A man who was 18 when he raped a 15-year-old girl during a birthday party has been jailed for seven years. Patrick Faulkner (24) was convicted of rape after a trial in Limerick. The victim, who wished to waive her anonymity, told the court that Faulkner told her to get the morning after pill after the attack. The victim was at the party with friends and had consumed alcohol. Faulkner followed her upstairs and raped her despite her repeated protests. The victim later told a friend she had been raped and sent a message to a Snapchat group. Faulkner denied the charge, claiming the girl consented. He has previous convictions for harassment and public order offences. The judge noted the victim's mental trauma and the lack of mitigation due to Faulkner's denial. The sentence was reduced from eight and a half years to seven and a half years, taking into account his cooperation with the investigation and his young age at the time of the offence.
A man who was convicted of using threatening or abusive behaviour at the GPO in Dublin has withdrawn his appeal, telling a court that he had other convictions and that it "wouldn't make a difference". Gerry Carrick (52), who is currently serving a jail sentence for a separate matter, told the court that he wished to withdraw the appeal. Carrick, with an address in Knowth Court, Poppintree, Dublin 11, was convicted in the District Court of using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour or words in a public place on January 21, 2026 at the GPO on O'Connell Street, contrary to section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994. He was sentenced to two months imprisonment. Today, Carrick told the District Court Appeals Court that he had other convictions and that it "wouldn't make a difference". Carrick's case was only listed for mention today, not for hearing. Judge Ronan Munro told him that by striking out the appeal, Carrick would begin serving his sentence while in custody.
Derek Moore, known as 'Del Boy' Hutch, has had his sentencing for causing serious harm to a grandmother further adjourned due to ongoing industrial action by criminal solicitors. Moore pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious harm to Valentyna Linck in 2022. His sentencing was adjourned until October, with Moore remanded on bail. Moore has a long history of convictions, including dangerous driving and drug-related offences. The collision occurred at high speed, with Moore testing positive for cannabis. Ms Linck suffered life-threatening injuries, including a stroke and brain bleed, and has required extensive medical treatment. Moore has been on bail and has not come to garda attention except for one public order matter. He has recently been diagnosed with ADHD and has a bail variation allowing him to go on holiday abroad while awaiting sentencing.
A serial offender with an 'appalling' 137 previous convictions has been given a fully suspended sentence for a series of theft and public order offences. Judge Derek Cooney noted that the defendant, Margaret Connors (41), has struggled with addiction and has made efforts to address it. Connors pleaded guilty to theft, handling stolen property, and public order offences. She stole alcohol and groceries from a supermarket and was found in possession of stolen items. Connors also admitted to stealing from a store and engaging in threatening behavior. She has a long criminal history and accepted responsibility for her actions. Her defense highlighted her addiction and homelessness. Judge Cooney acknowledged her difficult background and the impact of her addiction but warned that if she reoffended, she would face serious consequences. He suspended her sentences for 12 months, emphasizing that her recovery depends on her commitment.
The Court of Appeal has rejected Patrick Murphy's claim that his murder conviction was unsafe due to the jury's 'extremely brief' deliberation. Murphy, who stabbed his daughter's neighbour to death in a 'drunken rage', was sentenced to life in prison in December 2024. He had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The Central Criminal Court jury unanimously convicted him of murder after rejecting the defence's argument of provocation. Murphy's counsel argued that the jury's quick decision raised concerns about the safety of the conviction and the right to full deliberation. However, the court dismissed the appeal, stating the jury deliberated for over three hours and reached a verdict based on the evidence. The judge noted that the issue of provocation was straightforward and that the jury's decision was sound. The trial revealed that Murphy had a history of 15 previous convictions, mostly for traffic and public order offences.
Mary Hand (49), mother of murdered gunman Tristan Sherry, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and possession of an article in the course of a dispute on February 3, 2024. She received a three-and-a-half year suspended sentence, conditional on engaging with the Probation Service for 18 months. The incident occurred weeks after her son's funeral, following his murder in a Dublin steakhouse. During the incident, Hand was involved in a dispute with a bar manager at a pub on Fleet Street. The manager asked the intoxicated Hand and another woman to leave, leading to an altercation. Hand lunged at the manager, who ducked and felt something on his torso. A knife was later found on the ground, and the manager sustained cuts to his abdomen and chest. Hand was arrested and initially claimed she had no memory of the incident, attributing it to alcohol abuse. She has a history of previous convictions, including threats to kill and public order offences. The court heard that Hand had made genuine efforts at rehabilitation, including staying away from alcohol.
Ben Whelan, a 26-year-old diabetic man, was acquitted of public order charges after being found slumped over a railing in Ballsbridge. The court heard conflicting accounts from gardaí and the defense about whether Whelan was suffering a medical emergency or acting aggressively drunk. Whelan claimed he was in need of insulin and repeatedly told gardaí he required medical help. His girlfriend testified that he was unwell due to a lack of insulin and that she informed the gardaí of his condition. Judge Anne Watkin dismissed the charges, noting the lack of detailed notes and the possibility that Whelan was experiencing a medical episode rather than being intoxicated. The judge acknowledged that Whelan had admitted to being aggressive but questioned whether his actions met the legal threshold for a public order offense. The court ruled that there was enough doubt to dismiss both charges, considering the possibility that Whelan was in need of medical assistance rather than being drunk. Ben Whelan pleaded not guilty.
Aaron McCarthy, a 33-year-old appellant, appeared before the District Court Appeals Court to challenge the severity of his five-month imprisonment sentence. He was previously convicted in the District Court of obstructing a peace officer under section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994. Garda Brian Kelly testified that on October 6, 2024, McCarthy refused to leave a Dublin 7 dwelling after being arrested, requiring six gardai to subdue him. Kelly noted McCarthy's history of 96 previous convictions, including criminal damage and assault. Defence counsel Seosaimhín Ní Chathasaigh BL argued that McCarthy accepts responsibility, is remorseful, and suffers from an acquired brain injury affecting emotional control. She stated he is now substance-free and willing to attend anger management courses. Judge Ronan Munro indicated he required further information before considering suspending the sentence, warning that non-compliance with conditions would render suspension pointless. Consequently, the matter was adjourned until October to allow for the preparation of a probation report. The court did not conclude the appeal at this stage, leaving the original five-month sentence in effect pending the report.
A car wash owner who shouted "I am tiger" and attacked two people during a dispute over parking spaces at a south Dublin coffee dock has been given a suspended jail sentence and ordered to carry out community service. Ismail Tamar, 42, pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault causing harm and a public order offence. The court heard that the trouble began after a dispute over where a Mercedes Sprinter van had parked near a coffee truck adjoining Tamar's car wash business. The van driver told the court that Tamar approached him swearing and shouting expletives, and later pointed a high-pressure power washer directly into his face while continuing to shout abuse. Tamar was seen punching the van driver in the face, ears, and body. A friend of the van driver described seeing Tamar point the power washer at the driver before punches were thrown. Garda Colm Walsh told the court that he arrived shortly after 1.15pm and saw Tamar throwing punches through the window of a car.
A man who was found walking on a Dublin street in the early hours of the morning, playing the ukulele and appearing intoxicated, has avoided a conviction after a judge heard that he had unknowingly consumed fortified wine. Killian Denny, 52, pleaded guilty to three public order offences, including intoxication and failing to provide his name and address to gardaí. The court heard that the wine he consumed had been given to him by a neighbour, who he believed to be normal wine. Denny, who lives alone and suffers from serious diabetes-related illnesses, was unaware of the high alcohol content of the wine. His defence solicitor highlighted that the alcohol had a particularly bad effect on him due to his medical condition. Judge Conor Fottrell applied the Probation Act and struck out the charges without conviction. The judge warned that the case serves as a reminder to be cautious of gifts from neighbours, particularly those they may not want.
Leah O'Toole (29), of Holly Court, Ballybrack, Dublin, pleaded guilty to public order offences and failing to appear in court arising from incidents in Ballybrack and Dún Laoghaire in May and June 2025. The court heard that gardaí were called to the home of the defendant's mother in Holly Court at around 9.55pm on May 18, 2025, where O'Toole was kicking the gate of the property. When gardaí approached her, she began 'shouting and roaring' at them. The court heard there was a smell of alcohol from her breath and she was intoxicated. The offences before the court included threatening or abusive behaviour, intoxication in a public place and failing to appear before Dún Laoghaire District Court on June 4, 2025. The court also heard she was fined €150 at Bray District Court on May 26, 2025, and had another public order conviction in Wexford earlier this year. Defence counsel, Michael O'Brien BL, said O'Toole is a mother of four and that most of the offending occurred over the past two to three years during an abusive relationship which drove her towards alcohol misuse. The court heard she has also struggled with serious alcohol issues since the death of her father. Counsel said she completed a residential treatment programme last year and is continuing with aftercare services at Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown Outreach Project. The court heard O'Toole had been previously placed on a one-year probation bond by Judge Anne Watkin in April and is engaging well with treatment services. Judge Conor Fottrell said O'Toole's behaviour towards gardaí was 'unacceptable'. However, the judge said he accepted she was going through personal difficulties and commended her for engaging with treatment. Judge Fottrell convicted and fined her €100 on the intoxication charge and €150 on the public order offence, giving her six months to pay. The remaining matters were taken into consideration.
Denis Bowes, a 61-year-old man from Inchicore, Dublin 8, had his conviction dismissed under the Probation Act by the District Court Appeals Court. Bowes was originally convicted in the District Court of using threatening and abusive behaviour contrary to section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, as well as intoxication in a public place and refusal to give his name and address. He pleaded guilty to these charges and was fined €300. He subsequently lodged an appeal against the severity of his sentence. The court heard that on October 7, 2025, gardai responded to reports of a man shouting on Emmett Road. A garda stated that Bowes was intoxicated and unsteady, and that he racially abused the officer with explicit language while being transported to the station. Defence counsel submitted that Bowes was remorseful, had offered an apology which the garda accepted, and that a conviction would negatively impact his employment. Judge Christopher Callan stated the incident was not acceptable but noted the garda's acceptance of the apology. Consequently, the judge applied the Probation Act, dismissing the conviction on the condition that a fine be paid to the Capuchin Day Centre. The judge warned Bowes that the behaviour should not happen again.
A driver who was stopped by gardai for using his phone was found to be carrying €108,000 in Alprozalam tablets. Robert Freer (39) was found with 54,000 tablets in the boot of his car and a small quantity of cocaine in his home. He had 15 previous convictions for public order and road traffic offences. His defence said he became involved in drug dealing to help a family member with a drug debt and that he was experiencing significant mental distress at the time. Judge Orla Crowe said Freer's reasons for getting involved in the offence were "utterly misplaced and reprehensible" and imposed a three-year prison term, which was backdated to when Freer first went into custody last month.
A father of four who became aggressive on St Patrick's Day after watching Liverpool lose the Carabao Cup final has received the benefit of the Probation Act. Jonathan Lambe (38) pleaded guilty to public order offences at Tallaght District Court. Gardai arrived at the venue after reports that Lambe had been aggressive towards staff and verbally abusive to a member of the public. His defence said he had "far too much to drink" and was disappointed about Liverpool's loss. Judge John Brennan noted the guilty plea and gave Lambe the benefit of the Probation Act, meaning no conviction was recorded. After the judge made a comment about supporting Liverpool, Lambe laughed and raised his fist in the air, saying: "Yeah, the real Reds.
An unnamed 35-year-old Dublin man was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a global term of nine years and two months after pleading guilty to six counts of child cruelty committed between 2016 and 2020. The court heard allegations that he subjected his six children to severe neglect and abuse, including repeatedly locking the oldest boy in a chest freezer, bathroom, and closet, as well as holding his head underwater. The children, aged between 10 months and eight years at the time of care in January 2020, were found living in filthy, cold conditions with inadequate food and clothing. The man's then-partner, the children's mother, was separately sentenced to two-and-a-half years in 2025 after pleading guilty to child neglect. During the sentencing hearing, the Director of Public Prosecutions entered a nolle prosequi on three counts of sexual assault and two further counts against the man, meaning those specific allegations were not proceeded with. Judge Elma Sheahan cited the repeated nature of the cruelty, the profound breach of parental trust, and the children's dependency as aggravating factors. The man, who has 20 previous convictions primarily for public order offences, has since undergone drug treatment. The children are now placed in three separate foster homes.
Paul McCarton pleaded guilty to offences including possessing articles for use in theft, handling stolen property, possessing a knife, theft and public order offences in Tallaght. Judge Áine Shannon ordered probation and welfare reports and a restorative justice assessment before sentencing.
A woman who was drunk and disruptive in the accident and emergency department at Tallaght University Hospital has been given a suspended sentence. Kimberly Riordan (33), of Shancastle Lawns, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, pleaded guilty at Tallaght District Court to a public order offence. On 10 December last year, she was abusive towards security staff, was intoxicated, unsteady on her feet, and slurring her words, leading to gardaí being called. The court heard that Riordan has around 120 previous convictions, many alcohol-related, and is currently in custody serving a sentence for public order and theft offences, with a release date in May. Defence counsel said she was remorseful and had not consumed alcohol since being in custody. Riordan told the judge she was feeling shaky due to the lack of alcohol. She had previously engaged with the Simon Community and residential treatment but relapsed after a temporary release. She remains welcome to return to treatment. Counsel said she had worked in pubs, which contributed to her alcohol issues, and she would not return to that type of work.
Constantin Iosca, 46, was jailed for two years and nine months after being convicted of dishonestly inducing the Motor Insurers' Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) to investigate a fraudulent insurance claim. Iosca had submitted a claim form in 2016, alleging he was injured in a road traffic accident. However, CCTV footage showed him walking unaided and loading a wheelchair into his car, contradicting his claim. Iosca has 19 previous convictions, including theft, road traffic offences, and public order offences. The court heard that Iosca's claim was taken to the High Court, which was an aggravating factor. Judge Patricia Ryan noted that Iosca's medical issues and lack of recent criminal activity were mitigating factors. Iosca was sentenced to three years and six months, with the final nine months suspended on strict conditions for three years post-release.
Philip Dwyer, the appellant, appeared before the District Court Appeals Court regarding his conviction for failing to comply with a garda's direction to move on under section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. Dwyer, who was live-streaming during a riot at the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock, had previously been convicted in the District Court after denying the charge. He received a two-month suspended sentence and a 500 euro fine. On appeal, defence counsel argued that only 17 seconds elapsed between the direction and the arrest, suggesting Dwyer was not given a fair opportunity to comply. The court also heard that the senior garda identified Dwyer as a "right wing agitator online," a description Dwyer alleged was biased. Judge Ronan Munro indicated that he was inclined to dismiss the case under section 1(1) of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, leaving Dwyer without a conviction. This proposed disposal is conditional on Dwyer paying 200 euro to the garda benevolent fund within four weeks. The judge expressed concern over the rapidity of the arrest but noted that Dwyer's refusal to answer questions demonstrated non-compliance. The matter was adjourned until February 24 to confirm that the payment has been made.
A woman who was on probation when she slapped a garda, causing him to bleed, has been given a two-month prison sentence. Samantha Maughan pleaded guilty to a public order offence and being intoxicated in a public place. The incident occurred on Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire, when she shouted at members of the public and hit a garda, causing him to bleed. Judge Anne Watkin said the charge was at the higher end of a public order offence and noted Maughan's 28 previous convictions, including 12 public order offences. The defence said she was remorseful and receiving support from her partner. The judge said the incident amounted to an assault on a garda, though no assault charge was brought. Maughan was sentenced to two months in prison with a recognisance set at €500 in the event of an appeal.
Roisin O'Grady, a 45-year-old woman from Monkstown, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dún Laoghaire District Court to charges of assaulting a garda and public order offences. The court heard that on November 13, 2024, Ms O'Grady was found heavily intoxicated at Balally Luas stop. While being transported to Blackrock Garda Station, she allegedly slapped a garda. Prosecutors stated that while in custody, she used abusive language and, after being restrained, kicked a garda in the back of the head. Judge Anne Watkin noted the seriousness of the assault on police officers. Defence counsel Michael O'Blain BL highlighted that Ms O'Grady has a history of alcohol-related offending, with three previous convictions for public intoxication, though she has had no convictions in over ten years. He stated she entered treatment last year, cooperates with probation services, and has no issues with drugs, attributing her difficulties to alcohol misuse. The judge placed Ms O'Grady on a one-year probation bond. The matter was finalised with this disposal.
A criminal who took part in an unprovoked, "vicious and sustained" late night city centre attack in Dublin, kicking and punching the victim as he lay on the ground, has been jailed for 18 months. Tony Grimes (26) was with two other young men when they set upon the victim in the Wexford Street area of Dublin after socialising until the early hours of the morning on February 29, 2024. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the victim fell to the ground in the first 30 seconds of the assault, but the three men continued to punch and kick him as he lay defenceless on the path. After passers-by pleaded with the attackers to stop, they left the scene but not before Grimes returned to kick the man to the head one more time. Grimes, of Goatstown Close, Dundrum, Dublin 14, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the man. It is an offence which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. He has 29 previous convictions including criminal damage, public order and road traffic offences.
Keith Commins (28) was convicted of theft and public order offences after being caught with a stolen mobile phone that contained messages about a work presentation, despite claiming it belonged to his unemployed girlfriend. The incident occurred on August 28, 2024, when Garda David Lyons found Commins cycling erratically and unable to unlock the phone. Messages on the device contradicted his explanation. Commins also faced charges for threatening behaviour and obstruction during a separate incident on January 7, 2025. Judge Conor Fottrell convicted him of theft, public order, and obstruction. Commins has a long criminal record, including drug and public order offences. His legal team highlighted his drug addiction and lack of family support. Judge Fottrell imposed a total of seven months' imprisonment, consecutive to a four-month sentence he is currently serving. A €500 recognisance was fixed, and legal aid was granted. Keith Commins pleaded not guilty.
A 76-year-old man with a record of 458 previous convictions has had two additional months added to his prison sentence for repeatedly stealing food items from a convenience store in south Dublin. Paddy McCann, who is currently serving a sentence for similar offences, pleaded guilty at Dún Laoghaire District Court to theft, criminal damage, trespassing, and public order offences. The court heard that McCann stole various items from a Mace store in Sandymount over a five-day period in March 2025. He was also found highly intoxicated at a location in Blackrock, where he became abusive towards gardaí. The charges included criminal damage and trespass from a separate incident in Sandymount. Judge Anne Watkin described the case as a 'chronic situation' and noted that McCann's offending is cyclical. His defence highlighted that McCann is a chronic alcoholic with significant health issues and a difficult personal background. Judge Watkin stated that there was little more the court could do given previous interventions had failed.
Leonardo Fernandez, 29, of Coolock, pleaded guilty at Dún Laoghaire District Court to assaulting a security worker and a public order offence on 30 December 2024 at Meta's Ballsbridge premises in Dublin 4. The defendant, a former kitchen porter, admitted to the charges after Gardaí alleged he lingered on the site before running towards the pedestrian entrance. Prosecution evidence stated that when a security officer attempted to speak to him, Fernandez swung his arms towards the worker, causing the officer to fall and hit his head. Fernandez was subsequently restrained by staff. Defence solicitor Patricia Camilon submitted that Fernandez believed he had arranged to meet a former colleague, who allegedly used his photograph without consent to create a false dating profile intended to control him and tarnish his image. She argued he reported the matter to Gardaí previously and attended the premises as a last resort. Judge Anne Watkin described the case as "very strange" and noted that the defendant's behaviour resulted in injury to the security worker. The court heard Fernandez has no previous convictions. The matter was adjourned for a probation report and a victim impact statement from the injured party to 27 April at Dún Laoghaire District Court for finalisation.
A man who attempted to punch a garda while being taken to Tallaght Garda Station has been sent for a probation report. Deividas Subacius (46) pleaded guilty to threatening and abusive behaviour, intoxication, and violent behaviour on 2 November last year. The court heard that Gardaí were responding to a domestic incident when they encountered Subacius outside an apartment block. He was highly intoxicated, aggressive, and shouted abuse at the officers. During the arrest, he attempted to strike a garda in the back on the way to the station, requiring eight officers to restrain him. Upon arrival at the station, it took eight Gardaí to subdue him and place him in a cell. Subacius has nine previous convictions, including eight for public order and one for assault. Judge Karen Dowling ordered a probation report and adjourned the matter to 6 March, 2026.
A 50-year-old man who assaulted three gardai and threw a gas canister at a Public Order Unit vehicle during the 2023 Dublin riots has been jailed for two and a half years. Don Sheridan, who was not an activist, became involved in the riots after hearing about the stabbing of a five-year-old girl. He pleaded guilty to riot, assaulting gardai, and criminal damage. The court heard that Sheridan was not politically motivated but was swept up in the frenzy. He was captured on CCTV throwing a gas canister and participating in the destruction of property. The judge noted Sheridan's health issues and drinking problem but sentenced him to two and a half years in prison. The riots caused extensive damage and injuries, with gardai deploying 600 officers to restore order.
A man with a brain injury from a meat cleaver attack, Wayne McCauley, has been jailed for 18 months for assaulting his mother by bending her finger until it broke. McCauley, 31, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after a row with his mother, who was 63 at the time. The court was told that McCauley grabbed his mother's hand and bent her finger until it cracked, resulting in a fractured metatarsal. He was arrested and made full admissions, stating he was coming down from drugs at the time. McCauley has a long history of previous convictions, predominantly for public order and attempted robberies. His defense highlighted his brain injury and inability to deal with stress, but Judge Martin Nolan noted his long history of offending and sentenced him to 18 months. The judge acknowledged McCauley's remorse but emphasized the cruelty of the act towards his mother. The suspended sentence was given with the hope that McCauley would not hurt his mother again.
A repeat offender, Michael O'Connell (44), of Patrician Villas, Stillorgan, has been referred to probation services and ordered to complete community service reports following his guilty pleas to criminal damage, intoxication in a public place, and threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour. O'Connell pleaded guilty to these charges on 18 September, 2024, and also admitted to causing criminal damage at Dundrum Garda Station on the same date. Gardaí responded to a call at Patrician Villas on that morning, where they found O'Connell throwing a stone at the front door of his former partner's home. He was highly intoxicated and verbally abusive towards the gardaí. O'Connell has 84 previous convictions, including public order, drug, firearms, and road traffic offences. He was previously given a suspended sentence for criminal damage in 2020. His defence highlighted his history of mental health issues, including paranoid schizophrenia, and his reliance on alcohol and drugs. O'Connell is currently on methadone and has been sober for a period of time. The court noted that he has never worked with probation services despite his long history of offending.
A charge of trespassing against Mohammed Bishet (30), of no fixed abode, has been dismissed after a judge found the State had failed to establish the required evidence. Bishet had pleaded not guilty at Dún Laoghaire District Court to entering a residence at Lansdowne Park, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, as a trespasser on 2 March last year. The charge was under section 11 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, which requires proof that the accused entered without the owner's consent and with intent to commit an offence or unlawfully interfere with property. Gardaí responded to a call at the property and found the front-door lock broken and the door open. A light was on upstairs, and two males were spotted. Bishet was cautioned and taken to Irishtown Garda Station, where he was later charged. Defence counsel, Silvia Maria Crowley BL, argued that the prosecution had failed to establish lack of consent from the owner or occupier, a core requirement under the law. She noted there was no evidence that Bishet had broken the lock or caused damage.
A repeat offender with 142 previous convictions has been jailed for one month for threatening and abusive behaviour. Daryl Hoey (35) pleaded guilty to a section 6 threatening and abusive behaviour charge and a section 4 intoxication offence arising from an incident at Bath Place, Blackrock, Dublin on 13 December, 2024. The court heard that Hoey was highly intoxicated, abusive, and caused concern for his own safety and that of others. Defence counsel, Michael O'Brien BL, noted that Hoey had struggled with alcohol addiction for a substantial period of time and had been homeless from the age of 18. He said his client has been sober for around three and a half months and is engaging with probation services. Judge Anne Watkin accepted the submission but pointed out that Hoey had been intoxicated during a separate public-order incident on 3 September last year, showing the behaviour was 'continuing'. She noted that Hoey had been placed on a probation bond earlier in 2025 but went on to commit further offences.
A man who repeatedly stabbed his friend without any clear reason has been sentenced to three years in prison. Gerard Baird (39) of Kilbarron Road, Coolock, Dublin 5, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on October 31, 2021, at an address in Beaumont, Dublin. The incident occurred during a social gathering where both men had consumed alcohol. Baird was leaving the victim's home with a bike and a can of alcohol when the victim noticed he had a knife. Baird called the victim a "rat" and stabbed him multiple times in the stomach, chest, and neck. The victim was seriously injured and required surgery but has since made a full recovery. Baird remained at the scene and called emergency services using the victim's phone. He later told gardai that the victim was stabbed after answering the door. Baird has a long history of criminal convictions, including burglary, assault, and public order offences. The court heard that he has serious alcohol issues and was homeless at the time of the incident.
On 3 January 2025, 37‑year‑old Scott Capper drove at high speed through Sutton, Howth and Baldoyle, forcing garda patrol cars to take evasive action. He eventually stopped on St Margaret's Avenue, Raheny, where he fled the vehicle and threw bags of white powder. Gardai pursued him to Kilbarrack Road, where they found him covered in cocaine. The cocaine, valued at €5,700, was intended for his own use. Capper pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and possession of drugs for sale or supply. He has 29 prior convictions, including public order and traffic offences. The court noted he was unfit for interview after arrest but later cooperated once sober. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to 27 months' imprisonment, effective from 4 January, and banned him from driving for four years.
A 25‑year‑old man, Ryan Craig, was sentenced to six years in prison, with the last twelve months suspended for two years, for dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm. He also received a four‑year sentence for endangerment, both running concurrently and back‑dated to October 2024. Craig drove a van onto a footpath in Clondalkin, dragging a 25‑year‑old nephew of convicted drug dealer John Gilligan, Dillon Gilligan, for up to 30 feet before leaving him on the roadside with a fractured skull and pelvis. Craig fled the scene without assisting the victim, an act described by the judge as a deliberate purposeful act of dangerous driving motivated by rage and hatred. The court disqualified Craig from driving for fifteen years. The sentencing hearing noted Craig's prior convictions for drug possession and public order offences, but the judge considered the current incident far more serious. The unnamed 25-year-old pleaded guilty.
On 18 March, 31‑year‑old nurse Theophilus Annum Tetty, of Mulgrave Street, Dún Laoghaire, was arrested for a public order offence after becoming intoxicated on the N81 Tallaght Bypass. He was taken to Tallaght Garda Station where he became aggressive, spat at the Perspex screen of the public counter hatch and caused damage. The court heard that the incident led to two charges: criminal damage and violent behaviour in a garda station. Defence counsel said Tetty was experiencing an acute period of intense stress, which contributed to his conduct. He has no prior convictions and works as a nurse. The judge, Patricia McNamara, noted his clean record, cooperation and medical circumstances, and warned him to "stay out of trouble". She ordered him to engage with restorative justice services, to pay €150 compensation to the station, and to submit a full medical report. He remains on continuing bail until 16 January, when his progress will be reviewed.
Michael Daly, 27, of Knockmore Grove, Tallaght, was jailed for three years and nine months after a high‑speed chase on the N81. He drove a stolen Ford Transit van without a licence or insurance, swerved onto the wrong side of the road at up to 140 km/h, and attempted to hit Garda patrol cars. The chase caused €10,000 of damage to a patrol car and forced a Garda to run into a garden to avoid being struck. Daly pleaded guilty to endangerment, unlawful use of a vehicle, driving without insurance and two counts of criminal damage. He had been disqualified from driving since 2022 and had previous convictions for drugs and public order offences. The judge, after considering his guilty pleas and mitigating factors, imposed the sentence and a four‑year driving disqualification.
Jamie Moonen, aged 30, was sentenced to 13 months in prison after threatening to kill Dublin city councillor Malachy Steenson on 15 May 2024. Moonen first approached a Garda patrol car on North Circular Road, verbally abusing a Garda and declaring he would kill Steenson, who was campaigning for local and European elections. He then went to Steenson's offices, where he again threatened the 62‑year‑old councillor and became aggressive when Steenson's relatives appeared. Gardaí arrested him; he admitted the threats, apologized, and claimed he was depressed. Moonen pleaded guilty to a threat to a Garda to kill or cause serious harm. The court, noting his 12 prior public order convictions and one assault, imposed a headline sentence of three years, reduced to 13 months due to mitigating factors such as his cooperation and personal difficulties.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 31 October 2025, Maxwell Itumelang Mosia, aged 34, was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment for a 2019 assault causing harm on his former partner. Mosia pleaded guilty to the charge. The court heard that the attack began downstairs and continued upstairs, during which Mosia punched the woman in the face, arms, shoulders and legs, struck her repeatedly in the face, forced her into the bathroom, undressed her, slapped her ears and sprayed her with the shower hose, especially around her genital area. The victim was treated at The Rotunda Hospital for a burst lip, pain to her right ear, right upper jaw and a mild concussion. Mosia had 29 prior convictions, including 24 for traffic offences, public order and theft. Justice Karen O'Connor set a headline sentence of 30 months, reduced to 20 months, and backdated it to the week he entered custody.
In a Dún Laoghaire District Court hearing on 22 October 2025, Corey Plunkett, aged 32, pleaded guilty to assaulting Garda Sergeant Cara O'Sullivan on 23 May 2021. While in custody for a public order offence, Plunkett kicked the sergeant in the back, causing a jolt and ongoing back pain. He is already serving a four‑year prison term, with the final year suspended, for assault and possession of a weapon. Defence counsel highlighted Plunkett's history of drug misuse, including cocaine addiction. Judge Anne Watkin described the incident as a "very serious assault" on a garda, noting the injuries were not necessarily deliberate but had serious consequences. The maximum sentence available was 12 months; the judge imposed an eight‑month imprisonment sentence to run concurrently with Plunkett's existing term.
In a Dún Laoghaire District Court hearing, a homeowner testified that two men tried to break into his south Dublin home on 1 October 2024, shouting for his phone. He described initially mistaking the noise for foxes, then hearing metal scraping, and seeing the men looking him straight in the eye. The homeowner, who was working late, had his phone ready to call emergency services. Gardaí arrived shortly after midnight, arrested the men, and one was identified as Madalin Lingurar, 26, of North Circular Road, Dublin 7, originally from Romania. Lingurar pleaded not guilty to trespassing under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. Judge Derek Cooney convicted him and sentenced him to four months' imprisonment with immediate effect, setting recognisance at €300. The charge of criminal damage to the front door was dismissed. The case was brought to court a year after the incident.
In October 2025, a 27‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to 21 months' imprisonment for wilfully ill‑treating or neglecting a child. He failed to seek medical care for his girlfriend's nine‑month‑old baby after noticing injuries in March 2024. The baby suffered fractures, bruising and other non‑accidental injuries. The man pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He had prior convictions for knife possession, public order and criminal damage. Social workers had been involved with the mother and child, and a safety plan had been put in place. The man had been warned not to be alone with the child unsupervised. Gardaí found the home in disarray and the baby's mother had called emergency services on 19 March 2024. The judge noted the child's serious injuries and the man's failure to act, resulting in the 21‑month sentence.
In a Tallaght District Court hearing on 10 October 2025, Judge Áine Shannon dismissed a Section 6 Public Order charge against 64‑year‑old Míceál MacGiobúin of Belmont Park, Donnybrook. MacGiobúin had pleaded not guilty to allegations that he used threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour with intent to cause a breach of the peace during a protest outside the Russian Embassy on Orwell Road, Rathgar, on 11 October 2024. Garda Sophie Gummerson testified that she saw MacGiobúin walking near the embassy carrying a placard and shouting slogans such as "Nazi war criminal – get out of Ireland and get out of Ukraine" and "Putin will put you in his meat mincer" towards embassy employee Igor Koliara, who reported feeling intimidated. MacGiobúin, who represented himself, claimed his protest was passionate but peaceful and denied any threatening intent. CCTV footage reviewed by the judge showed MacGiobúin walking at a steady pace, not running or lunging.
Brian Comiskey, aged 46, was first arrested in 2013 after robbing a Texaco service station in Shankill, Co Dublin, on Valentine's Day. The robbery was televised on RTE's Crimecall, and an anonymous tip led to his arrest, but insufficient evidence prevented charges. In 2021, an off‑duty detective spotted Comiskey entering the same service station armed with a hammer, wearing a face covering and latex gloves. He was taken to a Garda station before he could steal anything and claimed he had robbed the station in 2013. That confession was inadmissible. Comiskey pleaded guilty to one count of robbery at the Texaco station and one count of burglary at Centra on the same day, February 14, 2013. He had 45 prior convictions, including robbery, burglary, knife possession and public order offences. Sergeant Bernard Dunne described how Comiskey entered Centra, stole a screwdriver, left, then demanded €700 from a worker at the Texaco station, taking the money and leaving.
A 38‑year‑old repeat offender, Vasile Canta, had his four‑month jail sentence for possessing a pointed blade and threatening behaviour overturned on appeal. The original conviction stemmed from an incident at Henrietta House in Dublin 7 on 11 February 2024, where Garda Philip Collins described Canta as "highly aggressive", spitting at officers and swinging his arms. A search revealed a sharp article concealed on his person, and Canta was found to have a nail file in his pocket. He pleaded not guilty in the District Court but was convicted under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act and the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act. Defence counsel argued that Canta was intoxicated and feared imprisonment, and that he had not brandished the blade. Judge Fiona O'Sullivan fully suspended the four‑month sentence for 12 months, requiring Canta to be supervised by the Probation Service, comply with alcohol‑abuse directives, and attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
A 23‑year‑old e‑scooter rider, Jason Thornton, was convicted of a public order offence after shouting abuse at Garda Jack Hamilton during a criminal damage investigation on 15 June 2024 in south Dublin. Thornton, who was on an e‑scooter on a nearby walkway, raised his middle finger and shouted "F*** you, you red prick" while Hamilton was speaking to the injured party. Hamilton tried to issue a warning but Thornton accelerated away, and a crowd gathered. The court found that the incident, occurring while Gardaí were already dealing with a criminal damage case, met the threshold for a public order offence. Thornton pleaded not guilty, but Judge Anne Watkin convicted him. He has 38 prior convictions, including assault, criminal damage, misuse of drugs, burglary, robbery, theft and threats to kill, and his most recent conviction was under the Misuse of Drugs Act on 16 May 2025.
Gerard Wilson, 46, serving a two‑year sentence in Mountjoy Prison for burglary, knife possession and criminal damage, was further sentenced by Tallaght District Court after a relapse. On 25 March 2024, Gardaí found him intoxicated in another person's car in the car park of The Square Shopping Centre, Tallaght, where he admitted to being under the influence, threatening and abusive behaviour. Five days later, on 30 March 2024, he stole items from Dealz in Nutgrove Shopping Centre, Dublin 14; the goods were recovered only after his apprehension. Wilson, who holds a diploma in addictions studies from UCD, pleaded guilty to public order, road traffic and theft offences. Judge John O'Leary imposed a three‑month sentence for the traffic offence and a two‑month sentence for the public order matter, to run concurrently and take effect immediately. He also imposed a separate two‑month sentence for the theft at Dealz, to run consecutively to Wilson's current prison term.
In a Tallaght District Court hearing on 19 September 2025, a man in his 40s was found to have punched his wife and assaulted Garda James Hughes on 14 January 2024 at his home. After a bereavement and heavy drinking, the defendant returned intoxicated, became highly argumentative, and threw an extension cable at his partner, striking her on the eyebrow before punching her three or four times. He then threatened to "bite off his nose" and attacked Garda Hughes, attempting to drag him to the ground and causing a serious head injury. The victim suffered swelling to her right eyebrow and redness to her bottom lip; Hughes sustained a large laceration to the back of his head, blurred vision for two weeks and headaches for two months. The defendant admitted a Section 3 assault under the Non‑Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, and two Section 19 public order offences for assaulting and obstructing gardaí.
Dwayne McConville, 39, of Davitt Park, Ballybrack, was sentenced to one month in Mountjoy Prison after pleading guilty at Dún Laoghaire District Court to being intoxicated in a public place and to threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour. The offence occurred on Georges Street Lower, Dún Laoghaire, on 15 October 2024 when McConville, while drinking from a bottle of beer, shouted to Garda Dylan Walsh that he would shoot him. McConville was stumbling and unsteady on his feet when stopped on the footpath. The court noted he had 61 prior convictions for public order offences and 76 in total. He had previously received a two‑year peace bond under the Probation Act in December 2023. The judge, citing that this was his 62nd and 63rd public order offence, imposed the one‑month sentence. Recognisance was fixed at €500 own bond and €500 independent surety, half of each to be lodged in cash.
In Tallaght District Court, 58‑year‑old Filippo Sangermano, a resident of Watergate House Hostel, was granted bail after being charged with a section 6 public order offence for alleged verbal abuse and aggression in the accident and emergency (A&E) department of Tallaght University Hospital. The court heard that Gardaí had been called to the hospital and that Sangermano was reportedly abusive towards staff and patients. He denied knowing Irish legal procedures, noting that in the UK he could speak to a solicitor and had not yet seen a social worker. Defence counsel Ciara Ní Ghabhann BL objected to a blanket restriction on his access to A&E, arguing he should not be prevented from seeking emergency care. Judge Patricia McNamara agreed, allowing bail on the condition that Sangermano may only attend the A&E if referred by a doctor. The bail was secured on a €200 bond, and the case was adjourned for disclosure at a later date.
Daryl Boyd, 28, pleaded guilty in the District Court to multiple offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 between 2020 and 2022. He received three consecutive six‑month prison sentences for supplying controlled drugs into prisons, with one of those sentences suspended. Additional charges included possession of controlled drugs and failure to appear in court. Boyd appealed the severity of his sentence. Sergeant Shay Leonard recounted that on 16 May 2020, 28 November 2020 and 26 September 2022, Boyd threw copper pipes and other items containing controlled drugs over the walls of Wheatfield Prison, the last incident involving 700 euros worth of cannabis. Boyd has 40 prior convictions, including theft and public order offences. Defence counsel noted his drug debt and severe pressure after a threat to a family member. Judge Jonathan Dunphy suspended Boyd's entire sentence for two years, requiring him to enter probation supervision, complete residential treatment and engage in education and training as directed.