The trial of 42‑year‑old architect Graham Dwyer, charged with murdering 36‑year‑old Elaine O'Hara on 22 August 2012, is being heard in the Central Criminal Court. The State alleges Dwyer killed O'Hara for sexual gratification, citing an "unusual sexual relationship" that involved stabbing. Evidence presented includes 400 pieces of evidence, eight key exhibits, and text messages between Dwyer's number and O'Hara's phones. The prosecution claims the texts reveal a BDSM relationship, with Dwyer expressing sadistic desires and threatening O'Hara to cooperate. DNA from semen on O'Hara's mattress matched Dwyer, and data extracted from her phones linked her to Dwyer's number. The jury was shown photographs of O'Hara's skeletal remains and her mattress, which had been pierced. The trial is scheduled to continue for six to eight weeks. Graham Dwyer pleaded not guilty. Elaine O'Hara pleaded not guilty.
A woman was discharged from the jury and a new female juror was sworn in for the trial of Mark Nash, 42, who is accused of murdering Sylvia Shields, 59, and Mary Callanan, 61, in a house attached to St Brendan's Psychiatric Hospital in Grangegorman between 6 and 7 March 1997. Nash has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court. The trial, expected to last six to eight weeks, will begin on Thursday under Judge Carroll Moran. The jury, composed of seven men and five women, was introduced to the State counsel Brendan Grehan SC and Una Ni Raifeartaigh SC, and to the accused's counsel Hugh Hartnett SC and Patrick McGrath SC. Evidence will be presented from Gardaí at Bridewell Station, Galway, Garda Headquarters, Mountjoy Prison and the forensic science laboratory. Judge Moran instructed the jury not to discuss the case with anyone until it is over, after which they may speak freely about it.
Sean Donnelly, aged 20, was sentenced to ten years for his role in an armed raid on a Portmarnock credit union. During the raid, a gun was pointed at Garda Michael Bolton and a car was hijacked. Donnelly attempted to calm the other raider, who threatened staff and a customer with a hand pistol. Bolton pursued the raiders on his bicycle, was threatened with a gun, and later chased the hijacked car until it crashed near Belmayne Road. Donnelly had previously pleaded guilty to robbery of €2,900 from the credit union, possession of a firearm, and hijacking in 2012, and to robbery of a cash‑in‑transit worker in 2014. He had 43 prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan imposed consecutive sentences totaling ten years, suspending the final three years on strict conditions. The case highlighted Donnelly's involvement in multiple criminal acts and his relationship with his father, who is serving a life sentence for murder.
The Special Criminal Court will hear legal applications from the defence tomorrow in the trial of three Dubliners charged with murdering Peter Butterly, a 35‑year‑old father of two, who was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co Meath on 6 March 2013. The accused are Dean Evans (24) of Raheny, Edward McGrath (33) of Tallaght, and Sharif Kelly (44) of Balbriggan, all of whom have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and to firearm offences. A fourth man, David Cullen (30), who had been part of the alleged murder plan, turned State's witness and is currently serving a three‑and‑half‑year sentence for lesser offences. The court has ruled that Evans and McGrath were lawfully before the court, and the defence has received new material and will make further applications on Thursday morning.
The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on the appeal of a Dublin man who was convicted of sexually abusing his former partner's six daughters. He pleaded not guilty to 60 counts of sexual assault between 1995 and 2005, but a jury found him guilty on all counts and he was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended by Judge Desmond Hogan on 29 November 2011. The appeal, heard today, is primarily a matter of law. The Director of Public Prosecutions has an undue‑leniency application that will be considered after the appeal. Senior counsel Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha argued that the trial judge erred in not giving a clear warning about the dangers of convicting on uncorroborated evidence, while counsel for the DPP maintained that the jury was properly advised about collusion and the need for corroboration. The Court will reserve judgment for a future date.
John McMahon, 40, was sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment after he attacked Christina Joyce at a Dublin methadone clinic. While waiting in line, Joyce was struck in the face and then had her arms and hands slashed with a blade. McMahon pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and possession of a pointed blade. The judge described the attack as vicious, noting Joyce required emergency surgery to save a severed artery and now bears serious disfiguring scars, loss of sensation in two fingers, and ongoing psychological distress. McMahon's 23 prior convictions were mainly for public‑order, drug and traffic offences. The sentence was back‑dated to his initial remand in December 2012. The court accepted his guilty plea as a substantial value to the State, given the difficulty of prosecuting such incidents in methadone clinics. The case highlighted the severe impact on Joyce's life and the challenges of securing witnesses in this setting.
Sean Hulgrain, 23, of Thornfield Square, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assaulting Garda Wayne Keown at a Swedish House Mafia concert in Phoenix Park on 7 July 2012. Hulgrain struck Keown in the face, breaking his nose, after insulting him as a "garda scumbag." The assault followed a bump between Keown's group and Hulgrain's group, with Keown's friend having previously met Hulgrain in Crete. Hulgrain had 17 prior district court convictions, including a threat to kill. Judge Mary Ellen Ring imposed a suspended sentence of three years, noting Hulgrain's transformation since his release from custody in April, his participation in anger‑management and alcohol‑awareness programmes, and his cooperation with Probation Services. The sentence was suspended on the condition that he maintains peace and continues his probation work. The court also heard that Keown had tracked Hulgrain via Facebook and that Hulgrain had denied attending the gig when later arrested.
Michael Butler, aged 33, was convicted of serious assault for stomping on the head of Billy Barry in Cork on 25 July 2010. He had pleaded not guilty but was found guilty by a jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin on 2 March 2012. Butler appealed the conviction but the Court of Appeal upheld the conviction. The Court of Appeal, however, reduced the 15‑year sentence to eight years, citing that the assault was an instance of "excessive self‑defence". The court noted that Butler was attacked with a knife twice, that he saw his mother and girlfriend being assaulted, and that he was acting in a context where armed men had appeared. The judge stated that the original sentence did not adequately consider the surrounding circumstances and that the incident was not created by Butler.
Joseph Cullen, 46, was convicted of assault causing serious harm to Kevin Byrne, who was hit by a car and lost his foot. Cullen pleaded not guilty to alternative counts of assault causing harm and assault causing serious harm. A jury found him guilty and Judge Patricia Ryan sentenced him to 12 years imprisonment on 20 December 2010. Cullen appealed the conviction but the Court of Appeal upheld the conviction and reduced the sentence to nine years imprisonment. The appeal was based on the argument that the prosecution had not indicated joint enterprise until the closing speech, and that Cullen had no basis to believe he faced both counts. The Court of Appeal found no ambush and that the charges were alternatives, but that the original sentence was too high. The new sentence of nine years was imposed by the Court of Appeal.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 20 January 2015, Mihail Lurescu, aged 28, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after striking his former wife on 17 July 2013 at their former Dublin home. Judge Martin Nolan remanded Lurescu in custody for three weeks, stating the detention would serve as a warning against future similar conduct. The victim, who is now legally separated from Lurescu and has a child with him, reported that he punched her in the head, told her to clean blood from her face, took her mobile phone, and threatened to go to jail. She suffered a fractured cheekbone and bruising. Garda Enda Muldoon informed the judge that jailing Lurescu would not aid the family. Lurescu's defence, represented by Keith Spencer BL, argued the incident was isolated and that the victim did not want him imprisoned. The judge noted Lurescu's ten prior convictions were for traffic and non‑violent public order offences.
The Special Criminal Court is set to rule tomorrow on a defence application to direct a finding of not guilty for three men charged with the murder of Peter Butterly, a 35‑year‑old father of two, who was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co. Meath, on 6 March 2013. The accused are Dean Evans (24) of Raheny, Edward McGrath (33) of Tallaght, and Sharif Kelly (44) of Balbriggan, all of whom have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and, in the case of Evans and McGrath, to firearm offences. The trial, now in its 52nd day, also involves David Cullen (30), who was alleged to have been part of the murder plan but has turned State's witness and is currently serving a three‑and‑half‑year sentence for lesser offences. Cullen has provided evidence implicating the three men.
In an appeal-stage proceeding, Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly sought clarification regarding the case of Ali Charaf Damache, an Algerian-born Irish citizen wanted in the US for conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists and attempted identity theft. The judge requested up-to-date US statistics on how many individuals convicted of similar Islamist terrorism offences are transferred to the ADX Supermax Prison in Florence, Colorado, and their progression through the system. This inquiry follows concerns raised about the prison's conditions, including solitary confinement and barriers to religious observance. The matter was adjourned and placed on the extradition case list for mention on February 3, with Damache remanded in custody until then. The court noted that if convicted in the US, Damache could face up to 45 years in jail. The US alleges he conspired with Colleen LaRose, who pleaded guilty to a plot to murder cartoonist Lars Vilks and was sentenced to ten years, and Jamie Paulin Ramirez, who pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorists and was sentenced to eight years. Separately, Damache had previously pleaded guilty in Ireland to sending a menacing phone call to US activist Majed Moughni in January 2010, for which he was sentenced to three years.
The trial of 42‑year‑old Graham Dwyer, charged with the murder of 37‑year‑old Elaine O'Hara on 22 August 2012, was adjourned to Thursday. Dwyer was arraigned at the Central Criminal Court and pleaded not guilty. A jury of five women and seven men was sworn in for an eight‑week trial that was set to begin that morning. Judge Anthony Hunt announced the delay, apologised, and thanked the jurors for their service on a long and difficult case. He noted that the jurors would not receive payment, unlike other participants, and that they should not discuss the case with anyone, including family. He also warned that media coverage might be biased and that the jury's role as judges of fact was paramount. The prosecution was scheduled to give an opening statement on Thursday.
A jury has been sworn in for the trial of Mark Nash, 42, who has pleaded not guilty to the murders of Sylvia Shields, 59, and Mary Callanan, 61, which occurred in a house attached to St Brendan's Psychiatric Hospital in Grangegorman on March 6 and 7, 1997. The double‑murder trial will begin on Wednesday before Judge Carroll Moran and is expected to last six to eight weeks.
Karl Donohoe, 33, of Ringsend, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Ray Bates, 49, at a junction in Sandymount on 26 September 2010. The original 12‑year sentence, with the last two years suspended, was deemed too severe by the Court of Appeal. The appeal court, led by Justice Seán Ryan, found that the circumstances—both men driving in the same direction, a brief altercation after a traffic light, and Donohoe's use of a hurley to strike Bates—did not justify a "category of gravity" warranting the full term. The court reduced the sentence to ten years, suspending the final two years, and imposed a €1,000 bond for good behaviour during the suspended period. The decision was based solely on the facts presented in the trial and the appellate judges' assessment of mitigating factors. The summary reflects the procedural outcome as stated in the article.
In 2010, Douglas Ward, 38, of Louth, killed 18‑year‑old Niall Dorr in a prolonged assault on Castle Road, Dundalk. Ward pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was originally sentenced to 16 years' imprisonment, with three years suspended, by Mr Justice Paul Carney in 2012. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Seán Ryan, found the sentence excessive, citing Ward's lack of pre‑meditation, no serious prior convictions, and his efforts to address alcohol and drug problems. The appeal court reduced the sentence to 13 years' imprisonment, again with three years suspended. The decision was based on the violent nature of the attack, the severity of injuries, and the absence of provocation or prior conflict involving Dorr. Ward expressed remorse for the killing. The case remains a manslaughter conviction with a reduced custodial term.
Con Desmond, a former priest and school principal aged 79, was convicted of 13 counts of indecent assault on a boy at St Stephen's De La Salle National School in Waterford between 1978 and June 1980. He pleaded not guilty but a jury found him guilty and Judge Donagh McDonagh sentenced him to two years' imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently, on 19 February 2013. Desmond appealed on grounds of delay and conflicting evidence, but the Court of Appeal rejected the appeal. The court noted the first incident occurred in January 1978 when the boy, aged eight, was wet from cycling to school and was taken to Desmond's office by Brother Aengus. Desmond sexually abused the boy then, and the victim reported similar abuse on subsequent Saturdays. The appeal was dismissed after the court considered the evidence, the delay, and the absence of Brother Aengus, who had died years earlier.
The Special Criminal Court has adjourned the trial of three men charged with the murder of Peter Butterly, a 35‑year‑old father of two, until tomorrow. Butterly was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co. Meath, on 6 March 2013. The accused are Dean Evans (24) of Raheny, Edward McGrath (33) of Tallaght, and Sharif Kelly (44) of Balbriggan, all of whom pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. They also pleaded not guilty to firearm offences. A fourth man, David Cullen (30), who had been involved in the murder plan, turned State's witness and is serving a three‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for other offences. The court, presided over by Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy, heard applications for a not‑guilty finding and will continue the hearing tomorrow. The trial is in its 51st day.
John Prendiville, 49, who has no fixed abode, will be sentenced next week for sexually assaulting a 14‑year‑old boy in a Kerry town in May 2012. Prendiville pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court. The court heard that the victim was in residential care at the time and was found drunk and slumped against a door after being reported missing. Prendiville had been released from Castlerea Prison after serving a six‑year term for a previous sex assault and had taken the teenager to his B&B where he performed oral sex. He admitted he knew the victim was underage and referred to him as a "kid" and a "young fella." The victim's impact report described lasting fear and mistrust, and his social worker noted he had been moved to a new care centre for safety. Prendiville's 33 prior convictions include five for sexual assault and four for failing to notify Gardaí under the Sex Offender's Act.
Trevor Andre, a 27‑year‑old student from Pembroke Woods, Passage West, Co Cork, will be sentenced in March for attempting to rape and sexually assaulting a woman in Cork on 8 June 2013. He pleaded not guilty to rape, attempted rape and sexual assault. A jury of four women and eight men convicted him of the attempted rape and sexual assault charges but acquitted him of rape. Andre, a native of Seychelles, admitted to the assault after his arrest, claiming the victim may not have been fully awake and that her eyes were closed. The victim, in her twenties, reported severe post‑incident trauma, including nightmares, panic attacks and loss of trust. Mr Justice Tony Hunt adjourned the sentence to March and ordered an updated Probation Report. The case was prosecuted by Marjorie Farrelly SC and defended by Sean Gillane SC. The trial was held at the Central Criminal Court.
A 41‑year‑old man, Graham Dwyer of Foxrock, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of 37‑year‑old Elaine O'Hara, who was killed on 22 August 2012 in Kilakee, Rathfarnham. Dwyer was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court and stood in a navy suit, pleading not guilty. Judge Paul Carney warned potential jurors about the case's graphic nature and that anyone connected to the website www.alt.com should not serve. A jury of five women and seven men was sworn in to hear the trial, which will begin tomorrow morning.
Patrick O'Brien, aged 75, was convicted of 16 counts of rape and indecent assault against his daughter Fiona Doyle between 1973 and 1982. The Central Criminal Court sentenced him to 12 years' imprisonment, suspending nine years, and granted bail pending appeal. The Court of Appeal later ruled the sentence unduly lenient, stating that ill or elderly defendants are not exempt from prison. O'Brien's health conditions—arthritis, heart disease, lung problems, and other ailments—were considered, but the court noted that prison care could match community care. The appeal will decide a new sentence while O'Brien remains in custody. The case highlights the court's stance that serious health issues do not preclude custodial punishment for severe offences. The unnamed 75-year-old pleaded guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Tara Scott, 21, testified on the third day of a trial concerning an assault at Dusk Nightclub on 18 March 2013. Scott, who was with Emma Hammond, 22, warned the alleged attacker, Natasha Mooney, 25, to stop smiling at her before the incident. Scott described how Mooney approached her in the smoking area, telling her to stop looking at her with a grin, and that Mooney then said, "Just wait until we get inside." Scott said she tried to intervene, shouting Hammond's name, but Mooney had already begun running at her. During the altercation, Scott sustained scratches from shattered glass and had drink in her eyes. Cross‑examination revealed CCTV footage that contradicted some of Scott's statements, but she maintained that her recollection was not perfect. The trial continues before Judge Desmond Hogan and a jury of twelve. Emma Hammond pleaded not guilty.
The Special Criminal Court will hear the closing submissions of the three men charged with the murder of Peter Butterly, a 35‑year‑old father of two, on Monday. The trial began in September and has lasted almost four months. The defendants – Dean Evans (24), Edward McGrath (33) and Sharif Kelly (44) – have pleaded not guilty to the murder and to firearm offences. A fourth man, David Cullen (30), who was involved in the planning, turned State witness and gave evidence in November implicating the three. The court has considered evidence including Cullen's testimony, clothing, fingerprints and forensic samples taken from Evans and McGrath after their arrest. The proceedings will be heard by Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy, Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan and Judge Cormac Dunne. The case is set to conclude with the court's decision on the admissibility of the evidence and the final judgment.
In a County Clare case, an 80‑year‑old man was sentenced to four and a half years' imprisonment for indecent assault on his two daughters during the early 1970s. The Central Criminal Court found him guilty of 12 counts of indecent assault after a week‑long trial. He had pleaded not guilty to 18 counts of assaulting a daughter in a house and later a caravan between January 1971 and December 1973, when she was aged 11 to 13. He also denied assaulting another daughter twice in 1980 at a caravan when she was 11 or 12. During the trial he admitted one offence, which the judge treated as a plea of guilty. The judge described the abuse of the older daughter as the most serious, involving a breach of trust and acts of "squalidity" such as forcing her to wash his penis and wear adult underwear. The unnamed 80-year-old was acquitted.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court trial, Emma Hammond, aged 22, pleaded not guilty to assault causing serious harm after an incident at Dusk Nightclub on St Patrick's Day 2013. The case stems from a feud between Hammond's family and that of Natasha Mooney, 25, allegedly sparked by a pair of shoes left at Mooney's house. Hammond claimed she had never fought Mooney before and that she was unaware of the extent of Mooney's injuries until rumours emerged. She described an altercation where she had a phone in one hand and a glass in the other, stating she did not intend to hit Mooney with the glass. A friend of Mooney, Danielle Mahon, testified that she saw glass fall from Mooney's bra in hospital and that she was shocked by the sight of Mooney's eyelid hanging down. The trial continues before Judge Desmond Hogan and a jury.
James Maher, 71, of Clonroad Beg, Ennis, was convicted of 18 counts of indecent assault on two boys between 1982 and 1985. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced on 14 January 2013 to two years imprisonment on each count, with the sentences running concurrently, by Judge Carroll Moran at Ennis Circuit Criminal Court. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient and that Judge Moran was misinformed about the maximum penalty, which counsel said could have been up to ten years per count. The appeal contends that the concurrent sentences were incorrect and that the judge's sentencing scale was wrong. The Court of Appeal will decide on 10 February whether to increase Maher's sentence. The case highlights the legislative history of indecent assault penalties and the 2007 clarification that the maximum for a male victim cannot exceed that for a female victim. The appeal is pending.
In a Balbriggan District Court hearing on 15 January 2015, Olivia Weldon, aged 40, pleaded guilty to theft after taking €55.56 worth of items from a Tesco Extra on 11 December 2014. She claimed she was under pressure due to her daughter's birthday and the upcoming Christmas. The judge fined her €150. A separate case involved Thomas Gaffney, 19, charged with multiple thefts including a car, bicycle, truckster, and chicken fillet rolls. His hearing was scheduled for 2 February at Swords District Court. Anthony Handley, 63, faced a dangerous driving charge; the book of evidence would be served in March, and he remained on bail until 5 March. Kevin Harmon, 26, was charged with assault causing harm to Darren O'Donovan; he was remanded on continuing bail and given an alibi caution, with a next appearance set for 30 January at the Criminal Courts of Justice. Olivia Weldon was convicted.
The State has closed its case in the Special Criminal Court trial of three Dubliners charged with the murder of Peter Butterly, a 35‑year‑old father of two, outside a Meath pub. The incident occurred on 6 March 2013 in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston. The accused—Dean Evans (24), Edward McGrath (33) and Sharif Kelly (44)—had pleaded not guilty to the murder and to firearm offences. A fourth man, David Cullen (30), had previously testified against them. The prosecution's evidence, including testimony that Butterly was lured to the car park by a man who fired shots from a Toyota Corolla, was fully presented. With all evidence called, the State has formally closed its case, and the trial will continue before the judges on Friday. The summary is based solely on the article text.
Li Zhongbo, a 33-year-old Chinese national from Rathfarnham, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm at Sin Nightclub in Temple Bar on March 25, 2013. The court heard that Li swung a glass jug during a melee between groups of men, striking an uninvolved bystander, Adam Cleary, who suffered facial and chest injuries requiring 29 sutures. Judge Patrick McCartan noted that Cleary had graciously told Garda Eoin Carroll he did not want Li jailed, viewing the act as out of character. The judge highlighted Li's lack of previous convictions, his sincere apology, and his offer of €1,000 in remorse. Consequently, the court applied the Probation of Offenders Act, allowing Li to walk free. The judge described the victim as generous and fair. Li, a married father of two who has worked legally in Ireland for ten years, shook hands with Cleary after the sentencing. The matter was finalised with this disposition.
Stephen Kelly, 20, of Crumlin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to consecutive terms totalling seven years. He pleaded guilty to violent disorder at St Patrick's Institution on March 18, 2013, possession of a rifle on March 25, 2014, and burglary on March 12, 2014. The court heard that Kelly and three other inmates caused €33,000 in damage during an incident described as a "mini riot," during which prison officers were attacked. In the burglary, a house was ransacked, and items including a laptop, wedding ring, watches, a necklace, a silver pen, and a camera were stolen; these were later recovered from a BMW in which Kelly was a passenger. Regarding the rifle, Garda Enda Daly testified that Kelly held the weapon in a threatening manner, though examination later found it was not capable of firing. Judge Martin Nolan noted the gardaí had reason to believe their lives were in danger. The judge accepted there was "some hope" for Kelly's rehabilitation, noting his recent employment in prison laundry and course completion. The other three inmates involved in the violent disorder were previously sentenced by Judge Patricia Ryan; two brothers received four-year sentences with the final two years suspended, while the fourth man received a four-year sentence with two and a half years suspended.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 14 January 2015, Sharif Kelly, 44, denied that the clothing found in his car after the murder of Peter Butterly was a change of clothes for the killer. Kelly said he had been driving from tending his horse when his engine light came on and the car conked on Flemington Road. He claimed to have restarted the vehicle before Gardaí approached and arrested him. He also denied any knowledge of the murder or of following the murder vehicle. Kelly stated the duvet cover in his boot was to keep the car clean while collecting hay, not for forensic purposes. DNA evidence linked tracksuit clothing to Dean Evans, a balaclava and gloves to Evans, and a wig to Edward McGrath. The trial was in its 48th day, with prosecution evidence to finish on Thursday. Sharif Kelly pleaded not guilty. Dean Evans pleaded not guilty. Edward McGrath pleaded not guilty.
A man convicted of murdering his pregnant ex-girlfriend is awaiting the outcome of his appeal against conviction in the Court of Appeal. Stephen Cahoon, originally from County Derry, was found guilty of strangling Jean Teresa Quigley at her home in Derry in July 2008. She was ten weeks pregnant at the time. A jury unanimously convicted him of murder in April 2012, and he received a life sentence. His appeal, heard today, centred on whether the trial judge misdirected the jury regarding the defence of provocation. Cahoon's counsel argued the judge conflated provocation with insanity by suggesting a person cannot form criminal intent when provoked. The Director of Public Prosecutions' counsel contended the trial judge's direction was correct and characterised the case as a straightforward provocation matter. The Court of Appeal indicated it would reserve its decision. Cahoon was arrested in Donegal Town ten days after the killing.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, forensic evidence was presented linking firearms residue to the clothing of two of the three men charged with the 2013 murder of Peter Butterly. Dr John O'Shaughnessy testified that a grey jumper worn by Dean Evans and a grey jacket worn by Edward McGrath contained gunshot residue. DNA analysis of items linked to Sharif Kelly's wife's vehicle revealed a match to Evans on a tracksuit, a balaclava and gloves, and a match to McGrath on a black wig. The court heard that DNA can be transferred between individuals and persist for long periods. The trial, now in its 47th day, is expected to conclude with the prosecution's evidence on Wednesday, before a three‑judge panel presided by Ms Justice Deirdre Murphy. The defendants remain not guilty on all charges.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 27‑year‑old Westmeath man pleaded guilty to four offences committed over two days in June 2014: attempted rape, aggravated sexual assault, threats to kill and false imprisonment of a woman. The prosecution, represented by Garett Baker BL, cited a psychological report recommending further assessment. Judge Paul Carney adjourned sentencing to 16 March.
Robert Melia, aged 48, was sentenced to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to false imprisonment, assault causing harm and making threats to kill. The case stemmed from an incident on 19 May 2013 at the Caulfields Hotel, where Melia forced a drug‑addicted woman to jump from a first‑floor window, threatened to take her to the mountains and chop her up, and strangled her. He had previously been convicted of rape in 1987 and had three other violent sexual assault convictions in October 1997. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a ten‑year sentence, suspending the last three years on the condition of good behaviour for three years. The court noted Melia's pattern of extreme hostility and violence towards women. The victim suffered fractures, bruising and ongoing psychological trauma, but did not attend the hearing as she was in a drug treatment programme. The case was prosecuted by Ronan Kennedy BL.
An off‑duty Garda, Detective Paul Johnson, used a traffic cone to stop and apprehend two robbers, Kevin Penrose (49) and Larry Brazil (52), after a raid at a Centra store on Westland Row. Brazil, a father of five from Cappagh Avenue, Finglas, pleaded guilty to robbery of €2,288 and possession of a knife, receiving a four‑year suspended sentence. Penrose, a father of three from Casement Road, Finglas, pleaded guilty to robbery and was jailed for four years, currently serving a six‑year term for a May 2014 robbery. Brazil had 82 prior convictions, including theft and drug offences, and had not committed a violent crime since 2003. Penrose had 79 prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan praised Johnson's actions, the public's assistance, and Brazil's rehabilitation, noting he was now methadone‑free and seeking reform. The case highlights the Garda's proactive intervention and the judicial consideration of personal circumstances.
A 52‑year‑old Dublin man was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment for repeatedly sexually abusing his seven‑year‑old sister over a period from 1983 to 1987. He pleaded not guilty to 16 counts of indecent assault at the family home. The victim, now 39, disclosed the abuse to her mother 13 years later and reported it to Gardaí in 2012. She described the abuse as occurring in the shared bedroom, involving oral sex and repeated attempts to have sex, with the brother offering sweets and money. The court noted the offender's repeated conduct, estimating it exceeded a couple of hundred times, and highlighted the seriousness of an adult assaulting a child. The judge imposed a nine‑year sentence, citing the offender's continued disregard for the victim's well‑being. The victim's impact statement detailed long‑term psychological harm, excessive drinking, painkiller use, self‑harm, and the desire for justice and healing. The unnamed 52-year-old was convicted.
Patrick Barry, 80, former principal of Moyasta National School, was denied bail while appealing his conviction for indecent assault. Barry faced 67 charges for assaulting 11 pupils between 1964 and 1985. A jury found him guilty on 59 counts; he was acquitted on eight. Judge Gerald Keyes sentenced him to 11 years, suspending the last five. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Seán Ryan, declined bail, noting no new legal point was raised, but set an appeal hearing for February 23. Barry was ordered to be identified on the foot of victim requests, which the victims declined. Patrick Barry pleaded not guilty.
Michael Byrne, a 77‑year‑old former secondary school teacher from Rosewell, Templerainey, Arklow, pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault on a boy aged 11 to 15 between 1975 and 1978. He was sentenced to eight years' imprisonment, with the final four years suspended, by Judge Michael O'Shea at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court on 10 April 2014. The Court of Appeal rejected Byrne's application to review the sentence. The appeal panel, chaired by Mr Justice Seán Ryan, noted that Byrne's offences involved calculated grooming, repeated touching, groping, and the accused masturbating the boy, exploiting the boy's medical condition to obtain sperm samples. The judge described the conduct as cold, calculated, pre‑meditated and that of a predator. The Court of Appeal found no error in principle and upheld the eight‑year term, with the suspended portion remaining in place. Cormac Walsh, the victim, expressed delight at the decision. The case remains at the sentencing stage.
A 25‑year‑old Dublin man, Ross O'Leary, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to entering a house on East Road, East Wall, Dublin 3 with intent to assault and to assaulting John Shannon on 1 October 2011. O'Leary used a small knife, struck Shannon, who defended himself, and then fled. Gardaí were alerted and Shannon was taken to hospital, where he spent 14 days, including intensive care, and suffered a fractured skull, lacerations, seizures and ongoing medication. O'Leary had 16 prior convictions. Judge Martin Nolan described the offence as very serious, imposed a five‑year sentence and ordered credit for time already served. The case noted that O'Leary and his girlfriend had broken up about nine weeks earlier, and that O'Leary had been living a chaotic lifestyle. O'Leary expressed remorse, submitted a letter of apology, and had previously been granted bail to attend residential drug treatment.
John English, 38, was released from prison after a Court of Appeal decision that the activation of his five‑year suspended sentence for breaching bail conditions was disproportionate. English had been sentenced in 2004 to 18 years for raping an Australian tourist, with five years suspended on the condition he abstain from alcohol. After serving 13 years, he was released in September 2012, but was found drinking and the suspended period was re‑activated by the Central Criminal Court. He appealed, and Judge Michael Peart, joined by Justices Garrett Sheehan and Alan Mahon, set aside the activation order. English was released on a new €100 bond, required to keep the peace, behave well for the remainder of the suspended period, and engage with probation and welfare services. The Court noted his prior convictions for sexual assault, false imprisonment and assault causing harm dating back to 1993.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 31‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to defilement of his partner's 14‑year‑old daughter and one of her friends, and to sexual assault and attempted sexual assault of two 13‑year‑old friends. The offences took place at the partner's house between 2006 and 2007. Judge Martin Nolan described the conduct as "deeply reprehensible" and imposed a total sentence of twelve years, with four and a half years suspended, and ordered two years of post‑release supervision. The court heard that the accused had sex with the 14‑year‑old on several occasions, had attempted to touch the vagina of a 13‑year‑old, and had sexually assaulted another 13‑year‑old while demanding sex. The accused was living with the partner and her daughter at the time of the offences. The victim impact statements described ongoing trauma and depression.
A Dublin man, aged 62, was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment after a jury trial at the Central Criminal Court. He was convicted on 106 counts of indecent assault and sexual assault and one count of rape of his sister‑in‑law, covering offences from 1982 to 1992. He had pleaded not guilty to 172 charges and was acquitted of 65. The victim, whose identity is protected, described how the man groomed and manipulated her from age 12, treating the rape as a celebration and insisting he had finally achieved something. He had molested her for five years, forced himself on her during a rape, and covered her mouth to silence her screams. He also abused a seven‑year‑old child, taking explicit photographs and displaying them in her bedroom. The victim reported severe psychological trauma, nightmares, and ongoing fear of the photographs' whereabouts.
A 24‑year‑old Dubliner was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment for the manslaughter of a father of three, Jason Flannery, after a quarrel with the victim's daughter at her Junior Cert celebrations. The offender, David Brannock, used an ornamental knife he had received as a gift to stab Flannery in the neck and stomach, causing fatal injuries. He also inflicted serious harm on Flannery's brother‑in‑law, John O'Neill, who was stabbed about seven times, and on the victim's children, Anthony and Jade Byrne, who received stitches for head and back wounds. Brannock was cleared of a murder charge but found guilty of manslaughter and multiple assault offences. The judge noted the aggravating factor of bringing a bladed weapon to the scene and imposed a 12‑year term, with the offender's prior convictions and the severity of the injuries influencing the sentence. The case was heard in the Central Criminal Court, where the jury convicted Brannock on all counts. The unnamed 24-year-old pleaded not guilty.
The Special Criminal Court has adjourned the trial of three men charged with the murder of Peter Butterly, a 35‑year‑old father of two, until the New Year. Butterly was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn in Gormanston, Co. Meath, on 6 March 2013. The accused are Dean Evans (24) of Raheny, Edward McGrath (33) of Tallaght, and Sharif Kelly (44) of Balbriggan, all of whom pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and to firearm offences on the same day. The trial, which entered its 45th day, also heard that David Cullen (30), who had previously been involved in the plan, had turned State's witness and is serving a three‑and‑half‑year sentence for other offences. Justice Deirdre Murphy announced that the case would resume on 13 January.
Francis Lanigan, 49, remains in custody despite a High Court bail order. He is wanted in Northern Ireland for the 1998 murder of John Knocker, who was shot in a hotel car park in Dungannon. Lanigan was arrested in January 2013 on an extradition warrant and has been held for almost two years. He argues that extradition would pose a "significant risk to his life." The court noted that Lanigan had worked under the assumed name Kieran McCrory at a Dublin gym for 15 years, a fact discovered through a covert DNA test on a coffee cup. He was deemed a flight risk and refused bail in February 2013, but secured a fresh bail application on Monday.
Paul McMenamy, aged 31, of Killinarden, Tallaght, was found guilty of assault causing serious harm to his girlfriend Nicola Murray on 5 February 2012. He had originally been sentenced to six years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended, by Judge Mary Ellen Ring on 12 December 2013. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Seán Ryan, deemed the sentence too lenient, citing McMenamy's prior convictions for similar offences and his disregard for Ms Murray's health after the attack. The appeal court increased the sentence to ten years, suspending the final two years. McMenamy was required to pay a €200 bond, remain of good behaviour, and be supervised by the probation service for the suspended portion. He was returned to prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.
In December 2014, the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court set a March hearing for Alan Wilson, 34, to appeal his conviction and seven‑year sentence for assault causing harm at Dromheath Drive, Blanchardstown, on 3 June 2009. Wilson had pleaded not guilty to trespass and assault, was found guilty by a jury, and sentenced by Judge Desmond Hogan on 12 April 2013. He applied for bail pending appeal. Judge Michael Peart, joined by Judges John Edwards and George Birmingham, noted the Court of Appeal's reluctance to decide the bail application without DPP submissions or a trial transcript, yet scheduled the appeal for 23–24 March to avoid prejudice. Wilson's barrister, Padraig Dwyer SC, argued that Wilson's prior conviction and lack of victim evidence, combined with the jury's perception of a bullet‑proof vest implying gang involvement, prejudiced the verdict. Dwyer contended the judge's jury charge effectively conceded this prejudice. The appeal will address both conviction and sentence.
The Special Criminal Court will decide on the admissibility of a set of evidence in the trial of three men accused of murdering Peter Butterly, a 35‑year‑old father of two, who was shot dead in the car park of the Huntsman Inn, Gormanston, Co. Meath, on 6 March 2013. The defendants – Dean Evans (24), Edward McGrath (33) and Sharif Kelly (44) – have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge and to firearm offences. A fourth man, David Cullen (30), who had been involved in the murder plan, turned State's witness and is serving a three‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for lesser offences. The trial has heard that Butterly was lured to the car park by an unknown man, shots were fired at his vehicle and again when he tried to flee, and he was found collapsed by a lone Garda and pronounced dead shortly thereafter.