A 22‑year‑old man, Brandon Gavin, was found guilty of murder by a jury at the Central Criminal Court after he stabbed his former friend, 19‑year‑old Marius Mamaliga, in the neck on 23 February 2023. The jury, after nearly five hours of deliberation, rejected Gavin's self‑defence claim, describing it as "self‑serving nonsense." Evidence showed Gavin entered Mamaliga's car, took a knife, and stabbed him within about 14 seconds. DNA on the knife matched Gavin, and blood from the victim was found on a penknife nearby. Witnesses testified that Gavin owed Mamaliga €2,500 for drugs and that the victim had sold drugs in the past. Gavin had also searched online for "prison sentence for murder in Ireland" and was active on Tinder minutes before the incident. The verdict was delivered on 13 November 2024, and Gavin remains remanded in custody awaiting sentencing. The unnamed 22-year-old pleaded not guilty.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence regarding the December 24, 2023, shooting of Tristan Sherry at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown. Three men—Noah Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut—are on trial for his alleged murder, while Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy face charges of violent disorder. All accused have pleaded not guilty. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo and two other judges, continues. Prosecution witness Det Gda Dermot Sloan testified that CCTV footage showed O'Brien hiding under a table during the initial gunfire before emerging to strike in Sherry's direction. Hennessy, the victim's son, was also described as using a dustpan and brush to strike at Sherry after the gunman was disarmed. Defense lawyers indicated they would challenge the accuracy of this evidence. The matter remains at the trial stage with no final determination reached.
In a civil damages trial, a jury heard that DNA from semen samples taken from a woman who alleges she was raped by Conor McGregor matched the celebrity fighter's DNA. The jury also heard that damage to the plaintiff's clothing on the night of the alleged assault was not normal wear and tear but appeared ripped. Nikita Hand, a hair colourist, is seeking damages from McGregor and James Lawrence, who claims he had consensual sex with Hand after McGregor left the hotel. Both McGregor and Lawrence deny the allegations. Dr Charlotte Murphy of Forensic Science Ireland presented the DNA evidence, noting a full male profile from the high vaginal area and a mixed DNA profile that excluded Lawrence. The trial is before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury of eight women and four men.
A jury will return to the Central Criminal Court tomorrow to continue deliberating the verdict in the trial of 22‑year‑old Brandon Gavin, who denies murdering 19‑year‑old Marius Mamaliga over a drug debt. The prosecution alleges Gavin entered the back seat of a car behind Mamaliga and stabbed him in the neck with a knife, intending to kill or seriously injure him. In Garda interviews, Gavin claimed he stabbed Mamaliga in self‑defence, fearing for his life because he owed money for drugs. Witnesses testified that Mamaliga had sold cannabis and that Gavin owed him €2,000 for cocaine. The jury, consisting of seven men and five women, began deliberations after 2 pm and will return tomorrow morning. The judge explained that the jury has three possible verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty.
In the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, the jury heard that 23‑year‑old Kallum Coleman, who had agreed to testify, booked a one‑way ticket to Spain and was hiding in a hotel when a bench warrant was issued. Gardaí attempted to locate him at his family address and other acquaintances' addresses but found no trace. They later identified him in Marbella, where he was "holing up." While Gardaí were stopping for refreshments en route to the airport, Coleman exited the car and fled, refusing to cooperate with the courts. The defence counsel, Michael Bowman, described Coleman's "change of heart" and his decision to "leg it." The trial also covered Phelan's 2017 trespassing case, where threats were made against him in court, and the circumstances of the 2022 shooting that killed Keith Conlon. The case continues before Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford and a jury. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
Five family members from Cabra, Dublin 7, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to violent disorder committed on November 5, 2018. Judge Orla Crowe accepted that Eoin Maughan Senior, Ann Maughan, Patrick Maughan, Stephen Maughan, and Eoin Maughan Jnr acted out of profound concerns for a relative, but ruled that engaging in violent disorder was unlawful. The court heard the defendants attempted to remove the woman from a patrol car and became aggressive toward gardaí during the confrontation. Judge Crowe imposed an 18-month sentence on Eoin Maughan Senior, Ann Maughan, Patrick Maughan, and Eoin Maughan Jnr, which was suspended in full on strict conditions requiring them to engage with the Probation Service for 12 months. Stephen Maughan, who has no previous convictions, received a different disposal. Judge Crowe imposed a section 100 order under the Criminal Justice Act, meaning he will not have a criminal conviction if he keeps the peace and is of good behaviour until May 2025. His case was adjourned to April 2025, by which time he must also pay a €100 fine to the garda benevolent fund. The matter for Stephen Maughan was adjourned and not concluded at this stage.
A 35‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for choking his then‑fiancée in front of their three small children in February 2019, an act that left her unconscious and with bruises, scratches and lasting psychological harm. He also pleaded guilty to criminal damage to the back‑door handles of her home in July 2020 when he tried to gain entry. The court noted the woman was pregnant, had to move house to avoid him, and that he had 42 prior convictions, including knife possession, theft, criminal damage and traffic offences. In mitigation, the judge considered his guilty pleas, current drug and alcohol abstinence, employment and volunteer work, and a probation assessment placing him at moderate risk of re‑offending. Consecutive sentences of three and two years were imposed, with the final two years suspended on conditions such as attending a violent offender course while in custody.
The Special Criminal Court heard evidence from Detective Garda Dermot Sloan regarding the murder of Tristan Sherry at Browne's Steakhouse on December 24, 2023. Sloan presented CCTV footage detailing alleged attacks by Michael Andrecut (22), David Amah (18), and Noah Musueni (18), all of whom deny the murder charge. The detective described Andrecut stamping on Sherry, striking him with glasses, a bar, and a chair, and holding a phone over his head before a final kick. Amah was alleged to have stamped, kicked, and struck Sherry with a chair. Musueni was described as stamping on Sherry's head, delivering jabbing motions, and throwing a chair that hit him. Jonas Kabangu (18), charged with violent disorder, allegedly ran to the carpark, returned to kick Sherry twice, and helped remove the victim's body. Brandon Hennessy (21) and Diarmuid O'Brien (18) are also charged with violent disorder. All accused have pleaded not guilty. The trial is ongoing before Justice Kerida Naidoo, Judge Elma Sheahan, and Judge James Faughnan, with Sloan's evidence scheduled to continue.
Patrick Murphy, aged 52 and without a fixed abode, was tried for the murder of Joseph Brosnan in Tralee on 22 May 2022. The prosecution, represented by Senior Counsel Patrick Gageby, argued that Murphy unlawfully killed Brosnan and that the intent to kill or cause serious injury was clear. The case centred on an evening in late afternoon when Murphy, who had been pushed out of Brosnan's apartment, returned and allegedly used a large kitchen knife to stab Brosnan twice – once in the hand and once in the back. The second wound penetrated the pericardial sac, causing fatal bleeding. Murphy had previously claimed to be a "peacemaker" and denied knowing who stabbed the deceased, but the prosecution contended he brought the knife to the scene. The trial was set to continue before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury of eight men and four women. Patrick Murphy pleaded not guilty.
In a civil trial at the High Court, a paramedic, Eithne Scully, testified that she had seen a woman, Nikita Hand, who is suing Conor McGregor and James Lawrence, with extensive bruising and injuries after an alleged rape in a Dublin hotel penthouse on 9 December 2018. Scully described Hand's bruises around the neck, thighs, chest and lower leg, and noted a cut on her chin and breast injury. She also reported Hand's agitation, fear of a tampon being pushed too far, and a panic attack during transport to the Rotunda hospital. The paramedic's evidence was supplemented by CCTV footage of the ambulance and by statements from other paramedics who observed Hand's distress. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Owens, continues with a jury of eight women and four men. The defendants deny the allegations. The case focuses on the alleged assault and the injuries sustained by Hand.
A jury of six men and six women was sworn in by Mr Justice Tony Hunt for the trial of 28‑year‑old Cailean Crawford, who denies murdering Thomas McCarthy on 27 July 2020 at Croftwood Park, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. Crawford was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court today. The trial will commence this afternoon and is expected to last three to four weeks. Thomas McCarthy pleaded not guilty.
Patrick Murphy, 52, who lives without a fixed address, has been arraigned in the Central Criminal Court for the killing of Joseph Brosnan in an apartment complex in County Kerry on 22 May 2022. He admits manslaughter but denies murder. A jury of eight men and four women has been sworn in, and the trial will commence this afternoon before Mr Justice Paul Burns, expected to last six days. Patrick Murphy pleaded not guilty.
In a murder trial, Brandon Gavin, aged 22, is accused of a planned and pre‑meditated stabbing of his 19‑year‑old friend Marius Mamaliga. Prosecutors argue Gavin entered the victim's car, stabbed him in the neck within eight seconds, and then disposed of the knife before returning home, citing his Google search for "prison sentence for murder in Ireland" and Tinder activity as evidence of pre‑planning. They describe the act as "murder – plain and simple" and dismiss his self‑defence claim as "self‑serving nonsense." Defence counsel counter that Gavin had made 47 calls that day trying to raise €2,000 owed for cocaine, and that he was in distress and fear, possibly acting in self‑preservation. They portray him as a young man spiralling out of control, not a cold‑blooded killer. The jury is instructed to weigh these conflicting accounts before delivering a verdict. Brandon Gavin pleaded not guilty.
Craig Coyle, 37, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to threatening to publish intimate images of a woman and to harassment from September to December 2023, plus two trespasses at her home in December 2023 and January 2024. The offences fall under Coco's Law, which allows fines or up to seven years' imprisonment. Judge Pauline Codd read several abusive emails, describing them as "grotesquely pornographic" and "debasing not only to this woman but all women in general." The woman, who had been a victim of a serious sexual assault, reported that Coyle's behaviour forced her to install a security alarm and cameras, and that she suffered severe mental distress, including nightmares and loss of self‑esteem. Coyle admitted to loitering around her home, sending abusive messages, and catfishing her. He was arrested on 30 January 2024 and admitted the harassment. The case was adjourned to 17 February pending a psychologist's report on his emotionally unstable personality disorder.
A 41‑year‑old Nigerian man was sentenced by the Central Criminal Court to 13 years' imprisonment for eight counts of rape, four counts of assault and two counts of threatening to kill or cause serious harm. The court heard that the defendant repeatedly raped and beat his wife, causing her to miscarry a child. He also applied chilli powder to her genitals after a rape. The man threatened to kill the woman and her sister when they tried to recover her bride price, and he planned to put the victim's brother's name on the birth certificate of a child she had with him to secure residency. He later came to Ireland to live with the woman and her baby. The judge noted the defendant denied all allegations and ordered post‑release supervision for two years. The sentence was imposed concurrently with four‑year terms for the assault and threat charges. The unnamed 41-year-old was found guilty.
Patrick Byrne, 27, of Cloverhill Road, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two years and nine months in jail for assault causing harm. He pleaded guilty to one count of assaulting a 33-year-old man at Westmoreland Street, Dublin 2, on October 15 last year. Judge Orla Crowe described the unprovoked attack, in which Byrne allegedly struck the victim with a bike saddle, as senseless and brutal. The sentence was backdated to the date Byrne first entered custody. Byrne has a history of 36 previous offences, including a suspended six-and-a-half-year sentence for attempted robbery in 2020. Prosecution counsel sought leave to re-mention the case to address whether the offence was committed while Byrne was on that suspended sentence. The matter was adjourned to deal with this procedural issue. Defence counsel acknowledged the assault was vicious but argued it was a case of mistaken identity and noted Byrne's history of drug abuse. The victim stated he now avoids the city centre due to the trauma and visible scarring.
Jason McDonagh, aged 31, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for assaulting his partner, her sister and her mother in a Dublin hotel. The attack, which took place on 16 February, involved McDonagh dragging his partner around the room, threatening to bite her ear, and punching all three women after they fled. CCTV footage showed him wearing a pyramid‑shaped ring that was described as a knuckle duster, which aggravated the injuries. The 65‑year‑old mother suffered severe head pain and eye problems, while the partner sustained lacerations to her head and ear and the sister had bumps and bruising. McDonagh pleaded guilty to three counts of assault causing harm, a charge punishable by up to 10 years. Judge Orla Crowe, noting his mental health issues and lack of prior convictions, imposed a two‑year sentence, suspended the final six months, and back‑dated it to his arrest.
Sinead White, 38, of Collins Place, Finglas, Dublin 11, who has 210 prior convictions including 158 thefts, pleaded guilty on 1 September 2023 to witness intimidation after sending threatening voice messages to a future witness. The messages were played in court and described as threatening, intimidating and wrong. White was intoxicated at the time and admitted the wrongdoing, expressing remorse and apologising. Judge Martin Nolan, noting the seriousness of the offence and its impact on the victim, imposed a 21‑month prison sentence, crediting only time already served on other matters. The court accepted that White had no history of violence or assault convictions and that she had no contact with the victim since the incident. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with the victim expected to testify in a 2025 trial. The sentence reflects the judge's view that intimidation of witnesses must be punished, but that White was not an "insidious person.".
A man accused of assaulting a woman has been granted permission to challenge a decision by the Director of Public Prosecutions not to provide him with a statement the alleged victim made in a previously withdrawn complaint against him. The High Court heard that the man unsuccessfully sought disclosure of the statement before the District Court in April. He is also seeking a stay on proceedings, pending the outcome of his judicial review hearing. The man claims the District Court erred in denying his application for specific disclosure, relating to the previous withdrawn complaint made by the woman. The application arises from the prosecution of the man under Section 3 of the Non‑Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 regarding an alleged incident on January 19, 2023. The woman alleges that he struck her with a piece of glass, grabbed her by the neck and punched her in the face.
The Special Criminal Court heard eyewitness testimony from two sisters regarding the fatal shooting of Tristan Sherry at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve 2023. Adisa Ajredini and Amanda Ajredini described the terror as a masked attacker, whom they identified as holding a long firearm, entered the busy restaurant. Adisa stated she dragged her mother under a table after hearing what sounded like machine-gun fire, while Amanda fled to the kitchen believing the gunman intended to shoot everyone. The sisters testified that the restaurant was left wrecked and the attacker was found lying in blood. This evidence forms part of the ongoing trial of three men accused of murdering Sherry: Noah Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut. All three have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Additionally, Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy are charged with violent disorder arising from the same incident; all have also pleaded not guilty. Prosecution counsel previously alleged that a group attacked the disarmed Sherry with savage violence. The trial continues before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, Judge Elma Sheahan, and Judge James Faughnan. No verdicts or sentences have been delivered, and the matter remains at the trial stage.
Eric O'Driscoll, aged 22, pleaded guilty before the Special Criminal Court to possession of a .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle at Ratoath Drive, Finglas, on 9 January 2022. The court found the circumstances reasonably inferred that the rifle was not held for a lawful purpose. O'Driscoll also faced four other firearms offences, but the Director of Public Prosecutions said the plea satisfied the case. The matter was adjourned for a later hearing, with trial scheduled later in the year.
The court heard that a 15‑year‑old driver of a stolen car caused a garda's hand to break while she tried to remove him from the vehicle during a pursuit. The teenager, now 16, pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment, assault, unlawful use of a car, dangerous driving and damaging an official garda vehicle at locations along the M50 on 24 August 2023. Detective Garda Kate Gilligan described how the boy drove on the wrong side of the motorway, rammed a patrol car and repeatedly changed lanes, creating danger for himself and other road users. She said she would take a broken hand any day over the potential consequences. Judge Orla Crowe noted the boy's significant improvement and adjourned the case for six months to allow continued work, requesting an updated probation report. The boy apologized, cooperated with investigators, and has not reoffended since his release.
During the trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, a ballistics expert explained that firing a warning shot carries inherent dangers because the projectile can travel and hit unintended targets. The expert noted that factors such as farm terrain, the trespassers' movement, and Phelan's state of mind on the day of the shooting would negatively affect his ability to aim and control the firearm. Evidence showed Phelan shouted at two unarmed trespassers to "get back" before firing three shots from his Smith & Wesson revolver. The State claimed two shots were fired into the air and the third struck Keith Conlon in the back of the head as he turned away. Phelan, 56, pleaded not guilty to murdering Conlon, 36, who died on 24 February 2022 at Hazelgrove Farm, Tallaght. The trial continues before a jury.
During a trial, Robert Murphy (42) told a garda that he wanted to kill Jamie Kavanagh (24) and that Kavanagh deserved to die. Murphy pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. He admitted stabbing Kavanagh, who lived in a bedsit on Harrington Street, Dublin 8, a hostel run by Crosscare. Garda Matthew O'Connor, on duty at Kevin Street Garda Station, heard Murphy say he had taken all the knives from Kavanagh's room and that he wanted to kill him. Murphy was found carrying a bag with two large knives, a balaclava, blood‑stained clothing and drug paraphernalia. State pathologist Dr Sally Anne Collis identified seven sharp‑object injuries on Kavanagh, with one stab wound to the trunk causing death. The case is before Justice Melanie Greally and a jury.
A Galway man was convicted on 30 November 2022 of five counts of indecent assault against two sisters‑in‑law and one brother‑in‑law, all of whom were children at the time of the alleged offences. The jury found him guilty on all counts except one directed acquittal. He was sentenced on 15 June 2023 to 23 months' imprisonment, with six months suspended on the first charge and six months suspended on the three charges against his brother‑in‑law. A €500 fine was imposed for the second sister‑in‑law's charge. The man, who pleaded not guilty, has appealed, arguing that the jury's verdict was "perverse" because the judge refused to sever the indictment and that the evidence contained inconsistencies. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on the appeal. The case remains at the trial stage, with no further outcome reported.
The court heard that 22‑year‑old Brandon Gavin's phone was used 24 hours before he stabbed 19‑year‑old Marius Mamaliga to death. The phone searched for "prison sentence for murder in Ireland" and engaged with a woman on Tinder 20 minutes before the fatal stabbing. Texts show Mamaliga demanded money for drugs from Gavin, warning that "boys looking for that money" would be at his door. Gavin claimed he stabbed Mamaliga in self‑defence, fearing for his life because he owed money for drugs. The prosecution argued Gavin entered the back seat of a car behind Mamaliga and stabbed him in the neck with a knife. The case is set to close on Monday before Justice Eileen Creedon and the jury. Brandon Gavin pleaded not guilty.
A man who threatened to cut off his former partner's fingers with garden secateurs and repeatedly raped her has appealed his conviction, claiming the trial judge failed to adequately explain the defence case to the jury. He was convicted of two counts of rape, two of oral rape, two of sexual assault and two threats to kill or cause serious harm, and was jailed for ten years. The appeal argues the judge neglected to summarise the defence case and to properly charge the jury on the doctrine of recent complaint evidence, which the defence said was essential to show an honest belief of consent. The DPP's counsel said the judge had properly charged the jury. The court will reserve judgement. The victim, who fled her home after the attack, described living in fear and the lasting impact of the man's threats. The unnamed accused pleaded guilty.
The Special Criminal Court has ruled that Garda Dermot Sloane may narrate CCTV footage of the fatal shooting of Jason Hennessy Snr at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve 2023. Presiding Judge Kerida Naidoo determined that the garda, described as an "ad hoc expert" due to his familiarity with the footage, is entitled to provide a descriptive narrative to highlight relevant aspects, while emphasizing that the three-judge panel will determine the facts. The trial involves Noah Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut, who are accused of murdering gunman Tristan Sherry after he shot Mr Hennessy. All three pleaded not guilty. Wayne Deegan is also charged with murder but is awaiting a neuro-psychologist report for a later trial. Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy are charged with violent disorder, all pleading not guilty. Jaures Kumbu previously pleaded guilty to removing the sub-machine gun used in the killing, which has not been retrieved. The court adjourned the trial to Monday to allow parties time to consider potential edits to the garda's narrative before it is heard.
Jurors in the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan have been invited to hold and pull the trigger of the Smith & Wesson revolver used in the fatal shooting of Mr Conlon on Phelan's farmland. The prosecution, led by John Byrne SC, explained the exercise to help jurors understand the five kilos of pressure required to pull the trigger. The judge, Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford, declined to participate, stating she would pass. Mr Phelan, 56, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Conlon, 36, on February 24, 2022. Detective Garda Seamus O'Donnell testified that the revolver had no manually activated safety mechanism and that it was considered very safe. He confirmed that the gun had been made safe for the exercise and that it could not fire if dropped. Eight of the 12 jurors opted to pull the trigger.
During a trial, Robert Murphy (42) pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Jamie Kavanagh (24) at a hostel on Harrington Street, Dublin 8, on 19 April 2023. The Central Criminal Court heard that Kavanagh lived in a bedsit run by a hostel and charity Crosscare, and that he was found with four stab wounds. Murphy, who lived next door, was stopped by Garda officers after the incident. He was discovered carrying a bag with two large knives, a balaclava and blood‑stained clothing, and he told the Garda that he had stabbed Kavanagh with his own weapons, hoping the victim was "taken out in coroners' bags." He also admitted that Kavanagh and his friends were using drugs in his room. The trial, set to continue before Ms Justice Melanie Greally, is expected to last six to seven days.
During the murder trial of Brandon Gavin, the State Pathologist Dr SallyAnn Collis testified that 19‑year‑old Marius Mamaliga suffered a fatal neck stab wound that caused severe blood loss, leading to cardiac arrest and hypoxic brain injury. The post‑mortem revealed a 9 cm wound 1.9 cm long and 7.5 cm deep, angled downwards from the left side of the neck, damaging the left common carotid artery, left jugular vein, and upper windpipe. The injury also caused diffuse haemorrhage on the right side and damage to the left side of the voice box and both sides of the esophagus. Dr Collis confirmed the knife recovered by Gardaí had a single cutting surface, 9.5 cm long, matching the wound tract. She described the force as moderate, noting no hilt wound. Brandon Gavin pleaded not guilty. SallyAnn Collis pleaded not guilty.
The Special Criminal Court is currently hearing the trial of Noah Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut, who are charged with the murder of Tristan Sherry at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on December 24, 2023. All three accused pleaded not guilty. Wayne Deegan, also charged with murder, is awaiting a neuro-psychological report and will be tried later. Jonas Kabangu and Brandon Hennessy, the son of shooting victim Jason Hennessy Snr, are on trial for violent disorder arising from the same incident; both pleaded not guilty. Jaures Kumbu previously pleaded guilty to removing the sub-machine gun used in the killing, a weapon that has not been retrieved. During the trial, the court viewed CCTV footage allegedly showing Sherry being disarmed and beaten to death by a group. Prosecution counsel described the attack as involving savage violence, including kicking and striking with chairs. Defence counsel objected to the prosecution providing a narrative of the footage, arguing the visuals are self-evident. While five of the six accused accepted their identification in the footage, Brandon Hennessy's legal team raised an objection to his alleged identification. Garda witnesses testified to arriving at the scene to find a male with multiple injuries. The trial continues before a three-judge panel.
Gerard Nevin, 41, of Grove Park, Rathmines, was sentenced to four years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for sexually abusing his two step‑daughters, Catalina and Alexa Grancea, over an eight‑year period. Nevin pleaded guilty to 22 counts of sexual assault committed between 2012 and June 2020 at locations in Clondalkin, Lucan and Palmerstown. The abuse began when Catalina was aged eight to sixteen and Alexa was aged seven to fifteen. The court imposed a global sentence of six years, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions. The victims, who waived anonymity, reported the abuse to Gardaí in June 2020. Nevin was arrested in 2021 and had previously indicated he would plead guilty to avoid further trauma to the complainants. The case highlighted the prolonged nature of the abuse and its impact on the victims' mental health.
Charles Darcy, aged 35, was sentenced to two years in prison for possession of .38 special calibre Sellier and Bellot ammunition and for criminal damage after throwing a fire extinguisher through the window of an Applegreen Service Station. The court heard that Darcy had 59 prior convictions, including attempted murder, robbery, assault, possession of a realistic firearm, violent disorder, public order, assault on a police officer, breach of bail and violent behaviour in a Garda station. He pleaded guilty to the ammunition offence on 26 May 2018 and to the fire extinguisher incident on 13 October 2018. The judge noted his long history of offending, his membership of the Travelling community, his mental health and drug‑addiction struggles, and that he is currently drug‑free and willing to undertake an intensive probation programme. The sentence was suspended for six months and back‑dated for time already served.
During the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, a ballistics expert warned that mixing different types of ammunition in a Smith & Wesson revolver is extremely dangerous. Evidence showed that the revolver used to kill Keith Conlon contained three spent rounds, possibly hollow‑point or pest‑control bullets, and that the fatal bullet was a hollow‑point projectile. The prosecution argued that Phelan fired a third shot at Conlon's back, intending to kill or seriously injure him. Phelan, 56, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Conlon, 36, who died on 24 February 2022 at Tallaght University Hospital. The trial, presided over by Justice Siobhan Lankford, continues with a jury hearing the forensic and eyewitness evidence presented by the state and defence.
The trial of 22‑year‑old Brandon Gavin, accused of murdering 19‑year‑old Marius Mamaliga, is ongoing. Gavin, who lives on Brookdale Road, Rivervalley, Swords, walked into Swords Garda Station with his father on 23 February 2023, where his father told officers that Gavin wanted to "hand himself in." Gavin told the garda that he had stabbed Mamaliga in the neck while sitting behind him in a car, claiming the deceased "came at" him and that he was in fear for his life because he owed €2,500 for drugs. He also said he had thrown the knife away after the incident. Garda David Durnin, who was on duty that day, gave evidence that Gavin had told him he was in panic after the stabbing. Detective Garda Conor Tumbleton reported that when Gavin was cautioned, he repeated that he had defended himself. Brandon Gavin pleaded not guilty.
In a High Court civil damages trial, Ms Nikita Hand testified that on the early hours of 9 December 2018 she was at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin with Conor McGregor and James Lawrence. She alleged that McGregor pinned her to a bed, choked her, and then raped her, describing the assault as lasting a long time and leaving her physically bruised and emotionally devastated. Hand said she had been drinking and had taken cocaine that night, and that she had tried to fight back but was unable to move. She reported that McGregor had told her he had felt the same way in the Octagon, which she found odd. After the incident, Hand made a statement to Gardaí in January 2019, but the Director of Public Prosecutions decided not to prosecute McGregor or Lawrence, citing no reasonable prospect of conviction. The case is before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury of eight women and four men.
The Special Criminal Court heard that Tristan Sherry was subjected to 'savage levels of violence' at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on December 24, 2023. Prosecution counsel Fiona Murphy SC alleged that after Sherry fatally shot Jason Hennessy Snr, he was disarmed and attacked by a group using chairs and kicks. Sherry died from blunt force trauma, while Hennessy died from gunshot injuries. Noah Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut, all charged with murder, entered not guilty pleas. Their lawyers admitted their clients were present, that Sherry died from the violence, and that they were correctly identified on CCTV. Wayne Deegan, also charged with murder, is awaiting a neuro-psychologist report and will be tried later. Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy, charged with violent disorder, also pleaded not guilty. Their counsel accepted Sherry's death resulted from the incident's violence. Jaures Kumbu previously pleaded guilty to removing the sub-machine gun used to kill Hennessy, which remains unretrieved. The trial, presided over by Justice Kerida Naidoo, Judge Elma Sheahand, and Judge James Faughnan, was adjourned to continue tomorrow.
During a murder trial, a jury examined CCTV footage showing Brandon Gavin, 22, entering and briefly exiting a car before fleeing the scene. The footage captured Gavin's movements in the estate, his brief presence in the back seat of the deceased's black Audi, and his subsequent run across the road. Audio from the clip included the sound of a car door closing and opening, followed by voices shouting "call an ambulance." The prosecution argued that Gavin, armed with a knife, stabbed Marius Mamaliga, 19, in the neck, claiming self‑defence. A folding penknife found in River Valley Park contained the deceased's blood and DNA matching Gavin's. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon, continues the following day. Brandon Gavin pleaded not guilty.
At the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, a murder trial heard that Dean Caffrey (38) made enquiries about renting a storage unit shortly after the death of Sean McCarthy (28). Mr Caffrey, of Beaucort, Achill Road, Drumcondra, denies murdering Mr McCarthy, whose body was discovered in a wardrobe at the accused's apartment four days after he went missing in August 2022. Prosecution counsel Kathleen Noctor SC told the court that the accused had told gardaí the deceased arrived armed and threatened him over a suspected heroin theft, and that a struggle ensued during which he discharged a firearm fatally. Emma Flynn, an employee of a Dublin storage company, testified that on 3 August 2022, a man identifying himself as Dean Caffrey submitted an online request for a storage unit at the Charlestown depot. Ms Flynn confirmed she subsequently spoke with the customer by telephone. The trial, before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury, continues. Dean Caffrey pleaded not guilty.
In a murder case heard at the Central Criminal Court, the accused, Robert Murphy, was stopped by Gardaí after a hostel resident was found dead with four stab wounds. Gardaí seized a bag containing two large knives, a balaclava, blood‑stained clothing and a mobile phone. The prosecution, led by Paul Greene SC, presented evidence that the incident occurred in the early hours of 19 April 2023 at a bedsit on Harrington Street, where the deceased, Jamie Kavanagh, was staying. The prosecution argued that Murphy, who lived next door, admitted to stabbing Kavanagh, causing his death. The defence, represented by Brendan Grehan SC, highlighted Murphy's admission and focused on the circumstances and intent at the time. The trial, scheduled to last six to seven days, will continue before Justice Melanie Greally and a jury of twelve. The case remains at the State's opening stage. Robert Murphy pleaded not guilty.
A High Court civil jury trial is currently underway involving Nikita Ní Laimhín, the applicant, and defendants Conor McGregor and James Lawrence. Ms Ní Laimhín alleges that on December 9, 2018, at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin, she was subjected to a 'vicious and violent' sexual assault by Mr McGregor, which she claims amounted to rape. She states she was left 'weeping and shivering in pain' and required medical intervention to remove an embedded tampon. The plaintiff seeks €1 million in lost earnings and compensation, alleging lasting psychological trauma and career disruption. Mr McGregor and Mr Lawrence deny all allegations, maintaining that any sexual contact was consensual. The defence characterises the claim as malicious and 'tantamount to extortion.' Counsel for the plaintiff, John Gordon SC, argued that the defendant's assertion of consent in the face of alleged physical restraint and injury is implausible. The jury, comprising eight women and four men, is tasked with determining the facts based on the balance of probabilities. The matter remains at the trial stage, with evidence ongoing and no final judgment or sentence issued.
The trial of six men accused of offences relating to the murder of Tristan Sherry was adjourned at the Special Criminal Court. The proceedings, presided over by Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, were originally scheduled to begin on Monday but were postponed to allow the prosecution time to consider a series of admissions prepared by defence counsel. Prosecution counsel Fiona Murphy SC informed the court that these admissions would shorten the trial process, and she stated she would prepare her opening speech accordingly. The court agreed to adjourn the opening until the following day. Four defendants are charged with the murder of Mr Sherry, who allegedly shot a man dead at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on 24 December 2023. The accused are Noah Musueni, Wayne Deegan, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut. Jonas Kabangu is charged with violent disorder at the same location and date. A sixth defendant, a minor from Blanchardstown, is also charged with violent disorder but has not been identified in the media. All charges remain alleged or contested, and no pleas, findings, or sentences have been recorded. The matter was adjourned and is not concluded.
John Curtin, aged 59, was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with the final year suspended for one year, after a jury convicted him on 78 counts of rape and sexual assault against eight boys between 1995 and 2007. The Central Criminal Court heard that Curtin, a former hospital porter, lured boys around the age of 11 with cigarettes, then abused them in his home and other rural locations, encouraging them to touch him and, in some cases, to sit on his lap in his car. Victims described lasting psychological damage, including depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and difficulties in education, relationships and employment. Curtin denies the charges and has never apologized. The judge imposed a 20‑year sentence, a one‑year suspended term, and conditions of probation, a sexual offenders treatment programme and no contact with children.
A 50‑year‑old man was sentenced to a fully suspended term of three months and two weeks for kicking his partner in the head and breaking her jaw while she held their two‑year‑old toddler. He pleaded guilty to common assault, a lesser offence than the original assault‑causing‑harm charge, and the Director of Public Prosecutions accepted the plea. The incident occurred on 10 September 2010 in their home; the victim later required surgery and has since had sole custody of the child. She reported the assault in 2021, and the man was arrested in 2022. A safety order remains until May 2026. The judge, citing the victim's injuries, the lack of apology, and the aggravating circumstances, imposed the suspended sentence and ordered the defendant to pay €500 for medical costs, with an option to accept the remaining €1,500 or have it directed to a women's refuge.
At the Central Criminal Court, Geunter Lohse pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of his mother Ruth Lohse by arson at their shared home in Coolvoy, Doochary, County Donegal on 12 April 2022. The 63-year-old was originally charged with murder, but the State accepted a plea to manslaughter. The court heard that Mrs Lohse, aged 88, died from inhaling fumes after three fires were lit in the house. Lohse had lived with his mother throughout his life and was distressed about family plans to return him to Germany while she remained in Donegal. Defence counsel indicated that Lohse has expressed genuine remorse and intends to return to Germany upon completion of his sentence, undertaking not to return to Ireland. He has no previous convictions. Justice Melanie Greally adjourned the matter to 11 November for sentencing, remanding the accused in custody pending that hearing.
In the Central Criminal Court, 22‑year‑old Brandon Gavin pleaded not guilty to the murder of 19‑year‑old Marius Mamaliga, who was stabbed in the neck on 23 February 2023. The prosecution argued that Gavin entered the back seat of a car behind Mamaliga and, without warning, stabbed him with a knife, claiming the act was an attempt to kill or seriously injure the victim. Gavin's father, Eddie, testified that his son had called him in distress, saying "Dad, I f**ked up," and that Gavin had been shaking and hysterical. He also said that Gavin wanted to hand himself in and that the son had no intention of hiding. The court heard that Gavin's mother, Jacqueline, had known of his long‑standing mental health problems and that he had used marijuana and cocaine. The trial is proceeding before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury.
The High Court has granted a mother of a 17‑year‑old vulnerable teenager permission to bring a legal challenge against the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) and the HSE. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has OCD, ADHD and procedural psychosis and has been under an interim care order since 2023. He has been the subject of multiple minor wardship orders and has displayed violent behaviour at home, including breaking windows, punching a brother, threatening family members with a knife and defecating in the garden. Gardaí were called on several occasions and the boy was admitted to hospital for three weeks before absconding and returning to threaten his mother with a knife. After a psychiatric assessment describing an acute exacerbation of OCD, he was discharged on a phased basis. The mother alleges that Tusla and the HSE have breached statutory duties and failed to provide an appropriate placement under the European Convention of Human Rights.
Arslan Cheema, 29, received an 18‑month suspended prison sentence for sexually assaulting a 19‑year‑old student outside her accommodation in Dublin in April 2021. The victim, who had been on first‑name terms with Cheema and had ordered takeaways from him, described the assault as a profound violation of trust that left her emotionally devastated, requiring hospital treatment and medication. Cheema pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault. Judge Orla Crowe imposed the suspended sentence on strict conditions for three years, noting the breach of trust and the victim's impact statement. Cheema will be listed on the sex offenders' register and warned that any negative Garda attention during the period could lead to a different view. He has no prior convictions and had lost his Bus Eireann job following the case's publicity.
A 42‑year‑old man, Robert Murphy, has admitted killing but denies murder in the death of Jamie Kavanagh on 19 April 2023 at a hostel on Harrington Street, Dublin 8. He pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter when arraigned before the Central Criminal Court. The court noted that Murphy was residing at the hostel at the time of the alleged events and had previously lived in Blanchardstown. Justice Melanie Greally swore in a jury of seven men and five women; the trial will start tomorrow and is expected to last six to seven days.