The Central Criminal Court trial of Paul Wells Junior (33) continues before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury. Wells Junior, of Beatty Park, Celbridge, Co Kildare, has pleaded not guilty to disposing of a chainsaw motor between January 19 and 20, 2016, and not guilty to disposing of a chainsaw blade and chain on January 20, 2016, in Co Kildare. The prosecution alleges he impeded the apprehension or prosecution of his father, Paul Wells Senior (51), by disposing of the chainsaw. Wells Senior, of Barnamore Park, Finglas, Dublin 11, was jailed for life last year after being found guilty of murdering Kenneth O'Brien at his home in Finglas on January 15 or 16, 2016. Evidence presented includes garda interviews where Wells Junior stated he received the chainsaw from his brother and later disposed of its parts in the Grand Canal and The Curragh. He testified that he believed his father was responsible for the murder and that he disposed of the items out of fear. The trial resumes on Thursday.
Seven men were sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for violent disorder on a LUAS tram at Chancery Street, Dublin 7, on February 6, 2016. Sean Kindillon, Jamal Garamanli, Ian Baker, Patrick Dunne, Michael Farrell, Jamie Whelan, and Andrew Byrne each pleaded guilty to the offence. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced all seven to two years' imprisonment, but suspended the sentences in their entirety on strict conditions. The court ordered six of the men to pay €2,500 each within 18 months, while Byrne was ordered to pay €1,500, with funds directed to charity. The incident involved an altercation with members of a far-right anti-Islam organisation travelling to a demonstration. Prosecution evidence included CCTV footage showing Dunne striking a man with an umbrella and Byrne aiming a kick. The judge noted the defendants were working, had good prospects, and expressed remorse, deeming imprisonment unjustified. Kindillon and Garamanli stated they intervened to defend themselves or friends against perceived attacks. None of the far-right group members were charged. A separate co-accused, who pleaded guilty in the District Court, was sentenced to 140 hours of community service in lieu of 14 months' imprisonment for striking a man with an iron bar.
Derek Tuohy, 37, of Lucan, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to assault causing harm at his home on 1 November 2017. The offence involved him head‑butting his then partner, Samantha Murphy, picking her up by the neck and throwing her out of the house. The incident followed a Halloween party where Tuohy had been intoxicated. He punched Murphy three times on her right thigh, head‑butted her to her right temple, kicked her in the stomach, and then lifted her and threw her out of the house. Murphy suffered a fall down the stairs and was left barefoot on the street. She later obtained a protection order. Tuohy had nine prior convictions for road traffic and public order offences and had made no contact with Murphy or their child since the incident.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of Liam Brannigan, 37, of Bride Street, Dublin 8, who is charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between September 15th and November 6th, 2017. Brannigan has pleaded not guilty. The court heard that a National Surveillance Unit garda observed Brannigan driving a white Volkswagen Caddy van in the Suir Road area on October 3rd, 2017. This vehicle was later linked to the arrest of two men on November 6th, 2017, during which a 9mm Beretta pistol and silencer were seized. The defence argued that the garda's failure to record weather conditions or distance hindered the ability to test the identification. The court also noted that Luke Wilson, 24, Joseph Kelly, 35, and Alan Wilson, 39, have already pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Mr Hanley. Luke Wilson, who also admitted unlawful possession of a handgun with intent to endanger life, was sentenced to 11 years. Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for a total of 12 years, while Alan Wilson received a six-year sentence. These sentences were handed down following their guilty pleas, distinct from the ongoing trial of Brannigan.
In a trial at the Central Criminal Court, Paul Wells Junior, aged 33, pleaded not guilty to disposing of a chainsaw motor and blade in County Kildare in January 2016. He claimed he was unaware the chainsaw had been used to dismember Kenneth O'Brien, whose body was found in a suitcase on the Grand Canal. Wells Junior said he had thrown the chainsaw into the canal to avoid hindering the investigation, believing it was stained with what he thought was dog meat. He also stated he had spoken voluntarily to Gardaí to help the O'Brien family seek justice. The court heard that O'Brien died from a gunshot wound to the head, and that his dismembered remains were found in a suitcase. Paul Wells Senior, aged 51, was jailed for life for O'Brien's murder. The trial continues before Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury of twelve.
A 66‑year‑old man from Munster was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, with one year suspended, for raping his adult special‑needs daughter twice in 2016 while her mother was terminally ill in hospital. The judge described the offences as an egregious breach of trust, noting the daughter's vulnerability and the aggravating factor of the mother's illness. The defendant pleaded guilty, which the court considered mitigating, and he expressed remorse and apologized to his daughter. He was ordered to participate in the Better Lives Programme and to have no contact with his daughter during the suspended year, except under supervision. Social services will issue a care order for the daughter, and the judge extended best wishes to her, acknowledging her continued bond with her father and the pain she endured. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and the defendant's background of childhood neglect and abuse.
In February 2019, Dillon Brophy, aged 22, entered Rose Garden Chinese Restaurant on South Circular Road with a large serrated knife and demanded cash from staff closing for the night. When the staff refused, Brophy threatened the man with the knife, holding it to the back of his neck. A struggle ensued, causing both men to fall down the stairs. Staff restrained Brophy until Gardaí arrived. He pleaded guilty to robbery at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and was sentenced to 27 months' imprisonment. The judge noted the seriousness of the knife and Brophy's intent to rob, while acknowledging his history of 41 convictions and his potential for reform. A victim impact report recorded a small thumb injury. Brophy's defence highlighted his desire to rebuild his life with his girlfriend and child, and his completion of educational courses while in custody.
The Central Criminal Court heard that Christopher McGrath, aged 38, was stabbed to death on 12 March 2017 at the home of Noel Lenihan, a 67‑year‑old martial arts instructor from Mervue, Galway. McGrath had previously been in an intimate relationship with Lenihan and had been staying at Lenihan's house after failing to secure a room at a homeless shelter. Lenihan was charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter on 12 March 2017. He claimed he stabbed McGrath in self‑defence after a struggle in which McGrath had allegedly threatened to choke him. Acting State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan found five knife wounds, including a fatal frontal wound to the heart. Lenihan accepted responsibility, expressed remorse, and pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The court considered his age, ill‑health, previous good character and remorse before sentencing, which was scheduled for 25 November.
A man convicted of sexually assaulting a young child has been remanded in custody at the Central Criminal Court following his apprehension. The 24-year-old was found guilty on all fourteen counts of sexual assault at two Dublin locations between June 2008 and October 2011, when the victim was aged between five and eight years old. A jury returned unanimous verdicts after a four-day trial in May 2018. The defendant absconded before the verdict was delivered and remained at large for several months. Mr Justice Michael White imposed a seven-year sentence in December 2018 in the man's absence. Upon his arrest today, the court formally recorded that the sentence will commence from the date of his apprehension. The judge noted the defendant's youth as a mitigating factor, as he was himself a minor during the offences. A victim impact statement detailed the child's ongoing psychological trauma. The defendant was arrested in County Cavan, where he had relocated with his family. The unnamed 24-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A 68‑year‑old Dublin man pleaded guilty in July 2019 to five counts of indecent assault on his daughter between 1985 and 1986, when she was aged nine to ten. He later denied the abuse to the Probation Service, claiming he had no idea why his daughter would make the allegations. He appeared in court unrepresented and confirmed he did not wish to alter his guilty pleas, stating he was "guilty" and would feel "forever guilty." Judge Elma Sheahan sentenced him to nine years, suspending the final year on the condition he completes all available sexual‑abuse courses in custody. The sentence was delivered in the presence of the victim, who broke down in tears. She said she had spoken out to stop abuse that had persisted for three generations and expressed forgiveness toward her father.
Joseph Heffernan, aged 43, pleaded guilty to theft and making a false statement to Gardaí after staging a burglary at Body & Soul Salon in Rathmines on 25 July 2019. He had stolen €6,670 and £40 from the lockers of two employees while his then‑partner, the salon owner, was away. He later admitted to taking money from the salon over several months to repay the salon. He returned most of the stolen money and paid €1,120 in court to cover the remaining balance. Judge Patricia Ryan, noting the breach of trust and the amount involved, imposed a two‑year imprisonment sentence, suspended in its entirety on strict conditions, and ordered 90 hours of community service within 12 months. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The judge highlighted Heffernan's guilty plea, admissions, good employment record and gambling addiction as mitigating factors.
A 21‑year‑old man, Blake Sweeney, was sentenced to eight years and six months' imprisonment for the manslaughter of Robert Elston, 33, after Sweeney stabbed Elston twice in the abdomen. The incident occurred on 23 May 2018 when Elston set fire to a car in the Sweeney family driveway. Sweeney, who had been told by his mother to stay at home, pursued Elston into the house armed with a knife. The judge noted that Sweeney had no pre‑meditation, had offered to plead guilty, and had cooperated with Gardaí. The sentence was reduced from a headline of ten years to eight years and six months, with the last 18 months suspended, and was back‑dated to the date of the offence. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court by Mr Justice Tony Hunt. Blake Sweeney was acquitted.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of Ray Kennedy and Laurence Murphy, who have pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh Na hÉireann, otherwise the IRA on March 6th, 2013. Mr Kennedy is also charged with carrying out an act intending to pervert the course of justice by destroying a mobile telephone SIM card. Prosecution evidence detailed that Mr Butterly was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath, on that date. Detective Garda Shane Curran testified that a text was sent from Mr Kennedy's phone to the victim's wife at 1.43pm, joking about an IRA arrest, minutes before the killing. The prosecution alleged Mr Kennedy destroyed a SIM card to pervert the course of justice. While four other men have already received life sentences for the murder, and Michael McDermott and Frank Murphy have been jailed for their roles, the current proceedings against Mr Kennedy and Mr Murphy remain at the trial stage. The matter was adjourned to continue on Monday before Ms Justice Tara Burns, presiding alongside Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Michael Walsh.
Martin Connors, 18, was caught on CCTV wearing flip‑flops and white socks while breaking into a family home on Versoy Avenue, Citywest. He later joined a robbery of a pizza delivery man that night. After fleeing the robbery in a Fiat Punto, his flip‑flops were found in the getaway car. Connors pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to burglary and robbery, with 42 prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to five years, suspending the final 18 months on probation. The judge noted the burglary was swift and frightening for the family, and that Connors had learning challenges and a desire to reform. The case involved a group that used a golf club to break in, and the pizza delivery man was threatened and robbed before the car crashed into hedging. Connors was arrested and identified as Micheal McDonagh, 12, during the pursuit. The prosecution and defence highlighted Connors' background and his wish to change.
A 15‑year‑old boy was stopped on his bike in Dublin city centre with a backpack containing €40,000 worth of cannabis. Gardaí recovered two kilos of the drug and the boy was charged with possessing cannabis for sale or supply. He pleaded guilty and had no prior convictions. The boy explained that he had been given the drugs in exchange for transporting them for his mother, a drug addict, and that he used cannabis to help him sleep. He also said he had been born with neonatal drug addiction. Judge Martin Nolan noted the boy's vulnerable background and decided not to detain him, instead imposing a three‑and‑a‑half‑year detention sentence that was suspended on conditions including two years of probation. The boy's mother was present at the hearing. The court heard that the boy helps his younger sibling with schoolwork and is described by a teacher as well‑behaved but easily led.
In a hearing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott, the Central Criminal Court set the earliest possible release dates for two teenage boys convicted of murdering and sexually assaulting 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel. Boy A, now 15, faces a life sentence with a review after 12 years and an additional eight‑year term for aggravated sexual assault; his earliest release from the custodial portion is June 18, 2031. Boy B, also 15, received a 15‑year detention sentence with a review after eight years; his earliest release is June 18, 2027. Both boys will be detained at a young offenders centre until age 18, then transferred to an adult prison. Mr Justice McDermott ordered bi‑annual probation, governor and education reports to be prepared for the reviewing court, beginning after their release from Oberstown detention centre. The reports aim to inform the court of the boys' development and progress, not to micro‑manage their sentences.
A 22‑year‑old man, Francis Lyons, pleaded guilty to attempting to rob two Dublin shops on 16 April 2018. He entered Topaz armed with a golf club and a pint glass, failed to obtain money, threatened to return and kill staff, and then went to the neighbouring Eurospar demanding money. Security staff restrained him, one of whom was head‑butted, and Lyons was arrested. He admitted to the Gardaí that he had been drinking at home and listening to rap music when something "triggered" in his head, and that he had not taken medication or drugs, only alcohol. He described himself as "tipsy" and said he acted because he owed money for bills. His defence counsel, Mark Lynam, expressed concerns about possible psychiatric issues and requested a psychiatric assessment. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court adjourned sentencing to 27 January to allow a psychiatric report to be prepared and to consider a probation report for community service.
A 41‑year‑old man was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for assaulting his wife and his 15‑year‑old step‑daughter on 3 December 2018 at their home. The assault began when the man, armed with a kitchen knife, attacked his wife in front of small children who ran to get the older sister. The step‑daughter tried to protect her mother, was struck several times, and the man then turned on her, hitting her four times. The wife reported that the man had previously assaulted her in June 2018, pushing her against a wall and biting her shoulder. The man pleaded guilty to both assaults, had no prior convictions, and had been taking antidepressants while also abusing alcohol. The judge noted his cooperation, remorse, and good work history, but imposed a custodial sentence to serve as a deterrent. The wife expressed that she did not want him jailed, but the court considered the impact on the family.
The Special Criminal Court trial of Laurence Murphy and Ray Kennedy, both charged in connection with the killing of Peter Butterly, entered legal argument regarding the retention of mobile phone data under the Communications (Retention of Data) Act 2011. This legal challenge is linked to the case of convicted murderer Graham Dwyer, whose appeal against a High Court declaration that the Act breached EU law is due before the Supreme Court in December. Murphy and Kennedy pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation, styled the IRA, on March 6, 2013. Kennedy is additionally charged with carrying out an act intending to pervert the course of justice by destroying a mobile telephone SIM card. The prosecution alleges the killing was meticulously planned. Four men—Kevin Braney, Edward McGrath, Sharif Kelly, and Dean Evans—have already received life sentences for the murder. Michael McDermott and Frank Murphy, the latter being Laurence Murphy's brother, have also been jailed for their roles in the killing. The trial continues before Ms Justice Tara Burns, Judge Sarah Berkeley, and Judge Michael Walsh.
During the Central Criminal Court trial, the jury heard that Paul Wells Senior, aged 51, shot Kenneth O'Brien in his back garden on 15 or 16 January 2016, dismembered the body with a chainsaw and dumped it in the Grand Canal. The prosecution alleged that the accused, Paul Wells Junior (33), who was charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of his father, had been forced by his father to carry explosives and join the IRA. Witness Gary Wells testified that his father was a violent man who had a toxic relationship with family members, had attacked his sister and mother, and had tried to get his son to carry explosives. Gary Wells also described how his father had asked him to dispose of a chainsaw and other items, and how he had been involved in a football team to keep him busy. Paul Wells Junior pleaded not guilty.
A 52‑year‑old man was jailed for three years after pleading guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexually assaulting a six‑year‑old girl he was looking after while her mother worked. The offences occurred between 20 May 2018 and 30 June 2018. The man met the mother on a dating app in 2017, moved into her one‑bedroom flat two weeks later, and while she worked night shifts he looked after the daughter. He slept on the couch but when alone with the child he slept in the same double bed. The mother consented to him bathing and showering the daughter. On the last day of June the girl told her mother that the man had touched her inappropriately. The man admitted to four incidents in which he had rubbed his penis on the child, touched her vagina, smacked her bum and kissed her mouth, claiming he was not erect and did not ejaculate.
A man has been sentenced to ten years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following his conviction on twenty-four counts of indecent assault. Thomas Patton, aged 51, was found guilty by jury in July of abusing his young cousin over a six-year period between 1984 and 1990 at Castlefinn, County Donegal. The offending began when the victim was six years old. Judge Melanie Greally imposed four years for offences committed when Patton was a minor and six years for those committed in adulthood, to run consecutively. The judge cited the extreme nature of the abuse, its duration and regularity, the victim's age, breach of trust, and severe psychological harm as aggravating factors. In mitigation, she noted Patton's youth during the initial offences, absence of previous convictions, and subsequent productive life. The victim, who waived anonymity, described lasting trauma and family division resulting from disclosure. Thomas Patton pleaded not guilty.
A Special Criminal Court hearing on 7 November 2019 considered evidence that Liam Brannigan, aged 37, was driving a white Nissan Primastar van that had been fitted with a listening device by Gardaí. Surveillance officers reported seeing Brannigan in the Blackpitts area on 2 October 2017, heading toward Greenville Avenue, wearing black sunglasses and a cap, and described him as unshaven with stubble. The same van had been seen the day before, on 1 October 2017, with Joseph Kelly driving it in Fairview, and Alan Wilson sitting in the back. Brannigan is charged with conspiracy to murder Gary Hanley between 15 September and 6 November 2017 and has pleaded not guilty. The court heard that the van was used extensively as a spotter car and for surveillance of Mr Hanley. The hearing also noted that other conspirators, including Kelly and Wilson, had pleaded guilty and been jailed. The trial did not address any verdict or sentencing for Brannigan.
David O'Brien, aged 67, was sentenced by Judge Karen O'Connor at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a total of eight years' imprisonment for indecent assault on four boys between 1972 and 1981. The sentence was imposed on four separate counts, each carrying two years, and the final 18 months were suspended on the condition of 12 months' probation. O'Brien pleaded guilty to eight counts of indecent assault and had previously been jailed for six and a half years in 2015 for similar offences. He admitted to molesting a number of boys while a scout leader, including fondling and non‑penetrative acts, and claimed he had abused between 30 and 40 children. The court noted his guilty plea and expressed remorse, but emphasised the breach of trust and the victims' loss of childhood innocence. The victims gave impact statements describing lasting physical and emotional harm, and the judge praised their courage.
Paul Wells Junior, 33, of Celbridge, Co Kildare, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for impeding the apprehension of his father, Paul Wells Senior. Wells Senior was jailed for life last year after being found guilty of murdering Kenneth O'Brien in Finglas in January 2016. The prosecution alleges that Wells Junior, who endured a "life of hardship" under his father, disposed of chainsaw parts in different locations while knowing his father had taken a life. Wells Junior has pleaded not guilty to disposing of a chainsaw motor between January 19 and 20, 2016, and not guilty to disposing of a chainsaw blade and chain on January 20, 2016, in Co Kildare. The trial heard that two walkers discovered a suitcase containing a dismembered body in the Grand Canal, while a chainsaw motor was later found at Pikes Bridge. Wells Junior told gardai he panicked and deposited a blade and chain in the Curragh because he believed his father was trying to "set him up." The case is currently at the sentence stage for the convicted person, Paul Wells Senior, who received a life sentence. The trial for Paul Wells Junior continues before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury.
In the Special Criminal Court, two mobile phones were excluded from evidence in the ongoing trial of Liam Brannigan, who is charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between September 15th and November 6th, 2017. Mr Brannigan has pleaded not guilty. Mr Justice Paul Coffey ruled that the phones taken from Mr Brannigan's pockets upon his arrest must be excluded due to an "irreconcilable conflict of evidence" regarding which garda searched him. The court rejected applications to exclude a third phone found in a car park and a fourth 085 phone located in church grounds. The 085 number was deemed significant by gardai based on information from three co-accused: Luke Wilson, Joseph Kelly, and Alan Wilson. These three men have already pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Mr Hanley and were sentenced. Luke Wilson, who also admitted to unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life, was jailed for 11 years. Alan Wilson received a six-year sentence, while Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for a total of 12 years. The current trial continues with surveillance evidence presented, including CCTV footage and witness testimony identifying Mr Brannigan in a vehicle and at a petrol station on the day of the alleged conspiracy.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Paul Wells Junior (33) continues, with the validated procedural stage identified as sentence. Wells Junior, of Beatty Park, Celbridge, Co Kildare, has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging he impeded the apprehension or prosecution of his father, Paul Wells Senior (51), and disposed of a chainsaw motor and blade in Co Kildare between January 19 and 20, 2016. The prosecution alleges Wells Junior dumped these items knowing his father had taken a life. Paul Wells Senior was previously convicted of murdering Kenneth O'Brien (33) at his home in Finglas on January 15 or 16, 2016, and was jailed for life last year. Wells Senior admitted dismembering the victim and dumping the body in the Grand Canal. Detective Sergeant Gerard Moore testified that the chainsaw motor was found at Pike Bridge, Maynooth, while the blade and chain were recovered at the Curragh. Wells Junior told gardai he feared being shot by his father during a drive on January 16, after which he heard splashes near the canal. The court heard that Wells Senior was a known IRA member with prior firearms convictions. The matter remains at the sentence stage.
Patrick Lyons, a 45‑year‑old taxi driver from Cabra West, was found guilty of theft after he kept a customer's bank card and withdrew €550 from her account. The incident occurred after the woman and her friend hailed his taxi to return home from a night out. Lyons claimed he had returned the card before withdrawing the money. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 12 December 2018. The judge noted his prior District Court convictions for similar thefts between December 2017 and August 2018, and that he had already paid €3,800 in restitution. Lyons had €500 to compensate the victim and was drug‑free, making good progress. Judge Karen O'Connor described the offence as "devious and unpleasant" and imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year suspended sentence on strict conditions, stating that re‑offending would result in imprisonment.
A witness in the Special Criminal Court has testified that the shooting of dissident republican Peter Butterly in Gormanston, County Meath on 6 March 2013 was an "IRA operation". David Cullen, now in the Witness Protection Program, gave evidence in trials of Laurence Murphy and Ray Kennedy, both charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the IRA. Mr Kennedy also faces a charge of perverting the course of justice. Cullen said he was asked to dispose of a firearm immediately after the shooting and that he knew beforehand someone would be targeted, though not the victim's identity. He recovered the gun near Gormanston College and was arrested shortly after. Four men have previously received life sentences for Mr Butterly's murder, while two others received custodial sentences. During proceedings, Justice Tara Burns ruled on disclosure issues concerning Cullen's earlier statement that Mr Murphy was "never a member of the IRA", which defence counsel argued was belatedly provided. Laurence Murphy pleaded not guilty. Peter Butterly pleaded not guilty.
Ellavita Flynn, 25, stole designer goods from Dublin's Brown Thomas over two weeks in late 2017 and early 2018, including a €395 Michael Kors watch, a €2,400 Prada handbag, a €1,490 Gucci handbag and a €2,280 Louis Vuitton handbag, the only item recovered. She pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Flynn had three prior theft convictions handled at District Court. Judge Elma Sheahan sentenced her to twelve months imprisonment, suspending the final three months for six months on strict conditions, including compliance with Probation Service directions. Flynn is currently in custody on her own request, participating in a methadone programme and a hairdressing course. The judge noted her high risk of re‑offending, the seriousness of the offences, her addiction and homelessness background, and her remorse and family support as mitigating factors.
Ciaran McGuire, aged 21, was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to a fully suspended three‑year prison term for assault causing harm after he mistakenly struck Stephen McQuillan, believing McQuillan had insulted his girlfriend. McGuire's attack left McQuillan with a fractured jaw, a cut to his face, loss of three teeth and €20,000 in dental costs. The court imposed strict conditions, requiring McGuire to pay €3,000 in compensation to the prosecuting Garda and an additional €10,000 within 18 months, with the possibility of the money being transferred to charity if McQuillan declined. McGuire pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, had no prior convictions, and expressed contrition, apologising for his actions. The judge noted McGuire's cooperation and the court's willingness to enforce the suspended sentence under the stated conditions.
Firemen searching for a fire at Passion Tanning & Beauty in Tallaght discovered a concealed cannabis grow‑house behind a false partition in a beautician's wardrobe. The grow‑house contained 39 mature cannabis plants valued at €31,200 and several smaller plants destroyed by the fire. Elwira Syfert, 40, pleaded guilty to cultivation of cannabis at the premises on 22 January 2017. In an interview she said a man had offered her €400 a month to use the concealed space, initially unaware of its purpose, and later threatened her with violence if she reported the activity. She claimed the man demanded she water and feed the plants. Defence counsel argued she had only performed watering duties. The court found Syfert under pressure and sentenced her to three years' imprisonment, suspended in full on strict conditions.
Michael Cole, 28, of Clondalkin, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct and possession of cannabis. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a sentence of two and a half years imprisonment, which was suspended in full on strict conditions. Cole admitted to receiving €20,000 into his Bank of Ireland account at Newlands Cross on May 17, 2016, as part of a €1.1 million money laundering operation involving a Danish company. Prosecution evidence indicated that Cole acted as a "money mule," directing the conversion of funds into US Dollars and UK Sterling under the instruction of others, for which he received €1,200 in cash and a phone. He also pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis at his address on November 14, 2017. The court noted that Cole had no previous convictions and was involved in a custody dispute at the time of the offence. While €960,000 of the laundered funds has been recovered, €80,000 remains outstanding. The judge accepted that Cole was not the main operator of the scheme, describing him as having been used by individuals more adept in crime.
A 19‑year‑old Brazilian model, Jhennifer Garcia De Araujo, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, with five years suspended, after pleading guilty to importing cocaine and possessing it at Dublin Airport. She claimed an armed man forced her to swallow 51 pellets of the drug, which had a street value of €49,203. Garcia De Araujo said she believed she was meeting a man to discuss a modelling contract but was threatened with a gun and told to ingest the drugs. She denied receiving payment and stated she was not an addict. The judge noted the social harm of drugs and praised Gardaí and customs for their work. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, and the sentence was imposed by Judge Pauline Codd.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Mamour Lowe Nicolas, 35, born and raised in Gambia, and his co‑accused Michail Angelopoulos, 27, and Kosmas Ompante, 31, all homeless, were found guilty of assault and robbery after a violent mugging that left a victim unconscious with a fractured skull. The trio followed the victim after a night out, stole his phone, wallet, prayer book and keys, and then attacked him. Nicolas kicked the victim eight times in the face, while Angelopoulos and Ompante also struck and dragged him to the ground. The victim suffered a skull fracture, a deep cut to the left front of his face and a cut on his ear. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed concurrent four‑year sentences on each defendant, back‑dated to May to account for time already spent in custody. The court noted the serious harm caused and the defendants' guilty pleas.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Mr Justice Paul McDermott sentenced Boy B, then 13, to 15 years' detention for luring 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel to an abandoned farmhouse where she was sexually and violently assaulted and murdered by his friend. The judge noted Boy B watched the assault, did not intervene or seek help, and was aware of the events, yet remained indifferent. He had fabricated lies about the incident, which the judge described as "clear and brazen." Boy B has not accepted the jury's verdict and maintains he had no part in the crime. Defence counsel highlighted his low risk of re‑offending, personal difficulties, and suicidal tendencies, while also noting his remorse for not intervening. The sentence includes a review after eight years. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further outcome reported. The unnamed boy was convicted.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 5 November 2019, Mr Justice Paul McDermott sentenced a 15‑year‑old boy, referred to only as Boy A, to life imprisonment for the violent sexual assault and murder of 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel. The sentence will be reviewed after 12 years. The judge described the crime as the most serious, disturbing and shocking type, citing the extreme violence used, including a headlock, choke hold, kicking, striking with a stick and a block. Boy A had previously denied the sexual assault and offered an alternative explanation for forensic evidence. The prosecution presented CCTV footage, DNA evidence linking Boy A to Ana's body and scene, and circumstantial evidence of injuries he claimed were from a random assault. Ana was found dead in an abandoned house in Lucan on 14 May 2018, with blunt‑force injuries to the head and neck. The unnamed accused was convicted.
Siva Kadiminisetty, a 36‑year‑old new father from Rathmines, was given a three‑year suspended sentence after he exploited a banking glitch that allowed him to steal over €25,000 from a bank over eight weeks. He admitted using a false passport to open a bank account in February 2009 and stealing cash at Dunnes Stores in July and August 2012. Kadiminisetty said he passed some of the money to a friend who helped him open false accounts, and he used part of the proceeds for college fees, flights home to India and groceries. He also withdrew cash by using an unsigned Visa debit card at supermarkets on four occasions. The judge noted his lack of prior convictions, good work history and unlikely re‑offending, and therefore suspended the custodial term on strict conditions. Siva Kadiminisetty pleaded guilty.
Anthony Conway, 35, of Sheridan Court, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of a knife with intent to intimidate after entering Dominick Inn topless on 12 August 2018. He had heard a rumour that his partner was having an affair with the barman and went to confront him. The barman used a pole to defend himself and the confrontation ended quickly; Conway dropped the knife and left. He had 18 prior convictions, including theft, drug offences and public order offences. Judge Pauline Codd noted that Conway was under the influence, had a difficult background, and was involved in caring for his five children. She sentenced him to two years imprisonment, suspended in full, with strict conditions including supervision by the Probation Service for two years.
Paul Wells Junior (33) is on trial at the Central Criminal Court, accused of impeding the investigation into the murder of Kenneth O'Brien. The prosecution alleges that Wells Junior disposed of a chainsaw motor and blade in Co Kildare between January 19 and 20, 2016, knowing his father, Paul Wells Senior, had committed the crime. Wells Junior has pleaded not guilty to these charges. The trial follows the sentencing of Paul Wells Senior (51), who was jailed for life last year after being found guilty of murdering O'Brien at his home in Finglas on January 15 or 16, 2016. Prosecuting counsel Michael Bowman SC outlined that O'Brien died from a close-range gunshot and was subsequently dismembered with the chainsaw, which was later dumped in the Grand Canal and the Curragh. The prosecution contends that Wells Junior acted with knowledge of the offense, despite enduring a 'life of hardship' under his father. The case is before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury of twelve, with proceedings expected to last up to three weeks.
A 17‑year‑old boy was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment for attempting to murder Stephanie Ng, a 25‑year‑old woman he met on the Whisper dating app. The boy lured Ng to an isolated spot at Sea Front, Queen's Road, Dun Laoghaire, where he strangled her until she was unconscious and then slashed her neck with a knife, leaving her for dead. Mr Justice Michael White described the attack as pre‑meditated and cold‑calculated, noting that the boy's contact with Ng on social media was intended to cause harm. The victim, who described herself as a gentle person, suffered nightmares, flash‑backs and a loss of trust. The judge cited the boy's early guilty plea, good character, lack of prior convictions, immaturity, and mental illness as mitigating factors, and noted a review of the sentence would begin on 1 January 2023. The boy was first taken into custody on 26 December 2017.
Two Dublin men, David Reilly (36) and Daryl Howe (23), were jailed for assaulting Andrew Smith during a feud. Reilly chased Smith into a house, slashed his face with a Stanley knife while Smith tried to shut a door, and Howe followed from the back, striking Smith with a club. Smith sustained lacerations and a facial scar. Both men pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Martin Nolan, noting the seriousness of the offence and the men's remorse, imposed a 27‑month sentence on Reilly and an 18‑month sentence on Howe, each having spent nine months in custody on remand. The judge considered their family responsibilities and prior records, concluding a custodial sentence was necessary. Smith did not give a victim impact statement. The case highlighted the feud's dissipation and Smith's wish that Reilly not be imprisoned.
Olusola Omobamidele, 51, pleaded guilty to careless driving simpliciter for a collision on 19 October 2014 that killed 38‑year‑old motorcyclist Keith McGann. The court found his driving did not cause McGann's death and imposed a €500 fine, the maximum for this offence, with no prison sentence. Omobamidele had been driving a Dublin Bus and had no prior convictions. He had been working for Dublin Bus for 12 years before the incident and had left the company shortly after. McGann's widow, Cynthia, read a victim impact statement describing the loss of her husband, father of three, and the toll of a five‑year legal process. The judge noted Omobamidele's self‑imposed driving ban and expressed condolences to the family. The sentence was delivered at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court by Judge Martin Nolan.
Shane Farrelly, aged 20, was convicted of public disorder and two counts of damaging property during a riot at Oberstown Children Detention Campus on 29 August 2016, when staff were on strike. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three-and-a-half years, with the final 18 months suspended. Farrelly was part of a group of teenagers who caused €3 million in damage to the detention centre, including smashing televisions and windows, and also contributed to an additional €500 000 in damage to other units. He had 21 prior convictions, including assault, criminal damage and threats to kill. Three co‑accused who pleaded guilty to arson received five‑year sentences, with the last two years suspended. The court noted that Farrelly did not set fire to the building but participated in violent disorder that caused the damage. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The article does not mention any further proceedings.
A 35-year-old man from Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan has been sentenced to six years imprisonment following his conviction for serious offences against his former partner. Derek Fay pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm and false imprisonment at a hotel in Parkwest, Dublin on 16 and 17 November 2015. The court heard that Fay trapped the woman in a hotel room overnight, during which he made violent threats, destroyed her mobile telephone and punched her repeatedly in the face, causing a serious injury to her nose. The woman remained awake throughout most of the night in fear for her safety. Fay subsequently left the jurisdiction and was returned to Ireland on foot of a European Arrest Warrant. Judge Martin Nolan imposed the custodial sentence, describing the accused's conduct as prolonged and vicious. The sentence was backdated to January 2018, when Fay first entered custody in connection with the matter.
In a drunken altercation over a PlayStation game, 36‑year‑old Jonathan Dwane stabbed his friend John Paul Bradley in the back three times, lacerating Bradley's kidney. The incident occurred after the pair, both long‑time drug addicts, had been drinking and playing games in Dwane's bedroom. Dwane, who kept a knife for protection, was arrested and pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and producing a knife. He was sentenced to 40 months' imprisonment by Judge Martin Nolan, who described the act as a gross over‑reaction. Bradley was taken to hospital and underwent surgery; he made a full recovery and declined to give a victim impact statement. Dwane's father intervened and disarmed him during the struggle. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 1 November 2019.
Robert Glynn, 42, of Knockmore Park, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to threatening to kill and possessing a firearm after pulling a gun on his sister‑in‑law, Suzanne Campbell, during a family dispute. On 10 March, Glynn confronted Campbell's partner outside her home, pointing a black modified handgun at him and threatening to shoot. Campbell pleaded with him not to fire, and he fled. Gardaí found the unloaded, unusable gun under Glynn's mattress. Glynn has 34 prior convictions, mainly traffic offences, plus criminal damage and larceny. He was in custody since March. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, suspending the final two years on strict conditions and backdating the sentence to his initial custody date. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with Glynn's defence citing a "moment of madness.".
Brendan Clifford, 34, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexual exploitation of a child and sexual assault of another child at Tallaght Hospital in 2015. The victims, siblings aged nine and ten, were brought to the hospital by Clifford, who posed as a talent agent named David White. He administered cream to the children's legs, bum and penis, and requested removal of their underwear during treatment. The mother, suspicious after receiving an email from a purported agent, discovered the deception. Clifford had no prior convictions and is married with three children. He was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended on strict conditions, including probation supervision for 18 months after release. The judge described his conduct as "very devious" and "perverse.".
The Special Criminal Court trial of Laurence Murphy and Ray Kennedy, both accused of IRA membership on March 6, 2013, continued with the court listening to a secret audio recording from a KFC in Charlestown. Both men pleaded not guilty to the membership charge; Mr. Kennedy also faces a charge of perverting the course of justice by destroying a SIM card. The prosecution alleges the men attended a "debrief" meeting the day after the murder of Peter Butterly. The court heard that gardai surveillance identified Kevin Braney, Frank Murphy, and Laurence Murphy at the outlet. Kevin Braney was previously sentenced to life imprisonment for the premeditated murder of Mr. Butterly, a finding he had denied. Frank Murphy, a brother of the accused, was jailed for three years, with the final year suspended, after pleading guilty to impeding the prosecution of State witness David Cullen. Other individuals, including Edward McGrath, Sharif Kelly, and Dean Evans, received life sentences for the murder. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns, Judge Sarah Berkeley, and Judge Michael Walsh, was adjourned and resumes next Wednesday.
Patrick Fennell, 45, of Greenfort Avenue, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to four pharmacy robberies committed over seven months. He was convicted of two robberies at Smyths Pharmacy in Clondalkin (19 July and 10 September 2018), one at Boylan's Pharmacy in Ballyfermot (8 October 2018) and one at Leonard's Corner Pharmacy on South Circular Road (22 February 2019). In each incident he used a knife, demanded drugs, and in some cases received cash. Garda accounts detail his use of a balaclava, erratic behaviour and the acquisition of large quantities of prescription drugs. Fennell had nine prior convictions, including for production of an article. He was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to three years for each count, with all but the final offence running concurrently and the last running consecutively, giving an effective six‑year custodial term.