Cashel Mulgrew, a courier who had worked for Napier Couriers Ltd (trading as Nügo and Fastway) for about a year and a half, won a claim for unpaid wages after the company docked €305 from his pay for a garage‑door incident. The incident occurred during a delivery to a Co. Mayo property in severe weather, when Mulgrew accidentally removed the door's roller while trying to keep it open. He denied any malicious intent and said the damage should have been covered by the company's insurance. After resigning in September 2025, he discovered the deduction had been made without written notice or supporting receipts. The tribunal, hearing the case under the Payment of Wages Act 1991, found the deduction unlawful and awarded him €305 in unpaid wages.
A north African doctor has been jailed for 10 years for the rape, coercive control, and assault of his wife over a three-year period. The 46-year-old man pleaded guilty to charges of assault causing harm but denied two charges of rape and one of coercive control. He was convicted of these charges following a trial at the Central Criminal Court in Sligo. The couple met in north Africa and married in 2010, later having three children. They moved to Ireland in 2017, where the woman did not qualify to work as a doctor and stayed at home. The man worked in various regional hospitals, and the family moved frequently according to his work. The woman testified that her husband used abusive language, isolated her, and imposed financial control. She experienced anxiety and panic attacks due to his behavior. The rape counts relate to two incidents between 2018 and 2019, including one during Ramadan. The court also heard about multiple assaults, including one where the man used a laptop to beat her.
The High Court has rejected arguments against the extradition of Jonathan Gill to Northern Ireland to face a murder charge related to the killing of Robbie Lawlor. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath did not issue an extradition order but remanded Gill in custody until July 29. Gill is accused of participating in a joint enterprise to murder Lawlor in 2020 as part of a gang feud. His lawyers argued that the UK courts would not provide the same protections as the Court of Justice of the European Union regarding evidence from the Encrochat system. However, the judge said the UK legal system would ensure a fair trial. Gill remains in custody, having previously been denied bail. The court will consider the extradition order after Gill and his legal team have time to review the judgment.
The trial of a garda accused of raping his wife and committing child cruelty against two of his daughters has reached closing stages. The 48-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including child cruelty and rape. The alleged offences took place at two locations in the north-west of the country. The prosecution has concluded its case, and the defence has not called any witnesses. A number of witnesses, including the garda's wife and her mother, testified about the alleged abuse and the impact on the family. The garda's wife had sought help from Tusla and gardai, and the case was referred to the DPP for charges. The trial has highlighted the alleged cruelty and the difficulty in obtaining records due to the passage of time. The jury is now considering the evidence presented, including the testimonies of the victims and the garda's actions.
A Sligo man, Barry Young, has appeared in court in Dublin following an arrest warrant from Northern Ireland, where he is wanted for the murder of gangland figure Robbie Lawlor in 2020. Young, 41, faces charges of murder and possession of a 9mm self-loading pistol with intent to endanger life. He is the second individual to be brought before the extradition court as part of a joint Garda-PSNI investigation into Lawlor's murder. The PSNI believe Lawlor's murder was linked to a drugs feud involving criminal elements in Dublin, Sligo, and Drogheda. Detective Sergeant Aoife Cronin confirmed Young's identity based on the warrant and informed him of the charges. Young's legal team requested a video link appearance for the next court date, and he was remanded in custody until then.
Jonathan Gill, accused of murdering Robbie Lawlor, has challenged his extradition to the UK, arguing that he would not receive the same legal protections in UK courts as he would in the European Union. His legal team highlighted that evidence from EncroChat, an encrypted messaging platform, may not be admissible in UK courts, unlike in the EU, where individuals can challenge the admissibility of such evidence through the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. The UK, however, does not have the same protections, and Gill's legal team claims this would breach his fundamental rights. The Minister for Justice argued that EncroChat messages are admissible in both the EU and the UK, and that Gill has multiple avenues to challenge their use in UK courts, including through the European Court of Human Rights. The court has remanded Gill in custody ahead of a bail hearing, with a judgment on extradition to be delivered later.
A stable worker, Valentine Jevardat De Fombelle, has won over €4,500 for multiple employment rights breaches against a horse dealer. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) upheld statutory complaints under the National Minimum Wage Act 2000, the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, and the Payment of Wages Act 1991 against TG Sporthorses Ltd. Jevardat De Fombelle, a French national, worked 60-hour weeks and was regularly required to work over the legal maximum number of hours. She was paid on a monthly basis and was left short by €2,815 in wages. The adjudication officer awarded her €2,815 under the Payment of Wages Act, €500 in compensation for a breach of the National Minimum Wage Act, €750 for excessive working hours, and €500 for the failure to pay a Sunday premium. The total awarded to Jevardat De Fombelle in the case was €4,565.
Jonathan Gill, aged 44, faced a High Court bail hearing in connection with an extradition warrant issued by Northern Irish authorities. He is charged with murder in relation to the death of Robbie Lawlor on 4 April 2020, and with possession of a 9mm self-loading pistol between 2 and 5 April 2020. Both charges carry potential life sentences. The Criminal Assets Bureau has assessed a liability of over €860,000 against Mr Gill, primarily comprising interest on unpaid income tax dating to 2005. Gardaí objected to bail, citing the seriousness of charges, alleged links to organised crime, and concerns regarding access to cash and potential flight risk. Mr Gill's father offered an independent surety of €100,000, which the State accepted as suitable. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath adjourned the bail application to 3 June, pending clarification regarding Mr Gill's tax payments. The extradition hearing is scheduled for the same date.
Danny Heyneman, 33, pleaded guilty to murdering his mother, Annie Heyneman, and attempting to murder his father, Henk Heyneman, at their Ballyconnell home on January 11, 2025. The court heard that Annie was stabbed at least 14 times, while Henk sustained 26 sharp force wounds. Mr Justice Tony Hunt stated he would consider imposing consecutive sentences given the vicious and prolonged nature of the attacks. Defence counsel Keith Spencer BL asked the court not to impose consecutive sentences, arguing the offences arose from a single incident underpinned by mental impairment. Heyneman, who has features of depression and a history of substance abuse but no severe mental disorder, read an apology expressing deep regret. The matter was adjourned, with sentencing scheduled for June 2.
A man from Enniscrone, County Sligo, has lost a religious discrimination claim at the Workplace Relations Commission following his lifetime ban from a yoga studio in Ballina, County Mayo. Peter McKeon had pursued a complaint under the Equal Status Act 2000 against yoga teacher Niamh Glackin, who trades as Roots Wellness, over his exclusion in 2024. Mr McKeon alleged discrimination after Ms Glackin banned him following an incident on 16 December 2024. During the hearing, the parties disputed what occurred, with Mr McKeon claiming he expressed opposition to Christmas, whilst Ms Glackin described an aggressive outburst involving explicit language about child abuse and paedophilia. Adjudication officer Brian Dolan found that whilst Mr McKeon was entitled to hold and express his religious views without discrimination, his language and manner were inappropriate for the yoga studio setting. The officer concluded that Ms Glackin's decision to ban him was based on his behaviour rather than his beliefs, and dismissed the complaint accordingly.
Jonathan Gill, aged 44 and with an address in Clontarf, Dublin, appeared before the High Court in relation to an extradition warrant issued by Belfast Magistrates' Court. Mr Gill is wanted in Northern Ireland to face charges of murder in connection with the death of Robbie Lawlor in April 2020, and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. His legal team sought an adjournment of the bail hearing to review documentation from State bodies covering interactions spanning two decades, received late on the previous day. Counsel indicated she was unable to advise the court on the timeframe required for this review. Mr Justice Sean Gillane adjourned proceedings to 3 June, with liberty to apply for an earlier hearing. The extradition hearing is scheduled for the same date. The defence has raised concerns regarding the admissibility of proposed evidence under EU law provisions, despite its validity under United Kingdom law.
Jonathan Gill, aged 44, with an address on the Malahide Road in Clontarf, Dublin, appeared before the High Court in relation to extradition proceedings initiated by authorities in Northern Ireland. Gill is wanted by the PSNI in connection with the murder of Robbie Lawlor, shot dead in Belfast on 4 April 2020, and for possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. His legal representatives submitted that extradition could prejudice his right to a fair trial, citing divergent interpretations of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the UK and EU regarding the admissibility of encrypted phone data. The High Court rejected an application for additional senior counsel representation, with Mr Justice Sean Gillane finding the legal arguments sufficiently clear. Gill was remanded in custody pending a bail application on 6 May. The extradition hearing is scheduled for 3 June.
Jonathan Gill, aged 44 and with an address on the Malahide Road in Clontarf, Dublin, appeared before the High Court in connection with an extradition application by Northern Irish authorities. Gill is wanted by the PSNI in relation to the murder of Robbie Lawlor, a 36-year-old man shot dead in Belfast on April 4, 2020. He faces charges on a joint enterprise basis and is also accused of possessing a 9mm self-loading pistol with intent to endanger life between April 2 and 5, 2020. The PSNI believe the killing was part of an ongoing drugs feud involving criminal elements across Dublin, Sligo and Drogheda. During proceedings before Mr Justice Sean Gillane, Gill's legal team sought to adjourn the bail application to renew a request for senior counsel. The counsel raised concerns regarding the lawfulness and admissibility of evidence, noting differing standards between European and UK courts. The judge remanded Gill in custody pending a renewed application for senior counsel on May 1. An extradition hearing is scheduled for June 3.
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Andrew Cash Senior, aged 58, of Whitechurch Heights, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16, was sentenced to two years imprisonment after pleading guilty to providing false information to Irish Passport Services. His daughter-in-law, Mary Cash, aged 35, formerly of Portlaoise, County Laois, received a fully suspended sentence of two and a half years for her involvement in the same offence, committed on 12 June 2019 at Balbriggan Passport Services office. The court heard that Cash Senior and Mary Cash assisted in obtaining a fraudulent passport application under a false name for Andrew Cash Junior, who has since fled the jurisdiction. Mary Cash travelled to Sligo using an assumed identity to acquire a birth certificate necessary for the application. Investigation revealed that a senior member of An Garda Síochána had also been implicated in stamping the false documents. Judge Roderick Maguire noted Cash Senior's 31 previous convictions but acknowledged his absence from garda attention since 2019 and efforts at self-improvement.
Jonathan Gill, with an address on the Malahide Road in Clontarf, Dublin, appeared before the High Court in connection with extradition proceedings sought by authorities in Northern Ireland. The 44-year-old is wanted by the PSNI in relation to the murder of Robbie Lawlor, shot dead in Belfast on 4 April 2020, and for alleged possession of a 9mm self-loading pistol between 2 and 5 April that year. During today's hearing before Mr Justice Sean Gillane, Gill's barrister submitted that evidence proposed in the case would not be admissible under EU law, though it would be valid in UK courts. The judge scheduled a bail application for the following Wednesday, with Gill remanded in custody until that date. The extradition hearing has been fixed for 3 June. Gill was arrested on foot of a warrant issued by Belfast Magistrates' Court on 31 March.
A 44-year-old man from Clontarf, Dublin appeared before the High Court in connection with extradition proceedings relating to a 2020 murder in Belfast. Jonathan Gill is wanted by the Police Service of Northern Ireland to face prosecution on a joint enterprise basis for the death of Robbie Lawlor, who was shot in the front garden of a house on Etna Drive on April 4, 2020. Mr Gill is also charged with possession of a 9mm self-loading pistol with intent to endanger life between April 2 and 5 that year. The PSNI believes the killing was connected to an ongoing drugs feud involving criminal elements across Dublin, Sligo and Drogheda. During the hearing before Mr Justice Paul Burns, the court was told that Mr Gill's solicitor, based in Belfast, was unable to attend. The judge agreed to adjourn the matter and set April 24 as the date when an extradition hearing date will be fixed. Mr Gill remains in custody pending that hearing.
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.
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.
A man convicted of raping and sexually assaulting his younger sister over seven years has appealed his conviction at the Court of Appeal in Dublin. Kyle Jinks, aged 32, of Slievemore, Ballytivnan, County Sligo, was found guilty at the Central Criminal Court of twenty-one counts of rape and four counts of sexual assault between 2008 and 2014. He received a twelve-year sentence in February 2025. The appeal centres on whether the trial judge correctly instructed the jury that the defendant's silence when confronted by his mother about the allegations could amount to corroboration of the victim's account. The defence argues that silence alone cannot constitute corroboration without additional conduct. The Director of Public Prosecutions contended that the context made the defendant's lack of response meaningful. The three-judge court reserved judgment pending a later date.
A 70-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the systematic sexual abuse of five of his children over two decades at various addresses in County Sligo. Noel Farrell of Rathedmond Estate, Sligo, pleaded guilty to three counts of rape and 19 counts of indecent assault and sexual assault. The abuse included rape, sexual assault, and inappropriate touching of victims aged between two and seventeen. Evidence revealed that Farrell locked children in rooms for extended periods without food and forced them to drink urine. Mr Justice Tony Hunt described the case as "truly shocking" and noted the absence of mitigating factors beyond the guilty plea. He imposed a headline sentence of 30 years, reduced to 20 years. Four of the five victims waived anonymity to allow Farrell's identification. The judge commended the complainants for their fortitude in confronting their experiences. Farrell has been in custody since his guilty plea in November.
A man has been jailed for two years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following an assault on an Irish Rail inspector aboard a Dublin to Sligo train at Connolly Station. Gerry Nevin (32), of Mostrim Road, Ballymahon, Co. Longford, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on 21 September 2024. The incident occurred after the inspector requested Nevin remove alcohol from the train. Evidence presented to the court showed Nevin engaged in a verbal dispute with the inspector, then assaulted him by pushing him against a door, punching him repeatedly and placing him in a headlock. The inspector sustained a fractured lip, facial cuts and broken glasses, and required hospital treatment. In a victim impact statement, the injured party described ongoing psychological effects and anxiety about returning to work. Judge Martina Baxter imposed a headline sentence of three and a half years, reducing it to two and a half years to reflect mitigating factors including Nevin's early guilty plea. The final six months were suspended on condition he comply with probation supervision and undertake offence-related courses.
A 29-year-old woman from Coolaney, Sligo, has been sentenced to 21 months in prison after pleading guilty to making a false criminal complaint at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Nicole Chambers alleged that a male prison officer had sexually assaulted her in a hospital cubicle whilst escorting her for medical treatment in August 2020. Hospital CCTV footage, corroborated by the officer's female colleague and medical staff, established that the officer never entered the cubicle and remained outside in accordance with protocol. When confronted with the footage, Chambers initially maintained her account before later retracting the allegation and apologising to the officer and prison service. Judge Martin Nolan described the allegation as malicious and self-serving, noting it had caused profound harm to the victim and could have resulted in a trial absent the camera evidence. The judge acknowledged Chambers' complex psychiatric history and functional neurological disorder but found she understood the distinction between right and wrong. She has 34 previous convictions, including an earlier custodial sentence for making false reports.
A 28-year-old man has been sentenced to four years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for sexually abusing his eight-year-old cousin in County Sligo over a decade ago. The defendant pleaded guilty to five counts of oral rape committed in summer 2012, when he was aged 15. The abuse came to light in 2020 when the injured party disclosed it to her mother. During sentencing, the court heard a victim impact statement describing the lasting psychological harm caused. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a four-year sentence, having considered a nine-year baseline for an adult before reducing it to account for the defendant's age at the time of offending. The judge noted the offending involved grooming and exploitation of trust. The defendant, who has been in custody since voluntarily returning from the United Kingdom in September 2024, intends to relocate abroad upon release.
Three men have been sentenced to a combined 43 years imprisonment following their guilty pleas to manslaughter in connection with the death of a pensioner in Co Sligo. At the Central Criminal Court, Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed sentences of 16 years on John Irving (31) of Shanwar, Foxford, Co Mayo, with the final year suspended, and 15 years each on Francis Harman (58) of Ballina and John Clarke (37) of Ballina, also with the final year suspended. The men attacked Tom Niland at his home in Doonflynn, Skryne on 18 January 2022. Despite suffering severe injuries, Mr Niland alerted neighbours. He was hospitalised but died from his injuries on 30 September 2023. The judge described the assault as "savage" and noted the men had targeted Mr Niland because he lived alone and was elderly. The three men stole approximately €800 and disposed of evidence. John Irving was convicted.
Three men with a combined 106 previous convictions pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Tom Niland at the Central Criminal Court on Monday. John Irving (31) of Foxford, Co Mayo; Francis Harman (58) of Ballina, Co Mayo; and John Clarke (37) of Ballina attacked the 82-year-old at his home in Skryne, Co Sligo on January 18th, 2022, stealing approximately €800 from his wallet. Mr Niland suffered severe injuries including brain trauma and multiple fractures. He was hospitalised but his condition deteriorated, and he died from his injuries in September 2023, some 20 months after the assault. The State Pathologist attributed his death to blunt force trauma. All three were initially charged with murder but the Director of Public Prosecutions reduced the charges to manslaughter. Harman and Clarke pleaded guilty on the first day of trial; Irving initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea during proceedings. The prosecution submitted that sentences between 15 and 20 years were warranted. Justice Paul McDermott will sentence the defendants on Thursday.
A man convicted of raping a guest at his bed-and-breakfast in County Sligo has failed in an appeal against his conviction at the Court of Appeal. Thomas Wymbs, aged 68, was proprietor of Atlantic Haven B&B near Mount Temple when the offence occurred between 22 and 23 February 2020. He maintained the encounter was consensual. A jury found him guilty following trial at the Central Criminal Court in February 2024. Justice Mary Ellen Ring sentenced him to seven and a half years imprisonment, with the final eighteen months suspended, in July 2024. Wymbs' legal team argued the trial judge erred in refusing two defence requests regarding prosecution closing remarks and expert evidence on alcohol's effects. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, delivering the Court of Appeal's judgment, found no deficiency in the trial charge and rejected both grounds of appeal, stating the jury faithfully applied the law.
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.
A man convicted of rape at the Central Criminal Court has appealed his conviction before the Court of Appeal on grounds relating to the trial judge's handling of prosecution submissions and expert evidence. Thomas Wymbs, aged 68, was found guilty in February 2024 of raping a guest at Atlantic Haven B&B near Mount Temple, County Sligo, in February 2020. He received a sentence of seven and a half years, with the final eighteen months suspended, in July 2024. His counsel argued that the trial judge erred in declining to address the jury on comments made during prosecution closing speeches and on evidence concerning alcohol consumption and its effects. The Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel disputed both contentions, stating the judge's refusal was appropriate given the context of the evidence and submissions. Mr Justice John Edwards reserved judgment, to be delivered at a later date.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has viewed CCTV footage documenting movements in County Sligo and Mayo on January 18, 2022, the date of an alleged assault on 73-year-old Tom Niland at his home near Skreen. A garda detective presented a montage compiled from multiple camera systems showing a white Vauxhall Vivaro van travelling through Dromore West and Ballina that morning and afternoon, marked by distinctive features including a yellow number plate and a green roof stain. The prosecution alleges that John Irving, aged 31 of Shanwar, Foxford, County Mayo, Francis Harman, aged 58 of Ballina, and John Clarke, aged 37 of Ballina, broke into Mr Niland's home and assaulted him, causing injuries from which he died twenty months later in September 2023. The court heard that Mr Niland was discovered by neighbours crossing the N59 with severe injuries, including brain bleeding and multiple rib fractures. Mr Irving has pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful killing, trespass causing serious harm, intentional or reckless serious harm, and false imprisonment.
A pensioner was so severely beaten during an alleged home invasion that neighbours did not recognise him as he walked along the road covered in blood with swollen eyes, the Central Criminal Court has heard. Witnesses described the victim as "crying blood" with multiple traumatic injuries following the incident at Doonflynn, Skreen, County Sligo on 18 January 2022. A surgeon from Sligo University Hospital testified that the injuries were serious and life-threatening, requiring the patient to be placed on life support. John Irving, aged 31, of Shanwar, Foxford, County Mayo faces four charges including unlawful killing, assault causing serious harm, intentional or reckless harm, and false imprisonment. The prosecution alleges Mr Irving, along with two other men, broke into the property and assaulted the occupant, who died more than 20 months later on 30 September 2023. Mr Irving has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The trial before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon continues.
Brian Cummins, a 27-year-old from Tuam, Co Galway, had his prison sentence for money laundering halved on appeal. At the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath quashed the original sentence of seven years, with the final two years suspended, imposed by Judge Brian O'Callaghan at Galway Circuit Court on July 19, 2024. The appellate judge found the original headline sentence disproportionate, noting it erred in principle. Cummins, who pleaded guilty to money laundering contrary to the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, was resentenced to three years, with the final six months suspended. The court considered his high culpability, the €1,000 amount involved, his guilty plea, age, and drug dependency history. The case stemmed from an investigation into Barry Young, the 'Scourge of Sligo,' whose seized phone revealed Cummins as a contact known as 'Tuam.' Messages indicated a €1,000 transfer linked to criminal damage. Young, who pleaded guilty to directing a criminal organisation at the Special Criminal Court in July 2023, was jailed for 11 years. Cummins' appeal, argued by Philip Sheahan SC, successfully challenged the proportionality of the original sentence.
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.
A jury of eight women and four men has been sworn in at the Central Criminal Court to hear the trial of a 31-year-old man accused of the unlawful killing of Tom Niland, a 74-year-old from Doonflynn, Skreen, County Sligo. The accused, John Irving of Shanwar, Foxford, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Mr Niland died on September 30, 2023, more than twenty months after sustaining serious injuries during an alleged home invasion on January 18, 2022. The charges against Mr Irving include unlawfully killing Mr Niland, entering his home as a trespasser, causing him serious harm, and falsely imprisoning him. Justice Eileen Creedon estimated the trial will last approximately two weeks, with proceedings commencing the following day.
A 27-year-old man from County Galway has brought an appeal against his five-year sentence for money laundering, contending the term was disproportionate. Brian Cummins, Balgaddy Road, Tuam, pleaded guilty to money laundering contrary to the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010. He was sentenced to seven years with the final two suspended at Galway Circuit Court in July 2024. The Court of Appeal heard that Cummins had connections to organised crime figure Barry Young, who was convicted of directing a criminal organisation. Cummins facilitated a €1,000 transfer to an account nominated by Young following criminal damage to a house in Tuam in October 2019. Defence counsel argued the sentence was excessive given the modest sum involved and Cummins' limited involvement with the criminal enterprise. The Director of Public Prosecutions opposed the appeal, stating the judge had exercised proper discretion. Justice Tara Burns indicated judgment would be reserved until 14 July.
At the Workplace Relations Commission, Atlantic Technological University has been ordered to pay an assistant lecturer €1,640.88 following a complaint under the Payment of Wages Act 1991. The university had offered Ian Thornton a €15.25 stipend per dissertation for correcting eight postgraduate dissertations at its Sligo campus last summer, totalling €122. Mr Thornton contended that each dissertation required three hours of work and that he was entitled to his contractual hourly rate of €68.37, which would have yielded substantially more. Adjudication officer Brian Dalton found that the university's contractual terms remained applicable when Mr Thornton provided the services beyond the formal end date of his fixed-term contract. The tribunal determined that the non-payment of wages at the contracted hourly rate constituted an illegal deduction. The university was directed to pay the full amount subject to relevant statutory deductions.
At the Central Criminal Court on 3 June 2025, Nigel Canavan, aged 39, with an address at Erris Gardens, Crossmolina, County Mayo, was sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment for the murder of his mother Angela Canavan at her home in St John's Terrace, County Sligo on 1 May 2023. The sentence was backdated to 30 April 2025. On 16 May 2025, a jury had convicted Canavan of murder, rejecting his pleas of provocation and self-defence. The court heard that Ms Canavan, a respected psychotherapist, died from mechanical asphyxia caused by manual strangulation and external obstruction of the airway. She had suffered additional injuries including a head laceration, facial and body bruising, and three broken ribs. During sentencing, Ms Canavan's son Keith delivered a victim impact statement, describing his mother as accomplished and well-loved. Presiding judge Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo stated that it must be beyond any mother's darkest imaginings to die at the hands of the child she bore. Nigel Canavan pleaded not guilty.
Nigel Canavan, 39, was convicted by a jury at the Central Criminal Court of murdering his mother, Angela Canavan, at her home in St John's Terrace, Co Sligo, on May 1, 2023. Canavan had pleaded not guilty, claiming he acted in self-defence after his ailing mother attacked him, and suggested she provoked him into losing control. The jury rejected both the self-defence claim and the suggestion that he was guilty of manslaughter due to provocation. Pathological evidence indicated Ms Canavan suffered strangulation, smothering, broken ribs, and other injuries consistent with a struggle. Canavan had previously pleaded guilty to drunk driving and assault arising from a separate incident in February 2023. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo remanded Canavan in custody. The matter is not yet finalised; the judge will impose the mandatory term of life imprisonment at a sentencing hearing scheduled for June 3. At that hearing, Ms Canavan's other son, Keith Canavan, will make a statement to the court.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court will resume deliberations tomorrow in the trial of Nigel Canavan, aged 39, who denies murdering his mother. The accused, with an address in Crossmolina, County Mayo, is charged with the death of Angela Canavan at her home in County Sligo on 1 May 2023. The jury has already spent more than four hours over two days considering their verdict. Mr Canavan has pleaded not guilty to murder but the jury has been directed they may return verdicts of guilty of murder, not guilty, or not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. The defence case rests on claims of self-defence and provocation. State pathologist evidence outlined multiple injuries to the deceased, including bruising to the face, neck, torso and limbs, fractured ribs, and stab wounds to both thighs. The cause of death was established as asphyxiation due to smothering and strangling.
A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court heard closing arguments on Wednesday concerning the death of Angela Canavan, aged fifty-eight, at her home in St John's Terrace, Sligo on May 1st, 2023. The accused, Nigel Canavan, aged thirty-nine, with an address at Erris Gardens, Crossmolina, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to her murder. The prosecution submitted that the accused's account of self-defence or provocation should be rejected as implausible, noting he initially denied presence at the scene before later claiming either provocation or self-defence at trial. State Pathologist evidence established the deceased died from asphyxiation due to strangulation and smothering, with additional injuries including rib fractures and stab wounds. The defence argued the accused demonstrated sustained care and affection toward his mother, suggesting provocation arising from verbal abuse during a heated altercation. The jury of ten women and two men retired to consider their verdict on Wednesday afternoon and will deliver their decision Thursday.
A 39-year-old man has testified at the Central Criminal Court that his mother died during a struggle in which he was defending himself from her attack. Nigel Canavan, from Crossmolina, County Mayo, is charged with the murder of Angela Canavan at her home in Sligo on 1 May 2023. He has pleaded not guilty. Mr Canavan told the court his mother attacked him with a knife and struck at him with her hands and feet during a heated argument. He admitted applying pressure to her neck with his forearm during the incident, but stated this was in self-defence and that he did not intend to cause her death. Under cross-examination, he accepted that he had initially denied to gardaí that he was present when his mother suffered fatal injuries, attributing this to distress at the time. The State Pathologist concluded that Ms Canavan died from asphyxiation by smothering and manual strangulation. The trial continues before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo and a jury.
A man accused of murdering his mother at her home in County Sligo in May 2023 told gardaí during interviews that he delayed contacting emergency services for approximately 20 minutes after discovering her body. Nigel Canavan, aged 39, of Erris Gardens, Crossmolina, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Angela Canavan at St John's Terrace, Sligo on 1 May 2023. The Central Criminal Court trial heard that Mr Canavan said he initially telephoned a friend before calling an ambulance, claiming he panicked and was unsure what to do. Gardaí arrested him six days after her death. Detective Garda Brian McMahon testified that during questioning at Sligo Garda Station, Mr Canavan described an altercation with his mother, who he said was intoxicated and agitated. He stated he removed a knife from her possession and subsequently heard sounds from downstairs, where he found her unconscious. Mr Canavan denied involvement in her death. State Pathologist Dr SallyAnne Collis determined the deceased died from asphyxia. The trial continues before Justice Kerdia Naidoo and jury.
A pathologist has given evidence at the Central Criminal Court regarding the death of a 58-year-old woman from County Sligo in May 2023. State Pathologist Dr SallyAnne Collis told the trial of Nigel Canavan, aged 39 and with an address in Crossmolina, County Mayo, that the deceased died from external asphyxiation caused by suffocation and manual strangulation. Dr Collis outlined injuries consistent with smothering, including pinpoint haemorrhaging around the eyes and bruising to the neck bones. The deceased also sustained stab wounds to both thighs and bruises across her body. Mr Canavan has pleaded not guilty to murder at his mother's home in Sligo on 1 May 2023. Under cross-examination, the pathologist acknowledged that some injuries could have innocent explanations, including assistance provided the previous evening and the deceased's significant alcohol intoxication and medical history, which would have made her prone to bruising.
At the Central Criminal Court, a detective told jurors that Nigel Canavan appeared nervous and evasive when questioned hours after his mother's death in Sligo on May 1, 2023. Detective Garda James Conneely met the 39-year-old accused outside Angela Canavan's home on St John's Terrace and later conducted a voluntary interview at Sligo Garda Station. Mr Canavan, with an address in Crossmolina, Co Mayo, denies murder. The prosecution alleges fatal violence and manual strangulation caused Ms Canavan's death. In his recorded statement, Mr Canavan described hearing three loud bangs while upstairs and finding his mother on the ground surrounded by broken glass and a damaged chair. He told gardai he had been staying with his mother during a bank holiday weekend after recent separation from his wife. The trial, before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo and a jury, continues tomorrow. Nigel Canavan pleaded not guilty.
A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court heard that Nigel Canavan told his then-wife his mother "went a bit mad" and struck herself with a knife before her death. Mr Canavan, aged 39, of Erris Gardens, Crossmolina, County Mayo, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Angela Canavan at her home in County Sligo on 1 May 2023. The prosecution alleges fatal violence and manual strangulation caused her death. Claire Conroy, Mr Canavan's former spouse, testified that he described his mother swinging her cane and becoming aggressive during an altercation. He said he went upstairs and later heard thuds before discovering her dead. A friend, John Gannon, told the court Mr Canavan telephoned him that evening in distress and later asked him to corroborate a story about discussing hurling rather than disclosing details of his mother's death. Mr Gannon said he instead told gardai the truth. The trial continues before Justice Kerida Naidoo and a jury.
A trial has commenced at the Central Criminal Court concerning the death of a woman in her Sligo home. The State alleges that Nigel Canavan, aged 39, of Erris Gardens in County Mayo, strangled his mother, Angela Canavan, aged 58, on 1 May 2023. Mr Canavan has pleaded not guilty to murder. The prosecution opening outlined that the deceased had enjoyed a successful career as a psychotherapist before developing severe alcohol dependency. She had sustained a brain injury following a fall and required periodic care. On the day in question, Mr Canavan had returned to his mother's home after work. Gardaí subsequently discovered her body in the kitchen and dining area, with evidence suggesting violent disturbance. A pathologist is expected to testify that death resulted from manual strangulation or asphyxia. The defence maintains the accused played no role in the death, asserting he discovered his mother's body after hearing noises. The trial continues before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo.
A jury comprising ten women and two men has been sworn in at the Central Criminal Court for the trial of a 39-year-old man from Crossmolina, County Mayo, who denies murdering his mother in Sligo. Nigel Canavan pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering Angela Canavan at an address in St John's Terrace, County Sligo on May 1, 2023. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo presided over the arraignment. The trial is scheduled to commence the following day and is anticipated to run for approximately two weeks.
A man has been convicted and sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for serious sexual offences against his sister. Kyle Jinks, aged 31, of Slievemore, Ballytivnan, County Sligo, was found guilty on 21 sample counts of rape and four sample counts of sexual assault committed between 2008 and 2014. The offences occurred at the family home in County Sligo when the victim was aged between 11 and 17 years old and the defendant was between 14 and 20. Mr Justice David Keane imposed sentence on 28 February 2025, noting the severe breach of familial trust, the victim's vulnerability, and the persistent pattern of offending over seven years. The judge observed that the family home became a place of fear rather than safety. Jinks maintains his innocence and intends to appeal the verdicts. He has 25 previous convictions. The court heard he is assessed as very high risk of re-offending. Two years' post-release supervision has been directed.
Margaret Doran (36), from Kimmage in Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of a false registration certificate for a caravan on 15 October 2019 at the Ranch House in Saggart, Dublin. Gardaí discovered the caravan's Vehicle Identification Number had been partially ground down during a search of the premises where Doran was renting a parking space. She produced a false logbook when questioned. The caravan, valued at €25,000, was seized. Doran stated she had exchanged her own caravan and paid money to a man in Sligo whose identity gardaí could not verify. The court heard she became homeless following seizure of the caravan. Judge Martin Nolan noted her guilty plea, absence of previous convictions, and personal tragedies, including the death of her husband. He determined that imprisonment was inappropriate and found her unlikely to reoffend. Doran received a two-year prison sentence, suspended in full.
The Court of Appeal has rejected an appeal against conviction by a Donegal man sentenced to ten years imprisonment for the repeated rape of a teenager. Liam Carr, aged 62, with an address in Ballina, Falcarragh, County Donegal, was convicted following trial at the Central Criminal Court in Sligo in 2021 of 31 counts including sexual assault, anal rape and oral rape of the boy between September 1995 and September 2000. The trial was the fifth proceeding on the same charges, after juries in three earlier trials were discharged for legal reasons and a fourth jury could not reach agreement. Carr argued the multiple trials breached his right to a fair trial and raised concerns about witness evidence and jury directions. Justice Isobel Kennedy rejected these grounds, finding no abuse of process and noting the trial judge had properly directed the jury on the standard of proof and presumption of innocence. The conviction appeal has been dismissed.
A former scrapyard worker has given evidence at the Workplace Relations Commission regarding an incident at Hammond Lane Metal Company's Clondalkin facility in December 2023. The woman alleged that a senior manager made offensive remarks toward her in the presence of colleagues and customers. The company, which operates sites across Cork, Sligo, Athlone, and Dublin, dismissed the manager, Bernard McMahon, following her complaint. McMahon has brought a case against Hammond Lane Metal Company Ltd under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, contesting his termination. During cross-examination, the complainant's representative questioned aspects of the witness account, whilst company HR evidence confirmed the manager had admitted to the alleged conduct. The tribunal heard that McMahon was suspended following an investigative meeting on 19 December 2023. The proceedings are ongoing, with McMahon expected to give evidence on Thursday.