The coroner in the Stardust fire inquest has informed the jury that firefighters described encountering an 'inferno' at the scene. The first fire engine arrived at the Stardust nightclub in Artane at 1.50am on February 14, 1981. One firefighter stated that the Stardust fire was the worst tragedy he had ever encountered in his 15 years of service. Another firefighter described seeing an inferno at exit door four, while another noted that the roof was gone and flames were visible. The fire was reportedly out of control before the firefighters arrived, with the inside of the building evenly burned. It was not until 2.54am that the fire was brought under control. Evidence indicated that many of the deceased were found near exit door five and the centre of the dance floor. Assistant station officer evidence suggested that only those in sheltered areas, such as the toilets, could be rescued.
During the final stages of the Stardust inquest, Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane guided the jury through survivor testimony, confirming that patrons agreed the fire spread rapidly and engulfed the building suddenly. She highlighted vivid accounts of smoke's impact, noting widespread breathing difficulties, drowsiness, and loss of vision. The coroner reviewed evidence concerning each of the six fire exit doors and accounts from nearby residents who first saw the blaze between 1.15 am and 1.38 am. She reminded jurors that the event was described as an over‑21s disco, yet a 1981 Tribunal of Inquiry found 83 % of attendees were under 21, and most witnesses did not need to prove age upon entry. Patrons' estimates of when they first smelled smoke or saw the fire ranged from 1.30 am to 1.45 am, all agreeing on the rapid spread.
Paula Doyle describes the lasting physical, mental and emotional damage she suffered after a violent assault on 6 September 2019. She recounts living with extreme fear, anxiety and paranoia for four and a half years, feeling that her future no longer mattered. Doyle says the perpetrator, Aidan Kestell, sent harassing texts, photos, videos and stalked her for three and a half years before the rape, and that he drove around her cul‑de‑sac after the attack. She calls for more than vigils, urging action, education and better legislation to protect women. Doyle thanks the Gardaí, the DPP, the legal team, the Rape Crisis Centre, her family and the jury for their support. She declares that the ordeal is over and she is now a survivor ready to rebuild her life. The article focuses on her experience and her plea for change, not on any legal outcome.
During the Stardust inquest, Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane informed the jury that they are the "arbiters of the facts" and must decide which evidence to accept or reject when making findings. She highlighted that the evidence is vast, with 373 witnesses, three forensic pathologists and three fire experts heard over about 95 days. The coroner will not rehearse all evidence in detail but will guide the jury through relevant parts, reminding them to base deliberations on all evidence heard. She will then instruct the jury on applicable law, required findings, and available verdicts. The summary will cover planning and design matters, events leading up to the February 13, 1981 fire, patrons' experiences, local residents, emergency services, and expert testimony, noting any discrepancies for the jury to consider. The inquest concerns 48 deaths and aims for an objective application of the law.
The State barrister argued that lawyers for liquidator Kieran Wallace could not claim more than €6 million from the Employers' Insolvency Fund for the insolvent pension scheme of Protim Abrasives Ltd. Wallace, acting as liquidator, had challenged the Department of Social Protection's refusal to pay the pension fund from the fund. The tribunal heard that pensioners, who should receive about €8 000 a year, had not been paid for some time. The State maintained that the claim could only be for the lesser of the contributions due in the 12 months before insolvency or an actuary‑certified amount. Frances Meenan said the claim could not "ride a coach and four" through the legislation. The case remains a novel dispute over the extent of the pension deficit and the statutory limits on the fund's liability.
Jacintha Dowling, a Garda civilian employee who worked at the Garda Siochána Analysis Service, died peacefully after a short illness on Sunday, three days after testifying to the Workplace Relations Commission in support of her colleague Lois West's whistleblower penalisation claim. Dowling's family said she was survived by her husband Mick Long and son Gregg. The employment tribunal had been hearing West's complaints under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Payment of Wages Act 1991. West, a former deputy head of GSAS, alleges her career has been stymied since she testified to the Oireachtas about errors in homicide data six years ago, and that her pay has been reduced to nothing after taking extended sick leave.
The High Court has dismissed a judicial review application brought by Eddie Cunningham Cummins and Erica Cunningham Cummins, residents of Heron's Wood, Carrigaline, Co Cork. The applicants challenged the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal's refusal to compensate them for the 2005 shooting death of their father, Eddie Cummins Senior, in Ballincollig, Co Cork. Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty ruled that the Tribunal was correct in its decision, finding it not disproportionate or discriminatory to deny compensation to dependants where the victim died as a result of their criminality. The court noted that Mr Cummins Senior had over 20 convictions, including for drug offences, and that the killing was believed to be drug-related. Although the judge expressed sympathy for the "blameless children," she held that the State's policy of deterring crime justified the refusal. The Tribunal had previously rejected the 2011 application due to time limits and the victim's conduct, a decision upheld on appeal in 2022. The applicants sought to quash the Tribunal's decision and obtain declarations that it was irrational or breached their rights. The court found that the applicants failed to establish that the Tribunal acted outside its powers, fettered its discretion, or made an unreasonable decision. No one has been prosecuted for the murder.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a jury could not reach a verdict on the attempted murder charge against Philip Cox, who allegedly broke two knives and stabbed his former partner, Cristal O'Brien, twice in the leg during an attack at her home on 1 December 2022. O'Brien described the assault as "terrifying," noting that Cox threatened to "kill her" and that she sustained two stab wounds. Witness Alice McGrath testified that Cox said he would "finish her off" and that he had no care about time in prison. Cox pleaded not guilty to attempted murder but guilty to assault causing harm, aggravated burglary and knife production. After 3 days of deliberation, the jury returned to court with no verdict, and the judge recorded a "Disagreement" on the issue paper. The case was scheduled for mention on 22 March.
During the Stardust Inquest, barristers argued that the families of the 48 victims had endured prolonged injustice, likening their wait to Moses wandering in the desert. Brenda Campbell KC highlighted that carpet tiles on the Stardust's walls were unsuitable and contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, and that Dublin Corporation had known of a year‑long enforcement gap that allowed unsafe conditions to persist. She cited earlier electrical inspector concerns about doors and emergency procedures, noting that the doors were locked, chained and obstructed, which prevented escape. Bernard Condon SC and Sean Guerin also stressed that the carpet tiles, faulty doors, lack of staff training and low ceiling height were substantial causes of the deaths. The coroner announced she would summarise the evidence and advise the jury on the relevant law.
The jury in the Central Criminal Court trial of Philip Cox, 39, for an attempted murder of his former partner Cristal O'Brien, has paused deliberations for the weekend and will resume on Monday at 10.30am. Over two days, the panel of seven men and five women spent five hours and 22 minutes considering the case. Mr Justice Paul McDermott instructed the jury to suspend their work for the weekend. Cox, originally from Tallaght but residing at York Street Flats, Dublin 2, pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder charge. O'Brien testified that Cox threatened to kill her, used two knives to stab her, and then sought a third, causing two stab wounds to her leg. A neighbour, Alice McGrath, testified that Cox said he would "finish her off" and that he did not care if he did time. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Tim O'Leary SC, argued that Cox's intentions were "absolutely clear" and left no doubt.
John Clark, a volunteer in his 70s who worked for 38 years at Camphill Communities of Ireland, was dismissed after the HSE takeover in 2017. He had never received a salary, relying on a credit‑card system that covered his personal and community expenses. Clark claimed the charity had unfairly terminated his engagement, leaving him with only a state pension and support from his partner and housemates. He argued that the dismissal was not a redundancy and that the charity failed to follow fair procedures. The Workplace Relations Commission found that Camphill had breached the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 and the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994. Clark was awarded €60,000 for loss of earnings and €1,000 for the contract breach, but no redundancy payment was granted. The decision confirmed his entitlement to pursue employment rights claims.
In the final stage of the Stardust nightclub inquest, lawyers for the bereaved families urged the jury to return a verdict of unlawful killing. Michael O'Higgins SC highlighted the credibility of club manager Eamon Butterly as "shredded beyond redemption," citing contradictory evidence about exit‑door locking and the lack of fire‑safety supervision. He argued that the verdict should focus on how the victims died rather than assigning blame. Des Fahy KC stressed that a culture of door‑locking had existed for years, with doormen trained only to simulate locked exits, and that this failure, along with unsuitable carpet tiles and inadequate staff preparation, contributed to the deaths. Both counsel called for the jury to acknowledge the unlawful nature of the deaths and restore dignity to the 48 victims. The inquest will continue tomorrow at the Rotunda Hospital.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, Philip Cox, aged 39, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder of his former partner, Cristal O'Brien, after an incident on 1 December 2022. The prosecution, represented by Tim O'Leary SC, argued that Cox's repeated attempts to stab O'Brien with three knives, his statements to a neighbour that he was "going to finish her off", and his admission to Gardaí that he intended to cause bodily harm, made his intent to kill clear. The defence contended that not every stabbing constituted an attempt to murder and highlighted the relatively minor injuries sustained by O'Brien, noting no significant penetration or depth. O'Brien testified that Cox threatened her, broke two knives, and retrieved a third, describing the attack as terrifying. The jury was instructed to consider whether the evidence showed an intention to kill or merely to cause harm. The trial was set to continue the following day.
In a trial held on 7 March 2024, Michael Murray, 52, pleaded not guilty to a single charge of knowingly making a false report that caused a bomb threat against Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. The alleged call was traced to the Midlands Prison, Portlaoise, where Murray was imprisoned. The call was made from an extension in his cell, using his unique identification number, and was directed to the Samaritans. Murray denied making the call but admitted to having links with the Irish National Liberation Army and to having a grievance with McEntee. He also acknowledged that a group called the 'Criminal Revenge Group' had made threats to the Taoiseach and other civil servants. The prosecution argued that only Murray could have made the call, while the defence highlighted inconsistencies in the evidence, such as a 18‑second timing discrepancy and differences in accent and speech patterns. The jury was instructed to deliberate and return the next day.
The Workplace Relations Commission continued its hearing into claims by Garda whistleblower Lois West, who was absent after her legal team said she was unwell due to the stress of the proceedings. West, a former deputy head of the Garda Siochana Analysis Service, has complained under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Payment of Wages Act 1991 against the Garda Commissioner, the government and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. She alleges her career has been stymied since she testified to the Oireachtas about errors in Garda homicide data six years ago and that the force mishandled her complaint about bullying and sexual harassment by a senior official. The tribunal sat until 8 pm to accommodate evidence from Garda chief information officer Andrew O'Sullivan and HR director Edmund O'Reilly. The hearing is continuing late into the evening for the second time this week.
Michael Murray, 52, formerly of Seafield Road, Killiney, pleaded not guilty to a single count of knowingly making a false report that caused a safety apprehension while he was imprisoned at Midlands Prison, Portlaoise on 7 March 2021. The allegation was that an anonymous caller, claiming to be from the Irish National Liberation Army, had called the Samaritans to report that explosives were planted at the home of Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. No explosives were found and the call was traced to the prison. Murray, who was alone in his cell with a telephone that night, denied making the call but admitted having links with the paramilitary group. He said the threat was ludicrous, arguing that it made no sense for him to isolate himself at 8.30 p.m. and threaten the Minister. He claimed his grievance was with the policies of the Director of Public Prosecutions office, not with McEntee herself.
A senior Garda analyst, Lois West, is testifying before the Workplace Relations Commission about alleged sexual harassment and bullying by a senior official at Garda Headquarters. West claims the official told her he was not Garda‑vetted and produced his own vetting material, and that he threatened national security and her safety. She says the force mishandled her complaints, leaving her on extended sick leave without income. West alleges the official made a vulgar comment about a "blonde with big tits" that she interprets as a direct reference to herself. The hearing is part of a protected disclosures case under the 2014 Act, and the press is barred from naming the accused. West has spent over 12 hours giving evidence and the hearing continues.
Michael Murray, 52, formerly of Seafield Road, Killiney, Dublin, is on trial for making a false bomb threat to the Minister of Justice's home. While imprisoned in Midlands Prison, Portlaoise, he allegedly phoned the Samaritans claiming explosives were planted at Helen McEntee's residence. The call was traced to a unique identification number registered to Murray, who was alone in his cell with telephone access that night. Murray denied making the call but admitted having links to a paramilitary group. He claimed to have been part of a "Criminal Revenge Group" that threatened Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and the Minister of Justice, stating "Leo is to get it this week." The court heard video footage of Murray's interview after his arrest, where he discussed the group's threats and his frustration. He also said he regretted the call. The trial is ongoing before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury. Michael Murray pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Philip Cox, 39, was accused of attempting to murder his former partner, Cristal O'Brien, after a 12‑month relationship. O'Brien testified that on 1 December 2022 Cox entered their flat, threatened to stab her "to pieces", and brandished a knife. She described a violent confrontation in which Cox broke two knives, then sought a third, and attempted to stab her while she fled to a neighbour's flat. O'Brien was injured, sustaining two stab wounds to her left thigh, a broken lip, and bruising. During the trial, Cox interrupted proceedings, calling O'Brien a "lying c***", and was subsequently removed from the courtroom. The judge apologized for the interruption and instructed the jury to focus on the evidence presented. The case remains pending before Mr Justice McDermott. Philip Cox pleaded not guilty.
A trial at the Central Criminal Court has heard allegations that Diego Costa Silva, aged 35, fatally attacked his wife at their apartment on Charlestown Place, Finglas, Dublin in November 2021. The prosecution alleges that Mr Costa Silva struck his wife, Fabiola Camara De Campos Silva, aged 33, with knives and severed her head from her body. Emergency services were called in the early morning of November 4th, with the accused telling responders he believed he had killed his wife. Gardaí discovered the deceased in a doorway with knife wounds and a blade protruding from her chest. Mr Costa Silva has pleaded not guilty to murder. The defence has made admissions regarding the death but indicated it will seek a special verdict under the Criminal Law Insanity Act 2006, centring on the accused's mental state at the time. Psychiatric evidence from both prosecution and defence experts will be presented to the jury. The trial before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath continues.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 4 March 2024, Philip Cox, 39, pleaded not guilty to a single count of attempted murder of his former partner, Cristal O'Brien, after an incident on 1 December 2022 at York Street Flats. The prosecution presented evidence that Cox had broken two knives during an argument with O'Brien, pursued her, and then broke a third knife to continue the attack. O'Brien fled to a neighbour's home, where Cox broke the neighbour's door, unbolted the lock, and threatened her again. She later hid behind a car and called Gardaí, who arrested Cox. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul McDermott, will focus on proving Cox's intent to kill and the physical acts of breaking and using the knives, with a potential duration of up to one week. The case also notes Cox's prior guilty pleas for assault causing harm, aggravated burglary, and knife production, which do not affect the attempted murder charge.
A 35-year-old Brazilian man pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court today to the murder of his wife at their home in Dublin in November 2021. Diego Costa Silva is charged with the killing of Fabiola Camara De Campos Silva at Charlestown Place, Finglas. The trial, which opened before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath and a jury, is expected to last approximately five days. The court will consider the question of insanity as a special verdict. The prosecution's case will be supported by evidence from gardaí, emergency service personnel, and two consultant forensic psychiatrists. Both the accused and his wife had emigrated from Brazil, with Mr Costa Silva having worked at a public house in Blanchardstown.
During a trial on March 7 2021, Michael Murray (52) of Seafield Road, Killiney, was accused of making a false bomb threat against Minister Helen McEntee's home. The call was traced to a unique identification number registered to Murray, used on a prison telephone at Midlands Prison, Portlaoise. Jury evidence showed Murray was alone in his cell at the time, with all cells master‑locked and no other prisoners able to access the phone. The assistant chief officer, Patrick McCabe, confirmed that the cell would not have been opened until the next day. Detective Garda Shane Curran identified the call's source as the prison, and IT staff Noel Reilly admitted he had not reported a phone‑system issue that allowed prisoners to call solicitors. No other calls to the Samaritans were made from Murray's number until March 20, and the trial continues before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury. Michael Murray pleaded not guilty.
During a trial, Michael Murray, 52, pleaded not guilty to a single count of knowingly making a false report that caused apprehension for the safety of another. The false report was a bomb threat to the home of Minister for Justice Helen McEntee, allegedly made from the Samaritans. The State argued that the call was traced to the prisoner number of Murray, who was imprisoned at Midlands Prison, Portlaoise, on 7 March 2021. Evidence included a report from Noel Reilly, an IT officer at the Irish Prison Service, who showed that an outgoing call from the prison matched the duration and time of the bomb threat and used Murray's unique prisoner number. Reilly explained that prisoners must enter a number to access the phone system and that calls to the Samaritans are logged but not recorded.
During a trial, Garda Superintendent Dermot Dray explained that a bomb threat call to the Samaritans hotline, claiming explosives were planted at Minister for Justice Helen McEntee's home, was treated as a serious criminal offence that could threaten the state's security. The call, made on 7 March 2021 from Midlands Prison while Michael Murray was incarcerated, was investigated to identify the caller's number and location. Dray noted that the call's origin was traced to the prison two days later, and that the Samaritans volunteer who received the call had not recorded the exact time or duration. Garda Sergeant Paul McGarry recounted that officers from Navan and Dublin were dispatched to McEntee's residence and the Justice Department to search for suspicious devices, finding none. The threat was ultimately deemed a hoax, but the investigation remained thorough. The case is before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury. Michael Murray pleaded not guilty.
In a 2024 ruling, the Workplace Relations Commission found that former bouncer Ellison Silva dos Santos was not unfairly dismissed by Mercantile Entertainment Group after an incident at Dublin's George bar. Silva dos Santos claimed he was fired two days after a customer allegedly threw herself down the stairs during Pride month, but the company argued he was not allowed to continue working due to concerns over his conduct. The tribunal noted that the company had issued a warning letter and later terminated his contract on 11 August 2023, citing abandonment of employment. Evidence included CCTV footage, witness statements, and text messages indicating the worker was transferred to other venues rather than dismissed. The adjudicator concluded, on the balance of probabilities, that Silva dos Santos was not dismissed on 30 June 2023 as he had alleged, and dismissed his unfair dismissal claim.
On 7 March 2021, a Samaritans volunteer received a phone call claiming that explosives had been planted at the home of Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. The caller, identifying himself as the Irish National Liberation Organisation, said the password was "Red October" and that the threat related to a court case in Dublin the following day. The volunteer, who was on duty at the time, was shaken by the call and later reported it to her supervisor before contacting emergency services. She made a statement to Gardaí the next day. The call was traced to Midlands Prison, Portlaoise, where Michael Murray, a 52‑year‑old former resident of Seafield Road, Killiney, was imprisoned. Murray pleaded not guilty to a single count of knowingly making a false report that caused apprehension for the safety of another. His trial, opened on 27 February 2024 before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury, is expected to last one week.
Trade unionist Brendan Ogle claims his role at Unite's Irish office was "decimated" after surviving cancer, alleging discrimination under the Employment Equality Act 1998. He says he was told by the union's general secretary that he would be written out of plans for Ireland, and that a directive was issued preventing him from being involved in his former duties. Ogle's lawyer, Mary‑Paula Guinness, argues that his responsibilities were drastically reduced and that the union failed to accommodate him. The Workplace Relations Commission is hearing Ogle's statutory complaint, which has been reduced to a single claim of discrimination after he withdrew three complaints of penalisation under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. Unite's counsel, Mark Harty, maintains that Ogle has not established a comparator and that the union took all possible steps to accommodate him. The case will run for up to eight days, with a potential witness summons for the union's general secretary.
A former driver for Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has alleged that he was let go in a 'sham' redundancy process, leaving him with no choice but to accept a severance package or take a temporary clerical role at the Department of Social Protection. The change occurred in 2022 when the government decided to assign ministerial drivers to the Garda on security grounds, reversing a previous decision to civilianise the role. Trevor Shaw, who worked as a ministerial driver from 2004 to 2022, claimed the process failed to respect his employment rights. The Department of Agriculture denied any breach of rights, stating the decision was based on security advice. The Workplace Relations Commission is hearing the complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977.
A 73‑year‑old man, whose identity is withheld to protect victims, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to four counts of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault. The offences occurred between 2012 and 2019 in County Tipperary, involving two young girls who were cousins of the complainants. The first victim, aged about ten or eleven at the time of the first contact, described a pattern of inappropriate touching, kissing and an attempted rape that ended when she entered secondary school. The second victim, aged about four or five, was raped on three separate occasions, the first when she was five or six. Both girls, now 17 and 16, gave impact statements detailing how the abuse has left them unable to recall happy childhood memories, caused them to feel unsafe, and led to shame, suicidal thoughts and trust issues.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 16 February 2024, the court considered the case of Neville Griffin, 49, who pleaded guilty to endangerment after a taxi he was driving was pursued by an inter‑county Garda. The Garda, who was injured in a separate incident and had been out of work for seven weeks, had grabbed the passenger and the taxi door in an attempt to stop a fleeing suspect. Griffin stopped the vehicle within seconds, but the Garda fell to the road and was injured. Griffin's lawyers described the offence as reckless and momentary, noting no serious harm was caused. The judge adjourned sentencing to Monday, remanding Griffin on bail. The case highlighted the Garda's injury and the brief nature of the incident, with no further legal action reported in the article.
The High Court struck out a claim by financial fund Everyday Finance DAC against applicants Helen Bracken and Joseph Bracken, ruling that the delay in progressing the proceedings was inexcusable and inordinate. Ms Justice Marguerite Bolger dismissed the action, which sought over €1m in judgement regarding a defaulted loan originally advanced by AIB Plc in 2007 for a housing project in Ferbane, Co Offaly. The applicants, represented by solicitor Donnacha Anhold, opposed the claim and successfully brought a pre-trial application to have it dismissed on grounds of delay. They alleged they were prejudiced by the eight-year period between the commencement of proceedings in 2013 and the trial being set down in late 2021. The applicants rejected AIB's assertion that they signed a 2009 letter extending the facility, stating the signatures were not theirs and that they never consented to the alleged extension. The judge noted that the delay would render witness evidence fragile and unreliable, particularly given the absence of certain documentation and the serious injury sustained by Mr Bracken in 2017. She found that the balance of justice favoured dismissing the claim, rejecting the plaintiff's argument that dismissal would force a write-off of substantial debt. The court indicated a provisional view that the applicants were entitled to their legal costs. The matter was adjourned and will return before the court next month for final orders.
Bobby Fenton, a livestock agent for Grasstec, was dismissed after the company alleged he had traded livestock on his own account during working hours. Fenton admitted knowledge of a private cattle sale brokered by a colleague, Mr A, but claimed he was simply "in the wrong place at the wrong time" when a manager spotted him at a farm in West Cork on 22 June 2021. Grasstec argued that the sale, worth €9,000, constituted fraudulent dealing and that Fenton's failure to report Mr A's activities warranted dismissal for gross misconduct. The Workplace Relations Commission found that Grasstec had shown "a total disregard for any type of fair procedure" and that Fenton's dismissal was unfair, awarding him €2,000 in compensation under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977. The decision noted that Fenton had contributed to his own dismissal but that the employer's process was flawed.
Nicole Doyle, a former administrator at Astronomy Ireland, claims she was stripped of all financial duties after she began questioning the legality of the organisation's operations. She said she earned €538.47 a week for a 37.5‑hour week in 2022‑23 but never received a written contract or statement of terms within the statutory period. Doyle repeatedly requested a contract by email and in person, but was told the solicitor was unavailable. After a phone call about her bank balance, she received a contract that prohibited her from speaking about company matters and altered her hours to 39. She alleges her role was constantly changed and that financial responsibilities were removed because she asked questions. Doyle says the company fired her, and no representative of Astronomy Ireland was present at her WRC hearing. The WRC will issue findings later.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a 55‑year‑old man was found guilty of rape by a unanimous jury after a five‑day hearing. The accused had told Gardaí that he could have penetrated the complainant when he fell on her with his penis out, but later claimed the sex was consensual. He had also stated that the woman had performed oral sex on him while he said "no". The jury heard that the man had given multiple, conflicting accounts to Gardaí and that forensic DNA evidence linked him to the victim. The judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, rejected a bail‑continuation application, remanded the accused in custody and indicated that an immediate and substantial sentence would be imposed. The case was adjourned to March 1 for sentencing, with the court to consider mitigation factors such as the accused's lack of prior convictions. The victim's impact statement was also to be prepared.
A father who had previously lost a discrimination case against his child's school has filed a second claim over the school's policy for opting out of religious education. He rejected the school's offer that two of his children could attend another class during religion lessons, arguing that this contradicted the school's earlier stance that allowing students to leave their base class would breach its fire‑safety policy. The father contends that the school's bespoke arrangements for non‑religious students violate the Education Act's requirement to publish standard opt‑out procedures in the admissions policy. He claims the school treats non‑religious parents less favourably than religious ones. The school's barrister says the father is attempting to re‑litigate a previous refusal and that the school has complied with the law. The Workplace Relations Commission will issue a decision in writing.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a 55‑year‑old man accused of raping his wife's friend pleaded not guilty to one count of rape. He testified that he and the complainant had consensual sex that night. Prosecuting barrister Sean Gillane SC argued the accused's defence was "obviously untrue", likening it to a horse's kick if whispered. Gillane highlighted the complainant's reluctance to be walked home, her post‑incident washing, and her friend's testimony of trauma as evidence of rape. Defence counsel Dominic McGinn SC urged jurors to view the case dispassionately, noting the accused's admission of lying to Gardaí and his continued contact with the complainant as inconsistent with a violent assault. The jury paused deliberations for the day, to resume the next morning. The case remains at the trial stage.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 9 February 2024, a 55‑year‑old Dublin man denied that he had a "sexual fixation" on the woman he is accused of raping. He told the jury that he and the complainant had consensual sex that night, describing a series of events that included kissing, flirting and oral sex. He said the woman had taken his penis in her mouth and that they had later had consensual intercourse. The accused admitted giving Gardaí multiple versions of the events, some of which were false, and that he had lied about not remembering the sex. He claimed he was panicked and embarrassed, and that he and the complainant had agreed to keep the incident private. The trial continues. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
During a Central Criminal Court trial, a 55‑year‑old man accused of raping a friend of his wife told Gardaí that he could have penetrated the woman when he fell on her with his penis out. He had earlier claimed that the woman had grabbed his trousers, taken his penis and performed oral sex on him, although he said "no". Gardaí questioned him about the plausibility of his account, to which he replied that the ground was wet and slippery and that he could have slipped in. He denied ever having consensual sexual intercourse with the woman and said he was not sure if he entered her. The trial heard four interviews with Gardaí, forensic DNA evidence, and a search of his house in October 2019. The case remains in progress. The unnamed 55-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a jury was instructed by Mr Justice Michael MacGrath that they could only return a verdict of guilty of murder or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter for Patrick McDonagh, 52, accused of killing his neighbour Peter McDonald, 73, on Whitechapel Road on 25 July 2020. The jury had spent about three hours deliberating and would reconvene on Monday, as one juror was unavailable on Friday. McDonagh had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, a plea the State had not accepted. The judge explained that if the prosecution proved all elements of murder, the jury must then consider the defence of diminished responsibility under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006, which requires the defence to prove that a mental disorder substantially reduced McDonagh's responsibility.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 8 February 2024, a 55‑year‑old woman accused a man of raping her in a park after a party at his house. She denied any prior romantic or friendly relationship with the accused. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, featured testimony from a friend who described the woman's distress and her refusal to discuss the alleged assault. The woman's own statements to the jury included that the accused entered a bathroom and said, "I could have you now," which she interpreted as a violent threat rather than a sexual one. She denied being coerced into sexual acts, rejecting defence claims that she had engaged in oral sex or other sexual activity with the accused. The case remains pending before the jury. The unnamed 55-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A 55‑year‑old man was brought before the Central Criminal Court on 7 February 2024, accused of raping a woman who was a friend of his wife in a Dublin park in September 2019. The accused, who cannot be named, pleaded not guilty to the rape charge. The complainant, now 51, testified that she had known the accused's wife for about 17 years and had helped her friend prepare for a party at the accused's house. She described spending the evening in the back garden, drinking champagne and wine, and later being in the bathroom where the accused allegedly entered, made a threatening statement, and raped her. The complainant said she struggled to move, felt cold and wet, and was unable to resist. She later reported the incident to Gardaí, attended a sexual assault treatment unit, and gave a statement. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury.
During the Stardust inquest, Chief Fire Officer Dennis Keeley testified that the increase in Dublin Fire Brigade stations and personnel since 1981 was largely a response to the 1981 Stardust nightclub fire that killed 48 people. He explained that the brigade now collects detailed building information—maps, hydrant locations, high‑risk facilities—from owners before incidents, and that this data is available to crews en route, shortening the "get to work" phase. Keeley noted that the brigade conducts unannounced inspections on about 70% of licence applications each year, visiting premises at least once every two years, and that 80‑90% of inspections are unannounced. He said the Dublin major emergency plan is rarely declared, recalling the 1987 Raglan House explosion as the last instance. Keeley also discussed the impact of the Building Control Act Regulations, the benefits of third‑party sign‑off, and the need for more frequent regulatory reviews.
A jury in Dublin must decide whether Patrick McDonagh, 52, who killed 73‑year‑old Peter McDonald in a brutal machete attack, should be convicted of murder or manslaughter on the basis of a mental disorder. Mr Justice Michael MacGrath instructed the jury that if they find the prosecution has proved all elements of murder, they must then consider the defence of diminished responsibility under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. The defence must prove it is probable that McDonagh had a mental disorder that substantially reduced his responsibility. Two psychiatrists gave conflicting diagnoses: Professor Patricia Casey, representing the defence, said McDonagh suffered acute schizophrenia; Dr Mary Davoren, for the prosecution, argued any abnormality was likely due to cannabis use. The judge emphasised the jury's role in determining responsibility, not the experts, and urged them to weigh all evidence, including witnesses describing McDonagh's behaviour before and after the killing. Patrick McDonagh pleaded not guilty. Peter McDonald pleaded not guilty.
Patrick McDonagh, aged 52, is on trial for the murder of his neighbour Peter McDonald, aged 73, who died on 25 July 2020 after a brutal machete attack. The prosecution, represented by Philipp Rahn SC, argues that the multiple slash, chop and stab wounds inflicted with a machete and knife prove beyond reasonable doubt that McDonagh intended to kill or cause serious injury, and therefore the appropriate verdict is murder. McDonagh has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, a plea the State has rejected. The defence, led by John Fitzgerald SC, contends that McDonagh was suffering from schizophrenia at the time of the attack, and that his mental disorder substantially reduced his responsibility, arguing for a manslaughter verdict. The case is being heard at the Central Criminal Court, with the judge to charge the jury tomorrow.
A man named Michael Crotty, aged 41, admitted to facilitating the Kinahan Cartel by buying a mobile top‑up for Sean McGovern, a leading figure in the cartel, during a Special Criminal Court hearing. Crotty had previously pleaded not guilty to a charge related to the 2016 murder of Noel 'Duck Egg' Kirwan, an innocent man mistakenly targeted by the cartel. In the hearing, Crotty pleaded guilty to a new charge of recklessness under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act, stating he had no intention for the top‑up to be used in endangering anyone. The court noted that Kirwan was shot dead after the Regency Hotel attack, which had involved the cartel. The judge extended Crotty's bail and adjourned sentencing to April 22. The trial had been scheduled for up to five weeks and included testimony on the cartel's structure and activities.
Patrick McDonagh, aged 52, is on trial for the murder of neighbour Peter McDonald, 73, on 25 July 2020. He pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, a plea the State rejected. Consultant psychiatrist Dr Mary Davoren testified that McDonagh was not suffering a mental disorder at the time of the alleged offence; she attributed any abnormality to cannabis use. She described McDonagh as unreliable, noting inconsistencies in his accounts of drug use and memory. Davoren highlighted a history of substance misuse, including cannabis and benzodiazepines, and a refusal of a urinary drug screen four days after the incident. She also reported bizarre symptoms McDonagh claimed, such as seeing a bull and hearing voices, which she deemed atypical for schizophrenia. Professor Patricia Casey, called by the defence, argued that McDonagh's symptoms were reduced by acute schizophrenia. The trial continues before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath and a jury.
An expert witness has stated that the architects of the Stardust nightclub had 'little or no knowledge of fire safety', which, combined with the lack of a functioning fire alarm and obstructed exits, contributed to the loss of life during the 1981 fire. Martin Davidson, a fire engineer with 29 years of experience, testified that the layout of the Stardust was 'fundamentally okay' but was undermined by poor fire safety strategy. He explained that the fire alarm only sent a signal to the management office and did not sound for patrons, a decision made at the insistence of Dublin Corporation to avoid panic, but which delayed evacuation. Davidson noted that most patrons did not realize the severity of the situation until screens were raised in the area where the fire was first observed. He also highlighted that the presence of carpet tiles on the walls rendered the means of escape redundant and that staff had no fire safety training.
During the Central Criminal Court trial, Dr Mary Davoren, a consultant forensic psychiatrist, testified that Patrick McDonagh's mental health difficulties are more consistent with long‑term substance misuse than schizophrenia. McDonagh, 52, is charged with murdering his neighbour Peter McDonald, 73, on Whitechapel Road on 25 July 2020, and has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, a plea the State has rejected. Dr Davoren reviewed McDonagh's psychiatric history, noting initial diagnoses of schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder but later conclusions that substance misuse—particularly benzodiazepine dependence—was the primary issue. She recounted McDonagh's admissions of cocaine use beginning at 24 or 25 in London, heroin use from 19, and extensive cannabis consumption prior to the death, while denying other drug use in that period. Her evidence will continue before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath and a jury tomorrow.
The 78‑year‑old widower John O'Neill, former owner of a Lisdoonvarna bed and breakfast, was found dead in his kitchen on 6 January 2024. Garda Louise Keogh and a colleague entered the house after a call about a suspected altercation the previous night. They discovered O'Neill's severely beaten body, with facial injuries, a pool of blood at the top of his head, a broken vase, a damaged laptop and scattered bank and social services cards. The scene suggested a "personal" killing. Witnesses identified Thomas Lorigan, 56, as the man who had stayed overnight at Lorigan's home the night before and who was later arrested for assault causing serious harm. Lorigan was detained at Ennis Garda Station after a DNA sample was taken. The case remains a murder investigation, with the prosecution presenting forensic evidence linking Lorigan to the assault and death of O'Neill. The trial has not yet concluded.