Latest news with #ForensicScienceIreland
Irish Examiner
20 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Accused in Cobh murder trial didn't account for his movements at relevant time to gardaí
The tattoo artist on trial for murdering a young man in Cobh by slashing his leg with a sword was questioned by gardaí around a week afterwards but he made no comment when asked to account for his movements at the relevant time. 31-year-old Dylan Scannell of O'Rahilly Street, Cobh, County Cork, spoke to gardaí following his arrest on March 22, 2024, for murdering Ian Baitson and he described being a tattoo artist, his drug use, mental health and a head injury he sustained in a fall. He was also questioned about key aspects of the investigation and warned in legal terms that inferences could be drawn from a failure to answer. Sergeant Diarmuid O'Neill and Detective Garda Dave Barry put it to him that blood of Ian Baitson was found on the passenger footwell mat of a car in which he (the accused) was present at 20.53 on March 15, 2024, after - gardaí believed - he seriously assaulted Ian Baitson with a sword. Asked if he wished to say anything about that, he replied, 'No'. Ian Baitson (pictured) died on March 19, 2024. File picture Similar inference explanations were given to him when he was asked why he was present at the Eurospar car park at the relevant time when Ian Baitson was subjected to a brutal assault by him with a sword. He replied: 'No comment.' This evidence emerged from memos of interviews on March 22 and March 23, 2024, at Midleton garda station. In the murder trial which ran throughout this week Dylan Scannell denied murdering 33-year-old chef, Ian Baitson, in Eurospar car park, Newtown Road, Cobh, on March 19, 2024, but admitted his manslaughter. The prosecution case is almost finished, prosecution senior counsel Donal O'Sullivan said on Friday. Ms Justice Eileen Creedon said to the jury of six men and six women at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork: 'We will go into the final stages of this trial next week.' She asked the jury to return on Tuesday, June 3. In earlier parts of the interviews talking about his life and background, the accused said he was engaged to be married and that he had worked for years as a tattoo artist and had his own studio at different times, in Cobh and Tralee, and was still doing it at that time in early 2024 on a freelance basis. In relation to his own body tattoos, he referred to one on his head of an Egyptian demon. He had an interest in American show dogs and fishing, he said during interviews. He also said: 'My mental health is not great.' He spoke of falling from a roof six weeks previously for which he received hospital treatment. Regarding drugs, he said: I am taking cocaine – half a lump a day, maybe more. He also spoke of taking other drugs including, 'acid, mushrooms and ecstasy'. He said his drug-taking began at the age of 13 or 14. Defence senior counsel Tom Creed said reference was also made to the defendant taking medication, including anti-depressants. Before the evidence of memos of interviews, there was evidence from two forensic scientists from Forensic Science Ireland. Dr Alan Magee said blood samples on a car mat taken in evidence from a rented Skoda Octavia matched the profile of the deceased, Ian Baitson. Dr Stephen Clifford said that a sample taken from a sword matched the DNA profile of Ian Baitson, using a different type of DNA test than his colleague used on the mat. He explained that the sword-matched DNA could also match a person's siblings and maternal relatives.
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Man, 20s, arrested as gardai seize cocaine, ketamine & MDMA worth €415k after major ‘targeted searches' in Dublin
A MAN in his 20s has been arrested after gardai seized drugs worth an estimated €415,500 in the capital. Cops searched multiple industrial premises in the west 2 The recovered drugs include 1.65kg of cocaine, 4kg of ketamine, and 1kg of MDMA Credit: garda info During the search, The total estimated value of the seizure is approximately €415,500, pending further analysis. A man, aged in his 20s, was arrested and remains in custody under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act, 1996 at a Garda station in Dublin. The drugs seized will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis and gardai confirmed 'investigations are ongoing'. Read more in News A garda spokesperson said: 'On 28th May 2025, as part of Operation Tara, the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT) carried out an operation targeting a criminal group in West Dublin. "During targeted searches of multiple industrial premises in the West Dublin area, members of the DCRT seized quantities of cocaine, ketamine, MDMA, a hydraulic drug presses, mixing agents and bagging equipment. "The recovered drugs include 1.65 kg of cocaine, 4kg of ketamine, and 1kg of MDMA." They continued: "The total estimated value of the seizure is €415,500, pending further analysis. Most read in The Irish Sun "A man in his 20s was arrested and remains in custody under Section 2 of the Drug Trafficking Act, 1996 at a Garda station in the Dublin Region. "The seized drugs will be sent to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for examination and analysis. Gardai investigating Micheal Gaine homicide conduct searches on Kerry farmland after grim discovery "Investigations are ongoing." Separately, The incident took place at a commercial premises in Finglas, At around 5.45pm, while on routine patrol, 'STOLEN' BIKES It is believed the two bikes had been In the course of doing so, the garda was struck. The garda, a man in his 30s, was taken to the Mater Misericordiae University A man in his 20s was later arrested. MAN ARRESTED He is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in West Dublin. Gardai are now appealing for witnesses to the incident. A Garda statement read: "Gardaí are appealing for witnesses following a road traffic incident at a commercial premises in Finglas, Dublin 11 today, Wednesday 28th May 2025. "At approximately 5:45pm while on routine patrol, Gardaí attached to the Finglas Drugs Unit observed two motorbikes at a petrol station on the North Road which were believed to have been subject to an unauthorised taking. GARDA STATEMENT "When Gardaí approached them, the motorcyclists drove off and in the course of doing so struck a member of An Garda Síochána. "The member, a male in his 30s, was conveyed to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital for treatment of serious but non-life-threatening injury. "A male aged in his 20s has since been arrested and is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 at a Garda station in West Dublin. "Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to this incident to please come forward. "Any persons who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from the North Road area of Finglas between 5:15pm and 6:15pm is asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí. "Anyone with any information is asked to contact Finglas Garda Station on 01 666 7500, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda Station." 2 Cops searched multiple industrial premises in the west Dublin area today as part of 'Operation Tara' Credit: garda info
BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
'Progress made' in case of ex-Ryanair pilot charged over €10m drugs seizure
A Garda has told a court that 'there is a level of progress being made' in the case where a former Ryanair pilot is charged in connection with the possession of more than €10 million worth of drugs. Brendan O'Mara (62), of An Tulach, Summerhill, Meelick, Co Clare, on Wednesday made his third appearance at Ennis District Court over the seizure of cannabis worth an estimated €10 million at his home on May 7th. Advertisement Mr O'Mara appeared in court via video-link from a booth at Limerick prison after a judge previously refused him bail following Garda objections. From his prison booth on Wednesday, Mr O'Mara said "good morning", and when asked to confirm his name for the court, he said 'it's Brendan O'Mara'. Solicitor Ted McCarthy said Mr O'Mara's name appears incorrectly as O'Meara on the charge sheets and the correct spelling is 'O'Mara'. Sgt John Burke said there are no directions yet available from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) but 'there is a level of progress being made in this case'. Advertisement 'A provisional cert has come from Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) which indicates the substance is cannabis,' he told the court. 'There are other investigations going on and there is progress being made,' he added. Judge Alec Gabbett said he would further remand Mr O'Mara in custody to reappear before Ennis District Court on June 11th via video-link. The judge said if there are other court applications elsewhere and they are successful – referring to a possible application for bail to the High Court – then Mr O'Mara would have to attend the court in person if not in custody. Advertisement Mr O'Mara faces two charges – possessing cannabis for sale or supply, and possessing cannabis, on May 7th. At the contested bail hearing on May 10th, gardaí told the court Mr O'Mara made no reply to the charges after caution, and that 'further, and more serious charges' may be brought against him in respect of the case where gardaí seized an estimated 502kg in cannabis. Sergeant Rob Sheehy of the Limerick Divisional Drugs Unit, said he was objecting to bail because of the 'strength and nature of the evidence' as well as the high value of the drugs. He told the court that the Garda investigation was in its 'infancy', but he said gardaí believed that 'it stretches to a number of countries and there are a number of persons that need to be established'. Advertisement He claimed Mr O'Mara was also a flight risk, due to his 'aeronautical knowledge', that he has a number of pilots licenses, and has links to the USA. Applying for bail on May 10th, solicitor Tara Godfrey said the accused had 'three pilots licences including a helicopter licence, a UK pilot licence and a EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) licence', and he would 'hand over' his licences to the State and not leave the country. Ireland Former Ryanair pilot (62) charged with possession... Read More 'His Ryanair crew card is being returned to his former employers,' Ms Godfrey said. Ms Godfrey said a sister of Mr O'Mara was in the court and had pledged to act as an independent bail surety for the accused for up to €177,000. Appealing for the court not to hold the accused in custody, Ms Godfrey said Mr O'Mara 'has offered up all the means he could to leave this country' and has significant ties here. 'He enjoys the presumption of innocence,' she said.
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Science
- Irish Daily Mirror
DNA breakthrough to help identify children buried at Tuam Mother and Baby Home
A breakthrough in extracting DNA from skeletal remains is now being used to help identify children buried at the Tuam Mother and Baby Home. The new method was first used to identify the century-old remains of wrongly executed Harry Gleeson – was the first recipient of a posthumous pardon by the Irish government. The technique of gathering DNA from human bone has also enabled the identification of decomposed bodies and bones recovered at sea. Dr Edward Connolly, director of science and development at Forensic Science Ireland, said: 'It was driven by the desire to be able to get DNA profiles from bones to help identify someone.' Along with helping to solve crimes, he saw it as nearly a public service. Dr Connolly added: 'You're trying to identify missing bodies and get remains back to families.' This week, FSI is hosting the European Academy of Forensic Science (EAFS) conference in Dublin while marking the 50th anniversary of the State Laboratory's foundation by the late Dr Jim Donovan, regarded as the father of modern Irish forensics. The ever-growing DNA database – which has seen its profiles rise from 9,000 in 2016 to around 83,000 at the end of last year – proved pivotal in helping to identify an unknown sexual predator in a case which had remained unsolved for over a decade. A woman, who was sexually assaulted while walking home through a park in Ireland at night in 2011, did not know her attacker. Although a DNA profile was obtained from semen during a medical examination, it matched neither the national database nor any of the four suspects at the time. In June 2022, more than a decade later, the unknown profile was shared through the EU's Prum system, which facilitates DNA exchange across member states. A match was found in the UK and passed to Garda Interpol, finally identifying the attacker. In 2024, the DNA database, housed at the new futuristic €100million State laboratory, recorded 766 investigative matches – including 711 cases where DNA matched a crime stain. Of these, 453 matches assisted single investigations, while the remaining 258 linked individuals to multiple cases, assisting with 425 investigations. Dr Connolly said: 'In total, 868 cases have been aided.' A match between crime scene samples was seen 55 times in 2024, uncovering 129 investigative links. At the European Academy of Forensic Science's conference – EAFS 2025 – experts in DNA, toxicology, digital forensics, and AI-driven analysis from across Europe will exchange advancements in crime scene science. One of the papers – presented by Dr. Stephen Clifford – will explain the painstaking DNA profiling process used to identify Harry Gleeson's remains which were buried in an unmarked grave in Mountjoy Prison. Gleeson was wrongly executed for the murder of Moll McCarthy in 1940. The State laboratory traced his genetic signature through maternal and male relatives but first they had to gather his DNA. Dr Connolly added: 'The key thing is being able to get a DNA profile from bones that are 100 years or so old. 'In the past we simply wouldn't have been able to do that.' It was a quest which had begun years earlier when the scientists were frustrated at being unable to identify skeletal remains sent into the laboratory. He added: 'We weren't able to proceed with them. So they stayed in the State pathologist's or coroner's office. 'We followed research literature in different countries, as they were able to develop and try to get DNA from bone. So, then we started doing it as well.' FSI is one of Europe's leading laboratories in using next-generation sequencing, which they employed in the Gleeson case once they obtained the DNA. Dr Connolly said: 'You can delve into even smaller pieces of DNA, called SNPs [Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms], and that allows a greater degree of discrimination for identifying relatives. 'We were using Next Generation Sequencing, which allows us to look at something called mitochondrial DNA, which is passed down from mother to child. There is less changes in it so you can actually find you have the same mitochondrial DNA as your maternal relatives, including first cousins, as second cousins and so on. 'And also, there's something called Y-STR profiling, which simply looks at the Y chromosome found in males only. For Harry Gleeson, they used the combination of both profiling methods.' He said the learning from the Mountjoy cases will be used to help identify the children in the mass grave in Tuam. Dr Connolly said: 'We're using this Next Generation Sequencing technology to allow us to delve into that greater level of discrimination because you're looking at third-degree relatives, such as a grand nephew or niece, whereas normally, when you're trying to identify missing persons, you'd be looking at comparing DNA of closer relations, like a parents or a sibling.' The EAFS 2025 conference programme covers everything from case studies, to DNA and Body fluids, Digital Evidence, Drugs, Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, and Biometric Traces. A memorial is also being planned for Dr Jim Donovan, who founded the State Lab in 1975. Dr Connolly said: 'Jim set up the lab and was instrumental in driving forensic science in Ireland. He was such a thorough, methodical scientist.' He paid tribute to his colleague's dedication and work ethic after surviving a car-bomb assassination attempt by criminal Martin Cahill. Dr Connolly added: 'He was unfortunately targeted and sustained injuries, which ultimately affected his whole life. It was a testament to his dedication and his work ethic that he still grew the lab. He was a real forensic scientist, down looking at the microscope and liked to keep in with things. 'He passed away earlier this year, and we thought it would be nice to mark Jim's contribution. We're holding a memorial service on June 9th, and we're naming our boardroom in his honour.' The State lab outside Cellbridge – which wouldn't look out of place in a James Bond movie – is now considered 'one of the best in class worldwide'. Dr Connolly added: 'We spent over €1million on new equipment. The future is here now. We have these pressurised rooms for DNA.' But even as science advances, Dr Connolly said criminals have become more forensically aware. He added: 'In one way, if evidence is left behind at a scene, we're in a better position now to identify the trace evidence, be it a DNA profile, trace evidence, paint, glass, or fibres. 'But over the years, criminals seem to have become more forensic aware. 'And certainly, if you think back on tiger kidnappings, they went in and went out, and they would have used bleach, so they were quite forensic aware. In a lot of cases, there wasn't actually any forensic evidence of value left at the scene, because they were quite thorough in doing a cleanup.' With preserved evidence and fresh eyes, cold cases can find resolution. Dr Connolly added: 'It's about how well the evidence was preserved. 'And then the gardai looking back and saying, 'Was there anything that wasn't submitted to the lab originally – and what can we do with it now?' There is always hope.'
Irish Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Two men arrested after Gardaí seize €210,000 of cocaine in Dublin
Two men have been arrested after Gardaí seized €210,000 of suspected cocaine. Gardaí seized the €210,000 of suspected cocaine as part of an operation targeting the sale and supply of controlled drugs in the Dublin Metropolitan Region South Central area. The seizure was made during the course of a search of a residence in the Dublin 8 area, on Friday, May 23. The drugs seized are now subject to analysis by Forensic Science Ireland. Two men, aged in their 20's and 30's, were arrested in connection with the investigation. They have since been charged with offences under the misuse of drugs act, and appeared before the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) this afternoon, Saturday, 24 May. Gardaí said that investigations are ongoing. This seizure forms part of Operation Tara, an enhanced national anti-drugs strategy launched by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris on July 2, 2021. The focus of Operation Tara is to disrupt, dismantle, and prosecute drug trafficking networks at all levels—international, national, and local—involved in the importation, distribution, cultivation, production, local sale, and supply of controlled drugs.
