An action challenging Ireland's 1977 Misuse of Drugs Act, which bans all products containing any amount of THC, has been opened before the High Court. The case was brought by Andrius Rogusas, who had oils imported from Slovenia seized by customs on 21 October 2020 because they contained THC. Rogusas argues that the goods, made in another EU country and containing less than 0.2% THC, are not narcotic drugs and that the ban contravenes EU law on the free movement of goods. He cites a Court of Justice of the European Union decision that allows products with less than 0.2% THC to be sold within the EU and claims that the State has failed to conduct the scientific assessments required to justify the ban. The State, represented by the Ministers and the Attorney General, maintains that THC is a controlled drug and that the ban is lawful. The hearing before Mr Justice Alexander Owens continues.
Gerard Hughes, 25, was sentenced to one year in prison for criminal damage after smashing 21 doors at Citywest Hotel, Saggart, Dublin, in September 2018, causing over €7,000 in damage. He received an additional 18‑month consecutive sentence for possessing cannabis for sale, found at his home in March 2021. Witnesses, including security officer Conor Flynn, reported Hughes breaking hotel doors and attempting to smash a safe with a fire extinguisher. The hotel paid €7,717 for repairs, and an office was broken into with keys later found on Hughes. Hughes admitted the acts, expressed remorse, and cited the murder of his brother a year earlier as a distressing factor. He has 81 prior convictions, including drug offences, and was on bail for the criminal damage charge at the time of sentencing. The judge back‑dated the sentences to May 21, when Hughes entered custody for a separate robbery and endangerment matter. Gerard Hughes pleaded guilty.
Darragh Kelly, a 23‑year‑old student rugby player from Sutton, Dublin, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to unlawful possession for sale or supply of cannabis after being caught with two bags of the drug, valued at €9,804, on 7 April 2020. His defence counsel, Keith Spencer BL, explained that Kelly had accrued a drug debt of €4,000 by using cannabis to manage pain from a sports injury. Spencer said Kelly had been threatened and moved the drugs to avoid further harm. At the time of the offence, Kelly was a 21‑year‑old student living with his parents and had been smoking cannabis. He had played rugby at a high level before an injury ended his playing career, though he has since returned to coaching. Judge Melanie Greally noted that Kelly was not profiting from the drugs, had no prior convictions, strong family support, and a good employment history.
Wayne Cooney, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jordan Davis and possessing a 9mm semi-automatic pistol and ammunition, was sentenced by Mr Justice Tony Hunt. The judge imposed the mandatory life imprisonment term for the murder, describing Cooney as an "extremely dangerous individual" who should not be considered for release until that danger is negated. He further sentenced Cooney to 13 years each for the firearm and ammunition possession, with these terms running concurrently with the life sentence. The court heard that Cooney has 21 previous convictions. Mr Justice Hunt criticized recurring legal arguments regarding CCTV privacy as a "shocking waste of public money," urging the Court of Appeal to rule on the matter. Although the defense indicated the jury's verdict is likely to be appealed, the sentencing hearing itself was not adjourned. The judge noted that the prosecution alleged Davis owed €70,000 to a local drug dealer, and that Cooney fired eight times, striking Davis three times. The judge emphasized that Davis had a right to life, despite his alleged involvement in crime, and praised An Garda Síochána for their investigation.
Glen Guildea, 28, of Balbriggan, was jailed for two and a half years after a court hearing in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He pleaded guilty to possessing more than €87,000 worth of cannabis, cocaine and ketamine for sale or supply. The offence was discovered when Gardaí observed him handing a plastic bag of 910 g of cannabis, valued at €18,218, to a driver of a white Volkswagen Polo while he was walking with his partner and five‑month‑old son. The bag was taken to the car boot, and a bin lorry helped the police catch him. A warrant search of his home found additional cannabis, ketamine and cocaine, weighing scales and two mobile phones. Guildea claimed he had a drug debt and was coerced into moving drugs, stating he had been threatened and that he had previously done this twice. He had two earlier convictions for criminal damage dating back to 2009.
Barry Fowler, aged 37, of Millbrook Lawns, Tallaght, Dublin, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for supplying drugs after he had recently finished serving a seven‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for possession of drugs and a submachine gun. On 24 May 2021, Garda surveillance in Tallaght led to Fowler and a co‑accused being monitored. The co‑accused was seen placing an item into a car boot before driving off in a taxi; Fowler was seen taking the car keys and attempting to discard them before being arrested. Gardaí searched the vehicle and found a bag containing €134 000 worth of cannabis. Fowler pleaded guilty to possession of the drugs. He had completed a conflict‑resolution course while in prison and had received letters of support from friends, family and his employer. His sister noted his ongoing battle with cocaine addiction and mental health issues.
On 6 July 2019, Daniel Prenderville, aged 34, attacked his partner Hayley Flood in her Walkinstown flat, knocking her to the floor and repeatedly kicking her face. She lost consciousness and fled the house, fearing for her safety. Prenderville also damaged the front door, which cost about €3,700 to repair. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and criminal damage at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. His defence cited drug use that night as a root cause. Judge Martin Nolan, after considering mitigating factors such as guilty pleas and steps toward reform, imposed a headline sentence of four years, equating to a 33‑month prison term. Taking into account 20 months already served and a good‑behaviour discount, the effective custodial term was 27 months, with a six‑month sentence for the assault to run from the hearing date.
Glen Stankard, 26, was jailed for two and a half years after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply. He drove a van that contained 25 packages of cannabis weighing 24.8 kg, valued at €496,384, and €6,000 in cash. Garda Detective Peter Ronan testified that Stankard moved the drugs from one van to another during a surveillance operation, wearing the insignia of a courier company he had previously worked for. Stankard admitted he had been asked to move the drugs to reduce a debt and was aware that something illegal was being moved, but did not know the contents. The judge imposed a headline sentence of ten years, reduced to six years with the final three and a half years suspended, and directed Stankard to follow Probation Services for two years after release. The court noted his low‑level role, his rehabilitation efforts, and the high value of the drugs as aggravating factors.
John Redmond, a 38‑year‑old mixed‑martial‑arts fighter, was given an 18‑month suspended prison sentence by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assaulting a woman he had become infatuated with. The victim, who had told Redmond she only wanted a friendship, was attacked on All Ireland Day 2019 when Redmond threw a bin at her, pushed her to the ground, and caused her to hit her head against a wall. She suffered bruising, cuts and a dazed state. Redmond pleaded guilty on 15 March to assault causing harm at his Applewood Avenue home. He had prior convictions, including an unauthorised car taking in 2012, and admitted alcohol and drug use contributed to his behaviour. He offered €5,000 to the victim as a token of remorse and the judge noted no further incidents since the offence. The suspended sentence is conditional on Redmond keeping the peace, avoiding contact with the victim and paying the restitution.
William Scully, 49, of Donabate, pleaded guilty to possession of the proceeds of criminal activity after admitting he received €1,000 to allow his bank account to be used for a scheme that cost a victim €5,000. He also admitted possession of nine cannabis plants at his home. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two‑year suspended sentence for the proceeds charge, taking the cannabis charge into account, and required Scully to behave well and enter a bond to keep the peace. The court found it unlikely that Scully was the author of the scheme. The cannabis plants were ordered destroyed. No victim impact statement was made, and the court noted Scully's personal difficulties and prior convictions. The sentence was suspended on the condition of good behaviour.
Wayne Cooney, aged 31, was found guilty of murdering drug dealer Jordan Davis, 22, by shooting him three times with a 9mm pistol while Davis was pushing his four‑month‑old son in a pram. The jury, after just over three hours, concluded that Cooney had circled Davis for three days before firing eight shots, killing him instantly. Cooney was remanded in custody pending a hearing where the victim's family will speak before a life sentence is imposed. The prosecution presented CCTV footage, DNA on a glove, and mobile phone records linking Cooney to the scene and to a drug dealer named CD, who had warned Davis of impending violence. Cooney denied being the shooter and argued that the evidence had "large holes." The case remains subject to appeal. Wayne Cooney pleaded not guilty.
In a Waterford murder trial, the Central Criminal Court heard that Jack Power, 25, died from a 13‑centimetre stab wound to his chest, inflicted by Dean Kerrie, 21, when Power entered Kerrie's house in Shanakiel, Dunmore East, on 26 July 2018. Former Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that the knife entered between the third and fourth ribs, pierced the heart and two ribs, and caused a massive haemothorax, with about 3.5 litres of blood pooled in Power's chest cavity. CPR and chest drains were attempted but failed. Power's blood alcohol level was 187 mg per 100 ml, three times the driving limit, and there was evidence of recent cocaine use. Dr Curtis concluded the cause of death was the single stab wound; blunt‑force trauma to the head was not contributory. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. Dean Kerrie pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, James Flood, aged 30, was sentenced to four and a half years' imprisonment for the offence of intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct that resulted in the injury of a Garda. The incident occurred on 22 December 2014 when Flood, driving dangerously in St Patrick Street, was pursued by Garda David Hoare. Hoare was knocked to the ground and subsequently struck by Flood's vehicle, which drove over his leg and foot. Flood, who had 75 prior convictions, was arrested after absconding and gave a false name. He pleaded guilty, admitted full responsibility, and expressed remorse. The judge, considering his early guilty plea, admission, apology, drug‑induced psychosis, and adverse childhood circumstances, imposed a four‑year term with the final six months suspended on the condition of probation, good behaviour, and a ten‑year driving disqualification.
Alan Giles, 30, of Glasnevin Road, Finglas, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for robbery at DCU Glasnevin Campus on February 9, 2021. The defendant pleaded guilty to the charge. Judge Melanie Greally described the incident as involving a considerable degree of violence, noting that the victim was punched and kicked, resulting in injuries and the theft of a phone and cards. The court heard that Giles has 28 previous convictions, including for drug possession and theft. Judge Greally rejected a defence application for more time to engage with Probation Services, citing inconsistent engagement, a failure to submit urine samples since November 2021, and uncompleted community service hours. The judge handed Giles a five-year custodial sentence, suspending the final two years on the condition that he enter a bond to keep the peace for two years. The sentence was backdated to the date Giles entered custody. He is ordered to remain under Probation Services supervision for 12 months upon release. The judge stated that the violent nature of the robbery required a custodial sentence, despite mitigating factors such as remorse and addiction. Defence counsel noted that Giles had paid €1,000 in compensation and that his co-accused received a fully suspended five-year sentence.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 1 July 2022, Mr Justice Tony Hunt instructed a jury that the key question was whether Wayne Cooney, 31, was the cyclist who shot Jordan Davis, 22, on 22 May 2019. Cooney, who lives on Glenshane Drive, Tallaght, had pleaded not guilty to the murder, to possession of a 9mm semi‑automatic pistol, and to possession of ammunition in circumstances implying unlawful use. The prosecution alleged Cooney stalked Davis for three days, fired eight bullets that hit Davis three times, and that Davis owed €70,000 to a local drug dealer, the brother of Cooney's former girlfriend. Cooney denied being the cyclist, and his barrister said the case had "large holes" and did not prove beyond reasonable doubt. Mr Justice Hunt told the jury to focus on proving Cooney's identity as the shooter and to disregard other matters. The judge would resume his charge on Monday.
Stephen Costello, 46, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to the possession of drugs for sale or supply. The court heard that on November 7, 2018, gardaí searched his home on St James Road, Walkinstown, where a bag of white powder was found under a concrete slab in the back garden. Additional items, including scales and a knife with a white substance, were seized from a caravan on the property. Costello admitted to holding the drugs to pay off a drug debt. Analysis confirmed the substance was cocaine with a value of €10,899. Defending counsel highlighted Costello's early guilty plea, his compliance with bail conditions, and his engagement with Addiction Response Dublin, noting clean urine tests and negative breath tests since 2019. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged these mitigating factors, including the defendant's rehabilitation efforts. The judge determined that the appropriate sentence was three years in prison. However, this sentence was suspended in full. The suspension is conditional upon Costello being of good behaviour and keeping the peace for a period of three years.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, prosecution counsel Bernard Condon SC presented a case that Wayne Cooney, 31, is either guilty of murdering 22‑year‑old Jordan Davis or is the "most unlucky person ever." Condon cited CCTV showing a cyclist, described as athletic with darkish skin, who allegedly fired eight bullets at 4 pm, then dumped a bike and later returned with a body warmer. He linked the cyclist to a phone number ending in 166, associated with Cooney, and to a local drug dealer who had threatened Davis. Condon also referenced DNA on gloves and a bicycle found near the scene, claiming they matched Cooney's DNA and firearm residue. Defence counsel Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC argued that the prosecution's evidence contained "huge holes," questioning the reliability of CCTV identification, the DNA transfer, and the phone‑number link, and noting that other Gardaí did not identify Cooney in the footage. Wayne Cooney pleaded not guilty.
In 2018, 33‑year‑old Lawrence Mubango, of Inchicore, Dublin, stabbed two friends, Ashely Ncube and Nhlanhla Nduli, during a drug‑induced paranoid attack. Paramedics found Ncube with intestines protruding from his abdomen. Mubango claimed he feared the men would rape his partner, but the court found no basis for this. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced him to 10 years' imprisonment with 18 months suspended, citing the seriousness of the assault. Mubango appealed, arguing the judge had misidentified the headline term of 12½ years. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, rejected the appeal, affirming the original sentence and noting the reduction to eight‑and‑a‑half years was a substantial discount. Mubango's defence highlighted drug‑fuelled paranoia and spontaneity, but the court upheld the seriousness of the offence and the appropriate sentencing. The case remains at the appellate stage. Lawrence Mubango pleaded guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Court hearing, Buti Sashi, aged 26, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for a series of offences. He was found guilty of assaulting two women, one of whom he choked and threatened with a knife, and of theft involving €35,000 obtained through an invoice‑redirection fraud. The court heard that Sashi had supplied a prostitute with his bank account details, which was used to transfer the money. He pleaded guilty to the theft and the assaults. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three‑year sentence for each assault, to run concurrently, and a two‑year sentence for the theft, back‑dated for time already served and consecutive to the assault sentences. The total custodial term was five years. The case highlighted the use of a mobile phone and CCTV evidence in linking Sashi to the crimes. The court noted his drug addiction and expressed regret for his actions. The sentences were delivered in November 2021.
Anthony Bradley, aged 28, pleaded guilty to robbery at a McDonald's in Blanchardstown on 17 January 2020. He threatened the manager with a broken bottle and demanded money from the till, taking about €40. The court found the offence "drugs‑fuelled" and linked it to Bradley's addiction history. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to three and a half years, suspending the final 12 months on the condition of a bond to keep the peace. Bradley has 42 prior convictions, including assault, theft and drug offences, and has previously completed a residential treatment programme. He is a father of one and has expressed a desire to address his addiction and support his family.
Vincent O'Connor, 41, was jailed for three and a half years after Gardai seized €254,000 worth of prescription painkillers, €14,500 of illegal drugs and €16,000 in cash from his Ballymun home on 30 October 2020. The drugs were found in a drawer, a jacket and a safe. O'Connor pleaded guilty to possession for sale or supply of cocaine and unlawful possession of prescription tablets. He admitted that he had a drug habit and had been approached to hold the drugs, claiming he could not refuse. He expressed remorse and explained that his marriage had broken down, forcing him to sell the family home and that he had turned to drugs and alcohol. The court noted he had no prior convictions and had complied with bail conditions, but the seriousness of the offence warranted a prison sentence. The judge imposed concurrent sentences of three and a half years.
In a 2022 court hearing, former Garda Stephen Cooper (37) and accomplice Stephen McGrath (37) were sentenced for drug‑ and alcohol‑fuelled assaults on two women. Cooper forced a woman to undergo a "strip search" after claiming she stole drugs, threatened her, and inserted his fingers into her body. McGrath then violently assaulted a second woman, kicking, punching, and tearing her hair, while both men threatened to take her to the mountains and bury her. They attempted to place her in a van, but she resisted and was ultimately left in the footwell. Cooper pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the first woman and to threats against the second, while McGrath pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, sexual assault, and weapon production. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three‑year sentence for Cooper's assault and a three‑year sentence for the threats, to run consecutively.
Dylan O'Neill, 21, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply after accepting a delivery of €300,000 worth of ketamine to reduce a drug debt. Judge Melanie Greally, citing his youth, early guilty plea, lack of prior convictions and other mitigating factors, decided not to impose the mandatory ten‑year minimum. She imposed a five‑year sentence suspended for five years, conditioned on O'Neill entering a bond to keep the peace and undergoing twelve months of supervision by the Probation Services. The judge warned him that no leniency would be granted for future transgressions. Garda Kerry Harmon testified that customs officers intercepted a 6 kg white‑powder package addressed to 'Dillon O'Neill' on 24 March 2021, and that a controlled delivery was carried out on 26 March 2021. O'Neill accepted the package, claiming he did not know it contained drugs, and later said he accepted it for €1,000 to reduce a drug debt.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Michael French, aged 28, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for a violent burglary that took place at a city‑centre home on 30 January 2021. French entered the victim's house at about 1.30 a.m., wearing only shorts, and confronted the homeowner, who was in his 40s, with a knife. French shouted threats, including "I want to kill you," and pinned the victim against a wall, striking him in the stomach. The victim eventually calmed the situation by agreeing that the house was his, and a neighbour called the Gardaí. French fled but was apprehended after attempting to jump a fence. He admitted to taking cocaine and ecstasy that night and had a history of schizophrenia, drug and alcohol addiction, and homelessness. The judge, citing French's mental health issues, suspended the last 18 months of a four‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, resulting in a final term of three years' imprisonment. Michael French pleaded guilty.
Mark Fox, aged 29, was given a suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after a high‑speed chase on three tyres. On 9 May 2021, Fox, driving a Nissan Qashqai with a missing fourth wheel, pursued Gardaí through Dublin and two counties, ramming two patrol cars and a garda helicopter. He threw bags of white powder, suspected cocaine, from his open door, accelerated past red lights, and smashed a taxi driver's wing mirror. The chase lasted 30 minutes over 28 km. Fox was found to have almost three times the legal blood‑alcohol limit and was disqualified from driving at the time of the offence. He pleaded guilty to eight charges, including endangerment, dangerous driving, drink driving, driving without a licence and resisting arrest. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspended in full on the basis of Fox's mental‑health problems, and ordered a five‑year driving disqualification.
A 43‑year‑old taxi driver, Keith Banks of Castleknock, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing drugs for sale or supply and to having €19,000 in cash from criminal conduct. He admitted that he was pressured to transport almost €300,000 worth of drugs, including cannabis worth €135,000 and cocaine worth €158,000, and that he had a drug debt. Garda Thomas McDaniel secured a warrant to search a Clonsilla property where Banks was found standing at a kitchen counter and throwing a white powder onto the floor. The Gardaí found the drugs in various locations. Banks claimed he was taken advantage of and that he had only a small role in the deliveries. Judge Melanie Greally, after hearing the evidence and a psychological report, imposed concurrent sentences totalling seven and a half years, suspending the final two and a half years on strict conditions, including 12 months of probation supervision upon release.
Lisa O'Connor, 45, of St Brandon's, Crumlin, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for stealing almost €9,000 from an elderly woman she cared for during lockdown. She pleaded guilty to three theft charges covering 90 transactions made with the victim's bank card between March and July 2020. O'Connor also pleaded guilty to possessing over €7,000 worth of heroin for sale or supply, found in her home on 3 February 2021. The judge described her actions as a huge breach of trust, noting she had betrayed the family who had hired her privately after she lost a placement agency job. She had worked for the Downeys for nearly three years, earning €250 a week plus an additional €70 from the daughter. The 18‑month sentence applies to both the theft and drug offences, running concurrently.
In June 2022, Shane Westwood, aged 26, was sentenced to two years in prison for assaulting his former partner. The victim was punched repeatedly, bitten, threatened with a knife, and an attempt was made to smother her. Westwood had previously pleaded guilty to assault causing harm in March 2018. Gardaí found him hiding under his mother's bed after the incident. He denied the assault, claiming it was only shouting, while his defence lawyer cited drug addiction and jealousy. The court noted his 19 prior convictions, including drug dealing and burglary. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a three‑year sentence with the final 12 months suspended on the condition of keeping the peace for three years, and ordered him to attend probation, anger‑management, and drug‑treatment programmes.
James Howlin, 29, of Bray, was jailed after pleading guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply. He was originally sentenced to 10 years, the mandatory minimum for the offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. The Court of Appeal found the judge had erred by ignoring mitigating factors such as Howlin's early guilty plea and his status as a chronic addict who moved the drugs to pay a debt. The appeal was allowed and the 10‑year term was quashed. The new headline sentence was seven‑and‑a‑half years, reduced by one year for the early plea and another year to encourage rehabilitation. The Court noted the original judge had not considered these factors in the first instance. The decision was made by Mr Justice John Edwards, with Ms Justice Isobel Kenendy and Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh.
Sadie Douglas, 39, of Rathsallagh Drive, Shankill, was acquitted of wilful neglect of her two‑year‑old daughter Heidi, who died after ingesting methadone in their home. The trial, held at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, lasted five days and concluded in just over an hour. Judge Orla Crowe thanked the jurors and discharged Douglas from the indictment, noting no other pending charges. Her partner, Christopher O'Reilly, pleaded guilty to the same charge and received a three‑and‑a‑half‑year prison sentence. The court heard that O'Reilly, a recovering heroin addict, took daily methadone doses prescribed weekly, and a cup with traces of the drug was found in the house. Douglas claimed she was unaware of the methadone cup and that she had been emotionally distressed after the death of her older daughter Sophie. The post‑mortem concluded that Heidi's death was most likely caused by methadone ingestion, resulting in acute brain inflammation. Sadie Douglas pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Sadie Douglas, 39, pleaded not guilty to wilful neglect of her two‑year‑old daughter, Heidi, who died in April 2016 after ingesting methadone. The post‑mortem concluded acute brain inflammation caused by methadone ingestion. The prosecution argued Douglas failed to supervise Heidi, misled paramedics about methadone in the house, and did not provide crucial information. Evidence included a cup with methadone residue, DNA traces of Douglas's partner Christopher O'Reilly, and multiple methadone bottles with childproof lids. O'Reilly, a recovering heroin addict on daily methadone, pleaded guilty to the same charge. The trial highlighted Douglas's grief after the earlier death of her four‑year‑old daughter, Sophie, and the emotional difficulty of the case. The judge instructed the jury to deliberate on the evidence presented.
Vincent Kelly, 37, a taxi driver from Kilmore, Dublin, was jailed for 18 months after being found with €112,000 of crime cash hidden in a secret compartment of his VW Passat. The money was not for his use; he acted as a courier. Kelly had previously pleaded guilty to money laundering in January 2021 and had four prior convictions for road traffic offences. Judge Melanie Greally, acknowledging his cooperation and remorse, suspended the final 18 months of a three‑year sentence, ordering the confiscation of his taxi and a Rolex watch. She noted his cocaine and gambling addictions as motivating factors. Kelly has been in full‑time employment since May and has received character references, including from Kilmore Football Club. Gardaí discovered the hidden compartment after a warrant‑driven search of his home and vehicle. The case was prosecuted by Diarmuid Collins BL, with defence counsel Ger Small BL.
Clare O'Connor, 35, of Ashtown, Dublin, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing drugs in her home, with a total street value of €47,407. She had previously been convicted of bringing drugs to her partner in Mountjoy prison. Garda Brian O'Toole and solicitor Anne Marie Lawlor argued that O'Connor was under the control of a violent partner who had been jailed for 11 years in 2018 for conspiracy to commit murder. O'Connor claimed she had no choice but to allow the drugs to be stored in her apartment, which she co‑operated with the Gardaí during a search that uncovered 300 g of heroin, tablets, cannabis, resin and MDMA. She also cared for a 10‑year‑old cousin with special needs. Judge Martin Nolan accepted her fear and cooperation, and suspended a four‑year prison term.
Megan Creighton, 34, pleaded guilty to robbery on Old Navan Road on 3 December 2020. The victim was approached by Creighton and her partner, who demanded money, phone and wallet. Creighton threatened to bite his nose, bit him, and then told her accomplice to use a knife. The accomplice struck the victim with a screwdriver, causing facial damage and neck marks. An off‑duty Garda intervened, leading to the muggers' arrest. The victim's injuries were documented and a victim impact statement was submitted but not read. Creighton, a mother of five with 17 prior convictions and a history of heroin addiction, claimed she was a victim of domestic violence. She expressed remorse and accepted responsibility. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced her to three years' imprisonment.
In a murder trial, Sandra Davis, mother of 22‑year‑old Jordan Davis, testified that her son was involved in drug dealing. She said he began buying expensive clothing and traveling to Amsterdam, and that he always had large amounts of cash. Davis recalled that Jordan's partner became pregnant and he bought a buggy costing over €1,500, which she said was all his money. She also described receiving threatening text messages and witnessing men searching her garden in March 2019, after which the windows of her house were smashed. Davis admitted that Jordan had been friends with Sean Little, who was shot dead a day before Jordan. Wayne Cooney, 31, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jordan Davis, to possession of a 9mm pistol, and to possession of ammunition. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of eight men and four women.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Sadie Douglas, 39, pleaded not guilty to child neglect leading to the death of her two‑year‑old daughter Heidi Douglas, who died on 19 April 2016 after ingesting methadone. The post‑mortem found acute brain inflammation most likely caused by methadone. Douglas's partner, Christopher O'Reilly, had pleaded guilty last July to the same charge. O'Reilly, a recovering heroin addict, was taking daily methadone prescribed by a local chemist. The court heard that Douglas was grieving her four‑year‑old daughter Sophie, who had died earlier that year from a brain haemorrhage. Douglas described being in a "little world" and emotionally distressed. DNA evidence linked O'Reilly to a measuring cup containing methadone residue, and a large plastic bottle of methadone was found in the house. The trial continues before Judge Orla Crowe and a jury.
In a routine traffic stop on Ratoath Road, Garda Diarmuid Murphy mistakenly identified a car as uninsured and pulled it over. The driver, Gavin Jordan, 49, was found to have the vehicle insured. During the stop, the Garda smelled cannabis, searched the vehicle and Jordan, and discovered an envelope containing €26,000 in cash in his trouser pocket. Jordan admitted to acting as a courier in a money‑laundering scheme to help his son, who had a drug debt after Garda seizure of drugs from his home. He claimed the envelope held €15,000, but two withdrawals from his account in April 2020 totaled €20,000. Jordan pleaded guilty to possession of the proceeds of crime. The court noted his long, honest employment as a welder and his care for his elderly mother. Judge Melanie Greally, considering these mitigating factors, sentenced him to an 18‑month suspended prison term.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, the neglect trial of Sadie Douglas, charged with wilful neglect leading to the death of her two‑year‑old daughter Heidi, was presented with evidence that Heidi suffered a severe brain injury after ingesting methadone. Chief State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan testified that a scan taken two days after Heidi was admitted to Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin on 14 April 2016 showed a "devastating brain injury" with swelling that pressed onto the spinal column. Dr Mulligan concluded, based on a post‑mortem, that acute cerebellitis—most likely caused by methadone ingestion—led to Heidi's death on 19 April 2016, after she had been clinically dead for several days. The trial also noted that Heidi's partner, a recovering heroin addict, was taking daily methadone doses from a local chemist, with the medication supplied in a child‑proof bottle and a warning that 5 ml could kill a child. Sadie Douglas pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Darragh Dodrill, 26, admitted to possessing €250,000 worth of cocaine and 500g of cannabis in his car and €242,000 worth of cocaine in a van. Gardaí had suspected his Terenure car and issued a warrant, leading to a surveillance operation where the drugs were seized. Dodrill, who spent up to €1,500 a week on cocaine, claimed he began dealing to pay off debts that grew from €8,000 to €50,000. He also admitted to a gambling addiction. During a Garda interview, he likened his situation to an episode of "Father Ted" and said he was "up there with the dumbest drug dealers." He pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply at Kilwarden Court on 26 February 2021. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the case to 7 November and ordered a probation report for that date.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Derek Mangan, aged 41, was sentenced to a four‑year suspended prison term for possessing cannabis that he had sold to support his own drug habit. Gardaí had obtained a search warrant for a property on Carrow Road, Drimnagh, Dublin 15, where they seized cannabis, weighing and bagging items, and two "tick lists". The seized drugs were valued at €4,860. Mangan pleaded guilty to possession of the drugs at an earlier date. Judge Pauline Codd noted that the value of the drugs was in the lower range and that Mangan had 26 previous convictions, many for drug‑related offences, which she considered the most aggravating factor. She also weighed mitigating factors such as his early guilty plea, a negative drug analysis report, family support and personal circumstances.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a barrister presented evidence that a drug dealer warned a man named Jordan Davis that he would be killed soon, with the phrase "soon, very soon, bang bang." The defendant, Wayne Cooney, 31, denies murdering Davis, 22, who was shot while pushing a pram in Darndale on 22 May 2019. CCTV footage shows Davis being shot repeatedly by Cooney. Cooney also faces charges of possessing a 9mm pistol and ammunition. The prosecution will argue that the warning from the dealer was a death threat. Additional evidence includes DNA linking Cooney to gloves found at the scene, which contained firearm residue. The trial, expected to last up to four weeks, will continue before a jury and Justice Tony Hunt. Wayne Cooney pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 7 February 2021, a cyclist named Ariel Rocha Stefani, aged 26, was stopped for failing to stop at a red light. Gardaí found six small bags of cocaine, four small bags of MDMA, two bags of cannabis and an unknown blue tablet on him, along with €515 in cash. A search of his home later uncovered a large quantity of suspected cannabis, MDMA, a measuring spoon, three mobile phones and over €1,810 in cash. Stefani admitted to paying €200 for the MDMA and claimed all drugs were for personal use. He pleaded guilty and cooperated with investigators. Judge Martin Nolan, after considering a positive probation report and Stefani's cooperation, sentenced him to two years in prison for possession of drugs, suspending the entire term on the condition that he remains law‑abiding and well‑behaved for two years.
Paul Cahill, 39, pleaded guilty to two robberies in Dublin and was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to a suspended sentence. The judge, after hearing compelling testimony from Cahill's father, who described the family's 20‑year struggle with Cahill's drug and alcohol addiction and his father's experience walking past Cahill asleep in the snow, decided not to impose custodial time. The sentence is fully suspended on the condition that Cahill keeps the peace and behaves well for five years; if he reoffends within that period, he will serve five years in prison. Cahill's convictions were for robbing Jordon Casey on George's Street South on 11 September 2018 and robbing a Subway deli on Aungier Street on 21 February 2019, with both sentences to run concurrently. The court noted Cahill's 79 previous convictions and his father's testimony of his rehabilitation.
During a raid on the Dublin home of Wendy Dempsey, 32, Gardaí seized €11,000 worth of cocaine in a downstairs toilet bowl and just over €3,000 worth of heroin in plain sight, along with weighing scales. Dempsey and her partner Patrick Kearns were present; Kearns was arrested and admitted the drugs were his, claiming Dempsey had no involvement. Dempsey was later charged with permitting her residence to be used for storing illegal substances. Judge Martin Nolan, noting her lack of prior record and parental responsibilities, sentenced her to 18 months in prison but suspended the entire term on the condition of good behaviour for the same period. He warned her that a second chance would not be granted. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further proceedings reported.
Dylan Murphy, 26, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for offences committed while on bail. He pleaded guilty to the attempted robbery of a taxi driver at Dolphins Barn, Dublin city, on September 20, 2019, as well as robbery and attempted robbery at St Stephen's Green on August 2, 2021. During the latter incident, Murphy allegedly posed as a garda to rob two teenagers, resulting in injuries to the male victim. Judge Pauline Codd described both attacks as vicious assaults. Acknowledging Murphy's tragic background and entrenched drug addiction, the judge imposed a total operative sentence of eight years. However, she suspended the final year to incentivise rehabilitation, conditional on Murphy engaging with the Probation Service and drug addiction treatment. The sentence was backdated to last March, when Murphy pleaded guilty to the offences. This decision follows his admission of guilt to the charges, which included his 65 previous convictions for robbery, burglary, and assaults.
A 34‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to six and a half years' imprisonment for a high‑speed chase on the M50 that endangered his partner and two small children. He had 226 prior convictions and was already serving a sentence for a petrol‑bomb attack. The court heard he pleaded guilty to endangerment, dangerous driving, criminal damage, driving without a licence and insurance, possession of a foil bag for theft, and refusal to provide a blood or urine sample. He also admitted to a Tesco Metro robbery in 2020. CCTV showed him driving over a shopping centre median, evading barriers, and then speeding onto the motorway, where he swerved between lanes and used the hard shoulder. The judge noted his long history of offending, his drug addiction, and the lack of a licence or insurance, and disqualified him from driving for ten years.
In a Dublin homeless hostel on 2 January 2017, a 26‑year‑old man threw a baby's bottle at his partner during a dispute over heroin. The bottle's lid struck their one‑month‑old son on the forehead, while the bottle hit the mother. The child sustained a bruise but was not seriously injured. The man pleaded guilty to one count of common assault, a charge carrying a maximum six‑month sentence. He was sentenced to four months' imprisonment by Judge Martin Nolan, who noted the reckless nature of the act. The court also recorded that the defendant, who has 67 prior convictions and a history of homelessness, drug addiction and mental health issues, is due for release in July but will remain in custody longer because of this offence. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Patrick Shields, aged 33, received a five‑year suspended sentence after the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that he and his father were assaulted and abducted before Gardaí discovered heroin in his home. The court noted that Gardaí had been alerted to a credible threat to Shields' life following a search of his Clongriffin residence, where €34,044 of heroin was found. Shields had previously fled to the UK after a bench warrant but returned in 2020, after which he took responsibility for the drugs. He has 152 prior convictions in Ireland, including drug offences and traffic offences, and nine in the UK. The judge accepted that Shields had been targeted by a gang and that his family suffered collateral damage, but also acknowledged his self‑rehabilitation and current employment as a hospital janitor. The sentence was suspended in full to encourage continued rehabilitation, with the five years to be served if a relapse occurs. Patrick Shields pleaded guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Jamie Heffernan, aged 22, pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Aaron Murdiff after a spontaneous assault that left Murdiff with a traumatic brain injury. Heffernan, who had been chatting with Murdiff on CCTV, was reportedly informed that Murdiff had assaulted his cousin at a house party earlier that night. Heffernan struck Murdiff, causing him to fall, and then launched three separate assaults over a period of four and a half minutes, striking him in the head and body. Heffernan was arrested shortly after the attack. Murdiff suffered a brain injury with lasting balance issues, and a victim impact statement was submitted by his mother and sister. Two minor co‑accused await sentencing for their roles in the assault. The case is scheduled for sentencing in July. The court noted Heffernan's prior convictions, his early guilty plea, and his efforts to address alcohol and cannabis use.
Jonathan Reid, 28, was sentenced to six years and six months in prison, with the final two years suspended for three years, after stabbing Greg Shiels, his mother's partner, in the neck during a drug‑induced psychosis on 6 March 2020. The attack was described as unprovoked and extremely violent, causing serious injury to Shiels, who was taken to Naas Hospital and later Tallaght Hospital for surgery. Reid pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm and to possession of cocaine and cannabis, leading the Director of Public Prosecutions to drop the attempted murder charge. He has no prior convictions, has a history of mental health problems linked to drug use, and has been offered addiction counselling through the Peter McVerry Trust upon release. The judge noted Reid's willingness to engage with his problems and his sincere remorse, which mitigated the sentence. The court emphasized the need for Reid to attend probation appointments and local drug‑addiction services.