Kenneth Wilson, 46, of Deansrath Road, Clondalkin, was sentenced by Judge Sarah Berkeley to four years' imprisonment for armed robbery at the Bawnogue Post Office in November 2012. Wilson entered the post office armed with an axe, while two other men carried a crowbar and an imitation handgun. They broke the security glass, took over €7,000 from the registers, and fled in a blue BMW. Wilson was later arrested, refused to admit guilt, and pleaded guilty to the robbery. The court noted Wilson's 18 previous convictions, including manslaughter and possession of firearms, and his earlier conviction for the 1992 killing of Patrick Joseph Craig. Judge Berkeley highlighted that Wilson had not re‑offended since the robbery and had been a law‑abiding citizen for the last four years. She imposed a four‑year term with the final 18 months suspended, leaving Wilson to serve two and a half years in custody.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Giovanni Obaseki, aged 23, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for a savage robbery that left victim Francis Crossan with a broken leg and a protruding bone. Obaseki, a German national, pleaded guilty to the robbery on North King Street on 8 September 2012, after a series of earlier assaults. The court noted that Obaseki had previously attacked a 60‑year‑old man with a wine bottle and had punched a man at Smithfield Square, for which he also pleaded guilty. Judge Martin Nolan described the Crossan attack as the most serious, citing the victim's severe injuries and the repeated blows. The judge imposed a seven‑year sentence, suspended the last two years, and acknowledged Obaseki's efforts at rehabilitation, including completion of the Prison Service's Alternatives to Violence Programme. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and the victim's ongoing physical trauma.
Evan Smith, 18, was sentenced to two years in prison for robbing and assaulting a deaf and mute couple, Michael and Helen Rush, in Clondalkin on 10 November 2014. Smith followed the couple from a chipper into a laneway, knocked Helen to the ground and stole her handbag, while also cutting Michael above his eye. He pleaded guilty to robbery and assault at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Smith has six prior convictions, including robbery and burglary. The judge, Melanie Greally, described the offence as serious and nasty, noted the couple's injuries and their subsequent fear of going out at night, and highlighted Smith's previous prison time and his efforts to address addiction. The final 12 months of the sentence were suspended on strict conditions, and Smith will remain under Probation Service supervision for a year. The prosecution and defence both acknowledged Smith's lack of awareness of the couple's disabilities and his admission of shame for the attack.
Craig Cassells, 23, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to one count of possession of drugs and three counts of possessing drugs for sale or supply. The charges stemmed from incidents in 2014 and 2015 where gardaí allegedly found controlled substances at his home and on the street. Judge Patricia Ryan suspended sentences of three and a half years, citing Cassells' significant rehabilitation efforts over the previous year. The court noted his 57 previous convictions, including drug-related offences, robbery, and dangerous driving, but accepted evidence that he had changed his life. Defence counsel David Staunton BL highlighted that Cassells had moved away from former associates, was volunteering with a homeless charity, and had received positive testimonials from employers. Two gardaí testified to his positive change, and the court heard he tested negatively for drugs and was expecting his first child. Judge Ryan considered his early admissions of guilt, co-operation with gardaí, and good employment record when determining the suspended sentence.
Martin Doyle, 25, of Mount Eden Rise, Cork, pleaded guilty to burglary and arson at the home of an 81‑year‑old widower on Blarney Street on 15 October 2014. He had previously received a three‑year robbery sentence that was fully suspended to encourage treatment for heroin addiction. The Circuit Court reactivated that sentence and, on 17 June 2015, imposed a seven‑year term with the final two years suspended, giving Doyle a net ten‑year sentence with two years suspended. The Court of Appeal upheld the sentence, ruling it could not be described as excessive. The burglary and arson were deemed "extremely serious"; the victim, now 85, was left homeless for seven months and suffered loss of personal memorabilia. Doyle had 25 prior convictions and had been imprisoned eight times. The appeal was dismissed.
Aaron McDermott, aged 23, was sentenced to two years in prison for possessing a rusty rifle he claimed to have found while cycling in a field. He admitted bringing the weapon home and placing it between the partition walls of his and his neighbour's houses. McDermott pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm at his home on 26 January 2015. He had 73 prior convictions and a history of drug and alcohol misuse. The judge reactivated a one‑year suspended portion of a previous three‑year sentence for attempted robbery and imposed a consecutive two‑year term for the firearms offence, with the final year suspended. A search of his home uncovered a small bag of cannabis and the rifle, which had a shortened stock and barrel, was capable of firing but had no ammunition. The prosecution considered the offence low‑level for sentencing purposes.
Babatunde Fagbule, 46, used a computer glitch at Ulster Bank to withdraw thousands of euros from ATMs in Dublin and Meath on 22 June 2012. The glitch, affecting all Royal Bank of Scotland group ATMs, prevented balances from being updated, allowing Fagbule to overdraw his wife's account by €8,315. He pleaded guilty to 13 counts of theft at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Fagbule stopped withdrawing money "of his own accord" that day, later repaying the full amount. The court noted the account was in his wife's name and that she was unaware of the withdrawals. Judge Melanie Greally described the offence as serious but considered his good character and repayment, sentencing him to 18 months suspended for two years.
Brian Cox, 38, of Boot Road, Clondalkin, was caught by Garda Steve Kelly showing a stolen car that had been advertised on DoneDeal.ie. The vehicle, reported stolen almost a month earlier, was found to have a false NCT disc. Cox pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing the stolen car and using the false disc. He has 39 prior convictions, including thefts and drug offences. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a two‑year sentence, suspended in full, after noting Cox's efforts at rehabilitation since the offence. The case involved foreign nationals who were seen by the Garda looking at the car in a car park. Cox's defence argued intimidation from an old drug debt, and that he had not been in trouble with Gardaí since 2009. The court accepted that Cox had stayed out of trouble while employed and had received an intimidating call in April 2015, leading to his involvement.
Jim Duffy, 45, of Dundalk, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing a stolen John Deere tractor between June and September 2013. The tractor, worth €50,000, was stolen from a Portlaoise farm on 29 May 2013 and later found on Duffy's farm in Hollywood Little, Ballyboughal North Dublin, with altered identifying features and a false UK registration plate. Duffy claimed the tractor had been left on his farm by a man who owed him money and denied ever taking it. He admitted the tractor was stolen but said he could not believe it. Judge Melanie Greally, noting Duffy's lack of serious convictions, adjourned the case to 14 June and ordered a community service report to be prepared by the Probation Service. The case remains pending.
David Gorey, an accountant aged 33 from Kilbride, Trim, stole €489,000 from ABM Construction Ltd between August 2009 and July 2013. He used the money to pay off a €5,000 credit union loan, a €15,000 car loan, buy three BMWs worth €100,000, and fund gambling and social activities. Gorey altered payment certificates, had company directors sign them, and transferred the cash to his own accounts. He pleaded guilty to four sample theft charges. The court, after a victim impact report, noted the significant breach of trust and the impact on the business. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a two‑year custodial sentence, citing the large sum stolen and the loss of trust. Gorey had no serious prior convictions, had cooperated with investigators, and was considered low risk of re‑offending. He is now employed as a floor manager in a Trim restaurant.
Michael Barr, 34, originally from Tyrone, pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to handling stolen electrical equipment at Finnstown House Hotel, Lucan, on 18 July 2014. He was charged in November 2014 with the same offence and also with membership of the IRA. After his guilty plea, the State dropped the IRA membership charge. The three‑judge panel, led by Mr Justice Paul Butler with Judges Alison Lindsay and Flann Brennan, remanded Barr on continuing bail until 28 April, when he will be sentenced.
Hugh McWeeney, 43, of Malahide Road, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for his role in a 2015 armed robbery. He pleaded guilty to robbing €50,730 and possessing a firearm with intent to commit robbery at The Gate Hotel, Parnell Street, on May 11, 2015. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a five-year sentence, suspending the final year, resulting in an effective custody period of four years. McWeeney's co-accused, Stephen Clinch, 49, of Kilbarrack, Dublin, received a four-and-a-half-year sentence last month for the same offence. Prosecution evidence stated that Clinch held a semi-automatic pistol to the head of security worker Michel Cieslik during the incident, while McWeeney was not armed. The court heard that McWeeney had previously overcome drug addiction but was drawn back into offending due to debts. Clinch told gardaí he committed the crime because of debts arising from a drug consignment discovered by police. All stolen cash was recovered at the scene, and the pistol found contained ammunition unsuitable for the weapon. The matter was finalised with the imposition of these custodial sentences.
Thomas Plunkett, 44, of Markievicz House, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for offences committed on Easter Monday, April 21, 2014. He pleaded guilty to burglary at St Patrick's Credit Union, Herbert Place, attempted burglary at Merrion Square, and the assault of Garda Paul Carroll at Pearse Street Garda Station. Judge Sarah Berkeley imposed a four-year sentence, suspending the final year on strict conditions, resulting in three years of effective custody. Plunkett, who has 64 previous convictions, was apprehended with stolen credit union property after a householder spotted him on a roof near her window. Garda Barry Moran testified that Plunkett initially cooperated by showing officers the smashed credit union window but became aggressive when his phone was confiscated. At the station, Plunkett was carried in by his hands and feet and allegedly spat at Garda Carroll's eye. Defense counsel Oisin Clarke BL noted Plunkett's intoxication and history of heroin addiction following bereavements, while highlighting his previous work delivering medication to the elderly. The court accepted the guilty pleas and imposed the custodial sentence with the specified suspension.
Bernadette Warnock, 63, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 71 counts of theft and fraud committed between 2009 and 2011, totalling €116,226. The offences allegedly occurred while she managed the finances of Positive Action Ltd, a Hepatitis C support group. Judge Melanie Greally described the conduct as a "most grievous offence" committed by an individual with a history of fraud, noting Warnock had four previous convictions for forging cheques. Although the validated procedural stage is sentence, the matter was adjourned until October to allow Warnock to raise compensation for a new group replacing Positive Action. She was remanded on bail. The judge explicitly stated this adjournment should not be interpreted as an indication that Warnock will receive a non-custodial sentence. Prosecution evidence, presented by Sinead McGrath BL, indicated that chairperson Antoinette Fitzgerald reported financial irregularities. Garda Wayne Donnelly testified that Warnock forged a co-director's signature on cheques and manipulated the charity's finance system to divert funds. Defence counsel Ronan Kennedy BL stated Warnock had €8,500 available and expected an inheritance to cover half the outstanding amount. He also highlighted her health issues and prior dedication to the charity.
Anthony Dwyer, 24, was sentenced to three years in prison for a violent attempted handbag snatch on Kilbarrack Road on 30 May 2013. He punched Rose Kim repeatedly in the head and grabbed her throat after she refused to give up her bag. Dwyer also admitted two offences of criminal damage at Howth Junction DART station on the same day. Judge Melanie Greally described the attack as "disgraceful" and imposed a consecutive two‑year sentence for the criminal damage, which she suspended on the condition that Dwyer keep the peace for three years and comply with Probation Services treatment for drugs and alcohol. Dwyer's history includes 47 prior convictions, including assault, robbery and 20 for criminal damage. He began abusing Ecstasy and petrol at age six, was taken into foster care at three, and later into residential care. He had stopped abusing tablets and was in a stable relationship with a young child at the time of sentencing. Anthony Dwyer pleaded guilty.
A 31‑year‑old Dublin mother, Shineen Mulhall, received a 12‑month suspended sentence and was ordered to complete 150 hours of community service within two years. She pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to stealing €16,885 from Oaklee Housing Trust on 4 February 2013 and €5,564 from the Irish College of General Practitioners on 3 March 2013. Gardaí described her as a "pawn" in the operation, noting that two cheques totalling over €21,500 were lodged into her account and later withdrawn under instructions from a man. Mulhall had 19 prior convictions for road traffic offences. The judge, Catherine Murphy, noted that she had not attracted adverse Garda attention and had fully cooperated. The case involved CCTV evidence of her lodging the cheques and the Garda interview in October 2013 where she admitted to cashing them on behalf of the man.
Niall McGlynn, a 30‑year‑old Trinity Law School graduate, was sentenced to two years in prison with the final six months suspended. He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and one count of assault causing harm for attacking a bouncer at the Czech Inn in Temple Bar after being denied entry, and for punching Garda Brian Cleary in the mouth at North King Street. He also pleaded guilty to robbery at Paddy Power in Swords. The judge credited him for three months already spent in custody and suspended the last six months of the sentence. McGlynn was described as very drunk during the nightclub incident, and the court noted his serious gambling addiction. He had not practised law after graduating from Trinity College. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
David Mantle, 38, of Crumlin, was sentenced to five years in prison for robbing Terry Rogers bookmakers on Fairview Strand on 5 November 2013 and attempting to rob a Spar store on Lower Abbey Street on 19 August 2014. In the Fairview robbery, Mantle approached the cashier, handed her a betting slip demanding money and threatened to squirt petrol in her face and set the shop on fire. He brandished a bottle of Fairy Liquid filled with petrol and told her, "I'm going to squirt this in your fucking face. I've a lighter and I'm going to set this place on fire." The victim, who feared she would be burned alive, handed over an unspecified sum before the panic button was sounded by a pregnant colleague. In the Spar incident, Mantle entered the store, demanded a bottle of spirits, and produced a syringe filled with dark blue liquid, threatening the worker. David Mantle pleaded guilty.
John Murphy, also known as Con Murphy, a 66-year-old travel agent, received a suspended three-year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following his conviction for four counts of theft. The charges alleged that between June and July 2010, Murphy stole €18,643 from the Children to Lapland Appeal, a charity he founded in 1987 to send terminally ill children to Lapland. Although the validated procedural stage is an appeal, the report details the sentencing where Judge Patrick McCartan suspended the custodial term. This decision followed the disclosure that Murphy's family had raised the full amount to compensate for the theft, alongside considerations of his age, poor health, and a 2010 bladder cancer diagnosis. Judge McCartan noted the sentence recognized the breach of trust. As a condition of the suspended sentence, Murphy was banned from engaging in fundraising for three years. The judge expressed grave misgivings regarding Murphy's subsequent involvement with the Make it Happen Foundation, alleging he effectively ran the organization despite directors claiming otherwise. The judge warned Murphy that he was "under the microscope." The compensation funds, as the original charity entered liquidation, are to be split between Crumlin Children's Hospital and Barretstown camp. Defense counsel Patrick Reynolds BL argued the new foundation was dissolved in January and that Murphy had no access to its accounts.
In 2013, Michael Murray, aged 44, was sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Central Criminal Court for a series of offences committed on 12 and 13 February 2010. The charges included rape, attempted rape, oral rape, aggravated sexual assault, child abduction, threats to kill or cause serious harm, false imprisonment and theft. The jury heard that Murray lured his victim into an apartment by claiming an elderly woman was dying, tied her up, assaulted her, and then abducted her son, abandoning him in a city centre square late at night. He later returned to the flat, drugged and raped the victim. Murray denied all charges but was found guilty on all counts by a unanimous jury. In March 2016, the DPP announced it would argue in July that the 15‑year sentence was unduly lenient. The Court of Appeal scheduled the DPP's appeal for 7 July, while Murray is also due to appeal his conviction.
In March 2016 the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Alice Warnock, a 54‑year‑old former Bank of Ireland employee, had taken €144,089 from the bank between November 2004 and March 2012. She transferred amounts ranging from €600 to €5,000 from the bank's internal administration account into her own accounts and those of family members, and she had fabricated narratives to make the transactions appear legitimate. The bank discovered the fraud in May 2012 while Warnock was on sick leave. She pleaded guilty to nine counts of stealing from bank branches on Talbot Street and Malahide Road, Coolock. Warnock, who had no prior convictions, expressed remorse and said she felt like a fool. She had lost her job and was a full‑time carer for her sick, elderly parents.
Dylan Murphy, aged 20, was sentenced to a partially suspended three‑year term for assaulting Jonathan Cooley with a pint glass on 24 May 2015 at Dame Court, Dublin. Murphy admitted he had "snapped" and overreacted "out of pure rage" after seeing an altercation involving his sister. He also pleaded guilty to possessing a stolen iPod found at the same location. The court noted Murphy's 24 previous convictions, including four assaults, and the victim's permanent facial scars. Judge Melanie Greally suspended the last 18 months of the sentence and ordered post‑release supervision. Murphy was described by Garda Elaine Murtagh as a "feral youth" with a difficult upbringing and periods of homelessness. The victim, who had forgiven Murphy, expressed hope he would not assault anyone else in the future.
Joseph Magee, a former INLA member, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possessing 55 pairs of stolen "Maui Jim" sunglasses found at his Clongriffin home on April 2, 2015. Magee pleaded guilty to the charge, which he admitted, claiming he found the items in a park and intended to give them away or sell them for a small amount. Gardaí alleged he was holding the goods for a third party, though he was not charged with the underlying theft. The court heard that Magee was convicted of murder in 2004 for the 1992 killing of Sergeant Michael Newman in Derby, England, and was released under the Good Friday Agreement after serving two years. Defence counsel Dean Kelly argued that Magee's previous convictions, including earlier firearm offences, should be viewed in the context of the peace process, requesting a non-custodial disposal to allow him to retain his social housing. Judge Melanie Greally acknowledged that Magee's convictions "speak for themselves" but noted they were committed in a specific context. She determined that imprisonment would cause him to lose his home, hindering his reform efforts. Consequently, the judge imposed a two-year suspended sentence, accepting that Magee was not the final beneficiary of the stolen property.
Mark McCann, 23, pleaded guilty to robbery of a taxi driver's phone and car keys outside Swords Garda Station on 1 May 2012. He had 13 prior convictions. The driver, who had undergone heart surgery, was concerned about his pacemaker when McCann and accomplice Claire Lawlor (26) attempted to rob him. McCann grabbed the driver in a choke hold and punched him, then fled with the driver's keys and phone. McCann was arrested in March 2013 and claimed memory loss due to drug use. Judge Melanie Greally, noting McCann's genuine efforts to reform, imposed a four‑year sentence suspended for four years. Lawlor received a two‑and‑a‑half‑year suspended sentence the previous year. The court highlighted both defendants' recent positive changes and their disassociation from each other. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Marie McMahon, aged 68, admitted to stealing €101,538.80 in social welfare payments over 12 years by fraudulently using her sister Katherine's card. After Katherine emigrated in 1992, a friend initially collected benefits, and when Katherine was hospitalized, McMahon agreed to continue. They split the money until Katherine's death in 2012. McMahon kept collecting until facial‑recognition technology identified her in July 2014. She pleaded guilty to 13 charges at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with a prior 1979 drug possession conviction. The Director of Public Prosecutions accepted the pleas as sample counts. McMahon was remanded on bail pending sentencing on 7 June, with a probation report ordered. The case remains at the hearing stage.
Stephen Clinch, a film actor who starred in the Love/Hate TV series, has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison after admitting to possession of a firearm with the intention to commit robbery and to the robbery of €50,730 at The Gate Hotel, Parnell Street, Dublin on May 11, 2015. Clinch (49) of Millbrook Grove, Kilbarrack, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The court heard that Clinch had a history of heroin addiction and previous convictions for 17 robberies and 13 burglaries dating back to 2004. Character referees, including singer Damien Dempsey, Love/Hate producer Stuart Carolan, and film director Mark O'Connor, described Clinch as a friendly and reliable worker who had given back to his local community. The incident involved Clinch holding a loaded semi-automatic pistol to the head of a security worker, Michel Cieslik, and demanding cash. Maintenance worker Barry Smith attempted to block the robbers' escape but was punched by Clinch. Garda Niall McCormack stated that the gun had been altered to discharge live ammunition, but the rounds found were not suitable for use in the pistol. Judge Martin Nolan described the incident as 'incredibly frightening' and noted the victim's fear for his life. Clinch claimed he did not know the gun was loaded and that he committed the robbery due to a debt of €8,000 from hiding a consignment of drugs. The matter was finalised at the sentence stage.
John Murphy, 66, a former travel agent and founder of The Children to Lapland Appeal, was convicted in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for stealing €68,000 from the charity he established in 1987 to fund trips for terminally ill children. The trial lasted two days with 42 minutes of jury deliberation. Murphy had previously pleaded not guilty to four theft counts in 2010 totalling €18,643. At sentencing, the court heard his family offered to raise compensation and that the charity had been liquidated. Judge Patrick McCartan said he would consider a non‑custodial sentence if the money was repaid by 16 March, noting the need for a deterrent. Murphy is now involved with a new charity, The Make It Happen Foundation, and his bail conditions require disclosure of the theft charges to its directors.
A hearing has been scheduled for Simeon Cosmo Langford, 32, who is wanted in England for attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, theft and assault, and for allegedly breaching the conditions of his release from a prison sentence for grievous bodily harm. The European Arrest Warrant, issued in August 2015, states that Langford was released on licence on 6 May 2015 and is alleged to have committed the offences between 2 and 11 June 2015. He is believed to have fled to Ireland on 13 June 2015 using a passport under the name Luke Gillespie. Gardaí arrested him in Cork in August 2015 and he was brought before the High Court. In that proceeding, Langford denied the extradition request. In the most recent hearing, counsel Ronan Munro BL sought discovery of documents relating to Langford's prison security status, but the court refused. Justice Aileen Donnelly noted that Langford had only provided a general statement about prison conditions.
Aaron Kelly, a 20‑year‑old Irish amateur boxer from Hill View Estate, Ballinteer, was sentenced to a year in prison for assaulting a drug dealer during a robbery and threatening to shoot the dealer's mother. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to breaching the peace on 6 June 2014 and assault causing harm on 14 July 2014. Judge Karen O'Connor imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year term, suspended the final 18 months, and told Kelly to serve his time and move on. The judge considered the seriousness of the offences and the impact on victims, including Martina Courtney, who said she felt imprisoned and lost her job. She noted that not all harm to Courtney's son, Daragh Dodrell, could be blamed on Kelly, as Mr Dodrell was also involved in drug dealing. Kelly had threatened Courtney with a bullet for her head and a bullet for Mr Dodrell's knee.
Derek McCann, 35, of Walkinstown Park, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbing two young boys of their mobile phones at knifepoint on 29 September 2014. He had 31 prior convictions for robbery, burglary, assault and firearm possession. The boys, aged 12 and 14, handed over their phones and €6 each; McCann returned the money before demanding silence. He expressed shame and wrote apology letters. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a four‑year sentence, suspending the final two years under strict conditions. McCann is currently serving the reactivated two‑year term, which will begin anew in April. The case highlighted the boys' fear and the older boy's maturity in calming his younger brother during the robbery.
Michael Murray, aged 44, was sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2013 for rape, attempted rape, oral rape, aggravated sexual assault, child abduction, threats to kill or cause serious harm, false imprisonment and theft. In March 2016 he appealed against the State after it was revealed that his solicitor's calls had been recorded in prison. The High Court dismissed his application in July, ruling the recordings were inappropriate but not accessed, and that no prejudice had occurred. The appeal was dismissed by a three‑judge court, which agreed with the earlier decision, finding the application "without substance" and the appeal "without merit." Costs were awarded against Murray, who had insulted the judges. The case highlighted that prison inmates must list up to 12 contact numbers on an "Application for Phone Calls" form, with the first number required to be the solicitor, and that all calls except those to the solicitor and Samaritans are monitored and recorded. Michael Murray was found guilty.
Derek Lynch, 38, was jailed for nine years for robbing the Friar's Road Post Office in Cork on 20 May 2012, with the final year suspended. He was convicted of robbery and possession of a firearm. The conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal because evidence that he owned the motorcycle used in the robbery was taken from the Garda PULSE system and was deemed hearsay. The Court held that the PULSE system requires human input and therefore could not be admitted as evidence of ownership. The judge noted that the robbery involved a raider who used a sledgehammer to break into the cashier area, stole about €2,000, and fled on a motorcycle. The Court quashed Lynch's conviction and ordered a retrial, remanding him on bail with conditions to the Cork Circuit Criminal Court. Derek Lynch pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, John Murphy, a 66‑year‑old travel agent from Killiney, was found guilty of stealing €18,643 from the Children to Lapland Appeal charity he founded. The jury reached the verdict after 42 minutes of deliberation. Murphy had written cheques from the charity's account and deposited them into his personal account. His defence argued that the money was used for business transactions related to his now‑defunct travel agency, United Travel, and that he had no intention of keeping the funds. Prosecutor Garrett McCormack described the defence as a "Father Ted" defence. Following conviction, Judge Patrick McCartan remanded Murphy in custody until sentencing. The case highlighted the charity's history of sending terminally ill children to Lapland and its eventual liquidation in 2012. The court held that theft occurred if the owner of the money was deprived of it for any length of time. John Murphy pleaded not guilty.
In March 2015, Robert McHugh, aged 25, robbed Martin O'Brien, a 63‑year‑old visually impaired man, at a Luas stop in Dublin. McHugh punched O'Brien, head‑butted him, and stole his groceries and cane. Garda Kieran O'Rourke noted that O'Brien was waiting with his partner when McHugh approached, and that Luas security and bystanders called the police, who apprehended McHugh shortly after the incident. McHugh, who had 139 prior convictions, pleaded guilty to robbery. He claimed he had no recollection of the event, citing alcohol consumption, and had a knife in his tracksuit that was not used. The court, acknowledging McHugh's history of alcohol abuse and schizophrenia, sentenced him to four years' imprisonment, with the last 18 months suspended, subject to strict conditions. The sentence reflects the violent nature of the offence and the need for McHugh's rehabilitation.
Daryl Mooney, 26, was jailed for three years after robbing Whitestown Stores in Mulhuddart on 7 October 2014. He used a knife taken from his family home to force a staff member to hand over money, then ripped out an unused cash register, cutting its wires and taking it away. The register was later replaced at a cost of €1,000. Mooney pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally noted his difficult background and drug abuse, but also his efforts to address his problems. She imposed a four‑year sentence, suspended the final year, and ordered two years of probation supervision. Mooney admitted the offence, apologised, and said he was under pressure to repay a €300 debt. The case was prosecuted by John Fitzgerald BL and defended by Seoirse O Dunlaing BL, who highlighted Mooney's history of drug use and previous custodial sentences. The judge's decision reflected both the seriousness of the robbery and Mooney's personal circumstances.
James O'Connell, 23, of Clifden Drive, Ballyfermot, Dublin, pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to unlawful carriage in a stolen car, damaging a second car and causing about €21,553 of damage to gates at Rosebank Apartments, Nangor Road, Clondalkin, on 14 December 2013. The incident was captured on CCTV, showing the stolen car, hot‑wired and driven by co‑accused James Dunphy, with O'Connell as a passenger, ramming through two sets of gates onto the main road. O'Connell had no prior convictions at the time of the offence but had since accrued 13 convictions related to that incident, including dangerous driving and driving without a licence or insurance. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a two‑year sentence, suspended for three years, and ordered 12 months of probation supervision. The court noted O'Connell's personal difficulties and his willingness to change, as highlighted in a positive probation report submitted by his defence lawyer.
John Murphy, 66, a travel agent from Killiney, Dublin, stands trial in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on four counts of theft. He founded the Children to Lapland Appeal in 1987, a charity that flew terminally ill children to Lapland, and served as its director until the organisation was liquidated in 2012. Murphy also ran United Travel, a travel agency that operated a route to Lapland. Bank records presented by prosecutor Garrett McCormack show that between June and July 2010, Murphy deposited four cheques from the charity's account into his personal account, totalling €18,643. The cheques were signed by Joseph Reid, a fellow director who testified that he signed blank cheques in batches for convenience, and that the money belonged to the charity. Reid expressed horror at the alleged fraud. Murphy's counsel, Patrick Reynolds, argued that the cheques were for business expenses and questioned the nature of the signatures. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
Michael Murray, aged 44, was jailed for 15 years in 2013 for rape, attempted rape, oral rape, aggravated sexual assault, child abduction, threats, false imprisonment and theft. He had brought an unsuccessful High Court action against the Irish Prison Service and the Minister for Justice, seeking injunctions to stop the interception of his calls, declarations and damages. The court dismissed the application, ruling that the recording of his telephone calls was inappropriate but that the calls had not been accessed and were made inadvertently. Murray's legal team, led by Colman Fitzgerald SC, appealed the decision to the Court of Appeal. The appeal will be heard by a three‑judge panel, with a judgment expected on Friday, March 4. The case concerns the recording of prison phone calls and the alleged infringement of Murray's rights. The court found no ongoing or threatened infringement and awarded costs against Murray. Michael Murray was found guilty. Prison Service was found guilty.
David Kubicek, 24, was sentenced to 18 months in prison in Dublin after being found with equipment used to forge documents and identity cards. He pleaded guilty to possessing materials for making false instruments and to having fake driving licences, identity documents, an Eircom bill and AIB statements. Kubicek had been in custody since his arrest and had 11 prior convictions, including four in the Czech Republic, for theft, using false instruments and forgery. He is currently serving a four‑month sentence for theft imposed last November at Tralee District Court and will serve a two‑year reactivated sentence in Prague upon his return. Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain noted the items were for Kubicek's personal use and that he was caught "red‑handed." She imposed a three‑year sentence, suspended the final 18 months, and ordered credit for time already served.
The High Court refused to order discovery of documents relating to the security status of Simeon Cosmo Langford, a 32‑year‑old British man wanted in England on charges of attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, theft and assault. Langford, who is also alleged to have breached the conditions of his release from a previous grievous bodily harm sentence, was released on licence on 6 May 2015 and is accused of committing offences between 2 and 11 June 2015. He allegedly fled and travelled to Ireland on 13 June 2015 using a passport under the name Luke Gillespie. Gardaí arrested him in Cork in August 2015 and he was brought before the High Court. In the present hearing, counsel Ronan Munro BL sought documents about Langford's prison conditions in England, citing complaints of inhumane treatment. Justice Aileen Donnelly declined the request, stating that Langford had not provided sufficient evidence that the documents were necessary for the court's functions.
Niall McGlynn, a 30‑year‑old Trinity Law School graduate from Castlefarm, Swords, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and one count of assault causing harm after a night of heavy drinking. On 27 January 2014 he knocked a bouncer's teeth out at the Czech Inn in Temple Bar, Dublin, after the bouncer refused them entry. McGlynn then punched a Garda in the mouth at Pearse Street Garda Station. He also pleaded guilty to robbery at Paddy Power in Swords on 12 June 2015, where he was thrown out and held by staff until Gardaí arrived. The case was adjourned to 16 March at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing. The court noted McGlynn's serious gambling addiction and substance abuse problems, but that he had remained out of trouble since the bookies incident. The judge will finalise his sentence on the adjourned date.
In February 2016, Gerard Halpin, aged 40, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for robbing the beauty salon Urban Dolls on 23 December 2014 and for a burglary on 19 December 2013. The court heard that Halpin entered the salon wearing latex gloves and a kitchen knife, grabbed owner Sarah White by the neck, and forced her to open the till. Emma Kelly, a customer who recognised him, stopped the robbery by smashing a Yankee candle over his head. Halpin fled, but Kelly chased him to his father's home, where he was found changing clothes. Garda Adrian Kildea reported that a search of the house uncovered the gloves in an open safe. Halpin, who has 38 prior convictions and a history of drug abuse, denied the robbery and claimed he had only left the house once that day to go to the pharmacy. Gerard Halpin pleaded guilty.
A 16‑year‑old orphan was sentenced to three years' detention after he was caught with jewellery stolen from a 90‑year‑old woman during a "terrifying" raid. The victim had been awakened by a man pointing a knife at her, demanding money, and then taking her watch and rings. Gardaí found the teenager hiding under a duvet with the stolen items and, after he whispered to his uncle where he had left them, the jewellery was recovered and returned. The teenager pleaded guilty to handling stolen jewellery on 6 April 2015. He had 10 prior convictions, including a nine‑year sentence for an aggravated burglary in Wicklow, of which five years were suspended. The judge noted his disadvantaged background and, recognising his youth and high IQ, imposed a three‑year term with the suspended portion intended to encourage rehabilitation.
John Stokes, 25, of Beachside, Riverchapel, Gorey, was jailed for five and a half years for a series of violent and theft offences. He first threatened a woman, Mary Kate McDonagh, with a crossbow in December 2014, then robbed a handbag from a woman in Ballsbridge in January 2015, and again stole a handbag from an elderly lady in Baggot Street in February 2015. Stokes had 48 prior convictions, mainly for traffic offences but also for theft, robbery, false imprisonment, burglary and knife possession. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to five and a half years, suspending the final 18 months on the condition he engage with the Probation Service for two years. The sentence reflected the seriousness of each offence and Stokes' history of drug use and lack of post‑release supervision.
Richard Higgins, a 26‑year‑old former Vodafone employee, was given an 18‑month suspended sentence for stealing mobile phones and a Dell laptop from the company between 2011 and 2013. The court heard that Higgins had exploited a flaw in Vodafone's ordering system to send phones to himself, mainly Samsung Galaxy and iPhone models, and had also sold six phones online. He pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and had a prior speeding conviction. Judge Karen O'Connor noted that Higgins had been spending thousands of euros a month on cocaine and had made poor decisions because of his drug addiction. She cited testimonials from family describing him as a "beautiful person" who had performed good deeds, and she suspended the sentence on the condition that he keeps the peace. Higgins brought €2,000 to court as a token gesture of recompense.
Jonathan O'Neill, 24, of Kilmore, Dublin, pleaded guilty to robbery and aggravated burglary at Clonalvy Post Office, County Meath, on 21 November 2012. He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment on both counts, to run concurrently, by Judge Michael O'Shea on 13 November 2014. The Court of Appeal, hearing the appeal on 22 February 2016, dismissed it, ruling that the judge had considered all mitigating factors. The case involved two men armed with knives who entered the post office at about 9.40 am, threatened an elderly employee and a woman in her late 80s, demanded money from a cash delivery, and later forced entry into a house, demanding car keys. The men stole a car, which crashed, and fled on foot. The post office employee was deeply traumatised and did not return to work. O'Neill's history of drug addiction and a prior drug‑possession conviction were noted.
Martin McDonagh, 30, of Galway, pleaded guilty to robbery on 13 October 2013 and was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment on 12 March 2015. The Court of Appeal suspended the final 18 months of that sentence, giving him a chance to reform. McDonagh, who had 166 prior convictions, was described by the judge as a menace to society. The robbery involved impersonating a Garda, demanding keys, punching the victim, and stealing a mobile phone. The victim suffered severe impact, losing confidence and €1,600. McDonagh had lived in Canada before returning to Ireland. He was ordered to enter a good‑behaviour bond for three years after release. The appeal decision was made by Justice George Birmingham, with Justices Garrett Sheehan and John Edwards.
In February 2016, Dermot Molloy, a 36‑year‑old from Meath, avoided immediate imprisonment after a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court judge heard he is the sole carer for a child with a severe birth defect. Lawyers argued that the child's condition, described as "expanding" rather than the microcephaly seen in Zika‑related cases, required extraordinary medical care. Molloy also cares for a partner's child who recently suffered self‑harm. The judge noted Molloy's compliance with bail since 2013 and his drug‑free status. Molloy, who pleaded guilty to a 2014 robbery at a boutique in Temple Bar, had threatened to use a syringe but claimed he was only armed with a pen. He said he robbed to buy food for his family, not drugs. Judge Nolan adjourned sentencing to July, citing Molloy's caregiving role and potential changes in his partner's condition. Molloy was still serving a suspended sentence from a 2013 robbery conviction.
A 22‑year‑old burglar, Gerry Wall, was caught on CCTV attempting to exchange a stolen jar of 50‑cent coins for notes at a petrol station next to the house he had broken into. Wall and an accomplice also stole jewellery worth €4,030 and the coins, valued at €58. None of the property was recovered. The burglary took place at a house on Hyde Road, Dalkey, on 9 September 2014, and the house suffered €2,315 of damage. The court heard that several rooms were ransacked and that the homeowner's back‑door window and a window above the sink were smashed. Garda Kevin Carey recovered the CCTV footage, identified the men, and later arrested Wall at his home. The case was adjourned to 27 April for finalisation, with a plea in mitigation to be heard. The judge warned Wall that he was approaching the end of lenient treatment. Gerry Wall pleaded guilty.
A Moldovan plasterer, Ruslan Cornea, 38, pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to stealing €1,500 from an AIB ATM on 3 January 2015. Cornea claimed he had been given the ATM card by an unknown man he met in a casino, who promised him €150 for the withdrawal. He later told gardaí that the arrangement seemed odd in hindsight. Garda Philip Byrne explained that a genuine cheque had been altered by a third party to withdraw €6,850 from a customer's account, and that the customer was reimbursed after AIB discovered the fraud. CCTV identified Cornea making the €1,500 withdrawal, but he denied any role in lodging or modifying the cheque. Cornea has 11 prior convictions, including possession of a fraudulent cheque, unstamped cigarettes, theft, and a fake Romanian ID. His defence lawyer, Luigi Rea, noted that Cornea had arrived in Ireland in 2018, struggled with unemployment, and had turned to gambling.