Daniel Murtagh, aged 34, has filed affidavits to appeal his murder conviction for the death of 30‑year‑old Nadine Lott, who was severely beaten at her St Mary's Court apartment in Arklow on 17 December 2019. Murtagh pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denied murder; the State rejected this plea and he was convicted by a unanimous jury. Sentenced to mandatory life imprisonment in October, the judge described the crime as brutal and cited emergency services evidence of terror and brutality. Murtagh's appeal requires two affidavits, one already filed and a second expected by lunch. The Court of Appeal will mention the case again on 15 July. Lott's mother, Claire Lott, testified that her daughter was unrecognisable after the attack and that the violence was "total carnage." The jury found no defence of intoxication, rejecting Murtagh's claim that alcohol prevented intent. The case remains at the Court of Appeal stage.
A 39-year-old man from Tipperary has been jailed for nine years for repeatedly raping and sexually assaulting his young son, beginning when the child was just 12 months old. The man was convicted after a trial last December of three counts of oral rape and three counts of sexual assault committed between 2007 and 2014. The abuse was disclosed in 2016 when the child informed a relative of the incidents. During the sentencing hearing, Mr Justice David Keane noted the difficulty in assessing the weight of character references from family members and commented on the lack of remorse from the offender, who continues to deny the offences. The judge set a headline sentence of 11 years but reduced it to nine years, citing the offender's denial of the allegations and lack of engagement in rehabilitation. The sentence was backdated to December 15 last year, when the man entered custody. The judge imposed three years of post-release supervision, requiring the offender to engage in offence-focused work and comply with Probation Services. The matter is currently in the appeal stage.
Patrick Ballard, 35, of Ashford Court Hotel, Ennis, faces a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court on 4 October. He is accused of killing Sharon Bennett, 29, a mother of two, in Ennis's Market area on 28 January 2021. Initially charged with assault causing harm, the charge was withdrawn in March 2021 and replaced by a murder charge. Bennett died 13 days later at University Hospital Limerick. Ballard and Bennett were in a relationship at the time of the alleged murder. The Director of Public Prosecutions has confirmed the case is ready for trial.
An appeal by former Sinn Fein councillor Jonathan Dowdall, aged 44, against the High Court's refusal to overturn the Director of Public Prosecutions' decision to try him for the Regency Hotel murder at the Special Criminal Court, has been struck out by the Court of Appeal. Dowdall and Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch, aged 58, are charged with the murder of David Byrne, 33, at the Regency Hotel in Whitehall, Dublin, on 5 February 2016. Both men had sought judicial review at the High Court, arguing that a non‑jury trial before the SCC would be unlawful and a breach of their fundamental rights, claiming the court was a permanent institution established on a temporary basis. Mr Justice Anthony Barr dismissed the actions, ruling that the legislation was not temporary and had no temporal limit. The Court of Appeal struck out Dowdall's appeal, following a decision by the Supreme Court to hear the Hutch and Dowdall appeals next Tuesday.
The Court of Appeal heard that the posting of Aaron Brady's trial transcripts on social media is being kept under review by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Aaron Brady, 31, was jailed for life for the capital murder of Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe, with a minimum term of 40 years. He was also sentenced to 14 years for the robbery of €7,000 at Lordship Credit Union, a sentence running concurrently with the life term. The transcripts, from the State's longest murder trial, were posted on Facebook by his father, Tony Brady, in support of Aaron's appeal against conviction. This action contravened instructions from Mr Justice George Birmingham, who had permitted transcript release solely for the appellant's use without further distribution. At a brief hearing, Lorcan Staines SC, for the DPP, stated that nothing further was required from the court at this time and that the matter was being kept under review. Michael O'Higgins SC, for Aaron Brady, accepted that the material should not have been posted and assured the court it would be removed. The appeal against the murder conviction was lodged in October 2020.
In a High Court civil hearing, a man in his 70s claimed he was sexually and physically abused by his primary school teacher, a member of a Roman Catholic religious order, during the late 1950s and 1960s. He said the abuse occurred when he was about six or seven, involving forced oral sex in the classroom and cloakroom, and physical assault. He reported long‑term trauma, PTSD, self‑loathing, and suicidal thoughts, and only recalled the events after counselling in 2010. He sued the teacher and the order for damages, alleging the order failed to protect him. The retired teacher, aged in his 90s, denied all allegations, calling them "rubbish", and claimed no memory of teaching the complainant or any abuse. The case is being heard by a civil jury presided over by Mr Justice Alexander Owens. The hearing continues.
William Twomey appealed his conviction at the Court of Appeal, arguing he effectively withdrew from a joint enterprise to rob and extort businessman Edward McAndrew in Co Louth in 2017. Twomey, 58, was found guilty at the Special Criminal Court of robbery, assault, and demanding money with menaces, though acquitted of false imprisonment. His counsel, Dominic McGinn SC, contended that Twomey communicated his withdrawal to co-accused Anthony Finglas, gardaí, and the PSNI, negating his mens rea at the time of the attack. The prosecution, represented by Anne Marie Lawlor SC, countered that Twomey was the "architect" of the plan and failed to demonstrate effective withdrawal, noting the fruits of the crime were made available to him. The court heard that Finglas, 51, pleaded guilty to demanding money with menaces and was sentenced to four years and nine months in December 2020. The appeal judges questioned whether vague warnings to police constituted valid withdrawal. Presiding Judge George Birmingham stated the Special Criminal Court properly determined the facts and law. The Court of Appeal reserved its judgment, meaning the matter was adjourned pending a decision.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, a 73‑year‑old former scout was acquitted of three indecent assault charges dating from 1969‑70. After the acquittal, his lawyers applied for legal costs, but Judge Orla Crowe refused the application. She held that the prosecution was warranted and conducted in the public interest, that the defendant was properly prosecuted and defended, and that no impropriety occurred. Judge Crowe noted that the trial proceeded normally, with the defendant giving evidence and being cross‑examined, and that the defence had called witnesses to testify to his character. She cited case law on the criteria for costs after an acquittal, concluding that the prosecution was legitimate and properly carried out, and therefore the costs claim was denied. The unnamed 73-year-old pleaded not guilty.
A 20‑year‑old named Dean Kerrie, who lives in Portarlington, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 25‑year‑old Jack Power, who was stabbed on 26 July 2018. In court, Kerrie told a garda that he had been asleep when Power entered his house, grabbed his mother and began punching and kicking. Kerrie claimed he grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed Power in the chest, saying he did not intend to kill him. He also said Power had come to his house to blame him for damage to a car mirror. The trial heard evidence that the front windows of Kerrie's house were broken, a silver Volkswagen Polo was found with a missing wing mirror, and that Power's body had a stab wound with little blood. The case is still before a jury and a judge.
Edward McDonnell, a convicted sex offender aged 57, was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment by the Special Criminal Court for unlawful possession of a Grand Power G9 semi‑automatic pistol. The pistol was found in a car driven by Stephen Little, 48, who was also charged with possession of the weapon in suspicious circumstances. Little was sentenced to six years. McDonnell's appeal to the Court of Appeal was dismissed. The appeal argued that the disparity between McDonnell's nine‑year sentence and Little's six‑year sentence was an error, citing differences in plea timing, previous convictions and alleged involvement in a revenge plot for the murder of Sean Little, 22, who was shot dead in May 2019. The Court of Appeal, with Mr Justice McCarthy presiding, found no basis for the disparity and upheld the nine‑year sentence. Stephen Little pleaded guilty.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, prosecution counsel Bernard Condon SC presented a case that Wayne Cooney, 31, is either guilty of murdering 22‑year‑old Jordan Davis or is the "most unlucky person ever." Condon cited CCTV showing a cyclist, described as athletic with darkish skin, who allegedly fired eight bullets at 4 pm, then dumped a bike and later returned with a body warmer. He linked the cyclist to a phone number ending in 166, associated with Cooney, and to a local drug dealer who had threatened Davis. Condon also referenced DNA on gloves and a bicycle found near the scene, claiming they matched Cooney's DNA and firearm residue. Defence counsel Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC argued that the prosecution's evidence contained "huge holes," questioning the reliability of CCTV identification, the DNA transfer, and the phone‑number link, and noting that other Gardaí did not identify Cooney in the footage. Wayne Cooney pleaded not guilty.
In 2018, 33‑year‑old Lawrence Mubango, of Inchicore, Dublin, stabbed two friends, Ashely Ncube and Nhlanhla Nduli, during a drug‑induced paranoid attack. Paramedics found Ncube with intestines protruding from his abdomen. Mubango claimed he feared the men would rape his partner, but the court found no basis for this. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced him to 10 years' imprisonment with 18 months suspended, citing the seriousness of the assault. Mubango appealed, arguing the judge had misidentified the headline term of 12½ years. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, rejected the appeal, affirming the original sentence and noting the reduction to eight‑and‑a‑half years was a substantial discount. Mubango's defence highlighted drug‑fuelled paranoia and spontaneity, but the court upheld the seriousness of the offence and the appropriate sentencing. The case remains at the appellate stage. Lawrence Mubango pleaded guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Court hearing, Buti Sashi, aged 26, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for a series of offences. He was found guilty of assaulting two women, one of whom he choked and threatened with a knife, and of theft involving €35,000 obtained through an invoice‑redirection fraud. The court heard that Sashi had supplied a prostitute with his bank account details, which was used to transfer the money. He pleaded guilty to the theft and the assaults. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three‑year sentence for each assault, to run concurrently, and a two‑year sentence for the theft, back‑dated for time already served and consecutive to the assault sentences. The total custodial term was five years. The case highlighted the use of a mobile phone and CCTV evidence in linking Sashi to the crimes. The court noted his drug addiction and expressed regret for his actions. The sentences were delivered in November 2021.
Anthony Bradley, aged 28, pleaded guilty to robbery at a McDonald's in Blanchardstown on 17 January 2020. He threatened the manager with a broken bottle and demanded money from the till, taking about €40. The court found the offence "drugs‑fuelled" and linked it to Bradley's addiction history. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to three and a half years, suspending the final 12 months on the condition of a bond to keep the peace. Bradley has 42 prior convictions, including assault, theft and drug offences, and has previously completed a residential treatment programme. He is a father of one and has expressed a desire to address his addiction and support his family.
In the Central Criminal Court, 17‑year‑old Dean Kerrie is charged with murdering 25‑year‑old Jack Power on 26 July 2018. Witness Christopher Lee, Kerrie's best friend, testified that he and Power were schoolmates and that Power entered the Kerrie house early that morning. Lee said he saw Power and Kerrie in the house, that Power pushed Kerrie's mother and that Kerrie entered the house with a knife. Lee claimed he saw Kerrie stab Power in the chest. He denied that Power had forced the front door or that Power had smashed a window. Lee also said he broke a window with a golf club after the incident. The trial is ongoing before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and a jury. Dean Kerrie pleaded not guilty.
A 70‑year‑old former Christian brother teacher, who taught at a primary school in the southeast from 1975 to 1981, was convicted by a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in April of the previous year for molesting two boys in his classroom. He pleaded not guilty to eleven counts of indecent assault but was found guilty on seven counts; the jury could not reach a verdict on four counts. The convictions involved repeated indecent assaults on one boy on two occasions—after the boy was asked to stay behind to clean the blackboard and after he was called up to read—and on the second boy up to 40 times during the school year up to June 1980. The court heard that the assaults had a lasting impact on the victims, affecting their self‑esteem, relationships and life choices.
In a 2022 court hearing, former Garda Stephen Cooper (37) and accomplice Stephen McGrath (37) were sentenced for drug‑ and alcohol‑fuelled assaults on two women. Cooper forced a woman to undergo a "strip search" after claiming she stole drugs, threatened her, and inserted his fingers into her body. McGrath then violently assaulted a second woman, kicking, punching, and tearing her hair, while both men threatened to take her to the mountains and bury her. They attempted to place her in a van, but she resisted and was ultimately left in the footwell. Cooper pleaded guilty to assault causing harm to the first woman and to threats against the second, while McGrath pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, sexual assault, and weapon production. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three‑year sentence for Cooper's assault and a three‑year sentence for the threats, to run consecutively.
In a Central Criminal Court case, a 20‑year‑old named Dean Kerrie, who lived in Portarlington, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 25‑year‑old Jack Power, a fisherman from Dunmore East, who was stabbed to death at Kerrie's house on 26 July 2018. The prosecution presented evidence that Power had left a pub intoxicated, damaged his car's wing mirror, and believed Kerrie was responsible. Power then went to Kerrie's house, where a confrontation occurred. Kerrie allegedly stabbed Power with a large kitchen knife, after which Power collapsed outside and was pronounced dead at University Hospital Waterford. A post‑mortem found a 13‑cm stab wound as the cause of death. The prosecution also highlighted two 999 calls: one from Kerrie's mother reporting broken windows, and another from Kerrie admitting to stabbing Power but claiming he did not intend to kill.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Wayne Cooney, aged 31, denied murdering 22‑year‑old Jordan Davis. Cooney claimed he had donated a pair of North Face gloves, which were found near the shooting site and contained firearms residue and his DNA, to a clothing collection company. He expressed remorse for the death but insisted he was the wrong person. Gardai questioned him about his presence in Darndale before and during the shooting, his possession of a 9mm semi‑automatic pistol and ammunition, and his alleged appearance on CCTV footage. Cooney denied being in the area, owning a firearm or ammunition, and being the cyclist seen on CCTV. He also denied that his DNA was found on the bicycle. The court heard forensic evidence of nine spent 9mm cartridges and two casings, identified as from a Glock‑type pistol, and the trial proceeded before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of twelve. The unnamed man pleaded not guilty.
Start Mortgages DAC secured a temporary High Court order to appoint a receiver over an estimated €125,000 insurance payout to a convicted child rapist who is currently in jail and owes the company over €400,000. The man, who was jailed for 12 years in 2014 after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault of a seven‑year‑old girl, had obtained a mortgage of over €265,000 from Start for a property in the South‑East. A year later the property was destroyed by fire and insured by Zurich, which agreed to pay over €222,000 for reconstruction. Zurich paid an initial €85,000 to the man's lawyers, of which Start claims €30,000 was used to clear mortgage arrears. Start alleges the property was never rebuilt and the funds were misused. After the man's imprisonment, Start sold the derelict property for about €33,000 and seeks to recover the remaining insurance proceeds.
Abuse Survivor Aoife Farrelly has waived her anonymity to allow her brother, Cian Farrelly (30), to be named in connection with the rape and sexual assault of his sister at the family home in Castlepollard, Co Westmeath, between 2007 and 2009. Farrelly pleaded guilty to the charges at the Central Criminal Court. The victim, who was aged between seven and eight and a half at the time of the abuse, while Farrelly was aged between 15 and a half and 17 years old, described the impact of the abuse on her life, including self-harm, disordered eating, anxiety, stress, and OCD. She stated that she had undergone counselling, psychotherapy, and inpatient treatment for PTSD. During the sentencing hearing, Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted that Ms Farrelly's childhood was destroyed and she was deeply affected by the abuse. He handed down a four-and-a-half year sentence and suspended the final 18 months on a number of conditions, including that Farrelly have no contact of any kind with his sister. Speaking outside court, Ms Farrelly said she was pleased with the sentence that was handed down, saying that the headline sentence the judge mentioned was 'enough' for her. The matter was adjourned for the submission of reports, including a probation report and a report from forensic psychological services. Cian Farrelly took the stand at the end of the hearing to apologise to his sister.
The Court of Appeal has upheld the 18-year prison sentence imposed on John Murphy, rejecting his appeal that the term was excessive, disproportionate, and unfair. Murphy, formerly of Foxford, Co Mayo, had pleaded guilty to numerous counts of rape, indecent and sexual assault against his daughter, Sophia Murphy, at locations in Co Galway and Co Mayo between 1988 and 2001, when she was aged three to 15. He also admitted to one count of sexual assault in 2010. In July 2018, Mr Justice Michael White at the Central Criminal Court sentenced him to consecutive terms totalling 18 years, noting the headline term for the "depraved" offences was life. Murphy's counsel argued the sentence failed to adequately weight mitigation, including his early guilty plea. However, Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly, sitting with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, found no error in principle in the original sentencing. The court highlighted the victim's age and the ultimate breach of parental trust as key aggravating factors. Sophia Murphy, who waived anonymity, expressed relief at the decision, stating it validates her experience and encourages other victims to speak out. The judgment confirms the original sentence remains in effect.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, Nassar Ahmed, aged 41, was found guilty of murder by a unanimous jury after stabbing Eoin Boylan, 32, three times in a "sneak attack" at Gordon Drive, Cloughleigh, Ennis. Ahmed had invited Boylan to a fist fight while concealing a knife, then stabbed him as Boylan was retreating. CCTV footage showed the attack, and Ahmed claimed self‑defence, but the jury rejected this, concluding he was the aggressor. The judge remanded Ahmed in custody pending sentencing on 26 July, when Boylan's family may address the court. Ahmed faces the mandatory life sentence for murder. The trial also noted Ahmed's prior plea of not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of Boylan in 2020, and his history of a failed marriage to Susan O'Doherty, who later dated Boylan. The case highlighted the jury's swift two‑hour deliberation and the prosecution's emphasis on Ahmed's lies to Gardaí about the weapon used.
A jury has been sworn in to hear the trial of 20‑year‑old Dean Kerrie, accused of murdering 25‑year‑old fisherman Jack Power in Waterford on 26 July 2018 when Kerrie was 17. Kerrie pleaded not guilty to the single charge of murder. The trial will be heard by a panel of seven women and five men at the Central Criminal Court, with the prosecution opening the case tomorrow. Judge Paul McDermott warned jurors to avoid media and social media and focus solely on the evidence presented in court.
Stephen Carney, serving a life sentence for the 2007 murder of his girlfriend Amanda Jenkins, has filed a judicial review against the Minister for Justice. He argues that the 2021 introduction of a new statutory Parole Board has disrupted the administrative processes that previously governed his rehabilitation plan. Under the former system, Carney had successfully progressed through stages of a release programme, including temporary release for training, and was expected to move to the next stage in January 2024. The Minister's response directed him to engage with the new board, which Carney claims will not review his case until at least the third quarter of 2023. He seeks orders compelling the Minister to decide on his application, declarations that the Minister is acting unlawfully, and an order quashing the alleged refusal. The case was adjourned to October after Mr Justice Charles Meenan granted permission to proceed.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Jamie Heffernan, aged 22, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for a violent assault on Aaron Murdiff, aged 25, which left Murdiff with a lasting traumatic brain injury. Heffernan attacked Murdiff after learning that Murdiff had assaulted his cousin at a house party earlier that night. CCTV footage showed Heffernan striking Murdiff, causing him to fall, and then delivering three separate blows over four and a half minutes, including repeated strikes while Murdiff lay motionless. Heffernan pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm. The judge described the attack as "breathtaking savagery" and noted the severity of the assault. Two minor co‑accused are awaiting sentencing for their roles. Heffernan has five prior convictions. The court heard that Murdiff's mother and sister provided a victim impact statement, and that Heffernan had consumed significant alcohol that night.
A 17‑year‑old girl has not returned to school since she was sexually assaulted by a school friend when both were 14. The assault followed consensual kissing and occurred after the girl was heavily intoxicated. The boy, now 17, pleaded guilty to two sexual assault charges and a threat to kill or seriously harm the girl. He admitted the contact was consensual but was under the influence of alcohol. The assault was reported to gardaí only after the boy sent a threatening voice message two weeks later. The court heard the message and the victim's impact statement, noting the girl's ongoing mental health difficulties. The judge acknowledged the boy's remorse and placed him under probation supervision until April 2023, requiring engagement with the service and awareness programmes. The boy has not returned to education and is now working. The case highlights the victim's continued struggle and the offender's acceptance of responsibility.
A trial date has been set for Christina Anderson, 39, who is accused of murdering Gareth Kelly, 39, on 25 February 2020. Anderson will appear at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin on 28 November. Mr Justice Paul McDermott fixed the date and ordered the case to return for case management and updates on 22 July. Anderson is charged with murder after Kelly, who was trying to jump‑start his car to go to work, was stabbed and died on the street. The trial is expected to last two weeks.
Body‑cam footage showed 48‑year‑old Gary Murtagh beat his 42‑year‑old brother Paul to death with a claw hammer at their family home in north Dublin on 6 November 2020. The Central Criminal Court heard that the brothers had a "strange relationship" and had been living alone in the house since 2016, communicating by notes to avoid each other. During the Covid‑19 lockdown, Gary was "lost" without work or gym access, leading to close quarters in the house. Prosecutors said Gary had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and had a prior conviction for grievous bodily harm. He pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life imprisonment, back‑dated to 27 August 2021. The court noted over 50 hammer blows, including 16 to the head, caused Paul's death. The siblings described the event as a "living nightmare" and expressed remorse from Gary. The judge imposed the mandatory life sentence. Gary Murtagh pleaded not guilty.
In a 2022 Central Criminal Court hearing, Martin Kelly, aged 35, was sentenced to 12 years and six months in prison for manslaughter after he set fire to Gerry Nolan's mobile home in 2006, killing Nolan. The court noted Kelly's 196 prior convictions, including 10 for criminal damage, and his high risk of reoffending. Kelly pleaded guilty to manslaughter, admitting gross recklessness. The judge highlighted the devastating impact on Nolan's family, who had endured 16 years of unresolved grief. The sentence included an 18‑month suspended portion, to be served over three years, contingent on education and addiction support. The case stemmed from a cold‑case review that uncovered new evidence, including a changed alibi statement from a former partner. The sentencing reflected the seriousness of the offence and Kelly's acceptance of responsibility. Martin Kelly pleaded not guilty.
The Workplace Relations Commission has dismissed a complaint of unfair dismissal brought by a direct provision centre worker in Monaghan. The adjudicating officer found that Siarhei Klimasheuski was guilty of gross misconduct akin to workplace assault when he failed to comply with Covid-19 safety protocols at a facility operated by Tattonward Ltd in April 2020. The decision, published in June 2022, concluded that Mr Klimasheuski did not consistently wear required personal protective equipment, failed to sanitise surfaces, and did not enforce social distancing measures among residents despite being briefed on procedures in both English and Russian. Although the adjudicator identified significant defects in the dismissal process, including procedural irregularities and lack of a formal disciplinary hearing, she found the evidence of company witnesses more credible and determined the termination was not unfair. The breaches posed genuine infection control risks during the pandemic's early stages.
Michael Golden, aged 73, of Crosspatrick, Killala, County Mayo, was convicted unanimously by jury at the Central Criminal Court last month of seven counts of indecent assault, four counts of sexual assault, and nine counts of oral rape against four children between 1980 and 1997. The victims were aged between five and fourteen at the time of the offences. Golden had pleaded not guilty to all charges. He died in custody on 6 June 2022 while awaiting sentence. At a hearing where victim impact statements were presented, Justice Mary Ellen Ring noted that had Golden survived, he would have faced a custodial term of significant length. The judge acknowledged the victims' right to be heard and recognised the permanent damage caused by childhood sexual abuse. She expressed that only the victims' willingness to come forward had enabled the investigation and prosecution to proceed.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, 42‑year‑old Nassar Ahmed was accused of deliberately stabbing his former partner's boyfriend, Eoin Boylan, during a "sneak attack" at Gordon Drive, Cloughleigh, Ennis, on 14 April 2020. Prosecutor Lorcan Staines argued that Ahmed invited Boylan to a fist fight while concealing a knife, then stabbed him three times while Boylan was in manifest retreat. Staines described the stabbings as intentional, deliberate and repeated, noting that the wounds were precise and that Ahmed's actions were not self‑defence. He also highlighted that Ahmed repeatedly lied to Gardaí about the weapon used, calling the lies "borderline laughable." The prosecution maintained that the case involved an intentional attack, not a defensive response, and that the alleged self‑defence claim was untenable. The trial was set to continue before Justice Eileen Creedon and a jury. Nassar Ahmed pleaded not guilty.
During a sentencing hearing in the High Court, Mr Justice David Keane said that character referees for convicted criminals should be required to appear in court for cross‑examination. The judge was hearing the case of a 38‑year‑old Tipperary man convicted of repeated rape and sexual assault of his son, who was aged between one and eight at the time of the offences. Lawyers had requested that the court receive character references from the man's partner, parents and GP. Mr Justice Keane referred to a recent Court of Appeal dicta that any person wishing to give a character reference must be present in court and available for cross‑examination, and he suggested that references from family members might be given limited weight. The judge also noted that the victim, now a teenager, had stated that the abuse had no lasting effect on him. The case was adjourned to 1 July, and the defendant was remanded in custody.
In a Dublin murder trial, a woman from Coolock, Kirsty Darby, testified that she saw a strange man on an orange push bike around her estate for three days in May 2019, before a neighbour, Jordan Davis, was shot dead by a man on a bike. Darby described the cyclist as broad, tall, with sallow skin, wearing gloves, a jacket and a hat, and noted he was "hanging around" and "going round in circles." She claimed she had not seen him before May 20 and not after May 22, the day of the shooting. The prosecution alleges that Wayne Cooney, 31, of Glenshane Drive, Tallaght, was the cyclist and is charged with murder, possession of a 9mm pistol and ammunition. The case is before Mr Justice Tony Hunt with a jury of eight men and four women. The trial is ongoing. Wayne Cooney pleaded not guilty.
The Court of Appeal has increased the prison term of Nathan Doherty (24), of Legan, Co Longford, who was convicted of a violent attack on Derek Murphy. Doherty pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm and producing an article capable of causing serious harm. He was originally sentenced by Judge Keenan Johnson at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court to six years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended for ten years, plus €30,000 in compensation. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed the suspended portion, arguing the reduction was a substantial departure from similar cases. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, reading the three-judge court's decision, quashed the original sentence on grounds of deterrence. He re-sentenced Doherty to six years' imprisonment with the final year suspended for two years. The financial restitution was severed from the custodial term via a separate order under Section 6 of the Criminal Procedures Act. Doherty is now ordered to pay €25,000 in compensation to Mr Murphy in annual instalments of €5,000, commencing ten months after his release. The court noted the attack was extremely violent, involving a broken curtain pole forced into the victim's anus. Separately, Derek Doherty (52), of Vicarstown, Ballymahon, Co Longford, was recently sentenced to 80 months in prison, with the final 17 months suspended, at Longford Circuit Criminal Court for his role in the incident. Counsel for Nathan Doherty argued his client was goaded by his father, while the DPP maintained the original sentence was insufficient censure.
Brendan Treanor, 34, was refused bail by the Special Criminal Court regarding charges of participating in the January 25, 2013, robbery at Lordship Credit Union in Bellurgan, Co Louth, during which Detective Garda Adrian Donohoe was shot dead. Mr Justice Michael MacGrath, delivering the ruling of the three-judge court, stated there was a real risk of witness interference and upheld a Section 2 Bail Act objection based on fears of further serious offences. Treanor's lawyers had argued that continued custody offended his dignity by separating him from his newborn son, noting his trial was adjourned from October to January next year to allow the DPP to try him alongside James Flynn. Flynn, 31, is currently awaiting an appeal against his extradition from the UK to face the same robbery charge. The report also details the finalised sentencing of Aaron Brady, 30, who was found guilty of the murder of Det Gda Donohoe by an 11-to-1 majority jury verdict at the Central Criminal Court on August 11, 2020. Brady was sentenced to the mandatory life imprisonment term, with a minimum of 40 years to be served due to the victim being a garda acting in the course of duty. He also received a concurrent 14-year sentence for the robbery of €7,000 at the credit union.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Michael French, aged 28, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for a violent burglary that took place at a city‑centre home on 30 January 2021. French entered the victim's house at about 1.30 a.m., wearing only shorts, and confronted the homeowner, who was in his 40s, with a knife. French shouted threats, including "I want to kill you," and pinned the victim against a wall, striking him in the stomach. The victim eventually calmed the situation by agreeing that the house was his, and a neighbour called the Gardaí. French fled but was apprehended after attempting to jump a fence. He admitted to taking cocaine and ecstasy that night and had a history of schizophrenia, drug and alcohol addiction, and homelessness. The judge, citing French's mental health issues, suspended the last 18 months of a four‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, resulting in a final term of three years' imprisonment. Michael French pleaded guilty.
Nassar Ahmed, 42, was accused of murdering Eoin Boylan, 32, on 14 April 2020. Ahmed denied any bad intentions and claimed he acted in self‑defence, saying he grabbed a sharp object and stabbed Boylan after Boylan approached him. CCTV footage showed Boylan backing away after the first blow. Ahmed could not recall the object or where he threw it. He pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. Witnesses described a confrontation between Ahmed, wearing a red baseball hat, and Boylan, noting a sharp metal object in Ahmed's hand. Ahmed's statements to Gardaí and a friend confirmed he believed he was defending himself. The case was set for trial before Justice Eileen Creedon with a jury of twelve.
The Court of Appeal heard an appeal by the Director of Public Prosecutions regarding the sentence imposed on Nathan Doherty (24), of Legan, Co Longford. Doherty pleaded guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm and producing an article capable of causing serious harm for an attack on Derek Murphy in June 2018. He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, with the final three years suspended for ten years, and ordered to pay €30,000 in victim compensation. The DPP argued the suspended portion was unduly lenient, describing the assault as vile and sadistic. In response, counsel for Doherty highlighted mitigating factors, including his status as a first-time offender and his early guilty plea. Counsel also referenced the separate sentencing of Derek Doherty (52), of Vicarstown, Ballymahon, Co Longford, who was sentenced to 80 months in prison with the final 17 months suspended for his role in the incident. The defence argued that the father had instructed the son to attack the victim. The Court of Appeal has reserved its judgement on the appeal.
In June 2022, Shane Westwood, aged 26, was sentenced to two years in prison for assaulting his former partner. The victim was punched repeatedly, bitten, threatened with a knife, and an attempt was made to smother her. Westwood had previously pleaded guilty to assault causing harm in March 2018. Gardaí found him hiding under his mother's bed after the incident. He denied the assault, claiming it was only shouting, while his defence lawyer cited drug addiction and jealousy. The court noted his 19 prior convictions, including drug dealing and burglary. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a three‑year sentence with the final 12 months suspended on the condition of keeping the peace for three years, and ordered him to attend probation, anger‑management, and drug‑treatment programmes.
In the Central Criminal Court, the jury heard that Nassar Ahmed, 41, accused of murdering Eoin Boylan, 32, had called Boylan's former partner a "whore" moments before the fatal confrontation. Ahmed pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. Witness Catherine Martin testified that Ahmed was angry and shouted at her son, who tried to intervene. She described Ahmed standing on his toes and lunging at her son, who was then struck and later died from stab wounds. Ahmed claimed he had picked up a sharp object to defend himself after Boylan tried to fight him. Garda testimony noted Ahmed's arrest on suspicion of assault causing harm. The trial continued with the issue of self‑defence to be considered by the jury.
Gary Murtagh, 48, of Broadstone, Dublin 7, admitted to murdering his brother Paul Murtagh, 42, at their family home on Auburn Street, Phibsborough, on 6 November 2020. He had originally pleaded not guilty to murder and guilty to manslaughter, but the plea was rejected by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The trial was scheduled to begin with a jury of ten men and two women, but was postponed. On the day the jury returned, Murtagh pleaded guilty to murder in the presence of the jury, ending the trial. Judge Paul McDermott accepted the plea, thanked the jury, and exempted them from service for five years. Murtagh was remanded in custody until the sentencing on the following Monday, when a victim impact report will be prepared. The case remains at the trial stage.
Clare O'Connor, 35, of Ashtown, Dublin, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing drugs in her home, with a total street value of €47,407. She had previously been convicted of bringing drugs to her partner in Mountjoy prison. Garda Brian O'Toole and solicitor Anne Marie Lawlor argued that O'Connor was under the control of a violent partner who had been jailed for 11 years in 2018 for conspiracy to commit murder. O'Connor claimed she had no choice but to allow the drugs to be stored in her apartment, which she co‑operated with the Gardaí during a search that uncovered 300 g of heroin, tablets, cannabis, resin and MDMA. She also cared for a 10‑year‑old cousin with special needs. Judge Martin Nolan accepted her fear and cooperation, and suspended a four‑year prison term.
Megan Creighton, 34, pleaded guilty to robbery on Old Navan Road on 3 December 2020. The victim was approached by Creighton and her partner, who demanded money, phone and wallet. Creighton threatened to bite his nose, bit him, and then told her accomplice to use a knife. The accomplice struck the victim with a screwdriver, causing facial damage and neck marks. An off‑duty Garda intervened, leading to the muggers' arrest. The victim's injuries were documented and a victim impact statement was submitted but not read. Creighton, a mother of five with 17 prior convictions and a history of heroin addiction, claimed she was a victim of domestic violence. She expressed remorse and accepted responsibility. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced her to three years' imprisonment.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing on 21 June 2022, the murder trial of AB (33) and Bernard Fogarty (34) was presented. The defendants deny murdering Barry Wolverson at Madigan's Yard on 17 January 2020. They were initially charged with attempted murder, upgraded to murder after Wolverson's death on 21 February 2021. The court heard from former paramedic Michelle O'Toole, who arrived in a rapid response vehicle and found Wolverson unresponsive with eight gunshot wounds to chest and shoulder and one to the temple. She administered adrenaline via the leg, restoring a normal heart rhythm, and transported him to Beaumont Hospital where he survived in a vegetative state for months. Another paramedic, Paul Hand, treated a second wounded man, noting a lower‑back shot with no exit wounds. Both defendants plead not guilty to murder, firearm possession, ammunition possession and assault.
In a murder trial, Sandra Davis, mother of 22‑year‑old Jordan Davis, testified that her son was involved in drug dealing. She said he began buying expensive clothing and traveling to Amsterdam, and that he always had large amounts of cash. Davis recalled that Jordan's partner became pregnant and he bought a buggy costing over €1,500, which she said was all his money. She also described receiving threatening text messages and witnessing men searching her garden in March 2019, after which the windows of her house were smashed. Davis admitted that Jordan had been friends with Sean Little, who was shot dead a day before Jordan. Wayne Cooney, 31, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jordan Davis, to possession of a 9mm pistol, and to possession of ammunition. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of eight men and four women.
In June 2022, the Court of Appeal struck out an appeal against the conviction and sentence of Declan Byrne, a 35‑year‑old former resident of Spencer Dock, Sheriff Street, Dublin. Byrne had been jailed for eight years for his role in a series of "vicious and savage assaults" outside a nightclub in Ashbourne, Co. Meath, on 1 August 2016. He pleaded not guilty to one count of violent disorder, one count of causing serious harm, and three counts of causing harm, but a jury at Trim Circuit Criminal Court found him guilty in March 2020. He received a nine‑year sentence with 12 months suspended. Byrne, now in Midlands Prison, had previously sought appeals that were adjourned when he changed counsel. The latest appeal hearing was scheduled for that day, but his new barrister, Keith Spencer BL, requested another adjournment to review CCTV footage and notes from Byrne's former legal team.
A 17‑year‑old girl who was raped and abused for many years by her 79‑year‑old grandfather told a court that she hopes her case will help other victims of sexual violence. The grandfather was jailed for 14 years for multiple counts of sexual assault against his three grandchildren at two locations in Connacht. He pleaded guilty to assaulting the three girls when they were aged between five and 14, but denied raping the oldest girl. The jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts on six counts of raping the child between September 2014 and September 2018. The victim, aged between 10 and 14 at the time, described how the abuse destroyed her childhood and how she felt "dirty". She said that letting go of the secret was a relief and that she hopes to give other victims the courage to speak.
The Special Criminal Court has opened a trial for two Dublin men, a 33‑year‑old referred to as 'AB' and Bernard Fogarty, 34, charged with the murder of Barry Wolverson. The alleged killing took place on 17 January 2020 at Madigan's Yard, Swords, where Wolverson was shot several times and later died on 21 February 2021 after a year in a comatose state. The men were arrested minutes after the incident and were initially charged with attempted murder, a charge upgraded to murder following Wolverson's death. They pleaded not guilty to murder, firearm possession and assault. The prosecution, represented by Paul Greene SC, presented a circumstantial case, citing evidence such as a burned Citroën C4, petrol residue on the accused, and recovered Zip fire logs. The trial, presided over by Judges Michael MacGrath, Cormac Dunne and Gerard Griffin, is expected to last six weeks.