A journalist has accused an animal rescue charity of penalising her for making protected disclosures and has argued that she has either been suspended for the past two years or unfairly dismissed. Alison O'Reilly, a newspaper reporter, broadcaster and author, has filed complaints against Kildare Wildlife Rescue under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977, the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, and the Equal Status Act 2000. The details were disclosed at a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) case management hearing on Tuesday. Ms O'Reilly's solicitor, Gerard Cullen, said his client had made protected disclosures and had been victimised and penalised in a very gross fashion. His client had raised concerns with the charity in relation to public health. After a suspension took effect on 1 July 2024, his client was subject to non-engagement from the charity. Mr Cullen characterised Ms O'Reilly's involvement with the charity as an employment relationship for the purposes of the Protected Disclosures Act. Kildare Wildlife Rescue disputes this position.
Derek Boyd, a garda accused of murdering his partner Mark Carroll, was on a suspended sentence for the manslaughter of his sister when the alleged killing took place. The Central Criminal Court heard that Boyd and his partner Chantelle Harcourt are accused of impeding the prosecution by cleaning the scene. Megan Rock, Carroll's partner, testified that the evening was initially peaceful but turned violent when Boyd and Carroll had an argument. Rock said that Boyd threatened her and tried to set his dog on her, but she managed to escape. She denied that Carroll was a violent person and said that Boyd had previously shot his sister in a tragic accident. Boyd's legal team argued that he had a suspended sentence and was aware of the consequences of any physical altercation. The trial continues with the jury considering the evidence presented, including the alleged threats and the circumstances surrounding the murder. Derek Boyd pleaded guilty.
Ian Hennessy, 40, admitted to damaging his former partner's property while intoxicated and was given a month to compensate her before a judge decides on his sentence. Hennessy pleaded guilty to two counts of criminal damage at Dún Laoghaire District Court, where a television and a clothes horse were damaged. Judge Ann Watkins noted that Hennessy had not shown remorse by compensating his victim more than 18 months after the incident. The judge emphasized that Hennessy, as an adult, is well able to take responsibility. Hennessy's defence highlighted that he had completed treatment for alcohol addiction, has been sober for six months, and has secured full-time employment. The court adjourned the case until July 27, with the judge instructing Hennessy to repay the damage by then before deciding on his sentence.
Almost 200 witnesses are involved in the case of Michael Kelley, a former US soldier charged with the murder of Co Kerry sheep farmer Mike Gaine. A nine-week trial is set to begin in the Central Criminal Court in Dublin in January 2027. Kelley, 54, is charged with murdering Gaine, 56, at Carrig, Kenmare, Co Kerry, between March 20 and 21, 2025. The court was told that there are 191 witnesses in the book of evidence, and the case is estimated to last up to nine weeks. Kelley is currently in custody in Cork Prison, and video arrangements have been made for his appearance on video-link. His defense team has informed the court that his solicitor, Patrick Mann, is applying to cease acting for him, and Frank Buttimer has been retained as his new solicitor. The trial was set for January 11, 2027, in the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, as the court could not allocate a case of this length to Cork.
A stable worker, Valentine Jevardat De Fombelle, has won over €4,500 for multiple employment rights breaches against a horse dealer. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) upheld statutory complaints under the National Minimum Wage Act 2000, the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, and the Payment of Wages Act 1991 against TG Sporthorses Ltd. Jevardat De Fombelle, a French national, worked 60-hour weeks and was regularly required to work over the legal maximum number of hours. She was paid on a monthly basis and was left short by €2,815 in wages. The adjudication officer awarded her €2,815 under the Payment of Wages Act, €500 in compensation for a breach of the National Minimum Wage Act, €750 for excessive working hours, and €500 for the failure to pay a Sunday premium. The total awarded to Jevardat De Fombelle in the case was €4,565.
Ionel Rostas (20) has been jailed for two years and three months for assaulting his ex-girlfriend outside a nightclub. The incident occurred on April 21, 2025, at the Red Cow Inn, where Rostas was captured on CCTV headbutting and punching the 18-year-old woman. The victim required plastic stitches above her right eyebrow after the attack. Rostas, who has 30 previous convictions, was interviewed by gardai and made no comment during the interview. The victim did not wish to make a statement to the gardaí, and the prosecution relied on CCTV footage. Rostas was on a suspended sentence for a drug offence when he committed the assault. Judge Orla Crowe noted the deplorable violence and the vulnerability of the victim. She imposed a sentence of two years and nine months, suspending the final six months on the condition that Rostas keep the peace and be of good behaviour. She also ordered him to engage with the Probation Service for anger management programmes. Ionel Rostas pleaded guilty.
Joe Malone, a criminal with approximately 160 previous convictions, failed in his appeal to overturn his conviction for trespassing outside a Dublin home. Malone claimed he was praying outside a church at 2am and looking for his dog when he was arrested. He was convicted of trespassing and handling stolen property, receiving ten months imprisonment for trespassing and ten months consecutive for handling stolen property. Malone's defense argued that the incident did not meet the level of fear required under the law, but the court rejected this, noting the severity of the incident. Malone denied trespassing and claimed mistaken identity, but the judge found his evidence unconvincing. The injured party expressed feeling unsafe in her home. The court imposed a jail sentence of eight months for handling stolen goods and 12 months for trespassing, with conditions to stay away from the injured parties and attend rehabilitation programs.
A Dublin taxi driver has been ordered to pay €12,000 to a visually impaired couple after refusing them service and driving off without them and their guide dog at Heuston Station in December 2024. Anthony Clarke and Lisa O'Donovan, both visually impaired, reported the incident to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), where they alleged the driver, Abiodun Dongo, was abusive and aggressive. The couple had travelled from Cork with Clarke's guide dog and approached Dongo at the taxi rank. Dongo allegedly reacted abruptly, refused to take the guide dog, and drove off without them. The WRC found that the couple had been discriminated against on grounds of disability and denied reasonable accommodation. Adjudication officer Valerie Murtagh upheld their complaints and ordered Dongo to pay €6,000 each. She also directed that Dongo comply with equality legislation in the future. The couple described the incident as highly embarrassing and humiliating, and the tribunal found them to be credible witnesses. The decision highlights the importance of accommodating individuals with disabilities and the consequences of failing to do so.
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 17 April 2026, the prison term for 29‑year‑old Martin Gooney was increased from three years and two months to four and a half years after the State successfully appealed. Gooney had pleaded guilty in February 2025 to coercive control and sexual assault, and was originally sentenced by Ms Justice Caroline Biggs at the Central Criminal Court on 3 June 2025. The appeal focused on the severity of his conduct, which included hiding in the victim's shed to spy on her, threatening to hang her pet dog, and sending messages to her family purporting to be from her that expressed suicidal ideation. The Court of Appeal judge, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, described the offences as "grave" and "extremely manipulative", noting that Gooney had a history of nine prior convictions, including assault and threats of serious harm.
An 81-year-old huntsman, Maurice Mahon, was convicted of recklessly discharging a firearm and assaulting a man in his back garden during a deer cull. The victim, Innokenti Belaga, was meditating when a bullet from Mahon's rifle shattered his femur, leaving him with severe physical and psychological injuries. Mahon, a licensed gun holder and karate grandmaster, claimed he thought he was shooting a fox or a dog. The victim's life was drastically altered, with him losing his home, his ability to work, and his ability to engage in physical activities. He described the incident as a life-changing event, with the biggest impact being on his young daughter, who lost her father's presence. Mahon was found guilty after a trial and is awaiting sentencing. His defense highlighted his long-standing involvement in hunting and his good character, but the court heard that the victim's injuries were severe and life-altering. The case has also led to civil proceedings, and the court ordered a Probation Service assessment before finalizing the sentence. Maurice Mahon pleaded not guilty.
In a High Court hearing, Mr Justice Peter Charleton ordered South African horse owner Nigel Riley to pay €218,000 in outstanding fees to Linley Investment Limited, trading as Coolmore Castlehyde and Associated Stud Farms, and Coolagown Bloodstock Ltd. The court awarded €148,000 to Coolagown and €70,000 to Coolmore for the care and stud fees owed for mares kept since 2018. The judge rejected Riley's defence, describing it as uninformative and obstructive, and found that David Stack acted as Riley's agent in arranging the care and coverage of the mares. Although Riley claimed a verbal agreement existed for free care with shared profits, the court accepted Stack's evidence of a contractual arrangement, noting invoices sent to South Africa in 2018 and 2019. The judge characterized Riley's denial of the agency relationship as surprising and noted that Stack's evidence was calm and trustworthy. Riley has indicated his intention to appeal the judgments. The matter was decided at the hearing stage, with the court issuing final monetary awards against the applicant.
Khed Alkhedr has been jailed for money laundering after a customs dog alerted to his luggage at Dublin Airport. Officers found €142,690 and £60 concealed in clothing. Judge Orla Crowe imposed three years, backdated to his first day in custody, after finding he played an active role in the money laundering. The unnamed man pleaded guilty.
Sammy Hutch (50), a member of the Hutch family who is not involved in gangland activities, has been jailed for six additional years for possessing an improvised pipe bomb. Hutch, who is currently serving a six-and-a-half-year sentence for robbery, was caught by gardai in April 2024 with the device at his home. The bomb was found to be ready to use, and the court heard that Hutch had texted an accomplice about attaching it to gas meters. Judge Patricia Ryan noted the aggravating factors, including the nature of the device and the alleged unlawful purpose. Hutch has 103 previous convictions, including burglary, theft, and drug-related offences. His defence highlighted his long history of drug abuse and his efforts to get clean. The judge reduced the headline sentence of nine years to six years, which will run consecutive to his existing sentence. Hutch's family and a letter from a local horse and pony club were presented in court, and legal aid was requested for an appeal.
A Knockmore man has been sentenced to four years in prison at Castlebar Circuit Court for offences including the savage mauling of a woman by his unmuzzled dog. David Barrett, aged 41, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm following an attack on November 20th, 2022, at Mount Falcon estate. The victim sustained life-changing injuries including severe lacerations and puncture wounds requiring emergency surgery and ongoing treatment. Judge Eoin Garavan noted the dog had been wandering loose and described Barrett's casual attitude toward the danger posed to the public. Barrett also pleaded guilty to assaulting two female gardaí who attended his home in July 2024 whilst responding to a domestic disturbance report. The court heard he was heavily intoxicated and attacked both officers with violence. The global sentence comprised two years for the dog attack and three years for assaulting the gardaí, with the final year suspended. Barrett was ordered to engage in mental health services, substance addiction treatment, and probation supervision upon release.
Riley Burke, a 25-year-old Canadian delivery driver, was jailed for five years after being caught with €716,000 worth of cannabis at Dublin Airport. Burke arrived on a flight from Toronto on July 26, 2025, and a suitcase containing cannabis burst open on the luggage belt. Customs officers used a dog to detect a second suitcase, which was also found to contain cannabis. The suitcases did not have Burke's name on them but belonged to two other individuals who were not on the flight. CCTV footage showed Burke waiting for the bags and checking the labels. Burke claimed he had forgotten that he had not checked any luggage and had mistakenly picked up the two suitcases. However, the garda did not accept this explanation. Burke has no previous convictions and has been in custody since his arrest. His defense argued that he was at the lowest rung of the ladder and had no financial interest in the drugs. Burke admitted to having a financial debt and said he was trying to pay it off.
Patrick Murphy, a 37-year-old man who admitted to stabbing 20-year-old Jordan Ronan to death outside his home, is now on 23-hour lockup for his own protection after being attacked in prison. Murphy claimed he was defending his family and property when he stabbed Ronan, who was found in his front driveway. Murphy's dog alerted him to the presence of Ronan, and he rushed out of his home armed with a kitchen knife. CCTV footage showed Murphy telling his partner that Ronan was breaking into their car. A jury found Murphy not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter. Ronan's partner, Lauren Geraghty, who was six weeks pregnant with their first child, delivered a victim-impact statement expressing her grief and the loss of their future together. Ronan's father, Stephen Packenham, spoke of his son's wish to meet his daughter and the devastation of identifying his body. Sabrina Ronan, Ronan's mother, thanked those who provided first aid to her son. The pathologist testified that the stab wound was 18cm deep and caused cardiac arrest within minutes.
Christopher Fitzsimons, 40, of Athlone, Co Westmeath, was sentenced to 13 years in prison by the Central Criminal Court for rape and sexual assault. A jury convicted him last July of all 22 counts, including 18 counts of raping Claire Berry, aged 15 to 16, between 2010 and 2011; one count of raping Tara Berry, aged 16, in 2006; and two counts of sexually assaulting Tara Berry, aged 12. He was also found guilty of one count of sexually assaulting Chloe Berry, aged 14, in 2001. The abuse occurred over a 10-year period while Fitzsimons was in a relationship with the victims' older sister. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon described the conduct as an "egregious abuse of trust" and a "wolf in sheep's clothing." She set a headline sentence of 14 years, reduced to 13 years, citing his lack of previous convictions and work history as a butcher in mitigation. Fitzsimons has been in custody since the verdict. The victims, who waived anonymity, submitted impact statements detailing long-term trauma and his lack of remorse. Prosecutors requested consecutive sentences for the separate complainants, while the defense highlighted his good character.
A Dublin horse handler, Scott Clarke, has been ordered to perform 150 hours of community service after throwing a vape at an American tourist, causing him to lose a tooth. The incident occurred outside the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin 8 in 2023. Clarke pleaded guilty to assault, which carries a maximum sentence of six months. The victim, who is in his 20s, said he feared for his life and that the incident marred his final holiday with his parents. He has undergone dental surgery and continues to experience nerve pain, spending around US$5,000 on dental implants. CCTV footage showed the victim taking down a sign displaying the charges for the horse and carriage rental, leading to a scuffle. Clarke threw the vape at the victim, hitting him in the mouth. Garda Greg Moroney testified that there was no evidence linking the horse handlers to the incident. Clarke has previous drug convictions but none for violent offenses. His defense highlighted that he is a full-time carer for his father, who is in the advanced stages of cancer.
A convicted sex offender who was on bail when he attacked and raped his then partner in a Kildare woods, telling her he had dug her grave, has been further jailed for 10 years. Dylan McMahon (31) was convicted of rape, aggravated sexual assault, false imprisonment, and making threats to kill or cause serious harm. During the attack, McMahon pushed dog faeces, sticks, and leaves in her mouth, making her unable to breathe, and led her through the woods, telling her he had dug her grave. He denied the charges but pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. McMahon has 36 previous convictions and is currently serving a sentence of six years with the final year suspended for theft and assault causing harm to a sex worker. He is also serving a consecutive two-year and nine-month sentence for offences including robbery. The court heard that McMahon sustained a traumatic brain injury in 2015 and does not accept the verdict of the jury.
The Workplace Relations Commission has ordered Ryan's Investments Unlimited Company, trading as Hertz Rent-A-Car, to pay €10,000 in compensation and issue an apology to applicant Kim Murphy. The adjudicator upheld Murphy's complaint of disability discrimination under the Equal Status Act 2000, finding that the franchisee's policy of imposing a €150 valet charge for hair shed by her guide dog, Django, placed her at a particular disadvantage. The tribunal determined that the company's refusal to waive the fee, despite being notified of the guide dog's presence, was unreasonable and failed to accommodate the needs of a person with a disability. Murphy alleged that her husband, Anthony Murphy, was charged for "damage" upon returning a rental vehicle from the Dublin Airport branch in April 2024, despite the dog being a trained service animal. The adjudicator directed the respondent to update its rental policies to accommodate similar customers. Sean Beatty BL represented the applicant, while Eve Bolster BL appeared for the franchisee. The decision constitutes a finalised sentence ordering the specified financial compensation and formal apology.
Michael Murray, a 60-year-old cattle farmer from Moneygall, County Offaly, is appealing his conviction for importing €730,000 worth of cannabis. In 2023, a jury at Tullamore Circuit Court found him guilty of importing a controlled drug in excess of €13,000 and having drugs for sale or supply, rejecting his not guilty plea. He was sentenced by Judge Keenan Johnson to ten years in prison, with the final two years suspended. The appeal before the Court of Appeal centers on whether the jury was misled by prosecution evidence suggesting Murray was the specific target of a garda operation. Defence counsel argued that the solicitor failed to recognize the prejudicial nature of this evidence, which was introduced during the trial. State counsel countered that the defence solicitor explicitly agreed to the introduction of this material. The court noted that no requisition was made to the trial judge to object to the evidence, implying an agreement. The presiding judge, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, reserved judgment, and the matter was adjourned.
A chef was sentenced to three years in prison after being caught with over half a million euros worth of cannabis. Lin Yan, 40, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply in March 2025. Gardai received information from customs that a drugs detection dog had detected cannabis in a pallet. The pallet was delivered to an address in Palmerstown, but no one was there to receive it. Yan answered a call and signed for the delivery. Gardai kept him under surveillance and found cannabis in the pallet. Yan was arrested and the drugs were analyzed, revealing a total value of €571,000. Yan has no previous convictions and was employed as a chef in Ireland. His defense argued that he was on the lowest rung of the drug ladder and had been taken advantage of. The judge considered these factors and sentenced him to three years in prison.
A man has been sentenced to fifteen months in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for two counts of animal cruelty connected to protests against asylum seeker accommodation at Thornton Hall in north Dublin. In June 2024, security personnel discovered two pigs with severe stab and slash wounds on the site, one of which was also missing a limb. Both animals were subsequently euthanised, while two others brought to the location were rehomed. Darren Jackson, aged forty and from Rivermeade in County Dublin, admitted to transporting four pigs from a County Cavan farm to the facility but maintained that an associate inflicted the injuries using a scalpel. The court heard evidence that Jackson recorded video footage while driving the animals and that some individuals involved believed introducing pigs would deter Muslim people from the site due to religious observance. Following his arrest, Jackson engaged with local community representatives and attended a mosque for discussions regarding radicalisation. Judge Martin Nolan accepted Jackson was not the primary architect of the scheme but had participated substantially. Darren Jackson pleaded guilty.
Joyce Holleran‑Whelan, a former manager at Headford Co‑operative Mart, won €26,000 after a Workplace Relations Commission tribunal found the co‑op failed to investigate her bullying complaints. She alleged she was excluded by colleagues, attacked with a cattle prod, and subjected to intimidation and verbal bullying. The tribunal rejected her claim of whistleblower penalisation, stating that her financial and governance concerns were not sufficiently connected to her termination in 2023. The tribunal noted the co‑op did not provide her with computer passwords or contact details, and that staff refused to work with her. It also found the co‑op had not complied with the national code of practice on investigating workplace grievances, and that it failed to offer her the interim manager role when it became vacant. The decision awarded her losses of €26,250 for unfair dismissal.
In a 2025 decision by the Workplace Relations Commission, a blind former paralympian, Nadine Lattimore, was awarded €6,000 for disability discrimination after Tesco Ireland Ltd's security staff repeatedly denied her entry with her guide dog, Pilot, at three Dublin supermarkets in June and July 2024. The tribunal found Tesco vicariously liable for the actions of the OCS Group security contractors, who had no authority to exclude her. Lattimore presented phone footage of each incident, and Tesco offered apologies and assistance, which she declined, citing embarrassment and distress for her son. The adjudicator ordered Tesco to train staff and subcontractors on the Equal Status Act, implement compliance monitoring, and display signage welcoming guide dogs. This award brings Lattimore's total compensation from Dublin businesses to €20,000.
A sniffer dog alerted Gardaí to a 9mm submachine pistol, silencer and 37 rounds of ammunition hidden in the boot of a Citroën C4 parked at the home of Glen Dempsey, a 30‑year‑old father of four from Cuthbert Meadows, Clondalkin. Gardaí seized the vehicle after the dog signalled the boot, and a technical examination revealed a rusted but fully functional Scorpion submachine gun, a silencer and live ammunition. Dempsey, who had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm, ammunition and a silencer in suspicious circumstances on 15 May 2024, claimed he was holding the gun because he owed €20,000 in drugs debt and was threatened by a third party. He said he had never seen or touched the weapon and that the car was not his or his partner's.
At the Central Criminal Court, a dog handler has testified in the double murder trial of Ruth Lawrence that his specially trained German Shepherd gave an indication at a tarpaulin-covered area on Inchicup Island in Lough Sheelin, where two decomposing bodies were subsequently discovered. Garda Paul Conroy said the dog immediately went into dense undergrowth upon landing on the island on 26 May 2014 and stared at a particular spot. When a scenes of crime officer cut open the tarpaulin, an arm with clothing fell out. A fisherman also told the trial he had noticed a strong smell he associated with decomposing flesh coming from the island approximately one month after the men went missing. Lawrence, with an address in Mountnugent, County Meath, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Anthony Keegan and Eoin O'Connor between 22 April and 26 May 2014. The trial continues before Justice Tony Hunt and a jury.
Nadine Lattimore, a legally blind former Paralympian who has used a guide dog since 2017, brought an equality claim against Centra on Parnell Street in Dublin 1 under the Equal Status Act 2000. She alleged that on 18 December 2024 she was stopped at the shop entrance for 15 seconds because staff said dogs were not allowed, and that she was denied access. The WRC found that the incident was a brief lapse that was immediately corrected; the shop had a policy to restrict dogs due to past incidents with aggressive dogs, and staff were trained on the policy. The adjudicator agreed that the brief incident did not amount to discrimination and rejected the claim, ruling that the shop did not engage in prohibited conduct. The decision was published on 13 October 2025.
A 49‑year‑old woman, Olivia Kinsella of Meadowlands Park, Mounttown, Dún Laoghaire, appeared before Dún Laoghaire District Court charged with animal neglect for failing to care for her dog between 1 January and 3 March 2023. The dog was found dead inside her home, described by veterinary evidence as emaciated and in poor condition, with no food or water. Defence counsel argued the Gardaí's entry was unlawful due to a delay, but Judge Anne Watkin rejected this, ruling the entry lawful. The case was adjourned to 9 December for further submissions.
The Workplace Relations Commission heard a statutory complaint under the Equal Status Act 2000 brought by Pauline McDonagh, former treasurer of the All-Ireland Schnauzer and Pinscher Association, against the Irish Kennel Club (IKC). McDonagh alleged disability discrimination after the IKC suspended her membership in October 2023 for refusing to submit the 2023 annual accounts and treasurer's report. She claimed the board made a decision without investigating facts and that her grievance and subsequent equality claim were ignored. The IKC's counsel, William John Kelly BL, explained that McDonagh's failure to provide the required documents led to her suspension, and that the board had deemed her complaint inadmissible. McDonagh also complained that the 2022 AGM of the ASPA did not follow proper procedure. The WRC adjourned the case for further discussions between the parties.
A seventeen‑year‑old, who was fifteen when the offences occurred, pleaded guilty to false imprisonment, theft of a €1,300 iPhone, and threatening to kill the victim's family dog. The court heard that the teenager followed a nineteen‑year‑old bus passenger in Clonsilla, forced him to withdraw €50, and later took his phone and driver's licence. He then brought the victim to an apartment, produced knives, threatened to slice him, and demanded the victim remove his clothes. The teenager later entered the victim's home, stole a Nike tracksuit, an Under Armour top, Nike runners, a PlayStation, and a jacket worth €1,751, and forced the victim to transfer €500 from his Revolut account. No money or items were recovered. The defendant was on bail at the time of the offence and had ten prior convictions, including seven for theft. The case was adjourned for sentencing.
A 53‑year‑old man was sentenced to eight and a half years' imprisonment for subjecting five children in his care to repeated physical and sexual abuse, causing them irreparable psychological damage. He was in a relationship with the children's mother and the biological father of the younger two. The court heard he threatened a child's dog and used violence and intimidation to control the children. He pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault of one boy (2004‑2011, ages 11‑18), three counts of sexual assault of a second boy (2006‑2013, ages 12‑19), two counts of child cruelty of a third boy (2013‑2015, ages 12‑14), and sexual assault of two girls (2015, ages 14 and 9). These pleas were representative of 107 charges. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs imposed consecutive sentences totalling 11 years, suspended the final two and a half years on strict conditions, and noted the man's remorse and risk assessment.
James Fuery, 32, of Tallaght, pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply after a sniffer dog at Dublin Airport flagged a suitcase he had brought from Ibiza. Customs officers seized €404,520 of cannabis, weighing just under 22.5 kg, in 45 vacuum‑sealed packets. Fuery admitted it was his first time bringing drugs into the country and explained that he had relapsed into addiction, built a €15,000 drug debt, and was under pressure. Judge Elma Sheahan, noting the seriousness of the offence and Fuery's early plea, imposed a headline sentence of four and a half years. The court set a three‑year custodial term, suspended the final 12 months on strict conditions, including drug treatment. Fuery is a chef with a pro‑social family and has no prior drug convictions. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
A cattle farmer, Martin Murray, 59, was convicted of importing €730,000 worth of cannabis and was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. He appealed his conviction at the Court of Appeal, arguing that his solicitor had not understood the significance of hearsay evidence presented to the jury. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC contended that confidential information, including details of Garda confirmation that drugs would be found in the truck and Murray's identity as the target, was improperly introduced without warning to the jury. He claimed the trial judge should have clarified that this was hearsay. State counsel Kevin White BL defended the prosecution's use of the evidence, stating that the solicitor had consented to its presentation. The court adjourned the matter to allow the Director of Public Prosecutions to address the factual issues, with a further hearing scheduled for July 14. Martin Murray pleaded not guilty.
In a 2025 ruling, the Workplace Relations Commission rejected a discrimination claim by chef Serhat Aksakal against the Odeon Bar and Restaurant in Dublin. Aksakal alleged that a senior employee, Mr Z, thrust his genital area into him and made a "yee‑haw" noise, describing the act as having "undeniable sexual overtones." The WRC found the incident did not occur in a workplace where sexual harassment was tolerated. Aksakal had used ChatGPT to draft his complaint, and the tribunal noted the language used must accurately reflect the events. Mr Z was dismissed the month after the incident, and the company had already rectified a separate claim of unpaid tips. The commission upheld the dismissal and dismissed the discrimination claim, while acknowledging the claim under the Payment of Wages Act was well‑founded but had been remedied.
A 28‑year‑old man, Martin Gooney, pleaded guilty to coercive control and sexual assault. He was sentenced to three years and two months in prison, with a 12‑month post‑release supervision order. The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, described how Gooney hid in her shed to spy on her, used her phone to send false messages, and repeatedly threatened her with violence, including a plan to hang her dog. He also sexually assaulted her in March 2021 and had other incidents of sexual assault. Gooney has nine prior convictions, including assault and threats of serious harm. He denied wrongdoing during the Garda interview but read a letter of apology at sentencing, claiming he was "young and stupid" and had no regard for the victim's feelings. The judge noted the victim's ongoing fear and the profound, long‑lasting impact of Gooney's actions.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 19 May 2025, Frienna Rockett, 29, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious bodily harm after she broke a red light at a pedestrian crossing on St Peter's Road, Crumlin, and struck an 81‑year‑old woman who was walking her dog. The victim suffered a brain bleed, fractures to her legs, pelvis and clavicle, and a dislocated shoulder, requiring intensive care and rehabilitation. She now lives with constant pain, uses a walking aid and mobility scooter, and relies on her son for care. Rockett, who had no prior convictions, was driving a Volkswagen Golf at about 12:30 pm, did not speed, tested negative for alcohol, and had valid insurance. CCTV and dashcam footage showed the red‑light violation; Rockett claimed she was looking for her sister's house.
A forensic archaeologist, Dr Niamh McCullagh, testified that Tina Satchwell's body could have been hidden at her own home, citing research that most concealed homicides occur within a kilometre of the victim's address. She recommended a more invasive search of Richard Satchwell's house, including stairs, ground floor and use of a cadaver dog, just weeks before Gardaí began the operation. The jury was informed that the body was found in a grave almost one metre deep beneath the stairway, over six years after she was reported missing. The crime scene manager, retired Detective Sergeant Shane Curran, described the discovery of a clandestine burial under the stairs, where concrete had been broken and black plastic wrapped around the body. Garda Brian Barry noted a different coloured concrete and a poorly built wall, while a cadaver dog named Fern indicated the presence of remains.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Padraig Delaney, aged 44, was found guilty of murdering his friend Shane Knott, aged 37, who was discovered in a dog pen in Delaney's back garden wrapped in carpet underlay. Delaney claimed self‑defence after an alleged attack with scissors, but the jury rejected this defence. The court described the killing as brutal, with Knott suffering multiple head and brain injuries and his left face crushed. Delaney's statements about a Kinahan crime organisation sending Knott were deemed unfounded. Delaney, a former cabinet maker with a history of alcohol and substance abuse, was sentenced to life imprisonment. The judge called the murder "particularly brutal" and the treatment of the body "callous and disrespectful.".
In the trial of Richard Satchwell, the jury was shown photographs and a video of a shallow grave discovered beneath the stairs of his Cork home, where his wife Tina's remains were found six years after her disappearance. Gardaí used a cadaver dog named Fern to locate the body, and the excavation revealed a black plastic container holding the remains. The prosecution presented evidence that Satchwell had kept "bits and pieces" under the stairs and had been interviewed by Gardaí about the location of the body. Satchwell, aged 58, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his 45‑year‑old wife, Tina Satchwell, who died between 19 and 20 March 2017. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of five men and seven women.
In a High Court case, Mr. James Buckley was warned by Judge Liam Kennedy that he was "perilously close" to being jailed for contempt if he failed to return the racehorse 'Big Time Louie' to Ms. Caroline Teltsch by 5 pm. The court had ordered the Buckleys to pay over €800,000 in damages after they were found to have unjustly enriched themselves with money loaned by Ms. Teltsch, who co‑owns the horse. The horse was to be placed in Ms. Teltsch's care, but Mr. Buckley removed it from the Emerald Equestrian Centre in Glenamaddy, claiming its feet were "rotting" and it could not walk. Judge Brian Cregan adjourned the matter to the following week, emphasizing that continued breach of the order could lead to imprisonment. The Buckleys' appeal of the original ruling was dismissed by the Court of Appeal. The case highlights the court's insistence on compliance with its orders regarding the horse's custody.
A 42‑year‑old man, James Quigley, was convicted in July 2023 of 12 counts of sexual offences against a girl aged 7 to 11, including rape, anal rape and oral rape, and was sentenced to 13 years with six months suspended. He appealed, claiming the trial judge erred on two counts of vaginal rape. The Court of Appeal rejected his appeal but substituted one conviction of vaginal rape with a verdict of attempted rape. The court found ample evidence for the first count and insufficient evidence for the second, quashing that conviction and allowing the substitution. Quigley denies wrongdoing. The court noted the abuse began when the victim was seven, involved repeated exposure, touching, threats to kill her dog, recorded rapes, choking attempts, and a final incident where he slapped her and threatened her. The victim reported the abuse to Gardaí in 2020 after learning of it from her mother. The unnamed 42-year-old was acquitted.
PJ Sweeney has lost his appeal against a 15-year prison sentence for his role in a violent attack on security workers at a repossessed farmhouse in Strokestown, Co Roscommon. In the Court of Appeal, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, speaking for the three-judge court, dismissed the appeal, finding no error in principle in the original sentence imposed by Judge Martina Baxter. Sweeney, of High Cairn, Ramelton, Co Donegal, was convicted in June 2023 of 15 charges, including aggravated burglary, violent disorder, criminal damage, false imprisonment, assault, arson, and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC argued the sentence was excessive and disproportionate, citing Sweeney's good character and lack of prior convictions, and requested a suspended element. However, the Appeal Court rejected these arguments, noting there was no evidence of insight, remorse, or apology from Sweeney. The court emphasized the brutal nature of the attack, which aimed to inflict fear and terror, and upheld the maximum penalty for several offences. Sweeney's co-accused, Martin O'Toole and Paul Beirne, had previously dismissed their legal teams ahead of their own appeals. The Appeal Court confirmed that the trial judge was entitled to impose a custodial sentence without suspension given the circumstances.
In a Galway Circuit Criminal Court trial, a 26‑year‑old man charged with human trafficking, the organisation of prostitution and coercive control was told to the jury that he lived off his partner as a "cash cow". The prosecution, led by Patricia McLaughlin SC, described the complainant as an escort and lap dancer who worked from 11 am until midnight, earning money that the accused controlled. She claimed the accused did not seek employment and instead relied on her earnings, which were deposited in his bank account. The defence, represented by Delia Flynn SC, argued that the complainant's allegations lacked evidence and that she was aware of her rights and conducted her business voluntarily. The trial, presided over by Judge Brian O'Callaghan, continues with the jury to decide the man's guilt. The unnamed 26-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A 60-year-old truck driver from Belturbet, County Cavan, has been sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment following his conviction for drug trafficking. Gerard Doran pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cannabis worth approximately €1.02 million for sale or supply. The drugs were discovered on 25 February 2021 when his vehicle was searched at Dublin Port after arriving from Wales. A detector dog identified cannabis herb concealed in eight bags within the truck's cab. Doran also admitted possessing £4,195 in cash, knowing or being reckless as to whether it constituted proceeds of crime. He cooperated fully with the investigation, immediately accepting responsibility and directing gardaí to the money. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged Doran's admissions and cooperation, noting he had been under financial pressure at the time. The judge considered Doran's medical conditions when determining the sentence.
Colm Bergin, aged 26 and a qualified dog trainer, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for two robberies in Artane on 17 November 2023. In the first incident, he approached a commuter around 8:30 am, demanded his mobile phone and threatened to have his Pit‑bull bite him, then stole €25 and left on a bicycle with the dog on a lead. In the second, he confronted another commuter at a bus stop, demanded all his belongings, and when the man refused, set his dog on him. The dog bit the victim's leg twice or three times, causing bleeding. Bergin also stole the victim's backpack, which contained a laptop and wallet, and used the victim's card to make purchases. The victim suffered lasting physical and psychological harm, reporting difficulty walking for six months, back pain, anxiety and nightmares.
In the High Court, a case brought by six animal welfare charities against the State regarding regulations for XL Bully dogs was settled. Sunniva McDonagh SC, representing My Lovely Horse Rescue, Clare Animal Welfare, Working Animal Guardians, Dogs Angels Ireland, Wicklow Animal Welfare, and the Haven Rescue, informed Ms Justice Sara Phelan that the matter had been resolved. Shelley Horan BL, for the State, confirmed the settlement and indicated that amendments to the controversial regulations would be made. Counsel for the applicants proposed that the case be struck out on consent, with an order for the plaintiff's costs, though both orders could be postponed. They requested that the existing injunction preventing the Department of Rural Development from seizing or euthanising dogs remain in place until final orders are made four weeks after the promulgation of the amended regulations. Ms Justice Phelan adjourned the matter for mention on April 29. The case challenged regulations that would have allowed agents to seize or euthanise XL Bully dogs in the care of animal welfare organisations. Previously, Mr Justice John Jordan granted an injunction against these regulations, citing the lack of a review mechanism for breed assessments. Under the proposed rules, owners found in breach of the 1986 Control of Dogs Act by keeping an XL Bully without an exemption certificate face potential seizure and euthanasia of the animal, alongside imprisonment of up to three months, a fine of up to €2,500, or both.
In February 2024, a pallet of flat‑pack furniture was seized by Customs after a sniffer dog signalled the presence of drugs. Gardaí conducted a controlled delivery and, upon breaking into the wooden shelves, discovered €830,000 worth of cannabis herb hidden inside. The suspect, Arnoldas Paleckis, 33, of Mariners View, Castletownbere, was apprehended when he arrived in a rental van to collect the pallet. He pleaded guilty to one count of possessing drugs for sale or supply in Newcastle, Co Dublin, and to possessing an encrypted phone for the commission of an offence. Paleckis had a prior conviction for drug production in the UK, for which he received a two‑year sentence. At sentencing, Judge Martin Nolan accepted his guilty plea and remorse, noting the pressure he faced, and imposed a jail term of six years and nine months.
David Nally, 43, of Balbriggan, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to six charges for scamming two men out of over €900,000 through a fictitious cattle and machinery scheme between 2014 and 2016. He promised to buy livestock from a bank after farm repossessions and sell them at a profit. The victims invested more than €700,000 and €218,000 respectively. Nally returned some money, but the first victim remains owed about €390,000 and the second has lost €175,000. Gardaí found he never purchased cattle from a bank; the maximum he bought was 230 animals, not the claimed 3,000. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a six‑year custodial sentence, suspended the final 18 months, and ordered Nally to hand over €300,000 to be distributed to the victims within three months. The case is now before the High Court.
The High Court, exercising its limited power, granted an injunction that pauses the enforcement of new regulations set to take effect on 1 February 2025. The regulations would have allowed state agents to seize or euthanise XL Bully dogs held by animal welfare organisations. Mr Justice John Jordan noted that the regulations lack a review mechanism for a dog warden's assessment of the breed before euthanasia. He refused a second injunction that would have barred shelters from re‑homing the dogs. The stay remains until 27 February, when a substantive hearing on the broader Control of Dogs 2024 regulations will be held. The case was brought by barristers Sunniva McDonagh SC and Mariana Verdes BL on behalf of several charities, including My Lovely Horse Rescue and Clare Animal Welfare. The injunction reflects concerns about public safety amid recent dog attacks. The judge emphasised that the stay allows dogs to remain alive while the legal dispute is resolved.