Patrick Kinsella of Callohill, Newtown, Co Wicklow, who had not been represented, claimed that RTE and media personality Fiona Looney stole his original idea for the reality show 'Celebrity Bainisteoir'. He had submitted a concept titled Top Coach/Top Team to RTE in August 2007. In 2011 the High Court, presided over by Mr Justice George Birmingham, dismissed Kinsella's claim, finding that the idea was solely that of Ms Looney, who had first submitted it to RTE in 2004. The judge concluded that the evidence presented at the hearing showed no merit in Kinsella's allegations and ordered him to pay the legal costs of the seven‑day hearing. Kinsella appealed to the Supreme Court, arguing that the High Court decision should be set aside. The Supreme Court, comprising Chief Justice Susan Denham, Mr Justice William McKechnie and Mr Justice John MacMenamin, dismissed the appeal, affirming the High Court's ruling and awarding costs to Ms Looney and RTE.
Trevor Cooke, 40, pleaded guilty to robbing a cash‑in‑transit van at Bawnogue Post Office on 3 October 2013, taking €50,000. He used a fake gun to threaten a G4S guard, seized the cash box, and fled in a car that had been reported stolen. Gardaí pursued him, and after a traffic chase he abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. He was arrested in the rear garden of a house, hiding behind a wheelie bin, and was sprayed with pepper spray. A fake gun and the cash box were recovered; the box's dye destroyed the money. Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced Cooke to six years, suspending the final three years on strict conditions, and credited him for time already spent in custody. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Noel Darby, 40, was identified by his mugging victim after the victim recognised him from a documentary about drug rehabilitation in Dublin. Darby, who had not committed a serious offence in 13 years, pleaded guilty to robbery of a mobile phone on Malahide Road in Coolock on 9 February 2015. He had previously been convicted of firearm possession, drug offences and a robbery. During the robbery, Darby demanded a phone from a man at a bus stop, grabbed it, and fled, brandishing a seven‑inch kitchen knife. The victim, who had watched the documentary on YouTube, confirmed Darby's identity. Darby was arrested the next day, admitted the offence, and was remanded on continuing bail pending sentencing, which was adjourned to 18 November. The court ordered a probation report and allowed time for a defence witness regarding Darby's drug treatment engagement.
John Nulty, a 37‑year‑old former librarian, was given a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to eight counts of theft from the National Library of Ireland, covering 216 charges. He had taken hundreds of rare books, worth about €200,000, between 2004 and 2013, and also stole from the Allen Library while employed there. Gardaí discovered an "Aladdin's cave" of books in his Dublin home in 2013. The judge noted that most books were recovered intact, with a loss of around €5,000, and that Nulty's compulsive hoarding and lack of profit from sales justified a suspended term of two and a half years, conditional on good behaviour. The case highlighted Nulty's obsession with the books, his attempts to sell them, and his remorse for breaching the trust of his employers. The sentence was suspended, with no immediate custodial term imposed.
Clare Dowling, 22, of Ballybough, Dublin, pleaded guilty to theft and assault causing harm to Xiao Chang on 3 May 2014. Dowling posed as an immigration officer, entered Ms Chang's apartment with an accomplice, stole her laptop and fled. She later punched Ms Chang in the face, causing bleeding. Ms Chang was not located for a victim impact statement and is believed to have returned to China. Dowling had 23 prior convictions, including burglary and theft. No charges were brought against her accomplice. Dowling was under the influence of heroin and tablets at the time of the offence and was homeless. She is now drug‑free, in a new relationship and living with her boyfriend's mother. Judge Patrick McCartan sentenced her to a suspended three‑year term for both offences, to run concurrently and suspended entirely. The judge warned that a further offence would result in imprisonment.
A man's sentence for attempted robbery of a cash-in-transit van has been reduced by the Court of Appeal. Joseph Warren, aged 32, was convicted by jury at Dublin Circuit Court in 2012 of conspiracy to steal cash from a Chubb Ireland van at a Cellbridge supermarket in November 2007. He had also pleaded guilty to possessing ammunition. The original sentence was 14 years with the final three suspended. On appeal, Mr Justice Alan Mahon found the sentencing judge had erred in principle by not adequately reflecting Warren's limited role in the attempted robbery. The court heard that Warren's involvement related primarily to his skill with cutting equipment rather than planning or leadership. Considering prison reports describing him as a model prisoner with strong rehabilitation prospects and family support, the court reduced his sentence to six-and-a-half years for the conspiracy conviction, with his other sentence remaining consecutive. Joseph Warren pleaded not guilty.
A 25‑year‑old Wexford man was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for defilement of a 13‑year‑old girl, the sister of his former girlfriend. He pleaded guilty on the morning of his trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The offence occurred at his home on 2 March 2010, when he was 19. The man was found to have the defendant's DNA on the girl's underwear, and forensic evidence confirmed sexual contact. He denied any sexual contact during police interviews, claiming the girl had approached him and that they had been "sitting shoulder to shoulder" on the couch. The judge, Patrick McCartan, noted the significant age gap and that the girl was "young and impressionable" and that there was "nothing approaching consent." The final two years of the sentence were suspended on strict conditions. The man has 42 prior convictions, including possession of knives, drugs and theft offences, and has not been in contact with Gardaí since 2010.
The High Court has adjudicated Breifne O'Brien as a bankrupt following an application made to Ms Justice Caroline Costello. O'Brien, who is currently serving a seven-year prison sentence, had previously pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 14 sample counts of making a gain or causing a loss by deception or theft of approximately €8.5 million between 2003 and 2008. He was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment by Judge Patricia Ryan on October 8, 2014, for inducing others to invest in bogus property deals and a linen shipping insurance scheme, described as a pyramid scheme. His subsequent appeal against the length of that term was dismissed by the Court of Appeal last December. In the current High Court proceedings, O'Brien's counsel stated that he was seeking bankruptcy on his own petition. The court noted that O'Brien owes approximately €25 million in secured debt and €13.7 million in unsecured debt. Ms Justice Costello adjudicated him bankrupt, ruling that no additional statement of affairs was required. However, she ordered that the adjudication be advertised on the Insolvency Service of Ireland's website and in Iris Oifigiúil. O'Brien's solicitor will liaise with the Official Assignee, Mr Chris Lehane, regarding the process.
Paul Casey, 46, of Ballymun, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to handling €53,453 worth of stolen property at the Finnstown House Hotel in Lucan, Co Dublin, on July 18, 2014. The prosecution alleged that Casey was arrested while moving the stolen electrical equipment, which had been hijacked from a truck in June 2014, from a freight container into a van. His co-accused, Daniel McMahon of Belfast, was previously fined €5,000, as community service was deemed difficult due to his residency outside the jurisdiction. The third co-accused, Michael Barr, who was shot dead in April, had pleaded guilty to handling stolen property; the State entered a nolle prosequi on the associated IRA membership charge, dropping it. Barr was due to be sentenced at the end of April before his death. In mitigation, defense counsel noted Casey's alcohol abstinence for 18 months and his intention to offer a financial gesture of remorse from his disability benefit. Judge Elma Sheahan adjourned the case until Friday next for sentencing. The matter was adjourned and is not concluded.
In April 2011, Melvin McNamara (36), Michael Fogarty (45) and Noel Markham (41) attempted to rob Tadgh O'Flynn Jewellers in Nenagh. McNamara and Markham entered the shop in hoodies and balaclavas, while Fogarty stayed in a stolen VW Passat with false plates. McNamara brandished a firearm and Markham approached the window display. During a struggle, Markham shouted to McNamara to "shoot him"; McNamara fired a shot that lodged in the wall above the shopkeeper's head, though the gun was real. The shopkeeper pressed the panic button and pushed the gun down. The men fled in the getaway car, which Fogarty drove at high speed, leading to a 61‑km pursuit at 180‑200 km/h. The vehicle was eventually stopped in a farm yard. McNamara received a 10‑year sentence, Markham nine years and Fogarty eight years, all of which were upheld on appeal. The Court of Appeal confirmed the sentences were within the appropriate range and found no error. Melvin McNamara pleaded guilty. Michael Fogarty pleaded guilty. Noel Markham pleaded guilty.
Rose Kiely, 35, of Lucan, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four counts of stealing €20,000 in social welfare payments from the Department of Social Protection between May 2013 and December 2014. She claimed the theft was an act of desperation after her partner's death and used the money to pay bills and support her child. The court accepted her admissions and the lack of prior convictions, and Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two‑year custodial sentence that was fully suspended. Kiely is now repaying the stolen amount at €28.20 per week from her own welfare entitlement, a repayment plan that will take 13 years to complete. The case involved Garda investigations that uncovered a DSP card in another woman's name and CCTV evidence from a post office. Kiely cooperated fully with the authorities and stated that the funds were spent on household expenses and her daughter's activities rather than socialising.
Sean Rausch, 18, was sentenced by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a total of five and a half years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. He received a consecutive three‑year term for an endangerment charge arising from a high‑speed chase in which he drove a stolen Hyundai Santa Fe on three wheels, breaking 24 traffic lights, crossing two green areas, and driving on the wrong side of a national road for 2 km. He also received a five‑year term for assault causing serious harm to a 17‑year‑old schoolboy, who sustained life‑threatening injuries including a brain bleed, fractured jaw, broken eye socket, multiple broken teeth and missing chin skin. The court noted the victim's injuries and the severity of the assault, while Rausch had previously pleaded guilty to two attempted robberies, two robberies, possession of a stolen vehicle, handling stolen keys, endangerment and dangerous driving.
Paul Kavanagh, a 25‑year‑old shop worker, admitted to stealing almost €54,000 from the Londis store where he worked by creating fake Lotto wins. He spent the money on take‑aways, taxis and cannabis, as his counsel noted. Kavanagh pleaded guilty to theft from owner Ray Sheehan between 2014 and 2015 and was also found with a small amount of cannabis at his home. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the case to January 13th next year, allowing Kavanagh to repay €1,000 a month to the shop owner and to pay €3,600 within three days from his savings. The court's decision gives him a chance to avoid jail by repaying the stolen funds. The case remains at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court stage.
A 17‑year‑old boy from Shankill, Dublin, pleaded guilty to 12 offences, including robbery, attempted robbery, knife production and criminal damage, for incidents between August 2014 and October 2015. The most serious offences occurred on 21 October 2015 near Shankill Dart station, when he and an unnamed co‑accused threatened passers‑by with knives, robbed a man of his phone and wallet, punched him, robbed a teenage boy of his wallet after the boy threatened him with a bike lock, and threatened a father with a knife. The boy also threatened three men walking or jogging. He was arrested that night. The court noted he was two days from his 18th birthday and therefore treated as a juvenile. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a suspended three‑year sentence, requiring good behaviour, training and education, victim awareness and drug treatment programmes, with reactivation if conditions are breached. The boy was not detained.
Samuel Hutch, 40, of Finglas, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to trespass and possession of a stolen bicycle in Sandymount on 25 October 2015, to damaging a car door in Ringsend on the same date, and to a burglary in Cabra on 6 February 2016. He has 89 prior convictions, including 39 burglaries, possession of a phone in prison, robbery, theft, criminal damage, road traffic and drug offences. Judge Melanie Greally noted that Hutch would face special security arrangements in custody that isolate him from visitors, other prisoners and prison facilities, creating an environment of fear and tension. She accepted his guilty pleas and the fact that the burglaries were committed to fund his drug addiction, and sentenced him to a consecutive four‑year term, suspending the final 18 months on strict conditions. The court acknowledged his ongoing drug treatment in prison and his intention to start a new life after release.
Dinah Loughlin, a 30‑year‑old GAA star from Kilbeggan, Westmeath, pleaded guilty to twenty counts of theft for stealing more than €28,000 from her employer, senior counsel Marguerite Bolger, over a five‑year period. While working as a legal secretary, Loughlin used Bolger's credit‑card and bank accounts to pay for transcription work and to make personal purchases, including online shopping at Asos, River Island, Amazon, and gift‑cards from an office‑supply site. She also withdrew cash from an ATM and bought CDs, DVDs, an iPod, and paid her motor tax through Bolger's account. After the thefts were discovered, Loughlin repaid the money with savings earmarked for a wedding and sold her car. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, hearing that Bolger had a "very benevolent view" of the offence, imposed a two‑year suspended sentence, suspended for two years, noting Loughlin's previous good character and repayment. The judge warned that she was "perilously close" to jail.
Evidence is still being presented in the trial of Eamon Shield, 45, who is accused of running a fake motor business to defraud 12 people out of €178,000. Prosecutor Shane Costelloe SC told the jury that Shield fabricated the business and that no legitimate operation existed. Shield, of Weston Meadows, has pleaded not guilty to 15 theft counts and 12 deception counts covering June 2011 to February 2012. On the fifth day, several alleged victims gave further testimony about meeting Shield and investing in his scheme. The trial continues before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury.
John Byrne, aged 28, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for stealing a white Mercedes worth over €50,000 and driving it recklessly on the M3 motorway. The vehicle was taken from Charlemont estate near Griffith Avenue on 3 February 2015, and a Garda pursuit began shortly after. Byrne's car hit a roundabout at high speed, nearly flipped, then crashed through a stop sign and a fence before stopping in wasteland. He fled the scene, wading through a river, before being captured. The car was badly damaged and written off. Byrne pleaded guilty to using a car without the owner's consent and recklessly damaging it. He had six prior convictions, including drug misuse and property damage. The court found his actions "appalling" and "extraordinarily reckless," and sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, with the two counts running concurrently.
Laura Pennick, 29, pleaded guilty to stealing €41,935 from her elderly neighbour Marie McNally between January 2010 and December 2012. Pennick had become McNally's "unofficial carer", collecting her pension and paying her bills, and had access to McNally's ATM cards and two bank accounts, including one holding an inheritance from her late mother's house. She withdrew amounts ranging from very small sums up to €600, spending the money on home improvements, fashion purchases, home furnishings, appliances and holidays. McNally discovered the loss, was extremely upset and her financial position became perilous. Pennick, who has 29 previous convictions including five thefts, claimed financial worries and expressed remorse, offering €3,900 to McNally. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned the case for a probation services report, noting the serious breach of trust, and the sentencing is scheduled for November 7.
A 23‑year‑old man, Jordan Cunningham, was sentenced to six and a half years' imprisonment for a series of robberies committed while on bail. He pleaded guilty to burglary at Event Fuel (July 19 2015), robbery at Tuttys corner shop and South Circular Pharmacy, attempted robbery at Cahills Pharmacy (July 22 2015), and robbery at Ladbrookes (October 22 2015). In each offence he used knives or a broken bottle to threaten staff and demanded money. Cunningham was released on bail for the burglary and later on high‑court bail to attend drug treatment, yet he continued to commit offences to repay drug debts. The judge noted his long‑standing drug addiction and the escalation of violence he was willing to use. Consecutive sentences totalling six and a half years were imposed, with the final year suspended. The court highlighted Cunningham's admissions, apologies and progress in rehabilitation courses while in custody.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, two Kerry men testified that Eamon Shield, 45, had promised them a 100% return on their investments within 60 days by flipping repossessed cars at a significant markup. The prosecution, led by Shane Costelloe SC, described Shield's scheme as a pyramid scheme, arguing that he merely attracted new investors to pay off earlier ones. Shield, who pleaded not guilty to 15 theft counts and 12 deception counts, allegedly stole €178,000 from 12 people between June 2011 and February 2012. The trial, which began on Monday, was delayed due to a juror issue and will continue before Judge Patricia Ryan and a new jury. The case is expected to run for two weeks. The defendants, David O'Grady and Malcolm Griffin, each invested €3,000, received only partial payments, and later complained to Gardaí in Listowel. The court has not yet delivered a verdict.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Adebowale Okunade, 41, pleaded guilty to possessing the proceeds of crime and to four counts of dishonestly appropriating money from Dunboyne Credit Union and Waterford Credit Union between 14 November and 19 December 2014, as well as to using an electricity bill in another name to open a Ballyfermot Credit Union account on 15 December 2014. Okunade admitted that he had transferred €27,127 from a Bank of Ireland account into his own account in September 2014, and that the money originally came from a Mexican woman's brokerage account, which had been stolen. He exploited a "glitch" in the credit union system, using compromised credit cards to lodge and withdraw money, resulting in a total loss of €13,950 to the credit unions. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to three years' imprisonment for possessing the proceeds of crime, suspending the final 12 months of the term.
John O'Rourke, 18, pleaded guilty to robbery of Chinese man Fen Ling Wang on Liffey Street on 10 July 2015. The attack involved seven teenagers who assaulted Wang, delivering kicks and blows that left him unconscious. The gang robbed his phone and shoes before abandoning him. Gardaí monitored the assault live via CCTV and interviewed the attackers after a six‑hour delay. O'Rourke was sentenced by Judge Melanie Greally to a three‑year suspended term, with conditions of good behaviour, probation supervision and participation in drug, alcohol and anger‑awareness programmes. The court noted his difficult childhood and positive steps taken in his life. Other members of the group received separate sentences, including a ten‑month term for one male and a five‑month term for a 14‑year‑old girl. The case highlighted the violent nature of the assault and the victim's significant injuries and medical costs.
A 15‑year‑old was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after he threw black paint at a 16‑year‑old on a crowded Luas tram. CCTV captured the assault, and the victim had previously reported a violent attack by the boy and a group of local youths a month earlier. The teenager, who had one prior conviction and 33 subsequent offences including violent disorder, robbery, dangerous driving and car theft, was not complying with bail conditions such as a curfew. He is currently serving a sentence in a detention centre and is due for release next October. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a three‑year detention sentence, deferring its imposition until 25 November, and allowed the boy to be released on bail pending review of his behaviour. The judge set strict bail conditions, including a curfew and restrictions on contact with certain youths in Tallaght. The unnamed 15-year-old pleaded guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, Eamon Shield, aged 45, faced 15 theft counts and 12 deception counts for allegedly running a pyramid scheme that claimed to double investors' money by selling repossessed cars. Shield, from Lucan, was accused of soliciting €178,000 from 12 people, promising a two‑month profit, but no cars existed and no business was carried out. Prosecutor Shane Costelloe argued that Shield took money from one investor and redistributed it to others, offering a partial repayment of €55,000 while the remaining investors received nothing. Shield pleaded not guilty. The trial, set to continue before Judge Patricia Ryan and a jury, was expected to last two weeks. The case highlighted Shield's alleged deception and the absence of any legitimate vehicle sales.
In the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Catherine Murphy sentenced 20‑year‑old Buti Sashi to nine months' imprisonment for robbing a taxi driver on 23 August 2014. Sashi, a former Blackrock College rugby player, beat the driver, stole his iPhone, SatNav and €220, and left his passport, mobile phone and a necklace in the taxi before reporting the passport lost at a Garda station. He pleaded guilty to the robbery, failed to attend probation and restorative justice conferences, and tested positive for cocaine and speed. Sashi had not completed a Rathmines College course or an anger‑awareness course, and his employer reference was deemed unsatisfactory. He apologized to the court, calling himself an "idiot" for taking drugs, and Judge Murphy urged him to use his custodial time constructively. The sentence reflects the court's view that Sashi had been given many opportunities to improve his situation.
Anthony Connors, 40, pleaded guilty to burglary at the Daughter's of Charity Community Services in Dublin on 13 October 2015. He had been released from an eleven‑year sentence in September 2015 after a 2009 conviction for burglary, false imprisonment, robbery and handling stolen property. Connors had 47 prior convictions and had relapsed into drug use after release. Garda Aidan Noonan reported that an employee found a missing laptop, CCTV identified Connors acting suspiciously, and he was arrested the next day. Judge Karen O'Connor, after hearing evidence in May, noted his long history of custody and chronic drug addiction, but that he was now methadone‑free. She imposed a one‑year sentence, suspended it in full, and warned that failure to seek help would lead to more prison time. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Dubliner Laura Dempsey, a 25-year-old mother of two, was remanded in custody at the Central Criminal Court for sentencing next Monday. She pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension or prosecution of the person she believed was guilty of murdering 33-year-old Kieran Farrelly on October 26, 2014. The offence involved assisting in the concealment of a shotgun used in the killing at Killarney Court, Killarney Street. Although initially charged with murder, that charge was dismissed following an application under Section 4E of the Criminal Justice Act 1999. Detective Garda Gary Moran testified that Dempsey had 59 previous convictions, including for drugs possession and theft, many of which occurred after the shooting. He noted her heroin addiction and that victim impact statements were prepared but not read. Defence counsel Remy Farrell SC submitted a psychiatric report detailing ongoing flashbacks and clinical depression, arguing that a pronounced element of duress constituted a powerful mitigating factor. He highlighted that Dempsey made full voluntary admissions and had only transient possession of the weapon. Prosecuting counsel Dominic McGinn SC stated the maximum sentence for the offence was 10 years. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said she needed time to consider the material handed in and remanded Dempsey in custody for sentencing next Monday.
Kenneth Shanny, a 39‑year‑old tax advisor from Dunshaughlin, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for aiding and abetting the filing of incorrect VAT returns and claiming tax relief between November 2009 and April 2010. The judge suspended the final 18 months of the sentence. Shanny had previously served a sentence for theft from 2011 to 2012. He pleaded guilty at Trim Circuit Criminal Court and was found to have processed VAT returns for two clients, intending to divide €62,000 recovered from the tax authorities. The Court of Appeal dismissed his appeal, ruling that the sentence lay within the available range. The appeal was heard by Justices Alan Mahon, George Birmingham and Garrett Sheehan. The decision was based on the seriousness of the breach of trust and the substantial loss to the Revenue. The appeal was dismissed.
Patrick Moran, a 40‑year‑old financial controller from Knocklyon, was jailed for stealing €281,000 from Deutsche Bank by using his company credit card without authorisation, falsifying documents and submitting false records to AIB to raise the card limit. He pleaded guilty to charges of stealing cash, falsifying documents and using a false instrument between November 2011 and January 2013. In July 2015 he received a three‑year prison sentence from Judge Martin Nolan. On appeal, Justice Alan Mahon re‑sentenced him to three years imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended, citing his first‑time offender status, lack of prior convictions, and evidence of rehabilitation. Moran admitted the fraud, diverted funds to a PayPal account and ultimately to his own account, causing a loss of about €281,000. The Court of Appeal also required him to enter a good‑behaviour bond. The civil judgment and costs remain against him.
In July 2016 a teenager, Ciara Maguire, 18, was forced to jump from a moving car onto a busy Dublin road when her father's car was stolen from a petrol station. Sean Dowdall, 22, had taken the vehicle after the driver, Susan Maguire, entered the shop to pay for fuel. He saw Ciara in the back seat and drove off, refusing to exit the car. The incident caused Ciara to suffer cuts, bruises and ongoing nightmares. Dowdall, who was on a "binge" and disqualified from driving, pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and car theft. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentenced him to two and a half years for the theft and false imprisonment, warning that further offences would lead to longer sentences. He had 55 previous convictions and admitted the car was taken to sell for debt repayment. The case highlighted the danger of vehicle theft and the impact on the victim.
In a Luas robbery on 14 August 2012, 42‑year‑old Suzanne McGowan and 37‑year‑old David Larkin robbed Izabela Portyka, taking her handbag. McGowan spat at Portyka and Larkin punched her several times before the pair fled. The incident involved verbal abuse, a threat to grab the bag, and Larkin's assault, including a punch to the head and pushing Portyka's head into a steel column. Portyka suffered neck and head injuries, later treated in hospital, and now experiences migraines and psychological issues. Both defendants pleaded guilty. Larkin, with 30 prior convictions, received a four‑year sentence with the final two years suspended. McGowan, with 24 prior convictions, was given a two‑year suspended sentence, suspended in full for three years. The court noted the offence was "out of character" for McGowan, a mother of two, and that she had not appeared for a prior probation report, leading to a bench warrant and remand until sentencing.
Brian Reilly, 20, of Boyne View, Navan, was convicted of reckless endangerment and theft of a vehicle after he stole a post van and drove over a postman's foot on 22 August 2013. In March 2015 Judge Patrick McCartan imposed consecutive sentences of five years for the endangerment and four years for the theft, suspending the last three years to deter re‑offending. Reilly appealed, and on 5 July 2016 the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Garrett Sheehan, found that the judge had not identified a headline offence and had not explained why a consecutive sentence was necessary. The appeal court also could not determine how mitigation and Reilly's guilty plea had been considered. Reilly's sentence was reduced to six years, with the final eighteen months suspended for the endangerment and three years for the theft, the sentences running concurrently and back‑dated to 11 September 2014.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Patrick McCartan sentenced 43‑year‑old Robert Kealy to five years' imprisonment, suspending the final year on probation, after Kealy pleaded guilty to possession of heroin for sale or supply. Kealy was arrested following a Garda stop outside The Barge Pub, where he was found with heroin worth €7,598. A subsequent search of his home uncovered weighing scales and drug‑dealing "tick lists". The judge said the sentence was intended to remove one more dealer from the streets, noting Kealy was selling drugs to support his own habit despite medical warnings of possible amputations. Kealy's record includes 42 prior convictions for drug dealing, assault, theft, burglary and criminal damage. His defence counsel, Sarah‑Jane Callaghan, described him as a chronic drug user who was deeply sorry for the harm he caused. Garda Paddy Farrell confirmed Kealy's role as a trusted distributor within the local drug‑using community.
James Casey, aged 25, was severely beaten in a Tallaght halting site clash on 20 September 2015. He did not report the assault to the gardai but later armed himself with a slash hook and was charged with possession of an article with intent to cause injury or intimidate others. In Dublin Circuit Criminal Court he pleaded guilty. Judge Melanie Greally suspended a two‑year prison sentence for four years, citing Casey's role as a peace maker who had since helped calm disputes and moved away from the site. Sarah‑Jane Callaghan BL defended Casey, noting his fear for his life and the attack on his home. The case also referenced Casey's three prior convictions for public order offences and possession of stolen goods. The court's decision was based on his demonstrated change in behaviour and efforts to maintain peace.
John Findi, 38, of Rathkeele in Clondalkin, Dublin, pleaded guilty to four charges of stealing from various people between 25 July and 1 September 2015. He admitted using a specially adapted clothes hanger to fish letters out of post‑boxes minutes after delivery, retrieving a credit/debit card from one box and hoping to obtain the PIN to withdraw money. Findi claimed he was unemployed, living in the same accommodation for 19 years, and that a friend had shown him how to do it. Gardaí found a BMW parked nearby, a woman's card, a driving licence, saving certificates, cheques and a bank statement in his home. He denied following the postman and said he had come to the complex at random. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three‑year sentence, suspended in full for three years, noting that none of the victims suffered a financial loss. The case was prosecuted by Paul Carroll BL and defended by Aoife O'Leary BL.
Darren McKevitt, 26, of Walkinstown, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to arson of a car, dangerous driving, driving under the influence, driving without insurance, three counts of assault, possession of a stolen Toyota Avensis, a PSV certificate, an Irish driving licence and insurance certificate, and unlawful possession of a stun gun. The offences occurred between October and November 2014, including a bonfire incident on Halloween where he drove a car into a bonfire, jumped out, and assaulted three gardaí on Durrow Road, Crumlin. Blood tests showed he was five times over the alcohol limit. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a five‑year sentence, back‑dated to November 2014, with the balance suspended, and ordered continued work with probation officers, drug rehabilitation and employment training. The court noted McKevitt had nine previous convictions, including drug possession for sale or supply. The case was prosecuted by Monika Leech BL and defended by Libby Charlton BL.
Two Dublin men, Michael Finlay, 36, and Dean Byrne, 24, were sentenced by the Special Criminal Court to five years' imprisonment for unlawfully possessing a loaded 9mm semi‑automatic pistol and its magazine, as well as various rounds of 9mm ammunition, at Glenshane Crescent, Tallaght on 5 June 2014. The weapons were found in a stolen Renault Kangoo van that the men were in when Detective Sergeant Joseph Finnegan approached. Both men were wearing disguises of fake beards, hats and glasses; Finlay also wore an An Post jacket. The detectives, acting under Sections 18, 19 and 19(a) of the Criminal Justice Act, questioned the men about the firearm, ammunition, van, disguise and jacket, but neither responded. Both pleaded not guilty, yet the judge noted they had not opposed any evidence and that the offences were "completely unexplained." Finlay's sentence was back‑dated to 5 June 2014 and Byrne's to 8 May of the same year.
A man has been sentenced to three years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for his role in two violent car-jackings committed on the same night in April 2014. David Thomas, aged 32, of Glenties Avenue, Finglas, Dublin, pleaded guilty to unlawful seizure of a vehicle at Shankill, Dublin. The court heard that Thomas and another man pulled the driver from his car, assaulted him, and threatened to shoot him after he witnessed their faces. The stolen vehicle was subsequently abandoned on the N11 near Wicklow. Thomas went on to forcibly remove a second driver from a van in the vicinity. Judge John Aylmer imposed a concurrent sentence, stating the Shankill incident was the more serious offence. The victim reported experiencing significant fear and psychological distress following the attack. The defence argued the incidents constituted a chaotic, alcohol-fuelled episode, with no actual firearm involved.
In June 2016 a 16‑year‑old Dublin teenager was sentenced to four‑and‑a‑half years' detention for a series of robberies in which he threatened four women with a large knife. He pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and four robbery charges in the Tallaght area. The court noted that the teenager had 29 prior convictions but this was his first violent offence. He admitted to using a knife and drugs to feel brave enough to commit the robberies. Judge Martin Nolan suspended the final two years of the sentence on the condition that the teenager engage with the Probation Service for two years after release and take every educational opportunity while in custody. The case was prosecuted by Fiona Murphy BL and defended by Cathal McGreal BL, who highlighted the defendant's borderline intellectual disability and history of abuse. The incidents involved threatening victims, demanding cash, and stealing phones and bank cards.
The trial of Krzystof Grzegorski and Dariusz Weckowicz for the murder of Bogdan Michalkiewicz (41) in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, has heard evidence regarding the accused's background. Grzegorski, who pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, was described as having started drinking at age 14 after moving from Poland. His co-accused, Weckowicz, pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. The State did not accept Grzegorski's manslaughter plea. Detective Garda Alfie McHale testified that Grzegorski had a history of public drunkenness, including a 2010 conviction at age 16. On the weekend of the killing, Grzegorski was seen on CCTV stealing vodka from supermarkets in Letterkenny, including an incident after 6pm on May 13, 2013, when the prosecution states Michalkiewicz was already deceased. Grzegorski was arrested with Weckowicz after security guards called gardai. The trial continues before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of eight men and four women.
Hoummada El Habri, a 44‑year‑old Moroccan from Wolseley Street, Dublin, was sentenced at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for a violent robbery that took place on 25 October 2014. He assaulted Damien O'Brien on Adair Lane, knocking him to the ground, kicking him until he was unconscious, and then stole O'Brien's mobile phone, a wristwatch worth €300 and €70 in cash. El Habri pleaded guilty and was found to have 16 prior convictions, including theft, handling stolen property and robbery. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a three‑year prison term, suspended the last 18 months on the condition that El Habri leave the State within 14 days of release and not return for ten years. The court noted that El Habri had previously set himself on fire outside the Dáil to protest his residency application, but the judge said this was not an excuse for his criminal conduct. The defendant expressed remorse for his actions.
The Court of Appeal has adjourned the appeal against conviction lodged by Michael Murray, a 44-year-old man formerly of Killiney, Dublin, who was found guilty in 2013 of rape, attempted rape, oral rape, aggravated sexual assault, child abduction, threats to kill, false imprisonment, and theft. Murray was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment for offences committed in February 2010. The Director of Public Prosecutions is seeking a review of this sentence on grounds that it was "unduly lenient." Mr Justice Birmingham stated that, given Murray's apparent lack of enthusiasm for his conviction appeal, the court may proceed with the DPP's undue leniency application first, departing from the normal practice of hearing conviction appeals before sentence appeals. The matter was put in for case management on Friday. Separately, Murray's earlier appeal against the dismissal of his High Court action against the Irish Prison Service and the Minister for Justice was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in March. That action concerned the recording of his prison telephone calls; both courts found the recording inappropriate but noted it was made inadvertently and not accessed, awarding costs against Murray.
In March 2015, 18‑year‑old Niall Brooks and two other youths assaulted Brendan Cahill and Derek McDonald at the Luas terminal on Belgard Square East. CCTV showed a scuffle that escalated into the attackers repeatedly kicking the men in the head and body while they were unconscious. The assault caused extensive injuries: skull fractures, broken eye sockets, broken cheekbones, and other trauma. Both victims reported severe physical and psychological impacts, including loss of confidence, anxiety, and economic losses. Brooks pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm and will be sentenced in October. He has three prior convictions and is currently serving a sentence for a robbery. The court noted the attack was "appalling" and ordered a Probation Services report before sentencing. The victims' statements highlighted lasting health and financial consequences from the incident.
Emmet McAuley, 31, pleaded guilty to robbery at a Celbridge off‑licence on 30 May 2015. He was armed with a plastic McDonald's knife, which he claimed to hold, and was pursued on foot by the shop owner. The robbery lasted about 60 seconds, involved no violence, and the robbers escaped with cash and cigarettes, which were later recovered. McAuley was restrained without resistance and later arrested. He has 22 prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three‑year sentence, suspended in full on strict conditions, including a €1,000 payment to the injured party. The court noted McAuley's cooperation with Gardaí and his completion of a residential drug treatment programme. No further convictions or outcomes were mentioned in the article.
Breifne O'Brien, 54, was jailed for inducing others to invest millions in bogus property deals. He pleaded guilty to 14 counts of deception or theft, amounting to about €8.5 million between 2003 and 2008, and was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment by Judge Patricia Ryan on 8 October 2014. His appeal against the sentence was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in December, which upheld the seven‑year term as appropriate. During case‑management proceedings today, his counsel, Barry Murphy BL, sought legal aid to apply to the Supreme Court for leave to appeal the unsuccessful appeal. The Supreme Court application was lodged on 25 May 2016. The case is scheduled for mention on 22 July, when a panel of three judges will hear the matter. No further procedural developments were reported.
In a 2016 case, Judge Patrick McCartan dismissed charges against Sheshi Kota, a 40‑year‑old former Dublin resident, who withdrew €13,600 from an Ulster Bank ATM during a computer fault that allowed unlimited withdrawals. The prosecution failed to prove the existence of the legal entity "Ulster Bank Ireland Ltd." and that the bank had not consented to the withdrawals. Kota had pleaded not guilty to 23 counts of theft, claiming the withdrawals were overdrafts. The judge directed the jury to find him not guilty on all counts, noting that proving theft requires evidence of a legitimate owner and that the ATM's malfunction was not caused by Kota. The bank had later treated the matter as a civil debt and involved Gardaí, but Kota eventually repaid the money. The case was closed with no conviction.
A woman with 234 previous convictions, Winne Cash (46) of Blessington Road, Tallaght Dublin, has been sentenced to four years in prison for stealing a handbag from a 73-year-old woman and trespassing on the curtilage of a house at Main Street, Baldoyle on November 23, 2015. Cash pleaded guilty to the charges at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally noted that Cash had previously received a three-year sentence for burglary in 2013 and surmised that she would not have been out of prison for long at the time of this offence. The judge described the offence as particularly nasty with some degree of premeditation and imposed a four-year sentence, suspending the final year. The matter was adjourned for the purposes of the court's consideration of the suspended portion of the sentence. The case-subject, Tallaght Dublin, also admitted to the same charges and pleaded guilty, but no sentence was imposed at this procedural stage.
In a Crumlin checkpoint incident, Gardaí Cathal McGeoghan and David Currivan pursued two armed men who had entered a Spar shop. The robbers, armed with a meat cleaver and a metal bar, threatened cashiers and fled with nearly €400. McGeoghan chased them on foot while Currivan attempted to block them in a patrol car. McGeoghan used pepper spray when the men raised their weapons, arresting the man with the metal bar. Currivan chased the other robber, Ciaran Kenny, over a wall; a helicopter later spotted Kenny hiding in a garden, leading to his arrest. Kenny, aged 20, pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of a meat cleaver on 30 November 2015. Judge Elma Sheehan remanded him in custody until October for sentencing, while his co‑accused is being dealt with separately. The case highlights the Gardaí's swift response and use of pepper spray to protect themselves during the pursuit.
Jim Duffy, a 45‑year‑old father of three from Dundalk, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing a stolen John Deere tractor between June and September 2013. The tractor, valued at €50,000, had been taken from a farm in Portlaoise during a burglary on 29 May 2013 and later found on Duffy's farm in Hollywood Little, Ballyboughal, with several identifying features altered or removed and a false UK registration plate. Duffy claimed the tractor was left on his farm by a man who owed him money and insisted he had never taken anything. He had three prior minor convictions for road traffic offences. The judge, citing his lack of serious convictions, suspended a four‑year custodial sentence and ordered 240 hours of community service, avoiding immediate imprisonment.