In the Central Criminal Court, Judge Siobhan Lankford finished a three‑hour evidence summary for a jury of twelve in the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, 56, who denies killing Keith 'Bono' Conlon, 36, on his Tallaght farm on 24 February 2022. Phelan, a barrister, lecturer and farmer, pleaded not guilty. The judge instructed the jury to decide whether the State proved it was not reasonably possible that Phelan unintentionally struck a trespasser with a third shot from his revolver, and to consider self‑defence if the jury found intent to kill or seriously injure. She explained the jury could return one of three verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, 56‑year‑old law professor Diarmuid Phelan denies murdering Keith 'Bono' Conlon, a 36‑year‑old father of four, on his Hazelgrove Farm in Tallaght on 24 February 2022. The presiding judge, Justice Siobhan Lankford, informs the 12‑member jury that the trial, originally expected to last six weeks, has entered its ninth week and will continue into the tenth. She reminds jurors that they must decide whether the State has proven that Phelan could not have unintentionally hit Conlon with a third shot from his revolver. If they find intent to kill or seriously injure, they must also consider the defendant's claim of self‑defence. The judge outlines the three possible verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty.
In the attempted murder trial of Philip Cox, the former partner of Cristal O'Brien, O'Brien gave evidence that Cox threatened to stab her "to pieces" and broke two knives before retrieving a third. She described how, after an argument, Cox entered the kitchen with a large kitchen knife, pointed it at her, and attempted to stab her. O'Brien tried to call the Gardaí, but Cox knocked the phone out of her hand. She fled to the common landing, where Cox threatened to stab her again. O'Brien and her neighbour, Alice McGrath, fled the flat, hiding behind a car until Gardaí and an ambulance arrived. O'Brien was taken to St James's Hospital, where she received stitches for two stab wounds, a tetanus shot and treatment for a busted lip and bruised arms. The trial continues before Mr Justice Hunt and a jury. Philip Cox pleaded not guilty.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has asked to examine the firearm and clothing connected to a fatal shooting as they deliberate in a murder trial. Dean Caffrey, aged 38 of Achill Road, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Sean McCarthy, a 28-year-old whose body was discovered in a wardrobe at Caffrey's apartment four days after he went missing in August 2022. McCarthy died from a single gunshot wound to the head. The defence argues Caffrey acted in self-defence during a struggle, while the prosecution contends the killing was an execution. The jury requested sight of the weapon and the deceased's shorts to assess whether they bore a drawstring. Justice Paul McDermott confirmed the shorts are agreed to have had a drawstring but cannot be presented due to biohazard concerns. The panel will resume consideration of their verdict tomorrow.
Denis Nolan, 71, a former priest, was sentenced to an additional five years for a 1994‑2000 oral rape and 36 sexual assaults of a schoolboy aged 11‑17. He had already been serving 19 years for similar offences against three other victims. The Central Criminal Court had set a headline sentence of eight years for the rape, reduced to five years to run consecutively with his other sentences, and added three years for the assault charges with five years of post‑release supervision. The Court of Appeal quashed the five‑year term and resentenced Nolan to two and a half years imprisonment, bringing his total sentence to 21½ years. The additional term is to commence after the existing 19‑year term, with the offender expected to be released in March 2032. The court described the offending as egregious and highly destructive to the victim's life. Denis Nolan pleaded guilty.
Jamie Griffin, 29, with over 40 prior convictions, was on bail when he joined a group assault at Bow Lane Bar, Aungier Street, while high on cocaine. He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm. Tommy Doran, 32, with no prior violent convictions, also pleaded guilty. The incident began when an unidentified person attacked three men; Doran escalated the violence, punching a victim, kicking him, and striking him with a chair, causing a fractured nose. Griffin, though not the initiator, quickly joined and inflicted violence on two men. Both defendants paid €4,000 in compensation. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced Doran to two and a half years, fully suspended, with conditions including victim‑focused work and addiction services. Griffin received a four‑year sentence, fully suspended, with similar conditions. Both were released after sentencing.
Thomas Finnegan, 36, of Tallaght, was found guilty by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury of assault causing serious harm and the production of an article in the form of a guitar at an Applegreen service station on 22 June 2023. The attack left the victim blind in his left eye, with the eye shrunken and the loss of sight likely permanent. CCTV footage showed Finnegan striking the victim with a guitar after a brief departure from the scene. Finnegan has 38 prior convictions, including assault, criminal damage, public order and road traffic offences. Judge Jonathan Dunphy sentenced him to nine years for the assault, suspending the final eighteen months, and to three and a half years for the article, suspending the final twelve months; both sentences run concurrently. He will be supervised by probation services for two years after release. The sentence was back‑dated to the date of his arrest.
Alan Jenkins, aged 30 when first abused, presented a victim impact statement in which he described Tusla's investigation of his uncle Paul Craven as a "farce". Jenkins said Tusla found his allegations unfounded after interviewing Craven, who had been convicted last month of 11 counts including sexual assault and indecent assault between 1989 and 1999. Jenkins claimed Tusla ignored his and his sister's attempts to contact the agency and that Craven continued to work with vulnerable children. He recounted the abuse beginning when he was six or seven, involving inappropriate touching and sexual acts, and described the emotional toll, including panic attacks, anxiety, shame and suicidal thoughts. Jenkins urged other survivors to come forward and thanked the Gardaí, the jury and his family for their support. The court heard that the case would be adjourned to January 28 for a full plea of mitigation. The statement was read by Jenkins' daughter Sophie.
A jury of eight men and four women was sworn in by Mr Justice Tony Hunt to hear the trial of 39‑year‑old Philip Cox, who is charged with the attempted murder of Cristal O'Brien at York Street Flats, Dublin 2, on 1 December 2022. Cox, who lives at the same address, pleaded not guilty when the indictment was read. The trial will begin the following morning and is expected to last just over a week. The judge instructed the jury not to discuss the case with anyone outside the panel and to return at 11 am tomorrow.
In a murder trial, the jury is instructed to decide whether the State has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that law professor Diarmuid Phelan intended to kill or seriously injure the trespasser Keith Conlon. The judge explains that Phelan, a 56‑year‑old barrister and farmer, fired three shots from his revolver after trespassers allegedly threatened him. The prosecution argues two shots were warning shots and the third struck Conlon in the back of the head, implying intent. The defence contends the third shot was accidental, a result of stress and misalignment. The jury may return one of three verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. The judge also notes that if Phelan's self‑defence claim is upheld, the jury must consider whether the force used was reasonable and proportionate to the circumstances. The charge will continue tomorrow.
The Central Criminal Court heard on 9 December 2024 that Damian Szatkowski (38) pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Marcel Kusenda (48) on 8 March 2023. Kusenda, a Slovakian man who had lived in Ireland for 20 years, was found in his Newbridge home with severe head injuries after being repeatedly kicked and punched by Szatkowski, who had recently moved in. A post‑mortem revealed a displaced nasal fracture and a 15 mm subdural hematoma, with death caused by complications of blunt‑force head injury. Szatkowski, with 61 prior convictions, was arrested and denied intent to kill, claiming he had only punched once. The court adjourned sentencing to 17 February, noting the offence's high culpability and the defendant's remorse. The case remains pending.
A 31‑year‑old tenant, Dmitrus Aleinkovs, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for raping his landlady in June 2016. The victim had earlier been raped by a drug‑spiking courier who left her in a temporary state of paralysis after she took cocaine. Aleinkovs had been sub‑letting part of the house and had a history of consensual sexual contact with the victim, which ended when he stopped paying rent. After the courier's assault, Aleinkovs entered the sitting room, saw the victim still in a state of paralysis, and raped her for five minutes. He later returned the victim's jeans and left. The court noted the breach of trust, the victim's vulnerability, and Aleinkovs' lack of prior convictions. He was extradited from Latvia in December 2022 and has been in custody since. The judge imposed a seven‑year sentence, back‑dated to his December 2022 custody.
An accountant, Sidney Sutton, has failed in his appeal to halt a retrial related to an alleged knife attack on his wife, described as 'extreme domestic violence' during his original trial in 2017. Sutton was originally convicted of four counts of assault, one of assault causing harm, and one count of producing a knife capable of inflicting serious injury. His conviction was quashed in April 2021, and the Court of Appeal ordered a retrial. Sutton had previously been sentenced to two years with the final 12 months suspended, but the Court of Appeal ruled that sentence was too lenient and ordered him to serve a further 16 months. Sutton appealed a High Court decision that denied his application to prohibit the retrial on grounds of alleged malicious prosecution and abuse of process. At the Court of Appeal, Ms Justice Tara Burns ruled that Sutton had failed to establish an arguable case regarding any of the issues raised. She noted that the High Court judge had addressed Sutton's complaints in detail and found no evidence of withheld crime scene reports or other issues that would justify halting the retrial. Sutton claimed that the State suppressed crucial evidence and that gardai failed in their duty to preserve evidence. However, the Court of Appeal found no support for these allegations. The matter was adjourned, and costs were awarded against Sutton. Sutton expressed his intention to continue fighting and described the judgment as 'horrendous' and 'disgusting', claiming that the State had destroyed his businesses and left him with nothing.
A veteran healthcare worker, who has worked in the sector for over 30 years, was shocked to discover that a previously unknown complaint of sexual assault had been reported to the Garda vetting bureau by the HSE when she sought new employment. She claims she has no knowledge of who made the allegation, when or where it occurred, and that the HSE had no lawful authority to forward the report to the Gardaí. The woman, who left her HSE role in April 2024 after a positive interview with another agency, says the allegation forced her to seek medical help and that no investigation had taken place. She has applied to the High Court for an order quashing the HSE's decision to furnish the report and for the Garda vetting bureau to withdraw its acceptance of the report. The court has granted permission for judicial review and adjourned the case to the New Year.
After two trials, Maurice Boland, 37, was found guilty of murder for the death of 26‑year‑old Cian Gallagher. The attack occurred on 2 November 2022, with Gallagher dying eight days later. Boland had claimed he had punched Gallagher "like Conor McGregor in the UFC" and later lied to Gardaí about the victim's alleged initial swing. CCTV showed Boland pursuing Gallagher down the street, delivering a "haymaker" that caused Gallagher to fall and hit his head. The prosecution argued that Boland intended to cause serious injury, while the defence maintained no intent to kill. The jury, after five hours and eleven minutes, reached a unanimous verdict of murder. Boland will be sentenced to life imprisonment on 16 December, with the victim's family invited to speak. The case was presided over by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon, who thanked the jury and exempted them from further service for five years. Maurice Boland pleaded not guilty.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, three men—Noah Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut—are on trial for the murder of gunman Tristan Sherry, who fatally shot Jason Hennessy Snr at a Christmas Eve party in Browne's Steakhouse, Blanchardstown, on 24 December. The court will hear closing speeches next Wednesday, with the Director of Public Prosecutions presenting her case and the defence arguing that the accused were provoked by Sherry's shooting, potentially reducing the charge to manslaughter under provocation law. The trial is adjourned until then. Separately, Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy are charged with violent disorder for the same event. The proceedings remain at the pleading stage, with no verdict yet announced.
Lawyers for Riad Bouchaker, 50, await reports on his defence. Bouchaker is charged with attempted murder of two girls and a boy, assault causing serious harm to a care worker, and possession or production of a knife. The alleged incident took place outside a school on 23 November 2023. A brief hearing was held this morning, with an update scheduled for a hearing one week before Christmas.
A man convicted of murder in connection with the death of Dundalk woman Irene White in 2005 is pursuing an appeal, arguing he was suffering a mental breakdown when he pleaded guilty. Niall Power, aged 51 and formerly of Riverstown, Co Louth, was sentenced to life imprisonment in July 2019 after admitting to his role in arranging the killing. Anthony Lambe, of Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, received a concurrent life sentence in 2018 for carrying out the fatal attack. At the Court of Appeal on Friday, Power's legal representatives indicated they would seek to have the guilty plea set aside on mental health grounds. Mr Justice John Edwards granted legal aid and directed that the matter be adjourned to January 17th to allow for the filing of formal documentation regarding an Enlargement of Time application, as the appeal window has expired. The court will subsequently address whether the plea should be withdrawn.
Stephen Tynan (46) and Raymond Fitzgerald (41) have appealed their convictions for the murder of Andrew Guerrine, Tynan's cousin, who was stabbed 20 times in May 2015. The appeal argues that both men were only accessories after the fact, not principals. Tynan's counsel claims another person was involved in a drug transaction and that Tynan only assisted after the murder. Fitzgerald's counsel challenges the admissibility of CCTV footage and Automatic Number Plate Recognition evidence, arguing the system's accuracy is unproven. They also contest a voluntary caution statement taken in June 2015, asserting it was not given under custody and therefore inadmissible. The court has reserved judgment on these grounds. The appeal is heard in the Central Criminal Court, with the original convictions based on circumstantial evidence linking the defendants to the murder vehicle and location. The case remains pending. Stephen Tynan pleaded not guilty. Raymond Fitzgerald pleaded not guilty.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed John Dundon's bid to overturn his 2013 conviction for the murder of Shane Geoghegan. Dundon, who is serving a life sentence, argued that a recorded phone conversation between witnesses Lisa Collins and Christopher McCarthy, which allegedly suggested a motive to secure a conviction for an offence carrying a greater penalty, such as murder, was not disclosed at trial. Counsel claimed this omission raised concerns about the fairness of the proceedings. However, Mr Justice John Edwards rejected the appeal, finding no breach of the Director of Public Prosecutions' duty of disclosure and noting that the Special Criminal Court had already approached the witnesses' testimony with caution. The court concluded that the appellant's trial was not unsatisfactory and his verdict remained safe. Separately, Barry Doyle, who admitted shooting Mr Geoghegan in a case of mistaken identity during Garda interviews, later pleaded not guilty at trial. He was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and received a mandatory life sentence. Both the Special Criminal Court and the High Court had previously rejected Dundon's bids to have his 2013 murder trial adjourned.
The Special Criminal Court heard an application by counsel for Michael Andrecut (23) to argue provocation as a partial defence to the murder charge against him. Andrecut, along with Noah Musueni (18) and David Amah (18), is on trial accused of murdering Tristan Sherry. The defence submitted that Andrecut suffered a total loss of control after Sherry allegedly shot Jason Hennessy Snr, described by Andrecut as a father figure, during a Christmas Eve party at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown. Counsel argued that the alleged "cold-blooded" assassination provoked Andrecut into the violent actions attributed to him, potentially reducing the charge to manslaughter. The court has heard that Sherry was disarmed and beaten to death following the shooting. Andrecut, Musueni, and Amah deny the murder charges. Counsel for the other two accused indicated they will make similar applications when the trial continues. Separately, Jonas Kabangu (18), Diarmuid O'Brien (18), and Brandon Hennessy (21), the son of the deceased, are on trial accused of violent disorder at the same location and date. All three deny these charges. The matter is currently at the trial stage before a three-judge, non-jury court.
Adam Doyle, 31, of Balbriggan, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm after a verbal argument with Evan Somers on Dame Street, April 2022. CCTV footage shown in court showed Doyle walking away, followed by Somers, then Doyle punching him, causing Somers to fall and suffer a fractured eye socket and ankle fractures, requiring surgery and six days in hospital. Doyle had previously handed himself in after the footage aired on RTE's Crimecall, claiming no homophobic element. He admitted full responsibility, offered a letter of apology and €13,000 as a token of remorse, and presented a psychological report indicating low re‑offending risk. Judge Orla Crowe accepted the evidence, noted the serious consequences for Somers, and imposed an 18‑month suspended sentence, requiring Doyle to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years, with the sentence re‑entered if he attracts garda attention.
Law professor Diarmuid Phelan, 56, is on trial for the murder of Keith Conlon, 36, who died on Phelan's farm in Tallaght on 24 February 2022. Phelan, a barrister, lecturer and farmer, pleaded not guilty. The case centres on an incident where three trespassers—Conlon, Kallum Coleman and Robin Duggan—were hunting on a wooded area of Phelan's land. Phelan allegedly fired three shots from a Smith & Wesson revolver after shouting at the trespassers to leave. The prosecution argues two shots were warning shots and the third, aimed at Conlon's back, was intended to kill or seriously injure him. The defence contends Phelan fired accidental warning shots, that he was acting in self‑defence against an imminent threat, and that he had not failed to observe safety procedures. The jury heard evidence of the trespassers' knowledge of Phelan's firearm, the timing of the shots, and the circumstances of the shooting.
At the Central Criminal Court, defence counsel for Dean Caffrey has urged the jury to acquit his client of murdering Sean McCarthy, arguing that the prosecution case lacks foundation. Lorcan Staines SC submitted that conviction would constitute a travesty, contending there is no evidence Mr Caffrey lured the deceased to his apartment for execution. Mr Staines criticised the Director of Public Prosecutions for partisan presentation and breach of disclosure obligations, noting that material supporting the defence was withheld until six weeks into the trial. Mr Caffrey, aged 38 of Beaucourt, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to murder. The prosecution alleges Mr McCarthy was executed; the defence maintains he was shot during a struggle after arriving armed at Mr Caffrey's home in August 2022. Mr Staines emphasised Mr McCarthy's background as a drug dealer with known firearm access, contrasting this with his client's lack of violence history. The jury will hear Mr Justice Paul McDermott's charge on Friday before retiring to consider their verdict.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, the State presented Maurice Boland (37) as a drunken aggressor who pursued and struck Cian Gallagher (26) after Gallagher left a pub in Tallow. Prosecutor Bernard Condon SC argued that Boland's intent was to inflict serious injury, citing Boland's remarks about wanting to "be like Conor McGregor" and his aggressive behaviour earlier that evening. He described the incident as a pursuit rather than a fight, noting that Gallagher was "set upon" and knocked down by a "killer punch" that caused him to hit his head. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC contended that Boland was guilty of unlawful killing, not murder, because there was no evidence of intent to kill or cause serious harm. The judge instructed the jury that a verdict of murder requires proof of intent to kill or serious injury, and the jury will deliberate tomorrow. Maurice Boland pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, prosecution counsel Cathleen Noctor SC described Dean Caffrey, 38, as "cool as a cucumber" after CCTV footage showed him buying a suitcase with cash taken from the dead man, Sean McCarthy, 28. Noctor alleged that Caffrey lied about the circumstances of the fatal shooting in his apartment, claiming the deceased had brought a firearm and threatened him. She said Caffrey denied murdering McCarthy, who was known to gardaí as a drug dealer. Noctor highlighted inconsistencies in Caffrey's statements to gardaí, noting he initially claimed both men had the gun during the struggle, then later said he fired after McCarthy lunged. She also presented evidence that Caffrey purchased a clean‑up kit, disposed of the firearm and the deceased's phone, and deleted messages. Noctor urged the jury to consider that Caffrey shot McCarthy in the head with intent to kill, and that he should be convicted of murder.
Cailean Crawford, 28, was convicted of the murder of Thomas McCarthy, 55, at Croftwood Park, Ballyfermot, on July 27, 2020. The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict after deliberating for eight hours and 20 minutes, rejecting Crawford's not guilty plea and his defense that he merely loaned a van to associate Charles McClean. Prosecutors alleged Crawford was the gunman who fatally shot McCarthy, who had returned from the UK to visit his mother. Mr Justice Tony Hunt described Crawford as a "cold-blooded" and "dangerous individual," noting the crime was not a victim of circumstance. The judge highlighted Crawford's prior conviction for conspiracy to murder Wayne Whelan in 2019, for which he was sentenced to seven years with two suspended. McClean, who pleaded guilty to lesser offences in that case, was sentenced to eight years. Following the verdict, Crawford shouted at the court and stormed out. Mr Justice Hunt remanded Crawford in custody until December 20, when he will be handed the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment for murder. The matter was adjourned for sentencing.
The partner of a man convicted of raping three children between 1999 and 2002 has asked the sentencing judge to give him the "best present" and set him free, claiming he did nothing wrong. The defence counsel argued the defendant was not a danger to the public, had been trustworthy for 24 years, and questioned the benefit of imprisonment. The court heard victim impact statements from two of the victims, who described lasting trauma, loss of trust, and mental health issues. The third victim did not give a statement. The judge adjourned sentencing to 19 December. The article reports the defendant's convictions for sexual assault, oral and anal rape of children aged 7 to 10, and prior convictions for traffic offences and criminal damage. No sentencing outcome is provided in the article.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, defence counsel Sean Guerin SC argued that the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan centred on emotion, specifically fear and anger, rather than intent to kill. Phelan, 56, pleaded not guilty to the fatal shooting of 36‑year‑old Keith Conlon on his Tallaght farm on 24 February 2022. The prosecution contended that Phelan fired three shots, two in the air and a third that struck Conlon in the back of the head while he was turning away, indicating intent to kill. Guerin maintained that the shots were warning shots, that Phelan did not intend to hit Conlon, and that the incident was a reaction to trespassers and a hunting dog on the property. He urged the jury to consider the emotional context and the lack of pre‑planned intent in assessing Phelan's actions. The case remains at the trial stage.
A 65‑year‑old man, Ciaran Watters, received a suspended two‑year sentence after he struck his elderly neighbour, Patrick Dunne, with a shovel while Dunne was trimming a hedge on their shared boundary. The assault occurred on 14 June 2021 when Dunne was on a ladder leaning against a wooden fence; Watters hit the fence twice, causing Dunne to fall flat on his back. Dunne, who has had two hip replacements, suffered pain, anxiety and flashbacks, and now requires medication for his spine. Watters, who had a prior assault conviction, admitted alcohol influence, completed an inpatient addiction course, and offered €5,000 to Dunne. The judge imposed a three‑year suspended sentence with conditions to refrain from interfering with neighbours and to pay the compensation. The unnamed 65-year-old pleaded guilty.
A 15‑year‑old was convicted of anal rape of a 15‑year‑old girl and was originally sentenced to six months' detention and community supervision. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient. The Court of Appeal quashed the original term and set a headline sentence of nine years, then reduced it to four and a half years after a 50% reduction for the offender's age and maturity. Further mitigating factors led to a one‑year reduction, giving a final headline of three and a half years. The court suspended the last 12 months on a €100 bond, with the sentence backdated to the day of custody. The teenager has already been released and will return to prison to serve the remaining term. The case involved an assault that included forced oral and anal penetration, with the victim reporting severe physical injury and lasting psychological impact. The unnamed girl pleaded not guilty and was acquitted.
The murder trial of Diarmuid Phelan, 56, is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court. Phelan, a barrister and farmer, has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Keith 'Bono' Conlon, 36, at Hazelgrove Farm in Tallaght, Dublin 24, on February 24, 2022. In closing submissions, State Counsel Roisin Lacey SC argued that Phelan's actions constituted a disproportionate response to a verbal conflict. The prosecution contends that Phelan intended to kill or cause serious injury when he fired a Smith & Wesson revolver at Conlon, who was allegedly turning away to leave. Lacey highlighted testimony from farmhand Pierre Godreu, who described the third, fatal shot as being fired in a different direction than the initial warning shots, suggesting intent. The State emphasized that Conlon was a trespasser engaged in alleged badger baiting, but cautioned the jury that the deceased was not on trial for his criminal behavior. The jury heard evidence that Phelan shouted at Conlon and another man, Kallum Coleman, before firing. Coleman, a key witness, failed to attend trial after leaving the country. The matter remains at the trial stage, with the jury yet to deliver a verdict.
In a Central Criminal Court case, Cailean Crawford, aged 28, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas McCarthy, who was shot seven times at his mother's home on 27 July 2020. The State alleges a conspiracy to kill McCarthy, with Crawford as the gunman, citing CCTV footage of a blue Ford Fiesta and the use of a van and phone. Crawford's defence argues he was merely involved in drug dealing and that he loaned his van and phone to Charles McClean, who allegedly used them for drug transport. Crawford testified that he was "blamed" as the centre point of a murder he did not commit. Judge Tony Hunt emphasized that the prosecution's case hinges on who had the van and phone after 9 a.m. The jury, consisting of six men and six women, has deliberated for over six hours and will continue tomorrow.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Diarmuid Phelan, a barrister and law lecturer, is ongoing. Phelan, 56, has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Keith 'Bono' Conlon, 36, at Hazelgrove Farm in Tallaght, Dublin 24, on February 24, 2022. The prosecution, led by Roisin Lacey SC, argued in her closing speech that Phelan's actions were a disproportionate response to a purely verbal conflict. The State alleges that after Conlon and two others trespassed on the property, Phelan fired three shots from a Smith & Wesson revolver; the prosecution contends the third shot was intentionally aimed at Conlon, who was shot in the back of the head while turning to leave. Conversely, the defence maintains that Phelan accidentally hit Conlon while firing warning shots. Evidence from farmhand Pierre Godreu described the initial altercation as oral and noted that the third shot was fired in a different direction than the first two. Another witness, Hannah Felgner, stated the conflict was verbal and that the trespassers intended to call gardai rather than use physical violence. The jury of nine men and three women is currently hearing the final submissions, with the matter remaining at the trial stage.
A 22‑year‑old man, Brandon Gavin, was sentenced to a mandatory life term in prison for the murder of his former friend, Marius Mamaliga, who was stabbed in the neck on 23 February 2023. The victim's parents, Inga and Victor Mamaliga, delivered an emotional impact statement, describing the loss as a void that will never be filled. Gavin had pleaded not guilty, claiming self‑defence after a drug debt dispute, but the jury found his defence "self‑serving nonsense." Witnesses testified that Gavin had been messaging women on Tinder minutes before the attack and had searched for "prison sentence for murder in Ireland" the day before. Marius was in the driver's seat with two friends when Gavin entered the rear passenger side, reached across, stabbed him once in the neck, and fled. He was taken to hospital in critical condition and died three days later.
Eric O'Driscoll, 22, admitted to possessing a .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 rifle in a Dublin residential area and pleaded guilty earlier this year. He now requests a prison transfer after claiming he witnessed a murder in a cell. The Special Criminal Court heard his request, and the judge adjourned the hearing for logistical reasons. O'Driscoll is expected to be moved to another prison after sentencing. He is also scheduled for trial later this year, along with his brother Glen Ward, who faces related charges.
Cathal Crotty, a 22‑year‑old former soldier from Parkroe Heights, Ardnacrusha, was given a three‑year suspended sentence by Limerick Circuit Criminal Court in June for an unprovoked attack on Natasha O'Brien on O'Connell Street in May 2022. Crotty, who was serving in the Defence Forces at the time, grabbed O'Brien by the hair, punched her to the ground, and continued to hold her hair while striking her face until she lost consciousness. O'Brien suffered a broken nose, bruising, nightmares and panic attacks. After the assault Crotty boasted on Snapchat that he had "two to put her down, two to put her out." He was discharged from the army in July. The Director of Public Prosecution has appealed the suspended sentence on the grounds of undue leniency. The appeal will be heard on 23 January, with counsel for Crotty applying for a second counsel, a request granted by Judge John Edwards. Cathal Crotty pleaded guilty.
Adam Roe-Dwyer (25), of Johnfield Road, Dublin 8, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of assault causing harm to a security officer at Centra, Dame Street, Dublin 2, on March 18, 2022. His co-accused, Ian Lynch (25), of Weaver Street, Dublin 18, had previously pleaded guilty to the same charge and received a two-and-a-half-year suspended sentence earlier this year. Both men admitted to the offence, which involved striking the security guard after he refused entry to a plastic pint glass. The victim sustained two fractures to his nose, requiring surgery and five days of hospitalisation. Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced Roe-Dwyer to a two-and-a-half-year term, suspended in full on conditions. This follows Lynch's earlier sentencing, where he also received a two-and-a-half-year suspended sentence after paying €4,000 towards the victim's losses. Roe-Dwyer also paid €4,000 today. The judge noted the seriousness of the assault but considered mitigating factors, including both men's lack of previous convictions, their cooperation with gardaí, and their apologies. The matter was finalised with the imposition of these suspended sentences.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 35‑year‑old Gareth McGrath pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on two occasions (29 July and 8 August 2023) and to threatening to kill a former girlfriend and intimidating her to withdraw a Garda complaint between 14 and 23 August 2023. McGrath, who has 15 prior convictions, was present for sentencing via video link from prison. The victim, who met McGrath during residential addiction treatment, described a brief relationship that turned violent. She reported being punched, thrown to the ground, and cut on the breast with a butter knife, sustaining head injuries, a bruised ear, a hearing deficit, a forehead bump and a chest puncture. She said McGrath pressured her to retract her complaint, but she ultimately maintained her statement. The judge adjourned sentencing to early next year to allow a probation report to be prepared.
Patrick Joyce, 30, of Balbriggan, pleaded guilty to two burglary counts and one assault causing harm. The incidents occurred within 500 metres of his home on 7 and 8 March 2024. A neighbour heard a noise, chased Joyce, and recorded him; a bar manager reported Joyce taking a bottle of vodka; and a man was punched by Joyce after a confrontation at his front door. CCTV footage confirmed the assault. Joyce denied the offences but was arrested at 1 a.m. and later admitted guilt. He has 12 prior convictions. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to two years' imprisonment for the burglary and two years for the assault, to run concurrently, with the final six months suspended for one year. The sentence was back‑dated to include time already served.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the State's counsel, Bernard Condon SC, accused Cailean Crawford, 28, of fabricating a story about loaning a van and a phone to Charles McClean in connection with the murder of Thomas McCarthy on 27 July 2020. Condon argued that Crawford's testimony was full of lies and that the evidence showed a coordinated plan involving multiple vehicles and "dry runs" before the execution. He described the alleged gunman's movements and the use of burner phones, and claimed that Crawford's alibi of his grandmother's house was preposterous. Defence counsel Mark Lynam SC countered that the presumption of innocence was paramount, noting that Crawford's criminality did not prove murder and that the evidence did not conclusively link him to the shooting. The jury was instructed to consider the prosecution's case of a group plan and the alleged seven shots that killed McCarthy in his mother's hallway. Cailean Crawford pleaded not guilty.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court found 40‑year‑old David Dunne guilty of murder after he lured fellow inmate Robert O'Connor into his cell, knocked him to the ground and stamped on his head in a "vicious and unprovoked" assault. The verdict, reached in just under three hours, was unanimous. Dunne had pleaded not guilty, claiming he had no intention to kill and that he acted in self‑defence after O'Connor punched him twice. The prosecution presented CCTV footage showing Dunne and three other prisoners entering the cell, with officers later reporting that Dunne stamped on O'Connor's head more than once and kicked him. A pathologist's report confirmed that the blows caused brain rotation and tearing of nerve cells, consistent with stamping, punching or kicking. Dunne will face a mandatory life sentence when he is sentenced on 16 December.
Joseph Collins, 27, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a single robbery at Boyles Sports in Finglas on 27 November 2023. He entered the shop around 7 pm, approached the counter, muttered "Money", and produced a Stanley blade that he placed under the glass, a foot from the cashier's face. Collins handed over €280 before leaving. Garda Dwayne O'Brien obtained CCTV footage that identified Collins, leading to his arrest. Collins has ten prior convictions and a history of alcohol and drug abuse, though he has completed residential rehabilitation at Coolmine Treatment Centre. He expressed deep shame, denied violence, and requested an apology to the cashier and co‑worker. Judge Orla Crowe noted his rehabilitation work and lack of violent history, ordered a probation report, and remanded him in custody until 3 March 2025 when the case will be finalised.
Two brothers, Denis Burns (42) and Gavin Burns (33), were sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for attacking a homeless man who had been lured back to their home at The Beeches, Donaghmede, on 15 June 2023. The brothers, along with a third unnamed man, trapped the victim inside the house, where Denis used a kitchen knife to repeatedly slash the victim's head. The incident lasted about 10 to 15 minutes and left the victim with heavy head bleeding requiring stitches. Both brothers pleaded guilty—Denis to assault causing harm and affray, Gavin to assault causing harm. Judge Nolan imposed a two‑year sentence on each, suspended in its entirety, and ordered them to pay €1,000 each to the victim. The case stemmed from a prior dispute over missing lawnmower and electronic equipment and alleged threats to the brothers' sister.
In a Dublin pub incident, 23‑year‑old Raul Poama, intoxicated, was denied entry to Fibber Magees around 11.40 pm. He punched a manager, causing swelling, then fled. A security guard attempted to apprehend him; Poama screamed, bit the guard on the chest and stomach, leaving bite marks. Neither victim required medical treatment and both declined victim impact statements. Poama pleaded guilty to two counts of common assault on 3 December 2023. Judge Orla Crowe, noting the incident was "unedifying" and "very sorry", imposed a three‑month sentence suspended on strict conditions for two years. Poama had no prior convictions, had brought €2,000 to court as a gesture of remorse, and the judge directed €1,000 to the manager and the remainder to charity. No medical or further legal actions were reported beyond the suspended sentence.
In an appeal hearing, Keith McCormick (23) of La Touche Drive, Bluebell, Dublin 12 and Riverview, Church Road, Mulhuddart, Dublin 15, who pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on May 12, 2020, and other charges including burglary, unlawful use of a vehicle, possession of stolen property, and driving without a licence or insurance between September 2020 and May 2021, had his sentence reviewed. McCormick, who has 44 previous convictions, was previously sentenced in February to a three-year and two-month prison term with the final 12 months suspended for his role in a series of offences on January 23, 2022, during which a man died. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a global sentence of six years and six months, suspending the final 15 months on strict conditions, including keeping the peace and being of good behaviour for two years and engaging with the Probation Service for 12 months upon release. Adam Murphy (23) of Cherry Orchard Crescent, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was handed a 12-year sentence with the final two-and-a-half years suspended on strict conditions. The matter was adjourned for further consideration.
During a murder trial in the Central Criminal Court, jurors were instructed to disregard any personal impressions of Conor McGregor after the accused, Maurice Boland, claimed he had struck a 26‑year‑old man "like the mixed martial arts star" during an altercation. Boland, aged 37, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in the death of Cian Gallagher, who died eight days after being punched on November 2‑3, 2022. The State's case, presented by Bernard Condon SC, outlined that Gallagher was walking home from a night of drinking when Boland, who had been drinking earlier that evening, approached and punched him. CCTV footage would show the encounter, including the punch that caused fatal injuries. Condon urged the jury to focus on Boland's intent and the manner of the strike, rather than the comparison to McGregor, and to weigh any such remarks at their discretion.
In a Mountjoy Prison murder trial, the jury must decide if David Dunne, 40, honestly believed he was acting in self‑defence when he fatally assaulted fellow inmate Robert O'Connor. Justice Mary Ellen Ring explained that to convict of murder, the jury must be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Dunne intended to kill or cause serious injury. If he believed he was defending himself but used more force than a reasonable person would, he would be guilty of manslaughter. The prosecution, represented by Michael Delaney SC, presented CCTV showing O'Connor entering Dunne's cell, an officer witnessing Dunne stamp on O'Connor's head multiple times, and evidence suggesting coordination with other inmates. Dunne's defence, led by Brendan Grehan SC, argued the attack was a spontaneous reaction, not pre‑planned, and urged the jury to disregard alleged conspiratorial signals. The jury will deliberate tomorrow, with possible verdicts of guilty, not guilty, or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.
The defence has closed its case after seven weeks of evidence in the trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, who denies murdering trespasser Keith 'Bono' Conlon on his farm in Tallaght. Evidence was given that Phelan had reported constant, aggressive trespassers who would not disperse when asked and had said "we will do whatever the f**k we like". A gate on Phelan's land had been spray‑painted with "RIP Bono" in relation to Conlon's death. Phelan, 56, a barrister and farmer, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Conlon, 36, who was shot on February 22, 2022, and died two days later. The jury heard that on the day in question three men – Conlon, Kallum Coleman and Robin Duggan – had trespassed on a wooded area of Phelan's land while hunting. Phelan is alleged to have shouted at two unarmed trespassers to "get back" before firing three shots from his Smith & Wesson revolver.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, 28‑year‑old Cailean Crawford pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas McCarthy, claiming he was wrongly blamed for the killing because he had loaned a van to associate Charles McClean on the day of the murder. Crawford said he had lent the van to McClean, who allegedly needed it to collect drugs, and that he had also given McClean a Lyca SIM card used for drug‑related calls. He denied being a "rat" or misleading the jury, stating he would rather be branded as such than be convicted of a murder he did not commit. Prosecutor Bernard Condon questioned Crawford about his fear of McClean, the van's whereabouts, and phone calls made from the SIM. The trial focuses on the hours between 9 am and 12 pm on 27 July 2020, when the van and phone were involved in the incident. The case continues before Mr Justice Hunt and a jury.