In a Central Criminal Court hearing, the Director of Public Prosecutions presented evidence that Daniel Blanaru, 37, from Rathmore, Athboy, Co Meath, murdered 26‑year‑old Larisa Serban on or about 12 August 2022. Prosecutor Eilis Brennan SC described the attack as sustained and brutal, noting that Blanaru stabbed Serban in the heart, severed a bone in her elbow, and inflicted multiple defensive injuries on her. She highlighted that Serban's body showed numerous incise wounds, abrasions and puncture wounds consistent with defensive actions, while Blanaru had only a minor nick. Brennan urged jurors to focus on the evidence rather than defence theories, which included claims of accidental injury and self‑defence. She also referenced a toxicology report showing no alcohol or drugs in Serban's system and CCTV footage of Blanaru leaving the scene. Daniel Blanaru pleaded not guilty.
In a Workplace Relations Commission hearing, Umarjon Muradov, a former security guard for BGS Security Ltd (trading as BGSS), argued that the firm had a persistent practice of not paying workers their wages, thereby gaining an unfair advantage in the Dublin security market. Muradov, represented by the Independent Workers' Union, claimed he worked long hours alone at Centra, Spar, and Supervalu stores, faced threats, and was paid only €500 for June, July, and August, far below the €14.50 hourly rate set by the Employment Regulation Order (ERO). The adjudicator, David James Murphy, found BGSS had failed to pay the new ERO rate, premium rates, and annual leave, and had admitted the debt but not paid.
The Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal by a 67-year-old man from Arva, County Cavan, against an extradition order to Northern Ireland. James Donegan is wanted to stand trial for the murder of Joseph James Porter, a member of the Ulster Defence Regiment, at Mountnorris in County Armagh on a date between 22 and 25 June 1979. Mr Donegan faces additional charges relating to possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life, and membership of a proscribed organisation. His legal representatives argued the extradition warrant lacked sufficient specification of his alleged degree of involvement. The Supreme Court determined the case raised no issue of general public importance meeting the threshold for appeal, characterising the complaint as one of insufficient warrant detail rather than a substantive legal question concerning the correspondence between alleged conduct and Irish murder law.
The trial of Rachel Redmond, 34, accused of impeding the apprehension of her then-partner Wayne Cooney following the murder of Jordan Davis, has been adjourned. The jury, comprising three men and nine women, ceased deliberations for the weekend after four hours and 13 minutes of consideration over two days. Presiding Judge Paul Burns instructed the jurors to return to the Central Criminal Court on Monday at 10am. Ms Redmond, from Coolock with an address in North Belfast, pleaded not guilty to two counts of knowingly impeding the apprehension or prosecution of Cooney on or about May 22, 2019. The prosecution alleges she drove Cooney from the scene and checked him into a hotel to help him evade justice. The judge emphasized that the State must prove beyond reasonable doubt that Ms Redmond knew Cooney had committed the murder at the time of her actions, noting that subsequent knowledge is insufficient. He further directed the jury to consider each of the two distinct counts separately and to reach unanimous verdicts. While the jury heard that Cooney was convicted of the murder, and that Ms Redmond's brother, Robert Redmond, pleaded guilty in April 2024 to conspiring with Cooney to murder Mr Davis and was sentenced to seven years in prison, these facts do not constitute a finding against Ms Redmond. The matter remains ongoing, with the jury's verdict pending.
In a Central Criminal Court trial, Dr Marie English, a clinical psychologist, testified that she found no evidence that Brian Ibe, aged 23, was feigning or exaggerating schizophrenia symptoms during the murder of Peter Kennedy, a 65‑year‑old man, on 28 April 2020. Ibe, who pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, was admitted to the Central Mental Hospital in 2023 after being on the waiting list since 2020. Dr English defined feigning as fabrication or gross exaggeration of symptoms and, after conducting various tests, concluded there was no evidence of such fabrication. The prosecution maintains that Ibe does not meet the legal criteria for a not‑guilty‑by‑reason‑of‑insanity verdict under the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act. Ibe also pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for assaulting Garda Brendan O'Donnell at Newbridge Garda Station on or about 29 April 2020, where the Garda was left with a bloody nose and a bruise under his eye.
Skyline View Ltd, a subsidiary of JMK Hospitality Group, was ordered to pay former head of operations Mark Langham €125,000 for unfair dismissal. The company claimed it had reduced operational needs in Ireland after renewing a €23 million deal to rent its Holiday Inn at Dublin Airport to the State's International Protection Accommodation Services as a direct provision centre, and cited financial considerations. Langham said the real reason was a personality clash with Sonia Kajani, the founder's daughter, and that the redundancy process was a "cloak" for his removal. The tribunal found no evidence that the company was in a financial position to justify the redundancy and that the dismissal breached the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977. The award was the first six‑figure sum granted by the Workplace Relations Commission in 2025. The case remains at the unfair dismissal stage, with no further verdicts announced.
Michael Mooney, 40, pleaded guilty to threatening to kill or seriously harm his ex‑girlfriend's new partner on 23 July 2020. He sent about 50 Facebook Messenger messages in one day, including threats such as "stay away from her or you'll pay with your life" and calling the victim a "nobody". He later apologized, saying his words were "all talk". Mooney has a history of three threats to kill, three criminal damage convictions and 30 road traffic offences. He met with Gardaí, exercised his right to silence, and a victim impact statement was submitted but not read aloud. The judge, Martin Nolan, imposed a two‑year suspended sentence, directed Mooney to pay €2,000 to the victim or a charity, and warned that his behaviour was not cost‑free. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
An unnamed 44-year-old woman was sentenced in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to possession of cannabis with intent to supply. The offence occurred on 16th January 2023 at her Dublin home. During the search, a minor son indicated the presence of drugs, and the defendant admitted to possessing cannabis and her own methadone. Police recovered cannabis, plastic bagging, and two sets of electronic scales, with the drugs valued between €12,000 and €14,000. The defendant has 12 previous convictions, including three for drug possession for sale or supply, all dating back more than 20 years. Her defence counsel highlighted her history of addiction, noting she began using methadone at age 12 and has remained on it since. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three-year term of imprisonment but suspended it in full. The matter was finalised with this suspended sentence.
Stephen Bedford, 38, was sentenced to 16 months in prison by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for driving a jeep into a crowd at an anti‑immigration protest on 15 February 2023. Bedford, who had previously been convicted for overstepping the line at protests, was livestreaming the incident to Facebook. Garda Eoin Cannon testified that Bedford's vehicle collided with an injured protester, who was later taken to hospital. Footage from Bedford's phone showed him leaving a blocked junction, crossing onto the opposite side of the road, and turning into a lane where the protester stood. Bedford pleaded guilty to driving through a crowd, creating a substantial risk of death or serious harm. The judge noted the speed was not great but that Bedford could have caused injury, and he was jailed for 16 months.
A 21‑year‑old man, who had posed as a teenage girl online, was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for sexually assaulting a four‑year‑old boy and for multiple offences involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM). He pleaded guilty to the assault, to five counts of possession of CSAM, one count of possession of CSAM on Snapchat, two counts of producing CSAM, and two counts of distributing CSAM. The court noted that the victim was aged between 16 and 18 at the time of the offences and that the man had been in custody since his arrest in May 2024. Evidence showed he had over 1,500 files of CSAM, had communicated with boys aged 12 to 15 on Snapchat, and had encouraged them to produce and send sexual content. The judge imposed a six‑year sentence, with the final 18 months suspended on strict conditions, including probation supervision after release.
Annette Ryan, a former catering supervisor at Waterford Hospital, was summarily dismissed in September 2023 after a WRC investigation found gross misconduct. She claimed that her ex‑boss, Marcin Skrzypczak, orchestrated bullying complaints that painted her as a racist, including a fabricated allegation that she told a junior colleague "You're not Irish, you're black." Ryan said she had worked with colleagues from Nigeria, China and elsewhere for 13 years and denied the accusations. She alleged that Skrzypczak had suspended her without warning, confiscated her access cards, and prevented her from speaking to staff. The WRC hearing revealed that four junior catering staff had lodged formal complaints in July 2023, leading to her suspension and eventual dismissal. Ryan's appeal was upheld by the WRC in December 2023, and she was offered no mitigating explanations during the disciplinary process. She has since sought compensation for the period she was out of work, having found a new job in March 2024.
A 26‑year‑old father of three was given a three‑year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of possession of cannabis for sale or supply at his Dublin home in July 2023. He admitted that he had been holding €17,000 worth of cannabis for a fee of €100, claiming the money was to help cover the costs of his children's illnesses. Gardaí found the drugs in a backpack when they entered the apartment after the defendant had left for ten minutes. The defendant said he was motivated by his children's health problems, all of whom suffer from hip dysplasia, with the eldest having had surgery and the middle child two surgeries. He had a prior conviction for possession of knives, which was under a suspended sentence at the time. Judge Martin Nolan, after considering the circumstances, imposed the suspended sentence.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Brian Ibe, aged 23, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity for the murder of Peter Kennedy, 65, who had taken his mother, Martha Ibe, into his home after she was living in a car. Ibe was diagnosed with schizophrenia by consultant psychiatrist Dr Gauruv Malhan, who said the mental disorder prevented him from restraining himself. Kennedy was stabbed repeatedly in the neck on 28 April 2020 and died on 12 May 2020. The prosecution, represented by Paul Carroll SC, argued that Ibe did not meet the legal criteria for a not‑guilty‑by‑reason‑of‑insanity verdict. Martha Ibe testified that Ibe had become aggressive after smoking cannabis, had delusions of "devil worshippers", and had threatened to kill Kennedy.
The Central Criminal Court trial of Rachel Redmond, 34, is currently at the jury deliberation stage. Ms Redmond, from Coolock, Dublin, with an address in North Belfast, stands accused on two counts of impeding the apprehension of her then-partner, Wayne Cooney, following the murder of Jordan Davis on or about May 22, 2019. She has pleaded not guilty to both charges. The prosecution alleges she knowingly drove Cooney from the scene and checked him into a hotel to help him evade prosecution. Defence counsel argued she did not know Cooney had committed a crime and urged the jury not to convict her by association. The jury is currently deliberating and has been adjourned until 10am tomorrow to continue their consideration. In related proceedings, Cooney has been convicted of the murder. Additionally, Ms Redmond's brother, Robert Redmond, pleaded guilty in April 2024 to conspiring with Cooney to murder Mr Davis and was sentenced to seven years in prison. The presiding judge, Mr Justice Paul Burns, instructed the jury that the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that Ms Redmond knew Cooney had committed the murder at the time of the alleged acts, and that each count must be considered separately.
The Workplace Relations Commission heard an equality complaint under the Employment Equality Act 1998 brought by Viktorija Danilova against TikTok. Ms Danilova, an ad service specialist, alleged discrimination on grounds of family status and race during a collective redundancy process that eliminated 150 multilingual support roles. She claimed she was the only mother on maternity leave in her team to be made redundant and that her assignment to the Russian market was used to justify her dismissal despite her working on multiple markets. TikTok's counsel, Kiwanna Ennis BL, instructed by A&L Goodbody, argued the redundancies were driven by business rationale, specifically advancements in AI technology reducing the need for language skills. The employer stated that selection was based on the market for which employees were originally hired, a method agreed upon in collective consultations, and that Ms Danilova was treated the same as other staff in the Russian market. Ms Ennis noted that the redundancy process was paused during Ms Danilova's protective leave after she expressed unhappiness, and that the company is considering applying to have the complaints struck out. Adjudicator Pat Brady adjourned the matter to consider whether a prima facie case has been made out. If he concludes it has, the hearing will be rescheduled; if not, he will issue a decision disposing of the matter.
William Greene, 48, of Bective Square, Phibsborough, was jailed for 16 months after making 11,043 nuisance calls to emergency services between 8 March and 9 November 2023, jamming lines for 129 hours. He pleaded guilty to two counts of persistently using the telecommunications system to cause annoyance, interference or needless anxiety. The calls, made from two phone numbers, were monitored and linked to Greene, who was arrested in October 2023. He denied owning the phones but was found with a Nokia mobile and a second phone during searches. Greene had a suspended sentence for giving false information in a hoax 999 call and 20 prior convictions. The court noted his alcohol addiction and mental health issues, and he was sentenced to three years with the final 20 months suspended on bond.
The High Court civil trial between Web Summit shareholders ended after parties reached a settlement. Founder Paddy Cosgrave, who had sued minority shareholder David Kelly for fiduciary breaches, and Kelly, who had sued Cosgrave and Daire Hickey for shareholder oppression, agreed to resolve their disputes. The court, presided over by Mr Justice Michael Twomey, scheduled the case for mention on 29 April and adjourned it until next month. The parties, including former director Daire Hickey, expressed satisfaction with the outcome. No details of the settlement were disclosed. The case had involved five separate actions and was expected to last up to nine weeks. The resolution was announced after talks outside Court 29 in the Four Courts. The parties thanked their legal teams and families for support. The settlement was reached before any further evidence was presented. The case was adjourned for a future hearing.
A 30‑year‑old man, Adam Corcoran of John Barry House, Connolly Street, Midleton, has been charged with the murder of his 27‑year‑old partner, Daena Walsh, who was pronounced dead at her Midleton apartment on 2 August 2024. The Central Criminal Court has set a trial date for 12 January 2026, with case management scheduled for 11 July 2025.
Three men—Anthony Hickey (39), Fabio Vicente (42) and Matin Zolfaghari (34)—were sentenced at the Central Criminal Court for a gang rape and sexual assault that occurred on 31 August 2019 in a Dublin nightclub. Hickey received 16 years, with the final year suspended; Vicente also received 16 years, suspended; Zolfaghari received 14 years, suspended. All three pleaded not guilty. The judge described the conduct as "cruel, cynical and depraved" and noted the victim was in a vulnerable state. The court directed the men to be supervised by Probation Services for three years after release and back‑dated their sentences to the date of custody. The sentencing hearing included the victim's impact statement, in which she accused the men of recording and sharing videos of the assault and of laughing at her refusal. The judge emphasised that blame rested solely with the men and praised the Garda investigation. No further legal outcomes are mentioned in the article. Anthony Hickey was convicted. Fabio Vicente was found guilty. Matin Zolfaghari was convicted.
In a victim impact statement read to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, a woman who was sexually abused by her cousin when she was eight years old addressed the 40‑year‑old defendant, telling him: "May you never be free. May you be haunted like I have been." The defendant had pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault committed in 1999 when he was 15 and the victim was eight. He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended on strict conditions. The court noted the repeated nature of the offences, the victim's ongoing suffering, and the defendant's guilty plea, expressions of remorse, lack of prior convictions and good work history. The victim described the abuse as not innocent curiosity, detailing the impact on her trust, mental health and life trajectory. The defendant was instructed to apologise, and the court considered his family situation as context rather than excuse.
Paulius Baltrunas, a 35‑year‑old Lithuanian national with no fixed abode, was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to transporting more than €160,000 worth of cannabis for sale or supply at Fonthill Retail Park on 18 May 2024. Baltrunas had arrived in Ireland three months earlier with the intention of establishing a vape business, but that plan failed. Gardaí were alerted to suspicious activity in the area and observed Baltrunas at a service station in Fonthill Retail Park. They searched him and his vehicle, finding a strong odor of cannabis and a large shopping bag containing the drugs. The Gardaí reported that no further evidence emerged from Baltrunas's subsequent interview. Judge Martin Nolan, noting that Baltrunas had come to Ireland "with great expectations" that were not realised, inferred from the evidence that he intended to transport the drugs for payment and imposed the four‑year custodial sentence.
Clyde Keogh, 29, formerly of Pembroke Road, Dublin 2, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for assault causing harm. He pleaded guilty to assaulting a man with a claw hammer at a school in South County Dublin on September 22, 2023. The court heard that following a dispute between parents, Keogh returned to the scene and attacked the injured party, who was pushing a double buggy. Keogh shouted at the victim to put the baby down before swinging a hammer at his head. The victim sustained cuts to his head and hand and scratches on his elbow but declined to make a victim impact statement. Keogh has 75 previous convictions. Judge Elva Duffy noted that while Keogh expressed remorse, she could not avoid imposing a custodial sentence given the seriousness of the offending and the use of an implement. She handed down a two-and-a-half year sentence, suspending the final year on strict conditions. Consequently, Keogh will serve 18 months in custody. His defence counsel stated he is currently working in construction in Cork and has adhered to bail conditions. Keogh's partner was present in court and wept as he was led away to begin his incarceration.
Richard McGreevy, 29, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to two counts of making a threat to kill or cause harm. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a prison sentence of three and a half years, with the final 15 months suspended on strict conditions. The court heard that McGreevy posted videos on TikTok in July last, in which he allegedly threatened Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Garda Commissioner Drew Harris. Although the judge found no intention to carry out the threats, he described them as extreme and frightening. McGreevy's defence counsel described him as a lonely keyboard warrior acting from impulse, citing his mental health issues and remorse. Deputy McDonald, who was not present, read a victim impact statement stating she was left in fear by the threat but would not allow any bully to prevent her from doing her job. Commissioner Harris declined to provide a statement, noting his complaint captured the impact. Martin Lanigan, Deputy McDonald's husband, made the initial complaint. The matter was finalised with the imposition of the sentence.
In a WRC hearing, adjudicator Patricia Owens ordered fintech consultancy Bankhawk to pay €64,080 in withheld commission to applicant Ian Armstrong. Armstrong, a former sales lead made redundant in March 2024, claimed he was owed €117,680 in commission, with an agreement to pay half in late 2023 and the remainder in early 2024. Bankhawk, represented by applicant Eamon Gibney, alleged Armstrong made no sales in 2023 and attempted to use the unpaid commission as leverage to force him to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) after the company failed to retain the original signed copy. The company also claimed it had overpaid Armstrong €60,000 in 2022, a position the adjudicator found not credible. Ms. Owens found clear evidence that the parties agreed on a 10% commission rate and that Armstrong's calculations were correct. She noted that Bankhawk's inability to produce a signed NDA due to poor document management procedures could not excuse the non-payment of monies owed. The adjudicator awarded €57,680 for the commission due at the end of the first quarter of 2024 and a further €6,480 for 10% commission on sales concluded before his employment ended, totaling €64,080.
Rachel Redmond, who pleaded not guilty to two counts of assisting Wayne Cooney to evade prosecution after the murder of Jordan Davis, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court. The prosecution alleges that on or about May 22, 2019, Ms Redmond knowingly drove Cooney away from the scene in Darndale and checked him into the Clayton Hotel near Dublin Airport to impede his apprehension. State counsel Seoirse Ó Dúnlaing SC argued that Ms Redmond's claim of ignorance was "absolutely risible," noting she parked away from the hotel and used her own name for the booking. He submitted that she knew Cooney had committed the killing and was hiding him. In closing, defence counsel Dominic McGinn SC urged the jury not to convict Ms Redmond by association, emphasizing that her brother Robert Redmond was the killer's co-conspirator. Mr McGinn described the bus stop collection as unlike a "slick getaway" and argued there was no evidence Ms Redmond knew of prior threats or the crime. The jury has heard that Robert Redmond pleaded guilty in April 2024 to conspiring with Cooney to murder Mr Davis and was sentenced to seven years in prison. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Burns.
In a murder trial, Garda Brendan O'Donnell testified that on 29 April 2020 he was punched by Brian Ibe, 23, after detectives attempted to take fingerprints and DNA samples. O'Donnell, who was in charge at Newbridge Garda Station, said Ibe tried to leave the interview room and, when restrained, struck him just below the left eye and on the side of the nose, causing immediate pain, bleeding and bruising. O'Donnell was taken to Naas Hospital, suffered no fractures, and later reported headaches and pain that have since healed. Ibe, who has no fixed abode, pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of 65‑year‑old Peter Kennedy and to assaulting O'Donnell. The trial, before Justice Melanie Greally and a jury, continues tomorrow. The prosecution maintains that Ibe was not within the special insanity or diminished responsibility criteria. The case remains at the evidence‑gathering stage.
A 30‑year‑old Dublin man was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to inducing a 10‑year‑old second cousin to watch pornography and to encouraging the child to touch another person. The offence occurred in May 2018 when the man, who was 22 at the time, engaged in inappropriate online gaming conversations with the child, showed him two pornographic videos and suggested he masturbate. The child reported the incident to Gardaí in January 2020 and later received a disturbing Instagram message from the man. The court heard victim impact statements, which were not read aloud. Judge Martin Nolan confirmed the man's awareness of his wrongdoing, suspended the final year of a three‑year sentence on strict conditions, and required the man to engage with the Probation Service for one year after release. The man's parents and a probation report were presented, and the court considered imposing probation supervision and offence‑focused work.
The High Court civil case involving Web Summit co‑founders reached a settlement after morning talks. The court had been scheduled to hear evidence from former director Daire Hickey, but proceedings were adjourned as lawyers negotiated outside Court 29. Barrister Michael Cush SC, representing former director David Kelly, reported that negotiations had not yet produced a result but were progressing. Mr Justice Twomey adjourned the case to 2 pm, and later that afternoon the legal teams of all three parties sat with the judge. Cush announced that a settlement agreement would be drafted overnight and presented to the court the next morning. The case, which began last week, involved Paddy Cosgrave suing Kelly for alleged breaches of fiduciary duties, while Kelly and Hickey sued Cosgrave for shareholder oppression and profit‑sharing breaches. The judge urged the parties to resolve their differences and highlighted the potential costs of prolonged litigation. The matter was adjourned until 11 am tomorrow for finalisation.
The High Court civil trials involving three former Web Summit directors were adjourned to allow settlement talks. The court was set to hear evidence from former director Daire Hickey, but proceedings were postponed as lawyers and parties negotiated outside Court 29. Barrister Michael Cush SC, representing former director David Kelly, informed Justice Michael Twomey that negotiations had not yet succeeded but that time had not been wasted. Justice Twomey adjourned the case until 2 pm. Paddy Cosgrave, majority shareholder, is suing Kelly for alleged breaches of fiduciary duties, while Kelly and Hickey, who hold 12 % and 7 % of shares respectively, sue Cosgrave for shareholder oppression and breach of a profit‑sharing agreement. The judge urged the parties to resolve their differences, warning that a prolonged litigation could lead to appeals and a final judgment that might not satisfy any of them. The case, which opened last week, was scheduled to run for nine weeks.
A 54-year-old Brazilian man has been sentenced to nine years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following his conviction on multiple charges related to operating a brothel network across rural Ireland. Ilamar Rodrigues Ribeiro pleaded guilty to 19 sample counts, including brothel-keeping, using false instruments, and possession of proceeds of crime totalling €788,982 across multiple bank accounts. He also admitted possessing child sexual abuse material on his mobile phone when arrested at Dublin Airport in November 2023. The investigation, led by the Garda Human Trafficking and Co-ordination Unit, identified ten rental properties used as brothels in locations including Longford town, Ballyconnell, Ballymahon, Carrick-on-Shannon, and Ballaghadereen. Judge Patricia Ryan noted the offences involved elaborate planning and premeditation. She imposed a global sentence of ten and a half years, suspending the final eighteen months on strict conditions, with the term backdated to his arrest date.
A neuropsychological report on Riad Bouchaker, charged with assaulting a care worker and attempting to murder three school children at Parnell Square, is due by the end of March. Mr Bouchaker, who has no fixed abode, faces charges of attempted murder of two female children and one male child, assault causing serious harm to a care worker, and possession or production of a knife. The incident took place outside a school on 23 November 2023. Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring adjourned the matter to 30 April, with the report expected before 31 March.
Michael Murphy, a solicitor at the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) office since 2002 and a prosecutor since 2017, has lodged a complaint under the Employment Equality Act 1998 alleging discrimination because he is a recovering alcoholic. He claims the DPP denied him the opportunity to prepare a murder case and failed to transfer him out of the District Court section, which he describes as an "A&E environment." Murphy disclosed his alcoholism to his line manager after a seven‑week residential treatment in early 2019, stating he had been dealing with anxiety, depression and sleepless nights related to court work. He has sought a less court‑heavy post since February 2021 but has not succeeded. The DPP's chief prosecution solicitor, Helena Kiely, acknowledged awareness of his condition but cited pandemic staffing pressures and the need to staff a sexual offences unit as reasons for not granting a transfer.
Rachel Redmond, 34, pleaded not guilty to two counts of assisting Wayne Cooney to evade prosecution following the murder of Jordan Davis in May 2019. The State alleges she drove Cooney away from the scene and checked him into the Clayton Hotel near Dublin Airport to impede his apprehension. In her defence, Ms Redmond denied having an "agenda," stating she did not know Cooney had committed a crime when she collected him. She told the jury she was in love with him and only realized the severity of his actions after viewing CCTV footage in 2020. The court heard that her brother, Robert Redmond, pleaded guilty in April 2024 to conspiring with Cooney to murder Davis and was sentenced to seven years in prison. Ms Redmond admitted to paying for the hotel room but maintained she was unaware of the murder at the time. She denied directing her friend Stacey Hayes to collect Cooney, claiming she merely asked for a lift. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Burns.
A 65-year-old man was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for the sexual abuse of his niece. The defendant, who cannot be named to protect the victim's identity, pleaded guilty to three charges of sexually assaulting the girl between 1992 and 1998, when she was aged four to ten. Judge Martin Nolan jailed the man for a further 21 months, to be served consecutively to the nine-and-a-half-year sentence he is already serving for offences committed between 1984 and 1986, for which he was jailed in 2022. Prosecution evidence indicated the abuse occurred at the victim's grandparent's home in Dublin. The victim, who made a formal complaint in February 2023, described the man as grooming her and detailed the long-term psychological impact, including paranoia, depression, and suicidal thoughts. The defendant admitted to an additional incident not previously known to gardaí. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC submitted that the man understood the lifelong consequences of his actions. Judge Nolan described the conduct as a severe breach of trust, noting the considerable age difference and stating there was no excuse for the behaviour. The judge accepted the guilty plea and the defendant's remorse but emphasised the lasting harm to the victim's peace of mind and her fear for her own children.
The jury in the trial of 42‑year‑old Deirdre Arnold, accused of being the getaway driver for the murderer of Lisa Thompson, has begun viewing CCTV footage of her movements in the days before Thompson's death. Arnold is charged with driving Brian McHugh to Thompson's home, waiting outside for over an hour, then driving him away and later checking him into a hotel to help him evade prosecution. The prosecution also alleges she used her vehicle to dispose of evidence from the scene. Garda Michelle Purcell presented a montage of footage from May 8, showing a silver Hyundai Tucson driven by Arnold from her Briarfield Grove address, including interactions with McHugh over the next hour and 57 minutes. The trial continues before Mr Justice Patrick McGrath and a jury of seven men and five women. The prosecution's case is based on the evidence presented by counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Fiona Murphy SC.
Brian Ibe, 23, was arrested on suspicion of assaulting Garda Brendan O'Donnell and later charged with the murder of Peter Kennedy, a 65‑year‑old retired probation officer, who died from head injuries on 12 May 2020. Ibe, who has no fixed abode and was formerly of Moore Park, Newbridge, claims he only met Kennedy once and did not want anything to do with him, describing him as a "weird, strange old man". He pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to both the murder and the assault. The prosecution argues that Ibe was not within the "ingredients" for a special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity or diminished responsibility. The jury has been told it is not contested that Ibe carried out the fatal attack. The trial is set to continue before Ms Justice Melanie Greally and a jury of twelve.
A 60-year-old truck driver from Belturbet, County Cavan, has been sentenced to four and a half years imprisonment following his conviction for drug trafficking. Gerard Doran pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of cannabis worth approximately €1.02 million for sale or supply. The drugs were discovered on 25 February 2021 when his vehicle was searched at Dublin Port after arriving from Wales. A detector dog identified cannabis herb concealed in eight bags within the truck's cab. Doran also admitted possessing £4,195 in cash, knowing or being reckless as to whether it constituted proceeds of crime. He cooperated fully with the investigation, immediately accepting responsibility and directing gardaí to the money. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged Doran's admissions and cooperation, noting he had been under financial pressure at the time. The judge considered Doran's medical conditions when determining the sentence.
Glen Duff, 38, of Doon Court, Poppintree, Dublin 11, was given a further five‑year prison sentence for slashing a fellow inmate's face in Cloverhill Prison on 16 October 2021. He pleaded guilty to the assault and to a burglary of a pub on Great Strand Street, where the front door was smashed and €300 worth of alcohol was stolen. Duff already has over 200 previous convictions and is serving a six‑year sentence with the final 15 months suspended for two robberies in Temple Bar in 2022 and an earlier assault on a tourist. The court noted his history of violent attacks on tourists in Temple Bar and his long‑term institutional life. Judge Elva Duffy described him as a "menace to society" and said he was "lucky" to be charged only with Section 3 assault. The five‑year sentence was handed down with the final year suspended on strict conditions.
A 28‑year‑old Irish national, Iskilu Awolumate, was sentenced to 18 months in jail, with the final year suspended, for his role in a large‑scale smishing fraud that targeted Permanent TSB customers. The court heard that between March 2020 and January 2021 he handled €25,800 that had been transferred from 22 affected accounts, though only three victims were identified. Awolumate's account was used to move the money, and Garda evidence suggested he was not merely a mule but part of a wider operation. He had previously moved to the Netherlands, where he works as an engineer, and had been contacted by Gardaí 13 times before surrendering to Tallaght Garda Station. He claimed he was coerced and feared for his safety. The judge noted the operation was "large‑scale" and that the money could not be accounted for by ordinary work. Iskilu Awolumate pleaded guilty.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Christopher Murphy (33) and his partner Malika Amraoui (35) faced charges after a high‑speed car chase and subsequent confrontation at a house on Swiftbrook Drive. Murphy had crashed a black Range Rover into traffic lights, causing €15,473 of damage, and fled on foot. A garda sergeant entered the house to arrest him, but Murphy resisted, threatened to bite the officer, and was pepper‑sprayed before being taken into custody. Amraoui, who had been with Murphy, removed the garda's gun from its holster and was forced back by the sergeant. Both pleaded guilty to their respective offences. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a fully suspended three‑year sentence on Amraoui and a three‑year custodial term with a five‑year driving disqualification on Murphy, citing their disgraceful conduct and the danger they posed during the pursuit.
A 27‑year‑old man who attacked his ex‑partner by choking her and striking her with a plank of timber in her own home had his nine‑month custodial sentence overturned. He had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm under the Non‑Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, and was originally sentenced in the District Court to nine months with four months suspended. In the appeal, Sergeant Paul O'Sullivan described the assault, noting the man's hands around the woman's neck, the use of a plank, and punches that injured her wrists. The victim's impact statement detailed bruises, a near loss of consciousness, and lasting mental distress that made everyday tasks feel impossible. The defendant's solicitor said the man had relapsed, was not taking medication, and had since sought mental health treatment.
In the High Court, Mr Justice Michael Twomey urged the three co-founders of Web Summit to resolve their disputes rather than proceed with litigation, citing the personal costs involved. The proceedings, which opened last Tuesday and are scheduled for nine weeks, involve five separate actions. Daire Hickey, holding 7% of shares, and Dara Kelly, holding 12%, are suing majority shareholder Paddy Cosgrave for alleged shareholder oppression and breaches of a profit-sharing agreement. Conversely, Mr Cosgrave is suing Mr Kelly for alleged breaches of fiduciary duties as a director. During opening statements, counsel Bernard Dunleavy SC, representing Mr Cosgrave, alleged that the actions by Mr Hickey and Mr Kelly were driven by greed and an attempt to avoid a discount on potential share sales, claiming they "betrayed this business." Following the judge's remarks, Mr Dunleavy reported a "positive level of engagement" and "progress" in the case. He requested an adjournment to allow parties to consider the judge's comments. Mr Justice Twomey subsequently adjourned the case until 11am the following morning. The matter was adjourned and not concluded.
The court has remanded 23‑year‑old Eric O'Driscoll in custody until April 7, pending sentencing for possession of an AR‑15 rifle. Justice Melanie Greally requested that probation services submit an additional report assessing whether O'Driscoll could undergo intensive supervision before release and what conditions might be attached to any suspended portion of his sentence. O'Driscoll pleaded guilty last year to possession of a .223‑calibre Remington AR‑15 at a Finglas address on 9 January 2022, with evidence suggesting he did not have it for a lawful purpose. The sentencing court will also consider charges of reckless discharge of a firearm and possession of a .380 ACP Ingram M11 submachine gun. His brother, Glen Ward, also pleaded guilty to possession of a .223‑calibre AR‑15 on 1 January 2022 and will be sentenced later.
Naomi Hanlon, a nanny employed by Emer McGrath from August 2020 to December 2023, brought a complaint under the Employment Equality Act 1998 alleging that her employer's attitude changed after she disclosed her pregnancy and that she was dismissed on fabricated grounds. The Workplace Relations Commission heard that during a performance review on 2 October 2023, Ms McGrath claimed Ms Hanlon had said she would not return to work, a statement Ms Hanlon denied. She said the meeting was awkward and that her relationship with her employer became cold and sparse. Ms McGrath emailed Ms Hanlon on 5 December 2023 stating her employment would end on 14 March 2024, and after further correspondence the nanny was terminated on 31 December 2023. Ms Hanlon's solicitor argued that the dismissal was not linked to her pregnancy and that Ms McGrath had attempted to coerce resignation before resorting to spurious grounds.
Paul Finnegan, 37, of Grand Canal Bank, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possessing criminal proceeds. On 30 November 2020, CCTV captured him placing a rucksack containing €199,900 at the feet of a Dutch national in a Santry café. Garda surveillance confirmed the bag held bundles of €50 and €20 notes, some vacuum‑packed, and a baseball cap with Finnegan's DNA. The Dutch national remains untried, with a European arrest warrant pending. Finnegan had 18 prior District Court convictions from Northern Ireland. His defence argued he acted as a courier, citing a letter from his partner noting behavioural change and a forthcoming child. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged the illicit nature of the cash and, after considering mitigating factors, set a headline sentence of six years, reduced to four years. The sentence reflects the money‑laundering offence, with no mention of a suspended portion or effective custody beyond the four‑year term.
Camila Alves Cintra Ribeiro, a 25‑year‑old Brazilian woman, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to importing 100 pellets of cocaine into Ireland on 6 June 2024. She had agreed to swallow the drug for a payment of just under €1,000, but later tried to withdraw her offer. Ribeiro claimed she was under financial pressure and that her daughter needed surgery. Gardaí seized €1,000 in cash from her and seized the drug, worth an estimated €69,000. She was in custody from the day of her arrival. The court noted that an immigration officer spoke Portuguese with her and that she admitted swallowing the capsules. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Ribeiro to two years' imprisonment, back‑dating the term to the day she first entered custody. The sentence reflects her cooperation and the court's view that she was exploited by others who threatened her.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, the container‑handling manufacturer Scruttons (NI) Ltd and the Swedish firm Kalmar Solutions AB were fined a combined €450,000 for breaches of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act. The fines followed the fatal 2019 incident in which 55‑year‑old haulier Nicholas Collier was run over by a Kalmar container handler at Dublin Port. The court heard that the handler's design created blind spots and that neither company had carried out adequate risk assessments or provided sufficient safety devices to mitigate restricted visibility. Kalmar pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the machine was safe, while Scruttons pleaded guilty to failing to identify, assess and document the hazard. The judge imposed €150,000 on Kalmar and €300,000 on Scruttons, with a six‑month payment deadline. The case highlighted the companies' responsibility for workplace safety and the need for proper risk management.
The trial of four men charged in connection with the murder of Mahamud Ilyas continues at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. Viorel Doroscan and Otniel Richardo Clejan have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Ilyas, whose body was found in Co. Meath in December 2022 with blunt force trauma to the head. Co-accused Robert Burns and Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who have also pleaded not guilty, face charges of impeding the prosecution. During proceedings, the jury viewed CCTV footage described by Garda Dermot Sloane as showing two figures in dark clothing carrying a red object containing the deceased to a parked car in Blanchardstown. The footage also depicted a BMW driven by Mr Cantaragiu travelling towards the scene and later returning. The prosecution, led by Eoin Lawlor SC, alleges the defendants were involved in drug supply and that Mr Ilyas was attacked after attempting to sell cannabis taken from Mr Burns's home. The matter is currently at the trial stage and has not been finalised; the proceedings continue.
Wayne McDonnell, 39, pleaded guilty to possessing a drone with intent to fly €500 worth of heroin into Cloverhill Prison. Garda Tadhg McCarthy testified that prison staff observed a drone over the prison on 12 February 2024, and that a tracking system was used to locate the drone's flight path. McDonnell was arrested when he refused to open his pockets for a search and was found with two black Samsung phones, one being the drone controller. A copper pipe attached to the drone contained five deals of diamorphine, totaling 4.9 g with a street value of €587. McDonnell, who has prior convictions for drug possession, theft and public order offences, was sentenced to 14 months' imprisonment by Judge Elma Sheahan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The judge noted aggravating factors such as the seriousness of the offence and mitigating factors including McDonnell's early guilty plea, work history and his role in supporting his father.
A 42‑year‑old woman, Deirdre Arnold, has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court on charges of being the get‑away driver for Brian McHugh, the murderer of Lisa Thompson. The prosecution alleges that Arnold drove McHugh to Thompson's home in Ballymun, waited for over an hour, then drove him away and later helped him evade prosecution by arranging accommodation and disposing of evidence. Witnesses will testify that Arnold's car was used to transport items taken from Thompson's house and that fingerprints on a jewellery valuation certificate linked to Thompson were found on Arnold's vehicle. Arnold is charged with two counts: one for impeding the apprehension or prosecution of McHugh, and another for attempting to pervert the course of public justice. She has pleaded not guilty to both counts. The trial will continue tomorrow before Mr Justice Patrick McGrath and a jury.