At the Central Criminal Court, the sister of Sean McCarthy addressed the court during the sentencing hearing of Dean Caffrey, who was convicted of her brother's manslaughter. Nicole McCarthy stated she remained "baffled" at how Caffrey continued his daily life normally after killing her brother in his Drumcondra apartment on 2 August 2022. McCarthy's body was discovered wrapped in plastic inside a suitcase in Caffrey's wardrobe after a five-day search. The court heard that Caffrey, aged 38, of Beaucort, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, pleaded not guilty to murder. A jury found him guilty of manslaughter by majority verdict in October 2024. The prosecution submitted that the case attracted a headline sentence of between ten and fifteen years. Caffrey's legal team highlighted his expressions of remorse and educational achievements whilst in custody. Mr Justice Paul McDermott will deliver sentence on 31 March.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 24 March 2025, Riad Hamzi, aged 51, was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment for a single count of rape that occurred on 19 August 2020. The victim, Elena O'Brien, testified that she had told Hamzi she wanted to separate; he denied the allegation, claiming the sex was consensual, but then punched her twice, raped her, and forced his fist into her mouth. Hamzi's sentence was back‑dated to 20 December 2024, when he entered custody, and the final year of the term was suspended for three years on strict conditions. The judge cited the relationship between the parties, the victim's impact statement, and the violence beyond the rape as aggravating factors, while noting Hamzi's health issues, long work history and character witnesses as mitigating. O'Brien's impact statement described ongoing PTSD, sleep difficulties and financial hardship following the assault. The court expressed well‑wishes to O'Brien for the future. Riad Hamzi was convicted.
Cameron Cooper, 23, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for dangerous driving causing death after he hit 21‑year‑old apprentice electrician Dylan Killalee Maher at double the speed limit on Naas Road. Cooper fled the scene, falsely claiming his car had been stolen, and later pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing death, driving without insurance, making a false report and failing to offer assistance. The judge, Ronan Munro, described the offence as a homicide and imposed a five‑year, three‑month term, suspending the final year for five years on conditions, and disqualified Cooper from driving for nine years. The sentence was met with emotional reactions from the Maher family, who called for the maximum sentence for dangerous driving causing death to be raised to at least 14 years. The court noted Cooper had no prior convictions and that the victim's family did not attend the hearing.
In a 2025 Central Criminal Court hearing, Mr Justice Paul McDermott expressed concern that a 23‑year‑old offender, who was 15 when he attempted to murder Stephanie Ng in 2017, might be released from prison without supervision following a Supreme Court ruling. The defendant, who used a dating app and pretended to be 19, lured Ng to an isolated spot on the Sea Front, Queen's Road, Dun Laoghaire, where he choked her and slashed her neck. He pleaded guilty in 2019 and was sentenced to eleven years with a review after five years. The Court of Appeal later increased the review period by two years. However, the Supreme Court held that a sentencing court lacks jurisdiction to review its own sentences, leaving the judge unable to impose post‑release supervision.
In March 2025, Joseph Foster, a driver for STL Logistics Ltd, a Guinness keg delivery subcontractor, won a nearly €7,000 award after being dismissed for gross misconduct in November 2023. The dismissal followed an allegation by a pub owner that Foster had offered "kegs for cash" and that three kegs were missing from a delivery of fourteen. Foster denied any wrongdoing, claiming one missing keg was accidentally left on the truck and that CCTV footage used by STL was "doctored" and incomplete. An adjudication officer found the dismissal unfair, noting that the company failed to properly investigate the complaint, provide Foster with a fair opportunity to defend himself, and that the CCTV evidence was unreliable. Foster was awarded €4,500 for unfair dismissal and €2,324 for unpaid notice, totaling €6,834. The decision was upheld on appeal.
Stephen Carberry and Glen Bride, accused of disposing of body parts belonging to murdered teenager Keane Mulready Woods, received a trial date at the Special Criminal Court. The two men appeared before Justice Melanie Greally, who set the trial for January 12, 2026. Carberry, 47, of Dublin 4, faces three charges, including transporting and disposing of body parts to enhance a criminal organisation's ability to commit serious offences, impeding the apprehension of the murderer, and setting fire to a Volvo V40 for the benefit of a criminal organisation. Bride, 31, of Dublin 5, faces two charges: participating in the transportation and disposal of body parts to aid a criminal organisation in committing murder and impeding the apprehension of the killer, and setting fire to the same vehicle. The court agreed to make witness and exhibit orders. The matter was adjourned and will be mentioned again before the Special Criminal Court on October 6. Keane Mulready Woods was last seen alive in Drogheda on January 12, 2020, and was murdered in a house in Drogheda, Co Louth, that month. Body parts were subsequently found in Coolock, Drumcondra, and Rathmullan Park. All allegations remain unproven pending trial.
Daniel Ramamoorthy, 38, a former government adviser, social media influencer and motivational speaker, was convicted by a jury of sexually exploiting a 13‑year‑old boy he met while volunteering as a Christian camp guide. The offence involved requesting the boy to send a picture of his penis over Snapchat in 2017. A second trial after a hung jury resulted in a headline sentence of three years, reduced to two years and four months, with the judge noting the serious breach of trust and the significant age disparity. Ramamoorthy also pleaded guilty to possessing child sexual abuse material, for which he received an 18‑month sentence; both sentences run concurrently. He was ordered to be placed on the sex offender register and will not be allowed to remain in Ireland upon release. The court recorded that the boy suffered loss of trust and stress from the trials, and that Ramamoorthy maintains his innocence regarding the exploitation charge.
The owners of Ryevale House, an 18th‑century property in Leixlip, Co. Kildare, secured a temporary injunction from the High Court to stop nine named defendants from harassing or intimidating residents, staff or contractors. The injunction was sought after a protester threatened a foreman, saying the water‑connection works would not start unless the contractor was prepared to hit him with a bucket from his digger. The house, which began housing 93 female asylum seekers in March 2023, had a contract with the International Protection Accommodation Services office. The owners argued that protesters had regularly picketed the site, blocked the open space where the new water main was to be installed, and threatened the safety of contractors. The court granted the interim injunction and adjourned the matter to the following week.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 65‑year‑old man named Peter Kennedy testified that he was terrified of a teenager, Brian Ibe, who had moved into his home. Kennedy said Ibe demanded money, threatened to kill him, and said he would "slit his throat." Witnesses, including Rita Swords, described Ibe as homeless and mentally unstable, and said he had repeatedly demanded money from Kennedy. Kennedy also alleged that Ibe threatened to stab him on at least one occasion. Ibe has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of Kennedy and to assaulting a Garda. The trial, presided over by Justice Melanie Greally, continues next Tuesday with a jury of twelve.
Kevin Braney, aged 49, is appealing his conviction for the murder of Peter Butterly at the Special Criminal Court. The appeal, heard before a three-judge panel, centres on two main issues: the lawfulness of surveillance authorisation and the admissibility of evidence from an accomplice-turned-State's witness. Braney's counsel argues that gardai breached his privacy rights by deploying a listening device at a KFC restaurant in Charlestown Shopping Centre, Finglas without proper district court authorisation. The defence contends a superintendent in County Meath could have sought judicial approval at nearby Balbriggan District Court rather than relying on emergency powers under the Criminal Law (Surveillance) Act 2009. The Director of Public Prosecutions argues the superintendent acted appropriately given time constraints when the criminal meeting emerged. The prosecution also disputes whether private conversation expectations apply in a public restaurant setting. Additionally, Braney's legal team challenges the trial court's reliance on evidence from David Cullen, who pleaded guilty to firearms offences and entered witness protection. The defence characterises Cullen as unreliable and willing to lie in his interests.
Ian Maloney (37) of Cashel Road, Crumlin in Dublin, pleaded guilty to possession of a 9mm semiautomatic firearm with intent to endanger life on February 10, 2022 at an address in Crumlin. Maloney has 109 previous convictions, including two relevant ones for a robbery in 2008 and an assault causing harm in 2009. He was arrested and interviewed seven times over a number of days but made no admissions. However, while in custody in Cloverhill Prison in December of that year, his solicitor contacted gardaí to say Maloney wished to make a statement about the shooting. Maloney admitted to firing several rounds of 9mm-calibre ammunition at the house, where the occupants included a couple, their adult children, and a young child. The householder contacted gardaí to report the incident. Garda Ian Ward stated that the front door, window, and a car in the driveway were damaged with bullets. Maloney became a person of interest due to social media posts showing an ongoing feud with one of the occupants. The judge directed a probation report and remanded Maloney in custody until sentencing on May 22. Maloney was sentenced to 12 years with the last two suspended for that crime.
A manager at a workwear and safety supplier, Louise O'Connor, has won €10,025 in compensation after being dismissed following her reporting of safety issues at the company's warehouse. The Workplace Relations Commission ruled that her dismissal was an 'operative reason' for her reporting a fall on a damaged floor. O'Connor joined the firm in February 2024 as a retail manager with 28 years of experience in the industry. She reported a fall in April 2024, which she and a colleague addressed by taping the hole and placing a warning sign. Despite this, the company did not fix the unsafe floor. O'Connor was dismissed in May 2024, with the employer citing 'inadequate performance and poor attitude' as the reason. The WRC found that the company breached the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act, 2005, and concluded that the fall and its reporting were key factors in her dismissal.
A 42‑year‑old HSE employee, Deirdre Arnold, will stand trial on Monday for two counts of impeding the investigation into the murder of Lisa Thompson and perverting the course of justice. The charges allege that between 9 and 10 May 2022, Arnold performed acts without reasonable excuse intended to hinder the apprehension or prosecution of Brian McHugh, who was believed to have committed the murder, and that she engaged in conduct intended to pervert public justice. Arnold pleaded not guilty at her arraignment before the Central Criminal Court. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath informed the jury that the victim was Lisa Thompson, who lived at Sandyhill Gardens, Ballymun, Dublin 11, and that the alleged offender was Brian McHugh. An eight‑man, four‑woman jury was sworn in, and the trial is scheduled to last up to eight days.
Conor McGregor and James Lawrence are appealing the civil jury verdict that found McGregor raped Nikita Hand in 2018. At a Court of Appeal hearing before Mr Justice Seamus Noonan, McGregor's counsel sought permission to introduce fresh evidence from two individuals. The judge directed that a formal motion and affidavits must be filed to address the admissibility of this new evidence, with a case management hearing scheduled for May 2 to fix the date for that application. The judge ruled the appeal cannot proceed until the court decides on the new evidence. McGregor's team alleges the trial judge made legal and factual errors, specifically regarding the jury question on whether he "assaulted" rather than "sexually assaulted" Ms Hand. Lawrence, who was found not to have assaulted Ms Hand, is appealing his costs, despite McGregor paying his legal fees. In January, Mr Justice Owens ordered McGregor to pay €1.3 million in costs, with a stay granted conditional on immediate payments of €100,000 towards the damages award and €200,000 towards costs, which the Court of Appeal heard has been completed. The matter remains at the procedural stage of determining the admissibility of fresh evidence before the substantive appeal can be heard.
Dublin man Glen Ward, aged 32, pleaded guilty before a three‑judge Special Criminal Court to possessing a .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle at a Finglas house on 1 January 2022. Video from a phone seized by gardai showed the weapon fired. Ward's brother, Eric O'Driscoll, 23, had earlier pleaded guilty to possession of the same rifle. In February 2022, gardai searched a Finglas home and recovered the AR‑15, a military‑grade sub‑machine gun and ammunition, all in good condition and successfully fired by a ballistics examiner. A later unrelated search of a taxi on Tolka Valley Road yielded a bank card in O'Driscoll's name and a phone linked to the defendant. Analysts found a clip on the phone showing O'Driscoll taking the AR‑15 from another man and firing it from the rear of the Finglas house, and another clip showing the seized firearms laid out on a table at the same address.
Two men, Robert Costello and Ciaran Whelan, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after attacking a Mongolian couple in Dublin City Centre on 9 August 2016. The male victim suffered a third of his ear separated and required a skin graft, while the female victim sustained a broken nose and underwent surgery in Mongolia. The couple returned to Mongolia after the incident. Costello, aged 35, has 29 prior convictions, last in 2017; Whelan, also 35, has 33 prior convictions, last in 2012. Both men were intoxicated and had addiction issues at the time. The court accepted their guilty pleas and considered their personal circumstances, and adjourned the case for finalisation until 20 June to allow Whelan to pursue rehabilitation and raise additional restitution. The court did not impose a sentence in this article.
Jamie Stalker (37) of Liverpool and Niall Maher (38) of Dublin were jailed for five years, with the last 12 months suspended, after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply. The offence involved 104 kg of cannabis, valued at €2.08 million, found at a Dublin industrial estate. Stalker had travelled from the UK to meet the consignment and was found with a car‑ferry ticket; his phone data suggested he was acting under a third party's direction and his role was to count the drugs. Maher's role was to move the consignment from one location to another. Both men were arrested on 24 May 2023 after a garda surveillance operation. The court noted Stalker's background as a former amateur boxer with bipolar disorder and Maher's 52 prior convictions, including 44 road‑traffic offences.
The Central Criminal Court heard evidence in the trial of Rachel Redmond, who is accused of assisting her then-partner, Wayne Cooney, to evade prosecution for the murder of Jordan Davis. Ms Redmond has pleaded not guilty to two counts of impeding apprehension or prosecution. The prosecution contends that Davis was killed on May 22, 2019, following acrimony with drug dealer Robert Redmond, the accused's brother. Detective Garda Kevin Farrell presented WhatsApp messages from May 3, 2019, sent from a number saved as 'Rew' to Davis, which included threats such as "very soon bang bang." The State alleges Robert Redmond, who pleaded guilty in May 2013 to possessing heroin worth almost €37,000 and was jailed for five years, was involved in the conflict. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Burns and a jury of three men and nine women.
In a High Court hearing on 20 March 2025, Web Summit founder Paddy Cosgrave is accused of heavily editing a 2021 call recording with former director David Kelly and distributing it to staff to damage Kelly. The recording, played in court, shows Kelly calling Cosgrave a "scumbag" and accusing him of "making shit up." Cosgrave is suing Kelly for breach of director duties, while Kelly and Daire Hickey sue Cosgrave for minority shareholder oppression and breach of a profit‑sharing agreement. Both parties deny the allegations. The case, described as a "bitter" multi‑million‑euro dispute, is listed for nine weeks before Mr Justice Michael Twomey. No judgment has been issued, and the proceedings remain at the hearing stage.
The Court of Appeal is hearing an appeal by Kevin Braney, who was convicted by the Special Criminal Court of the 2013 murder of Peter Butterly. Counsel for Braney argued that the conviction should be overturned because the trial relied on the evidence of David Cullen, a State's witness described as a perjurer and accomplice. Cullen had previously pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a semi-automatic pistol, receiving a seven-year sentence with half suspended, in exchange for dropping a murder charge. The defence contended that Cullen's credibility was undermined by his admitted dishonesty and personal animus toward Braney. The Director of Public Prosecutions countered that the circumstantial evidence, including observed movements of gang members, was compelling and supported Cullen's testimony that Braney instructed the killing. Braney, who was previously sentenced in 2018 to four years and six months for IRA membership, was found guilty of premeditated murder in February 2019. Co-defendants Edward McGrath, Sharif Kelly, and Dean Evans also received life sentences for the murder, with Evans identified as the shooter. The three-judge Court of Appeal will hear further submissions from both parties before making a decision.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, forensic scientist Dr Yvonne O'Dowd testified that blood on Daniel Blanaru's t‑shirt matched the DNA of his partner, Larisa Serban, who was stabbed to death in their Co Meath home. She described extensive blood stains and spatter on walls, floors and doors, noting drip trails and pools that suggested a bleeding victim. O'Dowd examined knives, clothing and swabs, finding Serban's DNA on the t‑shirt and a mixed profile on Blanaru's shorts. No blood was found on a small knife in the house or in Blanaru's car. Blanaru, 37, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 26‑year‑old Serban on 12 August 2022. The case remains before Justice Eileen Creedon and an enlarged jury.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced Ionut Leonard Petriu, who pleaded guilty to assisting a Romanian organised crime group, to a three-year prison term suspended in full on strict conditions for four years. Judge Orla Crowe noted Petriu's low risk of re-offending and his role in facilitating the gang, which included allowing his car to be used for transport and housing members. The court heard Petriu was not involved in the actual burglaries. His co-accused, Ricardo Stancu and Daniel Murgea, also pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal damage, and organised crime offences. Stancu was previously sentenced to five years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended. Murgea received a six-year sentence, reduced from a headline eight years, due to his significant history of dishonesty in France and Italy. The offences involved ram-raiding commercial premises, including a phone shop in Dublin city centre and a Vodafone shop in Newbridge, using a 'dummy car' to cause extensive damage. The judge described the crimes as highly organised, targeting unoccupied premises over two days. Petriu's case was adjourned for the preparation of a probation report before finalisation.
Former Ireland hockey international Catriona Carey, 46, of Co Carlow, was granted an arraignment date before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on money laundering charges. She is charged with three offences contrary to Section 7 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, alleged to have occurred in 2019, 2020, and 2021. It is alleged that she converted, transferred, or handled proceeds of criminal conduct involving funds in a Wise Europe SA account under Careysfort Asset Estates Ltd. Judge Sarah Berkeley listed the case for 30 June, when Ms Carey will be formally asked to plead. Her co-accused, John Steadmond, 48, of Co Wexford, and Paddy Maher, 57, of Co Wicklow, also appeared before the court. Each man faces 17 related charges, including allegations that they unlawfully acted as solicitors without qualification. The majority of these charges allege they induced individuals to pay deposits by falsely representing that Careysfort Asset Estates Ltd could secure finance for distressed mortgage holders, with the intent to gain for themselves or cause loss to others. Mr Steadmond and Mr Maher were also assigned the same arraignment date of 30 June. The matter remains at the pre-trial stage, with no pleas entered or findings made.
In a Dublin City Centre robbery attempt on 9 November 2020, Samantha Osbourne (33) and Adam Casey (22) were jailed for their roles. Osbourne pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and was sentenced to 16 months in prison, backdated to her custody date. Casey pleaded guilty to one count of attempted robbery and one count of assault causing harm, receiving a four‑year prison term with the final year suspended and probation supervision for one year after release. The victim, who was walking to the city centre, was attacked by all three men, suffered a concussion, facial injuries and a minor brain bleed, and was taken to St James' Hospital. Andrew Cash (32) had already been sentenced to five years for the same attack. The court noted the victim's injuries and the defendants' histories, including Osbourne's 90 prior convictions and Casey's 15 prior convictions. The judge emphasised the seriousness of attacking a defenseless man.
Two men in their seventies will be extradited to Northern Ireland to face charges relating to the 1975 murder of an RUC officer, the High Court has ruled. John Edward McNicholl, aged 73, of Newmills, Letterkenny, County Donegal, and Seamus Christopher O'Kane, aged 74, of County Meath, had argued their surrender would constitute an abuse of process due to the substantial delay in seeking their extradition. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath rejected both applications, finding no evidence to suggest either man would be denied a fair trial in Northern Ireland. McNicholl and O'Kane face charges arising from the investigation into the death of Constable Robert John McPherson, shot dead in County Derry on 26 July 1975. Both men escaped from the Maze Prison in May 1976 before trial proceedings commenced. The matter was adjourned to 3 April, with both men remanded on continuing bail pending their surrender.
Biyi Jacob Abiola, a father, was banned from his children's school after an incident on 29 September 2023 in which he entered the premises unannounced, shouted at staff, kicked doors and filmed the disruption. He claimed the principal had told him his children did not want to leave with him, and he allegedly remarked that "people like you make people bring guns into school." The school, under an Education and Training Board, subsequently issued a permanent ban. Abiola's claim of racial profiling and discrimination under the Equal Status Act 2000 was rejected by the tribunal. The adjudicator found his behaviour threatening and aggressive, and that the ban was a lawful, objectively legitimate response to his breach of school rules. The tribunal concluded he had failed to establish unlawful treatment or discrimination. The decision was made by Ms McElduff.
A 36‑year‑old man was jailed for assault causing harm and non‑fatal strangulation of his pregnant partner on 24 December 2023. The incident began after an argument at a pub on 23 December, when the woman left the pub and the man followed her home. While she was on a sofa, he held her neck, punched her eye, and then strangled her, dragging her by the hair into the kitchen where she sustained a cut to her lip and a bloodied nose. She later contacted the Gardaí, who found visible injuries and a bruise on the man's wrist. He had previously pleaded guilty, admitted the assault, and expressed remorse. The court, after hearing his background and mitigating factors, imposed a custodial sentence of two and a half years, with the final 20 months suspended on strict conditions, as a warning to his future behaviour.
In a High Court hearing, Web Summit co‑founder Paddy Cosgrave is accused by lawyers of attempting to blackmail former director Daire Hickey into surrendering his shares. The case involves a multi‑million‑euro dispute between Cosgrave and minority shareholders Hickey and David Kelly. Cosgrave is suing Kelly for alleged breach of duty, while Hickey and Kelly claim minority shareholder oppression and breach of a profit‑sharing agreement. Counsel for Cosgrave alleges that Kelly created a rival tech investment fund, whereas counsel for Hickey argues that Cosgrave spent company money to defend himself in these proceedings, with legal costs potentially reaching €7 million. The court heard that Cosgrave received a €1 million sign‑on bonus in April last year and that his remuneration increased dramatically during the period when Hickey was denied basic financial information. The case is scheduled to last nine weeks before Mr Justice Michael Twomey.
The prosecution alleges that on 9 December 2022, 23‑year‑old Viorel Doroscan and 24‑year‑old Otniel Richardo Clejan murdered 22‑year‑old Mahamud Ilyas after a stolen bag of cannabis led to a confrontation at Robert Burns's home in Blanchardstown. Burns, 59, and Lorenzo Cantaragiu, 21, are accused of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Doroscan and Clejan by committing various acts on the same day. According to the State, Ilyas was beaten to death, wrapped in a cloth, placed in a car, and taken to County Meath where his body was dumped in a wooded area on Belgree Lane. The accused deny all charges. The trial is set to continue before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury. Robert Burns pleaded not guilty.
A 31‑year‑old man, Alan Melia, was sentenced to two years in prison for head‑butting a veteran flower seller at Palmerstown Cemetery on 15 December 2020. Melia, who was on bail at the time, had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. He had 113 prior convictions and was already serving a seven‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for a 2020 robbery. The victim, a man who had sold flowers outside the cemetery for 40 years, suffered broken glasses, a cut on his nose and required stitches. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a headline sentence of three years, suspended the final year, and directed the two‑year term to run consecutively with the sentence Melia is currently serving. The judge noted the assault's profound psychological impact on the single victim and ordered Melia to remain under Probation Services supervision for two years after release. The robbery sentence will expire in May 2026.
Gemma Greene, 28, of Coolock, was sentenced to two years' imprisonment and a four‑year driving disqualification after a high‑speed pursuit on the M50 on 1 March 2021. She pleaded guilty to recklessly driving in the direction of a Garda, two counts of dangerous driving and had four prior convictions, including two for road traffic offences. During the chase, Greene drove a white Mercedes at speeds up to 200 km/h, ignored stingers and pursued by Garda helicopters, and live‑streamed the incident from her mobile phone. She was arrested at 6.50 pm, detained and charged. The court noted her prior warning of a threat to her life, her cocaine use on the day, and her statement that she had "nothing to live for." Judge Nolan imposed the custodial term, citing the high speeds, the hour‑long pursuit and the danger posed to the Garda who had to take evasive action.
A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court heard that a 65-year-old man, described as 'a kind person who would help people,' died from traumatic head injuries after being attacked by a then 19-year-old man who had been living with him. Brian Ibe (24), of no fixed abode and formerly of Moore Park, Newbridge, Co Kildare, is on trial for the murder of Peter Kennedy in Co Kildare five years ago. There is no contest that Ibe carried out an attack on Mr Kennedy, who died as a result. Ibe has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of Mr Kennedy between April 28 and May 12, 2020, and also pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to assault causing harm to Garda Brendan O'Donnell at Newbridge Garda Station on or about April 29, 2020. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Paul J Carroll SC, outlined the proposed evidence and factual matters of the case, stating that the burden of proof rests on the defence to convince the jury that the special verdicts of not guilty by reason of insanity are open to them. The trial continues tomorrow before Ms Justice Melanie Greally and the jury of six men and six women.
RTÉ faced criticism for sending legal representatives to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) to counter a rights claim by video editor Maeve Keary di Lucia. Keary di Lucia, employed at RTÉ since 2004, filed ten statutory complaints alleging breaches of the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, the Terms of Employment Information Act 1994, and a 2012 EU regulation on working time in road transport. During the hearing, no evidence was presented; the tribunal's jurisdiction was contested. Adjudicator Christina Ryan noted that Keary di Lucia had not demonstrated the WRC's jurisdiction and required written responses to preliminary matters before substantive evidence could be heard. RTÉ's solicitors argued the claims were statute‑barred, citing the period 2004‑2011. Ryan granted Keary di Lucia 12 weeks to submit a legal response and an additional six weeks for RTÉ to reply, setting a deadline of 31 July. The hearing was attended by over 20 observers, including press and members of the public.
A Workplace Relations Commission adjudicator ordered Irish Studio Media Publishing Limited, publisher of IrishCentral.com, to pay €12,000 to Sinead Behan for unfair dismissal. The hearing, presided over by Adjudicator Máire Mulcahy, found that while Behan's employment ended due to genuine redundancy following the cessation of five magazine titles, the company's consultation process was inadequate. The adjudicator described the consultation as a "tick-box exercise" that was initiated at short notice and failed to explore alternatives or allow Behan to be accompanied. Although the company argued that financial losses and a diminished need for the publishing director role justified the termination, the tribunal concluded the process rendered the dismissal unfair. Behan, who had worked for the company since 2003, had received only €8,331 of the estimated €25,332 statutory redundancy due. The adjudicator rejected Behan's separate claim for statutory redundancy under the Redundancy Payments Act 1967, noting that the company had already made partial payments. The final decision awarded €12,000 as fair and equitable compensation for the unfair dismissal, concluding the matter with this specific financial order.
A 27‑year‑old Dublin man was jailed for three years after he pleaded guilty to masturbating in the presence of his three‑year‑old son and showing the child a video of a woman engaging in sexual activity. The incident, which took place in June 2022, was captured on a social media platform and later identified by British police, who alerted Irish Gardaí. The video, about 17 minutes long, shows the man first masturbating in his bedroom, then bringing his son into the room, showing him the video, and later masturbating again in front of the child while guiding the child's hand to touch his penis. The judge, citing the parent‑child duty of care, imposed a headline sentence of six years, reduced to three years due to mitigating circumstances. The man had previously been arrested in October 2023, admitted guilt, and expressed remorse, claiming intoxication and mental health issues at the time.
In a Commercial Court hearing, Paddy Cosgrave, chief executive of Web Summit, sued former director David Kelly for alleged disloyalty, claiming Kelly set up a rival tech investment fund while still a director, seeking over €10 million in damages. Kelly, a 12 percent shareholder in Manders Terrace, the holding company behind Web Summit, countersued Cosgrave and the company for shareholder oppression and breach of a profit‑sharing agreement. Mediation failed last week and both parties deny the allegations. Cosgrave's counsel described the dispute as a "bitter divorce" and alleged that Kelly's creation of a competing fund, "Semble", deprived Web Summit of the opportunity to capitalize on its earlier fund, Amaranthine. The case, which began today, is scheduled to continue for nine weeks.
Sodiq Jimoh (30) of Rossfield Close, Rossfield, Tallaght, Dublin 24, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to contributing to the activities of a criminal organisation and nine charges of money laundering on dates between May 2019 and August 2020. Jimoh admitted to laundering €1,000,065 from various individuals and small Irish companies. The court heard that some of the victims' money was reimbursed and some of the cash was recovered. Detective Garda Ester Devally stated that Jimoh was involved in a global investigation into invoice redirect fraud and compromised email scams, known as Operation Skean. Gardaí found suspicious activity in accounts with Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Bank, with various lodgements totalling €26,000 into accounts linked to Jimoh over a 16-month period. Analysis of his phone revealed WhatsApp conversations with others involved in the fraud, including a comment from Jimoh stating, "Fam, at the end of the day it's free money." Jimoh was arrested and questioned multiple times, but no evidential value was gained from the interviews. Victim impact statements were submitted but not read out. Defence counsel highlighted Jimoh's background, including his early arrival in Ireland and a promising football career, and his role as a family breadwinner during the pandemic. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged Jimoh's mitigation but stated that the wrongdoing was serious and sentenced him to five years and four months, with credit for six weeks spent on remand in custody.
Wayne Gilligan, 29, of Rosebank Court, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to violent disorder for an unprovoked attack on Euston Street on 8 May 2023. Garda Chloe Rochford testified that Gilligan instigated the assault, punching the victim several times, kicking and stamping on him, while other men also struck and stabbed the victim with a bladed weapon believed to be a machete. CCTV footage was shown. The victim suffered deep cuts to the head and a finger, was taken to hospital, and refused to cooperate with Gardaí. Gilligan has 137 prior convictions, including affray, assault, endangerment and drug offences. He was sentenced to four years and three months' imprisonment, with an earliest release date of August 2027. The court noted his engagement with services and completion of an anger‑management course, but did not suspend any portion of the sentence.
Danny Cirstea, 27, of Dublin 2, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for his role in a money‑laundering scheme and for obtaining €15,000 in social welfare fraud. He pleaded guilty to possession of the proceeds of criminal conduct, possession of drugs and deception. Garda investigations revealed that Cirstea's address was used to open bank accounts for himself and a co‑accused, and that he had control over a third‑party account. Payments totalling over €5,500 were made to his account in November 2019, and approximately €43,000 was lodged in an AIB account between August and June 2019. Around €58,000 moved through a further account between July 2019 and April 2020. A search of his home in December 2020 uncovered a small amount of cannabis, valued at €140, and later, in August 2022, four bags of tetrahydrocannabinol in edible chocolate, valued at €80, were seized.
A jury of twelve was sworn in on 18 March 2025 to hear the trial of Brian Ibe, a 24‑year‑old from Newbridge, who has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of 65‑year‑old Peter Kennedy, which took place between 28 April and 12 May 2020. Ibe was also charged with assault causing harm to Garda Brendan O'Donnell on 29 April 2020, to which he likewise pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial will last about two weeks, with a possibility of a slight extension. The prosecution will present witnesses including consultant psychiatrist Dr Mary Davoren and clinical psychologist Dr Kevin Lambe, while the defence will call consultant psychiatrists Dr Conor O'Neill, Dr Stephen Monks, Dr Patrick McLoughlin, Dr Gauruv Malhan and psychologist Dr Marie English. A large number of Garda witnesses from Newbridge, Kildare, Athy, Rathangan, Portlaoise, Tallaght and Naas will also testify.
In the murder trial of Daniel Blanaru, the Central Criminal Court heard that emergency services received two 999 calls from a phone linked to Larisa Serban before she was found dead at her home in Co Meath. The first call, at 1.41 am, lasted nine seconds, had no dialogue, and was traced to a cell site in Rathmore. The second call, at 1.46 am, lasted eight seconds and included a female voice speaking in a foreign dialect, though the words were not discernible. Detective Garda Conor Carolan explained the cell site and Advanced Mobile Location data used to locate the calls. The jury also heard from interpreter Stanislav Olaru, who confirmed he had translated Mr Blanaru's statements in real time during Garda interviews, noting that the defence's translator used recorded tapes. The trial continues before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and an enlarged jury. Daniel Blanaru pleaded not guilty.
Clive Dixon, 53, of North Frederick Street, Dublin, pleaded guilty to burglary on 14 January 2019 at a house in the Harold's Cross area. He had 113 previous convictions, 78 of which were for burglary, and was already serving a nine‑year sentence with the final four years suspended, with an earliest release date of 2027. Gardaí observed a damaged glass pane on the front door and noted that several rooms had been entered, the back sliding doors were ajar, and a rock had been left on a bed upstairs. Diamond earrings, an antique engagement ring, two watches including a Patek Philippe, and a gold chain, totalling €22,500, were taken and have not been recovered. The homeowner reported €500 worth of damage to the door. A plastic shopping bag containing a chisel, an empty water bottle and a toy car was found in the house; Dixon's DNA was identified from the bag in September 2019.
Michael Molloy, a 25‑year‑old architecture student from Gorey, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for raping a 20‑year‑old woman in a laneway on the night of 1 November 2021. The victim, who had previously known Molloy from school, was forced into sexual activity after he walked her home from a pub. She resisted, but Molloy forced her against a wall, digitally penetrated her, and orally raped her. The court found him guilty on counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault. Molloy maintained his innocence, claiming the acts were consensual. He was sentenced by Mr Justice Paul Burns to a headline term of seven years, reduced to six years with the final year suspended, and will remain under probation supervision for three years. The victim described lasting psychological effects and a loss of confidence following the assault.
The Director of Public Prosecutions has sought a retrial for James Flynn, a 34-year-old appellant, following the Court of Appeal's decision to quash his conviction for conspiring to steal the getaway car used in the 2013 Lordship Credit Union robbery, where Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was killed. The appeal court found that the Special Criminal Court breached Flynn's right to natural justice by amending the indictment to secure a guilty verdict on the conspiracy charge without consulting legal teams. While the DPP argues this results in no verdict and requires a return to the Special Criminal Court, Flynn's counsel, Bernard Condon SC, contended that a retrial would be unfair given he has served 44 months in custody since his 2021 extradition from the UK. Condon also argued the court lacks jurisdiction to order a retrial on the original conspiracy charge, as Flynn was acquitted of that specific count. The three-judge panel, comprising Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, Mr Justice John Edwards, and Ms Justice Tara Burns, reserved their judgment on the proposed disposal. Flynn was originally sentenced to eight years' imprisonment in December 2023 for the conspiracy to steal the Volkswagen Passat, a sentence that remains subject to the current appeal proceedings.
Judge Martin Nolan sentenced four members of the Lawrence family at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for multigenerational insurance fraud. Eileen Lawrence (52) pleaded guilty to deception and attempted deception between 2010 and 2016. Despite acknowledging her serious involvement, the judge imposed a three-year prison sentence, suspended in full on strict conditions, citing her role as a primary carer for family members with additional needs. Her husband, Patrick Lawrence (54), pleaded guilty to deception and attempted deception between 2013 and 2018. The judge imposed a two-year custodial sentence, noting his medical and mental health issues but stating the wrongdoing merited imprisonment. Their sons, Tom Lawrence (24) and John Lawrence (26), both pleaded guilty to attempted deception and deception respectively, with offences occurring between 2014 and 2016. As they were minors at the time, the judge imposed one-year suspended sentences on both men, deeming it unjust to imprison them. The family allegedly used false identities to submit personal injury claims, resulting in payouts of €9,370, €15,000, and €6,155. Grandmother Winnifred Lawrence was separately sentenced last year to three and a half years, with 18 months suspended, for similar offences.
Kaitlyn Winston, a 19‑year‑old maternity care assistant, claimed she was forced to quit after a porter sexually assaulted her on 3 May 2022 by putting his hands on her waist. An independent investigation upheld the assault on the balance of probabilities. The porter, a man in his 30s, was kept employed after a disciplinary process that issued a final written warning, removed his allowance and transferred him to a different department. Winston returned to work in February 2023, encountered the porter twice that day, and felt unsupported and intimidated. She took sick leave on 24 February and resigned on 4 May 2023, citing lack of management support and that her complaint was not taken seriously. The Workplace Relations Commission rejected her unfair dismissal and employment equality claims, ruling that the hospital had taken reasonable steps to protect her and that her resignation was not a constructive dismissal. The case is now subject to appeal.
Kenneth Philpott, 64, of River Forest, Leixlip, was stopped by Gardaí for driving in a bus lane and was found to be carrying over €200,000 worth of cannabis. He pleaded guilty to possession of the drugs on 10 April 2024 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Garda Ronan Doolin reported that the vehicle was searched after the driver, who was nervous and cooperative, claimed there were packages in the car. Gardaí seized 7 kg of cannabis in taped packages, valued at €140,000, and later found an additional €80,000 worth of cannabis at Philpott's home. Philpott admitted that he had been pressured by parties who had taken advantage of his €2,400 gambling debt to traffic the drugs. He had no prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan, taking into account Philpott's cooperation, good history, work record and the fear and coercion involved, set a headline sentence of six years but reduced it to three years imprisonment.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Rachel Redmond, 34, continues before Mr Justice Paul Burns. Ms Redmond, from Coolock, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of assisting Wayne Cooney to evade prosecution for the murder of Jordan Davis on May 22, 2019. The prosecution alleges she drove Cooney from the scene and checked him into the Clayton Hotel near Dublin Airport. Evidence presented includes testimony from Ashling McNally, former partner of Robert Redmond, who stated she collected Robert from Belcamp Lane at 4:13 pm, minutes after the shooting. Robert Redmond, Ms Redmond's brother, previously pleaded guilty in May 2013 to possessing heroin worth almost €37,000 and was sentenced to five years in prison. Detective Garda Shane Kelly identified Cooney in CCTV footage, while hotel staff confirmed a booking under Ms Redmond's name. The jury is tasked with determining if Ms Redmond knew or believed Cooney committed the murder. The trial was adjourned and is scheduled to continue on Tuesday.
Lee Nolan, 28, of Beechbrook Lawn, The Donaghies, Dublin 13, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison, with the final nine months suspended on strict conditions, after pleading guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to drug offences. He admitted to acting as a drug dealer, storing over €80,000 worth of cannabis in his home, and driving a car while intoxicated with drugs and without insurance in the Lucan area on 25 April 2023. Nolan claimed he had been misdiagnosed with Non‑Hodgkin lymphoma and used cannabis as a cheaper treatment, which led to debt and subsequent drug dealing. He was also given a four‑year driving disqualification from the date of his release. The judge noted his medical history and the impact of his offences on society. The case was prosecuted by Pieter Le Vert BL and represented by Gerardine Small SC.
Patrick Lawrence (54) was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to deception and attempted deception between 2013 and 2018. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two-year prison term, acknowledging Lawrence's medical and mental health issues but deeming the conduct serious wrongdoing. His wife, Eileen Lawrence (52), also pleaded guilty to deception and attempted deception between 2010 and 2016. The judge noted her significant involvement but cited her role as a primary carer for a son with additional needs as a factor against immediate imprisonment. The matter was adjourned, with Judge Nolan indicating he would reflect over the weekend before imposing a sentence on Tuesday. The court heard that the couple used false identities to pursue personal injury claims, resulting in payouts of €9,370 and €15,000 respectively. Their mother-in-law, Winnifred Lawrence (74), was jailed last year for three and a half years, with the final 18 months suspended, for similar claims between 2012 and 2014. She fraudulently received €23,150. The investigation was triggered when a private investigator photographed the family attending medical appointments under false names.