During a routine customs search at Dublin Port, delivery driver Daljeet Singh, 52, was found transporting 55 kg of cannabis concealed in 50 brown cardboard bags, valued at about €1 million. Singh claimed he had not packed the van and was unaware of the drugs, but a photo from his phone later confirmed he knew of the cannabis. He pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis for sale or supply. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a headline sentence of nine years, but after considering mitigating factors, sentenced Singh to six years, suspending the final six months and backdating the term to the date of the offence. Singh has no prior convictions, lives with his elderly parents in the UK, and has five daughters and several grandchildren. The case highlighted alleged pressure from third parties and Singh's financial difficulties. The sentence was delivered at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Mark Davis, 35, with 207 prior convictions and a 20‑year driving ban, pleaded guilty to stealing a DPD delivery van in Jobstown on 4 December 2023 and to stealing 66 packages worth €901 and driving without a licence on the same day. During a court hearing, the judge heard that Davis, while driving past the victim, told him, "I'll leave the van 'round in that estate," and that the van was later found parked with its engine running and most of the packages missing. Davis also admitted to driving without a licence, hit‑and‑runs, dangerous driving and other offences. He was remanded on continuing bail, with the judge expressing concern that imprisonment would disrupt the progress he has made and that he would be exposed to drugs in custody. The case is set to resume on 10 March.
A 22‑year‑old man, Brandon Gavin, was found guilty of murder by a jury at the Central Criminal Court after he stabbed his former friend, 19‑year‑old Marius Mamaliga, in the neck on 23 February 2023. The jury, after nearly five hours of deliberation, rejected Gavin's self‑defence claim, describing it as "self‑serving nonsense." Evidence showed Gavin entered Mamaliga's car, took a knife, and stabbed him within about 14 seconds. DNA on the knife matched Gavin, and blood from the victim was found on a penknife nearby. Witnesses testified that Gavin owed Mamaliga €2,500 for drugs and that the victim had sold drugs in the past. Gavin had also searched online for "prison sentence for murder in Ireland" and was active on Tinder minutes before the incident. The verdict was delivered on 13 November 2024, and Gavin remains remanded in custody awaiting sentencing. The unnamed 22-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A jury will return to the Central Criminal Court tomorrow to continue deliberating the verdict in the trial of 22‑year‑old Brandon Gavin, who denies murdering 19‑year‑old Marius Mamaliga over a drug debt. The prosecution alleges Gavin entered the back seat of a car behind Mamaliga and stabbed him in the neck with a knife, intending to kill or seriously injure him. In Garda interviews, Gavin claimed he stabbed Mamaliga in self‑defence, fearing for his life because he owed money for drugs. Witnesses testified that Mamaliga had sold cannabis and that Gavin owed him €2,000 for cocaine. The jury, consisting of seven men and five women, began deliberations after 2 pm and will return tomorrow morning. The judge explained that the jury has three possible verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty.
A 35‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for choking his then‑fiancée in front of their three small children in February 2019, an act that left her unconscious and with bruises, scratches and lasting psychological harm. He also pleaded guilty to criminal damage to the back‑door handles of her home in July 2020 when he tried to gain entry. The court noted the woman was pregnant, had to move house to avoid him, and that he had 42 prior convictions, including knife possession, theft, criminal damage and traffic offences. In mitigation, the judge considered his guilty pleas, current drug and alcohol abstinence, employment and volunteer work, and a probation assessment placing him at moderate risk of re‑offending. Consecutive sentences of three and two years were imposed, with the final two years suspended on conditions such as attending a violent offender course while in custody.
Lucas Matley, a 19‑year‑old from Manchester, was caught at Dublin Airport with 12.8 kg of vacuum‑packed cannabis worth about €257,860. He had travelled to Las Vegas for five days to pick up the suitcase and then flew to Ireland, claiming he was paid £5,000 to transport the drugs. Matley pleaded guilty to having the drugs for sale or supply at the airport on 10 March 2024. Judge Orla Crowe noted his lack of prior convictions and cooperation with Gardaí, and considered mitigating factors such as letters from his former school. She imposed a headline sentence of four years but reduced it to three years, suspending the final six months for one year. The sentence was imposed at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after a Garda investigation that found 28 vacuum‑packed packages in his luggage.
A jury heard that law professor Diarmuid Phelan, 56, denied murdering Keith Conlon, 36, on his farm in Tallaght. Phelan said he was terrified when three men appeared on his land and that he fired his revolver in self‑defence, claiming the shots were aimed at the men, not at Conlon. He described the men as threatening him and said he had tried to retreat but was forced to shoot. Phelan also alleged that his farm had been subject to burglary, drug use, armed men and arson, and that Gardaí had not responded promptly to earlier incidents. He said he had given the revolver to Gardaí and that he was under immense stress. The trial is ongoing before Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
In a murder trial, Brandon Gavin, aged 22, is accused of a planned and pre‑meditated stabbing of his 19‑year‑old friend Marius Mamaliga. Prosecutors argue Gavin entered the victim's car, stabbed him in the neck within eight seconds, and then disposed of the knife before returning home, citing his Google search for "prison sentence for murder in Ireland" and Tinder activity as evidence of pre‑planning. They describe the act as "murder – plain and simple" and dismiss his self‑defence claim as "self‑serving nonsense." Defence counsel counter that Gavin had made 47 calls that day trying to raise €2,000 owed for cocaine, and that he was in distress and fear, possibly acting in self‑preservation. They portray him as a young man spiralling out of control, not a cold‑blooded killer. The jury is instructed to weigh these conflicting accounts before delivering a verdict. Brandon Gavin pleaded not guilty.
Patrick Byrne, 27, of Cloverhill Road, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two years and nine months in jail for assault causing harm. He pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting a 33-year-old man at Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2, on October 15 last year. Judge Orla Crowe described the unprovoked attack, in which Byrne allegedly struck the victim with a bike saddle, as senseless and brutal. The sentence was backdated to the date Byrne first entered custody. Byrne has a history of 36 previous offences, including a suspended six-and-a-half-year sentence for attempted robbery in 2020. Prosecution counsel sought leave to re-mention the case to address whether the offence was committed while Byrne was on that suspended sentence. The matter was adjourned to deal with this procedural issue. Defence counsel acknowledged the assault was vicious but argued it was a case of mistaken identity and noted Byrne's history of drug abuse. The victim stated he now avoids the city centre due to the trauma and visible scarring.
Robert Hanratty, 48, of Whiteacre Place, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to possession of zopiclone tablets at his home and a location in Ballymun for sale or supply on 6 January 2023. He held over €30,000 worth of sleeping tablets, claiming he did so to deter vandalism by local youths who had targeted his home. Hanratty, described as vulnerable and with a drink problem, had four minor prior convictions unrelated to drugs. Judge Orla Crowe noted the statutory minimum for the offence is 10 years but, citing his cooperation and lack of prior drug convictions, set a headline sentence of three years, reduced to two years and four months, and suspended the entire term. The court emphasized that a suspended sentence remains a real penalty and may be re‑entered if further issues arise. The case involved 15,680 tablets recovered, valued at €32,200, and a psychological report detailing Hanratty's mental health and alcohol use. No further convictions were reported.
Ms Nikita Hand, a hair colourist, testified at the High Court after four days in the witness box, claiming that Conor McGregor brutally raped and battered her in a Dublin hotel penthouse on 9 December 2018. She said she has no memory of being in a lift with James Lawrence, who denies the allegations and claims consensual sex with her. Hand described bruises and injuries she said were inflicted by McGregor, including choking and biting. She also recounted drinking and drug use during the period. McGregor and Lawrence deny the allegations. The civil damages case is ongoing before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury of twelve. The trial continues with no verdict yet.
During a trial, Robert Murphy (42) told a garda that he wanted to kill Jamie Kavanagh (24) and that Kavanagh deserved to die. Murphy pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. He admitted stabbing Kavanagh, who lived in a bedsit on Harrington Street, Dublin 8, a hostel run by Crosscare. Garda Matthew O'Connor, on duty at Kevin Street Garda Station, heard Murphy say he had taken all the knives from Kavanagh's room and that he wanted to kill him. Murphy was found carrying a bag with two large knives, a balaclava, blood‑stained clothing and drug paraphernalia. State pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis identified seven sharp‑object injuries on Kavanagh, with one stab wound to the trunk causing death. The case is before Justice Melanie Greally and a jury.
The court heard that 22‑year‑old Brandon Gavin's phone was used 24 hours before he stabbed 19‑year‑old Marius Mamaliga to death. The phone searched for "prison sentence for murder in Ireland" and engaged with a woman on Tinder 20 minutes before the fatal stabbing. Texts show Mamaliga demanded money for drugs from Gavin, warning that "boys looking for that money" would be at his door. Gavin claimed he stabbed Mamaliga in self‑defence, fearing for his life because he owed money for drugs. The prosecution argued Gavin entered the back seat of a car behind Mamaliga and stabbed him in the neck with a knife. The case is set to close on Monday before Justice Eileen Creedon and the jury. Brandon Gavin pleaded not guilty.
Kevin Ahmetay, a 26‑year‑old Albanian national with no fixed abode, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of unlawfully assisting a friend's entry into Ireland. The offence stemmed from an incident at Terminal One, Dublin Airport, where Ahmetay and his friend, both from Albania, were stopped after arriving from Italy. Gardaí discovered that the friend used a false name and a false Bulgarian passport, while Ahmetay had produced a genuine Bulgarian passport in his own name and claimed no connection to the other man. However, authorities linked the two men by their shared booking and sequential check‑in. Ahmetay admitted he had held his friend's genuine Albanian passport, which he intended to return after they entered Ireland for onward travel. He had a prior UK conviction for cannabis production, resulting in a suspended sentence.
During a trial, Robert Murphy (42) pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Jamie Kavanagh (24) at a hostel on Harrington Street, Dublin 8, on 19 April 2023. The Central Criminal Court heard that Kavanagh lived in a bedsit run by a hostel and charity Crosscare, and that he was found with four stab wounds. Murphy, who lived next door, was stopped by Garda officers after the incident. He was discovered carrying a bag with two large knives, a balaclava and blood‑stained clothing, and he told the Garda that he had stabbed Kavanagh with his own weapons, hoping the victim was "taken out in coroners' bags." He also admitted that Kavanagh and his friends were using drugs in his room. The trial, set to continue before Ms Justice Melanie Greally, is expected to last six to seven days.
In the third day of evidence at a High Court civil trial, a woman named Nikita Hand testified that Conor McGregor and James Lawrence allegedly raped and battered her in a Dublin hotel on 8‑9 December 2018. Hand, who was intoxicated after a night of drinking and drug use, claimed she was pinned down and choked by McGregor in a penthouse suite at the Beacon hotel. She said she had been "brutally raped" and that a doctor later assessed her injuries as moderate to severe. Both McGregor and Lawrence denied the allegations. Hand's testimony included references to CCTV footage that she said contradicted her account, and she described her state as "drunk and very vulnerable." The case remains before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury.
Two men, a former Soviet fighter pilot and a former construction company owner, were sentenced to a combined 18 years in prison for smuggling 60 kg of heroin into Dublin. The pilot, Zoltan Nemeth, flew a Cessna 210 that landed at Weston Airport with 120 packages of heroin, each about half a kilo, valued at €8.4 million. Nemeth claimed he was unaware of the cargo, believing it to be prohibited metal for microchips, while the co‑accused, Aradi Ignac, admitted transporting the drugs and said he had fallen into debt to dangerous individuals. Ignac had ten prior convictions, including theft and fraud, and had been involved in planning the operation. The court imposed headline sentences of 13 years for Ignac (actual term ten years) and 10 years for Nemeth, with both sentences backdated to the day they were arrested. Both men have been in custody since December and are on 23‑hour lock‑up for their own protection. Aradi Ignac pleaded guilty. Zoltan Nemeth pleaded guilty.
Charles Darcy, aged 35, was sentenced to two years in prison for possession of .38 special calibre Sellier and Bellot ammunition and for criminal damage after throwing a fire extinguisher through the window of an Applegreen Service Station. The court heard that Darcy had 59 prior convictions, including attempted murder, robbery, assault, possession of a realistic firearm, violent disorder, public order, assault on a police officer, breach of bail and violent behaviour in a Garda station. He pleaded guilty to the ammunition offence on 26 May 2018 and to the fire extinguisher incident on 13 October 2018. The judge noted his long history of offending, his membership of the Travelling community, his mental health and drug‑addiction struggles, and that he is currently drug‑free and willing to undertake an intensive probation programme. The sentence was suspended for six months and back‑dated for time already served.
Wayne Fairhurst, a 33‑year‑old former teaching assistant from Warrington, was sentenced to four years in prison for acting as a 'drugs mule' by transporting €251,000 worth of cannabis from Los Angeles to Dublin. He was caught with 12.5 kg of cannabis in 28 plastic packages in his suitcase at Dublin Airport's Terminal 2. Fairhurst had been offered £10,000 to carry the drugs, after initially refusing £7,000, and accepted the offer after being told to book the trip himself and paying £1,400. He claimed he was threatened and felt compelled to comply. At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court he pleaded guilty to possession of the drugs for sale or supply. The judge, citing his background of poverty, domestic abuse, ADHD, dyslexia and recent personal losses, imposed a five‑year sentence with the final year suspended, noting he would serve the term in another jurisdiction.
The trial of 22‑year‑old Brandon Gavin, accused of murdering 19‑year‑old Marius Mamaliga, is ongoing. Gavin, who lives on Brookdale Road, Rivervalley, Swords, walked into Swords Garda Station with his father on 23 February 2023, where his father told officers that Gavin wanted to "hand himself in." Gavin told the garda that he had stabbed Mamaliga in the neck while sitting behind him in a car, claiming the deceased "came at" him and that he was in fear for his life because he owed €2,500 for drugs. He also said he had thrown the knife away after the incident. Garda David Durnin, who was on duty that day, gave evidence that Gavin had told him he was in panic after the stabbing. Detective Garda Conor Tumbleton reported that when Gavin was cautioned, he repeated that he had defended himself. Brandon Gavin pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Daljeet Singh, a 52‑year‑old British delivery driver from Oldbury, West Midlands, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis herb for sale or supply at Dublin Port on 3 April 2021. Customs officers stopped his van after a routine search following a ferry from Holyhead. They found 50 brown cardboard boxes containing 55 kg of cannabis, valued at roughly €1 million, hidden in the back of the van. Singh had claimed he was transporting food and bottled water to Cork and had not inspected the van. During a series of seven Garda interviews, he eventually admitted knowing he was carrying cannabis, though he insisted he believed it was only one bag. He said he was to be paid £1,000 sterling to clear an overdraft and that he had been pressured by third parties. Singh has no prior convictions and lives with his elderly parents in the UK.
In a High Court civil damages trial, Ms Nikita Hand testified that on the early hours of 9 December 2018 she was at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin with Conor McGregor and James Lawrence. She alleged that McGregor pinned her to a bed, choked her, and then raped her, describing the assault as lasting a long time and leaving her physically bruised and emotionally devastated. Hand said she had been drinking and had taken cocaine that night, and that she had tried to fight back but was unable to move. She reported that McGregor had told her he had felt the same way in the Octagon, which she found odd. After the incident, Hand made a statement to Gardaí in January 2019, but the Director of Public Prosecutions decided not to prosecute McGregor or Lawrence, citing no reasonable prospect of conviction. The case is before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury of eight women and four men.
At the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, a murder trial heard that Dean Caffrey (38) made enquiries about renting a storage unit shortly after the death of Sean McCarthy (28). Mr Caffrey, of Beaucort, Achill Road, Drumcondra, denies murdering Mr McCarthy, whose body was discovered in a wardrobe at the accused's apartment four days after he went missing in August 2022. Prosecution counsel Kathleen Noctor SC told the court that the accused had told gardaí the deceased arrived armed and threatened him over a suspected heroin theft, and that a struggle ensued during which he discharged a firearm fatally. Emma Flynn, an employee of a Dublin storage company, testified that on 3 August 2022, a man identifying himself as Dean Caffrey submitted an online request for a storage unit at the Charlestown depot. Ms Flynn confirmed she subsequently spoke with the customer by telephone. The trial, before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury, continues. Dean Caffrey pleaded not guilty.
The Court of Appeal has upheld the 14-year jail term and lifetime driving ban imposed on Michael Collins (50), of St Finian's Park, Drogheda, Co Louth, who was convicted of dangerous driving causing the death of Jillian Thornton on May 27, 2016, at Waterside Great, Duleek, Co Meath. The conviction followed a trial lasting almost two weeks at Trim Circuit Court in July 2019. Collins was also convicted on two charges of endangerment, 12 charges of dangerous driving, and of driving under the influence of cannabis on the same date. At the Court of Appeal on October 11 this year, defence counsel Michael Lynn argued that the overall sentence of 15 years with one year suspended was 'clearly disproportionate' and that the 14-year term was 'almost double' that imposed in other more severe cases, contrary to the totality principle of sentencing. He also challenged the imposition of a three-year sentence for one endangerment charge and a five-year sentence for the other, while making the 10-year sentence consecutive to the longer sentence of five years. Additionally, he argued that the judge had made an error in imposing a life-long driving disqualification on Collins. The appeal was dismissed, with the court finding that no double counting or error in principle had taken place in the sentencing. The court also dismissed Collins' appeal against his driving ban, stating that he still posed a risk to members of the public and should not be allowed to return to the road. The matter was adjourned and never described as concluded or finalised.
Innocent Aigbekaen, 31, of Dundalk, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two money‑laundering counts involving €75,816 and €60,989 between April 2016 and October 2017. Garda detective Jennifer Connolly described a scheme that ran for 18 months and laundered about €331,000. Judge Pauline Codd said Aigbekaen was a "mule herder" who recruited people, including his wife and co‑workers, to use their bank accounts for the illicit proceeds. He was sentenced to four years in prison, with the final three years suspended for three years on strict conditions. The sentence was reduced from an initial headline of five years because of his guilty plea and long employment history. Aigbekaen's defence noted he had not been involved in any other offences since the offence, apart from a cannabis case that was struck out. The court accepted that he had taken responsibility for his role in the scheme.
In the Central Criminal Court, 22‑year‑old Brandon Gavin pleaded not guilty to the murder of 19‑year‑old Marius Mamaliga, who was stabbed in the neck on 23 February 2023. The prosecution argued that Gavin entered the back seat of a car behind Mamaliga and, without warning, stabbed him with a knife, claiming the act was an attempt to kill or seriously injure the victim. Gavin's father, Eddie, testified that his son had called him in distress, saying "Dad, I f**ked up," and that Gavin had been shaking and hysterical. He also said that Gavin wanted to hand himself in and that the son had no intention of hiding. The court heard that Gavin's mother, Jacqueline, had known of his long‑standing mental health problems and that he had used marijuana and cocaine. The trial is proceeding before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury.
During the murder trial of Brandon Gavin, an eyewitness described a brief, seconds‑long episode in which Gavin, described as "calm and collected," entered the back seat of a black Audi, slowly drew a knife and stabbed Marius Mamaliga on the left side of his neck before fleeing. The witness, David Octavian, testified that he saw Mamaliga's hand on his throat, that he called an ambulance, and that Mamaliga was unconscious for about ten minutes. Octavian also confirmed that Gavin and Mamaliga had previously met over drug matters, with Gavin owing Mamaliga €2,000 for cocaine. The prosecution argued that Gavin intended to kill or seriously injure Mamaliga, while Gavin claimed self‑defence, stating that Mamaliga had attacked him. The trial is ongoing before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury. Brandon Gavin pleaded not guilty.
Katie Farrell, 27, of The Orchard, Ardee, Co Louth, was arrested at Dublin Airport on 16 January 2024 after a search of her luggage revealed 14.9 kg of cannabis with a street value of €299,626. She had travelled alone from Alicante, Spain, and was stopped when her luggage was screened. Farrell made no admissions during her interview and was described by the Garda detective as a courier acting under the instruction of a third party. She has no prior convictions but has a history of drug addiction and low self‑esteem. In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Elva Duffy noted her cooperation, voluntary surrender, and personal circumstances, describing her as a vulnerable person who was manipulated. The judge imposed a four‑year prison term, suspended the final twelve months for two years, and ordered twelve months of probation upon release. The sentence was back‑dated to the day she entered custody.
A 43-year-old Dublin man has pleaded guilty to possessing approximately €3.9 million worth of cannabis for sale or supply at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Justin McCormack, originally from Boyle, Co Roscommon, was arrested on October 11th last year after gardaí stopped a white transit van and discovered a large quantity of drugs wrapped in plastic bags. A further 1,174 kg of cannabis was subsequently recovered from a business unit on Esmond Avenue in Fairview. Defence counsel described McCormack, a cabinet maker of over twenty years, as an "ordinary, hard-working man" who transported the drugs due to financial desperation and impaired judgement arising from substance misuse. The court heard McCormack had accumulated significant legitimate business and personal debts at the time of his arrest. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the case until November 14th to allow time for consideration of extensive documentation, including psychological and prison governor reports. McCormack has remained in custody since his arrest.
Carl Armstrong, who had been serving a suspended portion of a 10‑year sentence for a similar offence, was caught in December 2022 with €400,000 worth of cocaine and heroin at an apartment in Dublin. He was charged with possession of cocaine and diamorphine for sale or supply. Armstrong had been released from the custodial part of his earlier 10‑year sentence 18 months before the offence, and the judge reactivated the suspended portion. The court found that he had carried out the offence for financial gain, citing pressure from his family. He pleaded guilty, showed remorse and had undertaken rehabilitation. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a 13‑year sentence, suspended the final three years, and set conditions for the suspended period. The sentence was back‑dated to the day of the search, with the suspended portion running concurrently with the custodial term.
At the Central Criminal Court, the jury heard that the family of Dean Caffrey became fearful when three men visited their parents' home in Achill, County Mayo, seeking information about the accused. Alan Caffrey, the defendant's brother, testified that he received a concerning phone call four days after drug dealer Sean McCarthy was last seen, with the caller asking if his brother had "answers to questions" and making reference to "dead bodies". Alarmed for his family's safety, Alan Caffrey resolved to locate his brother and bring him to gardaí. Dean Caffrey subsequently attended Ashbourne Garda Station in County Meath, where he informed officers that Mr McCarthy's body could be found in a wardrobe in his apartment. Mr Caffrey has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Sean McCarthy between 2 and 7 August 2022. The prosecution contends he discharged a firearm with intent to kill or cause serious injury. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
A 22‑year‑old man, Brandon Gavin, is on trial for the murder of 19‑year‑old Marius Mamaliga, who died from a neck stab on 26 February 2023. The jury heard that the incident lasted about 14 seconds, during which Gavin entered the rear passenger seat of Mamaliga's black Audi, reached forward and stabbed him once in the neck. Gavin allegedly dropped his mobile phone and two HSE appointment cards in the rear footwell, which were recovered by gardaí. He claimed he stabbed Mamaliga in self‑defence, fearing for his life because he owed €2,500 for drugs. Gardaí also recovered a knife with Gavin's DNA on the handle and the victim's blood on the blade. Gavin has pleaded not guilty. The trial is before Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury.
Mark O'Neill, 51, pleaded guilty to possessing a loaded Smith and Wesson revolver and ammunition on 7 September 2022. He had ten prior traffic convictions. Judge Orla Crowe, after noting his remorse and that the incident was out‑of‑character, set a headline sentence of seven years but reduced it to four and a half years, suspending the final six months. O'Neill had pointed the gun at a relative during a family dispute, issuing threats and claiming the man owed him money. Gardaí recovered the revolver and six rounds of ammunition from his home, and DNA matched O'Neill. He had a history of drug addiction and intoxication, but his defence argued the event was isolated and he had since ceased drug use. The judge acknowledged his good behaviour and health issues but upheld the sentence.
David McCullagh, a former IT manager at Ballyseedy Restaurant Ltd, claims he was dismissed on 13 January after the company's CEO, Nathan McDonnell, was arrested for a multi‑million euro drug seizure. McCullagh says he was paid €50,000 for a three‑day week while studying, and that his hours and pay were cut unilaterally in August 2023 without explanation. He alleges the company failed to update contracts, denied him annual leave, and cut his email access in October 2023. McCullagh filed a grievance and was told he was being made redundant, with a severance package based only on statutory entitlements. He estimates he is owed over €21,000 in unpaid wages and leave, plus a statutory redundancy payment of about €3,000. The Workplace Relations Commission will decide on his claims by the end of the week, while the Revenue Commissioners plan to wind up the company next Monday. Nathan McDonnell pleaded guilty.
Nebojsa Rasic, 26, was jailed for four years after a high‑speed chase in Dublin that saw him drag a garda, strike another officer, and drive through an accident scene, endangering firefighters, civilians and cyclists. Rasic, who had no licence or insurance, was caught after a pursuit that involved throwing cannabis packages and resisting arrest. He pleaded guilty to three endangerment charges, possession of cannabis for sale, three dangerous driving offences and driving without licence or insurance. The judge, citing Rasic's mental health issues, imposed the sentence and an eight‑year driving disqualification. Rasic's defence highlighted his epilepsy, recent suicide attempt and remorse, urging the court to consider a chance for rehabilitation. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Diarmuid O'Brien, 18, pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to three charges: possession of a side‑by‑side double‑barrel shotgun, possession of cannabis for the purpose of unlawful sale, and possession of 630 g of phenacetin linked to drug trafficking. The offences occurred on 7 May 2024 at Tolka Valley Park, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, was instructed by Fiona Murphy SC to arraign O'Brien on these three counts and to seek a trial date for the remaining 12 charges, which include possession of various controlled drugs for sale, possession of 15 rounds of 9 × 18 mm Makarov ammunition and ten 12‑Gauge ELEY Olympic shotgun cartridges, and further possession of cannabis, diamorphine, cocaine and ketamine for sale. O'Brien was remanded in custody pending the later trial. The case is set to proceed in the Special Criminal Court.
Emmett Henry, 35, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of a submachine gun and silencer, and possession of various drugs for sale or supply, both occurring at an apartment block in Finglas in November 2022. The court heard that gardaí discovered a cannabis growing facility in Henry's flat, including 1,500 cannabis jellies, while a separate search of a locked storage area revealed a silenced submachine gun, ammunition, and significant quantities of cannabis and cocaine. Judge Orla Crowe noted that while the offences carried presumptive minimum mandatory sentences of ten years for drugs and five years for firearms, she departed from these minimums due to exceptional circumstances. She acknowledged Henry's role as a trusted operative in a sophisticated operation but considered mitigating factors, including his guilty pleas, difficult childhood, and rehabilitation efforts for his drug addiction. Judge Crowe imposed consecutive sentences totalling seven and a half years. She suspended the final six months of the sentence under Probation supervision to incentivise Henry's continued rehabilitation. The matter was finalised with this sentencing.
Soufiane Mountassir, 39, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for false imprisonment and assault causing harm after he forced his former partner into the boot of her own car and beat her for one hour and 40 minutes. The victim, who was his partner at the time, was subjected to repeated blows, was forced to drive to dark locations, and suffered injuries including blood on the steering wheel and gearstick. Mountassir, who was drinking, taking Dalmane, cocaine and smoking cannabis, claimed to be Moroccan and gave vague answers to Gardaí. He was also wanted in Germany for arson, for which a separate sentence of three years and one month had been imposed. The State argued the sentence was too lenient, citing the severity of the assault, the abduction, and the aggravating factors, while Mountassir's counsel maintained the judge had imposed an appropriate sentence. The Court of Appeal will reserve judgment. Soufiane Mountassir pleaded guilty.
James Kilroy, 51, from Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo, has been granted legal aid to appeal his murder conviction. He was unanimously convicted at the Central Criminal Court of murdering his wife in June 2019, following his third trial after two previous proceedings collapsed. The jury rejected Kilroy's insanity defence, which centred on cannabis-induced psychosis. During the trial, psychiatric experts disagreed on whether such a condition constitutes a valid legal defence under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act. The trial judge noted the jury's verdict accorded with legislative policy, as self-induced scenarios are not recognised defences. Kilroy received a life sentence last summer. The Court of Appeal granted him legal aid for two counsel to pursue his conviction appeal, one of twelve applications heard that morning.
Aaron Gumble, 28, was sentenced by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to eight years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended, for dangerous driving causing death, leaving the scene and theft of an e‑scooter. The offence involved the hit‑and‑run killing of 87‑year‑old Mary Bernie on Eccles Street, Dublin 7, on 20 June last year. Gumble, who had been on bail for theft offences, was also disqualified from driving for ten years. He pleaded guilty and was found to have 140 previous convictions, including theft, burglary and drug offences. The judge noted his guilty plea and substance‑abuse history as mitigating factors, but highlighted the aggravating factor of leaving the scene. Gumble's sentence will run consecutively to a three‑month term he is already serving for burglary offences, and he will remain under probation supervision for 18 months after release.
The Court of Appeal found that the fully suspended sentence imposed on Mark Harris, a 29‑year‑old drug dealer, was too lenient and quashed the original four‑year‑six‑month sentence. Harris had been caught with over €500,000 worth of cocaine, cannabis and cash, and had pleaded guilty to drug supply and money‑laundering offences. The Court held that the circumstances did not justify a wholly suspended sentence and ordered a new sentence of four and a half years, with the final one and a half years suspended under the same conditions as before. The Court also quashed the suspended money‑laundering sentence, taking that charge into account in the resentencing. Harris was sent to jail today following the Court of Appeal's ruling.
A 29‑year‑old drug dealer, Dylan Clements, was sentenced to three years in prison with the final 18 months suspended after the Court of Appeal overturned a fully suspended sentence imposed by a Circuit Court judge. Clements had been found in possession of cocaine and cannabis worth over €28,000, including a large block of cocaine valued at €26,575 and cannabis worth €2,220. He pleaded guilty to one count of possession of drugs for sale or supply under Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act and was originally sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan. The Court of Appeal, citing the legislation's presumptive minimum sentence of ten years for such offences, ruled that the original sentence was unduly lenient and that no special circumstances justified a fully suspended term. The appeal court ordered a probation report and quashed the original sentence, leading to the resentencing.
Geovane Ferrnandes, a 31‑year‑old Brazilian, was jailed for three and a half years after being caught at Dublin Airport with 6.7 kg of cocaine, worth €489,790. He pleaded guilty to possessing the drug for sale or supply at Terminal One on 18 March. Ferrnandes claimed he was motivated by the need to fund expensive medical treatment for his daughter, who suffers severe asthma and requires frequent hospital stays. He said he had no knowledge of the contents of the parcel he carried and had not received any payment for the smuggling. The court noted he was caught "red‑handed" and had no prior convictions in Ireland. Judge Orla Crowe set a headline sentence of six years but imposed a term of three and a half years, back‑dated to his March arrest. Ferrnandes has expressed remorse and intends not to return to Ireland after serving his sentence.
Graham McGuinness, aged 32, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to causing serious harm for a violent attack on Martin Reilly on 11 June 2020. McGuinness, who has 53 prior convictions, repeatedly slashed Reilly's neck, arms, torso and face with a homemade blade wrapped in tissue, shouting "I'm going to kill you" during the assault. The attack began near Busáras and continued toward Store Street Garda Station, where Reilly attempted to seek help. The court noted the severity of the injuries, including a gash exposing Reilly's jawbone, and the public nature of the violence. Mitigating factors included McGuinness's guilty plea, remorse and difficult upbringing, while aggravating factors were the viciousness, duration and weapon used. The suspended portion requires McGuinness to pay a €100 bond, remain at a listed address, provide a phone number, address drug addiction and attend all probation appointments.
Garry Gibson, 39, of Tallaght, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply after setting up a sophisticated two‑level grow‑house in his home. The court heard that Gibson had no prior convictions and that he had been under financial pressure from rising mortgage payments. He admitted to modifying the property to create the grow‑house, bypassing electricity, and that he had already completed two or three cultivation cycles. During the search, 50 mature plants and 1.4 kg of cannabis were seized, valued at over €68,000. Gibson accepted responsibility, stating he was working but had been injured and could not work for a time. Judge Elva Duffy imposed a headline sentence of seven and a half years, reduced to five years, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. The court noted Gibson had not been a "gillie" but had engaged in the offence for profit.
John English, 47, of Dublin 2, was sentenced to 18 months in prison, with the final three months suspended for six months, after pleading guilty to brandishing a small knife at a shop worker on South Circular Road. The incident followed English's theft of a Pot Noodle earlier that day, when he was denied service. CCTV footage showed him shouting abuse at the male shop worker while holding the knife, and a female security guard was also engaged. English has about 130 convictions, including a rape conviction from 2004, and most of his offences since 2014 are public order crimes. He is homeless, an alcoholic, and has struggled with drug use. The judge noted his guilty plea, personal circumstances and addiction issues as mitigating factors, but imposed a headline sentence of two years to deter similar conduct. The suspended portion is subject to strict conditions, including supervision by Probation Services.
Gavin Minto, 29, pleaded guilty to possession of three controlled drugs for sale or supply at Kingswood Cross, Clondalkin on 16 July 2020. Gardaí searched a residential property on a warrant and found 151,110 MDMA tablets, 33.6 kilos of cannabis and 668.6 grams of Eutylone, plus a tablet press, weighing scales and a powder, with a combined value of €2.21 million. The court described the garage as a drugs distribution centre and imposed an eight‑and‑a‑half‑year jail term. Minto, who was homeless, in debt and had a difficult background, appealed, arguing the sentence was excessive and that a portion should have been suspended. The Court of Appeal heard arguments from counsel for Minto and the State, noting the judge had considered mitigating factors such as Minto's early plea, cooperation, rehabilitation steps and his cognitive difficulties, but also his nine previous convictions, including three drug offences.
Robert Hanratty, 48, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of 15,680 zopiclone tablets, valued at €32,200, found in his home and a location in Ballymun. He claimed he held the drugs to deter attacks by "juvenile delinquents" who had targeted his residence, and that he would receive a small payment. Hanratty has four prior minor convictions unrelated to drugs and does not use drugs, though he struggles with alcohol. Defence counsel Padraig Dwyer presented a psychological report detailing Hanratty's mental health issues, low mood, and heavy alcohol consumption, describing him as a "hapless" and "sad" man. The judge, Orla Crowe, deemed the case unusual and adjourned sentencing to 8 November to consider the circumstances.
The Special Criminal Court heard that the State is paying €100,000 a week to maintain the MV Matthew, the cargo ship seized by Army Rangers in September 2023. The ship was boarded in a dramatic operation that resulted in the seizure of 2.2 tonnes of cocaine, valued at about €157 million. The State will apply next month for a declaration that the preservation of the MV Matthew is no longer required. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions explained that the ship has been preserved to protect the fair‑trial rights of eight men accused of offences related to the drug seizure. Each legal team has been told they can visit and inspect the ship, and Revenue agents will continue to make it available for the next four weeks. The State does not wish to incur the €100,000 per‑week maintenance cost beyond that.
The court heard that CCTV footage captured a man, Sean O'Neill, 22, lying injured on the ground in Dublin City Centre after an assault. The footage showed several people standing over him and stealing his belongings, including a watch valued at €9,000. O'Neill had previously pleaded guilty to violent disorder on 4 October 2023 and robbery on 19 September 2023. He was arrested the following day after a warrant was issued. During interrogation he claimed he could not remember the incident and said he was "strung out," but he identified himself on the footage. The court noted his 39 prior convictions, including drug offences, and his history of homelessness. The judge, Martin Nolan, accepted his guilty plea and admissions, and imposed a four‑year prison sentence, back‑dated to the time he entered custody, with the final year suspended for one year. The victim and the injured man declined to give victim impact statements.