During a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution alleged that 40‑year‑old David Dunne lured fellow inmate Robert O'Connor into his cell at Mountjoy Prison and stamped on O'Connor's head, causing death by blunt force trauma. The prosecution presented CCTV evidence suggesting coordination with other prisoners and claimed the assault was "vicious and unprovoked." They also argued that O'Connor's brain suffered rotational force injuries. Dunne's defence contended the killing was unintentional, a reaction in the moment, and not premeditated. The defence urged the jury to disregard alleged conspiratorial signals and focus on the evidence. The judge was to charge the jury the following day. The case remains at the murder‑trial stage. David Dunne pleaded not guilty.
During the trial of Diarmuid Phelan, a law professor and farmer, the court heard that a dog warden for South Dublin County Council testified that farmers are fully within their rights to shoot loose dogs that are worrying sheep. The witness explained that a dog that is free and poses a threat to livestock can be shot, and that the farmer must report the discharge to the gardai. Phelan, who is accused of murdering Keith 'Bono' Conlon, denied that he killed the trespasser and said he had shot a loose dog he believed posed a risk to his sheep. He claimed he had only fired warning shots and that the incident occurred after trespassing men threatened him. The jury heard that Phelan had fired three shots from a Smith & Wesson revolver at the trespassers, one of whom was Conlon, who later died from a head wound. The trial continues with further witnesses for the defence. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
Ian Doyle, 33, was on bail for assaulting another partner when he severely beat his current partner in February 2023. He kept her in the house for almost a week, preventing her from leaving with her four‑year‑old daughter, and threatened to cut her throat and eat her liver. Doyle supplied her with paper stitches and painkillers but refused to let her go to the hospital. CCTV footage showed him forcing her back inside when she tried to escape. He also controlled her mobile phone, monitoring calls and sending messages from her account. Doyle pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and false imprisonment. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to three years and six months, suspended for six months on conditions of probation and violence‑prevention courses, to run consecutively with his current term due to expire in April 2026. The sentence reflects the prolonged, controlling nature of the abuse and the victim's fear and trauma.
David Dunne, 40, pleaded not guilty to the murder of fellow inmate Robert O'Connor on 29 July 2022 at Mountjoy Prison. In Garda interviews after his arrest on 16 November 2022, Dunne claimed he threw a single punch at O'Connor after the latter had approached him, stating he did not intend to kill and that the incident would haunt him. He described O'Connor as a good friend and said he had previously been assaulted in his cell on 27 July. A prison officer's statement that Dunne had "stamped" on O'Connor's head was denied by Dunne. The prosecution presented three Garda interview memoranda and evidence from Dr Francesca Brett, a neuropathologist who examined O'Connor's brain and found hypoxic damage, haemorrhage and axonal injury. The trial is before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring and a jury.
In the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, a defence psychologist explained that Phelan's decision to fire warning shots at trespassers on his Tallaght farm was a reasonable response to an imminent threat and the limited time for decision making. The psychologist described the dynamics of firearm use, noting that the intentional firing of a Smith & Wesson revolver over the heads of intruders perceived as a threat could result in an unintentional strike. He highlighted the difficulty of accurate shooting with a double‑action revolver under stress, the short barrel's tendency to misalign, and the rapid trigger pull. The expert concluded that Phelan's actions were consistent with the standards of reasonable force, intended to warn before using deadly force, and that the third shot unintentionally struck Keith Conlon, who later died from a head wound. The trial continues before a jury and a judge. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
A 64‑year‑old man was jailed for one year after pleading guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexually assaulting his partner's 13‑year‑old granddaughter on 21 May 2023. The victim was present with two other children when the assault occurred. Gardaí reports say the girl sat on the man's lap, he rubbed her bum, then placed a hand up her shorts and pinched her vagina. The man admitted rubbing the victim but denied touching her vagina until the end of the interview, claiming he only did so after a hug. He has four prior convictions, but the investigating garda and his lawyer argued the offences were not of the same nature. The judge noted the assault was a serious, isolated incident and, after considering the man's guilty plea, remorse and low risk of reoffending, sentenced him to one year in custody.
Steven Gillman, a 70‑year‑old software company owner, was found guilty of assault after he repeatedly punched a fellow member of the Royal St George Yacht Club during a billiards tournament in September 2023. The victim suffered a fractured eye socket, a dislocated eye lens, double vision, tinnitus and ongoing medical care. Gillman pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm and paid €15,000 as a token of remorse. He had no prior convictions and was described by his defence counsel as a "model citizen." Judge Elma Sheahan sentenced him to a headline term of three years, reduced to two years, and suspended the entire sentence on a number of conditions. Gillman has since resigned from the yacht club, which had been a significant part of his social life. The victim's impact statement highlighted lasting physical and psychological damage, and the assault's effect on his social and sporting activities.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 62‑year‑old man was sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment for 19 counts of rape of one sister between 1977 and 1984 and eight counts of rape and eight counts of indecent assault of a second sister between 1979 and 1984. The sisters, aged 12‑18 and 12‑17 at the time of the offences, testified that the abuse began when the accused was 12 and continued daily until he was 22. They described the violence as relentless, with the accused claiming no crime had been committed. The judge noted the victims' vulnerability, the prolonged nature of the abuse, and the significant harm inflicted. The sentence was imposed without any suspended portion, and the court ordered two years of post‑release supervision. The accused denied all allegations and expressed no remorse. The unnamed 62-year-old was convicted.
A jury of seven men and five women was sworn in by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon for the trial of Maurice Boland, 37, of Tallow, Waterford. Boland, who admits killing but denies murder, pleaded not guilty to murder and guilty to manslaughter of Cian Gallagher, 26, on 10 November 2022. The trial will start Wednesday morning and is expected to last no more than two weeks.
Cahir O'Higgins, a Dublin criminal‑defence solicitor aged 49, was convicted in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of one count of theft and four counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice. He denied stealing €400 from a client on 30 July 2016 and denied providing incorrect notes to Gardaí in December 2017. The judge described the conduct as "deranged", "thuggish", "base" and "despicable". O'Higgins had earlier pleaded guilty to assault and harassment of a former employee, for which he received a 16‑month sentence in July. The new sentence, imposed by Judge Martin Nolan, was 27 months, back‑dated to 21 October, with the court noting the seriousness of the perverting‑justice charges and the impact on his reputation. O'Higgins expressed remorse and requested an apology to those affected. The court considered mitigating factors but extended his custodial term accordingly. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further verdicts announced.
In a civil case heard over three weeks, a jury awarded Nikita Hand €250,000 in damages after she alleged that Conor McGregor had "brutally raped and battered" her in a Dublin hotel penthouse in December 2018. The court awarded her €60,000 in general damages and €188,000 in special damages, with the special damages agreed by both parties. The jury found that McGregor had assaulted Hand, while a second defendant, James Lawrence, was found not to have assaulted her. McGregor testified that his sexual encounter with Hand was consensual, describing it as "enthusiastic, athletic, prolonged and vigorous" in many positions. Both McGregor and Lawrence denied the allegations. The verdict was delivered after the jury deliberated for just under an hour the previous day and 6½ hours the following day. The case was heard in a Dublin court with Hand, McGregor, and their supporters present.
In a High Court civil trial, the jury resumed deliberations on the second day over allegations of rape involving Conor McGregor and James Lawrence. McGregor, accompanied by his fiancée Dee Devlin and family, denied the claims, asserting consensual sex with the complainant, Nikita Hand. Hand, a former hair colourist, alleges McGregor and Lawrence brutally raped her in a Dublin hotel penthouse on 9 December 2018. Lawrence also denies the allegations, claiming consensual sex with Hand after McGregor's departure. The jury is tasked with answering two yes/no questions: whether McGregor assaulted Hand and whether Lawrence assaulted Hand. Depending on the answers, the judge will direct the jury to assess damages under various headings, including general, special, aggravated, and exemplary damages, while noting that rape is a form of assault and that the standard of proof is the balance of probabilities.
During a sentencing hearing, Judge Pauline Codd described Temple Bar as a "violent, post‑apocalyptic no‑go area" after a 25‑year‑old defendant, Jordan Maguire, was jailed for three and a half years for a "barbaric" assault on an innocent bystander. Maguire, who had previously pleaded guilty to assault on Bedford Row and to producing a cider can during that assault, was captured on CCTV punching, kicking, stomping and beating the victim with a cider can. Garda Michael Walsh testified that a different man had initially assaulted the victim but that this was not recorded. Maguire was sleeping rough in Dublin City Centre, had more than 50 prior convictions, and was already serving a sentence for two other assaults. Judge Codd noted the violence was mindless and senseless, and that Maguire had left the scene and returned with a cider can to strike the victim's head.
A 29‑year‑old man was jailed for seven years after pleading guilty to two counts of assault causing harm and one count of rape. The assaults took place in October 2017 and May 2018 at a home in the southeast of the country. The victim, whose name is withheld, described repeated head‑butts, throat‑grabs and threats to kill before the rape. She reported the violence to the gardai in October 2017 and again in May 2018, but did not press charges until the court heard her statements. The man had a history of violent convictions and mental health difficulties, including paranoid schizophrenia and substance misuse. The judge imposed a sentence of five years and three months for the rape, three years and four months for each assault, and suspended the final 12 months of the total eight‑year and seven‑month term on strict conditions. The man has 19 prior convictions. The unnamed 29-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In the trial of Diarmuid Phelan, a 56‑year‑old law lecturer and farmer, the prosecution has finished presenting its evidence. Phelan denies murdering Keith Conlon, a 36‑year‑old father of four, who was shot on Phelan's farm in Tallaght on 24 February 2022. The prosecution's case, presented by Roisin Lacey SC, alleges that on the day in question three men – Conlon, Kallum Coleman and Robin Duggan – trespassed on a wooded area of Phelan's land while hunting. Phelan is said to have shouted at the trespassers to "get back" before firing three shots from a Smith & Wesson revolver. The defence has called firearms expert Curtis Marshall to testify about the revolver's characteristics and the effect of stress on shooting accuracy. The trial will continue tomorrow before Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury of nine men and three women. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, Chief State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan testified that the death of Robert O'Connor, a Mountjoy prisoner, was caused by blunt‑force trauma that rotated his brain. She explained that the injuries could have resulted from punching, kicking or stamping, and that the resulting brain swelling, bleeding and lack of oxygen led to death. Dr Mulligan noted that O'Connor had suffered a first assault on 27 July with a bleeding nose and a fractured right pupil, and a second assault two days later that left him in a coma. He remained unresponsive for three days, was declared dead at 1.34 pm on 1 August, and his kidneys were donated. The pathologist confirmed no skull fractures and that the brain trauma was most likely sustained during the second alleged assault. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring, continues with a jury hearing further evidence.
A 68‑year‑old man was jailed for six counts of sexual assault against a teenage girl aged 12‑14, committed between September 1992 and September 1994. The offences involved touching her breasts and vagina and performing oral sex. He pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court. The judge, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, imposed a global sentence of six years and nine months, with nine months suspended for one year on strict conditions, including no unsupervised access to children. The sentence was back‑dated to 7 October 2023. The judge noted the abuse was demeaning, humiliating and involved controlling behaviour, and that the offender had shown the victim pornography. The victim's impact statement described lasting anxiety, panic attacks and a loss of confidence, and she said she reported the abuse to protect her children. The defendant offered an apology and expressed remorse. The case was heard in the Central Criminal Court.
In 2024, a 76‑year‑old former Dublin man appealed a conviction for raping a 15‑year‑old babysitter in the 1980s. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, found him guilty of two counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault. He was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended. The appeal argued that the judge should have warned the jury about the lack of corroborating evidence, citing inconsistencies between the victim's statements and those of her mother. The Director of Public Prosecutions maintained that such inconsistencies were for the jury to resolve. The case highlighted the victim's testimony of being forced into sexual acts, her fear during the assaults, and her subsequent pursuit of a career as a counsellor. The judge praised her bravery and determination in reporting the crimes and giving evidence.
Patrick Murphy, 52, was convicted of murder after stabbing his friend Joseph Brosnan, 52, three times in Brosnan's Abbey Court apartment. The jury rejected Murphy's claim of provocation, noting that he had been kicked out of the apartment and later returned armed with a large kitchen knife. Witnesses reported that Murphy had been drinking and taking tablets, and that a scuffle had escalated when he was slapped in the face by Kamil Lisowski. Murphy admitted to bringing a knife to the scene and to stabbing Brosnan, but denied intent to kill. The jury deliberated for two hours and two minutes, returning a unanimous verdict of murder. The case was adjourned to December 16 for victim impact statements and sentencing, with Murphy remanded in custody. Patrick Murphy pleaded not guilty.
In an appeal hearing, the case of 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, was adjourned for finalisation on November 27. McCormick, also known as McCormick-Smith, has 44 previous convictions. In February, he was handed a three-year and two-month prison sentence with the final 12 months suspended for his role in a series of offences on January 23, 2022, during which a man died. Co-accused 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 finalisation on November 27. The court heard that McCormick's earliest current release date is June 2027. Probation and psychological reports were handed to the court, and the defence asked the court to consider the principles of proportionality and totality when imposing sentence.
A law professor, Diarmuid Phelan, aged 56, is on trial for the murder of Keith Conlon, 36, who died from a gunshot wound to the head after an incident at Phelan's farm on 24 February 2022. Phelan, a barrister and farmer, claims he fired his revolver in the air over trespassers and was stunned when one man fell. He has pleaded not guilty. The trial has heard evidence that three men – Conlon, Kallum Coleman and Robin Duggan – were trespassing while hunting. Phelan's shooting record is cited: bronze medals in three pistol competitions (B class) and a gold in a bench‑rest rifle event between 2011 and 2013. The prosecution alleges the third shot was aimed at Conlon, who was shot in the back of the head. The case will continue tomorrow before Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury. Diarmuid Phelan was convicted.
A Central Criminal Court jury has begun deliberations on the case of a 52‑year‑old man, Patrick Murphy, who says he was in fear and defending himself when he stabbed his friend and neighbour, Joseph Brosnan, with a knife after being kicked out of an apartment. Mr Murphy has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. Mr Justice Paul Burns outlined evidence from residents, a waitress and a friend of the deceased, describing arguments, shouting, and a chaotic scene with a knife and a rock. Witnesses reported that Mr Murphy was beaten, that he had a knife, and that he later returned to the apartment and stabbed Mr Brosnan. Mr Murphy told Gardaí he was in fear, had the knife, and did not intend to kill.
Declan Donaghey, 28, pleaded guilty to arson, violent disorder and criminal damage after setting a Garda patrol car on fire and damaging a migrant centre during a riot in Dublin. The court found the offences to be of a very serious nature, noting the destruction of a patrol car valued at €20,000 and damage to a migrant accommodation centre, as well as the broader context of the riot that saw 60 locations damaged or looted. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced Donaghey to seven-and-a-half years, with the final year suspended on the arson charge, and imposed four-and-a-half years for violent disorder and three years for criminal damage, all to run concurrently. The judge took into account Donaghey's personal circumstances, including anxiety, depression and alcohol addiction, but did not consider his five prior convictions. The sentence was imposed in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 20 November 2024.
In a trial before the Special Criminal Court, Brandon Hennessy, aged 21, denies a charge of violent disorder linked to the December 24, 2023, shooting at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown. Hennessy, who was present at the restaurant with his father, claims he acted in self‑defence and was provoked by the gunman, Tristan Sherry, who fatally shot his father and was later beaten to death. Hennessy criticises Gardaí for their delayed response and alleges they failed to protect his family. He also accuses the police of not arresting the second gunman. The court heard CCTV footage and Hennessy's statements, but he maintains his innocence and has pleaded not guilty. The trial continues with other accused individuals also pleading not guilty.
Neil Molloy, former host of Galway Bay FM's breakfast show, lost his unfair dismissal claim at the Workplace Relations Commission. Molloy alleged unfair dismissal and breach of minimum notice and terms of employment. The station, represented by Ibec official Declan Thomas, submitted that Molloy subjected CEO Cormac O'Halloran and programme director John Divilly to a "verbal assault" on 1 June 2023. Thomas stated Molloy admitted his behaviour was inappropriate on 8 June but again raised his voice and insulted O'Halloran. Siptu official Marie O'Connor contended the dismissal was a "witch hunt" and disputed any threatening conduct. The tribunal heard Molloy was suspended in June and dismissed in September following a disciplinary hearing. Company chairman Peter Allen stated there was a "breach of trust" and that Molloy's anger during the apology indicated it was not a once-off incident. Adjudicator Janet Hughes found the initial incident might not have justified dismissal but ruled the second incident undermined Molloy's apology. She concluded the decision to dismiss was not unfair, though the finding of gross misconduct was excessive. The tribunal dismissed both statutory claims as not well founded. The matter is now being appealed to the Labour Court.
In a High Court hearing, counsel for a woman suing Conor McGregor for alleged rape described the MMA star as an "arrogant coward" and "not a man". The plaintiff, Nikita Hand, claims that McGregor, once the world's highest‑earning sportsperson, "brutally raped and battered" her in a Dublin hotel penthouse on 9 December 2018. She alleges that McGregor and James Lawrence denied the allegations, with Lawrence claiming consensual sex after McGregor's departure. McGregor testified that the encounter was consensual, describing it as "enthusiastic, athletic, prolonged and vigorous" in a hotel penthouse. Hand's counsel highlighted inconsistencies in McGregor's testimony, including a change in his story about a tampon and the presence of bruising. The case remains in the early trial stage, with the jury hearing evidence of alleged assault and disputed claims of consent.
A law professor, Mr Diarmuid Phelan, aged 56, denies murdering Keith Conlon, a 36‑year‑old father of four, who died from a gunshot wound to the head after a fatal shooting at Phelan's Hazelgrove Farm on 24 February 2022. Phelan, a barrister, lecturer and farmer, has pleaded not guilty. The Central Criminal Court heard that on 1 June 2016 Phelan was confronted by six trespassers on his land; he retreated to his jeep, but rocks were thrown, damaging the windscreen. Four intruders were charged with trespassing and criminal damage; three were convicted. In March 2017, after Phelan gave evidence, the three men banged on the courtroom exit, made threatening gestures—one mimicked a gun, another a throat cut, the third clenched a fist—and stoned Phelan. Phelan was terrified and feared further attack. The three men pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace; one received custodial time, the others received suspended sentences.
In a Mountjoy Prison murder trial, the prosecution presented evidence that David Dunne, 40, allegedly stamped and kicked the head of fellow inmate Robert O'Connor, 32, who died three days later. Officers Conor Kenny and Jonathan Deegan witnessed the assault on the C2 landing around 5.30 pm on 29 July 2022. O'Connor was found lifeless with blood on his face; he was taken to Mater Hospital where a CT scan revealed severe brain injury and he was declared dead on 1 August. A post‑mortem on 3 August confirmed blunt‑force trauma to the head as the cause of death. Dunne, arrested on 16 November 2022, claimed self‑defence, stating O'Connor had attacked him. The jury will decide if the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Dunne committed murder. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, 18‑year‑old David Amah denied murdering Tristan Sherry, claiming he was frightened when Sherry entered a restaurant on Christmas Eve, pointed a gun at him and shot James Hennessy Senior. Amah said he still felt Sherry was a threat several minutes after being disarmed, describing his head as "f**ked" and noting that women and children were crying. He recorded Sherry lying on the ground with his phone, insisting the threat remained. 18‑year‑old Noah Musueni also denied the murder, stating he struck Sherry with a chair in self‑defence after seeing a gun pointed at him and that he feared Sherry could still harm him. Both men have no prior convictions and have pleaded not guilty. The trial continues tomorrow before three judges.
In a civil trial over an alleged rape, Conor McGregor's counsel, Remy Farrell SC, urged the jury to focus on evidence rather than emotion. He argued that the plaintiff, Nikita Hand, had lied before, during and after the alleged assault and questioned whether a person could remember being raped yet forget surrounding facts. Farrell highlighted that McGregor had testified that his encounter with Hand was consensual, describing it as enthusiastic and vigorous. Hand, a hair colourist, claims McGregor raped and battered her in a Dublin hotel penthouse on 9 December 2018, seeking damages from McGregor and James Lawrence. Lawrence, who denies the allegations, admits to consensual sex with Hand after McGregor's departure. Both parties deny the claims, and the case remains at the evidence‑review stage.
A 49‑year‑old woman from Aylward Green, Finglas, Dublin 11, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of David Ennis, 36, who was found dead in a Dublin apartment on 8 November 2022. The case was originally charged as murder at Claddagh Court, Ballyfermot, but the woman admitted manslaughter at her arraignment before the Central Criminal Court. Mr Justice Paul McDermott has scheduled sentencing for 4 February.
A jury heard "upsetting and difficult" animal‑attack videos taken from the phone of Keith Conlon, a trespasser shot dead on law professor Diarmuid Phelan's farm. The videos, shown to the jury, depict dogs – a lurcher and a terrier – fighting squirrels, mauling a badger, and shaking a dead fox. One clip shows a dog trained to attack a live kitten, with men encouraging the pup to bite. The footage was shared via WhatsApp among Conlon, Kallum Coleman and others. The prosecution argued the videos illustrate a pattern of violent hunting. Phelan, 56, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Conlon, 36, who died from a single gunshot wound to the head. The trial continues with the jury hearing evidence of the shooting and the alleged self‑defence claim. The case remains at the jury stage.
A 28‑year‑old man, Declan Donaghey, pleaded guilty to arson, violent disorder, criminal damage and rioting after setting a Garda car on fire and damaging a migrant centre during the Dublin riots. He said he was "caught up in it" because a close relative attended a school on Cavendish Row where earlier that day children and a care assistant were stabbed. Donaghey denied being a racist and claimed he felt bad for the child and teacher. He apologized to the government and everyone involved in a handwritten letter read to the court. Judge Orla Crowe remanded him in custody pending sentencing. The court heard that the riot was one of the gravest examples of public disorder in the State's history, with 60 locations damaged or looted, including an abandoned bus and Luas vehicles. Donaghey had five previous convictions, including two for public order offences, and was on medication for anxiety and depression.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing, Patrick Murphy, 52, admitted to Gardaí that he had a knife and had stabbed Joseph Brosnan, a lifelong friend, during a fight. Murphy claimed he was "jabbing back" and did not intend to harm Brosnan. He pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. Garda James Fairbrother testified that Murphy first denied seeing a weapon, later stating he had been assaulted and then took a knife to defend himself. Murphy also admitted drinking Baileys and taking anxiety tablets before the scuffles. Witnesses described a chaotic scene at Brosnan's home, with a large kitchen knife used in a rapid attack. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Burns, continues the following day.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of six men accused of offences arising from an incident at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on December 24. Michael Andrecut, Noah Musueni, and David Amah are charged with the murder of Tristan Sherry, while Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy face charges of violent disorder. All accused have pleaded not guilty. Prosecution witness Detective Sergeant Mark Murphy detailed Andrecut's arrest and his statements to gardai, in which he described Jason Hennessy Senior, who was fatally shot during the incident, as a father figure. Andrecut told detectives he reacted out of a "fight or flight" instinct when he saw Hennessy Senior wounded. The court also heard that gardai attempted to use a special provision to draw inferences from Andrecut's failure to answer questions regarding a black metal bar, a wooden chair, and knives allegedly used in the assault. Andrecut's counsel, Dominic McGinn SC, is expected to argue tomorrow that these inference interviews should not be admitted into evidence. The matter is currently at the charge or pre-trial stage, with the trial overseen by Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, Judge Elma Sheahan, and Judge James Faughnan. No finalisation or sentencing has occurred, and the proceedings remain ongoing.
Martin O'Brien, 54, of Tuam, Co Galway, pleaded guilty to four charges of sexual assault committed between June 2012 and February 2014 against a teenage babysitter. The case is currently at the sentencing stage before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo at the Central Criminal Court. The matter was previously adjourned in July to allow for the preparation of reports regarding sexual offender treatment O'Brien was undergoing. Today, the court heard mitigation from O'Brien's wife, Leonie O'Brien, who requested leniency citing his good character and family circumstances, including her own stage three breast cancer diagnosis. O'Brien also took the stand to express remorse and confirm he is attending therapy. A forensic psychologist report indicated he is at low-average risk of re-offending. The victim, who waived anonymity, described the assaults as relentless and grooming-based. Mr Justice Naidoo adjourned the case to December 16 for sentence. Separately, O'Brien has a previous conviction for sexual assault against a child, which is currently under appeal; he had contested that case, resulting in an eight-month suspended sentence and a €16,000 compensation order.
A jury of nine men and three women was sworn in today for the trial of a 40‑year‑old man, David Dunne, who denies murdering Robert O'Connor, 34, at Mountjoy Prison on 29 July 2022. Dunne pleaded not guilty and was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court. The trial will commence tomorrow before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring and is expected to last two weeks.
Sean Dunne, 26, was jailed for two years after a vicious assault on a married American couple in a Dublin hotel elevator on 7 April 2023. He repeatedly punched the couple, threatened the wife with rape and murder, and struck the husband in the mouth. Garda Stephen Lawlor arrived after a call, found Dunne restrained on the corridor floor, and noted blood on the carpet. The couple, aged in their sixties, received on‑scene treatment and later returned to the United States. Dunne pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm. He has been in custody since April 2023, has a schizophrenia diagnosis, and has ten prior convictions. Judge Sarah Berkeley sentenced him to two‑and‑a‑half years, suspended the final six months, and ordered 18 months of post‑release supervision and probation engagement. The sentence was back‑dated to April 2023 for time already served.
Patrick Murphy, 52, who has no fixed abode, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in the death of Joseph Brosnan at Abbey Court, Tralee, on 22 May 2022. According to the Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel, Murphy had been invited to Brosnan's home around 3 pm, where a drinking session led to an insult between Brosnan's friend Kamil Lisowski and Murphy. After Lisowski slapped Murphy, the situation calmed but later escalated. Murphy was asked to leave, returned around 6:45 pm, and was pushed out of the apartment. He then entered the front door, armed with a large kitchen knife, and stabbed Brosnan. Lisowski testified that Murphy did not hesitate and stabbed Brosnan "like rapid fire" to "revenge" for being hit. The jury heard that the knife was a black‑handled kitchen knife, 20.5 cm long, with blood traces matching both Murphy's and Brosnan's DNA. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Burns.
A judge will decide on 16 December whether Richard Satchwell, 57, accused of murdering his wife Tina, can have his trial moved from Cork to Dublin or Limerick. The trial is scheduled for April next year. Brendan Grehan SC applied for the transfer, while the Director of Public Prosecutions, represented by Gerardine Small SC, opposed it. Mr Satchwell is charged with the murder of Tina Satchwell, 45, who was reported missing on 24 March 2017 and whose skeletal remains were found in October 2023 at their shared home on Grattan Street, Youghal.
Geunter Lohse, aged 63, has been sentenced to twelve years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for unlawfully killing his mother Ruth by arson. The offence occurred on April 12, 2022, at their shared residence in Coolvoy, Doochary, County Donegal. Lohse pleaded guilty to manslaughter after the State accepted his plea on a charge of murder. Ms Justice Melanie Greally imposed a headline sentence of eighteen years, reduced to thirteen years with the final twelve months suspended, taking into account mitigating factors including his early guilty plea and lack of previous convictions. The court heard that Ruth Lohse, aged 88, died from smoke inhalation after Lohse set three fires in the house using matches. The judge noted the victim, who had dedicated her life to caring for her son, was elderly, vulnerable, and had no opportunity to escape. Lohse claimed he intended only to destroy the property, not to harm his mother, but evidence indicated he made no credible effort to assist her.
Paul Bissett, 38, pleaded guilty to robbery and criminal damage on 22 December 2023. He held up a cash‑in‑transit guard armed with a hammer, demanded a cash box, and fled with it. He attempted to open the €17,200 box by dropping it from the first and second floors of a stairwell, but failed. The attempt triggered an alarm and released dye that stained the area and his clothes. Garda Zoe Johnston reported that Bissett was later found hiding on a roof, where he cooperated with the Garda Armed Support Unit and left with them. The court noted his 68 prior convictions, including assault and robbery, and his history of drug addiction. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a four‑year sentence, crediting any time already served, and highlighted the need for Bissett to rehabilitate on his own. The decision was based on the threats made but no violence was committed.
Cahir O'Higgins, a former criminal‑defence solicitor, was found guilty of theft and perverting the course of justice. The court allowed the previously imposed reporting ban on his earlier harassment and assault case to be lifted. O'Higgins had been convicted of assaulting fellow solicitor Stephen O'Mahony, including a 2021 incident in which he broke O'Mahony's nose. He was sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment, with the sentence deferred until September to allow him to close his practice. The judge described his conduct as "deranged", "thuggish", "base" and "despicable", noting the harassment stemmed from a professional rivalry. O'Higgins was granted leave to travel to Spain and to compete in the World Cycling Championships before his custodial term began. The case highlights the court's decision to lift the reporting restriction once the theft and perverting the course of justice trial concluded.
During a party at Browne's Steakhouse on Main Street, Blanchardstown, on Christmas Eve 2023, gunman Tristan Sherry was shot in the shoulder and stabbed 16 times before being beaten to death. State Pathologist Dr. Heidi Okkers testified that Sherry's death was caused by traumatic blunt‑force injuries combined with 27 sharp‑force injuries, including 16 stab wounds and 11 incised wounds. The single gunshot entered his left shoulder and exited the back, causing only superficial damage and not contributing to his death. Sherry had recently used cocaine and cannabis, but drug use did not contribute to his death. Three men—Noah Musueni, David Amah and Michael Andrecut—are charged with Sherry's murder, while Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien and Brandon Hennessy are charged with violent disorder. All accused plead not guilty.
The murder trial of Diarmuid Phelan, 56, continues before Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury. Phelan, a barrister and farmer, has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Keith Conlon, 36, at Hazelgrove Farm in Tallaght, Dublin 24, on February 24, 2022. The State alleges that Phelan shot Conlon in the back of the head with a Smith & Wesson revolver as Conlon turned away to leave, intending to kill or cause serious injury. Conversely, the defence asserts the shooting was an accidental result of a legitimate act of self-defence. State pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers testified that Conlon died from a single gunshot wound to the head, with no contributory factors. She agreed with defence counsel that the bullet's track alone cannot determine the victim's position relative to the shooter, as head movement could account for the wound's location. She also noted that an uncontrolled fall of 3.2 metres could explain Conlon's clavicle fracture. Defence counsel presented evidence of prior incidents at the farm, including arson and trespass, to contextualise the accused's concerns. The prosecution maintains that Phelan fired three shots, two into the air and one at Conlon. The trial is ongoing and has not been finalised.
Robert Redmond, a career criminal serving life imprisonment for the murder of Barry Wolverson in Swords, Co Dublin, on January 17, 2020, appealed his conviction at the Court of Appeal. Redmond, of Kilbarrack, Dublin 5, had denied the charge. His counsel argued that a North Face jacket containing gunshot residue, central to the prosecution, should have been excluded due to improper storage by gardaí, which raised contamination risks. The appeal also challenged the forensic expert's opinion on who fired the weapon, alleging it assumed Redmond's guilt. The DPP countered that CCTV and witness evidence established an unbroken chain of custody and Redmond's presence at the scene. Redmond's co-accused, Bernard Fogarty, was also sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder. At the Special Criminal Court, Redmond received a life sentence for the murder, five years for assault causing harm on Gerard Wildman, and 12 years for possession of firearms and ammunition. He is also serving a consecutive seven-year sentence for the murder of Jordan Davis. The court reserved its judgment, meaning the matter was adjourned and not concluded.
Robert Murphy, aged 42, was convicted of murder after a Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty of killing 24‑year‑old Jamie Kavanagh in a hostel on Harrington Street, Dublin, on 19 April 2023. Murphy entered Kavanagh's room wearing a balaclava and armed with a knife, telling Gardaí he wanted to kill the victim "stone dead". He claimed he had only entered to frighten Kavanagh, but the jury rejected this defence. The trial heard that Kavanagh was stabbed with multiple sharp‑object wounds, the fatal 13‑cm wound on his left flank caused by one of Kavanagh's own knives. Murphy was found guilty of murder and was remanded in custody pending sentencing. The case was adjourned to 16 December for victim impact statements and sentencing. Robert Murphy pleaded not guilty.
In a civil trial at the Beacon hotel case, Conor McGregor denied that his co‑defendant James Lawrence was a "Patsy" set to take the fall. McGregor told the court he paid for Lawrence's legal fees because Lawrence could not afford them. He claimed the allegations of rape and assault by hairdresser Nikita Hand were false, describing the encounter as consensual, enthusiastic and in multiple positions. McGregor said he was shocked and frightened by social media chatter and that he had given a statement to Gardaí after legal advice. Hand alleges McGregor raped and battered her in 2018, while Lawrence says he had consensual sex with her after McGregor left. Both defendants deny the allegations and are represented by the same law firm. The trial continues with the parties presenting their evidence.
In a murder trial at Tallaght, State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers testified that a deformed lead projectile measuring 0.8 cm was recovered from the head of Keith Conlon, a 36‑year‑old father of four who died on 24 February 2022 after being shot on the farm of barrister Diarmuid Phelan. Okkers described the bullet's trajectory, noting it entered 3 cm behind Conlon's right ear and 5 cm above it, and that the entry wound was 1.64 cm above the unshod heel. She reported no soot or powder tattooing around the wound, indicating a distance of more than one metre between shooter and victim. The pathologist also detailed a CT scan showing a complete fracture of the right parietal bone and multiple metallic fragments in the brain. Phelan, 56, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Conlon, who was shot in the back of the head while turning away to leave.
Robert Murphy, 42, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of Jamie Kavanagh, 24, at a Dublin 8 hostel on 19 April 2023. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan argued that Murphy entered Kavanagh's room wearing a balaclava and armed only with a butter knife to frighten, not kill. They claimed Murphy admitted stabbing Kavanagh but that the fatal wound was caused by one of Kavanagh's own longer knives. Grehan highlighted that Murphy had no intention to kill, citing his statements about wanting to clean the hostel and that he would have used more lethal weapons if he had intended to kill. The prosecution, led by Paul Greene, countered that Murphy's admissions to Gardaí and the removal of blood‑stained clothing indicated intent to kill. The trial is ongoing before Justice Melanie Greally and a jury of twelve.