two actions against McGregor.
Dessie Dundon, serving life imprisonment for the murder of a Limerick gangland rival, has been granted leave to challenge a refusal to grant him parole based on a "secret dossier" compiled by An Garda Síochána. At a High Court ex-parte hearing, Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty granted leave for his case to be reviewed. Dundon claims the Parole Board breached his constitutional rights to fair procedure by withholding "considerable" Garda material until after its decision to refuse parole in March. His application alleges the board acted illegally and with procedural impropriety by finding "exceptional circumstances" that warranted keeping the report secret, thereby depriving him of natural justice. Dundon, who has served 21 years for the 2003 murder of Kieran Keane and the attempted murder of Owen Treacy, was convicted in December 2003 of attempted murder and twice of false imprisonment. He also had convictions for assault causing harm and larceny at sentencing, and has since received two further convictions for possession of a mobile phone in prison and wilfully obstructing a prison officer. An Garda Síochána were listed as a notice party. The matter was adjourned to November 5 for mention.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a High Court judge condemned a father for allowing his four‑year‑old son to suffer repeated physical abuse and for misreporting the boy's fatal injuries as a fall from a bunk bed. The judge described the father's conduct as a "shameful betrayal" and noted the child's isolation and the father's deliberate disregard for his welfare. The defendant, 35, pleaded guilty to endangerment, neglect, and aiding an offender, and was sentenced to seven years for each of the endangerment and assisting an offender charges, plus five years for each of two child cruelty convictions, all running concurrently and back‑dated to March 2024. The judge highlighted the clear pattern of abuse, the father's role in hiding injuries, and the boy's tragic death from traumatic head and abdominal injuries. The mother's victim impact statement described the boy as a happy, cheery child whose life was "robbed" by the abuse.
The High Court extended an injunction that bars four named individuals and unknown persons from entering or interfering with the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock, which is slated to become an asylum‑seeker facility. The injunction, originally issued in July amid violent protests, prohibits trespassing, threatening or intimidating behaviour toward employees or contractors of Townbe Unlimited Company and Remcoll Capital Ltd. It applies to anyone attending the site for violent or intimidating protests against housing foreign nationals. Two defendants, Kevin Coyle and Leon Bradley, were local election candidates who allegedly posted videos of themselves on the property and claimed to have thrown rocks. Sean Rush is accused of creating a social‑media page inciting riots. A fourth unnamed defendant was served via social media. The court noted that the violence seen in summer has not re‑occurred, but the protest remains unresolved.
The High Court has fixed a trial date of November 19 for a defamation action brought by Cllr Jimmy Guerin against Gemma O'Doherty. Mr Guerin, an independent Fingal County Councillor and brother of the late journalist Veronica Guerin, alleges that Ms O'Doherty defamed him through social media posts and a website video by implying he was a convicted paedophile. Ms O'Doherty, a former Irish Independent journalist, maintains she was referring to her brother, Martin Guerin. In 2019, Martin Guerin pleaded guilty to possession of hundreds of child sexual abuse images and 146 movie files of child pornography, for which he received a two-and-a-half-year suspended prison sentence. During the procedural hearing before Mr Justice Alexander Owens, Ms O'Doherty described the litigation as part of a six-year campaign of harassment. The judge stated he was doing his best to accommodate her schedule but could not create time that did not exist. Ronan Lupton SC, representing Mr Guerin, confirmed the case was ready to proceed. The matter was adjourned to the fixed trial date, where a judge and jury are expected to hear evidence for up to five days.
The High Court has set a hearing date for former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams' defamation action against the BBC. Mr. Adams claims the broadcaster falsely alleged he sanctioned the 2006 killing of Denis Donaldson in Glenties, Co Donegal. The case centres on a 2016 BBC Spotlight programme and a related webpage article. The BBC denies defamation, asserting the content was published in good faith and constituted responsible journalism on a subject of public interest. At the hearing, Mr. Justice Alex Owens fixed April 29, 2025, for the trial at the Four Courts, which is expected to last up to three weeks. Counsel for the BBC noted that several witnesses, including some from overseas, would be involved. The matter was adjourned to this date following delays caused by preliminary issue hearings and document discovery. Previously, in July 2020, Mr. Justice Charles Meenan directed the BBC to provide discovery of documents, while refusing Mr. Adams' application for further particulars of the BBC's defence. Additionally, in March 2022, the High Court dismissed Mr. Adams' bid to strike out parts of the BBC's defence. The court has now scheduled the substantive hearing for next spring.
A woman who filed a damages claim against mixed‑martial‑arts star Conor McGregor in 2021 is set to have her case heard by a High Court jury on 5 November. The claim alleges an assault that allegedly occurred in 2018 in Dublin and seeks compensation for personal injury. The High Court hearing was postponed twice after McGregor obtained adjournments to allow him to participate in a UFC comeback bout and later a boxing match, both of which were cancelled. The plaintiff's counsel, John Gordan SC, expressed frustration at the repeated delays, while McGregor's counsel, Remy Farrell SC, argued that the trial could not proceed during the fight period. The case will be heard by a judge and a jury during the civil jury sessions in November, with no details of the claim having been disclosed in open court. The allegations are fully denied by the defendant.
A teacher who admitted to a 'once-off' sexual encounter with a former student has failed in a judicial review bid to block evidence obtained by their former partner from being used in a fitness-to-practise inquiry. The teacher, whose identity is protected by court orders, argued that screenshots from their Snapchat account, obtained without consent, were unlawfully gathered and should be deemed inadmissible. The inquiry, conducted by the Teaching Council, follows allegations from the teacher's ex-partner regarding a relationship with the former student, including alleged social media communications. The teacher acknowledged a single sexual encounter post-Leaving Certificate but denied ongoing contact. They claimed the screenshots could have been from a fake account and that their identity was not confirmed in the evidence. The teacher left their school job following the allegations but was not subject to a suspension of teaching registration. The judicial review sought to quash a June 2022 decision allowing the screenshots to be used in the inquiry under the Teaching Council Act, 2001. Mr Justice Conleth Bradley denied the application, stating the disciplinary panel had the authority to admit the evidence and that the exclusionary rule does not automatically apply to evidence obtained by third parties. The judge noted no fitness hearing had occurred, no findings had been made, and no sanctions had been proposed. The matter remains ongoing under the appeal stage.
In a High Court hearing on 7 October 2024, Mr Justice Paul McDermott sentenced a 17‑year‑old juvenile who had sexually assaulted and defiled a 13‑year‑old girl in a Dublin park. The boy pleaded guilty to one count of defilement of a child under 15 and one of sexual assault. The judge noted the boy's lack of consent, the use of violence, and the coercive element of the assault. He highlighted the boy's mental health diagnosis and lack of prior convictions, and remarked that the boy's prepared statements to Gardaí contained self‑serving lies. The judge advised lawyers to consider Gardaí guidelines for interviewing juveniles. The boy received a 12‑month detention sentence, while the victim, aged 15, delivered a victim impact statement describing the lasting psychological harm and her determination to prevent future victims. The judge praised her courage and noted the impact on her mental health and family.
In a High Court sentencing hearing, a 68‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to 17 counts of sexual assault against a girl aged 12‑14 between 1992 and 1994. The judge praised the survivor for delivering a victim impact statement, noting her courage and the message she sent to other children who lack a voice. The survivor described how the perpetrator touched her breasts, vagina and performed oral sex, often cornering her in his home, in his son's bedroom, and in a car. She said the abuse stole her childhood, innocence, and choice, and caused lasting anxiety, panic attacks, and health problems. She reported the abuse to Gardaí in July 2022 and sought justice for herself and her children. The judge thanked her for her effort and courage, while the defence offered an apology and expressed remorse. The case was adjourned to November for an updated probation report.
Galway County Council has conceded to an objection by the Friends of the Irish Environment Group (FIE) regarding emergency flood relief works near Kylemore Abbey in Connemara. The High Court hearing, presided over by Ms Justice Emily Farrell, found that the council had communicated its concession to the objection last month. The FIE had challenged the council's authorization of works under the 1949 Local Authorities Act, arguing that the Act's provisions were invalid and that the works breached EU directives on habitats and environmental impact assessments. The group sought a High Court order to quash the council's decision to authorise works at the N59 Kylemore Bridge and to impose a temporary stay on those works, as well as declarations that sections of the 1949 Act were mis‑transposed EU directives. The court adjourned the matter for two weeks to allow the parties to consider further proceedings.
In a High Court sentencing hearing, a teenage boy under 18 was sentenced to life in detention with a review after 15 years for the murder of 51‑year‑old Lorna Woodnutt. The boy, who cannot be named under the Children's Act, used a sledgehammer to kill Woodnutt on 29 September 2023 outside Tullamore, Co Offaly. After the killing, he posted a 17‑second video of the victim's body on Snapchat, which was later removed when Gardaí arrived. The judge described the boy's actions as "sickening" and noted his "unhealthy interest" in extreme male role models that shaped a negative attitude toward women. The boy, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and an adjustment disorder, showed aggressive behaviour at home and school. The sentence will be reviewed in 2038, with release dependent on progress and risk assessment. The court ordered bi‑annual probation reports and psychiatric assessments. The unnamed 17-year-old pleaded guilty.
Christopher Shane Frane (36) consented to his surrender to Northern Ireland at the High Court, ending an appeal process where he had previously argued against extradition. Frane, who pleaded guilty to the 2013 manslaughter of Constable Philippa Reynolds, had absconded from Northern Ireland in January while on day-release and was arrested in the Republic in February. His original sentence included a minimum of six years and an Indefinite Custodial Sentence requiring him to remain in prison until proving he is no longer a danger to the public. During the appeal, his counsel, Karen Quinlivan KC, argued that this regime was "extreme and draconian" and unconstitutional, citing a Northern Ireland Court of Appeal description of such sentences. Although a judgment was due in October, Frane took the stand before Mr Justice Paul Burns to consent to his surrender. He will be returned to Northern Ireland within a maximum of 20 days. The matter was not concluded by a final judgment on the merits of the constitutional arguments, as the defendant's consent rendered the legal challenge moot regarding the immediate surrender.
Robert Duffy, a former IRA member aged 52, was convicted in 1996 for the murder of John Gibson in Belfast and sentenced to life imprisonment. He was released after four years under the Good Friday Agreement in 2000. In 2007, Duffy attempted to murder Colin O'Neill at the Emerald Bar in Dundalk by firing a shotgun at O'Neill's face, for which he was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2008 after pleading guilty. In 2023, the Northern Irish authorities sought his extradition to return him to prison for breaching the release terms by attempting the murder. A High Court hearing in June 2024 dismissed objections to the extradition, ordering his surrender to Northern Ireland. The order will be executed within 15 days, with an additional 10‑day extension, and will lapse if not carried out. Duffy remains in a South Irish prison awaiting release or parole before extradition can occur.
Three students – Margaret Eyong Taku, Wendy Briggs and Christina Igweze – have filed High Court proceedings to overturn their expulsions from Dundalk Institute of Technology. The expulsions followed internal disciplinary proceedings over alleged incidents on campus on 30‑31 January, including an aggressive physical altercation among the students. The college suspended the students, then a disciplinary committee recommended expulsion and campus bans in February. Appeals to the college's Appeals Committee in April were rejected. The students argue the college acted beyond its powers, with disproportionate findings, lacking adequate reasons and failing to consider relevant factors. They seek orders quashing the expulsions, re‑admission to their programmes, damages, and declarations that the college's actions were unlawful and irrational. Ms Justice Niamh Hyland granted ex‑parte permission for the cases, which will return in October for further hearings.
In a High Court hearing on 26 July 2024, Crann Ard Developments Ltd sought orders to halt the presence of horses on its Ardgeeha Upper land in Clonmel, County Tipperary, where it intends to build a €55 million residential development of 114 units. The company claims that Mr William Reilly has left his horses on the site without permission, thereby trespassing and preventing the commencement of construction. It requests an injunction restraining Mr Reilly from entering or interfering with the land, blocking access, and compelling him to remove all livestock. Mr Reilly's solicitors alleged continuous possession of the land since 2007, but the company rejects any entitlement. The court granted the company permission to serve short‑notice injunction proceedings, with the matter set to return next week. The company plans to start groundworks in August and September but fears financial loss if construction is delayed. The judge was Mr Justice Mark Sanfey.
A Palestinian man, who has sued the State for failing to provide accommodation after seeking international protection, has not responded to a settlement offer. The High Court heard that the man, who is unwell and cannot be named, arrived in the State in April and has spent recent months sleeping in a tent or in others' homes. He has brought judicial review proceedings against the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and the Attorney General, seeking orders for accommodation, a vulnerability assessment and declarations that the Minister breached his EU rights to international protection. The State's counsel said a settlement offer had been sent to the man's legal team, but no reply has been received. The case was adjourned to September. The man, aged in his 40s, claims he was a former political prisoner who endured torture in an Israeli jail and was later attacked by settlers.
A High Court hearing on 24 July 2024 addressed a boundary dispute that is delaying the construction of 74 houses in Rush, Co Dublin. The developers – Fintan Price, Frank Wilson, Tom Phelan, Bernard Carroll and Laurance Schwer – have sued market gardener Mr Camillus Archer and his son Derek Archer. The partnership seeks an injunction to stop the Archers from trespassing or interfering with the planned works. The developers claim the Archers entered their land, erected concrete poles, and deposited steel waste. They also allege that the Archers removed boundary markers and accused the developers' agents of forging a 2015 map signature. The Archers deny all wrongdoing. The case, heard by Ms Justice Siobhan Stack, was granted a short‑notice injunction application, with a follow‑up hearing scheduled for next week. The dispute remains a civil matter, and the developers are pressing for immediate construction to resume.
Caroline Teltsch, former owner of an equestrian centre linked to the John Gilligan family, has brought a High Court claim against James and Paula Buckley of Co. Carlow, seeking over €1 million in damages for alleged loan fraud. Teltsch says she advanced multiple loans between 2010 and 2018 to the Buckleys for purposes such as refurbishing the Emerald Equestrian Centre, paying tax bills, purchasing luxury cars, and covering various personal expenses. She claims the Buckleys never repaid any of the money and that they enriched themselves through deceit, confidence trickery and financial exploitation. Teltsch also seeks declarations that land near the centre is held in trust for her and that she is entitled to possession of a stallion named Louis. The Buckleys denied all allegations, were absent from the hearing, and their defence was struck out for failing to comply with a disclosure order. Mr Justice Liam Kennedy will deliver a judgment later this month.