Two men from County Sligo have been charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army. Damhan McFadden, aged 27, of Kilmacowen, Ballysodare, and Julian Flohr, aged 35, of Rusheen Ard, Caltra, appeared at an out-of-term sitting of the Special Criminal Court on Tuesday following their arrest. Both men were apprehended in Sligo on 14 August and made no reply when cautioned by gardaí. The court heard evidence regarding their detention and the presentation of charges. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding with Judges Sinead Ni Chulachain and William Hamill, remanded both defendants in custody pending their next appearance. The case is listed for mention on Friday, 19 August, when the men are scheduled to appear by videolink.
A 78‑year‑old Irish man, wanted in the UK on ten sexual‑assault charges alleged to have occurred in London and Essex between 1960 and 1973, is the subject of a High Court hearing in Dublin. The man, whose name is withheld for legal reasons, denies all allegations, calling them "scurrilous" and "totally groundless." He was arrested in October 2015 under a European Arrest Warrant issued by a Westminster Magistrates Court and has been on bail since. His barrister, Patrick Gageby SC, argued that the UK's impending exit from the EU (Brexit) creates uncertainty about whether the trial would take place before or after the UK leaves the EU, and that extradition would violate his family and privacy rights under Article 8. Counsel for the Minister of Justice, Ronan Kennedy BL, countered that Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty has not yet been invoked, so the UK remains bound by EU law and the court has jurisdiction.
A 74-year-old man has been granted bail by the Special Criminal Court following his arrest in County Donegal on charges relating to the 2006 killing of Denis Donaldson, a Sinn Féin member and alleged MI5 agent. The accused, with an address in Glasgow, Scotland, is charged with withholding information concerning another person's involvement in Mr Donaldson's unlawful killing at Cloghercor, County Donegal, and failing without reasonable excuse to disclose that information to gardaí. The alleged offence occurred between April 2006 and July this year. The Special Criminal Court imposed strict bail conditions, including surrender of travel documents, residence in County Donegal, weekly sign-on at Letterkenny Garda Station, and a nightly curfew. He was released on his own bond of €6,600 and two independent sureties. The case is listed for mention on 26 October.
A 74-year-old man appeared before the Special Criminal Court on Thursday charged with withholding information relating to the 2006 killing of Denis Donaldson, a Sinn Féin member exposed as an MI5 agent. Patrick Gillespie, with an address in Glasgow, Scotland, was arrested on Main Street, Dunloe, County Donegal, on Wednesday evening. He is accused of possessing information about another person's involvement in Mr Donaldson's unlawful killing at Cloghercor, County Donegal, and failing to disclose it to gardaí between April 2006 and July this year. Detective Sergeant Barry Doyle of Ballyshannon Garda Station gave evidence of the arrest and detention at Letterkenny. Mr Gillespie's solicitor challenged the lawfulness of the arrest, submitting that a warrant should have been obtained before his re-arrest following initial release. Mr Justice Paul Butler dismissed the application. Mr Gillespie was remanded in custody pending a bail hearing on Friday.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 28 July 2016, Justice Paul Butler granted bail to David Shanley, 47, who admitted to a Christmas Eve killing. Shanley pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of John Lawlor, who died on 24 or 25 December 2014 at Ballinatray Lower, Courtown Harbour. The State accepted the plea. Shanley had previously been on bail from the High Court but was found to have breached conditions by living at his partner's address rather than his parents' home. His partner is the deceased's widow, who is receiving ongoing hospital treatment, and Shanley is her carer. The bail terms now require Shanley to reside with his parents. The case was adjourned to 10 October 2016.
Noel Darby, 40, was identified by his mugging victim after the victim recognised him from a documentary about drug rehabilitation in Dublin. Darby, who had not committed a serious offence in 13 years, pleaded guilty to robbery of a mobile phone on Malahide Road in Coolock on 9 February 2015. He had previously been convicted of firearm possession, drug offences and a robbery. During the robbery, Darby demanded a phone from a man at a bus stop, grabbed it, and fled, brandishing a seven‑inch kitchen knife. The victim, who had watched the documentary on YouTube, confirmed Darby's identity. Darby was arrested the next day, admitted the offence, and was remanded on continuing bail pending sentencing, which was adjourned to 18 November. The court ordered a probation report and allowed time for a defence witness regarding Darby's drug treatment engagement.
In a 2016 hearing, the Special Criminal Court found Brian Kenna, 54, breached bail conditions by speaking at a Wolfe Tone commemoration in Sallins, County Kildare. Kenna, who had been charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army, was required not to associate with anyone charged or convicted before the court. At the event, he was observed conversing with Edward McGrath, 33, who is also on bail for murder, firearms and IRA membership. Garda Colm Finnerty reported seeing both men together and taking their names. Kenna denied any conversation with McGrath and claimed he was not in danger of breaching bail. The court, impressed by Finnerty's testimony, ruled that Kenna had indeed breached his bail conditions and directed the matter to be reconsidered for further action.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 27 July 2016, former Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan Dowdall, aged 39, and his father Patrick Dowdall, aged 59, were charged with three offences each: falsely imprisoning, assaulting and threatening to kill Alexander Hurley. The alleged incidents occurred on 15 January at Navan Road, Dublin 7, where the Dowdalls are said to have detained Hurley without consent, assaulted him causing harm, and threatened him with death. Earlier, they faced charges for possessing a sawn‑off shotgun and a handgun with intent to falsely imprison Hurley at the same location and date. The court read the charge sheets to the accused; both made no reply. Counsel for the State applied for remand, and the judges remanded both men in custody until 7 October, when the case will be mentioned again.
Patrick Brennan, 52, of Lindisfarne Avenue, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, was charged on 1 October 2015 with membership of an unlawful organisation styled the Irish Republican Army (IRA). He had previously been charged on 16 June with possession of explosives, specifically four 400‑gram blocks of TNT and three electric explosive detonators, which were found at Store Street, Dublin 1. The Special Criminal Court heard the new charge on 26 July. Detective Sergeant Padraig Boyce met Brennan in the court precincts, handed him a copy of the charge sheet and explained the proceedings. Brennan did not respond to questions, remained seated when asked to stand, and made no reply when asked to confirm his identity. He was remanded in custody by Justice Paul Butler, with Judges Alison Lindsay and Cormac Dunne, until 29 July when his case is scheduled for mention again.
A 34‑year‑old woman, Monika Matracka of The Pines, Briarfield, Castletroy, Limerick, is charged with murdering her housemate, Michal Rejmer, aged 38, on 30‑31 December last year. Her case was called before the Central Criminal Court and a trial date of 6 February 2017 was set by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy.
Jonathan Turley, 35, of Clandeboye Drive in Belfast, was arrested by gardai in May under a European Arrest Warrant. He appeared briefly at the High Court in Dublin for an extradition hearing on charges of kidnapping a woman, assault and dangerous driving. Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly remanded him in custody until 19 October, when the extradition case is expected to be heard.
Naoufal Fassih, a 36‑year‑old Dutch national of Moroccan origin, was arrested in April during a raid on a luxury apartment on Baggot Street that Gardaí believed was linked to the Kinahan criminal gang. He appeared before the High Court on a European Arrest Warrant (EAW) seeking his surrender to the Netherlands, where he faces charges of money laundering, assault and possession of false documentation. The court confirmed that the man in attendance was the same individual named in the new EAW and remanded him in custody until 27 July. In April, at Dublin District Court, Fassih was charged with possessing a false passport and identity card, an offence under the Immigration Act and a minor drugs charge for simple possession of cannabis. He had previously pleaded guilty to possessing a false passport and cannabis at Cloverhill District Court.
A 15‑year‑old boy, whose name cannot be disclosed because he is a minor, has been set to appear at the Central Criminal Court on 21 November to face charges of murdering Lorcan O'Reilly, a 21‑year‑old from Robert Emmet Close. O'Reilly was stabbed in the Oliver Bond flat complex on 1 November. The Director of Public Prosecutions sought an early trial date, which Justice Patrick McCarthy confirmed.
David Shanley, 47, of Courtown Harbour, Gorey, Co. Wexford, admitted to killing a 42‑year‑old man on Christmas Eve 2014 and pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He has been on bail since the High Court charged him, with conditions that he reside at his parents' address. However, he has been living with the deceased's widow and daughter at the widow's house, a situation that has caused concern for the family. Shanley is a carer for his partner, who has serious health problems and is receiving ongoing treatment in hospital. The court heard that a probation report was not yet completed, so sentencing was deferred. The case was adjourned to next Thursday morning to consider a variation of the bail conditions. The judge expressed dissatisfaction with the current bail arrangement but deferred to the bail judge's decision. The matter remains pending. David Shanley pleaded not guilty.
During a brief hearing at the Special Criminal Court, Conor Metcalfe, aged 25, was charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Metcalfe had been originally arrested in November of the previous year but was released without charge. He was re‑arrested on 24 November and brought before the court on 9 am. The court heard that he was taken to Clondalkin Garda Station and then to the Special Criminal Court, where he was handed a copy of the charge sheet. The State Solicitor applied to remand Metcalfe in custody, and the accused's solicitor consented. Judge Paul Butler, with Judges Alison Lindsay and Cormac Dunne, remanded Metcalfe until 28 July, when a bail application is expected to be heard.
Dr Sylvie Lannegrand, Dr Rosin Healy, Dr Margaret Hodgins, and Dr Adrienne Gorman have initiated High Court proceedings against the National University of Ireland Galway, alleging gender discrimination in a promotion competition for senior lecturer positions between October 2008 and April 2009. The applicants claim they were treated less favourably on grounds of gender and family status, arguing the selection process was inconsistent and that adequate weight was not given to their teaching and research abilities. They seek declarations that the process breached their contracts, the 1997 Universities Act, Employment Equality Acts, and EU law, along with damages and orders for promotion effective July 1, 2009. NUIG denies the claims, arguing the Workplace Relations Commission is the proper forum and that the actions are misconceived. The case follows a 2014 Equality Tribunal finding that Dr Micheline Sheehy Skeffington was discriminated against in the same process, resulting in her promotion and a €70,000 payment. At a pre-trial hearing before Mr Justice Donald Binchy, NUIG applied to have certain legal points tried as a preliminary action, including whether the Employment Equality Acts modify employment contracts to include an implied right to gender equality and if the claims are statute-barred. The applicants opposed this, arguing the issues are complex and cannot be separated from the substantive action. The judge reserved his decision on the application, which is to be delivered next week.
The High Court will hear arguments on how the UK's impending exit from the EU may affect the extradition of a 78‑year‑old Irish man facing 10 alleged offences in the UK, including rape and child indecency. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested in October 2015 under a European Arrest Warrant and has been on bail. His barrister, Patrick Gageby SC, has moved to amend the client's grounds of objection, arguing that Brexit could undermine the fair‑trial rights that rely on the UK's continued EU membership. Justice Minister counsel Ronan Kennedy BL countered that the UK remains an EU member until Article 50 is invoked, and that speculative arguments about future status are inadmissible. Justice Donnelly allowed the motion to be considered as a preliminary issue, with the hearing scheduled for 29 July.
A retired consultant surgeon, Dr Michael Shine, aged 83, faces trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for eight charges of indecent assault against six victims, with incidents dating from November 1964 to June 1991. Judge Melanie Greally set the trial for 2 October 2017, following a pre‑trial hearing on 7 July 2017. Shine remains remanded on continuing bail, and the trial is expected to last two weeks.
James Anthony Oliver Albert Corry, aged 46, was arrested in Killorglin, Co Kerry, last October on a European Arrest Warrant issued by German authorities. He is suspected of involvement in a 1996 Provisional IRA mortar attack on a British army barracks in Osnabruck, Germany, where three mortar shells were fired. The High Court set a hearing for the extradition case on 5 October and remanded Corry on continuing bail until that date.
In the Central Criminal Court, Marta Herda, aged 29, is on trial for the murder of 31‑year‑old Csaba Orsas. The prosecution alleges that on 26 March 2013, Herda drove Orsas into a harbour at South Quay, Arklow, where he drowned. During the trial, a paramedic testified that he was called to the quay at about 6.15 a.m. and found Herda soaked, cold and shivering, with white foam in her mouth. He treated her for hypothermia and transported her to hospital. While in the ambulance, Herda repeatedly said that Orsas "shouldn't have been there" and that she had driven the car into the water. A witness, Christina Byrne, claimed to have heard Herda shout that she had been raped, but her statement was cross‑examined and the court noted uncertainty about the words. The case remains at the trial stage.
A 39-year-old man from Killygordan in County Donegal has been charged with unlawful possession of ammunition before the Special Criminal Court. Shane Rowan was charged with possessing 78 rounds of 9mm parabellum ammunition at his Forest Park address on 9 March this year. The charge was brought before the court on 7 July following a caution. Rowan faces three additional charges arising from the same date: possession of three assault rifles and associated magazines at a separate location in County Meath, possession of ammunition of different calibre at that same address, and membership of an unlawful organisation. The book of evidence for all charges was served on the accused today. Justice Paul Butler, sitting with Judges Alison Lindsay and Cormac Dunne, remanded Rowan in custody pending his next hearing on 19 July.
Stephen Bennett, 44, of Pearse Green Sallynoggin, Dublin, faces charges of obstructing Irish Water under section 12 of the Water Service Act 2007 in both Dublin and Dun Laoghaire District Courts. He has filed a High Court application to halt his prosecution, arguing that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) lacks authority to prosecute offences under the 2007 Act. Bennett's counsel, Michael Ó Higgins SC, contended that only a water services authority can bring summary proceedings under the Act, and that the DPP, acting in each case, is not such an authority. The DPP countered that it is fully entitled to prosecute. Mr Justice Richard Humphreys granted Bennett permission to proceed with his challenge, placed a stay on the prosecutions pending the High Court's decision, and set a return date in July. The case remains pending.
A 25‑year‑old woman, Laura Dempsey, pleaded guilty to assisting an offender in the 2014 killing of 33‑year‑old Kieran Farrelly near Portland Row, Dublin. She was charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of the suspect and with assisting in concealing a shotgun used in the murder at Killarney Court. The murder charge was dismissed after she applied under Section 4E of the Criminal Justice Act 1999. Dempsey was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court, pleaded guilty, and was remanded in custody for sentencing on 11 July. The court directed a psychiatric report.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Judge Melanie Greally ruled that an accused's alleged income from criminal activity could not be considered when assessing his eligibility for legal aid. The man, charged with drug dealing and firearm offences, had applied for legal aid, but Gardaí believed he possessed income from crime. The judge agreed with Garda Janice Gray that seized cash and vehicles were suspected to be from illicit sources, but stated that only legal assets could be used to assess the accused's ability to pay for his defence. The accused receives disability benefit and rent supplement payments, and the judge found no significant lawful income. The case remains pending, with the trial scheduled for next year.
In a decision at Killarney Court, Judge Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy dismissed the murder charge against 25‑year‑old Laura Dempsey, who had been accused of killing 33‑year‑old Kieran Farrelly in October 2014. Dempsey, who has no fixed address, had been slated for trial at the Central Criminal Court in June 2017. She applied to have the charge withdrawn under Section 4E of the Criminal Justice Act 1999, and the judge found the case insufficient for trial, ruling that the charge be dismissed.
David Shanley of Courtown Harbour, Gorey, Co. Wexford, pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the Christmas Eve killing of 42‑year‑old John Lawlor on 24 or 25 December 2014 at Ballinatray Lower, Courtown Harbour. He had previously pleaded not guilty to murder. The prosecution's counsel, John O'Kelly SC, accepted the guilty plea. Shanley's counsel, Patrick Gageby SC, noted a complex inter‑family relationship in the case. Justice Patrick McCarthy allowed Shanley to remain on continuing bail until a further hearing on 22 July, when a probation report will be produced. No objection to bail was raised.
Patrick Brennan, 52, was arrested on Thursday morning as part of an operation targeting dissident republican activity. He was charged at the Special Criminal Court with knowingly possessing over a kilogram of explosives, specifically four 400‑gram blocks of TNT and three electric explosive detonators. The possession was alleged to have occurred at Store Street, Dublin 1, on 16 June. Detective Garda Graham Dunne arrested Brennan on Irishtown Road, Dublin 4, at 12:18 pm, informed him of the charges, and detained him at Irishtown Garda station. Brennan was transported to the Special Criminal Court, shown the charge sheet, and made no reply to the court's questions. He sat in a light blue, striped T‑shirt, arms folded, and only confirmed his identity when asked. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Butler with Judges Margaret Heneghan and Ann Ryan, remanded Brennan in custody until Friday, 24 June, with a bail application to be made on that day.
Joseph Finnegan, 54, of Cullenstown, Readypenny, Dundalk, County Louth, pleaded guilty to four firearms and ammunition possession charges at Special Criminal Court Number 2. The court, presided over by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy with Judges Sinead Ni Chuluchain and Gerard Haughton, recorded his guilty pleas to possessing an 8mm blank-firing pistol and seven rounds of ammunition on July 11, 2015, and a 12 gauge double barrel shotgun and three shotgun cartridges on July 12, 2015, all at the same address. Mr Finnegan also faces two further charges: alleged membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the IRA, and possession of two stolen cars, a Ford Focus and an Audi A4, on July 11, 2015. These remaining charges are set for trial on October 4, 2015. The court remanded Mr Finnegan on continuing bail until that date. Sentencing for the admitted firearms offences will be deferred until after the trial for the other charges concludes. This was the first hearing at Special Criminal Court Number 2 since its establishment last year.
Brian Kenna, 54, of Crumlin Park, Dublin, was arrested in Co Laois in November 2015 by the Special Detective Unit during an operation targeting dissident republican activity. He was charged at the Special Criminal Court with membership of the unlawful organisation Oglaigh na hEireann (the IRA). A trial date was set for April 2017, and he was remanded on bail until 25 April 2017.
John Roche, 53, was charged on 13 April 2016 with possession of 57 kg of homemade explosives and thirty‑eight 2.5 kg rolls of Kemegel industrial explosives, and with membership of an unlawful organisation styled the Irish Republican Army. The Special Criminal Court granted him bail, with a €1,000 personal bond and a €20,000 independent surety. Conditions include surrendering his passport, daily reporting to Kilmainham Garda Station, a curfew from 11 pm to 7 am, staying within the jurisdiction, avoiding contact with charged or convicted persons, and providing a phone number to the Gardaí.
Siobhan Hatton, a woman in her 30s from Roundwood, Wicklow, is facing an extradition hearing in Dublin for alleged involvement in a multi‑million euro steroid distribution scheme. She appeared briefly before Justice Aileen Donnelly at the High Court, where a hearing was set for 1 November. Sean Guerin SC said the hearing could last three days. Hatton was remanded in custody until 11 July, when the case will be mentioned again.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, two Dublin men, Michael Finlay (36) and Dean Byrne (24), were tried for unlawful possession of a 9mm semi‑automatic pistol and ammunition. Gardaí observed them in disguises inside a stolen Renault Kangoo van in June 2014. Finlay was seen holding the handgun, which he later dropped when ordered by Detective Sergeant Joseph Finnegan. Both men were questioned under Sections 18, 19 and 19(a) of the Criminal Justice Act and failed to explain the handgun, ammunition, van, fake beards or an An Post jacket. Their defence counsel did not contest the evidence. The court remanded Byrne on continuing bail and held Finlay in custody, with judgment expected on 16 June 2016. Michael Finlay pleaded not guilty. Dean Byrne pleaded not guilty.
At the Special Criminal Court, a book of evidence was served on Kevin Hannaway and four co-accused, who are awaiting trial for alleged offences related to the Irish Republican Army. The group, arrested in August 2015 during a Dublin Region operation targeting dissident republican activity, includes Kevin Hannaway, Eva Shannon, Edward O'Brien, David Nooney, and Seán Hannaway. Kevin Hannaway and Eva Shannon are charged with knowingly rendering assistance to an unlawful organisation styling itself the IRA, specifically alleged to have assisted in interviewing persons involved in IRA organised criminal activities at Riverwood Park, Castleknock, on August 7th and 8th, 2015. Edward O'Brien's initial charge of rendering assistance was withdrawn by the DPP; he is now charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the IRA on August 8th, 2015. David Nooney and Seán Hannaway are each charged with membership of the IRA on the same date. Counsel for O'Brien indicated that legal teams require two to three weeks to review the evidence. Presiding with Judges Alison Lindsay and Flann Brennan, Mr Justice Paul Butler remanded all five accused on continuing bail. The matter was adjourned until June 28th for a further mention.
In a Circuit Court hearing, professional footballer Jeff Hendrick, aged 24, was set to face a violent disorder charge linked to an incident on Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, on 12 October 2013. The case was transferred from the District Court after a judge declined jurisdiction. Hendrick, residing at Kilmore Drive, Artane, and co‑accused Jonathan Doran, 25, of Kilmore Close, Artane, both pleaded not guilty. Judge Melanie Greally scheduled their trial for 3 July 2017, with a pre‑trial hearing in May 2017, and excused Hendrick from that hearing.
Damien Halpin, 29, fled to Australia in 2011 after being labelled a "rat" following a drugs conviction and a subsequent attack on his home. He was convicted in Australia in 2015 for arson, assault and being armed with intent, claiming it was a prank gone wrong. He served one year in New South Wales before being deported to Ireland. In January 2016 he was arrested by Gardaí at Dublin Airport. Halpin has 21 prior convictions in Ireland, mainly for road traffic and public order offences. He pleaded guilty to possession of €17,318 of cocaine in 2009 and to assault causing harm in 2010. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court adjourned his sentencing to July 27, 2016, to allow an updated probation report. Bench warrants were issued in March 2012 when he failed to appear in court for both cases.
A 53-year-old man from Raphoe in County Donegal has been sent forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court, charged with the murder of a 67-year-old pensioner. Samuel James Clarke, of Magherennan, is accused of killing Seamus Doherty at a property in Drumacnoo, Churchill on June 16th or 17th, 2012. Justice Patrick McCarthy set a trial date of February 27th, 2017. The case will proceed to the Central Criminal Court, where the defendant will face the charge relating to the death that occurred in the Donegal locality over three years prior to the court proceedings.
In a High Court case, Galway Free Range Eggs Ltd sought a permanent injunction to stop Hillsbrook Eggs Ltd and its directors, Kevin and Carmel O'Brien, from using the name "O'Briens of Galway Free Range Eggs" on their packaging. The claim alleged that the defendants were passing off their eggs as Galway Free Range Eggs, potentially misleading consumers. Mr Justice Tony O'Connor dismissed the claim, noting that the evidence did not show any intent by the defendants to mislead or obtain a "free ride" by using the Galway name. He found the plaintiff's evidence of misrepresentation to be tenuous and unreliable, and concluded that the defendants had not used the O'Brien name or the geographic designation in a way that violated honest commercial practice. Consequently, the injunction was refused and the case was dismissed.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 26 May 2016, John Roche, 52, was ordered to secure an independent surety before bail could be granted. Roche, arrested by the Special Detective Unit, faces charges of possessing 57 kg of homemade ammonium nitrate fuel mix and thirty‑eight 2.5 kg rolls of Kemegel industrial explosives, and of membership in an unlawful organisation identified as the Irish Republican Army. The court accepted the State's demand for a €12,000 cash deposit and an independent surety of €8,000, and Judge Tony Hunt confirmed the requirement.
A 16-year-old boy has been sent forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with murder following the death of a 17-year-old in Claremorris, County Mayo. The deceased, Dovydas Jenkus, sustained injuries on December 19th of last year and subsequently died. The teenager appeared before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, who set a trial date of July 19th. The case will proceed to the Central Criminal Court this summer.
Larry McCarthy, 37, of Limerick, was charged with threatening to kill Noel Moore and threatening to damage Moore's house on 28 July 2015. The State had objected to his temporary bail application, arguing that bail could prevent further serious offences. McCarthy's sister, Laura, told the court that Moore, her father‑in‑law, would not attend the confirmation. Judge Paul Butler, with Judges Alison Lindsay and Flann Brennan, weighed the danger to life and well‑being against McCarthy's liberty. He found McCarthy's application to be bona fide and that McCarthy intended to attend the confirmation. Bail was granted for 28 May from 9:30 am to 5 pm, with the condition that McCarthy not attend a licensed premises. McCarthy remained remanded in custody until 2 June, when his case was listed for mention again.
A man suspected of raping a woman in Belfast in 2003 was arrested in Dublin and brought before the High Court under a European Arrest Warrant issued by UK authorities. Detective Sergeant Jim Kirwan informed the court of the arrest. Justice Aileen Donnelly confirmed the identity of the man and remanded him in custody until May 27, when the case will be mentioned again.
The second Special Criminal Court sat for the first time at the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin today. The court, which will be known as Special Criminal Court Number 2, dealt with four cases transferred to it by Special Criminal Court Number 1. Mr Justice Paul Butler, presiding at Special Criminal Court Number 1, stated that the court had decided on its own motion to transfer the cases for trial to court Number 2 under the provisions of the Offences Against the State Act of 1939. Following the transfer order, the second Special Criminal Court sat at Court 17 with Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy of the High Court presiding, along with Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain of the Circuit Court and Judge Gerard Haughton of the District Court. Ms Anne Marie Lawlor BL, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, outlined the court's jurisdiction and presented documents, including the order establishing the second Special Criminal Court of December 14th, 2004, and the coming into existence of the second court on October 28th last year, when seven judges were appointed to the new court. The first case dealt with by court number 2 was that of Séamus McGrane (60), of Little Road, Domiskin, Co Louth, who is charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hÉireann otherwise the IRA within the State between December 23 2009 and May 13 2015. He is also charged with directing the activities of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, in respect of which a suppression order had been made, within the State on dates between December 23 2009 and May 13 2015 inclusive. His co-accused Donal O Coisdealbha (23), of Abbeyfield, Killester Dublin 15, is charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hÉireann otherwise the IRA within the State on May 13 2015. Mr O Coisdealbha is also charged with possession of a component part of an improvised explosive device namely a time and power unit also known as a TPU at 'the personal storage locker under the control of Donal O Coisdealbha at Protector Life Sciences, National University of Ireland Maynooth, Co Kildare' under such circumstances as to give rise to a reasonable suspicion that he had not got it in his possession for a lawful purpose on May 13 2015. Mr Bernard Condon, SC for McGrane said he was reserving his position on the proceedings of the court and the jurisdiction of the new court. Ms Anne Rowland BL, for O Coisdealbha, said she was also reserving her position on the proceedings and the jurisdiction of the court. Ms Justice Kennedy, presiding, adjourned the case until next Thursday and made a production order that the two accused, who are in custody, should be brought before court number 2 then. She also adjourned the cases of two other men, Joseph Finnegan and Ryan Glennon, who are on bail until next Thursday.
In 2016, former Irish Life & Permanent chief executive Denis Casey, aged 56, was questioned by Gardaí about authorising a €7.2 billion transaction with Anglo Irish Bank. Casey claimed he did so because he felt obliged to support Anglo under a "green jersey agenda" promoted by the Financial Regulator and Central Bank, which encouraged Irish banks to back each other. He said he believed the transaction was collateralised and would not expose ILP to financial loss. Casey denied that the deal was intended to bolster Anglo's deposits and insisted he had no reason to doubt Anglo's integrity in September 2008. He admitted he only became aware of potential exposure in February 2009. The case is part of a trial where four former executives are charged with conspiring to mislead investors through a circular transaction scheme between March and September 2008. The trial is ongoing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
Liam Corr, 21, was remanded on bail after pleading guilty to possessing and distributing child pornography. His mother reported him to Gardaí when she found 28 pornographic files on his phone, including images of under‑age girls and a bestiality video. Gardaí discovered the material while analysing the device and noted Corr used a file‑sharing app to share the videos, encouraging others to view them. Corr admitted the content was child pornography and that he sought like‑minded users. He had no prior convictions. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the case to 28 June to consider a psychological report and ordered a Probation Service report. The report, submitted by counsel Patrick Marrinan, highlighted Corr's childhood abuse and the suicide of his father when Corr was eight, recommending treatment for significant psychological issues.
Eamon McNamee, a 34-year-old man from Lucan, County Dublin, appeared before the Special Criminal Court charged with possession of a firearm with the intent to commit an indictable offence, namely assault causing harm. The alleged incident occurred at Fairgreen, Saggart, Co Dublin, on January 19th, 2013. These charges are alleged and remain contested. During the hearing, Mr McNamee sought a trial date. Mr Justice Paul Butler noted that the second incarnation of the Special Criminal Court is technically ready to run, having become operational after the Acting Justice Minister signed the rules of court. The judge indicated a prospect that cases awaiting trial, including Mr McNamee's, could be transferred to the new court early next month. However, Mr McNamee's case was listed for mention again on Friday, May 6th. The judge stated that the court would include Mr McNamee's case, particularly those involving individuals in custody, to return to the first Special Criminal Court on that date. Consequently, the matter was adjourned until May 6th. Mr McNamee was remanded on continuing bail until that date.
A 53‑year‑old man, Danny Keena of Empor, Ballynacargy, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, has been charged with murdering Brigid Maguire on 14 November 2015 at Main Street, Ballynacargy. Justice Patrick McCarthy of the Central Criminal Court set his trial for 23 January 2017.
A 31‑year‑old Latvian man, Andrejs Krauze, who lives at Dudley Heights, Glenamaddy, Co. Galway, has been charged with the murder of fellow Latvian Juris Buls, who was killed sometime between 7 and 23 July 2011. His trial was scheduled for 6 March 2017.
A Dutch man, Naoufal Fassih, 35, appeared before the High Court on a European Arrest Warrant issued by Dutch authorities. Sergeant Sean Fallon informed counsel for the Minister for Justice and Equality that Dutch police seek charges of assault, money laundering and possession of false documents. Fassih, born in Rotterdam, is already in custody on another matter, and the Gardaí will oppose bail. Justice Aileen Donnelly remanded him in custody until May 9, when a hearing date will be set.
In a compassionate bail decision, Mr Justice Tony Hunt allowed Trevor Noone, aged 28 and charged with murder in the 2010 death of 17‑year‑old Daniel McAnaspie, to leave custody to attend his father's funeral. Noone, who lives on Whitestown Avenue, Blanchardstown, was granted bail on a €300 bond. The judge noted that Noone would be released today and must return by 6 pm, and again on Saturday at 11 am for the funeral, with a return to custody by 6 pm. He is restricted to Blanchardstown and the church where the service will be held, must remain sober, be reachable on his sister's mobile phone, and keep the peace. Detective Sergeant Dan Callaghan had objected to bail, citing Noone's flight risk and 12 prior bench warrants, but the judge accepted counsel's argument that it would be desirable to let him pay his respects. Noone's release is conditional; breaching the conditions would likely preclude future bail.
John Brock, a 43‑year‑old Dublin resident, was charged on 13 April 2016 with possessing 57 kg of homemade explosives—ammonium nitrate fuel mix—and thirty‑eight 2.5 kg rolls of Kemegel industrial explosives found at Naas Road, Dublin 12. He was also charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, the Irish Republican Army (Oglaigh na hEireann). The Special Criminal Court granted him bail, allowing release on a €1,000 personal bond and a €20,000 independent surety. Conditions of his bail required surrender of his passport, daily reporting at Tallaght Garda Station, a curfew from 11 pm to 7 am, prohibition from leaving the jurisdiction or travelling to Northern Ireland, avoidance of contact with charged or convicted persons, and prohibition of contact with proposed prosecution witnesses. He must also provide a phone number to the Gardaí. His co‑accused, John Roche, 53, was granted temporary bail from 9 am to 7 pm on 22 April.