David Sweeney, son of the 62‑year‑old victim, gave a victim impact statement at the Central Criminal Court during the sentencing hearing of Gary Walsh, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Sweeney described his father as an alcoholic but the only father he and his siblings had, and said the killing had affected every aspect of their lives, including marriages, careers and social relationships. He recounted how his father was beaten to death by Walsh, a man half his age, and how the event left him haunted by thoughts of his father drowning in his own blood. Sweeney also spoke of the emotional impact on his family, noting that the death has made it difficult for them to mourn and to explain the circumstances to their grandchildren. The court adjourned sentencing until the following Monday and remanded Walsh in custody. The unnamed 62-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Tadhg Butler, 36, of Seafield, Tramore, was convicted of murdering Michael O'Dwyer, 25, at his home on 10 January 2014. During the trial he dismissed his legal team on day six and chose to represent himself, recalling his nephew, Anthony O'Grady, as a witness. Butler presented a new version of events, claiming he had accidentally stabbed O'Dwyer while removing a knife from O'Grady, a claim denied by O'Grady. The jury found Butler guilty after 2 h 26 min of deliberation and he received a mandatory life sentence on 15 May 2015. On appeal, the Court of Appeal held that the trial judge should have advised Butler that his new version could not be considered by the jury without sworn evidence. Consequently, the Court quashed Butler's conviction, with the possibility of a retrial to be considered later. Tadhg Butler pleaded not guilty.
A 37‑year‑old Limerick man, Larry McCarthy, was found guilty by the Special Criminal Court of assaulting 33‑year‑old David Foran on 25 November 2014 at Cornmarket Villas. McCarthy had pleaded not guilty to both the assault and to threatening to use "unlawful violence" with two others at the same place and date, but the court found him guilty of both offences. The trial recounted that Foran had been knocked down by a motorcyclist on 14 November 2014, who later offered him €5,000 and directed him to meet McCarthy in Limerick town. Foran testified that McCarthy struck him with a baseball bat, beat him, stabbed his leg with a knife and tried to remove his vest. The judge remanded McCarthy in custody until 24 July, when sentencing will occur.
In a Dublin District Family Court hearing, a mother who had received €30,000 in compensation for an assault was warned by Judge John Lindsay that she would be sent to jail if she failed to pay €30 a week in child maintenance. The judge learned that the mother, who has one daughter with her former partner, owes him more than €2,300 in maintenance. When asked where the compensation money was, the mother replied that it was in her bank statement but not actually in her bank. She explained that she had used the money to pay rent, buy a car, cover her father's funeral costs, and give some to her former partner. She had not brought the requested financial documents to court, and the judge criticised her lack of preparation. The mother, who had previously worked as a carer but is now out of work due to illness, had been ordered to pay the maintenance while unemployed.
In a case that set a legal precedent, Richard Dekker, aged 30, was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court in March of murdering 17‑year‑old Daniel McAnaspie in February 2010. The body of McAnaspie, who had been under HSE care, was discovered by a farmer in a seven‑foot ditch in Rathfeigh, County Meath, 30 km from the murder site. Dekker's conviction followed a week‑long trial and more than eight hours of jury deliberation. The verdict was unanimous, and the court remanded Dekker in custody pending a sentencing hearing on 3 April. The case is notable because it is the first time the Criminal Justice Procedure Act 2010 was used to retry a person after an earlier acquittal. Dekker's lawyers applied for, and were granted, an extension of time to appeal the conviction, which had been lodged three weeks late, by Justice George Birmingham during case‑management procedures in the Court of Appeal.
A Kildare man, now 24, is appealing against a custodial sentence imposed for offences committed when he was 15. The appellant pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault in a shed at his home in Co. Kildare in October and December 2008, as well as oral rape at his home in April 2009 and in a woodland near his home in May 2009. On November 28, 2016, Mr Justice Tony Hunt sentenced him to four years imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. Counsel Hugh Hartnett SC argued that the appellant should have been spared jail, citing his age at the time and characterizing the acts as reckless experimentation. He submitted that under the 2001 Children's Act, detention for a legal juvenile must be a last resort. The appeal was heard by Mr Justice George Birmingham, sitting with Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice John Hedigan. The court reserved judgment on the appeal against the severity of the sentence, with the decision scheduled to be delivered on Friday next. The matter remains adjourned pending this ruling.
In 2017, Eric Eoin Marques, a 30‑year‑old Dublin resident, sought to stop his extradition to the United States. The FBI had labelled him the world's largest facilitator of child pornography, alleging he owned and ran the anonymous hosting site Freedom Hosting. U.S. authorities charged him with conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography, involving violent images of pre‑pubescent children on over a hundred anonymous sites. Marques had been in custody since August 2013 and had previously challenged the High Court's 2015 order for his surrender, with the Court of Appeal dismissing his appeal. He also sued the Director of Public Prosecutions for not prosecuting him in Ireland, offering a guilty plea, but both the High Court and Court of Appeal rejected his actions. The Supreme Court declined his appeal on that matter, and an application to the European Court of Human Rights failed.
In a Family Law case in Dublin, a judge warned a woman that if she again identified her husband on Facebook she would be in contempt of court. The woman had posted a picture of her husband online with the caption "Now everybody sees your face and you don't hit me anymore." Her husband, who was seeking a safety order, claimed she had threatened to kill him and had posted an "urgent notice" on Facebook labeling him as violent. The judge, Gerard Furlong, reminded the woman that Family Law proceedings are governed by an "in camera" rule, meaning no one may be identified outside court, and that violating this rule can lead to imprisonment. He instructed her to refrain from threatening or posting anything about her husband on the internet.
Glen Conroy, 27, was found guilty by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury of assaulting a prison officer at Mountjoy Prison on 20 March 2013. Conroy claimed the officer, Paul Brady, had moved him to a new cell without a television and that he had been attacked unprovoked. Conroy said he head‑butted Brady and punched him, but Brady testified that Conroy was the aggressor. Conroy also alleged that officer Patrick Laverty had grabbed his testicles and forced him to the ground, a claim Laverty denied. Conroy admitted no complaint had been made about the alleged assault. Assistant‑Governor Malcolm O'Sullivan reported a disciplinary hearing on 23 March 2013, after which Conroy signed a report and lost privileges for 56 days. The hearing was later disputed by Conroy, who said it never occurred. Judge Martin Nolan adjourned the case for sentencing on 26 July and remanded Conroy in custody.
A 19‑year‑old homeless teen, Kelly McAuley, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of assault causing harm after an unprovoked attack on sisters Kathleen (66) and Eileen (59) on South Anne's Street on 13 May 2016. McAuley struck Kathleen in the face and head, causing her to fall, and punched Eileen in the nose, drawing blood. The sisters were treated for facial fractures. McAuley was arrested later that day, was intoxicated and initially unfit for interview, but later accepted full responsibility and expressed remorse. She had 42 prior convictions, including theft, assault, criminal damage and drug misuse, and had been homeless since age 10. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced her to three years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended, describing her as a danger to society. The sentence was imposed on 29 June 2017.
Nine weeks after the Jobstown protest trial opened, a jury returned a unanimous not‑guilty verdict after just over three hours. The prosecution had alleged that six men had "plainly involved in the restriction of liberty" of Joan Burton and Karen O'Connell, who were trapped in Garda cars for three hours after a graduation ceremony. The men were said to have surrounded the cars, preventing the women from leaving the church yard, and to have moved the cars "inch by inch" along Fortunestown Road. Defence counsel argued that the women were kept in the vehicle because of a fear of violence, not because of the men's actions, and criticised Garda testimony as unreliable. Video footage was repeatedly shown, and the judge instructed the jury to treat it as the primary evidence.
In a daylight incident on 22 August 2016, Darren Gallagher, 46, was seen by Garda Dominic Dowling cutting the cheek of an acquaintance with a Stanley blade outside a supermarket on Neilstown Road, Clondalkin. Gallagher was stopped minutes later, a knife found in his tracksuit, and he later claimed the victim had threatened him and his family. The victim, known to Gardaí, had no statement and was unwilling to engage with the investigation. Gallagher pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He has three prior convictions for minor offences. Judge Karen O'Connor adjourned sentencing to 17 October, remanded him on continuing bail, and ordered a probation report. Gallagher has not prepared a victim impact statement and has not sought medical assistance, though the cut has healed with a scar. The case remains pending sentencing.
Seán Ducque, who had no fixed abode, was found guilty of murdering 33‑year‑old Kieran Farrelly on 26 October 2014. The court heard that Farrelly was shot twice with a shotgun – first in the chest, then in the head – after a confrontation in Killarney Court, Dublin. Witnesses reported two bangs and shouting at about 11.30 p.m.; a female voice warned "Seán, don't do it." Emergency services discovered Farrelly's body with two gunshot wounds. A sawn‑off, double‑barrelled shotgun and discharged cartridges were recovered from a nearby lane. Ducque denied intent to kill, claiming he was trying to sell a stolen phone, but the jury found him guilty of murder. He will be sentenced to life imprisonment next month. The trial also noted Ducque's prior robberies and his heroin addiction at the time of the offence. The judge remanded him in custody for sentencing. Seán Ducque pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin murder trial, the jury was supplied with the shotgun used by the defendant, Seán Ducque, to kill 33‑year‑old Kieran Farrelly in 2014. Ducque, who has no fixed abode, pleaded not guilty but admitted firing two shots that killed Farrelly. The jurors requested the weapon during deliberations and received it before resuming at lunchtime. Prosecutor Dominic McGinn noted the Gardaí had asked for the firearm to be returned to avoid it being left unattended, a request the judge accepted.
A 26‑year‑old man, Jason Keating of Lower Main Street, Rush, was charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan, 62, outside Kirwan's house on St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, on 22 December 2016. He applied for bail in the High Court on 28 June 2017, but the State objected. Inspector Mark O'Neill argued that Keating would commit further offences if released and might not attend trial. Chief Superintendent Lorraine Wheatley also opposed bail under Section 2(A) of the Bail Act, citing the need to prevent serious offences. Judge Paul Butler rejected the application, and Keating was remanded in custody.
Stephen Bollard, aged 35, was jailed for a series of thefts committed in 2016, described by the court as a "one man crime wave." He pleaded guilty to two burglaries, one attempted burglary, three thefts and one act of criminal damage across Dublin. The offences, all non‑violent, caused financial loss to businesses and increased security costs. Bollard had 118 prior convictions, including 27 for theft, 33 for burglary and nine for attempted burglary. The judge noted his lack of violent history and his reduced methadone intake while in custody. A consecutive sentence of four years and four months was imposed, with the final 18 months suspended. The case highlighted the impact of repeated non‑violent thefts on victims and the broader community.
In a Dublin District Family Court hearing, an elderly father requested and was granted a three‑year barring order against his 27‑year‑old son, whom he described as "extremely violent." The father explained that his son has suffered from mental health issues for over two years and had recently changed his medication for acute anxiety. He claimed that if the son does not take his medication promptly in the morning, he becomes violent. The father expressed fear for his wife's safety and said she was suffering from nerves, adding that he was "extremely worried" about her. He also mentioned that his daughter had recently announced a pregnancy, indicating a desire to look forward. Judge Ann Ryan approved the barring order, citing the father's concerns for his family's safety. The case highlights the court's role in protecting families from domestic violence linked to untreated mental health conditions.
A Central Criminal Court jury found a 55‑year‑old man, Aivars Sondors, not guilty of three counts of impeding a murder investigation. The case involved the killing of 44‑year‑old Audrius Butkus, who was allegedly murdered by Marius Gaizutis on 9 September 2013. Sondors was accused of moving the body from a house on Marsh Road, Drogheda, dumping it in the sea at Mornington Beach, cleaning the scene, and disposing of items at Burke House on Mathew's Lane. He admitted the allegations but pleaded not guilty, claiming duress. The jury deliberated for two hours and three minutes and returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty on all counts. The trial lasted six days, with evidence from witnesses, forensic experts, and Gardaí, and concluded with the judge thanking the jury and exempting them from service for six years. Audrius Butkus was convicted.
A 57‑year‑old Dublin man was convicted by a jury of 41 counts of indecent assault against a young relative who was between six and nine years old when abused between 1983 and 1986. The man, aged 24 to 26 at the time, was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended, by Judge Gerard O'Brien on 8 February 2016. He appealed both his conviction and the severity of the sentence, but the Court of Appeal dismissed both appeals. In the appeal, Mr Justice George Birmingham, sitting with Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice John Hedigan, confirmed that the man had no prior convictions and that the sentence was a severe one, reflecting the prolonged, systemic nature of the abuse and the psychological harm inflicted on the victim, who is a second cousin of the accused. The Court of Appeal upheld the original eight‑year sentence with one year suspended.
The Court of Appeal upheld a 13‑year jail term for a 40‑year‑old man convicted of raping a woman four times in a single incident at his Laois home. The man had been sentenced to 14 years with the final year suspended, but the appeal against the severity of the sentence was dismissed. The judge noted the prolonged, violent nature of the attacks, the humiliation inflicted, and credible threats to kill the victim and her mother. The defendant's defence claimed no sexual contact and that injuries were due to force used to reject advances. The appeal also addressed the defendant's request to introduce sexually explicit images, which the trial judge deemed irrelevant. The Court of Appeal found no grounds to alter the conviction or sentence, confirming the 13‑year term as appropriate for the seriousness of the offence. The unnamed 40-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin murder trial, the jury requested to see the shotgun used by Seán Ducque, who shot Kieran Farrelly, 33, in the head and chest on 26 October 2014 at Killarney Court. Ducque, a homeless drug addict, pleaded not guilty. Prosecutor Dominic McGinn SC argued that firing a shotgun at close range indicates intent to kill and that the alleged provocation—Farrelly's threat to "beat the head off" Ducque—was insufficient to cause a complete loss of control. He described Ducque's actions as deliberate: luring Farrelly to the court, retrieving the gun, shooting twice, and reloading within a metre of the victim's head. McGinn concluded that this case represented a clear instance of murder. Defence counsel Hugh O'Keeffe SC acknowledged the killing but highlighted the unusual nature of provocation and the client's intoxication.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing in Limerick, Larry McCarthy, aged 37, faces a verdict on an assault charge. He is accused of threatening "unlawful violence" and physically assaulting David Foran, 33, on 25 November 2014 at Cornmarket Villas. McCarthy denies both the assault and the threat, pleading not guilty. Foran, who had earlier been knocked down by a motorcyclist and received compensation, identified McCarthy as the assailant in statements to Gardaí. The prosecution, led by John Byrne BL, argues Foran's statements are reliable, citing his signed declaration and a second statement that elaborated on McCarthy's identity. Defence counsel Barry White SC contends Foran's testimony is unreliable, pointing to inconsistencies such as unsubstantiated injuries and missing phone records. White also criticises the Garda investigation for lacking site examination and documentation. The court, presided over by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy with Judges Gerard Griffin and Gerard Haughton, will deliver its judgment on Monday, 3 July.
A 51‑year‑old Limerick man, who called Gardaí to report that he had tried to kill his 66‑year‑old neighbour, will be sentenced next week for attacking and sexually assaulting her. He entered the woman's Cork home just after nine that evening, asking her to share wine. He then became violent, putting a cushion over her face, pulling down her pyjamas and sexually assaulting her. The woman was taken to hospital where bruises were found on her jaw, neck, knee, thigh, upper inner thigh near her genital area and a cut to her vagina. She gave evidence to the jury but the man pleaded guilty to sexual assault and not guilty to rape. He has four prior convictions for assault and theft. He was remanded in custody pending sentencing. The woman's life has been profoundly affected, and she now relies on medication and precautions to feel safe.
In June 2017, Clare Daly TD submitted an affidavit on behalf of Sean Paul Farrell, a 32‑year‑old Dublin resident, in relation to human rights concerns at Northern Ireland's Maghaberry Prison. The affidavit was filed in the High Court following an extradition application by Northern Irish authorities for Farrell and Kieran Maguire, a 29‑year‑old Dublin resident, who are alleged to have attempted to murder a PSNI officer with an improvised explosive device under a car in County Derry on 18 June 2015. Both men face life imprisonment on the charges of attempted murder and possession of explosives. Daly, a member of the Dáil Justice Committee, had previously spoken publicly about conditions at Maghaberry Prison and was scheduled to visit the facility again on 10 July. The High Court, presided over by Justice Aileen Donnelly, set the hearing of the extradition request for 25–26 July and required an additional affidavit by 17 July following Daly's visit.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, the prosecution closed its case against Larry McCarthy, 37, who was accused of assaulting David Foran, 33, on 25 November 2014 at Cornmarket Villas, Limerick. McCarthy, who lives at Tower Lodge, Crossgalla, denied both the assault and the allegation that he and two others threatened to use "unlawful violence" at the same place and date. Foran had earlier been knocked down and offered compensation by a motorcyclist. Detective Garda Gerard Healy testified that Foran identified McCarthy as the man who stabbed him, describing him as "stocky with red hair" and "unshaven." The defence argued that the absence of a video recording of Foran's statement handicapped their case, and that the detective had not asked whether the Larry McCarthy described was the one living in Cornmarket Villas. McCarthy denied any involvement. The prosecution announced that it had closed its case, while the trial continues before Ms Justice Kennedy, Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Gerard Haughton. Larry McCarthy pleaded not guilty.
The murder trial of Christopher McDonald, 34, from East Wall, Dublin, continued at the Central Criminal Court, where he faces charges of the murder of 36-year-old Keith Walker. Mr. McDonald has pleaded not guilty to the killing, which allegedly occurred on June 12, 2015, in the car park of the Blanchardstown Pigeon Racing Club on Shelerin Road, Clonsilla. Witness Mark Kelly testified that he was speaking with Mr. Walker when a gunman, described as wearing a wig and women's gym clothes, approached and fired a sub-machine gun. Kelly stated that children were nearby and that it was fortunate only one person died. He reported that the gunman "blew him to bits" and that Mr. Walker was already dead when Kelly attempted CPR. Another witness, Brian Duffy, said he saw the gunman reach into a bag and heard what sounded like firecrackers before the shooter fled. The trial has previously heard from State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy that the deceased was shot 18 times in the head and body. Prosecuting counsel Denis Vaughan Buckley SC presented the evidence. Justice Patrick McCarthy adjourned the proceedings, asking the jury to return on Wednesday to consider a legal issue in the trial. The matter was adjourned and is not concluded.
A trial date of 30 May 2018 has been set for Darren Murphy, aged 40, who is charged with the murder of Olivia Dunlea, aged 36, at her Pembroke Crescent home in County Cork. The alleged killing occurred on 17 February 2013, when Ms Dunlea was found dead with multiple stab wounds in an upstairs room following a house fire. The case will be heard before a judge and jury in the Central Criminal Court.
In a Dublin murder trial, 33‑year‑old Seán Ducque, who has no fixed abode, admitted firing a loaded shotgun twice at Kieran Farrelly on 26 October 2014, killing him. Ducque said he was severely intoxicated with heroin, vodka and zimovane and had lost control after Farrelly threatened to punch him. He claimed drug dealers had given him the shotgun and four cartridges to rob a taxi driver and repay a €3,000 debt. Ducque testified that he hid the gun and the taxi driver's phone and cash in bushes at Killarney Court, then returned with Farrelly and his partners to retrieve the items. He denied any pre‑planned intent to kill, stating he was under threat and that the second shot was fired after the first when Farrelly was on the ground. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Paul Butler and a jury of twelve. The unnamed 33-year-old pleaded not guilty.
The murder trial of Christopher McDonald, 34, from East Wall, Dublin, is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. McDonald has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of 36-year-old Keith Walker on June 12, 2015, in the car park of the Blanchardstown Pigeon Racing Club on Shelerin Road, Clonsilla. State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy testified that Walker, a healthy individual, died quickly after suffering 18 bullet wounds to the head and body. She concluded the cause of death was multiple gunshot injuries, noting the wounds were consistent with rapid fire. Detective Garda David O'Leary presented a 9mm Makarov sub-machine gun found in a laneway off Sheepmoor Grove, along with a handbag and wig. He testified that the firearm, which had been reactivated by a skilled person, fired the bullets that killed Walker. The jury also heard from Jason O'Connor, a friend of the deceased, who stated that Walker was preparing for a pigeon racing trip to Manchester when he was shot. The trial continues before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of twelve.
The Central Criminal Court heard that 33‑year‑old Seán Ducque, charged with murdering Kieran Farrelly, tried to urinate on his hands before forensic samples were taken for firearms residue. Garda Aaron Hoey testified that after the accused was detained the next day, bags were placed on his hands to preserve residue that could be removed by friction or washing. Hoey said Ducque removed the bags and attempted to wash the residue away, and that he was uncooperative, requiring restraint by four officers. Despite this, samples were obtained. Forensic scientist John O'Shaughnessy examined Ducque's jacket and found residue matching that from the shotgun cartridge recovered at the scene, supporting the view that Ducque discharged the shotgun. CCTV footage showed the accused, the victim and two women walking together at 11:30 pm, with the victim no longer present ten minutes later.
Mark Bissett, 31, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to making a threat to damage Michael Maher's house. The incident occurred on May 27, 2016, at Central Bank Plaza, Dame Street, where Bissett allegedly threatened to burn down Maher's home. Bissett, who previously served a six-year sentence for manslaughter, was reportedly angry that Maher's charity, "You're not alone," was assisting a relative with whom he had fallen out. Judge Karen O'Connor imposed a two-year sentence, which she suspended on strict conditions. The judge described the behavior as disgraceful and warned Bissett that he faced two years in prison if he reoffended. She ordered him to stay away from the charity, Mr. Maher, and his home. Bissett has 60 previous convictions, including assault and public order offences. Defense counsel submitted that Bissett had significantly turned his life around and addressed risk factors related to substance misuse. The court noted Bissett remains at high risk of re-offending and ordered him to be brought back before the judge if further trouble arises.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, 33‑year‑old David Foran claimed that on 25 November 2014, after a traffic incident, he was assaulted by Larry McCarthy (37) and others at Cornmarket Villas, Limerick. Foran said McCarthy stabbed him in the leg with a knife and that the assailants tried to remove his bulletproof vest. He alleged that McCarthy and two other men threatened to use "unlawful violence" and that they had been involved in a dispute over compensation money following a motorcyclist's knock‑down. McCarthy, who lives at Tower Lodge, Crossgalla, has pleaded not guilty to the assault charge. The court accepted Foran's statements as reliable after the prosecution demonstrated inconsistencies with earlier Garda statements. The case will continue before Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Gerard Haughton.
A 55‑year‑old Latvian‑born man, Aivars Sondors, pleaded not guilty to three counts of assisting an offender in the 2013 murder of Audrius Butkus, a 44‑year‑old victim. He testified that he had been coerced by the killer, Marius Gaizutis, to move the body from a house on Marsh Road in Drogheda to Mornington Beach, and to dispose of evidence such as carpet, clothing and other items at Burke House on Mathew's Lane. Sondors said he was terrified of Gaizutis, who had threatened him, and feared he would become the next victim if he refused. He admitted the allegations but argued duress. The trial, held in the Central Criminal Court, is hearing whether the accused acted under duress, with the jury to decide the outcome. The case remains pending, with further cross‑examination scheduled.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, Christopher McDonald (34) pleaded not guilty to the 2015 shooting of 36‑year‑old Keith Walker at the Blanchardstown Pigeon Racing Club. The State alleges that a man dressed in women's clothing, wearing makeup and a designer handbag, approached two teenage boys on the evening of 12 June 2015 and asked for directions to the club. The teens, who were unaware of the club's location, described the man as late 30s or 40s, about five feet ten inches tall, with a cut above his right eye and a pink‑striped outfit. Witnesses also reported the man's presence in the area roughly 90 minutes before the shooting. The trial, presided over by Justice Patrick McCarthy, continues with a jury of twelve.
In the trial of 33‑year‑old Seán Ducque, charged with the 2014 murder of Kieran Farrelly, former partner Laura Dempsey testified that she was in a relationship with Ducque at the time and that they had a child. She said she had been selling heroin with Farrelly's partner that evening and that they later met Ducque and Farrelly, walking toward Summerhill. Dempsey claimed she heard a shot immediately after Farrelly crossed railings and that Ducque fired twice, once in the chest or head. She said she shouted "stop" after the first shot and that Ducque handed her a bag containing a gun after the second. Dempsey described being crying, the gun being disposed of in a bin on Mabbot Lane, and the Gardaí arriving to arrest them. She also admitted to being a heroin addict and taking methadone, valium and alcohol that night, but insisted she was not heavily intoxicated. Seán Ducque pleaded guilty.
During the murder trial of 33‑year‑old Seán Ducque, a witness, Leon Fay, testified that he heard two bangs and two women shouting "Seán Don't" on the night of 26 October 2014. Fay, who lived across the street from Killarney Court, recalled hearing what he thought were fireworks, then hearing the women's distressing cries. He also heard a male voice say "I'll meet you around the back" before seeing the women run together. Fay went to the scene, saw a body lying on the ground, and called an ambulance. The body was that of Kieran Farrelly, who was found shot with a shotgun. The state pathologist confirmed two fatal shotgun injuries, one to the eye and one to the chest, and the prosecution argued that Ducque's use of a shotgun at close range constituted an intent to kill. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Butler, is expected to last two weeks. Seán Ducque pleaded not guilty.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Aivars Sondors, 55, continues before Mr Justice Paul Coffey. Mr Sondors, of Sycamore Close, Termon Abbey, Drogheda, has pleaded not guilty to three counts of assisting an offender on September 9 or 10, 2013. He is alleged to have impeded the apprehension or prosecution of Marius Gaizutis, knowing or believing Gaizutis had unlawfully killed Audrius Butkus, 44. Particulars include moving Butkus's body from Marsh Road to Mornington Beach and cleaning the scene at Burke House. While Mr Sondors admitted the acts, his defense asserts duress. Gaizutis was previously convicted of Butkus's murder on May 1, 2015. Chief State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy testified that Butkus died from blunt force trauma to the head, causing brain injury and inhalation of blood. She stated the injuries were consistent with being struck by the blunt end of a hand axe, with up to nine blows. The body was found face down in the sand, with drag marks on the back. Cassidy noted Butkus was considerably intoxicated and had no defensive injuries. The trial is ongoing, with the jury tasked with deciding the issue of duress.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Larry McCarthy, 37, of Tower Lodge, Crossgalla, County Limerick, pleaded not guilty to assaulting David Foran, 33, at Cornmarket Villas on 25 November 2014. McCarthy also denied that he and two others threatened to use "unlawful violence" at the same location and date. The prosecution maintains that McCarthy was among those who threatened unlawful violence and assaulted Foran, who had earlier that month been knocked down and offered compensation by a motorcyclist. The defence is scheduled to submit arguments tomorrow before Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, with Judges Gerard Griffin and Gerard Haughton presiding.
The trial of six men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tánaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on November 15, 2014, has heard closing arguments. Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, Councillor Michael Murphy, Councillor Kieran Mahon, Frank Donaghy, Michael Banks, and Scott Masterson have all pleaded not guilty to the charges. Defence counsel for Councillor Michael Murphy argued that gardaí decisions were "unwise and inappropriate," claiming police failed to negotiate early and that video footage disproved prosecution evidence. He stated his client attempted to de-escalate the situation. Counsel for Councillor Kieran Mahon described his client as a political activist who did not use force or threaten violence, arguing that fear caused by violent disorder from others, not his actions, prevented the women from leaving. He criticized the arrest of his client as an abuse of power. The prosecution countered that Councillor Murphy interfered with gardaí and acknowledged the women were not free, while Councillor Mahon returned to the scene and participated in the sit-down protest. The trial continues before Judge Melanie Greally.
A 33‑year‑old man, Seán Ducque, is on trial for the murder of Kieran Farrelly, who died in Dublin City in 2014. Ducque pleaded not guilty, but his barrister, Hugh O'Keeffe SC, admitted that Ducque fired two shotgun shots on 26 October 2014, shots that killed Farrelly. The prosecution, represented by Dominic McGinn SC, argued that the shots were fired from a sawn‑off, double‑barrelled shotgun found in a wheelie bin on Mabbot Lane. Farrelly's body was discovered on Killarney Street with two gunshot wounds – one to the chest and one to the left eye socket – and the State Pathologist confirmed death from these injuries. The court must decide whether Ducque intended to kill or seriously injure Farrelly, a key element for a murder conviction. The trial is scheduled to continue for two weeks before Mr Justice Paul Butler and a 12‑person jury.
A 68‑year‑old Dublin man pleaded guilty to sexually molesting his young niece and was convicted by a jury of two counts of raping that victim and of sexually assaulting her older sister. He was acquitted of two other rape counts. The court heard he began molesting the younger girl when she visited him in her First Communion dress and later raped her in a bedroom at her family home. He allegedly used alcohol and money to influence the parents, giving him opportunities to assault the children, and threatened them that they would be taken away if they reported the abuse. The older sister testified that the abuse changed her from "playing with dolls to planning her death," describing a cold, dark room and a sense of helplessness. The younger sister said the abuse stole her childhood. The defendant denied the rape charges but admitted molestation, describing it as harmless.
During the trial of Christopher McDonald, a 34‑year‑old from Dublin's East Wall, a witness named Jason O'Connor was restrained by prison officers after he lunged at McDonald in front of the jury. O'Connor had been called to give evidence and, after walking behind McDonald, attacked him. Four prison officers and a Garda intervened, and Justice Patrick McCarthy warned O'Connor that he had powers to deal with people who do not act in a "civilised manner." The jury was asked to leave for a few minutes; when they returned, the judge reminded them that they must decide the case based on the evidence and that McDonald enjoys a presumption of innocence. McCarthy described O'Connor's behaviour as "disgraceful" and insisted it should not affect the jury. The trial, which also involves a witness named Stuart Kane who described a shooting at the Blanchardstown Pigeon Racing Club, continues under Justice McCarthy's direction. Christopher McDonald pleaded not guilty.
During a Special Criminal Court hearing, David Foran, aged 33, testified that he does not know who stabbed him. Foran, who was cycling to his mother's house on 14 November 2014, was knocked down by a motorcyclist. Two days later the motorcyclist offered to settle the incident out of court, proposing €5,000 compensation. Foran met the motorcyclist's associate at Cornmarket Villas on 25 November 2014. He described being surrounded by six or seven people, receiving a slap to the back of his head with a baseball bat, falling, and then being stabbed in the leg. Foran could not identify the assailant or describe his appearance. The prosecution alleges that Larry McCarthy, aged 37, was among those who threatened to use "unlawful violence" and assaulted Foran, but McCarthy has pleaded not guilty. The case remains before Justice Isobel Kennedy, Judge Gerard Griffin and Judge Gerard Haughton.
The trial of Aivars Sondors, 55, for impeding a homicide investigation has focused on his alleged assistance to Marius Gaizutis in covering up the murder of Audrius Butkus, 44, who died from a violent assault in Louth. Sondors is charged with three counts of aiding the offender on 9 or 10 September 2013 by moving Butkus's body from a house on Marsh Road, Drogheda, to Mornington Beach, cleaning the scene, and disposing of evidence at Burke House. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts, though he admitted the allegations. The jury must decide whether duress was involved. Witness testimony from Carmen Canales, who hosted the killer's partner and children at her home that night, highlighted the partner's threats and the family's fear. The case remains before Mr Justice Paul Coffey.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, Christopher McDonald, aged 34, is charged with the killing of 36‑year‑old Keith Walker at Blanchardstown Pigeon Racing Club on 12 June 2015. According to barrister Denis Vaughan Buckley, Walker left his home with his six‑year‑old son, travelled to Whitestown, met Jason O'Connor, and later drove to the club with pigeons in a car. At about 6 pm, a man dressed as a woman—wearing a long black‑haired wig, black leggings, dark sunglasses and a handbag—entered the car park, approached Walker, removed a sub‑machine gun from his handbag and fired 18 shots, fatally wounding Walker. CCTV footage will show the shooting and a subsequent image from a Lidl in Blanchardstown of a person without a wig but otherwise similarly dressed. A post‑mortem by Professor Marie Cassidy will confirm 18 gunshot wounds to Walker's head, body and left leg. Christopher McDonald pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a jury heard arguments over the case of Solidarity TD Paul Murphy, aged 34, and five other men accused of falsely imprisoning former Tanaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell on 15 November 2014. The defendants claimed not guilty. The prosecution, led by Sean Gillane SC, argued that the defendants' actions amounted to a total restraint of liberty, describing the event as a coordinated effort to detain the two women in vehicles for three hours during a protest at An Cosán adult education centre. Defence counsel Sean Guerin SC countered that the defendants were not involved in violent or abusive conduct, that the protest was political, and that the alleged restraint was a response to a fear of violence. The trial, presided over by Judge Melanie Greally, continues with the jury expected to decide on the charges of false imprisonment.
Two men, Jordan Carthy (22) and Shane Walsh (18), pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and robbery of two necklaces worth €22,000 at Dame Lane, Dublin 2 on 9 September 2016. The victim, Richard Bergin, was attacked by three men after a night out and had his bag stolen. The bag contained the necklaces, which he had borrowed for his aunt from a jewellery shop where he worked. Garda Frank Johnson identified the accused on CCTV footage, noting that the men repeatedly kicked Bergin while he was on the ground and that Carthy performed a taunting dance. Walsh took the bag and was later arrested in Stephen's Green, where he was found wearing one of the necklaces and a jacket belonging to Carthy. Both men were intoxicated at the time of the assault and claimed they did not remember the incident. They were out on bail when the incident occurred.
A 78-year-old American resident has had his prison sentence reduced following a successful appeal at the Court of Appeal in Dublin. The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court to sexual assault, possession of child pornography, and attempted buggery of a minor between 2000 and 2005. He was originally sentenced to eight-and-a-half years imprisonment in June 2016. The Court of Appeal reduced his sentence to five years, finding that the sentencing judge had insufficiently considered his age and serious medical conditions, which render him largely wheelchair dependent. Mr Justice Alan Mahon stated that while the offences were very serious and involved grooming and abuse of a teenager, courts must give appropriate consideration to the health difficulties of elderly offenders. The three-judge court determined that without these mitigating factors, a sentence of approximately eight years would have been imposed.
In a 2017 sentencing hearing, the Central Criminal Court adjourned the case of 34‑year‑old Robert Maguire, who had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and false imprisonment of his ex‑girlfriend on 14 January 2012. The judge, Mr Justice Paul Butler, received an anonymous letter urging that Maguire be "sent away for life" and was placed in a difficult position. He ordered a probation report after the defence requested a community service assessment, and the case was remanded for a further bail mention on 3 July. The victim, a 30‑year‑old woman, described severe trauma and the assault's lasting impact. Maguire's previous convictions included a 240‑hour community service sentence for theft. The court noted the defence's request for community service and the judge's need for a probation assessment before proceeding. The hearing ended with the case postponed for further consideration.
Keith Chrystal, aged 28, was convicted at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court for robbery, assault causing harm, possession of an imitation firearm, unlawful use of a vehicle and criminal damage following a raid on Leighlinbridge Post Office on 3 March 2016. He pleaded guilty and was originally sentenced to an effective two‑and‑a‑half‑year term by Judge Carmel Doyle on 20 July 2016. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient. In the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice John Edwards re‑sentenced Chrystal to an effective four‑year term, with the final six months suspended. The appeal was based on the judge's assessment that the discounts for the guilty plea and mitigating circumstances were excessive. The case involved a robbery that stole €6,856, the use of an imitation firearm, a hammer, a stolen car, and the assault of Postmaster Art O'Connor, who was struck on the head during the incident.