In a 2008 murder trial, 18‑year‑old Marioara Rostas was reported missing after a phone call to her brother in Romania, where she pleaded for her father to come get her. Her body was later found in a shallow grave on the Wicklow border, with four bullet wounds to the head. The accused, 35‑year‑old Alan Wilson, pleaded not guilty. Evidence included a description of a man in a silver Ford Mondeo who allegedly took Marioara to a McDonald's, and a lock on a bedroom in Wilson's house. Ballistics expert Detective Garda Shane Curran examined bullets from the house and from Marioara's body, noting they were of the same calibre but could not confirm they came from the same firearm. The trial proceeded to legal argument before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of ten men and two women.
The Special Criminal Court has set a judgment date of 15 July for the 29‑day trial of Wayne Dundon (36) and Nathan Killeen (24), who were charged with the murder of 35‑year‑old Limerick businessman Roy Collins. The accused pleaded not guilty. The prosecution alleged that Dundon directed the murder from prison, Killeen acted as getaway driver, and James Dillon fired the single shot that killed Collins at Coin Castle Amusements on 9 April 2009. During the hearing, Mr Steve Collins, the victim's father, recounted the day's events, noting that his son had been at work when the gunman entered the arcade and that Collins was shot in the chest. Collins was conscious for a short time before his life could not be saved. The court will deliver its judgment on 15 July.
In a trial for the murder of Anna Finnegan, the jury was instructed not to infer anything from the accused's absence. Vesel Jahiri, a Louth Village resident originally from Kosovo, pleaded not guilty to both the murder of Finnegan and an assault on her brother Karl. The Central Criminal Court had previously noted their ten‑year relationship and the deterioration that led to the fatal incident. Judge Paul McDermott announced that the trial could not proceed that day, as Jahiri was not present, and would resume the next day after all evidence had been heard.
In 2008, a 35‑year‑old man, Alan Wilson, was charged with murdering his daughter, Marioara Rostas, who disappeared on 6 January 2008 after a brief stay in Dublin. Wilson, who had moved from Romania to Ireland with his family in late 2007, left his son and daughter at home to get food and returned to find the girl missing. He waited three hours, then went to a Garda station but was not understood. He reported her missing on 9 January, three days after her disappearance. Witnesses saw a young Romanian girl begging at the junction of Pearse Street and Lombard Street that Sunday. Wilson's alleged murder scene was a three‑storey house on Brabazon Street, where a fire had been extinguished on 29 February 2008. Garda Daniel McCarthy investigated the house, noting possible accelerant use and a burnt fuel can. In October 2008, Wilson was investigated again for the disappearance.
In the Special Criminal Court, the prosecution's case against Wayne Dundon, Nathan Killeen and a third man for the 2009 murder of businessman Roy Collins at Coin Castle Amusements hinges on the claim that Killeen "made a run for it" after the shooting. The court heard that Collins was shot in the chest by a gunman, survived briefly, then died. Dundon is alleged to have directed the murder from prison, Killeen was the getaway driver, and James Dillon the gunman. Killeen's counsel argued that the prosecution relied mainly on "gang associates" whose testimony was untrustworthy, and that the only evidence against Killeen was that he fled the scene, as seen by Garda David Baynham who observed him running from a patrol car minutes after the incident. The trial's closing speeches will continue on Monday. Wayne Dundon pleaded not guilty. Nathan Killeen pleaded not guilty. Roy Collins pleaded not guilty.
The trial of Darren Wynne, Quentin Monaghan, and James Seery continues before the Central Criminal Court, with Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan presiding. All three defendants, aged 21, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jamie Lindsay (20) at Coney Green, Coneyboro, Athy, Co. Kildare, on April 6, 2013. Mr Wynne also pleaded not guilty to possessing a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life, though he pleaded guilty to possessing a sawn-off shotgun and cartridges in suspicious circumstances. Mr Monaghan and Mr Seery pleaded not guilty to possessing a sawn-off shotgun and cartridges with intent to endanger life, as well as possessing such items in suspicious circumstances. Prosecution evidence includes garda interview memos where Mr Wynne alleged Mr Lindsay threatened to rape his grandmother and burn his house. Mr Wynne stated he intended only to injure Mr Lindsay over a dispute regarding missing cannabis. The court heard that Mr Lindsay was shot in the right eye at point-blank range. The State alleges Mr Seery and Mr Monaghan were part of a joint enterprise. The matter is ongoing before a jury of eight men and four women.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, the body of 18‑year‑old Romanian teenager Marioara Rostas was found in a shallow grave in a foetal position four years after she disappeared. The body, discovered by former Deputy State Pathologist Dr Khalid Jabbar at Kippure woodland on 23 January 2012, was wrapped in dark plastic bags and secured with duct tape. Dr Jabbar's post‑mortem revealed four gunshot entrance wounds to the front half of her head, with metallic fragments recovered from the skull. The 35‑year‑old defendant, Alan Wilson of New Street Gardens, is charged with her murder and has pleaded not guilty. Wilson allegedly showed a corpse to a friend, Fergus O'Hanlon, who testified that Wilson had assisted in burying the body. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, is expected to last three to four weeks.
In a trial for the murder of Anna Finnegan, the jury heard that Vesel Jahiri first learned of her death on the radio the day after the incident. Jahiri, who pleaded not guilty to both the murder and an assault on Finnegan's brother Karl, explained that he was upset and entered the house to confront Karl, who he said had a knife. He claimed he had taken a knife from Karl after an altercation and that he had stabbed Finnegan in a fit of anger, though he denied doing so. The prosecution presented evidence that Finnegan was stabbed in the chest and head while she fled, and that Jahiri had moved her body to the back of a car. Jahiri also testified that he had spoken to Helga Duffy the night of the incident, saying something bad had happened. The trial continues before a jury and Judge Paul McDermott.
Three men faced murder charges at the Central Criminal Court following the death of a twenty-year-old in County Kildare in April 2013. Darren Wynne, Quentin Monaghan, and James Seery all pleaded not guilty to murdering Jamie Lindsay at Coneyboro, Athy. Wynne additionally pleaded not guilty to possession of a sawn-off shotgun with intent to endanger life, though he admitted possession of the weapon in suspicious circumstances. Monaghan and Seery pleaded not guilty to related firearms charges. During proceedings, the prosecution presented garda interview notes in which Wynne told officers the deceased had threatened him over missing money and made threats toward his grandmother's home. Wynne stated he obtained a sawn-off shotgun from a graveyard and claimed he only intended to shoot Lindsay in the kneecap. He told gardai he fired a single shot believing it struck the shoulder, and that he did not mean to kill him. The State contends Monaghan and Seery were part of a joint enterprise in the incident. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, continues before a jury.
In the trial of Vesel Jahiri, a man from Louth Village, Dundalk, accused of murdering his former partner Anna Finnegan in Dublin on 21 September 2012, the jury was informed that the evidence he gave the previous day had been 'whitewashed'. Jahiri, who pleaded not guilty to both the murder and an assault on Finnegan's brother Karl, was cross‑examined by Mr Patrick Marrinan SC. The prosecution read to the jury excerpts from Garda interviews in which Jahiri admitted to hitting Finnegan, pushing her back, and that she had tried to hit him with a pan. He also admitted to threatening her with a gun and saying he would kill her and her sister Lisa if he did not see his children. The prosecution also questioned Jahiri about smashing the door at Finnegan's house, his claim that Karl was a gangster, and the knife used in the alleged stabbing.
In a Dublin murder trial, a 35‑year‑old man, Alan Wilson, stands accused of killing 18‑year‑old Romanian Roma teenager Marioara Rostas in January 2008. Prosecutor Seán Gillane presented evidence that Rostas, who had moved to Dublin with her family in late 2007, was last seen with a man in a silver Ford Mondeo. Wilson allegedly drove the car, killed Rostas with four gunshot wounds to the head, and concealed her body in a shallow grave at Kippure forest. Witnesses, including Wilson's friend Fergus O'Hanlon, testified that Wilson transported the corpse in the car's boot, buried it, and burned her belongings. The case is proceeding before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy with a jury of ten men and two women, and is expected to last three to four weeks. Alan Wilson pleaded not guilty.
The trial of James Seery, Quentin Monaghan, and Darren Wynne, all 21, continues before the Central Criminal Court under Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan. The three men are accused of murdering Jamie Lindsay at Coney Green, Coneyboro, Athy, Co. Kildare, on April 6, 2013. All three pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Mr. Wynne also pleaded not guilty to possessing a sawn-off shotgun with intent to endanger life but pleaded guilty to possessing a sawn-off shotgun and cartridges in suspicious circumstances. Mr. Seery and Mr. Monaghan pleaded not guilty to both possession charges. Deputy State Pathologist Dr. Michael Curtis testified that Mr. Lindsay died from a shotgun wound to the head, specifically a discharge to the right eye at point-blank range. He noted extensive skull fractures and blunt force injuries, while confirming the deceased had a blood alcohol level of 128mg per cent and cannabis in his system. The prosecution alleges Mr. Wynne fired the weapon after luring the victim into the open, with Mr. Seery and Mr. Monaghan participating in a joint enterprise. The trial is ongoing before a jury of eight men and four women.
Three men have pleaded not guilty to the murder of a twenty-year-old man in County Kildare in April 2013. James Seery, Quentin Monaghan, and Darren Wynne appeared before the Central Criminal Court charged with the killing of Jamie Lindsay at Coney Green, Coneyboro, Athy. Wynne also faces a charge of possession of a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life, though he has pleaded guilty to possession of a shotgun in suspicious circumstances on the same date. Seery and Monaghan have pleaded not guilty to further counts of weapons possession. During the trial, a witness testified that she observed one of the accused discharge a firearm at close range. She described the events leading to the shooting and stated that the accused subsequently disposed of the weapon and clothing. The trial continues before a jury at the Central Criminal Court with Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan presiding.
The trial of Alan Wilson, 35, charged with murdering 18‑year‑old Marioara Rostas in Dublin in 2008, will open on Wednesday. Wilson pleaded not guilty. He was arraigned at the Central Criminal Court last week and a jury was sworn in. The trial was scheduled to start Monday but was delayed because two jurors could not serve, leading to the jury's discharge. A new jury was then sworn in, with Justice Paul Carney reminding them of their commitment to serve until a verdict. The trial is expected to last three to four weeks.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, two Limerick men, Wayne Dundon, 36, and Nathan Killeen, 24, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of businessman Roy Collins, 35, who was killed at Coin Castle Amusements on 9 April 2009. The court heard that Collins was at work when a gunman fired a single shot, killing him. Prosecutors say Dundon directed the murder from prison, Killeen was the getaway driver, and James Dillon was the gunman. The trial, which began 1 May, is a 'voir dire' to determine admissibility of evidence, presided over by Justice Iseult O'Malley.
The trial of three men accused of murdering a 20-year-old in County Kildare opened at the Central Criminal Court this week. James Seery and Quentin Monaghan, both aged 21, pleaded not guilty to murder, whilst Darren Wynne, also 21, pleaded not guilty to the same charge. Wynne additionally pleaded not guilty to possession of a sawn-off shotgun with intent to endanger life, though he admitted possession of the firearm in suspicious circumstances. Seery and Monaghan denied further counts of possessing a sawn-off shotgun with intent to endanger life. The prosecution alleges that Jamie Lindsay was fatally shot at Coney Green, Athy on 6 April 2013. Opening the State's case, counsel contended that Wynne discharged the weapon, whilst Seery and Monaghan provided material assistance through driving and luring the victim to the scene. Witnesses testified that Lindsay had been shouting on the phone shortly before the fatal shooting occurred. The trial continues before Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan.
In the Roy Collins murder trial, the main prosecution witness, Gareth Collins, admitted he had mistakenly implicated Wayne Dundon in the 2002 murder of bouncer Brian Fitzgerald, a crime Dundon could not have committed because he was in prison that night. Collins explained that he had hidden under a bed when Dundon called for him, but he had actually run upstairs and hidden under a bed when he saw a car arrive that night, and his mother answered the door. Collins had previously testified that Dundon offered him €20,000 to take part in the 2009 murder of Roy Collins, which Dundon directed from prison, with Nathan Killeen as getaway driver and James Dillon as gunman. The trial continues before three judges presided over by Ms Justice Iseult O'Malley. Roy Collins pleaded not guilty.
In a Wexford murder case, Caroline Roche, aged 52, was found not guilty by reason of insanity for killing her partner Walter Plunkett in 2012. The trial, lasting three days, highlighted Roche's 30‑year history of schizoaffective disorder, repeated hospitalisations and medication non‑compliance. Her defence argued that her illness removed her capacity to form intent, citing Dr Wright's expert testimony that she did not understand the nature or wrongness of her act. The judge, Mr Justice Barry White, reinforced this view, stating that Roche's mental illness meant she could not refrain from the act. The jury, composed of six men and six women, delivered a unanimous verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity after 24 minutes, and the judge exempted them from further service for five years.
In a 2014 murder trial, an 84‑year‑old man died of asphyxia after an attack at his Wexford home in 2012. State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy testified that the victim's death was caused by hypoxia from chest trauma, with fractured ribs and dislocated finger joints. She described injuries to the right eye, mouth, and back of the scalp consistent with punches and a struggle. The accused, Caroline Roche, 52, pleaded not guilty on grounds of insanity. Dr Brenda Wright, a forensic psychiatrist, explained Roche's history of psychiatric admissions, delusions involving the devil, and a belief that the victim had threatened her. Roche had stopped medication a week before the incident and claimed she felt "strong" during the assault, stating she had broken the victim's fingers after death. The trial was set to continue before Mr Justice White and a jury of twelve.
In a 2014 trial, Vesel Jahiri, a Louth Village resident originally from Kosovo, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Anna Finnegan and to assault causing harm to her brother Karl. The case centred on a ten‑year relationship that had deteriorated, with Finnegan and Jahiri having two children. On 21 September 2012, Finnegan was stabbed in the chest and head after Jahiri allegedly burst into the house with a knife. Jahiri claimed Karl produced the knives and that Finnegan was injured while trying to stop her brother. Witnesses, including Anna's cousin Brian Conlon, testified about text messages and alleged threats, but Conlon denied any plot to "wipe out" Jahiri. DNA and fingerprint evidence linked the knife to Jahiri, and a post‑mortem confirmed a fatal single stab wound. The case proceeded before a jury under Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
Three men appeared before the Central Criminal Court charged with the murder of a 20-year-old man in County Kildare in April 2013. James Seery, aged 21, of Athy, Quentin Monaghan, aged 21, of Stradbally in County Laois, and Darren Wynne, aged 21, also of Athy, all pleaded not guilty to murdering Jamie Lindsay at Coney Green, Coneyboro. Mr Wynne additionally faced a charge of possession of a sawn-off shotgun and ammunition with intent to endanger life, to which he pleaded not guilty. However, he entered a guilty plea to possession of a sawn-off shotgun and cartridges in suspicious circumstances on the same date. The trial was adjourned after Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan noted that a juror had become unwell. The jury was directed to reconvene on Monday, with proceedings expected to continue for three to four weeks.
Balbriggan District Court heard several cases during its recent sittings. Richard Devine (21) had his case struck out after he admitted to assaulting Shane Christy and causing criminal damage to his car in Rush, Co Dublin on May 3rd, 2013. Devine, who was drunk at the time, paid €800 in compensation and completed 200 hours of voluntary work. Judge Dermot Dempsey accepted these actions and struck the case out. Pat Dwyer (60) pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of alcohol at Miller's Lane in Skerries on December 22nd, 2013. He was fined €400 and disqualified from driving for three years. Eoin Maguire (29), Cornelius Price (32), and Edward Price (24) were remanded on continuing bail to re-appear before the court on July 17th when they are expected to be served with the Books of Evidence. They are charged with assault causing harm to Clifford Whitehouse and James Whitehouse, and production of a Stanley knife on December 20th, 2013. Cornelius Price and Edward Price are also charged with reckless endangerment of a garda at Balbriggan Garda Station on December 22nd, 2013. Thomas O'Donnell (24), Michael O'Brien (18), and Brian Stokes (21) were remanded on continuing bail for charges of unauthorized carriage in a car. Salius Peciulaitis (30) pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, driving while disqualified, and drink driving at Dublin Street in Balbriggan, as well as violent behaviour at Balbriggan Garda Station on February 22nd. He was given a four-month suspended sentence, disqualified from driving for six years, and fined €750. Neil Phipps (28) was remanded on continuing bail for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions regarding an alleged assault causing harm to Brian Cranny.
Two men, Michael Finlay, 35, and Dean Byrne, 22, appeared before the non‑jury Special Criminal Court in Dublin on 6 June 2014. They were charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and with unlawful possession of a 9x18mm Makarov PM semi‑automatic pistol, a magazine and 10 rounds of 9x18mm ammunition. The arrests were made by the Special Detective Unit and the Garda Crime and Security branch during an operation in Tallaght on 5 June. Finlay was arrested outside Tallaght Garda Station before 4:00 pm and later appeared in court wearing a black t‑shirt and trousers; he gave no comment when cautioned. Byrne was cautioned after being found wearing a navy hoody and trousers; he also made no reply. No bail was applied for, but legal aid and a second counsel were approved for both. The judge remanded them in custody to return on 16 June.
In a murder trial held on 5 June 2014, Vesel Jahiri pleaded not guilty to the killing of Anna Finnegan and to assaulting her brother Karl. The court heard that Jahiri and Finnegan had a ten‑year relationship that had deteriorated, and that they had two children. According to Karl, after putting the children to bed, he and Finnegan were having tea when Jahiri burst in with a knife. An altercation ensued, during which Finnegan was stabbed in the chest and head; she fled, ran to a neighbour, and collapsed on the roadside. Dr Hilary Clarke testified that Finnegan's DNA was found on a knife's tip, which was slightly bent and had a broken piece. The knife's blood matched Karl's. Detective James O'Hora confirmed that two knives found in the kitchen sink were not fingerprint‑examined. Detective James Cunningham examined the knife with Finnegan's blood and found a left‑hand fingerprint on the blade but none on the handle.
In the Special Criminal Court, Wayne Dundon (36) and Nathan Killeen (24) pleaded not guilty to the murder of 35‑year‑old Roy Collins, who was shot in the chest at Coin Castle Amusements on 9 April 2009. The prosecution alleges Dundon directed the killing from prison, Killeen was the getaway driver, and James Dillon fired the shot. The main witness, 31‑year‑old Gareth Collins, claims Dundon offered him €20,000 to participate, but Collins repeatedly refused. Detective Garda John Farmer, cross‑examined by Dundon's barrister, said he had taken Collins' statement in 2011 but did not know the content of the conversation. Farmer also admitted he was unaware that Dundon was in custody on 29 November 2002, the date of the earlier Brian Fitzgerald murder, and that Collins had not yet given a statement on that case. The trial continues on 16 June before three judges.
In a murder trial, the accused, Vesel Jahiri, pleaded not guilty to killing Anna Finnegan and assaulting her brother Karl. The court heard that a fingerprint from Jahiri's left forefinger was found on the blade of the knife that caused Finnegan's fatal wounds, but no smudge was found on the handle. Detective Garda James Cunningham confirmed the mark was about one‑and‑a‑half to two inches from the handle's edge, pointing toward the sharp end. No fingerprints were found on black‑handled knives at Jahiri's residence, and the detective had not examined knives from the kitchen sink. Dr Arun Khan noted abrasions on Jahiri's left thumb and face. The case was set to continue before a jury presided by Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
The Central Criminal Court jury began deliberations on the murder of Shane Rossiter, a 29‑year‑old Tipperary resident, by Maurice Power, 31, of Dranganbeg. Power pleaded not guilty. Justice Deirdre Murphy explained that the case hinges on Power's 2012 confession to gardai, noting that jurors must assess its reliability and any independent confirmation. She highlighted circumstantial evidence linking Power to the black Audi used in the crime, including CCTV showing him refuelling the vehicle. The defence argued the confession was unreliable due to repeated off‑camera interactions and inconsistencies in Power's account, such as differing distances to the shots fired. Pathologist Marie Cassidy had identified two shotgun wounds at varying ranges. The jury, after over two and a half hours, requested to view the confession interview and CCTV footage before concluding. The trial remains at the deliberation stage.
John Biggins, a 35-year-old man from Claremorris, County Mayo, was ordered by the Central Criminal Court to return to the Central Mental Hospital following his acquittal. Biggins had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his father, Thomas Biggins, who was shot twice with a shotgun at their home in May 2012. The jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity after a two-day trial. Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Sally Lenihan testified that Biggins, who has chronic schizophrenia, has made good progress in rehabilitation but requires ongoing specialist care. She recommended his return to the hospital, a recommendation accepted by Mr Justice Paul Carney. Defence expert Dr Paul O'Connell had previously stated that Biggins suffered from psychotic symptoms and paranoid delusions, fulfilling criteria under the Mental Insanity Act. The court noted that Biggins was diagnosed with severe schizophrenia and mild intellectual disability. The judge issued the order based on the psychiatric recommendations, ensuring the defendant continues to receive the necessary specialist treatment for his condition.
In February 2014, two Dublin men, Robert Day (43) and Hubert Duffy (46), were charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army, an unlawful organisation, before the Special Criminal Court. On 2 February 2014, Day was additionally charged with unlawful custody of 400 counterfeit €50 notes found at Monck Place, Phibsborough, and with handling a stolen BMW motorcycle at Phoenix Park Racecourse Apartments, Navan Road, Dublin 7, between 11 November 2013 and 2 February 2014. Duffy was charged with handling the same stolen BMW motorcycle at the same address on 12 November 2013. Both men were arrested by the Special Detective Unit and other Garda units as part of operations against dissident republican groups. In court, Day pleaded not guilty to both charges, while Duffy made no reply after caution. The men were remanded in custody to appear again on 18 June before the non‑jury court. The case was heard by Justice Iseult O'Malley. The charges remain pending.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 3 June 2014, Vesel Jahiri pleaded not guilty to the murder of Anna Finnegan and to assault causing harm to her brother Karl. The case centred on a 10‑year relationship that had deteriorated, with two children involved. According to Karl Finnegan, Anna and he were having tea when Jahiri burst in with a knife, stabbing Anna in the chest and head. Jahiri claimed Karl produced the knives and that Anna was injured while trying to stop him. Gardaí interviews revealed Jahiri denied using the knife that killed Finnegan and insisted the knives found at his address were not from the same set. He also denied stabbing Finnegan, stating "about 30% of the case was not true." The trial was adjourned for a week, and the case was set to continue with a jury of ten.
In a Special Criminal Court murder trial, Limerick businessman Roy Collins, aged 35, died from a single gunshot wound to his chest, liver, aorta and inferior vena cava on 9 April 2009 at Coin Castle Amusements. The court heard medical evidence that Collins was at work around noon when a gunman fired a single shot, after which paramedic Damien Gaumont found him on all fours, breathing poorly, and transported him to University Hospital, Limerick. Dr Cathal O'Donnell confirmed Collins was conscious upon arrival but could not be revived, pronouncing him dead at 12:55. State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy's post‑mortem report identified the bullet's entry and exit points and the organs damaged. The accused, Nathan Killeen (24) and Wayne Dundon (36), pleaded not guilty; Killeen was alleged to have been the getaway driver, Dundon the mastermind, and James Dillon the gunman. The trial continues before three judges.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Judge Deirdre Murphy began her charge to a jury of twelve about Maurice Power, 31, who denies murder. Power is accused of firing two shots at Shane Rossiter, 29, on 17 October 2012 in Tipperary, allegedly causing fatal injuries. The trial proceeds with the jury set to deliberate tomorrow. Maurice Power pleaded not guilty.
In a case heard by the Special Criminal Court, a 55‑year‑old man named Samuel Devlin, originally from County Tyrone and residing at the Golf Suite of Finnstown House Hotel in Lucan, was charged with unlawful possession of the explosive PETN and membership of the Irish Republican Army. Following his arrest by the Special Detective Unit, the State Solicitor applied for a six‑week remand to allow the prosecution to prepare evidence. The presiding judge remanded Devlin in custody for six weeks and ordered that his next court appearance be conducted via video link.
In the High Court, Minister for the Environment and Local Government Phil Hogan is suing TV3 for defamation arising from comments made by broadcaster Vincent Browne on the Tonight with Vincent Browne programme on May 20. The Minister alleges Browne described him as a "bigoted racist" following representations Hogan made regarding housing suitability for a family from the Irish Travelling Community in a vacant council property in Co Kilkenny. Hogan claims the remarks implied he was prejudiced, breached the Incitement to Hatred Act, and were unsuitable for a public representative, causing reputational damage and stress. He seeks damages, a correction order, and the removal of the broadcast from TV3's website. TV3 denies the claims, arguing Browne expressed an honestly held opinion based on the Minister's public statements. During a pretrial motion, Hogan's counsel, Rossa Fanning BL, sought to amend the statement of claim to clarify interactions with Kilkenny County Council, asserting the Minister has "no issues" with the Travelling Community and has advocated for their housing. TV3's counsel, Marcus Dowling, opposed the amendment, arguing it glossed over factual inaccuracies. Justice Paul Gilligan ruled Hogan was entitled to amend his claim, noting he may need to provide a sworn statement regarding variations and could be cross-examined on inconsistencies. The matter was adjourned, with the case listed for a future hearing before a judge and jury.
In a Tipperary murder trial, the jury heard closing speeches on the case of Maurice Power, 31, accused of shooting Shane Rossiter, 29, on 17 October 2012. Prosecutor Anthony Sammon SC urged the jury that the evidence was compelling, citing circumstantial facts such as Power's car seen "burning in a bog," the disposal of his mobile phone, and his own statements to Gardaí about shooting Rossiter twice. He highlighted a detailed confession recorded in Interview Seven, describing Power as relaxed and uncoerced. Defence counsel Dominic McGinn SC challenged the reliability of the confession, arguing that Power's relaxed demeanor did not prove truthfulness and that inconsistencies existed between his account and forensic evidence. He questioned the Gardaí interview process and the lack of a recovered firearm, suggesting the confession alone was insufficient to prove guilt. The jury, composed of seven women and five men, will return next Tuesday for deliberation under Justice Deirdre Murphy. Maurice Power pleaded not guilty.
The Special Criminal Court will decide on Tuesday whether certain evidence can be admitted in the trial of Nathan Killeen (24) and Wayne Dundon (36), who are charged with murdering 35‑year‑old businessman Roy Collins. The court heard submissions from both sides during a voir dire held on Wednesday, which examined evidence concerning Killeen's detention at Roxboro Road Garda station. The trial is ongoing, and the court has not yet ruled on the admissibility of the evidence. Nathan Killeen pleaded not guilty. Wayne Dundon pleaded not guilty.
The murder trial of Maurice Power, 31, of Dranganbeg, Kilmoyler, Cahir, was delayed because the jury foreman could not attend the Central Criminal Court. Power has pleaded not guilty to the killing of Shane Rossiter, 29, in County Tipperary on 17 October of the previous year. The prosecution says Power fired two shots that caused catastrophic injuries leading to Rossiter's death. Justice Deirdre Murphy explained the foreman's illness, thanked the jury for their patience, and scheduled the trial to resume tomorrow, with a conclusion expected early next week.
In the Special Criminal Court, the trial of Nathan Killeen (24) and Wayne Dundon (36) over the murder of Roy Collins (35) continues. The court heard evidence and a video about the detention of Killeen at Roxboro Road Garda station. The case alleges Dundon directed the killing from prison, Killeen was the getaway driver, and James Dillon fired the fatal shot. Collins was shot in the chest at Coin Castle Amusements on 9 April 2009 and died. The hearing is a voir dire to decide admissibility of evidence, presided over by Justice Iseult O'Malley. Roy Collins pleaded not guilty.
Darren Murphy, 37, pleaded not guilty to murder of his girlfriend Olivia Dunlea, 36, and guilty to arson of her house on 17 February 2013. The jury heard that the couple had been together for about three months and had a heated argument the night before the death. Prosecutor Thomas Creed argued that Murphy, described as possessive, had checked Dunlea's texts, drove past her home at 3 am, and then set the house on fire while she was inside. He claimed Murphy watched the blaze from Church Hill "like Nero" and left her in a situation where she could have been saved. Defence counsel Michael Delaney presented a narrative of provocation, citing a prior relationship with another man, Fás, and alleged that Murphy's loss of self‑control was sudden. The jury deliberated for 2 hours 17 minutes before returning the next day. The case remains at the trial stage.
Three men—Gareth Mulley (44), William Burns (38) and David Gallagher (37)—appeared before the Special Criminal Court on 28 May 2014. They were charged with explosives offences and membership of the unlawful organisation Oglaigh na hEireann (the IRA). Burns, of Ardoyne, Belfast, was accused of unlawfully possessing PETN and RDX, a 50‑litre beer keg, 50 kg of ammonium nitrate homemade explosive, an improvised detonation cord, a steel booster tube and a time‑and‑power unit found at Kilcurry Church on 25 May. Mulley, of Dundalk, and Gallagher, of Drogheda, were charged with IRA membership on the same date. The Special Detective Unit arrested the men on Sunday evening and presented evidence to the court. No bail applications were made, but legal aid was granted to Mulley. Judge Iseult O'Malley remanded the men in custody, ordering a video‑link appearance on 4 June, with liberty to apply for bail if a production order is sought.
During the murder trial of Maurice Power, 31, the court heard that Power had told his mother, Janet Fullop, he was not involved in the death of Shane Rossiter, 29, who was killed in Tipperary on 17 October 2012. Fullop, who had previously informed Gardaí about the close relationship between her son and the Rossiter family, testified that she had persuaded Power to go to the Garda station after the murder. Power's defence counsel, Dominic McGinn SC, confirmed that Fullop had told the Gardaí about the family ties and that she had encouraged her son to cooperate with the police. The prosecution, led by Anthony Sammon SC, also presented evidence that Power had taken a chip from a private security camera, claimed to have burned it, and had told Gardaí that he had asked Sharon O'Donnell about the camera. The trial is proceeding before a jury of seven women and five men, presided over by Justice Deirdre Murphy. Maurice Power pleaded not guilty.
In a murder trial in Dublin, Darren Murphy, 37, is charged with killing 36‑year‑old Olivia Dunlea in her Pembroke Crescent home on 17 February 2013. He has pleaded not guilty to the murder but guilty to arson after stabbing her. During his final interview, his barrister Michael Delaney SC questioned Garda Sergeant Anthony Harrington about a nine‑and‑a‑half‑minute gap between Murphy's release from the cell and the recorder being turned on, suggesting a pre‑interview discussion. Harrington denied any discussion, citing possible discrepancies between the station clock and the recorder. Detective Garda James Nagle agreed that no discussion had taken place. The jury heard testimony from Sergeant Stephen Dennehy about a watch inscription on Dunlea's body. The prosecution has closed its case before Mr Justice Paul Carney and a jury of eleven.
In the murder trial of Vesel Jahiri, the jury was asked to leave for a week while Judge Paul McDermott dealt with complex legal matters. Jahiri, a Louth Village resident originally from Kosovo, pleaded not guilty to murdering his former partner Anna Finnegan and to assaulting her brother Karl on 21 September 2012. The court heard that Jahiri and Finnegan had a ten‑year relationship that deteriorated, and that they had two children. Karl testified that after putting the children to bed, he and Finnegan were having tea when Jahiri burst in with a knife, stabbing Karl in the chest and head while Finnegan fled and later collapsed. Jahiri claimed Karl produced the knives and that Finnegan was injured while trying to stop him. The jury also heard from a friend of Jahiri who said the accused claimed he had defended himself after an attack.
During a murder trial, the burnt-out remains of a car matching that of the accused, Maurice Power, were discovered by Gardaí 20 minutes from Clonmel. Power, 31, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Shane Rossiter, 29, in County Tipperary on 17 October 2012. The court heard that Gardaí searching for Power's vehicle found a burnt Audi in a bog outside Clonmel. Identification occurred after an embossed chassis number was located beneath the bonnet. Under cross‑examination, Garda Lorraine Hogan explained that manpower constraints had led to off‑camera contact with the accused. Defence counsel Dominic McGinn suggested that Power was pressured to confess during cigarette breaks, a claim denied by Detective Garda Adrian Cooke. The trial proceeded before a jury of seven women and five men, presided over by Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy.
A 35-year-old man from Claremorris in County Mayo has pleaded not guilty to murdering his elderly father by reason of insanity at the Central Criminal Court. John Biggins of Ballynalty, Cross, Claremorris faces a charge of murdering Thomas Biggins, aged 71, at the same address on May 6th 2012. Following his arraignment before Mr Justice Paul Carney, a jury of seven men and five women was sworn in to hear the trial. The proceedings are scheduled to commence on Thursday and are anticipated to last approximately two days.
In a murder trial, the court heard that text messages exchanged between the deceased, Olivia Dunlea, and the accused, Darren Murphy, were of a friendly nature in the days leading up to her death. Murphy, 37, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, and also pleaded guilty to arson on Dunlea's home. The court noted that for about three months prior to the incident, the pair were "an item." On the night before her death, they were at the Rochestown Inn, then had a quarrel at home. Murphy claimed he "just snapped" after a confrontation, describing a rapid escalation to a knife attack. Garda testimony indicated extensive texting of a good nature, no evidence of conflict, and that Dunlea's phone was destroyed by Murphy. The case proceeded to a jury hearing on Monday.
In a murder trial in Tipperary, Maurice Power, aged 31, pleaded not guilty to the killing of Shane Rossiter, aged 29, on 17 October 2012. The court heard that Power told Gardaí he would "do 15 to 20 years knowing that it is over" after Rossiter's death. He claimed he had decided to keep Rossiter close and did not want to show fear. When asked if he could have repaired the relationship, Power said the situation had been ongoing for years and that he would have been dead five times over. He denied regret, stating he did not want to look over his shoulder. Garda Adrian Cooke denied that Power was pressured into making the statement, and the trial continues before a jury presided by Justice Deirdre Murphy.
Paul Mason, 26, of Ballygarra Park, Garristown, was charged with membership of the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) on 7 May 2014. He appeared before the Special Criminal Court, a non‑jury court, where the judge considered bail despite objections from Gardaí. The Gardaí argued that a €5,000 independent surety was too low and that a higher amount of €20,000 would be required. The judge agreed that €5,000 was insufficient and set an independent surety of €8,500. Mason was ordered to live at his mother's address, sign daily at a Garda station, observe a curfew from 9 pm to 9 am, keep a mobile phone on his person at all times, and not interfere with witnesses. He must stay out of County Louth unless he gives 24‑hour notice to the Gardaí and must not associate with anyone convicted or charged with an offence. Legal aid was granted for his defence.
Des Christie, 49, of Finglas, was arrested twice for IRA membership while on bail. He was first charged on 29 March 2013 after a search of a commercial premises in Clondalkin, and was due to stand trial on 13 January 2015. Christie was granted bail in April 2013, but was arrested again in July 2013 following a search of a house in Tallaght. He was charged again for membership of the Irish Republican Army, and the court set a trial date for 9 June 2015. On 28 May 2015, the Special Criminal Court granted him temporary bail. He must leave at 9 am, return on 4 June, observe a curfew from midnight to 7 am, provide a mobile number, surrender his passport, and may not associate with co‑accused or anyone convicted or charged with a scheduled offence. The judge, Ms Justice Iseult O'Malley, approved the application.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 22 May 2014, a 37‑year‑old man named Darren Murphy pleaded not guilty to the murder of 36‑year‑old Olivia Dunlea, whom he had dated for three months. He also pleaded guilty to arson of the deceased's home on the same night. Murphy told the court that a knife was "no sooner in my hands than it was in her neck" after a heated argument. He described how he stabbed Ms Dunlea at the back of the neck, then tried to leave the scene, wiping the knife on a pillow and discarding it in the toilet to stop a ringing phone. A taxi driver, Thomas Farrell, testified that he and Ms Dunlea had been friends and had a one‑night stand months earlier, but had no further contact. The case was set to continue before a jury the following day.