A 51‑year‑old Limerick man, who called Gardaí to report that he had tried to kill his 66‑year‑old neighbour, will be sentenced next week for attacking and sexually assaulting her. He entered the woman's Cork home just after nine that evening, asking her to share wine. He then became violent, putting a cushion over her face, pulling down her pyjamas and sexually assaulting her. The woman was taken to hospital where bruises were found on her jaw, neck, knee, thigh, upper inner thigh near her genital area and a cut to her vagina. She gave evidence to the jury but the man pleaded guilty to sexual assault and not guilty to rape. He has four prior convictions for assault and theft. He was remanded in custody pending sentencing. The woman's life has been profoundly affected, and she now relies on medication and precautions to feel safe.
Dylan Cahill, aged 24, of Lower Irishtown, Clonmel, County Tipperary, received a six-year sentence at the Special Criminal Court following guilty pleas to weapons and explosives charges. On 13 May 2015, gardaí conducting traffic enforcement stopped a vehicle near Glefarne, County Leitrim after reports of fuel theft. A search of the maroon Volkswagen Passat uncovered a plastic shopping bag containing a .380 calibre semi-automatic pistol, four rounds of matching ammunition, and two improvised explosive devices. Cahill, the driver, pleaded guilty to possession of the firearm and ammunition, and to possession of the pipe-bombs at the same location. During interview, he stated he was unaware of the weapon's intended purpose. Gardaí assessed the items were being transported in connection with IRA activities. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, presiding with two colleagues, imposed concurrent sentences of six years, with the final year suspended, on each count.
Stephen Penrose, 35, of No Fixed Abode, was charged with attempted robbery and possession of a screwdriver after an incident in a supermarket car park in Kilcock, Co Kildare on 14 May. He had been remanded in custody following a 17 May appearance at Naas District Court and sought bail in the High Court on 26 June. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Ward BL, argued that the State objected to bail on several grounds, citing the O'Callaghan principles and Section 2A of the Bail Act. Ward cited concerns that Penrose was a flight risk, might commit further offences, and could interfere with witnesses. He referenced statements from Chief Superintendent Gerard Roche and Detective Sergeant Aidan Hannon of Leixlip Garda Station. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy considered the evidence and, under Section 2 of the Bail Act, refused the bail application, stating the refusal was necessary to prevent the commission of a further serious offence.
A 40‑year‑old Lithuanian man, Vytautas Tarasevicius, was found in possession of "card trapping" equipment and images of ATM machines on his iPhone, which Gardaí believed were intended for use in ATM thefts. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the equipment with the intention of using it in a theft that occurred in Howth on 1 March 2016. Tarasevicius has seven prior convictions. The judge, Karen O'Connor, noted his voluntary community work and a medical report of health difficulties, and decided to impose 240 hours of community service in lieu of an 18‑month prison sentence, to be completed within one year. The case was adjourned to October to assess his suitability for community service before the order is affirmed. The court also heard that a co‑accused, Deividas Sevcenko, had received a similar sentence for his role in the same incident.
Dubliner Jason Kennedy (45) pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery at Park Pharmacy, Cabinteely, and stealing two USB keys at Shankill Garda station on August 18, 2016. Kennedy, of Butlers Place, Benson Street, has 43 previous convictions. The court heard that Kennedy had been clean of drugs for a number of years but had suffered a 'slip' at the time of these offences. Garda Desmond Molloy stated that Kennedy, armed with a hammer, threatened staff at the pharmacy before making off with €500 in cash and a large quantity of prescription drugs. He was arrested after being spotted in an Audi with a large dent in the door, and Garda recovered a large amount of medication in the car, as well as the clothes worn in the robbery and the hammer. Kennedy was taken to Shankill Garda Station for questioning, where footage revealed that he stole the USB keys while the garda was out of the room. Kennedy returned the USB keys and told gardaí 'it was only a joke.' Olan Callanan BL, defending, said that Kennedy had been assessed as suitable for a place in Coolmine residential treatment centre and asked the court to allow him the opportunity to attend. Judge Karen O'Connor adjourned sentencing until next week to hear further detail in relation to the drug rehabilitation course.
Two men, Jordan Carthy (22) and Shane Walsh (18), pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and robbery of two necklaces worth €22,000 at Dame Lane, Dublin 2 on 9 September 2016. The victim, Richard Bergin, was attacked by three men after a night out and had his bag stolen. The bag contained the necklaces, which he had borrowed for his aunt from a jewellery shop where he worked. Garda Frank Johnson identified the accused on CCTV footage, noting that the men repeatedly kicked Bergin while he was on the ground and that Carthy performed a taunting dance. Walsh took the bag and was later arrested in Stephen's Green, where he was found wearing one of the necklaces and a jacket belonging to Carthy. Both men were intoxicated at the time of the assault and claimed they did not remember the incident. They were out on bail when the incident occurred.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 19 June 2017, 39‑year‑old Alan Daly pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at Dunnes Stores, Ongar Village, on 13 March 2016. Daly, who had 13 prior convictions, was armed with an imitation firearm described as a "BB gun" and a co‑accused carried a knife. The pair entered the store with balaclavas, but Daly remained at the door while the co‑accused approached the tills. Staff alerted security, who pursued the men. Both fled empty‑handed and were arrested in a car that had been taken from its owners' house earlier that day. Garda Peter Foley recovered the imitation firearm, a large kitchen knife and balaclava. Daly's defence argued he had been compelled by criminals to repay a drug‑related debt and had acted in desperation after being assaulted. The judge adjourned sentencing to allow further consideration of the case and reports.
In a 2017 sentencing hearing, the Central Criminal Court adjourned the case of 34‑year‑old Robert Maguire, who had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and false imprisonment of his ex‑girlfriend on 14 January 2012. The judge, Mr Justice Paul Butler, received an anonymous letter urging that Maguire be "sent away for life" and was placed in a difficult position. He ordered a probation report after the defence requested a community service assessment, and the case was remanded for a further bail mention on 3 July. The victim, a 30‑year‑old woman, described severe trauma and the assault's lasting impact. Maguire's previous convictions included a 240‑hour community service sentence for theft. The court noted the defence's request for community service and the judge's need for a probation assessment before proceeding. The hearing ended with the case postponed for further consideration.
Keith Chrystal, aged 28, was convicted at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court for robbery, assault causing harm, possession of an imitation firearm, unlawful use of a vehicle and criminal damage following a raid on Leighlinbridge Post Office on 3 March 2016. He pleaded guilty and was originally sentenced to an effective two‑and‑a‑half‑year term by Judge Carmel Doyle on 20 July 2016. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient. In the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice John Edwards re‑sentenced Chrystal to an effective four‑year term, with the final six months suspended. The appeal was based on the judge's assessment that the discounts for the guilty plea and mitigating circumstances were excessive. The case involved a robbery that stole €6,856, the use of an imitation firearm, a hammer, a stolen car, and the assault of Postmaster Art O'Connor, who was struck on the head during the incident.
Joseph French, aged 25, was sentenced to three years in prison for a supermarket robbery in which he smashed a lotto machine and tills with a baseball bat. The sentence is to run consecutively with a portion of his existing seven‑and‑a‑half‑year term for earlier robberies in 2014 and an endangerment offence in 2015. French, of Neilstown Park, pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the 2015 robbery at Centra in Kingswood Shopping Centre. He had 139 prior convictions, including theft, robbery, possession of stolen property and traffic offences. Garda Ruth Brett described how French, armed with a bat, forced staff to open the tills, struck the machine and fled with €1,900. French was captured on CCTV about 20 minutes before the robbery, wearing the same clothes, a mask and a hi‑vis jacket. He pleaded guilty, expressed remorse, and asked the court for a chance to change his life for his daughter.
A new jury of six men and six women was sworn in to hear the trial of 33‑year‑old Seán Ducque, who is charged with murdering Kieran Farrelly on 26 October 2014 at Killarney Street. Ducque, who has no fixed abode, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. The trial, now in the legal argument stage, will open before the jury on Wednesday and is expected to last two weeks. Prosecutor Dominic McGinn SC also indicated that evidence may be presented regarding a taxi robbery and a separate incident involving Hugh Gildea.
John Gavin, 29, had his prison term extended by one year after he was found in possession of €1,454 in coins taken from a cash‑in‑transit robbery and after threatening Gardaí while on bail awaiting a rape trial. He was convicted of possession of stolen property and of making threats to Garda Karen Caswell and Sergeant Noel Smith, and of assaulting Smith, who was injured when Gavin punched him. Gavin, who has 103 previous convictions and was already serving a six‑year sentence for a 2012 rape, was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to a consecutive one‑year term for the new offences. The judge noted Gavin's mental difficulties and that he had been surprised by the Gardaí, but confirmed he understood his actions were wrong. The sentence was imposed as consecutive to his existing term. John Gavin pleaded guilty.
Joseph Walshe, a father of four, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after being convicted of ten counts of theft. A jury found him guilty on May 10 following a 12-day trial. Walshe, who served as general manager at Nevinar Cosmetics Ltd, was found to have dishonestly organised the movement of Clarins products between November 2009 and December 2011. He retained proceeds from goods sold to a UK wholesaler, who believed Walshe was acting on behalf of the company. The retail value of the stolen cosmetics exceeded €700,000, while the company's loss was calculated at €181,582. Judge Pauline Codd handed down a sentence of two and a half years in prison, with the final year suspended. The court also ordered Walshe to pay €181,582 to the company's founder, Jerry Hickey. However, as Mr. Hickey indicated he did not wish to receive the funds, the judge directed that the money be donated to a nominated charity or, failing that, to St Vincent de Paul. Walshe's defence counsel accepted the verdict and stated there would be no appeal. The defendant expressed guilt and offered to repay the full amount. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the custodial sentence and financial order.
Two brothers from Belturbet, County Cavan, were each ordered to complete 180 hours of community service after admitting theft from a charity bar at a Dublin music festival. John McGinley, 25, and his younger brother Conal McGinley, 22, had pleaded guilty to stealing a combined €8,645 while working behind the bar for Workers Beer Company at Marlay Park on 8 July 2016. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Workers Beer Company raises funds at music festivals. Gardaí observed the brothers putting cash into their pockets rather than into the charity collection during the first day of the three-day event. When they were arrested that evening, John McGinley had €4,145 on him and a further €1,130 in his car. Conal McGinley had €1,860 on him, with additional cash found in the vehicle. The court heard that John McGinley had held a finance-sector job in London but had accumulated gambling debts in the UK. His counsel said he had since left that role, returned to Ireland and addressed the debt with help from his family. Conal McGinley was completing a business degree and his counsel said he had taken the money to help his older brother. Both made immediate admissions when interviewed by gardaí and had no previous convictions. Judge Cormac Quinn said the brothers were educated young men from a good family who had already experienced stigma and lost employment opportunities because of the case. He ordered each to carry out 180 hours of community service within a year in place of an eleven-month prison sentence. The judge initially proposed twelve months, but reduced it after submissions about the effect of that term on future travel and immigration opportunities. The community-service orders brought the prosecution to a conclusion after the brothers' earlier guilty pleas. The report is based on Courts News Ireland coverage of the sentencing hearing.
Anthony Perry, aged 51, was jailed for two years after a jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court convicted him of forgery and theft for posing as his late brother to buy a house. Perry had applied for a birth certificate and passport in his brother's name, used the documents to open a bank account, and secured a €300,000 mortgage from Start Mortgages. He bought a house and a granny flat in Offaly, took out insurance policies on both, and after the properties burned down in August 2008 he claimed €304,216 from FBD Insurance. The insurer later repudiated the payment when investigators discovered Perry's false identity. Perry pleaded not guilty to eight counts under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act, but was found guilty on all counts. The court noted that the fire was caused maliciously by unknown third parties and had nothing to do with Perry.
Thomas Nulty, a 21‑year‑old Dublin youth, was given a one‑year suspended sentence by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to stealing €1,653.42 worth of cosmetics and perfumes from Boots pharmacy in Blanchardstown on 8 December. He had paid for a toothbrush but placed a large quantity of mixed cosmetics in a bag and left the store without paying. Garda Clare Cronin reported that Nulty admitted the offence immediately and all stolen items were recovered. Judge Karen O'Connor warned that this was his final chance to reform or face imprisonment, instructing him to cooperate with probation services, keep the peace and exhibit good behaviour for one year. She noted his difficult upbringing, previous 25 minor convictions and that he had been in care from age 15. The court also heard that his bail had been revoked after he failed to sign on. The probation services are engaged in helping him resettle and further his education.
James Lynch, aged 23, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for assaulting taxi driver Edward Gallagher after Gallagher refused to take Lynch's wounded friend to hospital. The incident occurred on 14 February 2015 when Gallagher was driving through Dublin's city centre. Lynch and two other men demanded a hospital transfer; Gallagher declined, citing the risk of blood in his vehicle. A verbal altercation escalated into physical violence: Gallagher was struck, fell, and was kicked and kicked by the men. Passers‑by intervened and the assailants fled. Lynch was later charged with robbery on 24 January 2016 and possession of a knife on 12 July 2016. He pleaded guilty to all three offences. Judge Melanie Greally described the assault as "very vicious" and noted it caused Gallagher to leave his taxi‑driving job. The sentence was back‑dated to July 2016.
Brian Kenna, a former member of a Provisional IRA gang, was involved in a bank robbery in Enniscorthy on 1 May 1990. The gang, consisting of seven raiders armed with shotguns, pistols, a revolver and replica guns, held up the AIB branch at Slaney Place. Gardai were alerted by a bank official and four uniformed officers arrived, armed with an Uzi submachine gun and revolvers issued by Superintendent Michael Murphy. During the confrontation, the raiders fired three shots at the gardai, who returned fire and seriously injured the driver of the getaway van. Kenna pleaded not guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to commit robbery, use of a firearm to resist arrest, and robbery of over €5,000. He was convicted along with five others, each receiving a ten‑year sentence, while a sixth man received twelve years due to a prior firearms conviction. The trial took place at the Special Criminal Court in Green Street.
Gary Kearney, 25, a serial offender with 160 prior convictions, was found guilty of robbery, false imprisonment and theft after he and an accomplice posed as undercover Gardaí, quoting sections of law, and handcuffed a man on Millennium Bridge in Dublin. The victim feared being pushed into the Liffey while handcuffed. Kearney's history includes assault, animal cruelty, robbery, theft, burglary, criminal damage and public order offences. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally, after hearing evidence, noted Kearney's "appalling record of offending" and his need to address addiction issues. She suspended a four‑year sentence on strict conditions, including attendance at AA meetings, and ordered two years of probation supervision. The accomplice fled and was not charged. The victim accepted Kearney's apology and expressed no desire to see him in custody.
Jamie Byrne, aged 20, had his jail term extended by one year after taking part in an attempted robbery of a newsagents and a robbery of a Texaco garage while awaiting sentence for an earlier attempted robbery of a bookmaker. He was already serving a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for the bookmaker offence, which was due for release next month. Byrne pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the two offences committed on 26 and 27 January 2016. Judge Karen O'Connor noted the impact on the businesses, including increased insurance premiums and staff loss, and emphasised that these were not victimless crimes. She imposed a consecutive two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspended the final 18 months on strict conditions, and ordered the return of €200 found on Byrne. Byrne has seven previous convictions and had been described as having a drug‑addiction history and a supportive family background.
Conrad Mason, 46, a former director of C&G Logistics Group, stole €908,652 from his employer between January 2010 and January 2015 to fund alcoholism and gambling. He pleaded guilty to 25 counts of theft and fraud, covering 234 wrongful transactions. The court found the breach of trust severe, damaging the company's cash reserves and the trust of its owner, David Dixon. Mason received a three‑year prison sentence, with the final 18 months suspended, due to no prior convictions and cooperation with the Garda investigation. The sentence reflects the extent of the financial loss and the impact on the company's operations, while acknowledging Mason's lack of previous offences and his willingness to admit guilt. The judgment does not alter the ongoing legal proceedings or any future appeals.
Brian Collins, aged 43, was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to two and a half years in prison, with the final two years suspended, for robbing Tallaght West Credit Union on 8 July 2016. During the robbery, Collins threatened staff with a hatchet and a knife, demanding money. A staff member handed him €2,000 in fifty‑euro notes, and when he began smashing the glass security screen she gave him an additional €2,000. Collins fled with €3,800, dropping some of the stolen cash on the way out. He pleaded guilty to the robbery. The court heard that Collins had prior convictions for drug possession, handling stolen property and drink driving. He claimed he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs and that the robbery was driven by a drug debt of €3,000 to €4,000.
Stefan Boyle, 28, was arrested after a burglary at Ali Yassine's house in Milltown Bridge, Dundrum, on 2 November 2016. Boyle entered the house through an open window, stole two phones, and later confronted Yassine in a mosque where he had been hiding. Boyle lunged at Yassine with a knife, nicking him before Yassine escaped. Yassine, a caretaker, defended himself, then made Boyle scrambled eggs and sat with him. Boyle confessed to the burglary, pleaded guilty, and admitted he had stolen the phones during a 30‑minute conversation with Yassine. He claimed he wanted money for drugs and had forgotten the phones. Boyle has 110 prior convictions, 63 for burglary. The case was adjourned to 26 June for sentencing, with a probation report to be prepared.
Munir Ghariani, 26, pleaded guilty to robbery of a Chinese woman on Granville Road, Cabinteely, on 21 March 2016. He followed the victim, demanded her phone, pushed her to the ground, bit her finger and tried to flee. A passer‑by tackled him until Gardaí arrived. Ghariani has 34 prior convictions, including sexual assault, indecency, burglary and theft, and was a registered sex offender. He was on bail for a similar offence at the time of the robbery. His defence counsel reported that he became an involuntary patient at St John of God's hospital on 3 April 2024 and has remained a voluntary patient since 20 April, taking anti‑psychotic medication. Probation officer Michelle Richardson described him as high‑risk, non‑compliant with medication, and now homeless, with local authorities providing accommodation. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a four‑year sentence, back‑dating it to 19 May 2016, and suspended the balance.
Deividas Sevcenko, a 34‑year‑old university student, was arrested on 1 March 2023 in north Dublin after Gardaí found two metal implements used for ATM card retrieval in his possession. He pleaded guilty to one count of possessing equipment with intent to use it in a theft at Howth Road, Raheny. Sevcenko, who was highly intoxicated at the time of arrest, had previously been convicted of five road traffic offences and a failure to appear in court. The court, noting his lack of significant prior convictions, his education, and his family circumstances, imposed a sentence of 240 hours of community service to be completed within a year, in lieu of a 12‑month prison term. Sevcenko, a married father of two, had been living in Ireland for 12 years and was enrolled in a full‑time degree program. The judge highlighted his willingness to comply with the court's conditions to remain with his wife and children.
Craig Bergin, 31, was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for stealing over €6,000 worth of perfume, cosmetics, and health supplements from Boots and Holland & Barrett on Grafton Street in October 2015. CCTV footage showed him wearing blue casts on both broken arms and not attempting to disguise himself. Staff at Boots reported six incidents between 7 October and 17 November 2015, while Holland & Barrett reported €883 of health supplements stolen. Bergin admitted the thefts, citing gambling and alcohol debts and concerns for his safety. He had 52 prior convictions and had recently been released from a sentence, spending time in St Vincent's Hospital. He is linked to The Simon Community, attends a daily mental health clinic, and is on prescribed medication. The judge adjourned the case for one year and placed him under probation supervision. Craig Bergin pleaded guilty.
Anthony Ward, 26, was found guilty of dangerous driving after a high‑speed chase that ended with his stolen car crashing into traffic lights and sending them into a parked vehicle. Ward drove at up to 160 km/h in a 60 km/h zone, broke red lights, and drove over speed bumps at about 120 km/h before losing control. The car spun twice, struck two sets of traffic lights, and one set was lifted from its base, flew over a fence, and lodged in the dashboard of a nearby car. Ward also admitted driving a stolen car, driving while drunk, and driving without insurance on the same occasion. Judge Karen O'Connor sentenced him to three years' imprisonment with one year suspended, imposed a six‑year driving disqualification, and required him to engage with Probation Services. Ward's prior record includes 49 convictions, including seven for dangerous driving, two for drunk driving, and one for car theft.
Georgia Saunders, the partner of the murdered gangster Eamon Dunne, has filed a High Court claim against Irish Life Assurance Plc seeking €250,000 from a life insurance policy the couple took out in 2008. Dunne was killed in April 2010 while attending a birthday party in a Cabra pub; at the time of his death he was on bail awaiting trial for armed robbery and had been linked to about a dozen gangland murders. Saunders, who lives in the Netherlands, requests an order that Irish Life pay the policy amount and to enforce the contract. Irish Life contests the claim, arguing that the couple failed to disclose relevant medical information when applying online. The court heard that Irish Life had asked Saunders for details about Dunne's medical visits and alleged substance use, which Saunders had not provided.
Daniel Weldon, a 31‑year‑old heroin addict, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two attempted robberies in Swords on 1 July 2016 and to a successful robbery of €230 in a second pharmacy on the same day. He also admitted to a 2015 robbery of a Spar shop where he threatened staff with a blood‑filled syringe and stole €80. In each incident he was intoxicated and left a "trail of money" as he fled. Weldon has 52 prior convictions, including robbery, theft, public order and drug offences. He has been drug‑free for a year and has written apology letters to the victims. Judge Karen O'Connor adjourned his sentencing to 5 July and ordered a probation report for that date.
Noel Dempsey, 61, was sentenced to 14 months in prison after pleading guilty to stealing four boxes of women's clothing, valued at €1,988, from the back of a delivery truck on Wicklow Street, Dublin, on 13 August 2013. Garda Joseph Heaphy reported that the lorry's tail lift had been tampered with and that CCTV footage identified Dempsey as one of two men who removed the boxes and drove away in a van linked to him. The van was found at Dempsey's home, where the stolen items were recovered. Dempsey's 99 prior convictions included 27 theft offences and 67 road traffic offences. Judge Karen O'Connor cited his health conditions, guilty plea, and bereavement as mitigating factors, noting that without them she might have imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence. He has been in custody since January 2017 and was scheduled for release in February.
In a Central Criminal Court case, Keith Aherne, aged 23, was found guilty of raping a woman in a Cork city park on 28 June 2013. The victim, who had been drinking with friends, fell asleep and was later held down by Aherne while another man raped her. Aherne denied the charge. The court heard that the other man, aged 22, had pleaded guilty but had died before sentencing. Aherne, who has 41 prior convictions including robbery, assault and drug possession, was remanded in custody and the case was adjourned to 29 May. The victim's impact statement, read by Garda Sergeant Katrine Tansley, described her post‑rape depression, hair‑pulling condition, loss of confidence and the distress caused by Aherne's actions. The court noted that Aherne attempted to comfort the victim after the assault, but the victim remained in tears. The case is set for sentencing later this month.
An 83‑year‑old father from Clare was convicted by a Central Criminal Court jury of three counts of indecent assault on his son at the family home between 1977 and 1979. The man, whose name is withheld to protect the victim's identity, had previously been convicted of sexual abuse of other family members, including a seven‑year sentence for rape and indecent assault of a niece and a four‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for indecent assault of his daughters. In his victim impact statement he accused his father of stealing his childhood, education and life, saying he had never felt truly safe. Justice Deirdre Murphy, after reflecting on the case, imposed consecutive sentences totalling four years, noting that the maximum penalty available at the time of the offences was only two years and was not commensurate with the crime.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, former company director Conrad Mason, aged 46, admitted to stealing €908,652 from his employer, C&G Logistics Group, between January 2010 and January 2015. The theft involved 234 wrongful transactions, including 25 counts of theft and fraud. Mason, who had worked as an accountant since 1997 and became director in 2004, used payroll software and bulk payments to divert funds to his own Bank of Ireland and Ulster Bank accounts, as well as a joint account with his wife. He also transferred over €250,000 to two personal accounts between August 2014 and July 2015. The fraud was uncovered after a suspicious €3,000 payment in July 2015, leading to his arrest in April 2016. Mason pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on 23 May. The court noted his alcoholism and gambling addiction as motivating factors, and that he had no prior convictions.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 11 May 2017, Jeffrey Crowley, aged 21, pleaded guilty to assaulting prison officer Lorraine McCarthy at Wheatfield prison on 23 February 2014. Crowley threw a battery at the narrow observation window of his cell, smashing the glass and sending shards into McCarthy's eye. The court accepted that he did not intend to harm her, describing the act as reckless. McCarthy suffered no permanent eye injury but reported post‑traumatic stress. Crowley's prior convictions include theft, robbery, criminal damage and drug dealing. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced him to two and a half years, back‑dating the term to 26 August 2017, the date of his scheduled release after a ten‑month sentence. Twenty‑two months of the term were suspended on the condition that he fully cooperate with prison staff and attend a residential drug programme upon release.
In a Dublin district family court hearing, a convicted cannabis grower with an outstanding European arrest warrant was denied guardianship of his toddler. The father's relationship with the child's mother ended before his March 2015 imprisonment. The mother had taken the son to visit the father in prison on several occasions, but this stopped recently. The father, represented by Sophie Cargin, stated he was serving a five‑year sentence in Ireland for growing cannabis and would be released next year. He claimed it was his first time in Irish prison, having previously served five years in an Eastern European country for theft. The court noted the pending European arrest warrant. The mother testified that the father had no connection with the child, rarely asked about his interests, and had made abusive remarks. Judge Timothy Lucey emphasized the child's welfare, concluding that the father's imprisonment and extradition risk made him unsuitable as a guardian, and refused the application.
Four Dublin men, linked to the drugs trade, were stopped at Dublin Airport in February 2016 and had €17,600 in cash seized. The men were preparing to travel to Malaga, Spain on one‑way tickets. Customs and Excise officials, while screening outbound passengers, confiscated the cash after hearing contradictory explanations about its use. Kieran Kelly BL, for the State, argued that the cash represented proceeds of crime or was intended for criminal conduct. Judge Karen O'Connor granted forfeiture under section 39 of the Criminal Justice Act 1994. The court heard that Gerard Claxton Jnr claimed the money was for buying an apartment in Malaga, while his father claimed it was for furnishing a Spanish apartment. Claxton Jnr had prior convictions for firearms possession and attempted robbery; his father had a burglary conviction. Lee Boylan and Michael Jones had no prior convictions.
Donna Magee, 47, of Holyfields, Dungannon, was convicted of stealing €270,597 from O'Mara Geraghty McCourt Solicitors while she worked as a financial controller in 2008‑2009. She pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended. The Court of Appeal dismissed her appeal, finding the 18‑month net custodial term "lenient" for a fraud of a quarter‑million euros. The judge noted Magee's prior convictions, including a nine‑month sentence for VAT fraud in 2014 and an earlier fraud conviction in 2002, and the partial recovery of €173,000 through civil proceedings. The appeal was heard six weeks after the sentence was imposed, and the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Alan Mahon, upheld the original sentence. The decision was made in the context of Magee's status as a mother of one and the impact on her 14‑year‑old daughter.
A 22‑year‑old Roma man pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault against a 16‑year‑old girl in Cork. The victim was told to drink alcohol or he would kill her, then he attempted to have sex with her and left her unconscious and undressed on a footpath. He was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended, by Judge Gerard O'Brien on 7 July 2016. On appeal the Court of Appeal reduced the jail term by one year, citing the judge's failure to mention the victim's €10,000 compensation payment, a token of the man's remorse. The Court of Appeal left the seven‑year sentence in place but suspended the final two years, and ordered 12 months of post‑release supervision. The man had 29 prior convictions, including theft, burglary and public order offences. The case was heard by Mr Justice George Birmingham, Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice John Hedigan.
Carol Clarke, a 57‑year‑old mother of five, admitted to stealing €104,431 in social welfare fraud over a 17‑year period by posing as her sister Bernadette Darcy. The theft occurred at the Phibsborough post office between February 1994 and July 2011. Gardaí discovered the fraud in 2012 when they found welfare claims made in Darcy's name; Darcy claimed she was unaware of the claims. Clarke was arrested shortly after the discovery. She initially denied the allegations but later admitted guilt following handwriting and fingerprint tests, and after staff at the post office identified her. Clarke has a prior conviction for handling stolen property in 1999. She pleaded guilty to two counts of stealing from the Department of Social Welfare. The court heard that she used the stolen money to support her family and to pay off one son's drug debts.
Reginald O'Donnell, 64, was sentenced to a suspended two‑year jail term after pleading guilty to three counts of theft from the Department of Social Protection. The offences, dated 2002, 2007 and 2011, involved him claiming pension payments on behalf of his deceased father, Thomas O'Donnell, who had died in 1988. Social welfare inspectors discovered the fraud when they attempted to present a Presidential Bounty cheque to Thomas in 2009. O'Donnell admitted the theft, repaid the €597, and the judge noted his age, cooperation and prior admissions.
Mark Taylor, aged 27, of Rossfield Green, Tallaght, had his prison sentence increased on appeal after driving a stolen Lexus into a Garda car on 19 June 2013, injuring an officer who required surgery and was out of work for a year. Taylor also drove a Subaru Legacy at high speed on 29 June 2013, colliding with another vehicle and driving off. He pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful use of a vehicle, damage to property and two counts of endangerment. Initially sentenced to three years in Naas Circuit Criminal Court, he was to serve a four‑year term in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The Director of Public Prosecutions sought a review, and the Court of Appeal imposed a net sentence of eight years imprisonment, with the final three years suspended. The suspended portion is back‑dated to June 2015.
Christopher Cummins, 37, of Cherry Park, River Valley, Swords, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for his fiftieth burglary conviction. The offence involved the theft of €12,000 from a health store in Liffey Valley Shopping Centre on 31 October 2015, when a safe was left unlocked and an employee was distracted. Cummins had 139 prior convictions, including 49 burglaries, and had been released from a four‑year sentence the day before the Liffey Valley robbery. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced by Judge Pat McCartan on 21 July 2016. Cummins appealed the sentence, but the Court of Appeal, with Justice George Birmingham, dismissed the appeal, stating that a harsher sentence might have been upheld and that the five‑year term was not unduly severe. The court noted Cummins' extensive criminal record and the seriousness of the theft. The appeal was rejected.
Gary Gregg, a 28‑year‑old heroin addict, was sentenced to five years in prison after robbing Core Credit Union in Ballybrack, Dublin. On 16 January 2016, he threatened a supervisor by holding a lighter and pouring a liquid he claimed was fuel over her head, then forced two other staff members to hand over cash and stole €12,241 in 41 seconds. Gregg pleaded guilty to robbery and making a threat to kill. He had 87 prior convictions, including 13 for robbery. The judge suspended the last two years of a seven‑year sentence on the condition that he engage in victim‑focused work and addiction treatment. Gregg's defence lawyer noted his troubled upbringing and drug use, but the court focused on the robbery and threat during the hearing.
Conor McKee, 26, withdrew almost €8,000 from his own Bank of Ireland account after discovering a large sum had been deposited without his knowledge. He claimed he had not used the account for six months and was unaware of the source of the funds, which were later found to have been deposited via a forged cheque. McKee admitted to spending the money on food, drink and trips with his partner. He pleaded guilty to stealing €7,939.35 in three separate withdrawals on 24 April 2014. Judge Melanie Greally, noting the theft was not pre‑meditated but dishonest, sentenced him to 240 hours of community service instead of 12 months' imprisonment, to be completed within a year. The court highlighted that McKee had cooperated fully and had not re‑offended since the incident. The case was described as an unusual theft where the money fell into his account by error, yet he exploited the mistake.
Thomas Berry, aged 43 and resident of Bunclody, Co. Wexford, was convicted of theft and related offences for his part in a 2009 ATM robbery at a Maxol service station on Bellefield Road, Enniscorthy. The robbery involved a JCB digger that was hot‑wired by Berry and other gang members to move the ATM, which contained €205,100, into a trailer for escape. Berry was found guilty by a jury at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court and sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with the final three months suspended. He appealed the conviction, but the Court of Appeal, in a unanimous decision, dismissed his appeal on all grounds. The court upheld the original conviction, confirming the jury's finding that Berry was one of the raiders. The appeal was rejected by Judges George Birmingham, Alan Mahon and John Edwards. The case remains at the conviction stage. Thomas Berry pleaded not guilty.
In a 2015 incident in Darndale, Dublin, 20‑year‑old Glen Lieghio, part of a group of 20‑30 youths, threw stones, bottles and other objects at Gardaí who were attempting to investigate a dangerously driven stolen car. Lieghio addressed one officer by name, threatening, "Next time you are in Darndale, you are dead." A rock thrown at another Garda struck his mobile phone. Lieghio was arrested a few days later and pleaded guilty to violent disorder and criminal damage. He had no prior convictions. Judge Karen O'Connor, noting the extreme violence and the lack of injuries, found the behaviour unacceptable but also acknowledged Lieghio's remorse and acceptance of responsibility. She imposed an 18‑month sentence, suspended in full, conditioned on a good‑behaviour bond and one year of probation supervision. No jail time was imposed. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The Gardaí involved were Sergeant Brendan Bergin and Garda James Mulhern.
Daniel Kavanagh, 26, of Owensilla, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to possession of a double‑barrelled sawn‑off shotgun and robbery of the Mace Store in Clogherhead, Co. Louth, on 20 April 2015. He had originally been sentenced to four years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, on 21 July 2016. Prosecutors appealed, arguing the sentence was "unduly lenient". The Court of Appeal reviewed the case and imposed a five‑year jail term for each of the two counts, to run concurrently. The judge noted Kavanagh's prior 15 convictions, including firearms offences, and the serious nature of the robbery. The new sentence reflects the Court's view that the original penalty was too light given the circumstances and Kavanagh's history. The decision was made by Mr Justice Alan Mahon, sitting with Mr Justice John Edwards and Mr Justice John Hedigan. The revised term is five years for each count, concurrent, with the final two years suspended.
Gerard Walsh, 38, pleaded guilty to burglary at a valet service he had previously worked for in Liffey Valley, Dublin, on 20 March 2015. He admitted stealing six sets of car keys and three vehicles—a Volkswagen Touran, a Volkswagen Passat and an Audi A6 Avant—to pay a drug debt. Two of the cars were recovered; the third was found a year later, resulting in an estimated loss of €3,500 to the owner. The court also noted that Walsh had previously been convicted of public order and theft offences, dealt with 15 years earlier. Judge Melanie Greally, acknowledging Walsh's difficult personal circumstances and his efforts to rehabilitate, imposed a suspended three‑year sentence and required him to pay €3,500 in compensation to his former employer. The sentence was suspended, with no immediate custodial term imposed. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
In a 2017 appeal court hearing, Judge Alan Mahon upheld a three‑year jail sentence for Oliver Kennaway, who had pleaded guilty to robbing a filling station in Dundalk on 27 July 2013 with a knife. Kennaway, aged 37, entered the station wearing a hoodie and a large knife, demanded money from the till, and fled with €500, pursued by an employee. The judge noted Kennaway's difficult personal background, 15 prior convictions, and a seven‑year period of being conviction‑free before this offence. He described the robbery as "frightening and intimidating" and linked it to Kennaway's chronic drug addiction. Judge Mahon concluded that, given the growing public concern over knife crime, the net custodial sentence of three years was not unduly harsh and could be described as lenient. The appeal was dismissed.
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.