During the inquest into the 1981 Stardust nightclub fire that killed 48 people, the jury heard that an insurance company's fire surveyor, Richard Williams, had deemed the building a "pretty horrendous" fire risk. Williams, who had worked for Hibernian Insurance from 1961 to 1997, declined to quote for fire insurance in 1979 after reading a fire survey. In 1981 he was appointed a fire surveyor and reported that the nightclub's new cold room, built with aluminium and polystyrene foam insulation, was highly combustible. He also noted that a push bar exit was chained and that walls were covered with polystyrene tiles and a false ceiling of polystyrene. Williams' testimony, read into the record, was to be continued the following day. The inquest also heard witness accounts of the fire's rapid spread, the difficulty of opening chained exits, and the chaotic crowd conditions a few weeks before the blaze.
The jury in the trial of Gerry Daly, 57, of Derby Lodge, Brownstown, The Curragh, Kildare, has begun deliberations after the court heard that Daly was charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Jacqueline Griffin, 39, at junction five of the M50 on 24 January 2019. The prosecution alleged that Daly's collision forced Griffin into crash barriers, resulting in her instant death from catastrophic head injuries. Daly pleaded not guilty. In his closing speech, defence counsel Roderick O'Hanlon argued that Daly was in an autonomous condition due to diabetes and extremely low blood sugar, which he claimed impaired brain function and awareness at the time of the crash. O'Hanlon said Daly could not have known where he was or what had happened. Prosecuting counsel Garnet Orange countered that the automatism defence was unsuitable, noting that Daly had known how to manage his diabetes and had failed to take simple precautions to avoid the danger.
A jury of twelve, split evenly between men and women, is deliberating on the verdicts for Gerard Cervi, a 36‑year‑old from Dublin, who is accused of murdering Robert 'Bobby' Messett and attempting to murder coach Pete Taylor and Ian Britton at Bray Boxing Club on 5 June 2018. The jury has spent 1 hour 47 minutes on the first day of deliberations, having been called out at 2.13 pm. Justice Karen O'Connor addressed the jurors at 4 pm, urging them to pause for the evening and return tomorrow at 10.30 am to resume, and warned them not to discuss the case or use social media. She reminded them that they must consider each charge separately and that a unanimous verdict is required. The trial has heard CCTV evidence, DNA and fingerprints linking Cervi to a van used in the shooting, and the defence has alleged possible investigative misconduct. Cervi has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
The jury in the trial of a 59‑year‑old man accused of attempted rape and sexual assault of six young men, offences dating from March 1991 to November 1997 in County Dublin, was discharged after a juror said he could not continue. The defendant, who pleaded not guilty, is still named only as a 59‑year‑old. Mr Justice Alexander Owens discharged the jurors, and the trial is expected to restart with a new jury later today.
Michael Lynn, a former solicitor aged fifty-five from County Wicklow, continues his trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on charges of theft amounting to approximately twenty-seven million euro from seven financial institutions between October 2006 and April 2007. He has pleaded not guilty to twenty-one counts of theft. The prosecution alleges that Mr Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on identical properties without the knowledge of the lending banks. A former Bank of Ireland official testified that loans sanctioned by him for Mr Lynn, including a Carrick-on-Shannon apartment development around 2003, could only be used for purposes specified in loan agreements. The witness stated his employment would have been at risk had he permitted unauthorised use of funds. Another Bank of Ireland witness denied allegations that he had agreed Mr Lynn could use borrowed money as he wished, and stated he had no recollection of meeting Mr Lynn. The trial before Judge Martin Nolan continues with jury present.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Gerry Daly, 57, pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Jacqueline Griffin on the M50. Defence counsel Roderick O'Hanlon argued that Daly was in an autonomous condition due to severe hypoglycaemia from his long‑term diabetes, claiming he could not consciously control his driving. O'Hanlon cited medical evidence of low blood glucose impairing brain function and described Daly as unaware of his surroundings. Prosecutor Garnet Orange countered that the automatism defence was unsuitable, noting Daly's knowledge of his condition and failure to take precautions. The jury heard a post‑mortem report stating Griffin died from catastrophic head injuries after her car was struck from the rear, CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts of a fast‑moving vehicle, and Dr Kevin Moore's expert testimony on Daly's impaired cognition. The case remains at the jury's deliberation stage.
A 59‑year‑old man, whose name is withheld for legal reasons, has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court for one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault committed between March 1991 and November 1997 in County Dublin. The prosecution, led by Anne‑Marie Lawlor SC, presented six complainants who claim they were each separately victimised by the accused. Four of the complainants were students of the accused's secondary school at the time, while the other two were acquaintances from his hometown. The alleged offences involved inappropriate touching, licking and oral sex, with five complainants stating they woke to find the accused performing oral sex on them and one claiming the accused attempted an anal rape after a prior oral act. The alleged incidents occurred at the accused's home, with one alleged assault taking place in a pub. The unnamed 59-year-old pleaded not guilty.
During the 1981 Stardust fire inquest, 18‑year‑old Anthony McDonald testified that the club's fuses blew "on a regular basis" because no electrician supervised the lighting and sound set‑up. He described moving 50‑60 light boxes, eight speakers, two record decks, a unit, four plugboards and an amp from a van into the venue, all routed through the plugboards. McDonald said he and Colm O'Brien assembled the equipment themselves, leaving it to operate on capacity. He recalled hearing a small flame on the stage, seeing it grow, and attempting to escape through exit three, which was locked that night despite usually being open. He also noted that the DJ van was parked against the steps, forcing patrons to jump over it to exit.
A jury has been sworn in at the Central Criminal Court for the trial of a woman charged with murder in County Wicklow. Nicola Brennan, aged 33 and originally from County Carlow, faces a charge of murdering Juris Viktorovs at a residence in Shillelagh on February 10, 2022. Ms Brennan entered a plea of not guilty when the charge was put to her. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul McDermott, will be heard by a jury comprising eight men and four women. Legal representatives indicated the case is expected to conclude within three weeks.
Sean Murphy, 29, was found to have a severe obsessive‑compulsive disorder with psychotic features when he stabbed Michael Olohan, 35, to death on 13 August 2020. Dr Ronan Mullaney, a consultant psychiatrist, told the Central Criminal Court that Murphy was "acutely psychotic" and could not refrain from the killing because he believed he was saving himself and the world from great harm. He had a long psychiatric history, first diagnosed with OCD at 15, committed to a hospital at 16, and later discharged from St Vincent's psychiatric ward after nine months. In a letter to his treating team, Murphy admitted having thoughts of killing for about two years and described the act as a ritual driven by a fear of eternal torment. The jury was instructed that if they were not satisfied with an insanity verdict, Murphy would still be found guilty of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. Sean Murphy pleaded not guilty.
During the multi‑million euro theft trial of former solicitor Michael Lynn, the court heard that two members of the legal department of Permanent TSB (now PTSB) attended the proceedings to provide "moral support" to witnesses. Ciaran Farrell, a former branch manager and current business development manager at the bank, told the court that the two attendees were present at the evidence of his colleague John O'Brien. Farrell said he did not know the purpose of the accompaniment, adding that he presumed it was simply support. He also stated that he had not discussed the evidence with his colleagues, noting that their conversations had been about fantasy football. The trial, presided over by Judge Martin Nolan and heard by a jury, continues with Mr Lynn accused of stealing around €27 million from seven financial institutions between October 2006 and April 2007. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
In the trial of Gerry Daly, 57, who pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Jacqueline Griffin on the M50, Dr Kevin Moore, a consultant endocrinologist, testified that Daly did not make a conscious decision to drive that day. Dr Moore explained that Daly, who has Type 1 diabetes, had been managing his condition for over ten years and had self‑funded a continuous glucose monitor. He argued that Daly's blood glucose levels were severely low, leading to hypoglycaemic symptoms such as confusion and disorientation. According to Dr Moore, this severe cognitive impairment meant Daly could not understand or control his actions, including driving. He further noted that Daly's recollection of the morning would be unreliable and that his behaviour after the crash was abnormal, reflecting his impaired state. The trial continues before Judge Elma Sheahan and the jury.
The jury at the Central Criminal Court has begun deliberations on the case of Andrew 'Andy' Cash, 30, who is accused of murdering his brother‑in‑law, John Cash, 40, on 3 May 2022 at Hebron Road, Kilkenny City. Cash, a father of three from Highrath, Clara, Co Kilkenny, claims he was "out of his head on tablets" and cannot clearly recall the events of that day. He is also charged with assault causing harm to his sister, Elizabeth Cash, and with producing a knife during a dispute at the same time and place. Cash pleaded not guilty to all three charges on 2 November. The jury has deliberated for over three and a half hours and will resume at 11 am tomorrow.
A five‑star hotel in Limerick was ordered to pay €1,000 to a Traveller woman, Mary Jane Sheridan, after it refused her and her husband, Thomas Gammell, accommodation on their wedding night because they could not produce a credit card. Sheridan said she felt the staff were talking about refusing them and that the hotel would not make an exception on their wedding day. Gammell said the hotel would not accept a cash deposit and that his debit card was "no good". The hotel, Labarre Ltd trading as the Savoy Hotel, denied the complaints but the Workplace Relations Commission upheld Sheridan's claim under the Equal Status Act 2000. The tribunal has not yet published a decision on Gammell's complaint. The hotel argued the credit‑card requirement was unrelated to Traveller status, but the adjudicator found the policy was not appropriate or necessary and that the hotel had indirectly discriminated against Sheridan.
The murder trial of James Kilroy, accused of killing his wife Valerie French Kilroy at their home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo, has collapsed for a second time at the Central Criminal Court. The trial, which had been in progress since November 8th, was unable to continue after a key defence witness, psychiatrist Professor Keith Rix, became unavailable to complete his testimony. Mr Justice Paul McDermott discharged the jury of five men and seven women, informing them that the evidence given by Professor Rix was significant but could not now be finished. The trial will proceed afresh before a different jury on a date to be fixed on November 28th. Mr Kilroy, aged 50, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of occupational therapist Ms French Kilroy, aged 41, who died between June 13th and 14th, 2019. The defendant was remanded in custody.
Sean Murphy, 29, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael Olohan, 35, who died on 13 August 2020 after Murphy stabbed him in their shared apartment on St Lawrence Road. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court, where the jury was informed that Murphy was 25 at the time of the killing. Both men lived in a step‑down independent living facility run by St Vincent's Hospital Psychiatric Services, where they received medication but were otherwise free to manage their own affairs. Prosecutor Ronan Kennedy SC argued that Murphy caused Olohan's death and that the jury must decide his mental capacity. Defence psychiatrist Professor Keith Rix testified that Murphy suffered from a "most severe" form of obsessive‑compulsive disorder (OCD) at the time of the killing. Rix explained that Murphy's OCD was so severe that he lacked insight, yet he was not convinced he could not have refrained from the act.
Jimmy Fitzpatrick, a 16‑year‑old Stardust survivor, described how his friend Liam Dunne, who later died in hospital, comforted him in intensive care with the words "We made it this far, we're going to get out of this." Fitzpatrick, who suffered life‑changing third‑degree burns, recounted the night of the February 14, 1981 blaze, noting the fire's rapid spread, the chained exits, and the chaos that trapped many. He detailed his attempts to help friends, the sudden loss of power, and the overwhelming smoke that made breathing difficult. Fitzpatrick also recalled seeing other survivors, such as George O'Connor and David Morton, and the fear that the locked doors would prevent escape. The inquest, held at Dublin District Coroner's Court, heard Fitzpatrick's testimony about the fire's intensity, the "raining fire" droplets, and the desperate efforts to reach exits.
A clinical toxicologist has given evidence at the Central Criminal Court that a Westport man accused of murdering his wife was likely not under the influence of cannabis at the time of her death, despite a long history of drug use. James Kilroy, aged 50, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of Valerie French Kilroy at their home in Kilbree Lower between 13 and 14 June 2019. Dr Johann Grundlingh told the court that whilst Mr Kilroy's urine tested clear of cannabis two days after the killing, chronic exposure to the drug may have triggered a psychotic episode in a vulnerable person. The witness stated that intoxication from cannabis typically lasts hours rather than days. Under prosecution cross-examination, Dr Grundlingh acknowledged it remained possible Mr Kilroy had consumed cannabis after his last admitted use on 7 June. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
During the trial of former solicitor Michael Lynn, an ex‑Anglo Irish Bank manager, David Casey, testified that he did not believe the bank's chairperson, Sean Fitzpatrick, had "intimate knowledge" of any one customer. Casey, who had taken over management of Lynn's loans after the initial period, said it was common practice to refuse a loan where there was lending with other banks. He also noted that the bank had lent €11 million to Lynn in one year, a significant but not unusual amount. Lynn, aged 55, faces 21 counts of theft of about €27 million from seven financial institutions between October 2006 and April 2007. The trial, presided over by Judge Martin Nolan, continues with a jury hearing the evidence presented by both defence and prosecution. Sean Fitzpatrick pleaded not guilty.
In a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Gerry Daly, 57, pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Jacqueline Griffin, 39, in a fatal M50 collision on 24 January 2019. Sergeant Patrick McElroy, a forensic collision investigator, presented evidence that Daly's Toyota Auris had been travelling at 138‑151 km/h, struck a Scania lorry, then collided with Griffin's VW Polo, causing her head to be severed. McElroy's report detailed the sequence of impacts and the vehicle's continued movement. Garda Aidan McHugh testified that Daly had a voluntary interview on 28 January, described checking his blood sugar, and had a phone call at 10:30 am that morning. Professor Simon Heller, a diabetes specialist, testified that Daly's glucose levels fell from 9.3 to 3.3 mmol/L during the morning, potentially causing hypoglycaemic episodes and "in and out of consciousness." The trial continues before Judge Elma Sheahan.
During the inquest into the Stardust nightclub fire, Yvonne Blackwell, aged 18 at the time, testified that she and four friends from Derry were trapped in a panic when flames erupted at the end of the hall. She described the scene as "raining flames," with ashtrays igniting on tables, and that she was pushed and shoved by the crowd, unable to locate exits. Blackwell could not recall seeing her friend Susan Morgan inside the club, and she later reflected on the trauma and subsequent drinking. Ann and Finola Horner also gave evidence, describing the intense heat, orange glow, and the difficulty of escaping locked exits. They recounted seeing a man named Larry outside, who was severely burned. Valerie Walsh reported that after the fire started, exit doors were closed behind her, preventing people from re‑entering the burning building. The inquest will continue tomorrow.
At the Central Criminal Court, a forensic psychiatrist testified that James Kilroy experienced a psychotic episode in October 2001, some eighteen years before the alleged killing of his wife. Professor Keith Rix told the jury that medical records from that earlier episode showed the accused had used cannabis approximately two weeks prior and subsequently developed abnormal beliefs and perceptions. The witness outlined that in the weeks preceding the death of Valerie French Kilroy at their home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo, the accused exhibited an escalating pattern of delusional thinking, including beliefs about surveillance and poisoning. The psychiatrist stated that cannabis use two weeks before the incident constituted a substance-induced psychotic episode in a vulnerable person rather than simple intoxication. Mr Kilroy, aged fifty, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder charge. Ms French Kilroy, aged forty-one, an occupational therapist, died in June 2019 from strangulation, blunt force trauma, and a stab wound. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
In a trial for the 2018 shooting at Bray Boxing Club, defence barrister Hugh Hartnett SC argued that there is no evidence linking his client, Gerard Cervi, to the gunman. He highlighted alleged lies by Garda officers, potential investigative "corner cutting," and questioned the reliability of CCTV and forensic evidence. Hartnett noted that Cervi had no criminal background and that witnesses' descriptions of the shooter's height did not match Cervi's. He also pointed out that a known drug dealer, who admitted to using the van implicated in the case, had no evidence of drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. Hartnett concluded that the prosecution's case fell short of proof beyond a reasonable doubt and urged the jury to acquit Cervi on all four counts. The judge, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, charged the jury on matters of law. Gerard Cervi pleaded not guilty.
During the trial of Michael Lynn, a former legal executive, Ms. Liz Doyle, was cross‑examined about her role in the firm and a loan of €80,000 she claimed to have given to Lynn in January 2007. Doyle admitted she was an authorised signatory on cheques and that she had forwarded emails to solicitor Fiona McAleenan. She acknowledged that the firm had a practice of signing each other's names on documents, but denied that she had ever signed a letter without permission. Doyle also said she had no knowledge of any fraud and that she was very ill at the time of the alleged civil case involving Irish Life and Permanent. The prosecution argued that Lynn had obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties, but the trial continues before Judge Nolan and the jury. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
At the Central Criminal Court, a consultant forensic psychiatrist testified that James Kilroy was suffering from a substance-induced psychotic episode when he killed his wife at their rural home near Westport, Co Mayo. Dr Ronan Mullaney told the jury that the accused's mental disorder meant he did not know his actions were wrong and could not refrain from committing the act. Kilroy, aged 50, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his wife between June 13 and 14, 2019. The psychiatrist described paranoid delusions and erratic behaviour in the weeks preceding the death, including beliefs about surveillance and conspiracy. He stated the accused met criteria for the insanity defence under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. In cross-examination, the State's counsel disputed the evidence, suggesting the accused had minimised his long-standing cannabis use and had motivation to provide a self-serving account. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and jury.
During the 1981 Stardust nightclub fire, witnesses described a rapidly spreading blaze that resembled the film 'Backdraft'. Bernard Tully, 16 at the time, recalled a ball of flames racing across the ceiling, "drops of molten lead" falling onto the crowd, and the panic that followed. He attempted to open a window that only opened a few inches, then smashed a glass panel to escape. Thomas Dempsey, 19, testified that a fire extinguisher seemed to fuel the flames, which spread along walls and carpet tiles, creating orange‑black smoke and a "backdraft" effect. Anthony Preston, present that night, described a packed hallway, a locked exit with a Chubb lock, and the difficulty of moving through smoke and fumes. Anthony Kavanagh, also 19, recounted seeing a curtain open, causing flames to shoot across the floor and a substance that appeared like acid dropping from the ceiling. The inquest continues tomorrow at the Rotunda Hospital's Pillar Room.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 15 November 2023, counsel Paul Murray SC delivered a closing speech to a jury of twelve in the murder trial of Gerard Cervi, aged 36, who is accused of firing nine bullets at Bray Boxing Club on 5 June 2018. The prosecution presented CCTV footage showing Cervi travelling from his home to the club in a distinctive van, entering the club, firing in a methodical pattern, and then leaving the premises. DNA, fingerprints and other forensic evidence were also cited. The alleged victims were Robert 'Bobby' Messett, who died on the scene, and Ian Britton and Pete Taylor, who were injured. Murray argued that the evidence demonstrated Cervi's intent to kill, and urged the jury to find him guilty of murder and two attempted murders. The judge was scheduled to address the jury the following day. Gerard Cervi pleaded not guilty.
In a Kilkenny murder trial, Andrew 'Andy' Cash, 30, pleaded not guilty to the stabbing death of his brother‑in‑law John Cash, 40, on 3 May 2022. Cash, a father of three from Highrath, claimed he was "out of his head on tablets" and could not fully recall the events of that day. He told the jury that he believed his wife had cheated on him with John Cash "years ago" and that he had confronted John Cash after seeing him and his wife leave a Centra. Cash admitted to having a knife in his car, which he said had been there "for ages," and that he had given John Cash a "good thumping" while he was on the ground, but denied stabbing him. He also denied shouting "you got what you deserved" or threatening to kill John Cash. The case is set to proceed before Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of seven women and five men.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, the jury heard that the death of 39‑year‑old Jacqueline Griffin on the M50 on 24 January 2019 was caused by catastrophic head injuries after her vehicle was struck from the rear by a black car travelling at high speed. The accused, 57‑year‑old Gerry Daly of Kildare, pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing death. A doctor's report read at the hearing described the scene: a vehicle on its side, a decapitated head on the road, and a body in the rear. A post‑mortem confirmed the head injuries. Witnesses, including truck driver Joseph Dunne and passenger Judith Ryan, described the collision and Daly's hypoglycaemic episode. Daly was treated on scene for low blood sugar, given glucose, and taken to hospital. The case remains before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, Gerry Daly, 57, pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the instantaneous death of Jacqueline Griffin, 39, on the M50 on 24 January 2019. Witnesses described Daly's vehicle as travelling at high speed, weaving in and out of traffic, and veering across the hard shoulder before colliding with Griffin's car. The prosecution argued that the collision was ferocious, causing Griffin's vehicle to roll over and her immediate death. Daly was also reported to have been a type‑one diabetic with a related medical condition that impaired his control of the vehicle. CCTV footage and multiple motorists' testimonies were presented, all indicating that Daly's driving was dangerous and that the accident caused Griffin's death. The case remains before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.
In the trial of Michael Lynn, a former legal executive, Liz Doyle, testified that she signed another solicitor's name on documents at Lynn's instruction, citing intense pressure and fear in the firm. Doyle, who worked as a legal executive at Michael Lynn & Co, described a demanding environment with constant calls and emails, and claimed she followed Lynn's directions to sign the name of Fiona McAleenan, a solicitor in the practice, and also the signature of Kinsella Mitchell and Associates, auditors for the firm. She admitted she was aware that signing the documents was wrong but felt compelled by the pressure. Doyle also discussed personal financial strain, including her husband's business collapse and multiple mortgages. The prosecution alleges Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties, while the defence disputes the extent of Doyle's knowledge and intent. The case is before Judge Martin Nolan and a jury. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
The Central Criminal Court trial of James Kilroy, 50, accused of murdering his wife, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, at their Co Mayo home in June 2019, continued with the prosecution case closing. Mr Kilroy has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The jury heard evidence from gardai interviews in which the accused described waiting in the long grass for his wife before slitting her throat and choking her with his bare hands. He stated he used a black serrated knife and smashed her head, describing the event as a frenzy. The prosecution noted that Ms French Kilroy died from strangulation, blunt force trauma, and a stab wound. Defence counsel called consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Ronan Mullaney, who testified that the accused had a long history of cannabis use, including therapeutic consumption of high-THC 'AK-47' strain in the three years prior to the death. Dr Mullaney stated that THC can induce substance-induced psychosis in predisposed individuals and that the accused slightly increased his use in the week before the incident. The accused also reported feeling watched and paranoid in the days leading up to the event. The trial is ongoing, with no final verdict or sentence recorded at this stage.
In the 2023 inquest into the 1981 Stardust nightclub fire, witnesses recounted being trapped in toilets as smoke filled the building. Deirdre Dames, aged 18, described crawling on hands and knees, hearing people outside screaming for help, and feeling the heat and smoke close to the windows. She said she prayed the Lord's Prayer and was rescued when a fireman entered. Louise Murray, also 18, was trapped in a stage‑rear toilet, inhaled hot debris, and later prayed the Our Father before firemen broke in. Breda Walsh, 19, ran into a gents toilet by mistake, fainted from smoke, and was rescued by the brigade. Helen Henby, 18, was trapped under a table, suffered third‑degree burns, and spent four months in hospital. The testimony highlighted the chaotic escape attempts and the desperate attempts to breathe and pray for survival.
The Central Criminal Court heard the trial of Sean Murphy, 29, who stabbed his housemate Michael Olohan, 35, to death on 13 August 2020. Murphy had been released from a psychiatric ward to an independent living facility four months earlier. He pleaded not guilty to murder. The prosecution argued that Murphy had an active mental disorder and should be found not guilty by reason of insanity, while the defence contended that his responsibility was substantially diminished, seeking a verdict of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. Witnesses included a prosecution expert who described severe obsessive‑compulsive disorder with psychotic symptoms, and a defence expert who agreed on OCD but denied a psychotic illness. The jury was instructed to consider Murphy's mental capacity at the time of the killing. The trial proceeded before Justice Mary Ellen Ring with a jury of twelve.
Former solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 55, stands trial in Dublin for alleged theft of about €27 million from seven banks between October 2006 and April 2007. He has pleaded not guilty to 21 theft counts. During the hearing, Lynn admitted in a prior trial that the borrowings were his responsibility and that he benefited from the money. The prosecution argues he secured multiple mortgages on the same properties without banks knowing other institutions were financing them. The banks named are Bank of Ireland, National Irish Bank (now Danske Bank), Irish Life and Permanent, Ulster Bank, ACC Bank, Bank of Scotland Ireland and Irish Nationwide Building Society. Lynn will give further evidence in this trial, and the jury will hear his full account. The case is before Judge Martin Nolan.
A jury was sworn in at the Central Criminal Court for the trial of Sean Murphy, 29, who is charged with the murder of Michael Olohan, 35, that occurred on 13 August 2020 on St Lawrence Road, Dublin. Murphy pleaded not guilty. The trial will start tomorrow before Justice Mary Ellen Ring and a jury of six men and six women and is expected to last up to five days.
A 23‑year‑old man from Churchfield, Cork, pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to a single charge of possessing 263 rounds of ammunition in suspicious circumstances on 3 June last year. The court found that the circumstances suggested he did not have the ammunition for a lawful purpose at Churchfield Avenue. He was also charged with membership of an illegal organisation, the Irish Republican Army, at a State location on the same date. The State's counsel said the plea would meet the case, and the judge adjourned sentencing to 22 January.
Michael O'Toole, a witness at the Stardust inquest, recounted that shortly after the 1981 fire, doorman Michael Kavanagh held a bunch of keys and repeatedly told him the club's doors were padlocked, preventing escape. O'Toole said he could not count how many times Kavanagh made the claim and that the keys were likely those of the Stardust. Kavanagh, who was 20 at the time, had initially told Gardaí he had unlocked the fire exit doors but retracted this statement after O'Toole's father reported Kavanagh's claim that the doors were locked. Kavanagh later admitted he had lied to Gardaí and that he had not opened the doors, feeling he was being made a scapegoat. O'Toole confirmed that Kavanagh's statements were made while they were in his kitchen and that the keys were taken out of his pocket during the conversation. The inquest heard that Kavanagh's repeated assertion of locked doors was a key point in the evidence presented.
The Central Criminal Court jury, consisting of eight men and four women, has paused its deliberations over the weekend and will resume on Monday at 10.30am. They have spent 11 hours and 39 minutes across three days considering the verdict in the murder trial of Martin Hayes, 34, who denies killing his partner, Amadea McDermott, 27, at her home in Coolock on 20 July 2017. The prosecution alleges Hayes stabbed McDermott and that she had previously been physically abused by him. Hayes claims the stabbing was self‑harm, citing a post‑mortem that the single abdominal wound could be consistent with self‑harm and that no DNA was found on the knife. The jury can return one of three verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. Justice Paul McDermott has asked the jurors to reach a unanimous decision.
At the Central Criminal Court, a consultant psychiatrist told a jury that a man charged with murder disclosed he was "on a mission from God to kill" his wife during a mental health assessment conducted before her body was discovered. Dr Camilla Curtis of Mayo Mental Health Services stated the accused presented with acute psychotic symptoms and posed a significant risk to himself and others, yet she determined he could not be detained in the low-security adult mental health unit in Castlebar. The man, aged 50, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of Ms Valerie French Kilroy at their home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, County Mayo, between June 13 and 14, 2019. The court heard he was found running naked in a field outside Westport and subsequently confessed to gardaí, stating he had stabbed his wife in the throat with a kitchen knife. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury at the Central Criminal Court.
Noel Gamble, a labourer at Patrick McCaffrey & Sons Ltd, was dismissed after refusing to work on 20 January 2020 following a one‑day work stoppage that he and three colleagues called a "wildcat strike" over pay. The workers had been paid €12.20 an hour in 2008, cut to €11.60 in 2008, and had not seen a raise in 2020, remaining at €12.18. They threatened not to return to work unless management addressed the pay issue. Their foreman, Noel Kerrigan, allegedly told them not to return, a claim he denied. The company's disciplinary process deemed the absenteeism gross misconduct, leading to Gamble's dismissal. The Workplace Relations Commission found the dismissal unfair, awarding him €3,579.45 for loss of earnings and €4,090.80 for notice pay, totalling €7,600. Gamble was the sole worker to challenge the dismissal through the WRC.
Michael Lynn, a 55-year-old from County Wicklow, is on trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court accused of stealing approximately €27 million from seven financial institutions between October 2006 and April 2007. He has pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of theft. During cross-examination, the defence team challenged a former Bank of Ireland senior business manager's testimony regarding loan applications. The witness rejected suggestions that loans could be used for purposes other than property purchases, describing such a proposition as a "fairytale." The defence contended that Mr Lynn intended to use borrowed funds for overseas development projects, including ventures in Carrick-on-Shannon and Portugal. A former Ulster Bank official also denied allegations that Mr Lynn provided him with cash or paid for his travel. The prosecution's case centres on Mr Lynn obtaining multiple mortgages on identical properties from different institutions without their knowledge. The seven lenders involved include Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, Irish Life and Permanent, and Irish Nationwide Building Society. The trial continues before Judge Martin Nolan and jury.
During the inquest into the Stardust nightclub fire, 19‑year‑old Deborah Osbourne described the blaze as a "living thing" that chased her and her friends. She recounted how she and three companions tried to reach exits five and six, holding hands in a desperate attempt to escape. Thick black smoke and intense heat made visibility impossible, and she described the sensation of her hand sticking to a seat as she tried to stand. Osbourne suffered burns to her head, face, arms and hands, and inhaled smoke that damaged the lining of her lungs. She also recalled finding Sandra Lawless, one of the victims, and hugging her before falling to the floor. Osbourne expressed regret for not taking Lawless with her and described the fire as a "monster" that forced her to fight for survival. The inquest heard additional witness statements about blocked exits, attempts to pull people out, and the chaotic conditions inside the club.
Cathal Murphy, brother of the murdered Ashling Murphy, described the convicted killer Jozef Puska as a "vicious monster" who inflicted "incomprehensible violence" on his victim. Speaking at the Criminal Courts of Justice after Puska's conviction for the January 2023 murder of Ashling while she walked along the Grand Canal in Tullamore, Mr Murphy thanked the jury for their patience and resilience during the trial. He said the verdict delivers justice but will not bring Ashling back or heal the family's wounds, and urged the media to respect their privacy as they continue to grieve. Ryan Casey, Ashling's boyfriend, also thanked the family, friends, community, Gardaí, the prosecution team, the presiding judge Mr Justice Tony Hunt and court support staff for their support and for the thorough investigation that led to the conviction.
A man on trial for murder told gardaí he had killed his wife after being found naked in a field near Westport, Co Mayo, the Central Criminal Court heard. James Kilroy, aged 50, a park ranger, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of Valerie French Kilroy, an occupational therapist, at their home at Kilbree Lower between 13 and 14 June 2019. Gardaí discovered Mr Kilroy in a field in Derrygorman on the morning of 14 June, where he stated he was on a pilgrimage to Croagh Patrick. He was detained under the Mental Health Act. At Mayo University Hospital, Mr Kilroy told gardaí he wished to make a confession and said he had killed his wife. Gardaí subsequently found Ms French Kilroy's body in a campervan at the property, with evidence of a violent death. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul McDermott, continues before a jury of seven women and five men. Psychiatric evidence will be central to the jury's consideration.
In the trial of Jozef Puska, the prosecution presented evidence that Puska stalked and murdered Ashling Murphy on the Grand Canal towpath on 13 January. Puska allegedly dragged Murphy into briars, stabbed her 11 times in the neck and slashed her once, causing fatal blood loss. Witnesses, including teacher Jenna Stack, described seeing a man crouched over Murphy, holding her down, and Puska's DNA was found under Murphy's fingernails. Puska was arrested in Tullamore, questioned in hospital, and during the trial he repeatedly denied involvement, later claiming he had been stabbed elsewhere and that he had confessed to the murder. The court heard conflicting statements and the prosecution urged the jury to reject Puska's lies and convict him of murder.
In November 2023 the Workplace Relations Commission ruled that Oriel House Hotel Ltd must pay €11,000 in compensation to Margaret O'Sullivan, her partner Joseph O'Donovan and her sister Theresa O'Sullivan after the hotel refused them accommodation on 6 July 2021. The family had booked a dinner and overnight stay to celebrate a First Holy Communion. At check‑in the receptionist told them the hotel was overbooked, and after two managers approached them the group was hurried out of the lobby. The hotel offered a €600 cash refund in the car park but no alternative lodging or meal. The tribunal found the hotel's claim that it could not distinguish Travellers from settled guests was implausible and that the family was discriminated against on the basis of Traveller identity.
Senior officials from the Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank denied that they were negligent in their lending to Michael Lynn, who is on trial for 21 counts of theft involving about €27 million taken from seven financial institutions between October 2006 and April 2007. Mr Lynn, aged 55, is accused of obtaining multiple mortgages on the same properties without the banks knowing that other institutions were also financing those properties. Jim Madden, a former Bank of Ireland senior business manager, testified that he acted as a mortgage broker for Bank of Ireland Mortgages and that the 2006 mortgage application was approved and drawn down on 13 December 2006. He said the loan would not have proceeded if the bank had known about Ulster Bank's financing of the same properties. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
In the Dublin District Coroner's Court, Tina Brazil, aged 17 at the time, recounted her attempt to escape the Stardust nightclub fire with friend Carol Bissett. Brazil described the scene as a "big ball of smoke" and the crowd's force pulling them apart. She said she held Bissett's hand until it broke, then they were carried in opposite directions. Brazil later learned Bissett had died in hospital. Catherine Moore, also present, described the darkness, screaming, and the doors being locked, noting she was dragged out and cut her hands and legs on glass. Pauline Jenkins testified about a chain‑locked exit and a white van outside. Noeleen Kearney described the fire reaching the ceiling and the chaotic crowd pushing toward exit five. Patrick Coates, 18, recounted thick black smoke, his girlfriend's safety, and their escape through a locked exit. The inquest continues tomorrow.
The jury for the 17‑day trial of Jozef Puska, accused of murdering 23‑year‑old teacher Ashling Murphy, began deliberations after a 25‑minute session. Judge Tony Hunt reminded jurors that a unanimous verdict is required and urged them to base their decision solely on the evidence heard. He explained that if they are not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt of Puska's guilt, they must acquit, and if they are satisfied, they must convict. The judge highlighted the prosecution's case that Puska stabbed Murphy repeatedly, and noted Puska's own testimony that he was attacked by an unknown man who then stabbed Murphy. He also discussed the alleged confession Puska made in hospital, the reliability of that statement, and the DNA evidence linking Puska to the victim. The jury will receive transcripts of Puska's testimony, witness statements, and expert evidence before returning tomorrow for further deliberation. Jozef Puska pleaded not guilty.