The Central Criminal Court trial of Kieran Greene, 34, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Patricia O'Connor, 61, at her Rathfarnham home on May 29, 2017, heard forensic evidence regarding the dismemberment of the deceased. Former Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis testified that Mrs O'Connor's body was cut into 15 parts, likely using a power tool, with her wrists and hands possibly removed by a hand-held saw. He stated the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, noting three full-thickness lacerations and bruising consistent with pre-death injury. The remains were discovered at nine locations in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains between June 10 and 14, 2017. Greene is also charged with impeding justice. Co-accused Louise O'Connor, 41, Stephanie O'Connor, 22, and Keith Johnston, 43, have all pleaded not guilty to charges including impeding the apprehension of Greene, disguising themselves as the deceased to conceal her death, and assisting in the purchase of implements for concealment. Johnston additionally denies refurbishing a bathroom to destroy evidence. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a 59‑year‑old man faced two charges of sexually assaulting a four‑year‑old girl between July 2016 and July 2017. The child had been cared for by the accused's wife and daughter since age one, and the accused's family had maintained a friendly relationship with the child's mother for years. Prosecutor Pauline Walley urged the jury that the case was not a "beauty contest" and that they should not base their decision on the accused's appearance. She highlighted that the child's statements about being assaulted were consistent with other evidence, including DNA found in the child's underwear, which the accused claimed was due to the child's hand in his mouth. A forensic scientist testified that saliva on the inside gusset would be unlikely in that scenario. Walley argued that a "cold, clinical" assessment would lead to a conviction for sexual assault involving rubbing and licking the child's vagina. The unnamed 59-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, the jury must decide whether Mark Tims, 48, was provoked when he killed his father Anthony 'Tony' Tims. Tims pleaded to manslaughter but not guilty to murder. The defence argues that his father's remarks – calling him a "disappointment", a "bollocks" and a "waster", and wishing he had never been born – provoked him. Mr Justice Tony Hunt explained that provocation can reduce a murder charge to manslaughter if the accused had a sudden, temporary loss of control. The jury, composed of seven women and five men, spent a day reviewing evidence, including testimony from Tims's former girlfriend Elizabeth McDonagh and a pathologist, and will return tomorrow for a verdict.
The Central Criminal Court heard evidence in the ongoing trial of Kieran Greene, 34, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Patricia O'Connor, 61, at her home in Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, on May 29, 2017. The jury listened to garda interviews in which Mr Greene alleged that the deceased had attempted to kill her husband by pushing him down the stairs and expressed a desire for the family to die. He claimed he let her die to protect his children and subsequently dismembered her body, scattering the remains across Dublin and Wicklow. Mr Greene also alleged his partner, Louise O'Connor, 41, had been diagnosed with Graves' disease and that the deceased had threatened to sign over the house if Louise killed her father. Louise O'Connor, her daughter Stephanie O'Connor, 22, and Louise's ex-partner Keith Johnston, 43, are all charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Mr Greene. Louise O'Connor has pleaded not guilty to agreeing to Stephanie disguising herself as the deceased to conceal her death. Stephanie O'Connor has pleaded not guilty to disguising herself as the deceased. Mr Johnston has pleaded not guilty to assisting Mr Greene in purchasing implements for concealment and to refurbishing the bathroom to destroy evidence. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
David Galloway, 54, of Crumlin, Dublin, faced seven charges of unlawfully applying trademarks of washing‑powder brands Persil, Ariel, Fairy, Daz and Bold to buckets, and fourteen charges of possession of buckets, labels and boxes bearing those trademarks. He pleaded not guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The alleged offences mainly took place at a premises in Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, on 7 June 2014. A legal issue caused Judge Karen O'Connor to discharge the jury, and the case was sent back for a new hearing.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a 59‑year‑old man pleaded not guilty to two charges of sexually assaulting a four‑year‑old girl between 27 July 2016 and 11 July 2017. The prosecution case had closed. On the sixth day of the trial, Garda Eoin Mulvaney informed the prosecuting counsel that after forensic analysis, he had interviewed the accused on 13 April 2018. The Garda asked the accused to explain why his DNA was found in saliva on the child's underwear. The accused could not give a clear explanation and suggested that the child had put her hand in his mouth, nose and ears on several occasions, including three times on the last day she was at his house. He also claimed memory loss due to drinking unpasteurized milk in the 1970s. The trial was proceeding before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.
The trial of a 29‑year‑old man accused of raping a woman he met at Copper Face Jacks nightclub ended after his death. He had pleaded not guilty to raping and sexually assaulting a woman at his Dublin home on 23 December 2016. On the sixth day of the trial, Mr Justice Alex Owens informed the jury that the defendant had not appeared in court the previous day and that enquiries had been made. He announced the accused was deceased and that the jury need not continue or reach a verdict. The complainant, a woman in her 20s, testified that after leaving the nightclub she and the accused went to his home, where they began consensual sex that turned violent. She described being choked, forced to continue, spitting on her, and being kicked. She reported the incident to Gardaí on 29 December 2016, and the accused denied the offences during police interview. The identities of the parties remain undisclosed.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Kieran Greene, 34, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Patricia O'Connor, 61, at her home in Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, on May 29, 2017, continued with evidence of his voluntary statements to gardai. The jury heard that Greene alleged he killed Ms O'Connor after a physical altercation involving a hurl, subsequently burying her in a shallow grave in Wexford. He later claimed he returned to dismember the body to make it lighter, scattering the remains across the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. The court also heard allegations that Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, and Keith Johnston, all of whom have pleaded not guilty, agreed to or acquiesced in Stephanie O'Connor disguising herself as the deceased to conceal her death. These defendants are further alleged to have assisted Greene in purchasing implements in Tallaght, Dublin 24, for the concealment of remains. The trial is ongoing, with no findings, sentences, or finalisations recorded for any accused.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, defence counsel Vincent Heneghan SC argued that 48‑year‑old Mark Tims was provoked by his 74‑year‑old father, Anthony 'Tony' Tims, and should be convicted of manslaughter rather than murder. Heneghan cited a history of the father's controlling, domineering behaviour, including verbal abuse and threats to call the guards, and described an incident on 13 July 2018 when the father returned from a pub, insulted Mark, and threatened him. Mark allegedly responded by striking his father with a teacup, then kicking him, causing fatal injuries. Heneghan maintained that Mark's loss of self‑control was sudden and that the father's conduct provoked him. The prosecution, represented by Michael Delaney SC, countered that Mark's actions were deliberate and that the father's behaviour did not justify a manslaughter verdict. The jury was instructed to consider the evidence and decide whether provocation applies. The case remains at the jury deliberation stage.
The trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, and Keith Johnston continues before the Central Criminal Court. All four accused have pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the alleged murder of Patricia O'Connor (61) at her Rathfarnham home on May 29, 2017. Greene faces a charge of murder, while the others are accused of impeding the investigation, including disguising themselves as the deceased and assisting in the purchase of implements to conceal remains. The jury heard a voluntary statement from Louise O'Connor, who alleged that Greene told her he was sorry for hurting her mother and intended to surrender. Evidence presented includes the discovery of the deceased's dismembered remains in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains, with her head and hands found in a black plastic bag on the Military Road. Garda Andrew Quinn testified to the missing person report filed on June 1, 2017, and subsequent inquiries. The prosecution alleges the victim suffered a violent death and that her body was dismembered using hacksaws and a hatchet. The trial is ongoing, with no final verdict or sentence recorded at this procedural stage.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, a 59‑year‑old man faced two charges of sexually assaulting a four‑year‑old girl between 27 July 2016 and 11 July 2017. He pleaded not guilty. On the fifth day of the trial, prosecutors presented forensic evidence. Dr Jennifer Ryan, a forensic scientist, reported that saliva was found on a pair of the child's underwear. DNA extracted from the underwear revealed a mixture of DNA from more than one person, including the child's DNA. Dr Charlotte Murphy, also a forensic scientist, further tested the saliva‑stained section and found DNA that matched the accused's profile. She estimated the probability of such a match occurring by chance as 1 in 6,700, concluding that the results provided "strong support" for the proposition that the accused had sexual contact with the child. The case proceeded before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.
In the murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, the prosecution has finished presenting its evidence against Mark Tims, 48, who admitted to killing his father but denies murder. Mr Justice Tony Hunt informed the jury that the next phase would involve closing speeches from both sides. Tims pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder of his father, Anthony 'Tony' Tims, 74, who died on 13 July 2018 at their home in Rowlagh Green, Clondalkin. The State rejected his plea. Witnesses described a heated argument after Anthony returned from the pub on his birthday, during which Tims allegedly put his father in a headlock, struck him twice in the head and kicked him. Tims claimed he "lost it" after his father "kept at" him for drinking. The jury also heard a 999 call made by Tims's then‑girlfriend, Elizabeth 'Lil' McDonagh, immediately after the assault that caused the death.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, 54‑year‑old David Galloway of Crumlin is accused of unlawfully applying and possessing trademarks of popular washing‑powder brands such as Persil, Ariel, Fairy, Daz and Bold. He faces seven charges of unlawful trademark application to buckets and fourteen charges of possession of trademarked buckets, labels and boxes. The alleged offences mainly occurred on 7 June 2014 at Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole. Two Gardaí from the Crime and Security Division gave evidence based on surveillance between 31 May and 6 June 2014. One officer reported seeing Galloway's black Mercedes parked at his home, then driving to a cul‑de‑sac and later to Unit 1, Block 532 at Greenogue Industrial Estate. On 6 June, the officer observed Galloway supervising the unloading of washing powder from a transit van at Hotline's Cash and Carry in Walkinstown. David Galloway pleaded not guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 59‑year‑old man pleaded not guilty to two charges of sexually assaulting a four‑year‑old girl between July 2016 and July 2017. He denied ever being alone with the child, claiming he had no contact with her except a brief incident where she put her hand in his mouth. The accused said the child had been cared for by his wife and daughter since she was a baby, and that he had never babysat. He maintained that none of the allegations were true and that he had no animosity toward the child or her mother. Garda Eoin Mulvaney reported interviewing the accused on 15 August 2017, during which the man reiterated his denial. The trial was set to resume before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor, and Keith Johnston continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. All four defendants have pleaded not guilty to charges including the murder of Patricia O'Connor on May 29, 2017, and impeding her apprehension or prosecution. The prosecution alleges Mrs O'Connor suffered a violent death at her Rathfarnham home, with her remains subsequently dismembered and dispersed across the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. Evidence presented by Detective Garda Janette O'Neill detailed the recovery of 15 body parts from nine locations, describing the sites as a "dumping ground." Forensic scientist John Hoade testified that DNA analysis confirmed the remains belonged to Louise O'Connor's mother. He reported finding a low-level male DNA profile in the bathroom where the alleged attack occurred, while no blood was found on seized hacksaws or the deceased's vehicle. The court heard that the defendants allegedly purchased implements to conceal the remains and that Stephanie O'Connor disguised herself as her mother to hide the death. The matter is ongoing, with the trial set to continue on Monday.
David Galloway, aged 54, appeared before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 16 January 2020, pleading not guilty to seven charges of unlawfully applying the trademarks of Persil, Ariel, Fairy, Daz and Bold to buckets, and fourteen charges of possession of buckets, labels and boxes bearing those trademarks. The alleged offences mainly took place at a commercial premises in Greenogue Business Park, Rathcoole, on 7 June 2014. Gardaí discovered a large number of buckets labelled with the brand names, a substantial quantity of white powder that appeared to be washing powder, and numerous labels ready for attachment. Prosecutor Dominic McGinn presented evidence that Galloway was responsible for the premises and was trading in these goods "to a significant degree." The prosecution argued that the use of the trademarks without proper authorisation constituted the offences, and that the commercial nature of the activity was central to the case.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a 59‑year‑old man pleaded not guilty to two charges of sexually assaulting a four‑year‑old girl between 27 July 2016 and 11 July 2017. The jury heard that the child's mother and the accused's family had been friendly for years, and that the child had been cared for by the man's daughter and wife from age one. On 23 July 2017, a specialist garda interviewed the child, who said the accused put his hand under her shorts in the living room, rubbed her "bum" (later clarified as her vagina), and licked it several times, causing pain that persisted into the night. The child told her mother she needed a doctor; she took her to the hospital and later to a garda station. The defence argued the allegations were false, while the child maintained they occurred. The trial continues before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Kieran Greene, 34, has heard evidence regarding the discovery of human remains in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains. Prosecutors allege that 61-year-old Patricia O'Connor was murdered at her Rathfarnham home on May 29, 2017, and her body was subsequently dismembered and dispersed across nine locations. Witnesses described finding a torso near the Military Road in Enniskerry on June 10, 2017, while picnicking. Medical evidence confirmed the remains belonged to Mrs O'Connor via dental records. Mr Greene, of Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Louise O'Connor, 41, and Stephanie O'Connor, 22, have both pleaded not guilty to charges including disguising themselves as the deceased to conceal her death and assisting in the purchase of implements for concealment. Keith Johnston, 43, has pleaded not guilty to assisting Mr Greene in purchasing items and refurbishing a bathroom to destroy evidence. The prosecution alleges the body was buried in Co Wexford before being dismembered. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury, with an expected duration of five to seven weeks.
In the Central Criminal Court, 48‑year‑old Mark Tims admitted killing his father, Anthony Tims, but denied murder. He told Garda Colm Harrington that he had a heated argument over a burnt breakfast and that his father's repeated complaints about drinking had provoked him. Tims claimed he struck his father with a cup, then kicked him when he fell. He said he felt his head "boiling" and "freaked" during the incident. Garda Aine O'Sullivan recorded that Tims described his father's death as a result of blunt‑force trauma, noting that the body had multiple fractures and bruises. The trial heard that Tims had pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder. The case is proceeding before Mr Justice Tony Hunt with a jury of twelve. The court has not yet delivered a verdict.
The trial heard that 61‑year‑old Patricia O'Connor was murdered on 29 May 2017 at her Rathfarnham home. She was struck on the head with a solid implement, then her body was placed in the boot of her Toyota Corolla and taken to Wexford where it was buried in a shallow grave. After the body was exhumed, it was dismembered over three to four hours using hacksaws and a hatchet. Fifteen body parts were found at nine separate locations in the Dublin and Wicklow mountains between 10 and 14 June 2017, including Glencree, Glenmacnass Waterfall and Sally Gap. The prosecution alleged that Kieran Greene, Louise O'Connor, Stephanie O'Connor and Keith Johnston impeded the apprehension or prosecution of Greene, who pleaded not guilty to the murder. The case was presented to a jury by Roisin Lacey SC. The trial is scheduled to continue before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
A 59‑year‑old man has gone on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on two charges of sexually assaulting a girl who was four years old when she made the allegations. The alleged abuse took place between 27 July 2016 and 11 July 2017 in the family home. The girl's mother, who had been caring for the child since she was one year old, reported the abuse to a local hospital and the Gardaí. The accused was arrested and interviewed in 2016 and again in 2017, during both interviews he denied any wrongdoing and said the families had a good relationship. He was described as "vehement" in his denials. The trial is proceeding before Judge Elma Sheahan, with the jury expected to hear evidence from the now seven‑year‑old complainant. The case was opened today after the jury was empanelled on Tuesday. The unnamed 59-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, Mark Tims (48) pleaded guilty to manslaughter but not guilty to murder in the death of his father Anthony 'Tony' Tims (74) on 13 July 2018. The trial heard that a row erupted when Anthony returned from the pub on his birthday and Mark told him he had "cremated" his breakfast. Mark then put his father in a headlock, punched him twice in the head and kicked him when he fell. Sandra O'Donnell, Anthony's younger sister, described their relationship as a love/hate one, noting that they had lived together for most of Mark's life and had frequent arguments. She said Mark was not a bad person and that he was in shock after the incident. The case is being heard by Mr Justice Tony Hunt with a jury of twelve.
The trial of Kieran Greene, 34, accused of murdering Patricia O'Connor, 61, at Mountainview Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14, on May 29, 2017, was delayed at the Central Criminal Court due to juror issues. Mr Justice Paul McDermott discharged one juror for health reasons and investigated another regarding a potential conflict of interest. The accused suggested the juror was a delivery man to Lower Gardiner Street, where Louise and Stephanie O'Connor had resided. The juror denied this, and the judge dismissed the inquiry. The trial, expected to last five to seven weeks, was scheduled to open later that day. Greene pleaded not guilty to murder. Louise O'Connor, 41, and Stephanie O'Connor, 22, both pleaded not guilty to agreeing to or acquiescing in Stephanie disguising herself as Patricia to conceal her death, and to assisting Greene in purchasing implements for concealment. Keith Johnston, 43, pleaded not guilty to assisting Greene in purchasing implements and to refurbishing a bathroom to destroy evidence. All defendants are charged with impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Greene. The matter remains at the trial stage with no findings or sentences recorded.
Ms Elizabeth McDonagh, former partner of Mark Tims, gave evidence in his trial for the manslaughter of his father Anthony Tims. She described a day in July 2018 when Anthony returned home after a birthday celebration and a heated argument over a burnt breakfast. Mark allegedly put Anthony in a headlock, punched him twice in the head, kicked him in the chest and head, and continued to strike him after Anthony fell. McDonagh said she tried to intervene but could not stop the assault and called the Gardaí. An ambulance arrived but Anthony was already dead. McDonagh noted that the father and son had a rocky, drinking‑heavy relationship and that Anthony had often threatened Mark with the Gardaí. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Tony Hunt with a jury. Mark Tims pleaded guilty. Elizabeth McDonagh pleaded guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court murder trial, 48‑year‑old Mark Tims pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of his 74‑year‑old father, Anthony 'Tony' Tims. The prosecution, led by Michael Delaney SC, argued that on 13 July 2018, after a drunken argument on the father's birthday, Tims violently assaulted his father at their Rowlagh Green home. Tims allegedly punched his father, used a mug, kicked him in the head and trunk, and repeatedly struck him with a coat. The father was found on the kitchen floor in distress and later died at Tallaght Hospital after a post‑mortem revealed fractured ribs that caused lung collapse. Tims, who had been drinking heavily, remained in the area for nearly 24 hours before being found by Gardaí. He admitted assaulting his father in four Garda interviews, though details varied. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, continues with a jury of twelve.
A Dublin man, Kieran Greene, 34, is set to stand trial for the murder of 61‑year‑old Patricia O'Connor on 29 May 2017. Greene pleaded not guilty. His daughter, Louise O'Connor, 41, and her ex‑partner, Keith Johnston, 43, along with Louise's daughter, Stephanie O'Connor, 22, were also arraigned. They face charges of impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Greene, knowing or believing he committed the murder. Louise pleaded not guilty to agreeing to or acquiescing in her daughter's disguise as Patricia O'Connor to conceal the death. Johnston pleaded not guilty to assisting Greene in purchasing implements for concealing remains and to refurbishing a bathroom to destroy evidence. Stephanie pleaded not guilty to disguising herself as Patricia after the murder. The body was dismembered and parts were found scattered across the Wicklow mountains. The trial will begin tomorrow before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and is expected to last five to seven weeks.
A 41‑year‑old UK national, David Hunter, is accused of murdering Michael Barr, a 35‑year‑old manager from Co Tyrone, who was shot seven times at the Sunset House pub on 25 April 2016. Mr Justice Tony Hunt set the trial for the non‑jury Special Criminal Court to begin on 10 June 2020, with an expected duration of four weeks. The court also scheduled a mention on 3 April 2020 to ensure all matters are in order, and ruled that Mr Hunter need not appear on that date.
A 48‑year‑old Dublin man, Mark Tims, admitted to killing his 74‑year‑old father, Anthony Tims, on 13 July 2018, but denied that the act was murder. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter, a plea rejected by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The case will be heard by a jury of five men and seven women before Mr Justice Tony Hunt at the Central Criminal Court, with the trial expected to last two weeks.
In the trial over Bobby Ryan's death, two pathologists debated the likely cause of his injuries. Professor Jack Crane, hired by the Director of Public Prosecutions, argued that Ryan's multiple fractures to the skull, face, ribs and femur were consistent with blows from a blunt instrument, possibly a baseball bat, and that the body's decomposition suggested a death around June 2011. Acting State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis countered that vehicular impact trauma was the most probable mechanism, noting that pedestrian‑vehicle collisions can produce similar head fractures. Both agreed on the presence of severe head injuries and rib fractures, but differed on the cause. A forensic entomologist confirmed a single insect infestation weeks before the body's discovery, supporting the prosecution's claim that the body had been sealed in a tank. The defence highlighted potential evidence of falling masonry and questioned the absence of blood spatter at the scene, while also scrutinising the role of a Toyota Corolla in the case.
During a 13‑week trial, the prosecution presented circumstantial evidence linking Patrick Quirke to the murder of Bobby Ryan, arguing that Quirke's jealousy and financial dependence on Mary Lowry motivated the killing. Quirke had leased Lowry's land, had a sexual relationship with her, and was seen at her home on the day Ryan disappeared. He claimed he discovered Ryan's body in a waste‑water tank on 30 April 2013, describing the tank as partially full and the body as a "carpet or inflatable doll." Forensic entomology suggested the body had been present for at least 11 days. The defence argued the evidence was unreliable, citing inconsistencies in Lowry's testimony, lack of independent evidence of Quirke's motive, and questioning the integrity of the tank's condition. The jury ultimately convicted Quirke by a majority verdict for Ryan's murder.
Robert Lawlor, a 35‑year‑old father of three, was acquitted of five charges, including attempted murder, after a trial where his ex‑girlfriend Rachel Kirwan recanted a statement to the Gardaí that alleged he had threatened to kill her new partner Derek Mitchell and his mother Fiona Mitchell. The jury found him not guilty on all counts. On 16 December 2019, the Central Criminal Court struck out the sole remaining charge against Lawlor – assault causing harm to Kirwan on an unknown date in December 2014 – by entering a nolle prosequi. Judge Michael White declared Lawlor fully discharged, no longer in custody, and free to leave. The court proceedings followed earlier acquittals in May 2018 of attempted murder of Fiona Mitchell, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and shooting of Ms Mitchell's dog Chopper. No further charges were pursued.
In a High Court hearing, Peter Bellew, Ryanair's Chief Operations Officer, testified that Michael O'Leary shouted at him during senior‑executive meetings, calling him "You are fucking useless." Bellew said O'Leary had criticised his performance in a November 2018 note and in a March 2019 annual review, and that the board had no issue with Bellew's performance. Bellew claimed O'Leary wanted him gone and that he would not have been fired until after Ryanair's September 2019 AGM. Bellew is being sued by Ryanair for allegedly breaching a 12‑month non‑compete clause by accepting a position with EasyJet. He denies any breach, arguing the clause is unenforceable and that he was misled about share‑option participation. The court will decide next Friday, possibly Monday, 23 December.
Ben O'Reilly, aged 21, was charged at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court with assaulting and robbing Fernanda de Freitas, a transgender escort, on 20 May 2017. He claimed he acted in self‑defence after a dispute over money. O'Reilly said he had been attracted to transgender women, met de Freitas through a dating app, and had agreed to pay her €400‑€500 for sex. He alleged that after the encounter, de Freitas demanded money, swiped at him with a stiletto, and removed his wallet. O'Reilly admitted holding her neck for five to ten seconds, punching her twice, and a third blow that caused her to fall and hit her head. He denied paying €180, claimed he took her iPhone by mistake, and pleaded not guilty. The prosecution argued he robbed her, while the defence argued she became violent when she learned he lacked full payment. The case remains pending.
Ben O'Reilly, 21, stood trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assaulting and robbing Fernanda de Freitas, a transgender escort, on 20 May 2017. De Freitas, who worked as a sex worker, met O'Reilly through the app Grinder and arranged a meeting at her home. She claimed he offered €500 to stay, then paid €150 and received €30 back. After sex, O'Reilly allegedly behaved erratically, left the bathroom, masturbated, then returned, demanded his money back, and took her phone. He allegedly punched her many times, pressed his hands around her neck, and threatened her. De Freitas said she struck him in the groin to escape, returned the money, and an additional €50 fell to the floor. She was left with cuts to her mouth and swollen eyes. The trial continues before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury. Ben O'Reilly pleaded not guilty.
In a High Court hearing, Peter Bellew, former Chief Operations Officer of Ryanair, testified that he was shocked and devastated after a meeting with airline chief Michael O'Leary on 22 March, during which O'Leary expressed serious concerns about Bellew's performance and warned that his role was at risk. Bellew said O'Leary also informed him he would not be included in the 2019 share‑option scheme unless his performance improved, a point Bellew disputed. He described a deteriorating relationship with O'Leary beginning in July 2018, citing incidents involving cabin crew and a letter of criticism sent in November 2018. Bellew claimed that after receiving the letter he felt "dead‑man‑walking" and eventually accepted a job offer from EasyJet, which Ryanair now sues for breaching a 12‑month non‑compete clause. The court continues to consider whether the clause is enforceable.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Garda Sean Lucey, aged 42, was convicted by a jury of assault causing harm after striking RTÉ cameraman Colm Hand in the groin with a baton during anti‑racism protests on Cathedral Street on 6 February 2016. The jury found Lucey guilty of assault after deliberating 2 hours 46 minutes, but found him not guilty of criminal damage to Hand's camera. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the matter for sentencing on 7 February 2020 and remanded Lucey on continuing bail. Hand testified that he was filming with reporter Colman O'Sullivan when Lucey first struck his camera and then hit him in the groin, causing severe pain. Garda Michael Dibley, a fellow public‑order officer, testified that the crowd was hostile and that gardai were under extreme pressure, but that they were entitled to use batons to maintain a six‑foot distance.
A sixth man, Mark Capper, 21, appeared before the Special Criminal Court on 11 December 2019 charged with conspiring to murder Patrick "Patsy" Hutch and an unknown person between 1 February and 10 March 2018. Gardai arrested him at the Finglas Post Office on a warrant issued by the court. Capper faces four scheduled offences and two non‑scheduled offences, including conspiracy to commit murder, providing or assisting with vehicles for the criminal organisation, and planning the shooting of Hutch. He is also charged with conspiracy to murder an unknown person and related reckless activities. The court granted legal aid for two counsel and remanded Capper in custody to appear again on 3 February 2020. The case lists co‑accused Patrick Curtis, Michael Burns, Mohammed Smew, Stephen Curtis, Ciaran O'Driscoll, Glen Thompson, Gary Thompson and Robert Brown as alleged conspirators.
In the assault trial of Garda Sean Lucey, the jury was instructed to set aside any personal feelings toward the police. Lucey, 42, faced charges of assault causing harm and damaging a camera after a confrontation with RTE cameraman Colm Hand on Cathedral Street in February 2016. The prosecution argued that footage showed Lucey striking Hand's groin after the cameraman had retreated, while the defense emphasized Lucey's two‑decade clean record and the lawful use of force in a volatile situation. The trial, presided over by Judge Melanie Greally, continued with the jury hearing both sides' arguments before a verdict was reached. The case highlighted the tension between police conduct and media presence during street protests. Sean Lucey pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution case has closed in the trial of Garda Sean Lucey, who has pleaded not guilty to one count of assault causing harm to Colm Hand and damaging his camera at Cathedral Street, Dublin city centre, on February 6, 2016. Lucey, a 42-year-old garda stationed at Crumlin Village and Sundrive Road, was detailed to a public order unit during confrontations between protesters and gardaí. On the fourth day of the trial, before Judge Melanie Greally and a jury, the prosecution called Garda Colm McGagen, who stated he feared for his safety amid an aggressive crowd with covered faces. McGagen testified that he did not use his baton to strike anyone and that he gently moved freelance photographers, including the complainant, on 15 occasions for their safety. He noted he did not know Hand was an RTÉ cameraman. Dr Ciara O'Carroll testified that she examined Hand on February 8, 2016, finding a bruise on his upper right thigh and no other injuries. She prescribed sleeping tablets and declared him unfit for work for one week, though he had returned to work by April. The trial continues.
During a 2016 protest on Cathedral Street, Garda Sean Lucey (42) was accused of striking RTÉ cameraman Colm Hand with a baton and then striking Hand in the groin. The incident occurred while RTÉ reporters Colman O'Sullivan and Hand were moving across a Garda line to avoid confrontation between anti‑racism protesters and a far‑right group. O'Sullivan testified that a Garda advanced from the line and hit Hand's camera before striking him. Hand reported being hurt and the pair left the area. Garda Michael Dibley, David Laird and others from the public order unit described the situation as hostile, with Gardaí outnumbered and under pressure from protestors. The trial heard that the Garda unit was tasked with preventing protesters from reaching supporters of the far‑right group and that batons were used only after other means failed. The case is pending in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Sean Lucey pleaded not guilty.
In a tragic incident on 3 January 2018, 20‑year‑old Egyptian Mohamed Morei, who had no fixed abode, stabbed 24‑year‑old Japanese Yosuke Sasaki to death on Long Avenue, Dundalk. Morei, suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, also attacked Dylan Grehan and Cian Murphy, and caused criminal damage to a car and burglary at Long Avenue. He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to all charges. The trial, opened by Sean Gillane SC, presented psychiatric evidence that Morei was severely unwell, with disordered thoughts, and was not aware of the wrongfulness of his actions. Morei has been committed to the Central Mental Hospital since the charge. The case is pending before the Central Criminal Court, with the jury hearing scheduled for the following day.
In a High Court hearing, senior Ryanair executives Adrian Dunne and Neal McMahon testified that former Chief Operations Officer Peter Bellew was slow to approve decisions, including salary increases for managers in Stanstead and capital expenditure matters in Spain. They claimed Bellew had not signed off on these issues, which they later raised directly with CEO Michael O'Leary, who denied knowledge. Dunne and McMahon also reported delays in approving pay increases for key staff involved in pilot training. The case is part of Ryanair's action against Bellew, who has been sued for accepting a position with rival easyJet, allegedly breaching a 12‑month non‑compete clause. The hearing also addressed a media reporting restriction on a €1.75 billion profit target for 2020, which the court has decided to revisit. The proceedings continue before Justice Senan Allen.
During a 2016 anti‑racism protest on Cathedral Street, RTÉ cameraman Colm Hand was struck in the groin by Garda Sean Lucey, who used a baton. Hand, who was filming with reporter Colman O'Sullivan, had positioned himself near a garda line after being pushed into a shop. He claimed he chose to stay with the gardaí because he believed it was safer. While filming, Hand was hit by a baton from behind, causing bruising and pain, and his camera was also struck. He later testified that he had complied with orders to move back and that he had shouted at the garda to stop hitting cameras. The trial, presided over by Judge Melanie Greally, is ongoing before a jury. The garda has pleaded not guilty to assault and camera damage charges.
The trial of Garda Sergeant Sean Lucey began in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 9 December 2019. Lucey pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to RTÉ cameraman Colm Hand and to damaging a camera on 6 February 2016. The prosecution, led by Fiona McGowan, explained that Gardaí were aware of a Pegida rally and a counter‑rally by anti‑racism groups on Cathedral Street. They were tasked with preventing confrontation. Sergeant Derek Fleming testified that the situation escalated into violence, with protesters wearing balaclavas and face masks, some attempting to attack Gardaí with fists and to seize batons. Fleming described the deployment of soft‑cap units and later fully kitted units, the use of batons as a last resort, and the eventual dispersal of the crowd after about 30 minutes. The case is expected to last five days before Judge Melanie Greally.
A 46‑year‑old man, Yusif Ali Abdi of Charleville Road, Phibsboro, Dublin, will stand trial for the murder of his 20‑month‑old son, Nathan Baraka Andrew Ali, who was killed at The Elms, College Road, Clane, Co Kildare, on 17 April 2001. Abdi, wearing a white anorak over a grey suit, pleaded not guilty when arraigned before the Central Criminal Court. The trial, set to begin tomorrow before Mr Justice Alexander Owens, is a restricted form focused on sanity and insanity, with a jury of seven men and five women hearing medical witnesses and two psychiatric consultants.
A 20‑year‑old Egyptian man, Mohamed Morei, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of Yosuke Sasaki, a 24‑year‑old Japanese national, on 3 January 2018 in Dundalk. The case is being heard in the Central Criminal Court. Mr Justice Michael White read the indictment to Mr Morei, who, with an interpreter, answered "not guilty by reason of insanity." A jury of seven men and five women was sworn in. The trial is scheduled to begin the following day at 2 p.m. before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart and is expected to last up to two days. Mr White noted that the facts of the offence are not in dispute, while the dispute lies over sanity and insanity. Two consultant forensic psychiatrists from the Central Mental Hospital will give evidence in the case. The incident is a Dundalk case involving an Egyptian defendant and a Japanese victim.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, Robert Lawlor, aged 35, was found not guilty on all five charges, including threatening to murder his ex‑girlfriend's partner and attempting to murder the partner's mother by firing shots into her home. The jury, after two hours and forty minutes, returned a verdict of not guilty. Lawlor, who had pleaded not guilty to each charge, was represented by barrister Patrick McGrath SC, who challenged the reliability of witness testimony, particularly that of Fiona Mitchell, who claimed to have seen Lawlor with a gun. The prosecution maintained Mitchell's account was consistent, but the court accepted the defence's arguments. The judge thanked the jury and exempted them from further service for five years. No sentence was imposed as the verdict was a not‑guilty finding.
In a High Court hearing, Eddie Wilson, former chief people officer of Ryanair, testified that outgoing COO Peter Bellew possessed confidential information that competitors would "kill to have". Wilson claimed Bellew had insights into Ryanair's cost‑saving strategies and long‑term contracts, information normally shared in senior management meetings called 'Zs'. Bellew had not attended these meetings since late July, after announcing his departure, and no longer had access to confidential reports. Ryanair alleges Bellew breached a 12‑month non‑compete clause by accepting a role at easyJet, its main rival in the low‑fare sector. Bellew denies the breach and argues the clause is unenforceable. Ryanair seeks an order enforcing the non‑compete and an injunction against Bellew's employment with easyJet. The case continues before Mr Justice Senan Allen, with a judgment expected before Christmas.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a jury of seven women and five men was empanelled to hear the case of Garda Seán Lucey, who was accused of assaulting RTÉ employee Colm Hand and damaging a camera on 6 February 2016. Lucey, who resides in south Dublin and is stationed at Crumlin Village and Sundrive Road garda stations, pleaded not guilty to both charges. The alleged assault took place during an event involving the group Pegida and a counter‑event by the European Network Against Racism. Judge Karen O'Connor instructed the jury to remain impartial and to rely solely on the evidence presented in court, warning against independent research. Witnesses, including several gardaí and members of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, are expected to testify. The trial, scheduled to last five days, will commence on Monday before Judge Melanie Greally.
In a case of attempted murder, the jury was cautioned by Mr Justice Paul McDermott to scrutinise the identification evidence presented by a woman who claimed to recognise the gunman. The woman, Ms. Mitchell, alleged that she saw Robert Lawlor holding a gun in her garden before shots were fired into her home and that a dog was also shot. Mr McDermott warned that even multiple witnesses can err, urging jurors to consider the duration and clarity of Ms. Mitchell's view from her lit kitchen into a dark garden. He reminded them that the defence argued her testimony was dishonest. The jury must decide whether the shooting constituted attempted murder or intimidation, and each of the five charges against Lawlor must be judged separately with unanimous verdicts. Lawlor has pleaded not guilty to all charges, including attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, a threat to a third party, and shooting a dog.