A 34‑year‑old university student, Deividas Sevcenko, was caught by Gardaí while walking with a friend and found to be in possession of two metal implements used for retrieving bank cards from ATMs. He pleaded guilty to one count of possessing equipment with the intention of using it in a theft that was planned for Howth Road, Raheny, on 1 March of the previous year. Sevcenko, who lives in Holywell Dene, Swords, and is a married father of two, has five prior convictions for road traffic offences and failing to appear in court. He was highly intoxicated at the time of the stop, and a doctor recommended delaying his interview by four hours because of his drunkenness. He has expressed remorse and is willing to comply with any court‑ordered conditions to remain in the community with his wife and children. The case is adjourned for probation and community service reports, with sentencing scheduled for 18 May.
Patrick Connors, aged 46, was found guilty of endangerment for driving at speeds exceeding 160 km/h, including a high‑speed chase on Swords Road, Dublin. He drove on the wrong side of the road, wrong‑way around a roundabout, performed a u‑turn at speed, and exceeded the 50 km/h limit, even running a red light and colliding with a taxi. Connors also admitted possession of stolen laptops, jewellery, a screwdriver, and a "jemmy" bar, items recovered from his vehicle after the chase. He was charged with dangerous driving but did not plead to those charges. With 89 prior convictions, including dangerous driving, burglary, and theft, Connors was remanded in custody for sentencing in April, and a Probation Service report was ordered.
Dean Joyce, 24, of Clondalkin, Dublin, has been remanded on continuing bail until May next for sentencing after being convicted of 10 charges. Joyce, who has 190 previous convictions, pleaded not guilty to 11 charges arising from a high-speed chase on March 3, 2015. These included endangering gardaí by driving into a garda van, four counts of dangerous driving, possession of stolen property, driving without a licence or insurance, possession of a boxcutter used in a burglary, criminal damage to a garda van, and failing to stop for gardaí. Judge Karen O'Connor directed a not guilty verdict on the endangerment charge, but the jury convicted Joyce of all other counts. During the trial, Garda Sergeant Ronan McDermott testified that Joyce led officers on a pursuit through red lights and the wrong side of the road before colliding with a garda van in Ballyfermot, causing €1,500 in damage. Stolen property, including laptops and an iPad, was found in the vehicle. Defence counsel Pieter LeVert highlighted Joyce's personal history and recent imprisonment for other offences, stating it has been "the making of him." Judge O'Connor ordered a Probation Services report and warned Joyce of the "jeopardy he is in." The matter was adjourned to May for sentence.
Maria Muntean, 28, a mother of four who is expecting a fifth child, pleaded guilty to the theft of two iPhone 6s mobile phones from Three Ireland Phone Stores in Tralee and Killarney on 7 November 2015. CCTV footage showed her with two men: one removed the phones from the display case, the other watched staff while Muntean blocked the view with a brochure, which she then placed over the cradle. The phones, each valued at €699, were not recovered. Muntean had 54 previous convictions under two identities, including 17 thefts, one robbery, casual trading and road traffic offences. She was arrested but made no admissions during the Garda interview. The court, noting she was the least culpable of those arrested and had engaged with the Probation Service, imposed a two‑year sentence, which was suspended in full on strict conditions. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Donal O'Hara, 51, of Glin Park, Coolock, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to cultivating cannabis and possessing a sawn‑off shotgun. In February 2015 Gardaí discovered 72 cannabis plants in his master bedroom; O'Hara claimed they were for personal use. In June 2016 a search revealed a 12‑gauge single‑barrel shotgun and cartridges in a bag in a trailer at the rear of his house. O'Hara said he had the firearm for self‑defence after shots were fired at his home days earlier. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a four‑year sentence for the drug offence, with one year suspended, and a seven‑year sentence for the firearms offence, with the final four years suspended, giving a total custodial term of six years. O'Hara had 29 prior convictions, including drugs, public order and road traffic offences. The court noted unusual circumstances, including threats to his family and a gun pointed at a son.
A man convicted in Sligo District Court of being in charge of an intoxicated vehicle has lost his appeal against the validity of his arrest. The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction on a case stated basis following a February 2011 incident in the Ballydrehid area where Garda Andrea McGovern discovered him asleep in a parked car with the engine running. When questioned, he stated he had been drinking throughout the day and pulled in to rest while returning from a christening. The defence argued the arresting garda had failed to establish intent to drive, a requirement under section 50 of the Road Traffic Act. Mr Justice John Edwards, delivering judgment, held that the driver's statement about pulling in for rest implied resumption of driving once rested. The court found the arrest lawful and valid. Justices George Birmingham and Garrett Sheehan concurred with the decision.
Ian Sheridan, 32, of Bray, was given a suspended three‑year sentence after a judge found that a custodial sentence was not necessary. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on 21 February 2015 after beating his girlfriend, Patricia Rodriguez, for over an hour and biting her face twice. The assault took place in their home after an argument; Sheridan had been drinking and had a history of drug and alcohol problems. He had previously been convicted of theft, public order and road traffic offences. Sheridan offered Rodriguez €1,600 as a token of remorse, which she declined, and the money was directed to a women's refuge. The judge required Sheridan to keep the peace and participate in a restorative justice programme as conditions of the suspended sentence. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Jonathan Turley, 35, of Clandeboye Drive, Belfast, surrendered to Northern Ireland authorities after being wanted for kidnapping and assaulting his ex‑partner. He was arrested in May last year under a European Arrest Warrant and appeared briefly at the High Court in Dublin. Turley admitted awareness of the allegations, including kidnapping, assault, and a dangerous driving charge. The judge confirmed his voluntary surrender, noted his legal advice, and ordered his extradition within twenty days, following an eight‑month prison sentence backdated to April.
Raymond O'Hara, 50, received an 18‑month prison sentence for stealing seven bottles of spirits from the Clifton Court Hotel in August 2015. He has 231 prior convictions, including 144 theft and fraud offences and 46 road traffic offences, and was released from custody four weeks before the offence. The judge, Pauline Codd, noted the burglary had caused nervousness among staff and imposed the sentence with the final eight months suspended, conditional on one year of probation, remaining drug‑ and alcohol‑free, and attending residential drug treatment if directed. O'Hara intends to use his time in prison as a "health farm," attending the gym, Narcotics Anonymous, and studying computers, claiming he will address his drug and alcohol issues and improve his health. The court accepted his plea of guilty and the conditions of the suspended portion.
Christopher Coleman, 27, of Dublin, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for dangerous driving that caused the death of Eugene Maher, 62, on Clontarf Road on 30 June 2015. The Court of Appeal increased the original two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence to six years, suspending the final two years and nine months. Coleman also received a 15‑year driving disqualification. He had previously been disqualified and had no licence at the time of the offence. The prosecution argued the original sentence was too lenient, citing Coleman's speed, failure to stop at a red light, driving while disqualified, leaving the crash scene and lack of insurance. The court noted his guilty plea and remorse, but upheld the increased term with suspension due to mitigating factors. The case remains a criminal proceeding at the appellate level.
Anthony Handley, 64, of Whitethorn Grove, Artane, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving that caused the death of Olivia Dunne, 31, and serious bodily harm to her 15‑week‑old daughter Éabha in Balbriggan on 17 January 2014. Gardaí said Handley drifted off momentarily before his off‑road SUV veered from the road and struck the mother and child. He had no alcohol or drugs in his system. On 10 May 2016 Judge Patrick McCartan sentenced him to two years' imprisonment, citing his good character but warning that fatigue must be a concern for all drivers, and imposed a ten‑year driving ban. The Court of Appeal found errors in the sentencing, upheld the two‑year term but suspended the balance on conditions, and left the driving ban unchanged.
James Preston, 36, was caught attempting to rob the Seabank House pub in East Wall, Dublin, after a Garda surveillance operation. He approached the manager armed with a wheel brace and a Stanley knife while the manager was carrying the pub's takings. Garda officers intervened, ordering him to drop his weapons, and he was arrested. Preston had previously pleaded guilty to attempted robbery in 2014 and to dangerous driving and unlawful use of a car in 2015. He was sentenced by Judge John Aylmer to three years, with the final 18 months suspended, citing his efforts to reform while in prison. The judge noted that the robbery could have been completed without Garda intervention and that Preston's 2015 driving endangered adults and children. The case highlighted the role of Garda surveillance in preventing the robbery.
Charles Farrell, aged 44, was convicted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for theft of two historic gates from Convent Cottage, Firhouse Road, on 4 April 2015, and for unlawful use of a car and dangerous driving on 25 June 2015. He received an 18‑month jail term, followed by a consecutive three‑year sentence for driving a stolen car dangerously through Tallaght. Judge Melanie Greally suspended the final two years of the four‑and‑a‑half‑year term on strict conditions and disqualified Farrell from driving for six years. Two co‑accused, James Spellman Junior (40) and Trevor Matthews (41), each received two‑year suspended sentences for their roles in the gate theft. The judge noted Farrell's long‑standing drug addiction and his efforts to address it, while the Gardaí described the theft and subsequent dangerous driving incidents in detail. Charles Farrell pleaded guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, the jury was discharged after a juror appeared to fall asleep 15 minutes into the opening address. Prosecutor Garrett Baker BL was explaining "beyond reasonable doubt" when a juror was found seemingly asleep, prompting a jury minder to intervene. Defence barrister Pieter Le Vert BL reported that another male juror also seemed about to nod off. Judge Elma Sheahan ruled that the trial could not replace the two jurors, so she discharged the entire jury. The case involves Dean Joyce (24) of Rowlagh Park, Clondalkin, who pleaded not guilty to 11 charges, including endangering gardaí by driving his car into a garda van, four counts of dangerous driving, possession of stolen property, driving without a licence, driving without insurance, possession of a boxcutter used in a burglary, criminal damage of a garda van, and failing to stop for gardaí. A new jury will be sworn in today.
In 2015, 19‑year‑old Eric Ryan of Cliona Park, Moyross, County Limerick, was found guilty of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to 32‑year‑old Eve Neylon, who required four operations on her pelvis and leg after being struck by Ryan's car while crossing Clanbrassil Street at a green pedestrian light. Ryan also pleaded guilty to failing to offer assistance. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a wholly suspended three‑year sentence for dangerous driving and ordered community service for the failure to assist. The Director of Public Prosecutions sought a review on the grounds of an unduly lenient sentence. The Court of Appeal, sitting with Justices Mahon, Birmingham and Sheehan, upheld the suspended sentence but added conditions: a €50 weekly payment to the National Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation for 18 months, further community service under a local school principal, supervision by probation services, and good behaviour for 18 months.
Vincent Cadden, aged 28, was convicted of dangerous driving causing the death of his friend Colm Melia, aged 22, in a car that had been heavily modified for closed‑circuit racing. The fatal incident occurred on 5 October 2014 at Fenner Upper, Oldcastle. Cadden had been over the legal alcohol limit and had consumed cannabis that night. He was sentenced by the Trim Circuit Criminal Court to six years' imprisonment and a ten‑year driving disqualification. On appeal, the Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, reduced the custodial term by suspending the final 18 months, while the driving ban remained in force. The decision was based on Cadden's cooperation, lack of prior convictions, and his remorse, though the court upheld the six‑year headline sentence as appropriate. The case highlighted the vehicle's dangerous modifications and the high speed at which it was travelling. Vincent Cadden pleaded guilty.
Jonathan Conway, 35, a disqualified driver with 112 convictions, stole a BMW after its owner mistakenly left the keys inside. While driving under the influence of heroin, alcohol and tablets, Conway lost control at a roundabout, briefly became airborne, and crashed into a lamp‑post and the wall of The Graduate pub. Two female passengers sustained minor injuries. Conway, who had no valid licence or insurance, pleaded guilty to taking possession of the car, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and refusing a sample. The court adjourned sentencing to May, ordered a urine analysis, and will hear a plea in mitigation. Conway was taken to St Vincent's Hospital where he refused to provide a blood or urine sample. The case highlights the ongoing legal proceedings and the court's consideration of mitigation arguments.
A 23‑year‑old man from Clondalkin, Michael Bayley, was sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended, for two burglaries in Sallynoggin and dangerous driving on 12 May 2016. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Bayley had 22 prior convictions, including aggravated burglary, public order and road traffic offences. The judge also disqualified him from driving for four years. The burglaries involved the theft of a Samsung Galaxy tablet and an iPad from a sick child's home, as well as cash found in a birthday card. Bayley claimed he was recruited by people he owed "15 grand" to repay a debt, and that he had drug addictions. He was arrested after a high‑speed chase in which his stolen car crashed in Blackrock, having driven at 160 kph in a 50 kph zone and failed to stop at red lights.
Christopher Coleman, 27, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Eugene Maher, 62, on 30 June 2015. He was sentenced to two‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment and a 15‑year driving disqualification. Coleman had no licence, had previously been disqualified, and had 15 prior convictions including three driving bans. He drove a friend's car, which had been speeding and on the wrong side of the road, and left the scene after the crash. The DPP, citing the severity of the offence and Coleman's lack of licence, seeks a review of the sentence as "unduly lenient". The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment, with a decision expected on 23 February. The case remains at the appeal stage, with no further outcome reported.
Gary Fitzgerald, aged 19, received a three‑year sentence for arson at Green Hills Court Apartments, Tallaght, on 26 March 2015. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and had seven prior convictions, including road traffic and assault. The fire, which caused €45,000 in damage, occurred in an unoccupied bedroom; Gardaí could not determine the cause. Gary lived next door to the burning apartment with his cousin Graham Fitzgerald, who also pleaded guilty to arson on the same occasion and to attempted robbery in February 2016. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned Graham's case for two weeks and imposed a suspended six‑month portion on Gary's sentence, ordering one year of post‑release supervision. The court noted Gary's extreme youth and drug use but accepted his early plea. No residents were in immediate danger, and the complex was evacuated. The case was heard with evidence from CCTV and police reports.
Blake Tobin, 32, of Whitechapel Lawns, Blanchardstown, Dublin, was found guilty in February 2016 of multiple dangerous driving offences, including drink driving, driving without insurance, and driving while disqualified. The jury imposed four consecutive six‑month sentences and a life‑long driving ban, with Judge Pat McCartan stating Tobin "should never ever be allowed behind the wheel of a motor car". On appeal, the Court of Appeal upheld all other aspects of the judgment but reduced the driving ban to forty years, citing the absence of serious injury or death. The appeal court noted Tobin's history of 54 convictions, including road traffic offences, knife possession, drug possession, and assault, and described the case as "appalling" due to his high‑speed, reckless driving and attempts to evade detection. The Court of Appeal also found the original life‑long ban excessive in the circumstances. Blake Tobin pleaded not guilty.
Troy Beirnes, 21, was jailed for two years after a dangerous driving incident during a Garda pursuit that caused a collision with a Fiat Punto carrying newly-arrived tourists. Beirnes, who does not yet hold a driving licence, had 20 previous convictions, including 10 for road traffic offences. He pleaded guilty to endangerment, dangerous driving and unlawful use of a car. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a four‑year sentence, suspended the final two years, and disqualified him from driving for five years, effective upon licence acquisition. The pursuit began when Garda Stephen Moloney chased a white Subaru on Nangor Road; Beirnes drove over speed limits, used the bus lane, broke red lights and collided with the Fiat at Newlands Cross. Both vehicles were written off and the tourists were treated for injuries. Beirnes is currently doing his driver theory test while in custody. The court noted his remorse and his desire to improve his circumstances.
Jonathan Coyle, 33, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for recklessly colliding with Philip Woodcock's car, an act that caused both vehicles to be damaged. The collision followed a violent altercation between the occupants of the two cars, during which Woodcock punched Coyle and an unidentified man stabbed a man who had been with Woodcock's group, killing former soldier Warren O'Connor, 24. Coyle pleaded guilty to endangerment and was already under a ten‑year driving disqualification. Judge Cormac Quinn imposed the sentence, suspended the final 18 months, ordered 18 months of probation supervision from release, and disqualified Coyle from driving for ten years. The court noted Coyle's prior convictions, including five‑year and ten‑year driving bans, robbery, assault and burglary. The hearing was held in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with the O'Connor family present. The case did not involve any charges against Woodcock or others for the killing.
Mark Davis, aged 27, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for dangerous driving after a high‑speed chase in Tallaght on 27 March 2015. He had 207 prior convictions, including 20 for dangerous driving, 21 for failing to show a licence and five for driving while disqualified. The court heard he drove between 80 and 100 km/h in a 50 km/h zone, repeatedly ran red lights, and nearly collided with a Luas tram, endangering passengers, children and other road users. Judge Melanie Greally described the incident as "terrifying" and noted Davis's fascination with cars and a drug habit as contributing factors. She imposed a four‑year sentence, suspended the final two years, and ordered one year of probation supervision. Davis is already serving a separate sentence for a similar offence that ends next June and remains under a 20‑year driving disqualification. Mark Davis pleaded guilty.
Anthony Handley, 64, of Whitethorn Grove, Artane, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving that caused the death of Olivia Dunne, 31, and serious bodily harm to her 15‑week‑old daughter Éabha Dunne in Balbriggan on 17 January 2014. Gardaí say Handley drifted off the road briefly before his off‑road SUV veered and struck the victims. He had no alcohol or drugs in his system. On 10 May 2016 Judge Patrick McCartan sentenced him to two years' imprisonment, citing Handley's good character and blameless record but stressing the need for drivers to remain alert to fatigue. The judge also banned Handley from driving for ten years. Handley has now filed an appeal against the sentence, arguing that the judge over‑emphasised the Road Safety Authority's fatigue campaign and that the evidence of fatigue was limited to Handley's own brief feeling of tiredness fifteen minutes before the incident.
Edward Walshe, aged 23, was sentenced to three‑and‑a‑half years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended, for a series of offences committed in October 2015. He pleaded guilty to possession of a Winchester double‑barrel shotgun, dangerous driving, and assaulting Detective Sergeant Declan O'Connell. The assault occurred when Walshe, fleeing after a high‑speed pursuit, grabbed the garda's hand and twisted it, fracturing the officer's hand and requiring a bar to fuse the bone. Walshe also caused a head‑on collision that injured a passenger, and his vehicle was found to contain a sawn‑off shotgun and four unspent cartridges in a Lucozade bottle. He was ordered to pay €2,500 to the victim. The judge noted his youth, remorse, and family background in determining the sentence.
The Court of Appeal found an error in a wholly suspended three‑year sentence imposed on 19‑year‑old Eric Ryan for dangerous driving that caused serious bodily harm to 32‑year‑old Eve Neylon. Ryan had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and leaving the scene. The sentence, given by Judge Patricia Ryan, was wholly suspended and required community service for leaving the scene. The Director of Public Prosecutions sought a review, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient, citing Ryan's provisional licence, lack of a supervising driver, and his father's influence. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, held that the case was of such seriousness that the sentence had to be varied. The court ordered Ryan to pay a weekly contribution to the National Rehabilitation Centre for 12 months and to provide firm proposals for community service, with the matter to be reconvened on 6 February.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Andrew Allen, 38, was sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment for a series of offences including endangerment, dangerous driving and driving without insurance. The court heard that Allen, a disqualified driver, was pursued by ten Garda patrol cars on the M50, reaching speeds up to 200 km/h, and collided with two patrol cars during the chase. He pleaded guilty to burglary on Navan Road in April 2016 and to multiple road traffic offences. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a suspended final year and ordered one year of probation supervision. Allen received medical treatment for minor injuries sustained during the pursuit, and no Garda or civilian injuries were reported. The case highlighted Allen's history of 87 convictions and his prior warning of a threat to his life by Garda officers.
Shane Fowler, 34, received a suspended two‑year prison sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of criminal damage and unlawful possession of an axe for smashing four cars belonging to an innocent family in Finglas. The incident, which occurred on 31 October 2015, stemmed from a mistaken identity; Fowler had believed the house was that of a local drug dealer who had introduced his ex‑partner to crack cocaine. Gardaí arrested him near the scene, but he was too intoxicated to be interviewed. Judge Terence O'Neill, noting Fowler's significant rehabilitation and genuine remorse, suspended the sentence on the condition that he pay €500 to the victims within three months, in addition to a €500 token of remorse already paid to court. The total damage cost was €7,188. Fowler's prior convictions include dangerous driving, endangerment and car theft, most from 2007. The case was defended by Seamus Clarke BL and prosecuted by Anne Marie Lawlor BL.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 16 December 2016, Darren Bewley, aged 39, pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a car, criminal damage, dangerous driving and drunk driving after he drunkenly drove a stolen Renault Captur on the wrong side of the North Circular Road, crashing into a bus stop. Bewley, who had 27 prior convictions and was over the legal alcohol limit, admitted he had taken prescribed medication and vodka, and that the car's keys were in the vehicle. The court noted that no one was injured and that Bewley had been working on overcoming his heroin addiction. Judge Terence O'Sullivan imposed a two‑year sentence, suspended the final nine months, and disqualified Bewley from driving for seven years. The stolen car was written off and the bus stop suffered €800 in damage, with the owner paying a €300 excess on insurance. The case highlighted Bewley's ongoing struggle with substance abuse and his attempts at rehabilitation.
In 2015, Jayne Kearney, aged 27, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Blathnaid Molloy and for driving while intoxicated. The offence occurred on 8 March 2014 when Kearney, driving from Citywest Hotel after a quarrel with her boyfriend, knocked down Molloy, who suffered a brain injury, and failed to remain at the scene. Kearney had previously been convicted of speeding and driving without insurance. On appeal, the Court of Appeal found the judge had erred by not considering a suspended portion of the sentence. Consequently, the final nine months of Kearney's term were suspended, and she was required to enter a good‑behaviour bond. The appeal decision was delivered by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice John Edwards in attendance. The case highlighted the importance of accountability for intoxicated driving and the duty to remain at the scene of an accident. Jayne Kearney pleaded guilty.
Edward Walshe, 23, was charged after a high‑speed chase in which he drove a black Saab carrying a sawn‑off double‑barrel shotgun. He had agreed to give a lift to a man owing him a €100 drug debt, but the passenger had a firearm. When Garda Stephen Byrne signalled him to stop, Walshe fled, causing a head‑on collision and forcing small children celebrating Halloween to flee the road. Detective Sergeant Declan O'Connell pursued him, injuring his hand when Walshe grabbed and twisted it during a struggle. Walshe pleaded guilty to possession of the shotgun, dangerous driving, and assaulting the sergeant. The court adjourned sentencing to 17 January, citing serious illnesses in his family, and remanded him on bail until that date. The firearm and four unspent cartridges were recovered from the vehicle. The case remains pending.
Michael Bayley, a 23‑year‑old from Clondalkin, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two burglaries in Sallynoggin and dangerous driving on 12 May 2016. He admitted owing €15,000 to people who had brought him to the burglary sites to repay a debt. During a high‑speed chase that reached 160 km/h in a 50 km/h zone, Bayley fled in a stolen car, which crashed in Blackrock. He was arrested alone in the vehicle. The burglaries involved the theft of a Samsung Galaxy tablet and an iPad from a sick child's home, and a €100 note was found in a birthday card at the victim's house. Bayley acknowledged drug addictions, claimed he did not recall taking the items, and offered a full apology. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the case to allow victim impact statements and a probation report before the next hearing on 1 February 2017.
Ihab Abou Alfa, 45, was jailed for three months after he tried to withdraw his guilty plea for importing €4,000 worth of cigarettes into Dublin Airport on 21 November 2013. The court found his conduct "unfortunate" because he attempted to change his plea and refused to accept responsibility. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to six months imprisonment, with the final three months suspended, citing the offence as low‑level but the conduct serious. Alfa had been caught red‑handed when Customs and Excise officer John Sinclair observed him acting strangely in the blue channel. The bag contained about 8,200 cigarettes valued at €3,832, costing the exchequer €2,324. Alfa had previously lived in Ireland, ran a painting business, and suffered a road traffic accident and persistent pain. He denied guilt and showed no remorse. The judge noted a non‑custodial sentence would have been appropriate but was overridden by his conduct.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Tautvydas Tamulis, a 30‑year‑old Lithuanian resident of Ashbourne, pleaded guilty to assaulting Garda Patrick O'Rourke in Finglas on 30 June 2015. Tamulis admitted he had consumed a bottle and a half of spirits before the incident and that his memory of the event was "sketchy at best." He was charged with gouging the Garda's eyes and punching him, actions that left the officer unfit for work for several days but caused no long‑term damage. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspended in full on strict conditions, warning Tamulis that failure to abstain from alcohol would result in imprisonment. Tamulis promised to quit drinking and entered a bond to keep the peace. The case highlighted his 25 prior district court convictions, including dangerous driving causing serious harm.
In a case reported on 30 November 2016, Charles Farrell, aged 44, was arrested by Gardaí for loading two historic gates from Convent Cottage, Firhouse Road, into the back of a van. The gates, dating from 1710, were described by the owner as "priceless." Farrell was also charged with dangerous driving after he drove a stolen car through Tallaght on 25 June 2015, ignoring traffic signals and driving on the wrong side of the road. He pleaded guilty to theft of the gates and to unlawful use of a car and dangerous driving. The court adjourned his sentencing to 14 February 2017 to allow a probation report. Two co‑accused, James Spellman Junior and Trevor Matthews, received two‑year suspended sentences in January for their roles in the theft. Farrell has six prior convictions and was on bail at the time of the dangerous driving incident.
Petrica Lucaci, a 25‑year‑old Romanian, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for a series of offences committed on 7 October 2014, including unlawful seizure of a vehicle, assault, assault of a peace officer, dangerous driving and two counts of endangerment. The original sentence, imposed by Judge Terence O'Sullivan on 11 May 2016, suspended the final year. On appeal the Court of Appeal found that the "out of character" nature of the conduct, Lucaci's guilty plea and his offer of substantial compensation warranted a longer suspended period. Consequently, Judge Alan Mahon re‑sentenced him to five years with the final two‑and‑a‑half years suspended, requiring a good‑behaviour bond for that period. Lucaci had no prior convictions in Ireland or Romania and had been living in Ireland for three months as a gardener when the incident occurred.
Ross Glynn, a plumber from Palmerstown, pleaded guilty to burglary at the Dublin Fire Brigade Workshop in Grangegorman Lower on August 28, 2010. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a four-month sentence, backdated to when Glynn entered custody in July, resulting in him being released as a free man. Glynn had fled to New Zealand after being granted bail, remaining at large because Ireland lacks an extradition treaty with that country. He was arrested in a Palmerstown pub earlier this year. His co-accused, Darren Snee, was sentenced to three years with 28 months suspended for the same offence. The pair allegedly stole €82,512 worth of firefighting equipment, including life-saving rescue tools. Snee gained entry using a key fob from his father, who worked at the workshop. Prosecutors argued Glynn knew the nature of the theft, despite his claim that he believed Snee had permission. Glynn received €300 from the sale of the stolen goods. Judge Nolan noted Glynn had no previous convictions apart from three road traffic offences and accepted he was unlikely to re-offend.
John Paul O'Driscoll, 29, from Fairhill, appealed a 12‑year sentence imposed by Cork Circuit Criminal Court for 17 offences including burglary, unlawful van taking, reckless endangerment and criminal damage. He was driving a stolen van drunk, pursued from one end of Cork to another, and deliberately struck Garda Michael Twomey on a motorbike, throwing him a considerable distance. O'Driscoll had 168 prior convictions, was disqualified from driving, and had been on two sets of bail. Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin gave consecutive sentences totalling 12 years, suspending the final two years. O'Driscoll's counsel, Elizabeth O'Connell SC, argued the judge erred in imposing consecutive sentences and that the guilty plea should have earned more credit. The appeal was filed on 15 November 2016. The court expected a decision within a month.
A 17-year-old boy has been sentenced to one year's detention at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following a series of offences committed in April 2016. The teenager pleaded guilty to burglary, dangerous driving, and criminal damage to a bridge after crashing a stolen Hyundai into the River Liffey at Celbridge while evading gardai from a burglary scene in Lucan. Within 48 hours of his release on bail, he assaulted an elderly man and stole his vehicle. Judge Pauline Codd imposed a three-year sentence with the final two years suspended, noting that detention should be a last resort for minors. The court heard evidence that the accused was intoxicated during the chase and was abusing prescribed drugs at the time. His legal counsel submitted that he is now drug-free, has expressed remorse, and is willing to engage with rehabilitation services and address anger management issues.
Maurice Power, 33, of Kilmoyler, Cahir, was found guilty of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to Mrs Fiona O'Connell on 12 November 2012. He was driving three times over the legal limit, without insurance, and while disqualified. The incident occurred at about 5 a.m. on the Fethard Road, Co. Tipperary, when Power's vehicle lost control, crossed a boundary wall and carried Mrs O'Connell into an institution's grounds. She suffered severe injuries, including a leg that required amputation after 14 operations, and spent four months in hospital. Power was sentenced by Judge Thomas Teehan on 31 July 2013 to seven years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended, and a 25‑year driving disqualification. He appealed the sentence, arguing the judge had over‑penalised him and ignored mitigating factors. Judge Garrett Sheehan, with Justices George Birmingham and Alan Mahon, dismissed the appeal, stating the sentence was appropriate given the aggravating circumstances and the victim's injuries.
An appeal has been heard in the High Court regarding the conviction of Glen Paisley for assault causing harm to Mr Nicolas Omnes on Camden Street in Dublin 2 on the evening of May 4, 2014. Paisley, who was found guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, has appealed the sentence of two and a half years in custody. The case was adjourned for further consideration. Paisley admitted to the charge and pleaded guilty. He has a history of fifty previous convictions, including 43 road traffic offences. The victim, Mr Omnes, was punched and fell, hitting his head on the ground, resulting in a head injury requiring hospital treatment. Paisley was with two friends during the incident and was more aggressive than others involved. CCTV footage later confirmed his involvement. The victim's statement highlighted the lasting impact of the assault on his life, including social and emotional effects. Defence counsel expressed remorse on behalf of Paisley and offered an apology. The matter was adjourned and is not yet finalised.
Marcin Kazinski, 39, of Cappoquin, Waterford, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm after a crash on 23 December 2011 that left his 12‑year‑old daughter with horrendous injuries, including spastic quadriplegia. He had been heavily intoxicated the day before the accident, and alcohol remained in his bloodstream at the time of the crash, though he had not drunk on the day itself. The original sentence, imposed by Judge Keenan Johnson at Waterford Circuit Criminal Court on 17 April 2013, was 240 hours of community service and a 10‑year driving disqualification. On 24 October 2016 the Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, reduced the disqualification to three years, citing the family's difficulties and the need for the father to drive to care for his daughter. The Court noted that the original 10‑year period was longer than statute allowed under the circumstances. The decision was made without altering the community service requirement.
Finbarr O'Rourke, 41, of Laurel Drive, Portlaoise, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of four‑year‑old Ciarán Treacy and severe injury to his mother, Gillian Treacy, in an April 2014 collision on the R419. He was originally sentenced to seven‑and‑a‑half years imprisonment by Judge Keenan Johnson on 3 November 2015. On appeal, the Court of Appeal re‑sentenced him to eight years imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, citing his genuine remorse, early guilty plea and cooperation with Gardaí. The suspended portion was intended to encourage rehabilitation. The court also reaffirmed a twenty‑year driving disqualification. The decision was delivered by Mr Justice Alan Mahon, sitting with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan. The appeal reduced the custodial term by 18 months, leaving O'Rourke to serve six years and one month in custody. The case remains a tragic reminder of the consequences of drunk driving.
Finbarr O'Rourke, 41, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of four‑year‑old Ciarán Treacy in Portarlington on 17 April 2014. He was sentenced to seven‑and‑a‑half years imprisonment by Judge Keenan Johnson at Portlaoise Circuit Criminal Court on 3 November 2015. O'Rourke's barrister, Conor Devally SC, appealed today, arguing the tariff was too high and mitigation was insufficient. Devally said the judge was moved by the case and that O'Rourke should be seen as an example rather than an individual. He highlighted O'Rourke's lack of prior convictions, his professional driving background, and his recent efforts to change his relationship with alcohol. The appeal also noted O'Rourke's failure to remain at the scene, his phone call to a companion after the crash, and the impact of these factors on the sentencing decision. The Court of Appeal will decide next week.
Jayne Kearney, aged 26, appealed the three‑year prison sentence she received for dangerous driving that caused serious bodily harm to Blathnaid Molloy, a mother of two, after Kearney was almost three times the legal alcohol limit. Kearney pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 8 March 2014 and was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan on 12 January 2015. In her appeal, Kearney's barrister, Padraig Dwyer SC, argued that a suspended sentence or community service would have been appropriate, noting that Kearney had left the hotel after a dispute with her boyfriend, had not been drinking all evening, and had made a single reckless decision to drive. Dwyer highlighted that Kearney had cooperated at the scene, made admissions, and that the injuries were sustained by Molloy. The court, hearing the arguments, reserved judgment and would decide as soon as possible. The appeal does not alter the fact that Kearney was convicted of dangerous driving and driving while intoxicated.
Gerard Hughes, 19, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended, for a series of drug‑induced offences including assault, property damage, unlawful car taking and dangerous driving. He pleaded guilty to assaulting a hotel manager at The Maldron Hotel in Tallaght on 20 November 2015, damaging property, unlawfully taking a Nissan Qashqai on 13 December 2015 and two counts of dangerous driving on the same day. The assault involved Hughes entering the manager's office with a fire extinguisher, demanding money, grabbing her around the mouth, shoving her to the ground and fleeing. The victim suffered a split lip, facial bruising and leg injury. Hughes was identified by CCTV, had no memory of the incident due to drug use, and was arrested after a chase that involved driving the stolen car the wrong way around a roundabout. He has 47 prior convictions and was banned from driving for 10 years.
John Joe Synnott, aged 61, a former Garda, was convicted of deception and corruption for staging a non‑existent road traffic accident on 9 September 2007. He had reported an Audi A4 colliding with a parked Subaru Imprezza, creating a PULSE incident report and a Traffic Accident Preliminary Report, and paid out €23,352 to the drivers, Beverley Redmond and Lorraine Quinlan, through AXA Insurance. The prosecution argued that Synnott deliberately assisted the drivers and Joe Redmond, a friend and known criminal, in fraud. He was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. Synnott appealed on grounds relating to the judge's jury instructions, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal. He remains in custody on an undisclosed matter and is no longer a serving Garda. John Joe Synnott pleaded not guilty.
Kieran Cox, 32, of Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty to endangerment after a high‑speed chase that ended with his Volkswagen Passat crashing into a Toyota Yaris at a junction in Clonee on 2 February 2012. The Passat lost control, collided with the Yaris, spun into a pole, and a fire broke out, requiring Gardaí to drag Cox out of the vehicle. He was arrested but made no admissions. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to four years' imprisonment, which she suspended in full, citing his significant positive turnaround, cessation of alcohol abuse, and responsible fatherhood. Cox had no Garda attention since 2012 and had previously been convicted of road traffic, drug and theft offences. The case was brought back to court after a 2012 warrant was not executed until 2015.
Eamon Shield, 45, of Lucan, was found guilty by a jury of 25 counts of theft and deception after a two‑week trial in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He ran a pyramid scheme from June 2011 to February 2012, promising investors a 100 per cent profit within 60 days by buying repossessed cars and flipping them. Shield advertised in national newspapers and received between €3,000 and €70,000 from 12 investors. He returned €32,000 to the investor who paid €70,000, but all 12 investors were left out of pocket. Shield had a prior deception conviction in 2005 and 23 road traffic and two public order convictions. Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced him to four years' imprisonment, ordering €20,000 in his account to be divided among the victims.