Craig O'Halloran, 22, was found not guilty of murdering Kevin Kenny, 32, outside Ruby Finnegans pub in Inchicore on 31 July 2011. The trial, lasting one and a half weeks, examined CCTV footage of a struggle and a subsequent gathering around Kenny after he collapsed. Forensic evidence identified a stab wound to the heart as the cause of death. The jury, composed of five men and seven women, returned a not‑guilty verdict after more than three hours of deliberation. Justice Patrick McCarthy discharged O'Halloran and exempted the jury from service for ten years.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, forensic scientist Dr Philip Avenell testified that DNA profiles of two victims, Sylvia Shields and Mary Callanan, found on a black velvet jacket belonging to the accused, Mark Nash, could have arisen from contamination in the forensic laboratory. Avenell compared two hypotheses: DNA obtained when the jacket was present at the murders or when it was seized. He could not determine which was more likely. He cited possible contamination from packaging, lack of bag wiping, examination of blood‑stained items six weeks apart, and file‑to‑file transfer. Avenell concluded that the scientific findings might have resulted from lab contamination. The judge ended the evidence, resuming the case on 14 April 2025. Mark Nash pleaded not guilty.
In the Central Criminal Court, prosecutors cross‑examined Dr Philip Avenell, a forensic scientist, as the last witness in the trial of Mark Nash, a 42‑year‑old defendant. Nash, who lives on Prussia Street and Clonliffe Road in Dublin, pleaded not guilty to the murders of Sylvia Shields, 60, and Mary Callanan, 61, which occurred between 6 and 7 March 1997. The victims were residents of a sheltered accommodation attached to St Brendan's Psychiatric Hospital in Grangegorman. Dr Avenell, who has worked on high‑profile cases such as the Stephen Lawrence murder and the Coastal Path murders, had previously testified that contamination became a concern when two examinations were conducted in room 3.6 of Forensic Science Ireland. He explained that a jacket belonging to Nash and heavily blood‑stained clothing and bedding found at the scene were examined in the same laboratory room six weeks apart.
Architect Graham Dwyer, 42, was found guilty of murdering 36‑year‑old Elaine O'Hara in the Dublin Mountains. The Central Criminal Court trial lasted over two months, with the jury hearing testimony from nearly 200 witnesses and more than 300 exhibits, including videos of Dwyer stabbing women and text messages that described a BDSM‑style relationship in which he was the dominant "Master" and O'Hara the submissive "Slave." Evidence showed Dwyer lured O'Hara to the mountain on 22 August 2012, stabbed her for sexual gratification, and disposed of her belongings to make the death appear a suicide. The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict after 7 hours and 33 minutes of deliberation. Mr Justice Tony Hunt remanded Dwyer in custody until the mandatory life sentence is imposed on 20 April. The unnamed 42-year-old pleaded not guilty.
During a murder trial in Dublin, forensic scientist Dr Philip Avenell testified that DNA could have been deposited on a jacket belonging to accused Mark Nash in numerous ways. Avenell, who had reviewed the case files and examined the jacket in 2015, explained that the jacket and other heavily blood‑stained items were processed at Forensic Science Ireland in 1997–1998, a period when formal cleaning documentation was not yet established. He noted that the lab's cleaning procedures at the time were different from modern standards and that the absence of records made it difficult to assess potential contamination. Avenell stated he could not determine whether the DNA was deposited shortly after the murders or later when the jacket was seized, and he refrained from speculating on the exact mechanism of contamination. The state counsel will continue cross‑examination of Dr Avenell on Monday. Mark Nash pleaded not guilty.
In a High Court hearing on 27 March 2015, a male prisoner on a nearly 50‑day hunger strike over his detention conditions was examined. The prisoner, whose identity is protected, is serving a long sentence for burglary and assault and has a substantial criminal record. He has mental health difficulties and a troubled upbringing. He has lost significant weight and is at risk of coma and death. The State seeks a declaration that the prisoner has the capacity to refuse all medical assistance if he becomes incapable of making a decision, and that the prison authorities' decision not to force‑feed him is lawful. The prisoner, in solitary confinement for over three years, demands that his meals be served by staff, not other inmates, and that two officers escort him during his hour in the exercise yard. The prison offered alternative meal arrangements and a different unit, which he declined.
In a Dublin murder trial, prosecutors argued that 21‑year‑old Craig O'Halloran attacked 32‑year‑old Kevin Kenny with a knife on 31 July 2011 at Sarsfield Road, Ballyfermot, intending to kill or seriously injure him. O'Halloran, who pleaded not guilty, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court. Prosecutor Paul Greene presented evidence that Kenny died from a knife wound, one of six inflicted, and that the attack was deliberate. He cited testimony from Sara Burke and Stephen Kenny, who claimed O'Halloran was the assailant and threatened him with a knife afterward. Greene highlighted the lack of CCTV and questioned alternative suspects, concluding the case strongly supported O'Halloran's guilt. The trial proceeded with closing speeches before Justice Patrick cMcCarthy and a jury of five men and seven women.
Four Dublin men—Graham Farrell (32), Christopher Waldron (33), David Waldron (38) and Mark Buckley (33)—were jailed for two years each after pleading guilty to violent disorder at Cabra House on 16 August 2013. The incident involved the men arriving in two cars, armed with a wheel brace and a hand saw, and attacking a victim inside the pub. CCTV footage showed them beating the victim, using a pint glass, a bar stool and the wheel brace, and continuing the assault outside after forcing the victim out. The victim sustained serious injuries but did not cooperate with Gardaí. Judge Martin Nolan described the attack as intentional, pre‑meditated and organised. The prosecution relied on the CCTV evidence, and the men's guilty pleas secured the sentences. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
A 55‑year‑old convicted sex offender was sentenced to six years in prison, with the final year suspended, for sexually assaulting and falsely imprisoning his sister‑in‑law in County Kerry and County Limerick. He pleaded not guilty to six counts, including two of rape, assault causing harm, sexual assault and false imprisonment. A jury found him guilty of the two counts of sexual assault and false imprisonment, but not guilty of the rape charges due to insufficient evidence. The judge noted the victim, a woman in her sixties, was isolated and suffered serious consequences, including fear of living alone and physical injuries such as bruising on her face and breasts. The offender has 42 prior convictions, including a sexual offence involving a child under 16, and the judge emphasised the need to protect society while allowing a chance for rehabilitation.
In a burglary that turned violent, Shane Cooney, aged 24, was sentenced to five years in prison for attacking Father Diarmuid Byrne, 70, with an iron bar on St Anthony's Road, Rialto, on 16 October 2013. The assault left the priest with a fractured skull and numerous facial wounds, requiring 26 stitches. Gardaí found blood‑stained iron bar and other items outside the priest's home after neighbours reported a disturbance. Cooney, who had 74 prior convictions, pleaded guilty to burglary and assault. Judge Mary Ellen Ring imposed a five‑year sentence, suspending the final 18 months. The court noted the victim's age and the impact of the attack, but no further details of the sentence's effective custodial term were provided in the article. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
In a 2015 murder trial, a chartered scientist testified that a jacket belonging to the accused, Mark Nash, and blood‑stained clothing found at the crime scene were examined in the same laboratory room six weeks apart, creating a high risk of contamination. Dr. Denise Syndercombe Court, who had visited Forensic Science Ireland in 2011, initially reported no risk of cross‑contamination, stating the items were examined in different rooms. After the prosecution highlighted an error, she amended her report to acknowledge the risk and noted DNA from several individuals on the jacket, suggesting possible contamination. She explained that debris in the lab could have transferred to the jacket during examination. The trial continues with these findings presented to the jury. Mark Nash pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 35‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to raping a 28‑year‑old woman in Limerick on 28 August 2012. The assault occurred in a small gathering at a friend's house, where the accused was unknown to the victim. The victim had asked her friend for permission to share a room, was assured the man would not harm her, and was later woken at 5.30 am by the man having sex with her. She resisted, but he continued. The victim texted her friend, the man apologized, left, and the matter was reported to Gardaí. The accused admitted groping her while she slept. He had four prior convictions, no partner or children. The judge imposed a seven‑year sentence, suspended two years and three months, citing the early guilty plea and remorse, while noting the victim's lasting psychological harm.
In the trial of Graham Dwyer for the alleged murder of Elaine O'Hara, the jury of five women and seven men was assured that their identities would not be published. The foreman had requested privacy after a query about the publication of his name. Judge Tony Hunt confirmed that no publication of any juror information would occur, despite the Juries Act lacking a specific provision. The jury had requested various exhibits, including knives found at Dwyer's workplace, a rusty blade at Killakee, and items near O'Hara's remains, which were provided. They deliberated for almost five hours on the 45th day of the trial, failing to reach a verdict. Dwyer, charged with murdering the 36‑year‑old childcare worker on 22 August 2012, has pleaded not guilty. The case remains in the Central Criminal Court.
Oliver Kierans, 57, of Drumbannon, Bailieborough, Cavan, was found guilty of the manslaughter of his wife, Patricia Kierans, 54, and the possession of a 12-gauge double barrel shotgun with intent to endanger life. Kierans had pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering Patricia on September 5th, 2013, at their shared address. A jury reached a majority verdict after more than fifteen hours of deliberations, acquitting him of murder but convicting him of manslaughter and the firearm offences. The court heard that the couple had been married for 33 years and had four children. Prosecution evidence indicated that Patricia had left the family home in spring 2013, ending the relationship, before returning to the house in her car on the day of the incident. Kierans claimed he intended to commit suicide and the modified shotgun discharged accidentally, killing Patricia. He subsequently pointed the weapon at a Garda in Bailieborough before his arrest. Victim impact statements from the four children and Patricia's siblings described the profound loss to the family. Justice Aileen Donnelly adjourned the matter, ordering that sentencing take place on April 20th.
Colm MacDonald, 57, a retired painter and decorator from Killarney, was given a suspended three‑year prison sentence after pleading guilty to assault causing harm. The offence occurred on Foley Street on 9 August 2013 when MacDonald punched Christopher Coakley, who suffered serious brain damage after being hit and falling onto a concrete footpath. Coakley spent six months in hospital and ten months in a rehabilitation centre, and continues to experience severe cognitive deficits, requiring ongoing care and relearning basic reading and writing skills. The court noted that Coakley's pre‑existing alcohol problem may have contributed to his injuries, and that MacDonald had no intention to seriously injure him but was extremely reckless. Judge Martin Nolan highlighted MacDonald's good character, work history and age, and the medical evidence as mitigating factors, leading to the suspended sentence. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The Central Criminal Court judge, Mr Justice Carroll Moran, informed the jury that the trial of Mark Nash, aged 42, accused of the 1997 double murder of Sylvia Shields (60) and Mary Callanan (61), is now ready to proceed with evidence. Nash, who last lived on Prussia Street and Clonliffe Road in Dublin, pleaded not guilty. The victims were living in sheltered accommodation attached to St Brendan's Psychiatric Hospital in Grangegorman when they were killed between 6 and 7 March 1997. The judge noted the case had exceeded the expected six‑to‑eight‑week duration and would not finish by Easter. He offered the jury a two‑week break for Easter or to continue immediately. The jury, after discussion, agreed to return next week. Mr Hartnett SC, Nash's counsel, called his first witness, Dr Denise Syndercombe Court, a chartered scientist and forensic genetics reader, who explained her involvement in reviewing evidence and continuity of forensic items. The trial continues.
In the murder trial of Craig O'Halloran, a 21‑year‑old from Portlaoise, the jury heard that a top worn by O'Halloran on the day of Kevin Kenny's killing was found at Sara Burke's address with a mark that appeared to be a bloodstain. O'Halloran, who pleaded not guilty, was interviewed by Garda Ronan Coffey on 1 August 2011. He claimed the mark could only have come from a scuffle with Robert Ellis, whom he said he was trying to protect. O'Halloran also explained his presence outside Ruby Finnegans, seen on CCTV, as being on the phone with his girlfriend and that he had chased Ellis to prevent him from being jumped. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of five men and seven women.
Lateef Bello, 42, from Clonee, was found not guilty by reason of insanity for attempted murder of Adejoke Opesusi and other offences. He was committed to the Central Mental Hospital. Dr Helen O'Neill reported that Bello, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, had limited insight into his illness and was non‑compliant with medication. She noted that his symptoms could lead to immediate harm and that treatment at the hospital was necessary. Mrs Elizabeth Bello confirmed that her husband's condition improves with medication. Judge Paul McDermott ruled that Bello should receive extensive treatment at the designated centre, citing the severity of his actions and the risk posed by his lack of insight. The court emphasized the need for psycho‑education and compliance to prevent further harm.
In the Graham Dwyer murder trial, the jury resumed deliberations after Judge Tony Hunt clarified that only two verdicts were available: guilty or not guilty of murder. The judge emphasized the importance of considering suicide as a possible hypothesis; if the jury believes suicide is reasonably possible, they must acquit. He reviewed evidence, including psychiatric testimony on Ms O'Hara's mental health, forensic findings, and text messages suggesting threat. The prosecution argued Dwyer stabbed Ms O'Hara, citing a "Killing Darci" document and threatening texts. The defense focused on suicide and alleged innocence. Judge Hunt instructed the jury to base their decision solely on the evidence and reasonable inference, without considering intermediate verdicts. The jury spent 1 hour 28 minutes deliberating before resuming the next day. The case involved Ms O'Hara's disappearance on 22 August 2012 and her skeletal remains found in Killakee in September 2013.
Clive Dwyer, aged 32, was convicted in 2013 of four counts of sexual assault, three counts of oral rape and one count of anal rape against a seven‑year‑old boy, and sentenced to nine years' imprisonment. In 2015 he appealed, arguing that during the trial the prosecution played a VHS tape of his Garda interviews at an inappropriate time. The tape was stopped prematurely, replayed, and seven words – "I wasn't around kids. I haven't been…" – were heard by the jury. Dwyer's counsel claimed the words were prejudicial, appearing without context and contradicting the memorandums of interview that had been agreed upon by both sides. The prosecution admitted an error but said it did not prejudice the case. The Court of Appeal noted the mistake and reserved its decision for a future hearing. The appeal concerns only the alleged prejudice of the tape, not the conviction itself. Clive Dwyer pleaded not guilty.
During the murder trial of Craig O'Halloran, the jury heard that Garda Lynn Johnson examined a "trail of blood" outside Ruby Finnegan's pub, where the victim, Kevin Kenny, had been drinking before his death. The report, read by prosecuting counsel, described evidence bags along the footpath and a concentrated blood stain in the carpark. Johnson also recovered a SIM card at the scene. The jury saw the shirt worn by Kenny on the day of the fatal stabbing. A medical report from Dr. Nigel Salter, read by counsel, stated that Kenny arrived at St James' Hospital's Accident and Emergency at 21:25 with a lower chest wound, was unresponsive, and was resuscitated for 45 minutes without success before being pronounced dead. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of five men and seven women. Craig O'Halloran pleaded not guilty.
Marco Rodi, 40, was sentenced to seven years in prison with three years suspended for organising a violent robbery of his friend Nunzio De Luca. Rodi arranged for two men to enter De Luca's chip shop and home on Castle Street, Ringsend, Dublin, and helped them gain access. The men tied De Luca with cable ties, assaulted him, and used a screwdriver to torture him into revealing the location of his safe. They stole €6,000 in cash and €15,000 worth of jewellery. Rodi pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the robbery on 26 February 2012. Garda Brian Hunt noted that Rodi and De Luca were acquaintances from the Italian community. De Luca suffered a cracked nose, bruising, loss of sensation to his upper lip, back pain and ear injuries. Rodi had no prior convictions and had fled to Italy before the arrest warrant was issued.
Two Dublin men, David Crowley (38) and Alan Wilson (36), are awaiting the outcome of appeals against convictions for trespassing and assault causing harm at Dromheath Drive, Blanchardstown, on 3 June 2009. Crowley was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. Both were found guilty by a jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and sentenced by Judge Desmond Hogan on 12 April 2013 to eight years and seven years imprisonment respectively. In the Court of Appeal, Wilson's counsel, Padraig Dwyer SC, argued that no evidence existed of trespassing or assault and highlighted that Wilson was wearing a bulletproof vest at the time of arrest. The prosecution, represented by Paul Burns SC, maintained that the vest indicated joint enterprise with Crowley, who carried a firearm. The court has reserved judgment and will decide as soon as possible. David Crowley pleaded not guilty. Alan Wilson pleaded not guilty.
In March 2015 the Court of Appeal overturned a wholly suspended seven‑year sentence that had been handed to a 53‑year‑old man for raping and indecently assaulting his wife's younger sister in the mid‑1980s. The man had pleaded not guilty to two counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault committed between 1985 and 1986. A jury found him guilty on all counts and the original judge, Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, had suspended the entire seven‑year term in 2013, citing the need to support the man's family, who had two autistic sons requiring 24‑hour care. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient. On 24 March 2015 Mr Justice Seán Ryan, President of the Court of Appeal, imposed a new three‑year prison term, stating the court's aim was "just punishment".
In the Graham Dwyer murder trial, Judge Tony Hunt instructed the jury on March 24, 2015, to exercise caution with circumstantial evidence, using the spade found near Elaine O'Hara's remains as an example. He reminded jurors that the presumption of innocence required them to consider the spade unrelated to Dwyer unless proven otherwise. The judge referenced testimony from Dwyer's wife, Gemma, who claimed the spade was missing from their garden and identified it by its label and paint. He also cited forensic evidence that the paint on the spade did not match the paint on the family's fence, urging jurors to be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt before linking the spade to Dwyer. The judge noted that the spade could be irrelevant or significant, emphasizing the need for careful evaluation of circumstantial evidence. The trial continued with the jury expected to deliberate later that day.
Two Dublin men, David Crowley (38) and Alan Wilson (36), appealed their convictions for trespassing and assault at Dromheath Drive, Blanchardstown, on 3 June 2009. Crowley also faced a second charge of unlawful firearm possession. Both were found guilty by a jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and sentenced to eight and seven years' imprisonment respectively by Judge Desmond Hogan on 12 April 2013. In the appeal, Crowley's counsel, James O'Brien SC, argued that the jury should have been discharged after Crowley offered a juror a cigarette lighter outside court, an act described by the jury as a "jaw‑dropping moment." O'Brien also highlighted the victim's former partner, Lisa Murray, who later retracted her statement and claimed no memory of the events. Wilson's counsel, Padraig Dwyer SC, contended that there was no evidence of trespassing or assault, that the admission of Murray's statement was wrong, and that evidence of Wilson's bullet‑proof vest was prejudicial. David Crowley pleaded not guilty. Alan Wilson pleaded not guilty.
In a 2015 Central Criminal Court hearing, David Henry, 28, was convicted of assault causing harm after he beat his ex‑girlfriend, Evangeline O'Neill, in a school car park in Tralee on 17 June 2012. O'Neill, aged 22 at the time, described being straddled, punched and slapped, suffering black eyes and jaw soreness. Henry pleaded not guilty; a jury found him guilty by a 10‑to‑1 majority. Judge Patrick McCarthy imposed a three‑year sentence, suspended the last 18 months on condition of peace, and back‑dated it to 28 January when Henry entered custody. The deputy principal of St. Oliver's Community College, Una Kirk, testified as a character witness, noting Henry's professional conduct as a substitute PE teacher. O'Neill's victim impact statement highlighted lasting trauma, and Garda Aidan Carey recounted the abusive texts and events leading to the assault. Henry admitted using excessive force and expressed contrition, which the judge acknowledged in his sentencing remarks.
In March 2015, Judge Tony Hunt addressed the jury in the Graham Dwyer murder trial, emphasizing that the jury must decide only whether Dwyer is guilty of murder, not any other wrongdoing. He explained that the charge requires proof that Dwyer stabbed Elaine O'Hara in pursuit of sexual or other gratification, and that the evidence is largely indirect. The judge instructed jurors to consider the act and intent separately, to be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt of both, and to weigh circumstantial evidence such as text messages, mobile phone data, and videos of Dwyer's alleged violent acts. He warned against letting personal feelings influence the verdict and reminded the jury of the presumption of innocence. The trial continued with the jury expected to deliberate the next day.
Ray Gralton, aged 23, of Mount Prospect, Roscommon, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Sara Staunton at the Central Criminal Court on March 23rd, 2015. Ms Staunton, aged 28, died at her home in Portagh, Mayo Abbey, Claremorris on December 13th, 2013. The court heard evidence that the couple had been in a turbulent relationship lasting twelve months, characterised by domestic violence and alcohol abuse. On the night in question, a violent altercation occurred involving multiple physical confrontations. A post-mortem examination determined Ms Staunton died from severe blunt force trauma to the head. Detective evidence indicated beer cans struck to her head were the likely cause of death. Victim impact statements from Ms Staunton's mother and former partner detailed the profound effect on her two children. Mr Justice Paul Carney remanded Gralton in custody pending sentencing scheduled for April 13th, 2015.
In a Dublin murder trial, 21‑year‑old Craig O'Halloran is charged with killing 32‑year‑old Kevin Kenny on 31 July 2011. The prosecution presented forensic evidence that Kenny suffered six stab wounds, including a fatal wound to the left side of the chest that penetrated the heart. Professor Jack Crane described the wounds as being caused by a knife, noting the fatal wound was 9 cm deep and reached the left ventricle, while the other wounds were on the back and left hand. The court heard that O'Halloran was seen with a red flick knife by witness Sara Burke, who also testified that he had "marked" someone with a knife. Burke was previously arrested for delivering tools to Robert Ellis. The trial is set to continue before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury. Craig O'Halloran pleaded not guilty.
Shane Connell, 27, of Coolock, was jailed for five years after he stole an ESB van, drove through red lights, and rammed a Garda van four times while being chased through Dublin suburbs. He also caused damage on Ranelagh Road and collided with several cars. Connell claimed he had drunk two bottles of vodka and could not remember the incident. Judge Pat McCartan sentenced him to four years, suspended the final eighteen months, and activated a previously suspended two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for burglary and assault, giving an effective five‑year term. Shane Connell pleaded guilty.
In the Graham Dwyer murder trial, Judge Tony Hunt reminded the jury that the case concerns only whether Dwyer is guilty of murder, not any other misconduct. He noted that Dwyer, a 42‑year‑old architect, is charged with killing 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara in Killakee, Rathfarnham, on 22 August 2012, shortly after she left a mental health hospital. Dwyer, a father of three from Cork, pleaded not guilty. The judge discussed videos the jury saw of Dwyer stabbing O'Hara and two other women during separate sexual encounters, stressing that the footage was shown to allow assessment of the relationship, not to vilify the accused. He emphasized that the prosecution must prove all elements beyond a reasonable doubt and outlined the timeline of events, including a text message sent on the day of the murder and the discovery of O'Hara's skeletal remains in September 2013.
In March 2015 the Court of Appeal overturned a wholly suspended three‑year sentence given to Alan Kilmartin, a security guard, for an unprovoked assault on a woman in her Ennis home. Kilmartin had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on 2 March 2012 and received a wholly suspended sentence in November 2013, suspended for five years. The Director of Public Prosecutions argued the sentence was unduly lenient. Justice Seán Ryan, with Justices John Edwards and Michael Peart, found that while mitigating factors existed, they did not negate the seriousness of the crime. He ordered Kilmartin to serve a two‑year prison term, with the suspended portion remaining. The victim, who wished to remain anonymous, suffered head injuries, fractures and psychological harm. The court also returned a €3,000 compensation offer to Kilmartin.
In the 41st day of the Central Criminal Court murder trial of Graham Dwyer, defence counsel Remy Farrell SC urged jurors to apply the presumption of innocence despite the prosecution's portrayal of Dwyer as a sadistic pervert. Farrell read excerpts from a document titled "Killing Darci" found on Dwyer's hard drive, describing fantasies of murder, and argued that the prosecution's evidence was largely speculative and emotionally charged. He highlighted the lack of forensic evidence linking Dwyer to the stabbing of 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara, noting the pathologist's finding of no bony injuries. Farrell warned that jurors might feel pressured to convict and urged them to focus on the factual evidence presented. The prosecution, led by Seán Guerin SC, maintained that text messages and other documents constituted a plan to murder O'Hara, but the defence contested the reliability of these sources. The trial continued with the judge instructing the jury on their duties.
In a 2015 murder trial, forensic scientist Dr. Linda Williams testified that a 2013 contamination incident at Forensic Science Ireland prompted a change in procedure: the outside of exhibit bags began to be wiped down. Williams explained that DNA profiles matching Sylvia Shields and Mary Callanan were derived from threads on the accused Mark Nash's jacket and a small particle in a seam of a black velvet jacket, respectively. She could not specify the exact source of the DNA or the particle. The court heard that in 2013, two unrelated cases were processed on the same surface, leading to contamination. Dr. Geraldine O'Donnell, former quality manager and now Director of DNA, described the lab's quality system, the introduction of bench logs in 2011, and the formal logging of contamination events, noting 14 in 2011, 22 in 2012, and 31 in 2013. The prosecution's case was concluded, and the judge postponed the jury's return to Tuesday. Mark Nash pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, prosecutor Seán Guerin SC described Graham Dwyer, 42, as a sadistic and brutal pervert who planned the murder of 36‑year‑old childcare worker Elaine O'Hara. Guerin highlighted text messages from Dwyer that outlined a plan to kill O'Hara, including choosing an isolated location on private land, using a hunting knife, and staging the scene to look like suicide. He noted Dwyer's delivery of a hunting knife to his office the day before the murder and the alleged use of untraceable phones. Guerin urged the jury to accept the texts as evidence of intent, arguing they showed Dwyer's desire to kill. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Tony Hunt, continues with a jury of five women and seven men. The case remains at the 41st day of the hearing.
During the trial of Craig O'Halloran, a 21‑year‑old from Portlaoise, a witness, Stephen Kenny, testified that he saw his brother Kevin Kenny, aged 32, stabbed four times by O'Halloran on 31 July 2011 at the Sarsfield Road in Ballyfermot. Kenny described a confrontation that began in the Old Dubliner pub, involving a man named Robert Ellis who allegedly threatened to use a shotgun. Kenny claimed that O'Halloran, armed with a knife about six to seven inches long, approached and stabbed Kevin in the upper left area of the body, an act that lasted five to ten seconds. Kenny said he attempted to help Kevin, who collapsed and was later taken to hospital. CCTV footage was shown to the jury, and the trial continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy. Craig O'Halloran pleaded not guilty.
At the Central Criminal Court on 19 March 2015, the prosecution closing address in the murder trial of Graham Dwyer outlined its case against the 42-year-old architect. Dwyer, from Foxrock in Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering Elaine O'Hara, a 36-year-old childcare worker, at Killakee, Rathfarnham on 22 August 2012. Prosecution Counsel Seán Guerin SC told the jury that the relationship was predatory in nature, with Dwyer deliberately selecting a vulnerable victim. The prosecution's case rested on telephone evidence linking disputed phones recovered from a reservoir to Dwyer, text message analysis reflecting his known movements and activities, and documentary evidence of violent sexual fantasies. Mr Guerin submitted that Dwyer intended to murder Ms O'Hara for sexual gratification hours after her discharge from psychiatric care, and that he had deliberately arranged circumstances to suggest suicide. The trial continued at the Central Criminal Court.
William Moran, a 20-year-old from Connolly Place, Waterford City, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Martin Brophy (22). The Central Criminal Court in Dublin heard that Moran was charged with killing Brophy at the old Waterford Institute of Technology building between May 19 and May 21, 2012. Moran had pleaded not guilty to the charge. After a five-week trial, a jury of three women and seven men delivered a unanimous guilty verdict following eight hours and 38 minutes of deliberation. The court heard evidence that Brophy died from blunt force trauma to the head, potentially caused by kicking, stamping, or stomping. Witness Gavin Walsh testified that Moran dragged Brophy and struck him, while forensic evidence included a blood-stained metal locker. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy exempted the jury from service for life and imposed the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. The victim's family, including his sister Trina Brophy and father Michael Brophy, expressed relief at the verdict, noting it provided some closure after a traumatic period. The judge described the act as a horrendous murder, and the sentence was finalized in court.
A Limerick man, Kevin Coughlan, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2011 for the murder of Francis Greene at Steamboat Quay between November 28 and 29, 2009, has appealed his conviction. Coughlan pleaded not guilty to the charge, was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court, and received a mandatory life sentence from Mr Justice Patrick J McCarthy. The appeal, heard by the Court of Appeal, focuses on the testimony of the former Deputy State Pathologist, Dr Khalid Jabber, who altered his conclusion on the cause of death during the trial. Prior to the trial, Dr Jabber suggested the possibility of drowning, but later testified that the victim was strangled before entering the water. Counsel for Coughlan, Mr Anthony Sammon SC, argued that this change placed the defense in an unfair position. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Patrick McCarthy SC, acknowledged the unfairness but maintained that it did not affect the fairness of the trial. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Sean Ryan, Mr Justice George Birmingham, and Mr Justice John Edwards, considered whether the conviction could be quashed and the murder verdict substituted with a lesser offense. The matter was adjourned until Monday next, with judgment expected in the next law term.
Glen Hogan, aged 25, was sentenced to three years in prison for driving a stolen Mitsubishi Pajero through red lights and onto footpaths during a high‑speed chase in Dublin. He pleaded guilty to one count of driving a stolen car, two counts of dangerous driving and one count of driving under the influence. Judge Patrick McCartan suspended the final year of a four‑year term on the condition that Hogan remains drug‑free and keeps the peace, and banned him from driving for ten years. The judge also back‑dated the sentence to start in August 2014. Hogan has eight prior convictions for car theft, 71 total convictions including drug offences, and a previous six‑year sentence for assault. The court noted his drug addiction and offered him a residential treatment programme through the Peter McVerry Trust.
Two convicted murderers, Anthony Craig (66) and Michael Anthony Balmer (62), are appealing a High Court order requiring their extradition to serve life sentences in the UK. Both men had previously served the punitive parts of their sentences and were subject to continued detention due to the risk they posed to the public. Craig, with an address in Rathcoole, South Dublin, was convicted and jailed for life for the murder of a man in a park in Blackburn on November 3, 1973. He escaped from prison after serving 28 years and was arrested in Ireland in 2013. Balmer, with a last address in Cornwall, England, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 1984 for the murder of a woman in Devon on July 28, 1983. He came to Ireland in 2012 following his conditional release on license, which was later revoked. The appeal is based on the argument that their extradition would result in immediate preventative detention, which is contrary to Irish law and the Irish Constitution. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment and will deliver its decision on May 21. The matter remains under appeal and has not been finalised.
In a Kildare incident, Tadgh Delaney, aged 41, assaulted and robbed his ex‑girlfriend, a 36‑year‑old woman, on 29 January 2014. He pleaded guilty to assault and to robbing her mobile phone and €130 cash. The victim, whose identity is protected, appealed to Judge James O'Donohoe to avoid jail, arguing that Delaney had turned his life around. The judge had previously indicated a possible 240‑hour community service sentence in lieu of a six‑month jail term. Judge Martin Nolan confirmed this order after a Probation Service report deemed Delaney suitable for community service, requiring the work to be completed within one year. The case highlighted Delaney's history of road‑traffic offences, theft, and a former heroin addiction, and the victim's claim that he had begun to change after their relationship ended.
The Central Criminal Court in Dublin is hearing a trial in which Craig O'Halloran, aged 21, is accused of murdering Kevin Kenny, aged 32, on 31 July 2011 at the Sarsfield Road in Ballyfermot. O'Halloran pleaded not guilty and is currently on trial. Prosecutor Paul Greene SC presented the State's case that O'Halloran stabbed Kenny following a "fracas" outside Ruby Finnegans pub on First Avenue in Inchicore. The prosecution described two groups arriving at the pub, with Kenny in one group, and a subsequent altercation that spilled onto a grassy area outside the pub where CCTV did not cover. Witnesses alleged that O'Halloran repeatedly stabbed Kenny on that grassy area, causing fatal injuries. Kenny fell, was seriously injured, and was taken to hospital. The trial, presided over by Justice Patrick McCarthy, is expected to conclude next week with a jury of five men and seven women.
In a 2015 murder trial, the jury heard that forensic exhibits examined at Forensic Science Ireland contained DNA profiles of laboratory staff who had never handled the items. Mark Nash, 42, pleaded not guilty to the murders of Sylvia Shields, 60, and Mary Callanan, 61, committed in March 1997. Dr Maureen Smith, a retired forensic scientist with 35 years of experience, explained that contamination events have been recorded since 2011, when the lab began keeping logs. She noted that DNA from staff could appear on exhibits through skin cells, hair, or other transfer, even when protective clothing was worn. The court discussed cleaning protocols, the use of sealed bags, glove changes, and the recommendation to avoid using the same room for victim and suspect items. The trial continues.
Anthony Craig, 66, and Michael Anthony Balmer, 62, both convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in the UK, have appealed High Court orders that would have had them extradited to the UK to serve the remainder of their sentences. Craig was convicted in 1973 for a murder in Blackburn, served 28 years, escaped to Ireland, and was arrested in 2013 on an extradition warrant. Balmer was convicted in 1984 for a murder in Devon, released on license in 2011, had his license revoked in 2012, and was arrested in Cork. The appeals argue that extradition would subject them to preventative detention under English law, which they claim violates Irish constitutional principles and Article 40.4.2. The cases remain before the Court of Appeal, with counsel for both men presenting their arguments and the Director of Public Prosecutions yet to reply.
A jury of seven men and three women continues deliberations in the trial of William Moran, 20, charged with the 2012 murder of Martin Brophy, 22, at the old Waterford Institute of Technology building. Moran pleaded not guilty and is on trial at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. The jury has spent five hours and 13 minutes deliberating and has been asked to return tomorrow to reach a unanimous verdict.
Jamie Griffin, aged 20, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to affray for a violent attack in a Ladbrokes bookmakers shop in Tallaght on 13 December 2012. Griffin, two other men and a short blade were involved. They entered the shop at 5.30pm, targeted a customer, and one attacker stabbed the man repeatedly while customers were still being served. The victim's brother intervened, but the attackers later returned and attacked him. Gardaí were called; both injured men were taken to Tallaght Hospital, one with multiple stab wounds and the other with a broken hand. Griffin, already serving a six‑year sentence on another charge and with 13 prior convictions, was given a three‑year custodial sentence with the last year suspended on condition of good behaviour. The other two men were charged separately with violent disorder. The court noted that Griffin was only 17 at the time of the offence.
Patrick McGrath, aged 35, received a three‑year jail sentence for a series of violent offences. He pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to producing a knife during a dispute on 17 July 2012, to attempted hijacking of a car that same night, and to intimidation of a witness by threatening Sinead Murphy on 19 July 2012. McGrath also threatened the Murphy family, saying he would return with a gun and shoot them. The judge, Martin Nolan, back‑dated the sentence to April 2014, noting evidence of reconciliation between McGrath and the Murphy family. McGrath's defence argued he was a hard‑working man acting out of over‑protectiveness for his son, who has a serious congenital brain condition. The court imposed the three‑year term, with no mention of a suspended portion or effective custody beyond the sentence itself.
David Murphy, aged 24, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two assault charges after a violent incident on 12 December 2013. He stabbed his mother, Angela Murdock, in the neck and arms with a bread knife, then attacked his brother, Andrew Murphy, stabbing him five times until the knife handle broke, leaving the blade in Andrew's arm. The court noted a long‑standing strained relationship between Murphy and his family. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a four‑year prison sentence, suspending the last 18 months on the condition that Murphy keeps the peace and obeys Probation Services instructions for one year after release. The sentence was back‑dated to December 2013, when Murphy entered custody. Both victims received stitches and reported nightmares from the attack. Murphy expressed remorse and claimed he had always felt like the black sheep of the family.