Peter Jackson, aged 42, was convicted of murdering David Hamilton, aged 31, during a heroin injection dispute on 4 May 2012. The Central Criminal Court found Jackson guilty and imposed a mandatory life sentence on 23 November 2015. Jackson, a former heroin addict, and Hamilton were both users who had bought two bags of heroin earlier that day. An argument erupted after Jackson struggled to inject Hamilton, leading to a fight that culminated in Jackson striking Hamilton with a knife. Jackson appealed his conviction, arguing a lack of evidence for the mental element of murder and that the judge failed to address rebuttable presumptions. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Birmingham, rejected the appeal, affirming the conviction and the life sentence. The appeal was dismissed. Peter Jackson pleaded not guilty.
Amir Essalhi, 32, received a partly suspended four‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for a drug‑fuelled spree of robberies in west Dublin. He pleaded guilty to six counts of robbery, including three attacks on women in their cars, a pharmacy robbery with a knife, and a tanning salon robbery with a spoon he pretended was a knife. The offences, committed in April and May 2016, were said to fund his heroin addiction. Essalhi's brother was murdered in 2011, an event cited by his defence. Judge Cormac Quinn suspended the last two years of the sentence, ordered victim‑awareness work, and residential drug treatment. The court noted the distress caused to the victims, who suffered injuries and loss of property, most of which was not recovered.
Thomas Roberts, 23, of Carrow Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for a series of violent offences committed between November 2012 and April 2013. Roberts pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm, two counts of robbery, one count of attempted robbery, and one count of possessing cannabis. Judge Karen O'Connor imposed a total of six years in consecutive sentences. She suspended the final three years on strict conditions and backdated the sentence to February, when Roberts entered custody on these bills. The court heard that Roberts, who was 19 at the time of the offences, was involved in attacks on two Italian men, Francisco Brescia and Andrea Pelle, as well as the robbery of a woman. Prosecution evidence detailed that Roberts smashed a glass bottle over Mr. Brescia's head during an attack on O'Connell Street, while he placed Mr. Pelle in a headlock on Westmoreland Street. Victim impact statements highlighted the lasting trauma, with one victim stating he no longer felt safe in Ireland and another leaving the country. Defence counsel Fiona Murphy, BL, noted Roberts' remorse, his history of homelessness, and his dysfunctional childhood. The court also noted Roberts had 20 previous convictions and was on bail during some of the offences. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the custodial sentence.
Craig Maloney, aged 21, and an accomplice stole bikes from two barmen at the George Bernard Shaw pub in Dublin. When confronted, Maloney kicked one barman in the eye and fled back to the bar, where they smashed glass bottles and he attacked a barman with a barstool. He pleaded guilty to theft and assault causing harm to Kevin Mangan in 2011. The court noted his prior convictions for minor offences, his epilepsy‑related withdrawal from football, and his involvement in drug and alcohol problems. Maloney also pleaded guilty to a robbery at Spar on Clogher Road, where he and an accomplice stole €358 and were confronted by Gardaí who used pepper spray. Judge Karen O'Connor sentenced him to 18 months for the assault and 2½ years for the robbery, suspending both terms on the condition that he remain out of trouble and maintain good behaviour. She highlighted his charity work and cooperation with probation services.
A 26-year-old man from Roscommon has pleaded guilty to his role in a violent robbery on Arran Quay in Dublin in June 2014. Patrick Conroy, with 156 previous convictions, was one of four men who approached a pedestrian and subjected him to robbery whilst using a growling Alsatian dog to intimidate the victim. The victim was threatened with physical violence, including being kneed and choked, before being robbed of his mobile phone, wallet and house keys. He sustained injuries to his lower back, neck and throat, and subsequently suffered psychological effects from the incident. CCTV footage placed Conroy in the vicinity at the time. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Conroy had been released on bail only days before the robbery occurred. Judge Pauline Codd remanded him on continuing bail pending a probation report and consideration of his admission to a residential drug treatment centre. Sentencing is scheduled for May 8th.
Rebecca McEnroe, 36, was sentenced to nine months in jail after stealing cosmetics worth €2,286 from Boots in St Stephen's Green Shopping Centre and selling them for €200. She also stole €575 worth of products from Holland & Barrett the following day. McEnroe, who has 70 prior convictions including 59 for theft, admitted the thefts and pleaded guilty on April 26 and 27. The judge noted her drug addiction, describing her as "strung out on crack cocaine and tablets" and said she needed help. A two‑year sentence was imposed, with the final 15 months suspended on conditions such as supervision by Probation Services. McEnroe is a mother of three and is currently drug‑free, hoping to remain so after release.
Stephen Winders, aged 41, was caught in 2010 with 19 cannabis plants and a plastic bag of heroin worth €1,668, which he claimed were for personal use. He fled to the United States while on bail, entered a drug‑treatment programme and later returned to Ireland to register a homelessness charity. Gardaí discovered outstanding warrants and arrested him. In Dublin Circuit Criminal Court he pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis and heroin for sale or supply. Judge Catherine Murphy suspended a two‑year sentence for three years, conditioned on 18 months of Probation Services engagement, and ordered 240 hours of community service. The case was adjourned in December with a potential for a suspended sentence pending a clean probation report. No jail time was imposed.
Adam Gear, a 25‑year‑old first‑time offender from Castle Lawns, Tallaght, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to possessing nearly 500 g of heroin and 2.5 kg of cannabis at his grandparents' house in Tallaght on 30 January 2016. The drugs, valued at about €74,000 for heroin and €49,000 for cannabis, were found outside the house following a confidential tip‑off and inside Gear's bedroom. Gear admitted he was keeping the drugs for people to whom he owed a significant debt and claimed he did not reach the downstairs storage in time before Gardaí seized them. The judge, Martin Nolan, accepted that Gear was under pressure but held him responsible for his actions, noting he had no prior convictions and was a father. Despite defence arguments citing exceptional circumstances and a desire for a non‑custodial sentence, the judge imposed the custodial term.
Peter Jackson, aged 42, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of David Hamilton, aged 31, during a drug‑related dispute on 4 May 2012 at a house on Kerryhall Road, Fairhill, Co. Cork. The Central Criminal Court found Jackson guilty after a jury trial, and Justice Isobel Kennedy imposed the mandatory life sentence on 23 November 2015. The case involved both men being heroin users who had purchased two bags of heroin earlier that day, each worth €50, and had attempted to inject themselves. Pamela McHale, a 26‑year‑old friend of Jackson, testified that an argument erupted when Jackson struggled to find a vein for Hamilton, leading to a physical altercation in which Jackson struck Hamilton with an object from the table. Jackson has now lodged an appeal against his conviction, represented by barristers Dominic McGinn SC and James Burke BL, with the Court of Appeal reserving judgment. Peter Jackson pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Mark Brennan, aged 39, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for possessing €80,000 worth of cannabis herb and cocaine. Gardaí seized the drugs from Brennan's flat after a drug search, discovering €17,339 of cocaine and €63,600 of cannabis herb. Brennan claimed he held the drugs to repay an estimated €23,000 debt to third parties, stating he could not provide information about those parties. He pleaded guilty to possession of cannabis herb at his former Ranelagh Road address and possession for sale or supply of cocaine at Grand Parade, Dublin 6, on 25 March 2016. Brennan, who now resides in Drogheda, has one prior conviction. Judge Martin Nolan noted Brennan's addiction and the influence of "dangerous individuals," describing him as the "author of his own misfortune," and imposed the three‑year sentence. The court did not consider any subsequent rehabilitation or community work in determining the sentence.
Anna Finnegan sent text messages to her former partner, Vesel Jahiri, who is accused of murdering her, saying she did not want to see him again and wanted to feel "safe without some animal beating and bullying" her. The Central Criminal Court jury heard that the texts were sent between 8 and 14 September 2012, with Finnegan describing Jahiri as a "control freak" and a "fucking drug dealer" and stating she had "had enough" and would change her number and the locks on their home. Jahiri denied sending the texts and claimed they were from Finnegan's sister and cousin. The jury also heard that a letter written by Finnegan, found in a handbag in the kitchen of Allendale Glen, alleged that Jahiri had beaten her and almost killed her. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Coffey and a jury of nine men and two women. Anna Finnegan pleaded not guilty.
John Freer, 43, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to knowingly permitting the preparation of controlled drugs at his home on August 10, 2015. The court heard that drug dealers used the residence of the intellectually disabled man to stash approximately €108,110 worth of ecstasy tablets and €3,500 worth of Diazepam. Prosecution counsel Karl Finnegan BL stated that gardaí believed Freer was approached by others to store the drugs, noting he was not paid for his role. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC described Freer's "diabolic personal circumstances," highlighting his isolation and lack of social services support until the raid. Judge Martin Nolan, presiding, described the situation as a "sad case is an understatement." He found that Freer was taken advantage of due to his incapacities, resulting in little or no moral culpability. The judge suspended an 18-month prison sentence on strict conditions. Freer, who has no previous convictions, has since been moved into a more appropriate residential setting where his needs are met.
Craig Buckley, 27, of Drimnagh, Dublin, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to possessing just under 3 kg of cocaine for sale or supply on Old Nangor Road, Clondalkin, on 11 June 2016. He had agreed to hold almost €210 000 worth of the drugs before transporting them. Gardaí stopped his car following a tip, finding the cocaine in four small packages and one larger package. Buckley claimed he had received the drugs two weeks earlier, was instructed to meet someone to hand them over, and had not been paid. He denied packaging or dividing the drugs, admitted to occasional social use, and said he was threatened and felt vulnerable. The judge noted his lack of prior convictions and his usefulness to society, but found him morally culpable for the misjudgement. The court imposed a three‑year custodial sentence.
John Gavin, aged 29, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for raping a woman in Handel's Hotel on Fishamble Street in 2012. At the time of the offence he had 103 prior convictions and was on bail for seven separate charges. Gavin denied the rape, claiming the victim was a "lying bastard" and a "dirty mare" and that she had "jumped" on him. The court heard that the victim had met Gavin at a city centre venue, drank and took drugs together, and later agreed to help him find a hotel room after the hotel refused to accommodate him. They went to Jury's Hotel, were refused, and were directed to Handel's, where Gavin took a room and raped the victim. The judge, Mr Justice Paul Coffey, backdated the six‑year sentence to July 2016 and ordered Gavin to be registered as a sex offender. John Gavin pleaded not guilty.
Pierce Hilliard, a 32‑year‑old former resident of Ballyogan Green, Carrickmines, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for possessing 1.48 kg of heroin in Sandyford Road, Dublin, on 24 May 2016. He admitted that he had agreed to transport more than €200,000 worth of heroin to raise a deposit for a new flat, describing the act as one of desperation. Hilliard's daughter was in care and he claimed he was trying to secure a home to better look after her. He had 84 prior convictions, mainly for traffic offences, but no previous drug convictions or links to the drug trade. Gardaí had set up a surveillance operation that caught him placing the drugs in a shopping bag in a car park. He pleaded guilty, took full responsibility, and the court accepted his explanation that he had agreed to transport the drugs for monetary gain.
Paul Molloy, 44, a father of six, was found holding 56,000 tablets of the restricted drug Zopliclone, valued at €112,000, in a garden shed at his home in Hillcrest Park, Glasnevin, Dublin. He had previously been sentenced in 2014 to seven years for possession of over €30,000 of cannabis and was on bail for that offence when the tablets were discovered. Molloy pleaded guilty to possession of Zopliclone without a prescription on 5 November 2014. His defence counsel argued that he owed €8,000 in debt from the earlier cannabis seizure and that the tablets were intended to reduce that debt by €500. The court, considering his family status, late onset of crime, and prior convictions, imposed a 16‑month sentence consecutive to his existing seven‑year term. The judge applied the totality principle and noted the sentence would be consecutive to the current sentence. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 22 March 2017, Judge Martin Nolan imposed a suspended five‑year sentence on 31‑year‑old Brian O'Grady, who pleaded guilty to possessing 20 kg of cannabis resin worth €122,000. O'Grady had delivered the drugs to two men travelling from Cork to Dublin in order to help his step‑brother pay a €2,000 drug debt. The judge noted O'Grady's "huge error of judgment" and low moral culpability, describing his motive as misguided. O'Grady's father, who had been abandoned as a baby and later reunited with him, broke down in tears. The judge said the suspended sentence was an "unusual step" and he would be unlikely to repeat it. The case highlighted the pressure drug dealers place on family members to carry out illicit acts. The other two men involved received seven‑year and two‑year sentences. The court found O'Grady a low risk of re‑offending.
Robert O'Neill, 26, of Thorndale Avenue, Artane, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to handling stolen property and to having no insurance for a stolen VW Passat that was listed on the Done Deal website. The car, whose registration had been cloned, was sold by O'Neill at a price below market value. Garda Detective Mark O'Regan, who had been monitoring suspicious ads, arranged a meeting with O'Neill, arrested him and the vehicle was returned to its rightful owner. O'Neill had 25 prior convictions, mainly for traffic offences, and admitted a gambling and cocaine addiction that had led to a €10,000 debt. He offered €1,000 in compensation. Judge Gerard Griffin, praising the Garda's work, imposed a two‑year suspended sentence and a seven‑year driving disqualification.
Warren Nolan, 21, of Rowlagh Park, Clondalkin, was sentenced to five years imprisonment for pointing an unloaded shotgun at a garda from two feet away on 8 June 2015. He also pleaded guilty to drug possession and dangerous driving offences on 4 June 2015. The original sentence, imposed on 25 July 2016, carried an 18‑month suspension. Prosecutors appealed, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient. The three‑judge court, led by Mr Justice John Edwards, reviewed the case and re‑sentenced Nolan to five years, citing the seriousness of pointing a firearm at two gardaí and the lack of mitigating factors. The new sentence remains the same length as the original, with no change to the suspended portion. The court noted Nolan's age and guilty plea but found no exceptional circumstances to reduce the minimum.
Andrew Begley, a 25‑year‑old former Leinster champion boxer from Dublin, was sentenced to 16 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of 581 g of cocaine found at his home on 10 April 2015. He also admitted to possessing €62 worth of cannabis. The court accepted that he was holding the drugs for someone else to settle a debt of about €5 000, but noted he was aware of his actions and had associations with drug‑trade contacts. Judge Martin Nolan suspended the final 32 months of a four‑year sentence, imposing strict conditions. Begley had eight prior convictions for minor traffic offences. Gardaí searched his house following a tip, discovering a large quantity of cocaine, a tick list and a mixing agent in a wardrobe and bedside locker. Begley claimed he had been instructed to hand over the drugs, but the police were not fully satisfied with his explanation.
Paul Cullen, 38, of Cashel Road, Crumlin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for robbery. He pleaded guilty to robbing a taxi driver at an unknown location on October 31, 2015. The court heard that Cullen threatened the victim, who noticed blood on Cullen's hand and a weapon in his waistband, before taking €25 in cash. The driver drove to Sundrive Road Garda Station, where Cullen was apprehended. A DNA match was later found on a receipt book in the vehicle. Cullen, who has previous convictions for robbery, attempted robbery, and assault, stated his drug addiction and debt motivated the offence. He expressed remorse and co-operated with the investigation. Judge Melanie Greally noted Cullen's history demonstrated a capacity for violence when under the influence of drugs. However, she acknowledged he had addressed his addiction in prison and desired residential treatment. Judge Greally imposed a four-year sentence, suspending the final 18 months on the condition that Cullen attends residential drug treatment upon release and remains there until the program is complete.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 21‑year‑old Jeffrey Crowley was found to have acted recklessly when he threw a battery at the observation window of his cell at Wheatfield prison, shattering the glass and sending shards into the eye of prison officer Lorraine McCarthy. Prosecutor Fergal Foley noted that Crowley did not intend to damage the officer's eye, citing the small size of the window and the lack of intent. Defending counsel Keith Spencer argued that hitting the window would have required extraordinary skill, which Crowley lacked. Crowley pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms McCarthy, who suffered no permanent eye injury but experienced post‑traumatic stress. The court adjourned sentencing to May, with Judge Pauline Codd noting Crowley's history of theft, robbery, criminal damage, drug dealing, and early‑age offending. The case remains at the sentencing stage.
Dillon Campbell, 31, of Trim Road, Coolock, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the robbery of cash from Dylan Stagno at the Esso service station on Malahide Road, Artane, on September 12, 2016. Prosecution evidence stated that Campbell entered the shop, initially appearing to joke with the victim before pulling out a black imitation firearm. He then became aggressive, demanding money and coins, and fled with approximately €230 in cash. The weapon was later identified as a 6mm air pistol. Campbell had previous convictions, including for possession of drugs for sale or supply, and was on bail for criminal damage and trespass at the time of the offence. Defence counsel attributed the crime to a chronic drug addiction and a significant debt. Judge Melanie Greally described the incident as serious due to the aggression and the realistic appearance of the firearm. While noting Campbell's efforts to address his drug and alcohol abuse and his supportive family, the Judge highlighted a high risk of re-offending if these issues were not resolved. She sentenced Campbell to five years in prison but suspended the final two and a half years on the condition that he complies with Probation Services after his release.
Stephen Murphy, a 45‑year‑old taxi driver from Tallaght, was found in possession of €273,859 worth of illegal drugs, including ketamine, ecstasy tablets and cannabis, after a Garda surveillance operation. He pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on North Road, Finglas, and was sentenced by Judge Melanie Greally to four‑and‑a‑half years in prison. The judge cited mitigating factors such as Murphy's previous good character, his guilty plea and remorse, his limited role in the offence and his respectable background, allowing a departure from the ten‑year mandatory minimum. Murphy's case was supported by a letter from Gail O'Rorke, who had been acquitted in 2015 of assisting a suicide, and her husband Barry, who highlighted his friendship with Murphy and his son's Crohn's disease.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Vesel Jahiri, 35, has heard that Anna Finnegan died from a single stab wound to the chest. Mr Jahiri, originally from Kosovo and of no fixed abode, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Finnegan (25) at Allendale Glen, Clonsilla, Dublin 15, on September 21, 2012. He also pleaded not guilty to assaulting Karl Finnegan, causing him harm, at the same location and date. Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that the wound, located eight inches below the left armpit, caused massive haemorrhage and pierced the abdominal aorta. He stated that a single-edged knife could have inflicted the injury, which was non-survivable. No drugs or alcohol were detected in Ms Finnegan's body, and there were no defensive injuries. Under cross-examination, Dr Curtis agreed that the victim might not have been aware of the injury due to its severity. Witness Valdas Marma described seeing a dark-haired woman collapse in a driveway after hearing noises. The prosecution alleges Mr Jahiri battered down the door and attacked Ms Finnegan and her brother. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Coffey and a jury, with an expected duration of four to five weeks.
Lisa Smith, 36, of Harelawn Park, Clondalkin, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cocaine, heroin, MDMA and ketamine on 1 April 2016. Garda Gavin Curran reported that a search warrant led to the discovery of €210,000 of drugs and a cocaine press under a kick board in Smith's kitchen. Smith admitted the items were not hers but accepted responsibility. Curran said one or two men had entered Smith's house to use the kitchen for drug‑bagging, paying her €50 each time. He described Smith as vulnerable and living alone, and noted she had no prior convictions. Curran agreed with the defence that Smith had been "asked or pestered" and "afraid not to comply." Judge Melanie Greally adjourned sentencing to May to allow a Probation Report, with a full plea in mitigation expected next time.
Thomas Murray, aged 34, was sentenced to six years in prison for a series of robberies in Dublin between December 2015 and February 2016. He used a knife to threaten victims and cut the straps of handbags, and he also used stolen bank cards for small "tap" purchases. The court noted that he had 37 prior convictions and that his most recent offences were committed while on bail. Murray was apprehended after being "rugby tackled" by two Dublin Bus drivers who pursued him following a robbery at a bus stop. He pleaded guilty to eight robberies, one attempted robbery and one threat to kill, and he admitted that his crimes were driven by a heroin addiction and the need to fund his drug habit and provide for his children. The judge imposed a consecutive sentence of eight years, with the final two years suspended, and ordered 18 months of post‑release supervision.
Gary Davis, a 28‑year‑old Wicklow resident, is alleged to have been an administrator of the Silk Road website, which sold illicit drugs and hacking software. U.S. authorities seek his extradition on charges of conspiracy to distribute narcotics, conspiracy to commit computer hacking and conspiracy to commit money laundering, with a potential life sentence if convicted. The High Court ordered his extradition in August, and the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal last week, ruling the appeal was not based on a point of law. Davis has been in custody since his arrest in January 2014, having been on bail for three years. He has argued that extradition would expose him to an inhumane environment, citing his Asperger's Syndrome, depression and anxiety, and the lack of suitable care in U.S. prisons. The Court of Appeal confirmed a 15‑day stay on his surrender, but the appeal was ultimately rejected, leaving the extradition order in place.
Patrick Connors, aged 46, was found guilty of endangerment for driving at speeds exceeding 160 km/h, including a high‑speed chase on Swords Road, Dublin. He drove on the wrong side of the road, wrong‑way around a roundabout, performed a u‑turn at speed, and exceeded the 50 km/h limit, even running a red light and colliding with a taxi. Connors also admitted possession of stolen laptops, jewellery, a screwdriver, and a "jemmy" bar, items recovered from his vehicle after the chase. He was charged with dangerous driving but did not plead to those charges. With 89 prior convictions, including dangerous driving, burglary, and theft, Connors was remanded in custody for sentencing in April, and a Probation Service report was ordered.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Dean McCarthy, aged 26, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for possessing €1.674 million worth of cannabis hidden in a consignment of vintage clothing. The drugs were discovered by a customs officer at Highland Shipping in Finglas, who found 115 packets weighing nearly 84 kg. Gardaí re‑packaged the clothes and allowed the owner to collect them. On 26 June 2015, McCarthy drove a transit van to the business park, collected the pallet under undercover Garda surveillance, and later handed the keys to another man. The van was seized by Gardaí, prompting the driver to flee. McCarthy was arrested that night, denied knowledge of the contents, and pleaded guilty. The court noted his 12 prior minor convictions, his early guilty plea, and mitigating personal circumstances, including a difficult upbringing and family support, before sentencing him to six years in jail.
Donal O'Hara, 51, of Glin Park, Coolock, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to cultivating cannabis and possessing a sawn‑off shotgun. In February 2015 Gardaí discovered 72 cannabis plants in his master bedroom; O'Hara claimed they were for personal use. In June 2016 a search revealed a 12‑gauge single‑barrel shotgun and cartridges in a bag in a trailer at the rear of his house. O'Hara said he had the firearm for self‑defence after shots were fired at his home days earlier. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a four‑year sentence for the drug offence, with one year suspended, and a seven‑year sentence for the firearms offence, with the final four years suspended, giving a total custodial term of six years. O'Hara had 29 prior convictions, including drugs, public order and road traffic offences. The court noted unusual circumstances, including threats to his family and a gun pointed at a son.
In March 2017, Gail O'Rourke, who had been acquitted in 2015 of an attempt to assist a friend's suicide, appeared in court to support taxi driver Stephen Murphy, who faces a mandatory ten‑year minimum sentence for drug dealing. O'Rourke, who recently published a book about her experiences, and her husband Barry wrote a letter to Judge Melanie Greally stating that Murphy had "lost so much of his life" because of the offence and that his son suffers from Crohn's disease. Murphy, 44, was caught with €273,859 worth of drugs—including ketamine, ecstasy tablets and cannabis—in the boot of his taxi after a Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau surveillance operation. He pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on North Road, Finglas, on 13 May 2015 and is scheduled to be sentenced on 10 March. The Garda investigation began after a tip‑off that drugs were being moved in the Finglas area.
Ian Sheridan, 32, of Bray, was given a suspended three‑year sentence after a judge found that a custodial sentence was not necessary. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on 21 February 2015 after beating his girlfriend, Patricia Rodriguez, for over an hour and biting her face twice. The assault took place in their home after an argument; Sheridan had been drinking and had a history of drug and alcohol problems. He had previously been convicted of theft, public order and road traffic offences. Sheridan offered Rodriguez €1,600 as a token of remorse, which she declined, and the money was directed to a women's refuge. The judge required Sheridan to keep the peace and participate in a restorative justice programme as conditions of the suspended sentence. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Ian Quinn, a 35‑year‑old chronic crack cocaine and heroin addict, was sentenced to five years in prison for robbing Paddy Powers Bookmakers in Castletymon, Tallaght, on 29 September 2015. He smashed the security glass with a stool, stole €980, and was caught after staff ran to the back office and triggered a panic alarm. Quinn pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and had 44 previous convictions, including robbery and possession of an imitation firearm. He is currently serving a sentence for those offences and is due for release in 2021. The judge, Melanie Greally, noted Quinn's dire health and chronic addiction, suspended the final 12 months of the sentence on strict conditions, and required him to engage with the Probation Service for two years after release. The case highlighted Quinn's repeated relapses and the impact on staff who suffered anxiety and lost work time.
Gary Davis, a 28‑year‑old Wicklow man, is alleged to have been an administrator of the Silk Road website, which sold illegal drugs and hacking software. He faces extradition to the United States on charges of conspiracy to distribute narcotics, conspiracy to commit computer hacking and conspiracy to commit money laundering, with a potential life sentence if convicted. Davis has appealed the extradition order on the basis of his Asperger's Syndrome and depression, arguing that he would be subjected to inhumane treatment and lack of appropriate care in a U.S. prison. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, stating that the grounds were not a point of law and that the High Court's decision was based on a thorough consideration of evidence, including medical reports. The court affirmed that the extradition order stands, and Davis will be extradited after a 15‑day period. The case remains pending in the United States.
Raymond O'Hara, 50, received an 18‑month prison sentence for stealing seven bottles of spirits from the Clifton Court Hotel in August 2015. He has 231 prior convictions, including 144 theft and fraud offences and 46 road traffic offences, and was released from custody four weeks before the offence. The judge, Pauline Codd, noted the burglary had caused nervousness among staff and imposed the sentence with the final eight months suspended, conditional on one year of probation, remaining drug‑ and alcohol‑free, and attending residential drug treatment if directed. O'Hara intends to use his time in prison as a "health farm," attending the gym, Narcotics Anonymous, and studying computers, claiming he will address his drug and alcohol issues and improve his health. The court accepted his plea of guilty and the conditions of the suspended portion.
In a 2015 raid on Alan Norman's flat in Drumcondra, Gardaí seized about 1,500 tablets of Xanax and Valium. Norman, who was on a methadone programme, claimed the drugs were for a dealer and that the raid was at the wrong address. He later told his landlord that the Gardaí had entered the wrong door, prompting a damages claim. In court, Norman pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply. His lawyer argued he was merely storing drugs for a dealer, and there was no evidence of wealth. Judge Gerard Griffin adjourned sentencing to July, ordered drug testing and cooperation with the Probation Service, and noted a possible suspended sentence if a favourable report was received. The case highlighted the Gardaí's efforts to defend the claim and the procedural steps pending sentencing.
Damien Murphy, 40, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for a series of pharmacy robberies that took place between December 2015 and February 2016. He admitted to four robberies, one attempted robbery and the production of a knife, and was armed with a knife or scissors during each incident. The robberies were carried out in Dublin city centre, including at Byrnes Pharmacy, Mangans Pharmacy, Blackhall Pharmacy and Janet Dillon Pharmacy. In one robbery a four‑year‑old child was present. Murphy had previously kept his drug addiction under control but relapsed after a financial crisis. He pleaded guilty and made full admissions. The judge imposed concurrent sentences totalling six years, suspended the final 18 months, and imposed 12 months of probation supervision.
Thomas Stokes, 23, of Clondalkin, Dublin, was sentenced to six years in prison at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to six sample charges, including robbery and possession of an imitation firearm, committed between July 15 and July 25, 2016. Judge Melanie Greally suspended the final 18 months of the sentence on strict conditions. Prosecution evidence detailed a ten-day crime spree during which Stokes allegedly robbed a total of €1,157 and a mobile phone, threatening victims with a toy gun and a steel bollard. He admitted to gardaí that he committed the offences to pay a €2,200 drug debt after his family's trailer was threatened. The final victim, a 66-year-old shop owner, closed his family-run business days later due to fear of further attacks. Stokes was identified via CCTV footage showing a distinct tattoo. Judge Greally noted the escalating seriousness of the crimes and the lingering menace felt by the victim, while accepting that the offences were motivated by Stokes's drug addiction and family pressures. She acknowledged his genuine remorse and that the actions were out of character for a man from a law-abiding family. Stokes has also been sentenced in the District Court for an earlier theft that preceded the robberies. No injuries were reported during the incidents.
Shane Murphy, 25, of Swords, was sentenced to one year in prison for assault causing harm to Aidan Mullen on 10 July 2011. The offence occurred after a dispute over a stolen green bin. Mullen, who had a heart attack in March, was attacked by Murphy who shouted, "I don't give a fuck about you or your heart attack." Murphy struck Mullen on the face, causing fractures to his skull and cheekbone, and inflicted pain that led to medical bills of €1,500 and lost income of €4,200. Murphy pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and had 19 prior convictions, including assault and intoxication offences. He had previously been sentenced to three years with the final two years suspended, but the judge imposed a one‑year term for this offence. The court noted his history of drug addiction and that he had since completed residential treatment.
In a Family Court hearing on 17 February 2017, Judge Fiona Lydon ordered that a girl whose parents have struggled with addiction and incarceration be placed in long‑term care with the State. The child, who has lived with a foster family for several years, will remain in that placement until she turns 18. The court heard that the girl had witnessed her mother's drug use and mental health problems, and that the mother had not visited her for over a year. A Tusla social worker noted the girl's distress over the lack of contact and her desire to stay with her foster family. The girl's guardian, who represents her interests, confirmed that the child is happy in her current placement and wishes to remain there until adulthood. The father, who has been clean for nearly 18 months, was granted joint guardianship. The order places the girl under Tusla's care until she reaches the age of majority.
Janet Morrissey, 35, a single mother with drug addiction and heavy debts, was found by Gardaí with €117,800 in cash in her home and on her person. She pleaded guilty to possession of the proceeds of crime. Garda Jerome Twomey explained that a search warrant led to the discovery of cash in her coat pocket and bedroom wardrobe, and a ledger described as a "book" that recorded the money. Morrissey said she had been given a phone by a man and collected money from various people when she received texts from a person she called 'Boss'. She sorted the cash into bundles of €5,000 and €10,000 and was paid €600 a week for handling it. She claimed she did not know the money was the proceeds of crime and had never asked questions. She has no previous convictions.
Anthony Handley, 64, of Whitethorn Grove, Artane, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving that caused the death of Olivia Dunne, 31, and serious bodily harm to her 15‑week‑old daughter Éabha in Balbriggan on 17 January 2014. Gardaí said Handley drifted off momentarily before his off‑road SUV veered from the road and struck the mother and child. He had no alcohol or drugs in his system. On 10 May 2016 Judge Patrick McCartan sentenced him to two years' imprisonment, citing his good character but warning that fatigue must be a concern for all drivers, and imposed a ten‑year driving ban. The Court of Appeal found errors in the sentencing, upheld the two‑year term but suspended the balance on conditions, and left the driving ban unchanged.
Linda Wall, 37, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at a Luas stop in June 2015 after a drug dealer urged her to steal a mobile phone to pay part of a debt. The court heard she was hopelessly addicted to "snow blow" and had 16 prior convictions. Judge Melanie Greally noted a positive probation report but said Wall had not fully dealt with her addiction, adjourned the case to October to monitor progress, and urged her to continue improving. Garda Denise Bowes reported the victim, a Chinese woman, was speaking on her phone when Wall tried to take it, resulting in a physical assault that caused swelling but no hospital treatment. Wall denied intending to injure the victim and claimed the dealer's instructions. Marie Torrens, defending, highlighted Wall's nursing aspirations, her daughter's death, and her recent positive changes, hoping she will resume her nursing career.
In a murder trial, 38‑year‑old Michal Rejmer died from haemorrhaging caused by stab wounds to his arms. The post‑mortem, conducted by Chief State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy on 9 January 2016, found a large gaping wound on his upper right arm and a 20‑cm track wound on his left arm, both inflicted by a 20‑cm knife. Cassidy noted additional puncture wounds to his back and thigh, defensive injuries on his left hand, and a grazing injury to the left side of his face with internal skull bleeding. No drugs or alcohol were detected. She concluded that the death resulted from bleeding, though the injuries alone would not have caused rapid death; survival for minutes to an hour was possible. The accused, 35‑year‑old Monika Matracka, pleaded not guilty, claiming self‑defence, and the case is before a jury.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Aisling Clarke, 44, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs and a stun gun in her family home. The court noted that Clarke had been "preyed on" by a higher‑ranking drug dealer and was holding the items for that person. She had no prior convictions and had been clean from heroin for several years. The judge, Melanie Greally, imposed a three‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspended in full on the condition that Clarke engage with the Probation Service for counselling, accommodation and training. Garda Ivor Scully reported 1,480 MDMA tablets, a taser stun gun and cannabis grinders were found in the house. Clarke faces eviction proceedings brought by the county council, with a hearing scheduled for the following month. The court considered the eviction a likely consequence and a significant punishment. The case highlights Clarke's history of drug use, rehabilitation attempts and her role as a mother.
David Clancy, a 25‑year‑old father from Clondalkin, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of nearly €500,000 worth of heroin, cocaine and PVP for sale or supply. The court noted it was his first offence and that he had no prior convictions. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a five‑year term with the final two years suspended, citing his low‑level role as a delivery person and his involvement in moving heroin into deprived areas. She highlighted that Clancy carried out the crime to pay a €1,000 drug debt and was now substance free. The judge expressed sympathy for his family, noting the impact on his young son, and acknowledged that Clancy had a solid family background and had attended a drug awareness course. The sentencing reflected the court's view that he was at the bottom rung of the drug‑trade ladder.
Charles Farrell, aged 44, was convicted at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for theft of two historic gates from Convent Cottage, Firhouse Road, on 4 April 2015, and for unlawful use of a car and dangerous driving on 25 June 2015. He received an 18‑month jail term, followed by a consecutive three‑year sentence for driving a stolen car dangerously through Tallaght. Judge Melanie Greally suspended the final two years of the four‑and‑a‑half‑year term on strict conditions and disqualified Farrell from driving for six years. Two co‑accused, James Spellman Junior (40) and Trevor Matthews (41), each received two‑year suspended sentences for their roles in the gate theft. The judge noted Farrell's long‑standing drug addiction and his efforts to address it, while the Gardaí described the theft and subsequent dangerous driving incidents in detail. Charles Farrell pleaded guilty.
Joseph Finnegan, aged 33, was jailed for five years after Gardaí discovered almost €230,000 worth of drugs in his home on Landen Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin. While he was with his two‑year‑old daughter, officers entered the house and directed him to a bedroom wardrobe and the attic. There they found €212,000 of heroin in the attic and €15,211 of cocaine in the wardrobe, along with other drug paraphernalia. Finnegan pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 10 March 2016 to possession of 1.5 kg of heroin and 217 g of cocaine for sale or supply. He had no prior convictions. The judge noted that he had no wealth or evidence of a larger role beyond holding the drugs, and that he had mental health difficulties, limited education and employment.
Stephen Comey, 29, was sentenced to a three‑and‑a‑half‑year prison term for hijacking a car and repeatedly punching a heavily pregnant woman in the passenger seat while driving through Dublin's city centre. He had 70 prior convictions and had been released from prison six weeks earlier. The court heard he had a "tragic background" and had been working on rehabilitation while in custody. Judge Patricia Ryan back‑dated the sentence to May 2014, the date Comey entered custody, and suspended the remaining term from today's date. The offence involved unlawful seizure of a car, assault causing harm and possession of a syringe. The victim, a seven‑and‑a‑half‑month‑pregnant woman, was unable to escape the moving vehicle and was repeatedly punched by Comey. The case was adjourned several times to allow Comey to continue his rehabilitation work. The court noted his efforts to become drug‑free and the support of his family. Stephen Comey pleaded guilty.