Nathan McDonnell, 44, a garden centre owner, has been granted legal aid by the Special Criminal Court for charges related to the largest ever crystal meth haul in the State. He appeared briefly to receive formal notice of trial before a three‑judge, non‑jury court, and the matter was adjourned to 14 October. His co‑accused, James Leen, 41, also appeared and was formally served notice of trial before the Special Criminal Court, with his custody remanded until 14 October. Leen faces five charges, including directing a criminal organisation's activities, importing crystal meth at Cork Port, and possessing the drug at Ballyseedy Garden Centre. McDonnell faces five charges, including possession of crystal meth at Cork Port and Ballyseedy Garden Centre, and an alleged participation in activities that could facilitate the importation, sale and supply of a controlled drug by a criminal organisation, contrary to the Criminal Justice Act 2006.
A Dublin man is to stand trial before the Special Criminal Court in connection with the death of teenager Keane Mulready Woods. Stephen Carberry, aged 46 and residing on Sandymount Avenue, Dublin 4, faces three charges arising from the case. He is accused of transporting and disposing of body parts between January 13 and 15, 2020 at Trinity Terrace, Ballybough, Dublin 3, with the intention or recklessness of potentially enhancing a criminal organisation's ability to commit serious offences. He is also charged with obstructing the apprehension or prosecution of the teenager's murderer and with setting fire to a vehicle for the benefit of a criminal organisation. Keane Mulready Woods, aged 17, was last seen alive in Drogheda on January 12, 2020. His remains were subsequently discovered at multiple locations across Dublin and Drogheda throughout January and March 2020. Carberry will appear before the Special Criminal Court later this week.
Two men, Nathan McDonnell, 44, and James Leen, 41, are charged with offences related to the largest crystal meth haul in Irish history. Their trials will be heard at the Special Criminal Court, a three‑judge, non‑jury court, following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Mr Leen faces five charges, including directing a criminal organisation's activities between 7 February 2023 and 16 February 2024, importing crystal meth into Cork Port on 16 October 2023, and possessing the drug at Ballyseedy Garden Centre, Tralee, from 27 October 2023 to 12 February 2024, in breach of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. Mr McDonnell also faces five charges, including possession of crystal meth at Cork Port and Ballyseedy Garden Centre, and an alleged participation in activities that could facilitate the importation, sale and supply of a controlled drug by a criminal organisation, contrary to the Criminal Justice Act 2006. The court will hear the case later this week.
Jason 'Jay' O'Connor, aged 46, was found guilty of conspiracy to murder Charlie Cooper, a victim of a December 2016 shooting that left him seriously injured but alive. O'Connor, linked to the Kinahan cartel, admitted helping plan the attack, which involved ten shots fired in Cooper's kitchen. He also faced charges for possessing a 9mm firearm and ammunition, and for facilitating drug supply. O'Connor's defence highlighted that the death of his friend Keith Walker in 2015, whom he believed he was targeted for, had caused him severe mental distress, leading to suicidal thoughts and psychiatric treatment. He pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge, and the court noted his 70 prior convictions, including assault and burglary. The Special Criminal Court adjourned sentencing to 14 October, with a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment. The case underscored O'Connor's involvement in the Kinahan organisation and his alleged role in the 2016 murder plot.
Aaron Brady, already serving a life sentence for the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court to an additional three years for conspiring to pervert the course of justice. Brady admitted responsibility for recording a video of an interview between Garda officers and witness Ronan Flynn, in which Flynn claimed Brady had admitted to shooting Donohoe three times. The video was later posted on social media, accusing Flynn of "touting" and calling him a "rat." Brady's co‑conspirator, Dean Byrne, aged 31, received a two‑year sentence for persuading a witness not to give evidence. Byrne had been due for release later that year after a 14‑year sentence for aggravated burglary. The judge noted that the offences struck at the heart of the administration of justice but did not involve violence, threats or inducements, and therefore the sentences were reduced from the headline years to the final terms.
The appeal of Desmond Smith and Stephen Hamill, who admitted to knowingly rendering assistance to an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on March 13 and March 18, 2021, was heard in the Special Criminal Court. Both men pleaded guilty to the charges and are appealing for a non-custodial sentence, having pledged to have no further association with paramilitary organisations. Their legal representatives argued that their clients were at the 'lower level of the organisation' and expressed remorse for their actions. Counsel for both men highlighted their clients' personal circumstances, including Smith's medical conditions and family ties in Australia, and Hamill's role as a chef, musician, and father, as well as his community contributions. The court heard that an improvised 'slam gun' was discovered near Enniskillen police station following a search, and that phone calls purporting to be from the Continuity IRA were made to media outlets in the North and Border region. Mr Justice Tony Hunt adjourned the matter to October 14 for sentencing.
Aaron Brady, aged 33, admits that his attempt to pervert the course of justice during his trial was wrong but maintains that witnesses gave untrue evidence against him. He was convicted in 2013 of murdering Garda Adrian Donohoe during a robbery and is serving a life sentence with a minimum of 40 years. In 2020 he pleaded guilty to recording a witness interview and sending photographs to a prison colleague in an effort to influence testimony. Brady's counsel, Michael O'Higgins SC, argued that the witnesses were under pressure during the COVID lockdowns and that Brady's actions were a serious error of judgment, not a justification. The court was asked to consider leniency and to allow the maximum benefit for Brady's guilty plea. Brady's perverting‑justice sentence cannot run consecutively to his life sentence, but the DPP seeks it to run consecutively to his 14‑year robbery sentence.
The Special Criminal Court will hold a trial in November for seven men charged in the murder of Tristan Sherry, a gangland assassin, at Browne's Steakhouse on 24 December 2023. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, has announced that an early guilty plea entered before 31 July will result in a 25 percent reduction of the headline sentence. The prosecution, represented by Maddie Grant BL, is prepared to proceed, and the trial is expected to last about four weeks, concluding between 4 November and 21 December. The accused include Noah Musueni (18), Wayne Deegan (26), David Amah (18), Michael Andrecut (22), Jonas Kabangu (18), an unnamed 18‑year‑old, and Jaures Kumbu (18). Their charges range from murder and violent disorder to possession of a submachine gun. Sherry, aged 26, was killed after shooting Jason Hennessy Senior on Christmas Eve 2023. The court will determine the final sentences once the trial concludes.
At the Special Criminal Court, the matter was adjourned to July 16 for a mention. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt with Mr Justice Paul Burns and Judge Sinead Ní Chúlacháin, heard an application by State solicitor Ciara Vibien to have Brandon Hennessy tried at the non-jury court. Hennessy, 21, is accused of violent disorder under Section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, allegedly using or threatening violence at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on December 24. He is the son of Jason Hennessy Sr, who was fatally injured in the shooting and died 11 days later. Another victim, Tristan Sherry, died of blunt-force trauma. Seven others are also involved in the proceedings. David Amah, Michael Andrecut, Noah Musueni, and Wayne Deegan are charged with murder. Jaures Kumbu is charged with unlawful possession of a submachine gun at the steakhouse on the night. A 17-year-old boy and Jonas Kabangu are charged with violent disorder. The court did not record any pleas, findings, or sentences, as the case remains at the procedural stage of trial preparation. The matter was not concluded but adjourned to allow for the listing of all matters for mention on the specified date.
Two brothers, Glen Ward (31) and Eric O'Driscoll (22), both from Finglas, have withdrawn their bail applications in the Special Criminal Court after being charged with possession of firearms and reckless discharge of assault rifles in January 2022. Ward is accused of possessing a .223 Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle and discharging it on 1 January 2022 at Ratoath Drive, while O'Driscoll faces similar charges plus additional allegations of possessing a .380 ACP calibre Ingram M11 submachine gun on 9 January 2022. The charges are under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 and the Firearms Act 1964. Judge Tony Hunt offered the men time to decide whether to proceed to trial, noting a November trial date is available and giving them until later this month to inform the court of their decision. The brothers will indicate later this month whether they wish to go to trial.
The Special Criminal Court adjourned several matters scheduled for July 15 due to a planned barrister strike, with proceedings rescheduled for the following day. Aaron Brady, convicted of the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, was due to be sentenced for attempting to pervert the course of justice. He had pleaded guilty to video-recording an interview between witness Ronan Flynn and An Garda Síochána. The matter was adjourned and is not concluded. Additionally, four men accused of the murder of Tristan Sherry at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown were scheduled to appear. Noah Musueni, Wayne Deegan, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut face murder charges; their cases were adjourned. Jonas Kabangu and an unnamed juvenile are charged with violent disorder at the same location, while Jaures Kumbu is charged with possession of a submachine gun. All these matters were adjourned to July 16. The court noted the strike dates of July 9, 15, and 24. No sentences or findings were delivered during this session.
The Special Criminal Court has fixed a trial date of January 13, 2025, for eight men accused of involvement in the seizure of 2.25 tonnes of cocaine from the MV Matthew in September 2023. The accused are Vitaliy Lapa, Mykhailo Gavryk, Vitaliy Vlasoi, Jamie Harbron, Soheil Jelveh, Harold Estoesta, Saeid Hassani, and Cumali Ozgen. Lapa and Harbron face alleged possession of drugs and contributing to criminal organisation activity. Gavryk, Vlasoi, Jelveh, Estoesta, Hassani, and Ozgen are accused of contributing to criminal organisation activity, illicit traffic by sea, and misuse of drugs. All charges are alleged or contested, with no pleas entered or findings made at this procedural stage. Mr Justice Tony Hunt stated that a guilty plea would only be considered early in mitigation if entered before December 13. The matter was adjourned to October 21 for a video-link mention. The case was transferred to the non-jury court by the State, citing the complexity of the organised crime allegations.
At the Special Criminal Court on 24 June 2024, 46‑year‑old Jason 'Jay' O'Connor of Whitestown Grove, Blanchardstown, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder Charlie Cooper, who was shot at his home in Mulhuddart on 5 December 2016. O'Connor had previously been accused of the attempted murder of Cooper and of possessing a 9 mm firearm and 12 rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life at the same location and date. He also faced a charge of facilitating a criminal organisation in the commission of serious offences, namely murder and the sale or supply of drugs. During the hearing, O'Connor answered "guilty" to the charges of conspiracy to murder and of participating in or contributing to activities that could facilitate a serious offence by a criminal organisation. The case was adjourned to 30 July for further proceedings. The court did not yet impose a sentence.
Brothers Glen Ward (31) and Eric O'Driscoll (22) are accused of discharging an assault rifle in a Dublin residential area and are to apply for bail at the Special Criminal Court. Both are charged with possession of firearms and reckless discharge on dates in January 2022 in the Finglas area of north Dublin. One charge alleges that Mr O'Driscoll was in possession of a military submachine gun. Mr Ward is charged that on 1 January 2022 at Ratoath Drive in Finglas he had in his possession or control a .223 Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle and that he discharged it recklessly. Mr O'Driscoll faces two charges identical to those against Mr Ward plus three further charges, including possession of a .223 Remington AR‑15 on 9 January 2022 and possession of a .380 ACP calibre Ingram M11 submachine gun on the same date. The offences contravene the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 and the Firearms Act 1964.
Declan 'Mr Nobody' Brady, a former senior Kinahan cartel member, was sentenced at the Special Criminal Court to a nine-year prison term for facilitating the murder of Christopher Kirwan. The court found that Brady attached a tracker device to Kirwan's vehicle, aiding the gang in the December 2016 killing of the innocent man, who was shot after being photographed attending a funeral. Mr Justice Tony Hunt described the act as a pre-planned, execution-style murder and noted Brady's status as a trusted operative. Brady pleaded guilty to the single charge of participating in a criminal organisation to facilitate a serious offence. The judge fixed a 13-year headline sentence, reduced by three years for the guilty plea, resulting in a ten-year term with the final year suspended conditional on dissociation from the Kinahan group. This sentence runs concurrent to previous convictions: an 11.5-year term for supervising a firearms arsenal and an eight-year, three-month term for laundering over €400,000, both with suspended portions. The court also referenced Michael Crotty, who admitted buying phone credit for Sean McGovern, an act deemed reckless as to whether it facilitated the Kinahan organisation in the murder. Crotty's case is distinct from Brady's sentencing, which was backdated to April 30 last year.
Six men and a teenager, all aged 18 to 26, were charged in connection with the murder of gunman Tristan Sherry, who was killed on 24 December 2023 at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown. The State solicitor applied for the cases to be transferred to the Special Criminal Court under Section 49(1) of the Offences Against the State Act. The court, composed of three judges, granted the order, and all seven cases were adjourned to 1 July. The men charged with Sherry's murder are Noah Musueni (18), Wayne Deegan (26), David Amah (18) and Michael Andrecut (22). Jonas Kabangu (18) and an unnamed juvenile are charged with violent disorder at the same location. Jaures Kumbu (18) is charged with possession of a submachine gun. The Special Criminal Court handles cases where ordinary courts are deemed inadequate for effective justice and public peace. The murder occurred after Sherry shot and fatally injured Jason Hennessy Senior, who died 11 days later.
Two brothers, Glen Ward, 31, and Eric O'Driscoll, 22, are charged with possession of firearms and reckless discharge of an assault rifle in the Finglas area of north Dublin in January 2022. Ward is accused of possessing a .223 Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle on 1 January 2022 at Ratoath Drive and of discharging it recklessly. O'Driscoll faces the same charges as Ward plus additional allegations of possessing a .223 Remington AR‑15 on 9 January 2022 and a .380 ACP calibre military submachine gun, the Ingram M11, on the same date. The offences contravene the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 and the Firearms Act 1964. The Director of Public Prosecutions applied to transfer the trials to the non‑jury Special Criminal Court, and Mr Justice Tony Hunt granted the application. The brothers will appear before the court at a later date.
A violent thug, Dean Byrne, aged 30, was convicted by the Special Criminal Court of conspiring to pervert the course of justice during Aaron Brady's murder trial of Garda Adrian Donohoe. Byrne, already serving an 18‑year sentence with four suspended for a 2013 burglary, conspired with Brady to dissuade key witness Daniel Cahill from giving evidence. Byrne attempted to contact Cahill's family and persuaded a former housemate of Cahill's father to pressure Cahill, repeatedly urging him not to testify. He also circulated excerpts of Cahill's statement to a third party. Brady, aged 33, had previously pleaded guilty to sending a video of a witness interview to Gardaí. The court found the conspiracy intended to interfere with the trial and adjourned Byrne's sentencing to 15 July. The hearing for Brady is scheduled for the same date.
Daniel Sheehan, aged 24, was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court to three years' imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to possessing 263 rounds of ammunition in suspicious circumstances. The ammunition was found in a bag in his shed on 3 June 2022, alongside a replica pistol and a small amount of cannabis. Gardaí also discovered Republican memorabilia at his home. Sheehan admitted the ammunition to the police and had previously been involved in Republican colour parties, pipe bands and commemorations. He had no serious prior convictions, had been working in construction, and had expressed remorse. The judge noted his youth, lack of maturity, and potential for rehabilitation, and ordered that he have no contact with militant or paramilitary individuals. The charge of membership in an illegal organisation was later dropped. The sentence was set at a headline of six years, mitigated to three years, with the 18‑month suspension applied.
Anthony Walker, a 54-year-old taxi driver, was sentenced at the Special Criminal Court to concurrent terms of five years' imprisonment on two charges of possessing a firearm and five rounds of ammunition. Walker pleaded guilty to possessing a .38″ special calibre Smith & Wesson revolver and ammunition on November 23, 2021. Mr Justice Paul Burns suspended the final 18 months of each sentence for three years, during which Walker must engage with probation services. The judge described Walker as a "psychologically vulnerable" man who acted in a "moment of madness" while transporting the weapon for Ryan Kelly. Kelly, who pleaded guilty to possessing the same firearm and ammunition, was jailed for six years in January for his role in a "sophisticated enterprise." Walker was intercepted by armed gardaí after receiving the gun from Kelly, who was arrested separately with three other men. The court noted Walker's history of abuse, mental health issues, and remorse, deeming him a good candidate for rehabilitation despite his involvement in a larger plan. Walker's counsel highlighted his lack of prior serious convictions and his fear for his family if he named others involved.
Eight men charged in connection with the largest cocaine seizure in Irish history have had their cases transferred to the Special Criminal Court. State solicitor Ciara Vibien successfully applied for the transfer, arguing that the non-jury court is necessary to secure the effective administration of justice. The charges stem from the seizure of approximately 2.25 tonnes of cocaine, valued at over €157 million, from the Panamanian-registered vessel MV Matthew in September 2023. The accused are Vitaliy Lapa, Mykhailo Gavryk, Vitaliy Vlasoi, Jamie Harbron, Soheil Jelveh, Harold Estoesta, Saeid Hassani, and Cumali Ozgen. Lapa and Harbron are accused of possession of drugs and contributing to criminal organisation activity. The remaining six men face similar organised crime charges, along with allegations of illicit traffic by sea and misuse of drugs. The vessel was interdicted by a joint task force including the Revenue Customs Service, Naval Service, and An Garda Síochána, with Army Rangers securing the ship before it was escorted to port. The matter is currently at the trial stage, with all charges alleged or contested. No pleas, findings, sentences, or finalisations have been recorded, and the case has not been concluded.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Jason O'Connor, 46, of Whitestown Grove, Blanchardstown, was charged with facilitating a criminal gang in murder and drug dealing. O'Connor had previously faced charges for an attempted murder of Charlie Cooper on 5 December 2016, and for possession of a 9 mm firearm and 12 rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life at the same location and date. The new charges allege that between 2 August 2016 and 7 December 2016, O'Connor, knowing of a criminal organisation, participated in or contributed to activities that could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that organisation or its members, specifically murder and the sale or supply of controlled drugs. The charges are under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. The case is adjourned to 11 June for mention, and O'Connor has been granted free legal aid for the new charges.
During his 2020 trial for the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, Aaron Brady, aged 33, is alleged to have orchestrated a witness‑intimidation campaign. Prosecuting counsel Lorcan Staines SC presented evidence that Brady, while imprisoned in Mountjoy, conspired with Dean Byrne, aged 30, to persuade prosecution witness Daniel Cahill not to give evidence. Byrne is accused of sharing Cahill's statement with relatives and other associates, an act the court deemed unlawful. Byrne's defence, represented by Padraig Dwyer SC, argued that no evidence shows Byrne met Brady or was aware of the campaign, and that the alleged sharing of the statement was not intended to coerce Cahill. The case remains pending, with the court adjourned to 29 May for a verdict on Brady's alleged perverting of the course of justice.
Gerard Mackin, with a previous address at Rhebogue Road in Limerick, has failed in his appeal against a three-and-a-half year sentence for money laundering. The Court of Appeal dismissed the challenge on May 7th, 2024. Mackin had pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to possessing €4,780 as proceeds of criminal conduct, found wrapped in bubble wrap alongside two mobile phones, one capable of data encryption. His counsel argued the sentence was excessive and that insufficient credit had been given for his guilty plea, work history, and personal circumstances. However, Mr Justice John Edwards found the Special Criminal Court was entitled to consider Mackin's involvement in crime as significant rather than peripheral. The judge noted Mackin had provided false explanations regarding the money's source and rejected arguments that the 25 per cent reduction afforded was inadequate. The appeal against the severity of sentence was accordingly dismissed.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, 53‑year‑old Anthony Walker, a taxi driver, admitted possessing a loaded .38 calibre Smith & Wesson revolver and five rounds of ammunition on 23 November 2021. He claimed he was unaware the item was a gun, saying he had only realised during the trip that it was a firearm. Walker said he had been instructed by 25‑year‑old Ryan Kelly, who had been jailed for a sophisticated enterprise, to deliver the weapon. Walker's contact with Kelly had lasted 18 months, and he had exchanged texts such as "I'll be there" and "send me the number, nearly there." Walker has eight prior convictions, mainly traffic offences, and is described by counsel as a vulnerable individual with Tourette's, ADHD and OCD. The court adjourned sentencing to 29 May and remanded Walker in custody. The prosecution will decide whether to charge him with participation in a criminal organisation. Ryan Kelly pleaded guilty.
Dean Byrne, 30, of Cabra Park, Phibsborough, Dublin, is on trial in the Special Criminal Court for conspiring with Aaron Brady in Mountjoy Prison to persuade prosecution witness Daniel Cahill not to give evidence at Brady's murder trial. Byrne's defence, led by Padraig Dwyer SC, argues that Byrne genuinely believed Cahill would perjure himself and that any attempt to persuade Cahill was an attempt to secure justice, not to pervert it. Dwyer contends that the indictment is unclear and lacks evidence of wrongdoing, noting that Byrne and Brady were in prison while Cahill was in New York, making persuasion unlikely. Prosecution counsel Lorcan Staines SC counters that any interference by a private citizen, even with a benign motive, is an intentional act that interferes with public justice.
During the Special Criminal Court hearing, a Mountjoy prison officer discovered a hidden mobile phone inside a sock in a wall cavity of Dean Byrne's cell. The phone, a black Sony, contained a Facebook account named Dean Byrne that had communicated with a relative of Daniel 'Dano' Cahill, a key witness in Aaron Brady's murder trial. Garda Orla Madden retrieved Facebook conversation records showing Byrne's attempts to prevent Cahill from giving evidence, including voice messages urging Cahill not to share his statements and claims that Cahill's testimony was false. Byrne, aged 30, is charged with conspiring with Aaron Brady to pervert the course of justice by persuading Cahill not to testify. The trial continues before Judges Paul Burns, Elma Sheahan and Marie Keane. The article reports only the discovery of the phone and the related communications, without detailing any trial outcome.
Aaron Brady, who killed Garda Adrian Donohoe, was an enhanced prisoner in Mountjoy with special privileges, including a laptop for reviewing evidence. He was housed on the D‑wing basement floor, a level reserved for inmates with good behaviour, and had more freedom to move, attend education, and receive extra phone calls and money. Brady, a 33‑year‑old former resident of New Road, Crossmaglen, was convicted in 2020 of Donohoe's murder and later pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice for recording a video of witness Ronan Flynn. Dean Byrne, a 30‑year‑old from Cabra Park, was tried for conspiring with Brady between April and June 2020 to persuade witness Daniel Cahill not to testify at Brady's trial. Byrne pleaded not guilty to the single charge. The Special Criminal Court heard these facts during the trial.
At the Special Criminal Court, Ms Justice Caroline Biggs adjourned the sentence hearing for Michael Crotty to May 13. Crotty, 42, of Co Tipperary, pleaded not guilty to facilitating the murder of Noel Kirwan before entering a guilty plea in February to participating in a criminal organisation's activity. The State alleged Crotty facilitated the killing by purchasing €20 in mobile credit for Sean McGovern, described in evidence as a leading Kinahan cartel figure. Detective Sergeant Sean Cosgrove presented evidence linking a tracking device on Mr Kirwan's car to unregistered numbers used by Crotty and others, suggesting awareness of the unlawful purpose. Victim impact statements were read, including from Donna Kirwan, who expressed hope that the facilitator would "never see the light of day again." Defence counsel Padraig Dwyer SC noted Crotty's early guilty plea and submitted references. Separately, the report notes that Jason Keating, 32, was previously jailed for 10 years for his role in the "execution-style murder" of Mr Kirwan, having admitted to facilitating the offence. The matter regarding Crotty remains adjourned and is not concluded.
Ryan Kelly, 25, was sentenced to six years in prison by the Special Criminal Court for his role in a sophisticated enterprise involving a loaded .38 calibre Smith & Wesson revolver and stolen cars. Kelly, who was 22 at the time of the offence, pleaded guilty to possession of the revolver and five rounds of ammunition, with evidence that the weapon was found in a taxi and in a Volvo car where he was a passenger. He was seen handing the gun to a taxi driver and later dropping it into the vehicle's window. The court noted that Kelly acted in concert with others, including Anthony Walker, and that the weapon was fully loaded, indicating it was not for lawful use. The judge set a headline sentence of ten years, reduced to seven years with the last year suspended for three years on condition of probation. Kelly had nine prior convictions, mainly for public order and traffic offences.
During the Special Criminal Court hearing on 17 April 2024, Dean Byrne, aged 30, admitted that he had used a mobile phone found in his Mountjoy prison cell to send photographs of Daniel Cahill's statement to a relative of Cahill. Byrne also admitted that he had sent a message to the relative asking him to persuade Cahill not to testify and that he had called Cahill a "rat", "dirtbag" and "filthbag" in an exchange with another man, offering to "do damage" to Cahill. The prosecution alleges that Byrne was part of a campaign of intimidation against witnesses in Aaron Brady's 2020 murder trial. Byrne's admissions, made under Section 22 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, are said to be significant and could substantially shorten the trial, which was originally estimated to last 14 weeks. The case concerns Byrne's alleged conspiracy with Brady to pervert the course of justice between 8 April 2020 and 22 June 2020. Dean Byrne pleaded guilty.
Dean Byrne, aged 30, is on trial in the Special Criminal Court for conspiring to pervert the course of justice by persuading prosecution witness Daniel Cahill not to testify at Aaron Brady's murder trial. The trial, originally set for 14 weeks, may be shortened to two or three weeks if Byrne makes a number of admissions tomorrow. Padraig Dwyer SC is considering a "shopping list" of 35 proposals from the Director of Public Prosecutions that the defence may not need to prove formally. Some proposals relate to searches of Byrne's cell in Mountjoy prison and the obtaining of warrants. Mr Dwyer said some issues are already resolved, some cannot be admitted, and others could be admitted if reworded. Mr Justice Paul Burns adjourned the trial to allow the parties to work on the outstanding admissions. Byrne pleaded not guilty to the charge. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Burns, Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge Marie Keane.
During a Special Criminal Court hearing, Detective Inspector Mark Phillips reported that witnesses who had spoken to Gardaí about Aaron Brady's admission of killing Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe feared retaliation if they testified. Phillips cited ten witnesses who did not attend Brady's 2020 murder trial, citing threats or intimidation from Brady's associates. One witness, Ronan Flynn, recorded a video interview in New York where he claimed to have heard Brady admit the murder on multiple occasions, and he expressed concern for his safety and his family's safety after receiving a warning that he would be "dealt with" if he returned to Ireland. Other witnesses, including Colin Hoey and Daniel Cahill, also reported intimidation or fear of harm. The court heard that Dean Byrne, charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice, had attempted to influence Cahill's testimony. The hearing focused on the intimidation allegations and the witnesses' reluctance to testify, without addressing any verdicts or sentencing. Dean Byrne pleaded not guilty.
During Aaron Brady's 2020 murder trial, a man named Dean Byrne offered to "do damage" to State witness Daniel Cahill, who later testified that Brady admitted shooting Garda Adrian Donohoe. Byrne, who was sharing a landing with Brady, allegedly sent messages to Cahill and to another acquaintance, urging them not to testify and threatening to harm Cahill. The Director of Public Prosecutions charged Byrne with conspiring to prevent Cahill's evidence, a charge that was opened by prosecution counsel Lorcan Staines SC. Byrne, aged 30, pleaded not guilty and his trial continues. The court heard that Byrne's messages referred to Cahill as a "rat" and that he claimed to have knowledge of Cahill's scheduled testimony, information not publicly available. The prosecution argues that Byrne acted as Brady's agent to pervert the course of justice. The trial is before Mr Justice Paul Burns, Judge Elma Sheehan and Judge Marie Keane. The unnamed accused was acquitted.
Aaron Brady, who was convicted in 2020 of murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to perverting the course of justice. He admitted to recording footage of an interview between gardai and witness Ronan Flynn, which was subsequently posted online accusing Flynn of "touting." Brady did not enter a plea to a further count of conspiring with Dean Byrne to persuade a State witness not to testify, though prosecution counsel argued this should be considered at sentencing. Dean Byrne, 30, from Cabra Park, Phibsborough, Dublin, remains on trial for the conspiracy charge. Presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Burns adjourned sentencing to May 29. The court refused an application by Brady's lawyers to ban media reporting of the guilty plea, rejecting arguments that coverage could prejudice a potential retrial if Brady's murder conviction is overturned on appeal. The judge noted that a retrial is merely a possibility and that any prejudice could be remedied by judicial directions to the jury. Brady, 33, formerly of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, is serving a life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years for the 2013 murder. He appealed his conviction last November and is awaiting a decision from the Court of Appeal.
Two men from County Cavan have pleaded guilty to assisting the IRA at the Special Criminal Court. Desmond Smith, aged 64, of Kilnavara Crescent, and Stephen Hamill, aged 51, of Willow Ridge, Gortnakesh, each admitted to knowingly rendering assistance to an organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army in furtherance of an unlawful object. Smith's offence occurred on 18 May 2021, while Hamill's took place on 13 March 2021. Both men were arrested in February last year by members of the Special Detective Unit. The charges arise under section 21a of the Offences against the State Act 1939. Justice Caroline Biggs, presiding, adjourned sentencing to 15 May. Both defendants remain on bail pending their sentencing hearing.
Ryan Kelly (25), of Crumlin, Dublin 12, pleaded guilty in the Special Criminal Court to possessing a .38 special calibre Smith & Wesson revolver and five rounds of ammunition on November 23, 2021. He was observed handing the loaded firearm to co-accused Anthony Walker (52), of Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8, who was driving a taxi. Walker also pleaded guilty to possessing the revolver at Tallaght Road, Templeogue, on the same date. The prosecution stated that a nolle prosequi will be entered regarding a separate charge against Kelly concerning participation in a criminal organisation. Walker's ammunition charge remains live, and he faces a further charge of facilitating a serious offence by a criminal organisation. Mr Justice Paul Burns, presiding with Ms Justice Sarah Berkeley and Ms Justice Marie Keane, remanded Kelly in custody until April 22, when he will be sentenced. Walker's sentence hearing was adjourned today until May 7. The court heard that Kelly has nine previous convictions, mostly for public order and road traffic offences, and has never received a custodial sentence. Defence counsel described Kelly as deeply ashamed and noted he had been on strict bail conditions for three years.
Lawyers for Aaron Brady, who shot Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe in 2013, warned that the upcoming trial for perverting the course of justice could generate damaging publicity. Michael O'Higgins SC told the Special Criminal Court that Brady is still awaiting the outcome of an appeal against his murder conviction. If the appeal succeeds, a retrial at the Central Criminal Court, which would involve a jury, may follow. O'Higgins expressed concern that media coverage could influence jurors and plans to apply to the court, citing the Irish Times v Murphy judgment on media reporting. The perverting the course of justice trial was adjourned to allow the defence to consider new evidence. Brady (33) and co‑accused Dean Byrne (30) are charged with conspiring to persuade State witness Daniel Cahill not to testify between April and June 2020, and with recording a video of a witness interview between February and May 2020.
Peter 'Peadar' Keating, a senior Kinahan cartel member jailed for 11 years in September 2021 for directing a criminal organisation to target James 'Mago' Gately, is awaiting a High Court decision on his extradition to the UK. Keating faces nine alleged offences, including perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to possess firearms, stemming from a botched plot to amass an arsenal to help Thomas 'Bomber' Kavanagh reduce his sentence. Kavanagh, who pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and was jailed for 21 years in England in March 2022, is alleged to have directed the scheme. The UK warrant alleges Keating, using the handle 'short-texture', procured weapons from the Netherlands between January and June 2020. While Keating's counsel argued he was serving a sentence in Ireland and thus outside the UK's jurisdiction, the State's counsel rejected this, stating the warrant clearly indicates the conspiracy occurred while Keating was in the UK. The court will deliver its judgment on the surrender application by April 25. Separately, Imre Arakas was jailed for six years in December 2018 after admitting to conspiring to murder Gately in Northern Ireland in 2017.
Red' Larry McCarthy was sentenced to six-and-a-half years' imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court for his role in the attempted murder of Christy Keane. McCarthy, 45, pleaded guilty to making a vehicle available to the McCarthy-Dundon criminal organisation, which was used as a getaway car during the shooting of Keane in June 2015. The offence, contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, carries a maximum penalty of 15 years. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs set a headline sentence of 10 years, reduced by 20% to eight years in mitigation for his guilty plea and positive rehabilitation efforts in Donegal. The court suspended the final 18 months of the sentence, conditional on good behaviour and probation supervision. McCarthy had already served two years, seven months, and 20 days in custody, which was credited toward the effective term. The judge noted his 14 previous convictions, including a prior UK sentence for possession of a firearm. In a related case, Noel Price was previously jailed for six-and-a-half years for assisting the same organisation with a vehicle intended to facilitate the attempted murder. The court highlighted the ongoing feud between the McCarthy-Dundon and Keane-Collopy gangs, which has resulted in numerous violent offences.
A 45-year-old man from Limerick has been remanded for sentencing following his guilty plea to making a vehicle available to an organised crime gang for use as a getaway car in an attempted murder. Larry McCarthy pleaded guilty in October 2023 to an offence contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment. The incident occurred in June 2015 when two gunmen fired 13 rounds at Christy Keane as he sat in his vehicle at University of Limerick gym, causing four gunshot wounds. McCarthy assisted in positioning both a red Ford Focus and a white Volvo Estate used by the gunmen to escape. The Special Criminal Court heard evidence of the decades-long feud between the McCarthy-Dundon and Keane-Collopy criminal organisations. Defence counsel submitted that McCarthy has since relocated to Donegal, maintained employment and education engagement, and has not offended in nearly a decade. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs adjourned the case until 11 March for sentencing.
Sandra Hehir (56), sister of convicted drug dealer Christy Keane, was sentenced at the Special Criminal Court to three years and six months in prison for money laundering. The final year of the sentence was suspended for two years, conditional on good behaviour. Mr Justice Michael MacGrath found that Hehir knew the €124,055 found in her attic and funds in her bank accounts were proceeds of crime. Although she had no direct involvement in the Keane group's criminality, the judge stated she was not a passive participant in laundering. Hehir pleaded guilty in October last year to handling, acquiring, and possessing the cash, knowing it was the proceeds of criminal conduct, under Section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010. In mitigation, the court noted her early guilty plea, lack of previous convictions, and good employment record as a hairdresser. The judge acknowledged her likely difficulty adjusting to prison at age 56 and a probation report indicating low reoffending risk. The case stemmed from a 2020 anti-money laundering operation targeting the Keane Organised Crime Group. During the search of her Limerick City home, €124,055 in 13 bundles was found in the attic. The court also heard that Warren Hehir (33), Christy Keane's nephew, was sentenced in July last year to five years and three months, with the final 12 months suspended, for laundering €59,000 through house renovation works.
The Special Criminal Court heard details of Declan 'Mr Nobody' Brady's involvement in facilitating the murder of Noel Kirwan, who was shot dead outside his home in Dublin in December 2016. Bernadette Roe, Kirwan's partner, told the court that her 'soulmate had his life extinguished' because he was photographed walking to the funeral of life-long neighbour, Eddie Hutch. Kirwan's daughter, Donna, stated that Brady and his co-defendants should have known her father was an innocent man. Gardai have confirmed that Kirwan was not involved in criminality and was targeted by the Kinahan cartel due to a false belief he might be linked to the Hutch organisation. Brady was caught on CCTV near a car dealership where a tracking device was removed from Kirwan's BMW and placed on his new Ford Mondeo. Gardai found a laptop used to communicate with the tracker and a toothbrush with DNA matching Brady. However, Det Supt Mark O'Neill confirmed that Brady's DNA was not found on the laptop and that there is no evidence he owned or operated it. Brady, who is already serving 11.5 years in prison for supervising a firearms arsenal and eight years and three months for laundering crime cash, was adjourned to April 30 to allow a probation report to be prepared. Previous Brady pleaded guilty in July 2019 to supervising a firearms arsenal and was sentenced to 11.5 years in prison with the final year suspended. In 2021, he pleaded guilty to laundering more than €400,000 in crime cash and was sentenced to eight years and three months with the final year suspended, in a term which was to run from April 2021.
Sandra Hehir, sister of Christy Keane, pleaded guilty in October to laundering €124,055 found in her attic. Defence counsel requested a suspended sentence, citing her lack of prior convictions and positive rehabilitation. The Special Criminal Court adjourned the matter to February 26 for sentence finalisation. In related proceedings, her son Warren Hehir, who pleaded guilty to laundering €59,000 and possessing a Rolex, was jailed for five years and three months, with the final 12 months suspended. His wife, Vicky Hehir, also known as Victoria O'Halloran, pleaded guilty to laundering the same €59,000. The court sentenced her to two years in prison, fully suspended, on conditions that she refrain from contact with the Keane gang and reside away from Garryowen and Kilmurry. The court noted that a custodial sentence would be unduly harsh on her three children. Prosecutors indicated that five other counts could be considered, while three others would receive a nolle prosequi. The investigation targeted the Keane Organised Crime Group, with evidence suggesting Hehir's financial activities were inconsistent with her legitimate income.
The Special Criminal Court has adjourned the sentencing hearing for Nathan Kinsella until June 17 to allow gardai to complete an investigation into newly filed tax returns. Kinsella, 44, of Richmond, Blackrock, Co Dublin, previously pleaded guilty to three counts of failing to deliver full and true Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) returns for the years 2018, 2019, and 2020. The charges alleged he failed without reasonable excuse to comply with section 46(2) of the Capital Acquisitions Tax Consolidation Act 2003 while residing at addresses in Saggart, Dublin, and Blackrock. During the hearing, the Director of Public Prosecutions stated that Kinsella had recently filed income tax returns for the same period, which the State described as "not in keeping with the evidence" regarding funds on which CAT should have been paid. Defense counsel explained the returns were filed on accountant advice to encompass all money received. Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, presiding on behalf of the three-judge court, ordered the adjournment to permit gardai to investigate the basis of these new returns and any overlap with the funds in question. Kinsella was previously sentenced to two years in prison in 2012 after pleading guilty to membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), an unlawful organisation, following an investigation into paramilitary activity at the funeral of Alan Ryan.
The State applied to transfer the trial of Jason O'Connor, 45, accused of attempting to murder Charlie Cooper on 5 December 2016 at Parslickstown Green, Mulhuddart, to the Special Criminal Court. O'Connor also faces charges for possessing a 9mm firearm and 12 rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life at the same place and time. At a non‑jury court hearing, State solicitor Michael O'Donovan secured a successful ex‑parte application, and Judge Caroline Biggs granted the transfer, adjourned the case to 7 February, and the trial will now be heard by a three‑judge Special Criminal Court.
Trevor Byrne, the appellant, has appealed his 2021 convictions at the Court of Appeal regarding the 2010 armed robbery of Boylesports in Swords, Co Dublin. Byrne, who pleaded not guilty, was convicted by the Special Criminal Court of robbery, possession of a firearm, false imprisonment, threatening to kill, and unlawfully seizing a vehicle. Mr Justice Michael MacGrath sentenced him to eight-and-a-half years for the robbery and false imprisonment, six-and-a-half years for the threat to kill, and seven-and-a-half years each for the firearm possession and vehicle seizure. These sentences run concurrently with each other but consecutively to a separate nine-year sentence for a 2019 firearms offence, resulting in a total of 17.5 years. Byrne's counsel argued the convictions were unsafe due to procedural defects in the CCTV identification process, specifically the lack of contemporaneous notes by Detective Garda Patrick McDonagh. The State contended the evidence was admissible and supported by other circumstantial evidence, including a phone dropped at the scene linked to Byrne. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice John Edwards, reserved its judgment, meaning the matter was adjourned and not concluded.
Sean McGovern, injured in the 2016 Regency Hotel attack, is named in the Special Criminal Court as a senior leader of the Kinahan organised crime group. The court heard sworn testimony on the Kinahan cartel's command structure and activities, and evidence that 33 people linked to the organisation, who were "going to be involved in violence and murder," have been arrested by Gardaí. Detective Superintendent David Gallagher testified that the Kinahan group is driven by monetary gain, primarily through drug trafficking, and enforces control by violence, firearms and murder. He described the organisation as hierarchical, with a core in Dubai and cells in Europe and South America, noting a dramatic fall in violence since 2018. Gallagher confirmed McGovern's leadership role and that he is currently based in Dubai. The hearing also covered the murder of Noel Kirwan, mistakenly targeted by the Kinahans, and the prosecution of Michael Crotty for facilitating that murder. Michael Crotty pleaded not guilty.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan presented evidence that Christopher 'Noel' Kirwan, an innocent man with no criminal involvement, was shot six times and died from multiple gunshot wounds to his head, chest, arm and abdomen. The pathologist identified eight separate injuries caused by six bullets, including a bullet that entered Kirwan's chest, damaging the aorta and the lower lobe of the left lung, leading to heart and lung failure. Additional wounds to the chest, abdomen and right arm caused blood loss. A bullet entered Kirwan's head below the right eye, fracturing his upper jaw and lodging beneath the lower jaw. Toxicology tests were negative for drugs or alcohol. Michael Crotty, 40, is on trial for allegedly facilitating Kirwan's murder by topping up a mobile phone for Sean McGovern; Crotty pleaded not guilty to the single charge.
Daniel Sheehan, aged 24, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to possessing 263 rounds of ammunition in suspicious circumstances on 3 June 2022. He admitted to the ammunition and a replica Beretta pistol found in a laptop bag during a search of his home, which was part of a misuse‑of‑drugs investigation. The search also uncovered a small amount of cannabis, a laptop bag, and Republican literature. Sheehan had previously been charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army but that charge was dropped. He has three prior convictions for drug possession and public order. The DPP noted the offence falls in the lower range of offending, with a maximum penalty of 14 years and a presumptive mandatory minimum of five years if no exceptional evidence is presented. The case was adjourned to 8 April to allow a probation report to be prepared.