In the trial of Jonathan Coelho, 29, and Federico Carvalho, 31, the jury heard closing speeches after the defendants were charged with assault causing harm to Garda Conor Murray. The incident occurred on 31 July 2019 when the car, driven by Coelho, reversed at speed with Garda Murray hanging out of the passenger window. Coelho pleaded guilty to dangerous driving charges, admitting he drove at speed through red lights and in the wrong direction, but denied the endangerment charge. Carvalho denied striking the Garda. Garda Murray described being pulled half‑inside the vehicle, the driver kicking him repeatedly, and being thrown from the car after a final kick. The prosecution argued that CCTV and witness testimony proved the defendants' guilt, while the defence contended that the Garda's actions and the defendants' intentions were misrepresented. The jury will be instructed by Judge Melanie Greally on Monday.
In the Central Criminal Court, the mother of a 17‑year‑old who was stabbed to death during a melee in Finsbury Park, Dundrum, broke down after a witness described her son's final moments. The witness told prosecution counsel that the son ran to his friend Azzam Raguragui after Raguragui had been stabbed. He said the son told Azzam he would die. The mother screamed and cried loudly, prompting Judge Paul McDermott to ask the jury to leave and later return, noting the case generated intense emotions. The judge reminded the jury to remain dispassionate. The 17‑year‑old, a minor, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder. The trial continues before Judge McDermott and a jury of twelve.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, Assistant State Pathologist Dr Margaret Bolster testified that Patrick 'Pa' O'Connor, a 24‑year‑old, died from six stab wounds, two of which were fatal to his heart's right ventricle and left jugular vein. The wounds were found on his thorax, neck, left upper arm, left forearm, and left upper arm again, with depths ranging from 2.1 cm to 10 cm. Dr Bolster noted cocaine in O'Connor's system. Mark Crawford, 43, charged with O'Connor's murder, pleaded not guilty. The prosecution alleged a dispute over €100 for cocaine led to the fatal attack at Fitzgerald's Bar, Limerick, between 7 and 8 July 2018. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns, continues with a jury of 11 men and one woman. The case remains at the trial stage, with no verdict yet.
During the third day of the trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Jonathan Coelho (29) and Federico Carvalho (31) were heard by a jury about an incident on 31 July 2019 in which Garda Conor Murray was dragged by a car that reversed at speed. Coelho told the court that he had driven off because he had no insurance, claiming he had never had trouble with police before and that his only mistake was not having insurance. He denied punching or kicking the Garda and said he would never attack police. He also said the accelerator was stuck after the crash, causing the car to reverse, and that he was not pressing it. Carvalho, a passenger, said he repeatedly urged the driver to stop and that he was terrified. He denied hitting the Garda and said he would never hurt anyone. Jonathan Coelho pleaded not guilty. Federico Carvalho pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, Mark Crawford (43) faces a murder charge for stabbing Patrick 'Pa' O'Connor (24) to death at Fitzgerald's Bar, Limerick, on 7 July 2018. His wife, Karen Crawford, testified that the night after the incident he called her from the pub, asking her to pick him up. She described him as staggered, blood‑dripping, crying, and saying he needed to "get his head straight." She drove him to her sister's house, then to the Abbey Court Hotel, and finally to the garda station where he handed himself in. Karen also recounted that the next day he told her, "what am I after doing to that boy as he was my friend?" The prosecution alleged a dispute over €100 for cocaine, while the defence claimed self‑defence. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Tara Burns, is expected to last two weeks. Mark Crawford pleaded not guilty.
During a melee in a Dublin park, a 17‑year‑old accused of stabbing an 18‑year‑old named Azzam Raguragui told the Central Criminal Court that the victim was told, "you don't remember who stabbed you," before the accused fled. The witness, speaking via video link, described chaos with "everyone just fighting each other" until someone shouted "knife." He saw the accused holding a knife, standing over a fallen Azzam who had slipped and fallen on his back. The accused struck Azzam's leg once and then swung the knife toward his chest. The witness recalled the accused's words and that he then ran away. The accused has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder, and the trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of twelve.
During a murder trial in Dublin, a witness testified that an 18‑year‑old named Azzam Raguragui was stabbed in Finsbury Park, Dundrum, on 10 May. The witness, who was with friends that day, described how the accused, a 17‑year‑old, had been part of a group that had a brief, non‑violent encounter with another group before a fight erupted. He said he saw the accused punch a friend, then chase Raguragui up a hill. The accused allegedly used a knife, possibly a flick knife, to stab Raguragui, who tried to kick him while lying on his back. The witness claimed the accused continued to threaten the group with the knife before fleeing. He also admitted to lying to Gardaí initially and later giving a true statement on 13 May. The trial is before Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of twelve. The unnamed 18-year-old pleaded not guilty.
During the Central Criminal Court trial of Mark Crawford, a barman named Cyril O'Connor testified that he witnessed Crawford striking Patrick 'Pa' O'Connor in the neck after a dispute over money and cocaine. O'Connor, who began his shift at 6 pm on 7 July, observed the men arguing quietly and heard €50 mentioned. He later saw Crawford hit O'Connor four or five times, describing the blows as rapid. O'Connor was left lying on his side with blood flowing from his neck, and he had two marks on his neck and was unconscious. The barman noted Crawford's mood changed during the night, showing rage, but he could not explain how the fight started. The trial, set before Ms Justice Tara Burns, is expected to last two weeks. Mark Crawford pleaded not guilty. Cyril O'Connor pleaded not guilty.
On 31 July 2019, Jonathan Coelho, 29, drove a car at speed through red lights in Dublin, crashing into a lamp post. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving charges. Coelho and Federico Carvalho, 31, are accused of assaulting Garda Conor Murray, who was dragged into the moving vehicle's passenger side window. Murray claims he was pulled in, struggled, and was kicked repeatedly, including a final kick to his face, before being thrown out. He also alleges the driver kicked him with his left foot while the car was moving, a claim his counsel deems mechanically impossible. Murray disputes this, stating the car was moving at speed and that he was struck multiple times. The trial is ongoing before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury.
Two teenage girls testified that the 17‑year‑old accused of murdering 18‑year‑old Azzam Raguragui was acting in a hostile and aggressive manner earlier that evening. They said the accused, with a group of other youths, asked a male friend for his name in an aggressive way and then walked away. The witnesses described the accused as looking at them in a hostile way and appearing to have an issue. One witness noted that the accused did not step into the friend's personal space and that she was not overly concerned when she later learned of the stabbing. The trial, before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury, has heard that the deceased suffered five stab wounds during a fight between two groups of youths. The accused has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder. The trial continues.
During a trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Garda Conor Murray recounted an incident on 31 July 2019 in which he was attacked and dragged by a reversing car. He claimed he had been holding the handbrake lever while his legs dangled from the passenger window. After the vehicle, driven by Jonathan Coelho (29) and with Federico Carvalho (31) as passenger, crashed into a lamp post following a high‑speed chase, Murray said he was pulled into the car as the driver started it again. He described being struck by punches and kicks, the passenger kneeling on him, and both men shouting in a foreign language and repeatedly saying "fuck you." Murray said he struggled to escape, was thrown from the car, and was dragged a short distance before the vehicle stopped. He sustained serious injuries, was taken to hospital, and the case remains before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury. The unnamed accused pleaded guilty.
A 17-year-old home-schooled student from outside Dublin has initiated judicial review proceedings against the Minister for Education over the refusal to award her calculated grades for her six Leaving Certificate subjects. The student, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was educated primarily by her parents and private tutors who are not registered teachers. The Department declined to provide calculated grades, citing insufficient credible evidence for assessment. The High Court granted permission for the judicial review on Monday before Mr Justice Charles Meenan. The judge adjourned the matter to later in September, noting the court's full September list prevented an earlier hearing. The case follows a previous successful challenge by Mayo student Elijah Burke, who was home-schooled by his qualified-teacher mother and secured the right to be assessed for calculated grades. The applicant's counsel acknowledged a material distinction, as her tutors lack formal teaching qualifications. The student seeks orders compelling the Minister to reconsider her application and quashing the August refusal.
In a Dublin park, a 17‑year‑old stabbed an 18‑year‑old, Azzam Raguragui, to death during a melee that followed a dispute over a bicycle. The accused, who pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, was said by counsel to have entered the confrontation armed with a knife. The incident began near Rockfield, Balally, when the deceased and other teens were involved in a confrontation with the accused's group. The accused allegedly pursued the deceased up a hill, where the victim fell and was stabbed repeatedly. Five stab wounds were found, one fatal. The accused voluntarily admitted to the stabbing at Garda Station, claiming self‑defence, but forensic evidence linked the knife to the victim. The trial, heard by a jury, continues under the State's case that the accused did not act in self‑defence. The proceedings are ongoing.
A jury of eleven men and one woman was sworn in at the Central Criminal Court for the trial of Mark Crawford, 43, of Quarry Road, Thomondgate, Co Limerick. Crawford, who pleaded not guilty, is charged with the murder of Patrick O'Connor at Fitzgerald's Bar, Sexton Street, Limerick City, between 7 and 8 July 2018. He is scheduled to appear before Ms Justice Tara Burns tomorrow morning, and the trial is expected to last two weeks.
A 17‑year‑old admitted to killing but denied murder in the death of 18‑year‑old Azzam Raguragai, who was stabbed at Finsbury Park, Dundrum, on 10 May 2019. The minor, whose identity is withheld, will stand trial at the Central Criminal Court. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder; the plea was rejected by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Mr Justice Paul McDermott explained that the incident involved two groups of teenagers meeting at the park, with the accused allegedly stabbing the deceased. The trial is set to open tomorrow.
A man named David Duffy, aged 33 and from Greenfort Lawns, Clondalkin, was charged by the Special Criminal Court with involvement in the attempted murder of James 'Mago' Gately, a target of the Kinahan cartel. The alleged offence, under Section 72(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, states that between 7 December 2016 and 6 April 2017, Duffy, knowing of a criminal organisation and intending to aid its members, participated in or contributed to activities connected with the murder of Gately. Gately was shot multiple times while seated in his car at the Topaz filling station on Clonshaugh Road, Dublin 17, on 10 May 2017. Duffy was granted bail on 31 July, subject to a €20,000 independent surety, which the Director of Public Prosecutions confirmed was acceptable. He was remanded in custody with consent to bail and must appear again on 14 September.
The article reports that after the conviction of Aaron Brady for the robbery and capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, Deputy Commissioner John Twomey warned Brady's accomplices that Gardaí would pursue them. The Donohoe family expressed gratitude to the jury, prosecution, and investigators, noting the lengthy and complex trial. They thanked the presiding judge, witnesses, and international law‑enforcement partners, especially U.S. Homeland Security. The family reiterated that justice had been served but that nothing could restore Adrian to his loved ones. Chief Superintendent Christopher Mangan highlighted the significance of the verdict and the extensive, transnational investigation that led to the conviction. The article emphasizes the ongoing pursuit of all involved parties and the appreciation for the media's responsible reporting.
In the case of Aaron Brady, the defence counsel, Mr Michael O'Higgins SC, argued that a covert recording should be presented to the jury. The recording, allegedly made by a suspect in a robbery, captured Special Agent Matt Katske of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security speaking at Belfast Airport in July 2017. Katske reportedly offered citizenship assistance in exchange for information that could convict Brady. The defence claimed that the agent's remarks suggested a possible campaign to pressure witnesses, including Daniel Cahill, who had testified that Brady had shot a Garda. Mr O'Higgins sought to have the tape played and to question Agent Katske, but Judge Michael White denied both requests, stating the matter was collateral and that no inducements had been offered to Cahill. The court therefore rejected the defence's attempt to introduce the recording before the jury.
Aaron Brady, aged 29, was found guilty of robbery in the January 25, 2013, Lordship Credit Union heist that resulted in the death of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. The jury, after 12 hours and 35 minutes of deliberation, reached a unanimous verdict of robbery. Brady denied involvement in the robbery and pleaded not guilty to the capital murder charge. The trial heard that four men entered the credit union car park, and the prosecution alleged Brady fired a single fatal shot. Brady claimed he was at a diesel laundering yard on Concession Road at the time. The judge explained that for a capital murder conviction, it must be proven beyond reasonable doubt that Brady was the shooter and that he knew he was shooting a Garda or was reckless about it. If the jury is not satisfied with the capital murder evidence, they could find him guilty of murder or manslaughter.
A jury will return to the Central Criminal Court on Monday to continue deliberations in the trial of Aaron Brady, accused of murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe during a 2013 credit union raid. The jury, consisting of five men and seven women, has spent over six hours across three days considering their verdicts, having first heard evidence in January. Mr Justice Michael White formally suspended their deliberations, urging them not to discuss the case or consult social media, and advised them to relax. Brady, 29, pleaded not guilty to both the capital murder of Donohoe and a robbery charge involving approximately €7,000 in cash and cheques. The judge instructed the jury to first consider the robbery charge, noting that a not‑guilty verdict on robbery would logically preclude a murder conviction. He explained that if the jury finds Brady guilty of robbery, they must then consider the capital murder charge, which is "tricky" due to multiple possible verdicts.
In the Aaron Brady trial, Mr Justice Michael White warned the jury that the evidence of a woman, Molly Staunton, who claimed Brady admitted shooting a Garda, might be dangerous to rely on. Staunton gave her testimony via video link from New York, during which an unseen man interrupted her twice, once when the jury was not present. The judge noted the man's disruptive behaviour and Staunton's refusal to comply with his demands. White also described Daniel Cahill, a prosecution witness who said Brady admitted killing a Garda on three occasions, as "the most controversial prosecution witness" and suggested Cahill might have motives to fabricate statements. Brady, aged 29, pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe and to a robbery charge. The jury, now 12 members, will begin deliberations tomorrow after the judge's final instructions.
The jury has begun deliberations in the Westmeath rape trial of a 33‑year‑old man. He pleaded not guilty to raping a woman he met at a New Year's Eve ball at a GAA clubhouse. The complainant, who was visiting a friend, said she had no choice but to stay at the accused's house after the ball. She claimed they kissed, she told him there would be no sexual activity, but he entered his home, attacked and raped her in the front sitting room. The accused maintains the encounter was consensual and that he apologized after the act, not admitting guilt. The prosecution's closing speech highlighted the complainant's account of a violent attack and medical evidence of bruising, while the defence argued inconsistencies in the complainant's statements and witnesses. The jury will return on Tuesday for further deliberations.
A man named Douglas Glynn, aged 36, was granted bail by the Special Criminal Court for his alleged involvement in the attempted murder of James 'Mago' Gately, a target of the Kinahan cartel. The charge, under Section 72(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, alleges that between 7 December 2016 and 6 April 2017, Glynn, knowing of a criminal organisation, participated in activities that would facilitate the murder of Gately, specifically the fixing of a tracking device on Gately's car. Despite objections from Gardaí, who cited Glynn's risk to public safety, the seriousness of the offence, and his flight risk, the judge granted bail. Conditions include daily reporting to Mountjoy Garda Station, residence at a family home, provision of a mobile number, surrender of travel documents, prohibition from leaving the jurisdiction, and no contact with case‑related individuals.
Sean Ruth, 31, of Rathangan, Co Kildare, appeared before the Special Criminal Court charged with eight offences under the Money Laundering and Terrorist Finance Act. The alleged offences occurred in the State between 1 January and 31 December 2016. The Book of Evidence was served in the court, and the case was adjourned to 5 October. The State did not object to a free legal aid application, which was granted, and Mr Ruth was remanded on continuing bail. In June, Detective Garda Paul Kane informed State Solicitor Ciara Vibien that a warrant had been executed for Mr Ruth, who is accused of making four lodgements into an AIB account and four into an account at St Canice's Credit Union, Kilkenny, with the accounts allegedly held in his name. The amounts of the lodgements were not disclosed in court.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 33‑year‑old Westmeath man pleaded not guilty to a rape charge stemming from an alleged incident on 1 January 2017. The complainant, who had been invited to the accused's home after a New Year's Eve ball, claimed she had told him no sexual activity would occur, yet he allegedly raped her in the front sitting room. The accused denied all allegations, asserting that any sexual activity was consensual and that he did not cause the injuries found on the complainant's body. He repeatedly stated "that is not true" when confronted with evidence of bruising, abrasions and tenderness noted by a medical examiner. The jury heard the accused's testimony that he had no violence during the encounter and that he had not caused the injuries. The case remains at the trial stage, with no verdict yet reached.
In a Westmeath rape trial, a 33‑year‑old man pleaded not guilty to a single charge of raping a woman he met at a New Year's Eve ball. The complainant, who was visiting a friend, said she had planned to stay overnight at the friend's house after the ball. She met the accused, they kissed, and she later accepted an invitation to his home. She claimed she told him there would be no sexual activity, but he allegedly attacked her and raped her in his front sitting room. The accused testified that they had consensual sex for about 20 seconds before she said "stop," after which he stopped and she became upset. He described drinking six pints and three shots of Sambuca, kissing her, and asking her to come home, claiming he intended to have sex.
In the Central Criminal Court, Aaron Brady, 29, pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe and to a robbery charge. Defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC told the jury that Brady did not shoot Donohoe and was not involved in the robbery. He argued that if the jury believes Brady was the gunman, they should consider that a warning shot could constitute manslaughter rather than murder. O'Higgins highlighted inconsistencies in witness testimony, questioned the reliability of CCTV evidence, and criticised the Garda investigation for not following up on diesel‑laundering allegations. He urged jurors to assess whether the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, noting that a manslaughter verdict was possible but unusual. The judge acknowledged the possibility of a manslaughter verdict but left the decision to the jury. The case remains at the jury's deliberation stage.
In a High Court hearing, a 55‑year‑old convicted child rapist told Judge Tony Hunt that publishing his identity would endanger him. He had pleaded guilty in 2015 to repeated rape and sexual assault of his wife's two sons, aged under ten, over a decade from 1993. In March 2016, Judge Hunt sentenced him to 21 years' imprisonment, suspending the final five years. The victims had requested to waive their statutory anonymity so the defendant could be named publicly, but Judge Hunt stayed the waiver because related cases involving the same victims and two other accused were pending in Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court. He noted that publicity of the 2015 convictions would hinder jury selection for those trials. The judge assured the DPP that anonymity could be lifted after the Wicklow trials concluded. The defendant, who has since changed legal representation, expressed fear that a waiver would put him in danger and is currently in therapy.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a 33‑year‑old Westmeath man denies raping a woman who returned to his home on New Year's Day 2017. He claims the sexual activity was consensual, stating he stopped after she said "stop" about 20 seconds into penetration. The accused says he apologized and tried to calm her, and that she later apologized for coming back. The woman testified she felt she had no other option to stay with him, citing a dead mobile phone and lack of a friend to stay with. She alleged she was raped from behind after he pulled her clothes off, and showed scrape marks on her stomach. Gardaí interviewed the accused three days after the alleged rape, and he admitted the possibility of anal penetration. The trial continues with the jury hearing both sides' statements.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 27‑year‑old Darren Nolan pleaded guilty to recklessly discharging a firearm, possession of heroin and cocaine for sale or supply, and making a false statement to gardaí. Nolan had claimed he had been shot by three balaclava‑wearing men, but gardaí found evidence he had shot himself in the face with a blank‑firing handgun he had purchased online. Gardaí discovered over €16,000 of illegal drugs in his bedroom and a handgun in a drawer. Nolan admitted to drinking a bottle of whiskey and a shoulder of vodka before the incident and that he had threatened to shoot himself during an argument with his mother. He was described by counsel as a "patsy" who had no employment history and had been prescribed anti‑psychotic medication. Judge Karen O'Connor ordered a probation report and adjourned the case for finalisation on 30 October.
In the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution argued that Aaron Brady, 29, used the murder of Garda Adrian Donohoe as a badge of honour after moving to America, believing he was beyond the law. They described Brady as a skilled liar who repeatedly told false statements to Gardaí and the jury, claiming he was a victim of a Garda campaign. Brady's defence was that he was under financial pressure and that the robbery at Lordship Credit Union was a base criminal motive. The prosecution presented circumstantial evidence, including CCTV of a stolen Volkswagen Passat and alleged phone inactivity, to link Brady to the crime. They also highlighted Brady's alleged statements to witnesses and his alibi. The case centred on proving that Brady shot Donohoe knowing he was a Garda, with the prosecution presenting forensic and witness testimony to support this claim. Aaron Brady pleaded not guilty.
An alleged rape victim, aged 33, testified at the Central Criminal Court that she did not seek help from the accused's mother and sister because she did not believe they would assist her. The victim, who was 33, was staying at a friend's house after a New Year's Eve party at a GAA clubhouse. She agreed to return to the accused's home to sleep, but the accused allegedly attacked and raped her minutes after arrival. She claimed she fell asleep on the couch, woke to find the accused still awake, and heard the accused's mother and sister speaking in a room. She said she repeatedly pleaded for a ride home, and the accused promised to drive her after the family left. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. The accused, a 33‑year‑old Westmeath man, denies the rape. The victim's medical evidence showed bruising consistent with a forced assault. The case remains in trial.
In the trial of Aaron Brady, accused of murdering Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, the jury will hear the prosecution's closing speech on Friday, almost six months after the trial began. Judge Michael White informed the six men and seven women that the case is entering its final phase, where they will decide the facts. He thanked the jurors for their "exceptional patience and tolerance" and explained that they will hear from the prosecution and defence counsel, after which the judge will explain the law and summarise the evidence. Brady, 29, pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Donohoe and to a charge of robbing about €7,000 in cash and cheques on the same day. During the final day of evidence, prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC called Inspector John Moroney to respond to Brady's claim that Moroney had acted out of malice or was mistaken.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a 33‑year‑old Westmeath man faces a single rape charge. The alleged victim, a 25‑year‑old woman, testified that she had set clear boundaries before returning to the defendant's home after a night out. She described drinking Prosecco, beer, and shots of Sambucca at a GAA club, then kissing the defendant. After about 25 minutes she decided to leave, but the defendant invited her to stay. She accepted, stating she only wanted to sleep there and repeated that she did not want to engage in any sexual activity. The defendant allegedly forced her to remove her clothing, then anally raped her for about two minutes. She denied any consent. The case is ongoing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, David Hunter, 41, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael Barr, 35, at a Dublin pub on 25 April 2016. Hunter claimed he first arrived in Ireland on 8 February 2016, had a history of car theft in the UK, and was invited to a botched car robbery where he left a ski‑mask in a car. The mask, recovered from a burning Audi on Walsh Road, was DNA‑matched to Hunter, with 61% of the mixed profile attributed to him. Hunter's voluntary statement, sent to the DPP on 4 June, detailed his travel, drug use, and the events leading up to the robbery. The court heard that the prosecution would finish its evidence on Tuesday, with the trial concluding the following Thursday. The case remains at the trial stage.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Chief Superintendent Anthony Howard testified that he believes used‑car dealer Robert O'Leary, 42, is a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Howard said the evidence he reviewed was substantial and that O'Leary had been tasked by the IRA to carry out jobs. O'Leary has pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation. The case concerns a bomb discovered under a PSNI officer's car at Shandon Park Golf Club, Belfast, on 1 June 2019. The prosecution alleges that the bomb was an under‑vehicle improvised explosive device and that the New IRA claimed responsibility. O'Leary is accused of having altered a car log book and of selling a 2001 Skoda Octavia to a man in his 60s for €700. The trial is presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt with Judges Sarah Berkeley and Dermot Dempsey.
The trial of Aaron Brady, 29, from Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, continued before Mr Justice Michael White and a jury. Mr Brady has pleaded not guilty to the alleged capital murder of Det Gda Adrian Donohoe, who was on active duty, and the alleged robbery of approximately €7,000 in cash and cheques, both occurring on January 25, 2013, at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth. US immigration expert Kerry Bretz testified that it is "very unusual" for Homeland Security to take no action against a visa overstayer. He stated that while Homeland Security has discretion, it is "highly unlikely" they would release a detained overstayer to file an application later, a practice he has never encountered in nearly 30 years. The expert noted that officers often use immigration violations as "leverage" to secure cooperation from vulnerable individuals. Prosecution counsel Brendan Grehan SC suggested that Homeland Security's assistance to An Garda Síochána in the murder investigation provided ample reason for such discretion. Mr Bretz acknowledged this was possible. The defence evidence continues tomorrow.
During the Special Criminal Court hearing on 21 July 2020, the prosecution presented DNA evidence linking the murder suspect, 41‑year‑old David Hunter of White City, London, to a mask recovered from the Audi A6 involved in the 2016 shooting of Michael Barr. Dr Edward Connolly testified that a major DNA contributor on a ski‑mask matched 61 % of a mixed profile previously identified as 'unnamed male 2'. This profile was cross‑referenced with DNA from an apple core and a cigarette butt discarded by Hunter during his extradition from the UK, and the odds of the profile being unrelated to Hunter were described as "a thousand‑million to one". Additional mixed DNA was found on a rubber mask, with one major and three minor contributors, and the samples could not be excluded from Hunter's profile. The court also accepted phone evidence from the prosecution, despite defence objections.
A 42‑year‑old Dublin man, Robert O'Leary, pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation styled as the Irish Republican Army. He was charged after a bomb was found under a PSNI officer's car in Belfast on 1 June 2019. The device, an under‑vehicle improvised explosive device, was claimed by the New IRA. Gardaí investigated the movements of the officer's Cherokee jeep and the burning of two cars, including a 2001 Skoda Octavia that O'Leary had sold in May 2019. He told detectives he bought the Skoda for €750, kept it for two or three days, and sold it for €700 to a man in his 60s. O'Leary denied any IRA involvement, saying he had no knowledge of the bomb, the TNT, or any IRA operations, and that he had only sold the car without a log book.
A 33‑year‑old Westmeath man is accused of anally raping a woman in his home after they met at a GAA club on New Year's Eve 2016. The alleged assault took place on 1 January 2017. The man pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court. Prosecutor Orla Crowe SC told the jury that the woman and a friend attended the club, met the accused, and were taken to his house where the alleged rape occurred. The woman reportedly asked him to stop, struggled, and was left on a couch. She stayed in the house that night, was taken to her friend's house the next morning, and reported the incident to Gardaí the following day. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Paul McDermott with a jury of five women and seven men.
In a Westmeath case, a 33‑year‑old man was tried at the Central Criminal Court for raping a woman at his home on 1 January 2017, an act described as penal penetration of her anus. He pleaded not guilty. The trial, the first to open at the CCJ since the Covid‑19 lockdown, was scheduled to last seven days. Judge Paul McDermott explained that special arrangements had been made to minimise risk, including two‑metre spacing, the option for jurors to wear masks and gloves, rigorous cleaning, and protective screens. The jury panel, composed of seven men and five women, was empanelled with some jurors seated in single chairs at the back of the courtroom and others in spaced‑out seating in the jury box. The judge thanked the jurors for serving during this period and emphasised the importance of social distancing throughout the proceedings.
In the Central Criminal Court, Aaron Brady, 29, accused of capital murder and robbery, waived solicitor‑client privilege and gave a voluntary statement. His former solicitor, Daniel McNamee, testified that Brady had been advised not to testify if he had any involvement in the robbery and fatal shooting. McNamee explained that a witness statement does not carry the same legal protection as a suspect. Brady had previously told McNamee that he was loading diesel waste at a yard in Cullaville on the evening of the murder, but later claimed the forklift started and he spent 90 minutes to two hours loading diesel. Brady's statements to Gardaí on 5 and 6 February 2013 were voluntary. The trial, before Mr Justice Michael White and a 13‑person jury, continues with Brady pleading not guilty to both the capital murder of Garda Adrian Donohoe and the robbery of €7,000 in cash and cheques.
Two men, David Duffy, 33, and Douglas Glynn, 35, were charged at the Special Criminal Court for their involvement in the attempted murder of James 'Mago' Gately, a target of the Kinahan cartel. Gately was shot multiple times on May 10, 2017, while seated in his car at the Topaz filling station on Clonashaugh Road, Dublin 17. The charges, under Section 72(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 2006, allege that between December 7, 2016, and April 6, 2017, both men, aware of a criminal organisation's existence and intending to aid its members, participated in or contributed to activities connected with the murder. Duffy was arrested at his home on July 16 and taken to Irishtown Garda Station, while Glynn was arrested at Alfie Byrne House and also taken to Irishtown. Both were remanded in custody and will reappear on July 31, with bail and free legal aid applications to be made.
Aaron Brady, 29, accused of murdering Garda Adrian Donohoe, rejected the prosecution's suggestion that he is a psychopath. During his final day of evidence, Brady denied the claim, stating that the alleged psychopath was Daniel Cahill, who he said had assaulted him and threatened to cut off his toes. Brady maintained that he had never threatened anyone or entered a room to threaten a person. He pleaded not guilty to the capital murder and to a robbery charge of about €7,000 at Lordship Credit Union. Brady also discussed his alibi submissions, his interactions with Gardaí in February 2018, and his statements about diesel laundering. He denied any admission of murder or other wrongdoing, and the trial was set to continue before Mr Justice Michael White with a jury of thirteen.
During his Central Criminal Court trial, Aaron Brady, aged 29, denied being able to identify the accents of the robbers from an audio recording taken at the scene of the fatal robbery that killed Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe. Brady listened to the dashcam audio, which included a shout of "Give me the fucking bag, give me the fucking money," but he said he could not recognise the accents and described the recording as "very blurry." He also denied stealing a car that the prosecution alleged was used in the robbery and rejected a suggestion that a suspect's car had driven by Lordship Credit Union earlier that day as part of a "drive‑by" in advance of the robbery. Brady, who has pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Donohoe and to the robbery charge, was questioned about his movements on the day of the robbery, his mobile phone activity, and his interactions with other suspects.
During his second day of cross‑examination at the Central Criminal Court, Aaron Brady, aged 29, denied any involvement in the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe or the robbery of €7,000 at Lordship Credit Union. He argued that a wealthy suspect, referred to as Suspect A, who owns a house since age 18 and earns a six‑figure income in America, would have no motive to commit armed robbery. Brady denied that he, Suspect A, or a friend stole a Volkswagen Passat in 2013, and said he could not recall a conversation with former girlfriend Jessica King about a car theft. He admitted lying to Gardaí about his movements on the night of the robbery to conceal his diesel‑laundering activities, but insisted he had not provided an alibi for Suspect A. Brady pleaded not guilty to the capital murder and the robbery charge. The trial will continue before Mr Justice Michael White and a jury.
The Special Criminal Court in Dublin has opened a trial for Robert O'Leary, 42, of Finglas, who is charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, the Irish Republican Army, for a single count. The charge relates to an improvised bomb discovered under a PSNI officer's car at Shandon Park Golf Club, Belfast, on 1 June 2019. The New IRA claimed responsibility, stating the device would have exploded if not for the terrain. O'Leary is alleged to have sold a 2001 Skoda Octavia to a man in his 60s for €700, after the car was found in his yard in May 2019. The PSNI investigated the officer's movements and the car's log book. The trial will hear evidence of the bomb, the officer's statement, and O'Leary's alleged involvement, and is expected to last one week.
Aaron Brady, aged 29, pleaded not guilty to the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe and to a robbery charge. During his trial he claimed he was a victim of media and Garda scrutiny, saying he was "ganged up" on after lying to Gardaí about his movements. Brady denied any role in the robbery that led to Donohoe's death, insisting his lies were only to conceal involvement in illegal diesel laundering. He admitted the first time the Director of Public Prosecutions learned of his alibi was in December of the previous year. Brady also disputed testimony from witnesses Molly Staunton and Daniel Cahill, calling Cahill a "psychopathic, pathological liar," and accused Sergeant John Moroney of lying. He maintained he was not involved in the shooting and that his statements were truthful under oath. The cross‑examination continued before Mr Justice Michael White and a jury of six men and seven women.
Aaron Brady, 29, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe and to a robbery of about €7,000 on 25 January 2013 at Lordship Credit Union, Co. Louth. In his first court appearance he denied killing the Garda, denied participation in the robbery, and denied ever admitting to killing the Garda. Brady said he was at a diesel‑laundering yard on Concession Road, Co. Armagh, at the time of the shooting and that he had lied to Gardaí about his movements to avoid implicating himself in diesel laundering. He described a prosecution witness, Daniel Cahill, as a "lying psychopath" and claimed Cahill had assaulted him on St. Patrick's Day 2015. Brady also said he had no involvement in stealing a Volkswagen Passat used in the robbery and that he was not at Lordship Credit Union that night. He admitted to lying to Gardaí after the shooting and again ten days later.
The trial of Edward McDonnell, 55, at the Special Criminal Court continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and two other judges. Mr McDonnell, of New Ross, Co Wexford, has pleaded not guilty to being in unlawful possession of a semi-automatic Grand Power G9 pistol and having it with intent to endanger life at Lein Park, Harmonstown, Dublin 5, on September 14, 2019. Prosecution evidence indicates that Detective Garda Ronan Doolan interviewed the accused at Raheny Garda Station, where he claimed ignorance of the firearm and stated he was "innocent of any crime." The court heard that items including balaclavas, gloves, and a petrol can were found in the Audi vehicle from which Mr McDonnell was removed. Additionally, forensic analysis linked mobile phones seized from the accused to devices found in a Toyota Avensis. In a related matter, Stephen Little, 46, of Dublin 5, pleaded guilty last month to the unlawful possession of the same Grand Power G9 pistol at the same location and date. The trial is ongoing and was adjourned to Monday.