Clinton Byrne, aged 44, was jailed for three and a half years after Garda surveillance uncovered €90,220 in criminal cash in a taxi at Fortunestown. The operation, triggered by confidential information, revealed Byrne transporting the money for a criminal organisation. Byrne had previously been convicted in April 2023 for moving €280,000 of heroin, receiving a four and a half year sentence with the final six months suspended. He was out on temporary release when the cash offence occurred. Byrne pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of the cash and wrote a letter to Judge Dara Hayes claiming he was coerced and that the job involved only a small amount of money unrelated to drugs. The judge noted the offence was aggravated by his temporary release status and suspended the final year of his earlier sentence, requiring him to keep the peace and engage with the Probation Service for a year after release.
A man will be sentenced later this year for stealing a car and using it to ram a garda vehicle 23 years ago. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Barry Lysaght (46), formerly of Charleville, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to one count of reckless endangerment and one count of the unauthorised taking of a car at a location near the South Circular Road on March 16, 2003. The court heard that Lysaght has been living in the UK for most of the past 23 years. Garda Damien Coleman told Aideen Collard, BL, prosecuting, that on the day in question, he was on patrol with now-retired Garda Michael Kiely at 12.16am when they saw a car being driven in an unusual manner on Parnell Road. The gardai activated the patrol car's blue lights and the car, driven by Lysaght, mounted the footpath, coming to a stop before accelerating and driving off. The car continued through red lights and narrowly avoided colliding with an oncoming taxi.
A murder trial jury has viewed CCTV footage showing Mark Carroll running from a house in north Dublin clutching his chest, followed by Derek Boyd, the accused in his murder. The footage, presented by Garda Ronan Kelly, showed Carroll arriving at the house on June 8, 2024, and spending time with his girlfriend Megan Rock and Boyd. At 5:30 pm, all three were seen outside the house. At 00:55 on June 9, Carroll was seen running from the house, followed by Rock, and then Boyd. Prosecuting counsel stated that no direct evidence of the stabbing would be presented, but jurors were asked to infer it occurred during the seven minutes between the two men's movements. The footage also showed Boyd leaving the house, shouting, and running back inside. He was later seen climbing over the roof and into a back garden before boarding a taxi. Boyd and his partner, Chantelle Harcourt, have both pleaded not guilty to the charges. The trial continues before Ms Justice Melanie Greally and a jury of seven men and five women.
A thief who threatened to shoot a taxi driver during a Christmas Eve hold-up has been jailed for an offence described as having a 'particular meanness' to it. David Delaney (26) pleaded guilty to theft at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He had 13 previous convictions and was on bail at the time of the incident. The taxi driver was targeted in the early hours of December 24, 2023, when Delaney demanded €90 or threatened to shoot him. Delaney also took the taxi driver's dash cam. His defense highlighted his difficult background and current efforts in custody. The judge noted the impact on the taxi driver, who suffered anxiety and stress, and imposed a two-year sentence with six months suspended. Delaney's sentence will be consecutive to his current two-year term for robbery.
A Romanian national, Costel Raducan, was jailed for 11 years after being convicted of burglary, rape, and attempted anal rape. The victim described the traumatic experience of being attacked in her own home by a man who had posed as a taxi driver. Raducan broke into her home and raped her after she had been left alone. The victim had to undergo a sexual assault examination and faced significant emotional and psychological trauma. Raducan denied the charges and claimed the victim had consented to the sexual act. The judge described the case as 'the stuff of nightmares' and noted the premeditated nature of the attack. The victim's impact statement highlighted the lasting effects of the crime on her life, including fear, panic attacks, and career setbacks. The court acknowledged the severity of the crime and the need for justice for the victim.
A Dublin taxi driver has been ordered to pay €12,000 to a visually impaired couple after refusing them service and driving off without them and their guide dog at Heuston Station in December 2024. Anthony Clarke and Lisa O'Donovan, both visually impaired, reported the incident to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), where they alleged the driver, Abiodun Dongo, was abusive and aggressive. The couple had travelled from Cork with Clarke's guide dog and approached Dongo at the taxi rank. Dongo allegedly reacted abruptly, refused to take the guide dog, and drove off without them. The WRC found that the couple had been discriminated against on grounds of disability and denied reasonable accommodation. Adjudication officer Valerie Murtagh upheld their complaints and ordered Dongo to pay €6,000 each. She also directed that Dongo comply with equality legislation in the future. The couple described the incident as highly embarrassing and humiliating, and the tribunal found them to be credible witnesses. The decision highlights the importance of accommodating individuals with disabilities and the consequences of failing to do so.
A hijacker who took part in the robbery of a taxi on the M50, which saw the driver try to escape on the busy motorway, has been jailed for three years. Judge Martin Nolan said it was lucky there was no collisions as a result of the incident, which took place close to the M50 Finglas junction on September 15, 2024. Robert Brogan (41) came forward on a signed guilty plea at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to one count of hijacking on that date. His co-accused has taken a bench warrant. Garda Gavin Campbell told the court that he was on patrol on the date in question when he noticed the driver's seat of a car open on the M50. An articulated lorry had just overtaken the car immediately prior to this, the court heard. The gardai pulled up behind the vehicle in question and found Brogan and a co-accused in the process of trying to hijack a taxi driver.
A man known as a 'predatory thief' has been jailed for three years after stealing a tourist's bank card and withdrawing €220 from an ATM in Dublin. Viorel Rostas, who has 79 previous convictions, was convicted of theft and cash fraud. The court heard that the tourist was drinking and got into a taxi with Rostas, who watched him enter his PIN at an ATM and then stole the card. Rostas used the card to withdraw money and was later identified by gardai. Despite his criminal history and high risk of reoffending, the judge noted that Rostas had a work history and had apologized for his actions. The judge described Rostas's behavior as predatory and deliberate, emphasizing that he targeted the victim with intent. Rostas was sentenced to three years in prison, with the judge acknowledging his personal circumstances but emphasizing the seriousness of the crime.
Felix Adedayo, 55, appealed his conviction for threatening and abusive behaviour, parking offences, running a red light and driving without due care. The District Court had fined him €400 for the abusive conduct, €150 for obstructing traffic, €250 for the red‑light violation and another €250 for careless driving, and disqualified him from driving for six months. In the appeal, Judge Simon McAleese found that Adedayo's testimony was a "pack of lies" and that his conduct was "bizarre, extraordinary and aggressive." The judge upheld the original fines and disqualification, noting that the charges were the most modest possible and that no custodial sentence was imposed. The judge also praised Sergeant Killian Murphy for handling the incident "even‑handed" and "utterly polite.".
A visually impaired woman described her panic during an incident of false imprisonment by a bogus taxi driver, stating her first thought was: "I guess this is just my turn." The defendant, Nicolae Zgherea (30), who has 11 previous convictions for road traffic offences, claimed he was unaware the victim was visually impaired. The court heard that the woman and her friend were waiting at a taxi rank when Zgherea approached, and the friend believed he was a legitimate driver. The woman entered his car, only to discover there was no taxi licence or meter. She asked Zgherea if he was a taxi driver, and when he confirmed he wasn't, she requested to be let out. Zgherea continued driving, and she called 999. The emergency operator asked him to pull over, which he eventually did. Zgherea pleaded guilty to false imprisonment. The court was told the incident had a significant impact on the woman's trust in others, independence, and confidence. She described the experience as terrifying and questioned whether she was targeted due to her disability or gender.
Luke Kruger, 25, was sentenced at Galway Circuit Criminal Court for two incidents of unauthorised vehicle taking and associated offences. He pleaded guilty to charges arising from April 24, 2021, and October 15, 2023. In the first incident, Kruger allegedly took a car with a female passenger, driving 55km before crashing in Connemara while she begged him to stop. In the second, he allegedly bit a taxi driver and damaged a second vehicle before fleeing. Judge Brian O'Callaghan imposed a headline sentence of three years for reckless endangerment, reduced to 12 months. For the taxi offences, he set a headline sentence of two and a half years, reduced to 18 months to run consecutively. The final nine months of this second sentence were suspended. Kruger was jailed for a total of one year and nine months. He was placed under Probation Services supervision for 18 months post-release. The sentence was backdated to January 17, when he entered custody. The judge noted Kruger frightened the passenger and displayed aggression towards the taxi driver, while acknowledging his age and addiction issues as mitigating factors.
Maria Muntean, 37, pleaded guilty to robbery and endangerment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court regarding a fake taxi scam in March 2023. The court heard that Muntean drove a vehicle while her son, Damit Rostas, lured a 19-year-old victim into the car. When a garda patrol appeared, the victim was pushed from the moving vehicle. Rostas was sentenced to 27 months in custody last year for his role. Muntean, who has 50 previous convictions, admitted the charges. Defense counsel Gregory Murphy BL submitted that Muntean acted as a follower, apologized on her behalf, and requested a suspended sentence, citing her care responsibilities for seven children, including one with serious medical issues. Judge Martin Nolan described the offense as serious and concluded that Muntean could not avoid a custodial term given her record. However, acknowledging the impact on her children, the judge adjourned finalisation until May to allow time for care arrangements to be made. Muntean was remanded on continuing bail pending the adjourned sentencing.
A driver who tailgated a stolen motorbike, leading to a fatal collision, has been jailed for three years. Andres Grans De Lima Sores (38) pleaded guilty to careless driving causing the death of Calvin Gilchrist (19) and failing to remain at the scene. The incident occurred on Finglas Road, Dublin, when Sores, driving a car, tailgated the motorbike for nearly 500 metres. Both vehicles crossed to the wrong side of the road, and an oncoming taxi attempted to avoid the collision but was involved in a crash with the motorbike. Mr. Gilchrist sustained serious cranial injuries and died in hospital. Sores fled the scene and was identified months later through CCTV footage. The court heard that Mr. Gilchrist was riding a stolen motorbike without a helmet, and his actions contributed to the tragedy. Judge Pauline Codd noted the serious nature of the case and the impact on Mr. Gilchrist's family, who expressed deep sorrow over his loss. Sores was also banned from driving for seven years and received a suspended sentence for leaving the scene.
A taxi driver, William O'Keeffe, accidentally struck a woman during a melee, leaving her with a permanent scar on her chin and requiring plastic surgery. O'Keeffe pleaded guilty to one count of affray at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The incident occurred in January 2022 when an altercation broke out with a group of younger people. During the course of the second interaction, O'Keeffe was knocked unconscious for about eight minutes. He regained consciousness and swung his arms, accidentally striking the woman's partner. The woman was left with a significant injury to her face, requiring plastic surgery and leaving her with a vertical scar from her lower chin to her chin. Judge Orla Crowe noted that the woman was "an utterly blameless innocent person" and that the injury had a "profound impact" on her. O'Keeffe expressed sincere remorse and offered €5,000 to the woman within six months. Judge Crowe set a headline sentence of three years but suspended it in full on the condition that O'Keeffe pay the woman €5,000 within six months.
A serial car-jacker, Shane Ward, was jailed for three and a half years after being identified through a live-stream of his crimes. Ward, who has 63 previous convictions, committed two car-jackings in Dublin, with the second occurring shortly after his release on bail. During the first incident, Ward and his accomplices approached a couple in a parked car, claiming to be gardai, and stole their vehicle. The second incident involved a taxi driver on Dame Street, where Ward assaulted the driver and stole the vehicle. The court heard that Ward was clearly identifiable in the live-stream footage. The victims described the emotional and physical impact of the crimes, with the taxi driver suffering lasting trauma and financial loss. Ward's defense highlighted his difficult upbringing and current efforts in addiction counseling. The judge noted the severity of the offenses and imposed a five and a half year sentence with two years suspended on strict conditions. Shane Ward pleaded guilty.
The Court of Appeal has ruled that Jim Connors (31) should not have received a fully suspended sentence for dangerous driving that caused serious harm to a taxi passenger and fleeing the scene. Ms Justice Tara Burns stated that the sentencing judge failed to impose a proportionate sentence for the serious nature of the offence. Connors, from Carrickmines, Dublin, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm and failing to assist the injured person. Judge Martina Baxter had initially imposed a four-and-a-half-year sentence, which she suspended in full on the condition that Connors keep the peace and be of good behaviour for five years. The DPP appealed, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient. The Court of Appeal agreed that the suspension was inappropriate, noting that the rehabilitation evidence was not exceptional enough to justify the full suspension. The court quashed the original sentence and resentenced Connors to four years and six months in prison, with a ten-year driving disqualification. A bench warrant was issued for Connors' arrest as he failed to appear for the resentencing.
The State has argued that the fully suspended sentences given to Jim Connors, a serial driving offender who caused a serious crash and later committed further offences, were too lenient. Connors, who had 36 previous convictions, including road traffic offences, was serving a six-year driving ban when he crashed into a taxi, leaving a passenger with serious injuries. He received a four-and-a-half-year suspended sentence for dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm and four-year suspended sentences for three counts of leaving the scene to escape liability. The sentences were concurrent and suspended for five years. The State also challenged a three-year suspended sentence for reckless endangerment, which occurred a month after the taxi crash. Connors had additional charges, including drug driving and driving without insurance. The State's counsel argued that the sentences were unduly lenient given the severity of the offences and Connors' disregard for court orders. Connors' defence highlighted his cooperation, mental health issues, and rehabilitation efforts. The Court of Appeal reserved its decision until December 1.
In the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice Peter Charleton dismissed Feliks Andrianov's appeal against his conviction for assault causing harm. Andrianov, who represented himself, had argued that subsidised jury lunches created bias, but the judge found no rational basis for such a claim. He also rejected Andrianov's allegations of judicial bias, claims that the judge had created a "psychological relation" with the jury, and that the judge had allowed the court to view videos of the assault. The judge noted that the evidence from body‑cam and CCTV was admissible and that Andrianov's statements about the judge and his own actions were unfounded. The appeal was rejected, and the original sentence of 18 months suspended for 18 months was upheld. The case remains at the trial stage, with no further review of the sentence requested.
Five bus and taxi operators from Limerick, Tipperary, Clare, South Galway and Waterford have gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court. They pleaded not guilty to a single charge under the Competition Act 2002, alleging that between 1 November 2014 and 31 December 2016 they engaged in a concerted practice that prevented, restricted or distorted competition in school transport services. The prosecution is by the Competition Authority. Mr Justice David Keane empanelled a jury of seven men and five women; the trial is expected to last up to six weeks.
In a High Court personal injury case, the wife of Dr Martin Lawlor, a 49‑year‑old consultant psychiatrist who died after being hit by a taxi on 15 December 2018, secured a settlement. The case was brought against taxi driver Denis McSweeney, who had been convicted of hit‑and‑run and sentenced to four years' imprisonment, later reduced on appeal. McSweeney, now deceased, was replaced by Axa Insurance in the proceedings. Judge Emily Egan ordered the settlement, struck out the case, and awarded costs to the plaintiff. Dr Helen Murphy Lawlor, represented by senior counsel, alleged that McSweeney knowingly collided with her husband, left the scene recklessly, and showed no concern for his condition. The judge described the matter as "very, very sad" and expressed condolences to the Lawlor family. The case was resolved with the settlement and the striking out of the action.
Jason Desmond, 32, of Donaghmede, was denied bail after being charged with hijacking a taxi, false imprisonment and theft. On 25 July 2025, at about 1.21 am, he allegedly entered a taxi on Malahide Road, demanded to be taken to Circle K, and after the driver stopped, a group entered the shop and stole nearly €1,000 worth of alcohol and energy drinks. Desmond is accused of producing a kitchen knife to intimidate the driver, refusing to pay the €40 fare, and taking the stolen goods to a property in Priorswood, where Gardaí found the men asleep with the items strewn across the apartment. He was arrested at Coolock Garda Station and admitted to theft‑related offences. The judge cited the seriousness of the allegations, strong evidence, potential custodial sentence and risk of further offences, and sent the case to the Circuit Court for trial.
A 55‑year‑old taxi driver, Feliks Andrianov, appealed his conviction for assaulting a security guard at a McDonald's restaurant near Dublin Airport. He argued that the jury's subsidised lunch created a "psychological relation" with the State, biasing the verdict, and that the trial judge was biased by questioning the jury about their meal. Andrianov claimed his defence team failed to present a legitimate defence, that CCTV footage was admitted without verification, and that he was denied the right to finish his testimony. He also alleged misdirection regarding the offence under the Non‑Fatal Offences Act and that his counsel had not followed his instructions. The Director of Public Prosecutions countered that the judge's rulings were justified and that the evidence was admissible. The court will reserve judgment on the appeal.
Raymond Nevin, a salesman from the Travelling Community, secured €7,500 in compensation from the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) for workplace discrimination at CPF (Profiles) Ltd in Longford. Adjudicator Anne McElduff found that the company maintained a "culture and tolerance" of derogatory terminology towards Travellers. Mr Nevin alleged that during his two-and-a-half-week employment in June 2024, he overheard the managing director use terms such as "pikeys" and "tinkers" in phone calls and make remarks about a Traveller customer. The MD, who was not named in the decision, denied discrimination but admitted he "may" have used the word "pikey" on one occasion, while stating he did not recall the other alleged remarks. The adjudicator also found that the employer had "probed" Mr Nevin's background during his May 2024 interview by asking if he was related to the "Taxi Nevins," a local settled family, to determine his Traveller status. While the MD claimed these questions were to assess worker reliability, the WRC determined his community membership was a consideration in the hiring process. The award, equivalent to nearly 19 weeks' wages, was made under the Employment Equality Act 1998. A separate complaint under the National Minimum Wage Act 2000 was dismissed because Mr Nevin had not sought a statement of his hourly earnings as required by legislation.
James Duffy, a part‑time taxi driver and pensioner from Finglas, has pleaded not guilty to a charge that he brought 14,000 cigarettes into Ireland without paying excise duty. The alleged offence, which would amount to over €11,000 in duty, is said to have occurred on 26 April 2024 at Dublin Airport. Duffy's lawyers applied to the High Court for a judicial review of the summons issued to him, arguing that the summons lacked written information on his procedural rights under EU regulations. They contend that this omission prevented Duffy from making an informed decision when he represented himself and entered a not‑guilty plea. The High Court granted permission for the challenge, stayed the Circuit Court proceedings, and adjourned the matter to October, with a trial date set for next April. The case remains pending in the Circuit Court.
In a High Court hearing, Garda Commissioner Kilda Mooney argued that the Dublin District Court's March order to discover documents and costs for 38 non‑national taxi licence applicants was beyond the court's jurisdiction. The Commissioner, acting as the licensing authority, contended that the court was not deciding civil matters but licensing suitability. She noted that voluntary disclosures had already been made by Gardaí to the refused applicants. The High Court granted a stay on the District Court orders and adjourned the case to October. The appeal concerns the 'suitability' of the applicants to hold Small Public Service Vehicle licences, a matter the Commissioner says must consider public safety, character, and immigration status as outlined in the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. The case remains under judicial review.
In a tribunal hearing, the Workplace Relations Commission ruled that Free Now Ireland Ltd could not be held liable for the conduct of a taxi driver who allegedly spat at passenger Amit Chawla on 17 March 2024 at Heuston Station. Chawla, an Irish citizen of Indian origin who uses a walking stick, claimed the driver made discriminatory remarks about his race, disability and sexual orientation, and refused service. The driver reportedly identified Chawla by his walking stick, asked if he was Indian, made comments about his sexuality, and after hanging up shouted further remarks before spitting. Free Now's lawyers argued the company had no responsibility for self‑employed drivers, citing the Taxi Regulation Act 2013. The tribunal found Free Now had no control over the driver and that vicarious liability did not arise, rejecting the complaint as fundamentally flawed. The company had only provided a booking and payment platform. The decision was delivered by adjudication officer Maire Mulcahy.
Wayne Judge, 33, a repeat offender with 123 prior convictions, had his five‑month custodial sentence for criminal damage on July 28 2023 replaced by a fully suspended ten‑month term on appeal. Judge had previously pleaded guilty in the District Court to five counts of criminal damage, one count of theft, one of trespassing and one of public intoxication. The offences involved smashing windows of an Audi, a Renault Kadjar, a Toyota and a second Toyota, and stealing a pair of Ray‑Ban sunglasses. The incidents occurred on Hampton Wood Court, Mayeston Rise and Hampton Wood Road in Finglas, and a taxi in Dubbercoss. Judge's sentence was made consecutive to a two‑year custodial term he is currently serving for another matter. The appeal court, after hearing the case, imposed a ten‑month suspended sentence to be supervised by the probation service for two years.
Tammy O'Connor, 29, of Craigie Court, Finglas, Dublin 11, pleaded guilty to criminal damage, arson and theft after she set her neighbour's taxi on fire. The victim, a taxi driver, discovered his car's front passenger window smashed and rear tyres slashed at 1.30 am on 4 July 2023, with €100 in a coin tray and a dash‑cam taken. On 28 July, he found the car's interior on fire after a fire alarm sounded. Gardaí obtained CCTV showing O'Connor smashing the window and throwing a homemade pipe bomb, which she had Googled after receiving an eviction notice. She admitted the act, citing stress, addiction and mental‑health difficulties. Judge Elva Duffy sentenced her to two and a half years, suspending the final 18 months on strict conditions, including 18 months of probation engagement. The sentence reflects the recklessness of the offence and the impact on the victim.
Gary Murphy, 40, of Rosemount Park, Dundrum, was sentenced to three months in prison after pleading guilty at Dún Laoghaire District Court to driving while banned, uninsured and unlicensed on 17 April 2025. He was caught driving his partner's car, which had been parked at his home, on the Green Route in Dundrum. Murphy, who is serving a 10‑year driving ban, chose to drive instead of taking a taxi while his partner was experiencing a medical emergency elsewhere. The court noted his 101 previous convictions, including public order offences, criminal damage, assault, breaches of the Weapons Act, dangerous driving, drink‑driving and driving without insurance, making this his 102nd conviction and third for driving without insurance. He was under probation supervision at the time of the offence, works full‑time as a digger operator, pays rent to his father and supports two children aged one and 20.
During a sentence hearing in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a woman in her 20s gave a victim impact statement about being sexually assaulted by taxi driver Samir Lakhlef, 53, who had a prior sexual assault conviction. She said she had chosen a taxi for safety, trusting the driver, but was touched on her leg and thigh while in the vehicle. She later walked to a nearby house, pretended it was her home, and was left alone in the taxi. She called her mother and was helped by a passer‑by. Gardaí obtained CCTV showing a silver Toyota Prius, Lakhlef's registered car, and DNA evidence linking him to the victim's clothing. Lakhlef pleaded guilty to sexual assault on 13 February 2022. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three‑year sentence, refusing to suspend any portion, citing the driver's position of trust and his previous convictions. The woman expressed ongoing fear of using taxis alone and the impact on her life.
Michael Keane, a former professional footballer aged 42, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for sexually assaulting a 20‑year‑old college student while driving her in his taxi to Bull Island. The victim was forced to pay a €77.77 fare after the assault. Keane had previously been convicted in the UK for theft and assault causing actual bodily harm. He pleaded guilty in November 2023, after initially denying the allegation. The court noted the victim's fear, shock and ongoing trauma, and that Keane had lost his taxi licence and was now on social welfare. Keane's lawyers presented testimonials from former club associates and family, arguing the offence was out of character and a one‑off incident. The judge imposed the custodial term without a suspended portion, citing the aggravating circumstances of the victim's vulnerability and Keane's role as a taxi driver.
Jason Wosser, also known as Jason Bonney, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a number of charges including robbery, attempted robbery, and threats to kill or cause serious harm. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a 10-year sentence but suspended the final year on strict conditions. Prosecution counsel Fiona Pekaar BL alleged that Wosser robbed two taxi drivers on separate occasions, threatening one with a knife and punching another in the face. He was also accused of kicking a man in Smithfield Square and robbing a student of his phone in Merchant's Arch. Wosser has 96 previous convictions. Defence counsel Ian Woodland BL described the defendant as deeply apologetic, citing a drug addiction that began at age 12 following his brother's death in a house fire, as well as ADHD and dyslexia. Judge Sheahan noted that two prior robberies involved vulnerable young men and gratuitous violence. She identified aggravating factors, including the seriousness and repeated nature of the offending, the fact that Wosser was on bail, and the harm caused to the injured parties. The judge acknowledged the value of the early plea to the victims and noted the defendant's desire to seek employment upon release, though she had no discretion over his place of imprisonment.
The trial of Brian Ibe, 23, accused of murdering Peter Kennedy, a 65-year-old 'Good Samaritan', is ongoing before Ms Justice Melanie Greally. Ibe has pleaded not guilty to murder by reason of insanity and not guilty by reason of insanity to a charge of assault causing harm to Garda Brendan O'Donnell. The defence, led by Conor Devally SC, argued that Ibe was suffering from schizophrenic psychosis at the time of the alleged offence, citing evidence from two psychiatrists. Conversely, the prosecution, represented by Paul Carroll SC, presented Dr Mary Davoren, who diagnosed Ibe with a dis-social personality disorder and contended he understood the nature of his actions. The jury heard conflicting expert opinions regarding Ibe's mental state, with the defence highlighting prior behavioural evidence of psychosis and the prosecution pointing to deliberate, complex actions such as taking a taxi to the scene. The matter remains at the trial stage, with the judge set to begin her charge to the jury on Monday. No verdict, sentence, or finalisation has been recorded; the case is currently awaiting the jury's decision.
Muhammad Butt, a 44-year-old taxi driver from Blanchardstown, Dublin 12, has lost his appeal against a conviction for careless driving under section 52 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961. Butt had pleaded not guilty to the charge, which alleged he struck a pregnant woman on Queen Street, Smithfield, on August 19, 2023. The District Court Appeals Court heard that the injured party, Mary Collins, was five months pregnant at the time and suffered a large bruise to her stomach. Collins testified that the vehicle hit her as she crossed the road, while Butt claimed she appeared suddenly and threw herself onto his car after he attempted to avoid her. Garda Stephen Lacey reported visible injuries to Collins and damage to Butt's vehicle. Judge Fiona O'Sullivan affirmed the lower court's findings, accepting the prosecution's evidence that Butt pulled out of his lane without indicating and accelerated. The judge found that Butt was driving with a lack of care and attention. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed, and the original District Court order was upheld, requiring Butt to pay a fine of 110 euro within 12 months.
Dublin man Glen Ward, aged 32, pleaded guilty before a three‑judge Special Criminal Court to possessing a .223 calibre Remington AR‑15 semi‑automatic rifle at a Finglas house on 1 January 2022. Video from a phone seized by gardai showed the weapon fired. Ward's brother, Eric O'Driscoll, 23, had earlier pleaded guilty to possession of the same rifle. In February 2022, gardai searched a Finglas home and recovered the AR‑15, a military‑grade sub‑machine gun and ammunition, all in good condition and successfully fired by a ballistics examiner. A later unrelated search of a taxi on Tolka Valley Road yielded a bank card in O'Driscoll's name and a phone linked to the defendant. Analysts found a clip on the phone showing O'Driscoll taking the AR‑15 from another man and firing it from the rear of the Finglas house, and another clip showing the seized firearms laid out on a table at the same address.
During the trial, the jury examined CCTV footage that the prosecution claims shows Rachel Redmond checking Wayne Cooney into the Clayton Hotel near Dublin Airport on the night of May 22, 2019, the same night Jordan Davis was shot dead in Darndale. The footage shows a Ford Focus arriving at the hotel at 00:03, Redmond booking a room with her name and credit card, and Cooney leaving the car to stay the night. Later footage shows Cooney exiting the hotel at 11:39, taking a taxi to the AUL Sports Centre, and returning to the same Ford Focus at 11:49. The prosecution also presented evidence of Cooney's tattoos, including a series of €50 bank notes and the Ha'penny Bridge on his right hand, a crown with "RR" on his left hand, and other markings on his legs. The unnamed man pleaded not guilty.
Badruzzaman Masum, a 47-year-old taxi driver from Swords, Co Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for the sexual assault of an 18-year-old passenger. Masum pleaded guilty to the charge, which relates to an incident on November 27, 2024. Prosecution evidence presented by Garda Ciara Ryan alleged that Masum touched the victim's thigh, made crude sexual comments, and roughly groped her breast as she exited the vehicle. The victim had ordered the taxi via an app, and Masum was identified through CCTV and app analysis. Although Masum made no admissions during his interview, he has expressed remorse and has not worked as a taxi driver since entering his plea. Judge Patricia Ryan noted the significant breach of trust and the victim's young age as aggravating factors, while acknowledging Masum's lack of previous convictions. The court imposed a two-year custodial sentence. Additionally, Masum was ordered to be placed on the sex offender's register. The matter was finalised with this sentence.
Philip Crowley, 33, of Lein Park, Raheny, was sentenced to three years in prison with the final 16 months suspended on strict conditions after pleading guilty to assault causing harm for stabbing a man twice in the back of his head. The incident occurred on 22 October 2021 when the victim was walking his seven‑month‑old baby and encountered Crowley, who had just exited a taxi. A tussle ensued, and after the victim left the house, Crowley pursued him, striking him with a knife. The victim required stitches for two wounds and was taken to hospital by ambulance. Crowley had previously been convicted 12 times for drug possession and traffic offences. He offered apologies to the victim and the Gardaí, wrote a letter of apology, and paid €5,000 to the victim. The court accepted his remorse and noted his supportive family and former sporting background.
David McNamara, aged 24, was sentenced to five years in prison at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for a series of violent offences. He pleaded guilty to assaulting his 16‑year‑old girlfriend in September 2019, to assaulting a second girlfriend and coercive control of her between 17 and 19 July 2023, to hijacking a taxi and threatening to stab the driver on 20 July 2023, and to possession of cocaine and heroin for sale at the time of his arrest on 5 September 2023. The court heard that McNamara had repeatedly failed to appear for court dates, was granted bail twice, and that armed support and a helicopter were required to surround his Tallaght home before he was finally arrested. He denied the allegations of violence and coercion, but the judge noted the seriousness of the assaults and the threats made to the taxi driver.
A 33‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to four and a half years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to a threat to kill and assault causing harm. The court heard he repeatedly threatened to kill the mother of his child and her family, and that he had kicked her to the head during a taxi ride and later forced his way into her home, assaulting her and threatening to burn her house. He had 84 prior convictions, mainly for assault. Garda Darragh Cullen reported that the woman had alerted police and the man was arrested after a second assault. Judge Martin Nolan described the defendant as intemperate and noted his history of serious violence, giving full credit for time already spent in custody.
A woman denied that any consensual sexual contact occurred with the three men accused of raping and sexually assaulting her. The men, aged 34 to 42, have pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault at an unknown location in a car and in a Dublin house on 31 August 2019. In her direct evidence, the woman said she was out socialising with a friend when she met the men at a Dublin nightclub, that she believed she had been drugged, and that she was raped twice in a vehicle she thought was a taxi and once in a bed in a house with a man on top of her. She woke the next morning in bed with a man sleeping beside her before leaving the house. She stated she had no recollection of any consensual sexual activity with any of the accused and that she did not remember any conversation with them.
In a High Court damages case, Ms Nikita Hand, the complainant, testified that she cannot recall the CCTV footage from the Beacon hotel showing her and co‑defendant James Lawrence after the alleged rapes on 9 December 2018, and that she was "very drunk" at the time. The footage, shown to a jury, depicts Mr Conor McGregor, Ms Hand, and Ms Hand's friend exiting the hotel in a black BMW at 6.15 pm, with Ms Hand and Mr Lawrence remaining in the car park. Later, at 6.18 pm, the pair return, appearing inebriated and barefoot. The footage also shows them carrying drinks, hugging in the lift, and eventually leaving the hotel in a taxi. Ms Hand repeatedly stated she had no memory of these events. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Alexander Owens, continues with a jury of eight women and four men. The defendants deny the allegations.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 1 November 2024, Feliks Andrianov, 54, was found guilty of assault causing harm after an incident at a McDonald's restaurant near Dublin Airport on 5 July 2019. The case involved a security guard, Michael Norris, who had clamped Andrianov's taxi after the driver left the car to visit a nearby Circle K. Andrianov returned, confronted the guard, and grabbed him, resulting in a dislocated left shoulder for Norris. Andrianov claimed he had been struck first, but CCTV and body‑cam footage showed no contact from the guard. The prosecution presented a victim impact statement detailing Norris's injuries and subsequent employment loss. Judge Elma Sheahan, noting the seriousness of the offence and mitigating factors such as Andrianov's good character and family ties, sentenced him to 18 months' imprisonment, suspended in full for 18 months. Andrianov represented himself at the sentencing hearing.
A 41‑year‑old man, Mihail Ciorici, was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with the final year suspended for two years, after pleading guilty to rape and oral rape of a college student in Fermoy, Co. Cork. The victim, who was intoxicated and attempting to hail a taxi, was taken from a car, raped, and left to survive in freezing conditions. She was found the next morning in an abandoned house, critically hypothermic and covered in cuts and bruises. Ciorici had previously been convicted of drunk driving, theft and a Moldovan conviction for assault and false imprisonment. The court noted the victim's lack of a victim impact statement and her desire not to engage further with the case. The sentencing considered his guilty plea and family support, and he was ordered to undergo five years of post‑release supervision. The case was prosecuted by Anne Rowland SC.
Donna Dineen, aged 28, was sentenced to five years and three months in prison for hijacking a taxi on 26 July 2023. She used a seat belt to choke the driver, who was in his late 60s, and then dragged him out, punching or kicking him before driving off. The victim was left battered and bruised and has not returned to taxi driving. Dineen pleaded guilty to unlawful seizure of a vehicle and assault causing harm. The judge noted the brutality of the assault and the victim's inability to resume work, but also acknowledged Dineen's rehabilitation efforts. The final nine months of the sentence were suspended on strict conditions, including 12 months of probation supervision. Her co‑accused, Gillian Byrne, will be sentenced separately next year after pleading guilty to the same offences. The court heard Byrne had called 999 voluntarily and expressed remorse. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Jim Connors, 30, a banned driver with 36 prior convictions, was sentenced by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a fully suspended term of four and a half years. The sentence, imposed by Judge Martina Baxter, is suspended on the condition that Connors keep the peace and exhibit good behaviour for five years, and he must engage with the Probation Service for two years and undergo any treatment deemed necessary, including drug rehabilitation. Connors pleaded guilty to five charges, including dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm, driving without a licence, and failing to assist a passenger after a collision. The collision occurred on 19 February 2022 when Connors ran a red light and struck a taxi, causing the passenger to sustain multiple fractures and the taxi driver to suffer soft‑tissue injuries. Connors was arrested in June 2022 and made no admissions to gardai. The court received CCTV footage, witness statements, and evidence of Connors' prior alcohol‑addiction treatment.
Naveed Rana, 42, of Newcastle, Co Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to three counts of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman in his taxi in October last year. The court heard the victim feared for her life during the incident, which involved erratic driving and forced sexual acts. Judge Elma Sheahan described the offending as serious, noting Rana breached his position of trust and caused significant harm to a vulnerable victim. The judge highlighted that Rana was on bail for a serious drug offence at the time of the attack, for which he later received community service. While acknowledging mitigating factors such as his early guilty plea, remorse, and family circumstances, Judge Sheahan declined to suspend any portion of the sentence due to his status on bail. Rana was handed a five-and-a-half-year custodial sentence. The matter was finalised with this sentence, with no adjournment recorded.
A pregnant woman, Hijacker Gillian Byrne (38), is to be sentenced later this month for her role in hijacking a taxi and assaulting the driver in the Phoenix Park on July 26, 2023. Byrne pleaded guilty to the unlawful seizure of a vehicle and assault causing harm. A co-accused woman is to be sentenced next week for the same offences and the additional charge of falsely imprisoning the taxi-driver. Byrne has 12 previous convictions, including a four-year-suspended sentence for a prior vehicle seizure. Counsel said Byrne had requested to be sentenced separately to her co-accused in this case and that she had allegedly been assaulted by associates of the other woman close to the court. The court heard that Byrne rang 999 immediately after the incident to inform gardaí about the offence and her role in it. A prosecuting garda agreed with Mark Lynam SC, defending, that Byrne had a 'passive role' in the hijacking and the assault and had not known they were about to happen. The matter was adjourned for finalisation on October 24.
Raymond Shorten, aged 50, was sentenced by Mr Justice Paul McDermott to a total of 30 years in prison for a series of sexual offences. The sentence comprises a 17‑year term for raping a 19‑year‑old woman on 26 June 2022 and a 13‑year term for raping a 20‑year‑old woman on 9 August 2022, both to run consecutively with a 13‑year sentence for the rape and sexual assault of a seven‑year‑old girl in 2012. The judge noted Shorten's lack of remorse and described the offences as a gross betrayal of the trust placed in taxi drivers. He imposed no suspended portion and added a ten‑year post‑release supervision period, prohibiting contact with the victims or unsupervised contact with children. The sentencing highlighted the severity of the crimes and the danger posed by Shorten to society. Raymond Shorten was convicted.
Raymond Shorten, a 50‑year‑old Dublin taxi driver, was sentenced to 13 years' imprisonment for raping a seven‑year‑old girl in 2022, a crime committed days after the child's mother's funeral. The judge, Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, highlighted the victim's extreme vulnerability and the lack of compassion shown by Shorten, noting that he "couldn't have cared less" about the long‑term pain inflicted. The sentence was reduced by one year from an initial 14‑year headline to 13 years, back‑dated to the date Shorten entered custody on 22 August 2022. Shorten also faces additional rape and sexual assault convictions from other incidents involving young women that occurred in the same year, but those sentences are pending. He remains in custody and has been working in the prison laundry under an enhanced regime.