A man arrested in Crossmolina, County Mayo, is at the centre of extradition proceedings in the High Court following his alleged breach of probation conditions in the United States. Martin Jude Wall, aged 46, was convicted in Georgia in 2012 of attempting to entice a child for indecent purposes after engaging with an undercover detective posing as a young teenager online. Wall was sentenced to probation, but absconded from the United States in 2014. He was arrested by gardaí in December 2019 following confirmation that he had been residing in Mayo. The High Court heard arguments regarding Wall's extradition. The State sought his return to face potential activation of his 15-year probation sentence. Wall's legal team opposed extradition on human rights grounds, citing the severity of conditions imposed on registered sex offenders in the United States. Justice Paul Burns granted bail in December despite Garda objections and adjourned proceedings to June 30. Martin Jude Wall pleaded guilty.
Gary Murphy, 36, was sentenced to a fully suspended four‑year term after pleading guilty to attempted burglary and production of an article at Bentley House, a homeless care centre in Dun Laoghaire, on 14 March 2019. He had tried twice to force entry, once with a hammer‑bearing accomplice, and had threatened a resident. Murphy, who had 75 prior convictions and a history of alcohol misuse, claimed intoxication and that his intent was to obtain a "straightener" to settle an argument. The court noted his significant addiction issues, his role as a father, and a largely positive Probation Service report. The sentence was suspended on strict conditions, including compliance with Probation Service directions for two and a half years. No custodial time was imposed. The judge emphasised the outrageous nature of his conduct and the need for leniency given his circumstances.
In a shocking incident on 6 September 2021, Darren Brennan, 30, of Whitechurch Road, Ballyboden, Dublin, approached two toddlers in a buggy outside their home and used a mini blowtorch to burn the cheek of a two‑year‑old boy. Brennan, who was high on magic mushrooms and taking anti‑psychotic medication, was captured on CCTV and later identified by Gardaí. He denied harming the child at first, claiming he had merely intended to pat the boy, but later admitted the attack to his psychiatrist. The boy's parents gave emotional victim impact statements, describing the event as a "dark" day that left their son traumatised, fearful of strangers, and with ongoing sleep difficulties. Brennan pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to three years' imprisonment, with the final 16 months suspended under conditions. The case highlighted the severe emotional impact on the family and the child's ongoing recovery.
Keelan Lanigan, 30, was found in possession of child pornography on a laptop at his former home in Springfield Park, Foxrock, Dublin, after Gardaí searched his residence following online conversations. He admitted to viewing approximately 20 images and two videos depicting pre‑pubescent girls, including a girl masturbating with a hairbrush and another undressing. Lanigan claimed the images were about 10‑11 years old and that he had never shared them. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Elma Sheahan, noting Lanigan's early guilty plea, cooperation, lack of prior convictions, and psychological difficulties, imposed a 12‑month prison sentence suspended in full on strict conditions. The conditions require Lanigan to engage with the Probation Service for 18 months and undergo any recommended treatment. The court also acknowledged that the case involved a lower level of offending compared to similar cases and that Lanigan had not circulated or created the material.
Two brothers, Dean Riordan, 28, and Luke Riordan, 25, were convicted in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possession of cannabis for sale or supply and for possession of a grenade and shotgun cartridges. The brothers were found with €43,310 worth of cannabis and smaller amounts of drugs, including cocaine, at two houses in Finglas. Dean also possessed firearms, a grenade, and other weapons, while Luke had a small amount of cannabis. Both were arrested on March 4, 2019, after warrants were secured to search the houses. Dean had one prior traffic offence; Luke had 11 prior convictions, including drug offences. Judge Elma Sheahan sentenced Luke to 3 years 4 months, with the last 4 months suspended for 12 months, and Dean to 4 years 2 months, with the last 6 months suspended for 12 months, both on strict conditions. The brothers' actions were linked to paying off drug debts. The court noted their efforts to rehabilitate. Dean Riordan pleaded guilty. Luke Riordan pleaded guilty.
Aaron Carey, aged 30, was sentenced to seven‑and‑a‑half years in prison for a series of offences committed during the Christmas period of 2019 and early 2020. The court heard that he attempted burglary at a nursing home on 23 December 2019, robbed a Spar shop and attempted robbery of a service station on 24 December 2019, and damaged a patrol car and two other cars on 7 February 2020. He also pleaded guilty to robbery of a Pizza Hut, attempted burglary of a family home, and other offences. Carey's defence cited psychiatric difficulties, including a recent diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD and other conditions, and drug addiction. The judge noted the lack of violence but the high risk of reoffending, and suspended the final 18 months of the sentence on strict conditions. No residential treatment facilities were available, so the sentence was imposed with a probationary period thereafter.
The Special Criminal Court sentenced Sean Ruth, a former mid-tier Kinahan Cartel member, to four years and six months for two money laundering offences. Presiding Judge Tony Hunt suspended both sentences for six years and ordered Ruth to repay €9,900 within 12 months. Ruth pleaded guilty to concealing or disguising the source of funds in his Allied Irish Bank account between 2016 and 2017, knowing or being reckless as to whether they were proceeds of criminal conduct. The court noted he had paid over €20,000 to the Criminal Assets Bureau, with his parents assisting with the remaining balance. Judge Hunt reduced a headline six-year sentence by 25% due to Ruth's guilty plea and mitigation, including his reformation and education since his 2019 release from a separate firearms conviction. Ruth was previously jailed for three years for possessing a .38 Special revolver and ammunition. The report also details that Jonathan Harding and James Walsh were previously sentenced to 10 and nine years imprisonment respectively, with the final year of each suspended, after pleading guilty to possessing nine revolvers, four pistols, a submachine gun, an assault rifle, and ammunition at the Greenogue Unit.
Catherine Dawson, a 44‑year‑old care worker, was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court to a fully suspended term of three years and nine months, suspended for five years, for transporting more than €600,000 in crime cash. She pleaded guilty in January to possessing two bags of cash – a blue Nike bag with €289,770 and £65,025 (€70,207) and a black bag with €254,840 – while knowing or believing the money was the proceeds of criminal conduct. The court noted she had no prior convictions, was the primary carer of her 14‑year‑old son, and had been instructed by others to move the money. A search of her home revealed luxury watches, fake handbags and an €8,845 holiday receipt, though these items were not linked to the cash. The judge emphasised her responsibility to her son and the impact of the sentence on her life.
A man has been found guilty by the Special Criminal Court of disrupting the garda investigation into the murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly in 2013. Ray Kennedy, aged 41, from Blanchardstown, Dublin, was convicted of destroying a mobile phone SIM card on the day of the killing at Gormanston, County Meath. The court heard Kennedy had arranged to meet Butterly that afternoon and arrived at the scene shortly after the shooting. Evidence showed Kennedy's phone had contacted a burner phone connected to the murder. Kennedy claimed he panicked when approached by gardaí and destroyed the SIM card, but the judge rejected this account as not credible and found his actions were a calculated attempt to obstruct the investigation. Four men have already received life sentences for Butterly's murder, with two others also convicted and jailed for their roles. Kennedy was granted bail pending sentencing on 21 June. The unnamed accused was acquitted.
Gerry O'Brien, 41, was sentenced to five years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to two counts of stealing by deception. He admitted to stealing €107,286 in cash and cheques from a 77-year-old Dublin woman between July 2017 and November 2018, and €27,254 from a 73-year-old Dublin woman between August and November 2018. Judge Pauline Codd described the offences as despicable, noting O'Brien's psychological manipulation of the elderly victims. His wife, Joanne O'Brien, 39, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft from the first complainant, totalling €900. She was given a suspended nine-month sentence on conditions. The court heard that Gerry O'Brien used fabricated sob stories and a fake solicitor to convince the women he would repay them from a fictitious insurance payout. He has 68 previous convictions, while Joanne O'Brien has 28, mostly for road traffic offences. Defence counsel for Gerry O'Brien highlighted his remorse, though the judge noted his letter focused on his own woes rather than the victims. Joanne O'Brien's defence noted she had repaid the stolen money. The matter was finalised with these sentences handed down.
In a case heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Jaroslav Nowakowski, a 36‑year‑old resident of Kildare, pleaded guilty to assaulting Noel Conway on Moore Street in Dublin on 3 November 2019. Nowakowski claimed he had mistaken Conway for a bike thief, believing he was stealing his bicycle. The court found Conway to be completely blameless and merely going about his business when the attack occurred. Nowakowski's defence, represented by Gerardine Small BL, argued that his reaction was a split‑second decision and that he had remained at the scene, showing genuine concern for the victim. The court accepted that the incident was isolated and that Nowakowski was unlikely to reoffend. Judge Karen O'Connor imposed an 18‑month suspended sentence, noting the defendant's remorse and his willingness to offer €1,000 to the victim, who had agreed to accept the payment. The sentence was suspended on a number of conditions.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Derek Moore, 48, admitted stealing just over €92,700 from his employer, Energy Saver Insulations Ltd, over a period from February to November 2018. He also pleaded guilty to falsifying company accounts on 15 February 2018. Moore claimed he collaborated with three customers who paid cash for discounted materials, which he deposited into his personal account. He said the theft was to fund his child's scoliosis operation, citing a US cost of €30,000 and travel expenses, though the child was ultimately treated in Ireland. He has repaid €33,000 and used some of the proceeds for medical costs. No charges were brought against the customers, though civil cases remain pending. The judge adjourned the case to 26 July for finalisation.
During the first lockdown in April 2020, 20‑year‑old Edward Illes, a passenger in a car with flashing blue lights, pretended to be a Garda and attacked a pedestrian on Luttrellstown Road, Castleknock. Illes demanded identification, shouted at the man, and after the man called emergency services, he ran at him, punched him five or six times, and tried to take his phone before fleeing. He also approached other pedestrians, claiming to be a Garda, and was involved in a bus incident where he attempted to inspect the bus. Illes pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and impersonating a Garda. He received a fully suspended two‑year sentence, with strict conditions including payment of €1,000 and an additional €4,000 within one year. The court noted his prior four traffic convictions and that the driver of the car had not appeared in court.
Gerard Donnelly, a 45‑year‑old truck driver from Omagh, was sentenced to eight‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment for importing €2.2 million worth of cannabis into Ireland. On 27 September 2017, a trailer he was driving was inspected at Dublin Port; a drug‑detection dog alerted customs officials, and an X‑ray scan revealed 342 kg of herbal cannabis and 8 kg of cannabis resin hidden in pallets at the rear of the trailer. Donnelly pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He claimed he was merely a courier, having been directed to transport the load for a customer of his employer, and that he was unaware of the quantity of drugs. The court accepted that he had no prior convictions, had been on bail, and had voluntarily entered custody after pleading guilty. Judge Martin Nolan imposed the sentence, back‑dating it to the date he first entered custody on 1 March.
Former RTÉ producer Kieran Creaven, aged 58 and resident of Adelaide Street, Dun Laoghaire, pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting and exploiting children. He admitted to exploiting three children at an Irish address between 26 May and 10 July 2017, assaulting two children in the Philippines in October 2014, and exploiting another child via a Skype conversation in the Philippines on 24 July 2017. Creaven also pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography, with offences involving three videos on an SC card, one video on a mobile phone, and a video and image on a disk, all linked to an unknown location in England on 18 November 2017, and to possession of child pornography at an Irish address on 20 November 2017, related to a Skype conversation. He appeared via video‑link before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where his lawyer, Lorcan Staines SC, noted that Creaven is undergoing psychological assessment and may not need to attend the sentencing hearing.
Patrick (27) and Anthony (29) Boyle were charged with possession of three stolen aluminium coils valued at €9,000. They had received €2,386 in cheques, which they cashed in a shop, and later repaid the shopkeeper after the cheques were cancelled. The brothers were not alleged to have been involved in the original theft of the coils. They pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 24 March 2018. Judge Martin Nolan noted that the original owner had recovered the metal and that no loss had been suffered. He acknowledged the boys' remorse and the fact that they had brought €2,000 to court. The judge imposed a two‑year sentence on each, suspended in full, and the brothers avoided jail.
Peter Little, 42, of Drumcairn Parade, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to criminal damage after he splattered a launderette at Alexander House with his own blood during a failed attempt to steal cash for drugs. The incident occurred overnight on 24 and 25 September 2020 at an automated laundromat. Garda Andrew Gibbons reported that a cleaner found smashed glass, damaged photo booth and payment machines, and blood throughout the area. Cleaning and repairs cost €730.52. Little, who has 24 previous convictions including ten for theft, was arrested after blood analysis linked him to the scene. He was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to one year imprisonment, with a prior concurrent three‑year sentence having a suspended final year. Wicklow District Court will consider reactivating the suspended portion on 18 May 2024.
Surenkhor Ulambayar, a 49‑year‑old Mongolian national, paid €25,000 for a forged naturalisation certificate and used it to apply for an Irish passport. The passport application was rejected after the Passport Office discovered the certificate was false. Ulambayar recovered about €7,300 of the money when the application was denied. He pleaded guilty to providing false documentation in November 2015. The court found the €25,000 came from the sale of a home in Mongolia. Ulambayar had no prior convictions and had lived in Ireland for 15 years with his family. He cooperated with the investigation and admitted the offence. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced him to 18 months imprisonment, fully suspended on strict conditions, citing his guilty plea, cooperation, and personal circumstances as mitigating factors.
Marek Gradzki, 51, of Magenta Hall, Santry, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to permitting a unit at Collinstown Cross Industrial Estate to be used for a sophisticated cannabis cultivation operation. He had sub‑let the premises to three Polish men who operated the cultivation in two concealed rooms and also had cannabis plants in a van outside. Gardaí obtained a search warrant and found 35 plants valued at €28,000. Gradzki denied knowing the plants were there and claimed he was only paid €500 for renting the unit. He had no drug convictions, but the judge found he knew a drug operation was taking place and had allowed it. He was sentenced to three years imprisonment, fully suspended on strict conditions.
James Fagan, 28, was jailed for assault causing harm and three counts of making threats to kill or cause serious harm after punching a security guard at Red Cow LUAS Stop on 28 July 2019. He had previously been convicted of assault causing harm and was serving a five‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence with the final 18 months suspended. Judge Melanie Greally added a consecutive two‑year term, suspended the final 12 months of that term, and imposed strict conditions including engagement with the Probation Service for 12 months upon release. Fagan, who claimed to be part of a well‑known crime group, threatened to kill the guard and others, and was described as intoxicated and having taken ecstasy and cocaine before the incident. The court heard that he had violent tendencies for a significant period and that he was a father of three children. The judge increased his time in prison by a year. James Fagan pleaded guilty.
Anthony McDonald, 22, was arrested after customs officials intercepted a €24,000 cannabis package he had ordered online under the alias "Mr Smith." The package, sent from the United States, was delivered to his former address on a controlled delivery set up by Garda Peter Morris. McDonald admitted ordering the drugs and intended to sell them for €7,000. He had no prior convictions. After the offence, his mother evicted him, leaving him homeless for a period before he moved into hostel-type accommodation. At sentencing, Judge Pauline Codd noted McDonald's first conviction, his full admissions, and his efforts to engage with the Probation Service and seek residential treatment. She suspended a three‑and‑a‑half‑year jail term, requiring 18 months of probation. The sentence reflects McDonald's rehabilitation efforts and his relationship with his mother, who attended the hearing in support of him. Anthony McDonald pleaded guilty.
Richard Walker, a 33‑year‑old GAA player, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after punching an opponent's face during a match at St Mary's GAA Club on 15 July 2018. The punch fractured the victim's jaw in two places, caused nerve damage and required surgery with three plates, costing €4,400. Walker was sent off with a black card and later banned from playing for eight weeks. He paid €3,000 to the victim and agreed to pay the remaining medical costs. Judge Martin Nolan, noting Walker's lack of prior convictions and the circumstances, imposed a fully suspended two‑year sentence, ordering Walker to hand over the €3,000 to the prosecuting Garda and to raise an additional €5,000 within one year. The court deemed imprisonment unnecessary and unlikely to be required again. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Joseph Daly, aged 54, was sentenced to nine years in prison after he fled to Spain in 2007 following a guilty plea to possessing nearly €1 million worth of cocaine and heroin. The drugs were found during a Garda raid on his Carrickmines home, where a small amount of cocaine was discovered in a CD case and larger quantities were located in a hot press, a hold‑all, and a garden shed. Daly had previously been charged with drug possession and had failed to attend a sentence hearing, prompting a bail‑skipping offence. He spent three years in a Spanish jail for cannabis possession before being extradited to Ireland in April 2021. The court, citing the substantial drug value, imposed the nine‑year term, noting his cooperation and the seriousness of the offence. The sentence reflects the amount of drugs involved and the breach of bail conditions.
Cian McEvoy, 26, was found with a shopping bag containing nearly €20,000 of cannabis and, after surrendering, admitted to carrying 10 deals of cocaine in his underwear, valued at just under €600. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cannabis and cocaine for sale or supply at Avonbeg Field, Tallaght, on 14 March 2020. McEvoy had no prior convictions. Garda Edward Walsh, on mobile patrol, observed McEvoy and the bag, which he discarded as officers approached. McEvoy voluntarily disclosed the cocaine, and the Garda agreed with his counsel that he was not a main player but was carrying the drugs to pay a debt incurred by his addiction. Judge Melanie Greally accepted his remorse and the severity of his addiction, and, considering his youth and circumstances, she imposed a fully suspended three‑year sentence on strict conditions, including 12 months of Probation Service supervision. The sentence was suspended in its entirety.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 26‑year‑old Sam Maughan pleaded guilty to causing serious harm to 43‑year‑old Mark Burke on 1 August 2018. Maughan and three other men held Burke in his Whitefriars Gardens flat for six hours, stabbing him and repeatedly cutting his right ear with scissors. The men also struck Burke with a bottle, forced him into a bathtub, broke a mirror over his head, and used a phone‑charger lead as a weapon. Burke was found collapsed outside his flat at 10 am, taken to St James's Hospital with extensive cuts and a largely severed ear. Maughan, who had 88 convictions and was homeless, was the only one to plead guilty; the other three are awaiting trial. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Maughan to seven‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment, noting his remorse and lack of psychopathy. The case was described as a "deeply disturbing" ordeal.
Calin Scintei, aged 28, was sentenced to four and a half years' imprisonment by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for his role in a €1.5 million money‑laundering scheme run by a Romanian organised‑crime gang. He pleaded guilty to 25 charges covering the period August 2018 to January 2020, including participation in organised crime, fraud, criminal damage, theft and possession of the proceeds of crime. Scintei helped defraud Tesco of €12,400 through a gift‑card scam and caused €18,000 of damage to AIB ATMs while stealing €7,690 in cash. He also set up 27 bank accounts with false documents and five fake companies, laundering about €780,000. The court noted he was paid a modest reward and was not a master criminal, but a busy participant in the gang's operations. The judge, Martin Nolan, considered mitigating factors before imposing the sentence. The case involved 12 prior convictions for theft and fraud.
John McGahon, aged 21, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for false imprisonment of Aaron Rochford, aged 22, during a Drogheda feud. McGahon was arrested after the Armed Support Unit forced entry into a house on the Moneymore Estate to rescue Rochford, who had been abducted and found naked in a bathtub with slash wounds, a broken jaw and a shovel injury. CCTV showed McGahon driving the car that brought Rochford to the house, helping remove him from the vehicle, and later bundling him over a rear wall into an adjacent house where he was rescued. McGahon pleaded guilty, was described as a follower rather than a ringleader, and had no prior convictions. The judge took his guilty plea, remorse, and age into account when imposing the sentence. The case involved a three‑year sentence for co‑accused Dean Thornton.
Sean Leahy, a 50‑year‑old YouTuber from Dublin, has filed a High Court challenge against the constitutionality of Covid‑19 regulations under the 1947 Health Act. He claims he was wrongfully arrested during the Easter Rising commemoration on O'Connell Street on 4 April after Gardai asked him for media identification. Leahy says he did not possess such ID, offered to show his work on his phone, and refused to leave the cordoned area, asserting he was complying with Covid rules. He was escorted to North Earl Street, again refused to leave, and was arrested. Leahy has not been told which regulation he allegedly breached and questions whether it carries a penalty. He seeks an order to halt his District Court prosecution, declarations that the relevant Health Act provisions are arbitrary and unconstitutional, and damages for false imprisonment and unlawful detention. The case is set to return to court in July.
Noah Abdurahmanov, 25, originally from Chechnya, sold his bank card and details for €200, which he used to purchase flights back to Chechnya. The account was then used to launder €10,000. He pleaded guilty to possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct on 12 July 2018. Judge Martin Nolan remanded him in custody until the sentencing hearing, where he was given a suspended two‑year sentence. The judge noted that money laundering is not a victimless crime and that Abdurahmanov's actions benefited serious criminals. The €10,000 was transferred to the accused's account and then withdrawn via ATMs and sent to three other accounts; the money has not been recovered. Abdurahmanov admitted he was reckless and that he knew the card would be used in this manner. The case was prosecuted by Noel Devitt BL and defended by Kieran Kelly BL.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 10 May 2021, Joseph Brady, aged 30, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for possession of heroin and cannabis for sale or supply. Brady, who had previously been dealt with leniently, was found to have dropped a yellow bag containing €211,708 of heroin after spotting Gardaí on patrol in Priorswood. He fled but was caught, and further heroin and €1,325 in cash were found on him. A search of his home uncovered an additional €2,800 in cash and cannabis worth €5,404. Brady pleaded guilty to the charges and had four prior convictions, including a 240‑hour community service sentence for cannabis possession. The judge noted his active role in drug dealing and his drug‑free status since imprisonment. The final 12 months of the sentence were suspended on strict conditions, including compliance with the Probation Service for 12 months post‑release.
A 45-year-old man from Carndonagh has received a suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of firearms. Stephen O'Connor was convicted of holding two semi-automatic pistols and ammunition concealed in a Henry Hoover vacuum cleaner at his home on 7 September 2019. During sentencing, the court heard that O'Connor, described as vulnerable and struggling with mental health difficulties, had been approached repeatedly by a criminal acquaintance and agreed to store the weapons to "get them off his back". A search of a van behind his residence uncovered the loaded handguns, which were found to be in working order. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a four-year sentence, suspended in full for four years, subject to strict conditions. The judge acknowledged O'Connor's vulnerabilities and lack of previous convictions while noting the offence occurred during significant gangland activity in Dublin. He was ordered to sever all contact with persons involved in criminal activity.
John Kelly, aged 29, was found with €452,000 worth of cocaine and heroin hidden in his bedroom wardrobe and 17 shotgun cartridges concealed in a sock. He admitted to possessing the drugs for sale or supply and to possessing ammunition. Gardaí had placed his home under surveillance after a confidential tip and discovered the drugs during a search. Kelly claimed he had a drug debt of about €1,000 and was pressured into holding the drugs, believing their value to be around €20,000. His defence argued he was under duress following a recent road accident that increased his cannabis use and that he had no knowledge of the drugs' value. The court accepted his difficult circumstances but noted his involvement with known drug dealers. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to four and a half years in prison. John Kelly pleaded guilty.
Vasile Braileanu, 43, was sentenced to 240 hours of community service instead of a two‑year prison term for defrauding motor insurance companies of about €13,000. He pleaded guilty to 15 fraud‑related offences, including dishonestly inducing insurers to offer reduced premiums and creating false No Claims Discount and Experienced Driver certificates. Between April 2015 and November 2017, Braileanu brokered 30 policies for friends and acquaintances, receiving €400‑€600 per policy, though only ten were found by investigators. Gardaí seized a "ghost brokering kit" and templates from his home. He admitted being a customer of a ghost broker in 2013 and later ran his own small, amateur operation. Judge Martin Nolan noted the operation was small and ordered the community service, with the case adjourned to July 7 to assess suitability.
Two directors of a real estate company have been imprisoned at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following guilty pleas to defrauding clients. Sean Boylan, aged 72, of Cootehill, County Cavan, and Colin Horan, aged 38, of Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin, were convicted of carrying on the business of a company with intent to defraud creditors between June 2012 and July 2015. The company operated by selling properties in Bulgaria and Turkey to Irish clients, but failed to remit sale proceeds. Of fourteen victims, all but one had their properties sold without receiving payment. Boylan received a three-year sentence with the final six months suspended, while Horan received two years and eight months with the final six months suspended. The court heard that approximately €670,000 remained owed to victims, with Horan having reimbursed over €100,000. Judge Elma Sheahan described the accounting practices as chaotic and haphazard, noting the offending had caused lasting harm to complainants beyond monetary loss.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a jury found Edmundas Dauksa, a married Lithuanian man, guilty of murdering his former partner, Ingrida Maciokaite, by stabbing her 19 times in front of their six‑year‑old daughter. The killing occurred on 18 September 2018 at Bridgewater Mews, Dundalk, after a court had placed the child in Maciokaite's custody. Dauksa had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The jury rejected his defence that he was not "fuelled with murderous intent" and that he had been wronged by the court system. They accepted the State's case that he intended serious harm or death when he repeatedly plunged a 15‑cm blade into Maciokaite's body. The verdict was unanimous, with the jury deliberating for 3 hours 51 minutes over two days. The judge will impose a mandatory life sentence on 24 May and remand Dauksa in custody until then.
The eldest daughter of Aidan McMenamy, who was murdered by his girlfriend's estranged husband, told the court she will never forgive the killer and hopes he never sees the light of day again. Ms Veronica Carberry said her life was turned upside down by her father's death, that she now needs antidepressants and sleep medication, and that she has lost the bond with her children. She thanked the jury and Gardaí, stating justice had been served, but the family continues to struggle with the pain. The court also heard that the murderer, Anthony Paget, was sentenced to life imprisonment, backdated to 19 July 2019, after a week‑long trial in which he was found guilty of murder following a plea of manslaughter. Paget had 47 previous convictions, including possession of knives and serious assault. The trial included testimony from Ms Carberry, her sister Amanda McMenamy, and evidence of the fatal stabbing and CCTV footage.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Alexander Cribbin, aged 21, was found guilty of possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct after an €18,000 sum was fraudulently transferred into his account via a compromised email chain. Cribbin had given his bank details to a friend but, upon noticing the illicit transfer, refused to use the money and remained in Paris. Because he did not access the funds, the bank successfully recalled the amount and returned it to the doctor who had originally sent it. Cribbin pleaded guilty on 1 November 2019 and had no prior convictions. Judge Nolan, citing Cribbin's refusal to withdraw the money, granted leniency, imposing a €100 fine and a deferred sentence, with a condition of good behaviour until 9 December, after which a six‑month imprisonment could be imposed if the condition was breached.
Michael Hoolohan, 42, was jailed for three-and-a-half years after he fired a handgun at four youths in a Dublin housing estate on 16 April 2020. Gardaí were alerted by residents hearing the shots and later recovered spent shell casings and ammunition from the scene. CCTV footage linked a Toyota Hiace van, parked outside Hoolohan's home, to the shooting, and forensic analysis found firearms residue in the vehicle. Hoolohan pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and reckless discharging of a firearm. He had 11 prior convictions for road traffic and public order offences. The court accepted that he did not intend to harm the youths but had fired to frighten them, describing the incident as a disproportionate parental reaction. The judge noted Hoolohan's family responsibilities and community involvement but imposed the custodial sentence. The youths involved made no complaint. The case was presented as a moment of madness by the defence.
Herbert Kilcline, a 60‑year‑old solicitor, was found guilty of fraudulently claiming over €120,000 in social welfare payments between 1996 and 2010. He admitted that he had been excluded from the Thalidomide compensation scheme and believed he was entitled to disability allowance payments, despite having been legally granted the allowance and failing to report changes in his income. Kilcline cooperated with Gardaí, surrendered documentation, and repaid the full amount of €129,293. Judge Karen O'Connor, noting the long period of offending, premeditation, and significant loss to the exchequer, imposed a three‑year sentence with one year and three months suspended. The court acknowledged Kilcline's remorse, cooperation, and low risk of reoffending, and highlighted his ongoing physical and psychological difficulties stemming from Thalidomide. The sentencing was deferred by one week to allow Kilcline to settle his affairs.
Thomas Doyle, 26, was arrested after a high‑speed chase in Crumlin where he drove a disqualified vehicle, smashed a Garda patrol car's windscreen, and punched Garda John Ryan in the face. Doyle accelerated away from the patrol car, causing smoke from the rear wheels, and later tried to ram the vehicle. The chase ended when Doyle pulled over outside his home on Cashel Avenue, smashed the windscreen, and attempted to block the patrol car's driver from exiting. He then fled back into his house, returned with a bicycle tyre, and struck Garda Ryan, who was then treated for broken teeth at St James's Hospital. Doyle pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and assaulting a Garda on 8 August 2018. He was sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment, with a five‑year driving disqualification and a suspended portion of the sentence. The court noted his 66 prior convictions, primarily for traffic offences, and his low cognitive functioning.
In February 2020 a 17‑year‑old, with a friend, violently robbed his social worker's car in Sallynoggin, County Dublin. The teenager used force to remove the woman from the vehicle, unbuckling her seatbelt and dragging her out, though she managed to grab her handbag before the pair fled. The car was later found crashed and abandoned in County Carlow, with €7,500 of damage. The defendant pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Martin Nolan deferred a three‑year detention for a year, ordered a probation report and said that if the report was favourable the sentence could be suspended. The case was adjourned to May 5, 2022. The court described the offence as a "particularly nasty crime" and noted the planning involved. The defendant's background, including time in an orphanage in Russia and anger‑management issues, was mentioned by his counsel. The social worker did not give a victim impact statement.
Keith Devine, 26, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for assault causing harm after he repeatedly stamped on the head of an unconscious homeless man and knocked out the victim's false teeth. The incident occurred in a laneway at Glovers Alley, Dublin 2, on 4 June 2020. Devine punched the victim eight times, stamped on his head five times, and then went through his pockets, though he did not steal anything. The victim was taken to hospital for a head wound and later discharged. Devine pleaded guilty and had 28 prior convictions, including drug possession and public order offences. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a four‑year sentence, suspended the final 12 months on strict conditions, and back‑dated it to June 2020. The sentence requires Devine to comply with Probation Service directions for 12 months after release. The case was prosecuted by Katherine McGillicuddy BL and defended by Keith Spencer BL.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Xolani Mdakani, aged 21, was sentenced to three years and nine months imprisonment for assaulting a woman in a city centre laneway on 9 February 2018. Mdakani, who has 36 prior convictions including assault, theft, burglary and trespass, pleaded guilty. He had previously lived in Finglas and had a history of violent offences as a child. The judge, Melanie Greally, noted his youth and the possibility that repatriation to South Africa might help him address his difficulties. The final nine months of the sentence were suspended on strict conditions. Mdakani was identified by CCTV footage, admitted the assault, and expressed remorse. He intends to seek assistance from the International Organisation for Migration to return to South Africa after his sentence. The victim did not submit a victim impact statement.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Vlad Pintea, 35, pleaded guilty to money‑laundering offences linked to a Romanian organised crime gang that used his bank account to launder €57,000 of fraud proceeds. Pintea sold the account for €500 in 2016, believing it would help him financially, but the account was also used to obtain loans and credit cards, leaving him with a toxic credit rating. Judge Martin Nolan, after hearing evidence, imposed a two‑year sentence, suspending 18 months on condition of good behaviour. The court warned that custodial sentences for similar activity would likely be longer. Garda investigations revealed over 70 accounts used by the gang, with Pintea's account among them. Pintea has since lost financial independence and now works full time, with wages deposited into a friend's account. He submitted an apology letter expressing shame and regret.
Kyle Rafferty, 23, of Clondalkin, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of 1 kg of cocaine for sale or supply. He was found with a paper bag containing €70,000 worth of cocaine, which he admitted was "coke in the bag" and that he was holding it for someone to collect to pay a drug debt. Rafferty has 11 prior convictions, including traffic offences, assault and public order. He was arrested after a Garda tip‑off and surveillance of a house. The court accepted his guilty plea, his cooperation and the fact that he had a drug problem, and sentenced him to three years' imprisonment. The judge noted that Rafferty had not attracted Garda attention since his arrest and was "keeping away from criminality.".
In a Dublin city‑centre incident on 11 July 2020, 41‑year‑old Alan Brennan punched a woman in the face, causing her to fall. The woman's partner then attacked Brennan, stabbing him 11 times with a broken glass bottle, stamping and kicking him while he lay unconscious. Brennan, who was on crutches and had a history of drug addiction and homelessness, pleaded guilty to one count of violent disorder. CCTV footage showed the parties and other witnesses near Wellington Quay. Brennan was taken to hospital for lacerations. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to 22 months' imprisonment, suspending the final 10 months on conditions. The woman remains before the courts for her alleged role in the attack.
Donal Fallon, a 31‑year‑old historian from Palmerstown, pleaded guilty to violent disorder at the Living Room pub in Dublin on 6 February 2016, after an anti‑racism march against PEGIDA. He claimed his group felt "under siege" when men he believed were shouting Nazi slogans entered the bar. CCTV suggested Fallon's arm moved, and Gardaí considered he may have thrown an item, but no evidence showed he struck anyone. The judge noted Fallon's cooperation, admissions, lack of prior convictions, and that he had not repeated the behaviour in five years. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a €500 fine and conditions, including gathering €2,000 within six months, and a deferred nine‑month sentence if conditions were not met. The court applied section 100 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 to avoid a conviction on Fallon's record. No further charges were brought.
Teslim Bolarinwa, 34, of North Circular Road, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing cannabis for sale or supply at a Dublin location on 17 January 2019. He had been instructed by a third party to take delivery of a parcel that contained 2.2 kg of cannabis valued at €44,000. Bolarinwa and another man opened the parcel and used the cannabis for about a month until Gardaí arrived. Judge Martin Nolan noted that Bolarinwa had no intention to distribute the drugs and that the third party had failed to retrieve the parcel. He described the case as "highly unusual", cited Bolarinwa's guilty plea, cooperation and lack of prior record, and imposed a three‑year suspended sentence, with no custodial term. The prosecution had presented the evidence of the parcel and the amount of cannabis found. The defence highlighted the limited scope of the supply and the absence of harm to others.
Peter Loughran, 36, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for rape and oral rape committed at a Dublin address on January 5, 2018. Loughran pleaded guilty to the charges, which involved an assault on a woman he met via Tinder. Justice Paul McDermott sentenced Loughran to nine years imprisonment, but suspended the final 18 months on strict conditions. These conditions require him to refrain from using any online dating apps and to not contact the victim or her family in any way. The court noted that Loughran had expressed genuine regret and remorse, and was assessed as a low to moderate risk of sexual reoffending. Aggravating factors included the offences being committed in the victim's home by a trusted guest, the degrading manner of the assault, and the fact that Loughran recorded part of the attack. The victim, who suffered physical injuries and a new genital herpes infection, stated in her impact statement that the incident drastically changed her future. Loughran, originally from Co Monaghan, has four previous convictions for unrelated offences including possession of drugs and drink driving. He had previously denied the offences to gardaí, claiming the contact was consensual, but later apologized in a letter read by his counsel.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 40‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to 15 of 74 charges of repeated rape, sexual assault and harassment of a boy between 2004 and 2010. The offences include oral and anal rape, attempted anal rape, sexual assault, assault causing harm and harassment, beginning at a sports facility and continuing at hotels and restaurants in Ireland. Seventy‑one of the original sample charges will be considered for sentencing, while three overseas incidents are excluded. The judge remanded the defendant in custody, with sentencing scheduled for 12 July.