In a 2019 case, Mark Halligan, aged 45, pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to threatening to kill or seriously harm a parish priest, Father Peter Byrne, at a church in Balally, Dundrum, on 11 September 2016. Halligan, who suffers from a religious persecution disorder—a form of schizophrenia—followed the priest into the sacristy with a large knife and warned that he would cut the priest's fingers off. A parishioner witnessed the threat and called the Gardaí, who arrested Halligan on the scene. He has 17 prior convictions, including theft, drug misuse, criminal damage, public order offences and road traffic offences. The judge accepted that Halligan was delusional at the time and, after confirming he had received suitable treatment and had not repeated such behaviour, imposed a three‑year prison sentence, fully suspended on the condition that he keep the peace, behave well for three years and be supervised by the Probation Service for 18 months.
Keith Brady, 32, of Cartron Estate, Sligo, was found guilty of murdering musician Matt Kivlehan after three trials. The jury at the Central Criminal Court returned a guilty verdict in one hour and 25 minutes following a two-week trial. Brady had previously denied the murder, which occurred on August 2 or 3, 2015, at Kivlehan's home on Holborn Street. His plea of guilty to manslaughter was rejected by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The court heard that Kivlehan, who was 60 and suffering from ill-health and intoxication, was stabbed twice in the neck. Evidence indicated the scene was staged to resemble suicide, with a knife placed on the victim's chest, while Brady allegedly ordered heroin to be brought to the apartment. Mr Justice Alex Owens sentenced Brady to the mandatory term of life imprisonment, backdated to November 24, 2016, when he first entered custody. In a separate matter, Janice Brady, 29, pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of her brother, knowing or believing he was guilty of a killing. The victim's brother, Christopher Kivlehan, stated that the family remains appalled by the death and that stress contributed to the death of another brother, Padraic. The judge thanked the jury and exempted them from further service for five years.
Chief Superintendent Mark Curran, a senior Garda, gave evidence at the Disclosures Tribunal on 15 November 2019, stating he was "very upset" by a bullying claim made by whistleblower Garda Nicholas Keogh. Curran described Keogh's allegation that he had removed evidence DVDs from an Athlone Garda Station store as "daft and without basis", insisting no such removal occurred. He also denied any wrongdoing in handling a source that Keogh had refused to hand over, arguing that source management is a collective responsibility of An Garda Síochána and requires trained handlers. Curran rejected all targeting allegations, asserting he had acted within his duties and was not negligent. The tribunal, chaired by Judge Sean Ryan, had heard from Keogh and was investigating whether Keogh was targeted after his protected disclosure of alleged Garda heroin‑collusion on 8 May 2014. Curran's evidence concluded on 15 November, with the tribunal resuming on 26 November.
In a 2019 hearing before the Disclosures Tribunal, Chief Superintendent Mark Curran denied that Garda whistleblower Nicholas Keogh became the focus of investigations simply because he made a protected disclosure. The tribunal, chaired by Judge Sean Ryan, examined whether Keogh was targeted, harassed or bullied after he alleged Garda collusion in the drugs trade on 8 May 2014. Curran explained that the investigation began with a report written by Garda Aidan Lyons, which was later read by Curran. The report described an alleged interaction between Keogh and a man who claimed Keogh had encouraged complaints against Gardaí. Curran stated that the inquiry was directed at the named man and Keogh, not at other Gardaí, and that Keogh had denied any wrongdoing. He maintained that the focus on Keogh was a result of the allegations made in the report, not of Keogh's whistleblowing.
Graham Corbally, aged 44, was convicted by a jury in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 22 October 2019 after a seven‑day trial for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. The offence occurred on 18 January 2017 at Johnstown Gardens, Finglas, when Gardaí discovered Corbally in possession of an unloaded 22‑gauge Winchester sawn‑off shotgun and a white rubber glove containing three 12‑gauge shotgun cartridges. Corbally fled from Gardaí, throwing the package over garden walls and climbing into multiple rear gardens before being apprehended. Forensic DNA matched the firearm and glove to Corbally; fingerprints yielded no evidence. He had 42 prior convictions, including robbery, false imprisonment, drug possession and knife possession. Corbally pleaded not guilty, was sentenced to five and a half years, with the final six months suspended and the sentence back‑dated to 22 October 2019. He was acquitted of an alleged threat‑to‑kill charge.
A man accused of murdering a musician in County Sligo has heard prosecution counsel argue that his actions before and after the alleged killing demonstrate deliberate intent, despite claims of intoxication. Keith Brady, aged 32 of Cartron Estate, Sligo, is charged with murdering Martin Kivlehan, 60, at his home on New Apartments, Holborn Street on August 2nd or 3rd, 2015. Mr Brady has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. At the Central Criminal Court, prosecution counsel Paul Murray SC told the jury that Mr Brady made multiple conscious decisions following the death, including arranging heroin delivery to the house, altering his clothing, and providing false accounts to gardaí. Mr Murray contended that evidence including two stab wounds to the neck, a knife swap at the scene, and Mr Brady's demonstrated capability to make deliberate choices before and after arrest undermines the defence assertion that intoxication negated intent to kill or cause serious harm. The trial before Mr Justice Alex Owens continues.
A garda whistleblower has concluded three weeks of testimony before an ongoing tribunal, maintaining that a former assistant garda commissioner orchestrated a "deliberate and unmitigated" cover-up when investigating his allegations of garda collusion with a heroin dealer. Garda Nicholas Keogh alleged that a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit engaged in an improper relationship with a heroin supplier. The tribunal, chaired by Judge Sean Ryan, is examining whether Gda Keogh faced targeting, harassment, or bullying following his protected disclosure in May 2014. Gda Keogh submitted a complaint to the Justice Minister in 2016, contending that the subsequent investigation was fundamentally flawed. He referenced the Morris Tribunal's exposure of garda misconduct in Donegal during the 1990s as a parallel case. The tribunal continues hearing evidence, with three Athlone gardaí due to testify.
Patricia Rea Suarez, a 40‑year‑old Bolivian mother, was jailed for one year after swallowing 41 pellets of cocaine, weighing more than 1.3 kg, before boarding a flight from São Paulo to Dublin via Lisbon. She was arrested at Dublin Airport on 22 May and spent five days in hospital, where doctors feared the pellets might burst inside her. Suarez pleaded guilty to possessing drugs for sale or supply and to importing illegal drugs. Judge Martin Nolan accepted that she ingested the drugs in exchange for €2,000 cash, citing her poverty and desperation. He noted her remorse, cooperation with Gardaí, lack of prior convictions, and that she would not return to Ireland after release. The one‑year sentence was back‑dated to the day she entered custody, with the judge suggesting she would be released shortly after Christmas.
Garda Nicholas Keogh, a whistleblower, testified at the Disclosures Tribunal that his final days on duty were "paranoid and unbearable" after he made a protected disclosure on 8 May 2014. He alleged that a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, identified as Garda A, was in an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned an estimated €2,500 a week. The tribunal, chaired by Judge Sean Ryan, is examining whether Keogh was targeted, harassed, undermined or bullied following his disclosure. Keogh also discussed his drinking problem, noting it had been an issue before the disclosure but had become problematic only once at work. He described feeling like a "sitting duck" for Garda management, being paranoid about documents and phone tapping, and said the last days of his service were difficult, with the 21 December 2015 being his final day on duty. Keogh refused to name his informant, citing concerns about safety.
A 15‑year‑old boy was stopped on his bike in Dublin city centre with a backpack containing €40,000 worth of cannabis. Gardaí recovered two kilos of the drug and the boy was charged with possessing cannabis for sale or supply. He pleaded guilty and had no prior convictions. The boy explained that he had been given the drugs in exchange for transporting them for his mother, a drug addict, and that he used cannabis to help him sleep. He also said he had been born with neonatal drug addiction. Judge Martin Nolan noted the boy's vulnerable background and decided not to detain him, instead imposing a three‑and‑a‑half‑year detention sentence that was suspended on conditions including two years of probation. The boy's mother was present at the hearing. The court heard that the boy helps his younger sibling with schoolwork and is described by a teacher as well‑behaved but easily led.
In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing, Garda Nicholas Keogh testified that he smuggled printed Pulse files out of an Athlone station in his baton pocket and gave them to politicians. Keogh claims the files were re‑classified crimes he considered "fiddling" and that he hid copies in the station and in his baton to avoid Garda HQ monitoring. He alleges that after his protected disclosure on 8 May 2014, he was targeted, harassed and bullied by Superintendent Patrick Murray. Keogh denies intent to "bring down" Murray and says he was merely reporting bullying. The tribunal, chaired by Judge Sean Ryan, is examining whether Keogh was indeed targeted following his disclosure. The case involves allegations of improper relationships between a senior drug‑unit officer and a heroin dealer, and the alleged suppression of Keogh's complaints by Garda management.
A 22‑year‑old man, Francis Lyons, pleaded guilty to attempting to rob two Dublin shops on 16 April 2018. He entered Topaz armed with a golf club and a pint glass, failed to obtain money, threatened to return and kill staff, and then went to the neighbouring Eurospar demanding money. Security staff restrained him, one of whom was head‑butted, and Lyons was arrested. He admitted to the Gardaí that he had been drinking at home and listening to rap music when something "triggered" in his head, and that he had not taken medication or drugs, only alcohol. He described himself as "tipsy" and said he acted because he owed money for bills. His defence counsel, Mark Lynam, expressed concerns about possible psychiatric issues and requested a psychiatric assessment. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court adjourned sentencing to 27 January to allow a psychiatric report to be prepared and to consider a probation report for community service.
In November 2019, Garda Nicholas Keogh appeared before the Disclosures Tribunal to deny allegations that he had orchestrated a "pincer movement" to undermine the career of Superintendent Patrick Murray. Keogh, who had made a protected disclosure in May 2014 about alleged improper conduct by a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, claimed he had simply informed Members of Parliament about the matter. He said he had passed information on a suspected car‑tax issue to TDs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace, but denied any intent to target Murray. The tribunal heard that Keogh had lodged a formal bullying complaint against Murray in March 2017 and that he had written to the Policing Authority and to Minister Frances Fitzgerald in 2017, urging that the investigation be concluded before any promotion. Senior Counsel for An Garda Síochána, Shane Murphy, accused Keogh of "orchestrating a pincer movement" and of targeting Murray without basis.
Patrick Lyons, a 45‑year‑old taxi driver from Cabra West, was found guilty of theft after he kept a customer's bank card and withdrew €550 from her account. The incident occurred after the woman and her friend hailed his taxi to return home from a night out. Lyons claimed he had returned the card before withdrawing the money. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 12 December 2018. The judge noted his prior District Court convictions for similar thefts between December 2017 and August 2018, and that he had already paid €3,800 in restitution. Lyons had €500 to compensate the victim and was drug‑free, making good progress. Judge Karen O'Connor described the offence as "devious and unpleasant" and imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year suspended sentence on strict conditions, stating that re‑offending would result in imprisonment.
Darren Cusack, 47, of Crumlin, Dublin, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply and possession of three stun guns at Ballyfermot Drive on July 17, 2017. Prosecutors alleged he was part of a large-scale drug distribution hub where 188kg of cannabis and 2.9kg of cocaine were found. Judge Martin Nolan noted that while Cusack admitted to carrying boxes into the garage, evidence indicated he did not own the drugs or act as the chief organiser. The judge considered the Court of Criminal Appeal's recent decision to increase co-accused Stephen Sarsfield's sentence from seven to ten years for undue leniency, distinguishing Cusack's role as less significant because Sarsfield possessed the truck keys. A third co-accused, Mark O'Dwyer, was sentenced to five years in May 2018, with his case also subject to a Court of Criminal Appeal review on grounds of undue leniency. Cusack's defence highlighted his role as a father to an autistic child, but the court imposed the custodial sentence.
Firemen searching for a fire at Passion Tanning & Beauty in Tallaght discovered a concealed cannabis grow‑house behind a false partition in a beautician's wardrobe. The grow‑house contained 39 mature cannabis plants valued at €31,200 and several smaller plants destroyed by the fire. Elwira Syfert, 40, pleaded guilty to cultivation of cannabis at the premises on 22 January 2017. In an interview she said a man had offered her €400 a month to use the concealed space, initially unaware of its purpose, and later threatened her with violence if she reported the activity. She claimed the man demanded she water and feed the plants. Defence counsel argued she had only performed watering duties. The court found Syfert under pressure and sentenced her to three years' imprisonment, suspended in full on strict conditions.
Michael Cole, 28, of Clondalkin, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct and possession of cannabis. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a sentence of two and a half years imprisonment, which was suspended in full on strict conditions. Cole admitted to receiving €20,000 into his Bank of Ireland account at Newlands Cross on May 17, 2016, as part of a €1.1 million money laundering operation involving a Danish company. Prosecution evidence indicated that Cole acted as a "money mule," directing the conversion of funds into US Dollars and UK Sterling under the instruction of others, for which he received €1,200 in cash and a phone. He also pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis at his address on November 14, 2017. The court noted that Cole had no previous convictions and was involved in a custody dispute at the time of the offence. While €960,000 of the laundered funds has been recovered, €80,000 remains outstanding. The judge accepted that Cole was not the main operator of the scheme, describing him as having been used by individuals more adept in crime.
A 19‑year‑old Brazilian model, Jhennifer Garcia De Araujo, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, with five years suspended, after pleading guilty to importing cocaine and possessing it at Dublin Airport. She claimed an armed man forced her to swallow 51 pellets of the drug, which had a street value of €49,203. Garcia De Araujo said she believed she was meeting a man to discuss a modelling contract but was threatened with a gun and told to ingest the drugs. She denied receiving payment and stated she was not an addict. The judge noted the social harm of drugs and praised Gardaí and customs for their work. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, and the sentence was imposed by Judge Pauline Codd.
Garda Nicholas Keogh, a whistleblower, testified before the Disclosures Tribunal that he had concerns about whether his complaints were investigated in good faith. He alleged that a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, identified as Garda A, was in an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned an estimated €2,500 a week. Keogh claimed that Ms B's admission in March 2018 was "sat on for five months" before being passed to Detective Inspector Coppinger, and that the matter was not acted on immediately. He also contested that Assistant Commissioner Ann Marie McMahon's disciplinary investigation, which led to a recommendation for a board of inquiry, was not a criminal investigation and that it should not have involved arrests. Keogh's testimony highlighted his belief that the investigation was part of a conspiracy to supply heroin and that the evidence was mishandled.
Anthony Conway, 35, of Sheridan Court, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of a knife with intent to intimidate after entering Dominick Inn topless on 12 August 2018. He had heard a rumour that his partner was having an affair with the barman and went to confront him. The barman used a pole to defend himself and the confrontation ended quickly; Conway dropped the knife and left. He had 18 prior convictions, including theft, drug offences and public order offences. Judge Pauline Codd noted that Conway was under the influence, had a difficult background, and was involved in caring for his five children. She sentenced him to two years imprisonment, suspended in full, with strict conditions including supervision by the Probation Service for two years.
In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing at Dublin Castle, Garda whistleblower Nicholas Keogh testified that his general practitioner's certificates diagnosing work‑related stress were withheld from the Garda Chief Medical Officer, leading to his absences being recorded as flu and resulting in reduced pay. Keogh claimed the Garda management deliberately mis‑recorded his sickness and that his complaints about the investigation into alleged collusion were sabotaged. He alleged that a senior officer, Garda A, had an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, and that the investigation led by former Assistant Commissioner Dónall Ó Cualáin failed to suspend any suspect. Keogh maintained that the investigation was delayed, evidence was mishandled, and that the Garda Superintendent Patrick Murray neither recorded nor reported his stress to the CMO. The tribunal heard Keogh's allegations and the Garda counsel's rebuttals, with no evidence presented to support the claims of sabotage.
In a drunken altercation over a PlayStation game, 36‑year‑old Jonathan Dwane stabbed his friend John Paul Bradley in the back three times, lacerating Bradley's kidney. The incident occurred after the pair, both long‑time drug addicts, had been drinking and playing games in Dwane's bedroom. Dwane, who kept a knife for protection, was arrested and pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and producing a knife. He was sentenced to 40 months' imprisonment by Judge Martin Nolan, who described the act as a gross over‑reaction. Bradley was taken to hospital and underwent surgery; he made a full recovery and declined to give a victim impact statement. Dwane's father intervened and disarmed him during the struggle. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 1 November 2019.
Patrick Fennell, 45, of Greenfort Avenue, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to four pharmacy robberies committed over seven months. He was convicted of two robberies at Smyths Pharmacy in Clondalkin (19 July and 10 September 2018), one at Boylan's Pharmacy in Ballyfermot (8 October 2018) and one at Leonard's Corner Pharmacy on South Circular Road (22 February 2019). In each incident he used a knife, demanded drugs, and in some cases received cash. Garda accounts detail his use of a balaclava, erratic behaviour and the acquisition of large quantities of prescription drugs. Fennell had nine prior convictions, including for production of an article. He was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to three years for each count, with all but the final offence running concurrently and the last running consecutively, giving an effective six‑year custodial term.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 48‑year‑old carpenter Mervyn Heffernan was dragged under the getaway car of 24‑year‑old Daniel Maughan for about 30 yards after Heffernan had confronted Maughan at the side of his van. Heffernan suffered third‑degree burns, 11 missing teeth and a head injury. Witnesses reported Heffernan standing in front of the vehicle with his arms raised, and that workers shouted for the car to be stopped before Maughan fled. DNA from a phone left in the car matched Maughan, and stolen items were found in the van's boot. Maughan pleaded guilty to endangerment, had 56 prior convictions, and was sentenced to four years' imprisonment and a five‑year driving disqualification. Heffernan was discharged from hospital after a week, having incurred €20,000 in dental costs. The court noted Maughan's remorse and his efforts to address drug problems while in custody.
Gerard Ryan, a 44‑year‑old butcher, was sentenced to eight years in prison after being found with more than €2.5 million worth of drugs hidden in packets of men's boxer shorts. Ryan admitted to possessing ketamine, MDMA and cannabis for sale or supply at his Kilbarrack home on 17 July last year. He claimed he was pressured to collect the drugs from a warehouse in Ashbourne to satisfy a €1,500 debt and deliver them to unknown parties, fearing harm to his family if he identified the dealers. Gardaí seized €1.73 million of MDMA, €840,000 of ketamine and €16,000 of cannabis during a search of his van and garden shed.
Michael Ward, 30, was jailed for two years after a drunken burglary of Mary's Bar on Wicklow Street. He entered the unoccupied bar early on November 5, broke three cash registers but found no money, and stole bottles of vodka, whiskey, gin, rum and three boxes of salt sachets. CCTV footage identified him; he did not conceal his face or wear gloves. Ward pleaded guilty and had 145 prior convictions, including theft, burglary and criminal damage. The court noted his homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, and a difficult childhood, as well as his remorse. Judge Melanie Greally described the offence as opportunistic and carried out under the influence of alcohol, and said the damage disrupted business operations. She imposed a three‑year sentence, suspending the final 12 months on conditions, and the effective custodial term is two years.
The High Court ruled that John Boylan, also known as John Power, acquired a 90 per cent stake in the Cheltenham-winning horse Labaik, a west Dublin property, a bank account, a mobile home, and a 2015 Mercedes Benz E Class with the proceeds of crime. Ms Justice Carmel Stewart found a substantial financial shortfall in Boylan's declared income, leading to the inescapable conclusion that these assets were directly or indirectly derived from criminal proceeds. Boylan, who denied the allegations and claimed earnings from gambling and an animal feed business, also brought plenary proceedings against the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB). He alleged negligence and breach of duty regarding an injury Labaik sustained at Punchestown in April 2017, claiming CAB prevented him from selling the horse after seizing its passport. The judge dismissed these claims, finding Boylan's assessment of the horse's value and the injury's extent to be exaggerated and speculative. She determined that CAB acted appropriately, with no malfeasance or negligence, and that trainer Gordon Elliott was a truthful witness. The court noted Boylan had 67 previous convictions, including two for drugs offences. The matter was concluded with the assets identified as proceeds of crime and Boylan's civil claims against CAB dismissed.
Rosalind Barton, 49, of Barrduff, Killarney, pleaded guilty to possessing €139,000 worth of cannabis for sale or supply at Dromalour, Kanturk, Co Cork on 8 December 2017 and €8,000 worth of cocaine at her home on the same date. She claimed the drugs were sold to fund feeding of abandoned horses at her sanctuary. Barton was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin on 10 January 2019. The Court of Appeal upheld the sentence. The court noted that gardaí observed two vans entering the side of the road outside Kanturk, from which black refuse bags containing the cannabis were taken. A follow‑up search of Barton's home revealed the cocaine. Barton admitted her role in the transactions and had no prior convictions. The appeal was dismissed with no error found in principle.
In 2016, Marcus O'Rourke (39) and Brian O'Sullivan (33) robbed the Waterville Post Office in County Kerry, pointing a firearm at postmistress Lisa O'Reilly Foran and using a crowbar. They stole €4,000–€5,000, broke a glass pane, and activated a panic alarm. Two Dutch tourists witnessed the event. After the robbery, the pair fled in a Mazda, driving at high speed on the narrow Ring of Kerry road, and later reversed into a Garda car, damaging it and endangering officers. Gardaí, believing the firearm was real, opened fire during the chase. Both men had prior convictions (43 for O'Rourke, 52 for O'Sullivan) but none of comparable gravity. They were sentenced to nine years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, and the sentence was upheld on appeal as appropriate for the seriousness of the offence. The nine‑year term was made consecutive to three‑year terms for separate drug offences. Marcus O'Rourke pleaded guilty. Brian O'Sullivan pleaded guilty.
A 13‑year‑old boy, Lee Henry, was fatally injured when a black VW Golf driven by Dean Shelley struck him while the vehicle was speeding on the R139 in Coolock. Shelley, 29, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death and failure to stop. The boy was running across the road with friends when the collision occurred around 9 pm on 22 October 2016. Shelley fled the scene, abandoning his car at Clare Hall, and was later found with his wallet and licence. Emergency services attended the scene and Lee was pronounced dead at Temple Street Hospital. Shelley's prior convictions include drug possession and other traffic offences. The court heard a victim impact statement from Lee's mother, describing his aspirations and the tragedy of his loss. Judge Karen O'Connor ordered a probation report before sentencing, which is set for 12 December.
Laurence Bryan (36) pleaded guilty to four robberies and two attempted robberies at shops in the Tallaght area between March 31, 2016 and April 8, 2016. Bryan, who has 132 previous convictions, including a five and a half year sentence with the final 18 months suspended imposed in 2014 for previous robberies, admitted to committing the crimes while in the throes of a crack cocaine and heroin addiction. Judge Melanie Greally noted that Bryan had undergone a residential drug treatment program and had since made a 'complete turnaround' in his life, including undertaking a horticultural course and beginning to move into the employment market. The judge stated that the robberies were extremely serious and committed during an extremely destructive addiction. She imposed a five-year prison sentence, which was suspended in full on strict conditions. The matter was adjourned in 2017 to allow the residential drug treatment program to be completed. Bryan was identified on CCTV in the earlier cases and taken from Cloverhill Prison to be interviewed. He made admissions and told gardai that he did not want to hurt anybody but needed the money for drugs.
Jack Murphy, 21, was jailed for 15 months after breaking into St Joseph's CBS Secondary School in Fairview on February 5, 2019, causing €1,077 in damage. He pleaded guilty to trespass and criminal damage. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a two‑year sentence, suspending the final nine months on conditions. Garda Sandra Lavin described how the alarm triggered a search that found Murphy inside the secretary's office, where a fire extinguisher had been used to break the lock. Murphy has 43 prior District Court convictions, including theft, robbery, public order offences and failing to appear. He has a chronic history of cocaine and cannabis abuse, began using drugs at 14, and has suffered serious brain injuries from a 2016 car accident. The court noted he had been clean of drugs while in custody.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 25 October 2019, a 36‑year‑old woman, whose name is withheld to protect her children, was found to have breached the conditions of a suspended two‑year sentence imposed in January 2017 for wilfully neglecting her six‑year‑old and 13‑month‑old children. The 2017 case involved the older child being discovered wandering a Dublin street in a distressed, cold, wet state, and the younger child found in a buggy in the mother's living room, both in a distressed condition with soiled nappies and clothes. The mother was described as in a "disorientated state" and was dealing with alcohol addiction at the time.
In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing, Garda Nicholas Keogh claims he was denied commendations by Garda management after making a protected disclosure on 8 May 2014. He alleges that a senior officer, identified as Garda A, had an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned about €2,500 a week. Keogh says he was the investigating officer in the 2015 stabbing of a 77‑year‑old taxi‑driver and the rescue of a woman from the River Shannon, yet was removed from the Pulse unit and excluded from commendations. He disputes the claim that he had no material role in the investigation, citing his involvement in evidence collection. Keogh also notes he received an award from Irish Water Safety in 2016 but no Garda commendation, and he has pursued a personal injury claim for bullying. The tribunal is examining whether Keogh was targeted after his disclosure. Ms B pleaded guilty.
In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing, Garda Nicholas Keogh admitted giving documents to TDs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace alleging that crime figures in his district were being "fiddled" downward, which he described as Garda corruption. Keogh, who is in the second week of the tribunal, claims a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, identified as Garda A, had an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned an estimated €2,500 a week. He also cites a 2015 robbery case that was reclassified by Superintendent Patrick Murray after the complainant withdrew a statement, arguing this reclassification was an example of fiddling. Keogh says he spoke to Daly and Wallace about the massaging of figures, and that he printed the documents and presented them to the TDs. The tribunal heard that Daly had referenced the alleged fiddling in a Dáil speech, claiming evidence of at least eight cases where crimes were reclassified as less serious.
In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing, Garda Nicholas Keogh claims a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, referred to as Garda A, was in an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned an estimated €2,500 a week. Keogh alleges that after making a protected disclosure on 8 May 2014, he was targeted, harassed, or bullied by Garda management. He reports that he had periods of absenteeism in July 2015 due to drinking and stress, and that his superintendent, Patrick Murray, addressed his absences and alcohol issues. Keogh says he was marked as having flu when he was actually suffering from work‑related stress and alcohol abuse, and that the Chief Medical Officer was kept in the dark about his stress. He also claims that his medical certificates were withheld and that he was told he was "under no stress" despite his own statements to the contrary.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Joey McKeon, aged 25, pleaded guilty to trespass and attempted theft after being tackled to the ground by homeowner Emmanuel Reynaud, who has two black belts in Judo and Jujitsu. McKeon, who had been standing outside Reynaud's house when dragged in, claimed he was only outside when the incident occurred. Reynaud, a trained martial artist, responded automatically to noises downstairs, placed McKeon against a wall, and pinned him on the ground. McKeon threatened to press charges and told Reynaud he should be deported back to Poland. Reynaud's wife reported fearing a return of the burglar and that their four‑year‑old daughter was still affected. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a three‑year prison sentence on McKeon, noting his drug addiction, mental health concerns, and the traumatic impact on the children. The court heard that McKeon insulted Reynaud for 15 minutes and that Reynaud never applied any dangerous holds.
In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing, Garda Nicholas Keogh denies alleging a cash theft by three Gardaí and claims Garda management handled the investigation in a "sinister" manner. Keogh, who made a protected disclosure on 8 May 2014, says he never claimed that €800 was stolen by three guards and spent on alcohol and gambling. He alleges that a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, identified as Garda A, was in an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned about €2,500 a week. Keogh states that Garda management investigated the claim, but no evidence was found and the matter was dropped. He accuses the investigation of being targeted, harassed and bullied, and describes the process as unusual and lacking proper follow‑up. The tribunal, chaired by Judge Sean Ryan, is hearing Keogh's testimony and the cross‑examination by counsel for An Garda Síochána. The case remains at the tribunal stage, with no verdict or outcome reported.
During the Disclosures Tribunal, Garda Nicholas Keogh testified that he had planned to "take down" Garda Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan and launch an "all‑out attack" on Garda management. He alleged that a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, identified as Garda A, had an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned an estimated €2,500 a week. Keogh claimed that after making a protected disclosure in 2014, he was subjected to a cover‑up and pressure from Garda management. He described meetings with TDs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace, noting Daly's reassurance that they would eventually bring the matter to light. Keogh also recounted interactions with Detective Superintendent Declan Mulcahy and welfare officer Mick Quinn, highlighting concerns about his drinking and health. Throughout the hearing, Keogh maintained that his intent was to target a specific group within the Gardaí, not all officers, and that his statements were made in a state of both determination and intoxication.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, truck driver Oleksandr Hrudovyy, aged 47, was found not guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of 80‑year‑old William Carrick on 22 May 2015. The jury, after about an hour and a half of deliberation, returned a unanimous verdict. Hrudovyy, a professional driver from Clonee, claimed he was not driving dangerously; he had no alcohol or drugs, was not tired, and had not been speeding. He argued that Carrick, who had left a pub and was attempting to cross a pedestrian crossing partially blocked by the truck's rear, may have been in a blind spot. Dashcam footage showed Carrick crossing in front of the truck before Hrudovyy moved forward, but the footage did not capture the driver's view. Hrudovyy stopped the truck immediately, was shocked, and cooperated with Gardaí. The prosecution alleged Hrudovyy was inattentive and did not check mirrors.
Judge Martin Nolan, presiding over the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, sentenced Carley O'Connor, 31, and Gemma Reilly, 27, to three years imprisonment each for possession of cocaine for sale or supply. Both pleaded guilty to offences involving €34,489 worth of cocaine found in a black plastic bag in a Ford Mondeo's glove compartment. The judge noted that neither had prior convictions, had cooperated with Gardaí, and had no criminal record. He emphasized that most drug defendants are not large traffickers but individuals desperate for money or debt relief, and that Section 15a of the Misuse of Drugs Act is applied when drug values exceed €13,000. Both sentences were suspended in full on the condition that the women keep the peace and behave well for three years. The court highlighted that the defendants were not major drug pushers but "pawns for the slaughter.".
In a hearing at Dublin Castle, Garda medical officer Gda Nicholas Keogh testified that a senior Garda, referred to as Garda A, was in an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned about €2,500 a week. Keogh, who made a protected disclosure in May 2014, claimed he was harassed and bullied after the disclosure. He admitted to an alcohol dependency since 2012, which led to periods of sickness and unfitness for duty. Keogh used alcohol and Xanax together, despite warnings that the drugs should not be combined. The Chief Medical Officer recommended Keogh be stood down on 18 December 2015, citing his unfitness for work. Keogh disputed the recommendation, stating he had not been notified of his unfitness and that he had been working on 21 December 2015. The tribunal is examining how Keogh was treated following his disclosure.
In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing, Garda Chief Superintendent Nicholas Keogh accused a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, referred to as Garda A, of being part of an orchestrated campaign to prevent Keogh's promotion. Keogh alleged that Garda A had an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned an estimated €2,500 a week. Keogh claimed he suffered bullying from Superintendent Patrick Murray after making a protected disclosure in 2014, and that the investigation by Assistant Commissioner Michael Finn was delayed and obfuscated, damaging his complaint's timely resolution. Keogh wrote letters to Independent TDs Mick Wallace and Claire Daly, the Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald, the Policing Authority, and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar opposing Murray's promotion. Superintendent Murray stated that Keogh was "casting aspersions" and that Keogh was part of a process to damage him.
Craig Courtney, 23, of Tallaght, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three money‑laundering counts involving €10,000, €14,600 and the transfer of a car's ownership between February and March 2017. He had four prior convictions. During a Garda search of his home, officers found €1,115, an iPhone, Prada runners, a Rolex watch, an An Post deposit book with €10,000, and additional cash hidden in a painting and under cushions. The book was linked to a €14,895 Volkswagen Golf purchase and a €14,600 credit‑union cheque that was allegedly used to buy a car. Judge Martin Nolan, noting Courtney's cooperation and the seriousness of the offence, imposed a two‑year custodial sentence. Courtney's defence highlighted his youth, family support, drug‑free status and a plea for community service instead of imprisonment. The case remains at the sentencing stage.
Crystal Coady, 26, of Bluebell Road, Dublin, was jailed for four years after pleading guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply. Gardaí, acting on confidential information that controlled drugs were stored in the Bluebell area, set up an operation on 24 August 2018. They observed Coady leave her house with a pink holdall bag, which she handed over a railing to another woman. Gardaí later retrieved the bag from the woman's address, finding about 3 kg of heroin and almost ½ kg of crack cocaine, valued at roughly €470 000. Coady's solicitor admitted responsibility for the drugs, noting the recipient was unaware of their contents. Coady had 17 prior convictions, mainly traffic offences, and was a single mother of three. The court considered her vulnerable status, cocaine use, debt, and role as a caring mother.
In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing, Garda Nicholas Keogh claimed that a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, referred to as Garda A, had an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned an estimated €2,500 a week. Keogh alleged that after he made a protected disclosure in 2014, the investigation team, including former Assistant Commissioner Donall Ó Cualáin and senior detective Declan Mulcahy, was set up on 9 May 2015. He complained of delays, missing evidence, and inappropriate circumstances for taking statements, noting that Garda A's mobile phone was seized on 13 June 2015 and wiped, suggesting he had been tipped off. Keogh said the phone could have revealed contact between Garda A and Ms B. He also claimed that the investigation team interviewed Gardaí in the station while Garda A was on duty, which he described as "insane" and akin to a comedy film.
A Garda has told the Disclosures Tribunal that he was denied a commendation for helping rescue a drowning woman because of his status as a whistleblower. Garda Nicholas Keogh, based in Athlone, alleges that management withheld recognition for his role in pulling a woman from the River Shannon in September 2019, despite receiving an award from Irish Water Safety. The tribunal, chaired by Judge Sean Ryan, is investigating treatment of Gda Keogh following a protected disclosure he made in 2014 concerning an alleged improper relationship between a senior member of the drugs unit and a heroin dealer. Gda Keogh told the tribunal he had previously received commendations for lesser actions and found the omission "sinister". He cited two further incidents where he claimed recognition was withheld. Sergeant Monaghan and Superintendent Patrick Murray disputed aspects of Gda Keogh's account, with Sgt Monaghan characterising the river rescue as a group effort and stating he was unaware of Gda Keogh's involvement in the other incidents. The hearing continues.
In a 2018 case, Judge Karen O'Connor sentenced Paul Goddard, 58, and Derek Naylor, 47, to four‑year suspended sentences for their roles as drug mules in a €147,498 cannabis operation. The DPP argued the sentences were too lenient, noting that both men were more than mere carriers; they transported drugs to other locations. Naylor, a taxi driver with no prior convictions, admitted a drug debt of €800 and was paid €300, while Goddard, who had four minor traffic convictions, admitted possession of amphetamine and cannabis and was paid €1,000. The DPP highlighted that Goddard faced a threat to his daughter's family and had a moderate risk of reoffending, whereas Naylor's risk was low. The Court of Appeal was asked to review the probation reports and related evidence.
A Garda has told the Disclosures Tribunal that he believes he was deliberately confined to stressful desk duties at Athlone Garda Station because he made a protected disclosure in 2014. Garda Nicholas Keogh alleged that a senior member of the drugs unit engaged in an improper relationship with a heroin dealer. Following the suspension of the officer in question, Keogh was assigned to public office duties in October 2015, work he characterised as the most stressful in the station. He stated his hands were visibly shaking during a meeting with Superintendent Patrick Murray about the assignment. Keogh denied agreeing to the move and expressed belief that management deliberately assigned him to public duties to demonstrate control over whistleblowers. He also alleged that his request for leave to meet the Garda Ombudsman in August 2015 was refused improperly by Superintendent Murray. Judge Sean Ryan is chairing the tribunal's investigation into how Keogh was treated following his disclosure.
Michael Doherty, a 39‑year‑old former wine and school lunch delivery businessman, was sentenced to a suspended three‑and‑a‑half‑year prison term for robbery after a judge noted his efforts to rehabilitate. On 31 March 2017, Doherty entered a Maxol station on Newcastle Road in Lucan, threatened staff with a claw hammer, and when the till would not open he struck it and stole about €400. He fled in a black car that Gardaí linked to him, leading to his arrest. Doherty pleaded guilty to the robbery of Kim Heffernan. He had 24 prior convictions, mainly for road traffic offences, and the prosecution and defence agreed the robbery was out of character. Counsel argued that the breakdown of his marriage had devastated him, leading to drug abuse and business failure, and that he committed the robbery to fund his addiction.