A senior judge at the Central Criminal Court expressed frustration over the State's inability to provide psychiatric assessments for criminal trials, calling it 'completely unacceptable.' The judge, Mr Justice Paul McDermott, highlighted the challenges faced by a father who has attended court over 13 times due to delays in securing a forensic psychiatrist to assess his wife, Ruth Purcell Healy, who is charged with the murder of their six-year-old son. The judge emphasized the importance of psychiatric evaluations in ensuring fair trials and expressed sympathy for the father's ongoing ordeal. Despite efforts by the prosecution to obtain a psychiatric report, the HSE-employed psychiatrists are not legally obligated to provide assessments for criminal cases, leading to significant delays. The judge urged the executive to establish a reliable structure for psychiatric assessments to determine if mental conditions played a role in the alleged offense. The case has been listed for mention on December 3, with the judge noting serious deficiencies in obtaining forensic reports for accused persons over the past two years.
An Irish father who claims the Polish State stole his child has been given a court date for a hearing regarding his case against the Irish State for not assisting in the child's return. The father, who cannot be identified to protect the child's identity, accused Polish authorities of 'severe corruption' and said they had 'declared war' on him. He is seeking court orders directing the Irish State to take immediate action at the highest EU levels to help return his child, who is an Irish citizen. The child was taken to Poland by her mother in February 2024 without the father's consent. Despite a Polish court order for the child's return, the father has been unable to locate her. The Polish order is being appealed for the second time by the children's ombudsman in Poland.
On 22 January 2025, Ahmed Ramic, 26, of Brookview Court, Tallaght, crashed a DriveYou car‑sharing vehicle into a ditch on Killakee Road, Rathfarnham, after Garda Mark Cullen, in an unmarked patrol car, attempted to stop it. Cullen had been patrolling because several DriveYou cars had been reported stolen. He followed the vehicle for about a minute at speed before it left the road and crashed. Ramic had initially pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving under section 53, but the court accepted a plea to the lesser section 52 careless driving charge. Defence counsel argued Ramic was unaware of the unmarked Garda car and that the vehicle belonged to his former girlfriend's father. The court found the driving reached the threshold for careless but not dangerous driving, spared Ramic a second disqualification, and remanded him to a restorative‑justice driving‑awareness programme with the case adjourned to 13 February. The judge noted Ramic's remorse and disappointment.
On 22 March, Stephen Hall, 40, was arrested near the Cheeverstown Luas stop after Gardaí observed him leaving the Glenveagh Properties building site with a stolen generator. The generator, valued at about €500, had been taken minutes earlier. Hall pleaded guilty to possessing the stolen generator, trespassing on the site and having cannabis at locations in Tallaght. Gardaí also found a small amount of suspected cannabis worth €20. He was remanded to Green Street courthouse for a drug‑treatment programme and probation assessment.
The Irish Heart Foundation was ordered by the Workplace Relations Commission to pay a 70‑year‑old former stroke support group coordinator, Seamus Casey, salary arrears and €15,000 in compensation for ageist discrimination. Casey had been employed by the charity since 2016, after working for the Volunteer Stroke Scheme. He claimed that the charity forced him to retire at 65, despite his willingness to continue, and that he was paid less than younger colleagues with the same title. The tribunal found no objective justification for the lower pay and concluded that Casey had been discriminated against under the equal pay provisions of the Employment Equality Act 1998. The charity had already paid €4,453.60 in back pay; the commission ordered an additional €1,363.12 in arrears and €15,000 in compensation for the discriminatory treatment. The decision was based on the evidence presented at the hearing and the tribunal's findings of age‑based pay disparity.
The Special Criminal Court has adjourned Sean McGovern's legal aid application to November 24, stating it remains unsatisfied with the documentation provided. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor emphasized that the court is not a rubber stamp and must exercise due diligence regarding taxpayers' money, noting that instructions received were scant. McGovern, aged 39, with a previous address at Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, is charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan on December 22, 2016, at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin. He also faces charges of directing a criminal organisation in connection with that murder, facilitating a criminal organisation in the murder of Mr Kirwan, and similar offences related to a conspiracy to murder James Gately and the surveillance of Gately. Counsel Seán Guerin SC argued that the legal team could not travel to Portlaoise to take instructions without legal aid being assigned, claiming the necessary forms were completed. However, the court ordered that further instructions be taken from McGovern. The matter was previously adjourned on several occasions, and McGovern was extradited from the United Arab Emirates to face these charges, with his lawyers having previously raised concerns about the legality of his return.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Johan Monzon, a 35‑year‑old Venezuelan, was sentenced to two years in prison for possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Dublin Airport on 20 May 2025. Monzon had been on a flight from Spain when he suffered severe seizures, leading to a diversion to Dublin where he was admitted to Beaumont Hospital. He had swallowed 48 cocaine pellets, one of which ruptured, and remained hospitalised for five weeks until 1 July. A garda witness estimated the street value of the drugs at €40,768. Monzon admitted to ingesting the pellets in Colombia, Brazil, France and Spain, and claimed he had not received the promised $3,000 payment. The judge back‑dated the sentence to the date of his arrest, noting his lack of family ties in Ireland and his financial desperation. The court did not discuss any further legal proceedings.
On 9 March 2025, Darren Longworth, a 40‑year‑old tradesman from Tallaght, was found by a Garda in a car park carrying two Stanley blades—one in his work belt and one loose in a pocket. He was arrested and charged with possession of a knife under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990. Longworth explained that he was a multi‑skilled tradesman who had been working that day and was living in his van, using it as both accommodation and a storage space for his tools. He claimed the blades were standard work equipment and that a larger switch‑blade tool was stored inside the van. His solicitor argued that the blades were consistent with his trade gear. Judge Patricia McNamara, after considering that Longworth had been working earlier, was wearing his work belt, and that his living circumstances made it natural for tools to be on him, dismissed the knife possession charge.
Atilas Misevicius, 24, of Montpellier View, Tallaght, pleaded guilty at Tallaght District Court to multiple counts of possession and possession for sale or supply of heroin and cocaine, contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Acts. The court heard that gardaí searched his home on 2 February and found 20 small bags of cocaine with an estimated street value of €210, along with €500 in cash. Misevicius accepted responsibility when questioned. The court also noted that he had previously been found with heroin and cocaine worth €1,000 at the same address on 1 May 2024. Defending solicitor Michael Hennessy stated that his client had taken responsibility at the earliest opportunity. Mr Hennessy told the court that Misevicius, who is originally from Latvia but has lived in Ireland all his life, had been homeless between the ages of 19 and 22. Counsel said his client has since moved away from the Tallaght area, secured a job with an international delivery company, and now has a one-year-old child. Mr Hennessy added that Misevicius had been using cocaine while living in hostels but is no longer taking drugs, and that he has no previous convictions. Judge Patricia McNamara ordered a probation report and remanded Misevicius on continuing bail to appear again at Tallaght District Court on 16 January next.
In November 2025 the Workplace Relations Commission rejected Nico Holloway's complaint that he was penalised for whistleblowing about the condition of Citi Bus Ltd's (trading as Dublin Coach) intercity coaches. The tribunal found that Holloway had made protected disclosures under the 2014 Act, but that the company had legitimate grounds for a negative performance review and that his dismissal was not linked to those disclosures. Holloway, a South African permit worker who joined in 2023, said he raised a range of defects between October 2023 and January 2024, including a cracked windscreen, faulty wipers, and a door that flew open on the M7. He claimed the company dismissed him in January 2024 for "unsatisfactory performance" and for allegedly planning a "mass exodus" of drivers. The WRC concluded that any dispute over what constituted an urgent repair was a difference of opinion and that no whistleblower penalisation had occurred.
In a High Court sentencing hearing, Mr Justice Tony Hunt imposed a three‑year global sentence on an unnamed defendant who had been convicted of assault causing harm and coercive control. The defendant, who had no prior convictions, had abused his wife over a 12‑year period, including a 2010 incident where he pushed a hot plate of food into her face, causing burns. He also engaged in controlling behaviour such as monitoring her spending, threatening suicide, and removing shower fixtures. The judge noted that the defendant's lack of previous convictions might carry less weight in mitigation, but still considered the prolonged abuse. The final sentence was two years suspended for three years on strict conditions, with one year custodial. The judge described the case as "very sad" and highlighted the enduring impact on the victim and children.
Sarah Jane Byrne, 37, and Jamie Moss, 22, were remanded in custody by the Special Criminal Court until 1 December after pleading guilty to firearms offences. Byrne admitted possession of a 9mm Makarov pistol, 27 rounds of 9mm Luger ammunition, a 12‑gauge sawn‑off Beretta shotgun and a Tokarev submachine gun, all found during a Garda operation on 16 February 2024 at Old Navan Road, Blanchardstown. Moss admitted possession of a 9mm Makarov pistol and a 9mm Makarov Sellier and Bellot round of ammunition, also seized on the same day. Byrne's counsel described her as a vulnerable woman with mental health and addiction problems, who stored firearms to pay a debt to drug dealers and had recently overcome addiction but relapsed after a cancer diagnosis. Moss's counsel highlighted his recent completion of a carpentry apprenticeship and community respect. Both defendants had no prior convictions and were considered low risk of reoffending.
A man in his 70s, arrested in July, faces 79 alleged historical sexual offences, including 78 indecent assaults on four girls aged eight to 15 between 1971 and 1981 in south Dublin, and one attempted rape. The charges are distributed among the victims: 42 counts against one girl, 34 against another, two against a third, and one against a fourth. He did not attend the short hearing. Defence counsel Karl Monahan BL requested a trial date. Judge Paul McDermott set the trial for 15 June 2026, with disclosure to be completed before the case is heard in January.
Joyce Holleran‑Whelan, a former manager at Headford Co‑operative Mart, won €26,000 after a Workplace Relations Commission tribunal found the co‑op failed to investigate her bullying complaints. She alleged she was excluded by colleagues, attacked with a cattle prod, and subjected to intimidation and verbal bullying. The tribunal rejected her claim of whistleblower penalisation, stating that her financial and governance concerns were not sufficiently connected to her termination in 2023. The tribunal noted the co‑op did not provide her with computer passwords or contact details, and that staff refused to work with her. It also found the co‑op had not complied with the national code of practice on investigating workplace grievances, and that it failed to offer her the interim manager role when it became vacant. The decision awarded her losses of €26,250 for unfair dismissal.
A man accused of repeatedly breaching a protection order by contacting his former partner on social media was granted bail by Judge Alan Mitchell at Cloverhill District Court. He faces six charges under the Domestic Violence Act 2018 for alleged Facebook messages and an Instagram follow request between June and July. The complainant, who shared a home with him and is the mother of his children, said she feared him and had to cancel her child's birthday party. She claimed he had contacted neighbours and could appear unexpectedly. Defence counsel argued the messages contained no physical threats and that the man had not been arrested until late October. Judge Mitchell noted the alleged breaches dated back to June and July but the man had only been charged on 20 October, with no contact since. He said the order allowed no contact except text, and the alleged communications were not prohibited.
A Workplace Relations Commission adjudicator has dismissed a discrimination complaint filed by Ryanair flight attendant Fernando Oliveira against Ryanair DAC, finding the claim to be an abuse of process. Mr. Oliveira, a Portuguese national, alleged race and family status discrimination under the Employment Equality Act 1998, seeking €170,000 in compensation, the expungement of disciplinary records, and mandatory training for management. Ryanair denied the allegations, noting that Mr. Oliveira had received a final written warning and paid suspension following an investigation into complaints from other crew. The adjudicator, Patricia Owens, rejected the claim, stating that Mr. Oliveira failed to establish an inference of discrimination or provide cogent evidence for his claims of victimisation, harassment, or sexual harassment. The decision highlighted that Mr. Oliveira's legal submissions were rife with irrelevant, misquoted, and non-existent citations, including references to phantom determinations. Although Mr. Oliveira initially dismissed suggestions that he used artificial intelligence to generate his papers as a baseless attack, he later acknowledged he may have used AI. The adjudicator concluded that his reliance on these inaccurate citations wasted considerable time for the respondent and the tribunal, constituting an egregious abuse of process. Consequently, the complaint was denied, and no compensation or other remedies were awarded.
In the Mary Ward murder case, the Central Criminal Court has yet to make progress on a psychiatric assessment of Ahmed Abdirahman, a 31‑year‑old Somali national accused of killing his former partner, Mary Ward, on 25 September 2024 in Belfast. Three months after Judge Paul McDermott warned that the delay could not continue, the court still has no diagnosis of Abdirahman's fitness to plead. The judge required a "diagnostic clarification" from the Central Mental Hospital, which must admit the accused and allow an external psychiatrist to evaluate him. Defence counsel Oisin Clarke noted issues with the case and the need for the court to determine the accused's mental fitness. In July, the defence reported that Abdirahman was still in Cloverhill Prison and had not engaged with a psychiatrist.
In Dún Laoghaire District Court, a husband was granted bail after his wife, the safety order applicant, expressed that she was happy for him to return home. The husband was arrested at 9.30pm the previous evening in Dublin for allegedly breaching a safety order issued the prior Wednesday. Garda Andrew Hughes reported that the accused became verbally aggressive and physically assaulted his wife during the incident, and when cautioned he made no reply. The wife chose not to give formal evidence but spoke from the public gallery, describing the altercation as an "alcohol‑fuelled row" that might have escalated after the husband shoved her. Judge Derek Cooney noted that breaches of safety orders can carry up to 12 months in prison, but he granted bail on a €300 bond with no lodgement, on the condition that the accused complies with the safety order. The case was adjourned until 15 December for disclosure.
Three men with a combined 106 previous convictions pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Tom Niland at the Central Criminal Court on Monday. John Irving (31) of Foxford, Co Mayo; Francis Harman (58) of Ballina, Co Mayo; and John Clarke (37) of Ballina attacked the 82-year-old at his home in Skryne, Co Sligo on January 18th, 2022, stealing approximately €800 from his wallet. Mr Niland suffered severe injuries including brain trauma and multiple fractures. He was hospitalised but his condition deteriorated, and he died from his injuries in September 2023, some 20 months after the assault. The State Pathologist attributed his death to blunt force trauma. All three were initially charged with murder but the Director of Public Prosecutions reduced the charges to manslaughter. Harman and Clarke pleaded guilty on the first day of trial; Irving initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea during proceedings. The prosecution submitted that sentences between 15 and 20 years were warranted. Justice Paul McDermott will sentence the defendants on Thursday.
In a Tallaght District Court hearing on 10 October 2025, Judge Áine Shannon dismissed a Section 6 Public Order charge against 64‑year‑old Míceál MacGiobúin of Belmont Park, Donnybrook. MacGiobúin had pleaded not guilty to allegations that he used threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour with intent to cause a breach of the peace during a protest outside the Russian Embassy on Orwell Road, Rathgar, on 11 October 2024. Garda Sophie Gummerson testified that she saw MacGiobúin walking near the embassy carrying a placard and shouting slogans such as "Nazi war criminal – get out of Ireland and get out of Ukraine" and "Putin will put you in his meat mincer" towards embassy employee Igor Koliara, who reported feeling intimidated. MacGiobúin, who represented himself, claimed his protest was passionate but peaceful and denied any threatening intent. CCTV footage reviewed by the judge showed MacGiobúin walking at a steady pace, not running or lunging.
Laurence Farrell, a former retained firefighter in Meath, lost his statutory complaint for constructive dismissal before the Workplace Relations Commission. Farrell alleged that Meath County Council failed to properly investigate bullying and verbal abuse by a now-retired station officer at Nobber Fire Station, which he described as a 'whitewash.' He claimed he was excluded from training and suffered aggressive treatment, leading him to resign in December 2020 after his sick leave expired. The council denied the allegations, stating the complaints were handled according to its dignity at work policy. Adjudicator Maria Kelly found that the council's HR manager fully investigated the complaints and acted reasonably. She determined that Farrell had not exhausted internal resolution processes by quitting before completing recommended meetings. Consequently, she dismissed the statutory complaint, finding no unfair dismissal. The adjudicator also concluded that reinstatement was not an option. Sheila Broderick, Meath's Chief Fire Officer, testified that no other complaints had been made against the accused officer and that the rank system was a safety measure. The case was concluded with the dismissal of Farrell's claim.
In a brief arraignment at the Central Criminal Court, 35‑year‑old Muhammed Al Shaker Al Tamimi pleaded guilty to murdering his eight‑year‑old daughter, Malika Al Katib, and attempting to murder her mother, Aisha Al Katib, on 1 December 2024 at Lower William Street, New Ross. Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the case to 15 December for evidence and a statement from Ms Katib and her family. The defendant faces a mandatory life sentence for murder.
Two men, Craig Hayes, 27, and Jason Dunne, 35, appeared before Tallaght District Court charged with attempting to murder Thomas McDonnell at Cookstown Cottages, Cookstown Lane, Tallaght, on 3 December 2021. Hayes was arrested at 7am at Cushlawn Park and charged at 9.46am; he made no reply when cautioned. Dunne was arrested at 11.28am, brought to Tallaght Garda Station, and replied "no comment" when charged and cautioned. Both men were remanded in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court on 14 October via video link.
A 55‑year‑old man, George Turner of Fairview, pleaded guilty to the murder of Emma McCrory, a mother‑of‑two and fashion wholesale manager in her 40s, who was fatally injured when a blaze broke out in her Howth Road home on 15 December 2022. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court, with sentencing scheduled for 10 October 2025 and Turner remanded in custody until that date.
In a WRC hearing, Aer Lingus safety chief Conor Nolan explained that an engine repair report posted online by whistleblower pilot Tom O'Riordan was not intended for public consumption. Nolan said the report, dated 24 October 2023, detailed repairs to the number 1 engine of an Airbus A320 (EI‑DEN) after a fume leak on 5 June 2023. O'Riordan, who had 13,000 hours on heavy jets, was dismissed in September 2024 and claimed he was poisoned by toxic fumes. He alleged Aer Lingus had "whitewashed" safety issues and that the report's publication damaged the airline's reputation. Nolan maintained the document was highly technical and could be misconstrued by the public. The case was adjourned to January 2026. The hearing focused on the report's content, O'Riordan's claims, and the airline's defence of its safety procedures.
At Tallaght District Court on 2 October 2025, a man in his 20s was denied bail after being charged with breaching a protection order that had been in place since July. The charge stemmed from alleged threats made on 30 September and 1 October, when the defendant reportedly shouted insults and threatened to kill the complainant, her family and himself while she was shopping. The complainant, who had been in a two‑month relationship with the defendant, testified that she feared further violence and wanted to live in peace. The defendant denied making the threats, claiming he had only brought food and that the complainant had rebuffed him. Gardaí argued that the defendant's continued daily contact with the complainant posed a real risk of interference, and the judge, after hearing both sides, refused bail and remanded the defendant in custody for a video appearance at Cloverhill District Court on 7 October. Legal aid was assigned.
A homeless couple from Latvia, Inga Punane (31) and Vitins Gintars (32), were denied bail after being charged with assault involving a broken glass bottle in Dublin. Punane faces assault causing harm under the Non‑Fatal Offences Act and producing a dangerous weapon under the Firearms Act. Gintars is charged with assault causing harm. Garda Dylan Higgins presented evidence of a fight where Punane allegedly smashed a bottle on the ground, struck the victim's legs and torso, and threw glass shards at another man. Two witnesses recorded the incident on their phones, and the victim was taken to St Vincent's Hospital with bleeding and scratches. The court noted the seriousness of the violence, potential sentence, and risk of witness interference. Both accused were remanded in custody, with legal aid and medical support for alcohol issues granted. The judge refused bail under the Bail Act and O'Callaghan principles, citing the severity of the charges and evidence.
A disability centre in Carlow has requested that a tribunal impose reporting restrictions, citing "very sensitive issues" after a worker, Sandra Browne, was accused of penalising her for raising safety complaints. The Workplace Relations Commission noted that a prior agreement on a series of penalisation and discrimination claims brought by Browne against the Delta Centre CLG had not been fulfilled. Browne's statutory complaints under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act 2005, the Industrial Relations (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 and the Employment Equality Act 1998 are now set to proceed to a full hearing later this year. The tribunal adjourned the case pending the arrangement of hearing dates at the WRC's offices in Carlow in the winter. The centre's legal filings ran to 1,000 pages, and Browne is self‑represented.
A man in his 30s accused of breaching a barring order by making mocking social media posts and sending text messages to his former partner was granted bail by Judge John Brennan at Tallaght District Court, despite Garda objections. The alleged breaches included a Facebook post directed at the complainant and texts sent after his release from custody. The complainant, who obtained a barring order in March following an alleged assault, described the accused as unpredictable when drinking and said he had sent apologies, declarations of love, and mocking posts. Defence solicitor Eddie O'Connor noted the complainant had once invited the accused to her home during a relapse in June, but denied a renewed relationship. The accused denied intent to intimidate, accepted responsibility for the Facebook post, and agreed to stay away from the complainant and comply with court conditions.
A 23‑year‑old e‑scooter rider, Jason Thornton, was convicted of a public order offence after shouting abuse at Garda Jack Hamilton during a criminal damage investigation on 15 June 2024 in south Dublin. Thornton, who was on an e‑scooter on a nearby walkway, raised his middle finger and shouted "F*** you, you red prick" while Hamilton was speaking to the injured party. Hamilton tried to issue a warning but Thornton accelerated away, and a crowd gathered. The court found that the incident, occurring while Gardaí were already dealing with a criminal damage case, met the threshold for a public order offence. Thornton pleaded not guilty, but Judge Anne Watkin convicted him. He has 38 prior convictions, including assault, criminal damage, misuse of drugs, burglary, robbery, theft and threats to kill, and his most recent conviction was under the Misuse of Drugs Act on 16 May 2025.
In September 2025 the Workplace Relations Commission recommended €5,000 compensation to a barista who resigned after her employer accused her of being "too friendly" with customers. The adjudicator found that the café had created an "unsavoury and undermining work environment" by ambushing the barista with serious misconduct accusations in January 2025, subjecting her to a punitive transfer to another branch, and demanding a private discussion without notice. The barista reported being physically threatened and that the employer threatened to report her to the Gardaí. The employer claimed it was conducting an initial investigation into alleged undercharging and free giveaways, but the adjudicator noted the transfer amounted to a disciplinary sanction without proper investigation. The barista quit shortly after, and the commission's recommendation was based on the distress and loss she suffered.".
In a Tallaght District Court hearing on 16 September 2025, a man in his 20s was denied bail after a judge found that a pregnant woman, who is unnamed for legal reasons, was left in fear for herself and her unborn child. The accused, who pleaded not guilty to criminal damage and theft, had allegedly threatened to drag the woman to an abortion clinic and had engaged in violent conduct at her home, including jumping on her car, smashing a wardrobe and chandeliers, and refusing to return her house keys. Garda Brendan Byrne cited the O'Callaghan principles, arguing the man might not appear in court and could interfere with the complainant. The court noted that a key to the woman's home was found in the accused's pocket. The accused, represented by Padraig O'Donovan, claimed any damage was accidental and offered compensation, stating he would stay away if bail were granted.
In September 2025, the Workplace Relations Commission rejected Katazyna Wadlewska's claim of unfair dismissal after Lidl Ireland Gmbh terminated her €50,000-a-year deputy store manager role. Wadlewska was accused during a 2023 internal audit of removing a six‑pack of Kong Light energy drinks from the shelf, drinking one, and leaving the rest in the warehouse. She admitted taking the drinks but claimed it was common practice and that she paid for them later. Wadlewska denied intent to steal and argued that the investigation was biased because the new store manager, Steven Morrissey, was married to a subordinate. The commission found the disciplinary process complied with the code of practice, noted that Wadlewska had not lodged a grievance against Morrissey, and concluded her dismissal was not unfair. The decision was published in a WRC ruling this week.
In Tallaght District Court, 58‑year‑old Filippo Sangermano, a resident of Watergate House Hostel, was granted bail after being charged with a section 6 public order offence for alleged verbal abuse and aggression in the accident and emergency (A&E) department of Tallaght University Hospital. The court heard that Gardaí had been called to the hospital and that Sangermano was reportedly abusive towards staff and patients. He denied knowing Irish legal procedures, noting that in the UK he could speak to a solicitor and had not yet seen a social worker. Defence counsel Ciara Ní Ghabhann BL objected to a blanket restriction on his access to A&E, arguing he should not be prevented from seeking emergency care. Judge Patricia McNamara agreed, allowing bail on the condition that Sangermano may only attend the A&E if referred by a doctor. The bail was secured on a €200 bond, and the case was adjourned for disclosure at a later date.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has rejected an equality claim brought by Mary Dempsey, an assistant professor at the University of Galway, under the Employment Equality Act 1998. Ms Dempsey alleged that the university discriminated against her on the grounds of gender and age when it refused her promotion to a professorship in 2022. She argued that the academic promotions committee ignored the impact of past discrimination, including restrictive contracts and limited research opportunities, on her career trajectory. The university denied these allegations, asserting that Ms Dempsey fell short in teaching, funding, and research output assessments. Adjudicator Peter O'Brien noted that while Ms Dempsey had previously secured €81,000 in compensation for gender and disability discrimination in 2015, she was not entitled to preferential treatment based on that past situation. The adjudicator stated that other candidates should not be disadvantaged by the complainant's history and found that she was not discriminated against in the recent promotion process. Consequently, the WRC dismissed her complaint, upholding the university's decision to reject her bid for the professorship.
In a Tallaght District Court hearing on 9 September 2025, a woman named Cathrina Boyle, aged 65, was accused of drink‑driving on the N81 on 22 December 2023. Garda Paul Byrne stopped her vehicle after noticing erratic driving, observed blood‑shot eyes, slurred speech, and a strong smell of alcohol, and arrested her. Boyle voluntarily gave a blood sample, which was sealed, labelled, and sent to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety. The sample reportedly returned a concentration of 227 mg of alcohol per 100 ml, exceeding the legal limit. Defence counsel Oisín Clarke argued that the chain of custody for the specimen was not proven, citing a recent High Court decision in Ratinskis v DPP that quashed a conviction on similar grounds. Judge Patricia McNamara adjourned the case to 23 October, noting the High Court ruling had not yet formally taken effect. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
A 49‑year‑old woman, Olivia Kinsella of Meadowlands Park, Mounttown, Dún Laoghaire, appeared before Dún Laoghaire District Court charged with animal neglect for failing to care for her dog between 1 January and 3 March 2023. The dog was found dead inside her home, described by veterinary evidence as emaciated and in poor condition, with no food or water. Defence counsel argued the Gardaí's entry was unlawful due to a delay, but Judge Anne Watkin rejected this, ruling the entry lawful. The case was adjourned to 9 December for further submissions.
The Workplace Relations Commission ordered Tesco Ireland Ltd to re‑employ Cathal Hussey, a warehouse operative who had been dismissed in November 2023 after calling his line manager Martynas Bajarunas "useless" during a performance review. The tribunal found that Tesco had over‑reacted, upgrading a final written warning to summary dismissal without sufficient justification. SIPTU argued that Hussey's remark was part of a legitimate grievance about management's handling of concerns, and that the dismissal was a crude exercise of power. The tribunal noted that the 12‑page document Hussey produced was deemed "unreasonable, disrespectful and improper" by the investigator, but that the escalation to dismissal was not justified. Adjudicator Eileen Campbell upheld Hussey's complaint, rejected a full reinstatement remedy, and directed Tesco to re‑engage him by mid‑August with the warning remaining on file for a year and the dismissal period treated as unpaid suspension.
Clodagh Byrne, 32, of Castlederg, pleaded guilty to theft at Marks & Spencer in Dublin on 24 July. She admitted taking items worth €223.70, claiming she acted in a "moment of madness" after seeing images of suffering in Gaza. Byrne said she believed the store was funding genocide and supporting Zionists, and that her theft was a reaction to those scenes. Judge Anne Watkin rejected this as an abuse of people suffering, stating it was not a valid excuse for shoplifting. The judge suggested Byrne avoid the store if she felt that way and questioned her self‑employment as a therapist. Byrne was fined €500, with a six‑month payment period. The case was heard under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act. The court did not impose any custodial sentence.
During a preliminary hearing on 25 July 2025, lawyers for St Dominic's College in Dublin denied allegations that the school had misled the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) by submitting false versions of a guidance counsellor's employment contracts. The complaint, brought by Mary Lynch, 56, who has worked part‑time on fixed‑term contracts since 2021, claims the school treated her less favourably than a permanently employed comparator and suppressed her hours to avoid offering a permanent contract. The school argues Lynch's qualifications as a third‑level guidance counsellor mean she is not appropriately qualified for secondary school work and that it follows Department of Education policy to favour qualified teachers. Lynch's legal representative, Des Kavanagh, questioned the authenticity of the contracts presented by the school, describing them as "false" and "misleading" and demanding the signed contracts.
In a July 2025 decision, the Workplace Relations Commission adjudicator Michael McEntee ordered BGS Security Ltd, trading as BGSS, to pay security officer Kipkorir Francis Kiptoo €32,713.96. The award comprised €4,213.96 in unpaid wages, €26,500 in compensation for non‑compliance with the Employment Regulation Order (ERO) under the Industrial Relations Act 1946, and €2,000 for a breach of the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994. The adjudicator described the company's conduct as "blatant flouting" of national pay regulations for the security sector, noting that BGSS had failed to provide a satisfactory contract of employment and had ignored the ERO requirements. The decision added to a total of €140,560.71 awarded to former BGSS staff for employment rights breaches since May 2024, reflecting a broader pattern of unpaid wages and regulatory violations by the firm.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 23 July 2025, Mr Justice Paul McDermott criticised the delay in preparing a psychiatric assessment for Ahmed Abdirahman, a 31‑year‑old Somalian national accused of murdering his former partner Mary Ward in Belfast on 25 September 2024. The judge urged both the prosecution and defence to set a timeframe for resolving the issue, noting that the Central Mental Hospital's resource constraints could not justify the continued impasse. Counsel for the State, Antonia Boyle BL, explained that the book of evidence had not yet been served on the accused because of mental health concerns. The defence team reported that Mr Abdirahman is awaiting admission to the Central Mental Hospital and has not engaged with a psychiatrist who attempted to see him. They also raised a jurisdictional issue, arguing that the alleged offence occurred in Northern Ireland and therefore the accused should be given the option to be tried there.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 23 July 2025, Mr Justice Paul McDermott urged that additional resources be allocated to the case of Riad Bouchaker, 51, who is charged with assaulting a care worker and attempting to murder three children on Parnell Square. The prosecution noted that the defence had supplied a psychiatric report on Bouchaker, while the prosecution is preparing its own report due by mid‑October. The judge highlighted "serious difficulties" caused by delays, including the need for further neuropsychological work, delays in accessing the defendant in prison, and interpreter availability. He set the next hearing for 22 October and called on all parties—lawyers, psychiatrists, and other professionals—to expedite the case once the psychiatric issues are resolved. The court reiterated its commitment to fast‑track trials involving children, aiming to complete the process within one year where possible.
In Tallaght District Court, a Dublin man in his 30s was denied bail after the judge heard he allegedly planted a small tracking device in his child's car seat and sent up to 50 abusive emails a day to his ex‑partner, breaching a safety order. Garda Gavin Cribbin cited eight alleged breaches of the order in June and July 2025, including the device discovery on 29 June when a relative received a phone alert. The complainant confirmed the device, described as an AirTag‑type, was hidden in the seat used for custody exchanges. The man allegedly admitted to a relative that he had placed the tracker. He also sent repeated abusive emails, some containing verbal abuse, and was permitted only to contact the injured party about child access. The judge, citing the O'Callaghan principles, found a real risk of interference and refused bail, remanding the man in custody for a video hearing on 25 July 2025.
At the Special Criminal Court, six accused men pleaded guilty to charges related to a foiled drug importation operation off the south coast. Angel Del Rio Sanz, Anuar Rahui Chairi, Aleksandar Milic, Kiumaars Ghabiri, Pedro Pablo Ojeda Ortega, and Angel Serran Padilla admitted to conspiring with others to import controlled drugs in excess of €13,000 between February 27 and March 14, 2024. The prosecution alleged the group attempted a sea rendezvous with the vessel Cool Explorer to smuggle 840kg of cocaine, which was later found washed up in Denmark. Evidence presented included the seizure of a rigid inflatable boat, vehicles, and nautical equipment at Tragumna Pier in Cork. The court heard that the RIB's GPS data indicated an attempt to intercept the ship's path. The matter is currently at the pre-trial stage; sentencing for the guilty pleas is ongoing, with the hearing continuing. Separately, co-accused Ali Ghasemi Mazidi, Sean Curran, and Raul Tabares Garcia sought trial dates. The court adjourned the matter for a mention on July 28 to list a trial date, meaning the proceedings for these three defendants have not been concluded.
James Duffy, a part‑time taxi driver and pensioner from Finglas, has pleaded not guilty to a charge that he brought 14,000 cigarettes into Ireland without paying excise duty. The alleged offence, which would amount to over €11,000 in duty, is said to have occurred on 26 April 2024 at Dublin Airport. Duffy's lawyers applied to the High Court for a judicial review of the summons issued to him, arguing that the summons lacked written information on his procedural rights under EU regulations. They contend that this omission prevented Duffy from making an informed decision when he represented himself and entered a not‑guilty plea. The High Court granted permission for the challenge, stayed the Circuit Court proceedings, and adjourned the matter to October, with a trial date set for next April. The case remains pending in the Circuit Court.
Alistair Wright, a 37‑year‑old self‑employed joiner from Crieff, appeared before Judge Anne Watkin at Dún Laoghaire District Court after being caught with one gram of cocaine while attending a stag party in Dublin. Wright had been drinking all day with a group that had booked rooms at the Clayton Hotel in Donnybrook. By 8.30 pm tensions rose, prompting hotel staff to call Gardaí. When the officers arrived, Wright became aggressive, shouted abuse, refused to comply with directions, resisted arrest and was restrained. He pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine and to several public order offences, including threatening and abusive behaviour, failing to comply with Garda directions and resisting a peace officer. He has no prior convictions. The judge expressed no tolerance for cocaine, warned that he would not simply "skip off home" to Scotland, and ordered a probation report and urine analysis, leaving open the possibility of a community service order or custody.
In a High Court hearing, Garda Commissioner Kilda Mooney argued that the Dublin District Court's March order to discover documents and costs for 38 non‑national taxi licence applicants was beyond the court's jurisdiction. The Commissioner, acting as the licensing authority, contended that the court was not deciding civil matters but licensing suitability. She noted that voluntary disclosures had already been made by Gardaí to the refused applicants. The High Court granted a stay on the District Court orders and adjourned the case to October. The appeal concerns the 'suitability' of the applicants to hold Small Public Service Vehicle licences, a matter the Commissioner says must consider public safety, character, and immigration status as outlined in the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. The case remains under judicial review.
A man in his 20s was denied bail after he allegedly breached a protection order by assaulting his former partner at the Longitude music festival in Dublin's Marlay Park on 24 June. The incident, described by Sergeant Ruth Finnegan, involved the man approaching the woman, becoming aggressive, striking her jaw, putting his hands around her neck and leaving bruises on her left face. Witnesses saw the event and the man was arrested on site. He is currently prohibited from contacting his child under existing court orders. Gardaí opposed bail, citing the seriousness of the allegations. The man's solicitor offered to sign daily, provide a fixed address and stay away from the woman and child, but Judge Patricia McNamara refused bail. He was remanded to Cloverhill Prison and will appear again via video link on 9 July.
A bilingual barrister assisted proceedings at the Special Criminal Court today after an interpreter experienced difficulty during his first court appearance. The Spanish-language interpreter, who has worked in hospital settings but not previously in a courtroom, became anxious while translating for defendants charged in connection with an alleged drug importation conspiracy. Defence counsel Cathal McGreal BL, noting the translation issues, offered support, and the interpreter subsequently continued with the day's business of scheduling matters. Six men require trial dates in the case, including Sean Curran, aged 37, with an address at Carrickyheenan, Aughnacloy, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. Ten men in total, from Ireland, Spain, Serbia, and the Netherlands, are charged with conspiracy to import controlled drugs valued in excess of €13,000 between late February and mid-March 2024. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor adjourned matters to July 21 for trial date setting, with further mentions scheduled for July 7.