The Special Criminal Court heard a sentencing hearing for eight defendants who pleaded guilty to offences arising from the seizure of 2.25 tonnes of cocaine on the MV Matthew. Mykhailo Gavryk, Vitaliy Vlasoi, Soheil Jelveh, Saeid Hassani, Harold Estoesta, and Cumali Ozgen pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine for sale or supply between September 24 and 26, 2023. Vitaliy Lapa pleaded guilty to attempting to possess cocaine for supply within the State between September 21 and 25, 2023. Jamie Harbron pleaded guilty to attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply during the same period. Detective Superintendent Keith Halley testified that an organised crime group in Dubai instructed the crew to evade capture, with one individual allegedly ordering the drugs be destroyed by fire. Army Rangers boarded the vessel in treacherous weather, risking their lives to prevent the destruction of the cocaine. The investigation into the wider criminal network remains ongoing. The matter was adjourned to Wednesday for the continuation of the sentencing hearing before Ms Justice Melanie Greally, Judge Sarah Berkeley, and Judge Grainne Malone.
At the Central Criminal Court on 3 June 2025, Nigel Canavan, aged 39, with an address at Erris Gardens, Crossmolina, County Mayo, was sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment for the murder of his mother Angela Canavan at her home in St John's Terrace, County Sligo on 1 May 2023. The sentence was backdated to 30 April 2025. On 16 May 2025, a jury had convicted Canavan of murder, rejecting his pleas of provocation and self-defence. The court heard that Ms Canavan, a respected psychotherapist, died from mechanical asphyxia caused by manual strangulation and external obstruction of the airway. She had suffered additional injuries including a head laceration, facial and body bruising, and three broken ribs. During sentencing, Ms Canavan's son Keith delivered a victim impact statement, describing his mother as accomplished and well-loved. Presiding judge Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo stated that it must be beyond any mother's darkest imaginings to die at the hands of the child she bore. Nigel Canavan pleaded not guilty.
Linda Byrne, 45, of Tymon North Gardens, Tallaght, was sentenced to three months in prison at Tallaght District Court for a two‑year shop‑lifting spree that took place between December 2022 and April 2024. The final month of the sentence was suspended for 24 months, and the whole term was back‑dated to 3 April 2024, the day she was first taken into custody. Byrne pleaded guilty and the judge noted a "significant shift" in her behaviour while remanded at the Dóchas Centre, where she is now receiving addiction treatment and education. The thefts involved goods worth €60 to €270 from stores such as Dunnes, Penneys and Spar; all items were recovered in saleable condition. A serious incident on 10 October 2024 at Spar in Tallaght led to Byrne's arrest under Sections 4 and 3 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
A 28‑year‑old man, Martin Gooney, pleaded guilty to coercive control and sexual assault. He was sentenced to three years and two months in prison, with a 12‑month post‑release supervision order. The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, described how Gooney hid in her shed to spy on her, used her phone to send false messages, and repeatedly threatened her with violence, including a plan to hang her dog. He also sexually assaulted her in March 2021 and had other incidents of sexual assault. Gooney has nine prior convictions, including assault and threats of serious harm. He denied wrongdoing during the Garda interview but read a letter of apology at sentencing, claiming he was "young and stupid" and had no regard for the victim's feelings. The judge noted the victim's ongoing fear and the profound, long‑lasting impact of Gooney's actions.
A 69‑year‑old man was sentenced to nine years in prison for two counts of engaging in a sexual act with his intellectually disabled adult daughter, who is now in residential care. He pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court on 7 February 2023. The judge, Mr Justice Paul McDermott, described the offence as very serious, noting that the maximum penalty could be life imprisonment. The sentence was eight years, with the final year suspended for two years, and the defendant was placed under Probation Services supervision for five years and ordered to undertake any courses they deem appropriate. He is prohibited from contacting his daughter without her consent and only under strict supervision. The sentence was backdated to the date he entered custody. The daughter, in her mid‑30s with a moderate intellectual disability, had never shared a bed with a man before this abuse. The case was resolved by a guilty plea, avoiding a jury trial.
Jason O'Driscoll, aged 42, appealed a life‑sentence for the 2012 murders of Anthony Burnett (31) and Joseph Redmond (25). His appeal was heard in the Court of Appeal for two hours on 3 June 2025. During the hearing, defence counsel revealed that Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, who had presided over O'Driscoll's original 2017 trial, was also on the appeal panel. McCarthy admitted he had forgotten his role in the earlier case. The court decided to adjourn the appeal so the panel could be reconstituted without McCarthy. The appeal will be reheard on 13 November 2025. The original trial in 2017 ended with a hung jury; a retrial in 2018 resulted in a ten‑to‑two majority verdict and a life sentence imposed by Mr Justice Michael White. The appeal remains pending. Jason O'Driscoll pleaded not guilty and was convicted.
Cassandra Lingurar, 19, a Romanian national living in Tallaght, pleaded guilty to theft at New Look and Carraig Donn in The Square Shopping Centre. She removed €310 of clothing and €188 of jewellery without paying. With six prior convictions, including three thefts, she was sentenced by Judge Michael Connellan to a three‑month suspended sentence under Section 99 of the Criminal Justice Act. The judge noted her age and personal circumstances but described her conduct as totally unacceptable.
Belinda Daly, 60, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after a long‑standing dispute with a neighbour. CCTV showed her standing in her garden, then reaching over the wall, grabbing the victim's hair and holding her against the wall until the victim escaped. The victim suffered alopecia, headaches, migraines, PTSD, anxiety and nose bleeds, and provided a medical letter to court. Daly had no prior convictions and expressed remorse. Judge Orla Crowe noted the history of conflict and the severity of the assault, setting a headline sentence of two years and six months, then imposing a two‑year sentence suspended in full for three years, with conditions prohibiting any contact with the victim. The conviction is expected to affect Daly's employment in the voluntary and domestic‑violence sectors.
In a High Court hearing on 30 May 2025, Susan Magnier, wife of billionaire John Magnier, supported her husband's claim that a €15 million purchase of a 751‑acre tract in County Tipperary had been agreed at a kitchen‑table meeting on 22 August 2023 at the Coolmore estate. She testified that the sellers, represented by estate agent John Stokes, moved to another room to contact trustees and a beneficiary before returning to accept the offer. The Magniers allege that the deal was later abandoned in favour of a higher €22.25 million offer from New York developer Maurice Regan, who they say used a "full‑frontal assault" to undermine the agreement. The defendants deny any agreement, claiming they required trustee consent and ultimately sold to Regan. The case is set to continue before Mr Justice Max Barrett next week.
During a Central Criminal Court sentencing hearing, a 36‑year‑old woman who had endured years of grooming and sexual abuse by her older cousin publicly forgave him, a gesture that moved Judge Caroline Biggs. The man, 40, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and two counts of rape of his younger cousin, with the abuse occurring between 1999 and 2005 when the victim was nine or ten and the perpetrator about fourteen. He had 12 prior minor traffic offences and was named in eight counts on the indictment. The judge, noting the victim's extraordinary capacity for forgiveness and her prior compassion toward the defendant, imposed a headline sentence of seven years, reduced by 10 % for the guilty plea and 30 % for mitigating factors. The final sentence was four years and two months, with the remaining 14 months suspended under conditions to support his reintegration. The judge thanked the victim for her court attendance.
Robert Ward, 30, of Walker Grove, Parkside, Clongriffin, Dublin 13, appeared before Tallaght District Court after a drunken outburst on 6 October 2024. The incident occurred near the N81 in Tallaght, shortly after a League of Ireland match at Tallaght Stadium. Ward, who had been filming a bus that had stalled with passengers inside, shouted a profanity at Gardaí and ran into oncoming traffic. He was heavily intoxicated, threw three cans of Bulmers on the ground, and was arrested. Ward pleaded guilty to two public order offences – threatening behaviour and intoxication in a public place. He has 122 prior convictions, including traffic, theft and drug offences, and two bench warrants. At the time of the incident he was serving a five‑month suspended sentence for trespassing. Ward has two bench warrants outstanding and a history of convictions for traffic, theft, and drug offences. He has a suspended sentence for a trespassing conviction.
In a 2007 murder case, Darragh Quinlivan, aged 41 and originally from Limerick City but residing in Manchester, UK, is charged with killing Noel Campion, aged 35, on 26 April 2007. Campion was shot while riding as a back passenger on a motorbike in Thomondgate, Limerick City. Quinlivan allegedly stepped out of a phone box and fired multiple shots from a handgun as the motorbike passed. The prosecution successfully moved the case from Limerick to Dublin, and the trial is scheduled for 12 January 2026 at the Central Criminal Court.
Dan Dowling, a 41‑year‑old civil servant, and retired soldier Edward Horgan, 80, were tried in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for trespassing on a taxiway at Shannon Airport on 25 April 2017. They were found not guilty of criminal damage after writing "Danger, danger, don't fly" on American naval planes, but were convicted of trespass. Judge Martina Baxter ordered each to pay €5,000 to a women's refuge in County Clare. Dowling has appealed his conviction, arguing that his actions were necessary to prevent the transport of ammunition through Ireland and to protect others from an alleged "irreparable evil." Defence counsel Mark Lynam claimed the defence of necessity applied, while the Director of Public Prosecutions said there was insufficient evidence for such a defence. The Court of Appeal will reserve judgment.
The trial of Viera Gaziova and Jozefina Grundzova continues before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury. Both women, who pleaded not guilty to all charges, are accused of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Jozef Puska by burning clothes he allegedly wore on the day he murdered Ashling Murphy. Gaziova testified that she destroyed the garments after her husband, Lubomir Puska Jnr, conveyed a request from Puska to ensure the clothes were burnt. She described building a fire in the living room, burning the items until only ash remained, and disposing of the residue down the kitchen sink. Gaziova stated she initially omitted this detail from her statement to gardai because she feared the family would turn against her and she would end up on the street. She recounted that the household became concerned when Puska did not return home, and he later arrived soaked and shaking. Gaziova claimed Lubomir and Marek Puska spoke with Puska in his bedroom, after which Lubomir told her Puska had confessed to killing a girl. She noted that only she, Lubomir, Marek, and Grundzova knew of this alleged confession at the time. The court heard that all accused were living together in Co Offaly when the offences are alleged to have occurred in January 2022. The trial is ongoing.
After Richard Satchwell was found guilty of murdering his wife of 25 years, Tina Satchwell's half‑sister Lorraine Howard and cousin Sarah Howard spoke outside the Criminal Courts of Justice. They thanked the judge, jury and the legal team for their professionalism and for bringing the case to a verdict. Howard said the family could not fully express their gratitude and that Tina was a precious sister, cousin, auntie and daughter whose loss had a profound impact. Sarah Howard added that during the trial Tina was portrayed in a way that was not true to who she was, describing her as a kind, loving and gentle soul who loved her animals. The family expressed a desire for privacy to begin healing after the justice they felt had been served.
Philip Moore, 41, was convicted of assault causing harm and false imprisonment of Alan Rossiter, 44, at his family home in Rathellen on 14‑15 August 2022. He pleaded not guilty to producing a knife and threatening serious harm, but was acquitted on those charges. His co‑accused, Shane Coady, 25, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. The court heard that Moore claimed Rossiter had attacked him the night before, but an investigation found no evidence and no prosecution was brought against Rossiter. Rossiter described being held in a boot, threatened with a kettle and forced to leave the house, and he reported fear for his life and dental injury. The judge adjourned Coady's case for six months and remanded him on continuing bail; Moore's case was adjourned to July with him remanded in custody. The court noted Moore's bipolar medication and his lack of prior assault convictions.
The trial of Richard Satchwell, accused of murdering his wife Tina, was moved from Cork to Dublin because of intense local publicity that could prejudice a jury. Satchwell's counsel argued that the media attention was largely self‑generated and that a local jury would be biased, while the Director of Public Prosecutions contended the publicity was national and largely due to Satchwell's own media appearances. Judge McDermott agreed to the venue change. During the trial, the defence sought to exclude Satchwell's brief reply to the charge, claiming it was prejudicial, but the judge found it voluntary and allowed it. The defence also applied to withdraw the murder charge, arguing lack of evidence of intent, but the judge rejected the application, noting the prosecution's case relied on circumstantial evidence and the defendant's own statements.
This report details the appeal proceedings involving Richard Satchwell, the appellant, and the Casual Inquiry, the defendant. The validated procedural stage is an appeal, though the source text primarily recounts the underlying trial evidence regarding the murder of Tina Satchwell. Richard Satchwell was found guilty of murdering his wife, Tina, who was entombed under the stairs of their Youghal home. The trial heard that Satchwell initially reported Tina missing in 2017, describing the investigation as a 'casual inquiry' before it was upgraded to a formal missing person case. He claimed Tina had left him and taken €26,000, while also alleging she had assaulted him on multiple occasions. However, forensic evidence and witness testimony contradicted his narrative. Satchwell admitted to digging a grave under the stairs and placing Tina's body in it, wrapped in black plastic, before covering it with cement. He stated he wanted to make her burial 'special' by adding tulips. The jury heard that Tina was a kind-hearted woman who adored her dogs, and that Satchwell was 'obsessed' with her. Despite his claims of victimhood, the court found that Satchwell had murdered Tina and concealed her body. The appeal process is ongoing, with no final sentence or disposal recorded in the provided text. The matter remains under judicial review, and no adjournment or final conclusion has been validated in this summary.
Richard Satchwell, a 58‑year‑old British national, was found guilty of murdering his wife, Tina Satchwell, by a unanimous Central Criminal Court jury. The jury, after nine hours and 28 minutes over four days, rejected his defence that he acted in self‑defence or lacked intent to kill. They held that his narrative of a chisel attack and subsequent struggle was "far‑cical" and that he had concealed her body in a secret grave beneath their home for six years. The jury also noted that he had kept her remains in a chest freezer before burial. The judge will impose a mandatory life sentence on 4 June and remand Satchwell in custody until then. The trial highlighted the jury's belief that Satchwell's lies were designed to hide the murder. The verdict was met with tears from Tina's family and some jurors. The case remains at the murder charge stage.
Sean McGovern, 39, appeared before the Special Criminal Court at a late sitting following his extradition from the United Arab Emirates. The accused, with a previous address at Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, was charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan on December 22, 2016, at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin. He also faces charges of directing the activities of a criminal organisation in connection with that murder and the surveillance of James Gately between October 17, 2015, and April 6, 2017. Additional allegations include facilitating a criminal organisation in the murder of Mr Kirwan and in a conspiracy to murder Mr Gately. All charges are alleged or contested, with no plea entered. Defence counsel Olan Callanan BL reserved the defence's position on the lawfulness of the arrest and the court's jurisdiction. The Director of Public Prosecutions applied for McGovern to be tried before a three-judge, non-jury court. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, sitting with Judges Elma Sheahan and Grainne Malone, agreed to the application. The matter was adjourned to a later date, and McGovern was remanded in custody.
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 29 May 2025, the appeal of Martin Hayes, aged 36, was dismissed. Hayes had been found guilty of manslaughter in the death of Amadea McDermott, aged 27, in July 2017, after a Central Criminal Court jury returned a majority verdict. He had claimed that McDermott had stabbed herself, a claim that was rejected by the jury. Hayes had admitted using violence against McDermott and had been convicted of 12 years and six months' imprisonment. His appeal argued that evidence of his former partner, Niamh Higgins, being in fear of him and of his custody was prejudicial. The Court of Appeal, led by Justice Tara Burns, held that the evidence was irrelevant and did not undermine a fair trial. The appeal was rejected and the case was scheduled for further case‑management on 20 June. Martin Hayes pleaded not guilty and was acquitted.
During a High Court hearing on 29 May 2025, John Magnier, the billionaire behind Coolmore Stud, testified that a barrister had "unfairly gone after" his good name and that he had come to court for "protection, not to be slaughtered." He argued that his reputation was essential for business and that the opposition's lawyer, Martin Hayden SC, had tried to undermine it. Magnier claimed that a failed €15 million land deal in Tipperary had been agreed with Barne Estate on 22 August 2023, with an exclusivity period until 30 September 2023, but that the estate later sold the land to Maurice Regan for €22.25 million. He alleged that the estate's representatives had misrepresented the agreement and that he had attempted to enforce the deal by suing the estate, Richard Thomson‑Moore and associated companies. The case remains before Mr Justice Max Barrett.
Edyta Scibior, 36, owner of 'Home of Shellac' in Carlow, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on 22 February 2023 at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court. She was found with cannabis and amphetamines in her home's utility room and a nail salon store room, though she claimed ignorance and that she never entered the utility room. Her husband, Kamil Scibior, 42, also pleaded guilty to having drugs for sale or supply, with a higher offence carrying a mandatory 10‑year term. Judge Eugene O'Kelly jailed Kamil for six years and imposed a four‑and‑a‑half‑year suspended sentence on Edyta. The suspended term is conditional on her engaging with the Probation Service for 18 months. The court noted her role as an employer and mother of two 14‑year‑olds, and considered her guilty plea as acceptance of responsibility. The total drugs seized were valued at €229,204.
Bruna Alves De Campos, a 35‑year‑old mother of four from Brazil, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to importing 109 cocaine pellets worth €63,653 on 2 November 2024 at Dublin Airport. She admitted ingesting the pellets to finance the care of her ill parents, who had since passed away, and claimed she was a drug mule. Garda Anthony Boyle described her arrival at customs as suspicious, noting photographs of the pellets on her phone and her admission of ingestion. De Campos was taken to hospital, arrested, and later cooperated with investigators by providing phone numbers and email addresses, though she did not name the recipient, citing fear. She had no prior convictions. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced her to three years' imprisonment, to be served in full, citing the role of drug mules in drug importation and the hardship of her situation.
Mark O'Neill, 62, of Carlow Town, was sentenced at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to intentionally or recklessly administering a substance capable of interfering substantially with another person's bodily functions in August 2024. The defendant admitted to placing two Valium tablets in a sandwich prepared for his then-partner, claiming he intended to help her relax due to stress. Judge Eugene O'Kelly described the act as "shockingly reckless," noting that O'Neill, who had no previous convictions, knew the medication could interfere with bodily functions. A probation report indicated O'Neill was at a low risk of re-offending. The judge set a headline sentence of two years and six months but reduced it to 18 months, which was suspended in full on strict conditions for two years. The court accepted the plea on the basis of recklessness rather than intent to harm. O'Neill acknowledged his actions were extremely reckless and has since lost contact with his ex-partner and son. The matter was concluded with this suspended sentence.
David Hunter, a Liverpool native convicted of murdering dissident Republican Michael Barr in 2016, appealed to the Court of Appeal, arguing that the Special Criminal Court erred in dismissing witness evidence regarding the height of the gunman and breached his privacy rights by admitting mobile phone data. Hunter, who was found guilty in September 2020, contended that a witness identified the assailant as six feet one or two, whereas Hunter is five feet ten, and that the DNA match on a ski mask was coincidental. The State countered that Hunter and co-accused Eamonn Cumberton were of the same height, and that DNA profiles from latex masks linked Hunter, Cumberton, and Christopher Slator to the getaway car. The State further argued that the phone evidence was lawfully obtained under legislation applicable at the time. The court noted that Hunter's involvement was fully proved by circumstantial evidence, including the DNA match and the abandoned vehicle. The matter was adjourned, with the judges reserving their judgment. Hunter remains one of three men convicted of the murder; Eamonn Cumberton was convicted in January 2018, and Christopher Slator was convicted in July 2022.
Barry Grey, a 23‑year‑old rugby player from Corballis, Castledermot, Kildare, pleaded guilty to assaulting a couple at The Barracks pub, Tullow Street, Carlow, on 25 June 2023. The attack was unprovoked; Grey struck the boyfriend, knocking him down, and then punched the woman in the face, leaving her with severe injuries including a laceration over her eye, a burst lip, swollen tongue, and extensive bruising. The woman was treated at St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny. Grey had no prior convictions. Judge Eugene O'Kelly, after reviewing CCTV evidence and a probation report, found the assault unjustified, noting Grey had misread the situation while intoxicated. He sentenced Grey to three years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended on strict conditions, and required a €6,500 restitution payment. The sentence reflected the seriousness of the violent attacks and the impact on the victims.
The jury in the trial of Richard Satchwell, who denies murdering his wife Tina, will continue deliberations into a fourth day. The panel of five men and seven women began considering their verdict at 3.05pm on Tuesday and have spent a total of eight hours and 37 minutes deliberating. They returned to the courtroom at 3.46pm today and a note was handed to the judge from the foreman stating the panel would cease deliberations for the evening and resume on Friday at 11.30am. Mr Justice Paul McDermott told the 12 jurors that there were three possible verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. He explained the two routes to the not‑guilty‑of‑murder‑but‑guilty‑of‑manslaughter verdict, based on lack of intent or partial self‑defence.
Three Filipino swimming instructors recruited from the Philippines to teach in Ireland had hundreds of euros a week docked from their wages for alleged "training costs" before being dismissed. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) found no evidence that the swim school spent €3,000 training each worker. The instructors were hired on the promise of a better life in Ireland, but were forced to accept pay cuts or risk termination. The WRC heard that the school had paid for work permits, visas and flights, but claimed the training cost €3,000 per worker. The school relied on agreements signed in English without translation or legal advice. The WRC ruled the deductions illegal, awarded each of the three workers €2,307.68, and ordered the school to pay a total of €11,939.53 to the group. The case was heard in Ennis, Co Clare, in November and December 2024. The company and employees remain anonymised due to parallel proceedings.
Sergiu Lupo, 39, pleaded guilty to 43 counts of theft, attempted theft and criminal damage for a three‑day spree of targeted ATM thefts in Dublin from 3 to 6 June 2019. He stole €7,260 and caused €7,147 in damage across 24 incidents at AIB ATMs in locations such as Artane, Stillorgan, Dundrum, Crumlin, Tallaght, Clondalkin, Rathfarnham, Finglas, Swords and Portmarnock. Lupo also assisted in a separate incident at Sutton Cross, where he watched two men withdraw cash and then drove them away. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to two years and six months' imprisonment, back‑dated to 15 November 2024, for the deliberate, organised nature of the offences and the significant financial loss and inconvenience caused to AIB and the public. The sentence reflects the aggravating factors of the scale of theft and damage, and the fact that Lupo fled and was extradited back to Ireland. He has no prior convictions in Ireland or elsewhere.
In a High Court hearing on 28 May 2025, John Magnier, the Irish bloodstock billionaire, argued that money is not personally significant to him but serves as a metric for business performance. He explained that he had engaged legal and financial experts for decisions beyond his expertise. Magnier claimed that a former exclusive agreement to purchase 751 acres in County Tipperary for €15 million was breached when the estate, Barne, sold the land to Maurice Regan for €22.25 million. He alleged that Regan's actions constituted a "full‑frontal assault" on the deal and that the estate's agent described the situation as "greed." Magnier, together with his adult children, seeks enforcement of the alleged agreement, which they say was signed on 22 August 2023 and remained exclusive until 30 September. The defendants deny any such contract and argue the sale to Regan was lawful. The case remains before Mr Justice Max Barrett.
A man in his thirties was jailed for one month after breaching a protection order by confronting and bullying his former partner in public while on bail for an earlier breach. He pleaded guilty to a phone call and message made just days after the order was granted on 17 January 2024, and was convicted of a second breach on 1 September 2024 during a custody handover. The court heard he shouted abusive remarks, demanded the woman speak to him, and tried to control her in front of their children. He had 12 prior convictions, including theft and assault, and was on bail at the time of the September incident. Judge Anne Watkin imposed the prison term, a 12‑month peace bond with strict conditions, a €500 recognisance, and an independent surety of €500 for appeal. The woman had left the family home due to abuse and feared for her safety. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
Rosie Ward, 33, of Tallaght, pleaded guilty to multiple thefts after being stopped by security at The Square Shopping Centre on 4 May. She admitted taking €30 worth of clothing from Dunnes Stores, €292.40 of groceries from Tesco and €740 of items from Easons. While in custody at Tallaght Garda Station, she threw a can of Monster energy drink at a table with electrical equipment. She was remanded on bail and will appear again on 1 July 2025 for finalisation.
Charlotte O'Regan, a former receptionist at Gaffney Solicitors, won a tribunal order for unpaid wages of €830.73 gross after her employer, David Gaffney, closed his office and terminated her on 3 May 2024. Gaffney sent a letter on 26 April 2024 offering statutory redundancy and annual leave entitlements, but no payment materialised. O'Regan claimed €873.73 in unpaid wages and, after six months of financial hardship, wrote to Gaffney again. The Workplace Relations Commission found no defence from Gaffney. Adjudicator Patsy Doyle ordered the payment of €870.73 gross, covering three days' work and a week's pay in lieu of notice, after statutory deductions. The decision noted deteriorating WhatsApp communication and that O'Regan had kept office keys to strengthen her claim. This case follows a similar successful claim by former secretary Leona Erangey for €4,687.
In the Central Criminal Court, Lubomir Puska Jnr, aged 37, denied that he had asked anyone to dispose of the knife used to murder school teacher Ashling Murphy or to dispose of his brother Jozef's clothes on the day of the murder. He also denied that he had asked anyone to dispose of the clothes. The court heard that Jozef Puska, aged 35, attacked Ms Murphy, aged 23, on the canal towpath at Cappincur in Tullamore on 12 January 2022, killing her with 12 sharp force injuries, 11 of which were stab wounds. Lubomir Jnr had made two statements to Gardaí, first on 18 January 2022 and again on 26 January 2022, in which he described Jozef's condition and alleged that Jozef had tried to explain his actions. He also denied that he had asked anyone to dispose of the knife or the clothes. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
A 57‑year‑old man, already serving a 10‑year sentence for raping a 16‑year‑old in 2018, was ordered to serve an additional three years for harassing and threatening to kill his former partner, a woman 33 years his junior. He had begun a relationship with her in 2018, met online while selling puppies, and they had a child. After the relationship ended, he sent her three threat‑to‑kill messages on 11 January 2020 and harassed her between 18 December 2019 and 31 March 2020. He also sent a photo of an elderly patient to her employer, falsely alleging mistreatment, which led to her suspension and eventual dismissal. The judge, noting the age disparity and the lasting impact on her life, imposed a four‑year sentence with the final year suspended, to run consecutively with his rape sentence, and ordered no contact for five years after release. The man's prior 29 convictions were also noted. The unnamed 57-year-old pleaded guilty.
Daniel Buckley, 32, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply after Gardaí raided his cabin on 21 April 2024. He was found throwing a gym bag over a wall; the bag contained €46,358 worth of cannabis and cocaine, plus €1,710 in cash. Buckley admitted he knew the bag held drugs but did not know their value, citing a €10,000 drug debt. He had held the drugs for two weeks, expecting others to take portions. He has prior convictions for theft and drug offences. The court sentenced him to three years, with the final six months suspended on strict conditions. He will be supervised by the Probation Service for 12 months after release to aid rehabilitation and vocational reintegration.
Philip Moore, 41, of Carlow, was convicted at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court of false imprisonment and assault of Alan Rossiter, who was bundled into the boot of Moore's mother's car between 14 and 15 August 2022. Moore denied the charges and was acquitted of two further charges of threats to kill and production of a knife. He claimed Rossiter had attacked him the previous night and that his friend Shane Coady was responsible, but the jury found no evidence to support this. Coady, 25, pleaded guilty to assaulting Rossiter and is due to be sentenced later this week. After the conviction, Judge Eugene O'Kelly granted Moore bail on strict conditions, including daily sign‑ins at Carlow Garda Station and a curfew, but issued a warrant for his arrest after Moore failed to attend the scheduled sentence hearing. The case was adjourned to Wednesday, with the sentence hearing for Coady set for Thursday.
The jury in the trial of Richard Satchwell, who denies murdering his wife Tina, will return to the Central Criminal Court for a third day of deliberations. The panel of five men and seven women began considering their verdict at 3.05pm on Tuesday and have spent a total of four hours and 42 minutes deliberating. Judge Paul McDermott told the jurors that they should consider all evidence and that there are three possible verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. He explained the two routes to the not‑guilty‑of‑murder but guilty‑of‑manslaughter verdict, based on lack of intent or partial self‑defence, and that the prosecution must prove the accused was not acting in self‑defence.
David Donohoe, a builder who had worked for SJK Civils Ltd for 13 years, was dismissed in April 2024 after a dispute over working hours. He claimed the employer had asked him to start at 5.30am instead of 7am and then expected him to finish at 3pm instead of 1.30pm. Donohoe refused to work the extended hours, called the director a "sneaky rat" and left the site. The director said Donohoe was only sent away on 5 April and was formally dismissed on 19 April for gross misconduct. Donohoe's solicitor argued the dismissal process was applied retroactively. The Workplace Relations Commission found the dismissal unfair and awarded Donohoe €9,000, noting he had suffered losses of €15,977 between April and August 2024.
The Central Criminal Court has ordered that the trial of Riad Bouchaker, aged 50, be prioritised because some of the alleged victims are children. Bouchaker faces charges of attempting to murder two girls and a boy, assault causing serious harm to a care worker, and possession or production of a knife. The case arose from an incident on 23 November 2023 at Parnell Square, Dublin, where Bouchaker allegedly assaulted a care worker and attempted to kill three children. Lawyers for Bouchaker have informed Judge Paul McDermott that they are awaiting a psychiatric report. The psychiatrist, who had requested a neuropsychologist's report, has received it and will complete her assessment within three weeks. Judge McDermott has urged all parties to expedite the matter, noting that the trial will be revisited on 15 June. The Department of Justice has introduced a protocol to fast‑track trials involving children, aiming to conclude the process within one year where possible.
Philip Moore, 41, was found guilty of assault causing harm and false imprisonment of Alan Rossiter after a night of heavy drinking and drug use. The jury did not convict him of producing a knife or threatening to kill. Moore claimed Rossiter had attacked him the night before, but investigators found no evidence and no prosecution was brought against Rossiter. He also blamed friend Shane Coady, who pleaded guilty to assaulting Rossiter. The trial heard that Rossiter was held against his will in a kitchen and then bundled into the boot of Moore's mother's car, where forensic evidence supported Rossiter's claim of being in the boot. Moore was remanded on bail pending sentencing later this month. The jury deliberated for almost three hours before reaching its verdict. Philip Moore pleaded not guilty.
Evan Moore, aged 20, was remanded in custody pending sentencing on 13 October after pleading guilty to rioting and fire damage to a Luas tram during the Dublin riots of November 2023. The court heard that Moore, who was 18 at the time, had been "swept up in anti‑immigrant sentiment" and that his mother was "disgusted and ashamed" of his actions. CCTV footage showed him moving burning material onto the tram and damaging its windows between 7.05 pm and 7.40 pm. The tram suffered nearly €5 million in damage, and the Luas service was suspended for 24 hours. Moore had no prior convictions, had admitted his involvement during a May 2024 protest, and had completed an online anti‑racism course. The judge revoked his bail and ordered a probation report before sentencing.
In a Court of Appeal hearing, lawyers for Philip Disney (30) and Sean Carlyle (32) argued that footage of Disney dancing in a pub after the August 24, 2019 murder of Vincent Parsons should not have been shown to the jury. They claimed the clip was prejudicial, suggesting Disney was celebrating the killing, and that the prosecution had failed to prove an act directly committed by Disney. The appeal also challenged the admissibility of comments made by Disney and Carlyle during police searches of their homes, arguing that the searches were conducted without proper caution or procedural safeguards. Counsel for Carlyle further contested the use of inference interviews and the identification of Carlyle in CCTV footage, citing potential bias. The appeal was heard by a three‑judge panel, with the court reserving judgment on the arguments presented. The case remains at the appeal stage, with no verdict or sentencing yet announced.
Vladislovas Jurevicius, a 39‑year‑old chef, was arrested in February 2024 after Gardaí discovered he had cloned fuel cards from a trucking logistics company and used them to steal an estimated €25,000 worth of diesel between August 2023 and February 2024. He pleaded guilty to possession of a card with intent to commit theft and five counts of stealing diesel at an Applegreen service station in Ballymount, as well as one count of cultivating juvenile cannabis plants at his home in Greenfield Heights, Rathwire, Co. Westmeath. Gardaí found 35 cannabis plants, two empty 200‑litre fuel barrels, and photographs of the cloned cards on Jurevicius's phone. He has no prior convictions and was described by his employer as a valuable staff member. The court ordered a probation report and adjourned the case to October 6, allowing Jurevicius to provide additional restitution to the affected company.
In a May 2025 decision, Justice Tara Burns dismissed Oliver Berry's appeal against his conviction for sexually abusing his daughter Sharon. Berry, 68, had previously been convicted in 2023 of 25 indecent assault counts against Sharon, who was aged 7 to 12 at the time. He had also been serving a seven‑year sentence for the same offences, to run consecutively with a prison term he was already serving for the sexual abuse of his other daughter, Jennifer. Berry's appeal argued that the trial judge erred in ruling Sharon competent to give evidence and in limiting her cross‑examination. The judge found no evidence that Sharon's schizophrenia diagnosis affected her competency and that the trial judge had acted correctly. The appeal was therefore dismissed, with no change to Berry's sentence or any new legal outcome announced.
In a High Court hearing on 27 May 2025, bloodstock billionaire John Magnier testified that he had reached an agreement to buy 751 acres in County Tipperary for €15 million in August 2023, but the deal collapsed when the former owners, represented by Barne Estate, sold the land to US construction magnate Maurice Regan for €22.5 million. Magnier claimed an exclusivity period from 31 August to 30 September 2023 prevented other parties from soliciting the property, and that the estate agent's remark that "greed" was the reason for the failure was a key point of his evidence. He alleged that the estate returned his initial payments in September 2023 and that the sale was sabotaged by Regan, who allegedly used a journalist to influence the agent. The case, which is expected to last three weeks, seeks to enforce the alleged agreement and is currently before Mr Justice Max Barrett.
Amy Mongan, 25, of Kilbarrack, Dublin 5, pleaded guilty at Tallaght District Court to stealing €1,387 worth of cosmetics from Boots in Tallaght on September 21, 2023. The court heard that Mongan committed the offence while on bail and has 28 previous convictions, including 24 for theft. She is currently on a 12-month probation bond and had previously received a suspended sentence in December 2024. Defence counsel Lauren Flanagan BL, instructed by Padraig O'Donovan, stated that Mongan struggled with addictions and is no longer using drugs. Counsel noted that Mongan is caring for her unwell mother, her own child, and her sister's children. Judge Catherine Ghent described the offence as serious given Mongan's record but ordered a community service report to assess her suitability. The matter was adjourned to July 18, and Mongan was remanded on bail. The judge told Mongan, "Too many people are depending on you now for you not to be available to them."
In the Central Criminal Court, Lubomir Puska Junior, aged 38, admitted to lying to Gardaí about his brother Jozef Puska's whereabouts on the day of Ashling Murphy's murder. He first claimed Jozef had been "a bit sad" and left the house in the early afternoon, but later apologized and revealed he had seen Jozef again after 9 pm, describing him as looking beaten and with lacerations. The court heard that Jozef, who was convicted of murdering 23‑year‑old teacher Ashling Murphy on 12 January 2022, had been living with Lubomir and another brother Marek at Lynally Grove. Lubomir and Marek are accused of withholding crucial information, while Jozefina Grundzova and Viera Gaziova are accused of impeding the investigation by burning clothes. All accused plead not guilty. The trial is before Ms Justice Caroline Biggs with a jury of seven men and five women.
In a High Court hearing on 27 May 2025, lawyers for billionaire John Magnier alleged that the Barne Estate, managed by a Jersey trust, breached an exclusivity agreement and sold 751 acres of Tipperary land to Maurice Regan for €22.5 million after Magnier claimed a €15 million deal had been struck on 22 August 2023. Magnier, his adult children John Paul and Kate, and their counsel Paul Gallagher SC presented evidence that the estate had agreed not to solicit offers from anyone other than Magnier between 31 August and 30 September 2023. The defendants denied any such agreement and said they had sold the land to Regan, who is not a party to the case. Gallagher also alleged that Regan had arranged for journalist Paul Williams to contact the estate agent, implying Regan's exclusion was unlawful. The case is expected to last three weeks.