The Workplace Relations Commission ruled that Our Lady of Hope School must pay Christina Doyle €5,000 for unfair dismissal. Doyle, a cleaner employed from 9 November 2021 to 13 November 2023, earned €12 an hour for ten hours a week. She was dismissed after the principal accused her of leaving a bucket of diluted bleach in a corridor. Doyle denied responsibility, claimed the principal shouted and behaved abusively, and said she left due to panic and fear of a death threat. The school argued she resigned, citing her refusal to return keys and her statement "I am out of here, I am done." The tribunal found no sworn evidence from the school, deemed the death‑threat claim implausible, and concluded Doyle was unfairly dismissed with no fair procedures. The award covered over ten months' wages, just short of 42 weeks' pay.
In February 2023, Nkemka Patrick Okachi, a supervisor at Sodexo Ireland Ltd, was dismissed after a client‑company receptionist alleged sexual harassment. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found Sodexo had breached the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 by relying on flawed procedures and hearsay evidence, noting that none of the senior managers who made decisions had seen the CCTV footage of the incident. Okachi claimed he had not seen the woman since before the pandemic, that their conversation was jovial, and that he had only given a one‑shoulder hug because she was in gym clothing. He denied any sexual intent. The WRC ruled the dismissal was unfair, ordered his reinstatement on the same terms as before, and highlighted the lack of objective evidence and the client's refusal to provide CCTV as serious procedural failures. The decision was made in a hearing held in February 2025.
A Workplace Relations Commission adjudicator ordered West Wood Club CLG in Sandymount, Dublin 4, to pay €8,000 to Robert Flynn for disability discrimination and victimisation. The decision, published following an October 2024 hearing, found that the gym failed to provide reasonable accommodation for Flynn, who has a lower left leg amputation. Flynn alleged that after requesting a shower hose to wash his "bits and pieces," he was accused by staff of being vulgar and subsequently expelled. The club's general manager claimed Flynn asked to "wash his arse," a statement Flynn denied, stating he used the phrase "bits and pieces." The adjudicator noted that while some staff felt uncomfortable, Flynn was not rude or abusive, and no formal complaints were made until after his expulsion. The tribunal concluded Flynn was retaliated against for invoking his rights under the Equal Status Act 2000. The adjudicator ordered €5,000 for discrimination and €3,000 for victimisation. Additionally, a compliance direction was issued requiring the club to re-evaluate its shower facilities to ensure legislative compliance. Andrew Murnaghan of KM Solicitors LLP represented Flynn, arguing the club failed to investigate adaptation requests. The matter was concluded with this final adjudication and compensation order.
In February 2025, Brendan Burke, a senior project manager at Bretland Contracting Ltd, won €4,159 from the Workplace Relations Commission after a dispute over his dismissal. Burke had sent a mass email on 14 November 2023 to 41 colleagues, praising a new senior manager for dismissing a pregnant employee during probation. The company claimed the email was insubordination, harassment and a disregard for hierarchy. Burke denied prior warnings, noting none were on file. He testified that he was summoned to a meeting on 15 November, where he was told a disciplinary process was underway and that leaving without signing two letters would result in dismissal. Burke said he left the room, was shouted at, and then chased through the office, stripped of his keys, phone, laptop and jacket.
In a 2023 incident at Clonskeagh Mosque, Khayyaam Noordally claimed that a Garda removed him from the mosque grounds after he attempted to park his disabled son's wheelchair in a disabled bay. Noordally alleged the mosque breached the Equal Status Act 2000 by denying him access. The Workplace Relations Commission, after a virtual equality hearing in October 2023, rejected the claim. The mosque said its car park was full, with 5,000 attendees that day, and that parking was first‑come, first‑served. Security staff reported that the gate was partially closed and that Noordally had tried to force his car into the entrance. The Commission found the refusal was due to the gate's closure, not disability, and dismissed the claim. No further action was taken.
The Workplace Relations Commission has joined David Moore and three members of the Astronomy Ireland management committee as respondents in a claim brought by former manager Sonya Martin. Martin alleges constructive dismissal and breaches of employment rights after resigning in July 2023, claiming she was forced to resign because the club had no board and that she was being made a party to a fraud on the State. She also accuses Moore of pocketing money that should have gone to the society, citing that fees paid for speakers had not been deposited for years. Moore denies any financial irregularities and says he was only the magazine editor. The tribunal adjourned the hearing, with a new date to be set in early March, after Moore objected to being joined as a respondent and claimed he had not received proper notice of the case management meeting.
Former Fine Gael TD Kate O'Connell is set to give evidence at an employment tribunal after senior pharmacist Marwan Al Rahbi lodged a complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977. Al Rahbi, who earned €112,000 a year as a senior support pharmacist at Rathgar Pharmacy Ltd, says he was constructively dismissed after two years because of O'Connell's alleged bullying. His lawyer, Cillian McGovern, claims O'Connell behaved rudely, removed a chair, hid a heater, and told Al Rahbi to perform arbitrary tasks, calling him "your boss." Al Rahbi also alleges O'Connell demanded he sign documents under pressure and refused his request for time off during the Islamic holiday of Eid Al‑Adha. O'Connell's barrister, Derek Dunne, disputes the allegations, stating Al Rahbi was aggressive after being reprimanded for using his phone and that the employer's actions were not bullying. The tribunal has adjourned the case to a later date.
In a 2025 WRC hearing, Focus Ireland was examined over a 2019 photoshoot that used a prop wedding ring to depict married homeless parents, following an ad‑agency report suggesting the public was "less likely to support single parents." Former digital media manager Aoife Cooney, a single mother, claimed she was bullied by CEO Pat Dennigan and advocacy director Mike Allen because of her status and resigned in 2022. The tribunal found the photoshoot was beyond her jurisdiction and that the agency's findings did not reflect Focus Ireland's culture. Cooney's grievance was deemed a bullying complaint rather than discrimination; the WRC concluded no bullying occurred and that her resignation was due to a better job offer. The case was dismissed as a mischaracterisation of discrimination.
The Central Criminal Court has set a trial date for a 17‑year‑old boy accused of attempting to murder Fr Paul Murphy, a 52‑year‑old army chaplain, at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Renmore, Galway, on 15 August 2024. Mr Justice Paul McDermott scheduled the trial for 6 May 2025. The case will be revisited on 12 February to report on the progress of evidence disclosure.
In a January 2025 hearing at the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Paul McDermott highlighted that limited psychiatric services in Ireland are causing additional trauma to families, citing the case of Ruth Purcell Healy, 37, who is charged with the murder of her six‑year‑old son Matthew. The judge noted that Healy's lawyers have spent months attempting to secure a psychiatrist's assessment, but have been unsuccessful due to shortages and delays. He described the case as "very sensitive" and stressed that prolonged waiting for psychiatric reports exacerbates trauma. McDermott pointed out that psychiatrists at the Central Mental Hospital are often unavailable because of their workload, and that low fees offered by the Department of Justice deter them from taking on cases. Consequently, lawyers sometimes seek psychiatrists abroad, such as in the UK, to obtain the necessary reports. The judge's remarks underscore the systemic limitations in the state's psychiatric services for complex criminal cases.
John Tate, 62, of Iveagh Trust, Kevin Street, Dublin 8, appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after being charged in Dublin District Court with two counts of arson, two counts of violent disorder and two incidents of obstructing traffic at Parnell Street and O'Connell Street on 23 November 2023. Judge Elva Duffy adjourned the case to 25 February for arraignment, remanding Tate on continuing bail. He will decide whether to plead guilty or request a trial date.
The trial of Riad Bouchaker, 50, accused of seriously assaulting a care worker and attempting to murder three children outside a primary school in Dublin, has been postponed. Lawyers have requested a neuropsychologist's report, which is expected by the end of February. The court has adjourned the case to February 26 for an update. Bouchaker faces charges of attempted murder of two girls and a boy, assault causing serious harm to a care worker, and possession or production of a knife. The incident occurred on 23 November 2023 outside the school.
Richard Satchwell, 57, will be tried in Dublin on 28 April 2025 after his lawyers successfully moved the case from Cork. Mr Justice Paul McDermott approved the application. Satchwell, a truck driver originally from Leicester, is charged with murdering his wife, Tina Satchwell, 45, at their Grattan Street home in Youghal on 20 March 2017. Tina was reported missing on 24 March 2017, and her skeletal remains were discovered in October 2023 during an excavation beneath the stairwell of the house.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 35‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to one count of child neglect after his infant daughter was found blue and shivering in a car he had left behind while intoxicated. Gardaí launched a search that involved all available officers and a helicopter, locating the vehicle at 4:55 am. The child, dressed in a babygrow, was rescued, wrapped in blankets, and taken to Temple Street Children's Hospital where her temperature was normalised. The court noted the child's full recovery and that she was placed in the care of other family members until her mother returned. The defendant's car was seized and traces of cocaine were found. The judge remanded the accused into custody, with the matter adjourned for finalisation next Tuesday. The maximum sentence available is seven years in prison or a fine.
In a High Court hearing, Shannon Judd of Cox's Demesne, Dundalk, challenged the prosecution of an alleged €43 theft of potted plants from Costcutter Supermarket, Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk, on 23 December 2022. Judd, who could not recall being in the shop that day, sought disclosure of CCTV footage and witness statements. While a shop worker and Garda Declan Ward claimed to have identified her from CCTV, the footage was never provided. The Garda's claim that the footage existed was denied, and the prosecution proceeded based on the worker's and Garda's testimony. Judd's solicitor, Peter Lavery, argued that the absence of the CCTV evidence and the time elapsed prejudiced her case, and that the judge's suggestion of a lenient outcome if she pleaded guilty was improper. The High Court granted permission for a judicial review on 21 January, with Lily Buckley BL representing Judd.
Richard Setchfield, a 67‑year‑old British national, pleaded guilty on 19 August 2019 to possessing proceeds of criminal conduct after Gardaí found €78,000 taped to the chassis of his car at Dublin Port. The money, which he claimed came from his own savings and the sale of a Volkswagen a week earlier, was seized when the vehicle was X‑rayed and searched again at New Customs House. Setchfield also had €1,200 in his wallet seized. He told Gardaí he had hidden the cash because he had seen it on television and did not want to inform the tax authorities. Gardaí noted he had no work or social welfare history, had 25 prior convictions, and had no significant balances in two bank accounts. The case was adjourned to 27 January, with Setchfield remanded on continuing bail.
Judges at the Special Criminal Court granted legal aid to James Leen, a 41‑year‑old from Listowel, who is accused of importing over €30 million worth of crystal meth. Leen filed a statement of means claiming zero income and zero assets, but the Director of Public Prosecutions, John Berry SC, presented evidence that Leen owns a property and has bank accounts, indicating a lifestyle inconsistent with his claim. Berry asked the court to consider this evidence before deciding on legal aid. Morgan Shelley BL argued that the money involved is alleged proceeds of crime and cannot be used to pay lawyers. Justice Kerida Naidoo noted that the State could address any special circumstances through other means and, finding no evidence that Leen could fund his own trial, approved legal aid.
A veteran healthcare worker, who has worked in the sector for over 30 years, was shocked to discover that a previously unknown complaint of sexual assault had been reported to the Garda vetting bureau by the HSE when she sought new employment. She claims she has no knowledge of who made the allegation, when or where it occurred, and that the HSE had no lawful authority to forward the report to the Gardaí. The woman, who left her HSE role in April 2024 after a positive interview with another agency, says the allegation forced her to seek medical help and that no investigation had taken place. She has applied to the High Court for an order quashing the HSE's decision to furnish the report and for the Garda vetting bureau to withdraw its acceptance of the report. The court has granted permission for judicial review and adjourned the case to the New Year.
Lawyers for Riad Bouchaker, 50, await reports on his defence. Bouchaker is charged with attempted murder of two girls and a boy, assault causing serious harm to a care worker, and possession or production of a knife. The alleged incident took place outside a school on 23 November 2023. A brief hearing was held this morning, with an update scheduled for a hearing one week before Christmas.
Emma Hughes, a social media manager at Dash Container Café, claimed that her employer, Martin McCaffrey, became hostile after she announced her pregnancy in August 2022. She said he criticised her work, ignored her content, and pressured her to continue working during maternity leave. Hughes also alleged that McCaffrey moved a planned event date, criticised her for taking leave, and failed to arrange a replacement. She filed grievances during her leave, resigned in June 2024, and brought a complaint under the Employment Equality Act 1998. The WRC adjudicator found no rebuttal from the employer and concluded that Hughes faced gender‑based discrimination linked to her pregnancy. The tribunal awarded her €35,000, equivalent to a year's gross salary, as non‑remuneration‑based compensation for the adverse treatment she endured.
A court ruled that the State may stop paying the €100,000‑per‑week cost of maintaining the MV Matthew, a cargo ship seized in September 2023 by the Army Rangers. The ship was used in a major drug haul that yielded 2.2 tonnes of cocaine worth about €157 million. Eight men are to be tried next year at the Special Criminal Court. The judge ordered the State to dispose of the ship, allowing a two‑week stay before the disposal process begins. No defence team objected, but they may raise issues at the next hearing.
A tribunal awarded €10,000 in unfair dismissal compensation to builder Barry Naughton after his employer, Protum Services, terminated him for alleged misuse of a company van and tampering with a dashboard vehicle tracker. The company had installed trackers in 2022 for insurance purposes and claimed Naughton repeatedly disconnected the device, leading to over 1,000 unrecorded miles. Naughton denied unplugging the tracker, arguing that personal use of company vans was common practice and that he had been permitted to use the van for transporting motorbikes and picking up his daughter. The tribunal found the dismissal unfair due to procedural shortcomings, including a lack of natural justice and no appeal, but reduced the award by 50% to account for Naughton's contribution to his own dismissal, resulting in a final €10,000 award.
In August 2022, Robert Carroll, a 39‑year‑old construction worker, fired two shots from a revolver into the air outside his Finglas home while experiencing psychosis and not taking his medication. Garda armed support and a negotiator were called after reports of the discharge. Carroll's behaviour was erratic; he threw items from windows and was incoherent when approached. He voluntarily left the house after 75 minutes, was arrested under the Mental Health Act, and taken to hospital where a medical report confirmed a transient psychotic episode with a background of cocaine use. He was later formally arrested, interviewed without admissions, and a search of his house revealed five bullet casings, a revolver, one live round, and €10,050 in cash. Carroll pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition in suspicious circumstances. He has 21 prior convictions, the most recent from 2019. Judge Sarah Berkeley remanded him in custody, with the case adjourned to 26 November for finalisation.
A 49‑year‑old woman from Aylward Green, Finglas, Dublin 11, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of David Ennis, 36, who was found dead in a Dublin apartment on 8 November 2022. The case was originally charged as murder at Claddagh Court, Ballyfermot, but the woman admitted manslaughter at her arraignment before the Central Criminal Court. Mr Justice Paul McDermott has scheduled sentencing for 4 February.
Ellie Dunne, a 25‑year‑old art student with Down Syndrome, has lodged an equality complaint against the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) under the Equal Status Act 2000. She alleges the college failed to provide reasonable accommodation during her first semester, starting in September 2023, and that discrimination continued when NCAD required her to re‑sit an assessment on a module she was studying. Her mother, Katy McGuinness, told the Workplace Relations Commission that an educational support worker was initially available only two days a week and was unfamiliar with the studio techniques needed. A friend of Ellie's, who had supported her for 17 years, was initially planned to accompany her but was later excluded from support sessions. Internal correspondence revealed tutors' concerns that Ellie was not doing much work during class time, concerns that were not communicated to McGuinness. In October 2023, Ellie failed the module, prompting further correspondence and meetings.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of six men accused of offences arising from an incident at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on December 24. Michael Andrecut, Noah Musueni, and David Amah are charged with the murder of Tristan Sherry, while Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy face charges of violent disorder. All accused have pleaded not guilty. Prosecution witness Detective Sergeant Mark Murphy detailed Andrecut's arrest and his statements to gardai, in which he described Jason Hennessy Senior, who was fatally shot during the incident, as a father figure. Andrecut told detectives he reacted out of a "fight or flight" instinct when he saw Hennessy Senior wounded. The court also heard that gardai attempted to use a special provision to draw inferences from Andrecut's failure to answer questions regarding a black metal bar, a wooden chair, and knives allegedly used in the assault. Andrecut's counsel, Dominic McGinn SC, is expected to argue tomorrow that these inference interviews should not be admitted into evidence. The matter is currently at the charge or pre-trial stage, with the trial overseen by Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, Judge Elma Sheahan, and Judge James Faughnan. No finalisation or sentencing has occurred, and the proceedings remain ongoing.
In November 2024, the Workplace Relations Commission ordered Swissport to pay €44,000 to Nicholas Collins, a compliance manager with nearly twenty years of service, after finding his dismissal unfair. Collins was terminated in December 2023 following a failed security inspection by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). The inspection, conducted on 3 October 2023, revealed issues with eight employees' security clearances. Swissport halted cargo dispatch on 4 October to comply with IAA regulations, but a subsequent inspection on 6 October confirmed compliance. Collins claimed he had no knowledge of cargo being sent during the unvalidated period and that he was not informed of any investigation. He was not given a written statement of terms and conditions when promoted in 2018. The tribunal found Swissport breached the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 and the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994, awarding Collins €40,000 plus €4,443.60 for the missing statement.
A judge will decide on 16 December whether Richard Satchwell, 57, accused of murdering his wife Tina, can have his trial moved from Cork to Dublin or Limerick. The trial is scheduled for April next year. Brendan Grehan SC applied for the transfer, while the Director of Public Prosecutions, represented by Gerardine Small SC, opposed it. Mr Satchwell is charged with the murder of Tina Satchwell, 45, who was reported missing on 24 March 2017 and whose skeletal remains were found in October 2023 at their shared home on Grattan Street, Youghal.
Mark Davis, 35, with 207 prior convictions and a 20‑year driving ban, pleaded guilty to stealing a DPD delivery van in Jobstown on 4 December 2023 and to stealing 66 packages worth €901 and driving without a licence on the same day. During a court hearing, the judge heard that Davis, while driving past the victim, told him, "I'll leave the van 'round in that estate," and that the van was later found parked with its engine running and most of the packages missing. Davis also admitted to driving without a licence, hit‑and‑runs, dangerous driving and other offences. He was remanded on continuing bail, with the judge expressing concern that imprisonment would disrupt the progress he has made and that he would be exposed to drugs in custody. The case is set to resume on 10 March.
A man accused of assaulting a woman has been granted permission to challenge a decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions not to provide him with a statement the alleged victim made in a previously withdrawn complaint against him. The High Court heard that the man unsuccessfully sought disclosure of the statement before the District Court in April. He is also seeking a stay on proceedings, pending the outcome of his judicial review hearing. The man claims the District Court erred in denying his application for specific disclosure, relating to the previous withdrawn complaint made by the woman. The application arises from the prosecution of the man under Section 3 of the Non‑Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 regarding an alleged incident on January 19, 2023. The woman alleges that he struck her with a piece of glass, grabbed her by the neck and punched her in the face.
Eric O'Driscoll, aged 22, pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to possession of a .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle at Ratoath Drive, Finglas, on 9 January 2022. The court found the circumstances reasonably inferred that the rifle was not held for a lawful purpose. O'Driscoll also faced four other firearms offences, but the Director of Public Prosecutions said the plea satisfied the case. The matter was adjourned for a later hearing, with trial scheduled later in the year.
Norma Burke, a photojournalist, brought a gender discrimination claim against Press Photographers Ireland CLG (PPI) to the Workplace Relations Commission, alleging the organisation's "jobs for boys" attitude and membership rules discriminated against women. Burke argued that PPI's requirement for members to be "full‑time" press photographers—earning 80% of their income from editorial work—indirectly discriminated against women who are more likely to work part‑time, study full‑time, or have childcare responsibilities. She also claimed direct discrimination through dismissive, gendered remarks in email exchanges. PPI, represented by Elaine Davern‑Wiseman BL, countered that it had no defined "full‑time" criteria and that it was exempt from equality legislation because it did not provide a public service. The tribunal found Burke had no standing to claim direct discrimination and that the membership criteria were not discriminatory, dismissing her claims as not well founded. The decision was issued by WRC adjudicator Kara Turner on 8 November 2024.
Serhat Aksakal, a commis chef at the Odeon Bar and Restaurant in Dublin 2, appeared before the Workplace Relations Commission regarding a statutory complaint under the Employment Equality Act 1998. The applicant alleged that a senior colleague, identified as MR Z, touched his body with his genital area while he accessed a low fridge. Aksakal stated he used ChatGPT to prepare his formal complaint, attributing similar phrasing in witness statements to translation tools rather than collusion, a suggestion raised by the respondent's representative. The tribunal heard that Kivaway Ltd, the venue's operator, dismissed MR Z in August following the complaint, while Aksakal and a third witness remain employed. The respondent characterized the incident as crass horseplay, whereas the adjudicator noted the complainant was entitled to feel his dignity was affronted. Aksakal also alleged he was rostered to work alone with MR Z after his initial complaint. The matter was adjourned for a further hearing in January or February to address additional evidence and a second statutory complaint under the Payment of Wages Act concerning tip distribution.
David Williams, 68, and co-accused Crystal Talia, 46, pleaded guilty to multiple charges at the pretrial stage. Williams admitted to multiple sample counts of deception between January 2019 and June 2020, as well as defrauding a Galway woman in her 80s by dishonestly inducing her to buy a Kuboto U27 mini-digger for €7,841. Talia pleaded guilty to impeding an investigation by allowing Williams to use her bank accounts. The court heard allegations that Williams, who is not a qualified barrister, operated bogus legal firms to scam approximately 1,200 people. In the separate mini-digger case, Williams allegedly directed the victim to a vendor and provided his own bank account details, though Gardaí traced the machine to a third party and fully refunded the victim. Judge Orla Crowe refused a request for a probation report but granted time for Williams to gather character references. The matter was adjourned, with both defendants remanded on continuing bail for finalisation on December 13.
Ruth Lawrence, 42, of Clontarf, faces trial for the murders of Anthony Keegan, 33, and Eoin O'Connor, 32, whose bodies were discovered on Inchicup Island, Lough Sheelin, on 26 May 2014. The trial was scheduled for 7 October 2024 by Mr Justice David Keane, but the State reported that Lawrence's lawyers had not yet received full disclosure. At the Central Criminal Court, Michael O'Higgins SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions informed Ms Justice Karen O'Connor that disclosure remains incomplete, while James Dwyer SC for Lawrence noted several outstanding matters and could not predict when the trial would be ready. Justice O'Connor adjourned the case to a mention on 21 November. Lawrence was charged in May 2023 with two counts of murder following the discovery of the bodies, which were found after a fisherman detected a smell from the island. The men were described as "inseparable" friends at their June 2014 funeral.
The High Court has heard arguments regarding the extradition of John Edward McNicholl and Seamus Christopher O'Kane to the UK, where they face charges related to the 1975 murder of Constable Robert John McPherson in Co Derry. Mr McNicholl is alleged to have murdered the constable and attempted to murder a second officer, while Mr O'Kane is charged with possession of firearms, including an RUC-issued weapon recovered during the ambush. Defense counsel argued that the extradition proceedings are oppressive and constitute an abuse of process, citing a nearly 50-year delay in seeking surrender. They contended that the pursuit of the men, initiated days before the UK's Legacy Act came into force, breached their rights under the European Convention on Human Rights and was driven by a change in the political climate. The State, represented by Remy Farrell SC, countered that arguments regarding abuse of process by Northern Irish prosecutors are matters for the courts in Northern Ireland, not the Dublin High Court. The court was told that previous extradition requests were refused on political grounds under the 1965 Act, but subsequent legislation removed such refusals. Mr Justice Pat McGrath deferred judgement and adjourned the matter to December 16.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 23 October 2024, Mr Justice Paul McDermott highlighted that murder trials are being delayed because psychiatrists at the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) cannot provide private reports for the courts. He spoke to lawyers in 13 murder cases where the accused's psychiatric condition is a potential issue. Both defence and the Director of Public Prosecutions reported mixed success in securing consultant psychiatrists willing to produce court reports. The judge explained that psychiatrists are overworked, with duties extending beyond contracted hours, leaving no time for private work. He also noted that psychiatrists may be barred from reporting if they treat the accused as a CMH patient, and that some legal teams complain about inadequate payment from the legal aid system. Mr Justice McDermott said he would continue to monitor progress but has no control over securing psychiatrists, stating his hands are tied.
The Special Criminal Court heard that the State is paying €100,000 a week to maintain the MV Matthew, the cargo ship seized by Army Rangers in September 2023. The ship was boarded in a dramatic operation that resulted in the seizure of 2.2 tonnes of cocaine, valued at about €157 million. The State will apply next month for a declaration that the preservation of the MV Matthew is no longer required. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions explained that the ship has been preserved to protect the fair‑trial rights of eight men accused of offences related to the drug seizure. Each legal team has been told they can visit and inspect the ship, and Revenue agents will continue to make it available for the next four weeks. The State does not wish to incur the €100,000 per‑week maintenance cost beyond that.
Mark O'Neill, 51, of Knockmore Drive, Tallaght, was remanded in custody after pleading guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing a Smith and Wesson revolver and ammunition on 7 September 2022. He had ten prior convictions for road traffic offences. Gardaí were called to his relative's home after O'Neill produced a handgun and pointed it at the man, threatening to shoot him unless he paid money owed and claiming the man had stabbed him. O'Neill also threatened the man with death. A second male attempted to defuse the situation before the parties left in a car. The revolver was recovered from bushes near O'Neill's home, containing six rounds of ammunition, and his DNA was found on the firearm. O'Neill's case was adjourned to 30 October to allow the judge to consider the circumstances.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 31‑year‑old Geovane Ferrnandes pleaded guilty to possessing 6.7 kg of cocaine, valued at €489,790, at Terminal One, Dublin Airport, on 18 March. He was caught when customs X‑ray revealed an anomaly. Ferrnandes claimed he had no knowledge of the contents, having received a parcel from an unknown woman and packed it himself. He said he had been offered about €2,000 for transport but received no payment. Ferrnandes cited his daughter's severe asthma and costly treatment as a motive, noting she is housebound and hospitalized twice weekly. He has no prior convictions, speaks limited English, and has worked various jobs since age nine. He expressed remorse, apologized to Gardaí, and vowed never to return to Ireland after serving his sentence. The case was adjourned for finalisation on 23 October.
Seamus Casey, a stroke support group co‑ordinator for the Irish Heart Foundation, claims he was forced to retire at 68 after his contract was not renewed, alleging the charity breached the Employment Equality Act 1998 by imposing a mandatory retirement age of 65 and paying him less than younger colleagues. Casey says he was told the charity did not want people "wandering around the building in their older years," a remark he says was denied by the charity's HR manager. He maintained he could have continued working until 80 and that he was offered a series of fixed‑term contracts from 2020 to 2023, which he accepted under financial pressure. The charity denies the allegations, stating Casey never objected to the retirement age and that pay differences were due to market benchmarking and qualifications. The Workplace Relations Commission will issue a decision after the hearing.
Lawyers for Richard Satchwell, aged 57 and resident of Grattan Street, Youghal, Co Cork, have requested that his murder trial be transferred from Cork to either Dublin or Limerick. The request was made to Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring at the Central Criminal Court, where the defence, represented by Senan Crawford BL, stated that the trial, scheduled for April next year, should be moved. The prosecution, represented by Maria Brosnan BL, was not notified of the application. Justice Ring said the application must be made in the ordinary way and that the prosecution should be put on notice, and adjourned the matter to 15 November. Mr Satchwell is charged with the murder of his wife, Tina Satchwell, aged 45, who was found buried beneath the stairwell of their shared home on Grattan Street in Youghal. The body, discovered by Gardaí in October 2023, was skeletal remains of a woman reported missing on 24 March 2017.
A refugee asylum‑seeker, Irfanullah Refah, who fled Afghanistan in 2017, won €10,000 from a Workplace Relations Commission tribunal after his landlord, Aidan Corless, sent a text message in July 2023 that the tribunal described as "blatant racism." The message, sent during a tenancy dispute, accused Refah of living in the apartment "illegally" and threatened that authorities would check his papers and possibly deport him back to Afghanistan, where he feared for his life. Corless apologized, saying the text was sent in frustration and that he was "not proud of it." The tribunal found the message referenced Refah's immigrant status and was discriminatory under the Equal Status Act 2000, awarding the compensation accordingly. The case highlights the impact of racially‑charged communication on a vulnerable tenant during a tenancy dispute.
A care worker at a nursing home for dementia patients claimed she was repeatedly subjected to unwanted intimate physical touching by a supervisor who often worked while drunk. She reported the incidents to the Workplace Relations Commission, citing a first incident on 30 December 2022 when the supervisor hugged her and rubbed her breast in front of patients, and a second on 24 February 2023 when he touched her buttocks while assisting a resident. The worker also found an empty rum bottle in the supervisor's bag and recorded it. The employer's internal investigation deemed the complaints unfounded, citing lack of evidence and witnesses. The WRC adjudicator found the worker's evidence persuasive and credible, ruling that she was sexually harassed on two occasions and suffered constructive dismissal. The tribunal awarded €25,000 for sexual harassment and €15,000 for constructive dismissal, totaling €40,000.
Cliona Holt, a group commercial accountant at Veolia Energy Services Ireland Ltd, was suspended after an email she circulated in April 2023 revealed she had discussed a tender with an employee of a contracting firm. Veolia argued the email breached its anti‑bribery and corruption policy and that Holt had disclosed confidential information. Holt claimed she had been encouraged by Veolia to discuss such matters. The Workplace Relations Commission found that while the suspension was "unreasonable", Holt's conduct after the suspension was "entirely unreasonable". She had refused occupational health appointments, demanded her grievance be heard before medical clearance, and resigned abruptly. The WRC rejected Holt's claim for constructive dismissal under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, concluding she had not met the legal standard for constructive dismissal. The decision was issued by adjudicator Breiffni O'Neill.
Harry Archer, 23, of Kellys Bay Rocks, Skerries, Co Dublin, was remanded on bail pending sentence after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis at his home on 18 January 2022. The court found he was caught with €4,886 worth of the drug during a search. Archer had 13 prior drug and road traffic convictions. He claimed to have Covid‑19 at the time of the search and did not attend the Garda station as promised, later being taken in for questioning after a separate custody case. He made no admissions during the interview but pleaded guilty in the Circuit Criminal Court. The prosecution noted repeated targeting of his family home. Archer's defence highlighted his former cricket success and subsequent drug misuse following disappointment after being dropped from national teams. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the case to 26 November 2024 for a probation report, with Archer remaining on continuing bail.
In a Workplace Relations Commission hearing, baker Andrew Morris claimed he was unfairly dismissed by Realbread Wholesale Ltd on 10 November 2023 after being fired by phone. Morris alleged that his employer, Patrick Ryan, had repeatedly warned him about lateness and absenteeism, but that the warnings were disputed. Morris said he had been absent due to bereavement and illness in his family, including his uncle's death and his father's hospitalization, and that he had not been offered medical certificates. He also claimed that Ryan had shouted at him and that he had been treated disrespectfully. Ryan denied the allegations, stating that Morris had been late on several occasions and that the start time had always been 7.30 am. The tribunal is considering a decision.
Nathan Roche, 28, admitted to gardaí that he had supplied his bank details to a person who claimed it was a tax‑back scheme, and that he was not the "brightest star" in the operation. He pleaded guilty to possessing €1,550 as proceeds of crime in June 2021. The court heard that Roche's account was used to move €1,550 into his account, a figure among the lowest in the investigation. Between January 2020 and September 2021, 308 electronic payments were made from Trinity College's hardship fund to accounts of people who had never attended the university. A staff member at Trinity was involved in the theft of a large amount of the money. Roche's defence lawyer, Kevin Roche BL, said his client had no connection to the person who stole the money. The case was adjourned to the end of July, with the judge asking for more information from the defence.
Leonie Sheils, a former Symetri Ltd software worker, claims constructive dismissal after a CEO's alleged outburst on 8 July 2022. She says Cormac Lyons shouted at her and two other female staff, demanding keys and questioning their responsibility. She reports being physically sick on the motorway after the incident and experiencing an anxiety attack the following Monday. She filed a formal complaint to senior HR officer Johan Lundqvist in Sweden, but the company's handbook states appeals must be made to management, which Sheils found vague. Symetri argues that because Sheils quit in November 2022 before lodging a formal appeal, the company had no opportunity to address grievances. The Workplace Relations Commission hearing was adjourned, with a decision to be issued later. The case remains under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977.
In a High Court hearing on 8 July 2024, the Garda Commissioner was not challenged in two separate judicial review cases concerning the alleged unlawful policy of refusing station bail to men accused of breaching domestic violence orders. The first case involved a man in family‑law proceedings who was detained after a former partner alleged he had breached a Protection Order by shouting at her. He was denied station bail, held overnight, and granted bail the next day by a District Court judge. The second case concerned a man arrested for breaching a barring order that prohibited him from entering his residence; he too was denied station bail, held overnight, and released the following day. Both men, represented by Stephen Faulkner, argue that the Commissioner's 2017 Domestic Abuse Policy, which bars station bail for such offences, lacks legal basis, is unlawful and unreasonable.