David Savage, 29, attempted to rob three premises in Dublin in late 2019 and early 2020. He first tried to rob Paddy Powers on Manor Street while wearing a skeleton mask and holding a toy gun, but fled after staff triggered a panic alarm. Fifteen minutes later he tried to extort money from an An Post cashier on Ushers Quay, again without success. On January 14, 2020, he robbed a Lidl shop in Rathmines, pointing the toy gun at a cashier's rib cage, demanding €1,765, and then fled. Later that day he also robbed a Burger King, threatening a cashier with a knife and taking money. Savage presented himself at a Garda station, pleaded guilty to the attempted robberies and the robbery, admitted heroin use and a drug debt, and was remanded in custody with sentencing postponed to October 11, 2021.
A 19‑year‑old man was remanded in custody after pleading guilty to defiling a 13‑year‑old girl at a house party when he was 16. The offence, which occurred in June 2018, was charged as defilement of a child aged 15 to 17 because the accused believed the girl was 15. The court heard the party was organised by older teenagers and that the girl was alone with the accused in a bedroom where they had sexual intercourse. The girl later informed a relative, leading to the Gardaí's involvement. The accused admitted the act and his belief about the girl's age. He has prior convictions for theft, drugs and public order offences. The judge, citing the seriousness of the offence and the need for reflection, ordered his remand pending sentencing and further reports. The judge warned that his conduct while remanded would influence the eventual custodial term.
Darren Nolan, aged 28, was given a two‑year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to recklessly discharging a firearm and to possession of heroin and cocaine for sale or supply. He also pleaded guilty to making a false statement to gardaí. The case arose when Nolan was found with a handgun and over €16,000 of illegal drugs in his bedroom. He initially told police he had been shot by three men wearing balaclavas, but later admitted he had shot himself in the face with a blank‑firing gun he had purchased online. The judge noted Nolan's vulnerability, his history of alcohol abuse, and his progress in addressing addiction, and ordered him to attend residential treatment as part of the suspended sentence. No further convictions or outcomes were mentioned in the article.
Thomas McDonnell, aged 43, was convicted of hijacking a car on 4 January 2019 at Belgard Square, Tallaght. While in a drug‑induced psychosis, he threw himself over the bonnet of a vehicle whose driver had just dropped his daughter at a creche, demanded the driver exit or he would kill him, and then fled after the car could only travel a short distance. The driver, who had the key, was forced to stop and was later unharmed, though his wife, who was pregnant, was physically ill during the incident. McDonnell had been released from Tallaght Hospital the night before for mental health issues and had recently had a dispute with his girlfriend. He had six prior drug‑related convictions. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to four years, suspending the final 18 months under conditions, after noting the incident was short‑lived and the car was returned undamaged. Thomas McDonnell pleaded guilty.
The High Court has struck down a 15-year prison sentence imposed on Sean McManus, finding that Section 27(3F) of the 1977 Misuse of Drugs Act is unconstitutional. Mr Justice Michael Twomey ruled that the provision, which mandates minimum sentences for repeat drug trafficking offenders, impermissibly interferes with the judiciary's constitutional power to determine individual sentences. McManus, 39, from Baldoyle, Dublin, pleaded guilty in 2018 to possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Seascape, Dromleigh, Bantry, Co Cork, where the street value exceeded €13,000. He was previously convicted of drug trafficking in 2009. While his 2018 conviction stands, the judge ordered the sentence to be remitted to the Circuit Criminal Court for reconsideration. McManus's co-accused, Molly Sloyan, 28, from Kinsale, Co Cork, was jailed for ten years with the final three suspended. William Gilsenan and Dean Gilsenan received sentences of seven years with two suspended and ten years with three suspended, respectively. The court noted the defendants were involved in running a "cocaine factory" using solvents to extract cocaine from fabric. The State respondents opposed the action, arguing McManus lacked standing, but the High Court was bound by the Supreme Court's 2019 decision in the Wayne Ellis case, which declared similar mandatory sentencing provisions in the 1964 Firearms Act unconstitutional. The matter will be mentioned before the court at a later date for final orders.
William Fagan, a 29‑year‑old Dublin father, was sentenced to four years in prison for possessing cannabis for sale, a 9mm semi‑automatic pistol with ammunition, and untaxed tobacco. He admitted ownership of the drugs, valued at €35,805, and other illegal substances, and claimed he held them to pay gambling debts. Gardaí found the items at his home on 16 April 2020, recovered tobacco products with a €8,509 loss to the exchequer, and a firearm in good working order with a loaded magazine. DNA evidence linked Fagan to the gun and drugs. He had four prior minor convictions. His defence highlighted his carpentry work, recent fatherhood, stable relationship, and full cooperation. Judge Melanie Greally noted the quantity of contraband and the evidence of active distribution, but also his early plea and compliance, and imposed a five‑year sentence with the final 12 months suspended. William Fagan pleaded guilty.
James Devereux, 34, was sentenced by Judge Melanie Greally at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions, and a four‑year driving disqualification. The sentence followed a January 27, 2020 incident on Kyle Road, Ballyfermot, where Devereux rear‑ended a taxi driven by Patrick Gill, ran over Gill's feet while fleeing, drove on the wrong side of the road, and ran a red light. Gill sustained cuts, bruises, and an arm fracture, but has since fully recovered. Devereux pleaded guilty to endangerment, claimed he was distracted by a man linked to a prior dispute involving his sister, and alleged a possible set‑up. Gardaí and the probation officer found no evidence supporting this claim, describing the act as a simple case of road rage. The court noted Devereux's progress in addressing cocaine and alcohol addiction, though he had continued substance use until March 2021.
The Special Criminal Court has sentenced Lee Canavan to life imprisonment for his role in the murder of David 'Daithí' Douglas, who was shot at Shoestown in Dublin 1 on July 1, 2016. Canavan, who pleaded not guilty, was found guilty of murder based on his active participation in a shared intention to kill, though the court did not find sufficient evidence to conclude he was the triggerman. He was concurrently sentenced to five years for criminal damage to a stolen Suzuki Swift used as a getaway vehicle. Both sentences were backdated to May 2020, when Canavan was taken into custody following a European Arrest Warrant. The court noted that Canavan's prior drug possession convictions were not aggravating factors. This conviction marks the fourth individual jailed in connection with the killing. Previously, Frederick 'Fat Freddie' Thompson was jailed for life in 2018; Nathan Foley pleaded guilty and received six years in 2019; and Gareth Brophy was jailed for ten years in 2020 for acting as a getaway driver. The judge extended free legal aid to cover any potential appeal.
Nathan Duffy, 20, of Ballymun, was jailed after a drug bust in which he attempted to escape on a scrambler bike. Gardaí had observed him and a companion moving cannabis between a box and a bag in a field on St Margarets Road on 28 September 2019. Duffy was caught with €99,226 worth of cannabis herb, pleaded guilty to possession for sale or supply, and was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to three years and 11 months in custody. He had spent three weeks in custody before sentencing. The prosecution's psychological report highlighted Duffy's remorse, his past as a talented footballer whose career ended in his teens, his subsequent drug use, family bereavements, and his current drug‑free status, employment, and fatherhood. The judge noted his low risk of re‑offending and his rehabilitation efforts, concluding a lengthy custodial sentence would not benefit him.
In March 2020, 18‑year‑old Alan Clarke of Kilcross Lawn, Sandyford, punched a 19‑year‑old victim, James Coady, on the chin in Dublin city centre, causing Coady to fall and hit his head on the pavement. Clarke, who had taken cocaine and Xanax that day, had no prior acquaintance with the victim. CCTV showed Clarke also aimed a kick at Coady's stomach before punching him. The assault resulted in a skull fracture and brain bleed for Coady, who later suffered two epileptic seizures and was diagnosed with epilepsy secondary to a traumatic brain injury. Clarke pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at O'Connell Street and was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to three years' imprisonment. Clarke had seven previous convictions, including robbery and aggravated burglary. The court noted the attack was "cowardly, unprovoked and sudden.".
The Special Criminal Court served a Book of Evidence on Graham Whelan, a 38‑year‑old father of four, who faces ten non‑scheduled offences including drug trafficking and money laundering. Whelan was arrested in a penthouse at the South Dublin Intercontinental Hotel, where officers found €1,275 in cash he claimed came from "up his Swiss roll". He is charged with converting, transferring, handling, acquiring, possessing or using €1,275 and €2,140, a luxury watch, a tick list, a mobile phone, cocaine and cannabis, and with concealing the source of money used to refurbish property at Walkinstown Avenue between August 2018 and May 2019. He appeared on strict bail, wearing a grey suit, and did not speak at the hearing. A curfew was relaxed to 7 am‑9 pm to accommodate his children. The case was adjourned to 10 June, with trial expected by September.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Martin Nolan warned that he would begin jailing young people who facilitate money laundering for criminal gangs. He delivered a suspended two‑year sentence to Reece Radford, a 20‑year‑old from Dromcarra Grove, Jobstown, Dublin, who pleaded guilty on 26 October 2018 to possessing the proceeds of crime. Radford had laundered €58,401 that had been transferred to his bank account after a hacking incident involving a car parts supply company. He had been pressured by a local drug dealer, owing €800, to provide his bank details. Radford did not cooperate with Gardaí and was described by his defence counsel as a vulnerable person who had suffered depression and lost friends and family. Judge Nolan told Radford he was "a lucky man" and ordered him to engage with the Probation Service for one year.
In the Central Criminal Court, Dr Brenda Wright testified that 44‑year‑old Deirdre Morley, a renal‑specialist nurse, was suffering from bipolar affective disorder and believed it was morally right to smother her three children, whom she claimed had been irreparably damaged. She had attempted to drug them with morphine and codeine the night before the killings, but the children resisted. The next day she used tape, plastic bags and cushions to suffocate them, two of whom died in a play tent. Dr Wright said Morley did not know her actions were wrong due to her psychotic state and was unable to refrain from them, meeting the criteria for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial continues with the jury hearing evidence of her mental state on 24 January and her belief that ending their suffering was necessary.
Two brothers, Dean Riordan, 28, and Luke Riordan, 25, were convicted in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possession of cannabis for sale or supply and for possession of a grenade and shotgun cartridges. The brothers were found with €43,310 worth of cannabis and smaller amounts of drugs, including cocaine, at two houses in Finglas. Dean also possessed firearms, a grenade, and other weapons, while Luke had a small amount of cannabis. Both were arrested on March 4, 2019, after warrants were secured to search the houses. Dean had one prior traffic offence; Luke had 11 prior convictions, including drug offences. Judge Elma Sheahan sentenced Luke to 3 years 4 months, with the last 4 months suspended for 12 months, and Dean to 4 years 2 months, with the last 6 months suspended for 12 months, both on strict conditions. The brothers' actions were linked to paying off drug debts. The court noted their efforts to rehabilitate. Dean Riordan pleaded guilty. Luke Riordan pleaded guilty.
Darren McDonnell, 38, was caught at a rehabilitation centre after attempting to bring a stolen shotgun concealed in his trousers. He had been at the centre for two days before disappearing from the grounds and burglarising a home in Curraheenduff, Thurles, on 4 November 2020. An employee noticed the shotgun when he returned, and McDonnell admitted the burglary and surrendered the weapon, its cartridges and a stolen tablet. He was later arrested in Dublin for a knife‑point robbery at a Spar shop in Coolock on 9 November 2020, where he stole €280 before being apprehended. McDonnell has over 40 prior convictions, including robbery and unauthorised vehicle taking. He was remanded in continuing custody, with the case scheduled for finalisation on 14 June. The court heard that he was declared unfit for interview due to drug use and that his rehabilitation stay had been largely unsuccessful. The matter remains pending. Darren McDonnell pleaded guilty.
Aaron Carey, aged 30, was sentenced to seven‑and‑a‑half years in prison for a series of offences committed during the Christmas period of 2019 and early 2020. The court heard that he attempted burglary at a nursing home on 23 December 2019, robbed a Spar shop and attempted robbery of a service station on 24 December 2019, and damaged a patrol car and two other cars on 7 February 2020. He also pleaded guilty to robbery of a Pizza Hut, attempted burglary of a family home, and other offences. Carey's defence cited psychiatric difficulties, including a recent diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and other conditions, and drug addiction. The judge noted the lack of violence but the high risk of reoffending, and suspended the final 18 months of the sentence on strict conditions. No residential treatment facilities were available, so the sentence was imposed with a probationary period thereafter.
Gerard Donnelly, a 45‑year‑old truck driver from Omagh, was sentenced to eight‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment for importing €2.2 million worth of cannabis into Ireland. On 27 September 2017, a trailer he was driving was inspected at Dublin Port; a drug‑detection dog alerted customs officials, and an X‑ray scan revealed 342 kg of herbal cannabis and 8 kg of cannabis resin hidden in pallets at the rear of the trailer. Donnelly pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He claimed he was merely a courier, having been directed to transport the load for a customer of his employer, and that he was unaware of the quantity of drugs. The court accepted that he had no prior convictions, had been on bail, and had voluntarily entered custody after pleading guilty. Judge Martin Nolan imposed the sentence, back‑dating it to the date he first entered custody on 1 March.
Peter Little, 42, of Drumcairn Parade, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to criminal damage after he splattered a launderette at Alexander House with his own blood during a failed attempt to steal cash for drugs. The incident occurred overnight on 24 and 25 September 2020 at an automated laundromat. Garda Andrew Gibbons reported that a cleaner found smashed glass, damaged photo booth and payment machines, and blood throughout the area. Cleaning and repairs cost €730.52. Little, who has 24 previous convictions including ten for theft, was arrested after blood analysis linked him to the scene. He was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to one year imprisonment, with a prior concurrent three‑year sentence having a suspended final year. Wicklow District Court will consider reactivating the suspended portion on 18 May 2024.
Marek Gradzki, 51, of Magenta Hall, Santry, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to permitting a unit at Collinstown Cross Industrial Estate to be used for a sophisticated cannabis cultivation operation. He had sub‑let the premises to three Polish men who operated the cultivation in two concealed rooms and also had cannabis plants in a van outside. Gardaí obtained a search warrant and found 35 plants valued at €28,000. Gradzki denied knowing the plants were there and claimed he was only paid €500 for renting the unit. He had no drug convictions, but the judge found he knew a drug operation was taking place and had allowed it. He was sentenced to three years imprisonment, fully suspended on strict conditions.
James Fagan, 28, was jailed for assault causing harm and three counts of making threats to kill or cause serious harm after punching a security guard at Red Cow LUAS Stop on 28 July 2019. He had previously been convicted of assault causing harm and was serving a five‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence with the final 18 months suspended. Judge Melanie Greally added a consecutive two‑year term, suspended the final 12 months of that term, and imposed strict conditions including engagement with the Probation Service for 12 months upon release. Fagan, who claimed to be part of a well‑known crime group, threatened to kill the guard and others, and was described as intoxicated and having taken ecstasy and cocaine before the incident. The court heard that he had violent tendencies for a significant period and that he was a father of three children. The judge increased his time in prison by a year. James Fagan pleaded guilty.
Anthony McDonald, 22, was arrested after customs officials intercepted a €24,000 cannabis package he had ordered online under the alias "Mr Smith." The package, sent from the United States, was delivered to his former address on a controlled delivery set up by Garda Peter Morris. McDonald admitted ordering the drugs and intended to sell them for €7,000. He had no prior convictions. After the offence, his mother evicted him, leaving him homeless for a period before he moved into hostel-type accommodation. At sentencing, Judge Pauline Codd noted McDonald's first conviction, his full admissions, and his efforts to engage with the Probation Service and seek residential treatment. She suspended a three‑and‑a‑half‑year jail term, requiring 18 months of probation. The sentence reflects McDonald's rehabilitation efforts and his relationship with his mother, who attended the hearing in support of him. Anthony McDonald pleaded guilty.
Joseph Daly, aged 54, was sentenced to nine years in prison after he fled to Spain in 2007 following a guilty plea to possessing nearly €1 million worth of cocaine and heroin. The drugs were found during a Garda raid on his Carrickmines home, where a small amount of cocaine was discovered in a CD case and larger quantities were located in a hot press, a hold‑all, and a garden shed. Daly had previously been charged with drug possession and had failed to attend a sentence hearing, prompting a bail‑skipping offence. He spent three years in a Spanish jail for cannabis possession before being extradited to Ireland in April 2021. The court, citing the substantial drug value, imposed the nine‑year term, noting his cooperation and the seriousness of the offence. The sentence reflects the amount of drugs involved and the breach of bail conditions.
Cian McEvoy, 26, was found with a shopping bag containing nearly €20,000 of cannabis and, after surrendering, admitted to carrying 10 deals of cocaine in his underwear, valued at just under €600. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cannabis and cocaine for sale or supply at Avonbeg Field, Tallaght, on 14 March 2020. McEvoy had no prior convictions. Garda Edward Walsh, on mobile patrol, observed McEvoy and the bag, which he discarded as officers approached. McEvoy voluntarily disclosed the cocaine, and the Garda agreed with his counsel that he was not a main player but was carrying the drugs to pay a debt incurred by his addiction. Judge Melanie Greally accepted his remorse and the severity of his addiction, and, considering his youth and circumstances, she imposed a fully suspended three‑year sentence on strict conditions, including 12 months of Probation Service supervision. The sentence was suspended in its entirety.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 10 May 2021, Joseph Brady, aged 30, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for possession of heroin and cannabis for sale or supply. Brady, who had previously been dealt with leniently, was found to have dropped a yellow bag containing €211,708 of heroin after spotting Gardaí on patrol in Priorswood. He fled but was caught, and further heroin and €1,325 in cash were found on him. A search of his home uncovered an additional €2,800 in cash and cannabis worth €5,404. Brady pleaded guilty to the charges and had four prior convictions, including a 240‑hour community service sentence for cannabis possession. The judge noted his active role in drug dealing and his drug‑free status since imprisonment. The final 12 months of the sentence were suspended on strict conditions, including compliance with the Probation Service for 12 months post‑release.
John Kelly, aged 29, was found with €452,000 worth of cocaine and heroin hidden in his bedroom wardrobe and 17 shotgun cartridges concealed in a sock. He admitted to possessing the drugs for sale or supply and to possessing ammunition. Gardaí had placed his home under surveillance after a confidential tip and discovered the drugs during a search. Kelly claimed he had a drug debt of about €1,000 and was pressured into holding the drugs, believing their value to be around €20,000. His defence argued he was under duress following a recent road accident that increased his cannabis use and that he had no knowledge of the drugs' value. The court accepted his difficult circumstances but noted his involvement with known drug dealers. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to four and a half years in prison. John Kelly pleaded guilty.
Keith Devine, 26, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for assault causing harm after he repeatedly stamped on the head of an unconscious homeless man and knocked out the victim's false teeth. The incident occurred in a laneway at Glovers Alley, Dublin 2, on 4 June 2020. Devine punched the victim eight times, stamped on his head five times, and then went through his pockets, though he did not steal anything. The victim was taken to hospital for a head wound and later discharged. Devine pleaded guilty and had 28 prior convictions, including drug possession and public order offences. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a four‑year sentence, suspended the final 12 months on strict conditions, and back‑dated it to June 2020. The sentence requires Devine to comply with Probation Service directions for 12 months after release. The case was prosecuted by Katherine McGillicuddy BL and defended by Keith Spencer BL.
Kyle Rafferty, 23, of Clondalkin, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of 1 kg of cocaine for sale or supply. He was found with a paper bag containing €70,000 worth of cocaine, which he admitted was "coke in the bag" and that he was holding it for someone to collect to pay a drug debt. Rafferty has 11 prior convictions, including traffic offences, assault and public order. He was arrested after a Garda tip‑off and surveillance of a house. The court accepted his guilty plea, his cooperation and the fact that he had a drug problem, and sentenced him to three years' imprisonment. The judge noted that Rafferty had not attracted Garda attention since his arrest and was "keeping away from criminality.".
In a Dublin city‑centre incident on 11 July 2020, 41‑year‑old Alan Brennan punched a woman in the face, causing her to fall. The woman's partner then attacked Brennan, stabbing him 11 times with a broken glass bottle, stamping and kicking him while he lay unconscious. Brennan, who was on crutches and had a history of drug addiction and homelessness, pleaded guilty to one count of violent disorder. CCTV footage showed the parties and other witnesses near Wellington Quay. Brennan was taken to hospital for lacerations. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to 22 months' imprisonment, suspending the final 10 months on conditions. The woman remains before the courts for her alleged role in the attack.
Teslim Bolarinwa, 34, of North Circular Road, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing cannabis for sale or supply at a Dublin location on 17 January 2019. He had been instructed by a third party to take delivery of a parcel that contained 2.2 kg of cannabis valued at €44,000. Bolarinwa and another man opened the parcel and used the cannabis for about a month until Gardaí arrived. Judge Martin Nolan noted that Bolarinwa had no intention to distribute the drugs and that the third party had failed to retrieve the parcel. He described the case as "highly unusual", cited Bolarinwa's guilty plea, cooperation and lack of prior record, and imposed a three‑year suspended sentence, with no custodial term. The prosecution had presented the evidence of the parcel and the amount of cannabis found. The defence highlighted the limited scope of the supply and the absence of harm to others.
Peter Loughran, 36, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for rape and oral rape committed at a Dublin address on January 5, 2018. Loughran pleaded guilty to the charges, which involved an assault on a woman he met via Tinder. Justice Paul McDermott sentenced Loughran to nine years imprisonment, but suspended the final 18 months on strict conditions. These conditions require him to refrain from using any online dating apps and to not contact the victim or her family in any way. The court noted that Loughran had expressed genuine regret and remorse, and was assessed as a low to moderate risk of sexual reoffending. Aggravating factors included the offences being committed in the victim's home by a trusted guest, the degrading manner of the assault, and the fact that Loughran recorded part of the attack. The victim, who suffered physical injuries and a new genital herpes infection, stated in her impact statement that the incident drastically changed her future. Loughran, originally from Co Monaghan, has four previous convictions for unrelated offences including possession of drugs and drink driving. He had previously denied the offences to gardaí, claiming the contact was consensual, but later apologized in a letter read by his counsel.
Jason Finlay, 49, was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to theft at Lifestyle Sports on 4 May 2020. He had stolen €13,020 worth of sports clothing, but when a Garda public‑order van approached he "ditched" the items on a street, where €770 worth were later recovered in saleable condition. The remaining goods were never found. Finlay, who has 54 prior convictions, was arrested at Peter McVerry Hostel after Gardaí received an anonymous tip and CCTV footage linked him to the robbery. He was intoxicated at the time of the offence and has expressed a desire to leave drug use. The judge noted his opportunistic offence and his ambition to reform, sentencing him to 10 months' custody as the best possible outcome.
In a case that unfolded in Dublin, a mother‑of‑four named Julie McMahon, aged 47, was apprehended by Garda Darrgh Frewen after the officer noticed suspiciously inexpensive clothing being advertised online. The Garda traced the adverts to McMahon's account and obtained a warrant to search her residence at O'Brien Hall, Gardiner Street. The search uncovered a large quantity of stolen apparel from retailers such as Zara, River Island and H&M, some still bearing their security tags. McMahon could not produce receipts, and store managers confirmed the items had been stolen. She pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of stolen property valued between €1,142 and €2,000. The court remanded her on continuing bail, with the case adjourned to May 7 to address a pending District Court offence. During the proceedings, McMahon admitted to the offence, and a small amount of cash and cannabis were also seized.
Alice Connors, 27, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to two robberies and one attempted robbery committed in Dublin City centre on October 2 and 3, 2020. She also admitted to two counts of criminal damage at Kevin Street Garda Station on October 7, 2020. Prosecution evidence alleged that Connors and a co-accused used a knife and a broken bottle during the offences, which included dragging victims to the ground. Connors, who was residing at Times Hostel, College Street, Dublin 2, had previous convictions for theft and road traffic offences. Defence counsel highlighted her homelessness, drug abuse, and mental health difficulties, including auditory hallucinations. Judge Martin Nolan noted that Connors was equally culpable as her co-accused, who had previously received an effective five-year sentence with two-and-a-half years suspended. Judge Nolan sentenced Connors to five years imprisonment, suspending the final two-and-a-half years on strict conditions. The matter was finalised at the sentencing stage.
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Edward Maguire and Suzanne Maguire pleaded guilty to attempting to induce Axa Insurance to pay out on a false claim dated September 22, 2017. The defendants alleged an elderly motorist reversed into their vehicle, causing damage and spilling hot coffee, but CCTV footage proved no impact occurred and Edward Maguire was not in the car. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced Edward Maguire to two years in prison, suspended in full on strict conditions requiring him to engage with the Probation Service for two years. She described the conduct as a nasty offence against an elderly man, noting he followed through on the claim despite the plan's flaws. Suzanne Maguire's case was adjourned to October 11 to allow her time to complete a drug rehabilitation course, with the court accepting she is making progress with her addiction. She was remanded on continuing bail until that date. The judge stated she was giving Suzanne an opportunity to address her addiction but made no guarantees. Both defendants have extensive prior convictions, including theft and public order offences, though neither had previous Circuit Court convictions. Defence counsel highlighted their difficult upbringings and recent efforts to address addiction and maintain stability.
Robert Wynne, 37, a legitimate nutrition supplements supplier, was jailed for 21 months after pleading guilty to possession of prescription‑only steroids—Metogen, TrenaGen, Clenbuterol and Enegen—without a prescription. He had bought the substances in Northern Ireland and supplied them to friends and acquaintances from his home and two business premises. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court noted his prior convictions for assault and endangerment, for which he had received suspended sentences, and emphasised that the drugs were dangerous and required proper supervision. Judge Martin Nolan highlighted Wynne's lack of qualifications to advise on the substances and his deep involvement in the illicit enterprise. The court ordered the forfeiture of €20,000 found in a locked cash box, and Gardaí seized small amounts of cocaine, zopiclone, and a mix of steroids valued at about €10,000, along with €15,710 of muscle‑bulking and fat‑burning drugs across all locations.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Anthony Paget, 46, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter for the July 19, 2019 killing of Aidan McMenamy. Paget's defence counsel argued that he was highly intoxicated, having smoked crack cocaine, and that he used a knife as a last resort when faced with serious injury. The defence also claimed self‑defence, intoxication and provocation. Prosecutor Bernard Condon countered that the evidence, including CCTV showing deliberate knife handling and six deep stab wounds to McMenamy's back, negated self‑defence and provocation. Paget's wife Candice testified that McMenamy had threatened to cut Paget's throat and that the fatal stabbing occurred after a confrontation. The jury was instructed to consider the facts and the defence arguments before delivering a verdict.
Patrick McCarthy, 56, a taxi driver from Dublin, pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing drugs for sale at his home and taxi. Gardaí seized €23,000 worth of cocaine, including €8,000 in the taxi, €4,550 in the vehicle, and €15,000 in a safe in his bedroom. McCarthy admitted transporting drugs in his taxi to pay off debts from his own addiction, and that he had used the proceeds to buy more cocaine. He had no prior convictions and had led a blameless life before the arrest. Judge Martin Nolan, citing McCarthy's cooperation and the absence of a custodial sentence, imposed a three‑year suspended sentence. The court noted McCarthy's past industrial school detention and his recent engagement in drug treatment, concluding he would not re‑appear in court.
During the Central Criminal Court trial, Candice Paget, the estranged wife of Anthony Paget, testified that her boyfriend, Aidan McMenamy, was a jealous man who threatened to cut Paget's throat and then used a knife to slash him. She said the fight escalated outside, where McMenamy inflicted stab wounds that caused his death. Paget, 46, pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denied murder. She described the night of July 19, 2019, at Clinch's Court, where all three men were drinking and taking drugs. She admitted seeing Paget stab McMenamy once, though she could not recall the exact number of wounds. The trial continues before Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury.
Robert Redmond, 32, of Kilbarrack, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to making an unwarranted demand with menace. Judge Martin Nolan handed down the sentence following Redmond's admission to threatening a business owner at Newton Industrial Estate, Coolock, on September 26, 2019. Prosecution evidence alleged that Redmond, acting on instructions from a man identified as his godfather in the Catholic sense, demanded €58,000 from the owner of Spring Valley Meats. Redmond allegedly threatened to burn down the victim's house if the money was not paid. The court heard that the victim maintained no such debt was owed. Redmond, who has 90 previous convictions, was identified via CCTV and voluntarily attended for interview, where he admitted being at the scene regarding a debt but denied making threats. Defence counsel highlighted Redmond's remorse, his drug issues, and his status as a father of two, arguing he was not the mastermind behind the alleged extortion. Judge Nolan acknowledged the seriousness of the offence but noted the guilty plea and admissions. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the custodial sentence.
Keith Quinn, aged 32 and a former Sheffield United footballer, was convicted of possession of heroin for sale or supply after a package containing €2,769,130 worth of heroin was delivered to his workplace in Dublin. Quinn, who had a significant gambling problem and debts, pleaded guilty on 5 August 2020. He was sentenced by Judge Pauline Codd to seven‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment, with the final three‑and‑a‑half years suspended on strict conditions, including possible residential treatment for gambling addiction. The court noted Quinn's lack of prior serious convictions, his remorse, and his good work history as mitigating factors. The case involved a UK police operation that intercepted the package, which was then delivered to Quinn's address by a detective in a UPS uniform. Quinn's older brother, Alan Quinn, testified that his brother was not a drug dealer and deserved a second chance.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 13 April 2021, Deirdre Brady (53) and Erika Lukacs (37) pleaded guilty to one count each of money‑laundering offences under Section 7 of the Criminal Justice Act 2010. Brady, wife of Declan Brady, admitted to concealing or disguising the true nature of money credited to a Permanent TSB account between 1 January and 31 December 2014, knowing or believing the funds were proceeds of crime. Lukacs admitted similar conduct with an Allied Irish Bank account between 1 January and 31 December 2012. Both were remanded on continuing bail until 14 June for a sentence hearing. Declan Brady, appearing by videolink, was granted legal aid and remanded in custody until 23 April. The court received evidence from the National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and served books of evidence and USB keys to the defendants.
In a Dublin city‑centre incident on 8 December 2019, 19‑year‑old Dylan O'Neill, then homeless, attacked a stranger outside McDonald's on O'Connell Street. After an exchange of words, O'Neill punched the victim, struck him with his watch, and threw a glass that hit the victim's face. The assault left the victim with a 12 cm laceration from forehead to mouth and paralysis on one side of the face. O'Neill pleaded guilty to causing serious harm at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Martin Nolan, noting O'Neill's guilty plea, remorse, and circumstances of homelessness and drug use, set a starting point of 12 years but imposed a six‑year imprisonment sentence. The court described the attack as a persistent, random assault that was not accidental. The victim was treated at hospital and underwent surgery to close the wound. The Director of Public Prosecutions considered the case to lie in the upper range of offending.
The Court of Appeal rejected lawyers' argument that higher‑level drug dealers should receive shorter sentences than street dealers for the same quantity of drugs. The three‑judge panel held that the value of drugs should be assessed at street‑level prices, even when the offender is a senior dealer. The case involved Stephen Glynn, 41, who was convicted in 2018 under section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act for possession of diamorphine in Drimnagh. Detective Sergeant Brian Roberts testified that the drugs were worth €34,360 on the street, while a senior dealer would fetch only €10,000. Glynn's second offence triggered a mandatory minimum of ten years, with a review after five years. The appeal was dismissed, affirming that the street‑level valuation avoids the absurdity of treating a senior dealer as less culpable than a street dealer.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Peter Finnegan, 37, was found guilty of possession of heroin for sale or supply after moving drugs in his car in June 2018 to help his step‑son, Jordan Davis, 22, who had a drug debt of €150,000. Finnegan, who has a severe intellectual disability and no prior convictions, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four years imprisonment, the entire term suspended on strict conditions. The court noted that Davis was shot dead on 22 May 2019 while wheeling his four‑month‑old baby in a buggy. Garda evidence showed a red bag containing heroin worth €68,600 was found in Finnegan's car, though he denied knowledge of the bag. The judge described Finnegan's culpability as very low and accepted the defence's claim that he was compelled to transport the drugs to aid his step‑son's debt. The case highlighted the repeated attacks on the family home due to the debt.
Jonathan Collopy, 34, of St Mary's Park, Limerick, faces extradition to Bulgaria to serve an 18‑month sentence for drink driving. He has a prior conviction for serious drug offences in the early 2000s. Collopy's counsel, Katherine McGillicuddy BL, argued that extradition would expose him to inadequate medical care for his severe back and disc problems, citing Bulgarian prison conditions as substandard. She highlighted concerns about bed‑bug infestations, lack of pillows, and a single doctor for 600 inmates, arguing these factors could worsen Collopy's health. The Minister's counsel, Grainne Mullan BL, countered that Bulgarian authorities had provided information on living space (not less than four square metres), private bathrooms, daylight, ventilation, and active treatment in a specialised hospital in Sofia. She also noted assurances of inpatient and outpatient care and that prisoners can apply to the court if rights are breached.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Dale Lawlor, aged 25, was sentenced to a suspended 18‑month prison term for assault causing harm after he used a shop worker as a human shield during an altercation at a Centra convenience shop in Tallaght. Lawlor and another man entered the shop and were chased by five men. Craig Courtney, also 25, swung a hurley at both men. Courtney cornered Lawlor, who then hid behind the female shop worker, Roberta Rodriguez Brasil, and used her as a shield. The woman fell, sustaining a sprained wrist and a concussion when Courtney struck her head with the hurley. Lawlor pleaded guilty to the assault, admitted he had been heavily using cocaine, and offered an apology. He brought €2,000 to court as a gesture of remorse, which the judge required him to pay to the victim.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Graham Whelan, a 38‑year‑old father of four, was charged with ten non‑scheduled offences, including drug trafficking and money‑laundering. Gardaí alleged that he had received €1,275 in cash from "up his Swiss roll" and €2,140 for a hotel stay, both allegedly proceeds of criminal conduct. They also seized an Audemers Piguet watch valued at €28,000, a tick list with drug code names, several mobile phones, and cocaine and cannabis. Whelan was arrested on a warrant in Walkinstown and later released without charge. The court granted bail with conditions: an independent surety of €20,000, surrender of his passport, curfew, daily reporting, and a requirement to remain at his family home. The judge noted his flight risk but cited the recent death of his partner and his responsibility for four children as mitigating factors. The case is scheduled for trial by September.
In a robbery of a bookies on South Circular Road, Rialto, Dublin, a 66‑year‑old pensioner was attacked by one of the two men who forced a teller to hand over cash. The attacker grabbed her by the neck, pushed her against the glass and held her until the money was given. The victim, who has epilepsy and a heart murmur, was shaken and suffered soft‑tissue damage. CCTV footage identified the raiders, who were later arrested at Carmens Hostel/Hall on Francis Street. David O'Brien, 43, pleaded guilty to robbery; he was not the man who held the woman but was part of the pair. O'Brien, who has prior convictions for theft, drug and public‑order offences, was sentenced to four and a half years' imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended to encourage rehabilitation. The victim, unable to return to the bookies, now plans to leave the neighbourhood where she has lived her whole life.
Bianca Francisco, a 24‑year‑old Brazilian rickshaw driver, was sentenced to a 12‑month suspended prison term for possessing and intending to sell ecstasy tablets. The court imposed the suspension on the condition that she leave Ireland within three months. Francisco had been living in Dublin and was believed to still be in Ireland, as she was collecting Pandemic Unemployment Payments. She failed to appear at the Court of Appeal to appeal her sentence, and the appeal was struck out. The judge noted that under the Criminal Justice Act a suspended sentence can be revoked if the terms are breached. Francisco had previously pleaded guilty to unlawful possession for sale or supply of a controlled substance and had been on bail for an earlier drug offence. The court considered her economic circumstances but did not excuse her conduct. The appeal was dismissed, leaving the suspended sentence in place.
A man has pleaded guilty to rape and oral rape following a violent assault on a woman at her Dublin home in January 2018. Peter Loughran, aged 36, of Glasnevin Downs, Ballygall, Dublin, met the victim through the dating application Tinder before arriving at her apartment. During the attack, Loughran assaulted the woman, filmed her without consent, and subjected her to sustained sexual violence. The victim, who feared the incident would continue indefinitely, eventually escaped by feigning illness and summoning gardaí. Medical examination confirmed injuries to multiple areas of her body. Loughran initially denied the allegations to gardaí, claiming the contact was consensual. The Central Criminal Court has adjourned sentencing to April 30th, when victim impact evidence and mitigation will be heard. Loughran has four previous convictions including drugs possession, drink-driving, and public order offences.