An eight-year prison sentence for Aaron Babbington, who attacked a man with a broken bottle, was upheld by the Court of Appeal. Babbington, who has 146 previous convictions, was found guilty of attempted murder after an unprovoked attack on Jason Butler, who died two days later. The sentencing judge had imposed a 10-year sentence with the final two years suspended, considering Babbington's plea and potential for rehabilitation. The Director of Public Prosecutions argued the sentence was unduly lenient, but the Court of Appeal rejected this, noting that the judge had considered both aggravating and mitigating factors. Babbington's defense argued that the incident was out of character for him and that the reduction from the headline sentence was within the court's discretion. The court concluded that the sentence was not a gross departure from the norm and dismissed the appeal.
David Hunter, a British national, has failed in his appeal to overturn his conviction for the murder of Michael Barr in a Dublin pub in 2016. The Court of Appeal upheld the Special Criminal Court's decision to dismiss the evidence of a witness regarding the height of one of the shooters. Hunter had argued that the trial court erred in rejecting the testimony of a witness who claimed the gunman was over six feet tall, while Hunter is five foot ten. The court found that the trial court's assessment of the eye-witness evidence was both cogent and rigorous. The DNA evidence linking Hunter to the crime was also upheld, as was the court's decision to admit the mobile phone evidence despite concerns about privacy rights. The appeal was dismissed, and Hunter's conviction remains in place.
A 28-year-old man's rape conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal due to the trial judge failing to warn the jury about conflicting evidence. The complainant initially told friends that a different man had sex with her, but the trial judge did not address this in his instructions to the jury. The defendant was found guilty of two counts of rape and one of sexual assault, but the appeal court ruled that the conviction should be overturned. The court noted that the complainant's evidence was inconsistent and that the jury should have been warned about the conflicting accounts. The appeal court emphasized the importance of ensuring that juries are properly instructed on the need for corroboration in cases with conflicting evidence. The defendant was remanded in custody to appear before the Central Criminal Court.
The Court of Appeal has ordered the retrial of Aaron Connolly, whose murder conviction for Cameron Reilly was quashed due to remarks by the trial judge that may have been perceived as mocking the defence case. The trial judge's charge to the jury was found to lack balance and may have been seen as advocacy for the prosecution case and disparaging of the defence case. Connolly, who was 26 at the time of the murder, initially denied any sexual contact with Reilly but later admitted to performing oral sex on him. The trial heard that Reilly was bisexual and had confided in friends about this. Connolly was found guilty in December 2022 and received a mandatory life sentence. His appeal argued that the trial judge's comments were denigrating of the defence case. The Court of Appeal ruled that the trial judge's remarks were capable of being perceived as disparaging and mocking the defence case. The conviction was quashed, and the Director of Public Prosecutions will decide whether to apply for a retrial. Aaron Connolly pleaded not guilty.
An 80-year-old former Scout leader, Noel Sheehan, has had his appeal against his conviction for indecently assaulting five young boys rejected by the Court of Appeal. Sheehan had argued that the trial should have been split into two due to the severity of the attack on one of the victims. However, the court ruled that the connection between Sheehan and all the complainants through his leadership of a scout troop was of particular relevance. Sheehan was found guilty of 16 counts of indecent assault and sentenced to four and a half years, with the final six months suspended. The court dismissed the appeal, noting that the alleged offence against the victim in the woods was more serious but still of a similar nature to the other counts. The court found that the trial judge was correct to refuse the defense application for a separate trial, as all the incidents occurred at scouting events involving sleepover elements. The unnamed 80-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Daniel Dooley, one of six family members convicted of the murder of Thomas Dooley in an honour killing during a funeral in Co Kerry, has failed to convince the Court of Appeal that his identification by the victim's widow was unfair and should have resulted in the case being withdrawn from the jury. Dooley was convicted by a majority jury verdict in July 2024 and was one of six defendants, including a teenage boy, who were found guilty of murder. The court ruled that the evidence against Dooley, including CCTV footage showing him entering a van with an implement, was sufficient for the jury to draw inferences that he was part of a joint enterprise of a pre-planned violent attack. The court rejected the appeal, noting that the evidence was not tenuous, weak, or vague and that the credibility of the widow's identification was a matter for the jury. Daniel Dooley pleaded not guilty.
Raul Tabares Garcia, a Spanish national accused of conspiring to import drugs, has lost his appeal against a High Court ruling refusing him bail. At the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice Alexander Owens upheld the decision, stating the court saw no error in principle or law. Mr Garcia, of Cadiz, faces a charge of conspiring contrary to section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 to import drugs in excess of €13,000 between February 27 and March 14, 2024. He was one of ten men arrested in March 2024 during operations near Skibbereen, west Cork, where vehicles and nautical equipment were seized. Prosecutors alleged the group was involved in a transnational drug trafficking operation linked to 840kgs of cocaine valued at approximately €60 million. The High Court judge had previously deemed Mr Garcia a serious flight risk due to his foreign nationality and potential resources. Although his counsel argued he had local connections and proposed sureties, the Court of Appeal rejected these arguments, noting his lack of connection to the country. Seven co-accused, including Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz, Anuar Rahui Chairi, Aleksandar Milic, Kiumaars Ghabiri, Pedro Pablo Ojeda Ortega, and Angel Serran Padilla, have already pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges and were sentenced to a combined 70 years in prison last December. The matter was adjourned following the refusal of the bail application.
Derek McGee, 41, of North Circular Road, Phibsborough, had his conviction for obstructing a garda dismissed on appeal. He was originally convicted in the District Court and fined €350 for an incident on July 16, 2021. A garda testified that McGee became aggressive, quoted legislation, and locked himself inside his vehicle after the officer removed the ignition key for safety. McGee contended he had no right to be stopped and was entitled to speak to a supervisor under the Constitution. Judge Ronan Munro, presiding over the appeal, stated that the facts were proven and that McGee had no entitlement to demand a supervisor, noting: "You don't know the law." The judge acknowledged the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding of the law. Although McGee has 14 previous convictions, Judge Munro decided not to impose a conviction. The case was dismissed under section 1(1)(ii) of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, with a bond imposed to keep the peace for three years.
A 55-year-old man is appealing his combined 15-year prison sentence at the Court of Appeal. He pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to one count of rape and one count of sexual assault against his niece, occurring between 2012 and 2018. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor sentenced him to 11 years, with the final 15 months suspended, on October 31, 2023. This sentence is to be served consecutively to a six-year term imposed by Judge Eugene Kelly at Waterford Circuit Court on October 26, 2023, for four counts of sexual assault against the niece's sister. The man's counsel, Colman Cody SC, argued the sentences were excessive and that a greater portion should have been suspended to incentivize rehabilitation, citing mitigating factors including his guilty plea, cooperation, and personal circumstances. The Director of Public Prosecutions, represented by Vincent Heneghan SC, contended the sentences were appropriate and within judicial discretion, noting the violence of the offenses. The court reserved judgment on the appeal.
A burglar who was spotted by gardai on the roof of a cafe on St Stephen's Green and had to be assisted down by the fire brigade has had his six-month jail term replaced with a suspended sentence on appeal. Judge Ronan Munro said that Enda Murray (44) seemed like he had been a "successful" burglar and thief who "ran out of road". Murray, with an address at Deansgrange Road, Dun Laoghaire, was convicted in the District Court of burglary and was sentenced to six months imprisonment, consecutive to another three years in custody for another matter. He was also convicted of entering the curtilage of a building as a trespasser, which was taken into consideration by the judge, and possession of stolen property, for which he got a six-month suspended sentence. He later lodged an appeal against the severity of his sentence. Sergeant Stephen Walsh told the District Court Appeals Court that on February 6, 2025 at Insomnia on St Stephen's Green, a trespasser was spotted on the roof of the building by gardai.
The Court of Appeal upheld a six-and-a-half-year jail sentence for Declan Donaghey, who set a garda car alight and damaged a migrant centre during a riot described as one of the gravest examples of public disorder in the State's history. Donaghey had pleaded guilty to arson, violent disorder, and criminal damage. The court heard that his actions were part of a targeted attack on gardaí who were investigating a serious criminal offence earlier that day. CCTV footage showed Donaghey igniting a garda car and damaging another, as well as throwing objects at a migrant centre. The sentencing judge had imposed a seven-and-a-half-year sentence, with the final year suspended. Donaghey appealed, arguing the headline sentence was too high and that mitigating factors were not adequately considered. The Court of Appeal rejected the appeal, noting that the arson was the first act of the night and significantly escalated the situation. The court emphasized that an attack on gardaí is an attack on society and that the headline sentence was appropriate given the unprecedented nature of the event.
A Polish man who caused mayhem at Dublin Airport and threatened the garda who arrested him has had his jail term halved on appeal. Robert Filipuk (44), who resides in Newry, Co Down, was originally sentenced to five months in jail with one month suspended for obstructing a garda, intoxication in a public place, and using threatening or abusive language. He later appealed the severity of the sentence. During the appeal, a garda testified that Filipuk was drunk, resisted arrest, and threatened to fight him and 'kick the f**k out of him' while being transported from the airport. He also used a Polish slur against the garda. Filipuk is currently serving a separate sentence from the Circuit Court, with a release date in 2027. His defence counsel, Caroline O'Connell BL, stated that Filipuk is due to be deported and has offered an apology for his actions. Judge Ronan Munro acknowledged the gravity of threatening gardai but reduced Filipuk's sentence to two months, to be served consecutive to his current term. Robert Filipuk was convicted.
A 21-year-old man, who was convicted of oral rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault when he was 17, has appealed his conviction, arguing that the victim did not clearly express a lack of consent. The appeal claims that the victim's statement about not having sex without a condom suggests she may have consented if one had been used. The victim had kissed the appellant before the incident, and the case hinges on the interpretation of consent. The trial judge had emphasized that consent must be active and that silence does not imply consent. The appeal also challenges the admissibility of a statement the appellant made during a garda interview and the lack of CCTV footage. The court has reserved judgment on the appeal, with the case awaiting a decision from the Court of Appeal.
Aaron Connolly, who was serving a life sentence for the murder of Cameron Reilly, had his conviction quashed on appeal. The Court of Appeal found that the trial judge's instructions to the jury were imbalanced and may have been perceived as advocacy for the prosecution. Mr Justice John Edwards noted that the trial judge's comments were overly emphatic and could have influenced the jury's perception. Connolly initially denied any sexual contact with Reilly but later admitted to performing oral sex on him. The trial jury heard that Reilly was bisexual and that Connolly had a history of sexual relations with others. Connolly claimed he left Reilly alive, but the prosecution argued that he was the murderer. The appeal highlighted concerns about the trial judge's comments and their potential impact on the jury. The Director of Public Prosecutions will now decide whether to seek a retrial. Aaron Connolly pleaded not guilty.
A shoplifter who stole Louis Vuitton earrings worth €480 from Brown Thomas and later took clothes from Lifestyle Sports had her three-month jail term replaced with a suspended sentence on appeal. Sasha Staunton, 28, has 29 previous convictions, including theft and possession of stolen property. She was convicted in the District Court of two counts of theft on Grafton Street. On appeal, Judge Ronan Munro noted that Staunton had completed a four-week residential treatment and was off drugs. He suspended her sentence for two years, on the condition that she engages with the probation service and follows their instructions. Staunton's defense solicitor said she had checked herself into a facility in Louth and has been committed to her recovery. The court acknowledged her efforts to address her drug use and gave her an opportunity to avoid jail.
A double murderer's conviction has been upheld by the Court of Appeal, despite his claim that expert testimony lacked 'scientific validity'. Jason O'Driscoll, who was convicted of murdering Anthony Burnett and Joseph Redmond in Co Louth in 2012, had his appeal rejected. The court ruled that Andrew Wooller of Acuity Forensics was appropriately qualified to give evidence on vehicle identification. O'Driscoll's lawyers argued that Wooller's expertise lacked scientific validity and that his public tweet after the conviction showed a lack of independence. However, the court found that Wooller's evidence was necessary for the jury to interpret the CCTV footage and that the tweet did not establish a lack of independence. O'Driscoll was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2018 for the murders, which were described as 'callous' and 'brutal'. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence, including CCTV footage and the identification of a stolen Mercedes S Class as the getaway car.
A Polish cage fighter serving a life sentence for the 2014 murder of a 23-year-old man in Co Roscommon has brought proceedings before the Court of Appeal seeking to have his conviction declared a miscarriage of justice. Leszek Sychulec, now in his 40s and previously resident in Ballymahon, Co Longford, was convicted alongside co-accused Andrzej Gruchacz in June 2016 of murdering Patryk Krupa at Athlone. The victim drowned in the River Shannon after suffering a head injury sustained during a violent assault. A jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts following five hours of deliberation, and mandatory life sentences were imposed. An earlier appeal in 2018 upheld both convictions. At a case management hearing before Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy on 15 May, Sychulec's legal representatives submitted that a miscarriage of justice arose from undisclosed material relevant to State witnesses. The court adjourned the matter to 3 July to allow the prosecution and defence to resolve disclosure issues, with an affidavit containing new evidence to be filed by 15 June. Andrzej Gruchacz pleaded not guilty.
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.
Aaron McCarthy, a 33-year-old appellant, appeared before the District Court Appeals Court to challenge the severity of his five-month imprisonment sentence. He was previously convicted in the District Court of obstructing a peace officer under section 19 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994. Garda Brian Kelly testified that on October 6, 2024, McCarthy refused to leave a Dublin 7 dwelling after being arrested, requiring six gardai to subdue him. Kelly noted McCarthy's history of 96 previous convictions, including criminal damage and assault. Defence counsel Seosaimhín Ní Chathasaigh BL argued that McCarthy accepts responsibility, is remorseful, and suffers from an acquired brain injury affecting emotional control. She stated he is now substance-free and willing to attend anger management courses. Judge Ronan Munro indicated he required further information before considering suspending the sentence, warning that non-compliance with conditions would render suspension pointless. Consequently, the matter was adjourned until October to allow for the preparation of a probation report. The court did not conclude the appeal at this stage, leaving the original five-month sentence in effect pending the report.
A violent abuser who raped his former partner and subjected her to extreme domestic violence, including urinating on her, pouring bleach over her, and flushing her head down a toilet, has failed in his appeal to overturn his conviction. The man, who cannot be named to protect his ex-partner's identity, was convicted of 32 counts of assault causing harm, including 18 counts of assault causing harm, two counts of rape, and two counts of making threats to kill. The appeal was dismissed by Mr Justice John Edwards, who noted the victim's testimony about the degrading nature of the assaults. The defense argued that the prosecution's closing speech contained inappropriate expressions of personal opinion, but the court found that the trial judge adequately addressed these concerns. The appeal was dismissed, and the man was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with six months suspended. The victim's impact statement highlighted the lasting trauma and fear experienced during the abuse. The unnamed 53-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A 67-year-old man who sexually abused his daughter for nearly ten years has lost an appeal in which he claimed the defence was unfairly surprised by her testimony about using a teddy bear to wipe his semen from her leg. His legal team argued that the detail emerged during the trial and the defence were not on notice of it. However, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, with Mr Justice Alexander Owens stating that the trial judge had adequately explained to the jury why the defence counsel incorrectly suggested the complainant first mentioned the teddy bear in the witness box. The judge noted that the detail did not prejudice the defence and was a common occurrence during trials. The garda who failed to record the statement was said to have made an oversight, not a deliberate omission. The man was convicted of 71 counts of rape, oral rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault in 2023 and received an 11-year prison sentence in 2024. The unnamed 67-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A former scout leader who raped his cousin and abused her two sisters has failed to overturn his rape convictions after a secret letter, allegedly from a juror, claimed jury bias. The letter, which was not investigated, alleged that some jurors had prior knowledge of the case and were biased. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, stating that no material from a juror is admissible after a trial. The 63-year-old man was convicted of five of six charges, including indecent assault and rape, and received a seven-and-a-half-year sentence. The court rejected the appeal, emphasizing that the jury verdicts were unanimous and no issues were raised during the trial. The man's legal team argued that the letter should have been investigated, but the court ruled that such actions would be a contempt of court and breach jury confidentiality. The unnamed 63-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A 24-year-old man, Gavin Lawlor, who repeatedly assaulted and coercively controlled his teenage girlfriend, including punching her for 'liking' a TikTok video, has had his original sentence tripled by the Court of Appeal. Lawlor, from Wexford, pleaded guilty to eight counts of assault causing harm and one count of coercive and controlling behaviour between March 2021 and March 2022. In April 2025, he was sentenced to two years in prison with the final 12 months suspended. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) argued the sentence was unduly lenient. At the appeal hearing, the Court of Appeal agreed, overturning the original sentence and imposing a new jail term of four years with the final 12 months suspended. The court also directed Lawlor to pay €2,000 to his victim. The judge noted the repeat nature of the offending, the escalation in seriousness, and the coercive control, including removing the victim's phone SIM card and monitoring her movements. The court highlighted that Lawlor committed the second set of offences while on bail, which is an aggravating factor.
The Court of Appeal has criticized the failure of gardai to interview the wife of an octogenarian child abuser but ruled that her husband's trial was not rendered unfair as a result. The man, now 87, had argued that his wife would have supported his claim that the girl did not spend the night at their home on the night of the attacks. He was convicted of two counts of sexual assault in 1991 and sentenced to two years in prison. His appeal focused on the absence of his wife's statement, which his lawyers claimed would have challenged the victim's credibility. However, the court noted that his wife had died before the trial and that her potential evidence was not certain to be admitted. The judge also pointed out that the victim's evidence was not challenged on the issue of her staying at the abuser's home. The court concluded that the trial, while imperfect, did not result in unfairness for the appellant. The unnamed 87-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A thief who was caught with a mobile phone he could not unlock has had his jail sentence more than halved on appeal. Judge Simon McAleese told Keith Commins (29) that he hoped he would not be proven "naive and overindulgent" in his decision to suspend part of the appellant's sentence. Commins was previously convicted of possessing stolen property, failing to comply with a garda member, and resisting or wilfully obstructing a garda. He received a three-month jail sentence and a one-month consecutive sentence. He later lodged an appeal against the severity of his sentence. Gardai found the phone during a patrol and noted that messages on the phone referred to a work presentation, despite Commins saying it belonged to his unemployed girlfriend. Defence counsel, Lydia Daly BL, said that her client is serving a nine-month sentence for another matter and has secured stable accommodation upon his release. Judge McAleese decided to suspend the three and one month consecutive sentences for a period of two years.
A permanent ban will remain in place restraining a Tipperary farmer from entering lands that had been in his family for decades but were sold by receivers in 2022 for €1.5M to US-based businessman Maurice Regan. Farmer Patrick Heffernan had his application dismissed after he asked for an extension of time to appeal a ruling by the Circuit Court in Tipperary barring him from attending or trespassing on the 83 hectares of land. The application came before the Civil Court of Appeal after Mr Heffernan challenged an order of the Deputy Master made in October 2025 refusing to extend time for a notice of appeal. Ms Justice Eileen Roberts said the Circuit Court order in January 2025 was made on an unopposed basis in the absence of Mr Heffernan, who resides next to the lands near Fethard, Co Tipperary. Ms Justice Roberts said Mr Heffernan had mortgaged the land to AIB Bank and ACC Bank to secure borrowings.
A man accused of failing to comply with a garda's direction and using abusive language during a protest had the charges against him dismissed on appeal. Paul Fitzsimons was initially charged with failing to comply with a garda sergeant's instructions and using threatening or abusive words. However, the court dismissed the charges, with the judge calling Fitzsimons's behavior 'despicable' but not finding sufficient evidence to support the charges. Fitzsimons claimed that the sergeant punched him three times before arresting him, but the sergeant denied this. The judge ruled that the evidence did not demonstrate that Fitzsimons was acting in a way that posed a threat to public safety or that he intended to provoke a breach of the peace. The judge also dismissed the charge of threatening or abusive behavior, noting that Fitzsimons's words were directed at the sergeant rather than as a rallying cry to others. The case was dismissed, with the judge acknowledging the seriousness of the behavior but finding it insufficient to support the charges.
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.
Denis Bowes, a 61-year-old man from Inchicore, Dublin 8, had his conviction dismissed under the Probation Act by the District Court Appeals Court. Bowes was originally convicted in the District Court of using threatening and abusive behaviour contrary to section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act, 1994, as well as intoxication in a public place and refusal to give his name and address. He pleaded guilty to these charges and was fined €300. He subsequently lodged an appeal against the severity of his sentence. The court heard that on October 7, 2025, gardai responded to reports of a man shouting on Emmett Road. A garda stated that Bowes was intoxicated and unsteady, and that he racially abused the officer with explicit language while being transported to the station. Defence counsel submitted that Bowes was remorseful, had offered an apology which the garda accepted, and that a conviction would negatively impact his employment. Judge Christopher Callan stated the incident was not acceptable but noted the garda's acceptance of the apology. Consequently, the judge applied the Probation Act, dismissing the conviction on the condition that a fine be paid to the Capuchin Day Centre. The judge warned Bowes that the behaviour should not happen again.
A woman who stole over €3,000 worth of designer goods from Arnotts in Dublin over a six-month period had her three-month jail term replaced with a fully suspended sentence on appeal. Nicola Caffery stole several pairs of Chanel sunglasses and other items from the Dublin shop from October 2024 to April 2025. She had originally pleaded not guilty in the District Court but later lodged an appeal against the severity of her sentence. Sergeant Stephen Walsh told the court that Caffery was identified after entering Arnotts and selecting designer goods. Defence counsel asked that the immediate sentence of custody be set aside and replaced with a fully suspended sentence. Judge Christopher Callan decided to suspend the three-month sentence for a period of two years on the condition that Caffery maintains contact with the probation services and continues her treatment. He also imposed conditions that she complete a course of education and must stay away from Arnotts, with €1,000 in compensation to be paid. Nicola Caffery was convicted.
A man who smashed his neighbour's window and engaged in anti-social behaviour had his three-month jail term replaced with a fully suspended sentence on appeal. Karl Hiney broke his neighbour's living room window and damaged another after having 'issues' with them. He was also convicted of being intoxicated in a public place and using threatening and abusive behaviour. Hiney was later lodged an appeal against the severity of his sentence. Sergeant Shay Leonard told the court that Hiney made admissions to breaking a window and was conveyed to a garda station. Defence counsel said that Hiney had a long history of mental health problems and had issues with his neighbours over the years. Judge Christopher Callan said that he understood the context in which the incident happened with regard to Hiney's mental health and decided to suspend the three-month sentence for a period of two years on the condition that Hiney engage with the Probation Service and continue with counselling and psychotherapy courses. Karl Hiney pleaded guilty.
The Court of Appeal has fixed November 5 as the hearing date for Alan Wilson's application to change his guilty plea to not guilty and to extend the time to lodge an appeal against his conviction. Wilson, who is representing himself, confirmed under oath that his handwritten affidavits were true. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy ordered Wilson to file submissions by June 25, while the Director of Public Prosecutions has been granted three months to respond. Wilson was originally jailed for six years by the Special Criminal Court in July 2019 for conspiring with others to murder Gary Hanley between September 15 and November 6, 2017. He pleaded guilty to this charge, as did co-accused Joseph Kelly. Kelly, who was recorded instructing the plot, was sentenced to six years for the conspiracy and 12 years for possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. The matter remains at the procedural stage of an appeal hearing date being set, and the case has not been concluded or finalised. Wilson had previously submitted a letter of apology to the court, expressing regret for aiding a gang and his actions in the alleged murder plot.
An appeal brought by Jozef Puska against his conviction for the murder of schoolteacher Ashling Murphy has been rescheduled for July. Puska is serving a life sentence for stabbing Ms Murphy 11 times in the neck and slashing her once with a blade in January 2022. The appeal was delayed after Puska changed his barristers shortly before the original hearing date. The new date for the appeal was set for July 15, with a case management hearing scheduled for May 15. Puska, who was identified by CCTV footage and DNA evidence, had pleaded not guilty to the murder. The court heard that Puska's DNA was found on the murder weapon and under Ms Murphy's fingernails, indicating she had fought back. The appeal will be heard by the Court of Appeal, with the judge noting the need for an early hearing date.
Frances O'Brien, a repeat offender, had her jail term for assaulting a garda replaced with a fully suspended sentence on appeal. O'Brien, who had not come to garda attention in two years, was originally sentenced to three months for assaulting a garda and another three months for trespassing. Her appeal highlighted her current stability, including being drug-free, pregnant, and in a different stage of life. Her defence presented letters from Tusla and her mother-in-law, emphasizing her commitment to her children and a stable future. Judge Christopher Callan noted the change in her behavior and suspended the six-month sentence for two years, with conditions that she remain drug-free and avoid garda attention. The judge emphasized that the decision did not condone her actions but acknowledged her efforts toward rehabilitation. Frances O'Brien was convicted.
Sean Friel, a 37-year-old e-scooter rider, had his jail term for obstruction suspended on appeal, though his conviction was upheld. Friel was observed riding against traffic in Dublin City Centre while smoking a suspected joint. Gardai attempted to stop him, detecting a strong smell of cannabis and believing he had a joint in his mouth. Friel fled, but no CCTV footage was found to corroborate the gardai's account. Friel's defence argued that the gardai failed to preserve evidence and did not inform him of the penalties for non-compliance. The court accepted the gardai's evidence, finding Friel had fled upon seeing them. Friel claimed he did not have a joint and that a foot pursuit did not occur. Judge Christopher Callan suspended the four-month sentence for 18 months, noting Friel's efforts to turn his life around and his improved health.
A serial offender who breached a protection order, stole alcohol, and acted in a threatening and abusive manner in public had his 13-month jail sentence replaced with a fully suspended sentence on appeal. The man, who had 31 previous convictions, was found guilty of multiple offenses, including theft, failure to appear in court, and using threatening behavior. His defense highlighted a probation report showing that he had made significant progress in addressing his alcohol addiction and was committed to residential treatment. The court acknowledged his change in behavior but noted that he remained at a high risk of reoffending. Judge Christopher Callan decided to suspend the 13-month sentence for two years, with conditions that the defendant must enter the supervision of the probation service, address his substance misuse issues, and avoid contact with the injured party. The court emphasized the need to balance the severity of the offenses with the potential for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
A youth who was 16 when he murdered his friend, Glen 'Ossie' Osborne, is appealing his life sentence. The Court of Appeal heard that since his incarceration, the youth has assaulted a prison officer and sold heroin to fellow inmates. The defendant, who admitted to the murder, was sentenced to life with a review after ten years by Mr Justice Paul McDermott. However, the Supreme Court ruled that life sentences for child offenders should only be imposed in exceptional cases. The youth's defense argued that the murder was impulsive and not premeditated, and that the defendant showed genuine remorse. The court noted that the youth had a history of drug abuse and a turbulent upbringing, and that his transfer to an adult prison had a significant impact on his behavior. The defense requested that a significant portion of the sentence be suspended, emphasizing the need for rehabilitation and support upon release. The court reserved judgment and directed that a governor's and education report be prepared, acknowledging the desire of both families for closure in the legal process. The unnamed 22-year-old pleaded guilty.
The Court of Appeal has upheld the life sentence imposed on Christopher O'Sullivan for his role in the killing of Timothy Hourihane. O'Sullivan, 43, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court in Cork in 2023. Mr Justice Paul McDermott originally sentenced him to life imprisonment, citing his history of violent offending as an aggravating factor. O'Sullivan's legal team, led by Michael Bowman SC, argued on appeal that the sentence constituted impermissible preventative detention and that the correct headline sentence should have been between 15 and 18 years. They also contended that the disparity between O'Sullivan's sentence and that of co-accused James Brady, who was jailed for 11 years, was unjustified. Delivering judgment, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy rejected these arguments, finding that O'Sullivan exhibited an "extremely high level of culpability" in a "severe and vicious attack." She noted that his post-offence conduct, including setting the victim's tent on fire and lying to gardai, further aggravated the offence. The judge affirmed that the sentencing judge was entitled to consider O'Sullivan's 48 previous convictions and his high risk of reoffending, concluding that a determinate sentence would not adequately address public safety concerns. The appeal was dismissed, and the life sentence stands.
Slawomir Gierlowski, a predatory serial sex offender, failed to overturn his conviction for attempted rape and sexual assault in a Dublin park. Gierlowski, who has a long history of violent and sexual offenses against women, was found guilty of attacking a fourth victim in 2010. His defense argued that the circumstantial evidence against him was weak and that the trial judge improperly influenced the jury. However, the Court of Appeal dismissed these arguments, stating that the weight of the circumstantial evidence was a matter for the jury to decide. The court also rejected claims that the trial judge had improperly charged the jury or that the evidence was too tenuous to be considered. Gierlowski's fingerprints and DNA were found to match evidence from the crime scene, and the court upheld the conviction. The victim was attacked in a secluded part of the park, where the assailant attempted to strangle her and sexually assault her before fleeing the scene.
The Court of Appeal refused to reveal the identity of a former TD who provided a character reference for Daniel Ramamoorthy, a convicted sex offender. Ramamoorthy was sentenced to two years and four months for sexually exploiting a 13-year-old boy and possessing child pornography. His lawyers argued the sentence was excessive, but the court dismissed his appeal, noting he showed no remorse or acceptance of fault. The judge highlighted the aggravating factors, including the age of the victim and breaches of trust. Although numerous testimonials spoke to Ramamoorthy's pro-social life, they did not address the nature of his crime. The court rejected the suggestion that the sentencing judge failed to consider rehabilitation. The judge also noted that the TD's reference, like others, did not mention the victim or the crime. Ramamoorthy continues to maintain his innocence in the sexual exploitation case.
A double killer serving a life sentence for the 'gruesome' murder of Philip Finnegan has argued that his conviction should be quashed, as he was denied an adjournment to get a new legal team after discharging his original barristers for refusing to call certain witnesses. Stephen Penrose (43) told the Court of Appeal that the gardaí fabricated the case to make it fit him. He submitted a number of grounds of appeal, including allegations of perjury against a garda witness and bias from the trial judge. Barristers for the State said that Penrose was the 'author of his own misfortune' after he twice dismissed his legal team to represent himself at trial. Penrose was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict in November 2021 of murdering Mr Finnegan at Rahin Woods, Rahin, Edenderry, Co Kildare on August 10, 2016. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 17 April 2026, the prison term for 29‑year‑old Martin Gooney was increased from three years and two months to four and a half years after the State successfully appealed. Gooney had pleaded guilty in February 2025 to coercive control and sexual assault, and was originally sentenced by Ms Justice Caroline Biggs at the Central Criminal Court on 3 June 2025. The appeal focused on the severity of his conduct, which included hiding in the victim's shed to spy on her, threatening to hang her pet dog, and sending messages to her family purporting to be from her that expressed suicidal ideation. The Court of Appeal judge, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, described the offences as "grave" and "extremely manipulative", noting that Gooney had a history of nine prior convictions, including assault and threats of serious harm.
A 67-year-old man who repeatedly raped his daughter over nearly a decade has argued that his legal team was caught off guard by the victim's testimony about wiping semen from her leg with a teddy bear. The man's legal team told the Court of Appeal that this 'stark' evidence was not disclosed to the defence, and that the judge was wrong not to discharge the jury and select new jurors. The man, who cannot be named, was convicted in 2023 of 71 counts of rape, oral rape, indecent assault, and sexual assault. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2024. The abuse reportedly began on the day of the girl's first Holy Communion in 1988 and continued until 1997. The complainant said the abuse started with inappropriate touching and escalated to full sexual intercourse when she was between 14 and 17. The man's senior counsel argued that the judge should have discharged the jury after the victim's testimony about the teddy bear, which had not been disclosed to the defence. The unnamed 67-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Jozef Puska's appeal against his conviction for the murder of Ashling Murphy has been adjourned after he changed legal representation less than a week before the scheduled hearing. Puska, who pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore, on January 12, 2022, was convicted and is serving a life sentence. His counsel informed the Court of Appeal that Puska instructed his solicitor to engage new senior counsel, necessitating a withdrawal from the case. The DPP's counsel expressed concern over the delay, noting the family's anxiety to proceed. Ms Justice Kennedy vacated the April 23 hearing date and listed the matter for April 24 to determine the earliest possible future date. Separately, in June 2025, Puska's brothers Marek and Lubomir were convicted of withholding information and sentenced to 30 months each. Their wives, Viera Gaziova and Jozefina, were sentenced to 24 and 21 months respectively for burning evidence. Puska's partner, Lucia Istokova, pleaded guilty to withholding information and received a 20-month sentence. All five individuals were living with Puska at the time of the 2022 offences.
Three men serving life sentences for murders committed as teenagers have sought an extension of time to appeal their sentences, arguing that the law is inconsistent and unfair. The men, who were 17 when they committed the murders, were sentenced to life in prison but the 2024 amendment to the Criminal Justice Act removed the mandatory life sentence for those under 18. The applicants claim that the law's reliance on the date of sentencing is arbitrary and that they were denied the opportunity to appeal the mandatory life sentence. Counsel for the men argued that the law should allow for appeals based on the exceptional circumstances of each case, rather than the date of sentencing. The State's representatives countered that the men's appeals had been dismissed and that the judgments had become final. The court reserved judgment on the application for an extension of time, with the judge noting that the case would be considered in the interest of justice. The unnamed 25-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A man has applied to have his case declared a miscarriage of justice after the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction for the sexual assault of an asylum seeker he had met through an Islamic centre. The court overturned the now 59-year-old's conviction in 2023 after the man's legal team successfully argued it was unsafe. His defence relied on internet searches relating to sexual matters that were extracted using new software from the complainant's phone after the trial had concluded. They said that if the jury had known of those searches, it would have undermined her claim that she was a virgin and knew nothing of sexual matters prior to meeting the man. The man had pleaded not guilty to a sexual assault alleged to have occurred on December 1st, 2017, in Co Dublin. He was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury in April 2021 and sentenced to five and a half years in prison.
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.
The Court of Appeal has heard an appeal against the sentence of Daniel Ramamoorthy, who was convicted of sexually exploiting a 13-year-old boy and possessing child sexual abuse material. Ramamoorthy pleaded guilty to the possession charge, which was proven, while maintaining his innocence regarding the sexual exploitation offence. He was sentenced to two years and four months by Judge Sinéad McMullen at the Central Criminal Court on March 24 last year. The judge imposed an 18-month sentence for the possession charge, ordered to run concurrently with the sentence for the exploitation charge. During the appeal hearing, Mr Justice John Edwards criticised character references, including one from a TD, for failing to mention the victim or the nature of the crime. Counsel for Ramamoorthy argued the sentence was excessive and that his exceptional background and public service were not sufficiently weighted. The State argued the sentence was appropriate given the breach of trust and the victim's ongoing distress. The court reserved judgment, with the decision expected early next week.
Philip Sullivan, a 63-year-old Kildare native, is to be returned to prison after breaching the conditions of his suspended sentence. In 2008, the late Mr Justice Paul Carney imposed two concurrent life sentences on Sullivan for the alleged rape and sexual assault of two young boys, aged nine and 11, between 2004 and 2006. Sullivan appealed this decision, and the Court of Appeal quashed the life terms, substituting them with concurrent 15-year sentences. The final two and a half years of this term were suspended for 10 years on strict conditions, including a prohibition on being in the company of minors. Prosecutors told the High Court that in February, gardai found Sullivan in the company of three teenage boys, aged 15, 16, and 17, at his south Dublin home. While there was no evidence the boys consumed alcohol or cannabis in Sullivan's presence, his association with minors constituted a breach. Sullivan's risk assessment was subsequently upgraded from medium to high. Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted that Sullivan was not candid when confronted by gardai. The judge activated 18 months of the previously suspended sentence, ordering Sullivan's return to custody to ensure public safety and uphold the fundamental tenet of his supervision.