A 36‑year‑old man was sentenced to a global term of nine years, with the final year suspended for the rape and sexual assault of his younger sister. The victim, now 30, disclosed the abuse to her family on the night of the Late Late Toy Show because she could not face another Christmas with him at the table. She was about seven when the abuse began in 2001, and the man was 14, with the abuse continuing until 2008 when he was around 20. The court found him guilty of two counts of anal rape and two counts of sexual assault. He pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault before the trial and to two counts of oral rape during the trial. The judge noted the abuse escalated and included violence, and imposed the suspended year on strict conditions. The unnamed 36-year-old was convicted.
In a 2025 WRC hearing, Focus Ireland was examined over a 2019 photoshoot that used a prop wedding ring to depict married homeless parents, following an ad‑agency report suggesting the public was "less likely to support single parents." Former digital media manager Aoife Cooney, a single mother, claimed she was bullied by CEO Pat Dennigan and advocacy director Mike Allen because of her status and resigned in 2022. The tribunal found the photoshoot was beyond her jurisdiction and that the agency's findings did not reflect Focus Ireland's culture. Cooney's grievance was deemed a bullying complaint rather than discrimination; the WRC concluded no bullying occurred and that her resignation was due to a better job offer. The case was dismissed as a mischaracterisation of discrimination.
During a sentencing hearing at the Special Criminal Court, Vera Hutch, mother of Gareth Hutch, recounted the impact of her son's murder in an ambush outside his home on 24 May 2016. She described the loss as "senseless and cruel", noting the profound grief and ongoing pain that has altered her family's life. The court had earlier found Thomas 'Nicky' McConnell guilty of the murder, sentencing him to a mandatory life term backdated to 20 July 2020, when he was extradited from Turkey. McConnell was identified as the second gunman in the attack, alongside Jonathan Keogh, who shot Gareth. The court relied on mobile‑phone data, CCTV footage and other evidence to establish McConnell's role, despite his gun's safety catch being on. The hearing highlighted the enduring emotional scars left by the crime and the family's plea for justice.
James Ajibola, a migrant security guard, lodged a complaint with the Workplace Relations Commission alleging that BGS Security Ltd withheld wages for about 230 hours of work in Dublin from July to September 2024. He claimed the company paid only those with long tenure and that workers with limited English were not paid. Ajibola said he was told to "beg" for wages and that a manager cited a "mistake" with his Revenue record. He reported receiving payslips for July, August and September but no actual payment. The company did not attend the hearing; the adjudicator proceeded after confirming notice. Ajibola's evidence included a message from a director apologising for payroll delays. The adjudicator promised a decision within a few weeks, noting enforcement mechanisms exist if the company refuses to comply.
In a Central Criminal Court jury hearing, State pathologist Dr Heidi Okkers confirmed that 29‑year‑old Dylan McCarthy died from a traumatic head and spinal injury caused by blunt force trauma, but she could not identify whether a punch or a kick caused the fatal blow. The State alleges McCarthy was assaulted outside a pub in Kildare by Sean Kavanagh (26) and Calvin Dunne (24), who claim self‑defence, and that McCarthy was also involved in the violence that night. Both men pleaded not guilty to murder, violent disorder and, in Kavanagh's case, assault causing harm to McCarthy's father. Dr Okkers described extensive haemorrhaging, brain swelling, and spinal cord damage, noting that CCTV made it impossible to determine the specific blow that caused the fatal injury. The trial will resume next Monday before Justice Caroline Biggs and a 12‑person jury.
Joseph Boyle, 42, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for violent offences committed while on bail. He pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm, robbery, theft, and threatening to kill or cause serious harm. Judge Martin Nolan jailed Boyle for eight and a half years, imposing a five-year sentence for the assault causing serious harm and a consecutive three-and-a-half-year term for the remaining charges. The court heard Boyle had 86 previous convictions and that his single punch to a victim's head on Phibsborough Road resulted in a life-threatening traumatic brain injury, requiring five and a half months of hospitalisation. Other offences included knife robberies of tourists and security staff. In a related matter, Kia O'Connor, 34, pleaded guilty to violent disorder for throwing a bottle at a woman during an altercation in which Boyle brandished a knife. Judge Nolan jailed O'Connor for one year. Both defendants were of no fixed abode. The judge noted Boyle's chronic drug problem and violent temperament, describing him as a menace. O'Connor's defence highlighted her personal setbacks and drug addiction. The matter was finalised with these custodial sentences.
Dean Kerrie, aged 23, withdrew his appeal against a manslaughter conviction after being found guilty of killing Jack Power, 25, during an intruder incident at Kerrie's home in Dunmore East, Waterford, on 26 July 2018. Kerrie had been tried twice for murder; the first jury could not reach a verdict, and the second jury convicted him of manslaughter. In the trial, Kerrie claimed he stabbed Power after the intruder attacked his mother, while Power's friend testified that Kerrie had a knife when Power was leaving the house. The judge noted uncertainty about the knife's provenance and imposed a four‑year, six‑month sentence, suspending the final year. Kerrie had pleaded not guilty to murder but accepted the manslaughter conviction and has now withdrawn his appeal at the Court of Appeal.
Cathal Crotty, a former soldier aged 22, was sentenced by the Court of Appeal to three years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended for one year, after a fully suspended three‑year sentence imposed by the Circuit Court was overturned. The appeal was brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who argued that the original sentence was too lenient. Crotty had beaten Natasha O'Brien, 25, unconscious on a public street after she asked him to stop shouting homophobic abuse. He repeatedly punched her, causing a fractured nose, and later posted a boastful Snapchat message. Crotty will pay €3,000 in compensation to Ms O'Brien. The court noted his early guilty plea, lack of prior convictions, good character and remorse, but also his loss of a Defence Forces post and lack of dependents. The sentence reflects the gravity of the offence and the need to deter similar attacks.
Three men aged 34 to 42, with addresses in Dublin and Wicklow, are on trial for seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault against a woman at an unknown location in a car and a Dublin house on 31 August 2019. The defendants have pleaded not guilty. One defendant, 34, admitted to recording two videos of the incident – one 30 seconds long and one six seconds – and sharing them in a group chat he described as a "locker room chat" for a laugh. He claimed the videos were taken in darkness and that he did not see any rough play or force. He denied giving the woman cocaine and insisted she consented throughout. The court has seen the videos, which contain only a female voice saying "No" and a male voice allegedly saying "Stick it up her arse." Forensic evidence showed bruising on the woman's arms and legs but no genital injuries.
At the Central Criminal Court, a jury has viewed CCTV footage documenting the alleged movements of two defendants on the night of a pensioner's death in County Donegal. Nikita Burns, aged 22, of Carrick, and Alan Vial, aged 39, of Killybegs, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Robert Robin Wilkin on 25 June 2023. Mr Wilkin's remains were recovered from waters below Sliabh Liag cliffs a week later. The prosecution alleges the three men left a public house in Dunkineely at approximately 1.30am and travelled by Volkswagen Passat towards Roshine, where an assault is believed to have occurred. CCTV evidence presented to the jury showed the vehicle at Sliabh Liag ranger's hut at 2.20am, proceeding towards the clifftop before returning approximately 38 minutes later. The State contends Mr Wilkin was thereafter thrown from the cliffs. Sergeant Ronan Gallagher detailed the vehicle's movements across multiple locations and timestamps. Witness testimony included observations of Mr Vial's appearance later that day. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott and jury.
During the sentencing of Robert Murphy, 42, at the Central Criminal Court, the mother of 23‑year‑old Jamie Kavanagh, Niamh McGuinness, spoke of her grief, describing her loss as a "wound that is wide open." Murphy had pleaded guilty to manslaughter but was found guilty of murder after a jury deliberated for almost five hours. He was sentenced to life in prison, back‑dated to the date he entered custody on 19 April 2023. The court heard that Murphy had 66 previous convictions, including for knives, firearms and arson, and that he had been found with blood‑stained clothing, a balaclava and knives. McGuinness's victim impact statement detailed the emotional devastation she and her family endured, while the judge expressed regret at the harrowing nature of the trial.
Cathal Crotty, a 20‑year‑old former Defence Forces soldier, was convicted of assault causing harm after he beat Natasha O'Brien unconscious on a Limerick street on 29 May 2022. The assault followed O'Brien's request that he stop shouting homophobic abuse, after which Crotty verbally abused her and then struck her. Crotty pleaded guilty in July 2023 at Limerick Circuit Court. Judge Tom O'Donnell imposed a wholly suspended three‑year sentence and ordered Crotty to pay €3,000 compensation. The Director of Public Prosecutions, Lily Buckley, has applied to the Court of Appeal to overturn the sentence, arguing it is unduly lenient and that a custodial term is needed to deter similar crimes. Crotty's lawyers contend the judge exercised mercy appropriately, citing his good service record, lack of prior convictions, and potential job loss. The Court of Appeal will decide whether to uphold or modify the sentence.
Thomasina Egan, a former employee of Red Zinc Ltd, has filed a statutory complaint under the Unfair Dismissals Act 1977 alleging that tech entrepreneur Donal Morris, the company's founder, fired her in a "fit of temper" after she emailed the auditor about unpaid wages. Egan claims Morris called her "apoplectic" on 29 November 2023, told her "you're fired," and removed her access to company systems. Morris denies firing her, stating he never said that and that the letter was a final warning, not a dismissal. He also says he could not recall the 29 November call and that any conversation in early December was calm and not acrimonious. The Workplace Relations Commission will decide who bears the burden of proof before hearing the case in full, and an adjudicator has requested further evidence to clarify the sequence of events.
Eimear Barron, 53, pleaded guilty to 12 counts of theft totalling €25,793, representing 41 unauthorised transactions between February 2019 and November 2021. She worked as a payroll manager for a contractor that handled payroll for two companies. The companies noticed suspicious activity in March 2022 and reported it to Gardaí. Barron transferred the stolen funds to her bank and a Revolut account, updating employee records with her own account numbers and making batch payments. She was arrested in May 2023 and admitted the money was used for living expenses and bills. She had no prior convictions. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a two‑year prison sentence, fully suspended on strict conditions for three years, and directed that the €25,793 be paid to the injured parties. Barron's family home had been sold, making the full amount available for repayment.
A 47-year-old man has been jailed for two and a half years by the Central Criminal Court after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a vulnerable woman at a property in Longford on 11 February 2021. The court heard that the woman was intoxicated when the accused digitally penetrated her without consent while she slept. She discovered the assault upon waking and immediately left the room. The woman subsequently attended a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit and provided a victim impact statement describing profound trauma, including feelings of shame, social withdrawal, and ongoing distress. Mr Justice Paul McDermott imposed a headline sentence of five years, reducing it to four years to account for the guilty plea and the accused's work history. The final 18 months were suspended for 18 months on condition of engagement with the Probation Service and completion of victim-focused work. A contact ban with the victim was also imposed.
During a Central Criminal Court hearing, an eyewitness described a violent incident in Kildare where 29‑year‑old Dylan McCarthy was struck in the head, leading to his death. The State alleged that McCarthy was punched by Sean Kavanagh (26) and Calvin Dunne (24) before Dunne delivered a "vicious kick" to McCarthy's head while he was attempting to rise. Both men claim self‑defence and that McCarthy was involved in the violence that night. They have pleaded not guilty to murder and to violent disorder, and Kavanagh also pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to McCarthy's father. The witness recounted hearing a "loud thud" like a football kick and observed McCarthy lying flat on the ground when struck. The trial continues before Justice Caroline Biggs and a jury of ten men and two women.
The trial of three men accused of raping a woman in Dublin and Wicklow in August 2019 continues at the Central Criminal Court. The accused, aged 34, 39, and 42, have all pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts of rape, oral rape, and sexual assault. The 42-year-old second accused, with a Wicklow address, faces two counts of rape, allegedly occurring in his car and a house. The 39-year-old first accused, from Dublin, is charged with one count of rape at his home, one count of oral rape, and one count of sexual assault in a car. The 34-year-old third accused, also from Dublin, faces one count of oral rape in the house and one count of sexual assault in a car. During testimony, the second accused told gardai the complainant was 'in control' and that the group 'had a laugh.' He denied the woman was intoxicated or forced, stating she was 'conscious and allowing.' The court heard video clips where a female voice says 'no,' which the accused claimed were refusals of specific acts rather than rape. The men deny all wrongdoing, and the trial is ongoing.
A pensioner had engaged in an aggressive altercation with the man accused of his murder just three days before he was allegedly beaten with a rock and thrown from Ireland's highest cliffs, the Central Criminal Court heard today. Bruce Vial, brother of the accused Alan Vial, testified that on 22 June 2023 the defendant and his co-accused Nikita Burns visited his home with the deceased Robert Robin' Wilkin. During that visit, an altercation occurred between Vial and Wilkin, with both men shouting aggressively at each other. The following Sunday, after Wilkin's alleged death at Sliabh Liag in County Donegal, Vial and Burns returned to clean Vial's car using his vacuum cleaner. The vacuum was later found to contain what the witness believed was "red wine vomit". The trial also heard evidence from the manager of Mac's Bar in Dunkineely, who witnessed Wilkin strike Burns on the arm during a minor argument on the night in question. Alan Vial pleaded not guilty.
In a tribunal hearing on 22 January 2025, Aran Burrows, a former Weltec Engineering subcontractor, alleged that his February 2024 contract non‑renewal was whistleblower penalisation under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. Burrows claimed a voice note he recorded, containing remarks about "cocaine use, smoking joints, b**ches and h*es" and unsafe work at height, was used by the company as a "cover‑up" to justify the non‑renewal. Weltec's safety manager, Dave Kerrigan, and health and safety manager, James Hackett, testified that the voice note was deemed a protected disclosure because it contained "some satire" but also raised legitimate safety concerns. They argued the note revealed breaches of Intel's safety policy, such as working at height without a clipped‑off system. The tribunal heard that the report had not been read by company staff and that the decision to not renew Burrows' contract was made jointly by senior managers following the voice note's discovery.
The trial of three men, aged 34 to 42, accused of raping and sexually assaulting a woman in Dublin and Wicklow on August 31, 2019, has heard evidence regarding WhatsApp messages and video clips. All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts of rape, oral rape, and sexual assault, denying any wrongdoing. The jury viewed two video clips shared between the first and third accused; one 30-second clip featured a female voice saying 'No' repeatedly, while the other was six seconds long with no audible words. An investigating garda stated he believed a male voice was heard in the first clip but agreed with defense counsel that no allegations of anal rape exist in this case. The court noted that the clips were not found on phones seized from the second or third accused, and gardai could not determine the exact recording times or order. The first accused, aged 39, provided a detailed account to gardai, claiming the woman consented to sexual activity and that she later refused anal sex. He described the interactions as consensual and stated he was '100% shocked' by the accusations. The second accused, aged 42, and the third accused, aged 34, also maintain their innocence. The trial continues.
Dean Kelly, 37, was sentenced to 27 months in prison after pleading guilty to attempted theft of a man with an acquired brain injury. On 16 September 2022, Kelly called the victim's home, calling him a "kiddie fiddler" and threatening to release naked photographs unless the victim gave him cash. He then accompanied the victim to an ATM, urging him to withdraw €40, but tried to withdraw an additional €700. The victim managed to recover his card and alerted the Gardaí. Kelly had a history of 65 theft and fraud convictions, plus robbery and handling stolen property. He is currently serving a sentence for theft and is due for release in November. The judge noted Kelly's long offending history but also his positive behaviour in prison, and imposed a 27‑month term.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, a 41‑year‑old father was sentenced to 13 years in prison, with the final 12 months suspended on strict conditions. He pleaded guilty to 11 counts, including nine of sexual assault, one rape and one oral rape, for offences committed between 2016 and 2018 when his daughter was aged nine to 11. The abuse began with inappropriate touching and forced masturbation, escalated after the family moved to Portugal, and continued after their return to Ireland. The father posted online in 2023 describing sexual acts with the victim as consensual, breaching court orders. He also drafted a letter to Tusla acknowledging some abuse and referencing classical literature. The judge noted the victim's impact statement and the aggravating factors of the child's age and the parent‑child relationship. The sentence includes a seven‑year post‑release supervision order and a prohibition on contact with the victim and any child under 18.
Cheong Sik Hong, 38, of Kampung, Paya Bemban, Malaysia, was sentenced to three years in prison after customs officers discovered over €280,000 worth of cannabis in his suitcase. Hong admitted possession of 14 kg of cannabis, estimated at €281,000, for sale or supply at Dublin Airport on 7 July 2024. He claimed he was paid to transport edible bird nests and had no knowledge of the drugs. Garda Jamie Connor reported that a customs dog alerted to the suitcase, which Hong said belonged to a friend and was forced open. Hong stated he had been told he would stay in Ireland for seven days and would receive further instructions upon arrival. He had no prior convictions, pleaded guilty early, and cooperated with the investigation before being jailed for three years.
The Court of Appeal has dismissed Ian Connaghan's appeal against the severity of his sentence for the manslaughter of Michael Mulvey. In July 2023, a Central Criminal Court jury acquitted both Ian and his brother, Daniel Connaghan, of murder but convicted Ian of manslaughter and Daniel of intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm. In December 2023, Mr Justice Burns sentenced Ian to nine years' imprisonment with the final year suspended, while Daniel received five years with the final year suspended. Appealing on the basis that the sentencing judge erred by placing the offence in the high culpability band, counsel for Ian argued the case fit the medium range. However, Mr Justice Edwards, delivering the judgment, upheld the original sentencing. The court found that the second attack involved significant premeditation, as the brothers had "lain in wait" for the victim. Citing the "sheer viciousness" of the assaults and the victim's inability to defend himself, the court determined these aggravating factors justified the high culpability classification. The appeal was rejected, confirming the validity of the sentences imposed.
Paul Clarke, aged 41, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment in October 2023 for an armed robbery of a Lidl on Malahide Road on 13 November 2019. He entered the store with a handgun, fired a shot into the ceiling, brandished the gun while holding a bag, threatened an assistant manager, and stole €1,000 from two tills. The Court of Appeal reviewed CCTV footage and noted the robbery lasted about two minutes, with the gun fired at the ceiling and the manager forced to let Clarke out. Judge Orla Crowe had originally set a headline term of eight years, later reduced to six years after mitigation. The DPP appealed, arguing the headline term was too low, citing the busy premises, prolonged interaction, and a 19‑month overlap with a prior sentence that minimized the final term. The Court of Appeal will decide on 6 February.
Four men accused of conspiring to import more than €13,000 of controlled drugs into Ireland between 27 February and 14 March 2024 have had their cases transferred to the non‑jury Special Criminal Court. The transfer was granted by Ms Justice Melanie Greally, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Grainne Malone, after an ex‑parte application by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The defendants – Pedro Pablo Ojeda Ortega (36) of Cadiz, Aleksandar Milic (27) of Belgrade, Juan Antonio Gallardo Barroso (56) of Spain, and Anuar Rahui Chairi (42) of Malaga – are charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 with conspiring to import controlled drugs in excess of the statutory threshold. The decision follows the earlier transfer of six other men, including one from Northern Ireland, to the Special Criminal Court. The men were arrested in March during operations near Skibbereen, where vehicles and a rigid inflatable boat were seized as part of the suspected smuggling operation.
At the Central Criminal Court, a witness has testified that a woman accused of murdering a 66-year-old man told him she had "battered" the victim with a rock and "liked it". Chris Quinn recalled that Nikita Burns, aged 23 of Carrick, County Donegal, arrived at his home around midnight on the night after the alleged offence in June 2023. She told him and others present that she was a "murderer" and recounted an incident involving an argument with the deceased, Robert Robin Wilkin. A separate recording of a phone conversation with another witness captured Ms Burns stating that she and her co-accused Alan Vial, aged 39 of Killybegs, had driven until 3am before pushing Mr Wilkin off Sliabh Liag cliffs. She also mentioned blood on the car roof. Both Ms Burns and Mr Vial have pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. Ms Burns pleaded guilty to impeding prosecution but the prosecution did not accept this plea. The trial before Mr Justice Paul McDermott continues.
In January 2025 the Court of Appeal quashed a fully suspended sentence imposed on Conor McLoughlin, 44, who had 30 prior convictions. McLoughlin had pleaded guilty to intimidating a witness, criminal damage and other offences after ramming Grainne McGuigan's Volkswagen Passat on 27 March 2022. The original judge had set a headline sentence of five years for intimidation and criminal damage, reduced to four years and then to three and a half years each, before suspending the sentences entirely. The Court of Appeal held that the offence's intrinsic seriousness required a custodial element. McLoughlin was resentenced to a headline of five years for intimidation, with one year suspended for two years, leaving a final custodial term of three years, and a concurrent three‑year sentence for criminal damage. The earlier sentence was to commence from his release in June 2023. The court also allowed a brief period before his return to custody to arrange his home.
A trial heard that gardai reviewed approximately 160 hours of CCTV footage during the investigation into the alleged rape and sexual assault of a woman by three men she met in a Dublin nightclub. The three accused men, aged 34 to 42 with addresses in Dublin and Wicklow, have pleaded not guilty to a total of seven counts of rape, oral rape, and sexual assault alleged to have occurred on August 31, 2019, in a car and a Dublin house. The first accused, aged 39, pleaded not guilty to one count of raping the woman in his home address, one count of oral rape, and one count of sexually assaulting her in a car. The second accused, aged 42, pleaded not guilty to one count of raping the woman in the car and one count of raping her in the house. The third accused, aged 34, pleaded not guilty to orally raping the woman in the house and sexually assaulting her in the car. Evidence indicated that CCTV was used to identify the vehicle, a Volkswagen SUV registered to the second accused, and to trace its journey. A 15-minute compilation was shown to the jury. The complainant alleged she may have been drugged, though no evidence of this was found in the footage. The matter was adjourned, and the trial continues.
In a 2025 appeal, the State argued that the 15‑month sentence given to Ukrainian refugee Liudmyla Budash was too lenient. Budash, aged 46, pleaded guilty in July 2024 to a single money‑laundering offence after being caught in Temple Bar with a suitcase containing €491,955. Judge Elva Duffy had set a headline term of three and a half years, reduced to two years, and suspended nine months. The State, represented by Miska Hanahoe, claimed the headline term was too low, citing the amount of money, the sophisticated nature of the operation, and Budash's active role. Budash's counsel, Dominic McGinn, argued the sentence was appropriate, noting her lack of prior convictions and the desperate circumstances of her refugee status. The Court of Appeal will decide in early February.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court sentencing hearing, Victoria Quinn, 46, pleaded guilty to careless driving causing serious harm after colliding with an elderly couple's car at a crossroads on the R125 in Swords on 4 June 2022. The collision left the 72‑year‑old woman with a fractured back and other injuries, and the couple's husband died 19 days later from unrelated pneumonia. Quinn received a suspended two‑year sentence, a €8,000 fine payable in six months, and no custodial term. The court noted Quinn's earlier statement to Gardaí that she had approached the junction slowly, which witnesses contradicted by describing her driving at speed and failing to see the stop sign. Quinn's cooperation and remorse were acknowledged, but the judge found her statement inconsistent with the evidence. The case ended with the court's full condolences to the victim's family.
Kielan Mooney, a 30-year-old Defence Forces member from Derry, was sentenced at the Central Criminal Court to eight and a half years' imprisonment for the repeated rape of a fellow soldier. Mooney, who pleaded not guilty to six charges including two counts of rape, two of oral rape, one of anal rape, and one of sexual assault, was convicted by a jury on three counts: rape, oral rape, and anal rape. The jury failed to reach a verdict on the remaining three charges. Mr Justice Tony Hunt imposed a global sentence of eight and a half years, backdated to Mooney's initial custody in December. The judge also ordered a two-year post-release supervision period, requiring Mooney to engage with the Probation Service. Mr Justice Hunt stated he had intended to reduce the headline sentence by two years but withheld this reduction after finding he was "significantly misled" by mitigation material describing Mooney as a "dedicated father." The judge labelled these claims a "false prospectus" and a "gross overstatement," noting evidence that Mooney had no meaningful contact with his children. The victim, a serving soldier, read a statement detailing the impact on her life and career. Mooney's legal team argued the initial encounter was consensual, but the judge rejected suggestions of false allegations, describing Mooney's actions as "selfish, arrogant and forceful."
The Central Criminal Court has set a trial date for a 17‑year‑old boy accused of attempting to murder Fr Paul Murphy, a 52‑year‑old army chaplain, at Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa, Renmore, Galway, on 15 August 2024. Mr Justice Paul McDermott scheduled the trial for 6 May 2025. The case will be revisited on 12 February to report on the progress of evidence disclosure.
Three men—Noah Musueni, David Amah, and Michael Andrecut—will be judged next month on whether they murdered Tristan Sherry, who fatally shot Jason Hennessy Snr in Browne's Steakhouse on Christmas Eve 2023. The Special Criminal Court adjourned the case to 17 February, stating it cannot yet deliver a judgment. The trial heard that Sherry entered the restaurant on 24 December, shot Hennessy, and was then dragged to the ground and beaten to death. The prosecution claims Sherry died from blunt force injuries and stab wounds delivered while he lay on the ground after being disarmed. Defence lawyers argue the accused acted out of fear, self‑defence, or provocation, citing Sherry's opening fire on a group that included children. All three men have pleaded not guilty. Additionally, Jonas Kabangu, Diarmuid O'Brien, and Brandon Hennessy are charged with violent disorder at the same event, and have also pleaded not guilty. The court will decide the outcome on 17 February.
In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Cristal O'Brien recounted that on 1 December 2022, her ex‑partner Philip Cox, with whom she had lived for 18 years, stabbed her twice while chasing her with three knives. O'Brien described the attack as a "movie scene" she did not sign up to, noting that Cox threatened to "stab her to pieces" and that the incident left her with severe anxiety, panic attacks and post‑traumatic stress disorder. She was on crutches for three weeks, could not drive for months and was out of work for a year, relying on illness benefit. O'Brien also said she had received ten weeks of counselling and may need more. The court heard that Cox's attempted‑murder charge was dropped after a jury failed to reach a verdict, and that he had pleaded not guilty to that charge. He had previously pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, aggravated burglary and to the production of a knife.
A man serving a 30-year sentence for the kidnapping and torture of a Quinn Industrial Holdings director has failed in his Court of Appeal challenge against a refusal to extend time for seeking judicial review of his non-jury trial. Alan Harte was convicted in the Special Criminal Court of falsely imprisoning and causing serious harm to Kevin Lunney at Drumbrade, Ballinagh, County Cavan on 17 September 2019. Harte had sought to challenge the Director of Public Prosecutions' decision to prosecute him before the Special Criminal Court rather than the ordinary courts, arguing the court's continued existence exceeded statutory powers. The High Court dismissed his application on the grounds it was brought outside the three-month time limit. Ms Justice Tara Burns dismissed the appeal today, finding the legal issues raised were "moot" and that no practical benefit would arise from determining them, as Harte's trial had concluded and the Special Criminal Court's validity had been upheld by the Supreme Court.
In a decision by the Workplace Relations Commission, Edco was ordered to pay €64,000 to Mary Tracy after dismissing her in June 2023 for failing to meet the weight requirements of her sales role. Tracy, who suffers from systemic lupus erythematosus, had a medical limit of 3 kg for manual handling. Edco's books, each weighing 2.7 kg, required her to carry multiple volumes to schools, a task the company deemed impossible for her. The commission found that Edco failed to provide reasonable accommodation and discriminated against Tracy under the Employment Equality Act 1998. The award comprised €29,000 for lack of accommodation and €35,000 for unlawful dismissal, totaling €64,000. The case highlights the employer's obligation to adapt duties for employees with disabilities.
The trial heard that the housemate of a woman who claims she was raped and sexually assaulted by three men at a nightclub had no concerns for her friend's safety when she left the club. The housemate testified that she and the complainant had drinks and socialised on 30 August 2019 before the complainant went to the nightclub. She recalled the club was busy and that they danced near others but not with them. The housemate said the complainant called her the next morning, saying she had been raped, and that she had sent a location pin. She described the complainant's accounts of being taken to a car and a house where the men allegedly raped her, and of the complainant's attempts to fight back. The housemate's statements were cross‑examined by counsel for each of the three accused men, who all pleaded not guilty to the seven counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 17 January 2025, two young women recounted the lasting impact of a violent late‑night robbery that took place in the city centre on 18 August 2022. The attackers, a 45‑year‑old woman named Joanne Cuffe and an unidentified man armed with a stick, threatened the victims with "dirty needles" and forced them to an ATM. Cuffe, who pleaded guilty to robbery, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. The court heard that the robbery left the women feeling unsafe, on "high alert" and emotionally unsettled. One victim described the event as unforgettable and noted the broader harm to her family and friends. The judge acknowledged Cuffe's remorse and background, expressing hope that she would reform after release. The case highlighted the severe physical and psychological injuries suffered by the victims and the serious consequences of the attackers' actions.
David White, business development manager at Gormanston Park sports campus, was dismissed after admitting he took two bottles of wine from storage, returned them later, and denied involving teenage workers in a conspiracy. He filed an unfair dismissal claim seeking reinstatement, though he accepted it was unlikely. The complex's general manager, Aislinn Creamer, testified that a 16‑year‑old kitchen worker approached her with evidence that White had taken the wine and instructed the workers not to disclose it. White countered that he had no intention to deceive and that the remark was light‑hearted. He expressed regret and argued the dismissal was drastic, suggesting a written warning would have sufficed. The case was heard by adjudicator Davnet O'Driscoll, who will issue a decision later.
During a murder trial in Monasterevin, father Eamon McCarthy testified that he saw his son Dylan, aged 29, gurgling and with eyes rolling after a violent assault. McCarthy described how Dylan was punched by Sean Kavanagh (26) and Calvin Dunne (24), then kicked in the head by Dunne while Dylan tried to rise. McCarthy claimed he intervened, pulling Kavanagh's hand from Dylan, but was struck and knocked to the ground. He later recalled a man striking him with a belt. McCarthy's injuries included a fractured jaw, broken nose and a hairline fracture near an eye socket, all attributed to the assault. The case remains at the trial stage, with the jury hearing the State's account of the incident and the defendants' self‑defence claims. Sean Kavanagh pleaded not guilty. Calvin Dunne pleaded not guilty.
In a High Court hearing on 17 January 2025, a vulnerable man in his fifties who has long‑term health needs settled a personal injury action against a care facility, a Dublin hospital and the Health Service Executive for €325,000. The claim arose from a broken femur sustained after the man was transferred from the care unit to an emergency department on 27 October 2018, admitted until 2 November 2018, and then returned to the care unit where bruising was noted. He was subsequently readmitted to the hospital, where a femur fracture requiring surgery was discovered. The plaintiff alleged that the care unit, the hospital and the HSE failed to exercise reasonable care, skill and diligence in diagnosing, treating and managing his condition, and that they ignored his history of falls, poor balance and communication difficulties. The settlement comprised €200,000 in general damages and €125,000 in special damages, and was approved by Mr Justice Paul Coffey.
In a High Court decision on 17 January 2025, James Thomas Maher, a motorcyclist, was awarded €122,000 in reduced damages for a collision at a Co Kerry junction that left him with complete amnesia. The collision, which occurred on 1 August 2017 between Maher's Suzuki Bandit and a Ford Transit van driven by Keith Moriarty, was deemed to have been caused by equal fault. The judge found that while Moriarty was likely cutting the corner, Maher also contributed by failing to stop at the junction's stop sign. The court awarded general damages of €232,500, reduced by 50% for contributory negligence, and special damages of €11,823, totaling €122,000. The van's owner, Patrick Moriarty, was awarded costs for a counterclaim. The decision was based on evidence of both parties' negligence and the resulting injuries to Maher, including head injury, amnesia, wrist fractures, and soft‑tissue damage. The judgment was delivered by Mr Justice Liam Kennedy.
A judge issued a bench warrant for David Williams, 67, after he failed to appear for sentencing. Williams, who had pleaded guilty to multiple counts of deception, including fraudulently posing as a barrister and defrauding a Galway woman of over €7,000, had previously been adjourned for medical reasons and had a history of non‑attendance. He was also convicted of providing legal services while unqualified and acting as an unauthorised insolvency practitioner. His partner, Crystal Talia, 46, was sentenced today for allowing Williams to use her bank accounts to facilitate the fraud. Talia received a fully suspended 12‑month sentence, with the judge noting her good character and family circumstances. The case involved the fraudulent firms THL Legal and Moore, Barrington and Walters, which were raided and found to have a client list of 1,200 victims. The bench warrant was issued to ensure Williams' arrest.
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Des Smyth, aged 25, pleaded guilty to making unwarranted demands with menace in March 2020. He and a co‑accused attempted to extort €20,000 from two unrelated victims: a man whose half‑brother was a drug dealer and his employer. CCTV showed Smyth and the co‑accused arriving at the first victim's workplace, demanding money and threatening to slit the victim's children's throats if the money was not paid. The victims had no connection to the drug trade. Gardaí identified the suspects through CCTV and confidential information. Smyth was described by the judge as a henchman in an extortion attempt. He received a sentence of four years, with the final 18 months suspended for three years to support his drug rehabilitation.
The Central Criminal Court trial has heard that it remains unknown whether a 66-year-old man was deceased when he was allegedly thrown from Sliabh Liag cliffs in Donegal in June 2023. Nikita Burns, aged 22, of Carrick, County Donegal, and Alan Vial, aged 39, of Drumanoo Head, Killybegs, County Donegal, deny murder. Burns has pleaded guilty to impeding the apprehension of another person, a plea the prosecution has rejected. Vial has pleaded not guilty. Opening the prosecution case, Bernard Condon SC outlined evidence including CCTV footage placing both accused with the deceased in a Volkswagen Passat on the night of 24 June 2023 and early hours of 25 June. The deceased was allegedly assaulted in an area known as Roshine before being driven to Sliabh Liag. Counsel outlined forensic evidence including the deceased's blood found in the vehicle, on Burns's clothing, on Vial's boots, and on a rock discovered at the cliff top. The State Pathologist identified two depressed fractures to the deceased's head consistent with blows from a blunt object administered while alive.
Niall Power, who pleaded guilty to the murder of Irene White in Dundalk nearly two decades ago, has been granted legal aid to pursue a psychiatrist's assessment as part of his appeal against conviction. Power was the second man sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime. Anthony Lambe of Annadrumman, Castleblayney, County Monaghan, received a life sentence in January 2018 after admitting to carrying out the fatal stabbing. Power handed himself in to gardaí the day after Lambe's sentencing. Both men claimed to be acting on instructions from a third party. At the Court of Appeal, Power's legal team indicated they intend to challenge the conviction on grounds that he was experiencing mental health difficulties at the time of his guilty plea. Mr Justice John Edwards adjourned the matter to 14 March, directing that an affidavit outlining the grounds for extending time to appeal must be filed beforehand. The judge approved legal aid for psychiatric assessment to establish Power's mental state upon admission to custody.
A 38‑year‑old Defence Forces member, Alan O'Connor of Acorn Downes, Newbridge, was found guilty of raping a friend of his partner, Siobhan Murphy, at a property in Portarlington on 17 June 2020. The victim, who had known the attacker for 15 years, testified that she was fully clothed when O'Connor entered her bed and forced himself upon her, pulling down her trousers and underwear. O'Connor denied wrongdoing and maintained his innocence. He had no prior convictions and had served in the Defence Forces for nearly 19 years. The Central Criminal Court, after hearing victim impact statements and a letter from a priest describing the offence as "totally out of character," sentenced him to five and a half years' imprisonment, with a six‑month suspended portion to be served over two years. The judge noted his medical needs and family support as mitigating factors. The sentence was imposed by Justice Kerida Naidoo.
Paul Arthur, 59, of Letterkenny, Co Donegal, was sentenced today at the Central Criminal Court to 10 years' imprisonment after being found guilty by a jury of two counts of anal rape and one count of vaginal rape of his former partner, Susan Lynch. The offences occurred between September 2017 and July 2018. Mr Justice Patrick McGrath described the attacks as a repeated, pre-meditated breach of trust. In mitigation, the judge noted Arthur had no previous convictions and health issues, but determined prison would not be unduly oppressive. The sentence was backdated to when Arthur entered custody following the guilty verdicts in November. Ms Lynch, who waived anonymity, read a victim impact statement detailing her trauma, including panic attacks, surgeries, and alopecia. She stated she declined counselling because notes could be used against her at trial, a regret she expressed to the court. She also highlighted financial losses and the loss of her home and identity. Defence counsel John Berry SC confirmed there would be no appeal against the conviction. The court heard that a proposed law to protect rape survivors' counselling notes from admissibility has yet to be passed.