Fergus Clarke, a driver who collided head-on with another vehicle on his morning commute, had his conviction reduced from dangerous driving to careless driving on appeal. The court heard that Clarke, who was not on his mobile phone and had no prior convictions, had a momentary lapse of concentration that led to the collision. The judge, Christopher Callan, noted that the collision was not intentional and that Clarke had no prior history of dangerous driving. He reduced the conviction to careless driving and set aside the disqualification from driving. The judge also reduced the fine from €500 to €100, noting that Clarke had no previous convictions and was in gainful employment. Clarke was ordered to pay €500 to the National Rehabilitation Centre, which he confirmed had been paid.
Fabio De Oliveira Monteiro, a 28-year-old man from Carlow, has pleaded guilty to allowing his bank account to be used to launder €9,650 stolen from a woman through a phishing scam. The victim was tricked into deleting her banking app by a caller posing as her bank, resulting in €19,300 being stolen from her account. Monteiro admitted to providing his account details in exchange for €400, as he was in financial difficulty due to his mother's medical bills and a small drug debt. The court heard that Monteiro has nine previous convictions for road traffic offences and is considered to be at the bottom of the criminal chain in the operation. His defense argued that Monteiro was a victim of others who preyed on his desperation for cash. The judge remanded Monteiro on bail for sentencing next November, noting that he has since secured new employment and is unlikely to come to further garda attention.
A man accused of driving with a trace amount of cocaine in his system had his conviction overturned on appeal after a judge noted the identity of a Romanian interpreter provided at a garda station was not recorded. Marcel Nagit was convicted in the District Court of driving while there was present in his body a quantity of benzoylecgonine (cocaine) where the concentration of that drug in his blood was greater than the specified concentration. He was fined €1,000 and disqualified from driving for one year. He later lodged an appeal against his conviction. The court heard that a Romanian interpreter was contacted but the service couldn't guarantee an arrival in time. The garda opted for a telephone translation. The judge noted that the custody record was incomplete and that the identity of the interpreter was not recorded, which was prejudicial to the accused. The judge allowed the appeal, overturning the conviction.
A dangerous driver who gave gardai the 'middle finger' and reached speeds of around 170km/h on the M1 before acting 'extremely aggressively' during his arrest has failed in his appeal to overturn his conviction. Cornelius Kaiser (47) was convicted in the District Court of two counts of dangerous driving on the M1, along with other charges including failing to produce insurance and refusing to provide a blood or urine sample. He received a total of seven months imprisonment and a five-year driving ban. During the appeal, Garda Alan Macklin testified that on December 13, 2023, officers received an anonymous report of dangerous driving. The black Audi was seen weaving through traffic at high speeds, with the driver giving the gardai the middle finger. The vehicle was stopped at the toll, where the driver slammed the brakes and pushed past the barrier. Gardai boxed in the car, leading to Kaiser's arrest. He was highly aggressive and refused to provide a breath sample.
A 32-year-old lorry driver has been jailed for five years for importing over €1 million worth of cannabis through Dublin Port. Andrew Cooley, from Ballyoran, Dundalk, pleaded guilty to importing more than 50 kilos of cannabis at Dublin Port on June 7, 2025. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a seven-year sentence with the final 24 months suspended on strict conditions. During the incident, Cooley was driving an articulated lorry and refrigerated trailer when he was stopped at the port. He initially denied having anything to declare, claiming he was carrying Amazon goods. However, an inspector detected the smell of cannabis and found 31 packages hidden under clothing, with a street value of €1,007,000. Cooley claimed he did not know the value of the drugs and estimated it was worth "10 grand." The court heard that Cooley had eight previous convictions, mainly for road traffic matters, and had been disqualified from driving twice.
A man who drove in an "unacceptable and dangerous" manner, turning off his headlights to evade gardai, has had his three-month jail term and six-year road ban affirmed on appeal. Kristian Kearney, 26, was convicted in the District Court of two counts of dangerous driving and was sentenced to three months imprisonment and disqualified from driving for six years. He later lodged an appeal against the severity of his sentence. Sergeant Shay Leonard testified that on March 1, 2024, gardai observed a car doing "doughnuts" on the road and wheel spins. The car failed to stop and exceeded the speed limit, with the driver switching off his headlights to evade gardai. Kearney argued that there was no evidence of him speeding and that he was not doing doughnuts, but Judge Christopher Callan stated that the manner in which Kearney was driving was dangerous and that the evidence showed he did not stop. The judge affirmed the orders of the District Court, stating that the evidence was the evidence and that the disqualification order would not be interfered with.
A 39-year-old Dublin woman has been jailed for 15 months after waving a samurai sword out of her window at her former partner and gardai, shouting threats such as, 'first one through the door is getting their legs cut off.' She pleaded guilty to three counts of making threats to kill or cause serious harm and one count of producing a samurai sword in May 2021. The incident occurred in the presence of her children, and the court heard that she had made progress in becoming drug-free. Judge Jonathan Dunphy noted the seriousness of the charges and the impact on the children. The woman was also found to have 25 previous convictions, including 21 for road traffic offences. The court accepted that she was in a distressed and agitated state at the time, had mental health issues, and was prescribed antidepressants. The woman's defence highlighted her difficult background and that she was in the throes of addiction on the day of the incident. She has since detoxed from heroin and methadone while in custody and is currently drug-free.
A Carlow man, Patrick Connors, was jailed for three years and nine months after a fatal crash in 2014. The Ford Puma he was driving was found to be unroadworthy, with failed NCT, no working handbrake, and rusted brakes. Connors was speeding at 111 km/h in an 80 km/h zone when he lost control, leading to a collision that killed his uncle, Patrick Doran. The court heard that Connors fled to the UK after the incident and was brought back via a European Arrest Warrant. Judge Mary Morrissey acknowledged the impact of the tragedy on the Doran family and noted their compassion towards Connors despite the loss of their loved one. The judge also considered aggravating factors, including Connors' previous convictions and his flight from the jurisdiction. The sentence included a suspended portion and a 10-year driving ban. Patrick Connors pleaded guilty.
A 21-year-old man from Westport, Co Mayo, who is currently serving a 10-month sentence, has been spared additional jail time for stealing an electric scooter valued at €773. Edward Collins pleaded guilty at Dún Laoghaire District Court to stealing the Kukirin G2 Max e-scooter from Beechwood Court in Stillorgan on January 10 last year. Judge Anne Watkin noted that Collins has 14 previous convictions, including seven for theft and fraud, and six for road traffic offences. He also had 15 charges dismissed under the Probation of Offenders Act in January 2025. The judge acknowledged that the Probation Service had worked with Collins for about a year. Collins is currently serving consecutive sentences of seven months and three months, totaling 10 months. The three-month sentence relates to driving without insurance or a licence. His defence highlighted that Collins developed a cocaine addiction at 17 after associating with the wrong crowd. Judge Watkin placed him under the supervision of the Probation Service for 12 months, requiring him to report in person, notify of any address changes, and avoid illegal drugs.
Anthony Cooney, a 38-year-old chronic drug addict, was jailed for nine and a half years for two violent car hijackings. During the first incident, Cooney held a knife to the throat of a 70-year-old woman and threatened to kill her. In the second, he used a fork to threaten a couple, stabbing the driver and demanding money. The stolen car was later involved in a collision with a commercial van, causing significant damage. Cooney was arrested at the scene and was too intoxicated to be interviewed. He later admitted to the hijacking and apologized. The judge noted the severity of the offenses and the trauma inflicted on the victims, emphasizing that Cooney's actions were deplorable and required a long prison sentence. Cooney was also disqualified from driving for eight years.
A 27-year-old man, Cal Murphy, who was accused of driving with cannabis in his system, had his case dismissed on appeal. Judge Ronan Munro decided to dismiss the charge against Mr Murphy at the District Court Appeals Court, but commended the prosecuting garda for his actions. Mr Murphy was previously convicted in the District Court of driving while having a quantity of cannabis in his system, equal or greater than the specified amount, under section 4(1)(a) of the Road Traffic Act 2010. He received a community service order of 240 hours and a four-year driving disqualification. He later appealed his conviction. Garda Ian Galvin testified that he stopped Mr Murphy's Audi A3 on Charlemont Street, Dublin 2, on December 13, 2023, after detecting the smell of cannabis and finding a grinder in the car. A roadside oral fluid test indicated the presence of cannabis, and a blood sample later showed levels of 63.1ng/ml of cannabis metabolite.
A veteran lorry driver, John Burkett, was acquitted of failing to remain at the scene of an incident where a young boy made contact with his truck. The court heard that the boy had suffered a fractured shoulder and leg injuries. Burkett had been convicted of failing to remain at the scene and failing to report the accident to gardai, but the appeal court found that the truck had stopped for at least a minute, as shown by tachograph evidence. The judge ruled that the prosecution's case had not been proven beyond reasonable doubt and acquitted Burkett of the charge of failing to remain at the scene. However, he was fined €750 to Crumlin Children's Hospital for failing to report the accident. The court noted that Burkett had no charges related to careless or dangerous driving and that the prosecution's case was not proven beyond reasonable doubt. John Burkett pleaded guilty.
A truck driver who caused the death of former Garryowen rugby player Mark McMullen three years ago has lost an appeal against his ten-month prison sentence. The Court of Appeal ruled that the driver, Gabor Mihalecz, was speeding and driving a defective lorry with a faulty braking system, which led to the vehicle jackknifing. Mihalecz had pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death and was sentenced to ten months in prison and disqualified from driving for four years. His legal team argued that the initial sentence of 20 months was too high, but the court dismissed the appeal, noting that the braking system defect was the main cause of the accident. The judge acknowledged that the driver's culpability might not be at the highest level, but the sentence was upheld as appropriate.
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 driver accused of refusing to provide a blood sample has had his conviction overturned on appeal. Judge Fiona O'Sullivan allowed the appeal of Dillion Mulligan (25) against his conviction, citing a lack of evidence that he was informed that refusing to provide a sample was a criminal offence. Mulligan was initially convicted in the District Court of failing or refusing to provide a blood specimen under the Road Traffic Act 2010. He was disqualified from driving for four years and fined €300. Garda Christopher McEntagart testified that he stopped Mulligan's car on Merrion Road, observed hazardous driving, and detected the smell of cannabis. He conducted a drugs search but found nothing and administered an oral fluid test, which returned a positive result. Mulligan was arrested and taken to a garda station, where he refused to provide a blood sample. Defence counsel argued that Mulligan had not been adequately informed of the legal consequences of refusal and that there was no evidence he tested positive for a scheduled drug.
Aaron McDermott, 33, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for offences committed at Beaumont Hospital on April 7, 2021. The defendant pleaded guilty to the unlawful seizure of a vehicle by force or threat, as well as three counts of making threats to kill or cause serious harm to the driver and two children. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a sentence of nine years, with the final 12 months suspended on the condition that McDermott engage with The Probation Service for 12 months upon his release. He was also disqualified from driving for two consecutive terms of ten years in relation to dangerous driving and driving without insurance. The court heard that McDermott, who was highly intoxicated, held a knife to an infant and threatened the occupants before driving off at speed, causing a crash that left the victim with a fractured ankle. Judge Sheahan described the dashcam footage as harrowing and noted the severe psychological trauma inflicted on the family, including PTSD and financial distress. While acknowledging McDermott's difficult early life and addiction issues, the judge highlighted his 125 previous convictions and disregard for road traffic laws. McDermott expressed remorse in a letter to the court, stating he was determined to turn over a new leaf.
Pharma giant Johnson & Johnson has secured a €58,000 reduction in a High Court award of nearly €1 million made to former Limerick hurler Mark Keane, who was injured in 2018 while freeing a work colleague trapped in a machine at their plant in Co Limerick. The High Court awarded Keane €944,000 for injuries to his right hand, arm, and shoulder. Keane, an accomplished hurler, claimed he was 'let down' by the company. Johnson & Johnson accepted responsibility for the nerve damage and injury to his right hand but not for the injury to his right shoulder. The Court of Appeal reduced the payout to €886,000, citing a previous award for a 2014 road traffic incident and adjustments in Keane's expected future earnings. Johnson & Johnson argued that any loss of earnings was partially due to the 2014 accident, leading to a double counting. Keane alleged Johnson & Johnson was negligent and breached their duty of care on September 10, 2018, while he was working as a technician making contact lenses.
Clayton Lieghio, a disqualified driver and speeding offender, was jailed for five years after knocking down a pedestrian while performing a wheelie on a scrambler bike. The incident occurred in a 50km/h zone at night, with Lieghio traveling at speeds exceeding 85km/h. The bike was not roadworthy, lacking lights, mirrors, and indicators, and Lieghio was not insured. The victim suffered severe injuries, including head and spinal trauma, and required extensive medical treatment. Lieghio fled the scene and was later arrested. He pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment and had a prior conviction for driving without insurance. The court noted the dangerous nature of his actions and the serious harm caused to the victim, who expressed forgiveness in her victim impact statement.
A 19-year-old man, Calum McDonagh, was jailed for two years and six months for being a passenger in a stolen car that struck and killed a pedestrian in Dublin. McDonagh, who has 91 previous convictions, including dangerous driving and unauthorized vehicle use, pleaded guilty to allowing himself to be carried in the stolen vehicle. The incident occurred on July 17, 2024, when the car hit Michael Farrelly, who died at the scene. Gardai pursued the car for 4.2km before stopping it, where they found the victim. McDonagh was identified through CCTV and forensic evidence, including glass shards on his clothing. He admitted to being in the passenger seat and attempted to get out of the car after the collision. The court heard from the victim's brother, who described the tragedy as destroying their lives. McDonagh's defense highlighted his neurodiversity and adverse childhood, leading to a suspended six-month portion of the sentence.
A 31-year-old man was jailed for assault causing harm and making threats to kill his pregnant partner during a brutal 20-minute attack. The victim, who was four months pregnant, described being kicked in the stomach, punched, and choked by the defendant, who repeatedly threatened to kill her and the baby. The assault occurred in July 2025, and the victim was found in a parked car with her children and a support worker, showing signs of severe bruising and swelling. The defendant, who had 98 previous convictions, including drug and road traffic offences, was arrested and later taken to a garda station, where he joked about not being able to stand up in court. The victim's impact statement highlighted the trauma she experienced and the loss of trust in her former partner. The defendant, who claimed to be in treatment for addiction, apologized and expressed a desire to stay away from the victim and her family. The unnamed 31-year-old pleaded guilty.
A 39-year-old woman from Dublin pleaded guilty to three counts of making threats to kill or cause serious harm and to the production of a samurai sword at her home in May 2021. During the incident, she threatened to cut the legs off of gardai and her former partner while waving the sword out of an upstairs window. The woman, who cannot be named to protect the anonymity of her children, was in a highly distressed and agitated state, reportedly intoxicated and behaving erratically. She had a history of mental health issues, was prescribed antidepressants, and had a history of suicidal ideation. The court heard that she had 25 previous convictions, including 21 for road traffic offences and one for a drugs offence and robbery. The woman's relationship with her former partner was described as volatile, and he was also taking drugs. The woman later left the property and went to live with her mother, while her two younger children are currently in care.
Martin Ward (64) was jailed for 12.5 years for repeatedly raping and sexually abusing his partner's niece when she was at her most vulnerable. Ward was found guilty of 27 counts of sexual abuse, including three counts of rape, nine counts of oral rape, and 15 counts of sexual assault. The abuse occurred between 2000 and 2004 when the girl was sent to live with Ward and his partner. The victim, Martina Ward, waived her anonymity and described the abuse as having stolen her childhood. She stated that Ward manipulated her and caused her profound trauma, including PTSD and ongoing mental health issues. Ms Justice Melanie Greally noted the breach of trust and the severity of the abuse. The judge set a headline sentence of 16 years but reduced it to 12.5 years considering mitigating factors such as Ward's lack of related convictions and his community work. Ward has eight previous convictions for road traffic offences and made no admissions during the trial.
A man who was found with €5,000 worth of drugs in his home five years ago has received a suspended 18-month sentence. Sean Hassett, who was 24 at the time, immediately admitted to the drugs when gardaí searched his home in June 2021. However, due to delays in processing the case, he was only charged this year. During the time between the search and his charge, Hassett moved to Spain, removed himself from negative peer groups, and turned his life around. He provided clean urine analysis to the court to prove he no longer uses drugs and is now engaged to be married. Judge Orla Crowe noted that Hassett had not re-offended since 2021 and had fully cooperated with the investigation. She acknowledged his efforts to change his life and suspended his sentence for three years on certain conditions. The drugs involved included ketamine, cannabis, and cocaine, with a total value of just over €5,100. Hassett has four previous convictions, including one for a road traffic offence and three for drug possession. The unnamed accused pleaded guilty.
A Lithuanian man with a history of violent convictions has been sentenced to nine and a half years in prison for raping a woman and threatening to "cut her face off and eat her" shortly after they met. Tasas Ruzas (42) was found guilty of rape, anal rape, and making a threat to kill or cause serious harm following a trial in the Central Criminal Court. The incident occurred after a day of drug and alcohol use with the victim, who had initially met Ruzas in Dublin city centre. During the assault, Ruzas punched the victim, raped her without a condom, and then anally raped her. The victim managed to escape and call for help. Ruzas has numerous previous convictions in Ireland, Lithuania, and the UK, including theft, assault, and dangerous driving. The judge noted the extreme humiliation and degrading nature of the sexual offences and the violence inflicted on the victim, who suffered a fractured eye.
A disqualified driver, Conor Warburton, narrowly avoided hitting two children in a double buggy while fleeing gardai in a stolen car. Warburton (36) was jailed for three years and disqualified from driving for ten years after pleading guilty to charges including endangerment, dangerous driving, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. The incident occurred on May 9, 2023, when Warburton drove at high speed through a bus stop, narrowly missing the children and a garda who was about to exit a patrol car. The car had false registration plates and Warburton was not insured at the time. The pursuit lasted around 30 seconds over 800 meters before gardai lost sight of the car. Warburton has 66 previous convictions, including dangerous driving and no insurance. His defence highlighted addiction issues as the root of his offending, and he has been clean for seven months. Judge Orla Crowe noted the reckless and dangerous nature of his actions and the aggravating factors of his previous convictions and disqualification.
A 23-year-old man from Dublin was jailed for three-and-a-half years after gardai discovered nearly €280,000 worth of drugs in his van and home. Ben Murray was stopped by gardai in Dublin 8 after spinning his van's wheels at a junction. During a search, gardai found 1.16kg of cocaine in the van, and over 2.8kg of cocaine and 2,500 alprazolam tablets in his home. Murray admitted to possessing the drugs for sale and stated he was to be paid €200 for transporting them. He had five previous convictions for road traffic offences. The court noted the large quantity of drugs and Murray's role in moving and storing them. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a four-year sentence, with the final six months suspended on strict conditions, considering Murray's cooperation, his history of addiction, and his family's support. The judge emphasized the seriousness of the drug trade and the need for rehabilitation. Ben Murray pleaded guilty.
A repeat offender who caused the deaths of a married couple in a hit-and-run was jailed for five years. John Halpin, who had 43 previous convictions, was speeding and ran a red light, killing Anthony and Georgina Hogg Moore. His partner, Nicole Fallon, received a suspended sentence for impeding the investigation by moving the car and hiding evidence. The victims' children gave emotional impact statements, describing the trauma of losing both parents. Halpin claimed he didn't see the red light and was in a state of panic after the collision. The judge sentenced Halpin to five years in prison and disqualified him from driving for 10 years, while imposing a three-year suspended sentence on Fallon, considering the impact on her children. John Halpin pleaded guilty. Nicole Fallon pleaded guilty.
Sean O'Rourke, an Offaly man, admitted to possessing 17 kg of cocaine worth €1.19 million to repay a €10,000 debt from his cocaine use. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the drugs for sale or supply in November 2024. O'Rourke claimed he was the only person who knew about the drugs and feared for his family's safety if he revealed who gave him the drugs. He had minor previous convictions for road traffic offences. Judge Elma Sheahan noted the serious nature of the offense but considered his early guilty plea and cooperation. She imposed an 11-year headline sentence, reducing it to eight and a half years after taking mitigation into account. The sentence was suspended for 18 months, with conditions that O'Rourke remain under the supervision of the Probation Service and engage in victim awareness and drug counseling. O'Rourke's defense highlighted his addiction, family support, and work history. He apologized for his actions and expressed a desire to turn his life around.
A judge has given a 21-year-old man a second chance after he led gardai on a high-speed chase through Dublin with juveniles in his car. Judge Sinéad Ni Chúlacháin imposed a three-year sentence on Craig McKeon, with the final 18 months suspended on the condition that he complies with strict rehabilitation measures. The judge acknowledged McKeon's efforts to address his issues and noted that he has a supportive family and girlfriend. McKeon pleaded guilty to two counts of endangerment after a chase that involved driving on the wrong side of the M50, through red lights, and at excessive speeds. During the chase, other vehicles had to take evasive action, and gardai deployed a stinger to stop him. McKeon avoided the device by driving onto a curb and making a U-turn before continuing towards Ballymun. He was not insured and did not have a driving licence. The judge said McKeon's actions placed his passengers, the gardai, and the public at risk. She noted that McKeon had previous convictions for dangerous driving and that his evasive actions were impulsive.
Driver John Wrafter, 34, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for careless driving causing serious bodily harm. He pleaded guilty to one count of causing serious bodily harm to Francine Winters at Davin Road, Drimnagh, on October 9, 2024. The court heard that Wrafter drove through a red light, striking Ms Winters on a pedestrian crossing. She suffered multiple fractures to her spine, ribs, pelvis, skull, and eye socket, along with a brain bleed, and woke from a coma five days later in Beaumont Hospital with no memory of the incident. Judge Elma Sheahan set a headline sentence of 16 months, reflecting the devastating physical and psychological impact on the victim, who described losing her independence and enduring chronic pain. Acknowledging Wrafter's genuine remorse, early guilty plea, and lack of previous convictions, the judge reduced the sentence to 12 months. This sentence was suspended on a number of conditions. Additionally, Wrafter was disqualified from driving for four years. The judge noted that while no sentence could restore Ms Winters' health, the disposal reflected the gravity of the offence and the defendant's contrition.
An e-bike rider, Carl Tyrell, who forced a garda to restrain him on a footpath in Ballymun, had his conviction for dangerous driving downgraded to careless driving and his driving ban lifted on appeal. Tyrell was fined €300 and given a two-year disqualification for dangerous driving and no insurance. He appealed, arguing that the conviction was too severe. The garda testified that Tyrell was speeding on the footpath, forcing the officer to jump aside and restrain him. Tyrell's lawyer asked for the charge to be reduced, and Judge Ronan Munro agreed, reducing the charge to careless driving and lifting the disqualification. The judge also dismissed the no insurance charge under the Probation of Offenders Act. Tyrell was placed on a bond for three years with conditions not to ride a bike or motorbike faster than 25km/h. The judge described the incident as an outrage but acknowledged the need for Tyrell to have his licence for his job.
A man who led gardai on a high-speed chase across Dublin and County Meath has been jailed for five years. Dziugas Odinas (25) was driving dangerously, including on the wrong side of the road and through traffic. The chase involved 12 patrol cars and an air support helicopter. Odinas was later found with drugs and a knife. He pleaded guilty to possession for sale or supply of drugs and dangerous driving. His previous convictions include road traffic offences. Judge Sarah Berkeley acknowledged his drug addiction and noted his efforts to turn his life around. She imposed concurrent sentences of five years, suspending the final 12 months on condition he engages with the Probation Service. He was also disqualified from driving for five years.
A roads offender, Charlene Lawlor, tested positive for cannabis when she knocked down a three-year-old girl on a pedestrian crossing in Dublin 12, leaving the child with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain. Lawlor initially blamed the child's mother for not keeping her daughter back on the scooter, but later expressed regret for her victim-blaming comments and acknowledged her culpability. The incident occurred on June 21, 2022, when Lawlor, driving at a speed exceeding the 30 km/h limit in effect due to nearby schools, collided with the child. The girl required emergency treatment and ongoing medical care, including regular MRIs and injections. Lawlor, who has eight previous road traffic convictions, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm and drug driving. Judge Martina Baxter ordered a urine analysis report and noted that Lawlor should pay for it herself. The court also heard that Lawlor had a difficult childhood and currently has stable housing. The case was adjourned for finalisation on October 20.
A random garda stop in Dublin city centre led to the discovery of €375,400 in cannabis and cocaine. The driver, Patryk Czajczynski (32), was not on the garda radar but raised suspicion due to nervous behavior. During the search of his vehicle, gardai found €6,500 of cannabis. A follow-up search of his address in Ratoath, Co Meath, uncovered small amounts of cannabis, cocaine, and amphetamines, along with a key to a storage locker in Finglas. The locker contained 13.9kg of cannabis and 1kg of cocaine. Further searches, including one at a property in Dublin 11, led to the seizure of an additional €4,000 in cannabis. Czajczynski was re-arrested but no evidence was obtained during the interview. He has previous convictions for road traffic offences and obstruction. His defense argued that he was not the owner of the drugs but was transporting them for payment. The court heard that Czajczynski had a serious spinal injury from an accident in 2018 and used cannabis for self-medication.
A garda detective testified that 3D-printed guns are becoming more prevalent in Ireland. Craig McKeever (21) pleaded guilty to possessing a 3D-printed .22 calibre pistol and three rounds of ammunition. The gun, made of polymer, is small, easy to conceal, and not detected by metal detectors. During a patrol in Inchicore, gardai found McKeever with a bulletproof vest and a 3D-printed gun. The gun was found to be functional and lethal. McKeever claimed he was carrying the gun for protection after receiving threats against his life. He has 14 previous convictions, including theft, drugs, and road traffic offences. His defense argued that he was in a dangerous situation due to threats from a third party. The court heard that McKeever's family had received notices of threats, and his home was firebombed. Judge Elma Sheahan noted the seriousness of the offense and sentenced McKeever to four years and six months, with the final six months suspended on strict conditions.
A delivery driver who caused the death of an 83-year-old man in a supermarket car park during a 'momentary lapse in concentration' has been given a fully suspended sentence. Colm Rooney, 54, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, resulting in the death of Thomas Leeson. Dashcam footage showed Mr Leeson being hit by the van and suffering fatal injuries. Rooney was driving at 12km/h and had no alcohol or drugs in his system. The court heard that Mr Leeson was a devoted family man and had worked as a truck driver for over 40 years. Judge Elma Sheahan noted the impact on the family and the mitigating factors, including Rooney's guilty plea and good character. She sentenced him to nine months in prison, suspended for nine months, and disqualified him from driving for two years. Rooney expressed remorse and cooperated fully with the investigation.
A prisoner who stole €200 from a south Dublin supermarket has been sentenced to 10 months in prison. David Cummins (37), who is currently serving a sentence at Cloverhill Prison, pleaded guilty to theft at SuperValu, Knocklyon Shopping Centre, on April 16, 2023. Gardaí said Cummins took the money from the till by putting his hand behind the counter. He was identified following inquiries after reports of a suspicious male in the area. The court heard that Cummins has over 80 previous convictions and that he had a difficult upbringing in Ballymun. His father died suddenly in 2004, and he suffered a serious road traffic accident that left him with a brain injury and ongoing side effects affecting his decision-making. He turned to drugs and is currently in prison. His defence asked the court to be as lenient as possible, noting his guilty plea. Judge John King imposed a 10-month sentence, backdated to May 8, to run concurrently with his current sentence.
A woman who drove over a cyclist, leaving him "tortured" by the sound of his breaking bones, has been given a fully suspended sentence. Izabella Aleksandrowicz, 50, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm to Andrew Brett in December 2023. Brett, an experienced marathon runner, suffered internal injuries, a fractured pelvis, and was left unable to return to competitive running. He described the accident as the worst day of his life and said he was "tortured" by the sound of his bones breaking. Aleksandrowicz, who remained at the scene and had no prior convictions, was given a 12-month suspended sentence and a two-year driving ban. Judge Orla Crowe acknowledged the devastating impact on Brett and his family but noted Aleksandrowicz's remorse and low risk of re-offending. Brett's victim impact statement highlighted the life-changing effects of the accident, including ongoing physical and emotional trauma.
Convicted killer Derek Moore, who was banned from driving and was involved in a serious collision that injured a grandmother, has been granted permission to travel abroad for a family holiday while awaiting sentencing. Moore, who has 44 previous convictions, including dangerous driving and drug possession, was involved in a high-speed incident in Dublin where he struck a grandmother, causing her serious injuries. Despite the severity of the case, a judge allowed him to travel abroad for one week. Moore has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and is awaiting sentencing, with the court considering his recent diagnosis of ADHD and his need for medication. The grandmother, who suffered facial injuries, a stroke, and a brain bleed, required extensive medical treatment and is now in constant pain. Moore's legal team argued that he would return to Ireland if allowed to travel, and the judge noted that he had previously complied with bail conditions.
Felix Adedayo, 55, appealed his conviction for threatening and abusive behaviour, parking offences, running a red light and driving without due care. The District Court had fined him €400 for the abusive conduct, €150 for obstructing traffic, €250 for the red‑light violation and another €250 for careless driving, and disqualified him from driving for six months. In the appeal, Judge Simon McAleese found that Adedayo's testimony was a "pack of lies" and that his conduct was "bizarre, extraordinary and aggressive." The judge upheld the original fines and disqualification, noting that the charges were the most modest possible and that no custodial sentence was imposed. The judge also praised Sergeant Killian Murphy for handling the incident "even‑handed" and "utterly polite.".
A motorist who committed a 'spontaneous and dreadful' road rage attack on a 64-year-old cyclist had his jail term replaced with a fully suspended sentence and his driving ban lifted on appeal. Glen Corcoran (30) was ordered to pay €15,000 to the victim's family, who had since passed away due to an unrelated illness. The judge noted that prisons are 'bursting at the seams' and questioned whether jail would serve any purpose. Corcoran had been given a ten-month custodial sentence, a five-year driving ban, and ordered to pay €10,000 in compensation. His appeal was based on the argument that the incident was a verbal dispute that got heated and was out of character for him. The judge decided to suspend the sentence for two years on the condition that Corcoran keeps the peace and pays the compensation. The driving ban was lifted, and Corcoran was told to ensure it never happens again. The unnamed 64-year-old pleaded guilty and was convicted.
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.
Josh Killeen, 19, of Tallaght, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to two counts of endangerment and possession of a stolen motorbike. The charges relate to incidents on November 3, 2024, January 31, 2025, and March 9, 2025. Prosecution evidence alleged that Killeen, a disqualified driver, led gardaí on high-speed chases, including one where his vehicle flipped on the M50, and another where he drove a stolen van at 120 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. He was also alleged to have been caught with a stolen motorbike. Judge Orla Crowe described the conduct as serious dangerous driving that endangered the public and gardaí. Acknowledging Killeen's remorse, family support, and developmental challenges, the judge imposed consecutive sentences totalling three years. She suspended the final 12 months of the term on strict conditions, resulting in an effective custody period of two years. Additionally, Judge Crowe disqualified Killeen from driving for four years. The matter was finalised with this sentencing.
An unnamed 30-year-old man was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to making a threat to kill or cause serious harm in April 2025. The defendant, whose identity is protected to preserve the anonymity of the children involved, admitted to the charge following an incident where a dispute between two six-year-old girls escalated. Prosecution evidence, including door camera footage, alleged the man threatened to set a neighbour's house on fire and encouraged his daughter to stab the other child with scissors. The court heard the man had prior convictions for assault, theft, and road traffic offences, though he has not been in trouble with gardaí since this incident. Defence counsel David Fleming BL described the man's reaction as disproportionate and noted his client's remorse, anger management attendance, and voluntary work. Judge Orla Crowe remarked that the offence should not have taken place and that the reaction was completely disproportionate. She imposed a sentence of 18 months, which was suspended in full for two years. Strict conditions were applied, requiring the man to stay away from the injured party and their family. Additionally, the judge ordered that €1,000, brought to court as a token of remorse, be paid over to the injured party.
A visually impaired woman described her panic during an incident of false imprisonment by a bogus taxi driver, stating her first thought was: "I guess this is just my turn." The defendant, Nicolae Zgherea (30), who has 11 previous convictions for road traffic offences, claimed he was unaware the victim was visually impaired. The court heard that the woman and her friend were waiting at a taxi rank when Zgherea approached, and the friend believed he was a legitimate driver. The woman entered his car, only to discover there was no taxi licence or meter. She asked Zgherea if he was a taxi driver, and when he confirmed he wasn't, she requested to be let out. Zgherea continued driving, and she called 999. The emergency operator asked him to pull over, which he eventually did. Zgherea pleaded guilty to false imprisonment. The court was told the incident had a significant impact on the woman's trust in others, independence, and confidence. She described the experience as terrifying and questioned whether she was targeted due to her disability or gender.
Brian Jackson, a university department head, has failed to have his two-year driving ban reduced on appeal after he caused a motorcyclist to be left in a coma and with permanent injuries by performing a dangerous u-turn. Jackson was convicted of careless driving causing serious bodily harm and fined €3,000. The motorcyclist sustained serious internal injuries, required a colostomy bag, and now has a permanent ankle injury. Jackson's appeal argued that the disqualification was too long given the conviction and that he had no previous convictions. However, the Court of Appeal upheld the two-year ban, noting the severity of the injuries and the fact that Jackson had a perfect driving record before the incident. The victim described the accident as "emotionally devastating" and a "life sentence" due to the permanent impact on his ability to live. The court ruled that the disqualification was within the sentencing judge's discretion and was not a disproportionate penalty.
Convicted killer Derek Moore (aka Hutch), who was banned from the roads, high on drugs, driving at 158km/h and pulling wheelies on his motorbike when he struck a Ukrainian grandmother in Dublin city centre, leaving her with serious injuries, has asked a court to allow him complete a detox programme. Moore of Champions Avenue, Dublin 1 has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious harm to Valentyna Linck on May 27, 2022 at Amiens Street. Moore (42) also pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving and a count of driving under the influence of an intoxicant on the same date. Further counts of dangerous driving are to be taken into consideration by the court. Moore has 44 previous convictions, including those for manslaughter, assault causing serious harm, attempted robbery and possession of drugs. His previous convictions also include eight for dangerous driving and one for endangerment. He was disqualified from driving for five years at the time of this offence, the court was told.
Luke Kruger, 25, was sentenced at Galway Circuit Criminal Court for two incidents of unauthorised vehicle taking and associated offences. He pleaded guilty to charges arising from April 24, 2021, and October 15, 2023. In the first incident, Kruger allegedly took a car with a female passenger, driving 55km before crashing in Connemara while she begged him to stop. In the second, he allegedly bit a taxi driver and damaged a second vehicle before fleeing. Judge Brian O'Callaghan imposed a headline sentence of three years for reckless endangerment, reduced to 12 months. For the taxi offences, he set a headline sentence of two and a half years, reduced to 18 months to run consecutively. The final nine months of this second sentence were suspended. Kruger was jailed for a total of one year and nine months. He was placed under Probation Services supervision for 18 months post-release. The sentence was backdated to January 17, when he entered custody. The judge noted Kruger frightened the passenger and displayed aggression towards the taxi driver, while acknowledging his age and addiction issues as mitigating factors.
Darren White, 49, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 13 counts of cash robbery at Dublin City hotels between August and December 2005 and one count of robbery of a Londis shop in 2006. The validated procedural stage is an appeal. White had previously pleaded guilty to the first count in May 2007 and was granted bail, but he failed to appear for sentencing and travelled to the UK. He was apprehended in April 2025 following a road traffic matter. Judge Martina Baxter noted that White had rehabilitated, raised a family, and engaged in community work. She determined that a custodial term was not appropriate given the breadth of his rehabilitation. The court imposed a 10-year sentence, which was suspended for 10 years, and ordered White to carry out 240 hours of community service. The matter was adjourned.
CJ Losty drove a stolen car through green areas where children were playing, across footpaths and the wrong way on the M3 while fleeing gardai, reaching more than 160km/hr. He pleaded guilty to endangerment and dangerous-driving charges and received a three-year global sentence, with the final year suspended, plus a six-year driving ban.