In a decision issued by the Workplace Relations Commission, Dr Paul Coughlan, a cosmetic doctor and co‑founder of CPD Ventures Ltd (trading as Yung Medical Aesthetics), was awarded €86,608 in unpaid wages and a €5,000 damages payment for discrimination. The commission found that Coughlan had been removed as a company director and denied commission payments that he was entitled to under a December 2023 founder agreement, which stipulated a 30% share of revenue from procedures he performed. He had received only €30,600 before June 2024, leaving €86,608 outstanding. Coughlan also claimed constructive dismissal after the company threatened legal action over his Instagram account. The tribunal noted that the company was in liquidation when the case was heard and that no evidence was presented by the liquidator.
In a Workplace Relations Commission hearing, Aer Lingus senior manager Méadbh Gallagher testified that she feared a "Barbara Streisand effect" if an injunction were sought to stop former captain Tom O'Riordan from posting online about his dispute with the airline. Gallagher said the airline had denied O'Riordan's complaints under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977. She described a series of disciplinary processes over his social‑media posts, including a letter dated 1 July 2024 warning that posts containing personal data of colleagues could lead to legal action. Gallagher denied that any injunction had been discussed and said the threat was "baseless." The hearing focused on whether the airline's actions constituted whistleblower penalisation and unfair dismissal, with no outcome reported in the article.
A man in his 30s accused of breaching a barring order by making mocking social media posts and sending text messages to his former partner was granted bail by Judge John Brennan at Tallaght District Court, despite Garda objections. The alleged breaches included a Facebook post directed at the complainant and texts sent after his release from custody. The complainant, who obtained a barring order in March following an alleged assault, described the accused as unpredictable when drinking and said he had sent apologies, declarations of love, and mocking posts. Defence solicitor Eddie O'Connor noted the complainant had once invited the accused to her home during a relapse in June, but denied a renewed relationship. The accused denied intent to intimidate, accepted responsibility for the Facebook post, and agreed to stay away from the complainant and comply with court conditions.
In a High Court hearing on 30 July 2025, construction magnate Maurice Regan, who outbid John Magnier for the Barne Estate in Tipperary, admitted to sending a WhatsApp message in October 2023 to a third party hoping a newspaper article would give Magnier a "heart attack". Regan appeared before Mr Justice Max Barrett and was questioned by Paul Gallagher SC, who represented Magnier. Regan said the message was a "light humour" remark and that he had no knowledge of an exclusivity agreement that had been in place between 31 August and 30 September 2023. He denied funding the Thomson‑Moore defence, claimed he had been blocked from bidding, and said he had never been told of the exclusivity clause. The court heard that Magnier seeks to enforce a €15‑million handshake deal he alleges was signed with Richard Thomson‑Moore, while the estate trustees and Thomson‑Moore deny any such agreement existed. The dispute remains ongoing.
The 24‑year‑old man was convicted of attempted oral rape, sexual assault and engaging in a sexual act with a child under 15 after a Central Criminal Court trial. He met the 14‑year‑old victim on social media, arranged a meeting in Dublin, and the next day engaged in sex at his apartment, where he also attempted to rape her orally. The judge sentenced him to six‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment, with the final six months suspended on strict conditions. The man had no prior convictions. He pleaded no‑guilty, was not allowed to claim the most significant mitigating factor, and was found guilty. The judge noted the age disparity and the victim's intellectual difficulties as aggravating factors. The sentence was imposed at the trial, with no further outcome reported.
Shane Flanagan, 39, a former Garda, was found guilty of impersonating a woman on FetLife.com and Facebook, sharing her personal details and encouraging two men to rape her between November and December 2020. He also pleaded guilty to six counts of endangering the woman and her daughters from 2018 to 2020, and to one count of possessing four images of child sexual abuse material. The court imposed a headline sentence of ten years for the incitement of rape, with a concurrent six‑year term for the endangerment charges and a three‑year term for the child pornography charge. Twelve months of the headline sentence were suspended, and the remaining nine years were to be served under strict conditions, including probation and psychiatric care. The judge noted the offences were calculated, cold, and motivated by Flanagan's sexual interests, and that no actual violence occurred.
Stelian Ciuciu, 32, was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for organising prostitution across Dublin by leasing eight properties as brothels. He posed as part of a couple with an escort, rented properties from unsuspecting landlords using false documents, and advertised them to escorts via a WhatsApp group of about 450 members. Ciuciu laundered roughly €320,000, which was used to pay rent and was held in cash. He pleaded guilty to 20 counts, including enhancing the ability of a criminal organisation, organising prostitution, brothel‑keeping, using false instruments and money laundering. The court noted he had no prior convictions, had family responsibilities, and had been well‑behaved in custody. The eight‑year sentence was back‑dated to his first custody in November 2023, and he forfeited seized cash to the State. No further charges were made against those who provided fake references.
Stelian Ciuciu, a 32‑year‑old brothel keeper described as stateless and of Roma origin, pleaded guilty to 20 counts including organising prostitution, brothel‑keeping, using false instruments and money laundering. He rented eight properties from unsuspecting landlords by posing as one half of a couple with an escort partner, using a WhatsApp group of about 450 members to advertise the premises. Ciuciu maintained the properties, advised escorts to remain discreet, and laundered roughly €320,000, mostly in cash, to pay rent. Gardaí discovered the scheme when landlords raised concerns, leading to investigations that uncovered brothels in the rented homes and cash deposits in Ciuciu's accounts. He was arrested in November 2023, and €11,000 in cash was seized. The court noted the maximum sentences for the offences range from five to 15 years, and the case was adjourned for finalisation.
Murilo Dos Santos, 36, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material between November 2020 and January 2021. Gardaí seized his phone during a separate investigation, finding 66 videos that contravened the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act. Dos Santos shared these videos with six others via a sharing app and WhatsApp, including a 5‑minute clip of a child aged 6‑12 months strapped down, and other footage of children aged 8‑12 and 10‑14 years in sexual activity. He also sent a MEGA folder link and a photograph of himself, claiming he was acting as a vigilante. Judge Orla Crowe revoked his bail and remanded him in custody until 1 December 2025 pending sentencing. No other participants were prosecuted. The case remains at the sentencing stage.
A man who breached a safety order by posting a video of his ex‑wife on Facebook, with abusive rap music over four images, had his four‑month jail sentence replaced with a suspended term on appeal. He pleaded guilty in the District Court to breaching a safety order under section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 on 13 June 2024. The video looped four pictures: the ex‑wife in a swimsuit on a beach, her new partner, a vehicle she had owned, and another picture of her, all with digitally distorted faces. The rap music contained abusive lyrics. Defence counsel acknowledged the mistake and said the client now understands the order and apologised. Judge Christopher Callan suspended the four‑month sentence for 12 months, requiring the defendant to keep the peace and obey the safety order, including no contact with the injured party by any means.
The High Court has granted TikTok permission to challenge a €530 million fine imposed by the Data Protection Commissioner (DPC) regarding the alleged transfer of European users' personal data to China. Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty granted leave for the judicial review and adjourned the matter to October. The application was brought by TikTok Technology Limited and TikTok Information Technologies UK Limited against the DPC, Ireland, and the Attorney General. The applicants argue that the administrative fines of €485 million and €45 million constitute a 'penal' or criminal sanction, rendering the relevant sections of the Data Protection Act unconstitutional and incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. They further contend that the DPC was not exercising limited judicial powers and that the fines disproportionately interfere with their right to private property under the Constitution. The DPC originally imposed the fine and a censure on April 30, 2025, citing infringements related to remote access to data stored in the US and Singapore by personnel in China. The court placed a stay on the DPC's decisions pending the outcome of the legal review. The matter was adjourned to October.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 39‑year‑old Garda Shane Flanagan pleaded guilty to inciting two men to rape a woman and to six counts of endangerment for impersonating her on FetLife.com and Facebook, inviting violence against her and her two teenage daughters between 2018 and 2020. He also pleaded guilty to possession of four images of child sexual abuse material. The victim, who had no romantic or sexual history with Flanagan, described the impersonation as a calculated, predatory act that left her lifelong scars. Flanagan, who had been suspended in 2021 and retired in March 2024, was remanded in custody for finalisation of sentence. The court heard extensive evidence, including over 2,000 screenshots, 219 doctored images, and the victim's address and personal details shared by Flanagan. The case highlighted the breach of trust by a fellow Garda and the severe impact on the victim's safety and mental health.
Hundreds of TikTok staff in Ireland were given competency tests in November 2023 without knowing the results would be used to decide redundancy in spring 2024. The Workplace Relations Commission heard that the tests covered 100 pieces of content and were scored against official moderation outcomes. A former content‑moderation team leader, Mohur Saleh, lost his job after scoring 32.25 points, 0.75 below the 33‑point cut‑off. Saleh argued he was unfairly selected because the test, which he failed, was part of the redundancy scoring system, and because his performance ratings were disputed. TikTok's senior manager said the tests were deliberately kept secret to avoid cheating, and that the pass mark was 51 out of 100. Saleh's case is still under adjudication by the WRC.
The prosecution will finish its evidence in the trial of Joseph Lawlor, a 39‑year‑old Dublin man accused of stabbing his friend Michael Ryan, a 51‑year‑old father of three, to death. The case is being heard in the Central Criminal Court. The jury has already seen CCTV footage from neighbouring homes that shows the fatal stab wound to Ryan's neck. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor told the jury that the prosecution intends to complete its evidence by Tuesday of next week and asked the jurors not to discuss the case, conduct independent research or view social media posts about the trial. Lawlor has pleaded not guilty. The stabbing occurred outside his home on Hampton Wood Way, St Margaret's Road, Finglas, Dublin 11, on 20 June 2024, shortly after midnight. Garda Shane Gallagher arrested Lawlor at the scene, seized his clothing, including a black stab‑proof vest, and later released him.
In a decision by the Workplace Relations Commission, a video‑technology company was ordered to pay a salesman €27,429 in wages that had been illegally withheld. The salesman, who joined the firm in April 2023 on a €75,000 base salary and up to €55,000 commission, resigned in August 2024. He claimed that his wages were repeatedly unpaid or partially paid from November 2023 through June 2024, and that he was promised payment that never materialised. He presented emails and WhatsApp messages from senior executives confirming the amounts owed. The company had paid two months' wages after a loan in August 2024 but failed to settle the remaining balance. The WRC found the company had made an illegal deduction and directed it to pay the full amount under the Payment of Wages Act 1991. The decision anonymised the parties to encourage a swift resolution without publicity.
A 40‑year‑old man was sentenced to two and a half years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended, after pleading guilty to threatening to kill and rape the mother of his children and assaulting her in front of their two younger children. The court heard that the couple had been together for 11 years and had three children, but the relationship ended eight years before the offences. On 1 April 2022, a dispute over money led the defendant to send a series of threatening WhatsApp voice notes, including threats to "bounce a kettle bell off her head" and to rape her. Three days later, he assaulted the woman outside her home, punching her and kicking her while she was on the ground. The judge noted that the threats were "no joke" and described them as obscene, menacing, humiliating and insulting, and imposed the custodial sentence with supervision by the Probation Service.
A tribunal awarded a reduced sum to Janine Halpin, a part‑time Penneys retail assistant, after finding she was largely responsible for her own dismissal. Halpin was sacked for gross misconduct at the Tallaght store on 5 June 2024. She had replied with two "crying laughing" emojis to a colleague's threat to "skull drag" a manager in the private WhatsApp group "052 Madness". The tribunal noted that Halpin had previously received a final written warning in October 2023 for using foul language and refusing a management instruction. The investigation was criticised for giving her only 30 minutes' notice of a meeting, which the adjudicator described as an ambush. The tribunal reduced the compensation by 70 % and directed Primark to pay €1,277.64, less than four weeks' gross wages, rather than the four months' pay sought by her union. The case was heard under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977.
In a Central Criminal Court sentencing hearing, 39‑year‑old Shane Flanagan of Co Clare pleaded guilty to two counts of inciting men to rape a woman between November and December 2020, and to six counts of endangerment for impersonating the woman on Facebook and Fetlife.com, inviting violence that posed a substantial risk of death or serious harm between 2018 and 2020. He also pleaded guilty to one count of possession of four images of child sexual abuse material. The hearing was adjourned for two weeks after the court was informed that Flanagan had been admitted to hospital earlier that week. A medical report was submitted, and the judge ordered an updated report before the case is mentioned again later in the month. The complainant, who wishes to remain anonymous, was informed of the adjournment. The case remains pending pending the updated medical report.
Charlotte O'Regan, a former receptionist at Gaffney Solicitors, won a tribunal order for unpaid wages of €830.73 gross after her employer, David Gaffney, closed his office and terminated her on 3 May 2024. Gaffney sent a letter on 26 April 2024 offering statutory redundancy and annual leave entitlements, but no payment materialised. O'Regan claimed €873.73 in unpaid wages and, after six months of financial hardship, wrote to Gaffney again. The Workplace Relations Commission found no defence from Gaffney. Adjudicator Patsy Doyle ordered the payment of €870.73 gross, covering three days' work and a week's pay in lieu of notice, after statutory deductions. The decision noted deteriorating WhatsApp communication and that O'Regan had kept office keys to strengthen her claim. This case follows a similar successful claim by former secretary Leona Erangey for €4,687.
Yannick Kamina, 38, of Rathmines, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of child pornography after admitting he sent a 54‑second video of a child engaging in a sexual act with an adult male to a group of acquaintances as a warning. The court found his explanation to Gardaí implausible and noted that such a video was unnecessary to raise awareness of the dangers of child sexual abuse. Kamina had no prior convictions and was fully cooperative, providing passwords and accepting that he should not have sent the video. Judge Orla Crowe refused a request to apply the Probation Act, deeming the offence too serious, and imposed an 18‑month sentence, which she suspended in full. The case stemmed from Gardaí receiving information about the video in February 2018, tracing it to an IP address in Rathmines and Kamina's Facebook account, and securing a warrant to search his home.
Nko Mpase, 62, of Rush, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to smuggling a Congolese national into Ireland. On 16 May 2020 she and the woman arrived at Terminal One on a Ryanair flight from Paris Beauvais, used the same immigration booth, and the woman presented a travel document that did not match her appearance. Garda Sean McGlynn noted that WhatsApp messages and a ticket photo on Mpase's phone linked the two women, and CCTV showed them together on the plane. Mpase admitted travelling with the woman from Paris but made no further admissions. She had two prior convictions for minor traffic offences and one for threatening behaviour. The court heard she had no financial gain and had visited family in Paris for five days. The maximum sentence for the offence is 10 years imprisonment. Judge Patricia Ryan adjourned sentencing to 25 July and ordered a probation report and further documentation of Mpase's educational and work history.
Keith Carter, a 32‑year‑old amateur boxer and comedian with thousands of social media followers, appeared before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 12 May 2025. He pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and heroin for sale or supply at his Ballymun home on 19 September 2023 and to laundering €1,055, the proceeds of that offence. Garda Máire Ruddy reported that a search of his home uncovered €5,371 worth of drugs, including a small amount of cannabis and ecstasy for personal use. Carter admitted a cocaine addiction and that he held the drugs to pay a debt. He had five prior drug convictions in 2021, including two for sale and supply. Defence counsel Oisín Clarke highlighted Carter's family responsibilities, his work for his brother, and his role as a single father. He also noted Carter's boxing career, his knee injury, and his upcoming charity fights.
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 9 May 2025, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) argued that former soldier Lisa Smith's 2022 conviction for membership of the Islamic State (ISIS) was sound and should be upheld. DPP counsel Tony McGillicuddy cited evidence from Smith's own text messages, social media, and testimony from witnesses such as Carol Karimah Duffy and Tania Joya Choudhury, who described Smith's expressions of jihad, desire to fight, and intent to travel to Syria. He also referenced Smith's garda interviews about her divorce and expert testimony from Dr Florence Gaub on the misuse of a one‑finger salute by ISIS. Defence counsel Michael O'Higgins countered that no evidence showed Smith recruited, funded, or actively participated in ISIS activities, and that her travel to Syria alone did not prove membership. The court was instructed to reserve judgment on the appeal. Lisa Smith pleaded not guilty. Islamic State pleaded not guilty.
In May 2025 a 22‑year‑old man was placed under Probation Service supervision for 12 months after pleading guilty in July 2022 to one count of sexual assault of his 13‑year‑old first cousin. The man claimed he believed he was in a "love relationship" with the girl. He had contacted her via social media in June 2022, and over the following weeks their contact became sexual. He visited the girl's home in late July 2022 with her parents' consent and sexually assaulted her on four occasions that night, in a nearby park and in a car. The abuse involved inappropriate touching and kissing on the lips. After the incidents he sent apologies, but his messages became persistent and distressing, leading the girl to block and later unblock him. She disclosed the abuse to a friend and a teacher.
In a Tallaght District Court hearing on 6 May 2025, a 24‑year‑old woman faced a charge of breaching a protection order that prohibited her from contacting her former partner. The complainant, a 25‑year‑old man, alleged that the woman sent him an abusive WhatsApp message on 3 January, which he had shown to Gardaí and printed as evidence. The woman's solicitor, Michael Hennessy, argued that the message was fabricated using Photoshop, noting that no digital record of the message existed on the defendant's phone and that the phone was water‑damaged and not examined. The prosecution, represented by Dr Seán Smith, maintained that the printed screenshot matched the complainant's phone and that no expert analysis was required. The case collapsed when Judge Patricia Cronin discovered that the charge sheet listed a different name and address, violating Order 38 of the District Court Rules, and dismissed the proceedings for lack of admissible evidence.
In the Court of Appeal on 2 May 2025, Conor McGregor's lawyers presented new evidence from a woman who claimed to have witnessed Nikita Hand being assaulted by her former partner at Hand's home. The woman swore an affidavit that she saw Hand being pushed and, judging from the man's body movements, believed he had kicked her after pushing her to the ground. She had come forward after reading about the civil trial in the media and had also sent McGregor an Instagram message, though the timing was not specified. Hand, who had been awarded €248,000 in damages after a civil jury found McGregor had raped and battered her, disputed the woman's claims in her own affidavit. The Court of Appeal will cross‑examine the two proposed witnesses before allowing their evidence into McGregor's appeal, with a hearing scheduled for 1 July. The case remains focused on the credibility of the new witnesses and the alleged new evidence.
During a video‑conference preliminary hearing on a statutory complaint by Davide Carbone against CPL Solutions Ltd trading as Covalen, a Workplace Relations Commission adjudicator, Máire Mulcahy, refused to order the press to shield the identity of the social media company that was the client of the subcontractor defending the claim. The request came from Covalen's advocate, IBEC employer relations executive Mark Comerford, who argued that the company was a "managed service provider for a client" and that commercial sensitivities and the lack of an employment relationship justified anonymity. Mulcahy explained that the issue of anonymising parties in WRC hearings is currently before the High Court and that the WRC must dispense justice in public. Consequently, she adjourned the hearing until the High Court decides on the extent of anonymisation, which she expects to issue within the next two months.
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 11 April 2025, Lisa Smith's lawyers argued that living in an area where ISIS operated could not prove membership in an unlawful organisation. Defence Senior Counsel Michael O'Higgins contended that the Special Criminal Court's conviction of Smith in 2022, based on her travel to Syria in 2015 and a Facebook messenger statement, lacked evidence of active membership such as organising, recruiting or receiving benefits. He highlighted that Smith had claimed she never joined ISIS, stating she was there to live under Sharia law in compliance with her Muslim beliefs. Tony McGillicuddy SC for the DPP countered that the court had considered her travel and social media activity as evidence of intent to participate. The appeal hearing was adjourned to 28 April for a final decision. The unnamed 42-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Michael Mooney, 40, pleaded guilty to threatening to kill or seriously harm his ex‑girlfriend's new partner on 23 July 2020. He sent about 50 Facebook Messenger messages in one day, including threats such as "stay away from her or you'll pay with your life" and calling the victim a "nobody". He later apologized, saying his words were "all talk". Mooney has a history of three threats to kill, three criminal damage convictions and 30 road traffic offences. He met with Gardaí, exercised his right to silence, and a victim impact statement was submitted but not read aloud. The judge, Martin Nolan, imposed a two‑year suspended sentence, directed Mooney to pay €2,000 to the victim or a charity, and warned that his behaviour was not cost‑free. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Stephen Bedford, 38, was sentenced to 16 months in prison by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for driving a jeep into a crowd at an anti‑immigration protest on 15 February 2023. Bedford, who had previously been convicted for overstepping the line at protests, was livestreaming the incident to Facebook. Garda Eoin Cannon testified that Bedford's vehicle collided with an injured protester, who was later taken to hospital. Footage from Bedford's phone showed him leaving a blocked junction, crossing onto the opposite side of the road, and turning into a lane where the protester stood. Bedford pleaded guilty to driving through a crowd, creating a substantial risk of death or serious harm. The judge noted the speed was not great but that Bedford could have caused injury, and he was jailed for 16 months.
The Workplace Relations Commission heard an equality complaint under the Employment Equality Act 1998 brought by Viktorija Danilova against TikTok. Ms Danilova, an ad service specialist, alleged discrimination on grounds of family status and race during a collective redundancy process that eliminated 150 multilingual support roles. She claimed she was the only mother on maternity leave in her team to be made redundant and that her assignment to the Russian market was used to justify her dismissal despite her working on multiple markets. TikTok's counsel, Kiwanna Ennis BL, instructed by A&L Goodbody, argued the redundancies were driven by business rationale, specifically advancements in AI technology reducing the need for language skills. The employer stated that selection was based on the market for which employees were originally hired, a method agreed upon in collective consultations, and that Ms Danilova was treated the same as other staff in the Russian market. Ms Ennis noted that the redundancy process was paused during Ms Danilova's protective leave after she expressed unhappiness, and that the company is considering applying to have the complaints struck out. Adjudicator Pat Brady adjourned the matter to consider whether a prima facie case has been made out. If he concludes it has, the hearing will be rescheduled; if not, he will issue a decision disposing of the matter.
Richard McGreevy, 29, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to two counts of making a threat to kill or cause harm. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a prison sentence of three and a half years, with the final 15 months suspended on strict conditions. The court heard that McGreevy posted videos on TikTok in July last, in which he allegedly threatened Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Although the judge found no intention to carry out the threats, he described them as extreme and frightening. McGreevy's defence counsel described him as a lonely keyboard warrior acting from impulse, citing his mental health issues and remorse. Deputy McDonald, who was not present, read a victim impact statement stating she was left in fear by the threat but would not allow any bully to prevent her from doing her job. Commissioner Harris declined to provide a statement, noting his complaint captured the impact. Martin Lanigan, Deputy McDonald's husband, made the initial complaint. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the sentence.
A 30‑year‑old Dublin man was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to inducing a 10‑year‑old second cousin to watch pornography and to encouraging the child to touch another person. The offence occurred in May 2018 when the man, who was 22 at the time, engaged in inappropriate online gaming conversations with the child, showed him two pornographic videos and suggested he masturbate. The child reported the incident to Gardaí in January 2020 and later received a disturbing Instagram message from the man. The court heard victim impact statements, which were not read aloud. Judge Martin Nolan confirmed the man's awareness of his wrongdoing, suspended the final year of a three‑year sentence on strict conditions, and required the man to engage with the Probation Service for one year after release. The man's parents and a probation report were presented, and the court considered imposing probation supervision and offence‑focused work.
Daniel Ramamoorthy, 38, a former government adviser, social media influencer and motivational speaker, was convicted by a jury of sexually exploiting a 13‑year‑old boy he met while volunteering as a Christian camp guide. The offence involved requesting the boy to send a picture of his penis over Snapchat in 2017. A second trial after a hung jury resulted in a headline sentence of three years, reduced to two years and four months, with the judge noting the serious breach of trust and the significant age disparity. Ramamoorthy also pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material, for which he received an 18‑month sentence; both sentences run concurrently. He was ordered to be placed on the sex offender register and will not be allowed to remain in Ireland upon release. The court recorded that the boy suffered loss of trust and stress from the trials, and that Ramamoorthy maintains his innocence regarding the exploitation charge.
Ian Maloney (37) of Cashel Road, Crumlin in Dublin, pleaded guilty to possession of a 9mm semiautomatic firearm with intent to endanger life on February 10, 2022 at an address in Crumlin. Maloney has 109 previous convictions, including two relevant ones for a robbery in 2008 and an assault causing harm in 2009. He was arrested and interviewed seven times over a number of days but made no admissions. However, while in custody in Cloverhill Prison in December of that year, his solicitor contacted gardaí to say Maloney wished to make a statement about the shooting. Maloney admitted to firing several rounds of 9mm-calibre ammunition at the house, where the occupants included a couple, their adult children, and a young child. The householder contacted gardaí to report the incident. Garda Ian Ward stated that the front door, window, and a car in the driveway were damaged with bullets. Maloney became a person of interest due to social media posts showing an ongoing feud with one of the occupants. The judge directed a probation report and remanded Maloney in custody until sentencing on May 22. Maloney was sentenced to 12 years with the last two suspended for that crime.
The Central Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of Rachel Redmond, who is accused of assisting her then-partner, Wayne Cooney, to evade prosecution for the murder of Jordan Davis. Ms Redmond has pleaded not guilty to two counts of impeding apprehension or prosecution. The prosecution contends that Davis was killed on May 22, 2019, following acrimony with drug dealer Robert Redmond, the accused's brother. Detective Garda Kevin Farrell presented WhatsApp messages from May 3, 2019, sent from a number saved as 'Rew' to Davis, which included threats such as "very soon bang bang." The State alleges Robert Redmond, who pleaded guilty in May 2013 to possessing heroin worth almost €37,000 and was jailed for five years, was involved in the conflict. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury of three men and nine women.
A 27‑year‑old Dublin man was jailed for three years after he pleaded guilty to masturbating in the presence of his three‑year‑old son and showing the child a video of a woman engaging in sexual activity. The incident, which took place in June 2022, was captured on a social media platform and later identified by British police, who alerted Irish Gardaí. The video, about 17 minutes long, shows the man first masturbating in his bedroom, then bringing his son into the room, showing him the video, and later masturbating again in front of the child while guiding the child's hand to touch his penis. The judge, citing the parent‑child duty of care, imposed a headline sentence of six years, reduced to three years due to mitigating circumstances. The man had previously been arrested in October 2023, admitted guilt, and expressed remorse, claiming intoxication and mental health issues at the time.
Sodiq Jimoh (30) of Rossfield Close, Rossfield, Tallaght, Dublin 24, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to contributing to the activities of a criminal organisation and nine charges of money laundering on dates between May 2019 and August 2020. Jimoh admitted to laundering €1,000,065 from various individuals and small Irish companies. The court heard that some of the victims' money was reimbursed and some of the cash was recovered. Detective Garda Ester Devally stated that Jimoh was involved in a global investigation into invoice redirect fraud and compromised email scams, known as Operation Skean. Gardaí found suspicious activity in accounts with Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Bank, with various lodgements totalling €26,000 into accounts linked to Jimoh over a 16-month period. Analysis of his phone revealed WhatsApp conversations with others involved in the fraud, including a comment from Jimoh stating, "Fam, at the end of the day it's free money." Jimoh was arrested and questioned multiple times, but no evidential value was gained from the interviews. Victim impact statements were submitted but not read out. Defence counsel highlighted Jimoh's background, including his early arrival in Ireland and a promising football career, and his role as a family breadwinner during the pandemic. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged Jimoh's mitigation but stated that the wrongdoing was serious and sentenced him to five years and four months, with credit for six weeks spent on remand in custody.
Mark McAnaw, 52, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the harassment of Nicola Tallant, Amanda Brunker, and Deirdre Reynolds on various dates in August 2023. The court heard that McAnaw, who has previous convictions including rape and kidnapping, sent explicit and threatening emails to the three women, who are journalists. He also turned up at the Sunday World's office and contacted Ms. Brunker via social media. McAnaw is currently detained in the Central Mental Hospital. The court noted that at the time of the offending, he was not taking his medication. Judge Pauline Codd adjourned the case until June 5 to prepare a probation report and obtain an up-to-date psychiatric report. The matter was adjourned and not concluded. McAnaw previously received an eight-year, four-month sentence for an attack in 2018, with the final 16 months suspended for 16 years, and was placed under Probation Services supervision. The victims described living in fear due to the threats.
Shane Flanagan, 39, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to impersonating a woman online, inciting two men to rape her, and possessing child abuse material. He admitted to two counts of inciting rape between November and December 2020, six counts of endangerment for impersonating the woman on Facebook and fetlife.com and inviting violence between 2018 and 2020, and one count of possession of four images of child sexual abuse material on 7 January 2021. The victim wishes to remain anonymous. The judge ordered Flanagan to remain on bail until June pending sentencing.
Christopher Doyle, a 34‑year‑old aircraft technician at Dublin Aerospace Ltd, was suspended from his airport identity card after a failed security intelligence check in November 2024. He claims the check was linked to a video he recorded in December 2023, in which another employee praised Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch during the 2024 General Election. Doyle says he shared the clip privately via WhatsApp but did not post it publicly; the video later appeared on Instagram, X and TikTok. He has no criminal convictions and asserts no family or associates have links to criminality. Doyle appealed the suspension on December 5, 2024, but received no reasons for the failure and was placed on unpaid leave. He is seeking a judicial review and a mandamus order to compel the Dublin Airport Authority, the Minister for Justice and Garda Síochána to complete his appeal. The High Court has adjourned the case to April 1, 2025, after refusing an ex‑parte hearing.
A 45‑year‑old gambler, Karl Jess, was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison after he deceived a vulnerable man into believing they were in a romantic relationship. Jess persuaded the man to hand over €25,350 in ten instalments between August and November 2023, claiming the money would repay creditors. The victim, described as having lower than average cognitive ability, was assisted by his brother who provided WhatsApp messages showing the false relationship. Jess admitted to a gambling addiction and previous drug‑related convictions. Gardaí noted the victim's life savings were largely lost, affecting his mental health and family relations. The judge highlighted the aggravating factor of exploiting a vulnerable person and imposed the sentence accordingly. Karl Jess pleaded guilty.
Dean Carr, 25, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for defiling a 14‑year‑old girl he met on Instagram and took to a Dublin hotel. He pleaded guilty to meeting a child under 17 for the purpose of a sex act and to sending sexually explicit material to her on Instagram. The court heard that Carr had paid for the girl's train ticket and a hotel room, and that CCTV and Instagram messages confirmed he knew she was underage. He had no prior convictions and had been working in retail. Carr accepted responsibility and pleaded guilty, and the judge noted his remorse and the mitigating factors of his guilty plea and lack of previous offences. The judge also remarked that Carr's actions were pre‑meditated and reprehensible. The sentence was imposed after a hearing that considered Carr's high risk of re‑offending, which could be reduced with therapeutic intervention.
The trial of Brian McHugh, aged 40, for the murder of Lisa Thompson, aged 52, continues. McHugh pleaded not guilty to the May 9, 2022 killing at Sandyhill Gardens, Ballymun. The jury heard that a gold Samsung Galaxy phone seized from McHugh's Cairn Court address on June 23, 2022 contained a deleted text thread from a named woman to McHugh's phone between June 18 and 19, 2022. The recovered messages, retrieved with Cellebrite, include statements such as "Murder Lisa n al", "I could of been like Lisa today strangle n stab", and "Move the knife did u". A second Apple iPhone was seized from the woman's home on May 13, 2022, holding a contact named "Brian". The jury also saw Facebook Messenger exchanges between accounts titled "Brian McHugh" and "Lisa Thompson" from April 14–15, 2022, and a WhatsApp message from Thompson's phone to a named man on May 9, 2022.
The Special Criminal Court trial of Saeid Hassani and Harold Estoesta, who are alleged to have possessed 2.25 tonnes of cocaine on the MV Matthew, continued with evidence regarding the vessel's navigation systems. Both defendants, who pleaded not guilty to three charges including possession for supply and participation in a criminal organisation, are accused of disguising the ship's true position. Expert witness Gary Delaney testified that the vessel's Automatic Identification System (AIS) broadcasts were manipulated, including a period where the ship reported a simulated position off Guyana while actually being off Venezuela. Delaney noted that messages in a WhatsApp group indicated awareness of these efforts to conceal the vessel's route. The prosecution alleges the defendants directed the transfer of drugs to a fishing boat. While Hassani and Estoesta face trial before Justice Melanie Greally, four co-accused—Mykhailo Gavryk, Vitaliy Vlasoi, Soheil Jelveh, and Cumali Ozgen—previously pleaded guilty to similar offences connected to the seizure. The trial was adjourned and is scheduled to continue next Tuesday.
Gemma Greene, 27, of Bunratty Road, Coolock, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to endangerment for recklessly driving toward a Garda on the M50 on March 1 2021, forcing the officer to take evasive action. The incident, which was live‑streamed on social media, involved a car chase at junction 9 northbound. Prosecutor Maddie Grant said the State accepted the plea on the basis of recklessness. Defence counsel Gregory Murphy noted the client had not attracted Garda attention since and was experiencing personal difficulties at the time. Judge Martin Nolan set a sentencing date of March 19.
Raymond McGuire, 40, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, criminal damage and harassment after breaking into his former partner's home in July 2018. He entered the house, attacked the woman in her bedroom, threatened her, and later returned to smash a front‑door pane and punch her. He also sent 54 abusive WhatsApp messages. The court heard that McGuire had been drinking and was in a heightened emotional state. A victim impact report was submitted but not read. Judge Martin Nolan found the incidents a severe lapse in judgment, imposed a two‑year custodial sentence, but suspended it in full and ordered McGuire to pay €4,000 to the victim. The judge stated that the payment would serve as punishment, concluding McGuire did not deserve imprisonment. The case remains at the sentencing stage.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a woman alleged she was raped and sexually assaulted by three men she met at a nightclub. The prosecution presented her testimony as "dignified and credible," emphasizing that she did not consent. Defence counsel argued her memory was unreliable and that the men's accounts were more consistent with the evidence. The three accused, aged 34 to 42, pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault, involving incidents in a car and a Dublin house on 31 August 2019. The trial examined CCTV footage, WhatsApp messages, and video clips recorded by the accused, with counsel from each side questioning the reliability of the woman's statements and the interpretation of the evidence. The case remains ongoing.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, DNA profiles matching two of the three men accused of raping a woman at a Dublin nightclub were found on her clothing. The forensic examiner reported saliva and seminal fluid on the bra and underwear, with DNA from the first and third accused identified, while the second's DNA was not found. Whatsapp exchanges showed the men arranged to meet the day before their September 2020 Garda interviews. The accused, aged 34 to 42, pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault at an unknown location, a car and a Dublin house on 31 August 2019. The prosecution's case has rested; the trial continues before Mr Justice Burns and a jury.
The trial of three men, aged 34 to 42, accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman in Dublin and Wicklow on August 31, 2019, has heard evidence regarding WhatsApp messages and video clips. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts of rape, oral rape, and sexual assault, denying any wrongdoing. The jury viewed two video clips shared between the first and third accused; one 30-second clip featured a female voice saying 'No' repeatedly, while the other was six seconds long with no audible words. An investigating garda stated he believed a male voice was heard in the first clip but agreed with defense counsel that no allegations of anal rape exist in this case. The court noted that the clips were not found on phones seized from the second or third accused, and gardai could not determine the exact recording times or order. The first accused, aged 39, provided a detailed account to gardai, claiming the woman consented to sexual activity and that she later refused anal sex. He described the interactions as consensual and stated he was '100% shocked' by the accusations. The second accused, aged 42, and the third accused, aged 34, also maintain their innocence. The trial continues.