A 23‑year‑old man was jailed for four years after pleading guilty to raping a nine‑year‑old relative when he was 13. The Central Criminal Court also handed him a separate three‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for sexually assaulting a different female cousin between 2013 and 2018, when the victim was aged six to 11. Justice Ellen Ring noted that the rape occurred while the teenager was also abusing another relative, citing the victim's age, the age gap, the breach of trust and the predatory nature of the abuse as aggravating factors. She said the defendant was aware his actions were "very wrong" and would have imposed an 11‑year headline sentence if the offender had been an adult, but reduced it to six years because of his age at the time.
Thomas Neville, 59, of Railway Avenue, Inchicore, Dublin 8, was found guilty by a jury of one count of rape, one count of child exploitation and 20 counts of sexual assault against a girl aged 14 to 20 between 2010 and 2020. He was sentenced to eleven and a half years in prison, with a headline sentence of thirteen years reduced for minimal mitigation, and three years of post‑release supervision. Neville, who has 35 prior convictions, denied all allegations. The victim, who was 14 when the abuse began, described the sexual acts, including forced oral sex, forced touching, and the showing of pornography, and stated she still suffers from nightmares and mental health issues. The court heard that Neville had been arrested and interviewed in November 2020 and that the victim's impact statement highlighted her need for justice.
Liviu Tenea, 40, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual assault after posing as a taxi driver and violently assaulting a woman who had entered his car. The court heard he had previously been sentenced to 20 years in Spain in 2006 for a similar assault, was repatriated to Romania in 2010 and released in 2015. He was arrested in March 2022 and has been in custody since. Justice Mary Ellen Ring imposed a 19‑year sentence, back‑dated to his March 29, 2022 arrest, and ordered 10 years of post‑release supervision. The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, described being taken to a secluded location, forced onto the bonnet, and subjected to vaginal and anal penetration. The court noted Tenea's prior conviction, his guilty plea, and his willingness to engage in treatment programmes as mitigating factors. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and the victim's impact statement.
A 40‑year‑old man was sentenced to twelve and a half years in prison for repeatedly raping a girl who was a friend of his daughter. The victim, now 17, was first abused when she was seven and was recorded by the offender during the assaults. He threatened to kill her pet dog if she disclosed the abuse. The court found him guilty on 12 counts, including sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, rape, anal rape and oral rape, and not guilty on one count of sexual assault. He continues to deny wrongdoing. The judge imposed concurrent sentences of 13 years, noting the rape offences warranted a headline sentence of 14 years, and suspended the final six months of the 13‑year term on strict conditions. The victim gave a victim impact statement describing ongoing fear, anxiety, depression and PTSD, and the judge praised her dignity and courage. The sentencing hearing took place in the Central Criminal Court. The unnamed 17-year-old was acquitted.
At the Central Criminal Court on 23 October 2023, Yousef Palani, aged 23, from Markievicz Heights in Sligo, was sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment for the murders of Aidan Moffitt and Michael Snee. Justice Mary Ellen Ring imposed a concurrent 20-year sentence for causing serious harm to Anthony Burke through a knife attack to the eye. Palani had pleaded guilty to murdering Mr Moffitt on 10 April 2022 and Mr Snee on 12 April 2022, both in their Sligo homes, and to attacking Mr Burke on 9 April 2022. Evidence indicated the offences were motivated by hostility towards homosexual men. Justice Ring emphasised that the three men should be remembered for their lives and contributions to their communities rather than the circumstances of their deaths. The sentences are to date from 13 April 2022 when Palani entered custody.
Yousef Palani, aged 23, appeared at the Central Criminal Court for sentencing following guilty pleas to two murders in Sligo in April 2022. Palani admitted to the murder of Aidan Moffitt on 10 April at Cartron Heights and Michael Snee on 12 April at Connaughton Road. He also pleaded guilty to causing serious harm to a third man on 9 April. During the hearing, Detective Garda Conor Jordan of Sligo Garda Station told the court that gardai were satisfied Palani's motivation stemmed from hostility and prejudice towards homosexual men. The court heard Palani had stated he would have continued killing had gardai not intervened. While Palani cited religious objections to homosexuality during questioning, investigators determined he had not been radicalised. The garda witness indicated that claims regarding Palani's mental health had been exaggerated or fabricated. Palani, with no previous convictions, was last resident at Markievicz Heights in Sligo.
William Duffy, 40, of Dundalk, pleaded guilty last July to discharging a firearm recklessly at Marian Park on 28 May 2019, an act originally charged as attempted murder. The incident involved a confrontation with Keith Shields, who fled after hearing two shots and later called 999. CCTV showed Duffy leaving a hospital four hours before the shooting, arriving at the park, and positioning himself near Shields. DNA from Duffy's home matched shell casings found at the scene, though Duffy denied shooting and claimed possible accidental contact with casings. He has 42 prior convictions, including theft, hit‑and‑run, affray, threatening behaviour and burglary. At the Central Criminal Court, Duffy expressed remorse, pledged never to appear before the courts again if given a chance, and was remanded in custody pending sentencing on 13 November. The judge adjourned the matter for sentencing.
Francis Fennell, Christopher Mellon, Alan Fagan, Paul Fagan, and Aaron King were sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for their roles in an international cocaine smuggling ring. All five defendants pleaded guilty to various charges, including conspiracy to commit serious offences, money laundering, and conspiracy to bring proceeds of criminal conduct into the state between 2012 and 2016. Judge Pauline Codd described the enterprise as a "get rich quick scheme" exploiting price disparities in Australia and New Zealand. Fennell, identified as the mastermind, received a ten-year sentence with the final two years suspended on strict conditions. Mellon, a first-time offender, had his three-and-a-half-year sentence suspended in full and was ordered to pay €10,000 to the Anna Livia project. Alan Fagan, described as a trusted lieutenant, was sentenced to six years with the final four and a half years suspended. Paul Fagan received a six-year sentence with the final three and a half years suspended on conditions. Aaron King, the youngest defendant, was sentenced to four and a half years with the final 18 months suspended on conditions. The judge noted mitigating factors such as guilty pleas, remorse, and evidence of rehabilitation for all defendants.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 20 October 2023, a 30‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to five years for reckless endangerment and child cruelty after being accused of raping his partner's toddler. He pleaded guilty to one count of reckless endangerment of the 23‑month‑old girl between 29 March and 5 April 2018, and to two counts of child cruelty towards her and two counts towards her brother on 5 April 2018. The boy was aged two to three at the time. The court accepted the guilty pleas and dismissed the rape and sexual assault charges. The judge noted the children's vulnerability, the serious injuries sustained, and the man's history of offending and substance abuse. The sentence was back‑dated to the man's September 2021 custody entry. The children, now seven and eight, were placed in foster care and are receiving support for their recovery.
Paul Clarke, 41, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for robbing a Lidl supermarket on Malahide Road on 13 November 2019. CCTV showed him entering the store, firing a handgun into the ceiling, then demanding money from two open tills. He took about €1,000, placing the cash in a bag he had brought. When he struggled to leave, he forced the manager to open the doors by threatening him with the gun and demanded the other tills be opened, but the manager refused. Clarke then fled in a getaway vehicle driven by an accomplice. Garda patrol stopped the car, seized drug paraphernalia and cash, and found gunshot residue on Clarke's jacket and the vehicle. He has 115 prior convictions, including robbery, false imprisonment and threats of serious harm, and had previously been sentenced to five years for an attempted robbery in 2021.
A 39-year-old woman from Granard, County Longford, has been sentenced to twelve months in prison following an assault on a prison officer at the Dochas Centre in Mountjoy Prison on 29 September 2021. Stephanie Martin pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The court heard that Martin grabbed food aggressively from the officer, placed her in a headlock, and pulled her hair, causing significant injury. The officer required hospital treatment and subsequently took a year off work, reporting ongoing anxiety and trauma. Judge Orla Crowe noted the seriousness of assaulting an officer in the course of duty and Martin's twenty-two previous convictions. However, the judge considered mitigating factors including Martin's early guilty plea, apology, and remorse. Martin has not come to garda attention since the incident. The headline sentence was set at eighteen months before reduction to twelve months.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Brandon Brooks, 25, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for assault causing harm to nightclub bouncer Sean Owens at Buzz nightclub on 9 November 2019. Owens, who was working to save for a wedding, was repeatedly punched and stabbed by an attacker other than Brooks during a mob attack that included Brooks. Owens now suffers from PTSD, insomnia, flashbacks and nightmares. Judge Orla Crowe noted the seriousness of Owens' injuries and the harrowing victim impact statement. Brooks, who had 49 prior convictions and was on bail at the time, pleaded guilty early and was described as an enhanced prisoner. The judge suspended the final six months of the sentence, imposed a 12‑month probation supervision period, and allowed the remaining term to be served in custody. The court considered letters from Brooks' mother and other family members as mitigating factors.
A woman has been found guilty of indecently assaulting a 13-year-old boy in the 1980s following a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Jacintha McSherry O'Connor, aged 63, of Donegal Town, was convicted on two counts of indecent assault by majority jury verdict after 11 hours of deliberation. The offences allegedly occurred between June and September 1985 while she worked as a student teacher at a Dublin secondary school. The complainant, now in his fifties, told the court the abuse occurred during tutoring sessions at his home and on a family holiday to Spain. McSherry O'Connor, who had pleaded not guilty, maintained she never engaged in sexual conduct with the boy. Judge Elma Sheahan remanded her on continuing bail pending sentencing on 8 November 2023.
In a case heard at the Central Criminal Court in Tullamore, a 48‑year‑old man was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment for raping his former partner during a 10‑hour false imprisonment ordeal. The defendant, who was previously convicted of assault and false imprisonment in 2022, was found guilty of rape on 7 August 2018. He had detained the woman in his apartment against her wishes, assaulted her, and forced sexual contact. The court noted the victim's physical and emotional suffering, her fear of leaving the house, and her panic attacks. The judge, citing the man's lack of remorse and prior convictions, imposed a headline sentence of ten years, suspended one year, and ordered two years of post‑release supervision with mandatory sex‑offender treatment. The defendant denied the rape and had not shown remorse or undertaken rehabilitation before sentencing.
Soren Constantin Gavrila, a 42‑year‑old Romanian national, was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison, with the last six months suspended, for raping a sex worker in Dublin on 1 September 2018. Three weeks after arriving in Ireland, Gavrila and two men approached the victim in a car after midnight, offering €50 for oral sex. The victim, who was intoxicated and struggled to understand him, performed oral sex with a condom, but Gavrila removed it and forced her to perform oral sex without a condom. He then pushed her to the ground, raped her, bit her back and arm, and cut her lip. The victim's boyfriend confronted the men, leading to a 999 call and Gavrila's arrest. DNA evidence linked Gavrila to the assault. He pleaded guilty, offered €5,000 as a token of remorse, and the judge noted his apology and prior good character in imposing the sentence.
A man, who is the husband of the boys' aunt, was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury of raping an eight‑year‑old boy in Dublin between March 1996 and May 1997, and of sexually assaulting and anal raping the boy's younger brother, aged six or seven, between February 2000 and June 2001. The older brother first reported the abuse in 2005 but was told the case could not proceed; the younger brother reported abuse in 2016. The defendant was arrested but made no admissions in subsequent Garda interviews. Ms Justice Caroline Biggs set a headline sentence of ten and a half years but, after considering mitigating circumstances, imposed concurrent terms totalling eight and a half years' imprisonment, effective from June when the defendant entered custody.
Two brothers have been sentenced to a combined seven years imprisonment following their conviction for the sexual abuse of their cousin over a four-year period in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Aidan Gallagher, aged 40, of Westport, County Mayo, received five years with two years post-release supervision after being convicted of six counts of oral rape committed between 1998 and 2003 in sheds near their homes. Thomas Gallagher, aged 38, of County Galway, was sentenced to two years imprisonment after conviction on one rape charge and seven counts of sexual assault at the family's former home in County Leitrim between 1999 and 2003. Mr Justice David Keane reduced Thomas Gallagher's sentence citing his diagnosis with Motor Neuron disease in October 2022 and life expectancy of less than two years, whilst noting that serious offences ordinarily warrant custodial sentences. Both men had denied the allegations. The Central Criminal Court jury, sitting in Carrick-on-Shannon, convicted them in May 2023. The complainant waived anonymity to permit identification of her cousins.
A Dublin garda, Mark Doyle, 38, who is currently suspended, pleaded guilty to six assault charges. He admitted assault causing harm to a woman on four occasions between 8 May 2010 and 28 August 2019, to a male on 3 September 2017, and to a second male on two occasions between 2008 and 2009. The pleas were accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Judge Orla Crowe set a sentencing hearing for 29 January 2024, ordered victim impact statements for that date, and remanded Doyle on continuing bail.
A 39‑year‑old man from North Circular Road, Dublin, was sentenced to seven years in prison after being caught handing over €417,000 worth of heroin outside the Lamplighter pub in Dublin 8 on 12 April 2022. Gregory Dunne pleaded guilty to possessing 2.9 kg of heroin. Judge Elma Sheahan noted his previous serious drug conviction as an aggravating factor and imposed an eight‑year sentence with the final year suspended on a number of conditions. Gardaí had surveillance footage of Dunne placing a green Aldi bag into a beach bag belonging to a woman, Sharon Hickey (45), who later took a taxi and was intercepted on Tyrconnell Road. The court also heard that Dunne had 19 prior convictions, including a 2012 conviction for a kilo of heroin that resulted in a three‑year sentence.
Liam Coughlan, 87, a former Christian Brother, was sentenced to four and a half years' imprisonment for 19 counts of indecent assault on boys at a school in the south east of Ireland between 1974 and 1978. He had previously been convicted of 30 counts of indecent assault on five other boys at the same school and was serving a three‑year, two‑month sentence. The judge noted the abuse caused lasting fear, embarrassment and psychological harm, and that Coughlan's position of authority and religious affiliation intensified the victims' sense of powerlessness. He pleaded guilty in July after earlier trials were scheduled. The sentence will run concurrently with the sentence he is currently serving. Coughlan has serious health problems, including prostate and bone cancer, heart disease and arthritis, which were cited as mitigating factors. The court heard victim impact statements describing anxiety, trust issues, alcohol problems and, for some, PTSD and severe mental health effects.
Mr Sean Ambrose, who suffered severe head injuries after an unprovoked attack outside a pub in August 2015, has brought a judicial review against the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal. He argues the Tribunal wrongly held that it could not assess his claim, citing that it failed to allow him to provide necessary documentation and denied him an appeal. Mr Ambrose claims the Tribunal breached his rights to fair and constitutional procedures and legitimate expectation, and that he was a vulnerable person who needed assistance to submit paperwork. He also contends the Tribunal ignored medical evidence of his difficulties. He seeks orders to quash the Tribunal's determinations, to allow an appeal, and to remit his claim for fresh consideration. The case was granted permission by Ms Justice Niamh Hyland and will return in November.
A man aged 54 from Erry, Clara, County Offaly, has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment following his conviction on charges of sexually abusing a teenage boy over an extended period in the 1990s. Patrick Bardon was convicted by jury at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Longford in June on 11 counts of oral rape committed between October 1992 and March 1994 at his then home in Ferbane, County Offaly. The court heard that Bardon, a former teacher, befriended the boy at a local pitch and putt club before the abuse occurred. Mr Justice David Keane imposed a headline sentence of 12 years, reduced to ten years with the final two years suspended, subject to strict conditions including engagement with the Probation Service and completion of a sexual offender treatment programme. The survivor, now 46, waived anonymity and delivered an impact statement to the court, describing the profound effect the abuse had on his life and his relief at securing justice.
Michael McGrane, 47, was given a suspended sentence of two years and three months after a judge found he had run two dodgy box companies that sold illegal access to premium TV content, including Sky Sports. McGrane pleaded guilty to two counts of selling a protection‑defeating device and one count of possessing such a device, as well as to unlawful use of a computer. He admitted that the scheme ran from September 2017 to September 2018, generating just over €29,000 in profit, which he had paid tax on. The judge noted that McGrane appeared naive or reckless, had no prior convictions, and had cooperated with Gardaí. A forfeiture order of €27,665 was made, the seized items were ordered destroyed, and McGrane was prohibited from engaging in electronic streaming devices. The sentence was fully suspended, with no custodial time imposed.
Craig O'Brien, 28, of Ballyfermot, admitted assaulting influencer Charleen Murphy at the Grafton Capital Hotel on 10 February 2023. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm. Judge Orla Crowe set a sentencing hearing for 24 November 2023, remanding O'Brien in custody until then. The court will view CCTV footage and a victim impact statement, with the hearing expected to last about half an hour.
In October 2023, Sebastian Betlejewski, 37, was extradited from Poland to face charges for an assault that occurred in 2008 at the Zanzibar nightclub in Dublin. The incident involved Betlejewski punching a stag party-goer, who suffered a fractured skull and cheekbone after falling onto the dancefloor. Betlejewski pleaded guilty to one count of assault causing harm. He had no prior convictions in either Ireland or Poland. The court heard the victim, a Northern Irishman, had returned home after the incident and had since moved on with his life. Betlejewski claimed mistaken identity, stating another man had assaulted him. Judge Elma Sheahan sentenced him to 18 months, suspended on conditions, and he was released on bail after brief custody in both countries. He paid €5,000 to the victim and expressed remorse. The case concluded with a suspended custodial sentence and no further custodial term imposed.
Sandra Hehir, 54, pleaded guilty in the Special Criminal Court to a charge of handling €124,055 in cash, allegedly proceeds of criminal conduct, at her Limerick home on June 17, 2020. Prosecutors indicated five other counts could be taken into consideration, with three facing nolle prosequi. Defense counsel requested time to produce references and noted that two co-accused, Vicky Hehir and Warren Hehir, had previously pleaded guilty to related money laundering charges involving €59,000 linked to works at Kilmurry Court, Limerick. Vicky Hehir admitted to one charge of money laundering regarding these works, while Warren Hehir admitted to handling the €59,000 and possessing a Rolex watch, allegedly proceeds of crime. The co-accused are listed for mention on October 23 to fix a sentence hearing. To allow for a potential undertaking regarding family members, defense counsel requested a separate sentence date for Sandra Hehir. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Michael MacGrath with Ms Justice Sarah Berkeley and Mr Justice James Faughnan, agreed to list her case for mention on October 31 to fix a sentence hearing. The matter was adjourned, and Sandra Hehir was remanded on bail on the same terms and conditions.
In a Dublin Central Criminal Court hearing, a 68‑year‑old man, previously jailed for raping a ten‑year‑old girl in June 2021, was identified as having filmed himself sexually assaulting the same victim in 2016. The video, discovered during routine mobile‑phone analysis, shows the child, then about five, lying on a leather couch while the man's right hand is seen under her trousers. The mother, who described the accused as "the worst of the worst – a wolf in sheep's clothing," read a victim impact statement detailing her daughter's loss of confidence and nightmares. The man, who had pleaded guilty to the 2021 rape, denied creating the video but admitted owning the phone. He faces a separate court appearance next month. The case was adjourned to December 6 for finalisation.
The High Court has dismissed an application for an inquiry into the detention of Martin O'Toole, also known as Martin Thomas, who was convicted of offences related to the 2018 Strokestown eviction incident. In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Mr Justice Mark Sanfey refused to direct an inquiry under Article 40 of the Constitution, characterizing the bid as a collateral attack on the verdict and sentence handed down by Judge Martina Baxter. O'Toole, 59, was found guilty by a jury at the Circuit Criminal Court of several offences, including aggravated burglary, violent disorder, and assault, and was sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison. He is currently detained in Castlerea Prison. The application was brought by two individuals, Ms Melissa Kelly and Mr Joe Doocey, who argued the trial was fundamentally flawed and that O'Toole was an innocent man. However, Mr Justice Sanfey noted that much of the evidence presented was hearsay and that O'Toole had not personally submitted documentation to support the claim. The judge emphasized that the High Court can only interfere with detention if a trial is clearly fundamentally flawed, a threshold not met here. He further stated that an appeal, which the applicants had rejected, was the clear remedy for raising complaints about the trial conduct. O'Toole has rejected any wrongdoing, claiming his legal team failed to follow his instructions.
During a defilement trial, a 40‑year‑old Irish celebrity, whose name is withheld, pleaded not guilty to three counts of sexual acts with a child under 17, alleged to have occurred in Dublin between August and December 2010. The court heard that on 7 June 2021 Gardaí searched the defendant's home, seizing four Huawei and five iPhone devices. The defendant supplied the PINs for all nine phones, a fact the defence noted as helpful. An expert extracted data from eight of the nine phones; a hard drive containing 600 GB of data was disclosed to the defence in September, with further evidence provided that morning. A detective sergeant testified she learned of the allegations in March 2021, obtained a warrant in June 2021, and conducted the search without informing the judge of the defendant's profession. She confirmed the defendant was alone during the search and was told of the allegations.
Anthony Connors, 47, pleaded guilty to robbing a priest at a parochial house in Coolock on 30 September 2021. CCTV showed him inside the house for 20 minutes, during which he stole from the priest, knocked him to the ground and threatened him with a knife, leaving the priest terrified. Connors has 61 prior convictions, including burglary, false imprisonment, assault and impersonating a Garda. The court heard the priest escaped, ran to a neighbour who called the Gardaí, and that the priest now suffers sleepless nights and anxiety about opening his door. Connors' guilty plea and letter of remorse were considered. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a headline sentence of eight years but, after taking the plea and remorse into account, sentenced him to six years in prison, backdated from his arrest. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence and Connors' extensive criminal record. The priest's victim impact statement was submitted but not read aloud.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 11 October 2023, Ludovic Tanfin, who fractured his skull after falling from an improvised forklift platform at E W Technologies' warehouse in Blanchardstown, was reported to still suffer cognitive difficulties more than two years later. Tanfin had stood on a wooden pallet placed on the forklift's prongs after the company's roller shutter door collapsed when he tried to remove damaged panels. He fell over two metres, sustaining skull fractures, inter‑cranial bleeds and rib fractures, and spent eight days in hospital. The company, represented by former managing director David Ford, pleaded guilty to failing to provide adequate fall‑prevention measures and faces a potential fine of up to €3 million or a prison term of up to two years. The court noted that the incident occurred after the company had been sold to a larger US firm and that the company had an otherwise impeccable safety record.
John Paul Duncan, 39, with 139 prior convictions, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison after he attacked two gardaí while being escorted to Mater Hospital. He had been arrested for possessing €8,500 worth of cocaine in six condoms and pleaded guilty. Duncan had requested a stay of sentence to enter a residential drug treatment program, but Judge Orla Crowe refused. The judge set a headline sentence of four years for the cocaine possession, reduced due to Duncan's early plea and remorse, and added a suspended six‑month portion for 18 months. The court also ordered Duncan to maintain good behaviour for 18 months upon release and to comply with Probation Services supervision. The assault on the gardaí, described as "nasty", was taken into account in the sentencing decision. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
In a hearing at the Central Criminal Court, a 77‑year‑old former school caretaker pleaded guilty to one count of orally raping his daughter and three counts of sexually assaulting her in the family home between 1991 and 1997. The victim, aged six to thirteen during the offences, testified that the abuse began when she was preparing for her first holy communion and continued while her mother worked shift jobs. She described the lasting psychological impact, noting feelings of unlovability and isolation, and how the abuse irreparably damaged her relationship with her mother. The caretaker, who has no prior convictions, was defended by Gerardine Small SC, who highlighted his medical conditions and expressed remorse. The court, guided by the DPP's recommendation of a 10‑to‑15‑year sentence due to the breach of trust and the victim's young age, adjourned the case to 24 October to allow the defendant two weeks to arrange his affairs before potential custody.
Lynsey Ryan, 39, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to forging prescriptions for sleeping tablets at five pharmacies in west Dublin between August 2018 and August 2020. She admitted taking 20 tablets nightly and relying on them for 15 years, citing addiction and the death of two family members as triggers. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced her to one year, suspended on conditions including engagement with employment services, urine analysis, and potential re‑introduction to court if drugs are detected. Ryan has 159 prior district court convictions, 67 for using a false instrument. Garda evidence showed forged prescriptions were identified by pharmacists and doctors, leading to CCTV evidence of 12 incidents at Lloyds Pharmacy Tallaght and 36 at McCabe's Pharmacy Tallaght, among others. A letter of apology and a partner's letter were presented to the court.
Owain Plumb, 37, an IT worker who has lived in Ireland for ten years, was convicted at the Central Criminal Court of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault of a young woman who slept on his couch on 11 January 2020. The woman had earlier that night rebuked him for unwanted touching. Plumb, originally from Wales, had no prior convictions and maintains his innocence. The court described the offence as an opportunistic breach of trust and hospitality. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a headline sentence of eight years and eight months, then reduced it to seven years with the final twelve months suspended, citing Plumb's lack of prior convictions, good character evidence, rehabilitation steps, family support and favourable employment history. The case involved alcohol and cocaine consumption, a group hug that led to the assault, and the woman's subsequent distress and attempt to recover her iPad. The victim's impact statement was submitted but not read aloud.
Two men have been sentenced to seven years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following their arrest with cannabis worth €2.3 million concealed beneath frozen chicken. Daniel Bowker, aged 40, from Bolton in the United Kingdom, and Ibrar Sharif, aged 47, from Kilmainham, Dublin, were apprehended on 22 December 2022 at a property in Kilmainham after gardaí observed them unloading boxes from a van. Both men pleaded guilty to possession of approximately 119 kilos of cannabis for sale or supply. Judge Orla Crowe noted the accused had engaged productively since their arrest and suspended the final year of the sentence conditional upon two years probation supervision upon release. The court heard both men claimed they sought to raise funds for Christmas presents. Detective evidence established that both accused occupied lower positions within an organised crime operation and would not materially benefit from the offence.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 9 October 2023, a 17‑year‑old girl who had been repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted by a family friend over six years, starting when she was seven, read her victim impact statement. The defendant, a 40‑year‑old man whose name is withheld, was found guilty of 12 counts including rape, anal rape and oral rape, and not guilty of one count of sexual assault. He continues to deny wrongdoing. The victim described the man as a predator, said she lives in constant fear, suffers severe anxiety, depression and PTSD, and that the court process made her feel more on trial than he was. She said her schoolwork suffered, she isolated herself, and she fears future effects of the abuse. The judge thanked her for her report and hoped she would continue her studies. The case was adjourned to 23 October for finalisation. The unnamed 17-year-old was acquitted.
The Central Criminal Court heard that the family of Michael Connolly (55), who was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility in the death of Mark Lawlor (37), had previously attempted to have him committed to a mental health institution due to concerns about his deteriorating mental health. Connolly had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Lawlor by reason of insanity. The jury was informed that Connolly believed Mr Lawlor had 'some kind of exalted identity like a king' and was 'a kingpin of Dublin'. The case hinged on the disagreement between two psychiatrists regarding whether Connolly was sufficiently mentally ill to be found not guilty by reason of insanity. The prosecution submitted that the offence committed by Connolly fell into the higher bracket for sentencing, which would result in a sentence between 10 and 15 years. Defence counsel highlighted that Connolly had received a fully-suspended sentence in 2013 for attacking what he believed to be 'blasphemous' artworks in a Louth church gallery with an axe and was then admitted to a mental health institution in Ardee, Co Louth. The matter was adjourned to October 27 for sentence.
Daniel Webb, 33, of Greystones, pleaded guilty to two counts of active and passive corruption for receiving confidential Garda Pulse information from former civilian employee Holly Hayden in exchange for cocaine. The court heard that Hayden sent 17 lines of intelligence and screenshots to Webb on 6 and 9 September 2019, and that Webb received the information and was later searched. Judge Orla Crowe set a headline sentence of three years, but imposed two years in prison on each count to run concurrently, with the final 12 months suspended for two years. Webb had no prior convictions, pleaded guilty early, and was described as remorseful and at low risk of reoffending. The case was adjourned for Webb's co‑accused until 6 November.
Vasile Lazar, 52, a Romanian national, was sentenced to two years in prison for eight counts of theft and one attempted robbery. Between November 2022 and January 2023, he stole €9,745 from victims in Donaghmeade, Swords, Artane, Bettystown and Mullingar. He targeted shoppers in Dunnes Stores and other retail outlets, taking purses, debit cards and withdrawing cash from ATMs. He also used stolen debit cards to withdraw €1,600 and to pay €650 to a Cyprus company via Google Pay. Lazar admitted the thefts, expressed remorse, and claimed desperation after a personal breakdown. He has no prior convictions in Ireland but has convictions in the UK, Austria and Italy. The judge noted aggravating factors such as the amount stolen and victim impact, but also considered his guilty plea and remorse. The sentence is back‑dated to his arrest.
In Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, victims of an 87‑year‑old former Christian Brother, who abused 19 boys in the 1970s, presented impact statements. They described lasting anxiety, trust issues, alcohol problems, and the fear of being disbelieved because the perpetrator was a religious teacher. The abuse, which involved inappropriate touching and intimidation, was carried out while the boys were in class or after school. The victims, now men in their late 50s and early 60s, said the perpetrator's habit and position protected him. They expressed relief that justice was finally being served after 47 years. The court heard the defendant, who is currently serving a three‑year, two‑month sentence for other counts, has serious health problems and no prior convictions. Sentencing is scheduled for October 16. The unnamed 87-year-old pleaded guilty and was found guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Tyreece O'Farrell, a 15‑year‑old at the time of the offences, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for stealing 24 bicycles from apartment blocks in the Ballsbridge area between December 2019 and June 2020. The bicycles, valued between €500 and €2,500, were locked in underground car parks or outdoor areas; only one was recovered. The sentence includes a 16‑month suspended portion, leaving an effective custodial term of 20 months. O'Farrell also pleaded guilty to violent disorder in East Wall, where a driver suffered a brain injury after nine days in hospital. He received an 18‑month sentence for that offence, to run concurrently with the bicycle‑theft term. The court ordered 16 months of good‑behaviour supervision under the Probation Service following release. The judge noted O'Farrell's 29 prior convictions, drug addiction, and homelessness, and urged him to consider rehabilitation.
John Paul Duncan, 39, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing €8,500 in cocaine contained in six condoms at Store Street Garda Station on January 31 last. He also admitted assaulting two gardaí who took him to the Mater Hospital on the same day after he reported feeling unwell. Duncan, who has 139 previous convictions in Ireland and 11 in other jurisdictions, was previously sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in a €1.8 million cocaine haul in 2007. He escaped from Loughan House open prison in 2016 and was later extradited from the UK. During the sentencing hearing, Duncan requested that his sentence be stayed to allow him to undertake a 14-week residential drug treatment course starting October 17. He testified that he has been drug-free for a couple of months and cited childhood domestic violence as the origin of his addiction. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned the matter for sentence to next Wednesday, October 11, to obtain a urine analysis. The court did not conclude the case or impose a final penalty during this session.
Patrick Stokes, 31, with 97 prior convictions, pleaded guilty to robbery in St Audoen's Park, Dublin 8, on 11 October 2021. The robbery involved a homeless man who had given Stokes €40 from his sock; Stokes then took about €400 from the sock after the victim and another man had smoked crack together in a park near Christchurch. The victim later identified Stokes in a shop on Westmoreland Street, leading to his arrest. Stokes also pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on the Liffey Boardwalk, Bachelor's Walk, Dublin 1, on 21 September 2021, where he punched a man to the ground and stamped on him, causing bruising and soft‑tissue damage. He was on bail for a 2019 assault causing serious harm. The court heard that Stokes has a long history of drug addiction, has been living in a tent near the Dáil, and has been attending workshops in custody. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned sentencing to 8 December.
A man who was sexually abused as a boy says the Irish justice system failed him after he first reported the abuse 18 years ago. The defendant, the husband of the victim's aunt, was previously convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury of sexually assaulting the victim between March 1996 and May 1997, and of two charges of anal rape of the victim's younger brother between February 2000 and June 2001. The brothers, aged eight and six‑seven at the time, reported abuse in 2005 and 2016, but an investigating Garda told the prosecutor that the cases could not proceed to trial due to insufficient evidence. The victim's impact statements describe the abuse, the failure of the system, and the emotional toll. The defendant will be sentenced later this month, with the court adjourned to consider the case until 16 October.
A County Meath man, Michael McGrane, 47, was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for running two dodgy box companies that sold illegal access to premium TV content, including Sky Sports. McGrane pleaded guilty to two counts of selling a protection‑defeating device and one count of possessing such a device between September 2017 and September 2018, and to unlawful use of a computer between March and September 2018. The scheme involved selling altered set‑top boxes through JarvisBox and streaming services via StreamSupreme, with customers paying into Irish PayPal accounts. Gardaí launched Operation Fleming after a UK brand protection company flagged copyright infringement. McGrane's home was searched in June 2018, seizing laptops, phones, illicit boxes and financial documents. He reportedly earned just over €29,000 from the scheme, a 40 per cent share of the €145,795 turnover, and the case was adjourned for sentencing to 13 October 2023.
Teacher Enoch Burke was ordered to remain in Mountjoy Prison on Tuesday after refusing to purge his contempt of court. The matter was before the High Court for a review of his ongoing imprisonment, which stems from his deliberate failure to comply with a permanent injunction granted by Mr Justice Alexander Owens earlier this year. The school's Board of Management sought his committal after alleging he attended Wilson's Hospital School daily, causing disruption. Mr Justice Mark Sanfey ruled that the court was solely concerned with the contempt issue, not the underlying dispute. Mr Burke refused to give undertakings to stay away from the school, describing the order as unjust and a violation of his religious beliefs. During the proceedings, his father Sean Burke and sister Ammi Burke were physically removed by gardai for shouting and interrupting the court, while his mother Martina Burke eventually left voluntarily. Mr Justice Sanfey directed that Mr Burke be returned to prison until he is prepared to provide undertakings securing his release. The judge noted that Mr Burke could appear at any time to purge his contempt. The matter was adjourned and will be next reviewed by the courts on December 12th.
On 3 October 2023, Irish barristers carried out their first strike, causing the Central Criminal Court and other higher courts to have no listings. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court operated in a reduced capacity, convening at 10:30 am but concluding all business by 10:45 am. Judge Orla Crowe adjourned all 22 cases listed for hearing, including six that were due for sentencing, to future dates in November. She instructed the solicitor for the Director of Public Prosecutions to inform defence counsel of the new dates. The courtroom was unusually quiet, with empty benches for barristers and solicitors, and the public gallery largely empty. An accused in custody requested and received an adjournment of his sentencing to Thursday. Four trial cases were also adjourned to the next day. Campaigning barrister Darren Lalor expressed delight in joining the Bar Council's protest, noting that 66 % of barristers leave their field within six years, leaving them "without a future.".
Derek Coady, a father of three from Tallaght, was sentenced to four years and six months in prison, with the final six months suspended for two years, for endangerment. He pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly engaging in conduct that created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to Alan Hall, 44, between 17 and 18 May 2020 on Bluebell Avenue, Dublin 12. Coady admitted assaulting Hall by punching him in the stomach, causing minor harm, and exposing him to serious harm. He denied involvement in setting fire to Hall's home and claimed he was unaware of the arson. Hall later died from smoke inhalation after a fire was attempted in his home. The judge noted Coady's 46 previous convictions, alcohol overindulgence, and the mitigating factor of his guilty plea and remorse. The case involved a co‑accused, Conor Curran, who has since died. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the endangerment, which led to Hall's death.
A 15‑year‑old boy pleaded guilty to assault, false imprisonment and theft of a phone after violently attacking his former girlfriend during a crisis period. The victim, who suffered 32 bruises and abrasions, was held in a shed outside the boy's home town, then forced to leave the town after the boy refused to return her phone. She fled to a shop where Gardaí were alerted and she was taken to hospital. The boy's mother explained that the boy had been referred to child mental health services, but the service never started due to Covid lockdowns, and that he had experienced self‑harm and bereavement. The court adjourned sentencing to 9 October, noting the boy's lack of prior convictions, his age, and the need for anger‑management support. The victim's impact statement described ongoing emotional, physical and mental strain and her desire to move on.