Andrzej Benko, a 48-year-old Polish national from Mulhuddart, is appealing his conviction for the attempted murder of his wife, Joanna. Benko was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court in April 2014 and sentenced to 15 years for striking his sleeping wife on the head with a lump hammer on July 5, 2010. At the Court of Appeal, Benko's legal team argued that the conviction is unsafe, claiming the trial judge failed to properly guide the jury on inferring that death was a natural and probable consequence of the assault. They contended that while Benko admitted to intending to kill his wife at various stages, it was unclear if he held that specific intent during the physical attack. Defence counsel also noted that a request to add a charge of assault causing serious harm, to which Benko would have pleaded guilty, was refused by the DPP. Prosecutors countered that it was common sense that striking a sleeping woman three times on the head with a heavy weapon intended to kill. The court heard that Benko had alerted emergency services and presented himself to gardaí. The panel, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham, reserved judgement in the appeal.
At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the trial of two men accused of indecently assaulting their younger brothers up to 40 years ago continues. The eldest brother, now aged 55 and living in Co Meath, has pleaded not guilty to 35 sample counts of indecently assaulting his two younger brothers between 1979 and 1985. His brother, a 50-year-old Dublin man, has pleaded not guilty to 16 sample counts of indecently assaulting one of the complainants between 1985 and 1988. The sister of the accused testified that she never saw one of the accused sexually assault any of the boys. She stated that there was a dispute in the family over their late mother's will, which lasted for seven years and was a difficult time. Another witness testified that the complainant had approached her years ago, asking her to remember an alleged incident involving his brother. The trial continues before Judge James McCourt.
During a melee in Finsbury Park, a 17‑year‑old accused of murdering 18‑year‑old Azzam Raguragui testified that he heard one of the deceased's friends laugh on the phone after the fatal stabbing. He described the victim's friends as "Arabs" and said that after the victim was stabbed twice in the leg, a friend laughed, saying "Azzam got stabbed." The witness, who is a minor, also recounted that the victim was stabbed five times and that the fight began after a punch from a member of the victim's group. He saw the victim running toward the accused, then on the ground kicking at him while the accused held a knife. The witness said he heard the victim say, "Remember my face," to the accused. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of twelve. The unnamed 17-year-old pleaded guilty.
In a Limerick murder trial, a jury of 11 men and one woman spent over two hours deliberating the case of Mark Crawford, 43, accused of stabbing his friend Patrick 'Pa' O'Connor, 24, to death in Fitzgerald's Bar. The jury was instructed by Ms Justice Tara Burns to consider Crawford's claim of self‑defence, the alleged threat he perceived, and whether the force used was reasonable and proportionate. The judge explained the possible verdicts: guilty of murder; not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter; or not guilty. Crawford had admitted to stabbing O'Connor but denied intent to kill, stating he acted in self‑defence after a dispute over €100 for cocaine. The prosecution argued there was no threat and that the force was excessive, while the defence highlighted Crawford's distress and remorse. The jury was to return a unanimous verdict before returning to the courtroom.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, two brothers faced charges of indecent assault against their younger siblings, with allegations spanning up to 41 years. One complainant, aged 45, claimed his older brothers, aged 55 and 50, abused him from infancy. He recounted that at six months old, the eldest brother lifted him from a pram and molested him, and later forced him to perform oral sex. The complainant said the abuse was constant by age eight and that the brothers' word was considered gospel in the family. He also mentioned telling a child and family agency worker about memories of being in the womb, though he did not disclose that he had recovered some memories through hypnosis. The 55‑year‑old accused pleaded not guilty to 35 sample counts of indecent assault between 1979 and 1985, while the 50‑year‑old pleaded not guilty to 16 sample counts between 1985 and 1988.
The appeal in the case of Mark Crawford (43), who is alleged to have murdered Patrick 'Pa' O'Connor (24) at Fitzgerald's Bar, Sexton Street, in Limerick city between July 7 and July 8, 2018, is ongoing. Crawford has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder. The State has argued that there was nothing to justify the use of force against the deceased, let alone the level of force used, which resulted in six stab wounds, including two fatal ones to the heart and jugular vein. The prosecution has highlighted that Crawford admitted stabbing the deceased to gardai but claimed self-defence. Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster testified that the deceased sustained six stab wounds. The State has also pointed to evidence suggesting Crawford disposed of the flick-knife used in the attack and moved to multiple locations before surrendering to gardai. Defence counsel Patrick McGrath SC has argued that Crawford was genuinely distressed and remorseful, and that the appropriate verdict, if there is doubt about his intention or if he mistakenly believed he was under threat, would be manslaughter. The matter is adjourned for the jury to be charged by Ms Justice Tara Burns.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing, a minor friend of a 17‑year‑old accused of murdering an 18‑year‑old in Finsbury Park admitted he had lied to Gardaí in a statement made two days after the fatal stabbing. The witness, who cannot be identified, said he had brought the knife used in the attack to the accused's home earlier that day and had shown it around. He claimed the accused told him to hold the knife until they reached Dundrum and to give it to him upon arrival. The witness later stated part of his Garda statement was false, explaining he feared trouble and was terrified, saying his "head was melted." The accused has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of twelve.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, two men, Jonathan Coelho, 29, and Federico Carvalho, 31, were acquitted of assaulting and endangering Garda Conor Murray. The case centred on an incident on 31 July 2019 at St Lukes' Avenue, Dublin 8, where the accused were driving a vehicle that reversed at speed, causing Garda Murray to be thrown from the car. The jury, after 18 minutes of deliberation, found the men not guilty of the assault and endangerment charges. Coelho had pleaded guilty to dangerous driving offences, admitting he had driven at speed through red lights and in the wrong direction, and had crashed into a lamp post. He was remanded in custody pending sentencing for those dangerous driving charges. Carvalho was discharged from the indictment and released. The trial concluded with the jury's unanimous verdict and the judge adjourned the case for sentencing next Friday.
A friend of a 17‑year‑old accused of killing an 18‑year‑old in a Dublin park said he brought the knife used in the fatal assault. The witness, who is a minor, told prosecution counsel James Dwyer SC that the accused took the knife from him minutes before the melee because "he didn't want us to get into trouble". He added that the accused did not know about the knife until he saw the witness with it in the park. The accused has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to the murder of Azzam Raguragui (18) at Finsbury Park, Dundrum, Dublin 14 on 10 May 2019. The plea was not accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions and he is on trial at the Central Criminal Court. Earlier today the jury heard from a friend of the deceased, who denied that he threw the first punch that caused the melee.
In Dublin, a 17‑year‑old pleaded guilty to the murder of 20‑year‑old Glen Osborne at Ballybough House on 15 April 2020. The teenager, who was 16 when the offence occurred, was arraigned at the Central Criminal Court and remanded in custody until 5 October. Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted that the mandatory life sentence does not apply to a minor and that the guilty plea spares the family from a lengthy trial. He ordered a probation report and will hear evidence on the incident, its impact on the family, and the defendant before sentencing.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Mark Crawford, aged 43, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Patrick 'Pa' O'Connor, aged 24, who died after being stabbed in Fitzgerald's Bar, Limerick, on 7–8 July 2018. Crawford told Gardaí that the fatal incident followed a dispute over €100 owed for cocaine. He claimed a flick‑knife was handed to him by a young man in the bar, which he took for protection, and that he stabbed O'Connor in a moment of fear, believing he might be attacked. Crawford said he had no intention to kill and that the act was a split‑second reaction. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns, continues with a jury of 11 men and one woman. The prosecution maintains that Crawford admitted the stabbing to Gardaí and that the motive was a dispute over cocaine payments. The case remains in the early stages of the trial.
In the trial of Jonathan Coelho, 29, and Federico Carvalho, 31, the jury heard closing speeches after the defendants were charged with assault causing harm to Garda Conor Murray. The incident occurred on 31 July 2019 when the car, driven by Coelho, reversed at speed with Garda Murray hanging out of the passenger window. Coelho pleaded guilty to dangerous driving charges, admitting he drove at speed through red lights and in the wrong direction, but denied the endangerment charge. Carvalho denied striking the Garda. Garda Murray described being pulled half‑inside the vehicle, the driver kicking him repeatedly, and being thrown from the car after a final kick. The prosecution argued that CCTV and witness testimony proved the defendants' guilt, while the defence contended that the Garda's actions and the defendants' intentions were misrepresented. The jury will be instructed by Judge Melanie Greally on Monday.
In the Central Criminal Court, the mother of a 17‑year‑old who was stabbed to death during a melee in Finsbury Park, Dundrum, broke down after a witness described her son's final moments. The witness told prosecution counsel that the son ran to his friend Azzam Raguragui after Raguragui had been stabbed. He said the son told Azzam he would die. The mother screamed and cried loudly, prompting Judge Paul McDermott to ask the jury to leave and later return, noting the case generated intense emotions. The judge reminded the jury to remain dispassionate. The 17‑year‑old, a minor, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder. The trial continues before Judge McDermott and a jury of twelve.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster testified that Patrick 'Pa' O'Connor, a 24‑year‑old, died from six stab wounds, two of which were fatal to his heart's right ventricle and left jugular vein. The wounds were found on his thorax, neck, left upper arm, left forearm, and left upper arm again, with depths ranging from 2.1 cm to 10 cm. Dr Bolster noted cocaine in O'Connor's system. Mark Crawford, 43, charged with O'Connor's murder, pleaded not guilty. The prosecution alleged a dispute over €100 for cocaine led to the fatal attack at Fitzgerald's Bar, Limerick, between 7 and 8 July 2018. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns, continues with a jury of 11 men and one woman. The case remains at the trial stage, with no verdict yet.
In the Central Criminal Court, Mark Crawford (43) faces a murder charge for stabbing Patrick 'Pa' O'Connor (24) to death at Fitzgerald's Bar, Limerick, on 7 July 2018. His wife, Karen Crawford, testified that the night after the incident he called her from the pub, asking her to pick him up. She described him as staggered, blood‑dripping, crying, and saying he needed to "get his head straight." She drove him to her sister's house, then to the Abbey Court Hotel, and finally to the garda station where he handed himself in. Karen also recounted that the next day he told her, "what am I after doing to that boy as he was my friend?" The prosecution alleged a dispute over €100 for cocaine, while the defence claimed self‑defence. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns, is expected to last two weeks. Mark Crawford pleaded not guilty.
During a melee in a Dublin park, a 17‑year‑old accused of stabbing an 18‑year‑old named Azzam Raguragui told the Central Criminal Court that the victim was told, "you don't remember who stabbed you," before the accused fled. The witness, speaking via video link, described chaos with "everyone just fighting each other" until someone shouted "knife." He saw the accused holding a knife, standing over a fallen Azzam who had slipped and fallen on his back. The accused struck Azzam's leg once and then swung the knife toward his chest. The witness recalled the accused's words and that he then ran away. The accused has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder, and the trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of twelve.
During a murder trial in Dublin, a witness testified that an 18‑year‑old named Azzam Raguragui was stabbed in Finsbury Park, Dundrum, on 10 May. The witness, who was with friends that day, described how the accused, a 17‑year‑old, had been part of a group that had a brief, non‑violent encounter with another group before a fight erupted. He said he saw the accused punch a friend, then chase Raguragui up a hill. The accused allegedly used a knife, possibly a flick knife, to stab Raguragui, who tried to kick him while lying on his back. The witness claimed the accused continued to threaten the group with the knife before fleeing. He also admitted to lying to Gardaí initially and later giving a true statement on 13 May. The trial is before Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of twelve. The unnamed 18-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, Lloyd Saunders, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm, false imprisonment and threatening to kill or cause serious harm. The alleged incident occurred on 17 December 2016 at Saunders' Finglas address, where his then‑girlfriend Kelly Evans claimed he assaulted her for at least an hour and a half, including slapping, strangling and threatening her with death. Evans said Saunders had been angry, had taken a drink, and had asked her to leave but she refused. Saunders allegedly propped her up, asked if she was "ready for round two" and then let her leave after the assault. The jury, composed of five women and seven men, could not reach a verdict after three days. Judge Martin Nolan remanded Saunders on continuing bail and adjourned the case to 6 October. The trial was the first criminal trial in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court since March of that year.
In September 2020 the Central Criminal Court declared the 2003 murder conviction of Yusif Ali Abdi a miscarriage of justice. Abdi had spent 16 years in prison before the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction in February 2019 and ordered a retrial. The retrial found him not guilty by reason of insanity, after evidence that he had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2013. The court granted Abdi leave to seek compensation from the State. The case involved the death of his 20‑month‑old son, Nathan Baraka Andrew Ali, who was found dead in the living room of their Clane apartment on the night of the killing. The retrial relied on psychiatric testimony that Abdi had been suffering from schizophrenia since 2001, a fact that had not been recognised at the original trial. The court's decision was based on the new diagnosis being a newly‑discovered fact that proved the original verdict was fundamentally wrong. Yusif Ali Abdi was acquitted.
During the Central Criminal Court trial of Mark Crawford, a barman named Cyril O'Connor testified that he witnessed Crawford striking Patrick 'Pa' O'Connor in the neck after a dispute over money and cocaine. O'Connor, who began his shift at 6 pm on 7 July, observed the men arguing quietly and heard €50 mentioned. He later saw Crawford hit O'Connor four or five times, describing the blows as rapid. O'Connor was left lying on his side with blood flowing from his neck, and he had two marks on his neck and was unconscious. The barman noted Crawford's mood changed during the night, showing rage, but he could not explain how the fight started. The trial, set before Ms Justice Tara Burns, is expected to last two weeks. Mark Crawford pleaded not guilty. Cyril O'Connor pleaded not guilty.
Two teenage girls testified that the 17‑year‑old accused of murdering 18‑year‑old Azzam Raguragui was acting in a hostile and aggressive manner earlier that evening. They said the accused, with a group of other youths, asked a male friend for his name in an aggressive way and then walked away. The witnesses described the accused as looking at them in a hostile way and appearing to have an issue. One witness noted that the accused did not step into the friend's personal space and that she was not overly concerned when she later learned of the stabbing. The trial, before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury, has heard that the deceased suffered five stab wounds during a fight between two groups of youths. The accused has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder. The trial continues.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, Lloyd Saunders, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm, false imprisonment and a threat to kill or cause serious harm. The alleged incident occurred on 17 December 2016 at Saunders' home in Finglas, where his then‑girlfriend, Kelly Evans, was reportedly confined to a bedroom and subjected to slapping and strangulation lasting at least an hour and a half. Saunders told Gardaí that Evans had marks on her face when she arrived, describing them as "not that bad", and that she had cried when he refused to let her stay. He also claimed Evans had faked a 999 call and that a tyre puncture was caused by a third party. Evans' medical report listed bruising on her eyes, forehead, hairline, neck, arms, chest and legs, with no fractures. The case is being heard by Judge Martin Nolan with a jury of five women and seven men. The trial continues tomorrow.
In a Dublin park, a 17‑year‑old stabbed an 18‑year‑old, Azzam Raguragui, to death during a melee that followed a dispute over a bicycle. The accused, who pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, was said by counsel to have entered the confrontation armed with a knife. The incident began near Rockfield, Balally, when the deceased and other teens were involved in a confrontation with the accused's group. The accused allegedly pursued the deceased up a hill, where the victim fell and was stabbed repeatedly. Five stab wounds were found, one fatal. The accused voluntarily admitted to the stabbing at Garda Station, claiming self‑defence, but forensic evidence linked the knife to the victim. The trial, heard by a jury, continues under the State's case that the accused did not act in self‑defence. The proceedings are ongoing.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Lloyd Saunders, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm, false imprisonment and a threat to kill after allegedly slapping and strangling his girlfriend for at least an hour and a half in his bedroom in December 2016. The prosecution, led by Garrett McCormack BL, described the incident as the first criminal trial in the court since March of that year. Kelly Evans, the victim, testified that Saunders arrived an hour late, became angry, and after refusing to leave, repeatedly slapped her and strangled her while she fought and screamed. She claimed he threatened to kill her if she moved and that the assault ended when she fled, leaving her keys and glasses behind. Evans called 999 after leaving and a recording of the call was played in court.
A jury of eleven men and one woman was sworn in at the Central Criminal Court for the trial of Mark Crawford, 43, of Quarry Road, Thomondgate, Co Limerick. Crawford, who pleaded not guilty, is charged with the murder of Patrick O'Connor at Fitzgerald's Bar, Sexton Street, Limerick City, between 7 and 8 July 2018. He is scheduled to appear before Ms Justice Tara Burns tomorrow morning, and the trial is expected to last two weeks.
A 17‑year‑old admitted to killing but denied murder in the death of 18‑year‑old Azzam Raguragai, who was stabbed at Finsbury Park, Dundrum, on 10 May 2019. The minor, whose identity is withheld, will stand trial at the Central Criminal Court. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder; the plea was rejected by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Mr Justice Paul McDermott explained that the incident involved two groups of teenagers meeting at the park, with the accused allegedly stabbing the deceased. The trial is set to open tomorrow.
The Special Criminal Court sentenced Patrick Curtis and Mohammed Smew for their roles in a Kinahan Cartel plot to murder Patrick "Patsy" Hutch. Curtis, 38, who admitted directing the criminal organisation, received a final sentence of 12 years imprisonment, with the last two years suspended. The suspension is conditional on a €100 bond, good behaviour, and one year of probation supervision following release. Smew, 27, who pleaded guilty to participating in the organisation by providing vehicles and assisting in planning, was sentenced to eight years and three months, with the final nine months suspended. Both sentences were backdated to December 2019. The court noted that the murder plan was postponed due to Storm Emma, after which Smew was arrested for a separate matter. Earlier in the case, co-accused Michael Burns, 43, who admitted a graver offence, was jailed for nine years. Stephen Curtis, 32, and Ciaran O'Driscoll, 25, were each sentenced to five years. Additionally, Mark Capper, 31, Gary Thompson, 35, Glen Thompson, 25, and Robert Browne, 36, received sentences of seven-and-a-half years, 12 years and six months, 12 years and six months, and 11 years and six months respectively for their involvement in the plot.
The Special Criminal Court sentenced Stephen Little (47) and Edward McDonnell (56) for unlawful possession of a semi-automatic weapon. Little, of Dublin 5, pleaded guilty to possessing a Grand Power G9 pistol at Lein Park, Harmonstown, on September 14, 2019. He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, backdated to December 21, 2019. The judge noted Little's motivation was the murder of his son, Sean Little, and accepted he was not the intended triggerman. McDonnell, of New Ross, Co Wexford, also pleaded guilty to possessing the weapon at the same location and date. He received a nine-year sentence, backdated to September 16, 2019. The court highlighted McDonnell's 47 previous convictions and his guilty plea entered on the fifth day of trial. Both men were originally charged with having the weapon with intent to endanger life but convicted under Section 27A (1) of the Firearms Act. Gardaí recovered the loaded handgun under the passenger seat of an Audi, along with balaclavas, gloves, and a petrol can. Little, who drove McDonnell to the scene, made statements to gardaí expressing intent to kill the person responsible for his son's death. The judge described the case as one of "intended lethality" avoided by Garda intervention. Both defendants were remanded in custody prior to sentencing.
A man named David Duffy, aged 33 and from Greenfort Lawns, Clondalkin, was charged by the Special Criminal Court with involvement in the attempted murder of James 'Mago' Gately, a target of the Kinahan cartel. The alleged offence, under Section 72(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, states that between 7 December 2016 and 6 April 2017, Duffy, knowing of a criminal organisation and intending to aid its members, participated in or contributed to activities connected with the murder of Gately. Gately was shot multiple times while seated in his car at the Topaz filling station on Clonshaugh Road, Dublin 17, on 10 May 2017. Duffy was granted bail on 31 July, subject to a €20,000 independent surety, which the Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed was acceptable. He was remanded in custody with consent to bail and must appear again on 14 September.
The article reports that after the conviction of Aaron Brady for the robbery and capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, Deputy Commissioner John Twomey warned Brady's accomplices that Gardaí would pursue them. The Donohoe family expressed gratitude to the jury, prosecution, and investigators, noting the lengthy and complex trial. They thanked the presiding judge, witnesses, and international law‑enforcement partners, especially U.S. Homeland Security. The family reiterated that justice had been served but that nothing could restore Adrian to his loved ones. Chief Superintendent Christopher Mangan highlighted the significance of the verdict and the extensive, transnational investigation that led to the conviction. The article emphasizes the ongoing pursuit of all involved parties and the appreciation for the media's responsible reporting.
Aaron Brady, 29, was found guilty of capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe by an 11‑to‑1 jury at the Central Criminal Court. The judge will impose a life sentence with a minimum of 40 years. Brady denied the murder and claimed no involvement in the robbery that led to Donohoe's death. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence, including the theft of a Volkswagen Passat used as a getaway car and Brady's alleged statements to Gardaí. Brady's defence argued he was loading diesel waste and had no role in the robbery. The trial, the longest murder case in Irish history, involved 139 witnesses over 28 weeks. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for 14 October, where the judge will also consider Brady's robbery conviction. The maximum sentence for robbery is life, with a minimum of 40 years for capital murder.
Aaron Brady, aged 29, was found guilty of robbery in the January 25, 2013, Lordship Credit Union heist that resulted in the death of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. The jury, after 12 hours and 35 minutes of deliberation, reached a unanimous verdict of robbery. Brady denied involvement in the robbery and pleaded not guilty to the capital murder charge. The trial heard that four men entered the credit union car park, and the prosecution alleged Brady fired a single fatal shot. Brady claimed he was at a diesel laundering yard on Concession Road at the time. The judge explained that for a capital murder conviction, it must be proven beyond reasonable doubt that Brady was the shooter and that he knew he was shooting a Garda or was reckless about it. If the jury is not satisfied with the capital murder evidence, they could find him guilty of murder or manslaughter.
A jury will return to the Central Criminal Court on Monday to continue deliberations in the trial of Aaron Brady, accused of murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe during a 2013 credit union raid. The jury, consisting of five men and seven women, has spent over six hours across three days considering their verdicts, having first heard evidence in January. Mr Justice Michael White formally suspended their deliberations, urging them not to discuss the case or consult social media, and advised them to relax. Brady, 29, pleaded not guilty to both the capital murder of Donohoe and a robbery charge involving approximately €7,000 in cash and cheques. The judge instructed the jury to first consider the robbery charge, noting that a not‑guilty verdict on robbery would logically preclude a murder conviction. He explained that if the jury finds Brady guilty of robbery, they must then consider the capital murder charge, which is "tricky" due to multiple possible verdicts.
In the Aaron Brady trial, Mr Justice Michael White warned the jury that the evidence of a woman, Molly Staunton, who claimed Brady admitted shooting a Garda, might be dangerous to rely on. Staunton gave her testimony via video link from New York, during which an unseen man interrupted her twice, once when the jury was not present. The judge noted the man's disruptive behaviour and Staunton's refusal to comply with his demands. White also described Daniel Cahill, a prosecution witness who said Brady admitted killing a Garda on three occasions, as "the most controversial prosecution witness" and suggested Cahill might have motives to fabricate statements. Brady, aged 29, pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe and to a robbery charge. The jury, now 12 members, will begin deliberations tomorrow after the judge's final instructions.
The jury has begun deliberations in the Westmeath rape trial of a 33‑year‑old man. He pleaded not guilty to raping a woman he met at a New Year's Eve ball at a GAA clubhouse. The complainant, who was visiting a friend, said she had no choice but to stay at the accused's house after the ball. She claimed they kissed, she told him there would be no sexual activity, but he entered his home, attacked and raped her in the front sitting room. The accused maintains the encounter was consensual and that he apologized after the act, not admitting guilt. The prosecution's closing speech highlighted the complainant's account of a violent attack and medical evidence of bruising, while the defence argued inconsistencies in the complainant's statements and witnesses. The jury will return on Tuesday for further deliberations.
A UK man accused of murdering Michael Barr at the Sunset House pub in Dublin is described by his defence as a 'two-bit car thief' and 'no James Bond', according to the Special Criminal Court. David Hunter, a Liverpool native with an address in London, is pleading not guilty to the murder of Mr Barr (35) at the pub in Summerhill on the night of April 25, 2016. The defence closed its case by asserting that the defendant could not 'logically' have been the killer. Mixed DNA profiles were found on a ski-mask and rubber mask recovered from a car allegedly used in the killing, with the major contributor matching Mr Hunter's DNA. However, Mr Hunter stated to gardaí that he had left the ski-mask in a car in Dublin two months before the shooting and had not seen it again. Defence barrister Ms Roisín Lacey SC argued that the prosecution cannot prove Mr Hunter wore the ski-mask underneath the rubber mask at the shooting and that there is a reasonable doubt. She also highlighted that Mr Hunter's admission to gardaí of stealing cars 'painted him in a bad light' and that he was in a 'narcotic and alcoholic haze' at the time of the shooting. Ms Lacey submitted that Mr Hunter could not have been the driver of the getaway vehicle or the convicted male in the back of the vehicle, and that he had to be the front passenger who emerged without any head covering. She concluded that Mr Hunter 'is not a murderer and he cannot logically be the murderer on the evidence in the case.' Mr Justice Owens adjourned the case to September 11 for judgement and remanded Mr Hunter in custody.
A man named Douglas Glynn, aged 36, was granted bail by the Special Criminal Court for his alleged involvement in the attempted murder of James 'Mago' Gately, a target of the Kinahan cartel. The charge, under Section 72(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, alleges that between 7 December 2016 and 6 April 2017, Glynn, knowing of a criminal organisation, participated in activities that would facilitate the murder of Gately, specifically the fixing of a tracking device on Gately's car. Despite objections from Gardaí, who cited Glynn's risk to public safety, the seriousness of the offence, and his flight risk, the judge granted bail. Conditions include daily reporting to Mountjoy Garda Station, residence at a family home, provision of a mobile number, surrender of travel documents, prohibition from leaving the jurisdiction, and no contact with case‑related individuals.
A 67-year-old Co Monaghan farmer has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, following his conviction for sexual assaults on his grandchildren. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard the abuse came to light in late 2014 when one child disclosed to her mother that her grandfather had exposed her to explicit material before committing a sexual assault. Two further grandchildren subsequently reported similar offences during sleepovers at his home. The man initially denied the allegations and attempted to shift blame to another family member. Judge Patricia Ryan described the victim impact statements as harrowing, noting the offences represented a profound breach of trust within a family setting where the children should have been safe. She acknowledged his previously good character but imposed the custodial sentence reflecting the severity of the crimes and their lasting impact on the victims.
Eric Shorthall, 23, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Warren Nolan, knowing or believing Nolan to be guilty of the murder of Alan O'Neill. The offence is alleged to have occurred on May 27, 2015, at Belfry Manor, Tallaght. Shorthall, of Muskerry Road, Ballyfermot, was originally charged with the murder of O'Neill, who was shot dead in front of his partner outside his home on Kiltalown Road, Tallaght, on that date. Shorthall's counsel, Keith Spencer BL, noted that Shorthall was 18 at the time of the offence and requested a probation report. Mr Justice Paul McDermott ordered the probation report and remanded Shorthall in custody until November 16. The court also noted that Warren Nolan, then 22, was found guilty by a jury in December 2018 of the murder of O'Neill and setting fire to the car used in the shooting. Nolan, who was 18 at the time of the murder, was sentenced by Mr Justice McDermott to the mandatory term of life imprisonment for murder and six years for setting the car on fire. Both sentences were backdated to September 2017.
Patrick Nevin, a 38‑year‑old serial sex offender, had his 12‑year jail term increased by two and a half years after an appeal by the State. Nevin had attacked three women he met on Tinder in July 2014, raping one in Bellewstown and assaulting two others in County Meath. He had previously been sentenced to five and a half years for a third assault at UCD. The Court of Appeal found the original 14‑year sentence for the rape and eight‑year sentence for the assault too lenient, noting aggravating factors such as the rapid succession of attacks, premeditation, and a prior conviction for threatening to kill a woman. The court substituted a 10‑year sentence for the rape, made the rape and assault sentences consecutive, and suspended the final three and a half years, raising Nevin's net sentence to 14½ years. The probation period remains five years post‑release. Victims and Nevin attended the hearings remotely.
In a case heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Luka Tomljanovic, aged 33, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm after punching sisters Aoife and Shauna O'Connor at Sam's Bar, Dawson Street, on 19 January 2019. The incident began when a bottle smashed Aoife's glass, leading to a confrontation between Tomljanovic's fiancée and the sisters. Tomljanovic entered the altercation, delivering nine punches, two to Aoife's face and one to Shauna's face, before being restrained by security. He claimed he was defending his fiancée, who had been pulled by hair. The court accepted his apology and a €2,500 compensation offer. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to 12 months imprisonment, fully suspended, with the condition that he hand over the compensation to the victims or a domestic‑violence charity if they decline it. The judge noted the incident was a one‑off, out‑of‑character event and that Tomljanovic had no prior convictions.
The Special Criminal Court sentenced Patrick Curtis and Mohammed Smew for their roles in a Kinahan Cartel plot to murder Patrick "Patsy" Hutch. Curtis, 38, pleaded guilty to directing the activities of a criminal organisation between February and March 2018. Smew, 27, pleaded guilty to participating in the organisation's activities, including providing vehicles and planning an attempted shooting. The court heard that Curtis suffers from claustrophobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder, while Smew was remanded in custody after a separate arrest, which ended his involvement. This sentencing concludes the case against the last two men involved in the plot. Previously, Michael Burns was jailed for nine years, while Stephen Curtis and Ciaran O'Driscoll received five-year sentences. Mark Capper, who withdrew from the plan, was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years. In a related 2019 case, Gary Thompson, Glen Thompson, and Robert Browne were sentenced to 12.5 years and 11.5 years respectively for planning the murder. The court noted the gang's hierarchical structure, with leadership operating from the Middle East coordinating sub-cells. The planned attack involved a staging post, a ruse to lure the victim, and a getaway route, though the operation was intercepted by the Emergency Response Unit before execution.
In the Special Criminal Court, Liverpool native David Hunter pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael Barr, 35, at the Sunset House pub in Dublin on 25 April 2016. Prosecutor Dominic McGinn closed the case by arguing that Hunter's involvement was the only reasonable explanation for a series of coincidences. He cited DNA evidence linking a ski mask and cigarette butt to Hunter, ballistics matching guns found in an Audi A6 on Walsh Road, and CCTV timing of the vehicle's movements. McGinn also referenced cell‑site data showing four phones used on the night of the murder, one of which connected to Hunter's new phone shortly after the killing. He highlighted Hunter's travel plans, the sale of his car, and his girlfriend's call at 10.22 pm as further evidence of his presence at the scene. The court will hear Hunter's defence tomorrow.
An alleged IRA member, Seamus Marley, aged 46, was convicted of raping two teenage boys in County Louth in the early 1990s. A Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty on six counts of sexual assault and two counts of rape after a six‑day trial in May 2019, and Mr Justice Paul McDermott sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment. Marley attempted to appeal his conviction outside the 28‑day window normally required after sentencing. His barrister, Michael Bowman SC, applied to the Court of Appeal for an extension, arguing that Marley had misunderstood the timing of his appeal and had been advised to wait until after sentencing. The Court of Appeal, hearing the application on the grounds of delay and the interests of the victims, ruled that there was no reasonable prospect of success and refused the extension, citing the need for finality in criminal proceedings.
In a nursing home in County Dublin, a 52‑year‑old health‑care assistant raped a pensioner in her room at 3 am on 3 April 2020 during the Covid‑19 lockdown. The victim was found in distress the next morning, taken to a sexual‑assault treatment unit where semen was recovered and matched to the accused. The man was arrested on 14 April, denied the allegation, and pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court. Mr Justice Paul McDermott sentenced him to 12 years' imprisonment, suspending the final year on strict conditions. The court heard the victim's daughter's impact statement, describing the mother's ongoing fear, depression, nightmares and post‑traumatic stress, and the family's inability to comfort her due to lockdown restrictions. The case highlighted the breach of trust by a qualified healthcare worker and the severe psychological harm inflicted on the elderly victim.
Patrick Nevin, aged 38, appealed a 14‑year prison sentence for raping and sexually assaulting three women he met on Tinder in July 2014. The court had suspended the final two years of the sentence. Nevin had previously received five and a half years for a separate Tinder‑related assault on the UCD campus. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Cathleen Noctor SC, counter‑appealed, arguing the sentence was too lenient and should have been higher, citing aggravating factors such as the rapid succession of attacks, premeditation, driving victims to remote locations, and prior convictions for serious harm. Nevin's counsel, Michael Bowman SC, argued the sentence was appropriate, noting the court had considered aggravating factors and that the 14‑year term was the maximum available. The Court of Appeal was set to decide the case the following day. Patrick Nevin pleaded guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 33‑year‑old Westmeath man pleaded not guilty to a rape charge stemming from an alleged incident on 1 January 2017. The complainant, who had been invited to the accused's home after a New Year's Eve ball, claimed she had told him no sexual activity would occur, yet he allegedly raped her in the front sitting room. The accused denied all allegations, asserting that any sexual activity was consensual and that he did not cause the injuries found on the complainant's body. He repeatedly stated "that is not true" when confronted with evidence of bruising, abrasions and tenderness noted by a medical examiner. The jury heard the accused's testimony that he had no violence during the encounter and that he had not caused the injuries. The case remains at the trial stage, with no verdict yet reached.
Martin Kenny, 48, was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for three robberies committed over 15 months. The first robbery took place at a local bookmaker's on 11 January 2019, where Kenny grabbed a woman in her 60s, held a knife to her throat, demanded cash and fled with €190 after punching another customer. The second robbery occurred on 30 March 2019 at the South Circular Road, where he stole €300. The third robbery was on 18 April 2020 at a Maxol petrol station, where he pointed a knife at a staff member, demanded €50 notes and left with €400. Kenny was arrested at a Luas stop after the third incident. He pleaded guilty to robbery and assault causing harm. Judge Sarah Berkeley imposed a consecutive sentence of eight years, suspending the final two years on the condition that he engage with the Probation Service for two years upon release.
Patrick Kelly, 52, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment by Judge Melanie Greally at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for sexually assaulting two teenage girls while he was their Taekwon-Do instructor. The victims, now aged 20 and 23, waived anonymity and provided victim impact statements. Kelly had previously been convicted in December 2017 of sexual assault and exploitation of two children, receiving a nine‑year sentence, and in the Central Criminal Court a consecutive four‑year term for rape, sexual assault and exploitation of a girl he met at a bus stop. The new sentence follows Kelly's guilty pleas to three offences: forcefully kissing and grabbing the first victim's bottom in mid‑2014, and grabbing, kissing and touching the second victim's bottom between July 2011 and July 2012. Judge Greally noted the abuse's devastating impact, Kelly's lewd text‑message conduct, and the victims' lasting fear and loss of trust.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Charlie Magaharan, aged 25, received an 18‑month suspended prison sentence for assaulting three men during a violent attack that began when he was seen kicking a city‑rental bike. The incident, captured on CCTV, involved Magaharan and three accomplices who assaulted Lorcan Travers, Peter Hardy, and Marcus Thomas. Travers suffered a concussion, fractured cheekbone and sprained ankle; Hardy sustained cuts, a dislocated shoulder and a black eye; Thomas had a fractured eye socket, lip cuts and a sprained shoulder. Magaharan pleaded guilty to three counts of assault causing harm, admitted the fight, expressed remorse and apologized to the victims, offering €1,000 each. The judge considered his guilty plea, remorse, young age and employment history, and imposed the suspended sentence while ordering probation and engagement with Probation Services.