Dawei Zhang, 38, and Han Chung Tang, 46, were sentenced by the Court of Appeal to two years and six months' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended on condition of good behaviour, after their original 240‑hour community service sentence was deemed too lenient. The appeal court found that the pair, who were take‑away workers at Jumbo Wok in Kimmage, had a verbal dispute over who was the better chef that escalated into a violent fight in July 2019. Zhang and Tang each used meat cleavers, resulting in Tang suffering severe injuries, including a cleaver lodged in his back and a broken shoulder blade, and requiring blood transfusions. Zhang sustained lacerations to his scalp, chest and shoulder. Both pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and producing a knife. The Court of Appeal quashed the community service sentence and imposed the custodial term, citing the seriousness of the assault and the need for deterrence.
Jack Cummins (21), of Rossmore Road, Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to procuring the commission of assault causing serious harm to Alanna Quinn Idris on Ballyfermot Road on December 30, 2021. The court heard that Ms Quinn Idris was blinded in one eye during the attack. Judge Patricia Ryan remanded Cummins on continuing bail and directed the preparation of a probation report and victim impact statement ahead of sentencing on May 12. The matter was adjourned. Darragh Lyons (21), of Chapelizod, also pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm to Ms Quinn Idris, assault causing harm to Louis O'Sullivan, and violent disorder. He was similarly remanded on continuing bail with sentencing set for May 12. Josh Cummins (20), of Ballyfermot, previously received a five-year sentence in November 2023, with the final two years suspended, after pleading guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to Ms Quinn Idris, violent disorder, production of a hurl, and assault causing harm to Mr O'Sullivan. A fourth gang member was sentenced to four and a half years in March 2023.
The jury has begun deliberations in a trial involving three men accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman they met at a Dublin nightclub nearly six years ago. The defendants, aged 39, 42, and 34, each pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of rape, oral rape, and sexual assault, with alleged incidents occurring in a car and a Dublin house on 31 August 2019. Mr Justice Paul Burns delivered his charge to the jury at the Central Criminal Court and, after about an hour of discussion, instructed the jurors to pause for the day and resume tomorrow.
Brandon Hennessy, aged 21, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing cocaine for sale or supply in Blanchardstown on 21 January 2021, when he was 17. Garda surveillance at TUD Blanchardstown's grounds caught him and a co‑accused, who was about 25, attempting to bury a large package of drugs. Hennessy was apprehended at Mulhuddart Cemetery after the pair fled. A search uncovered 454 g of cocaine worth €31,808 and 10 g of heroin worth €1,482. Hennessy had two prior minor traffic convictions. The prosecution noted his father's murder on Christmas Eve 2023 and his mother's struggle, while the defence highlighted his positive traits and community involvement. Judge Martin Nolan, recognising his youth, guilty plea, cooperation and family circumstances, imposed a three‑year sentence suspended in full, conditional on 18 months' engagement with the Probation Service.
Sean Kavanagh (26) was found not guilty of murder by direction of the trial judge, but remains in the case until the jury gives a verdict. He and co‑accused Calvin Dunne (24) pleaded not guilty to the murder of Dylan McCarthy (29) and to violent disorder on 21 August 2022. Kavanagh pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to Eamon McCarthy. He claimed he was defending himself after a fight spilled onto the street from the Bellyard pub, stating a large man in his 50s had attacked him and he responded to protect a friend. The prosecution argued that McCarthy died after punches and a "vicious kick" from Dunne, citing CCTV and a pathologist's report of a tear to the vertebral artery. The trial continues tomorrow.
A woman charged with murdering a pensioner told gardaí she had exaggerated claims made to a friend about involvement in his death, the Central Criminal Court heard on Wednesday. Nikita Burns, of Carrick, County Donegal, and Alan Vial, of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs, County Donegal, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Robert Robin Wilkin on 25 June 2023 in Donegal. Mr Wilkin's body was discovered in waters below Sliabh Liag cliffs eight days later. Detective Garda Patrick Farrell outlined Ms Burns' account to gardaí during interviews at Ballyshannon Garda Station, in which she initially denied knowledge of events before providing a detailed statement in her third interview. Ms Burns alleged that Mr Vial struck the deceased multiple times with a rock at Roshine in Fintown and subsequently pushed his body from the cliff. Following gardaí playing a recorded conversation with a witness in which Ms Burns referenced violent acts, she stated she had been intoxicated and had overstated her involvement to protect Mr Vial.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a woman alleged she was raped and sexually assaulted by three men she met at a nightclub. The prosecution presented her testimony as "dignified and credible," emphasizing that she did not consent. Defence counsel argued her memory was unreliable and that the men's accounts were more consistent with the evidence. The three accused, aged 34 to 42, pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault, involving incidents in a car and a Dublin house on 31 August 2019. The trial examined CCTV footage, WhatsApp messages, and video clips recorded by the accused, with counsel from each side questioning the reliability of the woman's statements and the interpretation of the evidence. The case remains ongoing.
Nikita Ronan, aged 29 and without a fixed abode, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for a series of "wilfully violent" assaults in Dublin city centre during 2023. She had 134 prior convictions, including assault, theft, burglary, drugs and traffic offences. Between March and May 2023 she attacked a woman in the Morgan Hotel, assaulted a friend on Aston Quay and attempted to rob her handbag, and on Merchant's Quay she stole a phone and slashed a man's arm and head with a knife. She pleaded guilty to one count of assault, one count of assault causing harm, two counts of assault causing harm and theft of a phone. Judge Elva Duffy described her as a danger to others due to intoxication, imposed a sentence of three years and two months, and suspended the final eight months under conditions. The court noted her remorse, methadone programme and plans to live with her father upon release.
Brad Dempsey, 24, of Crumlin, was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment for firing five shots at a car on Donore Avenue, Dublin 8, on 19 January 2022. He pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm, a charge reduced from an initial attempt to endanger life. The court heard that a dispute between Dempsey's associate and another person led to the shooting, which was captured on CCTV. Dempsey emerged from the scene with a firearm, fired at the vehicle, and the rear passenger‑door glass shattered. He was in custody since August 2023. The judge, citing the seriousness of the offence, set a headline sentence of 12 years, reduced to eight years and back‑dated to the time of his custody. No injuries were reported. The case reflects Dempsey's history of violent disorder and drug offences.
During a murder trial, a witness named David O'Neill testified that he saw Dylan McCarthy lying on the ground after being punched by Sean Kavanagh and Calvin Dunne. O'Neill, who was walking toward Dublin Street, claimed he tried to help McCarthy up but was struck by a kick to the head from Dunne. He described McCarthy falling onto his back with his eyes rolling back. O'Neill said he heard a noise like a car door after the kick and called an ambulance while a girl nearby screamed. He was highly intoxicated that day. The jury heard that Dunne had told Gardaí he lightly kicked McCarthy in the chest area. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Caroline Biggs, is proceeding to closing speeches. The accused, Kavanagh and Dunne, have pleaded not guilty to murder, violent disorder, and assault causing harm to McCarthy's father. The State's case is that McCarthy died after the assault. The trial continues tomorrow.
A 3.5-kilogramme rock recovered from the Sliabh Liag cliffs near Killybegs contained hundreds of hairs and extensive bloodstaining consistent with a pensioner's injuries, the Central Criminal Court has heard. Forensic Science Ireland expert Dr Conor Young told the trial that DNA from blood on the rock matched Robert Robin Wilkin, whose body was recovered from the sea in July 2023, eight days after the alleged incident. Detective Garda Jeanette O'Neill of the Garda Technical Bureau testified that she found the rock near a tourist viewing point on the cliff edge, alongside reading glasses, a chain, and a coin. Blood spatter analysis of a Volkswagen Passat indicated the assault occurred within the vehicle. Dr Young also identified DNA matching Mr Wilkin on blue leggings and Timberland boots allegedly belonging to the accused. Alan Vial of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs, and Nikita Burns of Carrick, both in County Donegal, have pleaded not guilty to Mr Wilkin's murder on 25 June 2023. The trial before Mr Justice Paul McDermott continues.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, DNA profiles matching two of the three men accused of raping a woman at a Dublin nightclub were found on her clothing. The forensic examiner reported saliva and seminal fluid on the bra and underwear, with DNA from the first and third accused identified, while the second's DNA was not found. Whatsapp exchanges showed the men arranged to meet the day before their September 2020 Garda interviews. The accused, aged 34 to 42, pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault at an unknown location, a car and a Dublin house on 31 August 2019. The prosecution's case has rested; the trial continues before Mr Justice Burns and a jury.
At the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, the State Pathologist Dr Margot Bolster gave evidence in the trial of Nikita Burns, aged 23, of Carrick, County Donegal, and Alan Vial, aged 39, of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs, County Donegal. Both are charged with the murder of a 66-year-old man on 25 June 2023 in Donegal. Dr Bolster told the court that the deceased's body, recovered from the sea near Sliabh Liag eight days after the alleged incident, bore two depressed fractures to the rear of the skull inconsistent with injuries caused by a cliff fall. She stated these injuries appeared consistent with a blunt-force weapon strike and were likely inflicted before death. Additional evidence heard included testimony from gardaí at the scene of a car crash later that day in the Fintown area and from emergency responders. Both accused have pleaded not guilty to the charge.
A 36‑year‑old man was sentenced to a global term of nine years, with the final year suspended for the rape and sexual assault of his younger sister. The victim, now 30, disclosed the abuse to her family on the night of the Late Late Toy Show because she could not face another Christmas with him at the table. She was about seven when the abuse began in 2001, and the man was 14, with the abuse continuing until 2008 when he was around 20. The court found him guilty of two counts of anal rape and two counts of sexual assault. He pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault before the trial and to two counts of oral rape during the trial. The judge noted the abuse escalated and included violence, and imposed the suspended year on strict conditions. The unnamed 36-year-old was convicted.
During a sentencing hearing at the Special Criminal Court, Vera Hutch, mother of Gareth Hutch, recounted the impact of her son's murder in an ambush outside his home on 24 May 2016. She described the loss as "senseless and cruel", noting the profound grief and ongoing pain that has altered her family's life. The court had earlier found Thomas 'Nicky' McConnell guilty of the murder, sentencing him to a mandatory life term backdated to 20 July 2020, when he was extradited from Turkey. McConnell was identified as the second gunman in the attack, alongside Jonathan Keogh, who shot Gareth. The court relied on mobile‑phone data, CCTV footage and other evidence to establish McConnell's role, despite his gun's safety catch being on. The hearing highlighted the enduring emotional scars left by the crime and the family's plea for justice.
In a Central Criminal Court jury hearing, State pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers confirmed that 29‑year‑old Dylan McCarthy died from a traumatic head and spinal injury caused by blunt force trauma, but she could not identify whether a punch or a kick caused the fatal blow. The State alleges McCarthy was assaulted outside a pub in Kildare by Sean Kavanagh (26) and Calvin Dunne (24), who claim self‑defence, and that McCarthy was also involved in the violence that night. Both men pleaded not guilty to murder, violent disorder and, in Kavanagh's case, assault causing harm to McCarthy's father. Dr Okkers described extensive haemorrhaging, brain swelling, and spinal cord damage, noting that CCTV made it impossible to determine the specific blow that caused the fatal injury. The trial will resume next Monday before Justice Caroline Biggs and a 12‑person jury.
Joseph Boyle, 42, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for violent offences committed while on bail. He pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm, robbery, theft, and threatening to kill or cause serious harm. Judge Martin Nolan jailed Boyle for eight and a half years, imposing a five-year sentence for the assault causing serious harm and a consecutive three-and-a-half-year term for the remaining charges. The court heard Boyle had 86 previous convictions and that his single punch to a victim's head on Phibsborough Road resulted in a life-threatening traumatic brain injury, requiring five and a half months of hospitalisation. Other offences included knife robberies of tourists and security staff. In a related matter, Kia O'Connor, 34, pleaded guilty to violent disorder for throwing a bottle at a woman during an altercation in which Boyle brandished a knife. Judge Nolan jailed O'Connor for one year. Both defendants were of no fixed abode. The judge noted Boyle's chronic drug problem and violent temperament, describing him as a menace. O'Connor's defence highlighted her personal setbacks and drug addiction. The matter was finalised with these custodial sentences.
Dean Kerrie, aged 23, withdrew his appeal against a manslaughter conviction after being found guilty of killing Jack Power, 25, during an intruder incident at Kerrie's home in Dunmore East, Waterford, on 26 July 2018. Kerrie had been tried twice for murder; the first jury could not reach a verdict, and the second jury convicted him of manslaughter. In the trial, Kerrie claimed he stabbed Power after the intruder attacked his mother, while Power's friend testified that Kerrie had a knife when Power was leaving the house. The judge noted uncertainty about the knife's provenance and imposed a four‑year, six‑month sentence, suspending the final year. Kerrie had pleaded not guilty to murder but accepted the manslaughter conviction and has now withdrawn his appeal at the Court of Appeal.
Three men aged 34 to 42, with addresses in Dublin and Wicklow, are on trial for seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault against a woman at an unknown location in a car and a Dublin house on 31 August 2019. The defendants have pleaded not guilty. One defendant, 34, admitted to recording two videos of the incident – one 30 seconds long and one six seconds – and sharing them in a group chat he described as a "locker room chat" for a laugh. He claimed the videos were taken in darkness and that he did not see any rough play or force. He denied giving the woman cocaine and insisted she consented throughout. The court has seen the videos, which contain only a female voice saying "No" and a male voice allegedly saying "Stick it up her arse." Forensic evidence showed bruising on the woman's arms and legs but no genital injuries.
At the Central Criminal Court, a jury has viewed CCTV footage documenting the alleged movements of two defendants on the night of a pensioner's death in County Donegal. Nikita Burns, aged 22, of Carrick, and Alan Vial, aged 39, of Killybegs, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Robert Robin Wilkin on 25 June 2023. Mr Wilkin's remains were recovered from waters below Sliabh Liag cliffs a week later. The prosecution alleges the three men left a public house in Dunkineely at approximately 1.30am and travelled by Volkswagen Passat towards Roshine, where an assault is believed to have occurred. CCTV evidence presented to the jury showed the vehicle at Sliabh Liag ranger's hut at 2.20am, proceeding towards the clifftop before returning approximately 38 minutes later. The State contends Mr Wilkin was thereafter thrown from the cliffs. Sergeant Ronan Gallagher detailed the vehicle's movements across multiple locations and timestamps. Witness testimony included observations of Mr Vial's appearance later that day. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and jury.
During the sentencing of Robert Murphy, 42, at the Central Criminal Court, the mother of 23‑year‑old Jamie Kavanagh, Niamh McGuinness, spoke of her grief, describing her loss as a "wound that is wide open." Murphy had pleaded guilty to manslaughter but was found guilty of murder after a jury deliberated for almost five hours. He was sentenced to life in prison, back‑dated to the date he entered custody on 19 April 2023. The court heard that Murphy had 66 previous convictions, including for knives, firearms and arson, and that he had been found with blood‑stained clothing, a balaclava and knives. McGuinness's victim impact statement detailed the emotional devastation she and her family endured, while the judge expressed regret at the harrowing nature of the trial.
Cathal Crotty, a 20‑year‑old former Defence Forces soldier, was convicted of assault causing harm after he beat Natasha O'Brien unconscious on a Limerick street on 29 May 2022. The assault followed O'Brien's request that he stop shouting homophobic abuse, after which Crotty verbally abused her and then struck her. Crotty pleaded guilty in July 2023 at Limerick Circuit Court. Judge Tom O'Donnell imposed a wholly suspended three‑year sentence and ordered Crotty to pay €3,000 compensation. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Lily Buckley, has applied to the Court of Appeal to overturn the sentence, arguing it is unduly lenient and that a custodial term is needed to deter similar crimes. Crotty's lawyers contend the judge exercised mercy appropriately, citing his good service record, lack of prior convictions, and potential job loss. The Court of Appeal will decide whether to uphold or modify the sentence.
A 47-year-old man has been jailed for two and a half years by the Central Criminal Court after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a vulnerable woman at a property in Longford on 11 February 2021. The court heard that the woman was intoxicated when the accused digitally penetrated her without consent while she slept. She discovered the assault upon waking and immediately left the room. The woman subsequently attended a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit and provided a victim impact statement describing profound trauma, including feelings of shame, social withdrawal, and ongoing distress. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a headline sentence of five years, reducing it to four years to account for the guilty plea and the accused's work history. The final 18 months were suspended for 18 months on condition of engagement with the Probation Service and completion of victim-focused work. A contact ban with the victim was also imposed.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing, an eyewitness described a violent incident in Kildare where 29‑year‑old Dylan McCarthy was struck in the head, leading to his death. The State alleged that McCarthy was punched by Sean Kavanagh (26) and Calvin Dunne (24) before Dunne delivered a "vicious kick" to McCarthy's head while he was attempting to rise. Both men claim self‑defence and that McCarthy was involved in the violence that night. They have pleaded not guilty to murder and to violent disorder, and Kavanagh also pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to McCarthy's father. The witness recounted hearing a "loud thud" like a football kick and observed McCarthy lying flat on the ground when struck. The trial continues before Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of ten men and two women.
The trial of three men accused of raping a woman in Dublin and Wicklow in August 2019 continues at the Central Criminal Court. The accused, aged 34, 39, and 42, have all pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts of rape, oral rape, and sexual assault. The 42-year-old second accused, with a Wicklow address, faces two counts of rape, allegedly occurring in his car and a house. The 39-year-old first accused, from Dublin, is charged with one count of rape at his home, one count of oral rape, and one count of sexual assault in a car. The 34-year-old third accused, also from Dublin, faces one count of oral rape in the house and one count of sexual assault in a car. During testimony, the second accused told gardai the complainant was 'in control' and that the group 'had a laugh.' He denied the woman was intoxicated or forced, stating she was 'conscious and allowing.' The court heard video clips where a female voice says 'no,' which the accused claimed were refusals of specific acts rather than rape. The men deny all wrongdoing, and the trial is ongoing.
A pensioner had engaged in an aggressive altercation with the man accused of his murder just three days before he was allegedly beaten with a rock and thrown from Ireland's highest cliffs, the Central Criminal Court heard today. Bruce Vial, brother of the accused Alan Vial, testified that on 22 June 2023 the defendant and his co-accused Nikita Burns visited his home with the deceased Robert Robin' Wilkin. During that visit, an altercation occurred between Vial and Wilkin, with both men shouting aggressively at each other. The following Sunday, after Wilkin's alleged death at Sliabh Liag in County Donegal, Vial and Burns returned to clean Vial's car using his vacuum cleaner. The vacuum was later found to contain what the witness believed was "red wine vomit". The trial also heard evidence from the manager of Mac's Bar in Dunkineely, who witnessed Wilkin strike Burns on the arm during a minor argument on the night in question. Alan Vial pleaded not guilty.
The trial of three men, aged 34 to 42, accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman in Dublin and Wicklow on August 31, 2019, has heard evidence regarding WhatsApp messages and video clips. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts of rape, oral rape, and sexual assault, denying any wrongdoing. The jury viewed two video clips shared between the first and third accused; one 30-second clip featured a female voice saying 'No' repeatedly, while the other was six seconds long with no audible words. An investigating garda stated he believed a male voice was heard in the first clip but agreed with defense counsel that no allegations of anal rape exist in this case. The court noted that the clips were not found on phones seized from the second or third accused, and gardai could not determine the exact recording times or order. The first accused, aged 39, provided a detailed account to gardai, claiming the woman consented to sexual activity and that she later refused anal sex. He described the interactions as consensual and stated he was '100% shocked' by the accusations. The second accused, aged 42, and the third accused, aged 34, also maintain their innocence. The trial continues.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 41‑year‑old father was sentenced to 13 years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. He pleaded guilty to 11 counts, including nine of sexual assault, one rape and one oral rape, for offences committed between 2016 and 2018 when his daughter was aged nine to 11. The abuse began with inappropriate touching and forced masturbation, escalated after the family moved to Portugal, and continued after their return to Ireland. The father posted online in 2023 describing sexual acts with the victim as consensual, breaching court orders. He also drafted a letter to Tusla acknowledging some abuse and referencing classical literature. The judge noted the victim's impact statement and the aggravating factors of the child's age and the parent‑child relationship. The sentence includes a seven‑year post‑release supervision order and a prohibition on contact with the victim and any child under 18.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed Ian Connaghan's appeal against the severity of his sentence for the manslaughter of Michael Mulvey. In July 2023, a Central Criminal Court jury acquitted both Ian and his brother, Daniel Connaghan, of murder but convicted Ian of manslaughter and Daniel of intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm. In December 2023, Mr Justice Burns sentenced Ian to nine years' imprisonment with the final year suspended, while Daniel received five years with the final year suspended. Appealing on the basis that the sentencing judge erred by placing the offence in the high culpability band, counsel for Ian argued the case fit the medium range. However, Mr Justice Edwards, delivering the judgment, upheld the original sentencing. The court found that the second attack involved significant premeditation, as the brothers had "lain in wait" for the victim. Citing the "sheer viciousness" of the assaults and the victim's inability to defend himself, the court determined these aggravating factors justified the high culpability classification. The appeal was rejected, confirming the validity of the sentences imposed.
At the Central Criminal Court, a witness has testified that a woman accused of murdering a 66-year-old man told him she had "battered" the victim with a rock and "liked it". Chris Quinn recalled that Nikita Burns, aged 23 of Carrick, County Donegal, arrived at his home around midnight on the night after the alleged offence in June 2023. She told him and others present that she was a "murderer" and recounted an incident involving an argument with the deceased, Robert Robin Wilkin. A separate recording of a phone conversation with another witness captured Ms Burns stating that she and her co-accused Alan Vial, aged 39 of Killybegs, had driven until 3am before pushing Mr Wilkin off Sliabh Liag cliffs. She also mentioned blood on the car roof. Both Ms Burns and Mr Vial have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Ms Burns pleaded guilty to impeding prosecution but the prosecution did not accept this plea. The trial before Mr Justice Paul McDermott continues.
A trial heard that gardai reviewed approximately 160 hours of CCTV footage during the investigation into the alleged rape and sexual assault of a woman by three men she met in a Dublin nightclub. The three accused men, aged 34 to 42 with addresses in Dublin and Wicklow, have pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts of rape, oral rape, and sexual assault alleged to have occurred on August 31, 2019, in a car and a Dublin house. The first accused, aged 39, pleaded not guilty to one count of raping the woman in his home address, one count of oral rape, and one count of sexually assaulting her in a car. The second accused, aged 42, pleaded not guilty to one count of raping the woman in the car and one count of raping her in the house. The third accused, aged 34, pleaded not guilty to orally raping the woman in the house and sexually assaulting her in the car. Evidence indicated that CCTV was used to identify the vehicle, a Volkswagen SUV registered to the second accused, and to trace its journey. A 15-minute compilation was shown to the jury. The complainant alleged she may have been drugged, though no evidence of this was found in the footage. The matter was adjourned, and the trial continues.
Kielan Mooney, a 30-year-old Defence Forces member from Derry, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to eight and a half years' imprisonment for the repeated rape of a fellow soldier. Mooney, who pleaded not guilty to six charges including two counts of rape, two of oral rape, one of anal rape, and one of sexual assault, was convicted by a jury on three counts: rape, oral rape, and anal rape. The jury failed to reach a verdict on the remaining three charges. Mr Justice Tony Hunt imposed a global sentence of eight and a half years, backdated to Mooney's initial custody in December. The judge also ordered a two-year post-release supervision period, requiring Mooney to engage with the Probation Service. Mr Justice Hunt stated he had intended to reduce the headline sentence by two years but withheld this reduction after finding he was "significantly misled" by mitigation material describing Mooney as a "dedicated father." The judge labelled these claims a "false prospectus" and a "gross overstatement," noting evidence that Mooney had no meaningful contact with his children. The victim, a serving soldier, read a statement detailing the impact on her life and career. Mooney's legal team argued the initial encounter was consensual, but the judge rejected suggestions of false allegations, describing Mooney's actions as "selfish, arrogant and forceful."
The Central Criminal Court has set a trial date for a 17‑year‑old boy accused of attempting to murder Fr Paul Murphy, a 52‑year‑old army chaplain, at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Renmore, Galway, on 15 August 2024. Mr Justice Paul McDermott scheduled the trial for 6 May 2025. The case will be revisited on 12 February to report on the progress of evidence disclosure.
Three men—Noah Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut—will be judged next month on whether they murdered Tristan Sherry, who fatally shot Jason Hennessy Snr in Browne's Steakhouse on Christmas Eve 2023. The Special Criminal Court adjourned the case to 17 February, stating it cannot yet deliver a judgment. The trial heard that Sherry entered the restaurant on 24 December, shot Hennessy, and was then dragged to the ground and beaten to death. The prosecution claims Sherry died from blunt force injuries and stab wounds delivered while he lay on the ground after being disarmed. Defence lawyers argue the accused acted out of fear, self‑defence, or provocation, citing Sherry's opening fire on a group that included children. All three men have pleaded not guilty. Additionally, Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy are charged with violent disorder at the same event, and have also pleaded not guilty. The court will decide the outcome on 17 February.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Cristal O'Brien recounted that on 1 December 2022, her ex‑partner Philip Cox, with whom she had lived for 18 years, stabbed her twice while chasing her with three knives. O'Brien described the attack as a "movie scene" she did not sign up to, noting that Cox threatened to "stab her to pieces" and that the incident left her with severe anxiety, panic attacks and post‑traumatic stress disorder. She was on crutches for three weeks, could not drive for months and was out of work for a year, relying on illness benefit. O'Brien also said she had received ten weeks of counselling and may need more. The court heard that Cox's attempted‑murder charge was dropped after a jury failed to reach a verdict, and that he had pleaded not guilty to that charge. He had previously pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, aggravated burglary and to the production of a knife.
The trial heard that the housemate of a woman who claims she was raped and sexually assaulted by three men at a nightclub had no concerns for her friend's safety when she left the club. The housemate testified that she and the complainant had drinks and socialised on 30 August 2019 before the complainant went to the nightclub. She recalled the club was busy and that they danced near others but not with them. The housemate said the complainant called her the next morning, saying she had been raped, and that she had sent a location pin. She described the complainant's accounts of being taken to a car and a house where the men allegedly raped her, and of the complainant's attempts to fight back. The housemate's statements were cross‑examined by counsel for each of the three accused men, who all pleaded not guilty to the seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 17 January 2025, two young women recounted the lasting impact of a violent late‑night robbery that took place in the city centre on 18 August 2022. The attackers, a 45‑year‑old woman named Joanne Cuffe and an unidentified man armed with a stick, threatened the victims with "dirty needles" and forced them to an ATM. Cuffe, who pleaded guilty to robbery, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. The court heard that the robbery left the women feeling unsafe, on "high alert" and emotionally unsettled. One victim described the event as unforgettable and noted the broader harm to her family and friends. The judge acknowledged Cuffe's remorse and background, expressing hope that she would reform after release. The case highlighted the severe physical and psychological injuries suffered by the victims and the serious consequences of the attackers' actions.
During a murder trial in Monasterevin, father Eamon McCarthy testified that he saw his son Dylan, aged 29, gurgling and with eyes rolling after a violent assault. McCarthy described how Dylan was punched by Sean Kavanagh (26) and Calvin Dunne (24), then kicked in the head by Dunne while Dylan tried to rise. McCarthy claimed he intervened, pulling Kavanagh's hand from Dylan, but was struck and knocked to the ground. He later recalled a man striking him with a belt. McCarthy's injuries included a fractured jaw, broken nose and a hairline fracture near an eye socket, all attributed to the assault. The case remains at the trial stage, with the jury hearing the State's account of the incident and the defendants' self‑defence claims. Sean Kavanagh pleaded not guilty. Calvin Dunne pleaded not guilty.
The Central Criminal Court trial has heard that it remains unknown whether a 66-year-old man was deceased when he was allegedly thrown from Sliabh Liag cliffs in Donegal in June 2023. Nikita Burns, aged 22, of Carrick, County Donegal, and Alan Vial, aged 39, of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs, County Donegal, deny murder. Burns has pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension of another person, a plea the prosecution has rejected. Vial has pleaded not guilty. Opening the prosecution case, Bernard Condon SC outlined evidence including CCTV footage placing both accused with the deceased in a Volkswagen Passat on the night of 24 June 2023 and early hours of 25 June. The deceased was allegedly assaulted in an area known as Roshine before being driven to Sliabh Liag. Counsel outlined forensic evidence including the deceased's blood found in the vehicle, on Burns's clothing, on Vial's boots, and on a rock discovered at the cliff top. The State Pathologist identified two depressed fractures to the deceased's head consistent with blows from a blunt object administered while alive.
Niall Power, who pleaded guilty to the murder of Irene White in Dundalk nearly two decades ago, has been granted legal aid to pursue a psychiatrist's assessment as part of his appeal against conviction. Power was the second man sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime. Anthony Lambe of Annadrumman, Castleblayney, County Monaghan, received a life sentence in January 2018 after admitting to carrying out the fatal stabbing. Power handed himself in to gardaí the day after Lambe's sentencing. Both men claimed to be acting on instructions from a third party. At the Court of Appeal, Power's legal team indicated they intend to challenge the conviction on grounds that he was experiencing mental health difficulties at the time of his guilty plea. Mr Justice John Edwards adjourned the matter to 14 March, directing that an affidavit outlining the grounds for extending time to appeal must be filed beforehand. The judge approved legal aid for psychiatric assessment to establish Power's mental state upon admission to custody.
A woman denied that any consensual sexual contact occurred with the three men accused of raping and sexually assaulting her. The men, aged 34 to 42, have pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault at an unknown location in a car and in a Dublin house on 31 August 2019. In her direct evidence, the woman said she was out socialising with a friend when she met the men at a Dublin nightclub, that she believed she had been drugged, and that she was raped twice in a vehicle she thought was a taxi and once in a bed in a house with a man on top of her. She woke the next morning in bed with a man sleeping beside her before leaving the house. She stated she had no recollection of any consensual sexual activity with any of the accused and that she did not remember any conversation with them.
In a Central Criminal Court case, two men, Sean Kavanagh (26) and Calvin Dunne (24), charged with the murder of Dylan McCarthy (29) in Monasterevin on 22 August 2022, claim they acted in self‑defence. The prosecution contends McCarthy died after receiving punches from Kavanagh and a kick to the head from Dunne while he was on the ground. McCarthy was taken to hospital the next day and pronounced dead. The State presented CCTV footage and testimony that Kavanagh and Dunne were present at the pub, that McCarthy was involved in a fight, and that Dunne delivered a "running kick" to McCarthy's exposed head. The jury heard that McCarthy suffered a subdural haemorrhage, and the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused intended to kill or cause serious injury. The trial continues before Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of ten men and two women. Sean Kavanagh pleaded not guilty. Calvin Dunne pleaded not guilty.
In the High Court, Mr Justice Alexander Owens addressed post-trial applications in the civil case involving defendant Conor McGregor and applicant Nikita Hand. Following a jury finding that Mr McGregor was liable for the assault of Ms Hand in December 2018, while co-accused James Lawrence was found not liable, the judge issued orders regarding trial materials and damages. Mr Justice Owens ordered Mr McGregor to destroy or return all case materials, including CCTV footage, to his solicitor, citing a real risk of dissemination. He warned Mr McGregor that he does not get another run at the case by throwing out allegations on social media or using surrogates. The judge refused to find Mr McGregor in contempt for his social media posts, stating it would be a distraction. Regarding financial obligations, the court ordered an interim payment of €100,000 in damages and €200,000 towards Ms Hand's costs, with the remainder stayed pending a potential appeal. The matter was adjourned to February 12.
A jury of five men and seven women has been sworn in at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin to hear the trial of Alan Vial and Nikita Burns, who are charged with the murder of Robert Wilkin on 25 June 2023 in County Donegal. Ms Burns, from Carrick, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of another person for an arrestable offence. Mr Vial, from Drumanoo Head in Killybegs, has pleaded not guilty to the charge. The court heard that it is alleged Mr Wilkin's body was disposed of by being thrown over the cliff edge at Sliabh Liag. Mr Justice David Keane instructed the jury that the case has attracted publicity and invited any person with knowledge of the matter or familiarity with those involved to declare this, as such individuals may be ineligible to serve. The trial is expected to last approximately three weeks.
Brandon Cunningham, 25, of Amiens Street, Dublin 1, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assault and violent disorder arising from a February 15, 2021, incident on the Luas. Cunningham pleaded guilty to the charges. The court heard that he bit part of a man's ear off during a brawl between George's Dock and Busáras stops, an altercation that forced the tram out of service. Judge Martin Nolan jailed Cunningham for three years, with the sentence backdated to when he first entered custody. The judge noted that while Cunningham did not start the attack, biting off part of an ear was a "pretty savage thing to do." Defense counsel Carol Doherty BL highlighted Cunningham's personal history, including being a "heroin baby," and his remorse. Anthony McDonald, 26, of Cromcastle Court, Dublin 5, was also sentenced for violent disorder for his involvement in the same incident. Judge Nolan stated that McDonald's culpability was lesser than Cunningham's but noted he had participated in the event. McDonald was jailed for 18 months. Defense counsel Derek Cooney BL argued that McDonald did not inflict the injury and was unable to leave the tram until it stopped. Both sentences were handed down following the presentation of CCTV footage and evidence regarding the dispute between the parties' families.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a woman accused three men of rape and sexual assault. She testified that she believed she was drugged after leaving a pub with a housemate on 30 August 2019, and that she was subsequently raped in a vehicle and again in a house. She described feeling "faded and hazy" and that a "bag of white powder" was nearby. The men, aged 34 to 42 and residing in Dublin and Wicklow, pleaded not guilty to seven counts including rape, oral rape and sexual assault in a car and a house. The case is before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury, with the trial ongoing. The woman made a complaint at a Garda station and was examined at the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit. The trial continues.
Nathan McCarthy, 25, of Lower Kimmage Road, was jailed for 18 months after a drunken assault on two men eating takeaway and a garda. On 1 November 2023, McCarthy entered Hillbillies Takeaway, shouted at the manager, punched the counter, stole the card machine, smashed a lampshade, and damaged the premises. He then attacked two men in a parked car, choking one, damaging the car, and kicking the other. He also punched a garda three times, bit another garda's forearm, and was observed foaming at the mouth. McCarthy pleaded guilty to six charges, including three assaults causing harm, one ordinary assault, one criminal damage, and one unauthorised taking of a car. The court imposed a three‑year sentence, with 18 months suspended on strict conditions, after considering his intoxication and personal circumstances.
In a January 2025 hearing at the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Paul McDermott highlighted that limited psychiatric services in Ireland are causing additional trauma to families, citing the case of Ruth Purcell Healy, 37, who is charged with the murder of her six‑year‑old son Matthew. The judge noted that Healy's lawyers have spent months attempting to secure a psychiatrist's assessment, but have been unsuccessful due to shortages and delays. He described the case as "very sensitive" and stressed that prolonged waiting for psychiatric reports exacerbates trauma. McDermott pointed out that psychiatrists at the Central Mental Hospital are often unavailable because of their workload, and that low fees offered by the Department of Justice deter them from taking on cases. Consequently, lawyers sometimes seek psychiatrists abroad, such as in the UK, to obtain the necessary reports. The judge's remarks underscore the systemic limitations in the state's psychiatric services for complex criminal cases.
Two men have been convicted and jailed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for demanding €41,000 from a father by threatening him over debts allegedly incurred by his son. Alan Fitzsimons, aged 47, with addresses in Sutton, Dublin and Lisduff, Castleblayney, County Monaghan, received a sentence of four years and ten months. Dominic Dynes, aged 53, also of Castleblayney, was sentenced to six and a half years imprisonment. Both men pleaded guilty to demanding money with menace in November 2021. The victim was told his son owed money to dangerous individuals and subsequently received multiple calls pressuring payment. After raising €41,000 through a loan and family borrowings, he handed the sum to the defendants. Judge Martin Nolan described the conduct as sinister, noting it represents a concerning trend whereby criminals impose debts incurred by individuals onto their families. The judge acknowledged neither defendant employed physical violence, yet the victim clearly understood the serious threats implied. Gardaí intervened after the victim alerted them, observing a final collection attempt where €3,000 was seized.
Three men aged 34 to 42, living in Dublin and Wicklow, have pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault against a woman they met in a Dublin nightclub. The alleged assaults took place on 31 August 2019 at an unknown location in a car and in a Dublin house. The first defendant, 39, is accused of raping the woman in his home, orally raping her and assaulting her in a car. The second, 42, is accused of raping her in the car and in the house. The third, 34, is accused of orally raping her in the house and assaulting her in the car. The prosecution says the woman's recollection is fragmented and that she was highly intoxicated. CCTV from the nightclub shows the woman entering a car with the three men, and the car is registered to the 42‑year‑old.