Dean Madden, 32, of Balcurris Road, Ballymun, Dublin 11, was sentenced to 16 months' imprisonment after pleading guilty in Dublin District Court to possession, production and distribution of child pornography. The charges stemmed from a March 2024 raid on his home, where 3,832 images and 162 videos were seized. Garda Paul Higgins identified Madden through his email and username on a particular app. Of the material, 1,601 images and 151 videos were classified as the most serious category, depicting sexual activity involving children as young as two years old with other children or adults; 1,818 images were classified as child exposure images, while the remainder were animated or computer‑generated. Madden also admitted simple possession of drugs, with a small amount of cannabis seized. He had no prior convictions and had not attracted Garda attention before the arrest.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Martin Nolan considered imprisoning 18‑year‑old Patrick O'Brien for throwing air‑soft grenades in the underground carpark of the IBIS hotel in Clondalkin. O'Brien admitted possession of the grenades and that he had thrown one at a man who investigated the first incident. The judge questioned whether O'Brien should be jailed "for stupidity" and subsequently revoked his bail, remanding him in custody until sentencing. O'Brien had no prior convictions and claimed the grenades were bought legally for use in air‑soft games. He acknowledged the act was foolish and potentially frightening to the man targeted. The court noted the evacuation of Clondalkin Garda Station and the safe disposal of the grenades by bomb‑disposal units. The case remains pending sentencing. Patrick O'Brien pleaded guilty.
A man accused of repeatedly breaching a protection order by contacting his former partner on social media was granted bail by Judge Alan Mitchell at Cloverhill District Court. He faces six charges under the Domestic Violence Act 2018 for alleged Facebook messages and an Instagram follow request between June and July. The complainant, who shared a home with him and is the mother of his children, said she feared him and had to cancel her child's birthday party. She claimed he had contacted neighbours and could appear unexpectedly. Defence counsel argued the messages contained no physical threats and that the man had not been arrested until late October. Judge Mitchell noted the alleged breaches dated back to June and July but the man had only been charged on 20 October, with no contact since. He said the order allowed no contact except text, and the alleged communications were not prohibited.
In a Dún Laoghaire District Court hearing on 22 October 2025, Corey Plunkett, aged 32, pleaded guilty to assaulting Garda Sergeant Cara O'Sullivan on 23 May 2021. While in custody for a public order offence, Plunkett kicked the sergeant in the back, causing a jolt and ongoing back pain. He is already serving a four‑year prison term, with the final year suspended, for assault and possession of a weapon. Defence counsel highlighted Plunkett's history of drug misuse, including cocaine addiction. Judge Anne Watkin described the incident as a "very serious assault" on a garda, noting the injuries were not necessarily deliberate but had serious consequences. The maximum sentence available was 12 months; the judge imposed an eight‑month imprisonment sentence to run concurrently with Plunkett's existing term.
In a 2025 decision by the Workplace Relations Commission, a blind former paralympian, Nadine Lattimore, was awarded €6,000 for disability discrimination after Tesco Ireland Ltd's security staff repeatedly denied her entry with her guide dog, Pilot, at three Dublin supermarkets in June and July 2024. The tribunal found Tesco vicariously liable for the actions of the OCS Group security contractors, who had no authority to exclude her. Lattimore presented phone footage of each incident, and Tesco offered apologies and assistance, which she declined, citing embarrassment and distress for her son. The adjudicator ordered Tesco to train staff and subcontractors on the Equal Status Act, implement compliance monitoring, and display signage welcoming guide dogs. This award brings Lattimore's total compensation from Dublin businesses to €20,000.
During a Central Criminal Court trial on 22 October 2025, key witness Stacey Symes (32) testified that Ruth Lawrence (45) claimed she had shot drug dealer Eoin O'Connor (32) but that the attempt failed, and that her boyfriend Neville van der Westhuizen "took over" and killed O'Connor and Anthony Keegan (33). Symes said she and her father visited Patrick's Cottage on 22 April, where Lawrence allegedly said she had shot O'Connor. Cross‑examination by Patrick Gageby SC challenged Symes, who insisted Lawrence had spoken of shooting. Gageby suggested Neville was the one who shot, but Symes maintained Lawrence's statement. Lawrence, originally from Clontarf, Dublin, pleaded not guilty to the murders of Keegan and O'Connor, which occurred between 22 April and 26 May 2014. The case proceeds before Mr Justice Tony Hunt with a jury of four men and eight women, and Symes' father Jason is scheduled to give direct evidence.
Michael Lynn, a former solicitor convicted of stealing €18 million from Irish banks, is appealing to the Supreme Court to reduce his five‑and‑a‑half‑year prison term by crediting the four‑and‑a‑half years he served in Brazil's Cotel Prison. The Supreme Court will consider how remission for good behaviour, normally a 25 % discount in Ireland, should apply to time served abroad. Lynn was convicted on ten counts in February 2024 and sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Martin Nolan to 13 years, later reduced to 5 years 9 months after the Court of Appeal added three months for severity. The appeal focuses on whether the courts should aggregate his Brazilian imprisonment and apply remission for the entire period, rather than only time served in Ireland. The Supreme Court has allowed the challenge to proceed, noting no statutory formula exists for crediting time abroad. The outcome could increase or decrease his sentence.
Five members of Jozef Puska's family were sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for withholding or destroying evidence of the murder of Ashling Murphy. Puska's brothers Marek (36) and Lubomir (37) received 30‑month prison terms each. Lubomir's wife Viera Gaziova (40) was sentenced to 30 months, and Marek's wife Jozefina Grundzova (27 months) with the last six months suspended. Puska's partner and mother of his children, Lucia Istokova (36), received a 26‑month sentence, also with the final six months suspended. The judge, Ms Justice Caroline Biggs, cited psychological reports on Roma women's roles to justify the suspensions. The sentences reflect the defendants' collective decision to conceal information and destroy evidence, including burning clothes that may have contained forensic evidence. The court noted that the offences were committed to protect a family member rather than for personal gain. Viera Gaziova pleaded not guilty. Lucia Istokova pleaded not guilty.
A sniffer dog alerted Gardaí to a 9mm submachine pistol, silencer and 37 rounds of ammunition hidden in the boot of a Citroën C4 parked at the home of Glen Dempsey, a 30‑year‑old father of four from Cuthbert Meadows, Clondalkin. Gardaí seized the vehicle after the dog signalled the boot, and a technical examination revealed a rusted but fully functional Scorpion submachine gun, a silencer and live ammunition. Dempsey, who had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm, ammunition and a silencer in suspicious circumstances on 15 May 2024, claimed he was holding the gun because he owed €20,000 in drugs debt and was threatened by a third party. He said he had never seen or touched the weapon and that the car was not his or his partner's.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced Michael Tuite and Patrick Morgan for their roles in the burglary of six commercial units at Premier Business Park, Ballycoolin, and a subsequent high-speed chase. Both men entered signed guilty pleas to six counts of burglary and possession of an implement with intent. Tuite additionally pleaded guilty to endangerment, unauthorised taking of a vehicle, and unlawful escape from custody, while Morgan pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and allowing himself to be carried in a vehicle without consent. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Tuite to six years' imprisonment and disqualified him from driving for six years. The judge noted Morgan was less culpable and imposed a five-year sentence. Both defendants were directed to receive credit for time spent in custody. The court heard that Tuite escaped custody by climbing a wall at Blanchardstown District Court, dropping 15ft, before being apprehended nearby. Morgan's detention was suspended due to his level of intoxication. The judge described Tuite's driving as "pretty disgraceful" and noted both men were aggressive during arrest. Mitigation included their guilty pleas, expressions of remorse, and efforts to address addiction issues.
In a High Court appeal-stage proceeding, an unnamed father who had sought orders directing the State to assist in the return of his daughter from Poland dramatically withdrew his legal proceedings immediately after winning a ruling against the State. The man, who cannot be identified to protect the child's identity, had accused the State of abandoning his rights after the child's mother took her to Poland in February 2024 without his consent. Despite holding a valid Polish return order since May, he claimed he had made 11 unsuccessful attempts to locate his daughter. The State, represented by Gerard Durkan SC, had argued that Irish authorities were bound by Hague and Vienna Conventions to respect Polish sovereignty and that it was up to Polish authorities to execute the return order. Mr Justice Garrett Simons refused the State's motion to strike out the case, stating it involved significant legal issues of public interest that must go to trial. However, immediately following this favorable ruling, the appellant stated he no longer wished to continue, citing a lack of time and a desire to stop filing paperwork. He expressed that he only wanted to know his daughter was safe. Mr Justice Simons acknowledged the situation as a "nightmare" for the man, gave him two weeks to reconsider if he wanted to continue with the case, and then adjourned the matter.
Philip Ogbewe, a 61-year-old man from Drogheda, Co Louth, appeared at the Court of Appeal to challenge his sentence for performing illegal circumcisions on seven boys between January 2018 and October 2019. Ogbewe pleaded guilty to seven counts of endangerment and seven counts of assault causing harm. In July 2024, Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a four-and-a-half-year sentence on each endangerment count, with one running consecutively and the rest concurrently. After applying the principles of totality, the effective sentence was reduced to seven and a half years, with the final 12 months suspended. Ogbewe's counsel, Giollaosa Ó Lidheada SC, argued the headline sentence was too high and that Ogbewe was not given sufficient credit for his remorse and reformation after "seeing the light." He contended that Ogbewe's prior three-year sentence for a separate 2015 offence, which expired just before these charges were laid, should have influenced the totality calculation. The Director of Public Prosecutions, represented by Shane Costelloe SC, maintained the sentence was sound, citing grave aggravating factors including the number of victims and Ogbewe's knowledge that his actions were illegal. The court reserved its judgment, meaning the matter was adjourned and not concluded.
A man suffered life-threatening injuries when stabbed multiple times during an assault on Austin Friars Street in Mullingar on August 2nd, 2024, arising from an ongoing feud between Traveller families. The Central Criminal Court heard that Anthony Dinnegan Jnr sustained serious wounds to his head, chest and leg, with doctors confirming a perforated liver that required immediate surgery and transfusions. He spent twenty-four hours in critical condition at Midlands Regional Hospital. Christopher Nevin, aged 31, and Michael Nevin, aged 41, both from Mullingar, faced charges of attempted murder. Michael Nevin pleaded guilty to causing serious harm, whilst Christopher Nevin pleaded guilty to violent disorder. The Director of Public Prosecutions accepted both pleas. Detective Gardaí presented evidence of prior threatening incidents between the families and CCTV footage showing Michael Nevin carrying a knife during the assault. Both families have since engaged with the Traveller Mediation Service to resolve their differences. Mr Justice David Keane adjourned sentencing to October 31st.
A witness has told the Central Criminal Court that Ruth Lawrence, the accused in a double murder trial, admitted to shooting drug dealer Eoin O'Connor but said the killing "went wrong" and her boyfriend "took over". Stacey Symes testified that Lawrence said Anthony Keegan died for O'Connor "because they were friends". Ms Symes, who grew up in Ballyjamesduff, Co Cavan, said she and her father were asked to help move the bodies of both men. Lawrence, aged 45, with an address at Patricks Cottage, Ross, Mountnugent, Co Meath, has pleaded not guilty to murdering O'Connor and Keegan between 22 April and 26 May 2014. The court heard the bodies were later discovered on Inchicup Island on Lough Sheelin. The trial before Mr Justice Tony Hunt continues, with the defence due to cross-examine the witness.
The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions regarding the sentencing of Maureen McCormack. McCormack, a former Bank of Ireland employee, pleaded guilty to arson at a Banagher branch in October 2021 and three theft charges involving approximately €200,000. In October 2024, Judge Keenan Johnson at Tullamore Circuit Court sentenced her to 240 hours of community service in lieu of four years' imprisonment for the arson charge. Additionally, a four-year prison sentence for one theft charge was suspended for six years. The DPP argues this fully suspended sentence is unduly lenient, asserting that the custodial threshold was clearly passed and the decision represents a substantial departure from the norm without deterrence. Counsel for the DPP highlighted the planning involved and McCormack's disregard for public safety. In response, McCormack's legal team emphasized substantial mitigation, including her early guilty plea and the repayment of over €115,886 in compensation, arguing the judge was entitled to exercise discretion given the exceptional circumstances. The matter was adjourned, with the court set to deliver its decision at a later date.
John Hoey, a 24‑year‑old carpet fitter, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to assaulting his pregnant partner and threatening her with a Stanley knife. The court heard that Hoey repeatedly beat his partner, pushed her head under running water, struck her with a toilet brush, and threatened to kill her if she sent any more Snapchat messages. He also smashed their patio door and a mirror, and grabbed her by the throat, causing her to pass out. Hoey admitted the assault, expressed remorse, and has no prior convictions. The judge noted the sustained violent attack and ordered Hoey to engage with the Probation Service and attend intimate partner violence programmes for 12 months upon release. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the domestic violence but acknowledges his lack of previous convictions and his willingness to seek help.
A man, now 49, was jailed for seven years for raping a teenage girl while he was a lodger in her home between 2001 and 2005. The victim, aged 11 to 14 at the time, was living with relatives after her mother's death and had an "uncle‑type" relationship with the lodger. The man, aged 25 to 28 during the offence, denied the charge and had no prior convictions. He was convicted by a jury after a trial in the Central Criminal Court. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath sentenced him to an eight‑year custodial term, suspended the final year on the condition of good behaviour, peacekeeping and two years of probation. The judge praised the victim's evidence and wished her well. The defendant's defence described him as a caring, respectful person and argued the offence was out of character. The court noted the large age gap, breach of trust and use of alcohol as aggravating factors.
A 44‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment for a series of sexual offences against his daughter, aged five to eight during 2020‑2022, and for a prolonged assault on his former partner on 28 September 2023. The court found him guilty of five counts of sexual assault, four counts of rape, one count of exposing the child to pornography, one count of false imprisonment of the partner and one count of threatening to kill her. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the partner. The judge imposed six years for the partner's offences and 13 years for the child's offences, to run consecutively, suspending the final year on conditions including probation supervision for three years. The sentence reflected the domestic violence provisions and the severe impact on the victimised daughter, who remains a child. The man continues to deny the charges.
A man from Enniscrone has brought a complaint before the Workplace Relations Commission alleging religious discrimination after being issued a lifetime ban from a yoga studio in Ballina. Peter McKeon enrolled at Roots Wellness in September 2024 and attended classes twice weekly until December 2024, when he engaged in a conversation with the studio's owner, Niamh Glackin, regarding his objections to Christmas on religious grounds. Following this exchange, Mr McKeon received written notice that the studio was not an appropriate environment for him, and was subsequently informed of a permanent ban in January 2025. Mr McKeon contends the ban constitutes unlawful discrimination under the Equal Status Act 2000. Ms Glackin disputed aspects of Mr McKeon's account and testified that her decision to ban him was based solely on his allegedly aggressive behaviour during the incident, not on religious considerations. She stated the conduct created an unsafe environment for herself and other clients. Adjudication officer Brian Dolan has concluded the hearing and will deliver his written decision at a later date.
Ruth Lawrence, 45, is on trial for the alleged murder of Anthony Keegan, 33, and Eoin O'Connor, 32, at an unknown location in the State between April 22 and May 26, 2014. Ms Lawrence has pleaded not guilty to both charges. The trial is currently ongoing before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury. In evidence, former Chief State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy testified regarding the post-mortem examination of Mr O'Connor, whose remains were found wrapped in nylon on May 27, 2014. She identified three gunshot wounds: one to the head, one to the abdomen, and one to the left hand. Cassidy stated the head wound was the cause of death, while the abdominal injury was potentially fatal. She opined it was likely the abdominal shot occurred before the fatal headshot. Separately, retired Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that Mr Keegan died from two gunshot wounds to the head and neck. The prosecution alleges Ms Lawrence shot Mr O'Connor and acted with her boyfriend, Neville van der Westhuizen, to kill both men. The trial continues.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a woman in her 50s was found guilty of facilitating the rape of her six‑year‑old daughter by the child's uncle and of sexually assaulting the child when she was four. The court also heard that the uncle, in his 40s, was convicted of raping the child after the mother had brought him into a bedroom where the child was lying on a bed watching television. The mother remained in the room during the rape, lifted her daughter from the bed, and returned her to her own bed in another room. She had denied 14 charges, including 13 of sexual assault and one of rape, but was convicted in July 2025 after an 18‑day trial. The uncle had denied six charges of rape and was convicted of one charge in March 2023. A third defendant, accused of oral rape, was nolle prosequi.
A 22-year-old man from Carlow has been sentenced to two years in prison for two counts of oral rape and one count of sexually assaulting his younger cousin between January 2017 and June 2018. The defendant, who was aged between 13 and 14 at the time of the offences, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court. The victim, who was aged between 10 and 11, disclosed the abuse to her mother in 2018, but no further action was taken at the time. The abuse came to light again in 2022 when Tusla notified gardaí of the disclosure. In a victim impact statement, the young woman described the lasting emotional trauma she has experienced, including nightmares and feelings of guilt and shame. The court heard that the defendant told the victim not to disclose the abuse, or she would get into trouble. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath noted the defendant's actions were a gross breach of trust and had long-term effects on the victim. He reduced the headline sentence of eight years to two years and ten months, suspending the final ten months to encourage engagement with the Probation Service's assessment and treatment programme. The defendant's guilty plea and lack of previous convictions were taken into account. Defence counsel highlighted the defendant's difficult upbringing, isolation, and history of mental health issues.
Mihail Trofim, 27, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment after failing to attend his original sentencing hearing for careless driving causing serious bodily harm. The offence occurred on 8 June 2022 when his Mercedes struck a pedestrian on Old Navan Road, Blanchardstown, at 83–88 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. The victim, a 32‑year‑old musician, sustained catastrophic injuries, including brain damage, broken limbs and ribs, and now requires a wheelchair and constant care. Trofim pleaded guilty to the charge and to having no insurance, which he had purchased from a fraudulent broker. Judge Martin Nolan noted Trofim's lack of courage to appear, his failure to arrange a timely court appearance, and the aggravating impact on the victim's family. He was also disqualified from driving for five years. The court adjourned the case to allow for sentencing, which was carried out today.
The Central Criminal Court trial of seven men accused of familial sexual abuse continues before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs. The defendants, comprising three uncles and four brothers aged 32 to 55, face a total of 98 counts regarding a deaf woman, Complainant 1, alleged to have been abused between 1996 and 2013. All accused deny the charges. Accused C (34) has pleaded not guilty to 46 counts against two other sisters, including Complainant 2. During cross-examination, Complainant 2, now 26, addressed allegations that Accused C sexually assaulted her at age six and raped her at ages 16 and 19. She withdrew a previous complaint against a non-trial brother, describing it as a "bad dream that felt real." A garda testified that Complainant 2 was under the influence of medication when initially reporting an incident but later refused to provide a formal statement. Accused A (55) faces one count of rape; Accused B (48) faces eight counts of rape, oral rape, and anal rape; Accused D (33) has pleaded not guilty to 19 counts of rape and three of anal rape; Accused E (32) denies nine counts of anal rape and seven of rape; Accused F (32) denies five counts of anal rape and rape; and Accused G (45) denies one count of rape. The trial is ongoing.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Noel McCabe, aged 30, pleaded guilty to possession of a realistic‑looking airgun, common assault, criminal damage and producing an article capable of inflicting serious harm. The offences occurred on 24 September 2024. McCabe first forced entry into a house at Briarwood Lawn, Mulhuddart, then struck a man in a pub at the Westend Shopping Centre, producing a gas pistol from his tracksuit. He dropped gas canisters shaped like bullets, which were not ammunition. Later that evening, Gardaí found a black revolver near him at the same address; forensic analysis confirmed it was a realistic‑looking firearm. McCabe, intoxicated and argumentative, was arrested and later restrained during transport. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a five‑year sentence, back‑dated to September 2024, without part‑suspension, citing McCabe's extensive record of 41 convictions and his expressed remorse. The sentence aims to encourage behavioural change.
In a Dublin Circuit Court hearing on 20 October 2025, a 34‑year‑old man was sentenced to 20 months in prison for assaulting his former partner in May 2023. The victim, a new mother, described the attack as a "nightmare" that left her with a permanent facial scar, a lost front tooth, and lasting mental trauma. She said the man had no remorse and had threatened her and her sister, and that he had previously pleaded guilty to a threat to kill and assault. The judge noted the man's 26 prior convictions, including domestic‑violence breaches, and the intimate‑relationship context, and imposed a custodial sentence that was reduced from two years to 20 months for time already served. The victim's impact statement highlighted her loss of confidence, ongoing flashbacks, and the need to move into emergency accommodation for safety.
Stephen Penrose, aged in his 40s, appealed against a two‑year prison sentence for threatening to damage a prison officer's home at Cloverhill. He argued that his right to a fair trial was breached because the State failed to provide contemporary prison logbooks and that the documents were falsified. The Court of Appeal found no evidence that the logs recorded any fire alarm or sprinkler activity and that the prison officers' testimony that no sprinkler went off was accurate. The judges noted that the State had eventually produced the journal entries on the day of sentencing, and that Penrose had been told the entries were in an archive but not indexed. The appeal was dismissed on all grounds, with the court stating that the material had no reasonable impact on the case. Penrose also claimed a failure to disclose CCTV and alleged witness falsehoods, but these were not accepted.
Pedro Cifali, 37, a Brazilian, will be sentenced on 9 February 2025 for attempting to murder his former partner, Lucia Nezbalova, 43, in Dublin. He electronically tracked her car, disguised himself, and stabbed her at her home in Garnish Square, causing severe injuries that required surgery. Nezbalova suffered life‑threatening wounds and now endures PTSD, anxiety and depression. Cifali pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and has no prior record. He has been in custody since the incident and has shown progress. The court adjourned sentencing to 9 February, with the prosecution seeking a headline sentence of 15 to 20 years, citing the extreme violence, premeditation and domestic abuse context. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further outcomes reported.
Josh O'Brien, aged 22, was sentenced to 15 years and six months in prison, with 18 months suspended, for attempting to murder his ex‑girlfriend, 21‑year‑old Niamh Kelly, by stabbing her 50 times on 19 September 2024. The judge described the violence as "breathtaking" and noted Kelly's life‑altering injuries, including permanent blindness in one eye, paralysis of her left leg, and extensive bone and organ damage. O'Brien pleaded guilty, had no prior convictions, and was found to have mental health issues but had not sought treatment. He was ordered to keep all probation appointments and to refrain from contacting Kelly for five years, including via electronic messaging. Kelly, who survived after seven months in hospital, continues physiotherapy and expresses gratitude for the sentence while acknowledging her ongoing recovery. The case was heard by Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring in Dublin.
Four men – Miljan Koprivica (45) of Manchester, UK, and three Filipino men, Hanz Pangahin (36), Christopher Ampo (44) and Feljon Lao (62) – pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to conspiring to import drugs worth over €13,000 between 18 December 2024 and 15 January 2025, both inside and outside the State. The offence contravenes section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. Two other co‑accused, Conor Costello (31) of Derry and Ryan Watson (32) of Glasgow, had already pleaded guilty to the same charge. All defendants remain in custody awaiting the court hearing on 3 November.
A retired Deputy State Pathologist has testified at the Central Criminal Court that a Dublin man whose remains were discovered on an island in Lough Sheelin, County Cavan, died from two gunshot wounds to the head and neck. Dr Michael Curtis conducted a post-mortem examination on Anthony Keegan's decomposed remains in May 2014, found concealed beneath coal sacks and tarpaulin on Inchicup Island. He told the court that one gunshot wound to the right temporal region of the head proved instantaneously fatal, with the bullet traversing the skull and exiting the left jaw, while a second wound to the back of the neck caused catastrophic fractures to vertebrae. Ruth Lawrence, aged 45, with an address in County Meath, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Keegan and Eoin O'Connor between April and May 2014. The prosecution alleges Ms Lawrence and her boyfriend shot the two men and concealed their bodies. The trial before Mr Justice Tony Hunt continues.
A 37‑year‑old convicted killer, Richard Treacy, was sentenced by the Special Criminal Court to two years and eight months in prison after he spent €100,000 of crime proceeds on extensive renovations to his family home in Limerick. The judge, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, noted that the offence, committed between 1 January 2014 and 12 January 2021, involved disguising the source of the money used for the work, contravening the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010. Treacy pleaded guilty, which the court considered a mitigating factor, and he cooperated during the investigation. The judge also ordered that money seized by Gardaí from the house be forfeited to the State, including £3,900 sterling and €4,000, while smaller sums identified as welfare payments were not forfeited. Treacy has ten prior convictions, including manslaughter, violent disorder and dangerous driving, and had no employment history.
In October 2024 a worker at a motor garage claimed he was dismissed after marrying the boss's daughter. He said he was told not to return to work two days after the marriage and was later sent to the garage to collect his car, where he was attacked and stabbed. The Workplace Relations Commission, in a fully anonymised decision, found the dismissal unfair and awarded the worker €30,278 in compensation for 54 weeks' lost wages, reflecting the national minimum wage increase in January 2025. The decision noted that the assaults were still under Garda investigation and that publishing details could identify an asylum seeker. The employer did not attend the hearing, while the worker represented himself and was deemed credible. The award was made under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977.
The civil trial concerning alleged negligent mismanagement of the Irish Nationwide Building Society (INBS) by former managing director Michael Fingleton has concluded at the High Court. The Irish Banking Resolution Corporation (IBRC), acting as liquidator, alleged that Fingleton, who led INBS from 1971 to 2009, approved five speculative property loans between 2006 and 2008, resulting in losses. IBRC sought approximately €250 million in damages for these specific loans, despite estimating total related losses at €6 billion. Fingleton, represented by his wife Eileen Fingleton and son Michael Fingleton Jr. under powers of attorney, denied the allegations of negligent mismanagement. Due to ill health following a stroke, Fingleton was unable to give evidence. The trial, which began in May and involved 41 days of evidence and 1.6 million documents, ended with closing submissions. Counsel for IBRC argued that Fingleton exhibited a 'blasé' attitude toward regulatory warnings and gambled with the society's funds. Conversely, defense counsel highlighted significant missing documents and uncalled witnesses as unfairness. Mr Justice Michael Quinn has reserved judgment, indicating he will deliver his ruling as soon as possible. The matter is therefore adjourned pending this decision, and no final determination has been made.
David Kearney, 39, was sentenced to ten years in prison for a series of sexual offences against a girl who was aged 11 to 16 during the period from April 2019 to October 2023. He pleaded guilty to twelve counts of sexual abuse, including rape, oral rape, anal rape and the use of communication technology to facilitate the exploitation of a child under 17. Kearney's crimes were committed while he was living a double life as a family man, partner and father, and a drug user and sexual abuser. The court noted that the victim, now 17, had endured severe emotional trauma and that Kearney's appreciation of his wrongdoing was limited. The judge imposed a 10‑year custodial sentence, suspended 18 months, with conditions including therapeutic programme participation, no contact with the victim, and probation supervision for 18 months after release. The sentence was reduced from an initial 11½‑year term after mitigation arguments.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Lucas Andre Alves, a 26‑year‑old Brazilian from Rio de Janeiro, pleaded guilty to possession of 100 pellets of cocaine worth €57,342 for sale or supply at Dublin Airport on 8 September 2024. Alves, who had lost his job in Brazil, admitted ingesting the pellets before travelling to Ireland, describing the act as a "crime of desperation." He has no prior convictions and has been in custody since his arrest. Judge Martin Nolan, noting Alves' guilty plea, good work history and the circumstances of the offence, imposed a two‑year and nine‑month sentence, back‑dated to September 2024, and departed from the ten‑year mandatory minimum. Garda Peter Elliot reported that Alves was stopped at customs, admitted to ingesting the pellets, and that he had been pressured by others to pay for his travel and documents.
Winifred Joyce, aged 30, was sentenced to three years and six months in prison, with the last six months suspended on strict conditions, after pleading guilty to common assault and sexual assault in November 2022. The judge described Joyce's conduct as a "humiliating internal search" that was "inexcusable" and a "brutal, humiliating attack." The offence stemmed from a dispute over drugs at a Dublin city centre hostel. Joyce grabbed the victim by the hair, forced her to crawl, struck her, and sexually assaulted her while searching for drugs. Joyce has 62 prior convictions, including 29 thefts and one assault causing harm, and is undergoing treatment for addiction and schizophrenia. The suspended portion requires her to engage with the Probation Service, mental health supports and addiction treatment for 18 months after release.
A 29‑year‑old man was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for sexually abusing his three younger half‑siblings between 2012 and 2018. He pleaded guilty to one count of defilement and several counts of sexual assault. The first victim was aged eight to fourteen when the offence occurred, the second five to ten, and the third nine to fourteen; the defendant was aged fifteen to twenty‑two during the incidents. The judge noted aggravating factors such as the victims' ages, the defendant's use of force and the impact on the children, and mitigating factors including early guilty pleas. The sentence comprised six years for each sexual assault count, an eight‑year defilement term with the final year suspended for 18 months, all running concurrently. The defendant will be supervised by Probation Services for 18 months post‑release and is prohibited from unsupervised contact with children.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 17 October 2025, Kevin Cronin, 45, was ordered to pay €3,000 to an escort after he forced her to transfer money to his Revolut account. Cronin, who had no prior convictions, pleaded guilty to robbery on 7 February 2023. He claimed he was "high on drugs" and threatened the woman, who was described as vulnerable, to transfer €180. The judge noted Cronin's cooperation, guilty plea, and long work history, and imposed a two‑year suspended sentence, citing mitigation. He also directed Cronin to pay the victim the €3,000, or, if she declined, to donate it to a local charity. The case highlighted Cronin's drug use and the alleged threat that he was a gang member, which the prosecution denied. The court did not impose custodial time, citing the conviction's stigma and the victim's financial loss.
Two men sought by United Kingdom authorities on charges connected to a 1975 RUC shooting have argued before the Court of Appeal that decades-long delays in pursuing their extradition amount to an abuse of process. John Edward McNicholl, aged 73, of Newmills, Letterkenny, County Donegal, and Seamus Christopher O'Kane, aged 74, of Scalestown, County Meath, face charges relating to the investigation into the murder of Constable Robert John McPherson in County Derry on 26 July 1975 and an attempted murder. Both men escaped from the Maze Prison in May 1976 before trial. The High Court previously ruled in their favour regarding delay grounds was insufficient to refuse surrender, though noting some periods of inaction by authorities. At appeal, counsel for both men contended the nearly 50-year delay constituted an abuse of process, with prosecution decisions dating to 1976. The Minister for Justice's representative characterised the case as fundamentally one of delay rather than abuse of process. The three-judge court reserved judgement.
In an appeal hearing, a man's conviction for breaching a protection order by allegedly grabbing his ex‑partner's arm during an argument over a child's car seat was overturned. The man, who pleaded not guilty in the District Court, had been convicted under section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 and sentenced to a six‑month term that was fully suspended. He appealed the conviction, arguing that his hand had only touched the woman while demonstrating the tension of the seat belt and that the contact was inadvertent. The prosecution maintained that the woman's fear was justified. Judge Deirdre Browne found the woman's testimony credible, noted that the contact was likely accidental, and ruled that the action did not meet the threshold for a breach of the protection order, allowing the appeal to stand.
A graphic designer, Austin Lambe, who worked for 12‑and‑a‑half years at Irish Vintage Scene Ltd (Print More) in Oranmore, Co. Galway, claimed constructive dismissal after a toxic workplace under owner Tom Heavey. Lambe said Heavey's behaviour was hostile, micromanaging, and he was often denied basic courtesy. After an argument over a broken printing machine on 12 September 2024, Lambe announced he was leaving and sent a notice. He received a text from Heavey confirming his resignation. Lambe's doctor advised a break, and he did not submit a formal notice. The Workplace Relations Commission upheld his complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, awarding €19,055.40 in compensation, citing prolonged oppressive conduct that directly affected his health. The company did not attend the hearing. The decision was made by adjudicator Úna Glazier‑Farmer.
An adjudicator awarded a care worker €16,800 in compensation for whistleblower penalisation after he was dismissed by a disability respite centre in the midlands. The worker alleged that on 17 December 2022, he was left alone to manage a non-verbal boy who was self-harming and aggressive, using beanbags and foam pads due to inadequate protocols. Two days later, after raising concerns with the programme manager, the worker was ordered off the site and summarily dismissed. The centre's management, represented by Des Kavanagh, alleged the worker's evidence was fabricated and that the incident was short-lived. However, a supervisor corroborated the worker's account, stating the incident lasted at least 30 minutes and that safety equipment was inadequate. Adjudicator Brian Dalton found that the worker was dismissed for making a complaint about his lack of equipment to handle the challenging situation. He determined that the employment would have continued but for the complaint. The adjudicator found the centre in breach of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and awarded six months' gross pay. He also upheld a complaint under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 but made no further award to avoid double recovery. The adjudicator noted he could not rule on the adequacy of the centre's protocols due to the absence of expert witness testimony.
During the murder trial of three men accused of killing Jozip Strok, a jury was presented with a blue and black hard‑plastic handle found by Garda Alan Lagrue near the site where Strok was beaten to death in Grange View, Clondalkin. The handle, described as possibly belonging to a lump hammer or similar tool, was handed to the jury after Lagrue climbed a high wall to retrieve it. Dr Alan McGhee of Forensic Science Ireland confirmed that DNA from the handle matched Strok's profile. The accused—Mark Lee, Anthony Delappe, and Connor Rafferty—have pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter and assault causing harm to Strok and another victim, Mr Druzinec. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring, continues with a jury of six men and six women. The prosecution maintains that the assault occurred on March 30, 2024, and that Strok died four days later from blunt‑force injuries.
In a Tallaght District Court hearing, a man accused of breaching a safety order by sending messages to his teenage son on a PlayStation was found not to have a valid case. Judge Patricia McNamara struck the case out after determining the safety order dated 10 February 2022 lacked a judge's signature and contained a handwritten condition with illegible initials, rendering it legally ineffective. The prosecution's evidence relied on screenshots of PlayStation messages that could not be verified because the console had never been examined by gardaí. The messages, which included Star Wars references such as "I'm your father, don't forget" and "You don't know the power of the dark side," were deemed unreliable. The judge concluded there was no case to answer and dismissed the proceedings. The unnamed accused had the case struck out.
A 34‑year‑old woman, Jane Corcoran of Pairc na Dara, Clonard, Wexford, pleaded guilty in the Central Criminal Court to two charges. The first charge was that on 15 October 2024 she helped move the body of Stephen Ring, who had been found dead in a Wexford quarry, thereby impeding the apprehension or prosecution of the person who had committed the murder. The second charge was that on 25 October 2024 she gave false statements to Gardaí, again with intent to impede the apprehension or prosecution of the murderer. Corcoran's counsel requested a sentencing date in the final week of the court term and sought probation, governor's and education reports, as well as a urinalysis. Mr Justice Paul McDermott ordered the reports and set the sentencing for 16 December. The body of Stephen Ring was discovered in a quarry outside Wexford town almost two weeks after he was first reported missing.
At the Central Criminal Court, a dog handler has testified in the double murder trial of Ruth Lawrence that his specially trained German Shepherd gave an indication at a tarpaulin-covered area on Inchicup Island in Lough Sheelin, where two decomposing bodies were subsequently discovered. Garda Paul Conroy said the dog immediately went into dense undergrowth upon landing on the island on 26 May 2014 and stared at a particular spot. When a scenes of crime officer cut open the tarpaulin, an arm with clothing fell out. A fisherman also told the trial he had noticed a strong smell he associated with decomposing flesh coming from the island approximately one month after the men went missing. Lawrence, with an address in Mountnugent, County Meath, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Anthony Keegan and Eoin O'Connor between 22 April and 26 May 2014. The trial continues before Justice Tony Hunt and a jury.
In October 2025, a 43‑year‑old man from a European country was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment for sexual assault and attempted rape of a Ukrainian refugee outside a Dublin nightclub in March 2024. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm before the trial. The court heard that the victim, who remains anonymous, was severely affected, losing work, experiencing health problems, and fearing for her daughter. The judge described the offence as "profoundly disturbing, degrading, primitive" and set a headline sentence of ten years, reduced to nine years, with the final year suspended on conditions that the defendant have no contact with the victim and leave Ireland for 14 years after release. The defendant entered a bond agreeing to these terms. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court, with CCTV evidence showing the assault and the victim's struggle. No prior convictions were recorded for the defendant.
Paul Cullen, 45, of Crumlin, was sentenced by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to six years and nine months in prison, with the final 12 months suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to seven offences including assault, robbery, attempted robbery and theft. The judge highlighted a pattern of violent crime, drug use and the use of weapons such as a meat cleaver, screwdriver, claw hammer and an imitation firearm. Cullen's crimes included a violent robbery at a Luas stop where a victim suffered a broken ankle, an attempted robbery at a hotel where he brandished a cleaver, a robbery of Boyle Sports Bookmakers where he stole €7,400, and an attempted robbery at Paddy Power Bookmakers while wearing a white hazmat suit. He also robbed a beauty salon and an estate agency, and was found with a scorched hazmat suit at a mortuary.
An Indian national, Ayyappan Govindaraj, 41, was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment for unlawfully assisting two other men to enter Ireland. The court heard that on 7 June 2024, an immigration officer at Dublin Airport was approached by the two men who claimed to have lost their passports. Govindaraj presented an Indian passport and a genuine seaman's book, claiming he was to join a vessel, but the officer found no evidence of such a ship and noted the men had no return flight. The men were initially denied entry but were later allowed to apply for international protection; however, they have not been seen since leaving the airport and did not apply for protection. The judge, Patricia Ryan, noted no financial gain or coercion and backdated the sentence to the arrest date. The case is one of the first prosecuted under the Immigration Act's section 4. Ayyappan Govindaraj pleaded guilty.