In a 2018 incident, 25‑year‑old Shane Halpin of Lusk was found unconscious and vomiting on the side of the road. Garda Derek Dalton, who had driven Halpin home, was attacked when Halpin, intoxicated, bit him on the hand and later on the knee. Dalton suffered a fractured hand bone, two bites and a groin injury, and was unable to return to duty for six months. Halpin pleaded guilty to assaulting Dalton at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally described the event as a serious assault carried out by a young man unlikely to reoffend, imposed an indicative sentence of two years imprisonment, deferred it until April 1, and directed Halpin to pay €3,000 to Little Blue Heroes, a charity nominated by Dalton. The sentence was contingent on Halpin's compliance with a bond to keep the peace until that date.
The trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, and Keith Johnston continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott at the Central Criminal Court. Greene, 34, has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Patricia O'Connor, 61, at her home in Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, on May 29, 2017. The other three accused have also pleaded not guilty to charges including impeding the apprehension of Greene, disguising the deceased to conceal her death, and assisting in the purchase of items to conceal her remains. The jury has examined CCTV footage showing Greene and Johnston purchasing DIY items in Tallaght on June 9, 2017, and Johnston redecorating the bathroom at the scene. Evidence presented includes testimony that the deceased's remains were dismembered and scattered across nine locations in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. The prosecution alleges Johnston assisted Greene in destroying evidence, while defense counsel highlighted inconsistencies in Greene's changing accounts to gardai. The matter is ongoing, with the trial continuing before a jury of six men and six women.
At the Central Criminal Court, a credit union volunteer described the moment she feared for her life during a fatal armed robbery at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, County Louth, on 25 January 2013. Bernadette McShane told the court she witnessed Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe fall after hearing gunshots and subsequently believed an armed raider approaching her vehicle intended to kill her because she had seen the incident. Aaron Brady, aged 28, from New Road, Crossmaglen, County Armagh, has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Detective Garda Donohoe and to robbing approximately €7,000 in cash and cheques on the same date and location. Ms McShane said the raider smashed her car window and demanded money before fleeing the scene. Additional witnesses, including staff from Cooley and Lordship credit unions, detailed their observations of the incident and the armed men involved. The trial continues before Mr Justice Michael White and a jury.
A former detective garda testified at the Central Criminal Court that he feared for his life when armed raiders confronted him and his colleague during a credit union escort at Bellurgan, County Louth on 25 January 2013. The witness described how one raider pointed a shotgun at him and made threats, while another held a handgun. He stated that Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was fatally shot during the incident. Aaron Brady, aged 28 from Crossmaglen, County Armagh, has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Detective Garda Donohoe and to robbing approximately €7,000 in cash and cheques from Lordship Credit Union on the same date and location. The witness, who has served as a garda since 1992, detailed the sequence of events and provided descriptions of the raiders' appearance and accents. The trial, heard before Mr Justice Michael White and a jury, continues.
A High Court judgement in the UK found that Eamon Ronald Harrison, a 23‑year‑old from Mayobridge, Co Down, is wanted on 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration and conspiracy to commit human trafficking under the Modern Slavery Act. The case concerns the death of 39 Vietnamese migrants found in a sealed refrigeration unit in a lorry in Essex in October 2019. The unit was not powered on, and the temperature rose to 38.5°C before falling, with bloody hand prints discovered inside. Harrison is alleged to have driven the trailer to Zeebrugge on 22 October 2019, and to have transported migrants from Zeebrugge to Purfleet on 10‑11 and 17‑18 October 2019, using the same trailer. He was also stopped in France in May 2018 with 18 Vietnamese migrants in a trailer. The court remanded him in custody for a hearing on 10 am next Wednesday. The proceedings are ongoing.
In 2018 a 60‑year‑old man was convicted of raping his 15‑year‑old sister‑in‑law at his home in the east of Ireland between October 1983 and July 1984. The prosecution alleged that he had shown pornographic magazines and photographs, pushed her onto the bed and raped her. The victim, who was too afraid to speak at the time, later disclosed the assault to her mother, siblings, a doctor and a family member at a charity event. After a statement to Gardaí, the man was found guilty by a Central Criminal Court jury and sentenced to nine years' imprisonment, with the final three‑and‑a‑half years suspended. In February 2020 the Court of Appeal quashed the conviction and ordered a retrial, finding that the trial judge's comments about the case having "a lot of detail" had improperly influenced the jury.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 32‑year‑old man was found guilty of falsely imprisoning, threatening to kill and burn the house of his ex‑partner and of assaulting her, including fracturing her jaw in May 2016. He pleaded guilty to assault, damaging her phone and producing a car‑jack handle, and to harassing her between 14 May and 30 June 2016. A separate jury verdict in December last year found him guilty of rape, a conviction he continues to deny. The court heard that on the day of the assault he had been drinking, locked all doors, threatened to burn the house, used a bread knife and a car‑jack handle to assault her, and then raped her while a three‑year‑old child slept nearby. He was sentenced on 24 February. The victim, who has not returned to work and suffers nightmares, said she no longer leaves her home unless necessary and fears his release.
Slaven Tokic, 41, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after an incident at Dublin's Portobello Bar on 26 May 2018. He claimed the victim, Andy Lynch, had laughed at his penis while Tokic was urinating, and that the victim had pointed at him. Tokic punched Lynch as they left the bathroom, knocking out Lynch's two front teeth and splitting his lip. CCTV showed Tokic swinging twice, with one punch connecting. Lynch suffered pain, headaches, and required stitches and dental treatment. Tokic had no prior convictions. At sentencing, Judge Melanie Greally imposed a two‑year prison term, fully suspended on strict conditions, including payment of €4,000 compensation to Lynch within 48 hours. The court noted Tokic's cooperation and the victim's acceptance of the settlement. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, and Keith Johnston is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. Greene, 34, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Patricia O'Connor, 61, at her home in Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, on May 29, 2017. The other three accused have also pleaded not guilty to charges including impeding the apprehension of Greene, disguising themselves to conceal the victim's death, and assisting in the purchase of implements to conceal remains. The jury reviewed 343 hours of CCTV footage captured by a neighbour, which showed family movements on the day of the alleged killing. Prosecution evidence suggests Stephanie O'Connor disguised herself as her grandmother to create a ruse that the victim had left the house. Former Depute State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. The trial heard that the victim's remains were dismembered and found at nine locations in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. The matter was adjourned and continues tomorrow.
The Court of Appeal has been informed that the Minister for Justice has accepted a recommendation to grant temporary release to John Shaw, the State's longest serving prisoner. Shaw, aged 73, an English national, has been in custody for almost 44 years following his conviction at the Central Criminal Court on February 9, 1978, for offences including abduction, rape, torture and murder in Wicklow and Mayo. He will be entitled to two days escorted release annually. The court heard that a legal challenge to the Minister's earlier refusal of temporary release proceeded to full hearing in January despite the Minister having already reversed that decision. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy expressed concern that the reversal was not communicated timeously to Shaw's legal representatives, resulting in proceedings that were effectively moot. The court noted the matter without imposing costs penalties. A 2016 risk assessment had identified Shaw as presenting high-level re-offending risk.
Craig McGrath, 26, pleaded guilty to manslaughter of Damien O'Brien, 27, after an assault on 7 July 2018. McGrath punched O'Brien twice, causing fatal brain injury. He also pleaded guilty to assaulting Kiefer Dowling in 2017, receiving a five‑year sentence for manslaughter and a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for assault, with the last two years suspended. The total sentence is five‑and‑a‑half years. The Director of Public Prosecutions seeks to increase this sentence, arguing it was unduly lenient, citing McGrath's callous behaviour and breach of a curfew. McGrath's counsel argues the sentence was appropriate, citing Supreme Court guidance that places manslaughter in a medium range of four to ten years. The Court of Appeal will decide on 18 February.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 19‑year‑old named Alexander Whelan pleaded guilty to manslaughter after stabbing Bruno Rolandi, 56, to death during a domestic dispute. Whelan claimed he acted to protect his mother, Mary, who had a volatile relationship with Rolandi, a violent heroin user. Witnesses described a confrontation over a WiFi password that escalated into physical aggression, with Rolandi assaulting Whelan's brother and attempting to grab Mary. Whelan then stabbed Rolandi three times, one wound reaching 23 cm and causing fatal bleeding. He was found in shock, attempting to stop the bleeding, and cooperated fully with Gardaí. The court noted Whelan's lack of prior convictions, his young age, and his good character, and the judge was instructed to consider a custodial sentence as a last resort. The case was scheduled for sentencing on March 2.
In a case heard at the Central Criminal Court, a 28‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to raping a woman who had been a family friend and "like a sister" to him. The offence occurred on 30 October 2016 at the man's home in County Kerry while the woman was visiting with her family. She woke in a bedroom she shared with her children to find the man having sex with her from behind. The victim's impact statement described a loss of trust, nightmares, and a life changed by the assault, noting that her children were present during the rape. The court, hearing that the man had spent part of his childhood living with the victim's family, imposed a five‑year sentence, suspending the final year on conditions. The judge described the offence as heinous and highlighted the damage to both families.
A 56‑year‑old Tipperary man was sentenced by a Central Criminal Court jury to 12 years' imprisonment for raping and sexually assaulting his special‑needs daughter. The court heard that he raped her twice in her bedroom when she was 22, after asking her whether she loved him or her mother more, and also sexually assaulted her on that same occasion. He had previously sexually assaulted her when she was 13 or 14, forcing her to perform oral sex while she slept in the same bed as a friend. He was convicted on five charges, including rape, oral rape and sexual assault, covering incidents between January 2003 and December 2004 and a separate incident in January 2011. He denied the charges. The judge registered him as a sex offender, suspended the final year of the sentence on strict conditions, and noted that he had not accepted the jury's verdict.
A 20‑year‑old man was sentenced to eight years in prison for violently raping a 15‑year‑old girl at his Co Meath home on 27 March 2018. The judge described the offence as a "violent rape" and noted the victim was "completely innocent" and not consenting. The sentence was reduced to six years with the final two years suspended, conditional on the offender completing the Better Lives programme while in custody. The court heard that the victim had been lured to the house with a friend, was isolated on the couch, and was forcibly raped, choked, and threatened with violence. The offender had 14 prior convictions, including sexual assault, assault causing harm, theft, and other offences. The victim's impact statement highlighted her fear, shame, and desire to move on, while her father expressed guilt and a sense of failure for not protecting her. The judge praised the victim's resilience and urged her to hold her head high. The unnamed 15-year-old pleaded guilty.
A 22‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to one year, with the nine months he had already spent in custody counted toward the term, so he will not serve additional time. He pleaded guilty to a single count of sexually assaulting a 16‑year‑old female friend at a Dublin address on 1 August 2014, when she was asleep after a drinks party. The assault occurred while she was in bed, fully clothed, and the man penetrated her vagina with his finger. The victim, who was in fifth year at the time, later reported depression, anxiety and panic attacks, and said the incident led to unhealthy relationships and loss of confidence. The defendant, who was also 16 at the time, claimed he had asked for consent and that the victim's mum‑like friend had been present the night before.
The Special Criminal Court has convicted Liam Brannigan (37) of conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between September 15 and November 6, 2017. Brannigan, who pleaded not guilty, was found to be the user of the PB3 phone, which the judge described as central to managing the Kinahan Cartel-linked plot. The court relied on covert audio, phone data, and CCTV showing Brannigan discarding the PB3 phone shortly before his arrest. Four co-accused previously pleaded guilty to the same offence. Luke Wilson (24) and Joseph Kelly (35), who were arrested with a loaded 9mm Beretta, silencer, and ammunition, were jailed for 11 and 12 years respectively; both also admitted weapons charges. Alan Wilson (39) was sentenced to six years. Dean Howe (34) remains to be sentenced on March 3. Brannigan's sentencing is scheduled for February 24. The judge noted the overwhelming evidence connecting Brannigan to the conspiracy, including recorded conversations identifying him as "Branner" and his role in coordinating the operation. The matter is now at the sentencing stage for Brannigan, while Howe's case is adjourned for future sentencing.
In a capital murder trial, the jury was shown CCTV footage of the moment Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot dead in the car park of Lordship Credit Union on 25 January 2013. The footage shows a vehicle blocking the exit while four men emerge, one carrying a shotgun that appears to recoil. The prosecution argues Donohoe died from a single shotgun blast. Aaron Brady, aged 28, pleaded not guilty to the capital murder and to robbery of approximately €7,000 in cash and cheques at the same location. The evidence also includes testimony from credit union employees who counted the stolen money, totalling €27,375, and a dashcam view from a Mazda. The trial continues before Mr Justice Michael White with a jury of eight men and seven women.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Christopher Sherry, aged 22, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to a 17‑year‑old boy outside the Wright Venue in Swords on 17 March 2017. Sherry, together with another teenager and a third man, attacked the victim after he was denied re‑entry to the nightclub. The victim was kicked to the shoulder and chest by Sherry and repeatedly kicked in the head by the other teenager. The attackers then took the confused victim to a nearby McDonald's, claiming to help him. The boy suffered multiple jaw fractures, required surgery with two metal plates, and incurred about €8,000 in dental damage. The court heard CCTV footage of the pursuit and the assault. The teen attacker was dealt with through the Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme. Sherry has no prior convictions and will be sentenced on 20 March.
The High Court has scheduled judgment for 12 February on extradition proceedings against two Dublin men sought by Northern Irish authorities for alleged attempted murder of a police officer and explosives offences. Ciaran Maguire, aged 29, and Sean Paul Farrell, aged 32, face potential life sentences if convicted in Northern Ireland. Legal arguments arose concerning Brexit's implications for the European Arrest Warrant framework. Mr Justice Donald Binchy indicated the UK remained an EU member for extradition purposes pending formal withdrawal procedures. Defence counsel raised concerns about interviews conducted at Milford and Letterkenny garda stations, arguing Northern Ireland's adverse-inference rules presented constitutional difficulties. Northern Irish prosecutors confirmed they would not seek adverse inferences from the men's silence during questioning. The judge indicated this response appeared to address the defence submissions substantially, though reserved final determination pending the scheduled judgment delivery.
The trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, and Keith Johnston is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. Greene, 34, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Patricia O'Connor, 61, at her home in Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, on May 29, 2017. Louise O'Connor, 41, has pleaded not guilty to agreeing to or acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O'Connor, 22, disguising herself as the deceased to conceal her death. Stephanie O'Connor has pleaded not guilty to disguising herself as Mrs O'Connor. Keith Johnston, 43, has pleaded not guilty to assisting Greene in purchasing implements for the concealment of remains and to refurbishing a bathroom to destroy evidence. All defendants are charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Greene. Evidence presented includes testimony from Richard O'Connor, the deceased's son, who stated his sister Louise did not want to report their mother missing. He identified Stephanie O'Connor in CCTV footage closing the back door on the night of the alleged murder. The prosecution alleges Stephanie disguised herself as her grandmother to create a ruse that Mrs O'Connor had left the house. The court has heard that Mrs O'Connor's dismembered remains were found at nine locations in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains between June 10 and 14, 2017. The matter is currently at the trial stage, with no final verdict or sentence recorded.
In the trial of Aaron Brady, accused of the capital murder of Garda Adrian Donohoe, the jury was shown a photograph taken by Detective Garda Eoin Conway of Donohoe's gun still clipped into its holster while he lay on the ground after being shot. Conway also photographed the scene hours after the shooting, including a spent shotgun cartridge, a Samsung mobile phone, cigarette butts, drink cans, keys, and three cars in the car park. Brady, 28, pleaded not guilty to the murder and to a charge of robbing approximately €7,000 in cash and cheques at the same location. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Michael White with a jury of eight men and seven women. The case also involves forensic evidence from a burnt-out vehicle and statements from crime scene investigators regarding potential evidence collection. The proceedings remain ongoing.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a 26‑year‑old Dublin man pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He denied raping a woman in April 2018, claiming he was "freaked out" and that the act was consensual. The complainant, aged in her 20s, testified that she and friends had gone to the defendant's home after a night out, where she was allegedly raped while sleeping. She said she had been unconscious and that her eyes were closed during the assault. The defendant testified that he felt the woman's pelvis moving, that they had "lazy foreplay" for about 30 minutes, and that full penetration lasted only about five seconds before another man awoke. He claimed he believed the sex was mutual and that he had apologized because he was "freaked out".
The Central Criminal Court trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, and Keith Johnston continued with evidence regarding the alleged murder of Patricia O'Connor. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty to their respective charges, which include murder, impeding prosecution, and concealing remains. The jury heard the final interviews of Mr. Johnston, who denied assisting Mr. Greene in purchasing implements at Woodie's, Mr Price, B&Q, and Shoe Zone in Tallaght on June 9, 2017, for the concealment of Mrs. O'Connor's remains. Mr. Johnston also denied refurbishing a bathroom at Mountainview Park to destroy evidence. He rejected claims that he helped dig a shallow grave in Wexford or that he was "sucked in" to the crime, stating he did not "put two and two together" regarding the DIY purchases. Forensic scientist Nora Lee testified that a black bag containing Mrs. O'Connor's head likely came from a roll found at Mountainview Park. Professor Anthony Hooper described injuries to Mr. Greene's wrist, temple, and torso, which the accused attributed to blows from a hurley. The trial is ongoing, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, and Keith Johnston continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty to their respective charges. Mr Greene is accused of murdering Patricia O'Connor at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, on May 29, 2017. Mr Johnston, the deceased's ex-partner, faces charges of assisting Mr Greene in purchasing implements to conceal remains and refurbishing a bathroom to destroy evidence. Ms Louise O'Connor is charged with acquiescing in her daughter Stephanie O'Connor disguising herself as the deceased, while Stephanie O'Connor is accused of the disguise itself. The jury heard evidence that Mr Greene initially claimed sole responsibility for the dismemberment but later alleged Mr Johnston planned the act. Mr Johnston told gardai he was fixing a broken shower step and re-grouting tiles, stating, "I know it looks bad but that's just the way it is," while denying he was clearing a crime scene. He admitted purchasing items with Mr Greene but maintained he was helping the family. The prosecution contends the bathroom work was intended to conceal blood. The trial is ongoing, with no final verdict or sentence recorded.
The trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, and Stephanie O'Connor continues at the Central Criminal Court. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the murder of Patricia O'Connor at her home in Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, on May 29, 2017. Greene is accused of murdering Mrs O'Connor, while Louise and Stephanie O'Connor are charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Greene. Additionally, Stephanie O'Connor is accused of disguising herself as her grandmother to conceal the death, and Louise O'Connor is accused of acquiescing in this act. The jury heard transcripts of garda interviews with Stephanie O'Connor from September 2017. During these interviews, she denied killing or assisting in the killing of her nanny. When shown CCTV footage of a person leaving the property, she stated she could not remember if it was her, suggesting it might have been her grandmother. The prosecution contends that Stephanie O'Connor dressed as Mrs O'Connor as a ruse to pretend the deceased had left the house, despite evidence that Mrs O'Connor was already dead. The court also heard that the deceased's body was dismembered into 15 parts found across Dublin and Wicklow. The trial is ongoing.
In the capital murder trial of Adrian Donohoe, Judge Michael White instructed the jury to set aside emotion and sympathy while assessing the evidence. He described the case as complex and difficult, noting that the jury might feel strong feelings for the deceased. White reminded them of their oath to judge the facts based on evidence. The defendant, Aaron Brady, 28, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was on duty on 25 January 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, County Louth, and also to a charge of robbing about €7,000 in cash and cheques at the same time and place.
In a case heard at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Pauline Codd sentenced 49‑year‑old Jonathan Dargan to six years' imprisonment, with the final six months suspended, for the manslaughter of 56‑year‑old Patrick Mullally. The incident occurred on 6 March 2016 at Harold's Cross Road when Dargan, a Taekwondo instructor and former nightclub doorman, attacked Mullally and his friend Shane Cunningham after a drunken altercation. Dargan struck Mullally with a punch that shattered his jaw and caused a subdural haemorrhage; Mullally died the following day. Dargan denied unlawful killing and claimed self‑defence, but the court found his martial‑arts training and intoxication made the assault an aggravating factor. The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict on manslaughter and a majority verdict on assaulting Cunningham; the assault charge against Mullally's niece was withdrawn. Dargan's remorse and previous clean record were noted in mitigation.
Joseph O'Connor, a 58‑year‑old retired Garda from west Dublin, was convicted of possessing child pornography. He pleaded not guilty to five counts of possession of images and videos of children being sexually abused, which were found on his laptop in the "recycle bin" and included boys as young as ten and under 17. O'Connor denied ever seeing or downloading the material, claiming a man who had visited his home days before the laptop was seized had made false allegations and "corrupted" his computer. He was acquitted on one count but found guilty on the remaining four by a jury and sentenced to two years' imprisonment on 15 February 2019. He appealed the conviction, arguing the search was unlawful because it was based on an assault allegation that the Gardaí did not believe. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, affirming the conviction and the legality of the search and warrant.
The trial of Aaron Brady, 28, from Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Michael White. Brady has pleaded not guilty to the alleged capital murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe and the robbery of approximately €7,000 in cash and cheques at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth, on January 25, 2013. Prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC opened the case, alleging that a gang of four raiders targeted the Garda escort for a "base criminal motive" driven by money. He stated that one raider allegedly shot Det Gda Donohoe in the face with a shotgun, killing him instantly, while another threatened Det Gda Joe Ryan with a handgun. The prosecution contends the operation was highly organized, with the getaway car later found burnt out in South Armagh. Grehan argued that Brady was under financial pressure and allegedly lied about his whereabouts. Evidence will include CCTV, mobile phone data showing a "telecommunications blackout" during the incident, and conversations Brady allegedly had after moving to New York. The jury of 15 is hearing the prosecution's case, which relies on circumstantial evidence to link Brady to the crime. The trial continues.
Eoin McKinley, aged 22, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm after smashing a glass into Andris Slalina's face at Weatherspoon's, Westend Retail Park, on 30 May 2016. The incident followed Slalina's criticism of a group's loudness, which McKinley overheard. McKinley threw a glass that struck a fence and later struck Slalina's face, leaving a broken nose and a scar on his left eyebrow. Slalina suffered €1,000 in medical and lost‑wage costs. McKinley, who had no prior convictions and was 19 at the time, had paid €2,700 in compensation. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to 240 hours of community service within 12 months, replacing a two‑and‑a‑half‑year prison term. The court noted McKinley's intoxication and the alleged involvement of cocaine, though no drug charges were brought. The case was prosecuted by Diarmuid Collins BL and defended by Mark Lynam BL.
The trial of Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, Keith Johnston, and Kieran Greene is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty to charges including the murder of Patricia O'Connor on May 29, 2017, and impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Kieran Greene. The prosecution alleges that Stephanie O'Connor disguised herself as her grandmother to conceal the murder, while Louise O'Connor and Keith Johnston assisted in covering up the crime. Evidence presented includes CCTV footage showing a figure leaving the Mountainview Park residence with a suitcase, which the State contends was Stephanie O'Connor in disguise. Louise O'Connor denied to gardai that she left the house to obtain "permanent peace" and insisted her mother was alive when she returned. She also denied discussing the killing with family members. Stephanie O'Connor stated she was unaware of the incident until two weeks later when Greene confessed. The jury is currently hearing testimony regarding the interviews conducted with the accused in September 2017. No findings, sentences, or finalisations have been recorded at this procedural stage.
Three newly sworn jurors for Aaron Brady's capital murder trial have declared they cannot serve. Mr Justice Michael White instructed the jury of eight men and seven women to elect a foreman before the trial's opening. Brady, 28, from Crossmaglen, Armagh, pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was on duty on 25 January 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Louth, and also to a robbery charge of about €7,000 at the same place and time. The trial continues.
A 59-year-old Mayo man has been sentenced to three years imprisonment, with the final year suspended, following his guilty plea to sexually assaulting a woman with intellectual disabilities at the Central Criminal Court. The offence occurred at his home on 13 March 2015. The victim, who attended special needs school with the man's son, was found by medical assessment to lack capacity to consent due to her cognitive functioning. In her victim impact statement, the woman described significant distress and ongoing anxiety. Mr Justice Michael White identified the assault's serious nature and the victim's vulnerability as aggravating factors. The judge noted exceptional mitigating circumstances, including the man's lack of previous convictions, genuine remorse, and his role as a caring parent to his own son with special needs. The suspended portion of the sentence is conditional on the man's participation in the Better Lives programme.
A 26-year-old man from Castlebar, County Mayo has been sent forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with the murder of his mother. Celyn Eadon, of Derrycrieve, Islandeady, faces the charge relating to an incident on March 9, 2011. The trial is scheduled to commence on November 2, with the defence indicating proceedings are expected to conclude within a fortnight. Mr Justice Michael White approved the sending forward of the case following proceedings at court today.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, Jonathan Dargan, 49, was found guilty of manslaughter after he struck Patrick Mullally, 56, with a punch during an altercation on Harold's Cross Road on 6 March 2016. Mullally, who was celebrating his retirement from Guinness, was knocked to the ground, sustaining a shattered jaw and cheekbone that caused a subdural haemorrhage and brain trauma, leading to his death the following day. Dargan, a Taekwondo instructor and former nightclub doorman, claimed he acted in self‑defence after being surrounded by Mullally, Shane Cunningham and others. He denied unlawful killing and assault on Cunningham and on Mullally's niece. The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict on manslaughter and a majority verdict on assaulting Cunningham. The case was adjourned for sentencing. The trial highlighted the profound impact on Mullally's family, who described the death as "brutal" and expressed deep grief and anger.
Ben O'Reilly, a 21‑year‑old former youth rugby player, was convicted of assaulting Fernanda de Freitas, a transgender escort, at her home on 20 May 2017. The trial, held in December 2019 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, found him guilty of assault but acquitted him of robbery. Judge Elma Sheahan sentenced him to two years' imprisonment, fully suspended on the condition he pays €10,000 in compensation to Ms de Freitas within 12 months. The judge noted the seriousness of the offence, the loss of support from family and friends, his suspension from the rugby club, and his good character and youth as mitigating factors. O'Reilly had no prior convictions and had been enlisted in the UK army, where a custodial sentence would have led to discharge. The case involved a dispute over payment for escort services, an initial payment of €150, and a subsequent assault after the victim demanded the remainder of the agreed €500. Ben O'Reilly pleaded not guilty.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, and Keith Johnston continued with the jury hearing evidence regarding interviews conducted with Louise O'Connor. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty to their respective charges, which include the alleged murder of Patricia O'Connor on May 29, 2017, and impeding the investigation. In interviews played to the jury, Louise O'Connor stated she did not harm her mother and claimed Greene admitted to killing her. She also alleged her mother told her and her daughter they should have been aborted. Evidence presented included CCTV footage from a neighbor's camera showing movements at the Mountainview Park residence on the day of the alleged murder. Louise O'Connor identified herself in clips leaving for a park and returning from Tesco, and acknowledged a figure resembling her mother leaving the house. She disputed the significance of a person closing a rear door at 10:06 pm, stating she could not identify them. The court also heard that Greene initially confessed to dismembering the body but later claimed he was set up. The matter is currently at the sentencing stage, though no final verdict or sentence has been recorded in the provided facts.
A 15‑person jury was sworn in to hear the trial of Aaron Brady, charged with the capital murder of Garda Adrian Donohoe on 25 January 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co. Louth. Brady, 28, also faced a charge of robbing about €7,000 from Mr Pat Bellew at the same location and date. Mr Justice Michael White of the Central Criminal Court explained that the trial would be lengthy, expected to finish on 28 May, with a two‑week break at Easter and no sitting on St. Patrick's Day. He warned jurors against any difficulty in serving and urged them to remain impartial, avoiding social media or internet research. The jury would ultimately consist of 12 members, with 15 sworn in to allow for possible withdrawals. The trial was set to open the following day.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 26‑year‑old Dublin man pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. The complainant, aged in her 20s, testified that she and friends, including the accused, were drinking in a city centre bar. After the accused had previously asked her out and she declined, they returned to his home. She claimed she fell asleep in a room with him and later awoke to find him touching her buttocks and then raping her. She said she did not move or speak because she was "frozen" in shock. During cross‑examination, the defense asked why she did not pull away or say stop; she replied she felt she could not move. She later described how she squeezed the accused's throat to stop him. The accused told Gardaí that the activity was consensual, a claim the witness denied.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 56‑year‑old man was convicted of 55 counts of sexual assault against his daughter, who first disclosed the abuse at age nine. She was beaten and isolated in a bedroom for several days, denied access to the bathroom, and later forced by her father to withdraw her allegations. The abuse, which continued until she was 15, involved repeated touching of her breasts and genital area and forced sexual contact. She reported that her father called her a liar and punished her by isolation. The court heard her victim impact statement, describing the lasting psychological harm and her decision to speak out. Judge Karen O'Connor praised her courage and adjourned sentencing to February 10. The case highlighted the father's denial of charges and his subsequent registration as a sex offender.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, and Keith Johnston continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the alleged murder of Patricia O'Connor (61) at her home in Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, on May 29, 2017. Mr Greene is charged with murdering Mrs O'Connor, while the other three are accused of impeding her apprehension or prosecution, including disguising themselves as the deceased and assisting in the purchase of tools to conceal her remains. Evidence presented includes testimony from neighbour Sam Lin, who described the family as good neighbours and stated he saw nothing unusual on the night of the alleged incident. Gardaí testified that CCTV footage from local stores in Tallaght showed Mr Greene and Mr Johnston purchasing items such as hacksaws, axes, and wellington boots on June 9, 2017. The court heard that Mrs O'Connor's body was dismembered into 15 parts and scattered across nine locations in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. The trial is ongoing and was not adjourned or finalised during this reporting period.
In a Central Criminal Court case, Mark Tims (48) was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter after he killed his father, Anthony 'Tony' Tims (74), on the latter's birthday. The jury, after six hours and 17 minutes, accepted Tims' plea of guilty to manslaughter and not guilty to murder. The incident occurred at Rowlagh Green, Clondalkin, when Tims, provoked by his father's harsh remarks and a heated argument, struck him with a cup and then kicked him three times, causing fatal injuries. Tims was taken to Midlands Prison pending a sentencing hearing on 24 February. Justice Tony Hunt thanked the jurors and exempted them from further service for 12 years, describing the case as tragic for all involved. The trial highlighted the tense relationship between father and son, with Tims' girlfriend Elizabeth McDonagh testifying about their frequent disputes and the father's controlling behaviour.
Mr Justice Donald Binchy indicated he will order the extradition of Eamon Harrison, a 23-year-old from Mayobridge, Co Down, to the UK to face 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration, and conspiracy to commit human trafficking. These charges relate to the discovery of 39 dead Vietnamese nationals in a lorry trailer in Essex. The judge stated that submissions from both Harrison's legal team and the Department of Justice did not preclude surrender, noting the circumstances meet legal requirements. Although the judge signaled his decision, he deferred making the formal order until Tuesday, February 4th, 2020, at 10am, adjourning the matter to that date. Harrison's counsel requested the delay to allow time to consider an appeal, noting Harrison is already in custody. The Minister for Justice's counsel urged finalisation as soon as possible. It is alleged that Harrison transported the refrigerated trailer, which was later collected in Essex by Maurice Robinson, a 25-year-old from Craigavon, Co Armagh, who was arrested at the scene. Harrison, a dual Irish-British citizen, was arrested in Ireland under a European Arrest Warrant. While the prosecution alleged Harrison was integrally involved in trafficking, his defense argued there were critical missing facts regarding who placed the victims in the trailer.
The jury has begun deliberating in the trial of a 59‑year‑old man accused of sexually assaulting a four‑year‑old girl who was being mind‑ed by his wife in their family home. He pleaded not guilty to two charges of sexual assault for incidents between 27 July 2016 and 11 July 2017. The trial will continue tomorrow as the jury recommences deliberations.
The Court of Appeal ruled that an unlawful gag order preventing the media from naming a convicted sex offender remains in force. Mr Justice Brian Murray, in a lengthy judgment, rejected an appeal by several media firms against the order that barred identification of a 16‑year‑old who admitted sexual assault and attempted defilement of a 14‑year‑old girl in 2010. The offender and two co‑accused first appeared in the Children's Court in 2011 under reporting restrictions. In 2014, at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the offender pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, a sentence fully suspended by Judge Mary Ellen Ring. The court noted that the victim had waived anonymity, but the gag order persisted. The High Court later found the July and October 2014 restrictions lawful but ruled there was no lawful basis for Judge Ring to continue them after 31 October 2014.
The jury in the Central Criminal Court trial of Mark Tims, aged 48, will return to continue deliberations after three days. Tims admits killing but denies murder of his father, Anthony 'Tony' Tims, at their home in Rowlagh Green, Clondalkin, on 13 July 2018. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and not guilty to murder; the State rejected the plea. The jury, composed of seven women and five men, has spent nearly five hours over two days considering the verdict. Judge Tony Hunt explained that provocation can reduce a murder charge to manslaughter if the accused experiences a sudden, temporary loss of control caused by the deceased's words or actions. He noted that a person who intended to kill or cause serious injury can be convicted of manslaughter if provocation is reasonably possible.
The Central Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, and Keith Johnston, all of whom pleaded not guilty to charges related to the murder of Patricia O'Connor (61) at her home in Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, on May 29, 2017. Greene is accused of murdering Mrs. O'Connor, while the other three are charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Greene. The jury heard a December 2017 interview in which Greene alleged he was "set-up" and "took the rap" for the killing. He claimed Gus O'Connor struck his wife with a crowbar and instructed him to assume responsibility. Greene stated Louise O'Connor told him to "get rid" of the body, and Keith Johnston "made a plan" to dismember the remains in Wexford and scatter them in the Wicklow mountains. Greene alleged Stephanie O'Connor disguised herself as her grandmother to conceal the death. The court noted that Mrs. O'Connor's body was found in 15 parts across nine locations. The matter is currently at trial stage, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Kieran Greene, 34, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Patricia O'Connor, 61, at her Rathfarnham home on May 29, 2017, heard forensic evidence regarding the dismemberment of the deceased. Former Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that Mrs O'Connor's body was cut into 15 parts, likely using a power tool, with her wrists and hands possibly removed by a hand-held saw. He stated the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, noting three full-thickness lacerations and bruising consistent with pre-death injury. The remains were discovered at nine locations in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains between June 10 and 14, 2017. Greene is also charged with impeding justice. Co-accused Louise O'Connor, 41, Stephanie O'Connor, 22, and Keith Johnston, 43, have all pleaded not guilty to charges including impeding the apprehension of Greene, disguising themselves as the deceased to conceal her death, and assisting in the purchase of implements for concealment. Johnston additionally denies refurbishing a bathroom to destroy evidence. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a 59‑year‑old man faced two charges of sexually assaulting a four‑year‑old girl between July 2016 and July 2017. The child had been cared for by the accused's wife and daughter since age one, and the accused's family had maintained a friendly relationship with the child's mother for years. Prosecutor Pauline Walley urged the jury that the case was not a "beauty contest" and that they should not base their decision on the accused's appearance. She highlighted that the child's statements about being assaulted were consistent with other evidence, including DNA found in the child's underwear, which the accused claimed was due to the child's hand in his mouth. A forensic scientist testified that saliva on the inside gusset would be unlikely in that scenario. Walley argued that a "cold, clinical" assessment would lead to a conviction for sexual assault involving rubbing and licking the child's vagina. The unnamed 59-year-old pleaded not guilty.