Firemen searching for a fire at Passion Tanning & Beauty in Tallaght discovered a concealed cannabis grow‑house behind a false partition in a beautician's wardrobe. The grow‑house contained 39 mature cannabis plants valued at €31,200 and several smaller plants destroyed by the fire. Elwira Syfert, 40, pleaded guilty to cultivation of cannabis at the premises on 22 January 2017. In an interview she said a man had offered her €400 a month to use the concealed space, initially unaware of its purpose, and later threatened her with violence if she reported the activity. She claimed the man demanded she water and feed the plants. Defence counsel argued she had only performed watering duties. The court found Syfert under pressure and sentenced her to three years' imprisonment, suspended in full on strict conditions.
Freddie Thompson, a 39‑year‑old Dublin man serving a life sentence for the 2016 murder of David Douglas, withdrew his High Court challenge against the prison authorities over what he described as an "extremely oppressive" regime in Portlaoise Prison's A4 wing, known as the punishment block. The withdrawal followed his transfer from the isolation block to the mainstream prison population. Thompson had argued that the regime violated his human rights, limiting his contact with other prisoners, denying regular exercise, fresh air and education, and causing mental health problems. He had sought orders to end his isolation and improve access to facilities. The court, after hearing the case, accepted that the transfer had occurred within 24 hours and allowed the action to be struck out. The State was asked to recommend legal aid for counsel, a request the court approved.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Mamour Lowe Nicolas, 35, born and raised in Gambia, and his co‑accused Michail Angelopoulos, 27, and Kosmas Ompante, 31, all homeless, were found guilty of assault and robbery after a violent mugging that left a victim unconscious with a fractured skull. The trio followed the victim after a night out, stole his phone, wallet, prayer book and keys, and then attacked him. Nicolas kicked the victim eight times in the face, while Angelopoulos and Ompante also struck and dragged him to the ground. The victim suffered a skull fracture, a deep cut to the left front of his face and a cut on his ear. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed concurrent four‑year sentences on each defendant, back‑dated to May to account for time already spent in custody. The court noted the serious harm caused and the defendants' guilty pleas.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Mr Justice Paul McDermott sentenced Boy B, then 13, to 15 years' detention for luring 14‑year‑old Anastasia Kriegel to an abandoned farmhouse where she was sexually and violently assaulted and murdered by his friend. The judge noted Boy B watched the assault, did not intervene or seek help, and was aware of the events, yet remained indifferent. He had fabricated lies about the incident, which the judge described as "clear and brazen." Boy B has not accepted the jury's verdict and maintains he had no part in the crime. Defence counsel highlighted his low risk of re‑offending, personal difficulties, and suicidal tendencies, while also noting his remorse for not intervening. The sentence includes a review after eight years. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further outcome reported. The unnamed boy was convicted.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 5 November 2019, Mr Justice Paul McDermott sentenced a 15‑year‑old boy, referred to only as Boy A, to life imprisonment for the violent sexual assault and murder of 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel. The sentence will be reviewed after 12 years. The judge described the crime as the most serious, disturbing and shocking type, citing the extreme violence used, including a headlock, choke hold, kicking, striking with a stick and a block. Boy A had previously denied the sexual assault and offered an alternative explanation for forensic evidence. The prosecution presented CCTV footage, DNA evidence linking Boy A to Ana's body and scene, and circumstantial evidence of injuries he claimed were from a random assault. Ana was found dead in an abandoned house in Lucan on 14 May 2018, with blunt‑force injuries to the head and neck. The unnamed accused was convicted.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Liam Brannigan, 37, charged with conspiracy to murder Gary Hanley, pleaded not guilty. His defence, led by Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC, sought exclusion of several mobile phones seized during his arrest and subsequent searches. The phones included two found in Brannigan's pockets, one on a table in the apartment complex's car park, and an 085 phone discovered in the undergrowth behind St Nicholas of Myra Church on Francis Street. The defence argued that the 085 phone was "hugely significant" but that the time lapse between Brannigan's arrest on 6 November 2017 and the phone's discovery on 8 November 2017, as well as the lack of preservation of the scene, undermined its admissibility. They also challenged the legality of the search of Brannigan's home, the manner of his arrest by the Armed Support Unit, and the use of force, citing no statutory basis was provided and that the search breached constitutional rights.
In a High Court case filed on 4 November 2019, a mother sued the Health Service Executive (HSE) to secure a Home Support package for her 9‑year‑old daughter, who is non‑verbal, has severe intellectual disability, violent behaviour and is not toilet trained. The daughter's counsel, Fecihin McDonagh SC, argued that the HSE had received an application in May 2018 but had not yet made a determination. The counsel noted that the local not‑for‑profit foundation that usually provides such packages lacks the authority and resources to approve them for this family. The mother claimed the HSE had not informed the family that the daughter was ineligible, and that the delay had caused significant stress and hardship as the child's condition worsened. The mother seeks an order directing the HSE to consider and determine the application and also seeks damages.
Paul Wells Junior (33) is on trial at the Central Criminal Court, accused of impeding the investigation into the murder of Kenneth O'Brien. The prosecution alleges that Wells Junior disposed of a chainsaw motor and blade in Co Kildare between January 19 and 20, 2016, knowing his father, Paul Wells Senior, had committed the crime. Wells Junior has pleaded not guilty to these charges. The trial follows the sentencing of Paul Wells Senior (51), who was jailed for life last year after being found guilty of murdering O'Brien at his home in Finglas on January 15 or 16, 2016. Prosecuting counsel Michael Bowman SC outlined that O'Brien died from a close-range gunshot and was subsequently dismembered with the chainsaw, which was later dumped in the Grand Canal and the Curragh. The prosecution contends that Wells Junior acted with knowledge of the offense, despite enduring a 'life of hardship' under his father. The case is before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury of twelve, with proceedings expected to last up to three weeks.
Keith Brady, 32, of Cartron Estate, Sligo, is facing trial for the alleged murder of Martin 'Matt' Kivlehan. The incident is alleged to have occurred between August 2 and August 3, 2015, at New Apartments on Holborn Street, Sligo. At the procedural stage, Mr. Brady pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder but entered a plea of guilty to the alternative charge of manslaughter. The Director of Public Prosecutions rejected the manslaughter plea, meaning the accused will proceed to trial on the murder charge. The matter was not adjourned; instead, a jury of eight men and four women was sworn in to hear the case before Mr. Justice Alex Owens. The trial is expected to last approximately two weeks. As the plea to manslaughter was not accepted, no sentence, suspended portion, or effective custody period has been determined at this stage. The allegations remain contested, and no finding of guilt has been established. The report confirms the rejection of the alternative plea and the commencement of the trial process, with no final disposal or conditions imposed prior to the jury's deliberation.
A 17‑year‑old boy was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment for attempting to murder Stephanie Ng, a 25‑year‑old woman he met on the Whisper dating app. The boy lured Ng to an isolated spot at Sea Front, Queen's Road, Dun Laoghaire, where he strangled her until she was unconscious and then slashed her neck with a knife, leaving her for dead. Mr Justice Michael White described the attack as pre‑meditated and cold‑calculated, noting that the boy's contact with Ng on social media was intended to cause harm. The victim, who described herself as a gentle person, suffered nightmares, flash‑backs and a loss of trust. The judge cited the boy's early guilty plea, good character, lack of prior convictions, immaturity, and mental illness as mitigating factors, and noted a review of the sentence would begin on 1 January 2023. The boy was first taken into custody on 26 December 2017.
A High Court judge warned activist Ben Gilroy that he could face imprisonment if he attempts to arrest employees or agents of Start Mortgages DAC. Justice Leonie Reynolds told Gilroy that such actions could lead to charges of assault and false imprisonment, and that he had been ordered not to arrest, restrain or assault any of Start's officers, agents, lawyers or employees. The judge also cautioned that Gilroy's videos, which he posted on social media and claimed to give legal advice, could mislead viewers. Gilroy, who represented himself, said he intended to appeal the ruling and that he believed he had the right to arrest those he thought had committed fraud. He also objected to the removal of his posts, citing freedom of speech. The court reiterated that any attempt to arrest people associated with Start could result in criminal charges and that Gilroy should report alleged fraud to the Gardaí, not act on his own.
Shane Farrelly, aged 20, was convicted of public disorder and two counts of damaging property during a riot at Oberstown Children Detention Campus on 29 August 2016, when staff were on strike. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three-and-a-half years, with the final 18 months suspended. Farrelly was part of a group of teenagers who caused €3 million in damage to the detention centre, including smashing televisions and windows, and also contributed to an additional €500 000 in damage to other units. He had 21 prior convictions, including assault, criminal damage and threats to kill. Three co‑accused who pleaded guilty to arson received five‑year sentences, with the last two years suspended. The court noted that Farrelly did not set fire to the building but participated in violent disorder that caused the damage. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The article does not mention any further proceedings.
A 35-year-old man from Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan has been sentenced to six years imprisonment following his conviction for serious offences against his former partner. Derek Fay pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm and false imprisonment at a hotel in Parkwest, Dublin on 16 and 17 November 2015. The court heard that Fay trapped the woman in a hotel room overnight, during which he made violent threats, destroyed her mobile telephone and punched her repeatedly in the face, causing a serious injury to her nose. The woman remained awake throughout most of the night in fear for her safety. Fay subsequently left the jurisdiction and was returned to Ireland on foot of a European Arrest Warrant. Judge Martin Nolan imposed the custodial sentence, describing the accused's conduct as prolonged and vicious. The sentence was backdated to January 2018, when Fay first entered custody in connection with the matter.
A 29-year-old man accused of rape has made no comment when questioned about forensic evidence linking him to the alleged offence, the Central Criminal Court has heard. The defendant, a non-national residing in Donegal, is charged alongside a 33-year-old co-accused with two counts of rape of a woman in February 2015. Both men have pleaded not guilty. Forensic evidence presented during trial indicated that semen found on the complainant's underwear and inside a condom retrieved from the flat where the alleged assault occurred matched the defendant's DNA profile. When gardaí informed the accused of these findings and afforded him an opportunity to respond, he declined to comment. The prosecution concluded its case on Friday. The defence indicated it will not call witnesses. Closing arguments are scheduled for Monday, with jury deliberations expected to commence Tuesday following the judge's charge.
In a drunken altercation over a PlayStation game, 36‑year‑old Jonathan Dwane stabbed his friend John Paul Bradley in the back three times, lacerating Bradley's kidney. The incident occurred after the pair, both long‑time drug addicts, had been drinking and playing games in Dwane's bedroom. Dwane, who kept a knife for protection, was arrested and pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and producing a knife. He was sentenced to 40 months' imprisonment by Judge Martin Nolan, who described the act as a gross over‑reaction. Bradley was taken to hospital and underwent surgery; he made a full recovery and declined to give a victim impact statement. Dwane's father intervened and disarmed him during the struggle. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 1 November 2019.
Two Dublin men wanted in Northern Ireland for the alleged attempted murder of a Police Service of Northern Ireland officer have failed in their latest legal challenge. Ciaran Maguire, aged 29, and Sean Paul Farrell, aged 32, face charges of attempted murder and possession of explosive substances with intent to endanger life, offences that carry potential life sentences if proven. The Court of Appeal dismissed their judicial review application on Friday. The men were arrested in County Donegal in June 2015 following the discovery of an improvised explosive device beneath a PSNI officer's vehicle in County Derry. They sought disclosure of custody records and samples taken during their detention at Letterkenny Garda Station. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy ruled their arguments speculative and found no explicit obligation on gardaí to provide the material before extradition proceedings. The Minister for Justice indicated an application would be made for an extradition hearing date in mid-November.
A Northern Irish man, Eamon Harrison, 22, was arrested under a European Arrest Warrant and appeared before Mr Justice Donald Binchy in the High Court. He faces 41 offences, including 39 counts of manslaughter, conspiracy to commit human trafficking under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, and conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration under the Immigration Act 1971. The charges relate to a trailer that carried 39 migrants who were found dead in the UK. Harrison is alleged to have delivered the trailer to Zeebrugge, Belgium, before it was transported to the UK, where it was collected by Maurice Robinson. He is currently remanded in custody over a domestic matter and may be granted bail. The case will be mentioned again on 11 November, with a hearing set for 21 November.
Brendan Clifford, 34, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexual exploitation of a child and sexual assault of another child at Tallaght Hospital in 2015. The victims, siblings aged nine and ten, were brought to the hospital by Clifford, who posed as a talent agent named David White. He administered cream to the children's legs, bum and penis, and requested removal of their underwear during treatment. The mother, suspicious after receiving an email from a purported agent, discovered the deception. Clifford had no prior convictions and is married with three children. He was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended on strict conditions, including probation supervision for 18 months after release. The judge described his conduct as "very devious" and "perverse.".
The Special Criminal Court trial of Laurence Murphy and Ray Kennedy, both accused of IRA membership on March 6, 2013, continued with the court listening to a secret audio recording from a KFC in Charlestown. Both men pleaded not guilty to the membership charge; Mr. Kennedy also faces a charge of perverting the course of justice by destroying a SIM card. The prosecution alleges the men attended a "debrief" meeting the day after the murder of Peter Butterly. The court heard that gardai surveillance identified Kevin Braney, Frank Murphy, and Laurence Murphy at the outlet. Kevin Braney was previously sentenced to life imprisonment for the premeditated murder of Mr. Butterly, a finding he had denied. Frank Murphy, a brother of the accused, was jailed for three years, with the final year suspended, after pleading guilty to impeding the prosecution of State witness David Cullen. Other individuals, including Edward McGrath, Sharif Kelly, and Dean Evans, received life sentences for the murder. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns, Judge Sarah Berkeley, and Judge Michael Walsh, was adjourned and resumes next Wednesday.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Detective Garda Val Russell explained that after Liam Brannigan (37) was arrested on 6 November 2017 at Hanover Court, he was taken to Mater Hospital for medical treatment. Brannigan, charged with conspiracy to murder Gary Hanley between 15 September and 6 November 2017, pleaded not guilty. Garda John Altendor testified that a blue Nokia phone was found at Brannigan's Bride Street apartment. Detective Garda Peter O'Brien described the apprehension, noting that Brannigan may have had access to firearms and that the arrest involved a safe search. Cross‑examination of Garda officers raised questions about the use of force, with some officers stating that any force used was necessary and not excessive, while the court heard CCTV footage and statements from the officers involved. The trial continues.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of Liam Brannigan (37), of Bride Street, Dublin 8, who is charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between September 15th and November 6th, 2017. Mr Brannigan has pleaded not guilty. Defence counsel suggested to Sergeant David J Campbell of the Armed Support Unit that unnecessary force was used during Mr Brannigan's arrest at Hanover Court, Dublin 8, on November 6th, 2017. The sergeant acknowledged CCTV footage showed officers on top of the accused after he had raised his hands and dropped to all fours, though he stated they were effecting an arrest. Detective Garda Val Russell testified that he arrested Mr Brannigan after hearing a thud and shouting commands, noting the accused fully cooperated. The court previously heard that Luke Wilson (24) and Joseph Kelly (35) were arrested nearby in possession of a 9mm Beretta pistol, silencer, and ammunition. Mr Wilson and Mr Kelly have pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Mr Hanley. Luke Wilson, who also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a Beretta handgun with intent to endanger life, was jailed for 11 years. Alan Wilson (39), who pleaded guilty to conspiring to murder Mr Hanley, was jailed for six years. Joseph Kelly, who also admitted a weapons charge, was jailed for a total of 12 years.
A man who shoved and pushed a 67-year-old woman around her home while demanding money has been sentenced to six years in total for this incident, an earlier robbery, and for breaking into 13 cars. Lee Byrne (21) of Termon Court, Poppintree, Ballymun Dublin pleaded guilty to burglary and theft, assault causing harm and false imprisonment of the woman at her home in Drumcondra on October 9, 2018. He also pleaded guilty to criminal damage of various vehicles on St Margaret's Road in Finglas on April 1, 2018, and to attempted robbery at Spar on Upper O'Connell Street on September 9, 2018. Byrne had 51 previous convictions, 24 of which were committed as a child. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced Byrne to an 18-month term in June this year for the criminal damage charges, which was backdated to when he was first remanded in custody, resulting in a release date in December this year. Today, Judge Greally sentenced Byrne to an additional four and a half years, which is to run consecutive to the 18-month term. She suspended the final 12 months of this sentence, taking into account Byrne's youth, extreme addiction, and genuine remorse. The burglary of the woman's home was deemed the more serious offence due to the violation of her home and the violence inflicted upon her. The matter was adjourned for the purpose of this summary.
A former Irish footballer, Eric Donnelly, aged 21, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for a prolonged knife assault on Ronan Collins. The incident occurred on 15 August 2018 after Donnelly, who had been drinking for up to five days following a breakup, met Collins at the latter's apartment in Stillorgan. Donnelly became aggressive, seized a dinner knife, and held it to Collins' throat while repeatedly punching him, breaking his nose. Collins fled, tripping and dislocating his knee, and was pursued by Donnelly who continued to punch him in front of a witness. Both suffered severe hand lacerations. Gardaí identified Donnelly via CCTV and his Instagram. Judge Martin Nolan, noting the prolonged nature of the assault, imposed the custodial sentence. Collins suffered lasting injuries requiring surgery and physiotherapy. Donnelly, who had no prior convictions, expressed remorse and acknowledged the truth of Collins' account. Eric Donnelly pleaded guilty.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Mr Justice Paul Coffey, Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Judge James Faughnan ruled that CCTV footage and covert audio recordings from six cars, collected during a Kinahan cartel investigation, may be admitted as evidence in the conspiracy to murder trial of Liam Brannigan, 37, who is charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between 15 September and 6 November 2017. Brannigan pleaded not guilty. The State, represented by Seán Gillane SC, intends to use the material to show Brannigan was fully aware of the plot. Brannigan's counsel, Giollaiosa O Lideadha SC, had sought exclusion on grounds of unlawful procurement and privacy breaches, but the court found the evidence relevant and probative, and that the recordings were lawfully made and unaltered. The court also heard from Detective Superintendent William Johnson about the deployment of listening devices and the integrity of the chain of evidence.
John McDonagh, aged 29, was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in a street assault that left a man, Saurjan Syergaz, with a severe stomach slash wound. McDonagh, who lives in Ballymun, admitted to kicking and punching Syergaz during a confrontation with Syergaz's partner, Donna Dineen, who later inflicted the slash and stole the victim's wallet. Dineen had already been jailed for four years in November for her part in the attack. McDonagh's sentence, imposed by Judge Melanie Greally, reflected his extensive criminal history of 86 prior convictions and the aggravating circumstances of the incident. The judge acknowledged that McDonagh did not participate in the stabbing but noted the "extremely nasty" nature of his assault. The final 12 months of the four‑year term were suspended on conditions. The victim, who has since returned to Mongolia, was not given a victim impact statement. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. John McDonagh pleaded guilty. Donna Dineen pleaded guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the mother of 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel described her daughter as an "ephemeral angel" and said her family was devastated by her murder. The court heard that the defendant known as Boy A admitted he caused Ana's death but denied sexually assaulting her, while Boy B rejected the unanimous jury verdict that found him guilty of murder. Boy A was also convicted of aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence. The court noted that Boy A's semen was found on Ana's top and that forensic evidence showed she had been sexually assaulted, her clothes torn, and her blood on the walls of the derelict building where she was found. Both boys were 13 at the time of the crime and are now 15, having been convicted by unanimous jury verdicts earlier this year. The judge will sentence them on November 5.
During a sentence hearing, Boy A, now 15, admitted choking Ana Kriegel, striking her with a stick and a concrete block, but denied sexually assaulting her. Detective Inspector Mark O'Neill informed Brendan Grehan SC that psychiatric and psychological reports led Boy A to accept responsibility for Ana's death. He described actions such as a headlock, choke hold, kicking, and hitting her with a stick and a block, which he either threw or struck off her head on three occasions. Boy A maintains he did not sexually assault Ana and offered an alternative explanation for forensic evidence. Inspector O'Neill noted that semen was found on Ana's top and that the boys had planned the murder. The hearing continues at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. The two 13‑year‑old boys were convicted by unanimous jury verdicts earlier this year for Ana's murder and, for Boy A, her aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Sandra Moore, aged 54 and a resident of Bru Hostel on Thomas Street, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on 27 June 2017. The assault involved Moore grabbing the victim's throat, shaking her, and pushing her to the ground while taking a radio. The victim received medical assistance and was later hospitalized; she subsequently died of liver failure, a death the court found unrelated to the assault. Moore was sentenced to a suspended two‑year prison term by Ms Justice Patricia Ryan, who imposed the suspension on the condition that Moore keep the peace and engage with Probation Services. Moore thanked the judge, stated she had stopped drinking, and was supported by her sister in court. The victim's mother forgave Moore and expressed prayers for her. Moore's defence cited a bipolar disorder diagnosis and conveyed regrets to the victim's family.
A 68‑year‑old Polish man, previously convicted of rape in Poland and serving a three‑year sentence for a threat to kill in Ireland, was found guilty by a jury on two counts of rape and four counts of oral rape committed between 2012 and 2016. The victim, a non‑national cleaner who lived with the accused in Galway, was raped while she worked for him and became pregnant. She described the abuse as controlling and violent, noting that the accused demanded sex and forced her to perform oral sex on four occasions. The accused has medical problems and does not speak English; his defence argued that a full tariff would mean life imprisonment. The court adjourned sentencing to 30 October, and the victim's impact statement was read into the record. The accused does not accept the verdict.
In a sentencing hearing for two 15‑year‑old boys convicted of murdering Anastasia Kriegel, Mr Justice Paul McDermott limited the number of journalists to five. He said the restriction was to protect the boys' rights, physical and mental well‑being, and dignity, citing the United Nations Convention on Human Rights and the need to reduce the "considerable toll" the case has taken on the children and their families. The court will be televised in a separate room where any number of journalists may watch, but the judge rejected an application by RTE and newspapers to increase the number of reporters in the courtroom. The boys, known as Boy A and Boy B, were 13 when the murder occurred in May 2018 and were convicted by unanimous jury verdicts earlier this year. The judge also ordered the media to pay the costs of the boys' legal teams for the hearing.
The Central Criminal Court will hold a sentence hearing for the two 15‑year‑old boys, known as Boy A and Boy B, who were convicted of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel in an abandoned house on Clonee Road, Lucan, on 14 May 2018. The hearing, scheduled for next Tuesday, will include a summary of evidence presented by a Garda detective inspector and a statement from Ana's parents. Mr Justice Paul McDermott received psychological and psychiatric reports on the boys. Boy A was also convicted of Ana's aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence.
Murad Khandokar, 47, was sentenced to three years in prison for sexually assaulting a 26‑year‑old woman on a Dublin bus on 30 April 2016. During the 15‑20 minute journey he attempted to pry the woman's legs apart and tried to penetrate her with his fingers, while also touching her thighs and attempting to use a baseball cap to conceal his hand. The victim, who was wearing leggings, resisted and froze, describing the experience as being "hemmed in" and terrified. Khandokar had previously been convicted of sexual assault, harassment and breach of a barring order. He pleaded guilty, and Judge Martin Nolan imposed a four‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspending the final 18 months on conditions including probation supervision after release. The case was brought by Garda Louise Carroll, who noted the victim's complaint and CCTV evidence that identified Khandokar. The victim's impact statement highlighted her frustration, anger, shame and desire for consequences.
Michael Malone, aged 50, was convicted of indecent assault and sexual assault of two boys in Wexford between 1989 and 1992. He pleaded guilty to sample counts of sexual assault of each child. The court noted the systematic nature of the abuse, the grooming of the boys, and the breach of trust. Malone's guilty plea, remorse, and the fact that he was a young man at the time were considered mitigating factors. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment on each of the two sample counts, with one year suspended from each sentence. The suspended years are conditional on Malone remaining under Probation Service supervision for two years after release. All sentences run consecutively, giving an operating sentence of eight years imprisonment, with the final four years suspended. The court praised the courage of the two complainants and highlighted the serious impact on the victims. The case also referenced Malone's earlier convictions for indecent assault in the 1980s.
David O'Brien, a former scout leader, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to eight counts of indecent assault relating to four boys between January 1, 1972, and December 31, 1981. The court heard that O'Brien admitted to gardaí in 1997 that he was "molesting" young boys in the scouts, yet a direction was made not to prosecute. He was previously jailed for four-and-a-half years in October 2015 for sexually abusing six young boys on camping trips in the late 1970s and 80s. Prosecution evidence detailed allegations of fondling and non-penetrative abuse during scouting trips in Wicklow and Meath. Victim impact statements described lasting psychological and physical effects, including trust issues and stress-related health problems. Defense counsel noted that O'Brien accepted he committed grave wrongs and apologized for his behavior. Judge Karen O'Connor remanded O'Brien in custody and adjourned the matter for sentencing on November 7.
Paul Flaherty, 32, was convicted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court for sexually assaulting a woman he met on Tinder at his home in Tallaght on 31 August 2015. The victim had made it clear she was not interested in sexual contact, yet Flaherty forced her to remove her trousers, threatened to kill her and allegedly strangled and touched her genitals. He denied the charges, claiming the encounter was consensual role‑play and that the victim had initiated contact. The trial judge, Mr Justice Michael White, sentenced him to five years imprisonment, describing his behaviour as "disgusting". The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction but reduced the sentence to two‑and‑a‑half years imprisonment, noting the offence could not be described as a minor sexual assault. No prior sexual convictions were recorded for Flaherty. The appeal decision was made by Mr Justice George Birmingham, joined by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy.
In a conspiracy‑to‑murder trial, a defence barrister argued that secret recordings from listening devices placed on cars by Gardaí investigating the Kinahan cartel should be excluded because the evidence lacks a "missing link." The accused, Liam Brannigan, 37, is charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between 15 September and 6 November 2017 and has pleaded not guilty. The court had heard from Detective Superintendent William Johnson about the deployment of devices on a Seat car on 31 August 2017 for 12 hours and a white Volkswagen caddy van on 13 September 2017 for just under 14 hours, approvals made under Section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009. The defence contended that no notes were taken of the phone calls that authorised the bugging, and that the officers had no evidence of the required state of mind.
Aaron Brady, 27, of New Road, Crossmaglen, faces trial for the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was killed while on duty at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth, on 25 January 2013. The Central Criminal Court scheduled his trial for 11 November 2019, after pre‑trial hearings delayed the start. Mr Justice Michael White informed Brady that the date is subject to further applications by prosecution or defence. A 15‑person jury will be sworn for the trial, which is expected to continue into January 2020.
In the Special Criminal Court, the State's counsel argued that Gardaí must seize CCTV footage when investigating crime, citing a Supreme Court ruling that imposes a positive obligation on police to collect such evidence. The case concerns 37‑year‑old Liam Brannigan, charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between 15 September and 6 November 2017. Brannigan pleaded not guilty. The prosecution presented that Gardaí gathered 3,500 hours of CCTV from Dublin businesses and installed hidden listening devices in cars. Brannigan's lawyers sought to exclude the footage, claiming it breached his privacy rights and that Gardaí had unlawfully used the city's CCTV infrastructure. The State countered that no evidence showed a privacy breach and that the footage was real, probative evidence. The court was instructed to consider the footage as admissible evidence under the law. The trial proceeded under Mr Justice Paul Coffey, with Judges Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and James Faughnan presiding.
Brendan McSherry, a 27-year-old electrician from Artane, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for an assault causing harm. He pleaded guilty to the charge of assaulting Caoimhin McCarthy on Coast Road, Portmarnock, on October 8, 2017. Prosecution evidence stated that the 18-year-old victim was outside getting air when McSherry punched him to the side of the head, causing him to fall onto the road. The victim suffered bleeding to the ear, facial numbness, and ongoing psychological effects, including nightmares. Judge Martin Nolan described the incident as a cowardly and unprovoked attack on a blameless young man. Although the judge noted his instinct was to imprison McSherry, he considered the defendant's lack of previous convictions and low risk of re-offending. Judge Nolan concluded that McSherry did not deserve a custodial sentence. He suspended a three-year prison term on the condition that McSherry pays €12,500 to the victim. The judge characterized this financial penalty as a form of punishment. Defense counsel stated that McSherry was ashamed and regretful of his actions. The matter was finalized with this suspended sentence and payment condition.
Stephen Gregan, 38, pleaded guilty to sexual assault of an 11‑year‑old in a Penneys shop in Dundrum Town Centre on 10 June 2017. Garda Jennifer Quinn reported that the child was with friends when Gregan pushed up against her and squeezed her behind, an act the child described as deliberate. Gregan initially claimed it was accidental but later admitted intent. He has no prior convictions. His defence counsel, Ger Small, highlighted his remorse, depression, and ongoing counselling, and noted his placement on the sex offenders register. Judge Martin Nolan, recognising Gregan's mental health issues and the offence's lower end of the sexual assault scale, suspended a nine‑month prison term and ordered a €5,000 payment to the victim, stating that further offences would result in imprisonment. The court did not impose custodial custody.
During a two‑day trial at the Central Criminal Court, a mother was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity after she smothered her three‑year‑old daughter with a pillow while the child was napping. The mother testified that she held the pillow over the child's face as the child struggled and screamed, and that she had been obsessed with the child's autism diagnosis, believing it to be a severe form called Pathological Demand Avoidance. She had searched online for "suicide" and "mothers killing autistic children" in the days before the killing. Two forensic psychiatrists testified that she suffered from severe depression with psychotic features and did not understand the nature of her act. The jury deliberated 54 minutes and returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. The judge ordered her to be committed to the Central Mental Hospital, with a further hearing scheduled for November 5.
A woman was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the High Court of murdering her three-year-old daughter at their family home in County Mayo. The media remain barred from identifying either the mother or the deceased child following a judgment by Ms Justice Carmel Stewart. The judge upheld reporting restrictions initially imposed under Section 252 of the Children Act 2001, which protects the anonymity of child victims. Media representatives had sought to overturn the ban, arguing the provision applied only to living children and that reporting restrictions were unnecessary given the child was deceased. The court rejected this submission, finding that the legislation contained no such distinction and that murder charges involving children warranted continued anonymity protections. The judge ruled that the restriction constituted appropriate application of child protection law rather than an excessive limitation on press freedom. The unnamed accused was found guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a mother pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for suffocating her three‑year‑old daughter with a pillow. Defence witnesses, including Dr Stephen Monks, described the woman as having severe depression with psychotic features, claiming she believed her child was profoundly disabled and had no future. She reportedly held a fixed, false, psychotic view of her daughter's autism, convinced of a severe form of the condition despite medical assessment. The prosecution's Dr Sally Linehan also testified that the defendant did not understand the wrongfulness of her act and was unable to refrain from it. Both expert witnesses agreed the defendant met the criteria for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. The jury was instructed to consider these findings before deliberating.
David Swords, 23, pleaded guilty to assaulting his girlfriend Jessica Walsh in Glasthule on 21 June 2017 after believing she had kissed his cousin. He admitted punching her more than five but less than ten times, holding her with his left hand and striking with his right. The assault was described by Judge Martin Nolan as unprovoked, sudden and vicious. Swords had no prior convictions and was cooperative, having begun weekly anger‑management and domestic‑abuse courses. The judge cited his guilty plea, lack of criminal history, education, employment and steps to control his temper as mitigating factors. He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, fully suspended on strict conditions, including a €12,500 payment to be forfeited if the victim declined it. The court did not read the victim impact report, and Walsh was treated for swelling and bruising at hospital. The case was adjourned overnight for further consideration.
In a Central Criminal Court murder trial, a mother was found to have smothered her three‑year‑old daughter with a "Minnie Mouse" pillow while the child was napping on the couch. The mother, who had become obsessed and overwhelmed by her daughter's autism diagnosis, told Garda that she held the pillow over the child's face as she struggled and screamed. She claimed she intended for her daughter to die and later called 999, stating she had tried to suffocate her child. The mother pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, and a consultant forensic psychiatrist testified that she was suffering from recurrent depressive disorder with psychotic features at the time of the offence. The trial continues with the court hearing her mental state and the circumstances surrounding the killing.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 22 October 2019, Defence Counsel argued that An Garda Síochána unlawfully converted Dublin's CCTV network into a "de facto surveillance operation" in the investigation of Liam Brannigan, 37, charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between 15 September and 6 November 2017. The counsel highlighted that Gardaí collected 3,500 hours of footage from businesses across Dublin and installed secret listening devices in six suspect cars. He noted that the officer directing the CCTV collection denied whether the systems were registered with the Data Protection Commissioner, contrary to law. The counsel contended that Gardaí knowingly used unregistered CCTV systems, thereby breaching data protection and criminal law, and requested exclusion of the CCTV and audio evidence. The court would decide on the submissions by the following Tuesday. Liam Brannigan pleaded not guilty.
A 25‑year‑old man, Adam Marlowe, was convicted of aggravated burglary, robbery of €50 and assault on an 81‑year‑old farmer in north Co Dublin. The conviction was based on DNA evidence recovered from a small piece of blue latex material found in the victim's bedroom, described as a fingertip of a latex glove. The DNA matched Marlowe's profile 93%, with the remaining 7% from two unknown persons. No gloves were found in the house and there was no evidence the perpetrators wore gloves. Marlowe appealed, arguing the trial judge failed to direct the jury to acquit and misdirected the weight of forensic evidence. The Court of Appeal upheld the conviction, stating the evidence was sufficient to link Marlowe to the crime. He was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment, with a suspended portion of a previous sentence for violent disorder. The victim suffered bruising, a deep cut requiring stitches, and reported lasting trauma. Adam Marlowe pleaded not guilty.
Brian Rattigan, a 39‑year‑old convicted criminal, has sworn a statement supporting Freddie Thompson's High Court challenge against Portlaoise Prison's A‑wing regime. Rattigan says there is "no bad blood" between him and Thompson, that they have good relations, have spoken long conversations, and that their families have met. He argues that housing them together poses no security threat and that Thompson's 18‑month detention in the punishment block is inhumane compared to the general prison population. Rattigan, who has been in and out of prison since 2003 and is due for release in 2021, claims he will not extend his time in prison and wishes to be moved to an open prison or receive intermittent release. Thompson, serving a life sentence for the 2016 murder of David Douglas, alleges that his regime denies him contact, exercise, fresh air and education, and that he is treated differently from other life‑sentence inmates.
Esther Esabod Aboderin, a defendant from Leixlip, Co Kildare, appeared before the High Court to address allegations of defamatory and threatening social media posts directed at applicant Rosala Uvbi Mku-Atu. Before Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds, Ms Aboderin issued a sworn undertaking not to repeat any defamatory or threatening remarks regarding the applicant. Counsel for the applicant, Thomas Hogan SC, noted that while the defendant had removed her own posts, concerns remained regarding third-party content on other platforms. The defendant's counsel, Rory Kennedy BL, stated his client had complied with previous removal orders but could not control material posted by others. Consequently, the application to continue the injunction was adjourned generally, with permission granted to re-enter the matter if issues arise. The judge warned that any breach of the undertaking could result in imprisonment for contempt. The court also heard that Ms Aboderin was assaulted by unknown persons at the Four Courts on July 31, sustaining cuts and bruises, an incident requiring Garda intervention. The applicant's lawyers stated their client did not condone the assault, and a Garda investigation into that separate incident remains ongoing.
The Special Criminal Court has adjourned the trial of Laurence Murphy and Ray Kennedy, who both pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation. The court heard that Dave Cullen, a State's witness in the Peter Butterly murder case, was not prosecuted for alleged perjury due to fears he would not return to Ireland from a protection program abroad. Cullen had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in suspicious circumstances. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns, was paused after the defence requested documentation regarding the decision not to prosecute Cullen. The matter was adjourned until tomorrow. In related proceedings, Kevin Braney was found guilty of premeditated murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Frank Murphy, brother of the accused Laurence Murphy, pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension of Cullen and was jailed for three years, with the final year suspended. Michael McDermott, who played a role in the murder, has also been jailed. The court noted that Cullen's evidence was used in the convictions of four individuals for Butterly's murder.