A military court at the Military Justice Centre in McKee Barracks, Dublin, has begun deliberations in the trial of Sergeant Martin Dougan, who is accused of assaulting Corporal Niall McShane. The alleged incident occurred on 9 March 2014 in a pub in Naqoura, Lebanon, while both men were serving with the Irish Defence Forces. Sgt Dougan, represented by Gerard Humphreys BL and Patricia McKenna BL, pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution, led by Colonel Gerry Lane, argued that the board could trust Cpl McShane's evidence, noting that his memory of the assault was recovered after sessions with a Defence Forces psychologist, despite the complaint being made a year later. In closing remarks, the defence counsel highlighted gaps in the prosecution's case, asserting that reasonable doubt remained regarding whether Sgt Dougan was the assailant. A separate charge alleging Sgt Dougan was under the influence of an intoxicant was previously thrown out by military judge Colonel Michael Campion due to a lack of evidence. The board of officers is now set to determine the outcome of the trial.
The jury in the trial of Jonathan Gill, 35, accused of kidnapping a Drogheda postal worker, his partner and their 10‑week‑old baby before robbing €660,000 from the workplace, is set to begin its fifth day of deliberations. The jury, composed of seven men and five women, has already spent 13½ hours deliberating since the trial began last Thursday. Judge Elma Sheahan asked the jury forewoman whether more time would help reach a verdict; the forewoman replied that she could not say yet if more time was needed. Judge Sheahan reminded her that there is no time limit on deliberations and that the jury may continue as long as they are making progress. Gill, who pleaded not guilty, is charged with false imprisonment of Warren Nawn, Jean Marie Nawn and their baby in Drogheda between 1 and 2 August 2011.
In a 2017 murder trial, a 69‑year‑old woman was killed in a "callous and violent death" when she was strangled and her house set on fire. The prosecution, led by Sean Gillane SC, argued that the victim's injuries were consistent with strangulation and blows to the head and mouth, and that the accused, 53‑year‑old John Joseph Malone, had confessed to the crime to church members. Witnesses placed Malone at the victim's home around 12:30 am, where he allegedly argued with her and was seen acting suspiciously. Malone denied the killing and the arson. The defence, represented by Colman Cody SC, contended that the case was pursued because of later confessions, not because of forensic evidence, and that the police had focused on Malone for years. The jury was instructed to decide only whether the prosecution proved Malone's guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The judge would give his charge the following day. John Joseph Malone pleaded not guilty.
The jury in the Central Criminal Court case against Vesel Jahiri, aged 35 and originally from Kosovo, will resume deliberations tomorrow after spending four hours and 41 minutes on the verdict. Jahiri has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his former partner, Anna Finnegan, aged 25, who was killed at Allendale Glen, Clonsilla, Dublin 15 on 21 September 2012, and to assaulting Karl Finnegan on the same day. The judge, Mr Justice Paul Coffey, explained the possible verdicts: not guilty of murder if the killing was accidental or justified, guilty of manslaughter if a single knife was used accidentally, or guilty of murder if the stabbing was deliberate. Ms Joan Broe testified that she heard Finnegan screaming and saw Jahiri chase and assault her, then called emergency services.
A jury in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has finished its third day of deliberations in the kidnapping trial of Jonathan Gill, 35, who is accused of abducting a Drogheda postal worker, his partner and their ten‑week‑old baby before stealing €660,000 from the workplace. The State alleges Gill was part of a five‑man group that held the family hostage in their home and later moved them to a shed about 90 minutes away. Gill pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment of Warren Nawn, Jean Marie Nawn and the infant, and the jury will resume tomorrow morning.
In the Central Criminal Court trial of John Joseph Malone, a 53‑year‑old from Newpark, Kilkenny, a Garda inspector, Colin Furlong, testified that investigators did not deliberately seek witnesses to implicate Malone in the 1987 murder of 69‑year‑old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth. Furlong said witnesses came forward of their own volition and that the Gardaí's aim was to gather any evidence relating to the crime, not to obtain confessions. He denied that the Gardaí had tried to make a charge stick or that they had coerced witnesses. Furlong acknowledged that some Gardaí had contacted witnesses but maintained that the statements were voluntary. He also confirmed that the Gardaí had investigated Barney Malone, John's brother, and found no evidence linking him to the killing. The prosecution case has now finished, with the trial set to continue tomorrow before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of seven men and five women.
In a murder trial, Judge Paul Coffey instructed the jury to disregard the incident where accused Vesel Jahiri punched prosecuting barrister Patrick Marrinan SC in the face during the closing stages of the hearing. Jahiri, 35, originally from Kosovo, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Anna Finnegan, 25, and to assaulting Karl Finnegan on 21 September 2012 at Allendale Glen, Clonsilla. The judge emphasized that the prosecution's case hinged on Karl Finnegan's testimony and the evidence of security officer Korill Allen, who claimed he was lifting Finnegan when she pointed at Jahiri. Coffey urged the jury to focus on determining who was the aggressor and how many knives were present, noting that the jury must be unanimous on both the murder and assault charges.
The trial of former Anglo Irish Bank chief executive David Drumm has been adjourned to a later date in the year. Judge Karen O'Connor vacated the original April 21 start date and set the matter for April 27, when a new trial date will be announced. Drumm, 50, who lives in Skerries, Co Dublin, faces two charges of conspiring to defraud depositors and investors by falsely claiming that 2008 deposits were €7.2 billion larger than they were, and a third charge relating to the EU transparency directive. He has not yet entered a plea.
During the cold‑case trial of John Joseph Malone, the accused told the Central Criminal Court that he had argued with the widowed pensioner, Ann 'Nancy' Smyth, over a pigeon hours before she was found strangled. Malone, 53, was charged with murdering the 69‑year‑old on 11 September 1987 at her Wolfe Tone Street home in Kilkenny City. He had initially denied approaching Mrs Smyth early that morning, but later interviews admitted he had met her outside her house at about 12.40 a.m., arguing about a pigeon that he claimed was in her loft. He said the dispute lasted about 30 minutes, that he did not touch her, and that he then went home. The trial continues on Monday.
The coroner investigating Tom O'Gorman's death, who was found to have been eaten by his lodger, has been granted a copy of the trial transcript. In July 2015, a jury acquitted Saverio Bellante of murder by reason of insanity after he killed O'Gorman, 39, in January 2014 at their shared home in Beech Park Avenue, Castlenock, Dublin. Justice Margaret Heneghan approved the request, noting the coroner's promise not to disclose the transcript and her willingness to cover costs. The decision was described as a standalone ruling, not setting a precedent.
In the Central Criminal Court on 7 April 2017, Vesel Jahiri, aged 35, was accused of murdering Anna Finnegan, 25, and assaulting Karl Finnegan on 21 September 2012. He pleaded not guilty to both charges and was representing himself after dismissing his legal team. During the hearing, Jahiri shouted that the judge was refusing to call witnesses and that the trial was not proceeding. He then punched prosecuting barrister Patrick Marrinan in the face, causing blood to appear from Marrinan's nose. Jahiri leapt across the benches and was wrestled to the ground by five prison officers who handcuffed him and removed him from the courtroom. The trial was adjourned for twenty minutes before resuming in the jury's absence, with Judge Paul Coffey proceeding to charge the jury on Monday. The article reports only the chaotic incident and the judge's instructions, without any outcome of the trial.
The President of the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, and Mr Justice Seamus Noonan have warned that the failure to appoint new judges is preventing important cases from being heard. Mr Justice Kelly, when asked to assign an urgent family law matter to a judge who had made interim orders, could not comply because there were no additional judges to call upon. Mr Justice Noonan, who manages the judicial review and non‑jury list, told a packed courtroom that a dozen cases could not proceed because there were no judges available to hear "enormously important" and sometimes "life‑changing" actions. He explained that several judicial vacancies have remained unfilled after retirements and that other judges are occupied with commissions of inquiry. He said justice delayed is also justice denied and urged the situation to be addressed urgently. The remarks were made in separate courts on Thursday.
In a kidnapping trial, a jury will resume deliberations after a three‑hour session. The accused, Jonathan Gill, 35, faces charges of kidnapping a Drogheda postal worker, his partner and their ten‑week‑old baby, and of robbing €660,000 from the workplace. The State alleges Gill was one of five who held the family hostage in their home before moving them to a shed about 90 minutes away. Gill pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment of Warren Nawn, Jean Marie Nawn and the infant, and the case is before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
During a cold‑case murder trial in the Central Criminal Court, an 81‑year‑old woman named Eileen Kelly testified that the accused, John Joseph Malone, had confessed to her that he had killed a widowed pensioner, Ann 'Nancy' Smyth, in 1987. Kelly, who lived near Smyth, said she had known Malone and that he had called into her home a few months after the murder. According to Kelly, Malone told her that the killing was an accident and that he had gone to Smyth's house over a pigeon or pigeon trophy that her husband had won. She recounted that Malone had claimed he had shoved Smyth into a door and strangled her before setting fire to her house. Malone, 53, pleaded not guilty. The trial is ongoing.
In a murder trial, Vesel Jahiri, 35, denies stabbing his former partner Anna Finnegan, 25, at Allendale Glen, Clonsilla, Dublin 15 on 21 September 2012. He claims Anna was stabbed by her brother Karl Finnegan, whom he says attacked him with a chair and knives. Jahiri says he struck back, stabbing Karl multiple times, but did not see Anna stabbed. Prosecutor Patrick Marrinan accuses Jahiri of fabricating a story and spreading "fake news," citing a 999 call where Jahiri allegedly mentioned only one knife. Jahiri disputes the call's transcript, claims he was forced out of his cell, and alleges Gardaí fabricated evidence and forced witnesses to lie. He also denies any safety plan involving Karl. The judge, Justice Paul Coffey, rebuked Jahiri's statements and instructed him to answer questions, with the jury scheduled to return the next day. Vesel Jahiri pleaded not guilty.
Jonathan Gill, aged 35, faces charges of kidnapping a Drogheda postal worker, his partner and their ten‑week‑old daughter, followed by a €660,000 robbery. The prosecution argues that, though no direct forensic evidence links Gill to the crime scenes, circumstantial evidence—his association with two other men linked to the offence, a car he owned that was in the area on the day of the kidnapping, and CCTV footage of him buying milk at 5.30 am while the kidnapping was underway—collectively proves his guilt. The jury was told the evidence is circumstantial but compelling, likening the combined threads to a rope. Gill pleaded not guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. His defence counsel highlighted the lack of evidence of his presence between the start of the kidnapping at 10.30 pm and the milk purchase, arguing no guilt by association. The case will be presented to the jury tomorrow for deliberation.
During his trial, Vesel Jahiri, aged 35 and originally from Kosovo, denied murdering his former partner Anna Finnegan, aged 25, who was killed on 21 September 2012 at Allendale Glen, Clonsilla, Dublin 15. He also denied assaulting Karl Finnegan on the same day. Jahiri claimed that a letter found in Anna's handbag, which the Gardaí said described her being threatened and beaten, was fabricated and that the evidence had been tampered with. He described his relationship with Anna as having normal arguments but no violence, and said her family had forced her to seek refuge. Jahiri alleged mistreatment while in custody, including being denied breakfast and proper medication for a toothache. The prosecution's cross‑examination focused on his absence at the end of his first trial, his alleged threats to shoot Anna and her sister, and whether witnesses had lied. The cross‑examination will continue tomorrow before Justice Paul Coffey and a jury of eight men and two women. Vesel Jahiri pleaded not guilty.
During his Central Criminal Court trial, Vesel Jahiri, aged 35, denied murdering his former partner Anna Finnegan, 25, and assaulting Karl Finnegan on 21 September 2012. He claimed that Gardaí had instructed witnesses to lie and had withheld CCTV and forensic evidence supporting his account. Jahiri recounted that he had spoken to Finnegan by phone earlier that day, then entered her home where Karl shouted. He said he was struck by a chair, then a struggle ensued involving knives. Jahiri alleged that he stabbed Finnegan twice or three times after being cut, but stopped when he saw blood. He then drove Finnegan to hospital, where she later died. Jahiri also complained of inadequate medical treatment while in custody at Midlands Prison. The jury was reduced to six men and four women after one juror was discharged. Vesel Jahiri pleaded not guilty.
Jim Smyth, a 43-year-old man from County Monaghan, is scheduled to face trial at the Special Criminal Court on May 15th. He is charged with membership of an unlawful organization, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, on November 25th, 2015. The allegations stem from his arrest in Carrickmacross by the Special Detective Unit in November 2015, which was part of ongoing investigations into dissident republican activity. During these operations, gardai discovered a cache of firearms, including AK47 assault rifles, mortars, detonators, and other IED components. Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding at the three-judge court, fixed the trial date, which is expected to last two weeks. The matter was not concluded; instead, Mr Smyth was remanded on continuing bail until the start of his trial. No plea, finding, or sentence has been recorded at this procedural stage, as the case remains at the pre-trial phase with the trial date set for next month.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing on 4 April 2017, Ann Walsh, former sister‑in‑law of John Joseph Malone, testified that she had reported Malone's alleged confession to Gardaí about twenty years earlier. Walsh, who had been married to Malone's brother Bernard, said she had heard Malone admit to killing 69‑year‑old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth on three separate occasions. The first confession was in a pub in 1991, where Malone allegedly said he had killed Smyth; Walsh's husband told him to leave. The second confession occurred in 1996 while Malone was walking Walsh home from a pub; he threatened to burn her house and harm her children, and Walsh reported this to Sergeant Eddie Geraghty. Walsh confirmed she had told the Sergeant everything Malone said that night. The court also heard statements from two lodgers who had stayed with Smyth in 1987, but the focus of the testimony was Walsh's reports of Malone's confessions and threats. John Joseph Malone pleaded not guilty.
Frederick "Freddie" Thompson, aged 36, will be tried at the Special Criminal Court for the alleged murder of David Douglas, aged 55, who was shot dead on 1 July last year. Thompson was charged at Cloverhill District Court and is currently in custody. The Director of Public Prosecutions has applied for a non‑jury trial, arguing that ordinary courts are inadequate for effective administration of justice. The order was made by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, with Judges John O'Hagan and Ann Ryan presiding.
During the Central Criminal Court hearing on 3 April 2017, the former sister‑in‑law of John Joseph Malone, a 53‑year‑old man charged with the 1987 murder of 69‑year‑old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth, testified that Malone had confessed to her that he had killed Smyth. Ms. Malone, who had been married to Malone's brother Bernard 'Barney' Malone, recounted that she and Barney had been walking home from Pat Carroll's pub when Malone allegedly threatened to kill her and burn her house, mirroring the earlier murder. She said he repeated the confession at her home in Newpark Close and claimed he had "gotten away with it." The prosecution asked her to detail what he had said, and she confirmed the confession. The defence will cross‑examine her tomorrow, while her ex‑husband was cross‑examined today, confirming that his brother had made a similar confession to him. The trial proceeds before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury. John Joseph Malone pleaded not guilty.
A military court heard on 3 April 2017 that Sergeant Martin Dougan was accused of assaulting Corporal Niall McShane on 9 March 2014 while both were serving with the Irish Defence Forces in Lebanon. The alleged assault involved Dougan striking McShane on the face. Dougan is also alleged to have been under the influence of an intoxicant on that day. Dougan pleaded not guilty. McShane recounted that the incident occurred after a night out in Naqoura where he and colleagues had been granted overnight leave. He described a confrontation with Dougan that escalated to an arm‑wrestling contest, after which Dougan allegedly struck him in the left eye. McShane was taken to an ambulance and later treated in hospitals in Naqoura and Beirut. Sergeant Bernard O'Reilly also gave evidence, describing McShane's condition upon arrival. The court martial is being heard before a board of officers and is scheduled to last all week.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the 35‑year‑old Vesel Jahiri, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of his former partner Anna Finnegan (aged 25) and the assault of her brother Karl, was found to have recorded a conversation with social worker Karen Byrne on the day of the alleged attack. The prosecution presented a transcript of the audio, noting that Jahiri had a recording device in his pocket and had captured the entire meeting, yet Byrne claimed the tape was doctored and omitted her statement that Jahiri had threatened to kill Finnegan. Byrne had been present at a meeting with Finnegan and Jahiri on 21 September 2012, after a referral from the Bray Women's Refuge, and had made a statement to the Gardaí attributing certain comments to Jahiri. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Coffey, continues with a jury of nine men and two women.
The coroner, Dr Myra Cullinane, is conducting an inquest into the death of Tom O'Gorman, who was murdered by his lodger, Saverio Bellante, in January 2014. Bellante, aged 37 and originally from Palermo, was found not guilty by reason of insanity in July 2015 and has been detained indefinitely at the Central Mental Hospital in Dublin. On 3 April 2017, Paul Carroll SC, acting for the coroner, submitted an affidavit to Judge Margaret Heneghan requesting a copy of the trial transcript so the coroner could accurately assess the proceedings and determine whether to examine the state's treatment of Bellante. The judge will rule on the request on Friday. The inquest resumed in March after a previous adjournment, and the coroner's office has requested a broad scope for the inquiry. The case remains ongoing.
During the trial, a jury was informed that CCTV footage from a petrol station in the early hours of August 1, 2011, showed Jonathan Gill, aged 35, buying a litre of milk. Gill is accused of kidnapping a Drogheda postal worker, his partner, and their ten‑week‑old baby, holding them hostage in their home before moving them to a shed about 90 minutes away. The State alleges that the family was held overnight in the shed, where the baby cried and was given milk. After the kidnapping, authorities recovered an empty milk container from a partially burnt vehicle and other items from the shed, including cigarette butts. A detective testified that he canvassed 24‑hour shops, found a sale of milk at Topaz Garage in Balgriffin, and reviewed the CCTV, identifying Gill in the footage. The case continues before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury of seven men and five women. Jonathan Gill pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, Detective Garda James Cunningham testified that a fingermark on a blood‑stained black‑handled kitchen knife, which also carried DNA from the deceased Anna Finnegan, was made by the left forefinger of Vesel Jahiri, the accused. Cunningham explained that he had examined the knife, applied a treatment to develop the mark, and compared it with prints from Jahiri, Finnegan and Karl Finnegan. He found no other fingerprints and no evidence the knife had been wiped. Forensic scientist Dr Hilary Clarke had earlier shown that DNA from Finnegan's blood was present on the knife's tip and edge. Jahiri, 35, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Finnegan, 25, and to assaulting her brother, and was excluded from his own trial by Judge Paul Coffey for refusing to comply with procedural rules. The case remains before the judge and a jury.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Judge Paul Coffey reluctantly excluded 35‑year‑old Vesel Jahiri from his own trial after he chose to represent himself. Jahiri, originally from Kosovo, had pleaded not guilty to the murder of Anna Finnegan, 25, and to assaulting Karl Finnegan on 21 September 2012 at Allendale Glen, Clonsilla. During the trial, Jahiri was accused of abusing his position while cross‑examining witnesses and of "throwing out allegations like confetti." Prosecution counsel called Garda Patricia Davey, who presented CCTV footage from the James Connolly Memorial Hospital Accident and Emergency Department. The footage showed Jahiri arriving in a white car, driving to the hospital, and moving a person from the car to the ground. The judge explained that while a defendant has a right to be present, it is not absolute and must comply with procedure. Consequently, the jury was asked to leave, and the trial will proceed without Jahiri's presence.
A surveillance garda testified that he saw Jonathan Gill, 35, driving a silver Renault Clio on Rathbeale Road in Swords on 1 August 2011, the day before the alleged kidnapping of a Drogheda postal worker, his partner and their ten‑week‑old baby. The garda, who cannot be named, also observed a silver Opel Corsa with registration 10D4798 in the same area, which he said stopped briefly before both vehicles left. Gill is charged with false imprisonment of Warren Nawn, Jean Marie Nawn and their baby between 1 and 2 August 2011. He pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The case is before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury of seven men and five women. The garda's testimony was challenged by Gill's defence counsel, who questioned the accuracy of the witness's observations. The trial continues.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Vesel Jahiri, 35, representing himself, faces charges of murdering his former partner Anna Finnegan, 25, and assaulting her brother Karl on 21 September 2012. The judge, Mr Justice Paul Coffey, criticised Jahiri for making unfounded accusations against witnesses, describing his remarks as "throwing out allegations like confetti." During cross‑examination, Jahiri questioned Sergeant Patrick Traynor about wiping fingerprints from a blood‑stained knife and alleged that the knife bore Finnegan's blood, claims the sergeant denied. He also asked Detective Garda Tom Cooney about criminal records, to which Cooney replied no. Jahiri further accused the witness of IRA membership. The judge deemed these questions irrelevant and terminated the cross‑examination of Detective Garda Bernard Connaughton. Jahiri has stated he will seek a solicitor, but the judge said it was too late to change his unrepresented status. Vesel Jahiri pleaded not guilty.
Anna Finnegan sent text messages to her former partner, Vesel Jahiri, who is accused of murdering her, saying she did not want to see him again and wanted to feel "safe without some animal beating and bullying" her. The Central Criminal Court jury heard that the texts were sent between 8 and 14 September 2012, with Finnegan describing Jahiri as a "control freak" and a "fucking drug dealer" and stating she had "had enough" and would change her number and the locks on their home. Jahiri denied sending the texts and claimed they were from Finnegan's sister and cousin. The jury also heard that a letter written by Finnegan, found in a handbag in the kitchen of Allendale Glen, alleged that Jahiri had beaten her and almost killed her. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Coffey and a jury of nine men and two women. Anna Finnegan pleaded not guilty.
In the Special Criminal Court, Mark Heffernan (32) faced charges of assault and false imprisonment of Dan Quilligan on 14 September 2015. Heffernan pleaded not guilty. His counsel, Ronan Prendergast BL, argued that the prosecution's case was weakened by a lack of evidence linking Heffernan to the assault. He cited Quilligan's testimony that a man in the house warned "Leave the man alone, you're going to kill him," and claimed no evidence proved Heffernan was that man. Prendergast also urged the court to consider Tom Lillis's testimony that he saw Heffernan in the house that day, questioning its admissibility. The court adjourned the hearing to Friday for a decision on these legal submissions. The trial remains at the joint enterprise stage, with no verdict yet reached.
The trial of former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Sean FitzPatrick, who is 68, is scheduled to continue into May. It began in September in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and was expected to finish by Christmas, but delays from legal arguments and the jury's absence pushed it back. The jury returned in December to hear evidence, and the trial is now on day 106. The prosecution alleges that FitzPatrick and his family artificially reduced multi‑million euro loans for two weeks around the bank's year‑end by taking short‑term loans from other sources, including Irish Nationwide Building Society, and failed to disclose these to auditors between 2002 and 2007. FitzPatrick denies all charges. He faces 27 offences under the 1990 Companies Act, including 22 for misleading auditors and five for furnishing false information.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, evangelist Billy Patterson testified that he had known John Joseph Malone, a 53‑year‑old accused of murdering 69‑year‑old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth in 1987, for over 25 years. Patterson, who worked as an evangelist for Kilkenny's Presbyterian Church, said he had run bible studies in private homes that Malone sometimes attended. After the killing, Patterson invited Malone for a conversation in his van, during which Malone allegedly confessed to the murder. Patterson claimed he advised Malone to contact the Gardai, but he later said he had not reported the confession immediately because he felt loyalty to Malone and feared betraying him. Patterson admitted that he had made statements to the Gardai in 2012 and 2012‑13, but he had omitted details of the confession in those statements. The court was informed that Malone had also confessed to two teenagers during a church trip to Tramore in the late 1980s. The trial continues. John Joseph Malone pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, Anna Finnegan's letter to her former partner, Vesel Jahiri, was presented to a jury. The letter, found in her handbag, described how Jahiri had beaten her, made her life "hell," and had almost killed her on several occasions. Finnegan, aged 25, had moved to Bray Women's Refuge with her two children before the letter was written. Jahiri, 35, pleaded not guilty to her murder and to assaulting her brother, and now represents himself. The prosecution highlighted that Jahiri had received protection, barring, and safety orders, and that the letter revealed his possessive, controlling, and jealous behaviour. The case, overseen by Mr Justice Paul Coffey, continues before a jury of nine men and two women.
During a trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the State presented evidence that Jonathan Gill, 35, was part of a group that kidnapped a Drogheda postal worker, his partner and their ten‑week‑old daughter in August 2011. The family was held hostage in their home before being moved to a shed about 90 minutes away. Gill pleaded not guilty to false imprisonment. Gardaí had spotted a car linked to Gill on the N51 north of Drogheda at 6 pm on the day of the kidnapping. The car, a silver Renault Clio registration 06D10959, was recorded by the Automatic Number Plate Recognition system but did not trigger a warning. The ANPR system compares licence plates to databases and flags vehicles of interest. The trial continues before Judge Elma Sheahan and a jury of seven men and five women.
In the Central Criminal Court, a jury of twelve is set to deliver a verdict on the murder trial of Latvian man Andresj Krauze, aged 31, accused of killing fellow Latvian Juris Buls, 30, whose body was found in a drain in Galway on 7 or 8 July 2011. Krauze has pleaded not guilty. The judge, Justice Margaret Heneghan, clarified that the jury must focus solely on whether Krauze killed Buls and intended to kill or cause serious injury, ignoring any prior guilty plea by Krauze's brother Sergejs. She outlined three possible verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. The jury's deliberations, which lasted four hours, will resume tomorrow to decide among these options. The trial remains at the jury's discretion, with no further procedural developments reported.
During the murder trial of Vesel Jahiri, the court heard that Anna Finnegan's brother, Karl Finnegan, was taken to James Connolly Memorial Hospital on 21 September 2012 with stab wounds to his chest and right temple. Dr Mayilone Arumuganasy, a consultant surgeon, testified that the chest wound caused a collapsed lung and that a CT scan revealed a skull fracture and damage to the eye orbit. Karl Finnegan had previously testified that he blacked out and woke with stab wounds after Mr Jahiri attacked him with a knife. Dr Arumuganasy explained that the knife had to penetrate the chest wall to collapse the lung, but could not determine the force used. The prosecution alleged that Mr Jahiri, who had been in a relationship with Anna for about ten years, stabbed her to death after a period of conflict. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Paul Coffey and a jury of nine men and two women. Vesel Jahiri pleaded not guilty. Anna Finnegan pleaded not guilty.
During a cold‑case murder trial in the Central Criminal Court, a witness named Geraldine Brennan testified that she saw the accused, 53‑year‑old John Joseph Malone, banging on the door of widowed pensioner Ann 'Nancy' Smyth's house on Wolfe Tone Street in Kilkenny City on the night of 10 September 1987. Brennan, who was living three doors down with her baby and parents, claimed she heard a male voice shouting, "Let me into the f***ing house. I just want to f***ing talk to you," and that Malone was angry and agitated. She said the banging lasted about half an hour, with Malone kicking the door and slamming the gate. Brennan had not reported the incident to Gardaí in 1987 because her mother advised her not to get involved. She later gave a statement in 2012 after a television reconstruction prompted her to reconsider. John Joseph Malone pleaded not guilty.
During the fifth week of his 35‑year‑old trial, Vesel Jahiri denied that he told former partner Anna Finnegan he would "get her" on a phone call the day before her death. The jury saw the third and fourth Garda interview videos recorded on 23 September 2023. Jahiri, who has pleaded not guilty to murdering Finnegan and assaulting her brother Karl, represented himself after dismissing his legal team. He denied telling Finnegan he would "get her" if she did not let him see their children by 6 pm on 21 September 2012, and denied threatening her family. The prosecution presented evidence that Finnegan had called Jahiri on 21 September, with her friend Janice O'Neill hearing the conversation. The case remains before Justice Paul Coffey and a nine‑man jury.
A jury has begun deliberating on the verdict in the trial of Latvian man Andresj Krauze, aged 31, who is accused of murdering fellow Latvian Juris Buls, 30, whose body was found in a drain in Galway. The alleged murder took place on an unknown date in July 2011. Krauze pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court. Justice Margaret Heneghan explained to the jury that there are three possible verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. She outlined the criteria for each verdict, including the requirement that the prosecution prove beyond reasonable doubt that Krauze intended to kill or cause serious injury and was not acting in self‑defence. The jury, composed of six men and six women, has spent one hour and 24 minutes deliberating and will return to court tomorrow.
During the fourth week of his trial at the Central Criminal Court, Vesel Jahiri, aged 35, cross‑examined Dr Hilary Clarke of Forensic Science Ireland. Jahiri sought to have the black‑handled kitchen knife he had handed to Cabra Garda Station on the night after the alleged attack on Anna Finnegan re‑tested for DNA in his presence, claiming a possible mistake. Dr Clarke had previously testified that DNA matching Anna Finnegan's profile was found on the knife's tip and edge, with a probability of less than one in a thousand million that it came from anyone else. Jahiri questioned whether the knife was involved in a fight with Karl Finnegan and whether other knives existed at Allendale Glen. The judge terminated the cross‑examination, and the trial continues before Mr Justice Coffey and a jury of nine men and two women. Vesel Jahiri pleaded not guilty.
In a cold‑case murder trial, the Central Criminal Court heard that 69‑year‑old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth was strangled and suffered head injuries before a fire was set in her Kilkenny home on 11 September 1987. The accused, 53‑year‑old John Joseph Malone of Newpark, pleaded not guilty. State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy presented evidence from the post‑mortem, noting burns on the left side of the body, bruising and hemorrhages around the eye, and a horizontal pressure mark on the back of the neck. Professor Harbison's examination confirmed fresh bleeding and no soot in the respiratory tract, indicating death by asphyxia due to manual strangulation before the fire. The court also heard testimony from first responders who observed the fire and the scene, noting suspicious circumstances and the presence of a dead dog. The trial continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury.
During the trial of Vesel Jahiri at the Central Criminal Court, Dr Hilary Clarke of Forensic Science Ireland presented DNA evidence linking Anna Finnegan to a blood‑stained black‑handled kitchen knife. The knife was voluntarily handed over by Jahiri, aged 35, at Cabra Garda Station the night after the alleged attack on Anna Finnegan, aged 25, at Allendale Glen, Clonsilla, on 21 September 2012. Clarke swabbed two areas of light blood on the knife's tip and edge, and both DNA profiles matched Anna Finnegan's. She also reported that DNA from blood on a Ford Focus car seat, from the driveway of a neighbouring house, and from the sleeves of Jahiri's jacket and jeans matched Karl Finnegan, who was also assaulted by Jahiri on the same night. The evidence was given before Mr Justice Paul Coffey and a jury of nine men and two women. The trial continues. Vesel Jahiri pleaded not guilty.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 23 March 2017, a protected witness, Tom Lillis, testified that he cleaned up blood from a kitchen after a man allegedly had his foot nailed to the floor. Lillis said he saw the accused assaulting and falsely imprisoning 53‑year‑old Dan Quilligan at a house in Limerick on the day of the alleged assault. The prosecution alleged that three men were involved in a joint enterprise, with Mark Heffernan (32) pleading not guilty to assault and false imprisonment. Lillis described being told to leave the house, returning to find blood spattered across the kitchen, and cleaning it with bleach and tea towels over about 30 minutes. He also claimed another man asked him to dispose of two white suits, which he threw over a high wall 300 yards away.
The cold-case trial of John Joseph Malone, 53, is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy. Malone, of Newpark in Kilkenny City, has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of 69-year-old Ann 'Nancy' Smyth on 11th September 1987 at her home on Wolfe Tone Street in Kilkenny City. The matter is currently at the trial stage and has not been finalised. Witness Desmond Murphy, the deceased's nephew, testified that he was unaware of any money-lending issues, stating he was 'flabbergasted' to hear such questions. He noted that Smyth's sisters-in-law had assisted her with daily needs. Ann Lahart, a bartender who served Smyth on the evening before her death, described her as a 'lovely person' and a regular customer. Security guard Dermot Fennelly reported seeing smoke and flames from the house, prompting a call to the Gardaí. Firefighter Anthony Lacey testified that he and colleagues used a sledgehammer to break the Yale lock to enter. He described intense smoke and poor visibility, stating he stumbled over a body while searching. A doctor's statement confirmed death was pronounced at St Luke's Hospital, noting the deceased was in day clothes with a blackened face. The trial continues and is expected to last more than three weeks.
During the fourth week of the 35‑year‑old Vesel Jahiri's trial, the court heard that he had told Gardaí there was no point in living if his former partner, Anna Finnegan, was dead. The video interview, shown to a Central Criminal Court jury, revealed that Jahiri, originally from Kosovo and now self‑represented, had no problem with Finnegan but claimed a problem with her sister and husband, who allegedly urged her to go to a refuge. Jahiri said he did not stab Finnegan and described the killing as a "bad accident." He also stated he could not cry, citing the loss of his mother and sister. Jahiri denied seeing Finnegan bleeding and claimed no blood was found in his car after driving her to hospital. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul Coffey, continues with a jury of nine men and two women, one of whom was discharged due to illness. Vesel Jahiri pleaded not guilty.
The jury in the Roy Webster murder trial will return to the Central Criminal Court to continue deliberations after spending just over six hours considering their verdict. Webster, 40, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of Anne Shortall, 47, at The Murrough, Co Wicklow. The State rejected his plea. At the jury's request, Justice Patrick McCarthy re‑read State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy's evidence and read a statement by Dr Stephen Clifford of Forensic Science Ireland.
A former Latvian policeman, Andresj Krauze, aged 31, is on trial in the Central Criminal Court for the murder of 30‑year‑old Juris Buls, whose body was found in a Galway drain near Glenamaddy. Krauze pleaded not guilty. The prosecution presented evidence that Buls had not shown up for work on the night of 7 July 2011 and that his girlfriend reported him missing, leading to the discovery of his body weeks later. The jury heard that Buls had previously alleged assault against Krauze. In March 2012, Latvian police officer Juris Gabrens testified via video link from Latvia, describing how he was contacted by Irish authorities regarding Buls's death and how he interviewed Krauze in prison on 9 March 2012. Gabrens noted that Krauze refused a solicitor, signed the interrogation minutes, and was warned of potential consequences for refusing to answer.
In a Dublin murder trial, Vesel Jahiri, 35, accused of killing his former partner Anna Finnegan, 25, and assaulting Karl Finnegan, has claimed collusion between Garda officers and witnesses. Jahiri, representing himself after dismissing his legal team, alleged that Detective Garda Brendan O'Hora had guided witnesses Karl Finnegan and Joan Broe to give specific statements. O'Hora denied any such guidance, stating he did not instruct witnesses. Jahiri also questioned why witnesses appeared to give conflicting accounts, but O'Hora refused to comment on evidence he had not collected. The court heard testimony from Finnegan, who described blacking out after a kitchen floor impact and later waking with stab wounds. The trial, presided over by Justice Paul Coffey, continues with a jury of nine men and three women. Vesel Jahiri pleaded not guilty.