A round-up of other courts news in brief
Man acquitted of attempted murder
A man has been found not guilty of attempted murder by a jury at the Central Criminal Court. Albert Byrne (41) Castlemanor, Ballymakenny Road, Drogheda, denied attempting to murder Robert McDonnell (25) at Moneymore, Drogheda on September 14th, 2006.
He also pleaded not guilty to discharging a firearm, and possession of a firearm and ammunition with intent to endanger life.
Mr McDonnell was shot once in the stomach as he sat in his car at traffic lights. He told gardaí the day after the incident that Mr Byrne was the person who shot him but told the jury that he could remember nothing of the shooting or of his statements.
Man admits running brothel
A Co Down man is to be sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for managing a brothel in the city. Duane Killen (36) Oldtown Road, Annalong, Co Down pleaded guilty to acting in the management of a brothel at Bachelors Walk between December 7th and 9th, 2005.
Court rejects stabbing appeal
A Dublin man has lost his appeal against his conviction for the manslaughter of his friend whom he stabbed to death in a mock-fencing match during a cocaine and alcohol binge.
The Court of Criminal Appeal yesterday rejected Timothy Kavanagh’s claims his conviction for killing his friend Johann Verhoeven, a drug dealer, was unsafe on grounds including he was “tricked” into making a confession. Kavanagh was jailed in 2007 for five years.
Ex-addict jailed for drug pickup
A former heroin addict who agreed to pick up almost €200,000 worth of drugs in order to pay off an old drug debt has been sentenced to 10 years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Gary Johnston (28) Monasterboice Rd, Crumlin, Dublin pleaded guilty to possession of €198,000 worth of heroin.
Seven years for storing heroin
A father of three who turned to drugs after being involved in a car accident in which two people died has been sentenced to seven years in prison for storing over €250,000 of heroin for criminals.
Jason Cousins (25), McWilliam Lane, Tallaght, went into a “downward spiral” and started using drugs after the accident in 2007 for which he was not responsible.
Homeless man jailed over drugs
A heroin addict who told gardaí he came from “the streets” has been jailed for seven years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for possessing over €100,000 of drugs over eight months.
Derek Egan (26), North Richmond Street, Dublin pleaded guilty to possessing €57,421 of heroin and €49,656 of cocaine in 2006.
Jail for petrol station robber
A chronic drug addict who went on a three-month robbing spree targeting petrol stations in Meath and north Dublin has been given a five-year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Owen Cummins (30), who was described by staff in some of the robberies as “calm”, was armed with a hammer, pipe and knife during the robberies.