During a murder trial, Claire McGrath admitted that her presence at the accused's home contributed to the death of Graham McKeever. She said she had invited McKeever to stay overnight and that McKeever had entered the kitchen where McGrath was arguing with Keith Connorton, who was intoxicated and holding a kitchen knife. McKeever allegedly shouted "She's mine now" and attacked Connorton, striking him with a heavy blow that knocked him onto a child's chair. McKeever then stabbed Connorton, after which Connorton fled the scene. McGrath expressed remorse, stating "It is my fault. If I had never brought him to my house he would be still alive. I'm so sorry." The trial is ongoing before Justice Tony Hunt and a jury. Keith Connorton pleaded not guilty.
Judges at the Special Criminal Court trial of Kevin Braney have refused an application to exclude mobile phone evidence. Braney, 44, of Tallaght, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Peter Butterly and the possession of a 9mm Beretta semi-automatic pistol and ammunition at Blackthorn Apartments, Balbriggan, on March 5, 2013. The defence argued that a recent High Court ruling in the case of Graham Dwyer rendered the retention of such data unlawful under EU law. However, presiding judge Mr Justice Paul Coffey, sitting with Judges Martin Nolan and James Faughnan, ruled the evidence admissible, stating there was no evidence that the operation of the 2011 Act was inappropriate at the time. The prosecution subsequently closed its case. The trial continues, with defence counsel Bernard Condon SC indicating he is unlikely to call evidence but may make a short application. The court previously heard from State's witness David Cullen, who pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol at the Huntsman Inn on the day of the shooting. Cullen described his role as picking up and burying a gun. Prosecution evidence stated that Butterly was shot multiple times outside the Huntsman Inn in Gormanston on March 6, 2013, while students waited for their school bus.
David McDermott, 43, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm after a dispute over a garden. He entered his stepson Daniel Conlon's house, punched him in the eye, repeatedly struck him in the head, kicked him in the torso and threatened to slit his throat. Conlon, 23, recorded the assault and later presented the audio to Gardaí. McDermott initially denied the assault and the threat, claiming he had only urged Conlon to get a job and that he loved him. He admitted to drinking heavily before the incident. The court noted McDermott's lack of prior convictions, his relationship with Conlon's mother, his four children, his health issues and his father's critical condition. Judge Martina Baxter sentenced him to two and a half years imprisonment, fully suspended on the condition of good behaviour and peacekeeping. The sentence was imposed after McDermott's early guilty plea and other mitigating factors. Conlon was commended for not retaliating.
A 40‑year‑old man, Keith Connorton, is on trial in the Central Criminal Court for the murder of Graham McKeever, a 29‑year‑old man, in a Dublin love triangle. Connorton was arraigned on 10 December 2018 and pleaded not guilty. The case, presented by Brendan Grehan SC, alleges that Connorton stabbed McKeever to death on 18 February 2017 at an apartment on Deerpark Avenue, Tallaght. The prosecution claims that McKeever was staying with Claire McGrath, Connorton's former partner, who had broken up with him about six months earlier. According to the prosecution, Connorton, armed with a kitchen knife, threatened McGrath and, when McKeever came to her aid, stabbed him in the chest. Connorton also claims he will argue self‑defence. The trial is scheduled to continue tomorrow before Mr Justice Tony Hunt.
Warren Nolan, 22, of Rowlagh Park in Clondalkin, was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of murdering Alan O'Neill and setting fire to a vehicle. The jury returned a majority verdict of eleven to one on the murder charge and a unanimous verdict on the arson charge. Nolan had pleaded not guilty to both counts. The court heard that O'Neill was shot dead in the driveway of his home in Tallaght on May 27, 2015, in front of his partner, Michelle Usher. Prosecution evidence included CCTV footage, forensic analysis of firearms residue on gloves, and petrol traces on Nolan's clothing. Mr Justice Paul McDermott thanked the jurors for their service in a difficult trial and exempted them from jury service for ten years. Maddie Grant BL, for the prosecution, stated that O'Neill's family will make a statement to the court on January 14. On that date, Mr Justice McDermott will sentence Nolan to the mandatory term for murder of life imprisonment. The matter is currently at the sentencing stage, with the final disposal scheduled for January 14.
A 76-year-old retired teacher, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is appealing a High Court decision that refused to prohibit his trial on 16 charges of indecently assaulting eight male pupils in a south Dublin school between September 1968 and June 1969. A ninth pupil has also made similar allegations. The defendant, who denies the accusations, argued in the High Court that the deaths of 16 potential witnesses, including staff and inspectors, created a real risk of an unfair trial. Mr Justice Paul McDermott rejected this, finding the case not wholly exceptional. In the Court of Appeal, counsel Patrick Gageby SC submitted that the High Court judge devalued the loss of these irreplaceable witnesses, who could have described the classroom layout and the unlikelihood of the alleged abuse occurring in full view of others. He also highlighted a chronological inconsistency regarding a threat to raise the abuse on a television show that did not start until 1973. The Court of Appeal, comprising Mr Justice John Edwards, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, reserved its judgment. The court acknowledged the age of the case and stated it would endeavour to deliver its decision as early as possible. The matter was adjourned, with a trial date fixed for April.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, Judge Paul McDermott explained that a jury could find 22‑year‑old Warren Nolan guilty of impeding an investigation even if they are not convinced he was the gunman. Nolan pleaded not guilty to the murder of Alan O'Neill, 35, on 27 May 2015, and to the arson of a car at Belfry Square. The judge outlined that the jury has three options for the murder charge: guilty, not guilty, or not guilty of murder but guilty of impeding an investigation under Section 7(2) of the Criminal Law Act 1997. He noted that if the jury is not satisfied that Nolan fired the shots, they may consider whether he burned the car to aid the getaway or destroy evidence. The prosecution's case relies on circumstantial evidence and alleged lies told by Nolan in Garda interviews, which the judge said must be proven beyond reasonable doubt.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 60‑year‑old Limerick man, Desmond Coyle, was accused of murdering 58‑year‑old Calo Carpaci. The prosecution argued that Coyle entered Carpaci's house armed with the knife that later caused the fatal chest wound, citing CCTV footage that showed him trespassing and carrying the weapon. Coyle allegedly confessed to stabbing Carpaci, but his defence claimed he had gone to confront the Romanian man over money demands, not to kill. The defence highlighted Coyle's lack of intent, describing his actions as a poor decision driven by frustration. Both sides presented evidence of a struggle after the entry, with the prosecution insisting on murder and the defence seeking a verdict of not guilty. The trial remained at the stage of closing arguments, with no verdict yet announced.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Keith Mooney, aged 27, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for assault causing harm and possession of a rock during an attack on Derek Curran at St Enda's Park, Rathfarnham, on 26 June 2017. Mooney struck Curran's face with a rock, causing multiple facial fractures, a dislocated eye socket, fractured ribs and a broken cheekbone, and left him unconscious. The judge, Melanie Greally, described the assault as "particularly violent and brutal" and noted that Curran was traumatised and his mental health severely affected. Mooney's sentence was the maximum five years, with the final 18 months suspended, taking into account his guilty plea, family background and substance‑use history. The case highlighted the severity of the offence and the impact on the victim.
A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court has collapsed following broadcast content on RTÉ's Prime Time programme concerning the legal defence of provocation. Ms Justice Carmel Stewart discharged the jury after establishing that five of the twelve jurors had viewed the segment and discussed it during deliberations. Keith Brady, aged 31, from Cartron Estate in Sligo, had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Martin Kivlehan on a date between 2nd and 3rd August 2015 at The New Apartments on Holborn Street, Sligo. The defence had relied partially on provocation. Justice Stewart expressed concern about what she termed "a parallel justice system in the court of public opinion" operating without regard to judicial proceedings. She extended sympathy to the Kivlehan family and remarked that the collapse represented "a tragedy." Brady was remanded to 17th December for a retrial date to be set.
Nathan Foley, 20, of Rosary Road, Maryland, Dublin 8, was sentenced at the Special Criminal Court for participating in or contributing to activity intending to facilitate the murder of David Douglas. The court heard that Foley acted as a 'foot soldier' and 'runner' for a criminal organisation, driving one of four vehicles used in the killing. Mr Douglas, 55, was shot six times at his partner's shop in Bridgefoot Street on July 1, 2016. Foley admitted to the charge under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years. The court noted his early guilty plea and mitigating factors, including a mild intellectual disability and vulnerability, though the judge described his role as significant. Frederick 'Freddie' Thompson, 37, was previously found guilty of Mr Douglas's murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. The source text indicates Foley was remanded in custody until January 25 for sentencing, but the validated procedural stage is sentence. The report details the coordinated use of stolen vehicles, including a Mercedes and a Mitsubishi Mirage driven by Foley, and the subsequent recovery of evidence linking him to the scene. The court acknowledged his 32 previous convictions, including a concurrent sentence for cocaine possession.
In a Dublin murder trial, 22‑year‑old Warren Nolan was accused of shooting Alan O'Neill, 35, in the front garden of O'Neill's home on 27 May 2015. The prosecution, led by Shane Costelloe SC, argued that Nolan planned the hit, used a getaway car, and fired four shots, killing O'Neill twice. Evidence included CCTV showing a car "stalking" O'Neill, a witness, Michelle Usher, who described the shooter as a teenager, and forensic findings of firearms residue on a glove taken from Nolan and petrol on his clothing. Nolan denied being the shooter and claimed he only set the car on fire. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC challenged the forensic analysis, the handling of evidence, and the reliability of the detective's statements, urging the jury to consider the lack of definitive proof linking Nolan to the shooting. The case was presented to a jury of twelve, with the judge to deliver the charge the following day. Warren Nolan pleaded not guilty.
Rafael Tiso, 33, was convicted of raping an intoxicated woman in a lane behind Harcourt Street, Dublin, on 18 January 2016. He pleaded guilty to rape, oral rape, aggravated sexual assault and assault causing harm. The victim, 23, suffered a deep tear to her rectum and could not recall the incident. Tiso was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment with the final year suspended on 1 November 2016. On appeal, the Court of Appeal reduced the term to 12‑and‑a‑half years, with the final 12 months suspended, citing the early guilty plea and the circumstances of his non‑national status. The appeal was heard by Mr Justice George Birmingham, Mr Justice John Edwards and Ms Justice Máire Whelan, and the final sentence was 12‑and‑a‑half years imprisonment with 12 months suspended. The case was completed within ten months.
A 60‑year‑old Limerick man, Desmond Coyle, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of 58‑year‑old Romanian Calo Carpaci, who was found dead at Roche's Row on 24 May 2017. Coyle pleaded not guilty. During the hearing, he told Gardaí that he had gone to Carpaci's house with a knife to stop him from demanding money and making "smart‑alecky" comments. He claimed he did not remember bringing the knife or the exact day, but that he had the knife in his hand and that Carpaci had fallen and was bleeding. He said that if he had not gone there with the knife, Carpaci would still be alive. The prosecution's detective, David Baynham, had interviewed Coyle after the incident. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that Carpaci died from a single stab wound that penetrated his chest and heart. The trial was scheduled to continue the following morning.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court is deliberating in the trial of a Sligo man charged with the murder of a musician. Keith Brady, aged 31 and from Cartron Estate in Sligo, is accused of fatally stabbing Martin Kivlehan on a date between 2nd and 3rd August 2015 at the victim's home on Holborn Street. Mr Brady has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The defence argued he lacked the necessary intent for murder due to drug intoxication and claimed provocation, alleging he believed the deceased was behaving inappropriately towards his sister. The prosecution contended the defendant inflicted the wounds with deliberate precision against a vulnerable man. Justice Carmel Stewart charged the jury of eight men and four women, who deliberated for under two hours before adjourning overnight. Deliberations are to resume the following morning.
A man in his twenties has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment in absentia at the Central Criminal Court following his conviction for sexually abusing a young relative in Dublin. He was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict on fourteen counts of sexual assault occurring between 2008 and 2011, when the victim was aged five to eight years old. The defendant absconded just before the jury delivered its verdict in May and has remained at large since. A bench warrant for his arrest was issued, but gardaí have been unable to locate him. During sentencing proceedings last week, the court heard a victim impact statement from the now teenage complainant, describing ongoing psychological effects including sleep disturbance and difficulty attending school. The defendant, who had been arrested in Cavan on the allegations but made no admissions during interview, is believed to be homeless in Dublin city. Mr Justice Michael White noted the breach of trust involved and that the offences spanned several years, though acknowledged the defendant's youth as a mitigating factor. The unnamed 24-year-old pleaded not guilty.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing, forensic scientist Dr Tom Hannigan reported finding firearms residue on a black woolen glove seized from 22‑year‑old Warren Nolan, who was arrested minutes after the fatal shooting of Alan O'Neill (35) on 27 May 2015. The residue matched that found on a bullet hole in the deceased's clothing, giving "very strong support" for the prosecution's claim that Nolan was the shooter. Nolan has pleaded not guilty to the murder and to a separate charge of setting a car on fire at Belfry Square on the same day. He denied involvement in the murder, denied saying he only set the car on fire, and denied crying at his arrest. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul McDermott, continues with a jury of twelve.
Seán Garvey, aged 52, of Hartland's Avenue, The Lough, was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 10‑year‑old girl at a Cork house on 6 February 2016. He pleaded not guilty but was convicted by a jury and sentenced on 1 June 2017 to seven years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. The victim, who is not related to Garvey, was awakened around 3 a.m. when he lifted her from bed, dragged her downstairs by the wrist, and touched her vagina and chest while attempting to remove her clothes. She managed to kick him, escape, and alert an adult. Garvey's appeal against the sentence was dismissed by the Court of Appeal, which found no error in principle. The judge noted Garvey's good work record, medical stress and anxiety, and prior unrelated convictions, but emphasised the seriousness of the offence and its impact on the victim and her family. The appeal was therefore dismissed.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the family of 53‑year‑old Martin Mulligan, who was stabbed and left to die on a road in Dundalk on 28 September 2015, delivered impact statements describing him as hardworking, caring, loving, patient, intelligent, amusing and affectionate. They recalled his role as a family bond, his support and encouragement, and his kindness to neighbours. The youngest daughter, Shauna, said he was "brutally, viciously and inhumanely killed for no fault of his own" and that his death left her vulnerable and afraid. The eldest daughter, Sharon, remembered his self‑lessness and how he cared for a neighbour's son. The wife, Grainne, recalled their long marriage and the last intimate moment they shared. The court heard that Joseph Hillen, 24, was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury in October and will be sentenced on 28 January.
Patrick Beauchamp, a 26‑year‑old Dublin student, was tried in a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for one count of sexual assault and two counts of assault causing harm. The jury deliberated for three hours and 14 minutes and returned verdicts of not guilty on the sexual assault and the first assault charge. They did not reach a verdict on the second assault charge, which alleged that Beauchamp punched another man on the street. Judge Patricia Ryan adjourned the matter to December 20, 2018, and instructed the jurors not to discuss the unresolved allegation. During the four‑day trial, the complainant testified that she and her friend had gone to Beauchamp's home after a night out, that she had no recollection of an assault, and that she woke to find Beauchamp and an acquaintance fighting. The acquaintance claimed that Beauchamp had head‑butted him after seeing him "humping" the complainant.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Geraldine Saunders, mother of 21‑year‑old Jason Saunders, spoke after Judge Martina Baxter sentenced Paul Brannigan, 27, for assault. Brannigan was convicted of striking Saunders with a golf club; the jury acquitted him of a head‑butt assault claimed to be self‑defence and could not reach a verdict on manslaughter. Brannigan pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and two assault charges. The judge imposed a three‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspended the last eight months, and credited 22 months already served. Saunders, who lost her son in a street altercation on 18 March 2014, described the loss as devastating, saying she feels she has "lost everything" and struggles to leave her home. The court noted Brannigan's lack of remorse toward the family.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, former Waterford County Council worker Bartholomew Prendergast was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment for rape and indecent assault of three women, including sisters Stephanie Hickey (aged 12‑15 at the time of the offences) and Deirdre Fahy (aged 13‑14). He pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and thirteen counts of indecent assault against Hickey between 1983 and 1987, one count of indecent assault against Fahy between 1979 and 1981, and two counts of indecent assault against a third woman (now 39) between 1988 and 1991. The judge suspended the final 18 months of the sentence on strict conditions, requiring Prendergast to undergo a sex‑offender treatment programme and be supervised by the Probation Service for 18 months. The hearing highlighted the prolonged abuse that continued despite family intervention and a priest's counselling, and the profound impact on the victims' lives.
Michael Ferris, 63, was jailed for five years at the Central Criminal Court for manslaughter after repeatedly driving a teleporter into his neighbour Anthony O'Mahony, 73, during a long‑standing dispute over a noisy bird‑scaring device. The jury found Ferris not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by a 10‑to‑two majority. At the sentence hearing, Justice Carmel Stewart imposed a six‑year prison term with one year suspended, back‑dated to the day of the offence. The judge cited Ferris's admission of guilt, his remorse, lack of prior convictions and his age as mitigating factors. The family of the deceased, led by niece Ann O'Carroll, expressed that they believed justice was not served, arguing the sentence was too lenient and that the case exemplified victim blaming in Irish courts. The judge noted the severity of the injuries inflicted and the impact on the victim's family.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 30 November 2018, Judge Patricia Ryan instructed a jury of twelve to "get into the mind" of Patrick Beauchamp, a 26‑year‑old defendant from Ballsbridge. Beauchamp faced one count of sexual assault and two counts of assault causing harm for incidents that occurred at his home on 10 May 2015. He pleaded not guilty, denying the allegation that he had "humped" a sleeping woman and claiming he acted in self‑defence when he headbutted the woman's acquaintance and later punched him on the street. The judge explained that a belief in self‑defence need only be honest, not wholly justified, and that the force used must be reasonably necessary. She also urged the jury to consider whether an opportunity to retreat existed, while reminding them that the prosecution bore the burden of proof and that sympathy could not influence their verdict.
A jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court failed to reach a verdict in the trial of Petru Pinto, 50, who was accused of assaulting Paul Ceusan, 35, during a five-a-side football match. The incident allegedly occurred on November 16, 2012, at an astroturf pitch in Ellenfield Park, Santry, Dublin. Mr. Pinto, a former professional footballer from Romania, pleaded not guilty to assaulting Mr. Ceusan, causing him harm. The complainant alleged that Mr. Pinto took a running jump and kneeled him in the torso, resulting in a Grade 4 renal injury, or split kidney, which required surgery and a stent insertion. Mr. Pinto testified that the collision occurred during a legitimate tackle for the ball, denying it was an off-the-ball assault. He stated that a prior verbal dispute, in which he claimed Mr. Ceusan insulted his mother, was unrelated to the physical incident. The jury, comprising four men and eight women, deliberated for just under three hours before informing Judge Pauline Codd they could not agree on a verdict with the required ten or more votes. The matter was adjourned to December 10 for mention. Both men are members of Transylvania FC, a club established for Romanians living in Dublin.
David Berney, 37, of Suncroft Park, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to burglary of a Centra store in Jobstown on 2 March 2018 during Storm Emma. He was already on bail for a 2014 burglary of a private home in Stepaside, for which he had also pleaded guilty. Berney admitted that his offences were driven by a drug habit, citing cocaine use at the time of the shop looting. He has prior convictions for robbery, assault, burglary and threats to kill. Judge Cormac Quinn sentenced him to two years for the 2014 burglary and an additional 18 months for the 2018 looting, suspending the latter on the condition of keeping the peace and engaging in addiction and social reintegration services. The court noted Berney was found hiding in the shop's cash room, and a sledgehammer was used by accomplices to break into the back offices. The case remains under the jurisdiction of the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
In a 2018 hearing, Gardaí used thermal imaging from a helicopter to locate Folarin Odunlami (22) and Arnaud Farel (20) after they robbed a young man on Station Road, Lusk, on 9 March 2016. The pair had stolen a phone, wallet and €110, and the victim fled to a nursing home and called the police. Gardaí chased them, who fell 15 ft from a footbridge into a carpark and hid under brambles. Thermal imaging detected them, and Gardaí recovered the victim's items and the men's driving licence. Farel received a three‑year sentence with 18 months suspended, to run consecutively with a six‑year sentence for a prior assault. Odunlami's sentencing was adjourned pending a suitability assessment for community service. The court heard Odunlami had two prior minor convictions and was studying computer systems in Dundalk. The case was heard by Judge Melanie Greally. Folarin Odunlami pleaded guilty. Arnaud Farel pleaded guilty.
A 31-year-old man from Cartron Estate in Sligo is on trial at the Central Criminal Court charged with murdering Martin Kivlehan, a 59-year-old musician, between 2nd and 3rd August 2015. The accused has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. During closing arguments, the prosecution submitted that the defendant inflicted two stab wounds to the neck with deliberate intent and deadly precision. The defence argued for a manslaughter verdict on grounds of either provocation or lack of capacity to form murderous intent due to drug intoxication at the time. Defence counsel submitted that the accused had reacted in a drug and alcohol-induced state after perceiving a threat to his sister. Justice Carmel Stewart was due to charge the jury on Monday.
In a case watched by the Polish Embassy in Dublin, Polish national Dariusz Alchimionek, aged 44, was found guilty of manslaughter and assault causing harm to Adam Gorman, the brother of 19‑year‑old John Gorman, after a vehicle he drove collided with their car on 29 December 2015. The incident occurred while the brothers were returning from Tullamore. Alchimionek claimed he believed the Islamic State would invade Europe and trigger a world war. Consultant psychiatrists for both sides agreed he met the criteria for not guilty by reason of insanity, yet the jury, after 2 hours 50 minutes of deliberation, returned a 11‑1 guilty verdict on both counts. He was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended. Alchimionek has appealed, arguing the verdict was "perverse" and seeking treatment in the Central Mental Hospital. The Court of Appeal has scheduled a hearing for 24 January, with the Polish Embassy observing the proceedings.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, the state pathologist, Professor Marie Cassidy, presented evidence that 35‑year‑old Alan O'Neill died from a bullet that entered his thigh, passed through his right arm, and then struck his right side, puncturing his liver and the aorta. The bullet also traveled through the pelvic cavity. A second bullet entered O'Neill's right leg and moved upward without damaging major structures. The pathologist concluded that the fatal wound was the one that damaged the aorta and liver, with the leg wound being a contributing factor. The trial, presided over by Justice Paul McDermott, involves 22‑year‑old Warren Nolan, who pleaded not guilty to O'Neill's murder and to setting fire to a car in Tallaght. The prosecution alleges Nolan shot O'Neill in the front driveway of his home and then fled in a car that was later set on fire.
Ex-wrestler Imre Arakas, a former Estonian separatist who was 'scarred deeply' by imprisonment in Russia, was remanded in custody until December 12 for sentencing. Arakas admitted to conspiring with others not before the court to murder James Gately in Northern Ireland between April 3rd and April 4th last year, contrary to Section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. The court heard that Arakas purchased a wig in Dublin and used an encrypted Blackberry phone to receive information about Gately's movements. Gardai began an intelligence-led investigation after receiving confidential information about the targeting of Gately by individuals involved in organised crime. Arakas was placed under surveillance upon his arrival in Dublin on April 3, 2017, and was followed to Blakestown Cottages in Dublin 15, where he was arrested the following day. A Blackberry phone, a piece of paper with Estonian writing and the name 'James Gately…in Newry' in English, a mirror, and cash were found at the scene. The Blackberry phone was encrypted and password protected, and messages were found on it that detailed plans to target Gately. The messages were almost instantly deleted after Arakas' arrest, but a garda managed to photograph the open messages before they were removed. The court heard that Arakas had four previous convictions, including causing deliberate bodily harm, escaping from prison, and unlawful handling of firearms. The matter was adjourned and will be sentenced on December 12.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, 32‑year‑old Renars Veigulis was acquitted of murdering his 29‑year‑old partner, Rita Apine, who died after falling down the stairs of their Freshford home on 14 May 2017. Veigulis maintained from the outset that he was playing with his daughter when he heard a "boom, boom, boom" and later found Apine at the bottom of the stairs with blood on her head. The jury heard forensic testimony that Apine's injuries were not consistent with a simple fall, citing multiple lacerations, bruising, and blood spatter patterns that suggested blunt‑force trauma. The prosecution presented pathologist Dr. Linda Mulligan's findings and forensic science evidence, while Veigulis's counsel argued that the injuries could result from a complex fall and that the pathologist had never seen such patterns before. After 10 hours and 21 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned a not‑guilty verdict, and Veigulis was released.
Patrick Beauchamp, 26, is on trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for one count of sexual assault and two counts of assault causing harm. He is accused of assaulting a woman he met at Copper Face Jack's nightclub, who allegedly was put on her couch and had a hand placed under her dress. She claims she fell asleep and had no recollection, but a friend testified that Beauchamp was on top of her and "humping" her with his pants down. The friend also said Beauchamp head‑butted him after the friend warned him, "If that was my sister I'd kill you." Beauchamp denies the assault, claiming he was acting in self‑defence and that the woman was not asleep. Garda Tara Power testified that she saw Beauchamp punch the friend in the face. The trial will continue tomorrow afternoon. Patrick Beauchamp pleaded not guilty.
A Sligo man charged with murder at the Central Criminal Court has pleaded not guilty to killing a musician but guilty to manslaughter. Keith Brady, aged 31, of Cartron Estate in Sligo, is accused of murdering Martin Kivlehan on a date unknown between 2nd and 3rd August 2015 at the victim's home on Holborn Street. During the trial, evidence emerged that Brady initially admitted to the killing following encouragement from his sister. However, when re-interviewed months later with new mobile phone evidence, he retracted this admission, claiming he had made a false confession to escape the interview situation. Subsequently, while remanded in Castlerea prison, Brady contacted gardaí unprompted and provided a detailed account of the incident, stating he stabbed Mr Kivlehan during an altercation but could not explain his actions. He expressed remorse and asked that a message of apology be conveyed to the victim's family. The trial continues.
In the Central Criminal Court, a 60‑year‑old Limerick man, Desmond Coyle, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 58‑year‑old Calo Carpaci on 24 May 2017. The prosecution presented a paramedic's statement: Mary O'Brien, who arrived at the scene at 1.40 pm, observed a single chest wound slightly left of centre on the victim, who was unresponsive and had no pulse. No other injuries were noted on a head‑to‑toe examination. Additional evidence included statements from a post‑office clerk, a neighbour, and CCTV footage showing Coyle's movements from his home to Roches Row, his brief entry into the victim's residence, and his likely alcohol influence. The defence acknowledged the legality of Coyle's arrest and detention, noting he was intoxicated and unfit for questioning. The trial was scheduled to continue the following day before a jury of twelve.
During the murder trial of 22‑year‑old Warren Nolan, Detective Garda Conor Harrison testified that he has "contempt for that kind of carry on" regarding media leaks that he said frustrate investigations. Harrison, who was on an unmarked patrol when the shooting of Alan O'Neill on 27 May 2015 occurred, described how he heard a car revving and saw a youth running from a burning vehicle. He arrested Nolan at Belfry Square shortly after the shooting, handcuffed him, and charged him under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act for unlawful possession of a firearm. Harrison noted that Nolan repeatedly said, "I only set the car on fire." The trial is proceeding before Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of twelve. Warren Nolan pleaded not guilty.
A 60‑year‑old man, Desmond Coyle of Davis Street, Limerick, has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of 58‑year‑old Calo Carpaci at Roches Row on 24 May 2017. Coyle pleaded not guilty. Prosecutor Anthony Sammon SC said the case will hinge on CCTV footage showing Coyle leaving his flat, the route he took to Roches Row, and a brief entry into Carpaci's residence. Sammon argued that Coyle was under the influence of alcohol, a factor he claimed would not negate intent. Witness statements, evidence of Coyle's arrest, detention and Garda interviews will be presented. Defence counsel Mark Nicholas SC will make admissions under section 22 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, which may shorten the trial. The hearing is before Justice Michael White and a 12‑person jury and is expected to last two weeks.
The Special Criminal Court trial of Kevin Braney, 44, of Tallaght, Dublin 24, continued before Mr Justice Paul Coffey. Braney has pleaded not guilty to the murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly in March 2013 and the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol. Protected witness David Cullen, who turned State's evidence after his murder charge was dropped, was cross-examined regarding his credibility. Cullen admitted to past dishonesty, including retaining WPP rent allowance and avoiding prosecution for harassment of an ex-girlfriend, which he denied. The court heard that Cullen was sentenced on July 2, 2014, to seven years in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm, with three and a half years suspended. The trial remains ongoing, with the defence challenging the witness's reliability and the prosecution presenting evidence of the shooting at The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston.
In a Dublin bus incident, Thomas McMahon, 35, admitted to touching a fellow passenger's shoulder with his penis while attempting to urinate after the vehicle jerked forward. McMahon claimed alcohol and drug addiction impaired his judgment and that he had no sexual intent. He expressed remorse and stated he had taken steps toward rehabilitation. Garda Conor O'Neill and counsel David Staunton noted McMahon's mental health issues and lack of recollection. The victim, who was traveling to town, reported the contact, screamed, and alerted the driver, who called the Gardaí. The incident was captured on CCTV, leading to McMahon's arrest and cooperation with the investigation. He faces a maximum two‑year sentence at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with the case adjourned to March 13 for sentencing and a psychiatric report. McMahon has ten prior convictions for public order and assault offences. Thomas McMahon pleaded guilty.
The Central Criminal Court is hearing a 32‑year‑old man, Renars Veigulis, who denies murdering his 29‑year‑old partner, Rita Apine, at their Freshford home on about 14 May 2017. Veigulis says he was in the kitchen with his daughter when he heard a series of bangs and later found Apine bleeding at the bottom of the stairs. The prosecution argues her injuries are inconsistent with a simple fall and that he beat her to death. The jury has deliberated for over six hours and will resume tomorrow. Renars Veigulis pleaded not guilty.
The trial of Warren Nolan, 22, is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. Nolan, of Rowlagh Park, Clondalkin, has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Alan O'Neill on 27th May 2015 at his home on Kiltalown Road, Tallaght. He has also pleaded not guilty to damaging a car by fire at Belfry Square in Tallaght on the same date. Witness Sonya Glass testified that she observed a light-coloured car revving and later saw it alight near Belfry Manor. She described seeing a person run from the vehicle towards steps, where they were restrained by individuals with torches, whom she identified as gardai. Glass stated she initially believed the incident involved a person setting fire to a car. Detective Garda Con Harrison, who was on patrol nearby, testified that he heard a vehicle approaching rapidly and saw a young man appear at the top of the steps. Harrison stated he shouted 'armed gardai' and lunged towards the individual as he observed the burning car. The matter is currently at the trial stage and has not been finalised. The proceedings are expected to continue for up to two weeks.
In November 2015 a 46‑year‑old Limerick man, who had molested a girl aged six to nine over three years, contacted her again on Instagram. The girl, now 16, screamed that he was back, prompting her parents to notify Gardaí. The man had pleaded not guilty to 19 counts of sexual assault between 2009 and 2012. At the Central Criminal Court he was convicted of six counts of sexual assault and two of sexual exploitation. Justice Tara Burns described the abuse as extremely serious, noting the man had gained the victim's trust through domestic help and teaching her to ride a bicycle. She imposed a seven‑year prison term for the most serious assault, concurrent six‑year and four‑year sentences for other assaults, and a two‑year sentence for exploitation. The judge praised the victim's courage and highlighted the lasting impact on her trust and innocence.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Joseph Fraser, 42, was sentenced to four years for violently assaulting his girlfriend. Fraser, who had been dating the woman for a few months, drove to her home drunk and, after she hid his car keys, began punching her in the ribs, face and head. The attack continued through the hallway, kitchen and back garden, where Fraser dragged her by the hair, slammed her face against sliding doors and kicked her head with a steel‑toe shoe. Fraser pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. Judge Melanie Greally noted the extreme violence, imposed a four‑year sentence with the final 18 months suspended, and required Fraser to complete victim‑focused work and engage with MOVE. The victim's impact statement described lasting physical injuries, flashbacks, and the effect on her children and parents. The case highlighted Fraser's prior convictions for drunk driving and his recent efforts to address alcohol problems.
The Special Criminal Court trial of Kevin Braney, 44, of Tallaght, Dublin, continues before a three-judge panel. Mr Braney, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly and the unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol and ammunition, faces evidence from protected witness David Cullen. Cullen, who turned State's witness after his murder charge was dropped, testified that he was asked to pick up a gun. He described an evening in March 2013 when Edward McGrath and Mr Braney visited his Balbriggan home, with Mr Braney allegedly stating, "Make sure this is done right and he doesn't get away." Cullen identified a silver Toyota Corolla used in the operation and stated that Dean Evans and McGrath stayed at his apartment the day before the shooting. He further testified that Sharif Kelly dropped him near the scene, where a gun was thrown from a vehicle, leading to his arrest. In related proceedings, Michael McDermott admitted to assisting an unlawful organisation in the murder. Frank Murphy pleaded guilty to impeding the prosecution of Cullen. Meanwhile, Edward McGrath, Sharif Kelly, and Dean Evans have all received life sentences at the Special Criminal Court after being convicted of Mr Butterly's murder. The trial of Mr Braney is ongoing.
A superintendent has told the Central Criminal Court that he facilitated an unusual meeting between two detained siblings on humanitarian grounds rather than as an investigative strategy. Keith Brady, aged 31, of Cartron Estate in Sligo town, is charged with the murder of Martin Kivlehan between 2nd and 3rd August 2015. He has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. During cross-examination on the sixth day of the trial, Superintendent Jim Delaney explained that he permitted the meeting between Mr Brady and his sister Janice after she became distressed, noting both detainees had been unruly. Defence counsel suggested the meeting was designed to prompt a breakthrough in the investigation, given that Mr Brady provided admissions immediately afterwards. Superintendent Delaney maintained the decision was motivated by humanitarian concern. The court heard Mr Brady subsequently made statements expressing remorse and provided an on-camera apology to the deceased's family. Legal argument is currently underway before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart, with jury proceedings resuming Thursday.
In a Dublin case, Afghan national Muhammed Tajik, aged 28, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after attacking his pregnant wife, Susan Wombsley, on 8 December 2015. Tajik allegedly grabbed Wombsley's neck from behind, punching her in the head and face until she passed out, causing a broken jaw on both sides. The Court of Appeal upheld a three‑year prison sentence imposed by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, finding no error in principle. The appeal was dismissed by a three‑judge panel, including Mr Justice John Edwards, who noted that the couple had married in Turkey, moved to Dublin, and faced financial difficulties. Wombsley had recently secured employment, which was cited as a source of dispute. Tajik sent apologetic messages after the assault but denied responsibility until presented with them. The court rejected arguments that his new relationship or church involvement mitigated the offence. The sentence remains in force.
During a murder trial, Michelle Usher, a mother of three, testified that her partner, 35‑year‑old Alan O'Neill, was shot to death at the front door of their home by a "young boy" in dark clothes. Usher said she initially thought the gunshots were a joke until she heard a third shot and saw O'Neill screaming in pain. She described seeing a dark‑clothed figure approach the garden, fire a gun, and then flee in a people carrier that took off. Usher held O'Neill in the doorway as another shot shattered a hallway window. She called an ambulance and kept the children in bed. The accused, Warren Nolan, 22, has pleaded not guilty to O'Neill's murder and to a separate arson charge. The trial is before Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of twelve.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 19‑year‑old Clayton Brennan pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after a "completely unprovoked attack" on Mexican national Jose Mondragon on Bachelors Walk on 27 April 2016. Brennan, who was 16 at the time, sat beside Mondragon on a boardwalk outside The Arlington Hotel, struck him in the temple, causing him to fall and hit his mouth on a tree pot. Brennan repeatedly pushed Mondragon to the ground until the victim escaped by jumping over a wall. Mondragon lost half of his front teeth, with repair costs estimated at €4,205. Brennan, who has eight prior convictions including assault and violent disorder, is serving a five‑year sentence with the final two years suspended and will be released on 30 January 2020, remaining under probation supervision for 18 months. The judge adjourned the case to 4 February 2019.
A man charged with murder in connection with the death of a Sligo musician has told gardaí that the killing was "a moment of madness" following drug use. Keith Brady, aged 31, of Cartron Estate in Sligo town, denies murdering Martin Kivlehan, aged 59, at The New Apartments on Holborn Street between 2nd and 3rd August 2015. He has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. At the Central Criminal Court, a jury viewed video recordings of garda interviews in which Brady expressed remorse, stating he would give his life for the deceased if he could. He told gardaí he was not a violent person and apologised to the victim's family. Brady has indicated he believed the deceased had acted inappropriately towards his sister. The trial, now in its sixth day, continues. Cartron Estate pleaded not guilty.
Gardai arrested Warren Nolan (22) after a woman smoking on her balcony noticed a suspicious car. The Central Criminal Court heard that Nolan is accused of murdering 35‑year‑old Alan O'Neill on 27 May 2015. O'Neill was shot outside his Tallaght home and died from gunshot wounds. Nolan also pleaded not guilty to damaging a car by fire at Belfry Square on the same date. Prosecutor Shane Costelloe argued that Nolan fired the shots that killed O'Neill and that the burnt‑out car was the one used in the shooting. Evidence includes gloves found on Nolan with gunshot residue, forensic analysis, bullet holes, bullets, and CCTV footage. The trial is before Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of twelve. The prosecution has begun calling witnesses. The case remains at the trial stage.