Barry Fowler, 30, was jailed for seven and a half years after pleading guilty to possessing over €370,000 of drugs for sale or supply. Gardaí traced him to a basement where a transit van contained €250,727 of cannabis, €103,404 of cocaine, €8,827 of heroin, €5,672 of amphetamines, €1,522 of cannabis resin and €2,000 of cannabis under his BMW's bonnet. He also pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a sawn‑off shotgun and 9mm bullets. Fowler, a father of one, had prior convictions for road traffic matters, common assault and a three‑year sentence for dangerous driving causing death in 2005. He claimed he held the drugs, weapons and €118,000 cash to offset a €60,000 drug debt. He had been in custody since April for breaching bail conditions after being arrested at Shannon Airport.
A Northern Ireland man, Samuel Devlin, aged 55, was arrested in Dublin after a massive car bomb was discovered at a hotel in County Dublin. Detectives found detonating cord in his rented apartment at Finnstown House, Lucan, where he had been staying under a false name. Devlin was caught "red‑handed" in possession of explosives, refusing to give his name, address or date of birth to the Gardaí. He had moved to the State in 2002 and had no family ties in the jurisdiction. The Special Criminal Court heard that the Special Detective Unit would allege that Devlin had rented the apartment to carry out an IRA operation at the hotel. He is charged with unlawful possession of PETN and membership of an unlawful organisation, Oglaigh na hEireann (IRA). The judge described him as a definite flight risk and remanded him in custody until his trial in February.
The High Court has adjourned the extradition hearing of Eric Eoin Marques, an Irishman alleged to be the owner and administrator of the anonymous hosting site Freedom Hosting. Marques, a 28-year-old resident of Mountjoy Square in central Dublin, is wanted by US authorities to face charges relating to conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography, as well as advertising and distributing such material. He has been in custody since his arrest in August 2013 after being refused bail due to flight risk concerns. Counsel for the respondent, Michael P O'Higgins SC, informed the court that Marques had been assessed by psychiatrist Patricia Casey and diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome. Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly criticized the failure to file written submissions prior to the hearing, describing the situation as "entirely unsatisfactory" and unfair to the court. She noted that the newly admitted affidavits would require time for review. Consequently, the matter was adjourned. Ms Justice Donnelly remanded Marques in custody until June 29th and scheduled the matter for mention on June 16th. The court also noted that the DPP had previously decided not to prosecute Marques in Ireland, a decision he sought to challenge via judicial review, which was initially refused but later granted leave by the Supreme Court in November 2014.
Stephen Hendrick, 47, of Ballymun, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to possessing a 7.62 mm Kalashnikov assault rifle and its components, as well as parts for Glock pistols, at his home on 15 November 2014. He also admitted unlawful possession of a flexible PETN explosive tube at the same address. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to holding 59 rounds of ammunition of various calibres and brands at Furry Park, Turnapin Great, Old Airport Road, Cloghran on 3 July 2013. The court remanded him in custody for sentencing on 15 May of the following year.
Aaron Weinrib, 37, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to eight theft and fraud charges for selling 20 bogus holiday packages between June and December 2010. He claimed to be an agent for "Top Flight" and sold packages to New York, Las Vegas and Cape Town, collecting €27,600. Gardaí received complaints in November 2010 from two men who paid €3,200 and €550 for non‑existent stays; both received forged Top Flight documents. Weinrib admitted the holidays were never booked, that he intended to refund victims, and that he had never worked for Top Flight. He has raised €9,900 and requested more time to pay compensation. The judge adjourned the case to 22 July, noting he will use half his €400 weekly wage to repay victims. The case remains at the pleading stage, with no custodial sentence imposed yet.
Marius Vardauskas, a 25‑year‑old Lithuanian resident of Ilford, Essex, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cocaine after he swallowed 49 pellets of the drug in an attempt to smuggle it into Ireland. The pellets were discovered on an X‑ray at a hospital following his arrest. Garda John O'Reilly reported that customs officers had been suspicious of Vardauskas after he was stopped for questioning following a flight from Madrid, which had originated in Brazil. He could not provide the required visa stamps or a Dublin address, and his luggage was scanned with no findings. Vardauskas denied concealing drugs, but the pellets were later confirmed to contain cocaine. He claimed he was pressured into the scheme and that his mother had been a victim of domestic violence in Lithuania, motivating him to raise money for her.
Parada Hermen Arteaga, a 65‑year‑old Bolivian national, was sentenced to four years' imprisonment for importing 1.28 kg of liquid cocaine into Ireland. He had swallowed 39 condoms filled with the drug, claiming he did so to earn money for his family after meeting a contact on the street. Arteaga was stopped by customs at Dublin Airport on 26 March 2014, admitted swallowing the condoms, and was taken to Beaumont Hospital for safety concerns. He pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where Judge Martin Nolan noted Arteaga's desperation and low position in the drug‑transport network. The sentence was back‑dated to March 2014. Arteaga had no prior convictions in Ireland or Bolivia. The case was prosecuted by Gerardine Small BL, with defence counsel Caroline Biggs SC arguing that Arteaga acted to support his ailing mother and was fully cooperative.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Patrick McCartan sentenced 25‑year‑old Slovakian Peter Mikulik to five years' imprisonment for smuggling nearly €50,000 of cocaine from Brazil into Ireland, with two years suspended. The judge ordered Mikulik to leave Ireland immediately upon release and to remain outside the country for five years, stating that the court could direct an EU citizen to depart. Prosecutor counsel argued that the court could not impose such a directive, but the judge rejected this view, insisting on the instruction. Mikulik pleaded guilty to importation of cocaine at Dublin Airport on 15 May 2014. He had been recruited by a man named "Tony" via an untraceable website, swallowed 72 pellets of cocaine in São Paulo, and was intercepted by Irish customs after returning via Rome. He admitted possession of the drug and was taken to hospital for stomach pains.
The extradition proceedings of Eric Eoin Marques, a 28-year-old resident of Mountjoy Square in central Dublin, were scheduled to proceed before the High Court on May 11. Marques is alleged to be the owner and administrator of an anonymous hosting site known as Freedom Hosting and is wanted by US authorities to face charges relating to conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography, as well as advertising and distributing child pornography. He has been in custody since his arrest in August 2013, having been refused bail due to concerns he represented a flight risk and might interfere with evidence. During the pretrial stage, counsel Mark Lynam BL informed the court that Doctor Patricia Casey visited Marques in the midlands in March but could not finalize a neurological report without consulting a neurologist. A report was due at the end of April. Counsel for the State urged Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly to consider the importance of the case. The court determined that the extradition hearing would go ahead on May 11, following the furnishing of the required neurological report. The matter was not concluded or finalised at this stage, with the hearing set for the specified date.
Liudas Vaisvilas, a 51-year-old Lithuanian former Russian Special Forces soldier, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexual assault at Terminal 2 in Dublin Airport on April 10, 2014. Judge Patrick McCartan suspended a three-year sentence on the condition that Vaisvilas keeps the peace for that duration and obeys any instructions from Probation Services. The judge had previously remanded Vaisvilas in custody for a full psychiatric assessment, expressing concern that his mental state could lead to further offending. The assessment concluded he was in a temporary state of mind due to extreme tiredness and recent bereavements. Judge McCartan noted Vaisvilas is at low risk of reoffending and is remorseful. Vaisvilas has been in custody since the offence because he could not pay the €1,500 High Court bail. He was previously sentenced to a six-month suspended sentence for a second sexual assault at Eddie Rocket's Diner. Defending counsel Dominic McGinn SC stated Vaisvilas had not slept for five or six days, had consumed vodka, and was experiencing flashbacks to his military service. Vaisvilas has lived in Ireland for nine years and worked in Letterkenny.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Jiri Vecernik, a 45‑year‑old Czech national residing in Tipperary, pleaded guilty to possession of a blank‑firing revolver found in his checked‑in luggage at Dublin Airport on 22 December 2013. The revolver, manufactured in Germany, could discharge cartridges containing a pepper‑spray‑type substance but was incapable of firing lethal ammunition. Vecernik had purchased the pistol online for €70, believing it would protect him after a physical altercation with a Slovak colleague over a dog. He claimed the incident had left him fearful that the colleague might return. Gardaí found no prior convictions for Vecernik, who had lived in Ireland since 2006 and worked as a handyman. The judge, citing the unusual circumstances and Vecernik's lack of criminal history, opted for a conviction under the Probation Act rather than a custodial sentence, noting that Vecernik had not breached any bail conditions and had fully cooperated with the investigation.
David Bersabe, a 38‑year‑old Spanish national, was sentenced to three years in prison after authorities discovered almost €8,000 of cannabis resin concealed in his body at Dublin Airport on 1 April 2014. Garda Kevin Nolan noted Bersabe had already passed 18 drug pellets before being arrested and spent the night in hospital passing the remainder. Bersabe pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and admitted he intended to sell half of the stash in Ireland and the rest in Austria. He had a prior 2011 conviction for importing 78 pellets of cannabis resin into Ireland.
In the 2015 trial of 42‑year‑old Graham Dwyer, the jury was shown video footage of him flying a model aeroplane at a family day on 19 August 2012, three days before the alleged murder of childcare worker Elaine O'Hara. The footage was presented by John Flynn, a member of the Roundwood Model Aeronautical Club, who confirmed Dwyer's participation in a 2011 competition and his flying of a blue and black Extra 300 electric plane on 24 June 2012. Flynn also verified that no club event occurred on 22 August 2012. Additional witnesses from the Shankill Radio Flying Club discussed a dead sheep found near the club and Dwyer's use of various cars. The trial also examined Dwyer's work records, confirming he worked a normal eight‑hour day on 22 August 2012, and noted that O'Hara's skeletal remains were found at Killakee on 13 September 2013.
In February 2015, Francis Lanigan, a 49‑year‑old Dublin resident, applied in the High Court to reduce his bail from €20,000 to €5,000. Lanigan, wanted in Northern Ireland for the 1998 murder of John Knocker, had been in custody since January 2013 after an arrest at a Dublin gym where he worked under the assumed name 'Kieran McCrory'. He had previously been denied bail in February 2013 as a flight risk, but was granted bail on 15 December 2014. His counsel, Dr Michael Forde SC, argued that the €20,000 bail was excessive, citing Lanigan's two‑year detention and the lack of a formal application to reduce the amount. The State's counsel, Tony McGillicuddy BL, maintained that the court's bail decision was final and could not be reopened. Lanigan's application was scheduled for review on 9 February 2015.
A 22‑year‑old Meath man, Graham McGuinness, was sentenced to four years in prison for driving a stolen car into a crowded viewing area at Dublin Airport. He pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a car and a second charge of dangerous driving. McGuinness, who had been disqualified from driving for ten years, drove recklessly up an embankment, jumped out of the moving car, and caused a large crowd of plane‑spotters to scatter. The judge, Martin Nolan, noted that McGuinness had "put the fear of God" into bystanders and suspended the final year of the sentence, citing his youth and potential for rehabilitation. McGuinness had 41 prior convictions, including criminal damage, theft, burglary, drug offences and threats to kill, and had struggled with alcohol and drugs. The court heard he had been in care from age 12 to 17 and had a very difficult, unsettled life with little stability.
The extradition case of Eric Eoin Marques, a 28-year-old resident of Mountjoy Square in central Dublin, was adjourned at the pretrial stage. US authorities allege that Marques is the owner and administrator of an anonymous hosting site known as Freedom Hosting, describing him as the "largest facilitator of child porn in the world." He is wanted to face charges relating to conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography, as well as advertising and distributing such material. Marques has been in custody since his arrest in August 2013, having been refused bail due to concerns he represented a flight risk and might interfere with evidence. During the hearing, his lawyers stated the case is listed for the High Court on May 11 and should not last more than three to four days. Ms Justice Donnelly determined there was no need for Marques to attend a mention date scheduled for February 10. She allowed five weeks for each party to file their first submissions. Consequently, the matter was adjourned, and Marques was remanded in custody until May 11.
Francis Lanigan, 49, remains in custody despite a High Court bail order. He is wanted in Northern Ireland for the 1998 murder of John Knocker, who was shot in a hotel car park in Dungannon. Lanigan was arrested in January 2013 on an extradition warrant and has been held for almost two years. He argues that extradition would pose a "significant risk to his life." The court noted that Lanigan had worked under the assumed name Kieran McCrory at a Dublin gym for 15 years, a fact discovered through a covert DNA test on a coffee cup. He was deemed a flight risk and refused bail in February 2013, but secured a fresh bail application on Monday.
Liudas Vaisvilas, 51, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to sexual assault at Terminal 2 in Dublin Airport on April 10, 2014. The defendant, of Glenveagh Court, Letterkenny, Co Donegal, was remanded in custody for sentencing in February next, pending a full psychiatric assessment and an updated probation report. Judge Patrick McCartan expressed concern that Vaisvilas's mental state could lead to repeat offences. Vaisvilas was previously sentenced to six months' suspended imprisonment for a second sexual assault at Eddie Rocket's Diner on O'Connell Street, which occurred hours after the airport incident. He also has one other conviction for road traffic offences. Defence counsel Dominic McGinn SC stated that Vaisvilas had not slept for several days, had consumed vodka, and was experiencing flashbacks related to his past service in the Russian Special Forces in Siberia. The court heard that Vaisvilas has been in custody since the offence because he was unable to pay the €1,500 required under his High Court bail. Judge McCartan noted that Vaisvilas will receive full credit for the time spent in custody. The matter was adjourned to February for final sentencing.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, French musician Serge Elmalem, aged 57 and without a fixed address, was convicted of simple possession of cocaine and two related charges of having the drugs for sale or supply at Dublin Airport on 11 February 2014. The court found that 1.84 kg of cocaine, valued at €123,000, had been hidden in a false bottom of his suitcase, discovered when customs officers x‑rayed him upon arrival from Madrid. Elmalem had previously denied any knowledge of the drugs, claiming a woman had handed him the bag in São Paulo, but he admitted the cocaine was in his possession. He had no prior convictions and had been remanded since the arrest. Judge Patricia Ryan, taking into account his serious health problems, sentenced him to eight years' imprisonment with the final four years suspended, back‑dating the sentence to his initial custody date.
The High Court has varied the bail terms of former Fianna Fáil politician Ivor Callely, permitting him to temporarily leave the jurisdiction. Callely, who was jailed for five months in July after admitting to fraudulently claiming €4,207.45 in Oireachtas expenses via forged invoices, sought to travel to Northern Ireland and Scotland during the Christmas period. He is currently on bail pending a judicial review challenging the Minister's and Wheatfield Prison Governor's refusal to grant him temporary release or one-third enhanced remission. While the State opposed the variation, High Court President Nicholas Kearns agreed, noting Callely was not a flight risk. The Judge emphasized that this variation did not conclude the matter, referencing a recent judgment by Mr Justice Peter Kelly that rejected dissident republican Michael McKevitt's claim for one-third remission on a sentence for directing terrorism. That ruling clarified uncertainties regarding enhanced remission versus the standard one-quarter entitlement. Consequently, Mr Justice Kearns directed that Callely's judicial review action proceed in the first week of the new legal term in January. Callely alleges the Minister's decision is unfair, influenced by his high profile, and inconsistent with the treatment of other prisoners.
Christiane Moringa Fortis, a 28‑year‑old Brazilian, was arrested at Dublin Airport after immigration officials discovered she had concealed 79 cocaine pellets in her vagina, bra, and sanitary towels. She had presented forged documents from an Irish college to appear as a student. Fortis admitted she was promised €3,500 for transporting the drugs, which she intended to use for legal fees to regain custody of her child. Judge Patrick McCartan denied a suspended sentence, citing her sophisticated concealment method and limited English. He imposed a four‑year prison term, backdated to her May 2014 arrest. The total drug weight was just under a kilogram, valued at €64,000. Fortis pleaded guilty to importation of drugs at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The case highlights the use of forged documentation and the role of a "mule" in drug smuggling operations.
Geraldine McMenamy, 48, of Tallaght, Dublin, was acquitted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of two charges of assisting an offender by impeding the apprehension or prosecution of her son, Paul McMenamy. The defendant pleaded not guilty to allegations that she assisted her son in escaping justice following an assault on care worker Nicola Murray on February 5, 2012. The State alleged that on February 8, 2012, Ms. McMenamy took her son to Dublin Airport and provided him with €400 cash to facilitate his departure. Judge Martin Nolan directed a not-guilty verdict on the charge of providing transport, citing a lack of evidence that she was driving the vehicle. A jury subsequently acquitted her of the charge of providing money. The court heard that Mr. McMenamy had assaulted Ms. Murray, leaving her unconscious, and was later arrested at a hotel near the airport with a one-way ticket to Manchester. In 2013, Mr. McMenamy was sentenced to six years, with one year suspended, after pleading guilty to assault causing serious harm to Ms. Murray. The defence argued that the defendant acted out of fear and that her son was a free man not yet charged. The matter was concluded with the acquittal of the defendant.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Geraldine McMenamy, aged 48, pleaded not guilty to two charges of assisting her son, Paul McMenamy, in evading arrest and prosecution for a serious assault on his then‑partner, Nicola Murray. The court heard that Paul assaulted Murray on 5 February 2012 and was arrested three days later at a hotel near the airport, carrying a one‑way ticket to Manchester and €600. Prosecutor Gerard Clarke SC alleged that Geraldine took Paul to the airport and gave him €400 to help him escape. Paul had previously been released without charge after his initial arrest. He later pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm and was sentenced in 2013 to six years' imprisonment, one year suspended. Geraldine had earlier told Gardaí that she feared her son and had been threatened by him, but later retracted that statement. The trial continues before Judge Martin Nolan.
Sunny Idah, a 39‑year‑old former CIE bus driver of Nigerian origin, was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended, for soliciting two undercover Gardaí to import a kilogram of cocaine from Brazil. The case stemmed from an international police operation involving Swiss and Irish undercover officers. Idah secretly recorded offers of €5,000 each to the undercover officers to swallow 1 kg of cocaine, worth €140,000, and bring it back to Ireland. He had provided the officers with €400 for a hotel room and $1,000 for flight tickets, but the officers never travelled. The court back‑dated the sentence to September 2010, when Idah was first taken into custody. Idah had previously received a 13‑year sentence for a related drug trafficking offence, which was overturned on appeal. The judge described the operation as sophisticated and noted the potential impact on users and addicts if the drugs had reached the market. Sunny Idah pleaded guilty.
Aisha Ahmed, 49, a mother of six, was denied bail by the High Court after being arrested in Tallaght on a European Arrest Warrant issued by Italian authorities. The warrant accuses her of being a promoter, leader and organiser of an association that imported, sold, distributed and traded large quantities of cocaine in Italy between September 1999 and June 2000. Ahmed was convicted in absentia in 2005 and sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Court of Naples. She initially denied being the person named on the warrant, claiming mistaken identity, but later admitted she was the woman in the photograph and the name on the warrant. The court found her a significant flight risk, citing her history of using false documents and her willingness to lie. Consequently, the judge denied bail and noted that she would be scheduled for a future hearing after her objections and affidavits are filed.
The extradition case against Eric Eoin Marques, an Irishman alleged to be 'the largest facilitator of child porn in the world', has been adjourned until December 9. The 28-year-old, residing at Mountjoy Square in Dublin, is wanted in the US for conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography. He has been in custody since his arrest in August last year, with bail refused due to concerns over flight risk and potential interference with evidence. The case was adjourned following a delay in processing before the Court of Appeal. Mr Justice John Edwards remanded Mr Marques on the same terms until the adjourned date. Previously, the DPP had decided not to bring proceedings against Mr Marques, but a detailed letter indicated he would plead guilty if prosecuted. Mr Marques sought judicial review of the DPP's decision, but leave was denied. However, following a recent ruling in the case of Ali Charaf Damache, the State accepted Mr Marques should be granted leave for judicial review. The charges relate to hosting and facilitating child pornography on over a hundred anonymous websites, with allegations that Mr Marques had direct knowledge and administrator access. The court heard that if convicted, Mr Marques could face a sentence totaling 100 years.
Lucky Osaseyi, a 36‑year‑old father of one from Ashford Place, Dublin 7, had previously served three years of a ten‑year sentence in Dubai for drug possession and was deported back to Ireland in 2011 because of a serious medical condition. In Dublin, he was charged with transporting 304 g of cocaine worth €21,284 at Terminal 1 of Dublin Airport on 28 April 2013. Osaseyi admitted swallowing 23 plastic‑wrapped cocaine pellets to obtain €980, claiming he needed the money. He pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a five‑year prison sentence, suspending the last two years on the condition that he keep the peace for three years after release. The case was prosecuted by John Quirke BL and defended by Gerardine Small BL, who noted that Osaseyi's early guilty plea and full co‑operation were beneficial, avoiding a trial.
Ivor Callely, a 56‑year‑old former Fianna Fáil junior minister, was granted bail pending his High Court action to overturn the Minister for Justice's refusal to grant him temporary release from Wheatfield Prison. The bail was granted on a €100 bond, with the judge noting Callely's good behaviour, lack of flight risk and the importance of legal issues concerning enhanced remission for prisoners. Callely's lawyers argued that without bail his case would become moot and that he had been a model prisoner. The State opposed the bail, citing a valid order of detention. Callely, jailed in July for fraudulently claiming €4,207.45 in expenses, had been sentenced to five months. He is now awaiting the outcome of his judicial review, which seeks to quash the Minister's decision and declare he has met all requirements for temporary release. The judge said the case should be heard promptly and given priority.
During a murder trial, a paramedic testified that he saw the deceased, Piotr Nowakowski, being kicked in the head. The accused, Michael Maughan, 40, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. The paramedic, Ralph O'Neill, arrived at 1:05 am after a call about a stabbing at Sandfield Mews. He described a scene where several men were present, the victim lying on the floor with multiple wounds, and a third man repeatedly kicking him. Maughan's brother, Darren, and the third man were also present. The paramedics left the scene at 1:57 am, hoping to transport the patient by helicopter, but he died at Shannon Airport. The trial continues with a jury hearing the case.
The High Court refused to stay the extradition proceedings of Eric Eoin Marques, a 28‑year‑old Irishman accused in the United States of conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography and of advertising and distributing child pornography. Marques is alleged to be the owner and administrator of the anonymous hosting site Freedom Hosting, which hosts over 100 sites containing extremely violent images of pre‑pubescent children. He has been in custody since his arrest in August and was denied bail because he was considered a flight risk and a potential threat to evidence. The court rejected his application to challenge the Director of Public Prosecutions' decision not to prosecute him and to seek a stay of the extradition until a judicial review could be heard. Marques remains remanded until 24 November, while the extradition case is adjourned for a few weeks to allow his legal team to pursue a Supreme Court application.
The High Court will decide on 4 November whether to extradite Patrick Lee, 41, of Newtown, Co. Kildare, to the United States to face 51 charges including 29 counts of wire fraud, six counts of unlawful monetary transaction and 16 counts of aggravated identity theft. Lee denies all allegations and claims the accusations are false. The alleged scheme involved purchasing properties in Boston between 2006 and 2007, using "straw buyers" to obtain mortgages that were never repaid. Lee is accused of forging appraisals and receiving about €1 million for his role. He is currently remanded on continuing bail. The court heard that Lee had bought pre‑paid flight tickets to Ireland in 2006 and that he fears cruel treatment if surrendered. He also cited health concerns and the potential impact on his family if extradited. The judge will issue a decision on 4 November.
Eric Eoin Marques, an Irishman alleged to be the owner of Freedom Hosting, is to seek a Supreme Court appeal regarding the Director of Public Prosecution's decision not to prosecute him in Ireland. Marques, who resides at Mountjoy Square in Dublin, is wanted by US authorities on charges including conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography. He has been in custody since August last year after being refused bail due to flight risk concerns. In December, the extradition court noted the DPP declined to bring proceedings, despite a letter indicating Marques would plead guilty if charged locally. Last month, Mr Justice John Edwards refused Marques leave to challenge this decision via judicial review. The High Court heard today that his legal team will appeal to the Supreme Court. An application to stay extradition proceedings is scheduled for October 23. Mr Justice Edwards remanded Marques in custody until that date. US authorities describe him as the "largest facilitator of child porn in the world," alleging he hosted sites containing violent images of pre-pubescent children. FBI Special Agent Brooke Donahue made this description to the court. It was alleged that gardai found evidence on his computer of direct knowledge and administrator access to these sites. Marques is also alleged to have used a fraudulent US passport image to access foreign hosting companies. The court heard that if convicted, the four charges could result in a sentence totalling 100 years, potentially meaning the remainder of his natural life in prison.
At the High Court in Dublin, Mr Justice John Edwards refused Eric Eoin Marques leave to seek judicial review of the Director of Public Prosecutions' decision not to prosecute him in Ireland. The 28-year-old, residing at Mountjoy Square, is alleged to be the owner and administrator of Freedom Hosting, an anonymous site described by FBI Special Agent Brooke Donahue as the largest facilitator of child pornography in the world. US authorities seek his extradition to face charges including conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography. The court heard that if convicted, Mr Marques faces a potential sentence totalling 100 years, potentially resulting in life imprisonment. Although a detailed letter indicated he would plead guilty if prosecuted locally, the judge denied his application to challenge the DPP's non-prosecution decision and her refusal to provide reasons. The matter was adjourned until October 14 to allow counsel time to consider the judgment and to fix a date for the extradition hearing. Mr Marques, who has been in custody since his August arrest due to flight risk concerns, was remanded in custody until that date. He appeared in court wearing a grey and green hoody, blue jeans, and navy runners.
A 44‑year‑old Algerian man, Lounes Ouachek, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to attempting to murder his wife, Ruta Ouachek, by striking her on the head with a kettle bell on 23 August 2012. The court heard that the couple's marriage had deteriorated after he lost his job and she began an engineering degree. After the attack, Ms Ouachek fled the house, drove to Dublin airport and left for Tunisia, leaving her injured. She was found unconscious on the bathroom floor by a neighbour and taken to Tallaght Hospital, where she suffered a complex skull fracture and later transferred to Beaumont Hospital for surgery. Ms Ouachek sustained bruising, motor and sensory deficits, and continues to suffer physical and psychological effects. The court remanded Ouachek in custody and adjourned sentencing to the following Monday.
Eric Eoin Marques, a 29-year-old Dublin resident with an address at Mountjoy Square, was remanded in custody by the High Court to appear again on September 9 for a judgment on his application for leave to seek judicial review. Mr Justice John Edwards stated he was still working on the "seemingly complex" case. Marques is alleged to be the owner and administrator of Freedom Hosting, an anonymous site described by an FBI agent as "the largest facilitator of child porn in the world." He faces allegations of conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography, as well as advertising and distributing such material. The DPP decided not to prosecute him in Ireland, a decision Marques is challenging. He has been in custody since August last year after being refused bail due to flight risk concerns. At a previous hearing, the court was told that Marques faces up to 100 years imprisonment if convicted in the US of the alleged offences. The matter was adjourned to September 9 for the delivery of the judgment.
Thomas McMahon, 31, of Limerick, pleaded guilty to membership of the Irish Republican Army on 7 February 2013 alongside Noel Noonan, 34. Both were remanded on continuing bail for sentencing on 27 June. McMahon, a father of two and former chef, had previously been allowed to travel to Lithuania to attend a family wedding, with the court varying bail conditions in June and October of the previous year and again in January of the current year. On the day of the hearing, his counsel requested a final trip to Lithuania to visit his in‑laws, asking that McMahon's passport be returned and that the sign‑on conditions be removed from 2 May to 16 May. Prosecutor Tara Burns objected, citing Garda concerns that McMahon was a flight risk and that a substantial custodial sentence might be imposed.
A wanted human trafficker, Mihai Stancu (46), has been released by the High Court following his conviction by Romanian authorities while absent, which affected the warrant for his extradition. The surrender of Stancu, who resides at Summerhill, Dublin 1, has been sought by Romanian authorities since last year. A European Arrest Warrant was issued for his surrender for prosecution on the alleged offences of constituting an organised crime, human trafficking, and the illegal deprivation of liberty. Counsel for the Minister for Justice, Elva Duffy BL, informed the court that Stancu was accused of being involved in the trafficking of a person for the purposes of prostitution. She stated that it had been confirmed that Stancu was convicted in Romania of the offences contained in the prosecution warrant, and his proposed surrender was now a 'sentencing matter'. The court noted that the state had a difficulty with the warrant as it was currently formed and could no longer stand over detaining him. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy stated that 'he should not be before the court at all on this warrant' which could no longer be relied upon. The question arose as to whether he should remain in custody. Stancu was remanded in custody in March of this year after gardaí objected to granting him bail on grounds that he posed a flight risk. The judge remanded Stancu on a bail bond of €100 and ordered that he sign on at Store Street garda station on Friday. Stancu has multiple previous convictions in Romania. He is due before the court again next Tuesday, April 8 2014, while lawyers for the state seek clarification from Romanian authorities on his proposed surrender.
SIPTU was ordered to pay the costs incurred by the DAA and Ryanair for their successful injunction applications that prevented a four‑hour stoppage at Dublin Shannon and Cork airports. Judge Paul Gilligan ruled that the airline and the airport authority were entitled to their legal costs, and he placed a stay on the costs orders pending the outcome of the full action between the parties. Lawyers for Ryanair and the DAA had sought their costs because the court had issued orders preventing the strike, while SIPTU opposed the costs order, arguing it would be "draconian" and that the issue should be left until the case was decided. The judge noted that Ryanair had raised issues not brought by the DAA, so it was also entitled to its costs. The judge urged all sides to resolve the pension dispute.
In March 2014 the High Court, by Mr Justice Paul Gilligan, granted an injunction that prevented a four‑hour strike by Siptu members at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports. The injunction was sought by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and Ryanair, who argued the planned stoppage would be illegal and would cause major disruption to passengers and airlines. Siptu claimed the strike was a bona fide trade dispute over pension rights under the Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme. The judge found the DAA's concerns about the legality of the Siptu ballot and the potential impact on airport operations compelling, and he was satisfied that damages would not be an adequate remedy. The injunction was based solely on the DAA's application; Ryanair's application was not considered. The court left the full hearing of the dispute to a later proceeding.
Eric Eoin Marques, a 28-year-old resident of Mountjoy Square, Dublin, appeared in the High Court to apply for legal aid ahead of a judicial review of the DPP's decision not to prosecute him in Ireland. Marques is alleged to be the owner of Freedom Hosting and is wanted by US authorities for conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography. He has been in custody since August last year after being refused bail due to flight risk concerns. During proceedings, Marques testified that he earned approximately €1.15 million between 2007 and 2012. He stated he gave €250,000 to his Romanian girlfriend and spent the remainder on daily expenses, including McDonald's, petrol, and escorts. He claimed his funds were frozen by the FBI and that his father paid his legal fees. Under cross-examination, Marques admitted he did not remember where the rest of the money went and declined to answer questions about tax returns, citing potential self-incrimination. Counsel for the Attorney General argued that Marques' account raised more questions than answers. Mr Justice John Edwards noted the lack of documentary evidence supporting Marques' assertions. The judge indicated he would rule on the legal aid application the following morning. If convicted, Marques could face the remainder of his natural life in prison, as the four charges could result in a sentence totaling 100 years.
The High Court will decide on applications by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and Ryanair to stop a planned four‑hour strike by Siptu members at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports on 14 March. The strike, scheduled from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., is linked to a dispute over pension cuts in the Aer Lingus and DAA superannuation scheme. The DAA and Ryanair argue the action is illegal and would cause major disruption, seeking injunctions to prevent it. Siptu, represented by Richard Kean SC, maintains the stoppage is a legitimate trade dispute over pension rights and rejects claims that the ballot was flawed. The judge, Mr Justice Paul Gilligan, has reserved his decision and will rule on Wednesday afternoon. The case reflects ongoing tensions over the €780 million deficit in the Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme.
The Dublin Airport Authority and Ryanair have each filed separate High Court applications to stop a proposed Siptu strike scheduled for Friday 14 March, the day of St Patrick's weekend. The strike would involve a four‑hour stoppage at Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports, potentially grounding about 100 Ryanair flights carrying roughly 13,500 passengers. Ryanair's counsel argued the action was "opportunistic in the extreme", citing the busy weekend, the Ireland‑France rugby match and the Cheltenham horse‑racing festival as reasons the date was chosen to maximise harm. Ryanair seeks injunctions preventing Siptu members from striking at the three airports and declarations that the strike would be unlawful, interfering with the airline's economic rights. The DAA, represented by Mark Connaughton, also requested an early hearing, noting the urgency of informing airlines using Dublin Airport.
In a High Court hearing on 25 February 2014, the extradition case of Eric Eoin Marques, 28, was adjourned for one week. Marques, who lives at Mountjoy Square, Dublin, is alleged by the FBI to be the owner and administrator of the anonymous hosting site Freedom Hosting, and is wanted in the United States on charges of conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography, and of advertising and distributing child pornography. The charges involve images on more than a hundred anonymous websites described as extremely violent, graphic and depicting the rape and torture of pre‑pubescent children. Marques has been in custody since his arrest in August 2013, after bail was refused on the grounds that he was a flight risk and could interfere with evidence. His counsel, Mark Lynam BL, informed the court that Marques intended to apply for legal aid before filing a judicial review.
A 45‑year‑old man named Stephen Hendrick, from Balbutcher Drive, Ballymun, Dublin 11, was arrested in July 2014 at a yard in Cloghran by the Special Detective Unit and the Crime and Security Section during investigations into dissident republican activity. He was charged at an out‑of‑hours sitting of the Special Criminal Court on 3 July with membership of an unlawful organisation, the Irish Republican Army (IRA), and with possession of ammunition in suspicious circumstances at Furry Park, Turnapin Great, Old Airport Road, Cloghran. His solicitor, Michael Finucane, requested a trial date. Counsel for the State, Mr Garnet Orange BL, estimated the trial would last five days. Judge Paul Butler set the trial for 14 April 2015, instructing Hendrick, who is on bail, to notify the prosecution within 14 days if he intends to rely on an alibi and to give notice 21 days before the trial if he wishes to call witnesses.
Patrick Lee, 41, of Newtown, County Kildare, is wanted by U.S. authorities for 51 offences including wire fraud, unlawful monetary transaction and aggravated identity theft. He allegedly participated in a scheme that defrauded U.S. banks and mortgage lenders by purchasing properties in Boston, converting them into apartments, and using "straw buyers" to secure mortgages that were never repaid. Lee is accused of forging appraisals and receiving about €1 million for his role. The U.S. seeks his extradition for a maximum sentence of 42 years. Lee denies all allegations and claims he would face cruel and inhumane treatment if surrendered, citing health concerns and alleged mistreatment at Shannon Airport. The High Court will consider the extradition request on 12 March, with counsel for both sides presenting evidence. The case remains pending before Mr Justice John Edwards.
A man described by the FBI as the 'largest facilitator of child porn in the world,' Eric Eoin Marques, is seeking a judicial review of the DPP's decision not to prosecute him in Ireland, the High Court heard. Marques, 28, of Mountjoy Square, Dublin, is alleged to have been the owner and administrator of an anonymous hosting site known as Freedom Hosting. He has been in custody since his arrest in August 2023, following concerns he represented a flight risk. The charges relate to images on over a hundred anonymous websites described as extremely violent and depicting the rape and torture of pre-pubescent children. Counsel for Marques, Mark Lynam BL, stated that his client intended to apply for legal aid prior to the judicial review. Counsel for the State, Patrick McGrath SC, noted that investigations into Marques's assets were ongoing. Mr Justice John Edwards expressed concern over the delay in providing a statement of means and ordered the matter to be resolved within days. The court heard that Marques would be available for cross-examination on any disputes regarding his statement of means. Mr Justice Edwards remanded Marques in custody until Tuesday (February 25). If convicted, he could face the remainder of his natural life in prison as the four charges could result in a sentence totalling 100 years.
In a Dublin District Court hearing on 28 January 2014, a 44‑year‑old bus passenger, Robert Fogarty of Cardy Rock Court, Balbriggan, was charged with possessing a meat cleaver as a weapon. The incident occurred on the 102 bus route at Atrium Road, Dublin Airport, on Monday night. According to the court, Fogarty was highly intoxicated and abusive when he boarded the bus. He demanded that the driver pull up at a "non‑stop" stop, and when the driver refused, Fogarty produced a meat cleaver from his backpack and swung it at the driver, who was behind protective glass. Garda reports and CCTV footage were to be presented to the court, and Fogarty's lawyer claimed his client had another view of the allegations. Bail was granted on the condition of regular reporting to the local Garda station, and Fogarty was scheduled to return to court on 4 March.
Kenneth Maher, a 41‑year‑old international lorry driver from La Chapelle‑Launay, France, was convicted at Swords District Court for careless driving and interfering with his vehicle's tachograph. On 11 January he was stopped on the M1 near Dublin Airport after travelling at 120 km/h in a 100 km/h zone. Garda Michael Lavelle noted Maher admitted using a magnet on his gearbox that interferes with the tachograph's electronic control unit, affecting the recordings, brakes and steering. Maher claimed he had only recently started using the magnet due to financial difficulties and to earn extra hours. The judge, Dermot Dempsey, was surprised by the claim that the magnet could have endangered a family. Maher pleaded guilty, expressed genuine regret and was fined €400 for careless driving and €150 for tachograph interference, but was not disqualified from driving under special circumstances. The court highlighted the importance of the tachograph for safety.
The High Court has adjourned the extradition proceedings against Eric Eoin Marques, a 28-year-old resident of Mountjoy Square, Dublin, for one week. Marques is alleged to be the owner and administrator of Freedom Hosting, an anonymous site described by an FBI Special Agent as the largest facilitator of child pornography in the world. US authorities seek his extradition to face charges including conspiring to distribute and advertise child pornography, as well as advertising and distributing such material. The court heard allegations that the sites hosted millions of graphic images depicting the rape and torture of pre-pubescent children. Although the Director of Public Prosecutions decided not to bring proceedings in Ireland, counsel for Marques indicated he would plead guilty if prosecuted domestically. The judge noted that if convicted on the four US charges, Marques faces a potential sentence totalling 100 years, effectively the remainder of his natural life. The case was put back due to ongoing matters regarding legal representation, with the court expressing anxiety that progress be made. Marques has remained in custody since his August arrest after bail was refused due to flight risk concerns.
Kevin Braney, 39, of Tallaght, was granted temporary bail by the Special Criminal Court for the Christmas period, effectively placing him under house arrest. He is charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, namely the IRA, a charge he shares with seven co-accused: Des Christie, Eamon McNamee, Hubert Duffy, William Jackson, Declan Phelan, John Brock, and Darren Murphy. All eight men are alleged to have been involved in membership of the IRA. Mr. Braney had previously been granted bail on April 11, 2013, but gardai objected to his current application, alleging he breached prior conditions by associating with co-accused. Detective Inspector Michael Gibbons stated that gardai believed Mr. Braney would continue to commit offences. Mr. Justice Paul Butler accepted the objection but noted Mr. Braney was not deemed a flight risk. The court offered a compromise, changing his place of detention from Portlaoise Prison to his home address. Bail was granted from 9:00 am on December 23 to 4:00 pm on December 28, subject to a 24-hour curfew, an independent surety of €7,000, and a prohibition on associating with co-accused or anyone charged with a scheduled offence. The curfew was lifted between 9:30 am and 12:30 pm on Christmas Day to allow Mr. Braney to visit his mother's grave. The court acknowledged that granting bail imposed additional monitoring work on gardai.