Aaron Brady, 31, of Killeshandra, Co Cavan, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexually assaulting a Ryanair cabin crew member on an inbound flight to Dublin Airport. The matter is currently at the charge or pretrial stage. Judge Jonathan Dunphy adjourned the case to June for finalisation to allow Brady to address the victim's expenses outlined in her impact statement. The court directed that €5,000, offered by Brady as a gesture of remorse, be paid within 24 hours for onward transmission to the woman. Judge Dunphy remanded Brady on continuing bail so he could continue working, noting the court's concern regarding the victim's financial losses, which exceeded €3,000 due to sick leave and her subsequent resignation. Brady admitted to consuming significant amounts of alcohol before and during the flight and stated he has no memory of the incident. He has one previous conviction for failing to report a hit and run. The victim described the assault as shattering her sense of safety, leading to her resignation from the job she loved. Brady's defense counsel highlighted his early guilty plea, good work record, and willingness to repay further expenses if given more time. The judge expressed a desire to finalise the case in a manner that allows everyone to move on.
A 39-year-old man from Mullingar, Gary O'Shaughnessy, was found not guilty of attempted murder by reason of insanity after attacking his partially blind brother with a hammer and knife. The jury reached a unanimous verdict within 32 minutes, noting that O'Shaughnessy suffered from schizophrenia and was under the influence of delusional beliefs that he and his brother were cursed. The defense argued that O'Shaughnessy's mental illness rendered him incapable of understanding the nature of his actions. Psychiatrists testified that he believed the only way to avert a post-apocalyptic curse was to kill his brother. The court accepted that O'Shaughnessy had not been drinking on the day of the attack and that his mental disorder prevented him from knowing the wrongfulness of his actions. Judge Tony Hunt commended the jury for their prompt decision and ordered O'Shaughnessy's commitment to the Central Mental Hospital for psychiatric assessment. The victim, Mark O'Shaughnessy, was found in a critical condition with severe injuries, and the case was described as a "terrible shroud of sadness" by the defense. Gary O'Shaughnessy was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
A man in his 30s who sent threatening voice messages to his former partner, breaching a protection order, has been given a two-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. Gardai informed Tallaght District Court that on August 9, 2023, the man sent threatening voice notes to the mother of his children, which put her in fear and violated a protection order issued on November 9, 2022. The defendant pleaded guilty to breaching the protection order under the Domestic Violence Act, 2018. Judge Liz Healy noted that a probation report on the defendant was not as positive as it could have been, raising concerns about his engagement with services and his views on intimate partner violence. The man explained that he missed appointments due to moving house and not receiving letters. Defence counsel, Ciara Ní Ghabhann BL, stated that her client did not intend to come across in that way and suggested the Probation Service may have misunderstood him. Judge Healy emphasized that engagement with services such as the MOVE Ireland programme could help address these issues.
Nathan Coakley, a member of the Hutch family, was further jailed for affray after throwing a lit bottle of flammable liquid at an apartment on the day of his brother's murder inquest. The court heard that Coakley was suffering from significant stress and post-traumatic stress due to ongoing threats from a family feud. The incident occurred on the day of the inquest into the murder of his brother, Derek Coakley Hutch. The bottle failed to ignite, and no one was injured. Coakley has 105 previous convictions and is currently serving a sentence for a drug offence. Judge Martin Nolan noted that Coakley had been involved in a verbal altercation and returned with the intent to damage property. He was chased from the scene by a man waving a saw and later encountered gardai. The judge considered Coakley's record and the circumstances, imposing a two-year and three-month sentence consecutive to his current term. Coakley has since addressed his drug misuse and is clean of drugs since 2024. Nathan Coakley pleaded guilty.
An actor who appeared on the crime drama series Love/Hate has been jailed for four years for a violent attempt to rob a café and for carrying out a later robbery of a convenience store while covered in blood. Leroy Harris (32) was stopped by gardaí and arrested for his own safety after being spotted in Dublin city with bloodstained hands. It was later discovered that he had just robbed a convenience store using a broken pint glass. Earlier that evening, Harris had attempted to rob a café by squeezing under the shutters and swinging a wine bottle at the owner, who managed to push him out. Harris pleaded guilty to the attempted robbery of the Flower and Bean Café and to the robbery of Day Today' convenience store. Garda Aidan Doyle stated that Harris told the café owner it was a robbery before swinging the bottle at him. The owner, who was with his wife and child at the time, was concerned for their safety and noted that Harris appeared intoxicated.
A care assistant described the moment she entered the home of her vulnerable and partially blind client to find him covered in blood and in the company of his brother, who told her he had "drained" his sibling. Gary O'Shaughnessy, 39, is charged with attempted murder and causing serious harm to his brother, Mark O'Shaughnessy, after an incident in May 2024. Two psychiatrists testified that Gary suffers from schizophrenia and fulfils the criteria for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Care assistant Louise McGloin testified that she found Mark covered in blood and Gary sitting on a couch, claiming he had "drained" his brother. Paramedics found Mark in a critical state with a catastrophic haemorrhage from a neck injury. Gary told gardai that he had been drinking heavily, heard voices, and was influenced by hallucinations to kill his brother. Forensic psychiatrists testified that Gary was suffering from schizophrenia and did not know the nature and quality of his actions.
Stephen Crosbie (44) was jailed for five and a half years after attacking a fellow homeless services user with a knife and hatchet during an incident of 'harrowing violence' in Peter McVerry House in Dublin last year. The victim suffered severe injuries, including a laceration to his head and a punctured kidney. Staff members tried to de-escalate the situation, but Crosbie threatened them as well. When armed gardai arrived, they found blood spatters along the corridor. The victim required emergency surgery. Crosbie had 120 previous convictions and was on bail for another offence at the time of the attack. Judge Orla Crowe described the attack as 'deeply serious, brutal' and noted the 45-minute incident of brutality. She reduced the headline sentence of nine years to six years, taking into account mitigating factors, including Crosbie's early guilty pleas. The court heard the dispute started when the victim repaid Crosbie €100 from a €200 debt, leading to the attack.
A 39-year-old man, who has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the attempted murder of his vulnerable brother, told gardai that he tried to kill his sibling with a hammer and by slitting his neck and wrists, a Central Criminal Court jury has heard. Gary O'Shaughnessy is charged with the attempted murder of his brother Mark O'Shaughnessy (42) at the same address between May 15 and 16, 2024. The brothers were living at Ailesbury House at the time. He is further charged with intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to his brother on the same date and at the same location. Mr O'Shaughnessy has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to both charges. Opening the prosecution's case, Ronan Kennedy SC said there is no dispute that the accused attempted to kill and cause serious harm to his brother by stabbing him and striking him on the head with a hammer. Counsel said the case will centre on the mental state of the accused.
A man has applied to have his case declared a miscarriage of justice after the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction for the sexual assault of an asylum seeker he had met through an Islamic centre. The court overturned the now 59-year-old's conviction in 2023 after the man's legal team successfully argued it was unsafe. His defence relied on internet searches relating to sexual matters that were extracted using new software from the complainant's phone after the trial had concluded. They said that if the jury had known of those searches, it would have undermined her claim that she was a virgin and knew nothing of sexual matters prior to meeting the man. The man had pleaded not guilty to a sexual assault alleged to have occurred on December 1st, 2017, in Co Dublin. He was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury in April 2021 and sentenced to five and a half years in prison.
Matas Kuzevicius, a grocery thief, has been jailed for three and a half years after attacking supermarket staff with a syringe and claiming he had HIV. Kuzevicius was stopped by security staff while trying to leave a supermarket with stolen groceries and produced a syringe filled with a bloodlike substance. During the struggle, an assistant manager received a scrape to the hand. Kuzevicius, who has 33 previous convictions, claimed he had HIV, but testing showed he did not have the virus. He admitted to stealing groceries, assault causing harm, possession of a syringe, and threatening to injure with a syringe. The court heard that Kuzevicius had a history of drug addiction and homelessness. Judge Orla Crowe described the incident as a "very, very serious and dangerous situation" and set a headline sentence of six years, which was reduced to four years, taking into account his early guilty pleas, remorse, and rehabilitation in custody. The final six months of the sentence were suspended on conditions, including supervision by the Probation Service.
Philip Sullivan, a 63-year-old Kildare native, is to be returned to prison after breaching the conditions of his suspended sentence. In 2008, the late Mr Justice Paul Carney imposed two concurrent life sentences on Sullivan for the alleged rape and sexual assault of two young boys, aged nine and 11, between 2004 and 2006. Sullivan appealed this decision, and the Court of Appeal quashed the life terms, substituting them with concurrent 15-year sentences. The final two and a half years of this term were suspended for 10 years on strict conditions, including a prohibition on being in the company of minors. Prosecutors told the High Court that in February, gardai found Sullivan in the company of three teenage boys, aged 15, 16, and 17, at his south Dublin home. While there was no evidence the boys consumed alcohol or cannabis in Sullivan's presence, his association with minors constituted a breach. Sullivan's risk assessment was subsequently upgraded from medium to high. Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted that Sullivan was not candid when confronted by gardai. The judge activated 18 months of the previously suspended sentence, ordering Sullivan's return to custody to ensure public safety and uphold the fundamental tenet of his supervision.
Two criminals with a combined 365 previous convictions have been jailed for seven and a half years for a "distressing" and "gratuitously violent" robbery, during which the victim was falsely imprisoned, strangled, and thrown headfirst onto LUAS tracks. The victim was approached by Conor Manning (30) and Jackie McElhaton (50), who struck him with a glass bottle and took his phone. Manning then threw the victim headfirst into LUAS tracks and attempted to strangle him. The victim lost consciousness multiple times and was later admitted to hospital for treatment. Both pleaded guilty to the robbery, and McElhaton also pleaded guilty to an earlier robbery. The court heard that the victim described the experience as deeply distressing and frightening, with lasting physical and psychological effects. Judge Martin Nolan noted the level of violence was gratuitous and reduced the headline sentence of 10 years to seven and a half years, taking mitigating factors into account.
A convicted murderer serving a life sentence for shooting his brother-in-law with a submachine gun has been given a three-year jail term for endangering a garda with his car. In June 2021, Christopher Devine (44) was driving his car when he suddenly took off, nearly running down a garda and causing €1,800 worth of damage to two vehicles. He was arrested following a separate pursuit and pleaded guilty to endangerment and criminal damage. At the time, he had six previous offences and was later convicted of murder. He now has 13 previous convictions. His defense highlighted his struggles with alcohol and drug abuse, and Judge Orla Crowe reduced the headline sentence of four years to three, taking mitigating factors into account.
Convicted killer Derek Moore (aka Hutch), who was banned from the roads, high on drugs, driving at 158km/h and pulling wheelies on his motorbike when he struck a Ukrainian grandmother in Dublin city centre, leaving her with serious injuries, has asked a court to allow him complete a detox programme. Moore of Champions Avenue, Dublin 1 has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious harm to Valentyna Linck on May 27, 2022 at Amiens Street. Moore (42) also pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving and a count of driving under the influence of an intoxicant on the same date. Further counts of dangerous driving are to be taken into consideration by the court. Moore has 44 previous convictions, including those for manslaughter, assault causing serious harm, attempted robbery and possession of drugs. His previous convictions also include eight for dangerous driving and one for endangerment. He was disqualified from driving for five years at the time of this offence, the court was told.
A father who assaulted an umpire at an underage GAA match, leading to the victim suffering a concussion at the hands of others, has been given a three-month suspended sentence. The actions of the defendant Michael Kelly – who has 20 previous convictions – at Clan na Gael club in March 2023 were 'not a true reflection of the GAA', Judge Orla Crowe said as she sentenced him today. The court was previously told how there were already tensions on the pitch during the match when Kelly ran at an umpire 'swinging punches' after his 17-year-old son got into a verbal disagreement with the victim. Kelly (41) of Sherrard St Lower, Dublin 1, pleaded guilty to assault at the GAA club in Irishtown on March 5, 2023. Kelly did not actually strike the umpire, Paul Keane, but put him in fear that he would be hit, which allows for a charge of assault under Section 2 of the Non-fatal Offences against the Person Act. It is an offence which carries a maximum sentence of six months.
A 39-year-old man has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the attempted murder of his brother at the family home in Mullingar two years ago. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor at the Central Criminal Court today swore a jury of seven men and five women to hear the trial of Gary O'Shaughnessy. She told the jury it is alleged that Mr O'Shaughnessy attempted to murder his brother, Mark O'Shaughnessy, at Ailesbury House, Lynn Road, Mullingar Co Westmeath between May 15 and 16, 2024. The brothers were living at Ailesbury House at the time, she said. He is further charged with intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to his brother on the same date and at the same location. Mr O'Shaughnessy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to both charges. Ms Justice O'Connor told the jury the trial will conclude by the end of this week.
A 39-year-old man from Gweedore in Co Donegal has been committed to the Central Mental Hospital following a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity in relation to the death of his grandfather. Derek Mulligan received the order at the Central Criminal Court on Monday after a jury returned majority verdicts on all counts in late March. The jury accepted psychiatric evidence that Mr Mulligan was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia when his grandfather, Derek Burns, aged 78, died at Carrickcoyle on 19 December 2023. A consultant forensic psychiatrist told the court that Mr Mulligan continues to suffer from the mental disorder and requires ongoing inpatient treatment. The defendant had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murder and further charges relating to property damage and threats made two days prior, as well as two counts of assault. Justice Eileen Creedon accepted the medical evidence and committed him to the designated centre for continued care.
A Ukrainian war veteran, Hryhorii Sryotenko, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for attempting to murder his ex-partner, Viktoriia Pavlenko, by stabbing her 15 times in her bedroom. The court heard that the attack was halted only by the intervention of Sryotenko's son. Mr Justice David Keane described the incident as a "truly horrific" attack, noting the life-threatening and disfiguring injuries Pavlenko sustained. Sryotenko, who claims he was psychologically damaged during his military service, pleaded guilty to the attempted murder. The judge highlighted aggravating factors, including the severity of the injuries, the breach of trust in the victim's home, and the use of a long kitchen knife. Sryotenko's admission of guilt and lack of previous convictions were considered mitigating factors. The victim, who had to leave Ukraine due to the war, described the attack as a complete change in her life, leaving her with lasting physical and emotional scars.
Antoin Duffy, a 49-year-old man charged with murdering former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson, has been remanded in custody until June. He appeared by video link before the Special Criminal Court, which directed that two books of evidence be served on his solicitors on June 8. Duffy also faces charges connected with an alleged attempted murder and firearms possession in Donegal.
Antoin Duffy, who was extradited from Scotland, appeared before the Special Criminal Court charged with the murder of former Provisional IRA and Sinn Féin official Denis Donaldson. He also faces a separate attempted-murder charge involving Liam McGinley and four firearms-related charges. The three-judge, non-jury court ordered that all six charges be tried there after the Director of Public Prosecutions certified that the ordinary courts were not adequate.
A 55-year-old man who repeatedly sexually assaulted a four-year-old girl when he was aged between 12 and 13 pleaded guilty to three sample counts at the Central Criminal Court. The offending occurred at a house in Co. Offaly between September 1983 and October 1984, with 11 other sexual-assault charges taken into consideration. Justice Patrick McGrath set a 15-month sentence and suspended the final nine months, taking account of the defendant's youth at the time, guilty plea, remorse, health and low likelihood of reoffending.
A native Irish speaker, 39-year-old Derek Mulligan, has been found not guilty of murdering his grandfather by reason of insanity following a majority verdict by a Central Criminal Court jury. The jury accepted the evidence of two psychiatrists who testified that Mulligan was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the incident. Mulligan had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his grandfather, Derek Burns, who died from severe injuries sustained on December 19, 2023. The court also heard that Mulligan was found not guilty by reason of insanity on additional charges, including damaging property, making threats, and assaulting two individuals. The trial revealed that Mulligan had a history of mental health issues and had experienced significant trauma, including sexual abuse in his childhood. The court ordered Mulligan's commitment to the Central Mental Hospital for psychiatric assessment, with a return date scheduled for March 31. The judge exempted the jury from service for the next five years due to the difficulty of the case.
Christopher O'Sullivan appealed the life sentence imposed for his manslaughter role in the killing of Timothy Hourihane. At the Court of Appeal, his counsel argued that the offence did not fall into the most serious sentencing category and that the disparity with James Brady's sentence was unjustified. The prosecution said the sentencing judge was entitled to consider O'Sullivan's previous convictions. Judgment was reserved. Christopher O'Sullivan pleaded guilty.
Tomasz Rozpeda, who had originally been charged with murdering Maciej Nowak, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court. The charge concerns the unlawful killing of Nowak at Ballycranna, Kilross in Co Tipperary on or about December 26 or 27, 2023. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor adjourned the matter to May 18, directed a victim impact report and remanded Rozpeda in custody. The State will not proceed with the murder count after sentencing.
Mr Justice Tony Hunt ruled that Riad Bouchaker is fit to stand trial over charges arising from the Parnell Square East incident, including the attempted murder of two girls and one boy and assault causing serious harm to a care worker. The judge said Bouchaker has cognitive limitations but can understand the charges and mount a defence with accommodations. A three-week Central Criminal Court trial was set for June 8, with fitness to remain under review.
Dean Whittaker (33), an appellant with an address in Ballymun, Dublin, has appealed against the severity of his ten-month prison sentence for possessing cocaine and diamorphine for the purpose of unlawful sale and supply, contrary to section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. Whittaker was initially charged with possession of controlled drugs and obstructing or impeding a garda member on March 28, 2023. He was convicted in the District Court and later lodged an appeal. Garda Pierce O'Dwyer testified that Whittaker initially resisted arrest before being restrained and later admitted to dropping off drugs for sale and supply, while possessing a burner phone. Whittaker has 84 previous convictions, including drug-related, assault, and obstruction offences. Defence counsel stated that Whittaker has taken significant steps to change his behaviour, including engaging with the Star Project and the job centre, and has been clean of substances for 12 months. She requested the judge to consider suspending the jail term to provide motivation for Whittaker to turn his life around. Judge Cephas Power noted that the offending was at the 'top end' of the District Court level and was not inclined to interfere with the sentence at this stage. The case was re-mentioned for Whittaker to provide additional letters and urine analysis. The matter was adjourned for further mention in the new court term.
A 16-year-old boy who sexually assaulted a care worker and threatened staff with a screwdriver and knife at a care home pleaded guilty to false imprisonment, sexual assault, attempted oral rape and making threats to kill or cause serious harm. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed four years' detention and suspended the final 18 months for two years. Conditions include continued engagement with the Probation Service and no direct or indirect contact with the victims. The boy cannot be identified because of his age.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Michael Kelly ran at an umpire swinging punches during an underage hurling match in Irishtown. Kelly pleaded guilty to a section 2 assault after causing Paul Keane to fear he would be struck, although the court heard he did not strike him. Unidentified people later assaulted Keane, causing concussion; the court heard those injuries were not attributable to Kelly. Judge Orla Crowe continued Kelly's bail and adjourned sentence to April 13 while an apology and €1,000 payment are considered.
Defence counsel told a Central Criminal Court jury that a just and humane society should treat people who are unwell rather than punish them, in the trial of Derek Mulligan. Mulligan has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering his grandfather Derek Burns at Carrickcoyle, Derrybeg, and to other charges. Two psychiatrists told the trial he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and met the criteria for the special verdict. The jury was expected to begin deliberations the following day.
The Court of Appeal has rejected the conviction appeal of Keith O'Hara, who was convicted of murder and burglary in December 2021. O'Hara, of Cahergal Avenue, Mayfield, Cork, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Paul Jones and a second charge of burglary. He was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork and sentenced to life in prison by Mr Justice Michael MacGrath. The appeal, led by Vincent Heneghan SC, argued that DNA samples taken from O'Hara breached his constitutional rights and that evidence from search warrants should have been excluded due to the lack of an audio recording of the application. The State, represented by Jane Hyland SC, countered that authorisation was based on reasonable suspicion and that the District Court judge rightly granted the warrants. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, delivering the judgment, ruled that the grounds for the DNA samples were plainly present and that there was no requirement for the search warrant application to be recorded. He concluded that the trial judge was entitled to admit the evidence and rejected the appeal. Co-accused Helen Jones, the deceased's sister, also failed in her own appeal in June 2024, where the Court of Appeal rejected her bid to overturn her conviction based on the wording of the oath taken by a detective garda.
Cloverhill Prison agreed to facilitate a 90-minute virtual appointment between a psychiatrist and Ahmed Abdirahman, who is accused of murdering Mary Ward. The Central Criminal Court adjourned the case to April 22 for an update on the psychiatric report.
An unnamed 35-year-old Dublin man was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a global term of nine years and two months after pleading guilty to six counts of child cruelty committed between 2016 and 2020. The court heard allegations that he subjected his six children to severe neglect and abuse, including repeatedly locking the oldest boy in a chest freezer, bathroom, and closet, as well as holding his head underwater. The children, aged between 10 months and eight years at the time of care in January 2020, were found living in filthy, cold conditions with inadequate food and clothing. The man's then-partner, the children's mother, was separately sentenced to two-and-a-half years in 2025 after pleading guilty to child neglect. During the sentencing hearing, the Director of Public Prosecutions entered a nolle prosequi on three counts of sexual assault and two further counts against the man, meaning those specific allegations were not proceeded with. Judge Elma Sheahan cited the repeated nature of the cruelty, the profound breach of parental trust, and the children's dependency as aggravating factors. The man, who has 20 previous convictions primarily for public order offences, has since undergone drug treatment. The children are now placed in three separate foster homes.
The High Court has dismissed personal injury proceedings brought by Anne Birkinshaw against the coroner for Tipperary North, North Tipperary County Council, and the Minister for Justice and Equality. Ms Birkinshaw alleged she suffered psychological trauma due to a 36-year delay in holding an inquest into the 1975 murder of her sister, Kathleen Cashin, who was killed in Co Tipperary. Following a Central Criminal Court trial in December 1975, an individual was found guilty but insane of the murder. Ms Birkinshaw claimed the late provision of a postmortem report in 2011, which contradicted her belief that her sister died quickly, caused significant injury. The defendants applied to strike out the 2013 proceedings under court rules on delay, arguing severe prejudice as key witnesses, including the State pathologist, are deceased or unavailable. Mr Justice David Nolan noted the case involved a "leisurely approach" with "total inactivity" between 2019 and 2024. He observed that the current coroner for North Tipperary is not liable for predecessors' acts. Although acknowledging the tragic background, the judge found the case offered little realistic prospect of success and that the defence faced clear disadvantage. Consequently, the court dismissed the matter, concluding it could not be saved despite the delays.
Two psychiatrists told the Central Criminal Court that Derek Mulligan was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia when he caused fatal injuries to his grandfather Derek Burns. Mulligan has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murder, while the court also heard evidence that the release of Michael Ferry had caused him to 'spiral'; the trial continues.
Five men were sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for an alleged assault on Barry Moore, which involved waterboarding, beatings, and branding with the word "RAT." Ms Justice Karen O'Connor described the conduct as shocking, noting it bypassed any notion of humanity. The defendants were originally charged with causing serious harm and false imprisonment, offences carrying potential life sentences. After Mr Moore refused to give evidence, the State accepted guilty pleas to assault causing harm, a maximum ten-year offence. Devon Hennessy (30), who pleaded guilty early and allegedly tried to intervene, received the shortest sentence of three years. Jason Hennessy (29) and Dean Fitzsimons (26) received headline sentences reduced to eight and a half years each due to late pleas. Kenneth Fitzsimons (46) was jailed for eight years. Brandon Hennessy (23) received a six-year sentence to run consecutively to an existing term expiring in February 2028. All sentences, except Brandon Hennessy's, were backdated to February 17, 2025. The judge noted that four defendants entered guilty pleas only after the trial began and when Mr Moore was summoned by warrant, limiting the weight given to their remorse.
Matthias Kelly was given a 12-year sentence, with the final two years suspended, after pleading guilty to attempting to murder Fiona Timmermans during a knife attack in Dublin. Concurrent sentences were also imposed for burglary, threats to kill, criminal damage and producing a knife.
A judge said a judicial review may be needed if prison access problems prevent a psychiatrist from assessing Ahmed Abdirahman, who is accused of murdering Mary Ward. Counsel said the psychiatrist left one prison visit after staff were 'dismissive and rude', while video consultations were cancelled.
The Court of Appeal dismissed Sean Kinneavy's conviction appeal, rejecting his argument that a jury's disagreement on two sexual-assault counts made its convictions on 47 other counts and two rape counts perverse. Kinneavy maintains his innocence; he was previously sentenced to nine years for rape offences and a concurrent eight years for sexual assaults.
The Central Criminal Court heard evidence that Derek Mulligan described attacking his grandfather Derek Burns with a granite stone and cement block. Mulligan has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murder and also faces charges arising from incidents involving Catherine McDermott and the McFaddens in Donegal; the trial continues.
The District Court Appeals Court reduced an unnamed man's 18-month term to 15 months after reviewing convictions for assault, criminal damage, safety-order breaches, obstruction and threats. The appeal court heard allegations of domestic violence, intimidation and threats to kill a garda, and imposed a two-year bond and course condition.
The State has appealed against the sentence imposed on Gavin Lawlor, arguing that the 12-month effective prison term for coercively controlling and assaulting his teenage girlfriend was unduly lenient. Lawlor, 24, pleaded guilty in June 2024 to eight counts of assault causing harm and one count of coercive and controlling behaviour, with offences occurring between March 2021 and March 2022. In April 2025, Judge James McCourt at Wexford Circuit Court sentenced him to two years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended. The prosecution contends the judge erred by failing to adequately weight aggravating factors, including that Lawlor committed some offences while on bail for the same victim. Defence counsel Ronan SC argued the judge correctly adopted a global approach considering Lawlor's low intellectual functioning and remorse, noting he has repaid €1,500 of a €2,000 compensation order. Mr Justice John Edwards, hearing the appeal, noted it was concerning that Lawlor was deemed at high risk of reoffending. He directed that a probation report be prepared and adjourned the matter to May 5.
Joshua Rush pleaded guilty to manslaughter after a kick caused Charles McCaughley to fall and suffer a fatal brain injury on Fairview Strand. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court adjourned sentencing-related matters while gardai seek more information about McCaughley's background.
The Court of Appeal dismissed Trevor Richardson's challenge to one of his 55 sexual-assault convictions. The three-judge court found the discrepancies in the complainant's evidence were not out of the ordinary and said credibility and reliability were matters for the jury. Richardson's further complaint about the trial judge's summary of the defence case was also rejected. Trevor Richardson was found guilty.
Gary Stephens received a suspended four-month sentence after admitting assault causing harm to a garda in Ballinasloe. The court heard about his long Defence Forces career, rehabilitation after the incident, remorse and €7,000 payment offered to the injured officer.
Conor O'Brien, 29, of Kilpatrick, Ardee, Co Louth, was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended, after pleading guilty to importing guns and ammunition. At the Special Criminal Court, Ms Justice O'Connor noted that O'Brien used his dual citizenship to purchase firearms in America for sale in Ireland. He also pleaded guilty to five counts of possessing firearms components in suspicious circumstances, including AR-15 barrels and pistol frames, contrary to the Firearms Act 1964. The court ordered the forfeiture and destruction of these items. Although O'Brien was originally charged with two counts of money laundering involving sums of €7,450 and €9,980, the Director of Public Prosecutions dropped these charges. The State indicated it would not pursue forfeiture of the cash, and the court ordered the funds be returned to O'Brien. O'Brien was part of a criminal organisation led by Mark McCourt, 34, of Edenreive, Newry, Co Down. McCourt was previously sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court after pleading guilty to facilitating the importation of restricted weapons and possessing firearms components between February 2023 and July 2024. Detective Inspector Shane McCartan stated that O'Brien was central to the organisation, which distributed weapons to gangs in Derry, Armagh, Dublin, and Limerick.
Tomas Cypas has received the mandatory life sentence for murdering Juris Kokenbergs in Lucan. A jury convicted him by a majority verdict after hearing that an assault followed an argument involving an alleged lewd request, while the defence had argued for manslaughter. Tomas Cypas pleaded not guilty.
Michael Poole was convicted of 14 counts of raping Lisa Brown and eight counts of indecent assault after abusing his niece while babysitting her. The court heard Brown tried twice to report the abuse and was rebuffed; Mr Justice Patrick McGrath sentenced Poole to 12 years, with the final two suspended. Michael Poole pleaded guilty.
Alex Nyamhamba received a two-and-a-half-year sentence, with the final 15 months suspended, after pleading guilty to assault causing harm at a Sandyford builder's yard. The court heard he punched a customer eight to ten times during a traffic dispute, breaking two front teeth and knocking out two others.
Marian Dumitru, a 39-year-old appellant, had his three-month custodial sentence overturned and replaced with a fully suspended term on appeal. Dumitru was previously convicted in the District Court of an assault at Store Street Garda Station, contrary to section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. He was also charged with intoxication in a public place and threatening and abusive behaviour on Beresford Place. The District Court of Appeal heard that Dumitru was arrested on September 9, 2023, after being observed in a highly intoxicated state. Sergeant Tom O'Connor testified that Dumitru spat at a garda while in a cell, an act the court described as abhorrent. O'Connor noted Dumitru has 65 previous convictions. Defence counsel Lydia Daly BL argued that Dumitru, who had previously lived in homeless accommodation, had completed a detox program and requested a suspended sentence to allow him to engage with probation services. Judge Alec Gabbett accepted the appeal against the severity of the sentence. He suspended the three-month jail term for a period of 24 months, leaving the sentence hanging over the defendant. The judge also imposed a condition requiring Dumitru to attend addiction counselling.
The Court of Appeal dismissed Richard Morrissey's challenge to convictions for sexual assault and oral rape involving a girl abused in Louth from childhood. The court rejected arguments about the timeframe, corroboration warning, delayed disclosure and other evidence, holding that none of the appeal grounds had merit. Richard Morrissey was found guilty.