In a coercive control trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a 52‑year‑old man charged with intimidation, endangerment, assault and coercive control pleaded not guilty to 13 assault counts, one endangerment count and one intimidation count. The alleged endangerment involved pushing the 43‑year‑old woman toward a bridge rail in Dublin, creating a risk of death. Assault allegations include burning her foot with a cigarette, pushing her down stairs, head‑butting, punching, standing on her head, stamping on her arm and strangling her. The woman denied that injuries she claimed were self‑harm, rejecting counsel's suggestion that the bridge incident and neck marks were self‑inflicted. She admitted self‑harm between 2002 and 2012, including burning her arm with a cigarette, but insisted the accused inflicted the injuries. The trial continues before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.
Philip Dunbar, aged 20, is accused of stabbing Adam Muldoon, aged 23, 183 times in Tallaght on 22–23 June 2018. He pleaded not guilty to murder. Dunbar told police and psychiatrists he was drunk and on drugs when he entered the field where Muldoon's body was found the next morning, claiming a blackout and hallucinations. Judge Paul McDermott instructed the jury that if they are convinced beyond reasonable doubt that Dunbar carried out the stabbing, they must consider whether intoxication negated the intent to kill or cause serious injury. If that is reasonably possible, the conviction would be manslaughter rather than murder. The jury began deliberations this afternoon and will return to the Central Criminal Court on Monday.
Bernard Fogarty, 32, of Donaghmede, Dublin, faces trial in the Special Criminal Court for unlawful possession of a submachine gun. He is accused of holding an RAK PM‑63 at his Hole in the Wall Road address on 7 March 2020, an offence under Section 27A(1) of the Firearms Act. The state solicitor applied for a non‑jury hearing, which was granted by Justice Tony Hunt. Fogarty and his counsel were not present at the ex‑parte application. The case is scheduled for a hearing on 9 November, under Section 49 of the Offences Against the State Act.
In the Central Criminal Court, Philip Dunbar, aged 20, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 23‑year‑old Adam Muldoon, who was stabbed 183 times in Butler Park, Jobstown Park, Tallaght, on 22 or 23 June 2018. His barrister, Giollaiosa Ó Lideadha SC, argued that the prosecution had not proved Dunbar had the intent to kill or cause serious injury, citing Dunbar's intoxication and long‑term drug use. Ó Lideadha highlighted that Dunbar had no memory of the incident, having blacked out after approaching the victim. He challenged the reliability of a prosecution witness who claimed Dunbar admitted "slaughtering" Muldoon, pointing out ten fundamental problems with that witness's evidence. The barrister urged the jury to consider that Dunbar's intent was not established, given his intoxication and the circumstances surrounding the crime. The judge, Paul McDermott, began addressing the jury, with proceedings to continue the next day.
In a coercive control trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a 52‑year‑old Dublin man is charged with coercive control, intimidation, endangerment and multiple assaults against his former partner. He pleaded not guilty to one count of controlling behaviour between 1 January and 22 September 2019, and to 13 assault counts, one endangerment and one intimidation count covering May 2018 to January 2020. The endangerment charge involves an alleged incident on a Dublin bridge where the man pushed the woman toward the railings, creating a serious risk of death or injury. Assault allegations include burning her foot with a cigarette, pushing her down stairs, head‑butting, punching, standing on her head, stamping on her arm and strangling her. A medical witness presented 12 reports, the latest dated 12 September 2019, detailing bruises, scratches, strangulation marks on the neck, fractured noses, swelling, and a 6‑cm cut on the back of her head that required seven stitches.
In the trial of Sean Nolan, accused of murdering his partner Amanda Carroll, the jury has been deliberating for a fifth day. The case centers on a binge‑drinking session that began early in the day and continued into the night, during which Nolan allegedly strangled Carroll in her bedroom. Defence counsel argued that Nolan was too intoxicated to form intent, seeking a manslaughter verdict. The prosecution maintained that a drunken intent still constitutes intent to kill. The jury, composed of six men and six women, has spent over seven hours across four days considering the verdict. The judge instructed the jurors to remain silent about the case and to return tomorrow morning for a final decision. The trial is still ongoing, with no verdict yet reached. Sean Nolan pleaded not guilty. Amanda Carroll pleaded not guilty.
The Central Criminal Court heard a jury deliberating the murder trial of Sean Nolan, 36, accused of strangling his partner Amanda Carroll, 33, in her Dublin apartment after a binge‑drinking session. The jury, composed of six men and six women, had spent six hours and 22 minutes over three days considering their verdict. Defence counsel Michael O'Higgins argued that Nolan was too intoxicated to form the intent to kill, seeking a manslaughter verdict on the basis of lack of intent. The prosecution, led by Shane Costelloe, maintained that Nolan's 20‑second strangulation constituted intent to kill or cause serious injury. The case involved evidence of alcohol, sedatives, and other drugs in Carroll's system, and testimony that Nolan had put his hand on her neck and over her mouth. The jury was instructed to return a unanimous verdict of either guilty of murder or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.
In a coercive control trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a 52‑year‑old man pleaded not guilty to a range of charges involving his former partner. He faced one count of coercive control, one count of intimidation, one count of endangerment and 13 counts of assault causing harm, with the assault allegations spanning from May 2018 to January 2020. The endangerment charge stemmed from an incident at a Dublin bridge where the accused allegedly pushed the woman toward the railings, creating a substantial risk of death or harm. The assault accusations included burning her foot with a cigarette, pushing her down stairs, headbutting, punching, standing on her head, stamping on her arm and strangling her. A Garda witness reported that the accused was arrested on 22 September 2019, charged the following day, and that he repeatedly declared "not guilty." The case is proceeding before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.
Two peace activists, Colm Roddy (78) and Dave Donnellan (60), were charged with unlawful criminal damage after allegedly cutting through the perimeter fence of Shannon Airport, walking onto the runway for about 45 minutes, and spray‑painting red crucifixes on the runway. They claimed their actions were a protest against the use of the airport by US military aircraft, arguing that such presence violated Irish neutrality and made the airport a legitimate target under international law. Both men pleaded not guilty. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court over nine days. A jury of eleven men and one woman returned unanimous not‑guilty verdicts on the two charges. Judge Karen O'Connor thanked the jurors, the defendants, and their lay legal advisors for their conduct during the trial. The trial focused on whether the defendants' belief that their actions were justified could constitute a lawful excuse for the alleged damage.
In the trial of Sean Nolan, 36, for the murder of his partner Amanda Carroll, 33, a jury asked the judge whether intoxication could negate intent. Defence counsel argued Nolan was too drunk to form intent, seeking a manslaughter verdict. The judge explained that voluntary intoxication can reduce murder to manslaughter if the prosecution fails to prove intent to kill or cause serious injury. He also clarified that "serious injury" is a matter of judgement. Nolan had been involved in a road collision earlier that day, fled the scene, and was later arrested after the body was found. The jury will return to decide between a murder or manslaughter verdict. The case is heard at Homestead Court, Quarry Road, Cabra. The judge emphasized that the jury must remain unanimous. The prosecution maintains that Nolan intended to kill when he strangled Carroll for 20 seconds. The trial continues. Sean Nolan pleaded not guilty.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, a 20‑year‑old Dublin man, Philip Dunbar, accused of stabbing a homeless man 183 times, was examined by consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Brenda Wright. She stated that Dunbar was intoxicated at the time of the alleged offence and that, if not intoxicated, he would not have behaved as he did. Dr Wright found no mental disorder qualifying for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity or diminished responsibility. She described Dunbar's experiences of hearing voices and seeing outlines of faceless bodies as pseudo‑hallucinations caused by substance use, noting his voluntary use of alcohol, cannabis, prescription pills, and other drugs. She concluded that intoxication is excluded as a mental disorder under the Criminal Law Insanity Act and that Dunbar's blackout was partial. The defence closed its case after her testimony, and the jury will hear closing speeches on Tuesday.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 5 May 2016, 78‑year‑old Colm Roddy and 60‑year‑old Dave Donnellan were charged with criminal damage for cutting a perimeter fence and painting crucifixes on a runway at Shannon Airport. The judge, Karen O'Connor, explained that a defendant's belief that their actions were lawful does not need to be justified if it is honestly held. She told the jury that the defendants claimed their protest was to oppose the use of the airport by US military, arguing that such presence made the airfield a legitimate target under international law. The judge instructed jurors to decide whether the defendants' belief was honestly held and whether their actions were reasonable in the circumstances they perceived. The prosecution was required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendants' excuse was not lawful. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
During the eighth day of a trial in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Colm Roddy (78) and Dave Donnellan (60) defended their actions of cutting a perimeter fence and painting crucifixes on a runway at Shannon Airport on 5 May 2016. They pleaded not guilty to criminal damage without lawful excuse. Roddy argued that the US military's use of the airport as a forward operating base for 17 years, with 2.5 million troops transiting, made him complicit in "destruction and torture" and that his protest was a lawful excuse to raise awareness. Donnellan claimed that the breach of neutrality and the transformation of the airport into a legitimate military target were not measurable in millimetres, and that his actions aimed to protect human life. Judge Karen O'Connor reminded the jury that the prosecution must negate any defence of lawful excuse. The trial continues at Kings Inns.
In a remote hearing on 22 October 2020, Mr Justice Bernard Barton, who oversees High Court civil jury trials, said he intends to have such trials back in the New Year. He acknowledged that no civil jury trials will take place this year because of the Covid‑19 pandemic, noting that next February will mark a full 12 months since the last civil jury action was heard. The judge stressed that the international health emergency would not be used to abolish civil jury trials, adding "Not on my watch." He said all possible steps will be taken to resume jury trials when the next legal term begins in January, hoping to set aside three or possibly four weeks for them. He also noted that the court had offered parties the option of judge‑only trials this term, but Level 5 restrictions made that impossible, and only cases of extreme urgency could be heard before the next term.
In a murder trial, a forensic pathologist, Dr Carl Gray, testified that many of the 183 stab wounds on the body of Adam 'Floater' Muldoon, a homeless man with cerebral palsy, were deliberately placed rather than random and some may have been inflicted after death. He noted the symmetry and even spacing of the wounds, suggesting a possible mental illness or abnormal state of mind in the assailant. Dr Gray agreed with the cause of death determined by Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster and stated that the mental state of the accused, Philip Dunbar, is for the jury to decide. Dunbar, aged 20, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Muldoon, aged 23, at Butler Park in Jobstown Park, Tallaght, on 22 or 23 June 2018. The trial continues with the prosecution's evidence concluded and the next day's proceedings scheduled before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of six men and five women.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a 52‑year‑old man is charged with coercive control, intimidation, endangerment and multiple assaults against his former partner. He pleaded not guilty to one count of controlling behaviour between 1 January and 22 September 2019, and to 13 assault counts, one endangerment and one intimidation between May 2018 and January 2020. The endangerment charge involves an incident at a Dublin bridge where the accused allegedly pushed the woman toward the railings, creating a substantial risk of death or harm. Assault allegations include burning her foot with a cigarette, pushing her down stairs, head‑butting, punching, standing on her head, stamping on her arm and strangling her.
A jury of twelve, consisting of six men and six women, is deliberating a verdict in the trial of Sean Nolan, 36, who is accused of murdering his partner, Amanda Carroll, 33, by strangulation in her Dublin apartment on 21 October 2018. Nolan pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The judge, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, instructed the jurors to focus on Nolan's statements about his actions and the role of intoxication, noting that voluntary intoxication may be a defence to murder. He warned that if doubt exists regarding Nolan's intent due to intoxication, the jury must acquit him of murder. The jury may return either a guilty verdict for murder or a not‑guilty‑of‑murder but guilty‑of‑manslaughter verdict. The trial is ongoing, and no final judgment has been reached.
In 2022, Gerard McKenna, 50, of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, will stand trial for impeding the investigation into the murder of 17‑year‑old Keane Mulready Woods. The teenager was last seen alive on 12 January, after which dismembered body parts were found in a holdall in Coolock, Dublin, and later the head, hands and feet were discovered in a burning car in Drumcondra. Mr Justice Michael White set the trial to start 17 January 2022, noting a three‑week duration and a temporary suspension of new trials for four weeks due to Covid‑19 backlog.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a 52‑year‑old man charged with coercive control, intimidation, endangerment and multiple assaults against his former partner pleaded not guilty to 14 counts. The charges cover incidents from May 2018 to January 2020, including an alleged endangerment at a Dublin bridge where he pushed the woman toward railings, and assault allegations such as burning her foot with a cigarette, pushing her down stairs, head‑butting, punching, standing on her head, stamping on her arm and strangling her. A civilian witness, a former colleague of the complainant, testified that the woman always had bruises when she saw the accused with his partner, a condition absent while they worked together. She described the woman's physical injuries and emotional state after a night out, and noted the accused's harsh remarks. The trial is proceeding before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Sean Nolan, 36, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in the death of his partner Amanda Carroll, 33, who died on 21 October 2018. Defence counsel Michael O'Higgins argued that Nolan was too intoxicated to form intent, describing the death as accidental and citing witnesses who saw Nolan caring for Carroll. The prosecution, led by Shane Costelloe, maintained that Nolan intentionally strangled Carroll for 20 seconds, arguing that intoxication does not negate intent. Evidence included Carroll's blood containing alcohol, sedatives, and cocaine, and a pathologist's testimony that asphyxiation caused her death. The jury was instructed to decide whether Nolan intended to kill or cause serious injury, with the case centred on the question of intent under severe intoxication. The trial was set to continue the following day.
The trial of Philip Dunbar, 20, who has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of 23-year-old homeless man Adam 'Floater' Muldoon, continued before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. The prosecution presented evidence from Detective Garda Mark Shortt regarding a mobile phone attributed to Mr Dunbar. Shortt testified that a text exchange was found on the device, sent on the evening following the alleged stabbing in Butler Park, Jobstown Park, Tallaght, on June 22 or 23, 2018. The messages included statements such as "I'm killing myself tonight" and a request to delete the messages. Mr Dunbar has accepted carrying out the stabbing but claims no memory of the incident. Mr Muldoon's body was found with 183 stab wounds. Additionally, the mother of an unnamed friend, protected by a court order, testified that her son had previously stated Mr Dunbar visited him with a knife and admitted to the stabbing. She reported her son expressed concern for Mr Dunbar's safety and begged her not to disclose the information. The matter was adjourned and the trial continues tomorrow.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 20 October 2020, Judge Martin Nolan expressed concern over Paul Rooney, a 30‑year‑old with an acquired brain injury sustained in 2003, who had repeatedly committed crimes. Rooney had attacked Garda Patrick Barker in January 2019 after attempting to steal a bike on Beaver Street, punching the officer five to six times and cutting his nose. Rooney's mother and brothers were present and his mother administered medication to calm him. Rooney pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting a Garda and had 37 prior convictions, including criminal damage, theft and handling stolen property. The judge accepted the defence's argument that Rooney's brain injury was significant but noted his recent escalation in offending. He questioned the court's role, said only one tool remained, and adjourned the case to 25 March 2021, ordering immediate return if Rooney commits further offences.
During the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, Colm Roddy (78) and Dave Donnellan (60) pleaded not guilty to criminal damage for cutting a perimeter fence and painting crucifixes on Shannon Airport's runway. The defendants claimed their actions were driven by a moral and legal duty to oppose the use of the airport by the US military, citing human rights abuses in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. Donnellan said he carried a wooden cross and a banner reading "US Military and CIA out of Shannon Airport" to protest the airport's role in facilitating military operations. Roddy asserted that he had protested for 14 years and sought to have the US Airforce Learjet searched for "murderous machinery." Gardaí questioned the legality of their claims, noting that the defendants' actions could have caused serious harm and that no one was injured. The trial remains ongoing.
In a coercive control trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a 52‑year‑old man was charged with coercive control, intimidation, endangerment and multiple assaults against his former partner. He pleaded not guilty to one count of controlling behaviour between 1 January and 22 September 2019, and to 13 assault counts, one endangerment count and one intimidation count covering May 2018 to January 2020. The endangerment charge involved an incident at a Dublin bridge where the accused allegedly pushed the woman toward the railings, creating a serious risk of death or injury. Assault allegations included burning her foot with a cigarette, pushing her down stairs, head‑butting, punching, standing on her head, stamping on her arm and strangling her. Witness testimony described the woman's injuries and the accused's claim that he had "saved her" by taking her off the street. The case is pending before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.
Sean Nolan, 36, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of 33‑year‑old Ms Carroll in Dublin. He told detectives he had put one hand on her neck and the other over her mouth after she called him by her ex‑boyfriend's name and said she never loved him. Nolan said he had no intention to kill and that the death was accidental. He claimed he had been angry, wanted her to sleep, and panicked when he realised she was dead. He described the incident as a brief struggle lasting about 20 seconds. The court heard that Carroll's body was found in her apartment, her death caused by compression of neck and mouth, with drugs in her system. The trial continues with the jury hearing closing arguments.
Sean Nolan, a 36‑year‑old electrician, was arrested after Garda detectives found him on Navan Road following the discovery of Amanda Carroll's body in her Dublin apartment. Nolan denied murdering Carroll but admitted to choking her, saying he had "freaked" and spent the day walking around. He claimed he had put a hand over her mouth and another around her neck while they were lying in bed, and that he tried to wake her the next morning. The body, found by her 16‑year‑old son, showed bruising on the neck, blood on the nose and scrapes on the forehead. Nolan pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial, held at Homestead Court, focused on the circumstances of the alleged choking and the presence of sedative drugs in Carroll's system. The case is still pending before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath and a jury.
During a trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Pat O'Brien, head of airport police at Shannon Airport, testified that he had never considered the airport a legitimate military target. He described inspecting the perimeter fence after the alleged 2016 incident where Colm Roddy (78) and Dave Donnellan (60) allegedly cut the fence and painted red crucifixes on the runway. O'Brien noted the fence appeared cut and folded back, emergency repairs costing about €300, with total estimated repairs at €3,500. Maintenance manager Mark Reidy explained the costs were estimates because the repair programme was ongoing. O'Brien also mentioned the airport's plans to respond to major incidents such as aircraft crashes, bomb scares, chemical spills and terrorist attacks. The trial continues before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury. Colm Roddy pleaded not guilty. Dave Donnellan pleaded not guilty.
In a coercive control trial, a 43‑year‑old woman accused a 52‑year‑old Dublin man of holding a knife to her throat and of multiple assaults. She said she would kill herself first "before I let him do it to me". The accused is charged with coercive control, intimidation, endangerment and 13 counts of assault. The endangerment charge involves an incident on a Dublin bridge where he allegedly pushed her toward the railings. Assault allegations include burning her foot, pushing her down stairs, head‑butting, punching, standing on her head, stamping on her arm and strangling her. The trial is before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury, with the accused pleading not guilty to all counts. The case continues at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
At the Special Criminal Court, Carol Davis, 45, pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering and terrorist financing for the period 2014‑2016. She admitted knowingly converting, using, transferring, taking possession of or handling money that was the proceeds of crime, via an EBS account in her own name. The plea covers the period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2016. Davis is the second person to plead guilty in this case; the first was Jonathan Harding, 48, who pleaded guilty to five similar counts. Davis was remanded on bail until 9 November, while Harding was remanded in custody until the same date. The case involves 20 offences under Section 7 of the Criminal Justice Act 2010, of which three were accepted by the State for the specified period. The court will hear full facts in the case.
In the Central Criminal Court, 20‑year‑old Philip Dunbar, accused of stabbing a homeless man 183 times, testified that he felt guilty for not staying with his mother on the night she died. His grandmother, Mary Dunbar, gave evidence that Philip had been caring for his ill mother and had planned to stay with her that night, but instead stayed with her grandmother. She described Philip's upbringing, his mother's drug problems, and his own mental health struggles, including suicidal thoughts and hearing voices. Mary Dunbar also recounted Philip's movements on the night of the alleged murder, noting that he had been with a youth who had been with him all night. She said Philip had taken responsibility at Tallaght Garda station but could not remember the incident. The trial continues before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of eleven. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
During the Central Criminal Court trial of 20‑year‑old Philip Dunbar, his aunt Doreen (Donna) Dunbar testified about the death of 23‑year‑old Adam 'Floater' Muldoon, whom Dunbar is charged with murdering. She described how, on the morning Muldoon's body was found in Butler Park, she had called her mother and learned that the accused was present with another person. She then called the accused three times to ask if he knew what had happened. He answered that he did not remember much and began crying. Dunbar said she brought him to her home and later to Tallaght Garda Station, where he admitted to being involved in a murder. She also noted that he had taken tablets and heard voices before the stabbing, and that he offered to show officers where he had thrown the knife, which was recovered from a small lake. The unnamed 20-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Two peace activists, Colm Roddy, 78, and Dave Donnellan, 60, were tried in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for criminal damage to the perimeter fence and runway at Shannon Airport on 5 May 2016. They pleaded not guilty. The court heard that Detective Sergeant Con Ryan, now retired, met the men in the terminal after they were brought there by airport police. He reported that Roddy spoke most of the time, complaining about American actions in the Middle East and Syria, and that the pair had entered the airfield by lifting the wire and passing under a gate. Ryan tried to explain the danger of animals or objects on the runway potentially threatening inbound flights, but the men refused to accept these concerns and returned to their comments about US bombings. Roddy told Gardaí that he had a lawful excuse and was trying to prevent a greater illegality at Shannon. The trial continues before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury.
A senior FBD executive, Kate Tobin, admitted it was "somewhat unfair" that the insurer had told Noel Anderson, owner of the Dublin bar/restaurant Lemon and Duke, that his business disruption policy would cover losses caused by Covid‑19, only to withdraw that cover weeks later. Anderson, whose partners include rugby players Sean O'Brien, Dave and Rob Kearney, and Jamie Heaslip, had switched to FBD believing its policies covered coronavirus. He was outraged when FBD informed him after the March shutdown that the policy did not cover pandemic‑related losses. Tobin, speaking by video link, acknowledged the withdrawal was unfair and explained that the email sent in early March was vague. She said that if she had known at the time, she would have advised that the policy did not cover a general quarantine or government‑mandated lockdown.
During a coercive control trial, a 43‑year‑old woman testified that she sometimes stormed away from her partner before any physical injury occurred, saying she "knew what was coming." She admitted that she would sometimes become hysterical during arguments, believing that being loud might stop him because she expected violence. The accused, a 52‑year‑old Dublin man, is charged with coercive control, intimidation, endangerment and multiple assaults. He has pleaded not guilty to one count of controlling behaviour and to 13 counts of assault, one count of endangerment and one count of intimidation. The trial is ongoing before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury. The woman also discussed shared alcohol problems and denied certain allegations about burning her foot and pyjamas. The case continues tomorrow.
In a High Court hearing, Paul Shanahan, a Business Development Executive at FBD Insurance, admitted he mistakenly informed Noel Anderson, managing director of the 'Lemon and Duke' bar, that FBD's business disruption policy covered losses caused by the Covid‑19 outbreak. Shanahan said he had emailed Anderson in early March stating the policy covered Covid‑19 related losses in the event of a forced closure, but after a meeting with publican representatives and senior FBD staff on 17 March he learned the policy did not cover such losses. He expressed concern, informed Anderson of the insurer's position, and sought guidance from his line manager on handling the bar's claim. Shanahan testified before Mr Justice Denis McDonald, under cross‑examination by Michael Cush SC, and stated he would never have misled a customer about coverage. FBD's Chief of Underwriting, Kate Tobin, also testified that confusion within the insurer led to the final position that Covid‑19 was not covered.
Colm Roddy (78) of Bayside Walk, Dublin 13 and Dave Donnellan (60) of Reuben Street, Rialto, Dublin have both pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Court to criminal damage of the perimeter fence and runway at Shannon Airport in Co. Clare on May 5, 2016. During the trial, Sergeant Mark Brown, who has over 20 years of experience as part of the airport police, stated that he did not recall receiving any training in international law regarding the presence of the US military at the airport. He acknowledged that Shannon Airport is a legitimate military target under international law but said he had received training to deal with major incidents. Donnellan questioned whether the presence of the US military alongside civilians at the airport without restrictions posed any special security concerns. He noted that he and Roddy were not challenged during their time at the airport and were only stopped when they approached a US military Learjet.
Sean Nolan, 36, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court, charged with murdering his partner, Amanda Carroll, 33, in her Dublin apartment on October 21, 2018. Nolan has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, heard evidence from Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster. She testified that Ms Carroll's cause of death was complex, resulting from compression of her neck and mouth, complicated by the ingestion of sedative-type drugs. Dr Bolster noted that while the death could not have occurred without asphyxia, the drugs had an added effect. She identified injuries consistent with manual strangulation and blunt force trauma to the mouth, alongside bruising on the neck and jaw. Although abrasions on the face were consistent with a prior road traffic accident, the pathologist stated that a significant amount of force was not required to cause strangulation. Under cross-examination, she acknowledged it was possible that the force used would have resulted in non-fatal injuries had drugs and alcohol not been present. Prosecution counsel Shane Costelloe SC argued that Nolan intended to kill or cause serious injury. The jury also heard from Ms Carroll's son, Denis, who discovered her body. The trial continues on Friday.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 43‑year‑old woman gave video‑link testimony about her former partner's alleged abuse. She said he forced her to sit naked on the couch while he verbally abused her, calling her names and threatening to kill her family. She recalled a "bad day" in summer 2019 when he repeatedly made her sit naked and threatened to kill her father, brother, and grandchildren, insisting she watch. The accused, 52, faces charges of coercive control, intimidation, endangerment and multiple assaults. He pleaded not guilty to one count of controlling behaviour and 13 counts of assault, one count of endangerment and one of intimidation. The trial, presided over by Judge Elma Sheahan, continues tomorrow with a jury. The woman described a life of fear and loss of privacy during the relationship, and said she has since returned to full‑time work and normal family life. The case remains at the trial stage.
In a coercive control trial, a 52‑year‑old Dublin man was charged with intimidation, endangerment, multiple assaults and controlling behaviour toward his former partner. He pleaded not guilty to 13 assault counts, one endangerment count involving a bridge incident where he allegedly pushed the woman toward railings, and one intimidation count. The woman, aged 43, gave evidence via video‑link, describing a series of violent acts: burning her foot with a cigarette, pushing her down stairs, head‑butting, punching, standing on her head, stamping on her arm, strangling, and cutting her face and neck with a pizza slicer. She also alleged he threatened to circulate naked images of her online and to her family if she did not withdraw assault allegations. The trial is set to continue before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Colm Roddy, 78, and Dave Donnellan, 60, pleaded not guilty to criminal damage charges for allegedly cutting the perimeter fence and runway of Shannon Airport on 5 May 2016. Prosecutor Tony McGillicuddy presented evidence that the defendants used bolt cutters and spray paint to mark red crosses on a substation and the runway, claiming €3,500 in damage. Garda Corporal Thomas Dillon testified that he and colleagues were on duty that night, observing the men near a US aircraft and noting their requests for a search of the plane. Dillon described the men's actions and his own warning of the men's weapons. The defendants questioned the Garda's duty to protect US military aircraft. The case remains before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury.
In a murder trial held on 13 October 2020, a 17‑year‑old accused of stabbing a homeless man 183 times offered to show the police where the murder weapon was. The teenager, Philip Dunbar, 20, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 23‑year‑old Adam 'Floater' Muldoon, who was found dead in Butler Park, Tallaght, on 23 June 2018. Garda Shane Whelan testified that he was called to Tallaght Garda Station early on 24 June, where he met Dunbar and his grandmother. Dunbar claimed he knew he had killed Muldoon and could not remember the stabbing. He offered to show the police the location of the knife, which was later found in a small lake at Seán Wash Park after the lake was drained. Dr James Maloney examined Dunbar and found him fit for interview, recommending a psychiatric assessment. Dunbar denied being under the influence of drugs, describing himself as alert and coherent.
In a High Court hearing on 13 October 2020, Noel Anderson, Managing Director of the Dublin bar Lemon and Duke, testified that he had been assured by FBD that its insurance policy covered business disruption losses caused by Covid‑19. Anderson switched insurers in early March after learning the previous policy did not cover pandemic‑related losses. He claimed FBD had assured him of coverage for wages, losses and rent during lockdowns, and that the policy covered up to €3.2 million. In April, FBD informed Anderson it would not provide coverage, which he described as disingenuous. Anderson, who has partners including rugby players, argued that the policy's plain‑English wording indicated coverage for Covid‑19 closures. The case is part of a group of four pubs suing FBD for breach of contract over pandemic‑related business interruption claims. The hearing continues.
Sean Nolan, 36, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of his partner Amanda Carroll, 33, who was found dead in her apartment on 21 October 2018. The trial heard that Nolan and Carroll had been involved in a road‑traffic collision earlier that day, fled the scene, and were later intercepted by Gardaí. Nolan was under the influence of an intoxicant; his blood was taken for drink‑driving or drug‑driving concerns. Carroll was arrested under the Public Order Act, struck out at Gardaí, and was handcuffed with her hands behind her back. A taxi driver, Andrew Farrell, testified that Nolan told him he loved Carroll and that she was a "great girl" hours before the killing. The prosecution argued that Nolan's act of putting his hands on Carroll's throat and mouth intended to kill, making him guilty of murder rather than manslaughter. The case is set to continue before Mr Justice Michael MacGrath and a jury.
A 52‑year‑old Dublin man appeared before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 12 October 2020, denying 17 charges of coercive control, intimidation, endangerment and multiple assaults against his partner. He pleaded not guilty to one count of controlling behaviour at various locations, including their home, between 1 January and 22 September 2019. He also pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of assault causing harm, one count of assault, one count of endangerment and one count of intimidation between May 2018 and January 2020. The endangerment charge involves an alleged incident at a Dublin bridge where he pushed the woman toward the railings, creating a substantial risk of death or harm. The assault allegations include burning her foot with a cigarette, pushing her down stairs, head‑butting, punching, standing on her head, stamping on her arm and strangling her.
Philip Dunbar, aged 20, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 23‑year‑old Adam 'Floater' Muldoon, who was found stabbed 183 times in Butler Park, Tallaght, on 22 or 23 June 2018. Dunbar told Gardaí he had taken 15 "upjohn" tablets and had been hearing voices for weeks, which sometimes urged him to harm himself. He claimed he could not remember the stabbing, describing it as a blank moment, and said he would never have killed Muldoon in a sober mind. Dunbar admitted he had been "chilling" with a friend the day before and that he had helped Muldoon over a wall before an argument. He also stated he had thrown the knife into a body of water in Sean Walsh Park. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of eleven.
The High Court heard evidence on the fourth day of a test case brought by four pubs against Insurers FBD regarding pandemic-related losses. Stephen Cooney, a director of the Loyola Group which includes the Leopardstown Inn, testified that the hospitality trade has become much tougher since March. He stated that his business suffered immense losses and described FBD's response as a 'wall of silence,' noting that litigation was pursued as a last resort. Cooney denied claims that his business had declined prior to the closure, attributing a pre-closure drop to St Patrick's Day falling on a Tuesday. He argued the FBD policy covered business interruption from disease outbreaks, citing examples like Foot and Mouth. The applicants, including Sinnotts Bar, The Leopardstown Inn, Lemon & Duke, and Sean's Bar, claim FBD breached contract by refusing to indemnify them for closures ordered by the government due to contagious disease outbreaks within 25 miles. FBD disputes this, arguing a pandemic does not fit the policy clause. Counsel for FBD, Remy Farrell SC, noted a media-related issue had been resolved. The hearing was adjourned and continues next week.
Trevor Byrne, 41, of Finglas West, was present in the Special Criminal Court on 9 October 2020 after the High Court transferred his trial from the Circuit Criminal Court. The transfer followed an order to send him for trial before the non‑jury Special Criminal Court, which he refused to accept. Byrne faces several charges stemming from incidents in 2010 and 2011, including armed robbery at a bookmaker in Swords, robbery of €1,490 at Boyle Sports, possession of a firearm with intent to commit robbery, seizure of a vehicle by threat of force, false imprisonment of a woman, and a threat to kill her between Thornleigh Avenue and Kilshane Cross. Solicitor Michael O'Donovan requested a month to gather witnesses and reported that a Garda had attempted to serve the order, but Byrne declined to accept it. The case was adjourned to 9 November, when Byrne is scheduled to appear in the Special Criminal Court on an unrelated matter.
A 28-year-old man from County Meath has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of James Gately at a Dublin filling station in May 2017. Caolan Smyth has also denied charges of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. A 52-year-old County Louth man, Gary McAreavey, pleaded not guilty to assisting an offender by purchasing petrol and helping to burn out the vehicle used in the shooting. The trial, heard before the Special Criminal Court, was told that Mr Gately was shot five times at the Topaz garage on Clonshaugh Road and subsequently underwent surgery. The prosecution's case relies substantially on CCTV evidence tracking the movements of a black Lexus at the scene and at locations connected to the injured party, as well as evidence of the vehicle being found burned out in County Louth approximately one hour later. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and two other judges.
In the Central Criminal Court, teenage son Denis Carroll, aged 18, broke down while testifying about his mother Amanda Carroll's death. He described finding her unresponsive in her bedroom on 21 October 2020, noting her puffy cheek, coldness, and lack of breathing. Carroll had been in a long‑term relationship with Sean Nolan, 36, who was accused of murdering her. Denis recalled earlier incidents of the couple's volatile, alcohol‑driven arguments, including a confrontation over Nolan's ex‑partner. He also mentioned that Nolan had threatened to leave the apartment and that Carroll had tried to retrieve keys from him. Denis's testimony highlighted the suddenness of the death and his emotional distress, as he smashed his iPhone and cried during the hearing. The trial, presided over by Justice Michael MacGrath, continues with a jury hearing the case of Nolan's murder plea. The proceedings are expected to last up to three weeks. Sean Nolan pleaded not guilty.
In October 2018, Amanda Carroll, 32, was strangled to death by her partner, Sean Nolan, 36, in Cabra, Dublin 7. The couple had begun a volatile relationship about four months earlier, exacerbated by heavy alcohol consumption. On the day before Carroll's death, they engaged in a binge‑drinking session that began early and continued across various Dublin locations. Nolan, intoxicated, crashed his car at 5.30 pm and was arrested; Carroll was also detained for a public order offence. Both were released around 8 pm. They resumed drinking, were observed intoxicated between 10 and 11 pm, and were later seen entering Carroll's apartment on CCTV. The next morning, Carroll's son, then 16, discovered her body in her bedroom. Nolan was subsequently arrested, questioned, and re‑arraigned. He pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, while the prosecution argued he intended to kill or cause serious injury.