A letting agent, Morgan Kierans, was ordered to pay €14,750 for extreme discrimination against an alleged domestic violence victim who was refused a new rent aid form and claimed she had abandoned her tenancy by fleeing to a women's refuge. The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) ruled that Kierans' belief that the tenant had vacated the property was lacking in credibility. The tenant, who had left the property temporarily for a refuge, was faced with mounting rent arrears when the letting agent refused to sign a new HAP application. The WRC adjudicator criticized Louth County Council for terminating housing assistance payments when the tenant's ex-partner quit the property, noting the catastrophic consequences for the family. Kierans was ordered to pay compensation and complete the HAP form if it was still outstanding.
A man in his 20s who threatened to throw acid in his wife's face, called her a 'fat bitch,' and punched her in the stomach while she was pregnant has been jailed for three and a half years for sexual assault and coercive control. The Central Criminal Court heard that the man had a history of abusive behavior, including kicking and punching his wife before they married. During their marriage, he continued to use derogatory language and physically abused her, even threatening her life. The woman described the emotional and psychological toll of the abuse, including feelings of betrayal and the lasting emotional scars. The man was found guilty of one count of sexual assault and coercive control. The judge noted the severity of the abuse and the impact on the victim's life, but also considered the man's early guilty plea and cooperation with the gardai. The sentence was backdated to April 23 of this year.
A north African doctor has been jailed for 10 years for the rape, coercive control, and assault of his wife over a three-year period. The 46-year-old man pleaded guilty to charges of assault causing harm but denied two charges of rape and one of coercive control. He was convicted of these charges following a trial at the Central Criminal Court in Sligo. The couple met in north Africa and married in 2010, later having three children. They moved to Ireland in 2017, where the woman did not qualify to work as a doctor and stayed at home. The man worked in various regional hospitals, and the family moved frequently according to his work. The woman testified that her husband used abusive language, isolated her, and imposed financial control. She experienced anxiety and panic attacks due to his behavior. The rape counts relate to two incidents between 2018 and 2019, including one during Ramadan. The court also heard about multiple assaults, including one where the man used a laptop to beat her.
A woman with 218 previous convictions, including 15 for breaching domestic violence orders, has been jailed for two months after breaching a barring order and refusing to leave her mother's home. The woman, who is in her 40s, pleaded guilty to breaching the order at her mother's south Dublin home on June 29. The case was heard in camera, with the defendant's mother having obtained the barring order in October 2025 after previous assaults. The woman remained at her mother's home for three days, during which her mother saw her drinking and became concerned about potential violence. The court heard that the woman had been working full-time and was sober for nine months before the breach. However, her mental health deteriorated after she stopped taking her prescribed medication and began drinking again. Judge Anne Watkin noted the woman's 16th breach of a domestic violence order and sentenced her to two months in prison, taking into account her guilty plea and the time already spent in custody.
Lawyers for a garda accused of raping his former wife and committing child cruelty have told the jury that the prosecution's case is "simply incredible." The defendant, a serving garda on suspension, has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including rape and child cruelty. The prosecution argued that the evidence showed a pattern of behavior that crossed the line from reasonable discipline to abuse. The defense, however, questioned the credibility of the witnesses, pointing out inconsistencies in the allegations and the lack of mention of domestic violence in a letter from the accused's ex-partner. The defense also highlighted that the ex-partner had no concerns about the safety of the children and had communicated with the accused about their care. The trial continues as the jury deliberates on the credibility of the evidence and the validity of the allegations.
Maurice Magner, a 44-year-old man from Co Cork, has been jailed for 17 years for coercive control, two counts of rape, one count of oral rape, two counts of anal rape, and three counts of sexual assault committed against his partner between 2019 and 2021. The victim described a regime of oppression, including being left without light and heat, being forced to stand in a hot press, and being subjected to physical and sexual abuse. Magner controlled all aspects of her life, including her finances, social contacts, and personal choices. The court heard that the victim was also denied basic pain medication and sanitary products after giving birth. During the trial, Magner broke down in tears. Justice Tony Hunt described the offenses as "sustained and deliberate" and emphasized the lack of consent in the sexual assaults. The judge imposed a 17-year sentence, with the final two years suspended on the condition that Magner agrees not to contact the victim. Maurice Magner was found guilty.
A 22-year-old man charged with threatening to kill his former partner lost an appeal against a High Court decision that upheld a District Court judge's refusal to hear formal submissions from his solicitor before refusing him bail. The man was charged with assault causing harm, making threats to kill, and breaching a safety order in Wicklow on April 20, 2026. During his bail application in the District Court, he denied the allegations, leading to his remand in custody. His legal team argued that the District Court judge failed to hear his submissions, but the High Court upheld the remand. The Court of Appeal dismissed the habeas corpus appeal, stating that the issue was moot as the original order was spent within eight days. The High Court judge was entitled to conclude that the bail hearing was fair, and the appellant had the opportunity for a full hearing in the High Court. The appeal was dismissed, and the man remained in custody.
A woman who was subjected to an extreme campaign of harassment by her garda partner has said she was "profoundly let down" after making a complaint about him to the ombudsman, which was "met with silence". Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Paul Moody (46) sent the victim thousands of messages while she was in hospital pregnant and threatened to send intimate images to her employer. Moody, formerly of St Rapheal's Manor, Celbridge, Kildare, pleaded guilty to harassment and coercive control on dates between March 2016 and November 2017. The court heard how Moody's offending continued while the woman was in hospital pregnant and after the birth of their child. Their relationship ended in early 2017. The defendant was previously jailed in 2022 for engaging in a four-year campaign of harassment, threats, assaults and coercive control of Nicola Hanney. He had pleaded guilty to a charge of coercion. The victim said she felt "profound anger" that Moody continued to serve – "wearing the uniform of protection" – but was an abuser behind closed doors.
A violent abuser who raped his former partner and subjected her to extreme domestic violence, including urinating on her, pouring bleach over her, and flushing her head down a toilet, has failed in his appeal to overturn his conviction. The man, who cannot be named to protect his ex-partner's identity, was convicted of 32 counts of assault causing harm, including 18 counts of assault causing harm, two counts of rape, and two counts of making threats to kill. The appeal was dismissed by Mr Justice John Edwards, who noted the victim's testimony about the degrading nature of the assaults. The defense argued that the prosecution's closing speech contained inappropriate expressions of personal opinion, but the court found that the trial judge adequately addressed these concerns. The appeal was dismissed, and the man was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with six months suspended. The victim's impact statement highlighted the lasting trauma and fear experienced during the abuse. The unnamed 53-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A 24-year-old man, Gavin Lawlor, who repeatedly assaulted and coercively controlled his teenage girlfriend, including punching her for 'liking' a TikTok video, has had his original sentence tripled by the Court of Appeal. Lawlor, from Wexford, pleaded guilty to eight counts of assault causing harm and one count of coercive and controlling behaviour between March 2021 and March 2022. In April 2025, he was sentenced to two years in prison with the final 12 months suspended. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) argued the sentence was unduly lenient. At the appeal hearing, the Court of Appeal agreed, overturning the original sentence and imposing a new jail term of four years with the final 12 months suspended. The court also directed Lawlor to pay €2,000 to his victim. The judge noted the repeat nature of the offending, the escalation in seriousness, and the coercive control, including removing the victim's phone SIM card and monitoring her movements. The court highlighted that Lawlor committed the second set of offences while on bail, which is an aggravating factor.
A 42-year-old man was convicted of breaching a safety order after calling his former partner a 'tramp' and making an offensive gesture at a food market. The victim, who was with her new partner and children, stated that the accused drove through the car park, passed her, and made the offensive remarks. The accused denied the allegations, claiming he had gone to the market to buy an air-conditioning unit and had not made any offensive gestures. The court found the victim's evidence credible and convicted the accused. The judge noted that the incident was at the lower end of domestic violence but emphasized that all such cases are serious. The accused, who was already serving a suspended sentence, was ordered to undergo a community service suitability report. The defense highlighted the accused's willingness to engage with the MOVE programme and his part-time work. The unnamed 42-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Dubliner Conor Wallace (34) has been sentenced to three years in prison, with the final year suspended for two years, following his guilty plea to coercive control between May 2021 and December 2022. The court heard that Wallace subjected his then-partner to a prolonged period of controlling, abusive and violent behaviour, including during the Covid-19 lockdown. After the relationship ended in December 2022, Wallace continued to harass the victim through numerous emails, texts and calls, and even threw a bottle through her window in December 2023. Separate charges of criminal damage and harassment were taken into consideration in sentencing. The court heard that Wallace lied about his personal circumstances, including claiming to have no family and fabricating stories about his health, in order to manipulate the victim into giving him money. The victim, who was present in court with supporters, described Wallace as a 'complete fraud' and stated that his actions left her psychologically damaged and in a 'state of fear'. Judge Orla Crowe noted that Wallace showed an utter lack of empathy and that the victim demonstrated an extraordinary level of kindness. The sentence was reduced from four years to three years to account for mitigating factors, including Wallace's guilty plea and his attempts to address his alcoholism. The suspended portion of the sentence is conditional on Wallace keeping the peace, engaging with the Probation Service, and disclosing any future intimate partner relationships to the Probation Service. He is also prohibited from having any contact with the injured party.
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.
A man in his 30s who sent threatening voice messages to his former partner, breaching a protection order, has been given a two-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. Gardai informed Tallaght District Court that on August 9, 2023, the man sent threatening voice notes to the mother of his children, which put her in fear and violated a protection order issued on November 9, 2022. The defendant pleaded guilty to breaching the protection order under the Domestic Violence Act, 2018. Judge Liz Healy noted that a probation report on the defendant was not as positive as it could have been, raising concerns about his engagement with services and his views on intimate partner violence. The man explained that he missed appointments due to moving house and not receiving letters. Defence counsel, Ciara Ní Ghabhann BL, stated that her client did not intend to come across in that way and suggested the Probation Service may have misunderstood him. Judge Healy emphasized that engagement with services such as the MOVE Ireland programme could help address these issues.
The District Court Appeals Court reduced an unnamed man's 18-month term to 15 months after reviewing convictions for assault, criminal damage, safety-order breaches, obstruction and threats. The appeal court heard allegations of domestic violence, intimidation and threats to kill a garda, and imposed a two-year bond and course condition.
The Court of Appeal quashed the November 2023 proceedings of a Garda board of inquiry into Keith Harrison and sent the matter back for a lawful determination. It found a grave risk of an unsustainable decision after the board refused access to interview notes central to the evidence.
Taylor Moran (23), of McDermott Street, Ballina, pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Court to assault causing harm outside St Mary's Secondary School on April 2, 2021. The court heard that the victim, Martin McDonagh (23), suffered three deep puncture wounds to the lower abdomen during a brawl. CCTV footage showed Moran returning to the scene with a broken claw hammer and striking McDonagh five times. Although Moran initially denied involvement to gardaí, he admitted the charge. Judge Eoin Garavan noted the offence was premeditated and involved a deadly weapon. Defending counsel Dr Laura Byrne BL submitted a probation report highlighting Moran's difficult background, mental health medication, and remorse. Moran's mother testified regarding domestic violence in the household and his recent employment prospects. The judge adjourned sentencing until the autumn, warning Moran that custody was probable unless he demonstrated significant improvement. He was instructed to secure employment, address alcohol and cannabis issues, and engage in counselling. Moran was remanded on bail for sentencing on October 6. Co-accused Thomas Maloney (29), of Riverside Drive, Ballina, is also due to be sentenced on the next date.
A 45-year-old man who slapped his eight-year-old son over toileting issues in 2018 has been jailed for two years and four months, with the final eight months suspended. The man pleaded guilty to child cruelty and assault causing harm. He has six previous convictions for domestic violence against the boy's mother. Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin described the incident as a breach of parental trust and noted the psychological impact on the boy, who now experiences anxiety. The man self-reported the incident to authorities in 2019. The court heard that the boy's mother did not report the incident to Tusla, and photos of the boy's injuries were shown in court. The man, who represented himself, expressed that he believed the judge was fair and questioned the sentence length. The judge allowed him to appeal the sentence to the Court of Appeal.
An unnamed man had his conviction for breaching a safety order overturned on appeal by the District Court Appeals Court. The appellant, who was originally convicted in the District Court on May 24, 2023, under section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018, was fined €500 before lodging the appeal. The case involved allegations that he threatened his ex-partner during a child access collection. While the complainant and a prosecution witness testified that the man used threatening language, the appellant denied using such words, stating he was merely discussing the child's confusion. Defence counsel argued the evidence did not meet the criminal standard, highlighting conflicting accounts. Judge Gerard Meehan allowed the appeal, finding that the court could not be satisfied beyond doubt that the alleged words were used. The judge concluded that the evidence did not reach the criminal standard required for a conviction, resulting in the conviction being overturned.
A man from Ballyhaunis, County Mayo has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for a sustained campaign of domestic violence against his former partner spanning seven years. Mark White, aged 54, pleaded guilty to six counts of assault causing harm, one count of threatening to kill and one count of sexual assault at their family home between 2010 and 2017. The court heard White subjected his partner to beatings, including an attack when she was 24 weeks pregnant, broke bones in her face and drove a vehicle towards her at speed. He also held a knife to her throat and sexually assaulted her. Some incidents occurred in front of their two children. White left the jurisdiction before gardai could interview him in 2019 and was subsequently arrested at Dublin Airport in November 2024 following a European Arrest Warrant. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a headline sentence of eleven years, reduced to nine years and six months, with the final eighteen months suspended.
A man who was found guilty of ten breaches of a safety order by sending emails and a text to a woman has had all but one of his convictions dismissed under the probation act on appeal. The injured party told the District Court Appeals Court that the man's actions were a "constant harassment" and that she cannot live a normal, peaceful life. The court was told that the parties are subject to an 'Isaac Wunder' order preventing them from taking further legal proceedings without a judge's leave. The man, who cannot be named to protect the anonymity of the parties involved, was convicted in the District Court of ten counts of contravening a safety order by communicating by electronic means with the injured party, contrary to section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018. The charges relate to emails and a text sent to the injured party on dates from January 19 to April 15, 2022.
Domestic abuse survivor Margaret Loftus has described her experience of the criminal justice system as 'every bit as damaging as the abuse itself'. Speaking outside the Criminal Courts of Justice, she said the conclusion of the case marked the end of a 'very difficult, traumatic journey' that took 14 years and 58 court appearances. Ms Loftus said Detective Garda Trevor Bolger violently assaulted her and was granted full legal aid by the court. She thanked Judge Martina Baxter, her husband and family, and the investigation team for their support. She expressed disappointment at seeing members of An Garda Siochana support Bolger in court. Ms Loftus thanked all women who have stood against male violence and urged others to come forward if they are victims of domestic abuse. Chief Superintendent Ian Lackey acknowledged the bravery of Ms Loftus and the professionalism of the investigation team. He said An Garda Siochana has a zero tolerance for domestic abuse and encouraged victims to contact the Garda or support services for help.
Sarah Ryan, a victim of rape and coercive control by her former partner Nathan Grant McNulty, spoke out after he was jailed for eight years. Ms Ryan waived her right to anonymity, emphasizing the importance of speaking out against abuse. She described the experience as 'pure evil' and expressed a desire to 'turn my pain into purpose'. McNulty pleaded guilty to charges of rape and coercive control. The court heard that Ms Ryan suffered years of physical and emotional abuse, including beatings and threats. She described feeling trapped in a nightmare and suffering from severe depression and anxiety. The judge noted the aggravating factor of the relationship being intimate and domestic. McNulty received a nine-year sentence with the final year suspended under strict conditions. Ms Ryan's family, friends, and support organizations were thanked for their support. The case highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of seeking help. Nathan Grant McNulty was convicted.
A man subjected his wife to a prolonged campaign of coercive control, sexual assault, and rape during the Covid-19 lockdown, leading to a nine-and-a-half-year prison sentence. The victim described the ordeal as a "prolonged campaign of domination" that culminated in a rape in June 2021. The court heard that the man threatened to expose her private matters, slapped her in front of her children, and repeatedly sexually assaulted her despite her repeated refusals. The victim suffered from PTSD and described the lasting psychological impact of the abuse. The judge noted the man's disregard for his wife's consent and the severe breach of trust. He imposed consecutive sentences and suspended the final 18 months on strict conditions, including no contact with the victim. The man has 10 previous convictions for breaching barring orders and has since expressed remorse, though the judge was skeptical of his sincerity. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
A man described as a 'manipulative monster' with a history of violence against women has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his eight-year-old daughter and attempted murder of his partner. Muhammed Al Shaker Al Tamimi, who pleaded guilty to the crimes, was given a consecutive ten-year sentence for the attempted murder of his partner, Aisha Al Katib, which will be served before the life sentence. The court heard that Al Tamimi, who had previously held Aisha against her will and forced her to have sex without her consent, stabbed his daughter in front of Aisha, who was paralyzed and unable to move. Aisha described the moment as one of the most traumatic of her life, with Al Tamimi smiling directly at her as he cut his daughter's throat. The judge emphasized the domestic violence aspect of the case and the extraordinary level of violence, stating that the sentences were appropriate.
A criminal who assaulted, raped and coercively controlled his partner during a six-week relationship in which she endured 'violence and extreme degradation' will remain in prison after a court today rejected his appeal against conviction. Dean Ward (38), also known as Dean Alexander Fowkes, was convicted following a trial in June 2022 of twelve offences, including four assaults, one false imprisonment, one making a threat to kill, two counts of production of articles, three counts of rape and one count of coercive control on dates between June 11 and July 17, 2019. Ward, who was jailed for 17 years, does not accept the verdict of the jury and continues to maintain his innocence. He was also jailed in 2016 for four years for falsely imprisoning and assaulting a young mother in November 2015. Survivor Ms Sinéad O'Neill, who was the victim in both cases, was also convicted in the trial. At Ward's sentence hearing, Ms O'Neill told the court she had led a quiet, happy life and had wanted someone to share it with. 'It only took him six weeks to destroy me,' she said. The matter was adjourned at the appeal stage.
A 'vulnerable' mother and cancer survivor, Sarah Jane Byrne, was jailed for four years by the Special Criminal Court for possessing an arsenal of weapons 'secreted' under the stairs of her home. Despite her lawyers' requests for a short sentence, Judge Karen O'Connor emphasized the need for a deterrent and the protection of society from weapons of brutality. Byrne, along with Jamie Moss, pleaded guilty and were considered at low risk of reoffending. Byrne's defense highlighted her mental health and addiction issues, as well as her history of domestic abuse. Gardai discovered firearms, including a sub-machine gun and a shotgun, during a search of her home. Judge O'Connor noted the serious nature of the weapons and the aggravating factors in Byrne's case, including her drug addiction and history of domestic abuse. She also acknowledged Byrne's cooperation and ongoing rehabilitation. Moss, who had an impressive work history, was sentenced to three years and eight months, with the final 20 months suspended. Both sentences are to run concurrently.
A 30‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to five years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended, for a series of domestic violence offences spanning 2016‑2022. He pleaded guilty to six counts of criminal damage, three counts of assault causing harm and two counts of threatening to kill the woman and her family. The court heard he physically abused his partner, punched her, threw a lamp, smashed her phone and forced her into a bath, and threatened her with murder‑suicide. He also threatened to kill her mother, sister and herself. The judge noted the psychological impact of his jealousy and control, ordering him to attend intimate partner violence programmes and to have no contact with the victim during custody and for five years thereafter. The victim's impact statement described feeling worthless and fearful, and she praised the judge's recognition of her bravery.
A non‑national defendant, whose name is withheld for legal reasons, had an 11‑month jail sentence for breaching a safety order replaced with a fully suspended term on appeal. The defendant had previously posted an animated Facebook video featuring his ex‑wife's distorted voice and a second video showing cropped images of her family and current partner. He pleaded not guilty to two counts of breaching a safety order under section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018. The District Court convicted him of ten months and eleven months in custody, to run concurrently, and he appealed the severity of the sentence. The District Court Appeals Court, after hearing the defendant's counsel, decided to fully suspend the ten‑ and eleven‑month terms for a maximum period of 24 months, ordering the defendant to be supervised by probation services and to comply with all related orders.
In a High Court sentencing hearing, Mr Justice Tony Hunt imposed a three‑year global sentence on an unnamed defendant who had been convicted of assault causing harm and coercive control. The defendant, who had no prior convictions, had abused his wife over a 12‑year period, including a 2010 incident where he pushed a hot plate of food into her face, causing burns. He also engaged in controlling behaviour such as monitoring her spending, threatening suicide, and removing shower fixtures. The judge noted that the defendant's lack of previous convictions might carry less weight in mitigation, but still considered the prolonged abuse. The final sentence was two years suspended for three years on strict conditions, with one year custodial. The judge described the case as "very sad" and highlighted the enduring impact on the victim and children.
A 24‑year‑old man was sentenced to four years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, for assault, threats to kill, coercive control and threatening to publish intimate images of a 20‑year‑old woman. He moved into her rented home within weeks of meeting her, forced her younger brother to leave, and controlled her food, clothing, money and communications. He sent almost 5,000 abusive text messages over a four‑day period, threatening to cut her head off, to show her vagina on Facebook and to publish intimate images. He also threatened to dance on her face and to "fuck her up". The judge noted his guilty plea, cooperation with Gardaí, apology letter and a reference from an employer, but the victim declined to accept the apology. A probation report placed him at high risk of re‑offending for emotional abuse and coercive control. The case was heard in the Circuit Court.
A man accused of repeatedly breaching a protection order by contacting his former partner on social media was granted bail by Judge Alan Mitchell at Cloverhill District Court. He faces six charges under the Domestic Violence Act 2018 for alleged Facebook messages and an Instagram follow request between June and July. The complainant, who shared a home with him and is the mother of his children, said she feared him and had to cancel her child's birthday party. She claimed he had contacted neighbours and could appear unexpectedly. Defence counsel argued the messages contained no physical threats and that the man had not been arrested until late October. Judge Mitchell noted the alleged breaches dated back to June and July but the man had only been charged on 20 October, with no contact since. He said the order allowed no contact except text, and the alleged communications were not prohibited.
John Hoey, a 24‑year‑old carpet fitter, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to assaulting his pregnant partner and threatening her with a Stanley knife. The court heard that Hoey repeatedly beat his partner, pushed her head under running water, struck her with a toilet brush, and threatened to kill her if she sent any more Snapchat messages. He also smashed their patio door and a mirror, and grabbed her by the throat, causing her to pass out. Hoey admitted the assault, expressed remorse, and has no prior convictions. The judge noted the sustained violent attack and ordered Hoey to engage with the Probation Service and attend intimate partner violence programmes for 12 months upon release. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the domestic violence but acknowledges his lack of previous convictions and his willingness to seek help.
A 44‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to 18 years' imprisonment for a series of sexual offences against his daughter, aged five to eight during 2020‑2022, and for a prolonged assault on his former partner on 28 September 2023. The court found him guilty of five counts of sexual assault, four counts of rape, one count of exposing the child to pornography, one count of false imprisonment of the partner and one count of threatening to kill her. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the partner. The judge imposed six years for the partner's offences and 13 years for the child's offences, to run consecutively, suspending the final year on conditions including probation supervision for three years. The sentence reflected the domestic violence provisions and the severe impact on the victimised daughter, who remains a child. The man continues to deny the charges.
Pedro Cifali, 37, a Brazilian, will be sentenced on 9 February 2025 for attempting to murder his former partner, Lucia Nezbalova, 43, in Dublin. He electronically tracked her car, disguised himself, and stabbed her at her home in Garnish Square, causing severe injuries that required surgery. Nezbalova suffered life‑threatening wounds and now endures PTSD, anxiety and depression. Cifali pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and has no prior record. He has been in custody since the incident and has shown progress. The court adjourned sentencing to 9 February, with the prosecution seeking a headline sentence of 15 to 20 years, citing the extreme violence, premeditation and domestic abuse context. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further outcomes reported.
In an appeal hearing, a man's conviction for breaching a protection order by allegedly grabbing his ex‑partner's arm during an argument over a child's car seat was overturned. The man, who pleaded not guilty in the District Court, had been convicted under section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 and sentenced to a six‑month term that was fully suspended. He appealed the conviction, arguing that his hand had only touched the woman while demonstrating the tension of the seat belt and that the contact was inadvertent. The prosecution maintained that the woman's fear was justified. Judge Deirdre Browne found the woman's testimony credible, noted that the contact was likely accidental, and ruled that the action did not meet the threshold for a breach of the protection order, allowing the appeal to stand.
A man was arrested by Gardaí after drunkenly attempting to climb into his ex‑partner's Dublin home, following repeated breaches of a safety order issued in January 2024. He was convicted in the District Court of two counts of breaching the order under section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 and sentenced to three months' custody. On appeal, the District Court Appeals Court increased the custodial term to six months but suspended the entire sentence for one year, subject to the defendant's compliance with probation supervision, psychological counselling and alcohol‑abuse treatment. The appeal was based on the defendant's cooperation with Gardaí, his stated mental‑health struggles, sobriety, and family responsibilities, as presented by his counsel and the judge's remarks on the seriousness of the breaches and the impact on the victim's children.
A man convicted of breaching a safety order under section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 has requested that the District Court of Appeals extend his custodial sentence to allow him to complete prison courses. He was originally sentenced to ten months in custody, the maximum for the offence being twelve months, and has appealed that sentence. The defendant, whose name cannot be disclosed, has 56 prior convictions, including assault and criminal damage. His solicitor, Paddy McGarry, described the request as an "unusual application" and said the client feels prison is a safer environment and wants to "keep his head down" while rehabilitating. Judge Fiona O'Sullivan acknowledged the appeal, noted the mitigating circumstance of an early guilty plea, and postponed a final decision until a psychological report is available, setting a new deadline of 1 December.
In a Dublin case, a man who entered an arranged marriage with a woman was found guilty of assault and coercive control. He pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm on 27 January 2020 and one count of coercive control. The court noted that the maximum sentence for each count was five years. The judge, Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, imposed a headline sentence of nine months for the assault and a concurrent 18‑month sentence for coercive control, but suspended the 12‑month term in full on strict conditions for two years. The man was required to engage with the Probation Service during that period. The case involved the man restricting the woman's food and heating, isolating her, and monitoring her through a security system. The woman, aged 27, described the assault and the emotional impact in a victim impact statement.
An unnamed man, who pleaded guilty to breaching a safety order, had his conviction removed on appeal. In March 2025, he received a one-month suspended sentence for sending a woman videos of a Bruce Springsteen concert and a YouTube link between February and June 2024, contrary to section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018. The appellant lodged an appeal against the severity of that term. Judge Christopher Callan, presiding over the District Court Appeals Court, noted that Springsteen "would not be too happy" to see his music used in this manner. While acknowledging the victim impact statement detailed the fear caused by the communications, the judge accepted defence counsel Seosaimhín Ní Chathasaigh's submission that the man showed sincere remorse and that a conviction would have life-altering effects on his employment and travel. The judge decided to remove the criminal conviction on the condition that the man pays a donation of €1,000 to Women's Aid. The existing safety order, which has been extended with the client's consent, remains in place until 2030.
Martin Hayes, aged 36, was convicted of manslaughter for the death of Amadea McDermott, aged 27, in a home in Coolock on 20 July 2017. He was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by a majority verdict in the Central Criminal Court in November 2023. Hayes had pleaded not guilty to murder and claimed that McDermott had stabbed herself, a claim the court rejected. He admitted using violence against her. Mr Justice Paul McDermott sentenced him to 12 years and six months, citing domestic violence and a history of aggressive behaviour. Hayes appealed, arguing the judge over‑weighted aggravating factors and under‑weighted mitigating ones. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy dismissed the appeal, affirming the 12‑year‑six‑month sentence and noting limited mitigating factors and significant aggravating domestic violence evidence. The appeal was rejected on the basis that the judge's factual findings were correct and the sentence was appropriate.
A mentally ill man, diagnosed with bipolar disorder and psychosis, had his four‑month jail sentence for breaching a safety order overturned on appeal. He had pleaded guilty in the District Court to breaching a safety order twice under section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 and to trespassing under section 3 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. He also faced charges of making off without payment, theft and failure to appear in court. The appeal was lodged after the court heard that he had been arrested on 3 October 2024 at a woman's property where a safety order was in place, and again on 9 May 2024 at an Applegreen on Stillorgan Road where he poured petrol worth 60 cents into a bag and left without paying. He was also charged with failure to appear in court for that offence.
In a Tallaght District Court hearing, a woman in her 40s, whose name is withheld for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to breaching a protection order on 19 July 2024, violating Section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018. The court heard that she had made a threatening phone call and sent abusive text messages to her former partner, who was left in fear. The texts included insults such as "junkie bastard" and accusations that he was not the father of their child, and a phone call in which she threatened that he would never see their daughter again. The judge, Patricia McNamara, noted this was the woman's second conviction for breaching a protection order. She was sentenced to seven months' imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, on strict conditions that she not reoffend, take prescribed medication and pay €200 within five months. If she breaches any of these conditions, she will face the seven‑month term.
A man who breached a safety order by posting a video of his ex‑wife on Facebook, with abusive rap music over four images, had his four‑month jail sentence replaced with a suspended term on appeal. He pleaded guilty in the District Court to breaching a safety order under section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 on 13 June 2024. The video looped four pictures: the ex‑wife in a swimsuit on a beach, her new partner, a vehicle she had owned, and another picture of her, all with digitally distorted faces. The rap music contained abusive lyrics. Defence counsel acknowledged the mistake and said the client now understands the order and apologised. Judge Christopher Callan suspended the four‑month sentence for 12 months, requiring the defendant to keep the peace and obey the safety order, including no contact with the injured party by any means.
A man in his 30s was jailed for three months after breaching a safety order by calling his former partner and claiming a five‑year‑old girl had dialled the number. He pleaded not guilty under Section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018. The woman, who was preparing her children for school when the call rang on 2 July 2024, said she was frightened and left the house. She did not answer the call, but it was enough to create fear. The accused said he had given the phone to a child in the car and that the child had made the call. He had previously deleted the complainant's number but was using a new phone with a SIM that still contained it. Prosecuting solicitor Tom Conlon questioned the plausibility of the explanation, noting the accused's six prior convictions, including assault and three prior breaches of safety and protection orders.
A 24-year-old man from St Catherine's Park, Rush, Co Dublin, has been remanded in custody pending sentence next October following his guilty plea to criminal damage on March 31, 2024, and assault causing harm to a woman on April 3, 2024. John Hoey admitted to the charges during a hearing at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The prosecution outlined that the woman, who is pregnant, sustained injuries including a black eye and a cut to her head. Garda Niamh Owens detailed that Hoey had been accessing her Snapchat and accused her of cheating, leading to a violent incident where he pushed her head under water during a bath, threatened her with a Stanley knife, and grabbed her by the throat, causing her to pass out. The woman managed to escape the house with assistance from passersby. Hoey's defence acknowledged his client's history of anger management issues and his attendance at counselling since the incident. The court heard that Hoey and the woman are still in a relationship, and their child was born late last year. The woman did not complete a victim impact statement. Ms Cummings informed the court that if the defence wished to adjourn the case for a probation report, the State would request Hoey's bail be revoked and he be remanded in custody. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned sentence to next October and instructed Hoey to engage with The Probation Service and undergo domestic violence courses.
Deirdre Arnold, 42, a former HSE addiction counsellor, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended, for acting as a getaway driver for Brian McHugh, who murdered Lisa Thompson. The Central Criminal Court heard that Arnold drove McHugh to Thompson's home on 9 May 2022, where she waited outside for over an hour before driving him away, and later helped him evade prosecution by checking him into the Clayton Hotel. She also used her silver Hyundai Tucson to dispose of evidence taken from Thompson's house. Arnold had previously complained of domestic abuse and had an interim barring order against McHugh. She pleaded not guilty to the two counts of aiding and abetting and of perverting the course of public justice. The judge noted her history of abuse, her remorse, and her role as a mother, and reduced the headline sentence from five to three years after considering mitigation.
An unnamed man in his 50s was sentenced at Dún Laoghaire District Court after being convicted of breaching a safety order. The defendant had pleaded not guilty to two counts of breaching a safety order under Section 33(1) of the Domestic Violence Act 2018, alleged to have occurred on 13 and 19 September 2024. Judge Conor Fottrell found the charges proven, describing the incidents as clear breaches of court-imposed restrictions. The man was prohibited from attending his former partner's home under a three-year safety order granted in May 2023, which limited contact to email for child access matters. The complainant told the court that the man appeared at her property twice within a week, causing her to live in constant fear and lose trust in the legal system. Although the accused claimed he believed he had permission to attend on 13 September to drop off money, no email authorizing this was produced to the court. The judge noted the order's terms were unambiguous and found the woman's evidence credible. The defendant received a two-month suspended sentence, suspended for 12 months, on the condition that he stay away from the woman's home and fully comply with the safety order.
A domestic‑violence charity was ordered by the Workplace Relations Commission to pay its former finance manager nearly €35,000 after he was dismissed for voicing concerns that the charity's accounts might not survive an audit. The manager, a chartered accountant, had joined the charity as an independent contractor in June 2023 and became a staff member on 30 September. He emailed the chief executive on 27 October 2023 requesting extra time to investigate a draft loss of €33,000 and to correct accounting anomalies. The CEO responded the next day, and the manager was terminated on 2 November 2023. The WRC found the dismissal was "wholly or mainly" due to the manager's protected disclosure and awarded him €34,737 in compensation. The charity's identity was kept confidential to protect victims of domestic abuse from negative publicity. The case was heard in a private tribunal.
Trevor Bolger (48), a former garda detective, pleaded guilty to assaulting his former wife, Margaret Loftus, on October 25, 2012. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court, with the validated procedural stage being sentence. Ms Loftus, who is also a garda, described the assault as a 'protracted assault' that had a significant impact on her personal and professional life. She stated that she lost everything and faced a stigma within An Garda Siochana for standing up for herself. Bolger admitted to the charges and was found to have assaulted Ms Loftus 13 years ago. The court heard that the maximum penalty for the assault, under Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, is six months imprisonment or a fine. Judge Martina Baxter described the assault as 'egregious' and said she would seek the assistance of the Probation Service before adjourning the case for sentencing in October. Bolger was remanded on continuing bail, and the matter was adjourned.