A tribunal found that Morgan O'Connell Pharmacy Ltd, co‑owned by former Fine Gael TD Kate O'Connell, was not liable for disability discrimination or unfair dismissal in a case brought by pharmacist Fadia Alshareefy, a polio survivor. Alshareefy alleged that the pharmacy discriminated against her because of her disability and that she was unfairly dismissed after a Gardaí inspection in May 2022. She claimed the male director became agitated, that she received no support, that CCTV was abused, and that she was denied reasonable accommodation. The tribunal rejected all these claims, stating there was no credible evidence of discrimination and that the dismissal was purely financial. Alshareefy's unfair dismissal claim was also found statute‑barred, and her other wage‑related complaints were withdrawn. The decision was made by adjudicator Michael McEntee.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Philip Griffin, 37, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Anthony O'Brien, 30, and his five‑year‑old daughter Nadine after a house fire in Tralee on 12 May 2012. Griffin, who had no fixed abode and was originally from Tralee, had previously been convicted of 41 offences. He voluntarily approached Gardaí in May 2022, admitting that he and another man had entered the O'Brien home, set fire to a couch with a lighter, and fled. The fire caused the deaths of Anthony and Nadine; Kelly O'Brien survived but fractured her heel. Griffin, who appeared by video link from prison, said he could not live with the guilt and wants to be locked up. The court heard that the case had been closed after a 2013 inquest that found no evidence of a criminal act.
Paul Bourke, aged 56, was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to eight counts, including possession of cocaine for sale, possession of €18,100 in cash from criminal proceeds, and possession of three Glock 17 pistols. The offences occurred across several locations: his home in Tullyvolty, Johnstown, Co Kilkenny; Ballygall Parade, Finglas, Co Dublin; Tallaght, Co Dublin; and Ashbourne, Co Meath. On 3 November 2023, Bourke was arrested in Finglas after a Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau operation, following a confidential tip‑off. He was observed leaving his Kilkenny home in a transit van, dropping packages in Tallaght, Ashbourne and Finglas, where each package was seized and the recipients arrested. The Tallaght package contained just over €70,000 of cocaine; the Ashbourne and Finglas packages each held over €17,000 of cocaine. In Finglas, his van contained €18,100 in cash.
The Special Criminal Court concluded its six‑week trial of six men charged in the killing of gunman Tristan Sherry on Christmas Eve 2023. Sherry and a second gunman entered Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on 24 December, where Jason Hennessy Snr and about 30 others were celebrating. Sherry shot and fatally wounded Hennessy Snr before being dragged to the ground and beaten to death. The three men charged with Sherry's murder are Noah Musueni (18), David Amah (18) and Michael Andrecut (23). Jonas Kabangu (18) and Diarmuid O'Brien (18) are charged with violent disorder, as is Brandon Hennessy (21). All pleaded not guilty. The prosecution argued that Sherry was subjected to a sustained, controlled and continuous attack, beaten to death, spat on, photographed and left to die in a pool of blood, constituting murder. The court adjourned the matter until 20 January 2025.
A jury of eight men and four women has deliberated for a third day in the trial of Philip Cox, a 40‑year‑old man accused of attempting to murder his former partner, Cristal O'Brien, at the York Street Flats in Dublin 2 on 1 December 2022. Cox has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder charge. He is also charged with producing a knife, aggravated burglary and assault causing harm, for which he has previously pleaded guilty. O'Brien testified that Cox threatened to stab her "to pieces", kicked her twice, broke a knife, and tried to stab her again after she fled to a neighbour's flat. She said he also stabbed her twice in the leg. Neighbour Alice McGrath gave evidence that Cox threatened to kill her.
David Dunne, 40, was convicted of murdering fellow inmate Robert O'Connor, 34, at Mountjoy Prison on 29 July 2022. CCTV footage showed Dunne luring O'Connor into his cell, where he was knocked to the ground and stamped on the head repeatedly. Prison officers heard a yell and a cry of "No, no" before silence, and later saw Dunne stamp on O'Connor's head more than once. O'Connor was taken to Mater Hospital, placed on life support, and pronounced dead three days later after brain‑stem testing revealed no activity. Dunne, who had 123 convictions since 1998 and was serving a four‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for robbery, was found guilty by a jury in less than three hours. Robert O'Connor pleaded not guilty.
Lisa O'Meara, who waived her anonymity, told the Central Criminal Court that she had been kept hostage in her own home by Barry Murphy, who repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted her between February 2018 and February 2020. Murphy, 39, was convicted of three rapes, one sexual assault, three assault causing harm, one false imprisonment and coercive control over an 18‑month period. He was also found guilty of a separate assault abroad. The court heard that the front door of the couple's house was riveted shut and that O'Meara had no means of communication until she escaped the night after the final rape. Murphy's bail was revoked when O'Meara lived with him. The judge imposed a headline sentence of 17 years for the rapes, four years for coercive control, and other sentences for the remaining offences, all running concurrently. The final global sentence was 15½ years, with the last year suspended on strict conditions.
A man has been convicted of manslaughter at the Central Criminal Court following a ten-week trial in connection with the death of a drug dealer in Dublin. Dean Caffrey, aged 38, of Beaucort, Achill Road, Drumcondra, was acquitted of murder but found guilty of the unlawful killing of Sean McCarthy, 28, on August 2, 2022. The jury reached their majority verdict after more than twelve hours of deliberation. The court heard that Caffrey, a cocaine and cannabis user with accumulated drug debts, allowed McCarthy to use his apartment to store drugs as part payment. On the day in question, Caffrey told gardai that McCarthy arrived agitated and armed, accusing him of theft and making threats. During a struggle, Caffrey claimed the gun discharged fatally. Following McCarthy's death, Caffrey placed the body in a wardrobe, where it remained for four days whilst he continued his daily routine. He attended work and visited his ex-girlfriend before presenting himself at Ashbourne Garda Station and directing gardai to the remains. Dean Caffrey pleaded not guilty.
Richard Satchwell, 57, will be tried in Dublin on 28 April 2025 after his lawyers successfully moved the case from Cork. Mr Justice Paul McDermott approved the application. Satchwell, a truck driver originally from Leicester, is charged with murdering his wife, Tina Satchwell, 45, at their Grattan Street home in Youghal on 20 March 2017. Tina was reported missing on 24 March 2017, and her skeletal remains were discovered in October 2023 during an excavation beneath the stairwell of the house.
Patrick Murphy, 52, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Joseph Brosnan, 53, who was stabbed to death in Abbey Court, Tralee, on 22 May 2022. Murphy had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, yet the jury found him guilty of murder after a two‑hour deliberation. The judge described the attack as a "cowardly" and "vicious" knife assault carried out in a "drunken rage" against a "defenceless and unarmed" man. Murphy had been drinking and had brought a large kitchen knife to the apartment where he and Brosnan had shared drinks with a Polish friend, Kamil Lisowski. The victim's family delivered emotional impact statements, describing Brosnan as a beloved son, father and grandad, and expressing profound grief and anger at the loss. The court noted Murphy's 15 prior convictions, mainly for traffic, public order and drug offences. The judge thanked the family for their statements and emphasised the seriousness of the crime.
Martin O'Brien, 54, of Gurrane, Tuam, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for four counts of sexual assault against a teenage babysitter, Áine McHugh, aged 16‑17, between 2012 and 2014. O'Brien had previously pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a 10‑year‑old child when he was 13‑14, a conviction still on appeal. In the current case, McHugh described O'Brien as a "sub‑human, monster" who groomed and repeatedly assaulted her while she cared for his children, giving her alcohol and assaulting her at home and in pubs. The judge noted aggravating factors such as the abuse occurring in O'Brien's home and his position of trust, and imposed a headline sentence of nine and a half years, but ultimately imposed a six‑year term with the final six months suspended on strict conditions, including probation engagement for twelve months.
Peter Sheeran, aged 33, was convicted of robbery after he used a bread‑knife to steal €1,000 from Murphy's Gala store in Kilanerin on 17 June 2023. He left his two‑year‑old and seven‑year‑old children in a car while he carried out the robbery and was apprehended shortly after by passers‑by. Sheeran pleaded guilty at Wexford Circuit Court in December 2023, where Judge Cormac Quinn imposed a five‑year sentence with the final year suspended. In November 2024 he appealed, arguing that the sentence was too harsh because he had no prior convictions, was acting under duress and the offence was not pre‑meditated. The Court of Appeal, hearing the case on 16 December 2024, found that the original judge had erred by setting an eight‑year headline sentence. The appeal was granted, and the Court of Appeal quashed the original sentence.
The family of 26‑year‑old Cian Gallagher, murdered on 2 November 2022 in Tallow, Co. Waterford, delivered an emotional victim impact statement at the Central Criminal Court during the sentencing of Maurice Boland. They urged Irish society to consider who should be role models for young men, citing the three young men who helped Cian as examples of kindness and self‑lessness. The family described Cian as shy, kind, and principled, and expressed profound grief over his loss. They condemned the attacker's boast that he had punched Cian "like Conor McGregor in the UFC" and highlighted the senseless violence that ended a promising life. Boland, 37, was found guilty of murder and received the mandatory life sentence, to commence after the expiry of his earlier assault conviction. The statement underscored the lasting trauma endured by the Gallagher family. Maurice Boland pleaded not guilty.
Bernard McMahon, a former manager at Hammond Lane Metal Co Ltd, claims he never used a derogatory term against a female co‑worker, saying he only spelled the word out. He told the Workplace Relations Commission that the alleged remark was not meant as harassment and that the incident was a joke. McMahon said he had been dismissed after a complaint was made that he had verbally abused the worker and called her a derogatory term. He argued that the disciplinary process was biased and that he was treated unfairly, citing a lack of proper investigation and the presence of a note‑taker. The tribunal heard evidence over several days, including McMahon's claim that the alleged remark was not used in a derogatory way, and that the company followed fair procedure. The adjudicator will issue a written decision later.
A Central Criminal Court jury has begun deliberating in the attempted murder trial of Philip Cox, a 40‑year‑old man accused of attacking his ex‑partner, Cristal O'Brien, at York Street Flats in Dublin 2. Mr Justice Tony Hunt directed the jury that to find Cox guilty they must be satisfied that an attempt to kill was made and that Cox had the intention to kill. He explained that an intention to cause serious harm or to frighten would not suffice, and that intention can arise instantly and may disappear just as quickly. O'Brien testified that Cox threatened to "stab her to pieces", broke two knives, kicked her twice in the face, and tried to stab her twice in the leg before she fled to a neighbour's flat. Alice McGrath also testified that she heard Cox say "I'm going to stab you" and "I'm going to kill you dead".
A 43‑year‑old homeless man, Liam Whelan, was convicted in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of assault causing serious harm and robbery after he attacked a cardiologist with a champagne bottle in the victim's home on 25 August 2023. The attack left the doctor with a skull fracture, a large life‑threatening blood clot, permanent hearing loss in one ear, and a six‑month work‑inability due to seizure risk. Whelan pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by a unanimous jury in November. He claimed self‑defence, alleging the victim had assaulted him, but the court rejected this defence. The case was adjourned for sentencing, with the prosecution seeking 10‑15 years, the maximum being life imprisonment. The court considered medical reports, CCTV footage, and Whelan's 63 prior convictions in its deliberations.
The Special Criminal Court trial of six men accused of murder and violent disorder arising from a shooting at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on December 24 last year is ongoing. David Amah, Noah Musueni, and Michael Andrecut, all of whom pleaded not guilty to the murder of Tristan Sherry, face charges following the fatal wounding of Jason Hennessy Snr by Sherry. Counsel for Amah argued he lost self-control in reaction to the horror of seeing his friend shot, rejecting prosecution claims his actions were calm. She urged the court to consider his age and lack of prior convictions. In closing submissions for Jonas Kabangu, who pleaded not guilty to violent disorder, counsel argued he returned to the scene fearing a live threat from a second gunman and could not have known Sherry was no longer a danger. The court heard pathologist evidence that Sherry died from blunt force trauma to the head. The trial was adjourned and will resume on Monday when lawyers for Brandon Hennessy and Diarmuid O'Brien, both of whom deny violent disorder, deliver their closing speeches. All accused remain on trial, with no verdicts or sentences recorded at this procedural stage.
Cristian Topiter, 39, of Dublin, appeared before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after being sent forward from the District Court on a signed guilty plea. He admitted to committing arson at St Michan's Church on 11 June, damaging the crypt's mummified remains, including an 800‑year‑old Crusader. Judge Orla Crowe initially set a sentencing date for 24 March but later adjourned it to 20 February. Topiter was remanded in continuing custody and requested, and was granted, to be sentenced by videolink from Cloverhill Prison.
Ryanair's defamation case against a former pilot is being considered for joining with its ongoing legal action against Channel 4 over a 2013 broadcast. The High Court was informed that the airline is suing Channel 4 and Blakeway Productions Limited for a programme that raised concerns about fuel levels in Ryanair flights in 2012. Ryanair claims the broadcast made 'false and defamatory' allegations, which it says damage its reputation and safety record. The programme featured anonymous pilots expressing concerns about the airline's fuel policy. Following the broadcast, a veteran pilot with 25 years of service had his employment terminated. His legal representative argued that the pilot should be included in the existing proceedings, as he was a contributor to the programme and a former Ryanair employee. The judge indicated a willingness to join the matters and adjourned the case to be next mentioned on January 28.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has paused deliberations after approximately eleven hours of consideration in the trial of Dean Caffrey, who denies murdering Sean McCarthy. The twelve jurors will resume their discussions on Monday after being unavailable tomorrow. Mr Caffrey, aged 38 and from Achill Road in Dublin, faces charges of murder in connection with the death of Mr McCarthy, a 28-year-old drug dealer. Mr McCarthy died from a single gunshot wound to the head sustained at Mr Caffrey's residence. The defence maintains Mr Caffrey acted in self-defence during a struggle, while the prosecution contends he intentionally killed his victim. Mr McCarthy's body was discovered four days after he went missing on 2 August 2022, concealed in a wardrobe at the accused's home. Mr Justice Paul McDermott has instructed the jury they must determine guilt on the charge of murder, manslaughter, or acquittal. Mr Caffrey presented himself to gardaí days after the incident and disclosed the location of the deceased's remains. Dean Caffrey pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 35‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to one count of child neglect after his infant daughter was found blue and shivering in a car he had left behind while intoxicated. Gardaí launched a search that involved all available officers and a helicopter, locating the vehicle at 4:55 am. The child, dressed in a babygrow, was rescued, wrapped in blankets, and taken to Temple Street Children's Hospital where her temperature was normalised. The court noted the child's full recovery and that she was placed in the care of other family members until her mother returned. The defendant's car was seized and traces of cocaine were found. The judge remanded the accused into custody, with the matter adjourned for finalisation next Tuesday. The maximum sentence available is seven years in prison or a fine.
Stephen Bedford, 38, who lives in a hostel on Merchants Quay, admitted on his trial date that he drove a car into a crowd of immigration protestors at Five Lamps Junction on 15 February 2023. He pleaded guilty to one count of driving a vehicle through a crowd, creating a substantial risk of death or serious harm. Bedford was remanded on continuing bail and will appear before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing on 27 March next year.
A 26-year-old Dublin man will become the fourth accused to face trial for the alleged murder of Tristan Sherry at a Dublin steakhouse on Christmas Eve. Wayne Deegan, of Linnetsfield Avenue, Phibblestown, Dublin 15, pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder. His trial was previously delayed while he awaited specialist reports. Michael O'Higgins SC, representing Mr Deegan, informed the Special Criminal Court that his client is ready to proceed. Justice Kerida Naidoo set a trial date for April 28 next year and ordered that a transcript of the current trial be made available to Mr Deegan's legal team. Currently, three other men are on trial for the alleged murder of Mr Sherry: Noah Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut. Additionally, three others are accused of violent disorder arising from the same incident: Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy. All accused have pleaded not guilty. Closing speeches are being heard this week in relation to the six individuals currently before the court. The matter regarding Mr Deegan is not yet concluded, as his trial is scheduled for next year.
Richard McGreevy, 28, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of making threats to kill or cause serious harm to Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. The threats were made on 16 July without lawful excuse, with the intent that the recipients would believe they would be carried out. McGreevy appeared via videolink from Cloverhill Prison. The judge ordered victim impact statements and remanded him in continuing custody for sentencing in March.
The Special Criminal Court trial concerning the Christmas Eve shooting at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown continues, with counsel for Noah Musueni arguing his client acted in shock and fear. Mr. Musueni, 18, is accused of murdering Tristan Sherry, who fatally shot Jason Hennessy Snr. Defence barrister Seamus Clarke SC contended that Musueni's actions, lasting 41 seconds, were an instinctive reaction to the 'unimaginable scene,' suggesting a total loss of self-control. He urged the court to find a verdict of manslaughter due to provocation, stating the prosecution failed to disprove this defence. The trial, ongoing for over a month, involves three men accused of Sherry's murder: Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut. All have pleaded not guilty. Additionally, three others, including Brandon Hennessy, are charged with violent disorder arising from the incident; they have also pleaded not guilty. Closing speeches for David Amah and the defendants charged with violent disorder are scheduled for Friday and Monday. The matter remains at the trial stage, with no final verdict or sentence delivered.
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 12 December 2024, Ms Justice Tara Burns dismissed the appeal of a 59‑year‑old man convicted in July 2022 of rape, sexual assault, threats to kill, assault causing harm, intimidation of a witness, property damage and trespass. The appellant had threatened to cut his former partner's fingers with secateurs, broken into her home, and claimed he had paid €10,000 to kill her if he went to prison. He argued that the trial judge erred by not fully outlining the defence case and by misdirecting the jury on the victim's demeanour. Justice Burns found the judge's conduct appropriate, noting that the defence evidence was presented in memoranda of interview and that the judge had re‑charged the jury correctly. The appeal was therefore rejected, leaving the original ten‑year sentence intact. The case involved the victim's two adult sons and her subsequent temporary displacement from her home.
Former Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams has secured a trial date for his High Court defamation action against the BBC. Mr Adams, aged 76, alleges that the broadcaster falsely claimed he sanctioned the killing of Denis Donaldson in Glenties, County Donegal in 2006. The allegations were made in a 2016 BBC Spotlight programme and a subsequent article on the BBC website. Mr Adams denies any involvement in Mr Donaldson's death. The BBC denies defamation, contending the programme and publication were made in good faith and constituted responsible journalism following careful investigation. Mr Justice Alexander Owens fixed the case for trial on 29 April 2025 at the Four Courts in Dublin, with proceedings expected to last up to three weeks. The action follows preliminary hearings and discovery disputes that delayed the case.
Lawyers for RTÉ argued that newsroom coordinator Joseph Kelly was out of time to bring statutory complaints under the Organisation of Working Time Act 2005 and the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994. The tribunal opened the case today, with Kelly seeking compensation for leave and holiday pay he claims were denied before his employment was regularised in 2018. RTÉ's counsel, Seamus Given, said Kelly had not set out his claims in writing and that the matters concerned a period before 2018, which he argued was outside the tribunal's jurisdiction. Kelly's advocate, Martin McMahon, countered that RTÉ had a public commitment to resolve the situation and that the broadcaster's lawyers were engaging in "sharp practice" by trying to run down the clock. The adjudicator, John Harraghy, asked Kelly to submit detailed written claims by 31 January 2025 and said a further hearing would be scheduled once the submission was received.
The jury for the trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, who denies murdering trespasser Keith 'Bono' Conlon, will take a long break and will not deliberate until after Christmas. The jury, made up of nine men and three women, had previously informed the judge that they were unavailable to attend the Central Criminal Court on several dates, including December 22 and 23. Judge Siobhan Lankford explained that the trial had already run nine weeks, longer than the initial six‑week estimate, and that the jurors could return to work during the break if they wished. She will resume the charge on December 30 and will summarise the prosecution and defence cases then, giving the jurors a document outlining the legal questions they must consider before reaching a verdict. The case remains at the trial stage, with the jury yet to decide on the murder charge against Mr Phelan. Diarmuid Phelan pleaded not guilty.
In a High Court hearing, Shannon Judd of Cox's Demesne, Dundalk, challenged the prosecution of an alleged €43 theft of potted plants from Costcutter Supermarket, Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk, on 23 December 2022. Judd, who could not recall being in the shop that day, sought disclosure of CCTV footage and witness statements. While a shop worker and Garda Declan Ward claimed to have identified her from CCTV, the footage was never provided. The Garda's claim that the footage existed was denied, and the prosecution proceeded based on the worker's and Garda's testimony. Judd's solicitor, Peter Lavery, argued that the absence of the CCTV evidence and the time elapsed prejudiced her case, and that the judge's suggestion of a lenient outcome if she pleaded guilty was improper. The High Court granted permission for a judicial review on 21 January, with Lily Buckley BL representing Judd.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court is continuing deliberations in the murder trial of Dean Caffrey, aged 38, of Beaucourt, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9. The twelve-person jury has now deliberated for just under seven hours across three days in the case concerning the death of Sean McCarthy, aged 28, between 2 and 7 August 2022. Mr Caffrey has pleaded not guilty to murder. The prosecution alleged Mr Caffrey deliberately killed Mr McCarthy, while the defence maintains he acted in self-defence during a struggle over a firearm at Mr Caffrey's apartment in Achill, Mayo. Mr McCarthy's body was subsequently discovered concealed in a wardrobe. The jury must determine whether Mr Caffrey is guilty of murder, manslaughter, or not guilty of any offence. Yesterday the jury requested to examine the firearm involved. Deliberations will resume on the following day.
Four men have been sent forward for trial before the Special Criminal Court on charges relating to a large-scale drug importation conspiracy. The accused are Kiumaars Ghabiri and Ali Ghasemi, both from the Netherlands; Mario Angel Del Rio Sans, originally from Spain; and Sean Curran of Clones, County Monaghan. They are charged with conspiring to import controlled drugs valued in excess of €13,000 between late February and mid-March 2024, contrary to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo ordered the matter be tried before the three-judge, non-jury court following an application by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The transfer means the case will proceed without a jury panel.
A tribunal ruled that a "culture of horseplay" at a pharmaceutical plant was not properly considered when Thermo Fisher Scientific Cork Ltd dismissed fitter John O'Brien after he threw waste oil at an apprentice's tools in response to a prank. The tribunal found O'Brien's reaction "undoubtedly" unacceptable and held him 50% responsible for his dismissal, but noted that the disciplinary process should have examined the company's tolerance for horseplay. O'Brien, who had worked at the plant for eight years, claimed he was tired, stressed and "lost the head" after his phone was hidden by apprentice Mr X. He apologized and said he did not intend property damage. The company had previously warned him for safety violations. The tribunal awarded O'Brien €31,500, half of the €63,000 loss of earnings, after finding him 50% liable for the dismissal.
A parish priest's personal bank account was almost €50,000 emptied in a phone‑scam that involved a bogus broadband connection fee. The priest, after receiving a call from a supposed broadband company, attempted to pay a one‑off fee of €5 online. He tried to make the payment over 40 times in four days, resulting in the loss of nearly €50,000. Money mule Kelvin Kleinovas (24) later transferred €10,000 of the stolen cash into his own account. Kleinovas pleaded guilty in August 2019 to having the proceeds of crime in his account and was arrested in September 2021. He has seven prior convictions, including money laundering, for which he received a two‑year suspended sentence. None of the stolen money was recovered. The priest's victim impact statement expressed deep disappointment with the bank's failure to protect his funds and described the loss as devastating.
Richard Setchfield, a 67‑year‑old British national, pleaded guilty on 19 August 2019 to possessing proceeds of criminal conduct after Gardaí found €78,000 taped to the chassis of his car at Dublin Port. The money, which he claimed came from his own savings and the sale of a Volkswagen a week earlier, was seized when the vehicle was X‑rayed and searched again at New Customs House. Setchfield also had €1,200 in his wallet seized. He told Gardaí he had hidden the cash because he had seen it on television and did not want to inform the tax authorities. Gardaí noted he had no work or social welfare history, had 25 prior convictions, and had no significant balances in two bank accounts. The case was adjourned to 27 January, with Setchfield remanded on continuing bail.
A trial is ongoing in the Special Criminal Court regarding the death of Tristan Sherry, who was allegedly beaten to death, spat on, and photographed by his attackers following a vigilante revenge attack at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown on Christmas Eve. Prosecution counsel Fiona Murphy SC described the attack as a 'sustained, controlled and continuous attack' on Sherry, who was disarmed and left in a 'foetal position' on the ground. She called for the conviction of three men for murder and three others for violent disorder. The accused include Noah Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut, who are charged with murder, and Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy, who are charged with violent disorder. All accused have pleaded not guilty. Defence speeches are continuing, with the three judges to consider their verdicts after the closing speeches. The trial has heard that Sherry shot and fatally wounded Jason Hennessy Snr before being dragged to the ground and beaten to death. The accused charged with murder may argue that provocation by Sherry's actions led to a sudden and total loss of self-control, which could result in a manslaughter conviction rather than murder. The trial is expected to continue with closing speeches from the remaining accused over the coming days.
In the Central Criminal Court, Judge Siobhan Lankford finished a three‑hour evidence summary for a jury of twelve in the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan, 56, who denies killing Keith 'Bono' Conlon, 36, on his Tallaght farm on 24 February 2022. Phelan, a barrister, lecturer and farmer, pleaded not guilty. The judge instructed the jury to decide whether the State proved it was not reasonably possible that Phelan unintentionally struck a trespasser with a third shot from his revolver, and to consider self‑defence if the jury found intent to kill or seriously injure. She explained the jury could return one of three verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty.
Two members of a Romanian organised crime gang were sentenced to a combined ten years in prison for a series of vehicle‑ram raids on commercial premises in July 2023. The men, Ricardo Stancu (19), Daniel Murgea (31) and Ionut Leonard Petriu (38), were arrested during Garda Operation 'Docht' and pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal damage and organised crime offences. Stancu received five years with the final 12 months suspended; Murgea was sentenced to six years after a headline of eight years was considered, taking into account his prior convictions in France and Italy. Petriu, who pleaded guilty to assisting the group, was placed on bail and his case was adjourned to March 20 for a probation report. The court described the offences as highly organised, with extensive damage to three unoccupied commercial premises and no items stolen.
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.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has appealed a High Court decision that upheld the Special Criminal Court's declaration that Michael Connolly, from County Louth, was a victim of miscarriage of justice. Mr Connolly had spent fourteen months in custody following conviction on an IRA membership charge in 2017, based on observations of him driving in convoy in December 2014 in Donegal. His conviction was overturned on appeal in 2018, and he was acquitted following retrial in 2019. The Special Criminal Court later found that belief evidence given by a senior garda breached the "double-counting" rule, as it was based partly on material contained in the book of evidence. The DPP contends the miscarriage finding was unsustainable, arguing there remained a proper evidential basis for prosecution. The Court of Appeal reserved judgement on whether the procedural error constituted a grave defect in administration of justice.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, 56‑year‑old law professor Diarmuid Phelan denies murdering Keith 'Bono' Conlon, a 36‑year‑old father of four, on his Hazelgrove Farm in Tallaght on 24 February 2022. The presiding judge, Justice Siobhan Lankford, informs the 12‑member jury that the trial, originally expected to last six weeks, has entered its ninth week and will continue into the tenth. She reminds jurors that they must decide whether the State has proven that Phelan could not have unintentionally hit Conlon with a third shot from his revolver. If they find intent to kill or seriously injure, they must also consider the defendant's claim of self‑defence. The judge outlines the three possible verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty.
Gavin Minto, 29, pleaded guilty to possession of three controlled drugs for sale or supply at Kingswood Cross, Clondalkin, on 16 July 2020. Gardaí searched a residential property, finding 151,110 MDMA tablets, 33.6 kilos of cannabis, 668.6 grams of Eutylone and other drug‑related items, with a combined value of €2.21 million. The court described the garage as a drugs distribution centre and noted Minto's involvement. The original sentence of eight‑and‑a‑half years was quashed by the Court of Appeal, which found the sentencing judge had not given sufficient weight to a psychological report detailing Minto's chronic substance abuse, mental health issues and willingness to address his problems. The appeal judge set a headline sentence of 11 years, then re‑sentenced Minto to seven years in prison, back‑dated to March 2023, after considering mitigating factors such as his homelessness, debt, dyslexia, poor academic record, and attempts at rehabilitation.
In the attempted murder trial of Philip Cox, the former partner of Cristal O'Brien, O'Brien gave evidence that Cox threatened to stab her "to pieces" and broke two knives before retrieving a third. She described how, after an argument, Cox entered the kitchen with a large kitchen knife, pointed it at her, and attempted to stab her. O'Brien tried to call the Gardaí, but Cox knocked the phone out of her hand. She fled to the common landing, where Cox threatened to stab her again. O'Brien and her neighbour, Alice McGrath, fled the flat, hiding behind a car until Gardaí and an ambulance arrived. O'Brien was taken to St James's Hospital, where she received stitches for two stab wounds, a tetanus shot and treatment for a busted lip and bruised arms. The trial continues before Mr Justice Hunt and a jury. Philip Cox pleaded not guilty.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has asked to examine the firearm and clothing connected to a fatal shooting as they deliberate in a murder trial. Dean Caffrey, aged 38 of Achill Road, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Sean McCarthy, a 28-year-old whose body was discovered in a wardrobe at Caffrey's apartment four days after he went missing in August 2022. McCarthy died from a single gunshot wound to the head. The defence argues Caffrey acted in self-defence during a struggle, while the prosecution contends the killing was an execution. The jury requested sight of the weapon and the deceased's shorts to assess whether they bore a drawstring. Justice Paul McDermott confirmed the shorts are agreed to have had a drawstring but cannot be presented due to biohazard concerns. The panel will resume consideration of their verdict tomorrow.
A third‑level student in his 20s has been granted permission by the High Court to challenge his university's decision to refer him to a fitness‑to‑practise committee after two findings of plagiarism. The student, whose name and course are undisclosed, was investigated in September 2023 after an exam where he used notes that also contained material from another student. He claimed he did not realise he was transcribing directly and apologised. The committee found the plagiarism an offence, recorded it as a second incident, and referred the matter to the junior dean who ruled the exam paper inadmissible and the mark zero, with a capped 'pass' if he re‑sat. The university later cited additional concerns, including falsified attendance and misrepresentation of fees, and referred the case to the fitness‑to‑practise committee.
A 35‑year‑old Malaysian named Kim Low Swee was arrested at Dublin Airport after customs found €380,000 worth of cannabis in his suitcase. He claimed he believed the bag contained edible bird nests, a delicacy, and that he had been told to say so if stopped. Low Swee admitted he knew the contents were prohibited but thought they were harmless. He said he had been promised €4,300 for the transport and that financial pressure, job loss, and family stress motivated him. He pleaded guilty to simple possession, possession for sale and supply, and importation of cannabis. The court accepted his early pleas and mitigating circumstances, and imposed a sentence of three years and six months, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions, backdated to the day he was taken into custody.
Siquen Buongiovanne Rey, 36, a former chef with no fixed abode in Spain, was found with 11 kg of cannabis worth €220,000 in his luggage at Dublin Airport on 5 April. Customs officials, alerted by his suspicious behaviour after arriving from Malaga, X‑rayed his luggage and discovered 11 black‑plastic‑wrapped packages. Rey admitted possession to the Gardaí, claiming the drugs were for personal use, and pleaded guilty. He had no prior convictions in Ireland or Spain and was in custody since his arrest. The court accepted his early plea and the fact that he had financial difficulties after losing his job during the Covid‑19 pandemic. Judge Dara Hayes, noting the seriousness of the offence and the quantity of drugs, imposed a sentence of two years and nine months, back‑dated to 5 April, and allowed the early plea to reduce the mandatory minimum. Rey intends to serve the remainder of his sentence in Spain if permitted.
Three Romanian men—Ricardo Stancu (38), Daniel Murgea (31) and Ionut Leonard Petriu (19)—were sentenced for a series of ram‑raid burglaries in eastern Ireland in July 2023. The gang used a stolen "dummy" silver Mercedes to smash into the front windows of a Dublin phone shop and a Vodafone shop in Newbridge, and later rammed a car into the gates of a motor dealer on Naas Road. They stole a 5‑series BMW from a dealership in Clondalkin, which was later used as a getaway vehicle. The men pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal damage and organised‑crime offences. Stancu and Murgea remain in custody; Petriu is on bail. The court heard the incidents caused extensive property damage—over €49,000 at the 3 Store, €16,000 at Whitewater, €4,000 at the dealership and €1,753 at the motor dealer—yet no mobile phones were stolen as they were kept in a safe.
Denis Nolan, 71, a former priest, was sentenced to an additional five years for a 1994‑2000 oral rape and 36 sexual assaults of a schoolboy aged 11‑17. He had already been serving 19 years for similar offences against three other victims. The Central Criminal Court had set a headline sentence of eight years for the rape, reduced to five years to run consecutively with his other sentences, and added three years for the assault charges with five years of post‑release supervision. The Court of Appeal quashed the five‑year term and resentenced Nolan to two and a half years imprisonment, bringing his total sentence to 21½ years. The additional term is to commence after the existing 19‑year term, with the offender expected to be released in March 2032. The court described the offending as egregious and highly destructive to the victim's life. Denis Nolan pleaded guilty.
Ryan Boodhun, a bar manager at the Schoolhouse Hotel in Ballsbridge, Dublin, has lodged a statutory complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 after being dismissed for alleged gross misconduct. The hotel's policy was to add a 10 % service charge to bills for tables of eight or more, with the charge removed if the party objected. Boodhun was suspended in June 2023 following an allegation that he had added the charge to smaller tables without customers' knowledge. The hotel's investigation concluded that he had knowingly applied the charge incorrectly, and the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found the dismissal justified. Boodhun maintains the accusations are unfounded, claiming the process violated natural justice. The tribunal heard evidence from hotel staff, the owner, and an investigator, and was given a fortnight to submit further submissions on his loss of earnings. The hearing was closed by adjudicator Orla Jones.