Patrick Joyce, 30, of Balbriggan, pleaded guilty to two burglary counts and one assault causing harm. The incidents occurred within 500 metres of his home on 7 and 8 March 2024. A neighbour heard a noise, chased Joyce, and recorded him; a bar manager reported Joyce taking a bottle of vodka; and a man was punched by Joyce after a confrontation at his front door. CCTV footage confirmed the assault. Joyce denied the offences but was arrested at 1 a.m. and later admitted guilt. He has 12 prior convictions. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to two years' imprisonment for the burglary and two years for the assault, to run concurrently, with the final six months suspended for one year. The sentence was back‑dated to include time already served.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court found 40‑year‑old David Dunne guilty of murder after he lured fellow inmate Robert O'Connor into his cell, knocked him to the ground and stamped on his head in a "vicious and unprovoked" assault. The verdict, reached in just under three hours, was unanimous. Dunne had pleaded not guilty, claiming he had no intention to kill and that he acted in self‑defence after O'Connor punched him twice. The prosecution presented CCTV footage showing Dunne and three other prisoners entering the cell, with officers later reporting that Dunne stamped on O'Connor's head more than once and kicked him. A pathologist's report confirmed that the blows caused brain rotation and tearing of nerve cells, consistent with stamping, punching or kicking. Dunne will face a mandatory life sentence when he is sentenced on 16 December.
Shirley Creighton, 49, of Derham Park, Balbriggan, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm on 12 July 2022 when she struck a woman in her late 80s crossing Bridge Street. The victim suffered a serious leg fracture, required surgery and skin grafts, and her home now needs adaptation. Creighton was not driving fast and did not see the pedestrian. She had recently lost a family member and wished the case to proceed. Judge Dara Hayes adjourned the case to 18 December and directed the Probation Service to assess her suitability for community service. Creighton has no prior convictions, sold her car after the crash, and has expressed remorse, offering a letter of apology and testimonials. She seeks leniency and wishes to retain her licence, arguing she has not driven since the incident and has regained confidence after six months. The court heard her husband and family are respected locally and that she has no further proceedings pending.
Joseph Collins, 27, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a single robbery at Boyles Sports in Finglas on 27 November 2023. He entered the shop around 7 pm, approached the counter, muttered "Money", and produced a Stanley blade that he placed under the glass, a foot from the cashier's face. Collins handed over €280 before leaving. Garda Dwayne O'Brien obtained CCTV footage that identified Collins, leading to his arrest. Collins has ten prior convictions and a history of alcohol and drug abuse, though he has completed residential rehabilitation at Coolmine Treatment Centre. He expressed deep shame, denied violence, and requested an apology to the cashier and co‑worker. Judge Orla Crowe noted his rehabilitation work and lack of violent history, ordered a probation report, and remanded him in custody until 3 March 2025 when the case will be finalised.
Two brothers, Denis Burns (42) and Gavin Burns (33), were sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for attacking a homeless man who had been lured back to their home at The Beeches, Donaghmede, on 15 June 2023. The brothers, along with a third unnamed man, trapped the victim inside the house, where Denis used a kitchen knife to repeatedly slash the victim's head. The incident lasted about 10 to 15 minutes and left the victim with heavy head bleeding requiring stitches. Both brothers pleaded guilty—Denis to assault causing harm and affray, Gavin to assault causing harm. Judge Nolan imposed a two‑year sentence on each, suspended in its entirety, and ordered them to pay €1,000 each to the victim. The case stemmed from a prior dispute over missing lawnmower and electronic equipment and alleged threats to the brothers' sister.
In a Dublin pub incident, 23‑year‑old Raul Poama, intoxicated, was denied entry to Fibber Magees around 11.40 pm. He punched a manager, causing swelling, then fled. A security guard attempted to apprehend him; Poama screamed, bit the guard on the chest and stomach, leaving bite marks. Neither victim required medical treatment and both declined victim impact statements. Poama pleaded guilty to two counts of common assault on 3 December 2023. Judge Orla Crowe, noting the incident was "unedifying" and "very sorry", imposed a three‑month sentence suspended on strict conditions for two years. Poama had no prior convictions, had brought €2,000 to court as a gesture of remorse, and the judge directed €1,000 to the manager and the remainder to charity. No medical or further legal actions were reported beyond the suspended sentence.
Michael Donoghue, aged 21, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and making threats to kill after pointing a double‑barrel shotgun at unarmed, uniformed Gardaí at Stocking Hill, Rathfarnham, on 20 December 2023. The officers, who were in a marked patrol car and unarmed, described genuine fear for their lives and lasting professional and personal effects. Donoghue's shotgun was later found to be unloaded, but the Gardaí were unaware of this at the time. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a headline sentence of eight years, reduced to a five‑year term with the final 12 months suspended, requiring Donoghue to keep the peace, maintain good behaviour for two years and engage with the Probation Service for 12 months. The case highlighted the officers' shock, fear and ongoing trauma following the incident.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, 28‑year‑old Cailean Crawford pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas McCarthy, claiming he was wrongly blamed for the killing because he had loaned a van to associate Charles McClean on the day of the murder. Crawford said he had lent the van to McClean, who allegedly needed it to collect drugs, and that he had also given McClean a Lyca SIM card used for drug‑related calls. He denied being a "rat" or misleading the jury, stating he would rather be branded as such than be convicted of a murder he did not commit. Prosecutor Bernard Condon questioned Crawford about his fear of McClean, the van's whereabouts, and phone calls made from the SIM. The trial focuses on the hours between 9 am and 12 pm on 27 July 2020, when the van and phone were involved in the incident. The case continues before Mr Justice Hunt and a jury.
Harry Archer, a 23‑year‑old former junior cricketer from Kellys Bay Rocks, Skerries, was found with €4,886 worth of cannabis at his home on 18 January 2022. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where Judge Orla Crowe accepted that he is now drug‑free, has not attracted police attention since, and has a job offer. The judge imposed a 12‑month sentence, suspended in full, after noting Archer's "turned a corner" and ordered him to engage with the Probation Service for two years. Archer had 13 prior drug and traffic convictions. He had previously been caught with drugs, had a separate custody case, and had not appeared at the Garda station as promised. The case highlighted repeated attacks on his family home and his past cricket achievements, but the court focused solely on the current possession offence and the suspended sentence imposed.
A 21‑year‑old man, Shane Murray, was jailed for three years and six months for driving a stolen car and striking a cyclist, leaving the victim with a broken leg and ankle. The collision was recorded on Snapchat and shown in court, where the video showed Murray driving on after the impact and shouting "Go, Go, Go" from the front seat. The judge criticised the callousness of uploading the footage and of Murray's failure to stop or check on the cyclist. Murray also pleaded guilty to a robbery the previous month, for which he received an 18‑month sentence; both sentences run concurrently. He was disqualified from driving for four years and had a six‑month suspended portion of the driving sentence. The cyclist, a Croatian courier, required surgery for his fractures. Murray expressed remorse in a letter to the court. The case highlighted the seriousness of reckless driving and the use of stolen vehicles.
Brandon Carey, 24, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple burglaries and attempted burglaries in Dublin 9 on 31 January 2024. He broke into occupied homes at night, including the house of an 86‑year‑old woman who woke to find him in her bedroom. Carey entered through an open window, left blood on the windowsill, stole a bag of coins, an ID card and a bank card, and demanded money from another 86‑year‑old homeowner before fleeing. He also smashed a kitchen window to gain entry to a third home, leaving blood droplets on the ground. Garda Ben Grimes noted that Carey was initially too intoxicated for questioning but later admitted the crimes. He denied deliberately targeting elderly people, and the court accepted his remorse while noting the violation of homeowners' safety.
Jason Cullen, a 36‑year‑old GAA player from Ballyfermot, was sentenced to an 18‑month suspended term after pleading guilty to assaulting doorman David Barrett at Ryan's Bar on 11 February 2024. Cullen, who had been asked to leave the bar for intoxication, attempted to re‑enter to retrieve his jacket and, while intoxicated and unsteady, threw a single punch that knocked Barrett unconscious. Barrett suffered a cut on the bridge of his nose, swelling and bleeding, and later reported headaches, memory loss and sinus issues. Cullen offered a written apology and €10,000 as a gesture of remorse, which the court accepted. Judge Orla Crowe described the act as a "sucker punch", noted Cullen's otherwise pro‑social life and work history, and imposed a fully suspended sentence on the condition that Cullen hand over the €10,000, keep the peace and behave well for two years.
Ian Doyle, 33, was on bail for assaulting another partner when he severely beat his current partner in February 2023. He kept her in the house for almost a week, preventing her from leaving with her four‑year‑old daughter, and threatened to cut her throat and eat her liver. Doyle supplied her with paper stitches and painkillers but refused to let her go to the hospital. CCTV footage showed him forcing her back inside when she tried to escape. He also controlled her mobile phone, monitoring calls and sending messages from her account. Doyle pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and false imprisonment. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to three years and six months, suspended for six months on conditions of probation and violence‑prevention courses, to run consecutively with his current term due to expire in April 2026. The sentence reflects the prolonged, controlling nature of the abuse and the victim's fear and trauma.
Brian McKee, 29, pleaded guilty to arson that set fire to his partner's family home on 27 July 2018, causing that house and two adjoining terraced houses to be demolished. The fire began on a couch in the living room and spread through the attic, where furniture had been stored, igniting the neighbouring houses. McKee, who had recently stopped drinking, admitted drinking a can of Coors Light and gin and possibly taking cocaine before the incident. He was found outside the house at 5 am, covered in blood, holding a knife, and later detained by Gardaí. The court heard victim impact statements from the owners of the damaged houses, detailing loss of belongings, financial hardship and emotional distress. McKee's defence highlighted his bipolar disorder, past rehabilitation and lack of prior convictions. Judge Pauline Codd imposed a seven‑year prison sentence, suspending six years on conditions including engagement with addiction services and full cooperation with his mental‑health care plan.
A 64‑year‑old man was jailed for one year after pleading guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexually assaulting his partner's 13‑year‑old granddaughter on 21 May 2023. The victim was present with two other children when the assault occurred. Gardaí reports say the girl sat on the man's lap, he rubbed her bum, then placed a hand up her shorts and pinched her vagina. The man admitted rubbing the victim but denied touching her vagina until the end of the interview, claiming he only did so after a hug. He has four prior convictions, but the investigating garda and his lawyer argued the offences were not of the same nature. The judge noted the assault was a serious, isolated incident and, after considering the man's guilty plea, remorse and low risk of reoffending, sentenced him to one year in custody.
Steven Gillman, a 70‑year‑old software company owner, was found guilty of assault after he repeatedly punched a fellow member of the Royal St George Yacht Club during a billiards tournament in September 2023. The victim suffered a fractured eye socket, a dislocated eye lens, double vision, tinnitus and ongoing medical care. Gillman pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm and paid €15,000 as a token of remorse. He had no prior convictions and was described by his defence counsel as a "model citizen." Judge Elma Sheahan sentenced him to a headline term of three years, reduced to two years, and suspended the entire sentence on a number of conditions. Gillman has since resigned from the yacht club, which had been a significant part of his social life. The victim's impact statement highlighted lasting physical and psychological damage, and the assault's effect on his social and sporting activities.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 62‑year‑old man was sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment for 19 counts of rape of one sister between 1977 and 1984 and eight counts of rape and eight counts of indecent assault of a second sister between 1979 and 1984. The sisters, aged 12‑18 and 12‑17 at the time of the offences, testified that the abuse began when the accused was 12 and continued daily until he was 22. They described the violence as relentless, with the accused claiming no crime had been committed. The judge noted the victims' vulnerability, the prolonged nature of the abuse, and the significant harm inflicted. The sentence was imposed without any suspended portion, and the court ordered two years of post‑release supervision. The accused denied all allegations and expressed no remorse. The unnamed 62-year-old was convicted.
Cahir O'Higgins, a Dublin criminal‑defence solicitor aged 49, was convicted in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of one count of theft and four counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice. He denied stealing €400 from a client on 30 July 2016 and denied providing incorrect notes to Gardaí in December 2017. The judge described the conduct as "deranged", "thuggish", "base" and "despicable". O'Higgins had earlier pleaded guilty to assault and harassment of a former employee, for which he received a 16‑month sentence in July. The new sentence, imposed by Judge Martin Nolan, was 27 months, back‑dated to 21 October, with the court noting the seriousness of the perverting‑justice charges and the impact on his reputation. O'Higgins expressed remorse and requested an apology to those affected. The court considered mitigating factors but extended his custodial term accordingly. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further verdicts announced.
Former rugby international Brendan Mullin, aged 61, was convicted in a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial of stealing just over €567,000 from Bank of Ireland Private Bank between 2011 and 2013. The jury found him guilty on 12 of 14 charges, including the theft of €500,000 that was transferred to Spice Holdings, a company registered in the British Virgin Islands. Mullin had arranged payments to McCann Fitzgerald solicitors, Beechwood accountants and Grant Thornton for work he performed personally or for his firm Quantum Investment Strategies, and had redirected invoices from his personal address to the private bank. He was acquitted of two charges relating to Beechwood Partners and a deception count. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, noting his position of trust and the fact that the bank was fully repaid before the investigation began. Mullin accepted the verdict and expressed remorse. The sentence was handed down on the day of the hearing.
During a sentencing hearing, Judge Pauline Codd described Temple Bar as a "violent, post‑apocalyptic no‑go area" after a 25‑year‑old defendant, Jordan Maguire, was jailed for three and a half years for a "barbaric" assault on an innocent bystander. Maguire, who had previously pleaded guilty to assault on Bedford Row and to producing a cider can during that assault, was captured on CCTV punching, kicking, stomping and beating the victim with a cider can. Garda Michael Walsh testified that a different man had initially assaulted the victim but that this was not recorded. Maguire was sleeping rough in Dublin City Centre, had more than 50 prior convictions, and was already serving a sentence for two other assaults. Judge Codd noted the violence was mindless and senseless, and that Maguire had left the scene and returned with a cider can to strike the victim's head.
A 29‑year‑old man was jailed for seven years after pleading guilty to two counts of assault causing harm and one count of rape. The assaults took place in October 2017 and May 2018 at a home in the southeast of the country. The victim, whose name is withheld, described repeated head‑butts, throat‑grabs and threats to kill before the rape. She reported the violence to the gardai in October 2017 and again in May 2018, but did not press charges until the court heard her statements. The man had a history of violent convictions and mental health difficulties, including paranoid schizophrenia and substance misuse. The judge imposed a sentence of five years and three months for the rape, three years and four months for each assault, and suspended the final 12 months of the total eight‑year and seven‑month term on strict conditions. The man has 19 prior convictions. The unnamed 29-year-old pleaded not guilty.
James Hawkins, 24, of Ellis Quay Hostel, pleaded guilty to a single robbery on 21 February 2023 at College Green, Dublin. He violently took a woman's purse after she withdrew €200 from an ATM at about 6.30 pm. The victim, an American student in her early 30s studying at Trinity College, was left with cuts to her knees and torn tights. CCTV from Grafton Street showed Hawkins running away; he was identified, arrested, and admitted the offence. Hawkins has 76 prior convictions, all District Court matters, and was homeless with heroin and crack addiction at the time. He cooperated, pleaded early, and apologized. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a three‑year custodial sentence, suspended the final six months for two years, and ordered 12 months of probation. Hawkins will be released on bond before being led away.
Alan McCrea, 48, of Porterstown, Dublin 15, was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison after pleading guilty to seven counts of possession of child pornography. The court heard that Gardaí seized 47 devices and a child mannequin in a school uniform from his home, revealing over 1.29 million images and videos of child sexual abuse. The material was evenly split between images and videos, depicting female children of all ages with adult males, including oral rape, masturbation, and visible anal and genital areas. McCrea admitted downloading the material during a Garda search and a phone call in May 2018, stating he knew he had "fucked up big time." The judge noted his early guilty plea, remorse, lack of distribution, and health issues, and imposed a sentence of three and a half years with the final nine months suspended for two years, subject to strict conditions, probation supervision, and alcohol treatment.
A 68‑year‑old man was jailed for six counts of sexual assault against a teenage girl aged 12‑14, committed between September 1992 and September 1994. The offences involved touching her breasts and vagina and performing oral sex. He pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court. The judge, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, imposed a global sentence of six years and nine months, with nine months suspended for one year on strict conditions, including no unsupervised access to children. The sentence was back‑dated to 7 October 2023. The judge noted the abuse was demeaning, humiliating and involved controlling behaviour, and that the offender had shown the victim pornography. The victim's impact statement described lasting anxiety, panic attacks and a loss of confidence, and she said she reported the abuse to protect her children. The defendant offered an apology and expressed remorse. The case was heard in the Central Criminal Court.
Noel Ward, 59, of Ballymun, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for fraudulently claiming over €109,000 in social welfare benefits between May 2008 and August 2019. Ward pleaded guilty to two charges of using a false instrument, including a driving licence, and six counts of theft from the State. The court heard that Ward used the identity of his late friend, Patrick Rooney, to claim benefits such as Jobseekers' Allowance and Disability Benefit, while also working under Rooney's name to claim additional allowances in his own name. Judge Orla Crowe described the conduct as a deliberate and sophisticated fraud. Considering mitigating factors, including Ward's status as a sole carer and his repayment of all but €15,000 of the stolen funds, the judge set a headline sentence of five years. She imposed a term of three years, suspending the final 18 months. Ward is required to repay the remaining €15,000 to the State within four years. The matter was finalised with this custodial sentence and suspended portion.
Jonathon Fraiser, 38, of Drimnagh, Dublin, pleaded guilty to possession of a knife at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The court heard that on April 6, 2020, gardai attempted to stop Fraiser while he was cycling near Kylemore Road and Bluebell. He allegedly tried to escape, fell off his bike, and ran away before being apprehended. A search recovered a black-handled kitchen knife with a four-inch blade. Fraiser, who has 68 previous convictions, was remanded in custody on April 7, 2020, but was granted High Court bail in January 2021 to attend residential treatment. Prosecution Sergeant Mark Melbourne agreed with defense counsel John Gallagher BL that Fraiser's period of detention was suspended for a period due to his level of intoxication. It was accepted that he served approximately 10 months in custody during the pandemic. Judge Orla Crowe noted that possessing a knife in a public place is a serious matter and that his prior convictions were an aggravating factor. However, she acknowledged his guilty plea, apology, and efforts toward rehabilitation, including time spent in treatment for addiction. The judge imposed a 12-month sentence, fully suspended, on the condition that Fraiser keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
Gareth O'Neill, 25, of Cushlawn Park, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to threatening to "blow up" the homes of his ex‑partner's mother and grandmother on a November 2020 incident. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court where O'Neill's partner's mother intervened, leading to O'Neill's threat and subsequent apology. The victim feared the threat but did not give a victim impact statement. O'Neill has 11 prior convictions, mainly for traffic offences. His defence counsel, Sarah Jane O'Callaghan BL, presented evidence of remorse, an apology letter, and his stable employment. Judge Orla Crowe accepted mitigating factors, imposed a 12‑month sentence, and suspended it in full for two years under strict conditions, warning that any further offence would bring the case back before the courts.
Declan Donaghey, 28, pleaded guilty to arson, violent disorder and criminal damage after setting a Garda patrol car on fire and damaging a migrant centre during a riot in Dublin. The court found the offences to be of a very serious nature, noting the destruction of a patrol car valued at €20,000 and damage to a migrant accommodation centre, as well as the broader context of the riot that saw 60 locations damaged or looted. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced Donaghey to seven-and-a-half years, with the final year suspended on the arson charge, and imposed four-and-a-half years for violent disorder and three years for criminal damage, all to run concurrently. The judge took into account Donaghey's personal circumstances, including anxiety, depression and alcohol addiction, but did not consider his five prior convictions. The sentence was imposed in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 20 November 2024.
In a Mountjoy Prison murder trial, the prosecution presented evidence that David Dunne, 40, allegedly stamped and kicked the head of fellow inmate Robert O'Connor, 32, who died three days later. Officers Conor Kenny and Jonathan Deegan witnessed the assault on the C2 landing around 5.30 pm on 29 July 2022. O'Connor was found lifeless with blood on his face; he was taken to Mater Hospital where a CT scan revealed severe brain injury and he was declared dead on 1 August. A post‑mortem on 3 August confirmed blunt‑force trauma to the head as the cause of death. Dunne, arrested on 16 November 2022, claimed self‑defence, stating O'Connor had attacked him. The jury will decide if the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Dunne committed murder. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
Luke McGann, 20, of St Catherine's Green, Rush, Co Dublin, was sentenced at the District Court after pleading guilty to 24 charges of theft. The court heard that McGann allegedly stole €14,886 from his grandmother's partner, who had won €87,000 in the lottery in April 2023. Prosecution evidence stated that after assisting the victim in setting up a bank account, McGann added the card details to his Apple Pay account and made 24 unauthorised transactions between June and July 2023. He admitted to being under financial pressure due to a drug debt and using the funds to pay off debts and purchase a motorcycle. The bank fully reimbursed the victim, who forgave McGann. Judge Orla Crowe described the acts as a significant breach of trust but noted McGann's immediate admissions, cooperation with the Gardaí, and lack of previous convictions. She reduced the headline sentence from 18 months to 12 months, which was suspended in full on strict conditions. The Judge commented that McGann, described by defence counsel as a young man with a bright future, deserves a chance to contribute to society. The matter was finalised with this suspended sentence.
In a Dublin court hearing, Garda Michael Fox recounted the terror he felt when Michael Donoghue, a 21‑year‑old from Rathfarnham, brandished a double‑barrel shotgun at a patrol car. Fox said he believed he would be killed for doing his job and that his mother would never recover from his death. He described his life flashing before his eyes and crying for fifteen minutes after the incident. The court heard that Donoghue pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and making threats to kill, and that the shotgun was later found unloaded. The case was adjourned to 27 November for sentencing, with Donoghue remanded in custody until then. The hearing also included victim impact statements from three Gardaí, all of whom expressed profound fear and lasting trauma from the encounter. The statements highlighted the unexpected danger Gardaí face in the line of duty and the lasting psychological effects on the officers involved.
Kym Dunleavy, 50, of St Josephs Place, Dublin 7, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to using a false medical prescription between November 2018 and April 2019. She had taken a prescription pad from Beaumont Hospital and forged prescriptions for sleeping tablets. Gardaí discovered the pad after a pharmacy raised concerns about a false prescription. CCTV footage identified Dunleavy, and a warrant led to the pad being found under a mattress at her home. The pharmacist confirmed the pad was legitimate but the prescriptions were forgeries. Dunleavy claimed she used the forged prescriptions to obtain more tablets to manage anxiety and nightmares. She has 71 prior convictions, mainly theft and fraud. The court remanded her on bail pending sentencing, with a Probation Service report due on 31 March. The judge noted her high risk of re‑offending and lack of engagement with psychiatric services.
A 28‑year‑old man, Declan Donaghey, pleaded guilty to arson, violent disorder, criminal damage and rioting after setting a Garda car on fire and damaging a migrant centre during the Dublin riots. He said he was "caught up in it" because a close relative attended a school on Cavendish Row where earlier that day children and a care assistant were stabbed. Donaghey denied being a racist and claimed he felt bad for the child and teacher. He apologized to the government and everyone involved in a handwritten letter read to the court. Judge Orla Crowe remanded him in custody pending sentencing. The court heard that the riot was one of the gravest examples of public disorder in the State's history, with 60 locations damaged or looted, including an abandoned bus and Luas vehicles. Donaghey had five previous convictions, including two for public order offences, and was on medication for anxiety and depression.
Mary O'Sullivan, 52, pleaded guilty to one count of deception, four counts of using a false instrument and four counts of false accounting for taking €16,024 from Leargas, a non‑profit, between 2016 and 2019. She oversaw the petty cash process, kept incomplete records and falsified receipts. A 2019 review uncovered irregularities, altered receipts and incomplete accounts. O'Sullivan delayed reconciliation, handed over receipts and the petty cash book only after being asked, and during interviews blamed colleagues, claimed budget reasons and said receipts were in storage. Garda searches found no evidence. Her employment ended after the review. She has no prior convictions, was working and supporting her parents, and pleaded remorse. The case was adjourned to 2 December for finalisation.
Sean Dunne, 26, was jailed for two years after a vicious assault on a married American couple in a Dublin hotel elevator on 7 April 2023. He repeatedly punched the couple, threatened the wife with rape and murder, and struck the husband in the mouth. Garda Stephen Lawlor arrived after a call, found Dunne restrained on the corridor floor, and noted blood on the carpet. The couple, aged in their sixties, received on‑scene treatment and later returned to the United States. Dunne pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm. He has been in custody since April 2023, has a schizophrenia diagnosis, and has ten prior convictions. Judge Sarah Berkeley sentenced him to two‑and‑a‑half years, suspended the final six months, and ordered 18 months of post‑release supervision and probation engagement. The sentence was back‑dated to April 2023 for time already served.
Geunter Lohse, aged 63, has been sentenced to twelve years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for unlawfully killing his mother Ruth by arson. The offence occurred on April 12, 2022, at their shared residence in Coolvoy, Doochary, County Donegal. Lohse pleaded guilty to manslaughter after the State accepted his plea on a charge of murder. Ms Justice Melanie Greally imposed a headline sentence of eighteen years, reduced to thirteen years with the final twelve months suspended, taking into account mitigating factors including his early guilty plea and lack of previous convictions. The court heard that Ruth Lohse, aged 88, died from smoke inhalation after Lohse set three fires in the house using matches. The judge noted the victim, who had dedicated her life to caring for her son, was elderly, vulnerable, and had no opportunity to escape. Lohse claimed he intended only to destroy the property, not to harm his mother, but evidence indicated he made no credible effort to assist her.
A 43‑year‑old drug dealer, Toma Dani, was caught by Gardaí attempting to dispose of part of an almost €474,000 cannabis stash in a carpark bin when a search warrant was executed at his home. Dani, who claimed he was trying to pay off a €100,000 gambling debt, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on September 10, 2023. Gardaí recovered €6,370, identified as proceeds from drug sales, along with drug paraphernalia such as bagging and scales. He had no prior convictions and had reduced his gambling debt to €70,000 over the previous year. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, hearing his back injury and lack of a drug problem, imposed a four‑year and six‑month sentence, following a headline of six years, citing mitigating circumstances and his remorse. The court noted his apology letters and the impact of drugs on society.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced three members of the Wall family for a burglary in Killiney, south Dublin, on February 19, 2021, where they stole €19,800 in gold jewellery from an elderly couple. Edward Wall (52), Martin Wall (45), and Patrick Wall (21) pleaded guilty to the offence. The court heard the men used a modified vehicle to aid the crime, with Edward and Martin acting as lookouts while Patrick and an accomplice entered the home. All property was returned. Judge Elva Duffy jailed Edward and Martin for four years each, finding them active participants in a joint enterprise. Patrick was sentenced to three-and-a-half years, with the final 12 months suspended. The judge declined to apply compensation, stating it would not restore the victims' peace of mind. Patrick Wall had previously pleaded guilty to possession of stolen property after gardaí captured him digging up almost €80,000 buried in coffee jars in a suburban Dublin field. The defendants have extensive criminal records, including prior convictions for burglary and possession of stolen property. Counsel for the defendants cited personal hardships and the benefit of guilty pleas, but the judge imposed custodial sentences reflecting the pre-planned nature of the offence and the defendants' histories.
Lee Conlon, 46, of Meath Place, Dublin, was convicted of aggravated burglary with a large kitchen knife at an apartment on Montague Street on 22 November 2022. He was also found guilty of armed robbery of Capital Credit on St Luke's Avenue on 16 January 2023, during which he threatened to kill or seriously harm two customers, one aged 83. In the burglary, he entered a sleeping couple's home, was tackled by the infant's father, and fled with items worth almost €600, leaving a large kitchen knife behind. In the credit‑union robbery, he entered with a handgun, threatened customers, demanded cash, and stole €1,200 before escaping. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced him to five and a half years for the burglary and four and a half years for the robbery, to be served concurrently with his existing seven‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, with the final four‑and‑a‑half‑year term suspended under conditions.
Paul Bissett, 38, pleaded guilty to robbery and criminal damage on 22 December 2023. He held up a cash‑in‑transit guard armed with a hammer, demanded a cash box, and fled with it. He attempted to open the €17,200 box by dropping it from the first and second floors of a stairwell, but failed. The attempt triggered an alarm and released dye that stained the area and his clothes. Garda Zoe Johnston reported that Bissett was later found hiding on a roof, where he cooperated with the Garda Armed Support Unit and left with them. The court noted his 68 prior convictions, including assault and robbery, and his history of drug addiction. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a four‑year sentence, crediting any time already served, and highlighted the need for Bissett to rehabilitate on his own. The decision was based on the threats made but no violence was committed.
David McCullagh, an IT manager dismissed by Ballyseedy Restaurant Ltd, has been awarded €77,848 by the Workplace Relations Commission for unfair dismissal and employment rights breaches. The company, linked to the Ballyseedy Garden Centre, ceased trading in February following the arrest of its chief executive, Nathan McDonnell. Mr McDonnell pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court in September to drug importation and facilitating an organised crime gang, and is due to be sentenced in December. McCullagh alleged he was forced out after raising a grievance over unconsented pay cuts and short-time working. The adjudicator found his dismissal unfair, noting that his job search may have been curtailed by the company's collapse and the association with the criminal case. The award includes €50,000 for unfair dismissal, €24,000 for unpaid leave and wages, and €3,848 for the absence of a written contract. Ballyseedy Restaurant Ltd was placed into liquidation by the High Court this month. The court report confirms the procedural stage for McDonnell is sentence, with his guilty plea to the specified charges admitted.
Cahir O'Higgins, a former criminal‑defence solicitor, was found guilty of theft and perverting the course of justice. The court allowed the previously imposed reporting ban on his earlier harassment and assault case to be lifted. O'Higgins had been convicted of assaulting fellow solicitor Stephen O'Mahony, including a 2021 incident in which he broke O'Mahony's nose. He was sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment, with the sentence deferred until September to allow him to close his practice. The judge described his conduct as "deranged", "thuggish", "base" and "despicable", noting the harassment stemmed from a professional rivalry. O'Higgins was granted leave to travel to Spain and to compete in the World Cycling Championships before his custodial term began. The case highlights the court's decision to lift the reporting restriction once the theft and perverting the course of justice trial concluded.
Cahir O'Higgins, a prominent criminal defence solicitor, was found guilty by a jury of stealing €400 and attempting to pervert the course of justice on four counts. O'Higgins, 49, had pleaded not guilty to the charges, which related to events in 2016 and 2017. The trial heard that O'Higgins withdrew €600 from the bank account of Spanish national Raul Sanz Quilis, who had admitted to criminal damage in a Dublin District Court case. O'Higgins claimed he had permission to use Quilis's bank card and that he returned €400 to the defendant. However, Quilis testified that he was not aware of the withdrawal and that O'Higgins did not return the money. The jury found O'Higgins guilty on all five counts after deliberating for nearly five hours. Judge Martin Nolan remanded O'Higgins in custody and adjourned the case for sentencing on November 25. Cahir O'Higgins had the case struck out.
Sandile Hlatshwayo, 43, of Riverwood Hall, Castleknock, pleaded guilty to endangerment after striking a three‑year‑old on a bike while speeding on 31 October 2020. He also pleaded guilty to failing to remain at the scene, refusing a drug test and driving without a licence. The child was taken to hospital with fractures and required emergency surgery. Hlatshwayo, who has 26 prior convictions, mainly for road offences including four drink‑driving convictions, was sentenced by Judge Elma Duffy to three years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended, and banned from driving for 15 years. He was also ordered to keep the peace and exhibit good behaviour for 12 months upon release. The judge described his aggressive conduct as "incomprehensible" and noted the severe impact on the child's family. The sentence was imposed to encourage Hlatshwayo's return to work and community contribution.
A 43-year-old cabinet maker from Boyle, Co Roscommon, has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following his guilty plea to drug offences. Justin McCormack pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis worth €3.9 million for sale or supply at a business unit in Fairview and in a white transit van on 11 and 12 October 2023. Gardaí stopped McCormack while driving the van on the evening of 11 October and discovered a substantial quantity of cannabis. A subsequent search of the business unit, which McCormack had been using for his kitchen manufacturing trade, uncovered a further 1,174 kilograms of cannabis. Judge Orla Crowe imposed concurrent sentences of nine years on each count, suspending the final twelve months. The judge acknowledged McCormack's financial difficulties but stated that financial hardship alone does not justify criminal involvement. She noted his active role in transporting and storing the drugs constituted significant aggravating factors. The sentence was backdated to October 2023 when McCormack entered custody.
Adrian Mah Yew Beng, a 40-year-old Malaysian national, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possessing cannabis herb valued at €560,000 for sale or supply on February 28. Beng pleaded guilty to the charge. Judge Martin Nolan noted that while drug transportation is serious, Beng operated at the lowest level of the trade. The judge set a headline sentence of eight years, which was reduced to an effective custodial term of four and a half years, backdated to February 28. Prosecution evidence indicated Beng arrived at Dublin Airport with two locked suitcases containing 30kg of cannabis in 56 vacuum-sealed packages. He claimed he did not pack the luggage, believed it contained cigarettes, and was to be paid approximately €600. Defense counsel John Byrne SC described Beng as a "Joe Soap from Malaysia" who took a chance for small money. The court heard Beng has no previous convictions, is cooperative, and is willing to leave Ireland and not return upon completing his sentence. He has two children and cares for his mother. The matter was finalized with the imposition of the custodial sentence.
A 16‑year‑old boy was sanctioned by a secondary school for wearing a single ear piercing, which the school's principal said required the boy to either remove the stud or have both ears pierced. The boy's solicitor argued that the school's stance forced the child to submit to a particular identity, citing local customs that associate one ear with heterosexuality and the other with gay identity. The school denied the claim, stating that its rules simply limit the number of studs per ear and apply equally to all students. The mother testified that the piercing had not healed and bled when removed, and that the school's assistant principal had told the boy to leave school because of the stud. The case is pending before the Workplace Relations Commission, with a hearing scheduled for the new year. The school's identity is protected to safeguard the minor's privacy.
A 40‑year‑old Lithuanian man, Donatas Koncevicius, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possessing cannabis herb worth €258,224 in a lead‑lined compartment in his car. Gardaí stopped his vehicle at Junction 4 of the M3 after he had travelled from Dublin to Cherbourg, France, on a ferry. The car's elaborate concealment, located between the back passenger seat and the boot, was accessed by a switch under the driver's seat and required over an hour of forced entry. Koncevicius pleaded guilty to possession for sale or supply and to possessing a concealed compartment to facilitate drug trafficking on 2 March 2024. He had no prior convictions, was married with two daughters, and had been in Ireland for 20 years.
During a routine customs search at Dublin Port, delivery driver Daljeet Singh, 52, was found transporting 55 kg of cannabis concealed in 50 brown cardboard bags, valued at about €1 million. Singh claimed he had not packed the van and was unaware of the drugs, but a photo from his phone later confirmed he knew of the cannabis. He pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis for sale or supply. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a headline sentence of nine years, but after considering mitigating factors, sentenced Singh to six years, suspending the final six months and backdating the term to the date of the offence. Singh has no prior convictions, lives with his elderly parents in the UK, and has five daughters and several grandchildren. The case highlighted alleged pressure from third parties and Singh's financial difficulties. The sentence was delivered at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
A 22‑year‑old man, Brandon Gavin, was found guilty of murder by a jury at the Central Criminal Court after he stabbed his former friend, 19‑year‑old Marius Mamaliga, in the neck on 23 February 2023. The jury, after nearly five hours of deliberation, rejected Gavin's self‑defence claim, describing it as "self‑serving nonsense." Evidence showed Gavin entered Mamaliga's car, took a knife, and stabbed him within about 14 seconds. DNA on the knife matched Gavin, and blood from the victim was found on a penknife nearby. Witnesses testified that Gavin owed Mamaliga €2,500 for drugs and that the victim had sold drugs in the past. Gavin had also searched online for "prison sentence for murder in Ireland" and was active on Tinder minutes before the incident. The verdict was delivered on 13 November 2024, and Gavin remains remanded in custody awaiting sentencing. The unnamed 22-year-old pleaded not guilty.