The Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction of Kielan Mooney for the repeated rape of a fellow soldier at a Dublin hotel in 2021. Mooney was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison. He had appealed his conviction, arguing that a recording of the victim's distressed 999 call should not have been admitted at trial. The court rejected this argument, stating that the call was relevant and probative evidence. The victim, a serving soldier, had indicated she did not wish to be identified. The trial heard that Mooney had anal and oral raped the woman, and that she had to call for help after the incident. The court noted that the victim's distress was a matter before the jury, and that the reason for her distress was relevant to the case. The appeal was dismissed, and the conviction was upheld. The court emphasized that the probative value of the evidence outweighed its prejudicial effect. Kielan Mooney pleaded not guilty.
Lawyers for Antoin Duffy, accused of the murder of former Sinn Fein official Denis Donaldson, expressed concern over the delay in serving the book of evidence, which has not been provided despite the case being listed multiple times. Stephen Faulkner BL, representing Duffy, noted the murder dates back to 2006 and the book is still not ready. Simon Matthews BL for the State said the book of evidence will be served on October 12. Duffy, who was extradited from Scotland, is charged with the murder of Donaldson and possession of a shotgun and ammunition. Donaldson, a former Sinn Fein official, was shot dead in 2006 after publicly admitting to being an MI5 informer. The Real IRA claimed responsibility for the murder. Duffy's lawyers are seeking bail but face opposition from gardaí due to the lack of evidence served. The case highlights the challenges of prosecuting a murder that occurred over two decades ago, with the delay in serving evidence raising concerns about the fairness of the trial.
A retired Irish‑speaking Garda sergeant from Donegal, Paul Wallace, has been granted permission by the High Court to challenge the Garda Commissioner's refusal to reinstate his Ghaeltacht allowance, which he claims costs him €249.38 a month in pension payments. Wallace, who served as a Garda from 1985 and was promoted to sergeant in 1993, was allocated to several stations in Gaeltacht areas, including Glencolmcille and Bun Beag, and later to Letterkenny. He received the allowance for four years from 2003 and applied for its restoration in 2007, but was refused because Letterkenny was not designated as a Gaeltacht area at that time. He argues the Commissioner erred in law by failing to consider all relevant factors and by treating Letterkenny unfairly. The case, his second this year, was adjourned to November by Justice Mary Rose Gearty after a judicial review was granted by Paul McGarry SC.
Alan Vial and Nikita Burns, convicted of the murder of Robert Robin' Wilkin at Sliabh Liag in Donegal, have appealed their convictions to the Court of Appeal. The trial heard that the pair allegedly beat Mr Wilkin with a rock and threw his body over the cliffs. Vial's counsel argued that his client was prejudiced by hearing his co-accused's admissions, which blamed Vial for the fatal blows, and contended they should have been tried separately. He maintained Vial denied striking the victim and lacked independent evidence of guilt beyond his co-accused's statements. Burns's counsel argued her incriminating statements were involuntary due to intoxication and should have been excluded. The Director of Public Prosecutions countered that there was ample evidence of Vial's guilt and that private statements are admissible. The prosecution noted the trial judge's warnings to the jury were impeccable. The court, comprising Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, Ms Justice Tara Burns, and Mr Justice Charles Meenan, reserved judgment. The matter was adjourned pending the decision.
An Algerian national, Mohamed Hallam, has been jailed for six years for a violent predatory sexual attack on a young woman in Donegal. Hallam, who moved to Ireland in 2023, was convicted of sexual assault, assault causing harm, and non-fatal strangulation. The victim, who was heavily intoxicated, was attacked in a dark alleyway after meeting Hallam in a nightclub. She described being choked, pinned down, and sexually assaulted. The court heard that she had bruises and a possible bite mark on her stomach. Hallam initially denied the charges but later accepted the jury's verdict. The judge reduced the headline sentences due to mitigating factors, including Hallam's acceptance of guilt. The victim's impact statement detailed the lasting trauma she experienced. Hallam was ordered to undergo post-release supervision and engage in psychological counselling and a sex offender treatment programme.
Seamus O'Hara, a 78-year-old man from Limavady, Derry, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to concurrent terms totalling ten years imprisonment. In March, a jury convicted him of one count of rape and 35 counts of indecent assault of a child, who was aged between six and 12, at his former family home in Donegal between 1976 and 1983. Mr Justice Paul Burns described the conduct as a "prolonged and orchestrated campaign of sexual abuse" involving grooming-type behaviour. During the sentencing, O'Hara turned to the victim and said, "shame on you," remarks the judge dismissed, stating O'Hara was the one who should be ashamed. The judge noted the severe, lasting impact on the victim, including isolation and mental health issues, while acknowledging the delay in the proceedings. In mitigation, the court considered O'Hara's age, health, and work history. O'Hara has previous convictions in Ireland and Northern Ireland for offences including assault, drink driving, and possession of a firearm. His defence counsel, James McGowan SC, stated O'Hara does not accept the verdict and requested to serve his sentence closer to Derry. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the ten-year custodial sentence.
A 68-year-old man from Donegal, who was convicted of raping and abusing his sisters in the 1970s, was granted anonymity by the court due to a 'culpable delay' in the prosecution. The victims had waived their anonymity, but the court ruled that the defendant could not be named. The man was convicted of multiple counts of rape and indecent assault. His lawyers argued that the delay in prosecution had created a situation where the defendant would face serious public odium. The judge noted the victims' bravery and the long-term trauma they endured. She imposed a seven-year sentence for the rape offences and a two-year concurrent term for the sexual assault charges. The final year of the seven-year term was suspended on strict conditions. The unnamed 68-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Lawyers for Antoin Duffy, who is charged with the murder of Denis Donaldson, have expressed disappointment over further delays in serving the book of evidence in the Special Criminal Court. Duffy, who was brought before the court, had been remanded in custody until today for the service of the book of evidence. The court was previously informed that the book of evidence was not yet complete and was awaiting final statements. Today, Michael Bowman SC for the Director of Public Prosecutions stated that the prosecution was not in a position to serve the book of evidence and that there was still some outstanding material. Brendan Grehan SC for the defence said he was disappointed that the book of evidence was not available today. He noted that his client was present to have the book served on him and that he has a bail application pending in the High Court. The case was adjourned to July 27, with Duffy to be produced on that date.
The former CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland, Francis O'Donnell, faced disciplinary action after an internal investigation found that he had given inappropriate assistance to a candidate applying for a senior post. The investigation revealed that O'Donnell had forwarded interview questions to the candidate and had advised them on how to amend their cover letter and CV. O'Donnell claimed that he had been mentoring the candidate and that the disciplinary process was an act of whistleblower penalisation. The tribunal heard that an independent investigation by RSM concluded that O'Donnell had given inappropriate assistance to the candidate, who ultimately got the job. O'Donnell denied the allegations and claimed that the process had not been fair, as the confidentiality of the investigation was breached. The tribunal adjourned the hearings until Monday, with the adjudication officer to consider the case under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, the Payment of Wages Act 1991, and the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977.
The former CEO of Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI), Francis O'Donnell, has told a tribunal that he contemplated suicide after his bosses allegedly pressured him to quit following damaging media leaks and political interference in an internal investigation. O'Donnell described the period as 'very dark and very, very hard' and said he was subjected to harassment and untrue allegations. He claimed that political actors at a high level interfered in the process, and that he was blackmailed by a sitting senator. O'Donnell suspended a senior employee pending an investigation and reported concerns to gardaí twice in 2022. An independent investigation by RSM cleared him of allegations, but he said the report failed to examine evidence he provided. O'Donnell met with ministerial appointees in 2024, during which he was told the protected disclosure matter needed to be 'bottomed out' before a pay increment could be considered. He felt isolated and described being cast as a 'troublemaker'. O'Donnell reported his mental state to IFI occupational health, but felt the organisation was 'extremely negligent'.
A former Defence Forces captain has failed in a claim against Donegal County Council at the Workplace Relations Commission regarding his starting salary. Daniel McChrystal, who held the rank of captain, took a position as an economic development officer with the council in 2023 and argued he should have progressed up the pay scale based on a decade of military service. He contended his new role was of comparable seniority to his Army commission and that he faced a financial discrepancy by starting at the lowest point of the grade seven administrative officer scale. The council maintained Mr McChrystal was paid according to his contract and that his placement was appropriate. Adjudicator Roger McGrath rejected the complaint under the Payment of Wages Act 1991, finding no illegal wage deductions had occurred and that Mr McChrystal had accepted his rate of pay upon employment.
A County Donegal hair salon supplier has been ordered to pay €106,000 to a former salesman following a Workplace Relations Commission ruling that found age and disability discrimination. Damien O'Doherty, who had worked for FM Salon Supplies Ltd for 22 years, was awarded €53,000 for each of two separate breaches of the Employment Equality Act 1998. The adjudication officer found that the company's refusal to comply with an earlier order for unpaid wages constituted a discriminatory act. The dispute arose in 2023 when Mr O'Doherty discovered a younger colleague received a more favourable commission package. After disclosing a mental health disability to his employer in an attempt to resolve the matter, he was subjected to abusive language and derogatory remarks about his condition. The respondent company presented no direct evidence to rebut the discrimination allegations. The tribunal determined that the employer's conduct caused significant deterioration in Mr O'Doherty's mental health.
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.
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 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.
Richard Kamson, 24, pleaded guilty at Galway Circuit Criminal Court to possession of drugs for sale or supply at locations in Doughiska and Merlin Woods on September 14, 2021. The court heard that cocaine with a street value of just under €24,000 and cannabis valued at €57,000 were recovered from his bedroom and nearby woods. Although Kamson had no previous convictions and his defense counsel argued he was at low risk of reoffending, the prosecution noted he is currently under investigation for other alleged offences. Judge Brian O'Callaghan stated that Kamson had engaged in the Restorative Justice Programme, claiming he was changing his life and had developed victim awareness. However, the judge noted that Kamson came to the attention of gardai during this period, contradicting the probation report. Rejecting arguments regarding the defendant's athletic achievements, the judge remarked that he did not care if Kamson was running from Galway to Donegal for charity. The judge found that Kamson had committed a serious crime and remanded him in custody. The finalisation of the case was adjourned until June 10 next to allow for additional information from the Probation Service.
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.
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.
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.
Nancy Doherty was awarded €20,000 after a Workplace Relations Commission adjudicator found she suffered disability discrimination when her marina work hours were cut. The decision rejected her complaint about the first reduction but found discrimination in the later December 2023 treatment.
Derek Mulligan has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to murdering his grandfather Derek Burns in Carrickcoyle, Donegal, in December 2023. Prosecuting counsel told the trial that State and defence psychiatrists agree Mulligan was suffering from a mental disorder when the killing occurred. The trial also concerns alleged property damage, threats and assaults on the same date, and continues before a judge and jury.
The Court of Appeal upheld a decision to extradite John Edward McNicholl and Seamus Christopher O'Kane to Northern Ireland over offences linked to the 1975 murder of RUC Constable Robert John McPherson and an attempted murder. The court rejected arguments that delay, alleged abuse of process, ordinary life in the Republic or health concerns justified refusing surrender. It placed a stay on the extraditions to allow the men to ask the Supreme Court to hear their cases.
Dion Timmons pleaded guilty to money laundering after €12,374.64 was deposited into her account in 23 transactions, including payments linked to a social welfare fraud. Judge Mary Morrissey reduced a headline sentence to 16 months and adjourned the case for a Probation Service assessment on whether community service could be ordered in lieu of prison.
Former Inland Fisheries Ireland CEO Francis O'Donnell told a Workplace Relations Commission hearing that a senator intervened over a promotion linked to an employee he described as a key witness in a Garda fraud investigation. An adjudicator directed him not to name people who had not been put on notice; the case is to continue in June.
Former Inland Fisheries Ireland chief executive Francis O'Donnell told the Workplace Relations Commission that he reported an alleged blackmail by a senator while facing pressure over a suspended employee.
Rogerio Afonso, 56, pleaded guilty to one count of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman at Dublin Airport on August 4, 2025. The court heard that Afonso, who has a history of bipolar disorder, followed the complainant, sniffed her hair, and hugged and kissed her against her will. He has been in custody since his arrest and has no previous convictions. Judge Jonathan Dunphy sentenced Afonso to 12 months, noting aggravating factors such as the persistence of his actions, but acknowledged his improved mental health while compliant with medication in custody. The judge indicated a willingness to suspend the sentence in full, given Afonso has already served seven months in custody. A condition of the suspended sentence requires Afonso to return to Brazil in the care of his daughter. The finalisation of the sentence was adjourned to later this week to allow time for Afonso's daughter in Malta to be informed and to make travel arrangements. The judge requested that a family member attend the finalisation hearing to ensure they are aware of the conditions. Afonso was remanded in custody on the same terms until the adjourned date.
Dion Timmons pleaded guilty to money laundering after €12,374.64 was deposited into her account in 23 transactions connected to a social welfare fraud and other payments. Judge Mary Morrissey adjourned sentence to next Thursday to consider documents submitted on Timmons's behalf; she was remanded on continuing bail.
Alan Vial and Nikita Burns, who were convicted in March 2025 of murdering Robert Robin Wilkin at Sliabh Liag in County Donegal, have been granted a hearing date for their conviction appeals. Vial, aged 39, of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs, and Burns, aged 23, of Carrick, had pleaded not guilty to the charge relating to events on 25 June 2023. A jury rejected their competing accounts of responsibility for the death. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, listed the matter for case management on 20 February and set 23 July for the full hearing of appeals, which is expected to occupy one day. The victim's body was recovered from the sea eight days after the incident.
Richard Walsh, 32, of Lisminton, Ballintra, Co Donegal, was sentenced to seven years in prison at the Central Criminal Court for the sexual assault of a woman in her 20s. Walsh pleaded guilty to the offence, which occurred on December 13, 2020, at his home in Ballintra. Justice Tony Hunt described the incident as a serious sexual assault, noting that Walsh's guilty plea was compelled by independent corroboration rather than remorse. The judge reduced a headline sentence of eight years to seven to account for the plea. Walsh was ordered to serve the full term, followed by three years of supervision, including notifying the Probation Service of his contact details and engaging in offence-focused work. The court noted that Walsh was on bail for an unrelated defilement charge at the time of the assault. He had previously pleaded guilty to defilement of a child under 17 and received a custodial sentence of one year and eight months in January 2023. Justice Hunt stated that Walsh's previous conviction complicated sentencing and that his apology carried little weight. The victim, who wished to retain anonymity, stated that the assault ruined her life and caused serious depression. The judge commended her strength and noted that Walsh's misconduct rightly resulted in community shunning.
A 25-year-old man from Donegal has been sentenced to eighteen months imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court following his guilty plea to the defilement of a teenager. The man, who cannot be identified to protect the victim's privacy, was originally charged with rape but pleaded guilty to defilement on the basis that he may have been unaware or reckless as to consent. The offence occurred in May 2021 when the victim was sixteen years old and the defendant was twenty-one. The court heard the man, who was an acquaintance of the girl's family, initiated contact with her via social media before arranging to meet her. He subsequently drove her to a secluded location where the incident took place. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a two-year-and-six-month sentence, suspending the final twelve months on strict conditions. He noted the significant age difference and breach of trust involved. The man was directed to comply with Probation Services supervision and maintain no contact with the injured party upon release.
A man from Killygordon in Donegal has been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment, with the final six months suspended, following his conviction at the Central Criminal Court for a series of sexual offences. Eunan Merritt, aged 56, was found guilty by jury after an 11-day trial of eight counts of rape, four counts of oral rape, and two counts of sexual assault committed between June 1999 and September 2003. The offences were perpetrated against a woman who waived her anonymity, detailing in her victim impact statement how the abuse had fundamentally altered her life trajectory and ongoing mental health. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo noted that Merritt had exploited his victim's vulnerability over an extended period and rejected limited cooperation with gardaí as mitigation. The judge observed that the defendant presented contrasting versions of himself to his victims and the public. Merritt maintains he does not accept the jury's verdicts.
The High Court has refused the State's application for leave to appeal a decision declining to extradite a convicted sex offender to Northern Ireland. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath ruled that the case was exceptional, finding it would be disproportionate to order the surrender of Paul Lomas, aged 41, with an address in County Donegal, given the age of the matters in question and the type of sentence involved. The Northern Irish authorities sought Lomas's surrender for six offences dating back approximately 15 years, including five conviction matters and one charge of driving whilst disqualified from January 2011. The convictions stemmed from assaults on police officers and breaches of a Risk of an Interim Sexual Harm Order imposed following a 2009 conviction. Mr Justice McGrath noted that Lomas had served his custodial sentence for the serious offences and subsequently developed family connections in the State. The judge concluded the case had reached the threshold where refusal of surrender was warranted. The unnamed respondent pleaded guilty.
Christopher O'Neill has been sentenced to six years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following his guilty plea to the manslaughter of Martin Lynn on 30 July 2023. The 31-year-old punched Mr Lynn once to the head in an unprovoked attack outside the victim's home in the Larkhill area. Mr Lynn, who was returning from socialising in Dublin city centre, was taken to hospital where he died two days later from catastrophic brain injuries. Judge Martin Nolan stated the assault appeared to stem from a temper outburst, noting no provocation was evident. The court heard victim impact statements from Mr Lynn's family, including his sister who described enduring 899 days of nightmare following his death. Mr Lynn, originally from Donegal and Mayo family roots, had recently begun employment at Santry Sports Clinic. O'Neill, from Whitehall, Santry, has 24 previous convictions.
A man convicted of raping a woman as she slept beside her boyfriend and newborn baby in County Donegal has failed in his appeal against conviction at the Court of Appeal. Shaun O'Donnell, aged 35, was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment in August 2024 following his conviction on one count of rape and one count of sexual assault. The offence occurred on 26 March 2021 at a home in Donegal. O'Donnell's appeal argued that the trial should have been stayed because two items of the victim's clothing were unavailable for DNA testing. Ms Justice Nuala Butler rejected the appeal, finding that O'Donnell had introduced a new argument not raised at trial. She noted that DNA testing on available items had proved negative and that substantial evidence remained for the jury to consider, independent of forensic analysis. The judge stated the law does not impose an obligation on crime victims to preserve evidence. O'Donnell has not accepted the verdicts nor expressed remorse.
A young man from Donegal has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison, with the final eighteen months suspended for one year, following his conviction for oral rape. Jason McLaughlin of Cashel, Gleneely pleaded guilty to the offence, which occurred in January 2022 when he was sixteen years old. The victim was fourteen at the time. Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring, sitting at the Central Criminal Court, heard that the defendant approached the girl after they met behind a filling station. He has been ordered to pay €10,000 compensation to the injured party in January 2026 and will remain under Probation Service supervision for one year following his release. During sentencing, the judge expressed concern that early access to pornography featured as a recurring pattern in cases involving young male offenders.
A man from Castlefinn, County Donegal has been sentenced to six and a half years imprisonment by the Central Criminal Court following his conviction for rape. Kevin McGovern, aged 28, was found guilty by jury of one count of rape committed on 21 August 2021. Two further charges, comprising sexual assault and burglary, resulted in a nolle prosequi after the jury could not reach agreement on these matters. Ms Justice Melanie Greally imposed a seven-year sentence with the final six months suspended. She identified grave aggravating factors, including breach of trust, the violation occurring in the victim's own home and bed whilst she slept, and the profound impact on the injured party. The judge noted McGovern's lack of previous convictions. He was directed to accept Probation Services supervision for twelve months following release. His sentence was backdated to 18 November when he entered custody. An earlier trial at Carrick-on-Shannon had been discharged following a procedural issue.
A man from County Donegal has been sentenced to three years imprisonment by the Central Criminal Court following his guilty plea to sexual assault charges. The defendant, now aged 41, pleaded guilty in October to four sample counts of sexual assault occurring within the family home between 2003 and 2005, when the victim was aged between 10 and 13 years and he was aged between 19 and 21. Justice Karen O'Connor noted the offending was premeditated and characterised by a significant breach of trust. The judge highlighted aggravating factors including the age disparity, the victim's isolation following disclosure, and the fractured family relationships that resulted. The victim delivered a statement to the court describing the lasting psychological impact and the loss of her childhood innocence. Justice O'Connor commended the victim's courage and voice. The defendant has no previous convictions. The sentence was backdated to his entry into custody.
A criminal who assaulted, raped and coercively controlled his partner during a six-week relationship in which she endured 'violence and extreme degradation' will remain in prison after a court today rejected his appeal against conviction. Dean Ward (38), also known as Dean Alexander Fowkes, was convicted following a trial in June 2022 of twelve offences, including four assaults, one false imprisonment, one making a threat to kill, two counts of production of articles, three counts of rape and one count of coercive control on dates between June 11 and July 17, 2019. Ward, who was jailed for 17 years, does not accept the verdict of the jury and continues to maintain his innocence. He was also jailed in 2016 for four years for falsely imprisoning and assaulting a young mother in November 2015. Survivor Ms Sinéad O'Neill, who was the victim in both cases, was also convicted in the trial. At Ward's sentence hearing, Ms O'Neill told the court she had led a quiet, happy life and had wanted someone to share it with. 'It only took him six weeks to destroy me,' she said. The matter was adjourned at the appeal stage.
Adeleke Adelani, 27, of Riverside View, Lower Main Street, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, has been sentenced to a consecutive 21-month prison term for laundering €100,397 in criminal cash in November 2019 and in January 2020, and for laundering the proceeds of crime on dates between October 2018 and February 2021. Adelani pleaded guilty to these charges. The court heard that €124,000 passed through his bank accounts, with only €3,500 accounted for, primarily from social welfare payments. The State's case is that Adelani was not involved in setting up the invoice redirection scams but was a recruiter for money mule bank accounts to facilitate the thefts. The court heard that the money ended up in the bank account of a 41-year-old Dublin woman who received a suspended prison sentence in March 2022. Adelani admitted to withdrawing cash and purchasing high-value items. Gardai found 50 images of other people's bank accounts on his phone. Adelani has previous convictions for assault, false imprisonment, burglary, and production of an article. He is currently serving a partially suspended seven-year sentence with a release date in November 2029. The judge stated that Adelani was 'up to his neck in money laundering' and that he was procuring bank accounts for substantial rewards. The 21-month sentence will run consecutive to his existing sentence.
A 37-year-old man from Castlefin, County Donegal, has been sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Central Criminal Court for the rape of an 18-year-old woman at an address in Convoy on 14 January 2018. Desmond Leitch was found guilty by jury following a trial in which evidence showed the victim was heavily intoxicated when she was taken to a spare bedroom and assaulted. The court heard that Leitch has previous convictions for rape and stalking. Mr Justice David Keane imposed the sentence taking into account Leitch's diagnosis of schizophrenia and mild intellectual dysfunction, though a probation report assessed him as posing a high risk of sexual reoffending. The judge backdated the sentence to October 2024 and imposed four years of post-release supervision with the Probation Service, requiring Leitch to comply with all directions issued.
Richard Walsh, 32, of Lisminton, Ballintra, Co Donegal, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to sexually assaulting his partner's best friend while she slept on a sofa in his home on December 13, 2020. The victim, in her 20s, reported waking with pain and later told gardai she was tampered with. DNA evidence from Walsh's underwear matched the victim. Walsh initially denied contact but later admitted the offence. Justice Tony Hunt noted Walsh's previous conviction for defilement of a child under 17, for which he pleaded guilty and received a custodial sentence of one year and eight months in January 2023. Walsh was on bail for that unrelated offence at the time of the current incident. The court heard a victim impact statement detailing long-term trauma, depression, and loss of relationships. Walsh read a letter apologising for the harm caused, though the victim did not accept it. Justice Hunt commended the victim's strength and stated the guilty plea vindicated her. The judge adjourned the case to January 19, 2026, for sentencing. Walsh, who had been on bail, was remanded into custody to appear on that date. Counsel noted Walsh is a father of two and warned of community shunning upon release.
A 22-year-old UK national has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for importing cannabis from Thailand destined for Donegal. Jamie Kearns of Coventry entered signed pleas to possession of drugs and drug importation following his arrest at Dublin Airport on 12 February 2025. Gardaí recovered 24.472 kilograms of cannabis, valued at €489,440, from vacuum-packed bags in his luggage. The court heard Kearns had been approached whilst backpacking in Thailand and asked to transport the drugs to settle a personal drug debt of €4,551.46. Judge Martin Nolan noted the defendant's early guilty plea, lack of previous convictions, and youth at the time of the offence as mitigating factors, departing from the mandatory ten-year minimum sentence. The sentence was backdated to his date of custody.
Two men sought by United Kingdom authorities on charges connected to a 1975 RUC shooting have argued before the Court of Appeal that decades-long delays in pursuing their extradition amount to an abuse of process. John Edward McNicholl, aged 73, of Newmills, Letterkenny, County Donegal, and Seamus Christopher O'Kane, aged 74, of Scalestown, County Meath, face charges relating to the investigation into the murder of Constable Robert John McPherson in County Derry on 26 July 1975 and an attempted murder. Both men escaped from the Maze Prison in May 1976 before trial. The High Court previously ruled in their favour regarding delay grounds was insufficient to refuse surrender, though noting some periods of inaction by authorities. At appeal, counsel for both men contended the nearly 50-year delay constituted an abuse of process, with prosecution decisions dating to 1976. The Minister for Justice's representative characterised the case as fundamentally one of delay rather than abuse of process. The three-judge court reserved judgement.
A man caught transporting nearly €500,000 worth of cannabis has been sentenced to three years and three months imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Conor Delaney, formerly of Dublin 15, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply following his arrest at Larch Hill, Santry on March 25, 2021. Gardaí conducting a surveillance operation observed Delaney receive two boxes from a van driven by co-accused Glen Stankard, who was previously sentenced to six years with the final three and a half years suspended. Analysis of the seized packages revealed 24.8 kilograms of cannabis valued at €496,384. The defence submitted that Delaney, now living in Donegal, had successfully rehabilitated from drug addiction and was drug-free. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged the defendant's rehabilitation efforts and family support but noted his difficulties stemmed from his own choices. The judge imposed a headline sentence of six years before reducing it to three years and three months.
A man has pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of Tom Niland at the Central Criminal Court, five days into his trial. John Irving, aged 31, of Shanwar, Foxford, County Mayo, changed his plea on the morning of July 17th. He is the third person to admit to manslaughter in connection with the death of the 73-year-old, who was assaulted at his home near Skreen, County Sligo on January 18th, 2022. Mr Niland suffered serious injuries including brain bleeding, facial fractures and multiple broken ribs during the attack. He was placed on life support but died from complications of his injuries twenty months later. Francis Harman and John Clarke had previously pleaded guilty to the same offence. The Director of Public Prosecutions indicated the guilty plea to manslaughter satisfied the prosecution's case. Justice Eileen Creedon discharged the jury and adjourned sentencing to October 13th, pending victim impact statements and psychological reports.
At the High Court, Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty granted an application for leave brought by Paul McGarry SC for retired Donegal garda sergeant Paul Wallace, adjourning the matter to October. Mr Wallace, of Burtonport, is seeking judicial review against the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána over their alleged failure to determine his January 2023 application to restore his Gaeltacht allowance. He claims this inaction breaches fair procedures and prevents him from pursuing internal appeals. Mr Wallace alleges that his pension entitlements are affected, resulting in a claimed loss of €8,708.17 from his gratuity and €249.38 monthly from his pension. He states he served in Gaeltacht areas, including Glencolmcille and Bun Beag, and later in Letterkenny, which was designated a 'Gaeltacht service town' in 2020. Despite reapplying in 2023, he retired in March 2024 without a decision. The court did not conclude the case; it was adjourned.
A Donegal man has lost his appeal against conviction for raping and sexually assaulting his daughter during her childhood. The Court of Appeal dismissed the challenge on 14 July, with Mr Justice Michael MacGrath ruling that evidence of the victim's disclosure to her aunt was properly admissible at trial. The appellant, Michael Carter (57) of Kinnego, Ballymagan, Buncrana, was convicted in June 2023 of one count of rape and 25 sample counts of sexual assault occurring between 2010 and 2014, when his daughter was aged nine to twelve. He was sentenced to ten and a half years imprisonment. The defence had contested the admissibility of the aunt's evidence, arguing the complaint was elicited through questioning rather than offered voluntarily. The court found the disclosure was consistent with the victim's trial testimony and properly admitted, identifying no error warranting reversal of the conviction.
Mark McAnaw, aged 53 and previously of Letterkenny, County Donegal, has been sentenced to an additional ten months in custody following a breach of suspended sentence conditions at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. McAnaw pleaded guilty last month to harassing three female journalists in August 2023 and was handed an eleven-year sentence for those offences. He had been released from custody in July 2023 on the suspended portion of an earlier eight-year-four-month sentence for aggravated burglary, imposed in 2023. Judge Martin Nolan activated ten months of the sixteen-month suspended element, to run consecutively to the existing eleven-year sentence. The court heard McAnaw sent threatening emails and messages to the women and attended their workplace. He is currently detained in the Central Mental Hospital. A lifelong contact prohibition and exclusion order have been imposed.
A trial has commenced at the Central Criminal Court concerning charges against John Irving of Shanwar, Foxford, County Mayo. The prosecution alleges that Mr Irving, along with Francis Harman of Ballina and John Clarke of Ballina, broke into the home of a pensioner at Doonflynn, Skreen, County Sligo in January 2022 and assaulted him. The victim, then aged 73, sustained severe injuries including head trauma, rib fractures and internal bleeding. He died over twenty months later from complications arising from the assault. A medical witness is expected to testify that the injuries were comparable to those sustained in a serious motor collision. Forensic evidence presented includes DNA and blood located on gloves discovered in the area. Mr Irving denies all charges, including unlawful killing, assault causing serious harm, trespass, and false imprisonment. The trial before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon continues.