An Irish Rail worker, fired after a conviction for moving drugs in a company van, was awarded almost €50,000 for unfair dismissal by the Workplace Relations Commission. The tribunal, led by adjudicating officer Michael McEntee, noted that the internal investigation had found the employee should not be dismissed, but Irish Rail management refused to accept those findings on safety grounds. The employee had been convicted in the District Court on two counts under the Misuse of Drugs Act, but had passed all employer drug tests and was not a user, according to McEntee. The tribunal awarded €40,000, roughly 44 weeks' pay, plus €7,200 for eight weeks' minimum notice, recognising the dismissal as unfair while acknowledging the safety concerns cited by the employer. The decision was described as a "Judgement of Solomon" after a period of reflection failed to resolve the dispute.
In a High Court case in Limerick, Westglade Unlimited Company and Timothy Carroll, who bought farmland at Ballycullane, Kilmallock, for €1m from a receiver appointed by Everyday Finance DAC, claim that former owners William and Anna Kennedy still occupy the land and keep horses there. The plaintiffs say the Kennedys refuse to give up vacant possession and have threatened them, saying the next person to unlock the gate will be shot. They also allege that the Kennedys blocked access with vehicles and posted a "No unauthorised person allowed" sign. The plaintiffs had previously offered a goodwill payment of about €275,000, but the Kennedys' actions have prevented any settlement. They seek injunctions to stop the Kennedys from occupying the land and to remove a lis pendens registered over the property. The case was heard by Mr Justice Mark Sanfey, who granted the plaintiffs permission to serve short notice of the proceedings and will hear the matter again next week.
A 35‑year‑old Romanian man, Andrei Dobra, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of his fiancée, Ioana Mihaela Pacala, aged 30, who died on or about 12 November 2022 in Ratoath, Co. Meath. Dobra told Gardaí he felt like a monster and that he could not control his actions when he strangled her. He claimed to have been influenced by a phantom and that he believed someone was pushing him. He admitted that his arms were used to squeeze her neck, but said his mind was elsewhere. The Central Criminal Court heard that a state pathologist confirmed death by strangulation. Two psychiatrists, one for the defence and one for the prosecution, will testify that Dobra suffered a mental disorder at the time of the killing. The trial is proceeding before Ms Justice Melanie Greally and a jury of twelve.
A 20‑year‑old man was sentenced to three years in prison, with the final 20 months suspended, for raping his younger cousin when he was about 13. The offences, committed between April 2017 and March 2018, included three counts of rape, one anal and one oral. He was ordered to have no unsupervised contact with children, to avoid the victim and to comply with child‑safety measures. The judge noted the victim, now 14, had suffered trauma and praised her courage. The defendant pleaded guilty, expressed remorse, and has no prior convictions. He is studying at third level and the sentence will commence after his August exams. The court also directed him to engage in relevant programmes and cooperate with probation services. The case was brought after a Tusla referral and investigation by specialist Gardaí.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Martin Nolan restored the driving licence of 27‑year‑old Shane Ward early, cutting his six‑year disqualification to four years and nine months. Ward had been convicted in February 2021 of dangerous driving causing serious harm, driving without insurance and leaving the scene after striking 28‑year‑old Ms Radhika Lausin on a footpath at Drimnagh Luas. Lausin suffered a brain bleed, multiple facial fractures and a broken arm, and has undergone two operations. Ward fled the scene, later escaping on a friend's scrambler, and did not assist the investigation before pleading guilty. Despite Garda objections citing the severity of Lausin's injuries, the judge accepted Ward's rehabilitation efforts, noting his business venture and tax compliance, and ruled that the court should not impede his rehabilitation. Ward can resume driving in November 2025. The decision was made after a hearing on 3 July 2024.
Moire Bergin, aged 47, was found not guilty by reason of insanity after stabbing her 76‑year‑old mother, Mary Bergin, to death on 13 April 2022. The jury, after one hour and seven minutes of deliberation, accepted expert testimony from two forensic psychiatrists who diagnosed Moire with bipolar affective disorder, noting symptoms of mania, depression and psychosis at the time of the killing. They confirmed she did not understand the nature or moral wrongness of her act and could not refrain from it. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, concluded with a one‑day hearing. Judge Paul McDermott ordered Moire to be committed to the Central Mental Hospital for up to 14 days, with a psychiatric assessment to be prepared. The case highlighted her history of 16 detentions under the Mental Health Act and six admissions between March 2021 and April 2022. The verdict was delivered unanimously by a jury of six men and six women.
At a preliminary hearing in Newry Magistrate's Court on 3 July 2024, former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson (61) and his wife Eleanor (58) were remanded on bail to face a series of child sexual offence charges. The judge, Eamonn King, found a prima facie case and asked the couple whether they wished to give a written or oral statement; Mr Donaldson declined, and Mrs Donaldson answered "No." Both were ordered to return on 10 September for their Crown Court trial. Mr Donaldson is charged with one count of rape (1987‑1991), 13 counts of indecent assault on a female child (1987‑1991) and four counts of gross indecency towards a child (2005‑2008). Mrs Donaldson faces charges of aiding and abetting rape (1987‑1991), three counts of aiding and abetting indecent assault on a female child and one count of child cruelty (2004‑2008). They were required to sign bail conditions before leaving the court's cell area.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and his wife, Eleanor Donaldson, appeared at Newry Magistrate's Court for a preliminary enquiry to determine whether they should be sent forward for trial on sexual offence charges. The former Lagan Valley MP, aged 61, and his wife, aged 58, both of Dromore, Co Down, face a total of 23 alleged charges. Mr Donaldson is accused of one count of rape, four counts of gross indecency with or towards a child, and 13 counts of indecent assault, with alleged incidents occurring between 1985 and 2006. Mrs Donaldson faces five charges of aiding and abetting rape and aiding and abetting indecent assault, along with two counts of cruelty to a person under 16, alleged to have occurred between 1985 and 2004. Judge Eamonn King was scheduled to consider prosecution statements and depositions to decide if a prima facie case exists. If sufficient evidence is found, the accused would be asked to enter pleas. The matter is currently at the charge or pretrial stage, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded in this report.
The Central Criminal Court heard psychiatric evidence in the trial of Moire Bergin, 47, who is accused of murdering her 76-year-old mother, Mary Bergin, in Dublin 1 on April 13, 2022. Ms Bergin pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Both prosecution and defence psychiatrists, Dr Paul O'Connell and Dr Stephen Monks, testified that the accused met the criteria for this special verdict. They agreed she suffered from bipolar affective disorder with psychotic symptoms, including religious delusions, and did not know the nature and quality of the act, could not appreciate it was morally wrong, or refrain from it. The court noted her history of 16 detentions under the Mental Health Act between 2005 and 2022. Prosecution counsel James Dwyer SC and defence counsel Fiona Murphy SC both submitted that the appropriate verdict was not guilty by reason of insanity. Justice Paul McDermott charged the jury, describing the case as tragic but instructing them to rely solely on the evidence. The jury was sent out to deliberate and the matter was adjourned to return tomorrow for a verdict.
A 24‑year‑old victim of a Temple Bar gang attack, who suffered slash wounds to his face and puncture wounds to his back, neck and arms, was left with permanent facial scarring and severe anxiety. He lost six months' earnings and now lives in constant worry, avoiding large gatherings. In a victim impact statement read by his partner, he described the assault as a "senseless act of violence" that shattered his life and left him with a "deep‑seated frustration" because most of the assailants are still free. Jordan Maguire, the only attacker identified from CCTV, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to three years and nine months' imprisonment. The court accepted that Maguire was not responsible for the most serious head and facial injuries, which required life‑saving surgery. The sentencing reflected the seriousness of the gang attack.
A 23‑year‑old Wexford man was jailed for two years and ten months after being found guilty of 14 counts of sexual assault on his younger cousin between 2013 and 2020. The victim, aged five to eleven at the time of the abuse, was forced by the defendant, aged thirteen to twenty, to touch his own penis and to touch the boy's penis. The abuse took place in the boy's home and a grandparent's house. The defendant has maintained his innocence. The victim confided in his mother in April 2020, leading to police involvement. He was interviewed by specialist Gardaí and said the abuse occurred more than fifteen times. The victim's behaviour deteriorated, leading to aggression and criminal offending.
In July 2024, a 25‑year‑old repeat offender was jailed for three and a half years after a violent incident in January 2022. While on bail, he entered his former partner's apartment, threatened to "rip her head off", slapped her, and tried to force her back inside. He then placed their four‑month‑old baby in an unstrapped buggy, causing the child to fall and injure his head. He refused to hand the baby over, threatened the woman's family, and tried to intimidate her with a key. The court found him guilty of criminal damage, making threats to kill or cause serious harm, assault, and child cruelty. Sentences of 20 months for child cruelty, two years and nine months for criminal damage, and five months for assault were imposed concurrently, with a total custodial term of three and a half years.
Patricia Groarke, a van salesperson for Pat The Baker, claimed she was spoken to "like s***" and "treated like an animal" by a shop manager at a SuperValu on 11 November 2023. She said the manager laughed at her, called her "thick", and accused her of throwing produce, an allegation she denied and asked to be checked on camera. Groarke attempted to contact her line manager, who relayed the accusation and said she had resigned. She later wrote to HR about possibly returning to work, but the role had been filled. The Workplace Relations Commission found that the employer withdrew an offer to reconsider and dismissed her without investigation or fair procedure, ruling the dismissal unfair and awarding €3,500 in compensation. The decision confirmed Groarke's service period was sufficient for locus standi.
In a murder trial, the accused, Andrei Dobra, 36, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for strangling his partner, Ioana Mihaela Pacala, 30, on 12 November 2022. A garda described Dobra as blank, vacant and detached when he entered the home, claiming the red marks on his neck were from "making love." Dobra admitted to strangling Pacala to "alleviate the burden" on the State. Witnesses, including Roxana Devan, noted Dobra's unusual behaviour and depression in the week before the killing. The prosecution presented evidence of asphyxia and strangulation, with bruising and scratches on Pacala's neck. Two psychiatrists were to testify that Dobra suffered from a mental disorder, potentially qualifying him for a not‑guilty by reason of insanity verdict. The trial proceeded before Ms Justice Melanie Greally and a jury of twelve.
During the opening of the Central Criminal Court trial, Moire Bergin, 47, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of her 76‑year‑old mother, Mary Bergin, on 13 April 2022. The prosecution and defence agreed that Moire suffered from a bipolar disorder at the time of the killing. Evidence presented included the discovery of two knives at the scene, one with the deceased's DNA, and a post‑mortem by State Pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers revealing stab wounds to the neck and forehead and defensive injuries to the forearms. CCTV footage showed Moire leaving the house in a dressing gown at 4.37 am, later seen genuflecting and lying on the ground. A 999 call had been made by Mary at 2.22 am for an ambulance for her naked daughter. Garda reports described Moire as highly distressed, naked and covered in blood, and she repeatedly claimed she had killed her mother.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 2 July 2024, a 36‑year‑old Romanian man, Andrei Dobra, was on trial for the murder of his partner, Ioana Mihaela Pacala, aged 30. The prosecution, led by Sean Guerin SC, presented evidence that Dobra strangled Pacala on 12 November 2022 at their duplex in Ratoath, County Meath. A phone call on that day had Dobra telling a woman he believed he had killed Pacala, prompting emergency services to arrive. The body was found in a bedroom; the State Pathologist confirmed strangulation as the cause of death. Dobra pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, and two psychiatrists—one for the defence, one for the prosecution—were to testify that he suffered a mental disorder at the time of the killing. The trial was overseen by Justice Melanie Greally with a jury of six men and six women.
In a Dublin post office robbery on 11 November 2023, Mark O'Grady (35) and Paul Bradley (43) were jailed for six years each. Both pleaded guilty to robbery and to possessing an imitation firearm that resembled a handgun. O'Grady held the imitation gun at the entrance, preventing entry and exit, while Bradley entered with a third man, Lee Conlon (44), who drove the gang in a stolen car. Conlon smashed the protective glass with a scaffolding pole, stole €20,000 from the counter, and fled. The robbery was quickly stopped; the getaway car was identified and the money recovered. A customer with a three‑year‑old grandchild had to dive on her grandson to protect him when a bang was heard. All three men were arrested within minutes and received six‑year sentences for the robbery, with five years concurrent on the firearms charge. Conlon had previously been jailed for six years for a separate burglary.
A 15‑year‑old boy, abused by his older cousin from age eight to eleven, told the Central Criminal Court that he had tried to kill himself to escape the pain. He said the abuse began when he was eight and the cousin was thirteen, lasting three years in a rural Leinster area. The boy's family moved away from their "forever home" and his father has suffered a stroke from the stress. He read his victim impact statement at the sentencing of the 20‑year‑old accused, who pleaded guilty to two sexual assault charges, oral and anal rape, and child exploitation for showing him pornographic images between January 2018 and February 2020. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a three‑year sentence, suspending the final year on conditions, and directed the defendant to receive autism support and counselling.
In a Central Criminal Court sentencing, a 36‑year‑old Meath doctor was convicted of anal rape and false imprisonment of his wife on 14 February 2019. The wife reported the offence to Gardaí the same night, leaving the house with her baby and going to a local station. The doctor was arrested the following month and, during Gardaí interviews, claimed he did not rape his wife, saying "I get it every day for free" and that marriage implied blanket consent. The judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, noted the defendant's lack of understanding of consent and the extraordinary recklessness displayed. He imposed a nine‑year sentence, suspended the final year, and ordered strict conditions preventing contact with the wife, along with probation service engagement for two years after release. The judge also highlighted the domestic context and the defendant's failure to recognise the impact on his wife. The unnamed 36-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Kerry GAA has filed a High Court challenge against the Minister for Justice's refusal to include the sports body in the now-defunct Immigrant Investor Programme, arguing that the decision endangers more than €38 million in donations. The Gaelic games organisation contends that the refusal will jeopardise at least €27 million already committed to redeveloping FitzGerald Stadium in Killarney and an additional €11.6 million in new donations it has identified. Kerry GAA says it had submitted two parts of its development proposals—one for a Centre of Excellence and another for the stadium—before the scheme was scrapped in February 2023. The Minister's decision, made on 24 January, rejected the stadium application on the grounds that "no valid investor application was submitted" and that the investor must be new, not one already linked to another project.
Jennifer Keane, who had ADHD and autism, claimed she was denied an interview for a technical lead role at Edwards Vacuum Technology Ireland Limited because of her neurodivergence. She had requested a regular eight‑hour shift schedule as a disability accommodation, but the company had rejected her request and told her the role would be "far too stressful" for her. Keane said the company also wanted to see her attendance improve, implying her sick leave made her less favourable. She resigned, alleging discrimination and transphobia, and was escorted off the premises. Edwards denied any disability discrimination, noting that two of the shortlisted candidates had more relevant experience and perfect attendance records. The tribunal found Keane's claim speculative and unsupported by evidence, and rejected it. The case was decided by adjudicator Breiffní O'Neill.
In the Central Criminal Court, two young women testified that they were raped by Dublin taxi driver Raymond Shorten, who had previously been convicted of serious sexual offences. Both victims had taken taxis after nights out, believing it was the safest option, but were assaulted by Shorten. One victim, who had been drinking five pints of cider, was taken to the back seat where he raped her anally and vaginally, leaving her with a sore, disorienting experience. The second victim fell asleep in the taxi and was raped upon waking, after which Shorten demanded a €70 fare. Shorten denied the assaults, claiming the encounters were consensual. DNA evidence linked him to both incidents. The court adjourned the case to July 22 for finalisation. The victims described lasting impacts on their confidence, intimate life, and mental health, including anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares. The case highlighted the vulnerability of taxi passengers and the alleged breach of trust by a licensed driver. Raymond Shorten pleaded not guilty.
Moire Bergin, 47, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of her 76‑year‑old mother, Mary Bergin, at the mother's Dublin home on 13 April 2022. She was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on a single murder charge. Judge Paul McDermott explained that the jury's task was to assess Bergin's state of mind at the time of the killing. The judge noted that most facts of the case were agreed upon, and that the trial would be presented in short form. Detective Sergeant John Brady of Store Street Garda Station would outline the facts, and two consultant forensic psychiatrists, Dr Stephen Monks and Dr Paul O'Connell, would provide expert testimony. A jury of twelve was sworn in; the trial is scheduled to begin tomorrow and is expected to last up to two days.
Sidney Sutton, 46, of Ashbourne, has appealed a High Court refusal to halt a retrial of a 2017 knife‑assault case that was originally described as "extreme domestic violence." Sutton was convicted of four assault counts, one assault causing harm and one knife‑producing count, and sentenced to two years with 12 months suspended. The Court of Appeal later increased his sentence to 16 months, then quashed the conviction in 2021 and ordered a retrial. Sutton applied for a judicial review to prohibit the second trial, alleging malicious prosecution, corruption and unfairness, but Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty denied the application, citing no evidence of bias or malice. Sutton has now appealed that decision and requested an adjournment, arguing he has not had enough time to prepare and that he is innocent. The Court of Appeal has adjourned the matter until 10 October, while Sutton threatens to seek €2 billion from the State if the case is overturned.
A 36‑year‑old man, Andrei Dobra, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his fiancée, Ioana Mihaela Pacala, aged 30, at their flat in Ratoath on or about 12 November 2022. Dobra, who lives at Riverwalk Court, Fairyhouse Road, was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court on a single charge of murder. He answered "Not guilty" and "I can't be responsible" when the registrar asked how he was pleading. Judge Paul McDermott recorded the plea as not guilty by reason of insanity and explained that the case would involve medical evidence about Dobra's mental state at the time of the death. The prosecution's psychiatrist, Dr Brenda Wright, and the defence's psychiatrist, Dr Patricia Casey, were named as witnesses. A jury of twelve was sworn in, and the trial is set to begin the following day before Ms Justice Melanie Greally, potentially lasting up to five days.
Two brothers, Glen Ward (31) and Eric O'Driscoll (22), both from Finglas, have withdrawn their bail applications in the Special Criminal Court after being charged with possession of firearms and reckless discharge of assault rifles in January 2022. Ward is accused of possessing a .223 Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle and discharging it on 1 January 2022 at Ratoath Drive, while O'Driscoll faces similar charges plus additional allegations of possessing a .380 ACP calibre Ingram M11 submachine gun on 9 January 2022. The charges are under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990 and the Firearms Act 1964. Judge Tony Hunt offered the men time to decide whether to proceed to trial, noting a November trial date is available and giving them until later this month to inform the court of their decision. The brothers will indicate later this month whether they wish to go to trial.
Jonathan (aka Johnny) Moran, 26, was sentenced to eight years in prison after a Central Criminal Court jury convicted him of rape and aggravated sexual assault. The offences occurred in a garden shed in Galway on July 21, 2019, where Moran allegedly used a bottle to penetrate the victim, Bláthnaid Raleigh, causing extensive physical injuries. Although the validated procedural stage is listed as an appeal, the report details the sentencing hearing where Mr Justice Tony Hunt imposed the custodial term. The judge set a headline sentence of 10 years, reduced to nine years due to Moran's lack of previous convictions and late acceptance of the verdict. The final year was suspended on strict conditions, including indefinite no-contact orders with Ms Raleigh, 18 months of Probation Service engagement, and a three-year period of good behaviour. Ms Raleigh, who waived her anonymity, read a victim impact statement describing the long-term physical and psychological trauma she suffered. She noted that her brothers left their local rugby club, where Moran also played, following the incident. The judge emphasized the critical importance of consent, warning that failure to ensure it results in serious sexual offences and significant immediate custodial sentences.
The Special Criminal Court adjourned several matters scheduled for July 15 due to a planned barrister strike, with proceedings rescheduled for the following day. Aaron Brady, convicted of the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, was due to be sentenced for attempting to pervert the course of justice. He had pleaded guilty to video-recording an interview between witness Ronan Flynn and An Garda Síochána. The matter was adjourned and is not concluded. Additionally, four men accused of the murder of Tristan Sherry at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown were scheduled to appear. Noah Musueni, Wayne Deegan, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut face murder charges; their cases were adjourned. Jonas Kabangu and an unnamed juvenile are charged with violent disorder at the same location, while Jaures Kumbu is charged with possession of a submachine gun. All these matters were adjourned to July 16. The court noted the strike dates of July 9, 15, and 24. No sentences or findings were delivered during this session.
Mary O'Sullivan, a 52‑year‑old housewife from Ballymakealy Grove, Celbridge, was involved in an €65,000 online fraud after she set up a bank account for a man she believed to be a US soldier. The account was used to transfer the proceeds of an invoice‑redirection scam carried out by criminals. O'Sullivan pleaded guilty to money laundering on the basis of recklessness. The court noted her vulnerability, low intellectual ability and emotional state during a marital breakdown, and that she did not understand the fraud was occurring. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two‑year sentence, suspended in full, citing her low culpability and the lack of prior convictions. No jail term was imposed, and the case highlighted the victim's loss of over €65,000, with some assets seized in Nigeria but no recovery of the money.
In a long‑running case that began in 2017, the Commercial Court resolved a claim of unjust enrichment brought by the Abu‑Dhabi‑based engineering firm Hogan Keoghan Ryan Middle East Architects Engineering LLC (HKRME) against businessman Barry English, founder of Winthrop Engineering. After out‑of‑court negotiations, English agreed to pay €1.25 million from a trust to HKRME's solicitors, to be used for employees and creditors of the firm. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Denis McDonald, accepted the settlement and struck out two other related actions. English, represented by Bernard Dunleavy SC, had denied the claims, but consented to the order. The settlement was welcomed by the judge, who praised the parties for reaching an agreement. The case had involved earlier disputes over a caretaker arrangement for shares and a claim for US$8 million, which had been dismissed in 2019.
A woman from County Roscommon has received a four-year prison sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for money laundering offences connected to proceeds of prostitution. Ivanilce Vailones, aged 47, pleaded guilty to five counts of money laundering between 2018 and 2021, with ten additional counts taken into consideration. The court heard that gardaí investigations revealed two bank accounts linked to Vailones containing approximately €126,000. Evidence included CCTV footage showing her withdrawing funds using a card belonging to a former sex worker. Justice Patricia Ryan imposed a sentence of four years with the final 28 months suspended for two years. Vailones has already served an equivalent period on remand, meaning she will serve no additional custodial time. The judge noted mitigating factors including her guilty plea, remorse, and employment since release. A co-accused in related proceedings received a four-year sentence with two years suspended.
Raymond Carroll, 16 at the time, was part of a group that caused trouble in a Lidl store on Moore Street on 11 March 2020. He opened a pack of biscuits and threw them, tossed a cardboard box, and became aggressive when a security guard took it. He also pushed a guard, grabbed a plastic cone and raised it over the guard's shoulder, then pulled the guard to the floor. CCTV footage was shown in court. Carroll pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of Section 2 Assault, carrying a maximum six‑month sentence. The judge, noting his lack of prior convictions and his plea, set a headline sentence of five months for an adult but reduced it to three months because he was a juvenile. The final sentence was two and a half months, fully suspended on strict conditions.
David Moore, founder of Astronomy Ireland, is accused by former manager Sonya Martin of pocketing speaking‑engagement fees that were meant to be the society's main revenue stream. Martin, who worked as an administrator and later manager from 2021 to 2022, resigned after a heated meeting in which Moore told her the club had no board and that her grant applications were fraudulent. She claims she was forced to cover two jobs, faced micromanagement, and was told not to report a website hack. Martin alleges financial irregularities, that Moore kept money for himself, and that the organisation's legal status is unclear as an unincorporated society without trustees. The Workplace Relations Commission will consider whether all members are answerable for her complaints, with a hearing likely rescheduled for September.
The High Court released Enoch Burke from Mountjoy Prison on Friday afternoon, having been detained since September 2023 for contempt of court. Mr Justice Mark Sanfey granted his release despite Mr Burke's refusal to comply with a standing injunction prohibiting him from attending Wilson's Hospital School in County Westmeath. The judge noted that state examinations had concluded and the school was on holiday. Mr Justice Sanfey stressed that the injunction remains enforceable and warned of potential re-imprisonment should further breaches occur. The Co Mayo teacher has spent over 400 days incarcerated. On the same date, the court heard Mr Burke's bid to set aside an order made by Mr Justice Alexander Owens, which Mr Burke claims is unconstitutional. The teacher argues his constitutional rights regarding freedom of conscience and religious practice were disregarded in the original proceedings. The school's counsel disputed the application's jurisdiction and characterised it as an improper appeal. Mr Justice Sanfey reserved judgment on this preliminary matter and indicated a ruling within weeks.
A High Court judge sentenced Ronan O'Grady, 33, to two years' imprisonment for eight counts of sexual assault against his niece, Keely O'Grady, aged six to nine between 2004 and 2008. O'Grady, who was 13 to 17 at the time, pleaded guilty in the Central Criminal Court. The judge noted the defendant's lack of remorse, his "talented" and "well‑educated" background, and the continued support he received from his family, which the court said had disrupted the victim's family relationships. Keely, now 26, gave a victim impact statement describing long‑term trauma, depression, anxiety and self‑harm, and criticised her grandparents for protecting him. The judge reduced the headline sentence from an initial eight years to two years, citing O'Grady's youth, lack of prior convictions, guilty pleas and low re‑offending risk, and did not suspend any part of the sentence. The sentence was back‑dated to the day he entered custody.
James Flynn, a 32‑year‑old former member of a cross‑border crime gang, was granted legal aid to appeal his conviction and eight‑year sentence for conspiring to steal the getaway car used in the 2013 Lordship Credit Union robbery that killed Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. Flynn had previously been acquitted of the robbery itself but was found guilty of conspiracy to steal a Volkswagen Passat from a house in Clogherhead, Co. Louth. The Special Criminal Court convicted him of conspiracy, noting that the burglary was part of an organised plan to secure a vehicle for the robbery. Flynn fled Ireland after the crime, was extradited from the UK in 2022, and holds UK and US passports but no Irish passport. Court President Mr Justice George Birmingham approved legal aid for his appeal, following the same basis as the trial court. The case was one of 16 legal‑aid applications heard that day.
Michael Lynn, a 55‑year‑old former solicitor from Millbrook Court, Redcross, Co Wicklow, has been granted legal aid to appeal both his conviction and sentence for stealing over €18 million from six financial institutions. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham, agreed to provide aid on the same terms as the trial court after Lynn presented a statement declaring he had no means. The judge noted that should new information arise making legal aid inappropriate, the State could return the matter to the Court of Appeal. Lynn, found guilty of 10 of 21 theft counts in a second Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial after a hung jury in 2022, is currently serving a five‑and‑a‑half‑year prison term. He intends to appeal the conviction and the sentence, with the appeal focusing on the construction of the sentence and release date issues. Michael Lynn pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, former manager Donal Moroney, aged 70, was fined €500 for unlawfully storing and administering the euthanasia drug Dolethal to two dogs at Ashton Dog Pound in Castleknock on 24 July 2020. The drug, containing Pentobarbital Sodium, is only permitted to be stored at a veterinary practice and administered intravenously by a qualified vet. Moroney pleaded guilty to three counts: using the pound to store a veterinary‑only remedy, possessing it without being a vet, and allowing a layperson to give it orally to a Bichon Frise and an Akita. The court noted that staff lacked the experience or qualifications to handle the drug, described Moroney's culpability as "quite low," and considered mitigating factors such as his guilty plea, cooperation with Gardaí, long history of animal care, and serious health problems. He was ordered to pay the fine within three months.
Raul Rodriguez Ramirez, 36, was convicted of fraud for taking €29,042 from 18 international students who had paid for language courses in Dublin. He used the money to invest in a restaurant that failed during the pandemic, instead of enrolling the students. The students suffered financial loss, psychological distress, and some had to sleep in a church doorway or could not travel home. Ramirez pleaded guilty and paid €18,050 as a token of remorse. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to 18 months in prison on each count, to run concurrently, and suspended the final nine months for two years. The €18,050 was ordered to be divided pro‑rata among the 18 victims. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 27 June 2024.
In a case that began with an unprovoked street attack on April 17, 2022, Stefan Bornac, aged 21, assaulted Thomas Oliver and James Lightly on D'Olier Street, Dublin 2. Bornac struck Oliver with a forceful right‑hand blow to the temple, then repeatedly punched Lightly, knocking him to the ground before kicking him in the head. Oliver, a 25‑year‑old college student, was rendered unconscious, transported to St James' Hospital, intubated, and later transferred to Beaumont Hospital where he remained in a coma for three weeks. Lightly sustained injuries but survived. Bornac pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm to Oliver and assault causing harm to Lightly, and was sentenced by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four and a half years' imprisonment, with nine months suspended. He appealed the sentence, but after the Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice George Birmingham, highlighted the "very serious violence" involved, Bornac withdrew his appeal, accepting the original sentence.
Alan Ward, 56, was convicted of murdering his wife Catherine Doyle, 41, on 1 March 2019 in their Clondalkin home. He had a long history of domestic violence and alcohol abuse, and in 2017 suffered a stroke that caused communication difficulties. Ward claimed diminished responsibility due to a mental disorder from the stroke, but the Court of Appeal rejected his appeal. The court noted that two experts disagreed on whether the stroke or intoxication better explained his actions. Ward's defence argued that the prosecution expert should not have weighed alcohol as a greater factor, a point the judge dismissed. The appeal was dismissed on all grounds, and Ward remains convicted of murder, with no change to his sentence. The court also upheld convictions for threatening to kill his son and for a prior assault on his wife.
Eddie Rockets (Ireland) Limited and Rockets Franchising DAC have secured a temporary injunction from the High Court restraining the alleged unauthorised transfer of two restaurant franchises. The proceedings concern franchises at Charlestown Shopping Centre in Finglas and at Clarehall in North Dublin, which the plaintiffs claim were transferred in breach of sale and franchise agreements. The defendants include Ziggy Investments Limited, which held the franchises since 2020, shareholders Lisa Marie Deegan and Jacinta Deegan, and businessman Brian Dunne, a former Eddie Rockets franchise holder alleged to have acquired Ziggy Investments. The court heard that Eddie Rockets had agreements in place to purchase the franchises, but learned this month that Ziggy Investments had been sold. Mr Justice David Nolan granted the temporary injunction on an ex-parte basis, restraining the defendants from breaching the franchise agreements and preventing Mr Dunne from interfering with the plaintiff's intellectual property. The matter returns to court later in the week.
In a High Court ruling, liquidators of the Irish‑registered aircraft leasing firms GTLK Europe DAC and GTLK Europe Capital DAC were granted declarations that the parent Russian state‑owned company, Joint Stock Company State Transport Leasing Company, had no legal right to claim ownership of the aircraft through alleged pledge agreements. The liquidators argued the agreements were void, unenforced, and unregistered, and were made during a period of chaos following sanctions on Russian entities. The High Court found the liquidators entitled to the declarations and that the parent's claim was flawed. The parent company appealed to the Court of Appeal, but the appeal was dismissed as an abuse of process because the parent had not appeared in the High Court proceedings. The Court of Appeal ordered costs in favour of the liquidators. The case concerns aircraft worth an estimated US$2 billion and the liquidation of the firms, described as the largest in Irish history.
In a High Court contempt case, Mr Noel Martin Senior was found to have deliberately and flagrantly breached a court order that barred him from contacting Alan O'Neill and June Finnegan over a disputed garage. The judge, Mr Justice David Nolan, noted that Martin had sent threatening WhatsApp messages after the injunction, accusing the couple of keeping dangerous animals and threatening to report them to authorities. Martin apologized, claimed a mistake, and agreed not to contact the plaintiffs again. The judge warned that any further intimidation could lead to imprisonment and ordered Martin to pay the plaintiffs' legal costs. The case, which also involves a claim for damages over the garage's ownership, remains pending, with the judge adjourned the matter to October to monitor Martin's conduct. The judge emphasised that Martin's behaviour was personal, vindictive and designed to cause maximum pain to the plaintiffs.
The High Court in Dublin has adjourned the case of Christopher Shane Frane, who faces an extradition request from Northern Ireland. Frane, 36, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Constable Philippa Reynolds in 2013. He was sentenced to a minimum of six years and an Indefinite Custodial Sentence, requiring him to remain in prison until he proves he is no longer a danger to the public. Frane absconded from Northern Ireland in January and was arrested in the Republic in February. His counsel, Karen Quinlivan KC, argued before Mr Justice Patrick McGrath that surrendering Frane would breach his constitutional rights and Article 5 of the European Convention on Human Rights. She contended that the Indefinite Custodial Sentence imposes an "extreme and draconian" regime, describing the parole board's requirement to prove he poses no risk as an "almost impossible standard." Conversely, John Fitzgerald SC, representing the Minister for Justice, stated that the High Court is not an appeal court for the Northern Ireland parole commission and cannot review its decisions. He argued that the Northern Irish authorities are presumed to comply with legal requirements. Mr Justice McGrath reserved his judgment, meaning the matter was adjourned and not concluded.
Ann Wilson, 44, of Kilcock, Co Kildare, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for fraudulently claiming over €35,000 following a staged car crash. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three-year prison sentence but suspended it in full, citing Wilson's parental responsibilities for her son, who was paralysed in an unrelated accident. Wilson pleaded guilty to one count of dishonestly inducing AXA Insurance to pay personal injuries between February 1, 2013, and July 15, 2014. The incident involved a low-velocity collision at Ballycullen Roundabout on February 4, 2013, where Wilson was driving and her partner, Thomas O'Neill, was an occupant. O'Neill, 47, previously pleaded guilty to one count of deception and was jailed for two years as an "active participant" in the scheme. Deirdre Mellor, 54, O'Neill's sister and a passenger in the other vehicle, pleaded guilty to attempted deception and previously received a suspended two-year prison sentence; she did not proceed with an insurance claim as it was statute-barred. AXA Insurance identified the parties as connected via social media during its investigation. Wilson received €21,595 for herself, €550 for material damages, and €14,000 for her son in a civil case. The court noted that none of the money was recovered. Wilson has four previous road traffic convictions, while O'Neill has 70 previous convictions, and Mellor has one previous conviction for driving without insurance.
The Court of Appeal rejected a 43‑year‑old man's appeal against his nine‑year sentence for raping a 15‑year‑old girl, arguing that a three‑month delay in the victim's reporting did not make the trial unfair. The victim, who was 15 at the time, met the man on the street on 21 August 2017, was taken to his rented accommodation, and was raped there. She later reported the crime to her teacher and Gardaí. The man pleaded not guilty to rape, sexual assault and false imprisonment, was convicted on the first two counts, and sentenced in December 2021. In his appeal he claimed the trial was unfair because of the delay and because blood on the mattress was not examined. The Court of Appeal found no merit in these arguments and upheld the conviction and sentence. The decision was delivered by Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh.
The High Court has dismissed an application by Michelle Keane seeking an injunction to prevent the Dáil from voting on the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact. Mr Justice David Nolan found the bid was bound to fail as granting such an order would breach the separation of powers between the courts, the Oireachtas, and the government. The judge noted that Keane, who represented herself, alleged the pact was unconstitutional and would override Irish sovereignty, claiming it would force Ireland to accept 30,000 asylum seekers. He described her concerns regarding crime and safety as offensive and unsupported by evidence, noting her submissions were based on hearsay. The court also heard that a similar action by barrister Una McGurk had been deemed not properly issued and could not be dealt with. The judge held that the adoption of the pact was permitted under Article 28.4.7 of the Constitution, which was approved in the 2009 Lisbon Treaty vote. Consequently, the application was dismissed, and costs were awarded to the defendants, the Irish Government and Attorney General Rossa Fanning SC. Keane stated she intends to appeal the decision. The Dáil vote on the pact was scheduled for Tuesday evening, following the Seanad's prior approval.
A teacher at Kilmacrennan National School in Co Donegal is pursuing a discrimination claim before the Workplace Relations Commission, alleging she faced religious-based comments during her employment. The complainant has stated she was subjected to derogatory references relating to her marriage to a Protestant man, including being called by her husband's surname years after ceasing professional use of it, and being told she would be better suited working at a neighbouring Church of Ireland school. She claims she was not reappointed for the 2022-2023 academic year despite a male colleague receiving reappointment without interview, while she competed in an open competition. The school denies discrimination, contending both posts were filled through open competition. The case, heard at Letterkenny Courthouse, resumed following an adjournment of nearly twelve months. In cross-examination, the school's counsel challenged the complainant's account of events and suggested she had created a discrimination narrative after being dissatisfied with the reappointment decision. The tribunal is scheduled to resume in October for further hearing.
Ronnie Wilde, aged 23, was sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment for a series of unprovoked assaults and a robbery. On 1 September 2023 he robbed a Dublin 8 shop of €40 worth of groceries while armed with a possible knife. The following day he assaulted a delivery driver at his home, punching him several times. On 26 September 2023 he punched a woman twice in the face in the A&E department of St James's Hospital, causing her to fall and sustaining extensive facial injuries. Wilde pleaded guilty to all three counts. He has 52 prior convictions, most from his juvenile years, and was highly intoxicated and under the influence of drugs at the time of the attacks. The judge, citing his long history of offending, set a headline sentence of five years, reduced to three and a half years after mitigating factors, and backdated it to his October 2023 arrest.