A 24‑year‑old man, Valeriu Melnic, will be tried for the killing of Ion Daghi, 39, in Kildare on 12 May 2024. Melnic admits he killed Daghi but denies murder, pleading not guilty to murder and guilty to manslaughter. The Director of Public Prosecutions rejected the plea, and Mr Justice David Keane has sworn a jury of eight men and four women to hear the case. The trial will start tomorrow afternoon and is expected to continue until the end of next week.
In a Central Criminal Court murder trial, Judge Karen O'Connor discharged a jury of five women and seven men after two weeks of proceedings, citing "matters beyond my control" and expressing regret that the trial could not continue. The case involved Joseph Lawlor, 39, who pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael Ryan, 51, outside Lawlor's home in Finglas on 20 June 2024. The prosecution had presented evidence that the two men had been drinking together, with CCTV and neighbour recordings capturing a series of fights that culminated in a fatal stabbing shortly after midnight, leaving Ryan with a single neck wound that severed an artery. The judge thanked the jury for their attentiveness, exempted them from further duty for five years, and postponed the matter to a new trial date of 22 July 2025.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a mother in her 50s pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of sexual assault and one count of rape, claiming she never sexually abused her three‑year‑old daughter or facilitated her uncle's rape. She said she felt "slightly sick" when told she had abused the child before age four and denied any other alleged assaults, including a claim that she bit her daughter. The mother also denied being present when her daughter was raped by her uncle and denied any sexual activity with him. The uncle, in his 40s, pleaded not guilty to five rape counts and one oral rape count, denying all allegations and stating he did not know why his niece would accuse him. A third defendant, aged in his 50s, pleaded not guilty to one oral rape count and denied any contact with the child. The trial continues.
A jury of twelve, consisting of three men and nine women, is deliberating a verdict in the murder trial of Ryan Kearney, 39, who stabbed Jeffrey Jackson, 50, to death in a Co Kildare apartment on 8 February 2024. Kearney has pleaded not guilty, claiming he acted in self‑defence. The judge, Mr Justice Paul Burns, instructed the jury to decide whether the killing was murder, manslaughter or a lawfully justified homicide. He explained that if the jury believes Kearney honestly believed he was defending himself and that the force used was reasonable, the verdict should be not guilty. If the force was deemed excessive, the verdict could be not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. If the defence of self‑defence is rejected, the jury must consider a partial defence of provocation. The jury is required to reach a unanimous verdict.
John O'Brien, a field sales rep for PrePayPower, claimed constructive dismissal after facing escalating abuse from customers amid record energy price inflation. He said he was forced to quit in late 2022 and early 2023 after encountering abusive, intoxicated, and physically threatening customers in Dublin. O'Brien reported incidents to his managers, who he said responded indifferently or hostilely, and that he was told to stop contacting them about minor incidents. He resigned in March 2023, citing mental health and loss of faith in the company. The Workplace Relations Commission rejected his claim, finding that while his managers' behaviour was unreasonable, it did not justify immediate resignation. The commission upheld a separate complaint under the Terms of Employment (Information) Act, ordering PrePayPower to pay €1,000 for breach of contract.
A man aged 33 has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexually assaulting a teenage girl at a staff party in County Mayo in July 2020. The trial is taking place at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Eoin Garavan and an all-male jury. The complainant, now aged 21, gave evidence that she was 16 at the time and had consumed several bottles of cider during the event. She alleged the accused, whom she had not previously met, engaged in sexual contact with her in a bathroom and later in an alleyway without her consent. The woman told the court she objected to the contact and pushed the man away. The defendant faces two counts: sexual assault at the party premises on 14 to 15 July 2020, and defilement of a child under 17 at a separate address on 15 July 2020. He denies both charges. The trial is expected to continue for several days.
In March 2023, Liam Óg Lynch, an Irish Rail employee, took control of a gantry crane after a contractor's operator was denied permission to operate it. Lynch, who had been instructed not to use the crane, argued the load was unsafe and landed it to prevent further danger. The load collapsed, trapping a contractor's foot, which Lynch then rescued with a crowbar. Irish Rail's investigation deemed Lynch's actions a reckless violation, leading to a final written warning and subsequent dismissal under a temporary contract provision. Lynch's union claimed the investigation was inadequate and the dismissal unfair. The Workplace Relations Commission ruled the dismissal procedurally and substantively unfair, denied reinstatement, and awarded Lynch €12,000 in compensation for the unfair dismissal. The decision was published on 2 July 2025.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Ryan Kearney, aged 39, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jeffrey Jackson, 50, who was stabbed at The Lamps, Kilcock, on 8 February 2024. Kearney claimed he acted in self‑defence after a scuffle with Jackson, who he described as prone to rage and violence and whom he called a "complete lunatic." He said he had taken a knife from Jackson's partner and delivered "a few jabs" to the neck, believing the victim was dead, and that he had no intention to kill. The prosecution, represented by Brendan Grehan SC, argued that Kearney's account did not match the pathology evidence, noting that Jackson suffered 16 separate knife injuries, including a 17‑cm wound, and that the knife was "buried to the hilt." Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC countered that the pathologist's findings suggested the injuries could result from a dynamic struggle with momentum from both sides, and that Kearney's actions were a reasonable.
The trial at the Central Criminal Court involves a woman who denies that she imagined being raped by her uncle but admits she has struggled with memories and misidentified her age at some alleged incidents. She claims she was raped by her uncle on several occasions, including oral rape, and also alleges sexual assault by her mother and a family friend. The defendants—her uncle, her mother, and another man—face 21 counts of sexual assault and rape from 2000 to 2014, mainly at the family home. All three defendants plead not guilty. The woman gave direct evidence that she was about five‑and‑a‑half when her uncle first raped her, that she was eight at a later oral rape, and that she saw her mother and uncle engaging in sex when she was around six. She also testified that she was sexually assaulted by her mother multiple times and by a family friend.
In a murder trial, Brendan Grehan SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions argued that Ryan Kearney, 39, had stabbed Jeffrey Jackson, 50, with a knife that was "buried to the hilt" and that the injuries described by Kearney as "a few jabs to the stomach" did not match the pathology evidence. Grehan cited State Pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis, who identified 16 sharp‑force injuries, 15 of which were stab wounds, including a 17 cm wound to the chest. He claimed the evidence contradicted Kearney's account of a self‑defence encounter and that the knife had penetrated deeply, indicating intent to kill. Grehan urged the jury to find Kearney guilty of murder, while defence counsel Michael Bowman SC challenged the prosecution's description of the knife's use. The trial is set to continue tomorrow. Ryan Kearney pleaded not guilty.
A 33-year-old man from County Mayo has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault and child defilement at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court. He denies sexually assaulting a female at a county address between 14 and 15 July 2020, and separately denies defiling a child under 17 at another location on 15 July 2020. The defence indicated the alleged incidents occurred at a work or office gathering. A jury of twelve was sworn in by Judge Eoin Garavan, with the trial expected to conclude within three days.
In the Central Criminal Court, a woman accused her mother, an uncle and another man of raping and sexually assaulting her between 2000 and 2014. She denied that friends influenced her to report the allegations to the gardai. During cross‑examination she confirmed that her mother had abused her, including at a family holiday home when she was four, and that she had been raped by her uncle when she was about five and a half. She also testified that her mother and uncle had sex while she was present at age six, and that she had been orally raped by a man in his 50s at age 13. The defendants, who cannot be named, pleaded not guilty to all 21 counts of sexual assault and rape. The case is still before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury.
In a Central Criminal Court murder trial, a 50‑year‑old man, Jeffrey Jackson, was found dead after sustaining 16 knife injuries, one 17 cm deep, in an apartment in Kilcock. The accused, 39‑year‑old Ryan Kearney, pleaded not guilty, claiming he had taken a knife from his aunt's partner during a scuffle and stabbed the victim in self‑defence, with no intent to kill. Kearney told detectives he feared for his life. Pathologist Dr Sallyanne Collis testified that Jackson had been heavily intoxicated, with alcohol levels more than eight times the legal limit, and that the fatal wounds were two chest stab injuries that entered the chest cavity, puncturing the right lung and the aorta. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Burns, continues on Monday before a jury of twelve.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) has concluded hearings into complaints brought by Joseph Kelly against RTÉ under the Organisation of Working Time Act 2005 and the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994. Mr Kelly alleges he was engaged as a 'freelance' worker from 2012 to 2018 but was effectively an employee, claiming he was denied statutory entitlements to paid annual leave, public holiday pay, and Sunday premium rates. He further alleges he was not provided with a statement of core terms of employment. RTÉ maintains that Mr Kelly was paid all owed premiums and leave, and argues the claims are out of time, asserting that a 2022 Department of Social Protection ruling regarding insurability does not establish employment status for these purposes. A senior RTÉ human resources manager testified that the contract signed was a sole trader agreement and denied allegations that RTÉ procured Mr Kelly to misrepresent his status to the Revenue Commissioners. Mr Kelly's representative argued that the insurability decision confirms he should have been treated as an employee since 2012. Adjudication officer John Harraghy has concluded the hearings and will issue his decision in writing to the parties in due course.
The prosecution will finish its evidence in the trial of Joseph Lawlor, a 39‑year‑old Dublin man accused of stabbing his friend Michael Ryan, a 51‑year‑old father of three, to death. The case is being heard in the Central Criminal Court. The jury has already seen CCTV footage from neighbouring homes that shows the fatal stab wound to Ryan's neck. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor told the jury that the prosecution intends to complete its evidence by Tuesday of next week and asked the jurors not to discuss the case, conduct independent research or view social media posts about the trial. Lawlor has pleaded not guilty. The stabbing occurred outside his home on Hampton Wood Way, St Margaret's Road, Finglas, Dublin 11, on 20 June 2024, shortly after midnight. Garda Shane Gallagher arrested Lawlor at the scene, seized his clothing, including a black stab‑proof vest, and later released him.
The State settled a claim by Gerard McCarthy, 55, who alleged that Gardaí in riot gear assaulted him and broke his shoulder while he was cycling to investigate fires near his partner's home on Findlater Street, Dublin, on Halloween night 2008. McCarthy, who was 38 at the time, said he was struck on both shoulders, his back and legs by 10–12 Gardaí in riot gear during a brief attack lasting five to ten seconds. He was taken to Mater Hospital, later had an X‑ray showing a broken shoulder near the collarbone, and reported numbness and shock. The case was brought before Justice Alexander Owens, who struck it out, with no trial costs awarded and no costs imposed on the plaintiff. The settlement was confirmed by counsel for both parties on 27 June 2025.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing, a woman testified that her mother repeatedly sexually assaulted her from age three and a half to fifteen, and that her uncle and a third man also raped her. The allegations cover 21 counts of sexual assault and rape, with incidents dated between 2000 and 2014, mainly at the family home. The defendants deny wrongdoing and plead not guilty to all charges. The witness described her mother's violent, alcohol‑driven behaviour, her mother's attempts to normalise the abuse, and her uncle's repeated rapes, including an oral rape. She also recounted an alleged rape by a man in his 50s who was a friend of her mother's partner. The trial is ongoing before Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury.
Ryan Kearney, 39, of Leixlip, Co Kildare, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court, having pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Jeffrey Jackson, 50, at The Lamps, School Street, Kilcock, Co Kildare, on February 8, 2024. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury. Witness Emma Farrell, the deceased's partner, testified via video-link from the UK that she lived in a "constant state of fear" of being killed by Jackson, who was an alcoholic and physically abusive when drunk. She described his violence as spontaneous and unprovoked, including incidents of throttling and physical aggression. Farrell stated she separated from Jackson in 2020 after he moved back to Ireland, though they never divorced. In his garda interviews, Kearney alleged he took a knife from Jackson after a scuffle and gave him "a few jabs," claiming self-defence and stating he had no intention to kill. Prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC argued that the 16 knife injuries sustained by Jackson did not align with Kearney's self-defence account. The matter is currently at the trial stage and has not been finalised.
During the trial, a jury heard a recorded conversation in which Joseph Lawlor, aged 39, referred to his friend as a "supergrass" and a "rat" and threatened the deceased, Michael Ryan, 51, saying, "I'll stab you straight into your neck." Lawlor denied the murder charge and claimed he would not stab Ryan, adding, "I love you too fucking much." The recording, taken by a neighbour at 9:38 pm, was part of evidence that also included CCTV footage of two earlier fights and a Ring doorbell clip of the fatal encounter after midnight. The footage captured the moment Ryan suffered a fatal stab wound to the neck. Detective Garda Shane Gallagher spent 14 hours reviewing the audio and produced a transcript identifying both voices. The case is proceeding before Justice Karen O'Connor with a jury of five women and seven men.
A mother, her brother, and another man have gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court accused of the sexual abuse of her young daughter. The complainant's mother, her uncle, and another man face a total of 21 counts of sexual assault and rape, which allegedly occurred on dates between 2000 and 2014, mainly at the family home within the State. The three defendants, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the complainant, deny wrongdoing and have pleaded not guilty to all charges. The complainant's mother, who is in her 50s, has pleaded not guilty to 13 counts of sexual assault on dates between 2000 and 2009, and between 2012 and 2014, primarily at the family home. She also pleaded not guilty to one count of rape, in that she facilitated the rape of the complainant by the complainant's uncle. The complainant's maternal uncle, who is in his 40s, has pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape and one of oral rape on dates between 2003 and 2012, all at the same family home. A second man, aged in his 50s, has pleaded not guilty to one count of oral rape between 2008 and 2009 at the same address. The trial continues before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury.
Ryan Kearney, aged 39, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jeffrey Jackson, aged 50, at The Lamps, Kilcock, on 8 February 2024. He told Gardaí that after a scuffle with Jackson, he took a small black‑handled kitchen knife from a drawer and used it to jab Jackson, claiming he had no intention to kill and was in fear for his life. Kearney said Jackson had been drinking vodka with his aunt, and that Jackson had repeatedly lunged at him. He described the incident as a self‑defence situation, stating he only struck Jackson to stop the attacks. Forensic evidence included a kitchen knife with a serrated blade, 12 cm long, whose handle bore Kearney's DNA and blood from an open wound. The trial, before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury, is set to continue tomorrow.
During a murder trial in the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution presented forensic evidence indicating that Joseph Lawlor, aged 39, was wearing a blood‑stained stab vest when he was arrested. DNA from the vest matched that of the deceased, Michael Ryan, aged 51. Pathologist Dr Yvonne McCarthy described a single stab wound to Ryan's neck, 9.1 cm below the right earlobe, 2.9 cm long and 5.8 cm deep, penetrating the subclavian artery and causing cardiovascular collapse. The wound was consistent with a kitchen knife found in Lawlor's home. McCarthy also noted 57 bruises and abrasions on Ryan's body, some consistent with earlier scuffles. Toxicology revealed cocaine metabolites, benzodiazepines, a sleeping tablet, and a blood alcohol level 1.5 times the legal limit. The trial, presided over by Justice Karen O'Connor, will continue tomorrow before a jury of five women and seven men. Joseph Lawlor pleaded not guilty.
Gerard McCarthy, 55, has sworn in a jury at the High Court to pursue a claim against the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, the Minister for Justice, Ireland and the Attorney General. He alleges that on Halloween night 2008, while cycling to investigate two fires near his partner's home on Findlater Street, he was assaulted by gardaí in riot gear. McCarthy, who was 38 at the time, says he was struck on both shoulders, his back and legs by a group of 10 to 12 riot police while still on his bicycle. He reports that the attack lasted between five and ten seconds and that up to five officers with shields and helmets used batons. He was taken to Mater Hospital that night, later had an X‑ray that showed a broken shoulder near the collarbone, and claims he was left numb and in shock.
In June 2025 the Workplace Relations Commission awarded Kieran O'Leary €5,289.08 after he was dismissed by Bord Gáis in January 2024. O'Leary, a €60,000‑a‑year service engineer, claimed he had been unfairly sacked for allegedly offering to do side work for customers. He said he had never accepted cash from any customer and that the complaints were based on misunderstandings about his contract's competition clause. O'Leary presented evidence that he had only offered services outside work hours and that any parts he used were his own. The adjudicator found no logical reason to believe the customers fabricated complaints, noted that the 2022 complaint had not led to any action, and upheld O'Leary's claim for compensation under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977. The decision was made in a hearing that considered the procedural history of the complaints and the company's investigation.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, 39‑year‑old Ryan Kearney pleaded not guilty to the murder of 50‑year‑old Jeffrey Jackson. Kearney told Gardaí that he had stabbed Jackson in the neck but did not kill him, claiming the victim was a friend. He was arrested on suspicion of murder on 8 February 2024 after arriving at The Lamps in Kilcock. Garda Detective Sergeant Gerard Moore testified that Kearney had tried to stop a neck wound and was unaware of a severe abdominal stab. Kearney was found intoxicated, with slurred speech and an alcohol odor, and was deemed unfit for questioning for six hours. The prosecution presented evidence of 16 knife wounds, describing the attack as ferocious, which contradicted Kearney's self‑defence claim. The trial proceeded before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a jury reviewed CCTV footage showing the fatal stabbing of Michael Ryan (51) outside Joseph Lawlor's (39) home in Finglas on 20 June 2024. The footage captured three drunken altercations, the last of which ended with Lawlor holding a knife and stabbing Ryan in the neck. After the act, Lawlor called 999, describing Ryan as bleeding. Detectives found blood on the ground, clothing, money, a wallet, and a black sports bag containing €3,155 and tablets. A Royal Swiss bread knife was recovered from Lawlor's couch and DNA testing linked it to the stab wound; a sword was also found in the living room. Lawlor denies the murder. The jury was asked to return the next day to consider his intent. The case remains at the evidence‑review stage.
In a trial held in Kilcock, a woman named Breda Kearney testified that her nephew, Ryan Kearney, returned from a shop with blood on his hands and claimed he had stabbed her partner, Jeffrey Jackson, in the neck. Kearney described how she had gone to the shop after Ryan's arrival, then returned to find him standing in the hallway with blood on his hands. She reported that Ryan told her he had stabbed Jackson and thought he was dead. Kearney then found Jackson lying on a couch with blood spilling from his nose and mouth, and a wound on his abdomen. She attempted to call emergency services while trying to stop the bleeding. The prosecution argued that the evidence of 16 knife injuries did not align with Kearney's account of a self‑defence attack. The case is set to continue before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury. Ryan Kearney pleaded not guilty.
The Central Criminal Court heard that a series of fights ended with Joseph Lawlor (39) stabbing Michael Ryan (51) in the neck, cutting his carotid artery and killing him. The prosecution presented a 17‑second CCTV clip showing the fatal blow. Both men had been drinking heavily together before the altercations, which were the third physical encounter that night. The first fight began at about 8.30 pm and was captured on CCTV and by a neighbour's mobile phone; a witness said the younger man knocked the older man to the ground. After Garda intervention, three more men joined the pair, and a second fight broke out at about 9.30 pm, again recorded on CCTV and by neighbours. Lawlor was heard calling Ryan a "rat" and threatening to stab him, but later said he would not. Ryan was arrested for drunken driving at 9.50 pm, returned to the house after midnight, and was again captured on CCTV. Joseph Lawlor pleaded not guilty.
A heated exchange occurred during the High Court trial involving John Magnier, who is pursuing a €15 million deal he claims was agreed with a Tipperary landowner over a large tract of land. The case involves Barne Estate, Tim Gleeson, Magnier's Coolmore Stud, Coolmore Stud, and Magnier's Coolmore, all of whom are applicants. During the cross-examination of Tim Gleeson, a financial manager at Coolmore Stud, Martin Hayden SC for Barne Estate alleged that members of the gallery were nodding at the witness, potentially influencing his answers. Hayden gestured towards the Magnier side and requested that individuals stop making head gestures. Mr. Gleeson denied seeing any gestures and stated he was following documents and facing the judge when answering questions. Paul Gallagher SC for the Coolmore side refuted the claim, calling it 'outrageous' and 'not true'. The judge instructed all present to refrain from nodding upon hearing responses given by the witness. A third interruption occurred when Gallagher claimed a junior counsel from the defence was staring at the gallery. The hearing then re-commenced for Mr. Gleeson to conclude his evidence. The case continues before Mr. Justice Barrett, with the Magnier side alleging that Barne Estate reneged on the deal, preferring to sell the land to Maurice Regan at a higher price. The Barne Estate defendants deny any such agreement, stating they needed the consent of the trustees to finalise any agreement and preferred to sell to Regan. The case is ongoing.
A jury was sworn in to hear the Central Criminal Court trial of 39‑year‑old Joseph Lawlor, who denies murdering 51‑year‑old Michael Ryan, a father of two, in Dublin on 20 June 2024. Lawlor pleaded not guilty at arraignment. The judge, Justice Karen O'Connor, informed the jury of the victim's background, including his residence in Santry and the Ballymun or Finglas areas, and of Lawlor's employment in groundworks. The trial is set to last about three weeks, with the judge warning the jury against independent research or social‑media discussion.
A 39‑year‑old man, Ryan Kearney of Loughnamona Drive, Leixlip, Co Kildare, has been arraigned in the Central Criminal Court for the murder of Jeffrey Jackson, 50, at The Lamps, School Street, Kilcock, Co Kildare, on 8 February 2024. He pleaded not guilty. A jury of three men and nine women was sworn in by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, and the trial will commence tomorrow before Mr Justice Paul Burns, expected to last two weeks.
Lucia Istokova, 36, pleaded guilty at trial to withholding information from gardai investigating the murder of Ashling Murphy. The single charge alleged that on January 14, 2022, Istokova failed without reasonable excuse to disclose to An Garda Síochána that Jozef Puska had visible injuries when he returned to their home in Tullamore, Co Offaly. The charge further alleged she failed to tell gardai that Puska admitted to killing or seriously injuring a female with a knife, or that he owned a bicycle found near Ms Murphy's body. It was alleged Istokova knew or believed this information might assist in securing Puska's apprehension or conviction for an offence involving loss of human life or serious personal injury. During a 12-day pre-trial hearing, Istokova had challenged the admissibility of her statements to gardai. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs ruled the statements could be used as evidence for a jury. Following this ruling, Istokova entered her guilty plea. Her co-accused, Jozefina Grundzova, 32, also sought to exclude evidence of two interviews she had with gardai but opted for a trial by jury after the admissibility ruling. Ms Justice Biggs ordered that Istokova's plea could not be reported until verdicts were reached in respect of the other four defendants to protect their fair trial rights. Istokova was released on continuing bail following the plea. Her co-accused were also on bail throughout the trial.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Marek Puska, Lubomir Puska Jnr, Jozefina Grundzova, and Viera Gaziova is ongoing, with the judge's charge to the jury currently underway. All four accused, who have pleaded not guilty to all charges, are alleged to have been involved in the aftermath of the murder of Ashling Murphy by Jozef Puska in January 2022. Marek Puska and Lubomir Puska Jnr are accused of withholding information relating to the murder, while Ms Grundzova and Ms Gaziova are accused of impeding Jozef Puska's apprehension or prosecution by burning his clothes. Defence counsel argued that the women did not believe Jozef Puska was capable of murder and acted on second-hand information without knowledge of the crime. Counsel for Lubomir Puska Jnr contended that he delayed reporting information due to family loyalty but ultimately cooperated with gardai. The prosecution maintains that all accused knew of the murder shortly after it occurred and acted to prevent Jozef Puska's prosecution. The matter is not concluded; the judge's charge is in progress and will continue tomorrow.
In a High Court hearing on 5 June 2025, it was revealed that JP Magnier, son of billionaire John Magnier, handed two brown envelopes containing €50,000 in cash to an estate agent involved in a failed €15 million sale of Barne Estate in County Tipperary. The money was described by JP as an "appreciation" for allowing the Magnier side access to the land and for the estate's alleged financial difficulties. JP claimed his father had instructed him to deliver the cash on 8 September 2023, and that the envelopes were to be passed to the Thomson‑Moore family, the trustees of the estate. The estate agent reportedly pushed the envelopes to JP on 11 September, citing concerns that the farm manager might have seen the original transaction. The case, which also involves an exclusivity agreement and a dispute over a reneged sale, is set to resume in two weeks before Mr Justice Max Barrett.
In a tribunal hearing on 5 June 2025, Keelings fruit and vegetable group dismissed warehouse worker Rudolf Csikos after he posted on LinkedIn that excessive night‑shift hours had contributed to the 2013 deaths of two colleagues. Csikos, who had worked for the north Co Dublin firm for 16 years, claimed the posts were protected disclosures, but the company argued they were false and defamatory, citing no medical evidence. The tribunal noted Csikos's ongoing complaints under the Organisation of Working Time Act, Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act, Unfair Dismissals Act and Protected Disclosures Act. Csikos alleged the company breached night‑shift hour limits, failed to classify him as a special‑category worker, and neglected required medical checks. Keelings maintained it complied with statutory and collective‑agreement provisions, and that the posts damaged its reputation. The case was adjourned for a further hearing in July, with no new submissions made to the adjudicator.
Sean McGovern (39), who is charged with murder and directing a criminal organisation, has raised concerns about the legality of his extradition to Ireland from the United Arab Emirates. His legal representatives, including Olan Callanan BL, have informed the court that a letter will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) regarding an application. The court was asked to set a date for a hearing, with Mr Callanan expressing concerns about the legality and process of McGovern's arrival in Dublin. Sean Gillane SC, for the DPP, stated that a first book of evidence will be ready by the end of July, with updates on a second book of evidence to follow. McGovern appeared via video-link from prison and confirmed he could hear the proceedings. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor agreed to set a hearing date for Wednesday, June 18th, with McGovern again appearing by video-link. The court also set a date in late July for the service of the book of evidence. McGovern, with a previous address at Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, is charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan on December 22, 2016, and directing the activities of a criminal organisation in connection with the murder and the surveillance of James Gately between October 17, 2015, and April 6, 2017. He is also charged with contributing to or participating in activity intending to facilitate a criminal organisation in the murder of Mr Kirwan and facilitating a criminal organisation in a conspiracy to murder James Gately. The matter is currently at trial.
At the Central Criminal Court, the trial of Jozefina Grundzova, Marek Puska, Viera Gaziova, and Lubomir Puska Jnr continued. All four accused, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, are alleged to have impeded the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska, who was previously convicted of murdering Ashling Murphy in January 2022. Grundzova and Gaziova face charges of assisting in burning clothes, including a bloodstained t-shirt, while Marek Puska and Lubomir Puska Jnr are charged with withholding information from detectives. Evidence presented by Detective Garda James Duffy indicated that Grundzova told gardaí that Gaziova received a phone call instructing her to burn specific items. Grundzova stated she observed blood on the lower half of a t-shirt and that she herself threw socks into the fire. The court heard that the accused were living with Jozef Puska and his family in Co Offaly at the time. Presiding Judge Caroline Biggs adjourned the proceedings, informing the jury that they would not be required again until the trial resumes on June 9th.
The trial of Viera Gaziova and Jozefina Grundzova continues before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury. Both women, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, are accused of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska by burning clothes he allegedly wore on the day he murdered Ashling Murphy. Gaziova testified that she destroyed the garments after her husband, Lubomir Puska Jnr, conveyed a request from Puska to ensure the clothes were burnt. She described building a fire in the living room, burning the items until only ash remained, and disposing of the residue down the kitchen sink. Gaziova stated she initially omitted this detail from her statement to gardai because she feared the family would turn against her and she would end up on the street. She recounted that the household became concerned when Puska did not return home, and he later arrived soaked and shaking. Gaziova claimed Lubomir and Marek Puska spoke with Puska in his bedroom, after which Lubomir told her Puska had confessed to killing a girl. She noted that only she, Lubomir, Marek, and Grundzova knew of this alleged confession at the time. The court heard that all accused were living together in Co Offaly when the offences are alleged to have occurred in January 2022. The trial is ongoing.
The trial of Richard Satchwell, accused of murdering his wife Tina, was moved from Cork to Dublin because of intense local publicity that could prejudice a jury. Satchwell's counsel argued that the media attention was largely self‑generated and that a local jury would be biased, while the Director of Public Prosecutions contended the publicity was national and largely due to Satchwell's own media appearances. Judge McDermott agreed to the venue change. During the trial, the defence sought to exclude Satchwell's brief reply to the charge, claiming it was prejudicial, but the judge found it voluntary and allowed it. The defence also applied to withdraw the murder charge, arguing lack of evidence of intent, but the judge rejected the application, noting the prosecution's case relied on circumstantial evidence and the defendant's own statements.
Sean McGovern, 39, appeared before the Special Criminal Court at a late sitting following his extradition from the United Arab Emirates. The accused, with a previous address at Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, was charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan on December 22, 2016, at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin. He also faces charges of directing the activities of a criminal organisation in connection with that murder and the surveillance of James Gately between October 17, 2015, and April 6, 2017. Additional allegations include facilitating a criminal organisation in the murder of Mr Kirwan and in a conspiracy to murder Mr Gately. All charges are alleged or contested, with no plea entered. Defence counsel Olan Callanan BL reserved the defence's position on the lawfulness of the arrest and the court's jurisdiction. The Director of Public Prosecutions applied for McGovern to be tried before a three-judge, non-jury court. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, sitting with Judges Elma Sheahan and Grainne Malone, agreed to the application. The matter was adjourned to a later date, and McGovern was remanded in custody.
The jury in the trial of Richard Satchwell, who denies murdering his wife Tina, will continue deliberations into a fourth day. The panel of five men and seven women began considering their verdict at 3.05pm on Tuesday and have spent a total of eight hours and 37 minutes deliberating. They returned to the courtroom at 3.46pm today and a note was handed to the judge from the foreman stating the panel would cease deliberations for the evening and resume on Friday at 11.30am. Mr Justice Paul McDermott told the 12 jurors that there were three possible verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. He explained the two routes to the not‑guilty‑of‑murder‑but‑guilty‑of‑manslaughter verdict, based on lack of intent or partial self‑defence.
In a High Court hearing on 28 May 2025, John Magnier, the Irish bloodstock billionaire, argued that money is not personally significant to him but serves as a metric for business performance. He explained that he had engaged legal and financial experts for decisions beyond his expertise. Magnier claimed that a former exclusive agreement to purchase 751 acres in County Tipperary for €15 million was breached when the estate, Barne, sold the land to Maurice Regan for €22.25 million. He alleged that Regan's actions constituted a "full‑frontal assault" on the deal and that the estate's agent described the situation as "greed." Magnier, together with his adult children, seeks enforcement of the alleged agreement, which they say was signed on 22 August 2023 and remained exclusive until 30 September. The defendants deny any such contract and argue the sale to Regan was lawful. The case remains before Mr Justice Max Barrett.
In the Central Criminal Court, Lubomir Puska Jnr, aged 37, denied that he had asked anyone to dispose of the knife used to murder school teacher Ashling Murphy or to dispose of his brother Jozef's clothes on the day of the murder. He also denied that he had asked anyone to dispose of the clothes. The court heard that Jozef Puska, aged 35, attacked Ms Murphy, aged 23, on the canal towpath at Cappincur in Tullamore on 12 January 2022, killing her with 12 sharp force injuries, 11 of which were stab wounds. Lubomir Jnr had made two statements to Gardaí, first on 18 January 2022 and again on 26 January 2022, in which he described Jozef's condition and alleged that Jozef had tried to explain his actions. He also denied that he had asked anyone to dispose of the knife or the clothes. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
The jury in the trial of Richard Satchwell, who denies murdering his wife Tina, will return to the Central Criminal Court for a third day of deliberations. The panel of five men and seven women began considering their verdict at 3.05pm on Tuesday and have spent a total of four hours and 42 minutes deliberating. Judge Paul McDermott told the jurors that they should consider all evidence and that there are three possible verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. He explained the two routes to the not‑guilty‑of‑murder but guilty‑of‑manslaughter verdict, based on lack of intent or partial self‑defence, and that the prosecution must prove the accused was not acting in self‑defence.
In a High Court hearing on 27 May 2025, bloodstock billionaire John Magnier testified that he had reached an agreement to buy 751 acres in County Tipperary for €15 million in August 2023, but the deal collapsed when the former owners, represented by Barne Estate, sold the land to US construction magnate Maurice Regan for €22.5 million. Magnier claimed an exclusivity period from 31 August to 30 September 2023 prevented other parties from soliciting the property, and that the estate agent's remark that "greed" was the reason for the failure was a key point of his evidence. He alleged that the estate returned his initial payments in September 2023 and that the sale was sabotaged by Regan, who allegedly used a journalist to influence the agent. The case, which is expected to last three weeks, seeks to enforce the alleged agreement and is currently before Mr Justice Max Barrett.
The jury in the trial of Richard Satchwell, aged 58, will return to the Central Criminal Court to consider their verdict for a second day. The jury, composed of five men and seven women, began deliberating at 3.05 pm and has spent 46 minutes so far. Judge Paul McDermott told them to consider all evidence and to be unanimous. He explained that they could return one of three verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. He outlined the two routes to the manslaughter verdict: an unlawful killing without intent to kill or serious injury, and partial self‑defence. The judge also explained the burden on the prosecution to prove that Satchwell was not acting in self‑defence. The trial has heard that Satchwell denied murdering his 45‑year‑old wife, Tina Satchwell, and that her remains were found in a grave beneath their Cork home in October 2023.
Two men, Mark McCourt, 34, of Edencrieve, Newry, and Conor O'Brien, 28, of Kilpatrick, Ardee, are set to be tried before the Special Criminal Court on firearms charges. McCourt faces 24 counts for possessing parts for .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifles and various pistol parts, including Lugers and Sig Sauers, along with pistol magazines and ammunition, all at John St, Blackstick, Ardee, on 19 July 2024. O'Brien is charged with 24 similar offences on the same date and location, plus an additional count for aiding a criminal organisation in importing firearms and ammunition between 10 February 2023 and 19 July 2024. He is also charged under the Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Act for handling €7,450 and $20 Canadian, and for possessing €9,980 in criminal proceeds at Hazelbrook Square, Dublin. The court will hear the case in June.
In the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Paul McDermott instructed a jury of twelve that they may consider self‑defence in the murder trial of Richard Satchwell, 58, who is accused of killing his 45‑year‑old wife, Tina, between 19 and 20 March 2017. The judge reminded jurors that the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt and that Satchwell is presumed innocent. He explained that the jury must assess the credibility of evidence, including Satchwell's Garda interviews, witness statements, exhibits and media footage, and that lies may affect credibility but are not automatically proof of guilt. McDermott outlined how the jury should determine intent, the use of force, and whether the defendant's belief in self‑defence was reasonable. He warned that if the jury is not convinced of intent to kill or serious injury, they may acquit on the basis of manslaughter or not guilty. The judge will continue his charge the following day.
The trial of four accused persons in connection with the murder of Ashling Murphy continues before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury. Marek Puska (36) and Lubomir Puska Jnr (35) are accused of withholding information under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988, while their wives, Jozefina Grundzova (31) and Viera Gaziova (38), are accused of impeding Jozef Puska's apprehension by burning his clothing under the Criminal Law Act 1997. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty. During testimony, Detective Garda Cian Steers detailed Marek Puska's voluntary statement from January 14, 2022, in which he described the family's living situation and his search for Jozef Puska on the day of the murder. Marek stated he wished to provide further information but was hindered by medication for back problems. In cross-examination, it was noted that Marek accurately identified Jozef's bicycle. Garda Joanne O'Sullivan testified that Marek later revealed Jozef returned home on the night of the murder with visible injuries, including holes in his abdomen, and admitted to causing harm to a woman. It is alleged that Marek and Lubomir withheld this information, while the women assisted in destroying evidence. The matter was adjourned and the trial continues on Monday.
In the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution argued that Richard Satchwell fabricated a story about his wife Tina's death, claiming he held her by the belt of her bathrobe and that she had flown at him with a chisel. The defence maintained that Satchwell was guilty of causing her death but disputed the intent and the circumstances, noting that the body's skeletal remains made the cause of death indeterminate. The prosecution highlighted Satchwell's repeated lies, his concealment of the body under the stairs, and his attempts to create a digital footprint to mislead investigators. The defence emphasised the lack of evidence for intent to kill, the delays in the investigation, and the possibility of self‑defence. The trial, set to continue, will determine whether Satchwell is found guilty of murder, manslaughter or another charge.