At the Central Criminal Court, a psychiatrist denied allegations that he selectively considered evidence supporting an insanity defence in assessing a Mayo man charged with his wife's murder. Dr Ronan Mullaney was cross-examined regarding his assessment of James Kilroy, aged 51, who is charged with murdering Valerie French Kilroy at their home in 2019. The accused has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Prosecution counsel suggested Dr Mullaney omitted evidence that Kilroy appeared rational when an insulation contractor visited shortly before the killing, querying whether he was only interested in material bolstering his psychosis conclusion. Dr Mullaney maintained he would likely include such evidence if preparing his report again. The court heard evidence regarding Kilroy's cannabis use and mental health history. Consultant psychiatrist Professor Harry Kennedy was subsequently called for the prosecution, providing background on Kilroy's family circumstances and substance use over decades. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and jury.
A 61‑year‑old Dublin soccer coach has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court for 30 counts of sexual assault, four counts of defilement, one count of rape and one count of anal rape. The alleged offences took place between September 2007 and February 2010 at unknown locations in the State. The complainant, aged between 15 and 18 at the time, was a student at the school where the coach worked. She said the coach, who was a married man with children, used his position to contact her, eventually becoming a prominent figure in her life. She alleged that he took her to private accommodation, drove her around, kissed her, touched her genital area and breasts, and forced sexual activity, including rape and anal rape, while she was under 18. The coach denies all allegations. The trial is proceeding before a jury presided by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon. The unnamed 61-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A jury has begun deliberating in the Central Criminal Court trial of six men accused of murdering Thomas 'Tom' Dooley, 43, at Rath Cemetery in Tralee, Co Kerry, on October 5, 2022. The accused are Patrick Dooley, Thomas Dooley Senior, Thomas Dooley Junior, Michael Dooley, Daniel Dooley, and a male teenager. All six pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Thomas Dooley Junior additionally pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of assault causing harm to Siobhán Dooley. The prosecution alleges the group acted with 'focused and murderous ferocity' using bladed weapons, resulting in fatal injuries to the deceased. Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring charged the 12-member jury, instructing them that if they are satisfied each accused knew their co-accused carried weapons and participated in the attack, they are guilty of murder under the doctrine of joint enterprise. The judge noted that while no specific weapon was linked to an individual accused, a machete was found and injuries were consistent with bladed instruments. The jury was asked to reach a unanimous verdict, with options limited to guilty of murder or outright acquittal. The matter is currently at the deliberation stage and has not yet been finalised.
The Central Criminal Court is in the closing stages of a rape trial involving a 78‑year‑old sports coach accused of raping and sexually assaulting a teenage girl between October 1989 and October 1990. The defendant, who cannot be named, has pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault. The complainant, aged 13 to 14 at the time, is the sole witness. Prosecutor Patricia McLoughlin SC emphasised that the case hinges on the complainant's evidence, noting that such offences are typically secretive and that belief in her testimony is sufficient for conviction. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC highlighted discrepancies between the complainant's and the defendant's sketches of the room layout, arguing that the prosecution's only layout evidence is a Garda sketch from 2021. Justice Melanie Greally has begun her charge to the jury, who will retire tomorrow to consider the verdicts.
Templeogue College reached a compromise with teacher Darren O'Sullivan, the fourth teacher to bring an employment rights claim against the school in the last two years. The resolution was announced at the Workplace Relations Commission, where the tribunal was set to open two days of hearings into O'Sullivan's statutory complaints. Adjudicator Penelope McGrath confirmed the parties had reached an agreement and that the complaints would remain alive for five weeks pending implementation of the compromise arrangement. The school's barrister noted no difficulty with the proposal and that the complainant's solicitor would communicate a withdrawal on or before 10 August. No particulars of O'Sullivan's complaints or the legislation under which they were brought were made public at the brief hearing. The school's unitary manager and an ASTI officer attended but did not address the hearing.
The Special Criminal Court will hold a trial in November for seven men charged in the murder of Tristan Sherry, a gangland assassin, at Browne's Steakhouse on 24 December 2023. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, has announced that an early guilty plea entered before 31 July will result in a 25 percent reduction of the headline sentence. The prosecution, represented by Maddie Grant BL, is prepared to proceed, and the trial is expected to last about four weeks, concluding between 4 November and 21 December. The accused include Noah Musueni (18), Wayne Deegan (26), David Amah (18), Michael Andrecut (22), Jonas Kabangu (18), an unnamed 18‑year‑old, and Jaures Kumbu (18). Their charges range from murder and violent disorder to possession of a submachine gun. Sherry, aged 26, was killed after shooting Jason Hennessy Senior on Christmas Eve 2023. The court will determine the final sentences once the trial concludes.
A Workplace Relations Commission hearing was adjourned pending an in-person hearing in the autumn regarding a statutory complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 brought by Liam Óg Lynch against Irish Rail. Mr. Lynch, a Portlaoise-based engineering operative, was dismissed following an incident on 8 March 2023 where a gantry crane collapsed, trapping a contractor's foot. Irish Rail alleged Mr. Lynch recklessly operated the crane despite explicit instructions not to do so, citing a prior disciplinary warning. The union, represented by Andrea Cleere, argued Mr. Lynch acted with bravery to secure an unsafe load and rescue the injured worker. Adjudicator Brian Dolan noted that treating an employee differently due to temporary contract status may constitute a breach, questioning the legality of the policies relied upon by Irish Rail. The matter was adjourned, with up to five witnesses, including Mr. Lynch, expected to be called at the future hearing.
During the trial of a sports coach accused of raping a teenage girl 35 years ago, the jury heard from the complainant's father. He said the accused, a 78‑year‑old defendant who cannot be named, called him a month after the alleged rape and asked him to encourage his daughter to return to the sport, claiming she had "great potential." The father testified that his daughter, aged 13‑14 at the time, suddenly stopped participating in the sport and that the accused had encouraged her to return because he did not know what had happened. The jury also heard evidence that the accused regularly walked through the girls' changing and shower areas while they were showering and changing after PE classes. The trial, before Justice Melanie Greally, continues with the jury hearing further evidence and cross‑examination. The unnamed 78-year-old pleaded not guilty.
The 48‑year‑old complainant, who was 13‑14 at the time, testified that the 78‑year‑old sports coach, who pleaded not guilty, began as her coach in secondary school and later performed "muscle checks" that involved touching her breasts and moving his hands up and down for about five minutes. She said the coach told her she was a "good girl" and that she needed to work harder, and that she would later digitally penetrate her. The complainant claimed the coach raped her in a small room after she resumed training in September, after which she did not inform her parents but stopped participating in the sport. She described feeling shocked, violated and that the trust had been broken. The trial is ongoing before Justice Melanie Greally and a jury.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has viewed the bloodied knife and hatchet used in the killing of a woman at her home in Westport, County Mayo. James Kilroy, aged fifty-one, a park ranger, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering his wife Valerie French Kilroy at Kilbree Lower between June thirteenth and fourteenth, 2019. During the trial, gardaí gave evidence that a twenty-centimetre knife, bent at nearly ninety degrees, was discovered at the scene with the victim's blood upon it. Detective Garda Sergeant Michael Doherty of Castlebar Garda Station outlined how the accused demonstrated to gardaí how the killing occurred and sketched the weapon. The defence has accepted that the accused killed his wife. A pathology report established that Mrs French Kilroy died from ligature strangulation, blunt force trauma to the head, and a stab wound to the neck. The trial, before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, continues.
A girl with cerebral palsy, who had been allowed to play with younger teams, was barred from competitive matches when her club reached the under‑12 level. The Workplace Relations Commission ruled that the Ladies Gaelic Football Association had discriminated against her under the Equal Status Act 2000. The tribunal found that from age seven she had played with younger girls as an accommodation for her disability, but on 8 April 2022 she was told she could not play because she was "over age". She was allowed to train but not to play competitive games for the rest of the season, a decision upheld by the county board. The tribunal noted that the ban was not due to her disability but to age, and that no risk assessment had been carried out.
A 78‑year‑old sports coach, unnamed for legal reasons, has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court for one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault against a teenage girl in a Leinster school between October 1989 and October 1990. The complainant, aged 13–14 at the time, alleges that the coach first sexually assaulted her by bringing her into a small room and touching her breasts while claiming to take measurements. She says the abuse continued with the coach touching her breasts regularly, then touching her vagina under her clothing and digitally penetrating her. The abuse reportedly ended in June when the girl was on summer holidays, but resumed in September when the coach again brought her into the same room and raped her. The girl reported the coach to Gardaí in 2021, leading to an investigation. The coach pleaded not guilty.
In the trial of six accused men and a teenager for the murder of Thomas 'Tom' Dooley, Judge Mary Ellen Ring charged the jury that if any defendant knew co‑accused carried a bladed weapon and participated in the attack, they are guilty of murder. The State alleged Dooley, aged 43, was violently attacked at a funeral in Tralee on 5 October 2022, suffering four stab wounds, one severing the femoral artery. The accused – Patrick Dooley (36), Thomas Dooley Senior (43), Thomas Dooley Junior (21), Michael Dooley (29), Daniel Dooley (42) and a teenager – all pleaded not guilty. Dooley Junior also faced an assault charge for injuring his wife, Siobhán, who required 45 stitches. The judge emphasized the presumption of innocence, the need for proof beyond reasonable doubt, and the doctrine of joint enterprise, noting no weapon was found linking any defendant to the death. The trial will resume with a reduced jury.
In Dublin, a barristers' strike halted criminal proceedings. Only five cases were scheduled in Court 7 of the Criminal Courts of Justice, but Judge Patricia Ryan adjourned them to the next day. The Central Criminal Court, which was handling several sexual‑abuse trials, did not sit at all. Jury members were told they were not required and were sent home at 10:30 am. No barristers were present; solicitors noted the adjournments. Barristers protested outside the courthouse, citing a 28‑60 % fee cut between 2008 and 2011 and a government failure to conduct an independent fee review promised in Budget 24. They plan to withdraw again on 15 July and 24 July, marking an escalation of the strike that began in October 2023. The strike is driven by a demand for the restoration of fee rates, not a pay rise. The courts are expected to resume tomorrow.
At the Special Criminal Court, the matter was adjourned to July 16 for a mention. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt with Mr Justice Paul Burns and Judge Sinead Ní Chúlacháin, heard an application by State solicitor Ciara Vibien to have Brandon Hennessy tried at the non-jury court. Hennessy, 21, is accused of violent disorder under Section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, allegedly using or threatening violence at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on December 24. He is the son of Jason Hennessy Sr, who was fatally injured in the shooting and died 11 days later. Another victim, Tristan Sherry, died of blunt-force trauma. Seven others are also involved in the proceedings. David Amah, Michael Andrecut, Noah Musueni, and Wayne Deegan are charged with murder. Jaures Kumbu is charged with unlawful possession of a submachine gun at the steakhouse on the night. A 17-year-old boy and Jonas Kabangu are charged with violent disorder. The court did not record any pleas, findings, or sentences, as the case remains at the procedural stage of trial preparation. The matter was not concluded but adjourned to allow for the listing of all matters for mention on the specified date.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a psychiatrist testified that Andrei Dobra, a 36‑year‑old man with no prior violence or mental illness, strangled his fiancée Ioana Mihaela Pacala, 30, during a psychotic episode. Dobra, who had two university degrees and worked as an administrator and security guard, had planned to marry Pacala on 10 June 2023. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The psychiatrist described Dobra as courteous and respectful, deeply regretting the act, and noted he had no history of mental health service use. She reported that in the months before the killing he experienced stress, anxiety, fleeting thoughts, and delusions that Pacala's family would prevent their marriage and that a spirit was in the house. She diagnosed him with schizoaffective psychosis and concluded he met the threshold for a finding of not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial continues before Justice Melanie Greally and a jury of twelve.
At the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork, the trial of six men accused of murdering Thomas 'Tom' Dooley at Rath Cemetery, Tralee, on October 5, 2022, is ongoing. All defendants, including Patrick Dooley, Thomas Dooley Senior, Thomas Dooley Junior, Michael Dooley, Daniel Dooley, and a teenager, have pleaded not guilty. Thomas Dooley Junior is additionally charged with assault causing serious harm to Siobhán Dooley, to which he also pleaded not guilty. The prosecution alleged the group committed an 'honour killing' using bladed weapons, resulting in fatal injuries to the deceased. In closing addresses, defence counsel for Patrick Dooley argued his client was attempting to save his brother rather than attack him, rejecting the 'Cainite' label. Counsel for Daniel Dooley highlighted the lack of forensic evidence linking his client to the crime. The matter was adjourned to Monday for further closing addresses.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing in Cork, the Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel, Dean Kelly SC, presented the State's case against six men accused of murdering Thomas 'Tom' Dooley, 43, during a funeral in Tralee on 5 October 2022. Kelly described the attack as a "biblical atrocity" and an "honour killing" triggered by a broken teenage relationship. He detailed that Dooley suffered four stab wounds, one severing the femoral artery, and a chop wound to the arm, leading to fatal blood loss. The accused, including Patrick Dooley (36), Thomas Dooley Senior (43), Thomas Dooley Junior (21), Michael Dooley (29), Daniel Dooley (42) and a teenager, all pleaded not guilty. Kelly argued the case rested on joint enterprise, noting the weapons were brought to the cemetery and the assault was carried out with "absolute ferocity" in seconds. He urged the jury to focus on the evidence presented. The trial continues with defence counsel's closing speech scheduled for the following day.
A 35‑year‑old Romanian man, Andrei Dobra, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of his fiancée, Ioana Mihaela Pacala, aged 30, who died on or about 12 November 2022 in Ratoath, Co. Meath. Dobra told Gardaí he felt like a monster and that he could not control his actions when he strangled her. He claimed to have been influenced by a phantom and that he believed someone was pushing him. He admitted that his arms were used to squeeze her neck, but said his mind was elsewhere. The Central Criminal Court heard that a state pathologist confirmed death by strangulation. Two psychiatrists, one for the defence and one for the prosecution, will testify that Dobra suffered a mental disorder at the time of the killing. The trial is proceeding before Ms Justice Melanie Greally and a jury of twelve.
In a murder trial, the accused, Andrei Dobra, 36, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for strangling his partner, Ioana Mihaela Pacala, 30, on 12 November 2022. A garda described Dobra as blank, vacant and detached when he entered the home, claiming the red marks on his neck were from "making love." Dobra admitted to strangling Pacala to "alleviate the burden" on the State. Witnesses, including Roxana Devan, noted Dobra's unusual behaviour and depression in the week before the killing. The prosecution presented evidence of asphyxia and strangulation, with bruising and scratches on Pacala's neck. Two psychiatrists were to testify that Dobra suffered from a mental disorder, potentially qualifying him for a not‑guilty by reason of insanity verdict. The trial proceeded before Ms Justice Melanie Greally and a jury of twelve.
During the opening of the Central Criminal Court trial, Moire Bergin, 47, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of her 76‑year‑old mother, Mary Bergin, on 13 April 2022. The prosecution and defence agreed that Moire suffered from a bipolar disorder at the time of the killing. Evidence presented included the discovery of two knives at the scene, one with the deceased's DNA, and a post‑mortem by State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers revealing stab wounds to the neck and forehead and defensive injuries to the forearms. CCTV footage showed Moire leaving the house in a dressing gown at 4.37 am, later seen genuflecting and lying on the ground. A 999 call had been made by Mary at 2.22 am for an ambulance for her naked daughter. Garda reports described Moire as highly distressed, naked and covered in blood, and she repeatedly claimed she had killed her mother.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 2 July 2024, a 36‑year‑old Romanian man, Andrei Dobra, was on trial for the murder of his partner, Ioana Mihaela Pacala, aged 30. The prosecution, led by Sean Guerin SC, presented evidence that Dobra strangled Pacala on 12 November 2022 at their duplex in Ratoath, County Meath. A phone call on that day had Dobra telling a woman he believed he had killed Pacala, prompting emergency services to arrive. The body was found in a bedroom; the State Pathologist confirmed strangulation as the cause of death. Dobra pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, and two psychiatrists—one for the defence, one for the prosecution—were to testify that he suffered a mental disorder at the time of the killing. The trial was overseen by Justice Melanie Greally with a jury of six men and six women.
Moire Bergin, 47, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of her 76‑year‑old mother, Mary Bergin, at the mother's Dublin home on 13 April 2022. She was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on a single murder charge. Judge Paul McDermott explained that the jury's task was to assess Bergin's state of mind at the time of the killing. The judge noted that most facts of the case were agreed upon, and that the trial would be presented in short form. Detective Sergeant John Brady of Store Street Garda Station would outline the facts, and two consultant forensic psychiatrists, Dr Stephen Monks and Dr Paul O'Connell, would provide expert testimony. A jury of twelve was sworn in; the trial is scheduled to begin tomorrow and is expected to last up to two days.
A 36‑year‑old man, Andrei Dobra, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his fiancée, Ioana Mihaela Pacala, aged 30, at their flat in Ratoath on or about 12 November 2022. Dobra, who lives at Riverwalk Court, Fairyhouse Road, was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on a single charge of murder. He answered "Not guilty" and "I can't be responsible" when the registrar asked how he was pleading. Judge Paul McDermott recorded the plea as not guilty by reason of insanity and explained that the case would involve medical evidence about Dobra's mental state at the time of the death. The prosecution's psychiatrist, Dr Brenda Wright, and the defence's psychiatrist, Dr Patricia Casey, were named as witnesses. A jury of twelve was sworn in, and the trial is set to begin the following day before Ms Justice Melanie Greally, potentially lasting up to five days.
Two brothers, Glen Ward (31) and Eric O'Driscoll (22), both from Finglas, have withdrawn their bail applications in the Special Criminal Court after being charged with possession of firearms and reckless discharge of assault rifles in January 2022. Ward is accused of possessing a .223 Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle and discharging it on 1 January 2022 at Ratoath Drive, while O'Driscoll faces similar charges plus additional allegations of possessing a .380 ACP calibre Ingram M11 submachine gun on 9 January 2022. The charges are under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 and the Firearms Act 1964. Judge Tony Hunt offered the men time to decide whether to proceed to trial, noting a November trial date is available and giving them until later this month to inform the court of their decision. The brothers will indicate later this month whether they wish to go to trial.
A 66-year-old man from Arva, County Cavan, appeared before the High Court today following his arrest at Dublin Airport on an extradition warrant issued by Northern Ireland authorities. James Donegan is wanted in connection with the murder of a part-time Ulster Defence Regiment member in County Armagh in June 1979. He faces three charges: murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, and membership of a proscribed organisation. Upon arrest, Mr Donegan stated he was an innocent man. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath granted bail in the sum of €15,000 with independent surety, imposing conditions including residence at Garvagh, County Cavan, and three weekly sign-ins at Cavan Garda Station. Mr Donegan was remanded on continuing bail until 4 July. The case concerns events alleged to have occurred between 22 and 25 June 1979.
The Special Criminal Court has fixed a trial date of January 13, 2025, for eight men accused of involvement in the seizure of 2.25 tonnes of cocaine from the MV Matthew in September 2023. The accused are Vitaliy Lapa, Mykhailo Gavryk, Vitaliy Vlasoi, Jamie Harbron, Soheil Jelveh, Harold Estoesta, Saeid Hassani, and Cumali Ozgen. Lapa and Harbron face alleged possession of drugs and contributing to criminal organisation activity. Gavryk, Vlasoi, Jelveh, Estoesta, Hassani, and Ozgen are accused of contributing to criminal organisation activity, illicit traffic by sea, and misuse of drugs. All charges are alleged or contested, with no pleas entered or findings made at this procedural stage. Mr Justice Tony Hunt stated that a guilty plea would only be considered early in mitigation if entered before December 13. The matter was adjourned to October 21 for a video-link mention. The case was transferred to the non-jury court by the State, citing the complexity of the organised crime allegations.
Brothers Glen Ward (31) and Eric O'Driscoll (22) are accused of discharging an assault rifle in a Dublin residential area and are to apply for bail at the Special Criminal Court. Both are charged with possession of firearms and reckless discharge on dates in January 2022 in the Finglas area of north Dublin. One charge alleges that Mr O'Driscoll was in possession of a military submachine gun. Mr Ward is charged that on 1 January 2022 at Ratoath Drive in Finglas he had in his possession or control a .223 Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle and that he discharged it recklessly. Mr O'Driscoll faces two charges identical to those against Mr Ward plus three further charges, including possession of a .223 Remington AR‑15 on 9 January 2022 and possession of a .380 ACP calibre Ingram M11 submachine gun on the same date. The offences contravene the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 and the Firearms Act 1964.
Six men and a teenager, all aged 18 to 26, were charged in connection with the murder of gunman Tristan Sherry, who was killed on 24 December 2023 at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown. The State solicitor applied for the cases to be transferred to the Special Criminal Court under Section 49(1) of the Offences Against the State Act. The court, composed of three judges, granted the order, and all seven cases were adjourned to 1 July. The men charged with Sherry's murder are Noah Musueni (18), Wayne Deegan (26), David Amah (18) and Michael Andrecut (22). Jonas Kabangu (18) and an unnamed juvenile are charged with violent disorder at the same location. Jaures Kumbu (18) is charged with possession of a submachine gun. The Special Criminal Court handles cases where ordinary courts are deemed inadequate for effective justice and public peace. The murder occurred after Sherry shot and fatally injured Jason Hennessy Senior, who died 11 days later.
Two brothers, Glen Ward, 31, and Eric O'Driscoll, 22, are charged with possession of firearms and reckless discharge of an assault rifle in the Finglas area of north Dublin in January 2022. Ward is accused of possessing a .223 Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle on 1 January 2022 at Ratoath Drive and of discharging it recklessly. O'Driscoll faces the same charges as Ward plus additional allegations of possessing a .223 Remington AR‑15 on 9 January 2022 and a .380 ACP calibre military submachine gun, the Ingram M11, on the same date. The offences contravene the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 and the Firearms Act 1964. The Director of Public Prosecutions applied to transfer the trials to the non‑jury Special Criminal Court, and Mr Justice Tony Hunt granted the application. The brothers will appear before the court at a later date.
The principal of Templeogue College, Niamh Quinn, has decided not to appear as a witness at the Workplace Relations Commission hearing. She will not call any witnesses, including herself, to counter claims of student indiscipline and allegations that she penalised former part‑time Spanish teacher Jennifer Clancy for naming her in a collective grievance. Clancy has accused the school of whistleblower retaliation, citing changes to her timetable that disrupted childcare arrangements. The school's barrister, Rosemary Mallon BL, had previously indicated that Quinn would deny the allegations and claim she did not target Clancy. The tribunal will now hear evidence from the independent chairman of a grievance panel that rejected Clancy's complaint in November 2022, followed by closing arguments. The hearing continues with the principal's decision to abstain from testifying.
In a June 12 trial, a 50‑year‑old taxi driver faced rape and anal rape charges for alleged assaults in June and August 2022. Prosecutor Gerardine Small argued the accused targeted vulnerable, intoxicated women, citing CCTV and the complainants' accounts of lack of consent. She highlighted the improbability of two similar accusations within weeks and urged jurors to view the men's statements to Gardaí as ludicrous. The defense, led by Lorcan Staines, acknowledged the driver's unpleasant conduct but stressed the case was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt, noting the driver's professional obligations and the absence of explicit refusals by the complainants. Three other women testified that they had consensual sex with the driver on separate occasions, which the prosecution suggested was irrelevant to the rape allegations. The trial remained at the evidentiary stage, with no verdict announced. The unnamed 50-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A 73‑year‑old Seamus Christopher O'Kane, originally from Garvagh in County Derry, was arrested in County Meath on a High Court extradition warrant issued by the Garda Extradition Unit. The warrant, endorsed under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, relates to four offences alleged to have been committed on 16 February 1976 at Brockaghboy, Garvagh. Those offences include possession of explosive substances—two electric detonators and two improvised pressure mat switches—intended to endanger life or property, and possession of firearms and ammunition, including two Walther pistols, a Browning pistol, a 0.22 rifle, a Remington shotgun and 104 rounds of ammunition, also intended to endanger life or property. The warrant states that the items were recovered during a search of a farmhouse where O'Kane and two other men were found hiding. O'Kane was interviewed on 17 February 1976 and allegedly admitted possession of the explosives, firearms and ammunition.
A cleaner who was admonished for wearing 'form-fitting cycling leggings' and later dismissed after rejecting his manager's romantic advances has won €10,000 in compensation for sexual harassment and discriminatory dismissal. The worker, a former soldier, claimed that his relationship with his manager, identified as Ms A, deteriorated rapidly after he turned down her advances during a lunch meeting in February 2023. He stated that prior to this, he had been praised for his work and was considered one of the best cleaners. Following his rejection, the manager allegedly began criticizing his work performance and raised issues about his uniform. The employer argued that the dismissal was due to performance issues and uniform violations, but the tribunal found that the worker had been subjected to harassment and discrimination on the grounds of gender. The adjudicator ruled that the dismissal was not unconnected to the harassment and awarded €10,000 in compensation.
A 21‑year‑old woman testified at the Central Criminal Court that a taxi driver raped her after she fell asleep in his vehicle. She said she had been drinking, had gone home at about 4 a.m., and then entered the taxi to get a phone charger. The driver allegedly forced sexual contact, which she denied consent to, and after the act he asked her to pay the fare. She claimed her phone had died, her parents gave the driver cash, and she was later taken to a sexual assault treatment unit. The accused, in his fifties, pleaded not guilty to the rape and to an alleged anal rape of another woman. He denies all allegations, asserting any sexual activity was consensual and initiated by the women. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
Nicola Brennan, aged 33, has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Juris Viktorovs at their shared home in Shillelagh, Ballyconnell, County Wicklow on 10 February 2022. The Central Criminal Court accepted her plea, with the Director of Public Prosecutions withdrawing the murder charge. Brennan had previously pleaded not guilty to murder in December 2023, but a month-long trial resulted in jury disagreement. Mr Justice Paul McDermott adjourned the case for sentencing on 7 October pending probation and prison governor reports. Brennan has remained in custody at the Dochas women's prison since June 2022. The trial heard evidence from a witness who identified Brennan as responsible for the fatal stabbing, though the defence contended the witness account was unreliable given the circumstances.
A taxi driver in his early fifties, who is legally entitled to anonymity during the trial, has pleaded not guilty to rape and anal rape charges involving two young women. He claims that any sexual interaction with the first complainant was consensual, stating that the woman entered his taxi, directed him, and that they engaged in consensual sexual activity after he kissed her. He denies any rape or anal sex. The State alleges that both women were raped after a night out in Dublin city centre. Evidence presented includes CCTV footage of the first complainant entering the taxi, forensic DNA linking the driver to the victim's clothing, and GPS data showing the taxi's movements. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
In a rape trial, a young woman who claims she was raped by a taxi driver in his vehicle denies any suggestion that the sexual activity was consensual. The accused, in his early fifties, has pleaded not guilty to rape and anal rape of this woman and denies a charge of rape involving a second woman. The complainant testified that after finishing work on 25 June 2022 she drank heavily, left a bar, and later found herself in a taxi where she was allegedly forced into sexual acts. She described being dazed, having no memory of the events, and being forced into anal rape. She stated she did not consent to any sexual interaction and was unaware of the driver's identity. The defense counsel argued that the complainant had voluntarily entered the taxi and that any sexual activity was consensual, claims the complainant rejects. The trial continues.
A taxi driver in his fifties has gone on trial in Dublin for the rape of two young women in separate incidents in 2022 and 2023. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and one of anal rape. Prosecutor Gerardine Small said each woman had been socialising in the city centre, met friends for drinks, and later found themselves in a taxi where they alleged they were raped. The driver denies the allegations, claiming any sexual contact was consensual. The trial is before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury at the Central Criminal Court.
In a 2024 Workplace Relations Commission hearing, Paralympic cyclist Martin Gordon claimed that La Maison, a French bistro in Dublin, discriminated against him and his family because he had his guide dog, Juno, with them on 14 January 2023. Gordon, his partner Louise Byrne, and their nine‑year‑old daughter had been denied indoor seating three times, allegedly because the restaurant's policy had changed from dog‑friendly to prohibiting dogs inside. Witness testimony, including CCTV footage, was presented by both parties. The restaurant's barrister argued that the dog was not visible to staff and that the policy applied to all dogs. After the hearing, the tribunal announced that the parties had reached an agreement, and the case was withdrawn. No further legal action was described.
Conor McGregor has secured a six‑month adjournment of a woman's damages claim for alleged assault that was filed in 2021. The claim, which will be heard by a jury in the High Court, was originally scheduled for late June or early July. McGregor, who denies all wrongdoing, requested the case be postponed to November to avoid conflict with his UFC fight against Michael Chandler on 29 June in Las Vegas. The plaintiff's counsel opposed the adjournment, citing the plaintiff's long wait for a hearing and the media attention the case has attracted. Judge Alexander Owens granted the adjournment to November, noting that the case would likely proceed then and that the hearing would last about two weeks. McGregor's legal team also reached an agreement with the plaintiff regarding pre‑trial discovery matters. The claim is one of two filed against McGregor over alleged 2018 incidents, and all allegations remain denied.
Eight men charged in connection with the largest cocaine seizure in Irish history have had their cases transferred to the Special Criminal Court. State solicitor Ciara Vibien successfully applied for the transfer, arguing that the non-jury court is necessary to secure the effective administration of justice. The charges stem from the seizure of approximately 2.25 tonnes of cocaine, valued at over €157 million, from the Panamanian-registered vessel MV Matthew in September 2023. The accused are Vitaliy Lapa, Mykhailo Gavryk, Vitaliy Vlasoi, Jamie Harbron, Soheil Jelveh, Harold Estoesta, Saeid Hassani, and Cumali Ozgen. Lapa and Harbron are accused of possession of drugs and contributing to criminal organisation activity. The remaining six men face similar organised crime charges, along with allegations of illicit traffic by sea and misuse of drugs. The vessel was interdicted by a joint task force including the Revenue Customs Service, Naval Service, and An Garda Síochána, with Army Rangers securing the ship before it was escorted to port. The matter is currently at the trial stage, with all charges alleged or contested. No pleas, findings, sentences, or finalisations have been recorded, and the case has not been concluded.
During a sixth day of the Workplace Relations Commission hearing, Brendan Ogle's disability discrimination complaint under the Employment Equality Act 1998 was heard. Ogle, who returned to work after treatment for throat cancer, accused Unite of failing to provide reasonable accommodation, victimisation and harassment. Senior Unite officer Tom Fitzgerald testified that he was not involved in any plan to remove Ogle. Fitzgerald denied that he had told Ogle that Unite's new general secretary Sharon Graham had directed him to exclude Ogle from a new strategy for Ireland. He said he had no record of such a meeting and that any whiteboard drawings were made by Ogle. Ogle's allegations were based on emails and a Facebook post by his wife. The tribunal will adjourn to tomorrow morning for cross‑examination of Fitzgerald.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) was ordered by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to review its recruitment policy and pay €1,000 to Anthony Cummins for age‑related discrimination. Cummins, a 22‑year veteran of part‑time relief cover at the National Drugs Treatment Centre, had his application for a permanent role rejected by an external recruiter who used software to filter candidates. The WRC found that the HSE's insistence on a Health Care Assistant (HCCA) Level 5 certification, which Cummins did not hold, amounted to indirect age discrimination. The HSE argued the requirement was well‑known and part of national frameworks, but the adjudicator noted that many experienced staff were kept in place without the qualification to keep centres open. Cummins had no complaints about his work or attendance, and the WRC directed the HSE to reconsider how prior learning and experience are weighed against formal qualifications.
Paul Atkinson, an IT engineer at PFH Technology Group, was dismissed in March 2023 after a redundancy consultation that his lawyers claimed was a sham. The company had told him his contract would end in November 2022 and had offered him a four‑day week with a pay cut, which he refused. Atkinson's CV lacked a level 8 honours degree, a requirement for some US clients, and he was told he was unsuitable for alternative roles. The Workplace Relations Commission found PFH had not fully explored viable options or provided an appeal, deeming the redundancy "genuine" but "unfair" because the employer fell short of its legal duties. Atkinson was awarded €17,831.29 in compensation, in addition to his statutory redundancy lump sum and salary paid on a five‑day week up to mid‑March 2023. The decision was made under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977.
A jury in the Central Criminal Court convicted a Kilkenny man of sexually abusing eight boys, including three sets of brothers, over a period from 1995 to 2007. The man, who had pleaded not guilty to 121 charges, was found guilty on 78 counts that covered oral rape, anal rape and sexual assault. The jury deliberated for ten hours and thirteen minutes before returning the verdicts. Justice Eileen Creedon thanked the jury, excused them from duty for seven years, revoked the man's bail and remanded him in custody. She adjourned sentencing to 8 July and ordered victim impact statements from the eight complainants. The case involved allegations that the accused lured boys with cigarettes, then abused them in his home and other local areas. The trial highlighted the prolonged nature of the abuse and the delayed reporting by the victims.
Conor McGregor is accused of attempting to delay a High Court hearing over a 2021 damages claim for alleged assault. The plaintiff, a young woman who knows McGregor, seeks damages and has brought the case in 2021. McGregor, who denies all wrongdoing, has requested that the case, already adjourned, be postponed to November, citing a boxing match in the United States. His lawyer, Remy Farrell SC, seeks pre‑trial discovery of materials, including from An Garda Síochána, and has asked the court to hear these motions on 30 May. The judge, Mr Justice Alexander Owens, has agreed to consider the discovery motions but has not yet ruled on the adjournment request, stating that any such application could be dealt with at the next hearing. The case is scheduled for a jury trial in late June, and McGregor's lawyers have previously secured an adjournment.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Jason O'Connor, 46, of Whitestown Grove, Blanchardstown, was charged with facilitating a criminal gang in murder and drug dealing. O'Connor had previously faced charges for an attempted murder of Charlie Cooper on 5 December 2016, and for possession of a 9 mm firearm and 12 rounds of ammunition with intent to endanger life at the same location and date. The new charges allege that between 2 August 2016 and 7 December 2016, O'Connor, knowing of a criminal organisation, participated in or contributed to activities that could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that organisation or its members, specifically murder and the sale or supply of controlled drugs. The charges are under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. The case is adjourned to 11 June for mention, and O'Connor has been granted free legal aid for the new charges.
In a decision by the Workplace Relations Commission, Hannah Murphy, aged 22, was awarded €10,000 for age‑based discrimination after being told she was "very young" and not ready to manage a salad bar at Freshly Chopped Ltd. Murphy had worked for the chain for just under two weeks in December 2020, training to become a branch manager in Swords. The area manager, who had previously praised her performance, told her on 21 December that she would not take the Swords post and that she was "still very young" and "not ready for the job". Murphy claimed the manager had also suggested she might be better equipped in two years. The company denied the claim, citing a "poor attitude" and alleged misconduct, but the WRC found the manager's statements about her age credible and ruled that age was one of the reasons for her dismissal. The tribunal awarded Murphy €10,000 in compensation for the discrimination.
The Workplace Relations Commission awarded €10,000 to Wexford County Council employee Patrick O'Connor, finding he continued to suffer penalisation and ostracisation for making a safety complaint. This follows a previous €20,000 award for similar treatment, which is currently under appeal to the Labour Court. In this second complaint under the Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act 2005, O'Connor alleged ongoing ostracisation, denial of overtime, and an incident where a foreman allegedly shoved him from a pickup truck in October 2022. The council disputed the assault allegation but admitted its investigator fell ill, preventing the conclusion of the investigation. Adjudicator Roger McGrath ruled that the council's failure to conclude the investigation and produce the foreman as a witness amounted to penalisation, noting there was nothing to contradict O'Connor's testimony. The adjudicator described the council's inaction as "unacceptable" and found that O'Connor continued to suffer ostracisation, with colleagues dispersing when he entered the yard. While acknowledging the overtime issue was addressed to some degree, the tribunal noted the council failed to provide documentation proving O'Connor was not out of pocket. Consequently, the tribunal upheld the finding of penalisation and awarded the additional €10,000 compensation. The original decision remains subject to appeal, while this new award addresses the continuing nature of the alleged misconduct.