Latest news with #DublinDistrictCourt
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Sex assault case delay for American of 'exceptional means' at 5-star Irish hotel
A wealthy American businessman of "exceptional means" accused of sexually assaulting a man in Dublin's Shelbourne Hotel has been given extra time to consider video evidence and his plea. The accused, in his 50s, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was originally charged in March and granted nominal bail with a series of strict conditions. His case was back before Dublin District Court, where he had earlier lodged €30,000, allowing him to return to the United States. He did not have to appear on Thursday but was represented by solicitor Luke Staines. Judge Patricia Cronin noted the defence had to be furnished with video evidence necessary to consider the accused's position. She remanded him on continuing bail in his absence and adjourned the case until July, when he will be excused from attending again. The allegation is that he groped inside and outside a man's shorts in the luxury five-star hotel on a date in March. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed the accused's case be dealt with at the District Court level "on a guilty plea only". Otherwise, he must face trial on indictment in the Circuit Court, which has greater sentencing powers. The charge carries a possible jail sentence of up to five years. Detective Garda Cathal Ryan had provided disclosure of evidence to the man's legal team. At his prior hearing, the businessman was told that he must have no direct or indirect contact with the complainant. On March 28, the court heard that his response to the charge was "It was consensual". Detective Garda Ryan had expressed flight risk concerns because the accused was a tourist from the United States with no ties to this jurisdiction. The detective said the man "has no family friends or any connection to the State", and both he and his partner had "exceptional means" and were "quite wealthy". The officer explained that the financial implications of bail "would not be an issue for the man if he did not return". Questioned by the defence, the detective agreed that his client's instructing solicitor had been in touch with Gardaí from the outset and indicated he met them by appointment once the DPP's decision was given. He agreed with the barrister that the accused had mentioned the financial aspect. Gardaí learned his partner was a company director, and together, they had significant means of income. The detective Garda accepted that the accused had indicated that he had no difficulty returning to Ireland for his case. Addressing the seriousness of the accusation, his barrister had said: "The actual allegation related to touching outside the clothes of another man's penis." Detective Garda Ryan responded: "The allegation relates to reaching inside the shorts of the victim, groping his buttocks and then grabbing his penis from outside his shorts at the same time." He added that while the DPP stated that the case could stay in the District Court on a guilty plea, "I still categorise it as a very serious offence". At his bail hearing, the defence barrister had said the man had indicated that it was consensual and if it proceeded to trial in the Circuit Court, the earliest date would be 2027. Detective Garda Ryan had agreed the accused was cooperative, gave a full account, and answered all questions during his interview. There were no issues during the arrest or any need to handcuff him.
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
'Wealthy' American accused of sexual assault in Shelbourne Hotel gets more time to consider plea
A wealthy American businessman accused of sexually assaulting a man in Dublin's Shelbourne Hotel has been given extra time to consider video evidence and his plea. The accused, in his 50s, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was originally charged in March and granted nominal bail with a series of strict conditions. His case was back before Dublin District Court, where he had earlier lodged €30,000, allowing him to return to the United States. He did not have to appear on Thursday but was represented by solicitor Luke Staines. Judge Patricia Cronin noted the defence had to be furnished with video evidence necessary to consider the accused's position. She remanded him on continuing bail in his absence and adjourned the case until July when he will be excused from attending again. The allegation is that he groped inside and outside a man's shorts in the luxury five-star hotel on a date in March. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed the accused's case be dealt with at the District Court level "on a guilty plea only". Otherwise, he must face trial on indictment in the Circuit Court, which has greater sentencing powers. The charge carries a possible jail sentence of up to five years. Detective Garda Cathal Ryan had provided disclosure of evidence to the man's legal team. At his prior hearing, the businessman was told that he must have no direct or indirect contact with the complainant. On March 28, the court heard that his response to the charge was "it was consensual". Bail Detective Garda Ryan had expressed flight risk concerns because the accused was a tourist from the United States with no ties to this jurisdiction. The detective said the man "has no family friends or any connection to the State", and both he and his partner had "exceptional means" and were "quite wealthy". The officer explained that the financial implications of bail "would not be an issue for the man if he did not return". Questioned by the defence, the detective agreed that his client's instructing solicitor had been in touch with gardaí from the outset and indicated he met them by appointment once the DPP's decision was given. He agreed with the barrister that the accused had mentioned the financial aspect. Gardaí learned his partner was a company director, and together, they had significant means of income. The detective garda accepted that the accused had indicated that he had no difficulty returning to Ireland for his case. Accusation Addressing the seriousness of the accusation, his barrister had said: "The actual allegation related to touching outside the clothes of another man's penis". Detective Garda Ryan responded: "The allegation relates to reaching inside the shorts of the victim, groping his buttocks and then grabbing his penis from outside his shorts at the same time". He added that while the DPP stated that the case could stay in the District Court on a guilty plea: "I still categorise it as a very serious offence". At his bail hearing, the defence barrister had said the man had indicated that it was consensual and if it proceeded to trial in the Circuit Court, the earliest date would be 2027. Detective Garda Ryan had agreed the accused was co-operative, gave a full account, and answered all questions during his interview. There were no issues during the arrest or any need to handcuff him.
Extra.ie
2 days ago
- Extra.ie
XL Bully pitbulls terrorising Gardaí to be put down
A Judge has ordered the destruction of four XL Bully pitbulls owned by murder victim Jason Hennessy Sr's widow after one escaped their garden and terrorised gardaí in Dublin. Veronica Maher, 54, pleaded that her four beloved restricted-breed pets were all she had to remember her late husband, who was shot dead in a Blanchardstown steakhouse on Christmas Eve, 2023. Ms Maher, of Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, came before Dublin District Court to challenge a Garda application under the Control of Dogs Act for an order to destroy Oddie, Reggie, their mother Medusa, and a fourth dog, Joe. XL Bully. Photo: Getty. Judge Anthony Halpin noted evidence of six gardaí at the scene on March 28 when four officers fled from Oddie. He accepted they had to take 'evasive action to save themselves from being savaged by an XL Bully dog'. He said: 'I can only imagine the utmost horror which they experienced. That dog which left the premises and pursued the garda was dangerous and could easily have fatally wounded one or all those gardaí.' A visibly upset Ms Maher denied opening a gate to unleash the unmuzzled dog on gardaí in her cul-de-sac. She said the dogs were like their children, and Oddie slept in her bed. The judge noted she had the dogs to protect the property. Pic: Shutterstock The grandmother testified that three-year-old Oddie jumped the front garden wall when the garda put his hand in. She refuted the accusation that she set the dog on the garda. She claimed Medusa was in the yard at the time. The other two dogs were in cages in the back garden, and Oddie had damaged a rear garden exit. Garda Seán McLoughlin alleged that when he got near her house, she told him: 'Get the f**k away from my house, youse murderers.' He feared he would be viciously attacked by the dog, which chased and tried to bite him. He alleged she let the dog out through the front gate. He and three gardaí fled to other gardens. Ms Maher brought the dog inside, and denied telling gardaí: 'If youse don't f**k off now, I'll get him back out here.' The judge found the dogs were dangerous and not under proper control and acceded to a Garda application to grant a destruction order for all four.
The Journal
3 days ago
- The Journal
Judge orders 'destruction' of XL Bully dogs owned by widow of Jason Hennessy Sr
A JUDGE HAS ordered the destruction of four XL Bully pit bulls owned by murder victim Jason Hennessy Sr's widow after one escaped their garden and terrorised gardaí in Dublin. Veronica Maher, 54, pleaded that her four beloved restricted breed pets were all she had to remember her late husband, who was shot dead in a Blanchardstown steakhouse on Christmas Eve, 2023. Maher, of Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, came before Dublin District Court to challenge a Garda application under the Control of Dogs Act for an order to destroy Oddie, Reggie, their mother Medusa, and the fourth dog, Joe. Judge Anthony Halpin noted evidence of six gardaí at the scene on 28 March when four officers fled from Oddie. He accepted they had to take 'evasive action to save themselves from being savaged by an XL Bully dog.' He believed they were terrified, adding: 'I can only imagine the utmost horror which they experienced.' 'That dog which left the premises and pursued the gardaí was dangerous and could easily have fatally wounded one or all those gardaí,' he remarked. Visibly upset, Maher's denied opening a gate to unleash the unmuzzled dog on gardaí who were on beat in her cul-de-sac. She said the dogs were part of her family, like her children, and that Oddie slept in her king-sized bed. The judge also noted evidence that she had these dogs to protect the property. The grandmother testified that three-year-old Oddie jumped the front garden wall when the officer put his hand in and she refuted the accusation that she set the dog on the garda. She also claimed Medusa had also been in the yard at the time. The court heard the other two were in cages in the back garden, and Oddie had already damaged a rear garden exit. Garda Sean McLoughlin alleged that when he got near her house, she told him, 'Get the fuck away from my house yous murderers'. Advertisement He was in absolute fear for his life that he would be viciously attacked by the dog, which chased and tried to bite him. He alleged she let the dog out through the front garden gate. He and three other gardaí fled to different gardens, with one standing on a wall until backup arrived a few minutes later. He believed that Oddie was a credible threat and he would be set on them again. Maher brought the dog back into the house, and she denied telling gardaí, 'If yous don't fuck off now, I'll get him back out here.' Witness Kayleigh McEntee, 26, of Waterville Row, Blanchardstown, was at the house and contradicted the evidence that Maher opened the gate. She also said the dogs were safe and often around children. Three more gardaí said they also had had to flee to gardens in the cul de sac, with one telling Judge Halpin that he feared he would be killed. Photographs were handed in showing some of the dogs with family and children. In his ruling, Judge Halpin described one image of an infant surrounded by two enormous XL Bully dogs as upsetting 'given the potential ferocity of these animals'. He noted the Oddie had already 'rammed the back door' in the rear garden to such an extent as to remove it from its hinges. He found that the dogs were dangerous and not under proper control. Furthermore, he acceded to an application by Garda Sergeant Michael Harkin to grant a destruction order for all four. Oisin Clarke BL, instructed by solicitor Simon Fleming, was granted a two-week stay on the order to lodge an appeal. The court has adjourned ruling on the costs of keeping the animals in a dog pound since they were taken from Maher on 4 April.
Sunday World
3 days ago
- Sunday World
Four XL Bully dogs owned by widow of Jason Hennessy Snr to be destroyed, judge rules
Veronica Maher, 54, pleaded that her four beloved restricted breed pets were all she had to remember her late husband A judge has ordered the destruction of four XL Bully pit bulls owned by murder victim Jason Hennessy Sr's widow after one escaped their garden and terrorised gardai in Dublin. Veronica Maher, 54, pleaded that her four beloved restricted breed pets were all she had to remember her late husband, who was shot dead in a Blanchardstown steakhouse on Christmas Eve, 2023. Ms Maher, of Sheephill Avenue, Blanchardstown, came before Dublin District Court to challenge a Garda application under the Control of Dogs Act for an order to destroy Oddie, Reggie, their mother Medusa, and the fourth dog, Joe. Jason Hennessy Snr Judge Anthony Halpin noted evidence of six gardai at the scene on March 28 when four officers fled from Oddie. He accepted they had to take 'evasive action to save themselves from being savaged by an XL Bully dog.' He believed they were terrified, adding, 'I can only imagine the utmost horror which they experienced.' 'That dog which left the premises and pursued the gardai was dangerous and could easily have fatally wounded one or all those gardai,' he remarked. Visibily upset, Ms Maher's denied opening a gate to unleash the unmuzzled dog on gardai who were on beat in her cul-de-sac. She said the dogs were part of her family, like their children and Oddie slept in her king-sized bed. The judge also noted evidence that she had these dogs to protect the property. The grandmother testified that three-year-old Oddie jumped the front garden wall when the officer put his hand in and she refuted the accusation that she set the dog on the garda. She also claimed Medusa had also been in the yard at the time. The court heard the other two were in cages in the back garden, and Oddie had already damaged a rear garden exit. Garda Sean McLoughlin alleged that when he got near her house, she told him, 'Get the fuck away from my house yous murderers'. He was in absolute fear for his life that he would be viciously attacked by the dog, which chased and tried to bite him. He alleged she let the dog out through the front garden gate. He and three other gardai fled to different gardens, with one standing on a wall until backup arrived a few minutes later. He believed that Oddie was a credible threat and he would be set on them again. Ms Maher brought the dog back into the house, and she denied telling gardai, 'If yous don't fuck off now, I'll get him back out here.' Witness Kayleigh McEntee, 26, of Waterville Row, Blanchardstown, was at the house and contradicted the evidence that Ms Maher opened the gate. She also said the dogs were safe and often around children. Three more gardai said they also had had to flee to gardens in the cul de sac, with one telling Judge Halpin that he feared he would be killed. Photographs were handed in showing some of the dogs with family and children. In his ruling, Judge Halpin described one image of an infant surrounded by two enormous XL Bully dogs as upsetting 'given the potential ferocity of these animals'. He noted the Oddie had already 'rammed the back door' in the rear garden to such an extent as to remove it from its hinges. He found that the dogs were dangerous and not under proper control. Furthermore, he acceded to an application by Garda Sergeant Michael Harkin to grant a destruction order for all four. Oisin Clarke BL, instructed by solicitor Simon Fleming, was granted a two-week stay on the order to lodge an appeal. The court has adjourned ruling on the costs of keeping the animals in a dog pound since they were taken from Ms Maher on April 4.
