Latest news with #LimerickCircuitCriminalCourt
The Journal
2 days ago
- The Journal
Jury told to find garda not guilty on five counts over alleged motor insurance record tampering
LAST UPDATE | 8 mins ago A JURY IN the trial of a Limerick garda accused of 'sorting out' motoring offences for drivers were today directed by the trial judge that they should find him not guilty of some of the charges. Tom Flavin, (51), Rathkeale Garda Station, Co Limerick, should be acquitted of all of the charges as there is no real evidence against him, his barrister, senior counsel, Mark Nicholas, said in his closing speech to the jury today. Flavin went on trial before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court on 27 May accused of 22 counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice. Today, senior prosecuting counsel, Fiona Murphy, told the jury they were to find Flavin not guilty of five of the charges and that they would consider verdicts on the 17 remaining counts. Flavin, who denies all the charges, is accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice by entering false motor insurance details on the garda PULSE records computer system, in an attempt to frustrate potential prosecutions against persons for driving without insurance. The drivers involved were stopped at routine garda checkpoints around the country and asked by the garda present to produce their insurance and licence details at a nominated garda station within ten days of the traffic stop. All of the drivers asked to do this nominated Rathkeale garda station. Later, when the investigating garda in each of the stops carried out follow up checks of PULSE, they were satisfied that details entered into the system indicated that the driver in each case was insured. However, the court heard the drivers were actually not insured and some were even prosecuted in court afterwards after pleading guilty to driving without insurance at the time they were stopped. In his closing speech to the jury, Nicholas SC, instructed by solicitor Dan O'Gorman, described Flavin as an exemplary garda who had served with dedication in Croom and Rathkeale, Co Limerick, for many years. Urging the jury to acquit Flavin and not fall into the trap of speculation, Nicholas added there was radically insufficient evidence to support a conviction. 'He served his community without blemish and without any disciplinary blots – you know that from the evidence. When other gardaí came to give evidence, his superiors, they spoke of him very fondly and well – it wasn't far off gushing and they spoke with knowledge,' Nicholas told the jury. Advertisement The defence barrister spoke of the 'unique challenges' gardaí face in Rathkeale as opposed to other jurisdictions. 'People who live down here know it has an enormous population, transient, in and out at various times of the year. One policeman said (the population) quadruples and with that comes its own set of problems and own sets of vehicles – UK car registrations, UK insurance, some not insured, some not being entirely truthful.' 'We know that a certain number of times that people who were pulled up and stopped and asked for their documentation, produced bogus insurance certificates.' Nicholas said the charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice is an extraordinarily, serious allegation to make against a serving garda. 'That he (Flavin) must have deliberately, knowing the (insurance) certificate to be false, inputted it into the system with the intention that it would frustrate a prosecution. There has been nothing close to this level of proof in this case whatsoever,' added Nicholas. The court heard evidence of persons providing documents at Rathkeale garda station, however it was unclear who exactly produced what at the Garda station, and what exactly was produced. Fiona Murphy SC, prosecuting, said all of the relevant data entries onto PULSE 'were entered under the ID of Thomas Flavin'. Murphy told the jury that a statute of limitation of 'six months' generally applied in respect of prosecuting offences of driving without insurance. 'It is the prosecution's case that Tom Flavin knew they (the motorists involved) were not covered (by insurance) and that he entered the details onto PULSE to ensure they (appeared) covered,' Murphy told the jury. 'Flavin knew what he was doing, and he did so to ensure those persons were insured (on PULSE) when they were not, in order to ensure there was no prosecution,' Murphy alleged. The prosecuting barrister told the jury that Tom Flavin enjoyed the presumption of innocence and that the burden of proof 'beyond a reasonable doubt' was all on the prosecution while, Flavin 'has nothin to prove'. Murphy told the jury the prosecution case was 'a circumstantial case, there is no direct evidence, instead the prosecution relies on indirect evidence'. It is anticipated the jury will retire to consider its verdicts on each of the 17 counts on Friday. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Sunday World
21-05-2025
- Sunday World
Limerick man granted bail after admitting to producing sex video chats with children
The defendant, who cannot presently be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to a total of seven charges before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. A Limerick man who admitted using a social media app to produce sex video chats with underage girls, and who attended a sex act involving a female child, has been granted bail by a court ahead of his sentencing hearing. The man appeared before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court where he also admitted inviting underage girls to 'participate' in a sex act. He admitted to using the 'Monkey' live video chat platform to communicate with children to sexually exploit them. The man also admitted possessing sexual videos and images of children. Stock image. News in 90 seconds - 21st May The defendant, who cannot presently be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to a total of seven charges. He entered a 'guilty' plea that, on April 2, 2023, he 'used the Monkey Application to produce a live video chat of a sexually explicit nature with two female children for the purposes of distribution, publication, exportation, sale or show'. The man also entered a plea of 'guilty' that, on April 3, 2023, he 'used the Monkey Application to produce a live video chat of a sexually explicit nature with a female child for the purposes of distribution, publication, exportation, sale or show'. The man pleaded 'guilty' that, on April 2, 2023, he 'invited two female children to participate in a pornographic performance'. He also pleaded 'guilty' that, on April 3, 2023, he 'knowingly attended a pornographic performance involving a female child'. The man also pleaded 'guilty' to using the Monkey Application to communicate with two unknown female children in order to 'facilitate the sexual exploitation of those children, by him', on April 2, 2023. He also pleaded 'guilty' to using the Monkey Application to communicate with an unknown female child in order to facilitate the sexual exploitation of that child, by him', on April 3, 2023. The man, who who attended the court with his mother, also pleaded 'guilty' to knowingly possessing four images and two videos of 'child pornography', on his mobile phone, on April 9th, 2023. All of the admitted offences occurred at an address in Limerick. The case was listed before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court for mention again in July in order to fix a date for evidence at a sentencing hearing.
Irish Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man bailed after pleading guilty to "attending" sex act involving female child
A Limerick man has been bailed by a court after he admitted charges of 'producing' live sexual video chats involving underage girls, and 'attending' a sex act involving a female child. The man also admitted inviting underage girls to 'participate' in a sex act, as well as possessing sexual videos and images of children. The defendant, who cannot presently be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to a total of seven charges before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. The man entered a 'guilty' plea that, on April 2, 2023, he 'used the Monkey Application to produce a live video chat of a sexually explicit nature with two female children for the purposes of distribution, publication, exportation, sale or show'. The man also entered a plea of 'guilty' that, on April 3, 2023, he 'used the Monkey Application to produce a live video chat of a sexually explicit nature with a female child for the purposes of distribution, publication, exportation, sale or show'. The man pleaded 'guilty' that, on April 2, 2023, he 'invited two female children to participate in a pornographic performance'. The man also pleaded 'guilty' that, on April 3, 2023, he 'knowingly attended a pornographic performance involving a female child'. The man also pleaded 'guilty' to using the Monkey Application to communicate with two unknown female children in order to 'facilitate the sexual exploitation of those children, by him', on April 2, 2023. He also pleaded 'guilty' to using the Monkey Application to communicate with an unknown female child in order to facilitate the sexual exploitation of that child, by him', on April 3, 2023. The man, who who attended the court with his mother, also pleaded 'guilty' to knowingly possessing four images and two videos of child sex abuse material, on his mobile phone, on April 9, 2023. All of the admitted offences occurred at an address in Limerick. The man was remanded on bail and the case was listed before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court for mention again in July to fix a date for evidence ahead of the man's sentencing hearing.
Sunday World
16-05-2025
- Sunday World
Five women from one family on trial over alleged knife attack in Rathkeale
in the dock | Each of the five accused have pleaded not guilty before a jury of eight men and four women in front of Judge Fiona O'Sullivan, Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. The complainant, Christina McCarthy née Harty, sustained disfiguring knife wounds to her face, as well as to her left hand as she was trying to defend herself, Limerick Circuit Criminal Court heard. The aggravated burglary and knife attack allegedly occurred at Ms McCarthy's home at Ballingrane, Rathkeale, Co Limerick, on December 10th, 2019. Mary Ellen Daly neé Harty. Picture: Brendan Gleeson News in 90 Seconds - May 16th Sergeant Rob Sheehy, Henry Street Garda Station, Limerick, showed photographs in court of 'horizontal and vertical' knife wounds to Ms. McCarthy's face as well as 'two gashes or wounds' on her left hand. Sergeant Sheehy agreed with prosecuting barrister, Lily Buckley, that the knife wounds to Ms McCarthy's face 'ran along her jaws up to her ears'. Christina Casey. Picture: Brendan Gleeson Ms Buckley told the court that Ms McCarthy was 'resting' in her bedroom when all five accused women arrived together in cars, at her home, on the date in question. Inspector Barry Manton confirmed in court that photographs shown to the jury that were taken by gardai at the scene, included images of bloodied hair, as well as 'blood spattering' and 'blood staining' found on flooring, walls and bedsheets inside the complainant's house. Mother and daughter, Nora 'Josie' Harty, (57), and Mary Ellen Daly neé Harty, (34), both with an address at Lisheen Park, Patrickswell, Co Limerick, are accused of one count of committing aggravated burglary while in possession of knives at Ms McCarthy's home, during which they assaulted her causing her serious harm. Nora Harty, a first cousin of the complainant, is also charged with causing criminal damage to a window at the complainant's home. Rita Johnson. Picture: Brendan Gleeson Ciara Johnson, (30), St Ita's Street, St Mary's Park, Limerick, and Christina Casey, (48), St Aidan's Close, Brookfield, Tallaght, Dublin, are charged that, while in possessing of a knife and a baseball bat respectively, they committed aggravated burglary at Ms McCarthy's home, during which they intended to assault her, causing her harm. The court heard that Ciara Johnson is a daughter-in-law to Nora Harty, and Ms Casey is Nora Harty's sister. The fifth accused, Rita Johnson, (51), St Ita's Street, St Mary's Park, mother to Ciara Johnson, is charged with committing burglary at Ms McCarthy's house, during which she intended to assault and cause harm to Ms McCarthy. Ms Buckley told the jury that the alleged knife attack and burglary occurred 24 hours after an alleged verbal and physical interaction involving the complainant, her daughter Amanda Sheridan née McCarthy, and two of the five accused, Mary Ellen Daly and Ciara Johnson. Read more Each of the five accused have pleaded not guilty before a jury of eight men and four women in front of Judge Fiona O'Sullivan, Limerick Circuit Criminal Court. Ms Buckley, instructed by Brendan Gill, state solicitor for County Limerick, told the jury: 'The accused are presumed innocent and retain that presumption of innocence until you may decide otherwise.' 'The burden of proof is on the prosecution and the standard of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt - not beyond all doubt,' the prosecution barrister added. Nora Josie Harty is represented by barrister Liam Carroll; Mary Ellen Daly is represented by barrister Grace Hogan; Ciara Johnson is being represented by barrister Karla Ray; Christina Casey is represented by barrister Joseph McMahon; and Rita Johnson is represented by barrister Johanna O'Connor. The trial resumes Monday when the court is expected to hear evidence from the complainant.
Sunday World
06-05-2025
- Sunday World
Man who helped Brazilian cartel smuggle huge €21.6m cocaine shipment into Ireland jailed
LOCKED UP | Nikola Penchev (34) of Veliki, Preslav, Bulgaria, pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court Nikola Penchev Nikola Penchev (34) of Veliki, Preslav, Bulgaria, pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to possessing cocaine worth over €21.6million, for sale or supply, at Foynes Port, Co Limerick, on December 19, 2023. Penchev, a maritime engineer, was arrested after Revenue Customs officials and Gardai, acting on a tip-off that the drugs were on board the ship, the MV Verila, searched the vessel and found the cocaine haul tied together in several bales attached to a transmitter. The ship initially set sail from Hamilton, Canada, to Santos Brazil, before reverting to Hamilton and eventually onto Foynes in County Limerick. The Maltese vessel MV Verila Penchev, who joined the ship on its second voyage out of Hamilton had initially been unaware it was carrying cocaine. While on route to Foynes Port, Penchev was recruited by another of the ship's crew, his friend and fellow Bulgarian national, Kamen Petkov (37) to help him dump the cocaine in parcels at Glin, a few kilometers out from Foynes. Detective Garda Adrian Cahill, Limerick Garda Divisional Drugs Unit, gave evidence in court that unidentified parties used small boats to ferry the cocaine bales to Petkov at Santos Port while the rest of the ship's crew were asleep. Petkov, who was previously jailed for ten years after he also pleaded guilty to having the cocaine haul for sale or supply, was responsible for loading the drugs on board, tying the drug parcels together with life jackets and attaching a transmitter, and he kept in regular contact with the cartel via a satellite phone and a navigation app 'OsmAnd'. Petkov and Penchev ended up not dumping the drugs overboard at Glin as nobody appeared to be there to collect the packages when the ship arrived at the drop-off point. Drug detector dog Harley guards the 300kg illegal cocaine haul seized off a cargo ship at the Port of Foynes in Co Limerick (Pic: @gardainfo) Gardaí said Petkov told them that he was to be paid €150,000 for helping the gang, but he ended up not receiving any payment. Penchev told gardaí Petkov told him he would pay him €10,000 for helping him, but he too did not receive any of the money. Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley BL said Petkov told Penchev that if they lost the drugs, their lives would be under threat from 'dangerous people'. Kamen Petkov Penchev, who is married with two children, told gardai he only helped Petkov because he was 'afraid' of what the consequences would be for him and his family had he not helped. During the sailing, Penchev and Petkov took photos of the drug bales and sent the mobile phone snaps to the gang to prove the drugs were still on board the ship. Penchev's barrister told the court that he was not the instigator, that he was remorseful, and that he was a good, loving father and husband. Judge Daly said: 'Cocaine is a very serious and highly addictive drug, and the accused allowed himself to become involved in the international carrying of a serious amount of drugs.' The judge said he was satisfied that a headline prison sentence of 13 years was 'appropriate… this being a high-level commercial drug dealing operation'. Nikola Penchev News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, May 6th Judge Daly said Penchev's 'early guilty plea', and his 'cooperation' with the garda investigation allowed it 'to proceed with greater speed and efficiency' However the judge said that, because Penchev involved himself in 'trafficking such a large volume of drugs half way around the world, the principle of deterrence generally, prevents me considering sentencing below the presumptive minimum in the case, and so I reduce the sentence to one of ten years'. The sentence was backdated to December 24, 2023, when Penchev first entered into custody following his arrest. The court heard the garda investigation into the cocaine seizure remains 'ongoing'.
