A 58-year-old man from County Mayo has told gardaí he was not present at a December 2018 incident at a repossessed farm near Strokestown, County Roscommon, and denied seeing a firearm at the scene. Martin O'Toole of Claremorris faces charges of false imprisonment and assault causing harm to four security personnel, along with aggravated burglary, arson, violent disorder, robbery and animal cruelty. The trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard evidence today of three garda interviews conducted over two days in January 2019. In the recorded interviews, which O'Toole has pleaded not guilty to all charges relating, he stated he never witnessed a gun at the property, though he later acknowledged travelling to Elfin before the incident. Security personnel had previously testified that armed men, numbering approximately 30, attacked the farmhouse five days after its repossession. Three co-accused men face identical charges. The trial continues.
Paul Coffey, a 46‑year‑old Limerick resident with 100 prior convictions, was sentenced to five years in prison for the reckless discharge of a firearm and possession of a firearm in circumstances suggesting it was not for a lawful purpose. He pleaded guilty in March to the offence of discharging a firearm recklessly and to possession of a firearm in circumstances implying unlawful possession. The Central Criminal Court, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Burns, imposed a headline sentence of nine years, but reduced it to six years with the final 12 months suspended for three years in respect of the possession charge. The judge also sentenced Coffey to three years for the reckless discharge offence, to run concurrently. Coffey's sentence will be back‑dated to August 2021, when he first entered custody. He will be required to work with the probation services and keep the peace upon release.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, it was reported that convicted drug dealer Christy Keane was shot 13 times on 29 June 2015 while parked at the University of Limerick gym. Two gunmen from the McCarthy‑Ryan gang fired eight shots from a Glock and five from a Luger semi‑automatic pistol. A nurse who was running nearby witnessed the attack and provided immediate medical assistance, treating four non‑life‑threatening wounds, including a lung puncture. The attackers fled in a red Ford Focus, later found burned out, and a white Volvo and black BMW were involved in transporting them. John Costello, aged 41, was charged with providing transport to the shooters and pleaded guilty to aiding an assault causing serious harm. The case was delayed over five years due to a separate Garda prosecution. Costello was remanded in custody pending sentencing.
Mark Wolf, a 37‑year‑old UK national, was sentenced to ten years in prison in Dublin for possession of firearm components and child‑abuse material. He was found in a hostel on Gardiner Street with a Nazi flag, firearms parts, disturbing videos of atrocities, and texts about killing children. Gardaí seized four mobile phones containing child‑pornographic images, Snapchat chats with teenage girls, and videos of a live stream of the Christchurch mosque shootings. Wolf also attempted to register domain names such as paedo‑rights and accessed dark‑web sites with child‑abuse resources. He pleaded guilty to four charges of possessing firearm parts, three charges of importing such parts, and three charges of possessing child pornography. The judge, taking his guilty pleas into account, imposed concurrent terms of ten years for the firearm offences and two years for the child‑abuse material, back‑dated to his June 2021 arrest.
Paul Coffey, a 46‑year‑old Limerick resident with 100 prior convictions, was charged with discharging a firearm in 2021 after a shotgun fired accidentally while he was removing it from a car. The incident injured his friend Alan Murphy, who sustained superficial abdominal wounds and was treated at Limerick University Hospital. Coffey had originally faced an attempted murder charge for an incident on 11 June 2020, but the Director of Public Prosecutions dropped that charge and accepted a plea of guilty to discharging a firearm and possession of a firearm. The offence carries a maximum of 14 years, with a headline sentence of seven to ten years. Coffey's sentencing is scheduled for 18 April. He has a history of drug misuse and was the getaway driver in the 2000 gang‑related murder of Eddie Ryan, for which he received 15 years, seven of which were suspended.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Michael Carroll, aged 43, pleaded guilty to two separate offences. He admitted to attempting to murder Edward Staunton on 26 March 2017 at Railway Street, Dublin 1, and to possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life on 2 September 2016 at Drumalee Avenue, where he had also attempted to murder John Hutch, who was 63 at the time and has since died. Carroll, who was extradited from the UK in April, answered only "guilty" to each charge. His defence requested six weeks to prepare mitigating factors for the upcoming sentence hearing and a governor's report from Mountjoy Prison. Judge Tony Hunt adjourned the sentence hearing to 22 May 2023. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further verdicts announced.
Larry O'Connor, aged 40, was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment in May 2022 after a two‑week trial in which he was convicted of recklessly discharging a firearm, possession of a firearm and ammunition, aggravated burglary and criminal damage. The offence involved firing four shots from a pump‑action shotgun into the home of his first cousin, Danny Harty, where infant twins were sleeping. O'Connor fired two shots from outside the house, then entered and fired two more shots, striking a kitchen fridge, a window and a ceiling. He was found to have acted without a feud or "bad feeling" between the cousins, a point he raised on appeal. The Court of Appeal heard arguments about the use of the term "bad feeling" and the relevance of alleged animosity, but no judgment was issued. Daniel O'Connor, his brother, received a seven‑year sentence with the final year suspended for burglary. The appeal remains pending. Daniel O'Connor pleaded guilty.
Douglas Glynn, a manager for the Kinahan cartel, was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court for managing an industrial-scale drugs warehouse. Mr Justice Tony Hunt described Glynn as "cannon fodder" used by higher-level members. Glynn pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess 335 rounds of ammunition and to conspiracy to possess cocaine and cannabis worth over €13,000. The judge fixed a headline sentence of 12 years for the drugs charge, discounted by 25% for his early plea, with the final year suspended for four years under probation supervision. He was also sentenced to four years for the ammunition charge to run concurrently. These sentences run from February 20, when he entered his first plea. Glynn is already serving a seven-and-a-half-year sentence, with the final year suspended, for his role in a foiled plot to murder James 'Mago' Gately. His brother, Anthony Glynn, pleaded guilty to possessing the ammunition and drugs for the gang and was sentenced in February of last year to seven-and-a-half years' imprisonment with the final year suspended. Emmet Fogarty, alleged to be responsible for the unit, was jailed for five years in November 2018 after pleading guilty to possession of the drugs and ammunition. The matter was concluded with these sentences.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has found Stephen Silver guilty of capital murder following a retrial. Silver, aged 46, a mechanic from Aughaward, Foxford, County Mayo, was convicted of fatally shooting Garda Colm Horkan with the officer's own firearm on 17 June 2020 near Castlerea, County Roscommon. The jury of seven men and five women reached their unanimous verdict after deliberating for eight hours and 39 minutes. A previous jury had been unable to reach agreement in November 2022. Silver had pleaded not guilty to capital murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial centred on his state of mind at the time of the shooting, with defence evidence suggesting mental illness contributed to his actions, whilst prosecution submissions maintained he acted with intent to kill. Ms Justice Tara Burns will impose sentence on 19 April. Conviction for capital murder carries a mandatory minimum 40-year prison sentence.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has convicted Stephen Silver of the capital murder of Garda Colm Horkan in Castlerea, County Roscommon, on 17 June 2020. Silver, a 46-year-old motorcycle mechanic, was sentenced to a minimum of 40 years imprisonment. The court heard that Silver had deliberately provoked an encounter with gardaí that evening, conducting dangerous motorcycle manoeuvres around the Knockroe estate in Foxford and making verbal challenges to armed officers. When Garda Horkan, a 25-year veteran based in Charlestown, County Mayo, approached Silver and his companion James Coyne, a struggle ensued over the officer's firearm. Silver disarmed Garda Horkan and fired eleven shots at the wounded officer as he lay on the ground. The defence argued Silver was experiencing a relapse of bipolar affective disorder at the time, but the jury rejected this claim. Expert testimony established that Silver's pattern of prior involuntary psychiatric admissions had created a "learned impunity" whereby he expected diffusion and hospitalisation rather than serious criminal consequences. Garda Helen Gillen, who witnessed the incident, confronted and arrested Silver unarmed. Stephen Silver pleaded guilty.
Paul Coffey, 46, of Limerick, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to discharging a firearm and to possession of a firearm in circumstances that suggested it was not for lawful use, in connection with the shooting of Alan Murphy on 11 June 2020 at Long Pavement, Watch House Cross. He had previously been charged with attempted murder. The court was satisfied with the indictment counts and no victim impact statement was sought. A governor's report from Limerick Prison was ordered for his sentence hearing. Coffey was remanded in custody until 27 March for sentencing.
A 17‑year‑old teenager gave evidence at the Central Criminal Court on 9 March 2023, describing the night of 24 February 2021 when he was shot in Eugene Street, Dublin 8. He said he has no memory of the events before, during or after the shooting, citing medication. The trial concerns Stephen Mulvey (31) and Jamie Berry (27), both former residents of Leo Fitzgerald House, who are charged with attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Both pleaded not guilty. Witness Yasmin Ryan, who lived on Eugene Street, reported hearing three shots and shouts of "Go on! Finish him!" before a cry for help. The prosecution alleges Berry fired the shots, Mulvey assisted, and a getaway vehicle was used. The case is before Justice Eileen Creedon with a jury of twelve.
In an attempted‑murder trial, a Garda officer recounted being called to a Dublin street where a 17‑year‑old boy was shot multiple times. The incident occurred on Eugene Street, Dublin 8, on 24 February 2021, around 10.55 pm. The teenager was shot in the neck, cheek and leg after boarding a taxi outside an address on the street. He was taken to St James' Hospital, where scans revealed bullets had passed through his body, but no bullets remained inside him. Two men, Stephen Mulvey (31) and Jamie Berry (27), are charged with attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Berry is also charged with criminal damage after a bullet fired by him allegedly passed through a front door, an internal wall and shattered an oven's glass. Both men plead not guilty. The trial is before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon at the Central Criminal Court.).
A consultant psychiatrist has told the Central Criminal Court that Stephen Silver, who stands accused of murdering Garda Colm Horkan with the officer's own firearm, displayed behaviour consistent with his personality rather than mental illness during garda interviews. Professor Harry Kennedy said the accused showed no regret or sympathy for the deceased and appeared angry and self-pitying, but these responses could be attributed to the stress of arrest. The psychiatrist stated that Mr Silver had developed "learned impunity" through a long history of disruptive conduct in Castlebar and surrounding areas, leading him to expect no charges would follow his actions. Mr Silver, aged 46, a motorbike mechanic from Aughavard in Foxford, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to capital murder but guilty to manslaughter. The shooting occurred at Castlerea, County Roscommon, on 17 June 2020. The trial, before Ms Justice Tara Burns, continues with the jury's focus on the accused's state of mind at the time of the incident.
In the Special Criminal Court, the prosecution argued that Brendan Treanor's back tattoo was a "pictorial admission" of his role in the 2013 robbery of a Dundalk credit union where Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was killed. The tattoo, photographed by Garda Aidan Hanlon during Treanor's 2021 arrest, shows four men with hats, a woman in a balaclava holding a gun, a BMW car, a pistol, ammunition, and money. The prosecution linked the BMW's registration plate "BOSS BFT" to Treanor's initials, suggesting the tattoo's imagery reflected the robbery. Treanor (34) and James Flynn (32) are charged with the robbery and with conspiracy to break into houses to steal car keys. Both plead not guilty. The court ruled the photographs were taken lawfully, and the trial will continue tomorrow.
Two men, Stephen Mulvey (31) and Jamie Berry (27), have gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the attempted murder of a 17‑year‑old teenager shot multiple times on Eugene Street, Dublin 8, on 24 February 2021. The prosecution alleges the attack was a "well‑planned and premeditated hit" carried out by a joint enterprise of three individuals. Berry is accused of firing the Beretta pistol that wounded the teenager in the neck, cheek and leg, while Mulvey is alleged to have assisted. Berry is also charged with criminal damage to a home on Eugene Street, where a bullet passed through a front door and shattered a cooker's glass. Both men are charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. The case is presented as a circumstantial one, relying on CCTV footage, forensic evidence, and the recovered weapon, with the trial continuing before Justice Eileen Creedon.
Douglas Glynn and his brother Anthony Glynn pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to charges related to the possession of ammunition and drugs for an organised crime gang. Douglas Glynn admitted to conspiracy to possess 335 rounds of ammunition and various calibres of ammunition, as well as conspiracy to possess cocaine and cannabis valued over €13,000 for sale or supply. Anthony Glynn pleaded guilty to possessing the ammunition and drugs for an organised crime gang. The court heard that gardaí seized 20kg of cocaine, cannabis, and ammunition from a Dublin 15 business park in March 2017. Evidence included encrypted phone messages using code words for drugs and firearms, which identified Douglas Glynn as a manager of the operation. Douglas Glynn is already serving a six-and-a-half-year sentence for his role in a foiled Kinahan Cartel plot to murder James 'Mago' Gately, for which he was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years with the final year suspended. Mr Justice Hunt adjourned the matter to March 16 for sentence finalisation.
A 51‑year‑old pizza delivery driver, Earl McKevitt, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of 19‑year‑old Conor O'Brien, who was shot once in the chest on the evening of 26 August 2021 while McKevitt was delivering a pizza to O'Brien's studio in Enfield. McKevitt admitted to shooting the teenager after failing to read the delivery instructions and claimed that shooting people was part of his job. He was also found guilty of possessing a firearm and a knife on 31 August 2021 at the Talbot Hotel in Carlow, where he had retrieved the gun. Concurrent sentences of seven‑and‑a‑half years and two years were imposed for the firearm and knife offences. McKevitt's life sentence was back‑dated to 31 August 2021, the date he entered custody.
Colin Kevitt, 29, of Moneymore, Drogheda, was sentenced in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possession of a 9mm Glock semi‑automatic pistol found at a home in Drogheda on 8 February 2020. The gun, wrapped in black plastic beneath a flower pot, was discovered by a homeowner who called the gardaí. Forensic testing showed the pistol was in fair condition and contained five loaded bullets and additional ammunition. Kevitt's DNA matched samples taken from the gun, though he denied any admission. His defence argued that a friend had taken the gun to a party and that Kevitt had handled it there, but the court found this explanation unconvincing. The judge noted Kevitt's prior minor convictions and described the offence as a marked escalation. He pleaded guilty, and the judge imposed a headline sentence of six years, reduced to four years and eight months, with a one‑year suspension on conditions including engagement with addiction services.
Stephen Silver (46) of Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon, on 17 June 2020. At the Central Criminal Court, Mr Silver gave evidence describing how he discharged the garda's weapon repeatedly during a struggle, stating he believed the officer was an assailant attempting to harm him. He told the jury he continued firing until ammunition was exhausted. The prosecution challenged his account, suggesting he was aware Garda Horkan was a member of An Garda Síochána and arguing that his conduct that evening, including remarks made in the Knockroe estate, indicated an intention to provoke police intervention. The central issue for the jury concerns Mr Silver's state of mind at the time of the incident. Evidence regarding his mental health history, including a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, has been presented. The trial continues before Ms Justice Tara Burns and a jury of twelve.
Anthony Glynn, 51, of Fitzgibbon Court, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to two charges. He admitted that between 25 January 2017 and 12 April 2017 he possessed controlled drugs—cocaine and cannabis—for the purpose of selling or supplying them to an organised crime gang. He also admitted that during the same period he possessed 335 rounds of ammunition, including 199 .44 Remington Magnum, 76 .357 Magnum, 38 .45 ACP and 22 .22 LR rounds, in circumstances that reasonably suggested the ammunition was not for a lawful purpose. The charges are under Section 73 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, amended by the 2009 Act. Glynn had originally faced similar charges under Section 71 but was re‑charged after an application by State solicitor Ciara Vibien. Mr Justice Tony Hunt adjourned the case to 8 May for sentencing, when the two original charges are expected to be withdrawn.
A former detective garda told the Special Criminal Court how he feared for his life during an armed robbery at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, County Louth, on 25 January 2013, when a man pointed a shotgun at his face and threatened to shoot. The officer recounted discovering his colleague Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe fatally wounded by a gunshot to the head following the incident. A credit union volunteer also gave evidence, describing how a robber smashed her car window and demanded money while she heard gunshots outside. Brendan Treanor, aged 34, formerly of Dundalk, and James Flynn, aged 32, from South Armagh, have pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to burgle residential premises and to robbing seven thousand euro from the credit union. Aaron Brady, previously convicted of Detective Garda Donohoe's murder, is serving a life sentence with a forty-year minimum term and is appealing his conviction. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and two other judges.
Stephen Silver (46), from Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court on a charge of murdering Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon, on 17 June 2020. Mr Silver has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The jury has been directed that the central issue concerns his state of mind at the time of the shooting. Video footage from his fifth police interview, conducted on 19 June 2020, was viewed in court on Tuesday. In the footage, Mr Silver stated the garda would not be dead had he remained in his vehicle. Detective Inspector Brian Hanley put it to the accused that Garda Horkan had identified himself and announced an arrest for assault, and that Mr Silver was aware of the firearm the garda carried. Mr Silver declined to respond. Witness statements were read to the court, including one from a resident of Castlerea who heard shouting and gunshots in rapid succession.
A Central Criminal Court jury has heard garda interview footage in which Stephen Silver, charged with the capital murder of Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon, on 17 June 2020, presented varying accounts of the fatal shooting. The accused, who has pleaded not guilty to capital murder but guilty to manslaughter, told detectives on 18 June 2020 that Garda Horkan discharged his own firearm accidentally during a struggle. In the interviews conducted by Detective Inspectors Brian Hanley and Patrick Farrell, Mr Silver initially claimed he did not fire shots, later stating he fired only into the air, before subsequently denying he fired at all. He maintained he acted in self-defence against an armed assailant whilst en route to purchase food. The court was told Mr Silver had been off medication since September and had not slept for approximately thirty hours at the time of interview. The trial, where Mr Silver's state of mind is the central issue, continues before Ms Justice Tara Burns.
In February 2023, a Waterford man, Chris Kelly, aged 32, was caught by the Garda Armed Response Unit with a handgun while wearing disposable gloves. He had pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm on 20 May 2020, the same date and location as his co‑accused Kealan Madden. Kelly had one prior conviction for cannabis possession, whereas Madden had 13 prior convictions. The original sentence in December 2021 was six years' imprisonment with the last year suspended. Kelly appealed, arguing that his single prior conviction gave him a "justified grievance" and that he should not be treated more severely than Madden. The Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence and re‑sentenced Kelly to five years' imprisonment with one year suspended, matching Madden's sentence. The decision was based on the lack of a substantial basis for distinguishing the two men, despite Kelly's Crohn's disease and other personal circumstances.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 16 February 2023, Des Roche, 60, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after a drunken confrontation with a tenant over Airsoft rifles in his home. The tenant, a student, had discovered two Airsoft pistols and a rifle in a locked bedroom and the dispute escalated when Roche, intoxicated, brandished a knife. The tenant sustained temporary marks on his hands from the knife, but no serious injury. Garda Alan Butler reported that Roche was unfit for questioning for six hours after arrest. Judge Martin Nolan suspended in full a 21‑month prison term, conditional on Roche keeping the peace and good behaviour for the period. The court noted the tenant's privacy was invaded and that Roche had no prior convictions. The case ended with Roche's release and no further incidents reported.
Stephen Silver, a 46-year-old mechanic from Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. He has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. At the Central Criminal Court, the jury heard a video recording of Mr Silver's first interview with gardaí at Castlerea station. In the interview, Mr Silver stated that Garda Horkan initiated a struggle after approaching him on the street, and that the officer went for his gun after losing the ensuing confrontation. Mr Silver told detectives he was certain he would have been killed had he not gained control of the firearm, which he said discharged during the struggle. He said he was "a law-abiding citizen" unaware of the garda's identity. The prosecution presented evidence from Detective Inspector Brian Hanley regarding observations made during the interview. Detective Sergeant Eric Godfrey, who trained with Garda Horkan at Garda College in 1994, gave emotional testimony. The trial continues before Ms Justice Tara Burns and a jury of twelve.
Stephen Silver, a 46-year-old motorbike mechanic from Foxford, County Mayo, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with the capital murder of Garda Colm Horkan on 17 June 2020 at Castlerea, County Roscommon. He has pleaded not guilty to capital murder but guilty to manslaughter. Prosecution witnesses testified that Silver engaged in ordinary conversation about sport, politics and work with hotel guests on the morning of the garda's death. Forensic and pathology evidence detailed extensive gunshot injuries sustained by the deceased officer. A retired garda sergeant stated that Garda Horkan had escorted Silver to a psychiatric unit following a family incident in 2003. A superintendent confirmed Garda Horkan was temporarily appointed as a detective aid and authorised to carry a firearm in plainclothes duties. The defence has acknowledged Silver's responsibility for the shooting. The trial continues before Justice Tara Burns and a jury of twelve.
At the Central Criminal Court, a witness testified that Stephen Silver (46), of Aughavard, Foxford, Co Mayo, appeared "looking crazy" following the fatal shooting of Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on June 17, 2020. The garda was shot eleven times with his own firearm. Ms Makulova, a resident of Castlerea Main Street, told the jury she heard gunshots that she initially mistook for fireworks, and observed a man with a ponytail holding a gun standing beside an injured man on the road. A second witness, business owner Dermot Mulvihill, corroborated hearing explosions and described seeing the man discard an object with a metallic sound. Forensic evidence presented showed a palm print matching Mr Silver's on the gun. Mr Silver has pleaded not guilty to capital murder but guilty to manslaughter. The defence acknowledged the accused's responsibility for the shooting, with the central issue being his state of mind at the time. The trial, before Ms Justice Tara Burns, continues before a jury of seven men and five women.
Stephen Silver, aged 46, of Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with the capital murder of Garda Colm Horkan. The trial heard that Garda Horkan was shot eleven times with his own firearm at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Mr Silver has pleaded not guilty to capital murder but guilty to manslaughter. Civilian witnesses gave evidence that after the shooting, Mr Silver repeatedly told gardaí: "If I hadn't killed him, he would have killed me." Garda witnesses testified that Mr Silver was agitated and aggressive in custody, and that he later spat at officers and urinated on the floor of his cell. During cross-examination, the defence counsel indicated that Mr Silver's state of mind at the time of the incident remains the central issue in dispute. The trial continues before Ms Justice Tara Burns.
At the Central Criminal Court, a garda has given evidence describing the fatal shooting of his colleague Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Stephen Silver, aged 46, from Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to capital murder but guilty to manslaughter. Garda Aidan Fallon testified that he witnessed the incident and found Garda Horkan shot eleven times with his own firearm. The court heard that Silver made comments and behaved disruptively as emergency procedures were performed. Multiple witnesses provided accounts of the struggle and subsequent gunshots on Main Street. Sergeant Michael O'Hara and other gardaí testified regarding Silver's statements and demeanour following his arrest. The defence has indicated that Silver's state of mind at the time remains the central issue in dispute. The trial before Ms Justice Tara Burns continues.
At the Central Criminal Court, a garda recounted attending to her colleague Garda Colm Horkan after he was fatally shot at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Garda Helen Gillen described witnessing two men grappling before one was shot multiple times with his own firearm. She performed CPR on Garda Horkan after realising he was the victim. Stephen Silver, aged 46, a motorbike mechanic from Foxford, Co Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to capital murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial heard evidence from eyewitness James Coyne, who was with Silver that evening, describing how an interaction with Garda Horkan escalated into violence. Another witness, Paul McGarry, a local resident, testified to hearing gunshots and disturbances in the area. The defence has indicated that Silver's state of mind at the time remains the central issue, with responsibility for the shooting accepted. The trial continues before Ms Justice Tara Burns.
At the Central Criminal Court, Stephen Silver, aged 46, a motorbike mechanic from Foxford, County Mayo, pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Garda Colm Horkan on June 17, 2020, at Castlerea, County Roscommon. He has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The prosecution opening alleged that following an encounter on the main street in Castlerea, Mr Silver engaged in a struggle with the uniformed officer, seized his firearm, and discharged it multiple times, causing fatal injuries. The court heard that Mr Silver told gardai at the scene that the deceased had attempted to attack him. The defence intends to raise issues of bipolar disorder and diminished responsibility due to mental health difficulties. The trial, before Ms Justice Tara Burns and a jury of twelve, is expected to last six weeks. The main disputed issue concerns Mr Silver's state of mind at the time of the incident.
In a 2023 Court of Appeal hearing, Chris Kelly, aged 32, received a six‑year jail term with the last year suspended for possession of a firearm, a longer sentence than his co‑accused Kealan Madden, who had 13 prior convictions and was sentenced to five years with the final 12 months suspended. Kelly pleaded guilty to possession of a handgun on 20 May 2020 at Ballinlaw, Slieverue, Co Kilkenny, where Gardaí stopped him and two other men. The vehicle was searched, revealing a semi‑automatic pistol and 47 rounds of ammunition, all of which had been modified for live fire. Kelly resisted arrest and was forcibly removed. Madden, seated in the rear, was found with a dark green sock containing a tray of ammunition.
Gavin Blanchfield, 40, was sentenced to a six‑year suspended term after pleading guilty to eight counts of possessing ammunition, bullet heads, cartridges, gunpowder and primers without the correct firearm certification. The judge noted that Blanchfield had no sinister intent and had no prior convictions, which helped avoid imprisonment. He was found to have an "ammunition factory" at his Tallaght home, with 9.99 kg of gunpowder and equipment seized, and firearms that he legally owned but lacked the required licence for the ammunition. Garda investigations traced his activity on a public forum where he advertised and discussed ammunition. The court ordered forfeiture and destruction of all seized items, and Blanchfield's licence was revoked, effectively ending his gun‑owning hobby. The judge described the decision to spare him prison as a "close run thing.".
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, farmer Michael Scott, aged 58, is accused of murdering his 76‑year‑old aunt Christine Treacy after a long‑running land dispute. The prosecution alleges that Scott deliberately ran over Treacy with his agricultural teleporter outside her home in Derryhiney, Portumna, on 27 April 2018. Witness Francis Hardiman, a neighbour and cousin of Treacy, testified that after the incident Scott was hysterical, crying and shouting "I can't deal with this" and that he later grabbed a double‑barrel shotgun from his jeep. Hardiman described Scott's emotional state and the scene where Treacy's body was found lying face‑down on concrete near the teleporter, with tyre marks on her trousers. The defence maintains that Treacy's death was a tragic accident, while the prosecution seeks a murder conviction based on intent. The trial continues before Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of fifteen. Michael Scott pleaded not guilty.
Lorcan Merriman, aged 26, had his sentence increased by two years after the Court of Appeal reviewed his conviction for disposing of the firearm used in the cold‑blooded assassination of Thomas Farnan, a 37‑year‑old who was shot dead at his home in Clondalkin on 25 April 2016. Merriman had previously pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of disposing of a firearm and was sentenced to four years' imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended. The appeal court found that the original judge had erred by reducing the sentence from the appropriate six years with 18 months suspended to four years with 18 months suspended, and therefore quashed the original sentence and substituted a six‑year term with 18 months suspended. The decision was based on evidence that Merriman's dwelling had yielded a submachine gun, two magazines and 25 rounds of ammunition, and on his extensive record of prior convictions from 2014 to 2019.
Keith O'Reilly, 31, of County Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for offences committed in May 2022. He pleaded guilty to one count of assault, criminal damage, and production of a realistic firearm at Harold's Cross, Dublin. The court heard that O'Reilly broke into the home of his wheelchair-bound ex-girlfriend, assaulted her, and threw her dog onto the road. Gardaí discovered an imitation firearm in his rucksack upon his arrest. Judge Martin Nolan suspended a three-year term of imprisonment on full strict conditions. The judge noted that O'Reilly had no previous convictions and was remorseful, though somewhat intoxicated at the time. Crucially, the judge cited a letter from the victim, who requested he not be imprisoned due to his past good behaviour and her belief in second chances. Judge Nolan stated that it was only because of the woman's Christian views that O'Reilly avoided immediate custody. The matter was finalised with this suspended sentence.
Sean Connell, 32, of Poppintree, Dublin, is serving a six‑year sentence for the seizure of €1.5 million of cocaine at Rosslare Harbour. He pleaded guilty to possession of diamorphine for sale or supply on 10 March 2020. Gardaí later found nearly €70,000 of heroin in his car, and he was on bail when he and another man led gardaí on a high‑speed chase after shots were fired at a house in Finglas. The pursuit ended when the car overturned and Connell was taken to hospital. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and possession of a firearm on 29 September 2020. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to seven and a half years for the drug offences, with six months suspended, and to 18 months for the firearm and dangerous driving offences, with six months suspended. The sentences are consecutive to the Wexford drugs matter, and he is disqualified from driving for two years.
Leon Mitchell, 43, of Shangan Green, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and seven 9mm rounds on 14 April 2022. He was found with a modified, loaded 9mm pistol that could fire automatically. During an altercation with unarmed Gardaí, Mitchell attempted to produce the weapon, lashing out and striking officers. Gardaí restrained him and removed the firearm, which was later confirmed to be loaded. Judge Dara Hayes noted Mitchell's 13 prior convictions, including a firearm offence, and the impact on the Gardaí. He imposed a headline sentence of eight years, reduced to five and a half years after considering a significant period of non‑offending. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence and the potential harm caused by the weapon in a public place.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, the family of Barry Wolverson, a 40‑year‑old businessman who was shot at Madigan's Yard in Swords on 17 January 2020, presented a victim impact statement. Wolverson, who had a partner expecting a child and five children, died on 21 February 2021 after 13 months in a coma. His sister, Lindsay Wolverson, said the family would grieve forever and that the children now have to live without a father. The court heard that Robert Redmond (34) and Bernard Fogarty (34) were found guilty of the murder, possession of a lethal firearm and ammunition, and assault causing harm to Gerard Wildman. Both were sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder, 12 years for the gun offences, and five years for the assault, all running concurrently. The judge noted no mitigating circumstances and that the evidence, including forensic gun‑shot residue on Redmond's jacket, proved their guilt.
Derek Boyd, aged 28, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for the accidental manslaughter of his 34‑year‑old sister, Sandra Boyd, who died after a gunshot in their Finglas home on 19 March. Boyd pleaded guilty to manslaughter and to unlawful possession of a semi‑automatic pistol and live ammunition. He had obtained the firearm because he feared threats from a "gangland" figure. During the incident he was holding the gun in his pocket, had cocked it, and when he pulled the slide to eject a round his finger slipped, causing the gun to fire. He immediately fled, later telling Gardaí he was ashamed. The court, noting Boyd's remorse and the family's suffering, imposed a five‑year sentence with the final three years suspended for the firearms offences and a four‑year sentence with the final two years suspended for the manslaughter, with both sentences running concurrently and back‑dated to his arrest in March.
Paul Mooney (35), of Ring Street, Inchicore, Dublin 8, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for his role in the aftermath of an attempted murder. Mooney pleaded guilty to possessing a G9A Grand Power semi-automatic handgun and Luger Barnaul ammunition at Bernard Curtis House, Bluebell, Dublin 12, on March 6, 2021. Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted that while Mooney was not directly involved in the shooting of Sinead Connolly, he disposed of the firearm openly and without hesitation. The court heard that Connolly was left paralysed after being shot by Dean McCarthy (33), who was jailed for 15 years for attempted murder. Co-accused Joseph Byrne (33) was jailed for nine-and-a-half years for possessing the handgun with intent to endanger life. Mooney, who had nine previous convictions, received a headline sentence of eight years. Considering mitigating factors including remorse and assistance to gardaí, the judge imposed a prison term of six years. The final 12 months of the sentence were suspended for two years, conditional on Mooney keeping the peace, engaging with victim impact and alcohol/drug awareness programmes, and following probation service directions. The sentence was backdated to October 6, 2022.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 5 December 2022, Robert Redmond (34) and Bernard Fogarty (34) were convicted of murdering Barry Wolverson, who was shot at Madigan's Yard, Swords, on 17 January 2020 and later died after a 13‑month coma. The court found both men guilty of the murder, of assault causing harm to Gerard Wildman (who was also shot), and of possession of a lethal firearm and ammunition at the scene. Forensic evidence showed gunshot residue on Redmond's jacket, supporting his role as the shooter, while no residue was found on Fogarty's clothing, indicating he was not the shooter. CCTV captured the pair moving together on the day of the shooting and later burning a Citroën C4 in Greenwood Estate. The judge concluded that both men were jointly responsible for the murder and the subsequent arson, with no reasonable possibility of another person's involvement. The verdict was delivered by Justice Michael MacGrath.
Daniel Goulding, 39, of County Dublin, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for the attempted murder of two detective gardaí at his family home in Clonsilla on May 25, 2021. Goulding pleaded guilty to the charges. Mr Justice Paul McDermott set a headline sentence of 27 years for each attempted murder. The judge imposed a total prison sentence of 20 years, with the final two years suspended for a period of six years. The suspended portion is subject to conditions requiring close monitoring and compliance with recommended treatment upon release. The judge noted that Goulding suffered from a significant mental disorder, specifically paranoid schizophrenia, and was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time of the offence. He also credited Goulding's guilty plea and expressed regret. The court heard that Goulding opened fire from a bedroom window using a semi-automatic pistol and a sub-machine gun, injuring both officers in their legs and one in the hand. The judge described the attack as potentially lethal and highlighted the terrifying impact on the victims, who suffered long-term physical and psychological effects. The judge stated that while a life sentence was considered, the mitigating factors of Goulding's mental health and plea warranted the imposed term.
In a sentencing hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Derek Boyd, 28, pleaded guilty to manslaughter after an accidental discharge of a loaded semi‑automatic pistol killed his 34‑year‑old sister, Sandra Boyd, on 19 March. He also admitted unlawful possession of the firearm and ammunition. Boyd explained that he had armed himself weeks earlier due to threats from a "gangland" figure and that the gun was in his pocket when he walked his sister out. He claimed a slip of his finger caused the gun to fire while he was attempting to disarm it. The court heard the family's grief, with mother Teresa Boyd and sister Melissa Clarke pleading for mercy and for Boyd to be released to support the family. Judge Pauline Codd adjourned the final decision to 16 December, after reviewing reports and statements. The hearing lasted 80 minutes and was marked by emotional testimonies and tears. The article does not disclose any sentencing outcome.
In a 2021 incident, Daniel Goulding, a 39‑year‑old diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, fired a semi‑automatic pistol and a sub‑machine gun at two Gardaí outside his home, forcing them to take cover behind their patrol car for nearly 30 minutes. The gunfire lasted three and a half minutes, during which both officers were shot in the legs and one in the hand. The shooting ceased after Garda Brendan O'Hora intervened, persuading Goulding to surrender his firearms. Goulding pleaded guilty to attempting to murder the two officers. He has 33 prior convictions, including a 2009 ten‑year sentence for misuse of drugs. The Central Criminal Court will sentence him next Friday, with the DPP noting his psychotic episode at the time of the offence but not a premeditated intent to kill. The case remains at the sentencing stage. Daniel Goulding was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Laimonas Baltrusis, aged 31, was sentenced to five years and three months in prison for unlawfully possessing €280,000 worth of cocaine and a semi‑automatic pistol. Gardaí discovered the drugs and firearm in hidden compartments of two cars, accessed by a button under the steering wheel when the engine ran and lights were on. Baltrusis admitted possession of cocaine at two addresses on 19 and 20 September 2020 and possession of the pistol on 20 September 2020. He cooperated with investigators, pointing to a kitchen shelf where 22 g of cocaine and €3,250 in cash were found. The court noted his prior minor convictions, his completion of a rehabilitation programme, and his apology to the court. Judge Martin Nolan emphasised that Baltrusis had created the problems for himself by becoming involved in the drug trade. Laimonas Baltrusis pleaded guilty.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has been unable to reach a verdict in the trial of Stephen Silver concerning the death of Detective Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Mr Silver accepts that he discharged the detective's own firearm eleven times but denies the charge of murder. The defence argued that Mr Silver should be found guilty of manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility, citing evidence that he was suffering from bipolar affective disorder at the time. The jury of seven men and five women deliberated for just under nine hours over three days before reporting they could not reach agreement. Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded Mr Silver in custody pending a retrial, with the case listed for 9 December at the Central Criminal Court. The judge thanked the jury for their careful consideration of what he described as a deeply difficult and disturbing case. Stephen Silver was acquitted.
Andrew Rowe, 47, pointed a legally‑held shotgun at a young man who answered the door of his neighbour's house during a 21st birthday party, demanding the music be lowered. The incident occurred at 11.45pm, and the victim closed the door and called the Gardaí. Rowe, who lives in Clonsilla, pleaded guilty to a possession of a firearm charge on 7 August 2020. The shotgun, licensed to him and kept in his family for 30 years, was found locked and unloaded in its safe later that night. His licence was rescinded. In Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Rowe to a three‑year suspended term, noting the gun was not loaded and that Rowe was unlikely to receive a licence again. The sentence was suspended on conditions, with a warning that further offences would lead to imprisonment.