Andrew Shannon, 49, of Willians Way, Ongar, was convicted of damaging Claude Monet's 1874 painting "Argenteuil Basin with a Single Sail Boat" at the National Gallery of Ireland. He pleaded not guilty but a jury found him guilty after 1½ hours of deliberation. The jury also found him not guilty of damaging two other paintings at the Shelbourne Hotel. Shannon has 48 prior convictions, including burglary and theft of antiques. He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, with the final 15 months suspended under strict conditions, including a ban on entering any public gallery or building displaying paintings. The maximum penalty for the offence is ten years. The Monet painting has been restored and returned to display. Shannon's heart condition and prior custody time were considered in sentencing. The case was heard by Judge Martin Nolan.
Jason Whelan, 24, of Ballymun, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to five counts of burglary, theft and criminal damage committed between 18 August and 1 October 2012. He targeted staff locker rooms at the Swan Leisure Centre in Rathmines, the Crown Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown Shopping Centre and Maximillian's Bistro. In the Swan Centre he broke into six male staff lockers, stealing items worth €5,867, including a laptop, a Trek bike, iPods, iPads, a Kindle Touch, smartphones, kit bags, cycling shorts, a wash bag and cash. Earlier that year he also burgled a guest room at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, stealing a purse, handbag, hair straighteners and a camera, and damaged 13 hotel staff lockers. Whelan had 71 prior convictions, including 29 burglaries and 30 thefts, and was on High Court bail for four other offences. He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Karl Boyne, aged 31, was sentenced to four and a half years in jail for stabbing Polish architect Mr. Jerzy Stacharski with a butcher's knife after a tennis match at Cambridge Park, Ringsend. The knife punctured Stacharski's shoulder, causing two wounds and a long‑term impact that forced him to quit his job as an architect. Stacharski, now 65, remains fearful of open areas and requires social care. Boyne also pleaded guilty to possession of a knife on Thorncastle Street and burglary of a petrol station on Beech Road, receiving six months' imprisonment for the latter. The sentences are to run consecutively. Boyne's history includes 41 prior convictions, including a five‑year robbery sentence, and he is advised to undergo drug rehabilitation while in custody. The court noted Boyne's admission of drug and alcohol use at the time of the attack.
In a 2014 trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, prison officer Thomas Hogg, aged 49, was acquitted of assaulting prisoner Bernard Cawley, aged 46, in the holding cells of the Criminal Courts of Justice on 20 April 2012. Hogg claimed he acted in self‑defence after Cawley had become agitated, kicked the cell door, and allegedly lunged at him. The jury deliberated for two hours and found Hogg not guilty. Judge Patrick McCartan thanked the jury of eight men and four women, noting the prosecution's case that Hogg intentionally assaulted Cawley with a set of keys. Cawley, who had been awaiting transfer to Mountjoy Prison after a four‑month burglary sentence, described being struck on the head and face, and later reported injuries. Hogg had also voluntarily interviewed with Gardaí in January 2013, stating he had struck Cawley in self‑defence but had not used any weapon. The trial concluded with Hogg's acquittal.
In November 2014, Thomas Hogg, a 49‑year‑old prison officer from West Dublin, stood trial for assaulting Bernard Cawley, a 46‑year‑old convicted sex offender, in the holding cells of the Criminal Courts of Justice. The incident occurred on 20 April 2012, when Cawley, who had recently received a four‑month sentence for burglary, was awaiting transfer to Mountjoy Prison. Hogg claimed he struck Cawley in self‑defence after the prisoner, who had repeatedly pressed the cell buzzer and knocked on the door, raised his fist as Hogg opened the hatch. Cawley testified that he was agitated, had no cigarettes, and that Hogg had used keys as a weapon, striking him on the head and face and causing him to fall. Cawley was handcuffed and later moved to a hall for Gardaí. He denied being a violent man, citing his 16‑year‑old daughter, and rejected allegations of heroin use that day. Thomas Hogg pleaded not guilty.
John Paul Maughan, aged 33, had his five‑year burglary sentence reduced to three years by the Court of Appeal. Maughan was convicted in December 2013 of burglary and threatening to kill at a Temple Bar premises. The original sentence, imposed by Judge Patrick McCartan, was five years imprisonment with the final year suspended for burglary and three years for threatening to kill. On appeal, barrister Luigi Rea argued that Maughan had no intention to rob the premises and that the offence was committed while he was on bail. Judge Seán Ryan found that the trial judge had erred in principle by sentencing Maughan to five years, noting the seriousness of burglary and Maughan's extensive criminal record. The Court therefore reduced the burglary sentence to three years, which Maughan will serve consecutively with the three‑year threatening‑to‑kill term. The reduction was based on the circumstances of the crime and the need to protect the community.
Robert Melia, 32, was sentenced to four years in prison, with the last 18 months suspended, for a sustained violent attack on his ex‑girlfriend Elizabeth Clifford, then 25, on 29 June 2012. Melia pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The assault began when he entered Clifford's home at 1 a.m., after she had let him use the bathroom. He verbally abused her, struck her on the side of the head, threatened her with death, and then bit her right ear, attempting to bite it off. Clifford suffered a broken ear and required stitches and plastic surgery. Melia had four prior convictions for firearms possession, trespass, burglary and public order. He was arrested at the scene after being restrained by local people. The judge described the attack as violent and serious, noting Clifford's fear of being killed or seriously injured. The suspended portion of the sentence is contingent on 18 months of probation supervision.
Karl Zambra, aged 27, was arrested under Operation Marshall for dealing heroin and cocaine in the St Teresa Gardens flats. He pleaded guilty to possession of heroin and cocaine for sale or supply on 13 and 23 July 2010. During the operation, undercover gardai posed as drug addicts and approached Zambra, who claimed ignorance of their identity and offered them drugs. He directed them to a stairwell where drugs were hidden and later sold three packages of heroin to them for €50 each. The court noted Zambra had 73 prior convictions, including drug dealing, possession, and burglary. Despite this history, he received a suspended jail term, avoiding immediate imprisonment. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with the prosecution led by Fiona McGowan BL and defense by Dominic McGinn SC. The sentence was a suspended jail term, with no immediate custodial time imposed.
Michael Maughan, 40, was found guilty of murder and assault in Ennis, County Clare, after stabbing Piotr Nowakowski, 31, twice and striking him again in the head. The jury, after a two‑hour and 23‑minute trial, returned a unanimous verdict. Mr. Maughan had pleaded not guilty to both charges, but the prosecution rejected his manslaughter plea. Mr. Maughan, who had a history of alcohol‑related offences, claimed he was out of control and had no memory of the motive. Mr. Nowakowski was a Polish immigrant who had come to Ireland for a better life. Mr. Maughan was sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment for the murder, concurrent with a four‑year sentence for the assault, both back‑dated to 24 July 2013 for time already spent in custody. The court heard that Mr. Maughan had 68 prior convictions dating back to 1991, including public order, burglary and theft.
Two Travellers, Owen McDonagh Jnr (23) and Thomas McDonagh (22), were convicted of violent disorder for a May 12, 2013 attack on Gardaí at St Margarets Park, Ballymun. They were part of a group that hurled missiles—including a small motor and a rock—at the officers and threatened to kill them. The court found that Thomas had 92 prior convictions, including burglary and theft, and had recently been disqualified from driving for 20 years for driving without insurance. Owen had 27 prior convictions, including burglary, theft and road traffic offences. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced both men to two years' imprisonment, suspending one year of Owen's term. A third man, John McDonagh (18 at the time), received a suspended two‑year sentence. The incident involved Garda Ronan McMorrow and a second officer who pursued Thomas into the halting site, where the pair threatened and attacked them, forcing the officers to retreat for their safety.
In October 2013, Shane Cooney, aged 24, attacked Father Diarmuid Byrne, 70, in the priest's Rialto home with an iron bar, leaving him with a fractured skull and numerous facial wounds that required 26 stitches. Gardaí found blood‑stained iron bar and other items near the house after neighbours reported a disturbance. Cooney was arrested in an intoxicated state, pleaded guilty to burglary and assault, and was remanded on bail pending sentence. Judge Mary Ellen Ring set conditions for his bail, including residence at Tiglin, Wicklow, where he is to continue a 16‑month residential drug treatment programme. The case was adjourned to December to monitor his progress. The priest, who had been living alone, was initially confused and covered in blood when gardaí arrived at 1.30 a.m., and the house was ransacked but no items were taken. The court received a victim impact report and a medical report, though they were not read out.
Paul O'Shea, aged 26, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to five years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, for threatening to kill former partner Louise Jackson and her colleague Stephen Preston on 2 January 2013 at Owensilla, Ballymun. He was also ordered to stay away from both victims for 20 years. O'Shea pleaded guilty and had 48 prior convictions, including indecent telephone messages, assault, robbery, theft and burglary. He was addicted to drugs at the time of the offences. The sentence runs consecutively to a two‑and‑a‑half‑year term he is currently serving for sexually assaulting a female student nurse. O'Shea had been in a relationship with Jackson for six years and they have a child. Jackson had broken up with him after he was charged with sexual assault. She had tried to leave his house but he threatened to "punch the head off her" and later to "slit her throat" with a knife.
Edward Piotrowski, 48, from Edenderry, Offaly, was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury on 25 November 2007 of three counts of rape, one count of aggravated sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment of a woman. He was sentenced to five concurrent life sentences by Mr Justice Peter Charleton in January 2010. The life sentences were imposed for the rape, aggravated sexual assault and false imprisonment, and he also received concurrent terms of 10, five and 10 years for aggravated burglary, assault and false imprisonment of the man. Piotrowski denied the charges and pleaded guilty only to the assault charge. In April 2014 the Court of Criminal Appeal upheld his conviction, finding no legitimate basis for overturning the jury's decision. Piotrowski's counsel argued that the trial judge had not explained why an extraordinary five life sentences were warranted and that the sentence lacked proportionality. The appeal focused on the life sentences and whether they were appropriate.
A 41-year-old man from Tullyallen, Drogheda has voluntarily surrendered to Northern Irish authorities following his arrest here in June on a European Arrest Warrant. Edward McDonagh appeared before the High Court in connection with 11 alleged offences committed in July and August 2010 across Armagh and Tyrone. The allegations centre on a series of farm burglaries during which a sledge hammer was reportedly used to assault a farmer. A vehicle was also allegedly stolen during the incident. Gardaí in Monaghan observed two men who subsequently crossed the border, leading to arrests at premises in Crossmaglen where false identification was allegedly provided. Two of the charges against McDonagh carry potential sentences of 14 years imprisonment in the North, relating to burglary and concealing criminal property. Mr Justice John Edwards granted the order for surrender, with an application noted to postpone the extradition until after completion of a separate sentence currently being served domestically.
Swords District Court handed down sentences to several defendants. John Budgie McDonagh pleaded guilty to stealing a leather jacket and tools worth €87 from TK Maxx on February 11th. Judge Dermot Dempsey convicted him and imposed a six-month prison term, noting he was beyond probation. Co-accused Owen McDonagh pleaded guilty to stealing shoes valued at €54.99 from the same store on the same date. He received a five-month sentence suspended for two years. Stephen O'Doherty pleaded guilty to taking a car without permission and burglary on August 5th, 2013. Judge Dempsey sentenced him to eight months in prison to run concurrently with a term he is already serving. Lisa Jenkins pleaded guilty to three thefts from TK Maxx totaling €842. She was remanded on continuing bail until October 6th for a Probation & Welfare report. Caroline McAleer pleaded guilty to driving without insurance on October 19th last year and was remanded on continuing bail to re-appear on September 1st for facts to be heard. Neil Curran is alleged to have assaulted Peter Lynch causing harm; the DPP directed trial on indictment, and he was remanded on continuing bail. Co-accused Jennifer Quinn, charged with assaulting Mr Lynch and using threatening behaviour, was remanded on continuing bail to re-appear on September 1st for a plea or to fix a hearing date.
Swords District Court heard several matters involving defendants who pleaded guilty or faced allegations. Jason Kirwin, 27, pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, while disqualified, and without a licence. Judge Conal Gibbons noted his 79 prior convictions and ordered a Probation Report, adjourning the case to September 15th. Stephen O'Doherty and David Fagan pleaded guilty to the unauthorised taking of a car; Fagan also admitted burglary. Both were remanded on continuing bail to reappear on July 15th for sentencing. Rebotilwe Mohlala pleaded guilty to theft and received the benefit of the Probation Act after making a charitable donation. Graham Doyle pleaded guilty to theft; his case was struck out after compensation was paid. Philip Garland, alleged to be in unlawful possession of cannabis, had his case adjourned to July 21st for a plea or hearing date, with the judge remanding him on continuing bail.
Raymond O'Hara, 47, a grandfather with 215 convictions, pleaded guilty to burglary at Portmarnock Hotel in December 2012. He entered through a fire door at 7 am, went behind the bar and removed €280 worth of alcohol, an act captured on CCTV. O'Hara, a chronic heroin addict, is currently serving a prison sentence. Judge Dermot Dempsey sentenced him to six months in prison, concurrent with his existing term. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the burglary and O'Hara's extensive criminal history.
In 2009, John Paul Buck, aged 34, was sentenced to life imprisonment by Mr Justice George Birmingham after a Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty of fatally stabbing 30‑year‑old Fergus Roche in a vacant house on 1 October 2005. Buck also set fire to the house and received a concurrent five‑year arson sentence. The appeal court heard that an alleged confession by Buck to Detective Garda Larry Bergin in August 2006 was admitted as evidence. Buck denied the confession, but the detective claimed Buck admitted stabbing Roche while he slept, describing Roche as his "best friend". The appeal argued the confession was improperly admitted, citing late cautioning, the lack of tape, and the influence of media coverage on the jury's deliberations. The court postponed further hearing to the next two to three weeks. Buck had seven prior convictions, including arson, robbery, and burglary.
Edward Piotrowski, aged 48, lost his appeal against his conviction for the rape and sexual assault of a woman. The court found no legitimate basis to overturn the jury's decision. Piotrowski had claimed the trial judge erred in explaining the presumption of innocence and in presenting the defence case, but the Court of Criminal Appeal rejected these arguments. The court also dismissed his attempt to introduce new evidence, calling it unsubstantiated and implausible. Piotrowski was sentenced in January 2010 to five concurrent life sentences for three counts of rape, one count of aggravated sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment, plus concurrent terms of 10, five and 10 years for aggravated burglary, assault and false imprisonment of the man. The appeal against the sentence will be heard later. The unnamed man pleaded guilty.
In Swords District Court, Henry Afeni (49) admitted to making a gain or causing loss by deception at TK Max in The Pavilions Shopping Centre in Swords on December 8th, 2013. He was sentenced to 100 hours of community service in lieu of a five-month prison sentence. Raymond O'Hara (47) pleaded guilty to burglary at Portmarnock Hotel on December 11th, 2012, and his case was adjourned to June 23rd for the facts to be heard and sentencing. Declan Fitzsimons (34) admitted to using threatening and abusive behaviour at Cedar Grove in Ridgewood, Swords on January 1st. Judge Dermot Dempsey imposed a conviction and fined him €500, noting that Fitzsimons had the opportunity since February to make a charitable donation. Debra Maguire (44) was found guilty of handling stolen goods worth €363.55 at The Pavilions Shopping Centre in Swords on November 17th, 2013, and was sentenced to 100 hours of community service in lieu of a five-month prison sentence. All cases were at the sentence stage.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has found Simon McGinley, aged 30 of Connaughton Road Car Park in Sligo, guilty of the murder of Eugene Gillespie, a 67-year-old retired telecoms broker. McGinley had initially denied the murder charge but admitted manslaughter, a plea the State rejected. He pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and burglary at Mr Gillespie's Old Market Street home on 19 September 2012. Mr Gillespie was discovered tied up in his hallway two days after the assault and died in hospital following cardiac arrest. The jury, after five hours of deliberation, returned a unanimous guilty verdict on 3 April 2014. Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan imposed a life sentence, backdated to 29 September 2012, with concurrent sentences of ten years for false imprisonment and seven years for burglary. A victim impact statement highlighted the family's trauma and called for enhanced resources for An Garda Síochána to protect vulnerable people.
Swords District Court heard three matters. Owen Mooney, 43, pleaded not guilty to drink driving and driving without insurance. Judge Dermot Dempsey convicted him, rejecting his claim he was not the driver. Mooney was sentenced to five months in prison and fined €750 for drink driving, with a six-year disqualification. He received a concurrent four-month prison sentence and eight-year disqualification for driving without insurance. Ivo Ignatenki, 26, pleaded guilty to drink driving and having no insurance. He was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended, and bound to the peace for two years. He was fined €750 and disqualified for six years for drink driving, and fined €200 with a two-year disqualification for no insurance. Raymond O'Hara, 47, is alleged to have committed burglary at Portmarnock Hotel. The matter was adjourned because the injured party was unavailable. Judge Dempsey remanded O'Hara on continuing bail to reappear on April 28th.
The High Court has ordered the extradition of Michael Collins to Northern Ireland to face ten charges, including alleged assault, burglary and attempted hijacking, all dated to 2006. Collins, who is currently serving a three‑year sentence in Cloverhill prison for aggravated burglary and endangerment, is wanted under a European Arrest Warrant issued last year and endorsed by the High Court on 2 July 2013. He has said he will contest the charges and could face life imprisonment or up to 15 years if convicted. One alleged offence involves assaulting a woman and stealing 24 bottles of Magners cider; another involves an attempt to hijack a Seat Leon with three men; a third involves threatening a man to drive to Dundalk or blow his head off.
Edward Piotrowski, a 48-year-old Polish man formerly of Edenderry, Co Offaly, must await the outcome of his appeal against his conviction for the rape and sexual assault of a woman. In January 2010, Mr Justice Peter Charleton sentenced Piotrowski to five concurrent life sentences after a Central Criminal Court jury convicted him of the November 25, 2007 attack. The life sentences were imposed on three counts of rape, one count of aggravated sexual assault, and one count of false imprisonment of the woman, all of which he had denied. Additionally, Piotrowski received concurrent terms of 10, five, and 10 years for aggravated burglary, assault, and false imprisonment of the victim's partner; he pleaded guilty to the assault charge but not guilty to the other two. All sentences were backdated to November 2007. At the Court of Criminal Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice Frank Clarke, counsel for Piotrowski argued that the trial judge erred in law regarding the presumption of innocence and the presentation of the defence case. The court also rejected Piotrowski's attempt to introduce new evidence, stating it would provide reasons for this decision later. The matter was adjourned as the court reserved its judgement on the appeal.
In 2009 Raymond O'Shea was given a wholly suspended sentence of three‑and‑a‑half years for possessing a sawn‑off shotgun and 131 cartridges. He had 19 prior convictions, including drug possession and burglary, but had stopped using drugs, was employed and paying a mortgage. He pleaded not guilty. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient and that the judge had erred in allowing an exception to the mandatory five‑year minimum for unlawful firearm possession. The Court of Criminal Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice Adrian Hardiman, agreed with the DPP. Hardiman said the sentence should have been five years with four years suspended, describing the original suspended sentence as "extreme leniency". O'Shea will surrender to prison on 27 January to arrange his affairs.
In a burglary case, Raymond O'Hara, a resident of St Mary's Mansions in Dublin 1, was charged with breaking into the Portmarnock Hotel at Golf Links on 11 December 2012. He allegedly attempted to access the cash register and took several bottles of alcohol before leaving. The Director of Public Prosecutions directed a summary disposal of the case. Defence solicitor Patrick Jackson sought a hearing date and requested CCTV footage. Judge Dermot Dempsey remanded O'Hara on continuing bail to re‑appear before Swords District Court on 27 January for the case to be heard. Separately, Martin Maughan, 42, of St Margaret's Park in Ballymun, was convicted in his absence of driving without insurance and without a licence after he reversed into his driveway when Garda Keith Delaney saw him. Maughan, who has 97 previous convictions, had a bench warrant issued for his arrest for sentencing.
A 28‑year‑old serial burglar, Florin Marticie, was found guilty of trespassing and sentenced to six months in prison. He claimed he did not know why he was arrested and said he was only going to a bus stop after finishing a morning's work for a friend. Marticie denied involvement in an attempted break‑in at a house in Ardla, Skerries, on 8 August. Detective Garda Vincent Healy reported that two men were seen near the house after the alarm went off, and that a pot plant had been thrown at a back window. Marticie was arrested after the Garda saw him walking past the bus stop. The court heard he had three previous convictions for burglary and theft and was currently serving a sentence.
Patrick McCann, aged 20, received a 20‑year sentence, with the final three years suspended, for the attempted murder of his friend Luke Wilson, aged 19, at Liffey Gaels GAA club in Inchicore on 13 January 2013. McCann pleaded guilty to attempted murder and to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. The court heard that Wilson was shot in the arm, neck and face, but the gun jammed twice and McCann fled. Wilson suffered serious injuries, including loss of an eye, cerebral stroke, and permanent arm palsy. McCann had prior convictions for drug possession, sale, theft and burglary, and was on bail at the time of the shooting. The judge noted McCann's long‑term drug and alcohol dependence and a dysfunctional family background as mitigating factors. The sentencing was described by the judge as reminiscent of a "Love/Hate" script.
Paul Murtagh, 29, of Clonshaugh Heights, appeared before Swords District Court on 13 November 2013 charged with driving without insurance. He was alleged to have been stopped twice this year: on 17 April on Malahide Road and on 2 September on Feltrim Road, both times for lacking insurance. Defence solicitor Patrick Jackson requested a hearing date for both matters. Judge Dermot Dempsey asked why Murtagh had not appeared earlier; Murtagh replied he was at his grandfather's funeral. The judge remanded him on a €200 bond and adjourned the case to 27 January. Murtagh had previously been convicted on Monday at Dublin District Court for possessing a stolen Marmoset monkey, caught in his car on 1 October 2013 after the animal was taken during a burglary in County Kildare. He avoided prison, receiving 80 hours of community service in lieu of four months.
Paul Murtagh, 29, of Dublin, pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen South American Marmoset and to unlawful possession of a stun gun. He was caught with the monkey in his car on 1 October after it had been taken during a burglary in Co. Kildare. Garda Liam Eviston stopped his vehicle and found the animal in the boot. Murtagh also admitted to carrying a stun gun, seized on 27 October 2009, which he had bought legally abroad but is banned in Ireland. The court heard he had no sinister intent and had only used the gun on himself. Judge Bryan Smyth imposed community service to avoid custodial sentences: 80 hours for the monkey, 120 hours for the stun gun, instead of four‑month and six‑month jail terms respectively. The monkey was returned to its owners. The case was heard in Dublin District Court.
Patrick McCann, aged 20, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life after shooting his lifelong friend Luke Wilson, aged 19, at Liffey Gaels GAA club in Inchicore on 13 January 2013. McCann fired a shot that struck Wilson's neck, causing him to fall, and a second shot that hit Wilson's right arm. Wilson later reported being shot again but the gun jammed. Wilson suffered severe injuries, including the loss of his right eye, facial wounds, a cerebral stroke, and permanent arm palsy. McCann, who had prior convictions for drug possession, drug sale, theft, and aggravated burglary, was arrested the same day. He denied involvement and claimed he was coerced by drug debt. The court will sentence him next week, with the prosecution describing the offence as high‑level.
Paul McDonagh, 43, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for assaulting and threatening to kill a 97‑year‑old woman and for burglary. The sentence was increased from an earlier nine‑year term with three years suspended after the Director of Public Prosecutions appealed. McDonagh had previously gained entry to the victim's home by offering to tidy her gardens, then held his hand over her mouth, cutting her lip, repeatedly threatened to kill her, and fled with her purse. He had 26 prior burglary convictions and had served 12 years in the United Kingdom for a similar offence. The Court of Criminal Appeal deemed the offence of "utmost gravity" and imposed the 12‑year term, suspending the last two years on the condition of good behaviour and cooperation with a management plan while in prison.