Michael Carter, a 56-year-old man from Buncrana, Co Donegal, has appealed his conviction for rape and sexual assault against his daughter, Karen Harkin. Carter was found guilty in June 2023 at the Central Criminal Court of one count of rape and 25 sample counts of sexual assault committed between 2010 and 2014, when the victim was aged nine to 12. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor sentenced him to ten and a half years in prison. At the Court of Appeal, defence counsel Michael Bowman SC argued that a statement by the victim's aunt should not have been admitted as evidence. He contended the disclosure was elicited by question and answer rather than being a voluntary complaint, specifically regarding the aunt asking if Carter was the perpetrator. The Director of Public Prosecutions, represented by James Dwyer SC, countered that the complaint emerged voluntarily from a distressed child and that Carter was the only logical candidate. The court heard that Carter had been found guilty of touching the victim inappropriately, including in the bath, and raping her on one occasion. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy reserved judgement on the appeal, meaning the matter was adjourned and not concluded.
Aaron Lee Kinsella Kelly, 23, pleaded guilty in the District Court to assault under section 3 of the Non‑Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, after punching his then‑partner in the face at the Clayton Hotel, Dublin Airport, on 5 February 2024. The victim had a swollen and bruised face and claimed Kelly had accused her of flirting with another man. The District Court sentenced Kelly to one month in custody. On appeal, Judge Catherine White increased the sentence to six months imprisonment but fully suspended it for 12 months. She also ordered Kelly to pay €500 to a nearby women's refuge and to avoid the road where the victim lives. The appeal was based solely on the severity of the original sentence. No further legal actions or outcomes are mentioned in the article.
A pathologist has given evidence at the Central Criminal Court regarding the death of a 58-year-old woman from County Sligo in May 2023. State Pathologist Dr SallyAnne Collis told the trial of Nigel Canavan, aged 39 and with an address in Crossmolina, County Mayo, that the deceased died from external asphyxiation caused by suffocation and manual strangulation. Dr Collis outlined injuries consistent with smothering, including pinpoint haemorrhaging around the eyes and bruising to the neck bones. The deceased also sustained stab wounds to both thighs and bruises across her body. Mr Canavan has pleaded not guilty to murder at his mother's home in Sligo on 1 May 2023. Under cross-examination, the pathologist acknowledged that some injuries could have innocent explanations, including assistance provided the previous evening and the deceased's significant alcohol intoxication and medical history, which would have made her prone to bruising.
A 48-year-old Dublin man has pleaded guilty to facilitating a criminal organisation at the Central Criminal Court. Patrick Fitzgerald, with an address in Finglas, admitted to participating in activities intended to facilitate serious offences by a criminal group between November 11th and 18th, 2021. He had been initially charged with attempted murder following an incident in Ballyfermot on November 17th, 2021, but the State indicated it will not proceed with that charge. The prosecution requested a victim impact statement be prepared ahead of sentencing. Mr Justice Paul McDermott remanded Fitzgerald in custody pending his sentence hearing scheduled for May 26th.
During the trial of Richard Satchwell, it was revealed that a phone linked to him posted an ad on Done Deal offering a large chest freezer for free, stating it was "working perfect just needs a clean." The ad appeared on March 31, 2017, a few days after the alleged murder of his wife, Tina. A forensic accountant testified that there was no evidence the couple had received a significant cash windfall, contradicting Satchwell's claim that Tina had taken €26,000 from their savings. The accountant also noted that Tina had a credit line with Littlewoods Ireland that was largely used and eventually fully breached, with significant arrears. Sergeant Ciaran Crowley confirmed that Done Deal had responded to inquiries about the ad, and the trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. The case remains at the stage of hearing evidence regarding the alleged murder and financial allegations.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Mr Justice Tony Hunt explained that two men, Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), could be found guilty of murder if they were part of a joint enterprise that intended to kill or cause serious harm, and if one of them used a weapon to fatally wound 22‑year‑old Muhamud Ilyas during a dispute over a stolen cannabis bag. The judge noted that if one participant exceeded the agreed plan, only that person would be guilty of murder. He also clarified that a verdict of manslaughter could be reached if the jury found no intent to kill, or if the death resulted from an unlawful assault without intent. The judge further addressed the case of Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who faced charges of impeding the arrest of Doroscan and Clejan, and explained the evidential requirements for conviction. Viorel Doroscan pleaded not guilty. Otniel Richardo Clejan pleaded not guilty.
Conor Stewart, 29, of Kilcross Court, Sandyford, Dublin 18, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm and possession of a samurai sword after a €50 drug debt dispute. On 18 June 2020 at Kilcross Grove, Stewart left a van, armed with a samurai sword, and attacked a man who had been carrying an adjustable wrench. The victim sustained a cut to the back of the head and a larger wound to the side of the head, requiring stitches, and later fully recovered. Stewart's prior convictions include criminal damage and burglary. The court accepted his guilty plea as valuable, noting reconciliation between Stewart and the victim's brother, and sentenced him to four years' imprisonment. The judge highlighted the seriousness of the weapon used and the potential for future offending if Stewart does not change. The sentence reflects the court's view that Stewart's guilty plea and the circumstances warranted a custodial term of four years.
A phone linked to Richard Satchwell sent text messages about buying monkeys during the same period he is alleged to have murdered his wife, Tina. Messages to family and Tina's cousin described a "mess" and claimed Tina had left, taking savings. The trial heard that Satchwell told Gardaí on 24 March 2017 that Tina had left the home four days earlier, and that he had no concerns about her welfare. He reported her missing in May 2017, but her body was not found until October 2023, when Gardaí discovered decomposed remains under the stairs of their home. A 10‑person Garda team searched the house on 7 June 2017 in a non‑invasive operation. Superintendent Annemarie Twomey, appointed senior investigator in August 2021, said she had reasonable grounds to believe Tina was dead and that arresting Satchwell was necessary. She noted up to 65 sightings of Tina in Ireland and abroad, all negative, and that Interpol was involved. Richard Satchwell pleaded not guilty.
At the Central Criminal Court, a detective told jurors that Nigel Canavan appeared nervous and evasive when questioned hours after his mother's death in Sligo on May 1, 2023. Detective Garda James Conneely met the 39-year-old accused outside Angela Canavan's home on St John's Terrace and later conducted a voluntary interview at Sligo Garda Station. Mr Canavan, with an address in Crossmolina, Co Mayo, denies murder. The prosecution alleges fatal violence and manual strangulation caused Ms Canavan's death. In his recorded statement, Mr Canavan described hearing three loud bangs while upstairs and finding his mother on the ground surrounded by broken glass and a damaged chair. He told gardai he had been staying with his mother during a bank holiday weekend after recent separation from his wife. The trial, before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo and a jury, continues tomorrow. Nigel Canavan pleaded not guilty.
Jim Connors, 30, pleaded guilty in the District Court to assault a Circle K worker with a wine bottle on Christmas Eve, 2021. The assault, described by the judge as "terrifying," occurred after Connors tried to steal three bottles of wine at a Circle K on Enniskerry Road, Kilternan. He was arrested after fleeing the scene. The case also included other 2021‑22 charges: theft, a public‑order offence and failure to produce a driving licence, for which he received a four‑year disqualification. Connors has 55 prior convictions, including traffic offences, burglary, public‑order violations and theft. On appeal, Judge Catherine White increased the original custody sentence from three to six months but suspended the jail term for 12 months, conditional on Connors staying away from the Kilternan Circle K. The defence counsel, Lydia Daly BL, argued only the severity of the sentence was appealed.
In the trial of 58‑year‑old Mr Satchwell, the senior investigation officer, Superintendent Annemarie Twomey, told the jury she could not explain why Gardaí did not carry out an invasive search of his home in the weeks after his wife Tina was reported missing. She was appointed to the case on 16 August 2021, after Tina had been missing for four years and five months. Twomey said she had reviewed incident‑room material and believed Tina was not a missing person and that Mr Satchwell's arrest was necessary for the murder investigation. She noted that a 10‑person Garda team searched the house on 7 June 2017, but that search was non‑invasive. In October 2023, a warrant for an invasive search was obtained, and Gardaí searched the house with an archaeologist and a building contractor present. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
A 35‑year‑old man accused of two attacks on his former partner was refused bail by Judge Catherine Ghent at Tallaght District Court. The man is charged with two counts of assault causing harm, alleged to have bitten the woman's forehead, strangled her, pulled her hair and head‑butted her nose in separate incidents in April and July 2024. The victim sustained a broken nose; hospital records and photographs were presented as evidence. She reported the assaults after receiving support from counselling services and Women's Aid, citing a controlling relationship as a reason for the delay. Garda Sarah Cullinane objected to bail on grounds of the seriousness of the offences and potential witness interference. Defence solicitor Michael Hennessey denied the allegations and offered strict bail conditions, but the judge cited grave concerns for the victim's safety and refused bail under Section 2 of the Bail Act.
In a trial at the Central Criminal Court, Richard Satchwell, aged 58, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 45‑year‑old wife, Tina Satchwell, who was found dead in a shallow grave beneath their Cork home in October 2023. The jury heard that Satchwell told a detective in 2015 he believed his wife was still alive, and that he had previously attempted suicide because of her violence. He also claimed that on the night of her disappearance, March 19, 2017, she tried to stab him with a chisel, and that he had held her weight with a belt before she died. Satchwell's statements were taken under an enhanced cognitive interview, a witness‑led technique used by Gardaí. The case is set to continue before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of five men and seven women.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Lorenzo Cantaragiu, 21, was defended by Michael Lynn SC who argued that Cantaragiu was terrified when he drove alleged murderers Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24) from west Dublin to an isolated area where the victim, Muhamud Ilyas, was later found dead. Lynn said Cantaragiu believed he was at risk, had been threatened by the co‑accused, and had no way to escape. He claimed Cantaragiu told Gardaí he was shaking, had been beaten before, and feared for his family. Cantaragiu faces four charges of impeding prosecution or apprehension, having pleaded not guilty. The prosecution alleges the two men fatally assaulted Ilyas after a dispute over a stolen cannabis bag on 9 December 2022. Ilyas died from blunt‑force head trauma. The case is set for jury deliberation tomorrow.
An 18‑year‑old Dubliner, who was a minor when he appeared before the courts, was convicted of violent disorder in the melee that led to the death of steakhouse assassin Tristan Sherry. He has now pleaded guilty to a drugs offence, admitting possession of diamorphine for sale or supply on 8 May 2024 at Tolka Valley Park, Dublin 15. He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a side‑by‑side shotgun, cannabis and 630 g of phenacetin, offences that were linked to drug trafficking on 7 May 2024. Fiona Murphy SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, said one of the 15 charges would be dropped at a later hearing and asked the court to consider the remainder when sentencing. Justice Karen O'Connor ordered a probation report and adjourned the sentencing to 18 June. The teenager remains awaiting sentence for the violent disorder offence that occurred at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve 2023.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, the court was told that Kasonga Mbuyi, 52, who stabbed a German passenger at Dublin Airport, was acting out in a "cry for help". Mbuyi had been seen behaving erratically and was not wearing shoes. He had a paranoid delusion and was later diagnosed with schizophrenia, with a history of cannabis misuse. He had been arrested on September 17, 2023, for assault causing harm and production of a pen knife. The victim suffered eight superficial wounds and required 12 stitches. Mbuyi had been homeless, living in a hostel after his Limerick accommodation was sold, and had recently been treated for a broken foot and dislocated knee. He accepted responsibility and said he was trying to get help. The case was adjourned to July, with a probation report, governor's report and urine analysis to be prepared.
In a Dublin Circuit Court hearing, Judge Ronan Munro sentenced 24‑year‑old Dylan Gilligan to six and a half years in prison for carrying a firearm with intent to assault Scott Purdue on 17 December 2019. The final 18 months of the sentence were suspended on strict conditions. Gilligan, who denies any involvement, maintains he was not the shooter and claims the incident was a stand‑alone case. The judge highlighted the lack of direct evidence linking Gilligan to the shooting, noting no bullets, shell casings or recovered firearm, and that Purdue declined to give evidence. Munro emphasised Gilligan's youth and absence of a significant offending background, urging him to choose a crime‑free life upon release. The court also heard that Gilligan had been struck by a car in October, for which he is receiving rehabilitative treatment. Dylan Gilligan was convicted.
Two men, Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), are accused of murdering 22‑year‑old Mahamud Ilyas. Defence lawyers argue the accused acted in self‑defence, claiming Ilyas was the aggressor and the "prime mover". They present evidence that Ilyas was beaten and tied, with a hammer used by Clejan and a fruit knife by Doroscan. The prosecution alleges the men were drug dealers who lured Ilyas to a field where he was left in the cold. The defence maintains that the accused were not planning a murder and that Ilyas threatened them with a weapon. The trial continues with counsel for Lorenzo Cantaragiu giving his closing speech. The case is heard before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury. Viorel Doroscan pleaded not guilty. Otniel Richardo Clejan pleaded not guilty.
A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court heard that Nigel Canavan told his then-wife his mother "went a bit mad" and struck herself with a knife before her death. Mr Canavan, aged 39, of Erris Gardens, Crossmolina, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Angela Canavan at her home in County Sligo on 1 May 2023. The prosecution alleges fatal violence and manual strangulation caused her death. Claire Conroy, Mr Canavan's former spouse, testified that he described his mother swinging her cane and becoming aggressive during an altercation. He said he went upstairs and later heard thuds before discovering her dead. A friend, John Gannon, told the court Mr Canavan telephoned him that evening in distress and later asked him to corroborate a story about discussing hurling rather than disclosing details of his mother's death. Mr Gannon said he instead told gardai the truth. The trial continues before Justice Kerida Naidoo and a jury.
The Court of Appeal has scheduled a hearing on 18 November to resentence two men who were teenagers when convicted of murder. Both were sentenced to life with a 13‑year review. The first, a 14‑year‑old who killed Mongolian national Urantsetseg Tserendorj in January 2021, was convicted of murder and is now an adult. The second, a 17‑year‑old who killed Cork student Cameron Blair in January 2020, was also convicted of murder and is now an adult. The resentencing follows a Supreme Court ruling on 13 March that trial courts lack jurisdiction to review sentences for child offenders. The Supreme Court held that life sentences for children should only be imposed in exceptional cases and that a court may impose a part‑suspended sentence. The Court of Appeal will consider the Supreme Court's principles and determine new sentences for each offender. The hearing will also address anonymity issues for the second offender. The unnamed teenager pleaded guilty.
In a Wicklow case, a 77‑year‑old pensioner was sentenced to nine years in prison after the State successfully challenged the original four‑year term for repeated sexual assault of his granddaughter. The judge described the offences as grave and close to attempted rape, noting the victim was aged eight to nine at the time of the most serious incidents. The defendant had pleaded not guilty to five counts of sexual assault between 2007 and 2014, when the girl was six to thirteen. A jury had convicted him and the trial judge had imposed a five‑year sentence with the final year suspended. The Director of Public Prosecution applied for a review, arguing the sentence was too lenient. The appellate judge agreed, citing the severity of the abuse and the lack of remorse, and set a headline sentence of eleven years, reduced by two years for mitigating factors such as the defendant's age and medical issues.
In the Court of Appeal on 2 May 2025, Conor McGregor's lawyers presented new evidence from a woman who claimed to have witnessed Nikita Hand being assaulted by her former partner at Hand's home. The woman swore an affidavit that she saw Hand being pushed and, judging from the man's body movements, believed he had kicked her after pushing her to the ground. She had come forward after reading about the civil trial in the media and had also sent McGregor an Instagram message, though the timing was not specified. Hand, who had been awarded €248,000 in damages after a civil jury found McGregor had raped and battered her, disputed the woman's claims in her own affidavit. The Court of Appeal will cross‑examine the two proposed witnesses before allowing their evidence into McGregor's appeal, with a hearing scheduled for 1 July. The case remains focused on the credibility of the new witnesses and the alleged new evidence.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the jury heard that Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24) were accused of murdering 22‑year‑old Mahamud Ilyas on 9 December 2022. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Eoin Lawlor SC, described the use of a hammer as the accused's "modus operandi for conflict resolution" and said the body was disposed of in a field in bleak midwinter. Lawlor said the accused were drug dealers who had a joint enterprise to cause serious harm to Ilyas after he stole their drugs. He alleged that Clejan held a hammer and Doroscan held a knife while beating Ilyas, and that the body was wrapped and carried by the accused to a remote location. The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of five women and seven men. Viorel Doroscan pleaded not guilty. Otniel Richardo Clejan pleaded not guilty.
In a bid to overturn a conviction, a 55‑year‑old man who raped and sexually assaulted a seven‑year‑old girl in a shared rented house has appealed on the basis that the trial judge failed to give the jury a corroboration warning. The trial, held in the Central Criminal Court in May 2023, found the man guilty of one count of rape and twelve counts of sexual assault committed between September 2022 and September 2023. He was sentenced to 10 years and six months for the rape and a concurrent 7 years and six months for the sexual assault. Defence counsel Maurice Coffey SC argued that the judge erred by not warning the jury about the dangers of convicting on uncorroborated evidence, a warning that the court had declined to issue. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on the appeal. The unnamed 55-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A trial has commenced at the Central Criminal Court concerning the death of a woman in her Sligo home. The State alleges that Nigel Canavan, aged 39, of Erris Gardens in County Mayo, strangled his mother, Angela Canavan, aged 58, on 1 May 2023. Mr Canavan has pleaded not guilty to murder. The prosecution opening outlined that the deceased had enjoyed a successful career as a psychotherapist before developing severe alcohol dependency. She had sustained a brain injury following a fall and required periodic care. On the day in question, Mr Canavan had returned to his mother's home after work. Gardaí subsequently discovered her body in the kitchen and dining area, with evidence suggesting violent disturbance. A pathologist is expected to testify that death resulted from manual strangulation or asphyxia. The defence maintains the accused played no role in the death, asserting he discovered his mother's body after hearing noises. The trial continues before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Viorel Doroscan and Otniel Ricardo Clejan, both accused of the murder of Mahamud Ilyas on December 9, 2022, continued before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charge. The jury heard evidence that Mr Ilyas died from blunt force trauma to the head, with pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster describing depressed fractures typical of hammer blows. The State alleges the accused beat Mr Ilyas to death following a dispute over a stolen bag of cannabis. In contrast, the accused told gardaí they acted in self-defense after Mr Ilyas entered an apartment armed with a crowbar and threatening to kill them. Doroscan claimed Clejan struck Mr Ilyas with a hammer, while Clejan stated he only pushed Mr Ilyas away. Co-accused Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of impeding the prosecution, told gardaí he drove the men to a field in Hollystown where he left Mr Ilyas alive in a ditch. The trial continues tomorrow.
Gary Murphy, 40, of Rosemount Park, Dundrum, was sentenced to three months in prison after pleading guilty at Dún Laoghaire District Court to driving while banned, uninsured and unlicensed on 17 April 2025. He was caught driving his partner's car, which had been parked at his home, on the Green Route in Dundrum. Murphy, who is serving a 10‑year driving ban, chose to drive instead of taking a taxi while his partner was experiencing a medical emergency elsewhere. The court noted his 101 previous convictions, including public order offences, criminal damage, assault, breaches of the Weapons Act, dangerous driving, drink‑driving and driving without insurance, making this his 102nd conviction and third for driving without insurance. He was under probation supervision at the time of the offence, works full‑time as a digger operator, pays rent to his father and supports two children aged one and 20.
Evan Clarke, 33, borrowed a friend's car and drove it the wrong way into a Circle K car wash on 10 November 2019, causing damage worth €57,408 and writing the facility off. He drove without a licence or insurance, with three passengers in the vehicle. Clarke pleaded guilty to one count of criminal damage, one count of driving without insurance and one count of driving without a licence. He has 41 prior convictions, including assault, theft and drug offences. CCTV footage identified him, and a matching fingerprint was found on the car's bonnet. His defence cited significant drug and alcohol addiction, early cannabis use, mental health issues, ADHD and ASD, and supportive parents. The case was adjourned to 21 July for updated reports.
During sentencing of Keith Daly, 31, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Garda Sergeant Wes Kenny read a victim impact statement. Kenny, injured when Daly resisted arrest on Killakee Road, described his finger as forcibly bent and injured, noting a heightened fear and psychological toll. The incident began when Garda Natasha McAleese and Kenny stopped a car at 11.10pm; Daly, a passenger, became agitated, opened the door aggressively, and shouted. A struggle ensued, Kenny was thrown to the ground, and Daly fled. Kenny seized a bag of 9.6g cannabis, valued at €192, and two smaller bags with €3,445 cash. Kenny was treated for his finger injury. Defence counsel apologized, noting 33 of Daly's 55 convictions were juvenile. Judge Orla Crowe called the case unusual, directed a probation report, and acknowledged Daly's efforts to turn his life around. The unnamed man pleaded guilty.
A 73‑year‑old former school teacher and convicted rapist was sentenced to an additional five years in prison for indecently assaulting eight boys between 1977 and 1984. He had already been convicted of 118 counts of indecent assault and was serving a 14‑year‑five‑month sentence with an earliest release date in August 2025. The abuse involved inappropriate touching, and in one case included masturbation and oral sex. The victims were aged six to 14 and were taken to various locations, including the school, the teacher's home, and his car. The teacher, who also had a conviction for raping a teenage girl, maintains his innocence. Judge Orla Crowe described his conduct as manipulative, exploitative, persistent and highly predatory, and imposed the extra sentence to reflect the severity of the offences. The judge noted the victims' courage and the profound impact on their lives. The sentence will take effect after the current term expires in August 2025.
During a sentencing hearing, Mr Justice Paul McDermott warned that teenagers are targeted by manipulative propaganda from terrorists and other dangerous elements online. He criticised those who argue for minimal internet regulation, noting the harm to children and the suffering inflicted on others. The judge spoke about a case involving a teenager who, after being exposed to radical Islamist ideology online, attempted to murder an Irish Defence Forces member. The teen, whose name is withheld due to age, attacked and stabbed army chaplain Father Paul Murphy (52) at Renmore Barracks in Galway on 15 August 2024. McDermott described the attack as "terrifying as it is extraordinary" and highlighted how vulnerable teens can be drawn to extremist content. He warned that "so‑called influencers" spread extreme political, religious or discriminatory views to children, who are easily preyed upon because of their immaturity and open access to the internet.
Jamie Birmingham, 34, of Drumfinn Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, was fined €1,300 by Tallaght District Court after a hearing that found he was driving a van on the N81 on 4 April 2020 without a licence, tax or insurance. Garda Michael Gleeson reported that Birmingham was stopped at 3.30am, failed to produce the required documents at a nominated Garda station, and had 39 prior convictions, including three for driving without insurance, violent behaviour at a Garda station and failure to comply with Garda direction. Earlier this year he received a four‑month suspended sentence and a four‑year driving ban for driving drunk and without insurance, and was convicted of three counts of no insurance at Blanchardstown District Court.
A 17‑year‑old boy was sentenced to eight years' detention for attempting to murder Defence Forces chaplain Father Paul Murphy. The boy, who had no prior convictions, was radicalised online, mainly through ISIS content, and developed a warped view of Islam that led him to target a member of the Defence Forces. On 15 August 2024, he attacked Father Murphy with a large knife while the priest was in his car, stabbing him for about 90 seconds. The attack was stopped only after a soldier fired warning shots and intervened. Father Murphy suffered permanent scars and required surgery. The judge, citing the boy's age, immaturity, early guilty plea and remorse, set a headline sentence of 20 years, reduced to ten years with the final two years suspended for three years. The boy entered a bond to keep the peace and engage in a de‑radicalisation programme.
Richard Satchwell, 58, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 45‑year‑old wife Tina Satchwell, who disappeared on 20 March 2017. In the Central Criminal Court opening, the State counsel presented evidence that Satchwell told Gardaí he had kept Tina's body in a freezer in the shed for two days before burying her beneath the stairs of their Youghal home. He claimed that during an alleged attack, he had used a belt around her neck to protect himself as she fell limp and died. Gardaí had earlier recorded Satchwell's statements about Tina's alleged violent outbursts and her refusal to take antidepressants. A search of the house on 10 October 2023 uncovered decomposed remains wrapped in black sheeting in a three‑foot grave, later identified as Tina. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul McDermott, is expected to last six weeks.
In a Central Criminal Court sentence hearing, an 18‑year‑old woman who was raped at age 16 by two boys at Limerick Racecourse described how the attackers stripped her of her innocence. She said she must live with the trauma for the rest of her life but can live with having told the truth. The boys, aged 13 and 15 at the time of the assault, were found guilty of sexual assault and rape; a third boy, aged 15, was found guilty of aiding and abetting the rapes and was acquitted of one count of false imprisonment. The victim's statement highlighted her fear, anxiety and the impact on her family, noting that she had never had sexual intercourse before the attack. The case was adjourned for mention while probation reports are prepared.
Paul Kelleher, 61, of Esker Gate, Mountmellick, was convicted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of three counts of sexual assault against three customers of his tattoo and piercing shop, Newfaze Ink, in Portlaoise. The assaults occurred between August and December 2015 and in January 2018. Two victims were receiving piercings when assaulted; the third, a 14‑year‑old girl, was having a piercing cleaned. Kelleher was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. He maintains his innocence, has denied the allegations, and said he would change his legal team. The victims expressed profound harm, loss of trust in male professionals, and described the trial as degrading. Kelleher has two prior convictions, including a four‑year sentence for a similar offence. The judge noted his age disparity with the victims and his abuse of a position of trust. The sentence was imposed with a suspended portion and a requirement to attend counselling.
The trial of Viorel Doroscan and Otniel Richardo Clejan, both accused of the murder of Mahamud Ilyas on December 9, 2022, continued at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to all charges. The jury viewed a Snapchat video allegedly showing the victim lying bloodied on the ground. Detective Inspector Liam Donoghue testified that the clip, posted as a 'Memory' from Mr Doroscan's account, was taken at 2.51pm on the day of the alleged incident in the Verdemont estate. He presented a visual match between the shoe in the video and CCTV footage of Mr Doroscan. Assistant State pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster previously attributed the death to blunt force trauma to the head, consistent with hammer blows. Witness Vlady Ndosimau testified to seeing the victim tied up and beaten while Mr Doroscan held a knife and Mr Clejan held a hammer. Co-accused Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who faces charges of impeding the prosecution, has also pleaded not guilty. The matter was adjourned and continues tomorrow.
At the Special Criminal Court, Det Inspector Mark Phillips raised concerns about potential witness intimidation if James Flynn (34) is released on bail. He detailed incidents during Aaron Brady's trial for the murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe in 2020, including alleged attempts by James Flynn's father, Eugene Flynn Snr, to intimidate witnesses and jurors. Det Insp Phillips also highlighted alleged intimidation by Tony Brady, Aaron Brady's father, and an associate who sent a Snapchat message to a witness. Aaron Brady has pleaded guilty to conspiring with another man to dissuade a vital prosecution witness from giving evidence at his trial. The court heard that James Flynn was extradited from the UK in 2022 and has access to significant funds. He was originally charged with conspiracy to steal cars and participation in the robbery of the Lordship Credit Union, where Aaron Brady killed Det Gda Donohoe. The Special Criminal Court acquitted Flynn of the robbery charge but found him guilty of conspiring to steal a Volkswagen Passat used as a getaway car. The Court of Appeal previously ruled that the amendment of the indictment against Flynn was a breach of his right to natural justice. Defence counsel Bernard Condon argued that there is no evidence linking Flynn to witness interference or flight risk and that Flynn has no connection to Tony Brady. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor adjourned the decision to tomorrow morning.
Richard Satchwell, aged 58, will be tried for the murder of his wife Tina Satchwell, aged 45, who died at their Cork home between 19 and 20 March 2017. He was arraigned at the Central Criminal Court on 28 April 2025 and pleaded not guilty. The trial will commence on 2 May 2025 before Mr Justice Paul McDermott, with a jury of five men and seven women sworn in by Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo. The case is expected to last six weeks, concluding by 5 June. Senior counsel Gerardine Small will lead the prosecution, while Brendan Grehan SC heads the defence. Mr Justice Naidoo noted that some media coverage had occurred but urged potential jurors to disclose any difficulty in remaining impartial. Mr Satchwell was sent to trial on 26 March 2024 after being served with the book of evidence.
The Special Court has sentenced Glen Ward to six years and three months in prison for possessing a .223 calibre Remington AR-15 semi-automatic rifle. Ward, 32, pleaded guilty to a charge that on January 1, 2022, at a Finglas address, he was in possession of or had control of the firearm in circumstances giving rise to a reasonable inference that he did not have it for a lawful purpose. Ms Justice Melanie Greally suspended the final nine months of the sentence, imposing a condition that Ward must keep the peace and be of good behaviour for 12 months after release, or he could serve the suspended portion. The judge noted a "certain unreality" to the suggestion that Ward had only fleeting involvement with the firearm, referencing video evidence showing him firing the gun and encouraging his brother, Eric O'Driscoll, to do the same. O'Driscoll, 23, also pleaded guilty to possession of the same gun. The court previously jailed O'Driscoll for five years. Gardai discovered the rifle alongside a military sub-machine gun during a search in February 2022. In mitigation, the court considered Ward's mental health impact from 23-hour lockup and his agreement not to associate with six named individuals.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 38‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to assault, controlling behaviour and other offences against his former partner and mother of their children. The judge found that over a period from 2019 to 2020 he subjected the woman to coercive control and intimate partner violence, culminating on 21 April 2020 in a "brutal, vicious attack" where he tried to choke her and placed a bag over her head while their two children were present. He also physically assaulted her, used a shopping bag in a tug‑of‑war, and later threatened her with a pitchfork. The court noted the victim's isolation, the man's alcohol use, and the presence of other incidents over the years. The judge sentenced him to three years, suspended the final 18 months, and ordered no direct contact with the woman for five years.
In a two‑week Central Criminal Court trial, a 20‑year‑old Dublin woman was acquitted by a jury of all 12 counts of sexual abuse against her younger cousin, aged 10‑11 at the time. The charges included 11 counts of sexual assault and one count of section 4 rape, alleged to have occurred during family sleepovers between July 2017 and July 2019. The defendant denied all allegations, stating she never slept over in the cousin's house, never owned a tablet during the relevant period, and that the cousin had never stayed overnight in her home. Testimony from extended family members, including the cousin's parents, grandmother, and aunt, was presented for both sides. The jury deliberated over nine hours and returned not‑guilty verdicts on all counts, with the judge thanking the jurors and excusing them from future service for ten years. The unnamed 20-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A 40‑year‑old man, Philip Cox, was sentenced to five‑and‑a‑half years in prison for twice stabbing his partner of 18 years, Cristal O'Brien, with three knives. The judge noted that the first knife broke on a stairwell wall, yet Cox returned with another knife and threatened to finish her off. He also committed aggravated burglary by smashing Ms O'Brien's neighbour's front door, breaking a window and entering the dwelling. Cox had previously pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, aggravated burglary and the production of a knife. The judge imposed a consecutive sentence of three years and six months for the knife production and three years and three months for the assault and burglary, suspending the last 15 months. The custodial term is back‑dated to 2 June 2023, and Cox must not contact the two women or approach within 100 metres of their homes.
At the Central Criminal Court, Michael Andrecut (23) of Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, was sentenced to a mandatory life term for the murder of Tristan Sherry. David Amah (19) of Hazel Grove, Donabate, and a third man from Blanchardstown, who was 17 when charged, were also convicted of murder but are not subject to the mandatory sentence; their sentences are due to be finalised at a later stage. Separately, the Workplace Relations Commission ruled that San Siro Ltd, the operating company of Browne's Steakhouse, breached employment laws by failing to pay statutory redundancy to six former employees when the restaurant closed on Christmas Eve 2023. Adjudicator Catherine Byrne upheld complaints from general manager Vjola Ajredini, waitress Adisa Ajredini, and assistant manager Amanda Ajredini, awarding them sums between €1,032 and €6,154 for unpaid notice and compensation for working time breaches. The WRC also confirmed redundancy entitlements for kitchen porter Gedeminas Urbasius and head chef Ruslan Pazuschin. In total, the orders secure over €100,000 in payouts for employment rights breaches, including redundancy lump sums exceeding €86,000.
A 42‑year‑old man was sentenced to nine‑and‑a‑half years in prison for ten counts of rape and four counts of sexual assault against an unknown victim between May 2018 and December 2021, and for two counts of sexual assault against a second complainant in the same period. The judge, Mary Ellen Ring, imposed a headline sentence of 13 years, but the final sentence was 11 years for the rape counts and seven years for the assault of the first victim, with two years for each assault of the second victim. All sentences run concurrently. The judge suspended the last 18 months of the sentence for 18 months and ordered the defendant to be supervised by Probation Services for 12 months after release. He was also prohibited from any contact with the first victim for five years after release. The unnamed 42 year-old was convicted.
During a sentence hearing in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a woman in her 20s gave a victim impact statement about being sexually assaulted by taxi driver Samir Lakhlef, 53, who had a prior sexual assault conviction. She said she had chosen a taxi for safety, trusting the driver, but was touched on her leg and thigh while in the vehicle. She later walked to a nearby house, pretended it was her home, and was left alone in the taxi. She called her mother and was helped by a passer‑by. Gardaí obtained CCTV showing a silver Toyota Prius, Lakhlef's registered car, and DNA evidence linking him to the victim's clothing. Lakhlef pleaded guilty to sexual assault on 13 February 2022. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three‑year sentence, refusing to suspend any portion, citing the driver's position of trust and his previous convictions. The woman expressed ongoing fear of using taxis alone and the impact on her life.
Michael Keane, a former professional footballer aged 42, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for sexually assaulting a 20‑year‑old college student while driving her in his taxi to Bull Island. The victim was forced to pay a €77.77 fare after the assault. Keane had previously been convicted in the UK for theft and assault causing actual bodily harm. He pleaded guilty in November 2023, after initially denying the allegation. The court noted the victim's fear, shock and ongoing trauma, and that Keane had lost his taxi licence and was now on social welfare. Keane's lawyers presented testimonials from former club associates and family, arguing the offence was out of character and a one‑off incident. The judge imposed the custodial term without a suspended portion, citing the aggravating circumstances of the victim's vulnerability and Keane's role as a taxi driver.
The Special Criminal Court adjourned sentencing for three men convicted of the murder of Tristan Sherry, who was fatally beaten after shooting Jason Hennessy Senior at Browne's Steakhouse on Christmas Eve 2023. Michael Andrecut (23) was sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment. David Amah (19) and an unnamed 18-year-old, both 17 at the time of the offence, were also convicted of murder but are not subject to the mandatory life sentence; their sentencing was adjourned to May. Brandon Hennessy (21) and Jonas Kabangu (19) were convicted of violent disorder arising from the incident, with their sentencing also adjourned. Separately, Jaures Kumbu (19) pleaded guilty to a firearms offence for removing the sub-machine gun used in the shooting. He was sentenced to three years in prison, with the final year suspended for two years. The court noted Kumbu had no prior convictions and acted under exceptional circumstances, though the weapon was never retrieved. The hearing included victim impact statements from Sherry's mother and sister, who described their ongoing fear and trauma. Counsel for the defendants highlighted their youth, lack of weapons, and brief involvement in the disorder. The matter was adjourned and not concluded.
A 44‑year‑old man was found guilty of sexually abusing his stepdaughter from age 13 to 16, including oral rape, attempted rape and sexual assault. The victim, who was 13–16 at the time, said her mother emotionally blackmailed her not to report the abuse to the Gardaí, urging her to think of the family and her younger siblings. The mother claimed the stepfather had attended church and sought forgiveness. The man pleaded guilty to eight charges and was sentenced by the Circuit Criminal Court to nine years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended. The victim's impact statement described her as vulnerable and innocent, detailing how she was forced to stay silent for five years. The court noted the mother's pressure and the victim's courage in ultimately reporting the abuse. The sentence included strict conditions, a five‑year post‑release supervision order, and a prohibition on contact with the victim.
Three female students – Margaret Eyong Taku, Wendy Briggs and Christina Igweze – had their expulsions from Dundalk Institute of Technology overturned by the High Court after they contested the punishment for alleged violent altercations that took place on January 30 and 31, 2024. The students claimed the expulsions were disproportionate, that alternative sanctions had not been considered, and that no reason was given. They alleged that the incidents involved aggressive physical confrontations, including a head step, a wet‑floor warning sign, and hair pulling. A February 2024 committee recommended expulsion and campus bans, and an April appeals committee rejected all appeals. Mr Justice Anthony Barr remitted the case to a new appeals committee for fresh consideration, noting the potential impact on the students' education and careers. The students were undergraduate enrollees in the college's Bachelor of Science in Mental Health Nursing and Bioscience programmes.