A 24-year-old man, Valeriu Melnic, has been jailed for eight years for the manslaughter of his sister's partner, Ion Daghi, following a fatal stabbing in Co Kildare in May 2024. Melnic told gardai he was so drunk he couldn't remember the incident, but the court found his self-induced intoxication was an aggravating factor. The jury rejected the defence's claims of intoxication and provocation as mitigating factors, though they found him not guilty of murder. During the trial, evidence showed that Melnic had threatened to kill Mr Daghi before stabbing him in the chest with a kitchen knife. The judge noted that Melnic had armed himself with a knife and initiated the altercation. He also acknowledged the victim's mother's heartrending impact statement, describing the loss as irreplaceable. Melnic had pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder. The judge considered his guilty plea and cooperation with gardai as mitigating factors but noted his lack of insight into his wrongdoing.
Patrick Quinn, a recidivist conman with 49 previous convictions, received a fully suspended 18-month sentence for deceiving a recruitment firm by taking €1,100 for accountancy work he never completed. Quinn, who was found five years after the crime through a Crimecall appeal, pleaded guilty to one count of deception. The court heard that Quinn, a chronic gambler, had misrepresented his qualifications and failed to complete the work, leading to the firm's strike-off. Despite his extensive criminal history, Quinn has been in recovery and attended Gamblers Anonymous. The judge acknowledged the seriousness of the offense but noted Quinn's efforts to lead a prosocial life and ordered the €1,100 to be returned to the victim. The suspended sentence reflects the judge's consideration of Quinn's rehabilitation and the impact of the crime on the victim's business.
A 24-year-old man with a long criminal history was jailed for two years and six months after pleading guilty to money laundering. Eoin Wiley had €41,920 pass through his bank account despite only receiving €120 per week in social welfare. He had 155 previous convictions for various offences, including assault and driving violations. Detective Garda Keith Colman described Wiley as a recidivist offender known to gardai. His bank records showed multiple deposits from unknown third parties, and cash was withdrawn from ATMs. The Department of Social Protection confirmed Wiley received Jobseeker's Allowance and was not employed. Although arrested for money laundering, no evidence emerged during his interview. He was charged and entered a signed plea. His defence highlighted his ADHD diagnosis, drug issues, and family responsibilities. Judge Orla Crowe suspended the final three months of his sentence.
The full cost of the damage to James 'Mago' Gately's Dublin home, which was seized by the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB), has yet to be calculated, the High Court has been told. Gately's house, which he renovated at a cost of €440K, was sold at auction for €308K. The court heard that the property was severely damaged after the CAB seized it, and repairs were made before the sale. David Dodd BL, for CAB, requested an adjournment to calculate the repair costs. The court previously ruled that Gately and his former partner, Charlene Lam, had funded their lavish lifestyle with proceeds of crime. Lam, who vacated the property before the damage occurred, is entitled to €11K from the sale. The case continues with the matter adjourned for mention next month. Gately, who has never been convicted of serious offenses, has been linked to organized crime but has survived multiple attempts on his life.
Adrienne Doyle, a mother-of-two, is challenging Bristol Myers Squibb's attempt to claw back parental leave payments she received in error. The tribunal heard that the company's eligibility criteria for enhanced parental leave was not communicated to Doyle at the time of her application, leading to an overpayment. The company initially demanded she repay €20,800 within three months, a request Doyle found unreasonable. The company later revised the amount to €2,000 less but still seeks repayment. Doyle argues that the company's failure to disclose the criteria constituted an error, and she is seeking a ruling that the payments were properly made. The tribunal is considering whether the company's actions were justified and whether the repayment demands are excessive. The case highlights the importance of clear communication of company policies to employees.
Aaron Waddington, 36, of Louglinstown Park, Loughlinstown, Co Dublin, was sentenced to three years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to the burglary of a 94-year-old man's home on March 14 last. Judge Martin Nolan reduced a headline sentence of five years to three years, taking into account Waddington's guilty plea and mitigating factors, including his immediate departure when confronted by the victim. The sentence was backdated to March of this year, when Waddington first went into custody. The court heard that Waddington entered the property by smashing a window with a brick, cutting his leg and leaving a blood trail that linked him to the crime. He stole two watches before being stopped nearby. The victim, who struck the intruder with a shoehorn, described Waddington as "docile." A victim impact statement noted the elderly man's ongoing distress and anxiety. Waddington has a history of offending, including drugs, road traffic offences, criminal damage, and theft. His defence counsel highlighted his drug addiction and remorse, noting he is a father of three.
A woman who was coerced into stealing nearly €15,000 from her employer has received a fully suspended sentence. Carla Keegan (28) told gardai that masked men threatened to hurt her brother if she didn't carry out the theft. On February 10, 2024, Keegan took the cash from the safe of the Paddy Power bookmakers in Clondalkin and left it at an undisclosed drop-off point before returning to work. Later that day, she contacted the shop's security manager and confessed. She said two masked men had approached her and told her that her home was under surveillance. One of the men handed her a note referencing her brother, who was in custody, warning that they would be able to get to him easily. Keegan attended by appointment with gardaí and gave a version of her movements after leaving the shop, which was supported by CCTV footage. Carla Keegan pleaded guilty.
A prosecution counsel has urged the jury to consider whether the accused, Billy Burns, is attempting to 'pull the wool' over their eyes by feigning psychosis to secure a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. In his closing speech, Mr Sean Guerin SC argued that Burns's violent actions towards his mother were driven by drug and alcohol abuse rather than mental illness. He highlighted the lack of evidence supporting Burns's claim of psychosis and pointed out inconsistencies in his statements to psychiatrists. The defense, led by Anthony Sammon SC, countered that the prosecution's psychiatrist did not effectively challenge the defense's expert opinion. The case centers on whether Burns's mental disorder absolves him of criminal responsibility, with the prosecution emphasizing that Burns understood the nature of his actions and was not genuinely suffering from psychosis. The jury must determine if Burns's claim of insanity is a fabrication to avoid conviction. The trial continues with the judge's charge to the jury expected to be delivered tomorrow.
A senior judge at the Central Criminal Court expressed frustration over the State's inability to provide psychiatric assessments for criminal trials, calling it 'completely unacceptable.' The judge, Mr Justice Paul McDermott, highlighted the challenges faced by a father who has attended court over 13 times due to delays in securing a forensic psychiatrist to assess his wife, Ruth Purcell Healy, who is charged with the murder of their six-year-old son. The judge emphasized the importance of psychiatric evaluations in ensuring fair trials and expressed sympathy for the father's ongoing ordeal. Despite efforts by the prosecution to obtain a psychiatric report, the HSE-employed psychiatrists are not legally obligated to provide assessments for criminal cases, leading to significant delays. The judge urged the executive to establish a reliable structure for psychiatric assessments to determine if mental conditions played a role in the alleged offense. The case has been listed for mention on December 3, with the judge noting serious deficiencies in obtaining forensic reports for accused persons over the past two years.
The Central Criminal Court trial of seven men accused of sexually abusing a deaf family member continued, with the jury hearing evidence from the complainant regarding Accused B. The 48-year-old uncle is accused of eight counts of rape, oral rape, and anal rape between December 2008 and December 2010, charges he denies. The complainant, testifying via videolink with sign language interpreters and a linguistics intermediary, described alleged incidents, including one on New Year's Eve 2013. The court paused proceedings after Ms Justice Caroline Biggs identified difficulties in the complainant's communication regarding timelines. She instructed counsel to adapt their questioning methodology to ensure clarity, noting the witness's limited linguistic ability to convey sequence. The trial involves six other accused: Accused A (55), accused of one count of rape; Accused C (34), facing 45 counts against the complainant and additional charges involving two sisters; Accused D (33), who pleaded not guilty to 19 counts of rape and three of anal rape; Accused E (32), denying nine counts of anal rape and seven of rape; Accused F (32), denying five counts; and Accused G (45), denying one count of rape. All defendants deny the allegations. The trial, expected to last four months, was adjourned to allow legal teams to regroup and refine their approach to the witness.
Jamie Robinson (25) of Windmill Avenue, Crumlin, has been jailed for two years for his role in the Dublin riots on November 23, 2023. Robinson pleaded guilty to one count of theft at a Gala store on Abbey Street and one count of rioting at Dame Street. He was under a suspended sentence for criminal damage at the time of the offences and has 24 previous convictions. During the riots, which followed a stabbing that injured a five-year-old girl and others, Robinson was seen looting eight packets of cigarettes from the Gala store and helping to place rubbish on the street, which was later set on fire. Garda footage showed Robinson entering the store with other looters, who smashed the glass door and damaged the shop shutters. The store owner described the damage as devastating, with items such as cigarettes, wine, spirits, and confectionary stolen, and the total cost of damage estimated at €87,500.
An offender who was on temporary release when he took part in an assault that left the victim with a serious brain injury has been jailed for five years. John Connors (28) of Upper Rathmines Road, Rathmines Co Dublin, pleaded guilty on a trial date to assault causing serious harm to Christopher McDonagh on January 24, 2021. His co-accused, Michael Joyce (28), was previously sentenced to seven and a half years in May 2022. The court heard that gardai arrived at an apartment complex and found Joyce and Connors heading upstairs with blood on Joyce's hands and a cut to his forehead. Inside the apartment, two fire extinguishers and bloodstains were found. Mr McDonagh was discovered in the back garden with a serious head injury and lost 11 teeth. Connors was arrested but initially deemed unfit for interview due to intoxication. He was eventually interviewed four times and commented that the video footage of the assault was 'disgusting'.
Adeleke Adelani, 27, of Riverside View, Lower Main Street, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, has been sentenced to a consecutive 21-month prison term for laundering €100,397 in criminal cash in November 2019 and in January 2020, and for laundering the proceeds of crime on dates between October 2018 and February 2021. Adelani pleaded guilty to these charges. The court heard that €124,000 passed through his bank accounts, with only €3,500 accounted for, primarily from social welfare payments. The State's case is that Adelani was not involved in setting up the invoice redirection scams but was a recruiter for money mule bank accounts to facilitate the thefts. The court heard that the money ended up in the bank account of a 41-year-old Dublin woman who received a suspended prison sentence in March 2022. Adelani admitted to withdrawing cash and purchasing high-value items. Gardai found 50 images of other people's bank accounts on his phone. Adelani has previous convictions for assault, false imprisonment, burglary, and production of an article. He is currently serving a partially suspended seven-year sentence with a release date in November 2029. The judge stated that Adelani was 'up to his neck in money laundering' and that he was procuring bank accounts for substantial rewards. The 21-month sentence will run consecutive to his existing sentence.
A Californian gambling addict has been jailed for four years after being caught trying to smuggle nearly €300,000 worth of cannabis through Dublin airport. Jacob Napolitano (28) arrived in Ireland on an Aer Lingus flight from Los Angeles last May when a customs officer became suspicious of his behaviour. An X-ray scan of his bags revealed multiple vacuum-packed packages containing cannabis, with a total weight of just over 17 kilos. The estimated street value of the drugs was €288,842. Napolitano pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawful importation of a controlled substance. He told gardai that he had a gambling problem and had accrued a US$10,000 debt. He claimed he did not pack the bag but knew it contained cannabis. His defence highlighted that he came from a good family and that his parents and siblings had travelled from California for the sentence hearing.
An Irish father who claims the Polish State stole his child has been given a court date for a hearing regarding his case against the Irish State for not assisting in the child's return. The father, who cannot be identified to protect the child's identity, accused Polish authorities of 'severe corruption' and said they had 'declared war' on him. He is seeking court orders directing the Irish State to take immediate action at the highest EU levels to help return his child, who is an Irish citizen. The child was taken to Poland by her mother in February 2024 without the father's consent. Despite a Polish court order for the child's return, the father has been unable to locate her. The Polish order is being appealed for the second time by the children's ombudsman in Poland.
On 22 January 2025, Ahmed Ramic, 26, of Brookview Court, Tallaght, crashed a DriveYou car‑sharing vehicle into a ditch on Killakee Road, Rathfarnham, after Garda Mark Cullen, in an unmarked patrol car, attempted to stop it. Cullen had been patrolling because several DriveYou cars had been reported stolen. He followed the vehicle for about a minute at speed before it left the road and crashed. Ramic had initially pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving under section 53, but the court accepted a plea to the lesser section 52 careless driving charge. Defence counsel argued Ramic was unaware of the unmarked Garda car and that the vehicle belonged to his former girlfriend's father. The court found the driving reached the threshold for careless but not dangerous driving, spared Ramic a second disqualification, and remanded him to a restorative‑justice driving‑awareness programme with the case adjourned to 13 February. The judge noted Ramic's remorse and disappointment.
On 22 March, Stephen Hall, 40, was arrested near the Cheeverstown Luas stop after Gardaí observed him leaving the Glenveagh Properties building site with a stolen generator. The generator, valued at about €500, had been taken minutes earlier. Hall pleaded guilty to possessing the stolen generator, trespassing on the site and having cannabis at locations in Tallaght. Gardaí also found a small amount of suspected cannabis worth €20. He was remanded to Green Street courthouse for a drug‑treatment programme and probation assessment.
In November 2025 the Workplace Relations Commission ruled that Charlene Maleady's constructive dismissal complaint was statute‑barred because she filed it more than six months after resigning in September 2023. Maleady, an international relations worker who rose from intern in 2011 to a €67,000‑a‑year national protection and programme officer, said she was demoted and isolated after former chief of mission Lalini Veerassamy was reassigned in 2023 following staff complaints. She alleged that Veerassamy's management style increased working hours, pressured staff, and humiliated her, and that she was branded a "troublemaker" and "racist" by colleagues. Maleady claimed she had sought help from UN HR and occupational health, but her role was largely reassigned during maternity leave. The tribunal found no jurisdictional issue but dismissed the claim as late.
Helen O'Leary, 75‑year‑old sister of the deceased Miriam Burns, told the jury that she had spoken to Miriam on the phone three weeks before Miriam's death, saying she would have to let her son Billy "go", but Miriam did not want to hear it. O'Leary described Billy as having a manic episode linked to bipolar disorder at the time of the killing, shouting and talking to himself, and being drug‑addicted. She recalled that Miriam had called her upset, saying Billy had "gone out the door" and was "the worst ever that night". O'Leary also said Billy had called her a "fu**ing bitch" and that his siblings were afraid of him. The trial heard two consultant psychiatrists: Eugene Morgan, who said Billy qualified for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity, and Stephen Monks, who said Billy understood the nature of his actions.
Michael Murphy, a solicitor with the Director of Public Prosecutions, brought an equality claim under the Employment Equality Act 1998 alleging discrimination because of his alcoholism. He claimed he was denied the opportunity to prepare murder cases and that his condition was not accommodated. The Workplace Relations Commission, after hearing evidence that Murphy had undergone residential treatment for alcoholism in early 2019 and had disclosed his condition to his line manager, found that his allegations were speculative. The adjudicator noted that Murphy had not formally requested a transfer or accommodation for health reasons and that his claims of unfair treatment were not supported by evidence. Consequently, the WRC rejected Murphy's claim, ruling that he had not been treated less favourably by the DPP. The decision was published on 18 November 2025.
A Muslim security guard, Rana Shaheer Ebrahim, who claimed a colleague at the National Gallery of Ireland slipped rashers into his bag, has lost his claim for racial and religious discrimination. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) rejected his statutory complaints against the National Gallery of Ireland and staffing agency Osborne Recruitment. Adjudication officer Niamh O'Carroll expressed serious concerns about the authenticity of the forms submitted by Ebrahim. Gallery management stated that Ebrahim was let go early from a temporary contract in May 2024 due to persistent punctuality issues. He had been rostered for 35 shifts and was late for 11 of them. Despite being placed on a performance improvement plan, Ebrahim did not raise any discrimination claims before losing his job. Ebrahim alleged that a colleague used a racial slur and that pork rashers were placed in his bag during Ramadan. However, the WRC found no evidence of discrimination, noting that Ebrahim did not follow the proper grievance process.
Omar Ahmed, 30, was sentenced to four years in prison after a court found him in possession of 23.1 kg of cannabis worth €420,080 at Dublin Airport. Ahmed arrived on a flight from Doha on 7 July and was arrested when the drugs were discovered in his luggage. He pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply and admitted responsibility for the suitcase, though he claimed he believed it contained phones and gold. Ahmed has three prior convictions in the United Kingdom and had been in custody since his arrest. His defence argued he had no financial interest in the drugs and was acting under financial duress, but the judge accepted that he was transporting the drugs for a financial reward. The judge departed from the mandatory minimum of ten years, citing Ahmed's guilty pleas and mitigation, and imposed a four‑year sentence backdated to the time he entered custody.
In a Dublin Airport Garda Station incident on 15 October 2022, Stuart Kelly, 36, was found guilty of assaulting two female gardai. He pulled a clump of hair from one garda's head, causing pain and a missing hair strand, and shoved another garda against a wall, resulting in soft‑tissue injuries. Kelly, who had just returned from the UK and was intoxicated, resisted arrest and struggled to be confined. He pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm and one count of common assault. The court, noting his prior convictions and the distress he was in, imposed an 18‑month suspended prison sentence with strict conditions. He was directed to pay €800 to the first victim and €200 to the second, or to charity if they declined. The judge praised the gardai for their assistance during the incident.
An unlicenced, uninsured driver, John McDonagh, aged 20, was jailed for 32 months for dangerous driving after striking a 60‑plus‑year‑old victim on Ballymun Road on 6 July 2023. The victim, a supervisory worker on the Dublin light rail project, was wearing protective gear and was crossing the road toward the grass meridian when McDonagh collided with him. The victim sustained serious head injuries and fractures, spent almost a year in hospital, and is now a wheelchair user requiring constant assistance. McDonagh pleaded guilty, failed to remain at the scene, and later admitted to smoking cannabis, which tested positive. He had no licence or insurance, and the court noted no evidence of excessive speed. The judge imposed a 32‑month sentence and a five‑year driving disqualification. The victim's impact statement highlighted the life‑changing injuries and the emotional toll on his family.
The Court of Appeal has reduced the jail term for a Limerick man, who was 16 at the time of offending, regarding two separate violent disorder offences. The appellant, who cannot be named due to his age when first appearing in court, had previously been sentenced by Judge Colin Daly to three and a half years for an August 2021 home invasion in Limerick, with the final six months suspended. At that same sitting, he received a consecutive two-year sentence for an August 2023 attack at a filling station, where he pleaded guilty to using a slash hook. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, ruled that the appellant's status as a minor was a salient mitigating factor. Mr Justice McCarthy found that the sentencing judge erred by setting a headline sentence of seven years. He determined an appropriate headline sentence of three years for both offences, reduced to two years after mitigation. The two-year sentence for the filling station offence was ordered to run consecutively to the other sentence but was suspended for two years, conditional on the applicant entering a bond to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. Consequently, the court ordered the defendant to serve two years in prison.
Conor Meyler, a Tyrone senior inter‑county footballer and 2021 All‑Ireland winner, has filed a defamation claim against the Irish Post and its parent company, The Color Company (TM) Ltd. The High Court heard that the Irish Post published an article in January 2025 containing untrue details about Meyler. He alleges the article caused him loss, damage, inconvenience, expense, distress, embarrassment, annoyance and anxiety. The court allowed the Color Company to join as a co‑defendant and adjourned the case for a later hearing.
An 89-year-old man from Rockfield, Knock, Claremorris, Co Mayo, has been sentenced to three years' imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for historical sexual abuse of a young child. Pat Salmon pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual assault committed in 1995 when the victim was five years old. Justice Caroline Biggs imposed a headline sentence of five years, reduced to three years to account for mitigating factors including Salmon's guilty plea, advanced age, and medical conditions. The court heard that Salmon, a former healthcare professional and volunteer, had been regarded as a respected community figure. The victim, now an adult, provided a powerful impact statement describing the lasting trauma of the abuse. The judge commended her courage in coming forward, noting that such cases depend on victims' willingness to participate in prosecution.
Michael Rostas, 24, was on bail when he stole a watch from a man who had fallen ill after leaving a nightclub. The victim, who was later admitted to St James's Hospital, had the watch, a sentimental item from his father, returned to him. CCTV footage showed Rostas taking the watch while the victim lay on the ground. Rostas pleaded guilty to one count of theft on 1 October 2022 and had two prior convictions. Judge Pauline Codd described the offence as vile and morally reprehensible. She imposed a headline sentence of four years, but after considering Rostas's guilty plea, age, homelessness, and a positive probation report, she sentenced him to three years' imprisonment suspended in full for three years. Rostas paid €500 to the court as a gesture of remorse and was ordered to pay an additional €500 to the victim, at least €50 per month.
The Irish Heart Foundation was ordered by the Workplace Relations Commission to pay a 70‑year‑old former stroke support group coordinator, Seamus Casey, salary arrears and €15,000 in compensation for ageist discrimination. Casey had been employed by the charity since 2016, after working for the Volunteer Stroke Scheme. He claimed that the charity forced him to retire at 65, despite his willingness to continue, and that he was paid less than younger colleagues with the same title. The tribunal found no objective justification for the lower pay and concluded that Casey had been discriminated against under the equal pay provisions of the Employment Equality Act 1998. The charity had already paid €4,453.60 in back pay; the commission ordered an additional €1,363.12 in arrears and €15,000 in compensation for the discriminatory treatment. The decision was based on the evidence presented at the hearing and the tribunal's findings of age‑based pay disparity.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Billy Burns, 55, who is accused of murdering his mother, Miriam Burns, 75, by reason of insanity, continued before Justice Karen O'Connor. Mr Burns has pleaded not guilty to the charge. State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster testified that the deceased died from asphyxia by manual strangulation associated with blunt force trauma to the head. She reported extensive trauma, including bruises on the head, face, neck, back, and legs, a fractured nasal bone, and bruising consistent with multiple blows. Evidence of petechial haemorrhages and neck bruising indicated manual strangulation, while abrasions suggested defensive injuries or suffocation. Dr Bolster stated that no significant natural illness, drugs, or alcohol contributed to the death. The prosecution alleges the fatal injuries were inflicted on August 12 or 13, 2022, while the body was found on August 15. Defence psychiatrist Eugene Morgan stated Mr Burns meets the criteria for the special verdict due to bipolar affective disorder, whereas prosecution psychiatrist Dr Stephen Monks argued he understood the nature of his actions. The matter is ongoing and has not been finalised.
The Special Criminal Court has adjourned Sean McGovern's legal aid application to November 24, stating it remains unsatisfied with the documentation provided. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor emphasized that the court is not a rubber stamp and must exercise due diligence regarding taxpayers' money, noting that instructions received were scant. McGovern, aged 39, with a previous address at Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, is charged with the murder of Noel Kirwan on December 22, 2016, at St Ronan's Drive, Clondalkin. He also faces charges of directing a criminal organisation in connection with that murder, facilitating a criminal organisation in the murder of Mr Kirwan, and similar offences related to a conspiracy to murder James Gately and the surveillance of Gately. Counsel Seán Guerin SC argued that the legal team could not travel to Portlaoise to take instructions without legal aid being assigned, claiming the necessary forms were completed. However, the court ordered that further instructions be taken from McGovern. The matter was previously adjourned on several occasions, and McGovern was extradited from the United Arab Emirates to face these charges, with his lawyers having previously raised concerns about the legality of his return.
Conor O'Brien, 29, of Kilpatrick, Ardee, Co Louth, pleaded guilty to all six charges before the Special Criminal Court. He admitted to facilitating a criminal organisation's efforts to import restricted weapons and ammunition from the US to Ireland between February 2023 and July 2024. He also pleaded guilty to five counts of possessing firearm components in suspicious circumstances, including AR-15 and Anderson AM-15 barrels, Sig Sauer pistol frames, and slides, seized in Ardee in July 2024. The court noted the organisation's function was importing and reassembling restricted firearms for distribution to other criminal groups. O'Brien was remanded on continual bail to appear for sentencing on January 12. His co-accused, Mark McCourt, 34, of Edenreive, Newry, Co Down, was previously jailed by the Special Criminal Court after pleading guilty to similar charges of facilitating the importation of restricted weapons and possessing firearms components. McCourt had offered 10 pipe bombs as a free gift to seal a €75,000 deal to supply smuggled guns and ammunition. The gang leader was jailed for 12 years two weeks prior after being caught in a raid where parts for six weapons and hundreds of rounds of ammunition were seized.
Conor O'Brien, 24, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for his role in the fatal stabbing of Darren Quigley at New Oak Estate, Carlow, on October 21, 2024. O'Brien pleaded guilty to possession of a knife in a public place with the intention of causing injury, contrary to section 9(5) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990. A co-accused is separately charged with the murder of Mr. Quigley. Mr Justice Paul McDermott described O'Brien as an active participant who helped set up the confrontation, rather than an idle bystander. The judge set a headline sentence of six years but reduced it to four years and six months, taking into account O'Brien's early guilty plea, remorse, and cooperation. The final year of the sentence was suspended for two years, making O'Brien a suitable candidate for probation supervision with family support. A further charge of possessing a metal bar was taken into consideration. The sentence was backdated to October 2024. The court acknowledged the devastating impact on the Quigley family, including two young children who lost their father.
In the Central Criminal Court, Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring sentenced Mark Lee (44) and Anthony Delappe (19) to life imprisonment for the murder of Josip Strok (31) at Grangeview Way, Clondalkin, on April 3, 2024. Both defendants had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The judge stated that Lee acted on weak hearsay evidence that the deceased and his friend, David Druzinec (29), had assaulted a child. Lee was also sentenced to six years for assaulting Mr Druzinec causing him harm, while Delappe received three years for the same offence; these sentences will run concurrently with their life terms. The judge noted that Delappe's offence was not aggravated by hatred and that he was just past his 18th birthday. Connor Rafferty (21), who had pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Druzinec, was found not guilty of murder by a jury last month. Ms Justice Ring will sentence Rafferty for the assault causing harm next week. The court heard that Lee and Delappe struck Mr Strok repeatedly, with Delappe using a plastic pickaxe handle, while Rafferty struck him with a half-crutch. Mr Strok suffered a catastrophic brain injury and never regained consciousness. Ms Justice Ring described the attack as brutal and noted that Lee had made discriminatory online statements prior to the incident.
A Carlow father and son, Michael Slater Senior (61) and Michael Slater Junior (36), have been sentenced for multiple assault charges. Both pleaded guilty to three charges of assault causing harm to three victims at Heatherhill Square on August 28, 2024. Slater Jnr further pleaded guilty to producing a wooden bat and issuing threats to his partner and her sister, and to assault causing harm to his partner on October 21, 2024. Slater Snr received a six-month suspended sentence for an earlier assault, which was backdated to when he was first remanded in custody last November. Judge Eugene O'Kelly imposed a three-year suspended sentence on Slater Snr, taking into account his guilty plea and troubled background. For Slater Jnr, Judge O'Kelly set a headline sentence of four and a half years and a concurrent term of three years and nine months, which was suspended on strict conditions. The sentence was backdated to when Slater Jnr was first remanded in custody last November. The matter was adjourned for the submission of victim impact statements, but none were provided. Both Slaters were described as having a history of violent tendencies, with Slater Jnr having previous convictions for assault causing harm and serious harm. The court heard that the assaults occurred during the wake of Slater Jnr's stillborn child, with the second assault involving the use of a weapon and resulting in the victim requiring surgery to repair a broken jaw. The sentences were described as consecutive, leading to a total of ten and a half years for Slater Jnr, with the final four years suspended on strict conditions.
A jury deadlocked in a High Court case brought by former Garda John Bowe, aged 41, who alleged he was wrongfully struck by a 6'8″ Garda with a baton after a high‑speed pursuit outside Bunclody, Co. Wexford, on 5 December 2014. Bowe, who had been convicted of dangerous driving following the chase, claimed the baton strike by Superintendent Rory Sheriff caused injuries and a diagnosis of functional neurological disorder. Sheriff maintained the strike was proportionate and justified, citing a 25‑minute chase at speeds over 140 kph and an alleged attempt by Bowe to attack him with a metallic object that turned out to be keys with bottle openers. The case also named the Garda Commissioner, the Attorney General and Ireland.
A 37-year-old man from Castlefin, County Donegal, has been sentenced to five years imprisonment by the Central Criminal Court for the rape of an 18-year-old woman at an address in Convoy on 14 January 2018. Desmond Leitch was found guilty by jury following a trial in which evidence showed the victim was heavily intoxicated when she was taken to a spare bedroom and assaulted. The court heard that Leitch has previous convictions for rape and stalking. Mr Justice David Keane imposed the sentence taking into account Leitch's diagnosis of schizophrenia and mild intellectual dysfunction, though a probation report assessed him as posing a high risk of sexual reoffending. The judge backdated the sentence to October 2024 and imposed four years of post-release supervision with the Probation Service, requiring Leitch to comply with all directions issued.
On 3 January 2025, 37‑year‑old Scott Capper drove at high speed through Sutton, Howth and Baldoyle, forcing garda patrol cars to take evasive action. He eventually stopped on St Margaret's Avenue, Raheny, where he fled the vehicle and threw bags of white powder. Gardai pursued him to Kilbarrack Road, where they found him covered in cocaine. The cocaine, valued at €5,700, was intended for his own use. Capper pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and possession of drugs for sale or supply. He has 29 prior convictions, including public order and traffic offences. The court noted he was unfit for interview after arrest but later cooperated once sober. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to 27 months' imprisonment, effective from 4 January, and banned him from driving for four years.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Johan Monzon, a 35‑year‑old Venezuelan, was sentenced to two years in prison for possession of cocaine for sale or supply at Dublin Airport on 20 May 2025. Monzon had been on a flight from Spain when he suffered severe seizures, leading to a diversion to Dublin where he was admitted to Beaumont Hospital. He had swallowed 48 cocaine pellets, one of which ruptured, and remained hospitalised for five weeks until 1 July. A garda witness estimated the street value of the drugs at €40,768. Monzon admitted to ingesting the pellets in Colombia, Brazil, France and Spain, and claimed he had not received the promised $3,000 payment. The judge back‑dated the sentence to the date of his arrest, noting his lack of family ties in Ireland and his financial desperation. The court did not discuss any further legal proceedings.
In a case heard at the District Court, Amer Alhajj Ahmed, a 27‑year‑old Norwegian citizen of Syrian origin, was found in possession of €201,860 in cash at Dublin Airport on 2 April. He admitted that the money had been given to him by a Syrian man he met at a mosque and that he intended to transport it to Istanbul to purchase Bitcoin. Ahmed claimed he was in financial difficulty due to health problems and had agreed to the arrangement after being approached in Dublin. The court accepted his early guilty plea and remorse, noting his good work history and personal circumstances. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Ahmed to three years and four months' imprisonment, emphasising that he must have known the money was illicit and that his decision was reckless. The judgment highlighted that the transporters of the money had chosen Ahmed as a low‑risk intermediary.
Ryan Carroll, 29, and two men broke into a man's Dublin home on 9 August 2022 after a littering dispute. They entered the house, shouted "chop his hand off," and used a blade to slash the victim's arm, chest, back, head and hand, cutting three fingers to the tendons. The victim suffered severe lacerations and required surgery. The attackers fled after a neighbour called Gardaí. Carroll, who had 37 prior convictions and was on bail for another offence, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, criminal damage and trespass while armed. He was sentenced by Judge Sinead McMullen to three years' imprisonment, with the court noting the attack was savage, unplanned and grossly disproportionate to the initial altercation. The sentence was imposed today.
The High Court has upheld a disciplinary tribunal finding against suspended Roscommon solicitor Declan O'Callaghan regarding professional misconduct over a 2006 land transfer in Mayo. Mr Justice Micheál O'Higgins dismissed three of the four complaints brought by Nirvanna Property Holdings Ltd, run by Tom Fleming, but upheld the finding that O'Callaghan acted for both the vendor and purchaser in a conflict of interest. The judge stated that acting for both sides in this transaction represented a serious falling short of professional standards, though he was not minded to conclude O'Callaghan was guilty of dishonesty. The court found it was not proven beyond reasonable doubt that the vendor was owed €250,000, nor that O'Callaghan provided inadequate services or improperly continued acting for the purchaser. O'Callaghan, who has been suspended since 2018 over a separate matter involving alleged client account deficits, had argued he was not given a fair hearing. The tribunal's original recommendation to strike him off the roll remains on hold. The matter was adjourned to the New Year for submissions on costs and the appropriate sanction.
Niall Ganley, a 33‑year‑old Dublin school teacher, was sentenced to two and a half years' imprisonment after a UK‑based vigilante group exposed his online grooming of children. In July 2023, the group reported that Ganley had initiated contact with a fake profile posing as a nine‑year‑old girl on Chat Avenue, sending sexualised messages, nude photos, and instructions for sexual acts. He also sent pornographic videos and a video of himself masturbating. Garda Lisa Finn presented evidence that Ganley had engaged in similar conduct with minors in 2016, including a 16‑year‑old and a 13‑year‑old, and had produced and possessed child sexual abuse material. Ganley pleaded guilty to inducing a child to participate in sexual activity, producing and possessing child sexual abuse material, and communicating with a child for sexual exploitation.
In a Dublin nightclub on 17 August 2019, Jason Aquino (29) smashed a pint glass into another man's face during a verbal dispute. The victim suffered serious eye injuries, requiring six days in hospital and ongoing treatment. Aquino was arrested, initially denied the incident, but accepted responsibility after CCTV evidence. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, violent disorder and production of an article. The court, hearing the victim's impact statement, imposed a headline sentence of eight years, reduced to four years, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. Aquino was ordered to pay €20,000 to the victim within three months. The judge noted Aquino's lack of prior convictions and his remorse, but emphasised the reckless nature of his conduct and the lasting harm to the victim. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the assault and the victim's life‑changing injuries.
Josh McEnroe, 24, of Dublin 8, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for his role in a firearm discharge incident in Dublin 2 on November 15, 2022. McEnroe pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting another person in possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a 32-month sentence, describing McEnroe's culpability as "in the middle" of the co-accused and towards the lower end. The court noted that McEnroe's two co-accused had already been sentenced in October 2023. Brandon Kelly, 21, pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition for an unlawful purpose and received a global seven-year sentence. Jamie Byrne, 28, pleaded to aiding and abetting the reckless discharge of a firearm and was jailed for 27 months. Evidence indicated that following a verbal altercation with a juvenile, McEnroe dropped a jacket, which the boy later retrieved. Kelly and Byrne subsequently returned on a motorbike, with Kelly appearing to carry a firearm, which was then discharged. No injuries were reported. McEnroe, who has 48 previous convictions, apologized to the court, stating he had turned his life around and is now drug-free and working part-time.
Two consultant psychiatrists have given conflicting opinions on whether Billy Burns, 55, who killed his mother Miriam Burns, 75, in August 2022, qualifies for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Dr Eugene Morgan, the defence's psychiatrist, testified that Burns was hypomanic at the time of the murder and later deteriorated to mania, with a diagnosis of bipolar affective disorder. He argued that Burns' mental illness meant he did not understand the nature or wrongness of his actions and could not refrain from them, satisfying the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. In contrast, Dr Stephen Monks, the Director of Public Prosecutions' psychiatrist, concluded that Burns' mania, though present, did not remove his capacity to understand the wrongness of his act and therefore did not support a special verdict. Both doctors were cross‑examined by the defence before Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury of eight men and four women.
Nathan Hutch, a 32-year-old appellant and nephew of Gerard "The Monk" Hutch, had his conviction discharged under the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, following an appeal to the District Court Appeals Court. In the District Court, Hutch had pleaded guilty to intoxication in a public place and was convicted of threatening, abusive, or insulting behaviour in a public place. He was originally sentenced to two months consecutive to an existing 18-month sentence for a separate matter. Sergeant Lee Kelly testified that Hutch was observed running from gardai near Talbot Street, Dublin city centre, and was described as "extremely aggressive" while intoxicated. Defence solicitor Andrew Molony argued that Hutch, who has 104 previous convictions, suffers from severe trauma and anxiety following the 2018 murder of his brother, and requested a probation bond to facilitate treatment. Judge Deirdre Browne discharged the conviction under Section 1(1)(ii) of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907. The conditions require Hutch to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for three years. He must also enter the supervision of probation services for 12 months after his release from custody and abide by their instructions. Judge Browne stated that if there is any breach, Hutch must turn up for conviction and sentence.
Marcus Hannon, 29, of Carlow, pleaded guilty at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court to threatening to kill his sister Lauren Hannon and assaulting her partner Cian Comerford during a family row on 13 March 2024. He doused the three of them in petrol, causing Lauren to swallow some liquid; none sustained injuries. Hannon, previously convicted of violent disorder, criminal damage and production of an article, had been on remand since the offence. He had earlier been acquitted of the manslaughter of his father, Marcus "Murt" Brennan, after a 2018 trial. The court set a headline sentence of five years, reduced to three years and nine months, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions, including 18 months of Probation Service engagement upon release. The sentence was back‑dated to March 2024. The case highlighted the family's troubled background and ongoing psychological support for Hannon in custody.
The President of the Court of Appeal, Ms Justice Caroline Costello, noted that several cases involving young offenders sentenced to life for murder are likely to be reviewed following a Supreme Court ruling that life sentences for child killers should only be imposed in exceptional circumstances. Two 17‑year‑olds have applied for extensions to challenge their sentences. Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC seeks more time for his client, who received a life sentence for the 2018 murder of Adam Muldoon, stabbed 183 times. Mr Ó Lideadha said many similar applications exist, but the DPP will advise the court. Solicitor Patrick Geraghty, representing the DPP, explained that the Supreme Court held life sentences with review are not recognised in law and that the DPP is examining cases where a review is possible. Mr Geraghty cited the case of a teenager convicted for the murder of Cameron Blair, noting it has been adjourned to December 5 for further consideration. The unnamed accused pleaded guilty.
Nobuhle Sibanda, Agapau Munashe Zvihari, Nombeko Hlabangana, Tatenda Ncube, Allen Phillip Ndhlovu, and Nicola Sibanda are applicants in a trial-stage hearing before the Workplace Relations Commission. They allege violations of the Payment of Wages Act 1991 against their former employer, Unity Healthcare Services Ltd. The applicants claim they paid recruitment fees of €2,000 to €3,600 to secure work permits but were left without promised employment or wages. They testified to living in freezing shared accommodation in County Cavan, where they allegedly pooled resources for basic necessities after promised weekly stipends ceased. The company actively disputes these complaints. During the hearing, applicants described threats regarding work permit cancellations and difficulties obtaining letters of no objection to accept alternative employment. The matter was adjourned by adjudication officer Breiffni O'Neill, who will hear evidence from a ninth complainant at a later date. No findings, sentences, or final disposals have been recorded, as the proceedings remain ongoing.