Latest news with #O'Kelly
Sunday World
4 days ago
- Sunday World
Man avoids jail after poisoning partner by crushing Valium tablets into her sandwich
Man avoids jail for crushing up Valium tablets inside his 'stressed' partner's sandwich A man who poisoned his partner by crushing up two Valium tablets and placing them in her sandwich is back walking the streets after dodging a jail sentence after claiming he had been trying to help her 'relax'. Video recorded by the Sunday World shows Mark O'Neill (62) of Cois na Coille, Pollerton, Co Carlow standing outside court as he awaited sentencing for the shocking crime last week. He pleaded guilty to Section 12 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act, which is defined as 'intentionally or recklessly administering, or causing to be taken, a substance which he/she knows to be capable of interfering substantially with the other's bodily functions'. The court previously heard Mark O'Neill's partner, Helen Nolan, discovered Valium tablets in the sandwich that he had made for her last August and that after taking one bite, she didn't eat any more of it because it tasted 'metallic' and that she immediately went to sleep. At his sentencing hearing, defence barrister Ross Pratt O'Brien pleaded for leniency on behalf of his client. He told Judge Eugene O'Kelly the facts of the case were accepted but noted it was his client's defence his wife was 'extremely stressed' at the time and he had been trying to help her. He said he now accepted his actions were reckless and could have caused her serious harm but said he did not consider this at the time. He said his client was 62 years old and has no previous convictions. He said he had fully co-operated with the investigation and had made admissions. He said as a result of the incident, his relationship was gone and that O'Neill is now effectively homeless and living in temporary accommodation. O'Neill pictured outside court this week He said O'Neill had been socially dependent on his partner and as a result of the case his entire social structure had broken down. 'He is now isolated entirely,' he said. He asked the court to deal with O'Neill by way of a non-custodial sentence. Judge Eugene O'Kelly described O'Neill's actions as 'shocking'. 'It was a shocking incident particularly with a person whom he knew had shocking medical issues which required lots of medication, so he knew perfectly well what he was doing to his partner,' said Judge O'Kelly. 'I have read the victim impact statement. The Probation Welfare Report is positive. The accused currently does not have a strong support network and is of low risk of reoffending,' added Judge O'Kelly. Mark O'Neill is now 'isolated entirely' News in 90 Seconds - June 1st Judge O'Kelly said he would impose a sentence of one year and six months, which he would suspend in its entirety for a period of two years on the accused entering into a bond of €100. Speaking directly to O'Neill, Judge O'Kelly said: 'I can assure you, that you have used up every opportunity that is available from this court.' Approached for comment at her home later, a family member of Ms Nolan's said she was aware of the outcome of the case but didn't wish to comment. The court heard previously that O'Neill and Ms Nolan had been in a relationship for 30 years and that they lived together at an address in Pollerton. Judge O'Kelly heard that on the day of the offence, Ms Nolan was in her bedroom on the phone when she heard Mr O'Neill on the landing outside so she asked him to make a sandwich for her. He subsequently returned with a tomato and mayonnaise sandwich, gave it to her and left the bedroom. The court heard that when Ms Nolan took a bite out of it, it tasted metallic and didn't taste like it should have, so she put it down and didn't have any more. She then fell asleep, and when she woke up the following morning, she still felt tired, so tired that she didn't feel like she had slept at all. She was 'overwhelmingly tired' throughout the day when she went to Tullow so she returned home to go back to bed, the court heard. Judge O'Kelly was told that when she saw the sandwich still on her bedside locker, the bread had turned blue in places and, upon investigation, she saw blue tablets mixed into it. She went to her doctor, who said she was medically fine but advised her to go to the gardai about the matter.
Irish Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man avoids jail after putting enough valium to 'knock a horse out' in sandwich
A man who admitted poisoning his partner of 30 years told Gardaí that he put Valium in her sandwich, claiming they could "knock a horse out for hours" they were so strong. The man has been handed a suspended sentence of one year and six months. Judge Eugene O'Kelly heard at the March sitting of Carlow Circuit Court that Mark O'Neill's partner Helen Nolan discovered the Valium tablets in a sandwich that he had made for her last August and that after taking one bite, she didn't eat any more of it because it tasted 'metallic' and that she immediately went to sleep. 62-year-old Mark O'Neill, of Cois na Coille, Pollerton, Carlow, was in court for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to Section 12 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act, which is defined as "intentionally or recklessly administering, or causing to be taken, a substance which he/she knows to be capable of interfering substantially with the other's bodily functions". Judge O'Kelly heard at an earlier sitting of the Circuit Court from Defence Counsel, Ross Pratt-O'Brien, B.L., that Mr. O'Neill and Ms Nolan had been in a relationship for 30 years and that they lived together at the above address in Pollerton. He said that the accused accepted that it was a horrific thing to do. He co-operated fully with the Garda investigation and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. The investigating Garda told the court that Mr. O'Neill got sick in 2009 when he had cancer and that although he'd made a good recovery, he rarely left the house, didn't drive, didn't work and didn't socialise. When the case came back before court on Friday for sentencing, Judge O'Kelly said the accused man's partner was not aware of the substance used in the sandwich. The accused said he took it upon himself to do it as his partner was going through a difficult time. It was a shocking thing to do, he said. "It was a shocking incident, particularly with a person whom he knew had shocking medical issues which required lots of medication, so he knew perfectly well what he was doing to his partner," said Judge O'Kelly. The accused, said Judge O'Kelly, is 52 years of age and has no previous convictions. He said the appropriate sentence would be two years and six months. "I have read (the) victim impact statement. The Probation Welfare Report is positive. The accused currently does not have a strong support network and is of low risk of reoffending," added Judge O'Kelly. Judge O'Kelly said he would impose a sentence of one year and six months, which he would suspend in its entirety for a period of two years on the accused entering into a bond of €100. Speaking directly to the accused, Judge O'Kelly said: "I can assure you, that you have used up every opportunity that is available from this court." The court also heard that their relationship had deteriorated over the years, to the extent that it could be days or weeks without them speaking to each other, and that they also had separate bedrooms. Defending Counsel Ross Pratt O'Brien told the court that there was no violence or aggression in their relationship. The court was also told that Ms Nolan suffered from fibromyalgia and diabetes, while Mr. O'Neill also took medications, but that their medications were kept in two separate locations in the house. Judge O'Kelly heard that on the day of the offence, Ms Nolan was in her bedroom on the phone when she heard Mr. O'Neill on the landing outside so she asked him to make a sandwich for her. He (Mr. O'Neill) subsequently returned with a tomato and mayonnaise sandwich, gave it to her and left the bedroom. The court heard what when Ms Nolan took a bite out of it, it tasted metallic and didn't taste like it should have, so she put it down and didn't have any more. She then fell asleep and when she woke up the following morning she still felt tired, so tired that she didn't feel like she had slept at all. She was "overwhelmingly tired" throughout the day when she went to Tullow so she returned home to go back to bed, the court heard. Judge O'Kelly was also told that when she saw the sandwich still on her bedside locker, the bread had turned blue in places, and, upon investigation, she saw blue tablets mixed into it. She went to her doctor, who said she was medically fine but advised her to go to the Gardaí about the matter. In a statement she gave to Gardaí, Ms Nolan said she had had seven car accidents in recent months but she couldn't be sure it had anything to do with being medicated. She also told Gardaí that she'd only taken a single bite of the sandwich and 'God knows what would have happened' if she'd eaten the whole thing. The investigating Garda told the court that when he went to arrest Mr. O'Neill, he made admissions in the patrol car saying that he'd put 'mayonnaise, tomatoes and two blue Valium tablets' in the sandwich. He told Gardaí that he wanted Ms Nolan to be able to relax because she'd been stressed in recent times and that he "took it upon himself" to do it and that he thought he was "doing the right thing". Mr. O'Neill told Gardaí they were his tablets and that they could "knock a horse out for hours" they were so strong. Judge O'Kelly was told that the defendant had denied ever doing it before and that "he had no intention of harming her because she meant too much to him" after she took care of him when he was sick with cancer.
Sunday World
24-05-2025
- Sunday World
Man admits to poisoning partner of 30 years with enough Valium to ‘knock a horse out'
AVOIDS JAIL | Mark O'Neill told gardaí that he wanted Helen Nolan to be able to relax because she'd been stressed in recent times and that he 'took it on himself' to do it and that he thought he was 'doing the right thing' Photo: Getty/stock image Judge Eugene O'Kelly was told Mark O'Neill's partner, Helen Nolan, discovered the Valium tablets in a sandwich he made for her last August. After taking one bite, she didn't eat any more because it tasted 'metallic' and immediately went to sleep. O'Neill (62), of Cois na Coille, Pollerton, Co Carlow, was in court for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to Section 12 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act, which is defined as intentionally or recklessly administering, or causing to be taken, a substance which he/she knows to be capable of interfering substantially with the other's bodily functions. Judge O'Kelly was told at an earlier sitting of the Circuit Court by defence counsel Ross Pratt-O'Brien BL that O'Neill and Ms Nolan had been in a relationship for 30 years and that they lived together at the above address in Pollerton. He said the accused accepted it was a horrific thing to do. He co-operated fully with the garda investigation and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. Photo: Getty/stock image News in 90 Seconds - May 24th 2025 The investigating garda told the court that O'Neill got sick in 2009 and had been diagnosed with cancer. Although he'd made a good recovery, he rarely left the house, didn't drive, didn't work and didn't socialise. When the case came back before court today for sentencing, Judge O'Kelly said the accused man's partner had not been aware of the substance used in the sandwich. The accused said he took it on himself to do it because his partner was going through a difficult time. It was a shocking thing to do, he said. 'It was a shocking incident particularly with a person whom he knew had shocking medical issues which required lots of medication, so he knew perfectly well what he was doing to his partner,' said Judge O'Kelly. O'Neill has no previous convictions. The judge said the appropriate sentence would be two years and six months. 'I have read the victim impact statement. The Probation Welfare Report is positive. The accused currently does not have a strong support network and is of low risk of reoffending,' added Judge O'Kelly. Judge O'Kelly said he would impose a sentence of one year and six months, which he would suspend in its entirety for a period of two years on condition the accused entered into a bond of €100. Speaking directly to O'Neill, Judge O'Kelly said: 'I can assure you, that you have used up every opportunity that is available from this court'. The court also heard that their relationship had deteriorated over the years, to the extent that it could be days or weeks without them speaking to each other, and that they also had separate bedrooms. Read more Mr Pratt-O'Brien told the court there had been no violence or aggression in their relationship. The court was also told that Ms Nolan suffered from fibromyalgia and diabetes, while Mr O'Neill also took medications, but that their medications were kept in two separate locations in the house. Judge O'Kelly was told that, on the day of the offence, Ms Nolan was in her bedroom on the phone when she heard O'Neill on the landing outside, so she asked him to make a sandwich for her. He subsequently returned with a tomato and mayonnaise sandwich, gave it to her and left the bedroom. The court heard what when Ms Nolan took a bite out of it, it tasted metallic and didn't taste like it should have, so she put it down and didn't have any more. She then fell asleep and when she woke up the following morning she still felt tired, so tired that she didn't feel like she had slept at all. She was 'overwhelmingly tired', the court heard. Judge O'Kelly was also told that when she saw the sandwich still on her bedside locker, the bread had turned blue in places, and, on investigation, she saw blue tablets mixed into it. She went to her doctor, who said she was medically fine but advised her to go to the gardaí about the matter. In a statement to gardaí, Ms Nolan said she had had seven car accidents in recent months but she couldn't be sure it had anything to do with being medicated. She also told gardai that she'd taken only a single bite of the sandwich and 'God knows what would have happened' if she'd eaten the whole thing. The investigating garda told the court that when he went to arrest O'Neill, he made admissions in the patrol car, saying that he'd put 'mayonnaise, tomatoes and two blue Valium tablets' in the sandwich. He told gardaí that he wanted Ms Nolan to be able to relax because she'd been stressed in recent times and that he 'took it upon himself' to do it and that he thought he was 'doing the right thing'. Mr. O'Neill told gardai they were his tablets and that they could 'knock a horse out for hours' they were so strong. Judge O'Kelly was told that the defendant had denied doing it before and that 'he had no intention of harming her because she meant too much to him' because she had taken care of him when he had cancer.
The Journal
23-05-2025
- The Journal
Man who poisoned his partner of 30 years with Valium that could 'knock a horse out' avoids jail
A MAN WHO admitted poisoning his partner of 30 years told gardaí that he put Valium in her sandwich claiming they could 'knock a horse out for hours' they were so strong, has been handed a one year and six months suspended sentence. Judge Eugene O'Kelly heard at the March sitting of Carlow Circuit Court that Mark O'Neill's partner Helen Nolan discovered the Valium tablets in a sandwich that he had made for her last August and that taking one bite, she didn't eat any more of it because it tasted 'metallic' and that she immediately went to sleep. Mark O'Neill, of Cois na Coille, Pollerton, Carlow, was in court for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to Section 12 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Persons Act, which is defined as 'intentionally or recklessly administering, or causing to be taken, a substance which he/she knows to be capable of interfering substantially with the other's bodily functions'. Judge O'Kelly heard at an earlier sitting of the Circuit Court from Defence Counsel, Ross Pratt-O'Brien, B.L., that O'Neill and Ms Nolan had been in a relationship for 30 years and that they lived together at the above address in Pollerton. He said that the accused accepted that it was a horrific thing to do. He co-operated fully with the garda investigation and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity. The investigating garda told the court that O'Neill became sick in 2009 when he had cancer and that although he'd made a good recovery, he rarely left the house, didn't drive, didn't work and didn't socialise. When the case came back before court today for sentencing, Judge O'Kelly said the accused man's partner was not aware of the substance used in the sandwich. The accused said he took it upon himself to do it as his partner was going through a difficult time. It was a shocking thing to do, he said. 'It was a shocking incident particularly with a person whom he knew had shocking medical issues which required lots of medication, so he knew perfectly well what he was doing to his partner,' said Judge O'Kelly. The accused, said Judge O'Kelly, has no previous convictions. 'I have read victim impact statement. The Probation Welfare Report is positive. The accused currently does not have a strong support network and is of low risk of reoffending,' added Judge O'Kelly. Judge O'Kelly said he would impose a sentence of one year and six months, which he would suspend in its entirety for a period of two years on the accused entering into a bond of €100. Advertisement Speaking directly to the accused, Judge O'Kelly said 'I can assure you, that you have used up every opportunity that is available from this court.' The court also heard that their relationship had deteriorated over the years, to the extent that it could be days or weeks without them speaking to each other, and that they also had separate bedrooms. Defending Counsel, Ross Pratt O'Brien told the court that there was no violence or aggression in their relationship. The court was also told that Ms Nolan suffered from fibromyalgia and diabetes, while O'Neill also took medications, but that their medications were kept in two separate locations in the house. Judge O'Kelly heard that on the day of the offence, Ms Nolan was in her bedroom on the phone when she heard O'Neill on the landing outside so she asked him to make a sandwich for her. He subsequently returned with a tomato and mayonnaise sandwich, gave it to her and left the bedroom. The court heard what when Ms Nolan took a bite out of it, it tasted metallic and didn't taste like it should have, so she put it down and didn't have any more. She then fell asleep and when she woke up the following morning she still felt tired, so tired that she didn't feel like she had slept at all. She was 'overwhelmingly tired' throughout the day so she returned home to go back to bed, the court heard. Judge O'Kelly was also told that when she saw the sandwich still on her bedside locker, the bread had turned blue in places, and, upon investigation, she saw blue tablets mixed into it. She went to her doctor, who said she was medically fine but advised her to go to the gardaí about the matter. In a statement she gave to gardaí, Ms Nolan said she had had seven car accidents in recent months but she couldn't be sure it had anything to do with being medicated. She also told gardaí that she'd only taken a single bite of the sandwich and 'God knows what would have happened' if she'd eaten the whole thing. The investigating garda told the court that when he went to arrest O'Neill, he made admissions in the patrol car saying that he'd put 'mayonnaise, tomatoes and two blue Valium tablets' in the sandwich. He told gardaí that he wanted Ms Nolan to be able to relax because she'd been stressed in recent times and that he 'took it upon himself' to do it and that he thought he was 'doing the right thing'. O'Neill told gardaí they were his tablets and that they could 'knock a horse out for hours' they were so strong. Judge O'Kelly was told that the defendant had denied ever doing it before and that 'he had no intention of harming her because she meant too much to him' after she took care of him when he was sick with cancer. 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. 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Sunday World
21-04-2025
- Sunday World
Funeral of young farmer killed in crash hears he was a ‘likeable rascal' who always had a ‘beaming smile'
Desmond Eugene (Dessie) O' Kelly of Drumloona, Carrigallen, Co Leitrim died when the tractor he was a passenger in was involved in a single vehicle collision on the R204 at Aghavilla, Carrigallen, on Tuesday afternoon, April 15, 2025, at approximately 3.10pm. The funeral of a young farmer who died in a crash in Co Leitrim has heard he was a 'likeable rascal' who always had a 'beaming smile'. Desmond Eugene (Dessie) O' Kelly of Drumloona, Carrigallen, Co Leitrim died when the tractor he was a passenger in was involved in a single vehicle collision on the R204 at Aghavilla, Carrigallen, on Tuesday afternoon, April 15, 2025, at approximately 3.10pm. Mr O'Kelly was pronounced deceased at the scene. The male driver, who is also aged in his late teens, was taken to Cavan Hospital for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. Mr O'Kelly was the son of Gene and Teresa O'Kelly and a brother to Clara. He was a former pupil of Drumeela National School and Carrigallen Vocational School. Most recently, he was studying an agricultural course at Ballyhaise College. On Easter Sunday afternoon, the bells of St. Mary's Church, Drumeela rang out as the remains of Mr O'Kelly were brought to the church for his funeral mass. The funeral mass was led by Carrigallen Parish Priest, Fr John McMahon and was concelebrated by Fr Sean Mawn. Among the large crowd of mourners were his heartbroken family, his many friends, his girlfriend Chloe, neighbours, members of his school communities, work colleagues and the wider Carrigallen community. At the beginning of the Mass, a number of symbols representing Mr O'Kelly's life were brought forward to the altar. A photograph of Mr O'Kelly represented shared moments and memories of him, a rosette that he won for a sheep competition at Ballinamore Agriculture Festival and a tractor represented his love of farming, while a mobile phone represented his connection with his family and friends. Carrigallen Parish Priest, Fr John McMahon said the news of Mr O'Kelly's death at such a young age had brought a 'terrible shock' to his family, friends and the wider community. During the homily, Fr McMahon said Mr O'Kelly had a deep love of farming and every day he finished in school, was 'a day closer to doing what he loved.' 'Working with the sheep and cattle and driving the tractor. 'Finally the day came, he could throw the schoolbag in the corner and he could leave the theory behind and get into the practical side of things. 'This short life on earth that he enjoyed was just given to him for a short while – he was taken from his parents, his sister, his grandmother, his girlfriend, his relations and all of his friends on Tuesday afternoon. 'Your lives were thrown upside down in a matter of minutes. 'Just a few months ago we all experienced the power cuts in the wake of Storm Éowyn - the lights went out and we were left floundering in darkness. 'A sudden death is like that – without warning or a chance to prepare – we are plunged into the darkness of grief,' said Fr McMahon. Fr McMahon said over the past few days people have spoken of how words were 'woefully inadequate' to try and express comfort to the family. However, he said the presence of the community during this difficult time, was a great source of comfort and support to the O'Kelly family. Recalling memories of Mr O'Kelly, Fr McMahon said at school he was a 'practical joker'. 'Dessie was a well known and popular young man who lived life to the full. 'He had always that beaming smile that would disarm any difficult situation. 'He was loved by his friends and that was evident by the way they came in such numbers to visit the family. 'One of the teachers said one time he asked her to excuse himself from her class because he had booked his father's cattle into the mart. 'I also believe he was the bane of the caretaker's life because he would remove a certain door in the school and hide it. 'These are some of the memories we know of Dessie, that likeable rascal,' said Fr McMahon. Prayers of the Faithful were said for Mr O'Kelly's family, the emergency services who attended the scene and the Carrigallen community. Mr O'Kelly's remains were taken from the church to the adjoining cemetery for burial. Mr O'Kelly is survived by his parents Gene and Teresa, his sister Clara (Liam) and his girlfriend Chloe, his grandmother Moira O' Rourke, aunts, uncles, cousins, grand-uncle, grand-aunts and his many friends. Mr O'Kellys death notice reads, "The death has occurred of Desmond Eugene (Dessie) O' Kelly, Drumloona, Carrigallen, Co Leitrim, following a traffic accident."
