Wojciech Kwasny, a 41-year-old mechanic from Swords, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to cultivating cannabis at his home and an industrial unit at Mace Pool, Kilsallaghan, Co Dublin, on February 25, 2016. The defendant admitted to the charges, claiming he grew the drugs for medicinal purposes to ease his osteoarthritis. Garda Thomas Doherty testified that officers from the Swords Drug Unit executed a search warrant at the Kilsallaghan unit, where they discovered two rooms in a marquee equipped with foiled heating lamps, cultivation equipment, and dehumidifiers. Inside, they found cannabis plants at mature growth stages and a drying tent containing 1.49kg of the drug, valued at €29,860. Kwasny subsequently directed gardai to his home, where ten sapling plants worth €8,000 were found. Prosecuting counsel Gerardine Small BL presented the evidence, while defending counsel Maria McCormack BL highlighted Kwasny's cooperation, remorse, and twelve-year employment history. Judge Martin Nolan expressed suspicion regarding the large quantity involved but noted Kwasny had no previous convictions. The judge stated it would be unjust to imprison the defendant given his good record. Consequently, the court suspended the sentence for three years.
Frank Dunne, 57, of Lealand House, Clondalkin, and Glen Murray, 28, of Pairc Mhuire, Saggart, were arrested during a drug handover after a Garda tip. Dunne was caught handing a package of cocaine to Murray; Gardaí found over €95,000 worth of cocaine at Dunne's home. Both pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine for sale or supply on 15 October 2016. In Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Karen O'Connor sentenced Dunne to three‑and‑a‑half years, suspending the final 18 months on conditions, and Murray to two years, suspending the term in lieu of 240 hours of community service. The court noted Murray's psychological background, low intellect, ADHD and Tourette's Syndrome, and described him as psychologically vulnerable. The case was heard on 20 November 2017, with no prior convictions for either man. The sentencing reflected the court's view that drug dealing causes "destruction and despair" in society.
In Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Jason Kearney, 37, was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment for possession for sale or supply of drugs over €13,000. Kearney, described as a "drugs courier", was involved in the handover of nearly €250,000 worth of cocaine. Garda surveillance of co‑accused Trevor Brunton, 35, led to the interception of both men's vehicles on 28 July 2016. Eight blocks of cocaine, weighing just over three kilos and wrapped in silver duct tape, were seized. The drugs had an estimated street value of €245,000. Kearney pleaded guilty to the offence; Brunton pleaded guilty on a later court date and will be sentenced in January. Kearney's sentence follows a 2008 conviction that carried seven years with four suspended, and the law mandates a ten‑year term for a second conviction of this nature. The judge agreed to review the sentence after six years.
Andras Szabo, 35, of North Circular Road, Dublin, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment after pleading guilty to possession of heroin for sale or supply at his flat on 5 July 2016. Gardaí had suspected Szabo of drug dealing and, during a search, found a small "Kinder Surprise egg" box containing plastic bags of heroin, a weighing scale and €1,635 in cash. Szabo admitted keeping the drugs in the egg and that he had been dealing them for two weeks, claiming he was trying to earn money to send to his daughter in Hungary. He had two prior convictions for drug dealing in 2014, for which he received suspended jail sentences. The judge noted Szabo's previous employment record but also that he had been given earlier chances by the courts, which he did not take advantage of, and therefore a jail term was unavoidable.
During a routine traffic stop for not wearing a seat belt, Garda Alan Murray discovered that Joseph Smith, 27, was driving a black BMW without a seat belt. Smith initially denied the allegation but later provided his licence and insurance. The garda then found a hold‑all in the front passenger footwell containing a clear bag of cannabis and, upon Smith's return, seized the hold‑all, revealing three bags of cannabis and an electronic weighing scale. The drugs were estimated to be worth €4,760. Smith pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply on 23 March 2016. His counsel, Sarah Jane O'Callaghan, argued that Smith had been drug‑free and had turned his life around, citing a prior drug debt of €3,000 from a cocaine addiction. Judge Martin Nolan accepted that Smith was unlikely to re‑offend in this manner and suspended a three‑year prison sentence on the condition of good behaviour for that period.
Lino Simonetti, a 38-year-old Italian chef residing on Aungier Street, Dublin, appeared before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court at the sentencing stage. He pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and cannabis for sale or supply at his home on September 28, 2016. Prosecution evidence indicated that gardai, acting on a warrant, recovered cannabis valued at €29,600, cocaine valued at €3,080, and small amounts of MDMA and ketamine. Simonetti also directed officers to bagging and weighing scales. He admitted to having a drug habit and selling substances to fund his use. Defending counsel highlighted Simonetti's lack of previous convictions, his early guilty plea, and his cooperation with gardai. The court noted his prior work history in healthcare and education in Africa and Ireland. Judge Martin Nolan observed that Simonetti had rehabilitated himself regarding drug dealing and was unlikely to reoffend in this manner. The judge imposed a four-year sentence, which was suspended in full on strict conditions. Simonetti avoided immediate custody as a result of this disposal.
Sean Dowdall, aged 23, was sentenced to 13 months in prison for stealing a taxi driver's car after a drug and alcohol binge. He claimed a woman, with whom he was not closely acquainted, had told him she was pregnant and that he was the father. Dowdall denied this later, stating he was not the father. He had stolen two cars over two days, the first being a taxi that crashed into a lamp post after he drove off while intoxicated. He had previously pleaded guilty to stealing a car from a petrol station on Tir Chonaill Road on 12 February 2016, and had 57 prior convictions, including assault, theft and car theft. The court noted he had 57 previous convictions and that the stolen car was written off due to damage. Judge Martin Nolan imposed the 13‑month sentence. The prosecution, represented by Pieter LeVert BL, described the circumstances of the theft and the subsequent crash.
A murder trial at the Central Criminal Court heard that a Sligo man told gardai he was deeply sorry for the death of a 59-year-old and would sacrifice his own life if he could. Keith Brady, aged 30, of Cartron Estate, Sligo, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in relation to the death of Martin Kivlehan at New Apartments, Holborn Street, Sligo on 2–3 August 2015. The prosecution rejected the guilty plea, and the trial is proceeding. During interviews at Sligo Garda Station on 4–5 August 2015, Mr Brady initially gave no comment responses before providing an account of events. He told gardai that he had consumed alcohol, Xanax, and heroin at the deceased's home, and that he stabbed Mr Kivlehan after an incident involving his sister. The accused stated he had no intention of killing anyone and attributed his actions to substance use. The trial continues before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
The Central Criminal Court heard evidence regarding the arrest of Keith Brady, 30, of Cartron Estate, Sligo, who is on trial for the death of Mr Kivlehan, 59, at New Apartments, Holborn St, Sligo, on August 2/3, 2015. Mr Brady pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter; this plea was not accepted, and he is currently standing trial. Sergeant Pat Harney of Sligo Garda Station testified that Mr Brady and his sister, Janice Brady, were at the garda station on August 3, 2015. Mr Brady had previously been arrested under the Misuse of Drugs Act by Detective Garda Conor Jordan, who noted Mr Brady was a heroin addict. Sgt Harney stated the decision was made to arrest Mr Brady on suspicion of Mr Kivlehan's murder. During the arrest, Mr Brady was described as extremely agitated and aggressive, shouting to his sister: "Don't say anything, they are trying to stitch us up." Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC agreed with the prosecution that Mr Brady was not aggressive towards any person, but only towards inanimate objects. The trial continues before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury of seven women and five men.
Sean Kerins, a 26-year-old Limerick man with 105 previous convictions, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for offences committed in Clondalkin on October 9, 2016. Kerins pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a vehicle, criminal damage to an unmarked patrol car, and two counts of dangerous driving. The court heard that Kerins, who was disqualified from driving at the time, drove a stolen Honda Civic at speeds exceeding 160 km/h during a police pursuit. He failed to stop, drove through red lights, and subsequently reversed at speed into a patrol vehicle, causing damage. Defence counsel Carol Doherty BL highlighted Kerins' difficult background, lack of parental support, and drug use, describing him as heavily institutionalised and genuinely apologetic. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged Kerins' challenging life circumstances but characterised him as a "menace to society" who endangered the public. The judge imposed a three and a half year sentence, suspending the final year on strict conditions. The matter was finalised with this sentencing order.
Linda Wall, 37, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at a Luas stop in June 2015 after being directed by a drug dealer to seize a mobile phone to pay part of a debt. She had 16 prior convictions and was addicted to "snow blow." The victim, a Chinese woman, was punched, kicked, and had her hair pulled before being rescued by another passenger. Wall denied intending to injure the victim. The court accepted her remorse and the steps she had taken to address risk factors. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a four‑year suspended sentence, directed 12 months of probation supervision, and urged Wall to use this opportunity to rebuild her life. The hearing noted her history of nursing studies and the loss of her daughter last year. The sentence was suspended for four years, with no immediate custodial term.
John Paul Sheehan, a 38‑year‑old homeless man from Cork, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after a burglary at the Dublin Visitors Centre on Grafton Street. He stole more than €26,000 in cash and cheques, plus a €100 Panasonic Lumix camera. Sheehan was arrested the same day for a drug offence and was found with €9,475 of the stolen cash. He pleaded guilty to trespass and theft. The court noted he had 100 prior convictions, mainly for burglaries, and that he had used the stolen money for food, clothing and to support his drug habit. The judge, taking his guilty plea into account, imposed the sentence without a suspended element, citing a lack of evidence of rehabilitation. The camera was never recovered. The case highlighted the challenges faced by homeless and drug‑addicted individuals who may be compelled to steal to survive.
Gareth Joyce, 35, a recovering heroin addict with a long criminal record, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of stolen items worth over €11,000. He was caught on 16 October 2016 with a hedge trimmer, a Black & Decker drill and a gas cooker, each valued at €288, and on 6 October 2016 with a laptop, phones, foreign currency, a pearl necklace and other jewellery totalling €11,000. Forensic evidence linked his thumbprints to the stolen laptop. Joyce initially claimed the property was not his, saying it had been left at his brother's house by a party guest. He has 93 prior convictions, including burglary, handling stolen property, theft, criminal damage and trespass. The judge, citing his extensive criminal history and drug addiction, sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, suspended for five years, and imposed strict rehabilitation conditions. The sentence will be re‑activated if he fails to comply.
Father‑of‑three Declan Garnett (46) of Finglas admitted to possessing 198 grammes of cocaine worth €13,923 after claiming he found almost €14,000 of the drug in a shopping bag near his apartment complex bins. He said he brought the drugs home and hid them in his wife's jacket, keeping them for up to three days before deciding what to do with them. Garnett pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 6 December 2016. Garda Cathal Connolly reported that the police raided his home on a warrant, finding no wealth, paraphernalia, tick lists or cash. The defence highlighted Garnett's lack of secondary education and his lifelong hard work, submitting employment testimonials and family letters, including one from his wife describing him as "an ordinary man".
David Dowling, 49, of Sorrell Heath, Clonsilla, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for laundering €169,000 of drug proceeds for a criminal gang. He pleaded guilty in July to two charges of handling the proceeds of crime at Westend Retail Business Park and at Sorrell Heath. Gardaí seized €69,610 in a van and an additional €99,020 in Dowling's home, along with a vacuum‑packing machine used to conceal cash. The court described Dowling as a "good family man" who was an "essential cog" in the drug‑dealing enterprise, moving money to where it was needed. Judge Martin Nolan noted Dowling's 17 prior convictions but did not consider them in sentencing. The driver of the other vehicle received 240 hours of community service. No further appeals or outcomes were mentioned in the article.
A musician found dead in his Sligo home with a knife on his chest and stab wounds to his neck was remembered as a "gentleman who wouldn't hurt a fly" as a murder trial heard evidence at the Central Criminal Court. Martin Kivlehan, aged 59, was discovered at New Apartments on Holborn Street on 3 August 2015. Keith Brady, aged 30, of Cartron Estate, Sligo has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in relation to the death. The prosecution's plea was not accepted and the trial proceeded. Gardaí described the scene as ransacked, with burnt tinfoil indicating heroin use nearby. One sergeant characterised the body's position as appearing "staged". Witnesses described Mr Kivlehan as a regular drinker who was well-liked in the community. The trial, heard before Justice Paul McDermott and a jury, continued before the court.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Jason Halpin, 45, was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment for attempting to rob Lloyds Pharmacy in Castleknock on 9 March 2016. The offence was thwarted by an off‑duty Garda armed with pepper spray, who entered the shop at 7.30 pm after receiving a call about suspicious activity. Halpin, wearing a hoodie and a face mask, entered the pharmacy, pushed a female customer toward the till and shouted, "Give me the money." He was immediately pushed to the ground and subdued with pepper spray, which also affected two staff members and a customer, all of whom later described the incident as terrifying. No money was taken and Halpin did not produce or threaten to use a knife that was reportedly hidden in his tracksuit. He had 25 prior convictions, including robbery and drug misuse, and was on bail for another offence at the time of the robbery. Jason Halpin pleaded guilty.
Derek Hutch, a first cousin of the late Gary Hutch, was sentenced by Judge Patricia Ryan to a four‑year term for possession of an imitation firearm and robbery of a Spar shop on Styles Road, Clontarf, on 11 June 2015. The sentence was suspended on a number of conditions after the court noted that Hutch had made "trojan efforts" in rehabilitating himself, remained drug‑free, and had received a favourable probation report. Hutch, aged 27, had nine previous convictions, including three for theft, but no prior firearm offences. The robbery involved Hutch and accomplice Christopher Coakley holding a shop manager at gunpoint with an imitation firearm, demanding the alarm code, and escaping with about €1,215. Gardaí later recovered approximately €700. Hutch has not been in contact with the Gardaí since the offence and is now focused on his family. The court emphasised his progress in drug treatment and his current drug‑free status.
During a Garda search for drugs in February 2016, a 23‑year‑old man named Glen Synott was found with a black sock containing four 9mm Makarov rounds hidden beneath decking in his back garden. Synott admitted hiding the sock but claimed the bullets were not his, saying he had been asked to hold them for a €200 drug debt. He also stated he was out of breath and sweating because he had been "having a wank", an explanation the Garda found "flippant" and did not accept. Synott was arrested and later pleaded guilty to possession of firearms ammunition under suspicious circumstances. The court imposed a five‑year custodial sentence, suspended for five years on strict conditions, including remaining drug‑free, engaging with addiction services, random urine tests and probation appointments. He had three prior convictions, two for public order offences and one for not wearing a crash helmet on a motorbike.
Dillon Campbell, aged 22, was sentenced to two years for a robbery at Topaz filing station on Beaumont Road, Dublin, where he used half a garden shears as a weapon. He had already been serving a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for a similar robbery two months earlier, and the new sentence will not extend his time in custody. Campbell pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He demanded the shop assistant open the till, threatened with the shears, and stole €200 before discarding the weapon. He has ten prior convictions, including a five‑year robbery sentence with the final two and a half years suspended in March 2017. The court noted his history of mental health issues and drug debt, and the judge imposed a three‑year sentence concurrent with his current term, suspending the final year on strict conditions. The judge urged him to use the resources available to improve his life.
Alan Judge, 43, of Shangan Park, Ballymun, Dublin, pleaded guilty to burglary and criminal damage at Sutton Dry Cleaners and trespass at Sutton Rugby Club on 6 May 2016. He entered the dry cleaners with a hammer, smashed a safe, and left coins and a smashed vodka bottle but stole nothing. Garda Marie Geraghty spotted him on a roof and later arrested him at the rugby club after he entered the dressing rooms. Judge was already on bail for other burglary charges. He was convicted on 15 December 2016 and sentenced to four years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended. Judge also received a two‑year suspended sentence, to run consecutively to the four‑year term, and will begin serving it from his scheduled release in August. He apologized, cited drug‑free status, and requested placement in a drug treatment centre after custodial time.
In a 2016 daylight robbery on Essex Quay, Dublin, 39‑year‑old Charlene Curran of Kells, Co. Meath, attacked 25‑year‑old Rebecca Kelly. Curran tried to snatch Kelly's iPhone, flung her across the road, pulled her hair, punched her face and attempted to take the phone. Kelly, holding onto her bag, released the phone to keep her bag, and Curran fled with it. Garda Ian Lawlor arrived, found Kelly upset and injured, and used a phone‑tracking app on his own phone to locate Curran. The app led them to Heuston Station where Kelly identified the attacker. Judge Karen O'Connor described the assault as vicious and unprovoked, sentencing Curran to two and a half years' imprisonment, suspending the last 18 months on the condition of cooperation with Probation Services. The court noted Curran's two prior minor non‑violent convictions and her drug use at the time. Charlene Curran pleaded guilty.
Rainis Koovit, aged 21, was found guilty of robbing a tip jar at Kaph Cafe in Dublin and of brandishing a syringe to threaten a barista. He claimed the syringe was HIV‑infected, though the court heard it was not. Koovit had previously used the alias Stephen McCormack and had ten earlier convictions under that name, including theft, criminal damage and drug possession, plus one theft conviction under his own name. He entered the cafe earlier that day, obtained a syringe from Merchants Quay, returned to the coffee shop, attempted to seize the chained tip jar, threatened the barista with the syringe, then grabbed foreign bank notes worth about €20 and fled. The barista and a male worker pursued him but did not catch him. Koovit was arrested about a month later, pleaded guilty, and was remanded in custody with a sentence hearing scheduled for December 21.
Alan Behan, 26, pleaded guilty to robbing 87‑year‑old Robert Lynch of €2,500 outside a Bank of Ireland ATM in Walkinstown on 26 August 2016. Behan, who had a manic episode and was not of sound mind, grabbed Lynch as he walked back to his car, demanding the cash. Lynch struggled, fell, and was left with a small arm cut. Behan was identified on CCTV, arrested a few months later, and has 17 prior convictions. He apologized face‑to‑face to Lynch, who accepted the apology with graciousness, and Behan has paid €600 in compensation, vowing to repay the full amount. He has lived in temporary accommodation with his partner and three children for 21 months, suffers from anxiety and bipolar disorder, and was under the influence of cannabis and other drugs at the time of the offence. The sentence hearing is scheduled for 19 December, with an updated psychiatric and probation report to be considered.
A man pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the attempted robbery of a flower shop on Aungier Street in Dublin on 26 November 2015. Andrew Cash, aged 26 and of no fixed abode, produced a Stanley blade and pointed it at the pregnant shop owner's stomach during the incident. The woman, noticing Cash appeared to be under the influence of drugs, managed to grab his arm and push and kick him from the premises. The blade was recovered at the scene. Cash was identified through CCTV footage and arrested several months later whilst serving a sentence in Cloverhill prison for another offence. He has 50 previous convictions including burglary, attempted robbery and assault. The defence submitted that the offence was not premeditated and lasted approximately 10 seconds, with Cash reportedly having recently reconnected with his family in Cavan. Judge Karen O'Connor adjourned the case pending a probation report and remanded Cash in custody until sentencing on 21 December 2017, acknowledging the gravity of threatening a pregnant woman with a blade.
Karl Jess, 28, of Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty on 6 January 2016 to possession for sale or supply of cocaine and to possessing the mixing agent benzocaine for drug trafficking. He was found with nearly €40,000 worth of cocaine, benzocaine, lignocaine, caffeine and a presser at his home. The court heard he had three previous convictions, including a drug offence, and that he has a three‑year‑old daughter. He was remanded on continuing bail until the sentencing hearing on 19 December, when a probation report will be considered. Jess's defence lawyer said he regrets the offence, has turned his life around, works well, and has a job offer upon release. The court will impose a custodial sentence, with the judge considering a significant suspension of part of the term.
In a 2016 robbery at a Topaz service station on Naas Road, Rathcoole, Robert Patchell (37) acted as the getaway driver while two co‑accused entered the store armed with knives. Two off‑duty Gardaí, who were using the petrol station at the time, observed the robbery and restrained the robbers. Patchell remained in the driver's seat, while one robber was restrained in the passenger seat and a third escaped. The Gardaí were threatened with knives and one officer, Garda Stephen Byrne, sustained a forearm wound. Patchell pleaded guilty to robbery of cash and a till. At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Melanie Greally, after noting Patchell's positive steps and a clean recent drug test, imposed a three‑year suspended sentence, with the offence considered very serious. The sentence was suspended, and no custodial time was imposed. The case was heard in the criminal court in Dublin.
Paul Heaney, aged 33, was sentenced to five and a half years in prison for two robberies at Paddy Power Bookmakers on 3 January and 28 October 2016. In the first offence he threatened a staff member with a large kitchen knife and stole €1,200. In the second he pointed an imitation firearm at the same staff member and stole €250. He pleaded guilty to both robberies and to possession of a realistic imitation firearm. He claimed he was under the influence of drugs and feared for his life due to debt. He wrote an apology letter and expressed remorse. Judge Karen O'Connor accepted his apology and his desire to change, imposing consecutive sentences totalling five and a half years, suspending the final 21 months on strict conditions. No money was recovered from either robbery.
Wayne Gilligan, 22, was sentenced by Judge Melanie Greally at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four years in prison for stealing two family cars from a house in Swords on 3 January 2016 and for possessing €28,600 worth of cannabis at his home on 9 January 2016. The judge suspended the last 18 months of the sentence, citing Gilligan's serious drug addiction, debts, death threats and the impact on the car owners. She credited his early guilty pleas, young age and cooperation with Gardaí, and directed him to seek treatment at Coolmine Residential Centre.
Jonathan Hynes, a 31‑year‑old Wicklow man, stole between €1,000 and €7,000 from his employer, Zurich Life Assurance plc, between January and December 2015. He used the stolen money to pay for prescription medication and hospital bills for his drug‑addicted ex‑girlfriend. Hynes has refunded €30,000 to the insurer and still owes €40,000, which he must repay within three years. He pleaded guilty to the thefts. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, hearing the case, found that Hynes's motive was a desperate act driven by emotion rather than greed. Judge Martin Nolan suspended a three‑year sentence, noting that a less noble motive would have led to a different outcome, and ordered the repayment of the remaining debt. No prior convictions were recorded for Hynes.
Mark Donovan, 49, of Liscarne Court, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to possessing €160,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply at his rented unit in Rowlagh Shopping Centre. Gardaí discovered a large bag of suspicious powder during repairs, seized 2.3 kg of cocaine, a Colombian bank note and a list of names written in Donovan's hand. Donovan admitted storing the drugs for about six weeks, claiming financial pressure and fear for his safety. He denied that the list was a drug‑tick list, stating it was of business contacts. Donovan had previously been convicted of a minor road traffic offence. He has been in custody since the offence and will be sentenced on November 16, with the court noting he is facing a custodial sentence.
A masked man, Francis Leahy, 58, robbed a Spar shop in Ringsend on 18 February, taking €360 in cash and using a loaded gun with 10 rounds. He was immediately recognised by a shop worker as a regular customer, who initially thought Leahy was joking until the gun was pointed at him. Leahy claimed he had gambling debts and had received threatening bullet cartridges in his letter box, prompting the robbery. He was arrested shortly after, found with the gun, cash and additional ammunition, and pleaded guilty to one count of robbery and one count of firearm possession. Leahy has 21 prior convictions, including drug possession, theft, larceny and assault, and has been in custody since the offence. The case was adjourned to 28 November. The victim expressed fear for his life during the incident. The court noted the seriousness of the offence and the presence of a live firearm and ammunition.
Alan McNamara, 51, of Mountfune, Murroe, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Andrew O'Donoghue. Found guilty last July, McNamara was convicted of killing the Road Tramps member at the club gates on June 20, 2015, during a territorial dispute. Justice Paul McDermott imposed the mandatory life sentence, backdating it to December 1, 2015. McNamara's stepson, Robert Cusack, 28, of Abington, Murroe, pleaded guilty to impeding his stepfather's apprehension. Cusack was sentenced to six years in prison, with 18 months suspended for two years on condition he commits no further crime. The judge noted Cusack's late guilty plea and cooperation with gardai reduced the sentence from seven years. The sentence was backdated to August 14 to account for time in custody. The court heard from the victim's family, who described O'Donoghue as a hero who will never be forgotten. McNamara expressed remorse in a letter to the court. The judge considered McNamara's 11 previous convictions, including assault and drug offenses, and Cusack's three prior road traffic convictions.
Alan McNamara, 51, of Mountfune, Murroe, Co Limerick, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Andrew O'Donoghue. Found guilty last July, McNamara was convicted of killing O'Donoghue, a member of the Road Tramps motorcycle club, at the club's gates on June 20, 2015, during a territorial dispute. Justice Paul McDermott imposed the mandatory life sentence, backdating it to December 1, 2015. Prosecutors alleged that after tensions flared between the Road Tramps and the Caballeros, McNamara drove to the clubhouse and shot O'Donoghue, claiming he believed the victim was holding a gun. McNamara has 11 previous convictions, including assault and drug offences. His stepson, Robert Cusack, 28, of Abington, Murroe, pleaded guilty to impeding his stepfather's apprehension. Cusack admitted to taking the shotgun from McNamara after the incident and concealing it in pine trees near his mother's house. He expressed remorse and complied with bail conditions. Justice McDermott stated he would pass sentence on Cusack later that afternoon. The matter regarding Cusack was adjourned for sentencing and has not yet been concluded.
Two men, Glenn Murray, 28, and Frank Dunne, 50, pleaded guilty to possessing €95,000 worth of cocaine. They were arrested after a tip led Gardaí to a car‑park at Dunnes Stores, Saggart, on 15 September 2016. Murray was seen entering a blue Ford Focus, opening the passenger door, and carrying a black shopping bag that contained over 1,000 g of cocaine valued at €70,126. Two additional bags with 369 g of cocaine, worth €25,877, were found in a bedside locker at Dunne's house. Murray claimed he had no knowledge of the quantity, was promised €700 for transport, and described the operation as a "once‑off" job to earn extra money. Dunne said he had been promised €500, had a debt from cocaine use, and had no idea who the main organiser was.
In 2014, Dermot Griffin, aged 57, was found guilty of manslaughter after a 13‑day trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for the 2001 fire that killed 12‑year‑old Stephen Hughes. The jury, composed of six men and six women, returned a verdict of guilty and Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced Griffin to 15 years' imprisonment. Griffin has now appealed his conviction to the Court of Appeal. His counsel, Bernard Condon SC, argued that the prosecution's case was a "three‑legged affair", citing inconsistent statements from three witnesses who admitted drug use and had altered their accounts over time. Condon also highlighted a partner's testimony that Griffin had spoken of burning the den, which was not corroborated by police interviews. The prosecution, represented by Mary Rose Gearty SC, countered that additional evidence, including testimony from Jason Lambe, supported the original verdict. Judge George Birmingham has reserved judgment on the appeal.
John O'Keefe, 26, was stopped by Garda Stephen Connor after the officer observed him using a mobile phone while driving a van toward the city centre. The Garda noted O'Keefe was extremely nervous and detected a strong smell of cannabis. A search of the van uncovered a bag of 248 MDMA tablets worth €2,480 and a bag of cannabis herb worth €4,734. O'Keefe admitted to transporting the drugs for €200, claiming he was unaware of their value and did not know the recipient. He pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply at Greenhills Road, Tallaght, on 11 April 2016. The court, hearing his 16 prior convictions, imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspended in full on strict conditions, including 12 months of probation supervision. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
In February 2016, customs officials at Dublin airport seized €71,000 from Ramon Rodriguez, who was staying at the Maldron Hotel in San Isidor, Sabadell, Spain. The money was concealed in a biscuit tin and bed sheets. Rodriguez claimed the cash belonged to the "Moldovan mafia" and said he intended to hand it over to a Moldovan man in Spain. He had previously been convicted in the UK for importing 10 kilograms of cannabis. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Rodriguez feared for his life and would not return to Ireland. Counsel applied for forfeiture under section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1994, arguing the cash was proceeds of drug trafficking. Judge Karen O'Connor granted the forfeiture, ordering the €71,000 to be transferred to the State as proceeds of crime. The case highlighted the concealment method and Rodriguez's explanations as key factors in the court's decision.
Spanish authorities are seeking the surrender of Patrick Joseph Mangan, 51, of Valeview Drive, Finglas, on a single drugs trafficking charge. The charge relates to the recovery of 148 kg of cannabis resin on 29 November 2010 in Melilla. A European Arrest Warrant claims Mangan participated in an organisation dealing with drug trafficking, purchasing large amounts of drugs from Melilla. The High Court ordered his extradition in March, but Mangan appealed to the Court of Appeal, where judgment is reserved. The High Court found that Spanish authorities had monitored a telephone belonging to another individual who had contact with Mangan, but did not find evidence that Spanish authorities had authority to intercept a call in Ireland. Mangan's counsel argued that the interception breached his constitutional right to privacy. The Court of Appeal has remanded Mangan on bail until 11 December, when judgment is expected.
In Dublin City Centre, on 23 November 2016, Bernard McGrath, aged 27, punched pregnant Barbara O'Beirne, 23 weeks pregnant, in the stomach during an unprovoked attack. McGrath, who shouted at passing cars and then struck O'Beirne hard, also told her "Boo hoo, you're pregnant." O'Beirne was left in shock, unable to feel her baby, and later sought medical care at Holles Street hospital. She described the assault as a pregnant woman's worst nightmare and, despite the trauma, gave birth to a healthy baby girl a few months later. McGrath, a heroin addict with a troubled childhood and schizophrenia, had 21 prior convictions. At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with the final nine months suspended, on the condition that he fully engage with probation services. The judge called the incident "deeply cowardly and bizarre.".
William McGlone, aged 34, was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for 21 counts of sexual assault, rape and oral rape of his twin sisters, Wendy and Stacey, between 1995 and 2001. He began abusing them at age 13, when they were eight, and continued until he was 19. McGlone admitted to raping Wendy with a shampoo bottle and a vibrator, and to assaulting Stacey when she was eight. He pleaded guilty to seven counts of assaulting Wendy, three counts of raping her, and one count of assaulting Stacey, but denied other charges. The court noted his history of alcohol and drug abuse, a personality disorder diagnosis, and claims of being abused himself. He was ordered to post‑release supervision for seven years. The sisters testified about the abuse, describing it as frequent and devastating, and expressed shame, guilt and ongoing trauma. The sentence was back‑dated to his first custody in February of the year. William McGlone was found guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 22‑year‑old Niky Sosso pleaded guilty to possessing over €27,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply in his bedroom at Parslickstown Drive, Mulhuddart, on 28 January 2016. Garda Ronan Farrelly explained that a search warrant was executed after information that drugs were present in the home. Sosso answered the door, and while sniffer dogs searched, he immediately directed officers to the drugs, which were found in an iPhone box, a bag in his dresser and a shoebox, totaling 387 g with a street value of €27,115. He admitted the drugs were for other people and that he had taken orders to "make a bit of money." Sosso had no prior convictions and was described by his defence as naive and at the lowest end of the operation. He was a student with no significant assets.
Thomas Joyce, 37, was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison, with the final year suspended, for robbing two taxi drivers in Finglas on 7 and 8 November 2016. He had previously been convicted of five robberies and three attempted robberies against taxi drivers, bringing his total convictions to 32. Joyce told the first driver he would "cut him" and the second that he had "blades" and would "slash his face to bits." He fled after taking phones and cash. The court noted the crimes were linked to drug use, but that Joyce was now in rehabilitation, having attended a residential treatment course from March to August 2016. He pleaded guilty, showed remorse, and cooperated, factors that were considered in the sentencing. The judge highlighted the terror inflicted on the victims and the high risk of re‑offending identified in Joyce's probation report. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offences while acknowledging his efforts at rehabilitation.
Adrianne Bradley, 53, was sentenced to 18 months in jail, with the final year suspended, after pleading guilty to possessing €68,154 worth of 3.5 kg of cannabis for sale or supply at her home on 11 August 2015. She admitted smoking cannabis occasionally but denied having a drug problem or debt. The judge noted she was a grandmother with four children, two under 18, and that she was vulnerable to manipulation by drug dealers, having a schizoid personality disorder. Bradley claimed she had been given the drugs about two weeks earlier and had not touched them, and that she was on social welfare at the time of arrest. Garda Alan Flaherty said the drugs were found after a warrant was issued following a tip‑off, and that Bradley's home had been invaded and destroyed in 2013, affecting her mental health. The sentencing court heard her daughters cry and hug her before she was taken into custody.
Nassour Saleh, a 25‑year‑old Palestinian national, was given a suspended two‑year sentence for endangering Gardaí after a high‑speed chase on Navan Road in 2008. He had been 16 at the time and was not licensed to drive. In 2010 he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving under the influence of cannabis, receiving a six‑month suspended detention and a four‑year driving disqualification. The case was adjourned for a probation report, but Saleh fled to Norway, where he lived and worked as a mechanic for six years. He returned to Ireland last year, was arrested during a random Garda check, and was sentenced by Judge Terence O'Sullivan, who noted the unusual circumstances and the fact that no one was injured. The sentence was suspended on conditions including two years of probation supervision. The court emphasised the protection of front‑line services and the seriousness of the offence.
During an investigation of a crashed van on a laneway, Gardaí discovered a cannabis growhouse at a rented house on Heronford Lane, Rathmichael. The house, which had been rented three months earlier, contained 917 plants under artificial lights, valued at €733,600, with 501 plants ready for harvest worth €400,800. Harvested cannabis bagged for street sale was worth €29,960. The operation's electricity supply had been spliced. Steven Hudson, 39, the van driver and a low‑level participant, was arrested after returning to the site at 11 pm. He pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis for sale or supply. The court sentenced him to four and a half years, suspending the final two years, and directed him to keep the peace for two years and engage with probation and addiction programmes. Hudson had 15 prior convictions and was described as not the mastermind or a man of means.
Szymon Flizikowski, aged 20, faces sentencing for possession of drugs worth over €150,000 and for two other offences committed in 2015. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery of 30 cans of beer, assault with a Stanley knife in a Londis supermarket, and a separate knife assault in Leixlip. Garda Eoin O'Flaherty reported that Flizikowski threatened a staff member with a knife and fled with the beer. He was later arrested and, during a search of his home, police found MDMA, cocaine and ecstasy. Flizikowski claimed he was holding the drugs for a debt and feared a "bullet" if he refused. He admitted to calling a man a racist slur and slashing him with a knife, apologising and presenting a victim impact statement. He is currently remanded for sentencing on December 21 and is due for release in 2020.
Stephen Bailey, aged 30, was sentenced to three years in prison after a high‑speed chase in torrential rain on the M50 led to a garda car aquaplaning and crashing. Bailey had pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and heroin, intentionally or recklessly ramming a garda, endangerment of Garda Gary Dunne and two dangerous driving charges. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a four‑and‑a‑half‑year term, suspending the final 18 months, and banned Bailey from driving for ten years. The chase began when gardaí, following a surveillance operation on Old Glenamuck Road, spotted a red Audi A3 driven by Bailey. The gardaí pursued him, but the patrol car aquaplaned, causing injuries to Sgt Divian Rock and Garda Tara Byrne. Both officers suffered significant injuries and ongoing medical costs. Bailey's guilty pleas and steps toward drug treatment were noted by the judge.
Aaron Parrot, a 22‑year‑old from Dublin, received a two‑and‑a‑half‑year suspended sentence for unlawfully keeping 17,000 Zopiclone prescription sleeping tablets worth €35,000 and possessing €1,050 of cannabis. The court heard that Parrot had a €700 per weekend cocaine habit and had been storing and selling the sleeping tablets to pay off a drug debt. He pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Karen O'Connor warned him to use all available assistance to tackle his drug addiction and ordered strict conditions, including engagement with probation services, anger‑management and victim‑awareness treatments, disengagement from antisocial peers, and continued drug rehabilitation. The judge noted Parrot's willingness to re‑enter employment and his low risk of re‑offending. No custodial sentence was imposed.
In a Dublin court on 13 October 2017, Darren Perkins, aged 40 and resident on Kings Inn Street, was given a suspended twelve‑month sentence for sexually assaulting a woman on 22 August 2015 in Smithfield. The victim, who was walking down a busy street at about 8.45 pm, was groped on the breast and squeezed tightly by Perkins, who denied touching her. She called out, lost him in the crowd, and later identified him to Gardaí after she had entered an apartment block. Perkins was arrested, admitted bumping into the woman but denied contact, and had five prior convictions. The judge ordered him to attend a victim awareness programme and to address his cannabis and alcohol problems. His wife described him as a "gentleman" in a letter to the court, and the defence argued his previous convictions were related to a drinking problem and were in the past. Darren Perkins was found guilty.