In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, the court was told that Kasonga Mbuyi, 52, who stabbed a German passenger at Dublin Airport, was acting out in a "cry for help". Mbuyi had been seen behaving erratically and was not wearing shoes. He had a paranoid delusion and was later diagnosed with schizophrenia, with a history of cannabis misuse. He had been arrested on September 17, 2023, for assault causing harm and production of a pen knife. The victim suffered eight superficial wounds and required 12 stitches. Mbuyi had been homeless, living in a hostel after his Limerick accommodation was sold, and had recently been treated for a broken foot and dislocated knee. He accepted responsibility and said he was trying to get help. The case was adjourned to July, with a probation report, governor's report and urine analysis to be prepared.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Martin Nolan warned David O'Callaghan, 41, that any repeat offence would lead to prison. O'Callaghan, who suffered a paranoid delusion and was later diagnosed with schizophrenia, had driven a white Ford Transit van into the gates of Leinster House, The Custom House and Aras An Uachtaráin, causing over €60,000 in damage. He pleaded guilty to driving into the rear gates of Leinster House and two counts of criminal damage on 2 August 2024. The judge imposed a four‑year prison sentence, suspended on strict conditions, including 21 months of Probation Service supervision. O'Callaghan was told he must comply with the Probation Service and that any repeat offence would bring him back before the court. The court noted his 11 previous convictions, including drug offences, and his ongoing psychiatric treatment. The case was adjourned for finalisation of the suspended sentence conditions.
Lisa Lyons, a 36‑year‑old mother of four from Tallaght, appeared before Judge Michael Connellan at Tallaght District Court after a Garda search of her home on 15 November 2021. The search uncovered a handbag containing nine individual bags of cannabis (29 g) and €508 in cash. Lyons pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and unlawful possession under Section 3 of the same Act. She has six prior convictions for road‑traffic offences but no drug‑related history. Her lawyer, Ethan Foley, argued that Lyons was pressured by criminal groups to hold the drugs and had been living in fear, noting her clean record, family responsibilities, and volunteer work. The court accepted her plea and imposed a €600 fine with a seven‑month payment period, urging leniency. Lyons stated she is now a born‑again Christian and that her anxiety has improved.
Two men, Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), are accused of murdering 22‑year‑old Mahamud Ilyas. Defence lawyers argue the accused acted in self‑defence, claiming Ilyas was the aggressor and the "prime mover". They present evidence that Ilyas was beaten and tied, with a hammer used by Clejan and a fruit knife by Doroscan. The prosecution alleges the men were drug dealers who lured Ilyas to a field where he was left in the cold. The defence maintains that the accused were not planning a murder and that Ilyas threatened them with a weapon. The trial continues with counsel for Lorenzo Cantaragiu giving his closing speech. The case is heard before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury. Viorel Doroscan pleaded not guilty. Otniel Richardo Clejan pleaded not guilty.
Derek Callaghan, 65, a former army officer with a "stellar" career, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply on 19 January 2022. Gardaí searched his home in Ashfield Grove, Huntstown, Dublin 15, and seized 608 g of cannabis valued at €13,608, €3,110 in cash, drug paraphernalia, a ticklist and a burner phone. Callaghan accepted responsibility for the drugs but denied selling them, insisting the cash was his savings. He also denied that he had sold drugs from his address. He has one prior road‑traffic conviction. His defence counsel, Carol Doherty, highlighted his unblemished record, his army service, his family, and the pressure he faced, and requested that the court consider a non‑custodial sentence. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the case for finalisation later this month.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the jury heard that Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24) were accused of murdering 22‑year‑old Mahamud Ilyas on 9 December 2022. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Eoin Lawlor SC, described the use of a hammer as the accused's "modus operandi for conflict resolution" and said the body was disposed of in a field in bleak midwinter. Lawlor said the accused were drug dealers who had a joint enterprise to cause serious harm to Ilyas after he stole their drugs. He alleged that Clejan held a hammer and Doroscan held a knife while beating Ilyas, and that the body was wrapped and carried by the accused to a remote location. The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of five women and seven men. Viorel Doroscan pleaded not guilty. Otniel Richardo Clejan pleaded not guilty.
James Lawlor, 44, with 168 prior convictions, stole €3,000 worth of items from the Mater Hospital Foundation a week after his release from prison. He pleaded guilty to burglary on 7 February 2024 and had served three years for a previous burglary. CCTV showed him entering the A&E department, registering as a patient, then later entering the foundation's building and leaving with two bags. The burglary caused €380 in damage and involved three laptops, an iPhone, three headsets and bags, totalling €3,736.50. Lawlor denied involvement but admitted to the CCTV footage. He was arrested on 11 February 2024 and has been in custody since. The court noted his long history of drug use and rehabilitation efforts. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a sentence of three years and nine months, suspending the final nine months for two years on strict conditions, and directed him to be supervised by Probation Services for 12 months after release.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Viorel Doroscan and Otniel Ricardo Clejan, both accused of the murder of Mahamud Ilyas on December 9, 2022, continued before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charge. The jury heard evidence that Mr Ilyas died from blunt force trauma to the head, with pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster describing depressed fractures typical of hammer blows. The State alleges the accused beat Mr Ilyas to death following a dispute over a stolen bag of cannabis. In contrast, the accused told gardaí they acted in self-defense after Mr Ilyas entered an apartment armed with a crowbar and threatening to kill them. Doroscan claimed Clejan struck Mr Ilyas with a hammer, while Clejan stated he only pushed Mr Ilyas away. Co-accused Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of impeding the prosecution, told gardaí he drove the men to a field in Hollystown where he left Mr Ilyas alive in a ditch. The trial continues tomorrow.
Evan Clarke, 33, borrowed a friend's car and drove it the wrong way into a Circle K car wash on 10 November 2019, causing damage worth €57,408 and writing the facility off. He drove without a licence or insurance, with three passengers in the vehicle. Clarke pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage, one count of driving without insurance and one count of driving without a licence. He has 41 prior convictions, including assault, theft and drug offences. CCTV footage identified him, and a matching fingerprint was found on the car's bonnet. His defence cited significant drug and alcohol addiction, early cannabis use, mental health issues, ADHD and ASD, and supportive parents. The case was adjourned to 21 July for updated reports.
During sentencing of Keith Daly, 31, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Garda Sergeant Wes Kenny read a victim impact statement. Kenny, injured when Daly resisted arrest on Killakee Road, described his finger as forcibly bent and injured, noting a heightened fear and psychological toll. The incident began when Garda Natasha McAleese and Kenny stopped a car at 11.10pm; Daly, a passenger, became agitated, opened the door aggressively, and shouted. A struggle ensued, Kenny was thrown to the ground, and Daly fled. Kenny seized a bag of 9.6g cannabis, valued at €192, and two smaller bags with €3,445 cash. Kenny was treated for his finger injury. Defence counsel apologized, noting 33 of Daly's 55 convictions were juvenile. Judge Orla Crowe called the case unusual, directed a probation report, and acknowledged Daly's efforts to turn his life around. The unnamed man pleaded guilty.
The DPP has appealed against the sentences imposed on Keith McCormack Smith, Jason Ryle, and PJ Lyons following their guilty pleas for arson and other offences in May 2022. The prosecution argues the sentences were unduly lenient for a targeted, pre-meditated attack where a stolen Toyota was rammed into Tip Top Tanning Studio in Carlow, causing over €250,000 in damage while residents slept above. McCormack Smith, who had 24 previous convictions, was sentenced to six years with the final two suspended. Ryle and Lyons, who had 29 and 17 previous convictions respectively, each received five and a half years with the final two suspended. The DPP contends the headline sentence of eight years was too low, citing aggravating factors including the use of accelerant and the defendants being on bail. Defence counsel argued the sentences were appropriate, noting the men were acting on instructions to clear a drug debt and had made full admissions. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, viewed video footage of the incident and reserved its judgment to be delivered at a later date.
In a case heard at Tallaght District Court, a 43‑year‑old man named Darren Kane was found asleep in the driver's seat of a Volkswagen camper van at the Spawell Service Station on 9 May 2021. Gardaí discovered two suspected deals of cocaine, each worth €70, in the passenger seat. Kane pleaded guilty to possession under section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act. The court noted that he had 27 prior convictions, including five under the same act, and had previously received a 10‑month suspended sentence in May 2022 for a Section 15 drugs offence. His defence counsel reported that Kane had made "remarkable" progress since then, completing a 20‑month residential programme at Cuan Mhuire, obtaining a Level 6 qualification in psychology, and volunteering to support others in addiction recovery. He had also spoken at a graduation event in March 2024 about his journey and the importance of second chances.
On 20 October 2023, Garda Niall McGahern stopped a car on Whitestown Way, Tallaght, after noticing the driver acting suspiciously at a traffic light. The driver, Adam Printo, 26, of Sundale Villas, Jobstown, Tallaght, Dublin 24, produced a large butcher's knife from inside the car and could not explain why he had it. He was arrested and taken to Tallaght Garda Station, where a small amount of cannabis was also found on him. Printo entered a guilty plea to a charge under Section 9 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act. Defence counsel Lauren Flanagan BL argued that Printo had been using the knife as a makeshift screwdriver earlier that day to fix the windscreen wipers. The court heard that Printo was employed full‑time in a warehouse, earning around €500 a week, and had no previous convictions or history of addiction. The knife was presented in court as evidence in a plastic bag.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Conor Deering, aged 24, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on 25 September 2021 at several sites in Lucan. The case began when Gardai stopped his car for a seatbelt offence, discovered a backpack containing 100 g of cannabis and €3,900 in cash, and subsequently obtained a search warrant for his home. A search of his residence uncovered drugs valued at over €159,000 and an additional €4,000 in cash, bringing the total value of seized drugs to €161,690. Deering had no prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan, taking into account Deering's early guilty plea, imposed a three‑year prison sentence, departing from the mandatory minimum of ten years. The court noted that Deering was not on the Garda radar and that his home showed no signs of wealth.
Three men pleaded guilty at the non‑jury Special Criminal Court to conspiring to import controlled drugs worth over €13,000 into Ireland between 17 February and 14 March 2024. The defendants are Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz, 45, of no fixed abode in Spain; Anuar Rahui Chairi, 42, of Malaga, Spain; and Aleksander Milic, 27, of Svetorgorska, Belgrade, Serbia. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo imposed probation and required governor's reports for each. The defendants are scheduled to appear again on 18 June.
David O'Callaghan, 41, pleaded guilty to driving a white Ford Transit van into gates at Leinster House, Aras An Uachtaráin and the Custom House on 2 August, causing €60 000 of damage. He was found to have been suffering from a paranoid delusion and later diagnosed with schizophrenia, for which he is receiving treatment. Garda Niamh McCarthy described how O'Callaghan performed a sweeping u‑turn in front of the Aras gates, reversed into them, then drove to the Custom House and repeated the manoeuvre, breaching the gates and causing about €2 000 of damage. At Leinster House he struck three sets of gates in quick succession, breaching the Ministers' Entrance gate and damaging a perimeter gate, resulting in over €52 000 of damage. He admitted consuming alcohol and cocaine that evening and claimed he believed his food had been spiked.
A man from Achill has been sentenced to eight years in prison following his conviction for manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court. Dean Caffrey (38) of Beaucort, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, was found guilty by majority jury verdict of the manslaughter of Sean McCarthy on 2 August 2022 in Drumcondra. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a nine-year sentence with the final year suspended. Caffrey claimed he acted in self-defence when the fatal shooting occurred during a confrontation over drug debts. The court heard evidence that after the killing, Caffrey placed McCarthy's body in a suitcase, disposed of the firearm in the River Tolka, and took steps to conceal the death, including using McCarthy's mobile phone to suggest he remained alive. The judge found Caffrey's conduct after the killing demonstrated no genuine remorse and rejected arguments for leniency based on his drug addiction since 2013 and cocaine dependency since 2016. Gardaí recovered McCarthy's remains from a wardrobe in the apartment after Caffrey directed them to the location. Dean Caffrey pleaded not guilty.
Derek Smith, 43, of Donnycarney, Dublin, had his drug‑driving conviction overturned after an appeal court found no evidence he had been driving within three hours of a blood sample. Smith was found asleep over the wheel of a van that crashed into a tree on 15 January 2021. Garda Sandip Shrestha reported that Smith was unable to walk out of the vehicle, was unstable, had slurred speech and blood‑shot eyes. He was arrested and a blood sample was taken at 4.36 pm. The sample, analysed at 1435.0 ng/ml of Benzoylecgonine, exceeded the 50 ng/ml legal limit. Smith's counsel, Gregory Murphy BL, argued that the prosecution had "zero evidence" that Smith was driving when the sample was taken and that the sample could not be linked to him. Judge Fiona O'Sullivan agreed that the three‑hour rule was not satisfied and that the blood certificate could not be admitted, and allowed Smith's appeal. Derek Smith pleaded not guilty.
David Slattery, a 50-year-old married man from Celbridge, Co Kildare, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He pleaded guilty to one count of obtaining a child for sexual exploitation and one count of possessing child sexual abuse material, known in law as child pornography, on dates in 2023. The court heard that Slattery befriended a 16-year-old girl on Snapchat, providing her with money, alcohol, and drugs in exchange for sexual favours, including taking her to hotels on two occasions. Additionally, gardaí discovered two images and two videos of a 13-year-old child on his device during a search. Slattery claimed he believed both victims were 17. Judge Martin Nolan noted the defendant's remorse and mitigation, including his rehabilitation from a cocaine addiction, but stated that Slattery "must suffer a prison term for what he did." The judge imposed a sentence of three years. The victim, who attended the hearing, read a statement describing the lasting trauma and loss of trust she experienced. Slattery has three previous convictions for minor road traffic offences. The matter was finalised with the imposition of this custodial sentence.
Amy McQuaid, 30, was arrested at Dublin Airport on 4 September 2024 after X‑ray revealed 29.8 kg of cannabis worth €597,000 in her luggage. She claimed she believed the bags contained gold and watches, a statement her barrister described as "patent nonsense". McQuaid accepted that the bags were in her control but insisted they were not hers. She had travelled to Thailand with her then‑partner, who was later jailed for four and a half years for a similar offence. McQuaid was interviewed three times and said she was paid £4,000 and given a holiday in Thailand. The court found her explanation to be "transparent and stupid" and, after considering mitigating factors, imposed a sentence of four years and three months, back‑dated to her arrest. The sentence is to be served in a foreign jurisdiction.
A 22‑year‑old man, Mahamud Ilyas, was found dead in a field on 10 December 2022 after a fight over a stolen bag of cannabis. Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster testified that Ilyas sustained depressed skull fractures typical of hammer blows, along with multiple lacerations, bruises and scratches consistent with blunt‑force trauma. She noted extensive bruising to the face and body, and that the body was likely dragged after death. No evidence of sharp injuries or intoxication was found. The cause of death was blunt‑force trauma to the head. The accused, Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), plead not guilty to the murder charge. The trial, held in the Central Criminal Court, continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury. Lorenzo Cantaragiu (21) faces separate charges and also pleads not guilty.
Jason Wosser, also known as Jason Bonney, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a number of charges including robbery, attempted robbery, and threats to kill or cause serious harm. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a 10-year sentence but suspended the final year on strict conditions. Prosecution counsel Fiona Pekaar BL alleged that Wosser robbed two taxi drivers on separate occasions, threatening one with a knife and punching another in the face. He was also accused of kicking a man in Smithfield Square and robbing a student of his phone in Merchant's Arch. Wosser has 96 previous convictions. Defence counsel Ian Woodland BL described the defendant as deeply apologetic, citing a drug addiction that began at age 12 following his brother's death in a house fire, as well as ADHD and dyslexia. Judge Sheahan noted that two prior robberies involved vulnerable young men and gratuitous violence. She identified aggravating factors, including the seriousness and repeated nature of the offending, the fact that Wosser was on bail, and the harm caused to the injured parties. The judge acknowledged the value of the early plea to the victims and noted the defendant's desire to seek employment upon release, though she had no discretion over his place of imprisonment.
Jonathan Leonard, 48, was brought before Dún Laoghaire District Court on Wednesday for an alleged armed robbery at Ballybrack Medical Hall on 8 April. He is accused of entering the pharmacy at about 5:30 pm, wearing dark clothing, a black snood, gloves and a black puffer jacket, and of demanding money from staff with a flick knife. CCTV footage shows him leaving the pharmacy, walking through Ballybrack village and into Daleview Park, where he was seen removing the snood, and later returning to a nearby hostel. Gardaí recovered a black puffer jacket but the gloves, snood and knife remain missing. They also found €420 in cash, three bags of crack cocaine and a crack pipe on Leonard. He faces robbery charges under Section 14 of the Criminal Justice Act and drug offences under Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
In a major drug‑seizure case, eight men have been convicted for their roles in a 2.25‑tonne cocaine haul that was seized from the MV Matthew, a Panamanian‑registered bulk carrier. The shipment, valued at over €157 million, was intercepted by Army Rangers in September 2023. The defendants—Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk (32), Vitaliy Vlasoi (32) and Vitaliy Lapa (61); Iranians Soheil Jelveh (51) and Saeid Hassani (39); Dutch national Cumali Ozgen (49); Filipino Harold Estoesta (31); and Jamie Harbron (31)—were charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Six pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine for sale or supply on the MV Matthew between 24 and 26 September 2023, with a market value exceeding €13 000. Lapa and Harbron pleaded guilty to attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between 21 and 25 September 2023. The Special Criminal Court will sentence the men on 3 and 4 June.
Eight defendants have been scheduled for sentencing before the Special Criminal Court on June 3 and 4, following their guilty pleas in connection with the seizure of 2.25 tonnes of cocaine aboard the MV Matthew. The vessel, a Panamanian-registered bulk carrier, was boarded by Army Rangers in September 2023, resulting in what is described as the largest cocaine seizure in Irish history, with an estimated value exceeding €157 million. Mykhailo Gavryk, Vitaliy Vlasoi, Soheil Jelveh, Saeid Hassani, Harold Estoesta, and Cumali Ozgen pleaded guilty to possessing controlled drugs for the purpose of sale or supply between September 24 and 26, 2023, while on board the vessel outside the State. Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa pleaded guilty to attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply at a location within the State between September 21 and 25, 2023. Jamie Harbron, of the UK, also pleaded guilty to attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply during the same period. The court heard evidence that the ship, owned by a Dubai-based company, used its Automatic Identification System to simulate a false position while sailing from Curacao. It was intended to meet a fishing boat named The Castlemore for the physical transfer of the drugs. The matter is now at the sentencing stage, with specific dates set for the disposal of these cases.
Nathan Robinson, 30, of Dublin 7, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of stolen property after selling a Live U600 electronic transmission device, valued at €25,000, for €50. The device had been stolen from an RTE cameraman's car and was tracked via an Apple AirTag to an electronic hardware store where Robinson was seen on CCTV entering, opening a rucksack, and taking the equipment. Garda Conor Flynn obtained a search warrant for Robinson's home, seizing clothing matching the footage. Robinson, who has prior burglary convictions and a history of handling stolen property, admitted possession and was cooperative. No victim impact statement was presented. Judge Martin Nolan, noting Robinson's drug addiction and cooperation, sentenced him to a fully suspended 20‑month prison term, with the sentence suspended in full.
Les Byrne, 49, of Shancastle Park, Clondalkin, was found with four pipe bombs in the back of his van during a Garda search on 24 March 2024 after an overwhelming cannabis smell was detected. Byrne pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession or control of the devices, which were later confirmed to be effective bombs. He has 24 prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to six and a quarter years, noting Byrne acted under instructions from third parties but played a vital role in the operation. The judge highlighted Byrne's guilty plea, cooperation, family responsibilities, and the fact that he was a low‑rung member of an organised crime group involved in a feud that has escalated with arson, intimidation and attacks on homes. The case involved text‑message evidence showing Byrne's reluctance to keep the bombs and his desire to dispose of them.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Eric Thomas, 49, was found guilty of false imprisonment and sexual assault of a teenage boy aged 14 or 15 between January 2004 and July 2006. Thomas, who has 34 prior convictions including ten for sexual assault, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended for two years under Probation Services supervision. The victim, who was a happy, class‑clown teenager, described feeling sick, dirty and scared after the assault, and said the incident changed his life, leading to aggression, drug use and a desire to leave. Thomas denied the allegations and claimed he had never known the victim. The court noted Thomas's history of mental health issues, rehabilitation efforts in prison, and his acceptance of the verdict. The judge highlighted the seriousness of the offence and the victim's profound impact. The sentence reflects both aggravating and mitigating factors.
Paul McGrath, 66, of Dublin 1, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for laundering nearly €150,000 in crime cash. He pleaded guilty to concealing the source of property, knowing it was proceeds of crime, at the Coachman Inn on 4 October 2024. Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau had received confidential information about a man suspected of receiving large sums from criminal gangs and laundering them for a fee. McGrath met the third party at the Inn, handed a plastic bag containing €146,950 to the other man, and was later stopped by Gardaí. A hidden compartment in his Volkswagen Passat, opened with an electronic fob, was found to contain the cash. Two phones were seized from McGrath's vehicle and 17 unused phones from his home; Gardaí believed they were used for criminality. McGrath, who has 42 prior convictions, claimed he owed money for an "ounce of green" and had a dependency on alcohol and cannabis.
Stephen Connolly, a 40‑year‑old businessman from Rath Gael, Clondalkin, was sentenced by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four years' imprisonment for laundering €291,790 that he claimed was the proceeds of a drug offence. The money was found rolled and in separate bags during a planned search at Beacon South Quarter, Sandyford, on 4 May 2017, and Connolly's fingerprints were on the cash. He admitted possession of the money and that he had stored and counted it with his brother, Mark Connolly, who had previously received a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for his role. Connolly's defence counsel, Dominic McGinn SC, argued that his client was a family man with mental health issues and was not directing the operation, and presented a heartfelt apology. Judge Martin Nolan noted Connolly's responsibilities as a business owner and family provider before imposing the four‑year term. Stephen Connolly pleaded guilty.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, a jury heard that Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24) denied murder charges for the death of Mahamud Ilyas on 9 December 2022. Witness Abdi‑Aziz Mohamed testified that Doroscan had told him, in a conversation on that day, that he and Clejan had struck Ilyas with a hammer during a fight and then left him on a field. Mohamed also recounted that Doroscan had made a "callout video" as a joke after claiming to be looking for a person who owed him money for cocaine. Mohamed described seeing a hammer in Doroscan's bag in August 2022 and later learning that Ilyas had been found dead. The jury heard that Doroscan and Clejan had pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, while Lorenzo Cantaragiu (21) faced separate charges of impeding prosecution. The court heard no verdict or sentencing, only the evidence presented at this stage of the trial.
Raymond Fortune, 43, of Latchford Drive, Castaheany, Dublin 15, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 2 April 2025 for possessing drugs worth over €1.4 million. He pleaded guilty on 4 July 2024 to two counts of possession of drugs for sale or supply. Garda surveillance, triggered by confidential information, led to his arrest when he was driving a white Transit van. Gardaí seized 7 kg of cannabis (valued at €140 000) and, after searching a storage unit at Rosemount Business Park, found 64 kg of cannabis (valued at over €1.2 million) and 623 g of ketamine (valued at €37 380). Adult diapers were used as a "cover load". During a home search, mixing agents were discovered. Fortune admitted addiction to cocaine and alcohol, claiming his addiction spiralled after his brother was charged with murdering their father in 2019.
During the trial, a 42‑year‑old HSE drugs addiction counsellor, Deirdre Arnold, was questioned by Gardaí about her fingerprint on a jewellery valuation certificate linked to the murder victim, Lisa Thompson. Arnold made no reply when asked to account for the certificate, which was found in a silver Hyundai Tucson registered to her, and also when asked about her fingerprint on the document. She was also asked to explain her presence at Sandyhill Gardens in Ballymun on 9 May 2022, at an Applegreen filling station in Swords on the same night, and her presence in the vehicle on 17 May 2022, but she again made no comment. The prosecution alleged that Arnold acted to impede the apprehension of Brian McHugh, the murderer, and to pervert the course of justice. She pleaded not guilty to both charges. The case was set to continue before Mr Justice Patrick McGrath and a jury.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, consultant psychiatrist Dr Mary Davoren testified that the murder accused, Brian Ibe, first reported hearing voices more than a year after being remanded, on the same day his awareness of a possible not‑guilty‑by‑reason‑of‑insanity verdict was documented. Dr Davoren argued that Ibe's dis‑social personality disorder, not schizophrenia, explained his behaviour. She noted no evidence of hallucinations or psychosis at the time of the offence, only regular cannabis use. Ibe, 23, had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of 65‑year‑old Peter Kennedy and for assaulting Garda Brendan O'Donnell. Dr Davoren said Ibe's deliberate actions—traveling to Kildare, breaking in, stabbing Kennedy—showed intent and knowledge of wrongdoing, undermining a special verdict. The trial will continue before Justice Melanie Greally and a jury.
During the trial of Deirdre Arnold, a drugs‑addiction counsellor for the HSE, the jury heard that Arnold claimed a man she alleged had driven away from a murder scene, Brian McHugh, broke her arm by holding it on the bottom step of a stairwell and stamping on it. Arnold said McHugh dragged her down the stairs, placed her arm on the step, stamped on it, then dragged her back up and punched her ribs before fleeing. She also alleged that McHugh punched her ribs. Arnold's statements were recorded by Garda Diane Byrne, who took a complaint from Arnold. The prosecution presented text messages sent from a number identified as "Deirdre" to McHugh's phone, containing threats and references to the murder of Lisa Thompson. Arnold pleaded not guilty to charges of impeding the apprehension of McHugh and perverting the course of public justice. The case is before Mr Justice Patrick McGrath with a jury of eleven.
Conor Stewart, 29, was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty to assault causing harm and possession of a samurai sword at Kilcross Grove, Sandyford, on 18 June 2020. The offence stemmed from an alleged €50 drug debt owed to the victim's brother. Stewart, who lives in Kilcross Court, Sandyford, was accompanied by another man when they attacked the victim, striking him on the back of the head and leaving a cut on the left side of his head. The victim was treated in hospital for a cut to the back of his head and a larger wound to the side of his head, which required stitches, and has since fully recovered. Stewart's previous convictions include criminal damage and burglary. The court accepted his guilty plea as valuable and noted that he had been on remand in prison, only recently receiving a bed in his cell due to overcrowding.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, Dr Stephen Monks, a consultant psychiatrist, testified that Brian Ibe, aged 23, suffered from schizophrenia and was in an acute psychotic state when he fatally assaulted 65‑year‑old Peter Kennedy. Monks argued that Ibe's psychosis, triggered by homelessness and cannabis use beginning in June 2018, contributed significantly to the assault and that Ibe may not have understood the nature of his actions. He suggested the court consider a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act. Ibe has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder charge and to assault causing harm to Garda Brendan O'Donnell, who was punched during Ibe's detention. The trial is proceeding before Justice Melanie Greally and a jury of twelve.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Lee Roche, aged 33, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and criminal damage on 15 December 2023. The assault took place at his then‑partner's home in Donaghmede, where Roche dragged her headfirst down the stairs, pulled out her hair extensions, grabbed her breast, pushed into her ribs and struck her on the head, causing her ear to ring. He also hit her again after a brief conversation. Roche had no prior convictions and was reported to have a cocaine‑use problem, which he was addressing. He has since cared for his children and grandfather, and set up a running club in Coolmine. Judge Martin Nolan, citing a letter from the victim praising Roche's current contributions to family and community, imposed a four‑year suspended sentence, fully suspending the custodial term. The sentence was not read aloud in court. The victim's impact statement was submitted but not read.
Gerard Tier, 34, of Casement Drive, Finglas, pleaded guilty to threatening to kill or cause serious harm on 21 August 2021. The court also considered two other counts of possession of an explosive substance and a threat to kill or cause serious damage. A Molotov cocktail was found at Tier's house and he threatened to burn it down. Garda Paul Higgins described Tier as extremely violent, resisting arrest and requiring four officers to restrain him. Tier head‑butted the floor, threatened the officers, and claimed he had previously killed a Garda. While in hospital he admitted to drinking and taking cocaine. The court noted a petrol smell and a bottle with petrol and a rag, confirming the Molotov cocktail. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a custodial sentence of two years, citing Tier's violent conduct and the dangerous nature of the device. The sentence was imposed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Viorel Doroscan and Otniel Richardo Clejan for the alleged murder of Mahamud Ilyas on December 9, 2022, continued with witness evidence. Both accused have pleaded not guilty. Witness Vlady Ndosimau testified that he entered an apartment in Blanchardstown and saw Mr Ilyas restrained on the floor, bleeding from the nose. He described Mr Doroscan holding a fruit knife and shouting about missing drugs, while Mr Clejan held a hammer. Ndosimau stated he observed Mr Doroscan kicking and stamping on the deceased's body and Mr Clejan kicking him in the head and neck before he panicked and left. He learned two days later that Mr Ilyas had died. Also on trial, Lorenzo Cantaragiu denies charges of impeding the prosecution, while Robert Burns's charges were withdrawn following a prosecution accommodation. Under cross-examination, Ndosimau denied fabricating his account to avoid suspicion, stating he had previously omitted details to protect his family. The trial continues before Mr Justice Hunt and a jury.
Luke Kelly, 54, of Griffith Parade, Glasnevin, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on 4 August 2023. Garda Gary Duke explained that police had received confidential information that some DHL employees were using the company as a cover to deliver drugs. A search warrant was executed at Kelly's home after he was stopped driving a yellow DHL‑branded van. Officers found six kilograms of cannabis in the van and an additional kilogram in the passenger seat, all wrapped in DHL packaging. Kelly led officers to a shed at his mother's house where they discovered 30.5 kilograms of cannabis and 11.04 kilograms of cocaine, valued at €1.38 million. He had no prior convictions. The court noted his long marriage, children, grandchildren and lifelong employment, and that he had been under significant stress and substance misuse at the time.
Rachel Redmond, 34, was found guilty by a jury of impeding the Garda investigation into the murder of drug dealer Jordan 'Jordo' Davis. The jury heard that Redmond collected the shooter, Wayne Cooney, from a bus stop minutes after he killed Davis and later checked him into the Clayton Hotel near Dublin Airport. Redmond denied knowing Cooney had committed murder, claiming she was unaware of his criminality and that she had only helped him because she loved him. The prosecution described her testimony as "risible" and argued that she knowingly obstructed the investigation. The judge remanded Redmond in custody pending a sentencing hearing on 12 May. No other charges or outcomes were reported in this article.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the Director of Public Prosecutions presented evidence that Daniel Blanaru, 37, from Rathmore, Athboy, Co Meath, murdered 26‑year‑old Larisa Serban on or about 12 August 2022. Prosecutor Eilis Brennan SC described the attack as sustained and brutal, noting that Blanaru stabbed Serban in the heart, severed a bone in her elbow, and inflicted multiple defensive injuries on her. She highlighted that Serban's body showed numerous incise wounds, abrasions and puncture wounds consistent with defensive actions, while Blanaru had only a minor nick. Brennan urged jurors to focus on the evidence rather than defence theories, which included claims of accidental injury and self‑defence. She also referenced a toxicology report showing no alcohol or drugs in Serban's system and CCTV footage of Blanaru leaving the scene. Daniel Blanaru pleaded not guilty.
An unnamed 44-year-old woman was sentenced in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply. The offence occurred on 16th January 2023 at her Dublin home. During the search, a minor son indicated the presence of drugs, and the defendant admitted to possessing cannabis and her own methadone. Police recovered cannabis, plastic bagging, and two sets of electronic scales, with the drugs valued between €12,000 and €14,000. The defendant has 12 previous convictions, including three for drug possession for sale or supply, all dating back more than 20 years. Her defence counsel highlighted her history of addiction, noting she began using methadone at age 12 and has remained on it since. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three-year term of imprisonment but suspended it in full. The matter was finalised with this suspended sentence.
A 26‑year‑old father of three was given a three‑year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of possession of cannabis for sale or supply at his Dublin home in July 2023. He admitted that he had been holding €17,000 worth of cannabis for a fee of €100, claiming the money was to help cover the costs of his children's illnesses. Gardaí found the drugs in a backpack when they entered the apartment after the defendant had left for ten minutes. The defendant said he was motivated by his children's health problems, all of whom suffer from hip dysplasia, with the eldest having had surgery and the middle child two surgeries. He had a prior conviction for possession of knives, which was under a suspended sentence at the time. Judge Martin Nolan, after considering the circumstances, imposed the suspended sentence.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Brian Ibe, aged 23, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of Peter Kennedy, 65, who had taken his mother, Martha Ibe, into his home after she was living in a car. Ibe was diagnosed with schizophrenia by consultant psychiatrist Dr Gauruv Malhan, who said the mental disorder prevented him from restraining himself. Kennedy was stabbed repeatedly in the neck on 28 April 2020 and died on 12 May 2020. The prosecution, represented by Paul Carroll SC, argued that Ibe did not meet the legal criteria for a not‑guilty‑by‑reason‑of‑insanity verdict. Martha Ibe testified that Ibe had become aggressive after smoking cannabis, had delusions of "devil worshippers", and had threatened to kill Kennedy.
Paulius Baltrunas, a 35‑year‑old Lithuanian national with no fixed abode, was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to transporting more than €160,000 worth of cannabis for sale or supply at Fonthill Retail Park on 18 May 2024. Baltrunas had arrived in Ireland three months earlier with the intention of establishing a vape business, but that plan failed. Gardaí were alerted to suspicious activity in the area and observed Baltrunas at a service station in Fonthill Retail Park. They searched him and his vehicle, finding a strong odor of cannabis and a large shopping bag containing the drugs. The Gardaí reported that no further evidence emerged from Baltrunas's subsequent interview. Judge Martin Nolan, noting that Baltrunas had come to Ireland "with great expectations" that were not realised, inferred from the evidence that he intended to transport the drugs for payment and imposed the four‑year custodial sentence.
A 60-year-old truck driver from Belturbet, County Cavan, has been sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment following his conviction for drug trafficking. Gerard Doran pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cannabis worth approximately €1.02 million for sale or supply. The drugs were discovered on 25 February 2021 when his vehicle was searched at Dublin Port after arriving from Wales. A detector dog identified cannabis herb concealed in eight bags within the truck's cab. Doran also admitted possessing £4,195 in cash, knowing or being reckless as to whether it constituted proceeds of crime. He cooperated fully with the investigation, immediately accepting responsibility and directing gardaí to the money. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged Doran's admissions and cooperation, noting he had been under financial pressure at the time. The judge considered Doran's medical conditions when determining the sentence.
Camila Alves Cintra Ribeiro, a 25‑year‑old Brazilian woman, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to importing 100 pellets of cocaine into Ireland on 6 June 2024. She had agreed to swallow the drug for a payment of just under €1,000, but later tried to withdraw her offer. Ribeiro claimed she was under financial pressure and that her daughter needed surgery. Gardaí seized €1,000 in cash from her and seized the drug, worth an estimated €69,000. She was in custody from the day of her arrival. The court noted that an immigration officer spoke Portuguese with her and that she admitted swallowing the capsules. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Ribeiro to two years' imprisonment, back‑dating the term to the day she first entered custody. The sentence reflects her cooperation and the court's view that she was exploited by others who threatened her.
The trial of four men charged in connection with the murder of Mahamud Ilyas continues at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. Viorel Doroscan and Otniel Richardo Clejan have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Ilyas, whose body was found in Co. Meath in December 2022 with blunt force trauma to the head. Co-accused Robert Burns and Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who have also pleaded not guilty, face charges of impeding the prosecution. During proceedings, the jury viewed CCTV footage described by Garda Dermot Sloane as showing two figures in dark clothing carrying a red object containing the deceased to a parked car in Blanchardstown. The footage also depicted a BMW driven by Mr Cantaragiu travelling towards the scene and later returning. The prosecution, led by Eoin Lawlor SC, alleges the defendants were involved in drug supply and that Mr Ilyas was attacked after attempting to sell cannabis taken from Mr Burns's home. The matter is currently at the trial stage and has not been finalised; the proceedings continue.