Jamie Griffin, 29, with over 40 prior convictions, was on bail when he joined a group assault at Bow Lane Bar, Aungier Street, while high on cocaine. He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm. Tommy Doran, 32, with no prior violent convictions, also pleaded guilty. The incident began when an unidentified person attacked three men; Doran escalated the violence, punching a victim, kicking him, and striking him with a chair, causing a fractured nose. Griffin, though not the initiator, quickly joined and inflicted violence on two men. Both defendants paid €4,000 in compensation. Judge Pauline Codd sentenced Doran to two and a half years, fully suspended, with conditions including victim‑focused work and addiction services. Griffin received a four‑year sentence, fully suspended, with similar conditions. Both were released after sentencing.
Thomas Finnegan, 36, of Tallaght, was found guilty by a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court jury of assault causing serious harm and the production of an article in the form of a guitar at an Applegreen service station on 22 June 2023. The attack left the victim blind in his left eye, with the eye shrunken and the loss of sight likely permanent. CCTV footage showed Finnegan striking the victim with a guitar after a brief departure from the scene. Finnegan has 38 prior convictions, including assault, criminal damage, public order and road traffic offences. Judge Jonathan Dunphy sentenced him to nine years for the assault, suspending the final eighteen months, and to three and a half years for the article, suspending the final twelve months; both sentences run concurrently. He will be supervised by probation services for two years after release. The sentence was back‑dated to the date of his arrest.
Richard Farrell, aged 61, was convicted by a jury of four counts of defilement for sexual acts with a 16‑year‑old girl who played on his soccer team between August 2008 and January 2009. The victim, who was 16 at the time, gave a victim impact statement describing the lasting harm to her confidence, trust and relationships, and how Farrell's grooming and sexual conduct had ruined her love of soccer. Farrell pleaded not guilty but was found guilty. He received a headline sentence of seven years, reduced to six years with the final two years suspended, subject to two years' probation, therapeutic assessment and treatment, and restrictions on contact with children. The court noted his prior road traffic offence and community contributions, and that he had been assessed as low risk of reoffending. The sentence was imposed by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon.
Alan Jenkins, aged 30 when first abused, presented a victim impact statement in which he described Tusla's investigation of his uncle Paul Craven as a "farce". Jenkins said Tusla found his allegations unfounded after interviewing Craven, who had been convicted last month of 11 counts including sexual assault and indecent assault between 1989 and 1999. Jenkins claimed Tusla ignored his and his sister's attempts to contact the agency and that Craven continued to work with vulnerable children. He recounted the abuse beginning when he was six or seven, involving inappropriate touching and sexual acts, and described the emotional toll, including panic attacks, anxiety, shame and suicidal thoughts. Jenkins urged other survivors to come forward and thanked the Gardaí, the jury and his family for their support. The court heard that the case would be adjourned to January 28 for a full plea of mitigation. The statement was read by Jenkins' daughter Sophie.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Philip Marley (53) pleaded guilty to forging deeds and deceiving the Property Registration Authority, while Herbert Kilcline (63) was convicted on eight counts for using false instruments, failing to keep records, and fraudulently registering two rental properties. The false deeds altered ownership of a Phibsborough Road property and a St Mary's Road house, listing non‑owners as title holders. Marley directed searches and engaged a third party to produce maps, and Kilcline prepared a 'Form 3' for registration. The fraudulent registration caused a tenant, ADT/Johnson Controls, to pay €21,000 in March 2018, which was transferred to a U.S. account, and a settlement of €245,250 was paid. The High Court later removed the false registrations, but the Property Registration Authority has not recovered the losses. Both defendants complied with bail and court appearances, and a probation report is pending.
A jury of eight men and four women was sworn in by Mr Justice Tony Hunt to hear the trial of 39‑year‑old Philip Cox, who is charged with the attempted murder of Cristal O'Brien at York Street Flats, Dublin 2, on 1 December 2022. Cox, who lives at the same address, pleaded not guilty when the indictment was read. The trial will begin the following morning and is expected to last just over a week. The judge instructed the jury not to discuss the case with anyone outside the panel and to return at 11 am tomorrow.
A 52‑year‑old convicted rapist who fathered a son with his estranged daughter has been allowed to pursue a High Court action against the governor of the Midlands Prison and the Minister for Justice after his request for temporary release on medical grounds was refused. The man, who was sentenced in January 2023 to 10 years' imprisonment with the final year suspended, suffers ill health, including a chronic, infected wound on his right knee that may require inpatient care. His lawyers argue that there is no statutory prohibition on temporary release for sexual offence offenders and that the refusal was unlawful. They seek a declaration that the Minister's fixed policy denying release for such offenders is unlawful, an order for the reasons for the refusal, and a declaration that the Minister's discretion has been fettered. The High Court has granted permission for the case to proceed and adjourned it to January.
In a murder trial, the jury is instructed to decide whether the State has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that law professor Diarmuid Phelan intended to kill or seriously injure the trespasser Keith Conlon. The judge explains that Phelan, a 56‑year‑old barrister and farmer, fired three shots from his revolver after trespassers allegedly threatened him. The prosecution argues two shots were warning shots and the third struck Conlon in the back of the head, implying intent. The defence contends the third shot was accidental, a result of stress and misalignment. The jury may return one of three verdicts: guilty of murder, not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. The judge also notes that if Phelan's self‑defence claim is upheld, the jury must consider whether the force used was reasonable and proportionate to the circumstances. The charge will continue tomorrow.
The Central Criminal Court heard on 9 December 2024 that Damian Szatkowski (38) pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Marcel Kusenda (48) on 8 March 2023. Kusenda, a Slovakian man who had lived in Ireland for 20 years, was found in his Newbridge home with severe head injuries after being repeatedly kicked and punched by Szatkowski, who had recently moved in. A post‑mortem revealed a displaced nasal fracture and a 15 mm subdural hematoma, with death caused by complications of blunt‑force head injury. Szatkowski, with 61 prior convictions, was arrested and denied intent to kill, claiming he had only punched once. The court adjourned sentencing to 17 February, noting the offence's high culpability and the defendant's remorse. The case remains pending.
At the High Court, Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty granted permission for a judicial review and adjourned the matter to January. The applicant, Juma Palani, is challenging the State's decision to disallow his claims for jobseeker's and disability allowance. He argues that the Criminal Assets Bureau, Chief Appeals Officer, and relevant Ministers erred in law and fact by concluding there were reasonable grounds to infer he engaged in criminal activity, a finding he contends lacks supporting evidence. Mr Palani seeks an order quashing these decisions, repayment of monies paid, and declarations that the State breached his procedural rights under the Constitution and the European Court of Human Rights Act. He is also seeking a declaration that the respondents failed to vindicate his rights. The application notes that in February, his solicitor requested evidence supporting the inference of criminal conduct, which has not been produced. The case involves the father of Yousef Palani, who was jailed for life last year for the murders of Michael Snee and Aidan Moffitt and for stabbing Anthony Burke in the eye with a kitchen knife. These offences occurred over a four-day period in Sligo, driven by hatred of gay men. Yousef Palani, who was 23 at sentencing, decapitated one victim in his own home. The matter was adjourned and is not concluded.
Judges at the Special Criminal Court granted legal aid to James Leen, a 41‑year‑old from Listowel, who is accused of importing over €30 million worth of crystal meth. Leen filed a statement of means claiming zero income and zero assets, but the Director of Public Prosecutions, John Berry SC, presented evidence that Leen owns a property and has bank accounts, indicating a lifestyle inconsistent with his claim. Berry asked the court to consider this evidence before deciding on legal aid. Morgan Shelley BL argued that the money involved is alleged proceeds of crime and cannot be used to pay lawyers. Justice Kerida Naidoo noted that the State could address any special circumstances through other means and, finding no evidence that Leen could fund his own trial, approved legal aid.
Emer Tighe, 46, of Windsor Court, Blackrock, was given a suspended sentence after crashing her BMW into a nursing home wall on New Year's Day. Witnesses saw her speeding and running a red light on Rochestown Avenue, Dun Laoghaire, before the vehicle struck the rear wall of the nursing home's conservatory and dining room, causing over €70,000 of damage. Tighe pleaded guilty to criminal damage, drink driving and dangerous driving. Her blood alcohol level was 172 mg per 100 ml, the highest category for drink driving offences. She had been prescribed medication for a chest infection and had no memory of the incident. Judge Elva Duffy imposed a headline sentence of three years for criminal damage, suspended the two‑year custodial term in full, fined €7,000, and disqualified her from driving for five years. The nursing home's insurance covered the damage, and Tighe has not driven since the incident.
David Carroll, 48, of Dublin 2, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to five offences committed between December 2023 and April 2024: three thefts at St Francis Xavier Church on Gardiner Street, one theft at Erin College on North Great George Street, and one burglary of an apartment in Dublin City Centre. CCTV footage identified him at each incident. The court heard that Carroll's motivation was to fund a drug habit, and that he had previously received a diploma in addiction studies from Dublin Business School. He had 30 prior convictions and had become homeless after his hostel was raided. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, back‑dated to his arrest on 29 April 2024, and suspended the final six months for 12 months, placing him under Probation Services for 12 months. The sentence was imposed after Carroll's guilty pleas, admissions, cooperation with Gardaí, and a letter of apology were considered mitigating factors.
A 31‑year‑old tenant, Dmitrus Aleinkovs, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for raping his landlady in June 2016. The victim had earlier been raped by a drug‑spiking courier who left her in a temporary state of paralysis after she took cocaine. Aleinkovs had been sub‑letting part of the house and had a history of consensual sexual contact with the victim, which ended when he stopped paying rent. After the courier's assault, Aleinkovs entered the sitting room, saw the victim still in a state of paralysis, and raped her for five minutes. He later returned the victim's jeans and left. The court noted the breach of trust, the victim's vulnerability, and Aleinkovs' lack of prior convictions. He was extradited from Latvia in December 2022 and has been in custody since. The judge imposed a seven‑year sentence, back‑dated to his December 2022 custody.
In an equality hearing, Eddie Rockets was ordered to pay €5,000 to former Paralympic athlete Nadine Lattimore after a staff member directed her to a seat near the entrance when she entered with her guide dog, Pilot. Lattimore, who has represented Ireland at the 2012 Paralympic Games, claimed the placement posed safety concerns and that she was spoken over by the employee, who called her rude. The Workplace Relations Commission noted the incident was the third time Lattimore had sought redress that year for difficulties accessing businesses with a guide dog. Eddie Rockets admitted the staff mistake, trained the employee on service animals, and the adjudicator directed compensation and recommended the chain display signs welcoming guide dogs. The case highlights ongoing challenges for guide dog users in public venues.
An accountant, Sidney Sutton, has failed in his appeal to halt a retrial related to an alleged knife attack on his wife, described as 'extreme domestic violence' during his original trial in 2017. Sutton was originally convicted of four counts of assault, one of assault causing harm, and one count of producing a knife capable of inflicting serious injury. His conviction was quashed in April 2021, and the Court of Appeal ordered a retrial. Sutton had previously been sentenced to two years with the final 12 months suspended, but the Court of Appeal ruled that sentence was too lenient and ordered him to serve a further 16 months. Sutton appealed a High Court decision that denied his application to prohibit the retrial on grounds of alleged malicious prosecution and abuse of process. At the Court of Appeal, Ms Justice Tara Burns ruled that Sutton had failed to establish an arguable case regarding any of the issues raised. She noted that the High Court judge had addressed Sutton's complaints in detail and found no evidence of withheld crime scene reports or other issues that would justify halting the retrial. Sutton claimed that the State suppressed crucial evidence and that gardai failed in their duty to preserve evidence. However, the Court of Appeal found no support for these allegations. The matter was adjourned, and costs were awarded against Sutton. Sutton expressed his intention to continue fighting and described the judgment as 'horrendous' and 'disgusting', claiming that the State had destroyed his businesses and left him with nothing.
A veteran healthcare worker, who has worked in the sector for over 30 years, was shocked to discover that a previously unknown complaint of sexual assault had been reported to the Garda vetting bureau by the HSE when she sought new employment. She claims she has no knowledge of who made the allegation, when or where it occurred, and that the HSE had no lawful authority to forward the report to the Gardaí. The woman, who left her HSE role in April 2024 after a positive interview with another agency, says the allegation forced her to seek medical help and that no investigation had taken place. She has applied to the High Court for an order quashing the HSE's decision to furnish the report and for the Garda vetting bureau to withdraw its acceptance of the report. The court has granted permission for judicial review and adjourned the case to the New Year.
After two trials, Maurice Boland, 37, was found guilty of murder for the death of 26‑year‑old Cian Gallagher. The attack occurred on 2 November 2022, with Gallagher dying eight days later. Boland had claimed he had punched Gallagher "like Conor McGregor in the UFC" and later lied to Gardaí about the victim's alleged initial swing. CCTV showed Boland pursuing Gallagher down the street, delivering a "haymaker" that caused Gallagher to fall and hit his head. The prosecution argued that Boland intended to cause serious injury, while the defence maintained no intent to kill. The jury, after five hours and eleven minutes, reached a unanimous verdict of murder. Boland will be sentenced to life imprisonment on 16 December, with the victim's family invited to speak. The case was presided over by Ms Justice Eileen Creedon, who thanked the jury and exempted them from further service for five years. Maurice Boland pleaded not guilty.
In a Special Criminal Court hearing, three men—Noah Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut—are on trial for the murder of gunman Tristan Sherry, who fatally shot Jason Hennessy Snr at a Christmas Eve party in Browne's Steakhouse, Blanchardstown, on 24 December. The court will hear closing speeches next Wednesday, with the Director of Public Prosecutions presenting her case and the defence arguing that the accused were provoked by Sherry's shooting, potentially reducing the charge to manslaughter under provocation law. The trial is adjourned until then. Separately, Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy are charged with violent disorder for the same event. The proceedings remain at the pleading stage, with no verdict yet announced.
Lawyers for Riad Bouchaker, 50, await reports on his defence. Bouchaker is charged with attempted murder of two girls and a boy, assault causing serious harm to a care worker, and possession or production of a knife. The alleged incident took place outside a school on 23 November 2023. A brief hearing was held this morning, with an update scheduled for a hearing one week before Christmas.
A man convicted of murder in connection with the death of Dundalk woman Irene White in 2005 is pursuing an appeal, arguing he was suffering a mental breakdown when he pleaded guilty. Niall Power, aged 51 and formerly of Riverstown, Co Louth, was sentenced to life imprisonment in July 2019 after admitting to his role in arranging the killing. Anthony Lambe, of Castleblayney, Co Monaghan, received a concurrent life sentence in 2018 for carrying out the fatal attack. At the Court of Appeal on Friday, Power's legal representatives indicated they would seek to have the guilty plea set aside on mental health grounds. Mr Justice John Edwards granted legal aid and directed that the matter be adjourned to January 17th to allow for the filing of formal documentation regarding an Enlargement of Time application, as the appeal window has expired. The court will subsequently address whether the plea should be withdrawn.
Joanna Zochowska, a 40‑year‑old Polish artist, was found at Dublin Airport with a pink suitcase containing 13.5 kg of cannabis worth €270,208. She claimed she had not packed the bag herself and believed it held precious metals to avoid customs duties. Zochowska said she was contacted via an app, promised $10,000 CAD, and received $1,000 for flight costs. She admitted to being in an abusive relationship and feeling financially pressured. The court accepted her early guilty plea and cooperation, noting her vulnerability and lack of prior convictions. Judge Dara Hayes sentenced her to three years and three months, suspending the final 21 months, and backdated the sentence to the day she was taken into custody. The judgment highlighted her naivety, financial hardship, and the aggravating factor of the drug amount and promised payment.
Stephen Tynan (46) and Raymond Fitzgerald (41) have appealed their convictions for the murder of Andrew Guerrine, Tynan's cousin, who was stabbed 20 times in May 2015. The appeal argues that both men were only accessories after the fact, not principals. Tynan's counsel claims another person was involved in a drug transaction and that Tynan only assisted after the murder. Fitzgerald's counsel challenges the admissibility of CCTV footage and Automatic Number Plate Recognition evidence, arguing the system's accuracy is unproven. They also contest a voluntary caution statement taken in June 2015, asserting it was not given under custody and therefore inadmissible. The court has reserved judgment on these grounds. The appeal is heard in the Central Criminal Court, with the original convictions based on circumstantial evidence linking the defendants to the murder vehicle and location. The case remains pending. Stephen Tynan pleaded not guilty. Raymond Fitzgerald pleaded not guilty.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed John Dundon's bid to overturn his 2013 conviction for the murder of Shane Geoghegan. Dundon, who is serving a life sentence, argued that a recorded phone conversation between witnesses Lisa Collins and Christopher McCarthy, which allegedly suggested a motive to secure a conviction for an offence carrying a greater penalty, such as murder, was not disclosed at trial. Counsel claimed this omission raised concerns about the fairness of the proceedings. However, Mr Justice John Edwards rejected the appeal, finding no breach of the Director of Public Prosecutions' duty of disclosure and noting that the Special Criminal Court had already approached the witnesses' testimony with caution. The court concluded that the appellant's trial was not unsatisfactory and his verdict remained safe. Separately, Barry Doyle, who admitted shooting Mr Geoghegan in a case of mistaken identity during Garda interviews, later pleaded not guilty at trial. He was found guilty by a jury at the Central Criminal Court and received a mandatory life sentence. Both the Special Criminal Court and the High Court had previously rejected Dundon's bids to have his 2013 murder trial adjourned.
Kamila Henrique Lopes, 28, a Brazilian drugs mule, was intercepted at Dublin Airport on 5 June 2024. She admitted to swallowing 102 pellets of cocaine and hiding three more in a condom in her vagina to settle a €163 loan‑shark debt. The total value of the drugs was €83,510. Garda Emmet O'Byrne reported that Lopes had borrowed the debt from a street lender in Brazil, with penalties raising it to about €580. She cooperated with Gardaí, revealing that she was instructed to swallow the pellets in a hotel room in Brazil and that she found it physically difficult. Lopes has no prior convictions and was taken to Beaumont Hospital, where she passed the 102 pellets. She has been in custody since 10 June 2024 and has taken educational courses. Judge Elva Duffy, after considering mitigating factors, set a headline sentence of five and a half years, reduced to three years and nine months, backdated to 5 June 2024. Kamila Henrique Lopes pleaded guilty.
In a civil trial, Conor McGregor was found liable for raping Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel room. Mr Justice Alexander Owens ordered McGregor to pay legal costs exceeding €1 million, but made no cost order for co‑respondent James Lawrence, who was found not liable. Owens noted that the case was "the most peculiar and singular" he had seen, referring to Lawrence's claim of consensual sex with Hand, which Hand denied. He awarded "party‑party" costs to McGregor, rather than the higher "solicitor‑own client" costs sought by Hand's lawyers, and left costs for Hand's claims against Lawrence to be paid by each side. Owens adjourned the matter to 16 January to consider an application for a stay pending appeal, and said he would separately decide on McGregor's social‑media post about a "kangaroo court.".
In a High Court hearing, the court will decide whether Conor McGregor must pay the full costs of a civil rape claim brought by Nikita Hand, who alleges he "brutally" raped her in a Dublin hotel penthouse. Hand's counsel urged the court to award the highest level of costs, citing McGregor's alleged conduct before, during and after the trial, including his post‑trial social media posts and accusations that the court was a "kangaroo" court. McGregor's counsel argued that the costs should remain at the normal level, as he was the losing party, and that post‑trial posts should not be considered aggravating. The case also involves James Lawrence, who was found not to have assaulted Hand. The judge, Justice Owens, described the case as "the most peculiar" he had encountered and will rule on costs after 2 pm today.
The Special Criminal Court heard an application by counsel for Michael Andrecut (23) to argue provocation as a partial defence to the murder charge against him. Andrecut, along with Noah Musueni (18) and David Amah (18), is on trial accused of murdering Tristan Sherry. The defence submitted that Andrecut suffered a total loss of control after Sherry allegedly shot Jason Hennessy Snr, described by Andrecut as a father figure, during a Christmas Eve party at Browne's Steakhouse in Blanchardstown. Counsel argued that the alleged "cold-blooded" assassination provoked Andrecut into the violent actions attributed to him, potentially reducing the charge to manslaughter. The court has heard that Sherry was disarmed and beaten to death following the shooting. Andrecut, Musueni, and Amah deny the murder charges. Counsel for the other two accused indicated they will make similar applications when the trial continues. Separately, Jonas Kabangu (18), Diarmuid O'Brien (18), and Brandon Hennessy (21), the son of the deceased, are on trial accused of violent disorder at the same location and date. All three deny these charges. The matter is currently at the trial stage before a three-judge, non-jury court.
Convicted rapist and child abductor Michael Murray has been further jailed for 18 months for making bomb threats against the Oireachtas last year. Murray (53), formerly of Seafield Road, Killiney, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to two counts of making the threats from Midlands Prison in Portlaoise, where he is currently serving sentences for which he had been due for release in November 2037. Last March, Murray was further jailed for two years after being found guilty by a jury of phoning in a hoax INLA bomb threat against the home of Minister for Justice Helen McEntee. For the second offence, a consecutive sentence of 18 months was imposed but suspended for a period of three years. Murray was also found guilty of making death threats against Dominic McGinn SC and Tony McGillicuddy BL, the barristers who prosecuted the rape case against him in 2013. He had pleaded not guilty to all of these offences. The matter was adjourned during the appeal stage.
A 31‑year‑old Brazilian man, Jostiel Dias Da Silva, pleaded guilty in June 2023 to possessing false identity documents, using a false instrument to open a bank account in March 2021, and facilitating the acquisition of a false instrument in October 2020. He admitted using these documents to obtain a PPS number, secure employment and open a bank account, and acted as a middleman for a false Spanish passport for another person. A multi‑agency search in June 2020 uncovered an Italian passport, a Portuguese driving licence and a Portuguese passport in his home. Da Silva was working legitimately and paying taxes under a false name at the time of the offences, and he now works legally for a new employer. Judge Orla Crowe imposed an 18‑month suspended sentence, fully suspended on strict conditions, after acknowledging his cooperation and the fact that he had paid taxes and was contributing to society.
Darrel Brown, 43, of Leeds, was arrested at Dublin Airport after a sniffer dog detected cannabis in his suitcase. The drugs, weighing just under 14 kg, were valued at €253,730. Brown pleaded guilty to possession and importation for sale and supply. He was a low‑level participant in the drug trade, having been recruited to transport the cannabis from Spain to Dublin. Brown explained that he had left his job and relationship, struggled to find work in Spain, and was offered €2,000 for the job. He has one prior traffic offence conviction and has been in custody since his arrest. The court noted his mental health issues and lack of a lavish lifestyle, and accepted his early guilty pleas and cooperation. The case was adjourned to 24 March 2025 for finalisation.
Suzanne Shannon, 40, of Avondale House, Dublin, was jailed for two and a half years after pleading guilty to eight thefts of beauty products from two Boots stores in Rathmines and Donnybrook between January and April 2024. The thefts, valued between €500 and €1,000, were committed while she was serving the suspended portion of a two‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence for a drug‑dealing offence involving €69,608 worth of heroin. Garda Stephen Walsh arrested her after a panic alarm at Boots, Rathmines, and she admitted the stolen goods and her intent to sell them to fund her drug addiction. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a consecutive term of two years and three months for the thefts, suspended the final three months of the drug sentence on strict conditions, and ordered her to engage with the Probation Service for one year upon release.
Adam Doyle, 31, of Balbriggan, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm after a verbal argument with Evan Somers on Dame Street, April 2022. CCTV footage shown in court showed Doyle walking away, followed by Somers, then Doyle punching him, causing Somers to fall and suffer a fractured eye socket and ankle fractures, requiring surgery and six days in hospital. Doyle had previously handed himself in after the footage aired on RTE's Crimecall, claiming no homophobic element. He admitted full responsibility, offered a letter of apology and €13,000 as a token of remorse, and presented a psychological report indicating low re‑offending risk. Judge Orla Crowe accepted the evidence, noted the serious consequences for Somers, and imposed an 18‑month suspended sentence, requiring Doyle to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for two years, with the sentence re‑entered if he attracts garda attention.
Law professor Diarmuid Phelan, 56, is on trial for the murder of Keith Conlon, 36, who died on Phelan's farm in Tallaght on 24 February 2022. Phelan, a barrister, lecturer and farmer, pleaded not guilty. The case centres on an incident where three trespassers—Conlon, Kallum Coleman and Robin Duggan—were hunting on a wooded area of Phelan's land. Phelan allegedly fired three shots from a Smith & Wesson revolver after shouting at the trespassers to leave. The prosecution argues two shots were warning shots and the third, aimed at Conlon's back, was intended to kill or seriously injure him. The defence contends Phelan fired accidental warning shots, that he was acting in self‑defence against an imminent threat, and that he had not failed to observe safety procedures. The jury heard evidence of the trespassers' knowledge of Phelan's firearm, the timing of the shots, and the circumstances of the shooting.
In a High Court hearing, EirGrid was told it has no duty to explain why it refused Kilshane Energy Ltd, Coolpowra Flex Gen Ltd and Coolpowra Bess Ltd permission to bid in a national grid energy auction. Kilshane, which planned two 299MW candidate units at Huntstown, Dublin, argued that EirGrid's only cited reason – that a connection to a 400KV substation was not feasible in the time available – ignored the detailed schedules it had supplied. The court noted that the auction had 160 applicants and that EirGrid must balance competition with grid security under statutory duties. The respondents, represented by Niall Handy SC, maintained that the Capacity Market Code governs the process and that applicants must meet its evolving standards. The case remains pending, with the court to decide and provide reasoning later.
At the Central Criminal Court, defence counsel for Dean Caffrey has urged the jury to acquit his client of murdering Sean McCarthy, arguing that the prosecution case lacks foundation. Lorcan Staines SC submitted that conviction would constitute a travesty, contending there is no evidence Mr Caffrey lured the deceased to his apartment for execution. Mr Staines criticised the Director of Public Prosecutions for partisan presentation and breach of disclosure obligations, noting that material supporting the defence was withheld until six weeks into the trial. Mr Caffrey, aged 38 of Beaucourt, Achill Road, Drumcondra, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to murder. The prosecution alleges Mr McCarthy was executed; the defence maintains he was shot during a struggle after arriving armed at Mr Caffrey's home in August 2022. Mr Staines emphasised Mr McCarthy's background as a drug dealer with known firearm access, contrasting this with his client's lack of violence history. The jury will hear Mr Justice Paul McDermott's charge on Friday before retiring to consider their verdict.
In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, the State presented Maurice Boland (37) as a drunken aggressor who pursued and struck Cian Gallagher (26) after Gallagher left a pub in Tallow. Prosecutor Bernard Condon SC argued that Boland's intent was to inflict serious injury, citing Boland's remarks about wanting to "be like Conor McGregor" and his aggressive behaviour earlier that evening. He described the incident as a pursuit rather than a fight, noting that Gallagher was "set upon" and knocked down by a "killer punch" that caused him to hit his head. Defence counsel Brendan Grehan SC contended that Boland was guilty of unlawful killing, not murder, because there was no evidence of intent to kill or cause serious harm. The judge instructed the jury that a verdict of murder requires proof of intent to kill or serious injury, and the jury will deliberate tomorrow. Maurice Boland pleaded not guilty.
An Indian national living in County Cavan has brought complaints of discrimination against the State's Housing Agency at the Workplace Relations Commission, alleging his applications for a local authority home loan were wrongfully rejected on grounds of his non-EU nationality. Aloke Tirawy made three applications to Mayo County Council between February and March this year, each refused by the Housing Agency. His solicitor contends the agency has imposed lending criteria stricter than those issued by the Minister for Housing, including a five-year residency requirement not contained in the original ministerial regulations. The Housing Agency cited a 2023 credit policy in rejecting the applications, which Mr Tirawy's legal team argues could only lawfully be issued by the Minister and should have been publicly available. A State barrister acknowledged the guidelines extend beyond the original regulations but maintained they derive statutory authority from Oireachtas legislation. The Workplace Relations Commission adjourned the hearing, directing further legal submissions by 20 January 2025.
Kilshane Energy Ltd is challenging a decision by Eirgrid, supported by the CRU, to exclude it from an imminent auction to supply electricity to the national grid. The High Court heard that Kilshane had planned to build two 299MW candidate units at Huntstown, North County Dublin, but was denied access to the auction because Eirgrid said the 200KV substation nominated by Kilshane would not be large enough and a 400KV substation would be required. Kilshane argued that a 400KV substation could be constructed and that the project would be feasible and operational by the October 2028 deadline. The company appealed to the Capacity Market Dispute Resolution Panel, where the decision was upheld on the basis of feasibility. Kilshane claims the refusal will have cascade effects on projects costing tens and hundreds of millions of euros. The case continues with further oral submissions expected to finish by Thursday.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Victoria Quinn, 46, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious harm after she ran through a crossroads on the R125 in Swords on 4 June 2022, colliding with a car carrying an elderly couple. The collision fractured the 72‑year‑old woman's back and left her with bruising and pain to her wrist, elbow and chest. Quinn's car was written off, and the victim remained in hospital for five weeks, during which she contracted Covid‑19. The victim's husband, who was driving the other car, died 19 days later from pneumonia, an illness unrelated to the crash. Quinn, who had no prior convictions, was told by the court that her driving fell below the required standard and that her statement to Gardaí was inconsistent with the evidence. The case was adjourned for finalisation on 20 January next year.
A 38‑year‑old child psychiatrist, Amirul Arif Bin Mohd Yunos, was sentenced to eight and a half years' imprisonment for sexually abusing a 15‑year‑old girl in 2023. Yunos, who worked at a CAMHS centre in Clonskeagh, had been approached by the girl's parents to help their daughter with mental health difficulties. The victim was not formally his patient. Between May and September 2023, Yunos engaged in a series of sexual acts with the girl, including inappropriate touching, oral sex, and penetration of her vagina and anus, at locations such as a car, his home, her home and his workplace. He pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual activity with a child under 17, one count of sexual exploitation of a child and one of meeting a child for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
Emma Hughes, a social media manager at Dash Container Café, claimed that her employer, Martin McCaffrey, became hostile after she announced her pregnancy in August 2022. She said he criticised her work, ignored her content, and pressured her to continue working during maternity leave. Hughes also alleged that McCaffrey moved a planned event date, criticised her for taking leave, and failed to arrange a replacement. She filed grievances during her leave, resigned in June 2024, and brought a complaint under the Employment Equality Act 1998. The WRC adjudicator found no rebuttal from the employer and concluded that Hughes faced gender‑based discrimination linked to her pregnancy. The tribunal awarded her €35,000, equivalent to a year's gross salary, as non‑remuneration‑based compensation for the adverse treatment she endured.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, prosecution counsel Cathleen Noctor SC described Dean Caffrey, 38, as "cool as a cucumber" after CCTV footage showed him buying a suitcase with cash taken from the dead man, Sean McCarthy, 28. Noctor alleged that Caffrey lied about the circumstances of the fatal shooting in his apartment, claiming the deceased had brought a firearm and threatened him. She said Caffrey denied murdering McCarthy, who was known to gardaí as a drug dealer. Noctor highlighted inconsistencies in Caffrey's statements to gardaí, noting he initially claimed both men had the gun during the struggle, then later said he fired after McCarthy lunged. She also presented evidence that Caffrey purchased a clean‑up kit, disposed of the firearm and the deceased's phone, and deleted messages. Noctor urged the jury to consider that Caffrey shot McCarthy in the head with intent to kill, and that he should be convicted of murder.
Cailean Crawford, 28, was convicted of the murder of Thomas McCarthy, 55, at Croftwood Park, Ballyfermot, on July 27, 2020. The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict after deliberating for eight hours and 20 minutes, rejecting Crawford's not guilty plea and his defense that he merely loaned a van to associate Charles McClean. Prosecutors alleged Crawford was the gunman who fatally shot McCarthy, who had returned from the UK to visit his mother. Mr Justice Tony Hunt described Crawford as a "cold-blooded" and "dangerous individual," noting the crime was not a victim of circumstance. The judge highlighted Crawford's prior conviction for conspiracy to murder Wayne Whelan in 2019, for which he was sentenced to seven years with two suspended. McClean, who pleaded guilty to lesser offences in that case, was sentenced to eight years. Following the verdict, Crawford shouted at the court and stormed out. Mr Justice Hunt remanded Crawford in custody until December 20, when he will be handed the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment for murder. The matter was adjourned for sentencing.
The partner of a man convicted of raping three children between 1999 and 2002 has asked the sentencing judge to give him the "best present" and set him free, claiming he did nothing wrong. The defence counsel argued the defendant was not a danger to the public, had been trustworthy for 24 years, and questioned the benefit of imprisonment. The court heard victim impact statements from two of the victims, who described lasting trauma, loss of trust, and mental health issues. The third victim did not give a statement. The judge adjourned sentencing to 19 December. The article reports the defendant's convictions for sexual assault, oral and anal rape of children aged 7 to 10, and prior convictions for traffic offences and criminal damage. No sentencing outcome is provided in the article.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, defence counsel Sean Guerin SC argued that the murder trial of law professor Diarmuid Phelan centred on emotion, specifically fear and anger, rather than intent to kill. Phelan, 56, pleaded not guilty to the fatal shooting of 36‑year‑old Keith Conlon on his Tallaght farm on 24 February 2022. The prosecution contended that Phelan fired three shots, two in the air and a third that struck Conlon in the back of the head while he was turning away, indicating intent to kill. Guerin maintained that the shots were warning shots, that Phelan did not intend to hit Conlon, and that the incident was a reaction to trespassers and a hunting dog on the property. He urged the jury to consider the emotional context and the lack of pre‑planned intent in assessing Phelan's actions. The case remains at the trial stage.
A 65‑year‑old man, Ciaran Watters, received a suspended two‑year sentence after he struck his elderly neighbour, Patrick Dunne, with a shovel while Dunne was trimming a hedge on their shared boundary. The assault occurred on 14 June 2021 when Dunne was on a ladder leaning against a wooden fence; Watters hit the fence twice, causing Dunne to fall flat on his back. Dunne, who has had two hip replacements, suffered pain, anxiety and flashbacks, and now requires medication for his spine. Watters, who had a prior assault conviction, admitted alcohol influence, completed an inpatient addiction course, and offered €5,000 to Dunne. The judge imposed a three‑year suspended sentence with conditions to refrain from interfering with neighbours and to pay the compensation. The unnamed 65-year-old pleaded guilty.
A 15‑year‑old was convicted of anal rape of a 15‑year‑old girl and was originally sentenced to six months' detention and community supervision. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed, arguing the sentence was unduly lenient. The Court of Appeal quashed the original term and set a headline sentence of nine years, then reduced it to four and a half years after a 50% reduction for the offender's age and maturity. Further mitigating factors led to a one‑year reduction, giving a final headline of three and a half years. The court suspended the last 12 months on a €100 bond, with the sentence backdated to the day of custody. The teenager has already been released and will return to prison to serve the remaining term. The case involved an assault that included forced oral and anal penetration, with the victim reporting severe physical injury and lasting psychological impact. The unnamed girl pleaded not guilty and was acquitted.
A whistleblower penalisation claim against Mayo County Council heard at the Workplace Relations Commission has been adjourned after legal submissions from the complainant's legal team went missing in the tribunal's spam folder. Former firefighter Vincent Maughan is pursuing complaints of constructive dismissal and whistleblower penalisation under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977. The case was scheduled to commence with evidence on 3 December 2024, but adjudicator Patsy Doyle reported having received no legal filings despite issuing directions six months prior. The claimant's barrister revealed that submissions had been sent by email on 26 October but apparently filtered into the tribunal's spam system. Ms Doyle cancelled two days of scheduled hearings and ordered an in-person hearing to proceed, citing additional procedural issues regarding stenography and transcript sharing.
A 56‑year‑old man, Adrianus Johannes Kees, was sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment after defrauding the Irish biotechnology company Ovagen of €840,000. Ovagen, seeking €28 million to patent a germ‑free egg for vaccines, was persuaded by Kees to deposit the money into an alleged escrow account in Lichtenstein. No such account existed; the funds were transferred to Kees' personal accounts and spent on a pool house, a Mercedes‑Benz lease and other expenses. Ovagen had to repay the loan taken from AIB and lost the money. Kees pleaded guilty on the fifth day of his trial, apologized to the victims, and was granted a reduced sentence after a European Arrest Warrant had led to his extradition from Spain. The court noted his lack of prior convictions and cooperation with authorities. The sentence was back‑dated to account for time already spent in custody. The unnamed 56-year-old pleaded not guilty.