In a Cork city house party where 20‑year‑old Cameron Blair was murdered, 19‑year‑old Scott O'Connor was found to have brandished a knife. O'Connor's defence counsel told the Central Criminal Court that his client had "minimised" his behaviour and now accepts the facts as presented by the prosecution. He had held the knife above his head and pointed it at party‑goers, and had also pulled up his top to reveal his waistband when a 14‑year‑old friend urged him to "shank one of them." O'Connor had earlier claimed he had taken the knife from the kitchen floor to scare others but denied any intention to use it. He had pleaded guilty to violent disorder and to producing a knife capable of serious injury. The judge adjourned sentencing to July 12, noting a conflict on the facts that the court would resolve. The case remains at the sentencing stage.
Convicted murderer Freddie Thompson has brought a High Court action challenging the Legal Aid Board's refusal to pay his legal costs for a 2019 case regarding his detention conditions. Thompson, serving a life sentence in Portlaoise Prison for the 2018 murder of David Douglas, previously sought judicial review over conditions in the prison's A4-wing. That 2019 action was withdrawn in November 2019 after he was moved to the mainstream population, a move the respondents attributed to security concerns rather than the legal action. Following the withdrawal, a High Court judge recommended Thompson's fees be covered under the Legal Aid (Custody Issue) Scheme. However, the Legal Aid Board refused this in August 2020, a decision repeated in March 2021, citing that Thompson did not qualify because he had already been convicted, sentenced, and lost his liberty. Thompson claims this refusal is an error in law and unreasonable, arguing the Board failed to interpret the scheme consistently with High Court judges. Represented by Micheal O'Higgins SC and Keith Spencer BL, Thompson seeks to quash the Board's refusal and obtain declarations that the decision breached fair procedures, constitutional rights, and the ECHR. He further claims the scheme is constitutionally deficient. Mr Justice Charles Meenan granted permission to bring the action on an ex-parte basis on Monday, with the matter made returnable to a date in October.
During the trial in the Central Criminal Court, a witness named Andy Williams recounted the fatal shooting that occurred on 5 June 2018 at Bray Boxing Club. He said he initially thought the gunman was joking, as the gun appeared fake and did not look real. After a few seconds he saw the gun turn and shoot Bobby Messett in the face, causing Messett to fall. Williams then heard more shots and saw trainer Pete Taylor lying on the ground with a sulphur smell. He later found that Messett was gone and Taylor was being tended to by a classmate. Ian Britton was also hit in the foot. Williams called the Gardaí, but they could not say how long it took to arrive. The accused, Gerard Cervi, 34, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Messett, the attempted murder of Taylor, and the assault on Britton.
A 47-year-old man has received a life sentence at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of a 78-year-old widow in Limerick in December 2017. Alexandru Iordache, originally from Romania, pleaded guilty to the killing of Rose Hanrahan at her home in Thomondgate on or about 14-15 December 2017. The court heard that Iordache observed Mrs Hanrahan entering her PIN at a supermarket checkout on 13 December and subsequently followed her home. She was found dead by family members, having been strangled with a curtain cord and subjected to blows to her head and face. CCTV footage and DNA evidence recovered from the crime scene proved instrumental in identifying the perpetrator. Iordache had travelled to Ireland on 12 December and departed on 21 December. His life sentence was backdated to his extradition date of 16 January 2020. Justice Michael White described the crime as horrific and noted that Mrs Hanrahan had been ruthlessly targeted.
Craig O'Donoghue, 20, was remanded in custody until July 12 at 10.30am by Mr Justice David Keane in the High Court following an out-of-hours sitting. O'Donoghue faces a trial for contempt of court after allegedly travelling to Ayia Napa, Cyprus, to avoid giving evidence in the trial of a 16-year-old accused. The State believes O'Donoghue and a co-accused left the jurisdiction to evade their witness orders. O'Donoghue was arrested at Dublin Airport on a bench warrant. The underlying trial involved a 16-year-old accused of producing a knife at a house party on Bandon Road, Cork city, where college student Cameron Blair was murdered. The juvenile pleaded not guilty to producing an article capable of inflicting serious injury, a charge the DPP discontinued via nolle prosequi. However, the juvenile pleaded guilty to committing violent disorder with two other persons present, using or threatening unlawful violence, causing fear for safety. Another juvenile has already pleaded guilty to Blair's murder. O'Donoghue was granted legal aid for senior and junior counsel for the July 12 hearing, where he is expected to attend electronically after a seven-day isolation period. The defence did not pursue a bail application. The alleged contempt offence is punishable by imprisonment, fine, or both.
In a trial of six extended family members accused of abusing three children between 2014 and 2016, the 49‑year‑old uncle repeatedly denied all allegations. He told Gardaí he was "not guilty" and that he only looked after and fed the children. He claimed he had not spoken to the children's parents since 2017 and that he was "happy in one way" that the children were removed from their parents. When questioned about discipline he said he would ground them and might "tip them a little bit." He denied any abuse of his daughter or eldest son, stating "never happened, all lies." The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury, with the uncle pleading not guilty to ten counts including rape, oral rape, anal rape, sexual assault and sexual exploitation. The case also involves other family members who have pleaded not guilty to various counts of sexual assault, exploitation and wilfully neglecting children.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing, a Romanian cleaner, Garofina Selin, testified that on 13 April 2018 she was working with Feri Anghel, a 40‑year‑old co‑worker, at a premises in Slane, Co. Meath. Selin said Anghel made a "nasty smile" and suggested following her into a men's bathroom, which frightened her. She claimed Anghel told her, "Don't be scared, I'm not going to do anything to you." Selin also stated that Anghel had offered to accompany her to the bathroom, but she declined and left. She told Gardaí that she had not considered Anghel a threat. Anghel is charged with the murder of Romanian national Ioan Artene Bob, 49, who was found beaten and suffering extensive blunt‑force trauma in Tallaght, Dublin 24, on the same morning. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon, continues with a jury of eight men and four women and is expected to last five weeks. Feri Anghel pleaded not guilty. Ioan Artene Bob pleaded not guilty.
During a fitness class at Bray Boxing Club on 5 June 2018, a gunman entered the gym and fired nine shots from a semi‑automatic pistol. The attacker killed boxing coach Bobby Messett in the head and wounded trainer Pete Taylor and gym‑goer Ian Britton. Witness Stephen Kearns described the gunman as wearing a high‑vis jacket and a hard hat, holding a handgun with both hands. Taylor ran toward the gunman, put his elbow up, fell over a bench and was hit. Britton, who was on the first floor with his brothers, was shot in the hip and later described the gunman as a slender, slightly built man who seemed unsure of what he was doing. The trial is ongoing, with the State alleging that Gerard Cervi was the gunman and that he intended to commit murder. The case is before Mr Justice Michael White and a jury. Gerard Cervi pleaded not guilty.
In a Munster abuse trial, a jury heard that medical examinations of three children, who had been alleged to have been abused by family members, were normal 18 months after the children entered care. A paediatrician explained that studies show most relevant examinations are normal and that children heal quickly, often within two weeks. The jury also heard garda interviews with a 32‑year‑old aunt who pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual exploitation and assault. She denied the allegations, calling them "disgusting," and said she would clear her name. The trial involves six family members, all of whom have denied the charges. The proceedings are before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. The case covers alleged abuse between 2014 and 2016.
Ciaran Murray, 27, of Killinarden Heights, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after a 'sucker punch' during a soccer match at Donaghmede Park on 3 February 2020. The punch struck the victim's head while he was speaking to the referee, causing a broken jaw with fractures in two places. The victim required four days of hospital treatment, wires and braces, and suffered speech difficulties and financial loss of €480. Murray offered €1,500 to the victim, which was refused. Judge Karen O'Connor described the incident as an aberration of Murray's character, noted his cooperation with Gardaí, and imposed 240 hours of community service in lieu of prison. She directed the payment of €1,500 to Barnardos within 28 days and scheduled a follow‑up on 28 July to confirm the payment. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Father‑of‑three Darren Caffrey, 37, was stopped by Gardaí after driving a horsebox van through a red light on Ushers Quay. While searching the van, officers found Zopiclone tablets and €27,314 of cocaine. A later search of another car at his Ballyfermot address uncovered more Zopiclone tablets and €39,284 of heroin. Caffrey pleaded guilty to possession of heroin, cocaine and Zopiclone tablets for sale or supply at Ushers Quay and Oliver Bond Flats on 14 and 15 May 2020. He has 207 previous convictions, including assault, handling stolen property, possession of a mobile phone in prison and 175 road traffic offences, but no prior drug convictions. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced him to six‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment, suspending the final 18 months on strict conditions. The total value of drugs seized was €76,594. The case highlighted Caffrey's active involvement in drug supply rather than merely acting as a courier.
In July 2019 a 73‑year‑old man was convicted by a Circuit Criminal Court jury of eight counts of indecent assault on his sister‑in‑law, who was six at the time. He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. The man appealed, arguing that background evidence presented at trial – an incident at an outhouse two years before the abuse began, in which he allegedly masturbated in front of the victim – was irrelevant and that the jury should have been discharged. The Court of Appeal rejected the appeal. It held that the evidence was relevant to show grooming and the man's intent toward the child, and that the trial judge's instructions to the jury were correct. The court therefore upheld the conviction and the original sentence. The appeal was dismissed in an electronic judgment delivered on 1 July 2021. The decision confirms the trial court's findings and the three‑year custodial term. The case remains at the appellate stage. The unnamed 73-year-old pleaded not guilty.
The Central Criminal Court has adjourned the third trial of Zoltan Almasi, a 49-year-old truck driver, after the jury failed to reach a verdict. Almasi, who has been in custody for seven years, was charged with murdering Joseph 'JoJo' Dunne, a 20-year-old, at Harbour View, Naas, on 16th May 2014. Almasi pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The jury heard evidence that Almasi struck Dunne in the back of the head with a baseball bat after Dunne banged on his van, causing a fatal skull fracture. Almasi's first trial resulted in a murder conviction, which was quashed by the Supreme Court following an appeal on the grounds of provocation. His second trial also ended in a disagreement. In this third trial, the jury deliberated for over 13 hours before informing the court they were deadlocked. Justice Michael White allowed them to record a verdict of disagreement. The matter was adjourned, with Almasi remanded in custody until 16th July for the Director of Public Prosecutions' further directions. No final sentence or disposal was recorded at this procedural stage.
An eyewitness, Eddie McCann, gave evidence in the trial of Gerard Cervi for the shooting at Bray Boxing Club on 5 June 2018. McCann, a fireman, described the moment he saw a gunman in builder's clothing, wearing a black balaclava and sunglasses, walk into the gym and fire a semi‑automatic pistol. He recalled the gunman's first shot killing Bobby Messett in the head, and the subsequent shots that wounded boxing coach Pete Taylor and participant Ian Britton. McCann detailed his own actions: he applied pressure to Taylor's gunshot wound, called emergency services, and helped other victims. He also described the gunman's appearance and the chaotic scene, including the sounds of gunfire and screams. The evidence was presented to a jury in the Central Criminal Court, with the prosecution arguing that Cervi was the lone gunman who intended to commit murder. The trial continued the following day. Gerard Cervi pleaded not guilty.
The Court of Appeal refused to allow Marian Lingurar Jnr, 26, to appeal his conviction for the manslaughter of John Kenny, 56, who was killed in a burglary at Kenny's pub in Oughterard on 25 September 2011. The court considered the impact of new proceedings on the victim's family, ten years after the killing, and found the appeal had little chance of success. It will, however, allow Lingurar to appeal his nine‑year prison sentence. Lingurar, a Romanian national who had broken bail, fled Ireland, and returned under a false name, was found guilty by a jury in 2019. The judge noted that Lingurar was a juvenile at the time of the offence and that the family's impact would be less if the sentence were appealed rather than the conviction. The appeal of the sentence will be heard after the defence argues that the sentence was overly severe given Lingurar's youth.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Hazel Fitzpatrick, 25, pleaded guilty to posting a photo of Boy A, one of the boys convicted of Ana Kriégel's murder, on her Facebook account in contravention of the Children's Act 2001. The court noted she had no prior convictions. Judge Melanie Greally ordered a Probation Service report and, uncertain about victim impact implications, directed a victim impact statement on a non‑prejudice basis. Fitzpatrick was remanded on continuing bail, with sentencing scheduled for November 4.
A 77‑year‑old man was sentenced to five years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to indecent assault and sexual assault against his foster daughter. The abuse began when she was 13 and continued until she left the home at 18, with two further incidents after she moved out. The court heard that the victim, who entered care at four after her mother's death, was afraid to speak out for fear of being sent away. She described feeling ashamed, dirty, and living in fear, blaming herself for the abuse. The man admitted the acts were "a mutual thing" and expressed remorse, claiming no malice. Judge Melanie Greally described the breach of trust as "extreme and absolutely appalling" and noted the catastrophic effect on the victim's life. The man had no prior convictions and was otherwise considered a conventional father to other children in his care.
At the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on 30 June 2021, defence counsel argued that gardai are operating a "de facto surveillance system" through unauthorised access to private CCTV footage, breaching citizens' constitutional rights to privacy. The submissions arose during the trial of four men, including Alan O'Brien and Darren Redmond of Dublin and Luke O'Reilly of County Cavan, who have pleaded not guilty to the false imprisonment and assault of Quinn Industrial Holdings director Kevin Lunney on 17 September 2019 near Ballinagh, County Cavan. Counsel contended that gardai access CCTV from businesses and homes without proper safeguards, oversight, or legal justification, circumventing protections in the Garda Síochána Act 2005. They argued the practice fails proportionality tests and breaches data protection obligations. The defence also submitted that CCTV owners had not been informed of their right to refuse access or asked to maintain records. The trial before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and two other judges continues.
The jury in the trial of Zoltan Almasi, a 49‑year‑old Serbian man, has been sent home after three days of deliberations. Almasi has pleaded not guilty to the murder of 20‑year‑old Joseph Dunne but guilty to manslaughter. The case concerns an incident on 16 May 2014 at Harbour View, Naas, where Dunne was struck on the back of the head with a baseball bat, shattering his skull and causing death. Almasi claims he did not realise he had struck Dunne until later, when he saw an ambulance and Garda car. The judge, Michael White, initially required a unanimous verdict but later allowed a majority verdict of at least ten jurors. The jury has requested additional witness testimony and legal definitions, and will resume deliberations tomorrow. The trial is being heard in the Central Criminal Court.
Rose Wall, Chief Executive of Community Law & Mediation, confirmed that a High Court judicial review has been settled after the Department of Justice changed legal aid criteria. The applicant, an unnamed mother of two reliant on social welfare payments, challenged the Legal Aid Board's refusal to fund her family law proceedings against her allegedly violent former partner. The Board had classified her Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) as income, placing her above the financial threshold for aid. The applicant argued this decision was erroneous, noting that HAP is paid directly to landlords and constitutes social housing support rather than personal income. She claimed the Board failed to consider her lack of means and the nature of the payment. The internal appeal was rejected in October 2021, but the applicant secured permission to bring the challenge in January. The matter was resolved following out-of-court talks after the Department announced that HAP and other social housing supports, including Rental Accommodation Scheme and Rent Supplement, are now excluded from legal aid entitlement calculations. Ms. Wall welcomed the settlement and the immediate policy change, encouraging previously refused applicants to reapply. She also noted the Department's plans to review the Civil Legal Aid Scheme, hoping for further reforms to improve access to justice for disadvantaged individuals.
Eddie Johnson, 40, pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to his partner in Wolfe Tone Park, Dublin, on 28 April 2020. He used a large kitchen knife to slash her face, leaving a 12‑cm wound on her forehead and a 5‑cm wound under her right eye, requiring 17 stitches on the forehead and three on the cheek. The victim later died, unrelated to the assault, and no victim impact statement was prepared. Johnson, who has 223 prior convictions for a range of offences, was found on Rosie Hackett Bridge with two large kitchen knives, one blood‑stained, in a blue bag. He was remanded in continuing custody until 2 November, with a report from the Probation Service due that date. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the judge ordered the adjournment of sentencing. The prosecution relied on video footage from a witness who had recorded the incident on his phone.
The trial of Gerard Cervi, 34, accused of murdering Bobby Messett and attempting to murder Peter Taylor and Ian Britton at Bray Boxing Club on 5 June 2018, will hear that a van used in the attack was found close to Cervi's family home. Prosecutor Paul Murray described the case as one of circumstantial evidence, noting that a white or silver van with a yellow registration plate was seen leaving Bray Harbour that morning, then spotted in Cabinteely and later at Pigeon House Road. A witness reported a man on a bicycle near the van, whom the prosecution links to Cervi and to the family home on Russell Avenue East. The evidence will also cover the van's movements in May and early June, and the alleged link to a Volkswagen Polo. The court will hear that Cervi allegedly fired nine shots from a semi‑automatic pistol before 7 am, killing Messett and injuring Taylor and Britton. Gerard Cervi pleaded not guilty.
Patrick Doyle, 35, was remanded in prison pending sentence after a violent incident involving a 72‑year‑old retired GP. While the woman was unlocking her car and removing a cone, Doyle, who had been hiding behind the vehicle, reached into the front seat to seize the keys. The victim wrestled with him and, fearing she might be run over, ran to get help. Doyle drove a short distance before stopping, getting out and attempting to take the woman's handbag. CCTV footage showed him dragging her along the ground near the car while she held onto the bag. He then tried to drive away, but the woman released the bag and escaped. The incident left her with minor bruising; she did not file a victim impact statement. Doyle pleaded guilty to seizing a vehicle by force or threat and robbery of a handbag and its contents. The case was adjourned to November 3, with Doyle remaining in custody.
Charles McDonagh, aged 43, was sentenced to three‑and‑a‑half years in prison for assault causing harm after attacking his former partner outside Bridewell Garda Station. The incident occurred on 29 March 2020 when McDonagh stood over the woman, holding her blood‑stained handbag and shouting, "Where is the drugs?" CCTV footage showed him punching her at least fifteen times, pinning her against the station wall, and assaulting her again after she tried to flee. The victim suffered swelling, bruising, and bleeding from her nose and mouth. McDonagh, who had 44 prior convictions including assault and violent behaviour in a garda station, pleaded guilty. He was given a four‑year sentence with the final six months suspended, subject to strict probation conditions for twelve months after release. The court noted his history of drug and alcohol abuse and his efforts to change during a year of remand.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, Gerard Cervi, aged 34, is accused of firing nine shots from a semi‑automatic pistol inside Bray Boxing Club on 5 June 2018. The shooting occurred during a 12‑person exercise class organised by trainer Peter Taylor. The prosecution alleges that Cervi killed 50‑year‑old Bobby Messett and attempted to murder trainer Peter Taylor and participant Ian Britton, who were injured. A prosecution barrister presented evidence that the gunman entered the club just before 7 a.m., fired rapidly in varying directions, and escaped. The case is framed as three separate charges—one murder and two attempted murders—each to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Michael White, is expected to last eight weeks. Gerard Cervi pleaded not guilty.
Gerrard Dunne has lost his appeal against a prison sentence for endangerment and possession of a petrol bomb. The three-judge Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice John Edwards, upheld the sentence imposed by Judge Melanie Greally at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Dunne, who pleaded guilty to throwing an ignited petrol bomb at Garda Karl Kelly on the Link Road, Darndale, Dublin, on April 29, 2019, argued that his original headline sentence was too high and that he deserved greater credit for his early plea and mental health issues. Justice Edwards rejected these arguments, stating the headline sentence of five years and six months was proportionate given the unprovoked nature of the attack and the lethal potential of the weapon. He noted that Garda Kelly avoided injury only by moving out of the way. The Court found no error in principle in the sentencing judge's approach. Dunne was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, with the final six months suspended for 12 months on strict conditions. The appeal was dismissed, leaving the original custodial sentence intact.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Amanda Hamilton, aged 29, addressed her father, Paul Hamilton, 55, after he pleaded guilty to two counts of oral rape and four counts of sexual assault. Hamilton first abused Amanda when she was eight, orally raping her after showing her a magazine and telling her it was normal. The abuse continued for about two years, ending in 2002 when Amanda informed her mother, who then forced Hamilton to leave the family home. The case was investigated in 2019 after Amanda, now an adult, made a complaint. Justice Michael White sentenced Hamilton to eight years' imprisonment, suspending the final year on strict conditions. Amanda's victim impact statement described lifelong guilt, health problems, and her father's lack of remorse, while the court noted Hamilton's cooperation and lack of prior convictions as mitigating factors.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, a 49‑year‑old man was convicted of sexually assaulting a six‑year‑old girl who was visiting his daughter. The conviction followed three separate trials, during which the child gave evidence twice. The judge, Elma Sheahan, noted the offence as a significant breach of trust, describing the victim's impact statement as "very sad reading." She acknowledged the girl's resilience throughout the process. The man, who had pleaded not guilty, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment. He is already serving a longer sentence for a more serious offence and is expected to be released in 2023. The investigation revealed that the man had been in the sitting room with the victim and her friend, and that he had placed his hand under the victim's skirt and touched her vagina outside her underwear. The victim's mother reported the incident to Gardaí, leading to the man's arrest and interview. He denied the allegation.
A 19‑year‑old, Scott O'Connor, was sentenced for violent disorder and for producing a knife at a party on Bandon Road, Cork, where 20‑year‑old Cameron Blair was murdered. O'Connor, who had a 14‑year‑old friend, was told to "give it to me, I'll shank one of them" and pulled up his top to reveal his waistband. He claimed he had taken a kitchen knife to scare people and had no intention of using it. The court heard that he and his friends had armed themselves with knives, that O'Connor had held a six‑inch white‑handled knife above his head and pointed it at party‑goers, and that he had later dropped it. O'Connor pleaded guilty to violent disorder and to producing a knife, and was remanded on continuing bail until July 5 for sentencing.
A 34‑year‑old man named Gerard Cervi pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to three charges: the murder of Bobby Messett, aged 50, at Bray Boxing Club on 5 June 2018, and the attempted murder of boxing coach Pete Taylor and Ian Britton on the same day and place. Cervi, from Dublin's East Wall, was seen in a navy jumper, tie and dark jeans. He was arraigned, identified himself, and the court is preparing a jury for a trial set to begin tomorrow before Mr Justice Michael White, expected to last eight weeks.
Peter Keating, 40, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to directing a criminal organisation's activities from 7 December 2016 to 4 April 2017, including the attempted murder of James 'Mago' Gately. Gately was shot multiple times on 10 May 2017 while seated in his car at Topaz filling station, Dublin 17. The court heard that the attackers believed Gately was involved in the 2016 Regency Hotel attack that killed Kinahan gang member David Byrne. Other defendants include Caolan Smyth, sentenced to 20 years for the attempted murder and firearm possession; Gary McAreavey, who pleaded not guilty to aiding the escape of a vehicle used in the attempt and received a four‑year term with the last year suspended; and Imre Arakas, jailed for six years for conspiracy to murder Gately in Northern Ireland. David Duffy, 33, pleaded guilty to knowledge of the organisation and participation in the offence, to be sentenced in July.
A 38‑year‑old man from Cork was sentenced to four years' imprisonment after being convicted of raping his younger sister when she was aged between eight and ten and of sexually assaulting her again when she was 16. The offences took place in the family home, the first between 25 November 1995 and 17 January 1998, the second between 19 March 2004 and 23 November 2004. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. The victim, who was asleep on a couch when the second assault occurred, testified that her brother removed her clothes and assaulted her, and that her older sister intervened and took her to another house. In her impact statement she described the trauma and shame she felt, and how coming forward has relieved her of the burden. The court noted the breach of trust and the victim's youth as aggravating factors, and the defendant's age at the time of the offences as mitigating.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a man was sentenced to 18 months in prison for a single charge of sexual assault against a 14‑year‑old girl in 2017. The victim, who was ill and in bed, described how the accused entered her room, rubbed her head, pulled her blanket off, and exposed her breast. She later told her family and gave a statement to Gardaí. The judge, Elma Sheahan, noted the breach of trust and the disparity in ages, and suspended the final 15 months of a two‑year‑nine‑month term on strict conditions. The teenager, now 18, gave a victim impact statement detailing anxiety, shame, nightmares, and a loss of trust. The accused, who has four prior convictions for minor offences, has not accepted the verdict and intends to appeal. The case was prosecuted by Sinead McMullan BL. The unnamed 14-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a trial at the Central Criminal Court, Zoltan Almasi, 49, faced charges of murdering 20‑year‑old Joseph Dunne with a single blow from a baseball bat. Almasi pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The case centred on whether Almasi's use of the bat was provoked. Evidence showed Dunne had jostled Almasi's van, after which Almasi chased him with a bat. Dunne died when the bat struck the back of his head, fracturing his skull and driving bone into his brain. Almasi's counsel argued that the force used indicated loss of control, a partial defence of provocation. The prosecution contended that Dunne was retreating and posed no threat, and that Almasi struck him in anger. Judge Michael White instructed the jury to seek a unanimous verdict and to keep deliberations confidential.
In a Munster abuse trial, a GP reported that the youngest child in a family of five was at the 0.4th percentile for weight, suggesting inadequate food intake. Over a year, the boy's weight percentile rose to the 10th before falling back to the 0.4th, and his height moved from the 2nd to the 9th percentile. The doctor noted the boy was the most underweight and that his height was also below average, attributing height to genetics. The trial also heard from a pharmacist who said the family collected melatonin at half the expected frequency, implying possible over‑ or under‑medication. A family support worker described the mother as defensive and unwilling to engage with children, and the father as lacking warmth. The case involves six accused family members, all pleading not guilty to multiple counts of sexual assault, exploitation and neglect, with the trial set to continue next week.
A man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and arson following the death of a 61-year-old pensioner in a house fire in Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan in March 2016. Aaron McDonagh, aged 21, of no fixed abode, admitted to killing Gerry Marron by setting fire to his home at St Macartans Villas and to damaging the property by fire whilst reckless as to whether life would be endangered. At sentencing in the Central Criminal Court, victim impact statements detailed Mr Marron's vulnerability following an acquired brain injury. His brother described standing helplessly outside the burning house and the family's distress at being unable to identify the body due to severe charring, requiring DNA confirmation instead. The sister recounted the horrendous condition of the remains within the home. Mr Marron's case was being heard following a full garda investigation into the fire.
Michael Lawrence, aged 40, was sentenced to nine months in jail after stabbing his brother Thomas four times in the upper arm during a dispute that followed a card game. The incident occurred on 13 June 2020 at Thomas's estate in Tallaght. Lawrence, who had no driving licence and no motor insurance, drove to the estate, exited his car with a knife, and attacked Thomas, who was inside his car with his wife and six children. He struck Thomas six or seven times, causing four stab wounds that were treated at a hospital. Lawrence pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and driving without insurance. The court noted the injuries were relatively minor and that the brothers had since mended fences. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two‑year sentence, suspending the final 15 months, and disqualified Lawrence from driving for three years.
Josh Henney, 19, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to killing a protected animal at his address on March 23, 2020. The court heard that Henney allegedly kicked a 10-month-old dog, named Sam, in the underbelly twice, causing fatal injuries including liver fractures and blood loss. Henney, of North William Street, has 36 previous convictions and is currently serving a two-year sentence for violent disorder, with the final six months suspended. Judge Melanie Greally described the attack as "despicable" but accepted it was committed out of anger without intent to kill. She indicated she envisages extending Henney's prison stay. The judge ordered a report from the Probation Service and adjourned the matter for finalisation to October 26. The case remains pending this procedural step.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 24 June 2021, Clive Kavanagh, aged 51, pleaded guilty to assaulting a McDonald's security guard, Kennedy Miranda, on 25 October 2018. Kavanagh used a box‑cutter to slash Miranda's hand while attempting to force entry into the restaurant. Miranda suffered a wound that required sutures and left a scar. Kavanagh also faced a second charge of producing a knife during the incident. The judge noted Kavanagh's history of offending, severe alcoholism, liver transplant, and deteriorating cognitive function. Despite the seriousness of the offence, the judge imposed a suspended sentence of two and a half years imprisonment, fully suspended, for the assault, taking the knife‑producing charge into account. The sentence was given with the expectation that Kavanagh would not reappear in court.
A jury of seven men and five women will start deliberating on Monday at 10.30am in the trial of Zoltan Almasi, a 49‑year‑old Serbian man, charged with murdering a 20‑year‑old man named Joseph Dunne. Almasi pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter for an incident that occurred on 16 May 2014 at Harbour View, Naas, Co. Kildare. The case involved a single blow with a baseball bat that shattered Dunne's skull and caused his death. The trial, which lasted more than four weeks, focused on the issue of provocation. Almasi's barrister argued that the force used might show loss of control, while the prosecution maintained that Dunne was running for his life and was not a threat. Judge Michael White instructed the jury to reach a unanimous verdict and explained that deliberations would take place in a converted courtroom due to pandemic restrictions.
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 24 June 2021, Calvin Cullen, aged 22, withdrew an appeal against his murder conviction, despite his lawyers' advice. Cullen, convicted in September 2020 for the November 2018 murder of David Boland, 34, had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not to murder. The appeal, based on a single ground that the trial judge had refused to allow the jury to consider provocation as a partial defence, was now abandoned. Cullen, represented by barrister Brendan Grehan SC, confirmed he no longer wished to proceed. Judge John Edwards, hearing the case via video link from Mountjoy prison, asked Cullen if he was "completely certain" about the withdrawal; Cullen affirmed his certainty and satisfaction with the legal advice. The judge permitted the withdrawal. Cullen's original conviction was obtained at the Central Criminal Court in Kilkenny, where Judge Tara Burns sentenced him to life imprisonment following a unanimous jury verdict.
In a Dublin pigeon club shooting, Christopher McDonald, 36, was convicted of murdering 36‑year‑old Keith Walker after firing 18 bullets from a sub‑machine gun. McDonald, who was dressed in women's clothes and wearing a black wig, was found guilty by a unanimous jury in 2017. He appealed, arguing that a witness, Jason O'Connor, who lunged at him in court, should have caused the jury to be discharged. The three‑judge Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, rejected the appeal, stating that O'Connor's outburst, though "unacceptable," would not have prejudiced the jury. The court also dismissed claims about DNA sampling and witness discussions, affirming the trial's fairness and the verdict's validity. The decision confirms McDonald's murder conviction and the jury's unanimous verdict.
The handgun alleged to have been used in the murder of gangland figure Eamon Kelly was produced in evidence at the Special Criminal Court. Kenneth Donohoe and Darren Murphy, both aged 42 and 50 respectively, are on trial for the murder of Kelly at Furry Park Road, Killester, on December 4, 2012. Both men have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and to the possession of a firearm, a Glock pistol, with intent to endanger life, on the same date and at the same location. Garda Stephen Donnelly of Raheny Garda Station stated that Donohoe understood his detention terms but refused to sign a custody record. Sean Connolly, then aged 35, was jailed for life in 2015 for the murder of Kelly. The trial continues at the Special Criminal Court before Mr Justice Alexander Owens, sitting with Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Judge Dermot Dempsey.
In a trial at the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Michael White instructed a jury that the key issue was provocation. The accused, Zoltan Almasi, 49, of Serbian origin, was charged with murdering 20‑year‑old Joseph Dunne after a confrontation involving Almasi's van. Almasi claimed he did not realise he had struck Dunne with a baseball bat until later. His defence argued that the force used indicated loss of control, a potential element of provocation. Prosecutor Caroline Biggs countered that Dunne was fleeing and posed no threat, suggesting the bat was struck in anger. The judge explained that provocation must cause a complete loss of self‑control, beyond ordinary restraint, and that the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that this defence was rebutted. If not, the verdict would be guilty of manslaughter rather than murder. The judge's charge continued the following day. Zoltan Almasi pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 23 June 2021, a man named Justine Byrne, aged 50, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for possession of cocaine and heroin for sale or supply. Byrne, who lives in Clarinda Park East, Dun Laoghaire, admitted to holding and cutting the drugs at his premises after being "prevailed upon" to do so because of debt. Garda Shane McGrath reported that on 5 September 2020, police searched Byrne's home, finding €84,000 worth of cocaine (valued at €82,090) and €2,300 worth of heroin, along with a cutting agent, a hydraulic press, weighing scales and drug‑sale packages. Byrne had a prior assault conviction and had not attracted police attention since the offence. Judge Martin Nolan accepted Byrne's admissions and mitigation but ruled that a custodial sentence was necessary, sentencing him to three years in prison. The court noted Byrne was at the lowest level of the drug‑dealing operation. Justine Byrne pleaded guilty.
The High Court has adjourned the extradition appeal of Imre Arakas (62) to Lithuania. Arakas, currently serving a six-year sentence in Portlaoise Prison for conspiring to murder James Gately in Northern Ireland in 2017, is challenging a European Arrest Warrant. Lithuanian authorities allege he conspired to murder Deimantas Bugavicius in 2015, alongside firearms and criminal damage charges. Arakas pleaded guilty to the Gately conspiracy in December 2018. During the hearing, defense counsel cited an eyewitness who identified Arakas as not present at the Bugavicius scene, arguing no decision to prosecute had been made. The Minister for Justice's counsel countered that the warrant was issued for criminal prosecution. Mr Justice Paul Burns adjourned the matter, directing counsel to draft questions regarding the Lithuanian authorities' intention to try Arakas at the time the warrant was issued. The resumed hearing is fixed for July 15, with a mention scheduled for July 12. Arakas was remanded in custody until next month. His current sentence expires in October 2029.
In a murder trial, the defence counsel for Zoltan Almasi, a 49‑year‑old Serbian truck driver, argued that the force with which Almasi wielded a baseball bat could indicate a sudden loss of control, potentially supporting a partial defence of provocation. Almasi, who pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, killed 20‑year‑old Joseph Dunne in 2014 after Dunne allegedly jostled Almasi's van. Almasi chased Dunne away with the bat, striking him on the back of the head, causing a fatal skull fracture. The prosecution claimed Almasi struck Dunne in anger, while the defence highlighted that the bat's tip hit the head, a 4‑cm margin that could have missed if Almasi had been slightly farther back. The counsel urged the jury to consider Almasi's perception of the van's attack, his background, the Harbour View area's reputation, and the possibility of a sudden loss of self‑control. The judge, Michael White, would charge the jury tomorrow.
In a trial in the Central Criminal Court, a 49‑year‑old Serbian truck driver, Zoltan Almasi, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter for the death of a 20‑year‑old Kildare man, Joseph Dunne, on 16 May 2014. Prosecutor Caroline Biggs argued that Dunne was running for his life and was not a threat when Almasi struck him with a baseball bat in anger, causing a blow to the back of his head that shattered his skull. She urged the jury to consider CCTV footage showing Almasi raising the bat and to infer intent to cause serious injury. Biggs explained that provocation would reduce murder to manslaughter, but she said Almasi's anger was insufficient for that defence. The jury was asked to decide whether Almasi intended to kill or seriously injure Dunne and whether he was provoked. Barra McGrory QC began his defence speech later in the proceedings.
The Special Criminal Court examined CCTV footage on Monday as part of the trial relating to the abduction and assault of Kevin Lunney, a director of Quinn Industrial Holdings, in September 2019. Detective Garda Alan Jones spent three days presenting video evidence compiled during the garda investigation, covering locations across Dublin, Cavan, Westmeath and Louth. Prosecution counsel Sean Guerin SC indicated that footage allegedly documents interactions between individuals and vehicles connected to the alleged offences. One sequence purportedly shows a Renault Kangoo van deposited at a yard in Duleek, County Meath on October 23rd, 2019. Defence counsel challenged the admissibility of the CCTV material. Three men have pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment and intentionally causing serious harm: Alan O'Brien, aged 40, and Darren Redmond, aged 27, both of East Wall, Dublin, and Luke O'Reilly, aged 67, of Kilcogy, County Cavan. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and judges Gerard Griffin and David McHugh.
Ray Kennedy, aged 41, of Blanchardstown in Dublin, has been found guilty of perverting the course of justice at the Special Criminal Court following his destruction of a mobile phone SIM card on 6 March 2013. The card was considered of significant evidential value to the Garda investigation into the murder of dissident republican Peter Butterly at Gormanston, County Meath. Kennedy's defence counsel argued against a custodial sentence, citing his young daughter's serious health condition requiring round-the-clock care and his previously unblemished background. The prosecution contended that Kennedy's actions were calculated to conceal his involvement in the incident. Presiding Judge Tony Hunt noted that a custodial sentence remained under consideration whilst granting bail due to Kennedy's family circumstances. Sentencing has been adjourned to 12 July. Four men have previously received life sentences for Butterly's murder, with two others also imprisoned for roles in the killing.