Latest news with #AthloneDistrictCourt
Sunday World
29-06-2025
- Sunday World
Passengers evacuated from bus after woman threatens to kill driver
Fiona Higginbotham (28) pleaded guilty at a sitting of Athlone District Court Bus passengers travelling on an evening service between two midlands towns had to be transferred to alternative transport in the aftermath of a vicious brawl that saw a 'highly abusive' woman issue a death threat to its driver before warning a garda she would 'smash his face in' shortly before spitting directly into the officer's face. Fiona Higginbotham (28) The Failte B&B, Slane, Co Meath pleaded guilty at a sitting of Athlone District Court to assaulting Garda Darren Murphy in the wake of an incident on December 17 last year. Higginbotham similarly entered guilty pleas to using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour as well as public intoxication after gardaí had been earlier called to the scene of a disturbance on board a bus at Fearmore, outside Moate, Co Westmeath. Fiona Higginbotham News in 90 Seconds - June 29th Sgt Paul McNally told the court how its driver had been forced to pull in the bus moments before gardaí arrived owing to a violent struggle which had broken out between two women. When gardaí arrived, the court was told officers found Higginbotham 'covered in blood' while sporting an injury to her eye and nose. The unseemly nature of that exchange, the court heard, resulted in an ambulance being called to treat the accused for her injuries while its passengers were forced to disembark and transfer to another bus. Sgt McNally said despite the best efforts of both its driver and gardaí to assist Higginbotham, the Meath woman's 'highly intoxicated' demeanour saw her adopt an abusive and unorthodox appearance, illustrated by her propensity to 'talk to her reflection in the window' of the bus. It was during those unconventional mannerisms that Sgt McNally said Higginbotham initially told Garda Murphy she would 'smash his face in' moments before menacingly vowing to kill the onlooking bus driver. Fiona Higginbotham outside Athlone Courthouse. It was at that juncture, gardaí arrested the accused by placing her in the back of a garda patrol van ahead of her transfer to Athlone Garda Station. During the course of that exercise, Sgt McNally said Higginbotham claimed to officers of how her injuries had been inflicted during a row with her friend. Despite those inferences, the court was told how the accused began to resist, push and lash out at gardaí within the confines of Athlone Garda Station. Sgt McNally said Garda Murphy, by that stage, had come to the aid of two other officers in a holding cell within the station by grasping Higginbotham's wrists in a bid to prevent her from hitting out at his fellow colleagues. The court was told it was during those attempts, and as another garda was attempting to cut a chord from Higginbotham's tracksuit bottoms, that the accused suddenly came forward and 'spat directly' into Garda Murphy's face. Those actions brought with it charges of assault and two counts public disorder, however no threat to kill or cause serious harm charge was brought against the accused for the remark she had issued to the bus driver. Higginbotham looked on stoically from the body of the court as details also emerged of how she had been under the auspices of a two month suspended prison sentence at the time of her arrest. That term, which was among her other 27 previous convictions, was handed down for a public order related offence at Tullamore District Court in November 2023 with its duration being suspended for a period of two years. Tony McLynn, defending, corroborated the State's evidence in terms of the scuffle his client had 'came off the worse in' with her friend and which left her 'bleeding profusely' as a consequence. That said, the local solicitor conceded there was little by way of an excuse for what unfolded on the evening in question and how its fallout culminated in the assault on Garda Murphy. 'Her reaction was inexcusable and she knows that,' he conceded, adding that Higginbotham had more than 'wised up' over the intervening seven months. Mr McLynn said it was a contention which was borne out by Higginbotham's continued sobriety since and by her decision to enter a private alcohol detox programme at a Co Louth based clinic. 'Although she has obviously had a number of different events in her life involving court, (those) incidents have all been fuelled by her alcohol addiction,' he said. Mr McLynn also reserved a special mention for Garda Murphy who, he said, had been more than acceptive of his client's contrition. 'He was very magnanimous about the matter and acknowledges that this lady is a totally, totally different lady off the drink and he accepted her apology magnanimously,' said Mr McLynn. The court was told Higginbotham was conscious of the 'very unpleasant and rude' nature of her wrongdoing, actions which Mr McLynn added was met by his client's 'genuine remorse' in choosing to seek Garda Murphy out to personally apologise at a previous court hearing. Judge Owens said Higginbotham had more than illustrated her desire to 'start on the right road' towards rehabilitation, telling her the challenge she now faced was to sustain that approach. She consequently ordered her to undergo a probation report and remanded her on continuing bail to a sitting of Athlone District Court on November 5.
RTÉ News
11-06-2025
- RTÉ News
Man charged with murdering his mother sent for trial
A man charged with the murder of his mother, whose body was discovered in bogland in south Roscommon in December, has been served with a book of evidence and sent forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court. 32-year-old Nebojsa Pap, with an address at Beechville, Athlone, appeared at Athlone District Court today. He has been charged with the murder of his mother, Mirjana Pap, of the same address, on 28 December 2024. Garda Olivia Connolly gave evidence of service of the book of evidence this afternoon. Sergeant Paul McNally, for the State, indicated that Mr Pap would be sent forward for trial at the next sittings of the Central Criminal Court. The book of evidence relates to one charge of murder and one charge of producing an article capable of inflicting serious injury in the course of the attack, which allegedly took place at the victim's home in Athlone. Judge Bernadette Owens noted that Mr Pap had not made an application for bail and was going forward in custody. She gave an alibi warning, and told him he was obliged to inform the state of any alibi evidence on which he intended to rely on within 14 days. Solicitor for the accused, Ciara Macklin, applied for legal aid, which Judge Owens granted to include one senior and one junior counsel to represent Mr Pap in his trial. Ms Pap, a 58-year-old widow and mother of three, was a Croatian native and a long term resident of Athlone. Her body was discovered on a bogland at Curraghaleen, Co Roscommon, on 30 December 2024 after she had been reported missing two days earlier. Her son, Mr Pap, was arrested on 3 January 2025 and later charged with the murder of Ms Pap at Beechville, Athlone on 28 December 2024, contrary to common law.
Sunday World
25-05-2025
- Sunday World
Brothers accused of wielding machete and pitchfork in daylight feud attack
James Dinnegan (25) and Patrick Dinnegan (21) were brought before a sitting of Athlone District Court These are the smiling two brothers who stand accused of pouncing on the home of an elderly woman suffering from dementia armed with a machete and pitchfork in an 'ongoing and violent' internal family feud that has left a midlands town on a knife-edge. James Dinnegan (25) The Green Bun Daire, Kinnegad, Co Westmeath and Patrick Dinnegan (21) Woodland Park, Dundalk, Co Louth were brought before a sitting of Athlone District Court in connection to an incident on Tuesday afternoon that saw a four man gang target a family home in Mullingar. The pair were arrested and charged with producing a machete and pitchfork during the course of a dispute respectively at McCurtain Street, Mullingar, Co Westmeath in 'full view of the public' and as part of the latest feuding rivalry to hit the midlands town in recent months. Patrick Dinnegan (21) was charged with producing a pitchfork during the course of a disturbance in Mullingar on Tuesday afternoon. Garda Ken Shedwell detailed how both men were arrested as gardaí responded to reports a public disturbance that had broken out at Mill House, a two storey property that was home to the alleged victim, Lucy Dinnegan and her elderly mother. During the course of a lengthy and contested bail hearing, Garda Shedwell said it will be contended a four man gang, three of whom had their faces covered with snoods, arrived at the scene in the middle of the afternoon while being armed with a cache of weapons. Garda Shedwell said the State will allege how both men exited a white Opel Insignia at around 4.30pm and almost instantaneously began issuing menacing threats to Ms Dinnegan's family. The court was told how the incident had formed part of an 'ongoing and violent' feud involving 'multiple members' of the wider Dinnegan family in what gardaí maintained was a 'clear threat to public order and safety' in Mullingar. CCTV footage taken from three alternate vantage points outside the Dinnegan household showed the suspect white coloured Opel pull up where three males can be seen jumping out wielding weapons. James Dinnegan (25) was charged with producing a machete during a violent episode in Mullingar which saw a four man gang arrive at a house in the midlands town in broad daylight armed with weapons. Garda Shedwell said it was the gardaí's firm belief Patrick Dinnegan was one of those individuals who was armed with a pitchfork while sporting a blue tracksuit and black snood in order to cover his face. Judge Owens was told gardaí were also satisfied Patrick's older sibling, James had been among that group with his face being identified on CCTV by investigating gardaí while brandishing a machete. A third video clip taken from a Facebook Live video which gardaí allege was filmed by James Dinnegan sitting in the front passenger seat of the Opel Insignia was similarly played in open court. Its contents featured a stream of shouts and high pitched heckling, one of which included the taunt: 'Come out now, you stupid b******.' Garda Shedwell said the incident would have been witnessed by a string of Lucy Dinnegan's immediate family, including a number of young children who were inside the house at the time of the attack. Patrick Dinnegan was banned from entering Mullingar with the exception of bona fide legal appointments and court appearances. It was further revealed how the episode played out across from a local SuperValu store and as several parents were attempting to bring their own children to a nearby GAA match. 'Lucy Dinnegan stated the suspects made physical and verbal threats,' said Garda Shedwell, stating how it will be alleged James Dinnegan embarked on making a series of hand gestures.'She expressed genuine fear for her safety and the safety of her family.' The court was told how gardaí were firstly objecting to Patrick Dinnegan's bail under both O'Callaghan Rules and Section 2 of the Bail Act 1997. Garda Shedwell said the basis for those objections were due to the seriousness of the charges under section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act which, upon conviction on indictment carries a maximum tariff of five years in prison. James and Patrick Dinnegan outside Athlone Courthouse. News in 90 Seconds - May 25th 2025 He said a further strand to the State's application was grounded on the nature of the evidence investigating gardaí had already garnered, among which included allegations Patrick Dinnegan was spotted wearing the same clothing barely 30 minutes after the attack while his older brother was allegedly found in possession of a black snood which had featured in the earlier CCTV footage. Judge Owens was informed of the 'serious concerns' senior garda investigators harboured over fears of witness interference involving Patrick Dinnegan in an 'ongoing feud' that had the potential to escalate even further. There were objections outlined in terms of James Dinnegan under O'Callaghan Rules, much of which centred on eight bench warrants which had been issued for his arrest in recent times. James and Patrick Dinnegan outside Athlone Courthouse. Taking the stand himself, the latter detailed how his own battles with mental health had resulted in him spending 'two to three days' in St Loman's Hospital. Under cross examination from Sgt Orla Keenan as to why he had not followed through on recommendations from his GP to begin psychiatric appointments, Mr Dinnegan replied: 'I would rather keep my mental health to myself as I don't like talking about it to be honest.' In defence, Mark Cooney said both his clients should be granted bail for a myriad of reasons. In terms of Patrick Dinnegan, he said there was a presumption of innocence that could not be overlooked allied to a 'certain vagueness' that surrounded where the incident had taken place with both McCurtain Street and Canal Avenue having been put forward in open court. James Dinnegan was granted bail subject to a litany of strict conditions. Mr Cooney also argued there was a distinct lack of evidence concerning supposed witness interference, an inconsistency which had been borne out by the fact the State's chief witness Lucy Dinnegan was not present to give evidence. In switching his focus to James Dinnegan, Mr Cooney said the State's sole argument for resisting his client's liberty because of eight previous bench warrants was simply not enough to force the court into imposing a custodial remand. Judge Owens granted both men bail subject to a number of strict conditions. In remanding the pair on their own cash bail of €500 each, she compelled them to obey a 9pm to 8am curfew and to have no contact either directly or indirectly with Lucy Dinnegan and her immediate family. The pair were also ordered to stay off all social media platforms, to obey sign on conditions and to stay out of Mullingar with the exception of designated court appearances and documented legal appointments. James Dinnegan was, meanwhile, granted a minor relaxing of the latter to enter Mullingar but only for authentic GP and community mental health appointments. Other conditions included directions for both men not to apply for travel documentation or leave the jurisdiction and to provide a mobile number to gardaí. Having signed both of their bail bonds, Judge Owens remanded Patrick Dinnegan on bail to a sitting of Mullingar District Court on June 26 with his older brother ordered to return before the same court two weeks later on July 10.
Sunday World
16-05-2025
- Sunday World
Man (32) accused of producing axe in alleged murder of his mother
The late Mirjana Pap, who was a widow and mother of three, had resided in Athlone for several years and previously worked at the Athlone accommodation centre. A man in his 30s accused of murdering his mother in her midlands home has been served with an additional charge of producing an axe during the alleged attack. Thirty-two-year-old Nebojsa Pap, of Beechville in Athlone, Westmeath, has been on remand in Cloverhill Prison since January 3, charged with the murder of 58-year-old Mirjana Pap, who resided at the same address as her son on December 28 last year. Mr Pap was brought before a sitting of Athlone District Court on Wednesday where details surrounding the charge were relayed before Judge Bernadette Owens. Garda Darren Murphy gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. Nebojsa Pap News in 90 Seconds - May 16th He said Mr Pap made no comment after caution when the charge was put to him shortly after 11:30am. The details of that charge allege that on December 28 at 1 Beechville, Athlone, Westmeath, while committing murder, in the course of a dispute, Mr Pap produced an article in the form of an axe which was 'capable of inflicting serious injury'. Mr Pap, who wore black tracksuit bottoms and a grey jumper to court, was flanked by two prison officers as he was led to the court's custody suite. Sgt Paul McNally said directions on the new charge from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), like the original count of murder were for trial on indictment to the Central Criminal Court. When asked by Judge Owens when a book of evidence was likely to be ready for serving, Sgt McNally indicated a date of June 11. Mr Pap remained sitting and stayed silent during the course of the hearing with his head bowed throughout much of it. Defence solicitor Mark Cooney said the case would have to be adjourned for a week given the legal confines that obligated the court to remand his client for no longer than seven days on the new charge. It was his eighth appearance before the District Court. A garda investigation file containing almost 190 witness statements was sent to the DPP in mid-February. A psychiatric report was completed and presented to the court earlier this year following an assessment order that was made at his initial appearance at a special sitting of Mullingar District Court in early January. The late Ms Pap, who was a widow and mother of three, had resided in Athlone for several years and previously worked at the Athlone accommodation centre. The Croatian national's body was found on lands close to Clonark in Co Roscommon, around 10km from Athlone, on 30 December 2024 after she had been reported missing two days earlier. Before being led away, Pap was remanded in custody by consent, to appear back at a sitting of Athlone District Court via video link next Wednesday.
Irish Independent
01-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Part-time construction worker pocketed just €200 from scam that saw victim loose €5,000
Today at 07:13 A part time construction worker received just €200 for his role in handing over his bank details to a complete stranger on social media platform Snapchat in a money laundering ruse that saw over €5,000 being fraudulently withdrawn from his victim's account. Twenty-two-year-old John Mulvihill, Rindoon Park, Coosan, Athlone, Westmeath pleaded guilty at a sitting of Athlone District Court to money laundering on January 25 and 26 last year at Permanent TSB, Athlone, Westmeath.
