Paul Dudgeon, a 14‑year‑old An Post postman, was dismissed after a criminal case involving a theft and assault charge. He was convicted of theft and assault in December 2020, appealed, and the Circuit Court quashed the theft conviction and reduced the assault conviction to a probation order under the Probation Act, requiring six months abstinence from alcohol and no contact with his ex‑partner. Dudgeon claimed he had paid the €6,000 fine, had no prior convictions, and believed he had a clean record. An Post dismissed him in September 2021, citing "serious shortcomings in your behaviour" and alleging he had brought the service "into disrepute." The Workplace Relations Commission found the dismissal unrelated to the criminal conduct, awarded Dudgeon €5,000 compensation, and upheld his complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977. The decision emphasized that the dismissal was not justified by the court outcome or the alleged conduct.
In 2017, Josh Turner, aged 31, was convicted of murdering Christopher Nevin in Navan after a dispute over a chihuahua. Turner was sentenced to life imprisonment. He now seeks to overturn his conviction on appeal, arguing that the trial judge erred in how he directed the jury on the defence of provocation and self‑defence. Turner's counsel contended that the judge incorrectly suggested the onus of proving provocation lay with the defence and failed to allow the jury to consider provocation in the context of violence against a third party. The State's counsel replied that the judge's charge was clear and that the jury had rejected provocation based on the facts. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on the appeal. The case remains at the appeal stage. Josh Turner pleaded not guilty.
In a historic hearing, the Court of Appeal's first all‑female panel—Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, Ms Justice Tara Burns and Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh—considered an appeal by John O'Donoghue, 54, who was convicted in November 2021 of assault causing serious harm and violent disorder at Bothar Buí, Rathkeale. O'Donoghue, jailed for ten years, argued that the prosecution failed to disclose a Garda notebook to the defence before the trial. The notebook, containing a description of the scene, was slid across the table by the prosecution while the Garda was giving evidence, a move described by Ms Justice Kennedy as "most unsatisfactory." O'Donoghue's counsel claimed the lack of disclosure prejudiced the defence, who had already cross‑examined witnesses. The panel noted the issue but, after hearing arguments from the State and the defence, said it would reserve its judgement on whether the conviction should be overturned. John O'Donoghue pleaded not guilty.
In a trial before Mr Justice Alexander Owens, a 59‑year‑old man accused of sexually assaulting six young men pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault. A second complainant, who turned 18 in 1991 and attended college in Dublin, testified that he was asleep in a shared house when the accused performed oral sex on him. The complainant said he woke to the act, froze for a few seconds, and did not react or speak, fearing a scene. He denied consenting, stating he was asleep. The accused's defence argued the complainant's body language indicated consent, but the complainant rejected this claim. The complainant also stated he had no memory of the next day and never returned to the house. The trial continues with the jury hearing the case.
James Kilroy, 50, will face a third trial for the alleged murder of his wife, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, at the Central Criminal Court. Mr Justice Paul McDermott set the new trial date for May 29, 2024, following the collapse of the second trial last week. The previous proceedings, which had heard two weeks of evidence, were halted because an expert witness was unable to complete their testimony. The defence is currently seeking a replacement for that witness. Mr Kilroy had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the killing of Ms French Kilroy at their rural home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo, between June 13 and June 14, 2019. The jury in the collapsed trial heard evidence that Ms French Kilroy died from strangulation with a ligature, blunt force trauma to the head, and a stab wound to the neck. As the matter is at the trial stage and has been adjourned for a future date, it has not been concluded or finalised. No sentence or finding has been recorded for this procedural stage.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 71‑year‑old man was found guilty of 28 counts of rape, oral rape, anal rape and 19 counts of sexual assault against his granddaughter between 2008 and 2012. The abuse began shortly before the girl's First Holy Communion when the man, while renovating a shed, forced her to perform oral sex on him; she was aged seven or eight. Over the next four years he repeatedly took her to a shed, a car and a mobile home to force her to masturbate, orally rape and attempt penetrative sex. He gave her money after each incident. The abuse ended when a friend informed her mother on New Year's Eve 2012, and the case was reported to the gardai in January 2013. The victim, now grown, gave a victim impact statement describing the daily abuse and the lasting trauma. The court adjourned the case for finalisation on 5 December 2023.
Amadea McDermott, aged 27, was killed by her partner Martin Hayes, aged 34, who was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison for manslaughter. The judge, Mr Justice Paul McDermott, described the killing as a clear case of domestic violence, noting that Hayes had tracked Amadea's movements with a secret app, made menacing videos accusing her of incest, and had a history of aggressive behaviour. Amadea suffered a single stab wound to the abdomen, causing substantial blood loss, and had recent bruises on her limbs and face, evidence of physical abuse. Hayes pleaded not guilty to murder but was found guilty of manslaughter by a majority verdict. The sentence was back‑dated to the date of his first custody in 2022. The McDermott family, led by Amadea's sister Eucharia, called for stricter laws on coercive control and domestic abuse, condemning Hayes as a violent, deranged monster and urging the nation to protect women from such abuse. Martin Hayes was acquitted.
A 57‑year‑old man from Cork pleaded guilty in the Central Criminal Court to indecently and sexually assaulting his step‑sister over three months in 1991, when he was 14 and she was 12. The court heard that he fondled her breasts and vagina while 'wrestling' with her and, on one occasion, digitally penetrated her vagina. He had no blood relation to her. The victim described feeling repulsed, disgusted, low self‑esteem and burdened by the secret knowledge of the assaults, noting a terrible impact on her life. She said she could forgive the accused but not his actions. The judge acknowledged her bravery and, noting the defendant's rehabilitation and lack of prior convictions, sentenced him to four months' imprisonment for indecent assault and 16 months for each of the four sexual assault counts, all to run concurrently. The sentence was suspended for two years on strict conditions.
A witness at the Central Criminal Court has acknowledged a significant shift in her account of events surrounding the death of Juris Viktorovs in Ballyconnell, County Cavan on February 10, 2022. The woman told the court she initially omitted key details from three statements to gardaí but later described seeing the accused stab the deceased. Under cross-examination, she conceded this represented a "dramatic change" in her recollection, attributing the earlier omissions to difficulty processing the traumatic events and her grief. The witness denied allegations that she had been violent towards the deceased during previous disputes. Nicola Brennan, aged 33 and of no fixed abode, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of her housemate, a 36-year-old Latvian national. The trial before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury continues.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, counsel for a 59‑year‑old man accused of attempted rape and eight sexual assaults between 1991 and 1997 argued that no assault occurred against the first complainant, who was 18 in November 1997. The complainant testified that he slept in the accused's bed and that the accused's mouth made contact with his penis. Defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC cross‑examined the witness, asserting that any wrongdoing was denied by the accused and that if anything happened it was "something someone was doing while asleep." The complainant disputed this, stating he had run home after the incident and later told his mother he had been raped, though he now acknowledges that his memory of the event was altered over time. The case remains before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury. The unnamed 59-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a 2023 appeal, Gezim Idrizi, a 38‑year‑old security provider, failed to overturn a February 2023 conviction for assault causing harm. The appeal argued that the jury had no evidence about the DNA‑extraction machine used at the scene. The court held that the DNA evidence, extracted by a liquid‑handling unit and analysed by Ms Sarah Fleming of Forensic Science Ireland, was admissible and accurate. The judge noted that the machine was merely a physical aid and that Ms Fleming personally analysed the DNA. The appeal was dismissed. Idrizi had been sentenced to three years and nine months' imprisonment, with the final six months suspended for two years. The case involved a serious assault at a GZ Security office in Dublin 11, where the victim was bound, struck, and left for a hospital. The trial concluded that the assault was prolonged and involved multiple assailants. Gezim Idrizi pleaded not guilty and was acquitted.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Craig O'Brien, aged 28, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to social media influencer Charleen Murphy on 10 February at the Grafton Capital Hotel. O'Brien, who has ten prior convictions including two for assault, struck Murphy from behind, delivering a blow to the back of her head that caused facial injuries and a forehead wound. CCTV footage was described by Judge Orla Crowe as "absolutely shocking". The judge noted no prior animosity between the parties and highlighted the unprovoked nature of the attack. O'Brien was sentenced to two years and three months, with nine months suspended for 18 months, and ordered to remain under probation supervision for 18 months. He must also refrain from any contact with Murphy and keep a 50‑metre distance for five years after release. The court recorded Murphy's victim impact statement, detailing ongoing nightmares, panic attacks and a sense of being "a shell of herself.".
A woman has testified at the Central Criminal Court describing how her partner was fatally stabbed in their bedroom at Shillelagh, Ballyconnell, County Wicklow, on February 10, 2022. Nicola Brennan, aged 33, of no fixed abode, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Juris Viktorovs, aged 36, a Latvian national. The witness, Brenda Kane, told the jury she observed Ms Brennan enter the bedroom and stab Mr Viktorovs while he sat on the side of the bed. She said Mr Viktorovs attempted to rise but collapsed at the end of the bed. Emergency services were contacted immediately. The prosecution alleges forensic evidence supports their case, including DNA of the deceased found on the knife discovered in a mattress and blood of the deceased on clothing seized from Ms Brennan. The trial before Mr Justice Paul McDermott continues and is expected to last approximately three weeks.
Gerard Cervi has been found guilty of murdering Robert 'Bobby' Messett at the Bray Boxing Club in Co Wicklow on June 5, 2018. The Central Criminal Court jury unanimously accepted the prosecution's case that Cervi fired nine shots into the gym, killing the 50-year-old father of three. However, Cervi was acquitted of the alleged attempted murders of boxing coach Pete Taylor and Ian Britton, who were injured during the same incident. Cervi, who has no previous convictions, had pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following the verdict, Ms Justice Karen O'Connor remanded Cervi in custody until December 1, when she will hand down the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. On that date, the Messett family will also have the opportunity to make a statement regarding the impact of the death. The judge offered her condolences to the family, praising their dignity throughout the trial. This verdict concludes a two-year period involving two trials that lasted a combined 17 weeks. The first trial collapsed in 2021 due to juror illness, while the second trial faced significant pre-trial legal issues. In a related procedural matter, the Court of Appeal previously considered Cervi's bail application, noting the difficulty of the case but ultimately keeping him in custody as a trial date was secured.
The High Court, on Mr Justice Alexander Owens' direction, declared that assets linked to convicted killer and "career criminal" John 'Keith' O'Donovan – a Cork property and €8,590 in cash – were proceeds of crime. The Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) had argued that the assets were financed by O'Donovan's criminal activity, citing over 50 convictions for offences such as manslaughter, armed robbery, burglary, assault, illegal firearm possession and drug offences, and his role as a major heroin supplier in Cork. CAB's sworn statement noted that the recorded convictions did not fully reflect his criminal involvement and that he accessed substantial funds from unknown sources. The property, bought in 1997 for IR£20,000, was registered in his mother Doreen O'Donovan's name to conceal ownership. CAB claimed O'Donovan had no legitimate means to acquire the property, now valued at over €200,000.
A 59‑year‑old man, who cannot be named, pleaded not guilty to one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault, alleged to have occurred between March 1991 and November 1997 in County Dublin. He testified that in November 1997 he stayed at his teacher's home, was told to sleep on the bedroom floor, and later woke to find the teacher touching him. He described feeling "like an out‑of‑body experience" and freezing, then attempting to flee and physically confronting the teacher. He claimed he had not consented. He reported the incident to his mother, who contacted the school principal, who later asked him to write a statement. He did not give a police statement until 2019, saying he was not mature enough earlier. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Alexander Owens and a jury, expected to last about four weeks.
David Mantle, 45, a drug addict with 111 prior convictions, was sentenced by Judge Elma Sheahan in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to six years and three months' imprisonment, with the last six months suspended for 12 months. He pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on 21 October 2021, when he attacked a man on St Agnes Road, Crumlin with a dog chain, and to robbery on 26 November 2022, when he and another man robbed a pharmacy in Ranelagh with a screwdriver, stealing €470 in cash, medication, headsets and a mobile phone. Garda evidence showed the assault victim had blood on his face and cuts to his forehead and back of his head, requiring stitches at St James's Hospital. The court noted Mantle's long‑standing drug problems and his attempts to detox, but also his 111 previous convictions, including assault, robbery and drug possession.
Michael Olohan, a former European figure‑skating gold‑medallist, was described as a "gentle soul" by his sister after a jury found Sean Murphy not guilty of murder by reason of insanity. Murphy, 29, stabbed Olohan to death in August 2020 while they shared an apartment in a low‑support step‑down centre run by St Vincent's Hospital Mental Health Services in Clontarf. The jury heard that Murphy suffered from a severe obsessive‑compulsive disorder (OCD) with psychotic features, which led him to believe that killing would prevent him from going to hell and avert a catastrophe. Two psychiatrists testified that Murphy's OCD was acute and that he could not resist the urge to kill. The jury accepted this evidence and returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity. Justice Mary Ellen Ring remanded Murphy to the Central Mental Hospital for further psychiatric assessment.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Gerard Cervi, 36, has reached the jury deliberation stage. Cervi, from Dublin 3, pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of Robert 'Bobby' Messett and the alleged attempted murders of Pete Taylor and Ian Britton at Bray Boxing Club on June 5, 2018. The prosecution alleged that Cervi was the gunman who fired nine shots, citing CCTV footage of his movements and his DNA and fingerprints found in a Volkswagen Caddy van allegedly used in the attack. Defence counsel argued that a garda's retracted statements indicated investigative irregularities and asserted that there was no evidence linking Cervi to the shooting. Ms Justice Karen O'Connor charged the jury last Friday, instructing them to consider each count separately and reach unanimous verdicts. The jury, comprising six men and six women, began deliberations on Wednesday afternoon. After spending five hours and 51 minutes in discussion, the judge adjourned the proceedings for the evening. The jury was instructed to resume deliberations at the Central Criminal Court at 10.30am the following day. They were reminded not to discuss the case, conduct online research, or engage with social media regarding the trial. The matter remains ongoing as the jury continues to consider their verdicts.
Soufiane Mountassir, 39, was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for a violent assault on his former partner that left her with severe injuries and lasting trauma. The court heard that Mountassir, who claimed to be Moroccan, had been drinking, taking Dalmane, cocaine and cannabis during the incident. He forced the woman into a car boot, repeatedly punched and smashed her face against the vehicle's interior, and drove the car onto the footpath, damaging the wheel. Witnesses described the attack as a "blind rage" and reported blood on the car's interior and the victim's clothing. Mountassir pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and assault causing harm. He is also wanted in Germany for an arson offence and is due before the European Arrest Warrant court on Monday. The case will be finalised on 21 December 2023.
A jury will return to the Central Criminal Court tomorrow to consider their verdict in the trial of a man with obsessive compulsive disorder who stabbed his housemate to death because he believed he would go to hell if he did not. Sean Murphy (29) with an address at Bradóg Court, St Lawrence Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael Olohan (35) at the apartment they shared on St Lawrence Road on August 13, 2020. Mr Olohan is originally from Poppintree in Ballymun, north Dublin. The jury of six men and six women began their deliberations this morning, having begun hearing evidence last week. The trial heard that at the time of the stabbing the accused and deceased lived together at Bradóg Court in a "step-down independent living facility" run by St Vincent's Hospital Psychiatric Services. Sean Murphy was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
A man convicted of murder has sought a stay on extradition proceedings pending the outcome of his application to transfer his prison sentence from Northern Ireland to the Republic. James Meehan (54), with addresses in Derry City and Kells, Co Meath, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2009 for the murder of Jim McFadden in May 2007 following an incident in Donegal. Meehan left Northern Ireland in October 2022 whilst on release conditions and later moved to Kells. He was arrested by arrangement in May this year on foot of extradition warrants. At the High Court hearing, his counsel argued that the punitive element of his sentence had been served and that determination of his sentence-transfer application, pending since 2017, should precede any extradition decision. The State's counsel contended he was unlawfully at large from temporary release and that court could not delay proceedings whilst a live prosecution existed in the North. Ms Justice Melanie Greally adjourned judgment to Friday, 8 December.
A jury of twelve, split evenly between men and women, is deliberating on the verdicts for Gerard Cervi, a 36‑year‑old from Dublin, who is accused of murdering Robert 'Bobby' Messett and attempting to murder coach Pete Taylor and Ian Britton at Bray Boxing Club on 5 June 2018. The jury has spent 1 hour 47 minutes on the first day of deliberations, having been called out at 2.13 pm. Justice Karen O'Connor addressed the jurors at 4 pm, urging them to pause for the evening and return tomorrow at 10.30 am to resume, and warned them not to discuss the case or use social media. She reminded them that they must consider each charge separately and that a unanimous verdict is required. The trial has heard CCTV evidence, DNA and fingerprints linking Cervi to a van used in the shooting, and the defence has alleged possible investigative misconduct. Cervi has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
The jury in the trial of a 59‑year‑old man accused of attempted rape and sexual assault of six young men, offences dating from March 1991 to November 1997 in County Dublin, was discharged after a juror said he could not continue. The defendant, who pleaded not guilty, is still named only as a 59‑year‑old. Mr Justice Alexander Owens discharged the jurors, and the trial is expected to restart with a new jury later today.
A 59‑year‑old man, whose name is withheld for legal reasons, has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court for one count of attempted anal rape and eight counts of sexual assault committed between March 1991 and November 1997 in County Dublin. The prosecution, led by Anne‑Marie Lawlor SC, presented six complainants who claim they were each separately victimised by the accused. Four of the complainants were students of the accused's secondary school at the time, while the other two were acquaintances from his hometown. The alleged offences involved inappropriate touching, licking and oral sex, with five complainants stating they woke to find the accused performing oral sex on them and one claiming the accused attempted an anal rape after a prior oral act. The alleged incidents occurred at the accused's home, with one alleged assault taking place in a pub. The unnamed 59-year-old pleaded not guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 21 November 2023, the family of Amadea McDermott, aged 27, presented victim impact statements after her murder on 20 July 2017. The sisters, Olivia, Euphrasia, Eucharia and brother Zack, accused Martin Hayes, 34, of coercive control, physical abuse and a hidden phone tracker. They described the fatal stab wound to Amadea's abdomen and the extensive bruising found at the scene. Hayes had pleaded not guilty to murder but was found guilty of manslaughter by a majority verdict. The court heard that Hayes admitted using violence and had accessed Amadea's phone via a hidden app. He had also claimed Amadea had self‑harmed, a claim the prosecution rejected. The sentencing hearing was scheduled for 28 November 2023, with Hayes remanded in custody. The family urged the court to consider the abuse and the impact on their lives. The case remains in the Central Criminal Court. Martin Hayes was acquitted.
A 33-year-old woman has pleaded not guilty to the murder of a 36-year-old man at a house in Ballyconnell, County Cavan on February 10, 2022. The Central Criminal Court heard that Nicola Brennan is alleged to have stabbed her housemate in the chest after her partner asked the deceased for a cigarette. The prosecution opened its case by outlining that a knife was recovered from the scene with the deceased's DNA on its tip, and that blood matching the victim was found on the accused's clothing. False nails allegedly linked to the defendant were discovered in both her room and the victim's room. The accused was arrested and subsequently released from detention before being rearrested. A jury of eight men and four women has been sworn in. The trial is expected to last a maximum of three weeks.
In the trial of Sean Murphy, 29, who stabbed his housemate Michael Olohan, 35, to death, the prosecution argues a not‑guilty‑by‑reason‑of‑insanity verdict, citing two psychiatrists who say Murphy was psychotic and unable to resist. The defence, however, maintains that Murphy has some criminal responsibility and should be found guilty of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. Both sides agree Murphy suffered a severe mental illness, diagnosed as obsessive‑compulsive disorder with psychotic symptoms. The jury is instructed to consider whether Murphy's mental state negated all responsibility or merely reduced it. The case is set to be heard by a jury of twelve, with deliberations to begin the following day. The trial is ongoing and no verdict has yet been reached. Sean Murphy pleaded not guilty and was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
A jury has been sworn in at the Central Criminal Court for the trial of a woman charged with murder in County Wicklow. Nicola Brennan, aged 33 and originally from County Carlow, faces a charge of murdering Juris Viktorovs at a residence in Shillelagh on February 10, 2022. Ms Brennan entered a plea of not guilty when the charge was put to her. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Paul McDermott, will be heard by a jury comprising eight men and four women. Legal representatives indicated the case is expected to conclude within three weeks.
Andy Cash, aged 30, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter for stabbing his brother‑in‑law, John Cash, 40, to death on 3 May 2022 in Kilkenny. The Central Criminal Court heard that Cash was intoxicated and unfit for interview for six hours after arrest. He admitted striking John Cash but denied stabbing him, claiming John had ducked. A post‑mortem showed two stab wounds, one penetrating the heart. Cash was also charged with assault causing harm to his sister Elizabeth and with producing a knife during a dispute; both charges were acquitted. The jury returned a 10‑2 majority verdict on all charges. The case was adjourned to 1 December for sentencing, with victim impact statements to be prepared. The Cash family issued a statement thanking the court, Gardaí and witnesses for their support. Andy Cash was found guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 20 November 2023, a 68‑year‑old man was sentenced to an additional four years' imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 10‑year‑old girl, the aunt of a previous victim, between 2003 and 2005. The man, who was a distant cousin and lived with the family, had already been serving a seven‑year‑three‑month sentence for the anal rape of the same girl in 2021. He pleaded guilty to the earlier assault, admitting he had laid on top of the child and digitally penetrated her with his fingers. The court noted that the victim had kept the incident to herself until she learned the man was being investigated for raping her niece. The judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, cited the victim's youth and the man's abuse of his trusted family position as aggravating factors, and imposed the consecutive sentence while acknowledging the defendant's poor health and remorse.
Sean Murphy, 29, was found to have a severe obsessive‑compulsive disorder with psychotic features when he stabbed Michael Olohan, 35, to death on 13 August 2020. Dr Ronan Mullaney, a consultant psychiatrist, told the Central Criminal Court that Murphy was "acutely psychotic" and could not refrain from the killing because he believed he was saving himself and the world from great harm. He had a long psychiatric history, first diagnosed with OCD at 15, committed to a hospital at 16, and later discharged from St Vincent's psychiatric ward after nine months. In a letter to his treating team, Murphy admitted having thoughts of killing for about two years and described the act as a ritual driven by a fear of eternal torment. The jury was instructed that if they were not satisfied with an insanity verdict, Murphy would still be found guilty of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. Sean Murphy pleaded not guilty.
A 25‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to two charges of rape and was sentenced to 11½ years in prison, with five years of post‑release supervision and a prohibition on contacting his former partner. The court considered four additional rape incidents between January and February 2021, all involving the man raping the woman while she was in bed or doing laundry, and the man filming the assaults and sending the videos to friends. The judge noted the man's history of 34 convictions, 11 of which involved the same woman, including assault and coercive control. The victim's impact statement described the attacks as brutal, the woman as vulnerable, and the lasting emotional harm she suffered. The sentence was reduced from a headline 17‑year term due to the man's guilty plea and expression of remorse. The court also ordered the man to remain in prison for any previous Circuit Court offences against the woman.
The jury at the Central Criminal Court has begun deliberations on the case of Andrew 'Andy' Cash, 30, who is accused of murdering his brother‑in‑law, John Cash, 40, on 3 May 2022 at Hebron Road, Kilkenny City. Cash, a father of three from Highrath, Clara, Co Kilkenny, claims he was "out of his head on tablets" and cannot clearly recall the events of that day. He is also charged with assault causing harm to his sister, Elizabeth Cash, and with producing a knife during a dispute at the same time and place. Cash pleaded not guilty to all three charges on 2 November. The jury has deliberated for over three and a half hours and will resume at 11 am tomorrow.
The murder trial of James Kilroy, accused of killing his wife Valerie French Kilroy at their home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo, has collapsed for a second time at the Central Criminal Court. The trial, which had been in progress since November 8th, was unable to continue after a key defence witness, psychiatrist Professor Keith Rix, became unavailable to complete his testimony. Mr Justice Paul McDermott discharged the jury of five men and seven women, informing them that the evidence given by Professor Rix was significant but could not now be finished. The trial will proceed afresh before a different jury on a date to be fixed on November 28th. Mr Kilroy, aged 50, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of occupational therapist Ms French Kilroy, aged 41, who died between June 13th and 14th, 2019. The defendant was remanded in custody.
Sean Murphy, 29, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael Olohan, 35, who died on 13 August 2020 after Murphy stabbed him in their shared apartment on St Lawrence Road. The case was heard at the Central Criminal Court, where the jury was informed that Murphy was 25 at the time of the killing. Both men lived in a step‑down independent living facility run by St Vincent's Hospital Psychiatric Services, where they received medication but were otherwise free to manage their own affairs. Prosecutor Ronan Kennedy SC argued that Murphy caused Olohan's death and that the jury must decide his mental capacity. Defence psychiatrist Professor Keith Rix testified that Murphy suffered from a "most severe" form of obsessive‑compulsive disorder (OCD) at the time of the killing. Rix explained that Murphy's OCD was so severe that he lacked insight, yet he was not convinced he could not have refrained from the act.
A clinical toxicologist has given evidence at the Central Criminal Court that a Westport man accused of murdering his wife was likely not under the influence of cannabis at the time of her death, despite a long history of drug use. James Kilroy, aged 50, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of Valerie French Kilroy at their home in Kilbree Lower between 13 and 14 June 2019. Dr Johann Grundlingh told the court that whilst Mr Kilroy's urine tested clear of cannabis two days after the killing, chronic exposure to the drug may have triggered a psychotic episode in a vulnerable person. The witness stated that intoxication from cannabis typically lasts hours rather than days. Under prosecution cross-examination, Dr Grundlingh acknowledged it remained possible Mr Kilroy had consumed cannabis after his last admitted use on 7 June. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury.
In a courtroom in Dublin, Ryan Casey, the boyfriend of the 23‑year‑old teacher Ashling Murphy, delivered a tearful statement after the jury convicted Jozef Puska of murder. Casey described his love for Murphy, their plans to marry and start a family, and the loss he feels. He accused Puska of showing no remorse and called him "the lowest of the low." The judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, imposed a mandatory life sentence, noting the seriousness of the crime and the possibility of a whole‑life order. Puska, 33, was found guilty of stabbing Murphy eleven times and slashing her once before leaving her to die near a canal in Tullamore. He will be eligible for parole after 12 years. Casey's statement focused on the personal grief and the impact of Murphy's death on his life.
Jozef Puska, 33, of Lynally Grove, Mucklagh, Co Offaly, has been sentenced to the mandatory term of life imprisonment for the murder of 23-year-old school teacher Ashling Murphy. The sentence was handed down by Mr Justice Tony Hunt following a jury conviction. Puska had pleaded not guilty to murdering Ms Murphy at Cappincur, Tullamore, Co Offaly, on January 12, 2022. The jury found him guilty after rejecting his claim that he was attacked by a masked man. Evidence placed him at the scene via his bicycle, CCTV footage, and DNA found on the bike and under Ms Murphy's fingernails. Mr Justice Hunt stated that the sentence was "richly deserved" and lamented his lack of power to impose a minimum term, noting that a whole life term would have been considered if he had such authority. He emphasized that the motive remains unknown. During the hearing, victim impact statements were read from Ms Murphy's sister, mother, and boyfriend, Ryan Casey, who described Puska as showing zero remorse. The court noted that no connection existed between the defendant and the victim, despite online rumors. Puska was led away by prison officers after the sentencing.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 16 November 2023, a 33‑year‑old man was sentenced to an additional 13 years for raping his sister and sexually assaulting his niece, offences committed in June 2020. The judge, Mr Justice Tony Hunt, described the case as "particularly sad" and noted a probation report indicating a "very worrying disposition" towards women. The man had previously been convicted of possession of child pornography and was serving a seven‑year sentence for false imprisonment, with the final two years suspended. Mr Justice Hunt imposed a headline sentence of 13 years for the rape, reduced by one year to avoid a "crushing length" of total imprisonment, and a concurrent five‑year sentence for the sexual assault. The sentences run consecutively to the existing term, with the final two years of the rape sentence suspended on strict conditions. The unnamed 33-year-old pleaded guilty.
At the Central Criminal Court, a forensic psychiatrist testified that James Kilroy experienced a psychotic episode in October 2001, some eighteen years before the alleged killing of his wife. Professor Keith Rix told the jury that medical records from that earlier episode showed the accused had used cannabis approximately two weeks prior and subsequently developed abnormal beliefs and perceptions. The witness outlined that in the weeks preceding the death of Valerie French Kilroy at their home in Kilbree Lower, Westport, Co Mayo, the accused exhibited an escalating pattern of delusional thinking, including beliefs about surveillance and poisoning. The psychiatrist stated that cannabis use two weeks before the incident constituted a substance-induced psychotic episode in a vulnerable person rather than simple intoxication. Mr Kilroy, aged fifty, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder charge. Ms French Kilroy, aged forty-one, an occupational therapist, died in June 2019 from strangulation, blunt force trauma, and a stab wound. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.
The Court of Appeal has overturned a trial judge's direction to acquit an unnamed 34-year-old man of rape, finding the ruling was wrong in law. The appellant, who pleaded not guilty, was originally charged with one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault, alleging that between January and September 2005, he sexually assaulted his six-year-old cousin in Dublin. At the Central Criminal Court trial in June 2022, Mr Justice David Keane directed the jury to discharge the rape charge, reasoning that the complainant had touched the accused on his invitation, meaning no assault occurred. The State appealed, arguing that any intentional touching without consent constitutes an assault. In its judgment, the Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice John Edwards, stated that a child under the statutory minimum age cannot legally consent to such touching. The court ruled that the invitation itself could constitute force or impact, an issue that should have been left to the jury. Consequently, the appeal was allowed, and the DPP was granted permission for a retrial. The matter was adjourned, with the DPP directed to re-enter the case in the next list to fix dates at the Central Criminal Court on December 6.
At the Central Criminal Court, a consultant forensic psychiatrist testified that James Kilroy was suffering from a substance-induced psychotic episode when he killed his wife at their rural home near Westport, Co Mayo. Dr Ronan Mullaney told the jury that the accused's mental disorder meant he did not know his actions were wrong and could not refrain from committing the act. Kilroy, aged 50, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of his wife between June 13 and 14, 2019. The psychiatrist described paranoid delusions and erratic behaviour in the weeks preceding the death, including beliefs about surveillance and conspiracy. He stated the accused met criteria for the insanity defence under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. In cross-examination, the State's counsel disputed the evidence, suggesting the accused had minimised his long-standing cannabis use and had motivation to provide a self-serving account. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and jury.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing on 15 November 2023, counsel Paul Murray SC delivered a closing speech to a jury of twelve in the murder trial of Gerard Cervi, aged 36, who is accused of firing nine bullets at Bray Boxing Club on 5 June 2018. The prosecution presented CCTV footage showing Cervi travelling from his home to the club in a distinctive van, entering the club, firing in a methodical pattern, and then leaving the premises. DNA, fingerprints and other forensic evidence were also cited. The alleged victims were Robert 'Bobby' Messett, who died on the scene, and Ian Britton and Pete Taylor, who were injured. Murray argued that the evidence demonstrated Cervi's intent to kill, and urged the jury to find him guilty of murder and two attempted murders. The judge was scheduled to address the jury the following day. Gerard Cervi pleaded not guilty.
In a Kilkenny murder trial, Andrew 'Andy' Cash, 30, pleaded not guilty to the stabbing death of his brother‑in‑law John Cash, 40, on 3 May 2022. Cash, a father of three from Highrath, claimed he was "out of his head on tablets" and could not fully recall the events of that day. He told the jury that he believed his wife had cheated on him with John Cash "years ago" and that he had confronted John Cash after seeing him and his wife leave a Centra. Cash admitted to having a knife in his car, which he said had been there "for ages," and that he had given John Cash a "good thumping" while he was on the ground, but denied stabbing him. He also denied shouting "you got what you deserved" or threatening to kill John Cash. The case is set to proceed before Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury of seven women and five men.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Colin Bale, 37, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm after a daytime attack at Donabate Shopping Centre on 2 February 2020. The incident began when Bale's former partner's honour was allegedly impugned, leading Bale to confront a shopper who had taken his bike. Bale punched the victim twice, causing cuts to the head and ear and a fractured finger. Garda evidence, including CCTV, identified Bale and he was arrested. Bale's defence claimed self‑defence and an apology, noting a prior minor conviction in 2013. Judge Orla Crowe, citing the victim's injuries and the aggravating nature of the assault, imposed a fully suspended 18‑month sentence for three years, hoping the suspended sentence would encourage behavioural change. No custodial term was imposed. The victim, who has facial scars and mental health concerns, was represented by a victim impact statement. No further contact between the parties has occurred since the incident.
The Central Criminal Court trial of James Kilroy, 50, accused of murdering his wife, Valerie French Kilroy, 41, at their Co Mayo home in June 2019, continued with the prosecution case closing. Mr Kilroy has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The jury heard evidence from gardai interviews in which the accused described waiting in the long grass for his wife before slitting her throat and choking her with his bare hands. He stated he used a black serrated knife and smashed her head, describing the event as a frenzy. The prosecution noted that Ms French Kilroy died from strangulation, blunt force trauma, and a stab wound. Defence counsel called consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Ronan Mullaney, who testified that the accused had a long history of cannabis use, including therapeutic consumption of high-THC 'AK-47' strain in the three years prior to the death. Dr Mullaney stated that THC can induce substance-induced psychosis in predisposed individuals and that the accused slightly increased his use in the week before the incident. The accused also reported feeling watched and paranoid in the days leading up to the event. The trial is ongoing, with no final verdict or sentence recorded at this stage.
Alanna Quinn Idris, blinded in one eye after a gang of four youths attacked her on Ballyfermot Road on 30 December 2021, was described by her defence counsel as a "courageous young woman" who tried to defend a friend during the assault. The attackers, including 19‑year‑old Josh Cummins, pleaded guilty to causing serious harm to Ms Quinn Idris, violent disorder, assault on Louis O'Sullivan and the use of a hurl. Cummins also pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to O'Sullivan. Darragh Lyons, 19, was sentenced to four and a half years for assault causing serious harm to Ms Quinn Idris and similar charges against O'Sullivan. The case was heard on the principle of joint enterprise, with the four males carrying out an organised and violent attack in a residential area.
The Central Criminal Court heard the trial of Sean Murphy, 29, who stabbed his housemate Michael Olohan, 35, to death on 13 August 2020. Murphy had been released from a psychiatric ward to an independent living facility four months earlier. He pleaded not guilty to murder. The prosecution argued that Murphy had an active mental disorder and should be found not guilty by reason of insanity, while the defence contended that his responsibility was substantially diminished, seeking a verdict of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. Witnesses included a prosecution expert who described severe obsessive‑compulsive disorder with psychotic symptoms, and a defence expert who agreed on OCD but denied a psychotic illness. The jury was instructed to consider Murphy's mental capacity at the time of the killing. The trial proceeded before Justice Mary Ellen Ring with a jury of twelve.
A man in his mid‑seventies was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment, with the final six months suspended, for sexually assaulting his 10‑year‑old granddaughter in a Dublin house on 27 December 2016. He pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault. The court noted the offence was aggravated by a significant breach of trust and the age disparity. The judge, Sarah Berkeley, set a headline sentence of two years before reducing it for mitigating factors such as an early guilty plea and remorse. The victim's mother provided a victim impact statement describing the devastating effects on her daughter. The man had no prior convictions and had lost his family and social life. The case was prosecuted by Aoife McNickle, BL, and investigated by Detective Garda David Egan. The accused was arrested in November 2017 and denied the allegations. The court found the offence fell at the lower end of the spectrum for child sexual abuse.