In the Central Criminal Court, a 29‑year‑old man pleaded not guilty to one count of raping a female friend at a Dublin apartment on 28 September 2008. The jury heard from two university friends who claimed the accused had groped them while sleepwalking in 2008, one while sharing a double bed in America and another during a Chicago weekend where he allegedly touched a woman's breasts and buttocks. The accused's mother and brothers testified to a family history of sleep disorders, describing incidents of the accused sleepwalking, including one where he was found in a woman's bedroom in a hotel and another where he was seen walking toward a balcony. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, continues before a jury of eight men and four women. The accused's identity remains withheld for legal reasons.
During a murder trial, a jury was shown photographs taken by Detective Garda Caroline Hughes of a semi‑automatic pistol with a silencer, a striped bag, and an ammunition magazine with three rounds removed. The images were taken at Shaw's Wood in Athy, Co Kildare, where a 22‑year‑old man was shot dead. The photographs were part of the evidence presented against James 'Jimmy' Lammon, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jason Doogue. The judge informed the jury of pending legal matters and sent them home, with a return scheduled for the next day.
A telecommunications engineer gave evidence at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin regarding mobile phone mast data from County Longford during the state visit of Queen Elizabeth in May 2011. Donal Billings, aged 65, of St Bridget's Court, Drumlish, faces five charges under the Criminal Law Act 1976, including making false reports of bombs at locations including Busáras, Sinn Féin headquarters, Dublin Castle, and Cork Airport on dates spanning May 16th to May 20th, 2011. He is also charged with unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park. Mr Billings has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Evidence indicated that phone calls made to Longford Garda Station from an 086 number were routed through masts at Edgeworthstown and near Longford town. The trial continues.
The trial of seven Dubliners charged with the murder of 20‑year‑old Dale Creighton began on 13 October 2016. The defendants – Aisling Burke (23), David Burke (28), Graham Palmer (26), Ross Callery (23), James Reid (26), Jason Beresford (23) and Gerard Stevens (27) – all pleaded not guilty to murder and violent disorder, though Beresford later pleaded guilty to the disorder charge. Evidence from Garda Jennifer Walsh and Garda Avril Sharpe described a New Year's Day incident at the Tallaght footbridge where Creighton was found unconscious and badly beaten. The garda saw blood on the clothing of Palmer and Burke, and the footage showed the group leaving the bridge. The trial, before Justice Deirdre Murphy and a balanced jury, will continue on Friday morning. The court heard that Palmer was arrested at the scene and Reid was arrested the next day in Tallaght. The case remains at the Central Criminal Court.
In a Dublin rape trial, a 29‑year‑old man pleaded not guilty to raping a female friend in September 2008. A sleep expert, Dr John Michael Shneerson, testified that the accused had been diagnosed with sexsomnia, a sleep disorder involving involuntary sexual activity during non‑REM sleep. He described the man's lack of awareness, memory loss, and remorseful actions after the incident, noting that these are typical of sexsomnia. Dr Shneerson explained that the accused had previous episodes of sexual approaches during sleep, including one with a male friend, and that the alleged rape likely occurred about 90 minutes after he fell asleep, a period when sexsomnia is most common. The court heard that the accused had no conscious control over his actions and that the condition was consistent with the facts presented. The trial proceeded before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury.
A trial at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin has heard evidence concerning a mobile telephone number allegedly linked to bomb threats made during the State visit of the Queen in May 2011. Donal Billings, aged 65, of St Bridget's Court, Drumlish, County Longford, has pleaded not guilty to four charges of knowingly making false reports under the Criminal Law Act 1976, and one charge of unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on 16 May 2011. The allegations include false reports of bombs at Busáras and Sinn Féin headquarters on 16 May, mortars at Dublin Castle on 18 May, and bombs at Cork airport toilets on 20 May. Detective Garda Enda Daly testified that Mr Billings was arrested on 20 May in a LIDL carpark in Longford whilst seated in a white Seat Ibiza. Two mobile phones and a SIM card were recovered. Telecommunications data established that the phone number associated with the SIM card called Longford Garda Station on both 16 and 20 May.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution presented evidence that James 'Jimmy' Lammon (44) of Cardington Way, Athy, was the gunman who killed 22‑year‑old Jason Doogue in Greenhills on 21 August 2015. According to the prosecution barrister Kerida Naidoo SC, Doogue was sitting on a wall with friends outside a house at about 5 pm when a hooded individual on a bicycle approached. The attacker, wearing a balaclava and hood, drew a gun from his waistband, possibly with a silencer, and fired twice at Doogue's chest. Doogue attempted to flee toward the house, but the attacker shot him a third time in the back before leaving on the same bicycle. Lammon has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. The trial will continue the following day before the jury and Mr Justice Paul Butler.
The trial of seven Dubliners accused of murdering 20-year-old Dale Creighton is ongoing before the Central Criminal Court. Creighton died on January 2, 2014, following an incident at the footbridge over the Tallaght bypass on New Year's Day. While all seven defendants initially pleaded not guilty to murder and violent disorder, Jason Beresford (23) pleaded guilty to violent disorder on January 1, 2014, during the trial. The remaining six accused—Aisling Burke, David Burke, Graham Palmer, Ross Callery, James Reid, and Gerard Stevens—maintain their not guilty pleas to both murder and violent disorder. The matter was not adjourned; the trial proceeded as normal. Witness Carl O'Leary testified that he saw Creighton holding a knife on the footbridge after hearing a commotion about a phone robbery. His girlfriend, Shannon Downes, identified a white jacket belonging to a woman who claimed she was assaulted and robbed. Another witness, Sophie Percy, described seeing men at the bottom of the bridge, with footage showing one passenger punching a man not before the court. The trial continues with the jury hearing further evidence.
The 28‑year‑old former girlfriend of an unnamed man accused of rape testified at his trial that she had seen a documentary on "sexsomnia" and urged him to see a doctor. She described how, during their early relationship, she woke to find him grinding against her while asleep, and that he continued to do so on several occasions, sometimes with no memory of it. She also recounted an incident where he punched her face while they were both asleep. The accused, who pleaded not guilty, said he was drunk but not heavily, had no memory of the act, and had taken steps to prevent recurrence, including no longer sharing a bedroom with female friends and visiting a sleep clinic. The trial is before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of eight men and four women.
The trial of Donal Billings, aged 65, of St Bridget's Court, Drumlish, County Longford, continues before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. Mr Billings has pleaded not guilty to possessing an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on 16 May 2011, and to four charges under the Criminal Law Act 1976 relating to false reports of bomb threats made to locations including Busáras, Sinn Féin headquarters, Dublin Castle, and Cork Airport. During proceedings, Sergeant Philip Coffey of Roscommon Garda Station described searching a white Seat Ibiza vehicle on 20 May 2011, during which he recovered transparent gloves, a mobile phone SIM card pack, a homemade funnel, and a five-litre water bottle containing a yellowish liquid with a petrol odour. CCTV footage from Longford train station was presented to the court. The trial continues.
The trial of seven Dubliners charged with the murder of 20-year-old Dale Creighton is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. All defendants, including Aisling Burke, David Burke, Graham Palmer, Ross Callery, James Reid, Jason Beresford, and Gerard Stevens, have pleaded not guilty to murder and violent disorder. Prosecution counsel Seán Gillane SC alleged the group acted together to inflict serious injury or death during a 'vicious, prolonged' attack on New Year's Day 2014. Evidence presented includes CCTV footage and testimony from witness Síle McCarthy, who described seeing six or seven individuals surround, kick, and punch Creighton on the footbridge over the Tallaght bypass. The prosecution stated Creighton was thrown 'like a rag doll' down steps before being returned to the bridge, suffering blunt force injuries to the head and face that caused his death on January 2, 2014. The matter is currently at the trial stage before Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy and a jury; it has not been finalised and is expected to last approximately six weeks.
In a Dublin trial, a 29‑year‑old man pleaded not guilty to one count of raping a female friend at an apartment on 28 September 2008. He told the jury that he has a history of sleepwalking and night terrors, and that he has no memory of initiating sexual activity with the complainant. He recounted past incidents where he woke up kissing or touching others in his sleep, and that he had been told by a friend that he had been "spooning" him in bed. He explained that after a night out with the complainant they went to a friend's house, where he fell asleep on a spare bed. He claimed he woke up on top of the woman, had no recollection of how he got there, and that he later texted her to apologise.
A man from County Longford is on trial at the Special Criminal Court in Dublin accused of making false bomb threats during a state visit in May 2011. Donal Billings, aged 65, of St Bridget's Court, Drumlish, has pleaded not guilty to four charges under the Criminal Law Act 1976 of knowingly making false reports tending to show that offences had been committed. He faces separate allegations of making false threats concerning explosives at Busáras and a political party headquarters on 16 May, at Dublin Castle on 18 May, and at Cork Airport on 20 May. He is also charged with unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on 16 May 2011. During proceedings, a garda told the court that a caller to Longford Garda Station claimed membership of the "Republican Brotherhood, Squad A" and stated mortars were positioned at Dublin Castle. A detective inspector outlined the investigation, which involved surveillance and resulted in an arrest at a Longford supermarket car park. The trial is ongoing.
The trial of seven accused individuals for the murder of Dale Creighton is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy addressed the jury, warning them against conducting internet searches or discussing the case, emphasizing that their verdicts must rely solely on evidence presented in court. The accused, Aisling Burke, David Burke, Graham Palmer, Ross Callery, James Reid, Jason Beresford, and Gerard Stevens, are charged with murdering Mr. Creighton, who died on January 2, 2014, following an incident at the Tallaght bypass footbridge. All seven defendants have pleaded not guilty to the murder charges. Additionally, each accused pleaded not guilty to violent disorder at the same location on New Year's Day. The court highlighted the gravity of the proceedings, noting that murder is the most serious offence in the criminal calendar. The trial is currently at the trial stage, with no findings, sentences, or finalizations recorded. The matter was adjourned and will continue the following morning.
A jury of eight men and four women was sworn in at the Central Criminal Court for the murder trial of James Jimmy Lammon, 44, of Cardington Way, Athy, Kildare. Lammon pleaded not guilty to the killing of 22‑year‑old Jason Doogue in the Greenhills estate on 21 August 2015. The trial is set to start on Wednesday and is expected to last four weeks.
Patrick Hutch Jnr, aged 24, is accused of murdering 34‑year‑old David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in Dublin on 5 February. Byrne was shot during a boxing weigh‑in by a gang of heavily armed raiders. Hutch was charged in May at Dublin District Court with Byrne's murder and with unlawful possession of three AK47 assault rifles. The Special Criminal Court has been ordered to try Hutch under Section 49 of the Offences Against the State Act, and a body warrant has been issued to bring him to the court.
Eamonn Cumberton, 29, of Mountjoy Street, Dublin 7, was charged with the murder of 35‑year‑old Michael Barr at the Sunset House pub on 25 April. The Special Criminal Court, hearing the State's application, ordered that Cumberton be tried before the three‑judge, non‑jury court. The order was made by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, with Judges Martin Nolan and Cormac Dunne presiding.
A 29‑year‑old man accused of raping a female friend in Dublin on 28 September 2008 pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court. In an interview with Gardaí he admitted to having a history of sleep‑walking and claimed he may have had sex with the woman while asleep, saying he does not remember the incident. He described being in a semi‑conscious state and asserted he would never have unprotected sex. He also admitted to sleeping with other friends and kissing other girls in his sleep, and that he and the complainant were close friends but not a couple. He told Gardaí that on the night of the alleged rape he woke up with the complainant asking if he was wearing a condom. The trial is before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of eight men and four women.
The trial of seven Tallaght residents accused of murdering 20‑year‑old Dale Creighton on 2 January 2014 has been adjourned to Monday. All seven, aged in their twenties, pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and to violent disorder at the footbridge over the Tallaght bypass. The accused are Aisling Burke (23), David Burke (28), Graham Palmer (26), Ross Callery (23), James Reid (26), Jason Beresford (23) and Gerard Stevens (27). A jury of six men and six women was sworn in to hear the case, which was scheduled to open that morning but was postponed because no judge was available. The court expects the trial to last up to six weeks. The incident occurred on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day, and the victim and all accused were from Tallaght. The trial will resume on Monday.
The Special Criminal Court in Dublin is currently hearing the trial of Donal Billings, a 65-year-old man from County Longford, who has pleaded not guilty to five charges. The prosecution alleges that Billings unlawfully possessed an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on May 16, 2011, and made four false bomb reports under the Criminal Law Act of 1976. These alleged false reports included claims of bombs at Busáras, Sinn Féin headquarters, Dublin Castle, and Cork airport, with the latter threat allegedly made by an anonymous caller who stated the device was "for the Queen." Evidence presented includes testimony from a bus driver who identified a man placing an item on a vehicle, and gardaí who responded to the threats without finding devices. The court rejected a defence application to adjourn or defer the trial due to translation concerns, ruling that Billings is adequately supported by legal and linguistic experts. The trial is ongoing, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded at this procedural stage.
In the Central Criminal Court, a 29‑year‑old defendant pleaded not guilty to a single count of rape, claiming he was sleepwalking when he allegedly assaulted a female friend in a Dublin apartment on 28 September 2008. The jury has heard that Garda Noel Sweeney performed a mobile‑phone analysis in February 2009, extracting incoming and outgoing texts between the complainant and the accused during a specific period. Sweeney confirmed that the analysis involved downloading the phone and selected text messages, producing a print‑out. He acknowledged that the phone could retain or delete messages, but stated that in this case no such deletion was performed. He also noted that, apart from five texts, no outgoing messages were recorded after 26 October 2008, the day the complainant first visited a Garda station. The trial proceeds before Justice Patrick McCarthy with a jury of eight men and four women.
In a Tallaght court hearing on 6 October 2016, a woman and six men, all in their twenties and residents of Tallaght, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 20‑year‑old Dale Creighton, who died on 2 January 2014. The alleged killing took place at the footbridge over the Tallaght bypass between Saint Dominic's Road and Greenhills Road, about two days after an incident on New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. The accused—Aisling Burke (23), David Burke (28), Graham Palmer (26), Ross Callery (23), James Reid (26), Jason Beresford (23) and Gerard Stevens (27)—were charged with murder and violent disorder on the same occasion. All seven were arraigned before the Central Criminal Court, and the judge, Justice Patrick McCarthy, swore in a jury of six women and six men, noting that no juror should be from the Tallaght area. The trial was scheduled to begin the following day and could last up to six weeks.
In the trial of a 29‑year‑old man accused of raping a 22‑year‑old friend in a Dublin flat on 28 September 2008, the defendant pleaded not guilty. He claimed he had been sleep‑walking at the time of the alleged offence. The complainant, who was a platonic friend, described how she had slept in the flat after a night out, woke an hour and a half later to find the accused on top of her with his penis inside her. She initially did not report the incident, hoping he would receive help, but later changed her mind after feeling he was not taking it seriously. She testified that she had spoken to a garda about the complaint process and had received advice that victims might regret reporting. The defendant's mother testified that he had a long‑standing sleep‑walking problem and had been searching for "sleep sex" online in the days after the alleged offence.
A Special Criminal Court trial has heard that gardaí discovered an improvised explosive device on a passenger bus bound for Dublin on the eve of a royal visit in May 2011. Donal Billings, aged 65, of Drumlish, County Longford, is charged with unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park on May 16th, 2011, and with four offences of making false bomb reports under the Criminal Law Act 1976. The charges allege he made false reports claiming bombs were positioned at Busáras Dublin, Sinn Féin headquarters, Dublin Castle, and Cork airport between May 16th and 20th. Mr Billings has pleaded not guilty to all five charges. Garda evidence established that the device, located in a Tesco bag beneath a Corduff Travel bus at Straffan Road rail station in Maynooth, contained a two-litre bottle of flammable liquid, copper piping filled with explosive material, a mechanical timer, battery, and firework components. An Army Bomb Disposal Unit member disabled the device, confirming it possessed capability to cause serious injury. The trial continues.
In a 2016 trial at the Central Criminal Court, a 29‑year‑old man pleaded not guilty to a single count of raping a woman in Dublin on 28 September 2008. He claimed he was sleep‑walking and had no conscious memory of the act. The prosecution described the alleged incident: the couple, former university friends, had travelled to Dublin, stayed at a friend's apartment, drank, and then slept in a shared bedroom. The woman, fully dressed, woke to find the man on top of her. She testified that he thrust repeatedly, that she asked him to stop, and that he later apologized. The man was interviewed by Gardaí the following year, stating he had no recollection and only a vague memory of being asked about a condom.
A man charged in connection with bomb threats made to Longford garda station during a state visit by Queen Elizabeth II in May 2011 has pleaded not guilty to all charges before the Special Criminal Court in Dublin. Donal Billings, aged 65, of Drumlish, County Longford, faces one charge of unlawful possession of an explosive substance at Longford railway station car park and four charges under the Criminal Law Act of making false reports. The prosecution alleges Mr Billings made threatening calls on three separate dates claiming bombs had been placed at locations including Busáras in Dublin, Sinn Féin headquarters, Dublin Castle, and Cork airport. Evidence is expected to show that a suspect device was recovered from a bus stopped in County Kildare. The court heard that phone records and CCTV footage from a shopping centre in Longford will form part of the prosecution case. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt alongside two other judges, is expected to last four weeks.
The jury for the trial of former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Sean FitzPatrick, charged with misleading auditors about millions of euros in loans, was sent away for almost two weeks. A specially enlarged panel of 15 jurors was sworn in at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with the trial expected to last three months. Judge John Aylmer reminded the jurors to remain impartial, to avoid seeking information online or on social media, and not to discuss the case with family or friends. FitzPatrick, aged 68, pleaded not guilty to 27 offences under the 1990 Companies Act, including 22 charges of misleading statements to auditors and five charges of furnishing false information between 2002 and 2007. The judge told the jury that the case would resume before counsel for the State, Dominic McGinn SC, who would explain the lengthy indictment.
Three new jurors were sworn in for the trial of former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Sean FitzPatrick, who faces 27 offences under the 1990 Companies Act for allegedly misleading the bank's auditor Ernst and Young about director's loans received between November 2002 and February 2008. The trial, held at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, is expected to last three months. Judge John Aylmer instructed the jury, now nine women and six men, to remain impartial, avoid internet or social media research, and not discuss the case with family or friends. He emphasized that the jury must base their verdict solely on the evidence presented in court and will return a decision tomorrow afternoon before being dismissed for about two weeks. FitzPatrick, aged 68, has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial of former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Sean FitzPatrick began at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 21 September 2016. A specially enlarged jury of 15 was sworn in, with the case expected to last up to three months. FitzPatrick, aged 68, denies misleading the bank's auditors Ernst and Young about loans totalling up to €119 million received between November 2002 and February 2008. He pleaded not guilty to 27 offences under the 1990 Companies Act, including 22 charges of making misleading statements to auditors and five charges of furnishing false information from 2002 to 2007. The prosecution plans to call 75 witnesses, such as former bank employees Matt Moran and Tiarnan O'Mahoney, and former IBRC chairman Alan Dukes. Potential jurors were excluded if they had been affected by the banking crisis, expressed views on it publicly, or were members of protest groups. The jury, after exclusions, comprised eight women and seven men.
Sean FitzPatrick, former chairman of Anglo Irish Bank, will begin a twelve‑week trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 26 September. He is accused of misleading the bank's auditors over a five‑year period, facing 27 offences under the 1990 Companies Act. The charges include 21 counts of making misleading, false or deceptive statements to auditors and six counts of furnishing false information between 2002 and 2007. The case will be heard by a specially enlarged jury of 15 members, with two days of legal argument in the jury's absence.
Jonathan Hawthorn, 44, of Ballintyre Downs, Ballinteer, was granted compassionate bail by the Special Criminal Court to attend his father's funeral. He was charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) along with James Geraghty and Donal O Ceallaigh. The court, sitting in an out‑of‑term session, accepted the State counsel's argument that, despite the usual objection to bail, compassionate bail was appropriate. Hawthorn must post a €6,000 bond, reside in Dublin, and report to Portlaoise Prison by 6:30 pm on Thursday. He is required to observe a curfew from 12 am to 7 am, surrender his passport, and may not leave the jurisdiction or contact prosecution witnesses. He must not associate with co‑accused or convicted persons, attend republican gatherings, or apply for new travel documents. The court remanded all three men in custody with liberty to apply for bail until 24 October.
Two men from County Sligo have been granted bail by the Special Criminal Court following their arrest in Co Leitrim during an operation targeting dissident republican activity. Damhan McFadden, aged 27, of Kilmacowen, Ballysodare and Julian Flohr, aged 35, of Rusheen Ard, Caltra, were charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army on 14 August. The court rejected a garda application requiring the men to notify police each time they left their home county, instead imposing twice-daily sign-on requirements at Sligo Garda Station. Both accused must observe a nighttime curfew, reside at their registered addresses, surrender their passports and refrain from leaving the jurisdiction. They are prohibited from contacting prosecution witnesses, attending republican commemorations or associating with one another. McFadden was released on bail of €4,000 personal bond with €7,000 independent surety, while Flohr was released on €120 personal bond with independent surety.
In a three‑week trial at Sr Senan Court, Edenderry, the jury found Matthew Cummins (22), Sean Davy (21) and James Davy (25) guilty of murdering 64‑year‑old Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley. The men were convicted of beating Dooley to death with a baseball bat in his home. The trial recounted how the trio met at Mangan's Pub, drank, used cocaine, and later attended a house party at April Murray's home where they caused extensive damage. After the party, they entered Dooley's house, where Cummins claimed Sean Davy struck Dooley with the bat, while Davy accounts varied. The prosecution described the attack as a joint enterprise. The men face mandatory life sentences; sentencing is postponed to 10 October, with reports ordered and all three remanded in custody. Matthew Cummins pleaded not guilty. James Davy pleaded not guilty. Sean Davy pleaded not guilty.
Two men, Sean Davy, 21, and James Davy, 25, were found guilty of murdering 64‑year‑old Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley in his home. The verdict was reached by unanimous jury after a three‑week trial at Sr Senan Court in Edenderry. The jury also considered a third defendant, Matthew Cummins, 22, who pleaded not guilty, and will decide his verdict tomorrow. The judge instructed the jury not to discuss the case with anyone else and to return for Cummins' verdict.
James Davy, aged 25, stands accused of murder after being present at the scene of Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley's death on 12 February 2014. He pleaded not guilty, as did co‑accused Sean Davy (21) and Matthew Cummins (22). The men entered Dooley's home through a window at about 5.30 am, drank with him, and at some point Dooley was beaten to death and attempts were made to set his body on fire. Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy reported eight blows to Dooley's head and two blows to his body, fracturing ribs. Defence counsel Padraig Dwyer SC argued that Davy's presence alone does not prove intent to kill, and that the prosecution failed to establish such intent. Davy maintains he did not strike Dooley or attempt arson, and he denied any involvement in the killing. The trial continues with the judge scheduled to charge the jury the following day.
In the Central Criminal Court, defence counsel Caroline Biggs SC argued that the evidence against 22‑year‑old Matthew Cummins of Churchview Heights, Edenderry, shows "morally corrupt" behaviour but does not prove he committed murder. Cummins, who pleaded not guilty to the killing of Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley, was present at the crime scene, had taken drugs, and was involved in earlier vandalism, but there is no evidence he intended to kill or seriously injure Dooley. Biggs contended that Cummins' actions after Dooley's death, such as cleaning the scene and possibly setting the body on fire, cannot constitute murder. She urged the jury to find him not guilty of murder but guilty of impeding the arrest or prosecution of the principal offender. The trial also heard defence arguments for Sean Davy, who was to be found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, and the case will continue with James Davy's defence on Tuesday.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Patrick Treacy SC argued that Matthew Cummins (22), Sean Davy (21) and James Davy (25) acted together to murder 64‑year‑old Thomas 'Toddy' Dooley. The prosecution said the men entered Dooley's house at about 5.30 am after being expelled from a house party, beat him to death with a baseball bat, attempted to set his body on fire and then disposed of the bat and other items in a bin. Treacy described the evidence as showing a joint enterprise, with each accused equally guilty. He highlighted conflicting statements from the men, including Cummins' claims of lying about his whereabouts and Davy's admissions of striking Dooley. The trial was set to continue the following day before Justice Margaret Heneghan. Matthew Cummins pleaded not guilty. Sean Davy pleaded not guilty. James Davy pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution has finished giving evidence in the case of three men accused of murdering a 64‑year‑old at his home. Matthew Cummins (22) of Churchview Heights, Edenderry, Sean Davy (21) of Clonmullen Drive, Edenderry and James Davy (25) of Thornhill Meadows, Celbridge, all pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas "Toddy" Dooley at his home in Sr Senan Court, Edenderry, on 12 February 2014. Prosecuting counsel Patrick Treacy SC told the jury that the evidence had ended and he would begin his summary of the trial tomorrow. The legal representatives for all three accused said they would not call any further witnesses. On the final day of evidence the jury heard from interviews given by James Davy to gardai in February and June 2014. Det Garda Joseph Bradley said that in February Mr Davy told gardai that it was Matthew Cummins' idea to go to Mr Dooley's house that night.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, James Redmond, aged 60, is charged with murdering Mary Dargan and attempting to murder Karina Dargan on 15 March 2014 at their Killinarden Estate home. Redmond pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC argued that the sole issue was Redmond's state of mind, claiming evidence showed he was mentally unfit. Prosecution counsel Pauline Walley SC presented two forensic psychiatrists who agreed Redmond suffered severe depressive episodes with psychotic symptoms, preventing him from controlling his actions. She also highlighted that allegations of chanting, laughing, or paedophilia were delusions. The jury was instructed to decide whether Redmond should be held criminally responsible or found mentally unfit, and they began deliberations after 3.30pm, having spent 25 minutes so far.
In the trial of Marta Herda, a 29‑year‑old Polish waitress from Arklow, the jury was informed that a majority verdict could be accepted. Herda is charged with the murder of 31‑year‑old Csaba Orsos, who drowned after the car she was driving entered a harbour on 26 March 2013. She pleaded not guilty. The court heard that the couple had worked together in a hotel and that Orsos had been in love with Herda, who did not reciprocate. He had reportedly followed her for two years, calling and messaging her, and the pair were arguing in the car when it entered the water. The jury, consisting of eight men and four women, was given three possible verdicts: guilty of murder, acquittal, or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing set for 24 October, Deivydas Zigelis, a 38‑year‑old Lithuanian, will receive a sentence for manslaughter. Zigelis was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter in June for the death of his housemate, Alexander Karpovs, who died from a single stab wound to the heart on 15 February 2014. Justice Paul Butler also ordered a prison governor's report to be sent to Zigelis's legal representatives.
In the trial of Marta Herda, a 29‑year‑old Polish waitress from Arklow, the jury resumed deliberations on Wednesday after a Monday morning session. Herda is charged with the murder of 31‑year‑old Csaba Orsos, a Hungarian national, who drowned when the car she was driving entered a harbour on 26 March 2013. Herda pleaded not guilty. The Central Criminal Court heard that the couple had worked together and that Orsos had been in love with Herda, who did not reciprocate. He had followed her for two years, calling and texting her, and they were arguing in the car when it entered the water. The judge explained the possible verdicts—guilty of murder, acquittal, or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter—and that a unanimous decision was required. The jury had spent six hours and 14 minutes on the case before being sent home, and they will resume tomorrow.
James Redmond, aged 60, was charged with murdering Mary Dargan and attempting to murder her daughter Karina Dargan at their Killinarden Estate home on 15 March 2014. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity at the Central Criminal Court. The prosecution presented three interviews from Tallaght Garda Station on 16 March 2014. In the first interview Redmond claimed that Karina had been "chanting" he was a paedophile for nearly three months before the incident, describing it as a game and mind‑games that drove him to shoot. He said he had been sleepless, had taken cartridges from a shotgun he owned for 20 years, and fired at the house. In the second interview he said he felt "rotten" and that the chanting had made his head "fit to burst," prompting him to go to the Dargan house. The trial continues.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing, a murder accused admitted to the Garda that he struck the deceased once with a baseball bat, but claimed the blow did not kill him. The accused, Matthew Cummins (22), Sean Davy (21) and James Davy (25), all pleaded not guilty to the murder of 64‑year‑old Thomas "Toddy" Dooley, who was found dead at his home in Sr Senan Court, Edenderry, on 12 February 2014. The trial is ongoing before a jury and Justice Margaret Heneghan.
In a 2016 murder trial, 60‑year‑old James Redmond pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for killing Mary Dargan and attempting to kill her daughter Karina in their Killinarden Estate home on 15 March 2014. Redmond, who owned and licensed a shotgun, shot Dargan in the kitchen while she was drinking tea, severing an artery and killing her. He then fired at Karina's head as she fled, but she survived after a neighbour took her to hospital. Redmond claimed he was being called a paedophile by the Dargans and that he had been depressed and had sought medical help in January 2014. The prosecution presented evidence that the families had lived peacefully together for years and that Redmond had been under psychiatric care since the incident. The case was set to continue before Mr Justice Robert Eagar.
The trial of Sean Davy, James Davy, and Matthew Cummins for the alleged murder of 64-year-old Thomas "Toddy" Dooley continues before Justice Margaret Heneghan. All three accused have pleaded not guilty to killing Mr. Dooley at his home in Edenderry, Co Offaly, on February 12, 2014. The jury heard that during an interview, Matthew Cummins stated that Sean Davy claimed the deceased had raped his cousin. Evidence presented included a text message allegedly received by James Davy from Chloe McBride, identified as the deceased's granddaughter, which read: "Toddy a rapist. I never going there again." Prosecutors suggested this indicated a pre-planned motive. However, Detective Garda Joe Hughes agreed with defense counsel that Mr. Dooley had never come to the attention of gardai and that there were no concerning rumors regarding him. Cummins testified that he believed the group was entering the house to drink and was unaware of any plan to attack. He stated he was too afraid to call an ambulance or alert police immediately after the incident. The court noted that the matter was adjourned and the trial continues.
In the Central Criminal Court, a jury will resume deliberations on Tuesday morning in the trial of Marta Herda, a 29‑year‑old Polish waitress from Arklow, charged with the murder of 31‑year‑old Csaba Orsos. The case concerns an incident on 26 March 2013 when Herda drove her car into a harbour at South Quay, Arklow, causing Orsos to drown. Herda escaped the water, but Orsos could not swim and his body was recovered from a nearby beach later that day. The trial established that the two had worked together and that Orsos had been in love with Herda, who denied feeling the same way. She claimed he had followed her for two years, phoned and sent messages, and that they were arguing in the car when she drove into the water.
James Redmond, aged 60, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of Mary Dargan and the attempted murder of her daughter Karina Dargan, both of whom lived with him at the Killinarden Estate in Tallaght. The alleged offences occurred on 15 March 2014. The Central Criminal Court has sworn in a jury of seven men and five women for a trial expected to last two to three days. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy instructed the prosecution to provide brief information, noting that the Redmond and Dargan families had lived side by side for many years.
The trial of Marta Herda, a 29‑year‑old Polish waitress, is set to begin jury deliberations on Monday. She is charged with the murder of 31‑year‑old Csaba Orsos, who drowned after the car she was in drove into a harbour on 26 March 2013. Herda escaped the water, but Orsos could not swim and his body was recovered later that day. The prosecution presented evidence that the couple had been arguing in the car and that Orsos had been following Herda for two years, calling and texting him. Herda pleaded not guilty. Judge Patrick McCarthy explained to the jury that they could find her guilty of murder, acquitted, or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, noting that intent to kill could arise on the spot and that motive need not be proven. He also clarified that gross negligence would be required for a manslaughter verdict. The jury must reach a unanimous verdict.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 22 July 2016, Judge Patrick McCarthy began charging the jury in the trial of Marta Herda, a 29‑year‑old Polish waitress from Arklow, with the murder of 31‑year‑old Csaba Orsos. The case concerns an incident on 26 March 2013 when Herda drove her car into a harbour at South Quay, Arklow, causing Orsos to drown. Herda had pleaded not guilty. The trial established that both were in the car when it entered the water shortly before 6 a.m., that Herda escaped while Orsos could not swim and his body was recovered later that day. Herda had told police that Orsos was in love with her and had followed her for two years, but she did not reciprocate. She also claimed they were arguing in the car when she drove into the water.