Wayne Ellis, 35, from Ballyfermot, lost a challenge to the constitutionality of mandatory minimum sentences for firearms offences. He had pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances and to possession of certain articles at Knocklyon Shopping Centre on 5 July 2012. In 2014 Judge Mary Ellen Ring gave him a wholly suspended sentence, but the Court of Appeal later ruled the sentence was "unduly lenient" and ordered him to serve a five‑year term. Ellis's lawyers argued that the mandatory minimum provisions under Section 27A (8) of the Firearms Act 1964, as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 2006, infringed the separation of powers and the principle of proportionality. The High Court refused to declare the section unconstitutional, and the Court of Appeal agreed, noting that the legislature had a legitimate role in setting sentencing parameters and that the mandatory minimum was not irrational or disproportionate.
In a Dublin Circuit Court hearing, Judge Martin Nolan expressed surprise that possession of empty firearm cartridges was a criminal offence. He sentenced 26‑year‑old Paul Honer to a three‑month suspended sentence for unlawful possession of blank ammunition. Honer admitted keeping the cartridges in a red box under a fish tank in his bedroom; he claimed they were given to him by his father before the father's death ten years earlier. Garda Thomas Wafer discovered the shells during a search of Honer's house on 26 March 2016. Honer, who had previously pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of firearm ammunition, was arrested for the offence while already serving a four‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for a firearms offence. Judge Nolan noted that many people in rural areas possess spent shells and that he would not sentence someone to imprisonment unless the state proved sinister intent.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Joseph Beacom, aged 34, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for discharging a shotgun into the bedroom of his neighbour, Patricia Weldon, after a dispute with his brother over childcare. The incident occurred on 3 April 2016 at Kilmahuddrick Lawn, Clondalkin, when Beacom, enraged that his children had witnessed a fight with his brother, returned to Weldon's home with a shotgun and fired through a bedroom window. The shot shattered glass and caused Weldon to seek refuge in her bathroom, where she called the Gardaí. Beacom had previously pleaded guilty to the offence and had 36 prior convictions, including six threats to kill. The court noted his history of alcohol misuse but also his participation in a residential treatment programme at Chuain Mhuire, and imposed a five‑year sentence with the final 18 months suspended.
Bryan Quigley, 44, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of an Anschutz rifle found in his flat on 29 November 2016. Garda David Chapman reported that a search of Quigley's former home recovered the disassembled rifle and 11 rounds of ammunition. The rifle, stolen in a burglary, was in usable condition but had its telescopic sight installed backwards. Quigley claimed he had no involvement in the burglary and had been drinking when a man, whom he would not name, brought the weapon to his home and asked him to leave it there. Quigley said he feared the man and felt forced to agree. He was homeless after a fire at his flat and had difficulties with alcohol and depression. The court found Quigley a vulnerable person who had been taken advantage of. Judge Nolan, noting Quigley's guilty plea, cooperation and lack of benefit from the offence, imposed a four‑year sentence, which he suspended in full.
A 65‑year‑old Galway man, whose identity is withheld to protect his daughter's anonymity, will be sentenced on 13 November for raping his daughter and threatening her mother with a shotgun. He denied one count of rape and six counts of sexual assault that took place between August 1991 and August 1993. A jury at the Central Criminal Court found him guilty on all charges after just under three hours of deliberation. The offences occurred in the family home where the victim lived with her parents and three siblings. The complainant, who was about nine or ten when the first incident occurred, described her father entering her room drunk, using a shotgun, removing her underwear, molesting her for a few minutes, and threatening to shoot her mother if she reported the abuse. She reported similar incidents on six to eight further occasions, including a brief rape attempt, a slap, and repeated threats.
Two men, James Walsh, 33, and Jonathan Harding, 44, were arrested after a firearms cache was found in Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole. They face charges under the Firearms Act for unlawful possession of five revolvers, 20 rounds of ammunition and a silencer. Both applied for bail in the High Court, but the State objected, arguing they were flight risks. Detective Sergeant Michael Cuffe and Detective Chief Superintendent Patrick Lordan presented evidence that bail would risk further serious offences. Judge Tony Hunt rejected the bail applications, remanding the men in custody.
Two men, James Walsh, 33, and Jonathan Harding, 44, were arrested on 24 January after a firearms cache was found in a Greenogue Business Park unit. The cache included five revolvers, 20 rounds of ammunition and a silencer. They face charges under the Firearms Act for unlawful possession. A High Court judge will decide whether to grant bail. Detective Sergeant Michael Cuffe argued that if released they would be flight risks and might avoid trial. Detective Chief Superintendent Patrick Lordan presented evidence that bail should be refused to prevent a serious offence. Justice Tony Hunt will deliver his judgment tomorrow.
Larry McCarthy, 37, was found guilty of assaulting David Foran, 33, by stabbing him in the leg during a dispute over compensation for a road accident. The incident occurred on 25 November 2014 at Cornmarket Villas, Limerick, after a motorcyclist offered Foran €5,500 and directed him to meet McCarthy. McCarthy, present in the car park, challenged Foran and stabbed him with a knife. Foran suffered a puncture wound to his left thigh, treated at University Hospital Limerick. McCarthy had previously been arrested on 4 March 2015 for violent disorder and had eight prior convictions, including dangerous driving and firearm offences in the UK. He was remanded in custody until 31 July, when he will be sentenced by the Special Criminal Court. The court noted that Foran made a full recovery and declined a victim impact statement. The sentencing hearing was presided over by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, with Judges Gerard Griffin and Gerard Haughton. Larry McCarthy pleaded not guilty. David Foran pleaded not guilty.
At the sentence stage of the trial, Alan 'Cookie' McNamara (51), from Mountfune, Murroe, Co Limerick, pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Andrew 'AOD' O'Donoghue on Saturday June 20, 2015 at Mountfune, as well as to impeding his apprehension knowing or believing him to have committed a serious offence. Robert Cusack (28), of Abington, Murroe, also pleaded not guilty to impeding Mr McNamara's apprehension. Sgt Louise Casey, acting as the garda in charge at Roxboro Rd Garda Station during Mr McNamara's detention, provided details of his interviews with gardai. Alan McNamara's plea was not guilty, and no finding or sentence was recorded at this stage. The matter was adjourned and will continue next week in front of Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven men and four women.
George Simpson, aged 30, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for attempting to rob the Rush Post Office on 28 November 2016. He entered armed with an air pistol and a hatchet, threatened to chop a customer's head off, and smashed a glass panel in front of the tills. Simpson pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to rob, production of a weapon, threat to kill or cause serious harm, and criminal damage. The judge, after viewing CCTV footage, noted the incident was frightening for staff and customers, and that Simpson's behaviour was out of character. His final 18 months were suspended, leaving an effective custodial term of four years and six months. Simpson has since moved out of his shared home and has begun attending a psychologist. The case was heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
A trial is ongoing before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven men and four women at the Circuit Criminal Court in Limerick. Alan 'Cookie' McNamara (51), from Mountfune, Murroe, Co Limerick, is on trial for the alleged murder of Andrew 'AOD' O'Donoghue on Saturday June 20, 2015, at Mountfune. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge and also to impeding his apprehension knowing or believing him to have committed a serious offence. Robert Cusack (28), of Abington, Murroe, is also on trial and has pleaded not guilty to impeding Mr McNamara's apprehension. Alan McNamara, the accused, has not entered a plea. Sergeant Brian O'Connor and Detective Garda Niall Fitzgerald testified that Mr McNamara told gardai that members of the Road Tramps motorcycle group had threatened to burn his home down with his family inside. Detective Garda Ursula Cummins of the ballistics section at Garda HQ testified that a 12-gauge shotgun cartridge found at the scene of the shooting was fired from a gun found in a wooded area behind Mr McNamara's home. The gun was sawn to a barrel length of 37cm, which is below the minimum legal length of 60cm for a shotgun in Ireland. The trial continues tomorrow.
The murder trial of Alan 'Cookie' McNamara and Robert Cusack continues before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. McNamara, 51, from Mountfune, Co Limerick, has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Andrew O'Donoghue on June 20, 2015. Cusack, 28, has pleaded not guilty to the alleged offence of impeding McNamara's apprehension. The jury reviewed CCTV footage showing a man brandishing a firearm at the Road Tramps clubhouse gates, where O'Donoghue was allegedly shot. Prosecution evidence included a sawn-off shotgun found in a wooded area behind McNamara's home and various weapons, including a pipe bomb and improvised firearm, discovered at the clubhouse. Gardaí testified that they arrested both defendants in Garryowen, Limerick, on the evening of the incident. A typed document listing 41 names, including 'Cookie' and 'Rob Cusack', was also found at McNamara's residence. The trial is ongoing, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded at this procedural stage.
The trial of Alan 'Cookie' McNamara and Robert Cusack continued before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. McNamara, 51, from Mountfune, Co Limerick, and Cusack, 28, from Abington, Murroe, both pleaded not guilty. McNamara is charged with the murder of Andrew O'Donoghue on June 20, 2015, while Cusack faces charges of impeding McNamara's apprehension. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that O'Donoghue died from a single shotgun wound to the head, face, and neck. He stated that approximately 100 pellets created a 20cm by 60cm wound, with some penetrating the brain. The pellet pattern indicated the gun was fired from a distance of eight to ten feet. Detective Garda Niall Fitzgerald testified that officers entered McNamara's home with a warrant on the day of the shooting. They found a shotgun cartridge and a red diary in a bedroom cabinet, alongside four additional cartridges in a bedside locker. The diary, headed 'Caballeros MC Ireland,' contained lists of names, meeting minutes, and references to 'Cookie' and 'Robert.' Garda Fitzgerald agreed with defence counsel that entries dated June 16 under 'Prospects' appeared to link to Cusack. The trial is ongoing and was not adjourned or finalised during this session.
Michael Hanney, 24, was sentenced by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to five years' imprisonment with the final two years suspended for possessing a 9mm Makarov pistol, a silencer and three rounds of ammunition in a silver case, and for possessing an air pistol at his home. He pleaded guilty to both offences. The Court of Appeal dismissed the Director of Public Prosecutions' application to review the sentence, describing the case as "very serious" but noting Hanney's early admission of responsibility, his age of 22 at the time of the offence, and his positive community involvement. The judge considered the sentence to be at the outer limits of leniency but not unduly so, and therefore upheld the original sentence. No further changes to the custodial term were made.
In a Limerick murder trial, Alan McNamara (50) pleaded not guilty to the 2015 shooting death of Andrew O'Donoghue (51). McNamara, a former Road Tramps member who joined the Caballeros, allegedly fired a sawn‑off shotgun at O'Donoghue during a territorial dispute between the two clubs. The incident began when McNamara, wearing Caballeros colours, was confronted by Road Tramps members in Doon, a Road Tramps area. After a confrontation, McNamara allegedly shot O'Donoghue at point‑blank range. Robert Cusack (28), McNamara's stepson, was charged with impeding his apprehension and also pleaded not guilty. Both men are being tried together at the Central Criminal Court, with the trial continuing before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. The prosecution presented evidence of the clubs' territorial conflict and the sequence of events leading to the fatal shooting.
George Simpson, 30, was sentenced later in July after a post office raid in Rush on 28 November 2016. He attempted robbery, possessed an imitation firearm, produced a weapon, threatened to kill or cause serious harm, and caused criminal damage. Simpson entered the post office armed with an air pistol and a hatchet, threatened a female staff member that he would chop off a customer's head if she did not hand over cash, and smashed a glass panel in front of the tills. He shouted "fuck this" and fled. Garda Ross Rowan reported that the staff member hid in the back office, pressed the panic alarm, and did not return until a customer informed gardaí that Simpson had left. Simpson was remanded in custody pending sentencing on 21 July and chose to go to prison. He apologized to staff and customers, admitted the threat, and acknowledged that he would face further punishment. George Simpson pleaded guilty.
Seán Ducque, 33, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of Kieran Farrelly. Ducque, who pleaded not guilty, was convicted by a jury after a trial. The court imposed the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment for the murder, which occurred on 26th October 2014 at Killarney Court, Dublin. Ducque had previously pleaded guilty to robbing taxi driver David Wyer of a mobile phone, car keys, and approximately €150 in cash, and possessing a firearm with intent to commit robbery at Terrace Place on the same date. For these offences, the judge sentenced Ducque to 12 years for the robbery and seven years for the firearm possession. Additionally, Ducque admitted to robbing Hugh Gildea of a mobile phone, wristwatch, and approximately €520 in cash on 27th October 2014 at Mabbot Lane, for which he received a three-year sentence. All sentences were backdated to 5th May 2016, when Ducque entered custody for another armed robbery. The judge described the murder as cold and calculated, and noted the profound impact on the victims, including Wyer, who surrendered his PSV licence and can no longer drive a taxi.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, Niall Fitzpatrick, aged 50, was acquitted of firearms offences and attempted aggravated burglary at Patrick Glavin's home. Fitzpatrick denied possession of a Remington 12‑ga pump‑action shotgun and ammunition, and pleaded not guilty to the burglary charges. The jury delivered not‑guilty verdicts on the firearms and aggravated burglary charges, but could not reach a verdict on the attempted burglary charge. The case stemmed from an incident on 11 August 2013 at Glavin's residence in Rougrane, Glanmire.
Tracey Deegan, 42, pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing a 12‑gauge Winchester pump‑action shotgun and a 12‑gauge Reno double‑barrel shotgun. She admitted that she had allowed a former partner to store three shotguns and ammunition in her Cherrywood Park home after being threatened at gunpoint. Gardaí discovered the firearms in a wardrobe and found a shotgun shell in the kitchen, which Deegan claimed was her brother's. She also admitted to using cocaine every two weeks. Deegan said the partner threatened her and her brother, who allegedly owed €12,000 in drugs, and that he would collect the guns after dark. She had no prior convictions and cooperated fully when arrested. The case was adjourned to 7 July for the Director of Public Prosecution to decide the seriousness of the offence.
Seán Ducque, who had no fixed abode, was found guilty of murdering 33‑year‑old Kieran Farrelly on 26 October 2014. The court heard that Farrelly was shot twice with a shotgun – first in the chest, then in the head – after a confrontation in Killarney Court, Dublin. Witnesses reported two bangs and shouting at about 11.30 p.m.; a female voice warned "Seán, don't do it." Emergency services discovered Farrelly's body with two gunshot wounds. A sawn‑off, double‑barrelled shotgun and discharged cartridges were recovered from a nearby lane. Ducque denied intent to kill, claiming he was trying to sell a stolen phone, but the jury found him guilty of murder. He will be sentenced to life imprisonment next month. The trial also noted Ducque's prior robberies and his heroin addiction at the time of the offence. The judge remanded him in custody for sentencing. Seán Ducque pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin murder trial, the jury was supplied with the shotgun used by the defendant, Seán Ducque, to kill 33‑year‑old Kieran Farrelly in 2014. Ducque, who has no fixed abode, pleaded not guilty but admitted firing two shots that killed Farrelly. The jurors requested the weapon during deliberations and received it before resuming at lunchtime. Prosecutor Dominic McGinn noted the Gardaí had asked for the firearm to be returned to avoid it being left unattended, a request the judge accepted.
Alan Daly, 39, was sentenced to three years for attempted robbery at Dunnes Stores, Ongar Village, on 13 March 2016. He pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit robbery, unlawful taking of a car and driving without insurance on the same date. The court backdated the sentence to the day he entered custody and suspended the remaining portion. Daly, who had 13 prior convictions, was armed with a "BB gun" while his co‑accused carried a knife. They entered the store, kept the door open, and attempted to force staff to open the tills, but fled empty‑handed after staff alerted security. Gardaí pursued them, intercepted the getaway car, and recovered the imitation firearm, a knife and balaclava. Daly had been in custody since the offence and had used his time productively, according to the judge. The suspended sentence allows him to continue rehabilitation and move on from addiction.
In a Dublin murder trial, the jury requested to see the shotgun used by Seán Ducque, who shot Kieran Farrelly, 33, in the head and chest on 26 October 2014 at Killarney Court. Ducque, a homeless drug addict, pleaded not guilty. Prosecutor Dominic McGinn SC argued that firing a shotgun at close range indicates intent to kill and that the alleged provocation—Farrelly's threat to "beat the head off" Ducque—was insufficient to cause a complete loss of control. He described Ducque's actions as deliberate: luring Farrelly to the court, retrieving the gun, shooting twice, and reloading within a metre of the victim's head. McGinn concluded that this case represented a clear instance of murder. Defence counsel Hugh O'Keeffe SC acknowledged the killing but highlighted the unusual nature of provocation and the client's intoxication.
In a Dublin murder trial, 33‑year‑old Seán Ducque, who has no fixed abode, admitted firing a loaded shotgun twice at Kieran Farrelly on 26 October 2014, killing him. Ducque said he was severely intoxicated with heroin, vodka and zimovane and had lost control after Farrelly threatened to punch him. He claimed drug dealers had given him the shotgun and four cartridges to rob a taxi driver and repay a €3,000 debt. Ducque testified that he hid the gun and the taxi driver's phone and cash in bushes at Killarney Court, then returned with Farrelly and his partners to retrieve the items. He denied any pre‑planned intent to kill, stating he was under threat and that the second shot was fired after the first when Farrelly was on the ground. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Paul Butler and a jury of twelve. The unnamed 33-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Dylan Cahill, aged 24, of Lower Irishtown, Clonmel, County Tipperary, received a six-year sentence at the Special Criminal Court following guilty pleas to weapons and explosives charges. On 13 May 2015, gardaí conducting traffic enforcement stopped a vehicle near Glefarne, County Leitrim after reports of fuel theft. A search of the maroon Volkswagen Passat uncovered a plastic shopping bag containing a .380 calibre semi-automatic pistol, four rounds of matching ammunition, and two improvised explosive devices. Cahill, the driver, pleaded guilty to possession of the firearm and ammunition, and to possession of the pipe-bombs at the same location. During interview, he stated he was unaware of the weapon's intended purpose. Gardaí assessed the items were being transported in connection with IRA activities. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, presiding with two colleagues, imposed concurrent sentences of six years, with the final year suspended, on each count.
The murder trial of Christopher McDonald, 34, from East Wall, Dublin, is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. McDonald has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of 36-year-old Keith Walker on June 12, 2015, in the car park of the Blanchardstown Pigeon Racing Club on Shelerin Road, Clonsilla. State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy testified that Walker, a healthy individual, died quickly after suffering 18 bullet wounds to the head and body. She concluded the cause of death was multiple gunshot injuries, noting the wounds were consistent with rapid fire. Detective Garda David O'Leary presented a 9mm Makarov sub-machine gun found in a laneway off Sheepmoor Grove, along with a handbag and wig. He testified that the firearm, which had been reactivated by a skilled person, fired the bullets that killed Walker. The jury also heard from Jason O'Connor, a friend of the deceased, who stated that Walker was preparing for a pigeon racing trip to Manchester when he was shot. The trial continues before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of twelve.
The Central Criminal Court heard that 33‑year‑old Seán Ducque, charged with murdering Kieran Farrelly, tried to urinate on his hands before forensic samples were taken for firearms residue. Garda Aaron Hoey testified that after the accused was detained the next day, bags were placed on his hands to preserve residue that could be removed by friction or washing. Hoey said Ducque removed the bags and attempted to wash the residue away, and that he was uncooperative, requiring restraint by four officers. Despite this, samples were obtained. Forensic scientist John O'Shaughnessy examined Ducque's jacket and found residue matching that from the shotgun cartridge recovered at the scene, supporting the view that Ducque discharged the shotgun. CCTV footage showed the accused, the victim and two women walking together at 11:30 pm, with the victim no longer present ten minutes later.
During the murder trial of 33‑year‑old Seán Ducque, a witness, Leon Fay, testified that he heard two bangs and two women shouting "Seán Don't" on the night of 26 October 2014. Fay, who lived across the street from Killarney Court, recalled hearing what he thought were fireworks, then hearing the women's distressing cries. He also heard a male voice say "I'll meet you around the back" before seeing the women run together. Fay went to the scene, saw a body lying on the ground, and called an ambulance. The body was that of Kieran Farrelly, who was found shot with a shotgun. The state pathologist confirmed two fatal shotgun injuries, one to the eye and one to the chest, and the prosecution argued that Ducque's use of a shotgun at close range constituted an intent to kill. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Butler, is expected to last two weeks. Seán Ducque pleaded not guilty.
A 33‑year‑old man, Seán Ducque, is on trial for the murder of Kieran Farrelly, who died in Dublin City in 2014. Ducque pleaded not guilty, but his barrister, Hugh O'Keeffe SC, admitted that Ducque fired two shotgun shots on 26 October 2014, shots that killed Farrelly. The prosecution, represented by Dominic McGinn SC, argued that the shots were fired from a sawn‑off, double‑barrelled shotgun found in a wheelie bin on Mabbot Lane. Farrelly's body was discovered on Killarney Street with two gunshot wounds – one to the chest and one to the left eye socket – and the State Pathologist confirmed death from these injuries. The court must decide whether Ducque intended to kill or seriously injure Farrelly, a key element for a murder conviction. The trial is scheduled to continue for two weeks before Mr Justice Paul Butler and a 12‑person jury.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 19 June 2017, 39‑year‑old Alan Daly pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at Dunnes Stores, Ongar Village, on 13 March 2016. Daly, who had 13 prior convictions, was armed with an imitation firearm described as a "BB gun" and a co‑accused carried a knife. The pair entered the store with balaclavas, but Daly remained at the door while the co‑accused approached the tills. Staff alerted security, who pursued the men. Both fled empty‑handed and were arrested in a car that had been taken from its owners' house earlier that day. Garda Peter Foley recovered the imitation firearm, a large kitchen knife and balaclava. Daly's defence argued he had been compelled by criminals to repay a drug‑related debt and had acted in desperation after being assaulted. The judge adjourned sentencing to allow further consideration of the case and reports.
Keith Chrystal, aged 28, was convicted at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court for robbery, assault causing harm, possession of an imitation firearm, unlawful use of a vehicle and criminal damage following a raid on Leighlinbridge Post Office on 3 March 2016. He pleaded guilty and was originally sentenced to an effective two‑and‑a‑half‑year term by Judge Carmel Doyle on 20 July 2016. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient. In the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice John Edwards re‑sentenced Chrystal to an effective four‑year term, with the final six months suspended. The appeal was based on the judge's assessment that the discounts for the guilty plea and mitigating circumstances were excessive. The case involved a robbery that stole €6,856, the use of an imitation firearm, a hammer, a stolen car, and the assault of Postmaster Art O'Connor, who was struck on the head during the incident.
A 24-year-old man from County Tipperary pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to possessing two pipe-bombs, a pistol, and ammunition discovered during a traffic stop in County Leitrim in May 2015. Dylan Cahill of Clonmel admitted charges relating to a .380 calibre semi-automatic pistol, four rounds of ammunition, and two improvised explosive devices found at Sradrine, Glefarne. Gardaí conducting traffic duties stopped the vehicle after reports it had left a filling station without paying for fuel. A search of the car revealed the weapons and explosives in a shopping bag on the front passenger seat. Detective Garda Derek Bonar told the court that gardaí believed the items were being transported in connection with IRA activities. Cahill's co-accused, John Burke, previously pleaded guilty in the Circuit Criminal Court and received a three-and-a-half-year sentence with six months suspended. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, sitting with two other judges, remanded Cahill in custody pending sentencing on 26 June.
Patrick Kinch, aged 48, was jailed after he fired 37 shotgun rounds at Gardaí in a 15‑hour siege at his Deerpark Square home on 20 December 2015. He claimed he wanted to "go out in a blaze of glory" and feared he would not reach heaven if he killed himself. Kinch pleaded guilty to endangering Gardaí, damaging the house and causing over €7,000 in damage to a Garda vehicle. He was sentenced to ten years, with Judge Martin Nolan suspending the final three and a half years. The siege began when his partner, Natasha Donnelly, fled the house after witnessing Kinch's erratic behaviour and alerted Gardaí. Garda Rory Maher described how Kinch repeatedly fired at Gardaí from windows, demanding they shoot him, and ultimately threw the unloaded shotgun out the window before being arrested. The court noted Kinch's 33 prior convictions and his history of psychiatric care. The judge praised Gardaí for restraint and professionalism.
Brian Kenna, a former member of a Provisional IRA gang, was involved in a bank robbery in Enniscorthy on 1 May 1990. The gang, consisting of seven raiders armed with shotguns, pistols, a revolver and replica guns, held up the AIB branch at Slaney Place. Gardai were alerted by a bank official and four uniformed officers arrived, armed with an Uzi submachine gun and revolvers issued by Superintendent Michael Murphy. During the confrontation, the raiders fired three shots at the gardai, who returned fire and seriously injured the driver of the getaway van. Kenna pleaded not guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to commit robbery, use of a firearm to resist arrest, and robbery of over €5,000. He was convicted along with five others, each receiving a ten‑year sentence, while a sixth man received twelve years due to a prior firearms conviction. The trial took place at the Special Criminal Court in Green Street.
Three men from Cork—Joseph Walsh (36), Michael Gilmartin (46), and Sean Walsh (50)—are set to stand trial at the Special Criminal Court for alleged membership in the Irish Republican Army. Walsh and Gilmartin face additional charges of possessing firearms, including a 9mm pistol, a sawn‑off shotgun, and ammunition, seized from Chestnut Drive, Cluain Ard, Newtown, Cobh, on 14 December 2016. All three were arrested in December 2016 and remanded in custody. The court scheduled their trial for 12 February 2018, expecting it to last four weeks.
John Fitzsimons, 50, of Old Tower Crescent, Clondalkin, Dublin, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment with two and a half years suspended after pleading guilty to possession of a semi‑automatic pistol, ammunition and a silencer in suspicious circumstances. The court found that Fitzsimons had agreed to store the handgun for a third party to pay off a debt, but had never actually handled the weapon. He had no prior convictions and was described as a "prisoner in his own home" after the agreement. Judge Karen O'Connor noted his lack of criminal history, his work background, and his cooperation with Gardaí, yet emphasised that storing firearms facilitates serious offences. The sentence was back‑dated to 29 October 2016, and the judge considered the public interest and safety in imposing the penalty. The court also acknowledged his past substance abuse and his productive use of time in custody.
Terence Murphy, aged 35, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for his role in a shooting at a house in Ballyfermot, Dublin. The final eighteen months of the sentence were suspended. Murphy was present when his co‑accused, Daniel Ennis, fired two shots at the house, and he was clearly visible on CCTV footage captured by Gardai. Murphy was arrested shortly after the incident. He pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances on 8 May 2015 and has 26 prior convictions. Ennis received a four‑year sentence for his part in the shooting. Murphy's guilty plea, his time in custody, and the fact that he was not the gun‑bearer were cited as mitigating factors by Judge Melanie Greally, who ordered him to meet with a probation supervisor for the 18 months following his release.
In a Tallaght incident on 15 December 2016, 40‑year‑old Jason Fay, a former chef on medication for a psychotic episode, was arrested for possession of a knife in a public place. Fay had been drinking a substantial amount of alcohol that evening, contrary to medical advice, and was acting erratically near Main Street. Gardai responded to a call, and an armed detective displayed his firearm before Fay dropped the knife. No injuries occurred. Fay pleaded guilty and, after the court considered his work history and family background, Judge Karen O'Connor imposed a one‑year sentence suspended on strict conditions, including abstaining from alcohol while on medication. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with the defence noting Fay's remorse and the low‑level nature of the offence. The garda provided medical attention at the station following his arrest.
A 44-year-old man from Scotstown, County Monaghan, has pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organization styling itself the Irish Republican Army at the Special Criminal Court. The accused, Jim Smyth of Aghalissabeagh, faces an allegation dating to November 25th, 2015. During a voir dire hearing to determine the legality of his arrest, Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Maguire told the court that Mr Smyth was suspected of using his own land and his mother-in-law's property at Knockatallon for IRA activities. Detective Sergeant Gerard O'Doherty described confronting a man on the laneway at approximately 9pm, drawing his firearm and identifying him as Mr Smyth. When asked his whereabouts, the accused stated he had been attending Mass and was present to check on horses. The detective expressed concern about the explanation given the darkness and overgrown conditions. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, presiding with two other judges, is expected to rule tomorrow on whether the arrest was lawful. The trial continues.
Alesandrs Rodjukovs, 36, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to producing a realistic imitation firearm at Lower Main Street Rush on 7 March 2015. He pointed the gun at a motorist after driving aggressively behind him, causing the victim to fear he would be shot. Rodjukovs claimed fatigue from long work hours and a sleepless baby as the cause of his actions. The judge, Karen O'Connor, noted his illness from Chernobyl radiation exposure, a childhood car‑accident injury that killed his mother, and the death of three close relatives in recent months. She described the offence as a "once off incident" and, after hearing he would not re‑offend, imposed an 18‑month sentence suspended in full on strict conditions. Garda Gerard Maloney reported that a blank semi‑automatic pistol, recovered from Rodjukovs' car, was not capable of firing bullets. The pistol had been brought from Latvia. Rodjukovs cooperated with Gardaí and made full admissions.
During a 2017 trial, evidence was presented that a violent struggle occurred in a Dublin hotel room where 35‑year‑old Eric Locke allegedly strangled and suffocated 31‑year‑old Sonia Blount. The jury saw CCTV footage of Locke leaving the hotel hours before Blount's body was found on the floor, with an imitation firearm, cable ties, duct tape, and a blood‑stained top stuffed into her mouth. Garda testimony described ligature marks around her neck, a gag that damaged her teeth, and a black duct tape and phone charger near the body. The State Pathologist testified that death was caused by asphyxia from neck compression and suffocation due to the gag, noting bruising and scratches indicating a struggle. Locke pleaded not guilty, and the trial continued with a jury of eight men and four women.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence regarding a secret communiqué allegedly smuggled out of Portlaoise prison by Brian Kenna. Kenna, who pleaded not guilty to membership of the IRA, was found with the document in his pocket during a search. Detective Chief Superintendent Tom Maguire testified that the message, written on cigarette paper, was a debriefing of three men involved in an intercepted IRA operation, intended for the group's leadership in Northern Ireland. The debriefing concerned Conor Hughes and Darren Fox, who admitted to the unlawful possession of a sawn-off shotgun and two shotgun cartridges in County Limerick, and James Smithers, who was found guilty of IRA membership. Maguire stated the debriefing was conducted by the IRA's commanding officer in Portlaoise prison and referenced three other leading members in Northern Ireland. Kenna was interviewed under Section 2 of the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, 1998, allowing inferences to be drawn from his silence. He denied travelling to the prison for IRA activities, claiming he visited in his capacity with the Irish Prisoners' Welfare Association to raise welfare concerns. Kenna stated he was unaware of the note, suggesting it may have been hidden among Christmas cards handed to him. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, sitting with Judges John O'Hagan and Flann Brennan.
Daniel Kavanagh, 26, of Owensilla, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to possession of a double‑barrelled sawn‑off shotgun and robbery of the Mace Store in Clogherhead, Co. Louth, on 20 April 2015. He had originally been sentenced to four years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, on 21 July 2016. Prosecutors appealed, arguing the sentence was "unduly lenient". The Court of Appeal reviewed the case and imposed a five‑year jail term for each of the two counts, to run concurrently. The judge noted Kavanagh's prior 15 convictions, including firearms offences, and the serious nature of the robbery. The new sentence reflects the Court's view that the original penalty was too light given the circumstances and Kavanagh's history. The decision was made by Mr Justice Alan Mahon, sitting with Mr Justice John Edwards and Mr Justice John Hedigan. The revised term is five years for each count, concurrent, with the final two years suspended.
Dwayne Keane, 25, of Raheen Drive, Ballyfermot, was charged with attempted murder of Jason Williams, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and assault causing harm. The High Court refused his bail application, citing Chief Superintendent Lorraine Wheatley's evidence under Section 2(A) of the Bail Act that bail would risk a serious offence. Justice Paul Coffey applied the "O'Callaghan" principles and Section 2 of the Bail Act 1997 to reject the application. Keane was remanded in custody until the trial, expected to start on 9 April next year.
Joseph Walsh, Michael Gilmartin, and Sean Walsh, all accused of membership in an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army (IRA), appeared at the Special Criminal Court. Walsh (36) of Glengarriff Road, Fair Hill, and Gilmartin (46) of Chestnut Drive, Cluain Ard, Newtown, Cobh, were freshly charged with possession of firearms and ammunition. The new allegations state that on December 14, 2016, they possessed a 9mm parabellum pistol, a suitable magazine, a double-barrel sawn-off shotgun, 14 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and eight shotgun cartridges at the Chestnut Drive address. These charges follow earlier allegations of IRA membership against all three men, including Sean Walsh (50) of St John's Well, Fair Hill, who was arrested in Cork in December 2016. No pleas were entered, and no findings or sentences were recorded at this procedural stage. The court remanded the men in custody until May 26, when their case is listed for mention again. The matter was adjourned and is not concluded.
Declan Brady, 51, of Kildare, was arrested on 24 January for unlawful possession of five revolvers, 20 rounds of ammunition and a silencer, and for possession of 22 kg of cocaine, 11 kg of heroin and 53 g of cannabis, drugs worth an estimated €3.2 million. He faces three firearms charges under the Firearms Act and three drug‑possession charges under the Misuse of Drugs Act. The High Court refused his bail application, with the State and the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Unit arguing that release could lead to further offences. Justice Isobel Kennedy rejected the application.
A 24-year-old man from Clonmel in County Tipperary has pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to possessing a firearm and explosive devices. Dylan Cahill admitted to having a .380 calibre Colt semi-automatic pistol and four rounds of ammunition at a location in Glefarne, County Leitrim on 13 May 2015. He also pleaded guilty to possession of two improvised explosive devices at the same address on that date. The non-jury court, presided over by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy alongside two other judges, remanded Cahill in custody pending sentencing scheduled for 15 May 2017.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 5 April 2017, Assistant Commissioner Michael O'Sullivan informed the court that he believed 56‑year‑old David Murray of Cappogue Cottages, Finglas, was a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The prosecution, represented by Gareth Baker BL, presented evidence they described as "significant and compelling," including a shopping list of chemicals used for explosives found in Murray's bedroom, which was remarkably similar to a list discovered in the van of Stephen Hendrick, a 48‑year‑old convicted in a separate case of possessing explosives after a bomb‑factory was found in his garden. Baker also cited a "connection" between Murray and Hendrick, noting that Hendrick had been sentenced to 11 years for firearms, ammunition and explosives. David Murray pleaded not guilty.
During a Special Criminal Court hearing on 4 April 2017, a Dublin man named David Murray, aged 56, was questioned by Gardaí about his alleged friendship with Stephen Hendrick, a 48‑year‑old convicted of possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives. Murray, who lives in Cappogue Cottages, Finglas, denied IRA membership and made no reply when asked if he was a friend of Hendrick. Gardaí had previously observed the two men together outside Lloyd's pub on Amiens Street on 12 September 2014. In March 2015, a search of Murray's bedroom uncovered a shopping list for chemicals used in making explosives, which the prosecution said was "remarkably similar" to a list found in Hendrick's van. The case is being heard by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, with Judges John O'Hagan and Ann Ryan presiding. David Murray pleaded not guilty.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, a Bulmers pint‑glass labelled "prisoners' fund" was discovered in the converted shed of David Murray, a 56‑year‑old from Cappogue Cottages, Finglas, who is pleading not guilty to membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The shed, used as a bar, also contained a poster for the Irish Republican Prisoners' Welfare Association. Detective Garda Paul Mulcahy reported that a list of items found in Murray's bedroom included sulphur, potassium nitrate and charcoal – the ingredients of black powder – and other components such as alarm‑clocks, circuit‑boards and flash‑bulbs used in improvised explosive devices. Sergeant Kieran Regan found two black bags of military clothing and T‑shirts in another bedroom. Statements from the National Surveillance Unit noted that on 3 September 2014, Murray and Stephen Hendrick left Power City together; Hendrick, who lives in Ballymun, was sentenced last year to eleven years for firearms, ammunition and explosives.