Lisa O'Meara, who waived her anonymity, told the Central Criminal Court that she had been kept hostage in her own home by Barry Murphy, who repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted her between February 2018 and February 2020. Murphy, 39, was convicted of three rapes, one sexual assault, three assault causing harm, one false imprisonment and coercive control over an 18‑month period. He was also found guilty of a separate assault abroad. The court heard that the front door of the couple's house was riveted shut and that O'Meara had no means of communication until she escaped the night after the final rape. Murphy's bail was revoked when O'Meara lived with him. The judge imposed a headline sentence of 17 years for the rapes, four years for coercive control, and other sentences for the remaining offences, all running concurrently. The final global sentence was 15½ years, with the last year suspended on strict conditions.
Martin O'Brien, 54, of Gurrane, Tuam, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for four counts of sexual assault against a teenage babysitter, Áine McHugh, aged 16‑17, between 2012 and 2014. O'Brien had previously pleaded guilty to sexual assault of a 10‑year‑old child when he was 13‑14, a conviction still on appeal. In the current case, McHugh described O'Brien as a "sub‑human, monster" who groomed and repeatedly assaulted her while she cared for his children, giving her alcohol and assaulting her at home and in pubs. The judge noted aggravating factors such as the abuse occurring in O'Brien's home and his position of trust, and imposed a headline sentence of nine and a half years, but ultimately imposed a six‑year term with the final six months suspended on strict conditions, including probation engagement for twelve months.
In a Court of Appeal hearing on 12 December 2024, Ms Justice Tara Burns dismissed the appeal of a 59‑year‑old man convicted in July 2022 of rape, sexual assault, threats to kill, assault causing harm, intimidation of a witness, property damage and trespass. The appellant had threatened to cut his former partner's fingers with secateurs, broken into her home, and claimed he had paid €10,000 to kill her if he went to prison. He argued that the trial judge erred by not fully outlining the defence case and by misdirecting the jury on the victim's demeanour. Justice Burns found the judge's conduct appropriate, noting that the defence evidence was presented in memoranda of interview and that the judge had re‑charged the jury correctly. The appeal was therefore rejected, leaving the original ten‑year sentence intact. The case involved the victim's two adult sons and her subsequent temporary displacement from her home.
Denis Nolan, 71, a former priest, was sentenced to an additional five years for a 1994‑2000 oral rape and 36 sexual assaults of a schoolboy aged 11‑17. He had already been serving 19 years for similar offences against three other victims. The Central Criminal Court had set a headline sentence of eight years for the rape, reduced to five years to run consecutively with his other sentences, and added three years for the assault charges with five years of post‑release supervision. The Court of Appeal quashed the five‑year term and resentenced Nolan to two and a half years imprisonment, bringing his total sentence to 21½ years. The additional term is to commence after the existing 19‑year term, with the offender expected to be released in March 2032. The court described the offending as egregious and highly destructive to the victim's life. Denis Nolan pleaded guilty.
Richard Farrell, aged 61, was convicted by a jury of four counts of defilement for sexual acts with a 16‑year‑old girl who played on his soccer team between August 2008 and January 2009. The victim, who was 16 at the time, gave a victim impact statement describing the lasting harm to her confidence, trust and relationships, and how Farrell's grooming and sexual conduct had ruined her love of soccer. Farrell pleaded not guilty but was found guilty. He received a headline sentence of seven years, reduced to six years with the final two years suspended, subject to two years' probation, therapeutic assessment and treatment, and restrictions on contact with children. The court noted his prior road traffic offence and community contributions, and that he had been assessed as low risk of reoffending. The sentence was imposed by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon.
Alan Jenkins, aged 30 when first abused, presented a victim impact statement in which he described Tusla's investigation of his uncle Paul Craven as a "farce". Jenkins said Tusla found his allegations unfounded after interviewing Craven, who had been convicted last month of 11 counts including sexual assault and indecent assault between 1989 and 1999. Jenkins claimed Tusla ignored his and his sister's attempts to contact the agency and that Craven continued to work with vulnerable children. He recounted the abuse beginning when he was six or seven, involving inappropriate touching and sexual acts, and described the emotional toll, including panic attacks, anxiety, shame and suicidal thoughts. Jenkins urged other survivors to come forward and thanked the Gardaí, the jury and his family for their support. The court heard that the case would be adjourned to January 28 for a full plea of mitigation. The statement was read by Jenkins' daughter Sophie.
A 52‑year‑old convicted rapist who fathered a son with his estranged daughter has been allowed to pursue a High Court action against the governor of the Midlands Prison and the Minister for Justice after his request for temporary release on medical grounds was refused. The man, who was sentenced in January 2023 to 10 years' imprisonment with the final year suspended, suffers ill health, including a chronic, infected wound on his right knee that may require inpatient care. His lawyers argue that there is no statutory prohibition on temporary release for sexual offence offenders and that the refusal was unlawful. They seek a declaration that the Minister's fixed policy denying release for such offenders is unlawful, an order for the reasons for the refusal, and a declaration that the Minister's discretion has been fettered. The High Court has granted permission for the case to proceed and adjourned it to January.
A 31‑year‑old tenant, Dmitrus Aleinkovs, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for raping his landlady in June 2016. The victim had earlier been raped by a drug‑spiking courier who left her in a temporary state of paralysis after she took cocaine. Aleinkovs had been sub‑letting part of the house and had a history of consensual sexual contact with the victim, which ended when he stopped paying rent. After the courier's assault, Aleinkovs entered the sitting room, saw the victim still in a state of paralysis, and raped her for five minutes. He later returned the victim's jeans and left. The court noted the breach of trust, the victim's vulnerability, and Aleinkovs' lack of prior convictions. He was extradited from Latvia in December 2022 and has been in custody since. The judge imposed a seven‑year sentence, back‑dated to his December 2022 custody.
A veteran healthcare worker, who has worked in the sector for over 30 years, was shocked to discover that a previously unknown complaint of sexual assault had been reported to the Garda vetting bureau by the HSE when she sought new employment. She claims she has no knowledge of who made the allegation, when or where it occurred, and that the HSE had no lawful authority to forward the report to the Gardaí. The woman, who left her HSE role in April 2024 after a positive interview with another agency, says the allegation forced her to seek medical help and that no investigation had taken place. She has applied to the High Court for an order quashing the HSE's decision to furnish the report and for the Garda vetting bureau to withdraw its acceptance of the report. The court has granted permission for judicial review and adjourned the case to the New Year.
In a civil trial, Conor McGregor was found liable for raping Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel room. Mr Justice Alexander Owens ordered McGregor to pay legal costs exceeding €1 million, but made no cost order for co‑respondent James Lawrence, who was found not liable. Owens noted that the case was "the most peculiar and singular" he had seen, referring to Lawrence's claim of consensual sex with Hand, which Hand denied. He awarded "party‑party" costs to McGregor, rather than the higher "solicitor‑own client" costs sought by Hand's lawyers, and left costs for Hand's claims against Lawrence to be paid by each side. Owens adjourned the matter to 16 January to consider an application for a stay pending appeal, and said he would separately decide on McGregor's social‑media post about a "kangaroo court.".
In a High Court hearing, the court will decide whether Conor McGregor must pay the full costs of a civil rape claim brought by Nikita Hand, who alleges he "brutally" raped her in a Dublin hotel penthouse. Hand's counsel urged the court to award the highest level of costs, citing McGregor's alleged conduct before, during and after the trial, including his post‑trial social media posts and accusations that the court was a "kangaroo" court. McGregor's counsel argued that the costs should remain at the normal level, as he was the losing party, and that post‑trial posts should not be considered aggravating. The case also involves James Lawrence, who was found not to have assaulted Hand. The judge, Justice Owens, described the case as "the most peculiar" he had encountered and will rule on costs after 2 pm today.
Convicted rapist and child abductor Michael Murray has been further jailed for 18 months for making bomb threats against the Oireachtas last year. Murray (53), formerly of Seafield Road, Killiney, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to two counts of making the threats from Midlands Prison in Portlaoise, where he is currently serving sentences for which he had been due for release in November 2037. Last March, Murray was further jailed for two years after being found guilty by a jury of phoning in a hoax INLA bomb threat against the home of Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. For the second offence, a consecutive sentence of 18 months was imposed but suspended for a period of three years. Murray was also found guilty of making death threats against Dominic McGinn SC and Tony McGillicuddy BL, the barristers who prosecuted the rape case against him in 2013. He had pleaded not guilty to all of these offences. The matter was adjourned during the appeal stage.
The partner of a man convicted of raping three children between 1999 and 2002 has asked the sentencing judge to give him the "best present" and set him free, claiming he did nothing wrong. The defence counsel argued the defendant was not a danger to the public, had been trustworthy for 24 years, and questioned the benefit of imprisonment. The court heard victim impact statements from two of the victims, who described lasting trauma, loss of trust, and mental health issues. The third victim did not give a statement. The judge adjourned sentencing to 19 December. The article reports the defendant's convictions for sexual assault, oral and anal rape of children aged 7 to 10, and prior convictions for traffic offences and criminal damage. No sentencing outcome is provided in the article.
A 15‑year‑old was convicted of anal rape of a 15‑year‑old girl and was originally sentenced to six months' detention and community supervision. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient. The Court of Appeal quashed the original term and set a headline sentence of nine years, then reduced it to four and a half years after a 50% reduction for the offender's age and maturity. Further mitigating factors led to a one‑year reduction, giving a final headline of three and a half years. The court suspended the last 12 months on a €100 bond, with the sentence backdated to the day of custody. The teenager has already been released and will return to prison to serve the remaining term. The case involved an assault that included forced oral and anal penetration, with the victim reporting severe physical injury and lasting psychological impact. The unnamed girl pleaded not guilty and was acquitted.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 62‑year‑old man was sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment for 19 counts of rape of one sister between 1977 and 1984 and eight counts of rape and eight counts of indecent assault of a second sister between 1979 and 1984. The sisters, aged 12‑18 and 12‑17 at the time of the offences, testified that the abuse began when the accused was 12 and continued daily until he was 22. They described the violence as relentless, with the accused claiming no crime had been committed. The judge noted the victims' vulnerability, the prolonged nature of the abuse, and the significant harm inflicted. The sentence was imposed without any suspended portion, and the court ordered two years of post‑release supervision. The accused denied all allegations and expressed no remorse. The unnamed 62-year-old was convicted.
In a civil case heard over three weeks, a jury awarded Nikita Hand €250,000 in damages after she alleged that Conor McGregor had "brutally raped and battered" her in a Dublin hotel penthouse in December 2018. The court awarded her €60,000 in general damages and €188,000 in special damages, with the special damages agreed by both parties. The jury found that McGregor had assaulted Hand, while a second defendant, James Lawrence, was found not to have assaulted her. McGregor testified that his sexual encounter with Hand was consensual, describing it as "enthusiastic, athletic, prolonged and vigorous" in many positions. Both McGregor and Lawrence denied the allegations. The verdict was delivered after the jury deliberated for just under an hour the previous day and 6½ hours the following day. The case was heard in a Dublin court with Hand, McGregor, and their supporters present.
In a High Court civil trial, the jury resumed deliberations on the second day over allegations of rape involving Conor McGregor and James Lawrence. McGregor, accompanied by his fiancée Dee Devlin and family, denied the claims, asserting consensual sex with the complainant, Nikita Hand. Hand, a former hair colourist, alleges McGregor and Lawrence brutally raped her in a Dublin hotel penthouse on 9 December 2018. Lawrence also denies the allegations, claiming consensual sex with Hand after McGregor's departure. The jury is tasked with answering two yes/no questions: whether McGregor assaulted Hand and whether Lawrence assaulted Hand. Depending on the answers, the judge will direct the jury to assess damages under various headings, including general, special, aggravated, and exemplary damages, while noting that rape is a form of assault and that the standard of proof is the balance of probabilities.
A 29‑year‑old man was jailed for seven years after pleading guilty to two counts of assault causing harm and one count of rape. The assaults took place in October 2017 and May 2018 at a home in the southeast of the country. The victim, whose name is withheld, described repeated head‑butts, throat‑grabs and threats to kill before the rape. She reported the violence to the gardai in October 2017 and again in May 2018, but did not press charges until the court heard her statements. The man had a history of violent convictions and mental health difficulties, including paranoid schizophrenia and substance misuse. The judge imposed a sentence of five years and three months for the rape, three years and four months for each assault, and suspended the final 12 months of the total eight‑year and seven‑month term on strict conditions. The man has 19 prior convictions. The unnamed 29-year-old pleaded not guilty.
Alan McCrea, 48, of Porterstown, Dublin 15, was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison after pleading guilty to seven counts of possession of child pornography. The court heard that Gardaí seized 47 devices and a child mannequin in a school uniform from his home, revealing over 1.29 million images and videos of child sexual abuse. The material was evenly split between images and videos, depicting female children of all ages with adult males, including oral rape, masturbation, and visible anal and genital areas. McCrea admitted downloading the material during a Garda search and a phone call in May 2018, stating he knew he had "fucked up big time." The judge noted his early guilty plea, remorse, lack of distribution, and health issues, and imposed a sentence of three and a half years with the final nine months suspended for two years, subject to strict conditions, probation supervision, and alcohol treatment.
The jury in the civil trial of Conor McGregor and James Lawrence over an alleged rape in a Dublin hotel in 2018 has begun deliberations. Mr Justice Alexander Owens instructed the jury to judge solely on evidence and disregard any "patently untruthful" statements. The jury deliberated for just under an hour before resuming tomorrow at 10am. McGregor testified that he had consensual sex with the complainant, Nikita Hand, describing it as "enthusiastic, athletic, prolonged and vigorous" in many positions. Hand alleges that McGregor "brutally raped and battered" her in the hotel's penthouse. Lawrence claims he had consensual sex with Hand after McGregor left, a claim Hand calls a lie. Both defendants deny the allegations. The jury must answer two yes‑or‑no questions: whether McGregor assaulted Hand and whether Lawrence assaulted Hand. If either answer is yes, the jury will assess damages under separate headings.
A 68‑year‑old man was jailed for six counts of sexual assault against a teenage girl aged 12‑14, committed between September 1992 and September 1994. The offences involved touching her breasts and vagina and performing oral sex. He pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court. The judge, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, imposed a global sentence of six years and nine months, with nine months suspended for one year on strict conditions, including no unsupervised access to children. The sentence was back‑dated to 7 October 2023. The judge noted the abuse was demeaning, humiliating and involved controlling behaviour, and that the offender had shown the victim pornography. The victim's impact statement described lasting anxiety, panic attacks and a loss of confidence, and she said she reported the abuse to protect her children. The defendant offered an apology and expressed remorse. The case was heard in the Central Criminal Court.
In 2024, a 76‑year‑old former Dublin man appealed a conviction for raping a 15‑year‑old babysitter in the 1980s. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, found him guilty of two counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault. He was sentenced to 11 years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended. The appeal argued that the judge should have warned the jury about the lack of corroborating evidence, citing inconsistencies between the victim's statements and those of her mother. The Director of Public Prosecutions maintained that such inconsistencies were for the jury to resolve. The case highlighted the victim's testimony of being forced into sexual acts, her fear during the assaults, and her subsequent pursuit of a career as a counsellor. The judge praised her bravery and determination in reporting the crimes and giving evidence.
In a civil trial at the High Court, the judge warned the jury not to conduct independent investigations or rely on speculation, insisting that any verdict on liability must be based solely on the evidence presented. The case involves Conor McGregor, who testified that his sexual encounter with Ms Hand in a Dublin hotel penthouse was consensual, describing it as enthusiastic and vigorous. Ms Hand, a former hair colourist, alleges that McGregor raped and battered her on 9 December 2018 and that James Lawrence also had consensual sex with her after McGregor left. Both defendants deny the allegations. The judge emphasized that opinions are not evidence and urged the jury to evaluate CCTV footage for intoxication and possible flirting, and to consider the reliability of witnesses. He also outlined the principles for assessing compensatory, special, and aggravated damages if Ms Hand is awarded damages, stressing that any figure must be agreed upon by a majority of the jurors.
In a High Court hearing, counsel for a woman suing Conor McGregor for alleged rape described the MMA star as an "arrogant coward" and "not a man". The plaintiff, Nikita Hand, claims that McGregor, once the world's highest‑earning sportsperson, "brutally raped and battered" her in a Dublin hotel penthouse on 9 December 2018. She alleges that McGregor and James Lawrence denied the allegations, with Lawrence claiming consensual sex after McGregor's departure. McGregor testified that the encounter was consensual, describing it as "enthusiastic, athletic, prolonged and vigorous" in a hotel penthouse. Hand's counsel highlighted inconsistencies in McGregor's testimony, including a change in his story about a tampon and the presence of bruising. The case remains in the early trial stage, with the jury hearing evidence of alleged assault and disputed claims of consent.
In a civil trial over an alleged rape, Conor McGregor's counsel, Remy Farrell SC, urged the jury to focus on evidence rather than emotion. He argued that the plaintiff, Nikita Hand, had lied before, during and after the alleged assault and questioned whether a person could remember being raped yet forget surrounding facts. Farrell highlighted that McGregor had testified that his encounter with Hand was consensual, describing it as enthusiastic and vigorous. Hand, a hair colourist, claims McGregor raped and battered her in a Dublin hotel penthouse on 9 December 2018, seeking damages from McGregor and James Lawrence. Lawrence, who denies the allegations, admits to consensual sex with Hand after McGregor's departure. Both parties deny the claims, and the case remains at the evidence‑review stage.
Martin O'Brien, 54, of Tuam, Co Galway, pleaded guilty to four charges of sexual assault committed between June 2012 and February 2014 against a teenage babysitter. The case is currently at the sentencing stage before Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo at the Central Criminal Court. The matter was previously adjourned in July to allow for the preparation of reports regarding sexual offender treatment O'Brien was undergoing. Today, the court heard mitigation from O'Brien's wife, Leonie O'Brien, who requested leniency citing his good character and family circumstances, including her own stage three breast cancer diagnosis. O'Brien also took the stand to express remorse and confirm he is attending therapy. A forensic psychologist report indicated he is at low-average risk of re-offending. The victim, who waived anonymity, described the assaults as relentless and grooming-based. Mr Justice Naidoo adjourned the case to December 16 for sentence. Separately, O'Brien has a previous conviction for sexual assault against a child, which is currently under appeal; he had contested that case, resulting in an eight-month suspended sentence and a €16,000 compensation order.
Sean Dunne, 26, was jailed for two years after a vicious assault on a married American couple in a Dublin hotel elevator on 7 April 2023. He repeatedly punched the couple, threatened the wife with rape and murder, and struck the husband in the mouth. Garda Stephen Lawlor arrived after a call, found Dunne restrained on the corridor floor, and noted blood on the carpet. The couple, aged in their sixties, received on‑scene treatment and later returned to the United States. Dunne pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm. He has been in custody since April 2023, has a schizophrenia diagnosis, and has ten prior convictions. Judge Sarah Berkeley sentenced him to two‑and‑a‑half years, suspended the final six months, and ordered 18 months of post‑release supervision and probation engagement. The sentence was back‑dated to April 2023 for time already served.
A 29‑year‑old man was jailed for a second conviction of raping a friend. The Court of Appeal overturned his earlier seven‑year sentence, which had three‑and‑a‑half years suspended, and ordered a retrial. The retrial, held earlier this year, resulted in a guilty verdict by a jury for a single count of rape committed on 7 November 2018 at the victim's home. The man had no prior convictions and had been in custody from November 2021 until January 2024, after which he was released on bail pending the appeal. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath imposed a headline sentence of seven years imprisonment, suspended the final three‑and‑a‑half years, and set conditions including compliance with probation recommendations and assessment for sex‑offender and alcohol treatment programmes. All time already spent in custody was taken into account. The victim, whose identity is protected, stated that the crime had profoundly altered her life.
Evidence in the civil trial of Conor McGregor and James Lawrence over alleged rape of hairdresser Nikita Hand at a Dublin hotel in 2018 has finished at the High Court after eight days. The jury will return on Tuesday for closing speeches while legal discussion continues in their absence. McGregor testified that he had consensual sex with Hand in the hotel penthouse, describing it as enthusiastic, athletic, prolonged and vigorous, and in a multitude of positions. Hand alleges that McGregor brutally raped and battered her. She seeks damages from both men for the events of December 9, 2018 at the Beacon hotel. Lawrence claims he had consensual sex with Hand twice after McGregor left, a claim Hand calls a lie. Both men deny the allegations. Clinical forensic physician Professor Basil John Farnan gave evidence on bruising, describing it as a discoloration caused by blunt trauma and noting that bruises can appear delayed and in various colours.
During the seventh day of a civil damages trial in the High Court, James Lawrence, a co‑defendant of Conor McGregor, testified that he heard McGregor and a woman, Nikita Hand, in a hotel penthouse where there was "nothing but moaning and sex" and that Hand was "enjoying it." Lawrence said he saw Hand naked and on top of McGregor, and that he and Hand had sex three times in an hour after condoms were obtained from staff. He claimed Hand was "putting it on him" in front of a McGregor staff driver and that she had tried to kiss him while he was in a car. Hand, a hair colourist, alleges McGregor raped and battered her in the same penthouse six years ago and is seeking damages. Both McGregor and Lawrence deny the allegations and maintain that any sex was consensual. The trial is ongoing and no verdict has been reached.
In a civil trial at the Beacon hotel case, Conor McGregor denied that his co‑defendant James Lawrence was a "Patsy" set to take the fall. McGregor told the court he paid for Lawrence's legal fees because Lawrence could not afford them. He claimed the allegations of rape and assault by hairdresser Nikita Hand were false, describing the encounter as consensual, enthusiastic and in multiple positions. McGregor said he was shocked and frightened by social media chatter and that he had given a statement to Gardaí after legal advice. Hand alleges McGregor raped and battered her in 2018, while Lawrence says he had consensual sex with her after McGregor left. Both defendants deny the allegations and are represented by the same law firm. The trial continues with the parties presenting their evidence.
During the sixth day of a civil trial, Conor McGregor took the stand to defend himself against a claim that he had brutally raped and battered Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel. McGregor denied the allegations, stating that he and Hand had consensual sex, describing it as enthusiastic, athletic and vigorous, and that no bruising or distress was evident. He recounted being shocked by social media chatter after the incident and warned the judge to restrain his comments when he made a vulgar remark about Hand. The judge cautioned him to restrain his remarks. Hand, a hair colourist, is seeking damages from McGregor and James Lawrence, who also denies the allegations. The trial will continue the following day before a jury and the judge.
In a civil damages trial, a jury heard that DNA from semen samples taken from a woman who alleges she was raped by Conor McGregor matched the celebrity fighter's DNA. The jury also heard that damage to the plaintiff's clothing on the night of the alleged assault was not normal wear and tear but appeared ripped. Nikita Hand, a hair colourist, is seeking damages from McGregor and James Lawrence, who claims he had consensual sex with Hand after McGregor left the hotel. Both McGregor and Lawrence deny the allegations. Dr Charlotte Murphy of Forensic Science Ireland presented the DNA evidence, noting a full male profile from the high vaginal area and a mixed DNA profile that excluded Lawrence. The trial is before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury of eight women and four men.
A 30‑year‑old Dublin man who claimed he was suffering from sexsomnia when he raped a co‑worker was convicted on 9 February 2018 and sentenced to eight years, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions. He appealed, arguing that the prosecution's closing address unfairly spotlighted his failure to give evidence and scorned a sleep‑disorder expert's testimony. The Court of Appeal rejected all grounds of appeal, finding no unfair or prejudicial remarks and that the judge had not erred in refusing the expert to give evidence. The appeal also failed on the grounds that evidence of a co‑worker's prior interest in the victim was permissible, and that a pre‑trial ruling allowing video‑link testimony was within the judge's discretion. The appeal was dismissed, leaving the conviction and sentence intact. The case involved the victim waking to the man's sexual act, DNA evidence, and prior sexual comments made by the accused. The unnamed 30-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a civil trial at the High Court, a paramedic, Eithne Scully, testified that she had seen a woman, Nikita Hand, who is suing Conor McGregor and James Lawrence, with extensive bruising and injuries after an alleged rape in a Dublin hotel penthouse on 9 December 2018. Scully described Hand's bruises around the neck, thighs, chest and lower leg, and noted a cut on her chin and breast injury. She also reported Hand's agitation, fear of a tampon being pushed too far, and a panic attack during transport to the Rotunda hospital. The paramedic's evidence was supplemented by CCTV footage of the ambulance and by statements from other paramedics who observed Hand's distress. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Owens, continues with a jury of eight women and four men. The defendants deny the allegations. The case focuses on the alleged assault and the injuries sustained by Hand.
Craig Coyle, 37, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to threatening to publish intimate images of a woman and to harassment from September to December 2023, plus two trespasses at her home in December 2023 and January 2024. The offences fall under Coco's Law, which allows fines or up to seven years' imprisonment. Judge Pauline Codd read several abusive emails, describing them as "grotesquely pornographic" and "debasing not only to this woman but all women in general." The woman, who had been a victim of a serious sexual assault, reported that Coyle's behaviour forced her to install a security alarm and cameras, and that she suffered severe mental distress, including nightmares and loss of self‑esteem. Coyle admitted to loitering around her home, sending abusive messages, and catfishing her. He was arrested on 30 January 2024 and admitted the harassment. The case was adjourned to 17 February pending a psychologist's report on his emotionally unstable personality disorder.
A 41‑year‑old Nigerian man was sentenced by the Central Criminal Court to 13 years' imprisonment for eight counts of rape, four counts of assault and two counts of threatening to kill or cause serious harm. The court heard that the defendant repeatedly raped and beat his wife, causing her to miscarry a child. He also applied chilli powder to her genitals after a rape. The man threatened to kill the woman and her sister when they tried to recover her bride price, and he planned to put the victim's brother's name on the birth certificate of a child she had with him to secure residency. He later came to Ireland to live with the woman and her baby. The judge noted the defendant denied all allegations and ordered post‑release supervision for two years. The sentence was imposed concurrently with four‑year terms for the assault and threat charges. The unnamed 41-year-old was found guilty.
A man from Monaghan has been sentenced to four years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the rape of a teenager he had met for the first time. Shane McGovern, aged 31, approached the then 18-year-old outside a bar and offered him accommodation at his home. The victim later woke to find McGovern assaulting him. He feigned waking and left the property, reporting the incident to gardaí immediately. McGovern, of Mullaghmatt, Monaghan, pleaded guilty to anal rape on 20 May 2022. In sentencing, Mr Justice Paul McDermott acknowledged the victim's courage in reporting the crime and engaging with the justice system. The judge set a headline sentence of seven years and six months, applying significant mitigation for the early guilty plea. He imposed four years in prison with the final twelve months suspended, conditional on engagement with the Probation Service. A contact prohibition between McGovern and the victim was also imposed.
Ms Nikita Hand, a hair colourist, testified at the High Court after four days in the witness box, claiming that Conor McGregor brutally raped and battered her in a Dublin hotel penthouse on 9 December 2018. She said she has no memory of being in a lift with James Lawrence, who denies the allegations and claims consensual sex with her. Hand described bruises and injuries she said were inflicted by McGregor, including choking and biting. She also recounted drinking and drug use during the period. McGregor and Lawrence deny the allegations. The civil damages case is ongoing before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury of twelve. The trial continues with no verdict yet.
A Galway man was convicted on 30 November 2022 of five counts of indecent assault against two sisters‑in‑law and one brother‑in‑law, all of whom were children at the time of the alleged offences. The jury found him guilty on all counts except one directed acquittal. He was sentenced on 15 June 2023 to 23 months' imprisonment, with six months suspended on the first charge and six months suspended on the three charges against his brother‑in‑law. A €500 fine was imposed for the second sister‑in‑law's charge. The man, who pleaded not guilty, has appealed, arguing that the jury's verdict was "perverse" because the judge refused to sever the indictment and that the evidence contained inconsistencies. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on the appeal. The case remains at the trial stage, with no further outcome reported.
A man who threatened to cut off his former partner's fingers with garden secateurs and repeatedly raped her has appealed his conviction, claiming the trial judge failed to adequately explain the defence case to the jury. He was convicted of two counts of rape, two of oral rape, two of sexual assault and two threats to kill or cause serious harm, and was jailed for ten years. The appeal argues the judge neglected to summarise the defence case and to properly charge the jury on the doctrine of recent complaint evidence, which the defence said was essential to show an honest belief of consent. The DPP's counsel said the judge had properly charged the jury. The court will reserve judgement. The victim, who fled her home after the attack, described living in fear and the lasting impact of the man's threats. The unnamed accused pleaded guilty.
In the civil damages trial at the High Court, the jury informed Judge Alexander Owens that a member of the public gallery had pointed a mobile phone at them, raising concerns about potential recording or photography. Owens reminded all present that recording and photography are prohibited in the court area and warned that any breach would be treated as contempt of court. The case involves Ms Nikita Hand, who alleges that Conor McGregor and James Lawrence raped her in a Dublin hotel on 9 December 2018. Both defendants deny the allegations. The trial, presided over by Judge Owens, continues with a jury of eight women and four men and is expected to last two weeks.
In a High Court civil trial, Ms Nikita Hand, 45, presented a 45‑minute audio recording in which she describes being "brutally raped" by Conor McGregor at the Beacon hotel's penthouse on 9 December 2018. The recording shows Hand sobbing and telling her boyfriend she would be "killed" if she named her attacker. She also recounts going to a friend's house, having photos taken of her body, and describing injuries such as black‑and‑blue knuckles and leg bruises. Hand denies a defence claim that she followed McGregor into a bedroom and performed oral sex before consensual sex. McGregor and James Lawrence deny the allegations. The case is heard by a jury of eight women and four men, with the trial continuing tomorrow at the Four Courts.
In the third day of evidence at a High Court civil trial, a woman named Nikita Hand testified that Conor McGregor and James Lawrence allegedly raped and battered her in a Dublin hotel on 8‑9 December 2018. Hand, who was intoxicated after a night of drinking and drug use, claimed she was pinned down and choked by McGregor in a penthouse suite at the Beacon hotel. She said she had been "brutally raped" and that a doctor later assessed her injuries as moderate to severe. Both McGregor and Lawrence denied the allegations. Hand's testimony included references to CCTV footage that she said contradicted her account, and she described her state as "drunk and very vulnerable." The case remains before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury.
Gerard Nevin, 41, of Grove Park, Rathmines, was sentenced to four years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for sexually abusing his two step‑daughters, Catalina and Alexa Grancea, over an eight‑year period. Nevin pleaded guilty to 22 counts of sexual assault committed between 2012 and June 2020 at locations in Clondalkin, Lucan and Palmerstown. The abuse began when Catalina was aged eight to sixteen and Alexa was aged seven to fifteen. The court imposed a global sentence of six years, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions. The victims, who waived anonymity, reported the abuse to Gardaí in June 2020. Nevin was arrested in 2021 and had previously indicated he would plead guilty to avoid further trauma to the complainants. The case highlighted the prolonged nature of the abuse and its impact on the victims' mental health.
In a High Court civil damages trial, Ms Nikita Hand testified that on the early hours of 9 December 2018 she was at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin with Conor McGregor and James Lawrence. She alleged that McGregor pinned her to a bed, choked her, and then raped her, describing the assault as lasting a long time and leaving her physically bruised and emotionally devastated. Hand said she had been drinking and had taken cocaine that night, and that she had tried to fight back but was unable to move. She reported that McGregor had told her he had felt the same way in the Octagon, which she found odd. After the incident, Hand made a statement to Gardaí in January 2019, but the Director of Public Prosecutions decided not to prosecute McGregor or Lawrence, citing no reasonable prospect of conviction. The case is before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury of eight women and four men.
In a High Court civil damages action, Nikita Hand alleges that Conor McGregor and James Lawrence raped her at the Beacon Hotel penthouse in Dublin in December 2018. Hand says she walked away when McGregor told her "suck on that" referring to his penis. A doctor testified that Hand had bruises on her neck, hands, arms, knees, thighs, back and a nine‑centimetre scratch on her right breast. Hand also claims oral, vaginal‑digital and vaginal penetration by McGregor, all non‑consensual. McGregor and Lawrence deny the allegations. The case is set to continue before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury of eight women and four men, with the trial expected to last two weeks.
A High Court civil jury trial is currently underway involving Nikita Ní Laimhín, the applicant, and defendants Conor McGregor and James Lawrence. Ms Ní Laimhín alleges that on December 9, 2018, at the Beacon Hotel in Dublin, she was subjected to a 'vicious and violent' sexual assault by Mr McGregor, which she claims amounted to rape. She states she was left 'weeping and shivering in pain' and required medical intervention to remove an embedded tampon. The plaintiff seeks €1 million in lost earnings and compensation, alleging lasting psychological trauma and career disruption. Mr McGregor and Mr Lawrence deny all allegations, maintaining that any sexual contact was consensual. The defence characterises the claim as malicious and 'tantamount to extortion.' Counsel for the plaintiff, John Gordon SC, argued that the defendant's assertion of consent in the face of alleged physical restraint and injury is implausible. The jury, comprising eight women and four men, is tasked with determining the facts based on the balance of probabilities. The matter remains at the trial stage, with evidence ongoing and no final judgment or sentence issued.
A man has been sentenced to four years imprisonment at the Central Criminal Court for the rape of his younger cousin in County Mayo in 2006. Noel Gallagher (33) of Dadreen, Louisburg, was convicted following trial in April after pleading not guilty to the anal rape of the victim, then aged nine, which occurred in a shed on the family farm between October 2006 and March 2007. The victim, now 27, waived his right to anonymity and read an impact statement to the court, describing how the offence blighted his teenage years and caused profound psychological harm, including suicidal ideation. He stated that seeking justice had allowed him to reclaim his voice. Mr Justice David Keane noted the victim's strength and resilience throughout the legal process. The judge set a headline sentence of eight years, reduced to five and then four years, taking into account the defendant's age at the time of the offence, his lack of prior convictions, and the time elapsed. A two-year post-release supervision order was imposed.
A jury was sworn in for the High Court civil trial involving Mixed Martial Arts star Conor McGregor and a co‑defendant over an alleged "in effect, rape" of a woman at a Dublin hotel in December 2018. Mr Justice Alexander Owens explained to the jury that the plaintiff, hair‑colourist Ms. Nikita Ní Laimhín, claims the defendants sexually assaulted her, an act he described as "in effect, amounted to a rape." The case is a civil action seeking damages from both defendants. Mr McGregor, aged 36, appeared in court wearing a dark blue suit, navy tie and white shirt, accompanied by his father and the co‑defendant. The judge instructed the jury of eight women and four men to remain impartial, avoid external research, and not act as private detectives. The trial is expected to last two weeks, with the jury available for a possible three‑week extension.