In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 42‑year‑old man accused of raping his wife pleaded not guilty to rape, assault causing harm and five counts of threats to kill or cause serious harm between 24 May and 1 August 2014. He had previously pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife with a hammer in August 2014. The wife testified that the accused threatened her repeatedly, saying "I can rape you if I want" and "I'm going to finish this tonight," and that he had called her while she was on holiday in Spain, claiming to know her location. She described incidents where he followed her, attempted to seize her keys, and crashed into her car at traffic lights. She also reported that he had installed apps on her phone without permission and turned on location services. The trial is before Justice Isobel Kennedy and a jury of eleven men and one woman.
At the Central Criminal Court, a witness told a murder trial that one of the two accused appeared intoxicated and displayed unusual aggression on the date of the alleged killing. Przemyslaw Lyczek, from Letterkenny, described the behaviour of Krzystof Grzegorski (22) as strange and noted the smell of alcohol. The trial concerns the death of Bogdan Michalkiewicz on 13 May 2013 at Westside Apartments in Letterkenny, County Donegal. Grzegorski and Dariusz Weckowicz (51) face murder charges. Grzegorski has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter; the State rejected this plea. Weckowicz has pleaded not guilty to murder. A further witness, Petr Adamovicz, testified that he observed a stain on Weckowicz's clothing shortly after the body was discovered. The trial, heard before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury, continues.
In a murder trial in the Central Criminal Court, a 49‑year‑old witness, Rimas Sodaitis, testified that he was watching television when he saw the accused, 38‑year‑old Deivydas Zigelis, run toward the deceased, 26‑year‑old Alexander Karpov, with a knife. Sodaitis described a prior conflict between the accused and the deceased, noting that they had been drinking vodka and cider and had been shouting. He said the accused grabbed a knife from a small table, kicked the table, and ran toward Karpov. Sodaitis claimed he did not see what happened next, but later saw blood and heard the accused ask where it was coming from. He also reported that the accused cleaned up the blood before calling emergency services. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Butler. The unnamed 49-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In October 2014, at Cloverhill Prison, convicted murderer Ciaran Moran (30) tied up his cellmate Dean Fagan, threatened to slit his throat, and cut Fagan's head with a homemade shiv. The hostage situation lasted 90 minutes before Moran walked out of the cell. Moran pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and false imprisonment. The court considered the possibility that the incident was an attempt to make a claim against the State or involved collusion between Moran and Fagan, but found no evidence. Judge Melanie Greally noted Moran's dissatisfaction with the seizure of a letter he had sent and imposed a prison term of three and a half years to run alongside his life sentence. Moran also faces separate convictions for manslaughter, assault and aggravated burglary. The incident involved negotiations by prison officers and a brief threat to Fagan's life.
The murder trial of Dariusz Weckowicz and Krzystof Grzegorski, accused of killing Bogdan Michalkiewicz in Letterkenny in 2013, continued before Justice Patrick McCarthy. Both men face murder charges; Mr. Grzegorski pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, a plea the State did not accept, while Mr. Weckowicz pleaded not guilty to murder. Witness Tomasz Michalkiewicz testified that he discovered his brother's body in a state of severe disfigurement, surrounded by smashed furniture and blood. Another witness, Dariusz Miraszewski, described Mr. Weckowicz as a heavy drinker who was not violent, noting he was frail and often passed out. Residents Claire Friel and Nicholas Mulvaney reported hearing raised voices and furniture moving on the day of the alleged incident but did not intervene. The court heard that Mr. Michalkiewicz had struggled with alcohol and a back injury. The trial is ongoing, with further evidence scheduled for the following day.
In the 2016 murder trial of 38‑year‑old Deivydas Zigelis, the Central Criminal Court heard that 26‑year‑old Alexander Karpov died from a single stab wound to the heart. Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster testified that the wound was nine centimetres deep, passing between the third and fourth ribs into the right ventricle and piercing the aortic cusp. She found almost 500ml of fresh blood clot in the pericardial sac, which she said stopped the heart. No defensive wounds were observed. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Butler.
Sean Flanagan, aged 31, was convicted of murdering Ger McMahon in January 2012 and sentenced to life imprisonment by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan on 3 December 2013. The Central Criminal Court found that McMahon was attacked from behind while mounting the steps to his cousin's house on Lenihan Avenue, suffering 16 wounds that fatally damaged his lung, liver and kidney. The trial noted that Flanagan and McMahon had a shared ex‑girlfriend and did not get along. Flanagan's appeal against conviction was dismissed by Mr Justice Alan Mahon on 14 June 2016. Mahon found no evidence that the house was McMahon's residence, that the gardaí were lawfully invited, and that Flanagan's constitutional rights were breached. He upheld the trial judge's rulings as reasonable and correct. Flanagan's uncle, Paul Colbert, 49, was also found guilty of the murder, while his brother, Ian Flanagan, 27, was convicted of assisting an offender by hiding a CCTV device. Sean Flanagan pleaded not guilty. Ian Flanagan pleaded not guilty.
William Beresford, aged 45, was convicted of manslaughter in 1999 after killing his brother during a fight. He pleaded guilty to robbery at the Station's Sport Club in August 2015, using a pellet gun to threaten former colleagues. Beresford, who had 28 prior convictions for minor offences, surrendered to Gardaí four days after the robbery. He admitted embarrassment and regret, citing drug addiction as a motive. Judge Melanie Greally revoked his bail and remanded him in custody until a sentencing hearing on 11 November, ordering a probation report. The robbery involved a €4,400 theft that was never recovered. Beresford's background includes a history of drug abuse, four children aged 12 to 29, and a marriage that ended in 2012. The case highlights his ongoing legal and personal difficulties.
A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court heard evidence today of a violent attack on a Polish man at Westside Apartments in Letterkenny, Co Donegal. Bogdan Michalkiewicz, aged 41, was found dead two days after the alleged assault on 13 May 2013. The prosecution opening outlined that Mr Michalkiewicz, who lived alone and received a disability pension due to arthritis, sustained multiple stab wounds and blunt-force injuries, including head trauma from a television. Krystof Grzegorski, aged 22, of Hazelbrook Park, Letterkenny pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter; the prosecution rejected this plea. His co-accused, Dariusz Weckowicz, aged 51, pleaded not guilty to murder. A Detective Sergeant from the Garda Technical Bureau gave evidence describing the scene, including blood stains, a knife, and a damaged television. The trial continues before a jury of eight men and four women.
In a 2016 trial, a 42‑year‑old man faced charges of rape, assault, and multiple threats to kill his wife amid a deteriorating marriage. The prosecution alleged he threatened her with a knife after she announced she was leaving, raped her, and forced her to promise not to leave. He also allegedly threatened to kill her and used a hammer in a prior assault. The wife had obtained a barring order, yet the accused reportedly continued threats, including calling her "you're dead." The couple met occasionally to discuss their son, but meetings were tense and threats persisted. The accused pleaded not guilty to the current charges, having previously pleaded guilty to an assault with a hammer. The case proceeded before Justice Isobel Kennedy and a jury of eleven men and one woman.
A man from Clare has appealed an 18-year prison sentence imposed for the sexual abuse of a child over a three-year period. The 26-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to sample counts of rape and sexual assault of a girl between 2009 and 2012. The sentence, which included a five-year suspension, was handed down in July 2015. During the appeal hearing at the Court of Appeal, the defendant's counsel referenced a comparable case from Roscommon, arguing that the headline sentence was disproportionate when compared to similar convictions. The counsel submitted that an appropriate sentence range for such offending would be between ten and twelve years, particularly given the guilty plea entered. The Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel countered that the sentencing judge had correctly placed the case in the highest category, citing the severe and lasting impact on the victim. The Court of Appeal reserved judgement on the appeal.
A homeless mother of five, Lisa Blake, aged 38, was staying in a Dublin hotel with her children when she entered another resident's room and attacked her with a chisel. The victim, Michelle Lowry, sustained minor injuries, including a small scar on her nose. Blake, who had previously lived in her own home and worked at The Regency Hotel, claimed that the economic downturn and heroin addiction had caused her to lose her home. She pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm on 30 July 2013. Garda James Woods described the incident as involving Blake entering the victim's room, hitting and kicking while shouting "you're a rat," pulling the victim by the hair, and using a chisel. The altercation involved the victim's four‑year‑old daughter and teenage son, and was broken up in the corridor by other residents. Judge Elma Sheahan adjourned the sentence to October to allow Blake to engage with Probation Services.
A 38‑year‑old Lithuanian man, Deivydas Zigelis, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the 2014 murder of 26‑year‑old Alexander Karpov, a Latvian, who was stabbed at a house on Spa Street, Portarlington. Zigelis pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, a plea the prosecution rejected. The jury heard a 999 call made by Zigelis at 5 pm, during which he gave the address and said someone had died. Garda Sharon Murray recorded the call and later spoke with Garda Michael Wynn, who described arriving at the house, finding one man on the couch and another on the ground, and Zigelis claiming he did not know what had happened. Detective Sergeant Pat O'Brien showed photographs of the scene, noting it was unkempt with debris and a bag of sugar in the kitchen.
Tony Walsh, a former "singing" priest, was convicted of indecent assault on a boy aged 10‑13 between 1980 and 1982. He pleaded not guilty to five counts but the jury found him guilty on all after a three‑day trial. The court heard that the boy described being forced to sit on Walsh's knee, having his trousers pulled down, and being fondled, with incidents involving a crucifix and alleged sexual acts. Walsh denied knowing the boy and claimed the allegations were false. He admitted to prior offences against children from 1980 to 1986, having served prison terms and undergone treatment, but maintained he had not re‑offended. The judge remanded him in custody for sentencing on 4 July. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Joseph Doyle, aged 35, was released on bail three times after a 2010 conviction for assaulting a foreign national. He pleaded guilty to five burglaries committed between 1 June 2014 and 15 January 2016. The burglaries involved houses on Camden Street, South Circular Road, the zoology department of Trinity College, Grantham Street, and Morning Star Avenue. In each case Doyle was charged, released on bail, and later arrested when CCTV identified him. He denied taking the items he was found with, claiming they were buttons or coins. The judge suspended the last 18 months of a four‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence on the condition that Doyle attend victim‑focused, relapse‑prevention and anger‑management programmes. Doyle's drug addiction was cited as a significant driver of his offending. The court noted he had a history of violence but did not act violently during the burglaries. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
A Cavan man who raped his 16-year-old niece in early 1997 has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison, with three years of post-release supervision. The defendant, a 49-year-old man who cannot be named to protect the victim's identity, pleaded guilty to charges of rape, oral rape, and sexual assault. The Central Criminal Court heard that the victim's mother initially did not report the abuse to the gardaí, and the family was distressed when the girl eventually made a complaint. The victim described the impact of the abuse, stating that her world had crumbled and that her uncle had 'degraded and crushed' her. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy noted the man's guilty plea, his position of trust, and the severity of the offences. The judge also acknowledged the man's low risk of re-offending and his efforts to address alcohol dependency. The case was finalised at the sentence stage, with no adjournments.
David Mahon, aged 45, was sentenced to seven years' custody for the manslaughter of Dean Fitzpatrick, the older brother of missing teenager Amy Fitzpatrick. The conviction followed a trial in which Mahon pleaded not guilty to the murder of Dean's father, a charge he was cleared of. The sentencing judge, Justice Heneghan, considered aggravating factors such as the use of a knife and the fact that Mahon described himself as Dean's stepfather, as well as mitigating factors including his early plea of guilty to manslaughter, cooperation with Gardaí, expressions of remorse and his lack of a violent history. The judge noted Mahon's previous conviction for dangerous driving, which had been suspended, and the fact that the murder occurred during the suspension. The seven‑year term was back‑dated to the date of Mahon's conviction, with credit given for time spent in custody before bail. Mahon was taken into custody immediately after the sentencing.
A 66‑year‑old man who had pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault against his niece, aged five, six and eight between 2003 and 2006, was originally given a wholly suspended five‑year sentence by Judge Thomas Teehan on 17 December 2015. Prosecutors appealed, and the Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, resentenced him to five years' imprisonment with the final four years suspended. The judge described the assaults as involving rubbing the victim's private parts inside her underwear when she was five, forced masturbation when she was six, and digital penetration when she was eight. He noted the victim's powerful impact report and the family's distress. The court acknowledged mitigating factors such as the man's early plea, good character, and remorse, but concluded that custodial time was necessary. The man was ordered to serve the custodial portion of his sentence and to comply with a good‑behaviour bond and restrictions on contact with minors.
Patrick Sherlock, 47, of Droim Chaoin, Galway, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to another man on 25 March 2012. He was originally sentenced to four years' imprisonment with the last 12 months suspended. On appeal, the Court of Appeal found that the judge had not given sufficient weight to mitigating factors. Mr Justice Alan Mahon noted that Sherlock had not armed himself with the carjack used in the assault and that the incident was a single blow. He also highlighted Sherlock's efforts to mediate a serious Traveller feud, which had been a concern for the community and Gardaí. The appeal court therefore reduced the sentence to three years' imprisonment with the final nine months suspended, citing the mitigating circumstances and the nature of the assault.
A 28-year-old Polish national has been remanded on bail pending sentence after pleading guilty to false imprisonment and withholding information in connection with a fatal assault in County Roscommon in June 2014. Szymon Tarkowski of Tullamore admitted to the charges relating to the death of Patryk Krupa, who drowned in the Shannon near Athlone following a violent attack. At the Central Criminal Court, evidence was heard that Tarkowski drove two men to locate the victim and transported them to the scene, though he remained in the vehicle during the assault itself. He subsequently cleaned his car in an attempt to remove forensic evidence and later provided a voluntary statement to gardai that aided the investigation. Two other men, Leszek Sychulec of Ballymahon and Andrzej Gruchacz, were convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment on the same date. The court heard Tarkowski had no previous convictions and was considered out of his depth, lacking premeditation in his involvement. He will be sentenced on 27 June.
A cage fighter and another man have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of a 23-year-old man who was beaten unconscious and left to drown in the River Shannon near Athlone in June 2014. Leszek Sychulec, aged 34, with an address at Drinan, Ballymahon, County Longford, and Andrzej Gruchacz, aged 35, were convicted by jury at the Central Criminal Court following a five-hour deliberation in April 2016. The court heard that Patryk Krupa was assaulted following an encounter in Athlone town before being driven away by the accused men. His body was discovered face down in the water by associates who became concerned for his welfare. A State pathologist concluded that Krupa died from a combination of severe head trauma and drowning while unconscious. Justice Tony Hunt described the offence as shocking and violent, commending the investigative work of gardaí at Athlone. Concurrent sentences for false imprisonment were also imposed on both men. Sychulec has previous convictions for drugs offences, extortion and robbery. Leszek Sychulec pleaded not guilty. Andrzej Gruchacz pleaded not guilty.
Two men from Letterkenny, County Donegal, are to stand trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of Bogdan Michalkiewicz. Dariusz Weckowicz, aged 51, and Krzystof Grzegorski, aged 22, both entered not guilty pleas to the charge. The alleged offence occurred on 13 May 2013 at Westside Apartments in Letterkenny. Justice Patrick McCarthy informed the jury that proceedings are expected to extend over approximately three weeks.
A jury was sworn in at the Central Criminal Court to hear the trial of Deivydas Zigelis, a 38‑year‑old Lithuanian resident of Spa Street, Portarlington, who was accused of murdering Alexander Karpov, a Latvian man, on 15 February 2014. Zigelis pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, a plea the prosecution did not accept. The trial will proceed tomorrow before Justice Paul Butler and a jury.
The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on whether a consecutive sentence can commence earlier when the sentence it follows is under appeal. The case involves a man convicted in Carlow District Court of assault causing harm in January 2016 and sentenced to nine months imprisonment. In April 2016, while still in custody for that sentence, he was convicted in Athlone District Court of driving without insurance and sentenced to three months imprisonment consecutive to the Carlow sentence. He appealed the first sentence and was released on his own bond, but remains in custody under the second sentence, which he argues is illegal because the warrant states the three‑month sentence should only take effect after the nine‑month sentence has legally expired, which is pending appeal. His lawyers filed an Article 40 application for immediate release; Mr Justice Michael White upheld the detention, stating the three‑month sentence was "certain" and must be served unless appealed.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 24‑year‑old Natasha Kavanagh of La Rochelle Apartments was found guilty of assault causing harm after a disturbance outside her bedroom window. The incident began when Catriona Traynor and her friend Karen Carter woke Kavanagh's boyfriend by shouting at the window. Kavanagh responded by shouting back, throwing a carton of milk at Ms Carter, and later, after a scuffle, striking Ms Traynor twice on the head with a hammer that had been handed to her by her boyfriend. Ms Traynor sustained cuts to her head, bruises to her neck, a pulled hair, and other minor injuries. Kavanagh admitted the assault, denied using the hammer, and pleaded guilty to the July 2014 charge. Judge Martin Nolan suspended a two‑year sentence on the condition that Kavanagh remain peaceful and comply with Probation Service instructions for one year, citing mitigating evidence of her mental health and background.
A man from County Mayo has been sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following his conviction on eight counts of indecent and sexual assault against his four young daughters. Bernard Cunningham, aged 66, was found guilty by unanimous jury verdict in April 2016 of offences committed between 1978 and 1992. He had pleaded not guilty to all charges. Judge Patrick McCartan stated that Cunningham had demonstrated an absolute absence of remorse and noted the victims endured what was described as a "horror of a home" involving sustained physical, mental and sexual abuse. The judge observed that character references describing Cunningham as kind and compassionate could not be reconciled with the evidence of his cruelty. During sentencing, the court acknowledged the victims' bravery in testifying, with one reporting lasting trauma including mental health difficulties. Cunningham's legal team highlighted recent health challenges but the judge emphasised the absence of any apology or acknowledgement of wrongdoing.
A Dublin man pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual assault and rape against a young girl, with offences dated between 10 October 2004 and 31 March 2007. He entered the pleas before a jury of eight men and four women, having previously denied one charge. The State accepted the pleas as representative, with full facts to be heard at a later sentencing hearing. Mr Justice Robert Eagar remanded the man on continuing bail until 28 July for sentencing, ordered a probation report, and noted that registration as a sex offender was automatic under the law.
A man from Carndonagh, County Donegal, has been found not guilty by reason of insanity of the murder of his parents at their home on October 22, 2014. Julian Cuddihy (43) faced two charges at the Central Criminal Court following the deaths of his mother Kathleen (73) and father James (77). The trial heard expert evidence from two consultant forensic psychiatrists who testified that Mr Cuddihy's severe mental illness prevented him from knowing his actions were wrong and rendered him unable to stop himself. The jury deliberated for forty minutes before returning unanimous verdicts on both counts. Justice Margaret Heneghan committed Mr Cuddihy to the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum for ongoing assessment and treatment. His family released a statement expressing their grief and urging other families to seek timely professional help for relatives experiencing mental health concerns. A follow-up court hearing was scheduled for June 20.
Christopher Warburton, 22, of Montpelier Park, Dublin, was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting his ex‑girlfriend, Ashley Caulfield, on 1 September 2015. Warburton approached Caulfield on Kinvara Avenue, Navan Road, after their break‑up in May 2015, and after refusing to let her leave, he grabbed her wrist and forced her to walk with him. While a bystander tried to intervene, Warburton verbally abused the man and a second person in the car before punching Caulfield in the nose. The blow fractured her nose, exposing the bone and leaving a scar. Caulfield was taken to Mater Hospital, where she received four stitches. Warburton, who had 16 prior convictions and was on bail at the time, claimed he had not hit her. The judge described the assault as a serious crime and noted Warburton's history of anger issues. The sentence reflects the severity of the offence.
A man charged with the murder of his parents in Carndonagh, County Donegal in October 2014 has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity at the Central Criminal Court. Evidence heard today indicated that Julian Cuddihy's family had sought psychiatric intervention in the weeks preceding the deaths of Kathleen and James Cuddihy. A detective garda from Buncrana told the court that the accused's father had cancelled a mental health appointment six days before the incident. Consultant psychiatrist Dr Damian Mohan testified that the accused's parents held concerns about stigma and forced hospitalisation. The court heard that the accused experienced severe delusions, including beliefs about poisoning, alien abduction, and voices commanding him to harm family members. State pathologist evidence detailed multiple head wounds inflicted with an axe and additional stab wounds. The trial continues before Justice Margaret Heneghan and jury.
A jury could not agree on a verdict in the trial of 54‑year‑old Aivars Sondors, who was charged with three counts of assisting an offender in the murder of 44‑year‑old Audrius Butkus. Sondors admitted moving the body from a house on Marsh Road, Drogheda, and dumping it in the sea at Mornington Beach, cleaning the scene, and disposing of carpet, clothing, a nail brush, a bin bag, bottles and tins from a derelict house on Mathew's Lane. He pleaded not guilty to all counts, claiming duress. The Central Criminal Court heard that the killer, Marius Gaizutis, had already been convicted of the murder. The jury deliberated for almost six hours but could not reach a verdict, and the judge recorded "Disagreed" for all three counts. Sondors remains on continuing bail until the next hearing on 27 June.
In June 2016, an 18‑year‑old man from Wicklow was sentenced to six years in prison for raping two children, one of whom had Down Syndrome. He pleaded guilty to four counts of rape, one count of threatening to kill and one count of sexual assault committed between 20 June 2013 and 31 December 2014. The offences were described by Justice Patrick McCarthy as "of the utmost gravity" because they involved children and a child with a mental disability. The accused threatened to kill a victim to prevent reporting. The first victim, a boy aged ten at his first rape and eleven at the second, suffered a permanent scar and ongoing psychological harm. The second victim, a girl with Down Syndrome, reported that the accused kissed her and inserted his tongue into her mouth. She now self‑harms and distrusts men. The defendant, who had no prior convictions, was 15 when he first offended and has attempted suicide.
A 39‑year‑old Polish man, Jaroslaw Kupper, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to sexually assaulting a woman on 28 September 2013. The assault took place after the pair had met briefly a few weeks earlier in a Cork pub. On the night of the offence, Kupper and the woman kissed before moving to a nearby laneway where he became pushy and aggressive, grabbing her arm and pushing her to the ground. While she was on the ground he pulled down her jeans and underwear, and she screamed for help. A neighbour heard her cries and called the gardai. The victim described seeing Kupper's erect penis rubbing against her vagina for a few seconds before she managed to push it away. Kupper, a carpenter from Millbrook, Middleton, Cork, had no prior convictions and is married. The court heard that both he and the victim had been drinking.
Anthony Kelleher, 42, of Macroom, Cork, was found guilty of assault causing serious harm to his wife Siobhán on 12 June 2014 and sentenced to eight years in prison by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin in May 2016. He pleaded not guilty and his wife refused to testify against him. Kelleher applied for bail pending an appeal, but the Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham, declined to grant bail because the State had not provided any grounds for it. The court set a hearing for 29 July and ordered the expedited preparation of trial transcripts. Kelleher's appeal will focus on the use of section 16 statements and the judge's directions to the jury. The State will have two weeks to respond after Kelleher files his submissions. His sister, who travelled from Bantry, offered surety for a potential bail.
Julian Cuddihy, 44, pleaded not guilty to two counts of murder by reason of insanity at the Central Criminal Court. He is charged with killing his mother, Kathleen Cuddihy, 73, and his father, James Cuddihy, 77, at their home in Churchtown, Carndonagh, Co Donegal, on October 22, 2014. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC stated that Cuddihy admits to the killings and accepts the facts outlined by gardai. Prosecution counsel Denis Vaughan Buckley SC told the jury that two psychiatrists would testify that Cuddihy, a paranoid schizophrenic, suffered from delusions at the time. Dr Damian Mohan will evidence that Cuddihy believed his mother commanded him to kill her and held a grudge related to his desire to join the IRA. Dr Fiona Toal will state that Cuddihy believed he was facilitating their entry to heaven and felt compelled by voices. Both doctors concluded his mental illness prevented him from stopping the act. Detective Garda Bernard Mullins responded to a 999 call from Cuddihy's brother, who found the victims dead. State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy concluded both died from head trauma. The trial continues before Justice Margaret Heneghan and a jury of 12.
In a trial held at the Central Criminal Court, a jury will resume deliberations on a case involving Aivars Sondors, a 54‑year‑old Latvian, who faces three counts of assisting an offender without reasonable excuse. Sondors is accused of helping Marius Gaizutis evade capture and prosecution after Gaizutis murdered 44‑year‑old Lithuanian Audrius Butkus on 9 or 10 September 2013. The alleged assistance includes moving Butkus's body from the shared house on Marsh Road in Drogheda to the sea at Mornington Beach, cleaning the scene, and disposing of carpet, clothing, a nail brush, a bin bag, bottles and tins from the Burke House on Mathew's Lane. Gaizutis has already been convicted of the murder, which involved him striking Butkus with the blunt end of an axe. Sondors has pleaded not guilty to all three counts, claiming duress and that he acted under the killer's orders.
The jury has begun deliberations in the trial of Aivars Sondors, a 54‑year‑old Latvian, charged with three counts of assisting an offender without reasonable excuse. The charges relate to the disposal of the body of 44‑year‑old Lithuanian Audrius Butkus, who was murdered by Marius Gaizutis. Sondors is accused of moving the body from the house he shared with Gaizutis on Marsh Road in Drogheda to the sea at Mornington Beach, cleaning up the scene at Marsh Road, and disposing of carpet, clothing, a nail brush, bin bag, bottles and tins from the scene at the Burke House on Mathew's Lane. He has pleaded not guilty to all three counts, claiming duress and that he acted under the killer's orders. The Central Criminal Court has heard that Gaizutis has already been convicted of the murder. The jury, consisting of nine men and three women, began deliberating in the afternoon and will resume on Tuesday.
In a Circuit Court hearing, professional footballer Jeff Hendrick, aged 24, was set to face a violent disorder charge linked to an incident on Harcourt Street, Dublin 2, on 12 October 2013. The case was transferred from the District Court after a judge declined jurisdiction. Hendrick, residing at Kilmore Drive, Artane, and co‑accused Jonathan Doran, 25, of Kilmore Close, Artane, both pleaded not guilty. Judge Melanie Greally scheduled their trial for 3 July 2017, with a pre‑trial hearing in May 2017, and excused Hendrick from that hearing.
In a hearing at the Central Criminal Court, Justice Patrick McCarthy considered whether to remand Johanna Kelly, 43, who had been released on conditions of sobriety and probation after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Patrick O'Brien, 60, in December 2013. Kelly had been sentenced to six years in prison with two years suspended, contingent on compliance with the judge's conditions. Probation officer Katherine Lambert reported that Kelly had failed to meet those conditions, citing an incident at a rehab clinic, Cluain Mhuire, where she was removed after becoming violent while intoxicated. Lambert also noted that Kelly had previously pleaded guilty to theft and received a one‑week sentence. Kelly pleaded for another chance, expressing remorse and a desire to remain sober. Justice McCarthy described her breach as "egregious" and indicated he would consider sentencing her to serve the remaining two years of her sentence, but remanded her in custody until 20 June.
In a Wicklow case, a 51‑year‑old man was sentenced to 21 years in prison, with the final seven years suspended, for raping and sexually assaulting two of his step‑sons hundreds of times over a ten‑year period. He also abused one boy with a device he created and forced the boys to commit incest with each other. The judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, described the evidence as "industrial quantities" and said the crimes had caused permanent, irreparable damage. The defendant pleaded guilty to 165 counts of rape and sexual assault against one boy and 40 similar offences against his brother between 1993 and 2003. He was ordered to be supervised by Probation Services for five years post‑release, undergo rehabilitation, and have no contact with the two boys. The anonymity orders remain in place for the time being. The victims, who have chosen to waive anonymity, gave moving evidence of the abuse.
Sean Flanagan, serving a mandatory life sentence for the murder of Ger McMahon in Limerick in January 2012, must await the outcome of his appeal against conviction. Flanagan, who pleaded not guilty, was found guilty by a jury and sentenced by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan on December 3, 2013. The Central Criminal Court heard that McMahon was attacked from behind while mounting steps, sustaining fatal injuries. During the appeal hearing, defence counsel argued that Gardaí entered Flanagan's uncle's home without a warrant and failed to caution him, rendering evidence inadmissible. The prosecution countered that Flanagan's voluntary cooperation negated any unfairness. The court, comprising Mr Justice George Birmingham, Mr Justice Alan Mahon, and Mr Justice John Edwards, reserved its judgment. Flanagan's uncle, Paul Colbert, was also found guilty of murdering McMahon after denying the charge. Additionally, Flanagan's brother, Ian Flanagan, pleaded not guilty but was found guilty on two counts of assisting an offender by hiding a CCTV device. The matter remains pending the appellate court's decision.
A 23‑year‑old man named Sean Carlyle was sentenced to three years for violent disorder after a savage brawl at Kusanta Snooker Club in Tallaght on 22 December 2013. The incident involved a group that used snooker cues, bottles and a metal security pole as weapons. CCTV footage was shown to the court. Carlyle pleaded guilty to violent disorder and production of articles. Two other men remain before the courts and a fourth, Christopher Wynne, has died. The brawl left three injured parties – two men and a woman – with serious wounds, including stab wounds to a lung and broken arms. Judge Melanie Greally described the group's actions as "extreme acts of violence" and imposed a three‑year sentence, suspending the final year. The case was prosecuted by Noel Devitt BL, with Garda Aidan Ferris testifying about the injuries and the chaotic scene.
The trial of Aivars Sondors, 54, is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. He faces three counts of assisting an offender by allegedly impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Marius Gaizutis, who has already been convicted of unlawfully killing 44-year-old Lithuanian Audrius Butkus. Sondors, of Sycamore Close, Termon Abbey, Drogheda, pleaded not guilty to all three counts, claiming he acted under duress. The allegations include moving Butkus's body from a shared residence on Marsh Road to Mornington Beach, cleaning the scene, and disposing of items from Burke House, Mathew's Lane. In his defence evidence on the fifth day of the trial, Sondors testified that Gaizutis, whom he had known for 40 years, woke him in the night and demanded his car keys. He stated he was threatened with violence and subsequently helped move a body from a blood-covered basement, describing the scene as resembling a slaughter house. Sondors claimed he believed Gaizutis would kill him if he refused. Cross-examination by Patrick Gageby SC began this afternoon and is scheduled to continue tomorrow morning before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury. The matter remains at the trial stage with no finalisation or sentence recorded.
Karl Smith, 19, will be sentenced in July for a series of violent offences committed over a month. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to a 21‑year‑old man, threatening to kill a 16‑year‑old boy, criminal damage to a front door and two counts of producing a weapon. On 30 May 2015 Smith broke into Devon Whiston's house, damaged the door, entered the kitchen, held a steak knife to Whiston and prevented the occupants from leaving. Two weeks later he bit Whiston's arm, stabbed him with a barbecue fork, beat him with a rolling pin and stole a TV, an X‑Box and a computer. On 15 June he returned to the house, repeated the assault and robbery. On 27 June he crashed a house party, held a knife to a 16‑year‑old's face, cut his cheek and threatened to kill him.
Damien Halpin, 29, fled to Australia in 2011 after being labelled a "rat" following a drugs conviction and a subsequent attack on his home. He was convicted in Australia in 2015 for arson, assault and being armed with intent, claiming it was a prank gone wrong. He served one year in New South Wales before being deported to Ireland. In January 2016 he was arrested by Gardaí at Dublin Airport. Halpin has 21 prior convictions in Ireland, mainly for road traffic and public order offences. He pleaded guilty to possession of €17,318 of cocaine in 2009 and to assault causing harm in 2010. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court adjourned his sentencing to July 27, 2016, to allow an updated probation report. Bench warrants were issued in March 2012 when he failed to appear in court for both cases.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Davide Sanfillipo, 30, was given a two‑year suspended sentence for violently assaulting his ex‑girlfriend on the day of their child's christening. He attacked her in front of their infant, repeatedly punching her and tearing out clumps of her hair. The judge described the act as a "cowardly attack" but noted Sanfillipo's lack of English would make prison difficult, so he was not jailed. He was ordered to pay over €3,000 to the victim. Sanfillipo pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, had prior minor convictions in Italy, and had served in the Italian military before working as a car valet in Ireland. The prosecution acknowledged his admission of a mistake, while his defence counsel described the behaviour as "immature" and "unforgivable.".
A 24‑year‑old man, Michael Kinsella of Swiftbrook Close, Tallaght, was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for his role in the brutal killing of Adil Essalhi on 6 January 2011. Kinsella pleaded guilty to manslaughter in December 2015. Justice Deirdre Murphy described the death as "dreadful" and noted that Kinsella admitted bringing a knife, which he used to stab Essalhi twice while his uncle, Wayne Kinsella, attacked him with a machete. The judge accepted the manslaughter plea, found Kinsella acted under an immediate threat of violence, and refused to suspend any part of the sentence. She recommended that the Minister for Justice consider a reduction if Kinsella engages with educational and psychiatric services while in prison. A further hearing is scheduled for 25 July to decide on back‑dating the sentence. Michael Kinsella was convicted.
The Central Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of Aivars Sondors and Professor Marie Cassidy, both accused of three counts of assisting an offender by impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Marius Gaizutis, allegedly knowing he had unlawfully killed Audrius Butkus. Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges. State Pathologist Dr. Cassidy testified that Butkus died from blunt force trauma to the head, likely caused by the blunt end of an axe, with injuries clustered to the back of his head. She noted he was intoxicated and showed no signs of drowning despite being found on Mornington Beach. Detective Sergeant Fergal O'Toole stated an axe was found at the Marsh Road house, while forensic expert Brian Barry indicated bloodstains suggested a serious assault and cleanup occurred. DNA from the axe, car boot, and a carpet matched Butkus. Sondors' counsel indicated the jury must decide if duress was present. The matter was adjourned and continues before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart.
Dave Mahon, the appellant, has confirmed he will not appeal the manslaughter verdict regarding the death of Dean Fitzpatrick. Mahon, 45, was found guilty of killing his partner's son, who received a fatal stab wound to the abdomen outside their shared apartment in Northern Cross on May 26, 2013. He had pleaded not guilty to the initial charge of murder but was cleared of that count. During the sentencing hearing, Ms Justice Heneghan heard three victim impact statements from Dean's father, Christopher Fitzpatrick; his partner, Sarah O'Rourke; and his mother, Audrey Mahon. The court also noted that Mahon had previously received a four-month suspended sentence for dangerous, drunk, and careless driving, which was active at the time of the killing. Defense counsel Sean Guerin SC argued that Mahon accepted the jury's verdict and that the case represented involuntary manslaughter at the bottom of the culpability scale. He also highlighted Mahon's medical issues, including hip replacements. Prosecution counsel Remy Farrell SC presented the victim impact statements. Ms Justice Heneghan stated she would hand down sentence on June 13th and remanded Mahon in custody until that date. The matter was adjourned for sentencing.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed the appeals of brothers Wayne and John Dundon against their convictions for making threats to kill. Wayne Dundon (37) was found guilty by the Special Criminal Court in 2012 of threatening Alice Collins that he would kill or cause serious harm to her sons, Gareth and Jimmy Collins, on September 30, 2010. He was also convicted of intimidating potential prosecution witnesses Alice and April Collins to obstruct justice. John Dundon (33) was found guilty of threatening to kill April Collins on April 3, 2011. The Special Criminal Court sentenced Wayne to six years' imprisonment and John to five-and-a-half years on April 18, 2012. In its judgment, the Court of Appeal affirmed these convictions, rejecting arguments regarding the reliability of visual identification and the use of telephone transcripts. Mr Justice Birmingham noted that the trial judges were entitled to make findings of fact based on the evidence heard. The court also dismissed arguments concerning CCTV footage and the reliance on witness evidence from a separate trial. Wayne Dundon is currently serving a mandatory life sentence for the murder of Roy Collins in 2009, a charge to which he and co-accused Nathan Killeen pleaded not guilty before being found guilty by the Special Criminal Court. The brothers were led away to continue serving their prison sentences following the dismissal of their appeals.