During a Special Criminal Court hearing, Denise King, former partner of Jonathan Keogh, testified that Keogh swore on their baby's life that he did not shoot Gareth Hutch. King said Keogh, who feared for his safety, often stayed at her flat and that she had received a message from him asking to stay the night before Hutch's murder. She described how Keogh later sent an envelope of €2,000 to her, which she counted. King also recounted that Keogh had threatened to kill Hutch the evening before the shooting and that he and others were involved in planning the murder. The prosecution argued the killing was pre‑meditated and that Keogh, Thomas Fox and Regina Keogh each had a role. The trial was set to continue before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and two other judges. Gareth Hutch pleaded not guilty. Thomas Fox pleaded not guilty. Regina Keogh pleaded not guilty.
In a decision on 21 June 2018, a court lifted an order that had barred the media from naming Slawomir Gierlowski, a 34‑year‑old Polish roofer from Drimnagh, who had been jailed in March for a series of violent sex attacks. Gierlowski was convicted of attacking three women in 2011, 2015 and 2016 around Clondalkin, south Dublin. Two of the attacks involved sexual assault and occurred late at night, while the third, in daylight, saw Gierlowski brandishing a hunting knife at Ruth Maxwell as she walked to the Luas. He pleaded not guilty to nine charges and maintains his innocence. Judge Pauline Codd, at his May sentencing hearing, described the attacks as brutal and primal, using a leather belt, a hunting knife, duct tape and cable ties. She imposed consecutive sentences of eight years, nine and a half years and five years, suspending the final four years on the condition that he complete sex‑offender programmes in custody.
The Special Criminal Court trial of Thomas Fox, Regina Keogh, and Jonathan Keogh, who have all pleaded not guilty to the murder of Gareth Hutch, heard evidence from witness Jessica McDonnell. Ms McDonnell, whose mother Mary McDonnell was granted immunity after a charge of withholding information was dropped, testified that she never had a one-on-one conversation with Mr Keogh. Although she initially told gardaí she recognized his voice on the morning of the May 24, 2016 shooting, she stated under cross-examination that she was tired and had limited prior interaction with him. The court ruled her statement to gardaí admissible. The prosecution alleges the killing was premeditated, contending that Mr Keogh threatened the victim the previous evening, while Mr Fox and Ms Keogh planned the attack. Mr Fox also faces a charge of unlawfully possessing a Makarov 9mm handgun, which he denies. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, sitting with Judges Patricia Ryan and Michael Walsh.
The murder trial of Paul Bradley (54) and his sons Jason (20), Dean (24), and Ryan (18) continues before Justice Paul Coffey and a jury. The defendants, of Liscarne Gardens, Dublin 22, have pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Neil Reilly (36) at Esker Glebe in Lucan, Dublin, on January 18, 2017. Prosecution witness Danielle Cusack, a veterinary student, testified that she saw a car drive over Mr. Reilly three times. She alleged that on the second occasion, two men held him up before releasing him as the vehicle reversed into him. Defence counsel for Ryan Bradley, Caroline Biggs SC, challenged this account, noting that no other witness observed the incident and that CCTV footage suggested the car was present for only about 20 seconds. Ms. Cusack maintained her testimony, stating she was not mistaken and had delayed giving a full statement to gardai until August 2017 due to her final exams. She acknowledged omitting the detail about being held up from her initial written account but insisted she was telling the truth. The trial is ongoing, with the matter not yet finalised.
The murder trial of Paul Bradley (54) and his sons Jason (20), Dean (24), and Ryan (18) is ongoing before Justice Paul Coffey and a jury. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Neil Reilly (36) at Esker Glebe in Lucan, Dublin, on January 18, 2017. Witness Danielle Cusack, a veterinary surgeon, testified that she observed the deceased being repeatedly run over by a car and attacked by two or three men. She described seeing the driver reverse over Mr. Reilly while two men held him, followed by a third pass. Ms. Cusack stated she administered the Act of Contrition to the dying man, who repeatedly said, "I'm sorry. I'm ready to go now. I have to go." During cross-examination, defence counsel for Jason Bradley questioned discrepancies between her court testimony and a prior written account regarding the men holding the victim. Ms. Cusack maintained her court evidence was a full and honest account. The matter was adjourned, with Ms. Cusack scheduled to continue cross-examination the following day.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the ongoing trial of Thomas Fox, Regina Keogh, and Mr Keogh, who have all pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Gareth Hutch. Mr Hutch was shot dead outside Avondale House flats in Dublin on May 24, 2016. The prosecution alleges the killing was premeditated, with Mr Keogh threatening the victim the previous evening and Fox and Keogh planning the attack. During cross-examination, Detective Sergeant Enda O'Sullivan testified that key witness Mary McDonnell was not threatened or offered inducements when she provided a voluntary statement to gardaí. He denied that gardaí recommended McDonnell be charged with murder, clarifying that she was originally charged with withholding information, a charge later dropped in exchange for immunity. O'Sullivan stated that McDonnell was considered a facilitator rather than a principal offender. The court ruled that part of the garda investigation file, regarding recommendations to the DPP, should be made available to the defense. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, sitting with Judges Patricia Ryan and Michael Walsh.
Paula Farrell, 44, had her murder conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal after a Central Criminal Court jury found her guilty of killing her partner Wayne McQuillan, 30, on 1 January 2014. The appeal argued that the trial judge wrongly excluded the partial defence of provocation, which could have been considered by the jury. The court noted that Farrell had claimed she was provoked by McQuillan's violence and that she had a history of alcohol‑induced psychosis and PTSD from alleged sexual abuse. The Court of Appeal ordered a retrial and remanded Farrell in custody. The case remains at the retrial stage, with no further outcome reported in the article. Paula Farrell pleaded not guilty.
The murder trial of Paul Bradley, Dean Bradley, Jason Bradley, and Ryan Bradley is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court before Justice Paul Coffey and a jury. The four defendants, from Liscarne Gardens, Dublin 22, have all pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Neil Reilly (36) at Esker Glebe in Lucan, Dublin, on January 18, 2017. During testimony, witness Danielle Cusack told the jury that she observed Mr. Reilly staggering in the road before a car struck him. She reported hearing the men laughing after the initial impact. Ms. Cusack stated that two or three men then attacked the deceased. She described hearing the car screech in reverse and observed two men holding Mr. Reilly up by the arms. According to her evidence, they let him go at the last second, allowing the car to drive over him again. The prosecution, led by Paul Murray SC, presented this account to the court. The matter remains at the trial stage, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded. Ms. Cusack was scheduled to continue her evidence later in the day. The report attributes these actions to the accused based on witness testimony, and the charges remain alleged or contested.
A man from Lucan has been sentenced to six years imprisonment at the Special Criminal Court for his involvement in a kneecapping incident in County Dublin in January 2013. Eamon McNamee, aged 37, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence, namely assault causing harm. The court heard that a man was shot in the leg at Fairgreen, Saggart after being brought to the location by McNamee and others. Gardaí recovered a bullet and found firearms residue on McNamee matching residue on the injured party's clothing. McNamee remained silent during police interviews. The three-judge court reduced his sentence from eight years and six months to six years, suspending the final two years following his public disassociation from unlawful organisations. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy noted this undertaking was a rare occurrence before the court and that McNamee held the lowest rank in the chain of command. He was also ordered to enter a €1,000 bond to keep the peace for five years.
The Special Criminal Court trial of Thomas Fox, Regina Keogh, and Jonathan Keogh for the alleged murder of Gareth Hutch continues. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering Mr Hutch, who was shot dead outside Avondale House flats in Dublin on May 24, 2016. Fox has additionally denied unlawfully possessing a Makarov 9 mm handgun. The prosecution alleges the killing was premeditated, with Mr Keogh threatening the victim the previous evening, while Fox and Keogh are accused of planning the crime. Mr Keogh and an accomplice are alleged to have been the shooters. Detective Sergeant Enda O'Sullivan testified regarding a protected witness, Mary McDonnell, whose statement he described as "explosive" and "unbelievable." He stated that gardaí became immediately concerned for the safety of McDonnell and her twin daughters after she provided the statement in her flat. O'Sullivan explained that McDonnell was not treated as a suspect at the time, despite CCTV footage showing suspects entering her apartment. He noted that no notes were taken during a preliminary conversation before the formal statement was recorded. The defence cross-examined the witness on procedural matters, including the decision not to arrest McDonnell. The trial is ongoing and has not been finalised.
Niamh Fitzpatrick, 39, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing a Smith & Wesson revolver found in an air vent in her Ringsend home on February 23, 2017. The firearm, which contained one round of ammunition, was seized by gardaí during a search for drugs, where over €4,200 of heroin was also recovered. Fitzpatrick admitted to gardaí that she kept the gun for self-protection following a threat to her life, a claim supported by Garda Michelle Fitzpatrick, who confirmed colleagues had served GIM forms notifying Fitzpatrick of the threat, though it had since expired. Defence counsel Keith Spencer BL highlighted Fitzpatrick's history of trauma, including abduction and violent attack, which he stated caused profound Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. He noted her 21 previous convictions, mostly minor road traffic offences, and argued she was now drug-free apart from prescribed medication. Spencer requested a lengthy suspended sentence to reflect the offence's seriousness while acknowledging her regret and support from her father. Judge Melanie Greally did not pass sentence immediately. Instead, she remanded Fitzpatrick on continuing bail pending her sentencing hearing scheduled for July.
In the Special Criminal Court, three Dubliners—Thomas Fox, Regina Keogh and Mr Keogh—are on trial for the murder of 36‑year‑old Gareth Hutch, nephew of Gerry "the Monk" Hutch. Hutch was shot dead on 24 May 2016 outside Avondale House flats on North Cumberland Street, sustaining four gunshot wounds. The defendants have pleaded not guilty. Fox also denies unlawfully possessing a Makarov 9 mm handgun on 23 May 2016. The court will decide on Thursday whether a statement made by Jessica McDonnell, daughter of key witness Mary McDonnell, is admissible. McDonnell, 19, gave video‑link evidence that she did not recall telling Gardaí she heard Mr Keogh in her mother's flat on the morning of the killing, though she admitted recognising one voice as Mr Keogh in a statement to Gardaí at Mountjoy Garda Station on 25 May 2016.
During the murder trial of Paul Bradley and his sons, witness Brenda O'Connell testified that she heard bones crunching and the victim's groans as a black car drove over the body twice. She described the car moving slowly, reversing, and then driving over the man again, noting there was no hurry. Another witness, Colin Dardis, recounted seeing a jeep and a dark‑coloured car involved in the incident, with the car striking the victim and then reversing before driving over him a second time. Defence counsel argued that the car had driven at speed and collided with the deceased, but the witness disagreed. The trial, presided over by Justice Paul Coffey, continues with a jury of twelve. Paul Bradley pleaded not guilty.
Patrick Nevin, 36, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to rape of a woman in Bellewstown, Co. Meath on 12 July 2014 and to sexual assault of a second woman at an unknown location in Co. Meath on 16 July 2014. These charges follow a prior conviction in December 2017 for sexually assaulting a Brazilian student in July 2014. Nevin had met all three victims on the Tinder dating app and, on each first date, drove them to secluded spots where the assaults occurred. The court allowed evidence from the other two victims to be presented because the modus operandi was similar. Nevin's defence sought removal of media reports of his earlier convictions, but the judge rejected this request, finding no real risk of an unfair trial. The sentencing hearing is scheduled for 26 July 2018.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of Thomas Fox, Regina Keogh, and Jonathan Keogh, who have pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Gareth Hutch. Prosecution counsel Paul Burns SC presented testimony from Detective Sergeant Enda O'Sullivan, who stated gardaí became "immediately concerned" for the safety of witness Mary McDonnell after she provided a statement regarding the shooting. Ms McDonnell was subsequently arrested on suspicion of murder with a firearm, though she was later treated as a witness and granted immunity. The court also heard from Jodie and Jessica McDonnell, who described events on the morning of May 24, 2016, including hearing noises and observing Jonathan Keogh in their flat. Jessica McDonnell acknowledged discrepancies between her earlier statement and current testimony, attributing them to the passage of time. The prosecution contends the killing was premeditated, alleging Mr Keogh threatened the victim, while Fox and Regina Keogh planned the act. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, sitting with Judges Patricia Ryan and Michael Walsh.
The trial of Thomas Fox, Regina Keogh, and Jonathan Keogh for the murder of Gareth Hutch continues at the Special Criminal Court. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge; Mr Fox also denies unlawfully possessing a Makarov 9mm handgun. The prosecution alleges the killing was premeditated, with Mr Keogh and an accomplice identified as the shooters, while Fox and Keogh allegedly planned the attack. During cross-examination, protected witness Mary McDonnell denied allegations by defense counsel that she fabricated evidence or was coerced into the narrative. She stated she was not asked to assist in the murder and rejected claims of unfair treatment by Gardaí, despite her initial charge for withholding information being dropped in exchange for immunity. The court heard that McDonnell identified Mr Keogh as one of the gunmen and reported he threatened to kill Mr Hutch the night before the incident. The defense argued McDonnell's relationship with Keogh and her mental health history undermined her credibility. The matter was adjourned and continues on Monday before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and two other judges.
Michael Rae, 38, of Tallaght, pleaded guilty to arson at Knockmore Park on 26 May 2017, when he set fire to a car outside a family home using a makeshift petrol bomb in a plastic bottle. The incident, described by Judge Melanie Greally as an "extraordinarily dangerous" offence, was linked to a history of discord between Rae and the Brazil family. Rae was found intoxicated, with a slurred voice, and fled the scene after the car caught fire. CCTV from a petrol station and a nearby house showed Rae filling the bottle, setting it alight, and running to the Brazil house. He was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended, and was ordered not to approach the Brazil house or family for five years. The car, valued at €750, was written off and the house suffered smoke damage. Rae has 29 prior convictions, including road traffic offences, assault and criminal damage.
The trial of Thomas Fox, Regina Keogh, and Jonathan Keogh, who are accused of murdering Gareth Hutch, continues at the Special Criminal Court. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge; Mr Fox has additionally denied unlawfully possessing a Makarov 9mm handgun. The prosecution alleges the killing was premeditated, with the accused using a flat as a base to wait for the victim. State witness Mary McDonnell, who identified Mr Keogh as one of the shooters, is currently being cross-examined. She testified that she has repeatedly requested to return to her home in the Avondale House complex where the shooting occurred, stating she expects to do so once the trial concludes. Counsel for Mr Keogh questioned her regarding Gardaí statements that she could not return until the investigation was complete, suggesting she was pressured to answer questions to ensure her protection. The witness denied recollection of specific offensive comments attributed to detectives but agreed such statements were hurtful. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, sitting with Judges Patricia Ryan and Michael Walsh, and is scheduled to continue tomorrow.
In a 2018 incident, Gardaí used remote control of street cameras to track Shane Pollard (41) after he stole €500 from a shop. The cameras captured him taking money from the till, and Garda Patrick Fallon monitored his movements as he fled into a nearby café. Pollard was arrested there, breathing heavily and sweating, and all the stolen money was recovered. He later pleaded guilty to theft of €510 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally noted no force or violence was used against staff, though Pollard had armed himself with a blade or scissors. She imposed a two‑year sentence, backdated to February to account for time already spent in custody. Pollard, who has 27 prior convictions including seven for robbery, had relapsed into cocaine use after a family bereavement. The defence highlighted his long history of drug use and his current health conditions. The court accepted his guilty plea and cooperation.
During a Central Criminal Court trial, Detective Garda Ronan Lawlor presented plastic fragments recovered from the road near the alleged murder site of Neil Reilly, showing a match to the broken headlight of a Mercedes jeep seized at Paul Bradley's home. Bradley (54) and his sons Jason (20), Dean (24), and Ryan (18) all pleaded not guilty to Reilly's murder. The prosecution argued that Reilly fired shots at the Bradley residence, prompting a car chase that ended with Reilly suffering severe crush injuries and multiple chop wounds. Garda Lawlor also examined a black BMW seized from the Bradley property, noting blood‑like stains and swipe marks, but found no relevant evidence. The trial focused on whether the Bradleys acted in a joint enterprise to murder Reilly, with the jury hearing forensic evidence and the prosecution's case before a judge's instructions were given.
The trial of Thomas Fox, Regina Keogh, and Jonathan Keogh, all accused of murdering Gareth Hutch, continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the murder charges. Fox has also denied unlawfully possessing a Makarov 9mm handgun. A protected witness, Mary McDonnell, identified Jonathan Keogh from CCTV footage as one of the men involved in the gun attack on Mr Hutch, who was shot dead outside Avondale House flats on May 24, 2016. Ms McDonnell testified that Keogh, wearing a black balaclava, visited her flat the night before the shooting to clean two guns. She identified Keogh and Fox on CCTV arriving at her home at 10:45 pm on May 23. The prosecution alleges the murder was premeditated, with Keogh and an unidentified man acting as shooters, while Fox and Regina Keogh played instrumental roles in planning. Ms McDonnell, who was previously charged with withholding information but received immunity, stated she was afraid for her life. The matter is currently at the trial stage and has not been finalised.
A protected witness, Ms. Mary McDonnell, testified in a non‑jury trial in Dublin about the events leading to the murder of Gareth Hutch. She described how, on the evening before Hutch's shooting, two accused men—Jonathan Keogh and Thomas Fox—visited her flat and wiped down handguns. McDonnell said she was shaking when she saw the men cleaning the guns with baby wipes and that they left the weapons in a bag. She also recounted hearing Keogh threaten Hutch the day before the shooting and that the men had planned the attack. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, is part of a case in which Keogh, Fox and Regina Keogh are charged with murder and other offences. The prosecution argues the killing was pre‑meditated and planned. The case remains ongoing. Thomas Fox pleaded not guilty. Regina Keogh pleaded not guilty. Jonathan Keogh pleaded not guilty.
During the Special Criminal Court trial of three Dubliners accused of murdering 36‑year‑old Gareth Hutch, it was reported that Gardaí executed a search warrant at Facebook Ireland and received armed support from the Emergency Response Unit during a high‑risk entry at a suspect's home. Hutch, nephew of Gerry "the Monk" Hutch, was shot dead on 24 May 2016 outside Avondale House flats on North Cumberland Street, Dublin, after four gunshot wounds from a single weapon. The accused—Thomas Fox (31), Regina Keogh (41), and Jonathan Keogh (32)—have pleaded not guilty. Garda Gareth Norton testified that he entered Fox's home on 24 May, seized clothing, ashtrays, glasses, memory cards, SIM packs, USB sticks, a Samsung tablet, and an iPhone 5. He also reported a high‑risk entry at a fourth suspect's house on 11 June, where the suspect was arrested and handcuffed.
During a sentencing hearing in the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Paul Butler emphasised that rape complainants should receive legal advice throughout trials. He referred to a case involving a 24‑year‑old Dublin man who had raped a 17‑year‑old girl after forcing her into a park. The trial had collapsed twice before a jury heard it a third time, the first collapse due to a panic attack by the victim. The man was convicted of one rape charge and acquitted of another involving the same complainant. He received a five‑year sentence, with the final year suspended, and had 51 prior non‑violent convictions. Butler noted the presumption of innocence remains until guilt is proven, and warned that while complainants must be considered, the process should not bias the jury toward guilt. The judge also highlighted the victim's ongoing mental health struggles and the impact of the assault on her life. The unnamed 24-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 11 June 2018, Mr Justice Paul Butler imposed a two‑year suspended sentence on Gabriel Prunariu, aged 24, for attempting to defile a 16‑year‑old girl. Prunariu pleaded guilty to attempted defilement of a child at his Dublin home on 6 February 2016. The judge noted that the offence carried a maximum five‑year custodial term, that no violence was involved, and that Prunariu had no prior violent convictions. He had one minor conviction for burglary. The court considered that Prunariu was now on the Sex Offenders Register, which would affect his future, and that he had cooperated fully with the investigation. The judge therefore suspended the custodial sentence, leaving the non‑custodial penalty in place. The case was prosecuted by Garnet Orange SC and defended by Michael Bowman SC. The victim's impact statement described flashbacks, missed school and emotional distress.
Larry McCarthy, aged 39, was convicted by a non‑jury Special Criminal Court of assaulting cyclist David Foran, 33, on 25 November 2014 and of threatening to use unlawful violence with two others. The court sentenced him to six years' imprisonment on 31 July 2017. McCarthy appealed, arguing that the admission of Foran's initial statement was improper under section 16 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, agreeing that the statement was admissible. On a subsequent sentence appeal, the Court of Appeal suspended the final 15 months of McCarthy's six‑year term, citing errors in the original sentencing court's weighting of a 1999 violent‑disorder conviction and the exclusion of mitigating factors such as positive testimonials and difficult family circumstances. McCarthy was required to enter a two‑year good‑behaviour bond after release. The case remains at the sentencing‑appeal stage. Larry McCarthy pleaded not guilty.
Dermot Griffin, 58, of Ballyfermot, was convicted of manslaughter after setting fire to a makeshift den on Rossfield Avenue, Tallaght, on 1 September 2001, killing 12‑year‑old Stephen Hughes. The 13‑day trial concluded with a 15‑year prison sentence imposed by Judge Patricia Ryan on 23 June 2014. Griffin appealed the conviction and sentence, but the Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, dismissed the appeal in March. The court upheld the 15‑year term, citing the extreme recklessness of the offence and the high harm caused by the death of a child. Evidence included footage of an unidentified man, later identified as Griffin, approaching the den at about 5 a.m. and the den catching fire immediately. Witnesses, including former partner Tracy Deegan and others, testified that Griffin had left the house twice that night and intended to burn the hut.
Alan Hanley, aged 35 and without a fixed abode, was convicted at the Central Criminal Court of three counts of rape and one count of assault after attacking a woman in her Limerick home on the night of 4–5 May 2012. He pleaded not guilty but was found guilty on all counts at a retrial, and Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy sentenced him to 12 ½ years for each rape and five years for the assault. Hanley appealed on the basis that the trial judge failed to give the jury a corroboration warning, a warning that had been issued in his first trial. The Court of Appeal agreed, directed a retrial and remanded him in custody pending the next hearing on 25 June. The appeal centred on inconsistencies in the complainant's testimony, including whether Hanley ejaculated and the subsequent handling of a rug. Hanley's prior convictions include possession of a knife (2000) and threats to kill (2007, 2008).
A 39‑year‑old nurse, Greta Dudko, was convicted of murdering her 55‑year‑old mother, Anna Butautiene, on Christmas Eve 2010. Dudko admitted striking her mother's head against a wall and then hitting her with a glass bottle, causing blunt‑force trauma. The Central Criminal Court found her guilty of murder by a 11‑to‑1 jury verdict and imposed a mandatory life sentence on 22 October 2014. She had been suspended from nursing work earlier that year for intoxication at work and had an alcohol problem. Dudko's appeal, filed in December 2015, challenged the judge's handling of intoxication and the fairness of the jury charge. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, ruling the judge's conduct was not unfair and the conviction remained valid. The court also upheld the admissibility of photographs of the deceased at the crime scene. The unnamed 39-year-old pleaded not guilty.
James O'Connor, aged 38, pleaded guilty to assaulting a man in Temple Bar on 10 September 2015, striking him with a crutch after believing the victim had killed his brother Gareth. Witnesses described the attack as "graphic" and "barbaric," noting O'Connor swung the crutch like a golf club and delivered blows that seemed to "chop wood." The victim was never identified, but CCTV footage proved the assault. O'Connor also admitted a separate assault and violent disorder earlier that evening. The court, considering his guilty plea, cooperation, homelessness, substance abuse, and prior conviction in 2010, imposed concurrent sentences totalling two and a half years, which were fully suspended on strict conditions. No charges were brought for Gareth O'Connor's death, and Garda Wayne Donnelly noted that the victim's injuries were life‑threatening but no prosecution followed. The case highlighted the extreme violence witnessed by bystanders and the court's decision to suspend the sentence.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Joseph Rafferty, aged 38, was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment for a cocaine‑fuelled rampage that lasted eight hours and covered 45 km. Rafferty seized multiple vehicles at gunpoint, pursued Gardaí in a high‑speed chase, and committed false imprisonment, aggravated burglary, threats with a sub‑machine gun and reckless endangerment. He pleaded guilty to burglary at Watergate Estate, assault of a homeowner, criminal damage, two carjacking counts, three counts of possessing a sub‑machine gun, unlawful possession of 9 mm Luger ammunition and reckless endangerment. He also admitted stealing a vehicle from Carroll and Roche Subaru. The judge noted his 34 prior convictions and reduced a potential 14‑year sentence to nine years, citing guilty pleas and remorse. No serious injuries were reported, though a man sustained a head laceration during a break‑in. The case highlighted the extensive police response, including 50 Gardaí, air support and the Garda Dog Unit.
A 73-year-old man from County Mayo will not face a third retrial following a Court of Appeal ruling. His rape conviction, overturned in February 2018, will not be prosecuted again after the Director of Public Prosecutions' application for a retrial was refused. The man had been found guilty at the Central Criminal Court in 2015 of indecent assault and multiple counts of sexual assault and rape of a child between 1990 and 1994, receiving a 13-year sentence with the final five years suspended. The Court of Appeal had set aside the conviction, finding that evidence of the man's previous convictions for abusing the complainant's sisters should not have been presented to the jury due to their prejudicial effect. In refusing the retrial application, Mr Justice Alan Mahon cited the appellant's age and health, the age of the allegations, and the fact this would constitute a third trial on the matter. The unnamed 73-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Dessie O'Hare, 61, of Slate Rock Road, Newtownhamilton, County Armagh, was charged with assault, false imprisonment and threatening to kill. The assault charge involves John Roche, whom O'Hare allegedly assaulted at The Towers, Garter Lane, Saggart, County Dublin, causing him harm and committing violent disorder. The false imprisonment charges involve Martin Byrne at Rathcoole and Saggart, and Lisa Byrne and Brandon Byrne at The Towers. O'Hare also faces a charge of threatening to kill Martin Byrne or cause him serious harm. All alleged offences date from 9 June 2015. O'Hare had been granted bail and a trial date of 29 April next year. On 8 June 2018 the Special Criminal Court varied his bail to allow him to travel to Lourdes with his wife from 6 to 12 July, provided he supplies travel documents and continues to sign in at a Garda station twice a week and obey a curfew from midnight to 5 a.m.
The murder trial of Paul Bradley, 54, and his sons Jason, Dean, and Ryan, has heard evidence regarding the alleged killing of Neil Reilly, 36, at Esker Glebe in Lucan, Dublin, on January 18, 2017. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charge. Prosecution counsel Paul Murray SC presented testimony from Detective Sergeant Gordon Woulfe, who described Ryan Bradley, then 17, as pale and showing signs of anguish during a police interview hours after the incident. The prosecution alleges the family chased a shooter who had fired two shots at their home, resulting in Reilly's death. Dean Bradley testified to hearing gunshots and driving with Ryan, while Ryan stated he was shaking and did not know who shot at the house. Garda Rachel O'Malley identified Reilly's fingerprint in a Mazda car found near the scene. Mr Justice Paul Coffey directed the jury to return on Tuesday to address a legal issue in their absence, meaning the matter was adjourned.
The trial of Thomas Fox, Regina Keogh, and Jonathan Keogh, who are accused of murdering Gareth Hutch, continues before a non-jury court in Dublin. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Mr Fox has additionally denied unlawfully possessing a Makarov 9 mm handgun. Prosecution counsel Paul Burns SC alleged that the killing was premeditated and that the co-accused played distinct roles in the fatal shooting of Mr Hutch outside Avondale House flats on May 24, 2016. Evidence presented by Det Sgt Enda O'Sullivan indicated that a confidential informant, who had pursued the attackers, recognised Jonathan Keogh. This led to a search warrant for Keogh's father's home, where mobile phone items were recovered. Regina Keogh was present during this search and was subsequently searched at her own flat, though no items were recovered there. The court also heard evidence regarding a search of a third party's flat, where gloves and wipes were seized, which the prosecution alleges were used to clean weapons. Defence counsel Sean Guerin SC challenged the validity of the search warrant for Keogh's home, but the court ruled it valid. The matter is ongoing, with the trial continuing before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and two other judges.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Christopher Lenihan, aged 28, pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and assault causing harm after beating his ex‑partner Grace Brady at the Plaza Hotel, Tallaght, on 13 January 2017. Lenihan held Brady down, punched her repeatedly, grabbed her hair, and bit her arm, preventing her from breathing. He later sent over 200 harassing texts, threatening to release personal photographs if she did not comply. Brady reported the attack to Gardaí, who arrested Lenihan at his home on 31 January. Lenihan also admitted harassing Brady between 13 and 31 January. He has a prior conviction for breach of a barring order. The judge adjourned the case to July, noting Lenihan's alcohol abuse and high risk of re‑offending, and indicated a likely prison sentence.
During the trial, a witness testified that Jonathan Keogh, one of three Dubliners accused of murdering 36‑year‑old Gareth Hutch, appeared "panicked" as he ran up a street on the morning of May 24, 2016. Keogh, aged 32, is alleged to have been involved in the shooting that killed Hutch outside Avondale House flats on North Cumberland Street. The witness, Colette Geoghegan, said she saw Keogh running fast enough to look panicked and that he might have been wearing dark shorts. She left her home at 9.50 am with her partner, Maurice Farrell, and later that day heard about the shooting. The court also heard from other witnesses and Garda officers who described the scene at Avondale House, noting large crowds and the presence of Hutch's relatives. All three accused—Thomas Fox, Regina Keogh, and Jonathan Keogh—have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. The trial continues with the prosecution presenting evidence of the alleged crime.
Paul Bradley, aged 54, denies murdering Neil Reilly, 36, who was found dead at Esker Glebe after a shotgun attack on 18 January 2017. Bradley claims a masked man fired a shot that "whizzed" past his head while he slept. He says he tried to pursue the shooter but failed to locate him. Bradley and his sons Jason (20), Dean (24) and Ryan (18) have pleaded not guilty. Garda testimony notes Bradley's jeep was damaged and had blood on the driver's side panel and front wheel; Bradley attributes the damage to an earlier, unreported accident. Sgt Maeve Ward reports a broken sitting‑room window and glass on the floor at Bradley's home. Jason Bradley was found with a deep cut on his hand and dried blood on his feet; he was taken to Tallaght Hospital. The trial is before Justice Paul Coffey with a jury of twelve.
The Special Criminal Court heard that Gareth Hutch, 36, died of multiple gunshot wounds after being shot in the carpark of Avondale House flats on North Cumberland Street, Dublin, on 24 May 2016. He suffered four gunshot injuries: two to the back of the neck, one to the lower back and one to the right of the upper chest. The post‑mortem, conducted by Professor Marie Cassidy, confirmed the injuries and noted that all bullets were recovered. Three bullets travelled from back to front, the fourth lodged in his left arm. Hutch lost over 2.5 litres of blood and was not intoxicated. Three men—Thomas Fox (31), Regina Keogh (41) and Jonathan Keogh (32)—are on trial for his murder, all pleading not guilty. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, continues with the prosecution alleging pre‑meditated planning and involvement of the accused in the shooting.
In a Dublin case, a 36‑year‑old man was convicted of sexually abusing his eight‑year‑old nephew between 1988 and 1991. He was found guilty of eight counts of indecent assault, one count of rape and one count of sexual assault. The court noted the abuse was frequent, occurring three or four times a week, and that the victim was threatened with violence. The man had denied all charges, including 26 additional counts that the judge directed the jury to acquit. He received a 10‑year prison sentence, imposed on 20 February 2017, for the seriousness of the offences and the child's age. He appealed the conviction, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, stating the investigation was adequate and the conviction was safe. The appeal against the sentence's severity was later withdrawn.
In a High Court hearing on 6 June 2018, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy refused to order Google and Microsoft to remove online references to a man who had been convicted of an unconnected sexual assault earlier that year and was facing a second trial for sexual offences. The judge noted that the courts must adapt to the modern world and that jurors can be trusted to remain impartial even if they encounter online material. Lawyers for the accused had sought temporary removal of the man's name from search results, citing concerns that published reports could prejudice the upcoming trial. The DPP argued that even if search engines removed the name, the material would still be available online. Mr Justice McCarthy concluded that it was unnecessary to remove any online content and that jurors should be instructed to disclose any prior knowledge of the case.
In October 2016 a document listing "nasty questions" that Garda Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan might face was prepared for the Garda press office. Superintendent John Ferris, who worked in the press office, said the list was created at the request of either himself or Andrew McLindon, the force's director of communications. The document was produced by a consultant providing press‑office expertise. Barrister Michael McDowell, representing whistle‑blower Sergeant Maurice McCabe, argued that the list showed the press office was aware of and discussing issues surrounding McCabe, rather than merely issuing bland statements. The Charleton tribunal is examining allegations that senior Gardaí smeared the whistle‑blower to politicians, journalists and others. The DPP had directed no prosecution after a 2006 sexual‑assault allegation against McCabe, stating no offence had been disclosed. Ferris was questioned about queries sent to the press office in 2016 and 2017 concerning McCabe.
During a murder trial, a witness described how he wrapped the body of Gareth Hutch, 36, in a sheet after Hutch was shot dead in the carpark of Avondale House flats on North Cumberland Street, Dublin, on 24 May 2016. The witness, Neville Mills, said he heard a commotion that morning, saw Ross Hutch holding his hands to his head and screaming hysterically, and later saw two men running out of the gate. Mills went down to the carpark, found Hutch lying on the ground, and wrapped him in a sheet. He also reported seeing a handgun in the carpark and another weapon beside a car, with spent cartridges on the ground. The trial also heard other witnesses describing the scene, the movements of the attackers, and CCTV footage of the incident. The accused—Thomas Fox, 31; Regina Keogh, 41; and Jonathan Keogh, 32—have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Gareth Hutch.
During a murder trial, Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis presented evidence that the victim, Neil Reilly, suffered more than 40 injuries. He described chop wounds to Reilly's head causing brain lacerations, multiple fractured ribs, extensive pelvic fractures, and scrapes consistent with being dragged across a rough surface. Curtis argued that the crushed pelvis and chest injuries could indicate that Reilly was run over, though the chest wounds might also result from resuscitation attempts. He noted seven blows with a chopping implement, including two to the head, and similar injuries to arms, back, and shoulder, all life‑threatening. Toxicology revealed cocaine, heroin, methadone, and codeine in Reilly's system. The trial, involving Paul Bradley and his sons, continues before Justice Paul Coffey and a jury. Paul Bradley pleaded not guilty. Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, Adam Marlowe, aged 23, was found guilty of aggravated burglary, assault, and robbery of 81‑year‑old farmer Malachy Turley in July 2016. The jury, after one hour of deliberation, returned unanimous verdicts on all counts. Evidence included DNA from blue latex material, described as a fingertip of a latex glove, found in Turley's bedroom. Marlowe was remanded in custody for sentencing on July 6th. Adam Marlowe pleaded not guilty.
When Gardaí and paramedics arrived at the alleged murder scene at Esker Glebe, Lucan, they found Neil Reilly, 36, lying face‑down on the kerb with multiple stab wounds and broken ribs. The Central Criminal Court heard that Reilly had been beaten to death after he fired shots at a house in Dublin. The paramedics attempted to revive him, puncturing his lung and inserting a tube in his throat, but he went into cardiac arrest en route to James Connolly Memorial Hospital. Garda Niall Glackin, one of the first responders, described Reilly's clothes torn and deep lacerations on his back, shoulder and arm, while Garda Conor Mallon and Garda Orlene Corrigan noted that Reilly's arm appeared almost severed. The trial, involving Paul Bradley, 54, and his sons Jason (20), Dean (24) and Ryan (18), continues before Justice Paul Coffey and a jury of twelve. The prosecution alleges the men are guilty of murder. The defence maintains their innocence. Paul Bradley pleaded not guilty.
Liam Power, 54, was convicted of murder for killing Latvian national Giants Intembergs in Tullow, County Carlow, after a disputed arm‑wrestling match. Power claimed he was provoked when Intembergs slapped him and that he struck him with a "haymaker" to the chin, then kicked him 10 or 11 times before removing his clothes. He was found not guilty of assault on a second man, Aigar Sildars, who was also attacked. The jury, after 14 hours and 38 minutes of deliberation, returned a 10‑2 verdict of murder and Power was sentenced to life imprisonment by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy on 16 November 2016. Power appealed, arguing that evidence of his statements to Gardaí was inadmissible because he was intoxicated. The Court of Appeal, in a three‑judge panel, rejected the appeal, holding that the trial was satisfactory and the conviction safe.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 5 June 2018, Thomas Fox (31), Regina Keogh (41) and Jonathan Keogh (32) pleaded not guilty to the murder of 36‑year‑old Gareth Hutch, nephew of Gerry "the Monk" Hutch. The prosecution, represented by Paul Burns SC, described the killing as pre‑planned and brutal, with all three accused allegedly participating in the attack. Burns alleged that the men, who were known to each other, had planned the shooting at Avondale House flats on North Cumberland Street. He presented evidence that the men approached Hutch in a car park, each carrying a handgun, and fired four shots that killed Hutch. The prosecution also claimed forensic links between the accused and vehicles, petrol cans, and other items recovered at the scene. The trial was scheduled to continue before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and two other judges, with a duration expected to exceed four weeks.
The trial of Adam Marlowe, 23, of Walkinstown, is ongoing in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He has pleaded not guilty to aggravated burglary and assault of 81‑year‑old Malachy Turley, who was injured during a burglary at Kettles Lane, Kinsealy, on 29 July 2016. Marlowe also pleaded not guilty to robbing €50 from Turley on the same date. On the third day of the trial, Dr Yvonne O'Dowd presented DNA evidence. She swabbed a piece of blue latex material found on Turley's bed, believed to be the tip of a glove, and generated a DNA profile that matched Marlowe 93 %. The remaining 7 % matched two other unidentified profiles. A pair of combat trousers with a mixed DNA profile of three people was also examined; the profiles did not belong to Marlowe or Turley.
The Court of Appeal found a 44‑year‑old man's wholly suspended three‑year sentence too lenient and sentenced him to 18 months in jail. He had pleaded guilty in 2012 to assaulting his wife and in 2015 to five counts of threatening to kill her and each of their four children. The judge described the 2015 threats as a "truly awful offence" and noted the man's history of mental health problems. The Court of Appeal imposed a three‑year custodial term with the final 18 months suspended, a 12‑month concurrent term for the 2012 assault, and required the man to enter a good‑behaviour bond, maintain contact with mental health services and have no contact with his wife or children for three years unless invited. The sentence was imposed on Friday afternoon.