An 86‑year‑old driver, Phillip Smith, was fined €1,500 and banned from driving for one year after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing serious harm. On 4 August 2021, while travelling at 34 km/h on Gardiner Street, he struck a 95‑year‑old pedestrian who had crossed the street without looking left. The collision left the woman with a spinal fracture and 31 facial stitches. CCTV showed the woman had crossed the road and Smith hit her; he had 1.5 seconds to react and did so in 0.8 seconds. Smith had no prior convictions and had never received a parking ticket. The court noted the seriousness of the injuries but also Smith's unblemished record and early guilty plea, and therefore imposed a fine and a one‑year driving disqualification rather than custodial imprisonment. The woman has since made a full physical recovery.
In a High Court hearing on 21 March 2024, TD Marc MacSharry, who has represented Sligo‑Leitrim since 2016 as an independent, settled his action against the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO). MacSharry had claimed that SIPO unlawfully processed and disclosed his personal data, violating the EU General Data Protection Regulation, the 2018 Data Protection Act, and the 2014 Freedom of Information Act. The court granted several declarations in his favour, stating that SIPO had processed his data in contravention of Article 6 of the 2018 Act and had unlawfully disclosed confidential information in breach of the Freedom of Information Act. It also declared that SIPO had breached MacSharry's constitutional and European Convention on Human Rights rights to privacy and confidence. MacSharry will be paid his legal costs, and the proceedings were struck out following the settlement, which remains confidential. The defendant, represented by Gary Compton BL, consented to the orders and declarations.
The Court of Appeal has quashed the original sentence of Edward 'Blondie' Stokes, increasing his prison term by four years. Stokes, 33, of Ferriskill, Granard, Co Longford, had previously pleaded not guilty to all counts but was found guilty by a unanimous jury after a nine-day trial. In January last year, Judge Kenneth Connolly sentenced him to three years for violent disorder, with the final six months suspended for 12 months. He also received concurrent sentences of two years and three months for endangerment and 18 months for the production of an article. The State successfully appealed on grounds of undue leniency. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, determined that the original headline sentence was incorrect given the aggravating factors, including the use of a shillelagh and the premeditated nature of the attack. The court set an appropriate headline sentence of eight years for violent disorder. After accounting for modest mitigation, Stokes was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, with the final six months suspended. He must serve six-and-a-half years in jail. The other concurrent sentences remain as originally imposed.
Peter 'Peadar' Keating, a senior Kinahan cartel member jailed for 11 years in September 2021 for directing a criminal organisation to target James 'Mago' Gately, is awaiting a High Court decision on his extradition to the UK. Keating faces nine alleged offences, including perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to possess firearms, stemming from a botched plot to amass an arsenal to help Thomas 'Bomber' Kavanagh reduce his sentence. Kavanagh, who pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and was jailed for 21 years in England in March 2022, is alleged to have directed the scheme. The UK warrant alleges Keating, using the handle 'short-texture', procured weapons from the Netherlands between January and June 2020. While Keating's counsel argued he was serving a sentence in Ireland and thus outside the UK's jurisdiction, the State's counsel rejected this, stating the warrant clearly indicates the conspiracy occurred while Keating was in the UK. The court will deliver its judgment on the surrender application by April 25. Separately, Imre Arakas was jailed for six years in December 2018 after admitting to conspiring to murder Gately in Northern Ireland in 2017.
A young woman has filed a civil damages claim against mixed‑martial‑arts star Conor McGregor for alleged assault, and the case has been scheduled for trial in the High Court next month. The action, which will be heard before a jury and presided over by a judge, was set for the week beginning 23 April after the judge, Mr Justice Alexander Owens, heard from Siún Leonowicz BL, the woman's counsel, who confirmed the case was ready to proceed. McGregor, originally from Crumlin, denies all wrongdoing. The claim is one of two initiated against the celebrity sportsman over incidents alleged to have occurred in 2018. The woman's action was filed in 2021, but no details of the claim have been disclosed in open court. A second personal‑injuries action, brought by the woman's mother, is not scheduled for jury trial.
In March 2024, the Central Criminal Court activated the suspended one‑year portion of Robbie Walsh's eight‑year manslaughter sentence after he attacked Martin Burke and threatened to kill him on 25 July 2023, just months after his release from prison. Walsh, 28, had been found not guilty of murder but guilty of the manslaughter of Karl "Gobbo" Haugh, 25, in 2019. He had served five years and eight months of his sentence and was released on 23 March 2023. On 28 February 2024, Walsh was sentenced to 15 months for assault, a threat to kill and criminal damage. The judge, citing Walsh's history of serious offending and the violence involved, imposed the full 12‑month suspended term to commence after the expiry of the 15‑month sentence. The court noted that the offences occurred within months of his release.
Telecoms company Eir has abandoned its intention to appeal a landmark decision by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) that ordered the reinstatement of 65‑year‑old Thomas Doolin, who had been forced into retirement last year. The WRC's ruling was the first time the tribunal invoked its power to direct a company to reinstate a worker under the Employment Equality Act 1998. While no compensation was awarded, the order required Eir to pay Doolin his salary for the period he was out of work, from 1 July to 30 November 2023. Doolin, who represented himself, claimed the mandatory retirement was unfair, whereas Eir argued it was justified on health and safety grounds and for succession planning. The WRC adjudicator, Breiffni O'Neill, found those reasons did not apply to Doolin, who worked exclusively in‑office in a small, non‑strategic IT department.
In the final stage of the Stardust inquest, Dr Myra Cullinane summarised the pathological evidence presented by pathologists Dr Richard Shepherd, Dr Nat Cary and Dr Benjamin Swift. She reviewed each of the 48 victims alphabetically, noting their birth dates, last movements on the night of the February 14, 1981 fire, dates of death and the methods used to identify them. Identification methods included visual recognition, property such as clothing or jewellery, dental records and, for five victims—Eamon Loughman, Paul Wade, Michael Ffrench, Richard Bennett and Murtagh Kavanagh—DNA analysis in 2007. Cullinane detailed that most deaths were caused by rapid incapacitation from inhalation of fire fumes and heat. She concluded the day's proceedings out of respect for the families and announced that the next part of the inquest would involve a summary of evidence from fire experts, with the inquest continuing tomorrow in the Rotunda Hospital's Pillar Room.
John Dundon, convicted in 2013 of ordering the murder of Shane Geoghegan, is currently appealing his conviction. The Court of Appeal granted an application for Dundon's lawyers to withdraw from the case. Dundon told the court he discharged his legal team after claiming they failed to properly advance a new ground of appeal regarding undisclosed trial evidence. The Director of Public Prosecutions accused Dundon of a "cynical ploy," noting similar tactics were rejected by the Special Criminal Court and High Court during his 2013 trial. The DPP stated that disclosure was carried out in full and expressed anxiety to conclude the matter, citing the victim's mother's desire for an end to the proceedings. The presiding judge, Mr Justice John Edwards, granted an adjournment but warned that Dundon must instruct new lawyers immediately, with all paperwork completed by April 8. The appeal hearing is scheduled for April 22, and the court stated it would not entertain further adjournment applications barring exceptional circumstances. Dundon, who is serving a life sentence, was found guilty at the Special Criminal Court of ordering the hit that killed Geoghegan in a case of mistaken identity. Gunman Barry Doyle, who admitted shooting Geoghegan during garda interviews, later pleaded not guilty at trial. He was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2012.
The 33‑year‑old man, whose name is withheld, was arraigned at the Central Criminal Court on 21 March 2024. He pleaded guilty to four charges that occurred in the southwest of the country in March 2021. He admitted that he reported his four‑year‑old son's fatal injuries as an accidental fall to a garda station on 24 March 2021, with the intent to impede the apprehension or prosecution of the person he believed had murdered the child. He also pleaded guilty to endangering the child on 13 March 2021 by placing him in a situation that posed a substantial risk of serious harm while he had authority over the child. Additionally, he pleaded guilty to wilfully causing or allowing the child to be assaulted between 6 and 12 March 2021, and to wilfully neglecting the child on 13 March 2021 by failing to provide adequate medical aid.
Eugene Hanratty Snr, 65, of Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, will remain in custody after the Court of Appeal dismissed his appeals against conviction and sentence. He was convicted by a jury in October 2022 of assault causing harm to neighbour Martin McAllister in November 2012, an incident that left Mr McAllister with multiple broken facial bones and permanent loss of peripheral vision. Hanratty Snr, who pleaded not guilty, had been sentenced to three years' imprisonment, comprising a headline sentence of five years reduced by one year in mitigation and a further year suspended. Mr Justice Birmingham, presiding over the appeal, stated the headline sentence was "entirely understandable" and the mitigation "generous," finding no basis to deem the sentence unduly severe. The court also rejected the defence argument that the trial judge erred by treating the lack of a guilty plea as an aggravating factor, noting this is deeply embedded in jurisprudence. Additionally, the court deprecated the "developing practice" of defence applications to withdraw cases from juries as a matter of course, affirming the trial judge was correct to refuse such an application. The appeals were dismissed, leaving the original conviction and sentence intact.
A man convicted of killing his wife in Finglas, Dublin in 2021 has been returned to the Central Mental Hospital for continued treatment. Diego Costa Silva, aged 35, was found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity following his trial at the Central Criminal Court earlier this month. He had pleaded not guilty to the charge relating to the death of his wife on November 4, 2021 at their home in Charlestown Place. Evidence presented to the jury established that Mr Costa Silva was suffering from cannabis-induced psychosis at the time, causing him to believe his wife was possessed and posed a threat to him. Two forensic psychiatrists confirmed he met the criteria for a finding of insanity under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006. At today's hearing, Mr Justice Michael MacGrath ordered his return to the Central Mental Hospital, where a consultant psychiatrist confirmed he continues to require in-patient treatment. His case will be reviewed again on July 29.
Leeanda Farrelly (49) was found guilty of publishing a report likely to lead to the identification of a child involved in criminal proceedings after she reposted a photo of 'Boy A', one of the boys who murdered 14‑year‑old Ana Kriégel, in a closed Facebook group on 19 June 2019. The image was posted with text encouraging others to share it. Farrelly removed the post after about 20 minutes but had already attracted police attention. She pleaded guilty in November 2023. Judge Pauline Codd imposed a fully suspended nine‑month sentence, noting that Farrelly's actions were a "self‑appointed judge, jury and executioner" and that she had little regard for the law. The court highlighted that the children were protected under the Children's Act and that the orders prohibiting their identification were in place to safeguard the judicial process.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, the mother of a six‑year‑old girl whose innocence was taken by Mark Dolan, 49, demanded a clear message that such behaviour would not be tolerated. Dolan, who had initially denied the offence, pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity in front of a child on 6 May 2023. CCTV footage showed him parking beside a school, walking past a group of girls aged six to eight, undressing and masturbating for over five minutes while checking for witnesses. The four girls suffered nightmares and lost a sense of safety. Dolan had no prior convictions, was arrested two days after the incident, and had admitted to exhibitionist behaviour. He spent nine days in custody, began therapy and is on medication. The case was adjourned for sentencing.
The High Court has heard arguments regarding the extradition of Peter 'Peadar' Keating to the UK, where he faces charges including perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to possess firearms. Keating, a senior Kinahan cartel member, was jailed for 11 years in Ireland in September 2021 after pleading guilty to directing a criminal organisation involved in the targeting of James 'Mago' Gately. The UK warrant alleges Keating conspired to source weapons from the Netherlands to assist Thomas 'Bomber' Kavanagh in reducing his sentence. Kavanagh, who pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, was jailed for 21 years in England in March 2022. Counsel for Keating argued that the alleged conspiracy occurred outside the jurisdiction of England and Wales, noting Keating was serving a sentence in Ireland during the relevant period. The court also considered arguments regarding prison conditions in the UK. The hearing before Mr Justice Patrick McGrath was adjourned and continues tomorrow. Separately, Imre Arakas was jailed for six years in December 2018 after admitting to conspiring to murder Gately in Northern Ireland. Stephen Fowler and David Duffy were also jailed for providing logistical support to the plot against Gately.
A 59‑year‑old man who sexually abused his cousin between 1979 and 1982 was arrested when he returned to Ireland after living abroad. He pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault at his cousin's Dublin home. The court noted he had serious lung disease requiring regular operations and a reduced life span, and therefore suspended the entire headline sentence of four to five years, giving him a three‑year suspended sentence. He had no prior convictions, a long work history and many references. The victim, aged six to nine at the time of the abuse, reported the incidents to Gardaí in 2023 and did not attend the sentencing hearing. The judge highlighted the seriousness of the offences and the fear they caused, but deemed imprisonment unfair due to the defendant's medical condition. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 23‑year‑old man pleaded guilty to defilement for an incident that occurred in June 2019 when he was 18 and the victim was a 15‑year‑old girl. The court imposed a fully suspended sentence, citing the defendant's young age and mitigating circumstances. The victim, now 19, gave a victim impact statement describing severe emotional distress, self‑harm, depression, an eating disorder, PTSD, and ongoing nightmares. She also noted the disruption to her education, work, and family life. Judge Martin Nolan described the offence as serious and a "terrible misjudgement" but decided against custodial imprisonment, stating the defendant's age and mitigation warranted a suspended sentence. The conviction will place the defendant on the sex offenders' register, which the court considered a punishment in itself. The case was originally reported by a local detective following a complaint by the victim's mother in December 2019.
The coroner in the Stardust fire inquest has informed the jury that firefighters described encountering an 'inferno' at the scene. The first fire engine arrived at the Stardust nightclub in Artane at 1.50am on February 14, 1981. One firefighter stated that the Stardust fire was the worst tragedy he had ever encountered in his 15 years of service. Another firefighter described seeing an inferno at exit door four, while another noted that the roof was gone and flames were visible. The fire was reportedly out of control before the firefighters arrived, with the inside of the building evenly burned. It was not until 2.54am that the fire was brought under control. Evidence indicated that many of the deceased were found near exit door five and the centre of the dance floor. Assistant station officer evidence suggested that only those in sheltered areas, such as the toilets, could be rescued.
In an appeal-stage report, Judge Pauline Codd sentenced a 16-year-old boy to a three-year period of detention for violent disorder and a concurrent two-year period for assault causing harm. The boy pleaded guilty to these charges following an unprovoked attack on four English tourists in Dublin's Temple Bar in August 2023. Prosecution evidence alleged the teenager punched a victim, dragged another to the ground, and stamped on the head of a third man who was already on the ground. The court heard the defendant has 18 previous convictions, including six for assault causing harm. While imposing the sentences, Judge Codd stated that if the offender were an adult, she would have imposed six years for violent disorder and four years for assault causing harm. She directed that the boy receive credit for time already in custody on a separate matter. The judge also highlighted a legislative gap, noting that supervision orders for juveniles become unenforceable once they turn 18, leaving the court's hands "effectively tied." She urged the Oireachtas to address this issue urgently and suggested the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions take it up. Defence counsel noted the boy was in State care, diagnosed with ADHD and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, and had been clean from cannabis. The matter was not adjourned; the sentences were handed down.
The chief executive of Cognito HRM Ltd, trading as WorkCompass, admitted that the company could not pay the €2,125 contractual notice pay owed to former business development manager Amy Horgan after the firm lost funding from Enterprise Ireland. Horgan, who was dismissed on 29 June 2023, had been given only a one‑week notice instead of the four weeks required by her contract. She also claimed an additional €1,997.99 in unpaid commission. The CEO, Denis Coleman, acknowledged that the notice period was due but stated the company had no funds to pay it. Horgan's back wages were eventually paid from the CEO's personal account, and she received her final pay packet, including accrued holiday pay, almost a month late. The Workplace Relations Commission is set to issue a decision in writing.
A 62-year-old man from Donegal has pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of his mother by arson at the Central Criminal Court. Geunter Lohse admitted to the unlawful killing of Ruth Lohse, who died in a house fire at Coolvoy, Doochary on April 12, 2022. The murder charge against him will be withdrawn, with the arson charge to be taken into account. Lohse was remanded in custody pending sentencing on May 16, when a psychiatric report will be presented to the court. The victim's family is expected to make a statement at the sentencing hearing.
Patrick McInerney, 40, of Kilkishen, Co Clare, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with an 18‑month suspended term, for using information technology to facilitate the sexual exploitation of a child. He had believed he was communicating with 14‑year‑old girls through decoy Facebook profiles set up by a UK group. McInerney sent friend requests, forwarded a photograph of his erect penis, and conducted three video calls in which he masturbated, two via Facebook and one via WhatsApp. The videos were recorded and handed to Gardaí. He also sent a similar image to a woman selling puppies, who blocked him. Gardaí seized and analysed his phone, revealing the offending material. McInerney made full admissions, provided passwords and nicknames, and no longer uses Facebook or a smartphone. The judge noted the obscene nature of the conduct and the possibility of rehabilitation, but affirmed that he deserved prison. The suspended portion is to be served under strict conditions. Patrick McInerney pleaded guilty.
Martin Roche, 62, was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to theft and aiding and abetting money laundering linked to a Brazilian real‑estate scam. In 2012 he became director of a company that promoted a fictitious social housing scheme in Brazil, later struck off in 2014. Roche's bank accounts in Spain were used to launder €271,958, and he admitted stealing €69,000 from investors. Two men invested €183,444.54 and €5,000 plus $6,900, expecting returns that never materialised. Victims received cold calls promising 15% and 30% returns, but the promised development never existed. Roche denied stealing any money from investors but admitted to taking the €69,000. He claimed he was used as a front by another individual and that he had a severe gambling addiction. Judge Martin Nolan described his conduct as "serious criminal behaviour" and imposed the custodial term. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
In March 2024, Shannon Valley Plant Hire Ltd was fined €600,000 after the death of Christopher Miley, a 31‑year‑old worker who was knocked down by a digger at Behan Quarry in Rathcoole on 28 October 2021. Miley was refuelling vehicles for the company in wet, dark, windy conditions, with no lighting, traffic marshal or designated refuelling area. The court found that Shannon Valley failed to ensure the health, safety and welfare of individuals on the site, and that Behan Aggregates and Recycling Ltd, the quarry operator, failed to maintain suitable operating procedures. The fine for Shannon Valley was the maximum allowed in such cases, while Behan Aggregates received a €50,000 fine. The judge highlighted a "certain level of complacency" on site and the lack of adequate safety measures. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with the families of the deceased present for the sentencing. The companies had no prior health and safety breaches. The unnamed man pleaded guilty.
During the final stages of the Stardust inquest, Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane guided the jury through survivor testimony, confirming that patrons agreed the fire spread rapidly and engulfed the building suddenly. She highlighted vivid accounts of smoke's impact, noting widespread breathing difficulties, drowsiness, and loss of vision. The coroner reviewed evidence concerning each of the six fire exit doors and accounts from nearby residents who first saw the blaze between 1.15 am and 1.38 am. She reminded jurors that the event was described as an over‑21s disco, yet a 1981 Tribunal of Inquiry found 83 % of attendees were under 21, and most witnesses did not need to prove age upon entry. Patrons' estimates of when they first smelled smoke or saw the fire ranged from 1.30 am to 1.45 am, all agreeing on the rapid spread.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a 27‑year‑old woman testified that she is "living in fear" after her ex‑partner, who was jailed for 18 months, slammed her to the ground, fracturing three vertebrae in her back and subjecting her to misogynistic abuse. The incident occurred on 13 November 2021 after a dispute over a third party. The man, who has 22 prior convictions, was found guilty of assault causing harm. He was sentenced to two years' imprisonment, with six months suspended on strict conditions, back‑dated to September when he entered custody. The court noted the victim's ongoing pain, financial hardship, and mental health issues, and praised her for coming forward. The defendant accepted the verdict, apologized, and expressed a desire to co‑parent their child while avoiding contact with the victim. The judge highlighted the aggravating factor of the verbal abuse and the defendant's drug‑related history. The sentence was imposed on 19 March 2024.
A former Supermac's area manager, Peter Straka, claims he was stripped of duties, ostracised by senior colleagues and ultimately demoted after a disagreement with owner Pat McDonagh over alleged non‑payment of staff during the first Covid‑19 lockdown in 2020. Straka says he raised concerns via email between 29 April and 11 May 2020, and that McDonagh met with him on 12 May to express dissatisfaction with his view. Straka alleges that following this meeting he was excluded from meetings, had his role diminished and was demoted in January 2023, which he refused, leading to his dismissal. Supermac's denies the claim and says it has no knowledge of any penalisation under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. The case is being heard at the Workplace Relations Commission, with several of Straka's complaints identified as duplicates and withdrawn, and the remaining complaints to be heard jointly at a later date.
The State has applied to the Court of Appeal to increase the 2½‑year jail sentence imposed on Jason Owens, a former Irish taekwondo international, for striking Conor Kelly in a pub toilet on New Year's Day 2020. Owens pleaded guilty in June 2023, and Judge Martin Nolan had sentenced him to 3½ years with the final 12 months suspended. The State argues the headline sentence of seven years was too low and that the 50 % reduction for mitigating factors was unduly lenient, citing Owens' late guilty plea, lack of prior convictions and a letter of apology. The Court of Appeal, hearing evidence of the assault, the serious head injury sustained by Kelly, and mitigating circumstances such as Owens' remorse and psychological issues, has adjourned the decision to 9 April 2024. The case remains at the appeal stage, with no final judgment yet issued.
At the appeal stage of the case, Michael Murray, a convicted rapist and child abductor serving a combined 35-year sentence in the Midlands Prison, was found guilty of one count of knowingly making a false report giving rise to an apprehension for the safety of someone else while he was imprisoned in the Midlands Prison, Portlaoise on March 7, 2021. Murray had pleaded not guilty to the charge, but was convicted by a jury in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following an eight-day trial. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a two-year prison sentence to run consecutively to the sentence he is currently serving. The court heard that an anonymous caller phoned the Samaritans claiming to be from the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) and said explosives had been planted at the home of Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. The call was traced back to Murray's cell in the Midlands Prison. Murray admitted making a call to the Samaritans but denied making the threat. He also stated that he had a 'gripe' with Fine Gael and the Minister for Justice. The matter was adjourned for further proceedings.
The Workplace Relations Commission has determined that compensation paid under the State's Brexit scrappage scheme does not satisfy statutory redundancy obligations. Seven migrant fishermen employed by Millbay Fishing Company Ltd challenged the company's refusal to pay redundancy entitlements after their vessels were decommissioned in 2022. The company had received €2 million in public funding for scrapping the St Clair and St Rose trawlers and provided the workers with €1,000 per year of service under the scheme's terms. The company argued such payments constituted redundancy compensation and that additional statutory payments would unfairly advantage non-EU workers over Irish and EU fishermen paid through catch-sharing arrangements. Adjudicator Jim Dolan found no scheme documentation supported this interpretation and upheld all seven complaints. Millbay Fishing Company Ltd must now pay the workers combined statutory redundancy totalling €42,000. The case was heard at the Workplace Relations Commission.
Paula Doyle describes the lasting physical, mental and emotional damage she suffered after a violent assault on 6 September 2019. She recounts living with extreme fear, anxiety and paranoia for four and a half years, feeling that her future no longer mattered. Doyle says the perpetrator, Aidan Kestell, sent harassing texts, photos, videos and stalked her for three and a half years before the rape, and that he drove around her cul‑de‑sac after the attack. She calls for more than vigils, urging action, education and better legislation to protect women. Doyle thanks the Gardaí, the DPP, the legal team, the Rape Crisis Centre, her family and the jury for their support. She declares that the ordeal is over and she is now a survivor ready to rebuild her life. The article focuses on her experience and her plea for change, not on any legal outcome.
At a sentence hearing in the appeal stage, Michael Murray, a convicted rapist and child abductor serving a combined 35-year sentence in the Midlands Prison, stated he does not accept the jury's verdict of guilt on a charge of knowingly making a false report giving rise to an apprehension for the safety of someone else while he was imprisoned in the Midlands Prison, Portlaoise on March 7, 2021. Murray had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was found guilty by a jury in a trial earlier this month. The charge relates to a bomb threat made against the home of Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. The case was adjourned for finalisation until March 19. Murray was excluded from his July 2021 sentence hearing and moved to another courtroom after he threw a bible, narrowly missing Judge Karen O'Connor. The matter was adjourned and never described as concluded or finalised.
An Italian diamond distributor, World Diamond Group SPA, obtained a temporary High Court injunction against Shuwan Li, trading as Empress Fine Jewels, to stop the sale or distribution of over €500,000 worth of jewels. The injunction was granted ex‑parte by Mr Justice David Nolan after the parties' commercial relationship collapsed. WDG alleges Li failed to return a consignment valued at €585,000 and that the defendants owe large sums for goods supplied. The court heard that negotiations had taken place, but WDG was concerned about the repayment method and ended the relationship, demanding the return of the goods. WDG seeks an order for the return of the consignment, damages, a declaration of ownership, and a separate €155,000 judgment for other goods. The defendants have disputed the debt amount and the deadlines for return, and the case will return to the High Court next week.
The owners of the Fota Island resort and other luxury hotels in Cork have secured temporary freezing orders against former directors Xiu Xiang Kelly and her son Tuo Du. The High Court granted the orders after Mr Yuzhu Kang, a Chinese businessman who had previously resolved a dispute over the resorts, alleged that the directors defrauded the companies of more than €1.8 million. Mr Kang claims the directors received €1.5 million for artworks and furniture that were worth far less, and that €246,000 was paid for sham redundancies in 2021. He also cites an unpaid €125,000 loan to Ms Kelly. The court ordered that Ms Kelly's assets not fall below €1.85 million and Mr Du's not below €1.7 million, pending further proceedings. The case remains at the temporary injunction stage, with the matter set to return to court early next week.
In a High Court trademark dispute, Hitianland Limited, trading as 'Xi'an Street Food', sued IR Entertainment Limited over its planned restaurant 'Meet Xi'an' in Dublin 7. Hitianland alleged that the name and a logo with Chinese characters would infringe its registered trademark and cause confusion with its existing restaurants. The case was adjourned for out‑of‑court settlement talks. When it returned before Mr Justice Mark Sanfey, the parties agreed to a settlement: the new restaurant will operate under the name 'Biang Biang' on Little Mary Street, and the proceedings were struck out. The settlement was reached with the consent of both parties, and no damages or injunctions were imposed. The dispute centred on the use of a similar name and logo in a nearby area, which Hitianland claimed could damage its goodwill and reputation. The case was therefore resolved without a court order.
A 59-year-old man was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court after pleading guilty to one count of attempted rape and four counts of indecent assault against his niece. The offences, which occurred between 1977 and 1984 when the victim was aged six to 13 and the defendant was aged 13 to 19, were described by the judge as a "catalogue of abuse" that inflicted "unspeakable trauma." Mr Justice Paul McDermott noted that while he would have imposed a 12-year sentence on an adult for the attempted rape, he reduced the term due to the defendant's age at the time. The judge acknowledged the man's guilty plea, genuine remorse, lack of previous convictions, and his otherwise positive life over the subsequent 40 years as mitigating factors. He handed down a global sentence of four years, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. The sentence was backdated to March 11, when the man entered custody, and he was directed to place himself under the supervision of the Probation Services for two years post-release. The victim, in her impact statement, described the defendant as a "monster" and "predator," stating that his actions destroyed her childhood and that his apology was worthless. The court accepted that the defendant bears full responsibility for the consequences of his actions, which undermined familial trust and bonds.
Jamie Geoghegan, aged 28, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison for assault causing harm and false imprisonment. He had 75 prior convictions. The case involved Geoghegan attacking a man, dragging him from a home, forcing him into a Jeep, and taking him to a caravan in Clondalkin. There he was tied, beaten, and stabbed with a knife, claw hammer and a machete. Garda John Griffin said the false imprisonment lasted 30 to 45 minutes. The victim, who had been hooded and believed he would die, was found with lacerations, fractured leg and hand, and a bloody phone cable tied to his hands. Geoghegan pleaded guilty; the judge set a headline sentence of 10 years, reduced to six and a half years, and backdated it to September when he entered custody.
Victor Akinlade, a man in his sixties, has lost his appeal against convictions for violent disorder, assault causing harm, and the production of a baseball bat. In May 2022, a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court unanimously convicted Akinlade, who had pleaded not guilty to all three charges. He was sentenced to five years for violent disorder, four years for assault causing harm, and a further four years for producing the bat used to assault Garda Jonathan Ryan, with all sentences to run concurrently. The trial concerned an incident in May 2018 in Carrickmines, where Akinlade alleged he attacked an unidentified intruder who smashed his door glass. Garda Ryan testified that he had identified himself as a plain-clothes officer and that Akinlade struck him with the bat. On appeal, Akinlade argued he did not know the officer was a Garda and claimed the injuries were self-inflicted. Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh dismissed the appeal, ruling that the Section 18 defence was unavailable because the force was used against a member of An Garda Síochána acting in the course of duty. She further determined that the legality of the Garda's entry was a minor issue for the jury and that no injustice was caused by the trial judge's failure to rule on it.
Jennifer Byrne, an administrator with Dublin Car Care Ltd, was awarded over €21,000 by the Workplace Relations Commission after her employer ceased trading and became uncontactable. Ms Byrne, who worked for the company from 2002 to March 2023, claimed statutory redundancy entitlements under the Redundancy Payments Act 1967 and notice pay under the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1994. She alleged that her employer stopped responding to communications in late January 2023, closed the business, and may have left for Dubai. Her pay ceased on 9 March 2023. Adjudicator Eileen Campbell noted that the employer, who had been properly served with notice, did not appear at the hearing. The tribunal found that Dublin Car Care Ltd had ceased trading and that Ms Byrne was redundant. Consequently, the adjudicator ordered a statutory redundancy payment of just over €18,000, subject to confirmation of PRSI contributions by the Department of Social Protection. Additionally, the adjudicator awarded €3,322.48 for eight weeks' notice pay, finding the employer in breach of the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Act 1994. The decision was made at the hearing stage, with the employer absent.
Mr Justice George Birmingham, President of the Court of Appeal, announced his retirement at the end of July after a long career that included service as a High Court judge from 2007, a Fine Gael TD for Dublin North Central from 1981 to 1989, and a Minister of State from 1982 to 1987. He was called to the bar in 1976. Tributes were paid by colleagues, including Mr Justice John Edwards, who described him as a caring, supportive, and people‑oriented judge who had a special affection for Cork and Munster. Judge Helen Boyle highlighted his pioneering work on child sexual abuse investigations in the Catholic Church. Birmingham noted his personal connection to Cork and Munster through his grandparents' origins and thanked everyone for their kind words before concluding his remarks with a modest, humorous note. The Court of Appeal sat at Anglesea Courthouse in Cork City during the announcement.
Mark Doyle, a former Garda and soldier, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment for a series of assaults on his wife, Meav McLoughlin‑Doyle, and their two stepsons over a 12‑year period. The court heard that Doyle repeatedly punched, choked, and kicked his wife, threw a chair at her while she was pregnant, and used an airsoft gun against a stepson. He also verbally abused the children, calling them names such as "fat cunt" and "retard." Doyle admitted five counts of assault causing harm to his wife and two counts of assault causing harm to the children. He had been suspended and later resigned from the Gardaí before pleading guilty. The judge noted the pattern of violence and the impact on the victims, describing the home as oppressive and a place of fear. Doyle's sentence was back‑dated to the day he entered custody.
During the Stardust inquest, Coroner Dr Myra Cullinane informed the jury that they are the "arbiters of the facts" and must decide which evidence to accept or reject when making findings. She highlighted that the evidence is vast, with 373 witnesses, three forensic pathologists and three fire experts heard over about 95 days. The coroner will not rehearse all evidence in detail but will guide the jury through relevant parts, reminding them to base deliberations on all evidence heard. She will then instruct the jury on applicable law, required findings, and available verdicts. The summary will cover planning and design matters, events leading up to the February 13, 1981 fire, patrons' experiences, local residents, emergency services, and expert testimony, noting any discrepancies for the jury to consider. The inquest concerns 48 deaths and aims for an objective application of the law.
The State barrister argued that lawyers for liquidator Kieran Wallace could not claim more than €6 million from the Employers' Insolvency Fund for the insolvent pension scheme of Protim Abrasives Ltd. Wallace, acting as liquidator, had challenged the Department of Social Protection's refusal to pay the pension fund from the fund. The tribunal heard that pensioners, who should receive about €8 000 a year, had not been paid for some time. The State maintained that the claim could only be for the lesser of the contributions due in the 12 months before insolvency or an actuary‑certified amount. Frances Meenan said the claim could not "ride a coach and four" through the legislation. The case remains a novel dispute over the extent of the pension deficit and the statutory limits on the fund's liability.
Jacintha Dowling, a Garda civilian employee who worked at the Garda Siochána Analysis Service, died peacefully after a short illness on Sunday, three days after testifying to the Workplace Relations Commission in support of her colleague Lois West's whistleblower penalisation claim. Dowling's family said she was survived by her husband Mick Long and son Gregg. The employment tribunal had been hearing West's complaints under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Payment of Wages Act 1991. West, a former deputy head of GSAS, alleges her career has been stymied since she testified to the Oireachtas about errors in homicide data six years ago, and that her pay has been reduced to nothing after taking extended sick leave.
A 55‑year‑old man, Aidan Kestell, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for raping a woman at Hartstown Park, Dublin, on 6 September 2019. The victim, who was a friend of the accused's wife, was walking home from a party when Kestell allegedly forced himself on her after she performed non‑consensual oral sex on him. Kestell denied the offence, claimed a consensual encounter, and later admitted to telling lies to Gardaí. He was convicted after a four‑day trial at the Central Criminal Court. Judge Tony Hunt imposed a headline sentence of nine years, reduced to eight years with the final six months suspended, and ordered Kestell to remain in good behaviour for three years post‑release and to have no contact with the victim or her family. The victim's impact statement described severe anxiety, paranoia, and lasting trauma, and she thanked the court for giving her a chance to move forward.
Stephen Leech, 42, pleaded guilty to stealing €4,000 from his employer and setting fire to a company van on 29 September 2022. He claimed the cash had been burnt, citing a gambling addiction. The court found his betrayal of trust and the significant loss as aggravating factors. Leech received a three‑year suspended sentence, with strict conditions. He was ordered to pay €7,500 to his employer over 18 months, or to a local charity if the employer declined. The judge noted Leech's good prior conduct and lack of previous offences, suggesting he was unlikely to reoffend. The court also highlighted the damage to the van, valued at over €16,000, and Leech's remorse and efforts to address his gambling problem. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the theft and arson while considering his personal circumstances.
A 47‑year‑old man was sentenced to a fully suspended 16‑month prison term after pleading guilty to one count of harassment for sending a 12‑year‑old niece a video in which he wore only white underpants that revealed the outline of his penis. The video was discovered by the girl's foster mother, who had been checking the child's phone. In the video the man also asked the girl if they were still "besties" and claimed he was showing her "my new jocks". He handed over his phone to Gardaí, admitted the wrongdoing, expressed regret and said he would never harm a child. The foster mother's victim impact statement described the girl's feelings of betrayal and anxiety. The judge noted the defendant's mental health issues and lack of prior convictions, and imposed the suspended sentence on strict conditions.
Lee Conlon, 44, with 89 prior convictions, was jailed for seven and a half years after pleading guilty to burglary and criminal damage at a Hugo Boss shop on Grafton Street on 18 January 2023 and to robbery, criminal damage, possession of false registration plates and using a car without the owner's consent in a post‑office robbery in Ballyfermot on 11 November 2023. In the shop incident, a car reversed into the front, causing €51,000 of damage, and Conlon stole clothing worth over €7,100. CCTV identified him and Gardaí found stolen items and evidence of attempts to sell them. In the post‑office robbery, he used a blue scaffolding pole to smash the security glass, stole over €21,800, and was the getaway driver. He was on bail for both offences at the time of each crime.
In March 2024 a Cork woman, aged 46, who had received a fully suspended three‑year sentence for wilful neglect, sexual assault and exploitation of her toddler son, filed an appeal to overturn her conviction. The Central Criminal Court heard that the defendant, described as having very limited cognitive functioning, did not accept the jury's verdicts. She was found guilty of neglecting the child from September 2010 to June 2015, and of sexual assault and exploitation between September 2013 and June 2015. The child, who was between one and four‑and‑a‑half years old, was taken into foster care and later State institutional care. The appeal argued that the child cruelty charge was couched in generalised terms, that the trial judge erred in refusing to edit emotive Garda interviews, and that the child's evidence was unreliable due to memory loss. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment. The unnamed accused pleaded not guilty.
The Central Criminal Court sentenced a 51‑year‑old Irish citizen to six years' imprisonment for eight counts of child cruelty committed between September 2009 and December 2015. The victim, aged four to eleven at the time, endured sustained, systematic abuse that included physical assault, neglect of heating, food and accommodation, bullying, and forcing her siblings to assault her. The defendant repeatedly described the girl as a "vindictive, spiteful bitch", "mentally retarded" and "sexualised", and claimed she had tried to burn the house down and poison the family. He also alleged that he had killed people and would have killed a hundred more if he had a gun. The court noted the child's mother's devotion to the defendant and the family's neglect of basic hygiene and clothing. The judge imposed a six‑year sentence, refusing to suspend any portion, and highlighted the defendant's lack of remorse and the extreme cruelty of the offences. The unnamed 51-year-old pleaded guilty.