Mr Hugh Rance, a long‑serving flute teacher at the Cork Education and Training Board School of Music, claimed he was penalised for raising concerns about alleged waste and misuse of public funds. He alleged that his own teaching hours were 63% vacant, costing the State about €50,000 a year, and that 18 music teachers had excess vacant hours ranging from 35% to 70%. Rance sent emails to a manager and to the chief executive, Denis Leamy, in October 2023, demanding a review of the issues. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found that his complaints did not constitute a protected disclosure under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and dismissed his claim. Rance said he would appeal to the Labour Court. The WRC's decision was based on the view that the allegations were an interpersonal grievance rather than a protected disclosure.
The trial of four accused persons regarding the murder of Ashling Murphy continues before the Central Criminal Court. Jozefina Grundzova and Viera Gaziova, who have pleaded not guilty to charges under the Criminal Law Act 1997, are alleged to have assisted in burning clothing to impede the prosecution of Jozef Puska. Marek Puska and Lubomir Puska Jnr, also pleading not guilty, face charges under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988 and the Criminal Law Act 1997 for allegedly withholding information about Puska's return home with injuries and his subsequent travel to Dublin. Evidence presented includes testimony from Detective Sergeant Anthony Quinn, who described sifting fireplace ashes at the family home in Mucklagh, Co Offaly, for forensic evidence of burned clothing, though nothing of note was found. Witness Jenna Stack testified to seeing Murphy struggling with a man near Cappincur Bridge on January 12, 2022, describing her as "kicking out really hard" while the man appeared angry at being interrupted. The matter is currently at the trial stage and has not been finalised; it remains ongoing before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury.
In the murder trial of Richard Satchwell, his half‑sister Lorraine Howard, aged 50, testified that he was obsessive and possessive, constantly monitoring Tina Satchwell's whereabouts and contacts. Howard said Tina confided she could not escape her husband. She described Satchwell as controlling and odd, and claimed he had a vicious temper. Howard also recounted that Tina's family relationships were strained, noting that Tina discovered she was a half‑sister at confirmation age, which caused distress. She testified that Satchwell had called Tina his "trophy wife" and that he would have taken her back if she returned. Howard stated that Satchwell had told her that Tina could not get away from him and that she would call the Gardaí. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul McDermott, continues tomorrow with closing speeches. Tina Satchwell pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, Sarah Howard, cousin of Tina Satchwell, testified that Richard Satchwell offered her a freezer that he later claimed held his wife's body before burying it under their home. Howard, visibly emotional, described the offer as "very unusual and very strange" and recounted that she had never seen Tina violent or aggressive. She also confirmed that Richard had sent her a birthday card signed "Tina and Richard" in August 2017, five months after Tina's disappearance. Howard noted that Tina had been missing since March 2017, with her body discovered in October 2023 beneath the stairs. The prosecution's case was deemed complete, and the trial will continue before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. The accused, 58, has pleaded not guilty to Tina's murder.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the prosecution explained that Jozef Puska's sisters‑in‑law, Jozefina Grundzova (31) and Viera Gaziova (38), burned the clothes he wore when he murdered 23‑year‑old schoolteacher Ashling Murphy on 12 January 2022. The prosecution's barrister, Sean Gillane SC, noted that the brothers Lubomir Puska Jnr (35) and Marek Puska (34) had given voluntary interviews to Gardaí two days after the murder but allegedly misled investigators by withholding information about Puska's return home with visible injuries and his admission of killing or seriously injuring a woman. The brothers are charged with withholding information under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988, while the sisters‑in‑law are charged under the Criminal Law Act 1997 for assisting in burning the clothing to impede Puska's arrest or prosecution. The trial is before Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of twelve. Lubomir Puska Jnr pleaded not guilty. Marek Puska pleaded not guilty. Jozefina Grundzova pleaded not guilty. Viera Gaziova pleaded not guilty.
During the Richard Satchwell murder trial, Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster explained that Tina Satchwell's cause of death could not be determined because her remains were skeletal. The remains were found buried beneath the couple's Cork home, in a grave under the stairs, after an invasive search in October 2023. Dr Bolster described the body's condition: a dressing‑gown belt knotted over the front of the chest, a gold purse labelled 'Playboy' removed from the left pocket, and skeletal remains with no fractures or bruising. She noted the belt's unusual position, often used to move a body, and that the body had been wrapped in a soiled sheet. No evidence of trauma to the hyoid bone or other bones was found, and the post‑mortem interval was very long, preventing determination of the cause of death. Tina Satchwell pleaded not guilty.
Two men, Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), were found guilty of murdering 22‑year‑old Mahamud Ilyas after a dispute over a stolen bag of cannabis. The jury, after seven hours and 52 minutes of deliberation over four days, returned a unanimous verdict rejecting the defence's claim of self‑defence. The prosecution presented evidence that Doroscan and Clejan beat Ilyas to death, using a hammer and a fruit knife, and then disposed of his body in a wooded area on Belgree Lane, County Meath. Witnesses described Ilyas as bound, bleeding from the nose, and in pain while the accused shouted for the stolen drugs. The trial also considered the role of co‑accused Lorenzo Cantaragiu (21), who faced charges of impeding the prosecution and was found to have driven the accused and the deceased to the site. Viorel Doroscan pleaded not guilty. Otniel Richardo Clejan pleaded not guilty.
The trial has commenced at the Central Criminal Court for four individuals accused of impeding the investigation into the murder of Ashling Murphy. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs swore a jury to hear the case, which is expected to last up to five weeks. The defendants are Jozef Puska's brothers, Marek and Lubomir Puska, and their respective wives, Jozefina Grundzova and Viera Gaziova. All four have pleaded not guilty. The brothers are charged under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988 with withholding information. It is alleged they failed to tell An Garda Síochána that Jozef Puska returned home to Mucklagh on the night of January 12, 2022, with visible injuries and admitted to "cutting" a female with a knife. They are also alleged to have known he travelled to Dublin that night. Marek Puska is further alleged to have been aware of an arrangement to burn clothing worn by Jozef Puska. The women are charged under the Criminal Law Act 1997 with assisting in burning clothing between January 12 and 14, intending to impede the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska. The prosecution alleges the defendants knew or believed the withheld information or actions might assist in securing the conviction of Jozef Puska for a serious offence. Jozef Puska was previously tried and convicted of Ms Murphy's murder. The trial will begin with an opening statement by the prosecution.
In the Central Criminal Court, jurors are deliberating a murder case involving Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), who deny killing 22‑year‑old Mahamud Ilyas on 9 December 2022. The State alleges the men sold drugs and beat Ilyas after a dispute over a stolen cannabis bag, while the accused claim self‑defence after Ilyas entered an apartment with a weapon. Ilyas's body, found at Belgree Lane, Co Meath, shows blunt‑force head trauma typical of hammer blows. The jury, consisting of seven men and five women, has spent five hours and 35 minutes over three days and will resume on Tuesday. The judge explained that a verdict of murder requires proof of a joint enterprise to cause serious harm, while manslaughter could result if the death was due to unlawful assault without intent. The case also involves co‑accused Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who faces charges of impeding the prosecution and has pleaded not guilty.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court will resume deliberations tomorrow in the trial of Nigel Canavan, aged 39, who denies murdering his mother. The accused, with an address in Crossmolina, County Mayo, is charged with the death of Angela Canavan at her home in County Sligo on 1 May 2023. The jury has already spent more than four hours over two days considering their verdict. Mr Canavan has pleaded not guilty to murder but the jury has been directed they may return verdicts of guilty of murder, not guilty, or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. The defence case rests on claims of self-defence and provocation. State pathologist evidence outlined multiple injuries to the deceased, including bruising to the face, neck, torso and limbs, fractured ribs, and stab wounds to both thighs. The cause of death was established as asphyxiation due to smothering and strangling.
Richard Satchwell, who pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of his 45-year-old wife, Tina Satchwell, between March 19 and 20, 2017, is currently on trial at the Central Criminal Court. The matter is at the trial stage, with evidence presented regarding the defendant's statements and forensic findings. GP Patrick Burke testified that Satchwell claimed his wife assaulted him on multiple occasions, a history never mentioned in their 18 years of medical consultations. Burke noted the couple typically attended appointments together, making Satchwell's solo visit on March 30, 2017, unusual. In a fourth interview with gardai, Satchwell stated he would not view photographs of his wife's body, saying he wanted to remember her "the way she was, not the way I made her." Detectives challenged his account, stating his "second story" had "come apart" and did not match the evidence. Witness Sarah Dobson described Satchwell selling Tina's belongings, including a handbag, while claiming she was ill in England. Forensic expert Dr. Brian Gorey testified that 15 glass fragments found on Tina's scalp and torso likely originated from a single source and transferred to the remains shortly before burial. The trial continues with further evidence to be presented.
Richard Treacy, 36, of Downey St, Garryowen, Limerick, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to a money‑laundering offence under the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010. He admitted that between 1 January 2014 and 12 January 2021 he concealed the true source of funds used for renovation work at his home, knowing or being reckless that the money was the proceeds of criminal conduct. The case, originally scheduled for a two‑week trial, was adjourned to 21 July for sentencing by Justice Karen O'Connor.
Richard Satchwell, aged 58, told detectives he would not look at photographs of his wife Tina's body, saying he wanted to remember her as she was, not as he had made her. He claimed his wife, aged 45, had attacked him with a chisel, that he had fallen backwards, and that he had held her bathrobe belt at her neck until she became heavier. Gardaí questioned him about marks on plasterboard he said were left by a chisel, but he could not confirm their location. He also said the marks were not visible. Gardaí noted inconsistencies in his story and that his second account was starting to fall apart. The trial heard that Tina's body was found in a grave under the stairs of the couple's home in October 2023, after she had been reported missing in May 2017. Satchwell pleaded not guilty to her murder, which is alleged to have occurred between 19 and 20 March 2017.
A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court heard closing arguments on Wednesday concerning the death of Angela Canavan, aged fifty-eight, at her home in St John's Terrace, Sligo on May 1st, 2023. The accused, Nigel Canavan, aged thirty-nine, with an address at Erris Gardens, Crossmolina, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to her murder. The prosecution submitted that the accused's account of self-defence or provocation should be rejected as implausible, noting he initially denied presence at the scene before later claiming either provocation or self-defence at trial. State Pathologist evidence established the deceased died from asphyxiation due to strangulation and smothering, with additional injuries including rib fractures and stab wounds. The defence argued the accused demonstrated sustained care and affection toward his mother, suggesting provocation arising from verbal abuse during a heated altercation. The jury of ten women and two men retired to consider their verdict on Wednesday afternoon and will deliver their decision Thursday.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing, Gardaí told Richard Satchwell that his description of his wife Tina's death was "most likely a physical impossibility" and "didn't make sense". Satchwell, aged 58, said he had tried to explain the events of March 19‑20, 2017, when Tina, aged 45, disappeared and was later found buried under their stairs in a grave dug in October 2023. He claimed he had held her by the belt of her bathrobe, that the belt may have strangled her, and that he had buried her in a "final goodbye" after lifting her body into the hole. Gardaí questioned the plausibility of his account, noting no evidence of a belt around her neck and that the scene did not match his narrative. Satchwell stated he would plead guilty and that there would be no jury. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of five men and seven women. Richard Satchwell pleaded not guilty.
Richard Satchwell, aged 58, told Gardaí that he buried his wife Tina's body under the stairs of their Cork home to keep her with him. He said he wanted her to know the hand that killed her was also the hand that loved her. Satchwell claimed the incident occurred on or about 19 March 2017, after a dispute at a car boot sale. He described a sudden violent episode in which Tina "flew" at him, leading to her death. He said he then placed her in a chest freezer, later dug a hole under the stairs, wrapped her in black plastic, added flowers, and covered her with cement. A forensic anthropologist testified that no injuries were found on Tina's bones, including her hyoid bone. Satchwell pleaded not guilty to her murder. The trial is set to continue.
A 39-year-old man has testified at the Central Criminal Court that his mother died during a struggle in which he was defending himself from her attack. Nigel Canavan, from Crossmolina, County Mayo, is charged with the murder of Angela Canavan at her home in Sligo on 1 May 2023. He has pleaded not guilty. Mr Canavan told the court his mother attacked him with a knife and struck at him with her hands and feet during a heated argument. He admitted applying pressure to her neck with his forearm during the incident, but stated this was in self-defence and that he did not intend to cause her death. Under cross-examination, he accepted that he had initially denied to gardaí that he was present when his mother suffered fatal injuries, attributing this to distress at the time. The State Pathologist concluded that Ms Canavan died from asphyxiation by smothering and manual strangulation. The trial continues before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo and a jury.
Richard Satchwell, aged 58, was re‑arrested on 12 October 2023 on suspicion of murdering his wife Tina Satchwell, aged 45, at their home on Grattan Street, Youghal, between 19 and 20 March 2017. In a statement to Gardaí he claimed that after Tina tried to stab him with a chisel, he fell and held her weight with the belt of her bathrobe until she became heavier, after which she died in his arms. He also said he buried her under the stairs because the area was not concreted and he was panicked. Gardaí discovered her decomposed remains in a grave dug beneath the stairs during an invasive search in October 2023. The trial is proceeding in the Central Criminal Court, with Mr Satchwell pleading not guilty to the murder charge.
Keith Carter, a 32‑year‑old amateur boxer and comedian with thousands of social media followers, appeared before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 12 May 2025. He pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and heroin for sale or supply at his Ballymun home on 19 September 2023 and to laundering €1,055, the proceeds of that offence. Garda Máire Ruddy reported that a search of his home uncovered €5,371 worth of drugs, including a small amount of cannabis and ecstasy for personal use. Carter admitted a cocaine addiction and that he held the drugs to pay a debt. He had five prior drug convictions in 2021, including two for sale and supply. Defence counsel Oisín Clarke highlighted Carter's family responsibilities, his work for his brother, and his role as a single father. He also noted Carter's boxing career, his knee injury, and his upcoming charity fights.
A forensic archaeologist, Dr Niamh McCullagh, testified that Tina Satchwell's body could have been hidden at her own home, citing research that most concealed homicides occur within a kilometre of the victim's address. She recommended a more invasive search of Richard Satchwell's house, including stairs, ground floor and use of a cadaver dog, just weeks before Gardaí began the operation. The jury was informed that the body was found in a grave almost one metre deep beneath the stairway, over six years after she was reported missing. The crime scene manager, retired Detective Sergeant Shane Curran, described the discovery of a clandestine burial under the stairs, where concrete had been broken and black plastic wrapped around the body. Garda Brian Barry noted a different coloured concrete and a poorly built wall, while a cadaver dog named Fern indicated the presence of remains.
In the trial of Richard Satchwell, the jury heard how gardai uncovered the body of his wife, Tina, in a grave dug almost one metre deep beneath the stairs of their home, more than six years after she was reported missing. The prosecution described how forensic archaeologists, led by Dr Niamh McCullagh, excavated the site after a detective noticed a different pour of concrete under the stairs. The body, wrapped in black plastic, was exposed at 8.35 pm on 11 October 2023 and fully excavated the next day, with the remains placed in a body bag at 2.40 pm on 12 October. Detective Garda Brian Barry and builders had broken the concrete, revealing the burial. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott, with Mr Satchwell, aged 58, pleading not guilty to the murder of his 45‑year‑old wife, Tina Satchwell, between 19 and 20 March 2017.
In the trial of Richard Satchwell, the jury was shown photographs and a video of a shallow grave discovered beneath the stairs of his Cork home, where his wife Tina's remains were found six years after her disappearance. Gardaí used a cadaver dog named Fern to locate the body, and the excavation revealed a black plastic container holding the remains. The prosecution presented evidence that Satchwell had kept "bits and pieces" under the stairs and had been interviewed by Gardaí about the location of the body. Satchwell, aged 58, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 45‑year‑old wife, Tina Satchwell, who died between 19 and 20 March 2017. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of five men and seven women.
A man accused of murdering his mother at her home in County Sligo in May 2023 told gardaí during interviews that he delayed contacting emergency services for approximately 20 minutes after discovering her body. Nigel Canavan, aged 39, of Erris Gardens, Crossmolina, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Angela Canavan at St John's Terrace, Sligo on 1 May 2023. The Central Criminal Court trial heard that Mr Canavan said he initially telephoned a friend before calling an ambulance, claiming he panicked and was unsure what to do. Gardaí arrested him six days after her death. Detective Garda Brian McMahon testified that during questioning at Sligo Garda Station, Mr Canavan described an altercation with his mother, who he said was intoxicated and agitated. He stated he removed a knife from her possession and subsequently heard sounds from downstairs, where he found her unconscious. Mr Canavan denied involvement in her death. State Pathologist Dr SallyAnne Collis determined the deceased died from asphyxia. The trial continues before Justice Kerdia Naidoo and jury.
During the trial, Richard Satchwell, aged 58, told Gardaí that he had stored "bits and pieces" beneath the stairway in his Cork home. The statement was made after officers showed him a live photograph of the area taken hours before the discovery of his wife Tina's body in a shallow grave. Satchwell also claimed that he and Tina had not been sexually active in the five years before her disappearance. He was arrested on 10 October 2023 for the murder of Tina, who was 45, at their Grattan Street residence between 19 and 20 March 2017. The case is being heard at the Central Criminal Court, with Satchwell pleading not guilty. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. The proceedings focus on the circumstances of the alleged murder and the evidence presented by Gardaí. The trial has not yet reached a verdict.
Richard Satchwell, aged 58, is on trial for the murder of his wife Tina Satchwell, aged 45, who disappeared on 24 March 2017. He told Gardaí that Tina had left the house four days earlier, had taken €26 000 from their savings, and was in the UK with her sister. He claimed to have kept her body in a freezer before burying it under their home. In October 2023 Gardaí found her decomposed remains in a grave beneath the stairs. Witnesses said Satchwell was selling Tina's clothes at car‑boot sales weeks after her disappearance, including a "flogging" of her items. He also posted a Done Deal advert for a free chest freezer days after the alleged murder. The trial is before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of five men and seven women. He has pleaded not guilty.
A pathologist has given evidence at the Central Criminal Court regarding the death of a 58-year-old woman from County Sligo in May 2023. State Pathologist Dr SallyAnne Collis told the trial of Nigel Canavan, aged 39 and with an address in Crossmolina, County Mayo, that the deceased died from external asphyxiation caused by suffocation and manual strangulation. Dr Collis outlined injuries consistent with smothering, including pinpoint haemorrhaging around the eyes and bruising to the neck bones. The deceased also sustained stab wounds to both thighs and bruises across her body. Mr Canavan has pleaded not guilty to murder at his mother's home in Sligo on 1 May 2023. Under cross-examination, the pathologist acknowledged that some injuries could have innocent explanations, including assistance provided the previous evening and the deceased's significant alcohol intoxication and medical history, which would have made her prone to bruising.
During the trial of Richard Satchwell, it was revealed that a phone linked to him posted an ad on Done Deal offering a large chest freezer for free, stating it was "working perfect just needs a clean." The ad appeared on March 31, 2017, a few days after the alleged murder of his wife, Tina. A forensic accountant testified that there was no evidence the couple had received a significant cash windfall, contradicting Satchwell's claim that Tina had taken €26,000 from their savings. The accountant also noted that Tina had a credit line with Littlewoods Ireland that was largely used and eventually fully breached, with significant arrears. Sergeant Ciaran Crowley confirmed that Done Deal had responded to inquiries about the ad, and the trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. The case remains at the stage of hearing evidence regarding the alleged murder and financial allegations.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Mr Justice Tony Hunt explained that two men, Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), could be found guilty of murder if they were part of a joint enterprise that intended to kill or cause serious harm, and if one of them used a weapon to fatally wound 22‑year‑old Muhamud Ilyas during a dispute over a stolen cannabis bag. The judge noted that if one participant exceeded the agreed plan, only that person would be guilty of murder. He also clarified that a verdict of manslaughter could be reached if the jury found no intent to kill, or if the death resulted from an unlawful assault without intent. The judge further addressed the case of Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who faced charges of impeding the arrest of Doroscan and Clejan, and explained the evidential requirements for conviction. Viorel Doroscan pleaded not guilty. Otniel Richardo Clejan pleaded not guilty.
A phone linked to Richard Satchwell sent text messages about buying monkeys during the same period he is alleged to have murdered his wife, Tina. Messages to family and Tina's cousin described a "mess" and claimed Tina had left, taking savings. The trial heard that Satchwell told Gardaí on 24 March 2017 that Tina had left the home four days earlier, and that he had no concerns about her welfare. He reported her missing in May 2017, but her body was not found until October 2023, when Gardaí discovered decomposed remains under the stairs of their home. A 10‑person Garda team searched the house on 7 June 2017 in a non‑invasive operation. Superintendent Annemarie Twomey, appointed senior investigator in August 2021, said she had reasonable grounds to believe Tina was dead and that arresting Satchwell was necessary. She noted up to 65 sightings of Tina in Ireland and abroad, all negative, and that Interpol was involved. Richard Satchwell pleaded not guilty.
At the Central Criminal Court, a detective told jurors that Nigel Canavan appeared nervous and evasive when questioned hours after his mother's death in Sligo on May 1, 2023. Detective Garda James Conneely met the 39-year-old accused outside Angela Canavan's home on St John's Terrace and later conducted a voluntary interview at Sligo Garda Station. Mr Canavan, with an address in Crossmolina, Co Mayo, denies murder. The prosecution alleges fatal violence and manual strangulation caused Ms Canavan's death. In his recorded statement, Mr Canavan described hearing three loud bangs while upstairs and finding his mother on the ground surrounded by broken glass and a damaged chair. He told gardai he had been staying with his mother during a bank holiday weekend after recent separation from his wife. The trial, before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo and a jury, continues tomorrow. Nigel Canavan pleaded not guilty.
In the trial of 58‑year‑old Mr Satchwell, the senior investigation officer, Superintendent Annemarie Twomey, told the jury she could not explain why Gardaí did not carry out an invasive search of his home in the weeks after his wife Tina was reported missing. She was appointed to the case on 16 August 2021, after Tina had been missing for four years and five months. Twomey said she had reviewed incident‑room material and believed Tina was not a missing person and that Mr Satchwell's arrest was necessary for the murder investigation. She noted that a 10‑person Garda team searched the house on 7 June 2017, but that search was non‑invasive. In October 2023, a warrant for an invasive search was obtained, and Gardaí searched the house with an archaeologist and a building contractor present. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
In a trial at the Central Criminal Court, Richard Satchwell, aged 58, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 45‑year‑old wife, Tina Satchwell, who was found dead in a shallow grave beneath their Cork home in October 2023. The jury heard that Satchwell told a detective in 2015 he believed his wife was still alive, and that he had previously attempted suicide because of her violence. He also claimed that on the night of her disappearance, March 19, 2017, she tried to stab him with a chisel, and that he had held her weight with a belt before she died. Satchwell's statements were taken under an enhanced cognitive interview, a witness‑led technique used by Gardaí. The case is set to continue before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of five men and seven women.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Lorenzo Cantaragiu, 21, was defended by Michael Lynn SC who argued that Cantaragiu was terrified when he drove alleged murderers Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24) from west Dublin to an isolated area where the victim, Muhamud Ilyas, was later found dead. Lynn said Cantaragiu believed he was at risk, had been threatened by the co‑accused, and had no way to escape. He claimed Cantaragiu told Gardaí he was shaking, had been beaten before, and feared for his family. Cantaragiu faces four charges of impeding prosecution or apprehension, having pleaded not guilty. The prosecution alleges the two men fatally assaulted Ilyas after a dispute over a stolen cannabis bag on 9 December 2022. Ilyas died from blunt‑force head trauma. The case is set for jury deliberation tomorrow.
In the trial of Richard Satchwell, the jury heard that Gardaí used an enhanced cognitive interview to question him about his wife's disappearance. The detective sergeant explained that this method, considered a gold standard, is witness‑led and conducted away from a station in a relaxed setting. Mr Satchwell, 58, told Gardaí on 24 March 2017 that his wife had left the home four days earlier and that he had no concerns about her welfare. He reported her missing in May, but her body was not found until October 2023, when Gardaí discovered her decomposed remains in a grave beneath the stairs of her home. Prosecutor Gerardine Small said that after the body was recovered, Mr Satchwell claimed he fell when his wife tried to stab him with a chisel, and that she died in his arms. He has pleaded not guilty to murdering his 45‑year‑old wife, Tina Satchwell, between 19 and 20 March 2017.
Two men, Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), are accused of murdering 22‑year‑old Mahamud Ilyas. Defence lawyers argue the accused acted in self‑defence, claiming Ilyas was the aggressor and the "prime mover". They present evidence that Ilyas was beaten and tied, with a hammer used by Clejan and a fruit knife by Doroscan. The prosecution alleges the men were drug dealers who lured Ilyas to a field where he was left in the cold. The defence maintains that the accused were not planning a murder and that Ilyas threatened them with a weapon. The trial continues with counsel for Lorenzo Cantaragiu giving his closing speech. The case is heard before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury. Viorel Doroscan pleaded not guilty. Otniel Richardo Clejan pleaded not guilty.
A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court heard that Nigel Canavan told his then-wife his mother "went a bit mad" and struck herself with a knife before her death. Mr Canavan, aged 39, of Erris Gardens, Crossmolina, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Angela Canavan at her home in County Sligo on 1 May 2023. The prosecution alleges fatal violence and manual strangulation caused her death. Claire Conroy, Mr Canavan's former spouse, testified that he described his mother swinging her cane and becoming aggressive during an altercation. He said he went upstairs and later heard thuds before discovering her dead. A friend, John Gannon, told the court Mr Canavan telephoned him that evening in distress and later asked him to corroborate a story about discussing hurling rather than disclosing details of his mother's death. Mr Gannon said he instead told gardai the truth. The trial continues before Justice Kerida Naidoo and a jury.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the jury heard that Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24) were accused of murdering 22‑year‑old Mahamud Ilyas on 9 December 2022. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Eoin Lawlor SC, described the use of a hammer as the accused's "modus operandi for conflict resolution" and said the body was disposed of in a field in bleak midwinter. Lawlor said the accused were drug dealers who had a joint enterprise to cause serious harm to Ilyas after he stole their drugs. He alleged that Clejan held a hammer and Doroscan held a knife while beating Ilyas, and that the body was wrapped and carried by the accused to a remote location. The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of five women and seven men. Viorel Doroscan pleaded not guilty. Otniel Richardo Clejan pleaded not guilty.
A trial has commenced at the Central Criminal Court concerning the death of a woman in her Sligo home. The State alleges that Nigel Canavan, aged 39, of Erris Gardens in County Mayo, strangled his mother, Angela Canavan, aged 58, on 1 May 2023. Mr Canavan has pleaded not guilty to murder. The prosecution opening outlined that the deceased had enjoyed a successful career as a psychotherapist before developing severe alcohol dependency. She had sustained a brain injury following a fall and required periodic care. On the day in question, Mr Canavan had returned to his mother's home after work. Gardaí subsequently discovered her body in the kitchen and dining area, with evidence suggesting violent disturbance. A pathologist is expected to testify that death resulted from manual strangulation or asphyxia. The defence maintains the accused played no role in the death, asserting he discovered his mother's body after hearing noises. The trial continues before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo.
A chef employed at restaurants in Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan has lodged multiple employment rights complaints at the Workplace Relations Commission against a businessman and his limited company. The worker, a Chinese national, alleges he was subjected to excessive working hours, sometimes exceeding seventy hours weekly, between August 2022 and August 2024, while substantial deductions were made from his wages purportedly to repay recruitment fees of approximately €31,000. He claims these deductions breached employment law and left him earning below the statutory minimum wage. The respondent's wife, appearing as a witness, declined to address questions about wage deductions and working time compliance, stating such matters required her accountant's input. The respondent's legal representative denied the recruitment fees constituted unlawful deductions and characterised the dispute as a contractual matter between parties whose relationship had deteriorated. Adjudicator Shay Henry refused an adjournment request and heard the case over two days. The worker seeks back pay, compensation for unlawful deductions, and damages for breaches of working time and related employment legislation. The adjudicator reserved his decision.
James Lawlor, 44, with 168 prior convictions, stole €3,000 worth of items from the Mater Hospital Foundation a week after his release from prison. He pleaded guilty to burglary on 7 February 2024 and had served three years for a previous burglary. CCTV showed him entering the A&E department, registering as a patient, then later entering the foundation's building and leaving with two bags. The burglary caused €380 in damage and involved three laptops, an iPhone, three headsets and bags, totalling €3,736.50. Lawlor denied involvement but admitted to the CCTV footage. He was arrested on 11 February 2024 and has been in custody since. The court noted his long history of drug use and rehabilitation efforts. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a sentence of three years and nine months, suspending the final nine months for two years on strict conditions, and directed him to be supervised by Probation Services for 12 months after release.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Viorel Doroscan and Otniel Ricardo Clejan, both accused of the murder of Mahamud Ilyas on December 9, 2022, continued before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charge. The jury heard evidence that Mr Ilyas died from blunt force trauma to the head, with pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster describing depressed fractures typical of hammer blows. The State alleges the accused beat Mr Ilyas to death following a dispute over a stolen bag of cannabis. In contrast, the accused told gardaí they acted in self-defense after Mr Ilyas entered an apartment armed with a crowbar and threatening to kill them. Doroscan claimed Clejan struck Mr Ilyas with a hammer, while Clejan stated he only pushed Mr Ilyas away. Co-accused Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of impeding the prosecution, told gardaí he drove the men to a field in Hollystown where he left Mr Ilyas alive in a ditch. The trial continues tomorrow.
A jury comprising ten women and two men has been sworn in at the Central Criminal Court for the trial of a 39-year-old man from Crossmolina, County Mayo, who denies murdering his mother in Sligo. Nigel Canavan pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering Angela Canavan at an address in St John's Terrace, County Sligo on May 1, 2023. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo presided over the arraignment. The trial is scheduled to commence the following day and is anticipated to run for approximately two weeks.
Richard Satchwell, 58, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 45‑year‑old wife Tina Satchwell, who disappeared on 20 March 2017. In the Central Criminal Court opening, the State counsel presented evidence that Satchwell told Gardaí he had kept Tina's body in a freezer in the shed for two days before burying her beneath the stairs of their Youghal home. He claimed that during an alleged attack, he had used a belt around her neck to protect himself as she fell limp and died. Gardaí had earlier recorded Satchwell's statements about Tina's alleged violent outbursts and her refusal to take antidepressants. A search of the house on 10 October 2023 uncovered decomposed remains wrapped in black sheeting in a three‑foot grave, later identified as Tina. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul McDermott, is expected to last six weeks.
The trial of Viorel Doroscan and Otniel Richardo Clejan, both accused of the murder of Mahamud Ilyas on December 9, 2022, continued at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges. The jury viewed a Snapchat video allegedly showing the victim lying bloodied on the ground. Detective Inspector Liam Donoghue testified that the clip, posted as a 'Memory' from Mr Doroscan's account, was taken at 2.51pm on the day of the alleged incident in the Verdemont estate. He presented a visual match between the shoe in the video and CCTV footage of Mr Doroscan. Assistant State pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster previously attributed the death to blunt force trauma to the head, consistent with hammer blows. Witness Vlady Ndosimau testified to seeing the victim tied up and beaten while Mr Doroscan held a knife and Mr Clejan held a hammer. Co-accused Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who faces charges of impeding the prosecution, has also pleaded not guilty. The matter was adjourned and continues tomorrow.
Richard Satchwell, aged 58, will be tried for the murder of his wife Tina Satchwell, aged 45, who died at their Cork home between 19 and 20 March 2017. He was arraigned at the Central Criminal Court on 28 April 2025 and pleaded not guilty. The trial will commence on 2 May 2025 before Mr Justice Paul McDermott, with a jury of five men and seven women sworn in by Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo. The case is expected to last six weeks, concluding by 5 June. Senior counsel Gerardine Small will lead the prosecution, while Brendan Grehan SC heads the defence. Mr Justice Naidoo noted that some media coverage had occurred but urged potential jurors to disclose any difficulty in remaining impartial. Mr Satchwell was sent to trial on 26 March 2024 after being served with the book of evidence.
A sous chef at Shanahan's on the Green in Dublin has been awarded nearly €6,000 by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) for unpaid wages, notice pay, and holiday entitlements following the restaurant's closure in October 2024. Piotr Fraszczyk, who worked at the restaurant since 2010, claimed he was not given six weeks' notice of termination as required by law, nor was he compensated for accrued annual leave. The adjudicator noted that the employer had initiated a redundancy process, which the chef disputed. In addition to the €5,950 awarded by the WRC, Fraszczyk also received a statutory redundancy payment of €17,160. Separately, the WRC ruled in favor of a culinary arts student, Christian Hyland, who was not paid for work he performed at The Neighbourhood restaurant after completing an internship.
In a two‑week Central Criminal Court trial, a 20‑year‑old Dublin woman was acquitted by a jury of all 12 counts of sexual abuse against her younger cousin, aged 10‑11 at the time. The charges included 11 counts of sexual assault and one count of section 4 rape, alleged to have occurred during family sleepovers between July 2017 and July 2019. The defendant denied all allegations, stating she never slept over in the cousin's house, never owned a tablet during the relevant period, and that the cousin had never stayed overnight in her home. Testimony from extended family members, including the cousin's parents, grandmother, and aunt, was presented for both sides. The jury deliberated over nine hours and returned not‑guilty verdicts on all counts, with the judge thanking the jurors and excusing them from future service for ten years. The unnamed 20-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a Galway Circuit Court trial, a 26‑year‑old Eastern European man was found guilty of human trafficking, the organisation of prostitution and coercive control of his partner. The jury heard that the couple moved to Galway in 2020, after the defendant forced the woman to work as an escort in their shared house and later drove her to Airbnbs across Ireland. He took photographs of her, posted them online, booked venues, acted as security, drove her to locations and controlled her finances. The woman, who had come to Ireland at 18 for a better life, was forced to work as an escort and later as a "sugar baby" before becoming pregnant. She disclosed the abuse at a Garda station, leading to the defendant's arrest. The prosecution presented evidence of the defendant's control over her work, finances and movements, while the defence argued a lack of evidence and reasonable doubt. The jury convicted him on all three charges. Eastern European pleaded not guilty.
Three men pleaded guilty at the non‑jury Special Criminal Court to conspiring to import controlled drugs worth over €13,000 into Ireland between 17 February and 14 March 2024. The defendants are Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz, 45, of no fixed abode in Spain; Anuar Rahui Chairi, 42, of Malaga, Spain; and Aleksander Milic, 27, of Svetorgorska, Belgrade, Serbia. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo imposed probation and required governor's reports for each. The defendants are scheduled to appear again on 18 June.
A 22‑year‑old man, Mahamud Ilyas, was found dead in a field on 10 December 2022 after a fight over a stolen bag of cannabis. Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster testified that Ilyas sustained depressed skull fractures typical of hammer blows, along with multiple lacerations, bruises and scratches consistent with blunt‑force trauma. She noted extensive bruising to the face and body, and that the body was likely dragged after death. No evidence of sharp injuries or intoxication was found. The cause of death was blunt‑force trauma to the head. The accused, Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), plead not guilty to the murder charge. The trial, held in the Central Criminal Court, continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury. Lorenzo Cantaragiu (21) faces separate charges and also pleads not guilty.