In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Noel McCabe, aged 30, pleaded guilty to possession of a realistic‑looking airgun, common assault, criminal damage and producing an article capable of inflicting serious harm. The offences occurred on 24 September 2024. McCabe first forced entry into a house at Briarwood Lawn, Mulhuddart, then struck a man in a pub at the Westend Shopping Centre, producing a gas pistol from his tracksuit. He dropped gas canisters shaped like bullets, which were not ammunition. Later that evening, Gardaí found a black revolver near him at the same address; forensic analysis confirmed it was a realistic‑looking firearm. McCabe, intoxicated and argumentative, was arrested and later restrained during transport. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a five‑year sentence, back‑dated to September 2024, without part‑suspension, citing McCabe's extensive record of 41 convictions and his expressed remorse. The sentence aims to encourage behavioural change.
Paul Cullen, 45, of Crumlin, was sentenced by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to six years and nine months in prison, with the final 12 months suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to seven offences including assault, robbery, attempted robbery and theft. The judge highlighted a pattern of violent crime, drug use and the use of weapons such as a meat cleaver, screwdriver, claw hammer and an imitation firearm. Cullen's crimes included a violent robbery at a Luas stop where a victim suffered a broken ankle, an attempted robbery at a hotel where he brandished a cleaver, a robbery of Boyle Sports Bookmakers where he stole €7,400, and an attempted robbery at Paddy Power Bookmakers while wearing a white hazmat suit. He also robbed a beauty salon and an estate agency, and was found with a scorched hazmat suit at a mortuary.
Robert Carroll, 40, a construction worker from Finglas, Dublin, was sentenced at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances. He pleaded guilty to both charges, with an offence of money laundering taken into consideration. The court heard that on August 16, 2022, Carroll fired two shots from a revolver into the air while experiencing psychosis and not compliant with medication. He was arrested under the Mental Health Act after a 75-minute standoff. Judge Sarah Berkeley initially remanded Carroll into custody in November but released him on bail a week later to allow for further mental health assessments. Today, the judge set a pre-mitigation headline sentence of five years, which was reduced to three years after hearing mitigation. This sentence was suspended in full. The judge noted Carroll's positive probation report, low risk of reoffending, and engagement with psychiatric services. Carroll has 21 previous convictions, with the most recent in 2019. He was found to have a Smith and Wesson revolver, one live round, and €10,050 cash in his home. The judge emphasized his rehabilitation efforts and family support, concluding that custody would be detrimental to his mental health progress.
Ian Maloney, a former jewel thief turned poet, was sentenced to ten years in prison, with the final eighteen months suspended, after pleading guilty to possession of a 9mm semiautomatic firearm with intent to endanger life. The offence involved firing several rounds into a family home in Crumlin where a child was present. Maloney, aged 37, had 109 prior convictions and had previously been sentenced to 12 years for a 2008 robbery and four years for a 2009 assault. He voluntarily contacted Gardaí to confess, citing guilt and a desire to do the right thing. The judge noted his early plea and self‑reporting as mitigating factors, while also acknowledging his history of anger, substance use and mental health issues. The sentence was back‑dated to account for time already spent in custody.
Mark McCourt, 34, pleaded guilty to firearms offences and participation in a criminal organisation that imported and re‑assembled restricted weapons from the USA. In a Special Criminal Court hearing, a senior Garda testified that McCourt controlled a ring that smuggled gun parts by air, assembling them into assault rifles and pistols. Evidence included seized phone data revealing text messages to prospective buyers, offering a €75,000 cash deal for firearms and a free gift of 10 pipe bombs. McCourt had previously flown to Las Vegas in 2023, where he purchased an AR‑15 rifle and discussed further weapon sales. A raid on a shed in Ardee on 19 July 2024 uncovered 82 gun parts and nearly 900 rounds of ammunition. McCourt has 42 prior convictions and was jailed for three years, 18 months suspended, for a criminal damage incident involving a Garda's vehicle. The court will decide his sentence at a later hearing.
A 34‑year‑old man named Mark McCourt pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to facilitating a criminal organisation in the importation of firearms, ammunition and explosives into the State between 10 February 2023 and 19 July 2024. He admitted that, knowing the organisation existed, he participated in or contributed to activities intended to assist the organisation or its members in committing serious offences, specifically the importation of firearms, ammunition and explosives. McCourt also confessed to unlawfully possessing two .233 Remington calibre barrels from AR‑15 pattern rifles and, on the same date and location, nine 9mm Luger calibre barrels, eight frames for Sig Sauer semi‑automatic pistols, a frame for a Canik semi‑automatic pistol and four slides for a Sig Sauer P320 9mm Luger semi‑automatic pistol, with circumstances indicating he did not have them for lawful purposes.
Jamie Moss, 22, of Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to two offences of possessing a 9mm Makarov semi-automatic pistol and one round of ammunition without lawful purpose. The charges relate to an incident on February 16, 2024, at Old Navan Road, Blanchardstown. Moss's co-accused, Sarah Jane Byrne, 27, previously pleaded guilty in June to five offences. These included possession of the same 9mm Makarov pistol and ammunition, as well as 27 rounds of Luger 9mm ammunition, a 12-gauge sawn-off Beretta shotgun, and a Tokarev submachine gun, all allegedly held without lawful purpose at the same location on February 16, 2024. The State requested that the cases be joined, noting Byrne's sentencing hearing is listed for October 20. Defence counsel Carol Doherty BL requested a probation report for Moss, highlighting his recent completion of education. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor directed the preparation of the probation report and remanded Moss on continuing bail. The matter was adjourned to October 20 for sentencing, with the court indicating the proceedings for both accused would be joined at that stage.
The Court of Appeal heard arguments regarding the conviction of Wayne Cooney for the murder of Jordan Davis (22) in Darndale, Dublin, on May 22, 2019. Cooney, who pleaded not guilty to murder and possessing a 9mm semi-automatic pistol and ammunition, was convicted by a jury in July 2022. Defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC argued that the trial judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, effectively closed down the defence case by delivering an argumentative charge that favoured the prosecution. The prosecution alleged Davis owed €70,000 to Robert Redmond, Cooney's then-girlfriend's brother. Robert Redmond pleaded guilty in April 2024 to conspiring with Cooney to murder Davis and received a seven-year prison sentence. Rachel Redmond, Cooney's ex-girlfriend, was convicted earlier this year of impeding Cooney's apprehension. During the appeal, O'Higgins contended the judge's comments were strident and denied the defence a fair airing. In response, DPP counsel Bernard Condon SC stated the judge correctly advised the jury to avoid evidential wastelands and that the conviction was supported by CCTV and DNA evidence linking Cooney to the scene. The court has adjourned the matter to deliver its judgement at a later date.
An 18‑year‑old Dubliner, who was a minor when he first appeared before the courts, was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court to an additional three years and eight months in prison for burying a sawn‑off shotgun, ammunition and drugs worth more than €55,000 for the Hennessy crime gang. He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a side‑by‑side shotgun, cannabis, diamorphine and Phenacetin, and to possession of 15 rounds of 9 × 18 mm Makarov ammunition and ten 12‑Gauge ELEY cartridges. The judge imposed a headline sentence of seven and a half years for the shotgun offence, but, after suspending one year and four months, the final term was three years and eight months, to run consecutively with his existing 28‑month sentence for violent disorder at Browne's Steakhouse. Additional concurrent sentences of 20 months for Phenacetin, 18 months for cannabis and three years and four months for diamorphine were also imposed.
Wayne Harte, 44, of Cloonmore Lawns, Tallaght, was found guilty of possessing a firearm and ammunition in his home on 8 November 2023. He claimed the gun was given to him by a third party for self‑defence after his shop and family were allegedly threatened. The court noted the weapon was "operative and lethal" and that Harte's explanation could not be verified by Gardaí. Harte had prior convictions, mainly for traffic offences, and was a carer for three children. Judge Martin Nolan, acknowledging the defensive claim and references in support of Harte, departed from the mandatory minimum of five years and imposed a five‑year suspended sentence, suspended in full under conditions. Harte thanked the judge during sentencing. The case remains at the sentencing stage.
An 18-year-old defendant, previously convicted of violent disorder during the fatal assault on Tristan Sherry at Browne's Steakhouse, pleaded guilty to multiple offences at the Special Criminal Court. The charges relate to incidents at Tolka Valley Park, Blanchardstown, on May 7/8, 2024, including the possession of a side-by-side shotgun, 15 rounds of 9mm Makarov ammunition, and ten 12 Gauge shotgun cartridges. He also faced charges for possessing controlled drugs, including cannabis, diamorphine, cocaine, ketamine, and Phenacetin, allegedly for supply. Garda evidence indicated the defendant was burying these items for the Hennessy criminal gang. The court heard that the defendant is currently serving a sentence of two years and four months for the earlier violent disorder conviction, with the final year suspended. Defence counsel argued the defendant acted under the direction of others and cited his difficult background. Judge Karen O'Connor, presiding, adjourned the matter to July 7 for sentencing. The defendant was 17 at the time of the park offences but has since turned 18. The court noted the separate conviction for violent disorder arising from the Christmas Eve 2023 incident where Sherry was beaten to death.
Sarah Jane Byrne, a 27‑year‑old mother from Drimnagh, appeared before the Special Criminal Court and pleaded guilty to five offences involving firearms. She admitted possession of a 9mm Makarov pistol and ammunition, 27 rounds of Luger 9mm ammo, a sawn‑off Beretta shotgun, and a Tokarev submachine gun, with the items located at Old Navan Road and her home. Byrne, who has been attending a rehabilitation programme for addiction, was released on continuing bail. The court set a sentencing hearing for 20 October and ordered a probation report.
Dan Dowling, a 41‑year‑old civil servant, and retired soldier Edward Horgan, 80, were tried in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for trespassing on a taxiway at Shannon Airport on 25 April 2017. They were found not guilty of criminal damage after writing "Danger, danger, don't fly" on American naval planes, but were convicted of trespass. Judge Martina Baxter ordered each to pay €5,000 to a women's refuge in County Clare. Dowling has appealed his conviction, arguing that his actions were necessary to prevent the transport of ammunition through Ireland and to protect others from an alleged "irreparable evil." Defence counsel Mark Lynam claimed the defence of necessity applied, while the Director of Public Prosecutions said there was insufficient evidence for such a defence. The Court of Appeal will reserve judgment.
Two men, Mark McCourt, 34, of Edencrieve, Newry, and Conor O'Brien, 28, of Kilpatrick, Ardee, are set to be tried before the Special Criminal Court on firearms charges. McCourt faces 24 counts for possessing parts for .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifles and various pistol parts, including Lugers and Sig Sauers, along with pistol magazines and ammunition, all at John St, Blackstick, Ardee, on 19 July 2024. O'Brien is charged with 24 similar offences on the same date and location, plus an additional count for aiding a criminal organisation in importing firearms and ammunition between 10 February 2023 and 19 July 2024. He is also charged under the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act for handling €7,450 and $20 Canadian, and for possessing €9,980 in criminal proceeds at Hazelbrook Square, Dublin. The court will hear the case in June.
Glen Ward (32) and his brother Eric O'Driscoll (23) were further sentenced on 21 May 2025 for violent disorder and related offences committed in 2022. Both pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Cardiffsbridge Road, Finglas West on 9 August 2022 and to producing a bicycle saddle during a dispute at Dunnes Stores. They also pleaded guilty to possessing a .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle on 1 January 2022, with circumstances suggesting unlawful use. Ward received a six‑year, three‑month Special Criminal Court sentence, with the final nine months suspended; O'Driscoll received a six‑year sentence, with the final year suspended. In addition, Ward was given an 18‑month suspended sentence for violent disorder, while O'Driscoll received a two‑year sentence with the final 18 months suspended. Judge Elva Duffy noted the sentences were mandatory consecutive terms and banned O'Driscoll from driving for ten years.
An 18‑year‑old Dubliner, who was a minor when he appeared before the courts, was convicted of violent disorder in the melee that led to the death of steakhouse assassin Tristan Sherry. He has now pleaded guilty to a drugs offence, admitting possession of diamorphine for sale or supply on 8 May 2024 at Tolka Valley Park, Dublin 15. He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a side‑by‑side shotgun, cannabis and 630 g of phenacetin, offences that were linked to drug trafficking on 7 May 2024. Fiona Murphy SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said one of the 15 charges would be dropped at a later hearing and asked the court to consider the remainder when sentencing. Justice Karen O'Connor ordered a probation report and adjourned the sentencing to 18 June. The teenager remains awaiting sentence for the violent disorder offence that occurred at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve 2023.
In a Dublin Circuit Court hearing, Judge Ronan Munro sentenced 24‑year‑old Dylan Gilligan to six and a half years in prison for carrying a firearm with intent to assault Scott Purdue on 17 December 2019. The final 18 months of the sentence were suspended on strict conditions. Gilligan, who denies any involvement, maintains he was not the shooter and claims the incident was a stand‑alone case. The judge highlighted the lack of direct evidence linking Gilligan to the shooting, noting no bullets, shell casings or recovered firearm, and that Purdue declined to give evidence. Munro emphasised Gilligan's youth and absence of a significant offending background, urging him to choose a crime‑free life upon release. The court also heard that Gilligan had been struck by a car in October, for which he is receiving rehabilitative treatment. Dylan Gilligan was convicted.
The Special Court has sentenced Glen Ward to six years and three months in prison for possessing a .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. Ward, 32, pleaded guilty to a charge that on January 1, 2022, at a Finglas address, he was in possession of or had control of the firearm in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it for a lawful purpose. Ms Justice Melanie Greally suspended the final nine months of the sentence, imposing a condition that Ward must keep the peace and be of good behaviour for 12 months after release, or he could serve the suspended portion. The judge noted a "certain unreality" to the suggestion that Ward had only fleeting involvement with the firearm, referencing video evidence showing him firing the gun and encouraging his brother, Eric O'Driscoll, to do the same. O'Driscoll, 23, also pleaded guilty to possession of the same gun. The court previously jailed O'Driscoll for five years. Gardai discovered the rifle alongside a military sub-machine gun during a search in February 2022. In mitigation, the court considered Ward's mental health impact from 23-hour lockup and his agreement not to associate with six named individuals.
A man from Achill has been sentenced to eight years in prison following his conviction for manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court. Dean Caffrey (38) of Beaucort, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, was found guilty by majority jury verdict of the manslaughter of Sean McCarthy on 2 August 2022 in Drumcondra. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a nine-year sentence with the final year suspended. Caffrey claimed he acted in self-defence when the fatal shooting occurred during a confrontation over drug debts. The court heard evidence that after the killing, Caffrey placed McCarthy's body in a suitcase, disposed of the firearm in the River Tolka, and took steps to conceal the death, including using McCarthy's mobile phone to suggest he remained alive. The judge found Caffrey's conduct after the killing demonstrated no genuine remorse and rejected arguments for leniency based on his drug addiction since 2013 and cocaine dependency since 2016. Gardaí recovered McCarthy's remains from a wardrobe in the apartment after Caffrey directed them to the location. Dean Caffrey pleaded not guilty.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 7 April 2025, Eric O'Driscoll, aged 23, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for possessing a .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle in Finglas on 1 January 2022. The final 12 months of the sentence were suspended, and the court imposed a one‑year restriction on O'Driscoll's association with six named individuals. The judge noted O'Driscoll's youth, lack of prior convictions, and his willingness to cooperate with probation. The case stemmed from video evidence on O'Driscoll's phone showing him and his brother Glen Ward, aged 32, firing the rifle from the back door of a house in Finglas. Ward pleaded guilty to the same offence and faces sentencing later in 2025. Ward has 20 prior convictions, mainly for traffic offences, and one for assault and criminal damage. The court described the videos as a "display of strength" intended to intimidate. The hearing was presided over by Ms Justice Melanie Greally.
Barry Horan, 55, of De Selby Green, Tallaght, was stopped by Garda Aaron Murphy at an Applegreen petrol station on 6 April 2024 over a public order matter. When asked if he possessed a firearm or offensive weapon, Horan said he had an object in his pocket for "self‑defence". He was arrested, cautioned and taken to Tallaght Garda Station under Sections 9(1) and (7) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act. In court, a sharp, green steel object in a clear plastic bag was presented to Judge Patricia McNamara, who noted it resembled a key ring. Horan's counsel, Ms Lauren Flanagan, instructed Horan to say the object was used for "sexual purposes", prompting laughter. During cross‑examination, Garda Murphy admitted he had not cited the legal power under which the search was conducted.
The Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal by a 67-year-old man from Arva, County Cavan, against an extradition order to Northern Ireland. James Donegan is wanted to stand trial for the murder of Joseph James Porter, a member of the Ulster Defence Regiment, at Mountnorris in County Armagh on a date between 22 and 25 June 1979. Mr Donegan faces additional charges relating to possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, and membership of a proscribed organisation. His legal representatives argued the extradition warrant lacked sufficient specification of his alleged degree of involvement. The Supreme Court determined the case raised no issue of general public importance meeting the threshold for appeal, characterising the complaint as one of insufficient warrant detail rather than a substantive legal question concerning the correspondence between alleged conduct and Irish murder law.
The court has remanded 23‑year‑old Eric O'Driscoll in custody until April 7, pending sentencing for possession of an AR‑15 rifle. Justice Melanie Greally requested that probation services submit an additional report assessing whether O'Driscoll could undergo intensive supervision before release and what conditions might be attached to any suspended portion of his sentence. O'Driscoll pleaded guilty last year to possession of a .223‑calibre Remington AR‑15 at a Finglas address on 9 January 2022, with evidence suggesting he did not have it for a lawful purpose. The sentencing court will also consider charges of reckless discharge of a firearm and possession of a .380 ACP Ingram M11 submachine gun. His brother, Glen Ward, also pleaded guilty to possession of a .223‑calibre AR‑15 on 1 January 2022 and will be sentenced later.
Ian Maloney (37) of Cashel Road, Crumlin in Dublin, pleaded guilty to possession of a 9mm semiautomatic firearm with intent to endanger life on February 10, 2022 at an address in Crumlin. Maloney has 109 previous convictions, including two relevant ones for a robbery in 2008 and an assault causing harm in 2009. He was arrested and interviewed seven times over a number of days but made no admissions. However, while in custody in Cloverhill Prison in December of that year, his solicitor contacted gardaí to say Maloney wished to make a statement about the shooting. Maloney admitted to firing several rounds of 9mm-calibre ammunition at the house, where the occupants included a couple, their adult children, and a young child. The householder contacted gardaí to report the incident. Garda Ian Ward stated that the front door, window, and a car in the driveway were damaged with bullets. Maloney became a person of interest due to social media posts showing an ongoing feud with one of the occupants. The judge directed a probation report and remanded Maloney in custody until sentencing on May 22. Maloney was sentenced to 12 years with the last two suspended for that crime.
Dublin man Glen Ward, aged 32, pleaded guilty before a three‑judge Special Criminal Court to possessing a .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle at a Finglas house on 1 January 2022. Video from a phone seized by gardai showed the weapon fired. Ward's brother, Eric O'Driscoll, 23, had earlier pleaded guilty to possession of the same rifle. In February 2022, gardai searched a Finglas home and recovered the AR‑15, a military‑grade sub‑machine gun and ammunition, all in good condition and successfully fired by a ballistics examiner. A later unrelated search of a taxi on Tolka Valley Road yielded a bank card in O'Driscoll's name and a phone linked to the defendant. Analysts found a clip on the phone showing O'Driscoll taking the AR‑15 from another man and firing it from the rear of the Finglas house, and another clip showing the seized firearms laid out on a table at the same address.
The Court of Appeal is hearing an appeal by Kevin Braney, who was convicted by the Special Criminal Court of the 2013 murder of Peter Butterly. Counsel for Braney argued that the conviction should be overturned because the trial relied on the evidence of David Cullen, a State's witness described as a perjurer and accomplice. Cullen had previously pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol, receiving a seven-year sentence with half suspended, in exchange for dropping a murder charge. The defence contended that Cullen's credibility was undermined by his admitted dishonesty and personal animus toward Braney. The Director of Public Prosecutions countered that the circumstantial evidence, including observed movements of gang members, was compelling and supported Cullen's testimony that Braney instructed the killing. Braney, who was previously sentenced in 2018 to four years and six months for IRA membership, was found guilty of premeditated murder in February 2019. Co-defendants Edward McGrath, Sharif Kelly, and Dean Evans also received life sentences for the murder, with Evans identified as the shooter. The three-judge Court of Appeal will hear further submissions from both parties before making a decision.
The High Court has placed a stay on the extradition of a 66-year-old man from Arva, Co Cavan, who is wanted in Northern Ireland for the murder of a part-time Ulster Defence Regiment member in 1979. James Donegan faces charges relating to the death of Joseph James Porter at Mountnorris, Co Armagh, in June of that year. He is also charged with firearm and ammunition offences and membership of a proscribed organisation. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath had previously ordered Mr Donegan's surrender to UK authorities, but has now granted a stay to permit an appeal of the extradition decision. Mr Donegan was arrested at Dublin Airport in June following his return from holiday. He has maintained his innocence. The Northern Ireland authorities issued the extradition warrant following a post-mortem examination that established Mr Porter died of gunshot wounds.
Brian Keane, 41, pleaded guilty on 3 February 2024 to possession of a Makarov 9mm semi‑automatic pistol in suspicious circumstances, an offence that carries a maximum sentence of 14 years. A search of his Finglas home uncovered the pistol, 13 rounds of Makarov calibre Seller and Bellot ammunition and a silencer. Keane told Gardaí that he had a €5,000 drug debt and was asked to hold a package, unaware it contained a firearm. Defence counsel Mark Lynam argued Keane was not the end user but a person who could be leaned upon to store the weapon, citing his vulnerabilities and a turbulent situation. The court accepted that Keane was holding the weapon under duress and that he had a good work history with only minor prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan set a headline sentence of six to seven years but, after considering mitigating factors, imposed a three‑year sentence.
Sharif Kelly, 54, of Balbriggan, Co Dublin, has failed in his bid to pursue a conviction appeal before the Supreme Court regarding the 2013 murder of dissident Republican Peter Butterly. Kelly, who pleaded not guilty, was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court in April 2017. The court heard that Dean Evans, who pleaded guilty to the murder, fired the three fatal shots into Butterly at the Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co Meath, while Kelly was the getaway driver. Kelly's earlier Court of Appeal challenge in April 2022 was dismissed, with judges unimpressed by his objections to the evidence of protected witness David Cullen. Cullen, who turned State's witness, had previously pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the scene and was sentenced in July 2014 to seven years in prison, with three and a half years suspended. Kelly's lawyers also sought to introduce fresh evidence concerning Garda Joseph Doyle, who was later jailed for corruption and deception offences. The Supreme Court refused leave to appeal, determining that issues regarding the admissibility of accomplice-type evidence are primarily for the trial court to analyse and that the Court of Appeal correctly applied established principles governing fresh evidence.
Brad Dempsey, 24, of Crumlin, was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for firing five shots at a car on Donore Avenue, Dublin 8, on 19 January 2022. He pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm, a charge reduced from an initial attempt to endanger life. The court heard that a dispute between Dempsey's associate and another person led to the shooting, which was captured on CCTV. Dempsey emerged from the scene with a firearm, fired at the vehicle, and the rear passenger‑door glass shattered. He was in custody since August 2023. The judge, citing the seriousness of the offence, set a headline sentence of 12 years, reduced to eight years and back‑dated to the time of his custody. No injuries were reported. The case reflects Dempsey's history of violent disorder and drug offences.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Alan Morrison, 45, pleaded guilty to possessing a realistic imitation firearm after he appeared unannounced at Geoffrey Keating's home, threatening to shoot him. Morrison demanded €30,000 for an alleged drug debt, though Keating had never been involved in drugs. Gardaí found the imitation firearm in Morrison's trouser leg and a small black handgun on the ground. Keating, who had been handcuffed, used his son's weapon to subdue Morrison. Morrison, who has 67 prior convictions mainly for traffic offences and a 12‑year sentence in 2009 for drug possession, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended for two years. The court noted Keating's increased security measures, new driving licence, and purchase of a car for family safety. Morrison's defence highlighted his PTSD and rehabilitation efforts. The judge emphasised that the offence was not drug‑related.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, lawyers for Eric O'Driscoll, aged 22, requested maximum leniency in sentencing for a firearms offence. O'Driscoll was filmed on a phone video taking a .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle from another man and firing it from the rear of a Dublin home in Finglas. The rifle, seized in February 2022, was in good condition and had been successfully fired by a garda ballistics examiner. O'Driscoll pleaded guilty in January 2022 to possession of the rifle at that address, with circumstances suggesting unlawful possession. He also faces charges of reckless discharge of a firearm and possession of a .380 ACP calibre Ingram M11 sub‑machine gun. The court will consider a probation and governor's report before deciding the sentence. The maximum penalty for the offence is 14 years, but the counsel argued for a lower, rehabilitative sentence.
Thomas 'Nicky' McConnell, aged 38, was found guilty by the Special Criminal Court of murdering Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch's nephew Gareth Hutch in a Dublin ambush eight years earlier. The court, led by Mr Justice Alexander Owens, concluded that McConnell was the second gunman alongside Jonathan Keogh, who fired the fatal shots. McConnell's firearm was later discovered with the safety engaged and did not discharge, yet the court determined his preparatory actions and intent linked him to the murder. Evidence included mobile phone data, CCTV footage, and McConnell's own false statements to Gardaí. McConnell had previously pleaded not guilty. He now faces a mandatory life sentence, to be imposed on January 27, 2025. The verdict follows earlier convictions of Regina Keogh, Jonathan Keogh, and Thomas Fox for the same murder. The trial, delayed for 16 months, relied heavily on digital and forensic evidence to establish McConnell's role.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court is continuing deliberations in the murder trial of Dean Caffrey, aged 38, of Beaucourt, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. The twelve-person jury has now deliberated for just under seven hours across three days in the case concerning the death of Sean McCarthy, aged 28, between 2 and 7 August 2022. Mr Caffrey has pleaded not guilty to murder. The prosecution alleged Mr Caffrey deliberately killed Mr McCarthy, while the defence maintains he acted in self-defence during a struggle over a firearm at Mr Caffrey's apartment in Achill, Mayo. Mr McCarthy's body was subsequently discovered concealed in a wardrobe. The jury must determine whether Mr Caffrey is guilty of murder, manslaughter, or not guilty of any offence. Yesterday the jury requested to examine the firearm involved. Deliberations will resume on the following day.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has asked to examine the firearm and clothing connected to a fatal shooting as they deliberate in a murder trial. Dean Caffrey, aged 38 of Achill Road, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Sean McCarthy, a 28-year-old whose body was discovered in a wardrobe at Caffrey's apartment four days after he went missing in August 2022. McCarthy died from a single gunshot wound to the head. The defence argues Caffrey acted in self-defence during a struggle, while the prosecution contends the killing was an execution. The jury requested sight of the weapon and the deceased's shorts to assess whether they bore a drawstring. Justice Paul McDermott confirmed the shorts are agreed to have had a drawstring but cannot be presented due to biohazard concerns. The panel will resume consideration of their verdict tomorrow.
Law professor Diarmuid Phelan, 56, is on trial for the murder of Keith Conlon, 36, who died on Phelan's farm in Tallaght on 24 February 2022. Phelan, a barrister, lecturer and farmer, pleaded not guilty. The case centres on an incident where three trespassers—Conlon, Kallum Coleman and Robin Duggan—were hunting on a wooded area of Phelan's land. Phelan allegedly fired three shots from a Smith & Wesson revolver after shouting at the trespassers to leave. The prosecution argues two shots were warning shots and the third, aimed at Conlon's back, was intended to kill or seriously injure him. The defence contends Phelan fired accidental warning shots, that he was acting in self‑defence against an imminent threat, and that he had not failed to observe safety procedures. The jury heard evidence of the trespassers' knowledge of Phelan's firearm, the timing of the shots, and the circumstances of the shooting.
At the Central Criminal Court, defence counsel for Dean Caffrey has urged the jury to acquit his client of murdering Sean McCarthy, arguing that the prosecution case lacks foundation. Lorcan Staines SC submitted that conviction would constitute a travesty, contending there is no evidence Mr Caffrey lured the deceased to his apartment for execution. Mr Staines criticised the Director of Public Prosecutions for partisan presentation and breach of disclosure obligations, noting that material supporting the defence was withheld until six weeks into the trial. Mr Caffrey, aged 38 of Beaucourt, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to murder. The prosecution alleges Mr McCarthy was executed; the defence maintains he was shot during a struggle after arriving armed at Mr Caffrey's home in August 2022. Mr Staines emphasised Mr McCarthy's background as a drug dealer with known firearm access, contrasting this with his client's lack of violence history. The jury will hear Mr Justice Paul McDermott's charge on Friday before retiring to consider their verdict.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, prosecution counsel Cathleen Noctor SC described Dean Caffrey, 38, as "cool as a cucumber" after CCTV footage showed him buying a suitcase with cash taken from the dead man, Sean McCarthy, 28. Noctor alleged that Caffrey lied about the circumstances of the fatal shooting in his apartment, claiming the deceased had brought a firearm and threatened him. She said Caffrey denied murdering McCarthy, who was known to gardaí as a drug dealer. Noctor highlighted inconsistencies in Caffrey's statements to gardaí, noting he initially claimed both men had the gun during the struggle, then later said he fired after McCarthy lunged. She also presented evidence that Caffrey purchased a clean‑up kit, disposed of the firearm and the deceased's phone, and deleted messages. Noctor urged the jury to consider that Caffrey shot McCarthy in the head with intent to kill, and that he should be convicted of murder.
Eric O'Driscoll, 22, admitted to possessing a .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 rifle in a Dublin residential area and pleaded guilty earlier this year. He now requests a prison transfer after claiming he witnessed a murder in a cell. The Special Criminal Court heard his request, and the judge adjourned the hearing for logistical reasons. O'Driscoll is expected to be moved to another prison after sentencing. He is also scheduled for trial later this year, along with his brother Glen Ward, who faces related charges.
Michael Donoghue, aged 21, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and making threats to kill after pointing a double‑barrel shotgun at unarmed, uniformed Gardaí at Stocking Hill, Rathfarnham, on 20 December 2023. The officers, who were in a marked patrol car and unarmed, described genuine fear for their lives and lasting professional and personal effects. Donoghue's shotgun was later found to be unloaded, but the Gardaí were unaware of this at the time. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a headline sentence of eight years, reduced to a five‑year term with the final 12 months suspended, requiring Donoghue to keep the peace, maintain good behaviour for two years and engage with the Probation Service for 12 months. The case highlighted the officers' shock, fear and ongoing trauma following the incident.
In the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, a defence psychologist explained that Phelan's decision to fire warning shots at trespassers on his Tallaght farm was a reasonable response to an imminent threat and the limited time for decision making. The psychologist described the dynamics of firearm use, noting that the intentional firing of a Smith & Wesson revolver over the heads of intruders perceived as a threat could result in an unintentional strike. He highlighted the difficulty of accurate shooting with a double‑action revolver under stress, the short barrel's tendency to misalign, and the rapid trigger pull. The expert concluded that Phelan's actions were consistent with the standards of reasonable force, intended to warn before using deadly force, and that the third shot unintentionally struck Keith Conlon, who later died from a head wound. The trial continues before a jury and a judge. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
A law professor, Diarmuid Phelan, aged 56, is on trial for the murder of Keith Conlon, 36, who died from a gunshot wound to the head after an incident at Phelan's farm on 24 February 2022. Phelan, a barrister and farmer, claims he fired his revolver in the air over trespassers and was stunned when one man fell. He has pleaded not guilty. The trial has heard evidence that three men – Conlon, Kallum Coleman and Robin Duggan – were trespassing while hunting. Phelan's shooting record is cited: bronze medals in three pistol competitions (B class) and a gold in a bench‑rest rifle event between 2011 and 2013. The prosecution alleges the third shot was aimed at Conlon, who was shot in the back of the head. The case will continue tomorrow before Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury. Diarmuid Phelan was convicted.
In August 2022, Robert Carroll, a 39‑year‑old construction worker, fired two shots from a revolver into the air outside his Finglas home while experiencing psychosis and not taking his medication. Garda armed support and a negotiator were called after reports of the discharge. Carroll's behaviour was erratic; he threw items from windows and was incoherent when approached. He voluntarily left the house after 75 minutes, was arrested under the Mental Health Act, and taken to hospital where a medical report confirmed a transient psychotic episode with a background of cocaine use. He was later formally arrested, interviewed without admissions, and a search of his house revealed five bullet casings, a revolver, one live round, and €10,050 in cash. Carroll pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances. He has 21 prior convictions, the most recent from 2019. Judge Sarah Berkeley remanded him in custody, with the case adjourned to 26 November for finalisation.
In a Dublin court hearing, Garda Michael Fox recounted the terror he felt when Michael Donoghue, a 21‑year‑old from Rathfarnham, brandished a double‑barrel shotgun at a patrol car. Fox said he believed he would be killed for doing his job and that his mother would never recover from his death. He described his life flashing before his eyes and crying for fifteen minutes after the incident. The court heard that Donoghue pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and making threats to kill, and that the shotgun was later found unloaded. The case was adjourned to 27 November for sentencing, with Donoghue remanded in custody until then. The hearing also included victim impact statements from three Gardaí, all of whom expressed profound fear and lasting trauma from the encounter. The statements highlighted the unexpected danger Gardaí face in the line of duty and the lasting psychological effects on the officers involved.
Robert Redmond, a career criminal serving life imprisonment for the murder of Barry Wolverson in Swords, Co Dublin, on January 17, 2020, appealed his conviction at the Court of Appeal. Redmond, of Kilbarrack, Dublin 5, had denied the charge. His counsel argued that a North Face jacket containing gunshot residue, central to the prosecution, should have been excluded due to improper storage by gardaí, which raised contamination risks. The appeal also challenged the forensic expert's opinion on who fired the weapon, alleging it assumed Redmond's guilt. The DPP countered that CCTV and witness evidence established an unbroken chain of custody and Redmond's presence at the scene. Redmond's co-accused, Bernard Fogarty, was also sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder. At the Special Criminal Court, Redmond received a life sentence for the murder, five years for assault causing harm on Gerard Wildman, and 12 years for possession of firearms and ammunition. He is also serving a consecutive seven-year sentence for the murder of Jordan Davis. The court reserved its judgment, meaning the matter was adjourned and not concluded.
The Special Criminal Court heard eyewitness testimony from two sisters regarding the fatal shooting of Tristan Sherry at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve 2023. Adisa Ajredini and Amanda Ajredini described the terror as a masked attacker, whom they identified as holding a long firearm, entered the busy restaurant. Adisa stated she dragged her mother under a table after hearing what sounded like machine-gun fire, while Amanda fled to the kitchen believing the gunman intended to shoot everyone. The sisters testified that the restaurant was left wrecked and the attacker was found lying in blood. This evidence forms part of the ongoing trial of three men accused of murdering Sherry: Noah Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut. All three have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Additionally, Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy are charged with violent disorder arising from the same incident; all have also pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel previously alleged that a group attacked the disarmed Sherry with savage violence. The trial continues before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, Judge Elma Sheahan, and Judge James Faughnan. No verdicts or sentences have been delivered, and the matter remains at the trial stage.
Eric O'Driscoll, aged 22, pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to possession of a .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle at Ratoath Drive, Finglas, on 9 January 2022. The court found the circumstances reasonably inferred that the rifle was not held for a lawful purpose. O'Driscoll also faced four other firearms offences, but the Director of Public Prosecutions said the plea satisfied the case. The matter was adjourned for a later hearing, with trial scheduled later in the year.
During the trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, a ballistics expert explained that firing a warning shot carries inherent dangers because the projectile can travel and hit unintended targets. The expert noted that factors such as farm terrain, the trespassers' movement, and Phelan's state of mind on the day of the shooting would negatively affect his ability to aim and control the firearm. Evidence showed Phelan shouted at two unarmed trespassers to "get back" before firing three shots from his Smith & Wesson revolver. The State claimed two shots were fired into the air and the third struck Keith Conlon in the back of the head as he turned away. Phelan, 56, pleaded not guilty to murdering Conlon, 36, who died on 24 February 2022 at Hazelgrove Farm, Tallaght. The trial continues before a jury.
Charles Darcy, aged 35, was sentenced to two years in prison for possession of .38 special calibre Sellier and Bellot ammunition and for criminal damage after throwing a fire extinguisher through the window of an Applegreen Service Station. The court heard that Darcy had 59 prior convictions, including attempted murder, robbery, assault, possession of a realistic firearm, violent disorder, public order, assault on a police officer, breach of bail and violent behaviour in a Garda station. He pleaded guilty to the ammunition offence on 26 May 2018 and to the fire extinguisher incident on 13 October 2018. The judge noted his long history of offending, his membership of the Travelling community, his mental health and drug‑addiction struggles, and that he is currently drug‑free and willing to undertake an intensive probation programme. The sentence was suspended for six months and back‑dated for time already served.
During the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, a ballistics expert warned that mixing different types of ammunition in a Smith & Wesson revolver is extremely dangerous. Evidence showed that the revolver used to kill Keith Conlon contained three spent rounds, possibly hollow‑point or pest‑control bullets, and that the fatal bullet was a hollow‑point projectile. The prosecution argued that Phelan fired a third shot at Conlon's back, intending to kill or seriously injure him. Phelan, 56, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Conlon, 36, who died on 24 February 2022 at Tallaght University Hospital. The trial, presided over by Justice Siobhan Lankford, continues with a jury hearing the forensic and eyewitness evidence presented by the state and defence.