The Central Criminal Court in Dublin is hearing a trial in which Craig O'Halloran, aged 21, is accused of murdering Kevin Kenny, aged 32, on 31 July 2011 at the Sarsfield Road in Ballyfermot. O'Halloran pleaded not guilty and is currently on trial. Prosecutor Paul Greene SC presented the State's case that O'Halloran stabbed Kenny following a "fracas" outside Ruby Finnegans pub on First Avenue in Inchicore. The prosecution described two groups arriving at the pub, with Kenny in one group, and a subsequent altercation that spilled onto a grassy area outside the pub where CCTV did not cover. Witnesses alleged that O'Halloran repeatedly stabbed Kenny on that grassy area, causing fatal injuries. Kenny fell, was seriously injured, and was taken to hospital. The trial, presided over by Justice Patrick McCarthy, is expected to conclude next week with a jury of five men and seven women.
Desmond O'Toole, 46, of Dun Laoghaire, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for offences committed at the Sallynoggin Inn in Sallynoggin on June 9, 2014. The defendant pleaded guilty to possession of a gun with intent to endanger life, assault causing harm, and possession of two rounds of .22 calibre ammunition. Judge Martin Nolan described the incident as incredibly serious, noting O'Toole's intent to harm and significant recklessness. Prosecution evidence indicated that after a dispute with a group of men, O'Toole returned to the pub, fired a shot into the crowd which missed, and subsequently fired again outside. The second bullet struck a security guard in the chest, causing severe injury requiring surgery and resulting in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. O'Toole was arrested two days later and identified the location where he dumped the firearm, though it was never recovered. He made no admissions during ten interviews but later expressed remorse in a letter. Defence counsel highlighted that O'Toole is a carer for his blind mother. The court imposed a ten-year custodial sentence, reflecting the severity of the violence and the danger posed to the public.
In March 2015, Thomas Callery, aged 42, was sentenced to 18 months in jail for assaulting Danielle Byrne, aged 22, during a christening event at the Swiss Cottage pub in Santry. Callery threw a pint glass at Byrne after a melee broke out between Byrne and other guests. The glass struck Byrne's face, causing her to black out, suffer nerve damage to her eye, and receive scarring on her brow and cheek. Byrne reported anxiety attacks and the need for daily eye drops. Callery pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and was given a three‑year sentence with half suspended, plus twelve months of probation. The judge noted Byrne's intoxication and the chaotic circumstances but held Callery responsible for the injuries inflicted. The case highlighted the seriousness of violent conduct at public gatherings.
At the Central Criminal Court, a jury heard statements from the former partner of Mark Nash, who is charged with the murder of two women in March 1997. Nash, aged 42, has pleaded not guilty to the murders of Sylvia Shields and Mary Callanan between March 6 and 7, 1997. State counsel read two statements from Sarah Jane Doyle, describing how she met Nash in a Dublin nightclub in late March 1997 and subsequently began a relationship with him. The court heard Nash claimed to have family connections in Ballina, County Mayo. The second statement was taken after Doyle received a letter from Nash whilst receiving treatment at Beaumont Hospital, following an assault at a house in Ballintober, County Roscommon on August 16, 1997. A handwriting expert from An Garda Síochána testified that letters attributed to Nash displayed consistent characteristics and were written fluently without hesitation or disguise. The trial continues.
Darren Byrne, 34, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for biting off a large portion of Niall Kearns' ear during an unprovoked pub attack at The Village Inn, Clondalkin, on 23 June 2012. Byrne pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. He claimed he was on heavy medication and believed six men were attacking him, which he used as a defence. The judge, Martin Nolan, described the assault as "a savage attack" and noted it was at the highest level of the offence. Byrne had 15 prior convictions for minor matters. The victim, Kearns, reported that Byrne had been growling in his ear and that the ear could not be re‑attached by surgeons. The sentence was imposed despite Byrne's health issues and claims of being a former heroin addict. The case was prosecuted by Fiona McGowan BL and defended by Garnet Orange SC.
Two 24‑year‑olds, Gerard Monroe and Christopher Forbes, were found guilty of assault causing harm to Steve O'Sullivan and Des O'Leary after a "bumping" incident at Lillie's Bordello club in Dublin. The court heard that the pair waited outside the club, ambushed the victims as they left, and struck them on the head, with Forbes also kicking O'Leary. O'Sullivan suffered a concussion, a knocked‑out filling, a black eye and swollen lips; O'Leary sustained temporary hearing loss and injuries to his eye socket and nose. Both men pleaded guilty to two assault charges. Judge Mary Ellen Ring imposed a suspended three‑year sentence, conditional on the men keeping the peace for two years, and ordered restitution payments of €3,000 from Forbes and €550 from Monroe. The court noted their good work records, low re‑offending risk, and their participation in alcohol awareness programmes.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Thomas Callery, aged 42, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Danielle Byrne, aged 22, after a melee at a pub during Callery's child's christening. Callery threw a pint glass that struck Byrne in the face, causing her to black out and fall. The glass hit her right eye, resulting in nerve damage, scarring to her eyebrow and cheek, and ongoing anxiety. Byrne reported daily eye drops and anxiety attacks. Callery, who has 14 prior convictions including a 2006 common assault, was remanded in custody pending sentencing. The judge noted Byrne's intoxication and the altercation but emphasized Callery's responsibility for the injury. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no final sentence announced yet.
Charles Dillon, 33, was found guilty by a jury of assault causing harm to Polish national Piotr Kozub, 59, after an incident at the Castle Inn Pub in Rathfarnham on 13 December 2008. Dillon, a father of six, had pleaded not guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Desmond Hogan imposed a three‑year jail sentence but suspended it, requiring Dillon to keep the peace for two years and complete 240 hours of community work. The judge noted Dillon's awareness of the consequences of his actions and his previous convictions for public order offences. Kozub suffered severe personal injuries, including black eyes, broken teeth, and required five weeks off work and dental surgery in Poland. Dillon's brother, who ran the karaoke that night, was also involved in the altercation. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Adam Nevin, 27, of Clondalkin, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three charges of having MDMA for sale or supply at Sin Nightclub, Clondalkin Community Centre and Clondalkin Shopping Centre in September 2012. He had 23 prior convictions, including two for drug dealing in the District Court. Nevin sold ecstasy to an undercover Garda on three occasions, first offering four tablets for €20, then ten tablets for €60, and finally 100 tablets for €300. The Garda operation involved officers in unmarked cars and a mountain bike. Nevin was arrested after discarding a bag of tablets, which were recovered and analysed as MDMA. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Nevin to a two‑and‑a‑half‑year suspended sentence, revoking his bail and remanding him in custody for two weeks before sentencing. The judge noted Nevin's attitude to work and his previous chance from the District Court. Nevin has since moved to Norway for work.
The trial of Oliver Kierans (57), of Drumbannon Bailieborough in Cavan, continues before Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly and a jury. Kierans has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of his wife, Patricia Kierans (54), on September 5, 2013, at their home. He also pleaded not guilty to the unlawful possession of a 12-gauge double barrel shotgun and not guilty to possessing the same firearm with intent to endanger life. The jury heard evidence from Detective Garda Jim Mathews regarding Kierans' statements in garda interviews. Kierans allegedly stated he took his wife upstairs to show her he intended to end his own life, claiming the gun discharged accidentally, resulting in "blood everywhere." He further alleged he prayed and attempted to close his wife's eyes. Kierans admitted to having consumed alcohol and stated he kept the shotgun under the bed for protection against intrudants. Garda Cathal Buggy testified that Kierans appeared distressed in Cavan General Hospital, asking why he had not taken his own life. Kierans allegedly told Garda Buggy the incident followed an argument over a non-existent affair. The court heard Kierans had hoped to "finish things" at a pub prior to the incident. The trial is ongoing and was not adjourned or finalised at the time of this report.
Stephen Devoy, aged 33, was given a three‑year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to threatening to kill Garda Sam Taylor on 26 February 2012. The court heard that Devoy had been extremely drunk and had been binging on a cocktail of drink and drugs for days after selling his car for €700. He was arrested outside Ned's pub on Townsend Street in the early hours of the morning. Devoy had no recollection of making the threats, but later made full admissions. He has 14 previous convictions, all dealt with in the District Court, including theft, public order offences and violent behaviour in a garda station. Judge Desmond Hogan noted that Devoy has been drug‑free for over a year and is attending Crumlin College studying Graphic & Web Design. He was also placed on a peace bond for three years and directed to undergo a drugs and alcohol treatment programme.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has heard that Oliver Kierans, aged 57, of Drumbannon, Bailieboro in Cavan, was involved in a siege at a public house on the same day he is alleged to have shot his wife. Mr Kierans has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Patricia Kierans on 5 September 2013 at their home address. He has also pleaded not guilty to unlawful possession of a 12-gauge double-barrel shotgun and to intent to endanger life with the same weapon. The prosecution opened the trial on Friday, telling the jury that the accused and Mrs Kierans had been married over 33 years but were living separately at the time. The court heard that following an incident at the family home, Mr Kierans subsequently attended The Square bar nearby, where he was later found armed. A standoff ensued before his eventual exit late that evening. The trial, before Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly and a jury, continues next week.
Andrew Moore, a 19-year-old college student from Charlemont, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm in Alchemy nightclub, Temple Bar, on March 28, 2014. Judge Martin Nolan suspended a two-year prison sentence, imposing a condition that Moore collects €3,000 to be offered to the victim as a token of remorse. The judge ordered this payment to be made to the gardaí within 18 months, noting that if the victim declines the funds, the court will determine their disposition. The judge described the unprovoked attack as a "cowardly act" and suggested it stemmed from a "spasm of misguided jealousy," while acknowledging Moore's guilty plea and lack of previous convictions. Garda Sergeant Mark Looby testified that the victim, a juvenile, suffered slight scarring at her eye and has become more cautious when going out. Moore had consumed five pints of lager and ten Jager bomb cocktails before swinging at the victim from behind, knocking her to the floor. Defending counsel Karl Monaghan BL characterized the incident as extreme over-indulgence in alcohol, noting Moore has no anger management issues. The matter was finalized with the imposition of the suspended sentence and financial condition.
Adam Nevin, 27, of Clondalkin, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three charges of possessing MDMA for sale or supply at Sin Nightclub, Clondalkin Community Centre and Clondalkin Shopping Centre in September 2012. He had 23 prior convictions, including two drug‑dealing offences dealt with in the District Court. Nevin had approached an undercover Garda at a nightclub, offered to sell ecstasy tablets, and the officer paid €20 for four tablets, then €60 for ten tablets, and later €300 for a bag of tablets. Nevin was arrested after discarding the bag, which was recovered and tested as MDMA. Judge Martin Nolan revoked Nevin's bail and remanded him in custody until his sentence on 17 February. Nevin's defence counsel argued that he had secured work in Norway and was working to overcome his addiction, requesting the court not to imprison him. The case remains pending sentencing.
Frederick Thompson, 34, of Maryland, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for violent disorder. He pleaded guilty to his part in a brawl at Morrissey's Pub, Cork Street, on January 7, 2013. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a 20-month prison sentence, backdated to May 23, 2014, when Thompson was first remanded in custody. Thompson had been extradited from Amsterdam and has been in custody since. The court noted he has 29 previous convictions. A co-defendant, Anthony Harte, 24, of Inchicore, also pleaded guilty to violent disorder. Harte was previously given 220 hours of community service by Judge Mary Ellen Ring in lieu of a two-year prison term. A third man was acquitted of violent disorder by a jury. The judge stated Thompson likely started the row and threw a bottle. Prosecution evidence described a serious fracas where Thompson slapped the victim, took him into a headlock, and flung a beer bottle at him. Harte was seen kicking and punching the victim. Defense counsel noted the incident was sparked by slagging and that no one was seriously injured. Thompson offered apologies to the court and those present.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 28 January 2015, Jason Kirwan, aged 28, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for his role in a burglary at Buttercup Park, Darndale, on 3 October 2011. Garda Kevin Hinde presented evidence that Kirwan was linked to the break‑in through blood drops found on the stairs, after four men had smashed a door to gain entry. The men had previously threatened a doorman who had asked people to leave a pub, claiming they knew where he lived. The burglary involved the theft of military uniforms belonging to Corporal Michael O'Shea. Kirwan's 80 prior convictions included 72 road‑traffic offences, one robbery and a drug‑dealing conviction. The judge noted the burglars appeared to be seeking vengeance against the doorman, who was believed to be living at the former residence. The court imposed a three‑year sentence, reflecting the seriousness of the offence and Kirwan's extensive criminal record. Jason Kirwan pleaded guilty.
A 22‑year‑old woman from Poppintree, Ballymun, was acquitted of recklessly causing serious harm to Natasha Mooney, a 25‑year‑old woman who lost sight in one eye after an incident at Dusk Nightclub in Coolock on 18 March 2013. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury, consisting of six men and six women, returned a not‑guilty verdict after 1 hour 16 minutes of deliberation. Judge Desmond Hogan thanked the jury, and the defence and prosecution noted the case was still pending further instructions. The unnamed 22-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Tara Scott, 21, testified on the third day of a trial concerning an assault at Dusk Nightclub on 18 March 2013. Scott, who was with Emma Hammond, 22, warned the alleged attacker, Natasha Mooney, 25, to stop smiling at her before the incident. Scott described how Mooney approached her in the smoking area, telling her to stop looking at her with a grin, and that Mooney then said, "Just wait until we get inside." Scott said she tried to intervene, shouting Hammond's name, but Mooney had already begun running at her. During the altercation, Scott sustained scratches from shattered glass and had drink in her eyes. Cross‑examination revealed CCTV footage that contradicted some of Scott's statements, but she maintained that her recollection was not perfect. The trial continues before Judge Desmond Hogan and a jury of twelve. Emma Hammond pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, Emma Hammond, aged 22, pleaded not guilty to assault causing serious harm after an incident at Dusk Nightclub on St Patrick's Day 2013. The case stems from a feud between Hammond's family and that of Natasha Mooney, 25, allegedly sparked by a pair of shoes left at Mooney's house. Hammond claimed she had never fought Mooney before and that she was unaware of the extent of Mooney's injuries until rumours emerged. She described an altercation where she had a phone in one hand and a glass in the other, stating she did not intend to hit Mooney with the glass. A friend of Mooney, Danielle Mahon, testified that she saw glass fall from Mooney's bra in hospital and that she was shocked by the sight of Mooney's eyelid hanging down. The trial continues before Judge Desmond Hogan and a jury.
The State has closed its case in the Special Criminal Court trial of three Dubliners charged with the murder of Peter Butterly, a 35‑year‑old father of two, outside a Meath pub. The incident occurred on 6 March 2013 in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston. The accused—Dean Evans (24), Edward McGrath (33) and Sharif Kelly (44)—had pleaded not guilty to the murder and to firearm offences. A fourth man, David Cullen (30), had previously testified against them. The prosecution's evidence, including testimony that Butterly was lured to the car park by a man who fired shots from a Toyota Corolla, was fully presented. With all evidence called, the State has formally closed its case, and the trial will continue before the judges on Friday. The summary is based solely on the article text.
Li Zhongbo, a 33-year-old Chinese national from Rathfarnham, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm at Sin Nightclub in Temple Bar on March 25, 2013. The court heard that Li swung a glass jug during a melee between groups of men, striking an uninvolved bystander, Adam Cleary, who suffered facial and chest injuries requiring 29 sutures. Judge Patrick McCartan noted that Cleary had graciously told Garda Eoin Carroll he did not want Li jailed, viewing the act as out of character. The judge highlighted Li's lack of previous convictions, his sincere apology, and his offer of €1,000 in remorse. Consequently, the court applied the Probation of Offenders Act, allowing Li to walk free. The judge described the victim as generous and fair. Li, a married father of two who has worked legally in Ireland for ten years, shook hands with Cleary after the sentencing. The matter was finalised with this disposition.
Thomas Dennis, 21, was found guilty of failing to report an incident in which a woman's finger was severed when she was caught in the door of his car after leaving a Balbriggan nightclub. Dennis admitted he did not realise the finger was trapped until the following morning, when he discovered the tip stuck in the passenger side of the door. He called his father for advice and later contacted the gardai about three hours after finding the severed finger. The court noted that Dennis had no prior convictions and that he had been in shock when he discovered the injury. Judge John Coughlan convicted Dennis and fined him €100, stating that a driver is legally responsible for the actions of his passengers and that Dennis deliberately chose not to return to the scene. The decision was made at Swords District Court. The victim, hairdresser Shauna Weldon, has lost the top of her finger and is still receiving physiotherapy. Thomas Dennis pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 34‑year‑old David Brady was sentenced to three years in prison for assault causing harm to Kevin Duggan, who was left with permanent facial scarring after Brady attacked him with a Stanley knife. The incident occurred on 8 March 2013 at The Belfry, Belamine Estate, Stepaside, when Brady, who had been drinking and taking cocaine, entered the apartment of his partner Caroline Kane and, upon hearing Duggan, shouted "I know what you're at" before brandishing the knife. Brady cut Duggan's face, chest and arm. Brady had a prior 2003 conviction for assaulting his girlfriend. Judge Desmond Hogan suspended the final year of the sentence on the condition that Brady keep the peace and participate in a drug and alcohol treatment programme. The court noted that the two couples had regularly socialised together in a pub before the night of the assault. David Brady pleaded guilty.
Swords District Court heard four matters. Jandean Hyland pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after allegedly headbutting a victim at a nightclub. Judge Dempsey ordered Hyland to pay €1,250 in compensation by February 23rd to avoid a conviction. Keith Hammond pleaded guilty to using violent and threatening behaviour at a Garda station. The case was remanded until January 15th to assess suitability for an Adult Caution. Arthur Creedy pleaded guilty to theft for using a receipt to refund stolen runners. Judge Dempsey sentenced him to one month in prison, stating he would not increase his current sentence. Patrick Clarke was found guilty of driving without a licence and no tax after the judge proceeded in his absence. He was fined €200 for no tax and €100 for driving without a licence. A charge of no insurance was dismissed. All proceedings were handled by Judge Dermot Dempsey.
Trevor Byrne, 36, was released in March after serving part of an eight‑year sentence for an attempted robbery. His final two years were suspended on conditions including a curfew and abstaining from alcohol. In April he was remanded after being found with six cans of cider, and in October he was released again. In court he admitted breaching the bond on 6 November by drinking a bottle of beer and on 18 November by breaking his curfew while watching a football match in a pub. He denied bringing 12 cans of Dutch Gold lager on 31 October. The prosecution sought to re‑activate the suspended portion of his sentence, but the judge, citing his willingness to engage with Probation Services, decided not to do so as long as he complies with the conditions. Byrne has nine prior convictions, including a 15‑year sentence for rape and a five‑year sentence for assault.
In a 2013 incident at the Abberley Hotel in Tallaght, Zoe Thompson, aged 21, struck two brothers, Aidan and Colm Brown, with the heel of her stiletto shoe. The assault began when Aidan Brown, a barman, was involved in a scuffle after a confrontation on the dance floor of the "Entourage" nightclub. Thompson intervened, hitting Aidan on the forehead, which required seven surgical staples, and later struck his brother from behind, resulting in five staples to the back of his head. Both victims suffered financial losses: Aidan lost €1,000 in wages and Colm lost €690. Thompson pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm and has four prior convictions for road traffic offences, including drink driving. She is awaiting sentencing in January, with the court considering her suitability for a restorative justice programme. The case highlights the severity of the injuries and the financial impact on the victims.
Joseph Cooney, aged 22, pleaded guilty to arson of a shed behind the Salmon Leap pub and a house on Main Street in Leixlip in November 2012, causing almost €400,000 in damage. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to five years in prison but suspended the sentence in full after Cooney accepted a Garda's view that the arson was a one‑off "act of madness". At the hearing, Nolan ordered Cooney to spend two weeks in jail to reflect on his future if he fell from grace again. Cooney was told to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for the five years of his suspended sentence. He had no prior convictions, pleaded guilty, showed remorse, and had many good references, which contributed to the mitigation. The court noted that Cooney and a co‑accused were "basically on drugs for the night and were bored and decided to liven up their lives by setting properties on fire".
David Byrne, 32, of Crumlin, was tried at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for violent disorder at Morrissey's Pub on 7 January 2013. The case relied mainly on CCTV footage and a single witness, Garda Seamus O'Donovan, who had been called after a panic alarm. He described a crowd outside the pub, a struggle inside, and a bottle used as a weapon. Byrne was identified in the footage and arrested on 9 December 2013. The jury, composed of five men and seven women, deliberated for less than an hour and returned a not‑guilty verdict. Judge Patricia Ryan thanked the jury and discharged Byrne from the indictment. The trial concluded with Byrne acquitted of the violent disorder charge, while other individuals involved were not charged in this proceeding. David Byrne pleaded not guilty.
Joseph Cooney, 22, pleaded guilty to setting fire to a shed behind the Salmon Leap pub and a house on Main Street in Leixlip on 25 November 2012, causing almost €400,000 in damage. He was remanded in custody for sentencing on 24 November. Judge Martin Nolan, hearing the case at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, accepted a Garda's view that the arson was a one‑off "act of madness" and noted Cooney's near‑perfect mitigation due to his guilty plea, remorse, lack of prior convictions and strong references. The judge warned that "half of Leixlip" could have been destroyed and innocent people could have died because of Cooney's "gross error of judgement". Cooney was jailed for two weeks while the judge decided on his final sentence. The case involved three fires: a shed behind the pub, the pub's lounge, and a vacant terraced house on Main Street, with the latter causing an estimated €160,000 in damage.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has acquitted a Galway man charged with raping a woman in Sligo in December 2010. The man had pleaded not guilty to the allegation. During a four-day trial, the complainant gave evidence that she had met the accused in a nightclub and subsequently engaged in consensual sexual activity at his flat. She alleged that the following morning, after she expressed her wish to leave, he forced himself upon her despite her repeated requests that he stop. Under cross-examination, defence counsel highlighted that the woman had been in control throughout the night and demonstrated various interactions with the accused. The jury, comprising nine men and three women, deliberated for under one hour before returning a unanimous not-guilty verdict.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, 32‑year‑old Fergus Gallagher pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after slashing the ear of Italian rugby fan Andrea Muggetti with a teacup on 25 February 2012 at Sinnott's Pub. Muggetti required 45 stitches and suffered lasting disfigurement and pain, with a medical report indicating reduced eye closure and ongoing ear pain. Muggetti's financial loss was assessed at €20,491. Gallagher, who had four prior convictions, was ordered to pay €15,000 in instalments to Muggetti and to surrender the €10,000 he had previously paid as a token of remorse. He received a three‑year suspended sentence and was remanded in custody pending further proceedings. The court noted Gallagher's admission of intoxication, depression, and his subsequent participation in Alcoholics Anonymous.
The High Court appointed Mr. Anthony Weldon of Kieran Ryan & Co Chartered Accountants as an interim examiner for Hyper Trust Limited, the operator of the Leopardstown Inn, a public house in South Co Dublin employing 80 people. The appointment followed AIB's demand for immediate repayment of €6 million owed by Hyper Trust and its subsidiary Hyper Holdings Ltd. The loans were used to acquire a 19 % stake in Newstalk 106 radio station and for renovations of the pub. AIB had appointed receivers after the company failed to repay. Hyper Trust petitioned the court for examinership, and an independent accountant's report indicated the company had a reasonable prospect of survival as a going concern if it secured new investment, reached a scheme of arrangement with creditors, and restructured its banking liabilities. Mr.
Anthony Harte, 24, of Inchicore, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to violent disorder at Morrisey's Pub in January 2013 and handling three stolen motorbikes in February 2012. Judge Mary Ellen Ring, who had previously adjourned sentencing to assess his suitability for community service, accepted a favourable probation report. She sentenced Harte to two years in prison but ordered him to carry out 220 hours of community service in lieu of custody, to be completed within one year. Richard O'Reilly, 29, also pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods during the same 2012 incident. Judge Ring ordered him to perform 160 hours of community service in lieu of a two-year prison term. Darren Foster, 35, who pleaded guilty to the same handling offence, received a two-year suspended sentence from Judge Ring last July. The court heard that Harte and Foster collected the bikes from a dealership, while O'Reilly assisted with the van. Prosecution evidence alleged Harte punched and kicked a victim during the pub altercation, though the victim and pub manager refused to make formal complaints. Defence counsel noted Harte had ceased drug use and that his prior convictions were for minor offences.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, former bar and nightclub owners James Lambert (46) and David McKee (42) pleaded guilty to failing to manage and conduct work activities to ensure the safety, health and welfare of employees, resulting in the death of 31‑year‑old Stephen Hampson, who was crushed to death in a lift shaft at The Blu Bar. Lambert admitted to using the goods‑only lift despite prohibitive signs and to having threatened staff who used it. McKee, who had resigned as director in 2008, was found to have been present in the lift with Hampson an hour before the fatality and had previously been seen by staff as an authority figure. The judge, Mary Ellen Ring, ordered each man to carry out 200 hours of community service in lieu of a six‑month custodial sentence, warning that any further appearance before her would result in full prison time.
In October 2014 a Laois man, Conor Moonen, aged 20, was ordered to pay €9,000 to Paul McNevin, a doorman at the Academy nightclub on Abbey Street, Dublin. Moonen, a DCU student at the time, and his group were denied entry to the nightclub. After being told to wait in the back of the queue, they were again denied entry. Moonen struck the doorman, fracturing a facial bone and dislocating an eye socket. McNevin later said he was lucky to avoid more serious injuries and that the assault forced him to give up door work, costing him €10,000. Moonen pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 20 January 2013. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two‑year suspended sentence, with the condition that Moonen pay the compensation, and declined a jail term due to his lack of prior convictions.
Frederick "Freddie" Thompson, aged 33, has filed a High Court challenge against the Irish Prison Service's decision to transfer him from Cloverhill to Cork prison and to sanction him for alleged breaches of prison discipline while at Dublin prison. Thompson, who pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Morrissey's Pub in Cork on 7 January 2013, is awaiting sentencing on 2 February. His lawyers secured permission for judicial review of the transfer and disciplinary decisions. Thompson claims the punishment for an incident on 13 September in Cloverhill's visitor's area, where he says he was violently attacked by three other prisoners, was unfair. He was found guilty of indiscipline, placed in segregation, denied privileges, and subjected to 22.5 hours lock‑up per day. He was transferred to Cork on 30 September without explanation, and his family received no reasons from prison authorities. The case is set for a hearing in late November.
In a High Court hearing on 26 July 2014, Mr John Murphy, owner of Colfers Pub in Carrig-on-Bannow, Co. Wexford, faced contempt proceedings for failing to hand over peaceful possession of his bar to the bank‑appointed receiver, Mr Stephen Tennant of Grant Thornton. The undertaking, issued in March, required the handover in late June. Mr Murphy had previously failed to appear in court, prompting an order by Mr Justice Paul Gilligan to bring him before the court. At the hearing, Mr Murphy apologized for his non‑appearance and admitted he had no legal representation, though his interests were being managed by Tuskar Properties Ltd. The court noted that a solicitor was now prepared to represent him but required time. Mr Justice Gilligan adjourned the matter to the following Wednesday to allow Mr Murphy to obtain legal advice.
In a High Court hearing on 11 July 2014, Mr Justice Paul Gilligan ordered that John Murphy, the owner of Colfers Pub in Carrig-on-Bannow, Wexford, be brought before the court to explain why he should not be jailed for failing to hand over his bar to a bank‑appointed receiver. Murphy had previously given an undertaking to hand over peaceful possession of the licensed premises to receiver Stephen Tennant of Grant Thornton, appointed by ACC after Murphy failed to repay €409,000 owed to the bank. ACC and Tennant claimed the receiver had been prevented from taking possession, citing resistance from a large group at the pub and correspondence from an individual and a purported Limited Company claiming ownership.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Nathan Killeen, aged 24, and Wayne Dundon, aged 36, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 35‑year‑old Roy Collins, a Limerick businessman, at Coin Castle Amusements on 9 April 2009. Detective Garda David Baynham testified that shortly after noon on the day of the murder he received a call about a shooting at the Steering Wheel Pub, where he found Collins seriously injured. Baynham described how he later observed two youths, one of whom was identified as Killeen, running from a garda patrol car near Hyde Avenue. Killeen allegedly fled across the road, used a junction box to jump a wall, and disappeared from view. The court noted that the trial is entering a new phase involving garda witnesses and evidence from warrants, and that Killeen's counsel will challenge the admissibility of evidence obtained from searches and his detention. The voir‑dire will be held on Tuesday before Justice Iseult O'Malley.
Lisa Collins, partner of Christopher McCarthy, gave evidence in the Special Criminal Court trial of Nathan Killeen (24) and Wayne Dundon (36) for the murder of Roy Collins. She described a morning on 9 April 2009 when Killeen and James Dillon called to her home on Crecora Avenue, asking for her brother Gareth Collins. Killeen spoke to Gareth about driving a car, and after a brief conversation, Killeen and Dillon left. Later, Killeen returned, changed clothes, and told Lisa to "listen out for sirens" as they expected police sirens. He also said he was going to the Steering Wheel pub to shoot Steve Collins. Lisa heard sirens, saw Killeen and Dillon running, and later reported the incident to the gardai on 10 October 2012. The trial continues before Justice Iseult O'Malley. Nathan Killeen pleaded not guilty. Wayne Dundon pleaded not guilty. Roy Collins pleaded not guilty.
In the Special Criminal Court, the cross‑examination of Gareth Collins, 31, concluded on 14 May 2014. Collins, a convicted Limerick criminal, had earlier claimed he was offered €20,000 to help kill publican Steve Collins, the father of the murder victim Roy Collins. He testified that on the day of the murder, Nathan Killeen and James Dillon had called his sister's house, and that Killeen had contacted Wayne Dundon, who allegedly told Collins to drive Killeen to the Steering Wheel pub to kill Steve Collins. Collins admitted giving Gardaí an incorrect account of his whereabouts on 9 April 2009, citing fear of people and what they had asked him to do. He also acknowledged that his earlier statement was "just spoofing" and that he had no memory of the details. During cross‑examination, Collins denied that he had lied, said he had not been offered money, and claimed he was owed a few pounds by Christopher McCarthy. Roy Collins pleaded not guilty.
The trial of Robert Corbet (25) of Sheffield Cross County Laois, charged with the murder of Aoife Phelan (30) between 25 October and 7 November 2012, commenced at the Central Criminal Court. Corbet pleaded not guilty to the murder charge but admitted to manslaughter, a plea not accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The prosecution alleges that Corbet met Phelan at a nightclub, engaged in sexual contact without intercourse, and later repeatedly struck her before disposing of her body in an oil barrel at Capoley, Portlaoise. The cause of death is stated as asphyxia with blunt force trauma to the head and chest. The prosecution claims Corbet brought Phelan to his garage, restrained her, and disposed of her body. Garda Louise Young detailed that Phelan's father, Michael Phelan, reported her missing on 26 October 2012. Her mobile phone and handbag were later found in Corbet's vehicle. Corbet's statement to gardai indicated he had no sexual intercourse with Phelan and denied being the father of her unborn child. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, continues with a jury of three women and nine men, with CCTV footage to be presented.
The Special Criminal Court trial of Wayne Dundon, Nathan Killeen, and Gareth Collins, who have all pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of 35-year-old Roy Collins at Coin Castle Amusements in April 2009, continued before a non-jury court presided over by Ms Justice Iseult O'Malley. Gareth Collins, also known as Gareth Keogh, testified that he was offered €20,000 to drive Nathan Killeen to the Steering Wheel pub to shoot Roy Collins's father, Steve Collins. Collins stated he repeatedly refused the request, which he said was coordinated by Dundon via mobile phone from a prison cell. He described an incident where Killeen and James Dillon visited his sister's house, with Killeen allegedly retrieving petrol and a rag before leaving. Collins admitted to prior convictions, including a seven-and-a-half-year sentence for demanding money with menaces. Steve Collins, the victim's father, testified that he found his son shot in the arcade. Garda Steven Kelleher and Garda Deirdre Foley provided accounts of the scene and the victim's subsequent death at the hospital. The trial was adjourned and continues tomorrow.
Damien Murtagh, a 28-year-old from Clonee, Dublin, was sentenced at Swords District Court after pleading guilty to charges arising from an incident on September 22, 2013. He admitted to using threatening and abusive behaviour and being intoxicated at The Old Boro pub in Swords. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to violent behaviour at Swords Garda Station and refusing to provide his name and address to gardai. Judge Dermot Dempsey noted that Murtagh is on his second community service order, warning him that this is his final chance. Instead of a two-month prison sentence, the court imposed a total of 240 hours of community service work. Garda Elaine Duffy testified that Murtagh, who was highly intoxicated, threatened to kill her and other officers. The defence solicitor stated that Murtagh had consumed significant alcohol while watching the All-Ireland final and agreed his behaviour was appalling. The court acknowledged Murtagh's history of 21 previous convictions, including six for public order offences, before finalising the sentence.
A 33‑year‑old Dublin man, Alan Harte, was found not guilty of murdering his friend Peter Gunn, a 28‑year‑old who was stabbed to death in 2009. Harte was convicted of impeding the prosecution after he admitted helping to dispose of Gunn's body at Dunsoughly Lane. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, heard that Harte, Gunn and two other friends had been drinking in a pub before going to a flat in Cabra Park where the murder took place. Harte claimed that Kastriot Boza, who was also present, stabbed Gunn and forced Harte to help hide the body. Boza was later jailed for four years for impeding the prosecution, while Harte was remanded for sentencing on 19 May. The jury deliberated for just over two hours before reaching a unanimous verdict of not guilty of murder but guilty of impeding the prosecution. The case was heard in the Central Criminal Court.
A 32‑year‑old Dublin man, Alan Harte, is on trial for the murder of his friend Peter Gunn, aged 28, who was stabbed in the chest on 4 January 2009 in Cabra Park. A witness, Kastriot Boza, 41, testified that he and the two men had been drinking in a city pub early that morning. Boza described a confrontation in which Harte allegedly used a butcher's knife to stab Gunn, who collapsed. Boza also recounted that after the killing, the accused and another man removed Gunn's belongings, disposed of the body in a water‑filled ditch, and attempted to conceal the scene. Boza was later prosecuted for impeding the investigation and received a six‑year sentence with two years suspended. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy with a jury of six men and six women. Alan Harte pleaded not guilty.
In a High Court decision on 1 April 2014, Mr Justice Max Barrett dismissed Ms Sylvia Deehan's damages claim against Loughlinstown Inn Ltd, trading as the Lough Inn Public House, following an incident at an Ann Summers lingerie party in January 2011. Deehan, aged 46, alleged she was pushed by another woman while chasing a prize thrown by an Ann Summers representative, fell against a loudspeaker, and sustained rib injuries that required a fortnight of bed rest. The judge accepted Deehan's account as "substantively true" and noted corroboration from a DJ present at the event. However, he found no evidence that the pub failed to take reasonable steps to safeguard patrons or that the loudspeaker was negligently placed. Consequently, the court ruled Deehan was not entitled to recover damages for her injuries. No order was made regarding appeal costs, leaving each side to bear its own legal expenses.
The Court of Criminal Appeal has declined to order a retrial of two nightclub doormen whose assault convictions were previously quashed. Frankie Murphy, aged 44, of Stephen Street, Sligo, and John Molloy, aged 33, of Creggs Road, Ballina, County Mayo, had been found guilty in October 2011 by Sligo Circuit Criminal Court of assault causing harm following an incident at Envy nightclub on 18 February 2009. The victim lost part of one finger when an entrance door was closed against him. The appeal court found the convictions unsafe and set them aside last month. Although the Director of Public Prosecutions sought a retrial, Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne ruled that weaknesses in key prosecution witness evidence and the considerable time elapsed since the alleged offence made a retrial inappropriate. The court identified deficiencies in how the trial judge charged the jury regarding self-defence, accident, and joint enterprise. Costs were awarded to Mr Molloy.
In a Swords nightclub incident on 25 November 2012, Cillian Mahoney (22) was charged with assault causing harm to security staff Craig Hand and Igor Chachotail. Hand, supervising a 21st birthday party, reported that Mahoney, allegedly smashing glasses, became agitated, was restrained, and eventually punched Hand in the nose, causing a broken septum and requiring stitches. Chachotail claimed he was dragged down stairs by Mahoney, sustaining a broken coccyx. Pat Feeney, another bouncer, stated he saw "bottles, glasses and fists flying" but could not identify the combatants. Garda Laura Mahon noted Mahoney was unsteady, slurred, and claimed excessive vodka consumption, admitting he did not remember the night. Judge Dermot Dempsey, after reviewing evidence and CCTV, found Feeney's testimony unreliable and dismissed both assault charges against Mahoney. The case concluded with no convictions. Cillian Mahoney pleaded not guilty.
In a case heard at the Central Criminal Court, 18‑year‑old Tadhg Costello of Richmond Hill, Monkstown, pleaded guilty to attempted murder of 17‑year‑old Josh Leahy, who was stabbed six times in the back after a nightclub altercation on 30 May 2012. Costello had earlier pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm and unlawful possession of a knife, but changed his plea to guilty on the fifth day of the trial. The sentencing hearing was adjourned for two to three weeks to allow the defence to consider a Supreme Court judgment that quashed an attempted rape conviction on the basis that suspects who request a lawyer cannot be questioned by Gardaí until they receive legal advice. The Supreme Court decision was delivered by Justice Paul Butler, who remanded Costello on continuing bail for sentencing on 21 March.