Larry McCarthy, 37, of Limerick, is appealing a conviction for assaulting cyclist David Foran, 33, on 25 November 2014. The Special Criminal Court found McCarthy guilty of assault and threatening unlawful violence, sentencing him to six years' imprisonment on 31 July 2017. The case centred on Foran's claim that McCarthy struck him with a baseball bat and stabbed his leg with a knife after a confrontation at Cornmarket Villas. McCarthy's appeal focuses on the admission of Foran's initial Garda statement, which identified McCarthy, under section 16 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. McCarthy's counsel argues the statement was unreliable and that Foran later withdrew the complaint. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on the appeal. Larry McCarthy pleaded not guilty.
In the trial of 37‑year‑old Tomas Gajowniczek, who denies attempting to murder his partner Alicja Kalinowska by stuffing underwear in her mouth and striking her with a hammer, a psychiatrist for the defence, Dr Conor O'Neill, testified that the accused suffers from a delusional disorder. Dr O'Neill explained that this mental illness, as defined by the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act, prevented Gajowniczek from controlling his actions. He stated that Gajowniczek believed his partner was trying to poison him and his baby, a belief he described as delusional. The defence argued that the accused's symptoms had been present for months before the alleged assault, and that drug use, while possible, does not exclude a diagnosis of mental illness. The trial will continue before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury at the Central Criminal Court. Tomas Gajowniczek pleaded not guilty.
In a 2016 incident at the Ice Rink Apartments, Tomas Gajowniczek, aged 37, was accused of attempting to murder his partner, Alicja Kalinowska, aged 30, by suffocating her with her own underwear and striking her with a hammer. He also faced a charge of intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm. During Garda interviews on 16 June 2016, Gajowniczek claimed he had "exploded" because he believed Kalinowska was poisoning his food and that she had also drugged their baby. He asked the Gardaí to take a blood sample to determine what was in his system, but the Gardaí did not collect one. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. The case was set to proceed before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury at the Central Criminal Court, with the trial scheduled for that afternoon.
In the Central Criminal Court, a jury was sent home after a night of deliberation in the trial of 37‑year‑old Tadhg Butler, charged with murdering Michael O'Dwyer, a friend of Butler's nephew, on 10 January 2014. O'Dwyer died in hospital after a stab wound to the chest at a party in Butler's Co Waterford home. Butler, who pleaded not guilty, claimed he had accidentally stabbed O'Dwyer while taking a knife from his nephew to prevent self‑harm. The nephew, Anthony (Tony) O'Grady, testified that Butler walked over and stabbed the victim with a butcher's knife, but later said he could not remember the incident due to personality disorders and medication. The jury requested further statements from O'Grady, Butler and State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy. Judge Paul Butler spent the day re‑reading the evidence before the jurors resumed deliberations, ultimately deciding to return home and reconvene the next morning with fresh minds.
A jury has begun deliberations in the trial of 37‑year‑old Tadhg Butler, charged with murdering Michael O'Dwyer with a foot‑long butcher knife at a party in his home in Tramore on 10 January 2014. Butler, who pleaded not guilty, claims he accidentally stabbed O'Dwyer while attempting to disarm his nephew, Anthony O'Grady, who had previously taken a knife from Butler to prevent self‑harm. O'Grady, who testified that he could not remember the events due to personality disorders and medication, said Butler walked up, lifted the knife and stabbed O'Dwyer, who collapsed and later died in hospital. Butler's defence argues the act was a tragic accident, while the prosecution maintains sufficient evidence for a murder conviction. The jury, after more than two hours of deliberation, requested to review O'Grady's statement, Butler's evidence and the State Pathologist's report before resuming tomorrow.".
Tomas Gajowniczek, 37, of The Ice Rink Apartments, pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of his partner, Alicja Kalinowska, 30, on 16 June 2016. He also pleaded not guilty to causing serious harm to her on the same date. Garda Peter Mullins arrested him in the car park of Kevin St Garda Station after reports of an assault. During the arrest, Gajowniczek told the Garda that he did not care whether his two‑year‑old daughter was alive or dead. He also asked how Alicja would fare. After the assault, Alicja was treated for a fractured nose and injuries to her eyes, limbs and torso. Gajowniczek had been previously arrested under the Mental Health Act after a separate incident involving his partner and their daughter. The trial is proceeding before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of twelve.
Daniel Kane, 29, pleaded guilty to assaulting John Roche and false imprisonment of Martin Byrne on 9 June 2015. The incidents occurred at The Towers, Garter Lane, Saggart, where Byrne, a security employee, was forced to vacate his residence. Kane and other men drove Byrne to a Honda Accord, struck him twice on the left side of the face, and threatened further harm. They then entered the complex, assaulted Roche, who was later found with blood on Kane's trousers. CCTV footage showed Kane holding Roche in a headlock before other men punched and kicked him. Byrne was later struck on the head and pushed to a chair. Kane was remanded in custody and will be sentenced by the Special Criminal Court next week.
In a Dublin 8 trial, Tomas Gajowniczek, aged 37, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and serious harm charges against his partner, Alicja Kalinowska, aged 30, following an incident on 16 June 2016. Kalinowska testified that Gajowniczek punched her, stuffed clothes in her mouth, gouged her eyes and beat her with a claw‑hammer while their baby slept in the next room. She described feeling that he intended to kill her. The prosecution, led by Paul Burns SC, highlighted the Criminal Law Insanity Act 2006 but argued Gajowniczek was not mentally ill. Kalinowska recounted their relationship history, her work, and prior domestic tensions, including a 2013 raid on Gajowniczek's garage and his subsequent withdrawal. The case was set to continue before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of twelve.
Christopher Connors, 22, of Carrickmines, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for his part in a violent disorder incident in Balinteer on May 5, 2016. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three-year prison sentence, with the final 18 months suspended, after Connors pleaded guilty. The judge stated he saw no reason to depart from the previous judgment handed down by Judge Cormac Quinn in December, which applied to Connors' brother, John Connors, and cousin, Joseph Connors. Both men had also pleaded guilty to the same offence and received identical sentences. The court described the incident as an unprovoked serious attack on three Afghan nationals, including a 13-year-old boy, who were cycling in Marley Park. CCTV footage from a passing Dublin Bus and mobile phones showed the defendants attacking the victims, with one victim sustaining a broken nose. The judge noted that Christopher Connors participated fully, armed with a bottle. While the defense argued Connors played a lesser role and had been drinking, the judge upheld the earlier sentencing rationale. The matter was finalized with the imposition of these custodial terms, reflecting the severity of the unprovoked assault.
In 2018 the Court of Appeal upheld a seven‑year jail sentence for Damien Green, who was convicted of assault causing serious harm after slicing the face of his friend Richard Coster. The original trial at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court had found Green guilty and sentenced him to ten years, with the final three years suspended. The appeal was dismissed because the sentencing judge's approach was deemed correct. Judge John Edwards noted that Coster, a friend of Green, had been heavily drinking and possibly under the influence of drugs on the day of the attack, which occurred at Green's apartment on Richmond Hill. Green had no memory of the events, had previously been uncooperative, and had a history of violent convictions. The judge placed the offence in the high range of seven to twelve years, citing Green's lack of mitigating factors and his prior violent record. The appeal was dismissed, confirming the original sentence. Damien Green pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Garda Patrick McAvinue described Anne Marie Donovan, aged 40, as the most vulnerable person he had encountered in his decade in the drug unit. Donovan was found with €25,000 of heroin and €5,000 of cocaine in her flat, which had been raided nearly two years earlier. She cooperated with officers, pointing out the drugs, and admitted she had little or no choice but to hold them. McAvinue testified that Donovan had been threatened with violence, had been stabbed in the head, and her son was thrown down the stairs, leading her to feel a "prisoner in her own flat." Donovan pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on 3 September 2016, had no prior convictions, and was sentenced to 18 months in prison, which Judge Martin Nolan suspended in full, noting her culpability was very low. The court accepted McAvinue's evidence and did not hear further mitigation.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced five members of the McDonagh family for violent disorder at Old Castle Drive, Clondalkin, on November 19, 2016. Martin McDonagh Snr, Ellen McDonagh, Nora McDonagh, Helen McDonagh, and Shannon Sherlock all pleaded guilty to the charge. The court heard that the incident followed an argument at a shopping centre, after which the defendants allegedly arrived at the O'Reilly family home armed with a sickle, two hurleys, and a baton. Judge Martin Nolan described the event as a "disgrace" and noted that while the McDonaghs made numerous attempts to strike the O'Reillys, no serious injuries were inflicted. The judge imposed a four-year suspended sentence on Martin McDonagh Snr, noting his "remarkably modest record" despite 13 previous convictions, mostly for road traffic matters. Two-year suspended sentences were imposed on each of the four women, none of whom had previous convictions. Defence counsel highlighted that Martin McDonagh Snr used the sickle only to threaten, that Nora McDonagh was unarmed, and that Shannon Sherlock was due to give birth. The judge emphasized the need for self-control and noted that the O'Reilly family has since relocated, with both families now getting on with their lives.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Tadhg Butler, formerly known as Thomas O'Grady, is at the stage of the judge's charge to the jury. Butler, 37, of Tramore, Co Waterford, is charged with the murder of Michael O'Dwyer, who died in January 2014 after sustaining a stab wound at a party in Butler's home. Butler has pleaded not guilty, alleging he accidentally stabbed O'Dwyer while attempting to disarm his nephew, Anthony (Tony) O'Grady, to prevent self-harm. Tony O'Grady, who suffers from personality disorders, initially told gardai that Butler deliberately stabbed O'Dwyer with a butcher's knife but later claimed he could not remember the incident. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC argued the death was a tragic accident in a confined space, urging the jury to return a verdict of not guilty or, alternatively, manslaughter if they found the actions reckless. Prosecution counsel Denis Vaughan Buckley countered that there was ample evidence to convict, highlighting that Butler did not provide his accidental stabbing account to gardai during his interview. The judge has begun his charge, and the jury is expected to begin deliberations on Wednesday.
A man charged with the murder of Peter Butterly appeared at the Special Criminal Court after his arrest in Spain. Dean Evans, aged 25, from Raheny in Dublin, failed to appear for trial in January 2017 for the alleged murder of Butterly, who was shot dead outside The Huntsman Inn in Gormanstown, Co Meath in March 2013. Evans was arrested on April 5th in Spain pursuant to a European Arrest Warrant and consented to his return to Ireland. He was arrested again at Dublin Airport on Monday night. The court heard that Evans made no reply when cautioned. Mr Justice Tony Hunt indicated that Evans would be included in an October trial alongside three other men facing charges relating to the same alleged murder. Evans was remanded in custody pending a mention hearing on April 24th.
During the fifth day of his murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, Tadhg Butler, 37, pleaded not guilty to the killing of Michael O'Dwyer, 25, who died on 10 January 2014 after a stab wound at a party in Butler's house in Seafield, Tramore. Butler told the court that he had taken a knife from his nephew, Anthony O'Grady, to prevent the nephew from self‑harm. He claimed that the nephew had become upset over a brother's death and, while holding the knife, said he was "sick of this f*cking life." Butler said he tried to remove the knife, pinning the nephew against a wall, and that he did not realise the knife was in O'Dwyer's chest until the victim collapsed. The prosecution cross‑examined Butler about his earlier statements to Gardaí and his religious beliefs. The trial continues with further cross‑examination scheduled for the next day.
A pensioner in his late seventies has filed a High Court application to halt his criminal trial for alleged sexual assault of an eight‑year‑old girl in 1962‑63. He claims that the passage of more than five decades has prejudiced his right to a fair trial. The case is set to be heard by a judge and jury at the Circuit Criminal Court next year. The accused denies all charges and says he rarely visited the victim's Dublin home, contrary to the complainant's allegation that he and his family were regular visitors. He also asserts that he was working overseas at the time of some alleged incidents. His mother and sister, who might have supported his account, have died. The High Court, after hearing barrister Patrick Gageby SC, granted a stay on the prosecution, making the matter returnable to a June hearing.
A 47-year-old man from Co Mayo has been convicted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of three counts of rape, five counts of anal rape and six counts of sexual assault against his daughter between 2006 and 2010, when she was aged seven to eleven years. The offences occurred both in Ireland and abroad. During proceedings, the man's legal representative stated that his client rejects the jury's verdict and maintains his innocence. Defence counsel indicated the man intends to lodge an appeal against conviction at the earliest opportunity. The court heard that the victim disclosed the abuse to social workers while in care. The defendant, who has previous convictions in Ireland and abroad, was remanded in custody pending sentencing on 23 April.
Patrick McAuliffe, 53, was found guilty of robbing an 83‑year‑old man in Cork on 12 November 2015, stealing €300 and later €2,300. He was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended, by Judge David Riordan on 1 November 2016. McAuliffe, a chronic alcoholic and homeless at the time, had 261 prior convictions dating back to 1981, including theft, assault, drug offences and one robbery. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal on 16 April 2018, ruling that the net custodial term of four years was "almost lenient" given the victim's catastrophic loss of independence and McAuliffe's extensive criminal record. The appeal was rejected by the three‑judge panel, confirming the sentence as imposed.
Anna Marie Pezzillo (35) and Rachel Comiskey (35) pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of Ian Quinn (32) at Annally Grove, Dublin 15, between 30 and 31 May 2014. The two women admitted that they suffocated Quinn by placing plastic bags over his head after a period of drinking vodka and taking tranquillisers. They claimed the intent was to frighten, not kill, and that they had not intended to cause death. Pezzillo had been released from Limerick prison the day before Quinn joined them, and the three had a history of drug and alcohol use. Both women expressed remorse in letters to the court. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy remanded them in custody until 14 May, when he will deliver their sentences.
A 70‑year‑old Cork pensioner, who cannot be named, has appealed the 12‑year jail sentence imposed for raping his step‑daughter from age 11 to 16 and impregnating her twice. He pleaded guilty to 18 counts of rape and sexual abuse between 1974 and 1979. The complainant, now 53, said the man entered the family home after her father's death, married her mother, and repeatedly forced sexual intercourse on her, often when her mother was absent. She reported that the defendant was an alcoholic who spent her mother's money and that the abuse caused her to become pregnant at 15, losing one child and putting another up for adoption. The Court of Appeal heard that the original 18‑year headline sentence was reduced to 14 years, with the final two suspended due to the man's age and medical issues. He had already served a four‑year sentence for indecent assault of the woman's siblings.
In a victim impact statement before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, a 28‑year‑old woman who was sexually abused by her teenage cousin 15 years earlier told the court that the burden of the abuse was now the man's responsibility. She recalled that the 30‑year‑old accused, who was convicted earlier this year of two counts of sexual assault when she was 13 and he was 15, had denied the allegations and claimed she was "prone to invention". The accused had later admitted to fondling her breasts and performing oral sex, asserting that the relationship had developed during her visit to Ireland and that she had been the "forward person". The court noted that the accused had not pleaded guilty, which had reduced mitigation. The woman described the lasting impact of the abuse, her treatment for PTSD and depression, and her fear of not being believed by her family. The unnamed 28-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, Tadhg Butler, 37, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 25‑year‑old Michael O'Dwyer, who died after a stab wound at a party in Butler's house on 10 January 2014. Butler, a father of five, told Gardaí that he had strong religious beliefs, attending Mass, saying the rosary, and prayer meetings. He denied any involvement in the stabbing, stating it had nothing to do with him. Garda Jennifer Ryan reported that Butler was asked if he was sorry for O'Dwyer's death and how he felt about being arrested; he responded that he was saddened by the death and that "these things happen." He was also asked about his religious convictions, to which he affirmed his adherence to the commandment "Thou shalt not kill." The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Paul Butler with a jury of six men and six women.
A 37‑year‑old man, Tomas Gajowniczek of The Ice Rink Apartments, Dolphin's Barn, Dublin 8, pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Alicja Kalinowska at his home on 16 June 2016. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy has sworn a jury of six women and six men to hear the trial at the Central Criminal Court. The trial, expected to last four days, will begin tomorrow.
In a Waterford murder trial, the accused, 37‑year‑old Tadhg Butler, was found crouched behind a wall near his home shortly after a stabbing. The arresting officer, Detective Sergeant Shay Keevans, testified that he arrived at the Seafield holiday homes that night and found a man on the ground with a chest wound, pale and needing medical attention. After knocking on Butler's locked door, he and colleagues entered the house, finding no one inside but a pool of blood in the hall and an open window. Keevans later saw Butler crouched at the end of the wall and arrested him on suspicion of assault causing harm to Michael O'Dwyer. Butler pleaded not guilty. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Butler and a jury of twelve.
Christopher Timmons, a 29-year-old jockey from Castleknock, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to assault causing harm. The incident occurred on July 24, 2016, at Morehampton Rd, Donnybrook, where Timmons allegedly assaulted a taxi driver following a dispute over a fare. Prosecution evidence stated that Timmons punched the driver in the face and attempted to gouge his eyes. Judge Karen O'Connor reduced the previously proposed 200 hours of community service to 80 hours, citing a probation service report indicating Timmons lacked the time to complete the original amount due to his extensive work and study commitments. Defending counsel Brian Storan BL argued that Timmons was willing and able to serve the reduced hours. The judge noted Timmons had brought €3,950 to court to compensate the victim, who suffered financial loss and changed careers to become a bus driver. Judge O'Connor emphasized that Timmons must prioritize his community service, acknowledging his aggressive behavior while also noting his remorse, completed third-level degree, and efforts to address alcohol issues. She concluded that Timmons was more useful to society completing community service than serving a custodial sentence, referencing his talented jockey career and impressive employment record.
David Fetherston, aged 31, was convicted of robbing a teenage schoolgirl's mobile phone on Malahide Road in March 2013 and of six further shop robberies in north Dublin during August–September 2016. He was found guilty by a jury in July 2017 and sentenced to four years' imprisonment, with the sentence backdated to that month. Judge Patricia Ryan also ordered that he must stay away from all his victims for 30 years. The court heard that Fetherston had an outburst during his trial, which caused concern for the girl, and that he had 134 previous convictions. He had been addicted to heroin at the time of the offences but had become drug‑free before the trial. The judge noted his remorse, rehabilitation from drugs and good behaviour in custody. The sentence reflects the violent nature of the crimes, but acknowledges his acceptance of guilt and improved conduct. The order to keep distance from victims is a separate protective measure.
In 2016, Liam Power, aged 54 and without a fixed abode, was convicted of murder after killing Latvian national Giants Intembergs in Tullow, County Carlow, on 15–16 September 2014. Power claimed Intembergs had beaten him in an arm‑wrestling match and slapped him, prompting Power to strike him with a "haymaker" to the chin, after which he kicked the victim 10–11 times and removed his clothes. Power also attacked another man, Aigar Sildars, on the same night. The jury, after 14 hours and 38 minutes of deliberation, found Power guilty of murder by a 10‑2 majority and he was sentenced to life imprisonment. Power has appealed the conviction; the Court of Appeal has reserved judgment. Liam Power was acquitted.
The Central Criminal Court saw the collapse of a trial involving a 40‑year‑old man accused of raping his partner's sister. He had pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape at his Dublin home between September 2009 and July 2013, and to additional charges of oral rape and sexual assault involving contact with the complainant's thigh and vagina between August 2009 and August 2010. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy discharged the jury after a procedural issue arose, and remanded the accused on continuing bail until a new trial date is set.
In 2009 and 2010, a 40‑year‑old man from Meath was convicted by a jury of one count of rape and 12 counts of sexual assault against his fiancée's three daughters, who were in their early to mid‑teens at the time. The convictions were for offences committed in the family home in the east of the country. The judge sentenced him to ten years' imprisonment, noting the severe psychological harm inflicted on the victims, who are now in their early twenties, and praising their resilience. The man's appeal against conviction was dismissed by the Central Criminal Court. The appeal argued that the trial judge should have warned the jury about the dangers of convicting without corroboration for all three complainants; the court found the judge's partial warning adequate and upheld the conviction. No further details about the man's identity or prior convictions were provided. The case remains at the conviction stage.
In the Court of Appeal, Daniel McDonnell's lawyers argued that letters he wrote while in custody, bragging about the murder of 16‑year‑old Melanie McCarthy, were unreliable and should not have been admitted to the jury. McDonnell, 23, had been convicted of the murder on the basis of these letters and a single piece of graffiti. His barrister, Bernard Condon SC, contended that the letters were produced by a 17‑year‑old in a 23‑hour lock‑up, with a history of drug use and limited education, making them suspect. He highlighted the lack of other evidence linking McDonnell to the crime and the absence of safeguards during the letters' creation. The prosecution, represented by Brendan Grehan SC, maintained that the letters were voluntary, lucid, and highly probative. The appeal was heard by a panel of three judges, who reserved judgment on the matter. Daniel McDonnell pleaded not guilty.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing of 37‑year‑old Tadhg Butler, accused of murdering 25‑year‑old Michael O'Dwyer on 10 January 2014, his nephew Tony O'Grady testified that he has no memory of the night of the murder or of any statement he may have given to Gardaí. O'Grady, who lives in The New Houses, Bishop's Birch, said he was a drug addict at the time and had been in and out of mental hospitals, taking heavy medication and being sectioned several times. He claimed he could not remember the past six years, including the night of the stabbing, and that he was "always blanking out" due to his drug and alcohol addiction. The judge excused the jury to return later that afternoon for the remainder of the trial. Tadhg Butler pleaded not guilty.
A 21‑year‑old woman testified in Central Criminal Court that she was raped by a man described as a "father figure" who had been her sister's partner. She said the assault began when she was 13, with the accused's children present in the bedroom. The victim claimed she was forced to perform oral sex on him weeks later. The accused, 40, pleaded not guilty to seven rape charges covering dates from September 2009 to July 2013, when the victim was aged 13 to 16. He also faced not‑guilty pleas for oral rape and sexual assault involving rubbing his penis on the victim's thigh and touching her vagina between August 2009 and August 2010. The prosecution argued the accused claimed consensual sex, while the defense contested the allegations. The trial continues with cross‑examination before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury.
In a Waterford murder trial, evidence was presented that emergency services discovered a blood‑soaked man outside the accused's house, which was also covered in blood and littered with alcohol cans. The trial concerns a 37‑year‑old man, Tadhg Butler, who is charged with murdering 25‑year‑old Michael O'Dwyer on 10 January 2014. Butler pleaded not guilty. The prosecution, led by Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, argued that O'Dwyer was stabbed in the chest at Butler's address, with his heart and left lung injured, leading to death in hospital a few hours later. Butler had previously been known as Thomas O'Grady but changed his name by deed poll. Garda and paramedic witnesses described the crime scene, noting forced entry, blood on the floor, numerous empty cans, and a recent alcohol purchase. The trial is set to continue before Mr Justice Paul Butler and a jury of twelve.
A new jury of six men and six women was sworn in by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy to hear the trial of a 37‑year‑old Waterford man accused of murdering 25‑year‑old Michael O'Dwyer on 10 January 2014. The accused, Tadhg Butler of Seafield in Tramore, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment before the Central Criminal Court. The jury, the second to be sworn for this case, will hear the trial, which is expected to last two weeks, before Mr Justice Paul Butler later that day.
A 37‑year‑old Waterford man, Tadhg Butler, is on trial for the murder of 25‑year‑old Michael O'Dwyer, who died of a single stab wound to the chest on 10 January 2014. Butler, originally known as Thomas O'Grady, changed his name by deed poll. The prosecution, led by Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, argued that the knife used was held by Butler and that the wound was a single forward thrust, with no defensive injuries on O'Dwyer's hands or arms. Butler pleaded not guilty. Witness Tony Walsh, a caretaker, testified that he saw Butler "scampering" back into his home as Gardaí arrived and that a body lay on the ground. The trial, held before the Central Criminal Court, will continue the following day before Mr Justice Paul Butler and a jury of five women and seven men, and is expected to last two weeks.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a 29‑year‑old Galway man was sentenced to seven and a half years' imprisonment for the weekly rape of his foster sister over a decade. He was also convicted of raping two other foster girls aged six to ten, with the rapes occurring in a hut by the family home and in other locations such as a field and the parents' room. The court heard that the accused asked the first victim to "do that thing for me" and forced her to hold a pornography magazine and clean herself with a dock leaf after an assault. The second victim, aged 11 when she reported the abuse in 2007, had been denied prosecution because the first victim denied it. The third victim, aged eight, was raped in the parents' room after being instructed to wear the mother's underwear.
A 37‑year‑old Waterford man, Tadhg Butler of Seafield in Tramore, is set to go on trial for the murder of 25‑year‑old Michael O'Dwyer on 10 January 2014 in County Waterford. Butler was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court and pleaded not guilty. A jury of five women and seven men will hear the case before Mr Justice Paul Butler, with the trial expected to last two weeks.
Two Meath brothers, both in their late 40s, were convicted of raping their sisters in the 1980s and 1990s. The first brother was found guilty in January of four counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault, with the abuse occurring when the victim was aged 14 to 20. At sentencing on 20 March, Justice Deirdre Murphy imposed a 10‑year term, suspending the last two and a half years, noting the offender's juvenile status at the time of most offences but continued adult offending. The second brother, convicted in a separate trial, faced two counts of indecent assault and one count of rape between 1987 and 1988; his case was scheduled for a hearing on 19 April. Both men remain unnamed to protect victim anonymity. The victim described the abuse as escalating from touching to rape, occurring in various family locations, and expressed that her brother's actions ruined her teenage years. The defendants maintain their innocence.
In March 2018 the Central Criminal Court heard the case of Anthony Cassidy, 34, who raped and severely assaulted a woman in her fifties in Carlow. The victim was found unconscious on the outskirts of town 12 hours after the attack, with her top pulled up to her collarbone and her trousers partially removed. CCTV footage and DNA evidence linked Cassidy to the scene. He pleaded guilty to rape and assault causing serious harm on 25 June 2017. The victim suffered a multifocal brain injury, extensive bruising and was admitted to intensive care for weeks. She is now dependent on family care, experiences ongoing pain, immobility and night terrors. The court noted the offence was of exceptional seriousness and adjourned sentencing to 23 April, with a potential sentence above 12½ years up to life in prison.
A 39‑year‑old man, described by the court as a paedophile who poses a serious threat to society, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for sexual assault and child pornography offences. He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault against an older boy aged 10‑11 and to producing child pornography involving that boy between September and December 2012. He also pleaded guilty to producing child pornography involving a younger boy aged 4‑5 in July 2013, and admitted possession of child pornography in December 2014 and contravening a sex offenders order in May 2016. The judge imposed a suspended 18‑month period and required the offender to engage in services and counselling while in custody. Gardaí seized laptops, an external hard drive and a USB key containing thousands of category‑one and category‑two images and videos of the two boys, which were identified by the police and specialist interviewers.
Jonathan Keogh, a 32‑year‑old from Gloucester Place, was charged with the murder of Gareth Hutch on 24 May 2016 at Avondale House, Cumberland Street North. His bail application was refused by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy at the Central Criminal Court after gardai objected under Section 2 of the Bail Act 1997, citing the need to prevent a serious offence. Keogh's trial will be held at the Special Criminal Court.
A 43‑year‑old Nigerian mother pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four counts of child cruelty for beating her two children with household items between October 2011 and April 2013. The court heard that the abuse involved excessive physical chastisement, verbal and mental abuse, and that the children were taken into care and foster care before returning to their mother. Detective Garda Donal O'Connell noted that the treatment would have been considered acceptable in Nigeria and that the children had not been deprived of food or clothing. The mother had made domestic violence allegations against her husband but had not filed an official complaint. She had worked hard to educate herself and had changed her parenting style after engaging with a migrant family support service. Judge Cormac Quinn, citing the seriousness of the offences and the mother's mitigating factors, imposed a one‑year suspended sentence for three years.
Dermot Griffin, 57, of Ballyfermot, was convicted of manslaughter for setting fire to a makeshift den on 1 September 2001, which killed 12‑year‑old Stephen Hughes. The 13‑day trial concluded with a 15‑year sentence imposed by Judge Patricia Ryan on 23 June 2014. Griffin appealed the conviction, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal on all grounds. Mr Justice George Birmingham, sitting with Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice John Edwards, upheld the conviction, noting that the evidence, including witness testimony and video footage, supported the finding that Griffin started the fire. The appeal was rejected because the Court found no substantive errors in the trial or grounds to discharge the jury. The conviction and sentence remain in force.
An unnamed 64-year-old man from Tipperary was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court following an appeal. He pleaded guilty to one count of rape, one count of attempted rape, and three counts of sexual assault committed against his niece, who was aged between five and ten, between December 1999 and May 2005. Mr Justice Tony Hunt imposed a headline sentence of 12 years, which was reduced to eight-and-a-half years due to the defendant's early guilty plea and admissions. The final year of the sentence is suspended on the condition that the man remains under Probation Service supervision for two years post-release, resulting in an effective custody period of seven-and-a-half years. The judge noted the defendant's limited cognitive ability and lack of previous convictions. The court heard allegations that the man terrorised the victim, who is now 23, and that the abuse caused severe long-term psychological harm, including depression and suicide attempts. The judge stated he would have imposed a longer sentence but was constrained by Court of Appeal guidelines. The matter was finalised with this sentencing.
A 68‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for serial sexual abuse of his family. He was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury in August of indecent assault and rape of his grandson from 2004 to 2015, when the boy was aged four to fifteen. He also pleaded guilty to indecent assault of three daughters, attempting to rape one and raping another between 1981 and 1987, when the girls were nine to fourteen. The judge described the abuse as a "grim catalogue" across two generations. The sentence, with some consecutive elements, was back‑dated to the time the man entered custody after the trial. The article reports the details of the assaults, the victims' impact statements, and the defendant's lack of prior convictions. No further legal outcomes are mentioned.
A man from Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, has been sentenced to life imprisonment following his conviction for the murder of his infant son. John Tighe, aged 40, was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court of murdering six-and-a-half-month-old Joshua Sussbier Tighe on 1 June 2013 at his home in Lavallyroe. The jury deliberated for seven hours and 32 minutes before returning their verdict. Tighe had pleaded not guilty and maintained the death was accidental. Prosecution evidence, including expert testimony from pathologists and paediatricians, established that the child could not have independently formed or swallowed a wad of tissue found obstructing his airway. The child's mother delivered an impact statement describing the trauma she has endured since her son's death. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy imposed the mandatory life sentence as prescribed by law.
At the Central Criminal Court, the jury in the trial of a man accused of murdering his infant son has been permitted to return a majority verdict. John Tighe, aged 40, of Lavallyroe, Ballyhaunis, County Mayo, pleads not guilty to the murder of his six-and-a-half-month-old son, Joshua Sussbier Tighe, who died at the family home on 1 June 2013. After six hours and 38 minutes of deliberation, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy instructed the nine women and three men that ten jurors need agree on their verdict. The judge outlined three possible verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty, or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. The prosecution contends the child choked on tissue deliberately placed in his throat. The accused maintains he discovered the baby choking on tissue after returning from the toilet while changing his nappy. The judge explained the legal thresholds for each verdict to the jury.
A Polish roofer, Slawomir Gierlowski, aged 33, was found guilty by a jury of carrying out three random violent sexual attacks on women in Dublin between 2011 and 2016. The first attack occurred on 11 September 2011, when he dragged a woman to the ground, sexually assaulted her and punched her repeatedly. The second, on 3 September 2015, involved a leather belt and duct tape, followed by sexual assault. The third, on 16 May 2016, took place in daylight on Knockmeenagh Lane; Gierlowski, armed with a hunting knife, pulled a woman backwards, threatened to slit her throat, and cut tendons in three fingers when she grabbed the blade. DNA evidence linked all three incidents to Gierlowski, who had been in custody since his arrest in June 2016. The trial, held at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, concluded with unanimous guilty verdicts for all three offences, and he remains remanded for sentencing.
In 2018 the Court of Appeal upheld a 12‑year sentence for a 55‑year‑old man convicted of sexually abusing his step‑daughter. The man had pleaded not guilty to four counts of rape, ten counts of sexual assault, one count of oral rape and two counts of using an object to penetrate the complainant between 2001 and 2005. The victim was aged 11 to 15 at the time. The Central Criminal Court had imposed concurrent sentences ranging from five to 12 years. The appeal was dismissed by Mr Justice Alan Mahon, who found that the trial judge had properly exercised discretion in admitting admissions and evidence. The Court found neither of the two grounds of appeal successful, and the conviction and sentence were confirmed. The case involved allegations of digital penetration, touching, oral rape and attempted intercourse, with evidence from the victim's mother, siblings and grandmother.
A jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court found Slawomir Gierlowski, 33, guilty of six counts of sexual assault, assault and false imprisonment against two women in Clondalkin over a four‑year period. The convictions relate to attacks in 2011 and 2015, when Gierlowski dragged the women to the ground, used a leather belt or duct tape, and sexually assaulted them. A third attack on 16 May 2016 involved a hunting knife; the victim was pulled backwards, cut three fingers, and escaped. DNA evidence linked Gierlowski to all three incidents, matching blood, semen and other trace material from the scenes. The jury deliberated over three additional charges from the 2016 attack, which will be considered tomorrow. The case remains at the jury stage for those further charges. The unnamed woman pleaded not guilty.