Jonathan Cummins, 37, of Tubberclaire Meadows, Navan, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to producing two knives during a November 2021 attack on a new mother who had just returned from the hospital with her premature baby. The incident occurred at a West Dublin location where Cummins, dressed in black and wearing gloves, stood in the garden and pulled the knives from his trousers as the victim was being assaulted by Miranda McCabe, who also received a two‑year sentence with 15 months suspended. Cummins, who had 156 prior convictions including 16 for knife possession, was found with a cannabis joint and two kitchen knives in his car. He was already serving a 15‑month sentence for a separate offence and was released in January.
Brian Wildman, 41, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing €293,313 in cocaine and cannabis for sale and €19,130 in cash proceeds, after gardaí raided his Clonsilla home on 1 August 2020. He was caught attempting to flush a bag of cocaine down the toilet; authorities seized drugs worth €158,047 and cannabis resin worth €135,266. Wildman's co‑accused, Keith Banks, 45, had been jailed for five years in June 2022 for the same offences. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Wildman to three years' imprisonment, a lesser term than Banks, after hearing extensive evidence of Wildman's medical difficulties. He has neurosarcoidosis, chronic seizures, and requires chemotherapy and immunosuppressants; medical reports described him as "fragile" and not medically fit for prison. The court ordered all medical reports to be forwarded to the prison service and urged Wildman to inform prison authorities of his condition.
Stephen Leech, 40, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing over €680,000 worth of cannabis for sale or supply at Kincade, Sutton, on 5 May 2023. He also admitted to possessing €3,500 in cash as proceeds of crime. Gardaí and customs officers intercepted a consignment of almonds from Bilbao that contained more than 31 kg of cannabis, valued at €682,400, along with over €4,000 worth of heroin, small amounts of cocaine and 30 alprazolam tablets. Leech was caught attempting to flee the premises and was found with 50 deals of heroin on his person. The court noted his early plea, cooperation, work history and family background as mitigating factors, and highlighted his past drug addiction and current clean status. Judge Martin Nolan described Leech as a "holder, receiver and transporter" but said his culpability was low, as he was imposed upon by third parties.
Laura Rice, daughter of Alan Rice, who died after being struck by a car in Skerries, Co Dublin, has called on drivers to be more cautious on the roads, stating that 'accidents don't happen, they are caused'. Alan Rice died on April 13, 2021, after Terry Gaff (56) veered onto the wrong side of the road while navigating a bend on the R127. Gaff pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death and was handed a six-month suspended sentence, along with a €1,000 fine. Judge Martin Nolan noted that Gaff had no previous convictions and that there were no aggravating factors, such as speeding, alcohol, or drug use. The judge acknowledged the devastating impact of the collision on Mr Rice's family and expressed condolences. Victim impact statements from Mr Rice's family highlighted the profound loss they have experienced, describing Alan Rice as a loving, supportive, and adventurous father, husband, and friend.
Lisa Lee, 41, who had previously discarded a knife used in the killing of Isaac Horgan, was in custody for breaching the terms of her suspended sentence. She had been sentenced to four years, with the final two suspended on the condition of good behaviour and engagement with probation services. After spending ten days in custody, Lee's barrister, Ronan Munro SC, informed Judge Tony Hunt that she had changed her mind about the judge's offer to enter a drug treatment programme. Lee now agreed to attend rapid detox and residential care for her addiction issues, accepting the court's conditions. The judge acknowledged her limited engagement with probation services and noted that the suspended portion of her sentence had been activated by new charges. He emphasised that compliance with the treatment terms was essential and that failure to do so would result in a return to prison. Lisa Lee was convicted.
Brandon Highfield, a 23‑year‑old British man from Wolverhampton, was sentenced by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four and a half years in prison for importing almost 27 kilos of cannabis valued at €538,760. He was caught at Dublin Airport when sniffer dogs detected drugs in his luggage while he was in transit from New York to Manchester. Highfield pleaded guilty to possession for sale or supply on 11 November 2023. The judge accepted that he had been transporting the drugs for third parties and that some level of coercion had been applied, describing him as slightly vulnerable with no prior convictions and unlikely to reoffend. The sentence was back‑dated to the November arrest. Highfield is a foreign national who will receive little or no visits while in custody.
Keith Tiswell, 39, of Woodavens, Clondalkin, was sentenced to eight years in prison for possessing €3.3 million worth of cannabis. On 8 September last year, he was caught transporting the drugs at an industrial estate in Dublin 12. Gardaí had been surveilling two vans; after intercepting one, Tiswell handed over the keys to the other, which was searched and found with 168 kg of vacuum‑packed cannabis. He admitted to the offence, citing debts from a long‑standing drug and gambling addiction and claiming he was under pressure to keep the drugs. He had 75 prior convictions, including drug possession. The judge acknowledged the coercion but imposed the sentence, back‑dating it for time already served. The case was heard by Judge Martin Nolan, with prosecution by David Staunton BL and defence by Anne‑Marie Lawlor SC.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Robert Fennell, then 50, was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment for raping a 16‑year‑old girl who had approached him for advice. The victim had been led to Fennell by a person she believed to be a 17‑year‑old boy, who provided Fennell's contact details. Fennell, who lives in Woodview Cottages, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, gave the girl alcohol and raped her at his home on 11 June 2018. He pleaded guilty, a plea entered late in the process. The judge noted the victim's vulnerability and the breach of trust. The sentence was reduced from 12 to 11 years, with the final year suspended for two years on strict conditions, including offence‑focused work, addiction treatment, drug monitoring and no unsupervised access to children. Fennell was also ordered to undergo assessment for offence‑focused work, addiction treatment and drug monitoring.
Emma Burgess, 38, of Parkview, Rathborne, Dublin 15, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment after pleading guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing €280,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply at her home on 5 May 2023. Garda Shane Cunningham reported that Burgess admitted to gardaí that she had been supplying a small amount of cocaine, had run up a drug debt of about €15,000, and had agreed to keep the drugs at her home to repay part of that debt. A warrant secured a search of her home, where four kilograms of cocaine were found on top of a wardrobe in a bedroom. Burgess admitted responsibility for the drugs but could not identify the person who had given them to her. She said she had arranged to pick them up from the carpark at Crumlin's Children's Hospital, met an unknown person there, and was handed a heavy black bin.
Adrian Stralynski, 22, pleaded guilty to laundering €13,100 in a smishing scam that cost a victim €16,000. He has 13 prior convictions for drug possession, assault, public order and road traffic offences. The court heard that the victim, Aidan Hall, received a fraudulent text claiming a Bank of Ireland login and was tricked into entering a verification code, after which €13,100 was transferred through accounts linked to Stralynski. Stralynski admitted he was high and was persuaded by a friend to facilitate the fraud, but denied sending the text. Judge Orla Crowe noted his early guilty plea, lack of recent Garda attention, and remorse, and sentenced him to 18 months in prison suspended in full for two years. The co‑accused has taken a trial date. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Sinead Byrne, 46, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply and to knowingly permitting her home to be used for the sale, supply or distribution of a controlled drug, as well as possession of cocaine, all on 19 December 2021. A Garda search found 1.5 kg of cannabis in an ensuite, 10 kg in the attic, a metal safe with €248 of cocaine, a digital scale and €1,200 cash. Byrne was not present during the search; she later contacted Gardaí, was arrested by appointment, and admitted knowledge of the cannabis in the ensuite but denied knowledge of the attic stash. She claimed the money was to pay rent and was under pressure from a drug debt. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a three‑year prison sentence, fully suspended on strict conditions, including 18 months of probation supervision.
Sandra Kavanagh, 48, avoided jail after colliding with motorcyclist Nebojsa Sarcevic, 29, on the M50 in November 2019, which caused his death. She had previously been convicted of road traffic offences. The trial judge initially imposed a one‑year driving disqualification, but the defence and prosecution mistakenly informed the judge that a mandatory four‑year ban applied. The Court of Appeal quashed the four‑year ban and replaced it with a two‑year ban, while an eight‑month fully suspended sentence remained on her record. Kavanagh pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death, was not speeding, had no drugs or alcohol, and was not using her mobile phone. The judge noted her remorse and the tragic nature of the incident. The case was heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in July 2022.
Ayasha Littlejohn, 22, was jailed for three and a half years after transporting 22.6 kg of cannabis worth €453,640 from New York to Dublin, destined for the UK. She was stopped at Dublin Airport in October 2023 when customs officers noticed her luggage. Littlejohn pleaded guilty to possessing drugs for sale or supply. Judge Martin Nolan described her as naive and said she had been pressured by third parties. She had no prior convictions and was pregnant, expected to give birth in June at the Dóchas Centre. Littlejohn cooperated with Gardaí, claimed she was manipulated by a man she met in London, and expressed remorse, hoping to become a good mother. The sentence was back‑dated to her October 26, 2023 arrest.
In April 2024, the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that James Foley, aged 53, had carried out two robberies in Dublin City Centre in April 2023. The first robbery occurred on 15 April at Eurogiant on Abbey Street, where Foley, wearing a facemask, threatened a cashier with a knife and stole €250. The second robbery took place on 20 April at Blackhall Pharmacy on Ellis Quay, where Foley again threatened staff with a knife and stole €200. Gardaí used CCTV footage from both businesses and surrounding areas to track Foley's movements until he removed his facemask, allowing them to identify him. Foley was arrested from a hostel, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery, and was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment by Judge Martin Nolan. The court noted Foley's long history of drug addiction and his participation in a residential treatment programme, but deemed the offences too serious to avoid custodial time.
Dean Smith, 30, of Killinarden Heights, Tallaght, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison after pleading guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of 19 kg of cannabis herb, worth €359,000, found in his home on 11 November 2021. The drugs were discovered under his child's bed and in a drawer in the same room during a Garda search. Smith confirmed he had placed the drugs there and that his son slept in the room. He had a prior conviction for a separate drug offence. Smith cooperated fully with the investigation and had no evidence of benefiting from drug sales. His defence argued that his drug debt stemmed from cocaine addiction and that he had no control over the quantity supplied. Judge Martin Nolan accepted the mitigating factors, including Smith's cooperation, early guilty plea, family responsibilities and rehabilitation efforts, and imposed the sentence.
Lisa Lee, 41, was convicted in 2022 of discarding a knife used by Noel Lennon to stab Isaac Horgan, who died from a leg wound. Lee, who has no fixed abode and a history of 17 convictions, was sentenced by Mr Justice Tony Hunt to four years in prison, with the final two years suspended on the condition of good behaviour and engagement with probation services. After her release in December, she was charged with offences under the Public Order Act and Misuse of Drugs Act, including possession of stolen mobile phones. Mr Justice Hunt offered her a choice: enter a detox programme followed by intensive residential care or return to prison. Lee declined the treatment programme, citing panic at the prospect of residential care, and opted to have the suspended portion of her sentence reactivated. She was remanded in custody and will appear again on April 19.
Patrick Joyce, 43, of Rossfield, Tallaght, was sentenced by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three and a half years' imprisonment, with the final six months suspended, after pleading guilty to two counts of endangerment and two counts of dangerous driving. The offence involved a 35‑minute high‑speed pursuit around Dublin, during which Joyce's gold Skoda Octavia ran red lights, crossed roundabouts, and drove through residential estates on the M50. He was disqualified from driving at the time and was arrested at the scene; CCTV footage from Garda Air Support was shown to the court. The court heard that Joyce's breath smelled of intoxicants and that he had drug and alcohol addictions. The judge noted his guilty plea, remorse, addiction issues, and a tragic family loss as mitigating factors, while citing the seriousness of the offence and his disqualification as aggravating factors.
In March 2024 the Court of Appeal found that the two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence given to John Lindsay, a 48‑year‑old "trusted operative" involved in a €1.2 million heroin exchange, was too lenient. Lindsay had pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale and supply in March 2023, and at sentencing he was said to have been acting in a warehousing and delivery capacity to reduce a €20 000 drug debt. Gardaí had tracked his movements, and dash‑cam footage showed him handing a co‑accused a bag that later contained €831 000 of heroin, with an additional €420 000 seized at his home. The State appealed on the grounds of undue leniency. The Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence, increased the headline sentence to 10 years, and, after a four‑year deduction for mitigating factors, suspended the final two years, citing Lindsay's family commitments, charitable work, and rehabilitation progress in prison.
Dominik Golebiowski, a 30‑year‑old Polish chef from Krakow, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis for sale after a detector dog found the drugs at a logistics warehouse in Co Dublin. The drugs were concealed in insulation pallets, cut into ten sheets, and were discovered when customs officers searched a warehouse at Dachser Ireland. Golebiowski travelled to the warehouse to collect the pallets, signed for the consignment with a false Polish ID, and attempted to transport the goods in a rented white Tuscon hatchback. He managed to fit four insulation sheets into the car, but Gardaí intercepted him at Dublin Port, where they seized two iPhones and 14 packages of cannabis worth about €200,000. The remaining €300,000 of drugs were found in the warehouse, bringing the total seized to over 25 kg valued at €505,340.
James Maloney, 44, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and attempted theft at an 80‑year‑old woman's home in Santry on 1 February 2023. He has 38 prior convictions. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, presided by Judge Elma Sheahan, found the private dwelling and victim's age aggravating, but noted Maloney's guilty plea, duress to pay a drug debt, remorse and apology as mitigating. He was sentenced to four years for the attempted burglary and two years and four months for the assault, both to run concurrently. The judge suspended the final six months of the sentence for six months. Maloney had been homeless and a drug user at the time, had admitted the offence, expressed remorse, and was engaged in a methadone programme. The victim suffered head, arm and hand injuries and had to wait over 12 hours in A&E. The court heard a victim impact statement and a letter of apology from Maloney.
Brendan Colley, a 55-year-old defendant from Drimnagh, Dublin 12, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to a charge of possession of the proceeds of crime. Gardaí discovered €102,720 in cash hidden in socks and gloves beneath the stairwell of his home during a search on March 9, 2023. Colley admitted to holding the money to reduce a drugs debt, stating he was forced to store it and intended to hand it over to the owner. He has ten previous convictions, including offences for drugs, robbery, and possession of knives. Defence counsel John Berry BL highlighted Colley's vulnerabilities, including a recent tumour diagnosis and ongoing addiction issues, and requested a suspended sentence. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged Colley's mitigating circumstances and low risk of re-offending but noted that laundering such a significant sum is a serious matter. The Judge stated that a more robust offender might have received three to four years. Consequently, Judge Nolan imposed a two-year prison sentence, ruling that an offender cannot launder that amount of money without suffering for it. The matter was finalised with this custodial sentence.
A 40‑year‑old man was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for sexually assaulting his partner's friend while she slept on a bunk bed, with two children sleeping below. The assault occurred on 7 September 2018 and was found guilty in a trial last November. The victim, who could not be named, described feeling a hand in her vagina and hearing the assailant's voice, and later texted her partner and the accused. The accused denied the allegations but admitted to being out of bed at the time. He had ten prior convictions for drug misuse and traffic offences. Judge Patricia Ryan noted the assaults happened twice, with children present, and ordered the man onto the sex offenders register. The sentence reflected the aggravating factors and the victim's impact statement.
Peter 'Peadar' Keating, a senior Kinahan cartel member jailed for 11 years in September 2021 for directing a criminal organisation to target James 'Mago' Gately, is awaiting a High Court decision on his extradition to the UK. Keating faces nine alleged offences, including perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to possess firearms, stemming from a botched plot to amass an arsenal to help Thomas 'Bomber' Kavanagh reduce his sentence. Kavanagh, who pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and was jailed for 21 years in England in March 2022, is alleged to have directed the scheme. The UK warrant alleges Keating, using the handle 'short-texture', procured weapons from the Netherlands between January and June 2020. While Keating's counsel argued he was serving a sentence in Ireland and thus outside the UK's jurisdiction, the State's counsel rejected this, stating the warrant clearly indicates the conspiracy occurred while Keating was in the UK. The court will deliver its judgment on the surrender application by April 25. Separately, Imre Arakas was jailed for six years in December 2018 after admitting to conspiring to murder Gately in Northern Ireland in 2017.
A man convicted of killing his wife in Finglas, Dublin in 2021 has been returned to the Central Mental Hospital for continued treatment. Diego Costa Silva, aged 35, was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity following his trial at the Central Criminal Court earlier this month. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge relating to the death of his wife on November 4, 2021 at their home in Charlestown Place. Evidence presented to the jury established that Mr Costa Silva was suffering from cannabis-induced psychosis at the time, causing him to believe his wife was possessed and posed a threat to him. Two forensic psychiatrists confirmed he met the criteria for a finding of insanity under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. At today's hearing, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath ordered his return to the Central Mental Hospital, where a consultant psychiatrist confirmed he continues to require in-patient treatment. His case will be reviewed again on July 29.
The High Court has heard arguments regarding the extradition of Peter 'Peadar' Keating to the UK, where he faces charges including perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to possess firearms. Keating, a senior Kinahan cartel member, was jailed for 11 years in Ireland in September 2021 after pleading guilty to directing a criminal organisation involved in the targeting of James 'Mago' Gately. The UK warrant alleges Keating conspired to source weapons from the Netherlands to assist Thomas 'Bomber' Kavanagh in reducing his sentence. Kavanagh, who pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, was jailed for 21 years in England in March 2022. Counsel for Keating argued that the alleged conspiracy occurred outside the jurisdiction of England and Wales, noting Keating was serving a sentence in Ireland during the relevant period. The court also considered arguments regarding prison conditions in the UK. The hearing before Mr Justice Patrick McGrath was adjourned and continues tomorrow. Separately, Imre Arakas was jailed for six years in December 2018 after admitting to conspiring to murder Gately in Northern Ireland. Stephen Fowler and David Duffy were also jailed for providing logistical support to the plot against Gately.
In an appeal-stage report, Judge Pauline Codd sentenced a 16-year-old boy to a three-year period of detention for violent disorder and a concurrent two-year period for assault causing harm. The boy pleaded guilty to these charges following an unprovoked attack on four English tourists in Dublin's Temple Bar in August 2023. Prosecution evidence alleged the teenager punched a victim, dragged another to the ground, and stamped on the head of a third man who was already on the ground. The court heard the defendant has 18 previous convictions, including six for assault causing harm. While imposing the sentences, Judge Codd stated that if the offender were an adult, she would have imposed six years for violent disorder and four years for assault causing harm. She directed that the boy receive credit for time already in custody on a separate matter. The judge also highlighted a legislative gap, noting that supervision orders for juveniles become unenforceable once they turn 18, leaving the court's hands "effectively tied." She urged the Oireachtas to address this issue urgently and suggested the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions take it up. Defence counsel noted the boy was in State care, diagnosed with ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and had been clean from cannabis. The matter was not adjourned; the sentences were handed down.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 27‑year‑old woman testified that she is "living in fear" after her ex‑partner, who was jailed for 18 months, slammed her to the ground, fracturing three vertebrae in her back and subjecting her to misogynistic abuse. The incident occurred on 13 November 2021 after a dispute over a third party. The man, who has 22 prior convictions, was found guilty of assault causing harm. He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, with six months suspended on strict conditions, back‑dated to September when he entered custody. The court noted the victim's ongoing pain, financial hardship, and mental health issues, and praised her for coming forward. The defendant accepted the verdict, apologized, and expressed a desire to co‑parent their child while avoiding contact with the victim. The judge highlighted the aggravating factor of the verbal abuse and the defendant's drug‑related history. The sentence was imposed on 19 March 2024.
The High Court has dismissed a judicial review application brought by Eddie Cunningham Cummins and Erica Cunningham Cummins, residents of Heron's Wood, Carrigaline, Co Cork. The applicants challenged the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal's refusal to compensate them for the 2005 shooting death of their father, Eddie Cummins Senior, in Ballincollig, Co Cork. Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty ruled that the Tribunal was correct in its decision, finding it not disproportionate or discriminatory to deny compensation to dependants where the victim died as a result of their criminality. The court noted that Mr Cummins Senior had over 20 convictions, including for drug offences, and that the killing was believed to be drug-related. Although the judge expressed sympathy for the "blameless children," she held that the State's policy of deterring crime justified the refusal. The Tribunal had previously rejected the 2011 application due to time limits and the victim's conduct, a decision upheld on appeal in 2022. The applicants sought to quash the Tribunal's decision and obtain declarations that it was irrational or breached their rights. The court found that the applicants failed to establish that the Tribunal acted outside its powers, fettered its discretion, or made an unreasonable decision. No one has been prosecuted for the murder.
Two men, Zhenmin Lin, 38, and Ervins Sermulis, 45, were convicted in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possessing and transporting €620,000 worth of cannabis. They pleaded guilty to having the drugs for sale or supply and to having cash they believed to be or being reckless about whether it was proceeds of crime. The drugs were found in a taxi and a vehicle transporter in Balrothery, Balbriggan, after a Garda surveillance operation. Lin admitted involvement due to gambling debt, while Sermulis said he had been paid to transport the drugs from the UK and had a prior cocaine problem. Both men were sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment. The judge noted their good mitigation, work history, and unlikely re‑offending, but said they had committed misjudgements because of personal needs. The sentence reflects their equal roles in the transport chain.
Shaun Kelly, 33, received a suspended three‑year prison term for selling drugs, a separate offence from the careless driving that caused the death of French tourist Alicia Guilleux. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Martin Nolan, found Kelly had been engaged in drug dealing at the time but deemed the activity not extensive. The judge imposed a three‑year sentence, suspended in full on strict conditions, warning that any re‑offence would lead to jail. The court also dealt with the careless driving charge, where Kelly's vehicle dragged Guilleux beneath a Ford Ranger as she crossed South Great George Street. The judge noted Kelly's guilty plea, lack of prior convictions and the absence of aggravating factors, and suspended the one‑year custodial term for that offence, disqualifying him from driving for one year. The decision was made after reviewing evidence, CCTV footage and witness statements, with no intoxication or excessive speed involved.
In a Dublin city street incident on 11 December 2021, a French tourist, Alicia Guilleux, 31, and her partner were crossing South Great George Street hand‑in‑hand when Shaun Kelly, 33, driving a Ford Ranger, turned right from Fade Street and collided with them. Mr Avril was pushed clear, but Ms Guilleux was dragged beneath the vehicle, sustaining catastrophic injuries that led to her death two days later. Kelly, who had no prior convictions, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death and to possession of ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine and TCP for sale. Judge Martin Nolan, after hearing evidence and CCTV, found Kelly's failure to notice the pedestrians was a human error. He imposed a one‑year custodial sentence, suspended in full, and disqualified Kelly from driving for one year. The judge would decide on the drug offence the following day. The case highlighted the tragic outcome of a momentary lapse in attention on the road.
Stuart Simpson, 43, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment after admitting possession of a controlled drug for sale or supply. He claimed he had found over €250,000 worth of drugs "under a bush", but the court found this false, noting that the drugs were supplied by someone else. A search of Simpson's home on 7 October 2022 uncovered more than 1 kg of diamorphine, 300 g of cocaine and 20 g of cannabis, with a combined value of €259,172, along with drug‑dealing paraphernalia. Simpson pleaded guilty and had 46 prior convictions, including two drug offences. The judge highlighted that Simpson had no signs of wealth and that the profits from the drugs were likely diverted elsewhere. He was described as a "wild young man" in his early 20s, with a history of early convictions, and the court considered the impact of his absence on his family when imposing the sentence.
A 27‑year‑old British woman, Yejeida Johnson, was jailed for smuggling 26 kg of cannabis worth €520,340 into Ireland. She was stopped at Dublin Airport on 2 September 2023 after customs flagged her luggage, which was found to contain the drug. Johnson had arrived from New York and was about to fly to Manchester. She admitted owning the luggage and said a friend had asked her to transport it, claiming she thought it held luxury goods. She had no fixed address in Ireland and had no prior convictions there, though she had a minor UK conviction in 2018. The court accepted her guilty pleas and mitigating circumstances, noting she was "imposed upon" to transport the drugs. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced her to four and a half years' imprisonment, back‑dated to 4 September 2023. The sentence reflects the large quantity of drugs she moved into the jurisdiction.
A man from Charlestown, County Mayo, has been found not guilty of murdering his wife by reason of insanity at the Central Criminal Court. The jury unanimously determined that Diego Costa Silva was suffering from cannabis-induced psychosis when he killed his wife, Fabiola De Campos Silva, at their home in Finglas, Dublin, on 4 November 2021. Two forensic psychiatrists gave evidence that Mr Silva's mental disorder caused him to believe his wife was possessed by a serpent and would kill him. Medical professionals had noted signs of psychosis after he was detained two days before the killing and recommended he remain as a voluntary patient, but he left hospital. Mr Silva was remanded to the Central Mental Hospital for assessment, with the case to return to court on 22 March for a psychiatric report on his current condition. The jury deliberated for two hours and 24 minutes before reaching their verdict.
A 24‑year‑old man, Mark O'Neill of Knockmore Drive, Tallaght, was found guilty of two counts of possession of drugs for sale or supply, with a combined value of €22,620, after being caught with drugs and dealing paraphernalia at his home twice in May 2022. He pleaded guilty, cooperated with investigators, and had seven prior minor traffic convictions. Judge Martin Nolan, hearing the case at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, noted O'Neill's early plea, good work history and support structure, but also his misbehaviour on both occasions. The judge imposed a global sentence of three years' imprisonment, refusing to suspend any part of it. Gardaí had obtained search warrants on 3 and 26 May 2022, finding cannabis, cocaine, heroin, weighing scales, mobile phones, and cash. O'Neill was released on bail after the first search and was arrested after the second. He had completed a drug awareness course and had a clean urine analysis from Tallaght Addiction Service.
In a Circuit Court hearing on 7 March 2024, Judge Pauline Codd sentenced 31‑year‑old Dean O'Neill to 20 months' imprisonment, with the last six months suspended, for biting two Gardaí during a routine search at Kevin Street Garda Station on 13 April 2023. O'Neill, who has 109 prior convictions, told officers he had HIV and threatened them, but the court heard he does not have the virus. He bit one officer wearing latex gloves, damaging the glove but not breaking the skin, and another officer felt a burning sensation and a tooth indentation. O'Neill pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting a peace officer and a threat of serious harm. The judge highlighted his addiction problems, history of drug use, and urged him to seek support after release. No victim impact statements were filed, and both officers later resigned for unrelated reasons. The case was the defendant's first Circuit Court appearance.
Diego Costa Silva, 35, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his wife, Fabiola Camara De Campos Silva, 33, at their home in Charlestown Place, Finglas, Dublin 11, on November 4, 2021. The Central Criminal Court heard evidence from two consultant psychiatrists who agreed that Mr Costa Silva suffered from a cannabis-induced psychotic disorder, a mental disorder under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. They testified that he believed his wife was possessed by a serpent and that he had to decapitate her to ensure the serpent was dead. Both experts stated that due to this disorder, Mr Costa Silva did not understand the nature and quality of his actions or that they were wrong. Prosecution and defence counsel both submitted that the evidence supports a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity. Mr Justice Michael MacGrath has begun charging the jury, who will consider their verdict tomorrow. The matter is at the sentencing stage following the validated procedural stage, though the final verdict is pending.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 6 March 2024, Niall Brooks, aged 26, was sentenced to three years and three months' imprisonment for his role in an unprovoked mob attack on a nightclub bouncer at Buzz nightclub, Red Cow Moran Hotel, on 9 November 2019. Brooks pleaded guilty to an amended charge of assault with intent to commit violent disorder after initially denying assault causing harm. He received a two‑year sentence for the nightclub assault and a consecutive 15‑month sentence for possessing 150 g of crack cocaine for sale or supply, found in an air vent in his kitchen. The court noted that the security guard suffered a punctured lung, three stab wounds to his back, two fractured ribs and a fractured elbow, and that the attack involved a group of six to ten men, including Brandon Brooks, who had previously been sentenced for assault in the same incident.
Diego Costa Silva, 35, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his wife, De Campos Silva, 33, at their home in Charlestown Place, Finglas, on November 4, 2021. The Central Criminal Court jury is being asked to return a special verdict under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. Detective Garda Carl Smith testified that Mr Costa Silva told gardai he heard voices and believed his wife was possessed, stating, "sometimes you have to behead somebody." He alleged he felt unsafe after confessing to infidelity and feared his wife would kill him. He described striking her with a cup, choking her, stabbing her, and cutting off her head with a knife. Det Sgt Louise McHugh stated that following interviews, Mr Costa Silva was released from detention before she arrested and charged him with murder. Garda Colin Miley testified that two days prior, he found Mr Costa Silva distressed and disorientated while running barefoot in Dublin city centre. Mr Costa Silva was detained under the Mental Health Act and taken to the Mater Hospital, where he expressed suicidal thoughts. A urine analysis was positive for cannabis. The accused has only previous convictions for minor road traffic matters. The trial continues before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath.
Shane Romel Bullock, a 29‑year‑old Canadian from Toronto, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to importing 29.8 kg of cannabis, valued at €597,048, into Ireland. He was arrested after a customs sniffer dog flagged two suspicious pieces of luggage bearing his name and flight number. Bullock initially denied ownership but later admitted the bags were his, claiming he did not know their contents but had agreed to transport them from Canada to London via Dublin, for a promised €2,000. He has been in custody since his arrest. The court accepted his admission of high risk and reckless conduct, noting his remorse. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to five years' imprisonment, back‑dated to his initial remand in July 2023.
Daunte Millar Wruck, a 21‑year‑old Canadian, pleaded guilty on 1 August 2023 to importing a controlled drug for sale or supply after customs found 29.8 kg of herbal cannabis in two suitcases at Dublin Airport, valued at €596 000. He claimed the items were artworks he intended to take to Birmingham. Wruck admitted possession but said he expected a $10 000 reward. Garda Peter Elliott and counsel Paul Murray described him as a "complete and utter patsy" who entered an early guilty plea, answered all questions, and cooperated. The investigation revealed messages from a third party arranging flights from Toronto via Ottawa to London, then to Birmingham via Dublin, and providing money for the flights. The court noted Wruck's lack of prior convictions, young age, and lack of Irish ties.
A 35‑year‑old serial offender, Dean Masterson, who had 122 prior convictions and was on bail, was sentenced to one year in prison for robbing an Italian man in St Stephen's Green on 1 May 2018. Masterson and two accomplices followed the victim, who was walking from Harcourt Street, and attacked him from behind. One of the men placed the victim in a chokehold, forced him to the ground, and seized his phone, ATM card, cigarettes, Italian ID card and €1 in cash. The incident was captured on CCTV. Masterson pleaded guilty before trial. The court noted his guilty plea, apology, and claims of drug addiction at the time of the offence, and considered mitigating factors. The judge imposed a two‑year sentence, suspended the final 12 months, and ordered 12 months of probation after release. The victim has returned to Italy and declined to give a victim impact statement.
Dan Horan, a 32‑year‑old panto performer from Wicklow, pleaded guilty in July 2023 to sexually assaulting a 26‑year‑old man at a house party in Naas in July 2020. The victim had fallen asleep after receiving cannabis from Horan. Horan was found to be rubbing the victim's penis while the victim's girlfriend discovered the assault at about 6 am, leading to the victim's distress. In February 2024 Judge Mary O'Malley Costello sentenced Horan to four‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended for two years. Horan appealed, arguing the headline sentence of six‑and‑a‑half years was too high. The Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence, re‑sentencing Horan to a headline of four‑and‑a‑half years, discounting 18 months, and suspending an additional 18 months to encourage rehabilitation.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Brian Lucey (44) was sentenced for illegally possessing a submachine gun at the M11 Shankill roundabout on March 7, 2020. Lucey, of Ashford, Co Wicklow, initially took a trial date but later pleaded guilty. Judge Martin Nolan accepted that Lucey, a 'gilly' expecting to collect cannabis, was 'completely taken by surprise' when an unknown individual threw the firearm into his car. The judge noted Lucey's low culpability and 'agony of the moment,' resulting in a four-year fully-suspended sentence. The court heard that Lucey was used by co-accused to move the weapon. In related proceedings, Robert Redmond and Jamie Gray pleaded guilty to possessing the firearm for an unlawful purpose and were jailed in July 2023. Redmond, who denied the charge of murdering Barry Wolverson in January 2020, was sentenced to life imprisonment in December 2022. His co-accused, Bernard Fogarty, was also sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Mr Wolverson. Separately, Fogarty pleaded guilty to possession of the submachine gun in 2020 and was jailed for five years by the Special Criminal Court.
During a search of a Renault van at Dublin Port, Gardaí uncovered a secret, lead‑lined compartment beneath the floor carpet containing 167,000 Xanax tablets, valued at €334,950. The van had arrived from Manchester on 4 July of the previous year. The owner, Conor Kealy, 42, of Gleann na hEorna, Springfield, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to importing controlled drugs. He was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four and a half years' imprisonment, a sentence backdated to the July offence. Kealy claimed he was unaware of the compartment's contents. He has 21 prior convictions, including two drug offences, and has a history of addiction dating back to his teens. The court noted his vulnerability and the role of drug debt in his actions. He is reportedly adapting well to prison life.
Daniel O'Connell, 42, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin for sale or supply on 8 March 2022 at his Cherry Orchard Park home. Gardaí searched the property and found a white plastic bag in an upstairs bedroom containing 113 g of diamorphine, valued at €15,904. O'Connell was not present during the search but later contacted the police, stating he was holding the drugs on behalf of a third party to reduce a €5,000 drug debt. He claimed he had been holding the heroin for two weeks, was unaware of its weight, and was threatened at the time. He said it would be the "first and clearly the last time" he would hold drugs. O'Connell has 19 prior convictions, mainly for traffic offences, and three drug offences. He has a history of addiction, has engaged in rehabilitation, and has a job offer after completing an up‑skilling programme.
Daniel Martin, aged 47, was sentenced to 13 years in prison, with the final year suspended for three years, for a series of sexual offences against a teenage girl aged 15-16 between 2019 and 2020. The offences included sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, oral rape, anal rape, vaginal rape and sexual exploitation. He also received a 12‑year sentence for a child‑trafficking offence involving a second teenage girl aged 14-15, and a 10‑year sentence for the sexual assault offences. Martin was additionally jailed for two years for causing a child to watch pornography. The judge noted the deliberate, calculated nature of the campaign, the use of drugs and threats, and the significant impact on the victim. The sentences are concurrent, and Martin was not given a post‑release supervision order due to the suspension conditions. Daniel Martin was convicted.
David Hackman, 24, was jailed for four and a half years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to purchase a firearm in suspicious circumstances between 31 March and 28 May 2019. Gardaí observed a silver Ford Focus near a Spar in Waterville, Dublin 15, where Hackman and three other occupants, including his mother, were found. A search revealed a 9mm firearm, orange latex gloves, and evidence of a €4,000 cash transaction between Hackman and his mother. Hackman's mother was charged but the case against her was dropped following his guilty plea. Hackman has prior convictions for assault and drug possession. The court noted his youth, addiction issues, and the mitigating circumstances of his background, and rejected a post‑release drug treatment condition. The sentence reflects the offence's mid‑range sentencing guidelines of seven to ten years.
James McGinn, 35, of Bray, was found guilty of possession of drugs for sale or supply after a search of his home revealed €197,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis. He pleaded guilty on 22 January 2023. The court noted his four prior convictions for minor traffic offences and his admission that he was holding the drugs to reduce an €8,000 debt. McGinn's case was marked by the tragic loss of his two children and another family member in a 2017 house fire, which his defence argued was the root of his addiction. Judge Martin Nolan, citing these exceptional circumstances, imposed a sentence of four and a half years, suspending the final three years on strict conditions. The remaining one and a half years of custodial time were to be served, with the court recognising McGinn's previous good conduct and his 11‑month period of sobriety. The sentence was delivered on 26 February 2024.
Sandra Hehir (56), sister of convicted drug dealer Christy Keane, was sentenced at the Special Criminal Court to three years and six months in prison for money laundering. The final year of the sentence was suspended for two years, conditional on good behaviour. Mr Justice Michael MacGrath found that Hehir knew the €124,055 found in her attic and funds in her bank accounts were proceeds of crime. Although she had no direct involvement in the Keane group's criminality, the judge stated she was not a passive participant in laundering. Hehir pleaded guilty in October last year to handling, acquiring, and possessing the cash, knowing it was the proceeds of criminal conduct, under Section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010. In mitigation, the court noted her early guilty plea, lack of previous convictions, and good employment record as a hairdresser. The judge acknowledged her likely difficulty adjusting to prison at age 56 and a probation report indicating low reoffending risk. The case stemmed from a 2020 anti-money laundering operation targeting the Keane Organised Crime Group. During the search of her Limerick City home, €124,055 in 13 bundles was found in the attic. The court also heard that Warren Hehir (33), Christy Keane's nephew, was sentenced in July last year to five years and three months, with the final 12 months suspended, for laundering €59,000 through house renovation works.