In the Dublin Special Criminal Court, Vincent Banks, 44, pleaded not guilty to withholding information about the murder of Northern Ireland prison officer David Black. The prosecution read witness statements under Section 21 of the Criminal Justice Act. Ryan McGrath, a front‑passenger on the M1 near Lurgan on 1 November 2012, described hearing a bang, seeing smoke and glass break, and observing a silver Nissan with windows down and a black Audi that veered off the motorway into a ditch. Paula McGraid, his partner, reported hearing a bang after being overtaken, seeing a long thin object protruding from a passenger window, which she identified as a rifle barrel, and witnessing the Nissan swerving onto the hard shoulder and crashing. The prosecution alleged that David Black, 52, was shot by occupants of a Republic of Ireland‑registered Toyota Camry (94 D 50997) as he drove to work.
Sean Connolly, aged 34, was charged in December 2012 with the murder of veteran criminal Eamon Kelly at Furry Park Road, Killester, and also faced charges of IRA membership and firearm possession. The Special Criminal Court set his trial for 28 April 2015, expecting a duration of three to four weeks. Connolly's counsel, Paul Burns SC, requested a trial date, while Judge Paul Butler instructed Connolly to notify the prosecution within 14 days if he intended to rely on an alibi and to give 21‑day notice before calling witnesses. Connolly may soon apply for short bail on compassionate grounds.
In 2014 the Central Criminal Court heard that Eugene Cullen, aged 30, pleaded not guilty to the 2009 murder of Seamus O'Byrne, 27, in Tymon Park North, Tallaght. The prosecution said Cullen was not the gunman but one of four men who plotted and executed the killing. A man from Bray, Garret O'Brien, was identified as the shooter. Garda Kevin O'Shaughnessy testified that three years earlier he had stopped a Volkswagen with no tax, seized it, and that Cullen was the driver while O'Brien was the passenger. Garda Clifford Cullen described CCTV footage from the Leisureplex in Coolock showing three men entering at 8:50 pm, with movements until 9:47 pm. Detective Garda Camon Ryan recounted driving routes to establish timings, noting a 26‑minute trip from the shooting scene to the Leisureplex. Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy testified that O'Byrne died from five gunshot wounds, including chest, head and left leg injuries.
PSNI officers have given evidence at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin in the trial of a man charged with withholding information relating to the November 2012 murder of Northern Ireland prison officer David Black. Vincent Banks (44), of Dublin 7, has pleaded not guilty to the charge. Constables Gary Quinn and Jane Johnston testified about attending the scene on the M1 motorway near Lurgan on November 1, 2012, where a vehicle had come off the road. Witness accounts provided to officers described a shooting and a car believed to have a Sligo registration plate. Constable Catherine Mallon gave evidence of locating a burnt-out vehicle. The prosecution case centres on a Toyota Camry, registered in the Republic, used in Mr Black's killing. The State alleges Mr Banks purchased the vehicle. He also faces a separate charge of IRA membership. The trial before Justice Paul Butler continues.
A 42‑year‑old man, Andrzej Benko of Ladyswell Road, Mulhuddert, will stand trial on Tuesday for attempting to murder his wife Joanna Benko at their Dublin home on 5 July 2010. He pleaded not guilty. The three‑day trial, before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, will be heard by a jury of two women and ten men.
In the trial of a 30‑year‑old man accused of murdering a father of two in Dublin, the jury has been reviewing additional CCTV footage. The defendant, Eugene Cullen of Derry Road, Crumlin, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Seamus O'Byrne, aged 27, who was shot dead at Tymon Park North, Tallaght, on 13 March 2009. The prosecution argues that Cullen was not the gunman but one of four men who plotted and executed the killing. The jury has examined footage from several city locations, including M50 toll bridge cameras that captured a silver Nissan Primera moving northbound at 8.25 pm and southbound at 10.43 pm on the night of the murder. Additional evidence from the Topaz garage on Fortfield Road in Kimmage, where a silver Nissan entered at 6.27 pm, was also presented.
Adam Busby, 64, a self‑styled Scottish separatist with multiple sclerosis confined to a wheelchair, is awaiting a decision on his bail application while he awaits a Supreme Court appeal. He was extradited to the UK by a High Court order after being arrested in Dublin under a European Arrest Warrant. The charges allege that between November 2009 and June 2010 he telephoned and texted hoax bomb‑warnings and poison threats to Scottish newspapers, the Press Association, the Samaritans, and public figures, claiming bombs would detonate at various sites including the Argyll Arcade, Hilton Hotel, Forth Road Bridge and Erskine Bridge. In the High Court, counsel for the Minister for Justice objected to bail, citing a risk of further offences and potential delay of extradition, while counsel for Busby argued there was no evidence he would frustrate the process.
In the murder trial of a 30‑year‑old Dublin man, Eugene Cullen, the jury heard CCTV footage from Tymon Park North, Tallaght, where Seamus O'Byrne, aged 27, was shot dead on 13 March 2009. The prosecution says Cullen was not the gunman but one of four men who plotted and executed the killing. Detective Garda John O'Connell presented the footage, describing three gunshots at 8.15 pm, followed by a fourth shot, a female scream, and a final shot. A can of Red Bull and parts of a mobile phone were found at the scene. Detective Sergeant Daniel Kelly and Garda Patrick Tarrant travelled to Red Bull factories in Austria and Switzerland and to a Spar shop on Ballymount Road, where they purchased 25 cans with the same batch number and expiry date, indicating an Irish market order of about 1.7 million cans. Eugene Cullen pleaded not guilty.
A Dublin man has pleaded not guilty to withholding information relating to the murder of Northern Ireland prison officer David Black at the Special Criminal Court. Vincent Banks (44), of Smithfield Gate Apartments in Dublin 7, faces a charge of failing to disclose material information between October and December 2012. The prosecution opened its case before the non-jury court on Friday, with counsel outlining evidence that the Toyota Camry used in Mr Black's fatal shooting on the M1 motorway near Lurgan on 1 November 2012 was purchased by the accused. The vehicle was subsequently recovered burnt-out near Inglewood. The prosecution intends to present forensic evidence linking Mr Banks to the vehicle's registration and CCTV footage from a Tallaght retailer. The court heard the car was stored in Carrigallen, County Leitrim, prior to the murder. Mr Banks faces an additional charge of IRA membership on 18 December 2012. The trial continues before Justice Paul Butler on Tuesday.
In the murder trial of 30‑year‑old Eugene Cullen, the State Pathologist Marie Cassidy testified that the deceased, Seamus O'Byrne, suffered five gunshot wounds, including one to the head, three to the back and one in the hip. She noted injuries to the brain, heart and lungs and stated the cause of death was the chest wounds, with head and leg wounds contributing. The prosecution alleged Cullen was not the gunman but part of a four‑man plot. Witnesses described a silver car and a Volkswagen Passat seen near the scene, and a silver Nissan Primera with a flat tyre. Garda investigations involved house‑to‑house enquiries, CCTV footage from an Applegreen station, and the discovery of a left‑handed black glove in a drain. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Barry White with a jury of five men and seven women. Eugene Cullen pleaded not guilty.
In a Tipperary murder trial, John Hannigan, aged 46, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Anthony Fallon and to assault causing harm. The trial, held in the Central Criminal Court, began on Friday with a jury of seven men and four women. Hannigan, who lives in River House, New Quay, Clonmel, claimed he had lost his temper when Fallon would not stop talking and punched him "hard and fast" like Bruce Lee. He said they had been drinking with another man, Joseph O'Riordan, who had also beaten Fallon earlier that night. O'Riordan is now in jail after pleading guilty to assault. A post‑mortem found 31 rib fractures and blunt force trauma to Fallon's head and trunk as the cause of death. Hannigan later told gardai he was "just panicking" when he attacked Fallon on a walk through town.
In a 2014 trial at the Central Criminal Court, 46‑year‑old John Hannigan of Clonmel pleaded not guilty to murder and assault charges over the death of Anthony Fallon on 18 January 2012. Hannigan testified that he had no role in the killing and that he had been panicking when he told Gardaí he had given Fallon 'Bruce Lee' punches. He described a night of heavy drinking with Joseph O'Riordan, who he said was the one who struck Fallon repeatedly, including with a chair and a kettle. Hannigan claimed he only struck Fallon's shoulder to break up the fight and that he helped Fallon to his apartment and called 999. The prosecution read excerpts from Hannigan's earlier Garda interviews, where he admitted to punching Fallon 'hard and fast', which he denied. The post‑mortem found 31 fractures to Fallon's ribs, and O'Riordan is in jail after pleading guilty to assault.
In a Tallaght murder trial, Sharon Rattigan gave evidence about a shooting that occurred on 13 March 2009. She lived with her partner and two children in Tymon Park North and had planned to leave her son at her mother's house that night. Rattigan said she saw a hooded man in dark clothes with a gun approaching the garden, and that he shot at Seamus O'Byrne, who was then killed. She claimed she ran to stop him, was shot in the leg, and then grabbed the gun, struggling with the attacker who repeatedly struck her. Rattigan said she threw the gun into her car and the man fled. She also attempted to help O'Byrne, who was lying on the ground, before being taken to hospital. The trial is before Mr Justice Barry White and a jury, with Eugene Cullen, 30, pleading not guilty to the murder.
In the Central Criminal Court, John Hannigan, 46, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Anthony Fallon and to assault causing harm. During Garda interviews, Hannigan described punching Fallon "like the film Fists of Fury," claiming he had the ability to kill but no intention. He admitted giving several statements, some of which were lies, and expressed regret, calling the incident a tragic accident. Hannigan denied giving crush‑type injuries, despite the State Pathologist's findings of severe crush injuries and 31 rib fractures. The State alleged Hannigan and Joseph O'Riordan assaulted Fallon at his flat, then violently assaulted him in a car park and helped him into River House where he died. O'Riordan is jailed, having pleaded guilty to assault. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Carney and a jury of eight men and three women.
Vincent Banks, 44, pleaded not guilty at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on a charge of withholding information that could assist in the apprehension, prosecution or conviction of a person for the murder of Northern Ireland prison officer David Black. The charge alleges that between 10 October and 20 December 2012, Banks failed to disclose such information to Gardai without reasonable excuse. He is also charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, the Irish Republican Army, on 18 December 2012. Counsel for the State, Mr Paul Greene SC, requested the court to sever the indictment and proceed first with the withholding information charge, while remanding the membership count for immediate consideration after the judgment on the first charge. The trial was scheduled to begin today but was adjourned to Thursday, with the court allowing a short delay. The case involves the murder of David Black, a 52‑year‑old prison officer killed on 1 November 2013.
In a 2014 trial, John Hannigan, 46, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Anthony Fallon, 46, in Clonmel on 18 January 2012. Hannigan testified that Joseph O'Riordan had assaulted Fallon in his flat, striking him on the head with a chair and later using a kettle and belt. Hannigan described the scene as a "bloodbath" and "horror show," noting a one‑inch gash and blood spurt. He claimed he only hit Fallon in the chest to break up a fight. The State's case alleges Hannigan and O'Riordan also assaulted Fallon in a car park and transported him to River House, where he died. A post‑mortem found 31 rib fractures and blunt force trauma to the head and trunk as the cause of death. O'Riordan, who pleaded guilty to assault, remains in jail. The case is before Mr Justice Paul Carney and a jury of eight men and three women.
The Court of Criminal Appeal has set aside the convictions of two nightclub doormen from Sligo and Co Mayo who were sentenced in 2011 for assault causing harm. Frankie Murphy of Stephen Street, Sligo, and John Molloy of Creggs Road, Ballina had each received three-year suspended sentences and were ordered to pay €10,000 following their conviction by Sligo Circuit Criminal Court jury in October 2011. The incident occurred in February 2009 at Envy nightclub in Sligo town, resulting in serious injury to the complainant. On appeal, the Court of Criminal Appeal found that the trial judge's charge to the jury had failed to adequately address the separate defences raised by each defendant, including self-defence and accident. Justice Elizabeth Dunne ruled that the convictions were unsafe and should be quashed. The State indicated it would seek further instructions regarding the matter, with the case listed for mention at a future date.
Eugene Cullen, 30, of Derry Road, Crumlin, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Seamus O'Byrne, 27, at Tymon Park North, Tallaght, on 13 March 2009. A jury of five men and seven women was sworn in on 24 February 2014, with the trial set to begin Wednesday and expected to last four weeks.
In a Tipperary murder trial, the State Pathologist, Professor Marie Cassidy, testified that the deceased, Anthony Fallon, suffered 31 rib fractures and other severe injuries. She concluded that Fallon died from blunt force trauma to the head and trunk, with linear wounds on his face and head, extensive bruising, and haemorrhage to the brain. Internal examination revealed fractures to the breast bone, broken collar bone, and a litre of blood in the chest cavity. Cassidy described the chest injuries as likely causing respiratory insufficiency and severe incapacitation. She suggested the injuries were sustained close to where Fallon was found and that multiple assaults may have occurred. The State alleges that John Hannigan and Joseph O'Riordan assaulted Fallon at his flat, then in a car park, before he died at River House. O'Riordan has pleaded guilty to assault; the trial continues before a jury. John Hannigan pleaded not guilty.
In February 2014, Nathan Kinsella, aged 33, was arrested at the Abs‑Solute Fitness gym in Cabra after failing to appear for his IRA membership trial. The Special Criminal Court had issued a bench warrant for his arrest following his absence at the January 28 mention and the February 4 trial date. Detective Sergeant Padraig Boyce reported Kinsella's arrest to the court, and Ms Tara Burns SC applied for his remand. The three‑judge panel, led by Mr Justice Paul Butler, remanded Kinsella in custody, with his next mention scheduled for March 6. Kinsella had previously suffered a severe injury that limited his mobility. Earlier, Detective Inspector Paul Scott noted that Kinsella had not been seen by his bailsperson since before Christmas, despite a bail condition requiring him to keep his mobile phone on and observe a curfew from 9 pm to 9 am.
In a murder trial in the Central Criminal Court, Garda Shane Kiely testified that 46‑year‑old John Hannigan of River House, New Quay, Clonmel, had arrived at the scene of a suspicious death on 18 January 2012, the day Anthony Fallon, also 46, was found dead in his flat on Abbey Street. Kiely described Hannigan standing outside the apartment complex when Fallon was lying in the foyer, with a blood‑stained face and swollen injuries. The Garda noted that Hannigan had a graze on a left knuckle and that he was visibly upset, crying and shaking. He also reported seeing blood on the left side of Hannigan's clothing. The State alleges that Hannigan and Joseph O'Riordan assaulted Fallon earlier that morning, then took him to River House where he died of his injuries. O'Riordan has pleaded guilty to assault. The trial is before Mr Justice Paul Carney and a jury of eight men and four women. John Hannigan pleaded not guilty.
A 46‑year‑old Tipperary man, John Hannigan of River House, New Quay in Clonmel, pleaded not guilty to two charges: the murder of Anthony Fallon (46) on 18 January 2012 in Clonmel and an assault on Fallon at a flat on Abbey Street on the same day. He was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, where he was dressed in a grey sweater and black shirt. Mr Justice Paul Carney swore in a jury of eight men and four women, and the trial is set to begin on Tuesday and is expected to last two weeks.
Wayne Dundon has failed in an application to adjourn his forthcoming Special Criminal Court trial on a charge of murdering Limerick businessman Roy Collins five years ago. Dundon (35), of Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, and Nathan Killeen (23), of Hyde Road, Prospect, are charged with the murder of Mr Collins (35) at Coin Castle Amusements, Roxboro Road Shopping Centre, Limerick on April 9th, 2009. They are due to stand trial on April 29 next and the trial is expected to last four to five weeks. Presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Butler rejected the application, stating that the potential duration of the trial should not prevent it from proceeding. He noted that the Special Criminal Court does not have a jury and that the trial could be interrupted for two weeks if necessary. Chief Superintendent David Sheehan testified about the threat to proposed prosecution witnesses and the increasing difficulty in ensuring their safety as time passes. He stated that adjourning the case would place a significant strain on garda support and witness cooperation. Justice Butler acknowledged the credible evidence provided by Chief Supt Sheehan and the real concern regarding witness safety. He emphasized the court's duty to ensure a fair trial while addressing potential risks. Counsel for Dundon, Mr Remy Farrell SC, argued that the trial may not conclude within the allocated timeframe and raised concerns about evidence disclosure. Similar concerns were raised by Mr Micheal O'Higgins SC for Killeen. The matter was not adjourned and remains at the trial stage.
TWO men, Tomas Tarasevicius (29) and Paulius Taracvius (33), were charged with possession of stolen high‑powered vehicles and related offences. Tomas faces four counts of handling stolen property, including an Audi A5, a Nissan Quashqui and two BMWs seized at McAuley's Yard in Balbriggan on 20 September 2013, plus possession of stolen cars, two petrol tanks and criminal damage to an Audi. Paulius is charged with possession of a stolen Audi car at the same location and date. Both appeared before Balbriggan District Court, where a State solicitor confirmed the Books of Evidence were ready and served. They were remanded on continuing bail to appear before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 7 March, with a judge warning them to provide witness details within 14 days. The defendants' solicitor applied for a second counsel due to the case's complexity, a matter for the trial judge. The case is now set for trial by judge and jury.
The trial of a 20‑year‑old Dublin man, Craig O'Halloran, for the murder of 32‑year‑old Kevin Kenny on 31 July 2011 at Sarsfield Road, Ballyfermot, has been adjourned. O'Halloran pleaded not guilty. A jury was sworn in, but the trial was postponed because no judge was available. A new trial date will be set.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 11 February 2014, Corey Mulhall, aged 43, was acquitted of membership in the Irish Republican Army. Mulhall had admitted taking photographs of Garda officers at the Harcourt Square complex in September 2012, using the false name "Jason Egan" to book a hotel room. He claimed money was offered by a named man to photograph a tall guard, and that he lied to Garda investigators about meeting a "bird" whose name he did not know. Garda Chief Superintendent Kevin Donohoe testified that, based on confidential information, Mulhall was a member of the IRA on 26 September 2012. The judge, Justice Paul Butler, found that Donohoe's belief alone was insufficient without independent corroboration. Mulhall's false answers and failure to answer material questions were noted, but the court concluded there was reasonable doubt about his membership, and he was acquitted. Mulhall had pleaded not guilty to the charge of membership of an unlawful organisation.
Craig O'Halloran, aged 20, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 32‑year‑old Kevin Kenny on Sarsfield Road, Ballyfermot, on 31 July 2011. He was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on 10 February 2014. The judge, Mr Justice Paul Carney, called a jury of six men and six women. The trial is scheduled to start on Wednesday and is expected to last two weeks.
A Sinn Féin local election candidate from County Sligo has secured a High Court order lifting his indefinite suspension from the party. Edward McCarrick, 33, with an address in Tubbercurry, was selected to contest the Ballymote electoral area in October 2013 but was suspended in early November. He claimed the suspension was imposed without disclosure of the complaint's nature, the complainant's identity, or opportunity to respond, breaching party procedures. The court heard that concerns had been raised regarding alleged threatening comments. Mr Justice Sean Ryan held that the candidate, entitled to the presumption of innocence, could not remain indefinitely suspended from the party while investigations by An Garda Síochána proceeded independently. The judge acknowledged the party had acted appropriately in referring sensitive information to gardaí but found ongoing suspension incompatible with due process. The injunction was granted and the suspension lifted accordingly.
A 21‑year‑old man, Michael Kinsella of Swiftbrook Close, Tallaght, is on trial for the murder of Adil Essalhi, whose body was found in a ditch in north Dublin three years ago. Kinsella pleaded not guilty. The Central Criminal Court was told that Kinsella and another person killed Essalhi somewhere in fields behind Tyrrelstown Plaza between 9 pm and shortly after 9:30 pm on 6 January 2011. Prosecutor Mr Alex Owens SC described how Essalhi had gone drinking with Kinsella's uncle Wayne and a partner, then returned to the duplex apartment where they drank with others, including Kinsella. Owens said the Kinsellas believed Essalhi had murdered Wayne's brother Lee. At about 9 pm Essalhi was asked to leave the apartment and was then "done to death" in the fields. Two weapons were used, a machete and a sharp instrument such as a knife; a machete was found next to the body but no other knife was recovered.
The High Court trial of a civil damages claim brought by Joanne Quinn against retired Detective Sergeant Edward Justin Clarke is ongoing. Ms Quinn, 41, of Castlebar, Co Mayo, alleges she was stalked and sexually harassed by Mr Clarke between 2002 and 2005 while he investigated her prior abuse complaints. Mr Clarke admitted to a sexual relationship but pleaded it was consensual, denying the allegation of rape. Counsel for Ms Quinn, Martin Giblin SC, argued Mr Clarke abused his position of authority, specifically alleging rape on New Year's Eve 2002. Conversely, counsel for Mr Clarke, Roughan Banim SC, stated his client accepted the relationship was inappropriate due to his role but maintained it was not rape. Mr Banim noted Mr Clarke's 33 years of service and the severe personal impact of the allegations. Under cross-examination, Ms Quinn explained her delay in reporting was due to disbelief in her claims given Mr Clarke's status. The jury is tasked with resolving whether the sexual acts were consensual. The matter was adjourned and continues.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court will begin deliberating tomorrow in the case of a Castlebar man charged with murdering his mother. Celyn Eadon of Derrycrieve, Islandeady is accused of killing Noreen Kelly at their home in March 2011. The 22-year-old admits to her manslaughter but denies murder. The defence argued that drug use from childhood caused a mental disorder that diminished his responsibility, or that intoxication prevented him forming intent to kill. The prosecution contended he was not suffering from mental disorder and that the disappearance of his drugs from his room may have triggered the fatal attack. Medical evidence presented conflicting accounts regarding whether the accused had a mental disorder. The eight-day trial concluded with closing arguments from both the defence and State. Mr Justice Paul Carney instructed the jury of seven men and five women that their task would be difficult. The unnamed man pleaded not guilty.
Hubert Duffy, 46, of George's Place, Temple Street, Dublin 1, and Robert Day, 43, of St Attracta Road, Cabra, Dublin 7, were arrested by the Special Detective Unit and Garda Crime and Security Branch as part of an investigation into dissident republican groups. Both men were charged on 2 February 2014 with membership of an unlawful organisation within the State, namely the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Duffy had previously been charged with the same offence on 29 March 2013, was granted bail in April 2013, and was due to stand trial in January 2015. The arrests were made at 1:42 pm on Chancery Street and 1:44 pm on the North Circular Road, with both men wearing grey hoodies. They were remanded in custody, with liberty to apply for bail to appear before the Special Criminal Court on 12 February 2014. The court was presided over by Justice Paul Butler, with Judges John O'Hagan and Flannan Brennan.
In a Dublin court, the trial of Nathan Kinsella, aged 33, for alleged membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) was halted because he did not appear. Kinsella was scheduled to stand trial on 13 September 2012 for unlawful organisation membership. A bench warrant had been issued by the Special Criminal Court after Kinsella failed to attend a hearing, and a similar warrant had been issued by the Circuit Criminal Court in November after he again failed to appear. Counsel for Kinsella, Mr Diarmaid McGuinness SC, stated that he had not received any communication from Kinsella or his solicitor for several months and was unaware of the accused's whereabouts. The prosecution's counsel, Mr Tom O'Connell SC, reported that Kinsella had not been harmed and that Gardaí had made efforts to locate him without success. The presiding judge, Mr Justice Paul Butler, noted the existence of warrants from both courts.
At the Central Criminal Court, three mental health professionals gave conflicting evidence in the murder trial of a man accused of killing his mother in Castlebar, County Mayo. Celyn Eadon, aged 22, of Derrycrieve, Islandeady, admits manslaughter but denies murder in connection with the death of Noreen Kelly on 9 March 2011. Ms Kelly, aged 46, died from multiple stab wounds at their home. Two defence witnesses, a senior clinical psychologist and a consultant forensic psychiatrist, both based at the Central Mental Hospital, testified that the accused suffered from drug-induced brain impairment and substance-induced psychosis at the time of the incident. However, a prosecution consultant forensic psychiatrist concluded the accused did not meet the legal threshold for mental illness under the Criminal Law Insanity Act. He stated that extreme intoxication, while present, is excluded from that definition. The trial before Mr Justice Paul Carney continues. Celyn Eadon pleaded not guilty.
A 21‑year‑old, Michael Kinsella of Swiftbrook Close, Tallaght, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Adil Essalhi in Tyrrelstown, Co. Dublin, on 6 January 2011. A jury has been sworn in for his trial, which is set to begin on Thursday and is expected to last two weeks.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Celyn Eadon, accused of murdering his mother Noreen Kelly in Castlebar, has heard evidence regarding the deceased's injuries and the accused's mental state. Ms Kelly, 46, died of multiple stab wounds on March 9, 2011. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that he found 19 stab wounds, slash wounds, and bruises on the body, with injuries penetrating the brain, severing a jugular vein, and damaging the heart and liver. He attributed death to catastrophic haemorrhaging. Mr Eadon, 22, has pleaded not guilty to her murder at the address, while admitting to manslaughter. The prosecution closed its case, and the defence called two medical witnesses. Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist Dr Paul O'Connell stated that Mr Eadon began using drugs at age 10 and was likely experiencing substance-induced psychosis at the time of the killing, which could affect his capacity to form specific intent. Senior Clinical Psychologist Dr Ken O'Reilly concluded that the accused suffered from organic brain impairment secondary to polysubstance misuse. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Carney and a jury.
During a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, Detective Inspector Kevin Daly gave evidence about how a dead body was found in a wardrobe in a Dublin flat. The accused, a 35‑year‑old man, is charged with murdering Christopher Jackson, 53, on 7 September 2012. Anthony Locke, the accused, pleaded not guilty. Bernard Locke, his brother, pleaded guilty to the murder. Daly explained that a cousin of the accused first contacted the Gardaí after Bernard Locke called asking for help moving the deceased. Daly went to Prussia Street, where Bernard was present and agreed to a search. He then checked wardrobes in three flats, contacting the landlord Barbara Staunton. In the bedroom wardrobe, a heavy package wrapped in a duvet was found, which Daly believed to be the body and declared a crime scene.
The Special Criminal Court has granted 31-year-old Thomas McMahon, a Limerick man charged with IRA membership, permission to travel to Lithuania for a third time. The court acceded to an application to ease his bail restrictions until February 10, allowing him to visit his Lithuanian wife. McMahon, of Ros Fearna, Murroe, and his co-accused, 34-year-old Noel Noonan of St. Patrick's Hostel, Clare Street, were arrested in February 2013 near Cahir, Co Tipperary, during an investigation into dissident republican activities. Both men face charges of membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the IRA. While Detective Inspector William Hanrahan of the Special Detective Unit objected to the application, citing the upcoming trial date of March 25 and concerns over McMahon's potential non-return, he acknowledged that McMahon had previously returned his passport within 24 hours. Presiding Judge Paul Butler noted McMahon's prior compliance and granted the variation. Counsel Michael Bowman BL confirmed the bail surety was present and requested the suspension of signing-on and residency conditions from February 1 to February 10. The matter remains at the pre-trial stage, with the trial scheduled for March 25.
During a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, Barbara Staunton testified that the deceased, Christopher Jackson, had threatened to kill her. Staunton, who had lived with Jackson before his death, said she had received threats from him weeks earlier. She described how Jackson had put his hands around her neck and threatened her with a knife. Staunton also claimed that both Anthony Locke and his brother Bernard Locke were involved in Jackson's murder, stating that Bernard stabbed Jackson in the heart. She recounted that she had spoken to Gardaí after the murder, expressing that she believed both men were responsible. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, is expected to last two weeks. The jury consists of 3 women and 9 men. Anthony Locke pleaded not guilty. Bernard Locke pleaded guilty.
A 22-year-old man from Castlebar has admitted manslaughter but denies murder in connection with the death of his mother at their home in Derrycrieve, Islandeady on 9 March 2011. The Central Criminal Court heard that the accused disputed suggestions he killed his mother after she destroyed his drugs, instead claiming he acted while delusional. Detective Garda Róisín Loftus gave evidence of interviews conducted the day after the 46-year-old woman was found with multiple stab wounds. The court was told forensic analysis identified methamphetamine residue in charred packaging recovered from the family home. The accused stated he had consumed prescription medication and amphetamine in the hours before the incident and believed his medication had been tampered with. Medical evidence previously presented indicated he received a diagnosis of acute psychotic episode secondary to polysubstance abuse following his arrest. The trial before Mr Justice Paul Carney and jury continues. The unnamed 22-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 30 January 2014, Ursula Shannon (30), a Trinity College graduate and member of the socialist republican group Eirigi, together with John McGreal (37) and Colin Brady (24), were charged with the unlawful possession of two handguns and 32 rounds of ammunition. Each pleaded not guilty to possession of a 9mm Taurus PT92 pistol, a suitable magazine, a 9mm Walther P5 pistol, a ZGJY stun gun‑flashlight, 25 rounds of 9mm ammunition and 7 rounds of 9mm ammunition. John Troy (33) pleaded guilty to possession of the same firearms and stun gun. The court heard that the four were intercepted in a white Opel van at Tullybeg, Rahan, Co Offaly on 27 November 2012, where they were found wearing wigs, disguises and multiple layers of clothing. The prosecution alleged the van was used for a planned robbery of a licensed firearm shop. The case remains ongoing.
At the Central Criminal Court, a 22-year-old man from Derrycrieve, Islandeady, Castlebar pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted manslaughter in connection with the death of his mother, Noreen Kelly, on March 9, 2011. The 46-year-old died of multiple stab wounds at their home. During proceedings before Mr Justice Paul Carney, the court heard evidence that the accused's behaviour had significantly altered following a violent assault he sustained aged twelve, when two men attacked him with implements whilst he was in a field. His mother's former partner testified that the incident profoundly affected the accused and that his mother had later expressed concern about his unwillingness to seek counselling. The witness also stated that the accused began using drugs months before Ms Kelly's death. A detective sergeant recalled that when arrested hours after the incident, the accused indicated his mother had attacked him first and that he had carried a knife. Hospital records subsequently documented that the accused tested positive for multiple controlled substances and received a diagnosis of acute psychotic episode.
The murder trial of Anthony Locke, 35, is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan. Locke, from Prussia Street, has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Christopher Jackson on 7 September 2012. His brother, Bernard Locke, 41, pleaded guilty to the same murder earlier this week. Witness Barbara Staunton testified that she was held at knife point by Anthony Locke while Bernard Locke took her partner into another room. She alleged that after Jackson was stabbed, Bernard Locke instructed Anthony Locke to "finish him off." Staunton stated that Bernard Locke subsequently asked her to have sex with him and threatened her life, forcing her to remain silent. She reported that the men told her to "act normal" when her sister visited. The court heard that Staunton had been addicted to heroin at the time. The trial, expected to last two weeks, continues with a jury of 12.
The trial of Celyn Eadon, charged with murdering his mother Noreen Kelly on March 9, 2011, continued at the Central Criminal Court. Eadon, then 22, has pleaded not guilty to murder but admits to manslaughter. Witness John Scott testified that he was having tea when a half-naked, injured teenager approached his kitchen window. Scott stated the young man claimed he had been abducted by aliens and experimented on, and that he had stabbed and possibly killed his mother. Scott provided the distressed man with tea, a cigarette, and a jacket before contacting the gardai. Sergeant David Tiernan testified that Eadon was arrested at Scott's home, where he claimed he did not realize the victim was his mother and that the house was filled with smoke. Psychiatrist Victor Ademaike examined Eadon later that day. Eadon told the doctor he could not recollect events from the previous evening until his arrest, citing the use of methamphetamine and cannabis. He stated he remembered arguing with his mother about her boyfriend and being chased. The psychiatrist diagnosed an acute psychotic episode secondary to polysubstance abuse. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Carney and a jury.
Martin Maloney, a 30-year-old actor from Swinford, Co. Mayo, is scheduled to stand trial in Dublin District Court on May 6 regarding two alleged assaults. The defendant, known for his role in the series Hardy Bucks, has pleaded not guilty to two counts under Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. He is accused of assaulting security staff Brian Smith and Mark O'Shaughnessy on October 9, 2012, following an alleged dispute over a toilet queue at The Big Tree pub. Prosecution evidence alleges Maloney placed Smith in a headlock, exacerbating a previous injury, and later struck O'Shaughnessy, causing dental injuries that required fillings and root canal treatment costing between €700 and €1,000. Judge Patricia McNamara accepted jurisdiction for a non-jury trial at district court level, declining to send the case to the Circuit Court. She emphasized that Maloney remains presumed innocent. Defence solicitor Tony Collier confirmed the charges are being contested, noting the availability of significant CCTV footage and the expectation of up to eight prosecution witnesses. The trial is anticipated to last a full day. Legal aid was previously granted to Maloney, as the court heard his work is not steady and he could not fund legal fees independently. The matter is currently at the pre-trial stage, with the hearing date fixed for May 6.
In Dublin, the Special Criminal Court issued a bench warrant for Nathan Kinsella, 33, who was scheduled to stand trial next week on an IRA membership charge linked to a 2012 funeral of Real IRA leader Alan Ryan. Kinsella had failed to appear at a Circuit Criminal Court hearing in November, prompting the warrant. The court noted that Kinsella's bail conditions required him to keep his mobile phone on and observe a curfew from 9 pm to 9 am daily. He had not been seen by his bail person since before Christmas, and his mobility was reported as severely impaired.
A witness has testified at the Central Criminal Court regarding the death of a woman in County Mayo. The 19-year-old brother of the accused gave evidence via live television link in the trial of Celyn Eadon, aged 22, from Derrycrieve, Islandeady, Castlebar. Eadon admits to the manslaughter of Noreen Kelly at that address on 9 March 2011 but has pleaded not guilty to her murder. The woman, aged 46, died from multiple stab wounds. The witness described the accused's behaviour in the hours before the killing, stating he appeared intoxicated and distressed about missing drugs. He recalled his mother expressing fear and attempting to contact the gardaí for assistance that evening. The witness said he was awakened by screaming and discovered his mother injured. He contacted emergency services and attempted to provide aid. The trial, heard before a jury of seven men and five women, continues before Mr Justice Paul Carney.
In a Dublin murder trial, Andrew Gibney, aged 21, pleaded not guilty to the killing of Gerard Burnett, aged 28, who suffered 30 stab wounds and died shortly after the incident on 21 August 2012. Gibney admitted stabbing Burnett three times with a kitchen knife, claiming he was remorseful and had no intention to kill. Prosecutor Tom O'Connell argued that Gibney was part of a joint enterprise that collectively murdered Burnett, citing the seriousness of the injuries described by Pathologist Marie Cassidy. Defence counsel Giollaiosa O'Lideadha contended that Gibney had no plan to kill and that the prosecution had not proven he inflicted the fatal wounds. Judge Patrick McCarthy explained that common purpose could be tacit and that the jury must decide whether Gibney's actions constituted murder or manslaughter, noting that a lack of a causative chain could lead to acquittal. The judge would resume his address to the jury on Monday.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 24 January 2014, Garda Chief Superintendent Kevin Donohoe testified that he believes Corey Mulhall, aged 43, is a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Donohoe's belief is based on confidential information he possessed before the investigation began. He stated that this information was privileged and could not be cross‑examined due to national security and investigative concerns. Donohoe agreed with the defence counsel that the basis of his belief could not be disclosed. Mulhall has denied IRA membership and, during the trial, admitted to taking photographs of the Harcourt Square Garda complex on 26 September 2012 under the alias "Jason Egan." The trial is ongoing. Corey Mulhall pleaded not guilty. Chief Superintendent pleaded not guilty.
A jury has begun deliberating the trial of 19‑year‑old Daniel McDonnell, charged with murdering 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy McNamara on 8 February 2012. McDonnell's barrister argued that the only evidence against him was two letters he wrote while in prison, described as "rants to his friend and girlfriend." One letter contained violent language, including "Close‑range head shots… Two in the head. The bitch is dead," and references to a loaded 12‑gauge. The other letter suggested a motive tied to a car incident. McDonnell pleaded not guilty. Defending counsel Patrick Marrinan SC noted the absence of any role for McDonnell in the murder, the lack of forensic evidence such as fingerprints on the vehicle or gun, and the lack of corroboration for the letters. He warned of the dangers of relying on uncorroborated confessions, citing cases where Irish men had falsely confessed.