Latest news with #CoLouth
Irish Times
5 hours ago
- General
- Irish Times
Man's appeal bid over double murder conviction delayed after judge forgets he heard original trial
A man seeking to overturn a double murder conviction must have his appeal reheard after an appeal court judge forgot he oversaw the original trial. The appeal bid by Jason O'Driscoll over the murders of Anthony Burnett and Joseph Redmond in 2012 was heard for two hours in the Court of Appeal before it was pointed out that one of the three appeal court judges had presided over his original trial in 2017. In December 2017, after a six-week trial, a jury told Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy they could not reach a unanimous or majority verdict in O'Driscoll's case. O'Driscoll (42) of Richmond Avenue, Fairview, Dublin 3, had pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Burnett (31) and Mr Redmond (25) in Co Louth on March 7th, 2012. READ MORE However, following a retrial, O'Driscoll was sentenced to life imprisonment in October 2018 by Mr Justice Michael White after he was convicted of the double murder by the 10-to-two majority verdict of a jury. Mr Burnett and Mr Redmond had travelled to sell O'Driscoll a stolen car. They died of gunshot wounds to their heads before petrol was used to set fire to a black Volkswagen Golf containing their bodies. The two deceased were from Ballybough in the north inner city in Dublin and were described by the State as 'small-time criminals' involved in car theft. O'Driscoll's appeal against his conviction was heard for more than two hours on Tuesday morning before Mr Justice John Edwards, Mr Justice McCarthy and Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy in the Court of Appeal. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy said he had been in the original trial and 'should have remembered'. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw After breaking for lunch, O'Driscoll's defence barrister told the court that Mr Justice McCarthy had been the judge in O'Driscoll's original 2017 trial. Seán Guerin SC, O'Driscoll's barrister, said the grounds for O'Driscoll's appeal had been litigated in that trial. Mr Justice McCarthy said that he had been in the original trial and 'should have remembered'. Mr Justice Edwards noted that it had been a long time since the original trial. He said the case would be adjourned for the three-judge court to reconstitute and the appeal to be reheard without Mr Justice McCarthy. A new appeal date was set for November 13th, 2025. Mr Justice McCarthy was appointed to the High Court in 2007 and to the Court of Appeal in 2018.
BreakingNews.ie
2 days ago
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
'Taking cocaine is completely normalised now', recovering addict warns
A recovering addict who was once spending up to €500 a night on cocaine has warned that its use is now 'completely normalised." Dylan Curran says he now has peace of mind since seeking help for his addiction over three years ago. Advertisement The young man's drug use spiralled during Covid-19 when "everything was turned on its head and you found yourself with three others in a backyard shed with a lamp in the corner, a bag of cans and cocaine." The 23-year-old was just 15 when he took his first drink and 17 when he tried cocaine, but he is now three and a half years in recovery. "It was when Covid-19 kicked in that things got worse. I felt isolated and I'd often spend up to two days just sitting in my room and using," he said. "My progression into addiction was rapid. The addiction took everything away from me. It was when I had nothing left to give that I made the phone call for help." Advertisement Dylan, from Drogheda, Co Louth, began treatment in Smarmore Castle Rehabilitation Centre on November 30th, 2021, and hasn't picked up a drink or used drugs since. "All the problems I had were still waiting for me outside the centre but I just had to learn the coping mechanisms to deal with them. "Addiction is a very powerful thing and a little thought can turn into a craving if you let it. One drink was too many and 1,000 was never enough for me. During his addiction, Dylan went from spending €50 a week on cocaine to up to €500 a night and was a master of juggling loans and finances to afford the cocaine. Advertisement "I had people lined up so I'd always have someone to get the drugs off. "You could walk into any pub and not be too far from getting a bag of cocaine. It is so normalised now that if you are going out without drugs in your pocket, then you're doing something wrong." "Cocaine was a quick and easy fix, it's up your nose and it's done. "I think drink and drugs go hand in hand and alcohol is a gateway to drugs. Towards the end, I'd go to the pub and buy a diluted juice for the night. I just wanted to go to the pub to use drugs." Advertisement Ireland Tributes paid to woman (24) who died following Cor... Read More Even during his addiction, Dylan's family tried to persuade him to get help and made numerous calls on his behalf but ultimately, nothing worked until he decided himself to seek help. "My family tried multiple times to get me help and they were amazing but you can't get sober and clean for others. You need to decide for yourself. "I'd just say to families out there living with an addict that as much as we can hurt you and let you down over and over again, stick with us because there is a heart in there somewhere that needs to be loved." " I'm living my life to the fullest now. I don't have a flashy car or loads of money but I have peace of mind, happiness and people respect me - all the things I took for granted."
Irish Times
26-05-2025
- Irish Times
Elderly woman pedestrian dies after being hit by bus in Co Louth
Gardaí have issued an appeal for or witnesses after pedestrian in her 80s was knocked down and killed by a bus in Dunleer, Co Louth. The woman was taken by ambulance to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, where she was later pronounced dead. The incident happened at about 12.20pm at Lower Main Street. The road was closed for a technical examination of the scene to be conducted and diversions are in place. Gardaí are appealing for any road users who were at the scene between 12.10pm and 12.30pm on Monday and may have camera footage to make this footage available to Gardaí. READ MORE Anyone with any information is asked to contact Drogheda Garda station on 041 9874200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
BreakingNews.ie
26-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Woman (80s) dies after being hit by bus in Co Louth
Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision in Dunleer, Co Louth, on Monday. The collision between the pedestrian and a bus occurred at approximately 12:20pm at Lower Main Street. Advertisement The pedestrian, a woman aged in her 80s, was transferred by ambulance to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, where she was later pronounced dead. The road has been closed for a technical examination of the scene to be conducted and diversions are in place. Investigating gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this collision to come forward. Any road users who were at Lower Main Street, Dunleer, between 12:10pm and 12:30pm on Monday and may have camera footage (including dash-cam) are asked to make this footage available to gardaí. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Drogheda Garda Station on 041 9874200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
BreakingNews.ie
18-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Three men charged over alleged attack during burglary in Louth
Three men have been charged after an alleged attack during an aggravated burglary in Co Louth. Three men burst into an elderly woman's home and allegedly assaulted her in Carlingford at around a 6:45pm on Saturday. Advertisement A sum of money was taken and the three men left the scene. The injured woman was treated at the scene by ambulance personnel. Three men who were arrested in their 30s are due before Drogheda District Court on Monday morning.
