Darren Ducoté, 48, a former award‑winning entrepreneur, was sentenced to two years in prison for recklessly holding €1.23 million in crime proceeds in his company's bank account. The money, transferred from German investors between January and May 2021, was allegedly intended to fund a vertical wheatgrass farm in Turkey. Ducoté claimed the funds were for a legitimate project with Mayfair International and Gonka Logistics Group, but the bank and Gardaí found no evidence of such a venture. He admitted to transferring the money out of jurisdiction and later attempted to recall payments. The judge noted the large amount involved and that criminals benefited, concluding Ducoté should have known better. He had prior convictions, including a serious assault as a minor, and a psychiatric report cited severe anxiety, ADHD and autism. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the financial misconduct and the lack of recovery of the laundered funds.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, former Garda and soldier Mark Doyle, aged 38, admitted five counts of assault causing harm to his ex‑wife Meav Doyle and two counts of assault causing harm to her sons, covering incidents from September 2007 to August 2019. The court heard that Doyle repeatedly punched, choked, and kicked his wife, threw a chair at her while she was pregnant, and pulled her by the hair. He also shot a stepson with an airsoft gun and verbally abused both stepsons. Doyle had been suspended and later resigned from the Gardaí before pleading guilty in October. He was remanded in custody overnight pending a finalisation of his sentence hearing on Friday. The hearing focused on the 12‑year period of violence and the impact on the family.
The High Court has dismissed a judicial review application brought by Eddie Cunningham Cummins and Erica Cunningham Cummins, residents of Heron's Wood, Carrigaline, Co Cork. The applicants challenged the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal's refusal to compensate them for the 2005 shooting death of their father, Eddie Cummins Senior, in Ballincollig, Co Cork. Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty ruled that the Tribunal was correct in its decision, finding it not disproportionate or discriminatory to deny compensation to dependants where the victim died as a result of their criminality. The court noted that Mr Cummins Senior had over 20 convictions, including for drug offences, and that the killing was believed to be drug-related. Although the judge expressed sympathy for the "blameless children," she held that the State's policy of deterring crime justified the refusal. The Tribunal had previously rejected the 2011 application due to time limits and the victim's conduct, a decision upheld on appeal in 2022. The applicants sought to quash the Tribunal's decision and obtain declarations that it was irrational or breached their rights. The court found that the applicants failed to establish that the Tribunal acted outside its powers, fettered its discretion, or made an unreasonable decision. No one has been prosecuted for the murder.
During a High Court hearing on 14 March 2024, the plaintiff company, Total Experience Limited trading as Pastures New Accommodation, presented evidence that a protest at its Newhall site in Naas, Co. Kildare, had ended after a temporary injunction was granted. The company, contracted by the State to provide 985 beds in 387 cabins for Ukrainian refugees, claimed that up to 50 protesters had blocked entrances for 24 hours, creating a nuisance and safety risk. The injunction, obtained ex‑parte, restrained the protesters from obstructing the site. The plaintiff sought to adjourn the proceedings and was granted permission to return if necessary. A concerned citizen, Mr Chris McCormack, addressed the court, voicing local residents' worries that the development would become a "village of 1,000 people" and that a similar facility had been used for "100 people from the third world" without documents.
Ian Horgan, a convicted rapist and killer, had his jail term increased from eight and a half years to 11 years and three months by the Court of Appeal for the assault causing serious harm on Hassan Baker. The appeal considered video evidence of the hammer attack on March 26, 2022, at McCurtain Villas, Cork, where Horgan used a claw‑hammer to strike Baker, choke him, and then continue striking him, causing severe injuries. Horgan also attacked Baker's mother, Mary O'Callaghan, breaking her wrist. The Court of Appeal found the original sentence too lenient, citing Horgan's history of violence and the extreme nature of the attack, and imposed the increased term with no portion suspended. The assault causing harm sentence for O'Callaghan was not altered. The decision was based on the evidence presented in the appeal hearing. Ian Horgan pleaded guilty.
A 52‑year‑old man, Jason Ward, was sentenced to five years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions, after he set fire to an upstairs office in a Drumcondra building. He claimed he was under the mistaken belief that his former partner was having an affair there. The fire caused over €110,000 in damage, including smoke damage to a downstairs apartment, and forced tenants to relocate for three months. Ward pleaded guilty to arson and endangerment on 1 June 2022 and had 14 prior convictions. He was found to have purchased petrol, used a balaclava, and employed an accelerant. The court noted his guilty plea, remorse, and efforts to address addiction as mitigating factors. The incident was described as deliberate, cold‑planned, and executed without regard for people or property.
The High Court heard an urgent application by US firm Drink Command America LLC, seeking an order compelling Irish company Drink Command Limited to mediate a dispute over the termination of a distribution agreement for self-serving drink dispensers. Counsel for the plaintiff alleged that the defendant unilaterally ended the agreement, which had been in operation since 2020, and failed to observe the contractual dispute resolution mechanism requiring mediation. The plaintiff claimed this breach caused irreparable damage and sought an order restraining the defendant from refusing its duties pending mediation. The court heard that the dispute stemmed from differences between Doirt Limited, a firm related to the plaintiff's owners, and the defendant's other Irish-based shareholders, Mr Donal Lynch and Mr Gary Clowry. These alleged differences involved funding, director appointments, IT access, and intellectual property retention. The plaintiff contended that the defendant's actions were aimed at improving the position of the Irish-based shareholders in negotiations. Mr Justice Mark Sanfey accepted the matter was urgent and granted the plaintiff permission, on an ex-parte basis, to serve short notice of its application on the defendant. However, the judge expressed concerns about making an order requiring one party to attend mediation. The matter was adjourned and will return before the court later this month.
Fintan Tindley, a 50‑year‑old former HSE worker from Cork, pleaded guilty to a series of post office robberies and an attempted robbery in November 2022. He used a knife to threaten customers and postmistresses at South Douglas Road and Ballintemple post offices, taking €2,380 and €1,300 respectively, and later attempted a third robbery at South Douglas Road but fled empty‑handed. Tindley had sent about €19,000 to his fiancée Skye in the United States, money that included proceeds from the first two robberies; she was unaware of the source. He had also borrowed money from a credit union, An Post, and from two pensioners. The Court of Appeal dismissed the State's application for a higher sentence, upholding the trial judge's decision of five years' imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended, after a detailed review of mitigating and aggravating factors.
A 21‑year‑old man, whose name is withheld, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison after pleading guilty to false imprisonment, assault causing harm, production of an article and using an imitation firearm. The offences occurred in April and June 2023 when he broke into his ex‑partner's home, locked her inside, demanded phones, and stabbed her parents. He was arrested after a confrontation with Gardaí and later released on bail. Judge Martin Nolan described the conduct as disgraceful and noted the man's mental health difficulties, but found a custodial sentence unavoidable. The judge suspended the final two years of a six‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, citing mitigation and personal circumstances. The man was ordered to be supervised by the Probation Service for one year after release. No victim impact statement was submitted. The man had no prior convictions.
A staffing agency at Dublin Port, North Quay Associates Ltd, became the first company in Ireland found in breach of the Sick Leave Act 2022. The Workplace Relations Commission ordered the firm to pay €450 to worker Michael Broderick after he complained that he had not received the statutory 70% of wages for three days of sick leave in July 2023, subject to a €110‑a‑day cap. Broderick also claimed the payments made were inaccurate and that he had been penalised for asserting his entitlement. North Quay's human‑resources consultant Ken Stafford admitted the company had failed to comply with the law and had since made good on the shortfall. The adjudicator, Penelope McGrath, noted the employer had not fully grasped the legislation's implications and that a clear policy was needed. She awarded Broderick €450 in compensation, describing it as just and equitable.
In a Court of Appeal hearing, the State argued that the nine‑year jail term imposed on a 43‑year‑old former GAA coach was too lenient for the extensive sexual and physical abuse he inflicted on a boy from age 13 to 15. The coach had pleaded guilty to attempted rape, seven counts of anal rape, four counts of sexual assault, two counts of assault causing harm and one of harassment, with offences occurring between 2004 and 2010 at his home, a sports ground and a Dublin hotel. The original sentencing court had given 10½ years, with the final 18 months suspended. The State highlighted the victim's "continuum" of abuse, grooming, physical violence and later phone harassment, claiming the nine‑year sentence did not reflect the destruction of the boy's life. The defense maintained that the judge had applied a 2½‑year reduction for a significant guilty plea and that the suspended period was necessary for reintegration.
A judge in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court found that David Moorehouse, 44, of Bray, had acted in a "moment of madness" when he drove his Toyota HiAce van toward a Garda on Old Connaught Avenue. The incident occurred after the officer had signalled the driver to stop. Moorehouse, who had 10 prior minor traffic convictions, was observed speeding, swerving, and nearly colliding with the Garda before stopping near the patrol car. He pleaded guilty to dangerous driving for the July 2020 offence. The judge, Martin Nolan, accepted that Moorehouse may have been "acting the blaggard" and imposed a four‑month suspended prison sentence, directed him to offer €3,000 as a token of remorse to the Garda within three months, and disqualified him from driving for four years. The Garda was given the option to accept the money or have it donated to a charity of his choice. The case was heard on 12 March 2024.
Two men, Zhenmin Lin, 38, and Ervins Sermulis, 45, were convicted in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possessing and transporting €620,000 worth of cannabis. They pleaded guilty to having the drugs for sale or supply and to having cash they believed to be or being reckless about whether it was proceeds of crime. The drugs were found in a taxi and a vehicle transporter in Balrothery, Balbriggan, after a Garda surveillance operation. Lin admitted involvement due to gambling debt, while Sermulis said he had been paid to transport the drugs from the UK and had a prior cocaine problem. Both men were sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment. The judge noted their good mitigation, work history, and unlikely re‑offending, but said they had committed misjudgements because of personal needs. The sentence reflects their equal roles in the transport chain.
Shaun Kelly, 33, received a suspended three‑year prison term for selling drugs, a separate offence from the careless driving that caused the death of French tourist Alicia Guilleux. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Martin Nolan, found Kelly had been engaged in drug dealing at the time but deemed the activity not extensive. The judge imposed a three‑year sentence, suspended in full on strict conditions, warning that any re‑offence would lead to jail. The court also dealt with the careless driving charge, where Kelly's vehicle dragged Guilleux beneath a Ford Ranger as she crossed South Great George Street. The judge noted Kelly's guilty plea, lack of prior convictions and the absence of aggravating factors, and suspended the one‑year custodial term for that offence, disqualifying him from driving for one year. The decision was made after reviewing evidence, CCTV footage and witness statements, with no intoxication or excessive speed involved.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 12 March 2024, Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Daniel Doyle, 32, to a fully suspended two‑year prison term for possession of child pornography. Doyle was found in possession of 1,760 images and 282 videos of child abuse material on a laptop and phone seized during a 2019 search of his Ballybrack home. He pleaded guilty and cooperated with Gardaí, and his good work history and therapy were noted as mitigating factors. The judge highlighted that Doyle is on the sex offenders register and that the conviction is a serious matter, urging him to be "appropriately ashamed." No custodial sentence was imposed due to the absence of aggravating factors such as prior convictions. The case was heard by Judge Nolan, with counsel James B. Dwyer defending Doyle. The court received evidence from Gardaí, Doyle's employer, family, and a therapist's letter confirming insight and remorse.
Patrick Shanahan, 77, a pensioner from Co Limerick, was convicted in August 2022 of 14 counts of sexually assaulting his two granddaughters, Daria and Tara Tobin, when they were aged 10 to 14 in 2010 and 2014. He received an 11‑year jail term, with the final two years suspended, after a unanimous jury verdict. Shanahan appealed to the Court of Appeal in Cork, arguing that the sentencing judge had wrongly treated his refusal to accept the jury's verdict as an aggravating factor. The Court of Appeal, led by Ms Justice Úna Ní Raifeartaigh, rejected the appeal, finding no error in the judge's remarks. The court noted the seriousness of the repeated assaults, the vulnerability of the victims, and the lack of mitigating factors, and upheld the original sentence. The appeal was dismissed for severity of sentence. Patrick Shanahan pleaded not guilty.
In a Workplace Relations Commission ruling, former Bidvest Noonan cleaning employee Rodica Buga was awarded a €20,000 statutory redundancy payment after her employer dismissed her safety concerns about walking to her car on a public street at 2 am in the Dublin Docklands. Buga, who had worked for the firm for nearly 20 years, had declined a redeployment offer to State Street offices in Dublin 2, citing the lack of secure parking and the risk of walking to her car at night. The adjudicator described the employer's response as "appalling" and noted that Buga's concerns were ignored despite a prior murder of a colleague in the same area. The decision awarded Buga a redundancy package based on 19 years and seven months of service, with a weekly termination pay of €500, totaling roughly €20,000, subject to PRSI confirmation. No notice pay was awarded. The case highlights the employer's failure to address legitimate health and safety concerns.
Norman Tanju, a development chef with PBR Restaurants Ltd, claimed constructive dismissal after the company attempted to shift him from weekday head‑office work to weekend shifts at a restaurant, subjected him to bullying during a stress‑related sick leave, and failed to address his complaints. He resigned in November 2022 after the firm deemed his absence unauthorised and threatened disciplinary action. Tanju argued the employer breached his contract by not giving 28 days' notice of the change and by altering his working pattern without consent. The WRC found the grievance handling inadequate and unfair, concluding Tanju had met the constructive dismissal threshold. He was awarded €13,269 for lost earnings and continuing losses. The case was interrupted by a hoax bomb threat that caused an evacuation of the hearing venue but had no connection to Tanju's claim. The matter was later heard in full.
Donegal Garda Keith Harrison has filed a High Court challenge to lift a three‑year suspension from duty. He claims the suspension, imposed in March 2021, is based on allegations that he entered a consensual relationship with a woman who had previously reported herself as a crime victim. Harrison denies any wrongdoing, stating the relationship was consensual, that they have a child, and that the woman has not sought criminal prosecution. He alleges that the Garda disciplinary process is unfair, procedurally flawed, and that evidence has not been properly disclosed to him. Harrison also claims the suspension is an abuse of process and seeks orders to quash the suspension, the appointment of the investigating officer, and the continuation of the inquiry. The High Court has granted him permission to proceed with the challenge, with the case set to return next month. The matter involves ongoing internal Garda disciplinary proceedings and a prior investigation by the Disclosures Tribunal.
In a Dublin city street incident on 11 December 2021, a French tourist, Alicia Guilleux, 31, and her partner were crossing South Great George Street hand‑in‑hand when Shaun Kelly, 33, driving a Ford Ranger, turned right from Fade Street and collided with them. Mr Avril was pushed clear, but Ms Guilleux was dragged beneath the vehicle, sustaining catastrophic injuries that led to her death two days later. Kelly, who had no prior convictions, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death and to possession of ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine and TCP for sale. Judge Martin Nolan, after hearing evidence and CCTV, found Kelly's failure to notice the pedestrians was a human error. He imposed a one‑year custodial sentence, suspended in full, and disqualified Kelly from driving for one year. The judge would decide on the drug offence the following day. The case highlighted the tragic outcome of a momentary lapse in attention on the road.
Two men, aged 29 and 28, were convicted of gang‑rape of a 14‑year‑old girl who was comatose with alcohol on 22 April 2017. They were sentenced to 11 years in prison each, with a headline sentence of 13 years. The men appealed, arguing the headline was too high and that insufficient discount had been applied for mitigating factors. The Court of Appeal in Cork dismissed the appeal, confirming the 13‑year headline and the 11‑year custodial term. The judge said the case involved a high level of degradation and that the victim was vulnerable. The men had denied the offences and had no guilty plea. The appeal was rejected, and the men must serve the full sentences. The complainant remains traumatised by the assault.
Child-killer Karen Harrington, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of two-year-old Santina Cawley, has launched an appeal to overturn her conviction, arguing that CCTV footage of her home breached her privacy rights. The appeal was heard at the Court of Appeal in Cork, where Jane Hyland SC for the appellant claimed that the footage from Clanrickarde Estate, which captured both the exterior and interior of Harrington's dwelling, was highly prejudicial and should not have been admitted into evidence. Ms Hyland argued that the footage violated Harrington's right to privacy under the Irish Constitution, EU law, and the European Convention on Human Rights. She also referenced the Data Protection Act 2018 and the case of Graham Dwyer, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of Elaine O'Hara, to support her argument. Sean Gillane SC for the State countered that the issue of CCTV had been addressed during the trial, with the footage being truncated and examined by the jury. The court reserved its judgment in the matter. The appeal is currently under consideration, and no finalised decision has been made.
The Supreme Court has been asked to overturn orders that would reinstate Mr Aodhagan Ó Suird as principal of Gaelscoil Moshiolog, following a decade‑old dismissal deemed unfair by the Labour Court and the High Court. Lawyers for the school board argue that the Labour Court erred in finding the dismissal unjust, citing irrelevant considerations and failure to consider relevant matters. They also challenge the High Court's ruling that the board must pay Mr Ó Suird's legal costs on a higher practitioner‑client scale. Mr Ó Suird's counsel rejects these arguments, insisting the orders in his favour should stand. The Supreme Court, hearing the appeal on public‑interest grounds, has reserved judgment and will decide as soon as possible. The case centres on alleged misconduct by Mr Ó Suird, including a 2012 incident with a student and accusations of inflated enrolment figures, which the court described as "unfounded" and "unprincipled.".
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Michael, Thomas and Patrick Wall were charged with possession of stolen property after they were caught digging up almost €80,000 in coffee jars buried in a suburban field. Garda helicopter footage showed the brothers, identified as members of the "Wall Organised Crime Group", using shovels and a mini digger to excavate the cash. The court noted the brothers had approached local businesses to inquire about groundworks on the land and had claimed they were building horse fences. Michael Wall, aged 30, had no prior convictions and received a fully suspended sentence. Thomas Wall, aged 39, had served 12 months in custody and was given an 18‑month sentence, while Patrick Wall, aged 20, was adjourned to May for a probation report. The brothers were also charged with money laundering, but guilty pleas to possession of stolen property were accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
A 51‑year‑old Offaly man was sentenced to 10 years and nine months in prison for a series of sexual offences against his partner's son, aged 10 to 14, between 2015 and 2019. The court found 27 counts, including oral and anal rape and sexual assault, committed at 11 locations such as the victim's home, a boat and other vehicles. The judge highlighted aggravating factors such as the victim's youth, the sustained nature of the abuse, the breach of trust, the use of alcohol and the manipulation of a game console. The sentence included a nine‑month suspended period on the anal rape counts, a six‑month suspension on the assault counts, and five years of post‑release supervision. The judge noted the man's health issues, lack of prior convictions, willingness to engage with services and apology, but also that his guilty plea was "too late" for the victim.
The High Court has granted Martin Mahoney, a retired man from Wexford, permission to challenge the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman's refusal to investigate his complaint regarding loans allegedly mis-sold by Allied Irish Bank. Mr Mahoney, represented by Gary McCarthy SC, Andrew Walker SC, and Brendan Hennessy BL, contends that the Ombudsman's decision not to investigate his 2021 complaint is unlawful. He alleges that AIB mis-sold him two loans taken out in 2005 and 2008, which he claims were unsuitable and contrary to EU consumer law because they extended beyond his mandatory retirement date. The Ombudsman initially cited an alleged fraud claim as a barrier, which Mr Mahoney subsequently withdrew, before ultimately stating in November that it lacked jurisdiction and the complaint was time-barred. Mr Mahoney argues this refusal is irrational, unreasonable, and inconsistent with previous Ombudsman decisions. Allied Irish Bank PLC is a notice party to the action. Ms Justice Niamh Hyland granted the plaintiff permission to bring the action on an ex-parte basis. The matter was adjourned and will return before the court in April.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, a jury could not reach a verdict on the attempted murder charge against Philip Cox, who allegedly broke two knives and stabbed his former partner, Cristal O'Brien, twice in the leg during an attack at her home on 1 December 2022. O'Brien described the assault as "terrifying," noting that Cox threatened to "kill her" and that she sustained two stab wounds. Witness Alice McGrath testified that Cox said he would "finish her off" and that he had no care about time in prison. Cox pleaded not guilty to attempted murder but guilty to assault causing harm, aggravated burglary and knife production. After 3 days of deliberation, the jury returned to court with no verdict, and the judge recorded a "Disagreement" on the issue paper. The case was scheduled for mention on 22 March.
Kamal Kumar Nepali, a 24‑year‑old Nepalese national from Beech Park, Ballincollig, was sentenced by Mr Justice Michael MacGrath in the Central Criminal Court to ten years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended on strict conditions. The sentence was back‑dated to his entry into custody on 17 June 2022. The judge described the offence as a "predatory" rape that occurred in the victim's bedroom in the dead of night, noting the victim's vulnerability and the physical violence involved. He highlighted aggravating factors such as the burglary context and the violation of the victim's home security, while noting mitigating factors including Nepali's lack of prior convictions and character references. The judge also ordered no contact between Nepali and the victim for an indefinite period. Nepali's counsel intends to appeal the decision. The case involved a rape, burglary, assault causing harm, sexual assault and four counts of trespass, all of which resulted in conviction on 7 December 2023.
In a Dublin District Court hearing, an enforcement order was issued against a massage parlour that had been found to have subjected a worker to egregious sexual harassment. The court awarded the worker a record whistleblower penalisation of €91,000, the maximum under the Workplace Relations Commission's jurisdiction, along with additional sums for unfair dismissal and other workplace rights breaches, bringing the total to €102,550. The massage parlour's owner, who was not present, had failed to pay the award by the 56‑day deadline and remains in operation. The court also ordered the payment of legal costs and court fees, and granted anonymity for the parties involved. The case highlighted the worker's claims that managers pressured her to provide sexual services, denied her pay, and retaliated against her refusal, leading to her dismissal and unpaid wages.
The Central Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Lounes Ouachek, 54, of Tallaght, Dublin 24, after he allegedly breached release conditions by attempting to contact his victim. Det Sgt Mary Fitzpatrick informed the court that Ouachek failed to appear despite notification. Mr Justice Paul McDermott ordered the warrant. Ouachek pleaded guilty in 2014 to the attempted murder of his wife, Ruta Ouachek, at their home on August 23, 2012. He was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment with the final three suspended by Mr Justice Paul Carney on July 21, 2014. The Court of Appeal later reduced his sentence to 15 years with the final four suspended. Garret McCormack BL, for the DPP, stated a condition required no contact with his wife in perpetuity. The court heard Ouachek, an Algerian national, developed resentment toward his wife's independence after she entered full-time education. He allegedly attacked her with a kettle-bell, causing skull and facial fractures. After the incident, he left the house, drove to Dublin airport, and flew to Tunisia via Paris. He was subsequently arrested in Germany on an extradition warrant. The matter was adjourned.
In a landmark High Court ruling, Justice Emily Egan held that the noise from the Ballyduff Windfarm at Kilcomb, near Enniscorthy, constitutes an unreasonable interference and therefore a nuisance to neighbouring residents. The decision, the first private nuisance claim against wind turbine noise in Ireland or the UK, found that the sustained periods of high‑level noise, especially in the evenings, weekends and early mornings, substantially interfered with the plaintiffs' enjoyment of their homes. The plaintiffs, Margret Webster and Keith Rollo, and Ross Shorten and Joan Carty, sued Meenacloghspar (Wind) Limited for damages, alleging the noise had damaged their lives, health and property values. The court rejected the defendant's claims of negligence and of non‑breach of planning conditions, and directed the parties to re‑engage in mediation to seek proportionate mitigation measures. The case will proceed to a second module to determine damages and possible injunctions. The hearing lasted 51 days and the costs are estimated above €1 million.
Lukasz Bykowski, 42, of no fixed abode in Dublin, pleaded guilty to one count of harassing a woman on dates in March 2018 while she was working in Trinity College Dublin. The court heard that Bykowski first met the victim in 2014 when she worked in a pharmacy in Navan, where he allegedly became obsessed with her. In 2018, he allegedly sent her unmarked chocolates and flowers on Valentine's Day and later visited her office multiple times, claiming to be her boyfriend and demanding her schedule. Colleagues called security due to his reluctance to leave, and the victim identified him via CCTV. Bykowski was arrested days later. Prosecution counsel stated that Bykowski told gardaí the victim had flirted with him, though she never replied to his social media messages. A victim impact statement noted the harassment had a chilling effect on her confidence and family. Judge Pauline Codd noted the harassment followed previous workplace intrusions and was deeply upsetting. Taking mitigating factors into account, the judge handed down a two-year sentence, which was suspended on conditions, including that Bykowski follow all medical instructions regarding his mental health. Additionally, the court issued an injunction ordering Bykowski to have no contact with the victim for a period of 25 years.
A 30‑year‑old man was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for raping and sexually abusing his younger sister between 2004 and 2007. He pleaded guilty to rape, oral rape and sexual assault. The victim, a 30‑year‑old Offaly woman, gave an impact statement describing how the abuse began when she was nine and continued until she was twelve, with the brother forcing her to watch pornography and threatening to kill her. She said she felt unprotected by the law after making the complaint as an adult because she did not qualify for a safety or protection order. The judge praised her courage, noted the family dysfunction, and highlighted the brother's remorse. The sentence was reduced from a headline of six and a half years to five and a half years, with a 12‑month suspended portion requiring therapy and a five‑year no‑contact order with his sister.
Stuart Simpson, 43, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment after admitting possession of a controlled drug for sale or supply. He claimed he had found over €250,000 worth of drugs "under a bush", but the court found this false, noting that the drugs were supplied by someone else. A search of Simpson's home on 7 October 2022 uncovered more than 1 kg of diamorphine, 300 g of cocaine and 20 g of cannabis, with a combined value of €259,172, along with drug‑dealing paraphernalia. Simpson pleaded guilty and had 46 prior convictions, including two drug offences. The judge highlighted that Simpson had no signs of wealth and that the profits from the drugs were likely diverted elsewhere. He was described as a "wild young man" in his early 20s, with a history of early convictions, and the court considered the impact of his absence on his family when imposing the sentence.
The Workplace Relations Commission adjourned the hearing on the statutory complaints lodged by whistleblower Lois West until 16 April. The case, which involves allegations that West, a former deputy head of the Garda Siochána Analysis Service, was demoted and that the force mishandled her complaints of bullying and sexual harassment, is being heard by adjudicator Roger McGrath. West's legal team, led by David Byrnes BL, has requested that the tribunal allow her to respond to new documents, citing her fragile state of mind and inability to give evidence remotely or in person. The tribunal has heard that West's complaints were initially investigated under the Garda protected disclosures policy but were later moved to a dignity at work process after the senior official involved resigned. The hearing will resume on 16 April. The complaints are under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Payment of Wages Act 1991.
During the Stardust Inquest, barristers argued that the families of the 48 victims had endured prolonged injustice, likening their wait to Moses wandering in the desert. Brenda Campbell KC highlighted that carpet tiles on the Stardust's walls were unsuitable and contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, and that Dublin Corporation had known of a year‑long enforcement gap that allowed unsafe conditions to persist. She cited earlier electrical inspector concerns about doors and emergency procedures, noting that the doors were locked, chained and obstructed, which prevented escape. Bernard Condon SC and Sean Guerin also stressed that the carpet tiles, faulty doors, lack of staff training and low ceiling height were substantial causes of the deaths. The coroner announced she would summarise the evidence and advise the jury on the relevant law.
A 53‑year‑old man, Eoghan Peavoy, pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment against a barrister between February 2019 and August 2022. He sent a series of increasingly threatening, vulgar and sexually suggestive text messages, emails, voicemails and WhatsApp messages, including threats of violence and claims of fantasies about killing the victim and her children. He also contacted the victim's father, colleagues and other family members. The victim described living in fear, having to print photos of the man for her childminder and removing her work website to protect herself. Peavoy, diagnosed with schizophrenia, had been involuntarily detained under the Mental Health Act multiple times. At sentencing, a judge imposed a five‑year prison term suspended on strict conditions, directing him to take prescribed medication, remain in inpatient care if discharged, and have no contact with the victim or her family for five years and thereafter.
The jury in the Central Criminal Court trial of Philip Cox, 39, for an attempted murder of his former partner Cristal O'Brien, has paused deliberations for the weekend and will resume on Monday at 10.30am. Over two days, the panel of seven men and five women spent five hours and 22 minutes considering the case. Mr Justice Paul McDermott instructed the jury to suspend their work for the weekend. Cox, originally from Tallaght but residing at York Street Flats, Dublin 2, pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder charge. O'Brien testified that Cox threatened to kill her, used two knives to stab her, and then sought a third, causing two stab wounds to her leg. A neighbour, Alice McGrath, testified that Cox said he would "finish her off" and that he did not care if he did time. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Tim O'Leary SC, argued that Cox's intentions were "absolutely clear" and left no doubt.
A 13‑year‑old boy was found guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of three counts of indecent assault on his eight‑year‑old cousin in 1988. The defendant, who cannot be named, was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment, with the final six months suspended under conditions. The judge noted the profound impact on the victim and the fact that the offender was a child at the time. The court heard that the assaults took place in the victim's home over a six‑week period, involving the defendant unbuttoning his trousers, exposing his genitals, and forcing the victim to touch and mouth them. The victim's impact statement described the lasting trauma, addiction, and loss of childhood. The defendant denied the offences and had no prior convictions. The case was prosecuted by Gareth Baker SC and defended by John Byrne SC. The judge praised the victim's courage and dignity.
A 23‑year‑old Romanian‑born burglar, Constantin Leonard Magadau, was sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment for a June 2023 break‑in at Murray Mobile in Dundrum, where he used a crowbar to enter through a broken window, smashed display cases and stole €33,000 of stock. He also caused €15,000 of criminal damage. The getaway car was abandoned a short distance away, and a mobile phone and loyalty tag linked to Magadau were found there. The shop owner's impact statement described sleepless nights, staff worry and the need to refurbish the store, noting the business nearly closed. Judge Elva Duffy cited the systematic destruction, planning, significant loss and the driver's dangerous conduct as aggravating factors, while noting his early guilty plea and admission of wrongdoing as mitigating. She also disqualified him from driving for five years. The sentence was back‑dated to his custody date.
A 27‑year‑old British woman, Yejeida Johnson, was jailed for smuggling 26 kg of cannabis worth €520,340 into Ireland. She was stopped at Dublin Airport on 2 September 2023 after customs flagged her luggage, which was found to contain the drug. Johnson had arrived from New York and was about to fly to Manchester. She admitted owning the luggage and said a friend had asked her to transport it, claiming she thought it held luxury goods. She had no fixed address in Ireland and had no prior convictions there, though she had a minor UK conviction in 2018. The court accepted her guilty pleas and mitigating circumstances, noting she was "imposed upon" to transport the drugs. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced her to four and a half years' imprisonment, back‑dated to 4 September 2023. The sentence reflects the large quantity of drugs she moved into the jurisdiction.
At the appeal stage, Michael Murray, a convicted rapist and child abductor, was found guilty by a jury of making a bomb threat against the home of Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. Murray, who is serving a 19-year sentence in the Midlands Prison, had pleaded not guilty to 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. The jury returned the verdict after deliberating for five hours and 10 minutes. Murray made no reaction as the verdict was handed down in court. Judge Patricia Ryan thanked the jurors for their service and adjourned the matter for sentencing next Friday. She remanded Murray in continuing custody. During the trial, it was established that the call to the Samaritans was traced back to Murray's cell, and his unique identification number was used. Murray had previously been jailed in 2013 for 15 years for falsely imprisoning, raping, and sexually assaulting a woman, with his sentence later increased to 19 years by the Court of Appeal. He has 34 previous convictions, including for common assault, carrying firearms, robbery, and aggravated burglary. 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. She described his actions as 'a fundamental attack on our system of justice.' The matter was adjourned for sentencing next Friday.
A man from Charlestown, County Mayo, has been found not guilty of murdering his wife by reason of insanity at the Central Criminal Court. The jury unanimously determined that Diego Costa Silva was suffering from cannabis-induced psychosis when he killed his wife, Fabiola De Campos Silva, at their home in Finglas, Dublin, on 4 November 2021. Two forensic psychiatrists gave evidence that Mr Silva's mental disorder caused him to believe his wife was possessed by a serpent and would kill him. Medical professionals had noted signs of psychosis after he was detained two days before the killing and recommended he remain as a voluntary patient, but he left hospital. Mr Silva was remanded to the Central Mental Hospital for assessment, with the case to return to court on 22 March for a psychiatric report on his current condition. The jury deliberated for two hours and 24 minutes before reaching their verdict.
John Clark, a volunteer in his 70s who worked for 38 years at Camphill Communities of Ireland, was dismissed after the HSE takeover in 2017. He had never received a salary, relying on a credit‑card system that covered his personal and community expenses. Clark claimed the charity had unfairly terminated his engagement, leaving him with only a state pension and support from his partner and housemates. He argued that the dismissal was not a redundancy and that the charity failed to follow fair procedures. The Workplace Relations Commission found that Camphill had breached the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 and the Terms of Employment (Information) Act 1994. Clark was awarded €60,000 for loss of earnings and €1,000 for the contract breach, but no redundancy payment was granted. The decision confirmed his entitlement to pursue employment rights claims.
Derek Delaney, a 60‑year‑old former Irish Defence Forces soldier who served 43 years and five tours in Lebanon, was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 20 months in prison for indecent assault of his sister between 1982 and 1988 and to a concurrent 15‑month sentence for assault causing harm to his former partner on 2 July 2023. Delaney admitted the indecent assault occurred when he was in his early twenties and his sister, aged nine to eleven, was sexually abused at a family home on Bunratty Road, Coolock. He also admitted head‑butting and knocking his partner unconscious after an argument, citing jealousy. The judge reduced the headline sentence of two to four years on mitigating factors, including Delaney's long military service. Derek Delaney pleaded guilty.
In the final stage of the Stardust nightclub inquest, lawyers for the bereaved families urged the jury to return a verdict of unlawful killing. Michael O'Higgins SC highlighted the credibility of club manager Eamon Butterly as "shredded beyond redemption," citing contradictory evidence about exit‑door locking and the lack of fire‑safety supervision. He argued that the verdict should focus on how the victims died rather than assigning blame. Des Fahy KC stressed that a culture of door‑locking had existed for years, with doormen trained only to simulate locked exits, and that this failure, along with unsuitable carpet tiles and inadequate staff preparation, contributed to the deaths. Both counsel called for the jury to acknowledge the unlawful nature of the deaths and restore dignity to the 48 victims. The inquest will continue tomorrow at the Rotunda Hospital.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, Philip Cox, aged 39, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder of his former partner, Cristal O'Brien, after an incident on 1 December 2022. The prosecution, represented by Tim O'Leary SC, argued that Cox's repeated attempts to stab O'Brien with three knives, his statements to a neighbour that he was "going to finish her off", and his admission to Gardaí that he intended to cause bodily harm, made his intent to kill clear. The defence contended that not every stabbing constituted an attempt to murder and highlighted the relatively minor injuries sustained by O'Brien, noting no significant penetration or depth. O'Brien testified that Cox threatened her, broke two knives, and retrieved a third, describing the attack as terrifying. The jury was instructed to consider whether the evidence showed an intention to kill or merely to cause harm. The trial was set to continue the following day.
A 24‑year‑old man, Mark O'Neill of Knockmore Drive, Tallaght, was found guilty of two counts of possession of drugs for sale or supply, with a combined value of €22,620, after being caught with drugs and dealing paraphernalia at his home twice in May 2022. He pleaded guilty, cooperated with investigators, and had seven prior minor traffic convictions. Judge Martin Nolan, hearing the case at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, noted O'Neill's early plea, good work history and support structure, but also his misbehaviour on both occasions. The judge imposed a global sentence of three years' imprisonment, refusing to suspend any part of it. Gardaí had obtained search warrants on 3 and 26 May 2022, finding cannabis, cocaine, heroin, weighing scales, mobile phones, and cash. O'Neill was released on bail after the first search and was arrested after the second. He had completed a drug awareness course and had a clean urine analysis from Tallaght Addiction Service.
The Supreme Court has adjourned the matter following the conclusion of submissions in an appeal by Niamh Mulreany and Kirstie McGrath. The two women, who were charged with breaching Section 38 of the Health (Amendment) Act 2021 for allegedly refusing mandatory quarantine upon their return from the UAE in April 2021, challenged the constitutionality of the Minister for Health's power to designate states for mandatory hotel quarantine. Their legal team argued that this delegation of powers breached the separation of powers and that the measures should have been introduced via legislation rather than Ministerial order. They also alleged a lack of a legally permissible appeals process. The respondents, including the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Health, opposed the appeal, arguing the High Court's previous dismissal of their application should stand. The High Court had previously rejected their claims, noting the Oireachtas had applied scrutiny to the power of designation and included a sunset clause. The Supreme Court, presided over by Chief Justice Donal O'Donell, was asked to determine questions regarding Article 40.4 of the Constitution and the permissibility of delegated powers. The court stated it would deliver its judgement at a later date, meaning the case remains pending and has not been finalised.
In a trial held on 7 March 2024, Michael Murray, 52, pleaded not guilty to a single charge of knowingly making a false report that caused a bomb threat against Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. The alleged call was traced to the Midlands Prison, Portlaoise, where Murray was imprisoned. The call was made from an extension in his cell, using his unique identification number, and was directed to the Samaritans. Murray denied making the call but admitted to having links with the Irish National Liberation Army and to having a grievance with McEntee. He also acknowledged that a group called the 'Criminal Revenge Group' had made threats to the Taoiseach and other civil servants. The prosecution argued that only Murray could have made the call, while the defence highlighted inconsistencies in the evidence, such as a 18‑second timing discrepancy and differences in accent and speech patterns. The jury was instructed to deliberate and return the next day.