A 46‑year‑old man was convicted of 15 counts of sexually assaulting his niece between 1991 and 1994 and four counts of indecent assault between 1988 and 1991. The jury could not agree on verdicts for 20 counts of assault against the niece's sister. He was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with Judge Martin Nolan describing the abuse as "in the most grievous way" and estimating over 100 occasions of abuse. The appellant appealed on seven grounds, including alleged collusion between the sisters' statements and the trial judge's failure to warn the jury. The three‑judge Court of Appeal rejected all grounds, upholding the jury verdicts and the conviction. The appeal was dismissed, and the conviction remains in force.
A 23-year-old man from Ballyfermot, Dublin has been sentenced to six years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for his role as a getaway driver in the murder of Alan O'Neill. Eric Shorthall pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Warren Nolan, who was convicted of shooting Mr O'Neill in the driveway of his Tallaght home on 27 May 2015. Shorthall provided a second getaway vehicle, strategically positioned and driven in convoy with the primary escape car used by the gunman. CCTV evidence showed the drivers communicating before the fatal attack. Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted the seriousness of Shorthall's active participation, imposing a headline sentence of nine years before reducing it to six years and nine months, having regard to his early guilty plea, youth, and remorse. The final nine months were suspended for two years on condition of compliance with probation and counselling services. The investigation remains ongoing. Mr O'Neill, described as a devoted family man, left a partner and three children.
The Special Criminal Court has adjourned the trial of Luke O'Reilly, Darren Redmond, Alan O'Brien, and a fourth unnamed defendant, who are charged with false imprisonment and assault causing serious harm to Kevin Lunney. Defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC applied for the adjournment, arguing that the law regarding the retention and accessing of mobile phone data is in a state of significant uncertainty. This argument references the appeal by Graham Dwyer, who sought to overturn his murder conviction for the killing of Elaine O'Hara by challenging the use of mobile data under the 2011 Communications (Retention of Data) Act. The European Court of Justice recently ruled in similar cases that member states do not have broad rights to retain such data, and the ECJ hearing for the Dwyer referral is expected to begin in mid-January. The DPP, represented by Sean Guerin SC, requested time to set out the Director's position, noting her desire to proceed with the case. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, listed the matter for hearing next Thursday at 9.30am. The defendants were sent forward for trial last March, and the original trial date of January 11, 2021, was suspended pending this procedural review.
A retired doctor, aged 86, lost an appeal against a conviction for abusing seven boys over a 21‑year period up to 1992. He had pleaded not guilty to 12 charges of indecent assault and one charge of sexual assault committed during medical examinations beginning in 1971. The Court of Appeal rejected 17 grounds of appeal, including claims that the trial was unfair because of the doctor's age and that the judge's use of the word "compelling" was improper. The judge had told the jury that if the complainants had made their statements independently, the number of complaints would be compelling. The court found no substance to these complaints. The doctor was sentenced to four years in prison, with 18 months on all other counts, all sentences running concurrently. The appeal was dismissed by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, Mr Justice John Edwards and Ms Justice Una Ní Raifeartaigh.
In a case heard at the Central Criminal Court, Jason Warrington, a 47‑year‑old father of nine from Mallow, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for an unprovoked knife attack on 27‑year‑old Tadhg O'Shea. Warrington stabbed O'Shea 11 times in the back and chest while the victim was leaving a gathering at Warrington's home. O'Shea, who had been living with his grandmother, had met Warrington the previous day and had attended two gatherings where alcohol was consumed. Warrington admitted no prior threats and claimed he had intended to kill O'Shea, stating he was "disgusted" that the victim survived. He pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm and was given a seven‑year sentence, with the last year suspended on the condition of sobriety and probation. A charge of attempted murder was dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The victim's impact statement highlighted his ongoing depression and fear of seeing his family again.
A man convicted of murdering his mother in County Mayo almost a decade ago will be sentenced for her manslaughter in February following a Supreme Court ruling that overturned his murder conviction. The Central Criminal Court hearing was disrupted when the defendant, now aged 29, shouted abuse at the prosecutor while pathology evidence was being presented. The State accepted his plea to the lesser offence on the basis that intoxication can prevent the formation of the intent required for murder. The defendant was 19 when he fatally stabbed his mother multiple times in their home near Castlebar in March 2011. He had initially pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but a jury found him guilty of murder and he received a life sentence in 2014. The Supreme Court found the trial judge's direction to the jury on intoxication and specific intent was inadequate. Justice Michael White remanded the defendant in custody pending sentencing submissions on 8th February, and ordered the Probation Service to prepare a structure should release be considered.
Dylan Fogarty, aged 26, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to multiple offences. He bit a man on Dame Street, Dublin, in an "act of savagery" following a minor altercation, and also bit his pregnant former partner's face after an argument. In addition to the assault on the man, Fogarty pleaded guilty to assaulting his former partner at their home in April 2019, criminal damage to a plasterboard wall in June 2019, and harassment at various locations between April and November 2019. He has five prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan noted Fogarty's difficulty with anger control when intoxicated, imposed concurrent sentences totalling three years, and ordered a ten‑year restriction on contact with his former partner. Fogarty has been clean of drugs in custody and is attending anger‑management courses. The court accepted his apology and expressed willingness to support his rehabilitation.
Eric Shorthall, aged 23 and resident in Ballyfermot, Dublin, is to be sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for his role as getaway driver in the May 2015 murder of Alan O'Neill in Tallaght. Shorthall pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Warren Nolan, who was convicted of the shooting in December 2018. Detective Garda evidence indicated that Shorthall, then 18, drove a strategically positioned second getaway vehicle in convoy with the primary hit car. CCTV footage showed communication between the drivers before the shooting. O'Neill, described as a devoted family man with no criminal connections, was shot in his Kiltalown Road driveway. The court heard victim impact statements from O'Neill's family members. The defence submitted that Shorthall had experienced significant personal tragedy and highlighted his early guilty plea. The investigation remains ongoing, though only Shorthall and Nolan have faced court proceedings. Sentencing is scheduled to conclude the hearing.
David Fortune, a Dubliner from Rutland Grove, Crumlin, faces trial for the murder of his father, Gerard Fortune, at their home on 19 August 2018. He pleaded not guilty to the murder charge but admitted guilt to unlawful vehicle seizure on the same day, using force to remove driver Geraldine Brady from the car. The Central Criminal Court arraigned him today, and a jury of seven women and five men will hear the case, which is scheduled to last three weeks, beginning tomorrow morning before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon.
In November 2020 the Court of Appeal ruled that a 39‑year‑old English businessman who raped and sexually assaulted two young sisters would not be required to attend the "Better Lives" sex‑offender treatment programme to obtain a suspended portion of his sentence. The man, who denied the offences, had been convicted in 2019 on three counts of rape and eight counts of sexual assault against 10‑ and 12‑year‑old girls. He received a 14‑year jail term with two years suspended, conditional on programme participation. The Court found that the condition could not be imposed before the suspended period became effective, and therefore removed the programme requirement. The suspended two years will be released only if he remains peaceful for two years, stays under Probation Service supervision for the same period, complies with any programme attendance, and has no contact with the victims in perpetuity.
A 17-year-old defendant, who cannot be identified due to his minor status, was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years' detention for the manslaughter of 18-year-old Azzam Raguragui. Mr Justice Paul McDermott delivered the sentence after a jury found the defendant not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter in September. The victim died in May 2019 after being stabbed five times during a fight in Finsbury Park, Dundrum, Dublin 14, which allegedly stemmed from a dispute over a stolen bicycle. The judge noted that while the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the fatal wound was inflicted after the victim fell, the defendant brought a knife to the altercation, an aggravating factor. Further aggravating circumstances included the defendant's failure to seek assistance, his pursuit of the victim while he lay on the ground, and his attempt to dispose of the weapon. CCTV footage showed the defendant celebrating with friends shortly after the attack. Mitigating factors included the defendant's early guilty plea offer, cooperation with gardai, and his young age. Emotional statements were read from the victim's parents, Abdul and Hajiba Raguragui, and cousin Younes Talibi. Abdul Raguragui described being haunted by images of the killer 'high-fiving' friends after the stabbing, while his wife expressed grief over the loss of their 'kind' son. The matter was concluded with the imposition of the custodial sentence.
In a High Court sentencing hearing, Mr Justice Tony Hunt imposed a mandatory life sentence on Sebastian Barczuk, 32, for the murder of his former flatmate, Michal Kurek, 33, who was found dead in a country lane in Ballyboughal on 4 August 2017. Kurek's body bore 62 stab wounds, including 25 to his back, and a Nokia 105 phone was recovered from his pocket. Barczuk was convicted by an 11‑1 jury after a trial that presented evidence of DNA on the phone, cell‑site data linking the accused's phone to the area at the time of the discovery, and CCTV footage of a Fiat Punto associated with Barczuk. The judge noted an "air of mystery" surrounding the motive and described the case as tragic, while acknowledging the evidence pointed toward Barczuk's guilt. The sentence was back‑dated to 6 April 2018, when Barczuk entered custody. Sebastian Barczuk pleaded not guilty.
Richard Bourke, aged 37, appealed against an 11‑year sentence for setting fire to the home of Detective Garda John Griffin. The appeal was dismissed by a three‑judge Court of Appeal. Bourke had pleaded guilty to two arson counts in February 2019, claiming he was intoxicated and that the attack was a "f*** you" to the detective, who had charged him with murder two decades earlier. The court noted premeditation, the fact that the house was occupied, and the damage caused. Judge Patricia Ryan had imposed an 11‑year term with the final three years suspended, citing mitigating factors such as Bourke's early guilty plea and his work record. The Court of Appeal found no reason to increase the sentence and upheld the original ruling. The case remains a criminal proceeding with no further outcome reported.
In November 2020 the Court of Appeal ruled that a trial judge had erred by halting a rape trial and directing a jury to acquit an uncle accused of raping and sexually assaulting his niece. The appeal court found the judge's decision was wrong and that the trial should have continued. The uncle had been charged under the Criminal Law (Rape) Act 1990 and Section 2 of the Act for two counts of sexual assault, with alleged incidents occurring between 2001 and 2006. The niece alleged three separate assaults at her grandmother's house, describing the uncle's actions and her attempts to stop him. The prosecution had not called two witnesses – the niece's grandmother and father – who had given statements to gardai. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, said the defence's argument for acquittal was surprising and that the prosecution's failure to call those witnesses was not a valid reason to halt the trial.
Boxing coach Pete Taylor, along with the Bray Boxing Club, has applied to the High Court for an injunction to prevent Wicklow County Council from evicting them from the Harbour Shed facility in Bray, Co Wicklow. The applicants, represented by Richard Kean SC and Gareth Robinson BL, claim the council wrongfully changed the locks in June 2018 following a violent incident at the gym where one person was killed and Mr Taylor was injured. Mr Taylor alleges the council used the incident as a pretext to unlawfully remove the club, which has occupied the premises since 2005. The applicants seek an order allowing re-entry to the facility and declarations that the council is prevented from illegally evicting them. They argue the council's recent eviction notice interferes with ongoing legal proceedings, where they are seeking judgment in default for the council's failure to file a defence. Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds, hearing the ex-parte application, granted permission to serve short notice of the injunction application on the council. The matter was adjourned and will return before the court later this month. Katie Taylor and Georgina Robinson are also named as applicants in the proceedings.
Gerard Dempsey, 25, a homeless man with no fixed abode, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for robbery at Barrow Street, Ringsend, on 18 May 2020. He attacked a woman at night, stealing her phone to sell it for drugs after Covid‑19 stopped him from receiving charity money. The court noted his substance abuse as the main reason for the offence, and that he had four children with whom he had no contact. The offence was aggravated by its violent nature and the victim's isolation. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year term, suspending the final six months on strict conditions. The case involved a detailed account of the assault, the victim's attempts to escape, and Dempsey's admission of the crime. He had 57 prior convictions, including assault, burglary, theft, criminal damage and threats of serious harm. Gerard Dempsey pleaded guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Rodrigo Amaro, aged 33, was sentenced to one year in prison for assaulting his friend Eduardo Pereira. Amaro, who was intoxicated with liquid ecstasy and cannabis, struck Pereira with a glass at Ukiyo Bar on 22 December 2016, causing a permanent facial scar. Pereira, who now feels labelled a "troublemaker," declined Amaro's apology. Amaro pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm and had four prior traffic convictions. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspending the final 18 months under conditions, and backdated it to July of the same year when Amaro entered custody. Amaro's lawyer, Pieter Le Vert, described the defendant as horrified by the injuries inflicted and noted Amaro had ceased drug use and provided a €5,750 token of remorse to Pereira. The case ended with Amaro's first custodial term.
Petronel Pal, 36, was arrested in Dublin last year and is wanted by Romania for an alleged aggravated murder in Navan in April 2014 and for creating an organised crime group. The alleged victim, Virgil Busa, 37, was assaulted at his apartment on 10 April and died three days later. Pal and others are said to have broken into Busa's home, used extreme violence, and that the group was headed by a relative of Pal. Justice Paul McDermott had considered surrendering Pal but withheld a formal High Court order, granting a certificate to appeal on grounds of exceptional public importance. Pal's barrister Remy Farrell SC argued that the Ian Bailey extradition case required proof that Ireland could prosecute in an equivalent circumstance, citing reciprocity and sovereignty. Robert Barron SC, for the Minister, countered that Ireland and Romania exercise extraterritorial jurisdiction on the same basis and that there was no bar to surrender.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 52‑year‑old man was convicted by jury of coercive control, intimidation and multiple assault offences against his former partner. The jury found him guilty after a four‑week trial that detailed his controlling behaviour, threats to drown her, kill her family and circulate naked images if she withdrew her statements. He also pleaded guilty to a separate charge of intending to pervert the course of justice for telephone contact with the woman between March and July 2020, encouraging her to withdraw her statements. Judge Elma Sheahan remanded him in continuing custody until 12 January. The jury acquitted him of an assault‑causing‑harm charge and a single endangerment count. The court also upheld a publication ban on identifying details of the parties.
In the first trial under the 2018 Domestic Violence Act, a 52‑year‑old Dublin man was convicted of coercive control, intimidation and multiple assaults against his former partner. He pleaded not guilty to one count of controlling behaviour and 13 counts of assault, endangerment and intimidation. The jury found him guilty of coercive control, intimidation, assault and 12 counts of assault causing harm, but acquitted him on one count of assault causing harm involving a stair incident and one count of endangerment involving a bridge. The trial lasted just under 15 hours. The woman, aged 43, gave evidence via video‑link, describing a pattern of physical and psychological abuse, including threats of drowning, forced nudity, and repeated violence. The judge remanded the man in custody pending sentencing. The case highlighted the application of the new domestic violence legislation.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Donal Gannon, 58, a former bomb maker convicted in London in 1997 for conspiracy to cause explosions and sentenced to 35 years, was found to have attempted to renew an Irish passport in the name of David O'Brien, a man who died in 1986. Gannon, released under the Good Friday Agreement in 2000, pleaded guilty to providing false information and documents for the passport renewal between 7 May and 30 May 2017, and to using a false instrument at Kevin's Street Garda Station on 7 May 2017. Gardaí obtained CCTV footage that identified Gannon as the person presenting the passport, and seized a mobile phone with the same number used in the application. Gannon denied making the application, claiming the photographs were planted. The court noted his nine previous convictions, including assault and attempted burglary, and adjourned the case for finalisation on 25 November, with Gannon remaining on bail.
In an appeal-stage hearing, Mr Justice Tony Hunt ruled that reporting restrictions banning the media from naming a convicted child rapist should be set aside in the public interest. The 56-year-old defendant, who pleaded guilty in 2015 at the Central Criminal Court to the repeated rape and sexual assault of his wife's two sons over a ten-year period starting in 1993, is contesting efforts by his now-adult victims to have him identified. His lawyers argued that Section 252 of the Children Act 2001 prohibits identification, citing a recent Court of Appeal judgment. However, Mr Justice Hunt determined that the Act allows courts to dispense with restrictions if appropriate for the child's interests. He found the remaining restrictions substantial and unreasonable, noting the victims' desire to speak out to aid recovery and encourage others. Consequently, he ordered the removal of all reporting restrictions. Nevertheless, he placed a 28-day stay on this order pending a potential application to the Court of Appeal by the defendant. The judge noted that if no appeal is filed, the orders will become operative upon the expiry of the stay. He also commented on the interpretation of the term 'child' in the Act, stating that while he believed it does not encompass deceased children or adults, his interpretation must yield to the higher court's ruling.
Jake O'Neill, aged 22, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for assault causing harm and robbery. In August 2016 he attacked an Austrian doctor and his son outside a café in Temple Bar after they refused to give him money. O'Neill punched the doctor's son and then the doctor, who suffered a broken eye socket, fractures to his cheek and jaw, and lost teeth. In October 2017 he participated in a robbery on James' Street, where he and another person assaulted a man who had given him a cigarette, taking the man's phone, wallet and keys. O'Neill pleaded guilty to both offences, admitted the robbery was an "act of bravado" after drinking and drug use, and was found to have a history of drug addiction. The judge suspended the final six months of the sentence on strict conditions. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Wanye Kelly (33) has been given a three-year suspended sentence for endangerment at Ninth Lock Road, Clondalkin on May 24, 2017, following a guilty plea. The incident occurred after a verbal exchange with Peter Adams (38), who was in court for sentencing. Kelly initially denied attempting to knock Adams down but changed his perception after viewing CCTV footage. He has nine previous convictions, including public order, trespass with a knife, criminal damage, and assault causing harm. At the sentence hearing, Garda David Gilmore noted that Kelly presented himself at the station on the day of the incident before gardaí had nominated him as a suspect. His defence, Paul Comiskey O'Keeffe BL, stated that Kelly had stopped taking painkillers for an ankle injury around that time, which may have contributed to his quick temper. Judge Melanie Greally acknowledged Kelly's remorse and mitigating factors, including his sobriety for three years, engagement in restorative justice, and running a successful business. She described his driving as 'an absolute outrage' but decided not to impose an immediate custodial sentence. Kelly had €3,000 in court as a token of remorse for Adams. The matter was adjourned for the sentence hearing, and the suspended sentence was handed down with conditions.
Rita Ryan, aged 69, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two charges of indecent assault against an 11‑year‑old girl she abused while working as a care assistant at an orphanage in the early 1970s. The abuse, which began with a question about "French kissing" and escalated to mutual masturbation and oral sex, continued for over a hundred occasions until the victim left Ireland. Ryan accepted the court's suggestion that her conduct was a "romantic" or "intimate" relationship and acknowledged it was sexual abuse. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two‑year custodial term, fully suspended, and ordered Ryan to pay €15,000 to the victim as a token of remorse, with a further €15,000 within a year. The judge noted Ryan's admissions, lack of prior convictions, and community contributions as mitigating factors, while emphasising the prolonged nature of the abuse and the age disparity between the parties.
A man imprisoned for two counts of anal rape against his wife has withdrawn his appeal against his nine-year sentence following guidance from the Court of Appeal regarding recent Supreme Court precedent on marital rape. The 41-year-old, whose identity is protected to safeguard his wife's privacy, was convicted at the Central Criminal Court of the offences committed at their County Mayo home on 18 December 2015. He was acquitted on four additional rape charges relating to earlier occasions in 2015. Before the sentence appeal hearing commenced, Court of Appeal President Justice George Birmingham, sitting with Justices Patrick McCarthy and Isobel Kennedy, drew the appellant's attention to a 2018 Supreme Court judgment. That case concerned a sentence reduction for spousal rape which the Supreme Court subsequently reversed, finding that the lower court had erred by examining the offence in isolation rather than within the broader context of violent and abusive conduct. Following consultation with counsel, the appellant elected to withdraw his appeal, an application the court granted.
Justice Michael White issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Janice Brady, who is in automatic breach of her suspended sentence. Brady, 29, was previously sentenced to four years in prison for staging the suicide of Martin "Matt" Kivlehan to impede the prosecution of her brother, Keith Brady. Keith Brady was found guilty of Mr Kivlehan's murder at New Apartments, Holborn St, Sligo, on August 2 or August 3, 2015. Brady had pleaded guilty to the impeding charge and had already served 28 months in custody by the time of her sentencing. Her remaining sentence was suspended on the condition that she resided with her father in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal. However, she moved to a B&B in Dublin without notifying her probation officer, leading to a warning from the court. Sgt Mark McHale informed the court that Brady had been charged with 32 offences since March, mainly for shoplifting in Dublin, and is currently sleeping rough. With 10 months left in her sentence, Justice White ordered her arrest and directed that she be brought before the Central Criminal Court.
In the Central Criminal Court, Jason Warrington, 47, pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm after stabbing Tadhg O'Shea, 27, 11 times in the back and chest during a gathering at Warrington's home in Mallow. The attack occurred on 23 December 2018, when O'Shea was visiting after a Christmas event. Garda Anthony Daly testified that O'Shea had reported no prior threats and that the assault began with Warrington's knife. O'Shea was rescued by a guest, taken to hospital, and later gave a victim impact statement expressing ongoing depression and loss of family life. Warrington apologized in court, stating he was disgusted that O'Shea survived and had intended to kill him. He was remanded in custody pending sentencing. The case remains at the sentencing stage.
Two Limerick men, Dylan Hayes (25) and Gerard Hogan (37), were found guilty of murdering Shane Murphy at a house‑party in Pallasgreen on 30 April 2015. The jury convicted them of murder after evidence showed Hayes stabbed Murphy repeatedly with a knife, while Hogan allegedly assisted by attacking with a screwdriver and encouraging Hayes. The trial judge imposed a mandatory life sentence on both. In May 2024 the Court of Appeal dismissed appeals by both men. The appellate panel found no error in the trial judge's instructions on provocation or on joint enterprise, and concluded there was no evidence that Hogan had withdrawn from the attack. The appeals were therefore rejected, leaving the convictions and life sentences intact.
The jury in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial of a 52‑year‑old man accused of coercive control and assaulting his former partner will continue deliberating into next week. He faces charges of coercive control, intimidation, endangerment and multiple assaults. He pleaded not guilty to one count of coercive control covering January to September 2019, and to 13 assault counts, one endangerment count and one intimidation count covering May 2018 to January 2020. The endangerment charge involves an alleged incident on a Dublin bridge where he pushed the woman toward the railings. The trial resumes next Tuesday.
A 24‑year‑old mother was given a suspended three‑year sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of allowing her two‑year‑old son to be ill‑treated. The offences occurred in February 2017, when the child suffered extensive bruising that was discovered by hospital staff at Tallaght Hospital. The mother repeatedly lied about the injuries, claiming the boy was a "clumsy child" and later fabricated a visit from a biological father. She failed to seek medical attention and allowed the child to remain in a dangerous environment. The judge noted the seriousness of the assault and the mother's lack of prior convictions. The sentence is suspended on conditions that include continued engagement with relevant services. The child has been removed from her care and is now raised by his maternal grandparents.
Philip Dunbar, aged 20, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Adam 'Floater' Muldoon, a 23‑year‑old man with cerebral palsy, who was stabbed 183 times in an unprovoked attack at Butler Park, Jobstown Park, Tallaght on 22 or 23 June 2018. The Central Criminal Court found Dunbar guilty by unanimous jury verdict. The sentencing judge, Mr Justice Paul McDermott, backdated the life sentence to the date of the murder, 24 June 2018, and noted that the victim's family had suffered immense grief. Dunbar's defence argued intoxication and lack of intent, but the jury rejected these claims. The judge also acknowledged that Dunbar had previous convictions under the Theft Act, for possession of drugs and for Road Traffic Act violations. The case remains subject to appeal by Dunbar's counsel. Philip Dunbar pleaded not guilty and was found guilty.
A 34‑year‑old man with an acquired brain injury was found unfit to stand trial for several alleged assaults. He faced charges for assaulting a nurse manager at a hospital A&E in November 2015 and for unprovoked attacks on pedestrians in Dublin city centre, where he allegedly struck a man in February 2017 and a woman in March 2017. Judge Karen O'Connor, after hearing medical reports from two consultant psychiatrists, declared the defendant unfit to plead. The judge imposed an interim order preventing publication of his identity until his status as a ward of the court was clarified, to be reviewed in four weeks. The court noted the defendant's memory loss, lack of understanding of court proceedings, and the need for long‑term assessment and support. The prosecution acknowledged the complainants' awareness of the proceedings and their appreciation of the defendant's position.
Steven Smith, a 44-year-old former resident of Dundalk, Louth, appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on appeal regarding his conviction for possession and unlawful importation of cocaine. Smith pleaded guilty to concealing 49 pellets of cocaine, valued at €42,920, internally while arriving at Dublin Airport from Brazil via Amsterdam on November 21, 2013. He had previously left Ireland on High Court bail in 2014 but was returned from the United Kingdom in June following a Crime Watch appeal. Judge Martin Nolan noted that Smith, a drug user at the time, acted for reward or debt alleviation and was likely at the lowest level of the trafficking operation. The judge acknowledged Smith's cooperation and admissions. Judge Nolan imposed a sentence of three years and three months, backdated to June to reflect time already spent in custody. Defense counsel Dominick McGinn SC highlighted Smith's history of moving to Canada, his subsequent downward spiral, and his recent efforts to reform, including ending drug use and gaining employment in the UK. The court accepted that the method of importation indicated desperation rather than high-level criminal enterprise. Smith has prior convictions in Canada, the UK, and Ireland for various offences, including assault and theft.
A trial concerning an alleged attempt to obstruct justice following a shooting in Dublin has concluded at the Special Criminal Court. Gary McAreavey, aged 53, of Castlebellingham, County Louth, has pleaded not guilty to assisting in the burning of a vehicle allegedly used in a failed attack on James Gately on May 10, 2017. The prosecution alleged that Mr McAreavey purchased petrol and aided in destroying the car at Newrath, Dromiskin. Defence counsel argued there was insufficient evidence that Mr McAreavey possessed knowledge of the attempted murder. Separately, Caolan Smyth, aged 28, of County Meath, has pleaded not guilty to attempting to murder Mr Gately and to possessing a firearm with intent to endanger. The prosecution contended Mr Smyth fired the shots. The three-judge court will deliver verdicts on January 8, 2021.
The Special Criminal Court heard closing submissions in the trial of Caolan Smyth and Gary McAreavey, who have both pleaded not guilty to charges related to the attempted murder of James Gately. Mr. Smyth is accused of the attempted murder and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger at the Topaz filling station in north Dublin on May 10, 2017. Mr. McAreavey is accused of impeding apprehension by assisting in the burning of the vehicle used in the attack at Newrath, Co Louth. Defence counsel John D Fitzgerald SC argued that the prosecution's circumstantial case relies on a "musical chairs" of shifting associations between the accused, a black Lexus, a mobile phone, and a Louth address. He contended that evidence linking Mr. Smyth to the car, phone, or his home on the morning of the shooting was speculative and lacked clear identification. Conversely, the prosecution maintained that Mr. Smyth was identifiable in CCTV footage and had conducted a "rehearsal" the day before the shooting. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, is in its fourth week. The matter was adjourned to allow Mr. McAreavey's counsel to deliver his closing speech.
A jury has begun deliberations in a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court involving a 52‑year‑old man accused of coercively controlling and assaulting his former partner. The defendant is charged with coercive control, intimidation, endangerment and multiple assaults. He pleaded not guilty to one count of controlling behaviour at various locations between 1 January 2019 and 22 September 2019, and to 13 counts of assault, one count of endangerment and one count of intimidation between May 2018 and January 2020. The endangerment charge concerns an incident at a Dublin bridge where the man allegedly pushed the woman toward the railings, creating a substantial risk of death or harm. The assault allegations include burning her foot with a cigarette, pushing her down stairs, head‑butting, punching, standing on her head, stamping on her arm and strangling her.
Sean Nolan, aged 36, was sentenced to life imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of his partner Amanda Carroll, aged 33, who was strangled in her own apartment on 21 October 2018. The judge, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, imposed the mandatory life term, back‑dated to the date of the offence, and directed that Nolan serve the full custodial period. During sentencing, Carroll's sisters Sandra and Antoinette delivered victim impact statements, expressing grief and demanding that Nolan be punished. Nolan, who had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, interjected from the dock, saying "I am sorry". The court noted that the jury had rejected the defence's claim that Nolan was too intoxicated to form intent, concluding that the death was a deliberate act. No further legal outcome was mentioned in the article. Sean Nolan was convicted.
In a coercive control trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a 52‑year‑old accused faces charges of coercive control, intimidation, endangerment and multiple assaults against his former partner. He pleaded not guilty to one count of controlling behaviour between 1 January and 22 September 2019, and to 13 assault counts, one endangerment and one intimidation between May 2018 and January 2020. The endangerment charge involves an incident at a Dublin bridge where the accused allegedly pushed the woman toward the railings, creating a serious risk of death or injury. Assault allegations include burning her foot with a cigarette, pushing her down stairs, head‑butting, punching, standing on her head, stamping on her arm and strangling her. Prosecutor Kerida Naidoo argued that the evidence shows a clear picture of ongoing violence and persistent abuse, while defence counsel Seamus Clarke described the relationship as toxic and dysfunctional, arguing for not guilty verdicts.
A 77-year-old man was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to one count of sexually abusing his granddaughter on a date unknown between February 1, 2002, and December 31, 2003. The victim, who was aged between five and seven at the time, alleged the abuse occurred in the kitchen of the defendant's home. Two further charges were taken into consideration during sentencing. Judge Martin Nolan jailed the defendant for one year, noting that had the man been ten years younger and in better health, the sentence would have been longer. The judge acknowledged the defendant's age, health issues, and remorse, but emphasized that a prison sentence was necessary despite these factors. The court heard that the defendant's wife had told the child he was her uncle, while the mother believed he was not present. The defendant, a convicted child rapist with prior convictions for indecent assault and rape, is currently living in sheltered accommodation. His defense counsel highlighted his isolation and previous suicide attempts, while the prosecution noted his failure to comply with sex offender registration. The matter was finalized with the imposition of the one-year custodial sentence.
The State has told the Special Criminal Court that Caolan Smyth was the man who "pulled the trigger" in the attempted murder of James Gately at a filling station on the Clonshaugh Road in north Dublin on 10 May 2017. Mr Gately was shot five times whilst sitting in his car and sustained injuries to his upper chest and neck. Mr Smyth, aged 28, from Cuileann Court, Donore, County Meath, has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and to possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life. His co-accused, Gary McAreavey, aged 52, from Castlebellingham, County Louth, has pleaded not guilty to obstructing justice by assisting in the destruction of the vehicle used in the shooting. Prosecution counsel submitted that CCTV evidence, mobile phone data, and witness identification linked Mr Smyth to a black Lexus used in a stake-out of Mr Gately's home and the subsequent shooting.
In a High Court decision dated 3 November 2020, Mr Oliver Bennett, aged 64, was awarded €231,000 in damages for life‑changing injuries sustained in an unprovoked assault at the Tir Na nOg Public House, Wellington Bridge, Wexford, on 15 April 2009. The assault was carried out by John Codd, who later pleaded guilty and received an 18‑month sentence. Mr Bennett sued both Codd and Wallace Taverns Limited, the pub's operator, for negligence. The court found no contest to liability, and the claim was assessed solely for damages. Mr Bennett, a former building‑trade entrepreneur who managed 300 workers, suffered severe head injuries, a coma, a stroke, memory loss, and limited physical and communicative abilities, now living in sheltered accommodation. The award also covered Mr Bennett's legal costs. The judge praised the legal representation of both parties and highlighted the lasting impact of the injuries on Mr Bennett's life.
Warren Nolan, 18 when he shot Alan O'Neill, 35, in Tallaght on 27 May 2015, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. He appealed to the Court of Appeal on the basis that the case against him was circumstantial, citing the absence of a test on a hoodie that had been lost during the investigation. The trial had found gunshot residue on his gloves and accelerant on his t‑shirt, but the hoodie was never examined. Nolan denied both the shooting and the arson. The Court of Appeal, led by Justice George Birmingham, rejected the appeal, stating that the missing hoodie did not materially affect the fairness of the trial and that the evidence presented was sufficient to uphold the conviction. The appeal was dismissed, leaving Nolan's life sentence intact.
Mr Noel Hickey, aged in his mid‑thirties, brought High Court judicial review proceedings against the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal, the Department of Justice, Ireland and the Attorney General after a 44‑month backlog delayed his claim for compensation following a 2014 assault that left him with life‑changing injuries. The assault, in which he was punched and kicked with steel‑capped boots, caused brain bleeding, facial deformation, a broken eye socket, nose, jaw and chin, and left him in a coma for four weeks. He now suffers memory loss, anosmia, ageusia and requires ongoing surgeries. His counsel, Thomas Creed SC, argued that no interim payment had been made and that the Tribunal was understaffed. The court heard that, at the current rate, Mr Hickey would not receive any compensation until 2023 or 2024 at the earliest.
In a coercive control trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a 52‑year‑old man charged with intimidation, endangerment, assault and coercive control pleaded not guilty to 13 assault counts, one endangerment count and one intimidation count. The alleged endangerment involved pushing the 43‑year‑old woman toward a bridge rail in Dublin, creating a risk of death. Assault allegations include burning her foot with a cigarette, pushing her down stairs, head‑butting, punching, standing on her head, stamping on her arm and strangling her. The woman denied that injuries she claimed were self‑harm, rejecting counsel's suggestion that the bridge incident and neck marks were self‑inflicted. She admitted self‑harm between 2002 and 2012, including burning her arm with a cigarette, but insisted the accused inflicted the injuries. The trial continues before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.
The trial of a woman accused of murdering her infant son was postponed because the courts cannot swear new juries under Covid‑19 restrictions. She will be called again on 14 December when a new trial date is set. The woman, whose identity is withheld to protect her deceased child, is charged with the 2017 murder of the infant.
The Special Criminal Court has heard that the trial of four men accused of false imprisonment and assault causing serious harm to Quinn Industrial Holdings director Kevin Lunney may be delayed due to High Court challenges. The defendants, Luke O'Reilly, Darren Redmond, Alan O'Brien, and a fourth unnamed accused, were charged with abducting and assaulting Mr. Lunney in September 2019. The fourth accused and Mr. O'Brien have instituted judicial review proceedings challenging the Special Criminal Court's jurisdiction, while Mr. O'Reilly and Mr. Redmond have adopted the same position. Counsel for the DPP stated that the fourth accused's case is listed for mention in the High Court, with an early hearing expected. Mr. Justice Tony Hunt, presiding with Judges Gerard Griffin and David McHugh, noted that even if the State prevails, appeals are likely. Consequently, the court considered backing up the 12-week trial originally fixed for January 11, 2021. Counsel for the fourth accused indicated an application for adjournment on other grounds would be brought. The matter was adjourned to a mention hearing on November 16 to ascertain the updated position regarding the High Court proceedings.
Philip Dunbar, 20, was found guilty of murder by a jury at the Central Criminal Court for the stabbing of 23-year-old Adam Muldoon in Butler Park, Tallaght, in June 2018. The jury returned a unanimous verdict after rejecting the defence argument that Dunbar was too intoxicated to form the necessary intent for murder. Evidence presented included testimony from a friend who stated Dunbar boasted about the killing, claiming he put Muldoon "out of his misery" and expressed satisfaction at knowing what it was like to be a killer. Pathological evidence identified 183 stab wounds, including fatal injuries to the neck, liver, and lungs, as well as defensive wounds to Muldoon's hands. Dunbar had previously told gardai he experienced a "blackout" during the attack. Mr Justice Paul McDermott thanked the jury and exempted them from further service. Dunbar was not sentenced immediately; the matter was adjourned to this Friday for sentencing, where he will receive the mandatory term of life imprisonment for murder. Members of Mr Muldoon's family are scheduled to make statements to the court at that time.
John McClean, aged 75, a former rugby coach and teacher at Terenure College, admitted to sexually abusing 23 boys over a 17‑year period from 1973 to 1990. He pleaded guilty to 27 charges of indecent assault in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The charges are organised into three separate books of evidence. McClean was due to stand trial but entered guilty pleas before the court. Judge Pauline Codd remanded him on continuing bail and scheduled a sentence hearing for March 9, 2021, where all evidence will be considered over two days. Prosecutor Paul Murray noted that some complainants were present in court and others observed via Zoom, and that victim impact statements may be read during the hearing. Defence counsel Sean Guerin requested a later sentence date, citing a forthcoming trial expected to finish in early March. A mention date of January 18 was set for any necessary documentation to be submitted before the sentence hearing.
The Special Criminal Court sentenced David Hunter to life imprisonment for the 2016 murder of Michael Barr at the Sunset House pub in Dublin. Presiding Judge Alexander Owens, sitting with Judges Gerard Griffin and David McHugh, backdated the sentence to April 2019, when Hunter was arrested in the UK on a European Arrest Warrant. Hunter, a 42-year-old Liverpool native, had pleaded not guilty but was found guilty based on compelling evidence, including DNA from a ski-mask recovered from the getaway car that matched his profile. The court rejected his defence that he was in Dublin for a concert and that the mask was lost during a prior car-stealing trip. Hunter is the second individual convicted for this Kinahan Cartel-linked killing; Eamon Cumberton was convicted in January 2018. During sentencing, Detective Garda Colm Kelly noted Hunter's 15 previous convictions. Prosecution counsel Mr Barr argued Hunter should serve his full sentence in Ireland to avoid transfer to Liverpool. Detective Superintendent Colm Murphy described the murder as cold and callous, confirming the investigation remains ongoing to bring all involved to justice. Victim impact statements from Barr's sister Noeleen and former partner Jade O'Shea highlighted the lasting trauma on Barr's five children and family.