In the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution argued that Richard Satchwell fabricated a story about his wife Tina's death, claiming he held her by the belt of her bathrobe and that she had flown at him with a chisel. The defence maintained that Satchwell was guilty of causing her death but disputed the intent and the circumstances, noting that the body's skeletal remains made the cause of death indeterminate. The prosecution highlighted Satchwell's repeated lies, his concealment of the body under the stairs, and his attempts to create a digital footprint to mislead investigators. The defence emphasised the lack of evidence for intent to kill, the delays in the investigation, and the possibility of self‑defence. The trial, set to continue, will determine whether Satchwell is found guilty of murder, manslaughter or another charge.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 77‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault on his former girlfriend's sisters, committed when he was about 16 between 1964 and 1965. The assaults occurred in the sisters' family home when they were alone in a downstairs room. The older sister, then about nine, was digitally penetrated, while the younger sister, then about seven, was touched inappropriately. The court, bound by the legislation in force at the time, imposed consecutive sentences and, after considering mitigation, set a headline sentence of one year and two months, reduced to reflect the defendant's youth. The man had a prior conviction for child pornography, for which he received a suspended two‑year sentence in the late 2010s. The victims' impact statements were read, and the defendant apologized and pleaded guilty early. The judge noted the breach of trust, age disparity, prior conviction and victim impact as aggravating factors.
The trial of four accused persons regarding the murder of Ashling Murphy continues before the Central Criminal Court. Jozefina Grundzova and Viera Gaziova, who have pleaded not guilty to charges under the Criminal Law Act 1997, are alleged to have assisted in burning clothing to impede the prosecution of Jozef Puska. Marek Puska and Lubomir Puska Jnr, also pleading not guilty, face charges under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988 and the Criminal Law Act 1997 for allegedly withholding information about Puska's return home with injuries and his subsequent travel to Dublin. Evidence presented includes testimony from Detective Sergeant Anthony Quinn, who described sifting fireplace ashes at the family home in Mucklagh, Co Offaly, for forensic evidence of burned clothing, though nothing of note was found. Witness Jenna Stack testified to seeing Murphy struggling with a man near Cappincur Bridge on January 12, 2022, describing her as "kicking out really hard" while the man appeared angry at being interrupted. The matter is currently at the trial stage and has not been finalised; it remains ongoing before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury.
In the murder trial of Richard Satchwell, his half‑sister Lorraine Howard, aged 50, testified that he was obsessive and possessive, constantly monitoring Tina Satchwell's whereabouts and contacts. Howard said Tina confided she could not escape her husband. She described Satchwell as controlling and odd, and claimed he had a vicious temper. Howard also recounted that Tina's family relationships were strained, noting that Tina discovered she was a half‑sister at confirmation age, which caused distress. She testified that Satchwell had called Tina his "trophy wife" and that he would have taken her back if she returned. Howard stated that Satchwell had told her that Tina could not get away from him and that she would call the Gardaí. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul McDermott, continues tomorrow with closing speeches. Tina Satchwell pleaded not guilty.
In a case heard in November, a 15‑year‑old boy who drove on the wrong side of the M50 and rammed a Garda patrol car was remanded on continuing bail until January. He pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment, assault, unlawful use of a car, dangerous driving and damaging a Garda vehicle. Detective Garda Kate Gilligan's victim impact statement described the danger he posed to himself and other road users, noting her hand was broken when the car door closed on her. Judge Orla Crowe, acknowledging the boy's significant improvement over the past year, adjourned the case to January 12 to allow him to continue his work with the Probation Service. The teenager expressed remorse, thanked the judge, and confirmed his willingness to cooperate with the court and probation. The court noted his cooperation, early guilty plea, and genuine remorse, and that he had not reoffended since his release.
Glen Ward (32) and his brother Eric O'Driscoll (23) were further sentenced on 21 May 2025 for violent disorder and related offences committed in 2022. Both pleaded guilty to violent disorder at Cardiffsbridge Road, Finglas West on 9 August 2022 and to producing a bicycle saddle during a dispute at Dunnes Stores. They also pleaded guilty to possessing a .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle on 1 January 2022, with circumstances suggesting unlawful use. Ward received a six‑year, three‑month Special Criminal Court sentence, with the final nine months suspended; O'Driscoll received a six‑year sentence, with the final year suspended. In addition, Ward was given an 18‑month suspended sentence for violent disorder, while O'Driscoll received a two‑year sentence with the final 18 months suspended. Judge Elva Duffy noted the sentences were mandatory consecutive terms and banned O'Driscoll from driving for ten years.
In the Central Criminal Court, Sarah Howard, cousin of Tina Satchwell, testified that Richard Satchwell offered her a freezer that he later claimed held his wife's body before burying it under their home. Howard, visibly emotional, described the offer as "very unusual and very strange" and recounted that she had never seen Tina violent or aggressive. She also confirmed that Richard had sent her a birthday card signed "Tina and Richard" in August 2017, five months after Tina's disappearance. Howard noted that Tina had been missing since March 2017, with her body discovered in October 2023 beneath the stairs. The prosecution's case was deemed complete, and the trial will continue before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. The accused, 58, has pleaded not guilty to Tina's murder.
A 33‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to his former partner on 28 March 2021 at her Dublin home. He climbed through a window, shouted insults, grabbed the woman, threw her onto the bed, punched her up to ten times and verbally abused her while her two‑year‑old child watched. The woman suffered cut lips, bruises, jaw pain and head bumps, and later reported being unable to work for days and fearing for her children's safety. The man failed to appear for his sentencing in May 2024 and again in October 2024, citing a car breakdown. Judge Orla Crowe set a headline sentence of three years, reduced to two years and three months, taking mitigating factors into account. He is now jailed and has been in custody since his arrest two weeks ago.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the prosecution explained that Jozef Puska's sisters‑in‑law, Jozefina Grundzova (31) and Viera Gaziova (38), burned the clothes he wore when he murdered 23‑year‑old schoolteacher Ashling Murphy on 12 January 2022. The prosecution's barrister, Sean Gillane SC, noted that the brothers Lubomir Puska Jnr (35) and Marek Puska (34) had given voluntary interviews to Gardaí two days after the murder but allegedly misled investigators by withholding information about Puska's return home with visible injuries and his admission of killing or seriously injuring a woman. The brothers are charged with withholding information under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988, while the sisters‑in‑law are charged under the Criminal Law Act 1997 for assisting in burning the clothing to impede Puska's arrest or prosecution. The trial is before Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of twelve. Lubomir Puska Jnr pleaded not guilty. Marek Puska pleaded not guilty. Jozefina Grundzova pleaded not guilty. Viera Gaziova pleaded not guilty.
During the Richard Satchwell murder trial, Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster explained that Tina Satchwell's cause of death could not be determined because her remains were skeletal. The remains were found buried beneath the couple's Cork home, in a grave under the stairs, after an invasive search in October 2023. Dr Bolster described the body's condition: a dressing‑gown belt knotted over the front of the chest, a gold purse labelled 'Playboy' removed from the left pocket, and skeletal remains with no fractures or bruising. She noted the belt's unusual position, often used to move a body, and that the body had been wrapped in a soiled sheet. No evidence of trauma to the hyoid bone or other bones was found, and the post‑mortem interval was very long, preventing determination of the cause of death. Tina Satchwell pleaded not guilty.
Jamie Murray, 30, known also as Jamie Kinsella, was unable to attend Cloverhill District Court on 20 May 2025 because he was hospitalised. He faces charges of unauthorised vehicle taking, assault and dangerous driving after an incident in Citywest on 12 May. The defence counsel, Alexander Langan MacDonnell, informed Judge Alan Mitchell that Murray was receiving medical treatment and requested photographs of his injuries taken upon admission to Cloverhill Prison. The judge agreed to remand Murray in custody until 4 June, citing a medical certificate, but declined to compel the prison service to release the photos, stating they were not directly relevant to the current charges. The case stems from an alleged hijacking of a milk delivery van at Carrigmore Crescent, where the driver's adult daughter was inside and later escaped from the vehicle before it crashed near Glencree, Co. Wicklow. Murray was arrested at the crash site. The court noted that the incident occurred around 3 a.m.
A 48‑year‑old woman, Olesja Hertova of Hastings Lawn, Balbriggan, admitted to unlawfully killing her partner, James Ryan, in North County Dublin last year. She pleaded guilty to manslaughter on 11 August 2024 and was arraigned today at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. She began crying when the charge was read and pleaded guilty. Her barrister, Bernard Condon SC, requested the earliest sentencing date. Judge Orla Crowe remanded her in custody for sentencing on 3 July 2025.
The trial has commenced at the Central Criminal Court for four individuals accused of impeding the investigation into the murder of Ashling Murphy. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs swore a jury to hear the case, which is expected to last up to five weeks. The defendants are Jozef Puska's brothers, Marek and Lubomir Puska, and their respective wives, Jozefina Grundzova and Viera Gaziova. All four have pleaded not guilty. The brothers are charged under the Offences Against the State, Amendment Act 1988 with withholding information. It is alleged they failed to tell An Garda Síochána that Jozef Puska returned home to Mucklagh on the night of January 12, 2022, with visible injuries and admitted to "cutting" a female with a knife. They are also alleged to have known he travelled to Dublin that night. Marek Puska is further alleged to have been aware of an arrangement to burn clothing worn by Jozef Puska. The women are charged under the Criminal Law Act 1997 with assisting in burning clothing between January 12 and 14, intending to impede the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska. The prosecution alleges the defendants knew or believed the withheld information or actions might assist in securing the conviction of Jozef Puska for a serious offence. Jozef Puska was previously tried and convicted of Ms Murphy's murder. The trial will begin with an opening statement by the prosecution.
Bahaalddin Alshwawrah, 46, was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering his wife, Zeinat Bashabsheh, 42, on Christmas Eve 2021. Alshwawrah stabbed her 14 times with a single‑edged blade, causing fatal chest wounds. He recorded the incident on his mobile phone, shouting "I hope she dies," and sent the footage to another man. The court heard that Alshwawrah had previously claimed his wife had an affair and that he was a victim of her violence, but no evidence supported these allegations. He had two prior convictions in Jordan for simple injury. The victim impact statement described Zeinat as a devoted mother whose death left a profound void. Alshwawrah apologized, admitting he could never forgive himself. Mr Justice Tony Hunt imposed the mandatory life sentence.
A 24‑year‑old man, Brian Ibe, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 65‑year‑old Peter Kennedy, a retired probation officer who had taken Ibe and his mother into his home after learning of their homelessness. The Central Criminal Court jury rejected Ibe's defence of not guilty by reason of insanity and convicted him of both the murder and an assault on Garda Brendan O'Donnell. Ibe was found to have schizophrenia by two psychiatrists, though a prosecution psychiatrist disagreed. The jury deliberated for just under seven hours and returned a unanimous guilty verdict. Justice Melanie Greally imposed a mandatory life sentence for the murder, back‑dated to Ibe's custody on 29 April 2020, and a 12‑month prison term for the assault on the Garda. The victim's sister delivered a moving impact statement describing Kennedy as a thoughtful, charitable and generous man who suffered a cruel and terrifying end.
Rachel Redmond was sentenced to four years in prison at the Central Criminal Court for attempting to impede the apprehension of Wayne Cooney, who was convicted of the 2019 murder of Jordan Davis. A jury had previously found Redmond guilty of two counts of assisting Cooney to avoid capture by driving him from the scene and paying for a hotel room. Mr Justice Paul Burns noted that while the maximum penalty is ten years, Redmond's actions fell in the "upper end of middle range." He set a headline sentence of six years on each count, reduced to five years to run concurrently, and suspended the final year for three years. Redmond, who had pleaded not guilty, stated she would be home soon. The court also noted that Robert Redmond, Rachel's brother, pleaded guilty in April 2024 to conspiring with Cooney to murder Davis and was sentenced to seven years. Cooney was convicted of the murder in 2022. The judge rejected defence arguments that Redmond was merely "blinded by the relationship," stating she deliberately assisted Cooney to "lie low" after the execution-style killing in Darndale.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 47‑year‑old builder Francis Halpin pleaded guilty to three offences stemming from a garden shed dispute. He admitted producing a Samurai‑style sword and causing criminal damage at the neighbour's house on 20 November 2021, and to abusive behaviour in a public place after waving a hammer on 7 July 2021. The incidents involved verbal and racial abuse, a threat of violence, damage to a front door and a van windscreen costing €200. Halpin, who suffers from a rare back condition and uses a wheelchair, had no prior convictions except two minor traffic offences. The judge, citing mitigating medical circumstances, imposed a two‑year sentence suspended in full, noting the behaviour was irrational and threatening but not warranting imprisonment. The victims have since moved house.
Dean Howard, 33, of Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to assault causing harm to a male victim on July 10 and 11, 2022. The court heard that Howard entered his ex-girlfriend's home uninvited and assaulted her new partner while they were in bed. He also brandished a pint glass, used abusive language, and followed the victims in his car. Although initially facing additional charges including harassment, the DPP accepted a guilty plea to assault causing harm on a full facts basis. Judge Orla Crowe noted the severe impact on the victims and described Howard's behavior as abusive and disrespectful. Considering mitigation, including Howard's lack of previous convictions, his remorse, and personal circumstances, the judge imposed an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for three years. Howard was also directed to have no contact with the female victim for three years and ordered to pay €2,500 to a women's refuge in Dublin. The matter was finalized with this sentence.
In a case heard in the District Court Appeals Court, a woman who had breached a safety order by locking her then‑partner out of their home and using threatening language was found guilty of violating the Domestic Violence Act 2018. She had originally received a two‑month custodial sentence. On appeal, Judge James O'Donohoe suspended that sentence for two years, ordering the woman to maintain peace and attend an alcohol treatment centre recommended by the probation service. The defendant, whose name is withheld, pleaded guilty and has struggled with alcohol addiction.
In the Central Criminal Court, jurors are deliberating a murder case involving Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), who deny killing 22‑year‑old Mahamud Ilyas on 9 December 2022. The State alleges the men sold drugs and beat Ilyas after a dispute over a stolen cannabis bag, while the accused claim self‑defence after Ilyas entered an apartment with a weapon. Ilyas's body, found at Belgree Lane, Co Meath, shows blunt‑force head trauma typical of hammer blows. The jury, consisting of seven men and five women, has spent five hours and 35 minutes over three days and will resume on Tuesday. The judge explained that a verdict of murder requires proof of a joint enterprise to cause serious harm, while manslaughter could result if the death was due to unlawful assault without intent. The case also involves co‑accused Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who faces charges of impeding the prosecution and has pleaded not guilty.
In May 2025 the Court of Appeal sentenced Susan McGovern, 44, to three years' imprisonment after quashing her fully suspended four‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence from Waterford Circuit Criminal Court. McGovern had been convicted of robbery under the Criminal Justice Theft and Fraud Offences Act 2001 and a Section 3 assault for luring a man to her apartment and attacking him with a knife. The appeal judge, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, found the earlier full suspension too lenient, citing McGovern's 19 prior convictions, including theft, knife possession and child abduction, and her history of drug addiction. The new sentence retained the four‑and‑a‑half‑year term with 18 months suspended, and the court noted that the knife caused facial injury to the victim, who required stitches. McGovern had previously been jailed for five years in 2001 for abducting a newborn from a Cork maternity hospital. Susan McGovern pleaded guilty.
Connor Manning, 29, a repeat offender, had his eight‑month jail sentence replaced with a fully suspended term after an appeal. He had pleaded guilty to 15 offences, including robbery, theft, assault and public order. In August 2022 he assaulted a garda with a hurley, knocking her to the ground and lifting a nail from her nail bed, and later kicked a garda patrol vehicle's number plate before being arrested. In January 2023 he threatened to kill staff at a Circle K shop on Nassau Street if they pressed the panic alarm, stole alcohol and cigarettes on several occasions, and was also charged with punching a man in Temple Bar. In August 2024 he was racially abusive and threw a pack of cider at a worker in a Tesco store on Fleet Street.
Nigel Canavan, 39, was convicted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of murdering his mother, Angela Canavan, at her home in St John's Terrace, Co Sligo, on May 1, 2023. Canavan had pleaded not guilty, claiming he acted in self-defence after his ailing mother attacked him, and suggested she provoked him into losing control. The jury rejected both the self-defence claim and the suggestion that he was guilty of manslaughter due to provocation. Pathological evidence indicated Ms Canavan suffered strangulation, smothering, broken ribs, and other injuries consistent with a struggle. Canavan had previously pleaded guilty to drunk driving and assault arising from a separate incident in February 2023. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo remanded Canavan in custody. The matter is not yet finalised; the judge will impose the mandatory term of life imprisonment at a sentencing hearing scheduled for June 3. At that hearing, Ms Canavan's other son, Keith Canavan, will make a statement to the court.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court will resume deliberations tomorrow in the trial of Nigel Canavan, aged 39, who denies murdering his mother. The accused, with an address in Crossmolina, County Mayo, is charged with the death of Angela Canavan at her home in County Sligo on 1 May 2023. The jury has already spent more than four hours over two days considering their verdict. Mr Canavan has pleaded not guilty to murder but the jury has been directed they may return verdicts of guilty of murder, not guilty, or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. The defence case rests on claims of self-defence and provocation. State pathologist evidence outlined multiple injuries to the deceased, including bruising to the face, neck, torso and limbs, fractured ribs, and stab wounds to both thighs. The cause of death was established as asphyxiation due to smothering and strangling.
Richard Satchwell, who pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of his 45-year-old wife, Tina Satchwell, between March 19 and 20, 2017, is currently on trial at the Central Criminal Court. The matter is at the trial stage, with evidence presented regarding the defendant's statements and forensic findings. GP Patrick Burke testified that Satchwell claimed his wife assaulted him on multiple occasions, a history never mentioned in their 18 years of medical consultations. Burke noted the couple typically attended appointments together, making Satchwell's solo visit on March 30, 2017, unusual. In a fourth interview with gardai, Satchwell stated he would not view photographs of his wife's body, saying he wanted to remember her "the way she was, not the way I made her." Detectives challenged his account, stating his "second story" had "come apart" and did not match the evidence. Witness Sarah Dobson described Satchwell selling Tina's belongings, including a handbag, while claiming she was ill in England. Forensic expert Dr. Brian Gorey testified that 15 glass fragments found on Tina's scalp and torso likely originated from a single source and transferred to the remains shortly before burial. The trial continues with further evidence to be presented.
A judge dismissed the charges against Jamie Shannon, 30, and Edel Doherty, 51, who were accused of identifying the teenage boys who murdered 14‑year‑old Ana Kriégel. The charges were brought under the Children Act 2001, which prohibits the identification of children who appear before the courts. The defendants applied to have the charges dismissed under the Criminal Procedure Act, specifically Section 4E of the Criminal Justice Act 1999, which bars reporting of the hearing, any evidence, and arguments. The judge, Martin Nolan, delivered the decision after a hearing that began the day before. The court's ruling can only be reported as the fact that a case was taken and the decision made, due to the reporting restrictions. The two teenage boys, aged 13 and 14 at the time, had been convicted of Ana Kriégel's murder in June 2019 and were referred to as 'Boy A' and 'Boy B' in that trial.
Richard Satchwell, aged 58, told detectives he would not look at photographs of his wife Tina's body, saying he wanted to remember her as she was, not as he had made her. He claimed his wife, aged 45, had attacked him with a chisel, that he had fallen backwards, and that he had held her bathrobe belt at her neck until she became heavier. Gardaí questioned him about marks on plasterboard he said were left by a chisel, but he could not confirm their location. He also said the marks were not visible. Gardaí noted inconsistencies in his story and that his second account was starting to fall apart. The trial heard that Tina's body was found in a grave under the stairs of the couple's home in October 2023, after she had been reported missing in May 2017. Satchwell pleaded not guilty to her murder, which is alleged to have occurred between 19 and 20 March 2017.
A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court heard closing arguments on Wednesday concerning the death of Angela Canavan, aged fifty-eight, at her home in St John's Terrace, Sligo on May 1st, 2023. The accused, Nigel Canavan, aged thirty-nine, with an address at Erris Gardens, Crossmolina, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to her murder. The prosecution submitted that the accused's account of self-defence or provocation should be rejected as implausible, noting he initially denied presence at the scene before later claiming either provocation or self-defence at trial. State Pathologist evidence established the deceased died from asphyxiation due to strangulation and smothering, with additional injuries including rib fractures and stab wounds. The defence argued the accused demonstrated sustained care and affection toward his mother, suggesting provocation arising from verbal abuse during a heated altercation. The jury of ten women and two men retired to consider their verdict on Wednesday afternoon and will deliver their decision Thursday.
Graham Kinsella, 21, of Clondalkin, Dublin 2, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assault causing harm. He pleaded guilty to an incident on May 19, 2024, where he allegedly kicked a teenager off an e-scooter on Liffey Street and punched him. Judge Elva Duffy described the CCTV footage as "poor and shocking viewing" and noted the attack involved a "level of lawlessness which was hard to watch." The judge characterized the act as an unprovoked "revenge mission" focused on the scooter rather than the individual. Kinsella was handed a sentence of two years, with the final six months suspended on strict conditions. Judge Duffy stated that an immediate custodial sentence was required despite mitigating factors, including Kinsella's lack of previous convictions, his guilty plea, and his efforts to address drug issues. The court noted Kinsella was not responsible for puncture wounds sustained by the victim, who was stabbed by a co-accused still before the courts. The victim made a full recovery. Defense counsel Marc Thompson-Grolimund BL highlighted Kinsella's remorse and his status as a "work in progress." The matter was finalized with this sentence.
Seán Keogh, 34, of Emmet Crescent, Inchicore, pleaded guilty to burglary at Morehampton Road, Donnybrook, on 26 December 2023. The break‑in, which took place at about 3 pm, involved the theft of a PlayStation 5, a laptop and a phone, with a total value exceeding €5,000. Keogh was charged under Section 12(1)(b) and (3) of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. Garda Conor McCarthy testified that he was stopped shortly after the incident. Keogh has 88 prior convictions, including burglary, theft, criminal damage, public order offences, violent behaviour in a Garda station, and 31 road‑traffic offences. He had a five‑month suspended sentence for a July 2024 driving‑without‑insurance offence. Judge Anne Watkin imposed a six‑month custodial sentence, recognising €500 in the event of an appeal, bringing his total convictions to 89.
Richard Satchwell, aged 58, told Gardaí that he buried his wife Tina's body under the stairs of their Cork home to keep her with him. He said he wanted her to know the hand that killed her was also the hand that loved her. Satchwell claimed the incident occurred on or about 19 March 2017, after a dispute at a car boot sale. He described a sudden violent episode in which Tina "flew" at him, leading to her death. He said he then placed her in a chest freezer, later dug a hole under the stairs, wrapped her in black plastic, added flowers, and covered her with cement. A forensic anthropologist testified that no injuries were found on Tina's bones, including her hyoid bone. Satchwell pleaded not guilty to her murder. The trial is set to continue.
James Gilleran, 70, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to five counts of indecent assault committed between 1983 and 1987. The court heard that Gilleran, a former scout leader, abused three boys aged 11 to 13 while in a position of trust. The offences were brought to light after one survivor recognised Gilleran on the Late Late Show in 2021, prompting formal complaints to the Garda. Judge Orla Crowe described the conduct as a gross violation of the children's bodily integrity and innocence, noting predatory behaviour including the exposure of victims to alcohol and pornography. Although Gilleran had a previous conviction for sexual assault in 1997, the judge considered mitigating factors, including his early guilty plea, good work history, and health issues, before imposing the two-year custodial sentence. The three injured parties waived their anonymity and provided impact statements detailing the lifelong psychological effects of the abuse. Gilleran's defence counsel highlighted his 30 years of offending-free life and his desire to atone. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the sentence.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Kevin Geraghty, 31, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison, with the final nine months suspended, for an unprovoked assault on a 25‑year‑old Spanish student. The victim, studying English in Ireland, was punched in the face after Geraghty and another man shouted homophobic slurs while he waited outside a bar on Cuffe Street in the early hours of 19 September 2024. The attack left the student with a broken jaw that required surgery. Geraghty, who has 70 prior convictions, denied shouting the slurs. The court noted the assault's homophobic overtones and the victim's financial impact. The sentence was imposed by Judge Orla Crowe, who highlighted the attack's unprovoked nature and the defendant's criminal record. Kevin Geraghty pleaded guilty.
A 39-year-old man has testified at the Central Criminal Court that his mother died during a struggle in which he was defending himself from her attack. Nigel Canavan, from Crossmolina, County Mayo, is charged with the murder of Angela Canavan at her home in Sligo on 1 May 2023. He has pleaded not guilty. Mr Canavan told the court his mother attacked him with a knife and struck at him with her hands and feet during a heated argument. He admitted applying pressure to her neck with his forearm during the incident, but stated this was in self-defence and that he did not intend to cause her death. Under cross-examination, he accepted that he had initially denied to gardaí that he was present when his mother suffered fatal injuries, attributing this to distress at the time. The State Pathologist concluded that Ms Canavan died from asphyxiation by smothering and manual strangulation. The trial continues before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo and a jury.
Richard Satchwell, aged 58, was re‑arrested on 12 October 2023 on suspicion of murdering his wife Tina Satchwell, aged 45, at their home on Grattan Street, Youghal, between 19 and 20 March 2017. In a statement to Gardaí he claimed that after Tina tried to stab him with a chisel, he fell and held her weight with the belt of her bathrobe until she became heavier, after which she died in his arms. He also said he buried her under the stairs because the area was not concreted and he was panicked. Gardaí discovered her decomposed remains in a grave dug beneath the stairs during an invasive search in October 2023. The trial is proceeding in the Central Criminal Court, with Mr Satchwell pleading not guilty to the murder charge.
A 23‑year‑old man who raped a teenage friend and sexually assaulted two other teenagers has appealed his conviction, claiming the joint trial deprived him of a fair trial. He was found guilty of one rape and one sexual assault by a Central Criminal Court jury; he pleaded guilty to a second sexual assault before trial. The offences occurred in the northeast between July 2017 and September 2018, when he was 16. In March 2024 Justice Caroline Biggs sentenced him to three years and nine months for the rape, eleven months for the first sexual assault (concurrent), and two years and three months for the second sexual assault (consecutive), giving a total of six years. At the Court of Appeal, counsel Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha argued that the rape was "significantly different" from the other charges, citing evidence of force and refusal, and that missing phone metadata deprived the defence of a crucial line of defence.
The High Court has granted leave for judicial review to an unnamed 18-year-old accused of violent disorder and assault causing harm in Dublin. The applicant, represented by James B Dwyer SC, seeks an injunction against his prosecution at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, alleging a three-year delay that prevented his access to juvenile diversion. The alleged offences occurred in February 2022 on Henry Street, Dublin 1, where the teen, then 15, is accused of participating in an altercation with a Polish man who rebuked a group of teenagers for allegedly throwing eggs at a homeless man. The applicant denied the allegations during a voluntary interview, admitting only to his presence at the scene. In April 2024, he was deemed unsuitable for juvenile diversion because he had turned 17, resulting in his referral for trial. Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty granted the application, stating there were "certainly arguable grounds" for review. The matter remains at the pre-trial stage, with the applicant due for arraignment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court later this month. No plea, finding, or sentence has been recorded, and the prosecution has not been concluded.
Kieran Meaney, aged 59, was convicted by a jury of 14 counts of indecent assault on two sisters aged six to eleven between August 1979 and August 1983, and of one count of rape of the older sister. The Central Criminal Court heard that the abuse began with inappropriate touching and escalated to forced removal of clothing and rape. The older sister's victim impact statement described the loss of innocence and lifelong fear, while the younger sister described a chaotic childhood but no fear of Meaney. Defending counsel argued that Meaney was a minor at the time of the offences and had no prior convictions. Judge Kerida Naidoo reduced the headline sentence from 10 years and 3 months to 5 years and 6 months, and imposed an effective global sentence of 4 years and 3 months. The court noted the age disparity and breach of trust in its decision.
Rachel Redmond, 35, appeared before the Central Criminal Court for sentencing after being convicted of attempting to impede the apprehension of Wayne Cooney, who was convicted of murdering Jordan Davis. Redmond pleaded not guilty at trial but now accepts the jury's verdict. Counsel Dominic McGinn SC described her actions as "naive" and driven by a relationship with Cooney, rather than deliberate criminal intent. He highlighted her solid work record, including roles as a beautician and in security, and noted she wrote an apology to the Davis family. The court heard that Redmond helped Cooney evade arrest by driving him from the scene of the May 2019 shooting in Darndale and arranging his stay at the Clayton Hotel. Mr Justice Paul Burns adjourned the matter to next Monday to deliver sentence. The report also notes that in April 2024, Redmond's brother, Robert "Roo" Redmond, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder Jordan Davis. Robert Redmond, a career criminal with 99 previous convictions, received a mandatory life sentence in 2022 for the murder of Barry Wolverson in Swords in 2020.
A 33‑year‑old Limerick man was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting his partner's daughter, who is now 17. The Central Criminal Court found him guilty of five counts of rape and three of sexual assault committed between 2016 and 2018, when the victim was aged nine to eleven. The abuse began after the man took over child‑minding duties for his partner, who had previously relied on friends and family. The court heard that the victim's mother noticed self‑harm at age 15 and reported the abuse, leading to the man's arrest in October 2023. He denied wrongdoing and minimised his time caring for the child. The unnamed 33-year-old was convicted.
In Waterford Circuit Criminal Court, Susan McGovern, 44, pleaded guilty to robbery under the Criminal Justice Theft and Fraud Offences Act, 2001. She was sentenced by Judge Eugene O'Kelly to a four‑and‑a‑half‑year term, fully suspended, on 10 October 2024. The State, represented by Conor O'Doherty BL, argued that the suspended sentence was too lenient, citing the seriousness of the robbery, the use of a nine‑inch knife, the victim's injuries, and McGovern's 19 prior convictions, including a knife possession offence. The State also highlighted McGovern's false claims of self‑defence and sexual assault, which were later admitted as unfounded. McGovern's counsel, Gareth Hayden BL, maintained that the sentence was not unduly lenient. The Court of Appeal will reserve its judgment until later in the week.
In the trial of Richard Satchwell, the jury heard how gardai uncovered the body of his wife, Tina, in a grave dug almost one metre deep beneath the stairs of their home, more than six years after she was reported missing. The prosecution described how forensic archaeologists, led by Dr Niamh McCullagh, excavated the site after a detective noticed a different pour of concrete under the stairs. The body, wrapped in black plastic, was exposed at 8.35 pm on 11 October 2023 and fully excavated the next day, with the remains placed in a body bag at 2.40 pm on 12 October. Detective Garda Brian Barry and builders had broken the concrete, revealing the burial. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott, with Mr Satchwell, aged 58, pleading not guilty to the murder of his 45‑year‑old wife, Tina Satchwell, between 19 and 20 March 2017.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Padraig Delaney, aged 44, was found guilty of murdering his friend Shane Knott, aged 37, who was discovered in a dog pen in Delaney's back garden wrapped in carpet underlay. Delaney claimed self‑defence after an alleged attack with scissors, but the jury rejected this defence. The court described the killing as brutal, with Knott suffering multiple head and brain injuries and his left face crushed. Delaney's statements about a Kinahan crime organisation sending Knott were deemed unfounded. Delaney, a former cabinet maker with a history of alcohol and substance abuse, was sentenced to life imprisonment. The judge called the murder "particularly brutal" and the treatment of the body "callous and disrespectful.".
The Court of Appeal has adjourned proceedings in the appeal against the conviction of Stephen Silver, who is serving a life sentence with a 40-year minimum term for the capital murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan. Silver, a 48-year-old motorbike mechanic from Foxford, Co Mayo, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Det Gda Horkan, alleging he was reckless as to whether the victim was a garda acting in the course of his duty. He had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Castlerea, Co Roscommon, on June 17, 2020. The jury found him guilty of murder, rejecting defences of self-defence and diminished responsibility. During the current appeal hearing, counsel for Silver stated that the legal team is unable to advance the appeal due to an impasse in obtaining crucial psychiatric disclosure from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP). Counsel described the situation as a "brick wall" and argued that the psychiatric evidence is a critical issue, particularly regarding Silver's bipolar affective disorder. Mr Justice John Edwards noted that the coroner for County Roscommon cannot complete the inquest into Garda Horkan's death until the appeal is determined. The judge described the delay as "intolerable" for the victim's family and stated that the matter "cannot drag on." Proceedings were adjourned to a case management list on June 20, with the judge indicating that a motion could be brought if the logjam persists.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 16‑year‑old girl who was groped by Jasmin Nasic during a grocery shop described the emotional toll of having her counselling notes handed over to the defendant's legal team. She said the assault, which involved Nasic placing his hand on her buttocks, had no precedent in her life and that the trial, prompted by his plea of not guilty, caused her stress, anxiety and sleepless nights. The court noted the case took 1,375 days from the offence to conviction. Judge Martina Baxter praised the girl's courage and urged Probation Services to assess Nasic for recidivism. Nasic, a 36‑year‑old from Lucan with no prior convictions, was found guilty of one count of sexual assault and one count of offensive conduct of a sexual nature, offences carrying maximum sentences of 14 and 2 years respectively. He will now be registered as a sex offender.
In the trial of Richard Satchwell, the jury was shown photographs and a video of a shallow grave discovered beneath the stairs of his Cork home, where his wife Tina's remains were found six years after her disappearance. Gardaí used a cadaver dog named Fern to locate the body, and the excavation revealed a black plastic container holding the remains. The prosecution presented evidence that Satchwell had kept "bits and pieces" under the stairs and had been interviewed by Gardaí about the location of the body. Satchwell, aged 58, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 45‑year‑old wife, Tina Satchwell, who died between 19 and 20 March 2017. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of five men and seven women.
A man accused of murdering his mother at her home in County Sligo in May 2023 told gardaí during interviews that he delayed contacting emergency services for approximately 20 minutes after discovering her body. Nigel Canavan, aged 39, of Erris Gardens, Crossmolina, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Angela Canavan at St John's Terrace, Sligo on 1 May 2023. The Central Criminal Court trial heard that Mr Canavan said he initially telephoned a friend before calling an ambulance, claiming he panicked and was unsure what to do. Gardaí arrested him six days after her death. Detective Garda Brian McMahon testified that during questioning at Sligo Garda Station, Mr Canavan described an altercation with his mother, who he said was intoxicated and agitated. He stated he removed a knife from her possession and subsequently heard sounds from downstairs, where he found her unconscious. Mr Canavan denied involvement in her death. State Pathologist Dr SallyAnne Collis determined the deceased died from asphyxia. The trial continues before Justice Kerdia Naidoo and jury.
During the trial, Richard Satchwell, aged 58, told Gardaí that he had stored "bits and pieces" beneath the stairway in his Cork home. The statement was made after officers showed him a live photograph of the area taken hours before the discovery of his wife Tina's body in a shallow grave. Satchwell also claimed that he and Tina had not been sexually active in the five years before her disappearance. He was arrested on 10 October 2023 for the murder of Tina, who was 45, at their Grattan Street residence between 19 and 20 March 2017. The case is being heard at the Central Criminal Court, with Satchwell pleading not guilty. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. The proceedings focus on the circumstances of the alleged murder and the evidence presented by Gardaí. The trial has not yet reached a verdict.
In May 2025 a 22‑year‑old man was placed under Probation Service supervision for 12 months after pleading guilty in July 2022 to one count of sexual assault of his 13‑year‑old first cousin. The man claimed he believed he was in a "love relationship" with the girl. He had contacted her via social media in June 2022, and over the following weeks their contact became sexual. He visited the girl's home in late July 2022 with her parents' consent and sexually assaulted her on four occasions that night, in a nearby park and in a car. The abuse involved inappropriate touching and kissing on the lips. After the incidents he sent apologies, but his messages became persistent and distressing, leading the girl to block and later unblock him. She disclosed the abuse to a friend and a teacher.
Richard Satchwell, aged 58, is on trial for the murder of his wife Tina Satchwell, aged 45, who disappeared on 24 March 2017. He told Gardaí that Tina had left the house four days earlier, had taken €26 000 from their savings, and was in the UK with her sister. He claimed to have kept her body in a freezer before burying it under their home. In October 2023 Gardaí found her decomposed remains in a grave beneath the stairs. Witnesses said Satchwell was selling Tina's clothes at car‑boot sales weeks after her disappearance, including a "flogging" of her items. He also posted a Done Deal advert for a free chest freezer days after the alleged murder. The trial is before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of five men and seven women. He has pleaded not guilty.