Dominik Biber, a 25‑year‑old Polish national, pleaded guilty to attempting to murder his flatmate Tomasz Grosser, 60, on 11 April 2020 in Limerick. Biber had taken a large quantity of drugs and claimed he believed he was Jesus Christ and that Grosser was the devil. During the attack, Biber stabbed Grosser in the face, neck and chest, thrusting a knife toward his heart, and later continued to stab him after Grosser had fled to a friend's apartment. Grosser was left with multiple stab wounds and puncture injuries, was taken to hospital, and survived after paramedics provided life support. Biber was remanded in custody for sentencing on 12 December 2022. The court heard that Biber's drug‑induced delusions and violent behaviour were central to the case.
Paul Crosby (27), from Rathmullan Park in Drogheda, Co Louth, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court on December 5th to facilitating the murder of seventeen-year-old Keane Mulready-Woods. Crosby had been scheduled for trial on a murder charge but was instead arraigned on the lesser charge. The teenager was last seen alive in Drogheda on January 12th, 2020. His remains were subsequently discovered across multiple locations in Dublin between January and March 2020, with his torso found in an overgrown ravine at Rathmullan Park. Crosby's plea related to participating in activities of a criminal organisation with intent to facilitate the serious offence, contrary to the Criminal Justice Act 2006. Sentencing is scheduled for January 23rd, 2023. A co-accused, Gerard Cruise (47), remains charged with murder and indicated he would enter a similar plea at an adjournment on January 13th.
During a heated dispute over warranty paperwork at JJ Fleming & Co on 15 February, service manager Cyril Murray was shouted at by managing director Pat Fleming, who allegedly told him to "f**k off" and "bring the f**king van back in the morning." Murray claimed the remarks implied dismissal, left the office, and later filed an unfair dismissal complaint. The Workplace Relations Commission found that the company had terminated his employment without fair procedures, ruling that the dismissal was not voluntary. The tribunal noted that Fleming used profanity regularly and that the exchange was heated, with no attempt by the employer to re‑engage or apply proper dismissal protocols. Murray was awarded €2,700 in compensation, equivalent to three weeks' pay, for the unfair dismissal. The decision upheld the complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Aaron Cunningham (20) and his uncle John Cunningham (38) pleaded guilty to threatening to kill or cause harm and to threaten property damage over a dispute about Canada Goose jackets. The case began when the victim, who sold jackets online, received a deposit from Aaron in November 2019 and later requested more jackets. After the jackets were delayed, the Cunninghams demanded money, threatening to burn the victim's house and shoot him. They sent threatening voicemails, texts and Snapchat messages. Both were arrested after police traced a phone number linked to John's van. Aaron admitted the threats were made in anger and had not followed through, while John had 19 prior convictions. The matter was adjourned for sentencing on March 3, with probation reports ordered for both.
A 22-year-old man from Sligo has been scheduled to stand trial at the Central Criminal Court in November 2023 on charges relating to two deaths and an attempted murder in the town. Yousef Palani is charged with the murder of Aidan Moffitt on April 10th and Michael Snee on April 12th, as well as the attempted murder of another man on April 9th. At a brief hearing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott, the trial was fixed for November 13th, 2023. Defence counsel indicated the case is expected to last approximately four weeks. Mr Palani appeared via video-link from Castlerea Prison in Roscommon during the hearing.
A man accused of murdering his wife at their Westport home in June 2019 will stand trial in March 2023 instead of December this year. James Kilroy, aged 48, of Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo, faces a charge in connection with the death of Valerie French Kilroy, aged 41, a mother of three. The trial was originally scheduled to begin on 12 December at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin and was expected to last three to four days. At a hearing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott today, the trial date was postponed to 6 March 2023. The defence indicated the proceedings would now require two to three weeks.
Michael Leonard, 63, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to murdering 72‑year‑old Mary O'Keeffe in Doneraile, Co. Cork, on 4 February 2021. His body was found in a burning car. Leonard was denied bail and remains in custody. The court adjourned sentencing to 14 December to allow the family to give an impact statement. No evidence of the murder was heard at the arraignment. Leonard, a former Coillte employee, stated he would not approach any witness or speak to anyone about the case except his solicitor. The post‑mortem, conducted by Assistant State Pathologist Margaret Bolster, was not released. O'Keeffe, a cook from Dromahane, is survived by her three sons. The case is pending sentencing.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Noel Lennon, 48, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in the death of Isaac Horgan, 52, who was stabbed in the leg at his Dublin home on 29 March 2021. The State accepted the manslaughter plea. Mr Justice Paul McDermott ordered a victim impact statement and requested that the State inquire whether a relative of Horgan wished to speak. Defence counsel asked for a governor's report and a psychiatric report on Lennon, citing prison strokes and memory issues. Lennon was remanded in custody until 30 January 2023 for sentencing.
A 34‑year‑old man, Dean Paget, pleaded guilty to attempting to murder a pregnant woman, Lisa Ward, who was seriously injured in an attack on 25 April 2021 at Montague Lane, Dublin 2. Paget, who has no fixed abode, was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court via video link from Cork on 15 November 2022. Judge Paul McDermott explained the normal practice would be to have the defendant present in court because of the gravity of the charge, but the defendant was allowed to plead via video link. The judge read the indictment to Paget, who answered "guilty." The court ordered an urinalysis and noted that a victim impact statement would be required. Sentencing was scheduled for 30 January, and Paget was remanded in custody until that date. The hearing was brief, with the victim present in the courtroom.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Declan Brady, aged 56, and Michael Crotty, aged 40, face charges of aiding a criminal gang in the murder of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan, a father of four, who was shot six times on December 22, 2016, in Clondalkin, Dublin. The trial is scheduled for January 11, 2024, and is expected to last five weeks. Both men are charged under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act for their alleged participation or contribution to the murder, either within or outside the State, with knowledge of a criminal organisation's existence. Brady was remanded in custody by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, while Crotty remains on continuing bail. The case was listed for mention on October 9, 2023. The trial will determine the extent of each defendant's involvement in the fatal shooting of Christopher Kirwan, aged 62.
A 56-year-old man from Ballina in County Mayo appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in connection with allegations relating to the sale of a Spanish property owned by Our Lady's Hospice in Harold's Cross, Dublin. Michael Egan of Bunnanertish, Knockanillaun was charged with dishonestly inducing the hospice to sell the property at a loss through deception on 5 March 2015. He was returned to the Circuit Court from the District Court to face trial, which has been scheduled for 25 November 2024. Mr Egan will remain on continuing bail pending trial. Judge Martin Nolan amended his bail conditions, ordering him to sign on at his local garda station every Sunday and Monday and to provide a mobile phone number to gardaí, which must be kept fully charged at all times.
Ion Nostas, 42, pleaded guilty to money‑laundering for moving €408,820 in cash for an organised crime group. He was arrested after Gardaí observed him and two others transporting large bags of cash between a BMW and a Toyota in Rosemount Business Park, where the money was recovered. Nostas claimed he was paid €1,000 for the job, kept €800, paid €200 to a co‑accused, and had no role beyond moving the cash. He admitted the mistake and apologized. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, hearing the case on 25 October 2022, imposed a four‑year prison sentence, back‑dated to 13 January 2022, after considering mitigating factors such as his lack of prior convictions and cooperation with Gardaí. The sentence reflects the seriousness of assisting in the relocation of criminal proceeds.
Daniel Goulding, aged 39, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the attempted murder of two detective gardaí during a siege and shoot‑out at his family home on 25 May 2021. The incident, which lasted up to two hours, left the detectives with non‑fatal limb injuries: one to the foot, one to the hand, and another to the foot. Goulding's defence, represented by Michael Bowman SC, noted that a psychiatric report had only been received on Friday and requested a governor's report from Cloverhill Prison. Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the case to 21 November. Earlier, the court heard that Goulding had been receiving psychiatric treatment for several years. The incident began when gardaí were alerted to gunshots at Whitechapel Grove; the detectives were shot from an upstairs bedroom, took cover behind an unmarked patrol car, and after two hours of negotiations surrendered firearms.
Keith Kerley, former group communications manager and Irish general manager of Arralis Ltd, claims he was discriminated against on the basis of nationality when offered stock options. He expected 3,000 shares upon the company's flotation but received only 750, while a UK‑based colleague reportedly received 1,500 options. Kerley alleges the UK chief executive told him to "take it or leave it" after he raised the issue. He has lodged complaints under the Employment Equality Act 2000 and the Unfair Dismissals Act, alleging race discrimination and constructive dismissal. Arralis denies the claims, stating the higher‑allocation employee held an Irish passport and that the stock plan was a proposal subject to change. The tribunal heard Kerley's evidence of a demotion and lack of consultation before his resignation in July 2021. The hearing was closed by adjudicating officer Conor Stokes.
Ruth Ennis, 46, of Clondalkin, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after she attacked her neighbour Daniel Casey with a screwdriver during a dispute over a borrowed Dyson vacuum cleaner. The incident occurred on 19 September 2021 when Ennis, who had charged the vacuum's battery and wanted to use it, confronted Casey at his home. Ennis swiped at him with a screwdriver, inflicted wounds on his arm and elbow, and later struck him with a steel trim from the kitchen floor. She was intoxicated during the attack. Ennis pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, property damage and possession of a screwdriver in a dispute. She had 11 prior convictions, including theft and robbery, and had completed an "alternatives to violence" course while in custody. The judge, citing her guilty pleas and apology, backdated the sentence to the day of the assault.
A Monaghan care home has been ordered by the Workplace Relations Commission to pay its former nursing director over €63,000 for unfair dismissal. The operator of Drumbear Lodge, which experienced a significant Covid-19 outbreak in April 2020, dismissed the nursing director without substantive grounds, the tribunal found. The adjudicating officer determined the company produced no evidence to support allegations of misconduct or poor performance against the complainant. The dismissal was deemed both substantively and procedurally unfair. During the hearing, the company's chief executive acknowledged concerns about the home's management but the tribunal found his evidence "confusing and inconsistent". The complainant's legal representative argued the dismissal process was "devoid of natural justice", a submission the adjudicating officer found "compelling and persuasive". The compensation award of €63,740.38 reflects the complainant's subsequent loss of earnings when moving to a lower-paid public sector position and four weeks' pay following dismissal.
An elderly St John Of God Brother, Aidan Clohessy, aged 82, former principal of St Augustine's School for boys with learning disabilities, faces nine charges of indecent assault against four boys. The alleged offences occurred between 31 August 1968 and 17 August 1986. Clohessy appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where Judge Martin Nolan set a trial date for 18 November 2024 and remanded him on continuing bail. Earlier, Judge Nolan lifted reporting restrictions that had prevented the media from naming the defendant, following an application by several news organisations.
The High Court heard a challenge by a foster parent, represented by Mark Harty SC, against the Child and Family Agency's (CFA) decision to notify the Garda Vetting Bureau of complaints against him. The man, who has been a foster carer with his wife, was accused two years ago of sexually abusing a girl they had fostered. He denied the allegations, and the CFA's initial provisional finding that the allegations were "founded" was overturned on appeal, with the panel ruling that the CFA had breached its own policies and procedures. The Gardaí investigated and the Director of Public Prosecutions decided not to prosecute. Despite these outcomes, the CFA issued a Specified Information Notification to the Garda National Vetting Bureau earlier this year. The man seeks to quash that notification and to obtain declarations that the CFA acted unlawfully and that its procedures were inconsistent with natural and constitutional justice.
A 73‑year‑old man, Noel Long of Maulbawn, Passage West, will stand trial next summer for the 1981 murder of 54‑year‑old Nora Sheehan, whose body was found in Shippool Woods, Cork, six days after she disappeared. The trial is scheduled to begin on 6 June 2023, exactly 42 years after Sheehan was last seen alive. Mr Justice Paul McDermott set the date and agreed to allow recorded depositions from witnesses who have given statements to the Gardaí. The case will be heard in Dublin rather than Cork.
In a High Court hearing, Dany Boon's legal team argued that several parties, including Thierry Fialek‑Birles and a group of Irish‑registered companies, had defrauded him of millions of euros. Boon claimed he had invested €4.5 m and later €2.2 m through SSMM, a company he said was advised by Birles, who presented himself as an Irish maritime lawyer. Boon alleges SSMM was used to divert his funds to accounts in South Korea and Panama, and that the Rossi family, purported owners of SSMM, do not exist. The court granted a freezing order preventing the defendants from reducing assets below €6 m, including a sailboat named 'Erin' and a property on Strand Street, Youghal. Boon seeks disclosure of documents to trace the missing money, while the defendants intend to fully oppose the action and may join the Rossi family as third parties if evidence of a sale is presented. The case is adjourned to November.
A yoghurt factory worker accused of plotting a wildcat strike has been awarded over €4,000 in compensation and redress after being unfairly dismissed. The Workplace Relations Commission found that the worker was 'singled out' and 'made an example of' in a rushed dismissal without proper procedure. Bartlomiej Wilczynski denied the allegations against him and had his complaints under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 and the Minimum Notice & Terms of Employment Act 1973 upheld by the WRC. The company's production manager claimed that a sudden 'wall of refusals' from staff in the packaging department occurred when he asked for volunteers for overtime. He stated that some workers called out 'Give us more money.' The tribunal heard that the firm paid minimum wage, with an overtime premium of €12. The company's managing director said he saw staff looking in the direction of the complainant and called him in for a meeting.
James Kilroy, 48, of Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co. Mayo, is accused of the murder of his wife, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, at their home in June 2019. The matter is currently at the charge or pretrial stage, with no plea, finding, sentence, or finalisation recorded for either the accused or the deceased. Mr. Justice David Keane fixed a trial date of December 12, 2022, for proceedings at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. The trial is expected to last three to four days. The report attributes the allegation of murder to the accused and does not state a conviction. No suspended portions, effective custody, conditions, or adjournments are mentioned in the source text. The procedural step described is the setting of a trial date, not a finalisation of the case. All details are drawn strictly from the provided source, with no added facts or reproduction of the original article.
A bus driver has lost a discrimination claim against Dublin Bus at the Workplace Relations Commission over the withdrawal of a day-shift arrangement made to accommodate his sleep apnoea. Karl Griffin brought a complaint under the Employment Equality Act alleging disability discrimination and denial of reasonable accommodation. Dublin Bus had assigned him to daytime shifts on the number 17A route for approximately five years following his diagnosis, a pattern normally reserved for senior drivers. When the company lost the contract to operate that route, Mr Griffin was reassigned. Adjudicating officer Penelope McGrath found that while the accommodation had been medically recommended, it was not reasonable to expect the arrangement to continue indefinitely. Ms McGrath noted the complainant's refusal to accommodate his manager's proposals was unreasonable and dismissed the claim, finding he had failed to establish a prima facie case of discrimination.
In July 2022 the Workplace Relations Commission awarded Stephen Ng €34,560 for unfair dismissal from the Orchid Restaurant in Dublin 4. Ng, a senior waiter since 2016, was dismissed in February 2019 after a dispute with manager Moanne Chow. Ng claimed he was told "go, there is the door" after an altercation over a family dinner. He alleged the employer failed to provide employment terms, notice or payslips, and that he was summarily dismissed without procedural fairness. The commission found Ng's evidence credible, noted the employer offered no oral evidence to support a resignation claim, and awarded him 18 months' pay. Ng also received four weeks' pay and €960 for the employer's failure to provide notice or employment terms. The employer maintained that Ng had resigned, a claim the commission rejected. The decision highlighted the lack of process and paperwork surrounding the dismissal.
The Workplace Relations Commission heard that Guinness delivery workers signed a joint declaration that unscheduled keg deliveries were common and continued after 15 colleagues were dismissed. Eleven dismissed workers, including Stanislav Gradinaru, have lodged unfair dismissal claims against STL Logistics, Diageo's subcontractor. The dismissal followed covert surveillance by Diageo security at a Dublin pub, where the company alleged unscheduled, undocumented deliveries between December 2018 and February 2019. HR consultant Brendan McGrath said 20 such deliveries were observed and 70 customers interviewed, none explaining why Guinness trucks stopped at the pub. Gradinaru admitted an unscheduled drop on 15 February 2019, claiming it was at another pub's request, but denied any breach of duty. The adjudicating officer noted his evidence was clear and complete, and a decision on all 11 claims is expected later this year.
John Redmond, a 38‑year‑old mixed‑martial‑arts fighter, was given an 18‑month suspended prison sentence by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assaulting a woman he had become infatuated with. The victim, who had told Redmond she only wanted a friendship, was attacked on All Ireland Day 2019 when Redmond threw a bin at her, pushed her to the ground, and caused her to hit her head against a wall. She suffered bruising, cuts and a dazed state. Redmond pleaded guilty on 15 March to assault causing harm at his Applewood Avenue home. He had prior convictions, including an unauthorised car taking in 2012, and admitted alcohol and drug use contributed to his behaviour. He offered €5,000 to the victim as a token of remorse and the judge noted no further incidents since the offence. The suspended sentence is conditional on Redmond keeping the peace, avoiding contact with the victim and paying the restitution.
Mr Gearoid (Gerry) Johnson, a secondary school teacher with over 26 years of experience, has launched a High Court challenge against the Teaching Council. He seeks to quash the Council's decision to refer a complaint against him to its Disciplinary Committee. The complaint stems from social media posts made between 2015 and 2016 regarding Islam, homosexuality, and transgender issues, which were subsequently deleted. Mr Johnson denies any wrongdoing, asserting that the posts expressed personal views and did not constitute professional misconduct. He claims the Council breached his constitutional rights to freedom of expression and private life, arguing the referral was unlawful, irrational, and failed to follow fair procedures. The Council alleged he lacked commitment to equality and inclusion. Mr Johnson also disputes a prior dismissal by the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (ETB) in 2020, which he claims was linked to the social media complaints and an alleged bullying investigation he denies. He states he has not been charged with any criminal offence. The case is at the pre-trial stage, with permission to bring the challenge granted on an ex-parte basis by Mr Justice Anthony Barr. The matter was adjourned and will return before the court in October.
In a 2022 court hearing, a 13‑year‑old girl recounted that her half‑brother, then about 18 or 19, sexually assaulted her at her family home in 2001. She described being awakened by his weight on top of her, forced to silence her cries, and later hearing him snore as she pushed her bed against the door to prevent his return. The accused, 40, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court. He had prior convictions for public order offences. The victim's impact statement highlighted ongoing emotional damage and her desire for justice. The defense noted the accused's remorse, prior apology, and willingness to attend a sex‑offender program. The judge adjourned finalisation to 25 July, pending further consideration.
Patrick Ballard, 35, of Ashford Court Hotel, Ennis, faces a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court on 4 October. He is accused of killing Sharon Bennett, 29, a mother of two, in Ennis's Market area on 28 January 2021. Initially charged with assault causing harm, the charge was withdrawn in March 2021 and replaced by a murder charge. Bennett died 13 days later at University Hospital Limerick. Ballard and Bennett were in a relationship at the time of the alleged murder. The Director of Public Prosecutions has confirmed the case is ready for trial.
A former general manager of the Clayton Hotel in Sligo has been awarded €50,000 in compensation by the Workplace Relations Commission following a finding of unfair dismissal. Fergal Ryan was dismissed by Dalata Hotel Group PLC after investigations into cash payments made to workers outside normal payroll procedures, including payments to his partner, Kasia Smolinska, a former restaurant manager at the hotel. An adjudicating officer found that whilst Mr Ryan's conduct in approving such payments was inappropriate, the breaches of cash-handling policy did not constitute gross misconduct warranting dismissal. The officer noted that a reasonable employer would have issued a warning or reopened settlement negotiations rather than terminating employment. The decision also found that a letter Mr Ryan sent to his line manager, described as threatening and patronising, was properly excluded from disciplinary proceedings. The compensation award takes into account Mr Ryan's contribution to his dismissal and employment difficulties during the pandemic period.
A 17‑year‑old girl has not returned to school since she was sexually assaulted by a school friend when both were 14. The assault followed consensual kissing and occurred after the girl was heavily intoxicated. The boy, now 17, pleaded guilty to two sexual assault charges and a threat to kill or seriously harm the girl. He admitted the contact was consensual but was under the influence of alcohol. The assault was reported to gardaí only after the boy sent a threatening voice message two weeks later. The court heard the message and the victim's impact statement, noting the girl's ongoing mental health difficulties. The judge acknowledged the boy's remorse and placed him under probation supervision until April 2023, requiring engagement with the service and awareness programmes. The boy has not returned to education and is now working. The case highlights the victim's continued struggle and the offender's acceptance of responsibility.
A trial date has been set for Christina Anderson, 39, who is accused of murdering Gareth Kelly, 39, on 25 February 2020. Anderson will appear at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin on 28 November. Mr Justice Paul McDermott fixed the date and ordered the case to return for case management and updates on 22 July. Anderson is charged with murder after Kelly, who was trying to jump‑start his car to go to work, was stabbed and died on the street. The trial is expected to last two weeks.
The Workplace Relations Commission has dismissed a complaint of unfair dismissal brought by a direct provision centre worker in Monaghan. The adjudicating officer found that Siarhei Klimasheuski was guilty of gross misconduct akin to workplace assault when he failed to comply with Covid-19 safety protocols at a facility operated by Tattonward Ltd in April 2020. The decision, published in June 2022, concluded that Mr Klimasheuski did not consistently wear required personal protective equipment, failed to sanitise surfaces, and did not enforce social distancing measures among residents despite being briefed on procedures in both English and Russian. Although the adjudicator identified significant defects in the dismissal process, including procedural irregularities and lack of a formal disciplinary hearing, she found the evidence of company witnesses more credible and determined the termination was not unfair. The breaches posed genuine infection control risks during the pandemic's early stages.
A Dublin High Court hearing on 24 June 2022 heard that a man convicted of Islamic terrorism offences in France, Youcef Madani, should not be extradited to Paris because the conditions at Villepinte remand centre are alleged to be inhumane. Thomas Horan BL argued that the centre was overcrowded, with 979 inmates in a facility designed for 583, and that prisoners lacked showers and were sleeping on mattresses on the floor. He further contended that the European Arrest Warrant issued by the French prosecutor did not provide "effective judicial protection" and that Madani had not been given an opportunity to challenge the warrant. Horan also noted that French courts had convicted Madani in his absence in 2001 and would offer a retrial if he were returned, implying that his right to defence was not met. The State's counsel, Elva Duffy SC, was scheduled to respond on 13 July.
In a case heard by the Workplace Relations Commission, a warehouse worker who was on probation was dismissed after an alleged incident on 7 July 2021. The worker claimed he never said the offensive words directly to his shift manager, arguing that he only used the phrase "would he ever fuck off" when the manager was leaving. He said he was told he had told the manager to "fuck himself" and that witnesses had confirmed this. The company's solicitor argued the worker had repeatedly breached mask‑wearing protocols, lost his temper, shouted at the manager, used vulgar language and told the manager to "fuck himself", constituting gross misconduct. The adjudicating officer found the dismissal unfair, noting a lack of due process, and recommended the employer pay €1,600 in compensation, equivalent to four weeks' pay, though the Commission cannot enforce the order. The case remains a private hearing under the Industrial Relations Act.
A farmer from County Cavan has been awarded €13,400 by the Workplace Relations Commission following a finding of unfair dismissal. Padraig Cunningham was dismissed from Pat the Baker Unlimited, based in Granard, County Longford, in May 2020 after being accused of stealing waste flour from the facility. Mr Cunningham maintained he had removed the material, which included flour and waste dough, to prevent it entering the animal feed chain and had composted it on his own land. The company contended the waste could be sold for processing and that Mr Cunningham lacked authorisation to remove it. An appeal of his dismissal was subsequently upheld by management. However, adjudicating officer Marguerite Buckley determined the disciplinary process failed to comply with fair procedures and natural justice principles. She noted the practice was widely known within the organisation, no written warning had been issued, and Mr Cunningham's 24 years of service merited consideration. The commission concluded dismissal fell outside the range of reasonable responses available to the employer.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Darragh Dodrill, 26, admitted to possessing €250,000 worth of cocaine and 500g of cannabis in his car and €242,000 worth of cocaine in a van. Gardaí had suspected his Terenure car and issued a warrant, leading to a surveillance operation where the drugs were seized. Dodrill, who spent up to €1,500 a week on cocaine, claimed he began dealing to pay off debts that grew from €8,000 to €50,000. He also admitted to a gambling addiction. During a Garda interview, he likened his situation to an episode of "Father Ted" and said he was "up there with the dumbest drug dealers." He pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply at Kilwarden Court on 26 February 2021. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the case to 7 November and ordered a probation report for that date.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 34‑year‑old woman testified that her former partner, aged 41, sent her more than 300 messages over two weeks in January 2021, describing the harassment as having "destroyed the best part of me." The accused accessed the victim's email via her son's tablet while the children were with him, found sexual images and a picture of another man, and called her at 1.30 am to accuse her of texting another man and sending sexual images. He sent the images he claimed were found on her email, calling her a "slut" and "sleazy." Garda Padraig Guinan reported 300 WhatsApp messages and 34 text messages were sent daily between 14 and 29 January. The accused threatened to send the images to the victim's close family. He was blocked on WhatsApp but continued to text her on another messenger app. The unnamed 34-year-old pleaded guilty.
A garda and prison investigation will be carried out into the death of Sameer Syed, who had been scheduled to stand trial for the triple murder of his wife Seema Banu and their children Asfira Riza and Faizan Syed. Syed, aged 38, was found dead in his cell at Midlands Prison in Co Laois on 9 June after taking his own life. The Central Criminal Court heard that the criminal file against him would be closed, formally ending the proceedings. Brendan Grehan SC, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions, also announced that a full inquest would be held into the deaths of Banu and her children. The court noted the tragic nature of the case and expressed sympathy for the victims' families. No further details about the investigation or the inquest were provided in the article.
A retired senior garda officer, Sergeant Paul Barry, has alleged that Chief Supt Catherine Kehoe's investigation into his bullying and harassment complaints was a 'sham' and that the 'inordinate' time taken to conclude inquiries amounted to 'perverting the course of justice'. The Disclosures Tribunal is examining these claims, which relate to a 2012 complaint by Barry that the proper investigation of a child sexual assault allegation was prevented by Supt Michael Comyns, who he alleges also bullied and harassed him. The Director of Public Prosecutions directed there be no prosecution of the child sexual assault allegation in 2015 due to a lack of evidence. Chief Supt Kehoe, who investigated Barry's complaints, stated that she only learned from tribunal documents that Barry had accused her of targeting him by taking an 'inordinate' amount of time investigating his complaints. She explained that there were 'three arms' to the investigation, all concluded in May 2016, and that the process was delayed by various factors, including Barry's civil action and movement of investigators. Chief Supt Kehoe denied the allegations against her, calling them 'very disturbing, totally unfounded and hurtful'. The tribunal continues on Thursday before retired judge Chairman Sean Ryan.
In a decision published on 14 June 2022, the Workplace Relations Commission found that Lidl had unfairly dismissed deputy manager Arkadiusz Grzyb, who had nine years' service, over an incident in which he discounted €7.20 worth of baked goods for himself near the end of his shift. Grzyb argued the goods were stale and would have been written off, and that he applied a "waste not" procedure similar to that used for poultry and meat. He admitted to breaches of cash management and inventory control procedures at a disciplinary hearing on 3 March 2021, but claimed he was not informed of an accusation of theft until he saw an investigation report dated 15 February 2021. The adjudicating officer noted Lidl's procedures required bakery items to be disposed of at close of business each day, and found the dismissal disproportionate.
At the Disclosures Tribunal in Dublin Castle, retired Garda Sgt Paul Barry and Supt Michael Comyns provided evidence regarding a 2012 complaint by Mr Barry alleging that Supt Comyns prevented the proper investigation of a child sexual assault allegation and bullied him. The DPP directed no prosecution for the child abuse allegation and, in November 2015, directed no prosecution for Supt Comyns's alleged perversion of the course of justice due to a lack of evidence. Supt Comyns, who denies the allegations as unfounded and vexatious, testified that a medical certificate issued to Mr Barry, which prohibited contact between them, made his role as district officer unworkable. He stated this prevented him from supervising investigations and created a serious precedent in An Garda Síochána. Supt Comyns also denied targeting Mr Barry regarding annual leave or a Regulation 10 warning for lateness, noting another garda was disciplined on the same day. He further clarified that he did not see Mr Barry during the Irish Open policing operation and that Mr Barry did not attend a February 2015 case conference on rape allegations. In September 2015, before being cleared of the allegations, Supt Comyns urged investigating gardaí to complete their disciplinary inquiries without delay. The matter is currently at the charge or pretrial stage, with Supt Comyns's evidence continuing.
Patrick Dunne, a 29‑year‑old from Ballingeragh, Lixnaw, Co Kerry, has been in the Central Mental Hospital since he was charged with murdering his mother Susan Dunne on 27 November 2013. In 2014 a court ruled he was not fit to be tried after a consultant psychiatrist's report. In 2022 Dr Anthony Kearns, who has treated Dunne since early 2016, reported to Mr Justice Paul McDermott that Dunne is now fit for trial. The judge remanded Dunne to Cloverhill Prison, then transferred him back to the Central Mental Hospital, with the trial set to begin on 10 October.
Gerard O'Riordan, 37, a former convicted killer who spent much of his 20s and 30s in prison, was not ordered to return to jail for threatening to kill gardai. In May 2021 he was brought before the Central Criminal Court after breaching a suspension bond by making such threats. Judge Michael White had adjourned the case for a year to monitor his behaviour. At the recent hearing, Detective Sergeant Ernest Henderson testified that O'Riordan had not attracted adverse attention from gardai in the last year and that he was still serving a portion of his suspended sentence. Judge Paul McDermott agreed, noting that the retired Judge White had intended not to order a return to custody if O'Riordan behaved. O'Riordan had become a father, attended 24 anger‑management sessions, and had been cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter in 2007, receiving a 14‑year sentence with an 18‑month suspended portion.
In May 2022 a hotel was ordered to pay €5,000 to a Traveller bride‑to‑be who claimed she was discriminated against after a wedding showcase in July 2019. The bride had visited the venue on 21 July 2019 to meet the wedding co‑ordinator, but was left waiting for a long time and felt the staff were looking at her. She later emailed the co‑ordinator twice, but received no reply. The hotel, represented by Hassett Considine Solicitors, denied discrimination, arguing it hosts Traveller weddings and employs a Traveller. The adjudicating officer noted differing recollections between the bride and the co‑ordinator, and accepted that the hotel failed to rebut the bride's claim of discrimination in subsequent communication. The decision awarded the bride €5,000 in compensation. The case was decided under the Equal Status Act.
The High Court has ordered a stay on three separate criminal prosecutions against Mark Jenkins, the owner of two coffee shop and retail businesses in Clonmel and Dungarvan that sell hemp products and items containing cannabidiol (CBD). Jenkins, who has challenged Ireland's 1977 Misuse of Drugs Act on the grounds that it breaches his constitutional rights and EU law, claims that the products sold by his businesses contain only trace amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the principal constituent of cannabis – and that these amounts are within the limits set by EU regulations. The first set of charges arose from a February 2020 Gardai search that seized plant material with THC content not exceeding 0.2%, a figure that Jenkins says is supported by an independent test. The second and third sets of charges stem from July 2020 and May 2020 seizures, respectively, for which independent analyses are pending.
Jozef Puska, 31, of Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, has been charged with the murder of 23‑year‑old primary school teacher Ashling Murphy, who was fatally assaulted while jogging along the Grand Canal in Tullamore on 12 January 2022. Puska is scheduled to stand trial at the Central Criminal Court in June 2023. At a brief hearing today, defence solicitors Padraig Langsch & Co were allowed to come on record after the Director of Public Prosecutions did not object. Puska was not present at the hearing. The trial is expected to last three to four weeks.
A trainee equestrian instructor, Shane Kehoe, was dismissed by the Fettercairn Youth Horse Project (FYHP) after sending a text that mentioned bringing his relatives to the workplace. The text, quoted as "We will see who has big balls when my family and [my partner's family] come to meet her on Friday," was interpreted by FYHP as a threat of violence. The project's board, after an emergency meeting, decided to close the yard to the public that day, citing safety concerns for staff, children, and other visitors. Kehoe claimed the dismissal was unfair and an attempt to avoid paying redundancy. The Workplace Relations Commission found no alternative to dismissal had been considered, and the decision was upheld as not procedurally unfair. The case concluded with the dismissal deemed justified by the commission.
During a 2022 sentencing hearing, Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill recounted how 43‑year‑old Gerard Culhane sent her thirteen messages, including three sexually explicit videos, between January and March 2020. She described feeling a "cold sense of dread" and fearing for her safety amid the general election campaign. The videos were downloaded from a pornographic website and sent from a Facebook account named "Kevin Walsh." Carroll MacNeill expressed that the harassment disrupted her campaign work and personal life, and she declined to respond to the messages. Culhane pleaded guilty to harassing her at unknown locations in the State. The court adjourned the case to October 21 pending a probation report, and Culhane remained on continuing bail until then. The case highlighted the impact of unsolicited sexual content on a public figure's safety and professional duties.
An Irish Defence Forces officer, whose name is withheld by the military court, is accused of sexual and physical assault by two serving female members of the Defence Forces. He also faces charges of indiscipline and disorderly conduct while under the influence of an intoxicant. The alleged offences occurred at McKee Barracks in Dublin in June 2020. The officer appeared at a brief hearing on 9 May 2022, where a new legal team was appointed after his previous barrister withdrew due to a conflict of interest. Kevin Roche BL, instructed by Partners at Law solicitors, will now represent him. The presiding judge, Col Michael Campion, extended the officer's legal aid certificate to allow the addition of a senior counsel. Mr Roche requested a one‑month adjournment to review the case papers and advise his client. The matter was adjourned to 7 June, at which time the officer must decide whether a board will try any or all of the charges.