Alison O'Riordan

 

Mayo brothers plead guilty to having explosives

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Published 26/5/2017, in Special Criminal Court

Two Mayo brothers have pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to the possession of explosives.

Colin Mannion (36) and his brother Brian Mannion (34) of Burriscarra, Clogher, Claremorris, both pleaded guilty today at the non-jury court to the unlawful possession of explosive substances RDX, PETN, one loaded detonator, two unloaded detonators and three electrical component parts at their home on June 9, 2012.

The Mannion brothers are also charged with membership of an unlawful organisation within the State, namely Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA on the same date.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt, presiding, sitting with Judge ….read more

Evidence against IRA accused “does not exist”, defence tell court

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Published 25/5/2017, in Special Criminal Court

The evidence against a Louth man accused of IRA membership “does not exist” and “the case should fail”, a defence barrister has told the Special Criminal Court.

Michael Connolly (44) of Grange Drive in Dundalk, County Louth, has pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA on December 16th, 2014.

It is the prosecution’s case that Mr Connolly was observed by Gardaí driving in convoy along the N52 with a man who was later found with two improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Closing the prosecution case today, Fiona Murphy BL ….read more

Judges to rule on whether IRA membership case will proceed

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Published 24/5/2017, in Special Criminal Court

The judges at the Special Criminal Court trial of a Louth man accused of IRA membership will rule tomorrow on whether the case can go any further.

Michael Connolly (44) of Grange Drive in Dundalk, County Louth, has pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the Irish
Republican Army, otherwise the IRA on December 16th, 2014.

It is the prosecution’s case that Mr Connolly was observed by Gardaí driving in convoy along the N52 with a man who was later found with two improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Mr Hugh Hartnett SC, defending, today made an application ….read more

Monaghan man to stand trial accused of IRA membership

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Published 23/5/2017, in Special Criminal Court

A Monaghan man accused of IRA membership will face trial at the Special Criminal Court next year.

James Joseph Cassidy (53), of Tullycollive, Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan is charged with membership of an unlawful organisation, styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA on September 21st, 2016.

Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy, presiding at the three-judge court, fixed a trial date of June 18, 2018.

Mr Cassidy was remanded on continuing bail until the start of his trial.

Case against IRA accused “a farce”, defence tell court

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Published 22/5/2017, in Special Criminal Court

The case against a Monaghan man accused of IRA membership, who was allegedly using his land and land belonging to his mother-in-law for dissident activity, is a “farce”, a barrister has told the Special
Criminal Court.

Jim Smyth (44), with an address at Aghalissabeagh, Scotstown, County Monaghan has pleaded not guilty to membership of an unlawful organization, styling itself the Irish Republican Army,
otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann, otherwise the IRA, on November 25, 2015.

During the trial, the court heard evidence that on the night of the alleged offence, gardai were on land in Co Monaghan, which they suspected Mr Smyth was using for ….read more

Gareth Hutch murder accused has bail refused for second time

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Published 2/5/2017, in High Court

A man charged with the murder of Gareth Hutch, who was shot dead outside his home in Dublin last year, has been refused bail by the High Court for a second time.

Thomas Fox (29), with an address at Rutland Court, in north inner city Dublin, is charged with the murder of Mr Hutch on North Cumberland Street, Dublin 1 on May 24, 2016.

Mr Fox had sought bail in the High Court today. The State objected to bail.

Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Eoghan Cole BL, told Mr Justice Paul Coffey that
a previous application for bail was made by Mr ….read more

Bail refused for attempted murder accused

By:
Published 2/5/2017, in High Court

A Dublin man charged with attempted murder, possession of a firearm and assault causing harm has been refused bail by the High Court today.

Dwayne Keane (25) of Raheen Drive, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 is charged with attempting to murder Jason Williams in Ballyfermot on November 1, 2016.

He is also charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and assault causing harm.

The State objected to bail.

The court heard evidence from Chief Superintendent Lorraine Wheatley who said she was objecting under Section 2(A) of the Bail Act.

The section allows a Chief Superintendent give evidence that the refusal of bail ….read more

Life imprisonment for man who murdered “hard worker who came to Ireland for a better life”

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Published 26/4/2017, in Central Criminal Court

The sister of a 30-year-old Latvian man who was strangled to death by a fellow Latvian has said she misses her brother everyday and she still cannot believe that he is dead.

The testimony was heard as part of a victim impact statement read today to the Central Criminal Court in Dublin, where a 31-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison for murdering the woman’s brother.

Andrejs Krauze, of Dudley Heights, Glenamaddy, Co Galway had pleaded not guilty to murdering Juris Buls at an unknown time on July 7 or 8, 2011 in the county of Galway. The ….read more

Bail refused for man arrested over €3.2m drugs and firearms haul

By:
Published 25/4/2017, in High Court

A Kildare man arrested on firearms and drugs charges has been refused bail by the High Court today.

Declan Brady (51), of The Park, Wolstan Abbey, Celbridge, Co Kildare is facing three charges, under the Firearms Act, for unlawful possession of five revolvers, 20 rounds of ammunition and a silencer on January 24 at a unit in Greenogue Business Park, in Rathcoole, Co Dublin.

He is also charged with three counts, under Section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act, of possession of 22kgs of cocaine, 11kgs of heroin and 53 grams of cannabis with an estimated street value of €3.2 million.

The ….read more

Six years for woman who stabbed former partner to death and hid body

By:
Published 24/4/2017, in Central Criminal Court

A 35-year-old woman who stabbed her housemate and former partner to death has been jailed for six years at the Central Criminal Court.

After the killing, Monika Matracka hid 38-year-old Michal Rejmer’s body in the back garden of the house they shared and destroyed evidence in what her defence team called “bizarre and outrageous
behaviour”.

She was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter by a majority jury verdict in February.

Matracka, with an address at The Pines, Briarfield, Castletroy, Limerick had pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Rejmer at that address at a time unknown between 8pm on December 30 and ….read more

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