Aaron Brady has been sentenced to life imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe in January 2013. Brady, aged twenty-nine and from New Road in Crossmaglen, County Armagh, was convicted in August following a trial lasting more than six months. Under the Criminal Justice Act 1990, he must serve a minimum of forty years before becoming eligible for parole. Justice Michael White imposed an additional concurrent sentence of fourteen years for robbery in connection with the credit union raid in County Louth, during which seven thousand euros was stolen in fifty-eight seconds. The court heard victim impact statements from Detective Donohoe's family and colleagues. Brady has maintained his innocence despite conviction, with supporters gathering outside the Courts of Criminal Justice to protest the outcome.
At the Central Criminal Court, victim impact statements were read concerning the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohue, who died during an armed robbery at Lordship Credit Union on 25 January 2013. His wife Caroline described the lasting trauma of witnessing the incident and the absence of their father from their children's milestones. His parents Hugh and Peggy Donohue spoke of their son's character, his devotion to family and the Gardaí, and the irreversible division their lives experienced following his death. Detective Garda Joseph Ryan, Donohue's colleague who was present during the shooting, detailed his diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder and his subsequent early retirement from An Garda Síochána in 2018. Adrian's siblings expressed the immeasurable void left by his death and lamented the family occasions and relationships he would never experience. The statements were presented as part of proceedings at the Central Criminal Court relating to the case.
Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot dead during a robbery at Lordship Credit Union on 25 January 2013. Aaron Brady, 28, was convicted of capital murder and robbery of €7,000. Brady faces a mandatory life sentence with a minimum of 40 years for the murder. Mr Justice Michael White is hearing evidence and will prepare a sentence for the robbery. Donohoe's parents, Hugh and Peggy, said his death was a waste of a good man and expressed their grief at the hearing.
Aaron Brady, aged 29 and last resident of New Road, Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, was found guilty of the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe by an 11‑to‑one jury verdict on 11 August. He is expected to receive the mandatory life sentence for capital murder, with a minimum term of 40 years to be served. Brady also pleaded guilty to a separate robbery of €7,000 at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgen, Co Louth, on 25 January 2013, and will be sentenced for that offence separately. On 13 October, special arrangements were made for the sentencing hearing at the Central Criminal Court. Lorcan Staines SC, on behalf of the DPP, applied for an overflow court; the judge, Mr Justice Michael White, granted the request and scheduled the hearing in Court 17 with a live feed to a second court in the Criminal Courts of Justice.
A 25-year-old student has received a fully suspended 12-month sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for money laundering. Jonathan Angbalu pleaded guilty to facilitating the lodgement of a stolen and altered €9,000 cheque into his bank account between March 2016. Gardaí established that the cheque, originally issued by market research firm Millward Brown, was intercepted and modified before being deposited in Angbalu's account at Permanent TSB on St Stephen's Green. The account was subsequently frozen, and €6,094.50 was recovered. The court heard that Angbalu was approached by three men who promised him €2,000 to use his account for lodging and withdrawing funds. He was instructed not to display nervousness during withdrawals. Angbalu later realised the arrangement was fraudulent. He never received payment and withdrew only €700 before providing it to the men. Judge Pauline Codd imposed the sentence on strict conditions, noting his youth and lack of previous convictions. Angbalu brought €1,350 to court as an expression of remorse.
Gerard Griffin, 63, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for a series of violent attacks on the staff of the Chicken Hut on Clanbrassil Street, Dublin. The first assault occurred in April 2017, when he punched the owner, threatened staff and smashed the shop with a hockey stick. He later stabbed the owner's hand in February 2020. Griffin pleaded guilty to assault, criminal damage, threats to kill and possession of a knife. He also admitted to earlier offences, including assault, firearms possession and theft. The judge noted his mental collapse following the death of a son and the loss of four children, and suspended the final three years of a six‑year sentence on the condition that he stay away from the flat. He was ordered to engage with the Probation Service to address bereavement and racism issues. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the repeated violent conduct and the impact on the victim.
Trevor Byrne, 41, of Finglas West, was present in the Special Criminal Court on 9 October 2020 after the High Court transferred his trial from the Circuit Criminal Court. The transfer followed an order to send him for trial before the non‑jury Special Criminal Court, which he refused to accept. Byrne faces several charges stemming from incidents in 2010 and 2011, including armed robbery at a bookmaker in Swords, robbery of €1,490 at Boyle Sports, possession of a firearm with intent to commit robbery, seizure of a vehicle by threat of force, false imprisonment of a woman, and a threat to kill her between Thornleigh Avenue and Kilshane Cross. Solicitor Michael O'Donovan requested a month to gather witnesses and reported that a Garda had attempted to serve the order, but Byrne declined to accept it. The case was adjourned to 9 November, when Byrne is scheduled to appear in the Special Criminal Court on an unrelated matter.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Derek O'Brien, 38, pleaded guilty to burglary and unlawful possession of a motor vehicle after a patrol officer noticed a silver VW Polo driving on its rim with a missing tire. Garda Ronan Kennedy described the vehicle as sparking and swerving, and O'Brien admitted he had stolen the car keys from a house he had burgled earlier that evening. The burglary also involved a small amount of cash and a broken rear window. O'Brien claimed the damage was caused by the car hitting a path while he was driving. He has 91 prior convictions and has completed a detox programme. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to 21 months imprisonment. The car was economically written off after the incident. The case was heard at Ailesbury Park, Ballsbridge. The court noted O'Brien's intent to complete his Leaving Cert while in custody.
Sean Rausch, aged 22, was sentenced to a four‑year prison term for two robberies and false imprisonment committed on Wellington Quay and Aston Quay in February 2020. The first robbery involved a 19‑year‑old Latvian student who described Rausch holding a knife close to his face and threatening him. The second robbery targeted another 19‑year‑old man who, after being threatened, bought a chicken fillet roll and a soft drink for Rausch. Rausch claimed he was hungry and had been seeking help from passers‑by, which he said had been ignored. He pleaded guilty and wrote an apology letter to the court. Judge Karen O'Connor suspended the final year of the sentence on the condition that Rausch engage with the Probation Service and a victim awareness programme. Rausch has no prior convictions. The case was prosecuted by Tony McGillicuddy BL and defended by Pieter Le Vert BL.
Colin Hoey, a key witness in the capital murder trial of Aaron Brady, was arrested for contempt of court after failing to attend proceedings. Brady, 29, was found guilty by an 11-to-1 majority jury at the Central Criminal Court on August 11 of the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. He is expected to be sentenced on October 14 to the mandatory term of life imprisonment with a minimum of 40 years. Brady was also convicted of involvement in a €7,000 robbery at Lordship Credit Union in 2013. Hoey, who had previously provided and then withdrawn an alibi for Brady, was issued a bench warrant by Mr Justice Michael White for his non-attendance. Hoey presented himself at the Criminal Courts of Justice, where the warrant was executed. The DPP stated the contempt is punishable by imprisonment, a fine, or both. Mr Justice White granted Hoey bail and legal aid for the duration of the contempt proceedings. Bail conditions include a €2,000 bond, surrender of his Irish passport within 24 hours, residing at his partner's parents' home in Dundalk, daily sign-on at Dundalk Garda Station, and maintaining a mobile phone for Garda contact. The judge warned of grave consequences for breaching these conditions. The matter was adjourned to November 24 for submissions regarding the High Court's jurisdiction.
In a case heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, 45‑year‑old Pierce Byrne of Hazelwood Crescent, Hartstown, pleaded guilty to theft after stealing a packet of 20 cigarettes from a Spar shop on 19 August 2019. Byrne entered the shop, requested the cigarettes, and after receiving them asked the shopkeeper if he could pay later. The shopkeeper refused, and Byrne left with the cigarettes, refusing to return them when pursued outside. CCTV footage identified Byrne, and he admitted the offence during an interview. He has 46 prior convictions, including manslaughter, robbery, burglary, theft and assault. Byrne's defence highlighted his addiction history and that he had stopped taking bipolar medication around the time of the offence. Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced him to 10 months' imprisonment, back‑dating the term to 1 December 2019 when he first entered custody.
In a case heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Martin Polak, aged 34, pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary after pointing a group of men to the home of an innocent family in Clondalkin, Dublin, on 27 July 2019. Polak claimed he believed the address was vacant, though the homeowner, a man with his wife and child, lived there. The men forced entry, held a knife to the homeowner's throat, kicked him, and fled with the wife's handbag after finding the intended target absent. Polak, who has 22 prior convictions including one in the Czech Republic for aggravated theft, was found to have high moral culpability for enabling the burglary. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a three‑and‑a‑half year sentence, suspended the final year, and noted Polak's remorse, cooperation, and rehabilitation efforts. The court considered the incident a serious nighttime invasion that terrified the victim. The prosecution, represented by Oisin Clarke BL, accepted Polak's responsibility and cooperation.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 25‑year‑old Gerard Dempsey pleaded guilty to robbery after stealing a woman's phone to fund his drug habit. Dempsey, who has no fixed abode and sleeps rough in Dublin 1, said he had not been receiving money from charity due to Covid‑19, which had disrupted his usual source of revenue. On 18 May 2020, while the victim was walking home from a pub, Dempsey followed her, grabbed her shoulder, pulled her to the ground, and attempted to take her phone. He also made an unintentional contact with her privates, which the victim did not consider a sexual offence. Dempsey admitted the offence, claimed withdrawal symptoms, and had 57 prior convictions. Judge Patricia Ryan ordered a probation report, recommended psychiatric assessment, and adjourned the case to 13 November for finalisation.
A man deported from Ireland claims he has lived in an Ethiopian airport terminal since March, after Gardaí allegedly abandoned him. He says he was flown from Ireland to Belgium with Gardaí, then to Ethiopia where he was supposed to catch a connecting flight home. He alleges the Gardaí gave him a boarding pass, took his passport, and left him in the terminal, promising to return. He could not board the flight because he had no passport and was later given his passport two hours after the flight departed. He reports being left without money, a phone, or luggage, and has survived on charity and rummaging through bins. He says his passport was stolen after a week. He has filed judicial review against the Minister for Justice, seeking an order to quash the requirement that his solicitor obtain a signed authority from him and to compel the Minister to respond to his correspondence.
In the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Paul McDermott instructed a jury of six men and six women to decide whether a 17‑year‑old accused of killing 18‑year‑old Azzam Raguragui in a Dublin park on 10 May 2019 was guilty of murder or manslaughter. The accused, who has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, claims he acted in self‑defence during a melee that erupted over a stolen bike. The judge explained that the key question is whether the accused honestly believed the force he used was necessary. If he truly believed he was defending himself but used more force than a reasonable person would consider necessary, the verdict should be manslaughter. If the prosecution can exclude that belief, the verdict should be murder. The jury will return tomorrow to continue deliberations.
A man with three All Ireland Club Championship medals with Crossmaglen Rangers has been granted bail by the Special Criminal Court on charges relating to ATM thefts in the border region. Daniel O'Callaghan, aged 30, faces five offences including the theft of an ATM in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, in April 2019 and the attempted theft of an ATM at The Riverfront Hotel in Virginia, Co Cavan, in August 2019. He is also charged with offences under the Criminal Justice Act alleging involvement with a criminal organisation. Bail was set at €1,000 cash and independent sureties totalling €40,000. Mr O'Callaghan must reside in Castleblayney, surrender his passport, sign on daily at the local garda station, observe a nightly curfew, and comply with restrictions on travel and association. He has been remanded in custody with consent to bail until November 2. Three other men have previously been granted bail in connection with the same investigations.
Daniel O'Callaghan (30) appeared before the Special Criminal Court charged with five offences relating to the theft of an ATM in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, in April and the attempted theft of an ATM in Virginia, Co Cavan, in August. He is alleged to have committed these offences for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organisation. O'Callaghan is also charged with offences under Sections 72 and 73 of the Criminal Justice Act. Presiding judge Ms Justice Tara Burns remanded O'Callaghan in custody until Monday, to allow for gardaí to carry out inquiries regarding the surety. Michael O'Donovan is also charged with the attempted theft of the ATM at The Riverfront Hotel, Main Street, Virginia Co Cavan, on August 14, 2019, for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with a criminal organisation. The matter was adjourned and never described as concluded or finalised.
Farah Damji, a 54-year-old applicant residing at Bachelor's Walk, Dublin 1, appeared before Mr Justice Tony Hunt to apply for bail while awaiting UK extradition proceedings. The State opposed the application, alleging Damji is a flight risk who fled a London trial in February 2024 after being convicted in absentia of breaching a restraining order. Detective Garda Eoin Kane stated Damji faces 27 months' imprisonment in the UK and alleged she entered Ireland using false documents and the name Anna Margaret Vignisdottir. Kane further noted her history of fraud and theft convictions dating back to 1995, and cited a UK psychiatrist report highlighting her "history of forgery" regarding claims of unlawful detention. Damji's counsel, Mr Leo Mulrooney BL, argued she is not a flight risk, citing a PTSD diagnosis and her adherence to previous bail conditions. In her direct evidence, Damji claimed she was suffering from a breakdown and asserted she had an unlawful detention case for 15 months' detention. She denied using false names for rental agreements, stating she did not have one. Mr Justice Hunt questioned the credibility of her claims, noting she disappeared during a trial. The matter was adjourned to Thursday, September 3, for the judge's decision on the bail application.
Four men have been granted bail by the Special Criminal Court following their appearance on charges relating to alleged ATM theft attempts across the border region. Gerard Duffy, aged 29, Ciaran Duffy, aged 26, and Stephen Duffy, aged 34, all from County Monaghan, along with Niall Finnegan, aged 38, from County Armagh, face charges under the Offences Against the State Act alleging involvement in a criminal organisation. The charges arise from investigations into attempted ATM thefts at Virginia, County Cavan, in August 2019 and Castleblayney, County Monaghan, in April 2019. Bail conditions imposed include residence at named addresses, passport surrender, daily reporting to Castleblayney Garda Station, curfew compliance, and prohibition on mutual contact except for legal purposes. The accused are also barred from contacting prospective witnesses. Justice Tony Hunt adjourned proceedings to November 2nd to allow preparation of the Book of Evidence.
The article reports that after the conviction of Aaron Brady for the robbery and capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, Deputy Commissioner John Twomey warned Brady's accomplices that Gardaí would pursue them. The Donohoe family expressed gratitude to the jury, prosecution, and investigators, noting the lengthy and complex trial. They thanked the presiding judge, witnesses, and international law‑enforcement partners, especially U.S. Homeland Security. The family reiterated that justice had been served but that nothing could restore Adrian to his loved ones. Chief Superintendent Christopher Mangan highlighted the significance of the verdict and the extensive, transnational investigation that led to the conviction. The article emphasizes the ongoing pursuit of all involved parties and the appreciation for the media's responsible reporting.
Aaron Brady, 29, was found guilty of capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe by an 11‑to‑1 jury at the Central Criminal Court. The judge will impose a life sentence with a minimum of 40 years. Brady denied the murder and claimed no involvement in the robbery that led to Donohoe's death. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence, including the theft of a Volkswagen Passat used as a getaway car and Brady's alleged statements to Gardaí. Brady's defence argued he was loading diesel waste and had no role in the robbery. The trial, the longest murder case in Irish history, involved 139 witnesses over 28 weeks. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for 14 October, where the judge will also consider Brady's robbery conviction. The maximum sentence for robbery is life, with a minimum of 40 years for capital murder.
In the case of Aaron Brady, the defence counsel, Mr Michael O'Higgins SC, argued that a covert recording should be presented to the jury. The recording, allegedly made by a suspect in a robbery, captured Special Agent Matt Katske of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security speaking at Belfast Airport in July 2017. Katske reportedly offered citizenship assistance in exchange for information that could convict Brady. The defence claimed that the agent's remarks suggested a possible campaign to pressure witnesses, including Daniel Cahill, who had testified that Brady had shot a Garda. Mr O'Higgins sought to have the tape played and to question Agent Katske, but Judge Michael White denied both requests, stating the matter was collateral and that no inducements had been offered to Cahill. The court therefore rejected the defence's attempt to introduce the recording before the jury.
Aaron Brady, aged 29, was found guilty of robbery in the January 25, 2013, Lordship Credit Union heist that resulted in the death of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. The jury, after 12 hours and 35 minutes of deliberation, reached a unanimous verdict of robbery. Brady denied involvement in the robbery and pleaded not guilty to the capital murder charge. The trial heard that four men entered the credit union car park, and the prosecution alleged Brady fired a single fatal shot. Brady claimed he was at a diesel laundering yard on Concession Road at the time. The judge explained that for a capital murder conviction, it must be proven beyond reasonable doubt that Brady was the shooter and that he knew he was shooting a Garda or was reckless about it. If the jury is not satisfied with the capital murder evidence, they could find him guilty of murder or manslaughter.
A jury will return to the Central Criminal Court on Monday to continue deliberations in the trial of Aaron Brady, accused of murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe during a 2013 credit union raid. The jury, consisting of five men and seven women, has spent over six hours across three days considering their verdicts, having first heard evidence in January. Mr Justice Michael White formally suspended their deliberations, urging them not to discuss the case or consult social media, and advised them to relax. Brady, 29, pleaded not guilty to both the capital murder of Donohoe and a robbery charge involving approximately €7,000 in cash and cheques. The judge instructed the jury to first consider the robbery charge, noting that a not‑guilty verdict on robbery would logically preclude a murder conviction. He explained that if the jury finds Brady guilty of robbery, they must then consider the capital murder charge, which is "tricky" due to multiple possible verdicts.
In the Aaron Brady trial, Mr Justice Michael White warned the jury that the evidence of a woman, Molly Staunton, who claimed Brady admitted shooting a Garda, might be dangerous to rely on. Staunton gave her testimony via video link from New York, during which an unseen man interrupted her twice, once when the jury was not present. The judge noted the man's disruptive behaviour and Staunton's refusal to comply with his demands. White also described Daniel Cahill, a prosecution witness who said Brady admitted killing a Garda on three occasions, as "the most controversial prosecution witness" and suggested Cahill might have motives to fabricate statements. Brady, aged 29, pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe and to a robbery charge. The jury, now 12 members, will begin deliberations tomorrow after the judge's final instructions.
A UK man accused of murdering Michael Barr at the Sunset House pub in Dublin is described by his defence as a 'two-bit car thief' and 'no James Bond', according to the Special Criminal Court. David Hunter, a Liverpool native with an address in London, is pleading not guilty to the murder of Mr Barr (35) at the pub in Summerhill on the night of April 25, 2016. The defence closed its case by asserting that the defendant could not 'logically' have been the killer. Mixed DNA profiles were found on a ski-mask and rubber mask recovered from a car allegedly used in the killing, with the major contributor matching Mr Hunter's DNA. However, Mr Hunter stated to gardaí that he had left the ski-mask in a car in Dublin two months before the shooting and had not seen it again. Defence barrister Ms Roisín Lacey SC argued that the prosecution cannot prove Mr Hunter wore the ski-mask underneath the rubber mask at the shooting and that there is a reasonable doubt. She also highlighted that Mr Hunter's admission to gardaí of stealing cars 'painted him in a bad light' and that he was in a 'narcotic and alcoholic haze' at the time of the shooting. Ms Lacey submitted that Mr Hunter could not have been the driver of the getaway vehicle or the convicted male in the back of the vehicle, and that he had to be the front passenger who emerged without any head covering. She concluded that Mr Hunter 'is not a murderer and he cannot logically be the murderer on the evidence in the case.' Mr Justice Owens adjourned the case to September 11 for judgement and remanded Mr Hunter in custody.
Cahir O'Higgins, a 45‑year‑old criminal defence solicitor, appeared before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to set a trial date for charges of theft and perverting the course of justice. He is accused of stealing €400 from Raul Sanz Quilis at a Londis shop on 30 July 2016 and of giving Detective Garda Colm Kelly false notes in December 2017. O'Higgins denies the allegations. His barrister, Karl Monahan BL, told the court that the prosecution has severely damaged his personal and professional life and that he wishes to confront the case head‑on and restore his reputation. Judge Martin Nolan, citing a backlog of custody cases, scheduled a pre‑trial hearing for 10 March 2022 and a trial for 4 April 2022. O'Higgins will be defended by Michael O'Higgins SC, while Ronan Kennedy SC prosecutes the matter. The judge allowed Kennedy to refer to the case in October if another issue arises.
Robert Cullen, aged 28, was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison for attempting to rob Paddocks Pub in Clonee on 11 June 2018. He entered the pub with a sawn‑off shotgun, threatened two workers with the gun, and fired four shots while they were hiding in an office. Cullen also threw a heater through a window to "draw attention to their plight." He fled in a car that was later found burnt out. Cullen pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, possession of a double‑barrelled sawn‑off shotgun and discharging a firearm. He has 44 prior convictions, including robbery and obstruction, and was already serving sentences for other offences with a release date of 30 November 2023. The judge described the weapon as "vile" and the act of threatening the workers as "very heinous.".
Martin Kenny, 48, was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for three robberies committed over 15 months. The first robbery took place at a local bookmaker's on 11 January 2019, where Kenny grabbed a woman in her 60s, held a knife to her throat, demanded cash and fled with €190 after punching another customer. The second robbery occurred on 30 March 2019 at the South Circular Road, where he stole €300. The third robbery was on 18 April 2020 at a Maxol petrol station, where he pointed a knife at a staff member, demanded €50 notes and left with €400. Kenny was arrested at a Luas stop after the third incident. He pleaded guilty to robbery and assault causing harm. Judge Sarah Berkeley imposed a consecutive sentence of eight years, suspending the final two years on the condition that he engage with the Probation Service for two years upon release.
In July 2020 a 26‑year‑old man, previously convicted of sexual assault, was brought before the Central Criminal Court after he had been on the run for 18 months. He had been found guilty in his absence in December 2018 of 14 counts of sexually assaulting his cousin between 2008 and 2011, and a seven‑year sentence had been imposed. In November 2019 he was arrested for robbing a 62‑year‑old woman on Fitzgibbon Street, where he punched her and stole her handbag. He pleaded guilty to the robbery. Judge Sarah Berkeley imposed a consecutive four‑year term, with the final year suspended, after hearing the victim's impact statement and noting the defendant's drug and alcohol influence. The man is due for release from Midlands Prison on 8 February 2025. The victim suffered minor head injuries and psychological distress, and now feels nervous walking to work. The unnamed 26-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Jordan Fay, 25, was jailed for three years after setting fire to a wheelie bin in the underground carpark of an apartment complex, causing €40,450 worth of damage. Fay entered the carpark by forcing his way into a security hut, claiming to be a security guard, and was arrested when Gardaí arrived. He pleaded guilty to arson at Parkgate Place, Parkgate Street, Dublin 8, on 3 November 2018, and a charge of stealing a phone and high‑visibility jacket was also taken into account. Fay had 53 previous convictions, all dealt with in the District Court. The court noted his drug addiction and intoxication at the time of arrest, and he was found to have no obvious or malicious motive. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a four‑year custodial sentence, suspended the final year on condition that Fay engage with the Probation Service for a year upon release.
Stephen Kearney, 35, a convicted killer with 113 prior convictions, was jailed for one year after robbing a Centra shop in Santry on 12 February 2019. He had previously pleaded guilty to a robbery of a wallet and bag in Dublin on 2 July 2018. On the day of the 2019 robbery, Kearney bought a can of coke and a bag of jellies, left the shop, returned minutes later in new clothes and a snood, addressed the shopkeeper by name, produced a firearm and demanded the till be opened, taking €250. He was known to the shopkeeper and had recently visited his mother. The judge imposed a concurrent one‑year term for both offences, to be served consecutively to his existing sentence. Kearney admitted to using the robbery proceeds to buy crack cocaine and heroin. The victim's impact statement noted no ill effect on her, and Kearney was described as remorseful and struggling with addiction.
In a robbery at the Allied Irish Bank on Westmoreland Street, Dublin, 34‑year‑old Gareth Flynn demanded €14,000, threatened to shoot if the panic alarm was pressed, and fled after the alarm was triggered. He later left Ireland but returned to the Garda station in November, where he admitted the crime and was found attempting to hide Zopiclone tablets in his trousers. Flynn's bag, found near the scene, contained his clothes and a work pass with his photo. He pleaded guilty to robbery, threat to kill or cause serious injury, and possession of drugs. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to 40 months' imprisonment, noting Flynn's remorse and the lack of pre‑planning. The case highlighted Flynn's troubled background and the ease of his detection due to his own mistakes.
In the Central Criminal Court, Aaron Brady, 29, pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe and to a robbery charge. Defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC told the jury that Brady did not shoot Donohoe and was not involved in the robbery. He argued that if the jury believes Brady was the gunman, they should consider that a warning shot could constitute manslaughter rather than murder. O'Higgins highlighted inconsistencies in witness testimony, questioned the reliability of CCTV evidence, and criticised the Garda investigation for not following up on diesel‑laundering allegations. He urged jurors to assess whether the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, noting that a manslaughter verdict was possible but unusual. The judge acknowledged the possibility of a manslaughter verdict but left the decision to the jury. The case remains at the jury's deliberation stage.
Karim Haddouche, aged 49, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for stealing nearly €45,000 from Ulster Bank by lodging cheques that he knew would not clear. He had previously received a three‑year suspended sentence in July 2019 for stealing €15,000 from the same bank in January 2017. The €45,000 theft occurred between November 2016 and January 2017, and Haddouche was arrested on the new charges in October 2018. Judge Martin Nolan, who had imposed the suspended sentence earlier, said he would not have given a suspended sentence had he known about the additional theft. Haddouche pleaded guilty to three counts of stealing cash and three counts of deception. He has 16 prior convictions, all related to Ulster Bank thefts. The court noted that Haddouche had been a gambler who travelled to Ukraine for casinos and that he was a chef from Algeria whose father had recently died.
Eddie Kiely, aged 29, attacked a resident who had let him into a flat complex, punching and kicking the victim before locking himself in the victim's apartment. Gardaí forced entry and found him highly intoxicated on the couch. Kiely pleaded guilty to burglary and assault at Coultry Terrace, Ballymun, on 7 June 2019. He was already serving a two‑year sentence for robbery and a consecutive three‑year sentence for criminal damage. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a six‑year sentence, with the final 18 months suspended, making it consecutive to the two‑year sentence and concurrent to the three‑year sentence, effectively extending his time in prison by 18 months. The victim, who was asleep at 4 am, was assaulted, suffered bruising and a laceration, and underwent a CT scan. Kiely's defence highlighted his intoxication, past drug misuse, and efforts at rehabilitation, but the judge noted the severity of the assault and his long‑standing alcohol issues.
Ciaran O'Brien, 37, was sentenced to three‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment for armed robbery and a threat to kill Garda PJ Cummins. He robbed the Applegreen Service Station at Celbridge on 27 November 2019, armed with a hammer and a small machete, and took €360 in cash before fleeing. O'Brien then drove a car straight at Cummins, who was off‑duty and had to jump out of the way to avoid being run over. The judge, Karen O'Connor, noted that O'Brien was homeless at the time and had 27 previous convictions but was not known to be violent. The final 18 months of the sentence were suspended on strict conditions, including 12 months of probation. The case was heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Ciaran O'Brien pleaded guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution argued that Aaron Brady, 29, used the murder of Garda Adrian Donohoe as a badge of honour after moving to America, believing he was beyond the law. They described Brady as a skilled liar who repeatedly told false statements to Gardaí and the jury, claiming he was a victim of a Garda campaign. Brady's defence was that he was under financial pressure and that the robbery at Lordship Credit Union was a base criminal motive. The prosecution presented circumstantial evidence, including CCTV of a stolen Volkswagen Passat and alleged phone inactivity, to link Brady to the crime. They also highlighted Brady's alleged statements to witnesses and his alibi. The case centred on proving that Brady shot Donohoe knowing he was a Garda, with the prosecution presenting forensic and witness testimony to support this claim. Aaron Brady pleaded not guilty.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, David Hunter, 41, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael Barr, 35, at a Dublin pub on 25 April 2016. Hunter claimed he first arrived in Ireland on 8 February 2016, had a history of car theft in the UK, and was invited to a botched car robbery where he left a ski‑mask in a car. The mask, recovered from a burning Audi on Walsh Road, was DNA‑matched to Hunter, with 61% of the mixed profile attributed to him. Hunter's voluntary statement, sent to the DPP on 4 June, detailed his travel, drug use, and the events leading up to the robbery. The court heard that the prosecution would finish its evidence on Tuesday, with the trial concluding the following Thursday. The case remains at the trial stage.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Matthew Grogan, aged 22, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and to unauthorised use of a motor‑propelled vehicle. The assault occurred on 25 October 2019 at Applewood Square, Swords, when Grogan, who later admitted he recognised the victim as a former schoolmate, attacked delivery driver Nikita Olijniks. Olijniks was on a delivery, had just stepped out of a car with his girlfriend, when Grogan, seated in the driver's seat, punched him twice or three times in the face after a confrontation. Olijniks was also struck in the back of the head by another individual and fell to the ground. The court also heard that on 4 November 2019 Grogan was driving a stolen car belonging to Jennifer Kilbride, which had been reported missing.
The trial of Aaron Brady, 29, from Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, continued before Mr Justice Michael White and a jury. Mr Brady has pleaded not guilty to the alleged capital murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe, who was on active duty, and the alleged robbery of approximately €7,000 in cash and cheques, both occurring on January 25, 2013, at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth. US immigration expert Kerry Bretz testified that it is "very unusual" for Homeland Security to take no action against a visa overstayer. He stated that while Homeland Security has discretion, it is "highly unlikely" they would release a detained overstayer to file an application later, a practice he has never encountered in nearly 30 years. The expert noted that officers often use immigration violations as "leverage" to secure cooperation from vulnerable individuals. Prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC suggested that Homeland Security's assistance to An Garda Síochána in the murder investigation provided ample reason for such discretion. Mr Bretz acknowledged this was possible. The defence evidence continues tomorrow.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Stephen Little, 47, and Edward McDonnell, 56, were charged with unlawful possession of a Grand Power G9 semi‑automatic pistol and intent to endanger life. The case stemmed from a gun seizure on a Dublin estate on 14 September 2019. Gardaí recovered a loaded handgun under the passenger seat of an Audi, along with a red petrol can, a long‑handled lighter, two balaclavas, two baseball caps, and two pairs of gloves. Little's son, Sean, 22, had been shot dead in May 2019, an event that prompted Little to make a statement to police that "had you given me another hour I would have killed the bastard that killed him." McDonnell denied knowledge of the firearm. Both men were remanded in custody pending sentencing on 31 August. The court noted that Little had one prior traffic offence and McDonnell had 47 prior convictions, including robbery, sexual assault and assault causing harm. Stephen Little pleaded guilty. Edward McDonnell pleaded guilty.
The High Court has ruled that three properties in the west of Ireland owned by John McCormack were purchased with the proceeds of crime. Mr Justice Alexander Owens registered a judgement against the 48-year-old defendant, who denied the accusations. The properties, located at Purcell Park and Cloontara West in Co Clare, and Claughan Fort in Co Limerick, were acquired between 1995 and 2011. The Central Bank of Ireland (CAB) brought the case under the Proceeds of Crime Act 1996, alleging McCormack has led organised criminal activities since the 1990s, including drug importation, stolen goods dealing, and cash-in-transit robberies. The judge noted McCormack was previously convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment on February 14, 1994. Rejecting McCormack's claim that his income derived from legitimate businesses such as joinery and plant hire, the judge found these were sidelines financed by criminal activity. The court concluded that the only credible explanation for the funding gap was proceeds from serious crime. Consequently, the judge made interlocutory orders under Section 3(1) of the Act regarding the three properties. While the CAB did not claim four further properties in Fuerteventura, the judge noted issues regarding their financing. The matter was finalised with the registration of the judgement and the issuance of these specific orders.
Sandra Kavanagh, aged 40, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four counts of making a gain by deception for receiving €27,079 in rent supplement payments between 24 September 2015 and 7 June 2018. She had vacated the address at Kildonan Road, Finglas West, in August 2015 but continued to collect payments for that property. Detective Garda Jason Weir reported that Kavanagh had received 130 payments during the period. She has 67 prior convictions, including robbery, theft, knife production, public order and road traffic offences. The defence noted that a 2008 accident left her with significant physical injuries and that she has lived with friends and in hostels since leaving the address. Judge Pauline Codd ordered a probation report and adjourned the case for finalisation on 12 October.
In the Central Criminal Court, Aaron Brady, 29, accused of capital murder and robbery, waived solicitor‑client privilege and gave a voluntary statement. His former solicitor, Daniel McNamee, testified that Brady had been advised not to testify if he had any involvement in the robbery and fatal shooting. McNamee explained that a witness statement does not carry the same legal protection as a suspect. Brady had previously told McNamee that he was loading diesel waste at a yard in Cullaville on the evening of the murder, but later claimed the forklift started and he spent 90 minutes to two hours loading diesel. Brady's statements to Gardaí on 5 and 6 February 2013 were voluntary. The trial, before Mr Justice Michael White and a 13‑person jury, continues with Brady pleading not guilty to both the capital murder of Garda Adrian Donohoe and the robbery of €7,000 in cash and cheques.
Aaron Brady, 29, accused of murdering Garda Adrian Donohoe, rejected the prosecution's suggestion that he is a psychopath. During his final day of evidence, Brady denied the claim, stating that the alleged psychopath was Daniel Cahill, who he said had assaulted him and threatened to cut off his toes. Brady maintained that he had never threatened anyone or entered a room to threaten a person. He pleaded not guilty to the capital murder and to a robbery charge of about €7,000 at Lordship Credit Union. Brady also discussed his alibi submissions, his interactions with Gardaí in February 2018, and his statements about diesel laundering. He denied any admission of murder or other wrongdoing, and the trial was set to continue before Mr Justice Michael White with a jury of thirteen.
Albert Redmond, 44, with 341 prior convictions, pleaded guilty to 20 burglaries, two counts of criminal damage, three counts of possession of stolen credit cards, theft of a handbag and four counts of deception by using stolen credit cards. He said he had planned to avoid relapse after his last release in June 2019 but did not anticipate falling in love. The relationship began soon after release, initially positive, but the partner's crack cocaine use became a feature of the relationship, leading Redmond to commit further offences. He was arrested in January 2020, released, then re‑arrested in March 2020 after a burglary at a café in Harolds Cross. He admitted all offences and stated he had not expected to return to court. Judge Elma Sheehan adjourned sentencing to 23 October 2020 to prepare a probation report. The burglaries mainly targeted cafés, restaurants, offices and shops, with some occurring in private houses.
In a Dublin case, former security guard Carlos Daly, aged 51, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for burglary after a peculiar incident during a break‑in. Daly had taken two trays of Tranax anti‑anxiety tablets before entering a basement flat on Tivoli Terrace. He claimed the tablets caused him to pass out halfway through the burglary. Garda Peter Daly reported that the suspect was found asleep by police after the resident discovered him. When taken to the station, Daly had left stolen items—two jewellery boxes and a mobile phone—in the footwell of the patrol car. He admitted burglary on 26 June 2018 and also admitted breaking into a car and stealing from a second car that night. With over 50 prior burglary convictions, the judge noted his drug addiction as a contributing factor but upheld the seriousness of the offence, imposing the sentence.
During his Central Criminal Court trial, Aaron Brady, aged 29, denied being able to identify the accents of the robbers from an audio recording taken at the scene of the fatal robbery that killed Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. Brady listened to the dashcam audio, which included a shout of "Give me the fucking bag, give me the fucking money," but he said he could not recognise the accents and described the recording as "very blurry." He also denied stealing a car that the prosecution alleged was used in the robbery and rejected a suggestion that a suspect's car had driven by Lordship Credit Union earlier that day as part of a "drive‑by" in advance of the robbery. Brady, who has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Donohoe and to the robbery charge, was questioned about his movements on the day of the robbery, his mobile phone activity, and his interactions with other suspects.
During his second day of cross‑examination at the Central Criminal Court, Aaron Brady, aged 29, denied any involvement in the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe or the robbery of €7,000 at Lordship Credit Union. He argued that a wealthy suspect, referred to as Suspect A, who owns a house since age 18 and earns a six‑figure income in America, would have no motive to commit armed robbery. Brady denied that he, Suspect A, or a friend stole a Volkswagen Passat in 2013, and said he could not recall a conversation with former girlfriend Jessica King about a car theft. He admitted lying to Gardaí about his movements on the night of the robbery to conceal his diesel‑laundering activities, but insisted he had not provided an alibi for Suspect A. Brady pleaded not guilty to the capital murder and the robbery charge. The trial will continue before Mr Justice Michael White and a jury.