A jury has been sworn in to hear the trial of 20‑year‑old Dean Kerrie, accused of murdering 25‑year‑old fisherman Jack Power in Waterford on 26 July 2018 when Kerrie was 17. Kerrie pleaded not guilty to the single charge of murder. The trial will be heard by a panel of seven women and five men at the Central Criminal Court, with the prosecution opening the case tomorrow. Judge Paul McDermott warned jurors to avoid media and social media and focus solely on the evidence presented in court.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, 42‑year‑old Nassar Ahmed was accused of deliberately stabbing his former partner's boyfriend, Eoin Boylan, during a "sneak attack" at Gordon Drive, Cloughleigh, Ennis, on 14 April 2020. Prosecutor Lorcan Staines argued that Ahmed invited Boylan to a fist fight while concealing a knife, then stabbed him three times while Boylan was in manifest retreat. Staines described the stabbings as intentional, deliberate and repeated, noting that the wounds were precise and that Ahmed's actions were not self‑defence. He also highlighted that Ahmed repeatedly lied to Gardaí about the weapon used, calling the lies "borderline laughable." The prosecution maintained that the case involved an intentional attack, not a defensive response, and that the alleged self‑defence claim was untenable. The trial was set to continue before Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury. Nassar Ahmed pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin murder trial, a woman from Coolock, Kirsty Darby, testified that she saw a strange man on an orange push bike around her estate for three days in May 2019, before a neighbour, Jordan Davis, was shot dead by a man on a bike. Darby described the cyclist as broad, tall, with sallow skin, wearing gloves, a jacket and a hat, and noted he was "hanging around" and "going round in circles." She claimed she had not seen him before May 20 and not after May 22, the day of the shooting. The prosecution alleges that Wayne Cooney, 31, of Glenshane Drive, Tallaght, was the cyclist and is charged with murder, possession of a 9mm pistol and ammunition. The case is before Mr Justice Tony Hunt with a jury of eight men and four women. The trial is ongoing. Wayne Cooney pleaded not guilty.
Nassar Ahmed, 42, was accused of murdering Eoin Boylan, 32, on 14 April 2020. Ahmed denied any bad intentions and claimed he acted in self‑defence, saying he grabbed a sharp object and stabbed Boylan after Boylan approached him. CCTV footage showed Boylan backing away after the first blow. Ahmed could not recall the object or where he threw it. He pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. Witnesses described a confrontation between Ahmed, wearing a red baseball hat, and Boylan, noting a sharp metal object in Ahmed's hand. Ahmed's statements to Gardaí and a friend confirmed he believed he was defending himself. The case was set for trial before Justice Eileen Creedon with a jury of twelve.
In the Central Criminal Court, the jury heard that Nassar Ahmed, 41, accused of murdering Eoin Boylan, 32, had called Boylan's former partner a "whore" moments before the fatal confrontation. Ahmed pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. Witness Catherine Martin testified that Ahmed was angry and shouted at her son, who tried to intervene. She described Ahmed standing on his toes and lunging at her son, who was then struck and later died from stab wounds. Ahmed claimed he had picked up a sharp object to defend himself after Boylan tried to fight him. Garda testimony noted Ahmed's arrest on suspicion of assault causing harm. The trial continued with the issue of self‑defence to be considered by the jury.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Sadie Douglas, 39, pleaded not guilty to wilful neglect of her two‑year‑old daughter, Heidi, who died in April 2016 after ingesting methadone. The post‑mortem concluded acute brain inflammation caused by methadone ingestion. The prosecution argued Douglas failed to supervise Heidi, misled paramedics about methadone in the house, and did not provide crucial information. Evidence included a cup with methadone residue, DNA traces of Douglas's partner Christopher O'Reilly, and multiple methadone bottles with childproof lids. O'Reilly, a recovering heroin addict on daily methadone, pleaded guilty to the same charge. The trial highlighted Douglas's grief after the earlier death of her four‑year‑old daughter, Sophie, and the emotional difficulty of the case. The judge instructed the jury to deliberate on the evidence presented.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 21 June 2022, the murder trial of AB (33) and Bernard Fogarty (34) was presented. The defendants deny murdering Barry Wolverson at Madigan's Yard on 17 January 2020. They were initially charged with attempted murder, upgraded to murder after Wolverson's death on 21 February 2021. The court heard from former paramedic Michelle O'Toole, who arrived in a rapid response vehicle and found Wolverson unresponsive with eight gunshot wounds to chest and shoulder and one to the temple. She administered adrenaline via the leg, restoring a normal heart rhythm, and transported him to Beaumont Hospital where he survived in a vegetative state for months. Another paramedic, Paul Hand, treated a second wounded man, noting a lower‑back shot with no exit wounds. Both defendants plead not guilty to murder, firearm possession, ammunition possession and assault.
In a murder trial, Sandra Davis, mother of 22‑year‑old Jordan Davis, testified that her son was involved in drug dealing. She said he began buying expensive clothing and traveling to Amsterdam, and that he always had large amounts of cash. Davis recalled that Jordan's partner became pregnant and he bought a buggy costing over €1,500, which she said was all his money. She also described receiving threatening text messages and witnessing men searching her garden in March 2019, after which the windows of her house were smashed. Davis admitted that Jordan had been friends with Sean Little, who was shot dead a day before Jordan. Wayne Cooney, 31, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jordan Davis, to possession of a 9mm pistol, and to possession of ammunition. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of eight men and four women.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Sadie Douglas, 39, pleaded not guilty to child neglect leading to the death of her two‑year‑old daughter Heidi Douglas, who died on 19 April 2016 after ingesting methadone. The post‑mortem found acute brain inflammation most likely caused by methadone. Douglas's partner, Christopher O'Reilly, had pleaded guilty last July to the same charge. O'Reilly, a recovering heroin addict, was taking daily methadone prescribed by a local chemist. The court heard that Douglas was grieving her four‑year‑old daughter Sophie, who had died earlier that year from a brain haemorrhage. Douglas described being in a "little world" and emotionally distressed. DNA evidence linked O'Reilly to a measuring cup containing methadone residue, and a large plastic bottle of methadone was found in the house. The trial continues before Judge Orla Crowe and a jury.
The Special Criminal Court has opened a trial for two Dublin men, a 33‑year‑old referred to as 'AB' and Bernard Fogarty, 34, charged with the murder of Barry Wolverson. The alleged killing took place on 17 January 2020 at Madigan's Yard, Swords, where Wolverson was shot several times and later died on 21 February 2021 after a year in a comatose state. The men were arrested minutes after the incident and were initially charged with attempted murder, a charge upgraded to murder following Wolverson's death. They pleaded not guilty to murder, firearm possession and assault. The prosecution, represented by Paul Greene SC, presented a circumstantial case, citing evidence such as a burned Citroën C4, petrol residue on the accused, and recovered Zip fire logs. The trial, presided over by Judges Michael MacGrath, Cormac Dunne and Gerard Griffin, is expected to last six weeks.
The Special Criminal Court has listed a Section 4E application for July 8 regarding Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch, who is accused of the murder of David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in 2016. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC stated that Mr Hutch is seeking a pre-trial hearing and an application to dismiss the charge due to insufficient evidence. The court must first determine its jurisdiction under Section 4E of the Criminal Procedure Act 1967. Additionally, a preliminary trial hearing application under Section 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2021 is being pursued, with Jonathan Dowdall's counsel joining this application. Jonathan Dowdall is also accused of the murder of Mr Byrne. His father, Patrick Dowdall, is accused of facilitating the murder by making a hotel room available to a criminal organisation. Paul Murphy and Jason Bonney are both accused of facilitating the commission of a serious offence by providing access to motor vehicles to the organisation. All five accused are due to stand trial on October 3, with the trial expected to last 12 weeks. The matter was adjourned to allow for these preliminary applications, and the court will rule on the jurisdiction issue shortly after the July 8 hearing. Information regarding the applications is subject to publication restrictions.
In the Central Criminal Court, witness Ms Stacey Hayes denied that she was pressured to make a false allegation against Wayne Cooney. She said she had picked up Cooney from a bus stop in Darndale after Jordan Davis was shot dead nearby, driving with Cooney's girlfriend, EF, in the passenger seat. Hayes claimed she had met Cooney twice before and knew of his tattoo. Cooney, 31, pleaded not guilty to Davis's murder and to possession of a 9mm pistol and ammunition. Hayes told the prosecution that she had no criminal convictions and that Cooney had entered her car on the day in question. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, continues with a jury of eight men and four women. The article also reports that Dr Margot Bolster gave evidence on the fatal gunshot wounds to Davis.
Michael Lynn, a former solicitor aged 53, faces a retrial set for 16 October 2023 after a previous trial in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court ended with a hung jury. He was accused of stealing about €27 million from seven banks between 2006 and 2007, including Bank of Ireland, National Irish Bank, Irish Life and Permanent, Ulster Bank, ACC Bank, Bank of Scotland Ireland Ltd and Irish Nationwide Building Society. Lynn pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of theft covering the period from 23 October 2006 to 20 April 2007. During the original trial he claimed the banks knew he held multiple mortgages on the same properties and that this was a common practice in Celtic Tiger Ireland. He also alleged he had secret deals with bankers that allowed him to use loan money for property developments abroad. Prosecutor John Berry said the Director of Public Prosecutions sought a retrial to make certain enquiries following Lynn's assertions.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, the neglect trial of Sadie Douglas, charged with wilful neglect leading to the death of her two‑year‑old daughter Heidi, was presented with evidence that Heidi suffered a severe brain injury after ingesting methadone. Chief State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan testified that a scan taken two days after Heidi was admitted to Our Lady's Children's Hospital in Crumlin on 14 April 2016 showed a "devastating brain injury" with swelling that pressed onto the spinal column. Dr Mulligan concluded, based on a post‑mortem, that acute cerebellitis—most likely caused by methadone ingestion—led to Heidi's death on 19 April 2016, after she had been clinically dead for several days. The trial also noted that Heidi's partner, a recovering heroin addict, was taking daily methadone doses from a local chemist, with the medication supplied in a child‑proof bottle and a warning that 5 ml could kill a child. Sadie Douglas pleaded not guilty.
In a murder trial, a jury watched CCTV footage showing 22‑year‑old Jordan Davis being shot while pushing a pram with his four‑month‑old son through a lane between a church and a national school in Darndale. The footage, examined by Detective Sergeant Eoin Colbert, shows Davis entering the cul‑de‑sac at 3.28 pm, leaving at 3.50 pm, and walking with a friend to the lane at 3.59 pm. A figure on a bicycle approached from behind at that time, and a young child was also cycling through the lane. Davis is seen falling to the ground as the shooting occurs. The prosecution alleges that 31‑year‑old Wayne Cooney, who lives on Glenshane Drive in Tallaght, was the person on the bicycle who shot Davis. Wayne Cooney pleaded not guilty.
Sadie Douglas, aged 25, stood trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for wilful neglect after her two‑year‑old daughter, Heidi, died on 14 April 2016 from methadone toxicity. Heidi, born 8 August 2013, was found unconscious in the bed at the family home on Rathsallagh Drive, Shankill, Co. Dublin. Douglas and her partner had stayed up late on 13 April, looking at photographs on an old phone. On 14 April, Douglas allegedly placed Heidi beside her on the bed and fell asleep, while the father slept at the foot of the bed. Heidi ate crackers with her brother, then remained in bed until discovered unconscious. An ambulance took her to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, where she died. A state pathologist found methadone in Heidi's system, concluding death was due to methadone poisoning. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the prosecution told a jury that 41‑year‑old Nassar Ahmed, who pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, killed Eoin Boylan, 32, in Ennis on 14 April 2020. Ahmed, originally from Sudan, had lived in Ennis since the mid‑2000s, married a local woman in 2007, and had three children. The marriage ended in November 2018. In late 2019, Ahmed's former partner met Boylan and they began a relationship, with Boylan moving into the partner's house shortly thereafter. On the day of the incident, a dispute arose when Ahmed called the partner to come to the house. Witnesses and partial CCTV footage showed Ahmed striking Boylan three times, after which Boylan fell and suffered stab‑like injuries. A pathologist concluded Boylan was stabbed to death. The prosecution will argue that the issue of self‑defence must be considered by the jury.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a barrister presented evidence that a drug dealer warned a man named Jordan Davis that he would be killed soon, with the phrase "soon, very soon, bang bang." The defendant, Wayne Cooney, 31, denies murdering Davis, 22, who was shot while pushing a pram in Darndale on 22 May 2019. CCTV footage shows Davis being shot repeatedly by Cooney. Cooney also faces charges of possessing a 9mm pistol and ammunition. The prosecution will argue that the warning from the dealer was a death threat. Additional evidence includes DNA linking Cooney to gloves found at the scene, which contained firearm residue. The trial, expected to last up to four weeks, will continue before a jury and Justice Tony Hunt. Wayne Cooney pleaded not guilty.
Gerard 'The Monk' Hutch, 58, accused of murdering Kinahan gang member David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in 2016, has a bid to dismiss the charge adjourned to next week by the Special Criminal Court. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC told the three‑judge court that the application could proceed, but one judge was unavailable, so the hearing was postponed to Monday. The court must first decide whether it has jurisdiction under Section 4E of the Criminal Procedure Act 1967, which allows dismissal where evidence is insufficient. Hutch, who is in custody, was present for the brief hearing. Jonathan Dowdall (43) and Patrick Dowdall (64) are also charged with the Regency Hotel murder and are due to stand trial on 3 October. The trial, if it goes ahead, is expected to last 12 weeks. The matter was adjourned until 10.30 am Monday.
A Central Criminal Court jury found food‑delivery cyclist George Gonzaga Bento not guilty of murdering 16‑year‑old Josh Dunne. The jury accepted Bento's claim that he acted in self‑defence after being attacked by a gang while trying to recover a stolen bike. He had pulled out a utility knife he carried for cutting fruit and stabbed three people, including Josh. The State argued that Bento had exaggerated the threat and used unnecessary force. The jury rejected that view, concluding that Bento believed the force he used was necessary to protect himself and his friend Guilherme Quieroz. Bento, who had been in custody for about 18 months, was released after the verdict. The jury also acquitted him of producing the knife in a threatening manner and of assaulting two other young men. The trial lasted six weeks and the jury deliberated for a little over eight hours. The verdict was unanimous.
George Bento, a 36‑year‑old Brazilian, was interviewed by Gardaí at Store Street Garda Station after the death of 16‑year‑old Josh Dunne on East Wall Road. Bento claimed he had only tried to recover a stolen electric bike belonging to delivery rider Tiago da Silva and that he had used a knife only to defend himself when a moped rider and a group of youths threatened him and his colleague Guilherme Quieroz. He said he had never intended to hurt anyone and that he had acted to protect himself and Quieroz. The prosecution argued that Bento exaggerated the danger, that CCTV showed him moving toward the moped rider, and that he had used lethal force when the youths were backing away. The trial concluded with a unanimous verdict of not guilty on all counts after a six‑week trial and 500 days of custody.
After George Bento was arraigned, his defence counsel Padraig Dwyer SC applied to the court, arguing that the murder charge was unsupported by evidence and that the case should be charged as manslaughter. He cited CCTV footage showing other individuals attacking Bento and his companion, and claimed that Bento's use of force was reasonable and in self‑defence, defence of another and property. Dwyer also requested the judge to monitor the evidence for fairness, stating that an unfair trial could result if the jury considered a murder charge. The prosecution, led by Sean Guerin SC, countered that the CCTV and eyewitness accounts established a murder charge, noting that a 16‑year‑old received two fatal stab wounds. Mr Justice Paul Burns ruled that the court would not remove the murder count, allowing it to proceed to the jury. During the trial, a large group of Deliveroo riders attended the courtroom in uniform, expressing solidarity with Bento.
The jury for the trial of Brazilian food‑delivery cyclist George Gonzaga Bento, charged with murdering 16‑year‑old Josh Dunne, will return to the Central Criminal Court to continue deliberations. Bento, 36, is accused of stabbing Dunne after a confrontation with a gang while attempting to recover a stolen bicycle. He is also charged with producing a utility knife in a manner likely to intimidate, and with assault causing harm to two other young men. Bento pleaded not guilty to all four counts. The jury has spent almost six hours considering verdicts. A juror asked whether the knife‑production charge refers to the moment Bento removed the knife from his pocket or when he opened it; Judge Paul Burns explained the offence can relate to either.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, Judge Paul Burns explained to the jury that a person may use force to protect themselves if it is reasonable and proportionate to the attack. He told the jury that George Gonzaga Bento, a 36‑year‑old Brazilian delivery cyclist, admitted stabbing 16‑year‑old Josh Dunne but claimed the killing was lawful because he and a friend were attacked by a bike thief and a group of teenagers. The judge clarified that a person acting in self‑defence may continue to use force only while it remains necessary; once it is no longer needed, further force is not self‑defence. He instructed the jury to assess whether Bento honestly believed his actions were necessary, whether the threat was imminent, and whether he had an opportunity to retreat. If the jury finds that Bento used no more force than was reasonably necessary, he would be acquitted.
In a High Court decision on 3 June 2022, Mr Justice Charles Meenan dismissed a judicial review brought by Bridget Delaney of Dungarvan against the State and the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB). Delaney had challenged the 2021 adoption of new personal injury guidelines by the Judicial Council, arguing they were unconstitutional, breached her rights, and unfairly reduced awards by up to 40%. The judge rejected all of her claims, finding that the guidelines were made in accordance with the 2019 Judicial Council Act, that PIAB acted within its statutory powers, and that the guidelines did not infringe judicial independence. He noted that the guidelines were based on established legal principles and economic conditions, and that courts may depart from them only with rational, cogent reasons. The case will return for final orders on costs.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 2 June 2022, Michael Bowman SC argued that DNA evidence presented by the State does not prove that Christopher Slator was one of the three men involved in the murder of Michael Barr at the Sunset House pub. Bowman highlighted that Slator's DNA was found on a mask and a pair of runners in the getaway car, but also on other masks belonging to unknown individuals. He cited the forensic scientist's admission that secondary transfer could explain the DNA presence and that the DNA does not prove Slator wore the mask. Bowman also questioned the prosecution's inference that Slator's DNA indicated his presence in the car at the time of the shooting, noting that witnesses described a taller man than Slator's height. He further challenged the prosecution's reliance on a same‑day Bangkok flight booking as evidence of guilt, arguing it was an unusual but not incriminating travel pattern. Christopher Slator pleaded not guilty.
The jury in the multi‑million euro theft trial of former solicitor Michael Lynn was discharged after failing to reach a majority verdict following more than 12 hours of deliberations in a three‑and‑a‑half‑month trial. Judge Martin Nolan asked whether the jury could reach a verdict if given more time; the jurors replied they could not, so the judge had no option but to discharge them. Lynn, aged 53 and from Millbrook Court, Red Cross, Co Wicklow, had pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of theft relating to Dublin property transactions between 23 October 2006 and 20 April 2007. He had claimed that banks were aware of his multiple mortgages on the same properties and that this was "custom and practice" in Celtic Tiger Ireland. He also alleged secret deals with bankers and a profit‑share agreement with former Irish Nationwide chief executive Michael Fingleton concerning a property development in Portugal.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Dominic McGinn SC argued that DNA found on a mask and a runner inside a getaway car was sufficient to convict Christopher Slator of murdering Michael Barr at the Sunset House pub in 2016. McGinn noted that the DNA matched Slator's profile and that the same items were linked to the car used by the three gunmen who fled the scene. He also cited evidence that Slator and an accomplice booked a flight to Bangkok the day after the shooting, with no luggage, suggesting a planned escape. McGinn emphasized that no reasonable explanation for the DNA evidence existed, and that the injuries sustained by Barr proved the act was murder. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC was scheduled to present his closing remarks the following day. The case remains at the non‑jury trial stage. Christopher Slator pleaded not guilty.
The jury in the multi‑million euro theft trial of former solicitor Michael Lynn was informed that it could return a majority verdict if it could not reach unanimity. After deliberating for just under ten hours, Judge Martin Nolan announced that a majority verdict would be accepted provided at least ten jurors agreed. The jury continued for another twenty minutes before being dismissed for the night, with a return to court scheduled for 2 p.m. tomorrow. Mr Lynn, aged 53 and residing at Millbrook Court, Red Cross, Co Wicklow, faces 21 counts of theft relating to the alleged theft of approximately €27 million from seven financial institutions between 23 October 2006 and 20 April 2007. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, 36‑year‑old George Gonzaga Bento, a Brazilian food‑delivery cyclist, denies acting as a "hard‑man" during the January 26, 2021 incident at East Wall Road that led to the death of 16‑year‑old Josh Dunne. He claims he used a knife to defend himself and his friend from a man on a moped who had stolen a bike and from a group of youths who attacked them. Bento says he intended only to intimidate the attackers and that his life was at risk, not that he sought to harm anyone. He acknowledges causing injuries that led to Dunne's death, as well as stabbing two other young men, but maintains he was acting in self‑defence. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Burns, continues tomorrow with 12 jurors.
David Morrissey, 29, of Glendale Meadow, Leixlip, was found guilty of causing the death of 19‑year‑old cyclist Harry Boland on 18 April 2018. The incident occurred at the junction of Greenfield Park and Stillorgan Road near RTÉ, where Boland was riding in the north‑bound cycle lane with a red light. Morrissey, driving a large DAF truck, turned left after the light turned green and Boland ended up under the truck, sustaining fatal injuries. The jury, after 3 h 35 m of deliberation, returned a 10‑to‑2 verdict. The prosecution argued Boland was visible from the cab, aided by wide‑angle mirrors, while the defence claimed the driver did not see him and that a blind spot was very small. The case was adjourned for sentencing on 20 June, with Morrissey remanded on continuing bail. David Morrissey pleaded not guilty.
The jury in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case against truck driver David Morrissey (29) was sent home after 2 hours and 33 minutes of deliberation. Morrissey is accused of causing the death of 19‑year‑old cyclist Harry Boland on 18 April 2018 at a junction near RTÉ. The prosecution alleges he failed to use mirrors and turn with due care, while the defence argues Boland may have fallen off his bike and was not wearing a helmet. The jury will resume tomorrow morning. David Morrissey pleaded not guilty.
The jury in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial of former solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 53, was sent home after six hours and 35 minutes of deliberation. Judge Martin Nolan directed the jury to return the following morning. Lynn stands accused of stealing approximately €27 million from seven financial institutions between 23 October 2006 and 20 April 2007, facing 21 counts of theft. He has pleaded not guilty. The prosecution alleges that Lynn secured multiple mortgages on the same properties, a practice the banks claimed was common in Celtic Tiger Ireland. Lynn contends that the banks were aware of his multiple loans and that he had "secret deals" with bankers who allowed him to use the loan money for overseas property developments. He also testified that he and former Irish Nationwide chief executive Michael Fingleton were involved in a purported secret profit‑share agreement concerning a property development in Portugal.
Former Irish soldier Lisa Smith, aged 39, was found guilty of membership in the Islamic State by the Special Criminal Court. The judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, rejected Smith's claim that she joined the group out of religious obligation or to live under Sharia law, stating that religion is irrelevant to criminal membership. Smith was not found guilty of the second charge of funding terrorism, as the court accepted that the €800 she sent in May 2015 could have been for humanitarian reasons. The court held that Smith travelled to Syria with full knowledge of Isis's violent activities and pledged allegiance to Abu Bakr al‑Baghdadi. Smith was granted bail until her sentencing hearing on 11 July, with the judge noting her compliance with bail conditions over the past two years. The verdict was delivered after a 90‑minute hearing. Lisa Smith pleaded not guilty. Islamic State pleaded not guilty.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a jury began deliberating on the case of truck driver David Morrissey, 29, who is accused of careless driving that caused the death of 19‑year‑old cyclist Harry Boland on 18 April 2018. Morrissey pleaded not guilty to driving without due care and attention. The prosecution, led by Michael Hourigan BL, argued that evidence from eyewitnesses Quentin Guillemot and Jason McMahon showed contact between the truck and the bike, and that Morrissey failed to see Boland. Defence counsel Garnet Orange SC contended that a truck driver cannot have a 360‑degree view, that Boland was not stationary and may have veered into the truck's path, and criticised the Garda investigation for lacking measurements and photographs. The jury was sent out by Judge Elma Sheahan after 3 pm and will resume on Monday morning.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, former solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 53, faces 21 counts of theft involving about €27 million from seven banks. The prosecution alleges Lynn secured multiple mortgages on the same properties without the banks' knowledge, using the funds for overseas property developments. Lynn maintains that the banks were aware of his multiple loans and that such arrangements were customary among bankers during the Celtic Tiger era. He claims he had "secret deals" with several bankers, including a profit‑share agreement with former Irish Nationwide chief executive Michael Fingleton for a Portuguese development. Defence counsel argues that Lynn made monthly repayments and that the banks had no complaints until a solicitor, Fiona McAleenan, contacted the Law Society in 2007. Judge Martin Nolan directed the jury to acquit if they find Lynn had the banks' permission to use the loans, and to consider the State's case only if they cannot prove deception beyond a reasonable doubt.
During the trial of 29‑year‑old truck driver David Morrissey, the court heard that he was in a distressed state when Gardaí arrived at the N11 accident site where 19‑year‑old cyclist Harry Boland was killed. Morrissey, who drives an eight‑wheel truck on round trips between quarries and construction sites, claimed he had checked his mirrors, moved into the left lane, and turned left at a red light that turned green. He stopped, jumped out, and saw Boland severely injured. Boland suffered a cardiac arrest at the scene and died at St Vincent's Hospital. The truck and bicycle were found defect‑free. A forensic collision analyst noted grind marks on the road from the bike's handlebars and wheels. The trial continues tomorrow. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial of former solicitor Michael Lynn, aged 53, is a multi‑million‑euro theft case. Lynn is accused of stealing about €27 million from seven banks between October 2006 and April 2007, and has pleaded not guilty to 21 theft counts. Prosecutor Patrick McGrath argues that Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties while banks were unaware of other lenders, and that he fabricated evidence of "secret deals" with bankers. He claims Lynn deliberately introduced a third server to confuse the case and that no emails or payments supporting the alleged deals exist. Lynn's defence, led by Paul Comiskey‑O'Keeffe, maintains that the banks were aware of his loan usage, that the evidence is incomplete, and that Lynn acted within a custom of the Celtic Tiger banking system. The trial continues with the jury to decide on each count.
A UCD student, Quentin Guillemot, recounted witnessing the fatal collision of 19‑year‑old Harry Boland with a construction truck driven by David Morrisey on the N11 at Greenfield Park on 18 April 2018. Guillemot described the scene: the lights turned green, Boland's bike was to the left of the truck, and the truck turned left into Greenfield Park. He said the truck's left side first touched Boland's handlebars, destabilising the cyclist, who then fell beneath the truck as it continued turning. Another witness, Jason McMahon, noted the truck's front corner struck the bike first, while Grainne Butler observed the cyclist fall as the truck turned. The incident led to Boland's death at St Vincent's Hospital. Morrisey is on trial in the Dublin Circuit Court, pleading not guilty to driving without due care and attention, which caused Boland's death. The trial is ongoing.
During the murder trial of George Gonzaga Bento, his fiancée, Cohelo Macedo, testified that she booked flights to Brazil for herself and Bento after the January 26, 2021 incident in which Bento allegedly stabbed 16‑year‑old Josh Dunne. Macedo said she feared for their safety, believing teenagers could attack them, and that she had booked the flights immediately after learning of the death. She also described the night's events, stating Bento had a knife and that he claimed he used it to intimidate teenagers who had attacked him and his friend. Macedo noted that Bento had no prior convictions and that she had been in a relationship with him for a year before they moved to Ireland from Brazil in February 2019. The trial was set to continue the following day before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, former Irish Nationwide senior officer Brian Fitzgibbon testified that he never met or spoke to Michael Lynn, contradicting Lynn's claim of a friendly relationship with former Irish Nationwide chief executive Michael Fingleton. Fitzgibbon, who managed home loans, stated that he had no knowledge of Lynn's alleged secret deals or any special arrangements with Fingleton. He described Irish Nationwide as an asset‑backed lender that required a legal charge on properties and that Fingleton could amend loan terms but never lend without an asset. Fitzgibbon also said he was uncomfortable with a €5.5 million loan for Lynn's Howth property and sent it to Fingleton for approval. Two other bankers, Micheál McHugh and Gerry O'Gorman, also denied meeting Lynn. The trial, which involves 21 counts of theft, will resume on Thursday. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
A food‑delivery cyclist, George Gonzaga Bento, aged 36, was charged with murdering 16‑year‑old Josh Dunne after a confrontation over a stolen bike on 26 January 2021. Bento told Gardaí he was not a murderer and that he had only tried to defend himself. He claimed he had taken a knife from his pocket to intimidate a man on a moped who had stolen a bike, and that he stabbed two other youths who attacked him. He said he had stabbed Josh only after being punched and that he had no intention to kill. The prosecution alleges Bento produced a knife during a stand‑off, assaulted two other young men, and was also accused of producing a utility knife likely to intimidate. He pleaded not guilty to all four counts. The article reports the Gardaí's interviews, the pathologist's evidence of stab wounds, and forensic DNA findings linking the knife to the victims. No sentencing or verdict is mentioned.
Paul Barry, a retired Garda sergeant from Mitchelstown, claims he was bullied and harassed by senior Gardaí, including Superintendent Michael Comyns and Chief Superintendent Gerard Dillane. He says a 2012 complaint about a child sexual assault investigation was suppressed, and the DPP later decided no prosecution would occur. Barry alleges he was forced to return to work in 2013 without a medical certificate, despite GP advice that he should not. He reports that he was unfit for duty for 239 days due to work‑related stress and bullying. Barry says he was pressured to apply for a transfer, which he refused because it would have financial consequences. He also claims he was forced to attend a golf duty in 2014 that made him physically sick, leading him to submit a retirement application immediately afterwards. The tribunal is hearing his evidence in Dublin Castle.
In a Dublin park, 21‑year‑old Gary Foy, riding a borrowed scrambler bike, collided with a stationary quad bike that a mother and her two‑year‑old baby were sitting on. The infant sustained serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, and was treated by a medical professional who described him as the most severely injured two‑year‑old he had treated who survived. Foy, who had been riding scramblers for ten years, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm, driving without insurance, and driving under the influence of cannabis. No vehicles were permitted in the park's green area. The court adjourned the case to October to prepare a probation report, noting the high risk of the activity and the public park setting. No victim impact statement was presented. The child has since been discharged but will need ongoing rehabilitative services. The case remains pending.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, former solicitor Michael Lynn faces 21 counts of theft, accused of stealing about €27 million from seven banks between October 2006 and April 2007. Lynn maintains he had "custom and practice" among bankers to obtain multiple mortgages on the same properties and claims he had secret deals allowing loan money to be used for overseas property developments. Bankers, including Stephen McCarthy of Ulster Bank and Ciaran Farrell of Irish Life and Permanent, testified that the loans were strictly for the 11 residential investment properties and that no alternative use was permitted. Both McCarthy and Farrell denied any special arrangements or receipt of money from Lynn. The trial continues with Judge Martin Nolan and a jury hearing the prosecution's case and rebuttal evidence. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
The trial of George Gonzaga Bento, a 36‑year‑old Brazilian food‑delivery cyclist, continues in the Central Criminal Court. He is charged with murdering 16‑year‑old Josh Dunne, who was stabbed to death on 26 January 2021 in East Wall. Prosecutors also allege that Bento produced a utility knife in a confrontation with a man on a moped, and that he assaulted two other young men on the same occasion. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to all four counts. A search of Bento's home on 27 and 28 January uncovered a blue‑handled utility knife behind the fireplace grate, his bicycle in the shed, and other items. Witnesses, including a former delivery cyclist, testified about Bento's fear of retaliation and his decision to stop working as a delivery cyclist due to safety concerns. The hearing continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury of five men and seven women.
The sentencing of Gavin Quinn, 27, and his younger brother Lee Quinn, 26, who assaulted Garda Alan Murphy on 30 March 2020, has been postponed to 17 June. Both pleaded guilty to assault and attempted serious harm, respectively, after being re‑arraigned on 1 March. The court was informed that a new victim impact statement had been served to the defence, and the accused requested more time to consider it before sentencing.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 36‑year‑old Brazilian food‑delivery rider, George Gonzaga Bento, is accused of murdering 16‑year‑old Josh Dunne on 26 January 2021 at East Wall Road. Testimony from fellow delivery cyclist Alex Lima, who knows Bento from Sao Paulo, states that Bento carried a utility knife used to cut fruit, not for protection. Lima also claims Bento had been attacked and had his bicycle stolen. Prosecutors allege Bento produced the knife during a confrontation with a man on a moped who had stolen another cyclist's bike, and that Dunne suffered two stab wounds, one penetrating a major artery. Bento is charged with murder, producing a knife likely to intimidate, and assault causing harm to two other young men. The trial continues with a jury hearing the evidence.
During the 47th day of the trial, Brid Murphy, wife of former solicitor Michael Lynn, testified that after his arrest in August 2013, she did not know whether he was alive or dead for five days. She described how he was taken into custody by five officers, then transported to a Brazilian prison where she was told he was not beaten. Murphy recounted her visits to the prison, noting strict visitation rules, the presence of armed guards, and the requirement to give half of her weekly food allowance to a prison "chaveiro" as tax. She also mentioned that Lynn had two more children while imprisoned and that he had become ill, prompting her to seek assistance from the Irish ambassador, which was denied. The trial, presided over by Judge Martin Nolan, continues with a jury. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
Retired Garda Sergeant Paul Barry testified at the Disclosures Tribunal in Dublin Castle regarding allegations of bullying and harassment by Superintendent Michael Comyns and targeting by Chief Superintendent Gerard Dillane. The tribunal is currently hearing evidence at the trial stage. Sgt Barry, formerly of Mitchelstown Garda Station, claimed he was forced to return to work in 2013 without a medical certificate due to financial pressure, as his absence was recorded as an 'ordinary injury' rather than a work-related illness, resulting in reduced wages. He stated he 'hated' returning to work and felt deliberately targeted to be punished financially. Sgt Barry alleged that Supt Comyns prevented the proper investigation of a child sexual assault allegation, which the DPP later directed not to prosecute in November 2015 due to lack of evidence. He further claimed that one alleged suspect was connected to senior gardaí, including Superintendent John Quilter and Chief Superintendent Anthony Quilter. Sgt Barry reported being unfit for duty from August 2012 to March 2013 due to work-related stress. His GP advised against his return without conditions, specifically avoiding contact with Supt Comyns. The tribunal, chaired by Mr Justice Sean Ryan, is examining these nine allegations, including claims of perverting the course of justice and compromised investigations.