Criminals withdraw appeals after being reminded of court's "full powers"

At the Court of Appeal on 25 June 2018, two appellants withdrew challenges to their prison sentences after being informed by President Mr Justice George Birmingham of the court's power to both increase and reduce sentences under review. Philip McKevitt, aged 62, of Aghaboys, Mount Pleasant, Dundalk, had been convicted at the non-jury Special Criminal Court of manufacturing an explosive device at his premises on 22 May 2010. He was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years imprisonment in 2017. His appeal against sentence severity was withdrawn before hearing. Separately, Charles McDonagh, aged 27, of Bailieborough, County Cavan, withdrew his appeal against a nine-year sentence imposed by Judge John O'Hagan at Cavan Circuit Criminal Court on 25 May 2016 for dangerous driving causing serious harm. In related proceedings, the Court of Appeal upheld sentences in two other cases. Keith Hughes, aged 27, of Oakland Park, Dundalk, County Louth, had his six-year sentence for robbery and knife possession dismissed on appeal. Mr Justice John Hedigan noted Hughes' extensive criminal history.