In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Oleksandr Hrudovyy, a 47‑year‑old professional truck driver, pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of William Carrick, an 80‑year‑old pedestrian. The incident occurred on 22 May 2015 when Hrudovyy stopped his 16.9‑metre truck in heavy traffic at a green light on Swords Road, Cloghran, and then moved forward, crushing Carrick who had just left a pub and was crossing the road. Carrick died from multiple fractures and blood loss. The prosecution alleged Hrudovyy was inattentive, failed to check mirrors, and did not perform required checks before moving the vehicle. Dashcam footage showed Carrick crossing in front of the truck, while Hrudovyy claimed he did not see him. Defence argued the evidence did not meet the Supreme Court's definition of dangerous driving and that the stop was merely inconsiderate. The jury was instructed to remain impartial and consider the facts presented.
A woman has given evidence at the Central Criminal Court in a rape trial concerning an incident in County Donegal in February 2015. The complainant told the jury she was severely intoxicated when she alleges two men had sexual intercourse with her without her consent. She described drinking multiple alcoholic beverages during a student night at a local pub and nightclub before being driven to an apartment she did not recognise. The woman stated she was so intoxicated she could barely walk and explicitly told the court she did not consent to any sexual contact. Video evidence taken by her friend was presented to the jury. The two defendants, now aged 29 and 33 and resident in Donegal, have pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape. The defence maintains any sexual activity was consensual. The trial before Mr Justice Alex Owens continues with the jury.
A trial date has not yet been set for Alan Wilson, a 40‑year‑old Dublin man charged with three counts of attempted murder in the 2010 shooting at the Players Lounge pub in Fairview, Dublin 3. Wilson is accused of attempting to kill Brian Masterson, Wayne Barrett and Austin Purcell on 26 July 2010. He is also charged with possession of a .38 Special Smith & Wesson revolver, a .32 Auto Zastava semi‑automatic pistol, and ammunition for both firearms, all with intent to endanger life. In a hearing before a three‑judge panel, Wilson told the gardai he had "absolutely nothing to do with these allegations." Defence counsel James Dwyer SC said his side were not ready for trial, noting the case involved an extensive investigation and ongoing disclosure of material. The Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel, Seán Gillane SC, said much material had already been disclosed.
Oliver Callely, a 27‑year‑old man charged with assault causing harm for allegedly igniting a firework in the smoking area of Copper Face Jacks nightclub on 6 September 2015, appeared before Dublin District Court on 2 July. He has not yet indicated how he will plead. At a vacation sitting of Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Martina Baxter temporarily relaxed his bail conditions to allow him to work in the UK. The conditions were eased between 26 August and 5 September and the requirement to sign daily at Malahide Garda Station was reduced to once a week. The court adjourned the application to return his passport, which would enable him to work as a driver for his brother‑in‑law, a car dealer, until 18 September. Callely is due to be arraigned on 30 October. The case remains at the bail‑relaxation stage.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 29 July 2019, a 14‑year‑old juvenile and his 18‑year‑old accomplice, David O'Neill, pleaded guilty to four counts of robbery and a theft charge. The court heard the pair carried out three robberies in the early hours of one morning, punching victims and knocking them unconscious. CCTV footage showed the juvenile and O'Neill punching a medical student from Saudi Arabia, a second man leaving a nightclub, and a third man at Temple Bar. The juvenile also robbed a young man of his bank card and forced him to withdraw money from ATMs. The judge, citing the juvenile's age, remorse and cooperation, imposed a two‑year detention sentence. O'Neill received a four‑and‑a‑half‑year prison term with the final 18 months suspended. The court noted the victims suffered facial injuries and were taken to hospital.
A book of evidence was served at the Special Criminal Court on Alan Wilson, a 40‑year‑old Dublin resident, who faces three attempted‑murder charges for an incident at The Players Lounge pub on 26 July 2010. Wilson is accused of attempting to kill Brian Masterson, Wayne Barrett and Austin Purcell, and of possessing a .38 Special Smith & Wesson revolver, a .32 Auto Zastava pistol and corresponding ammunition with intent to endanger life. During the brief hearing, the court remanded Wilson in custody until 7 October, when his case will be mentioned again.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 25‑year‑old Liam O'Neill pleaded guilty to robbing 58‑year‑old Paul Mullarkey on Grattan Parade, Drumcondra, on 29 November. O'Neill had consumed heroin, cocaine and alcohol that day. CCTV showed him jostling Mullarkey, thrusting a sharp piece of a small tree branch into his stomach and throat, threatening to stab him, kicking and punching him, then biting parts of his ear and nose. The attack lasted about six minutes, during which O'Neill stamped on Mullarkey's head and torso and stole €50. Mullarkey suffered cuts, scratches and bite injuries, requiring treatment at the Mater. O'Neill was arrested that evening after erratic behaviour outside Mater Hospital; DNA on his clothing matched Mullarkey's. O'Neill had 82 prior convictions, including violent offences, and had served a four‑year term for a previous robbery. Judge Martin Nolan described the robbery as "serious" and the assault as "visceral and barbaric".
Oliver Callely, 27, of St Lawrences Road, Clontarf, Dublin, faces trial for an alleged assault causing harm to a man at the Copper Face Jacks nightclub on Harcourt Street on 6 September 2015. He appeared before Dublin District Court on 2 July and was present on bail. On a new mention before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, his lawyers requested an arraignment date, which Judge Martin Nolan set for 30 October. The court also granted a variation of his bail, with the DPP consenting.
Jason O'Connor, 41, was sentenced to three years in prison for assaulting a man at The Paddocks pub in Clonee on 3 November 2018, and for making threats to kill or seriously harm Detective Sergeant Shane McCartan and Detective Inspector Joseph McLoughlin during a search of his home on 5 November 2018. The threats were recorded by a documentary film crew and played in court. O'Connor pleaded guilty to both the assault and the threats. He has 64 previous convictions, mainly traffic offences, but also knives, burglary and a mobile phone in prison. The judge, Martin Nolan, imposed a concurrent one‑year sentence for the threats, back‑dated to reflect time already spent in custody. The court noted that O'Connor had been in his boxer shorts when the Emergency Response Unit breached his door, and that he had a history of mental health issues and substance misuse.
A 30-year-old man from Ballymun has received a two-year suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for stealing twenty bottles of spirits valued at €900 from Copper Face Jack's nightclub on Harcourt Street in May 2017. Jason Whelan pleaded guilty to the burglary charge after being identified on CCTV footage removing the alcohol from the venue's Premier Bar. The court heard that Whelan has 91 previous convictions, 43 of which relate to burglary offences, and that his criminal activity was motivated by a long-standing drug addiction. Judge Melanie Greally noted that since the theft, Whelan had undertaken treatment at Coolmine and received a favourable probation report. The judge cited his guilty plea, demonstrated remorse, and rehabilitation efforts as mitigating factors. The suspended sentence is conditional on Whelan maintaining the peace and accepting twelve-month supervision from the Probation Service.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a Spanish woman who had come to Dublin to learn English suffered permanent facial scarring after being glassed by Rosangela Wyzykowski (34) in a city‑centre pub. Wyzykowski, a trained physiotherapist from Brazil living at Talbot Street, threw a large glass at the victim's face after a confrontation that began when the Spanish woman asked her to stop bumping into her while dancing at Dicey's bar. The glass struck the victim's face, causing a deep wound that required eight hours in A&E at St Jame's Hospital and subsequent surgery at a private clinic in Lucan to remove the glass. The victim incurred €2,600 in medical costs and lost about €400 in wages. Wyzykowski was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, fully suspended on the condition of 12 months' probation, and she brought €10,000 and a letter of apology to the court.
In a High Court case on 18 July 2019, River Dublin 1 SARL, owners of the Aparto student accommodation on Upper Dorset Street, obtained a temporary injunction against The Long Island Bar operator Mr Edward Walsh. The court heard that on 17 July, men associated with Walsh had crossed a boundary wall, erected wooden hoarding in the accommodation's yard, and blocked access to a bike shed. River Dublin claimed the hoarding unlawfully appropriated part of the yard. Walsh's solicitors alleged that the accommodation was trespassing on Walsh's leased property, a claim denied by River Dublin and unsupported by documentation. The injunction, granted ex‑parte by Justice Leonie Reynolds, prohibits Walsh, his servants and agents from trespassing on the accommodation, from removing the hoarding, and from reinstating fencing. It also bars Walsh from preventing the removal of the hoarding. The case is set to return to court next week.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 25‑year‑old Scott Capper was sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment for two separate pub assaults. The first offence, committed on 8 August 2016 at the Morgan Hotel, involved Capper punching Jaroslaw Gaska in the face after Gaska touched Capper's girlfriend's hair. Gaska suffered a broken jaw, required 10 stitches, incurred €1,100 in medical costs and lost €2,000 in earnings. The second offence, on 2 October 2016 at Sin Nightclub, saw Capper striking Nevil Picton, who sustained a cut to the lip and dental damage costing €2,680. Capper pleaded guilty to both assault‑causing‑harm charges. He has 46 prior convictions, including a suspended two‑year sentence for a 2015 assault, and has a history of drug possession, violent disorder and public‑order offences.
In a 2019 Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Jack Hall Ellis, 21, pleaded guilty to unlawfully killing his friend Luke O'Reilly, 20, in a drunken "one punch" assault on Halloween night 2017. Ellis admitted he was acting in drunkenness and anger, having consumed seven to ten double shots of Captain Morgan rum, and punched O'Reilly from behind as they left a pub. O'Reilly fell, hit his head, suffered traumatic brain injuries and died in hospital two weeks later. Ellis was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. The judge noted the unprovoked nature of the assault, Ellis's early guilty plea, lack of prior violent convictions, remorse, and supportive family as mitigating factors, while emphasizing the seriousness of one‑punch attacks and the need for deterrence. The sentence reflected the low‑middle range of offending for the offence.
Emil Wyrebiak, aged 26 and resident in Ballinagh, Co Cavan, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cannabis discovered in a vehicle at Ballyogan Avenue, Carrickmines on April 23, 2018. Gardaí stopped a blue BMW after noticing an expired tax disk and, on detecting a cannabis odour, recovered four plastic bags of the drug from the boot along with two bags of yellow pills, valued at approximately €36,000. A subsequent search of his former residence yielded tablets worth a further €7,500. The court heard that Wyrebiak had agreed to transport drugs following an altercation with a "connected man" at a Dublin nightclub, presenting him with limited options to resolve the matter. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a four-year sentence, suspended in full, having regard to mitigating factors including Wyrebiak's full cooperation with gardaí, admissions, and absence of previous convictions.
In June 2019 a temporary injunction that had barred the owners and former operators of the Hole in the Wall Pub in Galway from transferring possession of the premises to anyone else was lifted after the parties reached an agreement. The injunction had been granted earlier in the month in favour of 15 former employees who had been dismissed abruptly in April when the pub closed. They had brought High Court proceedings alleging unlawful termination and had obtained an interim injunction against the pub's owner, Stephen Fahy, and his company, Stephen Fahy Ltd. The court, hearing the case on Thursday, was told by the defendants' counsel that the injunction could be removed if the parties consented and replaced with an undertaking. The defendants agreed that if the pub were leased to another party they would inform the plaintiffs within seven days of the lease's execution.
Alan Wilson, aged 40, was charged at the Special Criminal Court with three counts of attempted murder for a shooting at The Players Lounge pub on 26 July 2010, targeting Brian Masterson, Wayne Barrett and Austin Purcell. He was also charged with possession of a .38 Special Smith & Wesson revolver and a .32 Auto Zastava pistol, and with possession of .38 and .32 ammunition, all with intent to endanger life. Wilson denied any involvement in these allegations. Earlier, he had pleaded guilty to a murder plot involving Gary Hanley between 15 September and 6 November 2017. The DPP directed that Wilson be tried for the attempted murder offences in the non‑jury court. Wilson was granted legal aid, appeared in court wearing a blue jacket and jeans, and was remanded in custody until 29 July when a book of evidence is to be served.
Dubliner Sean Carroll (35) pleaded guilty to two charges of attempted robbery at St Stephen's Green West on June 23, 2017, and a separate offence of assault causing harm outside a pub in Kilmacud, south Dublin on February 19, 2017. The charges were admitted, and Carroll was sentenced at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Greally imposed concurrent four-year sentences for each robbery, which were suspended on the condition that Carroll engage in offence and victim awareness work with the Probation Service. For the assault charge, a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence was imposed and suspended on the condition that he keep the peace for that period. The court heard that Carroll had a history of drug abuse involving cocaine and heroin at the time of the offences but has since made significant improvements in his life, including completing residential drug treatment and living in accommodation under the Peter McVerry Trust. The matter was adjourned following the sentence.
Stephen Weafer, 32, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three years and three months in prison for assaulting two women on December 27, 2016. Judge Karen O'Connor suspended the final 15 months of the sentence on strict conditions, requiring Weafer to engage with the Probation Service for that duration. Weafer pleaded guilty to assaulting both victims, causing them harm. The incident occurred outside the Greyhound Pub in Blanchardstown, where Weafer allegedly head-butted Rebecca Burke and kicked her sister, Rachel Burke, during a melee. Rachel Burke suffered a broken nose with permanent cosmetic damage, while Rebecca Burke broke a finger. Although Weafer admitted to the head-butt, he initially denied kicking Rachel Burke, claiming he was defending himself. The court accepted that the women were unprovoked victims. Weafer, who has 49 previous convictions for road traffic offences, provided €3,500 as a token of remorse. Judge O'Connor noted that Weafer's behaviour was out of character and acknowledged he was also a victim of an unprovoked attack during the fracas. The judge accepted that alcohol was a factor, noting Weafer was on epilepsy medication and should not have been drinking. The matter was finalised with this sentence.
A man found guilty of shooting his wife dead in an act of gross negligence has lost an appeal against his conviction and sentence. Oliver Kierans (60) of Drumbannon, Bailieborough in Cavan, had pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to murdering Patricia Kierans (54), his wife of 33 years, at his home address on September 5th, 2013. He was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by a majority jury verdict following fifteen hours of deliberations. Kierans was also found guilty of possessing a double barrel sawn-off shotgun and possessing the weapon with intent to endanger life. Patricia Kierans died from a shotgun wound to the chest after being shot at a range of about 1.2 metres or 4 feet, in the close confines of a bedroom in Kierans' home. Kierans contended that he had picked up the firearm with the intention of taking his own life but the shotgun discharged in the direction of his wife. After the shooting, Kierans went to The Square bar in Bailieborough where a 'siege' took place. Garda Thomas Fay, who had known Kierans for almost 30 years, went into the bar to talk to him. However, CCTV footage from inside the pub showed Kierans pointing the shotgun at the garda. Kierans pulled the trigger, but the gun did not go off. CCTV showed him looking at the gun quizzically afterwards. The situation came to an end when Kierans eventually left the pub with Garda Fay. Kierans was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for his wife's manslaughter, eight years for possession of the shotgun and 12 years for pointing the gun at Garda Fay by Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly on April 20, 2015. All sentences were to run concurrently. Upholding his conviction and sentence today, Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said Kierans had picked up the shotgun to show his wife he would kill himself. However, the gun discharged due to 'unexpected movement'. Mr Justice McCarthy said the trial judge correctly instructed the jury with regards to intent and the particular circumstances of the case. He said the court rejected Kierans' appeal against conviction. In relation to sentence, Kierans' barrister, Paul Greene SC, submitted that the Central Criminal Court judge ought to have afforded more credit for Kierans' personal circumstances. However, Mr Justice McCarthy said the judge expressly took account of Kierans' family situation and his previous good character. He said the aggravating factors were significant. Kierans reloaded the shotgun after the homicide and went to a public place. Mr Justice McCarthy said Ireland had the 'privilege of having an unarmed police force' and Kierans put Garda Fay 'in fear of his life'. Mr Justice McCarthy, who sat with President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, said the sentences were within range and the appeal was accordingly dismissed.
Jason Farrell, 26, of Finglas, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to assaulting James McDonagh with intent to cause serious bodily harm and producing a 12-inch kitchen knife on February 2, 2018. The court heard that Farrell entered The Auld Triangle pub armed with two knives, including a 14-inch blade, before being ejected by a group of men. Garda Sergeant Ken Houlahan testified that he witnessed the melee and arrested Farrell after he refused to drop the weapons. Judge Pauline Codd noted that while Farrell intended to assault Mr. McDonagh, the intervention of others prevented him from using the knives. The judge acknowledged Farrell's 30 previous convictions, including assaults and robbery, but accepted his early guilty plea and his recent efforts to remain drug-free and complete job training. She imposed a three-year sentence, with the final two-and-a-half years suspended. The suspension is conditional on Farrell attending all Probation Service appointments and engaging in victim and offence-focused work. The matter was finalised with this sentencing order.
In a violent incident on 2 July 2016, 21‑year‑old Nathan Benson attacked Cormac Doyle outside the "District 8" nightclub on Francis Street, Dublin, punching and head‑butting him and stealing his iPhone. Doyle pursued Benson, who fled down Bridgefoot Street into a crime scene being preserved by Garda Derek Tubridy. Benson ran under the tape, was stopped, and after a brief apology and a blood‑stained appearance, he was searched and found with three mobile phones, including Doyle's. He became aggressive, attempted to assault the garda, and was forcibly arrested. In court, Benson pleaded guilty to robbery on Thomas Street, Dublin 8. Judge Elma Sheahan sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, suspending the final 12 months on the condition of good behaviour and compliance with the Probation Service for 12 months. The judge noted the lasting impact of Benson's "thuggish behaviour" on the victim, who had temporarily left the country out of fear.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 22‑year‑old Emmet Prizeman received a suspended 18‑month prison sentence for assaulting Stephen Merchant, a professional referee from England, after a row with his girlfriend escalated outside a Harcourt Street nightclub. CCTV showed Prizeman punching Merchant once and then kicking him twice while he was on the ground, striking him on the head. Merchant was briefly unconscious, taken to hospital, and fully recovered. Prizeman pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on 24 May 2017. The judge, citing his lack of prior convictions, good work record, and a character reference from a catering teacher, reduced a headline three‑year sentence to 18 months, suspended on the condition of keeping the peace for two years and engaging in victim‑ and offence‑focused work with the Probation Service.
Paddy Harty, 45, of Ennis, was on the run when he sexually assaulted a 53‑year‑old woman he met in a pub in Kildare on 23 April 2015. He pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court and was sentenced to four years imprisonment, consecutive to a four‑year sentence for theft and fraud that he had received two months earlier. Harty's appeal against the severity of the sentence was dismissed by the Court of Appeal, which found the total sentence "appropriate". The Court noted that Harty had met the woman in a bar, they had drinks, kissed, and then he drove her to a secluded area known as 'Braveheart Hill'. There he removed her bottom clothing and forcibly held her by the arms. She fled, hid in a thorny bush and called the Gardaí. Harty was identified from CCTV footage and initially denied having met the woman.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 4 April 2019, Keith Curran, 40, pleaded guilty to a one‑punch assault that fractured the skull of a 32‑year‑old male outside The Clock pub on 18 June 2017. The victim, who suffered permanent hearing loss, loss of smell and taste, and ongoing headaches, had been refused entry to the pub due to intoxication. Curran, who had no prior convictions, was sentenced to 240 hours of community service instead of a three‑year jail term. Judge Melanie Greally noted the assault occurred after a verbal disagreement fueled by alcohol, and that the victim had known Curran's family. She credited Curran's guilty plea, cooperation and remorse, and ordered the community service to be completed within 12 months.
In 2017, Jack Hall Ellis, a 21‑year‑old apprentice carpenter, punched 20‑year‑old Luke O'Reilly once after a night of heavy drinking. The assault occurred on Old Blessington Road, Tallaght, when O'Reilly was walking away from a pub. The single blow to the right side of O'Reilly's head caused a fall that left him with brain injuries. He was taken to hospital in a coma and died 13 days later. Ellis, who had consumed seven to ten double Captain Morgan rums that night, pleaded guilty to unlawful killing at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The court adjourned sentencing to allow reports to be prepared and will hear a plea in mitigation next month. O'Reilly's mother, Janet O'Brien, delivered a victim impact statement describing her son as a gentle giant and expressing the family's profound loss. The case highlights the fatal consequences of a single punch delivered in a drunken state.
Donna McGarry, 38, who worked as general manager at the Dublin pub Four Dame Lane, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft for taking €11,900 between 4 October and 6 November 2017. At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Melanie Greally imposed a headline sentence of three years but suspended the entire two‑and‑a‑half‑year term, giving credit for her early guilty plea, good work history and a strong testimonial from her current employer. McGarry had no prior convictions, had fully repaid the stolen money, and was described as otherwise good character. The judge noted her severe financial pressure and a miscarriage at the time of the offences. McGarry was ordered to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for the duration of the suspended sentence.
A 38‑year‑old former general manager of the Dublin pub Four Dame Lane, Donna McGarry, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft for stealing almost €12,000 between 4 October and 6 November 2017. The court heard that McGarry was under severe financial pressure, had suffered a miscarriage, and was facing a potential repossession of her apartment. She admitted the thefts, transferred the €11,900 stolen to the victim's bank account, and promised to repay the money. McGarry had no prior convictions and was currently employed full‑time in hospitality. Judge Melanie Greally indicated an intention to impose a suspended sentence, citing exceptional circumstances and mitigating factors, and adjourned sentencing to 29 March to allow the transfer to complete. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Stephen Weafer, 32, was sentenced in April for assaulting two women in 2016. He head‑butted Rebecca Burke while queuing outside Greyhound Pub, Blanchardstown, and later kicked Rachel Burke in the face during a melee. CCTV captured the head‑butt; no footage showed the kick. Rebecca broke a finger after falling; Rachel's nose was broken and remains permanently damaged. Weafer pleaded guilty to assaulting both women. He had 49 prior convictions for traffic offences and was taking epilepsy medication, which his defence cited as a factor. He offered €3,000 as a token of remorse and wrote a letter apologising. Judge Karen O'Connor remanded him on bail until April 30 for sentencing. The case was prosecuted by John Berry BL.
Rishi Raj Huree, 37, of Beaumont, Dublin, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbing €28,870 from Twenty Two Night Club on 12 June 2018. He stole the money to repay a loan for his mother. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to two and a half years' imprisonment, but suspended the entire term on the condition that he keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two and a half years. Garda Jack McGovern explained that the general manager had tried to open a safe but could not find the key, and Huree initially denied knowing the key before admitting the theft and asking if he could return the money to keep his job. Huree was arrested two days later at Dublin Airport with over €15,000 in his backpack; the rest of the money was found in his house, and €25,660 was recovered by Gardaí.
In February 2017, Dean Fitzpatrick, 26, assaulted David Curran on Grafton Street, causing a broken nose, three jaw fractures and a fracture above his eye. Curran required surgery, multiple stitches and spent seven months recovering, suffering nerve damage and losing several teeth. The assault left him traumatised, leading to a drop‑out from college and loss of his degree. Curran's victim impact statement, read by Antonia Boyle BL, detailed his mental health decline, social life disruption and ongoing physical injuries. Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the case to 25 July to allow Fitzpatrick to complete a residential drug treatment programme and ordered a probation report. Garda Paul Jordan recounted finding Curran with blood from nose and mouth, and that the incident followed a night out at a nightclub and McDonald's. Fitzpatrick's 70 prior convictions include assault, theft, public order and road traffic offences.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Mark Doyle (34) and Patrick Farrelly (32) were given suspended prison sentences after they damaged The Village Inn in Clondalkin. The pair had been thrown out for drunkenness, refused to leave, and then returned to the pub, smashing heaters, picture frames and vodka bottles. Farrelly punched bar staff member Patrick McCarthy, breaking his jaw, while Doyle assaulted pub manager Alan McKenzie. Both men pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and criminal damage on 9 September 2012. Judge Melanie Greally suspended an 18‑month term for Doyle, noting his remorse, and a two‑year term for Farrelly, citing his alcohol abuse but efforts to address it. Each man paid €2,200 as a token of remorse. No further Garda attention has been reported since the incident.
In a 2016 incident at Concord Pub, three men—Joseph Crabbe (33), Dean McDonnell (29), and Thomas Smith (36)—were charged with violent disorder after a bar fight that involved throwing stools, snooker balls, and glasses. All pleaded guilty. Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced each to two and a half years' imprisonment, suspending the full terms on the condition that they keep the peace and behave well for two years. Crabbe had 26 prior convictions, McDonnell nine, and Smith five. Garda Kevin Farrell presented CCTV footage showing each man's involvement: Crabbe lifting a table and throwing objects, McDonnell throwing a pint glass and a stool before using a pool cue, and Smith striking someone with a stool and tossing a snooker ball. The judge praised the bar manager for preventing the situation from worsening. No further police action has been taken against the men since the incident.
An apprentice electrician from Donaghmede has received a non-custodial sentence after pleading guilty to causing serious harm to a schoolmate at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Adam Clarke (20) punched the victim at a nightclub on Francis Street, Dublin 8, on 3 July 2016, in an incident motivated by jealousy. The assault left the injured party permanently deaf in one ear and hospitalised for five days with a complex head fracture. Judge Melanie Greally imposed 240 hours of community service in lieu of a three-year prison term and ordered Clarke to pay €10,000 compensation. The judge noted the victim's hearing loss has significantly impacted his academic progress, sporting ability, and career prospects. Clarke, who initially showed no remorse during garda interview, later visited the victim in hospital and expressed contrition. The court considered his youth, early guilty plea, lack of prior convictions, and a probation report indicating low re-offending risk when determining the sentence.
A 29-year-old man from Ballymun pleaded guilty to burglary at Copper Face Jacks nightclub in Dublin on 27 May 2017. Jason Whelan admitted stealing approximately 20 bottles of spirits valued between €700 and €900 from the premises. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Whelan entered the nightclub on three occasions and took bottles from behind the counter. CCTV footage captured him committing the thefts, and he was subsequently identified and arrested. Whelan has 91 previous convictions, including 43 for burglary offences. In a letter to the sentencing judge, he expressed remorse and stated his intention to become an honest member of society and positive father figure. His counsel noted Whelan is currently drug-free and receiving methadone treatment. Judge Melanie Greally acknowledged the sincerity of his expressed commitment to rehabilitation and adjourned sentencing to 13 March pending probation and prison reports.
Patrick Beauchamp, 26, is on trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for one count of sexual assault and two counts of assault causing harm. He is accused of assaulting a woman he met at Copper Face Jack's nightclub, who allegedly was put on her couch and had a hand placed under her dress. She claims she fell asleep and had no recollection, but a friend testified that Beauchamp was on top of her and "humping" her with his pants down. The friend also said Beauchamp head‑butted him after the friend warned him, "If that was my sister I'd kill you." Beauchamp denies the assault, claiming he was acting in self‑defence and that the woman was not asleep. Garda Tara Power testified that she saw Beauchamp punch the friend in the face. The trial will continue tomorrow afternoon. Patrick Beauchamp pleaded not guilty.
John Fitzgerald SC defended Emmet Fogarty, 47, a former pub owner who had been drawn into an almost €1.4 million drugs operation to offset gambling debts. Fogarty had been unaware of cheques written against his pub, leading to tax trouble and an alcohol and gambling addiction. After spending time abroad, he returned to Ireland and joined the drug enterprise. He pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cocaine, cannabis herb and resin worth €1,398,714, as well as various ammunition. Garda Ivor Scully found 15 blocks of cocaine, cannabis herb, resin, ten firearm magazines, ammunition and tracking devices at a lock‑up unit leased by Fogarty. Fogarty's home address was linked to the premises via receipt, DNA and fingerprints. Judge Melanie Greally, considering Fogarty's circumstances, imposed a seven‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspending the final two‑and‑a‑half years. The sentence reflected the seriousness of the drug offence and the firearms offence.
At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, two men have been sentenced for sexually assaulting a 19-year-old woman while she lay asleep in a private room at a nightclub in Swords, Dublin in July 2017. Joshua Sykes, of Ardlo Manor, Mullagh, County Cavan, and Adam McCabe, of Clusker Park, Navan, County Meath, both pleaded guilty to the offence. Each received a three-year sentence, with the final eighteen months suspended. Judge Cormac Quinn described the case as shocking, noting the woman was vulnerable at the time and had been preyed upon. CCTV footage showed the assault occurring over five minutes while the woman remained unresponsive. Both men, who were attending a birthday party, claimed memory loss but were identified on camera. In a victim impact statement, the woman detailed ongoing psychological harm, including self-harm, panic attacks, and anxiety. The judge considered the men's early guilty pleas, youth, cooperation with probation services, and expressions of remorse when imposing sentence.
A 70‑year‑old man, Desmond Duffy, pleaded not guilty to the murder of his partner, Desmond Sullivan, 59, who died on 23 May 2016 at their home in Somerville Park, Rathmines. Duffy told Gardaí that he had been abused by Sullivan for many years, citing incidents of bleach, milk, a mug and a basket of sausages being thrown at him, and that Sullivan had become increasingly psychotic and paranoid. He described a night of drinking in a pub, after which Sullivan attacked him in the kitchen. Duffy tried to restrain Sullivan, who fell and stopped moving; Duffy called a relative, who later confirmed Sullivan was dead. Duffy said he did not call an ambulance because he was very drunk and did not think Sullivan was injured. The case is before the Central Criminal Court.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, 70‑year‑old Desmond Duffy pleaded not guilty to the murder of his partner Des Sullivan, aged 59, who died at their home in Somerville Park, Rathmines, on 23 May 2016. Garda Mark Twomey reported that Duffy told him the couple had drunk about five pints in a local pub before an argument. When they returned home, Duffy said Sullivan punched, kicked and pulled his hair, and that Duffy tried to restrain him by placing his hands on Sullivan's neck, causing Sullivan to fall. Duffy claimed he was injured, noting a cut on his finger and blood on his sleeve. Duffy had no prior convictions and had previously stayed in hotels in Rathmines, as shown by his credit‑card records. The case is before Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of twelve.
In November 2015, 24‑year‑old Edward Andrews, already serving a four‑year robbery sentence, harassed pub owner Stephen Rooney in Dublin. Andrews warned Rooney that the area was "his patch" during a 30th birthday celebration at The Farmhouse Inn, Monkstown. The next day he drove close to Rooney's workplace, revved his engine and shouted threats, then fled. A few days later, Andrews blocked Rooney into a cul‑de‑sac in his car, threatened to shoot him, and made a trigger‑pulling gesture. Rooney, who was in his own vehicle, reported the incident to Gardaí. Andrews pleaded guilty to harassing Rooney at several Dublin locations between 21 and 26 November 2015. He was sentenced by Judge Melanie Greally to a three‑year jail term, with the final 12 months suspended, after acknowledging his guilty plea, youth, and efforts to become drug‑free.
In a Dublin city‑centre pub, taxi driver Lawrence Doyle (51) bit off part of Christopher Darcy's ear during a violent altercation that began after the two men met at a bar. Garda Fergus Grant reported that Doyle struck Darcy with a blow to the side of the head, then bit the ear, causing a 3 cm loss of tissue that could not be stitched. Darcy was also struck dozens of times in the chest and attempted to defend himself, but was ultimately taken to Mater Hospital where he received a tetanus shot and antibiotics. Doyle pleaded guilty to assaulting Darcy at Mulletts Bar on Amiens Street on 15 May 2017. He has no prior convictions. The case was adjourned to 21 February 2024, with Judge Melanie Greally ordering a probation report and noting Doyle's €500 restitution offer. The judge described the assault as vicious, violent and out of character for Doyle. The court will hear the case next month.
Martin Aylmer, 31, of Dublin 3, was sentenced to three years and nine months imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court for participating in activity intended to facilitate the murder of Michael Barr. Aylmer pleaded guilty in July to assisting a criminal organisation in the April 2016 shooting of Barr, the manager of the Sunset House pub. The court found that Aylmer purchased mobile phones used in the crime and visited a lock-up premises, though it could not be established that he knew a murder was planned. Presiding Judge Tony Hunt, sitting with Judges Sinead Ni Chulachain and Cormac Dunne, noted Aylmer's assistance was not at the higher end of the scale and applied a 25% discount for his early guilty plea. The final sentence includes one year suspended, with the judge stating it is appropriate for Aylmer to serve the last portion of his sentence in the community. This follows the January sentencing of Eamonn Cumberton, who was jailed for life after being found guilty of Barr's murder. Chief Superintendent Sean Ward stated the investigation remains live, with two individuals yet to be spoken to, while highlighting the significance of prosecuting those who facilitate organised crime.
Gerard Kelly, of Ballybough Road, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the production of an article capable of inflicting serious injury on March 27, 2015. The court heard that Kelly allegedly held a large kitchen knife to the throat of a man drinking at Lowry's pub on Summerhill Parade. Although another patron was reportedly stabbed in the leg, no assault charges were before the court. Kelly was arrested nearby while in a state of alcohol delirium. His defence counsel, Luigi Rea BL, stated that Kelly did not know the victims and has since taken steps to address his alcoholism. Detective Garda Michael O'Brien described Kelly's rehabilitation as a "remarkable turnaround," noting he is a different person than when first met in 2015. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged the seriousness of the offence, rejecting intoxication as an excuse. However, noting Kelly's remorse and efforts to reform, the judge suspended a sentence of two and a half years. Judge Nolan warned that if Kelly re-offends, he will go to prison. The record noted that Kelly has 48 previous convictions, all for District Court offences including theft and possession of knives.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Raymond Leonard, 35, was acquitted of assaulting Nicholas Devlin on 30 August 2015 at Anna Villa, Ranelagh. Leonard pleaded not guilty and the jury delivered a unanimous not guilty verdict after just under 90 minutes. Leonard, a former manager at An Bhialann restaurant, claimed he had never been in a fight and could not recall the night. Devlin testified that he was ejected from McSorley's pub, then attacked by Leonard, who punched him twice and knee‑dropped him in the groin, causing Devlin severe pain and a ruptured testicle that required surgery. Devlin identified Leonard on CCTV, though he later said he had been uncertain. The trial concluded with Leonard's acquittal.
Raymond Leonard, a 35‑year‑old former restaurant manager, was accused of assaulting Nicholas Devlin in Ranelagh on 30 August 2015. Six months after the incident, Leonard voluntarily met with gardaí and said he could not recall the night in question. When asked whether he had engaged in a fight or used the phrase "you guys are fucked," he denied it, stating he had never been in a fight. Leonard also denied punching or pushing a male against a wall and claimed he normally walked straight home after the pub. He identified himself in McSorley's CCTV footage but insisted he was not involved in any assault. The case was brought to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where Leonard pleaded not guilty. The trial was in its closing stages before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury of five women and seven men.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 35‑year‑old Raymond Leonard of Sliabh Ban, Ballybane, Galway pleaded not guilty to assaulting Nicholas Devlin at Anna Villa, Ranelagh, on 30 August 2015. Devlin testified that his lasting impression of the attacker was 6ft tall and wearing a dark shirt, but the court noted that CCTV footage showed the accused in a white shirt. Defence counsel Keith Spencer BL highlighted that Leonard is 5ft 8 and slim. Devlin also described being ejected from McSorley's pub by a bouncer, after which he was punched and kicked in the groin by a group that included Leonard. Leonard's alleged assault involved a claim that he had been "shorter" than described, a point he accepted during cross‑examination. The case remains at the trial stage.
During a murder trial, Gardaí recounted a car‑chase involving the accused, 24‑year‑old Joseph Hillen, hours before he stabbed taxi driver Martin Mulligan to death. Hillen, who pleaded not guilty, admitted stabbing Mulligan but claimed he did so to protect himself. The chase began shortly after midnight in Dundalk town centre, when Sergeant Michael Kermath and Garda Damien Fanning spotted a Toyota Avensis spinning its tyres outside Ridley's nightclub. They pursued the vehicle with blue lights, but the Avensis accelerated erratically, broke two traffic lights, and fled toward Marsh's Shopping Centre. The patrol car followed until the pursuit became too dangerous, and the officers believed they would not catch the driver before the border with Northern Ireland. CCTV footage of the chase was shown to the jury, and the trial continues before Justice Eileen Creedon.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Raymond Leonard, 35, pleaded not guilty to assaulting Nicholas Devlin on 30 August 2015 at Anna Villa, Ranelagh. Devlin, who had been ejected from McSorley's pub, approached a group outside the pub and was punched twice in the face and kneed in the groin by Leonard. Devlin suffered severe pain, collapsed, and was taken to hospital where doctors found a ruptured testicle, leading to surgery to remove part of it. Devlin testified that he was not overly intoxicated and identified Leonard on CCTV presented in court. Leonard's defence lawyer noted some equivocation in Devlin's language. The prosecution alleged Leonard acted in a vindictive and malicious manner, having removed his shirt before the assault. The case is before Judge Karen O'Connor and a jury of five women and seven men.
Martin Aylmer, 31, was convicted in July for aiding a criminal organisation in the murder of Michael Barr, the manager of the Sunset House pub, on 25 April 2016. A mobile phone he had purchased two days earlier was found dropped beside the getaway Audi A6, linking him to the crime. CCTV showed Aylmer buying three prepaid phones at Ilac Shopping Centre and another three at a shop on Moore Street, all unregistered. The phone was used for calls after the shooting. Aylmer's fingerprints were found on a bleach bottle at a lock‑up premises visited by him on 24 April, where firearms and cleaning products were seized. He was arrested on 17 June, exercised his right to silence, and was remanded in custody until 15 October for sentencing. The case was the first prosecution under the 2006 organised crime legislation for this offence. Eamonn Cumberton, 30, had already been jailed for life for the same murder. Martin Aylmer pleaded guilty.