Anthony Perry, aged 51, was jailed for two years after a jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court convicted him of forgery and theft for posing as his late brother to buy a house. Perry had applied for a birth certificate and passport in his brother's name, used the documents to open a bank account, and secured a €300,000 mortgage from Start Mortgages. He bought a house and a granny flat in Offaly, took out insurance policies on both, and after the properties burned down in August 2008 he claimed €304,216 from FBD Insurance. The insurer later repudiated the payment when investigators discovered Perry's false identity. Perry pleaded not guilty to eight counts under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act, but was found guilty on all counts. The court noted that the fire was caused maliciously by unknown third parties and had nothing to do with Perry.
A man from County Mayo has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, following his conviction for rape at the Central Criminal Court. The 27-year-old pleaded guilty to raping a woman on 16 May 2015 in a Mayo town. The court heard that the man threw his victim across a laneway to avoid detection by a CCTV camera before sexually assaulting her. He threatened the woman with a blade and made threats of violence afterwards. The victim sustained facial bruising and whiplash injuries. She reported the incident to gardaí shortly after the attack. In her victim impact statement, the woman expressed her fear for her life during the assault. The defendant was ordered to have no contact with the victim and must remain at least 100 metres away from her.
Patrick Kinch, aged 48, was jailed after he fired 37 shotgun rounds at Gardaí in a 15‑hour siege at his Deerpark Square home on 20 December 2015. He claimed he wanted to "go out in a blaze of glory" and feared he would not reach heaven if he killed himself. Kinch pleaded guilty to endangering Gardaí, damaging the house and causing over €7,000 in damage to a Garda vehicle. He was sentenced to ten years, with Judge Martin Nolan suspending the final three and a half years. The siege began when his partner, Natasha Donnelly, fled the house after witnessing Kinch's erratic behaviour and alerted Gardaí. Garda Rory Maher described how Kinch repeatedly fired at Gardaí from windows, demanding they shoot him, and ultimately threw the unloaded shotgun out the window before being arrested. The court noted Kinch's 33 prior convictions and his history of psychiatric care. The judge praised Gardaí for restraint and professionalism.
A 44-year-old man from County Monaghan has been convicted of membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army by the Special Criminal Court. Jim Smyth, with an address at Aghalissabeagh, Scotstown, had pleaded not guilty to the charge relating to November 25, 2015. The three-judge court heard evidence that Smyth was using his own land and land belonging to his mother-in-law at Knockatallon for dissident activity. Chief Superintendent Christopher Mangan gave evidence of his belief that Smyth was an IRA member on the date in question. Detective Sergeant Gerard O'Doherty testified that he encountered Smyth on the laneway near derelict houses during a search operation and subsequently arrested him. During garda interviews conducted under the Offences Against the State Act, Smyth declined to answer numerous questions regarding specific items discovered after his arrest. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, presiding, said the court accepted Chief Superintendent Mangan's evidence and was entitled to draw inferences from Smyth's failure to answer material questions. Smyth was remanded in custody pending sentencing on June 19.
Thomas Nulty, a 21‑year‑old Dublin youth, was given a one‑year suspended sentence by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to stealing €1,653.42 worth of cosmetics and perfumes from Boots pharmacy in Blanchardstown on 8 December. He had paid for a toothbrush but placed a large quantity of mixed cosmetics in a bag and left the store without paying. Garda Clare Cronin reported that Nulty admitted the offence immediately and all stolen items were recovered. Judge Karen O'Connor warned that this was his final chance to reform or face imprisonment, instructing him to cooperate with probation services, keep the peace and exhibit good behaviour for one year. She noted his difficult upbringing, previous 25 minor convictions and that he had been in care from age 15. The court also heard that his bail had been revoked after he failed to sign on. The probation services are engaged in helping him resettle and further his education.
Jonathan Dowdall, a former Sinn Fein councillor, was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court to 12 years' imprisonment for the false imprisonment and threat to kill of Anthony Hurley. The court found that Dowdall, who claimed to be an IRA member, had tied Hurley to a chair, waterboarded him and threatened to "chop him up" and "feed him to the dogs". Patrick Dowdall, the former councillor's father, received an eight‑year sentence for his role in the offence. Both sentences run concurrently and were back‑dated to 17 May 2016. The court noted the case involved a "Newton hearing" to resolve factual disputes after the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges. The sentencing was based on the evidence of the ordeal, the video footage, and the defendants' admissions. The court emphasised the seriousness of the offences and the impact on the victim.
A 47-year-old woman from Ballybrack has been sentenced to five years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the manslaughter of her two-year-old son in October 2014. Hazel Waters pleaded guilty to killing Muhammad Hassan Khan between 15 and 16 October 2014. Justice Patrick McCarthy imposed the sentence, noting that Ms Waters's personality disorder diminished her responsibility for the killing, though he expressed concern about her limited engagement with mental health professionals regarding the circumstances. The judge indicated an appropriate sentence would have been eight to ten years but reduced it to seven years with two years suspended in light of her guilty plea. The sentence was backdated to October 2014 when Ms Waters entered custody. Evidence presented at sentencing indicated Ms Waters was suffering from acute psychotic symptoms at the time. A post-mortem examination found the child died from scissor wounds to the neck. Following her release, Ms Waters must comply with a four-year bond requiring continued medical treatment and residence as determined by probation services.
Jerry Sangola Mbumbi, a 40‑year‑old father of four from Tallaght, was sentenced to an 18‑month suspended term for making a false declaration and failing to inform the Minister for Social Protection of changes in his circumstances between 27 June 2013 and 19 May 2014. He had worked as a contractor for a publicity mailing group from June 2013, submitting invoices totalling €136,338 for leaflet delivery work while simultaneously receiving €26,803 in jobseekers allowance. The court found evidence that he paid other people to help with leaflet drops and that the full €136,000 was not available to him. Judge Karen O'Connor noted he had no prior convictions and had a repayment plan in place, allowing her to suspend the sentence on strict conditions. Mbumbi has begun reimbursing the State, paying €25 per week and having repaid €1,095 to date. Jerry Sangola Mbumbi pleaded guilty.
Mei Hui Chen, 37, was convicted by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury of assaulting his brother, Michael Chen, on 8 June 2016. Chen stabbed his brother five times in the back and thighs after a brief encounter outside a pub on Westmoreland Street. The jury found him guilty of assault causing serious harm and assault causing harm. He was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended, and the sentence backdated to the date of the offence. Chen was arrested shortly after the attack and has remained in custody. The court noted that Michael Chen suffered a punctured kidney, spent 14 days in hospital, and had to sell his restaurant and faced marital difficulties as a result of the incident. Chen had no fixed address at the time of the assault and had recently come to Dublin to seek work. The judge ordered him to stay away from his brother and his family upon release. The unnamed man pleaded not guilty.
A 67‑year‑old Carlow man was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment for sexually abusing four nephews aged between six and 16 between 1983 and 1996. He was convicted of oral rape, indecent assault and sexual assault of the eldest nephew, and pleaded guilty to seven indecent assaults on a second nephew, five indecent assaults and six sexual assaults on a third nephew, and one sexual assault on a fourth nephew. The trial, held in the Central Criminal Court, found no prior convictions. Justice Isobel Kennedy noted the defendant's lack of remorse regarding the eldest victim and imposed a two‑year post‑release supervision order. The sentence reflects the severity of the repeated abuse, which the victims described as having devastating, lifelong impacts. The defendant's residence near the nephews' grandparents' home was mentioned by Gardaí as a factor in the case.
The Supreme Court has reserved its decision in an appeal by an unnamed Algerian man against his deportation from Ireland. The man, who remains in custody, claims he is innocent of terrorism and at risk of torture in Algeria, arguing this would breach Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights. He challenges a High Court decision that upheld the Minister for Justice's deportation order, which was issued on security grounds. The State contends the Minister was entitled to make an independent decision, despite a Refugee Appeals Tribunal finding the man at risk. The five-judge panel, led by Chief Justice Susan Denham, heard submissions from Michael Lynn SC for the appellant and Remy Farrell SC for the State. The court will deliver its judgment before the end of July, with one week's notice to parties. The man was previously convicted of terrorism offences in Algeria, receiving three life sentences and two death sentences, and was jailed for eight years in France in 2002 for membership of a criminal organisation preparing an act of terrorism. He denies involvement in groups like Al-Qaeda, stating he was only a supporter of the banned Islamic Salvation Front.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard evidence in the ongoing trial of eight defendants, including Frank Donaghy, Paul Murphy, Kieran Mahon, Michael Murphy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson. All have pleaded not guilty to the alleged false imprisonment of Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell by restricting their personal liberty without consent at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014. The matter is currently at the sentence stage, though the trial continues before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury. Garda Chris Moylan testified that he attended Mr. Donaghy's home on February 12, 2015, to arrest him. Mr. Donaghy, who has no previous convictions, told gardaí he joined the protest while getting petrol and participated in a sit-down behind Ms. Burton's car. He described the atmosphere as peaceful until gardaí attempted to remove individuals from the vehicle. Defence counsel Padraig Dwyer SC highlighted that Mr. Donaghy was frank during questioning and that it was never suggested he directly stopped the victims from leaving. The prosecution, led by Sean Gillane SC, noted the maximum penalty for the offence is life imprisonment. The court heard that Mr. Donaghy questioned how protesting could constitute false imprisonment. The trial continues.
Brendan Smith, 39, of Greenane, Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, pleaded guilty to running a price‑fixing scam that targeted large multinationals such as Google and PayPal. He was fined €7,500 and received a three‑month prison sentence suspended for two years for attempting to impede a prosecution. Smith had entered a bond for good behaviour, with a breach allowing him to serve the suspended term. The company he worked for, Aston Carpets, was fined €10,000. The scam involved an anti‑competitive agreement between July 2012 and April 2013, where Aston Carpets, Flooring and Carpet Centre (Contracts) Ltd tendered higher prices to secure contracts. The scheme was exposed by David Radburn, who revealed the agreement to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. Smith's sentence considered his monthly income of €9,422 and property interests in Dublin and Co Meath.
The Special Criminal Court held a Newton hearing to resolve factual disputes in the case of Jonathan Dowdall (38) and his father Patrick Dowdall (59) over the alleged false imprisonment and waterboarding of Alexander Hurley. The court considered evidence that Jonathan Dowdall claimed to be a member of the IRA and threatened Hurley's family, while Patrick Dowdall denied making such claims. Hurley testified that he was detained at the Dowdalls' Navan Road home on 15 January 2015, that he was held in a garage for about two hours, and that he was threatened with harm to his family if he reported the incident. The judge found the Dowdalls' evidence that the ordeal lasted only 30–40 minutes unconvincing, accepted that IRA claims were made by Jonathan Dowdall, and confirmed that threats were made to Hurley's family. The hearing concluded with the court directing that sentencing would take place the following day. Jonathan Dowdall pleaded guilty. Patrick Dowdall pleaded guilty.
Rachel Breen, a 49‑year‑old occupational therapist from Skerries, had her driving licence restored after a 2014 disqualification for dangerous driving that caused serious bodily harm to a two‑year‑old boy on Naul Road, Balbriggan, in October 2012. Breen pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, admitting she was travelling below the 80 kph limit and had not seen the junction, which was poorly marked and badly surfaced. The court had previously found her a "decent woman" who made a "serious error of judgement" and imposed a four‑year disqualification and a €5,000 damages order. At a brief hearing, the court, with no objection from the prosecution, granted her licence restoration under the Road Traffic Act, noting she had been off the road since December 2014 and needed a licence for her responsible job.
Keith Murphy, aged 41, was sentenced by the Central Criminal Court to 12 years for 64 counts of rape, with the final two years suspended. He also received seven‑year sentences for 26 counts of sexual assault and two attempted rapes, all running concurrently from his conviction date. The offences occurred between May 2008 and November 2015, mainly in the family home when the victim, now 18, was aged nine to fifteen. Murphy denied all charges. The victim, who waived anonymity, described the abuse as devastating, affecting every part of her life and leaving her nervous around men. The court noted the abuse spanned seven years, making him a repeat offender. The judge imposed the sentences accordingly, with the suspended portion reducing the custodial term to ten years. The case was prosecuted by Marjorie Farrelly SC.
A woman who stole over €28,000 from the State by falsely claiming job seekers allowance while employed was sentenced today in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Bridget Dwane (55), of Emmet Square, Blackrock, Dublin, pleaded guilty to making false or misleading statements to facilitate the payment of jobseekers allowance between March 2009 and July 2011. She admitted to receiving an overpayment of €28,484 during this period and has since made repayments of €200 per month, though she still owes €24,200 to the State. Judge Karen O'Connor noted the 'loss to the exchequer was significant' but acknowledged Dwane's cooperation, early guilty pleas, and genuine remorse. She sentenced Dwane to 12 months in prison, suspended in full, on the condition that she engage with the Probation Service for 12 months. Emmet Sqaure, another defendant, was not sentenced as no details of his charges, plea, or sentence were provided. The court heard that Dwane was under pressure to pay her daughter's drug debts and had taken out a €6,000 credit union loan to do so. The matter was not adjourned and is now at the validated procedural stage of sentence.
James Lynch, aged 23, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for assaulting taxi driver Edward Gallagher after Gallagher refused to take Lynch's wounded friend to hospital. The incident occurred on 14 February 2015 when Gallagher was driving through Dublin's city centre. Lynch and two other men demanded a hospital transfer; Gallagher declined, citing the risk of blood in his vehicle. A verbal altercation escalated into physical violence: Gallagher was struck, fell, and was kicked and kicked by the men. Passers‑by intervened and the assailants fled. Lynch was later charged with robbery on 24 January 2016 and possession of a knife on 12 July 2016. He pleaded guilty to all three offences. Judge Melanie Greally described the assault as "very vicious" and noted it caused Gallagher to leave his taxi‑driving job. The sentence was back‑dated to July 2016.
The Special Criminal Court has directed a Newton hearing to resolve disputed facts in the sentencing phase of a case involving Jonathan Dowdall and his father, Patrick Dowdall. Both defendants admitted to falsely imprisoning Alexander Hurley and threatening to kill him at Navan Road, Dublin 7, on January 15, 2015. Jonathan Dowdall pleaded guilty to these charges, while Patrick Dowdall also admitted to the threat. Although the matter was previously adjourned after submissions from Jonathan Dowdall's counsel, Mr Michael O'Higgins SC, the court has now scheduled a hearing for tomorrow morning to address conflicts in evidence. Presiding Judge Isobel Kennedy described Newton hearings as "extraordinarily rare" but permitted one in the interests of justice. The hearing will focus on five specific issues, including whether Jonathan Dowdall invited the victim to dinner, the duration of the ordeal, and allegations regarding threats to the victim's family. The judge noted that the sentence hearing is not at an end and that these issues constitute aggravating factors. The court will determine the facts before passing sentence, with the matter currently at the procedural stage of sentencing.
In a Central Criminal Court case, a 28‑year‑old Westmeath man was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, for false imprisonment of his former partner. The conviction followed a November 2015 trial where the jury found him guilty of false imprisonment after he forcibly removed the woman from her sister's house and held her against her will. He had also admitted assaulting her on three occasions while she was pregnant between 2011 and 2015. The court noted the woman's victim impact statement, describing physical and mental torture, a post‑traumatic stress diagnosis, and the loss of custody of their children. The judge imposed strict conditions, including no contact with the woman unless through an authorised third party, and acknowledged the man's guilty pleas and rehabilitation efforts. The case highlighted the violent nature of the relationship and the woman's ongoing recovery process. The unnamed 28-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Michael Smallhorn, 57, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to aiding a drug offence involving €837,000 worth of heroin. He admitted acting as a courier for a €200 payment that never materialised, claiming he wanted the money for golf fees. Gardaí had stopped him in his car at Greentrees Park, where 13 street deals of heroin were found, and later seized 5.9 kilos of heroin from a Citroën parked near Limekiln Lane. Smallhorn said he was instructed by an unidentified man to leave the car keys and that he feared the man due to his reputation. Judge Pauline Codd noted his minor role but the large quantity of drugs, and suspended a five‑year sentence on the condition he keep the peace and participate in a victim awareness programme. He has 12 prior convictions, including drunk driving and forgery, and has expressed remorse.
A 27-year-old man from County Mayo pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to raping a woman on 16 May 2015 in a Mayo town. The court heard that the man threw his victim across a laneway to prevent a CCTV camera from capturing the assault. He forced the woman down steps in an aggressive manner before threatening her with a blade and compelling her to engage in sexual acts. Following the incident, he threatened to kill her if she reported the matter. The victim sustained bruising, whiplash injuries, and a bite mark to her lip. She subsequently reported the rape to gardaí. In her victim impact statement, the woman described her fear during the incident and said she would never forgive or forget what occurred. The defence noted the man's early guilty plea and admissions to gardaí. Mr Justice Paul Butler adjourned sentencing to 1 June.
Brian Kenna, a former member of a Provisional IRA gang, was involved in a bank robbery in Enniscorthy on 1 May 1990. The gang, consisting of seven raiders armed with shotguns, pistols, a revolver and replica guns, held up the AIB branch at Slaney Place. Gardai were alerted by a bank official and four uniformed officers arrived, armed with an Uzi submachine gun and revolvers issued by Superintendent Michael Murphy. During the confrontation, the raiders fired three shots at the gardai, who returned fire and seriously injured the driver of the getaway van. Kenna pleaded not guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to commit robbery, use of a firearm to resist arrest, and robbery of over €5,000. He was convicted along with five others, each receiving a ten‑year sentence, while a sixth man received twelve years due to a prior firearms conviction. The trial took place at the Special Criminal Court in Green Street.
Keith Aherne, 23, was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment, with one year suspended, for aiding and abetting the rape of a woman in a Cork city park on 28 June 2013. He held the victim down while another 22‑year‑old man raped her. Aherne denied the charge but was found liable as a principal offender. The court noted his young age, history of addiction and 41 prior convictions, but also considered his refusal to have sex with the victim as a mitigating factor. The victim, who lost confidence and suffered depression and hair‑pulling after the assault, testified that Aherne held her down and that the other man had invited him to rape her. The sentence was imposed on condition of no contact with the victim and keeping the peace. The other man died before his sentence hearing.
In 2017, Declan Duffy, aged 43 and resident of Hannover Street West, Dublin, was arrested in the Republic on suspicion of false imprisonment and violent disorder. He faces three counts of false imprisonment at The Towers, Garters Lane in Saggart, and a charge of violent disorder, all to be tried in the Special Criminal Court in October. Duffy had previously served a life sentence for the 1992 murder of Sergeant Michael Newman in Derby City and was released on license in March 2013. He was re‑arrested on 5 December 2015, and in June 2016 his license was revoked and he was recalled to prison. A European Arrest Warrant issued by Northern Irish authorities was endorsed by the High Court. Duffy's counsel, Dean Kelly, informed Justice Aileen Donnelly that he would apply for bail on 19 June, and he remains remanded in custody pending that application.
Gary Kearney, 25, a serial offender with 160 prior convictions, was found guilty of robbery, false imprisonment and theft after he and an accomplice posed as undercover Gardaí, quoting sections of law, and handcuffed a man on Millennium Bridge in Dublin. The victim feared being pushed into the Liffey while handcuffed. Kearney's history includes assault, animal cruelty, robbery, theft, burglary, criminal damage and public order offences. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally, after hearing evidence, noted Kearney's "appalling record of offending" and his need to address addiction issues. She suspended a four‑year sentence on strict conditions, including attendance at AA meetings, and ordered two years of probation supervision. The accomplice fled and was not charged. The victim accepted Kearney's apology and expressed no desire to see him in custody.
In a Dublin court, Eric Locke was sentenced to a mandatory life term for the murder of 31‑year‑old Sonia Blount, who was killed in a hotel in Tallaght on 16 February 2014. Locke had lured Blount to the hotel using a fake Facebook profile after she had cut contact with him. He strangled her with his hands and a phone‑charger cable, then suffocated her by forcing her t‑shirt into her mouth, dislodging her teeth. He pleaded not guilty but admitted causing her death. A jury found him guilty of murder after 1 hour 33 minutes of deliberation. The judge pronounced a life sentence, noting the tragedy for Blount's three‑year‑old son, Jake, and the impact on her family. The sentencing hearing was attended by Blount's relatives, who delivered victim impact statements. The court concluded with Locke being led away to begin his life sentence.
Two brothers from Claremorris, County Mayo, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court on 26 May 2017 to unlawful possession of explosives. Colin Mannion, aged 36, and Brian Mannion, aged 34, both of Burriscarra, Clogher, admitted to possessing RDX, PETN, one loaded detonator, two unloaded detonators, and three electrical component parts at their home address on 9 June 2012. The brothers face a separate charge of membership of an unlawful organisation on the same date. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, sitting with Judge John O'Hagan and Judge Flann Brennan, remanded both men on continuing bail. They are due to appear for sentencing on 14 June 2017.
John Fitzsimons, 50, of Old Tower Crescent, Clondalkin, Dublin, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment with two and a half years suspended after pleading guilty to possession of a semi‑automatic pistol, ammunition and a silencer in suspicious circumstances. The court found that Fitzsimons had agreed to store the handgun for a third party to pay off a debt, but had never actually handled the weapon. He had no prior convictions and was described as a "prisoner in his own home" after the agreement. Judge Karen O'Connor noted his lack of criminal history, his work background, and his cooperation with Gardaí, yet emphasised that storing firearms facilitates serious offences. The sentence was back‑dated to 29 October 2016, and the judge considered the public interest and safety in imposing the penalty. The court also acknowledged his past substance abuse and his productive use of time in custody.
The trial of South Dublin Councillor Michael Murphy and six co-defendants is ongoing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. All seven men, including Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, Kieran Mahon, Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson, have pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her assistant Karen O'Connell during a water charges protest in November 2014. Garda Fionnuala Whelan testified that Councillor Murphy was more concerned about negative publicity than public safety, alleging he taunted the Tánaiste and riled the crowd rather than calming it. She interpreted his suggestion to give Burton sanctuary in a church as a threat to her safety rather than a proposal to Gardaí. Conversely, defence counsel argued Murphy used his influence to de-escalate aggression. Detective Garda Richard Hansen described the scene as a "Hillsborough type" situation, noting Paul Murphy sat in front of the vehicle carrying the Tánaiste, though he accepted under cross-examination that Murphy had proposed a slow march. The jury reviewed video footage of the incident. The matter is currently at the sentence stage, with cross-examination continuing.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 25 May 2017, 31‑year‑old landscape gardener Jason Wall pleaded guilty to assaulting Kieran Nelson on 27 April 2016. Wall, who had 14 prior convictions, attacked Nelson with a glass after insulting him for being from Northern Ireland. The assault left Nelson with cuts to his forehead and lip, requiring stitches, and caused him a visible scar, embarrassment and an economic loss of €900. Wall had paid €1,000 in redress and submitted a letter of apology. Judge Karen O'Connor described the attack as "violent and gratuitous", noted Wall's good work record and lack of recent Garda attention, and sentenced him to two years' imprisonment, suspending the final year. The case was identified through CCTV and the incident occurred around the Easter 1916 commemorations. The court accepted the victim's impact report and the defendant's remorse.
Jamie Byrne, aged 20, had his jail term extended by one year after taking part in an attempted robbery of a newsagents and a robbery of a Texaco garage while awaiting sentence for an earlier attempted robbery of a bookmaker. He was already serving a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for the bookmaker offence, which was due for release next month. Byrne pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the two offences committed on 26 and 27 January 2016. Judge Karen O'Connor noted the impact on the businesses, including increased insurance premiums and staff loss, and emphasised that these were not victimless crimes. She imposed a consecutive two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspended the final 18 months on strict conditions, and ordered the return of €200 found on Byrne. Byrne has seven previous convictions and had been described as having a drug‑addiction history and a supportive family background.
Darren Martyn, 25, of Cloonbeggin, Claregalway, Co. Galway, was sentenced in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for hacking into News International's website in July 2011. Martyn pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage to data. The court heard that he and co-accused Donncha O'Cearbhaill, then members of Lulzsec, redirected users to a fake story claiming Rupert Murdoch was dead. Judge Karen O'Connor imposed a nine-month suspended sentence on Martyn, citing his guilty plea, cooperation with the investigation, and his subsequent positive professional development as a security researcher and lecturer. She noted the offence involved considerable planning and premeditation. In March, co-accused Donncha O'Cearbhaill, 24, also received a nine-month suspended sentence for his part in the hacking. The judge acknowledged the serious nature of the breach, which caused significant downtime for The Sun and sister sites, but accepted mitigation regarding Martyn's maturity and current employment. The matter was finalised with the imposition of these suspended sentences.
A 53‑year‑old man, whose name is withheld to protect the victim, was convicted of two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault against his then heavily pregnant partner. The Central Criminal Court found that the woman gave birth to their second child three days after the first rape. The man had pleaded not guilty to the rape charges, but the jury convicted him after a three‑week trial. In December 2016 he was convicted of the sexual assault offences, which were recorded as having been filmed with a torch and his mobile phone. The court imposed a ten‑year prison sentence, suspending the final six months unconditionally and two years on the condition that he engage in a sex‑offender treatment programme in custody. The victim's impact statement described her shock, mental breakdown and belief that the accused should never be released from prison.
Conrad Mason, 46, a former director of C&G Logistics Group, stole €908,652 from his employer between January 2010 and January 2015 to fund alcoholism and gambling. He pleaded guilty to 25 counts of theft and fraud, covering 234 wrongful transactions. The court found the breach of trust severe, damaging the company's cash reserves and the trust of its owner, David Dixon. Mason received a three‑year prison sentence, with the final 18 months suspended, due to no prior convictions and cooperation with the Garda investigation. The sentence reflects the extent of the financial loss and the impact on the company's operations, while acknowledging Mason's lack of previous offences and his willingness to admit guilt. The judgment does not alter the ongoing legal proceedings or any future appeals.
Brian Collins, aged 43, was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to two and a half years in prison, with the final two years suspended, for robbing Tallaght West Credit Union on 8 July 2016. During the robbery, Collins threatened staff with a hatchet and a knife, demanding money. A staff member handed him €2,000 in fifty‑euro notes, and when he began smashing the glass security screen she gave him an additional €2,000. Collins fled with €3,800, dropping some of the stolen cash on the way out. He pleaded guilty to the robbery. The court heard that Collins had prior convictions for drug possession, handling stolen property and drink driving. He claimed he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs and that the robbery was driven by a drug debt of €3,000 to €4,000.
A woman has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of her two-year-old son at the Central Criminal Court. Hazel Waters, aged 47, admitted responsibility for the death of Muhammad Hassan Khan between 15 and 16 October 2014 at their home in Ballybrack. Evidence heard during sentencing submissions indicated that Ms Waters was suffering from a personality disorder and an acute transient psychotic disorder at the time. Psychiatrists told the court that her mental condition substantially diminished her culpability. The child was found dead in the family bedroom with multiple neck wounds inflicted by scissors. At the time of the incident, social workers had been attempting to contact Ms Waters. Family members described the boy as a happy and loved child. Justice Patrick McCarthy adjourned the case to 1 June for sentencing.
A 27‑year‑old man was jailed for ten years after he entered his neighbour's home, raped her at knife point, threatened to kill her and her family, and forced her to drive to a park where he alternated between threats and suicidal talk. He later drove her to a Garda station, where she reported the assault. The man pleaded guilty to rape, oral rape and false imprisonment. The judge described the attack as shocking and violent, noting the victim's severe anxiety and social withdrawal. He imposed a 12‑year sentence, suspending the final two years on strict conditions, and ordered five years of post‑release supervision. The victim's impact statement highlighted her shattered peace of mind, constant fear, and the lasting effect on her health and sense of safety. The defence argued the offence was out of character and urged consideration of the man's remorse and guilty plea. The court accepted the plea and the psychological evidence presented.
Faizan Ahmed, aged 26, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 10‑year‑old girl in Limerick on 5 October 2014. The court heard that Ahmed had sent the child messages via Viber asking about sex and a "sexy movie", then asked her to sit beside him so he could show her a film on his phone. He claimed he had tried to kiss her and, according to the victim, placed his hands on her private parts and rubbed her. The girl reported the abuse to her mother the next day. In court, Ahmed admitted he might have touched her vagina "accidentally when I was tickling her tummy". He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Karen O'Connor described the messages as inappropriate and disturbing, noted the profound impact on the victim, and highlighted the breach of trust.
Thomas Kavanagh, a 66‑year‑old former taxi driver, was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for sexually abusing three girls over a period from 1979 to 1992. He began molesting a girl aged five to seven, later raping her until she was 17, and similarly abused two other girls from ages eight and seven. The court heard that Kavanagh manipulated and controlled the victims, describing the abuse as "normal" and providing money for abortions. Victims testified that they felt isolated, confused, and feared disbelief. Kavanagh pleaded guilty to 57 counts, and a jury convicted him of 26 rapes, seven indecent assaults and one sexual assault. He has no prior convictions and accepted the verdict, with no intention to appeal. The sentence was back‑dated to February, when he was taken into custody.
In a Central Criminal Court case, a 44‑year‑old Kildare man was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment for sexually assaulting and raping his step‑daughter over a period of more than seven years. The victim, a 24‑year‑old woman, testified that the abuse began when she was 12 and escalated to regular rape from age 15. She described the man as a former husband of her mother, who had married her mother after meeting her. The jury found him guilty on 17 counts of sexual assault between 2004 and 2007 and 16 counts of rape between 2008 and 2011. During the trial the defendant denied the allegations, claiming the victim fabricated the claims. Judge Deirdre Murphy imposed concurrent sentences totalling 12 years, suspended the final two years, and noted the profound impact on the victim's life, including severe depression, anxiety, and ongoing nightmares.
Stefan Boyle, 28, was arrested after a burglary at Ali Yassine's house in Milltown Bridge, Dundrum, on 2 November 2016. Boyle entered the house through an open window, stole two phones, and later confronted Yassine in a mosque where he had been hiding. Boyle lunged at Yassine with a knife, nicking him before Yassine escaped. Yassine, a caretaker, defended himself, then made Boyle scrambled eggs and sat with him. Boyle confessed to the burglary, pleaded guilty, and admitted he had stolen the phones during a 30‑minute conversation with Yassine. He claimed he wanted money for drugs and had forgotten the phones. Boyle has 110 prior convictions, 63 for burglary. The case was adjourned to 26 June for sentencing, with a probation report to be prepared.
Terence Murphy, aged 35, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for his role in a shooting at a house in Ballyfermot, Dublin. The final eighteen months of the sentence were suspended. Murphy was present when his co‑accused, Daniel Ennis, fired two shots at the house, and he was clearly visible on CCTV footage captured by Gardai. Murphy was arrested shortly after the incident. He pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances on 8 May 2015 and has 26 prior convictions. Ennis received a four‑year sentence for his part in the shooting. Murphy's guilty plea, his time in custody, and the fact that he was not the gun‑bearer were cited as mitigating factors by Judge Melanie Greally, who ordered him to meet with a probation supervisor for the 18 months following his release.
In a Dublin murder case, Eric Locke, aged 35, was found guilty of strangling his ex‑girlfriend Sonia Blount, aged 31, at the Plaza Hotel in Tallaght on 16 February 2014. Locke lured Blount to the hotel using a fake Facebook profile and, after a confrontation, strangled her with his hands and the cable of her phone charger, forcing her t‑shirt into her mouth and breaking her teeth. He had previously pleaded not guilty but admitted causing her death. The Central Criminal Court jury deliberated for 1 hour 33 minutes before delivering a unanimous guilty verdict. Locke was remanded in custody for sentencing, where a mandatory life sentence will be imposed.
A 58‑year‑old man from County Carlow was sentenced to six and a half years' imprisonment for two counts of indecent assault on his nine‑year‑old nephew between October 1985 and March 1986. The nephew, now 40, said the abuse began with unwanted touching and kissing and escalated to mutual masturbation, oral and anal rape while his grandmother was hospitalised. He reported the abuse to the Gardaí after a suicide attempt, and later told his partner and family what had happened. The court noted the severe impact on the victim's life, the 31‑year gap since the offences, and the accused's deteriorating health. The judge imposed concurrent sentences and ordered two years of post‑release supervision. The accused was acquitted of eight further counts of indecent assault. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court.
Mark McCarthy, aged 32, was sentenced to nine years in prison for his role in the 2011 tiger kidnapping of An Post employee Warren Nawn, his wife Jean Marie, and their ten‑week‑old baby. McCarthy admitted that he was acting under duress and that he had no financial gain from the crime, claiming he was motivated by a drug debt. The court heard that the family was held hostage in their home and then taken to a rural location where they were kept overnight, threatened repeatedly, and subjected to intimidation, including threats of rape and murder. The kidnappers forced Mr Nawn to deliver €661,125 from the Drogheda Post Office, which he complied with and later handed over to the gang. McCarthy's sentence was back‑dated to November 2013, when he was first taken into custody. Mark McCarthy pleaded guilty.
Craig Mooney, 19, pleaded guilty to arson at Hillview Estate, Ballinteer, on 13 November 2016. He set fire to a Fiat Punto left at the rear of a mechanic's house while he was intoxicated with alcohol and cocaine. The car was in a garden where a child lived; Mooney claimed he did not know a child was present and would not have acted otherwise. CCTV showed him climbing a wall and igniting the back seat. He had 11 prior convictions for drug possession, traffic and public order offences. Judge Karen O'Connor sentenced him to three‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment, suspending the final year on strict conditions, citing his early guilty plea, remorse and young age. The sentence reflects the serious risk to property and human life created by the arson.
A Kildare man was acquitted of an attempted burglary at the home of celebrity impressionist Mario Rosenstock. The case involved a separate conviction of Thomas McCann, 42, who was found guilty by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury of burglary at Marentimo House apartments in Blackrock, Dublin, on 30 September 2011. McCann, of Morristown Estate, Newbridge, had pleaded not guilty to both charges. Mrs. Rosenstock testified that she encountered McCann after returning home, describing him as tall, slender, wearing white socks, a baseball hat, sunglasses, and a tracksuit bottom tucked into his socks. He claimed to be a painter and decorator working at a neighbour's house and said he had come to check on her. Mrs. Rosenstock called the gardai immediately after he left on a mountain bike.
John McDonagh, 20, of Clondalkin, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to endangerment and dangerous driving charges arising from incidents on 9 August 2016. The defendant admitted to leading gardaí on a high-speed chase in a Nissan Almera, which he had purchased for €100. Prosecution evidence detailed that McDonagh accelerated past a checkpoint, forcing a garda to jump into the road to avoid being hit. He subsequently drove over 120kph in a 60kph zone, drove on the wrong side of the road, and forced his way through traffic at the Kylemore junction. Garda Vincent Daly testified that McDonagh intentionally drove head-on toward the garda vehicle, causing it to swerve to avoid a collision. Although McDonagh surrendered to officers at Ballyfermot Garda Station, he failed to produce driving documents. In mitigation, his counsel highlighted his lack of previous convictions and his role as a carer for a sister with special needs. Judge Martin Nolan described the incidents as "very, very serious," noting that the garda could have been killed. The judge imposed a five-year prison sentence, with the final three and a half years suspended. McDonagh's mother was present in court during the sentencing.
Munir Ghariani, 26, pleaded guilty to robbery of a Chinese woman on Granville Road, Cabinteely, on 21 March 2016. He followed the victim, demanded her phone, pushed her to the ground, bit her finger and tried to flee. A passer‑by tackled him until Gardaí arrived. Ghariani has 34 prior convictions, including sexual assault, indecency, burglary and theft, and was a registered sex offender. He was on bail for a similar offence at the time of the robbery. His defence counsel reported that he became an involuntary patient at St John of God's hospital on 3 April 2024 and has remained a voluntary patient since 20 April, taking anti‑psychotic medication. Probation officer Michelle Richardson described him as high‑risk, non‑compliant with medication, and now homeless, with local authorities providing accommodation. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a four‑year sentence, back‑dating it to 19 May 2016, and suspended the balance.