Latest news with #JudgeOrlaCrowe
BreakingNews.ie
21-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Serial handbag thief stole bag containing €30k worth of cancer medication
A serial handbag thief who stole luggage containing almost €30,000 of cancer medication from an elderly tourist has been jailed for six and a half years. Marese Craig (28), described by her own lawyers as a 'nuisance' for plaguing businesses and tourists, also stole a handbag containing holy medals from a mother minding her baby at a neonatal intensive care unit at a Dublin city centre hospital. Advertisement Craig appeared before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on a multitude of theft offences spanning 10 bills of indictment. She has 191 previous convictions, including 18 burglaries, nine robberies, 102 thefts and 16 deception offences. She also has convictions for drugs and public order offences. The court heard Craig's offences were fuelled by a need to get money to buy drugs. She was readily identified on CCTV following most of the offences. She made admissions and expressed regret. Craig, of Bridgefoot Street, Dublin 8, pleaded guilty to thefts, burglaries and possession of stolen bank cards at locations across the city centre on dates between 2022 and 2024. Advertisement Passing sentence on Monday, Judge Orla Crowe made reference to what she felt were the two more serious offences committed by Craig, including the theft of the handbag from a mother who was tending to her baby in the neonatal ward, and the theft of the American tourist's bag. Judge Crowe said these thefts were 'particularly egregious' while acknowledging that Craig had been upset by the fact that the man's medication was in the bag she stole. The judge said that Craig didn't know the contents of any bag she took during her spate of offending, so she has 'to live with the consequences' of the fact that some of those bags may contain items which are of particular importance to the owner. Judge Crowe took into account the fact that Craig was a drug addict and has since expressed remorse for her crimes. Advertisement She imposed consecutive sentences totalling seven-and-a-half years before she suspended the final 12 months of that term on strict conditions, including that Craig engage with the Probation Service for 18 months following her release from prison. Judge Crowe described Craig's offending as 'deplorable' but said the court wished to give her some sort of opportunity to re-enter society in a constructive way. An investigating garda told Aoife O'Leary BL, prosecuting, that a 75-year-old American tourist on a long-planned trip to Ireland arrived at a city centre hotel on May 13th, 2024, when he noticed one of his bags was missing. The bag contained €27,000 worth of cancer and other medication, an iPad and a CPAP machine. Advertisement Some of the medication was later discovered scattered nearby. His son was able to bring him a fresh supply, and he could continue his holiday. Craig was identified from CCTV footage, arrested and interviewed. The court heard she felt bad when the contents were explained to her, and her emotions got the better of her. She said she had not realised what was inside. She made admissions and apologised. In April 2024, Craig gained access to the neonatal intensive care unit at the Coombe Hospital and stole a handbag belonging to a mother who had left it unattended while she went to care for her child. Advertisement The bag contained her purse, bank cards, holy medals and vouchers. The woman became aware her bag was missing when notifications appeared on her phone that her cards were being tapped at nearby shops. Craig was identified on CCTV using the card in shops. In March 2023, Craig distracted staff at a city centre restaurant while a co-accused went inside and grabbed cash totalling €2,200 from the manager, who was counting it. Craig had asked to use the toilet prior to this and spotted the woman counting cash as she walked around. On another occasion, Craig was attempting to use cards at a store, and when they were declined, she used the opportunity to grab €470 from the till. Many of the remaining thefts involved Craig gaining access to staff areas of businesses and restaurants and stealing personal items and bags from staff lockers. She also took handbags from people in restaurants and cafés while they ate their meals. The victims were at a loss of thousands of euros, wallets, bank cards, cash and personal items. Keith Spencer BL, defending, said in these offences, Craig's aim was to offend undisturbed, avoiding detection and confrontation. He said she was not vigilant in avoiding detection long-term, and is clearly visible on CCTV of the thefts and is sometimes looking directly into the camera. Mr Spencer said Craig knows what a nuisance she has been to the city centre and society. He said she had plagued businesses and tourists visiting the city, making it a negative experience for many. He said Craig has had her own share of negative experience. He outlined how the death of her brother had caused a relapse into drug use, and the offences were committed in a bid for money or items to convert to money for drugs. He said that when she was not offending, she was procuring drugs. Mr Spencer said Craig had become involved in petty theft at a young age and began abusing substances. He said when she began using crack cocaine, it had a devastating effect on her life. He said that after release from a previous sentence, she started working in a hairdresser, but her brother's death had sent her back into the vicious cycle of drug addiction. He said her mother is supportive and will be there to assist her on her release. He said his client is embarrassed by her situation and wants to be a good role model for younger members of her family. Counsel said she is capable of learning and aspired to a qualification in hairdressing. She wishes to live a different life to the chaotic one she currently has. She has not had drug treatment in the past.
Irish Times
16-07-2025
- Irish Times
Man operating at ‘highest possible level' of drug-dealing network jailed for 15 years
A man operating at the 'highest possible level' of a Dublin drug-dealing network has been jailed for 15 years after getting caught with almost €9 million worth of drugs and more than €1 million cash. Judge Orla Crowe said gardaí are satisfied 'no people were higher up nationally' than Andrew Pender (52), of Ely Green, Tallaght, Dublin 24. The judge said there was a 'highly sophisticated operation' involving two vehicles that were adapted to contain hidden compartments to store drugs, a rented shipping container, a stolen Garda uniform and a falsely registered delivery company. Pender pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of drugs for sale or supply at The Ward, Co Meath , on July 19th, 2024. READ MORE During their investigation gardaí found cocaine worth €4.47 million, ketamine valued at €2.5 million and MDMA worth more than €700,000 in vehicles and a shipping container in rural Co Meath. Pender also admitted money laundering €1,149,920 in cash at The Ward, his home and his parents' home also on the same date. He further pleaded guilty to having two vehicles fitted with a compartment giving rise to the inference he possessed it in connection with a drug trafficking offence. His three previous convictions were for minor road traffic offences. Sentencing Pender on Wednesday, Judge Crowe noted Pender had a long-standing addiction to cocaine. She accepted that there was a large number of references before the court that spoke well of him and that he wrote a letter of remorse. She said he did not assist the Garda investigation. The judge said the Garda evidence was that Pender 'managed the entire cell of drug distribution for the Dublin area'. He was responsible for both the movement of cash and drugs, she said. Pender was in 'clear control' of the operation, working 'hands on' and at the 'highest possible level', she said. Judge Crowe said it was an 'inherently very grave' case, with Pender 'chillingly' in possession of a Garda uniform. She imposed a 15-year prison sentence. Judge Crowe acceded to a request from barrister Joe Mulrean, prosecuting, to forfeit to the State the drugs, cash, vehicles and shipping container seized. She refused an application by Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha, defending, to suspend part of the sentence on the basis of Pender's chronic drug addiction. DetInsp Ken Holohan of the Dublin Crime Response Team (DCRT) previously gave evidence that Pender was arrested following an 'elaborate ongoing investigation'. Pender was stopped while driving a Peugeot. A search of the vehicle revealed €9,000 in cash, a small quantity of cocaine and a key. It was soon discovered that this was the key for a rented shipping container in Meath in which there was a van with a sophisticated hidden compartment, a stolen garda uniform, a stab vest and drugs.. In the van's hidden compartment gardaí found 16 blocks of cash and 2 kgs of cocaine. Pender had been renting the container for some time at a cost of €200 per month. The two vehicles were registered in others' names. His home and his parents' homes were searched, with documentation and cash found. Mr Ó Lideadha submitted to the court that Pender had the money and drugs to pay off a drug debt, but gardaí do not accept this. Counsel said Pender had damaged his nose due to his 'chronic cocaine habit'. He had to have part of his nose surgically removed recently as a result.
BreakingNews.ie
09-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
'Recidivist offender' jailed for a spate of offences including robbing a German tourist
An 'endemic recidivist offender' has been jailed for a spate of offences in Dublin City Centre on three different men, including a German tourist in his 60s. Patrick Cawley (35) of Plunkett Crescent, Finglas, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault, theft and robbery. He has 127 previous convictions. Advertisement When the German man pursued him, Cawley hid behind shelves in a convenience shop and then grappled with him while trying to retrieve his rucksack. In sentencing, Judge Orla Crowe described Cawley as an 'endemic recidivist offender' whose behaviour was 'reprehensible.' All the victims were male and in one case, a man had to have his jaw wired when Cawley and another man set upon him. The judge noted Cawley has a very significant list of offences but noted he had a life marked by 'endemic drug addiction'. She said she wanted to incentivise Cawley in dealing with his drug addiction and to facilitate his return to society. Advertisement Judge Crowe imposed consecutive sentences totalling five years and three months. She suspended the final 12 months of that term, leaving Cawley with an effective jail term of four years and three months. It was backdated it for time spent in custody. The court heard that a German tourist who was with his family on holidays, was on Aston Quay in May 2023. Cawley asked him for a fist bump and requested a cigarette, but then stole the man's rucksack. The German man ran after him and said 'give me back my bag'. Cawley had gone into a convenience store in Westmoreland Street and hid behind the shelves in the shop. The injured party found him and grappled with him at the door of the shop. Gardaí were later able to identify Cawley and he was arrested and interviewed. The German man made a victim impact statement in which the injured party said he was shocked after the incident and suffered from anxiety and stress. Advertisement He also said he now has a fear of crowds and of travel. The man said he had an economic loss of €1,100 relating to having to cancel other parts of his holiday, but the rucksack was recovered, the court heard. In another incident Cawley and another man punched a man in the face on Westmoreland Street, leaving him with a broken jaw. That man did not make a victim impact statement, but a medical report stated he had an acute mandibular fracture consistent with punch to the face. The man's fractured jaw needed wiring, the court heard. Cawley pleaded to assault contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act. Advertisement Under cross-examination Garda Robert Kennedy agreed with Declan Higgins BL, defending, that tragedy and adversity 'has visited his door more than once'. The court heard that Cawley's parents and his brother all died within a short period of time when he was 15. Gda Kennedy agreed Cawley was co-operative in interview and identified another party who was not before the court and was 'very upfront'. Ireland Man (31) pleads not guilty to unlawful killing, tr... Read More In another incident, a man was going home from the gym and was at a Luas stop on April 28th, 2024 when he was mugged by two men and his wallet was taken. The men went towards Stephen's Green Shopping Centre and when the injured party caught up with them, both men were congregated around tents and denied having his wallet. One of the men said 'don't accuse me of stealing your wallet or I'll break your head open'. Advertisement The injured party managed to cancel his card, but an attempt had been made to tap it in a convenience shop. CCTV was taken from various locations and Cawley, who was then serving a sentence, was arrested on January 17th, 2025 and brought to Pearse Street Garda Station where he indicated he had been involved in the robbery and said he 'was sick and he needed the money'.
Irish Times
19-06-2025
- Irish Times
‘She was living a double life': Bursar of private secondary school jailed for stealing €500,000
A bursar of a private secondary school has been jailed for one year for stealing half a million euros from the school to fund a gambling addiction. The judge said that, despite mitigation, including her selling her home and signing over her pension to repay most of the money, the 'egregious breach of trust' had to be marked with a custodial sentence. Mary Higgins (63), with an address at Hawthorn Lawn, Castleknock, was sentenced by Judge Orla Crowe at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday. She had pleaded guilty to stealing €500,000 from Mount Sackville Secondary School in Chapelizod between January 1st, 2012, and March 23, 2017. The court heard last month that she had spent 12 years attending the school and 24 years working there. READ MORE Judge Crowe remarked today that it was 'an unusual situation for a woman of her age, whose life revolved around her work in that school and who developed a gambling problem'. However, she said that Higgins was in a position of trust and had 'committed what was an egregious breach of trust over an extended period of time'. She described as an aggravating factor the 'considerable amount of money' involved. The court previously heard that she told gardaí that she had hoped and prayed every day for 'a big win' to pay the school back. At a previous hearing, Det Gda Brendan O'Hora stated that Higgins had controlled all aspects of the school's cash flow, was the main signatory on its bank accounts, and managed the lodgements. When cash was received in the school, it was placed in a folder for her, and she decided how it was to be allocated. He explained that, while parents received receipts, there was no cash receipts book, no copy of receipts was ever kept, and there was no oversight. However, it was another employee who prepared ledger cards for each child attending the school. This employee noticed that, from time to time, they were rewritten by Ms Higgins. The principal was informed, and, in March 2017, it was decided that an auditor would be brought in. Higgins told the principal that she had taken cash from the school over time and used it for her gambling addiction. She said she had taken about €500,000 and that she had a property she could sell. She was so distressed that the school was concerned for her wellbeing and suggested she attend her GP. She was placed on administrative leave. The Director of Public Prosecutions proceeded on the basis of the defendant's own admissions. Det Gda O'Hora said that Higgins had co-operated fully with gardaí and the forensic accountant. She had stressed she was the only person involved in the theft. She stated during interview that she had spent all of the money on gambling and was able to identify money having been paid to bookies. The detective explained that she was able to hide what she'd been doing as some fees were paid in advance. She had no previous convictions and had since repaid €470,949.62. Under cross-examination from Ronan Kennedy SC, defending, the detective agreed that this was an unsophisticated offence, and he accepted that she'd had unfettered access to the cash due to a lack of oversight. The court heard that she was very remorseful during her interviews with the gardaí. She told them that she had spent 36 years at the school, was not married, had no children and that her job was her life. Det Gda O'Hora added that her social life, too, and therefore her whole life, had revolved around the school. 'I believe she showed true remorse,' he added. 'Notwithstanding what she'd done, she was a pleasure to deal with.' The court heard that she had attended the Rutland Centre for her addiction and had also engaged with counsellors for personal therapy. Higgins has since returned to education, studying addiction and counselling so she could use her own experience to help others. She'd received a postgraduate qualification from Trinity College, and a Master's degree in counselling psychotherapy and has been providing voluntary counselling services to others. The court heard that she had sold her home and another apartment, and had also signed over her pension to repay the money. She now lives with her 93-year-old mother and receives €260 per week in carer's allowance to provide the 24-hour care she needs. Mr Kennedy said that during her time at Mount Sackville, she had overseen maintenance and capital building, with €7 million in profits reinvested into the school. Things changed in 2012, and some responsibilities were removed from her, impacting her self-esteem. She found herself having more time on her hands and, with no hobbies, she engaged in the secretive activity of gambling. 'She was living a double life,' he said. He noted that there was a shortfall of €29,000 in what she had repaid, but said that she was committed to paying it back if made a condition of her sentence. Counsel handed in several testimonials from current and former staff at the school, including a former principal and deputy principal. Letters from family members were also handed in. Judge Crowe imposed a three-year sentence but, in light of the substantial mitigation, she suspended the final two years on her own bond of €100.
BreakingNews.ie
19-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Woman (48) weeps in court as she admits killing her partner
A 48-year-old woman has admitted killing her partner in North County Dublin last year. Olesja Hertova, of Hastings Lawn, Balbriggan, was before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Monday, where she was arraigned on the single count of unlawfully killing James Ryan. Advertisement She started crying when the charge was put to her, and she pleaded guilty to his manslaughter on August 11th, 2024, at Hastings Lawn. Her barrister, Bernard Condon SC, explained to the court that the deceased was her husband, and he asked for the earliest sentence date available. Judge Orla Crowe remanded her in custody for sentencing on July 3rd, 2025.
