A Dublin man who was suffering from a severe relapse of schizoaffective disorder when he killed his girlfriend was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Austin Mangan (53) was found not guilty of the murder of Maud Coffey (41) after a psychiatric evaluation concluded that he was unable to refrain from committing the act. The court heard that Mangan had a long history of mental illness, including bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder, and had been treated with electroshock therapy. He had stopped taking his prescribed medication and had been drinking heavily before the incident. Mangan told psychiatrists that he believed the deceased was the devil and that he heard Lucifer laughing at him. The court accepted the defense's argument that Mangan was unable to control his actions due to his mental state. The jury spent over seven hours deliberating before delivering the verdict. The judge committed Mangan to the Central Mental Hospital for inpatient care and ordered a psychiatric assessment.
A father-of-four was found guilty of manslaughter for killing an 'intruder' who had stolen from his unlocked van and entered his partner's car. Patrick Murphy (35) was not found guilty of murder but was convicted of manslaughter. The jury heard that Murphy stabbed 20-year-old Jordan Ronan, who had stolen a Revolut card from Murphy's van. Murphy claimed he was acting in self-defense, but the court found that the force used was excessive. The prosecution argued that Murphy's actions were disproportionate, as he armed himself with a knife and deliberately stabbed Ronan in the chest. The defense claimed Murphy acted out of panic after his property was violated. The jury viewed CCTV footage showing Ronan entering Murphy's van and partner's car before Murphy ran out with a knife. The court accepted that the Revolut card found on Ronan belonged to Murphy. The judge will sentence Murphy in January 2026, and the Ronan family will be invited to make statements. The jury spent over seven hours deliberating before delivering the verdict.
The Special Criminal Court heard that seven men conspired to import up to 600kg of cocaine, valued at up to €42 million, into Ireland. The defendants, Miljan Koprivica, Conor Costello, Gary Monks, Ryan Watson, Hanz Pangahin, Christopher Ampo, and Feljon Lao, all entered guilty pleas to conspiring to import drugs in excess of €13,000 under section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. Evidence presented by a Detective Inspector alleged the group operated in structured cells under the control of unidentified individuals. Three Filipino defendants were accused of loading the drugs onto the MV Royal in the Amazon, while four others with UK addresses formed a landing cell intended to collect the cocaine via a rigid inflatable boat. The landing crew was arrested at Meenogahane pier in County Kerry on January 12, 2025, after allegedly completing the transfer. The three men on the ship were subsequently arrested between January 15 and 17, 2025. The court heard that the defendants were instructed by figures using pseudonyms such as "Emaar Boss" and "Albert," and that EncroChat devices were used for coordination. The sentence hearing was adjourned to continue before Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, sitting with Judges Sarah Berkeley and Fiona Lydon.
Seven men, aged 32 to 55, are on trial at the Central Criminal Court, accused of 98 counts of sexually abusing a deaf woman between 1996 and 2013. All defendants deny the charges. The complainant, giving evidence via video-link with interpreters and an intermediary, alleged that Accused E (32) anally raped her at two locations. Accused E faces 16 counts of sexual abuse, nine counts of anal rape, and seven counts of rape. Accused A (55) is accused of one count of rape; Accused B (48) faces eight counts including rape and oral rape; and Accused G (45) is charged with one count of rape. Three brothers are also accused: Accused C (34) faces 45 counts of abuse, 22 counts of rape, and 23 counts of anal rape; Accused D (33) pleaded not guilty to 19 charges of rape and three counts of anal rape; and Accused F (32) denied five counts comprising anal rape and rape. Additionally, Accused C is charged with sexual assault of Complainant 2, two counts of rape and one count of anal rape of the same victim, and one count of anal rape of Complainant 3. The trial continues before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury.
A jury is set to return to the Central Criminal Court to continue deliberations in the trial of Patrick Murphy (37), who is accused of stabbing 20-year-old Jordan Ronan to death outside his home in what he claims was an act of self-defense. Murphy has admitted to stabbing Ronan but has pleaded not guilty to murder. The jury heard that Ronan suffered a single fatal stab wound to the chest during an encounter in the early hours of July 26, 2024. CCTV footage showed Ronan entering Murphy's van and then Mr Murphy's partner's BMW, where the fatal incident occurred. Gardai found a Revolut card belonging to Murphy on the deceased's body. The prosecution argued that Murphy's use of force was disproportionate, noting that he armed himself with a knife, ran out of his house, and deliberately stabbed Ronan in the chest, with the blade penetrating 18cm into his chest cavity. The defense, however, argued that Murphy acted out of panic in the heat of the moment after his home was invaded by an intruder.
A trial is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court involving seven men, aged 32 to 55, accused of 98 counts of sexually abusing a deaf woman between 1996 and 2013. The complainant, who gave evidence via video-link with interpreters, alleges abuse by her three uncles and four brothers. All accused deny the charges. Accused A (55) faces one count of rape; Accused B (48) faces eight counts of rape, oral rape, and anal rape; and Accused G (45) faces one count of rape. Four brothers are also charged: Accused C (34) faces 45 counts of rape and anal rape, plus separate charges regarding two other sisters, including sexual assault and rape. Accused D (33) pleaded not guilty to 19 counts of rape and three of anal rape. Accused E (32) denied nine counts of anal rape and seven of rape. Accused F (32) denied five counts of anal rape and rape. The trial, set down for four months, continues before a 15-member jury after a pause due to the complainant's hospitalization.
Patrick Murphy, a father of four, is on trial for stabbing Jordan Ronan to death, claiming it was in self-defense. Prosecution barrister Patricia McLaughlin SC argued that Murphy used disproportionate force and took the law into his own hands. The defense, led by Ronan Kennedy SC, claimed Murphy acted out of fear for his family's safety after an intruder entered his home. The jury was shown CCTV footage showing Ronan entering Murphy's van and then his partner's BMW, where the fatal stabbing occurred. The prosecution emphasized that Murphy's actions were not justified, while the defense argued Murphy was protecting his family from a perceived threat. The judge instructed the jury on the possible verdicts, including murder, manslaughter, or not guilty, and asked them to deliberate on the intent and proportionality of Murphy's actions.
Patrick Murphy, a father of four, is on trial for stabbing Jordan Ronan to death, claiming it was in self-defense. Prosecution barrister Patricia McLaughlin SC argued that Murphy used disproportionate force and took the law into his own hands. The defense, led by Ronan Kennedy SC, claimed Murphy acted out of fear for his family's safety after an intruder entered his home. The jury was shown CCTV footage showing Ronan entering Murphy's van and then his partner's BMW, where the fatal stabbing occurred. The prosecution emphasized that Murphy's actions were not justified, while the defense argued Murphy was protecting his family from a perceived threat. The judge instructed the jury on the possible verdicts, including murder, manslaughter, or not guilty, and asked them to deliberate on the intent and proportionality of Murphy's actions.
A Dublin man, Austin Mangan, is on trial for the murder of his girlfriend, Maud Coffey, with psychiatrists differing on whether he qualifies for a not guilty by reason of insanity verdict. A defence psychiatrist testified that Mangan was suffering from a severe relapse of schizoaffective disorder and met the criteria for the insanity defence. However, a UK psychiatrist argued that while Mangan had a mental disorder, he was capable of refraining from killing. Mangan, who has a history of mental illness and multiple hospital admissions, told the psychiatrist he had stopped taking medication prior to the incident and was under the influence of alcohol. He claimed he believed his girlfriend was mocking him and that he heard Lucifer laughing at him. The psychiatrist concluded that Mangan was unable to refrain from committing the act, but the prosecution's expert disagreed. The trial continues with the court considering the expert testimonies.
The trial of five bus operators accused of colluding to inflate school transport tender prices is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. Raymond Heney, Andrew Walsh, Noel Browne, Larry Hickey, and Anthony Flynn have all pleaded not guilty to alleged offences under the Competition Act 2002. The single charge against each accused alleges that between November 1, 2014, and December 31, 2016, they engaged in a concerted practice to prevent, restrict, or distort competition in the provision of school transport services. The prosecution alleges the men coordinated their bids to drive prices higher, affecting public funds. In his closing speech, defence counsel Dermot B Cahill SC argued that Heney acted as a consultant to assist other operators with administrative processes, stating that without him, there would be fewer drivers available to transport children to school. He contended that the accused were not a faceless corporation but local individuals supporting their trade. Conversely, prosecution counsel Dominic McGinn SC argued that the evidence showed a concerted practice to distort the market and load the dice against taxpayers. The jury is instructed to consider the evidence against each accused separately while viewing the overall context. The trial continues before Mr Justice David Keane.
A 31-year-old man who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his father by reason of insanity told his grandmother that he had killed her son when she was lying in her bed in a hospital ward. Ross O'Rourke (31) of Tullow, Carlow, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his father, Stefan Nivelles Posschier (65). During the opening of the trial, Shane Costelloe SC said that expert psychiatrists for both the prosecution and defence are in agreement about the accused's mental state at the time of the murder. The court heard that Ms Kingston, the grandmother of the accused, was in her bed in the hospital ward on October 25, 2022, when O'Rourke told her that he had killed her son. Gardai found the body of the deceased under plastic tarpaulin held down with bricks. The prosecution's case is that the accused caused the death of his father, and the court will hear evidence from expert consultant psychiatrists about the accused's mental state at the time.
Suzanne Mangan, the accused in the murder trial of Maud Coffey, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The Central Criminal Court jury heard that the 53-year-old man admitted to killing his girlfriend at the Horizon Building in Ashtown, Dublin 15, on January 13, 2023. Prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC stated that the accused told gardai he killed Ms Coffey, referencing "the devil, the bible and to the killing of Lucifer." Ms Coffey, 41, died from asphyxia and sharp force trauma. The prosecution noted the accused had a history of non-compliance with medication for mental health conditions, including schizoaffective disorder. While the defense's psychiatrist argued the accused met criteria for insanity, the State's consultant forensic psychiatrist, Dr Richard Church, opined the disorder's severity entitled the jury to consider diminished responsibility rather than a full finding of insanity. The defense, represented by Patrick Gageby SC, made formal admissions that the accused killed Ms Coffey. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury of seven men and five women.
Five school bus operators from Tipperary are on trial in the Central Criminal Court for allegedly colluding to distort competition in the provision of school transport services. The prosecution alleges that between 2014 and 2016, the accused engaged in a concerted practice to manipulate tender prices and allocate routes among themselves. Prosecution counsel Dominic McGinn SC stated that the accused discussed bidding strategies and pricing, which led to higher prices for taxpayers. The trial has heard that one of the accused arranged meetings to coordinate efforts, and that there was a degree of coordination among the parties. The prosecution argues that this was not a formal agreement but a form of collusion that distorted the market. The case is not about the importance of school transport for children but about the manipulation of public funds. The trial continues with the jury considering the evidence presented.
A jury has viewed CCTV footage of the moment Patrick Murphy, a father of four, fatally stabbed Jordan Ronan outside his home in what he claimed was an act of self-defence. Murphy has pleaded not guilty to murder, though he admitted stabbing Ronan. The trial heard that Murphy appeared slightly nervous when gardai arrived at his home shortly after the incident and muttered under his breath, calling the situation a 'load of bol****s'. Garda Dara Kelly presented CCTV footage from three houses on Drumcairn Avenue and a Ring doorbell, showing Murphy and Ronan between 3.07am and 3.13am. The footage indicated that Ronan approached Murphy's house, activating convenience lights in Murphy's van before moving to a BMW belonging to Murphy's partner. At 3.12am, Murphy was seen at the front door, and nine seconds later, he was seen standing back from the car. Garda James Cullen arrived at the scene and found Ronan being given CPR by firefighters. A Revolut card registered to Murphy was found on Ronan.
A jury has been sworn in to hear the trial of a 31-year-old man who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his father by reason of insanity. Ross O'Rourke, from Tullow, Carlow, is accused of murdering Stefan Nivelles Posschier at The Stables in Rattin, Kinnegad, Westmeath, between October 24 and 25, 2022. The accused entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial will be presided over by Mr Justice Paul McDermott and will involve a jury of five men and seven women. The trial is expected to last up to four days. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions is Shane Costello SC, while Michael Bowman SC represents the defence. Evidence will be presented by Dr Ronan Mullaney for the defence and Dr Anthony Kearns for the prosecution. The trial will commence tomorrow.
A 39‑year‑old man was tried at Galway Circuit Criminal Court for a single count of sexual assault that allegedly occurred on 28 October 2019 at a friend's rented accommodation in Galway. The complainant, a young woman, testified that after a night of drinks she and her friend slept in the bedroom, during which the accused allegedly touched her genital area, digitally penetrated her vaginally and rectally, and then left. She reported the incident to her mother and the Gardaí, and was examined at a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit. The accused pleaded not guilty. During cross‑examination the defence questioned the complainant's memory of the events and suggested the alleged activity was consensual, which she denied. The trial, presided over by Judge Brian O'Callaghan, is ongoing before a jury.
A Dublin man has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of a woman in an apartment in the capital two years ago. This afternoon, Ms Justice Melanie Greally swore a jury of seven men and five women to hear the trial of Austin Mangan (53), who is charged with the murder of Maud Coffey (41) at the Horizon Building in Royal Canal Park, Ashtown, Dublin 15 on January 13, 2023. Mr Mangan, with a previous address at Hollybank Road in Drumcondra but more recently of the Beaumont area of Dublin, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Ms Justice Greally said the trial will begin tomorrow and is likely to last up to six days. The case has drawn significant public and media attention, given the nature of the charge and the plea. The court is expected to hear detailed evidence over the coming days as the trial proceeds. The accused's mental state will be a central focus of the proceedings, with expert testimony likely to be presented.
A 60-year-old man is accused of threatening to behead his 91-year-old father during an alleged incident at their home in Rathfarnham earlier this year. Joe Kenny, of Glendoher Drive, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, appeared before Tallaght District Court charged with assaulting his father and causing him harm. He is also accused of producing a knife during the incident in a way that was likely to intimidate. The alleged incident occurred on 21 February last, following which Gardaí were called to the house after reports that the accused had threatened to 'cut the head off' his father during a row. Officers found the 91-year-old man had sustained a laceration to the skin on his neck, which bled but was not classified as a serious injury. It was alleged that the accused had held a six-inch carving knife to his father's throat during the incident. However, the alleged injured party withdrew his statement on 29 November, and the DPP must now consider how the prosecution is to proceed. Judge Patricia McNamara refused jurisdiction due to the seriousness of the charges.
The Prison Service has been ordered to pay €60,000 in compensation and find a suitable post for a prison officer, Kim Dempsey, who was left out of work with a chronic back injury following a serious assault on duty in 2017. The assault occurred at Midlands Prison in Co Laois, and Dempsey has required ongoing physiotherapy and pain management treatment. Despite re-training and promotion, managers insisted her only options were to retire or take a pay cut to become an administrative worker. Dempsey's lawyers argued that the Irish Prison Service's chief medical officer deemed her unfit for general duties but capable of an office job without a long commute. Dempsey used her leave to gain a qualification for a work training officer (WTO) post, but was not allowed to take up the Cloverhill position due to the need for regular prison office duties. The State argued that Dempsey was not medically capable of returning to any training officer or prison officer role.
A witness testified at a murder trial about his attempts to perform CPR on the lifeless body of a 20-year-old man who was seen running into a lamppost before becoming unresponsive. David Conlon recounted how he heard a loud roar and saw the young man running before hearing a loud smack as he hit the lamppost and fell back. Conlon and his wife went out to assist the injured man, who was found lying flat on his back with his eyes wide open. Conlon's wife called 999, and the dispatcher instructed him on how to perform CPR until emergency services arrived. Patrick Murphy, 37, admitted to stabbing Jordan Ronan but pleaded not guilty to murder. The trial heard that Murphy claimed he stabbed Ronan to protect his family or property. The jury was shown evidence, including the discovery of a single stab wound to the chest, and items found on Ronan, such as Valium tablets and cannabis. The trial continues as the court examines the intent behind Murphy's actions and the circumstances surrounding the stabbing.
A bride who fell from a second-storey hotel window on her wedding night, suffering serious injuries, has resolved her personal injury claim at the High Court. Jackie Sexton (nee Tyrrell) brought a case against Deebert House Hotel Ltd, Kilmallock, Co Limerick, following the incident that occurred in the early hours after her February 29, 2020, wedding. The hotel denied liability, claiming that windows had been properly fitted with restrictors in 2014 and were in compliance with building standards. Ms Sexton alleged negligence and breach of duty, arguing that the hotel failed to ensure her safety. She told the court that she and her husband returned to the hotel around 3:30am and went to room 217. She said she was smoking a cigarette at the window when she fell, and the next thing she remembered was waking up in hospital the following day. Her husband found her missing from the bedroom and heard her moaning from below the window. Ms Sexton suffered multiple fractures, a collapsed lung, and other injuries, which significantly impacted her life and career.
A gunman who claims he was taking 'industrial quantities' of cocaine when he shot his wife's brother-in-law with a submachine gun can be found guilty of manslaughter if a jury determines he had a mental disorder or was so intoxicated that he did not form an intention to kill. Christopher Devine, 44, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The court heard that the accused was suffering from substance-induced psychotic disorder, but the prosecution argued he was not mentally ill but highly intoxicated. The judge explained that the jury could find him guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility or due to intoxication. The trial concluded with the jury beginning their deliberations, and the case will return to court on Monday.
A prosecution barrister has told a Central Criminal Court jury that Christopher Devine, who is on trial for the murder of Michael Tormey, acted with a functioning mind and full intent when he fired a machine gun at his friend. Garret Baker SC argued that the accused deliberately drove to the victim's house twice and fired two bursts of five bullets, showing clear intent to kill. He dismissed the defense's claim that Devine was suffering from a mental disorder, stating that forensic psychiatrist Dr James Walsh found the accused was suffering from cocaine intoxication, not a mental illness. Baker emphasized that even if intoxicated, the accused's brain was functioning and he had a clear intention to kill. He also criticized the defense psychiatrist's findings as too vague and unreliable. The accused has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial continues with the jury considering whether the accused's intoxication diminished his responsibility for the act.
In a Dublin trial, Christopher Devine, aged 44, admitted to killing Michael Tormey, 49, but denied murder, pleading guilty to manslaughter. A psychiatrist, Dr John Hillery, testified that Devine suffered from a substance‑induced psychotic disorder caused by cocaine, which diminished his capacity to control himself. Hillery noted Devine's self‑reported "shovelling big shovels of shit up his nose" and erratic behaviour over 18 months of daily cocaine use. He also described Devine's paranoia, fear of being followed, and belief that a firearm had gone missing. Forensic psychiatrist Dr James Walsh disagreed, stating Devine met criteria for cocaine intoxication rather than a mental disorder. The trial, before Justice Melanie Greally and a 12‑person jury, continues tomorrow. The article does not report any verdict or sentencing. Christopher Devine pleaded not guilty.
A jury has been sworn in for the trial of a 37-year-old man charged with the murder of 20-year-old Jordan Ronan in Dublin last year. At the Central Criminal Court today, Patrick Murphy, of Drumcairn Parade, Tallaght, was charged with the murder of Jordan Ronan at Drumcairn Avenue in the early hours of July 26, 2024. The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge. Defence counsel is Ronan Kennedy SC, while the prosecution is led by Patricia McLaughlin SC. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo said the trial is expected to finish by December 19. The trial commences tomorrow before Mr Justice Naidoo and a jury of eight men and four women. The case has drawn significant public and media attention, with the court proceedings expected to last several weeks. The accused has been remanded in custody and is expected to face a range of charges related to the incident. The court has scheduled a number of hearings over the coming weeks to ensure the trial proceeds efficiently.
Aer Lingus pilot Declan McCabe, 53, testified at a tribunal that he delayed reporting an incident where his aircraft failed to pick up a navigation beacon due to fear of retribution from senior staff. McCabe was demoted after the June 2023 incident and is pursuing complaints against the airline under various acts. He explained that the situation did not involve a 'false localiser capture' as per the manual and that he believed safety was not compromised. McCabe claimed he feared retaliation from senior pilot Colm Wynne, who had previously disciplined him over fatigue issues. He later filed an internal safety report, stating he delayed it due to fear of retribution. The tribunal heard that Aer Lingus maintains safety was its priority and that McCabe's decision not to report the incident was his own.
A father-of-six, Christopher Devine (44), has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael Tormey (49) but guilty to the manslaughter of the deceased, who was shot five times in his front garden in Ballyfermot on January 9, 2022. The trial heard that Mr Tormey suffered severe injuries, including rib fractures and partial lung collapse. The defence is expected to call a consultant psychiatrist who will testify that the accused was suffering from substance-induced psychotic disorder at the time. However, the prosecution argues that Mr Devine was not suffering from a mental disorder but was under the influence of cocaine. Detective Garda Janette O'Neill testified that she found two discharged cartridge cases in the car used by the accused. Detective Sergeant Mark Collander stated that a Heckler & Koch submachine gun, a rare firearm in Ireland, was used in the shooting. Mr Devine told gardai that he was best man at Mr Tormey's wedding but now faces the tragic reality of having shot his friend.
A detective, Det Garda Eamonn Cunnane, successfully applied to the High Court to argue that an investigation into the incident where he loaned an unclaimed bicycle to a vulnerable elderly neighbour caused his mental and physical deterioration, amounting to an 'injury while on duty'. The detective loaned the bicycle during the Covid pandemic to give it to an elderly, vulnerable man. He was suspended and faced disciplinary action. After being cleared of any wrongdoing, he returned to full-time duty. However, he seeks to overturn a decision by Garda superiors refusing the restoration of full pay for the six-month period of March to September 2024. The court granted the application for leave for judicial review and adjourned the matter to February.
A man who was shot dead in his front garden was struck by five bullets which went through his body, causing bleeding, rib fractures and partial lung collapse, a murder trial has heard. Christopher Devine (44), with an address at Convent Lawns, Kylemore Road, Ballyfermot in Dublin 10 has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Michael Tormey (49) at Thomond Road in Ballyfermot in the early hours of January 9, 2022. The jury has heard that a consultant psychiatrist to be called by the defence will give evidence that the accused was suffering from a mental disorder called substance-induced psychotic disorder at the time. However, it is the State's case that the accused man was not suffering from a mental disorder and instead meets the criteria for cocaine intoxication. State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster told Garret Baker SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, that she carried out a post mortem on Mr Tormey's body in the Dublin District Mortuary on the day of the shooting.
The daughter of a cocaine addict who admits to killing but denies murdering his brother-in-law when he opened fire on him with a submachine gun in his front garden has told the trial that her father would think there were people in the walls who were 'coming to get him' when he took the drug and wouldn't recognise his own family. The prosecution's case is that the accused man was not suffering from a mental disorder at the time but met the criteria for cocaine intoxication. The accused, Christopher Devine, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Michael Tormey. Jodie Devine, the daughter, testified that her father had a cocaine issue and that he began taking the drug when she was eight or nine years old. She said that after September 2021, the accused would take cocaine four times a week. She described how her father would avoid his children and become paranoid.
A mother who killed her three children while suffering from a mental disorder is challenging a coroner's decision to limit medical evidence in the inquests into their deaths. Deirdre Morley, a paediatric nurse, was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the 2020 killings of her children. Her lawyers are seeking a judicial review of the coroner's decision to exclude medical professionals who treated her before the incident from giving evidence. The coroner instead plans to rely on expert testimony from psychiatrists who gave evidence at Morley's trial. Morley's legal team argues that the inquest would be inadequate without assessing her mental state at the time of the killings. The High Court granted an application to expedite the matter, with the case adjourned to December 8.
A man who admitted to killing but denied murdering his relative with a submachine gun was not found to be suffering from a mental disorder, according to the prosecution. Christopher Devine (44) pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder in the 2022 shooting of Michael Tormey (49) in his front garden. The prosecution argued that the killing was murder and that the accused was under the influence of cocaine, not suffering from a mental disorder. Evidence suggested that Devine had consumed significant quantities of cocaine before the incident. The prosecution will call two psychiatrists as expert witnesses, with one claiming that Devine had a substance-induced psychotic disorder and the other stating that he met the criteria for cocaine intoxication. The trial will continue with the jury considering the issue of diminished responsibility.
A 44-year-old man, Christopher Devine, who admits to killing a man in west Dublin nearly four years ago but denies murder, will go on trial at the Central Criminal Court. Devine is charged with the murder of Michael Tormey (49) at Thomond Road in Ballyfermot on January 9, 2022. When arraigned before the court, Devine pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The plea was not accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions, and a jury was sworn to hear the trial. The trial will begin tomorrow morning and is expected to last two weeks. The court heard that Devine had admitted to killing Tormey but denied that it was murder, leading to the trial to determine the charge. The case will be heard before Ms Justice Melanie Greally, who will oversee the proceedings.
At the Central Criminal Court trial of seven family members accused of sexually abusing a deaf woman, the complainant testified that Accused G, her 45-year-old uncle, raped her when she was seven. Accused G denies this single count of rape alleged to have occurred between 1996 and 1997. The trial involves six other men, including three uncles and four brothers, who face a total of 98 counts of sexual abuse spanning 1996 to 2013. All defendants deny the charges. Accused A, 55, faces one count of rape. Accused B, 48, is accused of eight counts involving rape, oral rape, and anal rape. Accused C, 34, faces 45 counts against the complainant and additional charges regarding two other sisters, including sexual assault, rape, and anal rape. Accused D, 33, pleaded not guilty to 19 counts of rape and three counts of anal rape. Accused E, 32, denied nine counts of anal rape and seven counts of rape. Accused F, 32, denied three counts of anal rape and two counts of rape. The complainant gave evidence via videolink with interpreters and an intermediary. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs noted clarifications from monitoring teams regarding interpretation accuracy. The trial continues before a 15-juror panel.
Sean McGovern has been granted legal aid to cover a team of four barristers in his trial for murder and directing a criminal organization. The Special Criminal Court approved the application after the State did not make any observations. McGovern, who was extradited from the United Arab Emirates, faces charges related to the murder of Noel Kirwan and directing a criminal organization. The court noted that the matter was likely to be complex and emphasized the need for the trial to proceed. McGovern's legal team requested the same representation as the Director of Public Prosecutions, which was granted. The court adjourned the matter for mention in the New Year and directed that video link facilities be made available for McGovern. The court previously expressed concerns about the lack of detail in McGovern's application and emphasized the need for due diligence in the use of public funds.
Conor McGregor has been granted permission to serve legal papers on Sky News for alleged defamation following his civil trial last year, where he was found liable for the rape of Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel. At the High Court, Paul O'Higgins SC, representing McGregor, successfully applied to Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty to serve plenary summons papers on Sky News UK, Sky News Ltd, and Sky News Ireland. The application was made due to the one-year time limit for defamation cases, which is set to expire on November 22, 2025. O'Higgins stated that a Sky News reporter allegedly called McGregor a rapist during a media scrum outside the Four Courts in Dublin. McGregor was ordered to pay nearly €1.5M in legal costs after the jury awarded Hand almost €250K in damages. McGregor denied the assault and lost his appeal, with new witness evidence withdrawn on the first day of the appeal. He is now awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court on whether to hear his appeal.
The Central Criminal Court trial of seven men accused of sexually abusing a deaf family member continued, with the jury hearing evidence from the complainant regarding Accused B. The 48-year-old uncle is accused of eight counts of rape, oral rape, and anal rape between December 2008 and December 2010, charges he denies. The complainant, testifying via videolink with sign language interpreters and a linguistics intermediary, described alleged incidents, including one on New Year's Eve 2013. The court paused proceedings after Ms Justice Caroline Biggs identified difficulties in the complainant's communication regarding timelines. She instructed counsel to adapt their questioning methodology to ensure clarity, noting the witness's limited linguistic ability to convey sequence. The trial involves six other accused: Accused A (55), accused of one count of rape; Accused C (34), facing 45 counts against the complainant and additional charges involving two sisters; Accused D (33), who pleaded not guilty to 19 counts of rape and three of anal rape; Accused E (32), denying nine counts of anal rape and seven of rape; Accused F (32), denying five counts; and Accused G (45), denying one count of rape. All defendants deny the allegations. The trial, expected to last four months, was adjourned to allow legal teams to regroup and refine their approach to the witness.
A Muslim security guard, Rana Shaheer Ebrahim, who claimed a colleague at the National Gallery of Ireland slipped rashers into his bag, has lost his claim for racial and religious discrimination. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) rejected his statutory complaints against the National Gallery of Ireland and staffing agency Osborne Recruitment. Adjudication officer Niamh O'Carroll expressed serious concerns about the authenticity of the forms submitted by Ebrahim. Gallery management stated that Ebrahim was let go early from a temporary contract in May 2024 due to persistent punctuality issues. He had been rostered for 35 shifts and was late for 11 of them. Despite being placed on a performance improvement plan, Ebrahim did not raise any discrimination claims before losing his job. Ebrahim alleged that a colleague used a racial slur and that pork rashers were placed in his bag during Ramadan. However, the WRC found no evidence of discrimination, noting that Ebrahim did not follow the proper grievance process.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Billy Burns, 55, who is accused of murdering his mother, Miriam Burns, 75, by reason of insanity, continued before Justice Karen O'Connor. Mr Burns has pleaded not guilty to the charge. State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster testified that the deceased died from asphyxia by manual strangulation associated with blunt force trauma to the head. She reported extensive trauma, including bruises on the head, face, neck, back, and legs, a fractured nasal bone, and bruising consistent with multiple blows. Evidence of petechial haemorrhages and neck bruising indicated manual strangulation, while abrasions suggested defensive injuries or suffocation. Dr Bolster stated that no significant natural illness, drugs, or alcohol contributed to the death. The prosecution alleges the fatal injuries were inflicted on August 12 or 13, 2022, while the body was found on August 15. Defence psychiatrist Eugene Morgan stated Mr Burns meets the criteria for the special verdict due to bipolar affective disorder, whereas prosecution psychiatrist Dr Stephen Monks argued he understood the nature of his actions. The matter is ongoing and has not been finalised.
A jury deadlocked in a High Court case brought by former Garda John Bowe, aged 41, who alleged he was wrongfully struck by a 6'8″ Garda with a baton after a high‑speed pursuit outside Bunclody, Co. Wexford, on 5 December 2014. Bowe, who had been convicted of dangerous driving following the chase, claimed the baton strike by Superintendent Rory Sheriff caused injuries and a diagnosis of functional neurological disorder. Sheriff maintained the strike was proportionate and justified, citing a 25‑minute chase at speeds over 140 kph and an alleged attempt by Bowe to attack him with a metallic object that turned out to be keys with bottle openers. The case also named the Garda Commissioner, the Attorney General and Ireland.
Nobuhle Sibanda, Agapau Munashe Zvihari, Nombeko Hlabangana, Tatenda Ncube, Allen Phillip Ndhlovu, and Nicola Sibanda are applicants in a trial-stage hearing before the Workplace Relations Commission. They allege violations of the Payment of Wages Act 1991 against their former employer, Unity Healthcare Services Ltd. The applicants claim they paid recruitment fees of €2,000 to €3,600 to secure work permits but were left without promised employment or wages. They testified to living in freezing shared accommodation in County Cavan, where they allegedly pooled resources for basic necessities after promised weekly stipends ceased. The company actively disputes these complaints. During the hearing, applicants described threats regarding work permit cancellations and difficulties obtaining letters of no objection to accept alternative employment. The matter was adjourned by adjudication officer Breiffni O'Neill, who will hear evidence from a ninth complainant at a later date. No findings, sentences, or final disposals have been recorded, as the proceedings remain ongoing.
In a High Court hearing on 13 November 2025, former Garda John Bowe (41) alleged that he was wrongfully and violently struck by Superintendent Rory Sheriff, a 6'8″ former rugby player, during a high‑speed chase that took place outside Bunclody, County Wexford, on 5 December 2014. Bowe, who had been driving at speeds over 140 kph for 25 minutes, was pursued through a field and, according to Bowe, turned back at Sheriff with a metallic object that turned out to be keys with bottle openers. Sheriff claimed he used his baton in proportionate force after Bowe lunged at him. Bowe was later convicted of dangerous driving offences arising from the chase. He now seeks compensation for alleged injuries, claiming a functional neurological disorder, and has denied that the baton strike was justified. The case is pending jury deliberation.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, Billy Burns, aged 55, was accused of murdering his 75‑year‑old mother, Miriam Burns, between 12 and 15 August 2022. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and admitted to killing her. The jury heard that Burns had previously broken his mother's jaw in 1993 and had a history of verbal abuse and drug use. Witnesses, including his siblings Sharon and Shane Kelleher, testified that Burns was often violent and that their mother had tried to help him despite fearing his aggression. Gardaí interviewed Burns on 16 August 2022, during which he denied responsibility for the murder and claimed he had not killed his mother. The trial continues before a jury of eight men and four women.
In a High Court hearing on 12 November 2025, Garda Superintendent Rory Sheriff, 6'8", defended his use of a retractable baton against former Garda John Bowe, 41, during a 25‑minute, high‑speed chase outside Bunclody, Co. Wexford. Sheriff claimed the chase involved speeds over 140 kph and that Bowe, who was driving an Audi, had a metallic object that turned out to be keys with bottle openers. Sheriff said Bowe lunged at him with the object, prompting the superintendent to strike Bowe's head with full force, aiming for the torso, after being informed by a colleague that Bowe had a knife. Bowe was arrested, later diagnosed with a functional neurological disorder, and sued Sheriff, the Garda Commissioner, the Attorney General and Ireland for alleged injuries. Sheriff maintains his actions were proportionate and justified, and he has no regrets. The case is set for jury deliberation before Mr Justice Micheál O'Higgins.
In a trial in Killarney, the State argues that Billy Burns, 55, who strangled his mother Miriam Burns, 75, while experiencing a manic or hypomanic episode of bipolar disorder, understood his actions and is guilty of murder. The prosecution, led by Sean Guerin SC, presents evidence that Burns was mentally ill at the time but still committed the acts that caused his mother's death. Witnesses describe a violent encounter on 12 August, with Burns shouting abuse and later returning to the house, where he strangled Miriam. Burns' defence, represented by Anthony Sammon SC, admits the killing and the manner of death but contends that his client's psychiatric illness meant he did not understand the nature or wrongness of his actions. The trial will consider the impact of Burns' mental state and possible intoxication on his culpability. The case is heard before Ms Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
A key witness in the trial of Ruth Lawrence at the Central Criminal Court suffered a heart attack requiring hospitalisation during proceedings, creating significant complications for the case. The witness, who had provided crucial testimony following a garda investigation that began over a decade earlier, was unable to attend court in person. The prosecution successfully applied for his evidence to be delivered via video-link, arguing this had become standard practice. The defence objected strenuously, contending the jury required to see the witness in person given the serious nature of the allegations. The trial judge ruled the application admissible, citing fairness to the accused and the impracticality of further delay. During the case, defence counsel also attempted to introduce evidence relating to the defendant's involvement in charitable work abroad, which the judge deemed irrelevant and excluded. A subsequent application to withdraw one murder charge was rejected, with the judge finding sufficient evidence of joint enterprise to allow the matter to proceed to the jury.
The Central Criminal Court will hear a fifth day of deliberations in the trial of Ruth Lawrence, 46, who is accused of shooting drug dealer Eoin O'Connor and another man, Anthony Keegan, between 22 April and 26 May 2014. Lawrence, originally from Clontarf, Dublin, was extradited from South Africa in 2023 and has pleaded not guilty to both murder charges. The jury, composed of 12 members, has been considering verdicts for 12 hours and may return a majority verdict on one or both counts if at least ten jurors agree. The prosecution, led by Michael O'Higgins SC, argues that Lawrence and her boyfriend Neville van der Westhuizen acted as a unit to lure and murder the victims, while the defence, represented by Patrick Gageby SC, contends that key witnesses, the Symes, are unreliable. The trial continues with the jury scheduled to return on Wednesday morning to finalize their verdicts.
A 55‑year‑old Kerry man, Billy Burns of Arlington Lodge, Tralee, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his 75‑year‑old mother, Miriam Burns, at her home in Ardshanavooley, Killarney, between 12 and 15 August 2022. He was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on 11 November 2025, where he answered the murder charge with the plea. The trial will be heard by a jury of eight men and four women, sworn in on the same day. Justice Karen O'Connor, presiding, informed the jury that the case is expected to conclude by the end of next week, with a possible extension of one or two days. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions is Sean Guerin SC with Ronan Prendergast BL, while Burns is represented by Anthony Sammon SC and Kate O'Connell. The judge noted Burns' background as a native of County Kerry who had worked as a waiter some years ago.
The jury in the trial of Ruth Lawrence, accused of shooting drug dealer Eoin O'Connor and murder suspect Anthony Keegan, has been allowed to return a majority verdict. The panel of four men and eight women began deliberations on Thursday and have spent eight hours and 21 minutes over three days. Lawrence, 46, pleaded not guilty to both murder charges. The judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, explained that a majority verdict could be accepted if at least ten jurors agreed, and that an alternative verdict of "guilty of assisting an offender" could be used only if the jury found her not guilty of murder. The trial has heard statements from protected witnesses Jason and Stacey Symes, who claimed Lawrence told them she had shot O'Connor and that Neville van der Westhuizen, a South African national, was involved.
In the Central Criminal Court, State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers testified that a boy who died on 16 March 2021 suffered extensive bruising across his face, back, chest, arms and legs, with severe head and liver injuries. The bruises varied in colour and age, and the brain showed swelling, subdural haemorrhage and axonal injury, indicating rapid head movement and impact against a hard surface. The liver lacerations suggested blunt abdominal trauma, likely from a punch or kick. Dr Okkers rejected the claim that the injuries were caused by a fall from a bunk bed, noting that such falls rarely produce the observed head trauma. She concluded the cause of death was a traumatic head injury combined with blunt force abdominal trauma. The stepmother, a woman in her 30s, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial, presided by Mr Justice Paul McDermott, continues with a jury of four women and eight men.