In January 2016, Marjo Cayabyab, aged 27, was driving a car at an excessive speed and was slightly over the legal alcohol limit when he struck two women, Claire Hewitt and Ann Keating, on Hartstown Road, Clonsilla, Dublin. The collision occurred on a wet road after a long bend, and the vehicle spun out of control, hitting both women. Hewitt died within an hour of the crash, while Keating sustained serious injuries and remains in ongoing treatment. Cayabyab pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death and serious bodily harm. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court found that his speed and alcohol level were aggravating factors. He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, a four‑year driving ban, and a headline sentence of four to five years was reduced to two years due to mitigating circumstances. The court noted his remorse and lack of prior convictions.
A 77‑year‑old father of six pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two charges of sexual assault against a seven‑year‑old neighbour. The court found the offences to be on the lower end of the scale and, after noting the defendant's lack of prior convictions and his expressed remorse, suspended an 18‑month sentence on strict conditions. The judge described the man as regretful and "stricken with remorse" and believed he was unlikely to re‑offend. The incidents were reported after the child told her mother that the neighbour had kissed her on the lips and patted her bottom after inviting her into his home for an ice‑cream. The defendant later admitted the acts, expressed regret, and asked the Garda to convey his apologies to the family. The court did not read the victim impact report, and the defence submitted four documents, including references and a statement about the defendant's health and loneliness.
Darren De Lacey, 37, of Cremona Road, Ballyfermot, was found in May 2017 driving a car with a bag of heroin while he was on bail for earlier cocaine offences. Gardaí, acting on confidential information, stopped the vehicle and discovered 744 g of heroin, worth an estimated €104,202, between his feet. De Lacey pleaded guilty to possession of heroin at a location on the M7 motorway on 22 May 2017. He had previously been convicted of possession for sale or supply of large quantities of cocaine, for which he received a seven‑year prison sentence with three years suspended in October 2017. The court imposed an additional four‑year prison term, to run consecutively with the sentence he is already serving, bringing his total custodial period to eight years. The judge noted De Lacey's 65 prior convictions, including 50 for road‑traffic offences and one for theft. The case highlights the continued enforcement of drug‑related offences in Dublin.
In a Dublin city‑centre incident, Marcus Klug, aged 37, shouted at a 62‑year‑old care assistant as she walked past him on George's Street and then pushed her onto the road in front of oncoming traffic. The woman avoided being hit but fractured her arm. Klug pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm on 29 October 2013. He had been suffering psychiatric issues and was not fit to plead for several years. He spent 23 months in Cloverhill Prison and time in a locked ward at St Vincent's Hospital, with some community care. The court imposed a suspended two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, ordered him to remain under Probation Services for two years and to follow his psychiatrist's instructions. The woman received hospital treatment and later physiotherapy, and her arm is now fully recovered. The case was prosecuted by John Byrne BL and defended by Niall Nolan BL.
A man has been convicted and sentenced at the Central Criminal Court following a jury trial in February. He received 15 years imprisonment, with the final year suspended, for repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting his daughter at their home in County Mayo and at locations abroad between 2006 and 2010, when the victim was aged seven to eleven years old. Justice Deirdre Murphy described the offending as depraved. The court heard that since the conviction, an allegation has emerged that the complainant may have provided false evidence. A garda investigation into this matter is underway, though no evidence relating to the allegation was before the court during sentencing. The accused was convicted on three counts of rape, five counts of anal rape, and six counts of sexual assault. He maintains his innocence and has previous convictions for assault, including one involving the same victim. The unnamed 47-year-old pleaded not guilty.
John Walsh, 45, was arrested after CCTV footage from a Spar shop in Dublin was aired on Crimecall. The footage showed him demanding €20 back, becoming aggressive, and claiming to have a gun. He produced a pellet gun that resembled a semi‑automatic pistol, pointed it at staff, and was later apprehended by Gardaí. Walsh had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a realistic imitation firearm on 1 September 2016. He was remanded pending sentencing. Garda Paul Geraghty noted Walsh's intoxication and that he had been waiting for the Gardaí when they arrived. Walsh admitted the gun was for his own protection and expressed remorse. The shop received an apology letter from him. He has a history of alcohol and drug dependence and has sought treatment. The case is set for sentencing on Friday.
John Moore, 59, pleaded guilty to criminal damage for breaking and painting over Eamon de Valera's headstone at Glasnevin cemetery on 25 January 2017. He fractured the four‑foot stone into two pieces and poured red paint on it, causing €5,675 in damage. Gardaí found him in the cemetery coffee shop with red paint on his hands and a hammer in his bag. Moore claimed he had long‑standing grievances against de Valera's policies, describing the former president as "sly and evil" and saying he "suffered through his policies". He had no prior convictions and was receiving medical care. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a suspended two‑year sentence, noting it would be inappropriate to imprison him given his mental health difficulties at the time of the offence. The sentence was handed down in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Anthony Cassidy, 34, was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment for raping and seriously assaulting a woman in her 50s in Carlow. The victim was attacked early in the morning, left unconscious on the outskirts of town, and later found with severe injuries including a multifocal brain injury. CCTV footage showed Cassidy dragging the victim to the site where she was discovered 12 hours later. Cassidy pleaded guilty to rape and assault causing serious harm on 25 June 2017. He had 34 prior convictions, including soliciting for sex in the UK and two assaults in Ireland. The judge noted the pre‑meditated nature of the attack, the victim's extreme brain injury, and her ongoing dependence on family care. Cassidy's guilty plea and expression of remorse were considered, leading to the 18‑year sentence rather than a life term. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court.
A 31‑year‑old man was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended, for raping and sexually abusing an 18‑year‑old boy who was 11 at the time of the first offence. The offences, committed between July 2011 and March 2012 at the boy's family home in South West Ireland, included four counts of oral rape and four of sexual assault. The man, who has 57 prior convictions but no previous sexual offences, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court. He had gained access to the boy's home by befriending the boy's older brother, providing alcohol, cigarettes and clothing, and later moving into the house. The court noted the man's behaviour was "disgraceful" and that he had supplied the boy with alcohol. The victim's impact statement described how the abuse left him feeling confused, vulnerable and in need of help, and he expressed gratitude for the support he received from Gardaí and his mother.
Two Romanian burglars, Constantin Gheorghe (44) and Lacramioara Anei (22), were arrested by Garda Kevin Bamrick after he recognised them as suspects in a previous burglary attempt. He observed them approaching several premises, and later saw Gheorghe and another man break into an apartment block while Anei acted as a lookout. The trio were arrested with a backpack containing stolen items. Both pleaded guilty to attempted burglary on Aughrim Street, Dublin 7, on 17 August 2017, and burglary on North Circular Road, Dublin 1. The court noted Gheorghe had five prior convictions in Ireland, Denmark and Romania, and Anei had four prior convictions in Romania. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two‑year sentence on Gheorghe and a one‑year sentence on Anei, both back‑dated to August 2017. The sentences were imposed while the defendants cooperated with Gardaí but did not make admissions.
The prosecution case in the trial of four men accused of a €2.28 million cash‑in‑transit robbery that took place on 13 and 14 March 2005 will close next Monday, the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard. The defendants – Niall Byrne (36), Mark Farrelly (46), Christopher Corcoran (70) and David Byrne (45) – have all pleaded not guilty to the false imprisonment of four members of the Richardson family at their home in Ashcroft, Raheny, and to the robbery of Paul Richardson and Securicor of €2.28 million. Judge Melanie Greally told the jury that the prosecution case would close and the trial, which began in January, would move on to its next phase. Earlier, Detective Superintendent Paul Scott revealed that 102 "persons of interest" were investigated, some arrested and some not, and that all Securicor staff were eliminated from the investigation apart from ex‑employee Niall Byrne.
In Dublin, two 80‑year‑old women were robbed by Brian Dunne, who received a four‑and‑a‑half‑year prison sentence. The first incident occurred on 10 November at a bus stop off Strand Road, where Dunne grabbed a bag from Glynnis Cassin's shoulder, causing her to fall, dislocate and break her shoulder in two places. She was hospitalised for six days and missed a performance of *My Fair Lady* at the National Concert Hall. The second robbery took place on 14 November after Anne O'Rourke left a cinema; Dunne stole her bag while she was walking home. Both women described the events as distressing, with Cassin citing an €800 loss and O'Rourke expressing sympathy for the offender. Judge Martin Nolan praised the women's resilience, noting the seriousness of the crimes and the impact on their lives. Brian Dunne pleaded guilty.
Mark Foster (23) pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of drugs for sale or supply at his home on South Circular Road, Dublin, on 11 January 2017. Gardaí discovered cannabis, MDMA, cocaine and ketamine with a combined street value of €26,840, along with €7,385 in cash. Foster, from Cavan, immediately accepted responsibility to protect his housemates from questioning. The court heard he had since relocated to his native county to live with his parents, works on the family farm, remains drug-free and intends to pursue college education. Judge Martin Nolan described the operation as amateurish and noted Foster's youth and early intervention as mitigating factors. Despite the seriousness of the charges, the judge imposed a five-year prison sentence, suspended in full, citing Foster's co-operation, guilty plea, and low risk of re-offending.
Dean Reddington, 33, of Drimnagh, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three robberies between February 2016 and September 2017 at bookmakers around Dublin, plus an attempted robbery and weapon production at Ladbrokes on 4 September 2017. He admitted using a black bag to conceal a stick or tree branch, presenting it as a gun, which caused terror for staff and customers. Victim Tracey O'Reilly of Boyle Sports reported €728 stolen and lasting anxiety, sleeplessness and PTSD. Reddington also robbed €714 at Paddy Powers and €240 at Boyle Sports in Balally. He has 35 prior convictions, 22 in Circuit Court, including 14 robberies. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to four and a half years, citing early guilty plea, cooperation, remorse, drug‑free status and rehabilitation prospects, while noting the robberies' long‑term impact on victims. The judge set a headline sentence of six to seven years, but the final imposed term was four and a half years.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Karl Walsh, aged 27, pleaded guilty to five sample charges of sexually abusing Nicole Moran, aged 22, between 2006 and 2007 when he was 14‑15. The abuse began when Moran was four and continued until she was 11, with Walsh reportedly molesting her on most weekends she visited his home. The judge noted the prolonged nature of the abuse and estimated 50‑60 incidents in one year. Walsh had no prior convictions and a psychological report found him to have low cognitive ability but aware of wrongdoing. He was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended, and the judge emphasised that Moran had suffered grievously. The sentence was welcomed by Moran, who said it allowed her to focus on her daughter and move on from the abuse.
Daniel Kane, 29, pleaded guilty to assaulting John Roche and false imprisonment of Martin Byrne on 9 June 2015. The incidents occurred at The Towers, Garter Lane, Saggart, where Byrne, a security employee, was forced to vacate his residence. Kane and other men drove Byrne to a Honda Accord, struck him twice on the left side of the face, and threatened further harm. They then entered the complex, assaulted Roche, who was later found with blood on Kane's trousers. CCTV footage showed Kane holding Roche in a headlock before other men punched and kicked him. Byrne was later struck on the head and pushed to a chair. Kane was remanded in custody and will be sentenced by the Special Criminal Court next week.
A 32‑year‑old Malaysian named Han Fan was arrested at Dublin Airport after drug‑sniffing dogs detected a strong chemical smell in his luggage. Customs officers found 12 vacuum‑packed bags of cannabis, worth €195,200, and a name tag identifying Fan. He initially denied owning the suitcase but later admitted it was his. Fan claimed he had agreed to transport the drugs from Spain to Scotland for loan sharks to whom he was indebted, after losing his job and facing threats from the lenders. He pleaded guilty to one count of importing cannabis with a street value over €13,000. Judge Martin Nolan struck out other possession charges, ruling they did not apply in Ireland, but upheld the importation charge. Fan was sentenced to 32 months' imprisonment, backdated to the September 2017 arrest, and is considered an enhanced prisoner with a positive governor's report. The case highlights the influence of loan‑shark debt on drug trafficking decisions.
Christopher Connors, 22, of Carrickmines, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for his part in a violent disorder incident in Balinteer on May 5, 2016. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three-year prison sentence, with the final 18 months suspended, after Connors pleaded guilty. The judge stated he saw no reason to depart from the previous judgment handed down by Judge Cormac Quinn in December, which applied to Connors' brother, John Connors, and cousin, Joseph Connors. Both men had also pleaded guilty to the same offence and received identical sentences. The court described the incident as an unprovoked serious attack on three Afghan nationals, including a 13-year-old boy, who were cycling in Marley Park. CCTV footage from a passing Dublin Bus and mobile phones showed the defendants attacking the victims, with one victim sustaining a broken nose. The judge noted that Christopher Connors participated fully, armed with a bottle. While the defense argued Connors played a lesser role and had been drinking, the judge upheld the earlier sentencing rationale. The matter was finalized with the imposition of these custodial terms, reflecting the severity of the unprovoked assault.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Garda Patrick McAvinue described Anne Marie Donovan, aged 40, as the most vulnerable person he had encountered in his decade in the drug unit. Donovan was found with €25,000 of heroin and €5,000 of cocaine in her flat, which had been raided nearly two years earlier. She cooperated with officers, pointing out the drugs, and admitted she had little or no choice but to hold them. McAvinue testified that Donovan had been threatened with violence, had been stabbed in the head, and her son was thrown down the stairs, leading her to feel a "prisoner in her own flat." Donovan pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on 3 September 2016, had no prior convictions, and was sentenced to 18 months in prison, which Judge Martin Nolan suspended in full, noting her culpability was very low. The court accepted McAvinue's evidence and did not hear further mitigation.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced five members of the McDonagh family for violent disorder at Old Castle Drive, Clondalkin, on November 19, 2016. Martin McDonagh Snr, Ellen McDonagh, Nora McDonagh, Helen McDonagh, and Shannon Sherlock all pleaded guilty to the charge. The court heard that the incident followed an argument at a shopping centre, after which the defendants allegedly arrived at the O'Reilly family home armed with a sickle, two hurleys, and a baton. Judge Martin Nolan described the event as a "disgrace" and noted that while the McDonaghs made numerous attempts to strike the O'Reillys, no serious injuries were inflicted. The judge imposed a four-year suspended sentence on Martin McDonagh Snr, noting his "remarkably modest record" despite 13 previous convictions, mostly for road traffic matters. Two-year suspended sentences were imposed on each of the four women, none of whom had previous convictions. Defence counsel highlighted that Martin McDonagh Snr used the sickle only to threaten, that Nora McDonagh was unarmed, and that Shannon Sherlock was due to give birth. The judge emphasized the need for self-control and noted that the O'Reilly family has since relocated, with both families now getting on with their lives.
Colin Brady, aged 44, was sentenced to one year in prison for harassing his former girlfriend in Dublin between 21 September and 2 November last year. He breached his bail conditions 46 times, contacting her after being charged and sending 275 messages over three days. Brady broke her apartment door on 25 September, prompting Garda Emma Brady to call the police. The victim, who feared for her life, suffered extreme anxiety and lost work. Brady had previously been ordered to stay away from her and remain outside Dublin. He has seven prior convictions in Ireland and a robbery conviction in the UK. The judge, Martin Nolan, noted Brady had "terrified" the victim and imposed a three‑year sentence, suspending the final two years on conditions including no contact with the victim. He was also ordered to pay the cost of the broken door. Colin Brady pleaded guilty.
Robert Keogh, aged 36, was sentenced to one year in prison after pleading guilty to 16 counts of inducing others to hand over cash for non‑existent Liverpool football match tickets between July 2015 and February 2016. He defrauded victims of €4,593 by advertising fake tickets on DoneDeal and by meeting some in person, promising tickets that never arrived. One victim lost €980 buying tickets for children, and others lost money on flights to Liverpool. Keogh used two online aliases but his real name appeared on the bank account that led to his arrest. He had no prior convictions but had recently pleaded guilty to similar offences in the District Court. Defence counsel said Keogh had repaid €620 to some victims and was remorseful, noting his former GAA career, gambling addiction, and rehabilitation efforts.
A 47-year-old man from Co Mayo has been convicted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of three counts of rape, five counts of anal rape and six counts of sexual assault against his daughter between 2006 and 2010, when she was aged seven to eleven years. The offences occurred both in Ireland and abroad. During proceedings, the man's legal representative stated that his client rejects the jury's verdict and maintains his innocence. Defence counsel indicated the man intends to lodge an appeal against conviction at the earliest opportunity. The court heard that the victim disclosed the abuse to social workers while in care. The defendant, who has previous convictions in Ireland and abroad, was remanded in custody pending sentencing on 23 April.
Anna Marie Pezzillo (35) and Rachel Comiskey (35) pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of Ian Quinn (32) at Annally Grove, Dublin 15, between 30 and 31 May 2014. The two women admitted that they suffocated Quinn by placing plastic bags over his head after a period of drinking vodka and taking tranquillisers. They claimed the intent was to frighten, not kill, and that they had not intended to cause death. Pezzillo had been released from Limerick prison the day before Quinn joined them, and the three had a history of drug and alcohol use. Both women expressed remorse in letters to the court. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy remanded them in custody until 14 May, when he will deliver their sentences.
Brendan Phelan, a 66‑year‑old retired principal officer of the Department of Health and Children, was given a suspended three‑year sentence in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to one count of possessing child pornography. The offence stemmed from a March 2013 raid on his home, where authorities seized 58,585 images and 1,046 videos, most of which were naturist and focused on young boys' genitalia, with a minority depicting pre‑pubescent boys in sexual behaviour. Phelan admitted to long‑standing possession of the material and has since attended counselling and rehabilitation, producing a court report indicating a low risk of re‑offending. The judge noted mitigating factors such as the nature of the images, his cooperation, and the absence of distribution, but added that the conviction would bring shame on him and his family and that he would be listed on the sex offenders register.
Christopher Timmons, a 29-year-old jockey from Castleknock, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to assault causing harm. The incident occurred on July 24, 2016, at Morehampton Rd, Donnybrook, where Timmons allegedly assaulted a taxi driver following a dispute over a fare. Prosecution evidence stated that Timmons punched the driver in the face and attempted to gouge his eyes. Judge Karen O'Connor reduced the previously proposed 200 hours of community service to 80 hours, citing a probation service report indicating Timmons lacked the time to complete the original amount due to his extensive work and study commitments. Defending counsel Brian Storan BL argued that Timmons was willing and able to serve the reduced hours. The judge noted Timmons had brought €3,950 to court to compensate the victim, who suffered financial loss and changed careers to become a bus driver. Judge O'Connor emphasized that Timmons must prioritize his community service, acknowledging his aggressive behavior while also noting his remorse, completed third-level degree, and efforts to address alcohol issues. She concluded that Timmons was more useful to society completing community service than serving a custodial sentence, referencing his talented jockey career and impressive employment record.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Jadesola Agbalade, 51, pleaded guilty to knowingly distributing a child pornography clip that showed an infant being raped. The clip, depicting a child aged between two and five, was forwarded by Agbalade to a friend and later discovered during a Garda investigation into credit card fraud. Agbalade admitted to sending the clip and claimed she did not understand the seriousness of the offence. Judge Karen O'Connor wholly suspended a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, citing the case as a one‑off instance of poor judgement and noting a psychological report found no sinister motive. The judge ordered Agbalade to remain on the sex offenders register for five years, but she avoided custodial jail time. The court highlighted her cooperation, remorse, and lack of prior convictions. The case was presented as an unusual, non‑profit‑based distribution of a single clip.
Martin O'Brien, 36, was sentenced to 16 months in prison for burglary after DNA matched blood spatters left when he cut his hand to smash a glass front door at a Foxrock home on 11 November 2015. He stole jewellery, electronic equipment, cash and checks worth over €15,000, causing €300 damage to the door, and left the house after a young woman saw him. O'Brien, who has 64 prior convictions and is already serving a four‑year robbery sentence, will serve the new term consecutively. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, admitted he was on heroin and tablets at the time, and expressed remorse. Judge Martin Nolan noted his cooperation, early guilty plea and difficult background, and imposed the 16‑month sentence to run after his current term.
Lea Peacock, 25, of Rush, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to careless driving causing the death of Jane Dardis at Rush Road, Skerries, on October 25, 2016. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Peacock to a nine-month suspended sentence and disqualified him from driving for five years. The judge concluded Peacock did not deserve a custodial sentence, noting the accused had no previous convictions, was remorseful, and had cooperated with gardai. Judge Nolan found the explanation that Peacock swerved to avoid a pedestrian to be unbelievable, instead attributing the swerve to the interplay between the driver and the front-seat passenger. The court heard Peacock had consumed four glasses of wine and was travelling at 80km/h in a 60km/h zone. In mitigation, counsel highlighted Peacock's remorse and lack of intentional wrongdoing. The judge expressed condolences to the deceased's family, who described themselves as devastated. The maximum penalty for the offence is two years' imprisonment. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the suspended sentence and driving disqualification.
David Fetherston, aged 31, was convicted of robbing a teenage schoolgirl's mobile phone on Malahide Road in March 2013 and of six further shop robberies in north Dublin during August–September 2016. He was found guilty by a jury in July 2017 and sentenced to four years' imprisonment, with the sentence backdated to that month. Judge Patricia Ryan also ordered that he must stay away from all his victims for 30 years. The court heard that Fetherston had an outburst during his trial, which caused concern for the girl, and that he had 134 previous convictions. He had been addicted to heroin at the time of the offences but had become drug‑free before the trial. The judge noted his remorse, rehabilitation from drugs and good behaviour in custody. The sentence reflects the violent nature of the crimes, but acknowledges his acceptance of guilt and improved conduct. The order to keep distance from victims is a separate protective measure.
Eoin Jarvis, 26, of Corduff Grove, Blanchardstown, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance, reckless endangerment and unlawful use of a vehicle. On 11 April 2017, he drove a stolen car at 180 kph along the N1/M1 motorway, causing it to become airborne over a roundabout before crashing on the far side. Jarvis had taken 28 sleeping tablets before driving and was heavily intoxicated at the time of arrest. Garda John Delaney reported that the crash was witnessed by two plain‑clothes officers. Jarvis exited the vehicle, ran across four lanes of traffic and was taken to a petrol station where he was arrested. The court noted his 57 previous convictions and that he was not involved in the burglary that stole the car. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged Jarvis' guilty plea and cooperation, and imposed the three‑year sentence.
In 2009 and 2010, a 40‑year‑old man from Meath was convicted by a jury of one count of rape and 12 counts of sexual assault against his fiancée's three daughters, who were in their early to mid‑teens at the time. The convictions were for offences committed in the family home in the east of the country. The judge sentenced him to ten years' imprisonment, noting the severe psychological harm inflicted on the victims, who are now in their early twenties, and praising their resilience. The man's appeal against conviction was dismissed by the Central Criminal Court. The appeal argued that the trial judge should have warned the jury about the dangers of convicting without corroboration for all three complainants; the court found the judge's partial warning adequate and upheld the conviction. No further details about the man's identity or prior convictions were provided. The case remains at the conviction stage.
Samuel Peprah, a 42‑year‑old Ghanaian‑born man living in Clondalkin, was sentenced to two years in prison for fraudulently claiming more than €60,000 in social welfare payments between October 2013 and November 2016. While employed full‑time in the kitchens of the Merrion Hotel, Peprah used his own name to claim Rent Allowance, Jobseekers' Allowance and Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance, and also claimed under an assumed name. He pleaded guilty to 22 counts of fraud. The State suffered a loss of €63,218. Peprah admitted that he had used his brother Ebenezer Amedayaw's Belgian identity to facilitate the fraud, offering his brother up to €200 a month for the use of his identity. He has repaid about €1,500 and is making weekly repayments of roughly €70, a pace that would take 17 years to clear the debt. Peprah is now employed by the HSE as a care assistant.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Adam Barrett, 24, to four years' imprisonment for possessing €24,000 worth of cocaine found at his Spencer Dock apartment. Barrett owned the drugs, unlike most offenders who merely transport or hold them to pay debts. He pleaded guilty to possessing drugs for sale or supply and to holding about €3,000 in cash. The judge noted the headline sentence was six years but reduced it, citing Barrett's work record and rehabilitation efforts. Gardaí discovered 355 g of cocaine, five mobile phones in Barrett's bedroom and seven in the living room, and a digital weighing scale. Barrett had 65 prior convictions, mainly traffic offences, and had cooperated with police but exercised his right to silence during five interviews. The sentence was back‑dated to 15 December of the previous year.
Patrick Dunne, 30, of Santry Lodge, Ballymun, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbing Briarswood Stores in Blanchardstown on 29 September 2017. He entered the shop with a scarf over his face and two five‑inch screwdrivers, demanding the cashier open the till. He took €195 in coins from the till. Garda Brendan O'Hora identified him from CCTV and fingerprints. Dunne has 95 previous convictions, including theft, burglary and criminal damage, and was already serving a four‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for brandishing an imitation firearm in Ballymun. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two‑year prison sentence, noting Dunne's drug addiction and the possibility of a positive change. The judge said he would not extend Dunne's custody beyond the sentence, hoping he will "turn the corner.".
Stephen Sarsfield, 39, was jailed for seven years after admitting possession of over €4 million worth of drugs. Gardaí discovered 188 kg of cannabis herb and 2.9 kg of cocaine in a garage in New Street Gardens, Dublin 8, where a large‑scale drug distribution hub had been operating. The garage also contained a money‑counting machine, two plastic bag sealers, three stun guns and weighing scales. Sarsfield, who had four minor previous convictions, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply. He admitted using cocaine three or four times a week and having a gambling debt, but gave no details of his role in the operation. The court found ample evidence against him, noting his involvement was likely driven by debt and that he was a small but important part of a larger scheme. The judge highlighted his good standing in the community and his vulnerability to exploitation.
Jonathan Conway, 36, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment for stealing a BMW that had been left with its keys inside by the owner. He drove the vehicle in a highly dangerous manner, losing control at a roundabout, briefly becoming airborne and crashing into a lamppost and the wall of a pub. Two female passengers suffered minor injuries. Conway had 120 prior convictions, mainly for traffic and public order offences, theft and court‑appearance failures. He pleaded guilty to taking possession of a car without consent, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and refusing a sample. The judge imposed a five‑year driving ban and noted Conway's limited cooperation with Gardaí, his guilty plea and rehabilitation efforts. He was also in custody on other district court matters. The court heard he had lost a local‑authority accommodation in Blanchardstown. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court by Judge Melanie Greally.
In August 2017, Norman Duff, a 45‑year‑old serial thief, stole a baby's custom hearing aid, $5,700 in US dollars, £2,700 in sterling, a diamond ring, earrings, gold and silver chains, passports, a mobile phone and the child's cochlear implant from Gino Gelato's Ice‑Cream Parlour in Dublin 2. The theft was captured on CCTV and a suspect description was broadcast over Garda radio. Garda Derek Brereton located Duff at a nearby hostel where staff confirmed his presence. The stolen items were recovered and returned to the family. Duff pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment. The judge noted the Garda's efficiency in securing a quick arrest and the return of the belongings, describing the offence as opportunistic. The hearing aid was valued at $10,000 and was custom‑designed for the child. The case highlighted the swift investigative response and the recovery of high‑value personal property.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a 29‑year‑old Galway man was sentenced to seven and a half years' imprisonment for the weekly rape of his foster sister over a decade. He was also convicted of raping two other foster girls aged six to ten, with the rapes occurring in a hut by the family home and in other locations such as a field and the parents' room. The court heard that the accused asked the first victim to "do that thing for me" and forced her to hold a pornography magazine and clean herself with a dock leaf after an assault. The second victim, aged 11 when she reported the abuse in 2007, had been denied prosecution because the first victim denied it. The third victim, aged eight, was raped in the parents' room after being instructed to wear the mother's underwear.
A 38‑year‑old driver, Aisling Keogh, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious harm after striking a pedestrian, Paschal Walsh, in Rathfarnham on 29 December 2015. Keogh had been driving at 43 km/h, within the 50 km/h limit, and applied her brakes when she first saw the man. She left the scene, tended to the injured man, called an ambulance and later reported the collision to Gardaí. CCTV and forensic analysis confirmed the circumstances. Walsh was taken to Tallaght Hospital, suffered a sore arm and ribs, was later put into an induced coma and died, but the court ruled his death was not a direct result of the collision. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced Keogh to 125 hours of community service in lieu of a six‑month prison term, imposed a four‑year mandatory driving ban, and confirmed her suitability for community service.
Stephen Morgan, 46, of Ferrycarrig Green, Coolock, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to stealing €3,050.18 from St Monica's Nursing Home, Belvedere Place, Dublin 1, by submitting fraudulent receipts between December 2014 and March 2015. He had been hired to carry out general maintenance, receiving cash to buy materials and then submitting receipts. Staff noticed delays in receipt submission, prompting a review that revealed inflated VAT and quotes masquerading as invoices. The nursing home recovered the full amount, which Morgan repaid. Judge Melanie Greally noted a "considerable level of dishonesty and breach of trust" but, citing his prior good record, imposed a two‑year suspended sentence. Morgan, a father of three with minor previous traffic convictions, has not attracted further attention since. He also suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Two Meath brothers, both in their late 40s, were convicted of raping their sisters in the 1980s and 1990s. The first brother was found guilty in January of four counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault, with the abuse occurring when the victim was aged 14 to 20. At sentencing on 20 March, Justice Deirdre Murphy imposed a 10‑year term, suspending the last two and a half years, noting the offender's juvenile status at the time of most offences but continued adult offending. The second brother, convicted in a separate trial, faced two counts of indecent assault and one count of rape between 1987 and 1988; his case was scheduled for a hearing on 19 April. Both men remain unnamed to protect victim anonymity. The victim described the abuse as escalating from touching to rape, occurring in various family locations, and expressed that her brother's actions ruined her teenage years. The defendants maintain their innocence.
In March 2018 the Central Criminal Court heard the case of Anthony Cassidy, 34, who raped and severely assaulted a woman in her fifties in Carlow. The victim was found unconscious on the outskirts of town 12 hours after the attack, with her top pulled up to her collarbone and her trousers partially removed. CCTV footage and DNA evidence linked Cassidy to the scene. He pleaded guilty to rape and assault causing serious harm on 25 June 2017. The victim suffered a multifocal brain injury, extensive bruising and was admitted to intensive care for weeks. She is now dependent on family care, experiences ongoing pain, immobility and night terrors. The court noted the offence was of exceptional seriousness and adjourned sentencing to 23 April, with a potential sentence above 12½ years up to life in prison.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Gerard McDonnell, aged 27, and Christian Goonery, aged 30, were sentenced for hijacking a skip‑hire truck. McDonnell, who was already serving a seven‑year driving ban, pleaded guilty to stealing a mechanically propelled vehicle, unlawfully seizing the truck, endangerment and two counts of dangerous driving. Goonery pleaded guilty to unlawfully taking the vehicle and being a passenger. Judge Cormac Quinn imposed a five‑year prison term on McDonnell with two years suspended and a ten‑year driving ban. Goonery received four years' imprisonment with the final two years suspended. The court noted the incident was opportunistic, involved a hammer threat, and resulted in the driver sustaining bruises and a knee injury. The defendants' prior convictions and mitigating factors were considered in sentencing.
A 39‑year‑old man, described by the court as a paedophile who poses a serious threat to society, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for sexual assault and child pornography offences. He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault against an older boy aged 10‑11 and to producing child pornography involving that boy between September and December 2012. He also pleaded guilty to producing child pornography involving a younger boy aged 4‑5 in July 2013, and admitted possession of child pornography in December 2014 and contravening a sex offenders order in May 2016. The judge imposed a suspended 18‑month period and required the offender to engage in services and counselling while in custody. Gardaí seized laptops, an external hard drive and a USB key containing thousands of category‑one and category‑two images and videos of the two boys, which were identified by the police and specialist interviewers.
A 43‑year‑old Nigerian mother pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four counts of child cruelty for beating her two children with household items between October 2011 and April 2013. The court heard that the abuse involved excessive physical chastisement, verbal and mental abuse, and that the children were taken into care and foster care before returning to their mother. Detective Garda Donal O'Connell noted that the treatment would have been considered acceptable in Nigeria and that the children had not been deprived of food or clothing. The mother had made domestic violence allegations against her husband but had not filed an official complaint. She had worked hard to educate herself and had changed her parenting style after engaging with a migrant family support service. Judge Cormac Quinn, citing the seriousness of the offences and the mother's mitigating factors, imposed a one‑year suspended sentence for three years.
Peter Kernan, 57, a former Aer Lingus ground staff member, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment in Dublin Circuit Court for his role in a people‑trafficking operation at Dublin Airport between December 2016 and January 2017. He pleaded guilty to four counts of facilitating the entry of illegal immigrants and to three counts of handling proceeds of crime, amounting to €40,366. Kernan was paid €2,000–€3,000 per person trafficked and used Aer Lingus staff swipe cards to bypass passport control, escorting foreign nationals from the air bridge to the immigration hall via a catering truck and a staff turnstile gate. He had no prior convictions except a traffic offence. Kernan had undergone quadruple heart bypass surgery four months earlier and had other health issues, including a cancer gene. His co‑accused, Frederick Cham, also received a four‑year sentence.
A 68‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for serial sexual abuse of his family. He was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury in August of indecent assault and rape of his grandson from 2004 to 2015, when the boy was aged four to fifteen. He also pleaded guilty to indecent assault of three daughters, attempting to rape one and raping another between 1981 and 1987, when the girls were nine to fourteen. The judge described the abuse as a "grim catalogue" across two generations. The sentence, with some consecutive elements, was back‑dated to the time the man entered custody after the trial. The article reports the details of the assaults, the victims' impact statements, and the defendant's lack of prior convictions. No further legal outcomes are mentioned.
A man from Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, has been sentenced to life imprisonment following his conviction for the murder of his infant son. John Tighe, aged 40, was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court of murdering six-and-a-half-month-old Joshua Sussbier Tighe on 1 June 2013 at his home in Lavallyroe. The jury deliberated for seven hours and 32 minutes before returning their verdict. Tighe had pleaded not guilty and maintained the death was accidental. Prosecution evidence, including expert testimony from pathologists and paediatricians, established that the child could not have independently formed or swallowed a wad of tissue found obstructing his airway. The child's mother delivered an impact statement describing the trauma she has endured since her son's death. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy imposed the mandatory life sentence as prescribed by law.
A Polish roofer, Slawomir Gierlowski, aged 33, was found guilty by a jury of carrying out three random violent sexual attacks on women in Dublin between 2011 and 2016. The first attack occurred on 11 September 2011, when he dragged a woman to the ground, sexually assaulted her and punched her repeatedly. The second, on 3 September 2015, involved a leather belt and duct tape, followed by sexual assault. The third, on 16 May 2016, took place in daylight on Knockmeenagh Lane; Gierlowski, armed with a hunting knife, pulled a woman backwards, threatened to slit her throat, and cut tendons in three fingers when she grabbed the blade. DNA evidence linked all three incidents to Gierlowski, who had been in custody since his arrest in June 2016. The trial, held at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, concluded with unanimous guilty verdicts for all three offences, and he remains remanded for sentencing.