Kenneth Brunell, 27, of Palmerstown, and Barry McArdle, 27, of Drimnagh, were arrested in Ireland on extradition warrants issued in 2011 for the murder of Keith Ennis, 29, whose dismembered body was found in an Amsterdam canal in 2009. Brunell had been granted bail in October 2011 but failed to appear at a High Court hearing on 8 November 2012, leading to a bench warrant and his arrest ten days later. He was readmitted to bail on 7 May 2014 after a High Court judge considered his claims of fear and the length of time he would remain in custody before his case was heard. The judge set a €3,000 surety and a €100 personal bond, with conditions that he reside at a specified address, sign daily at a Garda Station, keep the peace and be of good behaviour. The case remains pending in the Supreme Court.
In August 2013 a Dublin man, Thomas Ryan, 32, shot Patrick Charles O'Neill, 51, on Glasnevin Avenue in Ballymun. O'Neill was cycling with a friend when a man in a baseball cap fired a shot at his stomach. Ryan later shot himself with the same gun. O'Neill was taken to a resident's house where a doctor applied a dressing before he was handed to A&E. Ryan was observed by gardai with a large wound on his upper thigh. He admitted to having built up a debt due to drugs and to feeling threatened, saying he would kill O'Neill if he went to the gardai. O'Neill required bowel removal and stayed in intensive care until 11 September. Ryan has 13 prior convictions and was remanded for sentencing next Monday. The court heard that Ryan's remorse was genuine and that he was not a gangland figure. The case was prosecuted by Gerardine Small SC and defended by Michael O'Higgins SC. Thomas Ryan pleaded guilty.
A 33‑year‑old man, Vesel Jahiri, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of his former partner, Anna Finnegan, who was 25 and mother of their two children. Jahiri pleaded not guilty to both the murder and an assault on Finnegan's brother, Karl, on 21 September 2012. The prosecution, represented by Patrick Marrinan SC, described Finnegan's relationship with Jahiri as having deteriorated a month before her death, with the couple no longer living together. On the night of the murder, Jahiri allegedly forced entry into Finnegan's home, where an altercation with Karl resulted in Finnegan being stabbed in the chest and head. She was taken to James Connolly Hospital, where she died at 10.30 pm. Jahiri later contacted emergency services, was arrested the next day, and denied any involvement in the stabbing, claiming self‑defence.
The Special Criminal Court adjourned the murder trial of Nathan Killeen (23) and Wayne Dundon (35) after the sudden death of Killeen's mother. Killeen, of Hyde Road, Prospect, and Dundon, of Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, are charged with killing businessman Roy Collins, 35, at Coin Castle Amusements on 9 April 2009. The trial began on 6 May 2014 but was paused when Killeen's mother died on Friday morning. Judge Iseult O'Malley, hearing the case, expressed condolences and granted an adjournment until next week, allowing Killeen to attend his mother's funeral with a supervised escort from the prison service. The prosecution had alleged that Dundon directed the murder from prison, Killeen was the getaway driver, and James Dillon fired the fatal shot. The case was set to resume on Monday. Nathan Killeen pleaded not guilty. Wayne Dundon pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, Maurice Power, aged 31, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 29‑year‑old Shane Rossiter, who died on 17 October 2012 after being shot at a house party in Church Lane, Golden, Co. Tipperary. State Pathologist Marie Cassidy testified that a post‑mortem at Waterford Regional Hospital revealed two shotgun entry wounds to Rossiter's chest and abdomen, with no exit wounds, causing catastrophic internal injuries and massive blood loss. The wounds damaged the right lung, heart, liver, spleen, bowel, aorta and inferior vena cava, leading to death by blood loss. Cassidy noted Rossiter had taken cocaine, heroin, amphetamine and benzodiazepam, but these substances were not the cause of death. The trial continued on Tuesday before a jury of seven women and five men, presided over by Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, 31‑year‑old Maurice Power of Dranganbeg, Kilmoyler, Cahir pleaded not guilty to the murder of 29‑year‑old Shane Rossiter, who died on 17 October 2012 after being shot twice at a house party in Church Lane, Golden, Co. Tipperary. Prosecutor Anthony Sammon SC presented evidence that Power fired the shots, citing a black Audi A4 registered to Power's partner that was later burned in a bog in Co. Waterford. Power was arrested on 11 December 2012 for murder with a firearm. During a lengthy detention he allegedly made a full confession to the Gardaí, stating a long‑standing feud with Rossiter that began seven years earlier and involved a stabbing. The trial is proceeding before a jury of seven women and five men, presided over by Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy. The case remains at the trial stage.
Two Limerick men, Wayne Dundon (35) and Nathan Killeen (23), were arraigned at the Special Criminal Court on 1 May 2014 for the murder of businessman Roy Collins (35) at Coin Castle Amusements on 9 April 2009. They pleaded not guilty. Prosecutor Michael O'Higgins SC presented evidence that Dundon directed the killing from prison, Killeen was the getaway driver, and James Dillon was the gunman. Witnesses included siblings of Collins and cousins of Dundon, who testified about Killeen's attempts to recruit them and the planning of the murder. O'Higgins highlighted circumstantial evidence linking the accused to the crime. The trial, presided over by three female judges, was adjourned until Tuesday for further testimony from Gareth Collins Keogh. The case remains at the arraignment stage.
Edward Piotrowski, aged 48, lost his appeal against his conviction for the rape and sexual assault of a woman. The court found no legitimate basis to overturn the jury's decision. Piotrowski had claimed the trial judge erred in explaining the presumption of innocence and in presenting the defence case, but the Court of Criminal Appeal rejected these arguments. The court also dismissed his attempt to introduce new evidence, calling it unsubstantiated and implausible. Piotrowski was sentenced in January 2010 to five concurrent life sentences for three counts of rape, one count of aggravated sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment, plus concurrent terms of 10, five and 10 years for aggravated burglary, assault and false imprisonment of the man. The appeal against the sentence will be heard later. The unnamed man pleaded guilty.
The Central Criminal Court is continuing the trial of Maurice Power, a 31‑year‑old from Dranganbeg, Kilmoyler, Cahir, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Shane Rossiter, 30, in Co. Tipperary on 17 October 2012. A jury of seven women and five men was sworn in for a three‑week trial, but legal matters are being addressed while the jury is absent, with the jury scheduled to hear evidence the following day.
The Special Criminal Court in Limerick adjourned the murder trial of Wayne Dundon (35) and Nathan Killeen (23) until Thursday to finish a lengthy disclosure process. The defendants are charged with killing businessman Roy Collins, 35, at Coin Castle Amusements on 9 April 2009. Prosecutor Michael O'Higgins SC requested 48 more hours to complete disclosure of recordings made between Gardaí and civilian witnesses, describing the task as long and complicated. Seán Guerin SC noted a prior disclosure order concerning the prison service and identified additional material that might be relevant, asking for a similar order. Dundon's barrister Remy Farrell SC and Killeen's counsel Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC argued the requested materials were relevant and requested an adjournment. Justice Iseult O'Malley granted the adjournment, acknowledging the effort invested by both sides, and proposed opening the case on Thursday, with the possibility of further adjournment if needed.
Keith Blackburn, 52, of Lusk, was found guilty of failing to comply with a Garda direction, using violent behaviour at Lusk Garda Station and threatening and abusive behaviour on 6 December 2013. He claimed to be an officer of the court and believed he had the power to arrest a Garda sergeant. Sergeant John Cannon testified that Blackburn called to enquire about a bench warrant he thought was 'live', but there was none. Blackburn repeatedly dialled 999, threatened Sergeant Cannon, set off a fire alarm and refused to leave the station. He was arrested and placed in custody. The judge described his claims as 'fictitious court orders' and ordered him to stay away from all Garda stations. Blackburn received a four‑month suspended sentence and a one‑year probation order, with a warning that any breach would lead to imprisonment.
A 31‑year‑old man from Dranganbeg, Kilmoyler, Cahir, named Maurice Power, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Shane Rossiter, 30, in County Tipperary on 17 October 2012. A jury of seven women and five men was sworn in at the Central Criminal Court for a three‑week trial that is set to begin on Tuesday.
At Balbriggan District Court, Judge Dermot Dempsey handed down a sentence to David Lawrence, who pleaded guilty to driving without insurance, no tax, and no NCT. Lawrence was sentenced to four months, which was suspended, and remanded on a peace bond for one year. He was also disqualified from driving for two years and fined €100 for driving without a licence. In a separate matter, Sean Lynch, charged with assault causing harm, had his case adjourned until September 1st for hearing at Swords District Court. Three men—Eoin Maguire, Cornelius Price, and Edward Price—were further remanded on continuing bail as DPP directions were not ready. They face charges including assault causing harm, production of an article, and reckless endangerment of a garda. James Ward, facing seven charges for inducing lodgements and payments related to non-existent tickets and phones, had a bench warrant issued for his arrest after failing to appear. Wojtek Jedrej, charged with possession of a knife and driving under the influence, was remanded for a May 16th hearing. Stephen Teeling, charged with possession of cannabis, was also remanded for a May 16th hearing.
Damien Murtagh, a 28-year-old from Clonee, Dublin, was sentenced at Swords District Court after pleading guilty to charges arising from an incident on September 22, 2013. He admitted to using threatening and abusive behaviour and being intoxicated at The Old Boro pub in Swords. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to violent behaviour at Swords Garda Station and refusing to provide his name and address to gardai. Judge Dermot Dempsey noted that Murtagh is on his second community service order, warning him that this is his final chance. Instead of a two-month prison sentence, the court imposed a total of 240 hours of community service work. Garda Elaine Duffy testified that Murtagh, who was highly intoxicated, threatened to kill her and other officers. The defence solicitor stated that Murtagh had consumed significant alcohol while watching the All-Ireland final and agreed his behaviour was appalling. The court acknowledged Murtagh's history of 21 previous convictions, including six for public order offences, before finalising the sentence.
In a 2014 Central Criminal Court hearing, Andrzej Benko, aged 42, was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment for attempting to murder his wife, Joanna Benko, on her 32nd birthday. Benko admitted striking her head with a lump hammer at least three times while she slept, an act that left her with severe head injuries, permanent wheelchair dependence, communication difficulties and lifelong care needs. He had previously pleaded not guilty to the charge in 2010, but a jury found him guilty after less than three hours of deliberation. Judge Patrick McCarthy noted Benko's remorse and a psychological report indicating no future criminality, yet imposed a 15‑year term in the most serious category. Benko apologized to his wife and family in court, acknowledging his guilt and the harm caused. The case highlighted the lasting impact on Joanna Benko and her son. Andrzej Benko was convicted.
Three men – Eoin Maguire (29), Cornelius Price (32) and Edward Price (24) – were remanded on continuing bail by Judge Dermot Dempsey at Balbriggan District Court. They face charges of assault causing harm to Clifford Whitehouse and James Whitehouse on 20 December 2013 at Bremore Castle, and of producing a Stanley knife on the same day. Cornelius Price and Edward Price are also charged with reckless endangerment of a garda at Balbriggan Garda Station on 22 December 2013. Maguire had previously been granted bail with a condition to sign on three times a week; his solicitor requested a reduction to once a week, but the judge refused. The judge extended the bail period to 9 am‑9 pm and reserved free legal aid for Maguire. All three men are to re‑appear on 24 April 2014.
A 33‑year‑old Dublin man, Alan Harte, was found not guilty of murdering his friend Peter Gunn, a 28‑year‑old who was stabbed to death in 2009. Harte was convicted of impeding the prosecution after he admitted helping to dispose of Gunn's body at Dunsoughly Lane. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, heard that Harte, Gunn and two other friends had been drinking in a pub before going to a flat in Cabra Park where the murder took place. Harte claimed that Kastriot Boza, who was also present, stabbed Gunn and forced Harte to help hide the body. Boza was later jailed for four years for impeding the prosecution, while Harte was remanded for sentencing on 19 May. The jury deliberated for just over two hours before reaching a unanimous verdict of not guilty of murder but guilty of impeding the prosecution. The case was heard in the Central Criminal Court.
In a South Dublin case, 19‑year‑old Tadhg Costello, who had been sentenced to six years for attempted murder of Josh Leahy, will begin serving his term after a failed bail application. Costello had originally pleaded not guilty but later pleaded guilty when a trial judge ruled that garda interview recordings were admissible. The Supreme Court had recently quashed an attempted rape conviction on the basis that suspects who request a lawyer cannot be questioned until legal advice is obtained, but the Court of Criminal Appeal rejected the argument that this ruling affected Costello's bail. The appeal court held that the trial judge's decision was based on credible evidence that Costello and his mother had been informed of their right to a solicitor. Costello will be taken into custody at Dun Laoghaire garda station on Friday to start his sentence.
Vincent Banks, 46, of Dublin 7, was acquitted by the Special Criminal Court of withholding information about the murder of Northern Ireland prison officer David Black, which occurred between 10 October and 20 December 2012. The court found that Banks' arrest on suspicion of IRA membership was unlawful because it lacked a warrant and the offence of membership is continuous. Banks was charged with membership of an unlawful organisation styled the Irish Republican Army (IRA) on 18 December 2012 and had been remanded on that count until after the withholding‑information trial. The court ruled that the unlawful arrest did not affect the withholding‑information charge, so the trial proceeded. Mr Michael Bowman BL informed the court that the membership case would continue, and a trial date was set for 17 November 2015, with Banks remanded on bail until then. Vincent Banks pleaded not guilty.
The Special Criminal Court ordered the disclosure of any recordings made between Gardaí and civilian witnesses in the investigation of the murder of businessman Roy Collins. Wayne Dundon (35) and Nathan Killeen (23) are charged with Collins's murder at Coin Castle Amusements, Limerick, and are due to stand trial on 29 April before Justice Iseult O'Malley. Counsel for Killeen argued that outstanding disclosure issues included all communications between Garda stations and prosecution witnesses, some of whom were in prison. The State's counsel explained that the accused were in Garda stations lacking recording facilities or only recorded 999 calls, and that calls to secure rooms were not recorded. Dundon's counsel sought recordings of calls between Gardaí and prosecution witnesses, arguing relevance to the defence's challenge of witness reliability.
During the fifth day of his trial at the Central Criminal Court, Alan Harte, a 33‑year‑old Dublin father of two, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 28‑year‑old Peter Gunn on 4 January 2009. Harte testified that he, Gunn and another man had been drinking on 3 January when Kastriot Boza, an Albanian, joined them. He claimed that Bo — who had previously been questioned for a sexual‑assault allegation but never prosecuted – threatened to kill Gunn, then stabbed him in the chest and back. Harte admitted that after the stabbing he and the other man helped Bo to dispose of the body, placing it in a black bag and dumping it in a ditch at Dunsoughly Lane. He stated that he had no choice but to assist, fearing Bo would cut up the body in the flat.
During a murder trial, the resident of a flat where a killing occurred returned from holidays to find his meat knife missing and his carpet replaced. The case concerns Alan Harte, 33, charged with murdering his friend Peter Gunn, 28, on 4 January 2009 in Cabra Park, Cabra, Dublin. Harte, who lives at Clareville Grove in Glasnevin but is from East Wall, pleaded not guilty. Roland Ziu, who allowed an old friend, Kastriot Boza, to stay in his flat while he was away, testified that upon his return he discovered the carpet had been changed and the meat knife was gone. Ziu said Boza claimed a girl had become drunk and ill in the flat, prompting the carpet change. Boza later testified that Harte stabbed Gunn in the flat after a beer gathering. Detective Superintendent Colin Fox noted Gunn's close family ties. The prosecution has closed its case before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of twelve.
A man's indecent assault conviction has been quashed by the Court of Criminal Appeal in the first case decided under a recent Supreme Court ruling on suspect interrogation rights. The man, now aged 45, had been sentenced to two years imprisonment in April 2012 after conviction on two counts by jury at Naas Circuit Criminal Court. The alleged offences dated to December 1986 and 1987 in County Kildare. The applicant's counsel argued that a garda interview conducted before the man received legal advice breached his constitutional rights, citing the Supreme Court's March 2014 decision in DPP v Gormley, which established that suspects requesting a solicitor cannot be questioned until receiving legal advice. Presiding judge Mr Justice John MacMenamin found the case fell squarely within Gormley's principles. He noted the applicant's solicitor was en route to the station when questioning proceeded, and determined the interview material was inadmissible. The court allowed the appeal and declined to order a retrial, given the applicant had already served his sentence. The unnamed 45-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A man has apologised to his wife for attempting to murder her by hitting her over her head with a hammer on her birthday while she slept. Andrzej Benko (42) of Ladyswell Road, Mulhuddart had admitted hitting Joanna Benko's head with a lump hammer at least three times. However, he had pleaded not guilty to her attempted murder at that address on July 5, 2010. Last month, the jury took under three hours to reach a unanimous verdict of guilty. Mrs Benko is confined to a wheelchair most of the time as a result of her injuries, the Central Criminal Court heard. Now 35, she also has communication difficulties, will depend on full-time care for the rest of her life and is no longer able to look after her son. Today Benko wept while he addressed the court to apologise to his wife and her family who were present for the hearing. A recording of the emergency call was played in court. "The problem is that probably I killed my wife and now I'm on my way to you to be jailed," he said. "Ring an ambulance. Her brother said he was "completely distraught" when he heard what happened to her and said his life had been "turned upside down." Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy remanded Benko in custody and will hand down sentence on Friday.
The trial of Alan Harte, a 32‑year‑old from Glasnevin, is hearing evidence that Peter Gunn, 28, was stabbed through the heart and left in a water‑filled ditch on 4 January 2009. State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy described the autopsy findings: deep knife wounds to the face, trunk, right hand and internally to the heart and left lung, with a large gaping wound to the heart and collapsed left lung. Two litres of blood were found in the left chest cavity, and a back wound cut into the spine. Toxicology showed alcohol, cocaine and an amphetamine. Cassidy concluded Gunn died of a stab wound to the chest. A witness, Heyrush Rama, testified that he drove Gunn's body to the ditch after being asked for a lift by Kastriot Boza, who later claimed Gunn was murdered. Rama received a two‑year sentence for withholding information. The case remains at the trial stage.
In a High Court hearing on 4 April 2014, Ben Gilroy, founder of Direct Democracy Ireland, denied allegations that he assaulted a security guard during protests at a stud farm in County Kildare. Joint receivers Mr Mark Reynolds and others claimed Gilroy was a leader of the protest group that forced receivership security off the property on 28 and 31 August. Gilroy said he was invited onto the land by Charles Allen of the Rodolphus Allen private trust and was merely an observer, not an organizer. He argued he had not been properly served with notice of the contempt application and that court orders preventing interference with the receivers were invalid. Mr Reynolds maintained that a sworn statement had alleged Gilroy's assault, but he insisted the statement should have named a member of Gilroy's group instead.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has found Simon McGinley, aged 30 of Connaughton Road Car Park in Sligo, guilty of the murder of Eugene Gillespie, a 67-year-old retired telecoms broker. McGinley had initially denied the murder charge but admitted manslaughter, a plea the State rejected. He pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and burglary at Mr Gillespie's Old Market Street home on 19 September 2012. Mr Gillespie was discovered tied up in his hallway two days after the assault and died in hospital following cardiac arrest. The jury, after five hours of deliberation, returned a unanimous guilty verdict on 3 April 2014. Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan imposed a life sentence, backdated to 29 September 2012, with concurrent sentences of ten years for false imprisonment and seven years for burglary. A victim impact statement highlighted the family's trauma and called for enhanced resources for An Garda Síochána to protect vulnerable people.
In a Dublin murder trial, Alan Harte, aged 32, pleaded not guilty to the stabbing death of Peter Gunn, 28, on 4 January 2009 in Cabra Park. Harte, who lives in Clareville Grove, Glasnevin, claims that a prosecution witness, Kastriot Boza, was the one who killed Gunn after a confrontation about Harte's uncle. Boza testified that he saw Harte stab Gunn in the chest, but Harte's barrister, Patrick Marrinan SC, cross‑examined him, suggesting that Harte was the one who had spoken aggressively to Gunn and threatened to kill him. Boza denied both the threat and the claim that Harte had stabbed Gunn, insisting he was telling the truth about the cold‑blooded killing. The case is being heard by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy with a jury of twelve.
Wayne Dundon and Nathan Killeen, both from Prospect in Limerick, are charged with the murder of businessman Roy Collins at Coin Castle Amusements on Roxboro Road in Limerick on 9 April 2009. The two men are due to stand trial at the Special Criminal Court on 29 April before Justice Iseult O'Malley. At a hearing before Justice Paul Butler on Thursday, the defence sought disclosure of communications between garda stations and prisons, including recorded conversations between prosecution witnesses held in custody and gardaí. The State's counsel indicated that prison recordings are archived in Longford but that establishing access procedures would require time. The court adjourned the matter to the following Wednesday to allow the trial court to address the outstanding disclosure issues before the trial commences.
A 32‑year‑old Dublin man, Alan Harte, is on trial for the murder of his friend Peter Gunn, aged 28, who was stabbed in the chest on 4 January 2009 in Cabra Park. A witness, Kastriot Boza, 41, testified that he and the two men had been drinking in a city pub early that morning. Boza described a confrontation in which Harte allegedly used a butcher's knife to stab Gunn, who collapsed. Boza also recounted that after the killing, the accused and another man removed Gunn's belongings, disposed of the body in a water‑filled ditch, and attempted to conceal the scene. Boza was later prosecuted for impeding the investigation and received a six‑year sentence with two years suspended. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy with a jury of six men and six women. Alan Harte pleaded not guilty.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has suspended deliberations in the trial of a 30-year-old man charged with murdering a pensioner in Sligo. Simon McGinley, of Connaughton Road Car Park, Sligo, has pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted manslaughter in the death of Eugene Gillespie, aged 67, on September 22nd, 2012. Mr McGinley has also pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and trespass to commit robbery at Mr Gillespie's home on Old Market Street on September 19th, 2012. The State did not accept the manslaughter plea. Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan directed the jury that the central question was whether the accused intended to cause serious injury. The prosecution argued intention can form instantaneously, while the defence submitted that pathological evidence showed injuries consistent with punches rather than a weapon. After deliberating for one-and-a-half hours, the jury will resume tomorrow.
Vincent Banks, 46, of Dublin 7, was acquitted by the Special Criminal Court of withholding information about the murder of prison officer David Black, 52, who was shot dead on the M1 motorway near Lurgan on 1 November 2012. The prosecution alleged that Banks had bought a Toyota Camry, registered under a false name, and that the vehicle was used in the shooting. The judge, Justice Paul Butler, found that while the car was linked to the murder, there was no evidence that Banks knew it would be used in the killing. Consequently, the court concluded that the charge of withholding information could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt and acquitted Banks. He remains on bail pending another charge of IRA membership. The case was presented as a dissident IRA murder. The court praised the police investigations on both sides of the border.
The Central Criminal Court heard evidence from Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis in the ongoing trial of Simon McGinley, a 30-year-old Sligo man. McGinley, of Connaughton Road, Sligo, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Eugene Gillespie (67) but admitted to the manslaughter of the pensioner in Co. Sligo on September 22, 2012. He also pleaded guilty to the false imprisonment of Mr Gillespie and trespass to commit robbery at his home in Old Market Street on September 19, 2012. The State did not accept the manslaughter plea, and the trial commenced last Tuesday. Dr Curtis testified that he performed a post-mortem at Galway University Hospital on September 23, 2012, and visited the deceased's home. He reported severe blunt force trauma to the head, face, and neck, including fractures to the skull base, jaw, and ribs, as well as ligature marks on the wrists and neck. The pathologist stated the cause of death was bronchial pneumonia due to coma resulting from the trauma, with hand ischemia from binding as a contributory factor. Detective Sergeant Con Lee also gave evidence regarding McGinley's demeanor during interviews. The matter was adjourned, and the trial continues.
Richard Walsh, 24, was sentenced to six months in prison after being convicted at Swords District Court for a series of public order offences committed in August 2013. The offences included threatening, abusive and violent behaviour towards Garda officers at Waterside estate and Swords Garda Station, as well as urinating outside the station. Walsh had previously claimed he was assaulted by Garda officers who tried to remove a bottle of alcohol from him, and he responded by calling the officers "f**king pigs" and threatening that he would "hope you get raped" and that his family would be raped. He also spat at Garda officers and attempted to head‑butt one. The judge found Walsh's evidence unreliable and noted his history of six prior convictions and failure to attend probation appointments. The sentence was imposed after the court heard that Walsh had stopped drinking following a serious health incident.
The Central Criminal Court adjourned the murder trial of a 32‑year‑old Dublin man, Alan Harte, who is charged with killing 29‑year‑old Peter Gunn on about 4 January 2009 in Cabra Park. Harte, who lives at Clareville Grove, Glasnevin, pleaded not guilty. Judge Patrick McCarthy postponed the trial for a day for legal reasons; it will resume tomorrow morning and is expected to conclude by the end of next week.
At the Central Criminal Court, a 30-year-old man from Sligo has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of a 67-year-old pensioner in September 2012. Simon McGinley of Connaughton Road faces charges of false imprisonment and robbery related to an incident at the victim's home on Old Market Street. The State rejected his manslaughter plea and the trial proceeded. Forensic evidence presented to the court indicated that blood matching the deceased's DNA profile was recovered from a wooden candlestick holder and a drawer at the property. A mixed DNA profile recovered from bloodstained cord found around the victim's wrists showed the accused as the major contributor. Medical testimony outlined the accused's emotional state when interviewed, during which he stated the incident was a robbery that escalated. The trial at the Central Criminal Court is ongoing.
A 32‑year‑old Dublin man, Alan Harte of Clareville Grove, Glasnevin, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 29‑year‑old Peter Gunn on or about 4 January 2009 in Cabra Park, Cabra. Harte, who is from the East Wall area, is charged with the killing that allegedly followed a stabbing in a flat in Cabra Park. He was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court, where a jury of six men and six women was sworn in. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, began today and is expected to conclude by the end of next week.
The Court of Criminal Appeal has declined to order a retrial of two nightclub doormen whose assault convictions were previously quashed. Frankie Murphy, aged 44, of Stephen Street, Sligo, and John Molloy, aged 33, of Creggs Road, Ballina, County Mayo, had been found guilty in October 2011 by Sligo Circuit Criminal Court of assault causing harm following an incident at Envy nightclub on 18 February 2009. The victim lost part of one finger when an entrance door was closed against him. The appeal court found the convictions unsafe and set them aside last month. Although the Director of Public Prosecutions sought a retrial, Ms Justice Elizabeth Dunne ruled that weaknesses in key prosecution witness evidence and the considerable time elapsed since the alleged offence made a retrial inappropriate. The court identified deficiencies in how the trial judge charged the jury regarding self-defence, accident, and joint enterprise. Costs were awarded to Mr Molloy.
The murder trial of Graham Dwyer, charged with killing Dublin childcare worker Elaine O'Hara (37) on 22 August 2012, has been moved forward by three months at the defence's request. Dwyer, a 41‑year‑old architect from Foxrock, is in custody awaiting trial. His barrister, Ronan Kennedy BL, informed Justice Barry White that Dwyer had been refused bail by the High Court but could apply for an earlier trial if available. The trial, originally set for 13 April next year, is now scheduled for 19 January next year and is expected to last six weeks.
A 30-year-old man from Sligo has pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted manslaughter following the death of a 67-year-old pensioner in September 2012. Simon McGinley, of Connaughton Road, has also pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and trespass to commit robbery at a property on Old Market Street. The Central Criminal Court heard that the State rejected the manslaughter plea, and a jury was sworn for trial. During interviews at Sligo Garda Station, the accused told gardai he struck the victim once or twice, tied his hands, and placed a blanket under his head before leaving the scene. He stated he searched the house, obtained a small sum of money, burned his clothing that night, and made a 999 call the following day. The accused maintained he did not intend for the victim to die. The trial continues.
In a High Court ruling, Eric Eoin Marques, referred to by the FBI as the 'largest facilitator of child porn in the world,' has been granted legal aid to fight his extradition to the United States. The court determined that any funds Marques may possess are likely to be proceeds of crime. Marques, who is alleged to be the owner and administrator of an anonymous hosting site known as Freedom Hosting, faces charges in the U.S. relating to conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography. The 28-year-old, residing at Mountjoy Square in Dublin, has been in custody since his arrest in August 2022. The charges relate to images on over a hundred anonymous websites, described as extremely violent and depicting the rape and torture of pre-pubescent children. Marques had previously failed to obtain legal aid due to unexplained funds, but the court granted him legal aid, citing the need for justice and the potential for hidden proceeds of crime. The matter was adjourned for further consideration, with the case to be re-listed on April 29. If convicted in the U.S., Marques could face a life sentence, with the four charges potentially resulting in a total of 100 years in prison.
Two Dublin men, Kenneth Brunell and Barry McArdle, aged 27, are wanted in Holland for the murder of Keith Ennis, 29, whose dismembered body was found in an Amsterdam canal in 2009. They were arrested in Ireland on extradition warrants issued in 2011. A third man, Philip County, 31, had already been extradited to Holland in April 2011. Irish Judge John Edwards ordered their surrender to Holland but the men's lawyers argued that Dutch authorities abused process by drafting a prosecution instead of an investigation to secure extradition. Edwards acknowledged a potential problem in Irish law regarding judicial oversight of European Arrest Warrants and sent a question to the Supreme Court. He remanded Brunell to Cloverhill prison pending surrender, while McArdle, serving a domestic sentence, was remanded until 9 November 2017 with a postponed release order pending appeal. The case remains pending before the Supreme Court.
A 42‑year‑old Dutch man, Jacky Lumi, was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his flatmate, Kamal El Habsati, in a Dublin apartment after a dispute over a €4 internet bill. Lumi stabbed El Habsati 21 times, leaving a knife in his heart, and fled across Europe before surrendering in Rome. He had previously complained that El Habsati was slow to pay bills, did not clean, and cooked at night. Lumi had also threatened to kill him if he stayed. During the trial, Lumi pleaded not guilty, seeking a manslaughter verdict on the basis of provocation, citing a brief argument and his own mental health diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder. The Central Criminal Court found him guilty of murder by a 11‑to‑one majority, and Judge Patrick McCarthy imposed a mandatory life sentence. The case ended with Lumi acknowledging his guilt and expressing a desire for the death penalty.
A 30-year-old man from Sligo has pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted manslaughter in connection with the death of a 67-year-old pensioner in September 2012. Simon McGinley of Connaughton Road has also admitted false imprisonment and trespass to commit robbery at the victim's home on Old Market Street. The Central Criminal Court heard that the State rejected the manslaughter plea and a jury trial commenced. Medical evidence described severe head injuries including skull fracture, brain swelling, and extensive bruising. The deceased died following cardiac arrest at Sligo General Hospital. Detectives told the court that McGinley appeared distressed during interview, expressing remorse and stating the victim "wasn't meant to die." He indicated he had attempted to alert gardaí to the man's location but they attended the wrong address. The trial was ongoing at reporting.
In Balbriggan District Court on 27 March 2014, David Donnelly, aged 20, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Jennifer Coffey in Lusk Graveyard on 5 August 2012, fracturing her nose. He received a six‑month suspended sentence and was bound to the peace for two years. Donnelly also pleaded guilty to harassing Coffey's father, Michael, on 6 April 2013, and was ordered to a probation bond for 18 months and to comply with Probation Services. He was required to complete a Victim Awareness course and take prescribed medication. The court noted his high risk of re‑offending if he does not adhere to treatment. Separately, Sean Lynch, 26, was remanded on continuing bail for assault involving a lit cigarette in a victim's eye, with the case adjourned to 24 April pending further disclosure. Paul Boylan, 35, was charged with possession of false number plates; his case was scheduled for a hearing on 9 June at Swords District Court.
Simon McGinley, 30, of Sligo, is standing trial at the Central Criminal Court for the death of Eugene Gillespie, 67. McGinley pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The State did not accept the manslaughter plea, and a jury was sworn in for the two-week trial. He also pleaded guilty to the false imprisonment of Mr Gillespie and trespass to commit robbery at his home in Old Market Street on September 19, 2012. The prosecution alleges McGinley made a 999 call from an acquaintance's phone, stating a man was tied up in a house across from the Garda station. Garda Sergeant Terry Coleman received the brief call, which was disconnected before details could be clarified. Garda Michael Twyford checked the described property but found nothing untoward. Detective Garda Seamus O'Donnell testified that Mr Gillespie's home was ransacked, with broken furniture and a large blood stain. Paramedic Aidan Duggan found Mr Gillespie unconscious on the floor. The court heard evidence that McGinley placed a bet at 1:35 pm on September 20, 2012, and was seen in a Sligo newsagent on September 23. CCTV footage showed a man believed to be McGinley discarding a SIM card on September 19. The trial continues.
In the Central Criminal Court, Jacky Lumi, aged 42, continues to face trial for the murder of his flatmate, Kamal El Habsati, a 31‑year‑old Moroccan‑born Dutch national. The alleged killing occurred on 1 December 2012 in a Dublin apartment. Lumi, who had fled to Europe but later surrendered in Rome, pleaded not guilty and seeks a manslaughter verdict, claiming provocation and loss of control after a dispute over unpaid bills and late‑night cooking. The prosecution presented evidence that El Habsati had been slow to pay rent and bills, and that a physical fight erupted when he refused to pay an internet bill. The jury, composed of seven men and five women, has deliberated for five hours over two days and will resume tomorrow morning before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy. The case remains in the deliberation stage.
In 2014, Sergeant Denis Palmer settled a High Court challenge against disciplinary sanctions imposed for alleged failures to provide medical treatment to a detainee who later collapsed unconscious after release. The High Court quashed the sanctions, and a Garda Superintendent was appointed to review the GSOC report and decide whether Palmer breached discipline. Palmer, stationed at Pearse Street, claimed he was denied fair procedures, including access to the Ombudsman's report and the opportunity to submit comments. The Superintendent will consider Palmer's submissions before deciding. Palmer was also awarded the costs of his proceedings against the Garda Commissioner. The case involved a man detained at Harcourt Garda Station in September 2009, who became violent after allegedly taking a controlled substance and was found unconscious three hours after release. The GSOC report suggested Palmer may have neglected duty by failing to summon or provide medical assistance and by not recording calls for a doctor. The unnamed man was found guilty.
Simon McGinley, 30, of Connaughton Road, Sligo, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the death of Eugene Gillespie, 67. McGinley pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Gillespie in September 2012. He also pleaded guilty to the false imprisonment of Mr Gillespie and trespass to commit robbery at his home in Old Market Street on September 19, 2012. The State did not accept the manslaughter plea, and a jury was sworn in for the trial. Prosecutors alleged that Mr Gillespie was subjected to violence, found unconscious with his hands tied, and died of bronchial pneumonia resulting from blunt force trauma. Evidence included an anonymous 999 call reporting a tied-up man, which led gardai to the wrong address. The court heard that Mr Gillespie was last seen on September 19 and found by relatives on September 21. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan.
A jury has begun deliberations in the trial of Jacky Lumi, 42, who is charged with murdering his flatmate Kamal El Habsati, 31, in a Dublin apartment. The alleged killing occurred on 1 December 2012 after a dispute over bills. El Habsati was found a few days later with a knife protruding from his heart and 21 stab wounds. Lumi had previously fled across Europe but returned to Ireland after surrendering in Rome. His defence lawyers have requested a verdict of manslaughter, claiming that Lumi was provoked by El Habsati and lost control. The trial heard that El Habsati had annoyed Lumi by being slow to pay rent and by cooking after midnight, and that a physical fight began when El Habsati refused to pay an internet bill. The jury, consisting of seven men and five women, deliberated for just over three hours before asking the judge to repeat the definitions of murder and manslaughter. Jacky Lumi pleaded not guilty.