Lee Hardy, 27, of Georges Hill Apartments, Dublin 7, pleaded guilty on 18 January 2022 to possession of cannabis for sale or supply after being found with almost €50,000 worth of cannabis. He had no prior convictions. Garda Alan Browne reported that a confidential search of Hardy's premises uncovered two kilograms of cannabis, weighing scales, bagging equipment and two mobile phones, valued at €49,022. Hardy claimed the items were his and that no other house occupants were involved. The prosecution argued Hardy was acting on instructions from third parties and holding the drugs for them. Hardy's defence highlighted his good work history, full‑time employment since leaving school, and that he was a pro‑social individual struggling with drug addiction. Judge Martin Nolan, considering Hardy's guilty plea, cooperation, and the circumstances, departed from the mandatory ten‑year minimum and imposed a two‑year custodial sentence, stating he could not consider a non‑custodial option.
Keith Riggs, 40, of Finglas, pleaded guilty to arson, threats to kill and threats to cause damage. He set a Garda's private car on fire on 13 August 2020 while the owner was on patrol outside Bridewell Garda Station. Riggs poured accelerant from a Dunnes Stores bag under the car, igniting it and leaving the vehicle to burn. CCTV captured the act; forensic DNA linked Riggs to the bag and gloves. He also threatened to kill the owner of his apartment and to burn down Bridewell Garda Station. Riggs had previously been convicted of arson at a Dublin homeless hostel in March 2022, which left a 22‑year‑old woman with catastrophic injuries. He is already serving a nine‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for that offence. Judge Elva Duffy sentenced him to four and a half years imprisonment, to run concurrently with his existing term.
In a High Court ruling, Mr Justice Brian O'Moore declared that Garret Hevey and David Peile, jailed in 2019 for a €5.5 million forestry investment Ponzi scheme, were personally liable for Arden FM's debts. Hevey was ordered liable for €3.8 million, while Peile was ordered liable for an unspecified portion that will be determined at a future hearing. The court found that Arden FM, operated by the pair, had deceived mainly older foreign investors into believing their money would purchase forest land and yield returns after tree sales. In reality, the company spent only €133,000 on 30 acres of land and returned €393,000 to investors. The liquidator, Declan De Lacy, sought the orders, and the judge confirmed the fraudulent nature of the scheme and the defendants' intent to defraud creditors. The case remains at the stage of finalising Peile's liability. Garret Hevey pleaded guilty.
In January 2023, Marian Calderas, a 39‑year‑old bin‑man employed by Key Waste Management Ltd, was found intoxicated at work on the Greenhills Road, Tallaght. After colleagues discovered he was drinking alcohol, they escorted him to the canteen where he slept. CCTV later showed Calderas, at 2.25 am, using a code to access a bin‑lorry room, then driving a 2017 bin lorry into three other lorries. The collisions caused €87,000, €38,000 and €49,000 in damage, totaling €175,998. Calderas pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, suspended in full, and ordered him to pay €5,000 immediately and €7,250 within a year. He was dismissed for gross misconduct and has no prior convictions. The case highlights the impact of alcohol‑related workplace incidents on both the employee and the employer.
A 27‑year‑old former rugby player, Buti Sashi, was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four and a half years imprisonment, to run consecutively to his existing ten‑year sentence. The new sentence follows Sashi's guilty pleas to assault causing harm, two counts of aggravated burglary, robbery, false imprisonment and assault causing serious harm on two separate occasions in 2017. In one incident he stabbed a male sex worker seven times, stealing a mobile phone and €200, and in another he stabbed a female sex worker seven times, inflicting potentially life‑threatening wounds and a fractured eye socket. The court noted Sashi's pattern of contacting victims for sex before attacking them, and described the offences as "very serious crimes". The judge reduced the new term from an earlier proposed ten years, citing the totality principle.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 48‑year‑old man, Derek Bewley, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for two violent offences committed on the same day. Bewley, armed with a claw hammer, and his 36‑year‑old accomplice, Christine Ward, attacked a 79‑year‑old widower, stabbing him repeatedly and robbing him of €600, his phone, and his car. The widower, now 84, survived the assault and suffered significant physical and psychological harm, including multiple stab wounds, hearing loss, and PTSD. Bewley pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, possession of a hammer, and theft of a wallet. Ward had previously been sentenced to five and a half years for aggravated burglary, with 18 months suspended. Bewley's sentence was reduced by two years to ten years, with 18 months suspended for three years, and he will be supervised by Probation Services for 18 months after release.
In a decision on 15 February 2024, Judge Martin Nolan ruled that Derek Keane, aged 44, could have his driving licence restored after serving two‑thirds of a five‑and‑a‑half‑year prison sentence imposed in December 2019 for dangerous driving that caused the death of Callum Grimes, a 27‑year‑old man. Keane had been disqualified from driving for six years and had pleaded guilty to the offence and to failing to provide assistance at the scene. The judge noted that Keane had served the required portion of his sentence and described his behaviour as "disgraceful", yet acknowledged his desire to resume normal life. The State objected to the licence restoration, citing the seriousness of the offence and the distress caused to the Grimes family. The judge, while recognising the family's suffering, emphasised that the main part of Keane's sentence had been the prison term and that he had served his time.
Gary Dunne, aged 42, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to fraudulently claiming his dead brother's invalidity pension between September and October 2021, totalling €26,820. The fraud was uncovered after a letter questioned whether the deceased's benefits could be claimed at a local post office, despite the Department of Social Protection having already processed the death certificate and funeral payments. A meeting on 4 October 2021 identified Dunne as the claimant. Gardaí searched his home but found no evidence. Dunne has no prior convictions, but has drug and alcohol issues. He is a father of three and has offered to raise funds to reimburse the State, estimating up to €3,000 in four to six weeks. Judge Martin Nolan described the offence as "devious" and "insidious," noted Dunne's guilty plea and cooperation, and imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year prison sentence fully suspended.
Saulius Daunaravicius was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to keeping and supplying anabolic steroids without a prescription from his family home in Saggart, Co Dublin. The drugs, valued at an estimated €69,000, were found during a search conducted by HPRA officer Alan Smullen and Gardaí on 23 September 2022. The search uncovered 78,689 tablets and 5,961 vials, including 9,040 tablets and 61 vials in a package addressed to his wife, Kristina Daunaraviciene. Daunaravicius, who had no prior convictions, admitted responsibility and claimed the drugs were for his use and friends. Kristina, also guilty, received a two‑year suspended sentence after a judge noted her cooperation, lack of criminal record, and family responsibilities. The case highlighted the dangers of unregulated anabolic steroid distribution.
Erika Gould, 38, with 208 prior convictions, was sentenced to two months' imprisonment for common assault on her mother and harassment of her sister. On 12 May last year, while her mother was driving, Gould threw scrambled egg at her mother's face and punched her left eye. Within 24 hours she sent abusive texts to her sister and later entered the sister's apartment after 1 a.m., threatening and throwing a rock at a window, actions captured on the sister's Ring camera. Gould pleaded guilty to the assault and harassment. She has a serious alcohol problem and a borderline personality disorder diagnosis. She is currently serving a six‑month sentence for violence in a Garda station. The court ordered that she have no contact with her sister for ten years. Judge Martin Nolan noted her extensive offending history and the need to protect society.
Shane Cooney, aged 33, of St Anthony's Road, Rialto, Dublin, pleaded guilty to a robbery and a vicious, unprovoked attack on a neighbour on 17 July 2023. The victim was sitting outside his house drinking coffee when Cooney demanded his phone, then pulled him to the ground and repeatedly kicked and punched him. Cooney smashed the victim's phone, urinated on the front of the house and fled. The victim suffered psychological consequences, was afraid to leave his house, and temporarily relocated with his wife. Cooney, who has 117 previous convictions including robbery, attempted robbery and assault, was arrested at the scene and brought to Kilmainham Garda Station. Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced him to six years' imprisonment, suspending the final year on strict conditions, and backdated the sentence to 18 July 2023.
A man with over 60 previous convictions has been sentenced to 18 months in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for making a series of hoax phone calls containing serious threats. Thomas McDonagh, aged 41 and of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to three emergency calls made on 15 August 2019 and a further false report on 26 August that year. The calls included threats to visit the home of a former State Pathologist armed with an AK-47 rifle, claims of explosives at Castlerea Prison and threats against a Ballaghadereen coroner's residence. Judge Martin Nolan stated that whilst the threats may have been implausible, emergency services were obliged to take precautions, which appeared to be McDonagh's intention. The judge noted McDonagh harboured a grievance against the State following his brother's death in custody four years prior. McDonagh made full admissions when interviewed in May 2021, attributing his actions to intoxication and distress around the anniversary of his brother's death. The defence submitted that McDonagh has since secured accommodation and undertaken rehabilitation steps.
In a court hearing on 14 February 2024, Garda David Currivan delivered a victim impact statement after suffering serious spinal injuries when hit by a banned driver, Charanand Flannery, who had 116 prior convictions. Currivan, who was at an M50 checkpoint dealing with a minor traffic infringement, was struck by Flannery's black Toyota Avensis, which accelerated toward him. The collision left Currivan with fractured vertebrae, nerve damage, severe back pain, and ongoing medical treatment, including 102 injections over 18 months. He has been unable to progress in his career and now works on restricted desk duty. Flannery pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment and possession of over €10,000 of cocaine, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison, and was disqualified from driving for five years. The judge described his behaviour as unforgivable and highlighted his long‑standing involvement in drug offences and prior convictions. The sentence also included a concurrent three‑year term for cocaine possession.
Patrick McDonagh, aged 52, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of 73‑year‑old neighbour Peter McDonald on 25 July 2020. McDonagh used a machete and a knife to stab, slash and chop McDonald inside his own home on Whitechapel Road, Blanchardstown. The Central Criminal Court judge, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, described the killing as merciless, ferocious and sustained, noting the shock and trauma to neighbours, paramedics and gardai. McDonagh pleaded not guilty to murder and guilty to manslaughter, claiming diminished responsibility due to a mental disorder. The defence presented psychiatric evidence of schizophrenia, while the Director of Public Prosecutions argued the symptoms were likely due to cannabis use and malingering. A jury unanimously rejected the defence and found McDonagh guilty of murder. The judge imposed a mandatory life sentence, citing the brutality of the attack and the victim's quiet, kind nature.
Lisa Lee, 41, was given a four‑year sentence for discarding a knife used in the fatal stabbing of Isaac Horgan, with two years suspended on the condition of good behaviour for three years after release. She had 17 prior convictions, including an attack on a female Garda, and had been warned to "put her life and house in order." Lee, who has no fixed abode and was formerly at Depaul Homeless Hostel, failed to appear at a Central Criminal Court hearing this morning, breaching the conditions of her suspended sentence. Judge Tony Hunt issued a bench warrant for her arrest, noting that her failure to attend court and alleged breaches of the Criminal Justice Public Order Act and a mobile‑phone theft claim were serious. The judge expressed frustration at what he described as "misplaced sympathy" for Lee, stating he would seek to compel her attendance and that further tolerance would not be extended. Lisa Lee was found guilty.
Megan O'Shaughnessy, a 32‑year‑old academic, was given a three‑month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to careless driving that caused serious bodily harm to a 75‑year‑old man on Emmet Road, Dublin 8, on 27 January 2022. The incident occurred when O'Shaughnessy was driving her Nissan Micra home at about 45 km/h and did not notice the elderly pedestrian crossing. The victim suffered a broken wrist and arm, was treated in hospital for four days, and later re‑admitted for pain and a delusional episode. O'Shaughnessy had no prior convictions, the vehicle was insured and had passed its NCT, and she was not using her phone or speeding. The judge noted her excellent mitigation, describing her as dedicated and exemplary, and accepted her guilty plea and cooperation as "great assistance" to the investigation. The sentence was suspended in full on strict conditions. The court recorded that the victim remains in hospital but is doing well.
James Connors, 35, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to offering a 14‑year‑old girl €1,000 for sex in a Dublin suburb on 6 June 2021. Connors approached the girl while she waited for her mother in a hotel, told her he would give her money after they had "made love", and continued to talk to her until she fled. The girl's mother confronted Connors, who then attacked her, punching and kicking her in a nearby park before attempting to escape. Connors was arrested after Garda Amber Dunne and a passerby intervened. He claimed he did not realise the girl's age and that he had only offered money. The court noted his 71 prior convictions and his history of substance misuse. Judge Martin Nolan imposed the custodial sentence, citing Connors' behaviour and the seriousness of the offence.
Stephen O'Reilly, 44, of Upper Churchtown Road, Dublin, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbing two garages in May 2021 and attempting to rob a Spar shop in June 2021, and to a public order offence and driving without insurance or a licence in April 2020. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a global sentence of four years and eight months, back‑dated to 21 October 2022, with the final six months suspended on strict conditions. The sentence includes a four‑year driving disqualification. O'Reilly was already in 24‑hour lock‑up at Midlands Prison since June 2021 and is taking significant medication. The judge noted his use of weapons, threats of violence, and the escalation of his offending, while considering his guilty pleas, personal circumstances, attempts to address addiction and expressions of remorse. The sentence reflects the aggravating features of his previous convictions, the impact on victims, and his history of drug use and mental health issues.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 13 February 2024, Michael Quinn, aged 23, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, possession of a hurley, and three counts of assault at Ennafort Roard, Raheny, on 27 June 2018, and to stealing a Google Pixel phone at Harmonstown Dart Station. Quinn, who has 20 prior convictions, was sentenced to three and a half years, with the final 12 months suspended under strict conditions. The court heard that Quinn had repeatedly struck the victim with a child's hurley after refusing to return the stolen phone, causing injuries to the victim's jaw, left arm, and hip. The victim's phone, valued at €730, was not recovered. Quinn was intoxicated at the time and had a history of drug addiction and cognitive impairment. The judge noted Quinn's guilty plea and young age as mitigating factors but imposed a custodial sentence back‑dated to 22 July 2023.
Arthur Batistis, 51, of Skerries, was sentenced to ten months' imprisonment by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for theft and deception. He stole €17,000 in pandemic unemployment payments and €10,000 in jobseeker's allowance between January 2021 and February 2022, despite not being entitled to either. Batistis also fraudulently obtained an American customer's card details over the phone to buy flowers, then processed unauthorised payments as legitimate sales and pocketed the cash. The theft was discovered when the victim reported the card charges, leading Gardaí to uncover his welfare fraud. Arrested in October 2022, Batistis admitted the offences and cooperated with the investigation. He had no prior convictions and a good work history, but the judge described the theft as reprehensible and imposed the prison term. Arthur Batistis pleaded guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Ivan Kelly, aged 17 at the time of the offence, was sentenced to four years and nine months' imprisonment, with the final nine months suspended on strict conditions. The judge noted the rape involved force, the victim's distress from Kelly's extradition, and his 27 prior convictions. Mitigating factors included his youth, personal circumstances and fatherhood. The court imposed a prohibition on any contact with the victim. The victim, who was 23 when she was raped, described the offender's apology letter as "disingenuous" and said he showed no remorse during the trial. She detailed the assault, her subsequent physical injuries, emotional trauma, drug use and the lasting impact on her life. The sentencing hearing was conducted by Mr Justice Michael MacGrath. The sentence was back‑dated to Kelly's entry into custody on 29 June 2022. Ivan Kelly pleaded not guilty.
A 51‑year‑old Offaly man pleaded guilty in the Central Criminal Court to 27 offences, including oral and anal rape and sexual assault, committed against a boy aged 10 to 14 between 2015 and 2019 in 11 locations such as the victim's home, a boat and vehicles. The boy, now 18, gave a victim impact statement describing the abuse, his fear of the perpetrator's guns, and the emotional toll that has left him hyper‑vigilant and angry. The victim's mother also gave a statement, calling the man a monster and demanding justice for the trauma inflicted on her son. The court revoked the man's bail and remanded him in custody pending sentencing on 11 March. The case highlights the prolonged nature of the abuse and the ongoing impact on the victim and his family.
Karl Duggan, 38, was sentenced to six years in prison by Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to two counts of possessing the proceeds of crime, one count of possessing cocaine for sale or supply, and one count of possessing a car fitted with a concealment. The offences, which occurred on January 17, 2021, involved €1.6 million in cash hidden in secret compartments in two vehicles and €11,000 worth of drugs found at his Raheny apartment. Duggan had fled the jurisdiction following his arrest but returned voluntarily after two years. The judge stated that Duggan deserved a severe sentence due to his involvement in money laundering and drug trafficking, noting signs of wealth associated with the criminality. Defence counsel Paul Comiskey O'Keeffe BL highlighted Duggan's lack of previous convictions, his efforts to become drug-free, and personal hardships including the death of his brother and father. The court accepted these mitigating factors but maintained that the severity of the offences warranted a custodial sentence. Duggan was jailed for six years, with no suspended portion or specific conditions detailed in the finalisation.
Sean Mooney, 40, and John Brown, 38, pleaded guilty to possessing drugs with intent to sell or supply on 17 August 2016. Garda investigation found Mooney's fingerprints on a Lidl shopping bag containing 27 g of heroin (value €3,780) and Brown's fingerprints on two drug bags in a shed at a Barry Drive property, one bag holding 122.9 g of heroin (value €17,206) and another a kilo of cannabis (value €20,000). Mooney, who has 34 prior convictions, claimed his defence counsel collaborated with Gardaí to secure a guilty plea. Judge Martina Baxter sentenced Mooney to 2½ years' imprisonment, suspending the final 12 months on strict conditions, and Brown to 4 years' imprisonment, suspending the final 18 months. The judge cited the drug values, prior convictions and community impact as aggravating factors, while noting the defendants' remorse and community standing as mitigating factors.
Sean Downes, 40, pleaded guilty to one count of defilement of a child under 17 at a Dublin address in April 2021. The victim, a 16‑year‑old non‑binary teenager under State care, was intoxicated and later reported the assault. Forensic DNA matched the teenager to a sample from Downes' boxer shorts. Downes had 23 prior convictions. Mr Justice David Keane set a headline sentence of five years, reduced to four years, and suspended the final two years. He imposed a two‑year post‑release supervision order, requiring engagement with the Probation Service and any suitable treatment programmes. The teenager read a victim impact statement, expressing ongoing distress and a desire for the pronoun "he." Downes was ordered to comply with the supervision order and treatment requirements. The case remains at the sentencing stage.
A 28-year-old man pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to two counts of rape and one count of attempted rape committed between January and August 2021. The court heard that the defendant, who had been remanded in custody since August 2021, attacked three women working as escorts at his residence. During the incidents, he allegedly used a rope, hammer, and screwdriver to threaten and assault the complainants. Although originally facing 15 counts, a proposal was made on the first day of the trial, which the Director of Public Prosecutions accepted on the basis that full facts would be outlined during sentencing. The defendant also pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply, for which he received a suspended sentence. Mr Justice Tony Hunt adjourned the case to April 8, when victim impact statements and a plea of mitigation will be heard. The matter was adjourned and is not yet concluded.
Rodney de Khors, a 54‑year‑old former League of Ireland footballer, was sentenced to 16 months in jail after pleading guilty to one count of harassing a man he had never met. Between August 2019 and August 2020, de Khors used the Twitter account IrishSteve@BadboyDublin to post doctored images and false allegations, calling the victim a paedophile, sexual predator and danger to women and children. The victim, who had a child with the woman who encouraged the harassment, said the campaign was a "living nightmare" that caused severe anxiety, depression and PTSD. De Khors claimed he was acting as a "good Samaritan" for the woman, who alleged the victim was not providing adequate child support. The court noted de Khors had no prior convictions and was at low risk of re‑offending. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three‑year sentence, suspending the final 20 months, and ordered psychiatric care while in custody.
Patrick McDonagh, aged 52, was found guilty of murder after a two‑week trial at the Central Criminal Court. He stabbed, slashed and chopped 73‑year‑old Peter McDonald with a machete and a knife, leaving the victim so badly injured that he was identified by dental records. A jury unanimously rejected McDonagh's defence that an acute episode of schizophrenia substantially diminished his responsibility. The prosecution argued that any mental abnormality would likely be due to cannabis use and that McDonagh's symptoms were malingering. McDonagh had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. He will be sentenced to life imprisonment by Mr Justice Michael MacGrath on Wednesday. Witnesses described McDonald as a gentle man who kept to himself and lived with cats. The trial included testimony from two psychiatrists with differing views on McDonagh's mental state.
A 39‑year‑old man was sentenced to seven years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended, for raping an international protection applicant at an accommodation centre in Leinster. The offence occurred on the night of 6 June 2022, after a birthday party where the victim, aged 26, was intoxicated. She woke in a different bedroom with the man, discovered semen and other evidence of sexual activity, and later testified that she had not consented. The defendant pleaded guilty, admitted the lack of consent, and made a full apology in court. The judge, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon, noted the victim's profound negative impact, stigma, and isolation, and highlighted the breach of trust in their friendship. The defendant had no prior convictions and was assessed as low risk of re‑offending. The sentence was back‑dated to 10 June 2022 when he entered custody.
Adam Murphy, aged 22, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Ian McDonnell on 23 January 2022. Murphy and co‑accused Keith McCormick Smith, also 22, were involved in a spree of vehicle thefts. On the day in question, Murphy stole McDonnell's car while he was at work, drove off with McDonnell on the bonnet, and threw him from the bonnet onto the road where he died shortly after. The court heard CCTV footage of the incident and the subsequent disposal of McDonnell's vehicle. Judge Dara Hayes sentenced Murphy to 12 years' imprisonment, suspending the final 2½ years on strict conditions, and disqualified him from driving for 12 years. McCormick‑Smith received a three‑year, two‑month sentence, with the final 12 months suspended, and a seven‑year driving disqualification.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 9 February 2024, Cal Redmond, aged 26, pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment and dangerous driving for incidents on 24 July 2018 in Foutunestown Way and Bawnlea Avenue. Redmond had 15 prior convictions, two driving bans and a suspended sentence at the time. A Garda patrol car, en route to a stabbing incident, was diverted when Redmond was observed driving 80‑100 km/h, making a sudden left turn that forced two children to jump out of the way, driving on the wrong side of the road and through red lights. He was arrested after stopping in Bawnlea Avenue and running into a garden. The court noted his mental health difficulties and ADHD, and that he was attempting to turn his life around.
A 23‑year‑old man, Taner Saricayir, was sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment and a lifetime ban on contact with a woman he had become infatuated with while they were students in 2019. He pleaded guilty to breaking into her home in Donnycarney on 19 June 2022, after a chance meeting in a Dublin Starbucks. He entered the house through an unlocked front door, rummaged through her underwear drawer, used a toothbrush with toothpaste on the sink and door, and held her dog while waiting for her to return. He later admitted he had entered through a window. The court considered a separate count of harassing her between 2021 and 2022. The judge noted the woman's distress and the seriousness of the break‑in, and imposed the 16‑month term and lifetime contact ban.
Two Waterford men, Peter Cawley (42) and Richard Nolan (35), appeared before Judge Patricia Ryan in Dublin Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possession of heroin for sale or supply on 19 March 2020. The court sentenced each to three years imprisonment, but suspended the terms in their entirety, giving them fully suspended sentences. The case stemmed from a mobile patrol that stopped a van on a night patrol; the van was found rocking and smelling of cannabis. Cawley was driving, Nolan was lying in the back and was seen placing something in a bucket. Gardaí seized heroin worth €9,683, cocaine worth €289, cannabis worth €70, tablets worth €80 and a small wrap of cocaine worth €96. Both men were searched; Nolan had drugs in his underwear and cannabis worth €100, while Cawley had no drugs on his person.
Alexander Ortauf, an 18‑year‑old South African who had lived in Bristol, was denied entry to Ireland in February 2020 after an immigration officer discovered he intended to meet a 13‑year‑old girl he had met online. The officer called the girl from Ortauf's phone and realised she was very young, leading to his denial of permission and alerting Gardaí. Gardaí found about 20 images and ten videos of a sexual nature of the child on his phone. Ortauf pleaded guilty to one count of possessing child pornography and one count of using information and communication technology to facilitate the sexual exploitation of a child. He had no prior convictions. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced him to a fully suspended term of two and a half years, with the judge noting his youth and lack of previous convictions as mitigating factors. The sentence was suspended in full, with no custodial time imposed.
Charles McClean, aged 35, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to a global term of 20 years for his role in three gangland shootings. He already serves a 16.5‑year sentence for facilitating a criminal organisation and an eight‑year sentence for conspiracy to murder Wayne Whelan. The new sentence adds three and a half years for impeding the apprehension of the person who murdered Mark 'Guinea Pig' Desmond in December 2016. McClean pleaded guilty to the offence and showed no remorse. The judge noted that the three offences were separate, each with its own victim and family, and that McClean's involvement was "very unusual." The three‑and‑a‑half‑year term is to run consecutively to his existing sentences, bringing the total to 20 years in custody. The sentence reflects the seriousness of McClean's escalating criminal conduct.
Dale Kavanagh, 29, of Arklow, was sentenced to two and a half years' imprisonment for assault causing harm, unlawful seizure of a vehicle and driving without insurance. He was driven to Dublin by a man to buy crack cocaine, then attacked that man, hijacked his car with a knife and dragged the owner about ten metres. Garda Tom Balfe reported that Kavanagh had been driven to Dublin for drug purchase, that the car owner was known to him, and that the hijacking involved a knife and the theft of €200. Kavanagh pleaded guilty, was found to have a history of drug use from age 14 and heroin addiction from 21, and was described by his lawyer as remorseful and drug‑free.
Adrianne St Clair, a 25‑year‑old US woman, was arrested on 22 December after a customs sniffer dog detected over 22 kg of cannabis in two large suitcases she carried from Los Angeles. She had been paid €5 000 to transport the suitcases, which she claimed contained clothing, to London Gatwick Airport. St Clair admitted possessing €460 880 worth of cannabis on the date in question and pleaded guilty at the District Court. She has no prior convictions. Her defence counsel described her as naive and vulnerable, citing her deep‑seated Christian faith as a factor that made her trust others. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, hearing the case on 8 February, found her culpability to be recklessness rather than actual knowledge and sentenced her to three and a half years' imprisonment, back‑dated to her arrest.
Glen Conroy, 35, pleaded guilty to robbing the Triangle Coffee Shop in Donabate on 25 June 2023, using a broken glass bottle to demand money. He was arrested on 27 July 2023 after fully admitting the offence and cooperating with Gardaí. The robbery resulted in the loss of approximately €300, with no recovery of the stolen money. Conroy has 67 prior convictions, including five for robbery. Judge Patricia Ryan, hearing the case at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, noted the aggravating factor of the bottle and the impact on the two young workers present, aged 18 and 19. Mitigating factors cited were Conroy's early guilty plea, admissions, cooperation, and his background of being institutionalised from age two and incarcerated from 14. The judge imposed a headline sentence of four years, suspending the final eighteen months for three years, and placed Conroy under probation supervision for two years.
Brandon Crosbie, aged 25, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for violent disorder in Mountjoy Prison on 18 December 2018, when he and five others attacked a prisoner, stamping on his head and leaving him unconscious. He also pleaded guilty to several charges for a high‑speed car chase on 22 May 2022, including endangerment, unlawful use of a vehicle, reckless conduct creating a substantial risk of death, criminal damage, driving without insurance and without a licence. The chase involved breaking red lights, driving on the wrong side of a roundabout, forcing a taxi to swerve, and driving at up to 160 km/h, culminating in a tyre deflating after a stinger was fired. Crosbie was arrested when he exited the vehicle. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to six years for the violent disorder and four years for the endangerment, with both sentences running concurrently, and disqualified him from driving for five years.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Shane Byrne (35) and his brother Luke (28) pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and criminal damage after a St Stephen's Day incident at Boomers Bar, Woodford Walk, Clondalkin. The brothers, who had been refused further drinks, entered the pub, damaged the exterior and several parked cars, and then attempted to re‑enter after the pub was closed. A customer tried to stop Luke, who pushed him to the ground, causing a 90‑degree ankle twist and a bad fracture that required surgery. Both brothers then kicked and punched the victim, who was off work for three and a half months. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Shane to 16 months in prison, describing him as the "initiator" of the "obstreperous behaviour", while Luke received a fully suspended 16‑month sentence and was ordered to pay €4,000 to the victim or a charity of the victim's choice.
In a February 2024 court hearing, Andrew Smith, 38, was sentenced to four years in prison for possession of an improvised firearm, to run consecutively with a two‑year sentence for assault causing harm. Smith, who has 94 prior convictions, was found guilty of using a sweeping brush to attack a shop worker who had tried to stop him from shoplifting. The victim, a Chinese man who had worked in the shop for eight or nine years, suffered two broken fingers and could not resume work, eventually returning to China. Smith's defence argued for a suspended portion of the sentence, but Judge Pauline Codd refused. The court noted Smith's racist language, the use of the brush, and his history of violent offences as aggravating factors, while his acceptance of responsibility and prior bail status were considered mitigating. The improvised firearm was seized during a search of Smith's home, where a shotgun and live cartridges were found.
James Maguire, 59, of Cabra Park, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing €597,188 worth of heroin, cocaine and tablets for sale or supply. Gardaí seized the drugs in his apartment in the Old Distillery, Smithfield, Dublin 7, where they found bags of cocaine and heroin, tablets, weighing scales, €5,995 in cash, a drug press, bottles of ammonia, €2,050 hidden in a washing machine, and a machine for compressing drugs. Mixing agents such as caffeine, paracetamol and benzocaine were also recovered. A BMW parked in the apartment's garage contained over €350,000 worth of cocaine and heroin, bringing the total seized value to €597,188. Maguire, who has 64 prior convictions including three for drug possession, was backdated to his custody entry on 18 December 2022. Judge Martin Nolan noted his guilty plea and cooperation as mitigating factors, yet emphasised his decision to engage in serious drug dealing.
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Wesley Williams (46) of Foxlodge Manor, Ratoath, Co Meath, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to one count of making a gain for himself in a scheme that took place over a decade ago. His co-accused, Silvio Rabbitte (55) of Woodberry Gardens, Castleknock, Dublin, was given a fully-suspended sentence of two years after pleading guilty to one count of impeding the apprehension of Wesley Williams on dates between September 2012 and July 2014. Rabbitte's counsel argued that he had been 'duped' and should have known the scheme was 'too good to be true'. The court heard that Rabbitte received €350,000 from an account shared with Williams, as co-directors of One Stop Shop Catering Ltd, into which €1.4 million from German investors was transferred. The money was quickly dispersed, with Rabbitte receiving €350,000. Rabbitte was arrested, and a laptop containing phone call recordings was seized. The court heard that Rabbitte signed a contract before the money entered the account, which made it harder for Williams to be prosecuted. The matter was adjourned for mention in March to deal with an allegation of theft of a €15,000 watch faced by Williams. Simon Gold (59) of Windy Ridge House, Cartontroy, Athlone, Co Westmeath, was jailed for seven years in 2019 after being found guilty of money laundering, theft, deception, and control of false instruments.
An Irish couple had €177,000 earmarked for a retirement home stolen in a phishing scam and transferred to a money mule. Mark Farley, 42, allowed his bank account to be used in the fraud and pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to handling the proceeds of criminal conduct between 8 and 18 December 2020. He received a fully suspended sentence of three years. Farley has 16 previous convictions, including traffic, public order and criminal damage. The judge said Farley had run up a debt and that third parties had taken advantage of his hold over him, but that his own activities put him under their sway. The authorities discovered the fraud in time and the €177,000 was returned to the couple within 16 days. Farley's account was frozen and he had not used it for some time, though it had been used for his electrician business.
A 41‑year‑old Dublin woman pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on her 16‑year‑old daughter on 10 November 2021. The court heard that the dispute escalated from verbal to physical, with the mother punching the daughter and striking her with an object. The daughter suffered swelling, bruising and a head laceration. Police found a smell of alcohol and the mother admitted drinking wine with a neighbour that night. She was arrested, admitted to causing injuries, and expressed remorse, calling herself a "bad mother" and vowing never to drink again. The court, Judge Martin Nolan, described the case as "sad" and imposed a 16‑month suspended sentence, deciding she did not deserve prison at that point. Tusla took the three children into care; the victim has used Tusla's after‑care services and a safety plan has been put in place. The mother has complied with all instructions and engaged fully with the agency.
Gerard O'Keeffe, 44, of Tallaght, pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography on his phone. He was found with four videos, ranging from 2½ to 30 minutes, three classified as Category 1 (explicit sexual acts involving female children) and one as Category 2 (children exposing genitalia). Gardaí, alerted by the Garda Online Child Exploitation Unit, seized his phone under a warrant; he cooperated, handed it over, and admitted to downloading the material from a chat website used by 50–60 users over three to five months. O'Keeffe, who has a prior assault conviction from his teens, expressed remorse and shame, and a letter of apology was presented. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a fully suspended two‑year sentence, noting no aggravating factors and ordering one year of probation supervision. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 7 February 2024.
A 53‑year‑old man from Coolock was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with the final 20 months suspended, for attempting to meet and have sex with a 13‑year‑old girl who was a decoy bot set up by a vigilante group. The man, Shane Corrigan, used an online account to contact the bot, asking for explicit sexual acts and proposing a meeting at a hotel. He also asked the bot to bring her friends and a six‑year‑old cousin, and when the bot indicated she wanted to have sex with the six‑year‑old, he agreed. Defence counsel argued that Corrigan suffers from a mild intellectual disability and is a vulnerable adult. The court noted his early guilty plea, cooperation, good work history and lack of prior convictions as mitigating factors, but also stated that he knew his actions were wrong.
In a sentence hearing at the Central Criminal Court, 35‑year‑old Charles McClean admitted that he had called his "associate" Mark 'Guinea Pig' Desmond to a drugs meeting in Griffeen Valley Park, Lucan, where Desmond was shot dead. McClean said he later removed Desmond's mobile phone at the request of gangster Wayne Whelan. He had previously pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Desmond on 2 December 2016, knowing or believing Desmond to be guilty of an arrestable offence. McClean is already serving a 16.5‑year sentence for facilitating a criminal organisation and for conspiring to murder Whelan. The hearing also noted that McClean had a motor business linked to Whelan and that he had travelled to Northern Ireland and Tenerife shortly after the shooting. The court remanded him in custody until his sentencing.
Christopher Dunne, 39, of The Charter, Santry Cross, Dublin, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for a series of armed robberies committed between July and October 2022. He pleaded guilty to four counts of robbery from three different stores – Applegreen, Eurospar in Ballymun and Spar on Dorset Street Lower – and was also charged with attempted robbery. In July 2022 he robbed two tills, taking €720 from Applegreen and €400 from Eurospar, and €540 from Spar, all while armed with a knife. After being released on bail, he robbed a Tesco Express in Bolton Street with a realistic imitation revolver, demanding a cashier hand over €2,000 and ordering a security guard to kneel. He then attempted to rob a Gala shop, was sprayed with insect repellent and fled. Gardaí located him at his Santry address after a tip‑off; he was found hiding in a bathroom and was taken into custody.
An American man, Caleb Williams, 35, was sentenced to five years in jail in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after being found with 60 packs of cannabis worth €542,000 in his luggage on his first trip outside the United States. Williams, who had no prior convictions in the US, claimed he thought the drugs were a small amount and was unaware of their quantity, stating he had not opened the suitcases. He said he was transporting the cannabis for a fee of about $5,000–$6,000 and did not know that cannabis is illegal in Ireland, though it is legal in his native Florida. Williams was stopped by customs after acting uneasily at Dublin Airport, where his three suitcases were searched. He was detained upon arrival and has been in custody since. Caleb Williams pleaded guilty.