Micheal Scott, 58, of Portumna, Co Galway, is on trial for the alleged murder of his aunt, Chrissie Treacy, outside her home in Derryhiney on April 27, 2018. Mr Scott has pleaded not guilty, with his defence arguing the death was a tragic accident, while the prosecution alleges he deliberately ran her over following a long-running land dispute. During testimony, Mr Scott told gardai that his relationship with Ms Treacy was "fine" and that he gave a "deaf ear" to solicitor's letters seeking to partition their jointly owned land because he did not understand how it could be divided. He described Ms Treacy as "decent" and denied serious arguments, stating they only disagreed over minor issues like leaves or dirt. He claimed he did not see Ms Treacy when reversing a JCB teleporter, believing he might have hit a trailer tow bar. Witnesses included Detective Sergeant Paul Duane, who detailed the arrest and interviews, and agricultural consultant Declan McHugh, who testified that Ms Treacy instructed him to lease land and prevent Mr Scott from claiming farm payments for portions of the Derryhiney holding. Expert witness Robin Acheson explained the mechanics of the JCB, noting the handbrake was broken and that sudden direction changes could cause wheel tearout. The trial continues before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury.
A 17‑year‑old teenager gave evidence at the Central Criminal Court on 9 March 2023, describing the night of 24 February 2021 when he was shot in Eugene Street, Dublin 8. He said he has no memory of the events before, during or after the shooting, citing medication. The trial concerns Stephen Mulvey (31) and Jamie Berry (27), both former residents of Leo Fitzgerald House, who are charged with attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Both pleaded not guilty. Witness Yasmin Ryan, who lived on Eugene Street, reported hearing three shots and shouts of "Go on! Finish him!" before a cry for help. The prosecution alleges Berry fired the shots, Mulvey assisted, and a getaway vehicle was used. The case is before Justice Eileen Creedon with a jury of twelve.
Stephen Silver, aged 46 of Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, stands trial at the Central Criminal Court on a charge of murdering Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Mr Silver has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. In closing submissions for the prosecution, Michael Delaney SC argued that the shooting was a deliberate act carried out with intent to kill, and that Mr Silver harboured a seething resentment toward gardaí. The prosecution contends that Mr Silver knew Garda Horkan was a member of An Garda Síochána acting in the course of his duty. The defence of diminished responsibility should be rejected, Mr Delaney submitted, noting that psychiatric evidence regarding Mr Silver's mental state remains disputed. The jury, comprising seven men and five women, will hear closing submissions from the defence before Justice Tara Burns before deliberating.
A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court has heard evidence concerning the death of a forty-one-year-old occupational therapist discovered in a campervan at a rural property near Westport, County Mayo in June 2019. Gardaí located the body in a foetal position with a child's car seat covering the face. Three young children were found in the home in a state of distress, hungry and severely dehydrated. One child requested breakfast cereal, which a garda witness purchased. Park ranger James Kilroy, aged forty-nine, from Kilbree Lower, Westport, is charged with murder. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, though his legal representative has made formal admissions that he killed his wife. A consultant psychiatrist from Mayo Mental Health Services assessed the accused on the day of discovery and determined he did not meet criteria for involuntary mental health detention. The accused indicated to the psychiatrist that killing his wife "wasn't part of the plan" and attributed the act to God's will. The trial continues before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring and a jury.
James Kilroy, aged 49, of Kilbree Lower, Westport, County Mayo, stands trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with the murder of Valerie French Kilroy at their home between June 13 and 14, 2019. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, though his defence has formally admitted he killed his wife. The jury heard evidence that Garda Leanne Nallen discovered the accused naked and distressed in a field on the morning of June 14 and brought him to Westport Garda Station. Once informed of his transfer to psychiatric care, Mr Kilroy told gardai he had killed his wife. A body was subsequently located in a campervan at the property. The State Pathologist concluded Ms French Kilroy died from ligature strangulation in association with blunt force trauma and a stab wound to the neck. During four interviews, the accused demonstrated to gardai how he had killed his wife and sketched the knife used. The trial continues before Justice Mary Ellen Ring and a jury.
During the Central Criminal Court trial, Detective Garda Eoin O'Connor testified that Michael Scott, 58, who denies murdering his 76‑year‑old aunt Chrissie Treacy, would and should have seen her if he had turned his head while reversing an agricultural teleporter. O'Connor explained that Ms Treacy's age and mobility made it unlikely she could have appeared at the point where her body was found, and that she would have been observable moving across the yard. He described the teleporter's sight‑lines, noting a large blind area to the right and rear, and argued that a driver would normally look over the left shoulder when reversing. O'Connor also examined tyre marks, the teleporter's speed in second gear, and the yard's slope, concluding that the vehicle could not have rolled over a hitch 0.48 m above the ground. The evidence will continue tomorrow before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of eight men and seven women. Michael Scott pleaded not guilty.
In an attempted‑murder trial, a Garda officer recounted being called to a Dublin street where a 17‑year‑old boy was shot multiple times. The incident occurred on Eugene Street, Dublin 8, on 24 February 2021, around 10.55 pm. The teenager was shot in the neck, cheek and leg after boarding a taxi outside an address on the street. He was taken to St James' Hospital, where scans revealed bullets had passed through his body, but no bullets remained inside him. Two men, Stephen Mulvey (31) and Jamie Berry (27), are charged with attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Berry is also charged with criminal damage after a bullet fired by him allegedly passed through a front door, an internal wall and shattered an oven's glass. Both men plead not guilty. The trial is before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon at the Central Criminal Court.).
A consultant psychiatrist has given evidence at the Central Criminal Court in the trial of Stephen Silver, who is charged with murdering Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on June 17, 2020. Professor Harry Kennedy told the jury that Mr Silver, aged 46, of Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, was "an unreliable historian" regarding his mental health. The professor said he found no positive evidence that Mr Silver had suffered a relapse of bipolar affective disorder at the time of the shooting. Mr Silver has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The court heard the main issue centres on his state of mind at the time. Cross-examination by defence counsel focused on evidence of abnormal beliefs and behaviour, including Mr Silver's admission to the Central Mental Hospital where he was placed in seclusion. Defence testimony from another psychiatrist suggested Mr Silver's illness had impaired his thinking and judgement. The trial continues.
A 49-year-old man has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his wife at their rural home near Westport, County Mayo, the Central Criminal Court heard today. The prosecution alleges that James Kilroy killed Valerie French Kilroy between 13 and 14 June 2019. Her body was discovered in a camper van on the couple's property approximately 6 kilometres from Westport. A post-mortem examination determined she died from ligature strangulation, blunt force trauma to the head, and a stab wound to the neck. The jury heard that Mr Kilroy was found naked in a field in the Westport area and was subsequently brought to Castlebar Hospital, where he stated he had killed his wife and children. The three young children were found unharmed. The defence is expected to present psychiatric evidence regarding Mr Kilroy's mental state. The prosecution contends he is guilty of murder. The trial, before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring and a jury, is expected to conclude by month's end.
A consultant psychiatrist has told the Central Criminal Court that Stephen Silver, who stands accused of murdering Garda Colm Horkan with the officer's own firearm, displayed behaviour consistent with his personality rather than mental illness during garda interviews. Professor Harry Kennedy said the accused showed no regret or sympathy for the deceased and appeared angry and self-pitying, but these responses could be attributed to the stress of arrest. The psychiatrist stated that Mr Silver had developed "learned impunity" through a long history of disruptive conduct in Castlebar and surrounding areas, leading him to expect no charges would follow his actions. Mr Silver, aged 46, a motorbike mechanic from Aughavard in Foxford, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to capital murder but guilty to manslaughter. The shooting occurred at Castlerea, County Roscommon, on 17 June 2020. The trial, before Ms Justice Tara Burns, continues with the jury's focus on the accused's state of mind at the time of the incident.
The trial of Michael Scott, 58, who denies murdering his 76‑year‑old aunt Chrissie Treacy by reversing an agricultural teleporter, heard that a person the same height as Ms Treacy would have been visible from the vehicle's cabin. Garda Eoin O'Connor, a forensic investigator, analysed sight lines for a 1.62‑metre tall person in the cabin and found that such a person would have been visible to the front, left and rear left, with no complete blind spot. He noted that the boom to the right reduced visibility on that side. O'Connor also mapped the yard, described the teleporter's layout, and placed a mannequin to investigate blind spots. He reported that Ms Treacy's height was 1.62 metres (5'4"). The trial continues with further evidence before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury. Michael Scott pleaded not guilty.
Two men, Stephen Mulvey (31) and Jamie Berry (27), have gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the attempted murder of a 17‑year‑old teenager shot multiple times on Eugene Street, Dublin 8, on 24 February 2021. The prosecution alleges the attack was a "well‑planned and premeditated hit" carried out by a joint enterprise of three individuals. Berry is accused of firing the Beretta pistol that wounded the teenager in the neck, cheek and leg, while Mulvey is alleged to have assisted. Berry is also charged with criminal damage to a home on Eugene Street, where a bullet passed through a front door and shattered a cooker's glass. Both men are charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. The case is presented as a circumstantial one, relying on CCTV footage, forensic evidence, and the recovered weapon, with the trial continuing before Justice Eileen Creedon.
At the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, a murder trial heard evidence concerning Stephen Silver's mental state in the hours before the fatal shooting of Garda Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Silver's sister, Marian Bruen, testified that she recognised her brother was unwell during a telephone call on 16 June 2020 and that the family planned to have him admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Dr Brenda Wright, interim clinical director at the Central Mental Hospital, gave evidence regarding her psychiatric assessment of Silver, who is aged 46 and from Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo. The prosecution highlighted apparent inconsistencies in Silver's accounts, including a statement he later acknowledged as untrue when interviewed by consultant psychiatrist Professor Harry Kennedy. Silver has pleaded not guilty to capital murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial, before Ms Justice Tara Burns, centres on Silver's mental capacity at the time of the shooting.
A 49-year-old man from Westport, County Mayo has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his wife by reason of insanity at the Central Criminal Court. James Kilroy is charged with murdering Valerie French Kilroy, aged 41, at their home in Kilbree Lower between June 13 and 14, 2019. Ms French Kilroy, an occupational therapist employed by Mayo Mental Health Services, was a mother of three originally from County Cork. A jury of ten men and two women was sworn in to hear the trial before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring. The court heard that witnesses are primarily from the Castlebar and Westport areas. The trial commenced and is expected to conclude by the end of the month.
At the Central Criminal Court, a psychiatrist gave evidence that Stephen Silver displayed behaviour indicative of mental illness during garda interviews following the fatal shooting of Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Dr Brenda Wright, interim clinical director at the Central Mental Hospital, told the court that Silver's conduct during five interviews was facetious, contemptuous and hostile, with incongruent and erratic behaviour including grandiose ideas and disinhibited actions. She stated that Silver's mental state at the time was consistent with a manic relapse of bipolar disorder caused by non-compliance with medication, and that this illness impaired his thinking and judgment. The psychiatrist noted Silver's belief that his companion was in MI6 and other indicators of psychological distress. Silver, aged 46, from Aughavard, Foxford, Co Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to capital murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial continues, with the jury's main consideration being Silver's state of mind at the material time.
Michael Scott, 58, denies murdering his 76‑year‑old aunt Chrissie Treacy. He was said to have been "enraged" when a letter from her solicitor suggested a land division at their jointly owned farm in Derryhiney, Portumna. Witness Joseph Carty testified that Scott reacted angrily, saying "this will end badly." Scott later told Gardaí he was "in fair debt," having spent about €120,000 on sheds, a silo and fencing. State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan testified that Treacy died almost instantaneously, within seconds, of being run over by an agricultural teleporter, with no evidence of assault before the crush injuries. The trial heard that the farm was held as tenants in common, with each party owning 50 % of every blade of grass. The case continues before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury. Michael Scott pleaded not guilty.
In a discrimination claim under the Employment Equality Act 1998, Sergeant David Haughney, a former public‑order trainer who lost 70% of sight in his left eye in 2014, alleges that Superintendent Adrian Gamble failed to provide reasonable accommodation and subjected him to discriminatory harassment. Haughney's complaint, heard by the Workplace Relations Commission, focuses on a fitness‑to‑work meeting in which he claims Gamble waved a medical document and that he was nearly in tears. Gamble denies being confrontational or arrogant, stating he did not see Haughney upset and that he followed the Chief Medical Officer's advice to restrict Haughney to strictly non‑confrontational duties. The hearing included testimony from retired inspectors and a discussion of internal complaints, with the commission expected to issue a decision within six weeks.
Michael Scott, aged 58, denies murdering his aunt Chrissie Treacy after a land dispute. He had been renting 40 acres at Kiltormer from Treacy and jointly owned 140 acres at Derryhiney. In early 2017, agricultural consultant Declan McHugh was hired by Treacy to lease the Kiltormer land. Two weeks before Treacy's death in April 2018, McHugh instructed Scott not to request farm payments for three portions of the Derryhiney land, which Treacy intended to claim. McHugh warned that losing 110 acres would reduce Scott's herd by 110 cows and cut EU single farm payments, causing significant financial hardship. The prosecution alleges Scott deliberately ran over Treacy in a tractor; his lawyers claim it was a tragic accident. The case is heard before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs with a jury of 15. Michael Scott pleaded not guilty.
Four senior executives of Custom House Capital have been directed to appear before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 8 March following guilty pleas to fraud-related charges. Between October 2022 and January 2023, former chief executive Harry Cassidy, former head of private clients John Whyte, head of finance Paul Lavery, and non-executive director John Mulholland entered pleas of guilty to conspiracy to defraud investors and neglectful discharge of directorial duty. The pleas relate to allegations that the executives intentionally misled clients regarding asset placement between October 2008 and July 2011. Publication of the pleas was delayed pending the trial of co-accused Ciara Kelleher, senior portfolio relationship manager, whose jury failed to reach a verdict at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned proceedings pending the defendants' appearance next week.
A psychiatrist has given evidence at the Central Criminal Court regarding the mental health history of Stephen Silver, aged 46, of Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, who is charged with the murder of Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on June 17, 2020. Dr Brenda Wright, interim clinical director at the Central Mental Hospital, testified about multiple hospital admissions spanning from 2010 to 2019, during which Mr Silver experienced psychotic episodes, paranoid delusions, and aggressive behaviour. Dr Wright told the jury that in interviews conducted after the shooting, Mr Silver described experiencing disturbed sleep, increased alcohol consumption, and paranoid thoughts in the days preceding the incident. Regarding the shooting itself, Mr Silver stated he believed he was struggling for his life and that Gda Horkan had a weapon. Dr Wright concluded that Mr Silver's mental capacity was significantly impaired at the time of the shooting. Mr Silver has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial continues before Ms Justice Tara Burns.
A jury in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court could not reach a verdict on the case of Ciara Kelleher, a former financial services manager accused of conspiring to defraud investors in Custom House Capital Ltd. The trial, which lasted over 15 hours across five days, focused on allegations that Kelleher, aged 51, helped conceal the true location of client money by issuing incorrect valuations between October 2008 and July 2011. The prosecution, led by Lorcan Staines SC, presented evidence that the firm's CEO and finance head used client funds for property investments and that Kelleher was aware of these misappropriations. Kelleher denied wrongdoing, claiming she was unaware of any fraudulent activity. The judge, Orla Crowe, accepted that the jury could not agree on a verdict and remanded Kelleher on continuing bail, with the case scheduled for mention on 8 March. The trial highlighted the firm's liquidation in 2011 and the regulatory concerns that had been raised in 2009. Ciara Kelleher pleaded not guilty. Custom House Capital pleaded not guilty.
The jury in the trial of former financial services manager Ciara Kelleher, accused of conspiring to defraud investors in Custom House Capital, asked the judge whether the absence of evidence of motive could be a legitimate doubt. Kelleher, 51, pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to mislead investors about the location of their assets between 2008 and 2011. Judge Orla Crowe, after the jury's fourth day of deliberation, clarified that the question of motive falls within the jury's decision-making scope and is not a defence. She explained that motive may be relevant to show a reason for the crime but does not constitute a defence, whereas intention is a mental element required for conspiracy. The trial continues.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, solicitor Brendan Hyland testified that he had represented Chrissie Treacy and her brothers for decades, and in 2017 he wrote to Michael Scott urging him to stop threatening and intimidating Treacy over a 42‑acre farm she rented to Scott. Hyland described how Scott had interfered with the letting of the land, damaged fencing, and threatened Treacy's home help, and warned that legal action would follow if he did not cease. He also detailed a dispute in which Scott's solicitor claimed an agreement that Treacy's land would pass to Scott upon her death, which Hyland denied. Treacy's death in 2018, allegedly by Scott's alleged deliberate running over her, is the subject of the trial, with Scott pleading not guilty. The court heard Hyland's evidence on the land dispute and the threats he had documented. The hearing will continue before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury.
A forensic psychiatrist has told the Central Criminal Court that Stephen Silver, accused of murdering Garda Horkan in Castlerea, County Roscommon, in June 2020, previously experienced psychotic symptoms at the "extreme end" of bipolar affective disorder. Dr Brenda Wright, interim clinical director at the Central Mental Hospital, gave evidence that Mr Silver, aged 46, a motorbike mechanic from Foxford, County Mayo, was diagnosed with manic psychotic symptoms during a 2003 hospital admission. She outlined multiple psychiatric admissions, voluntary and involuntary, during which Mr Silver exhibited extreme agitation, made threats to staff, and refused medication. A 2006 incident saw him barricaded in his apartment with a sword wearing combat gear. Dr Wright testified that Mr Silver's mental capacity was significantly impaired at the time of the shooting. Mr Silver has pleaded not guilty to capital murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial before Ms Justice Tara Burns continues, with the jury to determine his state of mind at the material time.
The jury in the trial of former financial services manager Ciara Kelleher, aged 51, will continue deliberating for a fourth day. Kelleher has pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiring to defraud investors, clients and customers of Custom House Capital Ltd by misleading them about the location or status of their assets between October 2008 and July 2011. Judge Orla Crowe sent the jurors home after about six hours of discussion today, and they will return on Tuesday morning. The trial continues.
A forensic psychiatrist has told the Central Criminal Court that Stephen Silver's mental capacity was significantly impaired at the time Garda Colm Horkan was shot dead at Castlerea, County Roscommon on June 17, 2020. Dr Brenda Wright, interim clinical director at the Central Mental Hospital, gave evidence during Mr Silver's trial that she interviewed the accused on three occasions between August and September 2020. She outlined his extensive psychiatric history, including multiple hospital admissions since 1998 and a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. Dr Wright stated that when Mr Silver became unwell, he displayed severe psychotic symptoms. A character witness from Castlebar confirmed he had known Mr Silver for 28 years and had observed concerning changes in his behaviour prior to his hospitalisation. Mr Silver, aged 46 of Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial before Ms Justice Tara Burns continues.
Douglas Purcell, aged 40, pleaded guilty to a single count of making a threat to kill or cause serious harm after threatening to shoot a garda's wife and children. The incident occurred on 20 August 2017 at Ballyfermot Garda Station, where Purcell, who had been arrested on a separate charge, approached the injured party, threatened to follow him home and shoot his family, and performed push‑ups on the ground. He was arrested on 11 September 2017, interviewed once, and made no admissions. A victim impact statement was read, describing the victim's paranoia, installation of CCTV, and poor sleep. Purcell apologized for calling names but denied making threats, and his defence counsel highlighted his mental health issues, drug addiction, and previous convictions for theft and criminal damage. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the case to April, ordered Purcell to engage with the Probation Service, and directed the prosecution to contact the victim regarding the expression of remorse.
The jury for the trial of former financial services manager Ciara Kelleher, accused of conspiring to defraud investors in Custom House Capital, was sent home for the weekend after four hours of deliberation. Judge Orla Crowe ordered the jurors to return on Monday morning. Kelleher, 51, denies wrongdoing and has pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud investors, clients and customers by misleading them about the location of their assets between October 2008 and July 2011. The trial continues.
Stephen Silver, a forty-six-year-old motorbike mechanic from Aughavard in Foxford, County Mayo, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court accused of the capital murder of Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. Mr Silver has pleaded not guilty to capital murder while knowing or being reckless as to whether the garda was acting in accordance with his duty, and has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. During cross-examination, prosecution counsel Michael Delaney SC questioned Mr Silver's assertion that a woman he was with prior to the shooting was connected to MI6, suggesting the claim had been invented to strengthen his defence. Mr Silver denied this, stating he had genuinely experienced such thoughts. The court heard evidence regarding Mr Silver's psychiatric history, previous incidents involving gardaí, and his pattern of non-compliance with medication following hospital discharge. Mr Silver maintained he did not know the deceased was a garda and stated he had been defending himself. The trial, before Ms Justice Tara Burns, continues.
Michael Scott, 58, of Gortanumera, Portumna, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his aunt, Ms. Treacy, outside her home on 27 April 2018. The trial heard that Scott had perfect vision in his left eye but a severely weakened right eye, which his brain had largely ignored, a fact established by optometrist Trina Staunton. Staunton explained that a single good eye can suffice for a driving licence and that the brain's neglect of the weaker eye limits peripheral vision when reversing. Scott allegedly deliberately ran over Ms. Treacy while reversing an agricultural tractor, an act the prosecution claims stemmed from a long‑running land dispute. Witnesses described prior damage to electric fences, a strained rental relationship, and a history of conflict over land ownership between Scott and Ms. Treacy. The case is before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs with a jury of fifteen.
Michael Scott, 58, of Gortanumera, Portumna, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 76‑year‑old aunt Chrissie Treacy, who was run over by his vehicle outside her home in Derryhiney on 27 April 2018. The Central Criminal Court heard that a witness, Robin Deasy, described Scott as having an "almost childlike" obsession with land and cattle, and that he was motivated only by land. Deasy recalled that Scott had told him he could not "handle that woman at all" and that he had been upset about the land dispute. The prosecution alleged that Scott deliberately ran over his aunt following a long‑running dispute over land. Scott's lawyers said the death was a tragic accident. The trial is before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs with a jury of seven men and eight women. The case remains at the trial stage.
The jury in the Custom House Capital trial has begun deliberations on Ms Ciara Kelleher, a 51‑year‑old former financial services manager from Dublin 7, who has pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud investors, clients and customers of Custom House Capital Ltd. The alleged offences took place between October 2008 and July 2011, when Kelleher, a salaried employee but not a shareholder, is accused of misleading clients about the location of their assets. Prosecutor Lorcan Staines SC described her as an integral part of a scheme that deprived clients of information and had real consequences. Kelleher's defence, led by Michael Bowman SC, argued that her statements, such as "good as gold", were taken out of context and that the emails could reflect client concerns rather than conspiratorial intent.
Stephen Silver (46) of Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon, on 17 June 2020. At the Central Criminal Court, Mr Silver gave evidence describing how he discharged the garda's weapon repeatedly during a struggle, stating he believed the officer was an assailant attempting to harm him. He told the jury he continued firing until ammunition was exhausted. The prosecution challenged his account, suggesting he was aware Garda Horkan was a member of An Garda Síochána and arguing that his conduct that evening, including remarks made in the Knockroe estate, indicated an intention to provoke police intervention. The central issue for the jury concerns Mr Silver's state of mind at the time of the incident. Evidence regarding his mental health history, including a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, has been presented. The trial continues before Ms Justice Tara Burns and a jury of twelve.
Anthony Glynn, 51, of Fitzgibbon Court, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to two charges. He admitted that between 25 January 2017 and 12 April 2017 he possessed controlled drugs—cocaine and cannabis—for the purpose of selling or supplying them to an organised crime gang. He also admitted that during the same period he possessed 335 rounds of ammunition, including 199 .44 Remington Magnum, 76 .357 Magnum, 38 .45 ACP and 22 .22 LR rounds, in circumstances that reasonably suggested the ammunition was not for a lawful purpose. The charges are under Section 73 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, amended by the 2009 Act. Glynn had originally faced similar charges under Section 71 but was re‑charged after an application by State solicitor Ciara Vibien. Mr Justice Tony Hunt adjourned the case to 8 May for sentencing, when the two original charges are expected to be withdrawn.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Orla Crowe began giving directions to a jury of twelve in the trial of Ms Ciara Kelleher, 51, a former financial services manager. Kelleher is charged with one count of conspiring to defraud investors, clients and customers of Custom House Capital Ltd. The alleged conspiracy involved intentionally misleading investors about the location or status of their assets between October 2008 and July 2011. The judge outlined the evidence presented so far, and the trial is ongoing. Ciara Kelleher pleaded not guilty. Custom House Capital pleaded not guilty.
Stephen Silver (46), from Aughavard in Foxford, County Mayo, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with the murder of Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. He has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. During evidence, Mr Silver described experiencing mental health episodes since age nineteen, including believing himself to be "the second coming of Jesus" and experiencing paranoid delusions. He told the court he has been hospitalised between sixteen and seventeen times and has schizoaffective disorder. On the day of the incident, Mr Silver said he was at a hotel where he became suspicious of companions and believed English builders present were members of the SAS. He stated he checked underneath his van for explosives due to paranoia and fear. The defence argues Mr Silver's state of mind at the time of the shooting is the central issue in the case. The trial before Ms Justice Burns continues.
Ciara Kelleher, 51, of Dublin 7, pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiring to defraud investors in Custom House Capital (CHC) between October 2008 and July 2011. Defence counsel Michael Bowman argued that Kelleher was not a "goalkeeper" who would have prevented the disclosure of client fund locations. He claimed she was not brought into the inner circle by CHC executives and only encountered relevant accounts when escalated to her. Bowman highlighted emails showing Kelleher's attempts to clarify client instructions and to resolve issues with the finance department, rather than to facilitate a conspiracy. He also noted her efforts to transfer client money to a better‑yielding institution and her cooperation with Appian Asset Management. The trial judge has begun directing the jury, with proceedings to continue tomorrow.
Stephen Silver (46), from Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court on a charge of murdering Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon, on 17 June 2020. Mr Silver has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The jury has been directed that the central issue concerns his state of mind at the time of the shooting. Video footage from his fifth police interview, conducted on 19 June 2020, was viewed in court on Tuesday. In the footage, Mr Silver stated the garda would not be dead had he remained in his vehicle. Detective Inspector Brian Hanley put it to the accused that Garda Horkan had identified himself and announced an arrest for assault, and that Mr Silver was aware of the firearm the garda carried. Mr Silver declined to respond. Witness statements were read to the court, including one from a resident of Castlerea who heard shouting and gunshots in rapid succession.
In the Central Criminal Court, a care worker testified that the dispute over land between Chrissie Treacy and her nephew Michael Scott became more apparent in the ten weeks before Treacy's death. The care worker, who had looked after Treacy from 2016 until her death in April 2018, described Treacy's physical frailty and occasional low mood, noting that she was "subdued" and "down on herself" during that period. She also reported that Treacy's concerns about her welfare were raised with her coordinator. The court heard that Treacy and her brothers farmed about 140 acres at Derryhiney, that after their deaths Michael Scott owned half the land and Treacy owned the other half, and that she had leased both her Derryhiney and Kiltormer farms to him. The trial continues with the case that Michael Scott, aged 58, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 76‑year‑old aunt on 27 April 2018.
The State presented Ciara Kelleher, a former financial services manager at Custom House Capital (CHC), as an "integral part" of a decade‑old scheme to defraud investors. Prosecutor Lorcan Staines argued that Kelleher, who worked for a property‑investment company during the 2008‑2011 crash, was aware that clients received incorrect information about the location of their money. He cited email chains from October 2010 indicating that CHC could not afford more regulatory trouble, and noted that Kelleher had extensive knowledge of the firm's procedures. Kelleher denied knowing about these issues until 2011 and claimed she had no concerns about the process. The prosecution maintained that a large amount of client money was misappropriated and that Kelleher's role was pivotal in misleading investors. The defence urged the jury to preserve the presumption of innocence and questioned the relevance of alleged meetings with the Central Bank. Ciara Kelleher pleaded not guilty.
Stephen Silver, aged 46 from Aughavard in Foxford, County Mayo, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court accused of the capital murder of Garda Colm Horkan on June 17th, 2020 at Castlerea, County Roscommon. Mr Silver has pleaded not guilty to murder while knowing or being reckless as to whether the deceased was a garda acting in the course of duty, but has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The jury's central consideration concerns the accused's state of mind at the time of the shooting. During interview footage presented to the jury on Monday, Mr Silver disputed accounts provided by witness James Coyne, describing them as "lies, absolute bullsh*t". He claimed Garda Horkan "never at any stage indicated he was a detective" and questioned why identification had not been produced. Mr Silver's behaviour during the interviews included refusing to answer questions, whistling, singing, and at one point claiming to be a captain in a cavalry reserve unit. Detective Inspector Brian Hanley testified that the accused was aggressive, angry and threatening prior to his fourth interview.
A Central Criminal Court jury has heard garda interview footage in which Stephen Silver, charged with the capital murder of Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon, on 17 June 2020, presented varying accounts of the fatal shooting. The accused, who has pleaded not guilty to capital murder but guilty to manslaughter, told detectives on 18 June 2020 that Garda Horkan discharged his own firearm accidentally during a struggle. In the interviews conducted by Detective Inspectors Brian Hanley and Patrick Farrell, Mr Silver initially claimed he did not fire shots, later stating he fired only into the air, before subsequently denying he fired at all. He maintained he acted in self-defence against an armed assailant whilst en route to purchase food. The court was told Mr Silver had been off medication since September and had not slept for approximately thirty hours at the time of interview. The trial, where Mr Silver's state of mind is the central issue, continues before Ms Justice Tara Burns.
In the trial of Michael Scott for the murder of Chrissie Treacy, care workers and witnesses described a tense environment at Treacy's home in Portumna. Susan Keane, a care worker, reported that she had raised concerns about Treacy's welfare due to disputes over land with Scott, and that she had left her duties because the setting was "draining." She also noted that Treacy's beloved dog, Bradley, vanished after the house doors were locked, an event that caused Treacy great distress. Other witnesses, including Caitriona Starr, described ongoing arguments between Scott and Treacy, restrictions on access to the farm's shed, and Treacy's fear of going outside. The prosecution alleges that Scott deliberately ran over Treacy, while the defence maintains it was a tragic accident. The case is being heard by Ms Justice Caroline Biggs with a jury. Michael Scott pleaded not guilty.
During the 13th day of the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, High Court inspectors' 2011 report was presented, showing that €56 million of investor assets at Custom House Capital (CHC) were improperly transferred and used to finance property deals. The inspectors, appointed after a Central Bank complaint, found the assets—including cash and liquid equity—misappropriated to syndicate property interests or other CHC business aspects. Internal emails from 2009, involving CEO Harry Cassidy and director John Mulholland, were shown, revealing discussions about funding property deals and limiting disclosure to senior portfolio manager Ciara Kelleher (51). Kelleher pleaded not guilty to conspiring to defraud investors between October 2008 and July 2011. The trial, presided over by Judge Orla Crowe, continues with the jury hearing these findings.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 16 February 2023, Des Roche, 60, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after a drunken confrontation with a tenant over Airsoft rifles in his home. The tenant, a student, had discovered two Airsoft pistols and a rifle in a locked bedroom and the dispute escalated when Roche, intoxicated, brandished a knife. The tenant sustained temporary marks on his hands from the knife, but no serious injury. Garda Alan Butler reported that Roche was unfit for questioning for six hours after arrest. Judge Martin Nolan suspended in full a 21‑month prison term, conditional on Roche keeping the peace and good behaviour for the period. The court noted the tenant's privacy was invaded and that Roche had no prior convictions. The case ended with Roche's release and no further incidents reported.
During the murder trial of Michael Scott, the first Garda to arrive at the scene described how the flesh of his 76‑year‑old aunt, Ms Treacy, was completely ripped from her left forearm and strewn in the yard in front of her home. Sergeant Gerard Cleary noted that the marks on the ground suggested a wheel from the agricultural teleporter had spun, and that the flesh was found on the back left wheel of the machine. Scott, aged 58, was seen by the Garda on his hunkers and appeared to show little emotion. He claimed he did not know how to call emergency services and said he had not known the number 999. The prosecution alleges that Scott deliberately ran over Ms Treacy following a long‑running land dispute, while the defence maintains it was a tragic accident. The trial is proceeding before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs with a jury of seven men and eight women. Michael Scott pleaded not guilty.
The Workplace Relations Commission ruled that a HR manager should receive €7,500 compensation for the "inexcusable" manner in which she was dismissed. The manager, who was on probation, was escorted out of the office by the managing director while her desk was cleared and her partner awaited outside. She described the event as embarrassing and humiliating, noting that colleagues laughed at her discomfort and that the conversation took place within earshot of other employees. The dismissal followed her complaint about a male colleague's "disrespectful" emails, but the director said it was unrelated to that dispute and was simply a matter of her being a "bad fit". The adjudicating officer highlighted that the employer failed to observe basic civility and fairness, and recommended the compensation payment.
During the trial of former financial services manager Ciara Kelleher, the jury heard that Custom House Capital (CHC) executives met regularly with the Central Bank between 2009 and 2011. On 5 April 2011, CHC's former CEO Harry Cassidy, John Whyte, head of private clients, and John Mulholland, a non‑executive director, attended a meeting with the Central Bank concerning the dispersal of funds from a mezzanine bond. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC questioned whether the minutes of that meeting had been read, and Detective Garda Aidan Deveney admitted he had not. The jury also heard that a stockbroker account was a notional bookkeeping place rather than a physical bank account. Excerpts from Kelleher's January 2020 Garda interviews were played. Kelleher, aged 51, has pleaded not guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud investors, clients and customers of CHC between October 2008 and July 2011. The trial is before Judge Orla Crowe and a jury.
Stephen Silver, a 46-year-old mechanic from Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. He has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. At the Central Criminal Court, the jury heard a video recording of Mr Silver's first interview with gardaí at Castlerea station. In the interview, Mr Silver stated that Garda Horkan initiated a struggle after approaching him on the street, and that the officer went for his gun after losing the ensuing confrontation. Mr Silver told detectives he was certain he would have been killed had he not gained control of the firearm, which he said discharged during the struggle. He said he was "a law-abiding citizen" unaware of the garda's identity. The prosecution presented evidence from Detective Inspector Brian Hanley regarding observations made during the interview. Detective Sergeant Eric Godfrey, who trained with Garda Horkan at Garda College in 1994, gave emotional testimony. The trial continues before Ms Justice Tara Burns and a jury of twelve.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, witness Ms Regina Donohue testified that she had urged 76‑year‑old Chrissie Treacy to move into a retirement home in Portumna for her safety, a suggestion she said Treacy declined. Donohue described a series of deteriorating conditions on Treacy's farm, including damaged fencing, a switched‑off oil heater, and the disappearance of her dog Bradley. She also recounted an incident where Michael Scott, Treacy's nephew, entered her home and demanded her whereabouts after she had left to celebrate her birthday. Donohue further alleged that a letter from an agricultural consultant had informed Scott that Treacy was applying for a single farm payment on land she owned but had previously leased to him, a development that upset him. The prosecution maintains that Scott deliberately ran over Treacy with a teleporter on 27 April 2018, an act he denies, claiming the death was a tragic accident. Michael Scott pleaded not guilty.