In a case heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Stuart Perry, aged 42, was sentenced to a one‑year suspended term for burglary at Richmond Cheshire Home in Monkstown on 19 September 2014. Perry, who has 67 prior convictions, was found asleep in the care home's corridor beside a "do not disturb" sign and fled with a female accomplice after staff discovered them. They were apprehended outside with a bottle of detergent and the office keys. Garda David Maloney reported that the pair had been unfit for questioning initially but later made full admissions, admitting to having taken crystal meth and apologising for their actions. Judge Patricia Ryan, after hearing positive probation reports and evidence of Perry's rehabilitation efforts, imposed the suspended sentence and one year of probation supervision. The only items taken from the home were the office keys and the detergent bottle. Stuart Perry pleaded guilty.
John Devereux, a 52‑year‑old former HSE paramedic and volunteer ambulance driver, was convicted of three counts of sexual assault against a nine‑year‑old girl. He had denied ten alleged assaults in 2012 and 2013; a jury acquitted him of seven counts but found him guilty of three. The court noted his previous roles as an ambulance driver with the Order of Malta and a scout leader, and that he is now a registered sex offender who will lose his job and cannot continue in voluntary organisations. Devereux maintains his innocence and intends to appeal. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced him to a three‑and‑a‑half‑year term, suspending the last year on the condition of community‑based and in‑house treatment for sex offenders upon release. The sentence reflects the court's view that the offences involved sexual touching and rubbing of the child, and that Devereux had not expressed remorse.
The Special Criminal Court heard that Jonathan Dowdall and his father, Patrick Dowdall, admitted to falsely imprisoning and threatening to kill Alexander Hurley at their Navan Road, Dublin 7, home on January 15, 2015. Both defendants pleaded guilty to these charges. The court viewed mobile phone footage showing Jonathan Dowdall, wearing a balaclava, holding a tea-towel to Mr. Hurley's face and pouring water over his head. Prosecutors stated the Dowdalls believed Mr. Hurley was attempting to defraud them by seeking bank details under the guise of being a barrister. Mr. Hurley, who has two prior fraud convictions, was bound to a chair for three hours and subjected to threats of violence. In a victim impact statement, Mr. Hurley described the incident as brutal, noting he lost his job and friends and that his psychological injuries would never fully heal. Defense counsel apologized on behalf of the defendants, who have no previous convictions. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, presiding with Judges Sinead Ni Chulachain and James Faughnan, remanded the Dowdalls in custody until May 19, when they will be sentenced.
Martin O'Hara, a 31-year-old defendant with a previous conviction for rape, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assaulting his former girlfriend in Tallaght on July 28, 2016. O'Hara pleaded guilty to the charge of assaulting the woman causing her harm. Judge Karen O'Connor described the incident as violent and aggressive behaviour that occurred in the presence of the couple's six-month-old baby. The judge noted that while the physical effects were at the lower end of the scale, the victim suffered psychological trauma. O'Connor acknowledged O'Hara's remorse and recent efforts at rehabilitation and counselling. The court imposed a 12-month prison term. Prosecution evidence detailed that O'Hara punched the woman after an argument, subsequently left with the baby without her consent, and assaulted her sister and partner while they attempted to retrieve the child. The baby was returned uninjured. Defence counsel highlighted O'Hara's history of anger issues and drug abuse, noting he had taken steps towards rehabilitation for the first time. The judge considered his guilty plea and remorse when determining the sentence.
Patrick Fitzgerald, aged 40, of Glenties Park, Finglas, Dublin, has avoided a custodial sentence following an incident on River Road, Castleknock, County Dublin. On 18 August 2014, following a serious motor collision in which a vehicle overturned, Fitzgerald entered a parked car without consent and directed the driver to transport him to Ashtown. The driver repeatedly asked him to leave but continued driving approximately 500 metres before refusing to proceed further, at which point Fitzgerald exited the vehicle. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to interfering with the control of a car by threat of force or intimidation. Judge Melanie Greally suspended a two-year prison sentence conditional on Fitzgerald keeping the peace for that period. The court heard evidence of his previous convictions, including 49 road traffic offences, and noted his efforts to address historical alcohol difficulties.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Solidarity TD Paul Murphy (34) and six other water‑charge protesters were accused of "plainly involving" themselves in restricting the liberty of then Tánaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell on 15 November 2014. The prosecution alleged that the men, including councillors Kieran Mahon (39) and Michael Murphy (53), had surrounded a garda jeep carrying Burton and O'Connell, preventing its movement and effectively trapping the two women for about two hours. The case was presented by Sean Gillane SC, who described the incident as an intentional or reckless restriction of liberty without consent, a form of false imprisonment under the 1997 Non‑Fatal Offences Act. All seven men entered not‑guilty pleas; the trial continues before Judge Melanie Greally. The prosecution's narrative focused on the alleged obstruction of the jeep and the failure of gardaí to move the vehicle, while the defendants maintained their innocence.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 31‑year‑old Latvian man, Andrejs Krauze, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of his 30‑year‑old brother, Juris Buls, who was strangled in July 2011 in Galway. The jury, after nearly five hours of deliberation, found Krauze guilty of murder. The prosecution argued that Krauze killed Buls after the victim refused to withdraw an assault complaint. Victim impact statements were read by the court, detailing Buls's role as a hardworking family provider who had moved to Ireland for better opportunities. The judge, Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan, imposed the mandatory life sentence, back‑dated to January 2016. The case highlighted the discovery of Buls's body in a drain and the subsequent investigation that led to Krauze's arrest and extradition. The sentencing was conducted without the presence of Buls's relatives, who were unable to attend in Ireland. Andrejs Krauze pleaded not guilty.
Brian Kenna, 54, of Crumlin Park, was arrested by Gardaí while allegedly smuggling an IRA communiqué out of Portlaoise prison on 21 November 2015. He pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation, namely Oglaigh na hEireann (the IRA). Detective Sergeant Padraig Boyce, of the Special Detective Unit, informed Kenna that he would be searched under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. During the search, Kenna's jeans pockets yielded a small paper wrapped in cling film, which Boyce identified as an IRA communiqué. Kenna denied knowledge of the paper and laughed. He claimed he was visiting two prisoners, Tony Carroll and Kevin Devlin. The prosecution presented evidence that Kenna was a representative of the Irish Republican Prisoners' Welfare Association and that he was an IRA member on the date in question. The defence, led by Siobhan Stack SC, challenged the legality of the stop and search, the arrest, detention and seizure of Kenna's car.
Darren Martyn, 24, of Cloonbeggin, Claregalway, Co. Galway, pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage to data belonging to News International in July 2011. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Martyn, then 19 and a member of Lulzsec, hacked into The Sun's website, redirecting users to a fake story claiming Rupert Murdoch was dead. Garda Marion Brennan stated the hacking caused The Sun, The Times, and The Sunday Times websites to shut down for hours, with full restoration taking three weeks. Martyn's co-accused, Donncha O'Cearbhaill, received a suspended sentence last month. Judge Karen O'Connor remanded Martyn on continuing bail to May 24 for sentence. Defence barrister Leo Mulrooney BL described the case as exceptionally complicated, noting Martyn's guilty pleas were of huge assistance. Mulrooney highlighted that Martyn, who has no previous convictions, is now a security researcher and university lecturer, using his skills to prevent cybercrime. He urged the court to impose a non-custodial sentence, arguing the risk of re-offending was very slim. Martyn apologized for his actions, stating he no longer holds the views he had at the time of the offence.
Michael Daly, aged 18, was sentenced to 18 months in jail for his role in an unprovoked attack on Jack Serole, who was stabbed 20 times and pushed into the Royal Canal on 18 May 2015. The court found that Daly pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. He was one of three teenagers charged; the other two received 18 months and three‑and‑a‑half years respectively. Serole, originally from Botswana, suffered 20 stab wounds, hypothermia and broken front teeth, and later reported anxiety and bodily pains. CCTV footage identified Daly as one of the assailants; he admitted to hitting and kicking Serole but denied pushing him into the canal. Daly had four prior convictions and was in custody for two weeks before sentencing. Judge Martin Nolan described the offence as gravely reprehensible and extremely serious. The final nine months of the sentence were suspended.
Gerard Lawlor, 67, of Balrothery, Tallaght, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 11 counts of fraudulently claiming €167,873 in social welfare payments from 2005 to 2015. The fraud was uncovered during a Revenue audit of his former wife's dieting company, revealing that Lawlor had claimed pre‑retirement payments for himself and adult dependent allowances for his estranged wife. He failed to declare self‑employment, property sales, and work in a garage with his father and brother. Lawlor has no prior convictions and is now receiving a state pension of €183 a week, reduced by €28 to repay the debt. He has paid €11,000 to the department as a token of remorse and has no assets. Lawlor, who lives rent‑free in his sister's home after selling investment properties at a loss, has asked for a non‑custodial sentence to continue caring for his disabled sister.
In a 2015 incident at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Blanchardstown, a 28‑year‑old man named Keith Hearne tied up and raped a 24‑year‑old woman who was volunteering at the ArcadeCon gaming convention. Hearne threatened her with a prop knife, bound her hands with a tie, and forced her to submit to sexual assault. He was arrested on the scene after a conference worker entered the room with a key card. Hearne pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, one count of oral rape and one count of false imprisonment. He also admitted to possessing a bag containing a prop knife, handcuffs, condoms, a mask and sadomasochistic items, which was found at the scene. The Central Criminal Court adjourned sentencing to June 19 to obtain further medical reports. The victim, who has suffered ongoing depression, PTSD, self‑harm and suicidal thoughts, has chosen to waive her anonymity.
A 33‑year‑old Wexford man was convicted of orally raping his partner's seven‑year‑old son between 1 March and 30 September 2013 after the boy's mother had gone on an errand. The offence took place at the man's rented home. He denied the charge and has no remorse. The Central Criminal Court found him guilty of one count of oral rape. Mr Justice Paul Butler sentenced him to seven and a half years, suspending the final two and a half years on conditions including no contact with the victim. The judge noted the offence was a single incident, not a pattern of abuse, and that the man had a prior burglary conviction. The victim's mother described the child's emotional and academic decline following the assault. The boy, aged eight at the time of a Garda interview, reported the man's abusive language and forced sexual act. The mother's impact statement highlighted the child's trauma and loss of safety.
Trevor Noone, aged 29 and resident of Blanchardstown, was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment for his role in the brutal manslaughter of teenager Daniel McAnaspie, who was stabbed to death on 26 February 2010 at Tolka Valley Park. Noone pleaded guilty in February. Daniel's body was found in a drainage ditch in County Meath almost three months after the murder. Noone and Richard Dekker lured Daniel to a secluded area of the park under the pretense of confronting "some lads from Corduff"; instead, Daniel was stabbed multiple times with garden shears. Justice Patrick McCarthy described the offence as "quite a horrific nature" and noted that Daniel, an orphan in HSE care, had done nothing to deserve the violence. Noone's prior criminal history and psychological profile were considered, and his guilty plea and remorse led to a reduced sentence of 13 years, back‑dated for time already served.
A 35‑year‑old woman, Monika Matracka, was sentenced to six years in prison for manslaughter after she stabbed her former partner, 38‑year‑old Michal Rejmer, to death. The killing occurred between 8 pm on 30 December and midnight on 31 December 2015 at their shared home in The Pines, Briarfield, Castletroy, Limerick. After the murder, Matracka hid Rejmer's body in the back garden and attempted to destroy evidence. She pleaded not guilty to murder but was found guilty of manslaughter by a majority jury. The judge noted her lack of prior convictions, her early remorse and the mitigating circumstances, and decided on a six‑year term, suspended for two years, but reduced to a straight six years due to complications with potential transfer to Poland. The sentence was back‑dated to her arrest on 8 January 2016. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court. The unnamed 35-year-old was acquitted.
A 24-year-old man from Clonmel in County Tipperary has pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to possessing a firearm and explosive devices. Dylan Cahill admitted to having a .380 calibre Colt semi-automatic pistol and four rounds of ammunition at a location in Glefarne, County Leitrim on 13 May 2015. He also pleaded guilty to possession of two improvised explosive devices at the same address on that date. The non-jury court, presided over by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy alongside two other judges, remanded Cahill in custody pending sentencing scheduled for 15 May 2017.
In a 2017 trial, John Joseph Malone, aged 53, was found guilty of murdering 69‑year‑old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth on 11 September 1987. The Central Criminal Court jury, after 3 hours 26 minutes of deliberation, returned a unanimous verdict. Malone strangled Smyth before setting her Wolfe Tone Street home on fire. He had been on bail when the trial began, but his bail was revoked after he shouted abuse at 81‑year‑old Eileen Kelly, who later testified. The court delayed sentencing to allow Smyth's family to speak. Justice Patrick McCarthy imposed a life imprisonment sentence, exempting the jury from further service for ten years. The case was reopened in 2012 when witnesses, including members of a Presbyterian Bible group, came forward with statements that Malone had confessed to the murder and the fire. The trial relied on witness testimony and a pathologist's report showing strangulation before the fire. No forensic evidence was presented.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Vesel Jahiri was found guilty by a unanimous jury of murdering his former partner Anna Finnegan, aged 25, and of assaulting her brother Karl Finnegan. The trial, lasting eight weeks, included testimony that Jahiri had threatened Finnegan on a phone call and that he stabbed her in her own home on 21 September 2012. Witnesses described a violent confrontation in which Jahiri forced the door, stabbed Finnegan and Karl, and fled in his car. Jahiri represented himself, was removed from court multiple times, and was escorted by riot police when the verdicts were announced. The judge set a sentencing date for 8 May, remanded Jahiri in custody, and thanked the jury for their service. The case concluded with the jury's decision and the court's adjournment for sentencing. Anna Finnegan pleaded not guilty. Vesel Jahiri pleaded not guilty.
Gary Simpson, aged 29, was jailed for four and a half years after robbing several bookmakers in Dublin in November and December 2015. He used a note under the counter claiming he had a gun, leaving the note with his fingerprints. Simpson had previously been convicted 112 times and had a suspended five‑year sentence for earlier robberies. He was on bail for those offences when he committed the bookmaker robberies. The court noted he had completed a residential drug rehabilitation course and reactivated the suspended portion of his earlier sentence, imposing a concurrent total sentence of six years with the final 18 months suspended. He was captured on CCTV during all incidents and admitted the crimes during a Garda interview. Gary Simpson pleaded guilty.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced two men for their involvement in a drugs operation involving heroin with an estimated street value of €560,000. Michael White (42) and Gareth Prior (35) pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and heroin for sale or supply on December 9, 2015. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a six-year sentence on White, with the final three years suspended. She noted White had no previous convictions and expressed deep regret. Prior received a 12-year sentence, with the final three years suspended. The judge acknowledged Prior's lack of recent garda attention and his efforts in self-education, despite his 17 previous convictions, including three for drug dealing. During the raid on White's house in Clondalkin, gardaí found cocaine worth €68,000 and paraphernalia. A search of a house linked to Prior in Newbridge revealed €175,000 worth of cocaine, €3,360 worth of ketamine, and €9,740 worth of herbal cannabis, for which Prior accepted responsibility. Judge Ryan cited the quantity and type of drugs as an aggravating factor but recognized both men's early guilty pleas and acceptance of responsibility.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Joseph Union was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment, with the final six months suspended, for assaulting a Garda during a high‑speed drunken chase. Union, a father of two from Pinewoods, Clondalkin, was found guilty by a jury of assaulting the Garda after he had asked the officer to pick up his glasses. Union then kicked the Garda in the face, fracturing his nose. He was also found not guilty of resisting arrest but pleaded guilty to one count of drink‑driving, three counts of dangerous driving and one count of failing to stop, all committed in Ballyfermot on 11 April 2012. The court noted Union's prior convictions and the Garda's victim impact statement, and Judge Cormac Quinn imposed the custodial sentence after viewing CCTV footage of the incident.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Robert Faherty, 63, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious harm after his car collided with cyclist Grainne Duncan on February 4, 2015, on Malahide Road. Faherty was driving without lights on; speed and alcohol were not factors. Duncan, wearing a high‑visibility jacket, helmet and bike light, was cycling left‑hand side and turning right at a junction when the collision occurred. She remained in a coma for two months, later regaining awareness but suffering severe brain damage that left her unable to speak, walk or hear, and requiring depression treatment. Faherty's daughter expressed deep remorse. The case involves pending civil proceedings and medical costs estimated at €540,000. Judge Pauline Codd reserved judgment until May 5, citing Faherty's compliance, remorse and poor health, and requested no jail sentence. The charge carries a maximum of two years imprisonment.
Two brothers from Belturbet, County Cavan, admitted stealing more than €8,000 while working behind a charity bar at a Dublin music festival. John McGinley, 25, pleaded guilty to taking €5,275 and his younger brother Conal McGinley, 22, admitted taking €3,370 from the Workers Beer Company operation at Marlay Park on 8 July 2016. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Workers Beer Company raises funds through bars at music festivals. Gardaí observing the first day of the three-day event saw the brothers putting cash into their pockets rather than into the charity collection. When the pair were arrested that evening, money was found in their clothing, footwear and vehicle. John McGinley had €4,145 on him and €1,130 in his car. Conal McGinley had €1,860 on him, with further cash recovered from the vehicle. Both brothers pleaded guilty to one count of theft and made immediate admissions in interviews with gardaí. The court heard that they had no previous convictions. Their address was given as Naughan, Belturbet, Co Cavan. John McGinley had held a job at a London financial firm. Defence counsel said he had fallen into debt while gambling in the UK and had become indebted to loan sharks. The defence described the theft as a desperate attempt to raise money towards that debt. The court also heard that he had left his London job, returned to Ireland and attended Gambling Anonymous. Conal McGinley was in the final year of a business degree. His counsel said he had acted to help his brother, but that the case had put his future career at risk. A letter from the brothers' father was handed to the court. Judge Cormac Quinn remanded both men on bail for sentencing on 14 June. They were later ordered to complete 180 hours of community service each. This LocalNews report is an original account based on the contemporaneous Courts News Ireland court report.
Anthony Fitzgerald, a 32‑year‑old former professional boxer from Gloucester Place, Dublin, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to bus driver Toufik Slali on North Circular Road on 18 November 2014. The incident began when a Mini pulled out in front of Slali's bus without signalling, forcing the driver to brake hard and honk. Fitzgerald jumped out of the car, shouted that his children were in the vehicle, and then entered the bus. He allegedly head‑butted Slali's nose, causing a fracture that required surgery, and punched him. Fitzgerald denied head‑butting and claimed he struck with an open hand. Judge Melanie Greally, noting his boxing background, imposed a suspended three‑year prison sentence on the condition he keep the peace. He has 31 prior convictions, including assault, criminal damage and firearms offences, and has been disqualified from driving for ten years.
Michael Breen, 41, was sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to transporting almost €80,000 worth of cannabis. Gardaí stopped his car following a tip, and a search revealed nearly four kilograms of cannabis hidden under the carpet in the wheel well. Breen admitted to having the drugs for sale on 16 May 2016 at Bluebell Mews, Old Naas Road, Dublin 12. He has 40 prior convictions for theft and road traffic offences and three drug offences involving the sale of small amounts to undercover officers. During the interview, Breen claimed he was told he would receive €200 for his role, which was to drop off the drugs, and he accepted that he was operating at a low level. Judge Melanie Greally, noting his guilty plea and full cooperation, imposed the sentence and ordered him to engage with Probation Services upon release. Mr.
Patrick Connors, 46, was sentenced to two and a half years in jail at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for dangerous driving after a high‑speed chase. He drove over 160 km/h on the wrong side of a busy road, performed a U‑turn at speed, exceeded 100 km/h on a 50 km/h road, ran a red light and collided with a taxi at a junction. Connors pleaded guilty to endangerment creating a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another on Swords Road on 19 September. He also admitted possession of stolen laptops, jewellery, a screwdriver and a "jemmy" bar, which were found in his car when the chase ended. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a three‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence with the final year suspended, citing the seriousness of the charges and Connors' 89 prior convictions, including dangerous driving, burglary, theft, assault and 56 summary road traffic offences.
Two Dublin men, Edward McGrath (35) and Sharif Kelly (47), were sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly (35), who was shot dead on 6 March 2013 outside The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co. Meath. The Special Criminal Court described the killing as "premeditated slaughter". McGrath was also convicted of firearms offences related to the same incident and received an additional seven‑year sentence for each offence. Kelly's role involved dropping a co‑accused, David Cullen, outside Gormanston College to dispose of the gun and then driving McGrath and the gunman away. The court noted that neither McGrath nor Kelly had prior convictions and highlighted the shock of their involvement in a planned, callous murder. Mrs. Eithne Butterly, the victim's wife, delivered a victim impact statement describing her husband's love for his children and the lasting pain of his death. Mr. Justice Tony Hunt imposed the life sentences on both men.
Jordan McGuinness, aged 19, and Craig Smith, aged 20, together with two other men, attacked two students while attempting to break up a fight between two women in Dublin's city centre on 23 May 2016. McGuinness punched Lee Whelan, knocking him to the ground, and struck Dylan Campbell with a hammer. Smith used an iron bar and a hammer against Campbell. CCTV footage showed the assaults. Judge Karen O'Connor sentenced McGuinness to a one‑year prison term, suspended for 18 months, and ordered one year of probation supervision. Smith's sentencing was adjourned to December, with the judge noting his use of a weapon. Both men offered €500 each to the victims as a token of remorse. The court heard that McGuinness and Smith pleaded guilty to violent disorder and that the men had no prior convictions. The case was heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Amir Essalhi, 32, received a partly suspended four‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for a drug‑fuelled spree of robberies in west Dublin. He pleaded guilty to six counts of robbery, including three attacks on women in their cars, a pharmacy robbery with a knife, and a tanning salon robbery with a spoon he pretended was a knife. The offences, committed in April and May 2016, were said to fund his heroin addiction. Essalhi's brother was murdered in 2011, an event cited by his defence. Judge Cormac Quinn suspended the last two years of the sentence, ordered victim‑awareness work, and residential drug treatment. The court noted the distress caused to the victims, who suffered injuries and loss of property, most of which was not recovered.
Thomas Roberts, 23, of Carrow Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for a series of violent offences committed between November 2012 and April 2013. Roberts pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm, two counts of robbery, one count of attempted robbery, and one count of possessing cannabis. Judge Karen O'Connor imposed a total of six years in consecutive sentences. She suspended the final three years on strict conditions and backdated the sentence to February, when Roberts entered custody on these bills. The court heard that Roberts, who was 19 at the time of the offences, was involved in attacks on two Italian men, Francisco Brescia and Andrea Pelle, as well as the robbery of a woman. Prosecution evidence detailed that Roberts smashed a glass bottle over Mr. Brescia's head during an attack on O'Connell Street, while he placed Mr. Pelle in a headlock on Westmoreland Street. Victim impact statements highlighted the lasting trauma, with one victim stating he no longer felt safe in Ireland and another leaving the country. Defence counsel Fiona Murphy, BL, noted Roberts' remorse, his history of homelessness, and his dysfunctional childhood. The court also noted Roberts had 20 previous convictions and was on bail during some of the offences. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the custodial sentence.
David Murray, 56, of Finglas, Dublin, was convicted by the Special Criminal Court for membership in the Irish Republican Army. He pleaded not guilty to the charge of belonging to an unlawful organisation. The court found evidence of a "shopping‑list" of chemicals used to make explosives in his bedroom, described as the most significant and sinister document. The list was remarkably similar to one found in the van of Stephen Hendrick, who was later sentenced to eleven years for firearms and explosives offences. Other items seized included a transcript of a bail hearing, handwritten notes on IRA intelligence about a cigarette delivery‑van in Limerick, security company details, and fund‑raising notes for republican prisoners. Murray was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, back‑dated to 1 April, after a non‑jury trial on 25 March 2015. The judge described his involvement as profound, active and wide‑ranging in subversive activities.
Craig Maloney, aged 21, and an accomplice stole bikes from two barmen at the George Bernard Shaw pub in Dublin. When confronted, Maloney kicked one barman in the eye and fled back to the bar, where they smashed glass bottles and he attacked a barman with a barstool. He pleaded guilty to theft and assault causing harm to Kevin Mangan in 2011. The court noted his prior convictions for minor offences, his epilepsy‑related withdrawal from football, and his involvement in drug and alcohol problems. Maloney also pleaded guilty to a robbery at Spar on Clogher Road, where he and an accomplice stole €358 and were confronted by Gardaí who used pepper spray. Judge Karen O'Connor sentenced him to 18 months for the assault and 2½ years for the robbery, suspending both terms on the condition that he remain out of trouble and maintain good behaviour. She highlighted his charity work and cooperation with probation services.
A 17‑year‑old was sentenced to five years' detention, three of which were suspended, after a drunken rampage on 10 July 2016 in Dublin. He had consumed half a litre of vodka at home and spent €90 on vodka and mixers at a local pub. CCTV showed him assaulting three women who had returned from a Beyoncé concert, pushing one to the ground, kicking her, and throwing another to the pavement. He also smashed a chipper's glass window and door and damaged a nearby car's windscreen. The boy pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to four people and criminal damage. The judge described the incident as "terror and violence" and ordered him to engage fully with Probation Services to address his anger and alcohol issues. The women reported acute psychological distress. The boy's family were described as well regarded in the area. The judge noted that the boy's problems were partly due to alcohol and an overburdened mother.
Noel Carroll, a 27‑year‑old Xtravision store manager, stole €10,025 from dormant customer accounts between December 2013 and June 2015. He created a €10,025 gift card, deposited it in a savings account, and withdrew the cash. He also issued vouchers to purchase a television, laptop, and computer from Xtravision branches. An auditor noticed unusual batch refunds from dormant accounts, leading to investigation and discovery of the theft. Carroll pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Cormac Quinn described the offence as a serious breach of trust but noted Carroll's good character and full admissions. He was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment, which was fully suspended on strict conditions after a probation report indicated a low risk of re‑offending. Carroll repaid the company in full with a loan from his parents, and his father described him as withdrawn and depressed following the incident.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 5 April 2017, Assistant Commissioner Michael O'Sullivan informed the court that he believed 56‑year‑old David Murray of Cappogue Cottages, Finglas, was a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). The prosecution, represented by Gareth Baker BL, presented evidence they described as "significant and compelling," including a shopping list of chemicals used for explosives found in Murray's bedroom, which was remarkably similar to a list discovered in the van of Stephen Hendrick, a 48‑year‑old convicted in a separate case of possessing explosives after a bomb‑factory was found in his garden. Baker also cited a "connection" between Murray and Hendrick, noting that Hendrick had been sentenced to 11 years for firearms, ammunition and explosives. David Murray pleaded not guilty.
Kevin McCarthy, aged 23, was sentenced by Judge Pauline Codd to four years' imprisonment, with two and a half years suspended, for dangerous driving that caused the death of 21‑year‑old Thomas Carroll on the N81 near Brittas on 29 May 2014. McCarthy, who had 73 prior convictions including careless driving and driving without insurance, pleaded guilty. He was driving at an estimated speed of 100‑120 km/h, well above the 60 km/h limit signposted 300 metres before the crash. The vehicle spun into trees, flipped twice and travelled 115 metres, ejecting Carroll who died shortly after. McCarthy expressed remorse, apologising to Carroll's family, and the judge noted his lack of respect for road law and the severe impact on the victim's relatives. The sentence was described as a deterrent and a reflection of McCarthy's criminal recklessness.
During a Special Criminal Court hearing on 4 April 2017, a Dublin man named David Murray, aged 56, was questioned by Gardaí about his alleged friendship with Stephen Hendrick, a 48‑year‑old convicted of possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives. Murray, who lives in Cappogue Cottages, Finglas, denied IRA membership and made no reply when asked if he was a friend of Hendrick. Gardaí had previously observed the two men together outside Lloyd's pub on Amiens Street on 12 September 2014. In March 2015, a search of Murray's bedroom uncovered a shopping list for chemicals used in making explosives, which the prosecution said was "remarkably similar" to a list found in Hendrick's van. The case is being heard by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, with Judges John O'Hagan and Ann Ryan presiding. David Murray pleaded not guilty.
Margaret McDonnell, a 23‑year‑old single mother from Rathvilly Park, Finglas, was given a suspended 18‑month jail sentence after she spent €51,000 that had been mistakenly deposited into her account by Bank of Ireland. Between March 7 and 16, 2013, she withdrew and spent €24,946 on items for her two children and personal purchases, including crystal vases, a crystal mushroom lamp, and various clothing and food items. She pleaded guilty to 13 counts of theft of cash. The judge, citing the accidental nature of the deposit, suspended the sentence on the condition that McDonnell repay €1,000 to the bank within 18 months and complete 150 hours of community service. The Probation Service assessed her as low risk of re‑offending, and the court noted that the offences were not pre‑planned and the money was spent on mundane items.
A 26-year-old man from Roscommon has pleaded guilty to his role in a violent robbery on Arran Quay in Dublin in June 2014. Patrick Conroy, with 156 previous convictions, was one of four men who approached a pedestrian and subjected him to robbery whilst using a growling Alsatian dog to intimidate the victim. The victim was threatened with physical violence, including being kneed and choked, before being robbed of his mobile phone, wallet and house keys. He sustained injuries to his lower back, neck and throat, and subsequently suffered psychological effects from the incident. CCTV footage placed Conroy in the vicinity at the time. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Conroy had been released on bail only days before the robbery occurred. Judge Pauline Codd remanded him on continuing bail pending a probation report and consideration of his admission to a residential drug treatment centre. Sentencing is scheduled for May 8th.
Rebecca McEnroe, 36, was sentenced to nine months in jail after stealing cosmetics worth €2,286 from Boots in St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre and selling them for €200. She also stole €575 worth of products from Holland & Barrett the following day. McEnroe, who has 70 prior convictions including 59 for theft, admitted the thefts and pleaded guilty on April 26 and 27. The judge noted her drug addiction, describing her as "strung out on crack cocaine and tablets" and said she needed help. A two‑year sentence was imposed, with the final 15 months suspended on conditions such as supervision by Probation Services. McEnroe is a mother of three and is currently drug‑free, hoping to remain so after release.
An Egyptian man, Mohamed Ahmed, aged 31, was sentenced by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one year in prison for sexually assaulting a young woman in her Dublin home on 19 September 2016. Ahmed had been living in Ireland illegally since 2014. He pleaded guilty after the victim, who asked to remain unnamed, described how he pinned her to the ground, removed his trousers, and digitally penetrated her. The victim had been receiving counselling since the incident and could not walk home alone at night. The court noted the distress caused by the assault and Ahmed's lack of prior convictions. He was sentenced to 18 months with the final six months suspended and was required to register as a sex offender. The sentence was imposed by Judge Melanie Greally.
Wayne Dundon, aged 39, has lodged an appeal against his conviction for the murder of businessman Roy Collins, 35, who was shot at Coin Castle Amusements, Roxboro, on 9 April 2009. Dundon, a Limerick criminal, pleaded not guilty at the Special Criminal Court, which found him had ordered the murder from prison and that Nathan Killeen, 27, was the getaway driver for gunman James Dillon. The court, presided over by Ms Justice Iseult O'Malley, delivered a verdict after a 29‑day trial, sentencing Dundon and Killeen to mandatory life imprisonment. Dundon's barrister, Remy Farrell SC, argues the court failed to address controversies, inconsistencies in witness accounts, and specific factual issues, particularly the testimony of 'Noddy' McCarthy and other witnesses. He contends the court's reliance on uncorroborated testimony and its treatment of prosecution witnesses as non‑accomplices were defective, and he seeks a quashing of the conviction. The appeal will be heard by the Court of Appeal tomorrow.
James Byrne, 45, was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after he had applied for a job at a fast‑food restaurant and then returned to burgle the premises. Byrne left the restaurant after staff mentioned a possible driving position, but shortly thereafter he stole a bag of coins worth €95 from a back‑office area. He has 57 prior convictions and is currently serving a two‑year sentence for a burglary committed in November 2016. The court noted that Byrne's offences are usually opportunistic and lack sophistication, and that he has targeted non‑dwelling premises such as schools and churches. Byrne pleaded guilty to the burglary at BASE Pizza in Terenure on 19 June 2016. Garda James Duffy presented CCTV footage and Byrne's full admissions. The judge adjourned sentencing to 26 May 2017 to allow a probation report to be prepared.
Stephen Winders, aged 41, was caught in 2010 with 19 cannabis plants and a plastic bag of heroin worth €1,668, which he claimed were for personal use. He fled to the United States while on bail, entered a drug‑treatment programme and later returned to Ireland to register a homelessness charity. Gardaí discovered outstanding warrants and arrested him. In Dublin Circuit Criminal Court he pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and heroin for sale or supply. Judge Catherine Murphy suspended a two‑year sentence for three years, conditioned on 18 months of Probation Services engagement, and ordered 240 hours of community service. The case was adjourned in December with a potential for a suspended sentence pending a clean probation report. No jail time was imposed.
A 39‑year‑old Meath man was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment for raping and sexually assaulting his fiancée's three daughters, aged 15 to 17, in their home in 2009 and 2010. The jury found him guilty of one count of rape and twelve counts of sexual assault. He denies the verdict. The judge noted the victims, now in their early twenties, suffered severe psychological harm and praised their resilience. The man, who had no prior convictions, acted as a stepfather during the abuse. The mother, who stood by him, destroyed evidence and later withdrew a police report after the man claimed a daughter had touched him first. The children were removed from the home, and the man was forced to leave. The case highlighted the lasting impact on the victims, including depression, addiction, anxiety, and self‑harm attempts.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 3 April 2017, Daniel McAnaspie's sister Nikita McAnaspie spoke on behalf of the family, expressing that the murder of their 17‑year‑old son had left their lives meaningless and that they wished the killers "rot in hell." The court had earlier convicted Richard Dekker (30) of murder and Trevor Noone (28) of manslaughter in Daniel's death. Dekker was sentenced to life imprisonment, the mandatory term for murder, with credit for time already served. Noone's guilty plea was noted, and the judge adjourned his sentencing to 24 April, allowing for consideration of his remorse. The hearing highlighted the family's grief, the brutal nature of the crime, and the defendants' prior convictions, but did not disclose any further procedural developments beyond the sentencing decisions.
The Special Criminal Court is scheduled to deliver a verdict this Friday in the trial of Mark Heffernan, a Limerick man accused of involvement in a serious assault. Heffernan (32), of Swallow Drive, John Carey Park, Limerick, pleaded not guilty to the charge of assaulting Dan Quilligan, causing him harm at Larch Court on September 14, 2015. During the trial, the court heard evidence that Quilligan was beaten and his left foot was nailed to the kitchen floor with a nail gun. Prosecution counsel Tara Burns SC argued that the evidence, including a tracking device on a hired white Audi and CCTV footage, established that Heffernan was the driver of the vehicle and part of a planned assault. She noted that the Audi was parked outside the house at the time of the alleged incident and later visited the home of co-accused Gerard Mackin. Mackin (33) and Patrick Hayes (52), both of Limerick, previously admitted to the assault and were each jailed for three years. Defence counsel Ronan Munro SC contended there were significant inconsistencies in the prosecution timeline, specifically regarding the arrival of the Audi relative to eyewitness accounts of men in white suits. The case is being heard by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, sitting with Judge John O'Hagan and Judge Ann Ryan, who will deliver the verdict on Friday.
Des Kavanagh, 39, a former youth worker, was found guilty of possessing and distributing child pornography after he pretended to be a 15‑year‑old boy in an online chat group. Gardaí, acting on Interpol information, seized his laptops and recovered 240 images and two short clips, all classified as child posing or sexual activity between children, with no material in the most serious categories. Kavanagh had no prior convictions and had cooperated fully with the police, admitting his actions and expressing remorse. The court, noting his long‑suppressed sexuality, low risk of re‑offending, and lack of profit motive, imposed a two‑year suspended sentence, requiring good behaviour and no probation service involvement. The judge highlighted that the offence was serious but deemed a custodial sentence unfair given the circumstances. The case ended with Kavanagh's guilty plea and the suspended sentence.
Seven water charge protesters, including Paul Murphy TD, Kieran Mahon, Michael Murphy, Michael Banks, Frank Donaghy, Ken Purcell, and Scott Masterson, appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court regarding their upcoming trial. The defendants are accused of falsely imprisoning then Tánaiste Joan Burton and Karen O'Connell during a protest in Jobstown on November 15, 2014. The case was listed after the Director of Public Prosecutions raised concerns about a campaign and a rally scheduled for the weekend. Counsel for the accused informed the court that their clients would undertake not to speak about the trial at the rally. Judge Melanie Greally noted relief at this responsible position. The trial is scheduled to begin on April 24, with a jury to be selected. The court discussed the possibility of an enlarged jury panel if the trial exceeds the scheduled six weeks. The defendants face charges of false imprisonment, and the matter is currently at the pre-trial stage ahead of the scheduled hearing.
Adam Gear, a 25‑year‑old first‑time offender from Castle Lawns, Tallaght, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing nearly 500 g of heroin and 2.5 kg of cannabis at his grandparents' house in Tallaght on 30 January 2016. The drugs, valued at about €74,000 for heroin and €49,000 for cannabis, were found outside the house following a confidential tip‑off and inside Gear's bedroom. Gear admitted he was keeping the drugs for people to whom he owed a significant debt and claimed he did not reach the downstairs storage in time before Gardaí seized them. The judge, Martin Nolan, accepted that Gear was under pressure but held him responsible for his actions, noting he had no prior convictions and was a father. Despite defence arguments citing exceptional circumstances and a desire for a non‑custodial sentence, the judge imposed the custodial term.