Knock
Co. Mayo • 1 story • Since 2026-04-15
April 15, 2026
Court Reports
Cases and rulings mentioning Knock from local newspapers and Courts News Ireland.
Witness tells trial of moment she and son 'fled for their lives' after murder accused barged into home
The occupant of an apartment where a man died in "almost indescribably savage" circumstances has told a murder trial of how she and her son "fled" for their lives after the accused barged into her home and told her he needed sex. Joanna Forde said she got a feeling of "absolute d
'Almost indescribable savagery': murder trial jury hears man suffered 'serious violence'
An "incredibly kind" man died in circumstances of "almost indescribable savagery" involving serious violence, having had one eye removed from its socket and a knife inserted in his anus, a barrister has told a jury at the Central Criminal Court. Dean Kelly SC today opened the tri
Man goes on trial accused of murder at McVerry Trust housing unit
A 33-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to a murder alleged to have occurred at a Fr Peter McVerry Trust housing unit two years ago. Mr Justice Paul McDermott swore a jury of nine men and three women to hear the trial of Liam O'Leary, which will begin tomorrow and is expected to
Mayo jury returns insanity verdict in telecoms damage case
An aero-nautical engineer who damaged telecommunications masts at ten sites across Mayo and Galway was experiencing an acute psychotic episode caused by schizophrenia, a court has heard. Adrian Behan (44) has been found not guilty by reason of insanity of a spate of vandalism off
Co Mayo man on trial charged with spate of telecom vandalism offences
The trial has begun of a Co Mayo man caught destroying GPS cables as part of a spate of vandalism offences at substations and telecom masts across two counties. Adrian Behan (44) pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to 33 offences carried out at 10 different locations in coun
'Self-proclaimed pillar of society' (89) jailed for historic abuse
By Claire Henry and Isabel Hayes An 89-year-old “self-proclaimed pillar of society” has been jailed for three years for the historical sexual abuse of a five-year-old child. Pat Salmon, of Rockfield, Knock, Claremorris, Co Mayo, pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to fiv
"Self-proclaimed pillar of society" sexually abused five-year-old girl
By Claire Henry An eighty-nine-year-old "self-proclaimed pillar of society”, will be sentenced next week for the historical sexual assault of a five-year-old child. The Central Criminal Court heard that Pat Salmon (89) of Rockfield, Knock, Claremorris, Co Mayo pleaded guilty to f
'Savage' burglars who targeted and brutally beat pensioner to death in own home get combined 43 years
Three men who targeted and "brutally" assaulted Tom Niland, a vulnerable pensioner who they beat to death in his own home, have been sentenced to a combined 43 years in prison. Sentencing the men today, Mr Justice Paul McDermott said the victim was a kind man who was entitled to
ICU nurse avoids jail for forged painkiller prescriptions
An intensive care nurse at Mayo General Hospital who forged her own prescriptions when she became addicted to painkillers has been given a suspended sentence at Castlebar Circuit Court. Sinéad Donohoe (42) of Scrigg, Ballyhaunis, stole three prescription pads from the hospital to
'Beyond any mother's darkest imaginings': son gets life for murdering ailing mother
(Pictured: Defendant Nigel Canavan. Photo: Collins) The brother of a man who murdered their ailing 58-year-old mother in her own home has told the Central Criminal Court that "someone who should have protected" her had instead taken her life in the "most cruel, violent and sadist
Man who claimed ailing mother (58) attacked him is convicted of murder
(Pictured: Nigel Canavan. Photo: Collins) A jury has convicted a 39-year-old man of murder, rejecting his claim that he was provoked and defending himself from an attack by his ailing 58-year-old mother, whom he strangled and smothered to death in her own home. Nigel Canavan (39)
Man accused of murdering mother seemed 'nervous and evasive', garda tells trial
(Pictured: Accused Mr Nigel Canavan. Photo: Collins) A man accused of murdering his mother seemed nervous and evasive when he spoke to gardai shortly after her death, the Central Criminal Court has heard. Detective Garda James Conneely told the trial of Nigel Canavan (39), who de
Murder accused claimed mother 'went a bid mad' and struck herself with knife, ex-partner tells trial
A bookkeeper accused of murdering his mother told his then-wife that before her death, the deceased "went a bit mad", struck herself with a knife, swung her cane around and tried to pick a fight with him, a murder trial has heard. Nigel Canavan (39) told his wife that he went ups
Polish man goes on trial accused of Co Mayo murder
A Polish man will go on trial this afternoon accused of murdering a man in Co Mayo over two years ago. Matusz Batiuk (33), formerly of Carrabeg Estate, Swinford in Co Mayo was arraigned before the Central Criminal Court this afternoon. Mr Batiuk is charged with murdering Michael
12.5 years for psychiatric nurse who repeatedly raped wife and abused daughter
A psychiatric nurse who sexually molested his young daughter and repeatedly raped his wife has been jailed for 12 and a half years. After a trial at the Central Criminal Court, Martin Doyle (53) of Esker, Knock, Co Mayo was convicted of raping his wife twice in May 2009 and on a
Disqualified driver nearly collided with walkers during chase
A disqualified driver who nearly collided with two women out for an evening walk as he sped away from a patrol car has lost a sentence appeal. Martin Maughan (32), with an address at Knock Road, Kiltimagh, Co Mayo, pleaded not guilty to two counts of endangerment at a number of l
High Court grants permission to have alleged trespassers imprisoned for contempt
A receiver has been given permission by the High Court to seek to have persons allegedly breaching orders not to trespass at a Co Mayo business park committed to prison for contempt. The court heard that the motion was being brought over fears that next month's visit by Pope Fran
ACC secures €3.89m summary judgement against directors of development firm
ACC has been granted summary judgement for sums totalling around €3.893m million against three directors of a company over default on loans which they had guaranteed. ACC Loan Management Ltd sought judgement against Messrs Seamus Dolan, John Waldron and John A Waldron, who are di