During a trial in the Central Criminal Court, a security guard testified that on 5 April 2018 he saw a 30‑year‑old Dublin man forcibly lift a toddler by her arm after she fell on a shopping centre travelator. The guard described the incident as "deeply concerning" and stayed in the area, radioing a colleague to keep an eye on the man and children for health and safety reasons. He also requested the shopping centre's CCTV control room to monitor them and arranged for Gardaí to be called. The guard's testimony was corroborated by a second security guard who noted the man's interaction with the children and the man's return to the shopping centre after a brief exit. The case involves ten charges of sexual abuse, reckless endangerment and child cruelty against the toddler and her brother, all of which the accused has pleaded not guilty to. The trial continues before Mr Justice David Keane and a jury.
During a murder trial, 54‑year‑old firefighter David Howard, a cousin of the victim Derek Reddin, testified that a fight erupted on Loughlinstown Drive before midnight. He said Andrew Lacey, 35, had a knife and shouted "get it on" while waving it. Howard described seeing Lacey straddle Reddin, who fell flat on his face, and Lacey digging the knife into him. Howard tried to intervene, punching Lacey, but Lacey grabbed him with the knife. Howard then ran to Reddin, found him bleeding with no pulse, and called for an ambulance. Howard denied any role in the escape and stated that the only weapon present was Lacey's knife. Lacey has pleaded not guilty to Reddin's murder, which occurred between 14 and 15 October 2019. The cross‑examination continues before Justice Mary Ellen Ring and a jury.
A High Court judge has refused to extradite a man to Scotland on humanitarian grounds, citing severe prison overcrowding and inadequate mental health provision. Mr Justice Paul McDermott found that surrendering Richard Sharples, aged 24, from Dromore West, County Sligo, would expose him to a real and substantial risk of inhuman or degrading treatment. Mr Sharples is wanted by Glasgow Sheriff Court under a European arrest warrant for offences allegedly committed in September 2021, including a firearms offence and serious assault causing injury and endangerment of life. The judge noted that Barlinnie prison operates at 132 per cent capacity, with prisoners confined to cells for 22 hours daily in less than three square metres of space. He found that Scottish prison authorities failed to provide specific assurances regarding care for Mr Sharples' diagnosed conditions, including ADHD, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and Asperger's syndrome. The court heard evidence from a psychiatrist identifying specific support measures necessary in a prison setting.
During the 1981 Stardust nightclub fire, doorman Patrick J. Murphy testified that at 1:45 am he was alerted to a fire in a corner near the main bar. He attempted to extinguish it but the blaze spread, causing the ceiling to collapse and fill the area with smoke and fumes. He and two others crawled into the burning section, pulled a young girl who was "completely on fire" out of the club, and found her apparently dead. Murphy also described helping others escape through windows and assisting in removing grating. The inquest heard statements from other staff, noting blocked exits, a mobile ramp obstructing an exit, and a missing horizontal bar on an exit door. The testimony highlighted the chaotic conditions and obstacles that hindered evacuation during the blaze. The inquest continued the following day.
A 30‑year‑old Dublin man was charged with 10 offences against his partner's toddler and her brother, including sexual abuse, reckless endangerment and child cruelty, for incidents between February and April 2018. The toddler, aged 23 months, suffered a severe genital injury, extensive bruising and an old fractured wrist when admitted to hospital on 5 April 2018. The man pleaded not guilty to all charges. He claimed he was a "good father" and that the bruising was accidental, citing a fall from a buggy and a wooden toy box. Gardaí and Tusla investigated after the injuries were reported; the mother was arrested in July 2018. The trial is before Mr Justice David Keane and a jury. The man also denied three child‑cruelty charges relating to the boy, aged three. The case remains at the pleading stage.
During the murder trial of Andrew Lacey, a jury heard a 999 call recorded on 15 October 2019 in which Lacey claimed he and a friend were attacked by two men, one with a baseball bat and the other with a knife, and that one attacker was Derek Reddin. The call, played to the jury, included Lacey's statements that the attackers were trying to kill them and that he was "worried sick." The prosecution alleges that Reddin was in Loughlinstown to fight Lacey and that Lacey used more force than was reasonably necessary. Lacey, aged 35, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 31‑year‑old Derek Reddin. The jury also viewed a 19‑minute CCTV montage showing the movements of Lacey, his friend, Reddin and Reddin's friend before the fatal incident. The trial is proceeding before Justice Mary Ellen Ring and a jury of eight men and four women.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 23‑month‑old girl was found with a severe genital injury and multiple bruises, likely from non‑accidental trauma. A consultant paediatrician reported the injury was caused by significant trauma, but could not identify the implement or body part used. The child also had a wrist fracture about four weeks old. The accused, a 30‑year‑old man, pleaded not guilty to ten charges, including sexual abuse and reckless endangerment of the girl, and child cruelty against both the girl and her three‑year‑old brother. The brother was examined and found essentially normal, with a few bruises that may have been bite marks. The trial continues before Mr Justice David Keane and a jury.
Michelle Murray, a student working part‑time in the Lantern Rooms on the night of the Stardust fire, testified that she and three friends had gone behind the shutters of the dispense bar for a break, watched a disco competition, and then left through the Lantern Rooms exit after a small fire was reported. She recalled a man in a white shirt who claimed to have seen someone slitting a shutter and pouring paraffin, but she did not know him. Murray agreed with Bernard Condon SC that many tall tales were circulating about the fire. Caroline Maher, an 18‑year‑old lounge girl, described the fire as initially small but rapidly spreading from the seat to the ceiling, with smoke rushing up the wall. She heard people shout "fire fire" and saw smoke follow her as she exited.
Three family members and a teenager accused of murdering Thomas 'Tom' Dooley, 43, will be tried at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin on 29 May 2024. The defendants are Patrick Dooley (35), Thomas Dooley Senior (41), Thomas Dooley Junior (20) and a 17‑year‑old boy who cannot be named. They are charged with the murder of Mr Dooley at Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee, on 5 October 2022, after he was attacked by a group of men while attending a funeral. Thomas Dooley Junior is also charged with assault causing serious harm to Mr Dooley's wife, Siobhán, and the teenager is charged with producing an article likely to intimidate or cause serious injury to Ms Dooley. Mr Dooley died after the attack; Siobhán suffered serious injuries. The court set the trial for the four defendants, with a mention scheduled for 10 July 2024 to allow the defence to receive case materials.
In a Dublin suburb, 35‑year‑old Andrew Lacey was accused of stabbing 31‑year‑old Derek Reddin to death on 14 or 15 October 2019. Lacey claimed he was there for a "straightener" and a fight, not by coincidence, and that a history of animosity existed between their associates. He said he was attacked by two men, one of whom he identified as Reddin, and that he used a work knife to defend himself. The prosecution argued that Lacey used more force than reasonably necessary. Evidence to be presented includes a 45‑second call to emergency services, CCTV footage, forensic blood and DNA on a knife, and a short video taken by a friend's phone. The trial is before Justice Mary Ellen Ring and a jury of eight men and four women. The case remains at the opening stage, with no verdict yet. Andrew Lacey pleaded not guilty.
A scenery painter, David Brady, claims he was injured on the set of Disney's 'Disenchanted' and that his former employer, Metropolitan Films International Ltd, transferred him to another production to avoid liability before sacking him. Brady says he worked only an hour for Moonhaven S1 Productions DAC before being dismissed on 23 August 2021, after a knee injury on the 'Disenchanted' set. He alleges the construction manager moved him to the prop department, then sent him off the site without explanation. Brady also contends he was offered a resignation text in September 2021, which he denied, and that he never verbally agreed to resign. The Irish Film Workers' Association accuses IBEC of "chicanery" and claims breaches of employment rights, including unpaid wages and holiday entitlements. The case is being heard by the Workplace Relations Commission, with a decision expected in the autumn.
In a trial in Dublin, a 29‑year‑old man accused of child cruelty and sexual abuse of a toddler sister is facing 10 charges. An eight‑year‑old boy gave evidence via video‑link, saying he cannot remember the accused man doing anything. The boy, who was just under three at the time of the alleged offences, had earlier been interviewed by Gardaí in 2019 and 2020. In the final interview he described the man as a "bold daddy" who "hurted us" every day and laughed about it, but he now says he does not remember any of those incidents. The boy also denies remembering his mother's alleged involvement. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice David Keane, continues with a jury hearing the boy's testimony and the man's not‑guilty pleas. The case involves separate charges for the boy and the girl, each with distinct allegations. The man has pleaded not guilty to all 10 charges.
A jury of eight men and four women was sworn in to hear the trial of Andrew Lacey, a 35‑year‑old from Riverside, Loughlinstown, who is accused of murdering Derek Reddin, 31, on Loughlinstown Drive between 14 and 15 October 2019. Lacey appeared before the Central Criminal Court, pleaded not guilty, and spoke only "not guilty" when the single charge was read. Justice Mary Ellen Ring informed potential jurors of any impediments and noted Lacey's employment with the Parks Department in Dun Laoghaire. The trial, scheduled to begin the next day, is expected to last about two weeks.
The trial of Thomas McConnell, accused of the murder of Gareth Hutch, has been adjourned and must restart due to the illness of Judge David McHugh. At the Special Criminal Court, presiding judge Mr Justice Alex Owens informed the parties that the trial, which began on June 8, would be re-constituted with District Court Judge Grainne Malone replacing Judge McHugh. Both the prosecution and defense agreed to restart proceedings the following morning. Mr McConnell, 37, of Ballymun, Dublin 11, pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Mr Hutch, 36, which occurred on May 24, 2016, at Avondale House, North Cumberland Street, Dublin 1. The prosecution alleges that Mr McConnell and Jonathan Keogh used Mary McDonnell's nearby apartment to surveil the victim, subsequently following and shooting him. Mr McConnell is the fourth person to face trial for this offense; Regina Keogh, Jonathan Keogh, and Thomas Fox were previously found guilty by the court in November 2018. Following the adjournment, opening speeches will be delivered again, and Mr McConnell will be re-arraigned. The defense counsel, Patrick McGrath SC, stated his client preferred restarting immediately rather than waiting for Judge McHugh's availability. The trial is expected to conclude by July 31, the end of the current legal term.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a seven‑year‑old girl testified via video link that she stopped living with her mother and the mother's partner because they were "being mean." The 29‑year‑old Dublin man, who cannot be named, pleaded not guilty to ten charges, including sexual abuse, reckless endangerment, child cruelty, and assault. The girl, who was under two at the time of the alleged abuse, denied that the man had bitten her or hit her with a stick, although a specialist interview when she was four had recorded her claiming such incidents. The jury also saw videos of specialist interviews with the girl's older brother, who described the man as a "bold daddy" and said he had hurt the children daily. The trial will resume before the jury and Mr Justice David Keane.
Linda Bishop, 18 at the time, gave evidence at the Coroner's Court about the Stardust fire. She described how the club's main entrance doors were closed to prevent people who had escaped from re‑entering as crowds tried to flee. Bishop said she and a friend were pushed against a wall as panic spread, and she could hear people inside screaming and banging. She and her friend eventually reached a hallway near the main entrance, where there was no fire, but the lights went out and smoke filled the space, making breathing difficult. Bishop recalled that after they escaped, the doors were closed "wasn't very long at all." She also noted that the West Alcove, where she usually sat, had been closed off for the first time that night, and that a blast of heat from a shop heater was a trigger for her memory of the incident.
During the Stardust nightclub inquest, floor manager Phelim Kinahan testified that he believed the February 14, 1981 fire was deliberately started to distract barmen and allow a robbery of the bars. He confirmed there were six exit doors, with the main door always staffed and five others locked or chained to prevent unpaid entry. Kinahan said the practice of locking doors was deemed too expensive to staff each one. He recalled a conversation with barman Eamon Butterly, who allegedly said "the bastards started a fire," and he interpreted this as a plan to distract staff. Kinahan denied remembering any smoke or sparks weeks before the fire. Witnesses, including waitress Elaine Stapleton and DJ Colm O'Brien, described seeing smoke and a small fire early in the night, panic among patrons, and difficulties with exits and lighting. The inquest continues tomorrow.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing, a four‑year‑old girl testified that her mother's partner had bitten her on her private area and struck her with a stick. The girl, who was just under two years old at the time of the alleged abuse, was found to have traumatic genital injuries that could have had potentially fatal consequences if untreated. The 29‑year‑old accused, whose name is withheld to protect the child's identity, pleaded not guilty to ten charges of sexual assault, reckless endangerment and child cruelty covering incidents between March and April 2018. The charges include allegations of biting the girl's genitals, failing to seek medical care for her injuries, and assaulting a boy under three years old. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice David Keane.
Mary McDonnell, a key witness in the Special Criminal Court trial of Thomas McConnell for the murder of Gareth Hutch, told the court that she is only "half and half" on identifying one of the gunmen. She confirmed she could identify Jonathan Keogh, whom she had known for many years, but she could not identify the second man who was in her flat on the day of the murder. McDonnell agreed that CCTV footage from a shop showed Keogh with Thomas McConnell on the day of the shooting, and she said the second person "could be" the man she saw in her apartment with Keogh as they waited to ambush Hutch. She stated that when pressured by Gardaí, she admitted she was not "one hundred per cent" certain and was "half and half" in her identification. Thomas McConnell pleaded not guilty.
During a recess at the Stardust Inquest, former floor manager Phelim Kinahan was heard on a microphone speaking to an off‑camera person who claimed the nightclub doors were locked on the night of the 1981 fire. Kinahan replied that he was not responsible and that the doors were not locked. The coroner warned that this was second‑hand evidence. Earlier, Kinahan said he did not remember the doors being locked, but later he described a policy of keeping doors locked for about an hour after midnight. He also noted that chains were sometimes wrapped around bars to give the impression of being locked, a practice that could jam doors. The inquest will hear further evidence from the head doorman and other witnesses tomorrow. The proceedings remain at the evidence‑gathering stage.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 29‑year‑old man pleaded not guilty to ten charges of sexual assault, reckless endangerment and child cruelty involving a girl just under two and a boy just under three, dated March–April 2018. The prosecution argued that the girl was taken to hospital after Gardaí and social workers observed bruising and facial injuries. Doctors found severe genital trauma, describing it as "potentially fatal" if untreated, and a wrist fracture. The boy was later examined and found with bruising. Evidence included CCTV from a Dublin shopping centre, security footage, and interviews with the children. The accused denied all allegations, including penetrating the girl's vagina, failing to seek medical care, assaulting the boy's genitals, and biting the girl's genital area. The trial remains ongoing before Mr Justice David Keane.
Phelim Kinahan, who had overall responsibility for security at the Stardust, told an inquest that the policy of draping chains over fire doors was already in place when he started and was common practice in the industry. He said the locks were removed but the chain was left hanging over the barrier to make the doors appear locked. Kinahan confirmed he had worked at the Stardust for about four or five months before the 1981 blaze and had gained 12 years of hotel experience. He described the practice as standard in hotels and discos, noting that when the venue was closed the doors were locked, but when open the chain was simply thrown over the barrier. He added that he had no knowledge of how the practice was introduced and that it was assumed he knew it.
Mary McDonnell, a mother of two, testified at the Special Criminal Court that two men, including Jonathan Keogh, barged into her apartment on the morning of Gareth Hutch's murder. She said they used her flat as a lookout, watched Hutch's apartment from a window, and signalled to Keogh that they were ready. McDonnell described how Keogh and an unnamed second man, who she described as "blocky" and wearing a hoodie, entered her home, put on gloves left by Regina Keogh, and monitored a black car parked outside. She reported hearing three bangs and later learning that Keogh had shot Hutch. McDonnell's testimony, which will continue the following day, is part of the trial of Thomas McConnell, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Hutch. The trial is presided over by Mr Justice Alex Owens, Judge Elma Sheahan and Judge David McHugh.
In a Workplace Relations Commission hearing on 20 June 2023, a Department of Health official confirmed that only 63 hospital consultants hired on lower‑pay austerity contracts have signed up for the new SláinteCare contract since its launch in March. The hearing concerned age‑discrimination claims by a group of consultant doctors who argue that the 30 % pay cut applied to those hired after 1 October 2012 is an age‑based discrimination. The doctors, represented by the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association, claim they face a choice between continuing on the lower pay or accepting the SláinteCare contract, which forbids them from seeing private patients during their contracted week. The State denies the claims, and the case is scheduled to continue later in the summer. The hearing highlighted that 63 consultants have signed the new contract, a figure that the Department of Health said was only a couple of weeks old.
Patrick Butterly, a former director of the company that owned the Stardust nightclub, testified at a 1981 tribunal that he believed the building was "fireproof" and that it had been deliberately burned. He said he had relied on Dublin Corporation for fire safety guidance and had not personally inspected the premises for fire risks. Butterly claimed he had not read the bylaws for places of public resort and had not seen a copy of the dance hall licence on site. He denied knowledge of exit‑door locking practices and chain drapes used to simulate locked doors, stating he was only involved in the bar business. Butterly also said he had not taken steps to verify the fire‑safety suitability of carpet tiles or other finishes, and that he had not been consulted about steel plates on windows. His statement to Gardaí in March 1981 was read to the jury. The inquest into the 48 deaths at the Stardust fire continues.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 16 June 2023, it was revealed that Mary McDonnell, a "vulnerable" witness who gave evidence in the gangland murder trial of three men, has no formal security arrangement with the State. McDonnell received immunity for her testimony but was deemed unsuitable for the Witness Protection Programme. Garda liaison officer Sergeant Fergal Finnegan confirmed that the arrangement with McDonnell is informal, with no written protocols or guarantees for her future security or finances. Former liaison officer Sgt Aoife Reilly acknowledged McDonnell's vulnerability but denied that her protection depends on her giving evidence, stating that any protection is based on a risk assessment and that her entitlements will revert to normal social welfare once the Garda arrangement ends. The trial of Thomas McConnell, who denies the murder of Gareth Hutch, continues under the same conditions. Thomas McConnell pleaded not guilty.
During the Stardust inquest, former doorman Francis Kenny, aged 22 at the time of the 1981 fire, testified that staff were instructed to unlock exit doors and then loop a chain over the bars to make them appear locked. He claimed no safety or fire training was received and that there were insufficient doormen to cover all exits, leading to many doors being chained after unlocking. Kenny confirmed that a photograph of a chained exit door, not taken on the night of the fire, represented the practice. He stated that the chain did not prevent the door from opening, but he had never attempted to open a chained door. Kenny also noted that door keys were kept in the cash office and he was unaware of duplicate keys. The inquest continues tomorrow.
During the 2023 inquest into the 1981 Stardust fire, Edward McNamee, a 16‑year‑old washer‑up, recounted seeing flames creep along the wall like a mushroom and using his bike lamp to help an assistant manager locate keys to a steel exit door. He described the fire spreading from a chair's back to the carpeted wall and ceiling tiles. McNamee also noted a bouncer's attempts to open exits and the absence of any fire drill in the nine months he worked. Liz Marley, then 18, testified that she saw smoke and flames behind a shutter, shouted about a fire in the left balcony, and handed fire extinguishers to staff, yet she had never received fire training. An architectural draftsman, Harold Gardner, was read as saying the owner was uninterested in a sprinkler system despite a planning condition, and that carpet tiles and foam seats were not specified as fire‑resistant.
During the Stardust nightclub fire, Dermot O'Neill, a booking entertainment worker, testified that the crowd experienced "absolute panic" as smoke quickly filled the venue. He described seeing a small fire on a seat about three rows from the wall, initially thinking it could be contained. He attempted to report the fire and locate an extinguisher, but within two to three minutes the smoke had taken over, lights failed, and a crush formed as people rushed to the exit. O'Neill noted that 775 customers were present that night and that he had paid £1,162.50 for catering. He recounted hearing complaints of a smell, seeing black smoke in the foyer, and urging people to keep moving as a "free for all" panic ensued. The testimony was given to the jury at Dublin Coroner's Court.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 12 June 2023, witnesses described the moment Ross Hutch, a cousin of Gareth Hutch, discovered his nephew's body at Avondale House after a shooting. Ross was seen clutching his head, roaring, and screaming "oh, no, no, no" as he approached the body lying between two cars. Video showed the shooting, with two gunmen firing at Gareth before fleeing. Ross chased the men through a pedestrian exit. Gardaí reported a volatile scene with up to 50 people shouting abuse. Ross told officers "do your job" and later said "It's the f**king feud." Thomas McConnell, 37, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Gareth Hutch, 36, which occurred on 24 May 2016. The court heard evidence of the shooting, the weapons used, and the post‑mortem report indicating four gunshot wounds. The trial was set to continue the following day.
An electrician, Stephen Byrne, who worked at Cadburys in Coolock, attended the Stardust on the night of the fatal fire on 13 February 1981. He observed a neon roof sign that was dimming and flickering, which he believed was due to an electrical fault that could cause a fire. Byrne, with 20 years of experience, especially in high‑voltage neon signs, said the flickering could have been caused by degassing, a faulty transformer or a faulty connection, the latter being the most likely to arc and ignite a fire. He made a deposition on 16 February 1981, which was read to the inquest. The inquest also heard that the Stardust had been open for three years, had three venues, and that staff had noticed smoke and power outages months before the blaze.
A pre‑trial hearing has started in the case of Noel Long, a 74‑year‑old man accused of murdering 54‑year‑old Nora Sheehan in 1981. The hearing, expected to last three weeks, is before Mr Justice Paul McDermott at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. Brendan Grehan, senior counsel, leads the prosecution, while Michael Delaney SC heads the defence. Sheehan's body was discovered by forestry workers at The Viewing Point, Shippool Woods, Cork, six days after she was reported missing. A jury will be sworn in after the pre‑trial hearing concludes.
During the inquest into the Stardust nightclub fire, witnesses testified that sparks were seen falling from the ceiling during concerts up to a month before the February 14, 1981 blaze. Patrick O'Driscoll, a member of an Elvis tribute band, described a single "shower of sparks" that he saw in the backstage area the week before the fire, noting the sparks were whitish with a yellowish tint and arced three to four feet. Suzanne McCluskey, who attended a January 15 concert, reported seeing purple sparks flash from the ceiling at intervals of one to two minutes for about ten minutes. The jury also heard from other witnesses about potential safety issues, including chained emergency doors and overcrowding, but the focus of this testimony was the repeated observation of sparks from the ceiling in the weeks leading up to the disaster.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 8 June 2023, Thomas McConnell, aged 37, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Gareth Hutch, aged 36, which occurred on 24 May 2016 outside Avondale House, North Cumberland Street, Dublin 1. Prosecutor Fiona Murphy SC presented evidence that McConnell, along with Jonathan Keogh, Regina Keogh, and Thomas Fox, were part of a pre‑planned ambush. The prosecution alleged that a black BMW and a Skoda Octavia were used as getaway vehicles, that McConnell was seen walking to the Skoda before the shooting, and that he and Keogh carried handguns to the scene. Witness Mary McDonell, who had provided a flat for the shooters, was granted immunity and is a key witness. The court heard that McConnell was involved in the careful planning and execution of the murder, which was described as pre‑meditated and brutal. The trial continues before Judges Alex Owens, Elma Sheahan and David McHugh.
During the 1980–81 inspection period, Henry Armstrong of Chubb Fire & Security Ireland Limited reported that several fire extinguishers at the Stardust nightclub were empty each time he inspected them. He noted that eight water‑based extinguishers were in service, with three empty, and six CO₂ units, with three empty, all of which he refilled. Armstrong confirmed that the extinguishers were fully filled when he left the premises in October 1980. He also explained that one extinguisher, located in the hall outside the kitchen, was consistently empty because the chef would use it for small fires and then leave it on the wall. The jury heard that the club's management had not been informed about the potential inaccessibility of four extinguishers when curtains were drawn down, and that the responsibility for staff training lay with the owners.
In the Central Criminal Court, a 30‑year‑old woman charged with the murder of a four‑year‑old boy in the southwest had her plea of guilty to manslaughter rejected. The prosecution, represented by Aoife O'Leary BL, argued that the plea was not acceptable to the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the case will proceed to trial on the murder charge next year. The defendant pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter on 16 March 2021, the day the boy died in hospital after sustaining injuries at an address. She also pleaded guilty to willfully assaulting the child on two separate occasions: one between 1 January and 5 March 2021, and another between 6 and 11 March 2021. She began to cry in the dock before being arraigned on the third count.
During the inquest into the 1981 Stardust fire, it was revealed that steel plates had been welded over the windows of two toilets about six weeks before the blaze. The coroner's court, led by Dr Myra Cullinane, presented background facts to help the jury understand witness evidence. Mark Tottenham, a member of the coroner's team, explained that the building, originally a factory built in 1948, had been converted into an amenities centre and later the Stardust complex. He described the layout, including bars, a ballroom, and various rooms, and noted that the windows originally had nine‑inch openings for ventilation. The plates were fitted for security purposes, with vertical bars on the outside. The inquest will continue with further evidence in the coming weeks.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a jury found John Titiloye not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter for stabbing Ademola Giwa in the neck during a dispute over a stolen scooter. The jury rejected the prosecution's claim that Titiloye intentionally killed Giwa, instead concluding that the act was a result of provocation and a lack of intent to kill. Titiloye, aged 28, had claimed he was defending his father, Anthony, who had been attacked by Giwa. The judge, Mr Justice McDermott, noted the partial defence of provocation and self‑defence as possible bases for the manslaughter verdict. Titiloye was remanded in custody pending sentencing, with the court scheduled to hear a victim impact statement on 17 July. The case highlighted the jury's unanimous decision after nearly five hours of deliberation.
In the Tallaght murder trial, a jury of twelve is deliberating a second day over the case of John Titiloye, aged 28, accused of killing his 25‑year‑old friend Ademola Giwa after a dispute about a stolen scooter. The defence, led by Brendan Grehan SC, argues Titiloye acted in a primal state to protect his father, who was injured during the altercation, and seeks an acquittal or a manslaughter verdict on the basis of self‑defence or provocation. The prosecution, represented by John Byrne SC, maintains that Titiloye produced a knife and stabbed Giwa in the neck, causing a fatal wound. Judge Paul McDermott instructed the jury to consider three possible verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. The jury will reconvene tomorrow morning at 10.30 a.m. to continue their deliberations.
The inquest into the Stardust fire of February 1981, in which 48 young people died, entered a new phase at Dublin Coroner's Court on 23 May 2023. Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane addressed the jury, noting that the tragedy had left an indelible mark on Artane and surrounding communities, where most of the deceased originated. Some victims were from Cavan, Derry and Belfast. Dr Cullinane outlined that the proceedings are expected to continue until the end of the year, with over 300 witnesses and witness statements to be heard. Witness evidence will commence on 7 June, beginning with undisputed background facts regarding the Stardust building, its structure, exits and safety systems. The coroner explained that the jury must determine four matters for each deceased: identity, time, location and manner of death. These fresh inquests were ordered in 2019 following an application by representatives of 42 bereaved families, with the Attorney General finding an insufficiency of inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a 66‑year‑old man and his three sons (aged 38, 40, 41) face 31 to 36 charges of raping and sexually assaulting four family members, all children at the time. The 63‑year‑old wife of the eldest man is charged with assisting her son in an alleged anal rape of her granddaughter and assaulting the granddaughter. The alleged offences are said to have occurred between 1999 and 2005 in various locations. All five defendants deny the charges. Lawyers argue the evidence is vague, contradictory and dates are mismatched, citing inconsistencies in complainants' statements and difficulties in recalling details. The defence urges the jury to acquit on all counts, noting the prosecution has not proven the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The trial proceeds under Justice Mary Ellen Ring. The unnamed 66-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Brendan Grehan SC defended John Titiloye, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ademola "Dizzy" Giwa, 25, on 10 August 2021. Grehan argued the incident was a spontaneous reaction to a confrontation involving Titiloye's father and Giwa, not a premeditated act. He claimed Titiloye acted in defence of his father after a dispute over a stolen scooter and a debt owed to Samson Fayemi. Grehan highlighted CCTV footage showing the father's involvement and the rapid escalation of the altercation, suggesting Titiloye's use of a knife was a defensive response. The prosecution, led by John Byrne SC, maintained that Titiloye intentionally stabbed Giwa in the neck with the intent to kill, and that no justification existed for the act. The case remained at the jury's deliberation stage.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, John Titiloye, aged 28, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 25‑year‑old friend Ademola "Dizzy" Giwa, who was stabbed in the neck on 10 August 2021 in Tallaght. Titiloye told Gardaí that he had an altercation with Giwa's friend Samson Fayemi the day before and that he had been threatened by Giwa. He claimed he had a knife for self‑defence and that he had only used it to intimidate, not to stab. An eyewitness, Fayemi, testified that Titiloye raised his arm and struck Giwa's neck with a knife. A pathologist confirmed Giwa died from a stab wound that severed his jugular vein and damaged a lung. Titiloye's statements to Gardaí and his subsequent interviews were presented as evidence, with the prosecution arguing that he produced the knife and stabbed Giwa during a dispute over a debt and a stolen scooter. The trial will continue with closing speeches scheduled for Monday.
A trial is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court involving five defendants from an extended Traveller family, including a 66-year-old man, his three sons aged 38, 40, and 41, and the 63-year-old wife of the oldest son. The defendants face 126 counts of sexual abuse and assault allegedly committed against four children between 1999 and 2005. All five defendants deny the charges. The prosecution, led by Shane Costelloe SC, argued that the complainants were sexually abused by male relatives, describing the environment as one where children were "treated like dogs." Specifically, the first female complainant alleges she was repeatedly raped and sexually abused by three of her brothers. The second female complainant alleges rape by her grandfather, while a male complainant alleges repeated rape by his uncle. The defence, represented by Michael Bowman SC for the 66-year-old man, challenged the timeline and consistency of the evidence, particularly regarding the male complainant, arguing that care records contradicted the alleged dates of abuse. The defence also highlighted the significant time delay in bringing the case. The trial is currently at the closing speeches stage, with the jury instructed to decide based on the veracity of the complainants' evidence. The matter has not been concluded; the trial resumes on Monday before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring.
Verdicts for Brendan Treanor and James Flynn, accused of a robbery that killed Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, will be delivered on 19 September. The Special Criminal Court trial lasted 55 days, with evidence, legal arguments and closing speeches. Both men, aged 34 and 32, deny all charges. They are also charged with conspiring with convicted Garda killer Aaron Brady and others to burgle houses in 2012 and 2013, specifically to steal car keys. The prosecution alleges they were part of a group that broke into houses to steal keys and then quietly leave with the cars. Aaron Brady, 31, is serving a life sentence with a 40‑year minimum for Donohoe's murder and the Lordship robbery, and he denies involvement in the robbery. The judges will provide reasons for their verdicts and have been given the summer break to prepare. The trial concluded today, with the court noting the need for detailed reasoning in its judgments. Brendan Treanor pleaded not guilty. James Flynn pleaded not guilty.
An 88‑year‑old former Christian Brother was found guilty of indecent assault by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The trial concerned 30+ charges of assaulting six boys at a Kilkenny primary school between August 1975 and June 1976. The defendant pleaded not guilty to all offences. After about five hours of deliberation, the jury unanimously convicted him of 28 counts involving four complainants, found him guilty by majority of two counts involving a fifth complainant, and returned a not‑guilty verdict on one count involving a sixth complainant. Judge Elma Sheahan thanked the jury, remanded the defendant on continuing bail pending a sentencing hearing on 30 June, and ordered victim impact statements and medical reports. Prosecutor Patrick McGrath SC presented evidence that the alleged inappropriate contact included touching and fondling, and that the complainants, now men in their 50s, were pupils at the school where the defendant taught.
In a trial held on 18 May 2023, a 63‑year‑old woman was charged with assaulting her nephew and granddaughter and assisting her son in an alleged anal rape of her granddaughter. She also faced charges of concealing the rape. The case involves her 66‑year‑old husband and three sons, aged 38, 40 and 41, who are charged with sexually abusing four children in the family between 1999 and 2005. The indictment contains 126 counts. All five defendants denied the charges. During the hearing, the grandmother told Gardaí that if her daughter had informed her about her husband's alleged abuse, she would have had him "locked up". She said she was unaware of any abuse until a 2016 interview and that DNA evidence revealed her husband had fathered a child with her daughter. The trial continued before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring and a jury.
In a murder trial in the Central Criminal Court, John Titiloye, aged 25, pleaded not guilty to the killing of Ademola "Dizzy" Giwa, aged 25, in Tallaght on 10 August 2021. State pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis testified that Giwa died from a stab wound to the right side of his neck that cut the jugular vein and damaged the right lung, causing haemorrhage and loss of blood and air in the chest cavity. The wound also penetrated the chest cavity and the upper lobe of the right lung. A second, superficial stab wound was found on Giwa's right forearm. No alcohol was detected in Giwa's system, though he had consumed cannabis containing THC earlier. Witnesses, including Samson Fayemi, described seeing Titiloye raise a knife and strike Giwa's neck during a dispute over a stolen scooter. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of twelve.
During the final session of the Stardust inquest, families presented pen portraits of Margaret Thornton, 19, and her boyfriend Murtagh 'Murty' Kavanagh, 27, to honour their memories. Patricia Greene, Margaret's sister, described her as a music‑loving, family‑centric young woman who had prepared for a night out with Murty before the fire. She recalled the shock of learning Margaret was missing and the subsequent grief that followed. Valerie Boyd, a close friend, recalled Margaret's last appearance and expressed ongoing remembrance. Terry Jones, Murty's sister, portrayed him as a kind, music‑appreciating, generous person, noting the panic and uncertainty after the blaze and the fact that Murty remained unidentified for twenty‑five years. The coroner praised the dignified manner in which families shared their stories, and the inquest will resume next Tuesday.
The Dublin District Coroner's Court heard that the brothers of two Stardust fire victims, Brendan O'Meara (23) and John Stout (18), experienced survivor's guilt after the 1981 blaze. Jimmy O'Meara, 21 at the time, described Brendan as a brilliant Irish dancer who helped others and was well-liked. Jimmy said he had not gone to the club that night, was awakened by friends in blackened clothing, and later saw Brendan in a coma at Jervis Street Hospital before Brendan died ten days later. Jimmy expressed that the memory of Brendan's suffering is "tattooed" on his mind and that he feels helpless and guilty for not being there. Allison Forrester, John Stout's niece, portrayed John as a quiet, sensitive 18‑year‑old who went to the club with his girlfriend Helena Mangan.