A 41‑year‑old serial burglar, Steffan Pavlov, was sentenced to 14 months in jail for a February 20 theft of two Acer tablets from the kitchen of Dublin's Shelbourne hotel. The tablets, worth €500, were taken by Pavlov, who had previously entered the hotel around 8 pm and removed them from a wall in the kitchen store room before anyone noticed. CCTV footage captured the incident, leading to Pavlov's arrest at his home after he had initially tried to block his front door with a wardrobe. Pavlov pleaded guilty to one count of trespass and theft and has 86 prior convictions, mainly for burglary, theft and handling stolen property. Judge Martin Nolan, who questioned whether Pavlov was a member of the "burglar party," noted the high number of his previous convictions and described the burglary as "pretty inoffensive." The sentence was back‑dated to March, when Pavlov first entered custody.
Keith Murtagh, 35, of Mariner's Port, Sheriff Street, Dublin, was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for armed robbery of the Roebuck post office on 5 January 2016. He had pleaded not guilty to robbery, possession of a shotgun and possession of a shotgun cartridge. A 10‑day trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court ended with unanimous guilty verdicts on all charges. Judge Melanie Greally noted the pre‑meditated nature of the offence, the discharge of a firearm, and Murtagh's prior conviction for a similar offence. She credited him for voluntarily meeting Gardaí, providing a DNA sample, his difficult childhood, his charitable activities and his efforts to improve himself in prison. The sentence was back‑dated to his first custody date in November 2017. The robbery involved two men, one armed with a handgun and one with a shotgun, who stole €2,754 from the post office and €420 from a fine‑food shop on the premises.
Petr Balint, a 41-year-old former night security guard at All Hallows College, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to theft charges. He admitted to stealing 33 art prints and an incunabula, defined as a book printed before 1501, from the college between January 2013 and June 2014. Balint also pleaded guilty to the theft of four prayer books and six other books during the same period. Judge Martin Nolan noted that while theft from employers is a serious matter, the value involved in this case did not approach the thresholds cited by the Court of Appeal for significant custodial sentences. Consequently, the judge determined that a custodial sentence was not appropriate. Balint was imposed a two and a half-year sentence, which was suspended in full. The court heard that Balint had sold some of the stolen prints through Sotheby's auction house, claiming they belonged to his mother, and had later returned the incunabula to the college. Defence counsel highlighted that Balint had no previous convictions, was a married father of one, and had used the proceeds to supplement his low wage. The judge accepted that Balint had been working alone and succumbed to temptation while the college was winding down operations.
In a 2019 Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Declan Connolly, 36, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for robbery, with the final two and a half years suspended. Connolly, the getaway driver, pleaded guilty to robbing a 73‑year‑old woman outside her Templeogue home on 7 October 2016 after she had won €23,000 at the Fitzwilliam Casino. Brian English, 27, who monitored the woman in the casino and passed information to Connolly, received a three‑year suspended sentence for theft. English had no prior convictions. The court noted that CCTV footage showed English watching the victim and that communication between the two men's phones linked them to the crime. Both men pleaded guilty; Connolly expressed remorse, while English's plea was accepted as a theft charge. The court ordered English to hand over €6,500 to the victim. The actual mugger had not yet been brought before the courts.
Ross Hutch, 27, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbing €200 from Boles Pharmacy in Drumcondra on 12 April 2019. He entered the shop after noon, wearing an orange jacket and a bicycle saddle, and threatened staff member Catherine Raymond, 70, to hand over cash. Raymond fled, a customer protected her, and Hutch took money from the till. Staff left through a side entrance, activated the alarm, and a customer disarmed Hutch. Hutch was later stopped by Gardaí on his bike, arrested that night, and DNA matched his jacket. He had 73 prior convictions, including firearms possession, endangerment and theft. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to two‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment, backdated to the robbery date, citing his early plea, remorse, and difficult family history.
Shane McKeever, aged 28, stole Thomas Stephens' car while Stephens was disposing of recycling. McKeever drove the vehicle, pinned Stephens against a wall, and crushed his ankle against a curb. After reversing, McKeever knocked Stephens to the ground. Garda Mark Walsh assisted and later found McKeever involved in a collision with a recycling truck on the M50, where the stolen car was propelled across traffic and overturned. McKeever was arrested after refusing a drug test and pleaded guilty to endangerment, car theft, failure to provide a sample and driving without insurance. He had 86 prior convictions and had been disqualified from driving two weeks earlier. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to six years' disqualification and four and a half years' imprisonment, citing remorse and steps taken to address his addiction. The court considered CCTV footage and victim impact reports, noting Stephens' ongoing injury and reduced income. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
In a 2019 case, Mark Halligan, aged 45, pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to threatening to kill or seriously harm a parish priest, Father Peter Byrne, at a church in Balally, Dundrum, on 11 September 2016. Halligan, who suffers from a religious persecution disorder—a form of schizophrenia—followed the priest into the sacristy with a large knife and warned that he would cut the priest's fingers off. A parishioner witnessed the threat and called the Gardaí, who arrested Halligan on the scene. He has 17 prior convictions, including theft, drug misuse, criminal damage, public order offences and road traffic offences. The judge accepted that Halligan was delusional at the time and, after confirming he had received suitable treatment and had not repeated such behaviour, imposed a three‑year prison sentence, fully suspended on the condition that he keep the peace, behave well for three years and be supervised by the Probation Service for 18 months.
Graham Corbally, aged 44, was convicted by a jury in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 22 October 2019 after a seven‑day trial for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. The offence occurred on 18 January 2017 at Johnstown Gardens, Finglas, when Gardaí discovered Corbally in possession of an unloaded 22‑gauge Winchester sawn‑off shotgun and a white rubber glove containing three 12‑gauge shotgun cartridges. Corbally fled from Gardaí, throwing the package over garden walls and climbing into multiple rear gardens before being apprehended. Forensic DNA matched the firearm and glove to Corbally; fingerprints yielded no evidence. He had 42 prior convictions, including robbery, false imprisonment, drug possession and knife possession. Corbally pleaded not guilty, was sentenced to five and a half years, with the final six months suspended and the sentence back‑dated to 22 October 2019. He was acquitted of an alleged threat‑to‑kill charge.
Glenn Jordan, a 42‑year‑old sales executive, stole more than €33,000 worth of iPads from MJ Flood, claiming they were ordered by the IT department at Beaumont Hospital. He created two fake orders, intercepted the delivery, took the devices and sold them. Jordan later admitted a gambling addiction and that he was out of his depth. He has since repaid the company. In Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, he pleaded guilty to three counts of theft between March and May 2017. Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the case to February next year, ordering a probation report to assess Jordan's suitability for community service rather than an immediate custodial sentence. The court noted Jordan had no prior convictions and had been employed by MJ Flood since November 2016, with his employment terminated in May 2017 due to performance issues. The prosecution highlighted that Jordan had admitted his wrongdoing and reimbursed the company.
In February 2019, Dillon Brophy, aged 22, entered Rose Garden Chinese Restaurant on South Circular Road with a large serrated knife and demanded cash from staff closing for the night. When the staff refused, Brophy threatened the man with the knife, holding it to the back of his neck. A struggle ensued, causing both men to fall down the stairs. Staff restrained Brophy until Gardaí arrived. He pleaded guilty to robbery at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and was sentenced to 27 months' imprisonment. The judge noted the seriousness of the knife and Brophy's intent to rob, while acknowledging his history of 41 convictions and his potential for reform. A victim impact report recorded a small thumb injury. Brophy's defence highlighted his desire to rebuild his life with his girlfriend and child, and his completion of educational courses while in custody.
Joseph Heffernan, aged 43, pleaded guilty to theft and making a false statement to Gardaí after staging a burglary at Body & Soul Salon in Rathmines on 25 July 2019. He had stolen €6,670 and £40 from the lockers of two employees while his then‑partner, the salon owner, was away. He later admitted to taking money from the salon over several months to repay the salon. He returned most of the stolen money and paid €1,120 in court to cover the remaining balance. Judge Patricia Ryan, noting the breach of trust and the amount involved, imposed a two‑year imprisonment sentence, suspended in its entirety on strict conditions, and ordered 90 hours of community service within 12 months. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The judge highlighted Heffernan's guilty plea, admissions, good employment record and gambling addiction as mitigating factors.
Martin Connors, 18, was caught on CCTV wearing flip‑flops and white socks while breaking into a family home on Versoy Avenue, Citywest. He later joined a robbery of a pizza delivery man that night. After fleeing the robbery in a Fiat Punto, his flip‑flops were found in the getaway car. Connors pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to burglary and robbery, with 42 prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to five years, suspending the final 18 months on probation. The judge noted the burglary was swift and frightening for the family, and that Connors had learning challenges and a desire to reform. The case involved a group that used a golf club to break in, and the pizza delivery man was threatened and robbed before the car crashed into hedging. Connors was arrested and identified as Micheal McDonagh, 12, during the pursuit. The prosecution and defence highlighted Connors' background and his wish to change.
Patrick Lyons, a 45‑year‑old taxi driver from Cabra West, was found guilty of theft after he kept a customer's bank card and withdrew €550 from her account. The incident occurred after the woman and her friend hailed his taxi to return home from a night out. Lyons claimed he had returned the card before withdrawing the money. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 12 December 2018. The judge noted his prior District Court convictions for similar thefts between December 2017 and August 2018, and that he had already paid €3,800 in restitution. Lyons had €500 to compensate the victim and was drug‑free, making good progress. Judge Karen O'Connor described the offence as "devious and unpleasant" and imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year suspended sentence on strict conditions, stating that re‑offending would result in imprisonment.
Ellavita Flynn, 25, stole designer goods from Dublin's Brown Thomas over two weeks in late 2017 and early 2018, including a €395 Michael Kors watch, a €2,400 Prada handbag, a €1,490 Gucci handbag and a €2,280 Louis Vuitton handbag, the only item recovered. She pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Flynn had three prior theft convictions handled at District Court. Judge Elma Sheahan sentenced her to twelve months imprisonment, suspending the final three months for six months on strict conditions, including compliance with Probation Service directions. Flynn is currently in custody on her own request, participating in a methadone programme and a hairdressing course. The judge noted her high risk of re‑offending, the seriousness of the offences, her addiction and homelessness background, and her remorse and family support as mitigating factors.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Mamour Lowe Nicolas, 35, born and raised in Gambia, and his co‑accused Michail Angelopoulos, 27, and Kosmas Ompante, 31, all homeless, were found guilty of assault and robbery after a violent mugging that left a victim unconscious with a fractured skull. The trio followed the victim after a night out, stole his phone, wallet, prayer book and keys, and then attacked him. Nicolas kicked the victim eight times in the face, while Angelopoulos and Ompante also struck and dragged him to the ground. The victim suffered a skull fracture, a deep cut to the left front of his face and a cut on his ear. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed concurrent four‑year sentences on each defendant, back‑dated to May to account for time already spent in custody. The court noted the serious harm caused and the defendants' guilty pleas.
Siva Kadiminisetty, a 36‑year‑old new father from Rathmines, was given a three‑year suspended sentence after he exploited a banking glitch that allowed him to steal over €25,000 from a bank over eight weeks. He admitted using a false passport to open a bank account in February 2009 and stealing cash at Dunnes Stores in July and August 2012. Kadiminisetty said he passed some of the money to a friend who helped him open false accounts, and he used part of the proceeds for college fees, flights home to India and groceries. He also withdrew cash by using an unsigned Visa debit card at supermarkets on four occasions. The judge noted his lack of prior convictions, good work history and unlikely re‑offending, and therefore suspended the custodial term on strict conditions. Siva Kadiminisetty pleaded guilty.
Anthony Conway, 35, of Sheridan Court, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of a knife with intent to intimidate after entering Dominick Inn topless on 12 August 2018. He had heard a rumour that his partner was having an affair with the barman and went to confront him. The barman used a pole to defend himself and the confrontation ended quickly; Conway dropped the knife and left. He had 18 prior convictions, including theft, drug offences and public order offences. Judge Pauline Codd noted that Conway was under the influence, had a difficult background, and was involved in caring for his five children. She sentenced him to two years imprisonment, suspended in full, with strict conditions including supervision by the Probation Service for two years.
In the Court of Appeal, state lawyers argued that the right to privacy is subordinate to the State's right to investigate crime, citing the €2m tiger kidnapping of the Richardson family. The case involves Mark Farrelly (48), David Byrne (46) and Niall Byrne (37), who pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment and robbery of Securicor. Farrelly, deemed the gang's mastermind, was sentenced to 17½ years; Byrne to 13½ years; Byrne to 10 years. Christopher Corcoran (72) received 12 years for scouting the kidnapping. The appeal, opened in January 2018, challenges the constitutionality of evidence gathered by Gardaí under 1993 legislation, now superseded by 2005 law. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions contended that the breach did not affect evidence quality, as the same data would have been obtained under the newer law. The Court reserved judgment.
A man who shoved and pushed a 67-year-old woman around her home while demanding money has been sentenced to six years in total for this incident, an earlier robbery, and for breaking into 13 cars. Lee Byrne (21) of Termon Court, Poppintree, Ballymun Dublin pleaded guilty to burglary and theft, assault causing harm and false imprisonment of the woman at her home in Drumcondra on October 9, 2018. He also pleaded guilty to criminal damage of various vehicles on St Margaret's Road in Finglas on April 1, 2018, and to attempted robbery at Spar on Upper O'Connell Street on September 9, 2018. Byrne had 51 previous convictions, 24 of which were committed as a child. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced Byrne to an 18-month term in June this year for the criminal damage charges, which was backdated to when he was first remanded in custody, resulting in a release date in December this year. Today, Judge Greally sentenced Byrne to an additional four and a half years, which is to run consecutive to the 18-month term. She suspended the final 12 months of this sentence, taking into account Byrne's youth, extreme addiction, and genuine remorse. The burglary of the woman's home was deemed the more serious offence due to the violation of her home and the violence inflicted upon her. The matter was adjourned for the purpose of this summary.
In 2019, Mark Farrelly (48), David Byrne (46) and Niall Byrne (37) appealed convictions for the 2005 tiger kidnapping of the Richardson family and the €2.08 million robbery of a Securicor cash‑in‑transit van. The original trial, the fifth time the case had been heard, found them guilty of false imprisonment and conspiracy to rob. Farrelly, deemed the mastermind, received 17½ years; Byrne, one of the kidnappers, 13½ years; and Byrne, the inside man, 10 years. Their appeal, lodged on 29 October 2019, argued that mobile‑phone data used by Gardaí was gathered under the 1993 legislation, which did not cover the type of data now available and had been superseded in 2005. Counsel contended the evidence was inadmissible, citing the 2015 Supreme Court case 'JC' and the pending 'Dwyer' case. The appeal was heard by the Court of Appeal, with the Director of Public Prosecutions set to reply the following day. Mark Farrelly pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 48‑year‑old carpenter Mervyn Heffernan was dragged under the getaway car of 24‑year‑old Daniel Maughan for about 30 yards after Heffernan had confronted Maughan at the side of his van. Heffernan suffered third‑degree burns, 11 missing teeth and a head injury. Witnesses reported Heffernan standing in front of the vehicle with his arms raised, and that workers shouted for the car to be stopped before Maughan fled. DNA from a phone left in the car matched Maughan, and stolen items were found in the van's boot. Maughan pleaded guilty to endangerment, had 56 prior convictions, and was sentenced to four years' imprisonment and a five‑year driving disqualification. Heffernan was discharged from hospital after a week, having incurred €20,000 in dental costs. The court noted Maughan's remorse and his efforts to address drug problems while in custody.
Alex Kane, aged 22, was convicted of a series of arson and trespass offences that caused over €700,000 in damage to two apartment blocks in Dublin. In 2014 he set fires in the underground carparks of Fairhaven and Abbey Glen Apartments, destroying eight cars and forcing the evacuation of both buildings. He also admitted to trespassing and criminal damage at Auburn Lodge Apartments. In 2018 he pleaded guilty to handling stolen property after being found in possession of a stolen cheque and cash. Kane was sentenced to five years in prison for the arson and a consecutive one‑year term for the stolen property charge. The court noted he had no prior convictions and that the damage cost the owners €751,409, largely covered by insurance. The judge described Kane as "well capable of reforming" and sentenced him to a total of six years in custody.
Michael Ward, 30, was jailed for two years after a drunken burglary of Mary's Bar on Wicklow Street. He entered the unoccupied bar early on November 5, broke three cash registers but found no money, and stole bottles of vodka, whiskey, gin, rum and three boxes of salt sachets. CCTV footage identified him; he did not conceal his face or wear gloves. Ward pleaded guilty and had 145 prior convictions, including theft, burglary and criminal damage. The court noted his homelessness, drug and alcohol addiction, and a difficult childhood, as well as his remorse. Judge Melanie Greally described the offence as opportunistic and carried out under the influence of alcohol, and said the damage disrupted business operations. She imposed a three‑year sentence, suspending the final 12 months on conditions, and the effective custodial term is two years.
In 2016, Marcus O'Rourke (39) and Brian O'Sullivan (33) robbed the Waterville Post Office in County Kerry, pointing a firearm at postmistress Lisa O'Reilly Foran and using a crowbar. They stole €4,000–€5,000, broke a glass pane, and activated a panic alarm. Two Dutch tourists witnessed the event. After the robbery, the pair fled in a Mazda, driving at high speed on the narrow Ring of Kerry road, and later reversed into a Garda car, damaging it and endangering officers. Gardaí, believing the firearm was real, opened fire during the chase. Both men had prior convictions (43 for O'Rourke, 52 for O'Sullivan) but none of comparable gravity. They were sentenced to nine years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, and the sentence was upheld on appeal as appropriate for the seriousness of the offence. The nine‑year term was made consecutive to three‑year terms for separate drug offences. Marcus O'Rourke pleaded guilty. Brian O'Sullivan pleaded guilty.
Jason Mahony, a 35‑year‑old former butcher from Avonbeg, Tallaght, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to handling stolen property and money laundering in May 2016. He had received €15,861 stolen from a break‑in at McLoughlin's butchers in Ballyfermot and later deposited €9,705 in cash, along with €3,460 in coins, into his bank account. Garda Ronan Coffey presented evidence that Mahony had visited the address of a former partner in Tymonville Lawn, where a rental car was found with a key in Mahony's possession and cash in envelopes bearing the names of the butchers' employees. Mahony's previous convictions for theft were noted, and a Probation Services report indicated a low risk of re‑offending. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a suspended prison sentence of three years, conditional on Mahony keeping the peace for that period.
Jack Murphy, 21, was jailed for 15 months after breaking into St Joseph's CBS Secondary School in Fairview on February 5, 2019, causing €1,077 in damage. He pleaded guilty to trespass and criminal damage. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a two‑year sentence, suspending the final nine months on conditions. Garda Sandra Lavin described how the alarm triggered a search that found Murphy inside the secretary's office, where a fire extinguisher had been used to break the lock. Murphy has 43 prior District Court convictions, including theft, robbery, public order offences and failing to appear. He has a chronic history of cocaine and cannabis abuse, began using drugs at 14, and has suffered serious brain injuries from a 2016 car accident. The court noted he had been clean of drugs while in custody.
Ross Hutch, aged 29, appeared before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and pleaded guilty to a single count of robbing €200 from Boles Pharmacy in Drumcondra on 12 April. He was seen in court wearing a white Adidas t‑shirt and tracksuit bottoms and is currently in custody. The judge adjourned sentencing to 20 November, with the hearing expected to last about 20 minutes.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 25 October 2019, a 36‑year‑old woman, whose name is withheld to protect her children, was found to have breached the conditions of a suspended two‑year sentence imposed in January 2017 for wilfully neglecting her six‑year‑old and 13‑month‑old children. The 2017 case involved the older child being discovered wandering a Dublin street in a distressed, cold, wet state, and the younger child found in a buggy in the mother's living room, both in a distressed condition with soiled nappies and clothes. The mother was described as in a "disorientated state" and was dealing with alcohol addiction at the time.
In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing, Garda Nicholas Keogh admitted giving documents to TDs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace alleging that crime figures in his district were being "fiddled" downward, which he described as Garda corruption. Keogh, who is in the second week of the tribunal, claims a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, identified as Garda A, had an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned an estimated €2,500 a week. He also cites a 2015 robbery case that was reclassified by Superintendent Patrick Murray after the complainant withdrew a statement, arguing this reclassification was an example of fiddling. Keogh says he spoke to Daly and Wallace about the massaging of figures, and that he printed the documents and presented them to the TDs. The tribunal heard that Daly had referenced the alleged fiddling in a Dáil speech, claiming evidence of at least eight cases where crimes were reclassified as less serious.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Joey McKeon, aged 25, pleaded guilty to trespass and attempted theft after being tackled to the ground by homeowner Emmanuel Reynaud, who has two black belts in Judo and Jujitsu. McKeon, who had been standing outside Reynaud's house when dragged in, claimed he was only outside when the incident occurred. Reynaud, a trained martial artist, responded automatically to noises downstairs, placed McKeon against a wall, and pinned him on the ground. McKeon threatened to press charges and told Reynaud he should be deported back to Poland. Reynaud's wife reported fearing a return of the burglar and that their four‑year‑old daughter was still affected. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a three‑year prison sentence on McKeon, noting his drug addiction, mental health concerns, and the traumatic impact on the children. The court heard that McKeon insulted Reynaud for 15 minutes and that Reynaud never applied any dangerous holds.
In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing, Garda Nicholas Keogh denies alleging a cash theft by three Gardaí and claims Garda management handled the investigation in a "sinister" manner. Keogh, who made a protected disclosure on 8 May 2014, says he never claimed that €800 was stolen by three guards and spent on alcohol and gambling. He alleges that a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, identified as Garda A, was in an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned about €2,500 a week. Keogh states that Garda management investigated the claim, but no evidence was found and the matter was dropped. He accuses the investigation of being targeted, harassed and bullied, and describes the process as unusual and lacking proper follow‑up. The tribunal, chaired by Judge Sean Ryan, is hearing Keogh's testimony and the cross‑examination by counsel for An Garda Síochána. The case remains at the tribunal stage, with no verdict or outcome reported.
A 25‑year‑old man, Adam Marlowe, was convicted of aggravated burglary, robbery of €50 and assault on an 81‑year‑old farmer in north Co Dublin. The conviction was based on DNA evidence recovered from a small piece of blue latex material found in the victim's bedroom, described as a fingertip of a latex glove. The DNA matched Marlowe's profile 93%, with the remaining 7% from two unknown persons. No gloves were found in the house and there was no evidence the perpetrators wore gloves. Marlowe appealed, arguing the trial judge failed to direct the jury to acquit and misdirected the weight of forensic evidence. The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction, stating the evidence was sufficient to link Marlowe to the crime. He was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment, with a suspended portion of a previous sentence for violent disorder. The victim suffered bruising, a deep cut requiring stitches, and reported lasting trauma. Adam Marlowe pleaded not guilty.
Rafal Winter, a 37‑year‑old former shop assistant manager from Clonee, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to stealing more than €10,000 worth of lottery scratch cards from a Spar store in Mulhuddart between 2 July and 24 September 2017. He admitted taking up to 30 books of cards over several weeks, claiming jealousy after friends discussed pay rises. Winter voluntarily presented himself to the Gardaí, explained that he scratched the cards himself, and offered to resign and repay the €10,500 he had stolen. He has since worked as a security guard and has not attracted further Garda attention. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to 18 months' imprisonment, suspended entirely, subject to a number of conditions. The judge noted his efforts to repay the money and his lack of prior convictions in Ireland or Poland. The case was prosecuted by Diarmuid Collins BL and defended by Jennifer Jackson BL.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Keith Murtagh, 35, of Mariners' Port, Sheriff Street, was set to be sentenced for his alleged role in the armed robbery of the Roebuck post office on 5 January 2016. Murtagh had pleaded not guilty to robbery, possession of a shotgun and possession of a shotgun cartridge. A ten‑day trial in July concluded with a jury finding him guilty on all counts. Detective Garda Lisa McHugh recounted that two men entered the post office, one armed with a handgun and the other with a shotgun, who fired two blasts into a glass partition before Murtagh allegedly climbed over the desk into the back of the office. The robbery yielded €2,754 from the post office and €420 from a fine‑food shop on the premises. Murtagh's defence, Garnet Orange SC, highlighted his long prison history and charitable activities, yet acknowledged the evidence presented.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Alan Barrett, 42, was sentenced to nine months in custody for diverting trust money held for event organisers into his personal account to keep the ticketing company Event Elephant LTD afloat. Barrett, who had previously served a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for tax offences in 2017, pleaded guilty to theft between December 2010 and August 2013. The judge described the offence as an "unusual theft" arising from Barrett's stewardship of company funds, noting that a substantial portion was spent on company expenses. Barrett had already served part of his earlier sentence and was disqualified from being a company director. The court imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspending all but nine months, reflecting Barrett's cooperation, remorse, and the impact of his actions on the company's financial difficulties.
In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing, Garda Nicholas Keogh, a whistleblower, accuses Superintendent Patrick Murray of "massaging" crime figures and undermining his work. Keogh alleges that Murray criticised four of his investigations and re‑classified a robbery he recorded as serious to a lower category on the same day, calling it a non‑crime. Keogh claims this was an attempt to discredit him after he made a protected disclosure in 2014. Murray denies targeting Keogh, stating his queries were aimed at ensuring high‑standard investigations. Keogh argues the re‑classifications and persistent scrutiny amount to harassment, while Murray maintains they were procedural. The tribunal considers whether the re‑classifications constitute bullying or corruption, with Keogh insisting he is not alleging corruption. The case remains at the tribunal stage.
John Connors, aged 22, was sentenced to two years in prison for burglary at Hamlet Lane, Balbriggan, on 4 January. He entered the house of Peter Sanya, who was watching television, claiming he had been directed to the house to find a man named Jason. Connors admitted to being intoxicated and claimed he had stolen items, but was not found with a hammer or knife at arrest. Gardaí recovered five watches, silver cufflinks, a gold chain and an iPhone from him. He had seven prior convictions, including burglary. Connors pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The judge imposed a three‑year sentence, suspending the final year on strict conditions, including compliance with the Probation Service for one year after release. The case was prosecuted by Philip Rahn BL and defended by Derek Cooney BL. The incident was reported by Detective Garda Gerard Mulroney.
Michael Doherty, a 39‑year‑old former wine and school lunch delivery businessman, was sentenced to a suspended three‑and‑a‑half‑year prison term for robbery after a judge noted his efforts to rehabilitate. On 31 March 2017, Doherty entered a Maxol station on Newcastle Road in Lucan, threatened staff with a claw hammer, and when the till would not open he struck it and stole about €400. He fled in a black car that Gardaí linked to him, leading to his arrest. Doherty pleaded guilty to the robbery of Kim Heffernan. He had 24 prior convictions, mainly for road traffic offences, and the prosecution and defence agreed the robbery was out of character. Counsel argued that the breakdown of his marriage had devastated him, leading to drug abuse and business failure, and that he committed the robbery to fund his addiction.
The Disclosures Tribunal heard that Garda Nicholas Keogh, the first whistleblower under Commissioner Noirín O'Sullivan, claims Garda management sought to remove him from the force. Keogh made a protected disclosure in May 2014 alleging collusion between Garda Aidan Lyons and a drug dealer, Miss B. In June 2014, Lyons reported that a man had approached him about Keogh, claiming Keogh had been involved in a theft and would support a complaint. Keogh was later called to Superintendent Noreen McBrien's office, where he was told an investigation was underway but no details were given. Keogh said the report was authored by Lyons, who was his partner, and that the allegation was never rigorously followed up. He described the process as vindictive and believed management, including Superintendent Patrick Murray, imposed excessive supervision and targeted him. The tribunal heard Keogh's evidence and the case remains under investigation.
Geraldine Doyle, aged 63, was sentenced to a suspended three‑and‑a‑half‑year term after pleading guilty to four counts of theft from the Department of Social Protection. She had claimed her deceased partner's €200 weekly pension for four years, from 2012 to 2016, after his death was not registered. The total amount stolen was €44,652. Doyle also received other social welfare payments, including rent allowance. She has no prior convictions. Doyle repaid €10,000 and agreed to pay €150 a week to clear the remaining debt. The judge noted her remorse, health issues and efforts to repay the state, and therefore imposed a suspended sentence rather than imprisonment.
In a case heard by the Court of Appeal, a Nigerian man, Prince Ajibola, aged 51, had his four‑year prison sentence upheld. He had been convicted of money laundering after €32,000 was transferred to his bank account by a financial institution following a fraud. Ajibola pleaded guilty on 26 March 2019 and was sentenced by Judge Pauline Codd on 29 May 2019 to four years in prison, with the final two years suspended. The appeal argued the sentence was excessive, noting that Ajibola had no role in the theft of the funds, which were placed in his account by a man named Kumar. The Court found no error in the judge's decision, citing Ajibola's prior convictions and the need for deterrence. The sentence was considered within the legitimate scope, with a 50 % effective discount applied for health and personal circumstances. The appeal was dismissed, leaving the original sentence in place.
Swiatoslaw Jaroszynski, 34, was jailed for 20 months after a violent attack in Clondalkin, Dublin, on 26 May 2018. He assaulted a woman jogging on the outer ring road, tried to bite her, and then attacked a passerby, Robert Keogh, during the struggle. Jaroszynski forced a woman driving with her 11‑ and 9‑year‑old children to stop, jumped onto her car's bonnet, headbutted the windscreen, smashed the rear passenger window, and tried to bite the woman's throat. He also grabbed the children and struck them. He had previously been involved in a head‑on collision and fled the scene. Jaroszynski pleaded guilty to three assault‑causing‑harm charges and unlawful interference with a car. He had a history of a suspended drug sentence and a robbery conviction. The judge noted his PTSD and drug use, but imposed a 20‑month sentence, citing the case's violent and unusual nature.
Keegan Davidson, 25, was sentenced to three years in prison, with the final two years suspended, for laundering €104,107 obtained through an "invoice redirection" fraud. He supplied his bank account details to a criminal gang that used them to receive payments from a bogus email sent to an engineering company. Davidson withdrew about €43,759 from various bureaux de change and post offices in Dublin, converting portions to British pounds and US dollars. He pleaded guilty to four offences under the 2010 Money Laundering Act for transferring or converting money knowing it was the proceeds of crime. The court noted he had no evidence of involvement in the fraud beyond laundering, and that the bank recovered roughly €46,000 from his account. Davidson's prior convictions include possession of knives, public order, theft, trespass, and a suspended sentence for possession of a sawn‑off shotgun. The judge acknowledged his efforts at rehabilitation and imposed the suspended sentence on conditions.
Patrick Ward, 41, was sentenced to three years in prison after stabbing Edel Delahunty, his neighbour, three times with scissors. The attack occurred after a quarrel at Delahunty's home while they were watching the World Cup. Ward punched Delahunty before stabbing her, and she discovered the wounds when she heard blood on the floor. She was treated in hospital for three stab wounds and required surgery after a lung puncture, staying six nights. Ward pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and possession of a weapon at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 16 June 2018. He had prior convictions for affray, assault, breach of a barring order, production of an article, criminal damage, theft and drugs. The judge noted Ward was very drunk but not excused, and accepted his remorse. Gardaí arrested Ward after he threatened to kill anyone entering his home. He later expressed regret and apologized to the victim.
Dean Heapes, 34, of Swords, Co Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to 10 burglaries of premises on South William Street, Dublin 2, committed on December 13, 2016. He also admitted to three further burglaries in the city between January 2017 and April 2018, as well as using a false instrument when attempting to cash a stolen cheque on Grafton Street in November 2016. The court heard that Heapes, who has ten previous burglary convictions, was captured on CCTV stealing 13 laptops during the initial incident, five of which were later recovered. Judge Karen O'Connor noted that while the offences were serious, Heapes had no history of violent offending. The judge considered his chronic drug addiction, difficult upbringing, and periods of homelessness, alongside his cooperation with gardai and expressed remorse. Judge O'Connor imposed consecutive sentences totalling five and a half years but suspended the final 18 months. She stated that Heapes has much to be hopeful for, including a supportive partner and young child, but warned that if he does not take this opportunity, he will spend the remainder of the sentence in prison.
In a 2016 robbery at Woodbine Park Post Office, Glen Kavanagh (44) held a loaded Makarov pistol to a customer's head, fired eight shots, and attempted to escape. An ESB repairman tackled him, kicking the raider's ankle and causing the gun to fly, striking an ESB colleague on the head. The incident, described as an "aggressive struggle," resulted in €455 stolen and the recovery of the pistol and cartridges. Kavanagh pleaded guilty to robbery and unlawful possession of a firearm. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to 12 years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, and ordered concurrent service with a ten‑year firearms sentence, both backdated to 1 January 2018. The sentence includes strict conditions and 18 months of probation post‑release. Kavanagh's drug‑related history and lack of memory of the raid were noted by the court. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 11 October 2019. Glen Kavanagh was convicted.
A man from Aughavas, County Leitrim, has been sentenced to seven and a half years imprisonment following his conviction on money laundering charges at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Simon Gold, aged 54, pleaded not guilty to charges including money laundering, theft, deception and control of false instruments relating to offences between January 2010 and October 2012. A jury returned guilty verdicts on 20 counts after over 12 hours of deliberation, following more than two weeks of evidence. The court heard Gold operated fraudulent companies under multiple identities and targeted vulnerable individuals experiencing severe financial difficulty. Judge Martin Nolan described the crimes as devious and dishonest, noting Gold exploited men in desperate circumstances. The sentence was backdated to May 2018, when Gold first entered custody. Gold has 17 previous convictions, including 12 recorded in the United Kingdom for burglary, theft and larceny.
Jeffrey Morrow and Paul O'Beirne were sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for facilitating a serious offence in connection with the murder of Vincent Ryan. Both men initially pleaded not guilty to murder, but following legal argument, the murder charge was dropped, and they pleaded guilty to facilitating a serious offence contrary to Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006. The court found that they provided and destroyed a stolen Volkswagen Golf used by gunmen in the drive-by shooting that killed Mr Ryan outside his partner's home in 2016. Mr Justice Michael White noted that while not sentencing for murder, the proximity to the callous crime was a serious aggravating factor. He highlighted Morrow's extensive criminal history, including conspiracy to rob a cash-in-transit van, and O'Beirne's prior convictions. Considering their guilty pleas as a mitigating factor, the judge reduced headline sentences of 14 years for Morrow and 11 years for O'Beirne to final sentences of 11 years and nine years, respectively. Both sentences were backdated to reflect time already spent in custody. The judge formally struck out the murder charges. Outside court, Mr Ryan's partner, Kelly Smyth, expressed relief that the matter was concluded, stating she wished to move forward with her life.
Gheorghe Goidan, a 46‑year‑old Romanian, was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment for raping two Czech women who were working as prostitutes in Ireland. The judge described the offences as "vicious and shocking" and noted that Goidan had targeted the women because he believed they would not be believed. He met each woman separately in hotel rooms, threatened them with a knife, and repeatedly assaulted and raped them. Goidan had pleaded not guilty to rape and sexual assault at a hotel in Portlaoise on 7 September 2017 and had also denied rape, oral rape and anal rape of a second woman at the Maldron Hotel in Galway on the same day. A jury found him guilty on all counts. The judge imposed ten‑year terms for each sexual offence and seven‑year terms for each robbery, with the sexual terms to run consecutively, resulting in a 20‑year jail term.
Martin Sherlock, a 31-year-old man from Navan, Co Meath, has lost his appeal against a rape conviction. The Court of Appeal dismissed his argument that judges are mandatorily required to warn juries about an accused's 'previous good character.' Sherlock had pleaded not guilty to raping a woman at her Dublin home on August 14, 2015, claiming the sex was consensual, though he admitted hearing 'no.' He pleaded guilty to stealing her mobile phone. A Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty of rape, and he was sentenced to five years' imprisonment by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy in July 2018. In the appeal, President of the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice George Birmingham, stated there is no empirical evidence that a person without previous convictions is more likely to tell the truth. He noted that while defence counsel can argue enhanced credibility or lack of propensity to offend, this does not necessitate a mandatory judicial warning. The court highlighted that Sherlock admitted lying to the victim and stealing her phone, actions inconsistent with 'good character.' The panel, including Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy and Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly, concluded that adopting such a mandatory requirement would create difficulties and is not supported by Irish legal authority. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, and the original conviction and sentence stand.