A 24‑year‑old man, Oliver Doran, is on trial for the murder of 76‑year‑old Kwok Ping Cheng in the victim's flat on Cork Street, Dublin, in 2021. Doran pleaded not guilty. The case is being presented by Anne‑Marie Lawlor SC for the State and defended by Michael Bowman SC. Mr Justice Paul McDermott set the trial for two weeks, possibly a third, and thanked the jury for their participation. The trial will begin tomorrow at 2 pm before Mr Justice David Keane with a jury of nine women and three men.
Two Dublin men, Philip Bowes and Jason Dunphy, who suffered serious injuries in violent attacks, successfully challenged the High Court's refusal to consider their applications for compensation under the State's Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. The men were told they were ineligible because their applications were made after the scheme's time limit. Mr Justice David Holland ruled that the scheme's 2021 amendment, which introduced a strict two‑year limit, lacked a transitional provision allowing extensions for exceptional circumstances. He found this breach of the legal principle of effectiveness and that the State could not impose such a limit without proper safeguards. The court did not address the scheme's constitutionality and awarded the men their legal costs. The decision leaves pending similar cases from other victims whose applications were also rejected on the same grounds.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 21 December 2022, Brendan Murray, aged 63, was remanded to the Central Mental Hospital pending a psychiatric report due on 28 December. The court, after a jury found him not guilty of murdering his 88‑year‑old mother, Neasa Murray, by reason of insanity, directed that he remain detained until the report. Counsel for Murray noted that the court could extend the committal period up to six months. The trial had heard that Murray claimed the Holy Spirit commanded him to punch, choke, and sexually assault his mother, though no evidence of sexual assault was found. Forensic psychiatrist Dr Brenda Wright testified that his schizoaffective disorder prevented him from understanding the wrongfulness of his actions. The jury's verdict was not guilty by reason of insanity. The court will not retain jurisdiction without due cause. The case remains pending the psychiatric assessment.
The trial of Christina Anderson, 41, accused of murdering Gareth Kelly, 39, will resume after Christmas. Anderson, a mother of three from Brownsbarn Wood, Kingswood, Dublin 22, is charged with stabbing Kelly five times as he tried to start his car outside her home on 25 February 2020. She pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The court heard from consultant psychiatrist Dr Brenda Wright, who said Anderson suffered from bipolar affective disorder at the time of the stabbing and could not refrain from the killing. Dr Wright also noted that Anderson believed Kelly posed a threat to her family, giving her a moral justification for the act. Dr Wright discussed Professor Harry Kennedy's report, which disagrees with her findings and suggests cannabis intoxication rather than psychosis. The trial will continue in January before the jury and Ms Justice O'Connor.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 63‑year‑old Brendan Murray was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of his 88‑year‑old mother, Neasa Murray. The jury, after less than 30 minutes, accepted the defence's argument that Murray was undergoing a psychotic episode of schizo‑affective disorder and therefore lacked the capacity to understand that his actions were wrong. The prosecution had presented evidence of Murray's mental illness, including testimony from psychiatrist Dr. Brenda Wright, who confirmed that he believed he was directed by God or the Holy Spirit. The judge, Ms Justice Eileen Creedon, directed that Murray be committed to the Central Mental Hospital pending a psychiatric assessment. No other charges or convictions were discussed in the article. The case concluded with the jury's verdict and the court's commitment order.
In a High Court hearing on 19 December 2022, a primary school student and her father brought proceedings against the school's board of management, alleging the school failed to protect the girl from bullying and injury by a male classmate. The parents claimed the school had taken no appropriate action, while the board denied wrongdoing and argued the parents had not exhausted internal remedies. Mr Justice Brian Cregan, after hearing submissions from both sides, ordered that a member of the board conduct an investigation into the bullying allegations. The investigation was to be carried out expeditiously, with a target completion by early January, though the judge allowed for extensions if needed. No court orders were granted at that stage, including no directive to move the boy to another class. The case remains pending, with the investigation to be reported back to the court in January.
In the Central Criminal Court, a toxicologist, Dr Johann Grundlingh, testified that it is "extremely unlikely" Christina Anderson was still intoxicated from cannabis when she stabbed Gareth Kelly to death outside her home. He explained that cannabis effects typically last one to three hours and, given Anderson's last cigarette at about 10 pm the previous evening and the stabbing at about 7 am, intoxication would not have persisted. Anderson, 41, is charged with murdering Kelly, 39, who was stabbed five times as he tried to start his car on 25 February 2020. She pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Dr Brenda Wright, a forensic psychiatrist, had earlier testified that Anderson had bipolar affective disorder, leading her to falsely believe Kelly posed a danger to her and her family, and that her mental condition prevented her from refraining from stabbing him.
A jury found Dean Boland, 34, guilty of unlawful killing of kitchen porter Ohari Viera, who died after the house he lived in was set on fire. Boland pleaded not guilty to unlawful killing, arson, burglary and theft at Oaklands Terrace, Terenure, Dublin, on 21 August 2018. The prosecution alleged he broke into the house, stole a rucksack and set the property ablaze. Viera re‑entered the house before emergency services arrived and later died of cardiac arrest in hospital. Witnesses described a confrontation between Viera and Boland and a fire that began in the ground‑floor bedroom. Forensic evidence indicated the fire was a deliberate act, but no DNA or fingerprints linked Boland to the scene. The trial lasted eight days, with a verdict reached after six hours and one minute. Judge Elma Sheahan set a sentencing date of 10 March 2023.
In a trial at Kincora Court, Dublin 3, Brendan Murray, aged 63, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of his 88‑year‑old mother, Neasa Murray. He told Gardaí that the Holy Spirit commanded him to punch, choke and sexually assault her, though no evidence of assault was found. The Central Criminal Court heard that the prosecution had no dispute over the facts of the incident, only over whether Murray met the criteria for insanity. Defence counsel Anne‑Marie Lawlor SC will present psychiatric evidence from Dr Brenda Wright, who will argue that Murray suffered from schizoaffective disorder and did not understand the wrongfulness of his actions. The case is set to continue before Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of eight men and four women. The trial focuses on Murray's mental state at the time of the killing.
Christina Anderson, aged 41, was charged with murdering Gareth Kelly, 39, who was stabbed five times on 25 February 2020 while attempting to start his car outside her home. In the Central Criminal Court, Dr Brenda Wright, a consultant psychiatrist, testified that Anderson was suffering a relapse of bipolar affective disorder and believed she was morally justified in killing Kelly to protect her family. She was unable to refrain from the act because she perceived an immediate danger, a delusional belief that her family was in imminent peril. Dr Wright found Anderson's capacity to form intent impaired by her mental disorder, not by cannabis or alcohol use. Anderson pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial was ongoing before Ms Justice Karen O'Connor with a jury of twelve.
Cameron Reilly, a 19‑year‑old DKIT student, left his grandmother's house on a Friday in May 2018 to meet friends near the Glen Dimplex factory. Between 12:40 am and 1:40 am on 26 May, Aaron Connolly, two weeks older, attacked Reilly in the field. Reilly died of asphyxia caused by external pressure to the neck, with bruising and abrasions on the neck and face. Witnesses, including David Shiels and neighbour Jean Lynch, described the body's condition and attempted CPR. Connolly was the last person to see Reilly alive and was later charged with murder. The trial at the Central Criminal Court concluded with Connolly's conviction for murder, based on evidence of the attack, forensic DNA findings, and Connolly's statements and admissions. The case highlighted the role of lies told by Connolly during the investigation. The court did not address any subsequent appeals or sentencing details.
In a Dublin murder trial, Philip Disney (27) and Sean Carlyle (30) deny killing Vincent Parsons (34) on 26 August 2019. Prosecutor Lorcan Staines SC presented a case that the men acted together in a common design before and after the killing. He described Parsons as intoxicated at a friend's stag do, becoming agitated and leaving the Killinarden Inn. CCTV footage allegedly shows Disney raising an arm and pointing at Parsons, who then ran outside. The accused allegedly left the pub, entered a black van, and returned to a green area where they beat Parsons to death. They then drove to Carlyle's home, changed clothes, and returned to the pub, creating an alibi. The defense argued that CCTV and forensic evidence were insufficient to prove the prosecution's narrative, citing a lack of clear threat, inconsistent clothing changes, and no forensic evidence in the van. The case is set for jury deliberation. Philip Disney pleaded not guilty. Sean Carlyle pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 41‑year‑old woman named Lisa Lee was charged with discarding a knife used in the fatal stabbing of Isaac Horgan on 29 March 2021. Lee allegedly threw the knife over a construction hoarding at a building site after the murder, purportedly to help Noel Lennon evade prosecution. The State's barrister, Shane Costello SC, presented evidence that Lee was in the company of Lennon that morning, that Lennon had pleaded guilty to Horgan's manslaughter, and that Lee used a seized phone to call emergency services. Lee's counsel, Ronan Munro SC, admitted that Lee was present with Lennon and that the phone was used to call 999. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, continued with a jury of seven women and five men. The case remains at the indictment stage, with no verdict yet reached.
Christina Anderson, aged 41, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of Gareth Kelly, 39, who died from stab wounds on 25 February 2020. Psychiatrist Dr Brenda Wright testified that Anderson had an alter‑ego named 'Nicky' and reported a history of childhood bullying, sexual assault at 16, self‑harm, and psychiatric illness. She described her father as psychologically abusive and a narcissist, and mentioned a paternal uncle who committed suicide. Anderson's mental health history included bipolar affective disorder, depression, mania, and hallucinations while smoking cannabis. She had taken antidepressants and lithium, and used alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, speed, ecstasy and magic mushrooms. Dr Wright confirmed Anderson understood her hallucinations were not real. Prosecutor Patrick McGrath described the CCTV evidence of the stabbing and Anderson's movements. The trial continues before Ms Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury.
The jury in the trial of 23‑year‑old Aaron Connolly, accused of murdering 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly in Dunleer, will continue deliberations for a third day. The case began when Reilly's body was found in a field on 26 May 2018. Connolly pleaded not guilty. The jury faced technical difficulties viewing CCTV footage, which was later provided via an alternative method. Witnesses Jean Lynch and Dr Alan Moore gave testimony; Lynch performed CPR and Dr Moore pronounced Reilly dead. Connolly's defence claimed he performed oral sex on Reilly and that Reilly was alive when Connolly left, while the prosecution argued Connolly lied from the start and murdered his friend. The judge instructed the jury to reach a unanimous verdict and to consider whether the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The jury will resume at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow.
A primary school girl and her father have filed High Court proceedings against the school's board of management, alleging the school failed to protect the girl from a boy in her class who has bullied, harassed and assaulted her over the last two and a half years. The boy is said to have pushed, kicked, used inappropriate language, thrown a book, pulled up the girl's skirt, and pulled her up in front of other students. After the girl reported the boy's behaviour to a teacher, she was allegedly bullied in reprisal. The father claims meetings with the principal did not resolve his concerns and that the school has not treated the boy's conduct as bullying or harassment. He also says the school has refused to seat the two children apart and has not given reasons for refusing his requests. The boy's recent act of kicking the girl caused injury and medical attention.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court manslaughter trial, 34‑year‑old Dean Boland pleaded not guilty to the unlawful killing of Ohari Viera, arson, burglary and theft at Oaklands Terrace, Terenure, on 21 August 2018. Boland allegedly broke into Viera's house, stole a rucksack and set fire to the property. Viera re‑entered the house before emergency services arrived and later died of cardiac arrest in hospital. Defence counsel Garret Baker argued that the prosecution's case had a "massive gaping hole" because it could not show how Boland started the fire. He highlighted forensic evidence that the fire began in the bedroom of the ground‑floor apartment and that the window was opened during the blaze, implying the fire pre‑dated Boland's entry. Prosecutor Seamus Clarke maintained the case was based on circumstantial evidence, asserting that if the fire was the substantial cause of Viera's death, Boland would be guilty of manslaughter.
The Workplace Relations Commission awarded Ryan McMullan €29,366 in compensation against Dallan & Co Mechanical Services Ltd. Adjudicating officer Emile Daly found the employer's conduct "egregious" and "cavalier" after McMullan was dismissed for refusing to use a handheld SDS drill lacking an impact mechanism. The WRC determined this constituted penalisation under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, noting a colleague had recently suffered an eye injury using the same defective tool. The tribunal also upheld a separate complaint under the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016, finding it "entirely unfair" for the company to pressure McMullan to reduce his statutory leave entitlement. The decision, which accepted McMullan's evidence as uncontested after the employer failed to appear at the final hearing, ordered the payment of €28,000 for the safety-related penalisation and €1,366 for the paternity leave breach. The adjudicating officer emphasized that McMullan was entitled to refuse inherently unsafe work and leave the site to avoid injury, citing that the employer was already on notice of the specific risks associated with the equipment.
In the trial of Christina Anderson, 41, accused of murdering Gareth Kelly, 39, a jury heard that Anderson's behaviour immediately after the stabbing was "very severely impaired." Dr Harry Wood, a forensic psychologist, testified that a traumatic event can distort memory and that heightened emotional states, such as mania or psychosis, can alter how memories are formed. He explained that Anderson's actions appeared impaired and that her personality disorder is a psychological issue rather than a psychiatric one. Anderson had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Dr Wood also revealed that Anderson had been ill, hearing voices, and paranoid before the incident, and that she later admitted she was delusional. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, will continue with the jury's deliberation of Anderson's state of mind at the time of the offence. The prosecution maintains that Anderson killed Kelly, while the defence focuses on her mental condition. The case remains in progress.
The jury in the trial of 23‑year‑old Aaron Connolly, accused of murdering 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly in Dunleer, will resume deliberations tomorrow after a three‑hour session. Mr Justice Tony Hunt directed the jury to reach a unanimous verdict and explained the prosecution's case linking sexual activity, DNA evidence and alleged lies. The defence argued that Connolly and Reilly had oral sex on the night of the murder and that Reilly was alive when Connolly left. Forensic evidence from Dr Clara Boland showed saliva containing DNA from both men, while Dr Linda Mulligan's post‑mortem identified asphyxia by external pressure on the neck as the cause of death, with no ligature marks. Connolly denied any sexual contact and claimed he was "straight." Prosecutor Dean Kelly accused Connolly of lying throughout the investigation, whereas defence counsel Michael Bowman highlighted "strategic lies" and the difficulty of truth‑telling under pressure. The jury will reconvene at 10:30 am tomorrow. Cameron Reilly pleaded not guilty.
Christina Anderson, 41, of Brownsbarn Wood, Kingswood, Dublin 24, was charged with the murder of Gareth Kelly, 39, who died from stab wounds on the morning of 25 February 2020. In the Central Criminal Court, Anderson told a psychologist that she stabbed the man outside her home after seeing him and believing he was there to kill her. She said she had stabbed him once, then returned to the house and stabbed him three more times to ensure he was dead. Anderson admitted she was "really ill" the week before the offence, hearing voices and feeling paranoid that someone would stab her. She claimed she had been delusional at the time and later realised this. Anderson pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial heard evidence of her mental state, cannabis use, and family concerns, but the prosecution's case was that she killed Kelly and the issue was her state of mind at the time.
In a Workplace Relations Commission decision published today, adjudicating officer Conor Stokes upheld a complaint by commercial driver Tymoteusz Ogrocki against Wentworth Transport Ltd, trading as CLF International Freight. The tribunal found the logistics firm liable for failing to provide the driver with his tachograph data and a written statement of his terms and conditions of employment. Gary Conlon, the company's managing director, appeared to represent the firm and admitted that the company did not provide written terms, describing the oversight as negligent. Although Mr Conlon stated the company retained copies of the driver's hours and tachograph recordings, the adjudicator found that the employer failed to comply with the driver's request for these records within the required timeframe. The decision determined that the complaint was well founded under the European Communities (Road Transport) (Organisation of Working Time of Persons Performing Mobile Road Transport Activities) Regulations 2012. Consequently, Wentworth Transport was ordered to pay €14,300 in compensation, equivalent to 26 weeks' net pay, for this breach. Additionally, the firm was ordered to pay €1,650 for violating the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994. The total compensation awarded to Mr Ogrocki amounts to €15,950. The adjudicator noted there was no conflict in evidence between the parties, with both sides providing testimony at the April hearing.
Lisa Lee, 41, of Cunningham Road, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of impeding a Garda investigation. She is accused of discarding a knife used by Noel Lennon in an unlawful killing of Isaac Horgan on 29 March 2021 at Spring Garden Lane. Lee will stand trial next week at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of twelve. The trial is expected to last less than one week.
During the trial of Christina Anderson for the murder of Gareth Kelly, her husband Mark Anderson testified that the couple regularly consumed cannabis, spending €200‑€250 monthly. He admitted that two immature cannabis plants were found in a locked room upstairs when Gardaí arrived after the stabbing. Mark said the plants were his and that he had no conviction after a charitable contribution. He also revealed that he had planned to take his wife to the Mary Mercer psychiatric clinic the day after the murder, but the appointment was scheduled for 9 am the following day. Mark described his wife's mental state the week before the stabbing, noting she appeared delusional and paranoid, and that he had not seen such behaviour before. He stated that the couple's cannabis use was a regular habit, typically two to three joints in the evenings, and that they had a high tolerance. The trial continues with a jury hearing the case. Christina Anderson pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Dean Boland, aged 34, pleaded not guilty to the unlawful killing of Ohari Viera, a kitchen porter, during a house fire on 21 August 2018. Boland allegedly broke into the Oaklands Terrace residence, stole a rucksack and set the property alight. Viera, originally from Angola, died of cardiac arrest after re‑entering the burning house. Witnesses, including Viera's daughter Tatianna and resident Antonio Borges, testified that Boland tried to enter the house after Viera but was stopped by smoke. Boland's voluntary statement claimed he sought his friend George Cullen, saw smoke, and attempted to re‑enter the house. The prosecution presented a pathologist's report attributing Viera's death to smoke inhalation. The trial, presided over by Judge Elma Sheahan, continues with a jury.
The 23‑year‑old Aaron Connolly, charged with the murder of 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly, told Gardaí he could not recall what he did during a "missing hour" on the night of the death. He said he had taken a combination of drugs that caused him to black out. Connolly denied any sexual activity with Reilly, stating he was "straight", but his defence counsel later admitted he had given oral sex to Reilly. He claimed he had left Reilly at a driveway and then returned home at 1.40 am, with no knowledge of what happened to Reilly during the missing hour. Connolly also disputed the forensic finding that his DNA was on Reilly's penis, arguing the report was wrong. The trial is ongoing, with the prosecution presenting evidence of the alleged assault and murder, while the defence has made submissions regarding sexual contact and the circumstances of the death. Aaron Connolly pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the 22‑year‑old Aaron Connolly, charged with the murder of 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly, pleaded not guilty. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC presented a formal admission that Connolly performed oral sex on Reilly on the night of the killing, describing the act and noting that Reilly was still alive and standing when Connolly left. Forensic evidence from Dr Clara Boland showed mixed DNA samples on Reilly's neck, tracksuit, and clothing, with a minor profile matching Connolly's DNA, and a penile swab containing saliva from both individuals. The prosecution, represented by Dean Kelly SC, maintained that Connolly caused Reilly's injuries between 12.40 am and 1.40 am on 26 May 2018 and that Reilly died violently. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, continues with a jury of seven women and five men.
Christina Anderson, 41, of Brownsbarn Wood, Kingswood, Dublin 22, is charged with murdering Gareth Kelly, 39, who was stabbed five times on 25 February 2020 as he tried to start his car outside her home. She pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial, heard in the Central Criminal Court, focuses on whether her behaviour when she stabbed Mr Kelly was driven by mental illness or by cannabis intoxication. Her husband, Mark Anderson, called her psychiatric clinic the day before the incident, but did not testify. Dr Thomas McMonagle, one of her treating psychiatrists, testified that Anderson used cannabis sometimes daily but also abstained for long periods, and that she had told doctors it did not cause paranoia. He described her as normally measured and in control, but at the Garda station she appeared psychotic and not in contact with reality, though he found her fit for interview.
During the Cameron Reilly murder trial, witness Jack Conway testified that he and Aaron Connolly, then 15, had sexual relations on several occasions, including a Halloween encounter where they shared a bed and engaged in oral sex. Conway said Connolly would later claim he was straight, though he himself identified as gay. Conway also stated that Connolly told him he was bisexual. The prosecution argued that Connolly intentionally caused Reilly's death between 12.40am and 1.40am on 26 May 2018, with the pathologist confirming asphyxia from external neck pressure as the cause of death. Connolly, aged 18 at the time of the murder, pleaded not guilty. The trial also heard evidence from other witnesses about the night's events, but the case remains at the trial stage before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury.
In a Dublin murder trial, the Central Criminal Court heard that Vincent Parsons, 34, died on 26 August 2019 from hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy caused by internal bleeding and a heart attack following blunt‑force trauma. The prosecution alleged that Philip Disney (27) and Sean Carlyle (30) beat Parsons to death after a confrontation at the Killinarden Inn. Parsons suffered 12 facial injuries, a broken nose, and no defensive wounds on his hands or forearms. Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan testified that Parsons had no pulse upon admission, was resuscitated with adrenaline, but ultimately died at 7.20 pm. She noted cocaine and alcohol in his system but said they were not contributory. Forensic evidence included DNA from blood on shorts and a T‑shirt linked to Carlyle, and a watch identified by Parsons' mother. The accused pleaded not guilty. The case was scheduled to close the following day.
Friends of Christina Anderson, a 41‑year‑old mother of three from Dublin, expressed deep concern about her mental state in the weeks leading up to the February 25, 2020, murder of Gareth Kelly, a 39‑year‑old man who was stabbed five times while attempting to start his car outside Anderson's home. Maria McCormick, a long‑time friend, reported receiving messages from Anderson that were "laden with conspiracy theories" and seemed out of character, describing paranoid fears about neighbours and a perceived threat to her family. Anderson's partner, Paul Dalton, also noted a sudden change in her communication style, with short, disjointed replies and a lack of punctuation. Anderson had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had previously sent emails to her solicitor expressing a desire for a bodyguard and fear of being targeted. Christina Anderson pleaded not guilty.
Gerard Mackin, aged 40 and resident of Rhebogue Road, Limerick, appeared before the Special Criminal Court on a late sitting after being extradited from Spain. He faces a single charge of money‑laundering for €4,780, alleged to be proceeds of criminal activity, at his Limerick address on 17 April 2019, in breach of Section 7 of the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act 2010. Detective Garda Stephen Ahern informed the court that Mackin was arrested at Dublin Airport at 2.47 p.m. after a European Arrest Warrant issued on 7 April. The court granted a certificate to try Mackin at the non‑jury court. Alison Fynes BL, representing Mackin, declined to apply for a hearing at this time, requesting remand in Portlaoise Prison and free legal aid, and that the defendant seek the earliest possible court date. Mr Justice Michael MacGrath remanded Mackin in custody until 23 January, when his case will be listed for mention.
Aaron Connolly, aged 22, was accused of murdering 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly in Dunleer on 26 May 2018. Connolly testified that he and Reilly had been drinking Bulmers in a field with friends on 25 May, and that after the group left the field around 11 pm they went to Enzio's chipper. He said he and Reilly walked toward the Beechwood housing estate, then split: Connolly went left down a laneway toward a Centra shop, while Reilly went the opposite way. Connolly claimed he never looked back to see Reilly's direction. He returned home to Drumcar, and the next morning his sister informed him a body had been found. Garda searches from 27 May to 14 June uncovered Reilly's passport near the body. CCTV footage of both men's movements was shown to the jury. The trial, before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, continues with a jury of twelve. The unnamed 22-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Christina Anderson, 41, was feeding fruit to her baby when Gardaí arrived after she stabbed Gareth Kelly, 39, to death in a south Dublin housing estate car park on 25 February 2020. The Central Criminal Court heard that Anderson had been under a perceived threat from neighbours and believed criminals were targeting non‑criminals. A neighbour testified that Anderson had sent him a text two days before the stabbing saying, "Run, your lives are in danger!" Garda Barry O'Shea described Anderson as agitated and distressed, noting she claimed to have acted "for us Mark" and "for love." She was arrested, transferred to Mountjoy Women's Prison, and then to the Central Mental Hospital. Anderson has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity; the jury will decide her mental state at the time of the offence. The trial continues before Ms Justice Karen O'Connor with a jury of twelve.
The Special Criminal Court will try 43‑year‑old Michael Carroll of Bride Street, Dublin 8, for three attempted murders. He is charged with twice attempting to kill Edward Staunton on 26 March 2017 – first on James Joyce Street and later at Peadar Kearney House – and with an attempt on John Hutch's life on 2 September 2016 at his Drumalee Avenue home. Staunton was injured in a hit‑and‑run and shot shortly after. Carroll's lawyer, John Berry BL, said the evidence was largely circumstantial. The trial is set for 30 January and is expected to last six weeks.
Friends of Cameron Reilly, an 18‑year‑old who was found dead in a field in Dunleer, County Louth in 2018, told the Central Criminal Court that he had confided in them that he was bisexual and used the gay dating site Grindr. Erica McGuinness, who had known him for a couple of years, said he had mentioned being on Grindr to "suss people out" and that he had exchanged a wink with a man he had not met before. She agreed that on the night of May 25, 2018, he was "keen to break away" and that this was "out of character" because he normally was "the last man standing". The court heard that the accused, Aaron Connolly, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Reilly, and that the trial was ongoing with a jury hearing the prosecution's case that Connolly intentionally caused Reilly's death between 12:40 am and 1:40 am on May 26, 2018.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Christina Anderson (41) of Brownsbarn Wood, Kingswood, Dublin 24, is charged with murdering her husband Gareth Kelly (39) after he parked his car in a space reserved for the Anderson household. Kelly was stabbed to death on 25 February 2020, with CCTV footage showing Anderson leaving her home, confronting Kelly, stabbing him, and then returning to her house. Anderson pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial will last two weeks, with the prosecution arguing that she is guilty of murder and the defence must prove she was legally insane at the time. Two psychiatrists will present conflicting views on Anderson's state of mind. The case is heard before Ms Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury of twelve.
In the murder trial of Sean Carlyle (30) and Philip Disney (27), the jury heard that Vincent Parsons (34) was severely beaten, with bleeding from his ears and blood-soiled clothing, and was brought to Tallaght Hospital in a Garda car after no ambulance was available. Garda Sean Lawlor testified that he found Parsons unconscious on a green area near Killinarden Way, with significant facial bleeding and swelling. Garda Ross Thornton and Garda John Byrne described extensive head injuries and a slight pulse. Aoife Mannion confirmed Parsons was transferred to ICU and died on 26 August 2019. Detective Garda Conor Harrison reported locating a dark van and the accused outside Carlyle's house around 11.25 pm, while the defence contested the exact time. The trial proceeded before Justice Kerida Naidoo and a 12‑person jury. Sean Carlyle pleaded not guilty. Philip Disney pleaded not guilty.
Christina Anderson, 39, of Brownsbarn Wood, Kingswood, Dublin 24, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of Gareth Kelly, 39, a father of seven. Kelly died from stab wounds after an incident at his estate on 25 February 2020. Anderson, wearing a black and yellow dress, was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court. The single count was read to her, and she responded with her plea. A jury of seven men and five women was sworn in, and the trial is set to begin tomorrow before Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, potentially continuing until 19 December.
An insurance company, Aon Ireland Limited, obtained a High Court injunction preventing former employee Luciana Bernardes De Castro from using or distributing any confidential information related to the firm. De Castro had worked as a Claims Administrator from March 2020 until her resignation in January 2022. In August 2022 she filed a claim with the Workplace Relations Committee, prompting Aon to search her work e‑mails. The company found that she had sent several emails containing sensitive information, including medical data, to her personal account and a third party. Aon alleged that this constituted a breach of her legal obligations. De Castro, who had been living in Liffey Valley Park, Lucan, responded in November that she had no interest in engaging with Aon and had not cooperated with the company. Aon's lawyers, represented by Rosemary Mallon BL, sought the injunction after De Castro declined to provide the undertakings requested.
During the Central Criminal Court trial of Aaron Connolly, a witness, David Shiels, recounted finding the body of 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly while walking his dogs on a morning in Dunleer. Shiels described seeing the body lying on his back, with discolouration, bruising on the right side of the face, neck and throat, and scrape marks on the front of the neck. He noted the deceased's hands were very white and clean. Shiels also mentioned that he had informed his wife and neighbours, including Catherine Shiels, who initially thought he was mistaken. Catherine later described the body as "chalky white" and "swelled", and recounted that neighbour Jean Lynch attempted CPR, noting bruising and scuff marks on the chin and neck. The court heard that the only injury was neck trauma with extensive bruising. Aaron Connolly pleaded not guilty.
During the murder trial of Vincent Parsons, his brother Daniel Parsons testified that Vincent was never aggressive and would not start a fight, describing him as a messy drunk but not violent. Daniel recounted attending a stag do at the Killinarden Inn in Tallaght with friends and family, where he observed a bouncer confronting a red‑haired man in Vincent's face. Daniel told the bouncer that Vincent was drunk and would not cause trouble. He later left the pub at 11:10 pm, only to learn Vincent had been taken to hospital. The prosecution alleged that Philip Disney and Sean Carlyle, acting as a joint enterprise, murdered Vincent by beating him to death near the pub on 26 August 2019. The trial, presided over by Justice Kerida Naidoo, continues with a jury of twelve. Sean Carlyle pleaded not guilty. Philip Disney pleaded not guilty.
Dermot Alastair Mills, a former finance manager at Irish Rail, claims his role was reduced to almost nothing after he made a protected disclosure in 2014 about accounting matters. He says he now spends most of his week reading newspapers, eating sandwiches and walking, with no work-related emails or communications. Mills alleges he was penalised for whistleblowing, losing responsibilities for capital budgets, fixed assets and government reporting, and was excluded from meetings and training. He says this exclusion hindered his 2018 application for a senior post, and that interviewers were aware of his disclosure. Irish Rail accepts the disclosure but denies penalisation, arguing the Workplace Relations Commission can only decide on any alleged penalty. The case was adjourned, with no next hearing before February.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the State presented evidence that teenager Cameron Reilly (18) was socialising with Aaron Connolly (22) the night before his murder. The prosecution described a large group of about 15–16 young people gathering in a field near Dunleer on 25 May 2018, drinking and possibly using drugs. Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan testified that Reilly died from asphyxia caused by external pressure to the front of his neck, consistent with a chokehold or suffocation involving a ligature. The jury was told that Reilly was alive until just before 1 a.m., after which Connolly allegedly inflicted injuries that led to Reilly's death. Connolly is charged with murder and has pleaded not guilty. The trial will continue before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of seven women and five men.
A 34‑year‑old father of two was beaten to death after a drunken stag do at the Killinarden Inn in Tallaght. The prosecution, represented by Lorcan Staines SC, presented a case that Philip Disney (27) and Sean Carlyle (30) were involved in a joint enterprise to murder Vincent Parsons on 26 August 2019. According to the barrister, Parsons had been drinking for several hours, became "messy" and irritated patrons, and was confronted by Disney. CCTV footage allegedly shows Disney raising his arm and pointing at Parsons, who then fled the pub. Disney and Carlyle left the pub, entered a black van, and later returned to a green area where they allegedly beat Parsons to death. The prosecution claims evidence such as Parsons' watch found in Carlyle's van, blood on Carlyle's shorts, and CCTV footage of the accused's movements. Both accused men pleaded not guilty. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo and a jury of twelve.
A jury of six men and six women was sworn in to hear the trial of Sean Carlyle, 30, and Philip Disney, 27, both from Tallaght, accused of murdering Vincent Parsons, a 30‑year‑old metal fabricator from Clondalkin, on 26 August 2019 at Killinarden Way. The men were arraigned before the Central Criminal Court and pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, is scheduled to begin the following day and is expected to last three weeks.
A 22‑year‑old man, Aaron Connolly of Willistown, Drumcar, will go on trial for the murder of 18‑year‑old Cameron Reilly, who was killed on 26 May 2018 at Shamrock Hill, Dunleer. Connolly pleaded not guilty when the charge was read. The Central Criminal Court heard that the deceased lived in Dunleer, was a DKIT student, and that Connolly was a construction worker at the time. More than 70 witnesses are expected to be called over a three‑week trial, which will begin tomorrow before Mr Justice Tony Hunt.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Garrett Smith, 35, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter and violent disorder after he stamped Edward O'Sullivan's head in his Kilkenny apartment, causing injuries described by a state pathologist as akin to a traffic accident. O'Sullivan, 46, was discovered lying in a pool of blood with severe facial and internal injuries, and was treated on site before dying. Smith, intoxicated, was arrested with blood on his clothes and was charged with assault causing harm. Witnesses described a drunken altercation that escalated into physical violence, with Smith repeatedly stamping on O'Sullivan's head and face. The court noted the extreme nature of the injuries and the aggravating factor of the victim's right to withdraw the invitation to the home. Smith's defence highlighted intoxication and apologized for the outcome. The case was scheduled for sentencing on 19 December.
In a dispute between Spiritan‑run Templeogue College and two senior teachers, Patricia O'Connell and Bríd Stack, the parties reached a settlement after a hearing at the Workplace Relations Commission. The teachers had filed victimisation claims under the Employment Equality Act, alleging exclusionary treatment by senior management following complaints of age‑based discrimination. They also complained that an allowance for assistant principal duties had been withdrawn and that they were excluded from meetings and key roles. The hearing involved exchanges between barristers, a recusal of the original adjudicating officer, and the appointment of a new officer. The settlement was announced as acceptable to both sides, with the teachers' complaints withdrawn and the parties agreeing to terms that resolved the matter. The case was concluded at the WRC headquarters in Dublin 4.
The jury in the trial of Stephen Silver, a motorbike mechanic from Aughavard, Foxford, County Mayo, has been instructed that majority verdicts are now permissible at the Central Criminal Court. Mr Justice Paul McDermott informed the twelve-person jury, entering their third day of deliberations, that they may return a verdict supported by at least ten jurors rather than requiring unanimity. Silver is charged with the murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan at Castlerea, County Roscommon on 17 June 2020. He has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. The jury must determine between verdicts of capital murder, murder, manslaughter, or manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. Defence evidence suggested Silver suffered bipolar affective disorder at the time, whilst prosecution psychiatric evidence contradicted this assessment of his mental capacity. Detective Garda Horkan sustained eleven gunshot wounds. Deliberations are continuing.