Daniel Kinahan appeared before the Special Criminal Court without legal representation after being extradited from the UAE. He was charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation between 18 October 2015 and 6 April 2017, a period covered by section 71A of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. The court, presided over by Justice Patrick McGrath, remanded Kinahan in custody until the next sitting of the Special Criminal Court in October. Kinahan stated that he did not expect to obtain bail and thanked the court for the opportunity to apply. The prosecution was led by Dean Kelly SC and Tessa White BL. The hearing was conducted in an out‑of‑hours sitting, with Kinahan arriving under armed escort from Casement Aerodrome after an Irish Government jet transferred him from Dubai. The court set no trial date at this stage. The case is pending further proceedings. The unnamed accused pleaded guilty.
The Court of Appeal has ruled that a six-month prison sentence for Ben Lawlor for the defilement of a 12-year-old girl was appropriate, as the victim factually, albeit not legally, consented and the defendant genuinely believed she was 16. However, the court found that a 14-month sentence was more suitable for a subsequent sexual assault charge, as Lawlor knew the girl was 14 at the time. The appeal court suspended the unserved portion of this sentence. The victim had reported missing in 2023 and was found at Heuston Station. Lawlor had met the girl on a dating app and had sexual contact with her. He later contacted her via social media and met her again, where they engaged in kissing and touching. Lawlor was sentenced to six months for defilement and 12 months suspended for sexual assault. The DPP appealed, arguing the sentences were too lenient. The court acknowledged the victim's harm but noted the defendant's genuine belief in the girl's age and his vulnerabilities. The unnamed 21-year-old pleaded guilty.
Simon O'Donovan, a 44-year-old National Museum employee, appeared before the Special Criminal Court at the trial stage, where he was remanded in custody until October 5. O'Donovan is alleged to have knowingly possessed an improvised explosive device on July 22 in Chapelizod, Dublin 10, contrary to the Explosive Substances Act 1883. He remains unrepresented, as his solicitor could not accept instructions due to a legal aid strike. The judge noted that O'Donovan's previous bail application was refused and stated that a second application would require a change of circumstances, such as legal representation. O'Donovan expressed his desire to reapply for bail at the earliest chance. The court indicated that the next procedural step is the service of the book of evidence. In connection with the same investigation, Isobella Perrie Sullivan, a 25-year-old law student, was charged with possession of explosives at a special sitting of Trim District Court. Police alleged that O'Donovan handed a bag containing 394g of Semtex, a timer, and a detonator to Sullivan, who then transported it to Carrickmacross. No plea, finding, or sentence was recorded for either accused at this stage.
A Dublin man, Simon O'Donovan, has been denied bail following a charge of possession of an explosive device in connection with the alleged discovery of a bomb in a car in Co Monaghan. The court heard that the device was allegedly stored in the National Museum at Collins' Barracks where O'Donovan worked. Gardai believe that if O'Donovan were released on bail, he would engage in acts to further the objectives of the dissident Republican group, the New IRA. O'Donovan was arrested after a car carrying the device was stopped on the N2. The device contained 394g of Semtex, a timer switch, and a viable detonator. Gardai objected to bail, citing the risk of O'Donovan interfering with the investigative process and continuing to engage in IRA operational activity. The court ruled that no bail conditions would allay the concerns of gardai and refused bail. A 25-year-old woman, Isobella Perrie Sullivan, was also charged in relation to the same incident and remanded in custody.
A journalist has accused an animal rescue charity of penalising her for making protected disclosures and has argued that she has either been suspended for the past two years or unfairly dismissed. Alison O'Reilly, a newspaper reporter, broadcaster and author, has filed complaints against Kildare Wildlife Rescue under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, and the Equal Status Act 2000. The details were disclosed at a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) case management hearing on Tuesday. Ms O'Reilly's solicitor, Gerard Cullen, said his client had made protected disclosures and had been victimised and penalised in a very gross fashion. His client had raised concerns with the charity in relation to public health. After a suspension took effect on 1 July 2024, his client was subject to non-engagement from the charity. Mr Cullen characterised Ms O'Reilly's involvement with the charity as an employment relationship for the purposes of the Protected Disclosures Act. Kildare Wildlife Rescue disputes this position.
Myles Connors, 37, was jailed for a year for defrauding an elderly woman of over €50,000 for poor-quality garden work. Connors charged the 82-year-old woman €48,000 for slabbing, weed removal, and cementing her garden, and an additional €5,000 for power washing and painting her tarmac. The work was assessed as being worth no more than €20,000, with materials costing less than €3,000. The woman, who lives alone and has mobility issues, was left with uneven and unsecured slabs and felt unsafe in her home. Connors pleaded guilty to two counts of deception. Judge Orla Crowe described the offense as a "sustained, controlled, and pre-meditated campaign" against the woman, a "gross breach of trust." She ordered the release of frozen funds, fully restituting the woman. Connors received a two-year sentence, suspended for 12 months, and was ordered not to contact the victim. Gardai had previously recommended Connors to the woman based on his work for a neighbor.
Larry Connors (32) and Michael Connors (34), both of Newbridge, Co Kildare, were sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to assault causing harm at Fleet Street, Temple Bar, Dublin, on December 21, 2024. The incident occurred in a pub restroom following a Tyson Fury boxing match, where the victim was assaulted after shouting "up Usyk." The victim sustained a chipped tooth, bruising, swelling, and cuts to his face. Both defendants were already serving sentences for affray imposed by Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court in February and had been due for release in November. Judge Martin Nolan noted that while Michael Connors initiated the incident by pushing the victim, Larry Connors used the greatest force. Both men brought €1,500 each to court. The judge imposed a sentence of 20 months on each defendant, with the final year suspended on conditions. These conditions require them to hand over the total €3,000 to the garda to be offered to the victim or, if not accepted, donated to charity. The court acknowledged their apologies and good work histories, noting they would return to stable situations upon release.
The High Court has ruled that a District Court judge erred in law when he refused to convict thirty-four drivers caught speeding at Clogheen, Monasterevin in County Kildare. In December 2024, Judge Andrew Cody found the facts proven but declined to record convictions, describing the 60km/h speed zone as unjust and criticising prosecutions as motivated by targets and finance rather than safety. The Director of Public Prosecutions sought judicial review of four lead cases. Mr Justice Cian Ferriter found the judge's approach unlawful, stating a court must record a conviction when facts are proven. The judge's role was to apply existing law, not to question its correctness. Mr Justice Ferriter noted the judge's comments breached fair procedures and could create reasonable apprehension of predetermination. However, none of the thirty-four drivers opposed the DPP's action. The DPP adopted a sensible approach by not requesting remittal to District Court, meaning none will receive convictions or penalty points.
A woman who was subjected to an extreme campaign of harassment by her garda partner has said she was "profoundly let down" after making a complaint about him to the ombudsman, which was "met with silence". Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Paul Moody (46) sent the victim thousands of messages while she was in hospital pregnant and threatened to send intimate images to her employer. Moody, formerly of St Rapheal's Manor, Celbridge, Kildare, pleaded guilty to harassment and coercive control on dates between March 2016 and November 2017. The court heard how Moody's offending continued while the woman was in hospital pregnant and after the birth of their child. Their relationship ended in early 2017. The defendant was previously jailed in 2022 for engaging in a four-year campaign of harassment, threats, assaults and coercive control of Nicola Hanney. He had pleaded guilty to a charge of coercion. The victim said she felt "profound anger" that Moody continued to serve – "wearing the uniform of protection" – but was an abuser behind closed doors.
A grieving Garda sergeant, Sgt Laura Gaffey, has submitted a judicial review application to the High Court, alleging bullying and discrimination within An Garda Síochána following the death of her son. She claims that a superior officer made a discriminatory comment, stating, "I suppose you thought you would get a consolation prize for losing your son," after she applied for a new position following her child's death. Sgt Gaffey, who has 18 years of experience, alleges ongoing bullying by a supervising inspector since 2018, including criticism for taking maternity leave. She further claims that her complaints led to a data breach, with sensitive personal information being shared without her consent. Sgt Gaffey also alleges that she was intentionally undermined in her role, not provided with necessary equipment, and faced hostile treatment from another superior officer. Although an internal panel cleared the officer of bullying, Sgt Gaffey claims the process involved a breach of her privacy, including references to her mental health and the death of her son.
Supt O'Reilly, the applicant, appealed a November Dublin Circuit Civil Court decision to the High Court, where he alleged he was penalised by the Garda Commissioner's office after making protected disclosures regarding unsafe leather holsters. He claimed these defective holsters, supplied by a Kildare saddlery, allowed a pistol to be removed even when the retention strap was closed, potentially contributing to the accidental self-wounding of a Garda at the Israeli ambassador's residence in June 2020. Six days later, Stephen Silver murdered Gda Colm Horkan using the garda's own gun in Castlerea, Co Roscommon. Silver was sentenced in April 2023 to life imprisonment with a minimum time to be served of 40 years for murdering a Garda acting in the course of his duties. During the current High Court hearing, counsel for Supt O'Reilly raised a separate allegation that Supt Liam White shared a prohibited photograph taken inside a courtroom of Supt O'Reilly and three accompanying individuals. Mr Justice Micheál O'Higgins asked parties with knowledge to write to the court and stated he would review the relevant prohibitions. The matter was adjourned to May 19 for further submissions.
Sean McGovern, a Kinahan cartel lieutenant, has asked the Special Criminal Court to give him credit for pleading guilty to directing the criminal organization in the murder of a grandfather and the attempted murder of another man. His lawyers also requested additional credit for the time he spent in harsh conditions in a Dubai prison before his extradition to Ireland. McGovern pleaded guilty to directing the activities of the criminal organization in the murder of Christopher Kirwan and the surveillance of James Gately. His defense argued that his role was limited to surveillance and communication, not planning or executing the attacks. Michael Bowman SC highlighted the guilty plea as a significant mitigating factor and requested a reduction in the sentence beyond the standard 25 percent. He also presented testimonials from McGovern's family, emphasizing his rehabilitation and current status in Portlaoise Prison. The prosecution, however, questioned whether additional credit should be given due to McGovern's challenge to his extradition, which prolonged his time in Dubai.
The daughter of Noel Kirwan, an innocent man murdered by the Kinahan organised crime group, told cartel lieutenant Sean McGovern that her father would have been offended to have been killed by 'somebody as stupid as you.' Donna Kirwan, whose father was shot dead outside his home in December 2016, addressed McGovern directly in her written statement to the court. She questioned how McGovern thought he would get away with the murder, pointing out that he was linked to the murder by DNA, mobile phones, CCTV, and other evidence. The court heard evidence relating to McGovern's role in the murder of Mr Kirwan and the attempted murder of James Gately. The Kinahans targeted Gately because they believed he was one of the armed attackers at the Regency Hotel. McGovern used a secure messaging service to relay information about Gately's movements. The case was adjourned for the completion of evidence and pleas in mitigation by McGovern's lawyers. Sean McGovern pleaded guilty.
Sean McGovern, a senior Kinahan cartel member, swore on his baby's life that he would not stop targeting the Hutch gang following the Regency Hotel attack in 2016. Detective Superintendent David Gallagher testified that McGovern directed the Kinahan gang's activities, including tracking James Mago' Gately, who was believed to be involved in the attack. In text exchanges, McGovern vowed to continue targeting the Hutch gang until all members were gone. McGovern pleaded guilty to directing the Kinahan gang's activities in relation to the murder of Christopher Kirwan and the surveillance of James Gately. Kirwan was an innocent man with no connection to either gang, targeted after being photographed at a Hutch family member's funeral. Gately survived two attempted hits, including one where he was shot five times. McGovern's actions were part of a broader campaign of violence and intimidation against the Hutch gang, highlighting the ongoing conflict between the Kinahan and Hutch criminal organisations.
Lidl has been ordered to pay €28,000 to a warehouse employee who was denied light duties after suffering a hernia. Lukasz Swiercz, a stock picker, was told there was no work for him after he returned to work with a medical note restricting him to light duties. Lidl did not adjust his role and sent him home, claiming there was no available position. He was referred to occupational health after a letter from his solicitor. Lidl later stated that light duties were too restrictive and offered a phased return. Swiercz returned to work in September 2025, lifting lighter items before resuming his usual duties. The adjudication officer ruled that Lidl failed to provide reasonable accommodation and that its actions amounted to disability discrimination. Compensation was awarded for six months' financial loss and to act as a deterrent. Lidl's refusal to engage with Swiercz and its disciplinary approach were also factors in the award.
A double killer serving a life sentence for the 'gruesome' murder of Philip Finnegan has argued that his conviction should be quashed, as he was denied an adjournment to get a new legal team after discharging his original barristers for refusing to call certain witnesses. Stephen Penrose (43) told the Court of Appeal that the gardaí fabricated the case to make it fit him. He submitted a number of grounds of appeal, including allegations of perjury against a garda witness and bias from the trial judge. Barristers for the State said that Penrose was the 'author of his own misfortune' after he twice dismissed his legal team to represent himself at trial. Penrose was found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict in November 2021 of murdering Mr Finnegan at Rahin Woods, Rahin, Edenderry, Co Kildare on August 10, 2016. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge.
A fraudster, Myles Connors, conned an elderly woman out of over €50,000 for substandard garden work, including €5,000 for power washing, according to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Connors charged the 82-year-old woman €48,000 for slabbing, weed removal, and cementing part of her back garden, with materials costing less than €3,000. Gardai assessed the work and found it should have cost no more than €20,000. The woman, who lives alone and has mobility issues, was left with uneven and unsecured slabs. Connors, who pleaded guilty to two counts of deception, had previously purchased the slabs for €1,200 and used them in the woman's garden. He also purchased a vehicle with a €1,000 deposit and later asked the woman to write a €35,000 cheque. The woman later complained about the work and was left feeling unsafe and vulnerable in her home. Connors was arrested and has one previous conviction for criminal damage.
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.
Maria Muntean, 37, pleaded guilty to robbery and endangerment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court regarding a fake taxi scam in March 2023. The court heard that Muntean drove a vehicle while her son, Damit Rostas, lured a 19-year-old victim into the car. When a garda patrol appeared, the victim was pushed from the moving vehicle. Rostas was sentenced to 27 months in custody last year for his role. Muntean, who has 50 previous convictions, admitted the charges. Defense counsel Gregory Murphy BL submitted that Muntean acted as a follower, apologized on her behalf, and requested a suspended sentence, citing her care responsibilities for seven children, including one with serious medical issues. Judge Martin Nolan described the offense as serious and concluded that Muntean could not avoid a custodial term given her record. However, acknowledging the impact on her children, the judge adjourned finalisation until May to allow time for care arrangements to be made. Muntean was remanded on continuing bail pending the adjourned sentencing.
Ejike Francis Ogubefi and Steven Silvester were sentenced after convictions for directing a criminal organisation and laundering or attempting to launder money through multiple accounts. The court described a sophisticated international operation and imposed nine years on Ogubefi and seven and a half years on Silvester.
Sean McGovern has pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to two charges of directing a criminal organisation. The charges concern activity connected to the murder of Christopher 'Noel' Kirwan and surveillance of James Gately. McGovern, who was extradited from the United Arab Emirates last summer, is due to be sentenced on April 27, when victim impact evidence is expected to be heard.
Dylan Reilly received four years in prison, with the final year suspended, after pleading guilty to possessing cannabis and cannabis resin for sale or supply. Gardaí found more than €334,000 worth of drugs at a Wexford house after a traffic stop, and the court ordered the drugs destroyed and the car forfeited.
Donatas Sadauskas pleaded guilty to making a false statement about a Mercedes Benz theft after initiating an insurance claim for a car he never owned. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court imposed an 18-month sentence and suspended it for three years.
The Court of Appeal has rejected Stephen 'Rossi' Walsh's application for a certificate of miscarriage of justice. Walsh, a convicted child rapist with former addresses at Belgrave Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6, and Coologmartin, Donadea, Co Kildare, argued that the State acted unlawfully by bringing him back to court in November 2024 to seek additional post-release supervision conditions. He had previously been sentenced to ten years in jail in February 2010 for raping a nine-year-old girl, and later received a consecutive 12-year sentence in December 2011 for sexual assault and defilement, with the final two years suspended. In the 2024 proceedings, Mr Justice Paul Burns refused the State's application to vary conditions under the Sex Offenders Act, 2001, ruling the statute did not permit the request. Walsh subsequently claimed this constituted a miscarriage of justice under section 9 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1993. However, the three-judge panel, led by Mr Justice John Edwards, found that the State's unsuccessful application was a legitimate procedural step, not a second sentencing. The court emphasized that inconvenience does not equate to a miscarriage of justice, which requires inappropriate deprivation of liberty. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, and Walsh's convictions remain extant.
The Workplace Relations Commission found Conor Gilligan was unfairly dismissed as chief executive of Derrin Group Management Ltd after he raised concerns about payments and unpaid construction creditors. The company was directed to pay him €183,426.28.
Donatas Sadauskas pleaded guilty after falsely reporting that a Mercedes-Benz had been stolen and producing a purchase order later found to be false. The AXA claim was never processed, and Dublin Circuit Criminal Court remanded him on continuing bail until Thursday for sentence.
Gardaí who stopped Dylan Reilly for holding a mobile phone while driving found cannabis in his car and more than €334,000 worth of cannabis herb and resin at a rented Wexford home. Reilly pleaded guilty to possession for sale or supply and was remanded on continuing bail while the case was adjourned for finalisation.
A High Court judge has emphasised the importance of media access after the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) excluded reporters from a hearing involving Detective Superintendent Brian O'Reilly. Mr Justice Garrett Simons stated that any departure from public hearings must be strictly justified, questioning the WRC's decision to hear O'Reilly's case behind closed doors. O'Reilly, the acting head of the Garda National Technical Bureau, is seeking to quash a WRC ruling that accepted Garda submissions regarding the 'sensitivities' of his disclosures. He alleges he suffered workplace detriment and pay reductions after raising concerns about defective leather pistol holsters, which he claims endangered armed gardaí and the public. O'Reilly submitted that these holsters may have contributed to the accidental self-wounding of a Garda at the Israeli ambassador's residence in June 2020. The report notes that six days after that incident, Stephen Silver murdered Detective Garda Colm Horkan in Castlerea, Co Roscommon. Silver, of Foxford, Co Mayo, was sentenced in April 2023 to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years for murdering a Garda acting in the course of his duties. O'Reilly stated that Silver told gardaí in custody that he had been able to pull Horkan's pistol from the holster. The Commissioner of An Garda Síochána is named as a notice party in the proceedings.
Det Supt Brian O'Reilly, acting head of the Garda National Technical Bureau, is challenging a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) decision to exclude the media from his hearing. At the High Court, counsel successfully applied for an expedited leave application to be heard tomorrow, seeking to quash a ruling that the case contains "sensitivities" warranting closed doors. O'Reilly claims he suffered workplace detriment and pay reductions after making protected disclosures regarding unsafe leather pistol holsters. He alleges these defective holsters endangered armed gardaí and the public, potentially contributing to an accidental self-wounding incident in 2020. O'Reilly stated that a pistol could be removed even when the retention strap was closed. He referenced the murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan by Stephen Silver in Castlerea, noting that Silver allegedly told gardaí in custody he had pulled Horkan's pistol from the holster. Silver was sentenced in April 2023 to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 40 years for murdering a garda acting in the course of his duties. O'Reilly, who has a 30-year career, claims he suffered work-related stress certified by his GP in April 2023. The High Court will hear the application for judicial review over the proposed press coverage ban tomorrow.
Sean McGovern, 39, appeared by video-link from Portlaoise Prison before the Special Criminal Court, where he is accused of the murder of Noel Kirwan on December 22, 2016, at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin. The accused, who has a previous address at Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, also faces charges of directing the activities of a criminal organisation in connection with that murder between October 20 and December 22, 2016. Additional allegations include directing a criminal organisation regarding the surveillance of James Gately between October 17, 2015, and April 6, 2017, and facilitating a criminal organisation in a conspiracy to murder Mr. Gately. During the trial proceedings, his barrister, Sean Guerin SC, stated that significant work had been completed between legal parties and suggested the case might not ultimately require a trial date, though he could not confirm this immediately. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, presiding over the three-judge, non-jury court, adjourned the matter to March 16 for an update. No plea, finding, or sentence was recorded at this stage, and the matter remains ongoing.
The Court of Appeal has reduced the prison sentence of Ebenezer Oduntan, a former pastor of the City of David Church in County Kildare, from seven years to six years, with the final six months suspended. Oduntan was convicted of 87 theft and fraud-related offences following a three-week trial at Naas Circuit Criminal Court in March 2024. He had initially denied 54 charges but pleaded guilty midway through the trial to 19 counts of theft, five counts of deception, and nine charges of providing false information to the Companies Registration Office. The offences, spanning 2010 to 2020, involved embezzling approximately €125,000 from the church and inflating donation levels to claim larger tax rebates. Mr Justice Alexander Owens quashed the original sentence, describing the trial judge's headline sentence as "somewhat too high" but noting the offending was "particularly serious" due to a gross breach of trust. The judge highlighted that Oduntan made no restitution to the congregation or Revenue. While acknowledging limited mitigation, the Court of Appeal substituted the sentence with six years' imprisonment, suspending the final six months to encourage rehabilitation. The appeal was heard after Oduntan's legal team argued the original sentence was excessive given the total amount involved and his lack of previous convictions.
A convicted sex offender who was on bail when he attacked and raped his then partner in a Kildare woods, telling her he had dug her grave, has been further jailed for 10 years. Dylan McMahon (31) was convicted of rape, aggravated sexual assault, false imprisonment, and making threats to kill or cause serious harm. During the attack, McMahon pushed dog faeces, sticks, and leaves in her mouth, making her unable to breathe, and led her through the woods, telling her he had dug her grave. He denied the charges but pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. McMahon has 36 previous convictions and is currently serving a sentence of six years with the final year suspended for theft and assault causing harm to a sex worker. He is also serving a consecutive two-year and nine-month sentence for offences including robbery. The court heard that McMahon sustained a traumatic brain injury in 2015 and does not accept the verdict of the jury.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 6 February 2026, 32‑year‑old Martin McDonnell pleaded guilty to producing a knife and dishonestly appropriating a cigarette on Wellington Quay on 13 June 2024. The court heard that McDonnell, who has a history of violent incidents and a permanent scar from a past axe attack, approached a worker who had just finished a night shift at 8 am. After the victim refused to give him a cigarette, McDonnell pulled a large knife from his trousers, then, once the cigarette was handed over, hugged the victim and kissed him on the back of the neck. McDonnell was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, with the final 10 months suspended, and was ordered to be supervised by the Probation Service for 18 months after release. The judge noted McDonnell's guilty plea and expressions of remorse as mitigating factors.
Lawyers for Sean McGovern, who was extradited from the United Arab Emirates to face charges of murder and directing a criminal organization, have told the Special Criminal Court that they are not in a position to indicate whether a trial date will be required. McGovern's defense counsel, Sean Guerin SC, stated that significant progress has been made in the case but that they are not yet ready to determine if a trial date is necessary. McGovern, who is charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan and directing a criminal organization, appeared via videolink. The court adjourned the matter to February 23, with McGovern to appear again by videolink. His lawyers have raised concerns about the legality of his extradition, and the court will continue to hear evidence on the matter.
Eleven Romanian workers were dismissed by an engineering firm, Rigotec International Ltd, days after they were subjected to racist behaviour at the Intel plant in Co Kildare, a tribunal has heard. Trade union Unite accused the firm of unlawful dismissal in a "sham redundancy" in February 2024. Six of the workers are pursuing complaints under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977. Rigotec maintains the redundancies were genuine and the result of a downturn in work. At the Workplace Relations Commission, counsel for the employer, Cillian McGovern BL, stated that two men had engaged in racist behaviour towards the complainants. Site manager Alan Jennings said one worker made a racist remark and received a written warning, while another was dismissed for aggressive behaviour. The workers were let go four days later, including the man who made the racist remark. Andrew Turner of Hamilton Turner Solicitors, appearing for the workers, argued that the redundancies were a sham and not due to a downturn in work. Adjudicator Monica Brennan will return her decision at a later date.
Drug dealers made a "very nasty threat" to a money mule mother-of-three who got into a cocaine debt, a Dublin court has heard. Garda Paddy Kelleher was giving evidence at the sentence hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of Anna Stewart (36) for laundering money stolen from a Kildare resident. He agreed with Kieran Kelly BL, defending, that Stewart had become addicted to cocaine after the break-up of a relationship and racked up a drugs debt. Gda Kelleher testified that Stewart came under pressure from the drug dealers, who told her she could get something taken off the debt if she gave them access to her bank account. Counsel told the court that they made a further threat "of a very nasty nature". Judge Orla Crowe noted that gardai accepted that this was a real threat and was "particularly serious". Stewart of Kiltalown Avenue, Tallaght, Dublin 24 pleaded guilty to having possession of the proceeds of crime on a date in May 2021.
A driver who crashed a car into an articulated lorry at high speed and walked away from the scene while his friend lay dead in the passenger seat was jailed for six and a half years. Jake Kelly, who was driving at 162km/h on a road with a 60km/h speed limit, was helped out of the car by the truck driver but then left the scene. The body of his friend, Ross Rice, was discovered hours later. The court heard that Kelly had no idea if Rice had survived the crash and later told gardai he thought Rice might have been in the fields nearby. The victim's family described the loss as devastating, with Rice's mother having died in 2020 and Rice having an 11-month-old baby with his partner. Judge Martina Baxter noted the tragic circumstances and the irony that Rice had been banned from driving, yet Kelly drove his car without a licence. Kelly was found to be remorseful and has been diagnosed with a major depressive disorder. Jake Kelly pleaded guilty.
Lee Byrne and Sam Garvey, who committed a 'senseless and violent' robbery in Dublin, have been jailed for one year after reoffending despite being given a chance by a judge. Both pleaded guilty to the robbery, which involved a victim being attacked and robbed on Phibsborough Road. Judge Elva Duffy initially adjourned the case for 12 months, giving them an opportunity for rehabilitation, but after they reoffended, she imposed a custodial sentence. Byrne and Garvey were involved in assaults and criminal damage, with Byrne serving a two-year sentence and Garvey in custody until next May. The victim suffered serious injuries and continues to feel the emotional impact of the attack. Both men expressed remorse and sought to address their addiction issues, but the court ruled that their reoffending made a custodial sentence necessary. The case highlights the challenges of rehabilitation for individuals with substance abuse issues.
A jury has unanimously convicted Christopher Devine of murder, rejecting his claim that he suffered from a substance-induced psychotic disorder due to heavy cocaine and alcohol use. Devine, who shot Michael Tormey five times in the victim's front garden, argued that his mental state diminished his capacity to control his actions. However, the court accepted the prosecution's argument that Devine acted deliberately. The trial revealed that Devine had no psychiatric history and had never taken psychiatric medication. The jury rejected the defense's claim that he was too intoxicated to form an intention to kill. The judge, Ms Justice Melanie Greally, adjourned the case until December 19, when Devine will face a mandatory life sentence. The Tormey family will be invited to make statements on that date. Devine had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial heard conflicting expert opinions on whether Devine met the criteria for diminished responsibility or cocaine intoxication. The jury deliberated for over four hours and found Devine guilty of murder.
A bride who fell from a second-storey hotel window on her wedding night, suffering serious injuries, has resolved her personal injury claim at the High Court. Jackie Sexton (nee Tyrrell) brought a case against Deebert House Hotel Ltd, Kilmallock, Co Limerick, following the incident that occurred in the early hours after her February 29, 2020, wedding. The hotel denied liability, claiming that windows had been properly fitted with restrictors in 2014 and were in compliance with building standards. Ms Sexton alleged negligence and breach of duty, arguing that the hotel failed to ensure her safety. She told the court that she and her husband returned to the hotel around 3:30am and went to room 217. She said she was smoking a cigarette at the window when she fell, and the next thing she remembered was waking up in hospital the following day. Her husband found her missing from the bedroom and heard her moaning from below the window. Ms Sexton suffered multiple fractures, a collapsed lung, and other injuries, which significantly impacted her life and career.
A man who admitted to killing but denied murdering his relative with a submachine gun was not found to be suffering from a mental disorder, according to the prosecution. Christopher Devine (44) pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder in the 2022 shooting of Michael Tormey (49) in his front garden. The prosecution argued that the killing was murder and that the accused was under the influence of cocaine, not suffering from a mental disorder. Evidence suggested that Devine had consumed significant quantities of cocaine before the incident. The prosecution will call two psychiatrists as expert witnesses, with one claiming that Devine had a substance-induced psychotic disorder and the other stating that he met the criteria for cocaine intoxication. The trial will continue with the jury considering the issue of diminished responsibility.
Jake Kelly, 22, was sentenced to seven years in prison for dangerous driving that resulted in the death of his friend, Ross Rice, in a crash in July 2023. Kelly was driving at a speed of 162km/h on a road with a 60km/h speed limit when his car crashed into the back of an articulated lorry. The passenger side of the car was covered in tarmacadam, which poured out of the lorry upon impact. Ross Rice died instantly from blunt force injuries. Kelly was helped out of the car by the truck driver and then walked away from the scene. He later told gardaí he was unsure if Rice had gotten out of the car and thought he might have been in the fields nearby. Kelly pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death, failing to report an accident, and driving without insurance. He was on bail for other offences at the time. The court heard that Kelly had a history of addiction in his family and had been severely depressed since the incident.
Sean McGovern has been granted legal aid to cover a team of four barristers in his trial for murder and directing a criminal organization. The Special Criminal Court approved the application after the State did not make any observations. McGovern, who was extradited from the United Arab Emirates, faces charges related to the murder of Noel Kirwan and directing a criminal organization. The court noted that the matter was likely to be complex and emphasized the need for the trial to proceed. McGovern's legal team requested the same representation as the Director of Public Prosecutions, which was granted. The court adjourned the matter for mention in the New Year and directed that video link facilities be made available for McGovern. The court previously expressed concerns about the lack of detail in McGovern's application and emphasized the need for due diligence in the use of public funds.
A 24-year-old man, Valeriu Melnic, has been jailed for eight years for the manslaughter of his sister's partner, Ion Daghi, following a fatal stabbing in Co Kildare in May 2024. Melnic told gardai he was so drunk he couldn't remember the incident, but the court found his self-induced intoxication was an aggravating factor. The jury rejected the defence's claims of intoxication and provocation as mitigating factors, though they found him not guilty of murder. During the trial, evidence showed that Melnic had threatened to kill Mr Daghi before stabbing him in the chest with a kitchen knife. The judge noted that Melnic had armed himself with a knife and initiated the altercation. He also acknowledged the victim's mother's heartrending impact statement, describing the loss as irreplaceable. Melnic had pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder. The judge considered his guilty plea and cooperation with gardai as mitigating factors but noted his lack of insight into his wrongdoing.
The Special Criminal Court has adjourned Sean McGovern's legal aid application to November 24, stating it remains unsatisfied with the documentation provided. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor emphasized that the court is not a rubber stamp and must exercise due diligence regarding taxpayers' money, noting that instructions received were scant. McGovern, aged 39, with a previous address at Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, is charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan on December 22, 2016, at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin. He also faces charges of directing a criminal organisation in connection with that murder, facilitating a criminal organisation in the murder of Mr Kirwan, and similar offences related to a conspiracy to murder James Gately and the surveillance of Gately. Counsel Seán Guerin SC argued that the legal team could not travel to Portlaoise to take instructions without legal aid being assigned, claiming the necessary forms were completed. However, the court ordered that further instructions be taken from McGovern. The matter was previously adjourned on several occasions, and McGovern was extradited from the United Arab Emirates to face these charges, with his lawyers having previously raised concerns about the legality of his return.
Ryan Carroll, 29, and two men broke into a man's Dublin home on 9 August 2022 after a littering dispute. They entered the house, shouted "chop his hand off," and used a blade to slash the victim's arm, chest, back, head and hand, cutting three fingers to the tendons. The victim suffered severe lacerations and required surgery. The attackers fled after a neighbour called Gardaí. Carroll, who had 37 prior convictions and was on bail for another offence, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, criminal damage and trespass while armed. He was sentenced by Judge Sinead McMullen to three years' imprisonment, with the court noting the attack was savage, unplanned and grossly disproportionate to the initial altercation. The sentence was imposed today.
In a Dublin nightclub on 17 August 2019, Jason Aquino (29) smashed a pint glass into another man's face during a verbal dispute. The victim suffered serious eye injuries, requiring six days in hospital and ongoing treatment. Aquino was arrested, initially denied the incident, but accepted responsibility after CCTV evidence. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, violent disorder and production of an article. The court, hearing the victim's impact statement, imposed a headline sentence of eight years, reduced to four years, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. Aquino was ordered to pay €20,000 to the victim within three months. The judge noted Aquino's lack of prior convictions and his remorse, but emphasised the reckless nature of his conduct and the lasting harm to the victim. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the assault and the victim's life‑changing injuries.
Sean McGovern, 39, previously of Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, appeared before the Special Criminal Court to address his legal aid application. The accused is charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan on December 22, 2016, at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin, Dublin. Additional allegations include directing a criminal organisation in connection with that murder, facilitating a criminal organisation in the conspiracy to murder James Gately, and directing surveillance of Mr. Gately. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, sitting with Judges Sarah Berkeley and David McHugh, stated the court was not satisfied with the statement of means provided, describing it as containing "at best, scant detail." The judge noted the document offered no information on how McGovern funded his lifestyle in Dubai over the past eight years. Defence counsel Seán Guerin SC stated he could provide no further assistance beyond the instructions received. The prosecution, represented by Maddie Grant BL, indicated the State had no observations. The court adjourned the matter for mention next week to allow the defence to provide further answers regarding the defendant's financial position. McGovern was previously extradited from the United Arab Emirates, where his lawyers had raised concerns about the legality of his return.
Christopher Oshodin, 48, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to theft and dishonestly inducing a Department of Social Protection employee to act for a gain. He had claimed over €145,000 in social welfare payments while pretending for 21 years to be Zimbabwean, using the alias "Christopher Umar." The offence spanned from 2001 to 2022. Oshodin, the sole carer of three children, admitted the fraud and sought to regularise his status. Judge Martin Nolan, noting the seriousness of the theft and the impact on the children, imposed a four‑year sentence fully suspended. He acknowledged Oshodin's cooperation, admissions, lack of prior convictions and the fact that he was paying back small amounts weekly. The court considered the effect on the children and the need to avoid depriving them of their guardian, leading to the non‑custodial outcome. The case was heard on 7 November 2025.
Patrick Lynch, 45, from Naas, Co Kildare, appealed the severity of a five‑month jail sentence imposed for driving without a licence, insurance or tax and for failing to produce a licence, offences under the Road Traffic Act 1961. Lynch had previously received three driving disqualifications in 2018, lasting six, ten and twenty years, and had 194 prior convictions, about 100 of which were road‑traffic matters. The appeal was heard by Judge Deirdre Browne in the District Court Appeals Court. Lynch's defence counsel, Seosaimhín Ní Chathasaigh BL, argued that Lynch had an early guilty plea, had been born into poverty, had struggled with alcohol and drug misuse, and was now seeking community rehabilitation rather than custody. Judge Browne noted that the offence was "particularly egregious" and that no evidence linked the offence to Lynch's addiction issues; she adjourned the case to 13 November, pending further evidence from the defence. The appeal remains pending.