Amanda Daly, 36, was sentenced to three years in jail, with the final six months suspended, for robbing a taxi driver of €700 on 15 April 2015. She was caught after dropping her purse, which contained a social welfare receipt, near the robbery site. Daly, who has no fixed abode and 42 prior convictions mainly for public order offences, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. She and accomplice Jason Hynes (43) had planned the robbery; Hynes had previously received a four‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence. The judge noted Daly's severe drug addiction and tragic life, and that she had an active role, attempting to tie the driver's hands to the steering wheel. She had been released on bail for drug treatment but failed to complete the programme and was returned to custody. The robbery involved a syringe and an attempt to extort money from the driver, who was frightened by the assault.
Laurence Bryan, 36, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four robberies and two attempted robberies committed at shops in the Tallaght area between March 31st and April 8th, 2016. The defendant, who has 132 previous convictions, was taken from Cloverhill Prison to be interviewed after being identified on CCTV. He admitted to using knives during the offences to fund a drug habit, stating he did not intend to hurt anyone. Judge Melanie Greally revoked the 18-month suspended portion of a previous five-and-a-half-year sentence imposed in 2014. The matter was adjourned until October 2018 for sentencing on the new offences, with the court ordering an updated probation report regarding residential treatment options. Judge Greally noted that previous imprisonment had not broken the cycle of offending, suggesting an alternative approach was needed. Defense counsel Sarah Jane O'Callaghan BL highlighted Bryan's drug-free status upon release before relapsing following a family argument, and requested multifaceted supports for his release. The court heard the offences were spontaneous and without premeditation.
Donna O'Brien, aged 25, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for the manslaughter of her cousin Bernadette Cash, 20, who died alone and unaided after a violent assault at O'Brien's home in Blanchardstown on 30 October 2013. O'Brien pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Witnesses described a series of punches and kicks to Cash's face and head, with O'Brien admitting to punching but denying kicking. The victim was found dead the next morning in a hallway, with a post‑mortem revealing brain swelling and head injuries as the cause of death. Toxicology showed morphine and codeine in Cash's system. O'Brien also received a consecutive 18‑month suspended term for unrelated theft offences committed in September 2013. The judge noted O'Brien's history of drug abuse, childhood exposure to violence, and her remorse, taking these into account when imposing the sentence. The case highlighted the severe violence that Cash had endured prior to the fatal assault.
In a Tesco Express robbery in Finglas, Aaron McDermott, 24, and an accomplice threatened staff with firearms and demanded €3,000 and a vodka bottle. A shop assistant recognised McDermott as a former schoolmate, nicknamed Choppy, after his hooded jacket collar slipped. CCTV footage identified him, leading to his arrest at home. McDermott pleaded guilty to robbery at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Pauline Codd suspended the final three years of a four‑year sentence, conditional on drug treatment and participation in a victim awareness programme. She noted his struggle following his brother's 2015 suicide and his recent release from a psychiatric ward. McDermott's letter of apology was read in court, and the judge considered his personal circumstances and guilty plea in sentencing.
Gary Davis, 28, of Wicklow, is alleged to have administered the Silk Road website, which dealt in illegal drugs and hacking software. He faces US charges of conspiracy to distribute narcotics, conspiracy to commit computer hacking and conspiracy to commit money laundering, with a potential life sentence if convicted. The High Court ordered his extradition in August, but he appealed. The Court of Appeal heard the appeal today and has reserved judgment. Davis's lawyers argue that his Asperger's Syndrome and depression would make him vulnerable to inhumane treatment and violence in US prisons, and that he would be isolated from family support. They cite expert testimony from Professor Simon Baron‑Cohen and claim the US prison system lacks the individualized care he needs. The Attorney General's counsel maintains that extradition is lawful and that mental health does not preclude imprisonment. The three‑judge panel will decide the case later.
In a 2016 robbery at Core Credit Union in Ballybrack, Dublin, 28‑year‑old Gary Gregg, a heroin addict, seized the supervisor by the neck and threatened to set her on fire, claiming he had a lighter and fuel. He poured liquid from a canister over her head, shouted demands for money, and forced two staff members to hand over cash. The robbery lasted 41 seconds, during which Gregg also threw fluid over the counter and stole €12,241. The supervisor escaped through the front door, raising the alarm, while a woman with children fled the building. Neither the cash nor the fluid canister was recovered, and forensic evidence on the victim's cardigan evaporated. Gregg pleaded guilty to robbery and making a threat to kill, was sentenced in May 2017, and was ordered to undergo drug treatment. The incident left staff traumatized, with ongoing fear and nightmares.
Marcin Malinski, a 35‑year‑old cafe owner from Swords, was ordered to perform 240 hours of community service after a routine Garda checkpoint revealed a strong cannabis odor from his BMW. Officers found a bag of cannabis plant cut‑offs in the car and, following a search of his home, uncovered a grow house containing 17 cannabis plants at various stages of maturity. The drugs were estimated to be worth €13,600 if fully mature. Malinski pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of drugs for sale or supply on 29 October 2015. He admitted growing the cannabis for medicinal use to ease back pain, though he knew it was illegal. He had no prior convictions and had been living in Ireland for eight years, earning €200 per week on a JobBridge scheme.
Raymond Malone, aged 33, was stopped by gardai on the Tallaght by-pass on 6 June 2015 after driving a van from London that he had flown to collect. The van contained 25,300 diazepam tablets, worth €25,300, and 23.7 kg of benzocaine, a mixing agent used to bulk cocaine, worth €11,850, hidden in a false compartment. Malone pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of diazepam and benzocaine. He had previously been convicted of 11 road‑traffic offences. Judge Pauline Codd found Malone had acted with "wilful blindness" and that his role was that of a courier with little profit. She imposed a three‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspended for four‑and‑a‑half years, citing his early plea, lack of drug habit, and testimonials. The case highlighted the use of benzocaine as a cutting agent in the drug trade.
Christopher Zinck, aged 33, and Rory Kilkenny, also 33, pleaded guilty in Carlow Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cannabis for sale or supply at a site in Kidalton, Piltown, Co Kilkenny, on 2 May 2013. Kilkenny was sentenced to four years imprisonment, later increased to 12 years with four years suspended on appeal. Zinck received a wholly suspended nine‑year sentence, later increased to a fully suspended ten‑year sentence. The Court of Appeal upheld the suspended nature of Zinck's sentence, citing his rehabilitation and employment. The case involved a large cannabis grow operation with 2,504 plants and 43.54 kg of herb, valued at €2,874,174. Three Asian gardeners were sentenced to seven years with six years suspended. Zinck admitted involvement, receiving a €5,000 fee for delivering supplies to the growers. The court noted his 18‑month drug‑free period and praised his inspirational recovery.
Vincent Cadden, aged 28, was convicted of dangerous driving causing the death of his friend Colm Melia, aged 22, in a car that had been heavily modified for closed‑circuit racing. The fatal incident occurred on 5 October 2014 at Fenner Upper, Oldcastle. Cadden had been over the legal alcohol limit and had consumed cannabis that night. He was sentenced by the Trim Circuit Criminal Court to six years' imprisonment and a ten‑year driving disqualification. On appeal, the Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, reduced the custodial term by suspending the final 18 months, while the driving ban remained in force. The decision was based on Cadden's cooperation, lack of prior convictions, and his remorse, though the court upheld the six‑year headline sentence as appropriate. The case highlighted the vehicle's dangerous modifications and the high speed at which it was travelling. Vincent Cadden pleaded guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Donal O'Hara, 51, pleaded guilty to cultivating cannabis and possessing a sawn‑off shotgun. Gardaí had searched his home on 11 February 2015, finding 72 cannabis plants in the master bedroom, which could have been worth €55,600 if all were mature females. On 22 June 2016, a second search uncovered a 12‑gauge single‑barrel sawn‑off shotgun and cartridges in a bag in a trailer at the rear of the house; O'Hara had helped locate the weapon. He claimed people were trying to kill him and that he would fire if someone approached, but denied intent to kill. O'Hara has 29 prior convictions, none for firearms. The judge adjourned sentencing to 3 March 2017. No further details on sentencing were provided in the article.
Jonathan Conway, 35, a disqualified driver with 112 convictions, stole a BMW after its owner mistakenly left the keys inside. While driving under the influence of heroin, alcohol and tablets, Conway lost control at a roundabout, briefly became airborne, and crashed into a lamp‑post and the wall of The Graduate pub. Two female passengers sustained minor injuries. Conway, who had no valid licence or insurance, pleaded guilty to taking possession of the car, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and refusing a sample. The court adjourned sentencing to May, ordered a urine analysis, and will hear a plea in mitigation. Conway was taken to St Vincent's Hospital where he refused to provide a blood or urine sample. The case highlights the ongoing legal proceedings and the court's consideration of mitigation arguments.
A 23‑year‑old man from Clondalkin, Michael Bayley, was sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended, for two burglaries in Sallynoggin and dangerous driving on 12 May 2016. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Bayley had 22 prior convictions, including aggravated burglary, public order and road traffic offences. The judge also disqualified him from driving for four years. The burglaries involved the theft of a Samsung Galaxy tablet and an iPad from a sick child's home, as well as cash found in a birthday card. Bayley claimed he was recruited by people he owed "15 grand" to repay a debt, and that he had drug addictions. He was arrested after a high‑speed chase in which his stolen car crashed in Blackrock, having driven at 160 kph in a 50 kph zone and failed to stop at red lights.
Amir Essalhi, 32, pleaded guilty to six counts of robbery in a drug‑fuelled spree in Clondalkin during April and May last year, after a series of attacks on women in west Dublin. He targeted three women in their cars, a pharmacy, and a tanning salon, using a knife, a spoon he pretended was a knife, and a kitchen knife. Essalhi also admitted to robbing a woman's handbag in May 2015. The court heard that he carried out the offences to feed his heroin addiction, and that his brother had been murdered in 2011. He was remanded in custody until sentencing, with a probation report ordered and the matter adjourned to April 6 for full defence submissions. Victim impact statements were presented, and most stolen property was not recovered. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
A man with 116 previous convictions, including 17 for burglary, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to trespass with intent to commit an offence at a dwelling in Dublin 8 on 4 October 2015. James Smith, aged 33, of Mostrim Oaks, Ballymahon Road, Edgeworthstown, County Longford, entered the house by breaking a kitchen window. When the occupants shouted that gardaí had been contacted, Smith indicated he required assistance as someone was pursuing him. Upon the arrival of gardaí, Smith opened the door to admit them. He later told gardaí he had entered the property intending to steal items for sale, stating he needed money urgently and was unaware occupants were present. Nothing was taken from the house. Smith acknowledged he had consumed drugs prior to the incident. Judge Pauline Codd adjourned sentencing to allow preparation of updated psychological and probation reports. A sentence date of 3 April 2017 was fixed, at which point defence counsel will make a plea in mitigation.
Christina Joyce, 28, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three counts of threatening gardaí with blood‑filled syringes at Cedar House hostel on 26 November and 5 December 2013. She claimed she was pregnant with the devil's baby and that her life was in danger, stating she was experiencing drug‑induced hallucinations. Gardaí attempted to calm her by repeating the "Our Father" prayer and pepper spray was used on both occasions. The judge, Patricia Ryan, noted the aggravating factor that the offences were committed against officers acting in the course of duty and the impact on them. Taking into account Joyce's remorse and her early recovery, Ryan imposed a three‑year sentence, suspended on strict conditions. The case was heard at the early stages of her rehabilitation, with no further garda attention reported since February 2016.
Gary Fitzgerald, aged 19, received a three‑year sentence for arson at Green Hills Court Apartments, Tallaght, on 26 March 2015. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and had seven prior convictions, including road traffic and assault. The fire, which caused €45,000 in damage, occurred in an unoccupied bedroom; Gardaí could not determine the cause. Gary lived next door to the burning apartment with his cousin Graham Fitzgerald, who also pleaded guilty to arson on the same occasion and to attempted robbery in February 2016. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned Graham's case for two weeks and imposed a suspended six‑month portion on Gary's sentence, ordering one year of post‑release supervision. The court noted Gary's extreme youth and drug use but accepted his early plea. No residents were in immediate danger, and the complex was evacuated. The case was heard with evidence from CCTV and police reports.
Herbert Buckley, 52, appeared before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after admitting he robbed a Spar newsagent on 11 December 2015 to obtain "a few bob for Christmas." He threatened the shopwoman with scissors, who called the gardai; he was then apprehended in a taxi. Buckley, who has a long history of drug addiction and 45 prior convictions, including an eight‑year sentence for drug dealing, admitted the robbery and said he was "guilty as sin." He has been seeking treatment for heroin addiction since his 20s and is trying to become drug‑free. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the case to 27 April to allow Buckley to demonstrate his commitment to a drug‑free life, remanding him on continuing bail until that date. The court noted his previous convictions and the circumstances of the robbery.
Musuala Lombe, a 34‑year‑old father of four originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was sentenced to one year in jail after a jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court found him guilty of unlawful possession of a controlled drug and possession of cannabis for the purpose of sale or supply. The offence stemmed from a €20,000 package of cannabis that arrived from Belgium in 2009 and was seized by Gardaí in a Ballycullen, Dublin 24, operation. Lombe was arrested after signing for the package, and a cannabis crusher and a €1,500 Western Union transfer were also seized. The judge, Elma Sheahan, suspended the final year of a two‑year sentence on the condition that Lombe attend a drug‑addiction support service. The court noted that Lombe, who has lived in Ireland since 2000, may face deportation following the conviction.
Blake Tobin, 32, of Whitechapel Lawns, Blanchardstown, Dublin, was found guilty in February 2016 of multiple dangerous driving offences, including drink driving, driving without insurance, and driving while disqualified. The jury imposed four consecutive six‑month sentences and a life‑long driving ban, with Judge Pat McCartan stating Tobin "should never ever be allowed behind the wheel of a motor car". On appeal, the Court of Appeal upheld all other aspects of the judgment but reduced the driving ban to forty years, citing the absence of serious injury or death. The appeal court noted Tobin's history of 54 convictions, including road traffic offences, knife possession, drug possession, and assault, and described the case as "appalling" due to his high‑speed, reckless driving and attempts to evade detection. The Court of Appeal also found the original life‑long ban excessive in the circumstances. Blake Tobin pleaded not guilty.
Eduardo Biegelmeyer, a 26‑year‑old Brazilian DJ living in Dublin, was found with more than €500,000 worth of drugs. Gardaí discovered 48,000 ecstasy tablets, mostly hidden in jigsaw boxes, and 354 g of cocaine in his apartment. He pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply at his home on 29 July 2016. The court heard that Biegelmeyer was known in the Brazilian community as a drug dealer and that he had been involved in a drug transaction with another man, during which he was caught with 16 MDMA tablets. He claimed to be a cocaine addict, owed a €40,000 debt, and had earned €1,000 a month as a DJ, supplementing his income by selling drugs. He was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, with the final four years suspended on the condition that he leave Ireland upon release and not return for 20 years.
A 26‑year‑old heroin addict, Keith Smith, was jailed for 18 months after attempting to stab a man outside the Courts of Criminal Justice building. Smith, who was experiencing withdrawal symptoms, believed he had been sold poor‑quality heroin in a previous transaction and launched the attack on February 20, 2015. He pleaded guilty to assault with intent to commit bodily harm at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally noted Smith's motivation was to obtain "bad or bogus" heroin and that he was "full of adrenaline" on the day. The judge imposed a three‑year sentence, suspending the final 18 months. Smith had 11 prior convictions and was on methadone at the time of the offence. The victim sustained no injuries. The incident occurred in a CCTV‑covered area and was stopped by Gardaí. The court heard that Smith had a long history of homelessness and heroin addiction.
Mark Davis, aged 27, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for dangerous driving after a high‑speed chase in Tallaght on 27 March 2015. He had 207 prior convictions, including 20 for dangerous driving, 21 for failing to show a licence and five for driving while disqualified. The court heard he drove between 80 and 100 km/h in a 50 km/h zone, repeatedly ran red lights, and nearly collided with a Luas tram, endangering passengers, children and other road users. Judge Melanie Greally described the incident as "terrifying" and noted Davis's fascination with cars and a drug habit as contributing factors. She imposed a four‑year sentence, suspended the final two years, and ordered one year of probation supervision. Davis is already serving a separate sentence for a similar offence that ends next June and remains under a 20‑year driving disqualification. Mark Davis pleaded guilty.
Michael McDermott, 43, was arrested for burglary in Coolock, Dublin, after a house was broken into on 23 January 2016. He was found asleep on the homeowner's bed after piling up items he intended to steal, having fallen asleep in the box room. McDermott had been heavily intoxicated, having taken a large number of tablets, and was described by the homeowner's sons as "out of his mind." He had cut himself when smashing a front window to gain entry. Garda Richard Carroll reported that McDermott's condition warranted medical treatment and an ambulance was called. McDermott pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and was sentenced to three years' imprisonment by Judge Melanie Greally. He has 95 prior convictions, including assault, burglary, robbery and drug offences. The court noted his history of drug use and a 30‑year addiction that he claimed to have overcome in 2013.
Andrew O'Hara, a 36‑year‑old former drug addict turned community youth worker, was found guilty of possessing drugs for sale or supply after Gardaí intercepted him carrying a package of cocaine worth €17,339, some of which was discovered in his underwear. He had been paid €300 to deliver the drugs to an address in Charlemont Street, Dublin 2, and claimed he did not know the recipient or the quantity. O'Hara pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a suspended four‑year term by Judge Melanie Greally, who described the case as "unusual" and noted his previous rehabilitation, low risk of reoffending, lack of criminal history, and recent fatherhood. He has two prior traffic convictions and had previously turned his life around after a 2002 addiction, earning a degree in community care and working with disadvantaged youth. He expressed deep regret and pledged to remain drug‑free. The case remains pending for the other arrested individual.
Anthony Handley, 64, of Whitethorn Grove, Artane, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving that caused the death of Olivia Dunne, 31, and serious bodily harm to her 15‑week‑old daughter Éabha Dunne in Balbriggan on 17 January 2014. Gardaí say Handley drifted off the road briefly before his off‑road SUV veered and struck the victims. He had no alcohol or drugs in his system. On 10 May 2016 Judge Patrick McCartan sentenced him to two years' imprisonment, citing Handley's good character and blameless record but stressing the need for drivers to remain alert to fatigue. The judge also banned Handley from driving for ten years. Handley has now filed an appeal against the sentence, arguing that the judge over‑emphasised the Road Safety Authority's fatigue campaign and that the evidence of fatigue was limited to Handley's own brief feeling of tiredness fifteen minutes before the incident.
James Mongan, 33, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery in Ballymun on 11 July 2016 and will be sentenced in April. While driving a taxi, the driver was flagged down by Mongan, who asked to be taken to St Margaret's. After a brief conversation, Mongan moved to the centre of the rear seat, put a knife to the driver's throat and threatened to stab him if he did not give money. The driver slammed on the brakes, grabbed the blade, and escaped by spraying deodorant and shouting for Gardaí. Mongan was pursued and caught by two officers. No knife was recovered. The driver suffered cuts to his fingers requiring stitches and now feels vulnerable, fearing for his life and the dark. Mongan, who has 65 prior convictions, has been in custody, is drug‑free, and has begun learning to read in prison.
Dylan Brophy, 19, was given a suspended three‑year sentence after pleading guilty to robbing two students on Reuben Street on 12 March 2015. The robbery involved a steel mop handle that struck one victim, Bronte Kavanagh, and a metal object that struck the other, Ryan Donnelly. Kavanagh was dragged to the ground, had her bag ripped from her hands, and suffered a mild concussion; Donnelly was punched in the face, bruised and had swelling on his cheek, arms, legs and ribs. Brophy had 21 prior convictions for traffic, public order and drug offences and had spent six months in custody for the robbery last year. He denied threats, claimed he was defending a friend, and was described as extremely remorseful. The judge noted his upbringing in a broken home and drug‑related activity at the time of the offence. The sentence was suspended, with no custodial time imposed.
William Gilsenan, aged 24, appeared for sentencing at the Central Criminal Court following his December conviction for manslaughter in the death of Edward Fitzgerald. The incident occurred on 17 October 2014 in a car park at The Green, Larch Hill, Oscar Traynor Road, Santry, Dublin. Mr Gilsenan was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. A dispute over a €100 debt preceded the stabbing, during which Mr Gilsenan inflicted two knife wounds, one of which proved fatal. The defence counsel sought a sentence not exceeding four years, citing Mr Gilsenan's previously good character, lack of violence history, and evidence that the attack was provoked and reactionary rather than premeditated. A psychological report indicated depression and cannabis use for self-medication. The victim's family provided an impact statement describing ongoing trauma. Justice Paul Butler adjourned sentencing to 19 January, remanding Mr Gilsenan in custody pending that date.
Evan Metcalfe, a 22‑year‑old boxer from Crumlin, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to making threats to kill on two occasions. The first threat was made at a house in Walkinstown on 19 August 2013, when he allegedly pointed a gun at a former Russian soldier, though no weapon was recovered. The second threat occurred on 6 July 2015 at the Ashleaf shopping centre, where he told a mobile‑phone shop manager that he would "get" him after work and threatened to "brain" him. Gardaí found €340 worth of cannabis in Metcalfe's home during a search. Judge Petria McDonnell imposed an 18‑month suspended sentence, requiring payment of €2,000 in compensation to the victim. The sentence was given on the condition that Metcalfe does not reoffend, with the judge warning that further offences would result in full custodial time. The case highlights the court's concern that his conduct was inconsistent with the discipline of boxing. Evan Metcalfe was convicted.
Karl Smith, a 19‑year‑old former employee of Industrial Insulation Specialists, was mistakenly credited with almost €20,000 when his former employer transferred his wages incorrectly. Smith, who had a €1,000 drug debt and was described as being in a very low place, withdrew most of the money in three transactions and spent it over three weeks on drugs, gambling, a new bed and a PlayStation. He pleaded guilty to theft of the cash from his former employer, John Naughton, on 21 January 2016. The court noted Smith's chronic social anxiety and low self‑esteem, and sentenced him to four years' imprisonment with the final two years suspended. No repayment has been made and the money has not been recovered.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, former soldier Jonathan McSherry (34) was jailed for a brutal assault on his ex‑partner, Jessica Bowes. McSherry, who was high on cocaine, breached a barring order and attacked Bowes at her home, repeatedly punching and kicking her until she lost consciousness twice. The attack left Bowes with fractures to her skull, eye sockets and cheekbone, permanent scarring, nerve damage and a metal plate in her face. She described the violence as "merciless" and said she feared for her life. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced McSherry to three and a half years, suspended the final year on the condition of sobriety, drug‑treatment participation and no contact with Bowes. The sentence was back‑dated to March to account for time spent in custody and treatment. McSherry had previously been remanded on bail to attend a drug‑treatment programme. Jonathan McSherry pleaded guilty.
Muna Ali, a 23‑year‑old Norwegian national, was stopped at Dublin Airport after a flight from Nairobi. X‑ray scans of her suitcases revealed a green, herb‑like substance identified as khat, a controlled drug. The estimated street value of the drugs was €7,200. Ali pleaded guilty to unlawful importation of a controlled drug on 9 July 2016. She was originally from Somalia, moved to Norway with her mother, and was attending university when she travelled to Kenya. While there, she met a man via Facebook who offered her €2,000 to transport two suitcases from Nairobi to Glasgow. Ali claimed she did not know the contents of the suitcases. The court, noting her early guilty plea, lack of prior convictions and absence of family ties in Ireland, imposed a ten‑month sentence back‑dated to the day she entered custody.
Shane Fowler, 34, received a suspended two‑year prison sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of criminal damage and unlawful possession of an axe for smashing four cars belonging to an innocent family in Finglas. The incident, which occurred on 31 October 2015, stemmed from a mistaken identity; Fowler had believed the house was that of a local drug dealer who had introduced his ex‑partner to crack cocaine. Gardaí arrested him near the scene, but he was too intoxicated to be interviewed. Judge Terence O'Neill, noting Fowler's significant rehabilitation and genuine remorse, suspended the sentence on the condition that he pay €500 to the victims within three months, in addition to a €500 token of remorse already paid to court. The total damage cost was €7,188. Fowler's prior convictions include dangerous driving, endangerment and car theft, most from 2007. The case was defended by Seamus Clarke BL and prosecuted by Anne Marie Lawlor BL.
Stephen Winders, 41, was arrested in Ireland after returning from the United States, where he had fled following a 2010 drug‑dealing conviction. He was found with 19 cannabis plants and a plastic bag of heroin worth €1,668, which he claimed were for personal use. Winders had previously pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and heroin for sale or supply in October 2010 and had been on bail when he fled. While in the U.S., he reportedly worked as a television cameraman and completed an intensive treatment programme. He returned to Ireland to establish a homelessness charity, Progress Homelessness, and sought garda clearance to register it. Gardaí discovered outstanding warrants and arrested him at the station. Judge Catherine Murphy adjourned the case to March 20, 2017, and indicated she might consider a suspended sentence if a clean probation report and drug tests were presented. The case remains pending.
Jamie Daly, aged 20, pleaded guilty to burglary and unlawful possession of a motor vehicle after breaking into a Blackrock home on 17 February. He and a co‑accused loitered in the house, stealing expensive items, then fled in the victim's black Jaguar, which crashed on the road. CCTV identified them; the co‑accused received a five‑year sentence with one year suspended. Daly was given a suspended three‑year sentence. He had four prior convictions for minor offences and was homeless at the time of the crime, having been displaced from Ballymun. He was on drugs during the offence and had little recollection. Since then, he has enrolled in a horticulture course at Blackrock Further Education Institute and engaged positively with the Probation Service. The judge noted the burglary was aggravated by the prolonged presence in the victim's home but also acknowledged Daly's efforts to reform.
Christopher Coakley, aged 25, was sentenced to six years in prison for hijacking a nurse's car while in a drug‑induced psychosis. The incident occurred early on 6 April 2015 near Temple Street Hospital when Coakley forced a nurse to hand over her keys, then reversed the vehicle without lights, later colliding with another car. The nurse's car was ultimately found burnt out. Coakley had previously pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at Ladbrokes in December 2014, unlawful seizure of a car in April 2015, and criminal damage to two cars. He already serves a six‑year term for an armed robbery imposed in December 2014 and a three‑year term for a 2012 hijacking. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a six‑year sentence with the final two years suspended, ordering 18 months of probation, drug treatment and employment or educational courses. The sentence does not extend his time in custody, and he is due for release in 2020.
Cao Son Nguyen, a 30‑year‑old Vietnamese man with no fixed abode, was found asleep beside a toilet in a unit at the Clash Industrial Estate in Tralee, where cannabis plants potentially worth €1.4 million were growing. He had pleaded guilty to cultivation and to possession of cannabis for sale or supply on 21 October 2013. The original sentence of ten years imprisonment, with the last four years suspended, was imposed by Judge Tom E O'Donnell at the Tralee Circuit Criminal Court. On appeal, Nguyen's counsel, Philip Sheahan SC, argued that the case resembled a growhouse operation and that the DPP's charge of sale or supply was unusual. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, agreed that the offence had been placed too high on the penalty scale and that Nguyen's circumstances differed from those of his co‑accused.
Aidan Quigley, 43, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two burglary and one attempted burglary offences committed between June 2014 and May 2015 while on bail for each. He had 41 prior convictions, 21 for burglary. Gardaí noted he always ensured houses were unoccupied and that each raid was to fund a heroin addiction. All stolen items were returned to owners as Quigley was still in possession when arrested. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed consecutive sentences totalling four years, suspended in full, citing Quigley's "trojan efforts at rehabilitating himself". Quigley's counsel argued that a personal tragedy and drug addiction had driven his crimes, and that he had ceased burglaries and was drug‑free since July of the previous year. No further burglary charges had been brought against him since May 2015. The suspended sentence reflects the court's view that Quigley was moving away from the lifestyle he had lived.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 16 December 2016, Darren Bewley, aged 39, pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a car, criminal damage, dangerous driving and drunk driving after he drunkenly drove a stolen Renault Captur on the wrong side of the North Circular Road, crashing into a bus stop. Bewley, who had 27 prior convictions and was over the legal alcohol limit, admitted he had taken prescribed medication and vodka, and that the car's keys were in the vehicle. The court noted that no one was injured and that Bewley had been working on overcoming his heroin addiction. Judge Terence O'Sullivan imposed a two‑year sentence, suspended the final nine months, and disqualified Bewley from driving for seven years. The stolen car was written off and the bus stop suffered €800 in damage, with the owner paying a €300 excess on insurance. The case highlighted Bewley's ongoing struggle with substance abuse and his attempts at rehabilitation.
Conor Clarke, 24, was released on bail after pleading guilty to burglary, theft and criminal damage at Tessa House, a homeless shelter in Dublin. He admitted breaking into the shelter on 21 November 2015, smashing a cash register and causing damage costing just over €2,600, including €2,122 for repairs and a €500 new register. Clarke, who has 47 prior convictions, was in custody since February and has undergone drug counselling in prison. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned finalisation to March 28, allowing Clarke to remain on bail for several months to see if he can maintain the progress he has made in prison, citing his recent fatherhood as motivation. The case will return to court for finalisation on 28 March.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing, Terence 'Terry' Connors, aged 42, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in the death of Peter Conroy, 27, at Palmerstown Lodge B&B on 9 June 2015. The State did not accept the manslaughter plea. Connors also pleaded not guilty to assaulting Elaine Blunt on the same day. He testified that he had been at the B&B with his partner Brigid, had taken a small amount of cocaine and been drinking, and that men were "roaring and shouting" at his children. He claimed he "blanked" when he heard his boys and took a knife he had bought a week earlier, saying he did not intend to kill anyone and was sorry the incident occurred. CCTV footage was cited by both sides, with defence arguing it showed Connors only intervening after a glass was thrown at his children. The trial continues before a jury of twelve.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Keith Byrne, aged 32 and with 44 prior convictions, pleaded guilty to possession of €300 worth of cannabis and to making threats to kill or seriously harm staff at Bewleys Hotel, Sandyford, on 15 February 2014. Byrne, who had threatened staff with a screwdriver and said he would "murder" them, is now in a residential rehabilitation program at New Hope in Tallaght. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the matter to 3 October 2017, stating that if Byrne continues to make progress in treatment and engages in services, the court would consider a non‑custodial resolution. The judge noted Byrne's current rehabilitation and the possibility of a non‑custodial outcome if he maintains his progress. The case remains pending, with no jail sentence imposed at this stage.
An Offaly GP, Bernadette Scully, was tried for the manslaughter of her 11‑year‑old daughter, Emily Barut, who had severe epilepsy and microcephaly. The prosecution alleged that Scully had given Emily an excessive dose of chloral hydrate on 15 September 2012, leading to intoxication and death. Scully claimed she had administered the drug when Emily became upset at 2 am and 6 am, and again after a seizure at 11 am, stating she had given more than double the usual amount in nine hours. Laboratory tests found Emily's blood contained ten times the therapeutic level of the drug's metabolite, and a post‑mortem confirmed death by chloral hydrate intoxication. The jury deliberated for four hours and two minutes and returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty. The judge discharged the jury and the case concluded with Scully's release.
In a McDonald's on Grafton Street, Dublin, 25‑year‑old James Thornton struck trainee firefighter Cian McNally on the head with a chair, causing a wound that required ten stitches. Thornton claimed he had not intended to hit McNally but was aiming at McNally's friend, whom he described as "looking like a little faggot" and who had given him a "bad vibe." He told Gardaí that he had taken heroin that morning and was under a drug‑induced psychosis. At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Thornton pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. Judge Martin Nolan accepted the psychosis explanation and, after noting Thornton had been in custody for five months, sentenced him to a three‑year term suspended in full. No custodial time was imposed. The case was described as an unprovoked attack with no further motive offered. The victim, who had begun training with the Dublin Fire Brigade the following week, later completed his training.
Edward Walshe, 23, was charged after a high‑speed chase in which he drove a black Saab carrying a sawn‑off double‑barrel shotgun. He had agreed to give a lift to a man owing him a €100 drug debt, but the passenger had a firearm. When Garda Stephen Byrne signalled him to stop, Walshe fled, causing a head‑on collision and forcing small children celebrating Halloween to flee the road. Detective Sergeant Declan O'Connell pursued him, injuring his hand when Walshe grabbed and twisted it during a struggle. Walshe pleaded guilty to possession of the shotgun, dangerous driving, and assaulting the sergeant. The court adjourned sentencing to 17 January, citing serious illnesses in his family, and remanded him on bail until that date. The firearm and four unspent cartridges were recovered from the vehicle. The case remains pending.
A 23‑year‑old Norwegian national, Muna Ali, was stopped at Dublin Airport after a flight from Nairobi. X‑ray scans of her suitcases revealed a green, herb‑like substance identified as khat, a controlled drug. The estimated street value of the khat was €7,200. Ali pleaded guilty to unlawful importation of a controlled drug on 9 July 2016. She was originally from Somalia, moved to Norway with her mother, and was attending university when she travelled to Kenya. While there, she met a man via Facebook and agreed to transport two suitcases from Nairobi to Glasgow for €2,000. She claimed she did not know the contents of the suitcases. The court noted her early guilty plea, lack of prior convictions, and absence of family ties in Ireland. Judge Terence O'Sullivan announced a partially suspended sentence and adjourned sentencing to 21 December to allow her flight to Norway.
A 24‑year‑old, William Gilsenan, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter for killing drug dealer Edward Fitzgerald (29) during a €100 debt dispute. The trial, lasting ten days at the Central Criminal Court, ended with a unanimous verdict after 2 h 35 min of jury deliberation. Gilsenan had pleaded not guilty to murder; defence counsel sought bail, but Justice Paul Butler ruled that bail would only be granted under extraordinary circumstances following a manslaughter conviction. He remanded Gilsenan in custody until a sentencing hearing on 12 January. The case involved an argument in a car park where Fitzgerald demanded money; Gilsenan claimed self‑defence after being struck, but the jury concluded he used excessive force. The verdict was delivered after the judge explained the possible outcomes and the conditions for each. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for 12 January.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 19‑year‑old Ross Behan pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, attempted robbery and possession of a knife after stabbing a Brazilian man on a Luas tram on 6 May. The victim, who had tried to defend himself with a fake taser, suffered a one‑inch laceration and was taken to St James's Hospital. Behan also pleaded guilty to breaking and entering a house in Inchicore and stealing two cars, which he crashed and abandoned. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to six years' imprisonment, suspending the final three years, and ordered drug treatment on release. Behan had 27 prior convictions, including burglary and theft, and had pleaded guilty to the earlier offences. The court heard he was on drugs at the time of the attacks and that his childhood was marked by hardship. The judge noted that a prolonged incarceration would not best serve the community.
A jury has begun deliberations in the trial of William Gilsenan, 24, accused of murdering drug dealer Edward Fitzgerald, 29, during a dispute over a €100 debt. The incident occurred on 17 October 2014 in a car park outside Gilsenan's home. Gilsenan pleaded not guilty. Justice Paul Butler instructed the jury that they could return a verdict of guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. He stated that the prosecution had accepted that Gilsenan stabbed Fitzgerald in the heart, causing death, but that a not‑guilty verdict could be reached if the jury believed Gilsenan acted in self‑defence and used only necessary force. He also noted that the defence claimed Gilsenan was provoked and lost self‑control after Fitzgerald threatened him and his family. The jury began deliberations shortly after 11 a.m. this morning.