A jury was sworn in for the trial of Brian Ibe, 23, who pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of 65‑year‑old Peter Kennedy in Newbridge, County Kildare, between 28 April and 12 May 2020. Ibe also pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to an assault charge against Garda Brendan O'Donnell at Newbridge Garda Station on 29 April 2020. The trial, expected to last up to two weeks, will commence tomorrow before Mr Justice Paul Burns with a jury of seven women and five men.
Raymond Shorten, a 50‑year‑old Dublin taxi driver, was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment for raping a seven‑year‑old girl in 2022, a crime committed days after the child's mother's funeral. The judge, Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, highlighted the victim's extreme vulnerability and the lack of compassion shown by Shorten, noting that he "couldn't have cared less" about the long‑term pain inflicted. The sentence was reduced by one year from an initial 14‑year headline to 13 years, back‑dated to the date Shorten entered custody on 22 August 2022. Shorten also faces additional rape and sexual assault convictions from other incidents involving young women that occurred in the same year, but those sentences are pending. He remains in custody and has been working in the prison laundry under an enhanced regime.
A 49‑year‑old Meath man was jailed for 10 years after a Central Criminal Court jury found him guilty of one count of sexual assault and one count of rape against his niece, who was aged eight to ten at the time of the offences. The niece, now in her twenties, described how the trial forced her to "relive the trauma over and over again," noting the terror of standing on the witness stand and hearing her uncle's breathing. She had suffered flashbacks since her teenage years and had struggled with denial and fear before finally disclosing the abuse to her family. The judge, Mr Justice Paul Burns, imposed an 11‑year sentence with the final year suspended for three years, citing the life‑changing impact of the abuse. The man maintains his innocence and is also serving a separate sentence for money‑laundering offences.
The Central Criminal Court has entered the closing stages of a trial involving a 61‑year‑old school soccer coach accused of raping and defiling a teenage student. The defendant has pleaded not guilty to 30 counts of sexual assault, four counts of defilement, one count of rape and one count of anal rape, all alleged to have occurred at unknown locations in the State between September 2007 and February 2010. The complainant was aged 15 to 18 at the time of the alleged offences, while the accused was aged 45 to 47. The judge directed the jury that the defendant would be found not guilty of the 30 sexual assault charges, leaving the four defilement counts, the rape count and the anal rape count for consideration. Prosecutor Fiona Murphy SC urged the jury to be satisfied that the complainant was under 17 and that the accused knew this, citing corroborating evidence.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a 52‑year‑old man was convicted of 25 counts of sexual assault against his vulnerable adult stepdaughter, who was 21 when the abuse began in 2011 and continued until 2017. The assaults, which included inappropriate touching, attempts at intercourse, and digital penetration, occurred at a house in Co Offaly over six years. The victim, who has long‑standing mental health difficulties and has spent time in psychiatric wards, reported the abuse to work colleagues in May 2017 after the man returned to the home. He was arrested, denied wrongdoing, and later fled, prompting a European arrest warrant. He was extradited in 2021, released on bail, and later gave evidence for himself. The judge, citing the prolonged nature of the abuse, the breach of trust, and the victim's vulnerability, imposed an eight‑year sentence, back‑dated to October, with no probation supervision.
Anthony Kelly, 64, was sentenced to two years in prison for assault causing harm to a woman on 14 April 2019 and a separate conviction for threatening to kill a pregnant bookies employee on 9 October 2020. The assault took place in Blackhall Place, Dublin, where Kelly struck a woman in the face, kicked her, and was verbally aggressive towards an eyewitness who intervened. The victim suffered a 5‑cm contusion but did not require stitches. In the bookies incident, Kelly shouted threats, claimed he had a knife, and the pregnant employee pressed the panic alarm. No knife was found. Kelly's sentence for the assault was two years and six months, with the final six months suspended to encourage rehabilitation. The threat‑to‑kill sentence was two years, suspended in full on strict conditions. He was directed to probation supervision. The judge noted his age, medical difficulties, and personal circumstances as mitigating factors. Anthony Kelly pleaded guilty.
A former clinical director of the Central Mental Hospital has told the Central Criminal Court that drug-induced psychosis does not constitute a mental disorder qualifying for an insanity verdict. Professor Harry Kennedy gave expert evidence in the trial of James Kilroy, aged 51, from Kilbree Lower, Westport, County Mayo, who has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his wife, Valerie French Kilroy, in June 2019. The accused accepts responsibility for the killing but claims diminished responsibility due to mental illness. The defence called Dr Ronan Mullaney, who suggested the accused suffered cannabis-induced psychosis at the time. Professor Kennedy disputed this diagnosis, stating that cannabis-induced psychosis results directly from drug use and therefore constitutes intoxication rather than a qualifying mental disorder under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act. He told the jury that the accused understood the nature of his actions and knew they were wrongful.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a jury was informed that the alleged sexual assault of a woman by Garda William Ryan at Aughrim Garda Station was described by the defence as "consensual activity between two adults." Defence counsel argued that the woman had cupped her own bottom, pressed herself against Ryan, and showed him her breast before they went upstairs together for consensual sexual activity. The woman repeatedly denied these claims, stating "definitely did not happen." Ryan, aged 38, pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment. The State alleged that Ryan prevented the woman from leaving the station and sexually assaulted her three times. The trial, presided over by Judge Elma Sheahan, continues with the jury hearing evidence from both sides.
Patrick Dooley, aged 36, was found guilty of murdering his older brother Thomas 'Tom' Dooley, aged 42, during a funeral at Rath Cemetery, Rathass, Tralee, Co Kerry on 5 October 2022. The jury rejected his defence that he was not a "Cainite" and had tried to intervene. He was convicted of murder, and the court also found his cousin and brother‑in‑law Thomas Dooley Senior, aged 43, and Thomas Dooley Junior, aged 21, guilty of the same offence. Thomas Dooley Junior was additionally found guilty of assault causing harm to Siobhán Dooley, the widow, who sustained a wound requiring 45 stitches and 30 staples. All defendants pleaded not guilty. The verdicts were unanimous and were reached after 12 hours and 26 minutes of deliberation over three days. The jury will return to decide on the remaining two defendants, Michael Dooley, aged 29, and Daniel Dooley, aged 42, who also pleaded not guilty.
In a court hearing on 19 July 2024, Graham McGuinness, aged 32 and with 53 prior convictions, pleaded guilty to causing serious harm after he repeatedly slashed and stabbed Martin Reilly with a homemade shank. The attack took place on 11 June 2020 near Busáras, Dublin, where McGuinness shouted "I'm going to kill you" while striking Reilly's neck and face. Reilly suffered multiple lacerations, including a deep cut that exposed his jawbone, and has been left with lifelong scars. McGuinness had originally been charged with attempted murder but the State accepted his plea for serious harm. The court noted Reilly's belief that he would die that night and that the shank was wrapped in tissue to create a handle. McGuinness offered a brief apology and stated he has turned his life around. The case was adjourned to 9 October for finalisation.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 19 July 2024, the court heard that Andrei Dobra, aged 36, strangled his fiancée Ioana Mihaela Pacala to death on 12 November 2023. The court found Dobra not guilty by reason of insanity and committed him to the Central Mental Hospital in Portrane. Dobra had been in a loving relationship with Pacala and had been seen holding hands with her on CCTV less than 24 hours before the murder. Two consultant psychiatrists diagnosed Dobra with schizo‑affective disorder, describing psychotic delusions that led him to believe Pacala was a threat. Pacala's father, Gheorghe Gratian Pacala, expressed deep devastation and described his daughter as gentle and respectful, noting that the couple had planned a wedding for 10 June 2023 and had bought a house together. The judge ordered Dobra to remain at the CMH for continuous treatment and assessment. The hearing was conducted via videolink as Dobra was not physically present.
Raymond Shorten, a 50‑year‑old Dublin taxi driver, was convicted in May 2024 of two counts of rape and one of sexual assault against a seven‑year‑old girl in 2012. The victim, now 20, requested anonymity. Shorten was also convicted in June of two counts of rape and one of anal rape against two other young women who had ridden in his taxi after a night out in Dublin in 2022. He is due to be sentenced next Monday by Mr Justice Paul McDermott, after Mr Justice Naidoo's unavailability.
A 61‑year‑old Dublin soccer coach was charged with 30 counts of sexual assault, four counts of defilement, one count of rape and one count of anal rape, all alleged to have occurred between September 2007 and February 2010. The complainant was aged 15 to 18 at the time of the alleged offences, while the accused was aged 45 to 47. The coach, who worked as a team coach at the complainant's school, pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court. In court, the coach claimed he had a sexual relationship with the complainant when she was 18, stating that the relationship began after she turned 18 and lasted six months. He denied any anal sex and denied having been in a hotel with her. The trial is ongoing before a jury presided by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a tourist from France was attacked on Talbot Street by a group of men, one of whom struck him repeatedly with a machete. The victim, who had been traveling extensively across Europe, was left with two deep wounds on his right leg and required surgery. He survived but suffered significant trauma and expressed uncertainty about future travel. John Hogan, 33, with 29 prior convictions including knife possession, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and producing a machete. He was sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment, with a headline sentence of eight years, and the court noted the attack was "particularly savage." The sentence was backdated to 30 December 2023 when Hogan entered custody. The case highlighted the potential for a murder charge had the victim died.
Three men have appealed their convictions for involvement in a vigilante attack on security personnel at a repossessed farmhouse near Strokestown, County Roscommon, in December 2018. Martin O'Toole, PJ Sweeney, and Paul Beirne were convicted in June 2023 of fifteen charges including aggravated burglary, violent disorder, and animal cruelty. During the incident, a group of armed men forced entry to the property at Falsk, attacking security guards with weapons including a baseball bat, meat cleaver, and chainsaw. The guards were beaten, restrained with cable ties, and a dog was beaten unconscious and subsequently euthanised. At the Court of Appeal, the appellants' counsel challenged the admissibility of video evidence and questioned whether guilt could be established given the number of people present. They also contested identification procedures and the lawfulness of certain detentions. The State's counsel argued that video footage clearly identified the appellants and demonstrated a common design among those involved. Mr Justice Peter Charleton reserved judgement.
At the Central Criminal Court, a psychiatrist denied allegations that he selectively considered evidence supporting an insanity defence in assessing a Mayo man charged with his wife's murder. Dr Ronan Mullaney was cross-examined regarding his assessment of James Kilroy, aged 51, who is charged with murdering Valerie French Kilroy at their home in 2019. The accused has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Prosecution counsel suggested Dr Mullaney omitted evidence that Kilroy appeared rational when an insulation contractor visited shortly before the killing, querying whether he was only interested in material bolstering his psychosis conclusion. Dr Mullaney maintained he would likely include such evidence if preparing his report again. The court heard evidence regarding Kilroy's cannabis use and mental health history. Consultant psychiatrist Professor Harry Kennedy was subsequently called for the prosecution, providing background on Kilroy's family circumstances and substance use over decades. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and jury.
A Central Criminal Court jury has returned guilty verdicts against three defendants in the murder of Thomas 'Tom' Dooley, a father-of-seven, at Rath Cemetery in Tralee, Co Kerry, on October 5, 2022. The unanimous jury found Thomas Dooley Senior (43) and his son, Thomas Dooley Junior (21), both of Cork, guilty of murder. All three convicted individuals had previously pleaded not guilty. Thomas Dooley Junior was additionally convicted of assault causing harm to the deceased's wife, Siobhán Dooley, who sustained a shoulder wound requiring 45 stitches and 30 staples. The prosecution alleged the victim was attacked by a group armed with bladed weapons, resulting in fatal injuries including a severed femoral artery. The jury's deliberations took over eight hours across two days. The matter remains ongoing as the jury is scheduled to return to court to consider verdicts for the remaining three defendants: Patrick Dooley (36), Michael Dooley (29), and Daniel Dooley (42). These three men, who are also charged with murder and have pleaded not guilty, await their findings. The trial is currently at the finding stage for the first group of defendants, with sentencing yet to be determined.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has convicted Derry O'Rourke, a former Irish Olympic swimming coach, of raping and sexually abusing a teenage girl over three decades ago. O'Rourke, aged 78 and resident in Cavan, had pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault alleged to have occurred at a school between October 1989 and June 1990, when the complainant was aged 13 to 14 years. The trial judge directed the jury to acquit O'Rourke of four charges, leaving 12 offences for consideration. The jury unanimously convicted him on all remaining counts following five hours and 27 minutes of deliberations. Justice Melanie Greally remanded O'Rourke in custody pending sentencing on 30 July. O'Rourke has previous convictions for sexual offences dating back to 1998, including rape and indecent assault involving multiple victims. A victim impact statement has been ordered for the sentencing hearing.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a serving Garda, William Ryan, aged 38, pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment. The case concerns an incident at Aughrim Garda Station on 29 September 2020, where a woman sought assistance with her son's case. According to the prosecution, Ryan invited her into the station, made lewd comments, and after a brief conversation, allegedly forced her to stand, slapped her buttocks, and locked the side door to prevent her escape. The woman is said to have tried to leave but was prevented by the lock. She reportedly showed Ryan a bikini photo, after which he allegedly grabbed her breast, propositioned her, and forced her into a shower room. In that room, he is alleged to have placed his hand on her, forced her to pull away, and then digitally penetrated her vagina.
A 61‑year‑old Dublin soccer coach has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court for 30 counts of sexual assault, four counts of defilement, one count of rape and one count of anal rape. The alleged offences took place between September 2007 and February 2010 at unknown locations in the State. The complainant, aged between 15 and 18 at the time, was a student at the school where the coach worked. She said the coach, who was a married man with children, used his position to contact her, eventually becoming a prominent figure in her life. She alleged that he took her to private accommodation, drove her around, kissed her, touched her genital area and breasts, and forced sexual activity, including rape and anal rape, while she was under 18. The coach denies all allegations. The trial is proceeding before a jury presided by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon. The unnamed 61-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court sentencing hearing, a 31‑year‑old man was jailed for six years for keeping his partner prisoner and repeatedly beating her over a three‑day period from 18 to 21 February 2021. He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm and one count of false imprisonment. The court heard that he entered the victim's home, took her keys and phone, and after she tried to calm him, he locked the door, beat her with a baton and a glass bottle, and left a rope around her neck. He beat her on the head on 19 February and continued until she woke on Sunday. He has 37 prior convictions, including 18 for public order offences.
The Court of Appeal has rejected an appeal by Michael Farrell, a convicted person with 231 previous convictions, against his five-and-a-half-year effective prison sentence. Farrell, who pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm in 2022, one count of threatening to kill or cause serious harm in 2021, and possessing a realistic imitation firearm in 2020, argued that the sentencing judge failed to adequately consider his personal circumstances and rehabilitation. The State characterized Farrell as a recidivist criminal. At his original sentencing in December, Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a six-year term with the final six months suspended, noting Farrell's mild intellectual disability resulting from a childhood brain injury. During the appeal, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy upheld the original sentence, stating that the threat to a female garda was taken very seriously and that Farrell's unprovoked attacks on two prison officers caused significant injuries, including a fractured finger and stitches. The judge acknowledged Farrell's mental age but found no error in the sentencing judge's decision. The court concluded that the cumulative custody period was not excessive and dismissed the contention that the suspended portion was insufficient. Farrell will serve his full term in prison.
A jury has begun deliberating in the Central Criminal Court trial of six men accused of murdering Thomas 'Tom' Dooley, 43, at Rath Cemetery in Tralee, Co Kerry, on October 5, 2022. The accused are Patrick Dooley, Thomas Dooley Senior, Thomas Dooley Junior, Michael Dooley, Daniel Dooley, and a male teenager. All six pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Thomas Dooley Junior additionally pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of assault causing harm to Siobhán Dooley. The prosecution alleges the group acted with 'focused and murderous ferocity' using bladed weapons, resulting in fatal injuries to the deceased. Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring charged the 12-member jury, instructing them that if they are satisfied each accused knew their co-accused carried weapons and participated in the attack, they are guilty of murder under the doctrine of joint enterprise. The judge noted that while no specific weapon was linked to an individual accused, a machete was found and injuries were consistent with bladed instruments. The jury was asked to reach a unanimous verdict, with options limited to guilty of murder or outright acquittal. The matter is currently at the deliberation stage and has not yet been finalised.
The Central Criminal Court is in the closing stages of a rape trial involving a 78‑year‑old sports coach accused of raping and sexually assaulting a teenage girl between October 1989 and October 1990. The defendant, who cannot be named, has pleaded not guilty to one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault. The complainant, aged 13 to 14 at the time, is the sole witness. Prosecutor Patricia McLoughlin SC emphasised that the case hinges on the complainant's evidence, noting that such offences are typically secretive and that belief in her testimony is sufficient for conviction. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC highlighted discrepancies between the complainant's and the defendant's sketches of the room layout, arguing that the prosecution's only layout evidence is a Garda sketch from 2021. Justice Melanie Greally has begun her charge to the jury, who will retire tomorrow to consider the verdicts.
A 36‑year‑old Dublin man was jailed for three years after he beat his partner unconscious on 17 December, an act that left her seven‑year‑old son wandering the streets in pyjamas looking for help. The court heard the boy was found by a passer‑by who took him to safety and called the Gardaí. The victim, who was found bleeding and bruised, was taken to hospital and later told police that the man had been drinking and had punched her twice, causing her to lose consciousness. The defendant pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm. He had 14 prior convictions, mainly for public‑order and traffic offences. The judge, after noting his guilty plea, cooperation and apology letter, set a headline sentence of four years, reduced to three, citing mitigating factors.
A 67‑year‑old man from Carlow was sentenced to life imprisonment by Ms Justice Melanie Greally for a prolonged pattern of sexual and physical abuse against his wife, spanning from 1991 to 2015. He pleaded guilty to 12 counts, including nine rapes, two sexual assaults and one assault causing harm, all committed in the family home. The judge highlighted the regularity of the offences, the use of gratuitous violence, and the presence of children during the assaults. The victim's impact statement described "25 years of hell" and the severe damage inflicted. Concurrently, the court imposed a four‑year sentence for the sexual assault and assault causing harm charges and ordered a two‑year post‑release supervision if he is ever released. The life sentence reflects the extreme and prolonged nature of the offending.
An asylum seeker, Adel Kerai, 26, was jailed for two years and three months after sexually assaulting a 22‑year‑old woman in Dublin's city centre. Kerai had arrived in Ireland five days earlier and, after following the woman for up to half an hour, forced his way into her personal space on Henry Street on 10 December 2023. He attempted to kiss her, touch her genital area under her clothes and press his erect penis against her. The victim tried to escape, but Kerai was too strong. The incident lasted 30 minutes, parts of which were captured on CCTV. Kerai, who has four prior convictions in the UK and is seeking asylum from Algeria, pleaded guilty. Judge Martin Nolan set a headline sentence of four years, reduced to 27 months, and back‑dated it to the time of Kerai's arrest. The court noted the assault was uninvited and particularly frightening for the victim.
The Special Criminal Court will hold a trial in November for seven men charged in the murder of Tristan Sherry, a gangland assassin, at Browne's Steakhouse on 24 December 2023. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, has announced that an early guilty plea entered before 31 July will result in a 25 percent reduction of the headline sentence. The prosecution, represented by Maddie Grant BL, is prepared to proceed, and the trial is expected to last about four weeks, concluding between 4 November and 21 December. The accused include Noah Musueni (18), Wayne Deegan (26), David Amah (18), Michael Andrecut (22), Jonas Kabangu (18), an unnamed 18‑year‑old, and Jaures Kumbu (18). Their charges range from murder and violent disorder to possession of a submachine gun. Sherry, aged 26, was killed after shooting Jason Hennessy Senior on Christmas Eve 2023. The court will determine the final sentences once the trial concludes.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 47‑year‑old woman, Ms. Moire Bergin, was found not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of her 76‑year‑old mother, Mary Bergin, who was stabbed to death on 13 April 2022. The jury accepted evidence from two consultant forensic psychiatrists that Ms. Bergin suffered from bipolar affective disorder with mania, depression and psychosis at the time of the killing, meeting the three criteria for the special verdict under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. Ms. Bergin had been admitted to hospital six times between March 2021 and April 2022 and was released five days before the murder. A Central Criminal Court judge, Mr Justice Paul McDermott, ordered that she remain in the Central Mental Hospital for ongoing treatment, following a report by Dr Ronan Mullaney that she continues to suffer from a mental disorder. The case was prosecuted by James Dwyer SC and defended by Fiona Murphy SC.
A jury has been empanelled for the trial of William Ryan, a 38‑year‑old Garda of Aughrim Station, who is charged with three counts of sexual assault and one count of false imprisonment of a woman at the station on 29 September 2020. Ryan appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, pleaded not guilty to all charges, and was informed that he is a serving member of An Garda Síochána. The trial, expected to last eight to nine days, will hear witnesses including Gardaí and senior detectives, and is scheduled to open tomorrow before Judge Elma Sheahan.
A 19-year-old, John Mulrooney Sugrue of Manorfield Green, Clonee Dublin, has initiated a High Court challenge against the mandatory life sentence law, which would prevent a judge from imposing any sentence other than life in prison if he is found guilty of the murder of Aaron Keating on Main Street, Ongar, Dublin 15 on June 13, 2023. Represented by Seamus Clarke SC, Sugrue argues that the law prevents the sentencing judge from considering that the alleged offence occurred when he was a minor. He claims this breaches his constitutional rights and rights under the European Convention of Human Rights. Sugrue seeks various orders, including an order to prevent further prosecution until sentencing provisions account for his age at the time of the alleged offence, and a declaration that the State has breached his rights by failing to have a sentencing regime that allows for such considerations. The matter was heard by Ms Justice Niamh Hyland, who granted permission for the challenge. The case, along with related matters, will be mentioned before the court later this month. Two other similar challenges have been brought by Noah Musueni and David Amah, who are also charged with murder and are awaiting trial in the Special Criminal Court.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing, Gerard Ward, aged 48, was sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment for an aggravated sexual assault committed on August 25, 2020, at Raheen Business Park, Limerick. The assault involved a threat of rape, forced kissing, and the victim biting down on Ward's tongue, removing a significant portion. Ward also pulled the victim's hair, leaving a bald patch, and inflicted bite marks and scratches. He had previously been convicted of robbery, road traffic, and drug offences, receiving sentences of six and seven years in 2016 and 2001 respectively. The judge, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, set a headline sentence of seven years, reduced by 18 months, and suspended the final six months, citing Ward's remorse and acceptance of the jury verdict. The court noted Ward's injuries required relearning how to speak. The victim, who had called emergency services, was praised for her bravery.
A 17‑year‑old woman was raped by Geoffrey Kumah, 27, whom she had befriended online. She told the Central Criminal Court that after the assault she felt she had to "act normal" for her own safety. Kumah had sent a friend request on Facebook, communicated via Snapchat, and arranged to meet her at his residence. He raped her after consensual kissing, despite her repeatedly telling him she did not want intercourse and attempting to stop him. The victim's impact statement described her ongoing trauma, her need to seek help from a friend and counsellor, and her fear of further exposure during the court process. The judge, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, sentenced Kumah to seven years' imprisonment with the final six months suspended, after a headline sentence of eight and a half years. The sentence considered Kumah's lack of prior convictions, family situation, and cooperation with Gardaí. The victim's statement was praised for its eloquence and bravery.
Michael Farrell, aged 32, was sentenced to six years in prison with the final six months suspended for assault, threatening to kill, and possessing a realistic imitation firearm. He has 231 prior convictions, including violent offences, and has a mild intellectual disability and a serious brain injury from a childhood accident. Farrell argued that the judge failed to give adequate weight to his personal circumstances and that the suspended portion was too short. Counsel Karl Monahan BL contended that a longer suspension would aid rehabilitation, citing Farrell's complex needs and developmental issues. State counsel Derek Cooney BL maintained that the judge had applied appropriate mitigation and that Farrell's history of recidivism justified the sentence. The court reserved judgment on the appeal. Farrell had previously threatened a female Garda with ammonia and attacked two prison officers in 2022. The firearm incident occurred in 2020 when Farrell displayed a realistic imitation weapon in his garden. Michael Farrell pleaded guilty.
Lee Murray, 29, was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment after breaking into his childhood home in Blanchardstown on 2 October 2023. He smashed the front‑door window, entered the house, shouted for money to buy drugs and assaulted his grandfather and his aunt. Murray grabbed his grandfather by the top of his head and forced his aunt upstairs, where he struck her twice on the head with a metal pot. The aunt fell and was injured; she declined hospital treatment and no victim impact statement was made. Murray fled the scene but was re‑arrested 45 minutes later. He pleaded guilty to assaulting his grandfather and assault causing harm to his aunt, with 47 prior convictions including assault and production of an article. The court noted his long‑standing drug addiction and his attempts at rehabilitation. Judge Martin Nolan imposed the custodial term, describing the incident as a shocking experience for the aunt.
The Court of Appeal increased the 46‑year‑old child rapist's sentence from 11 to 16 years after rejecting his appeal. He abused a girl aged eight to eleven, tying her to a bed, holding a knife to her throat and threatening her before raping her. The judge noted that this single offence alone warranted a headline sentence at the top end of the mid‑range, and that the original 13½‑year headline was too low. The appeal was dismissed, and the court quashed the original sentence, resentencing the offender to 16 years with the final six months suspended. The conviction remains for eight counts of rape, nine of anal rape, eight of oral rape and nine of sexual assault, with a two‑year post‑release supervision period retained. The victim, whose identity is protected, suffered lasting mental health effects and remains on medication for anxiety and sleep. The unnamed 46-year-old was acquitted.
In a 363‑page Court of Appeal judgment, Mr Justice John Edwards dismissed nearly 50 grounds of appeal submitted by Aaron Brady, who remains convicted of the 2013 murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. The court found no error in the trial judge's decision to proceed during the Covid‑19 pandemic and rejected arguments that jurors were coerced or that the trial was unfair. Brady's appeals concerning the admissibility of video‑link testimony from Daniel Cahill and Molly Staunton, and allegations of inducement by U.S. authorities, were also rejected. The court upheld Brady's life sentence with a minimum term of 40 years, allowing parole application in February 2048 after 30 years of imprisonment. Brady, aged 33 at conviction, was found guilty of shooting Donohoe during a credit‑union robbery in Louth on 25 January 2013.
Aaron Brady, aged 33, failed to overturn his conviction for the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. The Court of Appeal rejected nearly 50 grounds of appeal presented over a seven‑day hearing in October. The judges dismissed all arguments, including a claim that the trial's integrity was breached when key witness Molly Staunton was interrupted by an unseen man during a video link from New York. The Court found the interruptions did not pose a real risk of an unfair trial. Brady's conviction remains, and he will continue serving a life sentence with a 40‑year minimum, plus a concurrent 14‑year sentence for robbery. The case, the longest murder trial in Irish history, concluded with an 11‑to‑1 jury verdict in August 2020. The Court noted the hearing was the longest in its ten‑year history.
Philip Ogbewe, a 59‑year‑old from Drogheda, was jailed for six and a half years for endangerment after he performed circumcisions on seven boys in their homes between 2018 and 2019. He charged parents €300‑€350, used anaesthetic spray in some cases but not all, and was on bail for a prior 2015 circumcision that caused hospitalisation. Ogbewe pleaded guilty to seven counts of endangerment and seven counts of assault causing harm. Judge Elma Sheahan noted the absence of anaesthesia in several incidents, the children's lack of long‑term harm, and Ogbewe's acceptance of wrongdoing. She imposed a global sentence of seven and a half years, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions to encourage rehabilitation. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
A 78‑year‑old sports coach, unnamed for legal reasons, has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court for one count of rape and 15 counts of indecent assault against a teenage girl in a Leinster school between October 1989 and October 1990. The complainant, aged 13–14 at the time, alleges that the coach first sexually assaulted her by bringing her into a small room and touching her breasts while claiming to take measurements. She says the abuse continued with the coach touching her breasts regularly, then touching her vagina under her clothing and digitally penetrating her. The abuse reportedly ended in June when the girl was on summer holidays, but resumed in September when the coach again brought her into the same room and raped her. The girl reported the coach to Gardaí in 2021, leading to an investigation. The coach pleaded not guilty.
In the trial of six accused men and a teenager for the murder of Thomas 'Tom' Dooley, Judge Mary Ellen Ring charged the jury that if any defendant knew co‑accused carried a bladed weapon and participated in the attack, they are guilty of murder. The State alleged Dooley, aged 43, was violently attacked at a funeral in Tralee on 5 October 2022, suffering four stab wounds, one severing the femoral artery. The accused – Patrick Dooley (36), Thomas Dooley Senior (43), Thomas Dooley Junior (21), Michael Dooley (29), Daniel Dooley (42) and a teenager – all pleaded not guilty. Dooley Junior also faced an assault charge for injuring his wife, Siobhán, who required 45 stitches. The judge emphasized the presumption of innocence, the need for proof beyond reasonable doubt, and the doctrine of joint enterprise, noting no weapon was found linking any defendant to the death. The trial will resume with a reduced jury.
A Central Criminal Court jury has heard that psychiatric evidence is disputed in the trial of James Kilroy (51), charged with murdering his wife Valerie French Kilroy (41) at their rural home near Westport and Castlebar in County Mayo in June 2019. Anne-Marie Lawlor SC, for the Director of Public Prosecutions, told the court that the accused is expected to accept he caused his wife's death by blunt force trauma, strangulation, and stabbing. A defence psychiatrist will testify that Mr Kilroy was experiencing cannabis-induced psychosis at the time and meets the legal criteria for a not guilty verdict by reason of insanity. A prosecution psychiatrist will contradict this assessment. The jury will also hear from toxicologists regarding intoxication, which cannot constitute a legal defence to murder. The court has been informed that four possible verdicts are available: guilty of murder, not guilty by reason of insanity, guilty of manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility, or acquittal. Mr Kilroy has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt.
A 26‑year‑old woman, who was raped by Tadgh Lonergan at a house party in Tipperary, delivered a victim impact statement at his sentencing hearing. She said the assault left her feeling "like a prisoner" in her own life, describing severe physical injuries, emotional trauma, flashbacks, nightmares and a loss of confidence. She noted that the rape disrupted her teaching career, her plans to travel and her sense of security, and that her loved ones also suffered. She urged the judge to consider the lasting effect of the crime and to help her regain her former self. Judge Tony Hunt acknowledged her statement, noted the seriousness of the offence, and remanded Lonergan in custody until the sentencing date on 29 July. The judge also highlighted that Lonergan had no prior convictions and that the case had been a "perfectly normal night out" turned tragic. Tadgh Lonergan pleaded not guilty.
A 51‑year‑old man was convicted at the Central Criminal Court of 12 counts of sexual assault and five counts of oral rape of his daughter between 2010 and 2015. The daughter, aged between 10 and 14 at the time of the abuse, was a survivor who had been unable to access therapy as a teenager. She said the abuse had caused severe physical and mental health problems, including complex PTSD, and that she had felt like she was on trial for six years. She criticised the use of her counselling notes in the trial, describing them as "surreal" and fearing they would be used to portray her as a liar. The court adjourned sentencing until 14 October. The defendant denied the allegations and his defence counsel presented two character references, arguing that incarceration would have a deep effect on his family and health. The case was heard by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon.
Chakib Baddaoui, a 40‑year‑old Dutch national, was sentenced to two years in prison for assault causing harm on his former partner in Dublin in 2015. He fled Ireland shortly after the offence, taking a new job in Amsterdam, and later married and had a child. He returned to Ireland in 2022, was granted bail, and travelled from Dubai for the sentencing hearing. He brought €10,000 in compensation to the court. The judge, Elva Duffy, noted that Baddaoui had no prior convictions and that the victim did not wish to give a victim impact statement. The sentence was read with Baddaoui and his wife becoming emotional. The judge suspended the final 12 months of the sentence for two years, back‑dating it to account for the six weeks he had spent in Spanish custody under a European Arrest Warrant. The effective custodial term is one year. The unnamed 40-year-old pleaded guilty.
In a High Court hearing on 8 July 2024, the Garda Commissioner was not challenged in two separate judicial review cases concerning the alleged unlawful policy of refusing station bail to men accused of breaching domestic violence orders. The first case involved a man in family‑law proceedings who was detained after a former partner alleged he had breached a Protection Order by shouting at her. He was denied station bail, held overnight, and granted bail the next day by a District Court judge. The second case concerned a man arrested for breaching a barring order that prohibited him from entering his residence; he too was denied station bail, held overnight, and released the following day. Both men, represented by Stephen Faulkner, argue that the Commissioner's 2017 Domestic Abuse Policy, which bars station bail for such offences, lacks legal basis, is unlawful and unreasonable.
A 17‑year‑old boy, whose name is withheld because he is a minor, pleaded guilty to the murder of Lorna Woodnutt, a woman in her 40s, at a rural property outside Tullamore, Co Offaly, on 29 September 2023. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court on 8 July 2024. Mr Justice Paul McDermott explained that, as the defendant is under 18, the case is dealt with under The Children's Act and the mandatory life sentence for murder does not apply. The judge read the single charge to the boy, who confirmed he was ready to proceed. Defence counsel James Dwyer SC requested a probation report, a remand period and a sentence date at the end of July. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Michael Delaney SC, noted that a victim impact statement would be presented and that the sentence hearing would last about half a day.
Raymond Shorten, a 50‑year‑old Dublin taxi driver, was convicted in May of two counts of rape and one of sexual assault against a seven‑year‑old girl. The offences occurred after the child's mother's funeral, in a bathroom at her family home where Shorten covered her mouth, and later on a bed and in a car. The girl, now 20, had left a handwritten note in 2020 alleging abuse and was interviewed by specialist gardai in early 2021. Shorten denied all allegations during voluntary interviews in 2020 and 2021, calling them "110% lies" and a "wind‑up." He was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and is due to be sentenced later this month. The case is part of a broader pattern of sexual offences by Shorten, who has eight prior convictions, including five for road traffic offences. Raymond Shorten pleaded not guilty.
Owen Maughan, 22, was sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of 65-year-old Christopher Hall. Maughan, of Dun Saithne Avenue, Balbriggan, pleaded guilty to the sole count of murder during a pre-trial hearing last month. The court heard that Maughan murdered Mr Hall at his home in Dun Saithne Green, Balbriggan, Co Dublin, between November 23 and 24, 2021. The sentence was backdated to July 4, 2022, when Maughan entered custody. Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted the focus rightly fell on the victim and his family. Prosecution evidence indicated Maughan had harassed and tormented the vulnerable victim, who had a brain injury, including directing him to ATMs to withdraw cash. A postmortem identified seven stab wounds to the neck and blunt force trauma to the head. Maughan has 39 previous convictions. Defence counsel stated Maughan was under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time and expressed remorse. The victim's daughter, Rebecca Hall, described the actions as "nothing but evil" and "senseless."
At the Special Criminal Court, the matter was adjourned to July 16 for a mention. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt with Mr Justice Paul Burns and Judge Sinead Ní Chúlacháin, heard an application by State solicitor Ciara Vibien to have Brandon Hennessy tried at the non-jury court. Hennessy, 21, is accused of violent disorder under Section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994, allegedly using or threatening violence at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on December 24. He is the son of Jason Hennessy Sr, who was fatally injured in the shooting and died 11 days later. Another victim, Tristan Sherry, died of blunt-force trauma. Seven others are also involved in the proceedings. David Amah, Michael Andrecut, Noah Musueni, and Wayne Deegan are charged with murder. Jaures Kumbu is charged with unlawful possession of a submachine gun at the steakhouse on the night. A 17-year-old boy and Jonas Kabangu are charged with violent disorder. The court did not record any pleas, findings, or sentences, as the case remains at the procedural stage of trial preparation. The matter was not concluded but adjourned to allow for the listing of all matters for mention on the specified date.