In the Louth woman's trial at the Central Criminal Court, Dr Sally Linehan, a consultant forensic psychiatrist, testified for the prosecution. She reported that she had produced two reports on Paula Farrell, the 46‑year‑old accused of murdering her boyfriend Wayne McQuillan. In the 2015 report, Dr Linehan noted that Farrell had not experienced flashbacks or hearing voices at the time of the alleged offence, but she did meet the criteria for post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In the 2019 report, Farrell admitted to intrusive dreams about childhood sexual abuse but did not recall memories of abuse at the time of the 2014 killing. Dr Linehan was not satisfied that Farrell had a dissociative reaction during the incident. She agreed with the defence psychiatrist that Farrell suffered from PTSD, alcohol dependence, hypersensitivity, hyper‑vigilance and emotional instability, and that she had a passive death wish but no plan to harm herself. The jury will hear closing speeches tomorrow. Paula Farrell pleaded not guilty.
In a 2019 trial at the Central Criminal Court, 46‑year‑old Paula Farrell of Drogheda pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter for killing 30‑year‑old Wayne McQuillan on New Year's Day 2014. She admitted stabbing him four times and claimed he had tried to rape her, an allegation she said stemmed from childhood sexual abuse. A forensic psychiatrist testified that Farrell suffered from post‑traumatic stress disorder due to that abuse. Dr Kevin Lamb, a clinical psychologist, testified that Farrell's IQ was around 70, placing her in the lowest two percent of the population, and argued that this limited her ability to plan the killing. He also noted that Farrell's mental state, intoxication, childhood abuse and alleged sexual assault together contributed to the incident. The prosecution highlighted McQuillan's injuries and suggested he had fought back, while the defence maintained Farrell's narrative. The court heard these conflicting accounts during the trial's ninth day.
In the Louth murder trial, 46‑year‑old Paula Farrell pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter for killing 30‑year‑old Wayne McQuillan on New Year's Day 2014. She admitted stabbing him four times after he allegedly tried to have sex with her and began strangling her. Farrell testified that she had been abused as a child between ages seven and fourteen, and that she had reported the abuse to an adult who ensured her safety. She also disclosed that she had told a Rape Crisis Centre counsellor in 2016 that she felt "helpless like a child" when McQuillan tried to rape her. A forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Brenda Wright, testified that Farrell had long‑standing alcohol dependence, post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), hypersensitivity, hyper‑vigilance and emotional instability, and that her childhood abuse had significantly increased her risk of these mental health difficulties. The trial continues with the prosecution cross‑examining the witness.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 19 July 2019, Judge Michael White ordered separate trials for Paul O'Beirne, 36, and Jeffrey Morrow, 37, who had pleaded not guilty to the murder of 25‑year‑old Vincent Ryan. Ryan was shot dead on 29 February 2016 while parked outside his partner's home on McKee Road, Finglas. The judge directed a separate trial for Morrow and announced that O'Beirne's trial would continue before a jury next Tuesday, with the case still expected to conclude on 8 August. Acting State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan had previously stated that Ryan died after being shot three times, one bullet passing through his head. Vincent's partner, Kelly Smyth, testified that she and their five‑week‑old daughter were in the car when the shooting occurred, and that Ryan was found seriously injured and bleeding in the driver's side of the vehicle before being pronounced dead later that day. The trial remains ongoing.
Tomasz Paszkiewicz, 39, was remanded in custody at the Central Criminal Court following a trial where he was found not guilty of murder but guilty of the manslaughter of Marek Swider. The jury reached a majority verdict after nearly five hours of deliberation. Paszkiewicz had pleaded not guilty to murder and guilty to manslaughter regarding the death of his housemate, who died of two stab wounds inflicted with a boning knife on January 1, 2018, in Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan. Prosecutors argued the case involved high culpability, citing the use of a lethal weapon, lack of provocation, and the accused's failure to assist the victim. Defence counsel urged the court to view it as a medium-culpability case, highlighting Paszkiewicz's remorse, lack of prior convictions, and cooperation with gardai. Paszkiewicz testified that he was ashamed and that human life is priceless. Ms Justice Tara Burns adjourned the matter, stating she will pass sentence on Thursday next.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Paula Farrell, 46, denied that she lied to the jury about an alleged rape attempt by her boyfriend, Wayne McQuillan, whom she stabbed to death in 2014. She had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. During cross‑examination, Farrell said she and McQuillan were likely arguing over a trivial matter and that she was not letting him dominate her when she stabbed him. She also claimed he had tried to have sex with her and had begun strangling her before she went to the kitchen for a knife. Farrell admitted she had not made these statements in earlier Garda interviews or in consultations with female doctors, and that the State first learned of the allegation in May of the following year. The prosecution, led by Gerard Clarke SC, will continue cross‑examining her tomorrow.
In a Drogheda murder trial, 46‑year‑old Paula Farrell pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter for stabbing partner Wayne McQuillan, 30, four times on New Year's morning 2014. She told the jury she did not intend to kill him, only to hurt him as he had hurt her, and expressed remorse, saying she missed him "so much". Farrell recounted a history of sexual abuse from age seven to fourteen, heavy drinking from age nineteen, and ongoing depression and anxiety. She described the night's events: an argument, McQuillan's alleged sexual advances, her strangulation attempt, and her subsequent stabbing of him twice at the kitchen door, with a fourth stab to the side. She claimed she was "numb" and "blank" when stabbing, and that she had not intended to kill him. The trial proceeded before Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury of four men and eight women.
In a Drogheda home, Paula Farrell, 46, stabbed her boyfriend Wayne McQuillan, 30, to death. She told Garda Yvonne Geraghty that the fight was likely over a trivial matter and that she was not letting him get the better of her when she stabbed him. Farrell described McQuillan as a lovely, good person and herself as "good craic." She admitted that they had argued and that he had knocked her, causing her to fall. She then went to her kitchen, took a knife from her block, and stabbed him four times. Farrell said she did not intend to kill him and that she had apologized to him after the incident. She is on trial at the Central Criminal Court, pleading not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The case is currently at the trial stage.
A man accused of armed robbery at a Dublin post office in January 2016 has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Keith Murtagh, aged 34, is charged with robbing €3,174.54 from Roebuck post office on Farmhill Road, Goatstown, along with possession of a shotgun and shotgun cartridge. The prosecution alleges that two armed men arrived in a blue Subaru Impreza and demanded money and safe access, with one discharging a shotgun at the counter. The State's case relies partly on forensic evidence: tracksuit trousers found in a Renault Scenic vehicle, in which Mr Murtagh was a passenger days later, contained glass fragments matching those from the post office counter. A shotgun cartridge recovered from the abandoned getaway vehicle bore the defendant's DNA. The defence argues the evidence is circumstantial and suggests confirmation bias in the investigation. The trial before Judge Melanie Greally continues.
The Central Criminal Court heard evidence in the ongoing trial of Paula Farrell, 46, who is charged with murdering her boyfriend, Wayne McQuillan, in their Drogheda home on January 1, 2014. Farrell has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that McQuillan died from a fatal stab wound to the left shoulder that severed the subclavian vein and punctured the lung. He noted that while the injury was severe, there would have been a reasonable expectation of survival had prompt medical attention been received. Curtis also identified high levels of alcohol in the deceased's system, describing it as gross intoxication. Witnesses reported seeing McQuillan covered in blood, initially mistaking it for a red Liverpool jersey, and noted that an ambulance delay resulted in him being transported to hospital in a Garda car. The trial continues before Justice Carmel Stewart.
In a Drogheda trial, 46‑year‑old Paula Farrell pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter after stabbing 30‑year‑old Wayne McQuillan four times on 1 January 2014. She claimed he had attacked her, citing injuries including a bite mark on her cheek, bruises, and a large bruise on her neck, all described as fresh by Dr Marlien Mienie. Farrell said she had schizophrenia and depression, last taking medication on 30 December. Witnesses reported McQuillan's trousers were down at his ankles after the stabbing, and that Farrell told Gardaí she was attacked and did not mean to kill him. The case is heard before Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, the jury heard that 46‑year‑old Paula Farrell of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, allegedly told teenagers not to call an ambulance after her boyfriend, 30‑year‑old Wayne McQuillan, asked them to do so. Farrell, who pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, is charged with killing McQuillan on New Year's Day 2014. The prosecution described a drunken argument in the house, during which Farrell allegedly took a kitchen knife and stabbed McQuillan four times, one of which penetrated the left lung and caused massive internal bleeding. McQuillan was taken to hospital by Gardaí, suffered cardiac arrest, was revived, then died after a second arrest. The trial continues the following day before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury of eight women and four men.
Ms Paula Farrell, 45, admitted killing 30‑year‑old Wayne McQuillan in her Drogheda home on New Year's Day 2014. She denied murder, pleading not guilty to that charge but guilty to manslaughter. The plea was rejected, and Mr Justice Michael White called a jury of eight women and four men to hear her trial, which will last about 12 days and begin before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart on Tuesday afternoon.
Richard McLaughlin, 32, is standing trial at the Central Criminal Court for the alleged murder of Jimmy 'James' Loughlin, 20, at Connolly Street, Sligo, on February 24, 2018. McLaughlin pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity when arraigned before a jury. The prosecution, led by Fiona Murphy SC, stated that the accused admitted to attacking the deceased with a crowbar in a "vicious manner" which resulted in his death. The sole issue for the jury is whether McLaughlin possessed the necessary mental element to commit the murder. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC admitted that McLaughlin committed the acts causing Mr Loughlin's death and that the deceased was entirely innocent. Grehan further stated that any thoughts McLaughlin had about the victim were "delusions coming from his mind" with "no truth whatsoever." The prosecution indicated that two consultant psychiatrists and a garda will provide evidence regarding the accused's mental state and the circumstances of the incident. The trial is presided over by Ms Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury of eight men and four women. The matter is ongoing, with the trial expected to last up to two days.
A meat factory worker was convicted of manslaughter but acquitted of murder at the Central Criminal Court following a trial in July 2019. Tomasz Paszkiewicz had pleaded guilty to manslaughter and not guilty to murder in connection with the death of Marek Swider on Dublin Street, Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan on 1 January 2018. The court heard that Paszkiewicz stabbed the 40-year-old Polish man twice with a boning knife after a dispute during a New Year's Eve poker game at their shared home. The accused had lost several hundred euros and attempted to reclaim the money. A witness testified that Swider returned to the living room holding his stomach, stating he had been stabbed. Swider died following surgery. The defence argued that Paszkiewicz's statements to gardaí indicated lack of intent, while the prosecution characterised the killing as deliberate and brutal. The jury deliberated for almost five hours before reaching a majority verdict. Justice Tara Burns remanded Paszkiewicz in custody pending sentencing on 15 July.
The rape trial of a Dublin man collapsed after the complainant left on a ferry to the UK during her cross‑examination. Ms Justice Carmel Stewart directed the jury to acquit the accused, citing a High Court judicial review that found the prosecution's delays inexcusable and blameworthy. The accused, aged 15 when the alleged rape occurred in August 2014, was charged as an adult in January 2017. He had pleaded not guilty and his lawyers had sought to restrain the prosecution on the basis of the delays. The court heard that the complainant had a troubled background and had become uncontactable after leaving on a ferry. The judge noted the complainant's father had discovered alleged admissions by the accused on her phone, which had been delayed for analysis. The judge concluded that the delays did not outweigh the public interest in proceeding to trial, but the absence of the complainant led to the acquittal.
During the murder trial of Paul O'Beirne and Jeffrey Morrow, Dr Rebecca Weld presented DNA evidence linking a bulldog to a car seat cover found at the accused's home. Dr Weld, a PhD in animal identification and former director of Weatherbys DNA laboratories, had examined DNA from a black cocker‑spaniel named Lily and an English bulldog named Bailey in 2016. She matched a partial DNA profile from a white hair on the cover to Bailey, noting the probability of a match with another dog was one in a billion. The cover, recovered from a bin in O'Beirne's garden, was similar to a canvas sheet from Joseph Cogan's stolen Volkswagen Golf GTI, which he claimed was used to protect his car from dog hairs. Cogan had provided hair samples from his fawn bulldog and black cocker‑spaniel. The prosecution argues the fatal shots were fired from the Golf. Paul O'Beirne pleaded not guilty. Jeffrey Morrow pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, a 35‑year‑old man was found guilty by a jury of sexually assaulting the younger son of a childhood friend, while the older son was acquitted. The man had lived with the family for five months in 2012 and occasionally stayed with them thereafter. The trial presented DVD recordings of the eight‑year‑old boy's interview with specialist Gardaí, where he described the accused as "not nice", "hating" him, and "having sex with me", explaining that the man pulled down his trousers and made him touch his own genitals. The older boy, now 17, was also interviewed; he described the accused as the "person who did the things to me", stating that the man "had sex with me, meaning mating", and that he was forced to touch the man's genitals. The unnamed 35-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has begun deliberations in the murder trial of a meat factory worker from Cavan. The accused, a 39-year-old, admits killing his housemate with a boning knife from his workplace but denies murder, instead pleading guilty to manslaughter. The victim, a 40-year-old Polish man, died from two stab wounds to his upper body following a New Year's Eve poker game at their home on Dublin Street, Ballyjamesduff on 1 January 2018. Prosecution counsel argued the case was straightforward, characterising it as an angry response to losing money at cards, followed by an armed assault. The defence maintained there was insufficient evidence of intent to kill or cause serious injury. The jury of seven men and five women retired to consider their verdict on the afternoon of 3 July 2019 and adjourned for the night, set to resume deliberations the following morning. The unnamed 39-year-old pleaded not guilty.
During a search of Paul O'Beirne's home on 16 March 2016, Gardai discovered a partially burnt mobile phone inside a barbecue in the back garden. The find was reported by Sergeant Patrick Traynor to the Central Criminal Court. O'Beirne, aged 36, and Jeffrey Morrow, aged 37, are on trial for the murder of 25‑year‑old Vincent Ryan, who was killed on 29 February 2016 at McKee Road in Finglas. The case is proceeding before Justice Michael White with a jury of eight men and four women. Paul O'Beirne pleaded not guilty. Jeffrey Morrow pleaded not guilty.
A 39-year-old meat factory worker has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter following the death of his housemate in Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan, on New Year's Day 2018. The Central Criminal Court heard that Tomasz Paszkiewicz stabbed his poker opponent twice in the upper body after losing hundreds of euro in a game on New Year's Eve. The accused told gardai he obtained the knife from his kitchen, though he claimed to have no clear recollection of the incident or his actions. A witness testified that the deceased came inside holding his stomach, stating he had been stabbed and requesting an ambulance. Paszkiewicz said he took responsibility for the killing but did not decide to stab the man. The prosecution closed its case on Tuesday, with the defence indicating it would not call evidence. Closing speeches are scheduled for Wednesday morning before Justice Tara Burns and the jury.
A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court heard that the accused man handed himself in to gardaí in Cork on 3 January 2018, three days after the fatal stabbing of his housemate in Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan. Garda Razvan Ghetau testified that when the man entered Anglesea Garda Station stating he had killed his friend, the officer initially believed it was a jest. The witness said the accused repeated his statement and appeared serious, with his hands positioned as though requesting arrest. Inspector John Callinan outlined the subsequent interviews conducted in Cavan. The accused, Tomasz Paszkiewicz (39), explained he had worked at a meat processing facility since 2009, boning cattle heads. When shown a knife recovered from the scene bearing his employee number, he identified it as his work knife, which he had brought home a year prior. Questioned about his knife proficiency, he acknowledged developing considerable skill over nine years. Mr Paszkiewicz has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in relation to the death of Marek Swider (40).
In a murder case, Gardai collected DNA and hair samples from two dogs owned by Paul O'Beirne (36) and Jeffrey Morrow (37), whose car was stolen in October 2015. The defendants, who pleaded not guilty, were involved in the February 2016 shooting of Vincent Ryan (25) on McKee Road, Finglas. Joseph Cogan, the car owner, described how his silver Volkswagen Golf GTI was taken and how a grey canvas sheet in the boot, used to protect the car from dog hair, was likely covered in hair. He confirmed giving permission for DNA and hair sampling on April 14, 2016. Additional testimony included Gary Tai's observation of a burning car on Red Lane and John Shaughnessy's fire‑fighting efforts, with Garda Niall Geoghan photographing the scene. The trial proceeds before Mr Justice Michael White and a jury of eight men and four women.
A takeaway worker from Cavan was commended by Justice Tara Burns at the Central Criminal Court for providing first aid to a fatally injured man on New Year's Eve 2018. Alannah Sheridan, who was employed at a takeaway in Ballyjamesduff, was leaving work when she learned of a man in distress on Dublin Street. Drawing on her First Aid training with the Order of Malta, she applied pressure to a chest wound using her scarf while awaiting emergency services. The injured man, Marek Swider, a 40-year-old Polish national, was subsequently taken to Cavan General Hospital but died on New Year's morning. The trial concerns Tomasz Paszkiewicz, aged 39, charged with Mr Swider's murder. Mr Paszkiewicz has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. Acting State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan testified that Mr Swider died following two stab wounds to his chest and abdomen. The trial continues before a jury of seven men and five women.
A man has admitted fatally stabbing his housemate following a dispute over a poker game on New Year's Eve at their home in Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan. Tomasz Paszkiewicz, aged 39, is charged with the murder of Marek Swider, aged 40, on January 1, 2018, at Dublin Street. He has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The Central Criminal Court heard that both men, originally from Poland, were playing cards for money when a row erupted over winnings approaching €500. Paszkiewicz subsequently invited Swider outside and stabbed him twice with a knife used at his workplace in a meat processing facility. The prosecution must prove the accused's intention to kill or cause serious injury. A witness present that evening testified the men had been good friends with no previous conflict. The trial before Ms Justice Tara Burns continues.
In a trial at the Central Criminal Court, Acting State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan testified that 25‑year‑old Vincent Ryan died from a gunshot wound that entered his head on the right side of the forehead, measuring 2.5 cm in diameter, and exited on the left side. A second bullet entered his right hand, and a third entered the back of his right shoulder, with an exit wound at the base of his neck. Toxicology showed no alcohol or drugs in his system. Dr Mulligan described complex skull fractures, brain swelling, and bleeding as the cause of death, with blood loss from the hand and shoulder wounds contributing. The trial also heard that Paul O'Beirne (36) and Jeffrey Morrow (37) pleaded not guilty to Ryan's murder. Detective Garda Ursula Cummins reported twelve 9mm cartridge cases and bullets at the scene, all from the same gun, though the specific firearm type could not be identified.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a contempt of court motion was authorised after journalist Niall O'Connor allegedly named one of the two boys convicted of Ana Kriegel's murder on a Cork radio show. Brendan Grehan SC, representing the Director of Public Prosecutions, informed Mr Justice Michael White that the matter arose from an interview on the Neil Prendeville show on Red FM on the morning of June 19, the day after the jury's verdicts. The boys, aged 14, were found guilty of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel at an abandoned farmhouse in Lucan on 14 May last year, and one was also convicted of aggravated sexual assault. The identities of the boys are protected under the Children Act and a court order by Mr Justice Paul McDermott. Mr Grehan presented a redacted transcript showing the journalist naming one boy twice before being cut off.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 26 June 2019, defence counsel Mark Nicholas SC argued that it was a "step too far" to infer that Limerick men John O'Donoghue (29) and Paul Whelan (25) intended to endanger life by possessing a 9mm Colt semi‑automatic pistol. He contended that the prosecution had only presented a set of circumstances and no evidence of intent, noting that possession of a firearm does not automatically imply intent under Section 15a of the Firearms Act. Nicholas highlighted the lack of surveillance recordings and the possibility of alternative unlawful uses of the gun, such as shooting at an empty house. He urged the three‑judge panel to be cautious, as the case did not "hang together quite like a West End production." The court remanded both men in custody until a judgment is delivered on 5 July. John O'Donoghue pleaded not guilty. Paul Whelan pleaded not guilty.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Paul O'Beirne and Jeffrey Morrow, who are charged with murdering Vincent Ryan, continued before Mr Justice Michael White. Both defendants, aged 36 and 37 respectively, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of the 25-year-old victim at McKee Road in Finglas on February 29, 2016. Prosecution counsel Paul Burns SC called Kelly Smyth, the victim's partner, who testified that she heard five loud bangs after taking their five-week-old daughter inside her home. She discovered Mr Ryan seriously injured in his car with smashed windows. Her brother, Keith Smyth, corroborated the account, describing the sounds as gunshots and noting a grey car fleeing the scene. Dr Edmund Carton stated that Mr Ryan was pronounced dead at the Mater Hospital at 21:10. Neighbour Lorcan Buckley reported hearing approximately 12 or 13 gunshots, while Dublin Fire Brigade officer Stephen O'Reilly described finding bullet holes in the vehicle and multiple wounds on the victim. The trial is ongoing with a jury of four women and eight men, and no verdict or sentence has been recorded.
A new jury was sworn in to hear the trial of Paul O'Beirne (36) and Jeffrey Morrow (37), two Dublin men charged with murdering Vincent Ryan, a 25‑year‑old father, on McKee Road in Finglas on 29 February 2016. The men had been arraigned before the Central Criminal Court and pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Their trial had begun with a jury, but Justice Michael White called the panel in again after one juror was unable to continue, necessitating a new jury. The defendants were re‑arraigned, with O'Beirne of Colepark Drive, Ballyfermot, and Morrow of Burnell Court, Coolock, both stating "Not guilty, your honour." Justice White informed the jury that the trial was expected to last five or six weeks and described the circumstances of the shooting, noting that the shots were fired from a vehicle later found burnt‑out in the Naas area.
Two Dublin men, Paul O'Beirne (36) and Jeffrey Morrow (37), are on trial for the murder of 25‑year‑old Vincent Ryan on 29 February 2016. The prosecution relies on circumstantial evidence, including CCTV footage from O'Beirne's home and mobile phone traffic, to argue that the men planned and executed the shooting. Ryan was shot in broad daylight while seated in his car on McKee Road, Finglas, after dropping his partner and baby at her home. A silver Volkswagen Golf fired the fatal shots; the vehicle was later found burning near Naas. The court heard that the men attempted to conceal their involvement, including disposing of a car seat cover from the vehicle. The trial, heard by the Central Criminal Court, is expected to last five to six weeks. Paul O'Beirne pleaded not guilty. Jeffrey Morrow pleaded not guilty.
In a 2019 Supreme Court decision, the appeal of Sundogs Rock Productions Ltd was dismissed. The company had challenged a 2011 High Court ruling that found its director, Francesca De Cataldo, had "grossly overcharged" solicitor Val Timon for services related to apartments he owned in Dublin and France. The High Court judge, John Hedigan, described De Cataldo as having acted in a reprehensible manner, forged documents, and attempted to intimidate a witness. He noted that the company, set up to develop a music band, was not intended to provide interior design or property management services. Timon's lawyers denied any debt and claimed the claim was mischievous. The Supreme Court, with Justices McKechnie, O'Malley and McGovern, found no error in the High Court's decision and ordered costs in favour of Timon.
The Special Criminal Court has heard evidence in the trial of John O'Donoghue and Paul Whelan, who are accused of possessing a 9mm Colt semi-automatic pistol with intent to endanger life at Park Road, Limerick, on July 30, 2018. Both men, from Moyross, Limerick, have pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel Dominic McGinn SC stated the central issue is intention rather than possession, highlighting that Garda Robert Sheehy found a loaded handgun, cocaine, petrol canisters, and gloves in an Alfa Romeo stopped by the Emergency Response Unit. The court examined a "double set of clothing" worn by Mr. Whelan, who was wearing a grey Adidas hoodie under another hoodie and black tracksuit pants over grey Adidas pants. Mr. O'Donoghue was arrested under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act. A statement from a Lithuanian national described a nervous man with metal teeth who attempted to purchase a car on July 27. Defence counsel Colman Cody SC noted that Mr. Whelan reported taking cocaine, Xanax, and cannabis prior to arrest and was referred to Limerick Regional Hospital. The prosecution contends that the combination of the firearm, petrol, and clothing supports an inference of intent to endanger life. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns with Judges Patricia Ryan and Flann Brennan, is expected to last one week and continues on Monday.
Two Limerick men, Paul Whelan (25) and John O'Donoghue (29), were stopped by Gardaí on 30 July 2018 in an Alfa Romeo on Park Road, Corbally. The vehicle contained a loaded 9mm Colt semi‑automatic pistol with eight rounds, two cans of petrol, a glove, a mobile phone and a change of clothing, including a double set of clothing worn by Whelan. Gardaí described the stop as involving multiple Garda vehicles; the Alfa Romeo rammed a Garda car and then reversed, attempting to escape. Whelan was extracted from the front passenger seat and O'Donoghue from the driver's seat after Garda officers broke windows. Both men were arrested at the scene. The Special Criminal Court heard evidence that the presence of the firearm, petrol, glove and clothing indicated an intention to endanger life. The trial, presided by Ms Justice Tara Burns, is expected to last one week. Paul Whelan pleaded not guilty. John O'Donoghue pleaded not guilty.
In a contempt of court hearing on 20 June 2019, Mr Justice Michael White addressed the wrongful online identification of an innocent boy as one of the convicted murderers of 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel. The judge urged Gardaí to pursue those who shared the identities of the two boys, Boy A and Boy B, who were convicted of the murder and an aggravated sexual assault. Under the Children Act, it is an offence to identify minors, and the court upheld an injunction requiring Facebook and Twitter to remove any material that identified the boys. Lawyers for the boys expressed concerns about threats and the safety of their families. The judge emphasised the importance of respecting the law and the integrity of the trial process, noting that the Central Criminal Court is not the forum for broader social media responsibility.
A 62‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to two and a half years for sexually assaulting a 13‑year‑old babysitter of his grandchild. The jury found him guilty after a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. At the sentencing hearing, Fionnuala O'Sullivan BL noted that the complainant had asked to waive anonymity, but a pending High Court decision on whether she may do so means no identifying details can be published until a ruling is made. Judge Micheal White will decide later this month. Garda Michelle Nolan recounted that the investigation began in March 2016 after the victim, then in her 20s, complained of an August 2001 assault by the defendant, who had lived with her family. She described being babysitting the defendant's three‑year‑old granddaughter, sleeping in the same bed, and the defendant leaning over and attempting to kiss her before touching her genital area. He later denied the allegation and the apology he offered.
The Special Criminal Court will open a trial tomorrow for John O'Donoghue, 29, of Cliona Park, Moyross, and Paul Whelan, 25, of Dalgaish Park, Moyross, who were arraigned this morning. They face charges of possessing a loaded 9mm Colt semi‑automatic pistol at Park Road, Corbally, on 30 July 2018, and of intent to endanger life under the Criminal Justice Act 2006. Both pleaded not guilty. The three‑judge panel—Justice Tara Burns, Judge Patricia Ryan and Judge Flann Brennan—expects the trial to last a week and finish before 28 June.
During the trial of Boy A for Ana Kriegel's murder, his defence counsel, Patrick Gageby SC, applied to the judge to allow the jury to consider a manslaughter verdict after deliberations had begun. The prosecution described the move as a "legal ambush" and argued it was raised too late and without engaging the facts. Judge Paul McDermott dismissed the application, calling it "artificial" and "unrealistic." He noted that Boy A had consistently denied being in the house and claimed he last saw Ana in the park. Evidence from the State Pathologist and forensic scientist showed Ana was violently assaulted and that blood spatter on Boy A's shoes indicated he either assaulted her or was close to her when she was assaulted. The judge emphasized that the defence had not addressed the scientific evidence or the prosecution's claim that the extent of Ana's injuries proved intent to kill.
During a trial for the murder of Ana, the judge refused to allow a clinical psychologist, Dr Colm Humphries, to give evidence before the jury. Dr Humphries had been called by Boy B's defence to explain that Boy B, who was 13, was suffering from post‑traumatic stress disorder after witnessing Ana's assault. He had told the psychologist that Ana's clothing was ripped off, that she was gasping and struggling, and that she said nothing. Dr Humphries described Boy B as overly friendly, polite, but with language difficulties and signs of disfluency and avoidance when recounting the events. He argued that Boy B's lies in Garda interviews were not evidence of guilt but a result of trauma and a lack of understanding of the consequences.
During Ana Kriegel's murder trial, the jury was barred from hearing that Boy A had searched for "child porn" and "animal porn" online and possessed thousands of pornographic images on two mobile phones. Judge Paul McDermott deemed the evidence "highly prejudicial" and not relevant to the case. Gardaí had found two phones in Boy A's bedroom, one containing 5,001 images, many pornographic, and the other 7,485 images, with 42 deemed relevant to the investigation. The prosecution also sought to introduce a questionnaire Boy A filled out, describing himself as "strange" and "different", but the judge ruled it irrelevant. Boy A's lawyers also challenged the admissibility of his clothes and phone, which were seized while he was not a suspect, but the judge rejected these claims, stating the evidence was lawfully obtained. The judge also dismissed objections to DNA evidence and a mannequin photograph, citing lack of probative value.
The jury in the trial of two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel has spent 11 hours and 24 minutes deliberating and will return to the Central Criminal Court tomorrow to continue. Mr Justice Paul McDermott instructed the eight men and four women to return at 10 am and reminded them not to discuss the case with anyone outside the jury. The accused, who cannot be named because they are minors, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Ana Kriegel at Glenwood House, Laraghcon, Clonee Road, Lucan on 14 May last year. Boy A is also charged with Ana's aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence and has pleaded not guilty to that charge as well. Mr Justice McDermott explained that the jury must consider each count separately, with possible verdicts of guilty or not guilty for each murder charge and for the aggravated sexual assault charge.
The jury in the trial of two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel has paused its deliberations for the week and will return to the Central Criminal Court on Monday. After spending seven hours and fifteen minutes over three days, Mr Justice Paul McDermott told the eight men and four women that they could go home for the weekend, warning them not to discuss the case with anyone outside the jury or to follow media reports. The foreman of the jury sent a note to the judge requesting seven discs containing videos of Boy B's interviews with Gardaí in May and July 2018, and asked for a larger screen for viewing the DVDs on Monday. Mr Justice McDermott agreed to provide a larger screen. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a trial for the murder of Ana Kriegel, Judge Paul McDermott instructed the jury that the prosecution's case hinges on the injuries inflicted on Ana, which they argue demonstrate the accused's intention to kill or cause serious injury. The jury, after more than four hours of deliberation, has been shown various exhibits, including a blood‑stained stick, gloves with Ana's blood, Tescon insulation tape found around her neck, and CCTV footage. Mr Justice McDermott explained that intent can be inferred from preparation, citing Boy A's bringing a mask and other items to the scene. He emphasized that the prosecution believes intent is established through pathology and forensic evidence, and that the natural consequence of such injuries is serious injury or death. The accused, both 14, have pleaded not guilty to murder and to an aggravated sexual assault charge. The jury will return tomorrow to continue deliberations.
The jury in the trial of two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering schoolgirl Anastasia Kriegel began deliberations at the Central Criminal Court on 12 June 2019. Eight men and four women were sent out at 12.35pm, returned thirty minutes later, and were instructed by Mr Justice Paul McDermott to suspend deliberations for the day and resume at 10am the next day. The judge explained that each of the three murder counts against Boy A and Boy B must be decided unanimously, with only two possible verdicts per count: guilty or not guilty. For Boy A's aggravated sexual assault charge, the jury could return a guilty or not guilty verdict. Mr Justice McDermott emphasized that each count must be considered separately, that reasonable doubt requires acquittal, and that the jury should focus on the evidence relating to the events of 14 May, the day of the murder.
In a 2019 trial at the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Paul McDermott warned a jury that people may lie for reasons such as shame or to hide disgraceful behaviour. He explained that the jury could rely on alleged lies only if the prosecution proved there was no innocent explanation. The case involved two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel. Boy A was also charged with aggravated sexual assault; Boy B was charged with aiding and abetting the murder. The judge instructed the jury to consider each boy's case separately, to assess intent to kill or cause serious injury, and to evaluate circumstantial and forensic evidence. He emphasised that presence at a crime scene does not equal participation, and that the jury must acquit if any reasonable doubt about intent or knowledge remains. The judge concluded his charge the following morning. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A man from Aughavas, County Leitrim, has been convicted of theft and money laundering totalling €1.6 million at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Simon Gold, aged 54, had pleaded not guilty to 22 charges including money laundering, theft, deception, and control of false instruments spanning January 2010 to October 2012. Following over two weeks of evidence, a jury returned guilty verdicts on 20 counts after deliberating for more than 12 hours. The jury acquitted Gold on one count of deception relating to €28,000. The prosecution case outlined that Gold misrepresented himself as a qualified financier and merchant banker to secure large sums from investors who believed they were making down payments towards loans. One complainant transferred €1.6 million in October 2012 into what he thought was his own account but which Gold controlled. Gold was remanded in custody pending sentencing on 31 July.
In a murder and aggravated sexual assault trial, the defence counsel for a 14‑year‑old accused of killing and assaulting Anastasia Kriegel argued that no witness had shown the boy intended to kill. Patrick Gageby SC asked the jury whether any evidence proved the boy's intent to kill or to kill Kriegel. He also highlighted the boy's lack of prior legal contacts and the immaturity of teenagers, urging jurors to consider the boy's age. Gageby noted that the prosecution's case relied largely on circumstantial evidence, including DNA and forensic findings, but questioned whether any evidence proved pre‑meditation. He warned against inferring intent from the boy's actions or from the presence of a bag and its contents. The defence maintained the boy's plea of not guilty and urged the jury to weigh the evidence carefully, especially given the boy's age and the seriousness of the allegations.
In the Central Criminal Court, Brendan Grehan SC presented the prosecution case against two 14‑year‑old boys accused of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel. He argued that Boy A was the principal perpetrator, citing an "overwhelming forensic case" linking him to the scene, including DNA from Ana's body and items found in his home. Grehan described Ana's violent death, detailing injuries, blood spatter, and forensic evidence that she fought for her life. He contrasted this with Boy B, for whom he said there was no forensic evidence but relied on Garda interviews that he had assisted the killer and helped conceal the crime. Grehan emphasized that both boys lied to Gardaí and that Boy B's statements were inconsistent, concluding that the evidence warranted conviction for murder and aggravated sexual assault. The case was set to proceed with Patrick Gageby representing Boy A. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 6 June 2019, the family of Bryan Cassidy, who was stabbed to death by his 21‑year‑old stepson Adam Nolan, presented a victim impact statement. The statement criticised the Irish mental health system for failing two families, noting that Nolan had been sent home from Tallaght Hospital after an A&E visit where he claimed he had to kill Cassidy. Despite a family history of mental illness and a diagnosis of drug‑induced psychosis, Nolan was discharged and later stabbed Cassidy on 7 February 2018. Nolan pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and was committed to the Central Mental Hospital pending a report. The court, with counsel Sean Gillane SC and defence Brendan Grehan SC, heard statements and medical testimony, and Justice Eileen Creedon ordered Nolan's commitment under the Criminal Law Insanity Act.
Alan Wilson, aged 40, was charged at the Special Criminal Court with three counts of attempted murder for a shooting at The Players Lounge pub on 26 July 2010, targeting Brian Masterson, Wayne Barrett and Austin Purcell. He was also charged with possession of a .38 Special Smith & Wesson revolver and a .32 Auto Zastava pistol, and with possession of .38 and .32 ammunition, all with intent to endanger life. Wilson denied any involvement in these allegations. Earlier, he had pleaded guilty to a murder plot involving Gary Hanley between 15 September and 6 November 2017. The DPP directed that Wilson be tried for the attempted murder offences in the non‑jury court. Wilson was granted legal aid, appeared in court wearing a blue jacket and jeans, and was remanded in custody until 29 July when a book of evidence is to be served.