Jonathan Harding, 48, of Naas, pleaded guilty to five money‑laundering charges before the Special Criminal Court. He admitted to concealing the true nature of money in his own bank accounts at EBS and AIB, knowing it was criminal proceeds, and to doing the same in another person's accounts at AIB, Bank of Ireland and EBS. The offences cover 30 laundering incidents between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2016. Harding will be sentenced on 9 November, while the other defendant is due before the court next Friday.
Maura Thornton, 38, of Inverin, Connemara, was returned to prison for two months after breaching the conditions of her release. She had been sentenced in 2013 to ten years' imprisonment for the manslaughter of her former partner Kevin Joyce, 59, outside her Salthill apartment on 3 July 2011, with the final three years suspended. Thornton failed to appear at a Central Criminal Court hearing where Judge Paul McDermott was to address her non‑compliance with the suspended sentence's conditions, including a prohibition on alcohol. A bench warrant was issued for her arrest. The judge noted that Thornton had admitted to drinking, partly due to isolation during Covid‑19 restrictions, and described her life as chaotic. He ordered a psychiatric assessment and probation report, remanding her in custody for two months without activating the suspended portion of her sentence. The case is scheduled for a hearing on 23 November.
Celyn Eadon, aged 29, of Derrycrieve, Islandeady, Castlebar, Co Mayo, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the manslaughter of his mother Noreen Kelly on March 9, 2011. Ms Kelly, aged 46, died following a knife attack at their home address. Eadon was originally convicted of her murder in 2014 and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, the Supreme Court quashed his conviction in December 2019, ruling the trial judge's instructions to the jury regarding intoxication and specific intention were inadequate. The court found the jury had not been properly informed that intoxication could constitute a partial defence to murder. The Director of Public Prosecutions accepted Eadon's manslaughter plea. Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded him in custody pending a sentence hearing scheduled for November 16, 2020.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 8 October 2020, Alex Kelly, aged 26, pleaded guilty to the murder of 44‑year‑old Martin Clancy on New Year's Day 2018. The court heard a statement from Clancy's brother Brendan, describing Martin as a generous chef who fed the hungry and gave from his pocket. Brendan expressed profound grief, noting the loss of a son, brother, and the impact on nieces, nephews and grandnephews. Pauline Whalley SC for the State said the guilty plea provided closure and spared the family a lengthy trial. She acknowledged Kelly's remorse, citing a voluntary statement to Gardaí nine days after the murder. Judge Paul McDermott imposed the mandatory life sentence for murder, with no mention of a suspended portion or effective custody terms in the article.
Michael Cawley, aged 22, was sentenced to an additional two and a half years' imprisonment for two counts of endangerment, dangerous driving and driving without a licence. The sentence, imposed by Judge Karen O'Connor at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, was suspended for 18 months on strict conditions and will run consecutively to the three and a half year term he is currently serving for burglary and unauthorised taking of a car. The offence involved Cawley driving a Volvo at speeds up to 140 kilometres per hour, reversing and then driving straight at a Garda on a junction in Tallaght, narrowly missing the officer and forcing other motorists and pedestrians to take evasive action. The Garda lost sight of the vehicle while it was still on the road. Cawley's 35 previous convictions were noted, and the judge highlighted his young age, the aggravating circumstances of the incident, and his progress in custody. Michael Cawley pleaded guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court case, a jury found Sebastian Barczuk, aged 32, guilty of murdering his former flatmate Michal Kurek, aged 33, who was homeless and had addiction difficulties. Kurek was discovered on 4 August 2017 in a country lane in Ballyboughal, north County Dublin, with 62 stab wounds, including 25 to the back. Evidence included a Nokia 105 phone found in Kurek's jeans, still powered on, and DNA from the phone that matched Barczuk. Cell‑site data showed both phones connected to a site near Ballyboughal at the time of the discovery. CCTV footage of a blue Fiat Punto, sold by Barczuk to a woman on 2 August, was also presented. The jury deliberated nearly 13 hours over four days and returned a majority verdict of 11‑1. Barczuk was sentenced to life imprisonment, with the judge reserving the sentencing date for 2 November. Sebastian Barczuk pleaded not guilty.
Gerard Cunningham, 48, a former homeless father, was evicted from his rented home and stayed with his sister‑in‑law before Christmas 2018. He took a €1,000 loan from someone he believed was a friend to buy a car for work, and under pressure to repay, agreed to store heroin and cocaine for the lender. On 22 December 2018 Gardaí searched his Tallaght address and found a black bag containing heroin and cocaine valued at €465,024. Cunningham pleaded guilty to possession of heroin and cocaine for sale or supply at his residence. He had seven prior minor traffic convictions. The judge, Melanie Greally, suspended the final 12 months of a four‑year prison term on the condition that he engage with Probation Services for a year after release. The case highlights the impact of the housing crisis on vulnerable families.
James McShane, 55, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to multiple thefts from the addiction charity LifeRing Ireland, of which he was a co‑founder, and to six false‑accounting charges and one deception charge. The thefts, occurring between 18 February 2013 and 21 September 2017, amounted to almost €36,000, which McShane has fully repaid by borrowing money from his brother and wife. He also repaid the money taken in the false‑accounting cases. McShane, who has no prior convictions, described the offences as "shameful" and offered a heartfelt apology. Judge Elma Sheahan, noting his status as a reformed alcoholic, imposed 200 hours of community service in lieu of a two‑and‑a‑half‑year suspended sentence, recognising that the debt had been repaid in full. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further convictions or appeals reported.
At a sentencing hearing, the mother of 24‑year‑old Dmitry Hrynkevich, a 7.5‑ft Belarussian man with Murfad syndrome, spoke about her son's life and death. She said Dmitry was bullied because of his height, endured pain, blindness and other illnesses, yet remained courageous, generous and a volunteer organ donor. He died on 2 October 2015 after a drunken fight at a house in Tralee, suffering head, face and neck injuries. Lithuanian resident Arnoldas Ivanauskas, 33, was charged with murder but acquitted; he was found guilty of manslaughter. The jury accepted that he intended more than a trivial injury but not serious harm. The court heard that Dmitry had undergone major heart surgery and that a post‑mortem linked his death to a heart attack and blunt‑force trauma. The prosecution sought a sentence of four to ten years, the judge adjourned the hearing to 23 October for further inquiry.
Ben O'Leary, 20, of Balinteer Gardens, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for harassment and making an unwarranted demand for cash. The defendant pleaded guilty to harassment occurring between December 2018 and January 2019 and admitted to making an unwarranted demand for cash on December 11, 2018. The court heard that O'Leary allegedly demanded €6,000 from a family in Templeogue, Dublin, claiming their son owed him money related to a purported drug debt. He allegedly threatened the family, including warnings about property damage and advising them not to contact gardaí. On one occasion, a second man in a vehicle with O'Leary allegedly threatened the mother, stating her son would be killed. Judge Melanie Greally noted that while O'Leary was not the individual who issued the specific threat to the mother, he was part of the enterprise. The judge acknowledged O'Leary's efforts to address his cocaine addiction since his arrest in March 2019. Judge Greally sentenced O'Leary to three years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended. Additionally, the court ordered that O'Leary have no contact with the injured parties or their family for seven years.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Derek O'Brien, 38, pleaded guilty to burglary and unlawful possession of a motor vehicle after a patrol officer noticed a silver VW Polo driving on its rim with a missing tire. Garda Ronan Kennedy described the vehicle as sparking and swerving, and O'Brien admitted he had stolen the car keys from a house he had burgled earlier that evening. The burglary also involved a small amount of cash and a broken rear window. O'Brien claimed the damage was caused by the car hitting a path while he was driving. He has 91 prior convictions and has completed a detox programme. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to 21 months imprisonment. The car was economically written off after the incident. The case was heard at Ailesbury Park, Ballsbridge. The court noted O'Brien's intent to complete his Leaving Cert while in custody.
David Weafer, 34, who had received a partially suspended three‑year sentence in October 2019 for assaulting his ex‑partner Jennifer Staunton and threatening to kill her, was released from custody on 1 April 2020. He violated the conditions of his probation by re‑entering his former family home uninvited, threatening Staunton with a knife, kneeing her in the face and head‑butting her. He also failed to remain alcohol‑free, beginning to misuse alcohol immediately after release. The five children of the couple, aged between one and 14, hid in another room and called emergency services. Gardaí arrived shortly after the assault. Staunton suffered facial swelling but declined to give a victim impact statement. Judge Martin Nolan, hearing the case, decided to remove the Probation Service from the situation but left the probation bond in place, noting that if Weafer approaches the injured party the full 20‑month suspended portion of his sentence would be activated. David Weafer pleaded guilty.
Matthew Grogan, aged 22, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for assault causing harm at Applewood Square, Swords, on 25 October 2019. The victim, Nikita Olijniks, was a delivery driver and former schoolmate of Grogan. During the incident, Grogan, seated in the driver's seat of a car with a girlfriend, a second passenger, and a lookout, punched Olijniks twice or three times in the face after Olijniks had stepped out to make a delivery. Olijniks was also struck in the head by another person and fell. Grogan later admitted the assault and expressed remorse, noting he only realised he knew the victim after the attack. The court, hearing Grogan's 42 prior convictions, imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence with the final 12 months suspended, conditional on good behaviour for 18 months. Matthew Grogan pleaded guilty.
In October 2020, a bench warrant was issued for Maura Thornton, 38, of Inverin, Connemara, following her failure to comply with the conditions of her suspended sentence. Thornton had been convicted of manslaughter in 2013 for the July 2011 killing of her former partner Kevin Joyce, 59, outside her Salthill apartment. She received a ten‑year sentence with the final three years suspended. The Central Criminal Court had scheduled her appearance to address her breach of the suspended sentence, specifically her violation of a no‑alcohol clause. Thornton did not attend, prompting Judge Paul McDermott to issue the warrant. Her defence lawyer, Blaise O'Carroll SC, reported no contact and could not locate her. The State's counsel, Paul Carroll SC, noted that Thornton had fallen into drug and alcohol abuse, and the judge urged her to reengage with probation and addiction services to stabilize her chaotic life.
Kevin Conway, 34, of Carpenterstown, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possessing child pornography on July 30, 2016, and one count each of sexually exploiting a child, producing child pornography, and distributing it in June and July 2013. The court heard that Conway allegedly posed as a 17-year-old girl on Skype to exploit a 12-year-old victim, encouraging her to perform sexual acts while recording her without her knowledge. He subsequently shared a video of the girl with another user. Gardaí discovered 403 images and 12 videos of child pornography at his home, many in the most severe category. Judge Pauline Codd noted that the possession was not a victimless crime and that Conway deliberately used a female profile to attract children. While accepting his remorse, the judge handed down a three-year sentence, suspending the final two years on a number of conditions. Conway has no previous convictions and lost his employment following the case.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 6 October 2020, Thomas Locke, aged 28, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for aggravated burglary and assault causing harm, with the final two years suspended. Locke, who claimed no recollection of the events, was found guilty of stabbing a 24‑year‑old victim nine times, including a wound that pierced the victim's kidney. The victim described the ordeal as lasting an hour, with significant injuries and lasting psychological impact. Locke was identified through forensic evidence, including gloves, a beer can, and knives found at the scene, and was noted to have a history of drug addiction. The judge took into account Locke's plea of guilty and his addiction difficulties when determining the sentence.
John O'Meara, 42, a superintendent pharmacist who owned three pharmacies in Wicklow, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of prescription tablets for sale or supply at his home on 24 August 2018. Gardaí seized 1,700 Xanax tablets and 330 Ritalin tablets, worth an estimated €4,000. An investigation by the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland led to a High Court order in September 2018 suspending O'Meara from acting as a pharmacist. He complied with the order, remains the owner of the pharmacies but cannot be involved in their running, and has appointed a replacement superintendent pharmacist. Judge Pauline Codd imposed an 18‑month suspended sentence, taking into account O'Meara's cooperation, mental health issues, and the fact that he had not been involved in the "party lifestyle" since the arrest. The sentence was suspended on the condition that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour for those 18 months.
Sean Rausch, aged 22, was sentenced to a four‑year prison term for two robberies and false imprisonment committed on Wellington Quay and Aston Quay in February 2020. The first robbery involved a 19‑year‑old Latvian student who described Rausch holding a knife close to his face and threatening him. The second robbery targeted another 19‑year‑old man who, after being threatened, bought a chicken fillet roll and a soft drink for Rausch. Rausch claimed he was hungry and had been seeking help from passers‑by, which he said had been ignored. He pleaded guilty and wrote an apology letter to the court. Judge Karen O'Connor suspended the final year of the sentence on the condition that Rausch engage with the Probation Service and a victim awareness programme. Rausch has no prior convictions. The case was prosecuted by Tony McGillicuddy BL and defended by Pieter Le Vert BL.
Colin Hoey, a key witness in the capital murder trial of Aaron Brady, was arrested for contempt of court after failing to attend proceedings. Brady, 29, was found guilty by an 11-to-1 majority jury at the Central Criminal Court on August 11 of the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. He is expected to be sentenced on October 14 to the mandatory term of life imprisonment with a minimum of 40 years. Brady was also convicted of involvement in a €7,000 robbery at Lordship Credit Union in 2013. Hoey, who had previously provided and then withdrawn an alibi for Brady, was issued a bench warrant by Mr Justice Michael White for his non-attendance. Hoey presented himself at the Criminal Courts of Justice, where the warrant was executed. The DPP stated the contempt is punishable by imprisonment, a fine, or both. Mr Justice White granted Hoey bail and legal aid for the duration of the contempt proceedings. Bail conditions include a €2,000 bond, surrender of his Irish passport within 24 hours, residing at his partner's parents' home in Dundalk, daily sign-on at Dundalk Garda Station, and maintaining a mobile phone for Garda contact. The judge warned of grave consequences for breaching these conditions. The matter was adjourned to November 24 for submissions regarding the High Court's jurisdiction.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 17‑year‑old pleaded guilty to the murder of 20‑year‑old Glen 'Ossie' Osborne, who was stabbed to death after a drug‑related dispute. The court heard that Osborne's girlfriend, Lauren Cray, had given birth to their son two months after his death, and that Osborne's mother, Rose, described him as a hardworking, premature baby who grew into a charming young man. The defendant had called Osborne a "rat" during the altercation and had previously threatened Osborne's mother. Witnesses and CCTV showed the defendant, carrying a white bag with a knife, stabbing Osborne once in the chest, causing a fatal heart wound. The defendant, who is a minor, was remanded for a further hearing on 7 December, with the judge noting his early guilty plea and cognitive deficits. The case remains pending.
In a Special Criminal Court sentence hearing, Robert O'Leary, 42, of Finglas, was found guilty of membership of an unlawful organisation styled as the Irish Republican Army. The court considered evidence that a Skoda Octavia, supplied by O'Leary's used‑car dealership, had been used to plant an improvised explosive device under a PSNI officer's jeep in Belfast. O'Leary denied any knowledge of the bomb operation and claimed he had merely sold the car. Defence counsel argued there was no evidence of his involvement, citing his family life and lack of prior convictions. The judge accepted belief evidence and CCTV linking O'Leary to the vehicle, concluding that the car had been in IRA hands by the night of 31 May 2019. O'Leary was remanded in custody until sentencing on 16 October. The conviction was for a single count of IRA membership.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Noel McCabe, aged 25, was found to have threatened his ex‑partner after being charged with assaulting her in March and April 2018. McCabe, who is already serving a six‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for multiple offences, allegedly called the victim and warned that if she did not leave the country within a week her entire family, including her daughter, would be shot. He also demanded she drop the assault charges, which she refused. The court noted that the victim had been in a relationship with McCabe for 18 months and described it as a "nightmare" in her impact statement. McCabe pleaded guilty to obstructing the course of justice by intimidating a witness in June 2018 and will be sentenced early next year, with the judge adjourned the sentence to February 1. The case highlights McCabe's history of 34 prior convictions, including assault, possession of ammunition and road traffic offences.
Mark Crawford (43) was sentenced to a mandatory life term for the murder of Patrick 'Pa' O'Connor (24) at Fitzgerald's Bar in Limerick City on July 7 or 8, 2018. Ms Justice Tara Burns described the killing as an act of "madness fuelled by drink and drugs," noting that Crawford stabbed the victim six times, with wounds to the heart and neck causing death. The court heard that the men had met less than 48 hours prior and were taking cocaine together when tensions rose over the drugs. Crawford's claim of self-defence was rejected by the jury, which convicted him unanimously last month. In mitigation, Crawford's barrister read a letter in which Crawford expressed regret and stated he "never meant to kill" the victim. The prosecution highlighted Crawford's previous convictions, including assault causing harm and a pending sentence for a Section 15A drugs offence involving €24,500 worth of heroin. The victim's sister, Deborah O'Connor, told the court that the sentence provides some comfort, describing her brother as a kind, fun-loving regular who was killed by a man he barely knew. The judge emphasized the societal issue of knife violence combined with alcohol and cocaine, stating that such a mixture results in far too many deaths.
Kevin Hannaway, 71, serving a 3‑year‑9‑month sentence at Portlaoise Prison, has lodged a High Court challenge against Covid‑19 restrictions on prison visits. He argues that the Prison Service's decision to limit visits to one per fortnight, each no longer than 15 minutes, breaches prison rules that guarantee at least one 30‑minute visit per week from a relative or friend. Hannaway, a former member of the 'hooded men' who suffered alleged inhumane treatment during the Troubles, claims the restrictions violate his rights under the Irish Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. He seeks an order quashing the service's decision, orders to enforce the prescribed visit frequency and duration, a declaration of rights, and damages. Mr Justice Anthony Barr granted him permission to proceed, with the case set for a November hearing. Kevin Hannaway was convicted.
In a case heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, 45‑year‑old Pierce Byrne of Hazelwood Crescent, Hartstown, pleaded guilty to theft after stealing a packet of 20 cigarettes from a Spar shop on 19 August 2019. Byrne entered the shop, requested the cigarettes, and after receiving them asked the shopkeeper if he could pay later. The shopkeeper refused, and Byrne left with the cigarettes, refusing to return them when pursued outside. CCTV footage identified Byrne, and he admitted the offence during an interview. He has 46 prior convictions, including manslaughter, robbery, burglary, theft and assault. Byrne's defence highlighted his addiction history and that he had stopped taking bipolar medication around the time of the offence. Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced him to 10 months' imprisonment, back‑dating the term to 1 December 2019 when he first entered custody.
In a case heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Martin Polak, aged 34, pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary after pointing a group of men to the home of an innocent family in Clondalkin, Dublin, on 27 July 2019. Polak claimed he believed the address was vacant, though the homeowner, a man with his wife and child, lived there. The men forced entry, held a knife to the homeowner's throat, kicked him, and fled with the wife's handbag after finding the intended target absent. Polak, who has 22 prior convictions including one in the Czech Republic for aggravated theft, was found to have high moral culpability for enabling the burglary. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a three‑and‑a‑half year sentence, suspended the final year, and noted Polak's remorse, cooperation, and rehabilitation efforts. The court considered the incident a serious nighttime invasion that terrified the victim. The prosecution, represented by Oisin Clarke BL, accepted Polak's responsibility and cooperation.
In September 2020 the Central Criminal Court dismissed a 53‑year‑old Nigerian‑born father's appeal against an 11‑year prison sentence for raping his daughter from age nine to fourteen. The judge had originally set a headline sentence of 15 years, reduced to 13 years after considering the defendant's guilty plea and personal history, and suspended two years on the condition of sex‑offender treatment. The father claimed the daughter had initiated the sexual acts and denied enjoyment, but the victim's impact statement described repeated weekly rapes, fear, and control. The appeal argued the sentence was "unduly harsh" and did not reflect the defendant's remorse, but the court found no error and upheld the custodial term, noting the seriousness of the repeated child rape. The case highlighted the father's lack of insight and the victim's courage in reporting the abuse.
A man detained under the Mental Health Act has filed a High Court challenge against the Garda Commissioner to recover his puppy. The man, whose name is withheld for legal reasons, suffers from a mental disorder and was admitted as an involuntary patient to a psychiatric facility after a disturbance at his home. While he was detained, the Garda obtained a court order preventing him from keeping pets, leading to the removal of his puppy and its transfer to the DSPCA. He claims the order was unlawful and seeks a High Court order to return the dog, quash the District Court orders made under Section 61 of the 2013 Animal Health and Welfare Act, and a declaration that those orders breached natural and constitutional justice. The case was granted ex‑parte permission by Mr Justice Charles Meenan, with a hearing scheduled for October.
David Nevin, 46, of Quay Road, Terryglass, Nenagh, Tipperary, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for a series of fraud offences. He used forged bank statements and payslips to obtain a €40,000 loan and to lease an Audi A5. Nevin pleaded guilty to inducing the hand‑over of the car at Leaseplan in Dublin on 14 June 2018, to presenting a fake AIB statement at Leaseplan Fleet Management Services on 28 May 2018, to using a false payslip in a KBC credit‑card application, and to deceiving a staff member at the Bank of Ireland Operations Centre in Cabinteely to authorise the loan. He had previously repaid €5,500 and brought an additional €1,000 to court. The car was returned to the leasing company. Judge Elma Sheahan noted the offences were pre‑meditated and part of an "aspirational lifestyle." She imposed a two‑year sentence, suspending the final six months.
In a Dublin court, a 17‑year‑old was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter for the death of 18‑year‑old Azzam Raguragui during a melee in Finsbury Park on 10 May 2019. The teenager had pleaded guilty to manslaughter at the start of the trial, but the Director of Public Prosecutions rejected the plea. The jury, after more than 13 hours of deliberation, returned a majority verdict of ten to two. The victim died from five stab wounds, one of which severed the subclavian artery, causing massive blood loss. The defendant was taken to Oberstown Detention Centre pending a sentence hearing on 12 October. The trial heard conflicting accounts of the fight, with the defence arguing the accused acted in self‑defence during a "terrifying brawl.".
Charlotte Mulhall, aged 21 at the time of the 2005 murder of her mother's boyfriend, has filed a High Court challenge to reverse her transfer from Limerick Prison to the Dochas Centre in Dublin. She argues that the move, made on 24 December 2018, was unjustified and that she was never given a chance to explain the alleged incident involving a prison officer. Mulhall claims the transfer has caused her severe emotional distress, citing a lack of family visits and the loss of her dog from a canine programme. She seeks orders directing the Irish Prison Service, the Governor of Limerick Prison, the Minister for Justice & Equality, and the Attorney General to return her to Dublin and to annul the transfer decision. The case is set to be heard by Mr Justice Charles Meenan next month. Mulhall's sister, Linda, was convicted of manslaughter in the same 2005 case and released in 2018.
Three men appeared before the Special Criminal Court, where they were served with Books of Evidence in connection with the alleged attempted murder of Christy Keane. The prosecution alleges that the Limerick-based McCarthy-Dundon criminal organisation shot Mr Keane multiple times as he parked his car on the University of Limerick grounds at approximately 6.35am on June 29, 2015. Noel Price, 42, of Kileely Road, Limerick City, is charged with having knowledge of the existence of the McCarthy-Dundon criminal organisation and assisting in making a vehicle available to that organisation with the intention of facilitating the attempted murder, or being reckless as to the same, between June 27 and 29, 2015. Co-accused John Costello, 39, of Hennessy Avenue, Kileely, is charged with knowledge of the existence of the criminal organisation and providing transport to persons with the intention of facilitating the commission of the attempted murder on June 29, 2015. Larry McCarthy, 42, of Tower Lodge, Old Cork Road, Limerick City, is charged with making a vehicle available to the McCarthy-Dundon criminal organisation in the attempted murder between June 27 and 29, 2015. The alleged offences fall under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years' imprisonment. Presiding Judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt remanded all three men in custody to appear again before the non-jury court on November 2.
Ms Lisa Smith, a 38‑year‑old former Irish Defence Forces member from County Louth, has been scheduled to stand trial at the Special Criminal Court on 11 January 2022. The trial, expected to last 12 weeks, will be presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt with Judges Sarah Berkeley and James Faughnan. Smith faces charges under the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 for membership of the Islamic State (ISIS) between 28 October 2015 and 1 December 2019, and for financing terrorism by sending €800 via Western Union to a named recipient on 6 May 2015. She denies the allegations. The case was previously heard at Dublin District Court in December 2020, where a Section 49 order was made on 31 August 2021 to transfer the matter to the non‑jury court. Smith remains on continuing bail awaiting the trial.
David Hunter, a 41‑year‑old car thief from Liverpool, was convicted by the Special Criminal Court of murdering 35‑year‑old Michael Barr, manager of the Sunset House pub in Dublin, on 25 April 2016. The court found Hunter to be one of two gunmen who entered the pub, shot Barr seven times, and fled in an Audi A6 that was later set on fire. DNA evidence from a ski‑mask recovered from the car matched Hunter's profile, and the court rejected his explanations for his presence in Dublin and the mask's whereabouts as implausible. Hunter denied the murder, claiming he had been in Dublin for a concert and had no involvement. The judge ruled that Hunter could not have been the getaway driver and that he was seated in the rear passenger seat while the other accused, Eamonn Cumberton, was the driver. Hunter will receive a mandatory life sentence and remain in custody until sentencing.
At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Jonathan Coelho (29) was sentenced to 20 months in prison for four counts of dangerous driving, one count of endangering pedestrians, and one count of driving without insurance on July 31, 2019. Coelho had previously pleaded guilty to these charges and admitted to driving at speed through red lights and in the wrong direction in Dublin city centre before crashing into a lamp post. The court heard that Coelho was disqualified from driving in the UK at the time of the incident. Judge Melanie Greally backdated the sentence to account for the time Coelho had spent in custody since his arrest in July 2022. Coelho was acquitted of charges of endangering and assaulting Garda Conor Murray, following a jury's not guilty verdict. His co-accused, Federico Carvalho (31), pleaded not guilty to the same charges and was not sentenced. Coelho's legal representative highlighted his recent cancer diagnosis and requested the sentence be suspended to allow him to return to Italy for treatment. The judge noted that Coelho posed a risk to pedestrians and road users and paid tribute to the gardaí for their efforts in stopping the dangerous driving. The matter was concluded at the sentence stage.
In a Central Criminal Court case, a 43‑year‑old man was found guilty of murder after stabbing a friend six times in a Limerick bar during a dispute over cocaine payment. The jury rejected the defendant's claim of self‑defence, concluding he intended serious injury and that the force used was excessive. The prosecution argued that the knife wounds to the heart, jugular vein, neck and arm inevitably caused death. The judge announced a mandatory life sentence and remanded the defendant in custody. The trial included testimony from witnesses who observed the altercation, a barman who saw the stabbing, and the defendant's wife who described his fear and subsequent actions. The case highlighted the severity of the assault and the court's determination of intent and culpability. The unnamed 43-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, two men, Jonathan Coelho, 29, and Federico Carvalho, 31, were acquitted of assaulting and endangering Garda Conor Murray. The case centred on an incident on 31 July 2019 at St Lukes' Avenue, Dublin 8, where the accused were driving a vehicle that reversed at speed, causing Garda Murray to be thrown from the car. The jury, after 18 minutes of deliberation, found the men not guilty of the assault and endangerment charges. Coelho had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving offences, admitting he had driven at speed through red lights and in the wrong direction, and had crashed into a lamp post. He was remanded in custody pending sentencing for those dangerous driving charges. Carvalho was discharged from the indictment and released. The trial concluded with the jury's unanimous verdict and the judge adjourned the case for sentencing next Friday.
A Dublin man charged in connection with an incident involving Quinn Industrial Holdings director Kevin Lunney has initiated High Court proceedings challenging the Director of Public Prosecutions' decision to try him before the Special Criminal Court without jury. Alan O'Brien, aged 39, stands accused alongside three others of falsely imprisoning and causing serious harm to Mr Lunney at Ballinagh, County Cavan on 17 September 2019. Mr O'Brien contends that non-jury trial constitutes a significant infringement of his constitutional entitlements. His counsel argued that the legislative provision enabling such trials dates from 1972 emergency legislation during the Troubles and has never been converted into permanent law. Mr O'Brien seeks declarations that the Special Criminal Court lacks jurisdiction and that the Oireachtas has failed to establish adequate criteria governing non-jury proceedings. He is the second of four accused men to mount such a challenge. Justice Charles Meenan ordered the application be made on notice to State representatives, with proceedings returnable in September.
In Dublin, a 17‑year‑old pleaded guilty to the murder of 20‑year‑old Glen Osborne at Ballybough House on 15 April 2020. The teenager, who was 16 when the offence occurred, was arraigned at the Central Criminal Court and remanded in custody until 5 October. Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted that the mandatory life sentence does not apply to a minor and that the guilty plea spares the family from a lengthy trial. He ordered a probation report and will hear evidence on the incident, its impact on the family, and the defendant before sentencing.
Farah Damji, 53, a former conwoman and daughter of a wealthy property tycoon, was denied bail in Ireland while her extradition case proceeds. Damji fled to Ireland in February 2020 during a trial in which she was convicted in her absence by Southwark Crown Court for breaching a restraining order in 2018. She applied for bail, claiming she had been working as an artist and had no intention of remaining in Ireland permanently. Her counsel supplied medical documents and emails to support her claim, and samples of her artwork were presented. Judge Tony Hunt rejected bail, citing Damji's high risk of absconding, her history of using false documents and aliases, and her previous flight from the UK. He noted that a European Arrest Warrant does not presume bail and that Damji's financial situation was opaque. The judge scheduled her extradition hearing for 21 October. The decision was based solely on the risk assessment and the facts presented in the court.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, Lloyd Saunders, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm, false imprisonment and threatening to kill or cause serious harm. The alleged incident occurred on 17 December 2016 at Saunders' Finglas address, where his then‑girlfriend Kelly Evans claimed he assaulted her for at least an hour and a half, including slapping, strangling and threatening her with death. Evans said Saunders had been angry, had taken a drink, and had asked her to leave but she refused. Saunders allegedly propped her up, asked if she was "ready for round two" and then let her leave after the assault. The jury, composed of five women and seven men, could not reach a verdict after three days. Judge Martin Nolan remanded Saunders on continuing bail and adjourned the case to 6 October. The trial was the first criminal trial in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court since March of that year.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, Lloyd Saunders, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm, false imprisonment and a threat to kill or cause serious harm. The alleged incident occurred on 17 December 2016 at Saunders' home in Finglas, where his then‑girlfriend, Kelly Evans, was reportedly confined to a bedroom and subjected to slapping and strangulation lasting at least an hour and a half. Saunders told Gardaí that Evans had marks on her face when she arrived, describing them as "not that bad", and that she had cried when he refused to let her stay. He also claimed Evans had faked a 999 call and that a tyre puncture was caused by a third party. Evans' medical report listed bruising on her eyes, forehead, hairline, neck, arms, chest and legs, with no fractures. The case is being heard by Judge Martin Nolan with a jury of five women and seven men. The trial continues tomorrow.
Farah Damji, a 54-year-old applicant residing at Bachelor's Walk, Dublin 1, appeared before Mr Justice Tony Hunt to apply for bail while awaiting UK extradition proceedings. The State opposed the application, alleging Damji is a flight risk who fled a London trial in February 2024 after being convicted in absentia of breaching a restraining order. Detective Garda Eoin Kane stated Damji faces 27 months' imprisonment in the UK and alleged she entered Ireland using false documents and the name Anna Margaret Vignisdottir. Kane further noted her history of fraud and theft convictions dating back to 1995, and cited a UK psychiatrist report highlighting her "history of forgery" regarding claims of unlawful detention. Damji's counsel, Mr Leo Mulrooney BL, argued she is not a flight risk, citing a PTSD diagnosis and her adherence to previous bail conditions. In her direct evidence, Damji claimed she was suffering from a breakdown and asserted she had an unlawful detention case for 15 months' detention. She denied using false names for rental agreements, stating she did not have one. Mr Justice Hunt questioned the credibility of her claims, noting she disappeared during a trial. The matter was adjourned to Thursday, September 3, for the judge's decision on the bail application.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Lloyd Saunders, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm, false imprisonment and a threat to kill after allegedly slapping and strangling his girlfriend for at least an hour and a half in his bedroom in December 2016. The prosecution, led by Garrett McCormack BL, described the incident as the first criminal trial in the court since March of that year. Kelly Evans, the victim, testified that Saunders arrived an hour late, became angry, and after refusing to leave, repeatedly slapped her and strangled her while she fought and screamed. She claimed he threatened to kill her if she moved and that the assault ended when she fled, leaving her keys and glasses behind. Evans called 999 after leaving and a recording of the call was played in court.
The Special Criminal Court sentenced Patrick Curtis and Mohammed Smew for their roles in a Kinahan Cartel plot to murder Patrick "Patsy" Hutch. Curtis, 38, who admitted directing the criminal organisation, received a final sentence of 12 years imprisonment, with the last two years suspended. The suspension is conditional on a €100 bond, good behaviour, and one year of probation supervision following release. Smew, 27, who pleaded guilty to participating in the organisation by providing vehicles and assisting in planning, was sentenced to eight years and three months, with the final nine months suspended. Both sentences were backdated to December 2019. The court noted that the murder plan was postponed due to Storm Emma, after which Smew was arrested for a separate matter. Earlier in the case, co-accused Michael Burns, 43, who admitted a graver offence, was jailed for nine years. Stephen Curtis, 32, and Ciaran O'Driscoll, 25, were each sentenced to five years. Additionally, Mark Capper, 31, Gary Thompson, 35, Glen Thompson, 25, and Robert Browne, 36, received sentences of seven-and-a-half years, 12 years and six months, 12 years and six months, and 11 years and six months respectively for their involvement in the plot.
The Special Criminal Court sentenced Stephen Little (47) and Edward McDonnell (56) for unlawful possession of a semi-automatic weapon. Little, of Dublin 5, pleaded guilty to possessing a Grand Power G9 pistol at Lein Park, Harmonstown, on September 14, 2019. He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, backdated to December 21, 2019. The judge noted Little's motivation was the murder of his son, Sean Little, and accepted he was not the intended triggerman. McDonnell, of New Ross, Co Wexford, also pleaded guilty to possessing the weapon at the same location and date. He received a nine-year sentence, backdated to September 16, 2019. The court highlighted McDonnell's 47 previous convictions and his guilty plea entered on the fifth day of trial. Both men were originally charged with having the weapon with intent to endanger life but convicted under Section 27A (1) of the Firearms Act. Gardaí recovered the loaded handgun under the passenger seat of an Audi, along with balaclavas, gloves, and a petrol can. Little, who drove McDonnell to the scene, made statements to gardaí expressing intent to kill the person responsible for his son's death. The judge described the case as one of "intended lethality" avoided by Garda intervention. Both defendants were remanded in custody prior to sentencing.
Lisa Smith, a former Irish Defence Forces member aged 38 from County Louth, has been ordered to be tried in the non‑jury Special Criminal Court. She faces charges under the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005 for membership of the Islamic State (ISIS) between 28 October 2015 and 1 December 2019, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of ten years. A second charge, also under the same Act, alleges that she financed terrorism by sending €800 via Western Union to a named recipient on 6 May 2015. The Director of Public Prosecutions applied for a Section 49 order, arguing that ordinary courts were inadequate to secure justice. Judge Tony Hunt, with Judges Sarah Berkeley and Declan Dempsey, granted the application. Smith, who denies the allegations, was not present at the hearing. The case is scheduled for mention before the three‑judge court on 14 September, at which time she must attend.
Aaron Brady, 29, was found guilty of capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe by an 11‑to‑1 jury at the Central Criminal Court. The judge will impose a life sentence with a minimum of 40 years. Brady denied the murder and claimed no involvement in the robbery that led to Donohoe's death. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence, including the theft of a Volkswagen Passat used as a getaway car and Brady's alleged statements to Gardaí. Brady's defence argued he was loading diesel waste and had no role in the robbery. The trial, the longest murder case in Irish history, involved 139 witnesses over 28 weeks. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for 14 October, where the judge will also consider Brady's robbery conviction. The maximum sentence for robbery is life, with a minimum of 40 years for capital murder.
Stephen Power, director of SM Logistics, was jailed for six months after pleading guilty to four counts of filing incorrect end‑of‑year tax returns and four counts of failing to pay income tax between 2010 and 2013. He created bogus invoices purporting to be from a French consultancy that never worked for his company, using the money to pay mortgages on French property. The tax avoided was €47,700, including corporate and income tax. The case arose after a random audit of SM Logistics in 2012 and a personal audit of Power. Judge Martin Nolan noted that early cooperation with Revenue could have avoided prosecution. Power was sentenced to 18 months, with the final year suspended, and the company was fined €500. He has no prior convictions and has repaid the tax owed to Revenue.
Brian Byrne, aged 28, was found guilty of raping a sleeping woman at a house party in County Kildare on 21 June 2015. The trial, held in Dublin's Central Criminal Court, lasted one week and concluded with a verdict of guilty. Byrne pleaded not guilty but admitted that sexual intercourse had taken place. The victim, who was fully dressed and asleep, woke to find Byrne behind her and was forced to flee to her sister's room. In her impact statement, she described the day as a turning point that shattered her life and left her feeling unsafe and trapped. Byrne's defence highlighted his otherwise unblemished character, employment, and sporting activities, but the judge noted the predatory nature of the attack. He was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with no mention of a suspended portion or effective custody details in the article.