In November 2019, Garda Nicholas Keogh appeared before the Disclosures Tribunal to deny allegations that he had orchestrated a "pincer movement" to undermine the career of Superintendent Patrick Murray. Keogh, who had made a protected disclosure in May 2014 about alleged improper conduct by a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, claimed he had simply informed Members of Parliament about the matter. He said he had passed information on a suspected car‑tax issue to TDs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace, but denied any intent to target Murray. The tribunal heard that Keogh had lodged a formal bullying complaint against Murray in March 2017 and that he had written to the Policing Authority and to Minister Frances Fitzgerald in 2017, urging that the investigation be concluded before any promotion. Senior Counsel for An Garda Síochána, Shane Murphy, accused Keogh of "orchestrating a pincer movement" and of targeting Murray without basis.
At the Central Criminal Court, a woman has given evidence of alleged sexual assaults following a party in a County Leitrim flat in 2017. The complainant told the jury she awoke twice from unconsciousness to find herself being assaulted by two men she had previously known. She recalled hearing male voices outside the bedroom discussing how to remove her from the premises. Both defendants, now in their 20s, have pleaded not guilty to rape. The second accused additionally denies oral rape. The men maintain the sexual contact was consensual. During examination, the woman described physical force, throat pressure, and distress. She subsequently contacted her boyfriend and attended a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit for examination. The court heard she received a Snapchat message saying "soz" from the first accused. The trial before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury continues.
Eimear Dunne, aged 16 when she met Kenneth O'Brien, gave evidence at the Central Criminal Court that her partner's body was found in a canal. She described their relationship, noting they bought a house together in 2006 and that O'Brien worked in machinery in Australia before returning in December 2015. On 15 January 2016, Dunne received a text from a number she believed to be O'Brien, claiming he had lost his phone and was drinking. A second text at 7.49 am the next morning said he was heading to a ferry to move abroad with another woman. Dunne said she was shocked, dropped to her knees, and later found his laptops and toothbrush still at home. She reported him missing on 16 January and noted missing luggage and a monthly €5,000 transfer to Wells Sr. The trial will continue before Ms Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury.
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has convicted two men of raping a woman in County Donegal in February 2015. Boakye Osei, aged 29, of Tooban, Burnfoot, and Kelvin Opoku, aged 33, of Cill Graine, Letterkenny, pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape. Following a five-week trial, the jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts after deliberating for just over two hours. The court heard that the men met the woman and her friend after a night out and invited them to their flat. The complainant, now in her twenties, testified she was extremely intoxicated and unable to consent to any sexual activity. Mr Justice Alex Owens certified both men as sex offenders and ordered a Probation Service report and victim impact statement. He remanded them in custody pending sentencing on 13 January 2020.
A 32-year-old man charged with murder at the Central Criminal Court has expressed remorse through his legal counsel. Keith Brady of Cartron Estate, Sligo, pleads not guilty to the murder of 60-year-old Martin Kivlehan on August 2nd or 3rd at New Apartments, Holborn Street, Sligo, but has admitted manslaughter. During the trial before Mr Justice Alex Owens, Brady's counsel conveyed to the deceased's brother, Christopher Kivlehan, that his client is "deeply ashamed" of the circumstances. The prosecution outlined that the musician suffered two stab wounds to the neck and was significantly intoxicated at the time of death. Evidence indicated the wounds were severe, with one severing major arteries. Friends described the deceased as a talented, well-liked gentleman and accomplished musician. The trial, involving a jury of eight men and four women, continues at the Central Criminal Court.
A judge at the Central Criminal Court has warned jurors at a murder trial not to conduct independent investigations into the case. Mr Justice Alexander Owens addressed the jury hearing the case against Keith Brady, aged 32, from Cartron Estate in Sligo, who is charged with the murder of Martin Kivlehan between 2 and 3 August 2015 at New Apartments, Holborn Street, Sligo. Brady pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, though the Director of Public Prosecutions did not accept this plea and the trial for murder will proceed. The judge cautioned jurors against using internet searches, social media platforms, or map applications to research details. He warned that non-compliance would constitute contempt of court and instructed them to avoid discussing the case outside the courtroom. Evidence was set to begin the following day, with the prosecution expected to open its case at 10.30am. The trial was anticipated to last approximately two weeks.
Garda Nicholas Keogh, a whistleblower, testified before the Disclosures Tribunal that he had concerns about whether his complaints were investigated in good faith. He alleged that a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, identified as Garda A, was in an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned an estimated €2,500 a week. Keogh claimed that Ms B's admission in March 2018 was "sat on for five months" before being passed to Detective Inspector Coppinger, and that the matter was not acted on immediately. He also contested that Assistant Commissioner Ann Marie McMahon's disciplinary investigation, which led to a recommendation for a board of inquiry, was not a criminal investigation and that it should not have involved arrests. Keogh's testimony highlighted his belief that the investigation was part of a conspiracy to supply heroin and that the evidence was mishandled.
At the Central Criminal Court, the trial of two men accused of raping a student in a Donegal town in February 2015 has reached the closing submissions stage. The accused, aged 29 and 33, both pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape. The complainant alleged she was too intoxicated to consent after a night of drinking. Prosecution counsel Seamus Clarke SC argued that video evidence demonstrated the complainant's severe intoxication and lack of consent, noting the older man admitted intercourse while the younger denied it, despite DNA evidence linking him to the incident. Defence counsel Colman Fitzgerald SC and Barry White SC contended the State failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the complainant did not consent or that the accused knew she did not. They highlighted potential reasonable doubts regarding the level of intoxication and suggested DNA traces could result from cross-contamination. Mr Justice Alex Owens adjourned the matter, instructing the jury to begin deliberations after he continues his charge tomorrow. The case remains unresolved pending the jury's verdict.
In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing at Dublin Castle, Garda whistleblower Nicholas Keogh testified that his general practitioner's certificates diagnosing work‑related stress were withheld from the Garda Chief Medical Officer, leading to his absences being recorded as flu and resulting in reduced pay. Keogh claimed the Garda management deliberately mis‑recorded his sickness and that his complaints about the investigation into alleged collusion were sabotaged. He alleged that a senior officer, Garda A, had an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, and that the investigation led by former Assistant Commissioner Dónall Ó Cualáin failed to suspend any suspect. Keogh maintained that the investigation was delayed, evidence was mishandled, and that the Garda Superintendent Patrick Murray neither recorded nor reported his stress to the CMO. The tribunal heard Keogh's allegations and the Garda counsel's rebuttals, with no evidence presented to support the claims of sabotage.
Keith Brady, 32, of Cartron Estate, Sligo, is facing trial for the alleged murder of Martin 'Matt' Kivlehan. The incident is alleged to have occurred between August 2 and August 3, 2015, at New Apartments on Holborn Street, Sligo. At the procedural stage, Mr. Brady pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder but entered a plea of guilty to the alternative charge of manslaughter. The Director of Public Prosecutions rejected the manslaughter plea, meaning the accused will proceed to trial on the murder charge. The matter was not adjourned; instead, a jury of eight men and four women was sworn in to hear the case before Mr. Justice Alex Owens. The trial is expected to last approximately two weeks. As the plea to manslaughter was not accepted, no sentence, suspended portion, or effective custody period has been determined at this stage. The allegations remain contested, and no finding of guilt has been established. The report confirms the rejection of the alternative plea and the commencement of the trial process, with no final disposal or conditions imposed prior to the jury's deliberation.
A 29-year-old man accused of rape has made no comment when questioned about forensic evidence linking him to the alleged offence, the Central Criminal Court has heard. The defendant, a non-national residing in Donegal, is charged alongside a 33-year-old co-accused with two counts of rape of a woman in February 2015. Both men have pleaded not guilty. Forensic evidence presented during trial indicated that semen found on the complainant's underwear and inside a condom retrieved from the flat where the alleged assault occurred matched the defendant's DNA profile. When gardaí informed the accused of these findings and afforded him an opportunity to respond, he declined to comment. The prosecution concluded its case on Friday. The defence indicated it will not call witnesses. Closing arguments are scheduled for Monday, with jury deliberations expected to commence Tuesday following the judge's charge.
At the Central Criminal Court, a 29-year-old man has denied allegations that he and a co-accused exchanged sexual activity with a woman during an incident in County Donegal in February 2015. Both men, non-nationals residing in the county, have pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape. The complainant alleges she was too intoxicated to consent. The younger defendant told gardaí he had no sexual contact with the woman, though he acknowledged another person made contact with him. He disputed the complainant's account that the two men "swapped over," characterising her statement as false. When presented with mobile phone video evidence showing the complainant in an intoxicated state within the flat, the accused questioned why the woman's companion did not seek police assistance or leave the premises. He maintained his innocence, stating he would not have driven them home had he committed wrongdoing. The trial continues before Judge Alex Owens and a jury.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Detective Garda Val Russell explained that after Liam Brannigan (37) was arrested on 6 November 2017 at Hanover Court, he was taken to Mater Hospital for medical treatment. Brannigan, charged with conspiracy to murder Gary Hanley between 15 September and 6 November 2017, pleaded not guilty. Garda John Altendor testified that a blue Nokia phone was found at Brannigan's Bride Street apartment. Detective Garda Peter O'Brien described the apprehension, noting that Brannigan may have had access to firearms and that the arrest involved a safe search. Cross‑examination of Garda officers raised questions about the use of force, with some officers stating that any force used was necessary and not excessive, while the court heard CCTV footage and statements from the officers involved. The trial continues.
A 29-year-old man accused of rape has had his trial at the Central Criminal Court hear evidence that semen matching his profile was discovered on the alleged victim's underwear. The accused, a non-national residing in Donegal, denies the charge alongside a 33-year-old co-accused. Both men have pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape alleged to have occurred in a Donegal town in February 2015. Forensic scientist Dr David Casey testified that the probability of the semen originating from another individual was less than one in 1,000 million. The complainant has alleged she was too intoxicated to consent to sexual activity. The accused told gardaí following arrest that he did not engage in any sexual contact with the woman, and that his semen would not be present at the location. His account to gardaí described consensual activity with the woman's companion rather than the complainant herself. The trial before Judge Alex Owens continues.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, Mr Justice Paul Coffey, Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and Judge James Faughnan ruled that CCTV footage and covert audio recordings from six cars, collected during a Kinahan cartel investigation, may be admitted as evidence in the conspiracy to murder trial of Liam Brannigan, 37, who is charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between 15 September and 6 November 2017. Brannigan pleaded not guilty. The State, represented by Seán Gillane SC, intends to use the material to show Brannigan was fully aware of the plot. Brannigan's counsel, Giollaiosa O Lideadha SC, had sought exclusion on grounds of unlawful procurement and privacy breaches, but the court found the evidence relevant and probative, and that the recordings were lawfully made and unaltered. The court also heard from Detective Superintendent William Johnson about the deployment of listening devices and the integrity of the chain of evidence.
During a sentence hearing, Boy A, now 15, admitted choking Ana Kriegel, striking her with a stick and a concrete block, but denied sexually assaulting her. Detective Inspector Mark O'Neill informed Brendan Grehan SC that psychiatric and psychological reports led Boy A to accept responsibility for Ana's death. He described actions such as a headlock, choke hold, kicking, and hitting her with a stick and a block, which he either threw or struck off her head on three occasions. Boy A maintains he did not sexually assault Ana and offered an alternative explanation for forensic evidence. Inspector O'Neill noted that semen was found on Ana's top and that the boys had planned the murder. The hearing continues at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. The two 13‑year‑old boys were convicted by unanimous jury verdicts earlier this year for Ana's murder and, for Boy A, her aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence.
The High Court ruled that John Boylan, also known as John Power, acquired a 90 per cent stake in the Cheltenham-winning horse Labaik, a west Dublin property, a bank account, a mobile home, and a 2015 Mercedes Benz E Class with the proceeds of crime. Ms Justice Carmel Stewart found a substantial financial shortfall in Boylan's declared income, leading to the inescapable conclusion that these assets were directly or indirectly derived from criminal proceeds. Boylan, who denied the allegations and claimed earnings from gambling and an animal feed business, also brought plenary proceedings against the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB). He alleged negligence and breach of duty regarding an injury Labaik sustained at Punchestown in April 2017, claiming CAB prevented him from selling the horse after seizing its passport. The judge dismissed these claims, finding Boylan's assessment of the horse's value and the injury's extent to be exaggerated and speculative. She determined that CAB acted appropriately, with no malfeasance or negligence, and that trainer Gordon Elliott was a truthful witness. The court noted Boylan had 67 previous convictions, including two for drugs offences. The matter was concluded with the assets identified as proceeds of crime and Boylan's civil claims against CAB dismissed.
A 33-year-old non-national man and a 29-year-old co-accused, both resident in Donegal, have pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape following an alleged incident in February 2015. The case is being heard before the Central Criminal Court with a jury and Judge Alex Owens. Defence counsel for the older accused contended that gardaí never offered him an interpreter, despite his non-English-speaking background. A garda witness who supervised custody said he would have provided an interpreter had he observed any comprehension difficulties, and stated the defendant never indicated he required one. The officer noted neither the accused nor his solicitor raised concerns during interviews exceeding two hours in duration. Counsel highlighted that gardaí questioned the defendant about the legal definition of rape towards the end of one interview, suggesting possible understanding issues. The garda witness maintained this reflected standard practice and that the defendant conversed adequately in English. The trial resumed on Wednesday before the jury.
In a sentencing hearing for two 15‑year‑old boys convicted of murdering Anastasia Kriegel, Mr Justice Paul McDermott limited the number of journalists to five. He said the restriction was to protect the boys' rights, physical and mental well‑being, and dignity, citing the United Nations Convention on Human Rights and the need to reduce the "considerable toll" the case has taken on the children and their families. The court will be televised in a separate room where any number of journalists may watch, but the judge rejected an application by RTE and newspapers to increase the number of reporters in the courtroom. The boys, known as Boy A and Boy B, were 13 when the murder occurred in May 2018 and were convicted by unanimous jury verdicts earlier this year. The judge also ordered the media to pay the costs of the boys' legal teams for the hearing.
In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing, Garda Nicholas Keogh claims he was denied commendations by Garda management after making a protected disclosure on 8 May 2014. He alleges that a senior officer, identified as Garda A, had an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned about €2,500 a week. Keogh says he was the investigating officer in the 2015 stabbing of a 77‑year‑old taxi‑driver and the rescue of a woman from the River Shannon, yet was removed from the Pulse unit and excluded from commendations. He disputes the claim that he had no material role in the investigation, citing his involvement in evidence collection. Keogh also notes he received an award from Irish Water Safety in 2016 but no Garda commendation, and he has pursued a personal injury claim for bullying. The tribunal is examining whether Keogh was targeted after his disclosure. Ms B pleaded guilty.
The Central Criminal Court will hold a sentence hearing for the two 15‑year‑old boys, known as Boy A and Boy B, who were convicted of murdering 14‑year‑old Ana Kriegel in an abandoned house on Clonee Road, Lucan, on 14 May 2018. The hearing, scheduled for next Tuesday, will include a summary of evidence presented by a Garda detective inspector and a statement from Ana's parents. Mr Justice Paul McDermott received psychological and psychiatric reports on the boys. Boy A was also convicted of Ana's aggravated sexual assault involving serious violence.
In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing, Garda Nicholas Keogh admitted giving documents to TDs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace alleging that crime figures in his district were being "fiddled" downward, which he described as Garda corruption. Keogh, who is in the second week of the tribunal, claims a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, identified as Garda A, had an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned an estimated €2,500 a week. He also cites a 2015 robbery case that was reclassified by Superintendent Patrick Murray after the complainant withdrew a statement, arguing this reclassification was an example of fiddling. Keogh says he spoke to Daly and Wallace about the massaging of figures, and that he printed the documents and presented them to the TDs. The tribunal heard that Daly had referenced the alleged fiddling in a Dáil speech, claiming evidence of at least eight cases where crimes were reclassified as less serious.
A 33-year-old Donegal man accused of rape has denied allegations that gardaí presented video evidence showing him pouring alcohol into a woman's mouth at his apartment in February 2015. The defendant and a 29-year-old co-accused, both from the county, have pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape. During trial at the Central Criminal Court, gardaí played mobile phone footage to the jury allegedly depicting the accused assisting the complainant to drink and later lifting her off the floor while she staggered. The accused maintained during garda interviews that the woman consented to sexual activity and was not intoxicated at that time, though acknowledging she appeared unsteady in the recorded footage. Gardaí suggested to him that the complainant was too intoxicated to consent, which the accused denied. When questioned about the legal definition of rape, the accused stated it involved forcing someone, initially appearing uncertain whether intoxication prevented consent. The trial before Justice Alex Owens continues with jury evidence ongoing.
Aaron Brady, 27, of New Road, Crossmaglen, faces trial for the murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was killed while on duty at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co Louth, on 25 January 2013. The Central Criminal Court scheduled his trial for 11 November 2019, after pre‑trial hearings delayed the start. Mr Justice Michael White informed Brady that the date is subject to further applications by prosecution or defence. A 15‑person jury will be sworn for the trial, which is expected to continue into January 2020.
In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing, Garda Nicholas Keogh claims a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, referred to as Garda A, was in an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned an estimated €2,500 a week. Keogh alleges that after making a protected disclosure on 8 May 2014, he was targeted, harassed, or bullied by Garda management. He reports that he had periods of absenteeism in July 2015 due to drinking and stress, and that his superintendent, Patrick Murray, addressed his absences and alcohol issues. Keogh says he was marked as having flu when he was actually suffering from work‑related stress and alcohol abuse, and that the Chief Medical Officer was kept in the dark about his stress. He also claims that his medical certificates were withheld and that he was told he was "under no stress" despite his own statements to the contrary.
In the Special Criminal Court, the State's counsel argued that Gardaí must seize CCTV footage when investigating crime, citing a Supreme Court ruling that imposes a positive obligation on police to collect such evidence. The case concerns 37‑year‑old Liam Brannigan, charged with conspiring to murder Gary Hanley between 15 September and 6 November 2017. Brannigan pleaded not guilty. The prosecution presented that Gardaí gathered 3,500 hours of CCTV from Dublin businesses and installed hidden listening devices in cars. Brannigan's lawyers sought to exclude the footage, claiming it breached his privacy rights and that Gardaí had unlawfully used the city's CCTV infrastructure. The State countered that no evidence showed a privacy breach and that the footage was real, probative evidence. The court was instructed to consider the footage as admissible evidence under the law. The trial proceeded under Mr Justice Paul Coffey, with Judges Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin and James Faughnan presiding.
The trial of two men accused of raping a student in County Donegal has resumed at the Central Criminal Court following four days of legal argument. Both defendants, aged 29 and 33 and residing in Donegal, have pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape alleged to have occurred in a Donegal town in February 2015. Evidence heard today included testimony from gardaí regarding a search of premises where the alleged offences took place. A garda witness described attending the location with a search warrant and finding nobody present. Officers remained at the scene to preserve it. One of the defendants subsequently arrived and identified himself as a resident. He was arrested on suspicion of rape and cautioned, with interviews later recorded on DVD. The trial continues before Mr Justice Alex Owens and a jury.
In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing, Garda Nicholas Keogh denies alleging a cash theft by three Gardaí and claims Garda management handled the investigation in a "sinister" manner. Keogh, who made a protected disclosure on 8 May 2014, says he never claimed that €800 was stolen by three guards and spent on alcohol and gambling. He alleges that a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, identified as Garda A, was in an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned about €2,500 a week. Keogh states that Garda management investigated the claim, but no evidence was found and the matter was dropped. He accuses the investigation of being targeted, harassed and bullied, and describes the process as unusual and lacking proper follow‑up. The tribunal, chaired by Judge Sean Ryan, is hearing Keogh's testimony and the cross‑examination by counsel for An Garda Síochána. The case remains at the tribunal stage, with no verdict or outcome reported.
During the Disclosures Tribunal, Garda Nicholas Keogh testified that he had planned to "take down" Garda Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan and launch an "all‑out attack" on Garda management. He alleged that a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, identified as Garda A, had an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned an estimated €2,500 a week. Keogh claimed that after making a protected disclosure in 2014, he was subjected to a cover‑up and pressure from Garda management. He described meetings with TDs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace, noting Daly's reassurance that they would eventually bring the matter to light. Keogh also recounted interactions with Detective Superintendent Declan Mulcahy and welfare officer Mick Quinn, highlighting concerns about his drinking and health. Throughout the hearing, Keogh maintained that his intent was to target a specific group within the Gardaí, not all officers, and that his statements were made in a state of both determination and intoxication.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, truck driver Oleksandr Hrudovyy, aged 47, was found not guilty of dangerous driving causing the death of 80‑year‑old William Carrick on 22 May 2015. The jury, after about an hour and a half of deliberation, returned a unanimous verdict. Hrudovyy, a professional driver from Clonee, claimed he was not driving dangerously; he had no alcohol or drugs, was not tired, and had not been speeding. He argued that Carrick, who had left a pub and was attempting to cross a pedestrian crossing partially blocked by the truck's rear, may have been in a blind spot. Dashcam footage showed Carrick crossing in front of the truck before Hrudovyy moved forward, but the footage did not capture the driver's view. Hrudovyy stopped the truck immediately, was shocked, and cooperated with Gardaí. The prosecution alleged Hrudovyy was inattentive and did not check mirrors.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a mother admitted suffocating her toddler with a pillow after becoming obsessed with a diagnosis of a severe autism type. The mother, who pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, claimed she was devastated by the child's assessment, which did not confirm the severe autism she feared. She had sought medical help, received sleeping tablets, and was seeing a counsellor. On 10 February 2018 she called emergency services, reporting she had suffocated her daughter. Gardaí found the child unresponsive; she was taken to Crumlin Hospital and pronounced dead on 13 February 2018. The prosecution and defence psychiatrists agreed the mother met criteria for insanity. The trial, presided over by Ms Justice Carmel Stewart, is expected to last up to three days.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Oleksandr Hrudovyy, a 47‑year‑old professional truck driver, pleaded not guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of William Carrick, an 80‑year‑old pedestrian. The incident occurred on 22 May 2015 when Hrudovyy stopped his 16.9‑metre truck in heavy traffic at a green light on Swords Road, Cloghran, and then moved forward, crushing Carrick who had just left a pub and was crossing the road. Carrick died from multiple fractures and blood loss. The prosecution alleged Hrudovyy was inattentive, failed to check mirrors, and did not perform required checks before moving the vehicle. Dashcam footage showed Carrick crossing in front of the truck, while Hrudovyy claimed he did not see him. Defence argued the evidence did not meet the Supreme Court's definition of dangerous driving and that the stop was merely inconsiderate. The jury was instructed to remain impartial and consider the facts presented.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, a 35‑year‑old man was found guilty of sexually assaulting a seven‑year‑old boy who was the son of a friend. The man, whose name is withheld to protect the victim's anonymity, had pleaded not guilty to three sexual assault charges. The jury convicted him on the count involving the seven‑year‑old, but acquitted him on one of the other two charges and was directed to find him not guilty on the remaining charge. The boy, now 14, testified that the assault caused him ongoing sleep difficulties, fear, and other life problems. His mother also spoke about the impact, describing the family as victims of the man's cruel actions. The judge remanded the defendant in custody and set a finalisation date for November 29.
A nurse has described a female student as appearing upset and in a state of shock following alleged rapes by two men in Co Donegal in February 2015. Giving evidence on day seven of the trial at the Central Criminal Court, the witness said she was approached by two extremely distressed young women who were crying. She noted the complainant spoke more than her companion, who remained very quiet and seemed in complete shock. The nurse observed the complainant appeared intoxicated and contacted gardaí, who arrived promptly. A second witness, a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit examiner, identified five areas of bruising in the genital region but stated under cross-examination that bruising cannot be aged to determine when it occurred. The two defendants, aged 29 and 33 and both resident in Donegal, have pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape. The trial continues with legal argument, with the jury to resume hearing evidence on Monday.
A trial at the Central Criminal Court has heard evidence concerning allegations of rape against two men from County Donegal in February 2015. The complainant, a college student at the time, has alleged she was raped by the defendants following a night out. Both men, now aged 29 and 33, have pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape. During the trial, a friend of the complainant gave evidence describing events in an apartment after the group accepted a lift from the defendants. The witness told the jury she recalled the complainant making certain utterances during sexual activity and described her own experience of unwanted physical contact from one of the men. The complainant previously testified she was too intoxicated to consent. Defence counsel questioned the complainant's account of her level of intoxication, citing her detailed recollection of her route home and suggesting inconsistencies in her statements to gardaí regarding her awareness of events. Garda witnesses also gave evidence during the proceedings.
During the Disclosures Tribunal, Garda Nicholas Keogh testified that he did not "round up" people to file complaints against a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, identified as Garda A, whom he alleged was colluding with a heroin dealer, Ms B. Keogh explained that on 18 May 2014 he used the Garda Pulse system to query Garda A following intelligence received on 10 May 2014, and that he had reported his findings to an internal investigation team. He claimed that subsequent requests for a report from Superintendent Noreen McBrien and Sergeant Andrew Haran were unnecessary because the information should have been forwarded to the internal investigators. Keogh also denied that he had persuaded a third‑party complainant, Ms O'Neill, to name Garda A, stating that he had only asked her to name names and guards in general.
A woman has given evidence at the Central Criminal Court in a rape trial concerning an incident in County Donegal in February 2015. The complainant told the jury she was severely intoxicated when she alleges two men had sexual intercourse with her without her consent. She described drinking multiple alcoholic beverages during a student night at a local pub and nightclub before being driven to an apartment she did not recognise. The woman stated she was so intoxicated she could barely walk and explicitly told the court she did not consent to any sexual contact. Video evidence taken by her friend was presented to the jury. The two defendants, now aged 29 and 33 and resident in Donegal, have pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape. The defence maintains any sexual activity was consensual. The trial before Mr Justice Alex Owens continues with the jury.
A 15‑person jury will be sworn to hear the trial of Aaron Brady, 27, of New Road, Crossmaglen, charged with the murder of Garda Adrian Donohoe, who was killed in the line of duty at Lordship Credit Union, Bellurgan, Co. Louth, on 25 January 2013. Mr Justice Michael White scheduled the trial to begin on 21 October, agreeing to a 15‑person jury after the prosecution suggested the case could extend into January 2020.
Paul Casey, 49, of Ballymun, Dublin 11, was granted bail by the Special Criminal Court following a trial-stage hearing. He is charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, on August 20, 2019. His co-accused, Robert O'Leary, 41, of Finglas, Dublin 11, faces the same alleged offence. The charges relate to a cross-border investigation into a car bomb discovered under a police officer's vehicle in Belfast on June 1. At the hearing, the court accepted an independent surety for Casey. Bail conditions require him to sign daily at Ballymun Garda Station, reside at his Ballymun address, provide a mobile number, refrain from applying for travel documents, and avoid Northern Ireland except for visits to his mother with 24 hours' notice to the Special Detective Unit. He must also not associate with IRA members or those charged with offences before the Special Criminal Court, nor contact prosecution witnesses. Justice Carmel Stewart, sitting with Judges Ann Ryan and Sinead Ni Chulachain, released Casey on his own bond of €100 and an independent surety of €5,000. The matter was adjourned until October 21, when a book of evidence is expected to be served on the accused.
Dean Howe, aged 34, was granted a new trial date after he complained that the original date of 7 October 2019 was too soon. He had been returned to the non‑jury Special Criminal Court after being charged in May 2019 with conspiring to murder Mr Hanley at a location within the State between 15 September and 6 November 2017. Howe had previously been given a trial date of 7 October, but his counsel, Paul Carroll SC, argued that the case was substantial and that Howe could not be ready for that date. Judge Tony Hunt, with Judges Ann Ryan and Michael Walsh, adjourned the trial to 13 January 2020, a date expected to last up to six weeks. Howe will be remanded in custody to appear before the court again on that date. Liam Brannigan, aged 37, is also charged with conspiring to murder Mr Hanley and his trial will take place on 7 October.
A Dublin man, Ray Kennedy, 39, was charged at an out‑of‑term sitting of the Special Criminal Court on Tuesday with an act intended to pervert the course of justice by destroying a mobile telephone SIM card. The SIM card was in his possession on 6 March 2013, the day Peter Butterly, a 35‑year‑old father of two, was shot dead outside The Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co. Meath. Kennedy had previously been charged in September 2017 with membership of an unlawful organisation, the Irish Republican Army, also known as Oglaigh Na hÉireann. He was warned of a warrant and given a copy of the charge sheet. Kennedy appeared before the three‑judge court wearing a black hoodie and jeans, stood as requested, and was served a book of evidence.
During a bail hearing for Robert O'Leary, 41, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, a senior judge, stated that the second Special Criminal Court will continue to be used fully until legislation removes it. He noted that newspaper reports suggesting the court's suspension were new to the judges. Hunt said the court, established in 2015 and first sitting in 2016, will be used to give people the earliest possible trial dates. He also mentioned that the Department of Justice had cleared the backlog that had caused a two‑year wait for trials in 2016. O'Leary, arrested by the Special Detective Unit in connection with a car bomb found under a police officer's car in Belfast, was charged with membership of an unlawful organisation and was released on bail of €100 with a €10,000 surety, pending a book of evidence to be served on October 21.
Two Dublin men, Paul Casey (49) and Robert O'Leary (41), were charged with membership of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) before the Special Criminal Court. Both were arrested on Tuesday morning by the Special Detective Unit (SDU) as part of a cross‑border investigation linked to a car bomb discovered under a police officer's car in Belfast in June. The charges, brought on 20 August 2019, fall under section 21 of the Offences against the State Act 1939, amended by the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005. Casey was arrested at Londonbridge Road, Dublin 4, and O'Leary at the same location later that day. Both men were taken to Irishtown Garda Station, presented with the charge sheets, and cautioned. They appeared before a three‑judge panel—Justice Tony Hunt, Judge Gerard Griffin, and Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain—where they were remanded in custody pending bail applications due on Monday.
A 36‑year‑old man named Derek Devoy has been ordered to stand trial before the Special Criminal Court, a non‑jury court, after the Director of Public Prosecutions applied for a Section 49 order. The court, composed of three judges, will hear the case on 8 October. Devoy was previously charged at Dublin District Court in March with possession of a RAK‑PM63 submachine gun, a Yugoslavian M75 hand grenade, a 9mm Makarov PM63 submachine gun, and 11 rounds of 9mm ammunition, all with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury. He is also charged under the Public Order Act for assaulting a garda and a garda sergeant on the same day. The court has accepted the DPP's request that the ordinary courts are inadequate to secure effective justice in this matter. The case will proceed in the Special Criminal Court.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Tomas Kennedy, 43, received a fully suspended one‑year prison sentence for careless driving that caused the death of 91‑year‑old Beatrice Ryan on 25 March 2017. Kennedy was not speeding or intoxicated; his mobile phone and blood tests showed no distraction or alcohol. Witnesses heard a thud and saw Ryan on the bonnet before the car stopped, but did not see the impact. Ryan suffered an unrecoverable brain injury, remained unconscious, and died three days later. Kennedy, who has no prior convictions, pleaded guilty and expressed remorse. The judge noted his attempts to recover memory failed and that he had been admitted to a psychiatric hospital three months after the collision. The sentence was suspended, with a maximum penalty of two years. The court heard a victim impact statement from Ryan's nephew, Eugene Downes, describing her legacy as a teacher and activist. The judge extended condolences to the family.
Tom O'Gorman's siblings, Paul and Catherine, have taken the case to the High Court after the coroner refused to hold an "enhanced" inquest into their brother's murder. Thomas O'Gorman was killed by his tenant, Saverio Bellante, in January 2014. Bellante was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity and is now in the Central Mental Hospital. The O'Gorman family argues that the trial did not provide a proper investigation and that Bellante's treatment by the HSE and his psychiatrist was flawed. They claim the coroner's refusal to conduct an enhanced inquest was unreasonable, irrational, void and without effect. The court granted permission to proceed ex‑parte and put a stay on the inquest until a November hearing. The coroner is expected to resume the inquest in late September, pending the outcome of the High Court action.
In a Central Criminal Court case, 46‑year‑old Paula Farrell of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, was tried for the murder of her 30‑year‑old boyfriend, Wayne McQuillan, who was killed on 1 January 2014. Farrell pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, admitting she stabbed McQuillan four times. She claimed the deceased had tried to rape and strangle her, and that her childhood sexual abuse influenced her actions. The prosecution argued she fabricated the rape claim, while the defence denied this. A forensic psychiatrist diagnosed Farrell with post‑traumatic stress disorder from child abuse. The trial noted delays in ambulance response and that McQuillan was transported in a Garda car. After more than four hours of deliberation, the jury could not reach a verdict, and the judge remanded Farrell in custody until 21 October for further court dates.
A book of evidence was served at the Special Criminal Court on Alan Wilson, a 40‑year‑old Dublin resident, who faces three attempted‑murder charges for an incident at The Players Lounge pub on 26 July 2010. Wilson is accused of attempting to kill Brian Masterson, Wayne Barrett and Austin Purcell, and of possessing a .38 Special Smith & Wesson revolver, a .32 Auto Zastava pistol and corresponding ammunition with intent to endanger life. During the brief hearing, the court remanded Wilson in custody until 7 October, when his case will be mentioned again.
The Central Criminal Court jury has begun deliberations on the murder trial of Paula Farrell, a 46‑year‑old from Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, who is charged with killing her 30‑year‑old boyfriend, Wayne McQuillan, on New Year's morning 2014. Farrell pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, admitting she stabbed McQuillan four times. She claims she was sexually abused as a child and that McQuillan had sexually assaulted and attempted to strangle her, provoking her. The prosecution argues she fabricated a rape claim to justify the killing, while the defence maintains no such excuse. A forensic psychiatrist testified that Farrell suffered post‑traumatic stress disorder from alleged child abuse, influencing her actions. The jury, consisting of eight women and four men, retired to deliberate and will resume on Monday morning. The case remains at the jury deliberation stage.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Paula Farrell, 46, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter for killing her 30‑year‑old boyfriend, Wayne McQuillan, on New Year's morning 2014. The prosecution argued that Farrell had fabricated a rape claim to justify the killing, citing her statements to Gardaí 15 months after the death and her description of the relationship as "brilliant." They highlighted forensic psychiatric evidence of post‑traumatic stress disorder from childhood abuse and noted that Farrell had been intoxicated with about six litres of cider that night. The defence countered that Farrell's PTSD and childhood sexual abuse shaped her state of mind, and that the alleged rape was a false narrative. The jury was instructed to consider whether provocation could reduce the charge to manslaughter, while the prosecution maintained that the evidence supported a murder verdict.